Moving Objects

Chapter 11

I felt useless as I watched but when I saw one Strigoi knock Mom down, her stake rolled away from her. Dad couldn't get a grip on me before I was out of the car, charging towards the Strigoi while rolling Mom's stake back towards her as I approached. I launched onto the Strigoi and knocked him off, giving Mom enough time to grab her stake and stake the Strigoi I was grappling with.

"I told you to stay in the car!" Mom hissed.

"You're welcome!" I replied back sarcastically as I rounded her, getting into position to cover her back. It was strange fighting with someone but I couldn't focus on that. I needed to be here in the now.

It was almost like breathing as I fought off Strigoi alongside Mom and I quickly staked a Strigoi. I spun around to see that one had slipped through us, and one that looked like it was ancient. I made sure Mom could handle herself before breaking off towards the car with Lissa and the others in it.

The Strigoi just made it to the car when a ring of flames erupted around his face, giving me just enough of a distraction to stake him. I could see Lissa inside the vehicle and I saw the look of relief on her face. I gave her a quick nod before turning around again to face the crowd. I was happy to see that Dimitri was taking down the last one before looking around, eyes landing on me.

"All good?" he asked, looking down to my stomach.

I stood there for a minute as I caught my breath, focusing on the feeling in my stomach before nodding.

"Yeah, we're all good. But I don't know for how long," I said, relaxing my position and sagging. I bent over and rested my hands on my knees for a moment before my stomach stirred again, but not in the same way. I stood upright and scampered to the grass before vomiting up my dinner, groaning when I finished. Maybe the heavy meal was a bad idea.

My hair was pulled out of my face and tissue was handed to me. I took it and stood up straight, turning to find Mom holding my hair back.

"Food didn't have enough time to settle. It happens to all of us," she sympathized. Well, now I felt less crappy about puking post-Strigoi fight.

"Alright, get back in the car. Your father is probably fit to be tied," Mom said, patting my back and directing me to the car. I looked over one last time to see Dimitri give me a firm but heartfelt look before slipping into his own car.

Mom was right - Dad was fit to be tied that I left the car. He barely said a word as we headed back but the moment we crossed the ward lines and got out of the car, he had me wrapped in a bear hug.

"Don't ever do that again," he growled in my ear, squeezing the crap out of me. I wrapped my arms around what I could of him and shrugged.

"That is what my job is going to be, Dad. There is always the risk."

Dad huffed and hugged me harder, even though I didn't think it was possible. I let him do it though because he needed the comfort and I wanted to give it. The Moroi, aside from Dad, were quickly sequestered away to their respective rooms before the Guardians, Eddie, Dad and I headed to see Alberta.

I wiped away at my mouth as we walked and I was grateful when a package of mints appeared in front of me. I smiled at Dimitri as he offered them to me and popped a few in my mouth.

"Is this why you carry mints with you everywhere?" I joked sarcastically. Dimitri shrugged and nudged my shoulder. Alberta was waiting for us outside her office with Kirova and we made our way in quietly. Kirova kicked up a fuss about me and Eddie being there but Mom quickly stepped in and said that it was necessary. Eddie aided the Moroi by staying with them and I had taken down a few Strigoi.

The meeting thankfully didn't last long and we were able to head to bed. I was starving again but didn't think I could stomach any more food after what happened. I hugged my parents good night and started to head back to the dorms. I wasn't far from the main building when I felt Dimitri come into step with me. He didn't say anything but stirred me towards the Guardian building and into one of the lounges.

"What are we doing here?" I asked wearily, rubbing my eyes.

"You need to eat something. I know that you may not feel like it but you need to eat. You'll regret it in the morning if you don't," Dimitri said as he picked out a few sandwiches and a bottle of apple juice. He packed it together before gesturing for us to leave.

I dragged my feet up to my door and let him open the door before shuffling, dumping my late-night meal on my desk. I turned to face him only to bump my face off his chest. He steadied me quickly but left his hands resting on my shoulders, rubbing them softly.

"Are you ok?" he asked. I nodded and rested my forehead against his chest, sighing heavily before wrapping my arms around him.

"I would totally ask you to stay but we still need to keep things on the down-low, plus I don't think I can stay awake much longer," I mumbled into his jacket. How he wore the duster in this heat was beyond me. Dimitri tipped his head down and I felt his lips against my ear before pressing a kiss just behind it and giving me a tight hug.

"You should have stayed in the car," he said quietly and I pulled back, snapping my head up with a glare. The look on his face was calm compared to the daggers I was sending him, and he simply raised an eyebrow.

"I know that you can handle yourself, but you're still a Novice," he whispered, running his finger along the side of my face. I rolled my eyes and rested my head against his chest, too tired to give a shit.

"Alright. I'm going to fall asleep standing up. Good night, Comrade."

"Good night Roza," Dimitri replied, swooping down to give me a kiss on the corner of my mouth. I grimaced slightly because less than two hours ago I had puked, but he didn't really seem to care. He waited until I got situated under the covers before kissing my head and leaving, flicking the light off as he went.