Moving Objects

Chapter 11

"Probably go back to court. Although, I've been thinking about taking an art class at a local college."

His statement stunned all of us into stillness. I was surprised to hear him say art classes but I could understand it. He always saw colours no matter what he did or what he looked at, so I could understand the appeal.

"I think you'd do well in that," I piped up from my spot across from him. He looked up and gave me a small genuine smile before returning his attention to his meal. I gobbled down my meal and leaned back in my chair with a happy sigh, my hand coming to rest on my bloated stomach. Dad had a smile on his face the whole time we were here and it made me happy to see how happy everyone was here. Everyone had a smile on their face - even Dimitri. Although it wasn't a full smile like he gave me when we were alone, it was a smile nonetheless.

When the waitress came around with the cheque, Tasha, Dimitri, Lissa and Adrian all reached for their wallets but Dad already had the bill paid, tip included. He also shelled out some bills for the meals for the Guardians before guiding us all outside. While the sun was starting to set, we climbed into the vehicles and took as little time as we could before we headed back towards the academy.

Lissa and Christian elected to ride back with Tasha, so they along with Dimitri went in one vehicle and Eddie and Adrian went back with the other school Guardians, leaving just me and my parents to go back with Pavel. I climbed into the backseat with Dad and leaned my head against the window, smiling at the full feeling in my stomach before speaking.

"I know my envelope was empty."

"That's correct, Kiz."

"So, no graduation gift?" I laughed, sitting up and looking at Dad. Mom turned around in the passenger seat and gave me a smile before looking to Dad.

"Go ahead, Abe. Spoil your daughter."

Dad chuckled and crossed his leg over the other before returning his attention to me.

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?"

I rolled my eyes and snorted a laugh. I didn't have money to go anywhere in the world, but I decided to indulge him anyway.

"I don't know. Bora Bora? Italy? Greece? Why?"

"You need to pick one dear, because in two weeks you and Lissa will be going to one."

Pardon me?

"I said that in two weeks, which is right after you move back to court that you and Lissa will be going on a trip. A three-week-long trip to be exact."

I gapped like a fish at them while Mom laughed at my expression. Were they serious? Where the hell did they get the money to do something like this? I was so shocked that Dad started to laugh too, leaning over to kiss my cheek and ruffling my hair.

"Don't look so shocked. If we had the opportunity to live all together we would have gone on trips all the time. I know that we can't take back the birthdays and Christmases missed, but I want to do what I can now before you start life as a Guardian.

I was still lost for words when the car lurched to a stop. Dad's arm swung out across my chest to keep me from flying forward in my seat before we both slammed back into the seats. I looked over Pavel's shoulder to see a car stranded in the middle of the road, the lights on but all the doors open. I shook my head as I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned further over the middle console to see what was going on.

That was when the crippling wave of nausea hit me. I groaned and clutched at my stomach while trying to spit out the words.

"It's a Strigoi attack!" I bit out as Mom and Pavel moved into position. Mom ordered the two of us to stay in the car, slipping a stake to me just in case. I watched the Guardians move out of the other vehicles and I watched as Dimitri joined the fray too. I could feel myself practically bouncing in my seat as I watched at least fifteen Strigoi face off against the seven Guardians.