Authors Note: Hey guys sorry for that I haven't updated in a while. I've been moving to a new area that is closer to work and it's been frustrating.
Plus I have been having the worst case of writer's block. Also, I would like to point out that this story is not going to be a short story, it is going to be like 20 or 30 chapters long. That's the plan at least.
Last but not least, Credit goes out to my wonderful Beta Reader: Badass Belikova va.
She helped me edit and to use correct spelling in this chapter and add a little more detail.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy.
X Vika
I opened my eyes to the feeling snow hitting my face and quickly sat upright whilst looking around. I saw nothing but trees for miles on end and the ground was covered in a blanket snow. The sky was as if it was frozen in twilight. Suddenly I started to get a deep wrenching feeling in my gut.
"Hello, darling." I heard an eerily voice say from behind me.
I quickly turned around to find Celeste two feet away from me, smiling like she was talking to a beloved child. It made me sick.
"What do you want?" I sneered.
"My, My, is that any way to greet your Mother?" She asked with a cat like grin.
I growled at her statement, she did it on purpose, knowing that I never did nor ever would acknowledge her as my mother, only my creator, who stole me away from my true self.
She giggled like a school girl at my reaction and stepped closer, reaching out to touch me, brave move. I tried to move my arm to smack her hand away but nothing happened. Wide-eyed in disbelief, I tried to move my body, only to figure out that I was frozen in place.
I growled in frustration and glared at her while I watched her hand comes towards my face. I felt her icy cold hand touch my cheek and then slide into my hair as she circled behind me and moved my hair away from my ear. I could feel her chest press against my back and her breath tickling my ear.
"I do hope you loved your present. I had planned it as a surprise. Tell me, did you enjoy yourself? Watching all those people die, their blood spilling everywhere, did you feast on the essence of their souls?" She whispered as she licked my ear to the base of my throat, sending chills throughout my entire body.
I didn't answer her, I just stared off into the trees that surrounded us. When it became clear to her that I wouldn't answer. She just chuckled and called me a child before she threw me roughly at a tree.
All I could feel was the force of hitting the tree and then an unbearable searing pain shooting through my battered body, jolted me awake. I opened my eyes to find myself back in the room that I claimed was mine and sighed in relief. It was just a dream, a realistic one at that.
Getting out of bed I quickly dressed and brushed my hair before heading to the kitchen, where I could smell breakfast being made, my stomach growled as I longed for the delicious smell. I walked in to find Erik and Christian making waffle and eggs while Atali was sitting at the table drinking her Irish coffee.
"Good Morning Team." I greeted them with a yawn.
I grabbed a chair and sat at the table while Erik handed me a plate full of food, I Smiled at him in thanks before digging in and moaning in pure joy. Erik and Christian always did make the most delicious food. I swear, with how good they are at cooking, I am amazed that they're still single. Atali gave out a small chuckle at my reaction to the food and slid a small stack of papers my way. I tilted my head in question as I reached for it. Looking them over I realized that what Atali gave me, where reports of who survived the attack and where they were located.
"When did you get this?" I asked as I hurriedly scanned through the papers.
"A messenger came by early this evening and dropped them off. They are directly from the Queen. The last page is a report on who is missing and who is deceased." She said in a matter of fact tone, no remorse what so ever.
Looking through them, I was surprised at the amount of Moroi that escaped, but when I saw the last two pages, it all made sense. Nearly all of the Dhampir's that were at Court perished in battle, only thirty had survived and escaped. My heart sunk in defeat and suddenly I didn't feel like eating.
"I saw that you were hanging out with Damen last night, any news from the Fae world?" Erik asked, trying to distract me from the report.
"Well the Counsel is now listening to Gramps about Celeste and how it is time to prepare for war, but Damen was here last night to check up on me for him. Apparently, the attack on the Moroi Court was large enough to attract the attention of the Fae." I sighed as I leaned back into my chair.
Looking around I noticed that no one else was around but us and when I focused I was able to hear eight heartbeats from the second floor. There was supposed to be ten in total, we were missing two.
Christian, who must have caught on to what I was thinking about by reading whatever expression showed on my face, spoke up. "Your parents left when the sun was barely setting. They went to go see the Queen and ask her what her course of action would be." He explained, relief washed through me.
I felt the corner of my lip lift up into a smirk. Leave it up to the old man to be impatient and wanting to get his hands into everything. I could only imagine what would happen if he got his hands on some C4.
I raised from my chair and headed out of the kitchen. "Well then, I am going to go outside to train and then hunt. Catch you guys later." I yelled back. Walking through the house, I was about to pass a room when I heard hushed voices coming from inside. I stopped in curiosity and leaned quietly against the wall and strained my ears to pick up on their conversation.
"She is a threat to us all, we need to get rid of her." I heard Tasha's voice whisper.
"I agree. What if she turns on us, if she hasn't already, and plans to either kill us or turn us?" Vasilisa's voice came next, encouraging what Tasha said.
"We are not planning to kill Rose. What has gotten into you two? You really think that Rose would betray her friends, the people she cares most about? Yes, she has... changed. But for the most part, she is the same. We have been visiting her for the past three years, and from what Christian said, she was turned a year ago and we didn't see any difference. You two need to stop." Eddie's voice was clear as a bell. He made no attempt to whisper, he probably knew I was listening in.
"Enough. We are done discussing this. Tasha, Princess, stop trying to make Rose into a villain. She has always been trustworthy. I suggest you two make amends and try to civil to her during this situation." Dimitri's voice sent tingles through my body, and I saw my goosebumps form on my arms.
I leaned off the wall and turned the corner as I heard feet shuffling towards the door. I walked towards the door that led outside and closed it behind me and stalked towards a tree. How DARE them! I cannot believe those two, Especially Vasilisa. After EVERYTHING I have done for that bitch, she OWES me but is too stuck up to realize it.
I slammed my fists repeatedly against the trunk of the tree, creating fist size craters and yet I was still not satisfied. A Growl erupted from my throat in frustration and I started clawing at the bark, enjoying how easily it seemed to tear off. I was so caught up in my rage that when I heard someone clear their throat in an attempt to get my attention, I swirled around and bared my fangs at the person who was either brave or stupid to approach me, only to stop as soon as I saw who it was...Dimitri.
For a split second his eyes held fear before he hid behind that mask of indifference. He stepped closer until he was only a couple feet in front of me.
"We need to talk Rose," he said calmly.
I took a few breathes to calm down and then glared at him. "What about Dimitri?" I asked with attitude.
The corner of his mouth slightly frowned as he turned and walked to the nearest lawn chair. I sighed and followed after him. I sat in the chair across from him and waited for him to speak, He seemed to be thinking of a way to start the conversation, I could tell by the way he kept tapping his fingers against the glass table.
"Dimitri, just say what's on your mind. And don't beat around the bush either." I said impatiently.
He nodded and began to speak. "You've changed Roza, and no, I don't mean in the obvious way. You're more withdrawn, distant, and you seem to approach everything with an aura of indifference. What happened?"
"Don't call me that. Look, over the years I grew up, I matured and realized that there are things you just can't change. The world is a harsh place Dimitri, and either you lay down and let it beat you, or you fight back with everything you got." I said casually.
"I see." He said, not sounding all that happy with my answer. Oh well.
"Anything else?" I asked.
"The Tunnel. You bit me. Why?" he asked as I watched how his hand reach up and laid palm down against his neck, where I bit him.
I looked away feeling ashamed, I should have had better control over myself. I don't even understand what happened.
"I didn't mean to. I just lost control a little. I haven't quite gained control of the bloodlust yet. It has only been a year since I was turned Dimitri. You of all people should know what it's like, even you admitted to having trouble controlling it when you were a Strigoi." I said.
He flinched when I brought up the worst time in his life, but I didn't care. I'm still mad with how he ended things with us and I refuse to forgive him yet.
I started to get up from my chair. "Oh, and by the way, your Charge and girlfriend should stop while they're ahead. I wouldn't even dare turn against my friends and family. However, I do not consider Vasilisa or Tasha as family or friend. So if they attack me in any way, I will defend myself and I will not hold back." I warned him.
I quickly turned around and went back into the house only to bump into someone and hurting my nose. I opened my eyes and was met with a chiseled chest, looking up I saw Erik looking down at me with one of his eyebrows raised.
"Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he?" he asked as he looked behind me and glared at Dimitri.
I shook my head and leaned into his chest, breathing in his scent. Enjoying the Scent of Irish spring bar soap. I felt his hand tussle my hair before he let his hand slid down to my hand and started pulling me in the direction of the living room, where everyone started to gather.
Erik sat down on the couch and pulled me into his lap facing Atali as she began speaking.
"Everyone here? Good. Now listen everyone, I have been getting reports from my fellow witches around the U.S. That the Voidkins has taken down three main Strigoi hideouts and counting. They are using the Strigoi as slaves or livestock. Which is really fascinating, cause we had no idea that Strigoi could be prey. Anyways, I have also gotten reports that Celeste is plannings to raise the Ember Army, she has already destroyed two out of the four temples and has taken the sacred artifacts. If she raises that army. There would be no stopping her, she would end the world as we know it and create a world full of shadow and terror." Altai explained.
"What is the Ember Army?" asked Eddie with a concerned look on his face.
"The Ember Army is an Army of cursed Elves that could be controlled by a magical object. They do not hunger, they do not think, they do not tire, and they do not show mercy. The last to command them was the Elven King Venali, who sealed them away deep into the ground, casting on them the spell of slumber. The object that controlled them were split into four pieces and hidden deep within temples. Only those who protect it know where those pieces lie and none who have gone to look for them have come back alive... until now." I spoke with a mystic air around me, catching everyone attention. Somewhere filled with wonder and worry.
One was filled with hatred.
"So all we got to do is go on some epic adventure, kick some ass, look for the remaining artifacts, and stop the world from ending. Sounds fun. When do we start?" Said Christian, with mischief and excitement gleaming in his eyes.
