Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Richelle Mead except Nikki. Please R/R! Enjoy!

(Nikki's P.O.V.)

It had been exactly a year. A year since Rose made me leave. A year since they all found out about what I did. And I had changed. Changed in a bad way or good way either way I loved it. See, I was Strigoi, but a new type of Strigoi. Death was my element, which made me very close, and very similar to a Strigoi already, but since my element was realted so closely to being part of the living dead, I got to keep my powers. I was so filled with joy. I also kept part of my soul, barely any, but enough. When I was among the humans, I could morph my eyes, into their original color. Many have come to look for me, to kill me, but hadn't succeded. I had let my hair grow out, so now it rested a few inches above my waist, and I had also died it black. And I also no longer went by Nicole or Nikki, as far as everyone knew, my name was Avery Valentine. So yes, I have changed, in many ways, and also had my baby. She was a beautiful girl, a dhampir, with red curls and brown eyes. When she was thirteen, I sent her off to the academy, which had only been a few months ago. I sent her, so I could morph into this incredible creature. Yet, I still missed the feel of Mason sleeping beside me. I wish I could run into his arms. But I hear he's found someone new. I hear Lissa has gained back Rose, my Rose. I hear she has also gained back Christain. Dimitri had wealsed his way back into Christan's and Rose's hearts along with Lissa.

My phone rang, and I smiled at who's name popped up on my screen. My only contact from the academy, who had followed everyone from my old life to the Royal Court, my daughter incuded.

"Ah, Natalie Dashkov, what news do you have for me?" I asked her in a friendly, but firm voice.

"Rose, she has found out about you turning, she has alerted the Guardians." Natalie rushed. I frowned.

"Thank you." I relpiled and snapped the phone shut. Rose was now the Head Guardian at Court, and Lissa was queen apparently, after Natasha Ozera killed Queen Tatiana Ivashkov.

"Tony!" I called out. He ran in. He was my main hunter here, and he always led the others in a hunt. Irritation flared up and I was a little more than upset with my next words.

"I need you to hunt down Rosemarie Hathaway, and I do not kill her, bring her here to me or there will be consequences." I said and waved a dismissive hand. He nodded and left the room. I sighed and leaned back in my chair.

(Rose's P.O.V.)

I laughed at Dimitri. He could be so childish sometimes, but it didn't irritate me like it used to. Since, coming here to the Court we had trained together in the mornings. Although I hated to admit it, I loved resuming this routine. It was something.. Familiar. I guess that's why I loved it so. My thoughts flew to Nikki. I couldn't even imagine her with red eyes, glowing with hatred, and no other emotions.

(Adrian's P.O.V.)

I watched Rose and Dimitri. They swore up and down, they no longer loved each other, they were through, but they weren't, not even close. They could lie all they wanted, but I knew something they hadn't yet gotten through their heads: Aura's never lie.

(A/N: Wow isn't Nikki turning out to be something else, something completely different. And what in the world is going on between Rose and Dimitri?)