AN: Hey long time no see! Sorry for my very long hiatus, I had kinda fallen out of love with fanfic and writing but a story idea came to me and I wanted to get back into it. This will be rated M for strong language and adult themes so please be cautious if thats not your thing. Also sorry If it it's a little rough, I am a little out of practice. I don't own anything. Enjoy and please review it makes the experience so much more fun!

CHAPTER ONE

"- And it was with that heroic act of, not only daughterly defiance but high treason as well, Princess Helena Szelsky uncovered the truth of her father's reckless corruption. King Williams secret ledgers - documents detailing his interaction and encouragement of unlawful lobbyists, his plans to integrate the human practice of privatized prisons, as well as future plans to rollback many a number of decrees instated for the betterment of Dhampirs, among many other controversial indiscretions, both political and personal. It was with an unwavering conviction of justice she betrayed her Kingly father and brought the truth of his misdeeds to the Council, only to find the corruption did not start nor end with him. She then turned to the people -" Professor Badica stopped mid-rant by the shrill ring of the bell meant to dismiss class, "- and spearheaded a revolution that lasted a decade and completely reshaped Moroi society for all time as we know it, which we will learn more about on the morrow," He rushed out as Moroi and Dhampir alike packed their things away. "Don't forget to complete your reading, as well as the worksheet assigned to you from Monday, it is due tomorrow people."

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath, almost like a tick, while packing away my things.

"Your choice of vocabulary is vastly uninspired, Novice Hathaway."

I, annoyingly, find myself blushing as my classmates chuckle around me.

"My apologies, Professor Badica."

He pursed his lips and gave me his best scathing side eye before turning to walk to his desk.

I let out a quiet gust of air, shocked but thankful he let my slip go.

"I, for one, find your vocabulary completely just, Novice Hathaway." I shake my head with a smirk as one of my best friends, Mason, comes up to my side looking just as disheveled by the reminder as me.

"Who do you want to pull today?"

I look up to my freckled, ginger friend with a scrunched up face, that I'm sure was extremely unattractive, not being able to place his meaning.

"Huh?"

Mason grins, "Final Combat? We have battles today, remember?"

"Oh, yeah! Shit, I totally forgot about that, too," I groan.

So much for Camille's party tonight. Well, maybe if I only stay for a little while . . . Ugh, no I'll be in no shape afterwards.

"Novice Hathaway," I jerk to attention, cursing the Professor as I look longingly to the doorway I was so close to being out of.

I turn around, maneuvering my body out of the way from the rest of my classmates lucky enough to be able to leave.

"Yes, Professor," I don't bother to hide my disappointment at being stopped when I was so close to freedom.

"A word," He calls out as he looks down at some papers on his cluttered desk, his glasses falling down his too small nose.

"Alright, but only the one," I sass with a smirk, earning a dispassionate glare in return.

I drop my bag unceremoniously to the ground and hop onto the student desk, swinging my legs back and forth.

"It would seem you've not turned in your last three assignments, care to explain?"

In a great show of restraint, trust me, I just shrug instead of making the unoriginal quips about them sticking to my pancakes or a dog eating them that popped into my head. Too much human TV.

Professor Badica, a Royal Moroi, sits down at his desk, gaze unwavering, making a shiver run down my spine for some reason.

"I'm sorry, Novice Hathaway, I don't know what-," He mimics my shrug with an added gusto for comedic value, I assume, "-means."

I roll my eyes, "I'm sorry, Professor Badica, I've just had a lot on my plate."

He, surprisingly, nods his head thoughtfully, "Yes, I heard you were one of the five that earned a place in the Specialist Guardian Program. Congratulations, that truly is an honor."

I was thinking more of my best friend that seems to be slowly losing touch with reality, but yeah I guess that's taken up a lot of my time, too.

Despite my thoughts, I do smile appreciatively at his praise. My place in that program was hard earned. Countless sleepless nights, trials, bruises, concussions, etc etc, all so I can enter into a beyond exclusive training camp to endure all these things, and more, all over again. Not that I'm complaining, it comes with a lot of prestige and respect; meaning a total "boys club" but one I'm dying to be a part of.

My own mother, one of the most respected guardians there are, wasn't even one of the five her senior year. Although in her defense getting knocked up with me at 17 and barely graduating had a little something to do with it.

"I know your other classes must not seem as important in comparison, but trust me, you can never have enough knowledge, in enough subjects, but especially Moroi history. You are on a fast track to becoming Lady Dragomir's Guardian, who is in her own right on a fast track to becoming a very influential political figure, alongside her father and brother. You'll be surprised how much she'll rely on you for things other than protection against Strigoi."

Feeling appropriately admonished, I nod my head solemnly.

"You're right, Professor, I'll do better in the future."

He smiles, his lips as small as his nose, and stands up moving to lean on his desk.

"I'm glad to hear that, but those assignments you missed were not small, you'll find yourself having trouble making up the points for them and passing my class."

Shit.

We both jerk as a knock sounds at the door, I look over to see Professor Badica's wife, Monica, also a professor, staring at her husband . . . oddly.

"Sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to see if you wanted to join me for lunch."

Prof. Badica, seemingly unaware or maybe unaffected by his wife's less than pleased attitude, smiles, "No apology needed my dear, that sounds wonderful. Novice Hathaway I'd like you to see me after the school day and we can talk about looking into any available extra credit to help you along, enjoy your lunch."

Not needing to be told twice I rush out of there, Prof. Badica's wife staring after me.

"Rose, Jesse Zelkos is staring at you," Lissa, my best friend giggles behind her bite of salad.

I just roll my eyes mockingly while I pick at my fruit bowl, ignoring the watermelon, "He always stares at me, Liss, since like third grade."

Lissa, a gorgeous, blonde Moroi, with perfect hair and skin and skinny figure, snorts like a pig. "I don't understand why you won't give him the time of day, he's influential, getting on his good side could really do a lot for you."

"Like spread around blood whore rumors like he did Meredith?"

I look at Lissa, a 'how ya gonna challenge that one' look on my face.

". . . We don't know for sure it was him."

I purse my lips and scoff at her, knowing she knows she's talking out of her ass. I may not like Meredith but I have respect for her and she so did not deserve what happened to her last year.

"Nice try, Princess, but either way you're all the influence I need in this freak show."

Lissa perks up at that and drops the subject of that asshole.

As much as I love my best friend, sister really, she lives in a fairytale, where she's loved and safe and has everything she could ever want; a loving family, riches and notoriety to name just a few.

As a Moroi, a living vampire, and a royal one at that, I didn't say princess for complete shits and giggles, she's had the entire world handed to her without really having to work for anything and doesn't understand the consequences of me, a Dhampire, half vampire, half human, hooking up with a bad boy Moroi who likes to bite and talk.

I regret thinking that as soon as it popped into my head. For all her advantages in life it's not true that she's had absolutely everything handed to her and sometimes it's easy to forget that she's had her struggles too. She's the only Moroi at our entire school that hasn't specialized in a magical element.

There are four Magics: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Most Moroi can control some or all of these elements at least a little, Lissa included, but they only specialize in one and can do pretty incredible things using their magic. They don't get to choose though, it comes to them organically through their genetics but everyone gets one; it's practically unheard of to not.

When everyone was specializing around 12 or 13, Lissa was left behind. The ridicule has mostly stopped from her peers as we've gotten older, a mixture of the other Royal Moroi realizing that they're going to have to be in the same political playing field with Lissa and her very powerful family and of course my threats of serious bodily harm.

As a Dhampire it's my job to protect Moroi with my superior strength and speed, but Lissa is the only one I want to guard and it's for good reason. Despite her growing up with the luxuries and privileges, she does have the purest heart of anyone I know. Also despite me being considered beneath her in our society, she chose me to be her best friend on our first day of kindergarten, when I threw my book at our teacher and called her a fascist bastard for making me spell my entire name out, which I still maintain to this day was cruel. She does everything she can to help others no matter what and doesn't look down upon anyone. And to be fair, growing up as her best friend I also reaped a lot of the benefits of her family's power and wealth.

Being a Dhamp doesn't pay well, most get stuck with asshole charges that don't appreciate our sacrifice and treat us like cannon fodder, but we need the Moroi to carry on our race, since Dhampires can only be born from a Moroi and human or Moroi and Dhampire coupling. I hate the culture of what I was born into but despite my inner rebellion, I want my people to thrive, I want Lissa and her family to be safe and if we don't defend them from Strigoi, they will take over everything, as humans don't have what it takes to defeat the undead vampires that kill to sustain themselves.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by the look on her face, the look that reads perfectly clear she pities me being alone, while she cuddles up to her boyfriend, Aaron, another royal Moroi, but I don't mind it. I pity her as well, knowing she doesn't love him and never will.

Lissa is a gentle soul but . . . kinda lost right now.

The bell rings, signaling the end of lunch and I feel a spark of adrenaline shoot up my spine in anticipation of Final Combat. It's a monthly match up where simply put, you fight three vs one randomly, which means you can fight as little as once or every match if your name gets pulled each time. Not likely, of course, but usually most end up fighting two to four times in a day until everyone has been the lone man standing needing to take on three opponents.

All us Dhamps love and loath Final Combat.

Today, I think I'm going to love it. We train and spar everyday but I haven't had a good fight in weeks.

"You know, Rose, Vasilisa is right, you should show my boy some love, he'd be putty in your hands." I roll my eyes at Aaron, his stupid smug face boiling my blood everytime I have to look at it.

I gather my stuff and stand up with a huff, "No thanks, and i'm out of here before you two make me barf."

"Don't be jealous that Vasilisa and I are in love."

I give my best friend a long look before turning to her . . . I don't even know what to call him . . . cover? Experiment?

"She hates being called Vasilisa."

I turn and walk out of the cafe but not before I see her duck her head in embarrassment.

I have no idea what the hell she's thinking, getting involved with a dull poser like Aaron. All the money in the world and the girl can't buy a freaking clue.

I'm not even a few feet out of the cafe before Mason practically crashes into me.

"Holy shit, Rose, have you heard?"

"Heard what? What's going on?"

Mason smiles wide and picks me up, spinning me around.

"Can't tell ya!"

"Stop playing, Mase, what's going on?"

He runs a hand through his curly red hair, his smile getting even bigger.

"Nope, don't want to ruin the surprise for you, I wasn't supposed to hear about it, but Alto doesn't have an indoor voice to save his life." Mason laughs.

I open my mouth to argue but Mason starts dragging me towards the training grounds, "Come on!"

"Mason, just tell me!"

"Trust me, it'll be worth the wait!"

Despite my begging the whole way to the gym where we meet to begin training, Mason doesn't cave and makes us sit down in silence, waiting for the Guardians.

"You're dead to me."

He just laughs and tells me I'll reconsider once I know the big news.

Once everyone is gathered, Guardians Alto, my least favorite person ever, and Alberta, one of my favorite people, take roll call and then begin to go over the rules for Final Combat even though it's stuff we've heard dozens of times before, so I just tune it out.

My mind wanders to Professor Badicas class and the work I'll have to do to pass and dread fills my stomach. I know I need to do better in classes that don't involve me getting to smash in someone's face but . . . for the love of god they're just so boring and completely irrelevant to my life. I''l never need 90% of that shit while guarding Liss.

"Now as for the top five in the Specialist Guardian Program-"

Mason nudges my arm, bringing me back to the moment.

"-You will not be participating in Final Combat."

Like a knee jerk reaction I sit up straight with my face showing how shocked and pissed I am.

"What the fu-" Mason elbows me again, cutting me off.

"Wait for it, Rose." He whispers.

Alberta catches my eye and I see a glint of a smile.

"Something special has been cultivated for those of you that have stood out for your talent and hard work. Mason, Edison, Meredith, Rosemarie and Mikhail you all will be traveling to St. Basils to study and compete in a tournament for the remaining three months of the school year."

I gasp and grab a hold of Mason's bouncing knee, adrenaline coursing through my body.

"Holy shit!"

"I know!"

"The tournament will be made up of all ten Academies in the world, there will only be one winner and that person will receive 50 thousand dollars in a cash prize courtesy of the three Monarchs-"

"No fucking way . . . "

Mason grins at me, "that's not even the best part."

"- A month paid leave before beginning your duties once you've graduated-"

"Oh my god, Mase!"

"Wait for it!"

"- And first pick for Moroi assignments, barring any legal situations that exclude a particular individual."

Holy. Shit.

Not that I have any doubts that I will be Lissa's guardian but with this win there would be absolutely no doubt about it, no other novice would have a chance of snaking her from me. I get lost in the shock of it all, the excitement coursing through my veins, my mind racing with all the possibilities.

I don't really need the money or the time off, I'll be spending it with Lissa either way and like I said, it'll be a cold day in hell before anyone is named Lissa's guardian over me.

But if I can pull off winning this thing that'll just add to my already badass reputation.

"We're gonna be legends, Rose!"

"Fuck yeah, we are!"

I ignore the bitching and moaning of the rest of our class that they don't get to go to Russia and be badasses. Us five beat every one of their asses to be in the position we're in and they know it.

Not a damn one of them has worked harder than me or deserves this more. I may not turn in my Moroi History homework or stay awake during Math, but I train my ass off. I'm an expert in all Mixed Martial Arts: Jujitsu, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Boxing, you name it, I can do it. I'm the smallest person in my class at only 5'3" and it made me work harder and smarter than all of them.

I'm not the biggest or the strongest or the fastest, but I am the most fearless and even more important the most innovative and no one can say anything different unless they want a reminder.

Alberta catches my eye again but this time with a slightly annoyed look.

"This is also based on the condition that all of your other school work is up to date in its completion and all of your instructors sign off. Your position in this program has been earned but make no mistake about it, this is still a privilege that can and will be taken away if the rest of your studies are not in order."

"Oh for fucks sake!"

"Hathaway!" Alto barks out giving me a dirty look.

God dammit.

AN: Thank you to anyone that reads, I really hope everyone enjoyed, please review all feedback is welcome.