I woke up feeling better than I had in three years. Ever since the bond was formed with Lissa, I'd never been my own person. I was always being controlled by something. First, it was duty, duty to the Moroi and duty to Lissa. Then it was the Darkness, I lived in fear and allowed the fear to control me. Lastly, I was controlled by emotions. Emotions for Dimitri and what we once had. However, letting the Darkness spread through me, put me in control and rid me of the useless emotions that had controlled me.
I'm not saying that I'm completely emotionless. I could still feel anger and hatred, happiness and pleasure. But the positive emotions were dulled and the negative emotions could be intensified, which would probably help in fighting. I tried to find an ability to love, but the more I turned inward, the more I found the negative emotions residing – love was nowhere to be found. Just as well, considering mine had died less than twenty-four hours ago.
The morning rays were slowly filtering in through the wall of windows. I couldn't remember a time when I'd naturally awoke before the sun was up, but I wasn't feeling tired in the slightest. I felt refreshed and ready to start the day.
I got up and dressed in running shorts and a sports bra. I grabbed my phone and headphones. As I made my way downstairs, I turned on my phone. There were numerous missed calls and text messages. I ignored them, blocking the numbers of those that were trying to reach me. I plugged in my headphones and turned on my running playlist. I exited the back door and made my way down the path that led to the beach.
Running on sand was a little more difficult than running on an even surface, but if I could run at my normal pace on sand, I would be able to run even faster on a solid foundation. I hadn't bothered to put on shoes because sand was going to get all over my feet anyway. I started running toward the back of the beach, furthest from the shoreline, but slowly worked my way to the water's edge. The cool water lapped at my feet as it rhythmically slapped against the wet sand.
My playlist had started with slower tempos and was now working up to the more upbeat songs. I'd run past dozens of houses as I ran to the end of the island, turned around, and started my way back to the house. From what I could tell, most residents weren't up this early. However, there was the occasional elderly couple that had seated themselves on the back porch, sipping coffee and watching the sunrise. When I noticed them, I would give a friendly wave, which was always returned.
The sun had been fully over the horizon for a little while when I finally made it back to the house. Pavel was just coming out the back door when I reached the start of the path leading up to it.
"Rose!" He greeted enthusiastically. "You're up early. How far did you run?"
"Hey, Pavel. I ran from here to the end of the island and back."
"That's like forty miles!" He exclaimed in dismay.
"Is it? It didn't feel that far." I said scratching the back of my neck. "I've been up before the sun. I'm just going down to the gym to finish a workout then I'm going to have breakfast. Do you want to join me, or would you like to do your run?"
"I think I'll go for a quick run and then I'll meet you down there." He said, still looking a little dazed. I was impressed with myself, too, but the forty miles that I had run didn't feel like anything. My body was still getting warmed up and I was ready for the combat portion of my workout, but I decided to lift weights until Pavel came down. When he got down here, we could spar.
Making my way to the basement, the house was still quiet. I assumed that Pavel and I were the only two awake at the moment, which wasn't too surprising given it was barely eight in the morning. The familiar scent of vinyl and sweat assaulted my senses as I walked into the gym. Three-quarters of the basement was taken up by machines and open space for sparring. There were staking dummies lining the back wall and a few fire-resistant ones in the back corner. I knew my father specialized mainly in earth magic, but that didn't mean that was the only magic he could do.
Maybe I could find a Moroi that was interested in combat. The more I thought of the idea, the more I wanted it to happen. However, I don't think I would want to work with anyone else. Putting myself in danger was one thing, but asking another, a Moroi, to put their life on the line was something I wasn't willing to do. I may have left Court and abandoned my life there, but I would not abandon my morals. I would not put a Moroi life or any life at risk.
I moved across the gym to one of the rowing machines and set my normal weight. The first pull, which is usually the hardest, felt like nothing, and I ended up yanking the handles back with little effort. I sat in momentary shock before adding more weight. I kept adding more weight until the pull felt like it normally did. I ended up adding more than double the weight than I usually row, I just about maxed the machine.
The Darkness was pumping through my veins, making itself known. With every beat of my heart, I felt the Darkness feeding my muscles, aiding my power. Thirty minutes of rowing was still doing nothing for me. I didn't know how to get that burn I usually did when exercising, but I found myself craving it, and I pushed myself further.
I'd moved on to the pull-down bar, utilizing all of the weights that it allowed me. When Pavel entered the room, I was just starting to feel my muscles tense from the strain. I glanced over my shoulder at him, his shirt was drenched in sweat and his hair was plastered to his forehead as he brought a water bottle to his lips. I could see his breath was still a little labored, whereas mine was still steady.
I gently released the bar, careful not to be lifted by it. I stood from my seat, walking over to my own water. I watched wordlessly as Pavel stretched his leg muscles before moving to his arm muscles. When he was finished stretching, he looked over at me.
"You ready to spar?" He asked with a smirk, which I returned.
"I was born ready." My body ached for the physical challenge of sparring.
We both walked over to a sparring mat in the middle of the room. I shifted my right foot backwards, bending my knees and keeping the weight evenly distributed between the two balls of my feet. My hands were balled in loose fists, my left at chin level, my right by my sternum. My elbows were away from my ribcage, but close enough to keep them protected. My shoulders were pulled back and relaxed, and my smirk was still firmly in place.
I silently observed Pavel's position. It was similar to my own; however, more of his weight was on his right leg than his left. His elbows defended his left side more securely than his right, and his left shoulder was more tense than his right. He was at least seven inches taller than me, but far from the tallest man I'd ever sparred against. He gave a slight nod of his head, indicating to begin.
My right leg swung out and connected with his left shoulder with a force that sent him stumbling to the mat. I wasted no time simulating a stake thrust from behind as he tried to right himself.
"Well, that didn't last long." He grumbled. "Again?"
I only nodded, and we lowered ourselves back into our positions. Again, he nodded his head slightly. This time he sent his left fist flying straight toward my head, but I saw it coming almost as soon as his arm started moving. I moved slightly to the right, allowing his fist to come dangerously close to my face.
When he started retracting his fist I used my left hand to grab his wrist, and my right hand came up to his shoulder. Pushing up with my left hand and pushing down with my right, I moved his arm upright. Pavel followed the movement, effectively keeping his shoulder in its socket. I brought my knee up to his solar plexus causing him to groan out in pain.
With my left foot firmly planted, I hooked my right foot behind his left knee, bringing it forward forcing him down on one knee. Pinning the arm I still had a grip on between my left arm and my torso, I simulated another stake thrust from behind before releasing him.
"Come on, Pavel. Are you even trying?" I asked as I stepped back from where he was still down on one knee, looking up at me perplexed.
"Absolutely, but you move so quickly, I barely see you coming before you're already on me." He said standing, brushing the imaginary dust off his body. "I don't think I'm going to be much of a challenge for you, or any other Guardian for that matter. If I'm going to be completely honest, I doubt any Strigoi has a chance at besting you."
"If I can't fight you or other Guardians, how am I supposed to get practice fighting another moving being?" I asked a little crestfallen.
"We could always attack in teams, that should definitely provide more of a challenge, though I'm not entirely sure if it'll be enough, but we can try." I nodded.
"Yeah, let's do that."
"The other Guardians should be arriving any minute now." Pavel said looking over at the clock on the wall. "How 'bout we take a break, eat breakfast, and start back at it once they've had a minute or two to settle in."
"Sounds good to me." He moved back to his water bottle, draining the rest of the contents before moving to the door motioning for me to follow. I scooped up my own water bottle, taking a quick drink before following him upstairs and into the kitchen.
I grabbed an apple from the bowl in the middle of the island and took a large bite. The sweet taste that I was expecting wasn't as bright as it once had been. I guess the Darkness dulled all of my feelings, including taste. I shrugged and continued eating. I knew I needed to eat to keep my body going, even if I didn't derive pleasure from it anymore.
Pavel was busying himself with a few frying pans: one with bacon, one with eggs, and one was greased, ready for the pancake batter he was currently mixing. I turned my head at a slight noise from the front of the house. Soon chatter filtered in through the glass.
"I think the Guardians are here." I said not moving from my spot on a bar stool by the island. Pavel's eyes cautiously glanced to the front door, waiting for it to open.
When it did, a dozen Guardians filed through into the kitchen, noses in the air like bloodhounds on a hunt, not noticing me.
"Hey, Pavel! Whatcha cookin'?" One Guardian asked.
"Good morning, Guardian Fleming. I'm making breakfast for myself and Guardian Hathaway." Pavel responded, inclining his head toward me. The Guardians finally noticed me where I sat, legs crossed, leaning on one elbow against the countertop. I gave them a sharp two-fingered salute.
"Howdy, fellas." They kind of looked a little taken aback by my presence, or maybe it was the fact the Pavel was cooking for me. The same Guardian that had spoken to Pavel stepped forward, hand extended.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Guardian Hathaway. I'm Guardian Fleming, but you can call me Christopher." As I shook Christopher's hand, I studied him. He was kind of attractive. Dirty blond hair, cut short, but styled messily. He had stubble across his jaw, but it didn't make him seem unkempt.
"The pleasure is mine, Christopher. Call me Rose." His eyes flashed in shock as he put two and two together.
"You're Rose Hathaway?" I only nodded as a response. His eyes roamed my body again, but this time as more of an assessment. "You're different than I was expecting."
"What were you expecting?"
"I'm not really sure, but not you." I cocked my head to one side thoughtfully.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment." The remaining eleven Guardians came forward to introduce themselves. In order of introduction: Christopher Fleming, Tyler Nelson, Jack Sanders, Jasper Carr, Ben Eddings, Luca Koch, Aidan Fisher, Clayton Shaw, Trey Foster, John Goad, Peter Thomas, and Kyle Howard. From the way a few of them shamelessly flirted with me, I drew the conclusion that they did not know I was Abe's daughter.
By the time all the introductions were made, Pavel had finished cooking and had graciously prepared my plate and set it in front of me. I ate the food quickly, thanking Pavel in between a few bites.
"Alright, boys. Your room assignments are over on the dining table, go put your stuff in your rooms, change, and meet us downstairs. You're going to help Guardian Hathaway train today."
"What if we hurt her?" Guardian Nelson asked with a smirk on his face. He'd been one of the few that flirted me and everything about him set me on edge. His hair was oily and smile unsettling. He was tall and lanky, and overall gave off a creepy vibe.
"Trust me, you won't hurt her." Pavel scoffed. I gave him a knowing smirk as I finished my food and washed it all down with a glass of apple juice. "You've ten minutes."
The Guardians dispersed quickly and moved off to their appointed rooms.
"Please tell me that Guardian Nelson will not be staying anywhere near my room." I said causing Pavel to chuckle.
"He's assigned one of the rooms in the basement. You shouldn't have to worry about him, not that you'll have a problem setting him straight." I nodded as I jumped off my stool and placed my dirty dishes in the dishwasher beside the sink. I washed my hands, dried them off, and moved back downstairs, Pavel following close behind.
"So, how is this going to work?" I asked when I reached the middle of the gym and turned around to face him.
"I kind of just expected to tell them to attack you and then go from there."
"Alright. I can work with that." I started stretching. "Are you going to fight, too, or are you going to observe?"
"I think it best if I observe you and give advice where I can." I smirked.
"Sure. I think you just don't want to get beat a third time." I chuckled quietly as he rolled his eyes. A few minutes later Guardians started filtering into the gym, stretching silently, waiting for orders from Pavel. I sat down in my position in the middle of the sparring mats.
Once everyone was in here, Pavel clapped his hands, and we all turned to him expectantly.
"Alright. The twelve of you are going to attack as a group. I don't care if you attack as a group of twelve, a group of six, or a group of four, as long as you attack in a group of more than three."
"Who are we attacking?" Jack asked.
"Rose." Pavel answered. The expressions on the Guardians' faces ranged from eager to scandalized.
"You want all of us to attack Rose at once?" Jack asked, clearly needing more specific instructions. Pavel nodded and turned to me.
"Are you ready, Rose?" I stood up from where I was seated and nodded my head. "Good. You twelve, circle around her and prepare to spar."
The Guardians moved into place, some more hesitantly than others. I lowered myself into my fighting stance, cognizant of the Guardians behind me, but also fully focused on those in front of me.
"Begin." Pavel said, but no one made a move toward me. I rolled my eyes and decided to make the first move.
I leapt to my left, spinning with my right leg extended, nailing the poor Guardian in the upper thigh. Jasper. The move sent him tumbling backwards, clutching his leg. I bent down and simulated a stake thrust before moving on to the next. Beside him, to his right, was Ben then Christopher.
Taking out Jasper seemed to bring the Guardians out of their momentary hesitation, and they began to move. The Guardian behind me, John, shifted his weight to his left foot, before starting to move his right leg up toward my shoulder. Instead of ducking, I turned to my right and grabbed hold of his leg mid-swing, using its momentum to propel me around the front of him. With my grip on his leg, I swung him into Tyler and Trey. All three fell with a thud.
Before I could move toward them to finish them off, Aidan was lunging toward me from my left, Christopher from my right, and Peter in front of me. I stopped to quickly assess my predicament, Aidan was the more immediate threat, so I braced myself for his attack. His arms were outstretched, aiming to grab hold of my waist. I quickly took a step back causing him to almost pass me, but I latched on to his wrists, pulling toward me. I stuck my foot out, sweeping him off his feet and making his torso turn toward me, giving me an opening in his chest. I took the opportunity to stake him.
Still bent over from staking Aidan, I rolled toward Christopher. He chose to jump over me, or try. As he was directly over me, I shot my hand out and grabbed his ankle. He started falling, his path would have caused him to land right on top of Aidan had he not rolled out of the way at the last second. I rolled to my feet as Christopher was trying to get the breath back into his lungs. I staked him while he was winded and saw a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye.
Peter was swinging his foot out at my face. I flung myself onto my back and I felt the rush of air pass over my body. He was moving into the follow-through of his kick when I quickly arose from my position. Two Guardians quickly grabbed hold of each of my arms. Kyle at my left and Jack at my right. I reared my head back and headbutted Jack, pulling my arm free and using it to punch Kyle in the jaw. Both stumbled back a few steps, giving me a chance to stake them both.
Peter was facing me again and John, Tyler, and Trey were directly behind him. Clayton and Luca were a few paces behind the four of them, flanking their sides.
Without warning I leapt into the air, sending a flying kick to Peter's sternum and followed it with a combo kick toward Trey. Peter stumbled back into Tyler allowing me the chance to stake him. Trey and Luca came at me from the left but I dodged their advances and staked them both before they could move out of my reach. Tyler was still trying to get Peter off of him, but Clayton and John had teamed up.
John aimed high while Clayton aimed low. It was a good technique and probably would have worked had they started their moves at the same time, but John started a second before Clayton, giving me time to stop John's fist before it connected with my shoulder and still have enough chance to jump over Clayton's sweeping leg. Ducking under the arm I caught, I twisted John's arm behind his back for staking him from the bottom of his ribcage and pushing him into Clayton.
Clayton went sprawling to the mats where he stayed after I staked him, too.
That just left Tyler. I smirked as he finally pushed Peter off of him and faced me. With a speed I didn't know I possessed, I flew at him, punching him in the gut and kneeing his chin as he doubled over. Once he was on his back on the mat, I pressed my knee into his gut, right where I'd just punched, and slammed my fist over his heart.
"Still think you're going to hurt me?" I asked smugly, my voice even. I wasn't gasping for air like the other Guardians. I don't know how long the encounter with the twelve of them lasted, but it wasn't longer than ten minutes. I stood up and looked over at Pavel. "Any suggestions?"
"Nope. I think you're good." A large smile spread across his face as he took in the state of the twelve Guardians around me. They were all groaning in pain, but the ones that I'd taken out first looked up at me in awe.
"Now that's what a man likes to see." Abe's voice rang through the gym. I turned to see a humorous smirk on his face. "His daughter surrounded by men in pain."