"Can you please come and try to talk some sense into her, Celeste?" the worried Russian voice concluded, whispering into the phone. "She just won't listen to me!"
I laughed looking around my room. It had been a tiring day running around on the field tackling and being tackled by Novices. A long shower, some junk food and a night in my room watching trashy TV was very tempting. But I hadn't seen Rose and Dimitri since they'd arrived back, and I knew they were only here for a few days.
"Sure. Give me fifteen minutes to shower and get into something other than this filthy clothing, and I'll be there," I promised.
Stripping off, I climbed into the shower setting the water to almost scalding. Washing my short hair, I let suds run down over my back and chest, closing my eyes and imagining a man standing behind me, pressing his naked body up against me, reaching around to soap my breasts. Not just any man. In my fantasies, it was Art Schoenberg. Not that there was any chance of that happening, I thought to myself with a derisive snort.
I opened my eyes with a sigh. I'd seen Art on campus today. He'd been supervising the trials. It hadn't occurred to me he'd be there, so I hadn't been looking out for him in the Guardian's hut when I came in to put on a fresh shirt after that filthy grub Aylett had torn mine when I'd taken him down. I'd stripped my long-sleeved black shirt off, and was standing in a very tight crop bra when I realized I wasn't alone; Art was standing at the coffee station pouring himself a mug. Now normally I'd have relished the opportunity to 'accidentally' undress in front of him, but I looked horrible. The guy had seemed like a deer caught in headlights, stammering an apology before leaving the hut as quickly as possible, leaving his coffee behind. Not the sort of reaction I'd have hoped for.
Stepping out of the shower, I looked at my naked form in the mirror as I toweled down. I was still young, and my body didn't show any telltale signs I'd borne a child nine years ago. My breasts were relatively perky, and lots of ab work had brought back my flat toned stomach. I wasn't fooling myself I was any stunner, but I got my fair share of admiring glances. Shame one of them hadn't been from Art. Oh, the things I'd like to do with that man…
I laughed at myself. It had been a while. Too long if I was lusting after a man who clearly didn't want to give me a second look. Maybe it was time I did something about it? There were lots of hot Guardians on campus with their charges in anticipation of graduation. Alberta had been putting them to work guarding exams, doing ward patrol and even helping with the trials today. As one of a few women amongst a sea of male Guardians, I'd have no trouble finding someone willing to entertain me. And a night rolling around the sheets sounded like just what I needed.
With that in mind, I put on my tightest skinny jeans, worked a little gel into my hair, covered the small bruise on my cheek with some foundation before adding mascara, eyeliner, and a natural lip gloss. Donning a tight teal tank top with a deep v-neck, I put on a pretty pendant which hung just above the cleft between my breasts. A pair of ankle boots with a chunky heel, and I was done. I knew I looked good. Now to visit Rose and Dimitri in guest quarters and see if anyone over that way caught my eye. And if not – well maybe tonight I'd stop by the Guardian's lounge. It was always particularly busy when there was an influx of external Guardians on campus. I'd just exited the building and was walking across to guest quarters when I heard my name.
"Celeste?"
"Guardian Schoenberg," I greeted a little breathlessly. What was wrong with me? I was a strong independent woman. I didn't turn to jello when I saw a man. Well, at least I didn't with anyone else but him.
"I thought we'd decided it was Art?" he said, flashing me a charming smile.
"We did. Sorry Art," I replied, wondering whether I'd imagined the admiring look he'd just given me.
"You were impressive out there today, Celeste," he said sounding almost a little nervous.
"Oh Art, there were so many of us out there today – I'm sure you couldn't tell which one was me."
"Don't bet on it," he said. "You're distinctive. I very much enjoyed watching your form." I didn't say anything but gave him a small smile. I wonder if he'd intended the double meaning behind his words. "You look lovely. Are you going to the Guardian's lounge?" he asked casually.
And just like that, I no longer wanted to find casual sex for the night.
"No. Just going to see Belikov and Rose. They're staying in guest quarters."
"Oh? Is that where they are? Would you mind if I accompanied you? I have something I need to speak with Belikov about."
"Not at all. So have you been busy?" I asked, trying to come up with something to talk about.
"Yes and no," he said with a small frown. "The Badica's were so spooked by the attack they've decided to base themselves at Court. Court guarding is not especially challenging – but it does give me the opportunity to be more involved with training at the academies and with my role on the Guardian Council. Better than being put out to pasture," he said bitingly.
"Put out to pasture? A strong, virile man like you? I hardly think so," I scoffed, swallowing heavily to stop myself imagining his strong muscled arms pulling me to him.
We'd stopped walking, and he turned to face me. His eyes looked troubled, and he'd opened his mouth to say something when we were interrupted.
"Matthews? Have you seen Webster? He was due to take over my shift half an hour ago," Chaung grumbled walking towards us along the pathway. I swear I wanted to murder the guy.
"Afraid not," I mumbled in what I hope passed for a friendly tone.
Chaung walked off towards the Guardian quarters muttering under his breath. I turned back to Art, but the moment was gone.
"Shall we?" he asked courteously, and we started walking again. We walked in silence and were nearly at the guest quarters when he asked, "So do you have plans for your semester break? Alberta likes you all to take leave when the students aren't here, doesn't she?"
"I visit my family for a fortnight every June," I said. "They're outside Charlottesville, Virginia, so I don't get to see them very often."
"A beautiful part of the world, Virginia," he said looking slightly discomposed. "If you find yourself with some extra time, perhaps you might like to come up and visit Court? I'd be delighted to take a few days off and show you around."
"I usually spend every day I can with my family," I said absently, stopping when I noticed the slightly hopeful look on Art's face fade. "But I think adding a trip to Court would be perfect. With Belikov's reallocation, I've wracked up so much overtime. Alberta's been pressing me to take it."
"Well let me know when you've made your plans," he said his hopeful smile returning, "and how many days you can stay. I'll book leave."
I nodded shyly. An important man like Guardian Schoenberg didn't arrange leave to show just anyone around Court. Maybe there was a little bit of interest there after all?
"I'd like that very much," I said, giving him a bright smile.
We were silent as we climbed to the second floor and walked along to the unit where Belikov and Rose were staying. I knocked on the door, and Belikov answered it looking harassed.
"Oh thank God you're here!" he groaned. "She's in our room. Nothing I say is calming her down. She keeps saying I won't understand."
Art gestured me ahead of him into the unit, guiding me by placing his hand on the small of my back. It wasn't the first time he'd touched me, but given our chat, I felt it was significant, especially since I couldn't see him doing anything like that with Alberta or any of the other female Guardians!
"Art? Rose is upset. I'll just have a quick word with her. Why don't you keep D company while I calm her down?" I suggested.
"Shall do," he said with a nod, dropping onto the sofa opposite a worried looking Dimitri.
I knocked on the door Belikov had indicated.
"Rose? It's Celeste. I hope you're decent because I'm coming in!" I said repeating the words I'd used what seemed like a lifetime ago. I opened the door to find Rose on the bed with her face buried in a pillow. "What's wrong?"
"Did Dimitri call you? I'm going to kill him," she groaned.
"Yes, but he's at his wit's end. What's going on?"
"It's my mother. She's going to be here tomorrow."
"Is she here for your graduation?"
"Doubtful," Rose snarked. "She's here with her charge. I don't want to see her," the younger woman cried.
"Why?" I asked her calmly. "Are you worried she's going to make a scene?"
"Not her. She'll go out of her way to pretend she has no idea who I am!"
"Are you worried other people will know about what happened between you?"
"No. No one cares. I doubt they'll even notice."
"Then what is it?"
"I want her to care. To be proud of me," Rose wailed, looking up at me. My heart went out to her, it really did. "I know I'm pregnant, and it isn't the graduation I'd planned, but despite everything, I'm still going to cross that stage and get my diploma."
"Rose? I don't think she has it in her. You have to stop blaming yourself. She let you go of you when you were four. A four-year-old doesn't do anything to deserve to lose their mother's love. The problem isn't you. It never has been. As one mother to another, believe me – it's her."
"I could never treat Junior like that…"
"I know. Hold your head up high. Face her down and know everyone's love that's worth having is already yours."
"But I still want her to love me," she said in a lost little voice.
"I know," I replied sadly, sitting beside her and hugging her. "But that's not something you can control. So why wouldn't Dimitri understand this?"
"He loves me so much he can't understand anyone else not loving me," she admitted with a rueful laugh. I smiled with her. It was a lovely problem to have.
We sat side by side.
"I miss not seeing you all the time," Rose said shooting me a smile. "You're good at sorting me out!"
"I miss you too," I said. It was nice having a close female friend to talk to. "So… don't tell me you're going to miss the party tonight?"
"I've got my Moroi Culture exam tomorrow, but I might go for a while," she said.
"I thought that one was earlier in the week? I had to supervise it."
"Yeah, the Moroi did theirs on Monday. They get tested on different stuff to us - like how to greet people and where to stand depending on rank and all that. We get tested on the guarding priorities."
"That's right," I muttered. Usually only used at Court or formal occasions, there were a whole heap of wanky protocols about the Moroi pecking order which in turn dictated who Guardians were meant to protect first and foremost in the event of an attack. I made a derisive comment about how stupid the whole thing was, and Rose agreed.
Twenty minutes later Rose was dressed and looking smoking. She'd let me do her makeup, and I'd done a good job if I did say so myself.
"Wow!" Dimitri said, his eyes looking his beautiful girlfriend up and down when we emerged from their bedroom. Even pregnant she was going to be the best-looking girl there, and I was glad to see Dimitri appreciated that.
"Do I look ok?" she asked innocently, not unaware of the effect she was having on her man.
"You look… wow…" Dimitri said again.
My eyes met Art's. He winked, and we both laughed.
"Young love, eh? Looks like these two have a party to attend. Perhaps you'd like to join me for a drink at the Guardian's lounge?" Art suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," I replied happily, not missing the surprised look Rose shot me from behind Art's back.
The four of us walked to where the party was being held, Dimitri meeting up with a couple of Guardians I didn't know there as the three arranged to guard outside while Rose attended the gathering. Art and I were walking across to Guardian building when Townsend intercepted us.
"Schoenberg – I was just about to call you. There's been a problem with one of the Novice exams. Alberta was hoping you could help us sort it out? We're under the pump to get the results finalized so we know who can graduate. I'm afraid it might mean an all-nighter."
"Of course," Art said, with what sounded like frustration, "I'll be right there." Turning to me, he sighed, "I'll have to take a rain check on that drink, Celeste. I hope you have an enjoyable evening."
"What a pity, I was looking forward to it. If you're going to be busy, I think I might catch an early night," I said, trying not to be too forward but wanting him to know it was his company I was interested in. "The next few days are going to be crazy."
"Yes, they are," Art replied. "I hope you have pleasant dreams, Celeste."
"I will," I said, giving him a smile. "Don't work too hard, Art."
We parted at the stairs. Him to go to the room where the papers were being graded, me to get some beauty sleep.
"So what's the go with you and Belikov?" Jesse jeered loudly. "It's like he believes he's the father of your baby."
I tensed. This was exactly the sort of discussion I'd been hoping to avoid but had expected, this being the first time I'd been out of Dimitri's sight in public on campus. I'd hoped the party being in the Novice common room Moroi wouldn't be attending, but apparently, I was wrong.
"Don't be stupid, Jesse. Aren't you the one who pointed out Dhampirs can't reproduce together?"
"Yeah, I envy you Dhamps that. You can fuck each other all you want and not have to worry about contraception." Jesse's face was flushed with too much alcohol, and he was starting to draw attention to himself. Well. To us.
"Unlike you. Although I suppose you just use your personality…"
"Use my personality? For what?" Jesse asked, clearly beyond following my repartee.
"Contraception," I replied deadpan, much to the hilarity of those watching our exchange. I quickly put my arm through Mason's as he materialized at my side and guided me across to where Meredith, Chelsea, Angela, and Eddie were standing.
None of the Dhampir were drinking to excess as we all had an exam tomorrow afternoon, but the Moroi were cutting loose. Camille Conta and Ralf Sarcozy were dancing on a tabletop that was listing dangerously. I was disappointed when Carly and Aaron dragged them down before it gave way. I would have enjoyed seeing those two laid on their asses!
I waved to where Lissa and Christian were on the opposite side of the room. Lissa was looking like her usual bright, happy self, although it couldn't compensate for the morose sarcastic look on Christian's face. Guess nothing's changed there!
I was chatting with Meredith a little later when I heard Jesse's drunken slurring over the general hubbub where he was holding court to a bunch of Royal Moroi students.
"…so that's when I figured Belikov's game. I mean – she's up the duff, so he knows she's already putting out, right? If you want guaranteed action why not go for a girl who's known to open her legs?!"
I wanted to punch the guy, I really did. But that would just give him the satisfaction he wanted. So I pretended I didn't hear it. I thought it was about time I left the party anyway when there were squeals of alarm. Carly and Aaron were slapping at Jesse's back where his shirt had caught fire!
"Put it out!" he shrieked.
"We're trying, stop moving," Aaron said. Meanwhile, Carly was filling a pitcher with water and threw it over Jesse.
"That wasn't funny! Which one of you did it?!" he roared, looking around the room and trying to pick the fire users amongst the dozen or so Moroi present.
"You did it yourself, Jesse," Lissa said, looking at him guilelessly. I felt the small glow of spirit as she used the slightest bit of compulsion on him. "You lurched back into that candle."
Jesse spun and looked at the lit candles on the sideboard directly behind where he was standing.
"Oh. Thanks, guys," he mumbled drunkenly to Aaron and Carly, missing the amused expression on Christian's face.
I gave Christian a wink, and he gave me a small shrug. Lissa looked between the two of us and beamed. It was hardly a truce; more like in that instant Christian and I disliked Jesse more than we did each other. But I could tell through the bond Lissa thought it was a start.
Rose was lined up to go into her exam when I saw her. I'd been looking out for her ever since we'd left guest accommodations. I had this funny feeling I'd see her today, and I was right. I stepped out from the wall slightly, obscuring her from Rose's view. My girl didn't need negativity bringing her down right now. I gave Roza a loving look as she filed into the classroom with her classmates. I'd be there in just a moment to protect her while she did her exam. But first I had something to attend to.
"Janine," I greeted the diminutive red-haired woman who, like me, was evidently going to help guard this exam.
"Belikov," she greeted with a confused smile. "I heard you'd left the academy on a mission?"
"Yes, I had. And now I'm back for graduation," I said coldly. "I've heard what you had to say to Rose, and now you're going to hear what I have to say. You made your decision, now stay away from her. You've done enough damage for a lifetime, and I won't have you upsetting her any further."
"What's she to you?" Janine asked in confusion. "Why are you so interested in what happens with her?"
"That's none of your business, either," I snapped. "I mean it, Janine. You gave away your right to have anything to do with her. Now I can't make you, but if you want to show you have any sort of common decency then guard the back of the room where she won't see you. Rose doesn't deserve to have you ruining her chances at her exam."
Before the stunned woman could say another word, I spun around and stalked towards the front doors of the examination hall. Taking up my stance beside my love at the edge of the room, I surveyed the space, taking in all the potential points of entry, exit and casting my eyes across the students to make sure they were all seated where they ought to be. Satisfied all was as it should be, I made eye contact with the two members of my team also guarding Rose's exam, nodding to give them the all clear. I saw Janine enter via the rear doors and take up a stance against the back wall, directly behind Rose's row where she'd be out of the younger Dhampir's sight.
I knew Rose would be able to feel the tension radiating from me, so I consciously relaxed each muscle willing myself to appear calm. I could feel her eyes on me, and sure enough, when I dropped my gaze to her, she was looking at me lovingly.
"Good luck," I mouthed to her, giving her a tender look.
"I love you," she mouthed back.
I couldn't help the little smile that graced my face. I was a lucky man indeed. Relaxing into an at ease stance, my feet shoulder width apart, hands clasped behind my back, I spent the next two hours watching the mother of my child complete her last ever high school exam, while her mother spent the two hours watching us. The bell rang, and Rose put her pen down, looking at me happily as her teacher walked around gathering up the examination papers. As soon as they'd been collected, and the class dismissed with their teacher's congratulations, my love was in my arms.
"Well for better or worse I'm done," she grinned, throwing her arms around my neck. While we'd been limiting the PDA, knowing her mother was watching, I couldn't help myself – I drew the woman I loved into a long, hot kiss. The sort of kiss small children shouldn't see. I loved the way she immediately melted against me, her fingertips tickling at my molnija and promise mark.
"What was that for?" she whispered, pulling away from me, her eyes twin pools of want.
"Because I love you," I told her.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Janine at the back of the room, her incredulous face almost as red as her hair. Rose spun and picked up her exam equipment and bag, turning to follow her classmates from the room. She grabbed my hand our fingers entwined, and we were walking towards the rear doors when I felt Rose's hand tense within mine. She'd spotted her mother, but giving no outward sign of it, we walked past her and out into the hallway.
"Comrade? I said I'd meet up with Eddie and Mase a little later, but right now I thought it would be nice if we had a little celebration just you and me..." she murmured meaningfully.
I gave my beautiful woman a nod, dropping her hand as we hurried back to our room in the guest quarters. It had been a couple of days, and neither of us was used to going that long.
"You look beautiful Guardian Hathaway," Dimitri congratulated as he kissed my cheek. We were standing in the hall after the Guardian inking ceremony on Saturday morning. The place was packed, and lots of introductions were going on. The inking ceremony was different to the main graduation ceremony. Open to family and Guardians only; it was a solemn affair – each Novice making their promise and receiving their promise mark in recognition. Novices were called one by one, their training score announced, and then Lionel 'inked' them.
"Congratulations Guardian Hathaway!" Celeste squealed enthusiastically, giving me a huge hug. "You made it! And what a training score! I'm so proud of you!"
"We all are!" Eddie said coming to hug me and introduce me to his mother. I saw her take in my obviously pregnant belly with surprise, but she had the good grace to accept it without comment.
"Congratulations, dear," she said kindly. "What an honor to get the equal top training score," she said, fondly ruffling her son's hair. Much to my amazement, Eddie and I had scored the equal top of our grade.
"Yeah, Mom – maybe not mention in the letter you're going to send out bragging to everyone you've ever met that the only time I could catch up to Hathaway was when she was what – six months pregnant."
"Shut up Castile," I murmured embarrassed.
"It's true, Hathaway. You've always been able to kick my ass!"
"And I'll do it now if you don't shut it," I retorted, poking my tongue out at him.
"Now now, no arguing people," Mason said coming over draping an arm around me. "Congrats Rosie, you did good."
"Right back at you, Duckie!" I replied, admiring his promise mark. "You look just like a proper Guardian now!"
"I am a proper Guardian," he chuckled rolling his eyes.
"I know," I sighed, "but you'll always be the four-year-old boy in the swimsuit with a duck on it to me," I teased.
"I'm never going to live that down, am I?" he said with a sigh.
"I intend to make sure of it," I teased, giving him an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
Dimitri insisted on taking plenty of photos before Mason grabbed the camera and took some of Dimitri and me.
"Roza? Will you be ok here for a minute? I want to catch Lionel before he packs up."
I shook my head.
"I'll come with you," I muttered, excusing myself from where we were talking.
The two of us headed over to where Lionel was sitting at his tattooing station having a cup of tea.
"Lionel? Can you be bothered chucking on a zvezda for me? I'm owed one," Dimitri explained.
"You don't want it done at a ceremony?" he asked in surprise.
Dimitri shook his head.
"I want this as low key as possible," he explained, pulling out the authorization and handing it to him. I stood beside my man as Lionel put down his cup of tea and fired up his gun a final time. Within moments my man had another mark on the back of his neck. Handing his phone to Lionel, he asked him to take a photo of the backs of our necks side by side.
"Mama will want to see it," he explained in embarrassment to an amused Lionel before firing off a quick message to Baia.
"Every Mama does," Lionel laughed kindly.
It had been a perfect ceremony. Pretty much every Dhampir I loved had been there. Even my mother. She'd slipped in and stood at the back just as it started and slipped out during Shannon Jatz' inking. While she didn't make eye contact, and her Guardian façade didn't flicker for an instant, I chose to believe that she'd wanted to see me make my promise. I don't think anyone else had noticed her slip in and out, so I didn't mention it. But I knew.
We rejoined the others and enjoyed the lunch of tea and sandwiches, and then it was time to get changed for the graduation ceremony in the afternoon. A larger ritual than the inking, Moroi and the new Guardians would stand side by side to receive their academic diplomas. While the Moroi tended to dress up, especially the Royals, it was the tradition for the new Guardians to wear black and white in recognition of their newly made promise. Pretty much every Dhampir inked this morning would be in black pants, white shirt, and a black jacket. But when I'd tried mine on this morning, it just looked ridiculous. I looked like a whale. A whale attempting to pretend they weren't expecting. Knowing every Moroi would be looking out for the knocked up Guardian disapprovingly anyway, I'd decided to rock the pregnant thing. I had a pretty white maxi dress that I'd team with a black bolero cardigan. With my hair up in an attractive, loose bun to show my promise and molnija I'd look feminine and every day of my six months pregnant.
Back at the guest accommodations Abe, Pavel, and the Russian Guardians were waiting. Abe hadn't left his quarters since we'd arrived as far as I could tell.
"Congratulations, Guardian Hathaway," Abe said, admiring my promise mark. "I heard you tied for top training mark? I might have to put you on the payroll!"
"I think it's enough you're giving us a home," I smiled, accepting his hug.
I slipped into our unit and got changed, surprised to see Dimitri doing likewise.
"Why are you getting into uniform, Comrade?"
"Security," Dimitri said fiercely. "I've spoken with Alberta. Security has been upgraded, and Fernandes, Kirk and myself are all going to be part of the on-stage security. Jasinski and Krantz will be sitting in the row behind you and Abe's team will be working the floor."
"Are you that worried she's here?"
"I have a feeling she might be," my Russian God replied. "I don't plan on taking any chances. If anything happens, you are to go with either Fernandes and Kirk or Jasinski and Krantz without question. I need you to promise me, milaya. It's me she wants, so she won't hurt me – but she might very well try and harm you, so I'm not taking any chances."
"I promise," I whispered reluctantly. I saw the sense in what he was saying, but it didn't sit well with me.
"I'm probably just being paranoid – but I just couldn't bear anything happening to you," he explained.
"I feel the same way, Comrade. I nearly lost you once…"
"You won't lose me, Roza. Today is my first day with Guardian Rose Hathaway; the woman I love, the mother of our child and the Dhampir I want to spend my life with."
I slapped his chest playfully. "You know how to say all the sweet stuff!"
We emerged from our room, Abe grabbed my camera, taking lots of photos of Dimitri and me – he wearing his black uniform, me in my version of black and whites.
"Come on milaya," Dimitri said. "Let's go get you graduated so I can stop feeling so guilty about being in love with a school girl!"
Pavel, Abe and the Guardians who lived with us laughed. We hadn't shared all our history, but those that lived with us knew Dimitri had been posted at St Vlad's, that he'd been my mentor at one stage, and that we'd fallen in love.
I met Lissa, Christian, Eddie, Chelsea, and Mason out the front of the main hall. Dimitri, Fernandes, and Kirk were trying to loiter inconspicuously but failing dismally.
"Who are the goons with Belikov?" Christian asked, quickly picking them.
"Just some friends," I said unconvincingly.
"She's not here," he said in exasperation. "I've been trying all day, her phone's not on, and I've been watching out."
"Can we please not argue, Christian?" I asked plaintively. "I just want to get through this, just like you."
Lissa gave him a stern look, and he complied.
"Yeah, sure."
We entered the hall, taking our seats. Dimitri walked me to mine, crouching down in front of me, putting a hand on either side of my face and pulling me into a gentle kiss.
"I love you, Guardian Hathaway. Now go up there and graduate. I'll be watching, and remember your promise. If anything happens…"
"I know, I know… I'll do it," I murmured, a chill running through me.
He nodded and stood in front of me, giving me a final look before his eyes searched the crowd for a minute and with a frustrated growl he went to stand on the stage near the Court Guardians who were here in protection of Princess Voda who would be officiating over today's ceremony in the Queen's stead .
"Wow. You and he are really a thing, aren't you?" the Moroi girl beside me said.
"Yeah, we are," I answered with a worried look.
My disguise was holding. I'd sat three rows back to the right in the chapel from where Lissa and Christian sat, and they'd not noticed me. I'd found an elderly Drozdov Aunt of some graduate, who was visiting with a septuagenarian Tarus friend. They were there mostly as an excuse to get out of Court, rather than any real interest in the graduation or graduate. Introducing myself as part of the massive Szelsky family, claiming to be there out of obligation to see a Godchild I'd not seen since their baptism, I'd tagged along with them. Looking like a younger relative taking care of two older family members, I slipped past the Guardians without them giving me a second glance.
I knew my love wouldn't be at the Saturday morning Church service. That was for the Moroi while the Novices had their inking. I was surprised to see Abe Mazur in attendance. It was a wonder that man could step foot on hallowed ground without combusting. As far as I knew, he didn't have any children – but then he had a finger in so many pies he was probably here to intimidate some poor bastard. Glad he had no idea who I was - he wasn't a man to cross!
After the service, I lunched on sandwiches and tea with my companions on the outside lawn before we filed into the hall for the graduation proper.
"Let me get us good seats," I said to my elderly escorts, approaching a Guardian I'd never seen before. "Excuse me – can you show us to seats near the front? My aunts are half blind and almost deaf – they'll disrupt the graduation with their whining if they can't hear the names and see their great grandnephew cross," I said rolling my eyes.
"Of course Lady…?"
"Szelsky," I provided without a pause.
He nodded, and I motioned my 'aunts' forward, pleased to see we were seated only a couple of rows behind the last graduates and about six rows back from the stage. Ideally positioned. I was chatting with the rather deaf Iris Tarus when I felt my man's presence. Sure enough, he was standing almost directly in front of me, three rows in front. And he was with the little bitch. I wanted to scream when I saw him seat her carefully, crouching in front of her and kissing her. This idiocy had to stop and now!
I forced myself to drag my eyes from his sexy body as he surveyed the crowd before going to stand on the stage near Princess Voda. I hadn't seen Priscilla Voda in years, and man had she aged! Guess time stands still for no man, and especially no woman…
With a sigh of contentment, I concluded my pleasantries with the old bats beside me. The lights in the hall dimmed, those on the stage were increased, and I sat there in anonymity watching as the man I loved stood on the stage looking unspeakably sexy in his uniform.
Alberta had agreed to leave the lights in the main hall dimmed not completely extinguished to give us the opportunity to observe what was going on. Every entrance and exit was guarded, there was a Guardian at the end of every row as well as some posing as guests in the audience. And there was no sign of Tasha Ozera. But she was there. I knew it.
"Pavel, are you sure she's here?" Abe asked under his breath, respectfully clapping as Xander Badica accepted his diploma.
"Positive," I growled under my breath.
The team were armed and had been issued with unambiguous instructions to protect Rose and the baby at all costs. Watching Belikov on the stage, I could see his eyes never stopped moving. He could feel it, too. The best Guardians always had that sixth sense. We sat through Castile, Conta, Dashkov, Dragomir, Drozdov and I could feel the tension increasing as we got closer to Hathaway.
"Rosemarie Hathaway," Princess Voda announced in her clear, dispassionate voice. I had my firearm out and ready, and I could see Belikov on the stage doing likewise. Rose stood and walked to the stage, lifting her ankle length dress as she climbed the stairs, looking beautiful in her long white dress and black cardigan.
There were immediate titters from the crowd. The girl was obviously and unashamedly pregnant, and by the sounds of it, the Moroi audience had been waiting for their opportunity to disapprove. Walking confidently towards Priscilla Voda, Rose showed no sign she was affected by the rather obvious comments from the crowd, or by the knowledge that Tasha Ozera might be here. No matter what she felt, outwardly she appeared self-assured and composed.
In fact, she was a picture of contrasts with Belikov who stood behind to her right. He was looking everywhere – his eyes never stopping for a second. It was actually he who alerted me to the woman in a scarf who suddenly stood in the sixth or seventh row.
"He's mine!" the woman roared before I heard a gunshot quickly followed by two more. I looked at the stage where Belikov had thrown himself in front of Rose, the two of them falling to the stage. The last thing I saw before I sprung into action was the vermilion red of blood as it spread across Rose's pristine white dress.