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Chapter Thirteen

Rose

You would think waking at five in the evening is easy, on the contrary, seeing how I went to sleep at noon, it came far too quickly.

"Rose shut that damn thing off!"

"Working on it," I grumbled, finally managed to silence the screeching alarm and roll off my cloud mattress.

Over the last five days, I have spent the daylight hours walking the streets around the hotel. 2nd Avenue showed to be the most promising with several bars and social establishments, it seemed like a good place to start my search.

I have tried contacting Mason again, to no avail, unfortunately, so, for the time being, I will just have to wing it. Adrian was not too pleased with that information, but what could I do? We didn't come this far to walk away without so much as looking around.

Turning on the taps, I prepped for my shower, taking a moment to check in on Lissa. Every morning- or night depending on your view- I pause to peek into her mind, just to make sure she is doing okay. Yesterday and the day before she was moody, but it wasn't enough to cause concern.

Today I caught her still asleep, or she is blocking me, but the former seemed more likely. They must have switched back to Moroi time, meaning she wouldn't be awake for another few hours.

Coming back to myself, I stepped inside the marble tiled shower. Three different shower heads rained blistering hot water over my body. If I ever have the money to build a house, I want a shower like this one. Not only is it big enough that ten people could stand without touching, but an IPad on the wall controlled the temperature and frequency of the waterfall. I didn't even have to move and my whole body would be cleaned at the touch of a button.

"Rose, can you hurry up, I need to go," Adrian wined from outside the door.

"Just a minute," I yelled back. If it hadn't been for the glass walls, I would have just told him to come in, but that wasn't going to happen.

Finishing up faster than I would have liked, I opened the bathroom door to let him in, a towel wrapped tightly around my body.

"Good morning to you too," he flashed his famous crooked smile, "You know, we would be helping the environment if we just showered together."

"Keep dreaming, Ivashkov," I rolled my eyes, leaving him standing in the doorway.

"Every night, Little Dhampir. Every. Single. Night." he deadpanned before shutting the door.

Today I would scout the bar for tonight, come back and gear up for any potential battles, and head back out around ten thirty. One downside I have noticed in this area is the number of alleyways. Every block had one, and the further into Belltown that you went, the darker and dirty they got.

Belltown is just north of the heart of Seattle, and just south of Capitol Hill and Queen Anne. The area is packed with restaurants and bars of varying cultures and tastes. Me personally, I wanted to spend a little time at 'The Crocodile', a neat little place with live music and acts. However, in order to find Strigoi, I needed to find the Moroi, so I will be heading to the Wakefield Bar just a few blocks up.

Adrian assured me that would be the place I find the most Moroi. The establishment was classy, yet modern. Red brick walls kept the room dark and cool, dark wood furniture -booths along the left wall, and bar height tables toward the back- and globe lights hung low over the bar -giving the room a soft and calming intimate glow. It is run by humans, but I have a feeling they are in the know about our society and the things that take place behind the closed doors at the back of the building.

Arriving back at the hotel, confident in my current knowledge of the establishment, I was pleased to see Adrian had ordered breakfast -eggs, and toast. I was thankful he didn't order a feast, my nerves were beginning to climb and I didn't want to be hunched over when I needed to be ready to fight.

"Promise me you will call me if anything happens, and you will be safe," he had both his hands on my shoulders, looking me directly in the eye.

"I promise," I nodded, "and you do not leave this hotel, for anything Adrian."

"Yes Ma'am," leaning in he gave me a lingering kiss to my forehead, "I love you, Little Dhampir, come back in one piece."

"I love you too, Adrian." Wrapping my arms around his waist, I drew in his scent, memorized the feeling of his warmth around me.

I didn't want him to see how scared I actually am, but I know he can see my aura and pick up on my unease. Nevertheless, I am going to do this, but if I didn't come back, I needed this extra moment with him.

"Remember your other promise too," I mumbled into his chest.

"I won't need to keep that one, you will be fine."

Our first night here, as much as I tried to lose myself in the comfort of my new bed, I couldn't sleep. Hours upon hours of turning every which way did nothing to settle my mind and heart. So I spent the rest of the night writing letters to everyone I left behind. Lissa, Christian, Mom, Alberta, even my father- though he didn't have a name, just Dad. Ending with the two most important people, Adrian, and Dimitri.

Dimitri was the only one I left anything to when I fled the Academy, he was the only one that deserved a full explanation as to why I did this. But if I didn't make it back, if this mission went belly up and I never saw them again, I needed them to know how much I love them. And possibly most importantly, I needed to apologize. Each one of them deserves an apology, albeit for different reasons, but I left without saying goodbye to anyone. The should know why I did what I did, and that I am sorry for not telling them how much they mean to me before I walked away.

That next morning, I handed him a folder containing all of the letters. His job is to distribute them should I not return. He didn't want to, knowing it made everything we are doing a bit more real, but he promised nonetheless.

"Your faith in me is astounding," I laughed, stepping back from his embrace. "Seriously, though, remember."

"I do, and if it comes down to it, I will."

Sliding my arms into my leather jacket, I secured my stakes and pulled it tight around my chest. Drawing a deep breath, I headed out, "Wish me luck."

"You got this, Rose," he yelled just before the door closed, shutting him safely inside.

Wakefield was already packed when I walked through the door, leaving me only one place to sit and watch. Tucked next to the bar on the back side was a single person booth, my guess for the lonely patron who wants to hide among the crowd. Perfect for me tonight, only it isn't the best vantage point. I could see the back door clearly, but not the front, or the side in front of the bar where another door sat. I didn't worry too much about the side door, most likely leading to the offices, but I did need a better view of the front.

Ordering a Gin and Tonic, along with a glass of water, I surveyed the room. Most of the patrons were human, but I did see three Moroi men with Guardians come in, taking a seat on my side of the bar.

I watched them for several minutes, chancing small glances over the top of my glass when I felt they wouldn't see. The Guardians that had come in with them placed themselves throughout the room. One by the front door, one by the rear exit, and one, a tall dark skinned behemoth of a man, came toward me.

"Is this seat taken?"

"No, please," I gestured to the empty seat across from me.

"You look a little young to be here," he rose his brow, keeping his voice low, the draw of a southern accent becoming more prominent.

Rolling my eyes, I took a sip of my water, "I assure you I am not."

His eyes searched me, my face, my neck, my breast- that last one really shouldn't have surprised me, but as a Guardian, he should know better. Even if I put the girls on display tonight for a reason, it should be his charge appreciating my assets, not him. Though his eyes didn't linger, merely passed over as if he was searching for something. And if my assumptions are correct, he won't find what he is looking for.

"Where are you from, I have never seen you here before."

"Just visiting, looking for a friend," I shrugged.

"You're not the type," he shook his head, eyes roaming over my neck and chest again, "you don't have any marks, so what are you really here for?"

"I never said what type of friend," I smiled behind my glass before pulling another small sip.

"Well then," he nodded, realizing I wasn't going to be very forthcoming in this conversation. Rising from his seat, he looked over his shoulder and then back to me, "be careful, Youngin, they ain't the only ones looking for blood around here."

My ears perked up, hope springing in my chest. I hadn't counted on talking to anyone tonight, let alone a Guardian who knew the area, but I am thankful that the cards seem to be in my favor.

"Is it bad in this area?" I attempted to hide my hope, I think I managed just enough for him not to look at me like a crazed person.

"Far worse in Queen Anne, college town and all, but they travel down here from time to time."

"Thanks, I'll be sure to keep a lookout."

He returned to his post, leaving me alone to process. Queen Anne is only fifteen minutes north of the hotel. If I didn't see anything around here in a few days, I know where I will be going next.

I hung around another hour before making my way back toward the hotel. Hailing a cab was much harder than I pegged it to be, so I decided to walk the six blocks back. I am armed, and the clothes I wore were easy to move in should I need to defend myself, from Strigoi or other unwanted advances. With one stake secured in my knee-high boots, and the other tucked next to my ribs in the sleeve of my jacket, both were easily accessible.

I kept my eyes moving, my ears open to the sounds surrounding me. A group of women walked with linked arms, laughing all the while, before entering one of the many bars. Men could be heard from inside, and some are out on the patios, yelling at what I assume to be some sporting event on TV. Couples walking hand in hand out of a restaurant, enjoying an evening stroll through the downtown area.

So many people living normal, happy lives, I envied them. They could go about their days as if nothing in this world could harm them, and I lived as if everything would kill me. I feared every time I stepped outside at night simply because I know of the dangers that lurk in the allies, the monsters that hide in the crowd.

One of those monsters being my brother.

A shiver slide down my spine, the image of Eddie with red-ringed eyes, pale skin, deadly fangs filled my mind once again. I have grown used to seeing him this way, but it still unnerves me every time. I can only hope that when I come face to face with the real thing, I hold true to Dimitri's teachings.

Don't Hesitate. Think of them as the monster they are, not the people they had been before. Easier said than done, Comrade. Easier said than done.

I shook my head, clearing the vivid images away for the time being, and turned right onto Union Street, the hotel came into view, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. I may not have encountered Strigoi tonight, but it wasn't a loss in my book. I gained a new insight, allowing that speck of hope to grow just a bit more in finding him.

Sliding my key into the lock, I waited on the green light and opened the door, a shrill scream sending my senses into overdrive. I flipped the light switch next to the door, my eyes scanning the room for threats.

"What the hell, Adrian!"

"You scared me," he laughed, "I think I peed a little." He looked down, inspecting his crotch, with the back of his hand, he swiped across his forehead, "woo, that was a close one, were all good, no leakage."

"God, you're disgusting," I groaned.

Slipping into the bedroom, I disarmed and stored my stakes. Shucking my shoes and jeans in favor of sweats and slippers, and my shirt for Dimitri's St. Basil's hoodie.

"Sorry," he laughed, as I came back into the living room, "how was your night, Little Dhampir? Take on any monsters?"

"No," I plopped down on the couch, grabbing his tub of popcorn I tossed a few pieces in my mouth, "didn't see or 'feel' any, but I did talk to a Guardian."

I had told Adrian on our drive about my 'ability' to feel when a Strigoi is near, he calls it my superpower, I call it annoying. Even if it is an early warning system, it makes me feel like I am going to vomit, not something I am particularly fond of.

Filling him in on the information I obtained from the Guardian, Adrian processed the details, "Well, I say give it a few nights here, then move if nothing comes of it. You wouldn't want to give up before you really started here, who knows if he is just around the corner."

"I know, that's my plan," I grabbed another handful of popcorn, I tossed one at him. "So, why did you scream like a five-year-old girl?"

Picking up my ammo, he slowly placed it on his tongue, making a show out of eating the buttery snack, "I was enjoying some me time," the corner of his mouth lifted into a crooked smile.

"Ew, tell me you are joking," I leaned back.

"Nope, since you won't enable my addictions, I have to take matters into my own hand," a deep laugh rolled through his lips, "pun completely intended by the way."

"Again, you're disgusting. Can't you go do that in the shower like most men?"

He lifted his brow, "Oh- do tell, does a certain Russian..."

"I'm going to stop you right there." Holding up one finger, I silenced him, "I am not discussing this with you."

"Come on, we are just two adults talking about sex, nothing wrong with that."

"It is when he isn't here to defend himself," I drew a deep breath, letting it out in a long, over-exaggerated sigh, "I don't want to talk about him."

"It's okay to miss him, Rose. Just because you wanted to take a different path in life, doesn't mean you can't miss the things you left behind," his voice softened, turning from witty to compassionate in a blink.

"I know, it just..."

"Hurts. I know," he whispered.

I blinked a few times, willing myself not to start crying. Adrian leaned forward, poking my knee, "Hey, you still have me, and I am not going anywhere."

I nodded, pulling in a deep breath, "I think I am going to head to bed, love you, Adrian."

He stood, drawing me up into a hug, and placed a kiss my forehead, "Love you, too, Rose. Sweet dreams."

Tucking myself under the covers, I let a single tear slip from my eye.

I don't deserve him. I don't deserve Dimitri either, not after the way I left things. But I really don't deserve the friendship Adrian has given me. He is my rock, my best friend, and when the time comes, I will have to break his heart too.

Author's Note:

Happy Wednesday Loves!

I hope your week is going swimmingly. I am still slowly freezing to death, and sleep has been nonexistent, but hey, I am here to give you this update so that is a plus.

I hope you all enjoyed our little moments with R&A.

Question: If you won the lottery, which charity are you donating to first?

ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL- No question.

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All My Love,

Dream