We awoke the next day early to hit the slopes. Christian wanted to go ski the big slopes so we went to the desk and got the things we would need. We walked up to the lifts and got on riding it to the highest slope. We ended up skiing for a few hours before going back in and setting on the couch sipping short chocolate as we watched the snow fall in heavy drifts."So tell me why did you want to come all the way out here anyway?" Christian asked curiously. "I just needed a break man courts been so hectic with the new laws and all that coming in and I wanted to talk to you about maybe teaching a few classes on defensive magic at court." I told him honestly. His face lit up at the idea. "Me, a teacher?" He asked laughing. "Christian only a few people know defensive magic you could help so many people! The strigoi are getting smarter we must as well." He seemed to think about it for a few minuets before finally agreeing. "Ok on one condition" he said. "What's that?" I asked mildly curious. "I want you to teach us combat as well" he said dead serious. I thought for a moment sure moroi were weaker but I also knew if we expected them to go up against the strigoi they would need to know at least some basic self defence. I knew that he was waiting for me to answer so i gave him a curt nod. I had christian on board now all i needed was voulunteers. It shouldnt be hard to find, more moroi were wanting to get involved they just didnt know how. Once the snow cleared up me and Christian walked back to the private jet that was waiting for us. The ride back was longer due to the wind so I laid back and closed my eyes. When the plane landed I was excited to be back home. I said a quick goodbye to Christian and walked back to our little apartment a smile on my face. I knew Rose would be getting up soon so I grabbed the eggs out and began making breakfast. I whisked a dozen eggs and started making scrambled eggs and bacon before setting the coffee to brew. Getting out roses favorite glass I pour her a cup of coffee holding it out for her as I hear her pad across the kitchen. "Morning my beautiful Roza" I place a kiss to her temple before smiling handing her a plate filled with her favorite breakfast taking my own cup of coffee and breakfast to the table. "So I talked to Christian, he's all for the new school at court have you talked to the queen about it yet?" I asked hopefully I knew it was a iffy subject given all the controversy on the topic. Offensive magic had not been practiced in many years. To me it made the moroi and even easier target. The moroi needed to find a way to protect themselves in the off chance their guardians were to fall. A few still knew it though and before all offensive magic is lost we need to teach them how to use it in their defense. Many shared mine and Rozas view on this but their was also many who did not, most of thoes being the royal moroi who don't want to get their hands dirty. "Yes comrade and she agrees she is going to bring it up to the council tomorrow at their meeting" I seen the satisfied smirk on roses lips. Once lissa was crowned queen she had started giving the dhampires more of the treatment many think we deserve and as such has added a few dhampires into the council Rose and Eddie being some of them. Eddie had been assigned to Mia Renaldi right out of school and has stuck by her side ever sense. They had started dating a few years ago and were now engaged. I guess that's what happens when you spend so much time in close quarters with someone. Mia had been practicing offensive magic as well and Eddie was supposed to talk to her as well about teaching the water users how to defend with their magic. Mia is a spitfire when it comes to thoes she holds near and dear. She has helped Eddie a few times when their were to many strigoi for just him to handle. A few guardians including myself have been tracking strigoi movement and it seems like they are starting to migrate toward court more and more these days. Now groups of strigoi working together in this magnitude was practically unheard of yet there were groups still trying to infiltrate court. Though none have succeeded people are demanding action. As dhampires numbers drop more and more strigoi are born we alone do not have the numbers to take out such a group as large as the one forming. Guardians are being flown in from all over to try and help eliviate the problem but the number if strigoi to guardians are almost double. We know we could defeat them but at what cost. After breakfast we both headed out for our shift lissa had wanted to go outside of court so we would need the extra hands. We all loaded up in the SUVs and left court lissa chatting happily with rose as I drove. We pulled up to the strip mall and got out walking inside me trailing silently behind the girls as we went store to store rose and lissa tried on dress after dress for the Christmas ball in just a few short weeks. Christian and I just rolled our eyes at our silly girls but had a smile on none the less. I looked up just in time to see rose admiring a beautiful infinity diamond necklace before sighing and walking away from it a look of sadness on her face. Being the queens guard we were paid fairly well but rose could never see spending money on things she didn't need. I walked up to the counter and got the necklace for rose stashing it into my pocket before catching up to the group Christian giving me a what the hell look and I shook my head mouthing I will show you later at him. He gave me a small smile and nod as we followed the girls into a tux shop apparently it would be mine and Christians turn to try on things for the ball. I was never big on dressing up and rose knew it. We each picked out a simple black tux in our size and tried them on. I swear Roses jaw hit the floor as wide as it went when I walked out. I had a smirk on my face. "Dear Roza you may want to close your mouth you'll attract flies my love" I could hear lissa snickering beside me that is until Christian walked out. "OH MY GOD BABE YOUR SO HANDSOME!" Lissa cooed a grin on her face. I had to chuckle at the uneasy look on his face. I sent him a friendly smile while the girls went to find us ties. Once we finished checking out we headed to the food court for lunch after setting our bags down we headed to little Russia and I ordered my favorite bilini and black bread while rose ordered pelmeni and black bread. I had to laugh at lissa and christian whose mouth held a grimace at our food choice. We chose a table near the door and started eating. "So lissa how do you think the council will react to the news of court academy?" She sat up straighter a bit and had a hard set to her face. "I don't care" she stated matter of factly. "Look ,we can't sit around forever and let you guys fight our battle something needs to change. We have the abilities to help you so why not help? Because someone is to afraid? No we all need to get off our butts and fight for our lives. If we expect you to we should as well" I could see the fierce determination in her eyes and a great sense of pride washed through my body. I had known Vasilisa would make a great queen. I had hope for the first time in quite a long time that we would all be ok. For the past few months everyone has been living in fear of the beasts that haunt your nightmares but finally we may have a chance at actually defeating them.