Rating:
This chapter is Rated T.
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Twilighternproud; You're so awesome. Best of luck in the future with your studies!
Authors Notes:
I want to thank you all again for your wonderful reviews. They mean so much to me!
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Not long to the end of the story now. :)
Disclaimer:
The author Richelle Mead owns the Vampire Academy universe. I Want To Experience Love is a Vampire Academy Fan Fiction story and it is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Richelle Mead or Razor Bill Company. Richelle Mead is the creator of the Vampire Academy characters, however this story is my original work. Copyright 2010 by xx-RedRoseBlackThorn-xx. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Judgement
I quickly looked at Dimitri and noticed his body language had not changed. In fact, I think he put his Guardian mask on his face to hide any expression I might have been able to decipher. It puzzled me as to why the guardians were back in Kirova's office... Why, in fact, Dimitri was back in her office... The meeting was meant to be long over.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Headmistress," I spoke with serenity. "If it isn't an appropriate time, I may leave."
Kirova looked at me at strongly. I guess she was trying to determine if I was fooling her around or if I actually came to her for a good reason. My presence must have given me away, because she sighed and her body relaxed a little further into her chair.
"What may be the reason for you to see me Miss Hathaway?"
I bit my lip and looked at my Mother. She stood tall and had her hands behind her back, her face was masked just like Dimitri's. I didn't like the fact that I had to inform Kirova and Alberta about the information I had found out about Victor in front of an audience. It made me nervous, and scared. What would happen if they all thought I was crazy, or just trying to cause trouble? I wanted to be alone with them, but there was no chance of that happening...
I cleared my throat, "before I go into details, please keep an open mind until I am finished. I want to be able to explain everything, before I am interrupted."
Kirova gave me a quizzed look and sharply turned to Alberta and whispered in harsh voices. I didn't like the suspense of just standing there waiting for them to even consider of giving me the chance to explain. I took the chance to look around the room. Dimitri was standing by the side wall; guardian mask up and fists clenched together. Guardian Chase actually looked casual. He wasn't tense and he wasn't trying to hide his expression. If I had to guess, I'll say he was concerned. Guardian Stephan was sitting down on a near by desk and was looking at some papers in front of him. He looked disinterested in the conversation happening in front of him, and more concerned about the information on the papers, and lucky last my Mother. She was standing by Alberta as still as a statue. She wasn't looking anywhere in particular but if I was in her eyesight, I would think she was about to kill me! The murmurs were still going back and forth between Kirova and Alberta, so I returned my eyes to Dimitri. To my surprise he was looking straight at me, but not with love or lust. There was another emotion in his eyes: Anger? Fear? Anxiety? I had no idea... but it was a look which scared me.
I tried telling him with my eyes, that what I was hoping to tell Kirova was important, but I didn't see get reaction . I mentally sighed and waited to be either kicked out of the room or to be given the opportunity to speak. I hated when Dimitri was in one of those moods. He wouldn't stick up for me, he wouldn't tell me any information, he wouldn't be Dimitri to me – he would be Guardian Belikov. Which meant no: kissing, hugging, touching, talking, compromises or ever sleepovers.
"Miss Hathaway," Kirova spoke, "you will be given the chance to express your thoughts. May I ask what the matter you wish to discuss is?"
I tried to stay calm and professional, it's what Dimitri would want me to do. "Of course. I have some insightful information on an illness which has occurred lately. The same illness I believe Lord Christian Ozera and Mr Eddie Castile share. I also believe it is relevant to the case on Victor Dashkov, Headmistress."
Kirova looked at me in shock. Was she shocked that I had come to an conclusion? Or shocked that I would try and bring up such upsetting events? Alberta, on the other hand, had a small smile on her lips... I think she may have been proud of me. The room went silent, and the only noise I could hear was the paper flipping through Guardian Stephan's fingers, (he still wasn't interested in what I had to say). I was too nervous to break the silence, and too scared to look around the room at the faces of the Guardians, especially Dimitri's face.
Alberta broke the silence, "Are you sure you want to express your interest in this case? Once you start it will be forever remembered."
That was her pleasant way of saying, 'are you sure you don't want to back away now and run before we knock you down, and everyone will remember this was the day Rose got institutionalised. Fine – maybe I was exaggerating a little there, but she was giving me the option to leave now, before I committed myself to something that may lead to humiliation.
I gulped and nodded, "Yes, I'm positive what I have to say is important information. If I don't share what I believe, then I will be forever guilty for not mentioning the things necessary. I don't want to have to look back at this day and regret not speaking up. I want to be able to remember it as new point in my life."
Alberta nodded her head to Kirova and Kirova said, "then we shall discuss your... concerns." She turned and look at Janine, "I would like to consume this meeting shortly. I would assume Miss Hathaway would like some privacy with this discussion."
"Yes. That's not a problem," Janine bowed her head.
"Perhaps, Headmistress..." I quickly said. For some reason knowing they weren't going to be in the room made me more nauseous. If I had the Guardians in the room with me, they might, if needed, help me out. They could back me up on my leads if they thought it was possible. "...would they be allowed to stay? I would prefer if they heard what I had to say as well. If this some how is connected to the attacks, I believe it could be some key information they will need to know."
Kirova looked at Janine and said, "you may stay." She turned to look at me, "when you are ready Miss Hathaway, you can proceed."
I looked at Dimitri, not because I couldn't continue without looking at him. Alright – maybe that was half the truth... I did want to look at him, but the reason behind it was I needed something from him. I need his strength. I didn't want to run out of the room, and freak out like a child. I didn't want him to have to hug me and tell me that it'll be okay. I wanted him to be proud of me. To be proud to call me his girlfriend, and to be proud that his student was finally learning how to be a bigger person. The only thing was, I didn't have the strength I needed to tell Kirova about the charm bracelet. I would have been able to tell her about anything else with confidence, but this wasn't just about me. It was about everyone I cared about and a lot more lives. It I failed to convince Kirova and Alberta, than I failed everyone else... including me. I didn't need Dimitri to hold my hand, I just needed to know that he was there for me. His eyes caught mine and I saw it: love, admiration, energy and strength. That was all I needed...
I took a deep breath and started, "it all started back to when we arrived at the Royal Court for Victor Dashkov. I was as shocked as you were when we found out he escaped, but honestly, I wasn't too surprised. It's Victor we are talking about... we can't let anything go by him. He killed Lissa's parents, just because he wanted to see the extent of Lissa's healing magic. He put her through pain and fear, day after day, because he wanted her to strengthen her element to be able to heal him with his disease. Not only did he charm a necklace to remove me out of the equation," I turned to Dimitri and looked him in the eyes, "but he tortured Lissa, so he could get what he wanted. He even went as far as convincing his daughter to turn Strigoi." I turned back to Kirova, "So you see my point... Don't. Underestimate. Him."
"Alright Miss Hathaway we understand what you are trying to say, but how does this have to do with the Mission?" Kirova asked.
"I'm getting to that part," I said matter-of-factly. "As we know, Victor had help from the Guardians at Court. But what you didn't know is he left me a gold bracelet, by his cell. Stan gave it back to me on the jet back over, but he said you took it to be examined because I was a suspect. What you didn't do what examine it like it was from Victor. If you did – well, let's not go there." I quickly looked at Dimitri to let him know that I was going to say something he wasn't going to like. "That gold bracelet wasn't mine. Victor left it for me. I don't want you to ask me how I know, because truthfully, it's none of your business. What is your business in the fact that the bracelet isn't safe."
"Please explain."
I sighed and tried not to roll my eyes, because I thought I made it clear not for them to interrupt me. "The bracelet is charmed! It's charmed with: illness, sickness, death – I don't know how to specific it, but it's like a bad curse, you could say. Please don't interrupt, just listen." I said looking at my Mother who was going to intervene. "You have to touch the bracelet for it to work. It doesn't seem to matter how long you touch it, so even if it was just to move it to another place, or you actually wore it – the charm takes effect. So now you're wondering why I'm not sick, well that's because I personally didn't touch the bracelet. I held it by the box it was it. The same goes for Stan... when he gave me the bracelet he was holding it by the box. I don't know what is happening to the guy who checked it out for clues? But if he is sick – the bracelet is the reason."
I heard someone clear there throat and I turned in the direction of Guardian Chase. He looked like he didn't want to interrupt, but wanted to get my attention so I would let him say what was needed. I nodded my head, because seriously they weren't going to not interrupt me – that was proven.
He spoke softly, "how do you know it's the bracelet? Could it perhaps be a virus?"
"I know this sounds like I'm crazy, but please remember I said to keep an open mind. There is plenty more I need to say." Chase nodded his head for me to continue. "Christian came into to room not long after we came back from court. He was talking about... stuff, and at the same time fiddling with the bracelet. Not long after I noticed him looking pale, and he started needing to drink a lot of blood. Dr Olendzki passed it off as growing up, but he wasn't. It was an illness you couldn't cure, or know about. That's because she hasn't come across this kind of situation before. It was the gold bracelet, I'm positive of it."
"Rose," my Mother said, "I can see that you are eager that this is the problem, but have you considered that you might just want it to be the reason. I understand that you have just lost a dear friend of yours, maybe it's what you think is best to move on. But there is no other evidence to suggest it's the bracelet. I'm sorry darling -"
I cut her off. Not because she called me darling, well yeah, that was strange even for my Mother, but because I was positive and I did have other evidence.
"I have other evidence! Yes, I'll admit I am upset, wouldn't you be? But I have thought about this and put this together so I could come and tell a solid story."
"Then please enlighten us," Kirova stated.
"It's happening to Eddie too." Janine looked at Alberta for confirmation, and Alberta nodded her head. "Just yesterday Eddie came to my dorm. He came to help me. I knew Victor leaving the bracelet for me was suss, but at that point of time, I didn't know why. So he offered to help, even if it did sound strange. He knows some websites to go on and check where the bracelets are made. We found out where, but it didn't matter because where it was purchased Victor wouldn't have been able to buy it. But that's another story... Eddie actually held it in his hands. He looked closely at the engravings and held it while he looked on the net. Not long after, Carly said he was starting to look sick. He collapsed and ended up in hospital. Dr Olendzki again didn't know the cure or the illness. He hasn't passed away yet, but he will soon if we don't do something. Can't you see, it's the bracelet. You have to believe me."
I saw Kirova and Alberta look around the room at the others faces. I heard Dimitri speak...
"What makes you think he charm your bracelet?"
"He wants me out of the way. He was hoping I would touch it. If I did I wouldn't be here, and that means it would be easier to get to Lissa. His escaped, it means he will also need her again soon, to heal him. It's not hard to out two and two together."
Dimitri looked at me intensely in my eyes, "he specialises in earth, correct?"
"Yes."
"So he's well known to create charms?"
"Yes. He's done it to me before. It's him again."
He nodded, "To make a charm work, you need to be wearing it. You said, however, that Christian and Eddie only held it?"
I looked at him questionably for a moment, wondering why he was asking me questions he knew the answers too and why he was making it hard for me to convince them. And then I realised. He was trying to help me. He asked the simple questions, so I could state the facts. He asked the tough questions, so I could explain. It was all the questions they wouldn't ask, but because he did they had to listen and hear me out. He was showing he had faith it me.
"I thought the same thing as well. For a charm to work you do need to be wearing it. That's how the charm worked on me last time, but I also know that it is known for a charm to work with only touch. It has only happened very few times in history that has been recorded, but it is possible and I know Victor can do it."
Dimitri raised an eyebrow, "how?"
"To make a charm work by only touch you need to be excessively strong in your element. It takes years to accomplish, but once you have accomplished it, it isn't hard to do again. From what I can remember since primary school, Victor specialised in charm making. He has had plenty of years to practice his magic."
I saw Dimitri try and fight the smile on his lips when he said, "he was held as a prisoner for months. How did he have such strength to cast the charm?"
"That's where I believe the Guardians that helps him escape came to play," I stated. "The same guardians would have watched over Victor, they would have given him all the strength he needed by: food, water, blood and vitamins..."
I didn't need to speak no more, because Alberta raised her voice.
"If this is true... then we need to act immediately."
"There is nothing we can go by," Kirova explained. "We can relay what Miss Hathaway has told us, but what can they do? They are already trying to find him. The next best thing they can do is when he is caught again, lay more charges on him. I'm sorry Miss Hathaway, but I don't understand what you were expecting from us once you told us the information."
"There's more..." I said with full confidence.
"Please, go ahead and tell us the rest," Alberta insisted.
"I have no evidence to prove what I have to say next," I said softly, "but I do know that somehow, and in someway, Victor Dashkov is involved with these Strigoi attacks."
"As you are correct about having no proof Miss Hathaway with your suspicions, we however, do have evidence which suggests otherwise," Kirova voiced.
I looked at her surprised, "what? You do? I mean... you know that he is involved, so my theory can help you."
"That I can not be so certain about. Don't get me wrong, at first when you came to me about this... theory of yours, I doubted it, but you show integrity, confidence, intuition and most of all proof for your statement," Kirova said highly. "If it were up to me, I would change the tactics of the mission, but I do not have the power or authority to do so. I will have to notify the Queen immediately, and the Guardian Council."
"Okay..." I swallowed, "we have to do something now, though. Eddie might not last while we wait for an instruction."
"It is out of our power to do so. Guardian Hathaway, can you please discuss further arrangements in the yellow building, while I notify everyone required?"
"Of course," Janine nodded to Kirova and motioned for the guardians to follow. "You have done a great job, Rose."
"Um. Thanks," I stuttered.
"It will take some time for the authorised act-of-statement to be processed. I think it's best for you to take it easy and rest. If the request is accepted than the mission may be in process as early as tomorrow morning."
"I could help. If what we know is true, than you are going to need a lot more body power. You know I am up for it and capable. Please let me go with them," I pleaded.
"I'll reference for you, but don't be surprised if it isn't passed. You haven't even graduated yet, Miss Hathaway," Kirova said. "Now, please go rest."
I tossed and turned in bed. Sleep wasn't coming easy. It was still only the afternoon for our world, but Kirova was right. If the mission got processed they would most likely leave as soon as possible, and if I would be leaving with them, I would need my rest as well. The recent events have been emotionally and mentally exhausting, and it wasn't hard for my eyes to close, but every time they did I would see Christian or Eddie in the darkness. I checked on Lissa before I got changed for bed, she was fine. By fine, I mean she still had damp cheeks from crying and was lying in bed, but she wasn't unhealthy.
I must had finally fallen asleep, but I stirred awake from someone kissing my cheek. I moaned and turned on my side, but I received another kiss to the cheek. I opened my eyes and found Dimitri lying down beside me. He had a smile on his face, most likely from me reaction to seeing him.
"Dimitri!" I half yelled hugging my body tightly to his.
"Hey, baby. What brought on this reaction?"
I tried pulling him even closer to my body, "I just missed you, but you're here now."
He pulled away and kissed my forehead. "I'm very proud of you."
I blushed, "thanks. They only listened to me because you asked the questions."
"I just asked the questions they were too scared to ask. You were the one who did all the hard work."
"What evidence do you have that proves Victor is working with the Strigoi?"
Dimitri wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me down on the bed to lay beside him. "That my dear, is for me to know, and for you to rest."
Ah, I knew this would happen! When I saw him tense in the administration building and he put his mask up, it meant he was all business. So mush for the no: kissing, hugging, touching, talking, compromises or ever sleepovers. He already kissed me on the cheek, let me hug him, touched me by wrapping his arm around me, and came for a sleepover.
I pouted, "what happened to compromises?"
"That stopped once I knew I wasn't going to put you in danger."
I guess he was still sticking to his 'no talking about guardian matters and compromises', which only meant one thing. He put these rules out because I was his student and he was my mentor, but he kissed, hugged, touched and was staying because he loves me, and that's what a partner does. We were really moving in a new direction, and I was excited for it. He kept the compromises and talking about guardian situation out, because he was doing his job and this was not to discuss information, and I accepted that. I looked up and Dimitri, and he was moving under the blankets to be closer to me.
"Dimitri, don't leave me," I whispered.
"Roza," he purred. "I'm not going anywhere without you." He pulled me closer to him and gave me a chaste kiss. "What's this I hear that you want to come on the mission?"
I kissed his chest through his shirt and said, "I need to be there. I can help, you know I can."
"And risk you getting hurt..."
"Dimitri, it's not fair that I might have to wait here and find out if something goes wrong. I couldn't handle it if something happened to you. I need to be there – with you. What happened to 'I'm not going anywhere without you?'"
He looked at me intensely and lifted my chin up so he could kiss my lips, "if anything happens to you..."
"I can say the same, you know."
He nodded, "well then, we need to rest. We can at least get in another six hours sleep."
"Can I... can I request one more thing?"
"Anything."
"We need to use Moroi. Fire users will be very useful... you have seen what they can do. And don't forget the wind users. If they can distract them, and we fight. It should be an easy win."
He sighed, "I don't think that's possible. I have high authority here at the Academy, but outside of the academy I have no authority. That's something Kirova will have to request."
I nodded and tucked my head in between his neck and shoulder, "I know. I was just trying..."
"I know, Roza, I know. I'm here now, you can relax."
"I'm not tired!" Dimitri lifted up his eyebrow. "Alright, I am a little, but I want to talk to you." He was about to interrupt me when I said, "just until I'm ready to fall asleep."
"For you," he smirked. "What do you want to talk about?"
"You. Me. Us." I said tracing patterns over his shirt. "Why were you still in Kirova's office?"
"She called us back in. We got given new information – we had to put it in consideration. She also asked about our relationship."
I panicked and sat up, "what? Shit! What did you say?"
"Calm down. If she knew about us, we wouldn't be here together now. She didn't mention anyone telling her anything, but it was implied. Since she knows about my request to change Moroi, she wanted to make sure nothing else was affecting my decision."
"I bet I know who snitched," I seethed. "She finally let the topic pass then?"
"Rose, you don't know that it was Tasha. If could have be anyone... For instance, Stan. He has noticed we haven't been training for a while. He would have mentioned it. Please, don't blame her unless you know for sure."
I rolled my eyes and agreed. He was right I shouldn't assume. "What did she say about me missing training?",
"Not much. She understands that you have been through a lot lately." He sat up so he was level with me. "Speaking of... why didn't you tell me about the bracelet? No secrets, huh?"
I looked at him and shook my head. "No, no. It isn't like that. I didn't really know about it until today. Once I realised, I went straight to tell."
"So, you're saying you had no idea and all of a sudden it came to you?"
I sighed, "No. Ok, fine. I had an idea earlier. But none of it made sense. I knew it was the bracelet causing it, because it was obvious Victor wouldn't just leave me a present, but honestly – Adrian helped me work out it was charmed. I didn't keep anything from you. I was going to tell you after I told Kirova, but you were there... it worked out fine."
Dimitri landed back on the bed, with a loud exhale. "I wish you still would have told me. I would have helped."
I looked back at him, "you mean, you would have helped so Adrian didn't need to be near me."
He looked back at me and no words were said. It was obvious he was still jealous, and I didn't need to say what my thoughts were. He knew. We didn't say anything for a while, but I played with his fingers.
"Why were you so tense when I walked in?" I whispered, hoping on the off chance he didn't hear me.
"Various reasons. She drilled me about you. I'm not going into details – it's sorted. She also confirmed my suspicions about Victor working with them. And then you walked in."
"Did I surprise you?"
He shook him head and didn't speak. He looked deep in thought, trying to decide how to say something. I left him alone, and waited for him to talk.
"I thought you were checking up on me," he finally said.
I gasped, "what? Why? Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you," he murmured. "I thought you didn't trust me. I thought you came to make sure that I was with Kirova and not with... not with someone else."
"Someone else as in – Tasha?"
He nodded, and I knew he regret his reaction. I moved up the bed and placed his head in my lap, while I moved my fingers through his hair.
"I'm sorry I made you feel that way. We're okay, aren't we?" He nodded and rubbed my thigh. "Can you..." God, how do I ask him to talk about his illness. Someone help me! "Can we talk a little more about your illness?" Nice one Rose, straight to the point. I mentally rolled my eyes.
"I don't think this is the right time." He stated with his voice cold.
"I do. With you, there will never be a right time. You're still in denial. Not all the time, but occasionally. I believe this is the right time, because we are sharing. It's better for you if you talk to someone. Someone who knows, baby. Someone like me."
"You are the only one I've gotten close too. The only one who knows the real truth, not just assumptions. For over 7 years, I've had to deal with the knowledge of my illness alone. I did have a choice to talk to someone, and I still do, but I didn't want to. That's denial, my dear. I've shared with you now. I feel lighter, knowing you'll be here for me," he laughed but it didn't touch his eyes.
"Denial is a symptom."
"Yes, it is. It was hard Rose. I wanted to make my family proud. I wanted to make myself proud. I knew I made them proud, it wasn't very hard. But for me? I never felt proud. I felt disgusting. More so than I do now. You've made me change. I wanted to experience what others did. Have girlfriends, go out and have fun. But I couldn't, because if someone touched me the wrong way... I would react. I would either: shake in fear, freeze up or go bloody ballistic at anyone and everyone. Hence, another reason why I don't have many friends. I do prefer to be alone. However, now I prefer to be with you then be alone."
"Must have been tough on you," I said intertwining our right hands while my left hand was still playing with his hair.
"The hardest part was moving on. If you could call it moving on. Moving on for me was being accepted to guard Lord Ivan Zeklos. He was a friend of mine, even though he saw how I acted. He knew I tried my hardest; with my grades... I was the top of the class. I think he knew I was suffering. He wanted me to feel good about myself. It was working, until well... you know."
"His death must have been hard for you."
"Yeah, it wasn't pleasant," he gave a little chuckle. "We get taught to not be emotionally connected, but it was hard for me when he showed me I could become something. Something amazing." He looked up at me and I smile for him to continue. "The easiest part of my illness, is you."
"Me?"
"You've changed me, Roza. You stuck by me, knowing my past and faults. You have showed me what love is; what it's like to be in love. Showing me it doesn't have to be rough. Showing me it can be kind, gentle, caring, slow, sensitive, peaceful. I've never felt the way I feel about you with anyone else. The way I feel about you did scare me to begin with. Hence, the reason why I couldn't let you touch me. It was the illness, but I also didn't know why I was feeling the way I was about you, and it scared me. But you were very persistent, and understanding. You made me believe I could love someone and be loved right back, and now... I'm one very lucky man, to have a beautiful, intelligent, funny, determined, strong, woman to share my love and life with."
I nodded and noticed I had been crying. I laughed at myself and brought our entwined fingers up to wipe them away.
"I love you," I said while kissing his forehead.
"Does that make it easier for you to understand? I find it difficult to explain myself."
"It's perfect. Thank you!" He nodded and I had the sudden urge to change the topic to a happier one. "Tell me about your family."
He laughed, "I don't know where to start. How about I start with Grandma? She's pretty awesome," he smiled fondly. "She's hard on you when she needs to be, but she is a very inspiring woman. If you can impress her, than you have nothing to worry about. Oh, apart from her fortune telling."
"She can read your fortune? That's a load of crap, don't you think. No one can tell you how your future will be."
He shrugged, "Grandma can be very convincing. I've grown up with it, so it isn't so strange to me. Then that brings me to Mother. She's everything a Mother should be. I miss her, Rose," his voice cracked.
"Tell me about her."
"She cooks the best food. Just one taste of her food and you'll be wanting more," he chuckled. "She's caring, and will do anything for you. She's strong and will take not take 'I can't' as an answer. She won't let you clean around the house or offer her help, because she says, 'it's it the Mother's description handbook, to do the housework and looks after the family.' I hardly ever see a frown on her face, and she never thinks negative."
I lifted his chin up and bent down to give him a slow, warm kiss. He moaned into my mouth as I slid my tongue along his bottom lip.
"What about your sister's?" I asked. "Do you have two or three?"
"Three. Maybe more we don't know about," he said in a sneer. "But three in our family. The oldest is Karolina. She is 28, with a son named Paul, who is 10, and 18 month old Casey. She defiantly plays the big sister role in our family and is currently dating Guardian Borowski. Next is Sonya and she is 22 years old. Last I heard she got knocked up," he frowned but continued. "She would be about 5 months along now? Yeah, that sounds about right. She's working at a pharmacy trying to save as much money as she can for the baby. She did have plans to go to university, but I guess that's out of the question now. She's a lot like me." I giggled like an idiot. "In a girl way," he corrected and laughed along with me.
"She would be the one you would have to please. She is stubborn, but knows control. We are very familiar. Sometimes it's hilarious, other times it daunting," he screwed his face up. I tried smoothing his skin out and he continued on to his youngest sister. "Her name is Viktoria. She isn't much younger then you. She turned 17 two months ago. She is a little bugger. I don't know her as much as the other two, because when she was growing up, I was out in the Guardian world, but from what I know she has the boys wrapped around her little fingers. Apparently she is letting it rip at the Academy as well. She has the nickname 'Little Belikov' attached to her face. You would get along with her very well. You have a lot in common with her. You know: boys, clothes, make-up, shopping, partying."
"Ha Ha. It's not all I think about!" I exclaimed. "They all sound so lovely. You have a wonderful caring family, Dimitri. I would love to have a supportive family to help me when in need."
He brought his hands to my hips and pulled me back to lye beside him. He propped himself up on one elbow and looked at me.
"They are a very loving, supportive family. They're our family."
I smiled, "I love the sound of that." Then my smile faded. "What if they don't like me?"
He cupped my cheek with his free hand and said, "Roza, trust me, they will love you. I can't wait till you meet them. You're part of my family now. They trust my judgement and when they see you they will fall in love with you too. You'll see."
He looked so happy and confident, that I moved closer to him and attacked his mouth. He chuckled and pulled away after a while.
"I think that is enough talking for tonight. You need to refresh. Try and sleep, Roza."
"I love you," I yawned.
I looked out the SUV's window, past the cliff's edge and into the sea. It was pretty much all the view I had. If I looked in the other direction, all I saw was blackness and trees. So here I was in one of the twelve SUV's. There was 96 of us on the mission to kill off the gang of Strigoi; 20 of us were Moroi and the other 76 were guardians or novices.
Headmistress Kirova contacted Queen Tatiana Ivashkov immediately after our discussion, and she insisted that we finish off what we were starting. We did, however, have to wait seven hours for the Guardian council to make up their decision. Their decision was that we proceed with the mission, but wait until more reinforcements arrive. That lead to another four hours of waiting around, and four hours of praying that the doctors keep Eddie alive. The decision also passed that Moroi was able to attend, due to the mass of Strigoi, the catch was however, that every Moroi had a guardian protecting them. Only a small number of Novice's were allowed to join the mission and I, of course, was one of them. If the Novice survived they would be getting a well recommendation on their graduation results.
We have another two hours drive to the destination where the cars end, and approximately one hour on foot until we reach the gang. We will be arriving during the night, but that was apparently the plan, so we can see how many Strigoi will be waiting inside. Once it hits sunrise we will then invade the old building they are still in, for the time being. Alberta and Stan had to stay behind at the academy. It was for the safety of the students. If the Strigoi attacked the academy then at least they had some Guardians left to fight against them. Alberta didn't like the idea, she wanted to be here with the rest of us, but she knew her duty was to protect the school. Lissa and Adrian got told they had to stay behind as well. Lissa got all hysterical; but I calmed her down and told her everything would be find. Lissa and Adrian would wait patiently at the academy – for the remaining of us who lived – so they could heal us from our injuries.
I felt Dimitri's hand brush over my own and I focused my attention to him.
"I'm going to test you on how well you do," he said with amusement in his eyes.
"I wouldn't assume any other way Comrade," I teased back. "You would take any opportunity to see how well I move my body."
I heard a little growl from Dimitri mouth and started to giggle. Novice Meredith turned around in the front seat to see what I was giggling at, but thought I was doing it at nothing and turned back around. I looked back up at Dimitri and he gave me a glare.
I leaned in closer to his ear and whispered, "is it too crowded to ask for a supportive kiss?"
"Roza," he warned.
I giggled some more and puckered my lips. Dimitri was the only reason why I wasn't so uptight. If he wasn't in the same car as me, I might have killed someone by now. His presence calmed me down, and made me feel safe.
Tasha was in the same car as us, but decided to sit in the middle row with two other guardians. She was the one out of five Moroi I knew who said yes to helping out. There were others, but I didn't know them so well. The other four Moroi I knew were: Carly, Jill, Bruno and Tim. The Moroi that were selected to come had to be non-royal. The council wasn't letting any Royals go near the Strigoi, especially since they knew that the Strigoi were seeking out to destroy them all. Tasha came because that's who Tasha was. She taught herself how to do offensive magic and can be very useful in a fight. She also was tracking them down herself, so whether the council liked it or not... she was coming. It was also because of Christian. She was doing it for him. Victor was the cause of his death, and she wanted him to pay. As for Carly, well she wanted to feel useful. She was also doing it for Eddie. It hurt her to be away from him, but she was also doing it for him. If we bet the Strigoi and got Victor to destroy the charm (that's what we thought we needed to do to cure Eddie), then Eddie would be back to normal. The other Moroi who were joining us, thought it would be a good experience to put their powers to work.
The SUV came to a halt and I instantly clutched onto Dimitri's hand. As soon as we left the cars and started walking, all of us were going to be in danger. Everyone knew the risks, but we all knew it was something that needed to be done. Dimitri was one of the mission leaders and he needed to be fearless. He tried pulling it off for the others, but I knew what to look for, and he was just as worried as I was.
"Everyone, please, gather over here!" Janine yelled from a distance.
All 96 of us gathered under the trees waiting for Janine to give us our orders. Dimitri, Matthew and Ronald we standing in front of us in front as well.
"Before we spilt up in four groups, I just want to go over the final details one more time, so it is clear to everyone," she looked around the group. "We will be heading 'North-West' in just over 15 minutes," taking a look at her watch. "We will be stationed at the area for quite some time, once we arrive. I will not lie – it will be dangerous. The Strigoi who are out and about will be returning to the abandoned building... it is foretold that at least one of them will detect us. There is too much of us, to be able to hide. However, with that being said... who ever detects us, will not be making it to the rest of the pack to let them know our whereabouts. We will kill them. Is that understood?"
We all murmured 'yes' and listened on for more. "When the sun is up enough to cause the Strigoi harm, our leaders will make a signal for us to proceed our surprise attack." Janine sighed and looked at us with sadness, "some of us won't make it back, it's unavoidable. But, that does not mean once you get injured, or tired from the fight, that you go ahead and be defeated. I will not accept it! For those who do not make it out... we will forever spread the memory of what you have done for us today." She looked at Dimitri and then said, "That is all. Good luck and be brave."
We all split up in our four groups: Guardian Hathaway, was leading the group of 9 Guardians, they were called group one. They were to invade the abandoned building head on. They were the front of our attack, and our lives depending on them killing as much Strigoi as possible for the other 3 groups to make an impact. Guardian Chase was the leader of the second group. He had the Moroi who controlled wind and water. Each Moroi had one Guardian with them. So his group ranged to about 21 bodies. Group two was meant to enter once group one had killed at least 10 Strigoi. They would just use their speciality to distract the Strigoi enough for an easier kill. Group Three was Guardian Stephan; he had the remaining Moroi, which were fire users. As with the other group, each Moroi needed a Guardian on there side. He was leading a group of 23. His group was meant to enter the abandoned building from the back. It would have the element of surprise and burn the Strigoi bodies enough for Group four to come in and attack ferociously. Group Four was Dimitri's group. My group. It wasn't intentional, it's what my Mother had decided. If it was up to us, we would have preferred different groups. Knowing we were in the same group meant we would see one another fight and risk us paying attention to each other and not what was happening on around us. Never-the-less, Dimitri and I both agreed to do our best, and focus on the mission, not ourselves. Dimitri had the Novices in his group and the remaining Guardians. Our group was the biggest, containing 43 of us.
It wasn't long when I saw the spirits around me. I recognised Lissa's Mother and Father, and the murdered victims I saw earlier in the year. I even saw Andre, but he disappeared too quickly. I turned around to make sure all the spirits were gone when I laid eyes on Mason. I gasped and saw my follow students looking at me. I quickly turned back around and pretended I was paying attention. Mason appeared in front of me again. He looked sad and upset. I tried looking for Christian to see if he was here as well, but I didn't see him. I walked away from the group long enough so I was with them but not to close to be heard talking to 'thin air'. Mason kept pointing towards the abandoned building and I nodded in agreement. I whispered for Christian a few times, but he still wouldn't appear. I'm not going to lie – I am upset that he wouldn't come and see me, but maybe he thought it was for the best? I waved to Mason as his spirit slowly faded and prayed that Christian was happy in heaven. If there was such a thing.
After taking several sips of water, our leaders lead us up the path to where we would be waiting for our attack. It was nearly morning, and we were all on full alert. I saw group one on the move, and knew it would only be minutes before we heard the battle begin. I flicked my eyes back on Dimitri and saw him staring back at me. His face showed no expression, because his Guardian mask was on so the others didn't see, but his eyes... those eyes explained it all. He was sending that he loved me, that he cares about me, and that we'll put are one hell of a fight so we both come out of this alive. I returned the same intense look back to him and he raised his hand. I didn't know what he was doing at first, but then I saw it. The promise ring. He was wearing the promise ring on his ring finger. I wanted to cry and hug him so tight, but I knew we couldn't. I hoped that my eyes would express my emotions to him, and they did, because I saw him just slightly move towards me, before deciding it wasn't a good idea.
I saw group two moved forward, and knew we would be moving shortly after. I was right – I heard the battle taking place. The other novices were fidgeting and anxious; Dimitri gave them positive words of encouragement. He then lead as forward toward the other entry of the building. He told us to get in our position, and wait for his signal. He was slightly crouched, waiting for movement moving our way. Group Three had already entered, and Dimitri was waiting to hear screaming, indicating that they were burning. We all heard a high pitch scream and tensed. This was our cue. Dimitri motioned us forward. We took one look at each other; and sent our love. We all stormed into the building ready for attack. It was hectic. Bodies fighting each other everywhere. Flames flying around the room. Waves of forceful wind pushing you back, and water being sprayed in the air. I was too busy trying to see where the main course of action was when I heard...
"Rose, look out!"
