Song I wrote to…"AIRPLANES." B.O.B..with Hayley Williams..
I hope you enjoy this chapter..well, as much as you can.
I guess enjoy is the wrong sentiment. I hope it makes for an interesting read.
There will be more to this chapter. I am dividing it in half.
I am sorry it took me so long to update. Believe it or not, I had a horrible time
writing this chapter. I hated to do some of the things I had to do. I am heartbroken.
So...Please review…NO NASTY ONES! You'll screw with my head..and that's a very bad thing. :(
Terri
Chapter 26
DIMITRI'S POV
The congregation of Guardians and elemental fighting Moroi; those who wanted to be engaged in this battle, were to meet at the Guardian headquarters at 5:00 pm. The official Guardian command post was awe-inspiring. Abe had pulled out all stops.
We, guardians had been granted everything and anything needed at our disposal. This new position Abe had gifted me with was a huge responsibility. I was humbled by his faith in my abilities. I only hoped I served him and our society well.
There was only one other person other than Abe that I would have to consider when I deliberated my official plans of action, and that was Pavel. However, I regarded Pavel with great reverence and respect. He and I were similar. We knew our place in the order of things.
We had dispatched a total 75 Guardians and only 15 elemental Moroi. Some may feel it was overkill, but under the circumstances; it was the agreed opinion of those in charge, that it was better to be strengthened in numbers than be unprepared because of arrogance.
I guess I wasn't surprised by the lack of Moroi partcipation. A lot has not changed where the Moroi's self preservation was concerned. They always considered their safety above all others. Typical behavior for those with a strong sense of entitlement.
I knew without a doubt that Christian Ozera would be first to help. But, he refused to allow Lissa to be involved. He sent her and their daughter to the safety of Court. I heard through Rose that she put up one hell of a fight before she succumbed to his wishes. I didn't blame him for sending them away.
I never wanted to leave anyone in our society unguarded. We had no room for error in a situation such as this one. And if anything had been learned about my time with Dejan; it was too never underestimate his actions. He was cunning, and manipulative.
I knew first hand that it was indeed possible to converge small groups of Strigoi. Unlike what was previously thought. There never lived peacefully in their temporary coexistence, but they would adapt and band together for any real chance to steal power and blood. They were greedy and hateful by nature.
So therefore, they lived for those reasons alone. However, I knew the purpose for this particular battle was to satisfy a vendetta for Dejan, a personal gain. He surely used bait to lure these fiends; promising them something in return for their ruthless desires for slaughter.
I most definitely didn't want to take any unnecessary risks; especially where my family members were concerned. I wasn't a person who usually became unnerved when a dilemma has been promulgated to me. Actually, I thrived under pressure.
Yet still, there seemed to be a gnawing impression in my being. It felt as though my soul was in a state of restlessness, like never before. It was as though it were trying to prepare me for an unimaginable lose. I only hoped it wasn't what I feared most; losing either Rose or Ethan.
My life would surely end in that moment should I ever lose one of them. I tried to expel those terrifying thoughts from my head as my ears focused on a voice that pulled me back with the images of being home again.
"Dimka." Viktoria called as she stood in the doorway of the command center.
"Viktoria." I walked over and wrapped her into my arms to give a tight embrace. It has been too long. I stepped back to glance at her in disbelief. She was now a grown woman. I was so sad in the moment when I realized I've lost more than just time with my son and Roza, but
also my other family; my sisters, nieces, nephew, and mostly, my momma. My life has been such a whirlwind that I haven't had any real time to focus on anything else, other than; Rose, Ethan, and the impending war.
A tall, strapping young man stepped out from behind Viktoria. I glanced at him, aware of a familiarity in his eyes. Still, I wasn't sure who he was. He sensed my bewilderment when he spoke. "Uncle Dimitri. It's me..Paul."
I shook my head in astonishment, marveling in his stature. He was an impressive appearance. He reminded me a lot of Ethan, but older, in the flash he made himself known. Paul held out his hand to shake mine in a show of respect; when I grabbed him into a hug. "Paul!"
He seemed at shock with my sudden show of affection, displaying it for the entire armed force in our presence to witness. "Thank you for coming. Both of you." I voiced with a great depth of gratitude.
Viktoria rolled her eyes towards the heavens. "Dimka..please. You needed us and we are here." She raised a questioning brow to the woman now so clearly in her line of sight, standing ever so quietly in the corner of the massive room. "What is momma still doing here? You
should have dispatched her back home. Her place is in Russia, far from this chaos."
I heaved a heavy sigh. "Momma would not budge. She is stubborn and besides, she said she needs to be here. But, I assure you, she will not be anywhere in the general vicinity of this fight. She will be safely hidden whether she likes it or not."
My attention was diverted when I felt her enter the room. I was caressed with a warmth, a feeling as if I were being basked in the rays of the sun. My light, Roza. "Viktoria…" Rose came up behind my sister.
"Sestra…" Viktoria shrieked even more loudly at the idea of being in Rose's company than my own. I watched with pride as the two of them greeted each other with a sincere fondness. It was evident that they loved one another.
"Paul?" Rose gushed with disbelief. It amazed me that she recognized my own blood before I had. She had a connection to my family that went beyond just a simple fondness. She belonged with us. Roza was one of us.
Abe and Pavel now entered the room commanding everyone's attention. They signaled that it was time to start our assignment detail.
I took my place in front of our forces to inform them of our course of action; laying our of entry, guarding posts, and where we were to encounter Dejan and his minions.
I warned that he may have assembled an army. But, not divulging my thoughts that it would probably not consist of more than twenty since anything beyond that size was incomprehensible.
My eyes flicked to the cracking of the back door to see Ethan, Alec, and Sophie sneaking into the conference room.
Although, I had promised them they could participate in this fight, I was secretly hoping that they would decide to bow out gracefully. But, not these three. They were determined to help. Frankly, it scared the hell out of me to put any of them in a situation such as this. It was too dangerous a risk.
I motioned for them to take the three empty seats that were so conveniently located beside Marlena and Chance Kinlan.
Marlena and Chance were already present for further instructions since they are both recent graduates of the Elite Guardian Academy. They are expected to use their resources in times such as these. And I only hope their training is sufficient enough to keep them alive.
I continued to instruct my fellow Guardians and Moroi of the do's and don't when dealing with this specific Strigoi and also, what they could expect as far as speed, strength, and the awesome powers of persuasion that they mastered so skillfully.
The Strigoi could not be underestimated at any juncture in this battle.
I explained that once you let you attention be diverted to anything other then the current fight presented in front of you…you were dead. It only takes a moment to lose your center of concentration and it would be your demise. Never give them that upper hand, always remain vigilant and aware of
the position of your opponent at all times.
The door opened again to expose a fiery, little redhead standing in the threshold. "Do not forget to inform them, Commander Belikov, that with prolonged exposure to direct eye contact, they make themselves most susceptible to falling victim to compulsion."
"Thank you for your counsel, Lieutenant Hathaway." I wasn't aware that Janine would available to be here today. I also wondered how Rose would feel about her presence. Even though we haven't discussed her mother, I could still see the apprehension pass over Rose's face.
I concluded the conference with my expectations for each and everyone of them. I wished them luck while adjourning our meeting.
We had our parties separated in different groups. I walked over to the assembly of my finest fighters; Roza, Adrian, Christian Ozera, Pavel, and now, Janine. They were discussing tactics when I grabbed Adrian's attention by motioning him into the hallway.
I turned on my heels to face him. "You're not fighting in this battle." I ordered with all the authority that was given to me. Adrian would sit it out whether he agreed to it or not. He looked tired. I couldn't allow whatever it was that he had envisioned of this day, to be made into a reality.
I may love Roza with everything that I am and I may want her with a fever that burns my very soul. Still yet, I would never hurt Adrian like that. I owed him, respected him too much to ever betray a man who raised my son; with love, morals, and respect when he wasn't
responsible to do so. I would rather live my life in loneliness; without the the woman I loved, than interfere with their relationship, to cause her to forsake their sacred vows of matrimony. I fought the urge to claim her everyday and I only did it out of respect for him.
His defeated eyes bore into mine. "Dimitri..I am going to say this in the only way you will understand or maybe more like…you will accept."
I held his stare waiting for an explanation. "What are you talking about, Adrian?"
He heaved an irregular breath. There was a half choking sound as he tried to release his statement. "If you had to choose between your life or Rose's…who would it be? Would you die for her?" He knew he had me when he put it in those terms. Terms that I understood without doubt.
My mouth was held in a tight, stressed line of grim acceptance. Adrian did not need to say another word. I understood completely with a thoughtful nod of my head in agreement.
I turned once more to group assembled in the conference room. "It's time to go. Remember Guardian Rose Hathaway will give you the signal when I am ready for you to make your emergence. Good-luck and God speed you on your way."
And with that final confirmation, we walked unified into the darkness to meet our destinies.
MY POV
The Guardian forces halted in their approach as Dimitri held up a fisted arm at his side to cease their movements. He actuated forward to meet Dejan. Dimitri could sense his thoughts and the thoughts of others. It must have been a trick of the mind he thought to himself.
There was dozens of those thinking, their minds swirling with an excited anticipation; anticipating the fight, the power, and mostly the blood. It was a frightening concept. Dimitri's understanding went straight to his son and his siblings. He was fearful for their safety.
Dejan appears in the middle of the courtyard already boldly stepping over the now broken wards. He was showing off with an overly arrogant air. He spread his arms out in a dramatic sweep of the vast lands.
"Dimitri….Come on out, COM..RA..DE." He enunciated the last word slowly and deliberate. He wanted Dimitri to know just who he was threatening in that one simple word.
Rose had frozen in her steps. She knew he was baiting Dimitri by using her. She wanted to scream to him to stay where he was, to stop, and retreat. But, she knew even if she could tell him, he wouldn't listen. Dimitri was too invested in this battle and the consequences that came with it.
Dimitri, dressed all in black; intimidating just by the sheer size of him and while his essence carried a vision of intense power. He stepped out from behind the trees to reveal his presence.
Dejan let out a sardonic laugh. "HAHA..Damned you, Dimitri. You've ruined my element of surprise. I was to catch you off guard. I wanted to kill the lovely Roza while she slumbered deeply within her beauty rest. What a pity…I was hoping to force you to watch me take her life." He snapped his fingers to
show an act of forgetting something. "Oh yes, and then there is the issue of your spawn. We will have to take Ethan's life as well." He gave Dimitri a glance as he tilted his head to examine his expression. "What to do…" He taunted.
Dimitri refused to give in to his provocation. "I can't say I am sorry to have disappointed you." He voice sounding cold, like ice splintering on a frozen pond. Fragile and hostile if you take the wrong step.
He patronized. "Dimitri? What happened to the camaraderie that once existed between us, friend."
Dimitri's jaw clenched as he spoke through his teeth. "Those days are long gone. You knew I was never completely one of you. Being awakened strigoi could never make me like you."
Dejan glared at him and belched out a sinister laugh, lacking any humor. It reflected only pure hatred. "That's right…You kept your light. Your pathetic light, that robbed us of our complete power. I am here to correct that, Dimitri. Consider me the…"
He tilted his head again and chuckled. "The light extinguisher." Dejan laughed even louder, relishing in his own tasteless joke.
His eyes flicked to something in the distance beyond the trees. He sensed something or more like someone. Dimitri froze with fear knowing that he was reaching outward, searching, and trying to sense Rose.
"It is a shame to kill you. Even though you have proven to be a traitor amongst our kind; I may still consider you back into my ranks... If you beg." He smirked while motioning his hands forward.
Dimitri was alarmed at the unimaginable sight that made itself known before him. A army of human and Strigoi of no less than 200, slowly stalked out of the wood line. Their red eyes and blood lust thoughts overwhelmed his psyche, polluting his mind temporarily.
"You must have deluded yourself with false expectations, Dejan. I will never join you. And I am afraid the only person who will perish today, will be you." Dimitri pointedly stared at Dejan. His brown eyes meeting the monster's fiery, corrupt, blood red ones.
Rose and Pavel moved their troops forward displaying a sign of perfect solidarity. If one fell, they all fell.
Dejan's eyes flashed with a brief nervousness that would have been missed had you blinked. The nervousness was quickly replaced with a flicker of sick, twisted anticipation for carnage.
"Kazhet·sya, kak budto vy chislennoe prevoshodstvo, komanduyushchiĭ Belikov". (It seems as though you are outnumbered, Commander Belikov.) He sneered with exaggerated bravado. Impressed with himself for momentarily stunning Dimitri.
Dimitri tried to hide his surprise but it was difficult, considering the circumstances. He had never seen this many humans and Strigoi joined together. Yet, these humans didn't seem completely human. There was something different about them.
"Idite k chertu, Dejan." (Go to hell, Dejan.)
Dimitri instantly projected a warning out to Ethan's mind. "I want you to take Sophie, Alec and yourself and retreat. I want you back within the safe walls of the school compound. This situation is more perilous then I previously thought. We may be heading into dire straights."
Ethan responded with reverence evident. "No….I will not leave you or mom. And especially not Marlena."
Dimitri growled with a fierce potency that vibrated inside of Ethan's skull with an intense demand. "NOW, ETHAN!"
He stood his ground when he answered his father with solemn regret in his thoughts. "I am sorry, dad. I could never leave any of you to fight this battle on your own. Whether you want to accept it or not, you need me. I am beside you until the end."
He knew he was defeated when he projected his final thoughts to Ethan. "Get ready, son. The blood shed will soon start. Be careful."
Dimitri knew he had made a severe mistake. It was in that moment that Dimitri realized he had not listened to his own advice that he had given no more than two hours ago. He was the one that had underestimated Dejan.
"Roza, Come to me dear. It won't hurt…much." Dejan sounded sweet and enticing, trying to compel Rose.
Anger surged through out his veins. Dimitri threw all thoughts from his mind as he charged Dejan, not waiting to signal the start of the fight as the whole field came to a stand point watching these two collide with on another over and over again with precise action.
They appeared to dancing a deadly, choreographed dance. Dimitri leapt at Dejan, lifting him off the ground, as they seemed to levitate up in the air, continuing the fray. Hell broke loose as they pounced on each other.
Everyone watched in awe, not really sure of their position in this battle. The two of them came back to the hard field of dust. Dimitri slammed Dejan to the ground with a thunderous clammer.
Dejan gathered his composure as he threw his fist connecting with Dimitri's cheek. He was barely fazed by the action. Then, with a swirl of his black leather coat, Dimitri spun to kick Dejan in the stomach, landing him to the ground once again.
It was becoming quite obvious that Dejan was going to have a difficult time keeping up with Dimitri in hand to hand combat. It was the magic that had Rose worried, but it seemed as though his magic was nullified when he was in Dimitri's promixity.
Rose knew they had to do something when she screamed out the demand for them to help defend their commander. Guardians, Moroi, Humans, and Strigoi alike fought one another with a fierce energy clashing in the atmosphere.
There were clouds of smoke, whirling winds, and flames being shot in different directions. There were screams and shrills as the fighting ensued. It appeared like an electrical explosion burst through the night sky, with the element Moroi wielding magic as it penetrated the air.
Dejan maneuvered temporarily from Dimitri's clutches. It was when Dimitri read the true intention in his evil thoughts. He was going to go after Rose.
Dimitri flew off the ground in another incredible leap, connecting with the monster in mid-air. Their collision made a sick, crackling sound as their flesh and bones impacted with one another. They both collided back to the ground with a hard jolt.
This time Dejan grabbed at Dimitri's throat, threatening to bite him when he head-butted Dejan, causing him to bite his tongue as blood oozed from the Strigoi's mouth. They tore at each other relentlessly.
It was not possible to keep track of her children as Rose's thoughts were jumbled with fear; fear for her children, and her family. Her worst fears were becoming a reality when she saw that Sophie was cornered by two humans and a Strigoi.
Dimitri was the only one close enough to help her daughter, when Rose screamed out to him. "Dimitri, please..Save Sophie." He dropped the Strigoi in an instant and dashed off to aid Sophie.
It was that moment when Dejan sensed Rose's apprehension. He had been freed from Dimitri's grasp. He stalked towards Rose when a human joined him on his flanks. They have collaborated on this plan of action.
They had set them up for this event. The other strigoi keep Dimitri, Adrian, Ethan, Pavel, and Alec busy with various diversions. Rose was trapped. Dejan had her raveling in his spell of compulsion. Her muscles twitched with no chance of moving. He had her frozen where she stood. She was going to die.
Dimitri and Adrian sensed in the same moment that Rose was advancing in to a deadly station. Their eyes locked with a silent conversation on which direction they should go. It was one of those critical moments in your life; a make it or break it decision.
One that would ultimately decide the fate of one of these two men who loved the same woman. They were unified by one common goal; keeping Rose safe. But, which one would survive and which one will have to die to protect her.
Dejan and the human advanced on her when as quick as lightening, Dimitri charged at Dejan. Dimitri used his incredible size and strength to grab him by the waist to tackle him, thrusting both of them airborne. It was a surreal setting; hearing animalistic snarls that was coming from their engaging
battle, and seeing the fighting that was erupting all around them. It was like two glorious angels fighting; good vs. evil, just as predicted. While they engaged deeply into their battle, it sounded as though death was be delivered to one of them. They both slammed into a tree with such force that it
snapped in half. They threw punches in between their falling over the side of a steep hill. Neither one showing mercy to the other, delivering deadly blows to one another. This man wanted to kill his love and his son. Dimitri was not going to let him survive. No one threatens those he loved and
walks away unscathed. Dimitri was not that forgiving. After what seemed like hours of relentless brawling; exhausted, and bloodied, he heard the most horrifying scream come from his Roza. He looked at Dejan, who's crimson eyes seethed with hatred and a self satisfying snarl crossed his cruel
lips. "Aww….Dimitri one down and another to go." Dimitri went to charge him again when he heard Roza yell for help.
He aborted his need to kill Dejan. Rose was more important as he sprinted up the hill to her. Nothing prepared him for what he had seen…. He felt like someone had sucker punched the air from his lungs, leaving him with the struggling need to gasp for air.
Adrian felt the mind of the human, which never happened before. But, this thing attacking Rose was not all human. He was some kind of hybrid; part Strigoi and part human. How was it possible? He pulled his focus from that thought when the real reason of his reservations made itself known.
He needed a tick of time to gather himself when it hit him with a powerful burst, chasing through his senses. This was the moment he had feared. The moment where he foresaw Rose's death. It was his destiny to change it.
The two roads that had been presented to him; his life or hers. There was no choice in the matter. He knew the answer to the question without needing a chance to deliberate it. He wouldn't let her leave their children. They needed her. This world couldn't exist without Rose in it.
Without a thought other then absolute determination; no fear, only acceptance when he jumped in front of Rose. But in haste, Adrian wasn't thinking when he made the grave mistake of turning his back to his enemy.
With incredible speed, Adrian shielded Rose, turning to throw himself over her, leaving his backside completely unprotected. The hybrid brought forth the silver stake with incredible force and velocity as it penetrated into Adrian's back causing him to release a painful scream.
Adrian's eyes locked with Rose's. His once bright green eyes appeared dull with the look of total shock, and sorrow. Her eyes widened when she suddenly realized what had just happened. Adrian had sacrificed himself for her.
In that moment the world spun out of control and in the center of the chaos was Rose reaching for Adrian. His body seemed to fall in slow motion towards the ground as the hybrid removed the stake from Adrian's heart. Through their bond Rose could feel his pain as his ragged breath gravely
struggled to stay in his lungs. He was fighting with everything he had, but he was losing. She could feel his life and see his now visible, golden aura slipping away. It seemed as though the planet instantly stopped spinning on it's axis; tilting everything into a darkness, sucking the air out
into the infinite black space, and the gravity dissipated to cause everything in our universe to stop and decease. Time had halted as Rose's world stopped…while her husband lay dying before her very eyes.
The only two things that seemed to continue to move was Rose's outstretched hands reaching for him and Adrian continuing to fall to the cold, hard earth.
She grabbed him, resting his head on her lap as his body shivered and his lips trembled. "Adrian…" Her eyes frantically danced with fear, lose, and despair while she examined his face, waiting for him to respond. "Don't you leave me…NO!"
Her screaming caused the fighting to come to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned towards Rose and her dying husband. "Help me…Help him. Help us."
Jshagan came up with the wonderful idea of bringing Janine back and ask for me to write her back into the story.
So, her upcoming story line is for you, my friend.
Please don't hate me guys..It is a story. I mean no malice towards you Adrian lovers. It pains me to hurt him, seriously.
Terri
