Finally. The moment that I have been waiting for so long has finally came. The blessed sound of the bell released from one of the most exhausting history lessons I've ever had and marked the start a much needed recess. Lissa and I agreed to meet up and take a walk around the school. I haven't talked to her in a while, with training being top priority. everything that happened this year has made me want to become better, stronger. A large part of that was training which Dimitri, which I can't say bothered me much. Even though we agreed we shouldn't be together, because we were both going to be Lissa's guardians and had to put her ahead of everyone else, I still couldn't get him out of my system.
"Hey," Lissa's voice dragged me from my thoughts to the real world, and we started walking towards the wards, wanting to stay clear of the busy, crowded center. We made sure never to cross them though. We talked about many things. One of them being Christian, and I was shocked at how many of the things she told me I had already experienced through her. I didn't tell her that. She enjoyed telling it and reliving it too much for me to ruin it. I loved seeing her so happy. Even though it just made me feel even worse about my own non-existing love life. Even after she opened up to me, I still couldn't bring myself to tell her about me and Dimitri. It was still nice to catch up. It's been so long since we just had some fun, only the two of us.
Suddenly, I noticed a dark figure hiding in the shadow of a tree. We couldn't possibly be in danger, we were inside the wards. Guardian instincts kicking in, I started looking frantically around us, discovering more and more figures. I realized we were surrounded. "What's wrong?" She asked. I wanted to tell her to run. To get out of here as soon as she can. But they realized they were seen and started getting closer and closer, closing in on us.
She realized what was happening, and I felt a shot of fear going through the bond. She didn't know what to do, and wanted me to tell her. I wish I knew. I stood in front of her and started backing away, and she followed my lead and walked backwards, until her back was against a tree, and I was between her and the group of attackers. My lack of nausea, and a quick glance at them, now that they were out of hiding, told me that these aren't Strigoi. Which explains how they got through the wards. But they weren't students either. What could a group of 6 dhampirs and a moroi want with us?
"What do you want?" I asked. Even though it was obvious. They wanted Lissa. Everyone did. She was the last of the Dragomir line, a royal, and a spirit user, but only a few people knew about that last one. I was hopelessly trying to talk my way out of this. A tall moroi, the only one in this group, who was obviously the leader, talked next.
"We want you to come with us." Me? Why would they want me? I'm just a novice dhampir. But whatever the reason, I wasn't going to go easy. They were dhampirs, not strigoi. I could take them. Right?
"Run, go get Dimitri. Now," I whispered. Lissa heard me and tried to run away. One of the dhampirs caught her, and before he could make his threat I kicked him, making him let go of her and stumble back. She made it out. All I had to do was hold them back until help came. They kept trying to follow her but I wouldn't let them. Before I knew it I was engaged in a fight with all of the dhampirs. They had some training, I realized, but they weren't guardians. Their fighting was too messy, not precise and calculated. They were all bigger and stronger than me though, and I was outnumbered. I was fighting almost automatically. I didn't have time to think, or to look for my next opening. All I could do was dodge and block, and attack only when someone was attempting to go after Lissa. Not to mention, that I didn't have any weapons on me. At some point they realized that going after Lissa was pointless and focused on trying to grab me. They weren't trying to kill me though, which means they really did need me for something. What could that possibly be? Whatever the reason, I wasn't going to go with them. I didn't know how long it's been, how long I've been fighting them. All I knew was that I had to keep going. But the fight became much more intense, and I could finally start doing some real damage. I felt like I wasn't me anymore. I was a well oiled killing machine, which stopped at nothing until all it's enemies are defeated. I kept seeing Dimitri in my mind's eye. The way he fought his opponents, with so much strength on one hand, and so much discipline and precision on the other. The rest of the fight was a haze, but it ended with all of them dead. The moroi escaped.
I was filled with pride. I've defeated 6 dhampirs by myself. I protected Lissa. Not that she was the one needing protection, but if she were we'd be doing the exact same thing, and I would have succeeded. That moment of pride and satisfaction quickly passed when I felt pain all over my body. The adrenaline of the fight started to fade and I was suddenly aware of every hit, cut and bruise on my body. The pain was overwhelming, and I fell to my knees. I knew that I had to get out of there, in case there were more of them. With the last ounce of strength I had in my body, I rose back to my feet. I walked slowly and awkwardly as I vaguely saw someone running towards me. My initial alarm turned into relief when I saw it was Dimitri. I fell to my knees again, and as he reached me and dropped to his too and cupped my face with both his hands.
"Are you okay?" he asked. The look on his face told me more than a hundred words would. The relief of seeing that I was alive turned into horror as he saw me, and how badly wounded I was. I let myself collapse in his arms, as darkness started to take over my vision.
I woke up in the school's infirmary. I felt someone holding my hand, and as I turned my head I saw Dimitri. He held my hand but seemed to be deep in thought. His eyes were focused on what seemed to be nothing on the other side of the room. I squeezed his hand gently, and he turned to me. A broad smile lit his face when he saw me. He moved stray hair from my face, and I felt his fingers lightly stroking my skin. It was warm and great, but over in a couple of seconds. We were in the school's infirmary after all.
"How are you?" He asked. How was I? I didn't feel any pain at all.
"Did Lissa heal me?" I asked, Even though I already knew the answer.
"Yeah, she did. She was by your side until she had to go to class."
"I wish she hadn't," I told him. "Spirit is taking it's toll on her and I don't like it one bit. I'm not always gonna be able to draw it away from her."
"I'll tell her that next time you're beaten almost to death."
Dimitri? Making a joke? About something as serious as this? "My work here is done," I thought.
A smile spread over my face. "I did it, Dimitri. I protected Lissa."
"She said it was you they wanted. Do you know why?"
"No. But I don't think they're gonna give up. They're going to come here again." The meaning of the words I said suddenly sank in. I was in danger. I was putting everyone else in danger. I didn't even know how I knew it, but I did. This was only the first round. I didn't every realize how afraid I was until Dimitri's soft touch calmed me down. He cupped my chick with his hand and looked at me. Those dark eyes were looking straight into my soul, understanding everything I felt. They were filled with softness and affection, but also determination and protectiveness.
"I won't let them hurt you. I won't let anyone ever hurt you." He made me feel so safe. Looking at him now, seeing how much he really meant those words, I was certain he's going to do whatever it takes to protect me, which only made it so much harder for me not to kiss him right then and there. I might have, had the door not swung open. Dr. Ozelensky came in, and after a few routine checks, I went to Alberta's room and told her everything that happened. I asked her if I was endangering the school by being there, and she said it was their responsibility to protect me. I didn't argue with that. It was their responsibility, and she saw this as a personal failure. She said they'd call extra security, meaning more guardians, until this is all over.
As if more guardian could help with what was coming.