"Thanks so much for having us tonight, Mr. Mazur, Rose," Geoff said politely, shaking hands with my father as he and Meredith were shown into the private dining room Abe had booked for the evening. Geoff was obviously shitting himself conversing with the infamous Abe Mazur but had the good grace to thank my father for his dinner invitation.

"This is Meredith who was on the mission with me, and Geoff who was at St. Vlad's with us," I introduced. "My father, Abe Mazur." I hadn't had the chance to ask Meredith whether she and Geoff were still together or just friends now, so I kept it simple.

"So pleased you could make it," Abe beamed at them, gesturing a waiter forward with a tray laden with drinks.

I still couldn't believe I was here, in a private dining room in what was apparently the most exclusive restaurant at Court, sipping a flute of champagne and about to dine with my mission companions and friends here at Court.

It had been Abe's suggestion at the inking; a meal for him to meet everyone. So here we were – myself, Dimitri, Stan, the twins, Blake, Eddie, Meredith, Geoff, Lissa, Christian, and Tasha.

I was grateful for the private room. I doubt this restaurant had seen many Dhampir diners, and it was a relief to be in an area not overlooked by the rest of those eating. While I was sure the meals here were the best money could buy, I'd already had a quiet word with Abe about the need for Dhampir sized portions. Most of us had become accustomed to the cheap, mass-produced stodge usually provided to Guardians and Novices, so the finer nuances of haute cuisine would probably be lost on us. But fresh, plentiful, quality food was always appreciated.

I'd had the chance for a quiet word with Abe after the inking, reiterating that no one knew about Dimitri and me, and likewise, not everyone knew that I had first met up with him during my mission. Accordingly, we'd agreed to keep the details about our relationship vague. Abe's formidable reputation was of help there - I think pretty much everyone present was too scared to question him too closely about anything!

I sat between Abe and Eddie, Dimitri opposite me seated between Lissa and Tasha. The others were distributed on either side along a long table checking out their menus.

"Anything take your fancy, Rose?" Abe asked genially. He seemed to be enjoying this very much, which was fortuitous as it would be costing him a bomb.

"Everything looks good," I said honestly.

"Order two meals if you can't decide. It doesn't matter if there are leftovers…"

"Chance would be a fine thing," Eddie chortled. "I've known Hathaway for years, and I don't think I've ever seen her leave food behind."

I turned and gave him a withering look.

"So, Mr. Mazur? Rose said you're here on business?" Lissa asked politely.

"Yes. I do some import and export, amongst other things. I'm here arranging for a shipment of Persian rugs," he said urbanely. I immediately wondered if that was a lie – or whether the rugs were wrapped around firearms?!

"Do you visit America often?" she continued.

"Usually only once a year, although more of my business is here now, so I hope to visit more often." He said the last words to me and gave me a tentative smile that made my heart feel warm. I think my Dad was suggesting he wanted to spend time with me!

Abe turned out to be an amusing dinner companion. He had a way of talking that put everyone at ease, and a hundred and one interesting stories about his travels.

"So how did you end up with Janine?" Tasha asked toward the end of the evening, admittedly after quite a few wines. "You don't seem at all alike," she said with a laugh.

Even though I didn't like Tasha, I don't think she meant anything by her comment. But Abe certainly took exception to it. I could feel him tense slightly beside me before he glibly replied.

"Janine is a fine Guardian and has given me a beautiful daughter. Don't presume to know everything about her. Or me."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to suggest anything…" Tasha trailed off under Abe's unwavering stare.

"I'm glad to hear it," he said, abruptly turning to Stan and asking him about his duties at the Academy.

Dimitri looked mildly uncomfortable throughout dinner, although I couldn't figure out if it were due to Tasha's constant attempts for his attention, or my father's occasional questions. He gave me a stern look when he saw me drinking champagne when we first arrived and knowing he'd be cross if I overdid things, I stopped at one. It was almost 11 am by the time we wound up, and I could honestly say I'd had a pretty good time.

"Care to join me back at mine for a nightcap?" Tasha asked Dimitri hopefully.

"Thanks but no. I'm training at 6 pm so need my sleep," he said kindly but firmly.

"What about lunch tomorrow, then?" she persisted. "I haven't seen you since Christmas – I'd love to catch up."

I could tell my Russian God wasn't keen, but knew there was no getting out of it.

"Fine. How about the café near Guardian Headquarters? I'll text you a time when I know how my day is shaping up," he suggested.

Tasha's smile was radiant; mine a little less so.

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow! I'd better get these kids home," she said, affectionately ruffling Christian's hair.

"I'll see you after school tomorrow," I promised Lissa.

I like him. Lissa said to me through the bond. He wasn't at all what I was expecting, but he seems very nice and keen to know you.

After saying goodbye to Abe, promising to spend some time with him tomorrow, I walked back to the Guardian dorms with the others.

"I can't believe Zmey is your father," Artyom said, falling into step beside me, Elizaveta on his other side. They'd accepted Abe's dinner invitation but had been down the other end of the table, so I hadn't spoken with them all evening.

"I can," Elizaveta snapped, implying it was a bad thing. And maybe to some, it was.

My father was a powerful player in our world, despite not being Royal. He didn't play by the rules, and he certainly didn't see things in the black and white way most of them did; lulled into complacency by years of privilege, wealth, and indulgence. My father was a self-made man, and if some of that wealth came at the expense of rich, lazy Royal Moroi, then I didn't have a problem with it!

"So how long have you known your father?" Artyom asked, trying to put it all together. That Abe hadn't known Lissa, my best friend, had not escaped him. He'd figured our relationship was relatively new.

"A while," I replied noncommittally in a tone of voice that suggested he drop the topic. "So you must be looking forward to returning to St. Basil's?"

"Not really," he said with a sigh. "Classes and practice will seem dull after living over here." He looked at me sideways for a moment.

"I haven't had an opportunity to speak with you about it until now, but I'd like to thank you for everything you did in the fight for my sister and me. One or both of us could have been killed if it wasn't for you."

Elizaveta made a dismissive noise, and I was surprised to see Artyom turn to her and say something sharply to her in Russian.

"We'd also appreciate it if you could not say anything about Veta's battle freeze."

"I didn't freeze!" Elizaveta hissed, earning looks from both of us.

"Veta, you froze," Artyom declared, raising his voice until he was shouting. "Rose saw it, so did Eddie, Meredith, Blake and the Guardians. Stop denying it and stop blaming Rose!"

Our group had stopped walking, and everyone was looking at her. The silence stretched – no one knowing what to say. Just when it was getting really awkward, Stan stepped forward.

"I froze in my first battle," he admitted to her quietly, looking her in the eye. "I was lucky – it was a big fight, and there were enough other Guardians there to keep me safe. Just because you freeze once, doesn't mean you will again," he promised, taking in her woebegone expression.

"Is that how you ended up at the Academy?" I asked, the words out of my mouth before I had a chance to stop them.

Stan turned to me, and I braced expecting a dressing down. It was a very personal question, after all. So I was relieved when a strange expression crossed his face, and he sighed.

"No. I ended up at the Academy for beating a Royal Moroi who tried to force himself on a sixteen-year-old Dhampir girl."

We were all Dhampir here, and Guardians, or in training to be one. We knew Stan was lucky to have kept his title for beating a Moroi, particularly a Royal. It was the sort of admission it was hard to respond to.

"You did the right thing," I said softly, giving him an apologetic look.

"I know," he said, turning back to Elizaveta, encouraging her to walk beside him as he gave her the sort of reassurance that only one who had been through it could give.

"Did you know that about Stan?" I asked a little later as Dimitri sat on my bed.

"Yes. Both things. It wasn't my place to tell."

I sighed. The more I got to know Stan, the more I could see he wasn't so bad as I'd once thought. Not that I'd give him, or Dimitri, the pleasure of knowing that. Admitting to anyone you'd frozen in battle was huge – yet he'd done so just to comfort Elizaveta. I shook my head, clearing it slightly.

"So lunch tomorrow?" I said.

"I couldn't get out of it without being rude," he said, "and she is a friend."

"I know," I watched him carefully as I continued. "She hasn't given up on the idea of you and her you know," I said.

"Roza she has," he said sounding exasperated. "You have nothing to worry about!"

"She asked Lissa to release you as her Guardian so you could instead guard her. That doesn't sound like a woman who's given up."

"Are you sure?" he said in a tone of voice that hinted he might not believe me.

"Well I don't think Lissa would lie about that, do you?" I said stiffly.

"When did she suggest this?" Dimitri asked, rubbing the top of his nose with his hand.

"A couple of weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier. I meant to, and then all the stuff with Abe happened."

"Well, it doesn't matter what she wants. I want you, ангел. That's not going to change."

"I just hate the way she looks at you," I grumbled, knowing I sounded insecure.

"Now you know how I felt with Artyom looking at you all the time," Dimitri smirked raising his eyebrow in the way that irritated me.

"Oh shut up," I said, belting him with a pillow before sitting across his lap and getting some kisses.

"I'd better go, Roza," he sighed.

I pouted, even though I knew he was right. Now everyone knew we were at Court, it wasn't safe to spend the night together, no matter how much I wanted to.

"I'll be dreaming of you," I said, claiming a final kiss before sending him next door to his room.

I rolled over and looked at the clock. Just before 6 pm. Ugh! Being awake at this hour should be illegal! I groaned and put a pillow over my head, only to hear the knocking again.

"Dimitri? It's Tasha. I thought I'd join you for your workout?" I heard Tasha say quietly at Dimitri's door.

Man, he'd been right. The Guardian dorm rooms really weren't very soundproof. I climbed out of bed, hair askew and opened my door, stepping out into the hallway.

"Hi Tasha," I said, aiming for friendly but probably falling short. "I think you might have missed him," I said loud enough I hope my Russian God would hear. "I heard a door close out here about ten minutes ago."

Tasha was wearing skin tight workout clothes, her hair up in an artfully styled ponytail and with subtle makeup on.

"Oh that's a pity," she said. "I know he likes to run in the mornings, so I thought I'd join him. Any idea where he went or when he might be back?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. Sorry," I apologized, not meaning it.

I was about to close the door to my room when Tasha said, "I've never seen the Guardian dorm rooms. Are they comfortable?"

I shrugged. I knew I had nothing to hide, so I pushed open my door to its fullest, allowing Tasha to see the entire room. The bathroom door was open, so she could see no one was in there. I wonder if she'd thought there might have been?

"They're not much décor wise," I joked. A plain white room with serviceable furniture, the Guardian dorms wouldn't be winning any design awards. "Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I need to get dressed for training, myself."

"Of course. Where are you going?"

"Not sure, yet. Eddie, Meredith and I will probably go check out one of the Guardian gyms," I lied glibly.

"Well enjoy! And if you see Dimitri can you tell him I dropped by?" she asked.

"Sure thing," I smiled, closing the door as she walked off down the corridor.

I gave her a few minutes, watching from my window as she left the front of the building. Slipping out of my room again, I knocked on Dimitri's door.

"It's Rose," I hissed.

The door opened immediately, and I was pulled inside.

"It's too early. Let's go back to bed," my Russian God groaned softly.

It sounded like a good idea, to me, so we climbed into the bed together, lying entwined in one another's arms.

"You're right. She hasn't given up," Dimitri admitted apologetically.

"No, she hasn't," I agreed.

"I'll make it clear at lunch today I'm not interested," he promised, nuzzling against my hair and whispering words of love and endearment as he started gently kissing my neck.

"You're looking happy this morning," Eddie said with a smile, joining the table where Dimitri, Stan, Meredith, Blake, the twins and I sat. We'd all got the call to come to Guardian Headquarters to debrief about the mission. I wasn't sure what that entailed, but it was pretty simple, in the end. Most Q and A, they asked us a few questions about our observations, particularly relating to the Alchemists.

"Novice Hathaway? I believe you visited the main house at the facility?" I knew they were referring to the time I visited with Mom, but my heart was pounding nonetheless!

"I did," I replied, outlining everything I could remember from both visits. The Guardian in charge jotted it all down before declaring us done and the mission a success.

"Her Majesty asked me to convey her personal thanks for your professionalism on this sensitive mission," he intoned, passing each of us a crown-shaped pin. "Novices Vitsin, transport back to St. Basil's has been organized for you, and you will be collected from the Guardian dorm block at 5 am. Novices Ayett, Castile, Edwards, and Hathaway – you'll receive your instructions this afternoon sometime. Guardians Alto and Belikov, you have an appointment here tomorrow for your allocations," he said before excusing himself from the room.

"Don't lose that," Alto said pointing to the pin I held in my hand. "That's a Queen's Badge. They're given in recognition of personal service to her Majesty. They're really rare."

I pinned mine to my shirt, helping Eddie do likewise. With a few more words we started to go our separate ways; Dimitri to have lunch with Tasha, the twins to see more of Court then pack, Blake to check out a store in the shopping area, and Meredith to see Geoff who'd taken the day off to spend with her.

"Hathaway? What are you doing?" Eddie asked, the only other one at a loose end.

"I was going to see if Abe was free," I admitted. "Did you want to come?"

"Nah. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"I don't think he'll mind," I said confidently. "I was just going to hang out and wait to find out where we're posted. Hang on; I'll text him."

Abe – got until 4 am off. If you're free, I thought I might come over with Eddie and hang out? We're waiting to hear where we're being sent to finish off our training.

The answer came back almost immediately.

Sounds good. I'll have lunch ready, see you soon followed by an address.

I showed Eddie my phone.

"Well if he's putting on food…" he accepted with a grin. Like me, Eddie was a bottomless pit.

"Call me when you're done with Tasha," I said to Dimitri giving him a loving look as the three of us walked out the front of the building together. We split up there, Dimitri walking one way to a café, Eddie and I going in the other direction to Abe's.

"This is quite a place," Eddie said admiringly as we fronted up outside a three-storey terrace house in what was unmistakably the rich part of town.

"I think they expect lowly Dhampir like us to enter by the service stairs," I joked nervously, pointing to the stairs that ran down to the basement level.

"Do you think we should?" Eddie whispered, looking about him nervously.

"No. This is my father's house; I'm not going in the servant's entrance," I said with a bravado I didn't entirely feel.

The door was answered by Pavel.

"Come on in. Your father is waiting for you, Rose." I liked Pavel. He'd been there every time I'd met with Abe and seemed to be a nice guy. He had an easy way of interacting with Abe – like they were friends as well as Guardian and Charge. It reminded me of my relationship with Lissa.

We followed Pavel through the house and into a living room on the ground floor.

"Fancy place you've got," I joked, going over to kiss Abe on the cheek when he stood up to greet us. It was our first physical affection, but it felt natural.

"I rent it when I'm in town," he replied. "Come sit – have lunch!"

I grinned looking at the huge spread in front of us; Italian sandwiches with lots of fillings. Pavel joined us at the table, and we helped ourselves.

"How did the debrief go?" Abe asked.

"Yeah good. The mission is officially over, so now we're just waiting to hear where we're going to graduate from," I told him between mouthfuls.

"You don't get to choose?"

"Nope. Apparently, they're ringing around to see where has space. A lot of the Academies are full."

"I hope it's somewhere good," Eddie chimed in. Both of us were a little keyed up about where we would end up.

We'd just finished lunch, and I was toying with my phone waiting for Dimitri to call when the screen lit up.

"It's a Montana number," I muttered, answering. It was Alberta.

"Rose. How are you enjoying Court?"

"Yeah, good thanks."

"How's your Mom?"

"She's ok. Being a pain to everyone at the hospital no doubt," I said, feeling guilty I'd not visited her. I'd go with Lissa after she got out of school this afternoon.

"Right, well. I'm ringing up to tell you where you're going for your last six weeks of training," Alberta said, sounding a little nervous. "You'll take your trails and graduate there, too."

"I'm here with Eddie, so you can speak with him after me if you want," I told her.

"Yes. Well, you're headed to the same place," she explained before mentioning where we'd be going.

I paused and took a deep breath before replying.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"