Moving Objects

Chapter 22

The photo was of me sleeping in bed wearing the same tank top that I was wearing now. I could tell that from the angle it could have been taken from the building adjacent, and I could see the said building from my bed. I sat up and looked to the window before climbing out of bed. Because it was night time I had left the window open and I peered out of it. I was far enough from the ward lines that it was safe but close enough that I could see the patrol wall.

My phone beeped in my hand again and looked down at it. Another photo. The quality wasn't as good as the previous, but you could clearly see me standing at the window.

I have eyes everywhere Rose. Don't forget that. Love D.

I pulled back from the window and yanked the curtains closed roughly.

If Dimitri had eyes on the inside, was there really anyone here I could trust?

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Lissa seemed happy to finally have her exams done, but I could still see the apprehension in her eyes. She still blocked from me and I knew that she was walking on eggshells around me. To be honest I was surprised when she invited me to stay with her during the week of exams. I wasn't working as a Guardian, but there as her best friend. As odd as it may be, it was nice to have someone next to me at night. Her presence next to me was enough to ward off most of my heinous nightmares.

I waited outside of the lecture hall while Lissa wrote her final exam, English I believe, and I opened my phone, looking down at the picture of me and my friends at my graduation dinner. I hadn't noticed it until now that Dimitri had looked over at me out of the corner of his eye when the picture was taken.

I swiped out of the photo quickly and closed my phone, taking a deep breath. Guardian Jensen looked at me from across the hall and gave me a small smile. I returned it and brought my knees up, wrapping my arms around them. He was younger than I thought he was. He was only twenty-eight but easily looked nineteen, twenty at most. It allowed him to blend in well on campus. Plus it seemed like he was a winner with the ladies with his short brown hair and bright blue eyes.

"How much longer until this is done?" I whined. Guardian Jensen chuckled and looked at his watch. "She should be out any minute."

I nodded and rested my head against the wall behind me. "Are you getting better at wielding your abilities?"

I lifted my head and shrugged. I was getting better. I threw myself into practicing with Dad every day, sometimes I would practice on my own. Sometimes I would seek out others mentally, stroking their happy emotions because it was rare these days that I felt them myself.

"How did you know?"

"I was there in Bora Bora. I was a secondary guard with Howes," he said, his face turning into a frown at the mention of Guardian Howes.

I nodded, remembering that he was there as Lissa came out, her brow furrowed as she and Eddie shouldered their bags.

"All done with?" I asked standing up. Lissa nodded and bounded towards me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "Yes. I say we go and get something to drink to celebrate!"

I looked to Eddie and Jensen before nodding, pulling my coat on and striding with Lissa to the little café down the street. Lissa was going on about what she wanted to do for Christmas, but I was doing a poor job of listening. Lissa, Eddie and I sat at a table by the window and ordered hot chocolates and pastries. I simply played with mine since I had no appetite and sipped my hot chocolate.

"Do you want to come with me and Christian to Tasha's for Christmas dinner? She's been asking about you. Or we could do dinner with just you, me and your parents?"

"I don't know, I haven't decided what I want to do yet," I said softly.

I felt bad for shutting down the conversation, but I doubted that I would be home for Christmas. By the time we got home tomorrow, I planned on being gone on another hunt for Dimitri. Not that I had told anyone that. I wanted to do it alone. My bag was already packed and the money was stored away too. Lissa furrowed her brows and looked out the window, watching the snow start to fall. December came in with snow storms and cold weather. It seemed to match my mood.

I remember Lissa making me watch one of the Twilight movies when we were on the run, and the main character moped around after her lover had left. I remember thinking that she was stupid and whiny for pinning over a man for months on end, but I could sympathize now. Almost two months without Dimitri and I felt numb and empty. Not to mention my search for him came up empty. From what Mason and Ivan instructed, Dimitri was still in the state, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I tried to lure him out again a few days before coming to Lehigh, but it was useless.

"Roza."

I looked around for the source of the noise, only to find Ivan's stricken expression. I furrowed my brow before crippling nausea swept through me. Ivan's expression could only mean one thing. Strigoi. And the one I was looking for in particular. But I couldn't do anything now, not with Lissa here. I jumped up from my seat and pulled Lissa out of hers, dragging her out of the café.

"What is it?" Eddie asked, tailing after us with Huston and Jensen.

I opened my mouth to reply but as a dark figure stepped in my path I stopped, yanking Lissa behind me.

Dimitri.

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Hello hello! Here's an early update!!! I hope you all have had a fantastic week. My weekend was started with my best friend surprising me at my doorstep! I haven't seen my childhood best friend in almost two years, and let me tell you, I was more than thrilled to see her!!

This chapter was only edited by me and if there are errors, I apologize.

Please let me know what you think! I love hearing your feedback.