Author Note – Hey there, I know I haven't updated in awhile and I'm sorry. I hope you like this chapter and thank you all for reviewing. I also want to let you guys that I won't be here for the next two weeks but I'll be back with the last two chapters –I promise. And then I will be starting my next fanfic story [I'm excited for you guys to read it!]

-Crazydamphir xxx

Chapter 14 –

Between classes and practice I didn't have much time to see Dimitri. The last few weeks had gone by in a blur. Headmistress Kirova had assigned Alberta as my new mentor. She had been tough on me these last few weeks and hopefully it would pay off today.

The knot in my stomach grew worse as I headed across the campus. I shifted out of my thoughts as Lissa fell into step beside me.

"You look like you're ready to face an army."

I smiled at Lissa and I wondered what she would say if she knew about Dimitri and me. I feared that it would effect whom I would get assigned to now that Headmistress Kirova knew of our romance.

"I kind of am facing an army," I pointed out.

Lissa laughed, "I didn't think you'd be all that worried."

"I'm worried about how these grades will affect my future." I said.

"Alberta thinks there's a good chance we can stay together –that you'll be my guardian."

"She did?"

Lissa smiled and nodded. We walked in silence until we neared the edge of the academy's grounds. Ahead of us the roar of the crowd grew louder. One of the school's many sports fields had been transformed into an arena. The bleachers had been built up, expanded from simple wooden seats to luxuriously cushioned benches with awnings to shade the Moroi from the sun.

"Hathaway!" Stan barked, coming from the direction of the field. "Nice of you to join us. Get in here now!"

Lissa gave me a quick hug. "Good Luck," She whispered "Not that you'll need it."

I smiled at Lissa and watched as she headed off to find our friends in the stands while I scurried after Stan.

"You're lucky you aren't one of the first ones," he growled

I knew I was late but too nervous to reply, I walked with him to the waiting area. Some of my fellow classmates waited anxiously to be called. While others crowded around the doorway, watching those ahead of them.

I didn't watch instead I tried to remain calm. I leaned against one of the barrack walls and watched those around me. Some of my classmates whispered in clusters. Some were doing stretches and warm up exercises. Others stood with instructors who had been mentors. Those teachers spoke intently to their students, giving last-minute words of advice.

"Nervous?" Dimitri asked.

I looked back and saw Dimitri standing inches away from me. He looked at me with those deep brown eyes. A look flashed through his eyes and before I could guess what it was, it was gone.

"No." I lied

"I know when you're lying, Roza."

He was right, he knew me too well. I looked up at the man I loved and smiled.

"A little, I guess."

He placed a hand on my shoulder and uttered, "Don't be. You'll be fine just keep calm and don't get distracted."

Just then my mother appeared. She had a dangerous look in her eye. I feared what she would do if she knew about Dimitri and I. After all I had seen her taken down Strigoi. I knew what she was capable of.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't come to watch you?"

"I don't know," I admitted

I didn't get to hear her reply as my name was called just then.

"Rosemarie Hathaway!"

It was Alberta who called me, her voice ringing loud and clear. It was like a trumpet, a call to battle. My mother and Dimitri both wished me luck as I strode towards Alberta and the field. Adrenaline surged through me. All my attention was now on what lay ahead –the test that would finally make me a guardian.

My trials were a blur. I kept repeating the words Dimitri had spoken to me over in my head. " Keep calm and don't get distracted." I took a deep breath and walked forward checking the bridge that had been assigned to me. It was probably the worst of all as every step I took made the entire bridge swing and shake.

My Moroi was being played by Daniel, a new guardian who had come with others to the school to replace those killed in the attack. I didn't know him very well, but for this exercise, he was playing completely docile and helpless –even a little afraid, just as any Moroi I was guarding might have been.

All eyes were on Daniel and I as we finally stepped on to the bridge. At first he had shown some resistance but I managed to coax him by speaking in a calm and steady voice. I knew that as well as combat skills they would also look for people skills.

The bridge began to swing wildly and I glanced back to see three Strigoi coming after us. I spoke calmly again, telling Daniel that he was doing well but that I knew he could go faster.

"Come on,"

We picked up speed and Daniel suddenly yelped convincingly and froze, gripping the rope sides tightly. I looked ahead and spotted another guardian acting as another Strigoi. He was waiting for us to make our next move.

"Keep going," I cried.

"Bu-but there's a Strigoi there! We're trapped," Daniel exclaimed.

"Don't worry. I'll deal with him. Just move."

After that challenge came more, but I was ready for them. I never slowed down or let exhaustion effect me. I focused on what was in front of me, letting myself slip into battle mode.

When it finally ended, I almost didn't realize it. I was simply standing there in the middle of the field with no more attackers coming at me. I was alone. Slowly I became aware of the worlds details. Crowds in the stands cheering. The pounding of my own heart.

The first person to greet me after the trails was Alberta.

"Well Done Rose!" She said hugging me.

"Thanks,"

"Come on," she said, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and guiding me towards the exit. "You need to get some water and sit down."

Dazed, I let her lead me off the field. I could hear people still cheering and crying my name. Alberta led me back to the waiting area.

"I-I gotta go Alberta,"

"Rose?"

"I have to find someone!"

Alberta smiled knowingly and waved at me as I walked through the waiting area and pushed past the crowds. I walked past some of my classmates but didn't stop. I figured there would be time after to congratulate everyone. But now I needed to find Dimitri.

Pushing through more and more people until I heard my name being called.

"Roza!"

I turned to see Dimitri with a wide grin across his face. I raced over to him and he pulled me into his arms.

"That was it?"

Dimitri laughed and shook his head, "Yes Roza, that was it."

"I'm so proud of you."

Someone else tapped me on the arm and handed me a bottle of water. I looked and saw it was my mother. She had an expression on her face that I had never seen before –pure pride.

She squeezed my hand. "You were amazing out there. I'm so proud of you."

"Now what happens?" I asked.

"Now you become a Guardian," Dimitri replied.

Headmistress Kirova called us all to the Academy's dining room, which had been transformed for this special occasion. Today we would all be receiving our Molnija marks. Spectators –friends, family, guardians –packed the room as Alberta called our names one at a time and read our scores as we approached the tattoo artist.

The scores were important. They would be made public and along with the overall school grades which influenced our assignments. Lissa had requested me. But I didn't know if I would be assigned to her now after everything that had happened over the last few years. That and Tasha reporting Dimitri and I to Headmistress Kirova.

No Moroi were at this ceremony except for those who were invited. Everyone else was a dhampir. I stood beside my classmates and watched as each of them received their tattoo. Then Alberta called my name and I heard a few gasps as she read my scores. I had the highest score in the class by far.

I stood there as Alberta called my name again. Then Dimitri gave me a little shove forward whispering in my ear.

"I need to speak to you later. Come find me when you're finished."

I just nodded and walked forward and sat on the stool. Leaning forward so that the artist would have a better view. The process hurt, but I didn't show it. I just kept thinking about Dimitri. . .

Please please review! I know this chapter is not very exciting –promise the next one will be! What's going to happen next?...What does Dimitri have to talk to Rose about?

See you in about two weeks everyone!