SPIRIT BOND: Anna and Vladimir's story

CHAPTER 23: The Dark History

Anna's POV 

I sat near the fireplace staring into the flames. Playing the strange event with the strigoi over and over again in my head. Until Vladimir’s whirlwind emotions pulled my eyes away from the flames. He sat down opposite me “Tell me” Was all he said as he turned to the flames. I mimicked the way he sat staring into the flames “The horse threw me off when it got startled by a strigoi jumping down from the trees. They surrounded me in a circle and I fought them. The entire time I was thinking about you and the others and how I needed to protect you. My head got slammed twice, once against the ground and once against a tree. My vision blurred and for the first time in a long time I was scared. I was so scared. I feared death. Then I heard the shouts of the other guardians and I told myself I couldn’t let them die. Vladimir I tapped into the darkness. It should have driven me insane, it should have had a negative effect on me, but instead I felt stronger, faster, unstoppable even. At some point in the second battle, I screamed and this silver light shot out of my body in a circular motion. It hit them to the ground. It killed some of them. Vladimir it had the same effect as a stake”.

He said nothing for a long time before he turned to me  “Maybe...maybe just as spirit is my power the darkness is yours” I fell back into the chair “I don’t believe it is my power. We know it’s a negative effect of spirit that threatens both of our sanity” He sat motionless still staring at me “True, but that’s an effect of being kept inside, you let it out Anna and it’s been hours, if there was a negative effect don’t you think we would have seen it by now?” His reasoning made sense, but I still had my doubts “I guess well see in due time” He nodded.

I could feel Vladimir contemplating something, something he wanted to ask “Ask?” He turned to me with eyes almost glazed over “Why didn’t you ever tell me about your family?” I was taken aback for a moment “I didn’t think it would be important to you” He sat back gazing into the fire “I realized something today” He said in a whisper “What?” He turned to me, his eyes darker than I’d ever seen them “You know almost everything about me, but I only know you Anna, I don’t know anything about you” I smiled “I’m your guardian Vladimir you’re not suppose to want to know me” He shook his head “You’re not just my guardian, you’re so much more, you’re my friend” A warm feeling spread through me and I couldn’t help the faint blush that showed on my cheeks.

I caught a glimpse of one of his rare Cheshire cat smiles “Don’t say it” I warned him as he held up his hand “Not a word” He said trying to hide his smile without success. “What do you want to know?” I asked composing myself “Tell me about your family” I nodded “Well my father’s name is Fyodor Romanov, my brother’s Andrei Romanov their both guardians. They don’t serve a particular family or charge. They protect our village and get payed by a lord living in the village. My father trained me, Andrei and Danila. My mother Marina Ozera died in a strigoi attack when I was five or so I thought, but after what I heard last night I’m not so sure anymore” He nodded.
“Any other family?” I shook my head “My father told me about his mother Emilia. He always said that I must have gotten my eyes from her, but I’ve never met her”. For a moment surprise flashed through Vladimir’s features “Emilia Romanov” I nodded confused “I know her, Anna she’s married to the former prince Romanov. The entire family fell from grace when Nicolas Romanov decided to marry her” Shock must have been evident on my face, because Vladimir took my hand “Anna?” I turned to him “I never knew that, my father never told me anything about my grandfather” Vladimir seemed deep in thought “Anna they live in a mansion a few hours outside of Moscow. I’ll take you there when were done here” I shook my head “No, I don’t want to meet them. If my father didn’t tell me about them then there’s a good reason for it”. I could see Vladimir wanting to argue back, but he refrained “Alright”.

“Has Alexandra told you when your audience with the rest of the royals are?” He shook his head “No, but I’m guessing it’ll be tomorrow” I nodded as I stood up “Well then we’d better get you to the feeders” He stood up “Why?” I took his hand pulling him along “Because you’re going to need your strength” He followed reluctantly as we headed for the feeders.  

After we returned from the feeders I went to bed. I thought I could sleep, but my past and my father’s secrets kept me awake. Somewhere as the sun rose I fell asleep. It felt like only minutes had that I had been asleep, before the familiar mist rose from sleep’s darkness. I groaned as a beautiful fountain surrounded in roses formed. It was a spirit dream “Anna do you know how hard you are to reach with a spirit dream?” Boomed the annoyed voice of Maksimov “I just fell asleep” I said watching him with curiousness evident on my face “I assure you I’m here to talk business only” I was starting to get annoyed at him “Then talk” He shook his head in disbelieve “You need to warn Vladimir. The court members he’s meeting tomorrow are planning something and it’s not good” Anger boiled inside me as I thought of Vladimir and how hard he was trying “Even if I warn him, it won’t do any good” He looked at me as he was pacing “Maybe not, but he needs you. Stay by his side Anna don’t leave no matter what” He was worried “You’re afraid that their going to prey on his emotions and anger” He nodded “Yes. Anna they won’t hesitate to kill him” I nodded “Rest Prince Dragomir, I’ll watch over Vladimir”.

With that I willed myself to wake. I knew it had worked when the dream started to crumble and sunlight fell my face. I jumped out of bed getting dressed. I hurried to Vladimir’s room. When I got to his door, I slowly opened the door seeing Vladimir’s peaceful, sleeping figure wrapped up in his blankets. I softly closed his door and took a seat beside the door, keeping watch for any sketchy characters that had no business in the wing or near Vladimir’s room. I sat silently alert for hours guarding the door until I heard shuffling inside the room. I got up and hurriedly knocked. Vladimir opened the door as I moved passed him. He looked confused as I took a seat on his bed. Only when he started walking to me, did I notice his clothing state. His white shirt hung unbuttoned from his shoulders revealing his beautiful sculptured upper body. For a moroi he was well build, the training Danila and I had given him must have helped.
I struggled to tear my gaze away from his body “What’s the matter Anna?” He said oblivious to my internal struggle “I need to warn you. Maksimov came to me last night he asked me to warn you that the other court members have something sinister up their sleeves. They're going to target your emotions and feelings. Vladimir you can’t get angry you can’t lose control you can’t give them the advantage”. Vladimir’s gaze was stone cold as he looked at me “Why would you believe him? Why would you even trust him?” I stood up standing face to face with him “Because Vladimir I saw how scared and worried he seemed. Someone that doesn’t care wouldn’t have looked nor acted like he did”. Vladimir blew out a breath “Alright I’ll control my emotions, but I’ll need you to help me when things become to much” I nodded.

Come hell or high water I wasn’t going to let them hurt him or destroy his quest for freedom. I’d kill them all before they’d ever succeed in trying to hurt him or end his dreams. And even if I couldn’t stop them I’d lend him my power, I’d be his strength so that he could fight back. No matter what they weren’t going to win.