It was quiet, save for the calls of a hunting owl in the middle of the night. The moon was near to full and rising in the sky. Olena Wilder, pregnant at seventeen due to an attack just over three months ago, stood in the middle of her room. Well, technically, it wasn't hers. And the mansion in which she was being housed wasn't hers either.

This was the home of the young Lord Aleksandyr Ozera-- Olena's best friend and sort-of-boyfriend. He'd stuck by her side, through thick and thin, at least two mental breakdowns on her part, and a few near-death experiences. In truth, Olena did die. Her cousins, from her father's side of the family, found her sanctuary at St. Vladimir's and one of them managed to take her life. Luckily, Aleksandyr found her, bloody and broken in her demolished dorm room, and revived her dying soul.

And the Devil had refused to take her as she thought he would. In the darkness, surrounded by those demons that came before her father was the Dark One himself, and the first Konstantine Varinski. Olena had been horrified, but part of her was ready to die, and she suspected that part did indeed pass on. Whatever it was, for whatever reason, the Dark One rejected her, but he promised to come back for her. In how long, she didn't know.

The room was grand, which was one way to put it. Extravagant, beautiful, and luxurious were just a few other adjectives. The large four-postered bed didn't even cover half the room. White shear curtains hung down, matching the crisp linen sheets that covered the king-sized bed. What did a seventeen-year-old need such a big bed for? she thought, shaking her head the first time she'd seen it. A dark, black and gold Persian rug graced the hardwood beneath it, and she was glad at how it was softer than it looked. Candelabras adorned the red-and-white walls, and the pattern of flowers made her think of Lancasters and Tudors, warring families with a connection to the English throne, both through blood. It was funny how the room was fit for royals, and yet she didn't have a drop of blue blood in her body. 

 Sighing, she sat down on her grandiose bed, watching the moonlight that streamed in through the open windows. The pale light enchanted her, transfixed her with its pear-white surface. She had always been fascinated by the satellite's effect on Jasha and herself. It always made them both more.... bestial than human. When it came to her emotions, and how suspectable to shift. The slightest thing could set her off, no matter how much control she exercised. Being the daughter of an alpha wolf. It had its perks and disadvantages.

Her amber eyes took in the light, and she felt a warm sensation moving through her as her body soaked in the light. The darkness seemed to abate inside of her, and she felt calmer than she had been since her family enrolled her in St. Vladimir's. It was a relief really, to know that for at least a day or two, she'd be safe... Unless the Varinksis found out where she had gone.

The thought sent a ripple of fear that had her standing in a second. She took a few deep breaths and put her hand to her stomach in order to calm herself down. It wouldn't do to have someone-- Aleksandyr --busting into the room because he thought she was in danger. Or because he could feel how afraid for her future she was. Olena calmed the palpitations of her heart and looked around. She didn't bother unpacking, as she didn't want to stay in one place for long. Not as... out-in-the-open as she felt.

"A shower might help... or maybe a bath." she said to herself, digging through her bag and finding a change of clothes. She found a black tank-top that she didn't think would help the situation. If Aleksandyr saw any of the other marks on her body.... Olena shook her head, knowing he'd flip and more than likely try to use his Spirit-healing powers right there in front of anyone. 

She threw the tank-top on the bed, deciding to wear it for bed. The teenager found a satisfactory material in her suitcase: a black sweater-dress that went down to her thighs and matching skinny jeans. A knock came from the other side of her door.

"Who is it?" she called out, turning and staring at the dark wood.

"It's Teresea, Miss Wilder." said the voice from beyond the door. Oh, right. she thought, nodding.

"It's unlocked." The door opened to reveal the blonde Olena had met upon their arrival to Aleksandyr's home. She came in the room, pulling in a cart with her as she stepped in further and further. Teresea had a gentle smile on her face.

"I hope you don't mind but I brought you some lemon tea with towels in case you need them." Olena nodded.

"Thank you," she said in regards to the tea. "But I didn't-"

"I know. I just thought you needed something t calm your nerves." Tersea looked at her. She was there when Aleksandyr had introduced her to hs older brother, Antony. And his "friend from childhood," Annalise Ivashkov.

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The dirty-blonde royal peered at her with bright green eyes. Olena glanced at Aleksandyr, but she took in a deep breath, smiled and held her hand out.

"Olena Wilder," she introduced herself. Annalise looked her up and down, her eyes assessing. She let her stand there, awkwardly holding her hand for another minute. She rose a dark eyebrow, like the girl was acting crazy and retracted her hand.

"Well, now that that's overwith-"

"Lord Ozera," a deep voice came from behind Antony and Annalise, as they were both standing in the wide doorway. Dimitri held out his hand to the older of the two Ozera Lords before him and shook his hand.

"Ah, Guardian Belikov." Antony nodded, and turned back to Olena. "So, you've accompanied my little brother and his girlfriend home."

"I don't-"

"They are not-"

"Ant-"

The Guardian, the royal, and the shape-shifter all spoke at the same time. An awkard silence stretched between them.

"Who want's tea?" Teresea broke it first.

"Pass." Antony sounded bored out of his mind but his icy eyes sparked with interest and made contact with Olena's. Her eyes spun with darkness, making his porcelain skin wrinkle into a slight frown. Annalise only looked at Aleksandyr, like he could explain what was just said.

"No, thank you." she said to Teresea. Aleksandyr put a hand on her waist.

"Father will want to know you've come home. Mother is here as well." Anatoly's tone completely changed as he looked between them with a knowing glance. Aleksandyr nodded, and Dimitri stood aside as Teresea moved out of the room, knowing when to leave a room. Antony followed her out.

"Why don't you go and rest a little; get situated while I talk to my father?" Aleksandyr's words sounded like a suggestion, but she knew he was actually telling her. She nodded, taking a deep breath.

"I can lead you to your room, Miss." Jenkins made his presence known from out in the hallway, and Olena made to follow  the sound of his voice, but Aleksandyr's arm around her waist stopped her. She gave him a questioning look, which he responded to with a soft smile. 

He ran the pad of his thumb along her bottom lip. "I'm going upstairs, not halfway across the continent," she told him, patting his arm. It felt weird with three people watching them. He didn't seem to care, as expressed in his soft smile when he put his forehead to hers.

"Then try not to get lost. This place is a maze to the unwary traveler." She let out a humorless laugh but didn't protest as he kissed her and sent her on her way. She didn't bother looking in Annalise's direction when she left the room and followed Jenkins up the Grand Staircase to her room on the second floor.

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Annalise's looks had bothered her to say the least. Olena supposed she thought she held a claim over Aleksandyr because she'd known him for far longer than a year. Well, much to her irritation and Olena's delight, that wasn'tt he case.

She knew Aleksandyr loved her, even if he did embarrass her about it in front of people she knew completely judged her for it. If they knew the whole truth.... She put her hand to belly and sighed, completely forgetting that Teresea was even there.

"Miss Wilder?"

"Olena is fine." she told the maid. She looked to be a couple of years older, closer to Dimitri's age than her own. 

"Well, I figured the tea would help, and like I said, I brought you some towels." Olena smiled graciously and stood, gathering her clothes. "Would you like me to unpack your things for you?" The Moroi hefted the long case with her entire arsenal of weapons strapped down inside, and began to undo the zipper.

"No!" Olena cried, smacking her hand down in the case, and making the girl jump away. "No, that's fine, I can do it later. It's okay." With a hand to her chest, the girl nodded, her eyes still wide.

"Well, if you need anything let me know." Olena nodded and waited until the maid left to lock her door behind her. She closed the curtains and made sure the balcony doors were locked before taking up her clothes again and heading inot her bathroom with her phone. She made sure that door was locked too before she undressed.

Each time she did this, she was subjected to more displeased stares, but from herself. she couldn't help it. The bruises that marred her skin months ago had healed, but she was still sore. The slashes and stabs had closed, turning into ugly, raised pink scars on her once flawless skin. Aleksandyr had actually sped up the healing, so now they were less raised, but still.

They were all over her body, from her legs to her thighs, even her torso. Even her breasts had been mutilated with stab wounds, that had contributed to her choking to death on her own blood. She felt a surge of calm through her bond with Aleksandyr and she knew he could feel her. She sent him a silent thank you for pulling her out ofher own thoughts as she wiped her face and stepped into the warm water from the shower overhead.

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Hey guys! Long time, no see!

I'm sorry I haven't written in over four months. A lot of things have been going on. First off, there was that storm in February, where we were out of school for two consecutive weeks. No lie, a teacher said that we were actually ahead, so we just had impromptu break. Whoo!

Second, here's the big news if you didn't know..... I JUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL!!! WHOOOOOO!!! Goodbye to the scores of ratchet teens, hello real world. Lots of things have been in happening in the past two months, but that's no excuse, I should have been writing more, and I apologize.

So, tell me what you think! Tell me in your comments if you think Antony will be important and why. And what's up with that Annalise chick? I'm sure you're wondering who she is besides the possibly annoying and snarky ex-girlfriend that Aleksandyr won't be able to get away from. Don't worry, you'l find out soon enough. If you keep reading.

New story, new characters, guys! Happy reading!

P.S. I'm thinking of a new contest idea. If you want to be a charcter in this story, send me a profile matching the skeleton below.

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Appearance:

How can they be worked into the crossed-over worlds of Christinia Dodd and Rachelle Meade?:

Post it below, or tell me it's stupid. Your opinion matters to me.

Love, TNicoleSmith