"There was another attack your majesty", Queen Vasilisa Dragomir's face paled as she looked up at guardian Dimitri Belikov who was standing before her anxiously.
"Hostages were again taken just like the last time" he finished. "The name of the family?" Lissa asked letting her head fall back down and closing her eyes.
Dimitri hesitated glancing nervously at Rose who was standing behind Lissa a grim expression on her face. "Who was it Dimitri" Rose whispered taking a step forward and squeezing Lissa's shoulder. In the 3 months since her coronation there had been 15 separate Strigoi attacks, nearly 30 guardians had been killed attempting to protect their Moroi families.
"It was the Ivashkov's" Dimitri said solemnly, "No" Lissa gasped standing up quickly and staring at Dimitri in shock, "What happened?"
"I don't have all the details yet, All I know is Adrian and Mrs. Ivashkov were taken by the striogi" Dimitri sighed, he was exhausted with all the attacks the moroi of course looked toward the guardians for answers and protection.
The worst part was they had no leads and they weren't any closer to finding the missing Moroi families then they were the first attack 3 months ago.
"What about Nathan?" Lissa asked "He's dead your majesty" Dimitri finished. Lissa looked back at Rose who's face had the typical guardian mask on, "we have to have a council meeting" Lissa said to the dhampir servant standing near the door, "please make sure everyone knows about this, not just the royal families" he bowed and left quickly.
"What are you gonna do Liss" Rose asked her voice filled with remorse, "you have to let me go look for him" she felt guilty for Adrian's disappearance one of the main reasons he left court was because he had attempted to overdosed twice in the past 3 weeks, Rose had expected him to take their break up hard, but she hadn't expected him to give up completely like he did.
Rose had mentioned to Lissa that he may be needed time away from court and the rumors he was going crazy. Lissa had sent the Ivashkov's to California for a little vacation, and now he was gone and Lord Ivaskov was dead.
"No" Dimitri and Lissa said at the same time, "You have to keep me safe Rose" Lissa said her voice very small, the effects of spirit had been effecting her horribly since the attacks started. Rose nodded understand completely that Lissa needed her not only to protect her but to keep her sane. "Your majesty a crowd awaits you" Lissa gave Rose a quick smile then walked out of the room
"We'll find him together".
(meanwhile)
Adrian sat on a twin bed in a room that was smaller than his shoe closet, his head was pounding from spirit plus lack of alcohol and he was scared.
The last thing he remembered was a Strigoi snapping his father's neck before he was knocked out.
He looked around the walls were plain and there wasn't any windows he could look out of, he got up and walked slowly to the only door in the room. He could hear what sounded like two people arguing directly outside his door, he put his hand on the door knob and as soon as he did that the door swung open.
He backed away quickly nearly falling on the bed. A Strigoi woman walked in the room, she had long bright red hair and smiled horribly moving towards him so fast Adrian didn't even have time to think of how to get away.
She had him pinned on the bed in a second, her mouth was on his neck and she bit him. He gasped trying to pull away but his body couldn't move, 'please don't kill me' he thought as his vision began to fade.