Getting Out While You Can

You Don't Look Like A Baby Anymore

I was a lot more stressed out about coming back than I led on. So much so that I snapped at the grocery store this morning for no reason. Dimitri raised a brow at me and rested his hand on my shoulder. I sighed and apologized to the woman, but I was wound tight.

The back of Abe's car was nice, but I still felt claustrophobic, but that might have been because I felt like I was pressed up against Dimitri the whole ride. But at least when I stressed myself into a nap, I had something comfy to lean against.

I looked away from the snowy roads and looked up at my silent companion. He had his guardian mask on, and his eyes were unfocused.

"So, how do you think Abe's going to sneak us in there?" I asked, trying to break the silence that was starting to make me feel crazy.

Dimitri looked away from the road, looking down at me with a thoughtful look. "He'll either pay the Guardians off, or the ones working won't care that we're coming. One way or another, we'll get in," he said with a sureness in his voice.

I shrugged but went with it. He knew the ins and outs of Court better than I did.

"Where do you think we'll stay?"

"That I'm a little concerned about. I don't know where we can stay without attracting attention."

I nodded my head and clutched my hands in my lap tightly.

Dimitri chuckled at me, tapping my hands with his finger. "It's warm in here and you're still wearing those," he said, indicating to the gloves he bought me. I looked at them and then up at him with a small smirk.

"I really like them," I said quietly, turning to look out the window. I had gone out and found a hat that matched the green knitted set perfectly, and I had to admit, the green looked great with my hair. I had taken the scarf off when I got warm, but I didn't want to take my gloves off. They were cracked and I wanted to avoid the cold while I had a treatment cream on my hands.

"I'm glad you like them," Dimitri did softly, putting his hands back in his own lap and pulling out one of the books I bought him. Now that he wasn't a Guardian, and his new boss being Moroi and ridiculously understanding about what we were doing in, they bumped back Dimitri's official start date for a few weeks.

And he was enjoying his time off, and I was glad that he was enjoying some much needed relaxation time. Which meant any moment he could, he was indulging in a book.

"Did you finish that game yet?" I asked, refereeing to the game he got hooked on when he first arrived.

"No. I'm stuck at the part with the cannibals," he muttered, making a face. Ah, I remembered that part too. I died a few times in that spot too.

"Once you get past the freezer, you'll be fine," I said with a smirk but I could see in the reflection that he nodded, so he knew exactly what I was talking about. I tipped my head back against the seat with a groan, closing my eyes. I was exhausted, I hadn't been seeing well.

"What were you dreaming about last night?"

I lifted my head up and furrowed my brows. "Why?"

"Because I could hear you through the wall."

"I don't think you want to know," I said and I watched him grimace before reiterating, "I had a dream about the caves. I have dreams about the caves when I get stressed out."

Dimitri set his book down in his lap and turned to look at me. "Do you want to talk about it? I find it helps."

I raised my brows at him. "You talked about it?"