Chapter 1

There's a tap at my window. I walk over, my hair still dripping wet, and listen closely. I release the touch only slightly to sense something, anything. I got absolutely nothing. I walk over to my new and improved wardrobe and search for something to wear. Nat had been taking me out as often as possible to shop. It was a wonder how she thought I would need more crap. I finally had to put an end to her rampage when she started to suggest dresses Gran wouldn't approve of and shoes that look like they could cut the thickest of skin severely. I admit I wouldn't have minded them as a weapon but then again I could not stand in them if my life were threatening me! So we made an agreement, I would let her pick out my clothes as long as One: they had to go with my combat boots (I have taken a liking to Doc Martens) Two: if they didn't go with my boots they absolutely cannot show my midriff, and last but not least Three: dresses had to be at least one inch below my finger tips or more! She argued a bit until I told her that it was either that or I stick to target! She gave in eventually and I have no complaints over anything she chooses anymore, even the designer jeans. I decided on a charcoal flowing tunic with black rhinestones all over the front, some leggings that actually surprised me by being comfortable and my black combat boots with the steel toe. I completed the look with a blazer and examined myself in the mirror adjusting the cuffs by my elbows.

That is when I heard a tap again, only this time louder and more familiar. I wasn't sure how I knew there was something (not someone) tapping at my window. I pulled my hair up into a pony tail and went for my malaika, preparing myself for whatever was threatening to come in. After a few minutes I realized that it was nothing again. I released the touch with its little fingers reaching out, but again got nothing. So you can imagine how my heart jumped to my throat when I heard the bang on the door. When I screamed the banging got more intense, whoever it was was panicking now. I rushed over and opened the door. Christophe went straight for the window, which I didn't realize until he was already there because he used that eerie speed. Nat was in right after with Shanks and Ash flanking her. The window was yanked open and a gush of freezing cold wind pushed through the room. I looked from the three wulfen to Christophe than back to them.

"What is going on here!?" I tried to sound tough, failed and only sounded like a small scared child. The chills were still creeping up my back big time. "What the hell Chris? Wheres the fire?"

"Sorry Dru, but when I heard you scream after Robert knocked on your door I thought something was wrong." He replied in a tone that made my cheeks warm, "And when you opened the door something did not smell right coming from the direction of your window."

At least I know I wasn't going crazy. When I looked back over at Nat she turned pale as did Shanks and Ash (paler than usual). I started to catch on and when I was about to ask I was immediately cut off-

"We have to get her out of this room and have the grounds inspected immediately," Nat said barely over a whisper. She turned to me, "Dru I know you hate being told what to do and especially when you feel as if we're herding you, but we need to get to the council room, now." Wow, she has never used a tone like this, it was firm, commanding, but dripped with fear.

"I have team 3 on ground surveillance, team 2 on surveillance within the walls, and team one is in shadow of the wulfen and Dru," I heard Benjamin say in a full ready for war type mode.

I was being taken to the council room with Christophe in the lead, Ash and Nat to my left and right and Shanks tailing us. They were my Guard. The council was insulted but hid it when I said that I did not want to go with tradition and have only djamphir guards, but that I wanted those I can fully trust with my life to Guard me. After a few dreadful hours of discussion they finally agreed to my terms along with a few of their own. I was to have 4 teams of Guards including the one's I chose! Being their only svetocha I guess they felt they needed me protected. Each team had different tasks, my closest main guard was to be with me at all times when I am not in my room, team one would guard from a distance, two from shadow, and the last from the outside. I complained about it constantly without getting anywhere and finally got really good at ignoring them all. I really wanted Dibs to be a part of it but he said it was too conflicting because he was sub, and he did better work in the infirmary than a battle field, which I eventually agreed.

We made it to the council room's huge double doors and as soon a Christophe opened them and made sure it was safe he ushered us all in. Hiro and Bruce were obviously not expecting us, I could tell by their shocked faces. Augie however took one look at our group and knew something was up. We finally made it into the council room and all sat in our usual places, Christophe doing his usual pacing explaining to the rest of them what just happened.

"We will search the grounds thoroughly and find whatever has been getting past our outer surveillances," Hiro growled. "Miss Anderson must be protected, even if we have to post above and below her bedroom window."

"We cannot take this sort of threat lightly, we have no clue what we are dealing with," Bruce said calmly but agreeing with Hiro.

"Excuse me, but would someone tell me what exactly is going on here…" I asked knowing what August says next isn't going to thrill me.

"Dru, there is something that has the ability to get past our outer perimeter and our surveillances. We don't catch it until the motion detectors in your courtyard alert us. Tonight those didn't even work. I can see the fear in your eyes. Tell me sweetheart, what did you see?" August asked as politely as possible, with that same tint of fear Nat had.

"Well I was drying my hair when I heard a tap at the window, when I walked over to it I tried to sense something, anything, but didn't feel a thing," I knew something was up with my window being tapped on at night, only Nat ever tapped at my window, but it was during daylight hours. They didn't need to know that detail though. "I finished getting ready when I heard it again, this time it was louder and more than just once," they all looked horrified, "I tried to concentrate on sensing anything then too, but that was when my door got knocked on and I screamed." That's when the sudden realization hit me, the wards on my walls didn't react to whatever was there. I remember seeing the blue lines over the wall but they weren't reacting to whatever it was outside my window.

Suddenly Benjamin and his team, the twin blondes and another kid that had been suggested by Hiro, all looking fierce and deadly, came into the council room to let us know that they didn't find anything out of the normal.

I finally came out of the shell shock I was in and directed my next question at Christophe, "You told them not to tell me about the previous attacks didn't you?"

"First of all they weren't ATTACKS persay-" He started but I cut him off.

"I cannot believe you would do this yet again!" I started to rise from my chair infuriated.

"DRU-" Augie said firmly, "it was me who told them not to say anything to you. I didn't want to alarm you. Chris wanted to but-"

"But we all agreed that we didn't want you worried" Nat chimed in. I stared at them shocked and gave Christophe an apologetic look that he quickly brushed away.

"Wow, you have gotta be kidding me." Ash gave me a look that I suddenly understood. The look in his eyes made me feel utterly guilty and I immediately stopped what I was going to say next. "When is it safe to go back to my room?"

"You still have classes Mila-Dru" said Bruce. They knew how I felt about the milady and were pretty okay with my request of not being called that. "We can arrange for your tutors to come here if you'd like."

I looked every single person in this room in the eyes and grabbed my stubbornness down with both hands and said as calmly as possible, "Okay." If they were shocked they hid it well.

"Very well." Bruce said and with a confirmed nod to Ben and his team they went to gather up my tutors. I looked over to Christophe at that moment and he looked back at me with a pained expression. As the room emptied it was just us two left, he stood facing me from the far end of the long table in front of the doors. He's been that way since I asked him to give me space. He looks at me as they all do, a precious svetocha who they must protect. Every once in awhile I catch him looking at me with a longing gaze, the one that used to make my heart flutter, but it goes away as quickly as it appears. All in all he has been a complete gentleman and very respectful of my wishes. He's giving me exactly what I am asking for, only showing me that he still cares when he feels it's needed. I appreciated that, I appreciated him.

"Thank you, Chris" I said looking directly in his eyes.

"For what, Miss Anderson?" he replied with that crooked smile that put butterflies in my stomach.

"For everything." Just then the first of my tutors are knocking and entering the room cutting off our moment.