Author's Note

Hello readers,

Please note that this story is Rated M for swearing and sex scenes. Some chapters may be triggering or have adult themes to them. I recommend that if you aren't prepared for these, that you do not progress with reading the story. Some themes are very far from the books purposely.

I do not own any of Richelle Mead's characters or her novel's story lines. I aim to update a chapter every week or so.

the story is mainly told from Dimitri's POV, but there will be a couple of chapters that will be told from Rose's POV later in the story.

I will also have a small cross over with one of Richelle Mead's characters from a seperate series. I always thought about how to two strong women would interact together so I hope you enjoy it when the chapter appears.

This is my first fan fiction and I encourage any readers to leave reviews or PM me with any constructive criticisms you feel would improve my writing or the story itself.

-RCap

Rosemarie Mazur, Turkey.

Those three words brought my mind to a halt. Mazur! That name was extremely well known. I had heard of Rosemarie before as well. Ibrahim Mazur's daughter and partner in their business. Not much about their personal lives were known, only that there had once been three of them, Ibrahim's wife, and Rosemarie's mother. Janine.

I remember hearing about her when I was younger. Much younger. Guardian Hathaway she went by, and the stories would leave us novices in awe of her. Although Strigoi was not the Guardian's downfall, Mafia killings were strewn throughout those areas, Janine falling victim to one. The family business was not a safe one, and yet no one really knew what their business was. Everyone just came up with their own theories. Rosemarie Mazur. The name ran through my head repeatedly until I had begun imagining what she looked like.

All I knew about her was that she was the only Dhampir to have a Queen assigned Guardian. She was unpromised, but she wore molnija marks. Now that I was the Guardian for a mobster's daughter, I knew that I wouldn't just be protecting her from Strigoi; I would be protecting her from Moroi as well. The people I was trained to put first. I didn't know what I would be walking into when I reach the Mazur household. But I knew it wasn't going to be anything like Guarding Ivan.

One of Ibrahim's Guardians picked me up from the airport as we drove towards the house, which was surprisingly tucked away in the suburbs. Guardian Aaron Jarden was Ibrahim's far guard and rightfully so, having this Guardian and Ibrahim walking side by side would have stood out in any crowd.

"So" Aaron sighed, "You're from Russia huh?"

"Yeah, Russia" I sighed longingly, thinking of how much I would have preferred a charge back home

"Don't stress too much about being away from home. Rose makes a lot of business trips to Russia" he chuckled

"Really?"

"Yeah, her and Sofia would be there at least once a month" he beamed, the name Sofia not ringing any bells for me

"Uh, sorry I don't recognise the name Sofia?" I questioned,

"Oh shit, yes you wouldn't. Sofia Kaya, she is-" Aaron cut himself off, his face turning from a smile so more of a haunted look, "-was, Sofia was Rose's Guardian. She was shot during an attack on Rose a few weeks ago" his hand tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles going white

"I'm sorry to hear about that. Were you and Ibrahim's other Guardian close to her?"

"Yeah, I guess, she was a lot closer to Rose though. The Queen appointed Sofia to Rose after she survived an abduction"

"Abduction?" I spluttered, "How old was she?"

"I'd say about sixteen?" Aaron murmured, "Ever since then, Abe pulls out all the stops. He got the Queen to appoint Sofia for Rose and when the Queen wouldn't appoint her at least a second Guardian he hired security from the Dhampir communities"

"Dhampir security" I muttered

"Those guys are just as good as us Belikov, only difference is the tattoo we have, and the one they don't" he said as we pulled into the driveway, adding the SUV to the many other that were scattered in the driveway and on the would have thought a Guardian raid was going on right in front of you.

"Welcome to the Lion's Den Belikov, you should fit right in" Aaron laughed as he jumped out of the black SUV and began walking up the footpath leading to the house. It was pretty much what I expected.
Two story mansion if you want to go that far. The grand entrance was elegant, and the flowers made it look like it was extremely well tendered to. A full staff probably maintained it, because I highly doubt a man like Ibrahim Mazur would get on his knees and garden. One of the wooden double doors was already open and I could see the flurry of people inside.

"Sorry forgot to mention, there is normally a high volume of people coming in and out of the house. No matter how many times you see them, always be suspicious of them. Some of Ibrahim's closest colleagues have tried turning against him. There is a 'party' of some sorts going on now. I'll show you your quarters and then feel free to join them out back"

"That explains the street being filled with Guardian vehicles then" I muttered

"I've been Abe's Guardian for twelve years now and I still haven't gotten used to all the fuss he puts into these things".

We began ascending up the grand staircase, when we reached the top of the stairs it parted to a left wing and a right wing,

"Ninety percent of the security are live-ins and they all live in the right wing" Aaron said pointing to his right, "they have it pretty good in there, multiple bathrooms, their own kitchen and stuff".

I started heading towards the right wing before Aaron stopped me,
"Nah, we are in the left wing. We are promised Guardians and Abe prefers us nearby" he began walking down the corridor.

"This is your room" he said stopping outside the wooden door, he gestured to the door next to mine "That's Rose's room. Abe wanted you next to her",
He pointed to the end of the hallway, "Abe is down there and Alessia and my rooms are just round that bend"

Opening the door to my room I was taken back by the size, I wasn't expecting something so big.

"You and Rose share a bathroom but. She takes ages in the shower and her makeup is everywhere"

"As long as she doesn't steal my hair ties I think we will get along fine" I chuckled

"Yeah good luck with that mate. That girl loses socks and hair ties like she's getting paid for it"

"I'll make sure to hide them then" I chuckled setting my bag down on the bed.

"Once you settle in, come down for a drink or something. You aren't on duty until tomorrow so might as well get to know everyone" he began heading out the door, "Oh, and its boiling outside, leave the duster in the room yeah?" he laughed as he closed the door behind me.

"Not likely" I muttered to myself as a took in my surroundings.
King size double bed that had clearly been made up by a maid based on how neatly it had been tucked in and the duvet folded back. I unpacked my clothes placing them in my dresser I couldn't help but worry about what I was walking into

"What have you got yourself into Dimitri" I muttered to myself in Russian as I opened the door shared bathroom. Rose must not have been expecting me as the door on the opposite side of the bathroom was wide open, her bedroom was very much the same as mine except for the odd pictures around and dressing table that had an assortment of makeup and other things on it.

It was anything but clean however, clothes were thrown all over the place, it wasn't even organised mess, it was just…mess. I turned to face myself in the mirror before removing my leather duster and as quickly as I had taken it off I put it back on. There was no way that I was removing my only comfort from my back in a new environment like this. I headed towards the door to join the 'party', as Aaron had called it, not knowing what to expect at all.

I don't know why I expected anything but what I was looking at for this party. Guardians were walking around, their black suits standing out to me, but for the humans that mingled amongst them, not raising any suspicions.
The waiters walking around with the endless supply of champagne as well as a comfortable buzz hanging around.

"Dimitri Belikov!" A loud booming voice announced.

Ibrahim Mazur was walking briskly towards me, a woman about Aaron's age was following about a step back from him, a woman I can only assume was his other Guardian, Alessia.

"Mr. Mazur" I greeted as he shook my hand

"It's very good to finally meet you" he said placing a hand on my shoulder, "When the Queen suggested you for Rose I must admit I was skeptical at first, but alas, your records won me over son" he began walking me down the steps further into the party below.

"I know you've met Aaron, but this lovely lady here is Alessia Adelardi" he gestured to the Guardian on his side

"It's good to meet you Guardian Belikov" she smiled before she went back to watching the area around her

"Now where is dear Rosemarie" Abe muttered as he looked around, I followed his gaze until it rested on a woman near the bar, "Ah, there she is. Alessia I really don't fancy yelling across this crowd, could you please go and get her for me"

"Yeah, i'll be right back" Alessia nodded
I watched her walk over the dark haired woman. Placing a hand on her shoulder she turned around and it was like I was living in slow motion. As her attention was pulled from the Moroi man before her, I took in all her features.

She had dark hair that flowed down her back is soft waves and skin that as a flawless tanned brown. I could make out her dark brown eyes and full lips despite the distance between is.

She had curves that could bring any man to his knees as it was hugged by the white sundress she was wearing. She took my breath away. As Alessia talked to her she made eye contact with me, her lips curling into a smile as they began to walk towards us.

"Guardian Belikov" she addressed when she reached us, "It's a pleasure to meet you".
Rose held out her hand waiting for me to return the shake,

"No Miss Mazur, the pleasure is all mine" I said taking her hand and kissing the top of it

"Call me Rose, I insist"

"Rose it is then" I settled, I still held her hand in front of me, I still hadn't broken eye with her.

"Rosemarie, my dearest" Abe coughed, "now that you are Guardian Belikov are known to each other, would you accompany me back to the floor as we wrangle some more Moroi"

"Of course" she breathed as I let go of her hand, and her father led her back into the small crowd in their backyard.

As I watched her and Abe work their way through that crowd, I quickly figured out her role in this business. She distracts whomever her father wishes to approach and she smiles and flirts, tender touches to their arms as if she's playing a role in a movie.

While watching her glide through the crowd, an uncomfortable figure came to my attention. A little blonde woman stood at the edge of the patio, her hands stiff beside her side, she relaxed only for a second when Rose approached her and even smiled at her, the turn of her cheek revealed exactly why she was so tense.

I turned to Alessia, "Why is there an Alchemist here?" I questioned,

"That's Sydney Sage. I guess you could say she's Abe's 'pet'" Alessia sighed

"Pet?"

"Okay, well it sounds harsh when you say it like that" she laughed, "She's a great woman, but Abe has done a lot to help her, so she kind of owes him" Alessia shrugged, her shoulder length black hair bobbing with the movement

"Abe is involved in with the Alchemists?" I asked stunned

"Not really 'involved', he only associates with Sage, but he is known well by the Alchemists in charge. He does them a favour and they owe him. It's an endless cycle" Alessia smiled, "but one thing you will learn here in no time is that you never know who or what will walk through that front door Dimitri. Abe has a lot of connections, so does Rose"

"What kind of connections would Rose have that are so vital to Abe's business?"

"The Queen" she murmured, "Rose has a special 'friendship' with the Queen's great-nephew, Adrian"

"And when you say 'friendship' you really mean…"

"Don't make me say is Dimitri" Alessia laughed as she playfully slapped my arm.

I couldn't help but feel a little jealous at this obviously sexual relationship Rose has with Adrian Ivashkov. The few visits to Court I had gone on with Ivan had shown me exactly what the Royal Moroi were like, especially Adrian Ivashkov. I had seen him around the grounds and he was anything but subtle. He was a well-known womanizer and I didn't like the thought of Rose entertaining him.

As the night carried on, more and more people left, leaving the large house feeling ever grander. The bartender began packing up his station and the catering crews began to pack their vans and head off through the alley access.

Some Moroi and their Guardians were still scattered throughout the extravagant lounge rooms as they finished up any final dealings they had with Abe.
I walked though the house learning all the rooms when I heard a melody like laugh echo though the hallway, along with the clinking of two sets of heels on the hard wood floors.

The chatter of two women began drifting through the hall closer towards me, they weren't speaking English, I think it was Turkish but I couldn't quite make it out.

Rose rounded the corner with another Dhampir girl, their arms linked together as they drunkenly laughed between them. Rose's entire attitude changed when she noticed me staring at them. From giggling to smirking as she looked me up and down, fluttering her eyelashes as she gazed.

"If you will excuse me Zayfe" Rose laughed, "I have to get 'acquainted' with the man that is going to be following me around". They kissed each other's cheeks before Rose interlocked her arm though mine, pulling me towards the stairs

"So, Belikov. Tell me about yourself" she giggled drunkinly

"What do you want to know?"

"Well, you are obviously Russian, you've got a nice accent" she giggled again, the faintest tinge of pink in her cheeks appearing this time however

"Good observation" I said stiffly

"Oh come on. You aren't one of those tightly wound Guardians are you?" She scoffed,

"I'm dedicated to the cause"

"Only cause it is all you've known" she spat, "Our society is centred around the Royals"

"How do you figure that?"

"Seriously? You live by a mantra which is pretty much racism. They come first" Rose said, venom pouring out of her words

"I've never thought of it that way" I mumbled

"You see things differently when you grow up away from all the politics"

"You don't like to associate yourself with the politics?"

"Put it this way Comrade" she stopped walking and faced me, "I'm an unpromised Dhampir who works shady business deals. I'm not exactly respected among the Moroi community" she turned away and began walking again

"You deserve to be respected" I sighed, ignoring the nickname she had created for me

"You say that now, but once you see what I get into, I think you might change your mind"

"I can handle it"

"Can you handle a bullet?" she abruptly asked when we reached the base of the steps, I looked down at her beside me. None of that previous pink in her cheeks remained and her smile had all but vanished.

"Why do you ask?" I whispered

"Well that's what brought down my previous Guardian" she sighed as she began to walk up the grand staircase leaving me stunned at their base.

"You know" she said stopping in the middle of the stairs, "I always thought that guns were cheating. We train our entire lives with hand to hand combat, and yet, we get brought down by a gun in the end" she smiled sadly before continuing up the stairs and rounding the corner heading for her room, her heels continuing to make a soft clinking against the floors until they ended with a door closing.

It was such a bold comment for a girl who was quite obviously drunk but reliving a horrific memory.

"There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for my girl Belikov" Abe boomed as he walked up beside me

"I don't doubt that Mr. Mazur" I nodded, still looking t the corner Rose had disappeared behind

"She had the best mentors and teachers money could buy and she learnt a lot but nothing prepared her for what happened to Sofia or what she went through herself"

"It would be a horrific thing to witness" I murmured

"I must also advise you Belikov of her recklessness"

I looked at him confused, "Recklessness?"

"Yes, my daughter may be smart and incredibly strong but she is still only twenty-two. She enjoys her partying but also her own safety"

"I'm sorry Mr. Mazur, I don't understand what you are trying to say"

"Don't sneak up on her. There is not a moment she is not armed in some way or form. Be it a knife or most recently after Sofia's death, a gun"

"She mentioned that she hated guns"

"Sometimes the things we hate most are all that can protect us" Abe smiled,
"Anyway!" he once again boomed "you better get some rest, we have a busy week ahead of us. Lots of meetings and then we head off"

"Head off where?"

"Rose and I have an extremely important affair with Queen Tatiana back at court later this week. So we will be heading to Court for a few weeks to 'help' dear Tatiana with her current problem"

"And what is that problem?"

"That's what we have to figure out son" he winked as he strolled off down the hall leaving me reeling with new information.