Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or anything surrounding it (but I do own this plot :D)


JPOV

And so began the fateful day: the Ivashkov Party. To be completely honest, I wasn't exactly sure what they were celebrating. I had asked Emyl, but he just said it was probably an excuse for them to show off how much better they were at throwing a party since the Contas had just done one four weeks prior for their titled member. Whatever it was, I was grateful for the lie in.

Or would-be lie in, as it turned out.

"Janine! Janine! Get up! Janine!" I shot up, bold and awake, at the sound of the relentless banging against my door.

I flew out of my bed and swung open the door in a state of panic. "Harriet! What it is? What's wrong?"

She, against my expectations, seemed completely unharmed. In fact, she appeared at my threshold completely dressed and carrying a large bag over her right shoulder. "We need to get ready for the Ivashkov party." She said inviting herself in. I remained by the door for a moment as I tried to process the situation. Shutting it slowly, I turned to see my friend flick on the light, dump her bag on the bed and wander to the kitchen to make some coffee.

"Uh, Harriet..." I said after peeling my gaze away from the clock that read 05:34. "Isn't it a little early..."

Harriet shook her head and I watched with caution as she chugged back every drop of the freshly boiled coffee, not seeming to care that it was scalding her mouth. "No, no, not at all. Oh, Janine, you have no idea how competitive these royals are. You have to be so prepared. I thought they'd all be nice, but all they seem to do is...well, not be nice. But that's okay – I'm probably just misreading them. Yes! That's it! I'm sure the absolutely lovely."

I walked over to my friend and took the coffee jug out of her hand. "I think you've had enough there."

She smiled sheepishly before pulling me into a hug. "Oh, Janine. I've missed you so much."

I felt a pang of sadness pulse through my body and I hugged her tighter. "You only saw me yesterday." I reminded, but perhaps not just her.

"I know, but it's not the same." She sighed as she pulled back and I could see the water fill her blue eyes. "Oh, look at me! I am whining like a thirteen year old at...oh my God! It's twenty to six! A.M!"

I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing. Harriet stared in horror a little longer before succumbing to her own hysterics. We flopped down onto my bed and just lay there laughing for a while.

"Hey! Keep it down in there!" someone yelled, banging against the wall.

That only made us laugh more.

"Your room isn't soundproofed?" Harriet asked between giggles as we began to calm ourselves down.

I shook my head. "I don't think we have the budget for such luxury."

"I think some of the people here could benefit in losing some of their budget." Harriet muttered.

My jaw dropped. "Harriet Conta: that is the most unkind thing I have ever heard come out your mouth!" She scowled over at me and I snorted very unattractively. "Just kidding."

She rolled her eyes and smiled. "No you're not."

"You know me so well." I said with a wink.

She laughed again. "You know, I ran into Tristan Drozdov the other day."

"No wonder you're so wound up."

"Ha ha," she replied sarcastically, shoving me lightly before inhaling loudly, "Oh my God, did you hear what he did? It is horrible! According to Jennifer and Lila, he was caught last year visiting a commune whilst on holiday and paying for...company... His parents have apparently got him permanently grounded and never let him out of their sight."

I frowned. "Was this on a Zeklos ski trip?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"No reason." I said a little too quickly. I shifted my body as I started to feel a little uncomfortable before I realised that I was partially lying on Harriet's gigantic bag. I pulled it out and examined its contents. I looked over at Harriet pointedly. "You know, I'm not actually invited to this party – just staffing it."

"Oh, come on, Janine. Pretty please. It'll be boring if it is just me trying on stuff." She sat up and batted her eyelids in an attempt at persuasion. I sat up and just raised an eyebrow, which she took to mean I had consented and began grinning widely.

"Alright, fine." I grumbled.

Her response was a squeal and she began showing me everything that she had brought with her, which was a lot. I don't think anyone could rival Harriet for her ability to really, really pack a bag. We spent the morning – after scavenging my apartment for any sign of something that could be regarded as breakfast – going through dresses and shoes and whatever else it was that people wear to a party. Honestly, this one gig seemed to be more of a faff than the St Vladimir's Graduation Ball. I was just glad I didn't have to go through it again.

However, I wasn't getting let off that easily.

Harriet managed to squeeze me into quite a few dresses just so she wasn't the only one having all then 'fun'. Not only that, but she had – quite slyly if you ask me – managed to book a place for the pair of us at the Court Spa which I was having mixed feelings over. Regardless though, I obliged and it was in the afternoon so I had time to mentally prepare myself for such a venture.

Just before midday we decided to get some lunch. Leaving the confined of my apartment, Harriet texted Emyl to meet us in one of the many cafes at Court before I had to rush off to a 13:00 meeting. We arrived to see Emyl already sitting there with a coffee in his hand, a cake on the table and a large grin on his face.

"Hath-a-way!" he cheered as he caught our eyes. Harriet giggled gleefully and ran into her guardian's arms for the compulsory Harriet-hug, as it was known, whilst I just rolled my eyes.

"Hey, Burlatsky." I greeted with a smile.

Emyl relinquished Harriet and grinned over at me. "Come on, Jenny. You know you want to." He winked as he opened his arms out, expecting me to embrace him with the same enthusiasm as our dear friend.

I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest, stubbornly not giving in to which he just engulfed me anyway, picking me up and dumping me into the seat, evoking a fit of giggles from both himself and Harriet.

"Very funny."

Harriet and Emyl dumped themselves on the velvet cushion of the corner booth next to me. "I ordered you guys some coffee." Emyl said, picking up his own.

"Oh, thank you, Emyl." Harriet said with a bright smile.

"Yeah, thanks for that, but it better be quick; I have to meet up with Croft at one." I said a little begrudgingly.

"I swear: Croft sees more of you than you do." Emyl chuckled as he took a sip. I said nothing which he took to mean not denying it.

"So, are you staffing this party as well then?" I asked.

Emyl nodded. "I think all guardians have been roped into doing this one."

"Surely you guys will be allowed to join in." Harriet said with a frown. I glanced over to Emyl and saw him looking over to me. He shook his head ever so softly and I replied with a sad smile. "Anyway, Janine and I are going for a spa session at three today, so she will looked amazing for tonight."

Emyl turned to face her and gasped. "And I wasn't invited!?"

I had to hold back my laughter as Harriet's face turned to one of horror. "Oh my God! Did you want to come? I can get you a place. I'm sorry. Please forgive me, Emyl. I didn't mean-" she cut herself off when she saw both Emyl and I's expressions. "Oh, right. Haha." She laughed nervously.

I, for the second time that day, couldn't stop the laughter that came out and Emyl joined in. Harriet scowled at us for a moment before she could no longer hold her straight face.

What a sight we must have been when the waiter came over to deliver our drinks.

After sorting ourselves out, Harriet and I went to order some food. She went for a salad whilst I played safe with a sandwich. At least if it did arrive late I could always eat it on the go. We sat and chatted for a while before the food arrived and then again before I had to go. I bid my friends farewell and left them in light conversation with one another, clearly just enjoying each other's company and not noticing or just ignoring the stares from the other Moroi present. I only noticed them on the way out and made an effort to glare and each one of them as I passed.

I walked through the open ground and back into the main complex to find Croft's office. Thankfully, I had now learnt how to get there which made for a slightly smoother journey than the first one. I wandered through the corridors, slowly eating the rest of my sandwich whilst contemplating my life so far. Today was the first 'day off', so to speak, that I had had and therefore the first time I had actually time to think about things. Sure I got breaks and time to see Harriet and Emyl in my usual working days, but there was something almost formulaic – robotic if you will – about it all. Was I happy with it?

I sighed and finished my sandwich, shaking my head of the thoughts that I realised wouldn't get me anywhere. I was a Guardian; I was not supposed to be thinking about my happiness. Instead, I decided to distract myself and actually take in some of the things around me. There was no denying that someone, somewhere, had gone to very great lengths to make this place convey an aura of unrivalled majesty. And it did: from the rich crimson carpet that floored everywhere to the artwork that adorned the walls. Each seemed only to emphasise the grandeur of the Royal Court. Even in the Guardian wing was a sight to behold. Granted, it didn't quite have the flora and the 18" portraits of various members of Royal society, but there was definitely a certain appeal in its simplicity. Not to mention that on the corridors in the third floor, the walls were lined with plaques and names of Guardians recognised for the heroism and for those who had fallen in the line of battle.

As I walked through the corridors of the third floor, admiring the names, I wondered if I'd ever make it up there. Highly unlikely, given my current track record for hurting Moroi rather than Strigoi. Though in my defence it is only really been one and seriously: what was he doing outside the wards at half ten a night? Ibrahim Mazur was a complete mystery to me, but he was a mystery I was determined to solve. I doubted it would be easy, but I never backed away from a challenge.

"La fiesta de Ivashkov empieza a las siete." My ears perked at the sound of his voice, knowing that I had heard it somewhere before. I slowed my pace and turned my head towards the sound and sure enough, Sergey Kravitz stood in an office talking on the phone, both dark and empty. I frowned and listened again as he continued his conversation in hushed tones, "Si queremos hacer esto, lo hacemos esta noche. Claro? Muy bien, ahora..."

"Hathaway." I jumped round and saw Guardian Croft beckoning me into his office. I quickly scurried towards him and saw as he shook his head as I darted into his office without making eye contact.

Croft shut the door as I plonked myself down next to Ruth who smiled at my arrival. "Right, is everyone here?"

"Shit!" There was a thump outside before the door creaked open and Drew poked his head in. I bit my lip to stop whatever involuntary sound was about to escape them and I could see everyone else suppressing their sniggers. "Ah, sorry I'm late, sir."

Croft appeared indifferent to the current situation. "No, not at all. This is remarkably early for you, Harrison. Do, take a seat." He said flatly as Drew sat down next to me with a grimace across his face. "Right, now that we are all here..." he stared at Drew pointedly, "...we need to go over the operation for tonight. For some of you, this is your first stunt like this so pay attention. Right, so..." and so he continued, going over every single possible detail about the event. We were informed over every exit, entrance, who was coming, where we'd be standing and most importantly, how to deal with a particular threat, be that living or otherwise. In short, we were told to deal with whatever it was as quickly and as quietly as possible, making sure we were causing as little disruption as possible to the actual event.

The event, in this case, being a very important one actually. Tatiana was in negotiations with fellow communities and royal sects around the globe and this was a peace summit of sorts. This meant that the guest list contained many an important and significant individual, particularly in the political department. Added to this, was the fact that Tatiana herself would be present at this gathering. This, naturally, caused Guardian Demort to go apeshit on security – putting almost every resource we had on defending the Queen and her honoured guests.

Those who weren't on duty where either abroad or comatose in the hospital.

And so, Croft made it absolutely clear that there were to be no 'screw ups' this evening. We were all on hall duty, meaning that we were to remain glued to the wall of the Great Hall and not to move unless one of the guests was in life-threatening danger. We were not to engage with any of the guests or indeed do anything that may draw attention to ourselves. And we most certainly were not allowed to sing 'Ten Green Bottles' over the radio system.

Croft explained that the personal Guardians would also be joining us as part of the Hall group but their priority would be their assigned Moroi, leaving us to cover everyone and anyone.

"Any questions?" Croft asked after concluding on his mission brief. No-one did have any questions, unsurprising considering all the information we had just been given was enough to make anyone go brain-numb. "Alright then, off you go. I'll see you at half six. Don't be late." He waved as off and we all made to leave when he spoke again. "Not you, Harrison..."

I saw Drew grimace again and sit back down in his seat with his arms folded across his chest. Ruth patted him on the shoulder and I offered him a sympathetic smile before we both left.

"Ah, I am going for a bath. What about you, Hathaway?" Ruth said with a sigh, stretching out her arms.

I smiled. "I've been booked in for a spa treatment."

Ruth froze and glanced over at me. "You what?"

"My friend Harriet Conta booked a spa session and signed me up too."

"Don't sound so unhappy – I'd kill for a spa day," she paused, "figuratively, of course."

I laughed. "Sure."

She grinned wickedly and bid me farewell as I made my way back to Harriet's house. I walked past the office where I saw Sergey earlier and curiosity got the better of me. I stepped towards the office and through the doorframe to find it empty. The light was still turned off and I could see a gentle layer of dust that covered the surfaces like fallen ash in the wake of an eruption. I surveyed the room and found nothing. Frowning, I made to leave, but my eyes lingered in the empty room. I felt a small pit begin to grow in my stomach, an almost sickly feeling that resided deep within me. I stared at the room and the room stared back: each shadow seemed alive, each creaking floorboard a moan like that of a sleeping hound in the dead of night.

Si queremos hacer esto, lo hacemos esta noche.

I bailed. Striding quickly out of the room and back into the open corridor, but in the process getting a glance of the name on the door:

Guardian N. Martyr

I arrived at Harriet's home to find an interesting picture: Harriet, Emyl, Julia and Tamara were engaged in a game of Monopoly whilst Robert watched on with great amusement.

"Janine!" Harriet shouted gleefully as one of Julia's guardians opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Janine." Julia smiled after politely asking her guardian to let me in. "I think I need your help here; Harriet is clearing up the board!"

"You need help!?" Emyl exclaimed. "All I've got is the Old Kent Road! Bloody capitalism – hey, Janine, come help me start a revolution."

I smiled and sat down next to Robert. "Oh, you can have one of my streets." Harriet offered, picking up a random card.

Emyl looked up and smiled softly. "That's not quite how the game works."

"What, are you saying that there is no charity in capitalism?" Harriet countered with a raised eyebrow.

Emyl raised one of his own. "Touché." He said taking the card from her. "Ah-ha, now I can put a house on one of these brown squares."

"Oh dear, I think I'm done for," Tamara said as Emyl began assembling his small empire. "Anyone for a coffee?"

"I'd love one, darling," Robert replied.

"Oh, me too," Julia said before turning to the other guardian in the room. "Mathew, would you like any refreshments?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"As long as you're sure," Julia turned to me, "Mathew was worse than you: I've only just got him to stop calling me 'milady'."

I smiled and saw as Mathew blushed a little. Uncharacteristically for monopoly, the little foursome managed to finish the game, with Harriet dominating the board and Emyl, in an amusing turn of events, in jail. After that, Harriet and I departed for our little spa session. Admittedly, it was not as bad as I thought and with Harriet's merry conversation, naturally completely oblivious to the male masseuse's flirtation, it was made all the more enjoyable. When we left, we decided that we needed ice-cream and so we made a quick stop by the parlour on the way back.

I parted with my friend and went back to my apartment to change. My compulsory guardian uniform had been ironed and somehow looked even smarter than usual. I put it on and stood by the mirror. The girl who looked back at me looked like me, but hidden in her expression was that of worry. I felt the nausea return and I looked away, making to leave I worried myself into actually being sick.

It was 18:25 when I arrived among the massive huddle of guardians on the greenery outside the Great Hall. I became quickly lost within the sea of black and white dhampirs, all waiting for Guardian Demort's address. In vain, I began scouting the area for anyone I knew. I saw other doing a similar thing and was glad for it. I all but gave up when my pager buzzed against me.

Look to your left

I smiled down and looked left to see Ruth waving over at me. I made my way through the crowd and stood beside her.

"How was the spa?" she asked.

"Not too bad," I shrugged "How was the bath?"

"Amazing."

I chuckled and she grinned before we caught sight of Drew and beckoned him over just as Guardian Demort began to speak. His croaking French accent was barely projected through the swarm of black and white, but we got the message loud and clear: don't fuck up. After that anything but mild reminder, we were all ushered in and took our positions. Beside the Graduation Ball, I had never been to a party of this kind, and definitely not a royal one. But even with my limited experience I could tell the Ivashkovs had gone to some extreme lengths: the Great Hall had been draped in a mix of gold and red in just about every shade of the colour that existed velvet. The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling were lit and the light cast by the fire refracted through the diamonds, creating an orange sea in which the colours of the room blended together. The blood-red carpet that adorned the floor had been recently laid and surrounded a huge rectangular dance floor that had been polished so much that it shone just as well as those diamond chandeliers. The smell was intoxicating: sweet aromas of rich meat and produce that had been freshly conceived filled the air and hit me almost as soon as I entered the room. I took a lot of effort to stop my jaw dropping at the sight of the decorated hall, made all the more beautiful due to the fact that it was untouched and untainted.

I moved quickly over to my position: against one of the out pillars by one of the many exits that lead to the outside world. The Great Hall of the Royal Court was situated in the North Wing and its doors opened to an enclosed garden which too had underwent some serious decoration of a gold and white coordination, giving it a softer tone to the powerful and somewhat intimidating interior.

Standing boldly against my pillar, I surveyed the room, knowing that trying to locate anyone I knew once the party had actually began was a darn impossibility. I found Drew quite quickly; his large and clumsy frame was not easy to miss. He too was stationed by a pillar on my wall, but farther down, nearer the centre of the hall. Ruth was a little harder to find as she was on the wall opposite, but in the inner layer which made it a little easy. The architecture of the room allowed for two layers of infrastructure, separated by large columns whose stonework had been sufficiently suffocated by layers and layers of rich red velvet. The outer layer were right up against the main stone structure of the building (the stone, again, not to be seen) and were too lined with pillars, but only of a semi-circular nature as the other half was submerged in the decorated wall.

I couldn't find Croft or anyone else in the little team that made up our unit which unnerved me a lot more than it should have. I couldn't very well radio them as all the radios had been linked into one radio-wave so that if something were to occur, no guardian would be ignorant to the event. Thankfully, we still had our pagers; a fact I remembered only when mine buzzed as we began approaching the start time.

How you holding up there, Storm?

I smiled upon reading the message.

I'm okay.

I typed quickly so as not to draw the attention of the stone-faced guardians around me.

Don't worry, you'll be fine. And if you start getting bored, just stick with the classic: nine-hundred and ninety-nine green bottles sitting on the wall...

I stifled my laugh and put my pager back on my belt as I heard a loud echo pulse through the room.

The party had begun.