Chapter 34

Here is the next chapter. This one has multiple POV's. I hope you enjoy it.

Richelle Mead owns all original VA

I was in some sort of basement. As I looked at my surroundings, I saw dusty shelves, garden tools that looked ancient, lanterns, a chest freezer and a tattered old couch. One of the lanterns was lit giving off the only light, but with my dhampir vision, I could see quite well. I was secured to a wooden chair, my hands bound behind me. I could see Daniella watching me from the shadows.

"Nice to see you awake Rose." She said coldly. "Now, we need to decide what to do with you."

"What do you mean we? Who else is here?" I asked looking around again and seeing no one.

"Why, you and me, dear. You can help me decide. We have a few different options. One would be just to kill you, the second would be to awaken you, and third, we can have Nathan, Isobel and Adrian join us. What are your thoughts?" She had venom dripping off each word.

I thought about it. I definitely did not want to be awakened, death was not something I wanted either, and having my friends in danger was out of the question too. But Adrian has been training and Isobel had had training also, maybe a long time ago, but she still knew how to fight. But, could I really put Adrian in that kind of danger? "Let me think about it?" I said quietly.

"Fine, but you don't have much time." Man, what was it with these Strigoi and time lines? I wondered.

Dimitri POV

We made it back to the house and Lissa came running. "Where's Rose?" she asked frantically.

"I don't know. Daniella hit her and knocked her out and carried her off. I was able to follow her for a while, but I lost her in the trees. I need to get a hold of Adrian. He needs to get to her in her dreams." I was so worried about what could happen.

I called Adrian's phone and there was no answer. That was odd. I tried again every five minutes for an hour, leaving frantic messages every time, still there was nothing. I decided to call Abe. I told him about the attack and that we needed Adrian. Abe was going to find him. When Adrian finally called me, he sounded plastered.

"What Belikov?" He sounded angry and he has never referred to me as Belikov.

"I don't have time to deal with your attitude. Daniella has Rose and I need you to contact her in her dreams and find out where she is." I snapped at him.

"How could you let Daniella take Rose?" he yelled, and then there was silence.

"Adrian?"

"Well, you lost her, you find her." He slurred. WHAT? I thought. Something's not right here.

"Adrian, she's your fiancé, remember? What's wrong with you?" I yelled into the phone.

"I heard about the two of you. Over there together, feeling the love you once shared, getting all chummy. Well, I'm tapped out, I can't do this anymore." What was he talking about? He's crazy, that's what's wrong with him. But I didn't have time to think about that just now.

I could hear Abe in the background. I couldn't make out what he was saying but I hoped it was along the lines that Adrian was crazy to think such things. "Shut up Abe. You have no idea." Adrian snapped.

"Adrian, I don't know what's going on with you, but Rose loves you and she needs you. You're mother is going to kill her if you don't help." I still had no clue what was going on with him.

"Fine, I'll be there tonight." Adrian conceded.

"Hurry!" I said and hung up.

Adrian POV- Earlier that day

I spoke to Rose and for me it was mid afternoon. I spent some time in the gym with Eddie training and then returned to my apartment. When I got there, there was an envelope taped to my door. I took it and walked in the door. There was a letter from Abe.

Adrian,

I had this in my office and thought you would like it. It's a family ring with the Arcos anagram on it. With you marrying my daughter, I thought you deserved it. Wear it with pride.

Abe

It was a simple silver band with a beautiful A etched into it. It was a privilege to have it on my finger. I was honored that Abe would give it to me. I tried to call him to thank him for it, but there was no answer. I left him a message, hoping he wouldn't think it was too impersonal for such a personal gift. I slipped the ring on my finger and went to the couch.

As I was lounging around, there was a knock at the door. I opened it up to the last person I wanted to see. Piper Drozdov. "Piper? What are you doing here?" I was a little annoyed.

"Just came to talk. I have something I think you have a right to know." She said. I stepped aside and let her in. Suddenly I was curious to know what she had to say.

"What's up?" I asked as I plopped down into my recliner.

"Well, this isn't easy to say. My cousin who lives in Baia called me today. She said she had seen Rose and Dimitri out together, and they…well…they looked together."

I gasped and just stared at her. I never thought this would happen. I headed over to the bar and grabbed my bottle of Vodka. I knew it wouldn't help, but the drinking would hopefully calm me down.

"I'm sorry Adrian, but I thought you should know." She said as she got up and went to the door.

Piper POV

Being an earth user had its benefits. I fount an old ring of my fathers that had an A on it, and decided to give it to Adrian. I decided to infuse it with my element and some compulsion to make him believe what I had to say. I was going to have Adrian for myself and break Rose at the same time.

Abe POV

As I was headed towards Adrian's I was very worried. It was odd that he wouldn't answer his phone. I knocked on the door and he slowly opened it. Good God, he's trashed. I thought. "Adrian, what's going on? You look like hell!" I said as I pushed my way in. Before he could answer I threw his phone at him. "Call Dimitri, Rose is in trouble." He just looked at me.

"What do I care? She doesn't love me!" He's insane, I thought.

"I don't have time for this. Call him. That's an order." I said.

"Fine." He said while dialing. "What Belikov…How could you let Daniella take her? You lost her, you find her…I heard about the two of you. Over there together, feeling the love you once shared, getting all chummy. Well, I'm tapped out. I can't do this anymore…"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was delusional. "Adrian." I yelled. "What are you saying? You know better than that. Rose would never cheat on you. She loves you!" I was yelling.

"Shut up, Abe. You have no idea." He snapped at me, and then turned his attention back to the phone. "Fine, I'll be there tonight." Then the call was disconnected.

"Adrian? What's wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?" He was just looking at me. "TELL ME!" I growled.

He proceeded to tell me about his visit from Piper. I found it off that he would let her in after everything she tried, and I was surprised he would believe her. Something wasn't right. Then, he thanked me for the ring. "What ring? I didn't give you a ring." I said dumbfounded. Then I noticed his eyes for the first time. They were unfocused.

"This one." Adrian held his hand out so I could see it.

"Take it off, now. It's no ring of mine. Take it off." He slid it off and shook his head. He was still drunk, but you could see the clarity cross his eyes.

"What the hell was that?" he asked confused.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling Piper had something to do with it. You need to get to the jet and call Dimitri back. Go, now. We can't waste anymore time. I will take care of Piper Drozdov."

"Thanks Abe. I'm sorry." He said as he headed out the door,

"It's fine, just go and save my daughter,"

Dimitri POV

I still wasn't sure what was going on with Adrian. But at least he was coming. My phone rang. "Belikov." I said when I answered.

"Dimka? It's me. Um…sorry about earlier. I'm not entirely sure what happened. I'm boarding the plane. Anything on Rose yet?" Adrian was talking fast.

"No, nothing. We're trying to figure out where she could be. We're going out again at sunset."

"Okay, I'll be there soon. I am so sorry."

"It's fine Adrian. I'll be there to pick you up and we can discuss it then."

"Okay, bye." Adrian said.

"He's on his way." I said to everyone and then walked out the door.

Rose POV

It's been a while since I tried to see Adrian. I thought I'd try again. I willed myself to sleep and suddenly I was on my father's jet. "Adrian?'

"Hi babe. I'm on my way. I need to know as much as you can tell me about where you are." He said as his arms wrapped around me.

"I'm in some sort of basement or underground room. It looks like a storage shed. But Daniella's here. She has given me a choice. Either she kills me, turns me, or she wants Nathan, Isobel and you here with me." I wanted to get as much out as I could before I woke up.

"Pick the last one, that way we can fight. I've been training and Isobel and Dad are strong. We'll bring stakes." He said as he rubbed my arm.

"Adrian, I miss you. I love you." I said against his chest.

"I love you too Little Dhampir." We sat like that for a few minutes and very abruptly the dream ended and I was ripped into consciousness.

"Well, my dear. Pleasant dreams I hope." Daniella sneered.

"Of course." Was all I said.

"So, have you made your decision? Time is running out."

"Yes, bring Nathan and Isobel. Adrian's on his way." I said as I hung my head.

"Very well. You really are a coward. Putting other's lives at risk. But I'll get this over with sooner than I had hoped." I heard her walking up steps. I was betting on her being cocky.

Dimitri POV

There was a knock at the door. A human stood there with an envelope addressed to Nathan Ivashkov. "Thank you." I said and shut the door. "Nathan, this came for you." I handed him the note. He read it out loud.

My dear Nathan,

So the time has come to deal with Isobel, Rose, Adrian, and you. Rose has chosen to die along side all of you. Please come to 54 Timbre Rd. It is an abandoned home. Bring only one guardian. If you bring anyone else, I will turn Rose and Isobel instead of just killing them. The time for you to lose everything as I had is upon you. We will be waiting.

Daniella

"I'm the guardian going." I said sternly.

"Yes, that is the best thing." Nathan agreed.

"I have to go get Adrian. Get ready, we will leave when we return." I said and walked out the door.

Rose POV

I didn't know what Daniella's plan was or how many Strigoi were in the house, but the nausea was strong, so I knew there were more than just her. I also knew that choosing the option I did I was putting my friends at risk, but it was the only choice we had. I knew Dimitri would be close, Adrian had been training, and Isobel had training as well. If I could get loose it would help. Suddenly, as if able to read my mind, Adrian appeared in front of me.

"Shh. I'm going to untie you. Cool thing about this power is that I can still do physical things, but I have to know where I am headed, and Daniella was foolish enough to give us an address." He whispered as he untied my hands. "Keep them back here until its time. Don't let her know." He kissed me quickly. "See you soon. I love you." Then he disappeared just as quickly as he appeared.

I held the ropes in my hands and hoped this would be over soon. Daniella approached and my nausea went up a little. She had someone with her. "Your friends will be here soon." She said. She made it sound like they were coming for a dinner party. Well in her mind, they were. I wanted to spit at her, but I didn't want her coming closer and realizing I was actually free.

I sat there in silence for what seemed like hours, but it wasn't that long, then I heard a knock at the door. "Open the door!" I just barely heard. I thought it was Dimitri's voice.

Dimitri, Nathan, Isobel and Adrian came down the stairs with two Strigoi in the front and three at their backs. That made seven of them we needed to take out. Dimitri scanned the room and then locked eyes with me. There was a look of fear in his eyes, but then I saw a smirk cross his face very quickly. I felt a breeze around me and noticed that there was a heavy dust cloud being blown around me. Nathan must be an air user and had used his powers to stir up the dust. I jumped up from my chair and Dimitri was at my side and gave me a stake. I was shocked to see fire coming from Adrian's hand, not a lot, but little fireballs were swirling around and causing the Strigoi to swat at their heads. He had set their hair on fire. Isobel was fighting one of them and found her mark with him. I went to the closest one, a woman who was obviously a dhampir before she was turned, and even with her hair aflame, she landed a blow to my shoulder. I recovered quickly and found an opening to her heart and felt my stake slide in as I watched her eyes go blank.

Dimitri had Daniella circled and she was giving him quite the fight. I saw Adrian fighting two small men, looked like they were human, and I headed towards him, taking another one out on the way. I took one of Adrian's attackers out, and he dispatched of the other.

Isobel had made it to Nathan, and they were fighting off the last Strigoi, while Dimitri and Daniella were circling one another. "Adrian, go help Dimitri, I will be right there." I yelled. Nathan was tired from using his power, and I could see that he couldn't continue. I came up behind the Strigoi and jumped on his back and stabbed my stake at his heart. It just barely missed, but he writhed in pain, pushing me to the floor. It gave Isobel the chance to get over him and stake him through the heart effectively. That left only Daniella.

We all made our way over to the battle between her and Dimitri. They were circling each other so fast; it was hard to distinguish between the two. "Adrian, when did you start using fire?" I said. "I'll tell you when we're done here." He responded. Dimitri and Daniella were at a standstill for a moment and I made my way into the fray. "Give it up, Daniella, you can't win this." Dimitri hissed. He lunged for her and she flipped so quick it was a blur. Adrian raised his hand and a fireball hit her in the back, causing her to scream out in pain. I ran and jumped, feet into her chest, and knocked her over. She was baring her teeth at me and I smiled. "Goodnight." Was all I said as I pushed the stake into her heart. "The nausea is gone. We're safe." It was finished.

We all stood up, and I saw a single tear escape down Adrian's face. "Rest well, mother." He said as we headed up the stairs.

When we emerged outside, my legs went weak and I collapsed. "Rose!" Adrian gasped as he reached for me before I hit the ground.

"I'm fine. Just a little tired and hungry." I said. "Now, explain about the fire."

"Well, I've been practicing with Christian. I have always been able to do a little with the other elements, but not much. Christian taught me how to do the fireballs. I can't really do much else. Water and earth are horribly hard, but I can make a small breeze, but nothing like my dad can do." He leaned down and kissed me. "Speaking of my dad, lets get him home. He needs to feed. And frankly, so do I." he got me up and we headed back to the Belikov house.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Soon, we will be back at Court and back to the age decree. Please leave me your thoughts and reviews. I love reading them and hearing what you have to say. Thank you for reading. Don't forget to review. It only takes a few seconds.