Well, here's another chapter, longer this time to make up for the wait!

I really hope you all enjoy this one, as I was writing it late at night and writing an essay for english at the same time. Not an easy task.

I also hope this is paced correctly, it feels to me like I rushed a few things out.

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead does.

Chapter Six

Daimian Karl Ozera.

So, the family tragedy had been Christian's parents.

And the relative, nephew specifically...

"You're Christian Ozera's uncle? I would have expected you to be older."

He smiled, "Yes, well. I was the youngest in the family. My parents didn't love me as much as Natasha or Lucas, but they helped me along in life wherever they could. But when Lucas and his wife turned. Well, they snapped. Cut off ties with me and my sister, hoping they could spare themselves any ridicule with their friends. I later found out that it only made things worse for them."

I sighed and leaned back in my seat again. It was strange knowing that Christian had an uncle, and even stranger that he was so close to Christian's age. But the most obvious question still hadn't been asked.

"How did you end up with a Guardian if you're directly related to those two?"

Instead of an answer coming from Daimien, this time it came from Grissom, "Well, I always had a bit of a problem with Moroi. You could say it's because I was often beaten and berated by my teachers for not doing very well in class, or maybe it's because my mother had died while I was young, having later found out her death was completely unnessecary. Personally, I believe I just dislike not having any real career choice in my life." Grissom cleared this throat and continued.

"Then, at the age of 25, after being assigned to a member of the Dashkov family, I was caught in a fairly large battle against a group of Strigoi. There were five of us, including me, against seven of them. We were caught in a back room of the family home with three Moroi, and they were, naturally, panicking. We warned them it wasn't helping, but they refused to listen. We made a solid plan to escape, being familiar with the house layout, and made our way out. We managed to get out to the house's front door, and led the Moroi out, but then they caught up with us. There were only two of them, but there was one Guardian trapped behind them. I started to head back, and was ordered by the eldest member of the family there to abandon the Guardian. I ignored the order, and easily killed both of the Strigoi before they did any damage. On top of this, I did the one thing that would ensure all of the Strigoi in the house died."

I gasped, "Which was?"

He smiled, "I burned it. I burned it clean to the ground, leaving nothing but ash and smoke. When we returned to the Court, I was arrested and set to be tried for distruction of property, and direliction of duty. However, fate intervened."

"What do you mean?"

He swung one leg out of the booth and pointed to his right thigh. Looking down, I saw a small leather case strapped tightly to his leg.

"What is that?"

He unclasped the case and opened it, pulling out a small vial of blood.

"I don't understand, why do you carry blood around? Is it for emergencies for him or something?"

He chuckled and returned the bottle, re clasping and locking the case, "No. That blood is special, and very hard to acquire. You see, this brings me to the other reason I was chosen to guard him. During the trial I was approached by a Guardian, a very prestigious Guardian who was once a member of the Queen's Royal Guard, but had resigned because of his growing disapproval of her policies. He offered me a deal, and a membership to something few people know exists."

I smiled, "Which is?"

"They call it, officially, and sort of unofficially since it's existence is always denied, The 2nd Royal Guardians Division, but the common nickname is the Deathwalkers."

I shrugged, "So you're part of a group of secretive Guardians with a badass nickname. I don't see any point here."

He sighed, "The nickname does not come from simply being 'badass' as you put it, it comes from those we guard. There are some Moroi walking this earth that share more common traits with their immortal cousins then most Guardians are comfortable with. They are Moroi with a very rare and unique metabolic disorder. It leaves their digestive systems completely unable to process any blood, except that of Strigoi. This blood must be ingested regularly, although can be managed down to small doses once every two days. The constant intake of highly magical blood lengthens their lifespan, gives them further strength, and makes them immune to the endorphins of another vampire, be it Strigoi or Moroi."

I looked to Daimian, then to Grissom, "Wait a minute, hold on." I pointed at Daimien, "So you're saying that he can only drink Strigoi blood?"

Grissom nodded, "Yes. The Deathwalkers are lead by the Guardian I mentioned earlier, and he has several very highly efficient methods of obtaining it. He sends it to us on a regular basis."

I sat silently for a second, taking in what I had just learned and amazed that these Moroi had existed and I never knew about it. I decided to ask one last question before checking if we could leave.

"So, why did you approach me?"

Surprisingly, Daimien answered this one, "Well. It was partly my decision, and partly Grissom's. I saw your, well, ummm.." He cleared his throat, "Physical beauty, and decided I should at least make some effort to get to know you. You also knew my nephew, so that influenced me a bit as well."

Then, as soon as he had finished, Grissom spoke, "The other part of the decision was mine. I wanted to offer you an opportunity to serve with us."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, I don't entirely understand."

He smiled, "It's understandable. What I mean is, I am offering you the chance to become a Deathwalker right out of school. Instead of being transferred into the Guardians, you will be officially, for the appearance of records anyways, be assigned to a desk job somewhere until they find you a suitable Moroi. But in actuality, you would be helping us hunt Strigoi for blood. Then, if you wish, you could settle down with a Moroi." He chuckled, "Although I'm guessing Daniel would have you assigned to him"

I smiled and blushed slightly, "I'd be honoured to serve with you." I looked over and winked at Daimien, "And to serve for you"

The three of us broke out laughing, and I was genuinely happy that once, even if it only lasted for a few brief seconds, I could relax for a few minutes and forget all my troubles with Lissa.