Arthur and the family he protected lived in a small town along I-90, not far from Billings. The general Moroi opinion was split on places to live. Some argued that big cities were the best since they allowed vampires to be lost in the crowds; nocturnal activities didn't raise so much attention. Other Moroi, like this family, apparently, opted for less populated towns, believing that if there were fewer people to notice you, then you were less likely to be noticed.
Rose and Jasmine convinced Dimitri to stop for food at a twenty-four-hour diner along the way, and between that and stopping to buy gas. It was around noon when we arrived. The house was built in a rambler style, all one level with gray-stained wood siding and big bay windows that was tinted to block sunlight, of course. It looked new and expensive, and even out in the middle of nowhere, it was about what I'd expected for members of a royal family.
Dimitri, Rose and Jasmine get out of the mustang. Rose and Jasmine boots sinking threw the inch of smooth snow. Walking to house crumching on the gravel of the driveway. The day was still and silent, save for the occasional breath of wind. Dimitri, Rose and Jasmine walked up to the house, following a river rock sidewalk that cut through the front yard. I could see him sliding into his business mode, but his overall attitude was as cheery as mine. We'd all taken a kind of guilty satisfaction in the pleasant car ride.
Rose foot slipped on the ice-covered sidewalk, and Dimitri instantly reached out to steady me. Rose had a weird moment of DEJAVU, flashing back to the first night we'd met, back when he'd also saved me from a similar fall. Freezing temperatures or not, his hand felt warm on my arm, even through the layers of down in my parka coat. Dimitri said are you okay.
Jasmine stop walking and getting wield feeling. Looking around like something wrong! Dimitri asked what wrong? Jasmine bent down putting hand in snow and close her eyes. Started seeing flash of images. Rose said Haven't these people ever heard of salt?" Dimitri expression became tense and alert. He turned his head, eyes searching the broad, white plains surrounding us before settling back on the house. Dimitri studied the building for almost a full minute. Looked down at the icy sidewalk, then glanced back at the driveway, covered in a sheet of snow broken only by our footprints.
Jasmine started speaking Russian. Strigoi and Humans working together! Dimitri looked down at Jasmine. Dimitri speaking back to Jasmine in Russian. Asking are you sure? Jasmine said that is want I seen. But why they need human for? Dimitri said don't know. Is part of your gift? Jasmine said Yes. See pictures in my head. Dimitri said talk later. Jasmine nod. Rose was surprise Jasmine was speaking Russian to Dimitri. Jasmine stand up.
Dimitri cautiously to approached the front door, and we followed. Dimitri stopped again, this time to study the door. It wasn't open, but it wasn't entirely shut either. It looked like it had been closed in haste, not sealing. Further examination showed scuffs along the door's edge, as though it had been forced at some point. The slightest nudge would open it. Dimitri lightly ran his fingers along where the door met its frame, his breath making small clouds in the air. When Dimitri touched the door's handle it jiggled a little, like it had been broken.
"Finally, Dimitri said quietly, Jasmine fellow me and Rose, go wait in the car."
"Rose said what?"
"Dimitri said Go!"
Dimitri and Jasmine stood where they was, not moving until Rose slipped back into the car, closing the door as softly as possible. Dimitri said flame up! Jasmine reached in her jacket and pulled out stake with right hand. Her left hand a ball of fire appeared. Then they both gentlest of movements, Dimitri pushed on the barely held door and they disappeared inside.
Dimitri went first with Jasmine behind him. Telling her stay calm and keep your eyes open. Jasmine slow her breath and try to stay clam while moving threw house. Dimitri keep going the back of the house. Jasmine stop turning to the living and stepping inside of the room.
The horrible scene was so surreal as Jasmine seen child size laying floor looking up at her. Making her heart cry the child. The tears filling to her eyes and felling down her checks. Jasmine fell to her knees. The flame died in her hand. Jasmine reached up and close child eyes and said I'm sorry that get in time. You rest now.
Jasmine started hearing echo pass screams and different pictures started flashing in front Jasmine eyes. Making her feel the pain from the attack. Dimirti came in living room and found Jasmine next child body. Rushing to Jasmine side and seeing that her eyes had gone white. Knowing seeing something had seen in to trance like Rose in Vailissa mind. Rose came to Jasmine said what happening? Dimitri said it trance. When you slip in Valissa head. Rose looked Jasmine worried. Jasmine consciousness return and started blinking. Jasmine light brown return to eyes.
Jasmine turn and looked Dimitri. Seeing the tears felling from the eyes. Dimitri said what happen? The human broken the wards with silver stack. They attack when they shift changing. Catching them fully off guard and most of them were sleeping. They been watching from the tree line at the back of the house for days. Dimitri asked how many were their? Jasmine said six came in three stayed outside. The leader said to leave a message behind. Rosa said where the message? Jasmine said A mirror! The leader said maybe see it now. Jasmine shacking. Dimitri said everything is going to OK Am here now. Pulling Jasmine to him and picking Jasmine stack off the floor. Putting Jasmine stack in his pocket.
Rose get up moving threw house. Looking for message and founding it on the mirror in bathroom. Rose said Reading it Poor, poor Badicas. So few left. One royal family nearly gone. Others to follow.
Rose calling out Dimitri. Dimitri came in bathroom and looked at the mirror. Rose said this changes everything! Dimitri said Yes. Dimitri said take Jasmine back to car and put in backseat to rest. Rose turn around walked back to Jasmine.
Dinitri made one phone call and a veritable SWAT team showed up.
It took a couple of hours, though, and every minute spent waiting felt like a year. Rose watched Jasmine sleep. Dimitri said Jasmine. Has change and grown over this three mouths. Rose said my little sister is stronger by far. I worry about her what is going to happen to her. Will understand her or going be test animal in lab. Dimitri could see the love that Rose had Jasmine and worried for her. Dimirti want hold Rose in his arms and make her worries go away. Remember that keep Valissa and Jasmine save. Could get his feeling get in away of his job.
When Jasmine cellphone started ring. Dimitri reached over grabbing up Jasmine backpack. Started looking threw it to found the loud ring. Opening the top and found laptop,file and notebooks. Going threw the front pockets and found it. Opening and found that text from Damon. Stopping ringing to keep waking Jasmine up.
Rose said who texting her? Dimitri said we can't read people text messages. Rose reached over grabbed the cellphone. Said bullshit just watch me. Dimitri watched Rose open the message. Started reading it. Founding out that Damon want to talk to her. Asking her to call him let him know. When you coming home? Please call me. I miss you.
Dimitri said what does it say. Rose turn cellphone around and Dimitri started reading it. 'Thinking to himself home less a day and want her." Dimitri grabbed cellphone send text back. Can't talk now. Taking care of busy. Talk later. Sending the message. Close cellphone and putting back in the backpack. Rose said what did you just do send text using her cellphone? Dimitri said I didn't do anything. Rose smile know that was lie.
Dimitri zipping pockets until came in top and pulled out the notebooks and open them. Found they the information elements. Going to first notebook and started reading until Swat team showed up. Rose asked what are for? Dimitri said information on the elements that Jasmine found out while in Russia. Rose said I didn't know Jazz could speak Russian? Dimitri sad Yes! One of her class that she had to take while in the program.
When the first group of guardians showed up, Dimitri opened the car door and glanced over at Rose. "Dimitri said you should see how this is done." Rose said what about Jasmine? Dimitri said let her sleep. Rose followed anyway. These guardians were strangers to Rose, but Dimitri knew them. He always seemed to know everybody. This group was surprised to find a novice on the scene. But none of them protested my presence.
Rose walked behind them as they examined the house. None of them touched anything. They knelt by the bodies, studied the bloodstains and broken windows. Apparently, the Strigoi had entered the house through more than just the front door and back patio.
The guardians spoke in brusque tones, displaying none of the disgust and fear I felt. They were like machines. One of them, the only woman in the group, crouched beside Arthur Schoenberg. I was intrigued since female guardians were so rare. I'd heard Dimitri call her Tamara, and she looked about twenty-five. Her black hair just barely touched her shoulders, which was common for guardian women.
Sadness flickered in her gray eyes as she studied the dead guardian's face. "Oh, Arthur," she sighed. Like Dimitri, she managed to convey a hundred things in just a couple words. "Never thought I'd see this day. He was my mentor." With another sigh, Tamara rose. Her face had become all businesslike once more, as though the guy who'd trained her wasn't lying there in front of her. I couldn't believe it. He was her mentor. How could she keep that kind of control?
"Rose said there were four points of entry." Female guardian turn to Rose and tell us how you came up with that? Rose said There were seven Moroi in family with the guardians. The strigoi had been watching the house for days. Like a vanned point from the tree line out back. Rose said learning when the shift change would it happen. "Dimitri realizing Rose information that Jasmine seen." Rose said four Strigoi couldn't have taken down that many. Six or more probably could have. If they went for the guardians first and caught them by surprise. The family would have been too panicked to fight back."
"Dimitri asked how did they catch the guardians by surprise?" Rose said Because the wards were broken. Female guardian asked how was ward get broken? Rose said Strigoi can't touch silver stack, no Moroi or dhampir would do it. That would leaves human to do for them. The other guardians realized Rose was on to something.
Dimitri said Humans working with a large group of Strigoi. Female guardian said that change everything that we know. Dimitri simply nodded as a sign of approval, and the group continued their survey. Dimitri lean down whisper Rose ear. Good idea use the information that get from Jasmine as our own. Rose smiled at Dimitri.
Rose and Dimitri walking back to car to check on Jasmine. Getting back in the mustang and getting inside. Both turn and looking back seat found that Jasmine still sleeping.
Rose said Ow! Shit. When idea popped in Rose mind.
Dimitri turn looked at Rose face and could see Rose knew something. Rose said the Badicas were one of the smaller royal clans. Dimitri said Yes! Rose said The Strigoi wanted to snuff out royal lines. There was no better chance than to go after smaller ones first. Like the Dragomirs. Lissa was the only one left. Dimitri said Valissa is back at academy. Rose said need to back academy to portent Lissa.
Rose said the message was warning. The leader of Strigoi want us to found it. Poor, poor Badicas. So few left. One royal family nearly gone. Others to follow. Dimitri said I think your right they showing something new.
Dimitri started the mustang. "Dimitri said It's been a long day. For all of us." You need to get sleep. Rose looked in the backseat making sure Jasmine still sleeping. When we got back to St. Vladimir's Academy. Rose said maybe right. Rose fastened her seat belt and tried to sleep well Dimitri drive back to Academy. As Jasmine sleep the whole way back to the academy.
"Dimitri thought how stronger Jasmine powers had grown from the three months. Getting to see Jasmine in a trance like Roza. The information that she had was useful and thinking it might harder to hind her from the world." Looking in mirror to check on Jasmine and road. Still seeing her sleeping.