First, I want to thank you for all views, follows, favorites and Reviews.
When I decided to also post on FFN I never thought I would get even half of it.
And a big Thanks for the views, follows etc on my One-shot. (Hope some of my One-Shot Readers will actually see this now.)
Btw; Sorry for the rather short chapter.
Rose Point of View:
14 weeks later:
I'm already 31 weeks pregnant, so far everything's alright, the baby is doing great, she's growing pretty fast and healthy. As for me, I can't really say I'm doing great. I never felt so lonely in my life before, Dimitri left with Lissa to Lehigh as her Guardian like I insisted on. Christian also left for college.
I put myself into work more than it's good, even though I'm only doing paperwork, in these few hours of work I don't think about being lonely. It's crazy, why do I feel lonely if I can check on my best friend through our bond every time I want to and if I'm lucky I see my boyfriend, another point is I carry a part of him with me, day and night. My dad, lucky to have him, lives near court for a while, saying he would help me out whenever I need him.
On my day off I mostly stay at home, like today, and check on Lissa. It should be a normal school day for her, except that today she wants to skip a class like I sense through the bond. I don't know why, yet. The last time she skipped was when she found out about Dimitri and me. So it must be serious. Her emotions are running wild, anger, hatred, hurt. What the hell happened?
"How could you? Did you forget what she did to Rose?" Lissa yells at Dimitri. I never heard her yelling at someone, especially not at one of her Guardians.. Now it would be a good time to leave my best friend, but I'm too curious.. what's going on? "Tasha was standing before you, you could have turned her in for what she did or called Abe. But no! I'll never ever get this picture out of my head."
Fuck.. it involves Tasha, I should have known better, this Bitch wouldn't leave. But more importantly, what exactly did he do with her? Do I really want to know?
"No, of course not. I don't know why I kissed her back. I'll call Rose and talk to her." Dimitri said with his smooth Russian accent though he doesn't need to justify himself to Lissa.
"You do know Rose checks in on me.. she could already be on her way to Timbuktu?" Lissa answers him seriously, and she's so right. This time I really leave and I'm back in my living room.
I can't believe he kissed her, was he manipulated by her or blackmailed? I take my phone and write Dimitri a message, I know when you're angry or hurt you shouldn't but I can't resist. I don't want to stay here anymore where he can easily find me, maybe somewhere less unexpected.
'Karma's a real bitch.' As soon as I send the text I let slip a tear and send another one. These stupid hormones. 'You will see Guardian Belikov.'
Instead of answering he calls, I knew it. Being hurt, I don't take the call and I can't hear his voice right now, it would hurt even more. To get away I know already the perfect man to call, and the place too. Only need to call him.
While, I pack a bag and put in some clothes and other important stuff, I call my father.
"Well, Well, if this isn't my Kid? How you're doing?"
"Yeah, Hi old man. Good. Could you help me please, I want to get away. By plane, as soon as possible." I almost sound desperate.
"I can arrange that. And the destination?"
"It's only important for the pilot. You won't accompany me anyway." I know exactly he would come with me, but I don't want that. I'll be safe. They're treating me like I'm sick. They all wrap me in cotton wool.
"As you wish. My driver will be there in 20 - 30 minutes. Be careful."
"Thank you. I will." I hang up and put my phone back in my pocket regardless of Dimitri's constant calls.
After a long flight I finally arrive in Montana. Wow, I'm glad I chose St. Vladimir's, I missed Alberta, had a lot of great memories there. She knows I'm visiting her and told me she would send a car. Yes, she kept her word but she didn't told me the Guardian driving the car would be my beloved friend Stan Alto. I make my way to the black van and open the door. As a matter of respect I greet him with his title which is totally new for him.
"Guardian Alto." I slightly nod and sit in.
"Guardian Hathaway." Hearing him saying 'guardian Hathaway' caught me off guard. "So, how far are you if I may ask?"
"31 weeks now, let's say the seventh month." What is he planning? Since when is he so nice towards me? Is it because I'm a Guardian and not a novice anymore?
"Wow. That's far, and you're still traveling?"
"I'm only pregnant, not sick." I answer nicely.
"That, I can see. Everyone can see you got knocked up by your mentor." He says finally in its unmistakable tone. Ladies and Gentlemen, Stan Alto is back.
"Must be hard losing 50 bucks." He doesn't answer, Stan only roll his eyes. I don't know who made him clear it's Belikov, but right now I don't even care because we're almost there. The first time since weeks I am finally happy again. We didn't even arrived at the first gate when the nausea kicked in and I sensed the Bloodsucker. There must be a Strigoi, I don't know how many.
"Strigoi.." I state. That's gonna be fun. As reflex I take my stake and ready to open the door.
"Rose, stay in the car." I do as told and watch as he fights with one Strigoi. His 'stay in the car' reminded me of when Dimitri and I arrived at the Badicas house for my Qualifier to meet Arthur Schoenberg.
I want to call for help with the Walkie-Talkie, I realize there are no batteries in it. Did he planned this or what? Alto didn't had a headset either. That's when I sense another one coming and he's still with the one. I send a prayer, something I never did before. Breath in and out.
'Okay Baby Girl, Mommy's doing something dangerous, but I need to help..I love you.' I murmur while gently caressing my belly. I jump out of the car with my stake and ready to kill some bloodsucker.
Someone's coming for me, one good thing is, I could always let my wall fall and release the ghosts for a few moments but it's hard to get them behind the invisible wall again and pull it up. I'll try the normal way. Fuck, but I'm so limited in moving right now, or at least when it comes to fighting and kicking. But still I try my best, trying to cut him with the silver, unfortunately it wouldn't kill him but hurt him for the slightest moment and that's maybe all I need.
"A pregnant Guardian? 2 for 1." he says laughingly, I don't think it's funny at all. We won't die. He will! He's coming closer and I circle him before punching him as hard as I can. This Strigoi doesn't even flinch, he may be as hard to fight like Isiah back in Spokane.
"I'm wondering if your baby will turn out being a Strigoi when I would turn you now." he smirks "Let's find out."
"Do you ever shut the fuck up?" I say annoyed. Then it hits me, this conversation is what I need to keep him distracted and make my move. "You never had this case before, I guess?"
"Girl, no one is so dump to jump in a fight with Strigoi when they're pregnant." he looks around and back at me "Oh, except for you."
Now or never.. Let's make up a story only for him, couldn't be so hard, right?
"Turn me. My fiancé had an affair with my best friend, I caught them. I lost both." I look at him and I hope I sounded believable. "Being Strigoi can't be so bad?"
"My pleasure." He's approaching me even more, his fangs already touched my neck, for a slight moment I remember how it was when Lissa fed off me. These endorphins, I do miss them a little. I even for a slight moment wonder how a Strigoi bite would feel? Better? Even more high?
The Strigoi doesn't pay attention if I still have a stake in my hand or not, it's so boring, it's already unbelievable, this couldn't be real. Taking my stake and cut him hard in his cheek. This time my attacker flinches and stumbles back.
"You're being a good actress. You want a fight? You can have it." Okay, I screwed up. What now, here's no Christian who could help. I missed this thrill. I mentally prepare myself for my next step. It will be hard.
"I do." He's coming to attack me, but I let the wall drop, letting the ghosts free. There are familiar faces among the unfamiliar, one in particular. My best friend Mason is standing right before me, not really standing. He's looking at me, resting his eyes on my belly for slight moment while the one are surrounding my Strigoi. I know this is certainly not the moment but I couldn't help myself and smiled at Mason, sending all kinds of emotions, the most important, I'm beyond happy with this baby.
The bloodsucker is still surrounded by them, and this helps me a lot. I grab my stake firmly and fight my way through the ghosts, the Strigoi struggles, waving his arms to fend himself, against something what's already dead, flying around him. Against something what couldn't hurt them, only distract him. They're doing a good job in distracting him, I pierce my silver through his chest into his heart. Thanks to my ghosts. Stan finished his one too, even before I finished mine. And it was also easy to pull up the wall again.
But what is Mason doing here? I thought he found peace? Did I only imagine him and turning crazy now?
"Mason? You're still there?" I don't care if Alto's hearing me, this is serious. "Please, do you hear me?"
There he is again, standing in front of me, nodding to my question. He's here. I'm torn between being happy to see him again and sad that he didn't found peace. But it's burning on my tongue.
"Did you found peace?" I ask sadly, hoping he's nodding or saying yes. Watching him, there's a slight nod. I grin again, happy for my best friend. "But if you found peace, why are you still here?
Mason lifts a finger and points on my baby belly, trying to form words. He manages it after a minute but they're nearly inaudible.
"Guardian...Angel.." I'm speechless. He was the Guardian Angel I had the whole time?
"Thank you Mase. I really miss you." I nod. I finally go back to the Van where I see an impatient Stan Alto waiting for me, with a look on his face saying I'm crazy. Yes, for them it's like I talk to myself.
"You killed one of those Rose." he says in disbelief
"You killed one too."
"You and the baby could have died."
"Saving your ass, how about Thank you?"
"I'll inform them to get a mark, and you should inform Belikov that you're alright." he replies as soon as we arrives and I hop out. I feel like I'm home. So many beautiful memories here, also bad ones, but most of them were good. I fell in love here.
"Rose, you're here. What took you so long?" Alberta let her gaze slide over body and stops when she saw my belly, "Wow, she'll be a big one?"
"Strigoi..we handled the situation." I said. "Yep. True to that."
"Good, come one, I'll show you your room. Should I inform Belikov, so you can rest?"
"No it's okay, thank you." And it's the truth, if she'll call Dimitri now, he knows where I am, and that wasn't the point of leaving Court. Even if I write him to say I'm okay, he can track my phone I think? But then again, Dimitri will hear about the Strigoi and his girlfriend was involved. And I thought the Academy is an unexpected place to go.
I look around the room, and realize which room she gave me. If Belikov wouldn't have kissed Tasha, it would have been funny. I wonder which Guardian did she throw out of here? Being in here definitely brings back memories, hard to describe if they're good or not, being under a lust charm isn't great, but I saw my former mentors bare chest and wow he looked hot. With his lips on mine kissing me hungrily. He still does look hot, so hot I always get horny around him, or maybe got a taste for it.
A knock on my door brings me out of my thoughts, answering the door I see Alberta standing there with a phone in her hands. I can already imagine who it could be, I only form the word 'Dimitri' with my mouth. She hands me over the mobile phone and leaves.
"What is it?" I spit out with pure anger in my voice
"Rose, I heard what happened with the Strigoi and that a pregnant Guardian killed one of them. Are you and the baby okay? I'm worried." he really sounds worried. In a moment like this I wish I would have a shadow kissed bond with him, so I could check on him. Or I would even Face-Time now, I just miss my Comrade even though he hurt me so much.
"We're okay and safe. Is that all? I should return the phone to Alberta."
"Rose, we need to talk about what happened."
"Oh, let me answer that for you, you exchanged liquids with Tasha, am I right?" I say and shake my head even if he can't see it.
"Please, let me explain." he begs me. I don't have the nerves to listen any longer to him and hung up. On the way to Guardian Petrov's office I hear a lot of whispers from students but I don't care anymore.
"Look, she killed a Strigoi earlier, even though she's pregnant. What a Guardian!" I know this should be a compliment in some way, I don't see it as one. I put my baby and me in risk to save Guardian Alto from a dumb talkative Strigoi.
"That's her.." she whispers but I can still understand every word. Except the other student I don't understand a word. "Her mentor. That's gross."
"Hi you both. Nice to meet you. Senior year?" I smile slightly. I've got already a brilliant idea and can hit 2 flies with one stone. "I've heard the field experience will be tough this year."
"Hi, yes finally," the girl with long black curls and wearing a red long sleeves dress. I must admit, it's kind of a nice dress but I wouldn't wear it. "Don't think so. Wish mine would have been last year. There won't be any legendary fights this year."
Is that her problem? Legendary fights with random Guardians? And also, which does she mean, there were a lot of students who had great fights. I mean, my friend Eddie, he won against Dimitri and other Guardians.
"Listen, this isn't about legendary fights, take the field experience serious, it really is a good training for later. When you're outside, with your charge and your facing Strigoi, it's about life and death. It's them or you."
"Good training for later? How can you know, you're on maternity leave since you left St. Vlad." she smirks at me and Boom.. she's kinda right, except that I'm doing paperwork 8-9 hours a day 6 days a week.
A nooooo for Dimitri from me. (But everything has its reason of course.)
A yaaaaaay for Mason from me. Mason is back, as Ghost/Guardian Angel.
What do you think what the reason could be for Dimitri kissing Tasha and Mason being back?