Chapter Three

Twenty-one months later

I was staring at my computer screen trying to make a real commitment on this. I'd gone back and forth with it the last week. But I needed to make a finale decision today! I had only talked with Vika about it though, as she had given me the key information months ago when her and Christian had come from court.

She had graduated from St. Basils and became her boyfriends guardian. They had become friends when I ran off, and it became more as they stayed in touch while she finished school. Yes Christian had left Lissa, blaming her for what had happened that night. It had been her fault we were there, her actions had put us all in danger. She didn't know I was still alive. Everyone thought I had truly died, and stayed dead that is.

Vika told me when they got here that she had finally been able to see her brother. She said he had been reinstated as a guardian again, but was pretty much just used to make sure no one acted out in council meetings. She said he had this dead, haunted look in his eyes. He had broken down and told her and Christian everything. Even what he had done to me as a Strigoi. He told her he'd been beyond stupid and it was his fault for what had happened to me. They hadn't really known what to say to him so had rushed back here where she spilled everything he'd said. Although I'm sure she held some stuff back from me.

This was all on me. In my childish anger over what had happened, I had turned him into a bigger mess. I had just carried on spending four months on a Strigoi killing spree, and then returned to Turkey to get my business degree. I now handle most of my father's rental and realestate properties. I say most because I don't handle the ones at court. But that was about to change, because the property I had recently found I wanted to personally purchase.

I went and found my father in his office. My mother and Pavel were standing behind him. They were both now his primary guardians. I smiled at my mom and she returned the gesture. We had made great strides in our relationship and even though I wasn't a guardian anymore she was still proud of me. I still carried my stakes with me and stayed in shape. That's just who I was and it would never change. I even still went hunting for the undead that plauged our world.

I put the printed real estate papers in front of my father. He looked at them and then at me.

" I want to buy that property."

I stated. He got a curious look in his eye as my mom leaned forward to look at what was in front of him.

" Well I'm heading there tomorrow I'll check it out." He stated what I already knew.

But no I wanted to do this. I had to do this. She should have never put it on the market just because she was mad. My father apparently saw the wheels turning and took a closer look at the information.

" This is Christians childhood home. That bitch has no right to sell it out from under him. She already cut him off financially when he refused to get back with Lissa after what she did. This is worse. He was devastated when he saw it. He doesn't know I'm planning this yet. I wanted to talk with you first."

My father nodded knowing I was right and that this was wrong.

" I'll make it happen kiz."

Here was my opening. But it really was time. I had been dead long enough.

" Baba I'm going to buy that property. I'm coming with you." I made sure they understood exactly what I was saying.

There was silence as Pavel, my mom, and my dad stared at me. But I was ready. It had been two years since Dimitri Belikov had broken me, and with the help of my family and friends, I had put myself back together.

" Kiz you'll be seen. Probably by him."

I smiled widely knowing he wouldn't stop me from going. He would do anything to ensure my happiness.

" I'm counting on it."


" So we're really going to do this?" Vika asked me hesitantly. I had explained my plan to Vika, Christian, and Eddie.

I never should have asked her and her family to lie about my death. Although if directly asked they would always tell the sort of truth. I had technically died which severed the bond to Lissa. They would just end their story there claiming to not want to remember it. And when the truth did come out I would just lead most people to believe that's as much as anyone knew.

Christian and Vika could easily say they had come to surprise Eddie and were surprised to find me also. I wouldn't take any of them down in my lie.

" I am going to call Mama and babushka. They will be so happy." She bounced out of the room leaving Eddie and Christian with me.

" Thanks for this Rose. I just cant stand the thought of losing my parents home. I know what they did was sick and twisted but they were still my parents. I've hated them most of my life for their choices, but this has made me rethink that hatred."

I nodded. I knew parental problems, but I still had mine. While my father stayed away for my safety, and my mother stayed away for her job, I still had them here today. Christian wasn't as lucky, and the person who'd raised him was doing him dirty.

" Are you sure about this though? Once you do this there is no going back." Eddie stated. But I had to. I shouldn't have left people thinking I was dead when I wasn't. I could see just how wrong it was now. No matter how bad I had been hurting it was a stupid thing to do.

" Yeah this is the right thing to do."

I got Tasha's number from the paper and went to find Luka. I needed him to make the call for me. He didn't have a name she knew so it wouldn't make her suspicious and automatically tell us no. Keaton and Luka were in the kitchen which is where you could usually find them.

" Luka I need your help."

He smiled a dazzling smile that should and would make any girl beg for his attention. He was six foot tall with blonde hair and baby blues. But we had a brother sister relationship now. Except when he was asked to follow me. At first when I had arrived he tried to get me to give him a shot. Adrian had been around for one of those times and laughed so hard he fell out of his chair. Keaton was Luka's polar opposite. He didn't joke, or smile, or really talk in general. But he was good at his job, which was pretty much making sure paymetns were made on time.

" What's up Princess?"

What a stupid nickname though. He said my father was wealthy enough to be better than royalty, which made me-his daughter-a princess.

" I need you to call this number and tell the woman you want to set up a time four days from now to look at the house she has listed. Give her the name Liliya Ivashkov. They're known to have children all over."

He nodded and I listened as she excitedly said she hadn't expected anyone to bite so fast, and that she would be there but would be coming from her home away from court. She was trying to sound so sweet and proper it was making me sick.

With that done I went to pack my bags.

" Mama is so happy that Dimka will know the truth now. She has been so worried since he went to see her."

What? I hadn't even known he finally went. Vika saw the confusion on my face. I knew she had not told me everything.

" Mama didn't want to pressure you since you were so hurt about him that night. She wanted to tell him but did not want to betray your trust."

This only proved to make me feel worse. Olena shouldn't have had to feel that way. I loved her so much and yet what I had been making her do was borderline ruthless. No it was straight up disgusting of me.

" Don't worry Roza, we know your reasoning and I know my brother will be happy to see you."

Maybe! I'm still not entirely sure about that, but I was mentally stronger now. I had a life outside of what had always been expected of me. I still went out and killed Strigoi to do my part, and still feel like I'm not skirting my duty as a dhampir. Sydney would even meet us every few months to give me the molnija I'd earned. She kept maticulous records of when and where i made my kills in case anyone ever questioned it.

Vika left to get her own things ready. Eddie, Christian, Vika, Luka, Baba, mom, and I were leaving in a few hours. It was ahead of schedule but we wanted to arrive ahead of Tasha. She had called Luka back pushing the time of the showing back a few hours saying she would be driving there.

I decided to call Adrian. Aside from spirit dreams we hadn't seen each other in a while.

" Liliya, why cousin how are you?" He must be around people since that was our cover name so no one would know it was me.

" I'll be there tomorrow." Stumped silence. I smiled, it was really funny to render the Adrian Ivashkov speechless.

" Really now? I'm just sitting here with the Dragomir princess and her fiancé. Um what was your name again?" I could tell he did in fact know, he was just being an ass. I heard Lissa say Aarons name. Wow that was a bit pathetic. Adrian excused himself.

" Are you sure about this?" How many people were going to ask me this? I had told everyone I would come clean when I got my life together. Well now was that time.

" Yes I'm sure. I am ready!" I could hear him lighting a cigarette. It was the only thing we could never get him to give up. He still drank but only when his darkness got really bad.

" Is the princess still being groomed to be the next Queen?" Adrian chuckled at the change in topic.

" Well that's on hold for the time being." well that was interesting I guess.

" Why?" I asked not really caring either way.

He chuckled again. I had a feeling he was a bit buzzed as well right now. It made me worry about him.

" Well the council is stuck on her not having any family. They want her and Aaron to hurry and wed with the promise of children soon after. But my wonderful Auntie has something up her sleeve. I know this because she told Vasilisa there was no rush to wed."

We talked until he finished his cigarette and then made plans to meet after I did what I needed to do.


Twenty-seven hours on a plane and one hour by car we were finally at Court. We gave my fake name and I.D. at the front gate. I didn't want anyone to know it was me until I had seen Dimitri. I hated wearing this blonde wig though. I felt ridiculous.

We went straight to my fathers home here to deposit our bags. They were all going to get settled and I was going to do the first thing I came here for.

Vika gave me his apartment number. And with the sun out I could wear my sunglasses along with the wig. I was getting more nervous with each step I took. I had put on a nice pencil skirt and white blouse paired with a nice pair of heels. Underneath the wig Vika had fixed my long hair into a tight French twist.

I wanted him to see I'd changed and was happy and healthy.

Finally I could see his door. No peep hole that was good he'd have to open the door to see who it was. I took the sunglasses and wig off making sure no one was around. I patted at my hair making sure it was still in place.

And then I knocked. Once, twice, three times.

Nothing. I guess he wasn't here. Then I thought what if he was driving here with Tasha. I wanted to cry. I was supposed to be stronger now though. I couldn't go back to that broken place I'd been. No matter what before I left this place Dimitri Belikov would know Rose Hathaway was not dead, and that I was stronger then ever.

I turned to walk away from his door only to see him standing there gaping. He was as sexy as the day I'd first met him. His hair was pulled in a pony tail at the nape of his neck. His chest, stomach, and arms were still chiseled to perfection. But I could see the haunted look Vika had told me about. It was a devastating thing to see.

" Hello Dimitri." his trance over he stopped gaping at me.

" Roza..." he breathed out.