" What did you find?" Inara asked, rushing to the front door as soon as Gregori walked in. Damalia-now nine years old-ran after her along with Tiberiu. Gregori stopped.
" The body wasn't Zaria's, but her scent was all over the cave. It appears she is still alive." Gregori said, wishing he could give her more information. They had all been in hell since Zaria's disappearance the year before. Inara sank down on the couch, torn between relief and horror.
" Mom, at least she is alive." Damalia said as Tiberiu wrapped his arms around them both. It seemed to be their constant position.
" I am sorry, Inara. I can tell you that the cave did not reek of violence as is often the case with vampires. There was not a drop of Zaria's blood shed." Gregori said, touching his cousin's hair gently. She merely clung to hand, sobbing outright. They didn't know if they would ever find little Zaria, but they did have hope that she was alive and unharmed to cling to.
Zaria sat in the cave that was her current prison, reading a book Sergey had looted from a house when he had slaughtered the family living there. She had been horrified upon seeing him feeding the family, unable to help them. Unable to save them.
Sergey slammed his hand against the wall of the cave, causing Zaria to jump and drop her book. She winced when he stalked over to her, his hand closing around the top of her arm, cutting off the circulation. He shook her, snarling.
" Why are you so damn important to them? Why are they still hunting you!" He demanded, still shaking her so that her teeth clanged together, her head snapping back on her fragile neck.
" I'm Gregori's niece. Of course they will hunt for me. I'm still a child or did you forget that part?" She retorted, grabbing his fingers and peeling them off her arm. Her arm throbbed as the blood was allowed to flow freely. She rubbed her arms, wincing as she shot him a scowl.
" We have to leave Europe." He said, waving his hand dismissively.
" Whatever you say. Not like I can do much about it any way." She said, shrugging carelessly.
Sergey grabbed her again, hauling her to her feet so she was face to face with him. She let out a small whimper of pain when his talons dug into the soft flesh of her arms. She wiggled in an attempt to get away from him.
" You're hurting me." She reminded, her voice more childlike than ever. Sergey released her, letting her drop to the soil. She stumbled, falling off the back of the basin, crashing to the floor hard. She gasped as the air rushed from her lungs.
Zaria rolled over onto her stomach, wheezing, trying to drag air into her lungs. She was sore all over and falling four foot to the ground didn't help much. She groaned softly as Sergey paced, swearing in every language known to man.
" I cannot believe they are so intent on finding you. You are just a worthless child." Sergey spat, turning to look at her only to find the spot she had been in empty. " Where in the hell did you get off too now, child?" He snapped, looking around for her. Zaria groaned again, rolling onto her back this time. She cradled her arm to her chest. It was definitely broken this time. Sergey drug her, kicking, from the cave into the night. Into the unknown.
Sorry if there are any mistakes. I'm not perfect (no matter how much I wish). This is the last chapter. I just wanted to give you a bit of background on Zaria. I know it was short, but I felt it would help as I did not know how to put it in the actual story.