Chapter 6: Episode 6 — Reunited

Astrid and Albert were already in the car going to the Matthews' Mansion.

She looks at the familiar buildings that she had longed for so long to see again. It'll be hours before they reach the house, her eyes were closing, but she was fighting off sleep. She had been awake for more than 24 hours; she didn't even close her eyes during the 11-hour flight from Russia to the US.

She sat in first class, having to occupy two rows as per her grandfather’s instructions, just reading and looking out the window every once in a while.

"Astrid."

A memory of her last ordeal at the House of Duchovny ran through her mind and she tries to push it out when she felt a hand on her shoulder. By instinct, she moves away, pulled out her gun, and loaded.

"Astrid!" Albert shouts moving back. "It's just me."

"Albert..." she drops the gun to her side and covered her eyes with her hand, what’s happening to me?

"Are you ok, young Miss?" Albert asks again.

"I'm sorry Albert, I was... I..." she sighed looking up at him, "I'm just tired I guess." 

She secretly curses Father Charles.

"Well, why don't you get some rest?" Albert picks up the blanket that he had put over her lap earlier and put it over her again, "We don't want you to be so jumpy when you go see the boys."

"I'll be fine by then." She says, more to herself, "They're different."

"Different? What do you mean young miss?" Astrid doesn't answer, "Astrid, please-"

"I just want to see them, Albert..." she turns to Albert, looking so weak and tired; sadness was present on her face. “I want to see my brother, Damien, Jared and Derek... That's all I ask."

"And you will, tomorrow," he says. "For now, your mother and father are excited to see you."

He glances outside the window, Astrid did as well. The car stops and she sees her mother and father at the top of the stairs waiting for her. Tears were in her mother's eyes. She smiled a genuine smile for the first time in a long time.

Albert stepped out and opened the door for her.

"Astrid!" Mrs. Matthews gasped and ran to her, throwing her arms around her.

Astrid hugs her as tight as she could, smell her perfume, and sighing at the comfort it brought her.

"Mom..." she whispers, hiding her face on the crook of her mother's neck as she feels tears form in her eyes, "Mother I'm home."

"Yes you are princess, yes you are." Mrs. Matthews says back as she runs her hand through her daughter's hair.

"Astrid..." Astrid flinched and held unto her mother tight.

"Master Ashton..." Albert steps in to warn him, but he sees Astrid look up to her dad.

"Princess..." he says.

"Daddy," she ran to Mr. Matthews and threw her arms around him. "Daddy..."

"Shh..." he whispers as he held her close to him, his hand on her crown, her face buried on his shoulder as she cried. "Shh, its ok princess, daddy's here."

"I'm so sorry daddy... I'm so sorry..." she says.

"Shh, you don’t need to apologize Astrid..." he says, "Your home, that's all that matters."

After a few minutes, she let goes of him, and stood with her mother, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"I had all your favorite food cooked just for tonight." she tells her, "The Johnsons are coming, I hope you don't mind."

Astrid smiled and shook her head, "Of course not, I'd like to see how they are after nine years with Derek and Jared."

They Matthews stifled a laugh.

"They are actually quite happy with the boys." Mrs. Matthews says.

"And Uncle Rhaumwald?" she asks, wondering how Damien was.

She has not seen the boys since Father Charles had shown her the photos of her family and friends.

"He's with the boys right now; it'll be Damien's birthday by next week. He wanted to spend time with him."

"Oh..."

"Don't worry, princess." Mr. Matthews says, "You'll be seeing the boy’s tomorrow. For now, let’s celebrate your birthday." he ruffles her hair but Astrid, by instinct, slaps his hand away and step away from him, causing Mrs. Matthews to let her go.

Astrid was looking at her father, shocked. She didn't mean to hurt him; she just didn't want to be touched.

"Daddy, I'm..."

To her surprise, he just chuckled, "You have quite a hand there, princess. I guess training went well." he was holding his wrist, massaging it.

"I'm sorry, daddy..." she walks up to him and took his hand on hers. “I didn't mean to."

He smiled at her, then slowly he reached for the top of her head, this time Astrid let him touch her. "It's ok princess, no harm done." he kissed her on the forehead, and they went to the dining room.

Hours later, after dinner with the Johnsons, Astrid went to her bedroom. It was no longer a kid's room, but a lady. She walked around and saw her dolls up on the shelf; her small vanity table was now a mahogany table with big mirrors, on top of it lined several body products.

Then she walks up to her bed and stood by the foot. She remembers the night she was abducted; she then turns toward the balcony.

"Your father wanted to have that removed." Astrid turns around and saw her mother standing by the door. She walks toward the balcony opening the door a bit to let the night air in. "But I said no, I remembered how much you loved having a balcony. You would sit there for hours reading or talking with the boys."

Astrid smiled at the memory and just stood there.

"By the way, I hope you don't mind." Her mother broke into her thoughts, "I had your room renovated, and I don't think you'd like to stay in a little girl's room."

"You didn't have to do that." Astrid says over her shoulder, "I liked my old room, and I'll be leaving for NSA tomorrow, aren't I?"

"I know." Mrs. Matthews walks toward her, eyes glistening with tears, as she pulls her daughter to face her. "But I guess I did it more for me. It was my way of coping." she reached for Astrid's cheek, "You've grown so much, and I didn't even saw it."

Astrid frowned and looked away. "I'm sorry."

"No, love, I'm sorry..." tears now ran down her face, "You grew up alone, it must have been harder for you than for any of us. If we could have only protected, you and the boys more..."

"Mom." Astrid wraps her arms around her waist, "I did that for us, it was foolish, but it was the only way I can protect you."

"And we are thankful." Mrs. Matthews says, looking down at her proudly. "But not as thankful now that you are home." Astrid smiled and her mother stifled a laugh as she wipes away her tears, "Anyway, I'm sure you are tired, you should get some sleep." she says and kissing her on the forehead, "Good night princess."

 "Good night mother," Astrid says giving her one more hug before letting her go. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Mrs. Matthews smiles and turns to leave when she closed the door. Astrid sighs and stood in front of the mirror.

"Your home," she says to the reflection, "what more do you want?" she stares at her reflection for a minute, then she took off her ponytail and let her hair fall, "There's no reason to tie it anymore, is there?"

With that said, she stepped into her bathroom, which was bigger than she remembered, walking pass through her walk-in closet. She stifles a laugh, shaking her head, wondering how long her mother must have spent time in her new room and buying her new clothes.

She took off her coat and hanged it on the coat rack, one by one she took off her gun belt, dagger sheaths, bullets bag, and her arm sheath hanging it on the rack as well, before going to the bathroom to shower.

A few minutes later, she was brushing her hair when she felt a light brush of air enter, she looked toward the balcony and saw it was still open, she walks up and locked it, double-checking it, as the memory of her kidnapping run through her mind again.

Then the silence was broken by a knock. The door slowly opened, and her father peeked inside.

"Hey..." he smiles at her.

"Hey dad..." she smiles, "Do you need something?"

"I'm just checking on you." he says entering her room, "All ready for bed?"

Astrid smiles, seeing her father's hopeful look. "I still like to be tucked in, if that's what you want to know."

Mr. Matthews chuckles and nods pulling out her comforter. Astrid moves and lied down and let him tuck me in bed. He sat down beside her and looked at her.

 "You haven't changed a bit, princess." he says, "I know the past years must have been hard on you-"

"Dad, there is nothing I will not do for our family, and that's not hard at all." she says, "I know you'll do the same thing, so don't worry about it."

"Amazing." he nods appreciatively, "You must have done more for our family than any pure blood. I'm really proud of you, Princess. But for now, I want you to be happy, fool around, and enjoy."

"I think you don't have to worry about that." she grins, "They boys probably have everything scheduled for me."

Mr. Matthews laughs, "That is possible." 

He reaches for her face, but Astrid flinched away. Mr. Matthews frowns and was about to drop his hand when Astrid reached for it and rested it on her cheek, she smiles up at him. 

He returns the smile, and held her cheek, "I missed your smile, princess, for a while I was scared that I will never see it again."

"I'm not that easy to get rid of my father." Astrid teases.

He chuckled, "I wouldn't want it any other way." With that he kisses her forehead, "We love you very much, Astrid, I will never let anything hurt you again, I promised."

Astrid smiled up at him in response, "I know daddy. I love you guys too."

"Very well," he says, standing up, and pulling the comforter up to her chin. "Your mother would get mad if I don't let you rest. We'll be leaving early tomorrow for NSA."

"Do the boys know?" she asks.

"Well, I already called your Uncle Rhaumwald, I'm pretty sure he'd ruin the surprise by telling Damien," he says.

"Damien..." she whispers, she frowns remembering her last ordeal again.

"He's been waiting for you more than anyone." Mr. Matthews says, "But I guess you know that."

Astrid, absentmindedly, reached for her necklace.

“Well, good night princess," he says walking toward the door.

"Daddy?" Astrid seats up, he looks back, his hands already on the doorknob. "You can close the lights," he raises a brow, but she gave him a smile, "I won't disappear this time."

"Very well." he turned off the lights, grinning back at his daughter, "Goodnight."

"Good night daddy." she says, lying back down, "I love you."

"I love you too princess."

And the moment her head hit the pillow she fell asleep, her hand underneath her pillow, holding the hilt of her kukri.

Astrid walks in an empty hall, and felt someone reach for her wrist, she turns around and lit up.

"Damien..." she throws her arms around him, "I missed you so much!"

But, surprisingly, he held her by both wrists and pulls her away, stepping back. He stared at her, frowning. Astrid frowned.

"Damien, what's wrong?"

"How could you?" he asks, "You killed all those people... and last night..."

"Last night?" Astrid asks, and then Damien opens the door that appeared beside them.

Astrid looks inside, it was dark, but she can hear people, a man's laughter, a ripping sound, and someone pleading. Her eyes grew wide finally seeing herself and the guard who tried to rape her. 

She quickly turns to Damien, shaking her head, "Damien, it's-"

"I'm sorry, I don't think I can look at you..." he looks at her with disgust and reaches for her neck and pulls off her necklace, "You don't deserve this... You don't deserve this... You don't deserve this..."

"No, Damien, please..." Astrid pleaded. "No!"

She sat up, awake, looking around, and saw that she was back in her room, a dream... just a dream... she thought, breathing hard wet with sweat.

She reached for her neck and wraps her hand around her pendant. Then she rolls into a ball, hid her face between her arms, and rested her forehead on her knees.

Damien would never say that. He'll understand, he'll listen. She thought, but what if he doesn't?

With that, she cried in the middle of her darkroom.

"Are you a hundred percent sure Uncle Rhaumwald?" Derek asks.

"Your Uncle Ashton called me himself, she arrived before dinner." Mr. Cayce says.

"How is she?" Allana asks.

"She's ok, just has a few fresh bruises and wounds, but Albert says it was from training."

"Master Schizek did say she was hard on herself during training, I guess she still is," Jared says.

"You said she'll be arriving tomorrow?" Collin asked, "Why so soon?"

"Father Johan is out of the country so he wants her in NSA as soon as possible, security purposes, the usual." Mr. Cayce says, bored. "Anyway, she'll be here before homeroom."

"Why didn't she just surprise us?" Derek shrugs.

"And have her walk alone around the academy?" Mr. Cayce raised a brow, "That has trouble written all over it."

"Then we'll see her in action early!" Derek says excitedly, "I bet I can beat her."

“Yeah, that would be the day." Allana said, "Then again, grandfather shouldn't be so protective of her if she's like you boys."

"Actually, according to your father," Mr. Cayce nods toward Ash, "It was like Astrid was sent to prep school. He said she's the perfect lady, hardly speaks, but still has that touch of innocence when he first met her. But..."

"But what uncle?" Ash asks.

"Well, your father mentioned something like being jumpy." he says, "That she moves away from a touch or a call of her name." he says with his thinking face, "It sort of weird, we think something happened to her, he said he asked Albert but he said he doesn’t anything either."

"Let us not worry about that now," Ash smiles, "the important thing is she's home. I could not ask for more, thank you for the good news uncle Rhaumwald. This would be our best birthday."

"Speaking of which." Mr. Cayce says. "You will be having a ball for the said occasion and Astrid's return. Grandfather wants it on Friday."

"But that's the night before Damien's birthday." Derek points out.

"Well, I guess, we'll be having a bigger celebration now, wouldn't we?" Jared says.

Then Allana stood up and sat behind the table, taking out a notepad.

"There wouldn't be enough time to prepare, I'll have to ask the students to help on this one."

Damien watched and listened to the others as they excitedly talk and plan.

"For someone who had waited so long, you are extremely quiet."

Damien felt his cheek heat up and grinned, "There's no word or words to tell you what I'm feeling right now, dad."

"I'm sure she feels the same."

Damien looks up at him, hopeful. "Why do you say that? Has she looked for me?"

Mr. Cayce laughs, "She's looking for all of you." Damien grins and nods, "But if it means anything, she's still wearing your necklace.

"That's good." Damien says, "Isn't it?"

"More than you'll ever know, son." Mr. Cayce taps him at the back, "More than you'll ever know." 

At dinner, news spread like wildfire of the arrival of Ash's twin sister, after Allana's announcement of a ball on Friday. Though not much information was given, the students had called for their maids and butlers for any news.

"A twin sister?"

"Yes, the news says she studied abroad and finally came home."

"Wow, and I thought she was just some rumor."

"The maids said Miss Allana is having a ball prepared for her arrival and Damien’s birthday."

“If she came earlier, she could have been in Ash’s party too.”

"I wonder what she looks like."

"Well, if she is anything like Allana, then, I can't wait to see her."

"I heard she's Damien's best friend."

"Well, that is obvious since they're parents are best of friends."

"Oh, I can't wait to see her."

The students talked about the mysterious sister of the Council President.

"Looks like Astrid would be quite popular," Derek says, sitting at his regular sit on the head dining table at the dormitory's dining hall.

"Well, she is Ash's twin sister." Collin says, "That's like giving a child a new toy."

"I wonder if she's still the same cry baby." Jared teases.

"She'll probably dunk your head on the fountain if she hears you say that," Allana says making the others laugh.

"What do you think Damien?" Collin asks.

"I'm not trying to expect anything, I don't want to be disappointed." he says, "Besides, this is Astrid, would it really matter if she's a crybaby or not?"

They smiled and nodded.

"So basically, you just can't wait to see her." Derek teases making hate others laugh.

"But I wonder..." Ash says, "The thing uncle Rhaumwald mentioned."

"It'll be better to judge it when we see it," Collin says.

"My thoughts exactly," Jared says.

"Hopefully she'll tell one of us," Derek says.

"I hope there's nothing to tell," Damien says.

They exchange looks again and silently agreed.

"Astrid," Mrs. Matthews reaches for her hand, "Are you sure you don't want to stay home for a while? You look so tired."

Astrid forces a smile and shook her head, "I can't wait to see Ash and the others."

"Well after your visit last year I'm pretty sure they feel the same way." Mr. Matthews said.

"I'm really sorry if I caused you any trouble."

"Quite the contrary, the boys worked and studied harder, and visited home more often, even during weekends, hoping you'd drop by again." her mother says.

"Well, then, I'm glad to be of service." The couple laughs.

The car finally stops.

"Here we are, young miss," Albert says from the passenger seat. "North Star Academy."

Astrid looked out the window and saw dozens of students sitting around.

"Hm. looks like they're waiting for someone." Mrs. Matthews nudges her lightly. "Are you ready?"

"It's like I'm being adopted all over again." Astrid jokes nervously.

"I think it'll be easier." Mr. Matthews says as Albert opened the door for them and he steps out. "Come on." 

He held his hand out to her, she took his hand and steps out looking at the building in front of her.

"Astrid?" she follows the voice and saw Ash. Her heart skips a beat and she instantly smiled.

"Big brother..." she calls under her breath.

Then her mind was filled with her dream, she held back her emotion and she wanted nothing else but to run up to her brother and hug him. But she can't say the same for Ash who picked her up, hugs her tight, and twirled her around. 

She laughs and wraps her arms around him avoiding to be thrown off, "Big brother..."

"I missed you so much, little sister," Ash whispered as he set her back down to her feet still hugging her.

"So did I big brother." she set her head on the crook of his neck. 

He let goes and smiled at her, looking her over, and nodded as if he was satisfied, "I know others who missed you too."

He steps aside and the others stepped forward.

"It's nice to see all of you again," she says.

"We should be saying that as you got to spy on us," Collin says.

Astrid stifled a laugh, "Well, it is breathtaking seeing you up close."

"You've been reading too many books again, Astrid." Derek teases, "You sound like a catalog."

"I'm sorry." Astrid says, "I guess this is me excited."

"Well, we are as excited to have you back home," Jared says. "Now come and give me a hug."

Astrid hesitates for a second, then she steps up to him and let him wrap her in his arms, "It's nice to see you again, crybaby."

"Right back at you, meanie." she chuckles hearing her nickname.

"Hey, I want a hug too," Derek says, walking up to them, Astrid stifles a laugh and gives him a hug. "It’s nice to finally have you back home."

"It's nice to be back." she pulls away and faced Allana.

"Allana..." Allana shakes her head and runs to hug her. “I'm sorry for worrying you."

Allana laughs, "I knew you'd be ok, but yeah, you owe me."

Astrid stifles a laugh and turns to Collin, "I should thank you for keeping an eye on everyone."

Collin made a face and gave a low hiss, "I won't be taking all the credit, but you are welcome." Astrid laughs and gives him a hug as well. "I hope that's the last time you run away, princess."

"I won't be going anywhere any time soon if that's what you're saying," Astrid says as he steps away. 

Then she sees Damien standing behind them, watching her with a smile. She was scared of seeing him after her dream last night, but she knew Damien better than that. 

She smiles at him, "Still the same old quiet Damien I know?"

"Hah, you wish!" Derek says. 

Damien hits him on the nape playfully as he walks up to her.

"And you're still the same crybaby I grew up with," he stares at her, "your eyes are all puffy."

Astrid grins and shook her head, "Tears of joy?"

Damien stifles a laugh, "Fair enough." he says and pulls her to a hug. "I missed you so much, angel."

Hearing him call her that made her feel better, it wasn't like when Dimitri or Father Charles called her. With Damien, it sounded better, somewhat sweet.

"I kept my promise, I waited." He whispers, "We all did."

"And I'm home." she says, "In one piece." 

Damien chuckles and held unto her tighter. She didn't answer and just rested her head on his chest and sighed, feeling safe and contented. Suddenly she heard someone clear his throat, and when she looked up, she saw her father giving her a look. 

She rolls her eyes and let go of Damien making the others grin.

"My, you surely let your hair grow, didn't you?" Allana says.

"Well, it helped me warm the cold nights," Astrid says, smiling at her mother.

"And those bruises?" Jared asked, "They look new."

"Fell off the side of the mountain during training." She said. "It's nothing."

"Well, from now on, there'll be no more extensive training, just plain fun." Mr. Matthews says. "So why don't you show her around the academy?" He checks his watch, "You have five minutes before the warning bell, then you can drop her off to class-"

"On time." Mrs. Matthews added sternly, giving the boys a look.

"We will Aunt Hannah," Collin says, "don't worry."

"Then we'll see you later." Mr. Matthews says, putting an arm around Mrs. Matthews' shoulder.

"Good luck princess." Mrs. Matthews says.

"Thank you, mom," Astrid says with a smile. The couple was about to enter the car when Albert stepped up and so did three other guards hold trays with velvet cloth on top.

"I'm sorry, young miss, but you seem to be forgetting something," he says.

"I am?" Astrid acting innocent, Albert gave her a look; Astrid sighed and walked up to him.

"What is it, Astrid?" Derek asks.

"This will just take a minute..." Astrid says, "or less." 

She reaches underneath her skirt, which was three inches above the knees, and pulled out two guns making the students stop, stare and gasp. She handed it to Albert.

"And the ones underneath your coat." Albert points, Astrid pulls out four from the side and two from behind and surrendered it as well.

"You are stripping me naked," Astrid says as she hands him her eighth gun.

"Don’t be silly young miss,” he says as he covers one tray with a cloth and turns to her with a sarcastic smile, “I haven’t even started. Now, those bullets are of no use, hand them over."

The students stared in awe as she reached for the side of her skirt, pressed something, and underneath her skirt fell a belt of, probably, 9 magazines. She reached for the undercoat, and another belt dropped around her, she was holding the edge, with 6 magazines.

"Astrid!" Mrs. Matthews gasps.

"It’s just a few guns ammunitions,” Astrid says, carelessly.

"That is true, mistress," Albert says, settling the magazine on the tray and folding the silk cloth above it, the guard walks toward the car and put it inside. The last guard steps up, Albert faced Astrid again, "The daggers please."

"What?" Astrid asked along with the others.

"Daggers," Albert repeated. 

They all turned to Astrid and were surprised to pull out four small daggers underneath her skirt, another two from her ankle, and then a belt of 18 daggers underneath her coat.

"That's the last of it." Astrid frowns, unhappy with Albert, who sets the daggers on the tray and the guard brought it to the car and closes the trunk.

"Astrid Matthews, we will be talking about this later." Mrs. Matthews says.

"Yes, mother." Astrid sighs.

"Not quite done yet, mistress. Out with it." Albert says earning a glare from Astrid.

"Is it possible that she still has weapons on her?" Derek asks.

"Oh, believe me, Master Derek." Albert grins, "Anything is a weapon to her."

"Albert," Astrid warns.

"Well, then hand it over," Albert says.

"I'm not use not wearing them," she argues.

“Them?” Derek laughs excitedly.

"You are going to school not to war, young miss."

"No." Astrid crosses her arms over her chest.

"Astrid, just hand it over," Ash says.

"But it’s for an emergency," she says.

"You manage better with barehanded fights compared to with weapons much more swords."

"Swords?!"

Astrid sighs and pulls out Shadow and Blade from underneath her coat. "This is unfair."

"You're home now, young miss." Albert takes the swords and put it on the tray, "No one will harm you."

"But-"

"I'll hide Shadow and Blade in your dorm, along with your two favorite guns, but the rest will be kept at the mansion." he says, "Now take off the sheaths as well." Astrid, turned around, as Albert helped her out her coat, she unbuckled the straps and handed the sheaths to Albert.

"Can I go now?" she asks a bit mad.

"Yes, thank you." Albert says, "And have a nice day at school."

Astrid shrugs and turns around and saw the others were staring at her, mouth open. "What?"

"You were carrying all those weapons and we hardly noticed." Derek walks up to her and reaches for her shoulder, his touch triggers a memory, and by reflex, Astrid slaps his hand away and roughly pushes him back. "Hey!"

"Young miss!" Albert runs to her side.

"Ow, that really hurt Astrid," Derek says, massaging his chest where Astrid hit him, Astrid frowned.

"Are you ok?" Ash asks, reaching for her.

Astrid moves away from him as well, confused. "Y-yes." she said then turned to Derek, "I'm sorry Derek, I didn't-"

"It’s ok." Derek grins, "I must have startled you."

Astrid stared at him, what was that? She wonders again. 

Then Albert took her coat and helps her put it on. "Calm down," he whispers, "remembers this is home, you are safe." Astrid gave a weak nod.

"Astrid?" she follows the voice and came face to face with Damien, who was surprised to see the fear in her eyes.

"We should go, or we'll be late," Jared says.

"We'll see you later aunt Hannah, Uncle Ashton," Allana says. The couple nodded, not taking their eyes away from Astrid, and watches her as she walked to the academy with the others.

"I guess it was a good thing we disarmed her." Mr. Matthews said.

"Albert-"

"I'm sorry, mistress, but even I don't know what's wrong," he says before she can even ask. "But I will try my best to find out."

"Thank you, Albert." Mrs. Matthews wraps her arms around her husband’s waist, worried.

"You're in the same class as Allana and Derek," Ash says.

"We're not together?" she asks, disappointed.

"As much as we want to be, but grandfather said we'll be better off in different classes," Collin says.

"Don't worry, Jared and Ash are in the same class and so is Lee and Collin," Derek says "I see." Astrid frowns.

"We'll see each other during the break." Ash said, "We'll talk then."

Astrid smiles, "I'd like that."

"Anyway, we'll just be next door." Jared added, "We won't really be that far."

Astrid shook her head, amused, "To think that I left you guys before this should be easy for me."

They laughed.

"Well, no one's leaving this time," Allana said. "So it will be easier."

"Anyway, we should go," Collin says. "Good luck on your first day."

"Thank you."

"We'll see you later," Ash walks to her and slowly reach for her, Astrid moves closer and he smiles at her planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Later Astrid," Jared says as they walked toward their classroom.

"We should go too, Damien," Collin tells Damien; Collin gave Allana a kiss and turned to leave.

"Let's go, Astrid," Allana says. Astrid turns to enter the room when she felt a tug on her hair.

"I'll see you later," Damien whispers. Astrid smiles and nodded, "Be good in there."

"I will," she says.

Damien then glances down her neck and smiles seeing her wearing his necklace. He turns to leave and Astrid stood there watching them, Damien glances back and winks at her earning her face to heat up.

"He did say he'll see you later," Derek whispers to her, Astrid gave a low jump and turned to him, surprised. Derek chuckles and held the door open for her, "Let's go."

When she steps into the room, she looks around and saw students laughing and talking.

"Class 12- B," Allana says. "NSA doesn't categorize the classes; they pretty much mix it up, so you'll see different types of students here."

"Over there," Derek points to a bunch of beautiful girls, "they're harmless; they ask guys to fight for them."

"Fight for them?" she asks.

"Oh, Father Johan didn't tell you either?" Derek says, "NSA allows fighting between students"

"Why?"

"To teach them to protect themselves," Allana says, "many students here came from wealthy families; some are kids of politicians, with the fighting curriculum they learn to defend themselves.”

"From whom?"

"Basically anything or anyone," Derek says. "Some here had been kidnapped way too many times outside NSA that the news hardly reports about it anymore. See that guy?" He points at a black-haired boy sitting by the window, "That's Khyle Volkov, his father is the third wealthiest man somewhere and he's been kidnapped eight times before he moved to NSA, recently he went to visit his family and as expected there was an attempt to  kidnap him, but he got away after fighting off thirty armed men, alone."

Not bad. Astrid thought.

"We're not saying training to fight made him do that." Allana says, "But it does help to keep a straight mind."

"What about you guys?" Astrid asks.

"What about us?"

"Have you been in any fights? Any kidnapping?"

Allana sighs as Derek laughs, "With Master Schizek training them, they've been a better fighter and become the best in NSA. So other kids would attack them on regular basis."

"It’s pretty boring actually," Derek says. "Since no one could beat us, it’s just lame."

"Barbaric talk," Allana says.

"Where's Master Schizek now anyway?" I ask.

"We're not really sure." Derek shrugs, "You know how he loves to travel. But he visits when he can."

"I see..." Astrid says it would be nice to see him again.

"Oh yeah, Master Schizek trained you too, didn't he?"

"When I was ten until I was twelve, I think."

"He said you were more stubborn than all of us put together." Derek says, "Thus the stabbing incident, right?"

"I was stubborn." Astrid said, "I wanted to go home as soon as I can, but it took longer than expected."

"Nine years," Derek says. "Bet it made you a great fighter, Master Schizek said you were becoming the best in Russia."

"Yeah, the best..." Astrid frowns, best killer...

"Alright! I can't wait to see you in action." Astrid looks at him, surprised. "And no cheating like using guns or daggers."

Astrid stifles a laugh, "I think you guys of NSA would be too much for me."

"We'll be the judge of that," Allana says.

Suddenly a group of boys enters the room.

"Move out of the way!" one snaps, pushing Astrid hard enough that she fell on the floor.

Astrid sighs, calm down, this is home... no more killing. She tells herself.

"Astrid, are you ok?" Allana asks.

"Yes, thank you." she stood up and dusted her skirt with a smile.

Then Derek walks up to them, with a boy, holding him by the collar. Derek drops him by Astrid's feet. "Derek?"

"He wants to tell you something." Derek glares at the boy, "Don't you?"

"Y-yes..." he glances at Astrid, running his eyes down her legs, he was checking her out.

"Pervert!" Derek kicks him again.

"Derek, stop that." Astrid says, she knelt in front of the guy, “Are you ok? I'm sorry about Derek." They all watched her, surprised. "Are you ok?"

"Y-yes thank you." the boy says, in pain, but his eyes never leaving Astrid's face. "I'm sorry for pushing you."

"I was in the way, I guess, there's no need to apologize. In fact," she said, "I'm sorry."

"Astrid-"

"I-it’s nothing." he says, "I still shouldn't have pushed you."

"Then let's call it a truce then." Astrid lent out her hand, the guy stared at her with awe.

"Astrid you need to punish him or something!" Derek says, exasperated. "Or else your brother will."

"Brother?" the boy asks, then Astrid flicked him on the forehead.

"There, you had been punished," Astrid says.

"Uhm, ok...?" The boy says, turning to leave, "I'm sorry again."

"What was that?" Derek snaps. "There should be punching and kicking and blood-"

"But I don't want to." Astrid pouts, "That'll be barbaric."

"But-"

"Fighting shouldn't always be the first option." she said, "anyway, where can I sit? I'm a bit tired."

"Of course," Allana says.

As they pass by, the other students whisper and watch them.

"She's a bit weird, isn't she?"

"She's quite different from Ash."

"Isn't she being a little too princessy?"

"Well, that is what they call her, isn't it?"

"Still, I expected something more from her."

"Maybe she just fights with daggers and guns."

Astrid, hearing this, smiles, and sat down.

"And then she said, fighting shouldn't always be the first option." Derek imitates Astrid, "then we sat down."

"I don't see anything wrong with what she said," Jared says. "In fact, I agree."

"This comes from someone who punches a guy after bumping unto you and spilling your drink." Derek snaps.

"I do agree with Derek on this one, that boy did push her," Collin points out, "And I'm guessing a flick on the forehead won't be enough?" he glances at Ash.

Ash grins, "Not for me, but if that's how Astrid would like to handle it, then I don't want to interfere."

"But she's making herself look weak and soft!" Derek says, "Just what kind of training did she do? Princess 101?" The gang chuckles, "And she's acting like she's nine again, she pouts and smiles and argh! It’s annoying me."

"Aw, is little Derek having a crush on Astrid?" Collin teases.

"Eew, that's gross, this is Astrid the crybaby." he says, "I grew up with her, and she's like a sister. Besides," he glanced at Damien, "I don’t have a death wish."

Damien was reading, barely hearing any of the teasing.

"Where are the girls anyway?" Jared asks.

"Changing for P.E.," Collin says. "Allana changes before the boys arrive, makes sense, don't you agree?"

"Well, she has been getting a lot of attention from boys in the class," Derek says, "And with Astrid here..." Damien looks up at Derek at the mention of Astrid's name. "But she barely sees them, she barely sees anyone,"

Derek frowns, "This morning, she hit me, it wasn't really because of surprise, there was something else."

"Fear," Damien says remembering Astrid's eyes. "She's distant except when she wants to make contact."

"It's like she's scared of us," Derek says.

"Maybe not us." Ash says, they looked up at him, "Maybe it’s just guys."

"Then why didn't she pull a punch on Steve when she pushed her?" Derek asks earning on a sigh from the group.

"She hasn't changed a bit," Collin says.

"Stubborn." Jared says, "Stubborn and silly."

"So, what do we do now?" Collin asks, "It’s obvious she isn't talking."

"Let's just wait," Ash says. "Until then, I think it'll be exciting to watch her."

"To know the new Astrid." Damien agrees, "Bet she's just more stubborn now."

The others grinned, silently agreeing.

"Well, it'll be better if we go to the gym rather than them wandering around in their PE uniform." Collin says, "Last week I had to kick four guys out of the locker room so Allana can change, what more now that Astrid is with her."

After changing into their PE uniform, they start to walk toward the volleyball court where the 12th-grade girls were playing.

"Alright, Astrid!" they hear some girls cheer.

Astrid was playing with some other girls in the class, then she jumped and spiked.

"Wow, it looks like she's really sporty," Jared says, the moment Astrid saves a ball, "Good enough to be on the varsity."

"To think it’s her first time to play." Allana joins them in the bleachers.

"It is?"

"She said they weren't allowed to play around." Allana says as she watched Astrid, "And with how the day has been going, I'm guessing she didn't make many friends there either."

"I wonder what kind of place she stayed in." Jared thought out loud.

"A place in the mountain?" Derek jokes.

"Hey watch out!"

They turned and saw a baseball ball flying toward where the girls were, going directly toward one of the girls.

"Move out of the way Jas!" 

But the girl was scared to death and couldn't move, so she just closed her eyes waiting for impact, but none came.

"Astrid!"

Astrid jumps on the way and caught the ball with her bare hands, she held her wrist and felt a light pain run through it. She bites it back and turned to the girl.

"Are you ok?" she asked. The girl stared at her, mouth open, and nodded. Astrid smiled, "Good." 

Then she turned toward the baseball field and threw the ball back to the catcher, with precision and perfect control. The boys stared at her more.

"Astrid!" Allana came running toward her, with the boys on her feet. "Are you ok?"

She smiles, "Yeah, no worries." But to everyone’s surprise, Damien walks up to her and flicked her on the forehead, "Ow!" she pouts and reaches her forehead where he flicked it. "What was that for?"

"For being stupid." he says, "You could have broken your wrist."

"But I didn’t," she whines.

Damien raised a brow and grabbed her wrist making her flinch. "I told you to be good."

"It's nothing." Astrid shrugs.

"If you are going to be reckless be sure you don't break anything," Ash says.

Damien starts to wrap her wrist with a handkerchief and a pen to hold it in place Then he sees the bruise around her wrist, he frowns and looks at Astrid, and notice the bruise under her ear.

"Excuse me?" They turn and saw the girl Astrid saved, she walks up to her and bowed, "I'd like to thank you for saving me and that I'm really sorry about your wrist."

"You should be," Derek mumbles.

"Derek," Astrid warns, she pulls her hand away from Damien who already finished wrapping her up.

"What?" Derek answers back, "If she didn't freeze up like an idiot-"

"I would have still caught it," Astrid said. "Other girls could've gotten hit." then she faced the girl and smiled, "It's ok, I'm just glad you're ok."

"Thank you." the girl says again then ran off.

Astrid turns to the gang who was staring at her.

"They should canonize you here and now," Derek says with disbelief.

"What?"

"Yeah, give you a medal of honor or something," Jared adds.

They began to laugh and walk back to the bleachers, leaving Astrid and Damien. Astrid watched them and chuckles.

"It’s not a laughing matter," Damien says.

"Damien..."

"You're being so reckless in front of us, what more when you were away?"

"Damien," she starts, "I'm ok, you don't have to worry so much. If it will make you happy, I'll stay out of trouble."

Damien can't help grin, "That meant for failure if I ever heard one." Astrid stifles a laugh and playfully pushed him back. "But I'd like that very much."

From afar, Ash looked back at Damien and Astrid and saw them laughing, he smiled and followed the gang with a smile.

Astrid sat in class to listen to Mrs. Jacobs, an old history teacher, but she barely heard anything she said.

This crap's boring. She thought.

At least back in Russia she could look forward to training or hiking the mountain. Shooting, archery, even hand combat.

Or planning of going home. 

She imagines that it would be like the old days, laughing and fooling around.

Splashing in the lake or pool or maybe go out for a walk in some unknown part of the Matthews' land, that was what she planned.

Not getting stuck in a classroom like this, she thought and sighs.

"Is there something wrong, Astrid?"

Astrid looks up and saw everyone was looking at her, "Oh, it's nothing Ms. Jacobs. my apologies. I’m just got a bit dizzy. Probably from lack of sleep." she stood up. "Please excuse me, I'd just go wet my face."

"I'd like to come with you and get you wet." a boy says earning a laugh from the class.

"Yeah?" Derek stands up, "I'd like to see you try." Everyone fell quiet. "I thought so."

"Derek..." Astrid warns giving him a look which he responds with a shrug. She then turns to the boy and smiled, "Thank you for the offer but I doubt you’d even get me excited."

Derek laughs along with the others in the class, even pedant Ms. Jacobs.

Astrid makes her way to the door, but Derek gave her a slight nudge as she passed by, "Be quick." he says, "Ash wouldn't like to know that you're walking around alone."

Astrid nods and steps out of the room. Outside, she shrugs and looks around.

"There's got to be a bathroom around here," she whines and continues her search. She turns into a couple of hallways and still didn't find a loo.

"Hey, can I help you?"

"Oh, Uhm, yes." Astrid says at the girl walking toward her, "I'm looking for the loo."

"You mean comfort room, right?" the girl says, Astrid nods, "I'm going there, I'll walk with you."

"Thank you that will be very helpful," Astrid says, relieved.

"No problem." Astrid follows the girl back to where she came from. 

"You’re the new girl from 12B, right? The president’s twin sister?"

"Yes."

"We thought you were some made-up story." she laughs.

"Well, I hope not." Astrid sounded amused.

"So your brother probably warned you of NSA?"

"Warned me?"

"The fighting curriculum."

"Oh, that..." Astrid says, "They did mention a bit about it."

"Rumor says that you're better than Ash, even Collin, and Damien."

Astrid smiles and shook her head, "I don't really know as I've never seen them fight."

"Really?" the girl stops, Astrid stops as well. "Too bad, cause they're really good." then the girl faced her, "But then again, it’s your style that I’m interested in."

She attacks Astrid; Astrid tries to move away from her but then she got him on the face. She then felt something trickle down her cheek, she reaches for it and saw blood. She looked back at the girl and saw her holding a dagger.

"Aw, the pretty princess got a boo-boo?" the girls say.

Astrid pulled out her handkerchief and wiped off the blood. Damien wouldn't like that.

"I need to go back to class-"

"No you don't." the girl grabs her by the elbow and pushed her on the wall. "I'm not done with you."

The girl continues to attack her, but she dodged every punch and kick, lame. She thought. But she didn't pull a punch or a kick. After a few minutes, the girl stops. Astrid stepped back.

"You are worthless Matthews, all you do is defense, you'll get skinned and eaten alive here." she laughs. "You are nothing like your brother, you're a wuss."

She walks away and left Astrid.

"Lame," Astrid whispers again deciding to go back to class if she ever finds where it is.

"So you let her beat you up?" Derek asks for the nth time that night.

Astrid rolled her eyes, "There's no use in fighting someone weak."

"I still think you should have at least punched her; she had a dagger for crying out loud!" Derek shouts, pacing around the room.

"And if it meant that you won't be wounded like this, I would agree with Derek," Allana says as she bandaged Astrid's cheek. "And with the day of the ball nearing too."

"I heal quickly and rarely scar anyway." Astrid mumbles.

"Look like we have a bigger problem," Collin says steps into the room.

"You have news?" Jared asks.

"It’s all over the academy." Collin looks at Ash, "Astrid is the newbie."

They all groans.

"What does that mean?" Astrid asks.

"You will be initiated." Jared says, "The students will be tormenting you until one loses."

"Losing?"

"Whoever quits first," Ash says. "Let's say you decide to leave NSA, and that's the only way."

"Leave NSA?" Astrid stands, angered. "Are they daft?!"

"No, they're barbarians." Damien says, "They’ll do the most stupid things right down to the most dangerous."

"So if I were you, I'd start fighting back," Derek says.

“And seeing you are Ash's sister, I guess they won't stop until you prove them that you are worthy of being his sister," Jared adds.

"That's just idiotic!" she snaps, "I am his twin sister, by blood! I don't need to prove them anything!"

They stared at her, questioned. She gave them a questioned look back.

"In English please?" Derek said.

Astrid reached for her nose bridge; she was losing her patience. Great, I'm speaking Russian now. She just shrugged and faced them.

"They can just attack me all they want; I am not here to prove anything." she says, "I am here to be with my family, I have no plans to stoop down their level."

"But that will just make you a more interesting target," Derek argues.

Astrid walks toward the door. "I have my principles, I don't want to take part of something childish, barbaric and medieval, excuse me."

She glances at Damien before leaving.

The news of Astrid not able to fight back spread throughout the academy, wherever she goes she'll be attacked or pranked. To say that she wasn’t at least once tempted to hit back would be a lie, and that was proven during lunch of her third day. 

Carrying her lunch tray toward their usual table when she met Jack.

"Well, well, well..." he says, "fresh meat."

"Leave her alone Jack," Allana warns.

"Of course, the hot girls are friends," he says, circling Astrid.

"Be careful Jack, that's the president's sister." one of his friends warns.

"Well, good thing we're in NSA..." he smirks, Astrid moves away, “its every man for himself."

He reached for the end of her hair, but she moved away.

"Don't touch me." Astrid murmured.

"Hm, you are a fighter after all, or is that courage talking?" Astrid glared at him, making him smirk. "I already like you."

"Well, too bad cause I can’t say the same." Astrid spats, moving toward Allana, "Let's go."

"Hey, I'm not done with you yet." Jack grabs her by the arm.

This triggered a memory and Astrid snaps. She drops her tray, grabs Jack's wrist, and twisted his arm, making him let go and she kicks him away. He topples over a table where food spilled all over him.

"You bitch! I'll get you-"

"Shut up!" Astrid screams, she looks around and saw students staring at her, whispering, "Shut up!" She felt tears forming in her eyes, as she looked around.

"Astrid calm down..." Allana reaches for her shoulder but Astrid slaps her hand away, "Astrid!"

"Leave me alone!" Astrid screams at her.

Suddenly a coat fell over her head and someone holds her shaking body tight enough for her not to run off.

"Calm down, Angel..." she hears Damien whisper, "You're home, no one will hurt you here."

This surprised Astrid, in an instant she was back in NSA’s mess hall, underneath Damien’s coat, she calms down, leans back on Damien's chest, and cried.

"Take her home, Damien." Ash says, "We'll take care of this."

Damien nods, he picks up Astrid bridal style, Astrid wrapped her arms around his neck and hid her face on the crook of his neck as he carried her out of the dining hall.

"I have allowed the initiation of my sister, you heard nothing from me, until now." Ash looks around, "My sister was kidnapped when we were only nine years old and when we found her the only way to keep her safe was to hide her, for nine years she was hidden even from us. She may look weak and defenseless, but trust me when I tell you," he paused, "she is deadlier than any of us here. Those who dared fight her are lucky to be alive."

"It is true then." Kyle says, "she is the diamond of the Duchovny house." Everyone turned to him. "I've seen her fight in Russia. The Duchovny house is one of the famous fighting schools in the country, and she was- or rather, is the best in all Russia, she left that behind to come home then?"

"To be frank, we are not told of what she did or where she was." Ash continues, "All we know is that she left to protect us, she left to learn how to protect us." Everyone was quiet. "So now, all I ask is a little respect." Ash looked more authoritative now, "This is our home, don’t taint Astrid's memories of it of barbarians and perverts." he glares at Jack with his last word.

With that said, he turns to leave along with others.

Meanwhile, outside, Damien set Astrid down her feet and took off his coat.

"I'll go get your things," he says, "and call Albert to pick us up." he turns to leave but Astrid grabs his hand, looked up at him, crying.

"Please stay..." she pleads.

"Astrid-"

"I didn’t mean to..." she says, "He just grabbed me, and I couldn't fight back."

"I saw what-"

"No, no!" she shook her head roughly, "I told him to stop, but he wouldn't. He pinned me in bed, his hands were all over me," Damien frowns, this was not the scene inside, she was telling her what they had been wondering about. What happened to her. "I couldn't fight back..."

"What are you saying, Astrid?" Damien asked, wanting her to continue.

Only then did Astrid realized what she said, her eyes widened, and she looked up at him.

"Astrid, tell me what happened." Damien tightened took a step closer, but she moved away and shook her head.

"I don't deserve you, Damien..." She let go of his hand and ran off.

"Astrid!" Damien ran after her; they finally reached the gates and she was about to cross the street when a truck's horn blared. Astrid stops right in front of the truck and just stared at it. The truck was now skidding. Damien grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the sidewalk. They both fell back, Damien wraps his arms around Astrid, held her head to his chest. They laid there for about a minute.

Damien sat up, still holding Astrid against him. She sits between his legs and her face was still buried in his chest.

"Shh... it’s ok, calm down, angel," he whispers. He ran his hand through her hair, calming her down.

The driver walked up to them, but Damien signaled to him that they were ok, he smiled and apologized, and told him not to worry. The driver soon left.

Damien then tried to look down at her, reached for her chin, and made her face him, "Are you ok?" Astrid doesn't answer and looked away. "Angel..."

Astrid looked up at him again, surprised, and he smiled at her.

"Whatever happened to you, there is no reason to make you less worthy of me," Damien said. "You're my angel." Astrid stared at him, speechless. "I will not let nine years of waiting to go to waste."

Astrid's eyes were filled with tears again, she smiled and threw her arms around him, "Damien!"

Damien laughs and hugged her, "My angel... I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too," she whispered and looked at her. "So much, you gave me the reason to fight..." she pulled away and sat on her legs, "You helped me remember who I am and how to get home. I'll forever be grateful for that Damien."

"You know how to get back, you promised." Damien said, "You just needed a push." Astrid stifles a laugh and nodded. Then he ran his hand through her hair, "I'll never lose you again," he says and kisses her on the forehead before he stood up and helped her on her feet, "C'mon, I have a surprise for you."

"Where are we, Damien?" Astrid asks looking around.

"It’s my gallery." Damien grins, a light blush on his cheeks. "This is just my second time to come here."

"But I thought it was your gallery?"

"Yeah, but none of this is true," he says, she gave him a questioned look.

"Master Cayce, good afternoon." A man in a suit welcomes them.

"Hello John, are there people today?"

"As usual, would you like me to call the guards?"

"Oh, no, we'll be fine," Damien says. Then he tightened his hold of Astrid's hand and led her inside, "Let's go."

Inside, Astrid looks around, amazed at the paintings and sculptures.

"These are beautiful Damien," Astrid said in a whisper, she let go off his hand and walked around.

"Yeah, well, father was running out of space to hide it, so he decided to put this up for me." 

"Uncle Rhaumwald sure knows how to spoil you." Damien laughs in response watching her every reaction for every painting; suddenly a boy ran up to her and stared.

"Hello, little one are you lost?" Astrid asks, kneeling in front of him.

"You're the girl in the painting," he says.

"Me?" she asks.

"C'mon I'll show you!" he grabs Astrid's hand and pulled her toward the other room.

Astrid laughs and looked back at Damien who smiled as well. When she entered the room, she was surprised to see herself all over the room. She stood by the entrance and looks around.

"This is one of my favorites." the boy points at the portrait of a girl staring at the moon. "That's you too, isn't it?" Astrid stares at it, she remembers that night, the night she was kidnapped.

"Ximm! C'mon, time to go home."

"Coming mom!" the boy said, "Well I got to go, bye angel!"

"Bye..." Astrid watched him run off then she sees Damien behind her.

"You never really left," he says. "There had been many offers for the paintings here. But I can't let go... these are my memories of you."

"Damien..."

"I’ll show you my favorite." he took her hand and lead her to the middle; there she saw her sitting by the beach. "I did this when we arrived in Honolulu."

Astrid stifles a laugh. "I'm wearing the glow sticks."

Damien laughs, "Pretty stupid gift."

"No, it wasn't" Astrid frowned. "You lead me out of the darkness. Even just a few minutes."

Damien faced her, "Astrid, please tell me what happened, I hate seeing you like this." Astrid shook her head. "Those bruises is that where the man held you?" Astrid looks away, "I promise no one would harm you again angel, not while I'm alive."

"I'm sorry Damien," she whispers, "for being weak."

"You are not weak Astrid." Damien takes her hand to his, and he held her face with his other, "But I'm glad you are safe and at home now. That's all that matters." Astrid forces a smile and that was enough reassurance for Damien, "Now c’mon, Ash told me to take you home."

Astrid nodded and they walked throughout the afternoon to the Matthews' mansion, hand in hand.

"Are you sure you would be ok today?" Allana asked. "I mean, you could rest today."

"I'm ok," Astrid said. "By the way, I'm sorry about yesterday. I hope I didn't hurt you."

"It's ok, I'm just really worried about you right now."

"Why?"

"You just made yourself more interesting." Derek said, "Seeing you could actually fight, they'll taunt you until you agree to fight."

Astrid sighs and didn't answer. She looks ahead and notices the students were staring at them, they were whispering as they pass by.

"Well, at least so far so good," Derek says.

"Derek, are you sure it's ok that you didn't attend your football training?" Astrid asks.

"Damien will talk to the coach, he won't allow you to walk without guards." Derek says with authority and glaring at a group of boys, "He'd probably kill to be here, but seeing that he is the captain."

"Well, aren't you the co-captain?"

"That's why I can skip, we can work it out." Derek shrugs and hooked an arm over her shoulder, "Don't worry so much Astrid, worry about yourself."

"Derek's right, the boys are all worried about you." Allana said, "Collin and Jared are fixing their basketball training to see who could guard you in certain dates and fix it with the coach.”

"Sadly, Ash has no choice." Derek says, "Being the only one in the gang on the team, he needs to be there too being the team captain and all."

"He's already the team captain?" Astrid asks, "But he just joined last year."

"Let's just say that he is that good." Derek snickers, "Pretty much with all sports."

"I want to be discreet, yet I'm surrounded by jocks and the most beautiful girl in the academy." Astrid shook her head, "What am I going to do with you guys."

"Love us more?" Derek offers and Allana smiles at her.

"Don't I already?" Astrid gives him an amused look.

"Anyway, it looks like Ash's speech had some effect." Allana said, "What do you think, princess?"

"It's ok, I guess, I still need to get used to staying put."

"Bored already?" Derek stifles a laugh. "I can't blame you, I guess you were free to do what you want in Russia."

"Not really," Astrid says "but I needed to know that I could already protect the family."

"You know, Damien has a reason for being the best fighter in NSA." Derek said, "We all do, we're a family Astrid, you don't have to do everything by yourself."

Astrid smiles and chose not to answer as they finally reached their lockers.

"Anyway, you have nothing to worry about, NSA is a highly guarded facility." Allana says, "Not even the students or the parents know of its location."

Astrid nods and was about to open her locker door when she noticed the students intently watching her again. She looked at her locker door and steps back.

"What's wrong?" Allana asks.

"Move back," Astrid says. 

Derek pulls Allana back while Astrid steps aside and opened the door when she did there was a small pop inside the locker.

"They peeked inside and saw a Welcome to NSA banner above a stuffed white tiger, the school mascot.

"Aw, that is so cute," Allana says and reached for the stuffed animal when Astrid quickly grabbed something else, then they heard a rattle.

Allana moved back, "What the-"

Astrid pulls out her hand and now had a rattle snake’s head wrapped in her hand, she pulls out her handkerchief and wraps its mouth close enough for it to still be able to breathe through its nose.

"Some welcome." Astrid mumbles, "I guess that's the deadly prank?" the two stares at her, "What?"

"Astrid you are holding a rattlesnake!" Allana says, panicking.

"Snakes are harmless by nature." Astrid shrugs, "They won't attack until threatened, unlike me." she looks around, "Not to mention when Collin finds out about this." Astrid looks around, "Wonder what my overprotective cousin would do to the person who almost got his fiancée bit?"

She caught some students stiffen and look away.

Astrid shook her head, amused, she fixes her things and took out the books she needs for her morning class before she closed her locker and slung her bag over her shoulder.

"I'll just go set this little gal free." Astrid says now holding the snake with both her hands, "You guys go ahead."

"You sure you'll be ok?" Derek asks.

"Yeah," Astrid says, "It isn't hard to untie a knot and throw a snake at a person."

"Astrid," Allana warns.

"I'll be fine, it'll just take a minute." Astrid leaves and made her way toward the garden.

She looks around thinking where to put it.

"Hm, would you like the forest or the gardens, little miss?" Astrid plays around with an English accent, the snake rattled its tail, "Excellent choice, I don’t think they'll bother you here."

She walks toward the forest and walked a little far-reaching a clearing where she set down the snake and untied the handkerchief, then let the reptile go.

"Good luck," Astrid calls out as she watched it slither away. She begins to walk back to the building rushing a bit.

“Hey..." Astrid looks up and saw Damien waiting by the entrance, leaning on the doorframe with his arms across his chest, piercing her with his eyes.

"Hey..." she smiled, locking eyes with him to stop herself to check him out.

"I heard what happened."

"Allana?" she asks.

Damien shrugged, "She was worried, I was on my way to your room they saw me and told me about it. Then I was worried." He steps toward her, "You ok?"

She took a deep breath and shrugged, "Yeah, just set the little miss out into the forest."

"Little Miss?" Damien looks at her amused.

"Yeah, she is, well a she." Astrid gave him a questioned look making Damien laugh.

"Well, c'mon Dr. Doolittle," he reached for her hand, "I'll drop you off to class."

They walked to class teasing, talking, and laughing. The halls were still filled with students until the first warning bell rang the same time, they reached Astrid's classroom.

"I'll pick you up for lunch," Damien said, Astrid blushed and nodded. Damien reached for the edge of her hair and gave it a tug, "Now go inside." he opens the door for her.

She turns around and was surprised to see Mr. Cooper already inside, everyone was looking at her. "You're late Ms. Matthews."

"I'm sorry Mr. Cooper. I had to set a snake-free."

"Are you pulling my leg, Ms. Matthews?"

"No, sir, there was a rattlesnake in my locker, and I had to let it go or it would have died."

"Such nonsense, see me after class."

Astrid sighed, "Yes, Mr. Cooper."

"Seriously, what are those kids thinking?" Mr. Matthews says, bewildered.

"We already had the surveillance cameras checked." Ash says, "Collin will take care of the rest."

"And how is Astrid doing?" Mrs. Matthews asks.

"Pretty good actually." Allana says, "Haven't punched or kicked or as much as glanced at anyone."

"Well, that isn't quite a good idea is it?" Mr. Cayce points out. "That just puts more attention on her."

"We told her that, Uncle Rhaumwald," Derek says, "but she wouldn't listen."

"I guess it’s a good thing Damien can quickly read her," Jared adds. "Or she would have gone crazy."

"And where is Damien?" Mrs. Matthews asks.

"Toured Astrid around NSA." Ash said, "He's isolating her during free time."

"And has she spoken to any of you?" Mr. Matthews asked.

"Not with me," Ash says. "She hardly talks."

"I'll ask Damien." Mr. Cayce offers, "But then, I'll doubt he'll tell me anything if Astrid asks him not to."

Suddenly they heard laughter outside, then Damien and Astrid entered.

"Daddy!" Astrid runs to him and threw her arms around his neck. Mr. Matthews laughs picking her up and earning a squeal from Astrid until he set her back down.

"Someone's happy." Mr. Matthews says.

"I had the greatest time ever!" Astrid ran to her mother and sat beside her, "Damien brought me to the biggest library I've ever seen. Then we went to this old bookstore."

"And good thing I was there, or she would have bought the whole store," Damien said.

"I don't mind giving it to you." Mr. Cayce said. “That bookstore hardly gets customers the students able to purchase everything they need online.”

"You should have said so earlier." Astrid laughs, "I wouldn't have brought so many books."

They all laughed.

"Anyway," Astrid stood up, "I'm hungry, what’s for dinner?"

"Everything you want," Ash said.

"Good, c'mon Allana," she pulls Allana up.

"What? Where are we going?"

"I want to show you a dress I brought, c'mon!"

Allana laughs and ran off with Astrid.

"Someone was patient." Jared nudges Damien who chuckled.

Damien stifles a laugh. "She was running around town like a kid." he sat beside Mrs. Matthews, tired.

"Well, thank you for being so patient." Mrs. Matthews says. "I heard she had a bad day-"

"No she didn't," Damien says. "Believe it or not that snake act made her day though it got her detention Mr. Cooper was surprised to see how quiet she was while being punished." Damien sighs, "Seeing her looking peaceful was priceless."

"And I'm sure she's thankful that you were with her." Mrs. Matthews said.

Damien grins and leaned back. "I told you Aunt Hannah, it’s priceless to see her happy."

"Look at this Allana..." Astrid steps out wearing a white dress, "What do you think?"

"It’s beautiful Astrid." Allana says, "What is for?"

"Nothing, I just want to buy it." Astrid giggles, "I thought it’s beautiful."

"You make it more so," Allana says.

"Not the way you'll make it beautiful." Astrid points out as she checks her reflection.

Allana stifles a laugh, "Well, I need to have Collin's attention for myself, don't I?"

"And he'll be crazy not to notice you," Astrid says. "Damien told me that Collin is searching high and low for whoever the snake prankster is. He'll probably kill the guy."

"Astrid." Allana frowns and remembers what Khyle said.

"Well, if looks can kill..." Astrid teases.

Allana grins and decided not to probe into her business. "What about you?" she asks, "Who's attention are you catching?"

"No one, apparently my presence here alone and being Ash’s sister has that covered for me." Astrid rolls her eyes and earning laughter from Allana, "Anyway, I was thinking..." she pauses, "Everyone keeps telling me that I don't need to fight alone anymore, so I'm thinking of hanging up my blades."

"Are you sure?" Allana asks, surprised.

"I'm home, I don't want to bring back the past here."

Allana smiles and gave her a hug, "I'm glad to hear that."

The next day, Astrid and Damien were walking around the academy talking and laughing.

"By the way, Allana told me about you quitting fighting."

Astrid sighs, "I'm not quitting, more of, lying low, more than I already am." she adds, "I did promise to stay out of trouble, didn't I?"

Damien smiled, "I'm glad to hear that, but I'd still like you to protect yourself."

"From kids here?" Astrid asks. "Then there's nothing to worry about."

Damien shook his head, amused.

"Anyway, the balls tomorrow..." Astrid faced him and walked backward. "I'm expecting you to be there."

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Damien said. “It is also for my birthday, you know.”

"Yeah, but not for that I need a partner in crime."

"A partner in crime?" He raises a brow.

"I don't like socializing." Astrid points out. "I need someone who'll help me escape."

"Help you escape, huh?" Damien chuckles, "I was hoping you'll ask me to be your date, but partners in crime do sounds better." Astrid laughs, " I should prepare something for the great escape."

"What do you mean?"

"You get bored easily, I should plan something to keep you entertained."

"I was thinking of staying by the lake," Astrid says now walking beside him properly, with her hands on her back.

"If that's you want, Angel." he tips his head in agreement.

Suddenly the window above opened and students poured water.

"Angel!"

Before neither one of them could see who called her, Astrid was pushed out of the water’s way and sprawled on the floor.

"Astrid!" Damien called. Astrid pushes herself to sit, dazed.

"We'll get you for that!" students above shouts "Wait 'til I get my hands on you!"

"Dimitri?" Astrid stares at the boy who was kneeling by her feet, Dimitri smiled at her and helped her up. "What are you doing here?”

"I'm moving to NSA," he says, casually.

"What?" Astrid asked. "Why???"

"Father Johan said he'll explain," Dimitri says.

"Astrid?"

"Damien!" Astrid ran to him. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah. just a bit wet." Damien says while glaring at Dimitri, then he faced Astrid. “What about you? Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine," Astrid says.

"You know him?" Damien asks rudely.

"He's a friend from Russia," Astrid said.

"You must be Damien," Dimitri says. "I've heard so many good things about you from Angel."

"What did you call her?"

"Oh, we call her Angel cause-"

"You're in NSA, call her Astrid," Damien says, then he took Astrid's hand. “C'mon my angel, the others are probably waiting."

Damien pulls her inside and away from Dimitri. Astrid peeks at Damien who was obviously angry and decided not to speak.

"There you are!" Derek waves his arm around. "Where have you been?"

Astrid let goes of Damien's hand and stood beside Allana, "Uhm, around, c'mon Allana."

They looked at Damien who was obviously mad.

"But we're-"

"Go inside." Damien snaps.

Allana frowns. Suddenly there was a ruckus at the end of the hall, and Astrid sees Dimitri walking toward them with a bunch of boys tied by the wrist. He stops in front of them, pushes the boys down the floor.

"They have something to say." Dimitri says, he grabs a guy by the hair and made him face Astrid, "Talk."

“We're sorry!" the boy gasps, "We didn't mean to-"

"Don't lie or I will kill you," Dimitri says pulls his head back farther.

"Dimitri!" Astrid snaps "That's enough, let them go."

He gave her a questioned look, "You have gone weak princess?" he asks in Russian.

"I'm home Dimitri, there is no need for me to fight here," Astrid says in English.

"You heard my sister," Ash said. "And I would appreciate it if you won't be so harsh on the students again."

"So you're Ash," Dimitri smirks. "I guess this is the whole gang." he bows, "I am Dimitri Duchovny."

"Duchovny?" Jared asked, they exchanged looks, remembering Khyle's words.

"I stayed with his family in Russia, he is the heir of the Duchovny family, his grandfather is grandfather's best friend," Astrid explains.

"I saved her several times." this time Dimitri was looking at Damien, "Like when she escaped for Honolulu, she was sent to the dungeons and beaten up-"

"Dimitri!" Astrid snapped. "Leave if you have nothing better to say!" she spoke in Russian.

"Now she speaks the language." Dimitri teased, as he moved away, his hands up in the air as a sign of giving up.

"Astrid-"

"I'll talk to my grandfather," Astrid says, glancing at Damien who was still glaring at Dimitri before stepping inside their classroom "Well you could have at least gave me a heads up!" Astrid hits her fist on the table.

"Astrid, love, Charles had taken you in for nine years, this is the least I could do to help him." Father Johan said "Dimitri needs protection. He's the only family Charles has; I can't just leave him running and hiding."

Astrid sighed, "Until when will he stay?"

"Until we find who is paying for his bounty."

"How much?"

“5 million US dollars." Father Charles says.

"Pretty small for an assassin like Dimitri."

"You expected a billion then?"

Astrid frowns turning around and sees the devil standing by the window. "No, I didn't expect it at all. You were careless."

"We all get ID'd," Dimitri says with a laugh, "You were identified three times-"

"And I took care of it!" Astrid snaps. "Listen here Dimitri, I am glad that Father Johan is helping you, I'll be glad to do so as well, but if you pull another stunt like that early this morning, I won't hesitate to fight with you."

"Would that be you or Damien?" Astrid glares at him and balled her hand to a fist, "You couldn't even tell him what you've been through."

"He knows what he needs to know," Astrid said. "So stay away from him, my brother, and my friends."

"Fine, if it'll make you less angry, then I'll shut up." he moves closer to her and smiled, looking down at her body, "But I can't promise anything, I like you angry," he whispered in Russian.

Astrid slapped him and moved away; she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Don't be harsh on the other students, stop taunting Damien," Astrid glares at him, obviously not taking his taunting seriously.

“And use the door, for goodness sakes, make you more civilized and normal."

 With that said, she rushes out of her grandfather's office and slammed the door shut.