Hey again everyone! Now for the issues:

Rose

No one ever said it was easy being a badass guardian. I just hadn't expected it to be this boring.

From the look on Lissa's face, she agreed with me. As her guardian, I was stationed near her as the Council meeting wore on, and more and more royal Moroi got up to speak and argue with each other, going in circles again and again. I took comfort from the fact that Dimitri stood next to me, but that didn't stop me from having to stifle a yawn.

"This is preposterous!" It was one of the Zeklos lords. His face was twisted in indignation as he shook his fist, spittle flying from his mouth. "The very idea of going after the Strigoi – it's totally preposterous!"

"The only thing that's preposterous," I murmured to Dimitri out of the side of my mouth, "is him using the word preposterous."

Dimitri's lips twitched, but that was the only sign he'd even heard me. Gone was the amazing, passionate sex god he'd been last night. Today, he was back in guardian mode, and wearing that careful, guarded expression I'd gotten to know so very well. Of course, that tough expression was still incredibly sexy, and I had to stop myself from salivating.

"We cannot strike the Strigoi before they strike us," the Zeklos lord continued to argue. "They'll wipe us out! Our numbers continue to dwindle as theirs continue to rise. We'll be extinct in just a few years!"

"And perhaps one of the reasons why our numbers are dwindling is because we refuse to act," drawled a familiar sarcastic voice. Christian Ozera, Lissa's infamous boyfriend and my good friend, rose to his feet. "I fail to see how standing here arguing is going to kill any Strigoi and make the situation any better."

The Zeklos man flushed red. "Well, Lord Ozera, perhaps you might enlighten us as to how you can possibly see this preposterous plan as one with merit."

"I don't need to. The evidence is right before us." Christian waved his hand. "After the Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir's a few months ago, the guardians there very bravely organized a rescue mission to save those who had been taken by the Strigoi. The mission was deemed a success – all of those who were taken were recovered."

Yes, I thought, but one of our own was turned Strigoi. I spared a glance to my side, but Dimitri showed no sign that he was thinking the same thoughts I was.

"The Ozera boy is right." A Moroi woman who I didn't recognize had stood and was speaking now. "It's time we stopped hiding and waited for the Strigoi to come to us and kill us. We have to take the fight to them. It's what they won't expect and they won't be prepared for it. That gives us the advantage." She hesitated. "Besides, the guardians have evidence that the Strigoi are mobilizing."

It was true. Strigoi attacks had increased in frequency on the East Coast even as they decreased on the West Coast. Sightings of Strigoi moving eastwards had been called in by Moroi, dhampirs, and Alchemists alike. Put together, these indications were extremely worrying, and a lot of people were frightened about what could possibly have motivated the Strigoi to mobilize.

"I refuse to fight the Strigoi on their terms anymore!" roared Christian.

The room burst into dozens of mini-arguments as royal and non-royal Moroi alike argued. From what I could see, the room was pretty evenly split.

"Order!" shouted Lissa. It wasn't often that I got to see her queenly side, and even I had to admit, it could be frightening. At the authority in her voice, the Moroi in the room quieted and sank back into their seats.

"Queen Vasilisa," the same Zeklos man said, an obsequious note in his voice now, "I hope you can see what a foolish idea this is. We don't even know the location of any Strigoi hideouts."

"Actually – "

All eyes swivelled to Dimitri. Some of them were narrowed in suspicion – not everyone trusted Dimitri, even now.

"I would be more than happy to divulge information regarding Strigoi movements and locations," Dimitri said. There was no weakness in his voice – this was the warrior the Moroi world had grown to know and respect. "I think you will find there are Strigoi dotted all over the East Coast – and there is, in fact, a Strigoi cell not far from here, on the outskirts of Pittsburgh."

There were cries of dismay from the crowd, including, "And you've waited until now to tell us?!"

"I have shared all the information I have with the guardians," Dimitri continued, keeping his voice neutral. "With the help of the Alchemists, we have been monitoring the Strigoi. When last I heard of them, they had no designs on the Royal Court, but would most certainly not be expecting an attack on their stronghold – which grants us a strategic advantage."

The room threatened to break out clamouring again, but Lissa held up an authoritative hand. "And what is your position, Guardian Belikov?" she asked, allowing a note of wariness to creep into her voice.

Dimitri hesitated – it wasn't often that a single guardian was asked to state his opinion in front of such an important gathering. "I believe in pre-emptively striking at the Strigoi," he said at last. "We could do some real damage to them that way."

At once, the room broke out into arguments once more. By the time Lissa had gotten them to quiet back down, she was sweating visibly. Luckily for her, the meeting had come to its close. "I hereby adjourn this meeting of the Moroi Council," she said. "We will continue this tomorrow."

The Moroi in the room rose and collectively bowed, then filed obediently out. I caught whispers of dissent and dirty looks shot at Lissa. As queen, though, she managed to retain her royal posture until she was absolutely certain the last of the Moroi had properly left. Then she slumped and put her head on the desk. I could practically see her shedding her queenly persona and becoming just Lissa, my best friend, again.

"Oh, Rose," she groaned. "You have no idea how exhausting that was."

"I'm not surprised," I murmured sympathetically. "They're all a bunch of idiots."

Lissa sighed. "I think I really need to take a shower, and then I'm in the mood for TV. Meet in the media room in thirty minutes?"

"Sure thing. I'll get the chips and guacamole." I flashed her a quick smile and she wearily waved, heading off to the royal chambers while escorted by a few other guardians. I headed over to Dimitri and leaned against his chest. "Well, Comrade, it seems you've moved up in the world. They value your opinion!"

Dimitri gave me a wry smile. "Hardly. It was just Lissa asking. And it's only day 1. You'll see how invisible I'll be tomorrow."

"You said some good stuff there, though. They must've realized the imminent threat." I looked up at him. "Do you think they'll authorize Strigoi strike teams?"

Dimitri was silent for a long time. Then, "I don't know," he said finally. "I don't know, Roza."

I'm hoping this story will be mainly from Dimitri's POV, but there'll be a couple Rose chapters here and there. What do you think? Reviews please!