AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm sorry it took me so long to update this. I've been very busy with my studies and stuffs but now, we're having our Christmas break so I'll try to update more chapter as I could. Anyway, here it is! Enjoy and don't forget to give a little review as a holiday gift for me. :)

DPOV

It has been a week since I got back from Russia. The court has been in ruckus since then. There are lots of guardians came from different academies. There are also guardians from famous Morois who offer some help. All of the guardians from different academies are all here except for one. Now, a help from the academy of Russia will arrive this morning. This completes the defense of the court from the upcoming war. There are rumors that my alma mater sent the infamous "Power 5".

Power 5 is a group of promised guardians who chose not to do their responsibilities. They completed the education and training. They even had their graduation and their mark but chose not to be part of the guardians. They hunt strigois whenever they want to. Sure, they sound just childish like what most of the unpromised guardians do. What made them so famous is that they only hunt once in a while but when they do, they would finish every single strigoi in a pack. They're the group that most Strigois afraid of. They hunt around the world when they only felt like it. Having them is already a great addition to our defense, only if the academy isn't bluffing.

I forgot to look for their group when I was in Russia. Back then, I suspected that Roza was with them because this is what she did when she was looking for me when I became a Strigoi. But, I met Roza and she has a very different life now as Katherine.

I touched my cheek where Katherine kissed me. I smiled; I know I looked like a foolish teenager. It's been a week and I could still feel how her soft lips placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, how her scent envelops me and much to my confusion, I like it. I know that it's not Roza who kissed me and that's the reason why I'm confused. I'm making myself fool out of it and I'm pretty sure Katherine doesn't like me. But I do like her, from the day I met her, her company, her attitude, her laugh and even the smirk. It felt like she's bringing a fire back into my life.

This is really what confuses me. Katherine and Roza is just the same person with different personality. I know I'm feeling something for Katherine but does that mean I'm moving on from Roza? But then Katherine is Roza, or maybe I'm just feeling something for Katherine because she is Roza and not because she's Katherine. I sighed and laughed at myself. Why do I have to think for these things? She has a different life now. She's nowhere near my life and I feel completely contented with that. I don't have to think about these feeling. She's safe and happy. I would rather it that way rather than she's near me and all of these dangers despite the fact the she's been a great guardian but she's an architect now.

I made another sigh and got up from my bed. I need to get ready for the day. We have to escort the last group of guardians from the airport. Let's see if the rumors are true, that the academy managed to bring the Power 5 and if it is, we'll see just how tough they are at fighting just like what people said about them.

KPOV

"You're pretty sure about this, huh?" Abe said as he drove us to the airport. Today is flight. I've already fixed everything at my job. I just had to do some plates in my laptop and email it to the company. Most of my clients are famous Morois who lives in the real world. Well, I don't fast growing name because of my pure talent. It is all thanks to my father with such huge connections. Most of my Moroi clients knew nothing about my past though, of course, they knew I'm a dhampir but that's it. All in business and I want to keep it that way. I wonder how far my name got up from the Moroi society. Abe told me that I've been making such a huge name and I trust his words. My father isn't the one who exaggerates things.

"Trust me." I simply said to him. Abe just nod. He rarely drives his own car but whenever he does it means something personal to him. I felt like a child being sent to school by her parents. I smiled. Even though he doesn't admit it, he wishes such small normal things to happen.

Michael and the other are at the back seat of the AUV, relaxed like we're not going into a war. Tyler and Sebastian are sleeping. It's only 2am so we'll be at the court by morning. The court said that they'll send guardians to escort us.

Until now, I can't really believe that the five of us is coming. Every one of them said that I don't have to; of course, I managed to go with them anyway. Though, Michael isn't happy about my decision, he's somewhat frustrated and doesn't want to talk to me. Yeah, sometimes, he's being the childish one, instead of me.

We got to the airport and went to the private plane location, courtesy of the court. It feels like we're a Royal Morois rather than their pawns for the war. I laughed bitterly; maybe that's how they treat all other guardians. Making them feel important as a compensation for using us as their shield. That's the reality. 'That's how Morois really are!' I thought as we got inside the plane after saying goodbye to Abe.

I felt my past anger coming back. When I was still Rose, they did nothing but used me and I follow blindly at them. But now, that's not the case anymore. I'll be back to get my little revenge. I've been plotting my plans for years. 'Now's the right time.' I thought as I fell asleep for the entire flight.

"Wake up, Sleepyhead!" Tyler nudges at me.

"Please put on your seat belt. We're about to land…"

"Oh come on! I haven't tasted those drinks yet!" Matthew complained as the waitress gets his drinks.

"Please, it's only 10 in the morning." Michael said in an annoyed matter.

"Yeah…Maybe. But I'm pretty sure that's not the time in Russia. Body clock, you know." He answered back. Their bickering lasted for a few minutes, enjoying our little bubble before the prying eyes of the court annoyed us. Even if we gave our help, we can't still denied that fact that we're unpromised guardians. We're already discussed about the war but that's it. No 'personal slaves' and/or such for the Morois.

As the plane landed, I saw the familiar SUV from the court and waiting outside it, is the famous Russian God guardian with the other guardians as well.

'If it isn't my luck day' I thought as a smirk spread out from my lips.

"What are you smirking about?" Matthew asked as they got up from the seats and looked out from the window.

"Ah…Mr Lovefades." Michael answered. I winked at them, suggesting that I have plans for him. Tyler just laughed and shook his head. They don't know much about my plans but they know enough that I'm plotting something for him. We got outside of the plane and was greeted by the other guardians. Dimitri, on the other hand, was frozen to his place. I chose to ignore him for a while. I know he needed some time to process this inside of his head. Though I'm pretty sure what kind of reaction will I get, judging by his looks, he's frustrated with me.

I saw him put his guardian mask from the corner of my eye and walked towards us. Game on!

DPOV

Surprised is the understatement of the year id I described how I felt when I saw the 'Power 5' got out from the plane. I felt like I'll have a heart attack when the last person from the group got out. Katherine. Why is she here? She's supposed to be an architect! She's supposed to be having fun from her new life! What is she doing here?

Why haven't I realized it from the moment I saw them? I felt an incoming fury within myself but I masked it and walked towards them. I greeted them casually while not making an eye contact with Katherine. All of my male co-guardians are obviously drooling for her. I'm pretty sure they knew about Rosemarie Hathaway but don't know how she looks like. I heave a sigh mentally. I hope Katherine or Rose knows what she's doing because showing up after some years without any contact would certainly cause a ruckus. What is she planning to do? Maintain her name as Katherine Mazur or use Rosemarie Hathaway instead?

The rest of the guardians are waiting for our arrival as we got out from the car. They introduced themselves and admitted that they are the famous group we we're talking about.

Alberta, our current leader, led us to the central park of the court where our 'welcoming act' happens. There are lots of people who watch this act, even the morois. It's considered as a ritual when there's a new group of guardians being sent from the academy. What's the welcoming act? Each of the newcomers would be engaged to a duel with the other guardians as a display of their skills. It's also a way of ensuring the morois of our abilities to keep them safe and also, a way of entertainment for them.

Alberta told them the mechanics of the duel and asked the new group who wants to go in first. Matthew raised his hand and walked at the center. Alberta then asked us who wants to volunteer as his duel partner. A lot of us raised their hands, excited to see how good this famous group is.

The fight started with a silence, each of them waiting to attack each other. But Matthew suddenly looked bored, dropped his stance and turned his back on his opponent. This made his opponent angry and attacked him. Matthew made no move but suddenly, like a flash of lightning, his opponent is now pinned on the ground by him. He acts as if he staked a strigoi in his heart and got up and came back to his group. The rest of the Power 5 looked bored just like him but the rest of the guardians and the crowd are shocked by what they saw. It is indeed an amazing speed and strength.

Alberta cleared her throat, recovering from their shock and asked for another pair. This time, Michael raised his hand andmade his way at the center. I suddenly felt a weird feeling inside of me and remembered how he talked about me and Roza. All the crowds looked at me in shock.

Confused at their reaction, I suddenly realized that my hand is raised.

Dandandandaaaaaaa... It's gonna be Michael vs. Dimitri! So, who do you want to win in this duel? Is it Michael or Dimitri? What will be Rose' reaction to this? REVIEW REVIEW!