She was done. Done!
Done with Nicholae and her term under house arrest.
But she was also too caught up with season 2 of Charmed to care that much.
Out of all her options she'd decided to watch the show about three sister witches.

If only the descendants of Ximena were able to live together like they did. Maybe it would strengthen the magic the guardian tree emitted. If that wasn't even the case, it'd have been cool to simply gotten to know one another. To create a bond with the fellow tree mates before the whole tree thing.

So far, she didn't have a favorite in the series. It was hard to pick just one! But that would be rectified after a couple more episodes.

She had already finished two other tv shows all in the hopes of staying awake. A very unusual problem for a dead person.

She quickly pushed the pause button and saw the time. It was almost dawn, so where was Niko? Oh how it pained her to even think this aloud, but - where was Nicholae?
The time now was two o'clock.
But really was it her place to even worry or care?
She was grateful he wasn't around because after that awful dream, she had a hard time looking at Nicholae.

She was certain he was probably off somewhere on 'urgent matters'.
She was damn sure he was in between some poor fool's thighs.

'Hold on Val.' She sat up straighter.
Where the hell had that idea sprung from? And why did the thought annoy her more than it should have?

She almost resumed her movie when she heard something at the door.
With lightning reflexes she had no clue she possessed, she went to the door and listened.

'His Lordship's son is not yet back.' She heard a maid report.

'And his spawn?' Ivan's voice help no warmth for his grandson. He must have disliked Niko's mother a lot. Or he simply disliked the fact that whoever the mother was did not suit Tchkovsky standards. Nicholae's affair must have caused a lot of trouble.

'He's sleeping.'

'My Lord.' The servant voice went a few notes higher.

'His Lordship Nicholae asked that no one disturb the young master.'

Valentina wanted to see the face of the servant who had the guts to actually say that to Ivan. Valentina could imagine the look on Ivan's face.

His voice said it all, it was probably screwed in an unbecoming scowl.
'Have you forgotten you place you groveling mouse? It is not in your best interest to talk out of turn.'
It held a righteous anger someone of Ivan's caliber would have.
And how dare a maid tell him what to do?
Valentina wanted to step out and prevent what would inevitably happen.
She heard the loud smack and a cry from the servant.

That was abuse. And Valentina had a lot to say about that. To hell with the consequences. She tried the door but damn Nicholae, she was trapped.

'Where did such a lowlife like you get the courage to speak to me?'
He unattractively scoffed.
'I'm sure my son put you up to this. The stupid boy.' He muttered on the side.
'You're probably doing favors for him.' He spat the word 'favors' like it was something dirty.
Valentina covered her mouth to mute the gasp.
'Nicholae was sleeping with the help?' she mouthed.
That was a whole new possibility.
She saw Ivan's disgust in a whole new light.
Nicholae had an affair with the help. Possibly against her will knowing how these noble Vampires were.
'The next time you speak to me like that again? It won't be just a slap. And my sorry excuse for a son will not be able to save you.'
For good measure, he kicked the woman in the stomach.

He was coming towards Nicholae's door.
Valentina's eyes went wide at the sound of approaching footsteps.
She dove into the bed so she could sink herself to the bottom so she was safely hidden under the bed. But the plan didn't work that fast.
She landed solidly on the bed.

The door knob twisted severally.
'Get off your ass and open this door at once.'

'Yes, my lord.'

She heard the jungle of keys and began panicking.

How was she not phasing through. It had come so naturally to her that she couldn't never think of a moment when she had to to think about moving through objects.
She scrambled off the bed and hastily crawled under it.
Her feet had just disappeared under the fur covers when the door opened.

Ivan walked to his son's desk and only found the laptop.
He exited typed and clicked away. Valentina wanted to tell him to be careful, she was watching her show.
Obviously not a wise thing to do, so she refrained.
So what was the father doing snooping through his son's personal computer.
She was hidden under the bed for something because her legs began to fall asleep. Then she jumped when Ivan slammed the Laptop shut.

He pulled on the desk drawers. He searched through the first one, and when he still found nothing, he tried to open the second one. But it wouldn't budge.
Before he could throw another tantrum, a knock came from the door.

'Her ladyship, Madam Sonya, would like to have a word.'
It was an older male voice at the door.

Ivan yanked open the door.
'Why?' He angrily inquired.

'She saw the girl you decided to use as a bag, my Lord.'

Who was this guy? Valentina thought to herself.
Wasn't he afraid he himself was going to get beaten.

'Don't think for one moment Erik, that I have forgotten all about you. It seems you have forgotten that I am third in line to become the head of this family. Your time will come.'

'Yes my lord. I have all the time in the world sir.'
Must be an old vampire. That was the only explanation. But he didn't sound old.
Valentina tried to look above the shoes she'd been staring at.

'Also my Lord, Master Nicholae asked that no one disturb his son. I hope you will respect his wishes.'
She was only able to see a head of golden hair turn away.
Ivan called the retreating form all kinds of words that would be insulting to any vampire.
Thankfully Ivan left the room after Erik and Valentina was free to come out.
The laptop was closed and so yet again she was left to her own devices.

'Thank you Ivan. Thank you very much.'
May the sleeping games begin, she thought.
From the corner of her eye, she caught an odd reflection.
The image was of her but there was something different about her.

Her fingers felt for a throat.
It was there! She felt the piece on her neck.
But how had the rose chain gotten on her neck!
She had to get it off before Nicholae accused her of being a thief.
As much as she tried, she couldn't get the trinket off.
It was so frustrating that she wanted me to cry. However she had to admit that it looked good on her. Even distressed she looked amazing.

Of course a spirit is allowed some moments of vanity, after all they had nothing else to live for because they were dead.

'I'll just tell him the chain appeared on my neck.'
Of course he'd believe her with such a stupid excuse. In his accusations that she was a liar, he could add thief to the list now.

She sat on the bed and stared at the reflection of the jewelry through the glass of the window.

She was very happy. Unexplainably so. Deep in her heart of hearts, she felt the chain was made just to grace her neck. She was fully aware of how stupid the idea was, yet she entertained it until Nicholae came to shatter the illusion with his unfair accusations.

She tilted her head and examined it carefully.
The ruby rose sparkled with every movement, giving it a more enchanting air.
She absolutely adored it.

She didn't even notice her eye lids growing heavier with the promise of a memory. And when she did she didn't want to fight it.

But by some twist of fate, her short reverie was disrupted by grunts outside. Something was coming after her through the window.

Then the window opened.

Nothing.
No one.
She walked towards it and reached out her hand.

There was no opposing magic or barrier blocking her like before.
She hastily retreated to a safer distance.

It had to be some kind of trap.

There was that noise again.
A horrible deep sound that caused fear in her heart and churned her stomach.

'Hello?' Valentina weakly called out.