As the school year continued I continued to have off days. They seemed so irregular that I just put it up to mood swings. Looking forward to the spring break more and more. Yes three weeks, one of which being my birthday, where I'd get to be home.
When we get there the first day is mostly sleeping from jet lag. The next has Tilly and me in lessons with our mothers. Like I said I don't mind lessons with mama, even on break. But I'd like to at least have a day to relax.
With that annoyance at mind I stood guard with mama as aunty and Tilly work on making plants grow. Just standing in the background as they tried to make them grow.
Auntie's seemed to bloom at every stroke of her finger like a canvas. It was really amazing to see. Then Tilly tried, her first try failed. But aunty pats her head encouraging her.
Nodding she goes to do it again only… there's this dark feeling coming from her. This had happened a few times, a prickly darkness in her. But every time it happened I'd simply wish this porcupine away and then it would vanish.
This time is the same. I looked at her wishing this thing that didn't fit her to disappear. At that all that was left is her light but then… then I felt something boiling up in me. My annoyance raged it burned in me like an endless fire.
"Look I did it!" Tilly cheers pointing to a small bud.
"Whoopee, a leaf." I huffed.
"Anya!" Aunty Lissa turns to me annoyed.
"What? It's true isn't it? One little leaf is nothing compared to all this." I scuff motioning to the fully bloomed flowers.
Tilly looked around her smile fading as she rubs her arm. Her feelings hurt and I didn't need the bond to see it. But at that moment I didn't care.
"Anastasia Serdtse Belikova!" Mama shouts standing just in front of me. "I think you need to go cool off. After that come back here." She points to the door stern.
Really I know I'm in trouble, she used my full name after all. But still I couldn't be bothered. Stomping off and swearing in Russian under my breath I head to the pool floating on my back.
I let the water take me other as my thoughts drifted. I'm not sure how long I drifted for but soon calmed down. As I did everything came to me.
'Oh gods, what did I do?' I sank into the water thinking about it.
"Finally calmed down?" Chuckles a familiar voice from behind.
Turning I saw Andre leaning on a bowie. That goofy yet charming grin on his face.
"When did you get here?" I turned to him confused.
"I was here first. You're the one that came in swearing and splashing about." Andre points to the pool.
I paled remembering what happened on the way here. All the people I snapped at and the ones I made jump as I slammed the locker before the pool.
'I need to apologize to a lot of people.' I sank slightly my face red.
"Wanna talk about it?" Andre sounds serious as he looks at me concerned.
"That's sweet but no. I have to face mama and aunty." I shake my head slightly. "I just hope they don't ground me for the rest of the trip." I almost whisper.
"Hey come on they'll have to let you out for your birthday right?" Andre nervously chuckles.
I know he was trying to help and honestly that's why I laughed. Then dragged my feet to the changing room.
"Anya!" Andre calls when I was at the door making me turn around. "Even if they lock you up, I'll break you out. Kay?!" he calls to me with his goofy grin on his face but an earnestness in his eyes.
I smiled at him mouthing 'thanks' then headed off. Once at the practice door I stall for a moment. Taking a deep breath and then open the door ready for anything. Except…
"I'm so sorry!" Tilly hugs me tight the moment I'm in the doorway.
"Sorry? I'm the one that snapped at everyone." I look at her and the others confused.
"Yeah but… but it's kinda my fault." Tilly looks at her hurt and worried.
'Her fault?' I was even more confused.
"We should have a talk." Mama sighs calming over to me.
Taking me for lunch mama told me about the OTHER part of the bond. She explained about the darkness and how we can pull it out and into us. I was stunned and felt a pit in my stomach. Seeing my fear, mama smiles pointing to her choker explaining it absorbs the darkness and one will be made for me in whatever style I chose.
She then asked me to describe my style and what I was like. I thought about that. I went with an intricate navy blue rose affixed to a black velvet choker with pewter thorny heart and a sky blue crystal drop.
It didn't take long for aunty to order the necklace then for her and Tilly to cast a spell over it. I also went around apologizing for my actions, I may not have fully been in control but I couldn't stop the guilt.
On an early morning during this break my cell rang through my dream. With that annoying wrap song I know who it was. Why I let Mason pick it I'll never remember.
"Mas, ever call me this early again and those dress up photos with Nina are going on the school web page." I murmurer still bundled under my covers.
"Calm down Anya." Mason chuckles. "I just wanted to be the first."
"First?" I muster, not even close to being continues.
"Happy Slayings to you. Happy slayings to you. You're one age closer to being a Guardian, congrats to you." Mason sings off key. "Happy sixteenth Anya and have fun."
"Anya?" Calls a cute little girls voice. "Hi Anya! Do you miss me? Happy Birthday," shouts the girl.
"Thanks Nina." I giggle.
I can hear them fighting over the phone then Mason clicking out. Really it was cute how they interact with each other.
Nina looks like a mini version of their mother. She's a sweet little doll like girl that tends to pout or hold her breath when not getting her way. And Mason is so protective of her a pity anyone that starts dating her down the line.
Sleep gone from me I grab a swimsuit and go for a morning dip. It was relaxing and helped fully wake me up. Getting out of the pool I see an excited Tilly holding a cupcake with a candle in it.
"HAPPY SIXTEENTH!" Tilly cheers in an almost squeak.
"Thanks Til." I give a small laugh as I start drying off.
"Come on blow out the candle." Tilly looks at the sweet treat then back at me.
I blew it out then took the chocolate swirl and strawberry frosted snack in hand. Then get changed. Tilly knew that the morning belongs to my parents as we go out for breakfast.
"So, endless pancakes? Or all out buffet?" Mama hooks her arm around her daughter's.
"Pancakes." I cheer ready for the fluffy goodness.
"As you wish moy malenkiy khranitel." Papa flips the car keys as they head off.
They head off to a small family restaurant. It always amazed people that the stoic man had the largest sweet tooth out of everyone in the family.
Returning I expected an over the top party just like every other year. But instead of streamers and a red velvet tower of a cake I found sorrowful expressions and someone I hadn't seen in a decade.
"Lord Phantom. What are you doing here?" I give a bow looking at him confused as the guilt swells in me.
"I… I have this for you." Von holds a dvd in hand with black marker writing on it reading 'My little fair' in Russian.
"This is mama's hand writing." I take it in hand astonished with wide eyes.
"Your mother made that years ago. I'm sorry it took so long to give it to you but it never felt like the right time." Von looks at me with the same sad eyes he had all those years ago.
"Why don't you watch it while we talk with Lord Phantom?" Lissa gently pats my shoulder.
I simply nod unable to really think at the moment. I found myself in my room with a laptop on my lap.
"Hello my fairy." Mama Abby starts in Russian as she sits in front of the camera. "I know you must be angry with me for sending you to the states alone. But please understand he NEVER would have stopped looking for us. All I could think of is to send you away so he wouldn't hurt you." She was crying by now.
As I watched my heart broke. She was planning on sending me off on my own. No she was planning on making sure at least I got away. Mama Abby made sure I would have a life and that man wouldn't find me.
I curled up with my face buried behind my knees. Not really sure how long. But long enough that they sent food to me. I could smell the beef stew and corn bread from under the door, but I couldn't get myself to move. I felt like I did ten years ago; helpless and frozen.
Soon I felt the bed move as someone sat next to me. Looking up I see Tilly with cake slices on a flowery plate and Andre with the tray of cold food in hand.
"What are you-?" I rub my red eyes.
"You need to eat something." Tilly hands out the plate with a few forks on the side.
"Stew later. First cake and movies." Andre places the tray to the side sitting on the other side of me.
They weren't going to let me feel alone. Not now or ever. Being reminded of that was nice and heart warming.