Chapter 2:

Author's Note: Did you like my first chapter? Interesting parts will be coming soon. Please review! ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.

I've heard rumors, whispers of this impossibility becoming a possibility. There has never been any evidence, so I don't dare hope.

They say it has already been done. Not once, but three times. The rumors spread like wildfire among my kind, causing uproar wherever they spread. But with Strigoi, they could easily be lies, proof that Strigoi must destroy the Moroi and dhampirs before they destroy us. It's like an everlasting war with no foreseeable ending. Neither side can win.

I used to side with the darkness, where all Strigoi rightfully belong. Now, I'm not so sure. I can finally see past the bloodlust that dominated my mind. Instead, I am divided. The darkness doesn't have such a tight grip on me. Not anymore. But the light doesn't exactly suit me. I am unique, a monster who doesn't want to be a monster. Hopefully, I won't be one for much longer.

Only one way to know if the rumors are truthful—I must find out for myself.

The wind feels good blowing through my hair. I run with the unnatural speed and grace that marks a predator. I feel invincible. With this speed, I might be able to get to the Royal Court in under an hour. At least being a Strigoi is good for something.

Surprisingly, I have never seen the Court before. I had no reason to. It had to have untouchable, impossible to get through security since the queen and a majority of the royal families lived there. To try and attack, no matter the number of Strigoi, would be a suicide attempt.

The Royal Court is grander than I imagined, although I can only see the entrance. A large, ornate gate is an unnecessary, but beautiful feature. Exquisite flowers are in full bloom; it is spring after all. Even I, a creature of the darkness, had to appreciate their beauty. There is even topiary with twelve bushes trimmed into symbols representing each of the twelve royal families. To top it off, a long, winding driveway welcomed visitors and gave them a full view of the entire entrance, a breathtaking view.

It's beauty isn't why I am here, although I admit I was curious about where the Moroi elite lives. Supposedly, two of the miracle workers are within the Court. Gifted with Spirit, they have the ability to strip us of our powers and revoke our godlike state. To the rest of my kind, that is a fate worse than death. But not me. I do not want the power I possess, not if I must survive as part of the darkness. I am not afraid of losing my Strigoi status. In fact, that's the reason why I seek their help.

This is proving to be more difficult than I expected. A tall fence encloses the Court like a fortress. It is a hopeless obstacle to overcome. I plan out several strategies in my mind. Fighting the guardians would be futile if I want to live. Also, I don't want to kill anyone. It would not help me at all if I wish to meet one of the spirit users. If I somehow, miraculously, manage to knock all the guardians out, I will not be able to pass through the wards. I cannot make it into Court without capture. In fact, if I try anything capture is inevitable. Therefore, I must commit to my last resort.

I slowly inch towards the entrance. I moved cautiously, with both my hands raised in the universal gesture of surrender. I don't want to be perceived as a threat when I'm seen.

A sharp gasp and the rustle of hands toward stakes tells me I have been seen.

The three guardians directly in front of me were instantly on alert. They watch me curiously and warily, ready for the attack they were sure I was going to attempt. One of them called for backup. They believed I was a distraction to weaken their force before a band of Strigoi descended upon them. I can't blame them. Once, I had done that elsewhere.

The sandy-blonde guy swipes at me. I jump back. He throws a punch, then a kick, hoping to catch me by surprise. He doesn't. I block them all. 313 years of living had taught me a lot about fighting.

The other two circles me. All three of them want to kill me and get it over with already. I need to say something before I wind up dead.

"I came here to surrender. I mean no harm. My mission here is to ask one of the spirit users in the Court to transform me back into a Moroi," I explain.

"Why should we trust you? How do we know you're not planning to kill any of us?" the sandy-haired guardian questions. Yeah, we don't have the best reputations.

By this time, five more guardians show up ready to take me down. I am completely surrounded. It is now eight to one. The odds are not in my favor. Another guardian, this time a black haired one, strikes out at me. Against all my instincts and urges, I refuse to attack, but merely, block all their advances. I had to show them I was harmless.

"You don't," I reply. Oh man that is not a good answer. "You have to trust me. I'm not going to fight back."

With that, I sit down, leaving myself completely defenseless and hoping it isn't my fatal mistake.

"No Strigoi has ever surrendered. There's no proof you would cooperate. You're still a threat," one of the backups says.

I have no idea how to respond.

I can tell they are completely unsure as to how to proceed. This is the first in history that a Strigoi has ever wanted to be changed. Protocol says I had to be killed, but they are reluctant to murder someone who seems innocent.

Their attacks stopped, but their stakes still remain out, indicating they would not hesitate to take me down if I make any rash moves.

"Eddie, what do we do now?" a guardian asks.

The sandy-haired one, Eddie, seems conflicted. "I don't know Kyle. She seems to want to change, and we can't deny her the opportunity. So many lives have already been lost. We can't lose another one if we don't have to. It would be cruel to murder someone not a threat to us."

To me he says, "We're going to bring you to jail until we can figure out what to do. Try to attack and we will kill you. Understood?"

I nod. This is a better outcome than I had thought. I'm going to die, at least, not right now.

Eddie steps forward and grabs one of my arms. Another guardian does the same to my other arm. The other six people surround me, stakes at the ready.

"You've got either a lot of guts or a death wish to be comming here," Eddie tels me.

"I know. But I'm willing to take the chance," I reply honestly.

"This should be impossible for Strigoi to feel this way," he muses.

Again, I nodd.

"What's your name?" Eddie asks.

"Alyssa Tiffany Abigail Dragomir."

To say they are shocked would be an understatement.

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