(CeCeRox)

[The following chapter focuses on Ana and her interaction with Lady Shurman. She is desperate to learn about her past and discovers a secret the Guardian has been hiding from her. Add on to chapter what Lady Aries is doing back in Ruso at the end]

Chapter 1: A Mother's Lies

8 Years Later

Anastasia is the definition of darkness; it surrounds her in every aspect without a degree of mercy. Her hair, those eyes and even her room were encompassed by it. Everyone who crossed her path were distressingly aware of the stereotypes that shrouded mongrels like her. "She's evil," Were whispered in hushed tones. "Look at those eye! That hair!" All the same nonsense. She never understood where these theories of appearance originated, but she knew with her looks she was at the bottom. It's not as if other mongrels couldn't have these features; in fact it's commonplace to appear this way it fascinated her specters though. They had their reasons to leer she was taller, naturally athletic and there was always this aura around that seemed to entrance anyone in her presence. Although she would rather be anywhere but the center of attention she always had a target on her back. She was female in a society that was severely lacking in them, and she showed no fear towards the harsh and cruel society surrounding her. This exact attitude is what landed her in solitary confinement in her private dorm, one of the few children to have one.

"Anastasia!" Boomed a stern voice from the hall.

The girl sighed as she lifted her head from her bedroom desk. She was placed in her room as punishment for an earlier altercation. She was not the most sociable of children; the perfect example of a loner. You see, there was a group of kids who believed they ran the facility when the supervisors weren't looking, and she didn't take too well to their rules. They deserved the beating in her mind they shouldn't have messed with her in the first place. Because of her appearance the other's saw her as the perfect target. They were never expecting her to fight back though, which she always did and always got in trouble for. It wasn't seen as ladylike to brawl and this fact was pounded into her head during every conflict. Mr. Stallone was the head of the Guardian and one of the strictest supervisors of all time. He never held back when it came to discipline but there was something about Ana that boiled his blood. Ana prayed to the universe or whatever was out there that he spared her this time.

"Anastasia, I will not ask again!"

Ana rose from her creaky chair, spun on her heels and gradually made her way to the door. She grasped the cool metal doorknob her breath caught in her throat. Door flung open as Mr. Stallone entered without invitation. With the speed of light he caught her underneath her arm and began the ominous drag to his office. There was no kicking, screaming or protest of any kind from the girl, but his eyes spoke volumes. They were slanted with vengeance seeping out of them; if looks could kill. Mr. Stallone, never fearing a child in his life continued with quick pace and stern demeanor. He grumbled on about something Ana couldn't care less about but the rant was intense.

"Of all days! You had to pick today of all days to be a little nuisance!" He bellowed.

Anastasia, confused but never one to back down for banter, baited her eyes and questioned, "Today of what days? When have I ever been anything but delightful?"

Stone cold described the man when the dragging came to a halt. His neck snapped back and squeezed the girl's arm until red.

"Hey! That hurts! Let me..."

"Shut up! You will not embarrassment me today! Your behavior better be exemplary when I open this door!"

"What are you..."

The door was opened before she could finish her statement and there sitting elegant and pretty, an Elite. Red, that was all she could see of this Elite. Red hair, pale skin and height of the tallest models. She wasn't young, but she was not a fresh model. She was aged but in the way an Elite aged fine lines were present but almost nonexistent compared to glowing snow-white skin. Ana had never seen someone so foreign from her own in her entire life. She was used to the dirt and grime that mongrels carried about themselves not this clean and crisp look. Although, she was curious and intrigued by her she didn't trust her.

"What's that?" Anastasia spat.

All eyes at once snapped to the scrawny girl within a millisecond. Those pretty emerald eyes slanted in a glare as she replied,"No manners I see. She needs discipline."

"My deepest apologies Lady Shurman. She's not house-broken yet."

With a grip of steel Mr. Stallone snatched her by the arm even more intensely, and she fell to her knees in pain.

"Should I retrieve a taming stick?"

"Not here!" Her voice boomed

"I'm sorry. I don't think I understand."

Lady Shurman narrowed her eyes and approached the man; rage relevant in those green eyes. Mr. Stallone quivered, something Ana had never experienced from him before.

"Well if your institution were in order to begin with. You would have already handled her behavior. You do not waste a Lady's time on trivial discipline!"

"But you asked..."

"What did I say!" yelled the distraught woman.

Ana didn't know who this was or what her deal was, but she already liked her. Anyone who could check Mr. Stallone was a friend in her eyes. She could feel in grip loosen and his breath hitch in the back of his throat, formulating his next response. "I apologize I will attend to that later."

"As you should!" Spat Lady Shurman"

This was too good! Ana never saw the day Mr. Stallone squirmed, but she couldn't contain herself; about damn time. A low fit of giggles filled the room, all eyes instantly darted to the girl. "Ana shut up!" Mr. Stallone thought to himself. The lady arose, like a predator ready to strike her expecting prey. Was this creature disrespecting her presence?

"And to what do I owe this outburst?" Calming Lady Shruman.

Although, her tone didn't show it she was ready to kill. Every Elite possessed an advanced emotional range but controlled them better than humans. The singular emotion susceptible to often use with an Elite was anger. Ana was in for it but of course she remained ignorant of her fatal error.

"Old Stallone ain't got nothing on you huh?" She giggled.

Shocked was an understatement for the elegant woman as the words escaped her lips. She went from Mr. Stallone to Anastasia and back again. This was more than unacceptable. Mr. Stallone jumped into action before she could grasp the stupid girl in front of her.

"My deepest apolo..."

"This is what my patronage has been going to! This obscene, profane and downright disgusting child! I have been sending millions in credits to find her unladylike!"

Her voice went from the quaint but annoyed accent to full terror in seconds. She growled as if an angered lion and the onslaught continued. Ana assessed the situation and bit her tongue to stop the laughter.

"I will be back to collect her by the end of the week. No! Lord Shurman will be here! What a disgrace!" She yelled as she exited the room.

Mr. Stallone released the girl frantically running after the enraged woman.

"Please Lady Shruman allow me! We can reschedule this appointment for another time. More private if that works best!"

Anastasia stood abandoned in the office; done with the interaction and the day. "What was that all about?" She thought. As always Ana didn't take long to before snooping, what did Mr. Stallone expect- privacy? His desk was never locked, why would it be? It wasn't as if someone else used the office. There wasn't a date she could relate it back to when she started it pleased her to no end. Every time she'd been alone after a punishment her habit of going through the files appeared. She was never looking for anything specific; she loved the idea of getting under the man's skin. Besides, there was always an interesting file to entertain her as she sulked.

"Let's see who's the top furniture candidate this week," Ana murmured to herself.

THE CHILD MUST NEVER KNOW! Her mother would be an embarrassment!

Lady Shurman

These words were the first notification on his screen. Her mind slipped from its original task and focused on those words. It was from a direct message to the holophone connected to the computer from earlier. That crazy lady from earlier didn't want someone to be suspicious of something. Ana was fixated on the first two words from the message. "The child".

"Does she mean me?" She whispered.

She was feeling overwhelmed from the first section but the second sentence broke her.

"Mother? Embarrassment?"

Tears formed in her eyes as her attention stayed glued to the screen. Entranced, she didn't even notice the guest behind her.

"So this is what you do. Despicable!"

She didn't care, how could she? That lady knew something, something about her! She recognized the familiar grip on her arm once more but couldn't move. She had to know.

"Who was that?" She cried.

SMACK

She felt amence pain rush through her body, but she didn't care.

"Who was she? She knew her didn't she!"

He raised his hand ready to strike, but he could tell it wouldn't be effective.

"She knew my mom didn't she!"

Ana was now screaming and inconsolable which wasn't uncommon for her but this time was different. She seemed demented. Mr. Stallone didn't land the strike, instead he spoke, "Go to your room. No supper tonight. Your punishment will continue when your behavior is more acceptable."

"Acceptable? That's all you're going to say!"

He eyes saw red as she stood her ground and challenged his authority.

"COWARD!" She spat.

The last thing Ana remembered was being knocked to the ground and seeing black. Her head was throbbing, also realizing she wasn't in the office anymore. Instead, she curled up on her bed shadowed by darkness except a hint of light from her solo window. One of the many moons of Amoi gleamed through as it always did but it illuminated something in the corner. There were a pair of boots poking their way out from behind her desk chair. Perched high and mighty sat a creepy dark figure.

"Hello?" Ana whimpered.

Not much scared her but the unknown were not welcomed in her room. She reached to draw her curtain further back when a reply hissed out.

"Don't! You'll disturb the moon!" A deep voice replied.

"Disturb the moon?"

"Yes, you haven't heard the story of the girl who disturbed? Surely you receive bedtime stories right?" A voice asked with a smile.

"I'm not a baby!" Ana barked, "And who the hell are you!"

"Now that is not how you take to friends do you?" His voice sounded sinister.

Anastasia back into her bed as if to hide into the wall. She didn't trust whomever this was, no one was every allowed in her room. He let out a light chuckle before towering over as he ascended from the chair. Ana gulped in fear. There was that red tone in his hair, like that lady, or Ana thought seeing as she could only get a glimpse from the moonlight.

"Or you're here to kill me?"

The room ferocious roared with laughter, the voice filling the room with echos and a jovial essence. Ana decided she didn't like this stranger, whomever he was; he was up to no good. Her eyes danced across the room to find the exit, but she noticed something off.

"Where's my stuff?"

" Since you have awoken from your slumber a night trip would be suitable. Don't you think?"

"The hell are you talking about? My things!" Ana inquired.

The man paid her no mind as opened her door and gestured her out. His happy demeanor disappeared as he looked at her with discern and strenuous. His eyes told her not to test his patience but nothing was making sense to her.

"Where are we going"

"Didn't she tell you?" He asked.

He straightened himself up to full height as walked away from the door. Ana felt herself physically and emotionally. She was never coming back here, she knew everything in her life was about to change whether she wanted it to or not.

"I am not well versed in empathy but I will give you a moment if you need to say goodbye."

"I don't want to leave I belong here" Ana explained.

He smiled and simply replied.

"Sweetheart you have never belonged."

In a private room, the world outside oblivious to the drama boiling inside, sat Lady Aries. Everything changed in those 8 years, she became a recluse. Her work became obsolete and everyone wondered what happened the night the queen of the fashion industry showed up to an event fashionably late. She saved face as best she could but her skin was pale, body covered in sweat; ruining an $100,000 gown, and she stayed out of it the entire evening. She told other's it was the passing winds and the changing seasons but everyone knew of her lies. The Elite was not known for being affected but trivial things such as the weather. She smiled and greeted everyone who she came in contact with but everyone she could see there was more to the story. Sal was the most reliable she ever employed, and she knew it was handled, but she knew one day amongst all her friends, these secrets would resurface. Until then the lies had to be kept up with until she was ready. Until both of them were ready. The world outside could be a cruel place for the women of the Elite.