Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 12 - Black Bread

The next thing I knew, we were touching down in Los Angeles. I was groggy and had the worst headache. I was also dehydrated.

"Can I have some water?" I asked as we were taxiing towards the private terminal. Guardian Makar jumped up immediately to get me a glass.

"No Rose," Dimitri interjected, "I'd like to have you examined by the doctor first."

Makar shot Dimitri a defiant look, placing a tall glass of water in front of me. Thanking him, I eyed it longingly before asking, "Do we have far still to travel?"

"About thirty minutes, Rose," Guardian Makar answered officiously, but not unkindly.

"That's Novice Hathaway, to you," Dimitri immediately rebuked. Oh dear. There was obviously a history here I'd need to ask Dimitri about when we were alone.

The plane rolled to a stop, another Guardian opening the door and setting down the steps. Dimitri looked to Makar enquiringly.

"There are three vans. You will travel in the front van with four Guardians, I will travel in the middle van with Novice Hathaway and three Guardians, the remainder will travel in the rear van. We'll proceed in convey to the house."

"Dimitri?!" I implored, distressed.

At the same time Dimitri declared "No WAY!"

I moved towards Dimitri, tears starting again.

"I'm not going anywhere unless it's with you."

"You heard the lady," Dimitri barked at Makar, unbuckling me and lifting me gently, walking across to the middle of three vans parked nearby on the tarmac. Placing me in the middle of the three rows, he strapped me in, sitting beside me. I was shivering again.

Sorting themselves amongst the three vans, Makar climbed in behind Dimitri and me, and we were soon on our way again. Leaning my head against Dimitri's shoulder, I watched the blur of lights through the darkened windows. Behind me, I heard a sudden intake of breath. Dimitri immediately tensed, turning to look at Makar.

"She's marked, but not promised?" he asked Dimitri in surprise, referring to the molnija marks on the back of my neck.

"Yes. She killed two ancients Isaiah and Elena some months ago, and this evening Igor and a female Strigoi."

"That's impressive," Makar admitted.

"She's going to make one hell of a Guardian," Dimitri said with pride.

Leaving the main roads, we were in an increasingly residential area. The houses were getting more and more palatial. Traveling along a beachfront avenue, I saw the first van turn into a driveway, immediately disappearing underneath an imposing home. Our van followed, as did the one behind us. Driving down into an underground carpark, the vans parked amongst several other vehicles. We waited for the driveway roller door to close. When it did, the Guardians exited the vehicles, Dimitri again scooping me up from my seat.

Standing at one end of the basement garage beside a lift and a set of stairs was a middle-aged Dhampir woman. Dimitri carried me over, setting me on my feet in front of her. Smiling kindly, she introduced herself. 

"Hello, Novice Hathaway – I'm Suzanne, Mr. Mazur's housekeeper here in Santa Monica. I see you have already met the commanding Guardian here, Guardian Nikita Makar. I have your room prepared upstairs, and some clean clothes for you. Dr. Bojarovski is waiting for you in your room. I've poured you a bath, and your dinner is ready whenever you'd like it."

"Thank you, Suzanne," I replied wearily. "Please call me Rose."

"Of course, Rose," she replied. "And can I say what an honor it is to have you here? Please let me know if there's anything I can do to make your visit more comfortable."