I charged my way through. Dimitri had begun to follow me, but where was his drive?

"Alright you piece of -" I lifted my skirt to my thigh, getting a wolf whistle from the crowd as I took a silver stake from a garter I had bought along with some very sexy underwear earlier that day.

I looked up to see Dimitri's eyebrows had almost flown off his face at this action and that the scream was from a young Russian girl, who, looked angry more than scared? And.

Of course.

Adrian.

Vomit lined the hem of her dress. How was that even possible? He must have eaten too much normal food as well. Slumped over the side of the table. Dimitri spoke to the girl to calm her down and directed her to some of Lissa's ladies who no doubt would be fixing the dress issue. He then proceeded to lift Adrian by the arm and carry him out. I would have taken him by the scruff personally, but I replaced my stake and followed them.

"How could you do that to Lissa?" I'd bat him round the ear if I didn't think he might vomit on me too. "It's her first night in Russia as Queen!" He leaned away almost whimpering from me as I chastised him.

"Bet, bet you were hoping for Strigoi weren't you." He laughed through his dribble.

"Yes. I'd take that over this mess!" Dimitri stood by me, looking down on him.

"You win Belikov!" Adrian spluttered out., Dimitri did not make eye contact with him, I expect as not to provoke him further. "You win her, and being sensible an-" He just stopped talking and sat in silence.

"I don't have time for this." I hissed, took hold of Dimitri's arm and went to walk out.

"Don't leave me Rose!" Adrian looked as if he were going to cry, sweet lord. "I would never leave you. I never left you when you needed me."

"When I needed you, It was because I needed to save someone." My voice trembled, "You know what you need to do Ivashkov?" His eyes looked like a child as he looked up to the both of us. "You need to grow up and save yourself. You want to do that. I'll help, but this," gesturing to the general mess around his apartment, the cigarettes, the drink, the mess, dead plants failed to be brought back to life because of how much he'd taken even in the last day. He'd almost wrecked everything except the little chair he wavered on. "This is not the look of someone who wants to be saved."

And with that, I turned as walked out, Dimitri followed. As we left down the hall I could hear that little chair being broken into a million tiny pieces.

"He has to go." I said to Dimitri as we got closer to the ball room again, "He only came here to embarrass Lissa, and us."

"Rose," Dimitri said taking my arms "Roza, leave him to his childish tantrums." I sighed, I wanted to help, but I just don't think he'd take it. "He will find the strength in his own time. He needs to take responsibility at some point in his life."

"But he was right," I said defeated like, "He helped me..."

"For now, help yourself, and enjoy this party."

"You know I wondered why you didn't jump to action before," I stood back to look at him properly, "I thought it would be Strigoi, not some Russian duchess with an Adrian problem." I snorted "Auto-pilot I guess, huh..." My hands trailed around my mask "Do you think that looked stupid? Me pushing through like I did?" Dimitri smiled faintly, and put his hands around my waist, pulling me close.

"No, I think it showed that, no matter what you wear, slacks or... The most beautiful dress I have ever seen." I smiled, he was right, I looked great "You are still my Roza. Prepared to fight before having a good time to herself." We kissed, returned our masks, and headed towards the ball room doors.

"And by the way," he said as we waited for the door men "I hope I'll be seeing a little more of that new underwear later, seems as the whole room got the first glimpse-"

"Darlin," I said as the doors opened "I was hoping you were going to see a little less." I winked, sassy that turned into a surprise as he lightly squeezed my ass on the way in.

"Two can play at that Roza.." He bit his lip, looked me up and down and walked off towards the bar.

Oh heaven help me for I am sinning tonight.

My eyes trailed after the fine beauty that is Dimitri Belikovs toned cheeks in suit pants as Lissa coughed for my attention.

"So, captain" She said in a supposedly gruff voice, "Has the treat been neutralised."

"Hey Queenie, you should be happy a party gal' like me was focuses on the dangers and not just her adoring fans" I laughed as a waiter offered me a glass of champagne, I drank a large sip, sweet mighty for the bottle this must be 200 hundred... Whatever the conversion is from dollars to roubles. "And not only that, but sober on the job." I laughed and raised my glass, but as I did so lots of tiny clinking noises started to ripple out across the room,

"Well, you're not on the job tonight Rose, but" Lissa leaned in close to me, "It does seem like you've indicated the need to give a speech?" She smiled mischievously, oh no, is that what the clinking meant?

"What! No, I can't!" I protested

"too late now." Lissa giggled as the clinking off champagne glasses got louder.

I cleared my throat as a waiter handed me a microphone. Why.

"Heh-hem. Well, hello everybody." The room nodded back to me. "I would first like to say," I paused, so unsure what I would like to say right now, start with the basics Rose! "Thank you all for coming, on behalf of Queen Vasilisa, who I am sure will be addressing you all later." I looked to Lissa for reassurance she merely moved her hand to say 'continue'. "Well, I am one of Lis- Queen Vasilisa's Guardians, Rose Hathaway." I murmur broke out amongst the crowd, of course, many probably would have heard that name in reference to my time in Russia. "I am joined by Guardian Cast in this task, but as I am not on full duty this evening after suffering severe injuries, we are also joined by Guardians Whittaker, Brown and Tyson. Please may we first thank them for their wonderful help-" I gestured to the glasses, everyone started clinking, clink-clapping I guess? " And I would like to say thank you for welcoming us so fondly, this is my second time in this beautiful country. And I hope we can all work together to keep it as safe and content as we would like it to be." I'm sure I sounded ridiculous, though fortunately I was saved by a thin faced Moroi woman, at the front. Or so I thought.

"Is it true yourself and Dimitri Belikov are here as a, romantic couple?" She piped up, her electric blue feather head-dress quivering.

The room started to chatter once more, well, that's a change of topic.

"We are here as Guardians," smooth Rose, smooth, "But outside of work, we are a couple, yes." My answer seemed to go down well with the room anyway, Lissa looked happy, but the woman continued, "Dhampir relationships are rare... Has he popped the question yet?" The room seemed very excited by this, "You two, are stunning together I must say." She sipped on her champagne, slyly.

"No, Guardian Belikov has not asked me to marry him, if that is what you mean,"

"It is." She nodded,

"Although we are very fond of each other, we have not been together long, and well," I laughed, "I am only 18. So it would seem a bit early." The room did not seem to agree on that, are people being judged for 'living in sin' here? But the woman's face fell quite solemn.

"Nothing is too early here, in your job, I'm afraid." The crowd stood silently, I laughed nervously, unsure of what to say, but thankfully Dimitri had now come to my aid.

"Then let us hope we stay lucky for a long time, and that no threats come Queen Vasilisa's way for Guardian Hathaway to defend. To the Queen!" he raised his glass, as did the guests, with 'here-here's' and 'well said's'.

As the attention turned from me, I turned back to Lissa, Christian and Dimitri,

"Did I do okay?" I sounded nervous,

"Brilliantly Rose, really." I knew Lissa was being honest but I needed some air. Despite the 50 foot ceiling, it was feeling a little too crowded for my liking.

"I'm going to go outside, I'll see you guys in a bit." My head was too busy ringing on what had been said, me and Dimitri had already felt what running out of time was like, to lose it twice... But I would never rush something as important as this out of fear. I headed towards any room that felt like closure, and I came into an orangery, lit dimly by strings of fair lights, so peacefully. Perfect. I sat and titled me head towards the glass spend ceiling, covered with creeping vines.

"You know you lot should really be more careful," came a hissing whisper from behind the plant life, I felt the blood drain from my face, "Welcome back to Russia Miss Hathaway." before I had time to react a gag had been shoved in my mouth to stop my screaming and a bag was put over my head. It felt like I was being held down by steel clamps. "All alone, seems I was right not to bring back up. You're weaker than we expected. Don't worry for your precious princess, I'm here for you."

"Rose?" I came to see if you were-" Christain Ozera's voice rang out,

"Shit!" My assailant cried as Ozera no doubt whipped out some of that classy fire magic,

I got a hand free and slipped it under my skirt, pulling the bag and gag from my head.

"It's Queen actually!" I turned and drove my stake up between his burning ribs. The face I didn't recognise, but the body collapsed, his blood red eyes lay open.

Panting, I turned to Christian. "I could not be more grateful right now."

"I know, we need to alert the Guardians. How the hell did he get in?"

I didn't know, but I said to Christian to leave this with me and not to alert Lissa or the guests.

"There'd be mass panick, let us,"

"You're not on duty-"

"- Them then, let them check the building. Find a reason for everyone to be in the ball room, that would make things a lot easier. We can asses the threat before telling people we need them to evacuate."

"That shouldn't be too hard, it's almost dinner and everyone has allocated name spaces."

"Perfect."

As the bell rang out for dinner I found the other Guardians and told them what had happened, immediately, a search party went to cover the palace and the grounds whilst the guests stayed seated, fortunately no Moroi or Dhampir was unaccounted for. "I think, without sounding ridiculous," I said to the others, "I think the target was me, and he did say it was only him here, but I think he has family to go home to."

Dimitri had rushed to me as soon as he heard, but I assured him I was fine.

As we went to leave with the party, Lissa called us over, she was still unaware of the threat. I told her and explained to remain calm.

"Sounds like we are okay for now," She looked to Christian adoringly, he smiled under her gaze, "But you two are not to leave!" She looked in dismay, obviously guessing we were going to abandon the party.

"But, your highness, we're two of your most experienced Guardians." Dimitri retorted in dismay.

"The threat is being taken care of, I insist you stay with me." Lissa said, almost protectively if I didn't know better. I nudged Dimitri, to assure him that it would be fine,

"Sure thing mom." I said with a wink to Lissa.

But a familiar voice spoke out behind me, "Sure thing what?"

Ah, I see the invitations extended to parents.