I want to thank everyone for such great responses to this story, really, thank you so much!
Also, I post one a week, maybe twice depending, so if this gets enough responses I might post the next chapter before the weekend. Again, thank you very much!
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Previously:
The more time I spent away from them, away from the reminder of death, the less I would see the blood on my hands of so many people I'd killed.
It seemed that the more I distanced myself from the others, the easier it was to pretend that I wasn't being haunted by my regrets.
.
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It turns out that my wishes are never granted. It may also be possible that life hates me. It was the day after the next from the argument that I was called into the head security's office. In there was Lissa, Christian, Eddie and Dimitri and I just knew that I wasn't going to like this.
"Guardian Romero," I said as I stood behind the chairs, hands clasped behind my back. She grinned at me.
"Mazure, Guardian Castile has to go away for a couple of days, but the Princess and Lord had planned a trip to the shops. Unfortunately Castile leaving means they are down one guardian and we need one more," I almost groaned but bit it back, putting a tiny, kind smile on my face.
"I'd be happy to find someone for you," it was meant to be a hint, but I could see she didn't care.
"I would like you to take them. I'm sure that with you there they would be safe."
"I have classes." my head thumped due to the bond and I almost reached up to touch it, but I knew that Dimitri caught site of my twitching hand. I didn't want him to think that he was right, even if he was.
"I'll have somebody cover them, your rotation shifts as well. Go get some sleep so that you can be up at day break, it takes a while to get to the shops." I was obviously dismissed and pissed but nobody ever seems to care about that. I nodded my head, turned and left. The moment I was out I pulled my hair down out of its ponytail and sighed.
"I'm going to bed, seeing you all in a few hours," I sighed.
"Oh, and don't forget to dress like a girl, it is the human world after all." Lissa said and I paused, turning around, placing one hand on my hip.
"Excuse me; I am dressing like a girl!" I pouted and she raised an eyebrow.
"Sure, Rose. Just try and wear something that has colour in it." and then she turned and I poked my tongue out at her back before turning on my heels and walking away.
I was more annoyed at the fact that she thought that she could still dictate my life. I understood the fact that she'd try and tell me how to dress and scold my swearing when we were teenagers, but she had no right to anymore.
…
I frowned, going through my wardrobe. I had nothing with colour on it. Okay, I lie, I had one red crop top, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to wear that. I shrugged; I pulled on black skinny jeans, the red crop top that was quite baggy and hung off one shoulder and a black leather jacket that I hid my stakes in. I put my hair down and left it down in its waves before putting very minimal make-up on. I hated wearing the shit now.
I suppose it's now because I understood that looking your worst isn't the worst thing in the world anymore.
I sighed, nodding once at my reflection before grabbing my wallet and phone and shoving them into my pocket. Walking towards the gates, where we were meant to meet up, was kind of odd. The sun was only just breaking through the clouds, warming my cold skin. It felt really good. At this time I usually sit in the church, getting as much sun as possible. It was different feeling it warm my skin rather than getting it indirectly through a window.
As I walked past the cafeteria I ducked in quite quickly just to grab myself a tea in a take-away cup and then made way on the journey again.
I got there in no time and I waved at the others who raised an eyebrow at my appearance.
"What now? You're the one that told me to wear colour and unfortunately this is absolutely the only colour I have, so shut up and get in the damn car." I pouted and they chuckled.
"Who's driving?" I asked and Dimitri raised his hand. I nodded and got into the passenger seat.
"Coffee?" he asked as he glanced at the cup. I shook my head.
"Don't drink coffee anymore, it is tea," he raised an eyebrow in shock maybe, leaning back in my seat "hey, don't judge!" he shook his head; though I saw his lips twitch slightly.
"Not judging." he informed and I almost laughed, but instead looked out the window. Then he changed the music channel and I groaned, my head falling back against my seat.
"Why the hell couldn't your taste have changed? It's been two years, Dimitri; you think that you might have gotten a good music taste in that time." this time he did grin, pulling out of the school.
"This is good music," he informed me and I rolled my eyes.
"No, this is shit. This is nowhere near good music," I pushed a button to change it back and smiled when Ed Sheeran came onto the radio.
"Now this, this is good music," he shook his head and pushed it back. I glared at him and pushed it as well. This went on for a while before each time I went to change the station he'd slap my hand away.
"Dimitri," I whined.
"Rose," he mimicked and I glared at him.
"You suck!" and I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted.
"This is better than TV." and I rolled my eyes but sat up straight, because I'd completely forgotten that they'd been in the car. For a moment everything had been okay. For a moment I was still 17, crushing on a mentor that I shouldn't be. We weren't equals and he hadn't yet hurt me. For a moment I was where I wanted to be but shouldn't.
"This is going to be a long drive." and I sat back with a groan.
It surprisingly didn't take that long, but that could be because I fell asleep. That's right, I woke up to Dimitri shaking me and I groaned, stretching my arms above my head.
"Holy crap, it's already ten in the morning?" I asked eyes wide as I glanced at the clock.
"It's a long drive." Dimitri simply stated and I let out a huff of shock.
"But five hours?" I exclaimed and he simply shrugged.
"I can tell just how eloquent you are." I sarcastically rolled my eyes. He chuckled and we headed towards the shopping centre.
"What are we doing first?" I asked, looking around at the people cautiously. I didn't care if it was day; I think that I've gone through enough to know that the sun meant nothing. There's no safety in numbers and night-time shared its horrors with the day.
"Manicures," Lissa grinned and I nodded "and you're getting one too." she added and I suddenly paused mid-stride.
"No, see that's where you're wrong. I'm working; I can't get a manicure done," I stated, not liking this at all.
"Actually, Rose, that is your job. You are to keep a close eye on Lissa and we also have Christian to back us up, now that Moroi using magic is legal." Dimitri interrupted and I gaped at him.
"It'll get ruined in a day anyway and I'm not paying that much money for a hopeless manicure!" I crossed my arms over my chest stubbornly and Lissa rolled her eyes.
"One, I'm paying, and two, then you can get a pedicure, they're covered and aren't as likely to get ruined. Now hurry up because you're getting it whether you want it or not," she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest, mimicking my stance. I groaned and rolled my eyes. I was doing that a lot lately.
"Cheer up, Rose, it's just a pedicure, how bad can it be?" I glared at Christian.
Torturous. That's how it can be; torturous. I'd rather take on Strigoi any given day than sit back and have people clean my feet for me. Don't get me wrong, it felt good, but sitting next to Lissa in an awkward silence was not. That bit was, well, awkward.
"So uh, you seem to like working at St Basils," she said and I nodded, smiling at her.
"Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I've made some nice friends and I really enjoy it, the students aren't as bad as you'd think they are and I like that I know I can prepare them as much as I can for the outside world." she nodded, smiling at me.
"How about what you are doing? How's the project going?" I asked her and she nodded, her emerald eyes lighting up.
"It's good, it's going really good. Tatiana accepted the project last year, from then it was getting other members of the council to agree and this year we've been going around and introducing it in school. We first had to teach some adults of course, but Christian and Tanya mostly did that. And then they went to school and we're introducing them to as many academies as we can. I think the best thing is finding so many other spirit users." I nodded my head, smiling because I knew just how happy she was about this.
"I'm really happy for you, Lissa." I said sincerely.
"So, how did you meet Father Maars?" Lissa said and I grinned at the memory, almost laughing.
"Oh, I was just some chick who managed to punch a priest in the face." I laughed, shaking my head while she gaped at me.
"You punched him in the face?" she gaped, mouth popping open and I grinned.
"In my defence he asked for it, like actually asked for it. I was sitting at the fountain and this guy ran over squealing, practically shaking from terror and he was just telling me to punch him, I had no idea what the hell he wanted until I saw it," I stopped to laugh slightly "he had a spider on his face, ran into a spider web, and you know my fear of spiders," I shook my head "I didn't really mean to punch, but it was there and it was near me and he was screaming so I just—just punched him. We've been friends ever since." I shrugged and Lissa laughed as well.
"Only you, Rose. Only you." she said, shaking her head and I smirked before a thought popped into my head.
"Hey, Lissa…how's, umm, how's Adrian?" I know that he had been probably the most hurt when I left. He wasn't in the group yelling session because he just left. He didn't want to speak to me, and I haven't since.
"Oh, he's good. He's doing well," I nodded, smiling slightly. In the end I'd been closer to Adrian than Lissa because I couldn't lie to Adrian, and in the end that was what I needed the most.
"What has he been doing?" I asked her and I saw her begin to fidget.
"Well, he's been a great help to the project, he was the main reason Tatiana agreed to it, and uh, and he's engaged now," my eyes opened widely. Wow.
"Wow," I guess I wasn't that eloquent "wow, that's—that's great. Really, that's amazing. I'm so glad he's happy, what's she like?" I asked and Lissa smiled.
"She's really nice; he cleaned up completely for her. He's still the same perverted, wise ass but he's…better, I suppose. She's helped him a lot, and she's uh, she's an alchemist," my eyebrows rose up my forehead because, wow, that's even more of a shock. Alchemists hated us. They thought we were evil, blood sucking, soulless creatures of the night. Or, at least, all the ones I've come into contact with the over the years have been.
Of course Adrian would fall for one.
"Well, as long as they're happy than I'm glad for him," I stated and she smiled.
"You should call him, speak to him, I'm sure he'd be glad to talk to you," I bit my lip before shaking my head.
"No, I really don't think he would be," I smiled at her, though I was upset.
"Well, what do you want to do after this?" I was thankful she changed the subject.
"What about a movie? We are staying at a hotel tonight since it will be too late to drive back so we have time to waste." I suggested and she nodded, shrugging her shoulder.
"Sure, I haven't seen one in ages," I nodded, getting kind of excited. It wasn't often I got to do something 'fun'.
"I know same here." we both smiled widely at each other before falling into an easy conversation. In a way it hurt yet it felt really good to catch up with her. It hurt because I know that she will be leaving soon and I know that the contact probably won't be held. I have my life now and she had hers. That's just the way that it is.
"Rose…why don't you come back to the court with us? Guard me or teach something there?" I looked at her in shock.
"Lissa…" I wasn't sure how to approach it "I'm happy where I am. I don't think I want to go back to the court. It's just," I paused, not sure how to continue, but she smiled at me.
"No, no, I get it, I do understand but you can't blame a girl for trying, can you?" I just smiled at her.
…
"You know I can't buy anything, Lissa. It will be night when we leave, I have to truly work now," she grumbled but understood, seeing the firm look on my face and knowing I wouldn't change my mind.
"Fine." she pouted.
"I'll help you find things though, if you want?" I added and she nodded, grinning again and I chuckled.
"Has your fashion changed much?" I asked and she shook her head.
"Just, not as short for dressed and skirts and such," she stated and I nodded, laughing slightly.
I began to scan through the racks of clothes, Chris unwillingly following behind Lissa, giving comments when she held them up. What a good boy he is.
"You and Lissa seem to be getting on better," Dimitri walked over to me, though his eyes were almost always focused on Lissa. You wouldn't realise it of course, he was doing the 'looking without actually looking'. I knew because I was doing the same thing.
"Yeah, we spoke," I shrugged one shoulder before holding up a top, looking at him questioningly. He shook his head and I nodded.
"Thought so." and I put it back.
"Well, has everything been settled?" he persisted and I smirked at him.
"If you mean are we still on rocky ground then no, we are not, although it got a bit awkward when she asked me to come back and guard her," I stated and he paused, staring at me and I almost felt my heart flip. No, this isn't happening again. My heart does not flip anymore. Not for him.
"What did you say?" I stared at him for a moment, his eyes boring into my own with an almost hopeful look trying to be hidden behind his eyes. I couldn't help but notice just how good he looked. His brown hair was down, falling to his shoulders, he wore a black V-neck, jeans and his duster. His normal, bad ass, cowboy looking clothes.
"That I like where I am now. That I can't just leave everything at St Basils, I have friends and a life there now." I stated and for a moment he looked disappointed.
"Understandable," I smirked at him.
"But not the answer you wanted." I stated and he shrugged.
"What I want doesn't matter, I know that Lissa wants you back, she wants her sister," I rolled my eyes, almost frustrated now.
"Of course you're back to that." I grumbled in slight frustration, holding another top up and despite the coming argument he still nodded, saying he liked the top. I found her size and threw it over my arm.
"Back to what?" he insisted and I sighed.
"Back to the fact that what you want doesn't matter. That dhampir's desires mean crap all!" he raised an eyebrow.
"Don't they?" I turned to face him, having to crane my neck to stare up at him because we were that close.
"No, no they don't. I love my job and I'm dedicated completely to working, but no, dhampir's desires don't mean crap all. We still have feelings, we aren't emotionless robots!" I snapped, staring at him in a way that dared him to say I was wrong. He didn't. But he also didn't get the chance.
"Uh, are we interrupting something?" I looked over to see Christian.
"No" I said the same time Dimitri said "Yes" I rolled my eyes again as Lissa looked between us both.
"What about these?" I asked, holding the two shirts and shorts I'd found out to her. She looked at them, nodding her head eagerly.
"Yeah, I love them!" I smiled at her and then watched as Christian and Lissa walked away to pay for them.
"And that's why I can't guard them!" I snapped and he raised an eyebrow again, crossing his arms across his chest and staring down at me.
"Whys that?" he asked and I looked at him in exasperation.
"Because, you say something and I get annoyed and then we argue, though it's not really an argument, and then I stop focusing on my job and her!" I rambled and then turned, going to turn around when he stopped by grabbing my hand and spinning me around.
"Just—come back, Rose. She misses you," I stared at him and bit my lip.
"Who misses me, Dimitri? Lissa, or you?" I then turned and walked back over to her.
…
You could say that the movie was a tiny bit awkward after that. I was sat between Dimitri and Lissa, Christian beside her. And of course it was Lissa's pick and she chose a romance. I almost groaned, sliding down in my chair and shoving candy into my mouth.
"Oh my god, just fucking kiss!" I exclaimed at one point, throwing my hands up in frustration.
"Rose!" Lissa scolded, loving the movie while I rolled my eyes, Christian and Dimitri looked just as bored as me.
"Not liking the movie?" Dimitri asked, whispering into my ear. I looked at him as if he was insane.
"What the hell do you think?" I asked and he simply chuckled, offering me some M&M's. I grabbed a few and shoved them in my mouth.
"Slow down, the movie still has another hour." he chuckled and I groaned.
"Just put me in a pit full of rabid geese, I'd rather let them slowly pick at my flesh," I whispered back and he chuckled, patting my knee.
"Only you would realise Geese would be the worst way to die." and we both laughed quietly.
…
"Thank fuck that is over," I said as it ended, standing and stretching my arms above my head.
"Rose, language!" Lissa scolded and I rolled my eyes.
"Come on, we'll get something to eat and then leave, we have to be at the hotel by nine." it was five now.
"You can still eat after shoving your face full with candy?" Chris asked and I glared at him.
"No, I'm not eating, but you two need to, so shut up and head towards a restaurant!" I ordered and he rolled his eyes but did as I said.
"Rose, are you okay?" Dimitri asked as we began to walk towards the car. He could see just how tense I was, and now that it was almost eight at night not many people were around. In fact there was practically no one.
I could feel my spider senses tingling, something wasn't right. Not right at all.
"I don't—" and then I felt it. The horrible feeling of throwing up in my gut.
"Strigoi." I hissed and immediately Dimitri and I place Lissa and Christian between us.
I got my stake out, ready to protect them, but when I saw them it was almost too hard. I could feel Dimitri tense completely besides me, his body stilling.
"Rosemarie," the blonde Strigoi looked to Dimitri "and Dimitri. What a nice surprise."
"Nathan," I hissed in anger, the pain of the memories ripping through me. The pain at seeing Dimitri practically dead in my arms. It hurt, the memories were the worst bit.
"You remember me, I'm quite flattered." he grinned.
"Dimitri, get them to the car!" I ordered and felt him finally move.
"I won't leave," he stated and I elbowed him.
"You're their guardian, I'm not, now get them to safety!" I hissed again, seeing Nathan chuckle. I was trying not to outright panic, but it was getting harder and harder the longer I saw the bastard stay calm.
"Be careful, Rose." Dimitri placed a hand on my shoulder before jogging away with Lissa and Christian.
"Bye, Dimitri, I hope to see you again soon," the bastard actually fucking waved.
"Oh, and you too Princess!" he called almost as an afterthought.
Then I was left alone with him. With the bastard that ruined my only ever hope of having happiness in life.