Affinity

Chapter 7: Unholy Intentions

Nastia woke up in her bed feeling groggy and tense. She had strange dreams but when she tried to recall them, they slipped through her memory's fingers like sand. Whatever it was left her heart racing. She shook it off and rolled out of bed.

There was nothing like a hot shower to soothe the nerves and muscles. Afterward, she applied all her hygiene products, moisturized and spent nearly half an hour on her bed doing her makeup. Today she had to be on her A game. With that thought in mind, she picked out black skinny jeans and a sleeveless, collared teal top. She pulled her hair up halfway, braided away from her face. Her fingers scrunched the rest of her hair so that it fell in glorious waves down her back. She decorated her wrists with a rose gold watch and teal and gold bangles.

Once she approved of her reflection, she went downstairs to grab a bite to eat. She was about to turn to head straight back into the kitchen when she heard her name spoken from the east sitting room.

"Anastasia."

"Mother, you're still awake." Anastasia dutifully went to her and kissed her pale cheek.

"Darling, your beloved sun hasn't risen. What's the rush?" Her eyes scrutinized her daughter making chills dance up her spine. She hated this feeling. But she tried not to show it. Her mother enjoyed others' discomfort a bit too much.

"No rush. I just set my alarm earlier. I'm always pushing it when it comes to tardiness. I do not want you and Father getting another warning call like last year."

"You're quite the liar, Anastasia. But not that good...."

Nastia gulped and pursed her lips. There was no point denying. There wasn't much point in trying to lie in the first place. Her mother no doubt heard her heart beating fast in her sleep, but thankfully didn't pursue the topic. Let's just say the Lady Cordelia Turgenev isn't the kind of mother who coddled her children when they had nightmares growing up. She wasn't going to start now.

She wasn't your typical mother to human standards, of course. Anastasia had only ever been to the vampire court a handful of times attending meetings with her parents. There weren't any other children around on these occasions, she had no idea if her parents were 'normal' by vampiric standards either.

"How are your studies going?" She drawled, her native Ukrainian accent slipping in.

"The school year just began but academics have never been an issue. Senior year is the easiest year of high school. Most people just take it easy and enj--,"

"And you're not like most people. You're much more. I am growing quite concerned, darling. Come sit with me."

She did as she was told. "What is it, Mother?"

"Your father and I thought you would have awakened by now, especially given your inherent abilities like your compulsion control and manipulation."

"Yeah... I thought so too," she whispered then cleared her throat. "But Father says some vampires are late bloomers. I'll awaken when it is my time."

"Your father is the optimistic, patient one," Cordelia murmured with a mixture of annoyance and reluctant adoration. "And of course, he is right. There is no such thing as a dud after all."

"Where is Father?"

"Away on business," she answered swiftly, "I thought perhaps there may be factors that could be stunting your ascension. Might I suggest you spend less time in the sunlight or less time with your human companions?"

Anastasia stood up. "What? No. I mean uh- that won't solve anything. My awakening has nothing to do with that. It's in my DNA. Inevitable."

"Either way, I feel it is for the best, darling."