My brother is amazing. He had supported me when I returned to St. Vladimir's. He had visited me in the hospital every time I was admitted. He helped me get through Mason's death. He had been there for me throughout Victor's trial. He had agreed with me to go to Russia and to kill Dimitri. He listened to me when I returned from my failure. He was there for me when Dimitri was changed back. Today we would hear the Verdict. Would he die or would he walk free for the murder of Queen Tatiana.

2 weeks earlier

As I came down from my room- after the odd evening me and Adrian had. Just thinking about it made me cringe. I arrived in the café. In the corner were Lissa and Christian. They looked like they didn't want to be disturbed. So I went up to the counter and got an éclair. Then from behind me a voice said "Good Morning, stranger". I turned around to discover my brother, Josh.

"Hey" I said hugging him "I haven't seen you since you had a go at Tatiana in the court room." He laughed at this and directed me towards a table.

A few tables across I saw Dimirti with his two guards. "That was only yesterday. So do you think she took into account what I said" I thought about it.

*flashback*

We were in the small courtroom when Tatiana announced she was taking down the age from 18 to 16 for Dhamphir's to become guardians. Josh stood up and said "That's completely unfair" Tatiana looked shocked for two reasons

practically yelled at her.

he didn't say your majesty.

She stood up from her giant chair and walked towards him. "Who are you?" she said in a rather rude tone.

He spoke clearly like he wasn't talking to the Queen. "Josh Hathaway"

She smiled at him as she was only a few meters away from him "Oh, Rose's brother. So why Josh, do you think it's unfair?" She spoke gently but it had the effect to give me the chills.

"You people don't respect us. Maybe we need guarding too." She laughed at this "Maybe just maybe we don't want to guard you. What is so special about Moroi? Why are Dhamphir's not treated Fairley like you are?" Tatiana now looked mad.

"Why? Because Dhamphir's are unimportant" She said looking like she had one up on Josh. But he wouldn't have it.

"So what you're saying is Moroi are superior." People gasped at him saying this. Tatiana wasn't fazed "Yes" She replied. She turned around to walk away thinking Josh was done.

"So" He said as he followed her to the front and said "Why are we guarding you if were unimportant?" This made lots of Dhamphir's get up and walk out looking at Tatiana in disgust.

She spoke still unfazed "If you think my treatments of Dhamphir's are unfair then you and 4 other Dhamphir's need to come to the next council meeting" She smiled at Josh.

"Fine I and my 4 other Dhamphir friends will be there" Her smile faded.

Her and Josh stood like that for about a minute she spoke and said "Rosemarie, take you silly brother away before I have him removed. Permanently" The entire courtroom turned to look at me. I stood up and walk towards Josh and directed him towards the door.

"Oh, one more thing Rosemarie." Josh left but I turned around.

"Yes, Your Majesty" I said.

"Tell your brother that the people he picks will have to attend every council meeting. I want Dhamphir's to share their views with the Moroi." She said in hopes of regaining some of the remaining Dhamphir's in the courtroom's support "I shall see you at the meeting as well. Let's face it he would pick you anyway" She laughed at the last comment and so did some of the older council members. And with that left in the air I left the courtroom.

*end of flashback*

"Rose, Hello? Earth to Rosemarie" I returned to the café with Josh sitting on the opposite side. I turned to look at him. "So, do you think she took into account what I said?"

I nodded and I said "Have you chosen the five members of the official Dhamphir household"

He smiled and said "Well, I thought about all last night. I want these people" He said pushing over a little piece of paper. There were 4 names. Eddie, Mikhail, Ambrose, Rosemarie.

"What is it with you and using my full name?" he laughed

"It's a nice name." he said

"Given to me by a nice mother" He stopped laughing.

"How can you say that? She was horrible to you and me" He sighed and slumped into his chair

"She's changed." I said. We sat there and Tasha Ozera entered into the café. She came towards are table.

"Hey" I said. She didn't hear me.

"Hello?" said Josh

"Sorry, I'm just a little tired" She was right. There under her eyes were small bags. It looked like someone had a rough night.

"You should go back to bed" I said

"Yeah, but I have a feeling today's going to be an important day" She said. Then she left to go sit next to Dimirti.

"Okay that was weird" Josh said.

"Very" I replied. Someone opened the side door and the windswept my hair away from the right side of my face. Exposing my bite to my brother.

I was expecting a big lecture but he just said "So, you and Ivashkov. Do anything interesting?"

I knew what he was hinting to. "No, actually that's happening tonight."

He laughed "So, you have it all planned" I smiled and said "No, it was meant to happen yesterday but..."

He smiled and said "You got sidetracked" Pointing towards my neck. I pulled my hair closer to my face to try and cover the bite. It had felt great at the moment but now. I regretted letting Adrian drink my blood.

Suddenly all the doors in the café busted open and guards flooded in. They came over to our table and said "Josh Hathaway"

"I'm afraid to say yes"

They grabbed him and said "You're under arrest for High Treason" Through the bond I could feel Lissa alarmed and scared, but not for herself, for me.

"What kind of high treason?" He asked as they put handcuff's on him.

"The murder of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Tatiana" No way. There was no way my brother had killed her. I mean me and my brother both hated her but not enough to kill her. They dragged him away and I ran after them but then all of a sudden Lissa ,Christian, Tasha and Dimitri were pulling me back through the café into a corridor and when we were in a the corridor. Away from everyone. Lissa let go and the 3 off them stood me up straight. Holding my face towards Lissa. I was screaming as loud as i could.

Lissa used her strongest compulsion and looked deep into my eyes and said "Sleep, Rose just go to sleep" I tried to shake it off but realised it was working. "Go to sleep "As hard as I tried to resist falling asleep it was no use. Lissa's voice sounded so convincing. So I let go to the giant tide of compulsion and let myself fall asleep.