Previously

St.Valdimir I'm back........

...... and this time....... I'm ready.

Chapter 14.

Dimitri POV

"Their in that apartment . " John, a older Guardian, said while we all looked at the apartment he was pointing to.

"How are we gonna do this? " John asked.

"We wait until they least expect it. " someone said.

"And when will that be? " asked John.

One of the Guardians were about to answer when a loud cab whistle rang threw the air. Our attention immediately turned towards the sound and we saw a teenage girl standing at the end of the road. She looked around fifteen or sixteen years old.

She was wearing a long blue Pajamas pants with a tight top on. When she saw she had our attention she started to jog towards us and I took my time to analyze her. She had long brown hair, that looked soft even in its messy state. Her skin was slightly tanned and and what caught my attention was her eyes. The were a beautiful chocolate brown, but they had wisdom in them that was beyond her years. She had the eye of a Guardian that had seen true horrors.

Her eyes slowly looked all over each of us and our eyes met for the briefest moment and a series of emotions flashed through her eyes before she looked away her eyes now emotionless.

Who was she?

What had she gone through to have to hide her emotions?

What horrors had she seen to have that look in her eyes?

Surely it couldn't have been that bad, she is young after all.

The girl stopped before us and had a serious expression on her face.
" It's about time you arrived. I've been waiting for you to come to fetch us. Vasilisa is currently packing our things, why don't you help her out, we will be able to make it to the Academy faster that way. " she spoke in a quite voice that seemed to be loud and authortive at the same time, it seemed as if she was used to giving orders. She looked at us for a moment longer before she turned on the spot walking back to where she came from.

It clicked.

I knew who she was.

As I looked at her I could she she was a Dhampir.

She was Rosemarie Hathaway.

She looked older than the picture I was shone.

She was the one who ran away with the Princess .

She was the reason we were here.

The Guardians and I stood on our spots completely frozen and shocked.

How long had she been waiting for us. And how did she know we where here and from the Academy? All these questions ran through my head and I doubt I would get any answers.

" Are you coming? " Hathaway's voice broke through our shocked states and we quickly followed her. I was in the lead and I could hear the Guardians behind me whispering the whole time but I did not pay attention to what they were saying to focused on the girl in front of me. Hathaway kept herself stiff and tense like she ready to act at any moment.

She did not trust us and if I'm correct it wasn't her choice to go back to the Academy. Vasilisa had probably made the decision. We made it to the apartment in several minutes and Hathaway opened the apartment, we all went inside . I could hear someone was running around shuffling in one of the other rooms. Probably Vasilisa.

" Lissa, I got us help to pack. " Hathaway shouted as she kicked off her shoes.

She turned towards us . Glaring at us as if have done something wrong she spoke. " Shoes off. Now. " With that said she walked off towards where the noise was coming from. .

I looked around and I had to admit it wasn't the most glamorous place but it was far from poor condition. It was homey and a nice place to hide out. Before I could move to look around Hatchway voice rang threw the apartment.

" Luggage ,in here boys." We went towards were we heard the voice come from. I entered the room first and saw Vasilisa laying down on the bed looking exhausted with Hathaway standing I'm front of the lying form of Vasilisa.

" Our ride. " Hathaway said laughing as she flopped down on the bed next to the Princess. The Princess looked quite shocked though. Her green eyes wide and mouth slightly parted. So, the Princess did not make the decision to come back willing to the Academy, it was Hathaway . I wonder what made her make that decision. Something must of happened for her to make that decision . The Princess looked at Hathaway for the answers she was looking for. I ordered the Guardians to take the luggage down to the cars and pretended to be busy while I listened to the two teenagers talk to each other.

" They were watching the apartment, it's one of the reasons I asked you if you wanted to return to the Academy. " Hathaway said the Princess . So they both made the decision well Hathaway did. But how did she know we were here? Nobody knew and we were completely stealthy. I'll find out eventually but this is added to my list of questions that need to be answered.

"Nice socks dude. " Hathaway said laughing as she looked at John who had bright neon pink socks on. He didn't pay any notice to her bit I could see the pink stains on his cheeks. I was glad I always wear black socks.

" So are you ready? " Hathaway asked when all the luggage was gone.

" As I'll ever be. " The Princess replied.

" That's my girl. " Hathaway said nudging the princess with her shoulder. They had a close relationship it seemed. Actually it was more like Hathaway was the protective and motherly. Worried about the Princess wellbeing.

We made our way to the cars and John forced Hathaway to sit in the passengers seat in the vehicle that I was driving. With much protesting from Hathaway, she finally gave in and got in the car.

It wasn't ten minutes into the car of silence I looked over at Hathaway and saw she was asleep with her face towards the windows. She must of been really tired to fall asleep in a car of Guardians that she did not rust. She was the type of person who never let their Guard down unless the knew that their was no threat.

For the next two hours the car was quite except the sounds the Princess cat made every now and then. Oscar I think the things name was. She seemed really attached to the cat. It was actually quire weird with the way it glared at everyone except Vasilisa. Vasilisa stayed awake the whole time, but I could tell she was tired by the way her eyes would slowly close then she would sit up right once again trying to get ride if the sleep and started to pet her cat.

Hathaway on the other hand hadn't moved a muscle since she fell asleep and I wondered if she had died, but then I saw the rise and fall of her chest. But just in case I kept an eye on her.

I looked back in the mirror to look at Vasilisa and saw she looking at Hathaway , she had this intense look on her face as she looked at Hathaway, I glanced at Hathaway myself and saw her eyes staring to flutter. She was waking up.

How did Vasilisa know that she was about to wake?

Hathaway slowly started to blink and she sat up straight immediately alert. She turned in her seat leaning through the gap of our seat to look at Vasilisa who was still petting the cat. She didn't even bother look at the sate she was in instead going straight to the Princesses needs. Just like a Guardian.

" You good? "Hathaway asked Vasilisa .

Vasilisa nodded and Hathaway turned back around in her seat, looking straight at the road, she tilted her head to the side as if she remembered something and looked down at her hand that was tied to the door. I did not want a escaping teen .

" Really handcuffs? " Hathaway says with a hint expiration in her voice. It was if she saw it coming.

I kept quite and did not look away from the road . I wanted to ask her about a dozen questions but I kept quite I knew I would be getting answers sooner or later .

"You know that I have kept the Princess hidden and safe the entire time we were away from the Academy. " Hathaway spoke her voice filling the car as she turned her body to face my direction.

"You have done a good job so far . " I congratulated not taking my eyes off the road.

"It speaks. " Hathaway exclaimed in fake surprise and from the corner of my eye I saw exited look on her face.

"If it was Strigoi-" Hathaway started to say but I cut her off.

"If it was a Strigoi we would not be having this conversation. "I said. She was still a novice and thus she hardly knew how to fight. She could easily be killed in a fight.

" This is your idea of a conversation? " Hathaway says trying and failing to hide her smile.

For a moment the car is quite and I saw from the corner of my eye I look at Hathaway and almost did a double take. Her normal chocolate brown eyes were a vibrant green. But as soon as the colour came it was gone and Hathaway and Vasilisa let put giggles. Why were giggling, nothing was said.

But what was with Hathaway's green eyes, maybe I imaged it.

I definitely knew I did not imagine it when I saw her eyes flash that green for another second and she let out a loud melodic laugh that rang threw the car. I glanced back in the mirror at Vasilisa and saw her face slowly turning red and looked embarrassed even though she was staring at Hathaway .

" Rose, I did not mean it like that. " Vasilisa suddenly hissed at Hathaway. Didn't mean it like what, she never spoke. But then again Vasilisa never spoke and Hathaway was laughing.

Could it be?

No, it couldn't be. It hasn't happened since Vladimir's time and he was the only one.

But it would explain so much.

The colour of Hathaway's eyes.

The reason Hathaway laughs is because she can hear what Vasilisa is thinking, she can her thoughts and most probably her emotions as well.

But its almost impossible to believe. It has never before ever happened .

" I don't know Liz, defiantly tougher and bigger. "Hathaway said breaking my train of thought. Vasilisa flopped back into her seat with a scowl on her face , Hathaway's and Vasilisa eyes meet in the mirror and I quickly look in the mirror at Vasilisa when I hear her shocked gasp. But she wasn't looking at anyone, she was staring at Hathaway as if she was the the person who had invented sliced cheese. What did Hathaway do to make Vasilisa look at her with awe filled eyes.

"Rose. " Vasilisa whispered.

"Ill explain later. " Hathaway cut her off from speaking .

What did she not want us to know?

I could see the other two Guardians looked confused but I did not say anything. Hathaway obviously did not want anyone to know but I couldn't stop the feeling as if she knew I knew .

Hathaway eyes turned green again but she was staring at Vasilisa the whole time. I looked at Vasilisa and her eyes slowly dropping. Did Hathaway put her to sleep. How was that even possible? Vasilisa was obviously asleep and Hathaway let out a heavy breath leaning back in her seat. Looks like it wasn't as easy as it looks.

As time passed the other two guardians fell asleep as well. I shook my heads. Idiots what if something were to happen.

I debated for a whole five minutes if I should break the silence before I decided to speak now and regret later.

"You put her to sleep. " I said breaking the silence .

"What? " Hathaway asked confused .

"You put her to sleep. " I repeated. "Don't deny it I saw you do it, you never took your eyes off her until she was asleep, you also know she feels and thinks don't you? "

Hathaway kept quit obviously thinking of an excuse.

"We are very close friends, we can read each other well. " Hathaway said, not a confession but not denying it either. She didn't lie.

We said nothing for the rest of the rise and before I knew it we were at the front of the gates of the Academy, Lisa and the two Guardians had woken some time ago and was now clearly were of everything around them.

I waited for someone to open the gates but no one did. Something was wrong. The gates were always immediately opened . I tried to look out the windows to see if I could see anything but it was too dark. My attention immediately snapped forwards where a loud thud was heard as something landed on the from of the car. A dead body landed on windscreen of the car. Vasilisa screamed and the guardians in the back unbuckled their seatbelts getting out. Grabbing my stake I got out as well.

"Stay in the car. " I said before I followed the other two Guardians into the Forrest.

I kept my guard up watching the forest around us. The forest was silent as we walked towards us.

"Help! " I heard someone shout. It was male and by the sound if his voice he sounded weak. Injured.

I ran through the forest the Guardians hot on my heals as we tried to get to wear the voice came from. We came to a stop in a clearing. Their on the floor was three tied up Guardians all looking like beating up. Thankfully non of them were dead. I signed in relief.

Making my way over to them I took out my stake and used the tip to cut the ropes. "Are you alright? " I asked concerned at at conditions. They did not look so good.

"We are fine, their was four Strigoi here. They came planned the attack. " he said his breath coming out in pants, probably broken rib or something. Then I realised what he said.

Four Strigoi.

"The Princess. " whisper as horror filled me. We left the girls alone in the car and I had a feeling that Hathaway was not going to listen to orders to stay in the car.

I turned and started to run back towards were the car was parked when I was suddenly knocked off my feet and a pain settled in my middle section. I flew back and landed with a thud on the ground. I stiffly sat up and looks up to what had caused it and saw a Strigoi standing their a smug smile on his face. He looked like a hobo, dirty brown hair, dirt snugged all over on his face and clothes that looked like it came from a dumpster. His red eyes held amusement in them as he watched us.

Getting up I glanced at the Guardians who all were in a defensive position
staring at the Strigoi. I made my way towards him as he walked towards the obviously injured and weak Guardians. One of the older Guardians went towards the Strigoi as it attacked and I helped one of the Guardians that had collapsed, in to much pain to stand. I pulled him up and had most of his wait lean on me and o looked up just in time to see the Strigoi fall down dead on the ground.

"Come, Princess Vasilisa and Hathaway is alone. And I have a feeling were the other three Strigoi are. " John said and we tried our best to rush towards the car with the injured Guardians.

We entered the clearing were the entry of the Academy is and the car was parked and stopped dead. In shock most definitely.

Hathaway was crouch protectively in front of Vasilisa, who thankfully was unharmed. Hathaway wasn't so lucky. Their was blood dripping from her nose, it was probably broken, her knuckles were bruised and blood coated, blood dripped from the corner of her mouth and their was a horrifying deep gash on the side of her neck. She looked like she just fought in a war. She probably had for two dead male Strigoi lay at her feet as she had a one sided glaring contest with a red head female Strigoi.

Breaking out of my shocked state the Guardians and I made our way towards the girls, careful to keep an eye on the red head Strigoi on the other side of the field.

"Are you OK? " I asked as I reached them. Vasilisa looked fine but Hathaway looked dead on her feet.

"Yes. "

"No. "

Vasilisa and Hathaway spoke at the same time making me look between the two of them. Hathaway spoke before Vasilisa could. " We're fine. Lissa's a bit shaken, but good and I just got a few scratches...... And a broken rib. But were good, no worries. Next time Comrade I don't think you should leave us alone with Strigoi. " She was Guardian material. Hathaway was defiantly something. She had managed to kill two Strigoi on her own, something even fully trained Guardians have trouble with. And she did it like it was the easiest thing in the world. I knew she was defiantly hurt and not just a broken rib with must be painful. She was putting in a brave face for Vasilisa. Hathaway did not want Vasilisa to worry.

"Belikov. " someone said, I looked up and saw he was pointing towards the red head who was slowly walking towards us.

"Does she have a death wish? " Hathaway asked to no one particle. No one answered. Probably thinking the same thing. Why would she walk towards a group of armed and trained Guardians?

I stood in front of Vasilisa and the other Guardians made a wall around them so the Princess was protected. We all watched her, it was not normal for a Strigoi to be this calm. She walked towards us her eyes not straying from her goal. I followed her gaze and saw she staring at Hathaway, why was she staring at Hathaway. What was so important about her?

The red Head Strigoi stopped several feet away and tilted her head to the side still looking at Hathaway

"What is your name? " her voice was soft like a melody like all Strigoi and held curiousness and awe in it. For what I did not know.

"Rose Hathaway. "Hathaway said. Did the girl even think before speaking.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Rose Hathaway, you too Moroi girl. I hope we can meet again. " she said as she turned and walked away. I could tell the Guardians were confused, I was as well.

"Don't hold your breath. " Hathaway said to the retreating back.

She turned slightly so I could see the smirk in her lips.
"Then its a good thing I don't need to breath. "And with that she disappeared leaving us in a stunned silence.

"Talk about weirdo. " Hathaway said breaking the silence. Next to me Vasilisa let out an unladylike like snort. I turned towards Hathaway, was that really all she had to say to after she was attacked by Strigoi. That it was a weirdo. I shook my head, the Academy will definitely be interesting now with Hathaway was here.

"Is their something on my face? " Hathaway asked a fake innocent look on her face as she stared at us.

I looks at her for a moment and in that moment our eyes met, we held each others gaze and her eyes had a sad look I them. Why was she sad?

She looked away quickly and I frowned, she never meets my eyes. I saw Vasilisa point towards her head as she and Hathaway stare at each other. Hathaway sent her a shrug and then both of them broke out into giggles.
They definitely had a bond and they were not going to hide it.

Hathaway's laugh was cut off by a pain filled moan as she clutched her side. Probably the broken rib. She must have already broken a rib to know it was broken. But then were had she broken a rib.

"Yo! Comrade, when does the gates Open. "Hathaway asked as Vasilisa fussed over her but was ignored. Comrade. That was a new one. And definitely different but .... ..... I kind Of like it. For some unknown reason I didn't say anything against it and let it be. I would of normally told them off but for some reason I let her be. Maybe cause she was already injured.

"Now, let's go. "I commanded as i walked back towards the car. I got in the car, Hathaway sitting in the passenger seat and Vasilisa in between the two Guardians. Hathaway took ahold of the handcuffs that were still attached to the door with a..... hair pin it it and unlocked it quickly like she had done it so may times before. This girl truly was a puzzle. Turning in her seat Hathaway let the cuffs hang from her fingers.

"You want it? It could make your sex life fun. " Hathaway offered it to Vasilisa who was to busy coughing to reply. Really Hathaway, you really are something else.

"I'll take that as a no. So either you boys want it. " Hathaway asked the silent men, John was blushing a bright red. I shook my head and stared the car and drove towards the Academy.

"I'll take that as a no as well. " Hathaway said as she sat back in her seat. She put the cuffs in the glove compartment and sat back in her seat. The rest of the ride was silent.

We stopped intro t the Academy and I switched the car off. When Vasilisa spoke. "Don't call it that Rose, I hate it. " Vasilisa scolds Hathaway out loud which gets her a weird look from the two Guardians and I give her a curious look. What had Hathaway said.

"I say it as I see it. "She shrugged her shoulders and we all get out of the car and walk towards the front doors.

Know to face the Headmistress. Hopefully Hathaway will keep her tongue for hers and the princess sake.

Shade of green her eyes turn.