It had been hard convincing Ysabel that Leon wasnât a Strigoi or any sort of phantom. Not only had her thoughts flowed into his mind in an incoherent mass, his own confusion only added to the perplexing discussion the two had in the middle of the ruined gas station. Then, the guardians arrived, quickly swarming and securing the area, followed directly by the alchemists who immediately went to the two Strigoi bodies that lay on the floor. Leon sighed as he stood up, his wounds all healed, to face Marcus and Belikov. Here we go. Leon thought as he watched Marcus open his mouth, spittle flying out as he started to berate Leon- though the two were definitely on the same level within the guardian circle. âFor fuck's sake, Schwartz! I don't see how the fuck everyone thinks you're some big fucking legendary hero when all you've done is put your ward in danger! This is the second time this year that she's nearly lost her life. Do I need to remind you that she is one of only ten remaining Contas?!â Leon carefully managed his own emotions, only to feel irritation spill into his mind from Ysabel. The sight of him standing in front of Marcus flashed into his mind from where Ysabel sat,
âOye! Lay off, Marcus!â Leon shot Ysabel a look, hoping that the Moroi would stand down for the time being- if she managed to embarrass Marcus in front of the large congregation of Guardians and Alchemists alike, Leon would never hear the end of it. But it wasnât Ysabel that continued the conversation- it was Marcus. âLady Conta, please. I understand that he is your friend as much as he is your Guardian. But he cannot get away with letting you-â Leon narrowed his eyes at Marcus, annoyed that the Guardian had picked directly at the one thing Leon feared the most. I am growing too close with Ysabel. But before he could open his mouth to agree with the other Guardian, Ysabel reached up and slapped Marcus across the face, anger radiating from her into Leonâs mind. No- Ysabel- But Leonâs thoughts did not reach her mind. âHe is my Guardian. His job is to do as I say. He, nor any other Dhampir lets me do anything.â Shock filled Leon as he watched the short Moroi angrily telling the much taller Guardian off- but this shock was soon replaced by amusement. Leon shot a quick glance to Belikov, and saw that the other guardian was amused as he, especially since the two both shared a mutual dislike towards Marcus.
âYou've been a Guardian for going on eleven years. You know the rules â Moroi come first. Even the most trivial of their wants are placed above a Dhampir's needs. And I want to fight with my Guardians. I understand how important I am to Moroi politics, but Dhampirs, Guardians especially, are just as essential to our survival as Moroi are to making and enforcing our laws. I refuse to stand by and watch the people I care about, the people that I can trust, be slaughtered to protect me as though I am some helpless lamb. That is my decision and mine alone to make. Not yours, Leon's, or anyone else.â The amusement Leon felt earlier immediately vanished, his stern expression appearing once more on his face. It was obvious that the two would be in large trouble, especially due to Ysabelâs bold words. Leonâs mind rushed as he once again found himself standing in Ysabelâs mind, her anger pulsating through his body as he watched Marcus turn red through Ysabelâs eyes. But as immediately as he had entered Ysabelâs mind, Leon was out again, as the Moroi walked to their surprisingly unscathed Nissan Rogue. âI need a shower and food.â
Leon escorted Ysabel back to her dorm, though the Moroi hadnât said much. He could feel how shaken she felt through their new connection, but she put on a cool appearance as she interacted with the other Moroi on campus, each appalled at the amount of blood that now ruined Ysabelâs teal dress. âI will arrive and pick you up later, Lady Ysabel.â Leon said with a firm bow as he watched her disappear into the Moroi dormitory. Slowly, he backed away and then turned rapidly, walking quickly out of the building and towards the Guardian dorms. He knew that her mind would take over his quick- her emotions had been spilling over his ever since they had entered the Nissan Rogue, but Leon hadnât known how to comfort Ysabel. I am her Guardian. I shouldnât have let this happen. I was supposed to keep her safe! Leon cursed as he hit the wall of the dorm he had been walking along, anger coursing through his veins. How could I let this happen?
Suddenly, Leon was no longer in the courtyard- he was in the shower in Ysabelâs body. He tried to close his mind but to no avail, as Ysabelâs emotions was too strong. Her mind flooded his with grief and shock, as images of himself bloodied and mangled surfaced in his mind. Ysabel!- But still, his voice did not reach her. Leon opened his eyes to see the large courtyard of St. Vladâs once again spreading in front of his eyes, his shaky hand placed against the wall of the Moroi dormitory. âWhat in the world-â Leon crouched down, his left hand rubbing his temple as cold sweat ran down his spine. What am I? His lips pursed as Leon shook his head and got up once more, his eyes blazing with determination. I am not good enough for Lady Ysabel- at least, no longer. It is high time that I separate from her before we become tooâŠattached.
âWhat really happened when you two walked outside?â Leonâs eyes snapped from the back of Ysabelâs head to Alberta, narrowing slightly as he watched the slightly older woman. It was obvious that she at least would have guessed that something worse happened⊠He coughed once, raising his hand to his mouth before focusing on Alberta once more. âAlberta, it was all a blunder on my side. What Lady Conta said is true- and it is only true because I let my guard down.â Leon stopped as he looked at Ysabelâs head once more and then back at Alberta, who now scrutinized Leonâs every movement. He glared back, though he tilted his head down slightly in a show of respect towards the stronger Guardian. Alberta sighed. âI have never heard you fail a mission, though- both you and Belikov have perfect records. I find it hard to believe that you were unable to dispatch two Strigoi effectively.â She got up and paced behind her desk and seat, her hands folded behind her back.
Leon shook his head, and then looked up to watch Alberta pacing. âI was caught off guard. The two Strigoi had makeup on- I am sure you have seen the reports from the Alchemists, already. They looked like any other normal human being, and while I had my back turned, they attacked the both of us.â The words flowed off of Leonâs tongue as he watched Alberta emotionlessly, his voice near monotonous. He didnât dare to look at Ysabel. âBecause of this large blunder, I believe that I am no longer capable of continuing my role as Lady Contaâs Guardian.â Alberta turned around quickly, an air of caution surrounded her as she watched Leon. âI am sure you understand, Alberta. A Guardian who makes a blunder should not be assigned to one of the last members of the Conta family.â Crossing his hands behind his back, Leon stood tall and cast his eyes on the ground, his head bowed, as if he were a criminal waiting for a verdict.
âOye! Lay off, Marcus!â Leon shot Ysabel a look, hoping that the Moroi would stand down for the time being- if she managed to embarrass Marcus in front of the large congregation of Guardians and Alchemists alike, Leon would never hear the end of it. But it wasnât Ysabel that continued the conversation- it was Marcus. âLady Conta, please. I understand that he is your friend as much as he is your Guardian. But he cannot get away with letting you-â Leon narrowed his eyes at Marcus, annoyed that the Guardian had picked directly at the one thing Leon feared the most. I am growing too close with Ysabel. But before he could open his mouth to agree with the other Guardian, Ysabel reached up and slapped Marcus across the face, anger radiating from her into Leonâs mind. No- Ysabel- But Leonâs thoughts did not reach her mind. âHe is my Guardian. His job is to do as I say. He, nor any other Dhampir lets me do anything.â Shock filled Leon as he watched the short Moroi angrily telling the much taller Guardian off- but this shock was soon replaced by amusement. Leon shot a quick glance to Belikov, and saw that the other guardian was amused as he, especially since the two both shared a mutual dislike towards Marcus.
âYou've been a Guardian for going on eleven years. You know the rules â Moroi come first. Even the most trivial of their wants are placed above a Dhampir's needs. And I want to fight with my Guardians. I understand how important I am to Moroi politics, but Dhampirs, Guardians especially, are just as essential to our survival as Moroi are to making and enforcing our laws. I refuse to stand by and watch the people I care about, the people that I can trust, be slaughtered to protect me as though I am some helpless lamb. That is my decision and mine alone to make. Not yours, Leon's, or anyone else.â The amusement Leon felt earlier immediately vanished, his stern expression appearing once more on his face. It was obvious that the two would be in large trouble, especially due to Ysabelâs bold words. Leonâs mind rushed as he once again found himself standing in Ysabelâs mind, her anger pulsating through his body as he watched Marcus turn red through Ysabelâs eyes. But as immediately as he had entered Ysabelâs mind, Leon was out again, as the Moroi walked to their surprisingly unscathed Nissan Rogue. âI need a shower and food.â
Leon escorted Ysabel back to her dorm, though the Moroi hadnât said much. He could feel how shaken she felt through their new connection, but she put on a cool appearance as she interacted with the other Moroi on campus, each appalled at the amount of blood that now ruined Ysabelâs teal dress. âI will arrive and pick you up later, Lady Ysabel.â Leon said with a firm bow as he watched her disappear into the Moroi dormitory. Slowly, he backed away and then turned rapidly, walking quickly out of the building and towards the Guardian dorms. He knew that her mind would take over his quick- her emotions had been spilling over his ever since they had entered the Nissan Rogue, but Leon hadnât known how to comfort Ysabel. I am her Guardian. I shouldnât have let this happen. I was supposed to keep her safe! Leon cursed as he hit the wall of the dorm he had been walking along, anger coursing through his veins. How could I let this happen?
Suddenly, Leon was no longer in the courtyard- he was in the shower in Ysabelâs body. He tried to close his mind but to no avail, as Ysabelâs emotions was too strong. Her mind flooded his with grief and shock, as images of himself bloodied and mangled surfaced in his mind. Ysabel!- But still, his voice did not reach her. Leon opened his eyes to see the large courtyard of St. Vladâs once again spreading in front of his eyes, his shaky hand placed against the wall of the Moroi dormitory. âWhat in the world-â Leon crouched down, his left hand rubbing his temple as cold sweat ran down his spine. What am I? His lips pursed as Leon shook his head and got up once more, his eyes blazing with determination. I am not good enough for Lady Ysabel- at least, no longer. It is high time that I separate from her before we become tooâŠattached.
âWhat really happened when you two walked outside?â Leonâs eyes snapped from the back of Ysabelâs head to Alberta, narrowing slightly as he watched the slightly older woman. It was obvious that she at least would have guessed that something worse happened⊠He coughed once, raising his hand to his mouth before focusing on Alberta once more. âAlberta, it was all a blunder on my side. What Lady Conta said is true- and it is only true because I let my guard down.â Leon stopped as he looked at Ysabelâs head once more and then back at Alberta, who now scrutinized Leonâs every movement. He glared back, though he tilted his head down slightly in a show of respect towards the stronger Guardian. Alberta sighed. âI have never heard you fail a mission, though- both you and Belikov have perfect records. I find it hard to believe that you were unable to dispatch two Strigoi effectively.â She got up and paced behind her desk and seat, her hands folded behind her back.
Leon shook his head, and then looked up to watch Alberta pacing. âI was caught off guard. The two Strigoi had makeup on- I am sure you have seen the reports from the Alchemists, already. They looked like any other normal human being, and while I had my back turned, they attacked the both of us.â The words flowed off of Leonâs tongue as he watched Alberta emotionlessly, his voice near monotonous. He didnât dare to look at Ysabel. âBecause of this large blunder, I believe that I am no longer capable of continuing my role as Lady Contaâs Guardian.â Alberta turned around quickly, an air of caution surrounded her as she watched Leon. âI am sure you understand, Alberta. A Guardian who makes a blunder should not be assigned to one of the last members of the Conta family.â Crossing his hands behind his back, Leon stood tall and cast his eyes on the ground, his head bowed, as if he were a criminal waiting for a verdict.