Only Him

Chapter 3

The Court was settling down for the night when our SUV finally pulled through the gates and into the garage. Alan and George once again took up Jeff's body and brought him into the sanctity of the guardian headquarters for the last time.

I took a few moments to verify that Lissa's convoy had made it back unscathed and that the rest of the guardians were safe before darting off across the grounds towards the main business building where Lissa's office was located. The sun shown brightly on the snowdrifts, a rare sunny day for this time of year, and I saw nobody save for the occasional guardian. They did a double take as I went blazing through the quad but I paid no attention to them, intent on finding Lissa and personally seeing that she was okay. News of the attack wouldn't have gotten out yet, everyone had gone to bed, but I knew that by morning it would be everywhere. I wanted to make sure that she got the full story before having to deal with the questions.

I made it to the main building within a few minutes and slipped inside the warm, brightly lit hallway.

I heard the low rumble of voices coming from the office down the hall. My shoes were silent on the polished wood floors as I made my way forward. I stopped before the double doors of Lissa's office and the guardians on duty, after another surprised look, let me in.

The conversation inside cut off abruptly as I entered.

I was exhausted, the weight of the days events only adding to the sore muscles and fatigue I felt. Despite my exhaustion, however, I straightened my shoulders as I walked towards Lissa. No need to let her feel any more worried than I was sure she did. I suddenly, and with a strong vehemence, missed the bond. Having that connection with her, knowing that she was okay, would have been such a relief throughout the past night. As it was I felt immediate relief upon seeing her now. That relief grew when I saw whom she was speaking to.

"Roza!" Dimitri pulled away from Lissa and Christian and made a beeline towards me. I barely had time to take in his worried expression before I was caught up in his arms.

I wanted to cry out in protest as my muscles stretched and cracked ribs groaned but the overwhelming sense of relief and comfort I felt in the circle of his arms overpowered that need.

"Hey comrade," I choked out. "You missed a great fight tonight."

He made a noise of disapproval in his throat before pulling back. Lissa and Christian had come to join us by now, equal expressions of relief on their pale faces.

"Thank God you're al—oh my God! Rose! Are you hurt?" Lissa's eyes widened as she took me in.

What kind of question is that? I wondered. I'd just taken on a legion of Strigoi and nearly had my ass handed to me. Of course I was hurt! But not enough to warrant her reaction. Both Christian and Dimitri were now looking at me with the same expression. Dimitri moved one hand from my shoulder to the front of my shirt where, I saw for the first time, blood was smeared. In fact, I was fairly covered with the stuff. I'd washed my hands at some point since arriving at Court but hadn't done a great job of it. I could still see blood under my nails, in the bend of my elbow. In addition to that my shirt was soaked with it and I suddenly remembered the wound on my forehead. I must look like hell.

"Not mine," I sighed. "Jeff's."

Dimitri's tight grip on my shoulder relaxed minutely. The tension in the air diffused slightly but Lissa still looked worried.

"Is he..." she trailed off, unsure how to proceed.

"Dead," I said shortly.

"Oh," she breathed, a profound look of sadness overtaking her expression. "Oh no. If I'd been there—"