A/N Next chapter…
Disclaimer: Vampire Academy? Mine? Nah.
The flight had been okay. I liked plane rides, and believe it or not, I enjoyed turbulence. It was kind of like being bounced up and down in a weird way. Plus, the Court planes (one of which I'd been flown over on, along with a bunch of Moroi I didn't know.) were supremely comfortable, and the food was free. But I couldn't enjoy it because all I could see was my last image of Alex. I closed my eyes, and he was still there, looking forlorn, the picture imprinted on my eyelids. The uber comfy seats didn't compensate for the fact that I'd been forced to leave my happy little life back home.
The plane landed at about 1:00 pm, the middle of the night for the vampires who lived at Court. Of course, seeing as it was a Court plane we landed on the Court runway. Everyone else rushed off the plane, eager to get into the warmth, and away from the Strigoi threat. I went slower, savouring my last few minutes of freedom.
Finally, I stepped out of the plane, after earning a glare from the pilot, who obviously wanted me to hurry up so he could go. I poked my tongue out at him childishly, and walked down the stairs. It was October, so it was getting cold. I was suddenly very glad I'd thought to bring a jacket. I shrugged my trench coat on, pulling it tight and tying it. I wasn't really dressed for guarding, because instead of the monochrome look the Guardians usually rocked, I'd chosen to wear a green dress with military-style decoration and black leggings, with heels. It was my last act of defiance, I suppose.
Sighing, I peered up at the sky, relishing the sun. I rarely got to see it, being nocturnal. Nobody was waiting for me on the runway, and as someone would take my bags for me, I had no reason to delay. I huffed, wishing I'd forgone the heels, and stomped down to the wrought-iron gates that encircled the Moroi Royal Court. After the attacks at the Academy in Montana (which was incidentally where Lissa and Rose had been educated), and Queen Tatiana had been killed, security had been upped, and you couldn't technically land inside the Court anymore. First you had to identify yourself.
Humming, I tapped the intercom button, and waited for the red light that indicated that someone was responding.
"Hello. State your name and business please." Issued from the speakers, the tone clipped and impatient.
"Za-Suzanna Asher. I'm here to be a secondary Guardian for Princess Vasilisa Dragomir" I rolled my eyes. The Court was so pompous and outdated. It wasn't like Strigoi were going to leap out of my luggage, now, was it?
"Entry granted. Please come in." Oh, so now they decided to be polite?
"Thanks," I said acidly. The great iron gates swung open to reveal the Court complex. My heels clicked on the ground as I walked through. I headed to a little kiosk that seemed to be security, and rapped on the window. "Uh, I was told I'd need to show ID?" The man behind the glass stared at me insolently, as if to say, "Of course, you idiot." I suppressed a growl.
After what seemed like a long pause, he nodded, and I dug through my rucksack to find my Guardian ID, and handed it over to be inspected. The man, who I presumed was a dhampir, took it as if handling something covered in slime. Was it my accent?
"Right," He said, enunciating every syllable, "carry on. You're free to come in." He handed me back my card, dropping it from the tips of his fingers. Bastard. What did I do? Yet another gate opened, and sashayed through.
Suddenly, my phone beeped, which ruined my dignified departure from the security prick. "Shit, Shit! Where is it? Bugger!" I muttered, shovelling through my bag until I found it.
"Zanna, is that you?" Came the voice of Alex.
"No, it's some random person off the street, answering my phone." I told him. "Of course it's me!"
He ignored my comment. "What are you doing?"
"Well, right now, I'm trying to find Reception so I can start my wonderful new job." My voice was bitingly sarcastic. "D'you happen to know where it is?"
"Yup. That's why I called. I figured you'd get lost." I narrowed my eyes at the phone. Damn his smugness! "Okay, you see that big building-"
"There are a lot of big buildings here, Alex, that doesn't really help." I interrupted.
"Let me finish! Anyway, the one that's like a castle, and has gargoyles on the roof, that's the Reception. Mum said there should be a Guardian outside, waiting for you. You got that, honey?"
"Don't you 'Honey' me. And how come your mother was being helpful? She hates me."
"Hey, don't knock it. Talk to you later. I love you." He replied. I could hear the hint of a chuckle.
"I love you, too. Bye" I mumbled back. With that, he ended the call. I knew it was stupid, but I already felt abandoned. Apparently, being a 'bad influence' gets you sent to Pennsylvania. Go figure. Anyway, I wasn't the bad influence. Yeah, right. It was Dom who led me and Alex astray.
I decided to follow Alex's instructions, and lo and behold, there was actually someone outside of the building he'd indicated. In front of me stood a dhampir. An extremely tall and good-looking dhampir. He looked to be around 30, with long brown hair tied at the nape of his neck, and deep brown eyes. He had a light tan, and was wearing a long coat, a duster. It was quite funky, actually.
"Suzanna? Suzanna Asher?" He asked, a light Russian accent lacing his words.
"Zanna, please." I said, tired of hearing my full name. I knew it was just a formality, but I'd never gone by my full name and I really didn't like it. "Anyway, that would be me. Would you be the poor sap sent to collect the troublesome young Guardian?"
He laughed politely. "Yes. Follow me please." Ooh, off to my new job! How very exciting! (Please notice the heavy irony.)
So I followed him, staring at my surroundings wide eyed. I couldn't deny it, the Court was gorgeous. The buildings were elaborate and old fashioned, almost looking like mini-palaces. I spotted a park in the centre of the courtyard I was in. It had tall trees and what looked like a shrubbery and a pond. How pretty. Hey, don't look at me like that-I grew up in a normal, boring home, although my school looked pretty much the same, and yes, you could say the place I lived in now was almost a castle… I'm allowed to be entranced by the Court, okay? I like old buildings, which is good, because England's full of them.
"What's your name?" I asked curiously. He knows mine.
"Dimitri. Dimitri Belikov." He said shortly. I could feel the shocked look spreading across my face and quickly controlled it. This was the infamous Dimitri Belikov? The ex Strigoi, brought back to uh, dhampirness, I guess, by the woman he loved and her best friend? The lover who also happened to be his student at the time? Wow.
"Sorry, what was that?" He murmured. Shit, I said that out loud, didn't I? Way to make a good impression. I realised I should have known he'd been here, since his Rose was the woman who'd brought him back, and she was the main Guardian of Lissa Dragomir. I'm really not very bright today. Fortunately, Dimitri stopped in front of what looked to be an apartment block, before I could say or do anything else stupid. He gave me a courteous smile, and opened the door for me. There. Someone with manners.
He came in behind me, and shut the door. "This way please." He said, pointing upwards.
"You don't say much, do you?" I told him, raising my eyebrows.
"Neither do you." He countered, glancing back at me, and managing to raise only one eyebrow. I was jealous; I've never been able to do that.
"I just had a long flight." I defended myself. He shook his head, and carried on up the stairs, until he got to the top floor, where he opened yet another door.
"Your new Guardian, Princess." He said respectfully. A giggle came from inside and a tinkling voice said:
"Dimitri, how many times do I have to tell you, it's Lissa." She sighed long-sufferingly. "Come on in; introduce us to the new girl."
I heard a sultry laugh and another woman came to the door. "Yeah, come on, Comrade, let us interrogate her." She smiled reassuringly at me, but grinned at Dimitri. His Guardian mask slipped and he gave her a proper smile, with actual emotions. This must be Rose. Interesting.
She was a couple of inches taller than me, with long dark hair, hanging down past her shoulders, big brown eyes and tanned skin. I immediately felt terrible. She was beautiful.
She pushed the door open wider, and grabbed Dimitri's hand, telling me to "Come in." over her shoulder. I went in and another Guardian jumped up to take my bag. I muttered "Thanks" and surveyed the room.
A woman with white-blonde hair flowing over her shoulders and sparkling green eyes sat on the sofa sat on the sofa, clutching the hand of a black haired man with scarily piercing blue eyes. They were staring adoringly at each other. I had to look away. It reminded me too fiercely of the man I'd had to leave behind. I scanned the rest of the room, seeing Rose and Dimitri leaning against the far wall, and the other Guardian going into a room, where he deposited my bag. He strode back in and took his position at the door.
"So…" Said the blonde, who I realised must be Lissa. "What's your name?"
"Suzanna, but please, please call me Zanna." I replied. There were a few raised eyebrows. So people had heard of me? I stood tall and rolled my eyes. "Yes, I'm the one who seduced her charge, and has him spellbound with my magical powers. Any questions? No? Good."
Rose smirked and Lissa looked taken back. I sighed. Losing my temper is never a good idea. They were just lucky this wasn't me really angry. "I'm sorry. It's just-I hate being judged. And I had a long plane ride." I tried to look apologetic.
Lissa grinned, revealing her fangs. "That's fine. I know you must be feeling strange. I understand you've had to leave everyone at home, and I'm sorry for that, but I hope you'll enjoy being here. Now!" She clapped her hands. "Introductions! I'm Lissa, the guy sitting next to me is Christian and Eddie's by the door. Dimitri and Rose are by the wall."
I nodded, I'd guessed as much. I stuck my hand out for her to shake. She did so, and they all looked at me curiously. I've never been one to stand on ceremony. Why does everyone expect the English to be so formal?
"Well, I guess we better go over what you'll be doing. As far as I can see, you'll just be doing regular Guardian duties, and taking over when Rose has time off. I don't think you'll be guarding anyone else but me…but, who knows? And…" She announced, standing up. "Your room is…" She walked through the door and I followed suit. She pointed to a door with an elegantly scripted plaque, which read Guardian Suzanna Asher, and said "…here!" giving a flourish of her hand. I went in to find a beautifully furnished bedroom.
There was a four-poster bed with red curtains, held back by matching red ties, a big mahogany wardrobe and a little gothic-style dressing table. The bedspread was red too, embroidered with beads and sequins.
"Wow…" I whispered. "Thank you!" I hadn't expected them to go to so musch trouble. It was so sweet.
Lissa looked pleased. "We're glad you like it. Aren't we, Christian? Hello?" Christian smirked. She hit him.
"Yeah. Ow. Yeah we are! Liss, did you have to hit me?" She looked smug.
"Alex called me, and his cousin called our friend Adrian. He told us we had to make your room special. He said we had to take carte of you. It's obvious he really loves you." Lissa said kindly.
I was touched, and I loved the feeling of reassurance it gave me. "You still didn't have to do it. It was really sweet of you. And it sounds just like him. But he knows I don't need taking care of!"
Everyone grinned, and Lissa murmured, "Really, we didn't mind. We'll leave you to settle in." They turned to go, shutting the door behind them.
I let out a gust of breath and sat on the breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be so bad, living here…
A/N See, things are moving along. We've got most of the original characters, and Adrian will appear soon, I promise! And, I will be moving the plot along soon. I have a lot of devious ideas for conspiracies and such. *Insert evil laugh*
Please review!
Much love,
The Hatter