Up to face the day. My life is a nightmare and my nightmares are living hell. What's happening to me? Everything used to be perfect. Mom and Dad were the best parents anyone could ask for. What changed?

Snap out of it Belikov! But how? I miss Russia. I miss MY academy. I didn't need to act out to get noticed there. "Mommy, I wish you were here." My voice sounds weak and it hurts me. I miss Sunday morning service with my family, even if they had to force me out of bed, but if there is a God he's forgotten me.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The monotonous beeping accosting my ears controls my body like a mindless robot.

Up.

Shower.

Dress.

Jog to the Gym.

This is going to be one hell of a week.

"Belikov, You're late!"

Late? My mental clock knows something's off. I'm never late, and if I am it's on purpose. I know I'm fifteen minutes early, which is something I had planned. I know I got up at five and took exactly a thirty minute shower. Then five minutes to pull my hair up and dress, which leaves twenty five minutes. Ten of those minutes was used to jog to the gym. Logically, it is impossible for me to be late. "I'm not late."

"It is five forty five, Novice Belikov. I expected you here no later then five-thirty." Her voice echoed steadily against the walls.

"My paper word said six. I have arrived fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. If you wanted me here at five thirty you should have properly informed me." I recognized my cool tone as a form of talking back, but honestly my energy and lack of interest made no move to correct it. "Let me guess. Laps" That sarcasm which just weeks ago my father would have answered with a witty reply fell flat on this tough crowd.

"No. I do not believe that we began on the right foot. And while I have no interest in becoming chummy with my mentors daughter. I believe it is in both of our best interests that I get to know you. Before any more rouge punches get thrown." Deep down she must have been biting her tongue because her entire speech screamed compassion.

"Who I am will never be important, Guardian Hathaway. 'They come first' I am here to become a guardian. Actually, I am here to learn from the best. The honesty of the matter is that as long as there is a threat against my family I will be a liability to any moroi I'm assigned to. Therefore, the likelihood of being matched to any moroi after graduation in three months is slim to none." I had chanted that speech so many times these last weeks it fightend me that it could soon become a very boring reality. The idea of sitting at a desk while my classmates did the job I was trained for really made me want to punch a wall.

"Novice Belikov, is being a Guardian what you really want?"

Is she really asking me that ridiculous question. Does she think I want to become a bloodwhore. "Excuse me?"

"When I was seventeen I killed my first Strigoi. I was sent to councling and the moroi counselor asked me that same question. I said, very sarcastically I might add, what other choice do I have. Or something to that effect. I had the last Dragomir to protect. But answer me this. All this angerand resentment that your showing our father. Is it because he cared enough to get you well trained. Or is it because you think he failed Tasha?"

Is this not the same woman who had the temper of a bull? "I love my father, Guardian Hathaway."

"Then why, exactly, have you acted like a child throwing a temper tantrum since you arrived?"

She was making a decent point. Mom never taught me to act like this. And well dad always had up his guardian mask. "I apologize." Then again I don't owe this woman anything. She's my father's ex-student/lover.

"I'm not the one who you need to apologize to. Also, I believe that pairing with you with a moroi at the younger campus might help your drive."

"A younger moroi?" What is she thinking? I'm a danger to everyone including myself.