I'm not a total witch...but you know.. with a B. haha.

Chapter Twenty Four

Rose

Was that a gunshot?

I sat straight up in the bed.

Bang!

Definitely a gunshot.

And it's coming from inside the house.

Adrian!

The race between my heart and my legs was sadly no competition, my heart was winning my a thousand miles. I couldn't move fast enough, not what I deemed to be at least.

When I pulled the door open, I was surprised to see the man in question standing just outside in the hall. Ryder, however, was nowhere to be found.

"Rose, what was that?"

I looked down the hall, unable to see the living room from where we stood, but I could hear the sound of fighting. Several voices, all male, floated up the stairs. Grunts and groans sounded off in rhyme with the sound of flesh against flesh.

"I don't know, but get back in your room, you will be safe there."

"Don't think so, Little Dhampir," he rose his brow, "you really think I am going to let you go down there alone?"

"And what are you going to do, Adrian?" I growled, regretting it as soon as the words slid past my lips, "I need you safe, down there, your a distraction. Please."

"Okay," he whispered, stepping back.

I mentally slapped myself as I watched him retreat back into his room. I shouldn't let the look on his face get to me, especially not right now, but I hate hurting him. I know he feels like shit that he couldn't save me back at the hotel. I know he doesn't want to be seen as a liability, or a distraction, but this is not the time to test the waters.

The moment his door closed, I rushed forward and down the stairs.

What in the hell?

Five men I didn't know were ganging up on Ryder and Brayden. The latter I wasn't too worried about, they could kill him for all I care, but Ryder, I didn't want to see him hurt. He may have been involved with following me, the kidnapping and holding us here, but I could see that he didn't agree with it. He had a pure heart, one gained from a year of torture, and I knew he was a better person than the others.

I prepared to join the fray with Ryder, but when I took my next step forward, I caught sight of another man by the front door. More importantly, the person laying deathly still in the entryway.

Wearing a damn duster.

"Comrade," my own voice sounded foreign to my ears, somewhere between a sob and a scream, it halted the movements of everyone in the room.

I propelled myself forward, forgetting about the other five unknown people, Brayden and Ryder, and focused in on my heart laying on the ground. The guardian in me told me it was the wrong choice. I could almost hear Dimitri in the back of my mind yelling at me for letting my emotions get the best of me, for turning my back to the enemy.

But my heart told me, if he is here, then these people are with my father, so I am safe.

Falling to my knees opposite of the other person, I took Dimitri's face in my hands, looking over his chest to see blood soaking through the fabric of his shirt. Quickly.

"Comrade," I gurgled as tears fell freely down my face, "Comrade, wake up."

"Rosemarie."

"Rose."

My name was said by two different people.

The first, from the man in front of me. My father. It wasn't hard to come to that conclusion. Looking at him was like looking in a mirror. The same dark eyes, almond skin tone, brown almost black hair, everything down to the shape of our noses were identical.

The second, from my best friend behind me.

Tearing my eyes from the mirror image across from me, I looked back to see Adrian's wide eyes looking at Dimitri.

"Let me, Rose," he stepped forward, his hands already outstretched toward Dimitri.

"You can't…" sobbing, my head fell forward to rest against Dimitri's forehead. My fingers ran through his hair on their own accord, my lips were drawn to his -no matter that his blood spilled from them.

If Adrian had been hurt by my doubt in him, he didn't show it. I could feel him lower to the ground beside me, see his hands reaching out and laying over Dimitri's chest.

"Com..rade… I love you…I'm sorry," I cried over and over, tuning out the world around me.

The fighting in the background had faded. Adrian's voice beside me sounded a million miles away. Nothing and no one else mattered at this moment. Only him.

It was Mason all over again.

What is it with this house and killing the men I love? Adrian better run before he's next.

A set of familiar arms wrapped around me, pulling me away from my heart and soul laying on the hardwood floor. I wanted to fight, but my body held no strength to do so. I was numb on every level. I couldn't think, speak, or move, I could only watch.

Watch Adrian hover over Dimitri.

Watch my father bark orders, that I couldn't hear over the cracking of my heart.

Watch the other unknown people haul Brayden out of the house through the back door.

Watch Dimitri's chest rise and fall.

Wait, what?

I blinked rapidly, my eyes playing tricks on my heart. Did I see what I think I did?

I didn't have to question it long, because, after another second, Dimitri coughed up his right lung, the left not far behind. Adrian fell to his side, his head hitting the floor with a loud thunk.

"Dimitri!" I yelled loud enough to shatter the windows, breaking free of Ryder's hold.

I crossed the living room in point five seconds, kneeling on the ground next to Dimitri's head. His eyes met mine, disbelief rolling like ocean waves against the shore. He opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head, telling him to not even try right now. Brushing his hair from his handsome face, I smiled at him, unable to speak myself.

"Ugh," Adrian groaned from beside me, rolling over to his back. "Is he alive?"

"Yes," my answer came out in a watery laugh, "thank you, Adrian."

"So much for I can't," he chuckled, "but damn that took a lot out of me."

Reaching over, I ran my fingers through his short hair, before meeting my father's eyes, "Do you have any blood bags?"

"I'm good, Little.."

"No, you're not," I cut him off, "I know exactly what it took to do that," pausing, I looked back to Ibrahim, "do you?"

"No," he shook his head softly, "not here at least, I have some on my plane."

He owns his own plane? Who the hell is this guy?

Pulling the sleeve of my shirt to my elbow, I held my wrist in front of Adrian's face, "Drink."

"Not happening," he growled.

"I'm not arguing, drink."

"Roza," Dimitri's hoarse voice rolled through my ears, the sweetest sound I have ever heard.

"Relax, Comrade, you need to save what little energy you have. You're in for one hell of a ride."

It took a moment for both of my men to comprehend what I was insinuating, but the moment it took, they both let out a deep groan. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

Oh- this is going to be fun.

"Adrian, drink, you need it. I will be okay."

When he didn't make a move, I pulled on the roots of his hair, pushing my wrist against his lips. Finally, he opened his mouth and I felt his teeth break through my skin. My head fell back, a soft moan sneaking past my lips as the endorphins spread.

Since he wasn't pulling from a major artery, they didn't flow as fast, or as much as when Lissa would feed on my neck, but the buzz was still there. There was nothing sexual about it, but when Adrian pulled away, far too soon for my liking, and I came back to myself, I saw the look of fury cross Dimitri's face.

I wanted to yell at him, or at least tell him to chill, but I didn't want to kill the high I was currently riding on. I hated to admit that when we returned to the Academy I found myself missing it, but sadly it is the truth. I doubt there is a drug in this world that could compare to the bite of a Moroi or worse a Strigoi.

"Fuck," I groaned, "Eddie!"

"He's here?" Dimitri whispered, exhaustion of today's events weighing on him.

"Yes, and there is a lot to discuss, but you need rest," leaning forward, I placed a kiss to his forehead, before meeting my father's eyes, "Can you get them to a hotel, they both need to sleep off the effects."

"Kaplan, call the others to help you get them to the car."

The young Guardian nodded, moving around us to fetch the others. How many Guardians did he bring? And are they all his?

I watched him intently, studying the look in his eyes, the set to his brow as he cataloged me the same way. As if he couldn't believe I was sitting in front of him -like I was a ghost who would vanish if he blinked.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, finally breaking his eyes from mine. "I just… I can't believe your here."

"What do you mean? Did you think I would be somewhere else?"

"Vasilisa told us the bond had broken, we…"

"Thought I was dead." I stated for him, "how is she, is she okay?"

"She will be," Dimitri mumbled. He drew two deep breaths before opening his eyes to look at me, "I've missed you."

Be still my beating heart, "I missed you too, Comrade, so much." Running my fingers through his hair, I relished in the way the silk strands smoothed under my touch. "I love you, Dimitri."

The corner of his mouth lifted upward, his lips moving as if he was trying to say something back, but I couldn't hear the words. I didn't need too. I knew what he was trying to say, reading the look in his eyes as I always have.

The sound of people approaching drew my attention to the front lawn, where four Guardians and the Alchemist from Mikey's were walking up the pathway. If at all possible, she seemed even shier than the last time I had talked to her, clinging to the thin neckless that hung around her neck.

I stood to move out of the way, walking over to Ryder, who had sat in one of the single recliners. Two guardians each helped Adrian and Dimitri to their feet, escorting them to a waiting car out front. While Ibrahim and another older guardian flanked Ryder's back, looking at him like they were ready to hang him from the tallest tree by his toes.

"Where is Robert?" I asked, ignoring the other two.

"I don't know, he left while we were downstairs."

He wouldn't meet my eyes, instead, his gaze remained locked on the floor in front of him, hands folded between his spread knees, where his elbows rested. His shoulders rested under his ears with the way he hunched down, his back stiff, tension rolling off of him in palpable waves.

"Ry," I whispered, putting my hand under his chin, I forced his head back, "thank you."

"Why are you thanking him?" Dad growled.

I continued to ignore him, keeping my focus on Ryder's sky blue eyes, "Go," I jutted my forehead toward the door.

"I have nowhere to go, Youngin," his voice below a whisper, his heart in his eyes, "my debt is to him, I can't leave even if I wanted to."

"The only debt you carry now is to yourself. Let go of your past, let go of the memories, let go of everything he has said to you, and go and live the life you were given. Start fresh. Go back home, or somewhere new, but get as far away from here, from him, as you can."

He nodded, standing to full height he towered over me, "Thank you, Rose."

Stepping forward, I wrapped my arms around his waist, squeezing tightly as his arms fell around my shoulders, hugging me back with just as much force.

"Thank you, Ryder. Take care of yourself, and I hope to see you again sometime."

"You too, Youngin."

With one final squeeze, I stepped back and let him walk right out the front door, watching his form disappear out of sight. I hope he will find peace somewhere, with someone or simply by himself. He has a heart of gold, and I really wish the best for him. He may have done many horrible things, even after his time as a Strigoi, but I can tell that isn't who he truly is.

Drawing a deep breath, I turned back around and headed toward the basement.

"Rosemarie," my father's voice sent a shiver down my spine.

Spinning on my heel, "It's Rose, not Rosemarie, you would know that had you been around the last fourteen years," I snapped. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have a friend tied up in the basement that I need to figure out how I am going to get him out of here without him dying."

I didn't stay to watch them pick their jaws up from the floor, neither had expected that response I take it.

Now that the dust was beginning to settle on the bomb of him being here, of Dimitri almost dying, and Adrian's saving him, I was angry. Angry at the man who abandoned me, put the love of my life in danger, and now wanted to act like a father and act out on the one person who wasn't an evil participant in this whole ordeal. I would get over it, in time, we would talk and settle the issues between us. But that would have to wait. Eddie needs me right now.

Descending the stairs, much faster this time than the last, I turned the knob on Eddie's door, finding it locked. Damn it, I forgot to ask Ryder for the key. Quickly, I ran back upstairs to see if there was a spare laying around, which lucky for me, Brayden's were sitting on the table next to the chair he had been resting in earlier.

Making quick work of the lock, I swung the door open and flipped the light switch. Eddie's chin was tucked into his chest, his pale skin looked too pale, even for an undead monster. Had he been like this earlier? Did I just not notice how sick he looked?

"Eddie." I stepped closer, hesitantly, "Eddie, are you okay?"

"Hey, Rosie," his voice was low and raspy. "What was going on up there?"

"More than I can explain right now," I sighed, "how are you feeling?"

"Hungry. Tired."

"I'll see if I can find a blood bag upstairs, Robert has to have some somewhere," I looked behind me, making sure the others hadn't come down with me, "I know I said you had time to think about it but plans kinda changed. So, we have to decide what to do now."

"You mean I have to decide because I know what you want," he chuckled.

"Well, yeah," I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, anxious to hear his choice.

"I want to go home."

"Where's home?" I requested clarification.

"Where ever you are, and Adrian, Lissa, Christian, and even the Russian Jailer, where ever my family is."

My face hurt from the smile that split it in half. His eyes rose to mine, red rings drowning out the beautiful hazel, but I saw warmth in them that I never would have expected in a Strigoi. I saw hope.

"Alright," I nodded, blinking back the tears that welled quickly, "I will see if I can get Lissa out here. It's daytime right now, so you are going to have to stay here, for now, okay?"

"It's fine, Rosie, the room is kind of growing on me."

"I'll be back, love you, Eddie." I chuckled and headed back upstairs.

Reaching the living room, I crossed my arms over my chest and fixed my father and his Guardian with, what I am assuming is a stare I got from him, and made an offer I hoped he wouldn't refuse. "You want to start making it up to me? Get Lissa here, as soon as possible, and I will listen to everything you have to say."

"Is that all?" he lifted his brow, a smirk pulling at his lips.

"No, but it's a start."

Abe, who insisted I call him that or Dad, and I wasn't ready to call him that out loud just yet, took me back to the hotel to clean up and check on the guys. We left two of his Guardians at the house with Eddie, who even if he wasn't restrained and calmed by the Spirit rings, wouldn't be going anywhere. We held off on giving him any blood, just in case the rings began to fail, he wouldn't have the strength to do anything. I'm not going to lie, depriving him of 'food', I felt like an ass. But it's for his own good, or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

Once I showered, changed clothes into the ones Sydney had managed to snag from our hotel room in Seattle, and a super-sized burger, french fries and chocolate shake, I was ready to pass out. But I knew it was going to be a while before I could give in to the desire to sleep. Abe had questions. I had questions. And Dimitri and Adrian are freaking the hell out. And if I am being honest, so am I.

It bothered me being in Lissa's mind, and she is like my sister. How on earth are these two going to get along with a bond, when they hate each other? I tried to remain optimistic, seeing how they had been getting along well enough to keep in contact over the last few weeks. But it's a whole nother world being trapped in someone else's head.

Stomach full, Lissa enroute -with Christian and Alberta-, and Dimitri and Adrian awake from their power naps, we all settled into the couches of Abe's suite. Dimitri and I made a home on the love seat, I didn't want to be more than a foot away from him right now. Adrian sat in the armchair to our right, and Abe in the one on the left. Pavel, who turns out is like my Uncle, stood beside Abe.

And the elephant sat right in the middle.

"Okay, I guess I'll start," I shifted in my seat, tucking my legs underneath me, "how did you get involved?"

"Alberta called me, I came as soon as she told me you had run away."

"Why now?" I snapped, he never seemed interested before, so to me, it's a valid question.

"I was already planning on coming in for your trials and graduation. When we have more time, alone, I will explain why I couldn't be around. But make no mistake, Rose, I wanted to be."

I watched his expression, not detecting a single hint that what he said was a lie. You would think that would make me happy, knowing he wanted to be around, and that he is here now, but there is this worry in the back of my mind.

"Are you going to leave again?" I whispered, acknowledging my fear.

"For work, yes, but I am not walking out of your life again. I want to be here for you from now on." Again, no hint of a lie, good. "Now let me ask you, where do you plan on going from here? You found your friend, what's next?"

"I'm glad you asked," I smiled wide, and Dimitri groaned beside me, "What?"

"I know that smile, it means trouble," he smirked.

"No, it means change."

Author's Note:

OMFG, Y'ALL!

I convinced MYSELF that Dimitri was dead, I legit cried and felt sick! And I feel really bad if any of y'all felt that way too. Really, I do.

Now, are we all happy and go-lucky with the way things turned out? I sure hope so, because...there is only one chapter left.

This was actually supposed to be the last, but I went back and made some tweaks and lengthened it just a little more.

More news will come out Sunday Evening when that update goes up!

On another note: Tomorrow, Feb 22, marks ONE year since I first published 'Run Home, Comrade'. Can you believe it's been a whole year? I sure can't.

So, in honor of that, I will have an AMA post on Facebook Friday and will start replying to questions around 7 PM CST. So if you are not following and want to join in on that, swing on over and show my page some love. The link is in my Bio.

I hope to hear from you all on Friday!

All My Love,

Dream