Chapter 38

APOV

I arrived back into Court just two hours ago, and already my Aunt has called me in to see her. My stomach churned with nerves. I didn't know how I was going to pull this off, but I had to try. I knocked on her door and walked in without waiting. Hey, she knew I was coming and I was her favourite Nephew. She wouldn't care!

'Aunt Tatiana, it is so good to see you' I lied.

'Adrian, I am so glad you are back. You have no idea how worried I have been' she said playing it nicely. I could see straight through the fake kindness though. I couldn't believe I had never noticed it before.

'I'm sorry to have concerned you Aunt. It was never my intention.' Time to play it smooth. Oh god I hope I can pull this off. Please, if there is a god, help me through this lie. I will do anything. I'll go back to school, I'll quit drinking, anything if you help me get through this without her seeing through my lying.

'I know it wasn't. So what brings you back here Adrian? By the looks of the photos I saw in that magazine, you were back with your friend Rosemarie' she asked. She said Rose's name with disgust.

'I was Aunt Tati, but I realised you were right about her' I said trying to sound upset.

'What happened Adrian? What did she do?' she demanded, her voice losing all of the fake kindness and taking on anger instead.

'It's nothing Aunt Tati, forget it ok. I'll deal like I always do' I said. In the past, there were one or two girls that I had been smitten with, that had just used me for my money. When the relationships broke up, it was Tatiana that had helped me through them.

'Adrian, you know you can talk to me about it' she said.

'I know Aunt Tati, but I can't talk to you about her. Not Rose. I should have listened to you in the beginning and I would have saved myself all this pain. I am ashamed of myself for not listening to you' I said and to add to the effect, I even threw in a few tears. She believed the lie because she came over and wrapped her arms around me.

'I knew she was trouble the moment I saw her. I'm sorry you didn't listen to me, but at least now you know what a bitch she is. You know you can tell me what happened Adrian' she said gently. This was where I had to reel her in.

'It's a long story Aunt Tati, but basically, she told me she chose me, she got what she wanted, and then she told me she didn't want me after all, that she wanted Belikov' I said with as much venom in my voice as I could possibly put into it.

'Oh Adrian, I am so sorry. I did warn you that she was a manipulative, lying little bitch. She is no better than her parents' she said. It was when she said her parents that I could see how much hate she had for that family. 'I do hope you were sensible'

'That's the thing Aunt Tati, we weren't. The night was filled with so much passion from both of us, that neither of us gave protection a thought. I really believed she had finally chosen me, that she would be with me. But then the next day she was really quiet. She made sure we were never alone and whenever I went near her, she made an excuse to leave the room. Then just yesterday she told me she regretted sleeping with me and that she had imagined it was Belikov the whole time. I left as soon as I could and got on a plane to come straight back home' these pretend tears were really doing their job. She believed everything I had said. 'I really loved her Aunt Tati, more than anything or anyone in this world. I was ready to give up everything for her. How could I have been so stupid?'

'You weren't stupid Adrian. She comes from a family of liars. This just proves what I have been saying all along. This world should be cleared of scum like them' the tone of her voice just then scared even me.

'Aunt Tati, that's not all. We had a fight when she told me that it was Belikov she wanted and that she had made a mistake. I got angry and I said some things to her, but it was what she said in retaliation that had me the angriest'

'What did she say Adrian?'

'I had been angry with her for not contacting me over the years since she had been gone. She told me that she was tortured and raped by her charge when she first left, and that you were the master mind in them. She said that she was pregnant when she left and that while she was being operated on after the attack, you had tried to steal her baby. I mean come on; seriously, two dhampirs can't have a baby together. How dumb does she think I am' I said showing signs of being angry and disgusted at her. She went to say something but I stopped her before she could, continuing on with my rant. 'But wait, that's not all of it. She said you had used compulsion on Dimitri to have a relationship with Tasha to get back at her, and even had Dimitri propose to Tasha in front of her at Cousin's birthday last year. The nerve! Rose wasn't even there!'

I could see the anger rising in Tatiana's aura, but her face was showing none of it. I had to keep going to try and get her to snap. So I kept going with everything she had done to Rose, laying it all out on the table. I knew if I could keep going, she would eventually lose control, which would then result in her blabbing out the truth. Control was not a strong Ivashkov trait when it came to secrets. And she was never one to keep a secret from me, not even one as dangerous as these.

'And to add to all of that, she is also saying that you had some Doctor over there use a charmed scalpel to take her out of the picture. Said some bullshit about it being charmed to eat away at her blood and make her organs fail. How absurd can one person be? It was then that I realised how much of a manipulator could be. To try and tell me that my Aunt, the Queen, is capable of all that. I laughed in her face and told her to stop being so ridiculous, that you wouldn't even be able to come up with a plan like that' and that was when she exploded.

'How dare she put all of that on me? Yes I planned the charm, but I would never ever organise someone to torture and rape another person. It's not my fault that the world see's her as a little bloodwhore. And yes, I did go to see her when I heard about the baby, but it was only because she was on her deathbed and I wanted my flesh and blood home with me and its father. I thought you would have wanted to know that you had a baby out there' she snapped.

'What are you talking about, my baby?' I said faking shock.

'Rose was pregnant with your baby…wasn't she?' she turned to look at the horrified look on my face.

'You mean to tell me, that you were going to steal that baby off Rose, because you thought it was mine?' she nodded. 'Until a week ago, I have never slept with Rose Hathaway. Whatever gave you that absurd idea?'

'Oh don't be stupid Adrian. Everyone knew that you two were sleeping together. There was even word of your engagement! Do you think I don't hear things? Then when I heard that she and Belikov had slept together in the cabin, I had to make them both pay'

'Who told you that we were engaged? That we had slept together? And who told you about the cabin?' I yelled.

'A trusted companion, that's who' she spat.

'You call Jesse Zeklos a trusted companion? Seriously, I thought you had more brains than that. That's right, I know it was Jesse that told you about Rose and Dimitri. I also know it was Jesse that spread the rumour about our 'engagement' and every other rumour that's ever been spread about Rose. He was a jealous asshole that was pissed because he never got anything out of Rose. She rejected him and he couldn't handle it. How could you? How could you set her up like that? You sent her to Jesse's cousin didn't you? You knew that he would give Rose a hard time…Didn't you?'

'Argh, yes I had her sent to Lord Zeklos. He was under strict instructions to make her life a misery. But I never told him to torture and rape the girl' she said.

'No, maybe not, but you didn't nothing to reprimand them for it, you swept it under the rug. Do you realise that your charm nearly succeeded. Rose nearly died'

'Good, my plan was working then. And now that I know she has hurt you so, I am glad I did it. I had the scalpel charmed. I had the needle Dr Olendski used charmed as well. I charmed that ring to make Guardian Belikov propose and I made sure Rosemarie was here to see it. I stripped her of her guardianship when I found out she had beaten Jamie Zeklos to almost death, and I don't regret any of it for one minute, now that I know she has hurt you the way she has. You are like a son to me Adrian and I do anything in my power to protect my family'

'She was telling the truth, everything she said, was the truth. How could you? Even thought she has hurt me, I would never wish any of that on her. I am disgusted in you' I turned around and started to walk out of the room, the tears no longer for show. Hearing all of that come from her horrified me. I think deep down I was hoping she would deny it.

'Wait, Adrian. I'm sorry that you are hurting even more now. But I am not sorry I have kept her away. I will do anything to protect you' I didn't hear her finish because I had walked out of the room. I went straight to the control room that had all of the video footage of Tatiana's room and all other areas of Court. Standing outside the door, I hastily wiped my eyes and took a few deep breaths, I didn't want to give the Guardian any reason to question why I was there. I knocked on the door.

'Lord Ivashkov, how can I help you?' asked the Guardian that answered.

'Guardian Smith, I am just here to check on things for Aunt Tatiana' with a casual stride, I walked around him into the room. It wasn't an unusual for me to be in here while I was at Court. Guardian Smith had often sat down with me to show me how things worked.

'Not a problem Lord Ivashkov. Take a seat' he went to turn around, but I grabbed his arm forcing him to look at me. Using as much spirit in my compulsion as I could, I locked eyes with him.

'Guardian Smith, I want you to hand over the video surveillance of Aunt Tatiana's room for the past 12 hours. Once you have that video out, you will put another one in and start recording straight away. You will have the surveillance tape over to me, and when I leave this room, you will forget that I came in here and you will have no recollection of giving me, or anyone, that video. Do you understand?'

'Yes Lord Ivashkov' he turned around and went straight to the monitors, pulling out the video and handing it to me.

'Is this the tape for the Queen's room?'

'Yes your highness'

'Thank you. As soon as I leave this room, you will not remember a thing' I said taking the tape out of his hand and walking out of the room. I walked straight into my room to check that it was the correct tape. I know that Tatiana's guards are good at resisting compulsion, so I wanted to double check it. If he had given me the wrong tape, it wouldn't matter. I had a little hand held recorder in my pocket the whole time, but video evidence will be far better confirmation for the Moroi world.

Thankfully, the guard had given me the correct tape. I pulled both tapes out and secured them in my computer bag, then I packed my bag and walked out to my car. I wasn't staying anywhere near Court while I waited for Rose and the others to come. I knew once Tatiana cooled down, she would go to the Guardians and get them to destroy the tape. When she realised the tape was gone, she would know that I had taken it and come after me. I wasn't going to sit around waiting for that. As soon as I got in my car, I messaged Rose and was on my way.

RPOV

I have been so anxious today. I know Adrian should be back at Court by now, but I haven't heard from him. Knowing the Queen, as soon as she saw that Adrian was returning, she would have requested to see him immediately. I wasn't sure if Adrian was going to confront her straight away, or try and get back on her good side for a couple of days, then try and get it out of her. That's why we had waited the three days before going back to Court. To allow for travel, and to give Adrian time to confront her. I was really worried for him. I know he believes me, as I said to him, him being there showed me he believed me. But I think deep down he may have been hoping that I was wrong, that the Queen didn't have anything to do with it.

'He'll be ok' said Dimitri guessing my thoughts. We were all sitting in the theatre room watching a movie. I couldn't tell you what we were watching though because I wasn't paying any attention.

'I know' I lied. I kept expecting a message from him saying he couldn't go through with it, or that he never wanted to speak to me again. I was worried that the Queen would manipulate him and make him believe I was lying. I could handle it if he couldn't go through with it, I know how hard it must be for him, but I couldn't handle the thought of him thinking I was a liar and I had made it all up.

'Roza, he will be ok. He will go through with it'

'I understand if he doesn't'

'Then what is worrying you?'

'The whole thing, I should never have asked him to do this for me. It's his family Comrade. His flesh and blood'

'It is, but as he said earlier, you are his family too. I know I haven't always been a fan of Adrian, but that was because of his reputation. What I have seen of Adrian over the years, he doesn't deserve that reputation. He is a loyal friend, and he doesn't treat Dhampirs like scum. He wants to do the right thing, and I don't think he would stand back and let someone get away with all of this, even his Aunt'

'Like he said Rose, you changed him. Three years ago, he had the same views as his Aunt, but since meeting you, he has realised how dedicated and loyal Dhampirs are, and that they don't deserve the treatment they get from Royals. He believes they deserve respect and that everyone should be treated equally. Even if it wasn't you that had been put through this, and it was another dhampir, if he could help them, he would. But being you Rose, he would do anything for you. I honestly believe he thinks higher of you than his real family' said Lissa. This just made me cry. Dimitri wrapped his arms around me pulling me into his chest. I couldn't believe the extremes my friends would go to for me. Just then, I got a text on my phone. It was from a number I didn't know, but I smiled when I saw who it was from. I read it out to everyone.

All done, I have the evidence we need. Staying in a motel, call me when you're at Court. Love Adrian xx

'It's Adrian. He has the evidence. Oh my god he's actually done it. Wait, why is he staying in a motel?' I asked confused.

'Because the Queen will look for that video from her room to destroy it, once she realises it is gone, she will know that Adrian had taken it. I don't think he would want to be there for that. He is smart to have left' said Dimitri.

'I hope he was smart enough not to use his credit card, otherwise they will just track him straight down' I said. Another round of anxiety hit me. 'Oh god, what will they do to him if they find him?'

'They won't find him' said Abe with certainty from the other end of the room.

'How do you know Baba?' I asked curious about the certainty in his voice.

'Because I have covered all basics Kiz. He didn't pay for the room, nor is he registered as a guest with them. He is also using a secure phone, while his is in pieces in his bedroom at Court' he said with a smug look on his face.

'You…'

'I know the Queen and the way she thinks Kiz. I wasn't going to let one of your best friends be in any danger. I sorted it out with him yesterday. I will contact him on the last leg of our flight and he will meet us at the airstrip tomorrow morning'

'Do you really think she would hurt Adrian in any way?' asked Lissa.

'She would do anything if it means keeping her reputation and title in tact' he said. 'Now, I suggest you all go and get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a long day' we all nodded and got up to leave. I stopped in front of him.

'Thank you Baba'

'Anything for you and your friends Kiz. They are family to me too'

With that, I turned around and dragged Dimitri back to my room.