"Oh Rose!... I'm sorry!.. I'm so so sorry!...

I'm so glad that you are fine!" she said, sobs wracking through her willowy frame.

"She is fine, right?"She questioned, turning to the others, trying to compose herself.

She released me from the hug, but her hands had held onto mine

"I... I.. wouldn't have been able to live," sob, "had anything happened to you!", sob.

"I'm so sorry!"

"It was my fault."She stated crying.

So far I had been confused, I had assumed that she was guilty, but her words suggested something completely different.

Was something wrong?

Was she in shock?

Did I get something wrong?

Had I been informed incorrectly?

Was she joking?

All questions and no answer.

"No Liss, this isn't your fault... It wasn't you..." I stated resolutely, trying to comfort ber, to show that I didn't blame her.

"The people who decided to play the prank are liable, they should be guilty, not you!"

My words seemed to confuse her.

"Rose, please don't call it a prank! It wasn't a mere.. Pra.."

She stopped mid sentence, turning to face the others accusingly once again,as if something clicked in place.

"Is that what you told her?"She snapped.

"How could you!"She added aghast.

"She deserves to know. You weren't even there. She is the one you who saved me."She stated desperate in anger.

And I noticed all the three men flinch under the hard gaze of a seemingly harmless blonde.

"The least you can offer is honesty."

"But Miss, we have been strictly instructed not to divulge and information regarding the matter."Added Ivan.

But soon shrunk back under the gaze of the angry young woman.

"You owe her the truth."

Minutes passed and nobody spoke a word . The silence being too much for my ever curious mind was broken .

" What are you people even talking about. You need to speak fast, my head is starting to ache."

My words seemed to remind them of my presence as their collective gazes focused on me again and silence persisted.

"Please give us a moment."Belikov said as the three men stepped out of the room.

DPOV

"We cant tell her!"Exclaimed Ivan.

"But Vasi... Lissa is correct in stating that Rose saved her. I saw it happen."Argued Adrian.

"Lissa knows, and if we don't tell Rose she will, and that'll simply be more trouble."I reasoned.

"We don't know where her loyalties lie!

For all our thinking this could have just been a mere act to help a mole into the mission."Said Ivan stating a reasonable and viable point, but something in his words about Rose, stung.

I couldn't get myself to think of her that way , the logical part of my mind had brought up the matter before and I had completely tried to ignore it, but Ivan voicing it ticked my Guardian off.

"Removing her from from the premises this early would arouse suspicions."Adrian added.

"Don't jump to conclusions Ivashkov , there are too many variables in the situation."Snipped Ivan.

He didn't like being ordered around, and the scene with Lissa annoyed him.

"How about we play along for the while and keep an eye on her. Look up her history, as for telling her about things ,lets state the obvious, if she is a mole it wouldn't be anything she wouldn't know and Lissa would be satisfied." I adviced, for it was the best I could come up with.

"And if Ivan's suspicion proves to be true, the trails will be an apt excuse to remove her."I reasoned, trying to not appear biased.

"Alright", "Sure."

I received in reply, a weight lifting from my chest. We headed back to the room, only hoping that I wouldn't have to regret my judgement and actions.

RPOV

"How have you been feeling Rose?"Questioned Sonya.

"Annoyed! Confused! Betrayed! " I stated dramatically.

"Not emotionally. Physically, dear. "She specified smiling.

"My body feels drained ,head is pounding against the skull ...I feel slightly nauseous... can't recall anything from yesterday... and have trouble breathing..."

Each symptom rearing its ugly head as I stated them, leaving me feeling worse than before.

" Would you like to have some water? "She questioned.

" Yes, please. "I replied as I was handed a glass of cold water.

Each gulp soothing my parched tongue, like I hadn't had some of it minutes ago.

Hardly had I put the glass down as the men returned. The somber looks on their faces remained.

" We've decided to tell Rose about the situation, as you mentioned Lissa, we owe it to her."Began Adrian.

"That'll be my cue."Sonya chirped in.

"When can I return to my training?"I asked her eagerly.

"Not before the day after tomorrow. You are still weak, and I would suggest that she isn't to be left unsupervised for atleast today"She said sincerely before departing.

Gone was my hope.

Two days ! What would I do during that time. I would miss the training, and the others would be questioning about my absence. Lissa's whatever secret would be out and we'll end up factionless.

The worry gnawing at my inside was bordering on hysteria, when a lilted voiced called to seek my attention, the accent enough to distract me, soothe me, as I tried to listen to them.

"Rose, you need to know that you cannot tell this anyone else."I nodded in response.

"Lissa is different from us, her thinking her ways, her outlook is different."Said Belikov .

"Open", added Adrian.

"Liberal",said Ivan.

"She is capable of doing a great many things, so someone is after her. They want her out of the way, this makes her a target and we are here to protect her." Ivan continued.

"The last attack was meant for her. It was a gas bomb, meant to render her conscious for hours, making her an easy prey."Adrian informed.

His words seemed to surprise Lissa as she gasped . It seemed as if the men were genuinely letting me in. But I was suspicious. It was too easy. Too simple.

" We don't know who is behind the attacks, so we need to do our best to protect our charge."Spoke Ivan.

"And now that you know what is happening we need you to stay alert."Spoke Belikov.

The men spoke in turns suggestings ways in which I could keep myself safe.

And when they stopped, I started laughing.

"Are you pretending to be naive or are you seriously so foolish."I said between breaths,chuckling.

Belikov slightly frowned at my words, Ivan seemed genuinely confused whereas Adrian appeared amused.

"And what makes you say so lady?" "Questioned Adrian smiling.

" Lissa is in danger, she needs protection, and here you are telling me about ways to keep myself safe.

I want in, I want to help you protect her. "

My words caused them to stiffen, as they continued to ignore me, a look passed between them and Adrian ushered Lissa out of the room using the excuse of her classes. The blonde left the room unwillingly with a gentle," I'll be back soon. "

No sooner had she left the room when the men locked the door and stood intimidatingly, blocking it.

"So, now we can get to business."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HAHA!

I'm back as promised. Hope that you enjoyed the chapter.

Did you come across the news that Richelle Mead is working on new canon stuff from the VA/BL universe. I'm equal parts excited and terrified!

She said Declan and Neil's part are essential so I take her word for it, but I'm wondering if it'll be VA next generation.

What are your thoughts?

Hope you have a great time ahead!

-Katnipsc ;)