I do not own Vampire Academy.

"This is ridiculous!" I hissed under my breath, grabbing my white school blouse and pulling it outside my skirt. The stitched emblem of the school crest was beginning to itch. Personally, I would throw ever skirt into depts of hell. Be damned if it gave me a disheveled appeal at least I would be comfortable.

Andre rolled his eyes as we approached Kirova's office together. We had permission to skip classes today seeing the Saint Basil's Headmistress decided to arrive earlier than planned. Kirova's secretary, a bubbly dhampir in her late sixties told us to have a seat near the office door.

"Chill, Scar." Andre sat crossed legged in the uncomfortable chair.

"Hey! I am chill, so chill if fact I would melt and evaporate- becoming one with the Earth!" Great, I was now rambling. That happens when I'm nervous, but I'd never admit that to Kirova's face. No doubt my brother didn't like the wait either but I especially hated waiting. Strick that, I despised it. When Kirova finally let us in we had been sitting there for a good half hour.

I highly doubt she was on a conference call. I seethed into our connection.

Andre shrugged. It was probably with her plastic surgeon.

He wasn't wrong, Andre's intuition had never been wrong. Kirova (satisfying) didn't grace with age. As time wore on Kirova became faker with more plastic, tucks and pulls with her knock-off Louboutin's.

Kirova sauntered out from behind her desk to greet Andre. I swear that woman would kiss his feet if she could. Kirova had a bad habit of sucking up to the royals, especially the Queen's son. The Headmistress had no problem ignoring me as the two made quick chatter mostly about Andre's 'striving' academics.

All the royal family branches scattered the office walls as I perused the names and faces of every branch. I smiled when I found Adrian's picture, the picture was old in his late twenties. I was surprised that Kirova kept his picture up, his father had stripped his title when Adrian married Sidney. A human alchemist. My godfather was no longer considered a successor to the branch, yet my mother kept him around as an advisor, however he preferred his life in Maine.

So many people I didn't know, countless faces of Moroi that held only one thing, a name. What had they done? Held an office… maybe? If these random faces had done something, I would've seen it in a history book. No, most of these royals had done nothing but they get recognized, just for belonging to a name.

I don't know why I stopped at the Dragomir's, I knew what was there and what wasn't; Mom in her best with her crown glittering with a calm peaceful smile. Dad across from her neither a smile nor a scowl, you never knew with Dad, below them, Andre's recent picture. Andre could even make the picture shimmer.

What was missing? For an adopted Dhampir could never be recognized with her family. Maybe it would've been easier as an adopted Moroi but never a dhampir. Mom made it happen though, I did have a title, but there were some people like Kirova who remained suborn in a twelfth century old social-ideal.

"It's been a while sense you've been in my office Hathaway," Kirova smirked, she thought she was funny. Half the time I feel like the speck of dirt that Kirova washed from her pointy heels…maybe I was.

"I guess it was your horrible interior decorating that's kept me in line, Headmistress," I smile back.

Kirova suddenly lost her humorous smirk and I heard Andre internally groan within our link.

"I would like to outline how this greeting will go," she started through gritted teeth. "You will act respectable to their Headmistress, you understand? I don't care who's house you spend the most time in you'll kiss their feet if you must."

"I'm sure you can give me a few pointers then Headmistress," I said sweetly. Her pulled skin seemed to get tighter with anger and before Kirova could scold or insult me farther there came a swift knock at the door and a Guardian appeared, the same Guardian from practice yesterday. To my disappointment, it wasn't the one I drooled over just the Russian Boss's twin.

"Headmistress Natasha Ozera, to see you Headmistress." He moved to the side to let her through. I expected an old rancorous of a woman, maybe a tight collar and cold accent. What I didn't anticipate was a beautiful woman, raven hair, a curvilinear body I'd die for, and a scar that ran down her cheek and jawline; only to help intensify her luminous ice blue eyes. Andre's eyes…a trademark of the Ozera family line.

I thought Dad said his side of the family died. I could feel Andre was also puzzled. Not only did they carry the same last name, but their appearance was strikingly similar.

Time to get the family tree out. Andre sent back.

"My Andre, have you grown!" She grasped him into a tight hug which Andre awkwardly accepted. "I haven't seen you sense you were a baby." I think Andre was trying to find his words because he didn't answer right away.

"Not to be rude," I said, sure I'll be the rude one. "Who are you?" Natasha's smile fell slightly when she turned my direct but only a spit-second. "Why I'm your aunt silly, you must be Scarlet!" She hugged me too but unlike Andre I didn't hug back.

She held me at arm's length scanning me up and down. "You look exactly like your mother." Wait, she knew Rose? Before for I could ask her more. Kirova gave an interruptive cough before leading the Natasha away. No one talked about my birth mother. Rose was a taboo within the family, the sudden dark cloud on a parade, the horrible sharp tack you stepped on.

"It has been a long-time Natasha," Kirova smiled at her like they were old friends. Hell, the thought Kirova having friends made me laugh. "Yes, it has Ellen."

As the two Headmistresses took their seats Kirova waved us away, "you're dismissed."

I made a beeline for the door.

"Wait!" Natasha called out, "sense we'll be here for a while why don't we have dinner together… tonight? It'll give us some time to caught up." She smiled hopefully and Andre melted right away. She was nice, too nice. Her odd bubbliness made me want to hate her.

"No problem, name a time and place," said Andre.

Ah, no! Andre! He didn't answer back only gave me a pointed look.

By the time, they left the office I officially cursed out every swear word under the sun.

"That was a fucking waste of my time!" I exclaimed. 'Next time Mom wants us to meet long lost relatives she can do it herself! And why the hell didn't Dad tell us we have another aunt?"

Andre looked deep in thought pulling off his tie and sling it over his shoulder. "I'm sure he has a reason."

"Why? It would be one thing to just grow apart but he told us he was an only child."

"Maybe she's lying?" We made it to the ground floor into the crisp night.

"No…I saw her eyes. There is no doubting you're related, and she was so excited to see you…she just seemed genuine."

"The question is, why did Mom and Dad lie?" The question was more for the wind for we couldn't answer it.

"How do you even keep a person covered up like that? She's not even a person but a relative." Another question for the wind…

"Carefully."

…

Andre and I shortly split ways that noon. By evening time, I stood alone outside a stranger's guest suite waiting for Andre. I hadn't bothered to knock yet because I wasn't going in uncharted waters without him. Ten minutes rolled around and I was starting to feel like an idiot. I may have punctuality problems myself, but Andre had serious commitment issues, not just with people but appointments, meetings, family events, the list could go on. You name it he always had something better to do. Andre always found a way out of it usually just compelled people to forget his lateness or striking bedhead.

It's probably way Andre and I didn't have a close relationship. I tried, but Andre found better things- girls and parties. So here I stood, alone, once again thinking of a good excuse for Andre again.

I lost my nerve and decided to head back to my dorm.

"Aren't you going inside?" I spun around; the figure blended into the shadows. God only knows how long he'd been watching me.

"How long have you been watching me?"

He chuckled and stepped into the light of the hallway. "Long enough to know you don't want to go in."

It was the Russian Boss's twin.

"That obvious?" Lord, did I probably seem pathetic.

"You also mumble underneath your breath, so I needed no guess work," his accent drawled out. The more I looked at him I realized that he had supple differences between him and the Russian Boss. His jawline was softer more appealing to approach. His stance was relaxed now unlike in the gymnasium which gave him a more youthful look. He wore shorts and a black razer back tee-shirt that showed off his muscles and shoulder blades. He must've come back from the gym.

He was cute and not so robotic like all the rumors foretold.

The stranger held out his hand with a smile, "I'm Paul Belikov by the way."

Paul, what a normal name for a man with such a deep Russian accent. I returned his hand gesture, "Scarlet Hathaway."

"I know," Paul chuckled. Of course, he knew. I was an idiot tonight. There was an awkward pause when Paul decided he would be the first to step inside. Ladies first be damned, if I need a quick escape, I rather be by the door first.

The inside was comforting, the space was larger than a normal apartment which lead me to believe there were more connecting rooms. Paul lead me to what I presumed to be the living room. Three people were lounging on the beige sofa watching the television.

"Paul!" A small child probably around the age of ten summersaulted off the couch and jumped into the Paul's awaiting arms. They pretended to wrestle amongst each other it was cute. The play-fight stopped when the kid noticed I, the stranger, had entered their home. He bolted down the hall to what must have been his room.

Paul shrugged at me, "that was Ben, as you can tell he doesn't like strangers." I couldn't blame the poor fellow. Two others remained on the sofa now.

"Scarlet, this is my sister Zoya," he pointed out the girl lying flat on the couch looking extremely bored. She was truly gorgeous, and I began wondering if this family had godly genes. She stood out from her brother with unnaturally bleached hair turned slightly grey, several spearing's, some jogging pants, a light crop-top, and a small leather jacket. Her arms and chest covered in elegant tattoos.

"Well look at the new blood Katya," Zoya jackaled. I could already tell she was an acquired spirit. Katya was still looking down at her book before peaking at me through her glasses.

"Leave her alone Zoya, she is too young for you to harass."

Zoya chuckled once more and leap from the plush sofa only to come around the back to rap her hand around me. I must say she had no sense in personal space.

"Now, I must know who our honored guest tonight is, you are obviously too young for my darling brother. He's too noble for that type of play." She winked at me. I don't believe Zoya means to be crude, but I think that's is just that tone that draws off her sarcasm.

"Sometimes the most obvious things just past right by you Zoya," Katya closed her book hurriedly and stood up, she seemed chipped and cold. She dared not make eye contact with me, maybe she also had a stranger disposition.

"Stop being a sour puss Kat obviously she is Scarlet Hathaway and she may be younger but even with your degree she still outranks you, and she hasn't even finished high school. I maybe slightly high ninety percent of the time but don't second guess my superior intelligence, nerd." Katya's face grew colder. She silently passed us into the hallway that Ben took. Zoya suddenly burst out laughing, was she high now?

"Do you ever stop," Paul intervened.

"Oh, don't pull the big brother complex on me we've all matured and had enough vodka in our lives that it's better to be honest with each other."

"You are unreal Zoya," Paul said rolling his eyes. At this point I was completely lost and still under Zoya's arm.

"Uhm, not to crash the topic at hand but I'm just here for the food." I said.

They both looked at me, well more so down at me, because they were giants I only came up to Paul's shoulder. I know they probably forgot about me in their family braw.

"Look, I can come back at a different time…when there are less people."

I began walking backwards towards the door when it opened once more. In walked Natasha giggling followed by the charmer himself, Andre. I was going to fry him like the white egg he is.

"Scarlet! Look who met me at the door, you got here so early." Me early, yeah not. I gave Andre my deadliest look before we entered the kitchen. Andre only shrugged

"I hope you guys don't mind take-out, no one is here to cook." She started scanning the kitchen trying to find the take-out menu, pulling open the vacant cabinet and drawers.

"Damn, Zoya she must have taken them! Zoya! " Natasha called out from the kitchen.

"I did not! Katya ordered stuff today!" Zoya yelled back from the living room.

She turned to us still smiling, "why don't we just go out."

Now I smiled, "I have an idea."

…

Dinner with the Belikov's and Tasha at the diner was interesting. Andre was miserable the whole time, but I enjoyed myself. We didn't grow up on a large family. It was just Andre and me, let me tell you that gets extremely boring.

I found of that Paul was working on his title one Bloodmaster rank, he was insightful and cut into the conversation when necessary. Zoya was another story, she was also a Guardian. She taught combat-exercise to the first-year Guardians entering Court. She was witty and full of sarcasm even I didn't have the time for.

Katya was the opposite of her upbeat cousins. Through Zoya I learned she wasn't a Guardian; she currently has a degree in medicine and was now entering her first year of residency in our hospital ward.

I enjoyed their company, I really did.

The Belikov's must've tired Andre out because I wasn't awakened by porn hub for which I was grateful. I was starting to like them, especially Zoya and Paul. Ben didn't come with us. His mom just arrived from her flight when we went to the diner. Paul said they wish to stay in for the night pen

Lily wasn't here to wake me up this time because of early classes. I got to skip Alto's today (like every other Tuesday morning) and went down to the gym. These were my favorite mornings, the sun still peaked out along the hidden valley and outside is where Eddie took me during his morning off.

The training exercise yesterday was a rare opportunity for me. Eddie usually kept his foot down when it came to plain course work. I made my way to the gym on time this morning, feeling rather cheerful.

Usually the gym was empty when Eddie and I started our warm-ups but that wasn't the case when I entered. The room was packed with students, dozens of students. They were using the track, every piece of equipment accessible- the equipment hogs were out for the kill.

I didn't recognize a single face, which meant- a lot of Russian students. They must've have arrived late last night. Some turned their heads towards me as I walked past. If you haven't noticed, yet I wasn't received will in the Dhampir community. I guess it was the same in Russia.

I severed the Dhampir's most vital saying:

"They come first."

I looked inside Eddie's office, not there.

The gym was so congested if was hard to find anyone let alone Eddie. I waited in the office for a little while hoping he would show, it wasn't like Eddie to forget. Hell, I wouldn't let him forget.

Eddie's office was soundproof, but his windows gave enough sight into the gym to make up for it. There was a sparring progressing in the octagon. There was commotion in the ring and students began to gather around to watch. Interested, I made my way out of the office into the crowd trying to find an unblocked view.

The fighters were about my age, one a lanky ginger while the other was a freaking giant. I honestly couldn't believe he was in an academy.

The crowd started chanting what I assumed was the giants name.

"Belikov! Belikov!"

Belikov? Another one? How many are in this damn family. The giant's features were slightly off compared to the rest of Belikov's I had met last night. His hair was dark as midnight, but it still held the Belikov thickness. He was slightly fairer skinned, leaner in the shoulders, but still tall and massive for his possible age.

His opponent stood no chance and I felt sorry for the guy because I'm sure he was trying; Ultra Russian was probably on steroids. Belikov only had to use one arm to slam the ginger to his side. The octagon shook with the sudden impact and the crowd became electric. His style was barbaric, and the happy students only seemed to be stroking his ego.

I had watched a human boxing match with Uncle Adrian at his home in Maine. I loved to watch fight, even to be in the fight. At least all the fights I've watched in and out of the academy were evenly matched. This resembled more of a puppy receiving a new chew-toy.

Slam.

I think I heard the Ginger's rib crack.

He picked up the boy back up and slammed him down once more, now the boy wasn't moving. When the crowd continued to chant but the boy still didn't move. He needed to move. Instead of the boy moving, I was moving instead through the crowd. I was panicked for the boy that as a got closer, looked lifeless.

Moving quickly through the ropes I reached the boy that was indeed unconscious, and his breathing was shallow which meant his lung might be punctured. I could hear rude catcalls from the Novices, but I didn't care. How could people treat another human like this? They might as well have left him to die.

"Hey," I whispered to him. Freckles didn't respond.

The mock-Hulk was eyeing me closely and now the crowd went silent.

"Look, it's the traitor helping the gingerbread boy… how cute." It was a feminine voice within the crowd that broke the silence. Did those words string, a little. I didn't take it into consideration whether people's opinions affected me. I didn't have the time to think about it nor did I want too.

The boy remained unconscious and I was trying to stay in a neutral mind-set, but by Saint Vlad was I starting to panic.

"What is wrong with you!" I yelled out to the Russian.

Oh, great Scarlet, poke the beast. He turned to me; his chocolate eyes pierced mine with a unphased stare.

"What is wrong with you? Helping a weakling that made his team fail all because he said he couldn't. You know nothing about what it takes to drive a team. If you're not going to risk, it all to save others then you're not guardian material."

"That doesn't mean killing them in the process!"

"The environment could've been elevated to sever risk if he can't perform simple training exercises," he scolded, "why don't you run back to mommy and tell her all about how completely unfair and unjust we are. I'm sure she would love to hear our added complaints."

At this point I was standing over the boy, my body becoming restless with anger. "You know what Comrade; you are more than a brute and a bully you're a fucking jackass and colder than a Strigoi. No one should be treated like the shit on your shoe all because they can't perform the same as a giant on steroids!" Belikov smirked amused by my statement. He set his towel down and faced me properly.

Oh, Saint Vlad, what did I get myself into?

"I hope you can stand up to those words, Hathaway." His muscles seemed to bulge and coil like a snake as he took his fighting stance, he was ready to strike.

I took my own position in front of the comatose boy, a teen I barely knew. I hoped he would thank me later in the infirmary because I'm sure that's where we both were going.

"Bring it on, Comrade."

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