Chapter 15

We were on the brink of a war here. I glanced at Abe; his face was full of disapproval and shame. I had never seen my father ashamed. The need to fix the situation flooded me, blocking out my better judgment. I stepped between Sergio's guards and Dimitri. "Enough!" I yelled. I was in my business mode. "We don't have time for these stupid little games. We have to take Victor out and take him out now." I narrowed my eyes at Dimitri. "Cooper" I turned to one of Sergio's guards, "put him in the car and when he wakes up…tell him that I will be back to discuss business." All of Sergio's guards gasped. It was well known that I never spoke to Sergio alone, but I had to clear Dimitri before any repercussions could be taken.

I straitened and took my place by my father's side. "New plan. Sergio's guards will guard the road. If he comes this way, you need to take him out." I turned to Wu "I need your forces south of the house." I pointed to the direction and they headed off. "Dimitri I need you to take the far side of the house, west." He looked surprised but obeyed. "Abe I need you to whip up a wind storm that keeps everyone out. Wait till I go in, then do your stuff." Abe smiled that scary smile as he moved into position.

"What are you going to do?" Cooper asked.

"I am going to murder that evil bastard" I stormed off into the forest. I passed Abe on my way to the house. This would be tricky and extremely dangerous, but I had no choice. I stopped at the end of the driveway and took a trip to Lissa's head. She was content for the moment, eating lunch with Christian. I scanned her mind for any and all darkness. Usually I took a little at a time, but today I would take it all. I searched and found it hiding in the back of her mind. I took it. All of it. Anger filled my body. I tensed and stormed towards the house. I didn't try to sneak up or anything. On the porch I was hit by a pillar of earth. My body flew into the air and crashed through the ceiling.

The wind storm had started. I took a breath of relief and stood up. Victor, Robert, and …Tasha? What the hell?

"I told you Bartolini was lying" Robert said.

"You underestimated her" Tasha turned to Victor. "I made it clear when I killed the queen, that Rose had to die."

"She will…" he never finished his sentence. I ran up and snapped his neck. Fire exploded through the house.

I dodged a fireball and went for Robert. He was bent over his brother. I knew exactly what he was going to do. I ran towards him, only to be met with a door to the face. Robert was flinging anything at me with his mind. Lissa must have felt the emotions through the bond. Don't worry Rose, I will take care of him Lissa went to work. Darkness rose in both of us. Lissa threw up an illusion so that Robert wouldn't be able to see me. I pulled out my sword and sliced his head off.

Victor's voice screamed as his head snapped back into place. I pulled every inch of darkness from Lissa and ran at him, sword in hand. I was smacked by a rock. Rocks and dirt flew in through the windows. The flames raced up the walls and ceiling. Everytime I tried to run at him, I was met with a wall of fire. Let me try something Lissa thought, go to the right. I walked to the right. The air rippled with magic as she threw up another illusion. Victor hurled rocks and dirt to my left. In his distraction I ran up and took a swing. His head rolled along the dirt. Tasha?

She was gone, or had she truly been there at all. She disappeared when Victor was hurt. It could have been an illusion by Robert. I decided that it was the most logical of all thoughts. Now here I was sitting in a pile of dirt in a burning house. I had used all the darkness and all of a sudden I felt exhausted. My body collapsed and everything went dark.

"Little dhampir" Adrian said as my eyes flittered open. I was in the burning house. "Where are you?"

"Adrian, I did it" I said lifting my head off the dirt. "I killed him, it's over… Lissa is safe" Sydney rushed to my side.

"Rose get out of there before you burn" she said pulling my hand. I looked up into her eyes. I was seeing her through Adrian, he loved her so much. She was flawless. "Come on, get up. Wake up!"

The dream faded and I heard my name being called. Sergio burst into the room with a wave of water. Dimitri followed and rushed to my side. "Run" I coughed. I gripped his shirt and pulled him close, "Run away! I'm too dangerous to be around." Then the blackness swallowed me.

I awoke in my own bed. My real bed with the red satin sheets and embroidered golden roses. I was back in Turkey. Sitting upright, I looked around the room. There was an IV and some machines plugged into me. I pulled them all out and stood up. Well I tried, my legs wobbled and I collapsed. How long was I out? Two weeks Lissa answered. I healed your burns, but couldn't wake you up.

It's okay Liss, I replied. I think I needed the rest. What about Dimitri?

She hesitated a moment. Dimitri was taken by Sergio.

We conversed briefly before Lissa had to go into a meeting. I searched my drawers for jeans and a black tank top. I needed to get Dimitri out of here. I walked down stairs.

"Rose!" Pavel shouted "I have breakfast ready in the kitchen." I followed him to find eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and waffles.

"Thanks Pavel" I said as my father entered the kitchen. "Good morning Baba."

He looked gloomy and sad. "Did you tell her yet?" Pavel shook his head.

"I know already," I answered. "I am going to rescue him. After breakfast."

"The plane is ready" he replied.

After breakfast I hopped onto the private jet, headed to Sergio's territory. It was a long flight and I was already weak. I used the time to rest. The plane landed and I walked off. Sergio was there with his entire entourage. I saw Dimitri standing nearby, arms and legs unbound. Pavel was by my side. I leaned over and whispered "take him home to Baia, Russia." Pavel remained silent but nodded. He stopped at the base of the stairs and I continued on alone. Sergio came out to meet me.

"Rose, it's good to see you up and about" we circled each other slowly. "No time for recuperation. Tell me, what is it about this guy that makes give your own life for his."

"I love him" I replied instantly. "Since the moment I met him, he has been the center of my world. If you ask me to die for him, I will."

He laughed, "don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't waste you like that." His hand came up to brush the side of my face. I wanted to back away, but I couldn't. I knew what was to come.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"You" he replied, "under the understanding that you never strike against myself or my guards and you work for me."

"Dimitri goes unharmed and I am not asked to go against my father" my voice was serious and determined.

"I don't care for that guardian" he replied, "I wouldn't dream of going against Abe." I rolled my eyes. "I offered him a place amongst my guardians, but I don't think he would be loyal to me."

"He is loyal to the queen and I prefer him to go back where he belongs" this caught Sergio off guard.

"You will send him away?" he asked disbelieving. "To love another and serve others."

"Yes" I replied. "I want him to be happy and free of my burden."

Sergio smiled. "Take five minutes to say goodbye." Then he nodded and the guards released Dimitri and retreated to the waiting cars.

Dimitri ran to me and pulled me up into his chest. "Roza, I was so worried about you." Tears began streaming down my face. "I would have …" I put my hand up to stop him.

"I have to go and so do you" he wiped my tears with his thumb. "I love you Dimitri Belikov, but we can't be together."

"What are you saying?"

"I don't want you around" I tried to pull on my guardian face, "go home." I turned and walked away. It was the only thing I could have said to keep him away. If Dimitri feels that I don't want him, then he will let me go. I dragged my feet in defeat all the way to Sergio's waiting limo. He held the door open and I crawled in. A minute later Sergio followed and we were off.