Bloodlines: Alexus Dracula

Family Duty

The drive was long but we finally drove up to the gates of the Romanoff compound, part of the Wolves Bane coven.  The compound was nestled at the foot of a mountain in the middle of the wilderness.  The closest town was more than 2 hours away but the closest neighbours were just over an hour away.  During winter the compound was covered in snow but during summer it was warm and relaxing.  Our car stopped out the front of a large lavish mansion and standing on the front step waiting for us was Jacob.  My body cringed at the thought of having to marry someone so arrogant and self-righteous.  As the car stopped, Jacob opened my door to let me out.  With a smirk on his face, he put out his hand to help me out of the car. "No thank you," said Alexus as she got out of the car.  Annoyed Jacob put his hand back out to help his mother out of the car as Lady Amelia started to say, "Eventually you two will need to get to know one another and get along as you are both betrothed".  "Yes, which I will honour when I am ready to honour it or find a way out of it but with recent events, I am sure you could understand my annoyance at his gestures.  I am not a pushover especially when it comes to my family," explained Alexus in a stern voice.

Alexus walked into the mansion and stood at the entrance before taking a deep sigh, Lady Amelia and Jacob followed her into the mansion entrance.  "Lady Amelia, I am quite tiresome after our long trip and wish to rest before dinner," asked Alexus, "Right my dear, I will have one of the servants show you to your room and we can discuss conditions of staying here after dinner," replied Lady Amelia as she gave a hand signal to one of the servants.  As Alexus was halfway up the staircase Lady Amelia said "Just remember you are a guest at Wolves Bane and if you want to remain being treated as a guest you will follow some rules".  Annoyed and curious at her comment Alexus turned to acknowledge Lady Amelia and nodded her head.

Alexus made her way into her room and began to unpack her bags.  Although she was not happy about being sent away, she knew that she had a duty to her family and if her grandfather thought this was needed then she would listen to his instruction and follow through.  One thing that was engrained into Alexus' upbringing is that family comes first and Dragon Heart not only protects our family but we always do what is best for our family, no questions asked. Alexus got to the bottom of her bag and carefully unwrapped a photo of her family and slowly walked towards her nightstand engrossed in the photo.  It was a photo taken in New Zealand out the front of their family home, one Christmas when grandfather decided to visit. Looking at her family, mixed with everything that had taken place over the past couple of months and then moving to live with the Romanoffs, tears began to break past Alexus' harden exterior as she sobbed into her hands holding her family photo.  Only two questions ran through her head as she cried, how did she get here and how was she going to survive?

As Alexus sat there crying on the floor, she hadn't noticed that an elderly servant had opened the door.  The servant quickly shut the door behind her and approached Alexus. "Now, now my dear.  Don't you let them see any kind of weakness if you want to make it through this house," she said as she approached Alexus.  "Wipe those eyes and pick yourself up off the floor," she continued to instruct her.  Alexus stood to her feet with the help of the mystery servant and slowly wiped her eyes before placing the photo on the nightstand.  "Your father is most definitely a spitting image of Dracula but with Cristabella's kind eyes," said the servant as she wiped the tears from the photo.  "I am so sorry but do I know you," asked Alexus.  "No, my dear. You were only a baby when I left the Dracula coven but I knew your grandmother quite dearly.  I helped your grandparents raise your father.  I had since retired but when I found out that you would be coming to live here, I came out of retirement and convinced your grandfather to send me with you.  My name is Rosetta and you can think of me as a guardian angel," she explained. "I've seen you around the compound before and I remember my father would have lunch with you every time we came home," said Alexus as they both walked over to the sofa and sat down.  "Yes, that was me child," agreed Rosetta.  "And my middle name is Rosetta after the incredible woman who taught my father many lessons," explained Alexus.  "Yes, that is me.  The one and only" said Rosetta.  " But how have I never met you before now," asked Alexus.  "I didn't want to tarnish the memory of your grandmother by confusing you and Rome with another woman who raised and influenced your father's life so it was me who decided to be distant and I took it very hard when we lost your grandmother.  She was one of my best friends," explained Rosetta.  Alexus and Rosetta sat there talking for a while longer, it was comforting for Alexus to know that she had someone from her coven with her.  "But why? Why would you come out of retirement to follow me here and be a servant again?" asked Alexus. "Well, I was not going to let you walk into the wolves den on your own and I have never trusted that boy Jacob," explained Rosetta, "Well, that makes two of us," replied Alexus in agreeance.

"Now, we better be getting you ready for dinner my dear," instructed Rosetta as she stood up from the sofa and made her way towards the bathroom.  Rosetta turned on the shower so that the water was piping hot. "Right, you make your way into the shower and get refreshed and hopefully that will help with your puffy eyes and I have a face serum that can help for after your shower.  Moving forward, if this all becomes too much you only cry in the shower.  You are a Dracula and I will be dammed if I let the Romanoffs make you look weak.  While we are here you will show no weakness.  Do you understand me?" asked Rosetta, "Yes," replied Alexus as she walked into the bathroom, undress and got into the shower.  "The moment you show weakness, they will think they have won and Jacob will have you right where he wants you.  Remember they are warriors and you need to show them that you are not only stronger but you are also the better leader to lead our people after your grandfather," explained Rosetta.  "Everything you do will be watched and everything you demonstrate will be seen not only by the Romanoffs but by our people and it is our people who are the key.  You must be kind when kindness is needed, a warrior when they need strength and a leader when they need direction," Rosetta continued to explain.  "Are you even listening to me in there?" asked Rosetta through the bathroom door.  "Yes," said Alexus as she opened the door and walked out with a towel wrapped around her.  "Did you teach all of this to my father too?" asked Alexus as she reached for the clothes laid out on the bed and returned to the bathroom to change. "No, this was taught to your father by your grandmother so I thought it is only fitting that you receive the same speech that he did when preparing to lead the family," explained Rosetta.  "Fair enough then," replied Alexus and she finished getting dressed for dinner. 

Alexus walked out of the bathroom with a nicely flowing navy lace dress that dropped to the ground.  She looked at Rosetta and raise her arms in expression, "Is this necessary for dinner with the Romanoffs?" asked Alexus. "This is your first dinner in the mansion so it will be with everyone in the coven.  A way to welcome you and so accordingly you dress like this to show your appreciation" explained Rosetta.  "Great, so you will be at dinner with me too then," asked Alexus. "No, the servants serve the guests and do not eat with them.  We wait until after dinner has been served and the chores are completed to eat," explained Rosetta.  "Now, no more questions.  It is time for you to make your way down to dinner," instructed Rosetta.  "I will tidy up here and finish unpacking then meet you in the dining hall," explained Rosetta.  "I thought you didn't eat with us," Alexus said cheekily. "We don't but I will be there in case you need anything because I am your servant," said Rosetta.  Embarrassed Alexus apologised and explained that she didn't realise that Rosetta would have to stand there during dinner to wait on her. Rosetta reassured her that it was fine, before walking her out of the bedroom door and pointing her in the direction of the dining hall.

As Alexus made her way to the dining hall, she felt all eyes on her as she passed people in the halls greeting them and offering a kind smile and they bowed.  Alexus was most definitely not use to this and it made her feel uncomfortable.  Alexis's mother Alexandra always was Alexus and Rome to experience normal living and not be given all of the privileges they were born with.  Instead, she wanted them to earn their privilege and live in the lives of their people. Alexus finally found the dining hall after getting slightly lost and wandering around the halls, as she walked in everyone rose to their feet and bowed.  Lady Amelia gestured for Alexus to join her at the head of the table across from Jacob and she did so with a smile on her face and Rosetta's words on repeat in her head 'show no weakness'. "Alexus, I am so glad you have joined us for dinner.  We were a little worried that you weren't going to make it," said Lady Amelia and Alexus approached her.  A servant pulled out Alexus' chair and shuffled it in as she sat. "Why would I not have come to dinner?" asked Alexus puzzled as everyone remained quiet. "I informed my mother that there were wails of crying coming from your room so I naturally assumed that you would not be coming to dinner," explained Jacob.  Everyone looked around the room not making eye contact as the awkwardness was heavy in the air.  Alexus turned to Lady Amelia and spoke loud enough that everyone would hear her but as if she was being secretive, "Well it would seem there has been a mistake and those mistaken wails of cries were waves of pleasure.  I need to release some tension from the long trip before coming down for dinner, followed by an extremely long shower," explained Alexus as both Jacob and Lady Amelia blushed.  

Alexus turned back towards her guests, stood and raised her glass, "I would like to make a toast, to you all for taking the time to come and have dinner with me on my first night in a new place.  It is extremely humbling and I would also like to offer my sincere apologies for being late.  To Wolves Bane coven," announced Alexus.  The dinner guests all stood and raised their glasses in a roar. Alexus sat back down and gave a knowing smirk to Jacob before sipping her glass of champagne.  Dinner consisted of a five-course meal and Alexus felt as though she was going to be sick after the third course.  She was not used to having so much food but soldier on through the remaining courses. The servants cleared the dishes after each course and walked them into the kitchen.  After the fifth course, everyone began to leave, saying good night to Alexus before they left.  There were still a few people left in the dining hall when Alexus stood and picked up her plates. "Alexus, leave that for the servant.  It is their job.  We all have jobs and your's is not in the kitchen," explained Lady Amelia.  "Thank you but I would like to go and thank the cooks and staff for the wonderful meal and don't intend on walking in there empty-handed," said Alexus.  Alexus then turned to her guest as she stood there holding her dishes, "I would just like to thank you all for coming to welcome me tonight.  It was lovely and this meal was breathtaking.  I do not think I have ever been this full but I would like to bid you all good night now before I go and thank the staff.  Goodnight and see everyone in the morning," she said with a warm smile on her face.

Alexus turned and left the dining hall and made her way into the kitchen with her dishes.  She placed her dishes on the bench and found an apron.  Everyone in the kitchen was staring at her as she began to wash dishes.  Once Alexus noticed everyone staring at her she stopped and turned to the servants.  "I wanted to thank you all for the amazing meal and service and the only way I know how is to help you with the clean up she instructed.  It has also come to my attention that you all don't eat until the clean up is finished so I will do the dishes while you all eat so please sit, eat and let me clean up," instructed Alexus.  Surprised, they all began dishing plates of dinner and sat down to eat.  Rosetta approached Alexus, "Your father would be proud of the way you have handled yourself tonight Alex," she whispered.  Alexus turned back to the sink with a smile on her face and for the first time in a long time, she felt at peace and like she was in the right place.

When Alexus was finished washing the dishes she walked back into the dining hall with a small smile on her face.  To her surprise, both Lady Amelia and Jacob were waiting for her.  "Oh, I thought you both would have been in bed by now," said Alexus. "While there are matters that need to be discussed," said Lady Amelia. "Your grandfather sent you here to become a leader but you cannot even follow proper protocol and leave the staff to do what they are here to do.  You are a Dracula, not a commoner.  You are going to be a Romanoff one day so act like one," instructed Lady Amelia. Alexus stood her ground, "Yes, you are right I am a Dracula and being a Dracula means that we work with our people and we share all of the good and bad times as one.  That is why we lead our people not because we rule them.  I will always put my people first and help them when I see fit and if you do not like it then send me back to Dragon Heart," replied Alexus. "Well if that is how you feel then you can help with the daily chores," said Lady Amelia.  "You act as if work is new to me but you forget although I am a Dracula, my silver spoon was removed years ago," replied Alexus before walking out of the room in annoyance. 

Alexus stormed through the empty halls to her bedroom and slammed the door as she entered. Frustrated she paced backwards and forward to calm herself down.  "Who do they think they are?" she murmured to herself.  Once calm she prepared for bed and changed into some pyjamas before climbing into her super king plush bed and sinking into the comfort of her feather down covers.  As Alexus slept she dreamt of the arms reaching from the darkness again but this time the arms pulled her into the darkness and she felt rough lips planting kisses along her jawline and rough fingertips running circles around her breasts as the other hand slowly ran down to her cl*t rubbing figure eights except for this time her dream didn't feel comforting and made her sick to her stomach until she was awoken to rough lips on her lips.  Alexus' eyes shot open to find Jacob standing over her.  Alexus bent her leg, quickly planting the sole of her foot into Jacob's stomach and kicking him away from her.  She quickly jumped to her feet and planted them firmly on the floor. She could feel the anger rising inside as she planted a punch to his face and threw him across the room into the opposite wall.  The noise and impact shock the rooms close to her including Lady Amelia's room.  Lady Amelia and two of the guards made their way to Alexus' room and quickly opened the door.  Alexus had Jacob pinned to the wall with a piece of broken mirror to his throat as blood ran down her arm from holding the glass too tight.  "If you ever come into my room and try to violate me again, I will gut you from the inside out," Alexus said firmly.  Jacob did not move, Alexus slammed him against the wall again and yelled "Do you understand me?".  Alexus' eyes were black and her voice boomed through the hallways.  "That is enough Alexus.  Jacob will be dealt with tomorrow. Guards take him to his room and stand post at the door.  He does not leave his room until I say," instructed Lady Amelia.  

Amelia sat on the sofa as Rosetta came rushing into the room.  Alexus' face was blank and her expression never changed but the black slowly drained from her eyes and she was back to normal, which didn't go unnoticed. Rosetta grabbed a first aid kit from the bathroom and started cleaning her cuts.  Alexus didn't move and her expression didn't change.  Once Rosetta was finished Alexus stood up and made her way to her bed and climbed into her blankets before closing her eyes and going back to sleep.  This time the tattooed arms were back and Alexus felt the weight lifted from her chest.  "Who are you?" she asked but there was no reply, instead the arms disappeared into the darkness and she was back at the house the night of the hunter attack. Alexus suddenly woke from the dream as the sun peered through her curtains. She sat up in her bed covered in sweat and stared at the roof repeating Rosetta's words in her head 'show no weakness'.