When we got back to St. Vladimir's Academy around midnight, everyone knew about the massacre. The vampiric school day had just ended. Dimitri ordered both of us to immediately go back to Rose, Jasmine to Rose dorm room and get some sleep. Dimitri, of course, looked alert and ready to take on anything.
Dimitri headed off to consult with other guardians about the attack, and us promised him I'd go straight to bed. Instead, both of us turned toward the library once Dimitri was out of sight. We needed to see Lissa. Rose feel threw bond told us that was where she was. Rose and Jasmine heading to the library.
It was pitch-black as we walked along the stone walkway that crossed the quad from our dorm to the secondary school's main building. Snow completely covered the grass, but the sidewalk had been meticulously cleared of all ice and snow. It reminded Rose of the poor Badicas' neglected home.
The commons building was large and gothic-looking, more suited to a medieval movie set than a school. Inside, that air of mystery and ancient history continued to permeate the building: elaborate stone walls and antique paintings warring with computers and fluorescent lights. Modern technology had a foothold here, but it would never dominate.
Slipping through the library's electronic gate, We immediately headed for one of the back corners where geography and travel books were kept. Sure enough, We found Lissa sitting there on the floor, leaning against a bookcase.
Rose said look what I found? Vailissa looking up from an open book propped up on one knee. She brushed a few strands of pale hair out of her face. Saying welcome home Jazz. Visilissa boyfriend, Christian, lay on the floor near her, his head propped up on her other knee. He greeted us by way of a nod. Jasmine walked up and looked down at Christian said what up Pryo? Christian looked up and seen Jasmine.
Vailissa asked when did you get back? Jasmine said earlier. But Rose and I had leave again to take Qualifiers. You know I would have came to see how you was doing? But Alberta stop me and told me that I had to my Qualifiers with Rose and go with Cowboy. Christian laugh to her what Jasmine called Dimiri. Rose could feel the tension and fear in her; it sang through the bond.
Valissa said They're saying...they're saying there were six or seven Strigoi. And that humans helped them break the wards." Jasmine said it true! Rose leaned my head back against a shelf and Jasmine put her head on Rose leg laying down like Christian. Rose put hand on Jasmine shower.
Christian said Really! "I figured that was just a bunch of hyped-up paranoia." Rose said No! "We was there."
Lissa's eyes widened, shock coursing into us from her. Even Christian. The poster child for "smart-ass looked grim. If not for the horribleness of it all, I would have taken satisfaction in catching him off guard.
Christian said your joking!
Rose started playing Jasmine hair.
"Lissa asked softly is something wrong? Rose, are you okay?"
Rose looked up from Jasmine with a worry look on her face. Looking back down at Jasmine. Lissa knew that Rose was worried about something and wasn't ready to say what it was. Looking at Jasmine and seeing tears from eyes. Lissa said what wrong tell me what it is? Rose said I worried about Jasmine. Her power growing. Lissa could understand Rose would worry about Jasmine. Jasmine looked Lissa with pain in eyes. Lissa looked Jasmine with love and understanding in her eyes.
(Next day)
Jasmine walking class on bodyguard theory stopping in tracks. Looking at woman standing their with auburn hair was cropped and curly, and her brown eyes were currently narrowed in thought. Dimitri looking at Jasmine face and seeing surprise on her face."Thinking to himself who is that woman and why Jasmine surprise that she here?"
Jasmine walked up to her and say Mommy! Janine snapped out from her thoughts. Seeing Jasmine smile looking at her. Janine said My sweet Jasmine. Jasmine said How have you been? Janine said good! How have you been? Jasmine said great! I get back from the my trip from Russia. "Janine said What?" Jasmine could feel that their was tone her mother voice. Making her feel walking line. Jasmine said I was in international program. I was sent to St. Basil's academy in Russia for three mouths. Didn't Headmistress Kirova send message to tell you? "Janine said No!" "In shape tone." Jasmine said ow! I need to get this sign by our instructor.
Janine grabbed the file from Jasmine hand. Opened it open and started looking threw it. Looking at the different papers and said I see you get high marks in your classes. Jasmine said Yes! Mommy. Janine said you completed the program in two mouths? Jasmine said Yes! Mommy. Janine said But you was in Russia for three? Jasmine said Yes! Mommy. I was staying with Guardian Belikov family. Janine looked up at Jasmine and said I will talk to Guardian Belikov about that. Jasmine said Yes! Mommy. Jasmine was scared and holding on one her braids. Janine close the file and said go sit down. I get this sign for you. Jasmine said Yes Mommy. Jasmine turn and almost run to sit.
"Dimitri thought to himself who was this woman that hold power over you? " Damon said what wrong? Dimitri said who that woman in front of the class. Damon said Janine Hathaway. That is Rose's and Jasmine's mother. Guardian Janine Hathaway did have a pretty stellar reputation in the guardian world. Dimitri thought holy shit! Now understand why Jasmine was surprise to see her mother here. What is going to happen when Rose realized that mother here? Damon said let watch.
Dimitri seen Rose walking with Mason. Rose looking at her mother with surprise was it happy or not. Watching Rose sitting down at her desk. Looking over at Jasmine that stilled looked worried that might get in trouble for something. Rose and Jasmine so different from each other like day and night. But to see Janine Hathaway make them worried or scared in drop of a hat.
As the class begin the each of them started with stories about saving the day. Damon was looking Jasmine. Want so much hold her in arms and make her worries go away. As Jasmine played with her hair when scared. Dimitri looked at Damon and see the worry on his face as watched Jasmine. "Thinking to himself damn you could stop looking at her." Moving his down to front and looked at Rose and could listening too the man story. Started listening to man story.
"Jasmine thoughts going mile minute." Started feeling the magic side boiling to surf again. Jasmine started breath hard. Dimitri turn to see breathing hard and started shacking. Moving to side and whisper in her ear slow down your breathing and started counting slow. Try to relax. Jasmine started slowed her breathing and said counting. Dimitri moving back behind her. Just in case something happen. Looking down at his watch and they still have half hour to go. Moving his eyes to Damon total worry that he missed it.
"Miss Hathaway." Stan's deep voice rumbled through the room. "Please take your things and go wait outside for the remainder of class." Jasmine reached started grab her things. Dimitri put his hand on shoulder. Say stay calm and low voice not you. Rose kicked out class. Jasmine looked worried. Dimitri said just relax.
"About five minutes"
Before the class let out, Janine slipped out of the room and walked over to where Rose sat in the hallway. Janine looking down on Rose, she put her hands on her hips in that annoying way that made Janine seem taller than Rose was. It wasn't fair that someone over half a foot shorter than Rose could make Rose feel so small.
"Janine said well! Your see your manners haven't improved over the years. Jasmine still has manners.
Rose stood up and felt a glare snap into place. "Nice to see you too. I'm surprised you even recognized me. In fact, I didn't even think you remembered me, seeing as how you never bothered to let me know you were on campus."
Janine shifted her hands from her hips and crossed her arms across her chest, becoming if possible even more impassive. "I couldn't neglect my duty to come coddle you." "Coddle?" Rose asked.
"Janine said I wouldn't expect you to understand. From what I hear, you don't really know what 'duty' is. Not like your sister does." Rose said you don't know nothing about Jasmine. "Rose said I know exactly what it is. Better most people."
Janine eyes widened in a sort of mock surprise. Janine used that sarcastic look on a lot of people and didn't appreciate having it directed toward Rose. "Janine said Oh really? Where were you for the last year?" "Rose demanded Where were you for the last five?" "Would you have known we was gone if someone hadn't told you?" Janine said don't turn this back on me. I was away because I had to be. You were away so you could go shopping and stay up late."
Rose said you have no idea why we left," Rose voice's volume rising. "And you have no right to make assumptions about our life when you don't know anything about it." There was no one we could go to. When we didn't have hard proof. Besides, we've been learning that we're supposed to think independently." Janine said on learning. Something you missed out on for year. You're hardly in a position to lecture me about guardian protocol." Jasmine keep up with train something missed out.
Rose said Yeah? Well, that's not what my teachers think. Even after missing all that time, I've still caught up with everyone else in my class."Janine didn't answer right away. Finally, in a flat voice, she said, "If you hadn't left, you would have surpassed them." Rose said you always loved Jasmine more then me. Janine looked hard at Rose and turn to door. Saying No! Rose. "I love both". But right now I have to go be with you sister. Walking back inside the class room.
Jasmine stood with Dimitri and Damon waiting Janine walking back in class. Walking up all three of them. Say which one of you is Guardian Belikov? Dimitri said I am! Guardian Hathaway. I would like to speak to alone. Jasmine was playing with her braid again. Dimitri said That would be fine. Janine turn back Jasmine handing the file back to Jasmine. Jasmine reached out taking the file careful and pulling to herself. Janine said The paper has been sign. Now go to your next class. Jasmine said in small voice Yes! Mommy. Turn and started walking way with Damon right behind her.
Jasmine walking to Gym before everyone else get to the gym. Sitting down one of the mats and opening one of the notebooks. Started reading information on the control of the powers.
Dimitri walked up to Jasmine and said Guardian Hathaway really unhappy with academy right now. She stormed right in Headmistress Kirova leaded in to Kriova that didn't send messaged to inform her that daughter get in to international program to after the fact. Jasmine said Good thing that your still alive Cowboy. Dimitri said Guardian Hathaway really lead in to me after Damon and you left. Jasmine said I sorry! That want mothers do. I guess. Dimitri laughing.
Jasmine said I almost lost control of my power in front of my Mommy and everyone. Dimitri said I caught you before break free. Jasmine said Thank you!
Rose came storming into the gym and walked up one of the dummy. Rose said The heart is there, and the sternum and ribs are in the way. "Can I have the stake now?"
"Jasmine said No!"
Making Dimitri, Rose turn and look at Jasmine.
"Jasmine said your not ready."
"Rose said why not?" "
Jasmine stood up and walked over to Rose. Because your upset with our Mother. Rose said Damn right! I am upset with our mother.
Jasmine said I didn't have choose to make my first kill. But I want you have choose. If you still want learn. Cowboy give a practice one not a really one.
Dimitri thought Jasmine want Rose to have a choose! Everyone has a choose. Jasmine and himself didn't have choose.
"Dimitri said how do you get through the sternum and the ribs?"
Rose sighed. Rose figured out the answer to one question, only to be given another. Typical.
Dimitri knew in time Rose would be ready. But not to day. Jasmine was right about that. Thought a choose! What the hell was twin so different from each other and same at time. Which made Dimitri smile little with Rose or Jasmine seeing.
Rose and Dimitri spent a large part of the practice going over that, and he demonstrated several techniques that would yield the quickest kill. Every movement he made was both graceful and deadly. Dimitri made it look effortless, Jasmine I knew better.
When Dimitri suddenly extended his hand and offered the practice stake to me. Keep really for himself. Jasmine would look up and realized Cowboy understand what she said. Going back to notebook keep read. Rose reached out and took the practice stake from Dimitri hand.
Dimitri said I can't believe you're holding back. Rose said Aren't you always teaching me to hold back? Dimitri said not on everything. Rose said But on some things.
Jasmine said what these things might be I wonder?
Making Dimitri and Rose look at Jasmine.
Jasmine didn't look up at all keep reading notebook.
When practice ended taking practice stake.