A/N: This chapter starts out in Dimitri's POV.

Please put away your pitchforks! There will be RPOV this chapter!

Disclaimer ( since I forgot to do this last chapter): I own nothing but the plot. I swear! I tried to own it, but the fangirls were too much… Nah, Dimitri, Christian, and Adrian would totally be worth it :)

I slammed my hand into my chair. "Damn it," I growled. "What's happening to Roza?"

"At this moment? I don't know." Adrian answered. I kinda wanted to kill him right now. I had been in his room for hours trying to get more information out of him. "All I know is that she's trapped inside Lissa's body and can't come back."

I glared at him. No shit Sherlock! Give me some new information! "Yea, but why? Any theories on why she's there?" I was frantic to get my Roza back before… No, I couldn't think like that. I sounded like a pissed-off Russian badass, as Rose would say.

"I don't know why, for the fifth time!" Adrian exclaimed impatiently. "Can't you just be happy she's alive? Even if she is in Lissa's body?"'

I just looked at him. He did not want to hear what I had to say. Hell, I didn't want to say it out loud. "No," I said steadily. "because this situation inconveniences Lissa. Rose will do anything to protect her. That means coming back to her old body as soon as she realizes that there are no options except stay in Lissa's body or die."

Adrian paled. That was hard to do for the naturally pale Moroi. Plus he was stressed out and he had spirit to worry about. I would have felt bad for him, but, hey, I'm the jealous type. And I definitely had a reason to be jealous of him. He could communicate with Rose where I couldn't—my dreams. "No," He protested. "She said in her dreams she wouldn't go back."

I raised an eyebrow. I had a feeling Rose might've tricked him and Lissa. I used to do it all the time when I was her age. Plus, I knew Rose well enough to know what she'd do. "What were her exact words?"

"Well, we were talking and she said she would go back to her own body and Lissa said no way. And then…" Adrian trailed off, an uncertain look coming over his face.

"And then, what?" I pressed.

"She, well, she changed the subject." He admitted. "I didn't even think about that."

"Obviously," I snorted. I didn't do a very good job of hiding my opinion of him. No, it wasn't a high opinion. Considerably low, in fact.

Adrian shot me a look. "Well at least I'm optimistic and not always thinking about the darker side of everything." He murmured.

I smirked at him. This was just too easy. "And that's why I'm a guardian and you're not. Being pessimistic is part of the job. It's what keeps you alive."

"I have no desire to be a guardian." Adrian proclaimed. I merely raised an eyebrow at him. His expression darkened. "You know what? Forget it. I came here because I thought you could help. Apparently you can't even handle a mature conversation." Then he stormed out.

I stared after him in shock. Some part of me recognized that he must be under spirit's influence, but I didn't care. He had no right to accuse me of being immature! At least I didn't sleep with every girl I saw. I could handle a mature conversation. Just… not with him. I mean, seriously, how was I supposed to handle him? Well, okay, so I might feel threatened by him. But still…

Alberta interrupted my thoughts. "Guardian Belikov," She greeted me. I nodded in acknowledgement. "We're having an emergency meeting. Now." She continued, then strode out.

I caught up with her quickly. "What about?"

She avoided my eyes. "We've found the human who let the Strigoi in."

RPOV

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Princess Dragomir herself." The Strigoi said mockingly. Lissa was frozen with terror and so, it appeared, was Christian. Sarah was still sleeping. That, at least, was good. I had no doubt that he would kill her.

The Strigoi smiled maliciously. He knew we were scared and he was enjoying every minute of it. Casual as his steps towards Lissa were, I could sense the tension lying just beneath the surface.

"By the way, my name's Nathan," He continued in a tone that suggested friendly conversation. I battered against the wall that blocked my presence from Lissa's mind futilely.

Lissa! I shrieked, or though, as loud as I could. Answer me! Goddamit, hear me! I became more and more desperate as Nathan drew closer and closer. This was not going to end well.

Nathan reached us and started untying the ropes that tied Lissa to her chair. We had discovered last night that whatever they had drugged us with prevented the Moroi from using their magic. It seemed Nathan had learned from Isaiah's mistakes in Spokane.

"You know, I was going to let Rose watch you die, but she's either dead or a Strigoi by now," He shrugged carelessly. "Oh, well. It couldn't be avoided with her foolishness." His words stung Lissa and made her fear for her life.

They had the opposite effect on me. Enraged, I renewed my efforts against the resistance that blocked me from communicating with Lissa and was rewarded by a slight weakening. I strained forward and felt myself carried forward. Lissa gasped when she felt my presence in her mind break through the wall.

Rose? She asked timidly. But… How? (A/N: Ok folks, it gets confusing. The italics are Rose and Lissa's conversations!)

Not important. Try to let me take control so I can beat this bastard up! I said, anger filling my voice. How dare he threaten us?

She tried making her presence smaller. I tried to swell up and somehow managed to take control. I blinked slowly to make sure I truly could control Lissa's body.

By this time, Nathan was pulling me down a hallway.

"We can make this painful or quick," He said, discarding his conversational voice. He took up a menacing tone instead. "You decide."

"How about… neither and I kick your ass?" I suggested, feeling the anger return to me.

He laughed. "You're a Moroi. You haven't even specialized in something useful. What are you going to do, compel me?" He laughed and I grimaced. That was a very good point. Strigoi compulsion was stronger than spirit compulsion. Too bad for him I wasn't planning on using compulsion. "That is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard."

I amused him apparently. Well, that was demeaning and angering. Using his distraction by my "idiotic" threat, I pulled myself close to him, twisted his arm, and flipped him. Unfortunately, his Strigoi reflexes stopped him from going down without a fight, and he managed to knock my feet out from underneath me and I crashed on top of him. I rolled away and sprang to my feet, sprinting down the hallway. I needed to reach Christian and free him. Lissa's body was weak; it was hard to do the moves I needed to if I wanted to live.

I knew I didn't have much time and certainly not enough to reach Christian, so I skidded into an empty room and locked the door, praying he hadn't seen me. I was a goner if he had.

I relaxed my guard warily after a few seconds.

Way to go, Rose! Lissa cheered enthusiastically. I jumped; I totally forgot Lissa could communicate with me.

Lissa! Dear God, you scared the hell out of me! I thought. So, you can hear me, right?

I guess. I have a plan. You need to sneak around the mansion and try to free people. Lissa instructed. Then, we can get out of here before they catch us. We shouldn't just be focused on saving ourselves. That was such a Lissa thing to say. Always putting others first. I briefly contemplated arguing with her about it; at this point, saving ourselves was the best shot we had. But then I remembered Mason and how him coming back for me had saved my life and I decided against it.

Sounds good to me… Hopefully I can find a stake. I answered as I cautiously opened the door and peered up and down the hallway. No Strigoi in sight. Nathan wasn't very smart apparently. I smirked.

I crept down the hallway to our room to rescue Christian.

Christian was swearing and struggling with the ties that bound him.

"Nice language Ozera." I said sarcastically. He jerked his head up.

"Lissa? How… Are you Strigoi?" He blurted out, panic reflecting in his eyes. I rolled my eyes. He was so stupid.

"Um, nope, I'm not Lissa. And hell no, I'm not a Strigoi!" I said, mock horrified.

He relaxed. "Rose. Of course. You gonna help me with these stupid ropes?"

"I suppose I should. On one condition. You go with me." I said forcefully.

He furrowed his brow. "Rose, I'm tied up in a house full of Strigoi. Where am I gonna go?"

"Not what I meant. I'm going to be temporarily crazy and try to rescue as many kids as possible and I need you to burn Strigoi until I can find a stake."

"Well, then… Of course. I'd go with you even if you forbade me not to." Christian replied with his trademark smirk.

I rolled my eyes at him and got to work trying to untangle his bindings. We ran away from the room as soon as I had finished and he was free.

Um, Liss? Where do the ones I rescue go? I have yet to see an exit. I asked

Just tell them to get out and meet at the nearest grocery store. They are not to move until we arrive. Lissa was confident and sure.

Okedokee. Thanks. I said. Out loud, I said, "Okay, pick a room."

Christian hesitated and then pointed to a room a few yards down the hallway. I hurried to it and wrenched the door open.

There were two dhampirs, both about a year younger than me, lying bound and gagged on the floor. Their eyes widened when they saw us.

I ripped off their gags while Christian cut their ropes.

They stood up uncertainly. "Now what?" One of them asked. It was clear they hadn't eaten in a very long time.

"Now you run," I told them. "Don't stop until you've reached the nearest store or gas station. Stay there until you see either me or this guy." I gestured to Christian. They nodded, faces solemn and fled. We followed them

We rescued three Moroi and another dhampir. One Moroi was our age, but I was confident he didn't go to our school.

On our third room, we hit trouble. There was a Strigoi lying in wait for us. There were also two more Moroi and another dhampir. All three of them went to St. Vlad's. The two Moroi looked up at us with wide, terrified eyes. The dhampir- Zac, I think- looked surprised, but hid it well. It was what we trained for, after all. I winked at him, then brought my attention back to the Strigoi.

"Nathan's looking for you," The Strigoi sneered. "He's not happy."

"Well, good," I retorted. "If I aimed to please him, I'd be the world's first Moroi blood whore." I had to remember I was in Lissa's body.

Zac snickered and I allowed the ghost of a smile to flicker over my lips.

I turned to Christian. "You know, I think we should disappoint Nathan some more. It's so much fun. Shall we?"

"We shall," Christian replied, and the Strigoi burst into flames.

After about three seconds, I motioned for Christian to stop. "He's as good as dead." I gazed contemptuously at him. "Besides, he would do well to suffer a bit."

The Strigoi's eyes were narrowed in pain and hatred as he watched me free Zac and the two Moroi.

"Hey Zac!" I said cheerfully. "Escort these two lovely Moroi to the nearest store and wait for us, would you?"

He hesitated. "You guys are planning to stay here… You're in more danger. I should stay here with you." I could read his mind. They come first. I thought.

I smiled brilliantly. "We have Christian's fire and I know a few moves. Rose is teaching me how to defend myself."

Doubt was still clear in his voice. "All right. But at least take this." Zac said, tossing something to me.

I caught the object easily. "A stake?" I exclaimed. "How?"

He shrugged. "They're not very thorough. I have a hidden pocket sewn into my jacket."

"Thank you so much." Now I could really begin to fight. Watch out, Strigoi. Here comes Rose Hathaway.

"Yep," He said, then turned to walk out. At the doorway, he turned around to face me again. "Lissa, I'm sorry about Rose." I could've strangled him.

"I—she's not dead yet. I promise." I gave him a quick smile. "Go. Quickly!"

He hurried out the door quickly and Christian and I followed him.

After about ten more rooms and no more encounters with Strigoi, we had freed all the captives from St. Vlad's and a few extras, me and Christian decided to leave. I was jumpy and on edge.

Right before we reached the door, someone jerked me around. A Strigoi, of course. My life just kept getting better and better.

"Get your hands off of me, you undead bastard," I hissed furiously, twisting away and bringing my stake down in a deadly arc.

He chuckled. "Princess, I am not the one to be concerned about." The front hall was filled with murderous-looking Strigoi.

I cursed. There were about ten Strigoi.

Rose, get out of there. There's too many! Lissa urged, sounding frantic.

I'll try. But don't expect much. I responded. I looked at Christian and he nodded. We were ready for action.

I caught the Strigoi that was still babbling on by surprise. It was an easy kill, but still harder for me to adjust in Lissa's weaker body.

Christian meanwhile, incinerated two Strigoi in a row. I moved next to him.

"Conserve as much energy as possible." I murmured as the Strigoi closed in around us.

The Strigoi converged on us and everything was just a blur.

I staked Strigoi that Christian set on fire and whirled and kicked the ones still alive. Somehow, Christian and I were separated and I was fighting a Strigoi that had escaped Christian's deadly wrath.

Christian turned around to burn the Strigoi I was fighting. A woman Strigoi snuck up behind him.

"No, Christian, look, behind you!" I screamed. He turned around to face her. She was fast. She darted forward and threw him. He didn't hit a wall, but it still looked like it hurt.

With difficulty, he raised his head and looked directly at me. Somehow, even though he looked like he was going to pass out, he managed to set my Strigoi on fire. I staked him and the woman Strigoi screamed in rage.

Christian was looking at her fearlessly. She curled her lip and kicked him in the face. He dropped instantly. Lissa screamed.

I plowed into her, praying Christian wasn't dead. She stumbled and swung around to face me, her eyes glowing with hate

She tackled me and I managed to scrape her neck. She hissed in pain and kicked my leg. Rose! Lissa cried out. I ignored her and continued to try to stake her. I jabbed her multiple times before she sprang off me. I leapt on her back and staked her easily. She dropped and I crawled on the ground to Christian. He was still breathing, thank God.

Okay, Liss, you need- I began, but broke off. Someone was clapping. I stood up and turned around slowly, already knowing what to expect. What I saw, however, made my heart stop in terror.

Well, that was longer than expected. Anyways, aren't you just ready to kill me? Two cliffies? OMG what's going to happen?

Oh, wait, I already know! Review my pretties and tell me what you think Rose saw (Hint: It's not Nathan that terrified her)