Hey everybody! I'm back with another one. I can tell from the reviews that many of you guys are feeling bad for Mason, hahahaha. I'll try to go easy on the poor guy.
Mason stayed up the entire night waiting in his room for Rose to come back. If she isn't back by breakfast, I'm going to get Guardian Belikov.
Around 2 am, he heard Rose's door click shut. When he heard it, Mason sighed in relief. Getting up off his bed, he was getting ready to go to her door. But he stopped himself.
What can I say to her? Hey Rose, I was waiting for you to get back to your room, by the way I'm in love with you? Mason knew it would be a train wreck.
Laying back down in bed he figured that he will wait to see Rose at breakfast. Who knows, maybe she will tell us what she is getting up too?
Two more days pass and things have continued the same way. Rose is still disappearing at night, around the same time and returning to bed around the same time.
After the first time he caught her, Mason watched her intently at breakfast a few hours later. She looked the way she always does after training, a bit worn out but hungry. Something was a bit different though.
Rose seemed a bit more—happy. At first, he thought he was imagining things. Until after breakfast, Eddie and Adrian were talking, more like arguing, about something stupid in the living area that afternoon. Rose and Mason weren't a part of it, they were focused more on the movie playing on the screen. It was some lame chick flick, which they were only watching because Lissa wanted to see it.
Glancing at Rose, he saw her smiling at nothing. It was a subtle smile, but one that really lit her entire face up.
Whatever, or whoever Rose is seeing in the middle of the night, is obviously putting a smile on her face Mason thought.
But Mason wasn't too sure it was Adrian until breakfast the next day. Sitting in the café, Mason had just gotten Eddie to "use the bathroom", so he can finally talk to Rose.
"Hey Rose" he said
Rose looked up from her plate to look at him. She looked so adorable with the little muffin crumbs around her mouth. Taking a deep breath, he was about to talk when he saw Rose look above him and smile.
"Little Damphir, another glorious morning I get to see you." Adrian announced as he swaggered over to their table.
"Hey man" Mason said, feeling flatter than a pancake.
Nodding his head towards him in acknowledgment, he came and sat down next to Rose on the bench.
"Wow, who knew that being up training at 4pm can make someone glow so much. Must be some amazing training Belikov is putting you through huh?" He said to Rose flirtatiously.
Rose bumped him harshly with her shoulder, not wanting to use either hand that was holding food to hit him. But, more importantly, Rose began to blush a bit. Mason saw the subtle redness on her tan cheeks. You wouldn't really notice it unless you are used to seeing Rose all the time.
Tucking her head down to hide her smile as well, Adrian began chuckling loudly.
That's when Mason knew. So, Rose is with Adrian huh?
He would be lying to himself if he said that he wasn't feeling crushed. How could he not? Rose decided to go spend her time with the biggest drunken playboy Moroi they ever met. How could he have a chance now?
Continuing to watch the two over breakfast. Mason remained silent. There is definitely something these two know that I don't.
When Eddie returned to the table after a really long bathroom break, he looked at Mason hopefully, but the small shake of the head and death glare to Adrian pretty much answered the silent question.
Later that night, everyone was in the lounge/living room area relaxing. Lissa and Adrian were sitting together whispering about something, then taking a few moments to stare out at everyone else only to resume their whispering. Tasha was sipping from a glass of wine in the kitchenette, talking to Guardian Belikov sitting across from her at the bar. Eddie and Christian were playing a fighting game on the flat screen. Mason was pretending to pay attention to the game, sitting behind them on the couch, but he was more focused on Rose, who was watching the game as well while sitting on the opposite side of the couch.
After having lost for the third time, Christian knew he had to give up his controller. Turning back, he asked.
"Hey, Hathaway, think you could do better?"
Stretching out and yawning "Fire crotch, I could beat you even if I didn't have fingers."
"Ok then, let's see you play"
"Actually, I'm heading to bed for the night. I'm exhausted"
Looking at the clock, Mason saw that it was only 4am, most of the time, they would head to bed around 6 am if they had training. She is probably going to bed early for her little midnight trip with Adrian. He thought sourly.
"Goodnight everyone" Rose announced
"Goodnight Rose" everyone said separately.
Mason stood just as Rose was making her way out, standing in her way in a lazy fashion.
"Night, Mase" she said with a smile.
"It's super early, Rose. Don't you want to stay up with us a bit longer" Mason said in a slightly challenging tone.
Giving a bit of an exaggerated yawn. Rose replied.
"I'd love to, but I really am tired. I should get some sleep"
Leaning down a bit a to look her in the eye Mason whispered "Why? Is it because you don't get an sleep at night anymore?"
Looking confused "What are you talking about Mason"
Getting annoyed he said "I checked up on you last night, you weren't in your room Rose"
"I was probably in the bathroom" Rose excused in a slightly shaky voice.
"oh yeah, IN WHICH SUITE?" Mason yelled, drawing everyone's attention.
Rolling her eyes, Rose crossed her arms giving Mason a leveling look. "I just prefer to go to bed early for training. I happen to get up before 4 pm you know?"
"It is truly ungodly for the two of you to be up training at such an hour" Tasha chimed in from across the room.
Plastering a wide smile that didn't even show her teeth, Rose glanced at her saying "Well I happen to enjoy the sunlight" taking a small jab that she can't say the same as a Moroi.
"Yes, watching the sunset is very pleasing to me as well" Dimitri added, while secretly wondering what Novice Ashford meant when he said Rose wasn't in bed.
"Good, now that we have all discussed just how early I wake up regularly, I guess that answers the question of why I want to sleep now. Good night you lovely people." Rose says sarcastically before making a swift exit from the room.
Everyone seemed to returned to what they were doing before, but Mason still looked pissed.
"Novice Ashford, may I speak to you for a moment" Guardian Belikov called.
Getting up to follow him, Dimitri led Mason into the stairway that is at the end of the floor, it was a secluded space, but Mason didn't know what Guardian Belikov may want to talk about.
"Tell me what you meant with Rose not being in her room earlier" he requested.
Shit I shouldn't have yelled that part out loud. Mason tried to think of an excuse before Guardian Belikov interrupted his thoughts.
"Don't lie to me either, you are not in trouble, but if I find out that you are lying, you will be"
Sighing Mason had to admit "The last three nights, Rose has been leaving her room in the middle of the night"
"And do you know where she is going?"
"No."
"How long is she gone?"
"About 2 hours, sometimes less"
"Do you have any clue what she may be doing during this time?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Mason didn't want to say what he thought she was doing, or who she was doing it with, but he really had no clue about what Rose what up to.
"Novice Ashford?"
"I don't know, probably getting drained by Lord Ivashkov" he replied, sounding bitter to his own ears.
Dimitri had to really think because he felt a strong urge to punch the young Novice standing in front of him in the throat for daring to imply something like that about the woman he loves. He knew Rose wouldn't do something like that to him, to them.
"Thank you for the information, Novice Ashford, I will be taking over this matter for now." He said curtly.
Mason was relieved he wasn't going to get in trouble and could not wait to get out of this stairway with the Russian God. He really admired Guardian Belikov, but he couldn't help but find him intimidating sometimes.
"And Novice Ashford?" Dimitri called just as he was exiting the stairway.
"Yes sir?"
"I suggest, you try to rethink the way you talk about your so called friends, I haven't known Rose nearly as long as you have and even I know she wouldn't be doing what you have implied to me today. If she knew you thought so lowly of her, she may never speak to you again." He advised.
Mason felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment and guilt wash over him. Embarrassed to have shown this immature and jealous side of himself to Guardian Belikov, someone who will become a collegue in a few months. Guilt was from having so little faith in Rose. Belikov is right, if she ever found out he implied she was a bloodwhore, she may never speak to him again, and that's after she would have kicked his ass.
How could I be such an idiot?
Dimitri watched the young Novice leave with his head down in shame, feeling a small piece of smugness that he was able to protect Rose's honor from those who didn't believe in her. Once that feeling dissipated though, he was faced with one nagging thought.
Where is Rose going in the middle of the night?
Ok everyone, another chapter done! Ooooooo seems to be a small mystery going on here. Can't wait to find out the truth. Again, leave reviews ok guys. Until next time.