Hello and Good Day Everyone…Sorry I took a couple day to update…story is getting a little tricky..;D

It's requiring me to think a little more...lord help us all!…lol

This chapter is going to jump around a little bit…A lot of different POV'S and It's a tad slow, but It had to be this way!

As my new found friend Becca would say…Ethan is leaving to BRING SEXY back! Woohoo! **swoons* sighs** LMAO!

Told you I would say it girl! Classic…;D

Thanks for the wonderful reviews…Your kindness motivates me. **Terri**

Chapter 9

Rose's POV

I was suddenly startled by two things; one, was my son asking about The Temple of Souls, and two, when a knock came at the door. "Can I come in?" Adrian had asked before entering.

I looked at Ethan to see if it were okay to invite Adrian into our conversation. He nodded his head and answered for me. "Yeah, come on in."

Adrian walked in the door to smile at us. "Hey." It was all that he said, not sure if it was safe to say anything other than that.

In the matter of only a few minutes, I was shocked again when my son got up from the bed, walking over to him. Ethan extended his hand to shake Adrian's. "Dad? If that's what you still want me to call you." He gave Adrian a weak smile and continued. "I am

really sorry for the horrible things I said to you. I didn't mean them. I know it's no excuse for what I did, but I was upset. I hope you can forgive me."

Adrian stared at Ethan briefly and pulled him into a tight embrace. "You're my son…there is nothing to forgive. Of course you were upset, and you should be. You know, I have to shoulder most of the blame because your mom had wanted to tell you several times. But, I

said no. So, I am sorry too!" I looked at Adrian and locked my eyes with his to silently argue that he wasn't going to take the blame for this. He wasn't responsible for my not telling. If I really wanted Ethan to know, I would have told him. With or without Adrian's approval.

"Aww! Isn't this a nice family moment." Christian smirked while leaning against the doorframe. "All of this love has me misty eyed." He pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.

"You're an ass, Flamer." I started laughing.

"After all these years..Can't you come up with a better insult then that?"

Smirking. "It still pisses you off and don't deny it."

"Whatever, Hathaway." He winked at me.

Ethan interrupted our silliness, to only send all of us into a worried frenzy. "Who is going to tell me how to get to The Temple of Souls?"

Adrian, Christian, and myself turned to stare at him. "You can't go." I said.

"Mom, I am not asking. I am telling you that I am going." Ethan turned to Adrian. "Dad, I don't want to hurt you. I truly mean no malice, but please understand that this is something I have to do."

Adrian nodded his head with acceptance evident in his eyes. "I know you do, Ethan. It's the way it has to be." Adrian turned to me while placing his hand on my shoulder. "Babe, you and I both knew this day would come. We can't stop him."

I shrugged off his hand, becoming enraged. "The hell I can't! I am your mother, Ethan. You're not going. I will not lose you because of some old folklore fairytale. Who knows if it is even true."

Christian interrupted. "Maybe Rhonda can help?"

I shot him a glare of pure outrage as I practically spit the words at them. "That women made Strigoi aware of my son's birth and consequently, made them aware of who his biological father is. It is now only a matter of time that psychopath Dejan starts to look for Ethan.

This is what he wants. He wants Ethan to resurrect Dimitri."

Ethan's face went pale. "Dejan?"

"Ethan, Is there something you're not telling me? You look upset. What is it?" I touched his cheek to give him comfort, but from what?

He shook his head a little to quickly for me to fully believe him. I knew he was hiding something from me. "Dejan and myself are not the only one with wants that." His voice barely above a whisper.

He had our attention once again as we stared at him for an explanation. Christian was the first to ask. "Without a doubt you want your dad here, Ethan. But, who else wants your father to be resurrected and better yet, why?"

Ethan meet my eyes and didn't move from our stare while he answered. "My dad, Dimitri. He wants it too!"

My eyes widened, but stayed in place with his. "What? How? When?" My heart stammered like a bird in a cage, trying to break free. It was beating faster than I ever knew was possible.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "He came to me a little over a week ago when I really needed him. Dad told me that his return is essential to ending this once and for all, that I couldn't do it on my own."

Panic seared my veins as I questioned him. I knew it. I knew he was hiding something from me. "To end what? What can't you do on your own?"

I saw the struggle waging inside of Ethan. He didn't want to tell me. "Ethan?" I demanded in a slightly annoyed voice.

"A great war is coming. That is all I know. But, dad needs to be here for any chance of winning it."

Three pairs of eyes stared at Ethan with consternation. "It's not safe." I finalized.

Adrian took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers while giving a gentle squeeze. "Babe, listen to me…he has to go."

My glare shot daggers at Adrian. "If something happens to my son….I am holding you responsible."

Ethan interrupted me. "Mom, that's not fair. Dad is NOT responsible for anything. He has done nothing but encourage me and stand beside my decisions. I am 18 years old and I can make my own choices. I am not going to stand here and argue about it, my mind is

made up. Now, who is going to help, by telling me where I can find this Rhonda person?"

I turned to leave the room to let them figure it out for themselves. I couldn't standby and watch this. My son was going to be disappointed when he finds out that it's impossible to bring his father back. And I will be the one to pick up the pieces when he fails.

"Good-night." I spoke with absolution.

Adrian's POV

"Give me a minute." I said, leaving the two guys standing there confused by Rose's sudden departure.

I grabbed her arm, spinning her to face me. "Baby." I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her towards me. "Baby, listen to me. He has to do this.." I stared into her eyes brimming with worry. "If I help him, please promise me you won't hate me for it.

Forgive me, but I have to help him. This is his destiny. Let him fulfill it."

"It's not possible to bring Dimitri back. Ethan will be devastated if, no, when he can't reawaken his father's spirit."

I cupped her cheeks forcing her to look up at me. "He will never know unless he tries. You have to let him try."

"I am so scared, Adrian." She whispered. I knew that there was double meaning in her words. She wasn't just worried about Ethan's safety. Rose was worried that he may actually achieve his goal and bring Dimitri back. I think that is what she is most scared about.

How she will feel if he was brought back to her and Ethan. Hell, me too!

I tried not to think of it too much as I gently kissed her mouth, tasting her sweet lips against my tongue. I sighed internally because God knows how much time we may have left like this.

I didn't want to think this way, but I knew Dimitri was Rose's other half, soul mates. A true love never dies, regardless of time that has passed. And I knew one thing for sure, I would rather die than lose her. Nonetheless, Ethan needed this and who was I to try to deny him? He

would do it with or without my help and I choose to help him.

Ethan's POV

"Uncle Chris, Why is she acting like this?"

"Ethan, Jesus man, Think about it. You are wanting to go on a 'spiritual journey' to search for a temple that very few know anything about. I mean you are treading into dangerous territories. You may be evoking something dark, and sinister. You have

no idea what you may have to sacrifice to bring him back to you. Are you willing to do that? You're like a son to me, I am scared to lose you too! I can only imagine what your mom is thinking. You have to consider what she is feeling also."

Adrian just walked back into the room to hear the middle of Chris's reasoning. He rested his hands on my shoulder. "Ethan, I will talk to your mother. It will be okay and just promise me that you will be careful. "

He clutched my shoulder again and gave a deep sigh. "I have heard a little about this Temple."

Chris and I just stared at him in astonishment. Adrian always seems to be able to come on strong when he was really needed. He has never really let me down and I knew he was desperately trying to right the wrong he feels he did by not telling me about my dad.

"What?" He asked, puzzled, as he gave an appalled smirk. "I am not only pretty, but I am actually pretty smart too!" He tapped the side of his head with his finger.

We both snorted at him. "Okay, smart guy. What do you know?" Christian asked while still laughing.

"Well from I've heard, The Temple of Souls is to be located in the Belukha Mountains were Russia and Kazakhstan meet. However, if you are going, you can drive a great deal of the way, but there is also a lot of hiking, which I am sure you can handle." He glanced at me and continued.

"I guess the Temple itself has something to do with the followers of Roerikh and Starovery, The Old Believers. I don't know for sure…It could involve a place of where Pagan/Shamanist rituals were performed. You need to be careful because Chris is right about one thing,

you don't know what you'll be evoking. This is all I know and other than that….you will have to seek Rhonda's help."

Chris crossed his arms over his chest, taking a defensive stance. "I don't know, Adrian. Rose may be right. If she told the Strigoi about Ethan..she will make them aware of his journey."

Adrian shook his head in disagreement. "They already know about his journey. They want the same thing Ethan and Dimitri does. If they want to hurt him, it will be after his does everyone's bidding. Ethan is no good to them dead before the awakening. They must need Dimitri for a very good reason."

I flinched at his words before I spoke. I raised my hand and flagged it in front of them. "Ahh! Hello! I am standing right here."

Adrian and Chris broke their engaging conversation to finally notice my presence. "I am going to go see someone who can help, make some phone calls, transfer some money, and get things set up for your departure tomorrow. But, your first stop will be at court. You have to visit one of your mother's favorite

people.. Rhonda." Adrian said, slapping my back as we all wished each other a good night.

Adrian's POV

I pulled out my cell phone as I left Christian's home to call the only person who could really help me with that part of Russia. "Abe Mazur here."

"Abe, it's Adrian. Where are you at? I need your help."

"What's wrong?" Anxiety was in Abe's voice.

"No, nothing is wrong. I just need your help with something."

"I am at the office."

"Be there in 5." I said as I shut my phone. I really wanted to help Ethan, I did. But, I really hoped this didn't backfire on me.

I entered Abe's office to see him and Pavel playing cards. These two were a trip, twenty years later and still going strong. "Aww, you guys make such a cute, old couple." I laughed.

"Fuck off, Ivashkov." Pavel flipped me the bird. Wow! He has come a long way considering we were the best of friends now.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I never see you with a woman..I am just saying what everyone else is saying." I joked, trying to ruffle their feathers.

It worked. "Who the hell is saying that? I will have their asses killed." Abe glared up from his cards.

"Settle down, old man. No body is worried about your sexual activities… Especially me. I am here because I need help with Ethan."

"What about Ethan?"

"He wants to leave to try to free Dimitri's spirit..resurrect him. He wants to search for the Temple of Souls." I swallowed hard, waiting for Abe to freak out.

He dropped his cards. "What the hell are you talking about?"

I ran through the whole prediction thing, Dimitri coming to Ethan, and the warning of a great war. Abe knew some things, but not all things. He sat motionless for a good 5 minutes, not saying a word. "If Ethan and Dimitri are the ones needed to fight this

impending battle than we need to be prepared. Give him whatever he needs. However, I will dispatch at least one Elite Guardian to follow him, inconspicuously of course. Someone who could get close to him, a recent graduate of the Siberian school. But, if there is any

sign of trouble, I will dispatch a whole damn army, believe that. Oh, and if he does succeed in bringing his father back…I need that man on my side. I am to be contacted if and when Dimitri is back with us, understand me."

"I got it." I gave a slight nod.

Ethan's POV

I had packed my bags, and been prepared to leave as everyone started to wish me farewell. Sophie was first to say good-bye. She was a wreck. I hated to see her so upset, but I had to do this. She hugged me tight. "Ethan, please be careful. I will miss you so much.

I wish I could come with you."

I kissed her hair and hugged her in return. "Soph, you have to stay here for mom. She is going to need you to keep her calm. I will be fine, I promise. I have my cell; you can reach me anytime, day or night. I am always here for you, and besides, I will not be gone that

long."

Adrian was next to say good-bye. I glanced around our living room to not see Alec anywhere. He can't possibly be mad at me for leaving, could he? I couldn't leave without saying good-bye to Alec. Adrian diverted my attention from my thoughts of my brother.

"Son, I transferred $50,000.00 into an account under your name, a room has been booked at the Centralnaya Hotel in Novosibirsk." I glanced to see my mother shutter as he said Novosibirsk. "You will have a guide, her name is Marlena, she will escort you to the

foothills of Belukha. But, like I said, you will have to get the other details from Rhonda. She is expecting your arrival and she has been warned that anything that is discussed between you two is just that, between you two. Your grandfathers jet will take you to court first

and then onto Russia. You will also have a car waiting for you at the airport, a black Hummer." He winked at me. "Please call us and let me know of anything else you may need. I love you and come home safe. I truly hope your able to bring your father back with you."

Adrian hugged me tight and whispered. "I am so very proud of you and no matter the outcome, you will always be my son."

"Thank you for everything…Dad. I love you too!" I returned his embrace.

"Okay. We need to get this show on the road." Alec said while walking in the room with his bag over his shoulder.

I gazed at him with bewilderment. "What are you talking about We?"

"I am coming with you." Alec stated matter of factually. All mouths opened at once to protest, but Alec held up his hand, halting their rebuttals. "I am going…"

He gave me a dead serious look. "I told you…You're my brother and where you are..I am too! Now, get your ass moving. This moping and crying around shit is seriously bringing me down. I sincerely hope you don't act like this on the whole trip. 'Cause I am telling you right now..you will get on my nerves."

He laughed.

"This is mostly an outdoor adventure. You do know that, right? And what are you going to do without a mirror or hair gel?" I gave him a mock horrified look.

"Funny dick! You need me so you don't get your ass kicked by lurking strigoi…Bitches deserve some payback."

I saw my mother's expression as Sophie flinched. We never did tell mom about Dejan and I sure the hell wasn't telling her now. Alec, also picking up on the soon-to-be-halted travel plans vibe being given off by mom, hurried with me, and we both pulled her into a hug. "I love you, maw." Alec said

while kissing her cheek. "Alec, wait." She said.

"Love you, mom.." Alec said again, practically running out the door.

She held me tight. "Please be careful..I love you so much, Ethan. Come back home to me."

"I will, along with my dad.. I love you, mom!"

I hope you liked it..Please review..

Terri