I ran across campus towards the guardians building. I had no way to know where Dimitri was but I figured this was the best place to start. My breath slowed as I walked up to the Dhampir at the front desk.
"I'm looking for Guardian Belikov."
She looked up at me over the top of her computer screen, a frown on her face.
" Guardian Belikov, along with all other guardians not on shift, have been busy handling a situation with another academy all day. I'm afraid I can't get him for you."
I sighed knowing there really was nothing she could do right now. "Well will you let him know Rose was looking for him. And tell him I will be training in the gym." She nodded ending the conversation.
Doing what i said I would, I headed to the gym. I did the usual laps. My time was slower than normal. Much slower. But what do you expect from someone who has a hurricane of thoughts going through her head right now. Thoughts about the recent attack and all the students and staff that have to leave their life there to come to backwoods Montana.
After slinking my way through weights a started pulling out a couple of dummies and placed them in a circle around me. Now that Strigoi are attacking in groups I figured I better get used to these odds.
I had staked three out of five dummies. I was about to start on the fourth when the dummy I aimed a kick at grabbed my foot and I hit the mat.
"You need to pay better attention to your surroundings Rose."
"Dimitri." I growled accepting his hand up.
"I'm sorry Rose but next time listen to your surroundings more." He laughed.
I looked up at him. His guardian mask was barely there and I could see the worry that was eating away at him. Him and every other Dhampir and Moroi.
"Dimitri? Was Viktoria there? Is she ok?"
Pain seeped out of his being. It was almost tangible standing next to him. He looked broken and I would have given anything to put him back together.
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I wasn't sure if you had heard any news yet but I guess you have. If there is anything I can do for you Dimitri just tell me. Tell me and it will be done. Gah I just…."
"Rose. Roza. Shh." He said gently shaking me. "Viktoria is alright. She was strong and she helped the guardians in the battle. The worst she got were some bruised ribs and a busted lip. She survived though and that is all that matters."
"Thank god. You had me scared. Why did you look so sad then when I brought her up?"
I asked.
"Because it hurts me that she had to experience this at sixteen. She is still just a little kid and my little sister. I don't want this for her."
I looked up at him. Trying to see if he realized what he just said.
"I'm seventeen. Only a year older than her. If you think she is just a kid than you have to see me like that as well."
"Roza no. You know I don't see you that way." His strong hand cupped my cheek.
"Then you have to stop seeing her like that. She is going to be a guardian in less than two years. Her training is almost over. Soon enough she will have learned everything the academy had to offer and then be off on her own. Believe me she probably stopped being a kid long ago."
I saw the wheels in his head turning. He was processing everything I just said. It was all true and he knew it. Kids stopped being kids way too early in our world. Especially Dhampir ones.
"You're right. I do need to accept she is grown up."