Our damphir council, was two-sided, guardian and non-guardian. On the guardian side, there was; Alberta, Yuri, Celeste, Emil, Eddie, and Tamara.

The non-guardian side of the council consisted of; Art, Mark, a retired Hans Croft, my grandmother, Blake, and Kelsie.

The returned section of the council was; Ivan, Daniel, Ariana, Melissa, Gabriel, and Chelsea.

The moroi part of the council was; Mia, Abe, Chris, Jill, Alexa, and Steven.

An hour after Abe came in, everyone was gathered in mine and Roza's office. And we had sent Dimi off with her nanny, Sally Wellington.

Roza and I had also decided, that when Tommy finished his training, he would become one of Dimi's guardians. He was very determined, to make up for his lost time, and become the best guardian he could be. He had even asked for a mentor. What had shocked us all, was when Pavel, had volunteered for the position.

He said he would take no chances, that his great niece did not have the best security that could be provided. He also told us, that he would further train all the guardians, that would be assigned to all of our children.

Roza, was so touched, she cried. Of course, she blamed the pregnancy hormones.

As Roza had predicted, Tommy and Sally had fallen in love, and planned to marry, as soon as Tommy started working.

After our councils gathered, Roza addressed them. "Today, we received a video from Kirova. We have not watched it yet, we wanted to wait until you were all here."

Roza turned on the video, and we were swept into the royal meeting room, at court.

*MEETING*

(DPOV) Dragomir

"Have the prisoner brought in."

A few moments later, six lower royals, escorted in a man, I hated with every fiber of my being. Victor Dashkov.

"Ah, Vasilissa, it's been a while since I have seen you. How have you been?"

"This is not the time for pleasantries, or chit chat. I brought you here for a reason."

"Oh yes? And what might that be?"

"I am offering you your freedom. If you do something for me."

"Such as?"

"I want you to find, and kill Dimitri Belikov, Rose Hathaway, and any and all of their children. If you do this, I will set you free, and return all of your forfeited wealth."

I could not believe what happened next. He laughed at me!

"You are insane after all, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I may have been in Tarasov, but I know exactly what has happened. What you made happen. Because of you, our people are divided, even more now, than they were before. The only people left in our world, are the pathetic royals. I wanted you as queen, because I thought you could unite our people. But all you have done, is destroy our whole society. The damphir and non-royals, were not meant to be slaves. We are not better than them, just because we were born with titles and money. You were supposed to better our lives, all of our lives. Instead, you have ripped them even further apart. Because of your words and deeds, Rose led a revolution, and she won. Hands down, she won. Just as she should have. I thought, wrongly apparently, that since Rose was supposed to be your best friend. You would see, that the damphir and non-royals, deserve a life just as good as the royals. And a say, as to how they lived those lives. But instead, you have ended, not only our way of life, but you have destroyed us all. Now, because of you, there are no guardians. There may be three for every, one hundred of us. We were in a shortage before you fucked up. But now, we are all doomed. You have only succeeded in destroying all of us."

I interrupted him, "so, will you or will you not, do as I have asked?"

"There is no way in hell, I would do that. Rose has done what she should have done. She saved the best of our world. You were the one, I thought, would save us. But instead, you have ended us. I am glad that Rose has taken the deserved and made a new home, and way of life for them. You do not deserve to be queen. Rose, is the one that deserves that title. While you, you are a disgrace, to the entire moroi race. Some of us thought, that you would be a blessing, and a relief to the past. But you are one million times worse, than any queen we have ever had before. Whatever Rose does to us, will be because of you. And whatever she does to you, is only a fraction, of what you deserve."

"So, I take it, that is a no?"

"Yes, you stupid child, the answer is a no. We are getting exactly what we deserve. After hundreds of years of mistreatment, and oppression. The damphir and non-royals, finally have the kind of life that they deserve. Did you really think, after the packages you received, that I would be dumb enough to try and find them?"

"How did you find out about that?"

"People talk." He shrugged, seeming supremely unfazed by the whole situation.

"Well they won't be talking to you anymore. From this day forth, you will be locked in a cell, away from everyone else. The only people you will interact with, are the people who bring you your food and blood." Waving my hand, I said, "take him away."

*END OF MEETING*

(RPOV)

"Well, that was informative. Anyone, have anything to say?"

No one said anything, until Yeva spoke up.

"That is the end of it Roza. She will try to convince others to find us. But no one, will dare come after us now, they will all be too afraid."

"That's good to know, thanks babushka." She just nodded.

"So, what does that mean for us?" Tamara asked.

"Well, I have been thinking about that. Dimitri and I, have discussed this at length. We think, that we should start sending out strike teams, to kill and restore the remaining strigoi."

"That is a good idea Roe." Alberta answered.

"Any idea who you want to send, or where to send them?" Ivan asked.

"Well, we thought we could ask for volunteers. But, none of you can volunteer, because you are all on the councils." I quickly added.

"I also think, we should have at least one moroi, from each specialty, on each team. As well as, fifteen guardians, plus a lead guardian for each team."

"That is another good idea Roe." Chris said.

"Thanks. But we will also need volunteers, for the guardians, as well. And it will take some time, because the moroi, will need to be trained as well."

"So, when do you think we could get this started?" Baba asked.

"I think, we should do this as a public address, sometime within the next few days. That way, maybe, we could start training the moroi next week, if we get any volunteers that is."

"Trust me Roe, there will be plenty of volunteers. Are you placing any restrictions on the volunteers?" Mia asked.

"Yes, no one with a child under the age of eighteen, or expecting a child, can volunteer. Other than that, no."

"Sounds like, you are trying to protect the children, as well as their parents Roe."

I nodded, "I am. No child should have to grow up, without their parents."

I saw a look of sadness, flash across my father's face. I went and hugged him. "It's ok, I understand now. But no child should have to go through what I did." He nodded and hugged me back, fiercely, before kissing my forehead.

"I love you kiz."

"I love you too baba."

Three days later we made the announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today there are somethings that need to be discussed. Firstly, let me say, that our message to the royal court, was received loud and clear. Their queen, tried to convince Victor Dashkov, to find us. And to kill Dimitri and I, as well as any children we may have." Shouts of anger, rage, and shock, thundered throughout our throne room, like a heard of stampeding buffalo.

I could imagine, that it was the same, all over Freedom. Not everyone, could make it to the castle, we were living in right now. So, our meeting had to be shown via CCTV, all throughout Freedom.

"Now, let me assure you, that Victor denied her request. Our spy, made a recording of the meeting. Which we will play for you now."

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, the recording started playing. Half an hour later, the recording stopped. And the near riot, out of anger began. It was another half an hour, before the people were once again calm.

"Now, let me assure you all, that no one from court, can find us. We are too well hidden. And I have it on the best authority, that no one will come looking for us. Though she will try to get others to do so, they will all refuse her. So, we are safe." I could hear almost the entire room sigh in relief.

"There is also another matter, that we would like to discuss with all of you today. The decision has been made, to form strike teams. Who will go out into the world, and deal with the strigoi. Each team will consist of fifteen guardians, plus a team leader, and we are also hoping, for at least one moroi from each specialty. None of this is mandatory, it is on a strictly volunteer basis. One restriction in this, is that no one, with a child under the age of eighteen, or expecting a child, will be allowed to serve. I was raised without either of my parents. And that is not, a childhood, I wish for anyone to live with. Now, if any, that meet the criteria, of you would like to volunteer, feel free to do so. We will be taking volunteers for the next three days, for the first round of teams. Next week, the training will begin. Depending on the dedication of the moroi, we will then see how long training takes. After, and only after, you are trained. There will be several tests, set forth for you. Some written, and academic, and some others physical. But in all of them, you will have to use your minds, to work out the answers to any given situation. Those of you that have been restored, may also volunteer. The pay for these missions, will be one and a half times, regular guardians pay. Have no fear, if you are turned, you will be brought to the nearest spirit user, and restored. We will be taking no chances with our people. All of you, are just as important, as the next. We will not abandon you, if you are changed. Now, is there anyone who would like to volunteer?"

I was shocked at the sheer volume of volunteers we got over the next three days, from both the damphir and moroi. Once the guardian sides of the teams were established, leaders had to be found.

"Baba, can you get in touch with Janien? Get her to come to the house in Novosibirsk. And get some people to meet her, put her to sleep, and bring her here."