Disclaimer: Same as always… Though I wouldn't mind owning Dimitri for a bit :)…

Just a quick reminder, this chapter starts off exactly where the last chapter ended. Other than that, enjoy!

Chapter Five: Proof

Rose

I had barely taken ten steps away from the boy, when he sprang forward, and leaped onto my back. Even though I knew he was a Moroi, that didn't stop me from reacting instantly. I grabbed onto his arm, which was currently locked around my neck. His legs were secured around my waist. Getting time to take a quick glance around, I saw that no one was around. Cool. I've always wanted to try this move. Nearly laughing, I held tighter onto his arm, and flipped him over me. His legs didn't release, but when he flipped, I did with him. He hit the hard, cold ground first, and I managed to land on my feet, just missing his legs. My legs nearly buckled from the sudden impact, but I straightened out. I spun to face the boy, who was sitting upright, glaring. "What's your name?" I ask, hands on hips. He laughs without humor, before meeting my gaze steadily. "Evan." "Evan who?" I ask. "You won't believe me." I snorted. "Try me." He stood up, holding out his hand. "Evan Dragomir, at your service."

Ari

Melanie and I had to stop. Or rather, Melanie did, claiming it was freezing, and I was crazy for being it a tank top and Sofie shorts. Granted, I had a light jacket, but I was carrying it. Mom's words echoed again. They come first. I quick memory surfaced from when I was seven and Alek was two.

We were outside our little cottage, the wind dancing gracefully with the grass. It was hard paying attention to Daddy when the grass tickled my feet, so I tried to get away from it. The grass was everywhere, so I ran toward the mat where Mommy was teaching Alek a very basic punch. I had learned it at his age too. I got onto the blue surface, and Mommy turned to me. "Ari, why aren't you practicing your kick with your father?" I explained my predicament to her, and she laughed. I stepped off the mat, and Mom pulled it over to where I was practicing. Once I was settled, she left to go back to my brother. "Now, Ari, remember the very important words I taught you?" I nodded, proud. "They come first." "Very good!" He praised. "Remember the rest? What are you supposed to do? What is your purpose?" "To protect the Moroi from all dangers, small or big. To destroy the evil that rests inside the Moroi couner-parts, the Strigoi. I shall protect them at all costs, no matter if I die or live." Daddy looked impressed. He might as well be. I am almost eight, after all. Then Daddy smiled. "Counterparts, Ari." "Oh."

Melanie was saying my name, bringing me back into the present. "Here," I say, holding out the coat to her. "But… Why? Don't you need it?" She asks. "No," I say. "And besides, you come first, no matter the cost." With that said, I turned and walked the short distance to the gym, giving Melanie no choice but to follow.

Lissa

When I finally got home, no one was there, not even Christian. Rose did remember that we have to leave for Braidwood Mall in at least two hours, right? Shrugging mentally, I fished my phone from my purse. God, I was so tired. So many pleas, not enough time to answer them. No matter how much I tried to be happy, to act like I'm stress free, but Christian can tell I'm faking. He knows me too much. It's useless to try to act like that around Rose, because (obviously) she can read my mind. I sink down onto the couch, quickly clicking the number "one" to speed-dial Rose. That was my emergency number, because normally I would just dial and call. But I was too devoid of energy to actually dial. I held up to my ear, and on the first ring, Rose picked up. "There is no emergency, is there?" Stupid mind reader… She sounded a bit wary and… No… She couldn't actually be scared? "Rose, what's going on? Where are you?" "Lissa, I'm outside by the gym. I think you'd better come here. Quickly." I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Okay, I'm on my way." I say. I close the phone, setting it back in my purse. Standing, I head up the stairs. In my room, I take out a pair of socks, and some tennis shoes. I set them on my bed before changing into something other than the uncomfortable dress I was currently in. I changed into some jeans and a long sleeve white blouse, a yellow cami under it. Slipping on the socks and tennis shoes, I head out the door, putting on my coat as I go.

I was only a couple hundred yards away, but Rose jogged over to me. "Hey, Liss." "Why did you need me?" I ask, wanting to get out of the bitter wind. I know that Rose has high endurance or whatever, but really, how did she stand the cold? "Let's get you inside first, then we'll talk." I nodded. When we reached the heated inside of the gym, I saw the kids high up the bleachers, talking. "Oh, crap!" I exclaim. "What?" I ask, momentarily taken aback by the panic in her voice. "I forgot to pick up Marissa from her babysitter's house!" I say, almost ready to bolt. "Liss, relax. I'm sure the babysitter won't mind spending some extra time with Marissa. Besides, she adores your daughter. Just pay her off some extra cash. I seriously think this needs all your energy." Rose says, looking a bit grim at that last part. "If I have any left…" I mumble, but Rose just smiles a sad little smile, before going over to Dimitri, who I hadn't noticed. Rose reaches him, and I was only a couple steps behind when Rose began talking to a person out of my sight. Dimitri and Rose were blocking whoever-they-were. "You said you weren't Royal. Now the next thing I hear out of your sorry little mouth is that you address yourself by the only royal name I have the honor of protecting!" Rose was getting all in the mystery person's face, and Dimitri grasped her upper arm, restraining her. "Rose, if he really is Royal…" Rose turns to Dimitri, fuming. "Yeah, I bet my ass he's Royal! There are only two Dragomirs in existence, which are Lissa and Jill!" Before I could puzzle over what she means, I noticed that in that subtle movement of her body, I could see the poor victim of Rose's fury. It was a boy, about sixteen. I haven't seen him around before. His expression… Well, I couldn't read it. I turn to Rose, who was just looking at the boy, and at me. "Rose," I grasp her wrist lightly. "What's going on?"

I know, I know; short and terrible ending. But, now that I'm back on my feet of being absent, I remember where I'm heading with this story! No, I didn't outline the story/chapters, but I have a general idea of where we're going down this path :). Next chapter up soon!

All the best,

Guardian2Be