DPOV

It wasn't often that the Queen took an interest in human-world organizations, but this one seemed to interest her.

Guardian Croft walked around the table and dropped files in front of each of us before he sat down and used the controller to turn on the projector screen.

"Alright, in two days we will be going to Cape May to interview the organization that is called Project Nighthall. It is an organization that is designed to help humans who are born with supernatural abilities learn to control them. Her Majesty has an increased interest since the increase of Moroi declaring their magic as Spirit. We hope that they may have some knowledge if all goes well."

Croft turned slightly and clicked a few buttons, bringing up the first 'member'.

"I am going in order of what is considered least dangerous to most dangerous. First, we have Michael Browns, sixteen. He is an Omnilingualist. The definition is that he can understand, speak, read, write, interpret, and translate any language. Now, the only downside, is he doesn't always know what language he is speaking."

I looked up at the screen and nodded to myself. He was a young kid with black hair and brown eyes, looking more at the age of thirteen than sixteen.

"Next is Emily Higgins. Twenty-two. She is an Astral Projector. She is part of the program because she projects without knowledge. So essentially every time she falls asleep, she projects. From what I've heard, it can be physically and mentally exhausting on the body."

Emily was young-looking too. She reminded me of Mia Rinaldi in a sense. Blonde curly hair and blue eyes that were almost too large for her face. The other Guardians in the room seemed almost bored with this, but I knew that we needed to take this seriously. While the ones we had seen weren't deemed dangerous, we didn't understand their abilities. That meant they were dangerous.

"Bryce Aldred. Eighteen. Similar to a Moroi with fire element, but human. The ability came on six months ago after he was pulled from a burning building. At this time, he is simply learning to live with the ability. Now onto the two dangerous ones." At a glance, you could guess that he was of Ozera lineage if he was Moroi. Almost like Christian's twin.

A new photo came up and I could see from appearance that he could be deemed dangerous. He was built like a Dhampir but had more muscle than I had seen on any of us. He had brown wavy hair and blueish-brown eyes. It was almost unsettling.

"What's this guy's deal?" someone piped up with a snicker. At first glance, it looked like a mug shoot for someone who was on steroids.

"Werewolf," Guardian Croft said, twisting the controller against his hand with a smirk.

"Gabriel Swanson. Twenty. He wasn't able to properly 'phase' until recently, but he is extremely strong. Stronger than any Dhampir. Heightened senses and extremely pack-oriented. He is very protective of the people in the program. We will be viewed as threats, not because we are, but because we are half-Moroi. The Moroi genes send off his fight or flight response."

"How dangerous is dangerous?"

"Enough that we all need to be cautious," Guardian Croft said. He looked almost uneasy as he taped his finger against the controller.

"Some of us in this room know the last one. The one that they've deemed most dangerous," Guardian Croft said quietly before turning the slide. When I looked at the photo, I felt my heart drop a little bit. I knew that face well.

"Rose Hathaway. Nineteen. Necromancer," he said and set the controller on the table.

"Hathaway? Like Janine Hathaway's kid?" someone spoke up.

"What's a necromancer?" someone else asked.

"A necromancer is somebody that can see and communicate with the dead. Rose's abilities started to show up shortly after the murder of Novice Mason Ashford. They became increasingly stronger as time went on, and now she's able to communicate fully with the dead."

"Why would that make her the most dangerous?"

"Because she can unknowingly shove a spirit into any corpse. She can manipulate the dead. One night they all went camping and she woke up with a dead animal climbing on her. She also is having difficulty determining the difference between the living and the spirit. Before, they were grey and transparent. Now, she's not able to tell the difference."

"How did nobody know about this when she was at the Academy? It wouldn't be something that she'd be able to hide."

I licked my lips. "I knew."

Five heads turned to me. I looked up at them and sighed quietly.

"She told me that she was seeing Mason's ghost. At first, Guardian Petrov and I brushed it off as PTSD. But the night of the attack at the Academy, Mason's ghost warned us just moments before the Strigoi advanced us. It's also how we knew where to locate the hostages in the caves," I explained, folding my hands on the table, "I didn't give her enough credit."

"I feel kind of bad. Having to see the ghost of your dead friend," Guardian Miller mused from the other end of the table. My eyes slide towards Guardian Castile. He had a blank look on his face and I knew that the topic was still hard for him.

"The files in front of you are copies of what was seen up here. Try and learn as much about them before we arrive. You're dismissed," Guardian Croft explained before ending the meeting, asking for Castile and I to remain behind. Once everyone else had left the room Guardian Croft spoke again.

"I know that the two of you were close with Hathaway, and both of you had a falling out with her before she left court. Is this going to cause any issues?"

Castile shook his head. "No. Rose already knew that we were coming and asked if I was part of the assignment group. I didn't want to lie to her," he explained.

"That's fine. But please do not disclose this to others. Belikov?"

I shook my head. I had made mistakes in the past when I came to Rose. In the year since she left, I came to terms with what happened to me, but it didn't mean I had come to terms with what had happened between me and her. I had hurt her more than I had hurt anyone else. Not only as a Strigoi but after I was restored. I should have thanked her for what she had done, for what she risked. It may have seemed at the time that it was Princess Dragomir who had taken the risk, but it was Rose.

And instead of thanking her, I pushed her away. I hurt her with words that I used intentionally to hurt her. A part of me had hoped that even if I said them, she would still fight, but I guess that there was still a touch of insecurity there. She believed me when I told her that I didn't love her, that I didn't want her in my life. And I had to pay the price for my actions and words.

Maybe this would allow me to make amends. Even if she didn't want to hear my words, I had to at least try. Or at least that's what my therapist said. She treated my recovery similar to she would with a recovering addict. And I had to take steps to recover. Making amends was the hardest one because I couldn't make amends for all the people I hurt.

"It won't be a problem, sir. I am looking forward to seeing Hathaway," I said politely.

Guardian Croft nodded and stood up. "Good. Glad to hear it," he said before he dismissed us. I picked up my file as I left.


I was up much later than I had anticipated. I had started with Michael's file and worked my way up. Michael's ability was intriguing, to say the least. When I got to Gabriel's file, I was even more intrigued. I knew very little about werewolves other than what was in movies. It stated in his file that he was an orphan after his mother died and that his abilities set in just before his sixteenth birthday. His appetite increased, his sleeping patterns changed, he felt anxious all the time and that led to him working out more. His body was hard-wired to pack on the muscle because of the genes, and by the time he was eighteen, he was partially phasing.

Some notes said it was precedent to phase completely by the time lycanthropy was sixteen, so his late 'bloom' was unusual. It said in his file that date that he completely phased, but hasn't been able to do so at will or painlessly.

There was one note that made me curious. It just said 'Rose is mate?', next to it was a date. I cocked my head and then flipped back to Gabriel's file. The date that was noted in Rose's file was the first recorded complete phase. One week after she joined the program.

I made my own notes and then moved to Rose's file. Most of the basic information I knew, but it was the things since I was turned I didn't know. It stated in her file that there was an incident at McDonald's where she had an 'episode' where she couldn't differentiate between the living and the dead.

She had a mentor at the home that was there to help her learn how to control and manage her abilities. He so far was helping her, but it seemed that there was a large learning curve. The photo that was attached to her file was recent. She looked different. Her face had changed slightly. her cheeks were a little more hollow, her eyes were a bit sunken like she hadn't been sleeping.

There was a note on her file as well that they had attempted to use antipsychotics to help dull her 'sight' but it was ineffective and just made her sick.

I closed the files and set them on my nightstand, reaching into the drawer for the photo I kept there. It was the photo of Rose when she graduated. Even though I knew that she was struggling with my taunts then, but she still smiled for it. I have looked at it many times over the last year. Sometimes as a reminder that there was someone in the world who would go the extra mile for me. Sometimes a reminder that second chances were real.


One would have expected the building for the program to be more secluded. To a degree, it was being so far out from the town. The property was massive, and as we walked up the driveway, I noted that it was warded. It was an odd thing to see here, but maybe it was Rose's own paranoia. Not that she was paranoid; but dealing with ghosts would be a lot to take on with Strigoi threats.

Guardian Croft knocked on the front door and we all waited. We weren't sure of the housing situation so we left our belongings in the car. The door was opened and I looked to find a young man, Michael.

"Hello?"

"Michael?" Guardian Croft asked, "I'm Hans Croft. Your parents are expecting us."

He nodded and stepped aside so we could come in. We all filed into the hallway and Michael called out for his mother before leading us further into the house. It was large and open, and very bright. It didn't look like a home that was also used as a learning facility.

We were led into the kitchen where a woman with black hair stood. She turned and set her mug on the counter as she smiled at us.

"Hi! I'm so sorry, I didn't even hear the door. I'm Sheila, welcome to Nighthall," she said as she greeted us, extending her hand to all of us. I shook her hand as she got to me, smiling politely at her. We all introduced ourselves as we shook her hand.

"My husband, Martin should be back shortly from the store. Not everyone is up yet, so far it's just me and Mikey," Sheila explained. I heard footfalls on the stairs and turned when someone walked into the kitchen, finding Gabriel. His file did not indicate just how tall he was. He was almost as tall as me. I could see why even at a glance, he would appear dangerous.

"Good morning, Gabriel. Did you sleep well?"

Gabriel canted his head at Sheila as he made his way to the coffee pot, filling a cup with coffee.

"Not great. You?" he asked as he took the first sip. Sheila furrowed her brow and tilted her head.

"Oh? How come?"

Gabriel shifted, rolling his shoulders back. From here, I could see the muscles in his shoulders and back rippling. From the side, he looked almost too big for his frame.

"Feverish all night. Another phase is coming soon," he said quietly. Sheild frowned but nodded understandingly before turning his attention to us.

"Gabriel, these are the Guardians that I said were going to be visiting us," she said. Gabriel turned to us and nodded tiredly.

"Hello," he said as he took another sip, "You all worked with Rose?"

"Yes. I grew up with Rose," Castile said.

"Eddie, right?"

"Yes," he said with a nod of his head. Gabriel nodded to himself again and took another sip of his coffee, glancing out the window before swearing. He moved so fast that it startled us, and he was at the backdoor before his mug hit the floor. Sheila was surprised too and looked outside before bolting after him. We all followed out as well, watching the two of them race down the stairs to the beach. There was someone standing in the water, the waves lapping over them. As I climbed down the stairs and got closer, I could hear Sheila talking before Gabriel reached the woman in the water, gripping her shoulders gently before lifting her up. He carried her back to the shore, but all of a sudden she started to flail and scream.

"It's just Gabriel. You were sleepwalking again," Sheila called out, falling into step beside Gabriel. As they got closer, I realized who Gabriel was carrying. It was Rose. I pulled off my duster and wrapped it around Rose's shoulders as Gabriel carried her. It was too cold to be outside in the water this morning.

Gabriel got her back into the house and set her on the counter. She was shaking and Gabriel wrapped my duster around her tighter.

"How long has the sleepwalking been happening?" Guardian Castile asked Sheila.

"Since she came here. Sometimes it's regular sleepwalking, and sometimes it's ghost-influenced," Sheila explained in a whisper, "We'll have to start putting the strap on the doors again."

"We should never have taken them off to begin with. She's been spending more time with Jerry. It's making it worse," Gabriel bit out, almost in a snarl before he took in a slow breath, "I'm sorry. It's not your fault."

"It's okay," Sheila said and stepped closer to Rose, stroking her cheek with the back of her knuckles.

"Do you remember anything?" she asked Rose. She shook her head for a moment before her eyes moved up, catching all of us in the room before she looked at Gabriel.

"Derek," she whispered, and he nodded his head in understanding before putting her into a hug. She sniffled and rested her face in his neck. He whispered something to her and she nodded, sliding off the counter. Gabriel rested his hand on her back and the two of them walked out of the kitchen.

Sheila sighed and ran her hand through her hair, gathering it in her fist and holding it against her neck.

"Mom? Is she okay?" Michael asked.

"Yes, sweetheart. She's okay," Sheila reassured him. Micheal nodded and murmured that he was going to get ready for the bus. She nodded and smiled at him, but once he was out of the room, she rubbed her hands over her face with a sigh.

"Derek?"

"A ghost that's been all but tormenting her for the last few weeks. He's been making life hell for her. She's not sleeping, and sometimes he makes her think that she's dreaming and this happens. It's happened a few times, but now that she's wandered into the water, I'm concerned."

Guardian Croft pursed his lips as Sheila shook her head. "Shall we get started with the tour of the house?"

We all nodded and let her lead us through the house, pointing out the rooms. When we headed upstairs, she pointed out whose room was whose, stopping in the open doorway of one room.

"Is she sleeping?"

I was standing close enough to see into the room. Gabriel was sitting on the edge of the bed, his brows pinched.

"Yeah. Tilda helped her go back to sleep. She's back in her office now," he said quietly. When I looked at Rose, her face was pinched even in her sleep. But as she laid on her side, I saw a glimpse of an old memory. It wasn't a happy memory per se, but when I was Strigoi, sometimes I would just watch her sleep. She was at peace in her sleep then, and I hoped that she would find some in her sleep now.

Sheila led us through the rest of the house, bringing us downstairs. There was what looked like a therapist's office and a gaming room for downtime. As Sheila brought us back upstairs, the rest of the house was awake.

Byrce and Emily were both cautious but polite. I understood that we were overstepping in their safe space, and if it weren't for us being under the Queen's orders, none of us would be here. Michael had left for school while we broke into smaller groups to meet with each member of the program. Eddie and I were matched up with Gabriel.

Now that he was much more awake and alert, he didn't seem to be as polite and courteous as before. When Castile spoke to him, he answered his questions, but when I asked, he would look at me coldly instead. When I tried to ask another question, Gabriel interrupted me almost coldly.

"I know who you are, Dimitri. And frankly, I think that you being here is a bad idea," he cut me off. I raised a brow at him.

"You do?"

"Yes. I do, and I think that you should leave."

"Unfortunately, that's not my decision," I explained and turned my head when the door behind us opened. Rose stood behind me, looking a little better than she did before.

"Gabriel, it's fine," she whispered as she walked into the room. She sat down on the couch next to Gabriel and tucked her legs up on the couch. She rubbed at her face and Gabriel watched her carefully before he answered my question, less coldly. it was like his demure changed completely.

Castile cleared his throat and he tapped his copy of the files.

"There is a note in your file that I wanted to ask you. But if you aren't comfortable with answering, I will respect that," he said. Gabriel glanced towards Rose before nodding his head.

"There is a note in your file by Dr. Tilda Moores that says 'Rose is mate?'. What does mean? I know that movies have made their assumptions, but I'd like to understand that more, as a friend of Rose's."

"It's what people think it means. Imagine the person that you care about the most, whether it's romantic or platonic, but they are the person that grounds you. They calm you, and make you feel baseline. They are the person you go to when you need someone. Sometimes when a wolf is struggling, their mate can help them. In my case, Rose's presence seemed to kick start my 'cycle'. I phased completely for the first time a week after Rose came here. And during rutting, kind of like heat, mates can help them keep a level head."

Castile made a note on his paper before nodding his head. "So, it's like a yin-yang thing? You balance each other out. Is that why you snapped at Sheila this morning? Pack mentality and need to protect your mate and member of your pack?"

"Exactly," Rose said tiredly. As we asked more questions, Rose's eyes would flick just over my shoulder every few moments.

"What is it?" I asked her. She looked at me and then over my shoulder before she looked at me again.

"Ivan said that it's behind the dresser," she said quietly as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"What?"

"The cross. It's behind your dresser," she said, "Apparently Ivan's been following you around for a while."

I blinked at her and nodded slowly, but as soon as she mentioned the cross, I understood what she was talking about. It wasn't long until we were done with the questions that Sheila called down to let us know that lunch was ready.

When Rose walked by me I reached out to stop her, but thought better of it. She noticed and stopped.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"I…Are you happy?"

She cocked her head a little bit. "What?" she laughed.

"Living here, away from Moroi society, not being a Guardian?"

She frowned for a moment. "It's been a big adjustment, but I've been happy."

It wasn't the question I wanted to ask her, it wasn't remotely close to any of the ones I wanted to ask her. But it was the only one I felt I had the right to ask. She stood there looking at me, but I could tell by her eyes that she wasn't looking at me. A second later her eyes flicked to the side and then back at me.

"I'm not angry with you," she said after a moment, "You were hurting, and I was too caught up in my own hurt and relief to realize that I was doing more harm than good."

I nodded and she lifted her hand for a moment, letting it linger in the air before she squeezed my arm.

"I've forgiven you, for everything. Please don't let your guilt hold you back anymore. I'm happy to see that you've earned the respect of the other Guardians. I still see things through Lissa's eyes. I'm happy for you, comrade," she said softly before following Gabriel up the stairs.