Disclaimer: I do not own anything vampire academyie…. unfortunately. I do approve of the actor they've picked for Dimitri. I can see it :3
Alright, here it goes. Please refrain from throwing anything lethal at me for a moment…but I do accept lollies? Anyways! Look, being an author kinda puts me in this situation: Should I write what comes and goes through my head, or should I take in some of my viewers ideas and make them like it more?
Guess which kind of author I am -.-
I'm too nice, I'm sorry! I don't mean to give you guys what you want, really, I don't. JOKES! I love making you guys happy and see the WOW in your reviews. But when you guys want something that I didn't plan on writing it or ever thought of it…then I start to hyperventilate. See, being so nice, I fall under the pressure of making you all happy. If I don't, then I'm extremely sorry, but hey, it's FF and therefore not everything is as it seems or is as it is expected. Or is it? O.o
Chapter 22
I clutched the crowbar lightly, flipped it, caught it easily, then twisted my wrist and brought it down on the glass cabinet. Glass shattered around me, creating a fitting scene. I leaned closer, glancing at the elaborate designs and patterns of every bracelet. I scrutinised them, identifying what I liked and what I didn't in the matter of minutes. I had deactivated every alarm, blew a kiss to every security camera before tearing them down, and smashed every glass cabinet. Rings, bracelets, necklaces – all for the taking. Christian selected a few items for Lissa, and even acquired a ring for himself. Me? I had found a plain delicate silver bracelet. I didn't gaze with lust at them all, because there's no point. I was disinterested in the mere thought of walking out of here looking like a prim and proper royal Moroi.
As I turned to leave, a shimmer to my left caught my eye. I turned and looked at the wall beyond the counter. There. Posed on the back wall, was a pearl bracelet with diamonds evenly spread out between them. The elegant item was positioned in an outreached hand, dangling from one finger.
My eyes darkened, wary. Something about that bracelet caught attention, and an unpleasant memory played out before me.
I had been on a train, with Raiden sitting by my side. I was reading a book and had my legs perched over his lap, while he caressed my legs in soft circular movements. Ray and Joe were sitting in front of us, looking as bored as always when there was nothing mischievous to do.
Sonya walked up to our seats, Hope sleeping in her arms. Sonya gently swayed, a look of unease washed upon her face.
"We're drawing too much attention," she had murmured.
Ray had looked up, a lock of his dark hair falling over his eyes, making him look even more dangerous. A snide grin slipped through his dull expression.
"Why does it pleasure me to hear something so ironic?" Ray said lightly.
Sonya rolled her eyes at that comment. "It's all Rose's fault."
That got my attention. I slammed my book shut, sat up straighter, and diverted my attention on her. My eyebrows rose and I said, "Has my beauty caused some ruffled feathers with the wives of every man gawking at me?" I asked innocently.
Joe cleared his throat, giving me a pointed look. "Or perhaps it's because you look like you're lying on death's bed."
I grinned. "Don't we all?"
My white complexion looked a little full on, as if I'd grabbed pure white powder and puffed my entire body with it. I had been wearing a black coat, falling mid-thigh, and the contrast was frightening, which I loved. I wore a dark purple dress underneath, invisible because of my coat, and wore stockings with my favourite black heels. How intimidating was that?
My eyes roamed around the cabin meeting a lot of gawking men. Raiden stirred underneath me, his eyes closing into slits as he reached over a placed a delicate kiss to my lips. He gently sucked on my bottom lip before pulling away, looking satisfied. I had to keep from rolling my eyes from his delusional jealously. He knew the power he had over me. There was no way anyone of those men sparked interest in me.
"Oh damn," Sonya said, lifting Hope up and placing her on her hip. Hope, now wide-awake, yawned and looked around until her eyes found mine.
I bit my lip, scrutinising her mood. Her eyes were sleepy, but even the emotion in her eyes told me what she wanted.
I sighed, smiling fondly. "Am I going to have to raid every cupboard on this train to find you a cookie?"
Hope nodded, yawning again – as if scouring the train for cookies were the normal for her, which it was.
"And a glass of milk?"
Another nod.
Raiden reached out for Hope, and Sonya carefully gave her to him. Raiden kissed the top of Hope's head.
"How long till we get off?" I asked.
"Any minute now," Sonya said, going back to her seat.
I shrugged, getting up and moving into the walkway. I moved through the cabins, navigating my way through them, ignoring the wandering eyes. I managed to find the kitchen and started moving towards it, when I sensed I was being followed. I took a sharp left into the empty kitchen then spun around, reaching out, and grabbing a startled woman by the throat. She was human, somewhere in her thirties, blood red hair, wide-set eyes, and a stupid, snarky attitude. Her look said it all. I almost laughed. She must be a wife of a man that couldn't control his wandering eyes.
I let her go, curious of what she'd say but all she did was raise a shaky hand to her neck, smoothing the area and giving me a wary but hatred-filling look.
"What is your problem?" she had barked, putting up a well-played look of bravery. I had almost believed it.
"Do you work in this kitchen?" I asked, my tone insisting I already knew the answer as her attire screamed rich bitch at me.
A hand had been placed on her hip, making her state her superiority over me. Because I was the younger one, and she saw that her intelligence bypassed mine for miles. What a shmuck.
"Of course not. I wasn't born within the alleyways unlike some people. I actually have class," she said lightly, her mouth twisted with smugness.
Failing to keep my anger in check, I forgot about my snide comment about the kitchen and narrowed my eyes at her.
"Perhaps you should inform your husband of his treachery – making you believe that that silver around your neck is real. Perhaps he's saving his real gifts for his lover," I said, laugher had seeped out of me easily.
I saw her nostrils flare. "How dare you-"
"The only thing that's real is the bracelet around you wrist and that surely could not have been given to you by him."
The pearl and diamond bracelet fitted a little too snugly around her wrist.
"Actually-"
"So what I'd like to know is why bother come after me when you're probably used to seeing your husband look at what he can't have? You're bringing an issue – your issue – to me, an innocent woman, and you seriously expect me to just stand here and agree to go with it?"
"I saw you staring at him," she said defensively.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh yeah? Describe what he looks like."
"Short black hair, green eyes, strong jaw, impeccably handsome-"
"He's the one that's missing his front tooth, right?" I said, serious.
Her eyes widened, and her hand moved forward and slapped me. My figure didn't even slightly move. She huffed in shock and tried again. Except this time I was watching behind her – through an elegant shaped window on the door. No doubt it was locked. No I doubt I could unlock it.
In mid-swing, I grabbed her arm, twisted it so now it was forced and secured behind her back and roughly pushed her forward – then pushed the final blow. Her body collided with the door so hard she flew right through it – the door completely came off its hinges. I walked to the edge; air swished my hair back in cascading waves. When I pushed her, I found that we were travelling over a bridge – a not so small bridge. The bridge was high enough to estimate that she'd fall to her death. Well at least she didn't have to worry about her husband anymore.
I turned back, my foot stopping in mid-motion when I almost walked over something. I looked down, and sure enough it was the bracelet. I reached down and picked it up. It must have unclasped itself when I twisted her wrist.
I turned it over, mesmerised by its beauty and smiled to myself as the train roughly braked and then processed in slowing down. I started making my way back to my seat, hiding the bracelet behind me. When I finally made my way back to my seat, Sonya glanced up, frowning. I must have taken longer than I thought. I grinned back, carefully hiding my fangs.
I sat down and turned to find a squirming Hope in Raiden's arms. He gave me a look, and then shrugged.
"I'm quite worried about her addiction," he said warily, although I detected humour in his eyes.
"Addiction?" I asked, playing along.
"To cookies," he said very seriously.
I laughed, capturing Hope's attention. She turned towards me; eyes alight with excitement – until she saw I was empty handed. Her hand reached out to me impatiently and I shook my head softly.
"Close your eyes," I said, lightly my hand to my eyes, showing her.
She mirrored me, and peeked through her fingers, thinking I wasn't aware of it.
"Nuh uh," I said, playfully giving her a stern look.
After what seemed like an exaggerated sigh, she closed all the gaps between her fingers.
I placed the bracelet nicely flat on my palm and reached out my hand in front of her.
"Open your eyes," I whispered mischievously.
She couldn't have ripped her hands away from her eyes fast enough. I laughed as she squealed and carefully grabbed the bracelet and lifted it eye-level so she could inspect it at every angle.
Even at four years old, it wouldn't be able to fit her. I came back to reality, shocked to find a tear had fallen. I lifted up my hand, wiping it away with a finger slowly to feel the water track down my face. I breathed in heavily, knowing more tears would come if I didn't forcefully stop it. I squeezed my eyes closed, dug my fingers sharply into my palm, and grinded my teeth closed against each other. After ten seconds the crying sensation thankfully vanished and I was left with the sadness.
Christian walked up to me, his eyes shifting to what had captured my attention.
"That bracelet resembles the one I'd given to Hope when she was four," I said softly.
A soothing hand gripped my shoulder, as Christian stepped forward and retrieved the jewellery. He held it out to me after our eyes met.
"Then wouldn't it be nice for you to give it back to her?" he whispered.
I shook my head, closing his palm around the bracelet.
"She's gone, Christian."
"You don't know-"
"All I know is what I'm going to do to them," I growled, my voice hardening against the reality of the situation. It was their fault. Or should I say: His fault. I would not let my resolve soften towards him. He knew exactly what he was doing when he set out and ordered his men to kill them. Strigoi or not, he knew the consequences of killing my coven. And he was going to play most indefinitely for his crimes.
I stormed out of the shop, with Christian on my heels. My footsteps felt heavy and I started feeling light-headed. My pace quickened, knowing all too well what was happening.
"Come on," I said, taking off at a run. I heard Christian's feet pound behind me. I flew through the entrance and pressed the button to summon the elevator. Once inside, we went to the top floor and were greeted by the grim faces of our friends. Lissa and Adrian huddled together in the hallway with the silver stakes in their hands. Black rings under Lissa's eyes confirmed that she was on the brink of consciousness, and I just hoped she'd stay awake long enough.
I immediately set out on my mission. I went into the lab to the left and lifted up a wooden chair. I snapped off the legs, throwing one to Ralf, Jesse and Christian.
"Follow me," I barked, exiting the lab and kicking open the door the lab where the Strigoi were being held. I strode forward, ignoring every pair of eyes curiously watching me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Raiden shift forward.
"Rose-"
"Charm the stakes," I said to Lissa and Adrian.
That caused quite some reaction from the Strigoi.
"Charm the stakes?" Hayley streaked. "What's that supposed to do?"
Did she not know? Well, won't she be surprised.
"Rose, don't," Raiden said, his voice shaking with restraint.
I turned around and punched him through the gap the bars provided. My sudden lash-out caught him off guard, making him stumble back. He wore a startled, yet frightening expression as he regained his balance and stalked forward.
"You don't suit dhampir, Rose," he spat, his fist slamming into a bar, creating an insignificant dint.
"And whys that?" my voice pitched low as I stared at him through my lashes.
"The emotions, the instability. You're a mockery of the Rose I once knew and loved," he growled, the last word barely came out without his bottom lip quivering.
I stared at him for moment before walking up to his cell, coming face to face with him and spat directly in his left eye. His flinched back, his hand reflectively rubbing his eye with his shirt. His eyes met mine, completely and utterly furious.
I shrugged, lifting my eyebrows up, challenging him. "Shouldn't have taught me how to spit like a man."
He stalked forward and I whipped out the wooden stake I held lightly in my hand and strike him in the heart. Hayley screamed in horror as Tallon began lashing out at the bars yet again. At the same moment Christian lunged forward piercing Jenna directly in the heart as well. Jenna collapsed instantly, whereas Raiden stood for a few moments before falling harshly to the ground. Before he fell, our eyes met for that one split second.
"Be grateful I'm not Strigoi, you son of a bitch. You wouldn't be in one piece if I was," I growled.
Now that he had fallen, along with his sister, we had to act fast. I unlocked the bolt to Jenna's cell and moved to pick her up under her arms while Jesse grabbed her legs. As fast as was known possible, we tore through the door and entered the lab next door. We placed her on the couch where Adrian got to work. A ready-to-go charmed stake filled his hand. His eyes were alight with determination, but his body was rigid. His nerves would overcome him if I didn't act quickly.
"Adrian, stake her," I said, my voice steady.
There was no time to waste. No time to exchange his frightened, yet strong-willed eyes. I had to go deal with the others.
"Jesse, stay here. If she tries anything, which is unlikely, then give her a bit of a warning with that fire of yours."
Before anyone could say anything, I was out the door. I opened the door and again let myself in to the lab with the captured Strigoi. Hayley hissed at me, ugly words formed at her mouth, but as unfortunate as it may have been for her, I enjoy seeing the horror in her eyes as I produced my wooden stake and pierced her heart with it. I caught her body in mid-fall and threw her over my shoulder. A stinging sensation covered my whole body then and I almost dropped her. I barked a yell in pain, wondering if Hayley somehow had bitten me. That was impossible because she was still limp. Utterly frustrated and in stinging pain that was near unbearable, I bit my lip against the pain and ignored Tallon's shouts and ran out. My feet pounded against the floor as I ran my hardest into the other lab and chucked her on the floor roughly.
"Lissa, where-"
Something was terribly wrong. I glanced up, hoping to see a hysterically crying Jenna clutching unto Adrian, as Dimitri did to Lissa but I was met with silence – apart for the slight noise of glass shards falling unto the ground. My eyes travelled to the windows and I felt my heartbeat freeze against time. The windows were smashed, as if someone went through them. The curtains had been torn and blood was like a splash back on the walls, and dripping from the broken glass still standing in place on the windows.
My body felt limp, as I looked around the room in a horror so violent that my breath was taken away. The couch had been flipped, the pillows were shredded, the beakers had been smashed, the table had been broken in two – and amidst all of this destruction, no one was here.
"You're too late," came a voice behind me. A voice I knew all too well.
I slowly turned around and faced her. The first thing I noticed was the blood. The sticky red liquid was botchy around her heart, from where Christian had stabbed her, but that wasn't the place my eyes were glued on. Her mouth was dripping in blood. I contained every form of my emotion within me but I was having difficulty concentrating. That pain wasn't mine– it was Lissa's. But if I still felt her as clear as day – pain and all – then she's still alive. I calmed down a fraction.
"Pity Raiden's not here to see how you came to your end. Permanently this time." Jenna looked ferocious and unhinged. And she'd just feed on Moroi blood. Who, I was not certain. Lissa's pain was unbearable, but judging from the windows, I'm assuming they were all thrown out. Which would have been friggen hilarious if it hadn't been them.
I smiled at her, unfazed. "Pity yourself for ever making your pathetic existence known to me."
She shrugged. "I don't hold pity as a favoured emotion," she laughed. "But I will pity something."
She lasted out, punching me square in the jaw, and I – along her sister – were thrown backwards. Pain shot through my jaw, and my vision blurred temporarily. I opened and closed my jaw a few times before standing up and facing her. A twisted smirk on that beautiful face mad her look utterly deadly – and cocky. She assumed because she was Strigoi she'd win and have her revenge. The thought was laughable.
I waited for her to attack before I made any move. She sprang at me, her hands reaching out for my neck. I slapped her hands away, delivered an upper punch to her jaw, kicked her three times in the ribs with one leg, gave her left eye a bruising, and finally kicking her hard enough in the stomach that she flew into the wall, creating a rather large dint.
Then the very real reality knocked me over. Literally. Hayley stood over me, snarling like a rabid animal. I quickly got to my feet and blocked her. Great, now I got two nutcases to take down. And no silver stake. It looks like Adrian took his with him. So where was Lissa's…
A quick glance around the room gave me my answer. The stake was lying near the door, which was at least ten paces away. After blocking all of Hayley's attacks, I noticed Jenna was right behind me. I sensed Jenna's fist coming at me from behind just as Hayley's fist made its way towards me. At the last moment, I ducked and ran like lighting to the door. I heard their fists collided with such force that I had no doubt that it'd have killed me. I heard their shouts in protest and pain as they recovered and lunged towards me. I slid to grab the stake and once I had a good hold of it I lunged out of the door. Jenna ran at me, slamming her shoulder into my back and we both toppled to the ground. Hayley ran ahead and entered the room where her brothers were held captive. I growled with so much venom that even I questioned if I'd completely lost my sanity. I squirmed viciously under Jenna, scratching, bitting, and punching her – whatever I could. Finally her weight shifted and I was able to scramble out from under her. I stumbled to my feet, running after Hayley like a mad woman.
"Hayley," I sang her name in a low, threatening voice. A dangerous grin spread across my lips as I watched her like she was my prey. Hayley was attempting to pry the deadlock off Raiden's cell. Her breathing was laboured and I could see she was distressed. Of what exactly? Was Hayley as cocky as Jenna was when it came to her strength? Did she assume I had no chance of defeating her as Jenna did?
I stopped in mid-step, all emotion erased from my face as I stared at her. Did she fear me? A dhampir of all people. Being a Strigoi meant being indestructible. Dhampirs were vulnerable. And here right in front of me was a Strigoi fighting for her life. She knew I could kill her. She knew that I was going to kill her.
And then, out of nowhere, I saw it. Hayley's eyes met mine and I saw the fear burning within. Raiden was speaking to her with soothing words laced with desperation as he guessed his sisters fate. My heart felt torn. Here was a family desperate to be free of me. Desperate to survive. Just like my family had been. Sonya would have given her life for anyone of my coven members, as would I. Especially for the youngest in the coven.
Hope.
My eyes hardened. Any form of guilt or hesitation was now burned after that one name blinded my focus. She was the reason for my revenge. She was the reason I've come this far. I can't stop now. Not when I'm this close.
My mouth was set in a dirty snarl as I stalked forward, silver stake in my right hand, and made sure that she knew she should be shit scared and start begging for forgiveness. Her eyes bulged as she stared at me, and then ever so slightly I saw them flicker over my shoulder. Just as Jenna ran up and was about to attack me from behind I dropped down on one knee and tripped her with my other leg. Jenna landed right in front of her sister. I jumped to my feet just as Jenna was straightening up.
No going back now. Before she fully straightened up, I held my stake loosely in my hand. I pulled my arm back and twisted my wrist as I threw my stake with staggering force. Neither Jenna nor Hayley could prevent the inevitable. Jenna had completely straightened up as the stake tore through her heart and viciously ripped out from the other side and collided into Hayley's heart. Jenna fell to her knees before collapsing to the floor. Hayley stood there, her eyes glued to the stake buried dead within her. As her eyes met mine, my mouth twisted downwards as I saw my victim fall to the ground, dead. A gruesome site, sure, but not even I, someone fuelled by my hate and suffering, could not feel guilty for taking her life. I hated her for her part in the crime, but taking a life took a toll on me. I wished so desperately to have been a Strigoi that very instant to be rid of these ghastly emotions.
"No!" Tallon roared, collapsing to his feet, dry sobbing. He crawled on the floor and got as close as he could to his fallen sisters. Strigoi couldn't cry, but if they could, I'd have no doubt that Tallon's face would be red and tear tracks would be flowing down his face. I looked at Raiden, whom stood rigid in his spot, unable to contemplate that his sisters were gone. He stood there, as if made of stone. He wasn't breathing, wasn't blinking – he had been frozen ever since I threw the stake. He wouldn't look at his twin or me. He wanted to erase what had happened, perhaps even feeling a little guilty about what he committed in the first place. I paid no attention to Tallon, whom was throwing disgusting words in my direction. I completely blocked everything out except Raiden. My eyes took in his stance, his eyes and even his curled fists. Would he have the will to kill me? I'd be surprised if the answer was no. The way he stood, although frozen, was him trying to control his emotions and not lash out. But I secretly wished he would so he'd come closer to the bars and try to injury me so I could lash out with the stake.
"Can you remember them, Raiden," I whispered, not wanting an answer. "Can you remember how they all fell? How they all so desperately tried to save each other in that burning house? I wasn't even there, and yet I can picture what happened."
Only his eyes moved as they met mine. Now mine held tears. Were they tears of sadness or of hate? Was I hesitating again to kill him? He still held a part of my heart, no matter his crime. How would I live with myself if I killed him?
A tear fell as I spoke again. "Sonya would have made sure they were all out before she got out herself."
His jaw was locked stiffly, but his eyes never left mine. I must have looked like an absolute wreck covered in blood.
"You'll see her soon in hell, where the rest of them are!" Tallon screamed, stalking forward.
In all my years of training I was told that one of the most important things was not only to familiarise with my surroundings, but also to listen. I failed that lesson then and there. I didn't hear Jesse come up from behind me. All I saw was Tallon stalking forward. I braced myself to attack but I didn't need to. At the last second Jesse came up behind me and pushed me aside with tremendous force sending me crashing to the ground a few paces away. I gasped as my head made contact with the ground. My sight grew fuzzy, the sounds were all blurred out, and everything moved in slow motion. I tried to get up but my eyes weren't concentrating. It hurt to blink, it hurt to even think. I felt like I was completely out of it.
But what I could do was turn my head and look up at the three men before me. And I wished so badly I didn't.
Jesse had a wooden stake in his hand and he was attempting to stab Tallon in the heart through the bars. My thoughts were all over the show, and yet I could somehow concentrate slightly. I knew what was going to happen and before I knew it I was crying again.
"No…. Jesse…don't." I could barely speak. It was all mumbled. He wouldn't be able to hear me warning. But Raiden and Tallon did. Tallon looked over to me and smirked.
There wasn't anything I could have done to prevent Tallon from grabbing Jesse by the neck. But I still tried.
I whimpered, and attempted staggering to my feet, which failed. I wasn't quick enough to get there in time. Tallon had Jesse off his feet now. Jesse's yells in protest were of fear and determination. He was determined to help me. And here I was helpless to help him.
Tallon's eye sought out mine as he squeezed and a loud crack followed. Jesse no longer moved. He dangled in Tallon's hand before he was dropped to the ground.
I sat there staring at Jesse's lifeless body, unable to comprehend how everything got to this. My sight grew worse and now I could see black spots. My head pondered but it felt as if it had nothing to do with hitting my head. Jesse was dead. Another death on my hands. He died because of me. This was my fault.
Laughter boomed through the room, but I paid no attention to it. Tallon's laugh was both menacing and unsympathetic. This was payback for killing his sisters. Even though it's a small price of payback. I'm sure he had more installed in him. Which is why I had to act quickly. My stake was in my hand, now all sweaty from the shock of seeing a friend fall right before my eyes.
I looked up at them through my lashes. They played the game unfairly, so why not bring all I've got to the plate?
I crawled to the closest cell; not remembering which sister was locked in it, and pulled myself up until I could stand. I stayed there for a few seconds, blinking away the spots that departed with time.
I cleared my throat, attempting to get rid of the gross feeling deep within my throat and failing to do so.
I turned towards them, taking turns of looking through them before my final piece of revenge played out.
"Killing innocents wasn't part of the plan," I said, my voice terribly hoarse. "But at least now I see your boundaries and how far you're willing to go to make me suffer." I looked at Raiden. "Ready to be reminded of your destruction? I assure you that this won't be a pleasant experience, especially for you."
I balanced on my own feet, careful not to fall back, and tore the bracelet off. Like a wave of descending darkness, I felt them. Deep within I was terrified. This part of being shadow kissed could drive me over the edge, but at that moment I didn't care.
"They say Strigoi can't stand ghosts. What would you say to that, Levina?"
Her ghost materialised next to me and yet my eyes did not leave Raiden's.
"He did it",she whispered, her dark flowing hair was elegantly flying around her face.
A dangerous snarl formed on my lips. "Ofcourse he did."
The next ghost to materialise was Maggie, the second youngest. Her green dress was painted in blood, and her hair was burnt off. Her eyes darted from me to Raiden, then she stepped back and clasped onto Levina's hand.
I took a step closer to him. "Remember Maggie, Raiden? Remember how you stole her from me. From us."
I felt them before they appeared. Everyone materialised behind me. And from Raiden's abrupt intake of breath, I'm sure seeing them in this state was deadly hard for him.
Tallon kept his distance from the ghosts, eyeing them all as if one would somehow come back to life and kill him. No, that was my job.
Seeing them all standing there was hard enough, but then Sonya floated near me. Half her face was burnt, along with her hair and blood stained every inch of her body. A tear fell as I saw her, a now restless ghost.
I turned towards him, every bit of hatred showing in my eyes. "Murderer."
They swarmed around Raiden and Tallon whispering words like murderer, traitor, you will pay.
Tallon was screeching at them to get back and swatting them away but they didn't stop. Nor did I ever want them to.
I swung the stake around, trying to catch Raiden's frantic eyes.
"Stop!" Tallon barked, falling against the bars.
Raiden's eyes darted towards me and then to his brother. "Tallon!"
Too late. I flung the stake at him just as he toppled forward, giving me a nice view of his unprotected heart. Stephanie and Paige screeched in his ears, distracting him from what was thrown at him. The stake sunk so deep that only the hilt was sticking out of his chest. Tallon gave a started gasp and his eyes darted to his chest.
"No!" Raiden screamed, viciously throwing punches in the air to ward off the ghosts that blocked his view of his brother. His fists caught on the bars regularly with such force that I could see various amounts of dints.
Tallon then looked up at me. The last thing he saw was me blowing him a kiss.
"No," Raiden cried, collapsing to his knees. He was dry sobbing and crawled to the edge of his cage near his brother.
"Stop," I commanded the ghosts. They gave him some room but not too much. I unlocked Tallon cell and walked in stiffly. After making sure he was dead, I ripped out the stake and wiped his blood on his shirt.
Raiden, breathing heavily, glared up at me.
"Are you satisfied now? Have you got what you wanted?" he roared.
All I did was look at him, and deep down pity rose up from the ashes. He lost everything. What was to become of him now? I sure as hell didn't know. It was hard as it is just staring at him.
"Why ask an question you know the answer to?"
He spat at me, although he missed. "Kill me."
I laughed, a cruel menacing laugh. "And you still think I'm going to give you what you want? No." I got as close as I could to him without being in the danger of him grabbing me. "If I have to suffer through this life for what you've done, you can too."
"You've already made me suffer enough," he spat.
I shook my head. "I could have done it so much worse but really, it is you I'm after, not them," I gestured to the fallen siblings. "And what better way to start your pathetic miserable life, then to start it all alone?"
"You're still here."
"Not for much longer."
He stared at me with those eyes that used to make me weak at the knees. Now, all I saw was Hope's killer. And-
"She's not dead, you know."
I zoomed back to the present and stared at Raiden. "What?"
"Hope is still alive," he bit out.
I glared at him with all my hatred. "Your humour really is sick, you know that?"
He nodded to the ghosts surrounding us. "She's not there. I'm surprised you didn't pick up on that."
Falling for his trick, stupidly, I couldn't help glance at my family. My eyes wandered to one in particular; Sonya. Her face was permanently pain-stricken. My eyes held a question and in them, and she answered with a nod.
My knees buckled underneath me and I roughly fell to the ground. Tears filled my eyes as I stared at her with both shock and fear. Could it be true? Could Hope still be alive? But how?
That ghost I saw…the one that resembled Hope…I looked up at Maggie and she confirmed what I didn't want to know with a nod. My God, it was Maggie whom was attempting to materialise. Not Hope.
I was at lost of words as my eyes drifted to Raiden. He never stopped staring at me and even though the hate was still evident in his sinful red eyes, he seemed to soften towards me. Tears freely fell down my face. My heart was clenched with relief and fear. If she was alive, where is she?
Surprisingly, Raiden leaned forward and sat sidewards against the bars, leaning his head on them.
"I made sure that there was only one survivor. You two were always close," Raiden said dully. "So when my crew planted the bombs in that house, I made sure they were correctly timed. I paid them a visit before they went off and cornered Sonya within the house. I snatched Hope away and bolted outside. By the time any of the others knew, it was too late. Sonya chased me outside and I had a dhampir with a stake in waiting. Then she was thrown back into the debris. Tragic, yes. Skilful, a little clumsy. Not my best work, but I knew that if I needed something from you, I'd have Hope as my bargaining chip. And now she safe, locked away in the most obvious place that you'll never find," he laughed at the end, cracking up at his joke.
Hearing him talk like that didn't help me in the slightest. Or make me feel better. I glanced at Sonya with so much sorrow that the tears flowed down my face again. Her face was so miserable that it tugged at my heart.
And that's when I knew I couldn't kill Raiden. No matter how much I hated him, I couldn't do it. Killing his siblings was one thing but to actually kill the man I still loved deep down was unimaginable.
So I did something I probably shouldn't of. I reached the bars and grabbed Raiden's hand. He flinched, glancing back at me with confusion. I looked at him through bars and saw they were badly crooked but he couldn't escape through it. As if gabbing his hand wasn't surprising enough when I leaned forward and kissed him. I could tell he was completely out of it for a fraction before I felt his lips moving against mine. His lips were freezing but somehow they melted over mine and I was reminded of how he used to kiss me, exactly how he was now. Slow and passionate, with a hint of mischief as his fangs brushed against my lower lip. His hand snaked its way through the bars and tangled itself in my hair. This would have been a romantic moment if there weren't three bodies in the room. Oh, and if he didn't yank my head back and position his fangs at my neck. I gasped in momentary fear. I wasn't going to move or escape from his hold.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't rip your head off right now," he growled, pulling unto my hair even more.
I bit my lips against the pain. "You can't."
He gave a breathless laugh. "You underestimate the temptation."
"If I can't do it, what makes you think you'd be able to?"
"Using the term 'Strigoi' bluntly is the reason. See, being a Strigoi-"
"I know," I cut him off. "I was one," I said, stating the obvious.
He gave another merciless chuckle. "Perhaps now would be a good time regretting coming closer."
He bit me.
I screamed loud enough to scare the ghosts away, all but one. My eyes frantically darted to Sonya's horrified expression.
My look said it all; I love you and I'm sorry for everything and I will find Hope, but you guys have to drive Raiden into his insanity corner again when he's finished with me.
Raiden made sure he was messy about the bite. He didn't just bite me and suck blood in return from one spot, but continued all over the right side of my neck. Then with the hand ripping at my hair, her grabbed my neck, smashed my head to the ground, cut his other wrist with his fangs and poured his blood into my mouth. When I wouldn't swallow and faltered around in weakness, her clasped his hand over my mouth and nose until I did, suffocating me.
No going back now, I thought, as I swallowed it all and immediately felt the change. My sight grew hazy; my head throbbed like a storm, my heart hurt because of the sudden cold washing throughout my body.
And then, it was gone. I coughed, before glancing around me and was surprised to find that I could see the insignificant specks of dust on the floor.
I could see the paint chipping off the walls in the corners, and each of every single hair of Tallon's head, whom lay at my left. My eyes found Raiden.
Raiden Raiden Raiden. His name repeated in my head about forty times. He was looking at me with both amusement and malice, and my blood was still seeping from his lips. I almost smiled at him, but then thought, what the heck?
I lunged forward, grabbed his neck and shoved him against the bars so we were at eye level.
I gave him a seductive grin. "It's good to be back. You know, with the whole 'heartless' package and all."
He pried my hand away slowly, making sure that every movement our touch shared was intense. We both got to our feet at the same time, never loosing eye contact.
"It's good to see you back to your normal deathly pale self. I wonder what the glamorous Rosemarie Hathaway has installed for me in this 'delicate' form," he chuckled, reaching forward and caressing my cheek. I snapped all of his fingers backwards and proceeded to break them all. His intake of breath at the momentary pain was laughable. He sprang him hand back, knowing it'll heal within a matter of moments.
He lifted an eyebrow at the game I was playing. Oh boy, was I only getting started.
"There will be nothing but irritation installed for you, I'm sure. I'll be the only one leaving here." And with that, I exited out of the cell and ran smack into the ghosts of my family members. Seeing them was unbearable. Strigoi can't stand ghosts and therefore I could barely look at them in the eyes. So when I spoke to them, I had to stare at the ground.
"This is the last time I'll see any of you. I just hope-" I winced at the word "- you pass over soon. Keep him here and show him the pain he's caused you…caused us."
And this time when I looked up, I saw Sonya's face had cleared and a hint of a smile was plastered instead of the grimace. If I could cry, I would have.
I glanced back at Raiden, and decided to make it short and simple.
"See what happens when you play with fate," I said to him, my voice pitched low. He took in every word, glaring at me the entire time. "There's no hope for you to survive was is to come; and that's suffering and a shit load of loneliness. Better luck next time."
I gestured to the stake near him. "And that is your salvation."
I turned on my heel and exited, ignoring his meaningless words or his empty pleads for justice.
That was the last time I saw Raiden.
When I made my way outside, I was indeed confronted by the site of all my friends. They were lying in the grass covered in blood, cuts and bruises from the glass shards. All were unconscious, except for Christian. My deadened beating heart clenched when I saw Lissa. Still breathing, still alive but unconscious. Christian was lying next to her, trying to control his breathing.
I quickly called the 'special' police, in which only vampires called, and told them the whereabouts and to hurry. They said it'd take approximately ten minutes to arrive here.
"We're never going to see you again, are we?"
I looked to my left and saw Christian's eyes were barely open, but they stared at me.
I shrugged. "I don't know." Although I did, and the chances weren't good.
From now on in, I was going to do whatever I could to find Hope again, no matter the cost.
"I'll try to come back," I said with more conviction than I thought possible.
"You find your way back to us, Hathaway. Or I'm going to kick…. your…. sore-ass Strigoi…. butt."
He passed out again after that, but I was relieved to hear the sirens coming my way. I kissed Lissa's forehead before running through the field and into the trees a second before I was spotted.
Two years later, after failing to find Hope, I had found out that shortly after I left the Court, it had gone up in flames. There were no survivors. I had been outside of a store in which sold TVs when the news had broadcasted it a few weeks after leaving. They identified bodies of royals, obviously unknown to the humans.
Vasilisa was not one of them, nor was Christian or Adrian or Ralf. I felt relieved when hearing the news, and dread. Did Raiden survive? I doubted it very much. The Moroi feared of the remaining Strigoi there and instead of bring in dhampirs to do the dirty and potentially life threatening work; they decided to be bold about it. Now they cleared the wreckage and were rebuilding the Court. Interesting.
I had gotten nowhere in my search for Hope. The days drew longer, and my unhappiness was starting to really get to me.
Five years later was when I had hit rock bottom.
"It says specifically that the iced chocolate has ice-cream in it," I said to the manager, pinching my nose in frustration. "Ice-cream," I said with emphasis, gesturing to the fancy glass in front of me. "Would you eat that? How old do you think it is? Six months old? Maybe more? I specifically remember feeling chucks in it as well…"
"I will personally make you a grand iced chocolate, love," she said, in a thick European accent. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience." She took my drink and went back from behind the counter and basically chucked the glass in the sink. And it broke.
I avoided eye contact with her from then onwards. Why does this always happen to me when I'm in a café?
I achieved nothing. Absolutely nothing within the five years except anger a lot of Strigoi and destroying them because they angered me in return, which was not on. I had killed all of Raiden supposedly 'crew' whom helped with my family's murder. I even found the dhampir that had personally killed Sonya. He had a nice trip off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Aside from that, I have absolutely no leads on Hope, meaning the truth to what happened to her died with the siblings and Raiden.
I ended up here, back in Montana. Not far from that lovely school I had to endure through all my years in schooling. I sighed, rubbing my eyes in non-existent exhaustion.
The manager strode towards me, elegantly placing my 'fresh' iced chocolate in front of me. I thanked and silently bid her away. I played with the cream, disinterested.
The café was ancient looking, and streaking with grace. Chandeliers looked to be falling from the ceiling in waves of stylishness. The booths were all wooden and all designed to be something out of a medieval castle. The tablecloths were a nice deep blue silk and the glasses were all crystallised. And the food was revolting. Well at least to me.
I continued playing with the cream, even when a group of girls sat at the table beside me.
A good-looking waiter arrived at their table, blushing like crazy, and asked if they were ready to order. Out of habit, I looked over to see if the girls were fake and if I needed to throw this deliciously nauseating waste of a drink I'll have to pay for at them.
Nope, and quite the opposite. These three girls appeared to be normal. Oh thank God.
The guy went away with their orders and I went back to drawing with my cream.
"She's stunning."
"She's very pale though. But still, I'm completely jealous!"
"Just leave her alone. She probably doesn't want the attention, so shush."
That got my attention. I took a quick silent sniff, and found them to be dhampir. And they were young. So they were in school. A dhampir/Moroi school, obviously. So what the hell were they doing here?
Casually, I glanced over at the counter, and then innocently looked at the two gawking girls to my right. They were pretty and sitting side by side, but they weren't the one that caught my attention.
It was the girl sitting right across from them. And if they thought I was stunning, I hate to think how many times they'd drown her with comments like that.
Her dark brown hair went down to her mid-back and sat in beautiful disobeying waves. I could barely see her face, but she had a nice tan, fit body and was all legs.
Why was my heart beating so quickly at the site of her?
She never glanced my way so I went back to my abomination. I ate a spoonful of cream and chugged it down to look normal. Yuck.
"If I never return to that school again, I would be ecstatic and will literally attempt doing a back flip."
A guy walked up to the table and sat beside the pretty girl. They all exchanged greetings before the topic was shifted as the two girls zoomed in on me.
And here we go again.
"Her hair colour seems otherworldly," one girl said. "Its too perfect. Maybe it's her natural hair?"
On and on they went. My hand was clutching my drink and I almost crushed it.
Wanting to scare them again, I looked over a split second before one of the girls spoke.
"I swear, Hope, Kirova will have your head if you don't start handing in the homework…"
Our eyes met and that's all it took.
Oh my God.
Her sparling pale blue eyes never left my brown contact ones. Ozera eyes. And the hair…
My heart kept thudding, although now it's all I could hear. I couldn't hear her friends, or the guy's comments. All I saw was her and wondered if she recognised me.
Someone entered the café, and wind blew in and made her hair cascade around her face like an angel.
She was here. Hope, now fourteen years of age, sat so close and yet so far. She was intrigued by me and perhaps sensed something familiar about me, but didn't recognise me. And that's what probably killed the most.
I looked away, unable to hold her gaze without running up to her and taking her away.
She was rebellious, like me I suppose, and she sounded like she didn't think highly of Kirova. A mini me. Nothings changed.
I smiled softly when I saw what she orders: an iced chocolate.
Why was this so hard? Maybe because I thought she'd remember me? I could feel her eyes on me, still.
Should I tell her? Does she even remember? Shouldn't she remember what I looked like?
More importantly, I realised, was that when she was seven Raiden took her away. She'd bloody remember that, if nothing else.
Then it all clicked in.
Now she's safe, locked away in the most obvious place that you'll never find, Raiden had said.
Raiden knew I'd never think of going back to St. Vladimir's in search of her. I breathed in deeply to calm myself. I knew the risk of her telling everything now. She'd believe me, of course. In fact, I assumed she kept the secret of being raised by Strigoi to herself. I would have.
Which means it'd be beneficial for her sake to not know about me fully until she was eighteen, until she graduated. It was a hard thing to admit and to understand, considering I had just found her. But this way it'll be better for her.
"Hey Hathaway, is it true you broke Spencer's nose for breaking your pen?" another girl said across the room.
I think its safe to say that when I heard my last name, I shat myself.
And then thought, wait, they weren't speaking to me. I looked at Hope again and saw a smug written on her face.
"Yeah, and broke four of his pens too. For good luck," she said, winking at her friends.
Oh god, its like we're twins.
Her head moved towards me again but before our eyes met, I jumped into the aisle, went to pay for me drink and walked as quickly as I could out of there. I crossed the street and hopped onto my motorbike. I sped off as swiftly as I could without causing an accident and gunned it to St. Vladimir's.
Upon arriving at the school's gothic gates, I was confronted by a guardian. I winced slightly as I uncomfortably remembered the wards. Another obstacle.
"Name and reason of requesting entry?" he said. I didn't remember him but he was a pretty hardcore buffed up guardian. Great.
His eyes took note of everything, including how deathly pale I was.
I took off my helmet and nodded my hello to him.
"Tell Kirova to come out here. Tell her Hathaway needs to speaks with her."
"Rose Hathaway?" he said my name with appraise. Then frowned. "Why won't you go inside to see her?"
I smiled guilty, showing him a clear view of my fangs. "I suffer from a rare form of Strigoicologicalcosis. It's deadly and will kill you in three seconds if you alert anyone but her of my appearance," I said warningly.
He took out a stake; I got off my bike and took a step closer.
"Tell her to come to the gate where you will give her the information on this piece of paper-" I held up a piece of paper I retrieved from my pocket "- and I'll leave without any dramas. Try to kill me and I'll kill the headmistress. Her head is on the line, dare to cross it?"
His eyes calculated my ever move before wiping out his phone and speaking into it.
Soon after I heard footsteps and walking towards the gate with six guardians surrounding her was none than the mega bitch. What stunned me was that Alberta was there. Nothing more awkward than this confrontation. I walked to the front of my bike and stood there, waiting for her to come closer. She stood twenty paces away along with the guardians. I didn't dare look at Alberta.
"Rosemarie Hathaway. A shame to see that-"
"Always a pleasure to see you, Kirova," I said dismissively. "I'm under the impression that a student going by the name of Hope Hathaway goes to school here?"
Kirova's eyes narrowed in distrust. She shared a look with Alberta.
"Rose, under no circumstances do we alert the Strigoi of a student's presence at this school, or any school."
I nodded impatiently. "Yeah, yeah, I get that. I also get that it must pain you to put up with a student practically identical to me." I looked at Alberta, eyebrows raised. "I missed two years in training and was able to pick it up in less time you thought possible. So what level is Hope on, considering she was brought here at the age of seven, I'm assuming?"
Alberta didn't say a word, but I knew it pained her to see me like this.
"She deserves to know what happed seven years ago. Everyone she's ever known is dead. Her mother and father were killed in the same accident, the family whom took her in was murdered and the person that was closest to her went away to protect her," I said duly, although inside I was dying inside. "I'm the only one left and I demand that you take my contact number and place it in her file. It's her choice. When she's eighteen and if she wants the know the truth, you will give her my number."
Unexpectedly, Kirova laughed. "Surely you don't think I'd allow that to happen-"
I'd had enough. I quickly unclasped my long, thin chain from inside my jacket and flung it through the bars where it then entangled Kirova's waste line. I pulled with all my might and ran to the front gate to meet up with her flying body. I pulled her up and held her around the neck before anyone could do anything.
"Call for backup and the bitch's head comes off," I growled.
They all lunged forward. The guardian behind me thought he could take me on from behind. What a shmuck.
I twisted around and kicked him as hard as I could in his abdomen, sending him flying backwards, limp. I turned towards the front and saw a couple guardians advance and squeezed against Kirova's neck and made her flail for breath.
"Stop, Rose!" Alberta screeched.
"Then stay where you are!" I roared.
"We won't move any closer. Just release the headmistress," she said calmly, although there was nothing calm about her stance.
"Not until Kirova makes a deal," I growled and shook a terrified headmistress. I allowed her oxygen but not comfort. I rattled her against the bars.
"What says you, Kirova? Up for making a deal?"
Kirova weakly nodded.
"Excellent," I appraised. "Be a bit more cooperative. Here's the deal. When Hope reaches the age of eighteen, you will give her the piece of paper I will be handing you today. Fail to accomplish this, and I'll rally up an army and make sure this place crumbles in ashes. You will not tell her of her background, you will not let her escape. You will make sure she finishes her education and becomes a guardian and you will make sure she receives this sheet of paper. Am I understood?"
A feeble nod was all I got. I flung her away from me and she tumbled into the gravel. I threw the sheet in her direction and turned on my heel. A bus was coming in my direction. What, Hope and the other students went on a field trip?
I gave Kirova a warning glance before putting on my helmet and getting onto my bike. After starting it, I drove by the bus and couldn't help but glance at the back window. Sure enough a blue-eyed girl was staring after me as I rode away from her again, but this time with a promise.
I'll never give up on you, Hope.
St. Vladimir's
Present Day
Hope's POV
I watched the girl on the bike fade in the distance, sorrow filling my heart. It was her. It had to be. The girl from the café. The way she stared at me wasn't normal. You don't just simply stare at someone you don't know like that and consider it weird behaviour. She knew me. She knew me and yet I couldn't put a name to her face. And yet I felt it – this familiar feeling towards her. Did she know me when I was younger? Why was she here? Was she dhampir?
Clara tugged at my sleeve, bringing me back to the present. I looked over at her and then at my other classmates and saw that the bus was emptying out. Today was the day where Kirova figured giving us a break from the harsh training would be beneficial to us. We were allowed to wander around shops and go out to lunch, accompanied by our teachers – and Clara just happened to lead me into the café where the mysterious girl was. I grabbed my bag and followed my friend out. Out of curiosity, I looked to my left to see if the mysterious girl was there but all I was left with was disappointment. Well that, and the site of Kirova completely undazzled through the windows. The site would have been hilarious if I didn't sense something was completely wrong. I strode towards her and Guardian Alberta once out of the bus. Before I reached them, my foot crunched down upon something. I glanced down and saw I had a sheet of paper underneath my foot. I bent down and retrieved it and before I had a chance to see what it was, Kirova stalked forward and ripped it out of my hands.
"You don't ever, ever, touch this piece of paper again! Do you understand me!" she screamed in my face. My eyes widened. Her eyes were bloodshot, her neck was red, and her hair and clothing were dirty. What the hell happened to her? I glanced at the paper to her and then to Alberta. The guardian broke Kirova back a few steps then embraced the trembling headmistress.
My eyes zoned in on the piece of paper and my heart missed a beat. What was on that paper? Was it my place to know? If it wasn't about me than why'd she scream at me? Was it about the Strigoi? A shiver ran down my spine and I looked back down the road again.
I turned back and saw Clara standing not far behind me and an idea sparked in me. I gave her the 'look' that said make a distraction while I try to pull off some seriously badassness.
Understanding me perfectly, she nodded and winked.
I spun around and ran up to the headmistress and guardian and embraced them.
"Whatever has happened, ma'am, everything will be alright," I said to Kirova, rubbing her back. Wow, this was weird.
Kirova felt the same way when Alberta let go so I could hug her properly.
"Strigoi!" Clara screamed running towards them. Kirova froze and swiftly turned around to see Clara. My opportunity arose. I gently tugged the piece of paper out of her hand when she turned. At the same time I started walking in the direction of the buildings, after shoving the paper down my top. Kirova, noticing the paper was gone, turned around and looked at me in horror, when Alberta gently grabbed her hand.
"I'll care of it. Go inside with the students," Alberta said, then sped off with the other guardians in the direction Clara pointed to.
Ha! Kirova assumed Alberta was talking about the paper not the actual non-existent Strigoi. I dashed to buildings with Clara on my heel. We headed straight for the library.
"Do you have your card?" I rushed out, flying through the library doors.
"Pfft. When don't I have this foul thing," Clara mumbled, retrieving her library card from her pocket. We bolted to the photocopier. I placed the paper in while Clara swiped in the card and typed in her password. She copied it once. I grabbed the double up, shoved it in my pocket then grabbed the real copy.
"We have to get this into Kirova's office!" I gasped out, still shaking from seeing the headmistress like that.
"Benji!" Clara squealed, gesturing for him to come over to her. Benji was quite the charmer and one of the fastest dhampirs in the school. Clara grabbed the real copy off me and handed it to him.
"Wanna commit the ultimate crime?"
He gave us a confused glance.
"Nope."
"You've broken into Kirova's files before. Can you put this one in Hope's file?" she asked, battering her eyes at him.
He rolled his eyes. "Is that it?"
Now it was my time to roll my eyes. I reached for the paper but he held it out of my reach. "I didn't say no," he chuckled before walking off.
Clara dropped into a seat nearby and fanned herself. "That was exhilarating."
I glanced around to see if the library was empty of snooping teachers and found it clear. I grabbed the piece of paper and unravelled it.
I read, and reread it and reread it again a third time. My heart was thudding quickly as I read it a fourth time to make sure I read it right.
I see you've successfully stolen this crucial piece of information from the cow. Nicely done. Now, I want you to memorise this number. Write it down if you need to but try to memorise it – so that they have no evidence of it. Also, put a duplicate with a different number in Kirova's files. Call this number when you've graduated and we'll talk.
R.H.
Oh shit.
"Fuck, shit, crap!" all of the curses came out of my mouth without warning. "Go get Benji! Don't let him put that paper in the files!" I rushed out to Clara. Without needing an explanation, Clara tore through the library. I hastily went to the front desk to get a pen and a sheet of clear paper. I sat in the furthest table and tried my hardest to rewrite her script. What I found astonishing was how similar they were. Mine was naturally slant, whereas hers words were perfectly straight. I changed the number, and forced to remove the 'cow' comment even though it made me chuckle.
All in all, I made it sound normal – and somewhat boring.
I relaxed when I saw my friend along with Benji run back into the library. I got up and grabbed the original and also shoved it down my top.
"I gave you the wrong one," I said to Benji, then walked around him. Now all I had to do was –
Alberta walked passed the library's entrance at that precise moment. And then, surprisingly, Kirova was hot on her heels.
I turned to Clara. "Cover me."
Clara nodded, then took one look at Benji and then punched him square in the jaw.
"Ahh!" Benji yelled in half-mockery, half-pure pain as he stumbled to the ground. I stifled my laugh as I hid behind the closest bookcase near the entrance. Capturing Kirova's attention, Clara ran at Benji and continued to lay punches wherever she could. Kirova, still shaken up, stormed into the library with Alberta in tow. I didn't wait to hear what their punishment would be – I flew out of there and ran to Kirova's office. Two guardians stood guard in front of her office and looked over at me when I appeared evidently amused. I shrugged.
"Detention again boys. Move aside."
When they did, I calmly walked inside and then when the door closed, I rushed like a madwoman to her filing cabinets. After I went to the one with the 'H' on it, I picked at the lock with my paperclip. It unlocked, and I quickly scanned for my last name. After finding it, I shoved the paper in there and slammed the drawer shut.
And then the thought came to me. This was just too easy. It can't be that easy.
And then the door opened and in came Kirova followed by Alberta, Clara and Benji.
Bugger.
Kirova stopped midstep when she saw me.
"Miss Hathaway, what on earth are you doing in here?" she demanded.
Clara and I shared the same-busted look. Now what?
"Well?" Kirova barked.
Think of something. And quickly! I looked around her desk and grabbed her miniature cactus in a pot…thing.
I held it up, grinning brightly. "I saw a crook of a student run out with this in their hand and knew how devastated you'd be if you noticed it missing. So I brought it back."
It was a fabulously unbelievable excuse and Kirova knew it as she roughly pointed to one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"Perhaps another detention will refresh that memory of yours and you'll be able to share the real reason," she said, furious.
I plopped down in the chair, silently snickering to myself knowing Kirova would never know what I've been up to.
A week later, after giving nothing away to a furious Kirova earlier in the week, I was let off with only a couple of detentions.
I watched the sun go down with a sense of dread settling within me. I was leaning against an ironbark tree, hidden from sight. The papers were in one hand and a lighter in the other.
Day in and day out I thought about the letters. I didn't concentrate in class, nor could I block an upper punch to my eye earlier today which now gave me a lovely bruise.
So this was what it was like to have a mystery to solve on your hands. Who was the mysterious R.H.? She was the mysterious girl from the café, no doubt. But who was she? More importantly, what was I to her?
I memorised the number and recited them in my head every few minutes. Now was the time to burn them.
I concentrated hard on every one of her features, her hair, her eyes…. eyes that didn't look normal. As if she was wearing contacts.
I bit my lip as I remembered them. My family. I remembered all the times I had walked into Sonya's room and saw her putting her contacts in every time she went shopping for food for me. She said she, along with my aunts and uncles, only drank a special kind of drink – one that looked a lot like red cordial. Upon coming to St. Vladimir's I found that that special drink was blood. I was only seven when dropped off here. Kirova thinks my family were junkies and God knows what else. Little did she know was that I remembered my family and knew very well of what they were. The very creatures I was trained to kill.
Strigoi.
The breeze made me shudder from the cold. I squeezed my eyes shut, thinking no.
They were different. They kept me alive, which had to stand for something. I used to attempt forgetting that night; the night I was taken away and that man – Raiden – hid my face in his chest so I could no longer hear Sonya yelling my name and chasing after him. I couldn't see her, but I'll never forget her screams.
I breathed out shakily, tears forming in my eyes. Before the blasts, there was a lot of screaming.
I looked at the papers and a thought came to me. Maybe the girl was Strigoi. Her pale complexion, the suspicious contacts. Her long, dark hair that kept tugging at my memory. Why do I feel as if I've touched it before? As if running my fingers through it seemed so right and familiar and yet I could not for the life of me remember how or why.
I shook my head, erasing that thought. That was just too weird.
Whoever R.H. was, she had a lot of explaining to do.
I held up the letters, exhaustion washing all over me. What did I except in life? Honestly, what was I expecting? If I told anyone – even Clara, my best friend – they'd cringe at the site of me and instantly assume I working undercover for the Strigoi. I had problems fitting in when I first came here, well until Clara was transferred here from England. I could only be myself around her. And yet, when I was looking at Café Girl, I felt calmness wash over me. How strange, yet intriguing.
The lighter came alive in my hand, and I held the flame to a corner of the letters. I watched the flame engulf the papers. The last letters I could make out of the paper were in fact the initials: R.H.
My eyes hardened with determination as the letter was demolished.
I will call her, and I will find her, and I will solve what is going on when I graduate. The question is; would I be able to hold out for four more years?
A/N: Please read -
I know, I know. I've done it again, not UDing for a few weeks. Again, I'm sorry for the wait. But hey, in Word, this chapter is exact 23 pages long! That's the longest chapter I've ever written haha!
Not long now guys. One more chapter to go. It's been a pleasure writing this story, but unfortunately it must have an ending.
This, originally, was supposed to be two chapters but I mushed it together for you guys.
I changed the way the siblings died because I had a lot of trouble writing about that scene in general – and didn't exactly know how to end it if they were turned back in dhampir.
Don't forget to review and tell me what you think :) I mean, come on, I deserve reviews after writing such a long chapter. Don't reply simply saying UD because you all know there's only one more chapter to go and it will be uploaded next week, earliest later this week. In order to fulfil my dream – being a writer and an artist as well, I need feedback, even if it's bad.
I personally will admit that I went too far in regards to adding characters in this story (Rose's family). I added in too many, and didn't project enough info about them. But when it comes with stories, I go with the flow, not really planning the ending – hence why it took so bloody long to end this story :/ haha. So I apologise for that.
So please review and you'll make a certain half-breed; half vamp, half wolf uber happy :D
Thanks for reading,
Littlewerepire7