What a Difference a Year Makes (Revised)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Over the following week, Chris formalised plans for the outdoor magic arena. He adapted the plans he had done for the LA gym and explained to the dhampir contractors what we wanted. He also explained to Eddie what had to be done so that he could keep an eye on the work.

We were currently landing at the airstrip in LA after the return flight. We really needed to get some sleep because the equipment would be arriving tomorrow and installation would begin. When we got back to the villa we all agreed on an early night so that we could be at the gym as early as possible ready for the deliveries. However, nothing is that simple.

We entered the house and were greeted by Abe. "Kiz, it's good to see you. I came by earlier but Tessa told me you were jetting here there and everywhere."

"Hi Baba" I said giving him a hug. "What's wrong Baba? You look anxious."

"I came to warn you. A few of my guardians were attacked the other day by a large party of strigoi that have taken up residence somewhere nearby" he said solemnly.

"Oh god Baba. Are they OK?" I said and we all looked at him with worried expressions.

"Three guardians lost their lives in the attack" he said with a catch in his throat. Abe was one of the few moroi that didn't treat the guardians that he employed like he owned them. He let them have families and lives of their own. He paid them for the job they did and they respected him in return. "As far as we can tell they were taken by surprise travelling back to my villa after shopping. The SUV was found abandoned a mile from the home."

"Were they found?" Dimitri asked and we all knew what he meant by the question.

"No, we believe they have been turned" Abe said darkly.

"Do you know where they are hiding? I wouldn't have thought strigoi could stay out here very long with the length of sunlight hours and the heat" asked Chris nervously.

"Pavel is still working on finding that out but once we know we will let you know. I know I can't stop you from joining in the fight but I just wanted you to be prepared"

"Don't worry Baba. We may not be sanctioned guardians or even employed as such but we are guardians and we will be ready to take up the fight if need be" I said, Dimitri and Mason nodding with me.

"And don't forget you have your own little arsonist now" said Chris with enthusiasm.

"Chris, I don't....." I held up my hand to stop Dimitri from saying any more.

"Well if you want to do this then you are going to have to get your butt in that gym in the basement and begin your self-defence training also increase your endurance because even though you have a good idea of what a strigoi is like, you really don't know how wrong you can be until you meet one" I said. I knew better than to try and stop Chris from helping us. He was too much like me in that way, I think that is why we bicker, so I would support him in this but I wanted to make sure he was going to be safe.

"Thanks Rose. I would appreciate it if any of you could start me off in the right direction" he said seriously.

"No problem Chris. If you are going to do this we will keep you safe" Dimitri said, finally realising what I had and that no matter how hard he tried he would not be able to stop him.

Until Abe's sources had located the strigoi nest, it was agreed that we would try to keep our working times to during daylight hours; no late nights and that we would stick together. Abe also sent over a few more guardians to bulk up our security. I was surprised how quickly we all adjusted to the new arrangements and Abe's guardians were not averse to lending a hand installing the equipment into the gym. In fact they were quite excited about it knowing that they would soon be taking classes there with us. They had heard of Dimitri's prowess at fighting and couldn't wait to learn from the 'master'.