Don't hesitate.

The advice rang in my ears as I pondered the likelihood of someone I knew being turned into a Strigoi. Our casualties were high from the invasion, but I hardly considered who and how many could be the enemy going into the caves. Even in the case of Viktoria or Eddie. I was hardly worried about either of them because I knew they could handle the situation. They were both brave and strong. I couldn't imagine either of them losing a battle, let alone being turned.

My worries drifted off to Lissa, Christian, Adrian, and (dangerously yet most importantly) Dimitri. I knew Christian and Dimitri could hold their own; I'd witnessed that firsthand. And even though Lissa wasn't allowed to be on the mission, her safety was a question in my mind. She didn't have any real defensive magic. Neither did Adrian. If there were any Strigoi still close enough to the school, what would happen?

I quickly shook her head, temporarily clearing my mind from those morbid thoughts. Instead I imagined life once the mission was over. With everyone back at St. Vladimir's, the attacks behind us.

After Alberta finished her speech, she spotted Dimitri and me. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She looked kind of, well, pissed. I wonder—Oh, right.

Dimitri cursed under his breath as soon as Alberta started making her way toward us. I tried walking away, but her sharp voice kept me in my place. "Don't even think about trying to get out of this, Hathaway."

I flinched. How could she possibly know we slept together? Dimitri and I were quiet…as quiet as people can be while having sex. Or so I imagined. And it's not like she could read minds or see auras. Unless there was something she wasn't telling the world, but I highly doubted that.

"What seems to be the problem, Guardian Petrov?" Dimitri asked. His guardian mask was in place, and if I didn't know any better, I would have thought he was genuinely confused.

"I said sleep only," she whispered harshly when she was close enough. "And you—" she pointed to Dimitri "—said you two would be sleeping in the most innocent sense. I took you to be a man of your word, Guardian Belikov."

Dimitri's mask faltered, and after trying to compose himself and failing, he frowned. "Listen, Alberta," he began, dropping all formalities to make the conversation more personal, "things don't always go as planned. It just happened."

Alberta closed her eyes, pinched the bridge of her nose, and shook her head. "I understand, but I was hoping you two would stay under the radar until trials. For everyone's sake." She sighed. "You do realize that you have to tell Janine and soon."

"We planned on it," Dimitri replied, his voice switching octaves as he spoke. Under any other circumstances, I would have found it kind of cute and made a joke, but I was just as worried as he was about telling my mom. "We thought about telling her right before she left. That way she had an entire flight to mull over the idea."

"I don't think waiting is the best idea."

"Why?" I asked quietly. "I'll be eighteen tomorrow. If we wait just a little while longer, it wouldn't technically be illegal."

"What you two just did is illegal."

"The age of consent is sixteen." At least I could throw a fact out there, but that smugness faded when I saw how exasperated Dimitri was. I guess Rose logic wouldn't work in situations like this. Damn.

"It can be taken the wrong way."

"Alberta—"

"No, Dimitri," Alberta interrupted him. "I know it's not like that, but that doesn't mean others won't take it the wrong way. Even if they know how you are as a person." She looked at me. "And the same goes for you."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't allow some guy to force himself on me, not even someone as good looking as Dimitri," I scoffed. "Can people not keep an open mind?"

"Rose, no one else knows. Don't get so worked up about it." She sighed. "Take as long as you'd like telling Janine. Just try not to keep it a secret from her for more than a couple weeks." And with that she walked off.

"We really shouldn't wait much longer," Dimitri commented once Alberta was out of earshot. "Your mother deserves to know." I went to argue, but he quickly added, "No matter how dysfunctional your relationship with her is." He quickly pulled me into a hug, one that could be between two friends. "Be careful, Roza."

"Shouldn't you be more worried about yourself?" I gaped at him. "My mother just might castrate you with her stake when she finds out."

"I was talking about in the caves," he said sternly, avoiding the topic of telling my mother. "We don't know how many there are, and we don't know what will happen. Even the most experienced, best guardians can be taken down by something like this."

"Have some faith, comrade," I said as I took hold of his wrists. "We have the element of surprise on our side."

He frowned. "Only for a few minutes, and then it's fair game." He then quickly made it to where he was the one whose hands were makeshift cuffs around my wrists. "Promise me you'll be careful. If I—or anyone else for that matter—tells you to run, run. Don't defy anyone."

I stared down at our hands, briefly wishing I could just lace our fingers together to comfort him further. I sighed out of frustration. Would I listen to orders? What if something happens to Dimitri? Would I be able to control myself? In that moment, I couldn't promise him.

"Dimitri…" I kept staring down at his hands even as his hold tightened at my hesitation.

"Rose, promise me."

My eyes quickly snapped up as I deciphered the tone in his voice. He sounded vulnerable, and what I saw in his eyes was desperation. Desperation for me to promise him something that may just be impossible. And if he was, I certainly couldn't blame him. The invasion had taken a lot out of everyone. Viktoria was taken. He had a lot on his plate right now. Unfortunately I felt like I was adding to his stress with my next words.

"I…can't." The lines in his face deepened, and I felt horribly low. "Dimitri—"

"Why? Why can't you promise me this one thing?"

"I'm sure I'll be able to, but—" I bit my lip, trying to form the right words. "I don't know what I'd do if I saw you go down. I just have this gut feeling that whatever self-control I have will just slip away."

His fingers twitched but stayed firmly wrapped around my wrists as his eyes narrowed. "And I don't want anything to happen to you, but if you don't follow orders, it's highly likely something will happen. I can't even begin to fathom how I'd live if something happens to you while we're out there."

"I promise to try, but I don't guarantee." I looked down at our hands one last time. "And we'll get Viktoria back. That I can promise you."

"I hope you're right." He then let go and took a step back. "Please do your best to stay careful. You're not the only one whose control could 'slip away.'" He clasped his hands behind his back, and if it weren't for the glint in his eyes, I would have sworn he'd gone back to being in instructor mode.

"Ya lyublyu tebya," I murmured abruptly. I had a feeling I my pronunciation was incorrect, but that didn't matter. Not when I saw him smile. It wasn't the first time I've expressed myself in his native language, but it somehow meant more this time.

"Ya tozhe tebya lyublyu," he replied in an equally quiet tone. "You never cease to amaze me."

"Well, that's a good thing, isn't it?" I grinned. "Someone has to keep you on your toes, comrade. I'm the only one who challenges you."

The corners of his mouth tugged upward, but before he could reply, someone shouted after us. We both turned in the direction of the voice. There stood my mother, and she never seemed so tall.

"Rosemarie, Guardian Belikov, we're about to depart," she said monotonously; the order was implied but rang loud and clear. She glanced between Dimitri and me, and then she walked away.

"We have to tell her soon, Roza," Dimitri breathed as we began following my mother.

"I know," I sighed. "When we get back, though." He didn't reply, but I knew he agreed. Telling Janine before invading the caves would be detrimental to the plan.

Soon we were divided into two different groups. And while I was in Dimitri's group, he was a leader; there were too many people between us for me to see him.

"Stop worrying," someone said as a hand came to rest on my shoulder. "Belikov knows what he's doing." I looked up to see Alberta once again. She smiled at me. "And he's driven to save his sister and protect you. He'll make it out alive."

I knew that she was right, but at the same time, I had this doubt. Dimitri has been known to be impulsive in the past. Who's to say he won't lose control again?

"Rose, he will." Alberta said firmly as her grip on my shoulder briefly tightened, and then she walked away.

I hoped she was right.

Soon we were making our way toward the caves. Dimitri was leading my group, but I was nowhere near him. Any and all students were obligated to stay in the rear of groups. That way we would be able to retreat faster, should the mission be too troubling. Christian was by my side; confidence radiating off him. He wanted to fight. He wanted to prove he wouldn't betray his race by becoming Strigoi. He wanted to kill what his parents had chosen to be.

"Tasha's proud of you, I'm sure," I whispered.

"She doesn't know about the attacks. Not unless your man candy has told her," Christian muttered.

"I doubt that. He's been busy lately."

"Busy?"

I thought back to a couple hours ago. My arms and legs were tangled with Dimitri's. My head rested on his chest. Despite everything going on around us, it was pure bliss.

But I couldn't share that with Christian.

"His sister disappeared." My tone was harsher than I had intended, but I just did not like Tasha. "He's also had to meet with the guardians to organize this raid. Telling Tasha hasn't exactly been top priority."

"Bitch," he scoffed silently.

"How so?" I hummed. "For simply stating a fact?"

"No. For being so hostile toward my aunt."

Maybe if she weren't such a tramp. "Let's not talk about this right now, okay? We have more important things to deal with right now."

And that was that. Sure the tension between Christian and I was insane, but I'd like to think that we silently agreed that I had been right. We had a score to settle, and to achieve that, we all had to work together. Friend or foe.

Soon, far too soon for my liking, we were at the mouth of the cave. Even with my enhanced vision, I could barely see Dimitri at the front of the line. Our troop was first to raid, of which I wasn't particularly fond, but I pushed that thought to the back of my mind.

It was a blur. Fists were flying every which way, while balls of fire were thrown around. It was utter chaos. All the warnings we novices had received were justified in that moment. Raids were certainly something I was no longer looking forward to once I graduated.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I joined in the fists of fury and attempting or succeeding in staking the immortal vampires. Each time I put extra force behind a swing I thought about everything that has happened lately. For Mason. For Lissa. For Aaron. For everyone.

I turned from the freshly fallen Strigoi before me to find anyone in need of help. There fought Dimitri. He was facing three Strigoi, and it was clear he needed help. I ran toward him, the sound of my feet pushing off the cave floor echoing in my ears, despite the shouting and fighting around me. I saw red, and dammit, I wanted to slaughter those undead bastards.

Just as I reached Dimitri, one of the three Strigoi whirled around, his fist colliding with my jaw and knocking me to the ground. Before I could move, the Strigoi hovered over me and curled his fingers around my throat.

"Rose Hathaway," he snarled. "Future guardian for Princess Vasilisa Dragomir. What a pleasant surprise. You're prettier than I expected. And you're not as good as I expected either. Tsk, tsk, tsk," he said with a shake of the head.

Does this guy ever shut up? He reminded me a lot of Isaiah, the Strigoi in Spokane. If I had the mobility, I would easily have been able to stake him.

Though that wasn't necessary.

A look of pain crossed his pale, once-handsome face before collapsing beside me. A dead heap. Shocked, I sat up slowly to see a clean wound on the left. He had been staked. I had been saved once again that night.

My knight in ragged duster was there.

He crouched in front of me and brushed fallen strands of hair back. He was examining the damage done by the Strigoi. Deemed worthy of fighting, Dimitri helped me up.

"We're about to retreat. Moroi first, and I'll need you to retrieve the survivors. You're out best bet. Lead them back to the academy as quickly and safely as possible," he stated.

A lump formed in my throat, but I forced it down. My eyes watered as a result. "Yes, sir. Good luck." Some look flashed in his eyes, but I missed it. And without thinking, I stood on the tip of my toes and kissed his cheek.

It may have not been the best decision, but I was beginning to not care about what others thought.

I backed away and started searching for Moroi who were a part of the first raid. I quickly found a nearly exhausted Christian, but him being him, he offered to help search for the Moroi.

As I sought the Moroi, I had to dodge a few haywire fights or avoid stepping on the fallen from both sides. It was enough to make a younger novice want to drop out of school and move to a commune. Hell, it was almost enough to make me do it. No one should have to go through this, but people did. I suddenly respected my mother a lot more. I may have even understood why she chose not to raise me.

It was one thing after another. I never got to fulfill my duty completely. Just as Christian and I were about to escort the Moroi back to St. Vladimir's, someone shouted my name.

With some hesitation I ordered Christian to lead them back to the academy as quickly as possible. Once they were gone, I searched for who called me. Whoever it was had sounded weak and in need of help. I knew it wasn't Dimitri; our bond made sure I knew that. But who could it—

"Eddie," I gasped. He rested against the cave wall. I glanced at his neck and saw a few bite marks; the rest of his body seemed to be intact, save for a few scratches and bruises here and there.

"Rose, we'll get him. Go!" my mother's voice rang from a few fights away. I hesitated; I didn't want to leave Eddie alone. "Rose! Go. Now!" I frowned in Eddie's direction before dashing out of the cave.

I didn't look back. Not until I knew I was within the boundaries.

I waited.

Time could not have moved any slower.

I was pacing, hoping to see the silhouettes of the guardians. I'd be glad to see any, but there were four I wanted to especially see: My mother, my lover, my best friend, and my may-as-well-be sister. They were all who mattered in that moment. I didn't matter, so I kept refusing to go to the infirmary.

There was a ringing happiness through the bond. Judging by the type of happiness, I knew not to check in for a while. Christian had a bill of good health and was okayed to go back to his room. Unfortunately, that meant him finding Lissa and incidentally disturbing me.

Don't get me wrong. I was glad she wasn't upset or anything, but really? Now was not the time for that.

Not that I'm much one to talk.

Guardians stumbled in here and there, but not one of them was who I wanted. I was glad they survived, but still… This seemed like some big, sick joke being played on me by God for disobeying Alberta and sleeping with Dimitri.

"Belikov! Get back here!" That was Stan.

I looked up to see him chasing Dimitri onto the grounds. Farther away were some guardians, my mother, and Alberta supporting Eddie and a couple other injured novices and guardians. I was relieved finally. Mostly.

"Belikov!" Stan shouted, running right by me. "These things happen in our line of duty! Get back here!"

What things happen?

Instead of waiting to help the others, I joined Stan in chasing Dimitri. Stan muttered a few things, but I ignored him. I pushed against the ground harder, breaking away from the pain in the ass, and closing in on Dimitri. Screw rumors. Screw consequences. I was the only person remotely close to Dimitri who he wasn't related to. I needed to be there for him.

Before I knew it, I was standing outside his bedroom. My fist pounded on the door repeatedly; I was desperate to help him. "Dimitri! Open up! Please?"

No response.

I honestly thought I'd be the one person to help with whatever was bothering him. I sighed and glanced down. Surely not.

I turned the doorknob, and surprisingly, the door opened. Dimitri was not the type to keep his door unlocked, but I welcomed his brief forgetfulness. I pushed the door open, and once I was in the room, I shut it quietly.

"When I didn't answer, that wasn't an invitation for you to come in," Dimitri said softly, though his frustration was clear.

"I was worried," I responded, taking small, slow steps toward him. I looked to see what he was doing. Confused as to why he was packing his things in a suitcase, I stopped a few feet away from him. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Home?" My voice cracked as I asked this. What?

"Yes, home. As in Siberia."

"Why?"

He finally looked up, making eye contact for the first time. His eyes were glistening. He had been crying. I never thought I'd see him cry, but here he was. I couldn't tell if he was angry or grieving, though.

"Viktoria's a Strigoi."

Well, that—Wait. What?

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for taking forever to update. I've had a busy year. My first semester of college was dreadful, but I'm already off to a better start in my second semester. I'm majoring in English now. (:

I have a bit of extra time to write this semester, too, so I will be updating regularly again.
Anyway, one more chapter of RHI. And then it's the sequel. I'm kind of sad about it. But anyway, tell me what you thought? Thanks, loves! (: