I would like to thank katnipcs for your last review and support and my reply to you is im not going anywhere until this story finishes I promise you and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did.
Hartleigh's POV
After our session had ended, Kirova and Alberta had already left with the camera to give everything they needed to the council. Dimitri and Lee both stayed to get the remaining camera kit to take back with them and set everything back the way it was before it became an interrogation room. The atmosphere became uncomfortable as an awkward silence filled the air, no one had been talking since Kirova had left, can't say that I blame them, I mean they had to hear nearly my life story and hear the bad things I did when I was 'like them' and now...
"Hey, Hartleigh?" My name was called, bringing me back to reality after a long time staring into space, and I look up from the bed and saw Lee looking at me with a sympathy look in his eyes and a simple smile, and not one of those cheeky ones he has sometimes.
"Don't feel bad aboout this, what ever Kirova has said to get to you, don't listen. I'm sure there are a lot of people who feel the same way you do about her" He stated. thought that may be true, I bet some people look up to her because she thinks she's all high and mighty.
"It's not that, I actually didn't mind all of this" That was a lie, I hated all of what just happened and I only said that to make them not worry about me, but I guess they knew I was lying about it anyway.
"Dont Lie to us about that one, when I first came to St. Vlad's, when I was being interigated by her, she treated me like a criminal. And every other Dhapmir who even talks to her, she treats them like dirt becuase of the whole 'Moroi being more supreme' thing that they have going on" He then makes his way towards the stool Kirova was sat one that was now placed under the table, and sit in it with his arms crossed over his chest.
"But what is it? What's on your mind?" The tone in his voice sound worryingly worried, I know that's not even a sentence, but oh well. But other then that, he sound like he was worried about me. As for Dimitri, he just stood there giving the same worried expression that Lee gave me. I took in a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.
"Aren't you guys a bit disgusted about my past" I nervously say. I was curious to know how they actually felt about all this... But I am scared about what everyone's answer is going to be.
"Not really, well a little bit but... We all can't say much let's be honest. You were told to do something that wasn't true, you couldn't help the darkness taking over you. You're... basically one of us, in a sense anyway. It's nothing to be proud of, but you do what have to do to survive, it's the code for all of humanity, am I right?" He has a point there, I shouldn't mope around and expect sorrow from anyone, as I only did what I was being told to do. In a way I kind of feel like I am one of them, a Dhampir I mean, because they're only doing what they're being told to do like I was. They're just mercenaries.
"I know, but... What about you, Dimitri?" I look up at Dimitri.
"Personally?" He asked with a worrying tone, almost like he didn't want to answer. I nod my head warily. Dimitri then carefully put down the bag, filled with the remaining camera kit, he was carrying and came over to where I am, on my bed, and sat down next to me. He placed an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a comfurting hug, my head layed on his chest, listening to his soft heart beat as he strokes my hair.
"Personally, I don't care" He doesn't? Why? Should I be ashamed or flattered that he didn't care about what had happened?
"Why don't you care?" I ask, not looking up at him.
"Because what you went through happened a long time ago. I shouldn't give you an answer to how I feel, because I'm not going to judge you by it. So don't start asking people about what they think when you know those words are going to get to you, whatever the answer may be" Those words really surprised me and hit me hard, he was right, he shouldn't give me an answer to something I couldn't help.
"But what if-" I was Immidiatly cut off by Lee.
"No 'whats' or 'ifs' Hartleigh, your past is your past, you now have a future to think about now, so start thinking about that for now, even if it will be bad, okay?" I was even more surprised to hear something so supportive come out of his mouth. I look up at Lee with a smile curling my lips and my eyebrow arched.
"Since when did you start being all wise?"
"Since I started waking up earlier in the morning to get you breakfast" he said in a joking tone, pretending to do a yawn, Dimitri rolls his eyes and shakes his head, clearly unimpressed. I giggle. Lee clicked his fingers and pointed it at me.
"Aha! I made you smile" I giggle harder. Was he intened to make me smile or something?
"Lee, I think you've gown a soft spot for her, was it that hug she gave you when you gave her the books?" Dimitri chuckled. Lee imidiatly went red, a smirk stuck to Dimitri's face and I couldn't help but laugh at that, Lee was caught out! For finally not being a Connard for once, it looks like he does have a soft spot after all. He ain't no big bad wolf, like he makes out to be.
"Well, it's more the case of she's not as bad as everyone thought she'd turn out to be, remember we're bred to hunt her kind and I guess seeing that there is hope I having nothing to worry about. And she hasn't killed me yet"
"You have a point there, I won't lie" Dimitri turns to me with a soft smile on his face.
"Even I thought the same until I met you, Hartleigh. You really have changed my perstective of not all Strogoi's are the same, ever since you saved me" Wow... I disn't actually think he would say something like that, I know . I smiled brightly at Dimitri, I felt like I wanted to cry. I AM the reason that gave some people hope. I changed many lives on that fateful night, maybe this honestly won't be so bad after all.
"like Lee said Hartleigh, Just remember there is a future you have to think about" A future? Well after everything I've been through, I personally don't think I need it because I'm only here because of Dimitri and now it's lead to this, me being subject of hope for the council. But then again, I should be grateful, because that mean I'll be safer away from the possible danger out there. That's only if they don't come looking for me anyway... Wait a minute, what am I talking about? Galina would never come back for me, she already thinks that I'm dead and that I won't have to worry about her or her hurting anyone to get to me, that's if she thinks I am still alive after many years of last seeing each other.
"That's true, but I have to worry about you guys first, you'll probably be in more trouble then me for 'discovering' me in the first place" I put 'discover' in quotation.
"Don't worry about me, I can handle them like I can handle my girlfriends shouting, the Headmistress's commandments and Lee's constant bickering and not taking things seriously, then I'm sure I can handle them"
"Hey! I don't bicker and I do take things seriously, I'm just different with how I do things!" Lee clarified for us clearly feeling offended by what Dimitri had just said about him, I couldn't help but laugh at this. If what Dimitri says is true, then I guess I have to trust him at this point, though I doubt anyone can handle the Headmistress's talking, I didn't. I've never laughed this much before, this was actually kind of comforting for me. I felt Dimitri rests his head on top of mine and he began to rub my shoulder, I felt his chest rumble as he chuckles.
"I should take a picture and send it to your girlfriend, Belikov" Lee mocked him with a playful smile. Dimitri turns to look at him and replies with.
"I should say the same to you, seeing as you have a soft spot for her too. not that you can keep a reletionship for long anyway" My eyes widened in shock and I tried my best to keep a striaght face. Lee got burned! Lee laughs at his respons.
"Wow, I didn't honestly think you would take this seriously" I wouldn't bet on it Lee, Dimitri might look like a serious person, but every time he see me during his breaks we like to joke around and have a nice laugh every now and then, so he's not as serious as everyone thinks, he's actually a funny guy, though he has to be serious when he's working, obviously.
"Seems like you did too, because I was joking aswell" Lee's smile dropped and he immidiatly looked embaressed and looked a little caught of guard by that response. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want, but I just remembered, don't we have to see Kirova and go to bed like good little things we are?" Dimitri nods his head in response, I almost forgot how late it was for the Dhampirs, I won't bother them anymore, they do need beauty sleep to keep there strength up after all. Remember, I don't exactly need t sleep to keep my strength up, all I need is... Blood... It's rare that I sleep though, because the last time I ACTUALLY slept was when me and Dimitri escaped that cave and I got exhausted from blood loss. I know that doesn't count as sleep, but it felt so nice just to close my eyes and rest fo a bit.
"Yeah, we really should. We have a lot to do in the morning so we better get going" Dimitri sat up from my bed and stood up and walked towards the bag he orriginally put down, he then picked it up and slung it over his shoulders. Lee followed and did the same thing with the other bag, then went towards the door and opened it waving at me and saying.
"See you in the morning, Hart" I wave back.
"You too" He went out of the door and Dimitri was next to go.
"See you tomorrow, I'll get Lee to see if he can get you some refreshment for the shower" My eyes twinkled to the sound of that and I smile widly at him. The thought of finally have a fresh, nice, warm shower after sooo long. I feel really happy about this... Was he secretly implying that I stink?
"Thank you, I really appreciate it, do you..." I look down at myself and looked at the unfit clothing that I wore, I needed a new change of clothes, but I hope that wasn't too much to ask for him.
"Can I... Can I have a spare set of clothes?... These ones don't fit me exactly" Dimitri nods his head in response. Yes! I can get new clothes.
"Anything else your majesty?!" I heard Lee call out from the distance.
"No, thank you!" I call back to him, trying to contain my laughter.
"You sure? How about a nice warm Hot Chocolate for the morning?" Mmm that sounds nice, with a cream topping, sprinkles and baby marshmallows Mmm, I licked my lips to the thought of tasting chocolate, but even if I tried I might throw it back up, it happened to me before when I tried to eat a doughnut, it wasn't a pretty sight... I'll have to sadly pass on that generous offer.
"I'll have to pass, sadly" I called back to him.
"I think we should go now, I'll see you in the morning Hartleigh" He says as he tries to contain his laughter from all of this, I wave at Dimitri as he closes the door, he gives me one last wave before clicking before shut, leaving me here all by myself for the next few hours...
I wonder what I should read now?...
Tasha's POV
As I watch Dimitri type in the pin for the door, I write it down on my hand with a Sharpie marker so that I wouldn't forget. Lee, of course, stood guard by the steps making sure there was no one in sight, I could only hoped to god that he hadn't noticed me yet, I've been standing outside for hours wondering and listening through the door as to what they were keeping secret within my old home and as I turns out, that the Strgoi girl we took back to the Academy was now living there and after everything I heard come from that girls mouth, I... I didn't even know what to say about all of that... In fact I was quite shocked and a part of me felt a for her because of what she went through.
Now that I had what I need to get my curiosity out of the way, I now need to come up with an idea to see if I can get a chance to get into contact with her myself, thought this will be tricky concidering that I have classes to teach and Dimitri disapears to feed the girl during break times. I duck lower into cover in hopes Dimitri and Lee wouldn't see me in the bushes and I quickly put the Sharpie pen in my pocket.
"Time to go back to the bitch in carnit herself" Lee exclaimed. Dimitri rolled his eyes.
"I know but like it or not, it's our job" Dimitri lectures him, Lee sighs and nods his head in response and they both walk in the direction of the Academy, as Kirova took the car with Alberta on their way back, leaving me out of sight. Bad move for them, because that means their opponent/enemy could now have the opportunity to break in and do what they want with who ever is inside, just like I'm doing right now, well I don't plan on breaking in as I need to come up with a plan to get close to her and get to know her, possibly get some answers and see for myself if this is not just some sick trick she's playing to get catch us all of guard, but something is telling me otherwise, because Dimitri trust this girl and she trusts him.
But maybe if I can explain to her that I'm a friend of Dimitri, maybe she'll trust me too, but the problem is will she attack me or will she try to run? I don't hold all the answers, but all I want is to find out if she is a true threat or not and to see that if what Dimitri has said about her is true. To be honest I'm just worried about his safety, I know I fancy him and I'm not going to deny it, reader, but he is with Rose now and I respect that, and he is a family friend, so if anything were to happen to him... Well I won't think about that just now.
But anyway, there is only one way I can get to the girl... And that will most likly will have to be tomorrow, which will be on Sunday.
Perfect...
