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ROSE POV

I agonize over every word that strange man said, as I walk toward the stands to greet my group. and still nothing makes sense.

First off, who was that guy? I realized as soon as he left that he didn't say his name.

And why would he care, how I felt? He's a man, with no obligation to me, why the hell would he give two shits about my feelings?

Maybe he was just trying to be nice.

No, that's not possible, no man, except Art, has ever been nice to me just to be nice; they all wanted something from me and usually that something was very carnal.

But was what he said true? Did Dhampir girls really look up to me? I mean that girl in Stans class spoke to me with a sort of admiration but . . . now that I think of it . . . a lot of the girls looked and spoke to me like that.

Am I a role model? Holy shit, am I a role model?

I've always known I was a household name; my doings in this world have not been silent, but I thought they would taint my reputation not enhance it.

I have been in so many bad situations, and yes I obviously survived them all, but most of them I got myself into. When it comes to Lissa's life I've always been as cautious as can be, but when it came to my own life, away from Lissa . . . well that's a different story.

Whenever I heard people talking about me, it was always with annoyance and mock, how the hell can anyone look up to me?!

I know it's epically irrational, but i'm so confused by the prospect that . . . it's kind of making me angry. Female Guardians are completely outnumbered but there are a few to choose from, why the hell me?

Why not Alberta? Or . . . anyone else?

I can't believe it. I, Rose Hathaway, am a role model.

No way, it seems too weird, that guy was talking out of his ass. I'm sure it's a nice ass, but still.

I falter in my steps as I'm sucked into Lissa's head unexpectedly. Oh gross she and McFlame are making out, edging to more. Fucking sick.

Dammit that guy got to my head and my shields dropped. I brake myself away from once again witnessing that disgusting shit. God, I hate Christian.

That was a a side effect of our bound. I'm Shadow Kissed to Lissa, bound to her the moment she healed me after the car accident.

For two years after, we had no idea what was happening, why I had such a connection to her, which is only one sided, she can't step into my head, thank god, but it wasn't until Flamey-flame-boy came along and showed us some old books he found in the church here at the school.

It was the only good he has ever done for my life.

The book spoke about St. Vladimir, who I had grown up learning about, the school was even named after him. But what was special about this book was it mentioned his element, and the fact that he never specialized in the usual elements Moroi do, Earth, wind, fire, water. He was touched with Spirit and his Guardian, Anna, who I had never heard of, was Shadow Kissed to him, after he brought her back from the brink of death.

But don't jump on the Flame-Mesters bandwagon yet, he never lets me forget that he's the reason why we know any of this. Rubs it in my face every chance he gets.

I well and truly ha-a-a-ate him.

Man, forget him.

I reach the entrance of the stands and admire the structure.

This was were I took my final Trials.

Instead of regular metal bleaches like at a normal, human school, these stands are a replica of a Roman arena.

Pretty awesome if i'm being honest.

I walk through an archway, readying myself to go search for my group, but coincidently the arch way I chose lead to were my group were sitting in the stands.

And they're talking about me.

I press up against the cement wall and listen.

"I don't care what stories we've heard about Hathaway, No way in hell could that tiny woman beat me!" Some students laughed with him, egging him on, but some laughed at him, a female voice even 'booed'.

I glance a look and see a large guy with short blond hair, standing proudly and smiling smugly.

"You are an idiot, Kevin!" The girl from Stans class with golden streaks mocks. "Guardian Hathaway is one of the greatest Guardians to live, she's been in two battles and killed countless Strogoi, you woudn't stand a chance with her!"

Two other girls stand beside the girl and show their support for her words.

Holy shit . . . No, I am not a role model. I deserve respect, but not that.

All of the girls are beautiful with brown hair, actually they all look very similar, I wonder if

they're related.

"I bet you fifty bucks she can't even get the drop on me, once." Kevin fires back, to which the girl replies with a hearty, "Your on!"

And that's my cue.

I run, pushing my legs as fast as they will go, grab Kevin's arm and flip him around until he lands on his back. Hard.

He tries to yell out but having the wind knocked out of you makes that a little hard.

I stare down at him and cock a hip, the other students laughing on.

"I believe you owe this lady fifty dollars." I smile down at him. He just glares at me.

Rude.

Kevin shoots up and as expected, starts complaining, instead of fighting back.

"That wasn't fair, you snuck up on me."

Oh god, what a novice!

"First off you never complain, You fight back, second: Strogoi don't ask for permission to attack and neither will I." I reply, strict Guardian voice in effect.

I might not have a perfected Guardian mask, but my voice can be as emotionless and scary as shit.

Kevin pats his track pants off, grumbling.

I turn to the girls and wink before I grab Kevin's arm and flip him again.

"An important lesson is to be learned here. When dealing with Strogoi it is important to be confident of mind, in your abilities; never hesitate, it will get you killed."

Kevin tries to swipe my legs from under me but without looking down I jump over them, I continue talking to the group as he stands and backs away from me.

"But do not let yourself act overly cocky; you are not invincible. Strogoi could kill you with a flick of a wrist, so you have to have strategy, not an ego."

I not only sense as Kevin tries to attack me from behind, but can tell he is by the expressions on my groups faces.

I know when he is just close enough, when he lets out a throaty war cry.

I turn sideways and land a kick to his chest; nothing too hard, but enough to knock him down.

"Also battle cries may have worked for that Brave Heart douce, but the element of surprise is the best strategy we can have over Strogoi."

I'm hit with a memory of Art telling me the same I'm about to say.

"Stealth is good to your health."

Sounds cheesy, but it was originally said by the greatest man I'd ever known.

His teachings deserve to live on.

Kevin tries to attack me once again, this time silently.

At least he's listening to me.

I can feel him jumping through the air to tackle me to the ground, so I fall down onto my back and when he's directly above me I push on his stomach with my legs so he crashes by the feet of the other novices. As quick as a whip I bring my legs upward, knees by my chin, I curl my arms so I can press my palms on the ground by my head, push off them and kick my legs, flipping my body in a standing position.

You know the move . . . Martial arts is fucking awesome.

Before Kevin could blink, let alone move an inch I was standing then crouching down by him, with his arm in a lock, behind his back.

"Better, but not good enough."

The rest of the Novices cheer and I let his arm go, standing a few paces away from him.

He stands quickly, breath harsh.

"What did I do wrong that time?" He almost whines.

"When you can answer that question for yourself, only then you will become a worthy adversary."

"That's a bunch of crap." He spits at my feet.

"So was your fighting." I smirk at him.

"So what's next?" He sneers at me.

I look to the rest of the group.

"Next, the rest of you show me what you are capable of and . . ." I look to the girl with golden streaks.

"What's your name?" I ask.

She smiles at me.

"My name is Viktoria Belikova, it is a pleasure to meet you." She bows her head to me and I return the gesture.

"And while they are demonstrating their skills to me you will have one hour to pay up the 200 bucks you owe Ms. Belikova."

"What the hell I don't owe her two hun-" He's eyes widen, as he remembers his bet, "Aw shit."

I laugh.

"Aw shit is right. If she isn't $200 richer in one hour I'll make sure you pay off that debt by running as many miles. Now go."

With a final sneer at me and Viktoria he runs away, towards the dorms.

"I can't believe you are actually going to make him pay me!" Vikortia smiles.

"Rule to everybody, you don't talk shit unless you can back it up. Rule for the ladies," I look to all three girls, "Stick together, and be good friends to eachother this is a lonely life, so make the best of it you can."

They all nod to me.

God I wished someone had told me to make more friends with Dhampir women. Maybe then I would have someone to talk to about this life.

Don't get me wrong, I adore Lissa to death, she is my best friend and a wonderful, loving person, but she couldn't understand the things I have to go through.

Also, she and Christian have been in the 'honeymoon' stage for the whole five years they've been dating. I'm not saying she neglects our friendship, she's a wonderful friend, but she doesn't have to worry about the things I do, doesn't have to live the way I live.

I shake those thoughts away and instantly feel guilty.

I shouldn't think that way about Lissa, she saved my life, she's my best friend.

I focus back onto the whole group and notcie for the first time, everyones group is here, spaced out.

I catch Janine's judgmental eyes and frown, before turning away.

As I turn back a tall figure on the top row of the stands catches my eye. He's not the only Guardian up there, but he is the only one watching me.

I look back to the three girls waiting, almost giddily to introduce themselves to me and learn from me.

Whoa . . .

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