In the first chapter I learned that the author was Anna's husband. His name was James Rockwell. I had to skip a couple of chapters. I would go back later when I had time. I needed to know about her powers pacifically. About a fourth of a way into the book I found a promising chapter 'Being Shadow-Kissed'.
'We were being attacked by Strigoi. I was behind, and Anna was in front of Vlad. We were almost finished finishing them off when a Strigoi was too much for Anna. He caught her by surprise and snapped her neck' Here I winced. It was a lot like what happed to Mason. 'I continued to fight the Strigoi and out of my peripheral vision I saw Vlad bend down over Anna's body. I was too upset over the loss of my wife to look anymore. I had to avenge her murder.
'After the Strigoi had been staked and burned I walked over to Anna and Vlad. The most wonderful thing that I had ever seen happened. Vlad had his hand resting on Anna's neck. She started moving her fingers and her eyes fluttered open. Vlad looked weak suddenly. I wanted to be with Anna but Moroi come first. I helped him sit down on the ground. He looked as if he could faint-' I stopped here to start skimming.
'As time went on, Anna and I continued to kill Strigoi. The more she killed, the more strange things happened. After a couple of months, Anna said that she was seeing her brother who had died when she was a little girl. I first thought that something was seriously the matter with Anna until she proved that the ghosts were real. The more time that passed the more she was able to do with the ghosts. Two months after the first sighting and the ghosts were able to talk to her. Then, she was able to touch and feel them.
'Then there was another attack. We were fighting when I saw a blank look come into Anna's eyes. She continued fighting but I knew something was the matter. Her stake was floating a couple of yards in front of her. It was attacking the Strigoi on it's own. I didn't know if it was hers or Vlad's doing but whatever it was it seemed to fight off the Strigoi better. I walked over to Anna to ask if she was all right but she didn't respond. She just stood there staring at nothing in particular. I shook her. Then out of nowhere she sucked in a deep ragged breath like she hadn't been breathing at all. Her face looked panicked.
'"What just happened," she asked me. "I was just out of my body. I was fighting with my stake while my body was fighting hand to hand combat."
'I couldn't answer her question because I didn't know-' I started skimming again.
A few hours later I walked out of my room dressed formally for dinner. When I walked out the boys were already back and dressed up nicely. I was wearing a long dress that complimented my skin tone. It went about half way down my calf. It was dark blue and it wasn't very tight. I decided I shouldn't wear anything stunning. I only put on eyeliner. I didn't have time to be putting on make up and it was going to be that way for the rest of my life.
Dimitri and I were not on duty tonight. In the dinner hall I recognized my family. My ex-mother, father, grandmother, and some Ivashkovs were attending. My mother didn't even look at me when we entered. Of course, Adrian walked over to join us. I didn't mind. He had a date on his arm. Mia Rinaldi. She looked full of complete joy to be on is arm.
"Ms. Rinaldi. Lord Ivashkov," Dimitri greeted them formally.
Mia nodded in greeting.
"Guardian Belikov. Guardian Hathaway," responded Adrian.
"What are you guys up to?" I asked.
"Nothing much," said Mia. "How about you?"
"The usual Guardian stuff."
Just then the Queen called the dinner to order. "If you would all please be seated we will start the dinner."
Dimitri and I's seats were at the other end of the table near Janine. Ibrahim and Adrian sat on either side of the Queen with their dates. No one paid attention to us. Adrian, Mia, and Ibrahim were too far down the table to talk to so Dimitri and I made conversations with ourselves. Occasionally the Queen would glare my way. Apparently she was still mad from before. After dinner Dimitri and I talked to Adrian and Mia. Later on Ibrahim came over and introduced us to his date, not bothering to say I was his daughter. It didn't surprise me.
My mother left early. Walking right by me and not saying a word. Dimitri and I left soon after. It was my night to take watch while everyone slept. Eddie did last night. After kissing Dimitri goodnight I went and changed into some jogging pants and a t-shirt. I went and sat down in the hallway floor in-between the boys' rooms and ours. I continued reading until late that day when I started to fade in and out of a light sleep.
One Month LaterI had been very weak lately. I guessed it was from staying up late reading books. Dimitri asked one day if I wanted to go to the gym and practice. I was getting pretty good at fighting him. One of us barely won anymore. Most of the time we tied.
We had stopped to talk. Our fights could last hours on end before someone wins. We were standing in the middle of the ring wore out.
"What did you-" But his question was cut off when my world went black.
I woke up some time later in the Royal Court's clinic. The light was low so it wouldn't hurt a Moroi's eyes.
"Roza," Dimitri let out a sigh of relief.
I jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom to puke my guts out. Dimitri came and held my hair while I vomited.
"Damn," I said when I was finished.
"Are you okay?" Dimitri asked.
"Yah, I'm fine. What happened?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing. Come on. Let's go see what Dr. Connor has to say."
The doc was just walking into the room. Dimitri led me back to the bed, eyeing me skeptically.
"How are you feeling Guardian Hathaway?"
"I'm fine now. I don't know what happened. I was just talking to Dimitri when I blacked out. By the way, how long have I been out?"
"You've been out for about four and a half hours."
"Four and a half hours!" I exclaimed, shocked.
"She nodded. "Well I ran some blood tests. This time when you blacked out was different from the last. Last time was like you were in a coma. This time was like you were asleep." She paused, and then continued. "Have you been eating and sleeping okay?"
"Yah, why?"
"Please don't be afraid to tell me the truth. I am just trying to help you. If you are trying to lose weight or something I have other ways to help you even though I don't think you need it."
"Wait. What? You think I'm starving myself?! I'm happy with the way my body looks. And for sleep wise, I've been staying up late to read. Plus, I've been guarding every other night."
"Well, when the tests get back tomorrow then we can see what the problem is. You should try eating and-" I ran off to the bathroom again. Dimitri followed to hold up my hair.
When we returned Dr. Connor looked at me curiously. "Guardian Hathaway? Have you been with any Moroi lately?" The way she said 'with' indicated exactly what she was talking about. She took my shock as a confirmation. "I think you may be pregnant, Rose."