I just wanted to say that I'm sorry if I seemed rude in the other chapter (with A/N notes). I was having a bad day, and I want to apologize to everyone. I feel bad for saying that I wasn't getting a lot of reviews when all of you are doing so well with reviewing. Again, I'm extremely sorry and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

P.S. I didn't have Internet, which is why I haven't updated in a while. Sorry for that too.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from the plot and a few characters :(

Chapter 9

RPOV

Now that we've established that we'd kill Dimitri, the plan on how we are going to kill Dimitri wasn't going so well. Raiden hated all the ideas we got from my family because they all had me in it as the bait.

"And what about Rose's safety?" he demanded.

"She could take on Belikov any day," Joe said, and ruffled my hair. I growled in exasperation and attempted to make my hair neater. From the look Stephanie gave me, I might as well had made it worse. Both of us burst into giggles as Raiden continued.

"The bait should be me. He wants to kill me. So don't you think it would be wise to let me be the one to lure him in?"

Carmen was playing with a lock of her dark hair. She was staring off in space, then suddenly looked up at Raiden.

"Maybe that's what he wants. For you to be the bait and then he'd kill you on spot. He wouldn't kill Rose, which is why she has to be the bait. It makes sense, Raiden," she said sternly. Everyone in the lounge room knew of Raiden's temper, and it was flaring now. Raiden and I sat in the love seat and I grasped his hand. He looked over at me as if he wanted to see if I was on his side.

"Everyone is right, Raiden," I started. " You need to understand that. I know it's hard but-"

My phone shrilled in my pocket. My eyes darted to the clock hanging in the kitchen across the room. It was three o'clock in the morning. Who in their right mind would call me at this absurd hour?

And then the answer came to me. A Strigoi.

Everyone eyed my phone as I took it out of my pocket. The person's ID was hidden. The number was unrecognizable. I looked over at Riaden, whom was frowning.

"No ID?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Answer it and put it on loud speaker. No one except Rose can talk," Levina said. "It'll give us away."

That was smart thinking. I answered it, put it on loudspeaker and spoke, "Hello?"

"Hello, Rose," a very similar voice said. I sucked in my breath. I looked up at Raiden in horror. His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly agape.

Oh God, how is it possible that he's still alive?

"Tallon," I said, my voice was dangerously close to breaking in shock.

"Yes, Rose. I survived your attack. I must say that I'm impressed. If anyone could pull that off, it be you…and ofcourse, my brother," he said, his tone was teasing.

I could see Raiden taking it all in pretty good, whereas I was on the verge of having a confusion fit. How the hell was he alive? I racked my memory, trying to remember seeing Tallon exploding along with his uncle in the tank when we were escaping the prison. All I heard was screams, not actually Tallon dying.

Then it came at me. When Dimitri kidnapped me, the Strigoi guard that attacked me said that he was ordered to do so because Tallon said so. So what does that mean? That Tallon has taken refuge with Dimitri and Tasha? Something still didn't sound right. And what about Raiden's sisters? Did they make it too? Or did Tallon abandon them? All these questions with answers that I wasn't going to get so easily all contributed to the puzzle.

"Why did you call?" I asked. There. He had to answer that one.

"It's come to my attention that you're holding a dhampir baby, correct?" he questioned. My eyes flickered to Sonya. She nodded and I proceeded to talk.

"Your assumption my be correct. How'd you know?"

"A little birdie told me," he said, and I could feel him smiling.

"Was it a Russian birdie?"

"Why, yes-"

"Well, well, well. You're a follower now. You're Belikov's pet? No? Oh wait, let me guess. You're second in command." I laughed humorlessly.

His tone chipped. "My position among the Strigoi is none of your concern. Anyways, as I was saying. I'd like to meet up, have a chat."

Now this was getting dangerous. Risky on all levels.

"I don't have chats with the enemy."

"Oh, com on now. I'm your boyfriend's-"

"Husband," I interrupted.

A few heavy moments passed before he answered. "You two got married?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations," he said sincerely.

I almost dropped my phone. Tallon and sincere don't mixed, even in the same sentence they're both incompatible.

"Uh...thank you?"

What else was I supposed to say. Raiden lifted an eyebrow at me. I waved him off, almost blowing our cover when he looked like he was about to laugh.

"Is he there?" he asked.

"No," I said more abruptly than I should have.

"I almost believe you. All I want to say is congrats, Rose."

"He's not here. He's out hunting." Then an idea came into my head. We needed a plan to lure Dimitri in, and I think I just found it. "Where do you want to meet?" I asked casually.

By Raiden squeezing my arm in horror, I knew he already disliked my idea.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Tallon asked, clearly amused.

"I was taking precautions before. Besides I know I can beat you in combat so I'm not the fussed now," I said, which made him laugh. "So you wanna meet or not?"

"Sure. There's a club downtown that we Strigoi go to. Meet you there tonight. Bring the baby."

If I didn't have this plan stuck in my head, I would have disagreed to bring Hope. But right now my plan might just might work if I brought her.

"Meet you there."

A/N: And I aslo wanted to say that today hasn't been my day either. I'm having a hard time with family right now so I'd appreacite reviews, they'd really make my day. Please review