Author's Note: Hey guys, hope you enjoy my story but I have to be fair and warn you I have a crazy schedule and can't update as often as I'd like. Anyway be patient with me and comment!

Summary:

Rose is in jail and on the role for execution. She needs to get out in time to find Lissa's half sibling, but something is happening to her…her shadow kissed powers are increasing. She is suddenly dragged into the dark striking world of the shadow plane. Her connection to the dead is becoming more prominent. What will become of Lissa with her next in line for the crown? Will Rose and Dimitri end up together or will she remain with Adrian? Will Rose conquer the shadows or will they consume her? The queen's murderer is not completely gone either. He or she won't rest until chaos ensues and Rose is dead. So many questions, but one thing is sure…nothing will be the same.

Chapter 1: TIk Tok.

Want to know why people go to jail?

They go because they steal, lie, viciously murder, sell drugs, run nude through Target, whatever. Most don't go to jail because they're INNOCENT. But I guess I shouldn't be talking because I most likely would be going to jail. I'm going to be executed.

I know, execution, you're shocked. But then again you might be one of the moroi who are rutting for my death, for the supposed 'murderer' of the queen. I guess I should have seen this coming, me and my big mouth, but I don't regret on thing I said (or shouted) to the queen. Hey don't get me wrong I disliked the queen, but I never wanted her dead. What I don't get is how she could have been killed or why for that matter? There was also the problem of how I was going to get out of this damned cell and find Lissa's sibling. My hands curled around the note from the queen. I quietly lifted it from my pocket, making sure none of the guards could see, and held it tightly in my hands.

This note could possibly prove my innocence if I showed it tothe council, but that would kill any chance I had of finding Lissa's sibling. And the queen had said to show almost no one. I was thinking of who I could trust with the secret when my father's voice broke the silence.

"What is that?" I jumped a little and spun to see Zemy, the Turkish gangster who was my father. He was looking at my paper with suspicious, piercing eyes.

"Nothing" I quickly folded it away and crossed my arms.

"So old man, why have you decided to grace me with your presence" I have not seen my 'lawyer' in the past three days. Anger burned in my chest, but I kept my guardian mask on.

"I'm sorry Rose, but it's been tough getting your case together," it was then I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and how he looked ten years older. My anger dimmed…but only a little.

"So you think it's ok to leave me in the dark! It's my freakin life at stake here," I yelled, Lissa's spirit darkness seeping into my head. He had a wild intense look in his eyes, taking a step closer to the bars.

"You will not be executed Rose. I came here to tell you they scheduled your trial for tomorrow and that I want you to be ready for it" Wow shock filled my body, tomorrow. My fate would be decided tomorrow.

"Now I want to talk to you about the details" I nodded and he went on talking about the witnesses he was going to call, etc. He left about an hour later and I was left in the silence of my cell. No guards stood outside my cell, don't ask me why because I have know idea.

I guess it was a way of punishment, secluding me from any human contact.

I left in my thoughts again and like always my mind floated back to Dimitri. The look I saw in his eyes at my hearing, the way he protected me. They went against everything he'd been saying to me. That love fades. I silently cringed against the harsh memory. Numbness spread through my body and I put my head in my hands.

How was I going to get out of this? Suddenly I felt a sharp pain on my arm, burning it.

I cried out and fell to my knees as the pain started growing. It was like my arm had been shoved in a box of knifes, ripping at the skin. Tears pricked at my eyes and the stark white cell walls seemed blurry and blanketed in shadows. Then as suddenly as the pain came it just…stopped. My vision slowly returned as well.

"What the-" I rolled my sleeve up and gasped. On my arm was an intricate black tattoo. I couldn't make out much but I could see a black sword and a raven perched on its handle. The raven had piercing eyes, gloomy and predatory at the same time. The tattoo would have been cool if I had remembered actually getting a tattoo there!

Just as I was thinking this the design seemed to shift, like a wave. Holy cramp. The raven spread it wings, opening them to full length. Oh my god, I've finally lost it.

"Rose" an eerie voice whispered behind me. I spun and reached for my stake, only to remember that I don't have one. But it didn't really matter because there was no one in the cell except me.

"Whose there?" I said in a strong voice, trying to hide my growing fear. No one answered.

I never received an answer…because I was knocked out from behind.