"Make yourself useful and go help Guardian Matthews carry up the pizza," I said to Mason, laughing as Dimitri ushered the last of the Moroi from their common room, declaring it 'booked' and 'out of bounds' for the rest of the evening. They'd obviously not twigged that he was no longer employed by the Academy because they obeyed, albeit reluctantly.
Us Novices had arrived promptly at 7 am, each carrying our pillows and quilts, and wearing our pajamas. To my disappointment, Dimitri had insisted on wearing jeans and a TShirt. I'd have loved him in his pajamas, but he'd outright refused on the basis of needing to maintain some distinction between him and the Novices. I guess he had a point, although I thought his pajamas looked cute and told him so.
While she wasn't officially rostered to start until 8 am, Celeste had volunteered to go and get pizza from the closest town. They had a twenty-four-hour pizzeria, but they were stunned when Dimitri called at 5.30 am to order ten family-sized pizzas with various toppings and a similar number of garlic bread. It was lucky Dimitri's credit card had been reactivated, because they'd insisted on pre-payment before they'd accepted the order. I could smell the cheesy goodness from down the hallway complimented by the scent of the garlic bread before it even arrived.
"God I love you," I'd murmured against Dimitri's lips, giving him a quick kiss as thanks for buying us the pizza. While he'd said he was ok with a little affection in front of my friends, he didn't want anything too gratuitous or over the top – particularly given Chelsea, Meredith, and Angela weren't officially in the loop about Junior's paternity - no matter what their personal suspicions might be.
Eddie opened the door to Celeste and Mason, laughing at the obviously envious Moroi hanging out of their dorm rooms. While Moroi were used to getting everything so much better than the Novices, there wasn't a pizzeria that delivered this far out; so store-bought pizza meant a Guardian had to be willing to drive the hour long round trip to get it. Consequently it usually only happened when someone's parents were visiting. Likewise, only Alberta or probably Kirova had the authority to book a common room, so it rarely happened.
I was beginning to wonder whether Lissa and Christian were coming when the door opened to reveal the two of them dressed in pajamas and carrying their bedding. Lissa looked calm and relatively relaxed, but Christian looked distinctly perturbed. I'd worded Mason and Eddie up to be friendly. No I hadn't fully forgiven Lissa, and I hadn't even started to forgive Christian, but I knew I'd regret excluding Lissa from my birthday party come farewell bash, so here they were.
"Christian? Where're the plates?" Mason called out, starting to rummage through the cupboards. Being the Moroi common room, he'd only been in here a couple of times. I was more familiar with the place through years of visiting Lissa, but I left them to it as it gave Christian a way to break the ice with Eddie and Mase.
Emil was hovering awkwardly near the doorway. He was officially on duty for another hour, but I could tell he wasn't sure whether to guard outside the door or within.
"Emil? Come join us for some pizza if you'd like," Celeste offered. "I don't mind starting my shift now."
I was surprised when Emil nodded in acknowledgment, taking one of the plates Christian had helped locate and helping himself to a slice of pizza from the boxes Celeste was opening on the huge table. He went to stand in the furthest area of the common room near the windows, Dimitri following with a plate laden with his slices. The two of them leaned side by side against the wall chewing in companionable silence. Emil had finished his slice when I saw Dimitri talking to him. They were too far away for me to tell what was being said, but when I saw Emil nod and shake Dimitri's hand, I knew what he must have told him our news. Meeting my eyes, Emil gave me a kind smile before raising his hand in farewell and excusing himself from the room.
While I'd been busy watching Emil and Dimitri, Christian had been trying to move his bedding onto the largest sofa.
"Move your stuff, fire boy," I said amiably but meaning what I said. "The pregnant woman and the guy who's six-foot-seven claim the biggest sofa!"
"I'd do it if I were you," Mason joked, smoothing the sting of my words. "You don't want to be dealing with a pregnant Rose tantrum. And FYI don't even look at the last doughnut either; else you might end up in pain!"
"There's doughnuts, too?" I asked, completely distracted.
"Of course there is, milaya," Dimitri said, lifting a dish cloth off a stack I hadn't noticed earlier. Instead of a birthday cake, there was a pyramid stack of eighteen doughnuts.
"Have I told you today just how much I love you, Comrade?" I groaned looking at the pile rapaciously.
He chuckled. "Just once or twice," he confirmed lovingly, pretending not to notice the slightly surprised looks from my friends. This was the first time they'd seen Dimitri and I interacting like an average couple. I was grateful Dimitri and I weren't the only partners there. Christian and Lissa, and then Eddie and Chelsea, claimed sofas together as we sat eating pizza and helping ourselves to the soda on tap.
We were finishing the first round of pizzas when the discussion turned to the movie. It was decided guys could choose the first film, and girls the second. Dimitri shrugged his shoulders when asked what he wanted to watch. I knew he didn't care, and he didn't want to influence the decision by weighing in on the options suggested.
Mason was particularly quiet, and I turned to look at him to find him occupying a sofa with Angela, and while they were sitting at separate ends, I noticed his hand was lightly resting on one of her feet where it lay on a pillow in his lap. I shot him a knowing smile and then agreed as they decided to watch some action film I'd barely heard of.
Celeste turned off the lights before she flopped down next to Meredith on a sofa and switched on the movie. Dimitri opened his arms to me, and I lay back against him, smiling contently as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his huge hands on my baby bump. I saw Lissa give us an encouraging smile when she saw him drop a little kiss on my neck. Lissa and Christian, as well as Eddie and Chelsea, were cuddled up together under their quilts giving them a chance to do some private cuddling, but since I knew Dimitri wanted to limit the PDA, I was happy enough with this.
The movie was entertaining, but there was the usual banter, derision and sarcastic comments made at regular intervals, and of course, I had to have a bathroom break halfway through, using the opportunity to load up with more pizza.
"Vlad! Do you ever stop eating?" Christian asked. I don't think he meant to be narky – he was just astounded by how much I could put away.
The entire room bristled, and Lissa looked at him mortified, but I chose to let it go.
"Meh. If a girl can't use being pregnant as an excuse to eat like a pig, when can she?" I said gleefully, taking another bite of pizza.
"So what was your excuse before you got knocked up?" Mase teased, trying to smooth over the moment.
I felt Dimitri tense even more. I know he hated the term knocked up. It sounded so cheap; reducing our miracle to something vulgar and a mistake. But I was seventeen – well eighteen now - and pregnant. It had been accidental. But not planned didn't have to be the same as not wanted, so I squeezed my Russian God's hand letting him know I knew how he felt.
The movie now over, people were using the opportunity to move around and refresh their drinks, grab more of the popcorn Dimitri had spent the afternoon making or get more pizza. We sat munching for a moment before Lissa decided it was presents time.
"Open this one first," Dimitri said, handing me an awkwardly wrapped bundle. Ripping off the wrapping, I found a new digital SLR camera. A huge step up from my hand-me-down point and click from Lissa, this bad boy was capable of taking some seriously good shots.
"I thought you might want some photos of your party, milaya," Dimitri explained. Lissa grabbed the camera from me and started taking pics as I thanked my Russian God with a long, smoldering kiss. So much for no PDA!
There weren't many gifts. Lissa and Christian gave me a joint gift of an engraved silver-backed hairbrush. It was very similar to the one Tasha had bought for Lissa, so I could see where the inspiration came from. Still – I did have long hair, and maybe in the cottage, I'd have room for a dressing table - and it was nice to think I'd think of them every day as I brushed my hair.
"Thanks, guys! It's beautiful and so thoughtful," I said, meaning every word.
Mason and Eddie surprised me with a small present each too. Knowing their wallets were as slim as mine, I was surprised. We didn't usually 'do' gifts. Mase went first.
"I know it's been like fourteen years, but I'm ready to part with it now," he said with a gleam in his eye. Perplexed I unwrapped a present the size of a matchbox, to discover a bright red matchbox car. Mason's pride and joy as a four-year-old, I'd beaten him up one day trying to get possession of it when he wouldn't share. I'd never got the car, but after our kindergarten teacher Miss Rumble got us out of our timeout, I'd made a lifelong friend.
"Thanks," I said laughing and throwing myself into his arms.
"Maybe your little one can play with it one day?" he said with a smile. "You can tell them it was Uncle Mase's."
"You got it, Duckie," I promised, tucking it carefully into my duffel bag.
"Well that's hard to top, but I saw these online and thought of you," Eddie mumbled shyly. I unwrapped his present to see an ordinary pair of workout gloves but in hot pink with 'Rose' stitched onto the back of each. "That way you won't lose your gloves again!"
I hugged him, thanking him for the thoughtful gift. He was right - I was always losing my sparring gloves, but these being so bright, and labeled, I doubt they'd go walkabouts.
Everyone turned back to Dimitri and me as he passed across his other gifts. A thick photo album, a charm bracelet with several charms on it and finally a solid silver keyring in the shape of a heart with a Cyrillic engraving on it. I handed the last one around, and Lissa was admiring it when I asked my Russian God what the writing meant.
Lissa looked up at Dimitri smiling.
"My reading isn't great, but I think it means, 'Where you live so does my heart.' Is that right?"
Dimitri nodded smiling at me.
"Close enough," he acknowledged. "I thought you could hang the keys to our new place on it," he whispered. I nodded getting a little teary. It was time to tell my friends this wasn't just a birthday party, it was a farewell party, too.
"So… Dimitri and I have some news… and no – it's not that I'm pregnant," I joked clumsily. "Dimitri's accepted a new out of State allocation leaving tomorrow. And I'm going with him."
Lissa and Christian didn't look surprised, but everyone else looked stunned.
"You haven't seen the last of me," I promised. "We've negotiated with Kirova for me to study offsite, so I still need to fly back in for exams and graduation. But we're leaving tomorrow to start our life together."
"Where are you going?" Celeste gasped.
I looked at Dimitri.
"We're not saying just yet. There are a few people we'd just like to disappear from," I said delicately avoiding Christian's gaze, "so we thought if no one knew, no one could slip up," I explained. "But I can tell you we'll be living in a gorgeous little cottage with a spare room, so be sure to stay in touch via email or phone and let me know your travels. If you're nearby, you can come visit!"
"So are you all packed?" Mason asked, struggling to grasp that tonight was it.
"Yep. We packed yesterday and today. Both our rooms are completely bare. All our boxes are stowed ready to go. All we've got left to take we have here," I said pointing to our duffel bags. "We're going to do breakfast tomorrow with you all and then head off."
"It won't be the same without you here, Rose," Meredith said – almost the first words to pass her lips all night.
"Well, you'll see us again and soon. Besides, in a few weeks, it will be goodbye for all of us. It's almost time for us to head out into the wide world," I joked.
"Trust you, Rose," Eddie said looking at me. "The first thing in your life you're early for, and it had to be leaving the Academy!"
"It's amazing considering you caught up on two years of school in what – seven months?" Angela said admiringly. "When you first came back everyone said there was no way you'd be able to catch up. But you did it!"
"I had a phenomenal teacher," I said, looking up to my Russian God, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him lovingly, enjoying the feeling as his strong hands slipped around my waist, holding me as he returned my kiss.
I'd parked the car in some bushes on the side of the road that bordered the eastern edge of the Academy. The grounds were huge, so after I scaled the fence, it would still be quite a walk to the cabin. But it was light out, so there'd be few guards, and my chances of being observed were minimal.
It was 9 am by the time I slipped into the cabin. Not as well furnished as it had been when I'd last stayed, there was still a sofa, the bed, and mattress plus some blankets. Most importantly, the door locked from the inside and there were blockout blinds at the windows, so unless someone was feeling particularly inquisitive, I'd be able to hide out here unnoticed.
I lay back on the bare mattress with a bottle of whiskey pondering how to execute the next stage of my plan. I needed to find out where Dimitri's room was. I knew it was in the Guardian block, but I couldn't exactly go knocking on doors to find which was his. I was trusting to fate that he wouldn't be on duty. Ages ago he told me rarely got duties in daylight hours because of his training sessions with Rose, but now she had passed her combat tests maybe that had changed? I was confident she wouldn't be in his room with him. They might tolerate some affection when a mentor returned from the dead, but there's no way Alberta or the Headmistress would tolerate a student sleeping in a Guardian's bed. Especially a student who'd already revealed herself to be a slut by getting herself up the duff with God knows who. I was honestly stunned she was still enrolled at the school at all, but Christian had assured me she was.
I waited, running how our meeting was going to go through my head. I had the baby blue underwear I'd bought in my bag ready. It looked great against my skin and brought out my eyes. And I knew he loved the color. Years ago I'd randomly asked him his favorite color, and he'd said blue. That had been the moment I'd started to love him. He hadn't said he was thinking about my eyes when he'd said it – but he'd been looking right at me – so I'd known where he'd drawn his inspiration.
It was midday when I made my move. I dressed in my sexy underwear, brushed my hair, applied a little makeup and put on a wrap dress and slip on shoes. Perfectly respectable if I was observed, the dress was done up with just a tie at the waist – so Dimka wouldn't have to waste time getting to the delights which lay beneath. I couldn't wait to consummate our love, and being right in the middle of my cycle I was quietly hopeful that soon the bitch wouldn't be the only one to sport a baby bump. Now I knew she really was pregnant, I didn't want to waste any time becoming likewise. And unlike her child, Dimka would know our baby was his.
I was walking across campus when I saw a Guardian in the distance. I could slip past him, or wait for him to move on, but I called out, smiling as I approached. I was in luck – he didn't use his radio to call me in, so a little compulsion got me what I wanted.
"Where is Guardian Belikov's room?"
"Third floor of the Guardian building. Fourth from the end on the left. Room 316," the Guardian dutifully replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It's two down from my own."
"What about Novice Hathaway's room."
"Third floor of the Novices dorm. I don't know the room number, but it's down the far end, and it has a poster on the outside of the door."
"Where else will Guardians be patrolling tonight?"
He answered, confirming my suspicions. Only a few outdoor guards.
"Give me your keys," I ordered after checking they would open the doors I'd require. Then I compelled him to forget he'd ever seen me. He was resistant, so it took a couple of goes, but it should be strong enough to hold until I got to Dimka's room - and if they found me then, he could tell them we were lovers, and I was sneaking in for some alone time with him.
I walked up to the Academy, careful to stick to the shadows and building edges where I would be less likely to be observed. The door to the back stairwell in the Guardian block opened soundlessly with the key, and I padded silently upstairs holding my shoes in my hand so they'd make no noise against the concrete stairs. Peeking my head around the corner of the third-floor hallway, it was empty. A long corridor with plain timber doors interspersed at regular intervals. I walked determinedly towards room 316. Confirming the number above the door, I slipped the key into the lock. The door opened, and I stepped into the darkness. The daylight blinds were closed, so it was dark, but even in the dimness, I could tell the room was untenanted. It was completely empty – a bed with a bare mattress and a chest of drawers its only occupants. I stepped inside and closed the door to rethink my plans when I was struck by a scent lingering in the room. A pine fragrance I'd know anywhere. Dimka's aftershave! I walked into the bathroom where the smell was stronger. Looking into the shower stall, I could see there was still water pooled on the base. He'd showered here, and recently. But he'd also moved out.
I could feel my rage rising inside me. It was almost like he was trying to avoid me. I'd traveled all this way, made myself beautiful for his appreciation, and he didn't have the decency to wait for me. I'd show him! I'd show them all!
I looked at the mattress, forcing the heat and anger from myself and onto its fabric cover. A spark at first, it was soon a crackling blaze. I stepped out of the room locking it behind me, running in bare feet down the hallway towards the far stairs. I was out of the building and halfway to the Novices dorms when I heard the fire alarm go off and Guardians starting to rouse. Good! That would keep them occupied while I dealt with the little bitch. Even if Dimka wasn't in her room with her, I still owed the bitch a visit!
I had no trouble finding her room – it was exactly as the Guardian had described it. I paused for a moment looking at the poster of some singer from a band on her door. It just went to show how young she was – I had no idea who the band was. Letting myself into her room, I was prepared for just about anything. I hoped I wouldn't have to see my Dimka there, but if I did, then I would handle it. What I couldn't handle was what I found. This room, too, was empty.
Both their dorm rooms being empty couldn't be a coincidence. They'd moved somewhere together. Or moved out. It was my worst fear. She'd taken him and gone. I was looking at that stupid poster on her door as flames started to lick along its edges. With a flash of my will, her mattress also started to smolder. I put my shoes on and walked down the corridor, only vaguely aware of the fire alarm starting to ring. I walked past panicked students as they spilled out into the stairwell evacuating the building. By the time the Guardians arrived, I was in the edge of the trees hidden from view. The whole campus was up now – so if by some chance my Dimka was still here, I'd be sure to see him.
I was cuddled against Dimitri's chest enjoying the second film, and my third doughnut when Celeste's radio crackled into life. Fire – in the Guardian's quarters. She listened carefully, going around and securing the windows and bolting the door, taking a defensive stance in front of it. Turning off the movie, she looked at Dimitri.
"Are you armed, D?"
A Guardian was never without their stakes, so I knew she meant something else. She meant a firearm.
"I am," he said, instantly on alert. Moving me gently aside, he stood up and pulled a small handgun I didn't know he was carrying from a concealed holster inside his duster.
"There was a fire in the Guardian dorms. Your old room. It's been extinguished."
Dimitri looked straight at me. He didn't have to say what he was thinking. Tasha Ozera was a fire user. Celeste was waiting for more info over the radio when Dimitri's phone rang. Answering it, he listened for a few minutes before he started swearing in Russian. I had no idea what he was saying, so I looked to Lissa who was able to understand enough to comprehend whatever was happening was serious. He spoke again in English, mostly agreeing to what was being said.
He hung up and immediately called another number.
"We need to get off campus now. A fire has been set in my old dorm room, a second in Rose's. It's obviously targeted. No one has so far been identified. Rose is here with me, and we're mobilizing to get to get to the airfield straight away."
Getting off the phone Dimitri was barking orders to Celeste, then Eddie, Mason, Meredith, Chelsea, and Angela.
"Female Novices, when you're given the word you are to accompany Guardian Matthews back to the Princess's dorm room. You will stay there with her until given the all clear. Castile and Ashford – you are to escort Christian back to his dorm room and likewise stay with him until cleared," Dimitri ordered. "Roza? We need to leave campus now. Get your things together," he said as calmly as he could. "Alberta is bringing a team to get us. We're not sure of the nature or extent of the threat, so she's taking every precaution."
I quickly packed my bag with my birthday presents, managing to shove my favorite pillow in my bag and the quilt his family had made him into Dimitri's. I then hugged my friends one by one and waited for Alberta to arrive.
Dimitri's phone rang again, and he gave Celeste the cue to open the door. Alberta came in followed by Stan, Ramirez, and Chaung. They were all armed with guns. Alberta was carrying a bullet-proof vest and helmet, and putting her gun down on the table started strapping them on to me. I could hear Dimitri making plans with the other Guardians on how to get me out.
"Webster is waiting to bring the van around. We'll climb in and head straight for the airstrip," Alberta ordered.
"If there's any contact I'll engage," Dimitri said. "She's focused her negative feelings on Rose, but it's me she wants," he explained. "I'll stall for time while you get Rose away."
"Comrade? I'm not letting you go out there with her. She's crazy! I'm signed off on the combat aspects of a Guardian now too, you know. I'll not be shipped off like some delicate flower while you put yourself in danger for me!"
"Rose? If you want to be a Guardian, act like one," Alberta said fiercely. "You have precious cargo on board – of course getting you out safely is Belikov's priority." She helped me lift our bags onto my shoulders. "At any sign of trouble you're to drop and follow Guardians Chaung and Alto without hesitation," she ordered. I nodded, and with a final grim smile to my friends we were off, moving silently down the corridor – me surrounded by five Guardians, guns drawn. We made it down the stairs, and on the final landing Alberta signaled for us to pause while she radioed Webster to bring the van around.
A squeal of tires announced his arrival. Chaung raced forward and opened the side door, and I was quickly inside, followed by Alberta, Stan, Chaung, and Ramirez. Dimitri was the last to pile in, ordering me to duck down below the window height as he pulled the van door closed. I lay on my side on the seat, Dimitri sitting awkwardly in the foot space of the entryway to the van. The second he'd pulled the door shut, Webster had taken off. But instead of the road that skirted the perimeter of the buildings, he was driving across the pristine grass of the Academy's front lawn. There was a bump as he rejoined the driveway further down and then we were hurtling towards the Academy's airstrip.
Dimitri's phone rang again, and he answered it listening intently.
"We're on our way now. Grey van. I'll confirm when we have a visual… Webster? Flash the lights when you can see the plane… Yes – that's us now."
I looked up and could see the plane in the distance. The engines were running, and the stairs were flanked by Guardians also with guns drawn.
"Milaya? I'm going to open the door, and you're to run up those stairs and onto the plane. I'm going to be right behind you, ok?"
"Ok Comrade," I said tensely, preparing to do exactly as he said.
We pulled up with a squeal of tires, and I was on my feet running onto the plane. True to his word, my Russian God was right behind me. I walked on shaking legs down to where Abe was sitting. Dimitri helped me take off my bags but instructed me to strap in straight away with my bullet-proof vest still on. He sat beside me, strapping himself in as the other Guardians quickly boarded and stowed the stairs.
"Get us out of here. Now!" Pavel barked towards the cockpit.
Suddenly we were tearing down the runway at breakneck speed. Nothing at all like the gentle takeoffs of my previous three flights, I could hear the engines screaming as we reached critical velocity as quickly as possible. The wheels left the runway, and we climbed steeply, the force pushing me back into my seat. A few minutes later we leveled off, and Dimitri unbuckled me. He carefully pulled off the vest and helmet I was wearing and pulled me onto his lap as I started crying in shock.
"Shh milaya. It's all over now," he promised, rocking me in his arms.