I HAVE RE-WRITTEN THIS CHAPTER! YAY ME!...Anyway, now that's over, on with the chapter:
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owner Richelle Mead. I own nothing - except this plot, Alexei and Stephanie
Chapter 2
Rose's POV
"I can't believe it," I-Lissa said, in disbelief. "How can she just disappear?" she spoke this more to herself than anyone else.
She was sitting beside Christian. He had his arms around her, trying to bring her whatever comfort he could offer. They were in Alberta's office with Eddie, Mia, and…my Mom?
"I was in touch with Rose's father: Ibrahim Mazur," she paused for the gasps and chatter to subside.
You have got to be kidding me! Zmey – the kneecap breaking mobster guy – is my father?...Nice!
"He was trying to get her to come back," she continued, "but she left with some unpromised kids, - a group of Dhampirs that didn't graduate – in the middle of the night," she stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes. – I hadn't realized she was crying, but I kind of felt sorry for her. – Where the hell did that feeling come from? If anyone asks, it was Lissa.
"By the time Abe had heard and went to retrieve Rose from them, she was gone." By this time, silent tears were streaming down her face.
I could feel Lissa's body start to shake, and Christian's grip on her tightened.
So they were talking about me, it's taken them long enough. If I haven't got my days mixed up, I 'disappeared' two months ago.
"So, what happens now?" Christian suddenly asked. –Awww, so he does care, I'll have to remind him of this if I ever get out of here.
"Now," Alberta began, "we go after Dimitri. If she's anywhere, it's with him – that is if she is still alive." Wow, I love her faith in me; does she really think I'd last less than two months on my own?
"Okay, just give me a few minutes to pack," Lissa said.
"You won't be going princess, neither will Mr Ozera," Alberta said with finality, obviously knowing that he would want to go too.
"What!" Christian yelled, standing up, "So I could fight numerous Strigoi during the invasion, but I can't go with you to track down one?"
"Sit down Ozera," Alberta said, impatiently. She folded her arms across her chest in a look of annoyance.
At that, the door swung open to reveal none other than Adrian.
"Alberta, you have to let me help find Rose," he said breathlessly, "Oh, and thanks for telling me about this 'meeting', I had to 'coax' it out of one of the guardians." – It looks like Adrian has been using compulsion again; the strong smell of smoke was also a dead give-away.
"I'm sorry Ivashkov, but you can't come." Alberta responded, ignoring his sarcasm, "Your life is far too valuable."
"But I could be useful," Adrian whined. Man he's annoying, even if it is to come 'save' me.
"How…exactly?"
"I can contact her," he said, as if it was obvious.
"I find that hard to believe, Ivashkov. Considering we don't even know where she is," she said in frustration.
"Yes, but I have different…'means' of communication," he replied mysteriously. Oh great, more spirit dreams.
"Okay, fine Ivashkov, What will you ask if you do contact her?"
"Well, when I contact her, I'll…ask her where she is," he said sarcastically.
I mentally slapped myself. Adrian can be such a pain.
Alberta sighed in exasperation. She was about to continue when my mother made herself known – again.
"OKAY! Enough with the arguing, we are here to try and find my daughter…Remember!" All signs of tears were gone, leaving her usual guardian mask in its place.
Alberta and Adrian stared at the floor, mumbling apologies.
"Good," she continued, "Now, Ivashkov…Ozera…Princess Dragonmir…Oh and Rinaldi, and Castile, I'm sorry, but you won't be coming." She turned to Christian, letting a sad smile appear through her mask; "We appreciate the help you gave us during the battle, but this could be tricky, - not to mention dangerous." Facing all of them, she continued, "As you all know, Guardian Belikov was one of the greatest guardians we've ever known, - especially in the fighting aspects. He is also very thorough, which could make it difficult when we try to get past the security that he is bound to have set up."
There were nods of agreement from everyone. "Add to that, a strigoi's strength and speed, and he may just be impossible to beat." She paused, letting the weight of those words sink in. "If Rose was here, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want any of you to get hurt." It was a low blow, but I couldn't help but agree, - Your damn right I wouldn't.
"That'll be all then," Alberta said finally, "If we find out anymore, we'll inform you."
"Likewise," Adrian replied.
Alberta and my mother escorted my friends out of the room. Once out of earshot, Mia spoke up, - she and Eddie hadn't said a word the entire time - "So, what happens now?" she repeated Christian's earlier words.
"Now," Lissa began, "we look for Rose, our way."
Now review, tell me what you think of the re-write
REVIEW! =P
~Serious~
