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Previously on The New Badass

And then, my cell started vibrating violently.

Spiridon POV

It had been such a long day. Having covered mine as well as Dimitri's classes, my fatigued body yearned for rest. But duty came first. Being a guardian, I had to sacrifice a lot…and often ignore the requests of my mind and heart. Requests of rest, comfort, relief and…..love.

I remembered the time when I was a novice as I patrolled the senior novice quarters. I used to be a carefree "dude"… never wanted to be a guardian in first place. Poor results, repeated punishments, nothing affected me. Well Maya did, my Moroi girlfriend. And her ruthless, cold blooded murder by strigoi… I had to take revenge.

As I crossed Victoria's dorm, I wondered how similar she was to Maya. The same brown eyes, heart shaped face, jet black hair…soft and shiny….as if Victoria was a living reminder of Maya. But what was more similar was that the sign of being hurt in Victoria's eyes….I had seen that in Maya's eyes too…..whenever we fought.

A blood curling scream broke my reverie. It was from Victoria's room.

Dimitri's POV

Spiridon was calling. Shit, I was supposed to be on duty. I picked up the call. Even before I could say my customary "Guardian Belikov speaking" a frantic Spiridon said from the other end, "Victoria is screaming. I am breaking in. Be fast." And disconnected. I tore away Roza's hand from my body and launched into a run. I felt her wake up, felt her eyes bore into my back. But I didn't have any time to give answers.

Spiridon POV

Knocking would do no good, I knew it. I broke in. She was not on the bed. The pillow was thrown on the floor. And then she screamed again. Scream that made skin crawl. She was on the other side of the room, sitting on the floor, head rested on the wall, crying painful sobs. Her resemblance to Maya was too striking to be ignored and I couldn't control myself. I sat close to her, took her hand in my hand and rubbed her back with my other hand.

It was surprising how she calmed down at my touch and rested her head on my shoulder for support, considering we didn't know each other at all. Tears fell furiously from her eyes, as she spoke incoherent words. I could only make out "strigoi, friends, red eyes, kill" out of all she spoke. "Shh, it's okay" I said, as I continued to rub her back. She calmed down further, now crying silently. First kills were always difficult to overcome, and Victoria had to suffer it at such a young age. Like Rosemarie. However, for her it was 2 strigoi, Victoria saw hundreds, that too together. It was natural she would crack up.

Dimitri gushed in the room. Some other time, he would have been shocked to see a fully qualified guardian in such a position with his novice sister, but then, he nodded his head to say he understood.

He kneeled down in front of Victoria, rested his hand on her cheek and croaked "Vika" softly. She seemed to recognize his voice, but instead of relaxing, she went all rigid and stiff. "I didn't do anything Guardian Belikov, I really didn't" she whispered and started crying again. Dimitri was shocked, and slowly withdrew his hand. I didn't know what was up between them, but I understood that Dimitri was making Victoria uncomfortable. Somehow, I don't know why, Victoria crying made my heart ache. "Belikov, mate, I think it would be better if you leave." I couldn't believe I, a complete stranger to this girl whom I was comforting, was asking a brother to leave his sister for her welfare. "Yeah" he replied, still staring at his crying sister. He got up, and left quietly.

I held Victoria for a long time, rubbing her back, not stopping even for once. My hand started wearing, but I couldn't bring myself to stop. Finally, her eyes closed, and drifted off to sleep. I slowly picked her up, careful not to wake her and laid her on the bed. I picked up the pillow and adjusted it below her head. Taking one last look at her tear stained, angelic face, I couldn't help but wonder how someone who looked so fragile managed to kill two strigoi, alone.

Dimitri's POV

I don't know for how long I have been standing outside Vika's room. I could still hear her words playing in my head. I didn't do anything Guardian Belikov, I really didn't. I couldn't bring myself to believe how much I have hurt her. Now when I look back, it seems intentionally I have pushed her away from myself. Well I have, and at this point of time, I couldn't help but regret.

It was a week before I was to leave for St. Vladimir's. My transfer order had arrived, I was appointed as one of the guardians for the missing Dragomir princess, Vasilisa Dragomir who used to study there. But before that, I had to find her. Finally I would get some action. Although I did like to teach.

The whole day I was out of the school campus, buying necessary clothing and stuff. When I reached school, almost immediately I was summoned to the Headmaster's room. There stood Victoria, along with Amy Badica, Myra Ivashkov and Allison Robert. Also present there were Lady Badica and Guardian Dina, Allison's mentor. Amy was Victoria's charge for the semester project and Myra was Allison's. I couldn't make out the situation, since Victoria was one of those who stayed miles away from trouble.

"Guardian Belikov, Miss Badica here has got something to say. Earlier this morning, we found a suffocated Amy, about to faint along with a scared Myra, a battered Allison and a perfectly fine Victoria in the deserted Moroi dorms when classes were going on. Since you are Victoria's mentor, I would like you to listen. Amy, speak please." The headmaster said.

The only question in my mind was, "what has Victoria done?"

Amy took a deep breath, and started. "Since, the project started, Victoria has been rude with me, and often offensive too. However, she is the best in the batch and I was ready to compromise, seeing that she was always in stress, forced to be on guard always. Lately, she has been throwing snide comments about how she was being compelled to stay with me, against her wish. Finally I could bear no longer and asked her to quit if she wanted to. She didn't respond then, and was okay for the next two days. Then today morning, I was not feeling well and decided not to attend classes. Naturally Victoria had to stay back too. She said that she would return in a few minutes, informing the teachers that I wouldn't attend classes. After an hour or so, Victoria came back, accompanied by Myra. Suddenly Victoria pulled my hands behind and tied them with a piece of cloth. Then she held Myra by neck and forced her to use her air magic to suffocate me. And I passed out." And she started crying.

Lady Badica came up and held Amy, who was crying hysterically. "This is not acceptable at all. How can she insult a Moroi like this? That too a royal Moroi? If Allison had not come in time…I am scared to even imagine her condition. This girl..." she said, shaking with anger, pointing her jewel encrusted finger at Victoria, "This girl…she will be a guardian? Then we are in danger, not only from Strigoi, but from dhampirs like her too. I want her expelled now, or I am taking my daughter away. Now!" she screamed, visibly furious.

"I didn't do anything, I swear" Victoria, who was too shocked to say anything, finally spoke. I knew it. Victoria herself wanted to protect Moroi. She would- rather could not do such a thing. No one in the world could make me believe that Victoria has tried to suffocate anyone- let alone a Moroi.

"I really didn't do anything. I have never been rude to her; it was Amy who always had problems with me. Today I did leave to inform the teacher's about Amy's absence but I had left behind an assignment I had to submit, and went back to take it. When I reached there, Myra was suffocating Amy and Allison was standing there, guarding the door. I brought her down and went for Amy. Myra was fatigued, she could use magic no longer and Amy was gasping for breath. I was about to call help when the guardians found us." She said in a small voice, which was now quivering. She was about to cry.

Before I could say anything, Myra spoke up. "She is lying" she said promptly. "Our first class had finished and I was about to go the next when Victoria came to me. She was frantic, she said Amy was very ill and was asking for me. I went with her to find Amy shocked to see me. Then Victoria held me by neck, and threatened to suffocate me if I didn't hurt Amy. And since I am no match for her physical strength, I complied." She finished, and seemed to be ashamed of her work.

"It's true that Victoria came up and called Myra. I saw them and followed. I discovered Amy being tortured along with Myra. I couldn't tolerate the sight and instead of informing the higher authorities. However I was successful in providing a distraction. Or Amy would have been killed today." Allison said. Hearing this, Lady Badica started wailing loudly.

No,no,no. I thought. She can't. I knew she couldn't. I was not ready to believe any of the three.

"What is your opinion Guardian Belikov?"Before I could voice my thoughts, Lady Badica screamed, again. "Of course he will defend her. He's her brother."

Her words stung. My throat went dry. She was right. I would defend her, just because I was her brother. For someone else, I would have gone with the witnesses. I couldn't be unfair. One can lie, but not a whole bunch of people.

"Expel her. She deserves a punishment no less than this for whatever she has done." I couldn't believe it was me who was speaking. Neither did Victoria. "I didn't do anything Guardian Belikov, I really didn't." she begged. "Please Dimka-" "Don't call me that. I am no brother of yours." I roared. She was shocked. She fell silent. The look on her face, I knew it would take me years to forget that. I left the room, my trust, entirely broken by Victoria.

On the day I was supposed to leave, everyone came to know that it was Allison who was threatening, not Victoria. Amy and Myra were forced by her to be a part of her plan to get rid of Victoria, whom she saw as a threat to her love life. I came to know everything, but I couldn't gather enough courage to apologize. After that, Victoria and I never spoke. Not that I tried too.

Finally Spiridon came out of her room. "She is asleep" he said, and left.

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