Dimitri

08

A routine had developed between Dimitri and I. Whenever he wasn't with the novices, Security or sleeping, we were training.

Mason and Rose had been right about his antisocial habits, he didn't hang out with the other guardians but they respected him. The more we fought together, the more I respected him.

We started by running laps before going into it. The autumn weather was appearing and I welcomed it.

"Comrade."

I had walked into the gym before school had started. He was sprawled out on one of the mats reading one of his westerns. His CD player not far from him, it started playing "When Doves Cry" by Prince.

"I know that Prince is a current hit in Eastern Europe but could we possibly turn it to something after I was born."

His eyes fell onto me, his posture remaining the same.

"Why do you care, I'm the one listening to it. You'll be running laps."

I made a face as I sat down not far from him, he didn't move. He had a large tolerance for my commentary but considering he had to deal with Rose one on one, I realized maybe I wasn't as bad.

"What's with all of the running, I mean my stamina is amazing so why do you suggest we do it."

"It's good practice."

"I'm serious."

"Hard to tell."

He set the book down but didn't move from his spot.

"You are a guest at the academy, the headmistress asked you to train with me. If you wanted to do something different, you could have asked."

"But you're a good instructor, and your older. I can fight but you're right, my anger is out of control."

He sat up and crossed his legs, I still couldn't figure out how he was so tall but so graceful with his movements. The more I trained with him, I understood the god reputation.

His Molnija marks proved that he could take care of himself. I dragged my eyes away from his body before looking out the other side of the room.

"Let's go run."

I stood up and held out my arms to him, I pulled him up as we went to leave. We ran for a couple of hours, I don't think he wanted to fight today. He seemed like he was somewhere else, which was different than usual.

🗡

"Oh, God, come on, Lissa-vision. Where are you when I need you."

I sat in my room when I tried finding Lissa.

"You should thank me for changing the news cycle. It took something epic to take animal death and blood whoring off the Vampire Academy front page."

Christian had been leaning against the wall, the colored glass behind him.

"Please don't say "Vampire Academy." I find the term to be quite... You set someone on fire!"

Christian smiled as he looked at her.

"Come on. Did you see any burn marks on him? Now whoever killed that fox is going to feel the real heat."

"Is this your idea of chivalry?"

She flipped her hair and I stood there shocked.

"You did not just flip your hair back. That's your move. She's flirting, folks."

I knew Lissa had heard me and I couldn't help but smiled at them. I trusted him with her, he's helped her so far and I think they'd be cute together.