Here is the 1st official chapter for this story, the intro was just that – and intro!
Didn't do a disclaimer last chapter… so here it is!
I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS, NOR THE BACKSTORY – ONLY THE PLOT
I was strangely aware of every detail around me, though I had a terrible headache from being tossed around so much. St. Vladimir's perfectly cut grass felt like razors on my legs, where my jogging pants had been ripped away. Lissa's warm arms held on to me, as if I would fall apart if she let go. I felt the familiar tingle of spirit at work; flowing into me from Lissa's touch, and through my veins. My headache faded almost instantly, and my weak muscles stopped screaming at me.
Vasilisa Dragomir was no ordinary Morori. Not only was she the last remaining in a major Royal line, she also was a user of a very unusual kind of magic. All Morori specialize in one of four elements of magic – she specialized in spirit, a rare fifth element. Spirit enabled her to do lots of amazing magic, like super compulsion and healing (though we were still coming across new abilities). Her ability to heal had brought me back to life after an accident that had killed her family. It also gave her and me a psychic bond. Are you ok? What happened? Her voice poured into my head.
"I'm fine," I lied, thankful the bond was only one way; "go help others in the infirmary – lots were injured tonight." My mind lingered on the blonde strigoi leaning hungrily over Dimitri.
You're not ok! I can tell by the look on your face, what happened out there? I immediately put on my Guardian face, not wanting to worry her further.
"Really, Liss, I'm fine. A lot happened in the past few days," I thought back to the cabin, my body warming at the memory of Dimitri and I. But the memory soon changed to one of all the death that I had witnessed since then, especially Dimitri's near-death, and thoughts of the cabin disappeared. I nodded towards the infirmary, "go, they need you there." Looking into her eyes, I didn't need our bond to know she understood. She had seen us return, and knew just as well as I did that many of the Guardians and Morori were in need of her healing powers.
She nodded, her blonde hair shining in the sunset, and slowly began to stand from her kneeling position but froze half way up. Looking up, I saw why.
Janine Hathaway. She was regarded as one of the best Guardians in the world and protected a very high ranking royal Morori. She was also my mother. My mother who had left me under the care of St. Vladimir Academy since I was four years old and never made a habit of visiting me often since. She had been called to the school as backup after the first attack. Anger was spread across her face.
"What the hell was that Rose?!"
Pushing myself to my feet I looked down at her. My 5'7 frame towered over her, and I took enjoyment in her having to look up at me. I tried to appear smug and knowing, but my words came out in a stutter. "Th-That... was a rescue mission."
She suddenly grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back slightly. He grip was painful – her way of showing who was in charge here. "That was a god-damned suicide mission! Alberta and I both ordered a retreat – which means leave and head to safety!"
I glared at my mother. She was small, but looked fierce with her short auburn curls and sharp eyes. She glared right back at me with those cruel eyes, and I could feel the darkness I had grown accustom to well up inside me.
A side effect of being brought back from the dead and becoming shadow-kissed was that I had a strange connection with the deceased. I need constant control to keep ghosts and spirits from appearing and giving me excruciating headaches. I also took darkness away from Lissa and let it grow in me. This darkness was eventually going to kill me, as we had learned from studying past shadow-kissed Guardians, but for now it would only make me… depressed and angry.
Pushing my mother back roughly, I let the darkness take a hold of my emotions. "Leave?! Dimitri–"
"Guardian Belikov,"
"Dimitri," I retorted, ignoring her correction to my casual use of his name, "doesn't deserve to be just abandoned by his teammates."
"Sometimes, Rose," she crossed her arms, "It's better to sacrifice one to save the rest. They Come First – you know that! You also knew the sun was setting. You should have known better than to go back, it was dangerous; dangerous and stupid."
I was well aware at this point that we had drawn a crowd – our fights always do – but it didn't matter anymore. The darkness inside me exploded and I was pretty sure tears had already started to fall. Beside me I could feel Lissa's confusion.
"You right Guardian Hathaway," I practically spat at her, "I should have known better. But you know what? I couldn't just leave him, a man that I love, to DIE."
I felt a sharp sting across my cheek and heard gasps from the crowd around us. I was used to people talking behind my back and getting in fights with my mom, but I couldn't have prepared myself for feeling Lissa's confusion and betrayal. I never cried much, but I couldn't stop myself anymore. Lissa's resentment with me was worse than anything my mom could have said or done. I wasn't close with my mom – Lissa was my second half, literately. And not only knowing her feelings, but actually feeling them. It was just too much. I let myself collapse to the ground. The commotion continued around me.
Glancing up through my tears I could see Alberta holding my mother by the wrists – obviously keeping her away from me, and Stan telling students to head inside to the commons.
"Rose-" I looked back to Alberta, still holding my mother, "Rose I'm taking your mother back to guest housing. I would like you up in my office immediately."
Not wanting to cause more fights I nodded silently, wiping the tears from my eyes. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and turned to see Liss, who hadn't moved from her position beside me. She lowered herself so she was looking into my eyes. "You- you loved Dimitri… I… Why didn't you tell me?" She asked. Don't you trust me?
"Liss-" I grabbed her shoulders, surprising even myself with my abruptness, "I trust you with my life but… I couldn't even admit it to myself… let alone tell anyone about it." Reaching through the bond I still felt her hurt, but also understanding.
"…ok. Come on; let's get you up to Guardian Petrov's office…" Lissa held my arm and stood with me. I had hurt her, but thankfully it was in her nature to forgive. It was nice to know she was still there for me. "Does he… also…?"
"Yes," I interrupted. I could hear her finishing the sentence in her head, "he does." She nodded, not saying anything more.
I could feel eyes on me and Lissa as we made our way through the commons towards the administrative building. No doubt word of my outburst had made its way through the school's infamous rumour mill. I was used to having rumours about me being spread. Since me and Lissa had run away a few years back, and were forced to return after two years away from the school, almost all the latest gossip around campus was somehow related to me or her. My attitude and love for getting myself into trouble, and her high social status probably helped push the rumours along. Still, it took every ounce of restrain I had not to make smart-ass comments to the students we passed. The darkness that still pulsed through me wasn't helping either. Noticing my anger growing rapidly, Lissa pulled me along faster until we emerged from the crowded commons.
"Fuck them all," I muttered, Lissa gently patting my arm as we entered the administrative building. The administrative building looked much like the rest of the Academy. Contrasting the old, rustic looking exterior, the interior was styled in a modern fashion; complete with a marble front desk. The secretary looked up and nodded a small greeting. Making our way down the hall I took the chance to dig through Lissa's thoughts. Surprisingly, her emotions were pretty neutral. She was worried for me, but the anger and betrayal she had felt before were fading. Satisfied that she wasn't going to turn her back on me I left her mind and put up the wall I was now learning to control. I didn't like invading her privacy 24/7 – it wasn't right. After a few more moments of walking in silence we reached Alberta's office.
Hope you enjoyed it!
I'm about 800 words into the next chapter, and since I'm all done exams hopefully it will be up soon!
Please review & tell me what you think!
