Shards and Ashes ~ A Vampire Academy Fanfic

Chapter Thirteen

I sit with my legs tucked under me on the couch and a huge smirk on my face. The peace and quiet around me never seems to dissolve, so it's easy to lose myself in thought every once in a while. I guess that's why Jack and I couldn't seem to keep our heads in the game. That, or we were both so winded up and tense, waiting to jump up and grip our stakes if needed. My real guardian work had started yesterday. I didn't have time like these to always sit back and relax. I always have to be on alert, which isn't really all that hard, and with Alexis here beside me, I needed to make sure she was safe if someone or something were to attack.

Even so, I keep one of my eyes steadily on the game in front of me. Looks to be a tie from my positions and Jack's. Jack Chang lifts his hand to make a move, and pushes his last pawn closer to my bishop.

"Your turn." I flit my eyes up at Jack and see a large grin start to form on his face. It doesn't trigger any anger whatsoever. He's my partner, the only other guardian I have. I've always been surprised by how the big family only had two guardians. Then again, there is a shortage on dhampir guardians. . .

I move my queen in front of his pawn, but it's not to where I can get it. Jack takes no time moving forward. . . . .

Right in front of my king.

"Checkmate," Jack says.

I really have nowhere to move. My bishops and pawns block all other ways out of the stupid place.

"Fine," I growl, "you win."

I scoop up the pieces that lay beside me - all of Jack's pawns and other pieces - and begin setting up for the next game.

"Can we play Go Fish after this?" Alexis asks, her big eyes staring up at me. I hesitate to telling her no, so instead I go another way.

"Maybe, sweetie," I pat her hand softly and she squeezes mine.

I really don't know what it is with Alexis. It was four days ago that I came here, and she already loved me. She always wanted to be beside me and help me with my dhampir duties. It's as if I have a shadow following me everywhere, no matter what.

"We can't go fishing in the pond or lake " Jack tells us, putting his king back in place.

I laugh and say, "Go Fish isn't, like, where you actually go fishing. It's a card game."

Jack grunts, "Never heard of it."

"The rules are pretty simple," I say.

"Play with Rosie and me and I can tell you the rules!" Alexis blurts out.

"We'll see," the other guardian says, which makes the edges of Alexis' mouth curl upwards. She jumps up from her spot on the floor by the couch and begins to dance around carelessly. Such a young soul with no worries.

"Ready?" Jack asks.

"Ready," I say, and start to move my pawn when the door opens.

I hear the pounding of feet against the marble-floored entrance and on the plush carpet of the living room. Two more sets of footsteps follow. I immediately jump up and grab the stake attached to my belt. I shove Alexis behind me and face whoever just came in.

Vivian.

And two other children.

I lower my weapon and shove it back in its place. Beside me, Jack stares at me with what I think is a bit of awe. Maybe he didn't expect someone like me to react so fast and swiftly. If he is impressed with me, he'd have a frickin' heart attack if he met Dimitri.

Vivian steps forward with a hard look on her. I don't know if she's happy, mad, sad, or none. She opens her mouth but doesn't say anything, which I find awkward and plain weird.