Chapter 3

I knew Lillith had always been sociable and for everyone, even for me, was so adorable that you couldn't refuse her anything, but it was still shocking to see how in less than an hour in which we all stayed together, she became best friends with Viktoria, Lissa already invited her to a shopping trip, Tasha said that as long as she was in Court, she could stay at our house and Eddie and Dimitri were already teaching her fighting tactics. But, as was always happening, no one, not even me, could blame her for this. If she wasn't a human, I would have firmly believed that she was a master of Spirit. Even Abe seemed attached to her!

There was a rushing noise on the hall and all the guardians snapped to attention, jumping to their feet. Surprisingly enough, Lillith was in pace with them, far quicker than the Moroi. The two guard at the door stepped back to let some of the Queen's personal guards in the room. One of them, looking terribly serious and deadly, glanced around the room and when he saw Lillith, his eyes dropped to the floor.

'Her Majesty summons you to her chamber, miss.'

'Why?' I couldn't help asking.

'None of your business, Guardian Hathaway.'

Before I could even feel offended, Lillith shot him an icy look and he dropped his eyes in front of me, nodding his apologizes. I looked from him to my old friend, so shocked that I forgot to breath. The Royal Guard just apologized to me because of a human? I tried to remember what Lillith's parents were. Something like, world emperors? As if she could read my thoughts, she started laughing.

'Nothing like this. But all Moroi world needs humans. And as I am responsible for diplomacy between us and you and I am also the most loyal of them so far, they have to show some respect.' Her voice dropped low, as just us to hear, and not the Royal Guard. 'I do hope this will stay like this. I don't think I could stand being treated like who I really am.'

None of us could help but smile. She turned to face all of us, turning her back to the Guard and to the Moroi. 'I will need fighting practice. Would you mind helping me?' All of us blurred out quick 'yes'-s and with a dazzling sweet smile, she winked and went out with the Guard.

I didn't get to see her very often in the next days, though we lived in the same house. Once in a while, the Royal Guard was coming to pick her up for a meeting, but as her practice was advancing, their number dropped. The thought that maybe Tatiana was sending her own guard to defend a human in her won Court made me, again, see the stunningly deep problem with which we were confronting. Humans were like air for us. In the few days that passed, all the paper work was given to humans, as well as some teaching jobs. Just with the redistribution of the guardians, we managed to block three attacks from Strigoi, thing that wouldn't have ever been possible without humans. The Guards' reactions didn't seem so weird anymore. Lillith was really important, maybe more important than half the royals together.

Thinking about her, and especially about her fighting skills, that were surprisingly close to mine when I had started the lessons with Dimitri, I found myself on the way to the gym. Not very shocking, she was there with Dimitri. I looked at them for a while, admiring the forceful kicks of my Russian god and the almost gracefully fends of my old friend.

'You must attack, Lily.' Dimitri ordered. Had he just called her 'Lily'? When exactly did they reach a nickname basis? 'Neither of us is even worn off. What are you expecting, the sun to come out and do your work?'

'You know I can't attack. It's… too fast. I can't fend at the same time.' she seemed breathlessly, still, it was a shock even that she could keep up with his pace.

Dimitri changed the strategy so fast that even I couldn't see it coming. His arms, shot in an attack, tried to grip her. She sensed it at the last moment and shoved herself back, managing just to stumble into a wall. Dimitri didn't waste the opportunity. He was pressed against her body in no time.

'You die if you don't attack. I know you can. Remember when we first met, about… eight years ago?'

Even with his body pressed firmly against hers, and I knew he was anything but light, she managed to laugh and throw him a smile. Even from over the gym, I could see the glittering in her eyes.

'How would I be able to forget? Damn, you looked so good at seventeen. I think I dreamt about you whole years after that holiday.'

She knew him? She met him when he was seventeen? Lucky her. I wished I was in her place. Then I realized that she was flirting. My mouth dropped. Suddenly, their position didn't seem just instructing anymore. They were too close, much too close. I tried to glance into his mind, to see if he was going to let this happen, but I found a shield around him. When did he and Lissa practice that? On the other hand, maybe it was better. He didn't know I was there. After a short pause, he laughed too.

'Then you remember enough. That time, when Tasha tried to blackmail me into going out with her… Ozera were a respectable family then. She had two guards, thankfully both had just graduated. Do you remember?'

She growled slowly. 'Clay and Michael. I saw them around here. They were about to have a heart attack. I had beaten all three of them before you could even get over the shock of her blackmailing you.'

I couldn't help gasping in shock. She, a ten-years-old human defended a seventeen-years-old fighting god dhampire? And she beat two guardians and a fire Moroi so hard that they were still afraid of her? Well, maybe not that afraid, since Tasha seemed so friendly with her. I knew she had always been a badass, but if it wasn't Dimitri whom she talked to, I wouldn't have believed a word.

'See? You can do it. Now just attack me.'

She looked at her stunned, like a little dear caught in the light then started giggling. 'I didn't mean I can't attack someone. A Strigoi would be dead even before he sees it coming. I wanted to say that I can't attack you. Even if I would be strong and fast enough to beat you, I would never do this.'

My heart stopped. I was aching to go right there and slap here. But I had to see what was going to come.

'Why?' he asked, suddenly breathlessly.

'Do you really need to ask?' I didn't hear her words, but they were clear on her lips.

I stared for what seemed an eternity. It probably seemed so too for Lillith, because her eyes dropped to the floor, her lips opened for a heavy sigh. Sadness was painted all over her face. Impossibly, my heart ached at that. She looked so small and sad there, like she needed someone to love her… She tried to push Dimitri aside, not caring if she used force. He did stumble a step back, but he immediately shoved her back into the wall. Her eyes shot up, a small yelp of surprise escaping her lips. I knew what she was seeing. His fiery, intense eyes locked on hers. His head descended the slightest bit and her lips immediately rose for his touch. I thought I would die when his velvet lips kissed her gentle or when her fingers tangled in his silky hair or when his steel body began to press against hers once again.

Surprisingly, it was her who ended the kiss. She pushed him back and this time he didn't resist. She picked up her stuff and, when he didn't move, she giggled lightly. She kissed his cheek softly then turned to leave.

I waited until she was far enough from the gym then attacked her from behind. Better said, tried to attack her. It was as if she was expecting this. She blocked me easily and shoved me on the ground. The impact made my head vibrate. Damn, she was strong. I couldn't do anything but stare at her. After an endless time, sharp tears stung my eyes. That made me even angrier.

'Why on earth did you do this?' I asked in a cracked voice.

She looked at me… apologetic? But her eyes didn't cast down, as if she was sure of herself. I had always hated that looked. It made me feel like I knew nothing, like there was so much more that she hided from me that made her right and me wrong. 'I know how it looked like. But I swear I won't try to steal him. Aside, he loved you much too much. You'll see that my reason is completely different.'

'He loves me? Damn it, he kissed you!' I hissed, picking myself up.

She looked at me as if I made a joke. 'And? Rose, you forget with who you're talking. He is mad after you. I'm here for over a week and I could barely make him kiss me. Being anyone else, he would have led me to his bed from the first day.' I had to look horrified at the thought, as Lillith's eyes lost a little of their hardness. 'I won't ever reach there, I swear. You'll see, Rose, he is not my reason for doing this. Please, believe me.'

Her voice turned pleading at the last words. The sorry in her eyes… Again, it stunned me how much she resembled a child, how much I wanted to defend her. My mind pulled 'Spirit' from the memory, but I shoved the thought away. She was just a human. Still, unbelievably I felt like I was about to believe her. What was wrong with me? She approached and helped me to my feet. Her hand remained in mine for a moment, as her eyes burnt into mine. Hell, I wasn't going to let this happen! I hitch my hand out of hers and I slapped her as hard as I could. Though she surely could, she didn't try to stop me. Her head flashed to one side under my force, but she was again looking at me in the next second, a huge grin on her face. Impossibly, I felt myself smile too. I turned on my heels and stormed from near her, as she was shouting 'Thanks.' What was wrong with me?

Don't kill me! =)) This had to happen... but I promise a hot Rose&Dimitri scene in the next chapter to make up for it. Because I love you so so much -3 reviews in half a day? you're amazing :X - I'll give you an idea about what's happening. Belle asked if I'm not a fan of Adrian. Actually, I am. And Lillith&Dimitri here has something to do with him, though there will be many things happening before what will be revealed. Again, SORRY for it =)) and please don't kill me too much. Please give me some tips about what to do with Viktoria... I'm out of ideas with her.