CHAPTER TEN

I woke up with Ibrahim brushing my hair. I looked up to him and smile. He keeps on staring on me and brushing my hair. I looked directly into his eyes, those eyes that makes me fall in love with him, that allows me to look down to his soul.

"You are so beautiful", he whispered.

"You never change, your flowery tongue", I teased as I kissed him gently.

"I'm not kidding. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. No offense to Rose", he said. We both laughed to that.

After we ate breakfast, we went to Vasilisa's place. She likes cooking to have us all together. To me, it's like we always have a get-together meeting everyday, but I like it. I know once Ibrahim decided to go back to his business, I have to go with him as his guardian. It will take awhile before we can see them again.

"Guardian Hathaway", a guardian called from the door.

"Yes. What is it?" I asked.

"For you. Someone left it in front of the guardians' post", he answered. He gave me a letter. I read it outside.

Dear Janine,

I hope you had a great night. Time to face your future, my child. If you want to put an end to all of these, go to the street beside the Orient Hotel. If you fail to go there alone, your daughter will be dead together with your husband. It would be easy. I'll be waiting. And don't tell this to anyone, for your family's safety.

A.H

My brain started to process quickly. If I fail to come, Rose and Ibrahim will be dead. It means someone is working for him inside. I have to know who it is. I have to save my family. I took a glance at them before I left.

I wore my usual guardian look, equipped my stake. I can do this. I will kill my own father. I sneaked out and headed to the place my dad has instructed in the letter. Of course, the street was empty. Empty houses. Perfect place for hiding.

I walked down the street. Footsteps are fast approaching, I hold my stake. The footsteps came nearer. I turned around and hit him on the face, he flew backward. He's a strigoi. Someone clapped behind him. Alec.

"Excellent. You really are the best guardian. Always prepared!" he exclaimed. I'm not happy with the complement.

"Let's finished this", I said.

"Oh..in a rush. Don't worry it won't take long. We have a lot of time for our goodbyes. You're not going to fight me first", he said.

"What? Then who?" I asked.

"Him", he pointed. A man came out of the dark. I'm shocked. Martin. My partner, Martin Burke is the traitor.

"Martin? How could you?" I asked him.

"Simple. I want power. I don't want to be tied up in a stupid Moroi forever", he answered. I cannot believe what I'm hearing from him.

"How long? How long have you been working for him?" I asked Martin again.

"Oh...as long as you cannot imagine", Alec answered. "How do you think I would know the events in your life? I have your partner to report everything that you're doing!" he added.

I am about to say an expletive but I bit it back. It won't do anything good. Now I get it. How they entered the Royal Court, how he was able to escape when the guardians rescued me, the letters, the gift...it was all Martin. The man I trusted, the man I have worked with for years, this is so good to be true.

Anger burned inside of me. He is no longer a partner to me. I know it's wrong to kill my fellow dhampir, but this evil dhampir can kill my family, I won't let that happen. I launched to him. I hit his face so hard that made him spit blood, I didn't give him time to stand up, I kicked him in the stomach. He attacked after but I was able to dodged it. I hit his thigh and staked him. It's not exactly in his heart, but nearer. He's dead.

"It's time for you...Dad", I said.