RPOV

Well I'll be damned. Adrian Ivashkov can actually speak Russian.

He's been reminding me of that fact every second of every night, haunting my dreams in order to flaunt his lingual prowess. I'd honestly rather have nightmares, then have to put up with his incessant droning for one more night. Of course he finds it hilarious, my irritation like gasoline to a fire. But I can tell this whole charade is exhausting him, so hopefully it will stop soon. I mean he has to sleep sometime… right?

I climbed out of my bed anxiously. Today I leave Montana behind. I spent my final hours wandering around campus, taking it in one last time, before heading to the tarmac. I boarded quickly hoping fall asleep before Adrian took notice and could terrorized my dreams yet again.

My silent prayer was answered. Adrian was already aboard and slumbering peacefully. I moved past him cautiously, and slid into the seat across the aisle, closing my eyes to rest.

After a few minutes, the attendant softly tapped my shoulder and smiled. "We're about ready for takeoff Sweetheart, are you all set?" She asked gently. I nodded, and she headed toward the cockpit. I stretched my arms out over my head and arched my back in an attempt to loosen up, when my arms hit something hard.

"Ow!" The mysterious object exclaimed. I turned around to see Eddie, rubbing the top of his head, grinning like a fool.

"Surprise!"

"What are you doing here?" I asked bewildered.

"Flying to Russia." He responded still grinning.

I scowled. "You know what I meant. Why are you flying to Russia?"

He maneuvered around his seat to sit next to me. "Lots of reasons Hathaway." The son of a bitch was smirking at me. I clenched my fists, trying not to resort to physical violence.

"Eddie." I growled.

Smiling, he continued. "How am I going to become a kickass guardian, when the best fighter I know is leaving the country? Besides, someone has to keep your ass out of trouble." He teased playfully, jabbing me with his elbow. "And, I'm simply following my charge, so if you want me gone you'll have to take it up with her yourself." His charge? What was he talking about?

"I told you I wasn't getting left behind again." Lissa's head popped up from behind the seat in front of me. I was stunned, again. What was happening?

I shook my head in disbelief. "What no Sparky?" I commented sarcastically.

"Present!" Sparky's head surfaced next to Lissa's. I gaped at him.

"You too?!" This was unbelievable.

"In my defense, Adrian forged my signature and sent my paperwork over without my knowledge. So I'm not really coming for you, I'm just too lazy to transfer back." Christian shot me a lazy smile, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

This was all so overwhelming. My friends, with the exception of maybe Christian were willingly moving to Siberia. Uprooting their lives in the last few months of their senior year for me. I felt so… loved.

I looked at them all, tears falling freely from my eyes. "You are my family," I whispered.

Adrian came over and kissed my temple tenderly. "You're my family too Love."

The school was beautiful, the buildings reminiscent of the ones I had seen in St. Petersburg, colorful and artistic. It was a nice change from the gothic architecture I was so accustomed to.

"Looks like we're in the big leagues now kittens." Adrian commented appreciatively.

As we walked toward the main office, we were met with curious eyes. It was unheard of to have four senior transfers two thirds into the year at any school, so we were big news. After we collected our schedules and room keys, we all went our respective ways, in search of our rooms.

"I can't believe they are making us go to classes today," I complained loudly.

"I'm just grateful it's the middle of the day and we only have two left." Eddie said, looking at his schedule.

I looked at my own. "I have combat training next, and Russian last. You?"

"Same." Eddie responded looking a little relived. I was too. Eddie took the opportunity to look over my schedule. "Yep, they're identical."

Once inside the novice dormitory, we split up, agreeing to meet up in twenty so we could head over to the gym together. Hastily I sprinted up the stairs looking for room 303. The girl's wing was about as deserted as it was back at St. Vlad's, which meant I probably would have a single.

To my surprise, the room was already set up. The bed was made, complete with a fluffy red quilt and plush looking pillows. The desk was arranged with notebooks, pencils, a laptop, a cellphone, and a vibrant bouquet of red tulips. Attached to the tulips was a note, that I snatched eagerly and read.

I took the liberty of providing a few things you are in need of. I trust you'll make me proud.

P.S. Check the closet.

The closet was incredible. It had everything, from top of the line workout gear, to casual wear, to a ball gown and even a few cocktail dresses. I was in awe. I didn't know where I was going to wear half of it, but I could appreciate the beauty of it all. There was a necklace hanging on a nail inside the closet door, the shininess of it catching my eye. I picked it up and examined it. The pendant was a glittering gold snake, hanging on a long chain. A snake? I wondered. Then it clicked. Zmey. It had to be. I shook my head and smiled. As eccentric and insane as he was, the man cared about me. And I though I hate to admit it, I to care about him too.

I hastily looped the necklace around my neck, threw a change of clothes in a bag, and ran to meet Eddie.

The gym was easy enough to find, as long as we used our maps. When we entered the room, everyone fell silent. Eddie looked at me and shrugged, walking toward the boy's locker room. I followed suit, and headed for the girls.

After stowing my things, I came out of the locker room, scanning the mats for Eddie. He wasn't hard to find, due to the small group of novices lingering behind him, no doubt trying to catch a glimpse of his molnija marks. This had been happening since he walked through the gates this morning. People would see the back of his neck, do a double take, whisper to the person beside them, and then a group of them would traipse after him. I felt bad for Eddie. It was really starting to creep him out. Due to my long hair I was able to avoid it this morning, but I had a feeling my luck was about to run out.

I made way over to Eddie, while French braiding my hair in an attempt to cover my neck. Unfortunately, my braid wasn't enough to deter the stares, whispers and finger pointing that erupted as I sat next to him. Word had already spread about the new American students, and if that wasn't news enough, our molnija marks were icing on the cake. Oh goody.

Deciding to ignore my over attentive classmates, I turned to Eddie and started stretching. "Got any info on the instructor?" I asked.

"Actually, yeah." He scooted closer to me and lowers his voice. "According to my roommate, it's led by a Guardian Banks. Ever heard of him?"

I shook my head. "I guess he's pretty new. Got here a few months ago, from court." Eddie finished.

"Like the Royal Court in Pennsylvania?" I asked incredulously.

He nodded. "The one and only. No idea what-"

Eddie was cut off when a tall Dhampir walked in the room, shouting something authoritatively in Russian. I assumed he must be Guardian Banks. I took a minute to study him. His hair was jet black and he wore it in a buzz cut. His dark hair was offset by a pair steely blue eyes. Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn't place him.

Banks, clapped his hands again, and the students started for the door. Eddie and I looked at each other and shrugged, following our peers. I guess today was going to be a follow the leader type day.

As we walked out the door, Eddie nudged me. "Banks is staring at you."

I whipped my head around, and sure enough he was. Although staring is putting it kindly. "He's looking at me like murdered his mother or something." I mumbled under my breath.

Eddie chuckled shaking his head, "Only you Rose can make enemies without needing to meet them first." He was enjoying this far too much for my liking.

I grumbled. Despite my uncanny ability to make foes over friends, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen this guy somewhere. Eddie said he came from Royal Court. Hmm. Banks looked like he was in his mid-twenties. He couldn't be one of Tatiana's guardians could he? But that wouldn't make sense. Tatiana only hated me because of my threat to Adrian's social status. Her guardian's wouldn't care about that. Would they?

The other novices led us to a large field that was situated behind the gym, and starting running its perimeter. Eddie and I followed, keeping pace with the front of the pack. As we ran our laps, Banks came out to supervise, leaning against the back wall of the gym. Lap after lap, his glaring continued, although Eddie wasn't spared this time around. I could feel him tense up.

"You sure you don't know him Hathaway?" Eddie inquired, his tone stern. "Cause I know that I sure don't."

"I don't think so!" I answered disgruntledly. "But I'm starting to get the feeling that I must have done something to him. But I swear, whether I pissed him off or not, if he doesn't stop looking at me like that, I'll wipe that grin off his face myself."

He smiled. "Come on now Rose, you can't get kicked out after one day!" He was right. And damn him for that.

I sighed. "Fine, I'll behave. For now…"

The rest of the class proceeded as was to be expected. Fortunately, Banks switched to English for us new comers, but his never let up the glare. It was starting to draw attention from the rest of the class who were eyeing us with more curiosity than before.

And then, I remembered him.

"Son of a bitch!" I exclaimed. Eddie shot me a questioning look. Grabbing him by the arm, I steered him to the side of the room, as far away from guardian Banks as was possible.

"Rose what is it?" I knew this was going to come back and bite me in the ass.

"I remember how I know Guardian Banks… and man are we screwed." I whispered frantically.

Eddie was taken aback. "Who is he?!"

"He was the guardian in charge of the gate Christian and I went through at the ski lodge. The one in Idaho!" Eddie gaped at me. "You remember, when we went after you dumbasses!" My arms were flailing at this point, and some of the novices were inching closer attempting to eavesdrop.

"This is bad." Eddie deadpanned. "Only you Rose. I swear." He let out a hearty laugh, somehow managing to find this funny. "It was a flashlight right?"

"Does it matter?!" I replied dryly. Eddie keeled over laughing hysterically. I wanted to tell him to shut up, but he looked… happy. His eyes were dancing, his face relaxed. I hadn't seen this side of him since before Spokane, and it filled me with warmth. The corners of my lips involuntarily turned up, and soon I was laughing too.

"What are you two doing" Banks snapped, his hatful eyes moved between us. Eddie straightened, guardian mask in place once again.

"Nothing sir, apologies for the distraction." Eddie answered, assuming his guardian mask. Banks raised an eyebrow.

"Come here, both of you." Banks ordered. A hint of malice flickered in his eyes. "Why don't you tell us a little bit about those marks on your necks? We're all dying to know a little bit about our newest recruits." Eddie became rigid, as did I. Our classmates moved in, unable to hide how eager they were to hear our answers. The question itself wasn't all that unreasonable, but the way he asked it seemed cold, and calculated. It left an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"What about them." I answered coldly.

An arrogant smile spread across his face. "Was it worth it?"

"I'm not sure I understand the question sir." Eddie muttered.

Banks narrowed his eyes and took a step closer to Eddie. "What I am asking Novice Castile, is if you deem your marks as a worthy trade for what you lost." I was shocked. Who the hell does this guy think he is, and what was he getting at? Anger was welling up in my chest.

"With all due respect sir, our school was under attack." Eddie's tone was pure ice. "If we hadn't helped, we would have lost more people than we already did."

"And you thought you were more qualified to fight the intruders than fully fledged guardians?" Some of the student snickered, clearly enjoying the show.

"What did you expect us to do?" I interrupted impatiently. "Politely ask all fifty strigoi if they would hold off their attack until we were all legal? Or are you suggesting we should have just stepped aside and offered the Moroi over as snacks?" I growled. My anger was steadily approaching its breaking point. I knew I needed to calm myself down so I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath. I reached for Eddie, clasping our hands together, and gave him a gentle squeeze.

He looked down at me, and I shook my head, wordlessly communicating that Banks wasn't worth it, and he needed to calm down. Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand, and nodded. He understood.

"Let's move on then. I'm honestly more interested in how Miss Hathaway here received her first two marks. Spokane, correct?" A triumphant look appeared on bastards face. Eddie's grip on my hand tightened, and he began to shake furiously.

Banks's words stung, and were way below the belt. Eddie and I both blamed ourselves enough for Mason's death as is. We sure as hell didn't need some smug teacher reminding us our past mistakes as a way to regain some of his pride.

"What's your fascination with our molnija marks anyway? Did we give you a complex or something?" I asked angrily. The students in the room gasped.

For the first time, Banks looked flustered. "I'm teaching you what it means to be a guardian."

"Oh sure you are." I countered sarcastically. "I think you're using our tragic pasts to ease your wounded ego."

Banks was livid. He continued his verbally abusive tirade, but I no longer heard any of it. I was too distracted by Eddie's hand. He squeezed mine gently three times and then let go. His hand then found its way under my shirt, running up my back, until it stopped. He looked at me meaningfully, and I realized he was touching Mason's initials. I looked into his somber eyes while my hand found its way under his shirt as well. When my fingers made contact with Mason's inscription, I felt a small jolt run through my arm, straight through to my chest. We both jumped, eyes wide, while retracting our hands.

Banks cleared his throat loudly, breaking Eddie and I's intense gaze.

I don't know what just happened, but I knew who I needed to talk to. As the bell rang I sprinted back to my dorm. I wanted answers, and I wasn't going to wait for them.