Rosemarie Hathaway

"Oh God, Liss, I am so sorry. I was hoping it wouldn't start again." I murmured against Lissa ear, as I lifted her away from her bed and the slaughtered fox that rested on her pillows.

"I-I tried Rose, I didn't notice there was so much damage." Lissa cried against my shoulder.

"Lissa you didn't, please tell me you didn't try to…You promised not to do that again, Liss." I said as I pulled away enough to look into her apologetic face. I no longer needed an answer, her expression said it all. "It doesn't matter now. It's going to be okay. I won't let this start again. I will take you away from here before it gets that bad. I promise."

"No Rose, it is time I stop running. You don't have to be the only one that is strong." She said. I wasn't sure which of us she was trying to convince though.

"Lissa it's okay. I am the reckless one. Don't get yourself in trouble. Let me handle it. What's one more mark on my book of errors? Just stay yourself and be cautious of the people around you, no matter how good of a friend you see them as."

"That's the thing Rose. This stuff is going to end now. I can see its even getting to you. I can see the tears you're blinking away. It's okay if you cry sometimes Rose. You've lost so much because you're always putting me first. It's my turn to kick some ass," She said with a little more conviction. It was then that I began to feel the anger boiling inside her.

Movement near the door drew my attention away from her face and halted our conversation. Kirova was entering with a couple of janitors and a few Guardians behind her. "Just lay low, Lissa, keep to middle ground for now." I whispered to her as Kirova advanced on us. Lissa mouthed okay to me as Kirova took my arm, telling me that I was in contempt of my probation. Luckily she was going to let me slide this time due to the circumstances. Even in her kindness she was still a bitch.

Lissa didn't make an appearance all morning. When lunch rolled around, I thought about slipping off to see what I could find at the apartment to eat, but Natalie had caught up to me and was rambling on about how cruel people could be. She was getting on my nerves, but her talkative nature made it hard to think, and I subjected myself to lunching with her. It helped in keeping away some of the murderous thoughts I had been forming.

I was concentrating on keeping up with Natalie's fly by talking when I was sucked once more into Lissa's head. She was walking around the school being very talkative, too talkative. She spent a few moments speaking with each person and I began to notice a pattern. Each one would tilt their head slightly sideways and their eyes would glass over. Lissa was compelling them to forget the rumors they had heard. She just got done agreeing this morning to lay low. "What happened to staying on middle ground, Liss?" I said to myself.

"I'm sorry, what was that Rose?" Natalie's voice brought me to my present surroundings.

"Oh, sorry my mind wandered off. I must have spoken out loud." I said waving my hand in a way to say it was nothing.

"Oh okay." She smiled at me. "So what do you think?"

"Think about what?"

"The dance, silly, do you think Kirova will let you off for good behavior. Daddy's coming back next month to take me dress shopping."

"Oh. No, Kirova is dead set on me not having a social life until graduation." I told her and excused myself to go find Lissa.

She ended up finding me and we walked to our next class together. "What are you doing, Liss?"

"I'm taking care of things. They were going too far."

"But with you know what? It isn't right."

"If they want to play dirty, then I am going to play dirtier. I learned from the best, you know." She said as she raised her eyebrows and gave me a pointed look. "Hey your mom must be Guarding this class."

I looked toward the doorway and sure enough my mother was standing just beside it. She gave us a small nod as we walked in, but kept her face the emotionless mask that seemed to be the norm for Guardians. I followed Lissa to an open seat and found that she had settled herself in cattycornered from none other than Christian Ozera. I gave her a look, but kept my mouth closed and sat down behind him.

A few minutes into the beginning of the class, Mr. Nagy paused in his lesson. "Mia, passing notes are we? Let me have it." He called out as he used his magic to bring the note to his hand. He was also known for his enjoyment of reading notes aloud. It was the only time he broke from his usual stern nature and read the notes with faux emotional input. It not only embarrassed those who had written the note, but also those who were written about.

"The first person says: Did you ever read the story about the Princess and the fox? The second person says: No, I thought it was the Princess and the Frog."

"Mr. Nagy, Mia is using you as a tool to spread her malicious undertakings." Lissa called out before he could read more of the note.

"Princess Vasilissa, I assure you I am no one's tool." He tried correcting her.

"You're being one now." I muttered.

"Hathaway, did you have something you needed to add?" He turned to me, quirking his brow.

"No sir." I answered and slid down in my seat, waiting for the shoe to drop.

"Anyways, the first person answers back: Oh not in this story. I heard that a certain princess killed a fox and drank from it. The second person says: That is just gross, why not just go to a feeder? The first person then says: Well I heard it was because she wasn't happy with the feeders. She was seeking something to fill the void of not being able to get any of Rose Hathaway's blood."

Everyone in class began to talk at once. I looked back to see my mother's shocked and angry face staring towards Mia. "What are you getting at Miss Rinaldi; Dhampir mastication is a very serious allegation. Are you confused or shall I send you to Headmistress Kirova to explain them?"

"Mia isn't confused, Mr. Nagy, Rose is nothing but a Dhamp Tramp. She offered herself up to me and Ralf just the other day. At the same time too!" Jesse Zeklos called out.

"What? You lying piece of shit, you better watch your back." I yelled, standing from my seat.

"Are you threatening me, Dhamp Tramp?" Jesse yelled back. All of a sudden he was surrounded by fire. He jumped from his seat slapping at his shirt.

"Mr. Ozera that is uncalled for." Mr. Nagy yelled out. "Go see Headmistress Kirova now."

Christian and Lissa met one another's gaze and then Christian left the room hastily. "Sit down Jesse, you haven't been harmed. You and Mia will be staying behind when this class is over. Everyone get back to work." Mr. Nagy snapped as he walked from the room. I couldn't help but to look at my mother as he passed by her to exit the door. Although her face was back to its expressionless self, her skin was flushed in anger. I shook my head at her, hoping to convey that it was all lies. Unsure if she had noticed or not I turned back to begin on my schoolwork.

I made it through the rest of the day with no more trouble and headed to the gym to meet my mother for afternoon training. I found myself to be the first one in the gym and settled myself so I could use the bond to check in on Lissa while I waited. I found her in the church attic with Ozera once again. She was chastising him for using fire against another student.

The slamming of the gym door pulled me from her head and I turned to find the Belikova girl walking towards me.

"Hi, want to help me get started on my stretching?" She asked giving me a big smile.

"Yeah, just let's get changed and we can get started." I answered as we headed towards the locker room. I was hoping her brother wouldn't show up and that I could maybe dig a little information out of her. We exited the room to a still empty gym and I smiled at my luck.

Settling in the middle of the mats, I started sitting toe touches so I could talk to her. "I got to talk with your brother more yesterday, but not you. I'm sorry if I seemed rude. I was having an off day."

"Oh, that's fine. We all have them. I'm surprised you were able to keep up with the long legged brute." She said laughing.

"How do you like it here?" I asked figuring it was in the safe zone. "Have you made many friends yet?"

"A few acquaintances, but I haven't made any good new friends yet. Ivan transferred over with us, but he is more Dimitri's friend than mine." She said but her face blushed and her eyes brightened in the telltale sign that she carried at least a slight crush for him.

"I guess I haven't seen him yet." I replied.

"If you'd seen Ivan Zeklos, you would know. There is no missing him."

"Zeklos," I questioned with a shudder.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry. I had heard about fifth period. I'm sorry again. I sometimes don't know when to close my mouth. I promise you Ivan is nothing like his cousin."

"That's good to know. Tell me about him, you seem to really like him." I said, smiling at her. She then began to launch into telling me all about Ivan Zeklos.

"So he and Dimitri have been friends for a long time, then?" I asked.

"Oh yes, since they were little kids."

"Sounds like me and Lissa." I laughed. "Except I am the crazy one and Lissa is the cautious one." I heard the gym door open and looking up saw that Dimitri and my mother were walking through. I elbowed Viktoria and pointed my head in their direction as I began to shake in laughter as I whispered, "It's like looking at Mutt and Jeff when they stand next to each other."

Vika gave me an inquisitive look and it dawned on me that maybe they didn't get the cartoon strips in Russia. "How tall is your brother?" I asked instead of trying to explain my laughter.

"He's six foot seven. Why?"

"He's just really tall. Standing next to my mom he almost looks like a giant." I answered. She looked to the two of them and cracked a smile. It really was a little funny to see Dimitri standing next to my five foot three mother. Heck he was a full foot taller than I was!

"Rose, can I talk with you a minute?" My mother called out. I rolled my eyes and ran over. "I just wanted to let you both know; you'll be getting your Molnija marks tonight. Dimitri, Rose and I will meet you in the common area of your dorm at 7am. I will escort you both to Guardian housing. The ceremony will take place in their commons room."

Dimitri made no move to ask why I wouldn't be waiting in the novice dorm, but then I'm sure everyone knew by now that I had to sleep in my mother's apartment so I could be kept under lock and key at all times. "Ceremony, I thought it was supposed to be a quiet event?" I asked.

"It will be, Rose. I promise. Now, we better join Viktoria and get to training." She said ending the conversation and we made our way back to Viktoria. As we were finishing up our stretches my mother suggested that we spar instead of running. I was more than pleased with idea.

"Come on Comrade, you can be my partner." I said as I bowed in his direction.

"Rose, that was rude!" My mother hissed at me.

"No, it's okay Guardian Hathaway. I find it a bit amusing." Dimitri chuckled.

We circled one another a few times and Dimitri sent a jab towards my shoulder. I ducked under his punch and kicked my foot out towards his knee, but he was quick to lift his leg from my range. I knew I had to either get closer to him or block his attacks until he tired and made a mistake.

I found my opening when he sent a high kick to my face. Ducking and rolling I came to stand just in front of him raising my arm to execute a kill shot. Instead of my hand slapping over his heart though, he grabbed my wrist and spun at the last second. He sent me stumbling over the outer boundary line with a smirk on his face.

I circled him a few times and he kept the cocky smirk on his face. It was beginning to piss me off. I feigned stepping left and when he went to follow, so I rushed to his side. He stuck his arm out catching me in the stomach. The moved caused me to double over and bounce back on my ass. He was instantly over me; hand on my chest as he uttered, "Dead."

"Sorry if I hurt you." He said as he offered me his hand to help me off the ground.

"No problem, I lost focus." I said. His smirk fell into a half smile and I felt my heart flutter. "I'm going to get a drink." I told him as I stared at his lips. Quickly turning I grabbed my water bottle from where it sat just a few feet outside the lines of the mat.

Bringing the bottle to my mouth, I turned to see him bent down retrieving his own water bottle. With a smirk, I dropped my drink on my bag and rushed at his back, wrapping my arms around his neck. My intention was to send him sprawling on the floor, but instead I found myself flipped over his shoulders. Before I could take a breath, my wrists were wrapped in his large, warm hands and pulled above my head. My body completely pinned beneath him. The position brought our faces just a fraction of an inch apart, our breaths mingling.

"I thought I had you there." I whispered trying to not concentrate on how the warmth of his body was covering nearly every inch of me.

"Your battle cry gave you away." He said as his eyes caught mine. I sucked in a small gasp of air as the deep, dark brown orbs pulled me in. His gentle laugh engulfed me, causing his minty breath to dance across my face once more. "Can I trust you not to punch me if I let you up?"

"I'd rather you didn't." I sighed, feeling his legs begin to flex and release mine. Where in the hell did that come from? I chastised myself. His movements and breathing stilled as a look of surprised appreciation flashed on his face.

"…mean it, take this serious. Rose that was an illegal move, good form Belikov," my mother's words broke through the spell that was holding us. Clearing his throat, I felt Dimitri's body shift off of mine. I sat up to find he was crouched on his heels, between my knees.

"Loose the yell of alarm next time. You might have had me if it wasn't for that." He smiled at me, teasingly.

"Do you really think so?" I asked feeling excited about my almost success.

"Nah, I could hear your feet slapping against the mat while you were running." He was now all out laughing. I pushed him back on his bum and rising off the matt, laughed at his expression of surprise and mock hurt, as I walked back to my bag. He caught up with me and lifting the strap of the gym tote, he laid it on my shoulder. "See you in the morning." He told me before turning to grab his own bag.

I followed my mother to our apartment, upset that she had ruined my moment with Dimitri. I had almost kissed him. Once inside the apartment, she offered me to have the first shower. When I gave her a questioning look she reminded me that tonight was the reception for the Queen.

While showering, I realized that I was having a major crush on Dimitri. I was beginning to feel a lot more than just mild attraction to him. Roughly scrubbing shampoo into my hair, I mentally kicked myself. As much as I wanted to enact on my growing feelings, I couldn't. I only had eight months until graduation. In that time, I needed to concentrate on becoming the best guardian for Lissa that I could. I didn't have time for romance and heartbreak, because if my feeling for Dimitri were already stronger than I had felt for anyone else, then they would probably only grow more. I would be left heartbroken when we had to go our separate ways in order to do our duties to our charges.

Shaking my thoughts from head before they could become depressing, I rinsed off and stepped from the shower. Drying off and getting dressed; I kept my mind on the small tasks I was doing. Checking on Lissa, I found her fixing her hair and my mood lifted as I remembered that I would get to see her again today.