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Chapter 11 - Kirova

Bored of listening to everything once more, Kirova took this opportunity to read, managing to snatch it from Pavel before Janine. Janine is slowly starting to think  the others were right, Rosemarie has grown up and she just can't see it because she is too stuck on her own ideas of being a guardian, unable to detach from that and just be a mother. She always struggled with that, partly why left Rosemarie at the Academy at such a young age.

LISSA WAS UP AND GONE before I even stirred the next morning, which meant I had the bathroom to myself while I got ready for the day. I loved that bathroom. It was enormous. My king-size bed would have fit comfortably inside it. A scalding shower with three different nozzles woke me up, though my muscles ached from yesterday. As I stood in front of the full-length mirror and combed my hair, I saw with some disappointment that the bruise was still there. It was significantly lighter, however, and had turned yellowish. Some concealer and powder almost entirely covered it up. I headed downstairs in search of food. The dining room was just shutting down breakfast, but one of the waitresses gave me a couple of peach marzipan scones to go. Munching on one as I walked, I expanded my senses to get a feel for where Lissa was. After a couple of moments, I sensed her on the other side of the lodge, away from the student rooms. I followed the trail until I arrived at a room on the third floor. I knocked. Christian opened the door. "Sleeping Beauty arrives. Welcome."

Chuckles could be heard from Alberta with a grin towards Christian. "The girl certainly does like her beauty sleep".

He ushered me inside. Lissa sat cross-legged on the room's bed and smiled when she saw me. The room was as sumptuous as mine, but most of the furniture had been shoved aside to make space, and in that open area, Tasha stood.

Alberta flinched which didn't go unnoticed by Dimitri who asked what's wrong, Christian perked up, wondering the same. Alberta sighed. "Rose likes Tasha, so there shouldn't be a problem...." Christian stopped as realisation hit. 

Turning to Alberta he continued, unsure if he was asking or stating. "But that was before she was potentially taking Dimitri away, the man she loves who is supposed to help her protect Lissa?" Alberta nodded and the story continued, now with the burden of waiting to see what drama is going to unfold.

"Good morning," she said.

"Hey," I said. So much for avoiding her.

Christian shared a concerned look with Alberta, they would just have to wait and see what happens. Adrian was flummoxed at how one man could have such an effect on someone as strong as Rose seems.

Lissa patted a spot beside her. "You've got to see this."

"What's going on?" I sat down on the bed and finished the last of the scone.

"Bad things," she said mischievously. "You'll approve."

Everyone looked around in concern, everyone except Dimitri and Christian. Dimitri had always known that Tasha wasn't one to play by the rules, turning a blind eye to her practicing offensive magic by justifying it under the whole 'seeing but not seeing' rule. It concerns him that she is teaching her nephew, at a school event, in front of the Princess.

Christian walked over to the empty space and faced Tasha. They regarded each other, forgetting about Lissa and me. I'd apparently interrupted something. 

"So why can't I just stick with the consuming spell?" asked Christian.

"WHAT!!!" Janine and Kirova yelled. Now they understood how Christian knew offensive magic. Both being firm believers of Moroi being protected and not using their magic, a glance around showed they were in the minority, as in only the two of them. Pavel has long since understood that no one tells Abe what to do, often disregarding protection policies he diligently tried to implement. Realising just how similar the father and daughter may be, he silently prayed that the latter stayed away from illegal activities. "Janine calm down. It is just another way of using magic. For all you know, it could come in handy one day" Abe admonished. Janine just shook her head, mumbling how it's not right. Kirova continued.