What about us: Vampire Academy

The Hearing. Chapter 6.

Rose's POV

If I was still in my body, I would barged into the conference room, slamming the door and demanded to know what was happening in true a Rose Hathaway dramatic style. Instead, I floated through the door, unseen by all, which was as dramatic as a bunny rabbit hopping around a meadow.

The bland conference room was normally set up with 3 white table pushed together with 16 chairs around them. However, someone has rearrange the furniture to make the room look more like a court room.

At the far end of the room, was a single table, obviously the "judge table", where Guardian Thorne, Head Guardian of the State, was seated. He worked directly under and reported to Guardian Croft, the Head of Guardians at court. Someone, has pulled some strings to get Thorne here, he wouldn't normally attend a hearing like this. Sat next to him was a Guardian I didn't know, but she had the best Afro blow out I have ever seen. With her sleeves pulled up to the elbows and sporting punk rock's leather cuffs on each wrist, she was a true image of a badass.

In front of Guardian Thorne and Guardian badass, where two tables facing the one another, about 8 feet apart. Sitting behind the left table was my mother and a tanned Moroi, who was wearing a god awful suit lilac suit. Facing them, on the other table, sat Dimitri and Adrian. It is so odd seeing them sat together. While they where polar opposites personally, they did have a strange similarity to them physically.

Behind them were three rows of chairs. The back two rows seated a couple of guardians, who I recognise from the cave rescue mission. Sitting in front of them, in the first row, was Alberta, Eddie, Christian and Lissa. Lissa!

I dashed down the aisle and kneeled in front of her. Scanning her face and body, she appeared uninjured and looked like she was in full Princess mode. Instinctively, I tried to reach through the bond again. Nothing, but instead of the trickle of warmth, I now felt the warmth rushing into me. Weird. Returning my focus to Lissa's face, I looked at her with more detail. While she looked every pretty in her Navy pant suit, her eyes gave her away. I hadn't seen that hunted look since the weeks following her family's deaths. Oh Liss, I'm here.

Christian shifted in his seat and grabbed Lissa's hand. As he gave it a squeeze, he shot her a 'we've got this' look, before turning back to continue his conversation with Eddie and Alberta. Looking down the row, I gazed at the people I considered family, even Christian. Love and relief spread through me, as I realised they where all safe and unharmed. My eyes flickered to Eddie's neck, where he again, had a couple of fang marks. Poor guy, that's twice he has been captured and feed upon. Still it could be worse, alot worse, I shuddered.

I was still staring at Eddie, when Guardian Thorne's voice boomed around the room as he read out the allegations. He announced Dimitri and Adrian's full names and titles under the defense. Gesturing to other table, he introduced my mother and a Moroi called Ibrahim Aabinus Bora Mazur, who insisted on being called 'Abe', as the prosecution. Finally, he introduced the guardian next to him, Guardian Aggie Muluka, as his second.

Guardian Muluka stood and read out the report from the night of the attack. She started with how Jesse's Mana group broke the wards and ended with details of the Academy's lockdown after the cave rescue mission. Guardian Muluka then motion for Adrian to stand and to present his case, starting with the events surrounding the Mana group. I don't know if I feel amused or horrified that the court drunk and playboy was defending my reserved Russian God.

Adrian strolled to the space in front of the 'judge table' and I realised he didn't have his usual swag or self mocking air about him. This was a sober and determined Adrian. I felt I was looking at the man Adrian would of been if he wasn't always battling the effects of spirit.