To everyone's surprise, including my own, I actually took Guardian Davis' offer and would stop by one of his Combat classes every now and then. I didn't talk much, mostly watched their sparring and offer a suggestion or two, but I felt a little better in the school. The other Guardians seemed to give my opinion great consideration, and that was great for a Guardian my age.

My superior, Guardian Petrov, seemed to take great care in her duty and I greatly respected her for it. It is always refreshing to see a female Dhampir remain so dedicated to this position. Growing up in Baia, I was constantly reminded of the hard life female Dhampirs were dealt. My Mother in particular was a cold reminder of how things can go terribly wrong. My sisters walk a thin line back home, and from what I have gathered here, so have the girls at the school. Call it whatever you want, but I always feel a strong desire to protect female Dhampirs from the world.

I walked with the crowd into Church. I've never been big on religion, I prefer the concrete world in front of me, but I have found a kind of calm in the services. Everyone is quiet and reflective, whether they are there for true religious needs or for familial obligation, and I enjoy the moment. I never take communion, feeling as if my past with Ivan and the many Strigoi deaths by my hands should not taint the holy water. Until I forgive myself for my mistakes, I should not accept The Body of Christ.

Once services were over, I stayed behind while everyone filed out. After Church they are usually rowdy and I would rather miss that part of my Sunday. I wasn't due at my patrolling station for another 2 hours, so maybe I will stay here for a while and soak in the quiet.

Just as I relaxed in the pew, I felt someone's eyes on the back of my head. I turned around and saw Guardian Petrov walking towards me. I stood up and she waved me back down to sit. I waited until she joined me in the pew before I sat down with her.

"Good morning," she said, offering me a peaceful smile.

"Morning," I answered, wondering why she was in here. I never see her in Church and I am not sure if it is because of personal or professional reasons. It is not my place to ask anyway.

"I have received a new assignment for you," she said, staring forward at the pulpit.

I remained quiet. I knew this would happen the moment I started feeling comfortable here. In fact, it is a good thing they are doing this because if I get too comfortable, I will forget what the world is like outside these walls.

"Due to your performance here and based on the recommendations of me and your peers, we would like to offer you the position of becoming a personal Guardian again. You would be protecting Princess Vasilisa Dragomir," Guardian Petrov said. She finally turned toward me and stared at me as I processed this information.

I am aware of the Princess's story. Even when I was out there with Ivan, we heard about the terrible accident. The Princess was the last of her line, but I did not understand why she needed a Guardian now. She should still be in school.

"Excuse me for asking, but why would she need a personal Guardian? If I'm remembering correctly, she should still be protected by the Guardians at whichever school she is attending."

"That is the problem," Guardian Petrov said, turning back to stare at the front of the Church. "The Princess and her friend ran away from school one year ago. She actually ran away from here one year ago. She should be protected by the school Guardians if only she were with us, but she is God-knows-where at this point."

My breath caught. Missing for one whole year? "How do we know if she is even alive?" I asked before I could catch myself.

At this, Guardian Petrov smiled, "Her friend Rose is with her. Rosemarie Hathaway."

Hathaway, I thought. Guardian Hathaway had a daughter? I had heard stories of Guardian Hathaway's accomplishments even back when I was at school, but had no idea she had a daughter.

"I know that name sounds familiar to you," Guardian Petrov said without even looking at me, "and her record here would suggest otherwise, but I assure you: there is no doubt in my mind that Rose has kept Vasilisa safe despite all odds."

"When was the last time you guys looked for them?" I asked her.

"After they were missing for 4 months, Headmistress Kirova called off the search. All Guardians in the area were notified of their disappearance in case they ran into the girls, but for the most part, they were considered gone," Guardian Petrov said this with a slightly sour edge to her voice. She obviously did not agree with the Headmistress's decision. "After the accident that took out most of the Dragomir family, there was a lot of care provided to the Princess, but she either ran away or was so caught up in Miss Hathaway's plan that she walked away. Look, before you get the wrong idea, I would like you to come by my office after today's shift and pick up their packets if you want to accept this position."

"Why start the search again? Why now?" I asked.

"There has been royal pressure to reopen their investigation. Prince Victor Dashkov has put in a formal request to the Guardian Counsel, and you know what that man means," Guardian Petrov said with a sigh. Of course I knew what that meant. Once a royal puts in a specific 'request,' it immediately becomes our orders. To protect and serve. Moroi come first. "By accepting this assignment, you will lead a new search for the Princess. When you find her, she is to return back to school here where you will still be her sanctioned Guardian, but join back with the school Guardians until she leaves the grounds."

"Understood," I said, immediately making a mental list of what needs to be done. I already knew that I would accept this assignment. The Princess needs protection, and I am more than willing to provide that for her, "I will see you after my shift. Thank you Guardian Petrov."

She smiled and turned back to me, "Please, call me Alberta. I will see you later Guardian Belikov. I have information on both the Princess and Rosemarie you should look over."

With a goodbye nod, she stood up and left the Church. I remained for a few more minutes before I got up and went on my shift early.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I had clearance to form a search party of 10 - myself included. I was to use school Guardians whenever I leave campus, and I had to inform the Guardian Counsel of every move I made. I was fine with these conditions, I just wish I had more to work with than 6 month old data. 1 year is a long time for them to have been on the run already. I walked into my room and placed their folders on my desk. Shrugging off my duster, I went into the bathroom to shower before I really dove into this assignment.

Once I was dried off and into my pajama bottoms, I returned to the packet of my new assignment. It was to a 'Princess Vasilisa Dragomir.' I picked up her folder and looked at her picture again. Picking up Rosemarie's packet, I could automatically feel the difference. This girl likes trouble. How these two are friends I will never know. Sure, Vasilisa has a few transgressions, but Rosemarie must be a regular in the office. In her picture, it looks like she is daring the photographer to test her. Plus, she has dark hair.

I sighed and brought her packet with me to my bed. I pulled out incident after incident of drinking, out after curfew, problems with authority… this could be a problem. I calculated her age and noticed she was 2 weeks away from her 17th birthday. I took out Rosemarie's picture and looked at her again. Something about her set off warning bells in my head.

I decided I had to set out immediately. In the morning I will tell Alberta who I wanted in my search party, and get moving. Princess Vasilisa needed to come home.