After a short discussion with Galina, Alexander took me back to my room. Nathan, Dimitri, and Alexander discussed who should take the first shift and how often they should change shifts. I didn't care to listen, so I sat down and gazed out the window, not really seeing anything. I had to find a way out. Alive and in one piece.
I heard the door open and close, looking up to see who was left, Dimitri and Alexander.
I smiled, "Have a seat?"
It was unbelievable how calm I was being around Strigoi. I guess it was because I was unarmed and they had the power over my life right now, but also, Alexander and Dimitri were the two most important people in my life.
I had loved them when they were alive and even now as Strigoi. I know they were not the same, but somehow, despite all my training, I couldn't bring myself to harm them. They could not see beauty, that's what set them apart, well that and their lust to kill and apparent lack of morality.
I couldn't believe that we were just having a casual conversation, as if it was just another day. As if they had never changed.
Dimitri took a seat across the table from me and Alexander playfully sat on me.
"Not a chance!" I laughed, jumping up.
Alexander picked me up and arranged me comfortably on his lap.
"Galina...Dimka, correct me if I'm wrong, she was your teacher?" I said trying to remember.
Dimitri nodded, "That's why I came back to Russia. Well Galina's part of the reason, the other reason was to get away from Rose, but I should have known she'd come to find me. You, on the other hand, I'll admit, surprised me by coming. I never saw you as the type to blindly rush into a situation without first thinking things through."
"I did think this through!" I protested defensively.
I couldn't believe Dimitri was accuses me of spontaneity. Was this the same Dimitri I grew up with? Of course I knew the answer, but I was a bit reluctant to believe it, even though the proof was clearly right before my eyes. He had maintained some aspects of his former self, but everything else was different. He was a killer, an evil creature of the night.
"I thought you hated Rose," commented Dimitri amused.
"I do, but my duty will always come before my feelings," I frowned, "Besides...she's almost family now."
Alexander smiled, "Just as selfless as I remember. Always putting others before you, even if your life was in danger."
Though I had been sitting on Alexander's lap, I had forgotten he was still there and when he spoke, I jumped. It took me a couple seconds to regain my composure. All my life, I had been taught to never let my composure slip, but this was a rare occasion on which it did slip.
"Mira, you know this could be your chance to get rid of her once and for all," grinned Alexander.
I didn't know if he was suggesting that I should turn and go on a killing frenzy and "accidentally" kill her. Or if I should let her turn so I could stake her. Either way sounded quite nice, but again, duty prevented me from doing so. I shook my head. One look at Dimitri's face told me he was furious with Alexander's insinuation. I wondered which conclusion he had come to, not that it mattered since both options resulted in his precious Roza's death...
"If anyone's going to awaken her it's me," growled Dimitri.
I had no clue who he meant by "her." In the context of our discussion he could have been referring to either Rose or me.
"You can't have them both," Alexander growled backed with unrivalled ferocity.
"Why can't I? She's my sister," fought Dimitri.
"That's exactly why. Who do you love more?" snarled Alexander, "You can't keep taking and expect to get away with it. You may have been Galina's student, but I'm her favourite."
"Galina has no say in this," returned Dimitri.
This was getting scary. I had no idea that they would fight so passionately about who got to awaken me, in their terms. I had never seen this side of either of them, but then again they were Strigoi now, but maybe I should be getting used to seeing this side of them since I didn't think I'd be escaping with Rose anytime soon.
"She's not even your biological sister!" Alexander snarled, "She's my girlfriend! MY bond mate!"
"Your bond was broken when you were awakened! Stop going back to that! She's moved on!" argued Dimitri.
Alexander stood up so fast he threw me across the room into the door.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Alexander growled, his eyes flashing dangerously.
