Dimitri looked at me with the hope in his eyes that I didnt notice, but i did. I glanced at him then looked away. Ah, so he's been sleeping around court has he. I decided i'd order something completely different just for the show.

"Can i take your order, today." The waitor says with his notebook and pen tightly imbedded in his hand.

"I'll have portugese chicken strips, a portion of steak and super fries, with gravy thanks." I said loudly.

Dimitri looked down at his feet. I kind of felt sorry for him. Not to be cocky or anything but, It must be tough losing something as good as me. I grinned at my private conversation. Everyone else ordered their lunch, except for Adrian, he claimed he was going the the feeders after lunch.

I dug into my lunch. I was so incredibly hungry.

Everyone else at theirs, bringing up various conversations about new policies, how good their lunch was, what their later plans were and boring stuff like that. All I had on my mind were a big bunch of negative thoughts. And Gina, i hope Gina's ok.

"What say you, Rose." Christian said.

"Huh." Oops, i was lost in my thoughts, i wasnt even paying attention to the converse happening around me.

"Will you help me in my cooking class. We're making choc-chip cookies." He says wearily.
"Cooking class." I said. Back at the academy he took cooking classes, i didnt know he took them here to.

"Well not class, more like time, cooking time. Tonight." He said.

"Sure, I'll help." I said, i could feel myself drifting into my thoughts again.

OH MY GOD. I cant believe i almost forgot that...I was adopted. How could i forget that. And...I have a brother and a sister out there, somewhere.

I stood up.

I was going to leave, but then Hans approached me.

"Hathaway, i just wanted to tell you how amazing you were on the operation. We're having a commemoration ceremony tonight at 8pm, In your honour, your attendence is required. And you will be recieving a tattoo. Be there." He said and walked off into the distance.

I gaped after him.

I turned back to christian. "What time is the cooking thing."

"Whenever, we can go now if you want." He said and rose from his chair.

I nodded. That would be good.

We walked to the kitchens without conversation.

When we reached our intended destination we found the ingredients already sprawled across the bench.

And we began. I found my self mixing sugars, flour, eggs, choc chips and vanilla essence together in a mixing bowl whilist christian lined trays, pre heated ovens and other neccessary kitcheny things. We formed small balls of dough and placed them on the trays and putting them in the oven. We started to wash up early.

"We did it, without blowing anything up." I said to christian as i propped myself up onto the bench whilist he poured the washing liquid into the sink.

"Yeah, Im proud." He scoffs. He was a good cook, but me, I was disatrous.

"So, what went down when i was gone." I asked.

"Oh, nothing really, Uh Adrian got a new girlfriend. She's a bitch, the perfect match. Oh and Sydney visited, she left when we told her where you were. And Janine's been waiting for you to." He said slowly, recalling all the important things.

I laughed. At the perfect match joke. He began to pile the dishes on the side so i began putting them away.

"So, a tattoo. Another one. Any idea what it looks like." He said.

"Oh, i dont know. It might be another molnija mark. But other wise, i dont know." I replied.

"Well its nearly 4 o'clock. maybe you should get home and get some rest. I'll force-feed the others. With the cookies that is." He says and pushes me out the door. I was reluctant to go but once i layed down i fell right asleep.

I saw scenery formulate around me. Spirit dream. Lissa.

"Strange time to sleep, Rose." She smiled.

"You can do it!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, I finally figured it out." She twirled around.

We we're on a cliff and we went to sit on the edge.

"Whats happened to dimitri." I asked almost desperate.

"I dont know. He just started sleeping around. It's not like him. Its like he's under compulsion." She said slowly and looked at me.

I look up at her. Small hope filling my heart. But then it disappeared. I probably still wouldnt be able to forgive him.

"Tasha escaped, you know. I think dimitri may have helped her. She must be compelling him." She snapped her fingers.

"I doesnt matter." I said.

"what. Of coarse it does." She said.

"No, it doesnt. I dont want to be with him anymore. I dont want to be with be dimitri anymore. Its really over." I whispered. She hugged me to her and then the dream ended.

I woke up to dimitri at my side. I couldnt help it. I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly.

"Rose. I just want to know if we're still us." He said and pointed from me back to him.

"No. I think you were compelled, but it ruined it for me. i dont love you anymore." I said. I glanced at the clock. 7.30pm.

"I have to get ready." I said and began pushing him out of my room.

"Oh, rosa wait. I love you. Forgive me. PLEASE!" He cried as I shoved him into the hallway.

"No, Its over." I said and slammed the door.

i simply through on jeans and my acrylic singlet on. I had to expose most parts of my body for whatever tattoo i was getting.

I did a loose bun in my hair and put on a little make-up. I looked at the clock. 7.40pm. I walked across the paved courtyard.

I went behind the level and the curtain and there was a chair surrounded my sharp tools and needles. The tattoo artist walked in with Hans and alberta. Alberta gave me the thumbs up sighn.

I smiled and ducked my head down, exposing my neck.

"No, no. These tattoo's are for your wrists.

I lifted my head and peered at him, confused.

He nodded at the tattooist and she raised my arms.

It was excrutiatingly painful. The needles were drilling into my skin at proffessional pace. i cringed and winced at the pain, clenching my teeth. I was getting two, the same tattoo, on each wrist.

Once the tattoo artist was finished she wiped up the blood and put ice on each wrist. She showed me her work. My jaw hit the floor. The mark, on the garage door. The hourglass in the circle with the cryptic drawings.

"Its the Xantheress Mark. It means power. It suits you." Alberta said and pulled me behind the curtain where a huge crowd was waiting patiently.

Alberta through my arms into the air and the crowd went wild. I raised my eyebrows.

She then led me to the door, the crowd still screaming.

"Now you can finally rest." She said and closed the door as she pushed me out.

The court was basically empty. I walked back to my room rubbing my wrists. Great, Im permanently wearing a strigroi trademark.

I flopped onto my bed. My eyes closed, my breathing slowed and I feel asleep again.