Chapter 4

Alberta turned to look at me, her eyes seemed to exam me as she gestured to the seat in front of her desk, I took it and she sat on the other side.

"Your sure seem to pick out the trouble don't you Rose?" she sighed then her guardian face was back on, all business. She referred to some notes in her hand

"It turns out that Mark and Olena weren't kidding when they say he was a bit mad, he has been seen raving about people following him, banging his head on the sidewalk, he has been accused of several things such as property damage in the town near where he..Uh...lives. The charges have never been made stick, it isn't clear why in the file... maybe compulsion could be something to do with it? The townsfolk are suspicious of him because he only walks around the outskirts of town and only at night." She paused, glancing up from the page to look at me. Clearing her throat she placed the paper back on the table and continued. "Also someone had attempted to clear his file of the server, though obviously they didn't quite succeed." Hmm I wonder who that could've been. "Apart from these incidents he is somewhat of a hermit, it isn't in his file where he lives but he usually appears around a section of forest that lies on the edge of the town." Well, she had sure 'dug something up'.

"So, where abouts is this forest?" It was a minor detail that she had left out of the briefing,

"It's about 40 minutes from the Royal Court" Well, that helps,

"That sure makes things easier. Is there anything else?"

"Yes,"

"Erm, what?" Geez, didn't anyone ever say things straight anymore?

"There has been another attack Rose. This can't go on much longer, the next time there is an attack the school is sending some guardians to go ... hunting."

She looked down and started sorting through the things on her desk, allowing me to process what she was saying.

"No, give me some more time," I blurted, voice unsteady. "Please, you can't do this." Her weary eyes flashed reminding me what a bad-ass guardian she was, after all she was Dimitri's boss.

"Rose, do you really think that I want to kill him? , if there is a chance to bring him back?" Her voice was starting to become dangerous and as I started to shrink back into my chair I once again wished that I had the ability to keep my mouth shut. "He was one of the most promising young guardians, but Rose he is killing humans and Moroi AND Dhampirs, they are all innocent. It can't go on, it isn't fair for you to think otherwise." She took a deep breath and continued. "Now the other guardians wanted to out now but I managed to stall until the next attack so we have a better idea of where...the Strigoi.. is. So that's how long you have got, use the time well and tell me what your plans are." She stood up, turned her back and walked out of the room, obviously dismissing me. So I got up and followed her out the door, looking at the clock I saw that there wasn't long left until lunch break so I decided not to go back to class, instead I walked, thinking.

Alberta was right, I was being selfish wanting to keep Dimitri out there, I still wasn't used to the idea of him actually killing people. So now the question was, how did I get to court?

I decided to start with Adrian, after all he had got us there before. I knocked on his door and I heard a slurred 'come in' called from beyond it. I poked my head in and was greeted by the disgusting but familiar clove garlic smoke and, as usual it was mixed with alcohol.

"Hey Little Dhampirs" I grimaced as I saw him patting the couch next to where he sat, bottle in hand. I decided to take the chair across from him, the safest option really. "Cutting class?"

"No" I said defensively, "well yes, Adrian I need to get to court which means that Lissa and Christian will also need to come."

"Oh, well that's" easy, he said sarcastically. Smart-ass. "Seriously all you're asking me to do is get the Academies jet ready to fly on their airstrip as well as making a space in the Courts agenda to land two Moroi and one Dhampirs visit to the Royal Court for no apparent reason. Yeah, right." Okay I knew he was crazy but I thought he would have known better than to push me right now.

"Fine, I will go and find some other guy who wants to help" I said coolly. His eyes widened and I stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

Well, that was the shortest visit with Adrian I had had in a while.

The bell signalling lunch rang and I made my way to the commons, sensing Lissa was in with the feeders I leant against the wall outside, looking at the line I decided I wasn't really hungry today, maybe I would just grab some French fries...and a doughnut. Christian emerged from the door and I saw his arm and then Lissa follow him out. They were having a lovey-dovey conversation so I resorted to the Rose attitude.

"Ugh sorry to interrupt but some of us still want to eat after this conversation" Lissa blushed and Christians head jerked my way, I could see a witty retort forming so I got in first.

"Save it, we've got work to do." I set off towards the lunch line and could sense them behind me, they weren't hungry after blood so they grabbed a piece of fruit each. My stomach felt a bit squeamish so I got the same. We got a quiet spot and put our heads together. I filled them in on the news with Robert Doru, I sensed that Lissa had told Christian most of what I had told her but I didn't really mind.

"So, we have to get to court" Lissa thought aloud, it wasn't really a question but I nodded anyway. "Well, we could try Adrian." I shook my head.

"No, he won't help us." My voice was cold but I couldn't help it, Lissa looked surprised and studied me.

"Ok then." She turned her gaze to Christian.

"Have you got a suit?"

"Erm, yes." He said wearily, I couldn't blame him I could see the idea forming in her mind.

"I have been invited to Princess Voda's birthday, it's four days from now so we could probably get there in two, the invite said I could take three people but I don't think they will mind if I only take two." Her plan wasn't bad actually, a perfect cover, I sighed.