Chapter 5:

10 Months Ago

Two months passed since I last saw Dimitri. As each day passed I felt more like myself and life got easier without him in it. There was no pain, no complications, and I finally felt at ease with everything going on. My aura even looked brighter than usual, according to Adrian. Yes, I still had that swarming darkness that would never go away because of Spirit, but still, it was better.

As the pain of heartbreak slowly faded away, I also started coming to my senses that leading Adrian on might not be a good thing. I knew he was developing feelings for me with each passing day and I thought I would as soon as Dimitri was out of my life, but I simply couldn't fully fall for him. I knew what I had to do.

I knocked on Adrian's door, taking a deep breathe, as I waited for him to answer the door. Within seconds he was at his door, with his usual big smile on his face. "It's about time you showed up," He said, quickly grabbing me around the waist and pulling me into the room. Adrian pressed me up against the wall and gave me a long, deep kiss that I couldn't help, but cave into momentarily.

I pushed back as soon as things were heating up. He looked at me confused that I would be stopping this, especially since I usually craved it after a long shift. I gave him a small smile and quickly walked over to his living room area, not sure how to start off this topic of conversation.

I ran a hand through my hair that I just recently cut, still not used to having it shoulder length. "Little Dhampir, have I told you that you look completely sexy with that new hair?" I couldn't help but blush at his comment. I had been so nervous about cutting my hair, especially since it had been long for years.

"Are you sure it isn't too much of a change?"

"Change looks good on you," He added, pressing his lips against mine again. His lips lingered and I pulled away again, knowing that I had to refocus on ending things with him. He gave me a look of intense curiosity and I looked to the ground.

"Adrian, we need to discuss a few things," I said quietly, not wanting to make direct eye contact with him, but forcing myself to anyways. His green eyes were staring directly into my brown ones, with a glimpse of worry.

"I think I know where this is going," He said, with a slight hint of anger in his face. His brows furrowed together, as he broke eye contact with me. He intently looked at the floor, fiddling with his hands.

I bit my lower lip, not sure how to continue this conversation. Why were breakups so painfully awkward? I mean I guess this was better than anger, but still, this was awful. "I was using you these past few months," I stated, waiting for an outburst. "It was a way to mask the pain that I had been going through ever since the whole Dimitri disaster and it is wrong for me to do that. I don't want to lead you on if I can't reciprocate the same amount of feelings."

I expected anger, but instead I got laughter from Adrian. It started off softly, but then increased in loudness. I didn't know where this was going or how to respond to this. "Little Dhampir, do you think I'm stupid?"

"I mean I thought you were – "

"I knew you weren't in it for love, but more or less just using me for comfort and pleasure. I was just okay with it because I like you and I wanted to help you get over that tool bag. Yeah, I love you, but more like a good friend. You gave me a fair chance, when I knew you weren't completely into me so why can I complain?"

My mouth dropped open, at a loss of words for how to reply. What the actual fuck? I was waiting for his anger to come, for him to say he was actually angry, but instead I got more laughter, as he stood up to pour himself a drink of whisky. He smirked at me and shook his head. "Little Dhampir, I won't be opposed to the occasional hook up. I do feel like we give each other a lot of pleasure, whether it is sex or a bite from me. I mean I'm game if you are?"

My eyes were still wide and I finally closed my mouth, still confused and equally surprised at his response. "I mean that would be great if you don't think that would be awkward."

He shrugged. "I mean if we are on mutual terms, I don't see the harm in that. Just if stuff gets too weird and we start developing real romantic feelings, then we should just stop completely."

Before I knew it, he was pushing me out of the room, saying that he needed to drink in peace. Secretly, I knew he wanted to watch his trashy reality TV about humans, still not quite sure what appealed to him the most. As I left his room, relief spread over me, happy that everything that went over smoothly. And hey, I still got someone to have the occasional hook up with.

Although, it almost felt like it was too easy to end things with Adrian. Especially since he pushed so hard to date me in the first place. "Men are so fucking weird," I murmured, as I continued down the hallway, not noticing the girl approaching Adrian's door.

Present Day:

I tossed and turned in my sleep, cursing that I slept on the plane and took a nap. Usually I never had an issue falling asleep, especially after a long day of guarding and training. I knew it had to be more than my brief naps throughout the day, I knew my subconscious thoughts were racing with my encounters with Dimitri.

My emotions around him confused me. How could I be so angry at him, then have a civil conversation? Why was I letting him still have power over me? I covered my face with both of my hands and took a deep breathe, trying to shake him from my mind. But as I attempted to clear him from my mind, I kept thinking about the way he looked at me and my hair right before he parted for the night. The comment to my hair that he adored so much, why did he even mention it?

Fed up with lying in bed and not getting anywhere, I quickly climbed out of it. I knew it was early in the morning and the pathways were still covered with ice and snow, but I didn't care. I need to distract myself and I might as well do it in the gym. Slipping on a pair of workout clothes and my heavy winter coat, I grabbed my keys and head out of my bedroom following that familiar path to the training gym.

I thought of how many mornings I would wake up to train with Dimitri. I was usually sore and bruised up, especially at the beginning, but I was always motivated to go. Sure, part of my motivation was to spend some one on one time with him, but also, I knew I needed to be at a certain level of intensity in order to have a chance of being Lissa's guardian. Wow, times had certainly changed.

Before I knew it, I was lifting weights and running laps around the gym floor doing one of my usual circuits. It felt nice being back in this gym that I knew so well. It was always so quiet and peaceful at this time of morning, especially with no one around. I was lost in time and it felt rejuvenating.

But of course, my life was just filled with interruptions. I heard the routine swing and creak of the door open to the gym and I quickly slowed down one of my laps, praying that Dimitri wouldn't walk in the door. I was in luck, no Dimitri, but instead it was his new mentor student.

"Oh shit, sorry to interrupt your workout," She said, taking off her winter coat and throwing it over one of the chairs.

I shrugged and finished up my ab set on the ground, taking a quick glance at her. She awkwardly stood there staring at me, slightly stunned at watching me. I guess I would take that as a compliment. I stood up from my workout, wiping the sweat from my hairline, and gave her a small smile.

"I was just finishing up," I said, grabbing my water bottle nearby and taking a long drink. Grabbing a workout towel, I started wiping the sweat off my face and walked towards her. I knew I needed to be civil, especially since this novice didn't do anything wrong. Wasn't her fault that she got assigned Dimitri as her mentor.

"You were the one talking to Dimitri yesterday, right?"

"Yeah, the name's Rose Hathaway," I replied, hoping that she didn't hear any of my yelling yesterday to Dimitri.

"Oh, so you're Dimitri's former trainee," the Novice stated, looking even more stunned. "He mentioned that he trained someone named Rose here, said that you turned out to be a phenomenal guardian."

I stared back at her, slightly shocked that Dimitri would even mention me to this Novice. I felt touched that he even had the decency to mention that I ended up being a strong guardian because it was the truth. I knew I was a badass guardian and I wasn't afraid to admit it. Self-assured, one would say? Yes, and I didn't care. "What is your name?" I asked.

"Andrea."

"Nice to meet you, even though it will only be brief," I coolly said. I started walking away from her, not sure what else to say. Was there even anything else to be said at this instance? Doubtful, and I just wanted to take a shower and then go wake up Eddie for breakfast. As I was grabbed my discarded workout shirt on the ground, I heard the Novice let out a loud sigh with hints of frustration.

She looked like something was bothering her, something that she wanted to talk to someone about it. I didn't necessarily want to speak to her, but I sensed that she wanted to talk to me about something. "Everything okay?" I questioned her, holding the shirt tentatively in my hands.

Andrea shrugged, then started stretching. "I feel like I'm not learning anything from Dimitri. He is cold towards me and just makes me run laps.

I rolled my eyes, throwing my shirt over my sports bra. "You will learn lots, trust me. I use some of the stuff he taught me to this day. Just keep showing up and putting lots of effort in; it'll benefit you. You just don't see it now," I stated.

"But—"

"Just be lucky you have him as a mentor to support you," I said, quickly leaving without another word. She opened up her mouth to say something else to me, but I was out the door before she even had a chance to speak.

Alberta had assigned me to patrol the grounds later that day. Unfortunately, Eddie was preoccupied with other Guardian tasks so I wasn't able to have his company. I buried my hands in the deep trench coat pockets, with one hand holding my silver stake, as I walked slowly across the property lines.

The environment was completely still after the snow storm last night. The moonlight shone on the snow causing it to glisten, while the air had that scent of freshness. The snow crunched beneath my feet, as I kept glancing across at the wards. They looked perfect, as they usually were. Ever since the Strigoi attack that happened here they had taken extreme precautions with the wards. Now the likelihood of another Strigoi infiltration had definitely decreased.

As I started walking near the gate, I saw that familiar duster in the distance. "Of fucking course," I muttered, realizing that fate seemed to not be on my side. I was still a mix of emotions from the previous encounter with him, especially since he went from acting like a complete jerk to acting like his old self. I knew it would be wise to continue acting civil towards him to show he wasn't getting to me, but sometimes it was too hard to take the high road.

As I approached him, I knew it would be best not to do more than nod my head, but a part of me was tempted to talk to him. What happened last night? What did it mean? I needed answers. "If I didn't know any better I would say that you are stalking me," I shouted towards him, as he turned around to make eye contact with me.

"Why do you think I have this obsession with seeing you?"

I kicked a bit of fluffy snow and let out a laugh. "Because you have a funny way of turning up multiple times within my last twenty-four hours here," I stated.

He shook his head and stared off outside the gate. I often wondered if he ever thought about what life would be like not being a guardian. What if Dhampirs could settle down like Moroi . . . they could have a family and not have to constantly worry about Strigoi? I mean that did happen, but it was usually frowned upon . . . why couldn't that change?

Realizing I shouldn't push this innate tension further, I quickly changed the conversation topic. "Gate duty? That sucks, Alberta must be out to punish you. Why would they put a bad ass guardian to stare out a gate where cars rarely leave? At least I get to move around, while you stand there in one place."

Dimitri stared into my eyes briefly, before breaking eye contact to continue staring out in the distance. Wow, nothing. Some person I had to attempt to entertain. Why I was even bothering to do this, I don't know. Maybe it was out of boredom or curiosity. Maybe I was just confused where we stood in this awkward reunion. Our emotions had been so up and down; I just wanted to figure it out.

"You wanted to talk to me yesterday, even accuse me of acting immature after everything that happened, but now you don't want to talk," I exasperated. "I mean you even fucking commented about my hair and why I cut it." I walked around him and stood in front of him, with my arms crossed.

"I'm sorry," He stated, not bothering to look down at me. "I shouldn't have accused you of immaturity when you had every right to be angry with me."

Damn fucking right. "Doesn't sound very sincere," I noted, seeing a flicker of annoyance across his face. "Listen, Dimitri, quite frankly I still don't like you and you confuse me, but I want to leave this off on a positive note like before."

He looked surprised at what I said, I mean I was surprised I haven't attempted to punch him yet. "I think we can manage that," Dimitri replied casually. "Anything to report on the patrol?"

Really? That was the topic of conversation? Geez, it felt like he had reversed back to his non-conversational self when I first met him. Despite the closeness I once had to Dimitri, he had never been much for conversation. Unless, he was invoking his Zen logic on me or talking to me about my techniques. "Nope, same old same old."

"Good."

Could this get any more awkward? I knew I should be getting back to patrolling, but I didn't want to leave this conversation on a painfully awkward moment. "How was Russia? Is your family doing well?" I asked casually.

That is what did it. Before I knew it, he flew into a long conversation about how everything was for him this past year. His family was doing well and he had even connected with some old friends from St. Basil's. I listened carefully, smiling and nodding at his enthusiasm. As he spoke, I noticed the lightness to his tone and happiness across his face when he spoke about his home in Baia. He barely mentioned guarding at St. Basils', but when he did it was that he had an arrangement to go home on the weekends with his family. I saw that happiness he told me had discovered and I couldn't help but feel happy for him. If I deserved happiness, so did he.

When she finally had an opportunity to speak, she looked at him with wonder. "Is this job here at St. Vlad's only temporary then? Are you planning on going back to Russia?" I softly said.

He shrugged and took time to collect his thoughts. "I cannot predict the future, but I want to stay in America. I love my family and friends, but I have come to terms that America is the better place for me."

"But you look so happy when you speak about Russia."

"I speak fondly about America to my family and friends back home," He replied. There was a brief moment of silence and he turned to face me, disrupting my thoughts and bringing myself back to the conversation. "I have a question to ask you, Rose. There is something that I'm not completely caught up on since temporarily leaving America."

"Sure, go for it," I said, hoping that it didn't deal anything with my personal life.

"Where is Hans Croft? I sent him a message a few months ago, but I never heard back from him."

My face quickly darkened at the mention of Hans's name. That was a completely different story than what I was expecting. Hans Croft was the latest hot topic of this past year, especially for the Guardians. I didn't know how to approach this matter, since it was still very controversial, but I knew Dimitri should be caught up. I mean he was a guardian in America again, right?

I cleared my throat. "He is no longer working at Court."

"Is that why Guardian Steele arranged for Jill's transport with Alberta?" Dimitri questioned.

I nodded. "A few months ago, Croft was going into town with a group of guardians and one of the Moroi who worked at Court. It was during human day, with a slight overcast, so they saw it as an opportunity for them to run several errands. They contacted the Court to tell them that they had arrived in town safely and should be back early Moroi time. It was all the normal protocol, except they never showed."

"Didn't you track them?"

"Oh, they sent a group of us out to go track them after we didn't hear from them for hours. We initially assumed there was traffic or some other delay, but as it approached midnight at Court there was still no sign of them. I was with the group to go searching in town for them, but on our way, we found the Court car pulled over on the side of the road." I paused, trying to push away vivid memories of what I witnessed. I would spare Dimitri the details, mostly because I didn't want to relive them.

I swallowed, then took a deep breathe before continuing. "Inside the car there were the guardians and the Moroi dead, by a Strigoi attack. Hans was nowhere in sight. We thought that he had escaped the Strigoi attack, but there was no trace of him. As days passed we could assume that he was either turned or taken and murdered. We couldn't track the Strigoi's on the attack at all, they must have covered up their tracks."

Dimitri stared at me in surprise, not sure how to respond. It was kind of surprising he hadn't heard about this attack in Russia, since stuff like this hadn't happened for a few years. Usually routine town visits with Moroi and guardians was very secure, but what exactly happened? One could only guess.

"The one thing that made it even interesting was that as they were going through Hans's stuff, they noticed his recent bank account activity. He had withdrawn all of his savings account in cash. Why would he be doing that unless he knew something was out to get him?"

He looked just as puzzled as I had been when I first heard that information. It was one thing to get attacked by Strigoi and disappear, but it was another thing when you would withdraw a substantial amount of money from your bank account before disappearing. Was Hans planning on turning Strigoi? Was he running from something or someone? There was silence between me and Dimitri as thoughts ran through our head regarding Hans Croft.

"Is the investigation still occurring?" Dimitri pressed.

I shook my head. "No, they abandoned it last month. He is now presumed to be dead, but I still think there is more to his disappearance. I pushed Guardian Steele to further investigate, but he wouldn't budge."

"Is there any other information?" Dimitri whispered. I could tell that he was saddened and disturbed at this news, especially when Hans Croft was involved. Hans Croft had stuck up for Dimitri when he was restored, after he came to turns with Dimitri no longer being Strigoi. They had parted on good terms and both agreed to keep in touch, so I knew it must be hard for Dimitri. It wasn't like he had many friends back in America.

I bit my lip thinking of everything that I knew during the time this happened. It had been discussed at multiple guardian meetings, but it was hard to remember all of the little details leading up to the disappearance with the many argumentative debates. But I did remember one detail, that had been bothering me quite a bit.

I took a deep breathe. "Yeah, there was one little thing. The last person he spoke with before he left on the routine trip to town was Queen Tatiana."

Author's Note: Thank you everyone so much on your reviews, favorites, and follows since my last chapter! Honestly reading your reviews made my day when I was busy studying and I appreciate each one of you very much. Expect the next chapters Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next week. Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)