"Don't let them talk to each other," I warned as we stepped onto the plane. The two teenagers were taking every moment they could to to discuss their situation. "Five minutes together, and they'll come up with an escape plan."
Rose's glare burned into me and I knew I had been right. Luckily, once we were in the air their options went from limited to non-existent. Regardless, keeping them separated would lower their motivation to cause trouble. While still alert, my team and I had been up for almost 30 hours now and could use what little rest the plane offered. Our flight would last about two hours before touching down in the Montana emptiness.
I sat next to the Princess; her fear radiated off her. She was gripping a water bottle like a life line. Her body tense while her eyes darted around the plane. I did my best to silently reassure her that we meant her no harm, and when that didn't work I reached for my battered Western paperback. I was well aware that the presence of a trained guardian (especially a large, unknown male guardian) could be intimidating, however she must have grown up with Guardians around her her whole life. I couldn't understand why she would be so fearful now.
When it became clear the that Princess Vasilisa wasn't going to relax, I walked back to were Rose was sitting. She ignored me as I sat beside her, pointedly staring out the window. After a few moments, I broke the silence. "Were you really going attack all of us?"
She didn't answer.
"Doing that...protecting her like that...it was very brave." I waited for a reaction but received none. "Stupid, but still brave. Why did you even try it?" Perhaps it was less than professional of me to be praising her ridiculous stunt and questioning her motivation, but curiosity had gotten the best of me.
She glanced at me through that dark hair before brushing it aside and fearlessly meeting my eyes. I didn't expect such confidence considering the situation. My pulse jumped in surprise, but not nearly as much as when she gave me her answer. "Because I'm her guardian."
She turned back to the window, eyes flickering towards the Princess for just a moment. I continued to stare at her. She spoke with such certainty, such dedication and devotion, I could tell that she believed her words with every ounce of her being.
I had been dealing with the teenagers on campus for almost a year now. Their world was consumed with hormones, drama, dances and homework. They weren't selfish per say, but it was clear that they had yet to fully comprehend the self-sacrifice that came with their future profession. Rose...understood. More than that, she seem to accept it and rise to the challenge. I had never met someone as young as she was that shared the same dedication to the position as I did. It intrigued me. She intrigued me. I knew that she had amazing potential as a guardian. Fully trained, I'd be confident guarding with her. While she obviously lacked the self-control necessary, I wanted to make sure she graduated and joined our ranks.
However, her reply also left me speechless. Not knowing how to reply and feeling the beginning of the planes decent, I stood and returned to the front of the plane. I went over the final preparations for our landing and arrival at the Academy. We would be arriving around sunset, the beginning of the vampiric day. Our timing wasn't ideal since we were certain to have a audience, but there was no point in delaying the completion of our mission.
St. Vladimir's Academy was one of the largest dedicated to our kind – the mortal Moroi vampires and the half-human-half-Moroi Dhampirs who would ideally promise to protect them. It was certainly larger than St. Basil's, the school where I was graduated from. St. Vladimir's was patterned after older schools (like my own) boasting impressive Gothic architecture that seemed more appropriate to a church or perhaps a college than a private high school.
We walked towards the administrative building as other student started to gather around and notice our party. The Moroi students came from one dorm, the Dhampirs from another. It wasn't a large crowd. They let us pass, but not without staring at the girls who were being displayed. Part of me sympathized with them as I watched the other students whisper and point. I glanced back.
Princess Vasilisa kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with others. She was tall, with pale skin and light blond hair. Her body was thin, almost appearing fragile. Her height, body shape, and skin were typical of the Moroi vampires. Much of the human world considered such traits as "ideally beautiful" and they could easily be cast as models, actors, or dancers. While I appreciated this, I often found their features to be...almost child-like. Many Moroi women lacked feminine curves, and Moroi men never gained much muscle definition.
Rose on the other hand, well she would never be mistaken for fragile; she was powerful. Even as we walked, she met the stares of her classmates without backing down. She was a stark contrast to the Princess in so many ways. A tanned complexion, with long dark almost-black hair. The last of the sunlight highlighted some faint red tints. While shorter than the Princess, she was still about average height for a Dhampir female. She was trim, built with lean muscle covering her frame, but there were also obvious curves at her hips and chest. She appeared fierce, dangerous even. There was beauty and confidence in the way she walked.
She glanced around at our surroundings and then focused on me. I turned away from her gaze quickly.
"Hey, Comrade."
I felt a slight amusement at her choice of nickname, but continued walking without slowing my pace. I heard her fall in step next to me. "You want to talk now?" I questioned.
"Are you taking us to Kirova?" Titles and formalities didn't seem to be a strong suit with her.
"Headmistress Kirova," I corrected, looking down at her.
Suddenly, I saw the Princess shoot her friend a silent, pleading look. It was as if she begged her not to cause trouble. The gesture was pointless as Rose was facing me, back turned to her friend. However, Rose instantly turned to reply, as if she could hear what Vasilisa was saying, even without a word being spoken.
Strange, I thought to myself. It wasn't the first time I've noticed this silent communication between the two of them. I wondered if this was the result of a strong, long lasting friendship...or perhaps something more unique.
"Headmistress. Whatever. She's still a self-righteous old bit-" Rose's outburst suddenly stopped as we walked into the commons. The crowd outside was nothing compared to the one in here. It was breakfast so almost the entire upper student population was present. It was cruel of us to subject them to this, however it was the most efficient path to our destination. Princess Vasilisa retreated into herself more as Rose quickly regained composure and studied the other students almost as intently as they studied her and her friend.
The short walk ended quickly, and we soon stepped into Headmistress Kirova's office. She was older, Moroi, but her presence was as intimidating as any guardian warrior. Her eyes glanced over my team, dismissing most of them before settling back on the two teenage delinquents. Alberta, the captain of the school's guardians and I were soon the only remaining guardians in the room. We stepped back to take our observing positions again the wall, and I nodded to the older gentleman who was seated off to the side.
"Vasilisa" he spoke. Prince Victor Dashkov appeared much older than he actually was, due to a debilitating illness. He once had the opportunity to lead the Moroi world, but it was impossible now due to his health. I felt a pang of pity for the gentleman; he seemed gentle and kind.
Rose tensed in shock as she noticed the old man, and the Princess ran to him for an embrace. "Uncle," Vasilisa murmured. It was clear that both girls were a bit taken aback by his appearance. No doubt it had been a while since they had seen him, and his health was failing quickly.
Prince Dashkov gently broke the embrace, smiling as he spoke to the Princess. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you safe, Vasilisa." He shifted his eyes to Rose, still standing a few feet away. "And you too, Rose."
Rose nodded back politely. It was the first sign of respect that I had seen from the girl. She cast her eyes down thoughtfully as Vasilisa spoke a moment more with her Uncle, though the term was more of a sign of respect among royal families rather than a indication of actual relation.
Soon, Headmistress Kirova brought things to order again. Victor resumed his seat at the edge of the room, the girls sat in the chairs opposite the Headmistress's desk, and the Headmistress herself commanded the floor at the head of the room. As always, Gaurdian Petrov and myself stood at attention towards the back. The lecture begin.
She started by scolding Princess Vasilisa. At every mention of her lack of responsibility, her reckless behavior, and the selfish way she put herself in danger, the Princess seemed to retreat a fraction more into her chair. It was obvious that she was ashamed for putting herself, the last of the Royal Dragomir blood, on the line.
Rose, however, seemed bored. She started zoning and staring out the window. If I didn't know better, I would think the was planning on making a break for it.
"You, Miss Hathaway," Rose resumed full attention as Headmistress Kirova spoke to her with significantly more venom than before. It was obvious that these two had a less than friendly relationship. "You broke the most sacred promise among our kind: the promise of a guardian to protect a Moroi. It is a great trust. A trust that you violated by selfishly taking the Princess away from here. The Strigoi would love to finish of the Dragomirs; you nearly enabled them to do it."
Internally, I winced. The Strigoi, the common enemy of our people, were a force to be reckoned with. They were the vampires of children's nightmares. Undead, immortal, powerful yet soul-less. They killed without a second thought. Their numbers have been rising and they became more bold as time progressed. They were willing to kill anyone: human, Dhampir, or Moroi. They particularly loved targeting their mortal vampire counterpart. Even more so if it was a Moroi from a royal line.
My mind flashed back to the night I found my previous charge, Ivan Zeklos, face down in a pool of blood from a Strigoi attack. My partner, Guardian Radu, lay awkwardly near him. His neck was broken and his eyes stared at me, unblinking. I had only taken a few hours leave to handle an insignificant personal matter, but my brief absence cost both men their lives. My selfishness had killed my friends. It was 18 months ago, but it still felt like yesterday.
The Princess's voice broke my memory. "Rose didn't kidnap me." Her voice was urgent, yet remarkably steady. "I wanted to go. Don't blame her."
Headmistress Kirova paced a few steps, clicking her tongue in disbelief and exasperation. "Miss Dragomir, you could have been the one who orchestrated the entire plan for all I know, but it was still her responsibility to make sure you didn't carry it out." She placed her hands on the desk again, almost challenging Rose to make a stand. "If she'd done her duty, she would have kept you safe."
Rose jumped up from her chair and came face to face with the Headmistress. Alberta and I shifted our stance, ready to pull the wild girl away if she intended to get physical. "I did do my duty!" it looked like it would remain a verbal contest for the time being, even if it was now a shouting match. "I did keep her safe! I kept her safe when none of you..." gesturing around the room, specifically at us guardians, "...could do it. I took her way to protect her. I did what I had to do." Her glower returned to the Headmistress. "You certainly weren't going to."
Headmistress Kirova met her gaze without blinking. The momentary shouting match became a staring contest. Slowly, quietly, she spoke. "Miss Hathaway, forgive me if I fail to see the logic of how taking her out of a heavily guarded, magically secured environment is protecting her." She spat the last few words as if they were poison. "Unless there's something you aren't telling us?"
Rose bit her lip then stepped back as a sign of defeat. I barely knew her, but even I could see this was out of character for girl. She was hiding something.
Headmistress Kirova started again, this time with a new found confidence of victory, continuing her pacing by the window. "I see. Well, then. By my estimation, the only reason you have left – aside from the novelty of it, no doubt – was to avoid the consequence of that horrible, destructive stunt you pulled just before your disappearance."
"No, that's not -" her desperate defense was cut off.
"And that only make my decision that much easier. As a Moroi, the Princess must continue on here at the Academy for her own safety," She stopped and faced Rose directly. A small, barely noticeable smile crossed her face, "but we have no such obligations to you. You will be sent away as soon as possible."
The room went quiet as all our breathing and hearts stopped, even that of mine and Alberta's. Rose however, seemed frozen in time. "I...what?" The power that had surround her since the moment I laid eyes on her seemed to instantly flee. For once, she seemed frail and child-like.
Suddenly, the Princess rose from her chair. The courage that had so quickly left Rose seemed to fill Vasilisa. "You can't do that! She's my guardian!"
"She is no such thing," the Headmistress countered, "particularly since she isn't a guardian at all. She's still a novice."
"But my parents-"
"I know what your parents wanted, God rest their souls, but things have changed. Miss Hathaway is expendable," several of us flinched at the word. "She doesn't deserve to be a guardian, and she will leave."
Rose stared at the judge giving her her fate. She seemed lost, but as she spoke that confusion morphed into anger once more. "Where are you going to send me? To my mom in Nepal? Did she even know I was gone? Or maybe you'll send me to my father." The last word was like ice. Most Dhampirs didn't know their paternal line, and those who did often didn't have a good relationship. When Rose spoke again, her voice was unrecognizable. "Or maybe you're going to try to send me off to be a blood whore." I heard a quick intake of breath from both Alberta and the Princess, loud in the otherwise silent room. "Try that, and we'll be gone by the end of the day."
"Miss Hathaway, you are out of line," The Headmistress hissed.
Frankly, I thought they were both out of line. It wasn't my place to say such a thing, but at least Rose had the excuse of fear and youth on her side. The Headmistress was obviously looking for any reason to throw the girl out, and this made for a very good opportunity. As great of a reason as it was for her to leave, I knew I needed to find another one – a better one – to help her stay. Rose, while wild and hot-tempered, had the potential to be a great guardian. We were in short supply, and forcing out someone with talent wasn't an wise option. But she had more than talent, I realized...
"They have a bond." My voice broke the tension in the air. I remained where I was, but carefully composed myself as all eyes turned to me. I focused on Rose, hoping – no willing – it to be true, "Rose knows what Vasilisa is feeling. Don't you?"
Headmistress Kirova was caught off guard, and while she desperately looked between me and the two girls, I felt a inkling of joy at my small victory. "No..." she started, still unsure yet awestruck at the possibility, "that's impossible. That hasn't happened in centuries."
"It's obvious," I replied. I sounded more confident than I actually was, but neither Rose nor the Princess protested the charge so I continued. "I suspected as soon as I started watching them." Rose turned her gaze from me. Her secret was exposed. I was correct.
"That is a gift," Prince Victor Dashkov murmured in amazement. "A rare and wonderful thing."
"The best guardians always had the bond in the stories." My voice was calm and stable, but inside I was begging her to see this girl's potential. Instead, the Headmistress shook away the possibility of something great and continued in narrow minded outrage.
"Stories that are centuries old!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "Surely you aren't suggesting we let her stay at the Academy after everything she's done?" Her voice challenged me.
Calmly, I shrugged trying to diffuse her anger. "She might be wild and disrespectful, but if she has potential-"
A head full of brown hair whipped around at me. "Wild and disrespectful?" Great, I disarmed one bomb only to ignite another. "Who the hell are you anyway? Outsourced help?"
"Guardian Belikov is the Princess's guardian now," Kirova stated, apparently happy to have Rose's bark directed at someone else for a change. "Her sanctioned guardian."
"You got cheap foreign labor to protect Lissa?" The comment was meant to sting, but ended up seeming childish to anyone who knew my reputation.
Headmistress Kirova was reaching the end of her annoyance tolerance. "You see? Completely undisciplined! All the psychic bonds and very raw potential in the world can't make up for that. A guardian without discipline is worse than no guardian."
I may have agreed with her on that point, but it was still no excuse to throw her out, especially since there was a much more beneficial solution. "So teach her discipline. Classes just started. Put her back in a get her training again."
"Impossible. She'll be hopelessly behind her peers." Again, this was true but not something that couldn't be overcome.
"No, I wont!" We ignored Rose. Her fate was in my hands and it was better for her to let me handle this. Luckily, she recognized that quickly. I continued to argue against the Headmistress's weak points until she unexpected trapped me against a metaphorical wall.
"Who's going to put in the extra time. You?"
"Well, That's not what I-" I hesitated.
The satisfaction in Kirova's face was apparent and sick. "Yes. That's what I thought."
This was it. I had a decision to make. I could take on that responsibility or I could abandon her to face the world without support. The choice was hardly a decision at all. I was trained to protect Moroi, but it wasn't in my nature to allow something horrid to happen to anyone. I looked at Vasilisa. I was never meant to be a teacher. My role at the Academy was more like I was biding time until I became her official protector in the field. While mentoring Rose wouldn't be a hindrance to my career, it wasn't meant to be a part of it either. Or was it?
My eyes shifted to Rose. I saw the last bit of hope in their depths. I knew that Vasilisa would eventually have another guard in addition to me. Rose would be ideal if she was trained properly. As her mentor, I could be sure that happened. But would this wild girl be worth it or would she be the death of me? I pondered only a moment longer before I saw flashes of my sisters across my eyes. I would do anything to protect them. I would do anything to protect her.
"Yes." I spoke with finality. "I can mentor Rose. I'll give her extra sessions along with her normal ones."
"And then what?" the Headmistress's voice tinge with anger at a losing battle. "she goes unpunished?"
"Find some other way to punish her. Guardian numbers have gone down too much to risk another. A girl, in particular." Again, I was reminded of my family: my mother, my sisters. The room became tense as Headmistress Kirova attempted one more argument.
Her efforts were wasted when a gentle but firm voice spoke from the edge of the room. "I am inclined to agree with Guardian Belikov. Sending Rose away would be a shame, a waste of talent." I gave the Prince a nod of gratitude for his support.
Headmistress Kirova glanced across us all, still apparently searching for a way to rid her school of Rose. She met Vasilisa's for only a moment, but the young girl made the final plea. "Please, Ms. Kirova. Let Rose Stay." At her words, the Headmistress's shoulders relaxed and her eyes lost the focus of her fight. She accepted her retreat.
"If Miss Hathaway stays, here's how it will be." She eyed Rose, "your continued enrollment at St Vladimir's is strictly probationary. Step out of line once, and you're gone. You will attend all classes and required trainings for novices your age. You will also train with Guardian Belikov in every spare moment you have...before and after classes. Other than that, you are banned from all social activities, except meals, and will stay in your dorm. Fail to comply with any of this, and you will be sent...away."
Rose laughed, obviously annoyed at missing her chance at a social life. "Banned from all social activities? Are you trying to keep us apart? Afraid we'll run away again?" I worried that this may all be over before it began.
"I'm taking precautions. As I'm sure you recall, you were never properly punished for destroying school property. You have a lot to make up for. You are being offered a generous deal. I suggest you don't let your attitude endanger it."
Rose opened her mouth once more, glancing around for some other support, but her eyes met mine. I was standing at the ready, face void of emotion, but I hoped she could see what I was trying to silently tell her. I begged her to stop resisting and to accept the offer gracefully. I know my thoughts were mirrored in the emotion Vasilisa was trying to convey to her through their bond. Rose lowered her eyes for a moment before glancing back at the Headmistress.
"Fine. I accept."
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Vampire Academy: Dimitri's Point of View
VampireI do not own the characters or plotlines in this story.
