Broken and Alone (A Vampire Academy FanFic)

Chapter Seven

I slammed my hands against my desk, making Christian flinch. "He cannot find Brianna... or me. Most importantly Brianna."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did the little girl confirm it was him?"

"Yes. Dimitri..." I almost choked saying his name. "He can't find Brianna!"

The door opened, and I sighed. "Who can't find me, Momma?" she asked and walked over to her desk. I sat down, and Christian had to go back to his classroom. Brianna turned to me. "Who's Dimitri?"

"You don't want to know him, honey." I said, sipping some water. She shot me the coldest glare, and I felt like my heart broke. I didn't want her to hate me. "If I tell you, do you promise me you won't try to find him?" she nodded her head. "He's... your father." She froze. "Brianna, please don't get upset."

"I want to see him." She stated.

I threw my hands up. "Brianna, you promised! Plus, you don't want to meet him."

"Why did he leave?" For a five-year-old, she was pretty freaking smart.

"Um, well... he left me. So, blame me, Brianna."

She looked down, causing her dark brown hair to cover her face. After a few seconds, she looked up at me. Her chocolate brown eyes were full of anger. "Did you hurt him?"

"Of course not, Brianna!"

"Then, it wasn't your fault."

I was about to ask her what she meant, when the bell rang. The kids came back into class, and I cleared my throat. "Okay, kids. I hope you all had a good lunch, but it's back to reading." I passed out their picture books, and sat myself in front of the class. "We left off on the third page..." I flipped through the book, mentally groaning at the pictures. "Okay. Can anyone tell me what's happened so far-?"

Christian's class spilled in through the door. I sighed and looked up. The other class sat down on the floor, and I smiled at the kids. Christian walked over to my desk, placing papers on it. From the corner of my eye I saw Brianna snicker, and I told her to be quiet. She crossed her arms over her chest, and leaned back in her chair. Definitely my daughter. I leaned closer to Christian.

"What the hell are you doing?" I whispered

"Lissa called. She said it's an emergency."

"Is she okay? Do I need to call a sub for me too?" My hand automatically inching towards my stake.

"She's not in danger. She's at home. She said it was just important, nothing dangerous."

"Fine. But, the first sign of danger and you call me. Understood?"

"Understood." He left the classroom, waving to his kids.

By the end of the day, I was wishing all the kids would disappear. Except Brianna, of course. These kids can get so annoying, and it's really hard to teach other kids when Christian's class is so behind.

"Ready to go, Bee?" I asked her.

She didn't even look up. "Yeah. I finished my homework."

I nodded my head, and grabbed my purse from under the desk. I checked my phone, hoping Lissa had called with the emergency details. I guess she's okay, seeing as Christian never called. Brianna stomped out the door and I had to resist the urge to pull out my hair. I turned off the lights and locked the classroom door. Brianna tugged her backpack closer to her, looking around for any threats. I'm training her well. When she saw no threats, she walked to the car. I walked behind her, keeping an eye on our surroundings. Nothing.

I got to the car, and opened Brianna's door. She got in, putting her ear buds in. I rolled my eyes at her and got into the car. She was blasting a song by Paramore (one of my favorite bands!) called Misery Business. I found myself getting drawn into the beat, and had to block out the sound if I wanted to stay alert. I put the key in the ignition, but it didn't start.

"Shit." I muttered. Great. Another dollar for the swear jar.

Brianna held her hand out, and I gave her a stare that said not now! It's dark out... and I have Brianna with me. I got out of the car, and called Christian: No answer. So, I called Lissa: No answer. Viktoria left town a few days ago... Shit. I ordered Brianna to get out of the car, which scared her. I picked her up, holding her close to me. I slung her backpack over my shoulder, then decided to throw it in the car due to it's neon color. I also had to throw my purse in the car since it had a bold color too. I took my wallet, phone, and stake and started walking home.

Brianna laid her hand down on my shoulder, creating a shield for her eyes. I stroked her hair. "It'll be okay, Anya." Dimitri had once told me the Russian nickname for Brianna, so I decided to give her a piece of her father.

"Momma, your stake is poking my ankle" she laughed, and I shifted her onto my other hip. "Thank you. Are we going to be home soon?"

I sighed. "It's almost an hour walk. Just hang in there."

I walked across the parking lot, hating how my heels clicked against the pavement. Brianna fell asleep against me, becoming even heavier somehow. I checked down the hallway, seeing no lurking figures. When I was about to start walking down the hallway, I saw a tall form lurking around the corner. They were going towards my classroom. I inched closer, my stake poised and ready. A warm hand clutched around mine, and I reacted quickly. But not because it was a Strigoi, but because the smell of his aftershave hit me. Brianna woke up and jumped out of my arms, knowing she might be in danger.

"Rose what the hell are you doing?!" Dimitri yelled as I swiped my stake out. But, he was fast and dodged.

"What the hell are you doing here?! Go away!" I was close to tears. He had no right to come back here!

He grabbed my arm, stopping my stake from connecting with his cheek. "I followed a Strigoi over here. Calm down. Be quiet or else your daughter will be in danger."

Brianna came over to him and punched him in his leg. That's my girl. "Leave my momma alone!" she yelled, beating her fists against his leg.

He laughed and lowered down to her level, letting go of my arm. Is it bad that I wish he hadn't? After all these years and pain he's caused, he is still able to make my heart skip a beat. Plus, he was so good with Brianna. "I'm not trying to hurt your mom. Promise. I'm trying to help her."

She didn't look convinced. "Why?"

He glanced up at me, and I smiled. When he returned his gaze to Brianna, he wore one of those rare smiles that would make me melt. "Because I love her."

My mouth dropped open, and I grabbed Brianna's hand. She pulled away. "Is your name... Dimitri?"

His smile faded a little. "Yes. Why?"

I couldn't breathe. She opened her mouth, and I freaked out. But, she didn't say anything. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I've heard about you." she whispered.

"Good things I hope." He glanced up at me, worried about my lack of breathing.

"Some." I said. It was time. "Dimitri this is... Brianna. Your daughter."

He froze and pulled away from Brianna. Not the reaction I was hoping for. Brianna was hurt by the rejection, and I went to soothe her. "Momma!" she screamed.

My head was beat against the wall, and black spots covered my vision. The last thing I saw was Dimitri staking the Strigoi and Brianna crying. I lifted my hand to her cheek, and wiped away her tears. Dimitri will take care of her. He has to. If not, Lissa and Christian will. Dimitri knelt down beside me, and I truly entered the dark.