Okay guys, I know that it has been a while since I updated, but a lot has been going on for me. The biggest thing would be that my Uncle was killed in a Vehicle-pedestrian hit accident a few days ago, at the young age of 42. A speeding car hit a parked car that pinned him and a fellow worker to a building they were working at. My uncle bled to death, his co-worker was lucky to live, but is in danger of losing both of his legs. I ask those of you out there who believe in God to please keep the man in your prayers. I am sad that my Uncle passed, but I am grateful that a second family was not robbed of their loved one. Updates may be a little slow for the next chapter or two but I do not intend to stop writing.
This chapter is dedicated to my 9 year-old cousin who lost her dad, and My 17 year-old cousin who lost not only his dad, but one of his best friends.
I would like to thank Lena1997, Hazzel and Crimson, Pheonix Evans, ClauILoveDimitriBelikov, Kaitykatxxx, Janine Hathaway, TechGeek95, obsessed53, sunayna4sho, Vafreek, xxxCrybabyxxx11, A Incomparavel, SAMI. JANE123, Sucker1995, and Elfina01 for all of the feedback and messages that encourage me to continue with this story!
A special thanks to lena1997, ClauILoveDimitriBelikov, xxxcrybabyxxx11, and Elfina01 for feedback through past chapters as well. I hope you guys enjoy the latest installment of L.O.V.E. is a Four Letter Lie.
~Ashley of Ashterbowden
Chapter Four: Absence of Morality
" If I could fly away, oh and I won't come back no more. I, I'd turn around just to see it for the last time. See now I know, hey that it won't be easy. I've been fightin' a battle woulda never made it this far, got a few more feet but it's still the longest yard. I gotta make it out this place somehow, man I really believe that I can turn it around. See all I need is that second chance to show since incarceration my obligation to rehabilitation. Watch behind, kick me low. Man it's gonna take more than that for them to break my soul. Man it's hard for people to understand what it's like to be gated, incarcerated most can't take it but I'ma make em' end to see better days. If I could fly away, oh and I won't come back no more. I, I'd turn around just to see it for the last time. See now I know, hey that it won't be easy. I've been fightin' a battle woulda never made it this far, got a few more feet but it's still the longest yard." - Fly Away (Longest Yard) by Nelly
2 years later
"Okay class! Next we will practice how to properly stake a Strigoi! You might think that most of you will never need to use your stake as many of you will be partnered with a Guardian, but what do you do when your Guardian is indisposed? Over the last two years this has become a major topic of interest in the Royal Court and the Queen has decided that you will be the first class to learn all the training that were previously available to only Guardian Trainees!"
Over the last two years, the Moroi Training Act, or MTA has completely taken off. Between myself and Alberta, the very first class, which we called the Trial Class, reduced Moroi death rates down by over fifty percent. From there the MTA was launched, with me, Rose Hathaway as the head of the older group.
Alberta was placed as the head of the younger groups who were taught along side the Dhampir novices. What had originally began as a one year punishment for a totally bullshit charge had turned into a permanent assignment.
My eyes flickered to Adrian Ivashkov, before returning to the stake in my hand.
I'd rather be filing paperwork at court.
"Today we will be actually using our stakes on practice dummies. These are the same dummies that are used by the Novices in their training." I gestured to the far wall where the dummies resided without breaking my eye contact with the other students. "These dummies are built to feel as though you are penetrating flesh. You must successfully drive the stake between the ribs and into the heart of the dummy to have 'killed' it. Does anyone need re-instruction on the safety protocols of using the stakes in class? No one? Okay. Line up, take a stake and choose a dummy. I will be around to give constructive criticism to those who need it. You may begin!"
One by one the Moroi felt the weight of a silver stake in their hands before heading off to the dummy of their choice.
Adrian went to the dummy that oddly resembled me and proceeded to drive a stake though the place a heart should have been.
Class had gone relatively well today. Few of the Moroi actually needed help with their technique and with a few tweaks were able to stake the dummies just fine. Although staking a practice dummy and staking a real Strigoi were two totally different things, at least they knew how to operate a stake.
A shadow moved quickly to my left, I flinched back and ducked instinctively. Using my right leg, I pivoted to face my attacker, only to feel my face pale and blood run cold.
Adrian.
Once upon a time, Adrian Ivashkov was a normal, un-extraordinary Royal Moroi. The biggest threat he could even hope to provide was an insult that people would shrug off as a drunken slur. But two years in an intense fighting program, absence of alcohol, spiritual darkness, and an old vendetta tend to make even the most harmless people deadly. After being forced to join the MTA by his parents, Adrian was forced to give up his everyday companions Cigarettes, and Alcohol, and was forced to use his healing abilities when other Moroi were injured.
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, like Lissa, Adrian specialized in Spirit and could do a lot of good things with his magic. But Adrian wasn't bonded like Lissa and I were. He didn't have an outlet for the darkness, and over time it just built up.
Until the day he figured out punching people you hate tends to diminish pent up anger.
And unfortunately, he held a lot of anger for me.
The MTA permitted Moroi to learn to fight, which in turn gave them the okay to use training to 'defend' themselves under whatever situation they deemed necessary. Damphirs are still prohibited from harming Moroi, inside or outside of class.
The guardians mantra, a creed I had had pounded into my head since before I could remember wouldn't allow me to go on the offensive, and that was all Adrian needed to grasp a hold of my neck. He shook me a little before pinning me to the wall and forcing me to meet his eyes. They seemed to go from emerald green to almost a dull, dark green. It didn't take me long to figure out what was happening.
Spirit users had a variety of talents from dream walking, healing, and even the ability to reach into ones mind to the most dangerous ability one could ever possess. This ability robbed a person of their very will if wielded in the correct manner. And it was impossible to fight, because it wasn't a physical attribute, it was a mental one.
Compulsion.
My mind felt hazy, drugged even. I knew what would happen next, this wasn't the first time this had happened.
"You won't tell anyone of this." My head nodded absently, already lost in the compulsion. I had tried once to resist the compulsion Adrian had set on me, but several migraines and three extreme nose-bleeds later, I had realized it was useless.
"I won't tell anyone of this." Adrian smirked slightly.
"You won't fight back, or call for help."
"I won't Fight back or call for help." The smirk grew to a full blown smile of pure malice. The hold on my throat grew tighter until I could hardly breathe. Out of instinct I reached up and attempted to pry his fingers loose. The only thing I managed to accomplish was irritating him, making his grip tighten just that much more.
Adrian shook his head in mock exaggeration. "Ah, ah Little Damphir! That won't do will it?"
His eyes bore into mine once again, but the compulsion felt stronger, more lethal and dangerous.
"You won't even try to defend yourself." I forgot about the side effect of what I was about to do- I fought back against the compulsion. But all I got for my troubles was an aching head and a trickle of blood escaping from my nose. Tears stung the back of my eyes as my hand dropped from Adrian's wrist, only for him to snatch it with his free hand.
"I won't try to defend myself." It was barely a whisper.
"Good." And then he jerked my wrist until he heard an awkward snap, and threw me across the mats.
I felt Violated, like a disgrace. Guardians had been train for centuries to fight against the forces of deadly immortals, but I couldn't even handle one Moroi. I bet Dimitri and my mother would be ashamed. I slowly made my way to the outer corridor, trying my best to act normal for my patrol shift when a young Moroi girl came up to me.
She was paler than a Moroi ought to be, which was really saying something as most of them could pass as a corpse. She bit her lip and extended a shaky arm towards me.
In her outstretched hand was a small, folded piece of paper. I nodded my thanks to the girl before watching her scamper off with out a moments hesitation. Typical Moroi, I teach them how to strengthen themselves and in the end all I get is undeserved terror.
Unfolding the paper proved to be rather difficult, my ribs were bruised and I had had to re-locate my shoulder before leaving the gym. I wanted to sit, but I knew my hips wouldn't be too happy about getting back up again. In the end, I opted to lean against the wall for support, it wasn't a bad option or so I thought until my back made contact with the hard wall. It felt as though someone was stabbing me with dozens of needles.
The note turned out to be a missive from Alberta to meet Kirova for a short meeting in her office at 4:30 am. I had 30 minutes to get myself together and get to the other side of the campus.
Yay. Fun for me.
When I finally reached Kirova's office I was mildly surprised to find Hans Croft, the head of all Guardians, there to greet me.
"Hans." I tipped my head slightly in greeting, before returning to attention. Hans gave the same.
"Hathaway."
Kirova cleared her throat before gesturing to the chairs infront of her desk. "Guardian Hathaway, you are aware of the sudden increase of Strigoi movement and attacks throughout the world recently, correct?" Confusion knotted my features, but I managed a nod.
"Yes, particularly in Russia, Spain, and England, with a slight rise in Hungary and Turkey. I do not mean to sound rude Kirova, but what does this have to do with me?" Be polite Rose, the faster you get out the less chances of them asking questions. Questions I can't answer.
Kirova remained relaxed in her chair, hands folded together, leaning slightly on her desk. The picture perfect headmistress. "Several cities that we believe are going to be targeted by Strigoi forces are being evacuated as we speak." I tilted my head uncertainly.
"And, this has to do with me because. . . ?" Hans sighed before continuing in Kirova's stead.
"A Guardian who once worked for the academy has requested that his family be moved to America. In return for relocating his family to Academy grounds where his sister and nephew can resume school with out being separated from their family, the guardian has offered his skills to help train the Moroi in the MTA."
"That as it may be Hans, I am still at a loss-" Hans silenced me with a raised hand.
"Guarduan Hathaway, you are being reassigned for the next month under the jurisdiction of the Guardian and Royal Councils. You are to go to Baia, Russia and assist then escort the Belikov family to St. Vladimir's where you will then resume teaching within the MTA with Guardian Belikov as your partner. Is that understood?"
I glanced down at my hands silently before slipping my Guardians mask in place and nodding. I had learned the hard way that you can't fight the Councils, especially if they hate you. And in my case, they were bent on making my life hell.
I looked up at the ceiling.
Russia, here I come.