Chapter 45: Good Offense
Dimitri took both my hands and started massaging the back of them with his thumbs as he opened his mouth to say something. But before he could say anything, I stopped him.
"Wait, Dimitri, before you say anything I need to say this" I said as I let go of his hands, stood up and sat down in his lap. He scooted back in the chair and his arms immediately circled my waist.
"I am so sorry that I didn't wake you up when I had a bad feeling and I do trust you with everything that I am. And you are right, I would be furious with Lissa if she went off on her own to investigate a threat. I didn't know why I didn't wake you up until Celeste talked it through with me and you were right, I should know better by now. I am just tired of being stuck behind the walls here, Baia and St Vlad's. But I promise I will do better from here on out."
"I know you will, Roza and I am so sorry for everything that I said to you. My fear of losing you just took over me. I kept thinking about you in Spokane and when Ivan died and I am not sure I can endure losing you."
"I didn't even think about Ivan and Spokane, I am so sorry." I said as I wrapped my arms around Dimitri's shoulders and he squeezed my waist pulling me closer to his chest. Our foreheads touched as we drank each other in and relished the closeness of each other and I realized how much I needed him and his strength. I gave him a quick peck on the lips before asking "What did you want to tell me?"
"Well first, I think we need to talk about your actions." Dimitri started. "So, I am glad you listened to your instincts, but first and foremost you need to inform your partner. Whether that is me or a guarding partner or whomever. You are not bothering anyone, that's our job, okay? I really need you to understand that."
"I get it Comrade; I am sorry I didn't wake you" I pleaded.
"I know you are and you did something right too." Dimitri said with a small hint of pride on his face.
"I did?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes, you did. When you called the control room to check on things, it caused the guardians to be extra vigilant and they saw that Tasha and Guardian Andrews were actually outside the compound trying to get in. Tasha was able to jump up on top of the wall but they detected her because of your advanced warning. Plus had she gotten into the compound, you alerted our guardians as well causing them to be on high alert."
"Really, oh my god, I can't believe that she made it on top of the walls."
"I know, everyone was surprised that she was able to do that, I guess we under estimated her abilities. But the biggest lesson is to trust your instinct and wake me up no matter what." Dimitri said with his mentoring voice.
"What happened with Tasha and Guardian Andrew?" I asked.
"When the alarm sounded, I was already in the gym working out so I sent everyone who was with me back here with the exception of Matt. Plus a few of the retired guardians, who were in the gym at the time, volunteered to come back here as well to help bolster your security, then Matt and I ran to check things out." Dimitri explained. I was trying to blink back the tears in my eyes, when Dimitri asked "Roza, what is it?"
"I just can't believe all these people would come to protect me."
"Roza, everyone here loves you, trust me, you must have made such an impression on the retired guardians when you were younger." Dimitri said sweetly brushing a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Yes, I was starting to realize that while I was looking at this album. How come I never heard an alarm go off, plus what happened with Tasha?"
"Celeste told me you were in the shower when the alarm went off and she thought it would be better if I told you what was going on." He stated and I nodded at him to continue. "And as for Tasha and Guardian Andrews, your father has some pretty advance tactics for dealing with strigoi and it shouldn't surprise me but it did. So, Tasha was able to jump on the top of the 10-foot concrete wall but with your advanced warning, the guardians were already in place. And your father and Pavel have some pretty amazing weapons at their disposal here. They used flame throwers to prevent her from coming over the wall. And she eventually gave up and jumped back down and ran away with Guardian Andrews."
"Wow"
"Yes, wow, but Matt and I spoke with Pavel once everything was under control and we have decided the best place for you right now is in Baia. Pavel wants to reinforce the wall more since Tasha was able to breach it. So, pack whatever you need for Baia and the states because we will leave from there to fly to Court. And Pavel and your parents want to leave within the hour."
"Are we going to be able to stay with your family?" I asked hopefully.
"I am afraid not, but I called them to come to the complex for safety and then I can talk with Mama, Karo and Sonja about the plans for Vika's trials and graduation."
"Okay" I said standing up and grabbing the album to take with me. Dimitri stood up and followed me out of the office and into the bedroom. Celeste and Vika had left, I assumed that they went to go pack for our trip. Dimitri brought out our bags and I went into the closet looking to see what I might need, while I was thinking what was in my closet back in Baia.
Dimitri walked back into the closet and started picking out clothes for himself. I picked out a few outfits and workout clothes that I liked wearing and placed them on the bed. I then picked out my bracelet, because I definitely knew, that I wanted to wear it for my graduation and dance. Dimitri was folding his clothes and packing our bags and I started folding my clothes, his neat freakiness was wearing off on me. Dimitri looked over at me and gave me his panty dropping smile that was reserved only for me,
I walked up to him and went up on my tippy toes and planted a kiss on his lips. He responded by wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to him. I pulled back smiling at him when he asked "What was that for?"
"Nothing, I just love you."
"I love you too Roza" he said leaning down and giving me another kiss, more passionate than the one I started with. He pulled back and said "while I like where this is going, we will have to postpone it, because we have a plane to catch."
I hugged him than gave him a quick peck before pulling away and going back to packing. Dimitri went to the closet and brought out the binders that Pavel had given us and placed them and my album in a separate bag. Once everything was all packed, Dimitri texted Pavel asking if the plane was ready.
"Ready to go?" Dimitri asked as he took the bag with our clothes and I took the other bag with the album and binders.
"I think so" I said and we walked downstairs to find our team waiting for us in three SUV's I looked around and noticed more people than usual. We were whisked off to the air strip and when we arrived, I was in awe to see a much bigger plane.
"Holy shit" I exclaimed and Dimitri rolled his eyes at my language.
"Come on, I will let your parents explain." We climbed up the stairs to the plane, which was about as big as an overseas commercial airplane, not that I had much knowledge of these things, except for what Lissa had told me. Pavel greeted us at the top of the staircase and Dimitri and he spoke briefly and told us that my parents were at the front of the plane. I entered the plane and I was in shock at the luxury of the interior.
When I looked one way I could see there were two aisles separating a pair of huge seats. Then when I looked the other way there was an aisle that divided the plane with three seats on either side. Dimitri placed his hand at the small of my back and guided me toward the front of the plane and he picked out two comfy seats when I heard "Kiz".
"Hi Baba, Hi Mom" I said and walked over to them. Dimitri followed me after he had stored away our bags. "What's going on? Why the big plane?" I asked while looking around and noticed that the plane was about half full. I noticed most of the guardians including my own were in the back of the plane. But I did see that Vika, Matt, Christian, Lissa, Celeste and Yuri were all sitting up front with us in the comfortable 'first class'.
"As Dimitri has probably told you, we are going to Baia, so that the wall here can be fortified since Tasha was able to breach our security measures. And we are taking this plane to Baia because we will leave for Court from there and all the guardians that can be spared, except those on their way court, are coming into Baia." Baba explained.
The pilot came over and spoke with Baba asking him if he was ready to leave which Baba replied that everyone was on board and we could leave. Shortly after that, there was a voice on the intercom telling everyone to take their seats for departure.
Dimitri and I went to our seats and as before, I took the window seat and Dimitri took the aisle seat for the extra leg room. I buckled myself in as we taxied to the end of the runway. I still was not comfortable flying and while planes this size take off every day, I still had an irrational fear that we wouldn't be able to take off before the end of the runway.
As the engines started to roar, Dimitri looked over at me and seeing my uneasiness, he grabbed my hand squeezing it tight and saying "It will be alright, Roza."
The plane started barreling down the runway and just before I feared we would reach the end of the runway and crash, the plane started to ascend.
Once we were up in the air, I let out a sigh of relief and Dimitri squeezed my hand one last time then put his arm around me pulling me to his chest. I looked over at him and chuckled at the fact that he had already pulled out one of his western books to read.
Dimitri leaned down and kissed my hair and then whispered in my ear "You know your ass is mine in the gym due to last night, right."
"Yes" I spat out full well knowing this was going to happen. "So, what is my punishment going to be?" I asked batting my eyelashes hoping he would be lenient with me.
"I haven't figured it out yet but batting your eyelashes will get you nowhere" Dimitri smirked.
I cuddled further into Dimitri and between his warmth, his smell and my lack of sleep, it didn't take me long to fall asleep.
I woke up at some point finding a blanket covering me but no Dimitri. I pulled out my phone and realized I had been asleep for about an hour and half, which meant we were about halfway thru our flight. I stood up and stretched and looked around and saw that pretty much everyone was asleep. Christian and Lissa were cuddled up under a blanket fast asleep. Vika had cuddled into Matt, like I had cuddled into Dimitri and I was so happy for them. It seemed that they had found their soulmates in each other.
My eyes landed on Eddie and saw in him a discussion with Dimitri and as if Dimitri sensed me, he looked up and gave me a quick smile and then turned back to Eddie. I figured they were probably discussing Eddie's kidnappings by strigois and I wondered if last nights breach by Tasha had triggered him in some way. But I hoped Alberta was right and that this was the best place for Eddie, where he was supported by guardians with different backgrounds and perspectives.
I made my way to the middle of the plane to use the bathroom and when I came out a woman in the galley approached me. "Miss Hathaway, is there anything you would like to eat or drink, you were asleep when I came by earlier."
"Yes, thank you, I am starving, do you know if Guardian Belikov had anything to eat?"
"No, he wanted to wait until you woke up." She responded.
"Could we have a couple of sandwiches, fruit, water and cookies if you have them?" I asked.
"Of course, why don't you have a seat and I will bring that right over."
I walked back to my seat and found Dimitri already back in his seat. "Hey Comrade" I said as I scooted over him and I might have pushed my butt into his face that was more than necessary to get into my seat. I heard him quietly growl and I smiled to myself that I had achieved my goal.
Once I was in my seat, I informed him "I spoke with the flight attendant and she is bringing some sandwiches over for us."
"Oh, good, I am starving" Dimitri said as he pulled down our tray tables.
"You could have eaten without me." I told him, feeling slightly bad that he waited.
Dimitri shrugged it off as the flight attendant brought over the food I had ordered. Once we had fixed everything and started eating, I asked "How's Eddie? Is he okay, especially with Tasha breaching the wall?"
"He's okay, I went to check on him because of Tasha but also because we are heading back to St Vlad's and I wanted to know how he felt about that. He seems to be doing well, some of the guardians had reached out to him to offer support and share their own ordeals. But Pavel and I will still keep an eye on him."
"Thanks Comrade, you have no idea how much it means to me that you have taken Eddie under your wing."
"Well, he's a good fighter, a genuine nice person and one of your best friends, so I would like to give him all the support that I can."
"Thank you" I said as I kissed Dimitri's cheek. "You seem to enjoy your job of teaching and mentoring other guardians and novices, not to mention that you're really good at it, but then again I am biased."
"I really do enjoy it and I enjoyed it when I was mentoring you. Why do you think you are bias?" he asked with a hint of a smirk.
"Well, for one thing, I showed up to all my lessons because I wanted to get into your pants." I explained with a devilish smile. Dimitri had taken a sip of water and spit it out when I said that and started coughing. I patted him on the back until he settled down.
"You definitely keep me on my toes." Dimitri laughed. We finished our meal and then I turned in my seat, put my legs up in his lap and we just talked. It was probably the thing I missed the most from our days at St Vlad's. We no longer trained by ourselves like we used to and didn't always have the opportunity to talk like this. I realized that we were all concentrated on trials and graduation plus all the threats out there. I made a mental note that after graduation we needed to get back to training by ourselves at least once a day.
All too soon, the captain announced that we were getting ready to land, so I begrudgingly took my legs off Dimitri's lap and buckled up. It was a smooth landing for such a big plane, as far as I could tell and we were quickly whisked off to the Mazur compound in a convoy of black SUV's. Due to the extra guardians with us, multiple trips were needed to bring everyone back.
Dimitri and I reached the third floor of our suite and I could smell delicious things coming from the kitchen. Dimitri inhaled deeply and said "Smells like Mama's cooking."
We put our belongings down in the hallway and proceeded to the kitchen where we found all of the Belikov women cooking and talking. We all hugged each other and I couldn't believe that even though we had just visited with them, that I had missed them so much.
Paul, of course, came running at us and screaming Dimitri's name as Dimitri caught him and lifted him up in the air. Once the two of them had a little bit of rumbling and tumbling, Paul turned to me and said "Hi Auntie Rose"
"Hey Paul! How are you doing?"
"Better now that you guys are here." Paul jumped out of Dimitri's arms and dragged us both by the hand pulling us to the living room, where we found Zoya on a playmat on the floor where she was getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth like she was going to crawl.
Dimitri immediately laid down on the floor in front of her and placed toys just out of her reach in an attempt to get her to crawl. Just then Vika and Matt arrived upstairs and Vika shrieked "Oh my god, is she about to crawl?"
Dimitri looked up at his baby sister and said "I think so." Vika got down on the floor next to Dimitri and was talking to her in Russian to get her to crawl. I couldn't help myself and laugh at the scene in front of me. I sat down on the floor to watch the drama unfold. Poor Zoya looked from one person to another like they were crazy, which they kind of were. But in a weird turn of events, Zoya looked at me and actually started to crawl towards me.
Everyone was screaming with joy and the Belikov women came into the room to witness what was going on. As soon as Zoya made it to my lap, I picked her up and praised her. I knew she had no idea what I was saying but I hoped my face showed my feelings.
Dimitri started praising Zoya from over my shoulder and when I looked at him, he had the biggest smile on his face as well as a far-off look. I then caught a glimpse of Olena and her facial expression matched Dimitri's in which I could only describe as baby fever.
I looked back at Dimitri and gave him a look that said 'slow down their Comrade, let's get thru graduation before we even discuss a family in our future.'
Dimitri just winked at me, then kissed Zoya's head as I handed her over to Karo so she could hug her baby girl after witnessing her crawling.
Dimitri whispered in my ear "That looks so good on you." I shook my head at him and stood up and went to the dinner table as Dimitri followed me.
I felt the most peace here, surrounded by Dimitri's family, than I have in a long time. Probably not since Lissa's parents were alive. Hopefully after graduation, things will calm down so that Lissa and I could spend more time together. I realized that Lissa and Christian needed each other since Christian lost Tasha and Lissa had lost Adrian as a friend.
I also could not wait to spend more time with Baba and my mother. Everyone was working so hard to help all of us get through to graduation. As if sensing my mood, Dimitri pulled me a little closer and kissed my temple.
"I am skyping with Alberta after this to discuss arrangements at St Vlad's, do you want to sit in and say hi?"
"Yes, I loved too, I've missed her." I happily told Dimitri as Alberta was like my surrogate mother at St. Vlad's.
"I thought so, it's in a couple of hours, so we can hang out with my family if you want too? And I think at some point we need to start packing for Court and St Vlad's just in case we need to leave quickly."
I nodded at him. We finished eating and helped clean up and then everyone went into the living area to talk. Zoya was on the floor with Paul, Dimitri and Vika trying to get her to crawl to them. She was starting to get the hang of things when Karo said "Well, we definitely need to child proof the house or houses, Dimitri, what is the plan?"
Dimitri sat up and started "The plan that was decided by everyone is that Lissa and Christian will go to court and take their exams and stay at Abe's house at Court with a compliment of guardians, plus there is a house outside of Court if needed. The rest of us, including Vika will go to St Vlad's so that Eddie and Rose can do their trials and get there promise marks and then we will go to Court for graduation. Then everyone will fly back here to St Basil's so Vika can participate in trials and graduation,"
"Are we able to go see them?" Olena asked.
"Yes, Vika said she wanted everyone to come to her graduation, so Pavel will contact the head guardian and arrange for housing for all of us and the extra guardians."
"Are St Vlad's and St Basil's okay with the influx of guardians and family?" Karo asked.
'Yes, Pavel has already spoken with Hans, the head Guardian at Court and Alberta and they are happy to have extra guardians especially at St Vlad's since the attack." Dimitri informed them.
Sonya, who is usually quiet asked "Are we allowed to come and see Rose's trials and graduation?"
This surprised me and based on Dimitri's face he appeared to feel the same way and asked "You all want to come?"
As we both looked around at his family, they all agreed with Sonya. "I am not sure about St Vlad's but I have a call with Alberta later, so I can ask her opinion on safety and I will speak with Pavel about Court. But you will definitely get to go to Vika's graduation."
Dimitri continued "Pavel and I feel that for the time being, it is safest if you stay here under Abe's protection, and I am sure some of the retired guardians would help baby proof this house, the family house and wherever Zoya might go."
Yeva spoke up "It will be safe for us to go to St Basil's with Vika and it will be safe to go to Court to see Rose and her friends graduate."
"Yeva, it is safe for Roza and I to go to St Vlad's" Dimitri asked with a hint of worry in his tone.
"Yes, you and Roza will be safe as long as you stick together." Yeva said I didn't miss the quick look Dimitri gave me when she said that.
Just the Pavel came up the stairs "Sorry to interrupt, I need to speak with Dimitri and Rose for a quick minute."
Olena stood up and said "We should get going anyways."
Dimitri stood up and said "You don't need to leave."
Olena cut him off and said "No, it's okay, we need to go and baby proof the house here."
Pavel spoke up and said "I have two guardians who could help you with that. I can have them meet you at the house, if you would like."
"If it's not too much of a bother." Olena responded.
"No bother at all" Pavel said and he took out his phone and texted the guardians.
Dimitri and I said goodnight to Dimitri's family, then Pavel said "Actually Matt and Vika, do you mind staying, what I have to say will affect you as well."
We all sat back down on the couches and Pavel started "I just came from the second floor, I let the guardians know that because of the influx of guardians coming in, we need to double up the room arrangements. It's going to be a little tight, but if there is someone you want to double up with then you can rearrange living quarters. Some guardians are bringing up some cots for each of the rooms."
I didn't miss the look Vika and Matt gave each other and I definitely didn't miss the look on Dimitri's face as I stifled a laugh.
"The gym will be more crowded, but I have set up times for groups of guardians to work out, so hopefully that will give everyone a chance to work out without a huge crowd," Pavel explained.
"Speaking of the gym, I was thinking that some of the guardians could participate in some sneak attacks on the novices." Dimitri pondered.
"Not a problem, just let me know what scenarios you want to set up and I can pick out some guardians to help." Pavel stated.
"Good, also my family asked if they could go to Court to see Roza and her friends at graduation and then to St. Basils for Vika."
"That shouldn't be a problem, we can fly them over once you are done with St Vlad's and Vika, I have already spoke with St Basil's and you are all set for your trials, promise ceremony and graduation."
"Thank you, Pavel," Vika said as well as Dimitri.
Pavel left and Dimitri said "Come on Rose, let's go speak with Alberta." Dimitri held his hand out and I grabbed it as I stood up, I turned around to Vika and said "Feel free to stay up here and hang out."
"Thanks Rose" Vika said.
Dimitri and I walked into the study and Dimitri sat down and pulled me onto his lap as he used the laptop to skype Alberta.
It didn't take long for Alberta to respond and as soon as I saw her on the screen I exclaimed "Alberta, I've missed you so much!"
Alberta chuckled and I could feel Dimitri laughing behind me.
"I've missed you too Rose and you too Dimitri." Alberta said.
"It's good to see you as well Alberta" Dimitri said "I was calling because Pavel wanted me to be a liaison between our team and St Vlad's."
"Yes, Hans informed me about the plans and the extra guardians he is sending us for trials. How many guardians will you be brining with you?" Alberta asked.
"I believe the official count of guardians that we will be bringing with us is about 100. Twenty-five of those will be staying at Court with Princess Dragomir and Lord Ozera and the other 75 will becoming with us to St Vlad's. We have both active and retired guardians coming with us."
"Okay, and Hans is sending 25 additional guardians to help reinforce the wards with the Moroi teachers as well as help with repairs to the campus. We placed all the novices from kindergarten to the senior class in the senior Moroi dorms with guardians on every floor and the junior and senior novices have been helping to look after the younger ones."
That made my heart swell for my classmates looking out for the younger novices and I could tell Dimitri felt the same way since he squeezed my waist and kissed my shoulder from behind. I don't think that he even realized he had done it.
Alberta continued "No one is in guest housing so Abe and Janine will have the whole place to themselves and it can house about thirty-five guardians. Rose's old dorm can house about fifty guardians and Eddie can decide where he wants to stay."
"I'll ask Eddie where he wants to stay, but my guess is that he will stay with our team, plus my sister is coming as well, she is a senior at St Basil's but she has been staying with us. Her trials are two weeks after St Vlad's so she coming to keep up training."
"Sounds good, I'll send you the room plans of guest housing and the senior novice dorm and you can make up assignments and just let me know if there is anything else you need. And I can't wait to see all of you when you get here."
Dimitri and I said goodbye to Alberta and then Dimitri kissed my temple and said "Come on let's get some clothes packed for St Vlad's and Court, in case we need to leave sooner rather than later."
Dimitri got out suitcases for us and he quickly packed his things since he was just bringing his workout clothes, uniforms and a set of casual clothes. Once he finished, he went out into the bedroom and started working on room assignments.
I started packing by getting the three outfits that Lissa and I had gotten for my promise ceremony, graduation and senior dance. I then picked out some sexy lingerie to go with them and I was thrilled when I realized the red bustier that Dimitri had picked out at Victoria Secrets would go perfectly underneath my dress for the dance.
But it then dawned on me that Dimitri didn't really have any formal wear for the dance. So I texted Lissa and told her I needed help to get Dimitri something to wear. She texted me right back saying that she had realized that Christian didn't have anything either, so we conspired that once at Court we would be undergoing a secret tuxedo shopping spree.
I told her that I had a pretty good idea of Dimitri's size, but then realized I wanted Vika and Celeste there too, so Lissa texted to leave it to her, she would get everything organized so that the girls had dresses and shoes and that Matt, Yuri and Eddie plus Christian and Dimitri would all have tuxedos for the dance.
We made plans to start planning on the plane ride over to Court and we both expressed that once graduation was over that we both needed some overdue girl time. And when I expressed that Baba wanted us to have clothes for each of his properties so that if we had to flee quickly, we were prepared. I could hear the screaming through the bond causing me to laugh at her excitement. Happy that we had some plans set in motion, I quickly picked out workout gear and some causal clothes.
By the time I finished, exhaustion was starting to creep in, so I washed my face, brushed my teeth and climbed into bed with Dimitri who was still working on assignments. I kissed him good night and I literally fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.
Thank you for all the reviews and support, hope you enjoy this chapter.