Chapter 7

"Before I forget, here are the reports." I hand them over to Belikov, having finished our warm downs after the seven-mile run.

I was nervous meeting Belikov in the morning today – thankfully I woke up on time! – given our previous night's conversation. I wasn't sure how to act around him. On the one hand, he is my instructor. On the other hand, I'm starting to see him as more than an instructor; as he'd pointed out, we would be working closely together after my graduation. The previous night he had treated me as almost an equal. I was determined to be seen in this light again.

I needn't have worried. Belikov treated me as he'd been treating me throughout the week's morning laps. A nod of the head in greeting and a run in silence, other than the few pointers he offered here and there. I enjoyed silence. In contrast to it being awkward, I found it to be peaceful and calming. Surprisingly, these morning laps had grown on me, they were enjoyable – and not just because of the company.

"Oh right, thanks," he says, taking the reports.

His eyes start skimming through the pages. I hadn't expected him to start reading the damn reports right this second! My palms start to sweat with anxiety. "Hmm," he nods at one point in approval. "I like how you've paired Harbour's Method of Surveillance with Maxim's Modus Operandi," he says, eyes not leaving the report. "Some good points."

He flips over to the second report. Unlike the first report, I know for sure this one sucks arse! Belikov's expression gives nothing away. That is until a slow smile tugs at the corner of his lips. "A school curfew-" he finally focuses on me, laughter swimming in his eyes, "-so as to prevent unwanted teen pregnancy?" he asks slowly. I know he's holding back laughter.

"What?" I respond defensively. "It is a valid point."

"Be that as it may, your statement implies male/female relations occur within the academy. Even before teen pregnancy, the school curfew would hope to prevent the act with which it happens in the first place," he argues.

I snort. "'the act'? You can say 'sex', Belikov," I laugh. He in turn rolls his eyes – that's a first! "So, what you're really trying to say, in layman's terms if I may?" I continue without his response, "is that the school curfew is designed to promote abstinence?" I smirk.

"It's not the sole reason, but it definitely is an argument for a school curfew." He tries for a serious tone. The gleam in his eyes gives him away.

"Ha! If only you knew."

His eyes narrow. "Knew what?"

"Look, Belikov," I sigh with mock seriousness. "I appreciate the academy's attempts at keeping male and female students away from each other, but I hate to say it, if there is anything in this world that can bypass your security measures… it's hormones."

"So you're saying," he says slowly, voice dropping law causing my stomach to flutter, "sexual relations occur between students at this academy?" As we hold each other's stare, his eyes glimmer with mischief.

"My lips are sealed," I say, matching his tone. His eyes drop to my lips for the briefest moment, I almost don't catch it.

"Hmm." After a moment of silence, he continues. "Anyway, if you'd come up with some more… realistic reasons for a school curfew this would have been a decent report," he says with a small smile. "As for this one," he holds up the report on Harbour's Method of Surveillance, "I'm impressed with. Especially given the week you've had; this is really good." I grin, elated with his feedback.

"Thanks," I say, looking down at my feet.

"As for the laps, you've done well this week. You managed to run your best time today," he says, turning to face the track. "You should be proud of that."

"Thanks," I say again. "It wasn't too bad," I admit, lifting my eyes towards the sky.

I breathe in the crisp clean smell of the cold air around us. The clouds are basked in an orange glow as the sun sets, signalling the start of the academy day. I already miss the warmth of the sun's rays gently kissing my skin.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Belikov asks, voice so soft I almost don't hear it.

"Yeah." We watch the clouds shroud the ever-setting sun protectively. "Sometimes I forget the beauty of the day. I wish I'd appreciate moments like this more often," I murmur.

"I know it was a one off for you this week, but I actually run every day at this time. You're more than welcome to join me."

I'm so surprised by this invitation I simply stare at him. I watch the flicker of orange glow in his eyes. His focus shifts to me, an innocently questioning glance.

I clear my throat. "Yeah, sounds good." The softest of smiles I receive makes me feel like I'm soaring on cloud nine. "Although there's no way I'm handing in my long weekend lie ins," I say, suddenly serious. "I live for those lie ins." Belikov barks out a laugh. It's infectious.

His demeanour shifts instantly as his eyes turn to something behind me. He straightens his shoulders and it is only now I notice how close we've edged towards each other during out conversation. He takes a step away from me, striding towards whatever has caught his attention. I turn around to see two royal moroi guards advancing towards us. They are both tall, one around 6ft and the other a few inches taller. Their uniform is similar to the guards at the academy except they don navy blue with the queen's emblem stitched into their jackets.

Belikov greets them and it is clear they are already familiar with each other, clapping their hands followed by a fist bump. The royal guards do most of the talking. Belikov faces away from me, however I observe his tense shoulders and arms folded at his chest. After a couple of minutes, Belikov sighs and shakes his head. The shorter guard nods his head towards me. Belikov shifts his body so now all three men glance my way. My face burns at the attention. Belikov rubs at his neck, murmurs something to the guards before walking back to me. The guards give each other a look but say nothing.

Belikov stops when he is a feat away, forcing me to raise my head to see his face.

"There's been a couple of strigoi attacks nearby," he says solemnly. My eyes widen. "I think it would be a good idea for you to come with us, learn how guardians strategies in these situations."

"Okay," I nod, my mind reeling. Belikov's about to return to the other guards but I stall him, grabbing his arm. "Who… the attack?" I ask, my voice shaking.

He understands the question that I do not have the strength to voice aloud. His brown eyes soften. "The Badica's and Voda's. There were no survivors."

A lump forms in my throat. The Badica's are the smallest royal family after the Dragomir's – Lissa being the only surviving Dragomir. There are two Badica siblings at the academy and my heart breaks out for them. The Voda's, although a larger royal family, will no doubt also feel the loss from this attack.

My mind turns to the culprits of this attack: strigoi. Belikov must notice the change in my expression.

"Come on," he beckons. "This is Rose Hathaway," he introduces once we reach the other guards. "Rose, this is Valentin Markov-" he points to the 6ft guard, "-and Alexander Chernikov," pointing to the other. They both offer me a firm handshake, along with a grim smile given the current circumstances. "Rose will be shadowing me."

"Alright," says Valentin, while Alexander nods.

We start striding through the school grounds, the guards and Belikov immersed in conversation, the former filling us both in on the details of the attack. 5 strigoi were involved in the attacks. In both cases, they waited until the moroi were outside of the protective borders before making their move.

"A 9mm was found in one of the guardian's abdomen but autopsy results show he died from blood loss from the neck wounds," informs Valentin, entering the academy's guardian headquarters. "Same bullets found in one of the Badica's."

"The guardian and the Badica had names," I say heatedly, disgusted with how calmly he speaks of their murder.

"I know," he replies calmly, 'but their names are irrelevant at this point."

"Are you that insensitive?" I round on him.

"Look, sweetheart, I deal with these murders more often than you can imagine," he replies, not unkindly. "As a guardian, it is your duty to remain objective of the situation otherwise you'll get swallowed up into that darkness. And trust me," he finishes slowly, emphasising each word, "that's not a place you want to find yourself in." With that he enters the guards' break room, Alexander follows.

I'm rooted to the spot, accepting Valentin's harsh reality. I feel a warm hand gently touch my arm.

"We can't do anything more for the guardians and moroi we lost today," Belikov murmurs, fixing his eyes on mine. "But we can investigate these attacks and make sure we protect the rest of our people. The best investigators leave their emotions at the door and, like Val said, stay objective."

"Okay," I say.

"So they had handguns?" Belikov asks incredulously, taking his hoodie off and draping it across the back of his chair.

"Yes," says Alexander. "The same millimetres were found in the second crime scene."

"I've never heard of strigoi using handguns," I frown.

"Neither have we," says Valentin. "That is until today." He silently hands me a cup of coffee and I smile at him appreciatively. He returns my smile with his own dimpled one.

"So what does this mean for us? For moroi?" I ask, taking a seat beside Belikov.

"What do you think this means?" counters Belikov.

All three professional guardians focus on me for the second time today. I realise they're testing me and I try not to squirm at the attention. Don't get me wrong, I'm used to attention from my peers. In fact, I thrive on it! However, sitting here now with badass Belikov and two royal moroi guardians, who look just as lethal, reminds me of my place in the hierarchy of guards.

"Well…" I swallow, "if they're using handguns and attacking in groups, not only are they getting armed, but I get a sense of organisation. A planned attack." This may not sound like much but in reality this is huge. Strigoi are nomads, they never stay in one place for long, travelling in groups of three tops in search for their next victims. It is unheard of for strigoi to assembly forces and plan an attack in this way.

"Good," Belikov nods approvingly.

"On a positive note the bullets found at the scene were completely haphazard. They don't have the skill or precision with these guns," says Alexander.

"Does it really matter?" I ask. "One or two bullets are enough to scare the moroi and take guardians off guard. And maybe they don't care whether the bullet wounds are fatal or not. It's enough for them to capture their victims and make the kill, which is ultimately what they really want – to feed on their prey."

Valentin sits across from me, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly. Alexander's grey eyes analyse my form. Belikov has a look in his eyes, which I can't quite define.

"Guess you got me there," Alexander smirks.

Belikov sits back in his chair and sighs. "How many of our guys has the queen sent?"

"15." Valentin leans forwards on his elbows. "We'll rotate with you boys… and girls," he adds as an afterthought, looking at me. "Just tell us where you want us."

"Give me your list, I'll create a rota."

I miss my first lesson completely (Advanced Algebra) and walk into second period (Home Economics – don't judge me, it's an easy A!) midway through. I pass the note Belikov's written for me to Miss West, approving my lateness.

I advance towards my work station, where my partner currently stands in his blue and white stripy apron, whisking away at what appears to be cake mix.

"How's that cake coming along, Martha Stewart?" I mock, reaching down to take out my own stripy apron.

Christian glares at me with his icy blue eyes. "Where have you been?" he says through clenched teeth.

I sigh. "Guardian headquarters. I've been shadowing Belikov."

"What?!"

"What?" I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly. Really, I know it's a big deal. No novice – that I've heard of – has had the opportunity to enter the guardian headquarters, at a time like this no less.

"You must know loads about the strigoi attack," he says, intrigued. He starts bashing some Oreos in a food bag, while I merely sit beside him on my stool.

I'm not surprised news of the attack has reached the students so soon. News and gossip travels fast at the academy.

"Yeah. A bunch of royal moroi guards have been sent here for extra protection. An order direct from the queen," I add. Christian's eyes widen.

"Shit."

"Yeah."

"That must mean they expect these strigoi to linger around here. Why else would they want extra protection at the academy?" He starts mixing the Oreo rubble into the mix, forgetting I'm supposed to be helping him.

"Miss Hathaway," I hear a sugary sweet voice from behind. "You may have had an excuse to be excused from the first half of my lesson, but you are here now. I expect your full attention and participation for the remainder of this period." She offers me a smile so sweet it hurts my teeth looking at it. Meanwhile, her eyes shoot daggers. Her facial contradiction forces me to cough and cover my laugh.

"Absolutely," I say mockingly. Her eyes narrow one last time, but she says nothing, turning away.

"Hathaway," a voice yells from across the room. It's the leader of the psycho 3, Jesse Reads. I roll my eyes at him.

"What?" I snap.

"Do you have any sugar left? I need to add it to my 'Hot Belikov Soufflé'. Oops!" he covers his mouth mockingly. "I mean my 'Hot Chocolate Soufflé'."

I glare and grit my teeth. Jesse smirks evilly. I turn my back on him, not before observing a few students frown at Jesse's obvious insinuation.

"What's he on about?" Christian asks, confused but still glaring at Jesse.

"He must've seen me with Belikov and some other guards entering guardian HQ. Jealousy's a bitch," I reply, pretending to read through the cake instructions, appearing unfazed.

I try and even out my breathing, heart thrumming in my chest. Could there be more to Jesse's remark? Could he have seen me and Belikov laughing together, standing close to one another and concluded something more was going on between us? I swallow. I don't like the thought of that.

Plot's thickening. Can't wait to flesh out the new characters a little more and introduce some more characters from the series :)