Chapter One

I heard it whispering to me from the back of my mind. I heard it. Always. It was always there; he was always there, taunting me, the same blank expression on his face. 'We've changed and it's time to move on. This is for the best, Rose.' But even then, a year later, with only a dull ache left in my heart, I didn't want to believe it was true.

The wind felt cold as it blew across my skin, and I watched a pile of leaves dance across the sidewalk. 'Turkey, Rose. You're in Turkey; he's not going to suddenly appear to open fresh wounds,' I reminded myself, looking around, still amazed at the beauty, so different from the world to which I was accustomed. I had waited, hoping beyond hope that Dimitri would change his mind, but after weeks of the same biting pain in my chest, after crying myself to sleep for nights on end, and swearing off food – food! – because of the wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach every moment of every day, I found a glimmer of hope. Abe called.

"Kizim," he breathed. I could feel it in his words. Zmey was up to something.

"Mmhmm," I beckoned, hoping he would cut to the chase. My prayers were answered, as expected. Like me, Abe saw no reason to sugar coat or beat around the bush; he was blunt.

"I have a favor to ask, my dear." Abe didn't go on, and I knew he was smiling, waiting for my curiosity to kick in. I imagined him moving briskly to some destination or another, henchmen following close behind; and I imagined the absurdly flashy outfit he must be wearing. I paused, stretching the silence, teasing him and feigning indifference.

"Oh, well that's nice, Zmey, but I'm a little busy over here so you'll have to find someone else to do your dirty work." A smiled spread across my lips; I loved to torture my father. I think it was all the more satisfying messing with him over anyone else only because he was so much like me. I heard him sigh, and had to stifle my laughter.

"Now, Rose. This is important. It's dangerous. I wouldn't just ask anyone," he stopped, and I heard a quick intake of air, "but if you're too busy—"and with that he had me.

"No. No, of course I'm not too busy for danger, Abe. What is it?" His voice was sticky-sweet with satisfaction when he replied. I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him.

"We'll talk about it when you get here."

"When I get where?"

"Home."

"Rose?" My head shot up. "Rose, come on. We don't want to be late, now do we?" I took a deep breath and nodded, following Abe toward the airport runway and his waiting jet. Everything seemed to have fallen into place in Turkey: I worked for Abe when he needed me, and had the run of his house when he didn't; I had money, cars, anything I could ask for right there at my fingertips. I was happy, though Dimitri still haunted every thought, like a ghost buried in the depths of my mind. Only now? Now we were going back to everyone and everything I had left behind, and I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it yet.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind if we never made it to that little meeting of yours." Abe looked at me, his brow wrinkled as he took in the uncertainty on my face.

"I'm not sure if I'm getting this right, but, are you scared, Rose?" I glared and brushed past him, shoving my hands in the pockets of my vest in a feeble attempt at defiance.

"I'm not scared of anything, Zmey." I had to think of a sarcastic comeback, and quick. "I just don't think Court has quite recovered from the last time I was there, is all." I felt him frown as he followed behind me.

"Yes, that's it: the unshakeable Rosemarie Hathaway is scared of what her friends will think of her." Abe laughed and I rolled my eyes at him. "You're just full of surprises!"

I turned on him, narrowing my eyes and Abe stepped back. "Rose. I know, Rose." His voice was softer now. "We'll be there 2 days; if you try I'm sure you can avoid them. Or—"

"Or?"

"Well, I was just thinking that we could just have Belikov—"Abe coughed and smiled mischievously, "—taken out. I would prefer that, in fact." I rolled my eyes again and walked away. Abe had invited me to 'work for him' – his coy way of providing refuge away from my problems – but I don't think he was quite sure what to do for me from there. How does one handle a heartbroken eighteen year old girl?

We made it to the jet and I climbed aboard, letting out a long burst of air as I sat down.

"You had to bring him up, didn't you," I complained with a frown, slumping down into the luxurious leather couch. Abe followed inside shaking his head at me, and made his way toward the front of the jet. We left his henchmen to load the luggage securely into the back of the jet and waited as they took their places near the hatch. No one spoke much during the flight. I think we were all a little bit afraid of what awaited us at Court.

Hey, everyone, I'd just like to start off by saying 'thank you' ever so much for reading my feeble attempt at writing. This is my first fanfiction, so please bear with me! I'm sorry this chapter turned out so short, but I experienced a little writer's block toward the end and wasn't sure where to go from there. It won't happen again! (*fingers crossed*) Hopefully chapter two will justify such an abrupt ending. (then again, maybe it won't…)