The walk through the courtyard to the council room was dreadful. People stared at me as I walked through. Heads turning as I passed. Whispers and shuffling came from the people around me, which would have been fine, if not for their being eyes fixated on me.
They weren't discreet, and honestly the only thing I could think was, wow, they all would have been horrible guardians. Like, really bad. Some acted like they expected a big confrontation to take place, almost excited, and they of course there were men staring at my body. Well, let's just say I was magically able to lose most of my pregnancy weight, and I looked good, but I tried to ignore all of them.
I flung the door open to the council dramatically. Rose Mazur always makes an amazing entrance. The room was noticeably dark, with a rather large interior. Oak paneled the walls and marble covered the floors. There was a large oval table in the center, with guardians sitting around it, and others lining the walls. Waiting, protecting.
The air was thick as I stepped inside the room. I could see some young dhampir warriors tense up at my presence, which made me proud of the outfit I had changed into. I was sporting dark jeans, with knee high leather healed boots, a gray shirt, and a deep red leather jacket. I looked intimidating as hell, and that was a good thing.
There was an eerie silence before someone cleared their throat. Hans.
"It's been a long time, Hunter." I smirked.
"Your lucky I showed up at all." He cracked a smile and motioned for me to sit at an empty chair apparently reserved for me.
"That we are." I returned his grin as I sat down.
"So what am I here for?" I asked, as the meeting resumed. I had been called to help with a plan to protect the sever academies if they were to come under attack. We went on to talking strategy.
The council was refreshingly formal and direct, which was nice for a change. As the meeting droned on, we came up with plans. Everyone seemed to agree with a rather simple defense procedure, and then an offensive shift as soon as the students could get to a safe area. It was easy enough, and something I came up with on the spot.
The council adjourned a few hours later, at sunrise actually, and people left to inform the schools of the new system. I nodded to people as I left, silently slipping out the door. It was good to be treated as an equal again. I was respected, and that's all I needed.
The air was brisk outside as I rounded the corner. I didn't see anyone as I traveled along the path. It was out of the way, and not widely used, just a way I used to take to work. The twists and turns of the stone walkway were inthralling as I walked on. The horizon was painted beautiful pinks and oranges as the sun rose from its slumbers. The morning dew brushed on my boots as strayed out into the flower gardens and I thought how lovely it would have been for Erik to see them. I wiped away the tears that pricked my eyes and continued to my apartment.
Footsteps sounded on the stones behind me, picking up speed as they neared. I tensed up, ready to attack as I spun around and then saw Dimitri for the fourth time today. His hair tied back in his signature pony. His muscles practically ripped through the leather duster as his gorgeous dark chocolate eyes pierced through my soul. He was still the essence of a god, no doubt. And I was still in love with him, even though he shattered my heart into millions of pieces.
"Roza." He gasped as we came face to face, his tall stature almost overpowering mine. I sighed.
" It's Rose... and I take it you spoke to Tasha." He nodded. I could see through his mask, that he was desperate for answers. I guess, even after what he did, I would be too.
" We have to talk, Rose."
"That we do, Comrade." I said as I stepped away, and gestured for him to follow me, and we set out to have the one conversation I had been dreading for all these years. The talk. And I was ready for it.
