I hadn't even taken more than 10 steps towards our car before I heard my name. A voice that would make me stop in my tracks anywhere. The urgency in his voice confused me even more, pick an emotion and stick to it Dimitri.
"Roza, tell me you're not about to do what I think you're doing?" His voice was panicked, or at least it sounded like it, I feel like my emotions are all over.
"Do what? And don't call me that! I snapped, oh how the times have changed. What I once would've done to hear that name leave his lips, his Russian accent making me feel all kinds of tingles. Now it just hurt to hear, knowing there's nothing more to it.
"Is Guardian Tanner going with you Rose? Tell me!" He snapped and I involuntarily flinched. It was then that his face showed surprise and hurt at my reaction and instant regret flooded me.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Dimitri and you lost any right to have an opinion on what I can and can't do with my life."
"Look me in the eyes right now and tell me you're not going looking for Sonya Karp."
"I don't have to tell you anything, now I have a plane to catch." I started to turn away again, Mikhail stood in the background, seen but not a sound made.
"Rose." I sighed and turned around to face him again in annoyance.
"Okay, let's say you have one chance to say something to change my mind right now. What would it be?" I waited for his answer, honestly not knowing what I wanted to hear myself.
He looked caught off guard for a moment and I'm sure my own face resembled one of hope.
"Guardian numbers are already low, they can't afford to lose you." It was the worlds thinnest argument and he knew how much it made me want to cringe.
"Next, try again." I smirked, knowing nothing he'd say would change my mind. He looked like he was wrestling with some sort of inner turmoil.
"You have to stay for Lissa, she needs you." And any doubt about leaving I may have had just vanished without a trace in that second, something he obviously noticed too.
"Wrong answer Comrade, I might see you around though." Knowing if I did it wouldn't be for a long time.
It was then that he turned to Mikhail.
"You're honestly encouraging this suicide mission?" Wrong move Comrade, you just insulted his woman.
"That's what you do for those you love, you of all people should already know that!" Mikhail snapped.
"Besides I'm not forcing her to come, I mean I did ask her but Rose is here of her own choosing. Something I will appreciate more than anyone will ever understand. Everyone except for Rose that is." I turned back to Dimitri and spoke.
"Well so there you have it. I'm a sucker for romance." I laughed sarcastically.
"I'm leaving and that's that. You made your feelings more than clear. Tell me Dimitri, how is your family coping with your restoration?" It was a low blow I know but I had to get out of this conflict somehow, he flinched as the words left my lips.
"You think that means I want to see you killed." He was stuttering and I don't know if I'd seen him this flustered, as if he was starting to realise nothing he said would budge me.
"Yeah that's what I thought. For the first time in awhile I'm thinking about what's best for me, not you, and I'm sorry if you are feeling obligated to care because of some imaginary debt to Lissa. It's time for me to leave for real now, you should have more faith in your training abilities Comrade. You haven't heard the last of Rose Hathaway." I winked with bravado I most definitely didn't feel but I couldn't let him know how much this conversation had got to me.
"Anyway I have somewhere to be." I turned away for the last time and walked towards the jet. Mikhail looked at me like he wanted to speak but even he must have known better. So here we sit, about to embark on what could only be considered a crazy impulse adventure before I continue the roller coaster which is my life.
"Little girl.."