The Key to X | Editing - but on hold

Bonus Chapter- The Night of Rasputin's Death

August 13th, 2010

Alexei's POV

I took a sharp breath of air, stepping into the ballroom. I was at the Northern Palace, a place I have not been for several years. I remembered everything- every detail and every person. I was in a disguise, after "mysteriously" disappearing within the night. In my hand, I held the golden dagger I had treasured for all of these years. The dagger that was a constant reminder of my mentor, Ninja. He did not deserve such an unjust death, and I did not know who to kill. I took a shaky breath and stepped onto the carpet. I have stayed here for a while, a name that I had made up and a great bold reputation. 

I was dressed devilishly and handsomely in a tux. I stepped onto the carpet, waiting for my announcement. "Alexei Romanov II." I stepped forward in, smiling at the people at the ball, stepping forward. I had my hair in my "Alexei" wig on, my eyes were without my red contacts. I stepped up to a pretty girl, mentally snickering at what I was about to do.

"May I have this dance?" I kissed the hand of the girl, making her quite flustered with my actions, and my mixed accent. The girl beamed at me, taking my hand as we started to dance. My 'illusion' eyes were on her, while my real eyes were scanning the room, looking for Rasputin Elton. After the dance, I politely kissed her hand again, before bowing a bit. "May I ask for a name from this beautiful lady?"

"Wendy," the girl smiled shyly, twirling a strand of her brown hair. I gave her a knowing wink before disappearing into the crowd. I walked up to my friend, one I knew so well, but he knew nothing about me.

"Lu!" I poked Luis, grinning when he blinked his silver eyes in confusion. He blinked at me, grinning. "Got any girls tonight?"

"Mm... no. I saw you twirling with a brunette." He shoved my playfully, a mischievous look in his eye. "She seems to have hots for you." I rolled my eyes knowing that my boyish charms worked well. I scanned the crowd for Rasputin, a cold gray gaze freezing me in my spot. Rasputin had suspected me for some reason. He had lived when I poisoned his wine, like his namesake. 

"Alexei," he spoke, power radiating off of him in waves. 

"Rasputin," I snarled, a bit surprised when he dragged me out to the balcony. "What do you want?"

"The location of Anastasia Lexington. Her father was such an easy kill, it was a shame I couldn't get her mother when I was younger." I spat at him, my gaze darkening in anger in the mention of my father and disgust by what he had felt for my mother. "I know you know her location." The man stepped closer to me, holding up a golden dagger with the Northern Royal family crest. He pressed the dagger against my throat threateningly, making a small cut mark.

"It is none of your business! She is gone because of you!"

"Ah, a weak spot." Rasputin chuckled, his eyes darkening in amusement. "So what have you and Anne been doing? Screwing each other?" I spat in his face, surprising him for a moment, whipping out a silver dagger, the one that belongs to Annabelle. I could feel a thin line of blood trickle where my throat was, the odd feeling of gasping for air floating amongst my thoughts.

"Don't you dare!" Rasputin laughed, slashing at my arms. My eyes darkened in anger, feeling the spirits of the dead, restless.

"I challenge you then, Rat." I glared, the spirits of the dead rising amongst us. "A battle to the death. If you win, I will tell you Anne's location before my fall." He thought for a moment, the ground trembling under us, the air-molding and pushing us up above the palace.

Rasputin bowed while I bowed back, the two of us raising our weapons. I pulled out another silver dagger, its color gleaming brightly in the moonlight. "Silver? Why not gold?"

I smirked, throwing the blades in the air and caught them gracefully. "Silver to hurt you, mutt." His eyes darkened in anger, flinging a large boulder at me. I dodged it, thickening my illusion and threw my voice over his shoulder. The man turned, looking around for me while throwing rocks and dirt everywhere. I closed my right eye, twirling my mother's dagger and threw it at Rasputin's chest. Rasputin lost focus, the two of us falling towards the ground. I closed my eyes, feeling the impact of being hurled onto the ground. I stepped towards Rasputin, who was gasping for air.

"You... die... soon..."

"You wish." I snarled at the man, pulling out another dagger, slashing at his body, leaving a signature that would leave nightmares forever. "Farewell Rasputin, I believe you have a few that would want to say hello." I closed my eyes, disappearing from his sight and walked off into the moonlight. Alone, happy, and a bit guilty. "Sorry Luis. I'll make it up to you one day. I'll see you soon." I stepped into the darkness, molding into the darkness and disappeared from plain sight.

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Wow.

-Charlie