Hey! Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate them so much. Also, I would like to make two recommendations, both for the Darkest Powers series. My sister, DeadlyRedAlice, is writing a version of the next book, entitled The Harrowing. Amethyst-Blood Crimson-Tears is also writing a continuation of the series called The Haunting. Both are really talented writers with great stories that are getting better all the time! I would definitely check them out! But, without further ado, chapter thirty six. Enjoy and please review! And I own nothing.
-GuardianRoseHathaway
Chapter Thirty Six
Victor was not exactly pleased with the way things turned out. But he kept his mouth shut after I finally told him to shut the hell up because that was the way it was.
Abe easily called in some favors and got two private jets, giving as much as little detail as possible while still ensuring they understood what they needed to do. He told everyone they would be here in about three hours, leaving us very little time to just talk and relax.
Arielle, Adrian, and Lissa were talking excitedly on one end of the room, gabbing about spirit and the different things they could do. Lissa was extremely interested in the astral projecting; she figured that since she couldn't seem to get the dream walking, this would give her a different way to communicate with me and check up on me. Adrian, of course, had the dream walking, but he found the idea of popping in anywhere at any time extremely appealing, considering no one would be able to see him. I had more than a sneaking suspicion this would not be a good thing, but for the moment I let them enjoy their talk.
Christian was sitting on the bed, staring at the ceiling and listening in to their conversation. He looked extremely bored as he played with fire. Abe was talking to my mother and Dimitri, an interesting conundrum that left me slightly uneasy. I knew they were only talking about guarding and stuff, but the idea of my parents talking to Dimitri... Ugh.
Finally, I plopped myself down in between Adrian and Lissa. All conversation about spirit ceased as they turned to me.
"I feel a lot better knowing that Belikov is going to be with you," Adrian admitted. "At least he will make sure that nothing happens to you, even if it means his own life." Lissa nodded.
"Me, too. I really didn't like the idea of leaving you here with Victor," she said with a slight shudder. I nodded.
"I know. But I could have handled myself," I argued. Lissa shrugged. She still felt immensely comforted by the idea that Dimitri was staying with me.
"At least I'll still be part of your dreams," Adrian said, brightening up. I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, those wonderful dreams that I just love so much," I sighed, dripping sarcasm. Adrian grinned.
"You know you secretly love them," he teased. I rolled my eyes, but it was kind of true. It gave me a way to communicate and see him. Our conversation went a lot like that until, about twenty minutes before they were going to have to leave, Abe called me over. I rolled my eyes and got up, walking over.
"Yup?" I asked. My mother frowned.
"We just wanted to let you know that we will be leaving soon. And be careful. Do you have any spirit rings?" she asked. I nodded. I was pretty sure I still had the one Victor had gotten me somewhere. Probably packed away somewhere. Abe looked suspicious.
"We'll have Vasilisa make you another one before we leave just to be safe. And we are having one made up for Dimitri." The way she was talking you, you would swear it was factory made. She then handed me a slim silver cell phone, which I pocketed immediately.
"That phone is safe to use. Abe protected it against wire tapping and all that stuff, so you can call any time and talk about anything." I nodded. It would be nice to have a way of calling everyone and checking in.
"But it is only to call the specified numbers already on the phone, so don't think you can call Vasilisa any time you want," Abe continued.
"Well then what is the use of that?" I asked. My mother gave me a look, as did Abe, which shut me up. "Any thing else?" I grumbled. Abe nodded.
"Don't trust any one, except Dimitri. If he tells you to do something, do it, and don't argue. I don't trust Victor with an inch of my life, and I don't like the idea of leaving you here. Dimitri also has a phone; he will be calling to update me, and he will tell me if you haven't listened," Abe warned.
"Oh, really? Is he my baby sitter or something? For God sake, I am a full guardian and I can take care of myself! I don't need someone watching my every move and reporting back to my parents," I snapped. Abe just glowered.
"Rose, just shut up for once in your life and do as I say. Your life, and in a way, Vasilisa's, depends on your safety and your ability to listen to Guardian Belikov," he snapped back. I cocked my head.
"Oh, is it Guardian Belikov now? Did they give him back his title?" I asked. They all exchanged an uneasy look.
"No, not yet. We are working on that," my mother finally answered. I sighed.
"Anything else?" I asked. They exchanged another look and then shook their heads. Abe checked his watch.
"Say your goodbyes. We have to leave in just a minute," he told me, and then disappeared with my mother from the room.
I walked over to Lissa, Adrian, and Arielle and sighed.
"Looks like parting time has come," I told them. Christian stood up immediately and walked over, and to my complete and utter surprise, he hugged me.
"Be careful, Rose. More than just your life depends on your success. And I might actually miss arguing with you if something happens. Besides, we make a kick ass team," he said. I grinned.
"Yes, yes we do. And you know what? I might actually miss you too, fire boy. And you better watch over Lissa. If anything happens to her, you are so dead," I threatened. He nodded solemnly and then grinned and moved out of the way so Lissa could wrap her arms around me. There were tears in her eyes and her grip was tight enough that I was worried I might lose circulation from the neck down.
"Oh my God, Rose, please please please be careful. If anything happens to you... You know I'll probably die, too, right? You have to be careful," she whispered. I could feel her anxiety, her worry, her frustration at being unable to help. Her fear that something would happen to me and she wouldn't be around to heal me. She glared over my shoulder at Dimitri.
"You better take really good care of her, and if anything happens to her... I am blaming you," she said matter-a-factly. Dimitri nodded.
"I'll do everything I can," he promised. Lissa leaned back and stared at me for a moment.
"You have to take care of him, too, you know," she reminded me softly. I nodded.
"I know. We'll watch over each other," I promised. She nodded.
"But not too much, if you know what I mean," Adrian said. I smiled sadly and hugged him while Lissa went into the other room to get her stuff together and make the rings. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist and his mouth pressed against my ear.
"I love you, little dhampir. I'll be waiting for you when you come back," he said. I closed my eyes, trying to block the tears. I wanted to tell him that we couldn't... that he shouldn't. That he should move on with someone else. But how could I make that my parting words to him? What if something did happen to me? I didn't want us parting in anger, or sadness. I just... I couldn't do that.
"I'll be back soon enough," I said with a smile, kissing him gently on the cheek. He kissed me softly on the lips and then moved away, leaving the room.
"Well, I guess this is good bye for now, Rose," Arielle said with a smile. I nodded.
"Yup. Now you watch over your sister for me, okay?" I said sternly. She grinned and nodded.
"Of course. It'll be interesting, living at Court and being part of a royal family and everything," she mused. I smiled.
"Yes, but Lissa'll help you. She really is the best sister anyone could ask for," I told her. At that moment, Abe popped his head in.
"All right. Everyone out. Good bye, Rose," he called in. With a flurry of last goodbyes everyone walked out of the room, leaving Dimitri and I alone. I slumped down on to the bed.
"You can slip into Lissa for a while, until you know she is safe on the plane," Dimitri offered, sitting down next to me and taking my hand. I nodded gratefully and did as he said. They were still in the elevator, a sadness to the air that seemed to affect everyone. The elevator finally stopped and they all walked out, making their way past the lobby and outside. And all hell broke loose.
Okay, so everyone is gone... Ish. Almost. Soon, it will just be Dimitri, Rose, Victor, Robert, and their peoples... That'll be fun, won't it. ;) Anyway, thank you again for all of the reviews, I really love them and hearing your ideas and what you think! So, hope you enjoyed and please review!