Hmm, There IS A Light at the End of the Tunnel
Recap: Adrian's POV: "Not so fast son. We need to have a long talk about your intentions with my daughter." He ordered. His sharp voice stopped me in my tracks and the only thought running through my mind was I'm a dead man.
Chapter 15: Father & His Men
Bella's POV:
I took a step back from the muscular man standing in the living room How did he even get in this house? Dad said that the only people who have keys are the two of us. At least I think that is what he said. This journey has been a complete whirlwind of crazy. Adrian wanting a relationship has been incredibly stressful and to top it all off there is going to be a party. I hate parties. Why hasn't this man said anything or moved yet? I watched him hit a button on his ear piece then step forward. I took another step backward as he did,
"Please, don't take another step. Now answer my question. Why are you in my family's home?" I demanded.
"I am your guardian; my name is Vitali Orlov." He stated.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"I am here to protect you. Her majesty assigned me to you specifically due to my past. Your father and I actually went to school together in St. Petersburg. My mission is to stay close to you at all times. Even in the walls of the Grand Court one cannot be trusting of all they come across."
"I thought this was supposed to be a safe place?" I asked.
"It is as safe as can be expected with rebel groups outraged at having young Vasilisa on the throne."
"Well, I think I am going to go get some sleep now." I said after a long awkward pause in the conversation. I rushed up the stairs, only tripping twice. I went into my room and locked the door. I don't completely trust this guardian. I decided to set my nerves at ease and quickly typed out a text then sent it to my father. Please let this be nothing to worry about.
Adrian's POV:
I am dead. Let's just face the facts. I am a dead man. I am dying with so many regrets. I never got a chance to have a relationship with Bella. But maybe, just maybe Mr. Swan can respect that?
"I am waiting boy," he said and crossed his armed.
"I, well my intentions are to have a relationship with her, sir." I stuttered.
"I know how you younger boys think. Relationships are not just about sex, drugs, or alcohol. They are about commitment. Love not lust son. I don't want my daughter to have another bad influence destroy her. I never liked that Edward boy. He was too pompous and controlling. It reminded me too much of Court. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. He didn't allow Bella the freedom she deserves to be her own person. And as much as I like Jake, he didn't either. I want the best for Bella. Why do you think you deserve her?" Charlie ranted.
"The honest truth is that I don't deserve her sir. I am the definition of a bad seed. You can ask anyone here at Court. I break rules, I meddle, and I do want I want. And right now what I want is Bella. She is truly amazing. She is not just some flavor of the month for me. No other girl holds a candle to her. I want to bring her out of her shell. Give her opportunities to try out new things and discover herself. I know that nothing I can do will make me worthy of her sir. But if she gives me a chance, then I will try every day to be a better man for her." I took a big breath in after that long speech.
"Well, what about getting Bells to lose inhibitions and trying illegal substances?" Charlie questioned. "Are you going to force her into partaking in these things against her will and better judgement?"
"I only encourage my friends to do as they please. I would never even dream of making Bella do anything she does not want to do. I only suggested she lose her inhibitions because she should loosen up. The tight reigns that the Cullen kid had on her still control her behavior. She is trying to be good in the hopes he might return. She should let her hair down and do what makes her happy." I answered.
"You know, I never liked that Cullen boy. He was too self-righteous. And you are completely right. He controlled her. They took her shopping and bought clothes that they liked on her. My Bells would never have picked out some of the frou-frou crap that she wore for a while there. The battery on the Chevy needed to be replaced due to under use. Edwin believed the Chevy was unsafe for Bells. She didn't drive it enough, one of the Cullens always picked her up when they wanted to go somewhere. Not a healthy relationship. I was relieved to see him and his family leave. They were too much of a danger to her." Charlie informed.
"Agreed," I said.
"Then you came into the picture," Charlie grumbled. "And I was reluctant to have my daughter fraternizing with the Adrian Ivashkov. The youngest alcoholic Moroi of all time became infatuated with Bells. She always attracts trouble."
"There is no doubt there. The girl is a danger magnet." I stated.
"But, as I was saying, I think while you are a very destructible person." Charlie began.
"That I am," I agreed with him.
"I think you are great for my daughter," He finished.
"Now don't judge me that harshly sir. I adore your daughter and, wait. Did you just say that I am great for your daughter?" I asked.
"Yes, son. You are helping Bella get out of her depression. She is smiling more and engaging socially. Before she was just a shell of her old self. I don't know how, but whatever you are doing is helping her become herself and not someone else. I want what's best for her. Right now that is you." Charlie confided.
"Well, thank you." I said.
"And speaking of Bella," he whispered as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He read the message and his face paled.
"What's wrong Mr. Swan?" I asked.
"She has gotten herself into trouble again." He said and showed me the message. I read it quickly and then he added, "I haven't been assigned any guardians as of yet. I just spoke with the queen. We decided that since we are here in Court that there are plenty of guardians on patrol for protection. I have no idea who Vitali Orlov is or how he got into the house."
"Okay, here is what we are going to do. I will go get some trusted Dhampirs. You text Bella to stay calm but do not go anywhere with this phony. Then wait here. If this guy sees you outside the window, then he will make some rash decisions because he will know he has been caught. Someone could get hurt in the cross fire. That is something we definitely do not want. I will be back soon Mr. Swan." I turned toward the palace.
"Adrian, one more thing," Charlie called out. I turned around to face him. "Call me Charlie." I saluted and then ran inside the palace. I stopped a guardian and asked where the royal party is at and it is a major emergency. He spoke into his ear piece and showed me to the sitting room. The posse was all here waiting.
"What's the big emergency Adrian? Run out of booze?" Christian asked.
"Ha ha, Ozera. Bella is in serious trouble." I said.
"What kind of trouble?" Jill asked.
"Cousin, you did not assign any guardians to the Swans, correct?" I asked Lissa.
"Correct. Charlie and I have already discussed this matter. We are in Court. They should both be safe." Lissa.
"Okay, now Belikov, are there any guardians named Vitali Orlov?" I asked Dimitri.
"No, Guardian Hathaway," Dimitri began when Rose tried to speak. "No, not you Rose." He said and she closed her mouth and moved to sit in his lap. "Guardian Hathaway, do you know of any guardians by that name?"
"No I don't. Why is this guardian important to the situation?" Janine asked.
"Because Bella is home alone and she texted Charlie that A Vitali Orlov was waiting for her. The guardian told her that he is her assigned guard for the duration of the stay. But as you all know the Swans currently do not have any assigned guardians." I explained.
"If I may," Abe spoke up. "while you all were chit chatting I have information on this fraud. Vitali Orlov is his real name. However, his motives are not aligned with the Moroi. My informant says that he has been working for the strigoi for several years now in hopes of being turned. He graduated top of his class in '89 from St. Petersburg Academy. He is extremely skilled and deadly."
"Why isn't he at the top of the most wanted list then?" Rose asked.
"Because he isn't a strigoi, therefore the council did not see fit to have a watch for him. All alarms and watches are for the soulless strigoi. Why would anyone expect a Dhampir to come to Court with harmful intentions?" Dimitri pointed out.
"Again, not to interrupt your conversation." Abe coughed then continued, "If this Vitali Orlov is with Bella, alone. Shouldn't someone do something about it? This man is dangerous and most likely armed. We have no idea what his motives for targeting the Swans are. We need to act swiftly and before he suspects something." Crap. Bella stay safe.
Bella's POV:
I went over to my desk and checked my email. I sent a quick reply to my mother's epistle. Then I did some online school work. I was able to finished High School early and I am now enrolled in Phoenix University. I am focusing on my general coursework right now. I don't know what I want to go into for my degree. Maybe Literature. Who knows? I finished my paper for my composition class when a knock came pounding at my door.
"Ms. Swan?" Guardian Orlov's voice boomed through the thick door. Then my phone chirped letting me know I have a new text message. It is from dad. I quickly opened it and read it. I could feel my heart beat pick up. I knew this guy was fake. What do I do? Dad said to wait for them to come help me, but this potentially dangerous man is standing outside my bedroom door. Who know what the man wants.
"Ms. Swan, will you please open the door? It is an emergency and we need to vacate the premises." He called out. I began putting any necessary things into my shoulder bag. Then I slowly opened my bedroom window. I looked down. I should not have looked down. I am too high up to jump. What am I going to do?
"Ms. Swan. We do not have time for this. I am going to break down the door now." He said. Ugh! Think Bella, think! The sheet! Perfect. I grabbed the sheet off my bed and tied it to the wardrobe by the window. I grabbed the quilt and tied it to the end of the sheet. Then I tossed the blanket rope out the window. I heard a loud thump and wood splintering against the door. I then slid under the bed, thanking heaven that the bed had a bed-skirt to hide my shaking form. Now I just have to muster enough courage to run out the door when he busts it open.
"This is not funny Ms. Swan. I would've rather we do this the easy way, but you have left me with no other choice. Now here I come!" He yelled and rammed the door one last time. The big man came bustling into the bedroom. He kicked the splintered door aside and made his way to the window. I slid out on the other side of the bed and crawled out the bedroom threshold. I stood and ran down the stairs. I did not stay to listen to his roar, because I can hear it from where I tripped on the landing. I stood up and looked back and there he is, looking murderous. I turned and ran down the rest of the stairs. I heard his pounding feet behind me or maybe that is my heart trying to beat out of my chest. I grabbed the doorknob that would led me out of this disaster. But he grabbed my hair and pulled me back. No!
(AN: Hello all. I apologize for not updating this story in over two years. Life has been crazy. School has been chaotic. Work drives me nuts sometimes. My back also went out again. And let me tell you back pain is so not fun. I have been in loads of pain the past few days. Thankfully it has worn off, go team medicine! LOL. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The plot is progressing slower than I originally planned, but you all get to see more of Adrian & Bella. Anyway, I do not own Twilight or Vampire Academy. Thanks for reading everyone! Love your patience! 3 )
○Forever and For Always,
~LHNT~
A.K.A.
*Heather* :D