"You wanted to see me Guardian Petrov?" I had made it to her office in seconds- barely breaking a sweat.
"Yes Rose. Go back a bag- don't forget your stake. And these" she unlocked a safe I had no clue was hidden in the office. "Here" she pressed my hands to a scanner, my eyes were also scanned.
"Welcome Guardian Rosemarie Hathaway" an electronic voice announced then peeped.
"Rose. Take your pick- you need at least three of each. You have twenty minutes." I used my time carefully and efficiently. I came out with: three stakes perfectly suited to me, three 1000 packs of silver bullets and a gun, four silver knives, four sets of nunchucks and respective belts to carry my weaponry. I still had no clue why I needed it though.
"Alberta."
She took a good look after I came out. "Good."
"What's going on?"
"You're needed at Court- they're sending you on an Elite mission early."
Very early. "Elite? Now?"
"You're eighteen and been through two battles already. They didn't think anyone else was suitable. I personally don't want you going but don't get a say. Go pack- enough for three weeks. Stick to mainly clothes."
"Three weeks?" I'd miss almost a month of school. A month if training for trials missed. And Dimitri, what about him?
"I know you can't be happy about it but you'll catchup- you've got Belikov." Did I ever! I had him whipped! "You missed two years and caught up, three weeks will be nothing. Just stay safe- now go. Be at the airstrip in an hour."
I went. As soon as I was out the door I had tears in my eyes. Could I do this? Was I ready?
"Roza? What's up? What did Alberta want?" Dimitri was waiting near the reception door. I ran to him. I didn't care if anyone saw. He was my bond mate and my lover- it was his duty to comfort me at times like these.
"Let's walk to my dorm- I have to pack." I was starting to calm down.
"Pack?"
"For Court. I'll be gone for three weeks." I didn't hide that it was an Elite mission I just didn't say it aloud.
"Rose? What aren't you saying?"
"Elite Dimitri. I'm going on a mission. I'll be god knows where for three weeks."
"That's all extra gear isn't it?" He gestured to the belts.
"Yes." I still hadn't left his arms. We were at Novice dorms getting stares and gaping mouths, alongside the odd comment such as: "they can't be", "no way", "not even she'd cross that line" and from Eddie "Romitri has a nice ring to it". I really didn't care. I was about to disappear for three weeks. We headed up to my dorm.
"Oh Rose."
"Dimitri. You'll be able to check on me." I tapped my head after I shut, and locked, the door. I started rummaging up a bag and gear to take.
"It's not the same Rose. You know that as much as I do." He came up and hugged me from behind and kissed my cheek.
And that's how I ended up needing to rush a shower and have Dimitri do half my packing. It was glorious and empowering. I didn't realise how much I'd missed him, that kind of skin-on-skin contact with him. I was calm and collected. I could do this- I had to and I would. I walked out wrapped in Dimitri and glowing. We disentangled when we reached the lobby door.
"Rose, you can do this. I'm proud of you." He unleashed a full smile and it took my breath away.
"I feel better now: stronger, calmer, more collected and focused."
"That's my girl!" The smile didn't leave his face.
"Girl?" I teased, mocking offence.
"Woman. Sorry Rose." He was so serious I playfully slapped him with my hand.
"Comrade! I was teasing you. I like the ring of 'that's my girl' better. I'm sick of being just weeks over eighteen and treated like a thirty-eight year old." It was true. Being treated and respected as an adult by Dimitri was good- amazing even. But anyone else now saw me as a usable Guardian- emotionless, a shadow, a Strigoi slayer. Dimitri and Alberta were the only ones who saw how much I still needed the chance to have some pretence of my own freedom. Unfortunately, I didn't get it.
