Hi everyone I would like to thank everyone for the great reviews. I really thought that the direction I took this story would upset people, but so far you have all been great about what I'm writing. I hope you guys keep enjoying and sorry it's taken me so long to update

Chapter 10 I've never been one to follow the Rules

I had made my way to the hotel that my friends and family were staying at. I was going to walk straight in the front entrance but as I rounded the corner of the hotel something very interesting caught my eye. Parked outside the front of the hotel was a black SUV and through the side mirror of the car I could see a familiar face. It appeared to be a guardian I had seen at court a couple of times. I scanned the front entrance of the hotel and surprise, surprise what do you know I could make out at least another three guardians. They all appeared to be trying to blend in, but they were all positioned to be able to see who entered and exited the hotel. I could see an earpiece in one of the guardian's ears. I closed my eyes and decided to focus my Strigoi senses in on what was being said through the earpiece.

"This is an absolute waste of time if you ask me, they haven't made any contact with Rose" said one of the guardians into a small microphone hidden on his collar.

"They must be here for a reason we just have to wait it out that's all" That voice was familiar it was Guardian Reynolds. He was the one Dimitri had convinced to tell them about my escape back at the medical centre. "Let me check in with team two, see if they have anything" Guardian Reynolds picked up a walkie talkie. "Team one to team two do you read me OVER?"

I heard a crackling sound coming from the walkie talkie "We read you team one OVER"

Guardian Reynolds spoke into his walkie talkie "Do you have anything on the group your following? OVER"

The voice on the other walkie talkie spoke again "Nothing yet they have just arrived at some club...but nothing interesting is going down...I got mark running a check on the fourth guardian with them but nothing yet sir OVER"

Fourth guardian what fourth guardian? there was only three guardians and Abe. That's when it hit me Abe must be wearing his ring Adrian made him that makes him look like a Dhampir. Guardian Reynolds spoke again "Roger that let me know when you have an ID OVER"

Well this was interesting they had two teams of guardians tagging them looking for me. Funny not one single one of them had noticed they were being followed. I would have thought for sure that Dimitri would have realised they were being followed. It seems not even his excellent guardian skills had alerted him to the fact they were being watched. Then again he has probably been pre-occupied with my death and all. I decided that I would have to find another way in, but if my instincts were correct all the entrances would be being monitored. I walked around to a side of the hotel and found a fire escape door. I wouldn't be able to open it from the outside but one good kick should fix that. I scanned the area before I approached the door. Hmmmmmmm just as I suspected there was a female guardian dressed in a civilian outfit to blend in as a tourist I assumed. She was sitting on a small bench across from the entrance trying to look busy rummaging through her purse. I scanned the area again about 50 meters down I could see a couple of human men they looked pretty drunk and they were being rather rowdie. I sauntered down to them trying to give them as much flirtatious attitude as I could.

"Heya fellas" I said my voice was cold and slightly menacing but I think I came of flirty.

"Hey pretty lady...you looking for some company" Said the good looking one with the blonde hair.

"Are you offering?" I laughed, god I would never get over the sound of my laugh it was so chilling but kind of cool.

"Absolutely" the blonde guy smiled "don't suppose you have a friend that my guy here, could keep company as well do ya?" The blonde gave me a small wink, and moved toward me. He grabbed me and pulled me in toward his body.

I didn't struggle against it, instead I leaned in toward his ear "As a matter of fact I do" I whispered "one word of advice to your friend though she likes her guys to come on strong...she likes to play hard to get and doesn't like a guy to back down easy"

"You here that buddy" the blonde guy slapped his mate on the shoulder then turned back to me "Well where is your friend hiding beautiful"

I smiled a flirtatious smile without exposing my fangs and lead the way "this way come on" Gosh the guy looked mouth watering. I still had a burning in my stomach that I didn't get to satisfy due to my little encounter with my friends. I almost decided to abort my plan and satisfy my need but the urge to see my old friends was far too strong. I would just have to eat later; I may even come back for Blondie here. As we neared the female guardian I stopped at the edge of the shadows so she couldn't see me. "Hey you guys go get acquainted with my friend over there I will be with you in a second" I said to the two guys. The blonde guy looked at me about to protest that he had to let go of me when I leant in and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. I couldn't have the guy thinking I was going to take off or make a scene to close to the guardian. So I thought of the only thing I could to convince him I was coming straight back. "Got to go to the ladies room be right back" I said to Blondie as I pulled away from the kiss and turned to walk away.

I watched from behind a tree as the two drunken humans approached the female guardian. Just as I thought they started with the annoying, drunken banter. The guardian didn't seem impressed by the attention and when blondies mate started to get physical, the guardian attacked them. This was my cue. I ran to the door at strigoi speed and kicked it open quickly while the guardian was distracted. As soon as I was inside I quickly shut the door. The door alarm sounded but I would be long gone before anyone would notice I entered.

As I approached the hall in which my old room was located, I noticed that Abe's two guardians's stood outside of it leaning against the wall. That was interesting, I would have had one guardian in the room and one guarding the door. Considering they were Abe's guardians I was a little surprised. I would have thought he would have had the best of the best when it came to guardians. Then again maybe when it come to Abe they were good at their job, but when it comes to guarding Lissa and everyone else inside, maybe they weren't as switched on. This was going to work in my favour though so I gave up on analysing there strategy and decided to get on with it.

If there is one thing I learnt from Dimitri, it was that you always have more of a chance of winning a battle if you have the element of surprise and that was exactly what I had on my side. I walked toward the two guardians with complete confidence. I still had my sunglasses on so that would help me for a little bit longer. I knew it wouldn't take much for them to work out I was Strigoi though once I was up close. But that was okay I didn't need long. As I got closer to the guardians I noticed they looked at me with complete surprise.

"Ahh ...Rose is that you?" one of the guardians said to me as the other one straightened himself of the wall.

"Surprise" I said as I lifted my glasses to reveal my red ringed eyes. My voice was cold and chilling and I knew they got the message. As the guardian closest to me went to charge at me I threw out my fist and connected right with the side of his temple. The sweet spot as I liked to think of it. I hadn't killed him but he wasn't coming to for quite some time. I couldn't waste any time in taking down the second guardian so I went at him with Strigoi speed wrapping my hands around his throat and cutting of his air supply. His protests were muffled and he struggled for around another 20 seconds before he finally passed out. I dragged them one by one to a store closet across the hall and bound and gagged them with some sheeting located in the closet. To make sure they wouldn't get out I pushed a coke vending machine in front of the door.

Now that was done it was time to visit my friends. I walked over to the door and using the key card I swiped from one of the guardians, I pushed the card in releasing the latch. As I opened the door I seen Lissa and Christian cuddled on a couch together and Adrian was on the opposite couch drinking from another Vodka bottle. It was Adrian that looked toward the door first. As he seen me I seen his whole body freeze. The Vodka bottle Adrian was holding slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a crash.

"Adrian you klutz look what you've done to the carpet" Lissa said as she hopped up of Christian's lap to help Adrian clean up.

"Rose...omg Rose your here" Adrian said as he slowly got up off the couch.

Lissa's head shot up in my direction shock plastered her features "Rose...oh Rose...Rose" Lissa was beginning to sob as she scrambled to her feet. I shut the door behind me and took several steps closer toward them. Lissa had got to her feet and was about to run to me with arms stretched out "Omg Rose your okay...Rose" when all of a sudden Christians arms were around her pulling her back. Adrian stood in front of Lissa protectively. "Christian let go...let go its Rose" Lissa screamed.

"That's not Rose Liss...that's not the Rose you remember" Christian whispered to her.

I laughed it was that cold and chilling laugh that I was beginning to grow fond of. "Who say's I'm not the Rose you remember" my voice sounded cold and malicious; there was no emotion in my tone. I heard Lissa gasp and begin to sob louder. I took another step toward them. All three of them took another step back.

Adrian stood there shaking his head from side to side. A tear ran down his right cheek "Oh Rose I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry he did this to you" Adrian looked like a broken man who could barely contain himself. I think it was only pure adrenalin that kept him standing.

"Sorry...Sorry for what?...Don't be sorry I'm not" I smiled and this time I didn't hide my fangs. Lissa began to sob harder and Christian's grip grew tighter around her.

"Rose please...please this isn't you...You can fight this Rose...We can help you, we can fix this...let us fix this Rose" Adrian's voice was pleading and genuinely sincere.

I took another step toward them "Oh yes your little spirit filled stake's...hmmmmmm let me think...um I'll pass" I took another step forward and by now Christian had himself and Lissa completely pressed against the wall and Adrian still stood in front of them.

"Then why are you here Rose...are you here to kill us?"Lissa could barely get the words out between sobs.

I had to laugh at her words they were quite funny considering I spent my whole life protecting her. My laugh was so cold and chilling that I seen all of them cringe in toward each other. "Lissa, Lissa, Lissa...now that's not a very nice thing to assume is it." I said shaking my head. I smiled again and I seen more tears sliding down her face. "I've spent my life protecting you and what...you assume that all of a sudden I'm going to kill you"

"Your Strigoi Rose...why...why wouldn't you" Lissa said again between sobs.

"Well in case you hadn't noticed, I never have been one to follow the rules!" I laughed again "Besides for the moment it's too much fun having you around!"

"Rose please let us help you...let us bring you back" Adrian pleaded

I couldn't say for sure that I didn't want to go back, but what would I be going back to anyway. I'd eventually probably go mad bonded to Lissa. The one true love of my life didn't love me and Adrian would eventually leave me. I couldn't seem to find a good enough reason to want my old life back, either that or slowly being Strigoi was taking me over and I couldn't care enough to find a reason. I looked into Adrian's eyes they were filled with such longing. I ran at him with Strigoi speed, he didn't have enough time to react and he froze in place. I placed my hand at the side of his face and leant in toward his ear. I stroked my finger down his cheek and then whispered into his ear "I have a better idea...let me awaken you...what have you got to hang around here for anyway...come and be with me instead"

In barely a whisper Adrian struggled with his words "And if I refuse...you will what?"

I laughed once again and then pushed myself back from Adrian "Hah...I will do nothing I'm not Dimitri, if that's what you're thinking...I'm not going to hunt you down until you change your mind...and I'm not going to kill you if you don't choose what I'm offering you" I backed several steps away from them. I could tell by the look in Christian's eye that he was getting ready to protect Lissa at all costs, and by that little display I had crossed the line and come to close. "Settle down fire boy you're in no danger from me" I said waving my hand in the air.

"Rose please...I know it's still you Rose...let me help you before you can't go back from the things you've done" Lissa was still crying but I could see a determination in her. As I looked at Lissa I seen her gasp and as quick as the gasp happened I heard a movement behind me. I felt a thump to the back of my head, of course that was never going to take me down. I spun around to see Cindy standing there holding a metal vase. Gosh I sucked at this whole Strigoi senses thing. I should have heard her coming long before she made contact with my head. "Ouch" I said sarcastically "That wasn't very nice now was it" I took a step toward Cindy her eyes widened with fear.

As I took another step I heard Lissa scream "Christian nooooooooo" I spun around to see a ball of flame heading straight for me. I darted out the way quickly and a cushion on the couch caught on fire.

I looked at Christian and laughed a cold and chilling laugh "did you have something against that cushion?" I turned from Christians glaring eyes back to Cindy's "Are you going to put that out or something...I mean water is your speciality isn't it? Cindy's eyes grew wider and then she ran to the sink and quickly turned on the tap. With a quick flick of her wrist she directed enough water to the couch extinguishing the flaming cushion.

I looked back toward Lissa and Adrian. I could see the hurt in their eyes mixed with a relief that I wasn't dead and that they could fix me. I knew they would try and I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I had a feeling I was going to make it difficult for them. I gave them a small smile "Well as amusing as it was watching Christian attack an innocent cushion I really have to dash...I'm sure it won't be long before the rest of the gang shows up, and I'm not sure the odds would be in my favour if that happened" then I looked directly at Lissa "I'll be watching you so be good "Lissa gasped as if I had threatened her but I actually hadn't. My voice had probably sounded threatening. I meant I would literally be watching her through the bond although she didn't know that. I decided to keep that to myself for now.

I then looked at Adrian "Think about my offer...I'll be back for an answer" I gave him a small menacing wink "Catch you in your dreams" I seen Adrian's whole body tense he knew he would see me in his dreams and he couldn't figure out how.

I turned toward the door and as I turned the handle I heard Lissa's crying pleas "Rose please don't go...Rose please stay, I'll help you Rose I... please let me help you" I paused at the door Lissa's sobs were getting louder. I was frozen there for a moment torn between wanting to turn around and comfort Lissa and then knowing that my feelings were slowly leaving me and I wasn't sure how to comfort her.

Instead I grabbed the handle and looked to the ground, I took a deep breath in "Be sure to say hello to Dimitri for me" I looked up and opened the door and I left without looking back.

As I closed the door behind me, I saw the elevator stop on this floor. I quickly took off around the corner of the hall and pressed myself against the wall. I listened as four sets of feet exited the elevator. I sniffed the air and instantly caught the sweet scent of Dimitri's cologne. They were back I knew I didn't have long to exit the building. I stayed with my back pressed against the wall and that's when I heard the sweet sound of Dimitri's voice.

"Eddie, Thomas hold back...Abe stay where you are"

"Dimitri man what's going on?" I heard Eddie whisper.

Dimitri whispered back "Something's different that coke machine has been moved look at the carpet" shit he was good. Dimitri didn't miss a thing.

"Maybe hotel staff moved it" Thomas replied

"Maybe...but hold back anyway" Dimitri said with authority.

I peered around the corner and seen Dimitri pulling out his key card. He was motioning to Eddie and Thomas with his finger. As Dimitri went to put the key card in the door, I saw him freeze. I instantly sensed that he sensed something and was about to look my direction. I took off down the hall that I was hiding in at a dead run. I know he felt that same crackling energy that we always felt in each other's presence we always had a UN canning knack of sensing each other and this was no different. The only thing I had in my favour was that he didn't see me and he had a duty to check everyone in that room was safe. Who was I kidding it was more than duty that would make him check that room first. It was Devotion for Lissa above all others that would see he go in there and not follow me. Still I ran as fast as I could.