Thank you for those who have reviewed and followed! :)

This is the next chapter and we get to see more of Dimitri (or Belikov as he will mainly be referred to as in this story). I understand that the story starts off slow but as the story progresses more will be happening!

Chapter 2

My lungs burn as I continue the excruciating laps on the school grounds. 5 more to go, I think desperately. Although I'm kick ass in combat classes (ask any of the other novices) running still becomes difficult without keeping up with it consistently enough.

"Slow your pace down, you're burning up all your energy and you still have 5 miles to go," Belikov instructs beside me, completely at ease with the pace I'm taking. Grudgingly I slow my pace knowing he's right and he slows down with me.

I was surprised when Belikov joined me in running. I thought he'd simply wait in the stands for me to finish. I was annoyed with his joining me at first but after a while I realised having him run beside me made it easier. It spurred me on and he helped me keep my pace. For the most part we jog in silence, only our breathing to be heard.

"How's the report coming along?" he asks me during the 6th mile.

"Great," I breathe,"I've… written… the… title," I manage to huff out. I'm lying of course. I haven't even done that. I can almost feel his disapproving gaze even though he continues staring straight ahead. Thankfully he remains silent.

After what feels like an eternity finally I've completed the 7 miles. I fall onto the grass and lie on my back, breathing heavily. Suddenly a water bottle is thrust into my face. I grab it with the intention of drinking from it but my arm just flops back to the ground. I hear a quiet chuckle and then feel strong hands on my own. I'm pulled into a sitting position.

"Drink," Belikov breathes, also trying to get his own breath back and taking huge gulps from his own water bottle.

I do as told, my eyes on Belikov. I've never seen him look so… relaxed. It's disconcerting. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him smile let alone heard him laugh until a few seconds ago.

I don't think he notices my stare, his attention is in the opposite direction towards the forest. I take the time to really look at him. He's wearing a thin black sweater that clings to his muscles like a second skin. I can outline the contours in his back and stomach. He wears grey joggers, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Then I notice the colour of his hair as he pushes it away from his face. Its a gorgeous dark brown with streaks of a browny-red through it. I note how his jaw has a slight stubble. I wonder what it would feel like to run my fingers against it.

"You know it'll get easier," his voice shatters my thoughts and I immediately look away, hoping he didn't notice my staring. I can feel my cheeks burning.

"Hmm?"

"The miles, Hathaway. By Thursday you'll find it's much easier."

"Good to know." I jump up and rub off the grass from my butt. Remembering that I'll have to repeat the miles throughout the week brings back my foul mood. "See you in class, Guardian Belikov," I say formally looking in his general direction. I notice his terse nod and make my exit.

*

"I'm shattered," I say gloomily as I take a seat at the breakfast bar. Christian laughs and I glare back. I only put up with him because of Lissa.

"How did it go?" Lissa asks sympathetically.

"A 7 mile run at 6 in the morning without any training. Piece of cake," I say sarcastically. Through our bond I can feel she's genuinely concerned about me. I shrug my shoulders and smile at her.

Strong arms wrap around my shoulders. Mason takes a seat beside me. "Hey Hathaway," he says, "heard about Belikov. Sucks," he smiles at me sadly.

"That it does, Mase. That it does. How did you get away last night?"

A smug smile greets Mason's face. "Managed to turn into a dark corner just as the guardians came down. Sneaked away once they were clear out of sight." Urgh, had I been closer to the door that could've been me. "Doesn't matter though," Mason continues, his smile vanishing, "I'm pretty sure Belikov's gonna be pissed with everyone today."

*

Turns out Mason was right.

"So yesterday, quite a few number of you were found out of dorms after curfew. Not only were you found out after curfew, you were also found at the moroi dorms," Belikov's voice is eerily quiet, taking time to stare at each of us novices. You could hear a pin drop, it was so quiet. "May I remind you," his raspy voice grows loud, "that rules are there for a reason. Were strigoi to attack you would have all been vulnerable and you would have placed our moroi charges in serious danger too."

"We can take on strigoi," a novice by the name of Daniel Pikes speaks out defiantly. I roll my eyes.

Belikov stills, his demeanour turns deadly. With arms crossed at his chest he slowly walks over to Pikes. He stops in front of the novice, towering over him. "What did you say?" Belikov asks quietly, bending his head forwards to get a better look at Pikes. I cover my smirk as I watch Pikes visibly swallow.

Pikes clears his throat and replies "I think," he pauses and gulps again, "I think we can take on strigoi," he finishes with a wavering voice.

"You think you can take on strigoi or you can take on strigoi?" Silence. "Well, which is it?" Belikov's voice booms across the gym. A few novices flinch.

"We can," sputters Pikes. "We can take on strigoi."

"I see," Belikov nods his head and seems to appraise Pikes. "Okay, let's see what you got, Pikes," Belikov says as he makes his way to the spar mats. He stops in the middle and awaits Pikes who visibly stills.

"Sir?" Pikes asks as he looks at the mat and then back at Belikov.

"Come on, Pikes. Get to the mats. We're sparring."

There's an intake of breath from the novices. I can hear some coughs as a few novices try to mask their laughs. Pikes has gone red in the face by this point and he hasn't even started. I snort and like others cover it with a cough. Some novices look over at Pikes sympathetically.

Pike slowly shuffles over to the mats while Belikov pulls his sweater over his head to reveal a black vest. Pikes takes a deep breath. They both get into their stances and start circling each other. Before Pikes can even make a move Belikov punches his fist into Pikes' chest. Pikes poorly deflects before crashing into the mats, Belikov firmly has his fingers wrapped around Pikes' neck.

"Dead," Belikov states before rising back up to face the rest of us. "Let's keep in mind strigoi are much faster, stronger and have keener senses then us dhampir. Hence why it's so important that we always remain vigilant." Belikov looks at each one of us before continuing. "I understand that not all of you were there last night… however," he stresses, "in the real world you are not working alone. You are working in pairs or in a team. If one of you messes up then you let everyone down not just yourself. Let this be a lesson to all of you." There is a short silence to let this sink in. "Now since you wasted our time last night, we're going to waste your time today. For the remainder of this lesson you will all be doing suicides."

"Oh fuck," I whisper.

"Got something to say, Hathaway?" Belikov quirks an eyebrow.

"Nope," I respond immediately, shaking my head. Like I haven't already done enough running today, asshole! I yell in my head.

By the end of the lesson I'm back to my earlier state: lying on the floor, breathing heavily. Like deja vu a water bottle is thrust into my face.

"Good job," I hear Belikov's deep voice, his hands tap my shoulders and then he walks to the other guardians.

As I stand up a hard chest slams into my back. "This is on you, Hathaway," Jesse snarls. "Bitch," I hear Mia mumble as the Psychos walk past me. I grit my teeth and force myself to not retaliate. There are a tonne of guards around after all and I'm already paying for last night. Grudgingly I turn my back on their retreating figures and head for the showers.

I'd love to hear what you all think of Belikov! Thanks for reading :)