We walked for what seemed like hours. I wasn't wearing a watch and neither was Dimitri so I was going by my stomach when it came to guessing what time it was. My stomach had been grumbling rather loudly for a long time now obviously we had missed lunch and I was starting to think we would be missing dinner too. I sighed for the millionth time today and Dimitri squeezed my hand in a sympathetic gesture. He pulled out his phone again and finally stopped walking.

"I have a signal again. I'm going to call Abe and let him know we are coming."

I nodded not sure what else to do being to hungry to form much of anything coherent . The phone rang twice before my father answered . I heard him immediately ask if we were in the tunnel and Dimitri confirmed. Abe said if we had hit the point were we had cell service again that it was only about a mile farther. He told Dimitri to call again when we hit the outside. Great so still no answer on where we were or where we were going. Rolling my eyes behind Dimitri's back I continued to follow him silently.

A little farther on I noticed Dimitri watching me out of the corner of his eye.

"Something wrong Comrade?" I asked tentatively hoping that there wasn't some vital information he was keeping from me.

"I'm just surprised your being so quiet. I was worried that something was wrong with you actually."

"pshaw" I scoffed. " You forget who your dealing with. I'm just dying from hunger is all . I have actually been silently contemplating whether or not I can hold you down long enough to take a chunk out of one of your shoulders."

Dimitri laughed and raised an eye brow. He pulled me to a stop and reached into one of the interior pockets of his coat pulling out a giant health food bar. I just stared for a moment not sure if I was grateful he had food or pissed he withheld it for so long. Finally after snatching the food from his hand and tearing open the wrapper with gusto I looked up and glared at him.

"Just how long were you going to withhold food from me? I have a crazy metabolism that needs to be feed on a very regular basis."

He never answered me. I suddenly found my self flattened in between the wall and Dimitri's hard back. His arms were splayed wide and his muscles were tensed. I could feel my heart start to beat out a disjointed overly fast rhythm. Had they found us? I opened my mouth to ask Dimitri what was going on but he shook his head and raised one finger. He cocked his head in the direction we had been heading and I felt him shift his weight ever so slightly in that direction. Without warning three large dark and tan Dhampir appeared before us. The obvious leader of the group held his hands up in a gesture of caution and peace.

"My name is Bernard. I work for Abe. I am here to escort you the rest of the way. We have reason to believe that the group of guardians hunting you has managed to find there way into the tunnels."

Dimitri didn't relax for a second . In fact I heard a low growl work its way up his throat from deep in his chest.

" What proof do you have?" he spat at the three Dhampir." why should I believe you that you work for Abe? He said to call him back and I haven't called yet."

Bernard nodded his head at Dimitri.

"Call him now then but please hurry we need to get you out of here and to Abe and then send a crew back through the tunnels to take care of any unwanted visitors."

Dimitri reached in the pocket of his duster and handed me the phone.

"Call Rose." his tone came out clipped. I knew he was stressed.

I hit the call button twice redialing the last number and Abe answered on the first ring.

" Kiz! I knew you would call when I send Bernard. Please kiz just do what he says. I got a tip that the tunnels may not be safe and you need to get out and to the safe house immediately."

I felt my breath leave my body and my knees wanted desperately to buckle. They had found me again. I sucked some air in through my teeth and focused.

"Ok old man we will." I hung up without a goodbye.

Placing the phone back into Dimitri's duster I placed a hand on his shoulder.

" They are legit Dimitri. We need to move now." He looked at me over his shoulder and nodded. He relaxed his stance and extended a hand to Bernard.

"I'm sorry but I have to be careful." Bernard took his hand with a grin.

"No problem I completely understand. Abe will be glad to know your taking his daughters safety seriously"

I felt Dimitri stiffen slightly.

" Of course I do. She means the world to me." he took my hand. " Now you said we needed to hurry?"

"Yes I think it best if we tried to run. I know you guys have been going all day but can you run?" Bernard seemed to be looking at me as he said that. I wondered if I looked as hungry as I felt. Dimitri must have felt so too because without a word to me he scooped me up into his arms and turned back to Bernard.

"Lead the way."

We took off at a pace I knew without some real food I would not have been able to endure.

The walls of the tunnel flew by and before I realized it we were thought a door and up some stairs into the fresh air. I looked around and saw mountains. I reasoned we must have somehow ended up in Austria. I never got a chance to ask as the minute we were on the outside Bernard pulled out what looked like a dog whistle and blew it. I heard nothing for about a minute then suddenly a black helicopter appeared over the horizon. In less than a minute it had landed in front of us and Bernard led our group with Dimitri still holding me in his arms onto the helicopter.

I was surprised and pleased to see Abe aboard the copter. He shocked me by quickly pulling me close and planting a quick kiss on my forehead before he released me. Turning to Dimitri he smiled.

" You've done a wonderful job of keeping her safe and I am in your debt."

Dimitri snuggled me into his chest before addressing my father.

"No sir. I am the one that in indebted to you for the chance to get my Roza back"

I felt my heart swell and my throat got thick and I had to force back tears. I would so not cry in front of all these people. Abe seeming to sense my discomfort cleared his throat and changed the topic

"so I happen to have a small amount of food here and I thought you might be interested." his eyes twinkled as he reached under his seat and pulled out what looked like a bakery box. He didn't even get the lid off before the scent assaulted me

" Brownies!" I exclaimed giddy with the anticipation. I snatched the pan from his hands and tore the lid off closing my eyes to inhale the scent. I heard Abe chuckle across from me.

" Any one want a small taste?" I asked trying to be polite. " Say so now of forever hold your peace." I waved the box in the air. Dimitri smiled at me.

"You haven't eaten all day Roza. Enjoy." I sighed in contentment and dug in.

By the time I had the box of brownies finished the helicopter was landing.

Judging by the surroundings I was guessing we were now deep in the alps. I forgot to ask because as soon as we landed I noticed that there were three cottages all set up in a cute little clearing. Out of the first cottage a figure came running. A figure with red hair. Was my mother here? I stepped off the copter and into my mothers arms.

"Oh Rose I was so worried." she cried. The tears welled in her eyes. " I am so glad your safe. Did the guardians see you?" she continued to run her hands over me searching for injury.

" mom I'm fine. I was with Dimitri of course he kept me safe."

My words seemed to trigger something in her. She turned then to look at Dimitri a look of indecision on her face.

"Belikov I'm still not sure how I feel about you and Rose, however I am grateful that you have kept her safe so far."

Dimitri just nodded at her as if he knew better then to say anything. I however had lots to say.

"Mom why are you here? I mean I get it I'm your daughter but what about your charge?"

My mom flushed slightly at that.

"Yes well about that." She took a step towards Abe. " I got reassigned." She smiled fondly at my father.

"Oh man you have got to be kidding me!" I glared at them putting my hands on my hips. " after all this time now the two of you decide to play house?"

"Rose!" Dimitri admonished me. " their happy let them be. doesn't everyone deserve a second chance at happiness?" I caught the double meaning in his words. I still didn't like it but I flipped my hair at my parents and huffed as I started towards the cabins.

"so is someone going to show me where I am sleeping ?" I raised my eyebrows. Abe took my mothers hand in his and led the way.

"This way Kiz. You and Dimitri will be in the second cabin the third is where the guardians not on shift will be. Your mother and I are in the first cabin." He gave me look I knew was a dare to challenge anything he had just said. Seeing that I wasn't going to he continued. " I have ten guardians here who will be swapping shifts. You and Dimitri will not be taking a watch as you are to remain hidden. Now one more thing you need to know. This area although not heavily populated has had the occasional strigoi. We haven't seen any in the past few days but that doesn't mean there aren't any around. Be careful the mountains give them a few extra hiding places. Any questions."

Dimitri and I both shook our heads.

"Good then go take a nap you look awful. Both of you."

I smiled and nodded at my father and allowed Dimitri to lead the way to the second cabin. Once inside he didn't even give me a chance to look around. He picked me up and took me into the bedroom. I was deposited gently on the bed and he silently began removing my shoes and socks along with my jeans. He took his off as well and pulled back the covers. I crawled under with him and snuggled up against him. Neither of us said a word we just let sleep claim us.