Rose's POV

One more. I had one more shift at the front gate until I'd – hopefully – never have to do that again. Even better, tonight was only going to be half of a full shift since the school year was going to start come morning, and I would have to start the second part of my job here. The teaching part. I wasn't looking forward to that, either, but at least it wouldn't be as mind-numbingly boring. With the knowledge that Dimitri and I finally had something to work with and the prospect of more exciting days to come, I made my way to the gate with a bit of a spring in my step. My good mood dissipated as soon as I saw the three people there. It wasn't so unusual for someone to show up for their shift early, but I knew one of the guardians standing there had the habit of doing so often. I prayed to any God who would listen that he wasn't going to be on duty with me, but I had no such luck. The two younger guardians said their goodbyes and left me with none other than Stan fucking Alto.

With just over three hours of sleep, I didn't know if I had the patience to deal with him if he decided to make any snide remarks. To my surprise, he did not. At least not immediately.

"Guardian Hathaway," he greeted.

I gave him a nod. "Guardian Alto."

That was the extent of our conversation for the first hour or so. It was busier than usual – some last minute arrivals of students, parents, and guests interrupted the silence between us, which I was glad for – but time dragged on nonetheless.

It was Stan who eventually spoke first. "I wanted to apologise for what I said two weeks ago."

That… was surprising, to say the least. My eyes still trained on the gate, I asked, "Why? You were right. I was taken off my assignment by my own mother."

"Embarrassing as that may feel for you, it's no reason to laugh," he said, and I was beginning to believe he really was serious. "I know a thing or two about being reassigned against one's will."

What?! I turned to look at him in shock. I'd always been under the impression that he had been one of those guardians who had asked to be placed at a school, but maybe that wasn't the case.

"You?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He glowered at me. "Yes, Hathaway, me."

"How did—" I started to ask, but I supposed it might have been too personal of a question. Even I could recognise some boundaries. "Huh."

Stan looked at me with a sympathetic expression, which was unsettling. "What I mean to say is that I can relate, and if you are to remain here, I don't intend to make this harder for you than it needs to be."

"Odd that you of all people would be kinder to me than Dimitri's been." I was only supposed to think that part, but somehow the words had left my mouth without my permission. I added quickly, "No offense."

He barked out a laugh at that. "I think we were all rather surprised about his treatment of you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The look he gave me told me all I needed to know. My relationship with Dimitri had not remained a secret for long after I'd graduated, and suspicion about it having started long before his humanity had been restored had always followed us around. No proof, though. But Stan had been here during that time.

I was glad that the now awkward silence was interrupted by an approaching car, and I took the chance to leave the booth before Stan could even get up.

I had five hours to either sleep or prepare for my first class of the day after my shift ended. It shouldn't have been a question, really, as I was criminally unprepared for teaching combat techniques to senior novices. Nevertheless, I opted for the former. I'd only slept three hours after our trip to the academy's archive, and I figured sleep deprivation wouldn't be doing me any favours, either.

Naturally, I was made to regret my decision as soon as my head hit the pillow. The world that materialised around me was unfamiliar – some fancy-looking room that I assumed must have been one I hadn't yet visited at Court – but it felt far too real for this to be a regular dream. When I turned around, Adrian stood in front of me.

"Hello again, little dhampir," he said.

I frowned. There was no reason for him to be here. Unless… "Did something happen with Lissa?"

"No," he said, tilting his head to one side. "Have you made any discoveries yet?"

It dawned on me now that Adrian had completely misunderstood me when I'd contacted him. I'd only needed him to get those records for me, but it appeared he thought he would continue to be involved after that. "No. Even if I had, it wouldn't be any of your concern. You've done your part."

"I've done… Rose! You asked me to break into the guardians' headquarters for you. If anything is my concern, it's this!"

I let out a weary sigh. "And I'm grateful for that. I am. But—"

"So… what? I get you the information you need, and then you're just cutting me out again?"

He was angry, I could tell, but what was I to say to that? It was too dangerous – for both him and Lissa. He already knew too much, anyway, but dragging him further into this? No, it wasn't an option. Was this how Dimitri had felt when I'd tried to convince him to let me help? If so, I could understand his frustration.

Nevertheless, I was a trained guardian while Adrian was a vulnerable Moroi. There was a difference. More importantly, Adrian was currently at Court. A place where everyone was suspicious, and where it was better not to know anything that could put us in danger. It really was bad enough that he knew my location, and that I was digging up information about the academy. I wouldn't – I couldn't – let him know any more.

"I'm sorry but you need to stay in the dark about this," I said, trying to reason with him. "You're at Court, and it's just too dangerous to share anything else with you."

A strange expression crossed his face, but it was gone within seconds. I wondered what it meant. Maybe I had imagined it.

"Fine," Adrian said, taking me by surprise. "Expect me to check in on you again in a few days, though."

There was not much I could do other than accept that. If I had any idea how to block out spirit dreams, it would have saved me a lot of annoyances but, alas, I would have to deal with him if he insisted on coming back. It didn't mean I had to tell him anything, though. Unless he decided to compel me – which I had to trust he wouldn't – there was no further harm that could come from these dreams. "Okay."

To my own surprise, I did actually get some restful sleep after Adrian had left. It didn't do much to ease my nerves, though. It was almost seven, and in only a few short minutes, I would be teaching my first class at the academy. I was glad that Dimitri hadn't assigned me an extra guarding shift for the day – which, if he had, I would have strongly suggested changing after he talked me into taking on an extra class due to Alberta's absence. My schedule for the day was more than reasonable, really, with only about three hours of teaching in the morning and three hours of class guarding in the afternoon. The problem wasn't the amount of work required of me today. It was the theory class in third period, for one, but what was actually more worrisome was first period. Advanced Guardian Combat Techniques.

Why, oh why, had I been made an instructor for the senior novices? Couldn't I have taken on a class for the younger ones? After eight years of more or less being out of this job, I was a little rusty. I'd realised as much when Dimitri and I had fought a week ago, and even though I'd been training quite a bit since then, I felt hopelessly out of practice. Then again, if everyone believed I had been hunting Strigoi or something like that in these past years, why wouldn't I be considered the perfect fit? Dimitri knew better, of course, but I didn't think he knew the extent of just how out of practice I really was.

There was nothing to do about it now except to hope that, maybe, I wouldn't have to show off my lack of current skill just yet. It was the first day, after all, and it would be reasonable for me to get a bit of an overview of where these novices were at in their training. Yes, I decided, I wouldn't be doing a lot of teaching yet. I'd let them fight each other and show me what they were capable of. Feeling much better already with that plan in place, I made myself some coffee, and headed out to the gym. The sun was low on the horizon, but it still provided a little bit of warmth.

This time of year, the first period would be almost entirely during twilight, which I was grateful for. The one good thing about the night shifts Dimitri had had me do so far was that I at least had seen the sun more often than I would have otherwise. I was going to miss it. I understood the necessity of the vampiric schedule for the Moroi, of course, but it was different for us dhampirs. Maybe I could have first period with the novices outside a few times before winter. Lord knew they didn't get a lot of chances to enjoy daylight.

I arrived at the gym a few minutes early, but a group of novices had already assembled there. They turned around when I opened the door, and if they had been talking animatedly before, they were now completely silent. I squared my shoulders and held my head a little higher when I made my way over to them, and I hoped they couldn't see how uncomfortable I felt under their stares. This group was larger than my classes had been back in the day, which gave me a bit of hope for the future of our society, but it certainly didn't help with my nerves.

I was just about to greet them and introduce myself when someone separated from the group. A young woman, about my height, stepped forward. She didn't look at me in awe like most of her peers behind her, and she seemed significantly less intimidated than the others. "Are you Guardian Hathaway?"

"That's me," I answered. "And you would be?"

"Amy Collins," she said without hesitation. She tilted her head to one side. "I thought you would be taller."

There were some sharp intakes of breaths from the other novices behind her, and I even heard an outraged "Amy!", but I remained calm. This wasn't the first time I was underestimated due to my height and build, after all. That didn't mean her comment didn't annoy me. If I'd been in better shape, I would have loved to fight her and show her her place. As it was, though, she would have probably defeated me.

"Well, Novice Collins, I would have thought the guardians would have taught you some respect, but it seems we've both been disappointed." I didn't give her a chance to reply before I turned to the rest of the group. "Yes, I'm Guardian Hathaway, and I'm going to be your instructor for the semester. Now, I was just thinking that it's a beautiful day outside so who would like to move today's practice to the training field?"

The answer was unanimous, and I turned around to the door. As soon as my back faced them, however, I heard several people gasp. Crap. I was wearing my hair up in a ponytail, which largely left my neck – and the marks on it – exposed.

They would have been familiar with the zvezda – several of the guardians who had fought in the battle at the academy ten years ago had it, too – but the molnija marks that accompanied it might have caused such a reaction. I bore twelve of them now, which was twice the amount Dimitri had had when he'd first come to teach at the academy, and that was rather unheard of. It would have been five, had the Court not insisted on retroactively adding the seven kills in Russia I had confirmed during the Royal Council meeting that one time. They believed – and I knew – that there had been more, but sitting through seven tattoos in one session had been painful enough. Additionally, it wasn't like I wanted more of a reminder of that time in Siberia.

The whispers immediately started up behind me, but I did my best to ignore them as I led the group out of the gym and onto the training field beside it. When I eventually faced the novices again, their expressions were just as I had expected. Full of awe and admiration, and I reminded myself that they were still far too young to understand. The death and pain and haunting memories that came with these marks was still unfamiliar to them, and I couldn't resent them for their reactions. I had been the same way, once upon a time.

I took attendance and tried my best to remember each name, even though I didn't intend to stay at the academy for longer than absolutely necessary. This last year was the last year they had as individuals. In several months, they might well be assigned to some royal Moroi who saw them as a commodity rather than a person. The least I could do was try to refer to them by their names before they finally had to face the truths of our society. I owed it to them. Just like I owed them a proper education, even if I'd never intended to be in this position.

Author's Note:

I should be working on my portfolio for my creative writing class (yes, it's been 5+ years and I still haven't finished my studies, sue me) but I find Rose and Dimitri's story infinitely more interesting than the ones I've come up with for that class. So... you get another chapter. Hope you like it :)

By the way, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has left a kind review, followed, or favourited this story. It means a lot! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!