Chapter 10

Hey guys..just want to say that I am NO expert in astrological signs, religion, or Planetary events..I wing it.

If some of you know whats what and I am wrong..Forgive me.

It is all purely fictional, so please be gentle.. ;D

I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's the longest one to date...NO SNORING ALOUD! LMAO..;P

Terri

Ethan's POV

Our plane started it's descend and we would be landing at Court in less than 20 minutes. I am far from a pretentious person, but it was times like these that I was glad I was born into privilege. It made going on this trip to help my dad, possible.

Alec broke me from my daydreaming. "Do I have time to visit Ellie while we are here?"

I gave him a dumbfounded look. "Ellie? Ellie is back at school. Isn't she?"

"No..she is here visiting her folks."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't care. I have to visit Rhonda. So, I guess if you would rather go visit Ellie, well that's cool with me. Besides, she just a psychic, what's she going do... Kick my ass?"

Alec gave me a sarcastic roll of the eyes. "I've seen you fight. She probably could kick your ass."

"Oh..okay. Whatever you say. I wasn't the one dangling in the air like a puss last Friday night."

"Hey man. Mind control is not cool."

I pushed him as he toppled some before catching his balance. "Go ahead and visit Ellie. I will meet you at the cafe after I am done. If you get there first, just wait for me."

Alec pounded his fist to mine. "Okay…I will see you soon."

I walked through a cavern-like corridor to enter the most bizarre room I was ever in. The walls had red, velvet damask wallpaper, red curtains, and red satin cushions scattered about. However, that wasn't the strangest fixture in the room.

There was a woman; long, dark curly hair, dressed in black, hovering over a crystal ball while sitting at a red, silk draped table. She never glanced up when she spoke. "Welcome Ethan….Belikov." I rolled my eyes, lucky guess. Of course she knew I was coming.

I had an appointment. She let out a semi-deranged cackle. "Ahh..A skeptic like your mother, Rosemarie. She never did respect my gifts."

This crazy old lady better not start throwing insults about my mother. I won't stand for it. And then the thought occurred to me. Shit! I sure the hell hope she can't read my mind too!

She gazed up at me with her eerie dark eyes as they penetrated mine. "You look like your father, Dimitri."

"Mmm..Thank you. I guess. May I sit down?" My voice shaking from not knowing what really to expect from her.

She gestured to one on the two empty chairs placed on the other side of the table from her.

She got right to business, skipping any light conversation. "Ethan, I would like to do a tarot card reading to get a feel for the energy around you before we go on to anything else."

She had asked for my birthdate first and then handed me a deck of worn cards asking me to shuffle them, which I did.

I handed them back to her and she gave me a knowing smile.

I became extremely self-conscious when I finally couldn't take her stare any longer. "What is it?" I nervously quizzed.

"Venus trine Pluto."

I raised an eyebrow and challenged her. "What does that mean?"

She furrowed her brow and then her smile widened. "Young Ethan..I see an very intense romance in store for you." I felt a slow blush starting to creep up my neck, finding it's way to my cheeks. She continued, while not paying attention to my embarrassment.

"Love at first sight. You're not one to scatter or waste your affections on someone who doesn't deserve or appreciate them. You possess extremely high moral and spiritual standards. Your basic integrity is solidly founded and unshakable."

She eyed me again. "You definitely are your father's son."

She laid three cards before me on the table when I heard the most annoying voice at the wrong moment. "A dude can get lost in a hell hole like this."

Alec came walking in, completely oblivious to the business being conducted in the room. "Ellie's not home." He looked at my face, which was wearing an aggravated expression. "Dude, what's wrong….…?"

He turned his head, following my eyes to finally see Rhonda sitting across from me. "Dayum, shit..Sorry, you scared me, ma'am." He jumped back in the most comical way. She was quite scary looking, almost like a witch. It took everything I had not to burst out laughing right then.

Rhonda glared at him and snickered with disgust. "You must be Alexsandr Ivashkov."

Alec smiled his brilliant smile and straightened his shirt. "That's right, I am. You've heard of me, huh?" He fucking winked at her. I shook my head while thinking, heaven help us. She was like 65 years old. What the hell is wrong with him? We are definitely going to die on this trip.

She made another strange, disgusted sound. "Yes well, you must have gotten the worst of their combined genes I see. Your father, Adrian, must have fallen in the deep end of the genetic pool of stupidity. I am still convinced that Nathan and Alena lost a bet

with god. Problems with that one there."

"Hey lady, What the fuck?" Alec snapped as I squeezed his leg…hard. "Ouch dude." He turned and glared at me.

"Please continue, Miss Rhonda."

She looked at me. "You have your father's manners. A polite young man."

"Thank you." I put as much sincerity as I could in my completely fake sentiment. I so did not want to piss this lady off. Hell, she looked as if she could place a wicked spell on us at any second and Christ, I have enough problems to content with at the moment.

Alec focused real hard as he conveyed his thoughts to me. 'You're a fucking suck up, ass. That's my dad this bitch is ragging on.' He literally screamed the words in my brain.

I sent a thought in return. His and my thought processes were different from his and Sophie's. They seemed to share the same wave length whereas it was harder for us to establish a mental line of communication. It was difficult and hard to sustain for

any long length of time. 'Alec, come on..This lady has information about my dad that I desperately need. Shit man…just play along for now…please!'

I saw through the corner of my eye that he slightly nodded his head with his mouth drawn in a tight straight line, not revealing any emotions. I knew he was pissed from what she said about Adrian and I was too! But, I needed information on the

Temple's whereabouts and if we pissed her off.. we weren't going to get it…simple as that.

She flipped over three cards in front of me. She examined them intently before she spoke. "Your first card is The High Priestess. It is upright, which is good. You have intuition, wisdom, and a secret knowledge."

My eyes darted to Alec's and back to the cards, not wanting to give anything away to this woman. I remembered that she did help the Strigoi, which was not a good thing for me, knowing she could betray this information as soon as I walked out the door.

She gave me a curious look. "Something remains yet to be revealed, but patience must be observed. I see the influence of a woman."

"Okay…" Alec nudged my shoulder and waggled his eyebrows. "A woman. Now we are getting somewhere." Rhonda frowned at him in disgust once again. I had a feeling she truly disliked poor Alec. A woman that doesn't like Alec, huh, that's a first.

"The second card is also upright. The Chariot Card. Triumph over diversity, overcoming life obstacles, decisiveness, and ambition in achieving ones goals. A well deserved victory. A period of struggle ending in worldly success." I was so happy to hear this one.

I am hoping that she is talking about my goals that are in reference to my dad and them being well deserved. My dad did deserve to be saved and brought back to me and…mom. I wanted to know him so badly that it hurts. I pray that these predictions are true.

She looked up at me and pointed to the third card and took a deep breath. If I had to be honest, the look on her face frightened me. She almost looked sympathetic for a brief moment. "Ethan." She paused.

"The third card is, The Tower." It didn't look like a scary card to me, at least it wasn't the death card, right…wrong!

She cleared her throat. "Disruption, conflict, change, and a sudden, violent loss. Overthrowing of an existing way of life, major changes, Ruin and disturbance. Dramatic upheaval."

Alec and I instantly found each others stares and spoke at the same time with the same worry racing through our thoughts. "Who is going to die?"

Rhonda's eyes darted back and forth from mine and Alec's. "I will not tell you who. I will inform you that they are well aware of their destiny and they accept it."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Alec demanded. "If someone I love is going to die..and you know it, then you should tell us."

She held his glare, opening her mouth to say something when there was a charge in the atmosphere, changing it drastically. The air around us suddenly felt heavy, sweltering. A swirling mist encompassed Rhonda, Alec, and myself.

Something supernatural was at work here, I sensed it. The room seemed to be locked in some sort of foggy haze, like a fog on a mountain after a heavy rain, blinding you to anything within a few feet of your sight. It was sort of frightening and interesting all at once.

Alec and I gazed at each other in shock, and confusion. We turned our attentions back to Rhonda, whose eyes took on a strange, blank expression. She appeared to be catatonic, in a trance.

It was even more bizarre when she started to speak in a unfamiliar voice drawn with a slight russian accent. It was still her voice, but different.

"Ethan?" Her mouth spoke as she addressed me. We knew right then and there that Rhonda wasn't Rhonda anymore. She was being controlled by something or someone. I pulled my stake from my sheath, and waited, with Alec followed my lead.

Alec and I didn't know if we should stay in this room or run out screaming like two frightened little girls. But, we chose the first option as we listened closely, knowing that obviously whatever, or whoever it was had a message for me.

"Ethan, I have never occupied a living body with my spirit before. Therefore, I have no idea how long I can hold on to this possession. So, please listen intently to everything I must reveal to you."

I sat there with my jaw slack, completely dumbfounded, and then finally pulled myself together, forming a coherent sentence as I stuttered. "Wwho are you?"

"I am your father…Dimitri."

My eyes widened in complete shock.

"What the hell?" Alec said what I was actually thinking.

Dimitri wasted no time explaining things to us, as he got right to the point. "You have exactly 5 days to make it to The Temple of Souls or there is no way to ever reconnect my soul to my body. There are many powers at work here. Some are with you and some are…against you."

"Dad, your body? What do you mean your body..There is nothing left to it."

"Listen to me…I am not dead. I was injured when Roza staked me. She was too fragile to handle the truth..I had to let her think she freed me. It was the only way for her to move on." Alec turned to me and mouthed 'Roza?'

I gave him an 'are you serious' look. I mouthed back. 'Mom.'

"Ethan, I am here and aware..I need your undivided attention, son." He was already scolding me like a father would. Once he had my full attention, he continued. "Yes, the Roza I am speaking of is your mother. Now that we have established that; Tatiana had

given too much information to Dejan. He was not aware that I was the one to have killed Galina. All the witnesses at the mansion that evening had be eliminated, or so I thought. Dejan had no way of knowing of what really happened there, until Tatiana informed him."

I swallowed hard, aware of the fact that my mom and dad had been in that mansion that night, together, and my dad must have been the one to have destroyed all of the other Strigoi.

"Galina?" I questioned with no idea who he was talking about. I have never heard of this person before.

"I have no time to give you all the details, but they knew Rose had given birth to my son, you. I knew I had only one option and this was it; more or less go in hiding, place myself in this suspended state, and wait for you to come into your powers, so that you may be able to

and if you were willing to free me. Nonetheless, they would want to destroy me and then you. Our souls are divided, you carry part of me within yourself, whereas I carry Galina's spirit since I was the one to destroy her.

He needs both of us dead to claim her powers from me. There are many dark forces at work here…They are things I am not proud of, things that while being Strigoi I explored, but believe me, this is only possible, my awakening, because I carried my light with me.

I carried some of my humanity in my darkest hours. There is so much to explain to you, but not enough time. You have to retrieve my body in The Temple of Souls. I am in a meditative state, a Shamanic Journey.

My spirit has left my body to travel and roam between the realms of the upper world and your world. You are my spirit helper, my only connection back to our world, a living, breathing state. If you don't get to me in time, my soul with forever remain in the upper world, with no rest."

Jesus, no pressure there, I thought to myself.

"Does Dejan know about the Temple? And how did he know you went into hiding?" I felt fear and anxiety devour my being. I knew this answer was of great importance.

"Yes, he does know of the Temple. However, he doesn't know where it is located and he can't find out. He carries no morality in his soul. So therefore, he is not granted entrance onto it's grounds. I am afraid he will follow you to get to me. He only knows of my

current disposition because I had a confidant of sorts. He was of a religious stature and he helped me gain access to the holy ground for which I lie. However, he has since perished, for he would not give them my location, he only admitted that I wasn't dead and besides, Dejan could

sense it. My friend was put to an agonizing death for harboring my secrets."

I asked in confusion. "Dejan wants me to resurrect you. He told me so."

"Yes and no. If he is able to get to my body in this state..He can attempt to use a human to enter The Temple to kill me and then….." The voice paused and slightly faded. "Then he will kill you, releasing the other half of my soul to only evoke it into himself."

"Oh hell no he won't!" Alec chimed in. I had almost forgotten he was sitting beside me. I don't think he has ever been this motionless or quiet even, in his entire life.

"Why didn't he just kill me when he had the chance?"

"For one, he doesn't know where my body is…He needs you to lead him to me. Just keep a vigilant watch for him."

I disagreed. "No, I think he wants the show down with you. He said about a great war. I think he wants his avenge Galina's death by killing you himself."

I paused and spoke in the most threatening voice, one that I didn't even know I was capable of. "I will never let it happen."

"Me neither." Alec concurred.

"Well, if that is his true intention then…I welcome the challenge." I had to smile 'cause I heard the fight in his voice, the anticipation of the battle. I think he wanted Dejan as much as Dejan wanted him…oh shit! Great war indeed.

My brain registered a worried thought. "He is working with Rhonda. Why can't she direct him to The Temple's location?"

"It's complicated. She needs 'spiritual permission' to be bestowed the privileged. She has malevolent intent. Our spiritual guides are well aware of our truest intentions. Son, if I didn't have good intentions, I would not be granted this honor to recapture my former self

and rest on holy ground. The gods are smarter than that. A man's truest value is who he is at heart, the very essence of his core; His integrity, his honor, and his self-worth."

I knew at that moment, I knew without a doubt that my dad was an amazing man and I was honored to be his son. He had a lot of self-worth and I would pledge my life to bring him back, nothing was stopping me.

"How do I get to you? I know I have to go to the Belukha Mountains where Russia and Kazakhstan meet. Yet, where do I go from there?" I spoke with sheer determination.

Rhonda's mouth pulled into a small smile. "I will guide you from there. The Temple of Souls is invisible to human eyes and can only be opened if you have true intentions and with the following incantation that I am about to give to you. You will feel my energy as I

draw you to me. Ethan, I don't know if I can hold on here much longer. Now remember, I will be restored to my original state before my 'slumber'.

The theory is that the spirit in your blood will heal the Strigoi within my soul. Which means I may still be Strigoi when you resurrect me. Like I had said, I held on to my humanity by a thread…it weighs in the balance of good and evil. My soul is in chaos."

Horrified, I challenged. "Wait..Theory? Dad, what exactly are you saying? You don't know if this is even possible?"

The expression on Rhonda's face became even more grave as the next words escaped her mouth. "Son, if I awaken Strigoi…You have to kill me."

I frantically shook my head and started to shake with revulsion from the idea of hurting my own father. "No way. I won't do it..I can't…You're my dad."

"Promise me." His tone was sharp and demanding this time, not accepting no for an answer, so I did what felt right to me…I lied.

"I promise."

"Good, now listen to Rhonda about the conditions which are needed to perform the ritual. I hope to see you in 5 days…And Ethan?"

I looked up, afraid to meet his eyes, her eyes in case he knew I was lying to him. "Yeah, dad?"

"I love you, son." He was gone, just like that.

His final words were bittersweet. But, I couldn't focus on that right now. My mind was focused on something more terrifying. How the hell could I kill my own father? It wasn't possible.

In this moment, I knew exactly how my mother once felt; confusion, devastation, and complete hopelessness. She was much braver than I have ever imagined. My mother is a truly remarkable woman.

The fog dissipated and the air became more tolerable as Rhonda quickly shook her head as if she were coming out of a trance, and she really was. I just hope she doesn't remember any of it.

"Where were we?" She glanced at us, having no recollection of what just occurred. "Oh yes, Mr. Alec was being rude to me."

"Christ lady, really? What the hell did I do to you?" I knew that Alec was on the verge of freaking out from everything that just happened to us. We had to get out of here and soon.

She took a cleansing breath and gazed at me again with those now creepy, soulless eyes. I didn't trust this woman, but dad had told me to listen to the conditions she had to tell me, whatever the hell that meant. So, I followed his advice.

"Ethan, I am sorry to inform you that I can't tell you the location of The Temple of Souls. My spiritual guide cannot reach the destination for reason unbeknown to me. However, there are certain events in our spiritual, and astrological domains that have to align with one another to make your journey

possible."

She closed her eyes as to really focus on her task at hand. "The moon is in the house of venus..The sun is blackened. The hourglass is turned and so shall the sand slip by quickly, as your father's fate is a minuscule speck, balanced in the infinite of space and time."

She opened her eyes to stare directly into mine. "What does that mean?" I begged her to make sense of her words, so I could understand them.

I saw the struggle in her eyes as she debated if she wanted to help me any further. "I believe I may owe you this. However, I want no parts of either side after today's events. I fear of something very terrible to come if your father is not awakened. This alone is why I

choose to help you. On the fifth day of your journey, our solars will enter a Planetary conjunction with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event. The five planets; Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will align making a connection to the Otherworld possible.

Also, for chosen ones, such as yourself to evoke heavenly god-like qualities for only the briefest moments in time. Thus, having the power to resurrect your father. For how long the window will be open? I do not know. The sun, moon, and the planets have a decided effect on one's

destiny. Good luck young Ethan and Good-bye." She escorted us out of her room as the fear was evident on her face.

Alec gazed at me with a humorless look. "That is one rude bitch." He chucked his thumb over his shoulder, back in Rhonda's direction. "Where to now?" He asked.

I wrapped my arm around my brothers shoulders, guiding him through the corridor. "We are going to Russia."

Sophie's POV

I couldn't take it anymore. I knew those two, and they were definitely going to head into trouble without me. I also knew that mom and dad were going to be frantic, still, I had to find my brothers' and offer them my help. My plane is scheduled to leave for La Guardia

airport , New York, in less than three hours and then on to Novosibirsk, Russia. My secret boyfriend, Chance, who is 20, and also a student enrolled at St. George's, will be driving me to the airport. I really hated to involve him, but no one is aware of us dating, so it

shouldn't cause a problem for him. I have just enough time to leave my parents a note and slip off to meet Chance, who had a waiting car in the teacher's lot.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am so sorry to leave you like this and with only a note as an explanation to why. I can't bear to have Ethan and Alec on this trip and possibly be hurt. I need to be with them..Help them. Please understand.

I also hate to inform you that we've been keeping a secret from you. Last Friday, Dejan and four other strigoi had cornered Ethan about plans to resurrect Dimitri. Dejan had made some threats, wanting Ethan to do his

bidding, and eventually to join him. I guess by changing Ethan into a strigoi. We were able to get away with no harm coming to any of us. Except, Alec was mentally 'physically' attacked, which he started by the way.

I am so sorry to have told you this way, but if you knew earlier, you would have never let Ethan go on his quest.

Please forgive me…I promise to keep them safe. I had to go…

All My Love,

Sophie

Hey Everyone…There may be questions about Dimitri's state of being and things of that nature…

However, I will explain it in detail later on…or maybe I will let Dimitri do it….lol

Hope you enjoyed it….Please review…Terri = - }