The guardians grabbed Belikov from my arms and he didn’t resist.
“Please,” I said.
“Princess, we’ll take it from here,” said Guardian Croft.
“Ensure the safety of Princess Dragomir and Lord Ozera,” I stated to the other guardians, following Guardian Croft.
The guardians nodded and attended to Lissa and Christian.
“Princess, please,” said Guardian Croft, putting Dimitri into the back of the “police” van.
“Please, Guardian Croft, you don’t understand,” I argued.
“There will be an inquest,” stated Guardian Croft, “But if it would make you feel better, we can discuss this once Belikov is in the safety of a prison cell.”
“He’s not a Strigoi anymore!” I exclaimed.
“Katia, please,” said Dimitri softly.
“Dimka…” I said.
“I’ll be alright, we’ll talk later. I promise, everything will be alright. I promised you I would never let you get hurt and I’m not going back on that promise. Even if I have to go against myself,” said Dimitri.
I nodded, “We’ll talk later Croft.”
“We’ll see you back at the palace then, Princess Ivashkov,” nodded Guardian Croft.
***
“Guardian Croft, I’d like to explain something to you,” I started, walking into Guardian Croft’s office.
“Please, have a seat, Princess Ivashkov,” said Guardian Croft, indicating to a chair across from him.
I shut the door and took a seat.
“Guardian Belikov isn’t a Strigoi anymore. Typically we have thought that once a Strigoi always a Strigoi. That the only way to get rid of them is to kill them, but that is not the case. I’m sure you’re aware of the fifth element, spirit. I’ve never told anyone, Guardian Croft, but I am a spirit user. Yes, people know, but they found out on their own. With spirit there are some…complicated things we can do,” I started.
“I’m not going to pretend I understand the elements Moroi are able to control, but spirit…that’s on a whole other level of unknown,” said Guardian Croft, “Is there something about spirit allows you to do something to Strigoi?”
“I don’t quite understand it myself, but I’ll explain it the best I can,” I continued, “Spirit is a mash up of ‘powers.’ With spirit, I can heal, I can bring the dead back to life, I can induce spirit dreams, and see people’s auras but at the cost of my sanity. It wasn’t until recently I discovered another use for spirit. I don’t know if you know Guardian Croft, but I am the only Moroi branded with a promise mark and three zvezda marks, soon to be four, I have an appointment for that later today.”
Guardian Croft looked at me in shock, “Three zvezda marks?”
I lifted my hair and showed him the back of my neck. The marks of Dimitri biting me were still visible, so I took care to put my hair on that side to cover it.
“As spirit can heal and revive the dead, why then can it not also reverse a state of undeadness?” I asked.
“I want to believe you, Princess, but this all seems so incredible,” said Guardian Croft aghast.
“Can I see him?” I said standing.
“It’s not suggested,” said Guardian Croft hesitantly.
