CHAPTER NINETEEN - ROSE

We got back late. I'd had to explain what really happened to Dimitri. There was no choice. I couldn't have them blabbing everything to him when the totem had already done its work. My past self didn't take kindly to the fact that I obliviated her mentor. Still, in the end I convinced them to keep the secret. They'd both seen what the knowledge did to him. None of us wanted to see him like that again.

Dimitri woke around the time we pulled up to the lodge. He was groggy, but I was happy to find that he remembered everything up until he and Adrian were attacked.

With everything seemingly tied up in a nice bow regarding Robert, I wished I could just take him and return to my time. Adrian and Past-me could forget all about Dimitri turning Strigoi in the second amnesia burst.

But Alicia was still at large and even though the others seemed to think Robert's powers were absorbed by the necklace, a big part of me feared that they might've been funneled directly to her. Regardless, I didn't want anyone trying it on to check. First chance I got, I'd figure out how to destroy the stupid thing.

We brought Robert to one of the lodge's empty suites. As per Alberta's orders, guards would be stationed by his side 24/7. He'd be transferred to St. Vladimir's holding cells soon enough. Close enough for me to keep an eye on him, and to bring him back home when the time was right.

Maybe a life without magic would be good for him. He wouldn't be able to hurt anyone else. And he may have become dark and corrupt, but at his core, Robert really just missed his brother. A life free of Spirit's darkness was the least I could offer him.

The morning came, and the dread I'd been burying for days just skyrocketed. If I hadn't absolutely botched up time, then this was the day my younger self left for Spokane. I didn't want to be here for this. Damn Alicia.

The day went by too fast. I ran into Adrian once. No Dimitri. Without any more Spirit using threats, Adrian and Lissa were no longer obligated to watch over the others.

He asked me if I was going to the banquet later.

"I don't think so. With everything that's been going on, I think I need to take a step back."

"Awe, but I bet Belikov's gonna be on duty. And Mini-You is so coming. We could watch them exchange more will-they-won't-they looks."

Despite my sour mood, I chuckled. "You were a lot more against us when we did this the first time around."

"Yeah well, without all the murky black in your aura, your epic love's not so hard to read. Besides Belikov's growing on me." He bit into a cigarette butt and lit it with his other hand. He spoke through his teeth, "But hey, plenty of fish in the sea. I'll find someone."

"You will." I touched his arm. "And she'll make you very happy."

The gaping-fish look he gave me was classic.

While I didn't go inside the banquet hall, I ended up watching the doorway from an isolated corner. I had to be sure things were back on track. Right on schedule, my mother practically threw my younger self outside and started ranting at her. My younger self's form-fitting silk dress was stained with champagne.

They argued for a while, catching the attention of a few nearby guests. Mom eventually got tired and headed off down the hall. Past-me muttered to herself before storming off in the direction of the rooftop deck.

A few minutes later, Dimitri left the party too. He spotted me and seemed to silently ask where she was. He looked good, if a little worried. Not at all like the broken man I'd found just last night.

It made me feel a little better when I directed him to my past self's hiding spot. We exchanged a knowing look as he realized what I'd meant when I said I'd been there before.

He went after her, and I knew that at least one thing turned out right.

I decided to go to my room and work up some kind of plan for the Alicia search, but when I entered the elevator, I ran into Mason of all people.

"Oh, hey Guardian Hathaway."

He was tapping his foot impatiently on the vinyl floor.

"Hey," I said, feeling raw. "You going to see Rose today?"

I knew the answer already. I knew exactly where he was going. But some masochistic part of me wanted to keep talking to him.

"Already been," he replied glumly, "Your niece is...she's something alright."

"Yeah, she is."

He glanced at me hesitantly. "I think I like her a lot. I know she doesn't feel the same about me. Maybe I've always known."

"And you're angry with her for that," I stated.

He bit his lip. "No. But I was. For a long time. Even when I tricked myself into thinking it could all work out. Now...now I'm just sad. She was my friend before all of this. She still is. I want her to be happy. Even if I wish it was with me."

I felt like crying. I didn't know what was showing on my face, but Mason looked concerned.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied.

Quiet overtook the small space.

"...About that story you were telling us with your zvezda marks. The rescue mission one. You took the fight to them. I think that was really brave. More of us should be playing our part like that."

He became more zealous as he spoke. I wanted to tell him that a rescue mission was different from seeking out trouble. That going in underprepared and undertrained could get people killed. Would get people killed.

The elevator dinged.

"Well, this is me," he said. "See ya."

"Yeah, see ya."

As the metal doors slid shut and he headed off, I whispered what I really wanted to say.

"Goodbye Mason."

A/N: Dont kill me! Last chapter of Frostbite is next