For a long time now I have had to face the fact that one day I will no longer be needed in my duty. And not being needed scared me, for what else am I to do? One day I will have to step down as my position as Lissa's guardian and watch as a younger stronger version of myself takes my place by her side. I didn't know what I would do when that day comes, I didn't know what I would do with myself. What happened to guardians that where no longer useful? Did they throw them away to a place where no one could notice them, where they wouldn't become a problem, or would I be taken care of with my high status. And not having someone to share that dark day with frightened me the most. But knowing that I will have Dimitri at my side will make that day easier. I will always see the way his face softens as he runs his hand through my hair, or the way he tries his best to study his novel while I trace his lips with my finger. But he couldn't soften the fact that Lissa and I might not be as close as we are now when I stop protecting her.

I was born to keep others alive, even if that meant sacrificing myself.

What would I do when the reason of my existence didn't matter anymore?

I open my eyes. The room is dark and wind rustles the curtains at the bottom of the bed. Dimitri lightly snores next to me, hardly making a noise. It was morning and birds chirped happily outside the room. Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I didn't have the complications of being a Dhampir. If I was human, would I have children by now, if I was Moroi would I be respected? I doubted it with my mouth, but I always thought my life would be easier.

"Good-morning." Dimitri said, and stretched almost pushing me off the bed in the process. I smiled and banished my worries away to ponder over a different day. Rolling over I climbed on top of him and kissed him lightly. He smiled under my kiss. "What a lovely way to wake up." He teased and ran his hands over my back, pressing me into him.

"Only the best for you." I murmured and trailed my kiss to his neck nibbling softly at his skin. He gripped my hips and cursed quietly under his breath. I didn't go back to my room last night. I was too tired and my room seemed too far away from his arms. "It's a long day we have in front of us."

And the long day started off quite. We gathered at the front Gardens of Court and I am surprised at who is travelling with us. Christian stands next to a tall Dhampir, the one that I ran into last night. I frown and eye him as I walk to the car. Lissa, and I travel in the first car with the new man and Dimitri and Christian travel in the second. The car is quite as we drive there, Lissa doesn't look at me and I can only guess that she doesn't want to discuss the situation with a stranger present.
As I stare out the window I notice how everything seems to stop while you are driving fast. All the trees and flowers that seem to sway freely in the wind seem frozen as we dart past. It felt like we were crawling to the Academy, but staring outside I saw how fast we were actually going.

"It's such a pleasure to be working with you Guardian Hathaway, I have heard many stories." The man said to me, stretching out his hand. I frowned at how big his hand looked; he was built like a machine. I didn't know whether to shake his hand, but I knew it was rude so I did.

"Who are you?" I asked, better to be straight to the point.

He laughed like a lion, it was as though there was a hole inside him and when he laughed the sound rumbled in the hole and gathered noise before escaping his skin.

"I'm sorry, I'm Guardian James, but you can call me Rhys." I stared at him like he was invisible and I was staring through him.

"Why are you with us Guardian James?" I wasn't here to make friends.

His Guardian face fell back into place as soon as he realized that. "The Council want me to help you and Dimitri Guard Lissa and Christian, that's all they said."

This was pushing my boundaries too far. I didn't care about the snide comments or the inappropriate glares, but questioning my profession was pushing me over the edge. I bite my lip and began staring out the window again. I did it to stop myself from screaming something to 'Rhys' that I would probably have to take back later. I would spare myself the humiliation. We went through a tunnel and my transfixed state was cut short, and I had to turn and look at Lissa. She didn't look at me straight away, but when she did I saw the sadness in them. I wish I could still fall into her head, see what was troubling her. We came out of the tunnel and I saw the Academy. It was huge with large bricks that practically sparkled in the sun. The grass was cut to perfection in the massive garden that led to the academy. It was like travelling to see a castle that was newly built. We stopped at the front of the building and were greeted by a female Guardian. It was just turning dark by the time we arrived which is what we had planned so that Lissa could see most of the Academy today then return to Court tomorrow. Lissa climbed out of the car gracefully and the Guardian bowed. "It is such a pleasure for you to come visit us Queen Dragomir. I will show you to your rooms." She began walking as soon as Christian was at my side and Dimitri was by his. We walked into the building which had high ceiling and floor length curtains which were a deep scarlet. The stairs started as one the separated to two different hall way at the top, and we went into the second. The Guardians showed Lissa and Christian their room and told us that ours were a few doors down.

We then followed the Guardian to the dining room where Lissa will meet with the Head Master named Caroline Withers. They will eat then Lissa will be showed some of the things they teach here, including some Magic lessons. Dimitri and I sank into the shadows of the walls while they ate food, casually talking about the Academy and the great things the Guardians here could offer Court. Afterwards we followed them to the training area which had more objects in than I have ever seen. Some of the dummies looked like real Strigoi. I leaned against the door and watched as the Guardians moved and bounced, some were good, but then some were amazing. They did things I have never seen before. "Shall we test one of mine against one of yours?" Caroline said and beckoned me forward. She knew me, of course she did, by the way her smile seemed nice but was really hiding jealousy.

I had to fight the Guardian that had been showing us around for the past 2 hours. She smiled at me and ran forward. I ducked her every move and threw in some of my own hits. She was brilliant, fast and quick she even caught me off guard a few times, but when you have stand up against Strigoi, Guardians aren't a challenge. I danced around with her for a while, giving her hope as she was brilliant, far better than me when I was at her stage and maybe one day would be better than I was. But when I thought the dance needed to end I did what I had to do and finished what she had started. She was a bit dazed afterwards so I helped her to her feet.

"Your brilliant, keep working at it." I announced, not really good at giving someone a well done. Caroline stuck up her nose to me as I walked back to the wall, then they carried on the tour.

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