Spring break was anything but springy. It was cold and wet and I spent most of my time covered in sweat.

Not from activities that I would have preferred to be hot and sweaty from.

Dimitri held nothing back as we practiced, batting me in the size of the head before sweeping my legs out from under me. I hit the mat but rolled out of the way, flipping backwards and onto my feet, meeting his fists with arms.

It was back and forth, back and forth. I never stopped to think about how strong Dimitri was, but fighting hand-to-hand with him, I severely underestimated him. And Strigoi. I landed a blow to his stomach, using his windedness to duck under his arm, spinning around him and landing a kick to his lower back.

I might have kicked him harder than I meant to and his knees buckled. He crashed onto the mat and tried to right himself but I was already on him, pushing him down so I could pin him. We grappled, both of us trying to gain the upper hand, but in something sort of a miracle, I slammed my fist over his chest.

I sat astride him breathlessly, loosening my fist to lay flat against his chest. I moved my eyes to his and grinned.

"Holy shit. I actually did it!" I exclaimed.

Dimitri was out of breath too and nodded, letting his head thump back against the mat.

"You made me work for it, Roza. Well done," he said as he caught his breath, picking my hand up and kissing my palm.

I smiled and shook my head, flopping down on his chest instead of rolling off him. I rested my head against his chest with a sigh, closing my eyes for a moment before opening them.

But opening my eyes was different. I wasn't looking at the wall, but I was in a room that I recognized.

"Rose?"

I turned at looked at Eddie, his face exhausted and forlorn.

I smoothed my hands over my dress and looked at him with a slight shake of my head.

"This is so messed up," I whispered, crossing my arms over my waist and sniffing. Eddie nodded and walked towards me, smoothing his tie over his shirt before pulling me into a hug. I sighed and wrapped my arms around him tightly, resting my cheek against his shoulder.

"I'm tired of funerals," I said softly.

Eddie nodded. "So am I," he whispered. There was a knock on the door and Christian poked his head into the room, giving both of us a tightening of his lips.

"It's time," he said, his eyes moving towards me.

"Rose?"

I took in a slow breath and sat up, frowning when I looked at him.

"Sorry?"

"Did you see something?"

I nodded but shook my head. "I don't know what to make of this one. I was at a funeral."

Dimitri's brows pinched together. "Remember, everything is subjective."

I nodded and rubbed my face. "Yeah, well, that doesn't stop them from freaking me out," I said climbing off him, and offering my hand out to him. He stood up and kissed my forehead softly.

"I know, but how many of the visions you've seen come true?"

I looked up at him and my brows knitted together. "The one about the car accident."

Dimitri sighed and stroked my cheek. "Try not to let it bother you, and don't dwell on it. It'll be okay. Besides, you don't know how far or close a vision could be," he said, trying to cheer me up.

I nodded and leaned into him, wrapping my arms tight around his waist. Dimitri returned my embrace and held me for as long as I needed. Once I felt like I wasn't going to hyperventilate, I pulled away and headed upstairs.

As I head up I paced the room that Alberta uses as a second office and stopped in the doorway, looking up at the large screen. It was new.

"What's this?"

Alberta spun around in her chair and gave me a grim look.

"These red dots are Strigoi activity," Alberta said tiredly.

I walked in and crossed my arms over my chest, watching the screens.

"There's a lot."

"There has also been a few abductions in the area. Please be vigilant while you are out at night," Alberta said as she typed on the small screen. I stepped closer and looked over her shoulder.

"Mikhail?"

"He was reported missing last night."

I shook my head and pressed my lips together. "That's horrible."

Alberta made a noise of agreement and went about what she was doing while I looked over the screens. There were still shots of Strigoi, but there was one that I stopped and stared at.

"Who is that?"

Alberta stopped and stood up, walking to the door and shutting it.

"That is Lucas Ozera."

I pinched my brows. "A relative of Christian's?"

Alberta shook her head. "His father."

I turned to look at her, shaking m head the slightest bit. "I thought he and Christian's mother were killed after they were turned Strigoi."

"It appears that is not the case. And Christian doesn't know."

I was flabbergasted at the information and made a strangled noise in my throat.

"How can someone mistake them for being dead?"

"I don't know. But it changes a lot of things. The leaders here are unsure of telling Christian, and Tasha has been hard to reach. She is travelling in Brussels right now," Alberta said and rubbed her hand over her face.

"Does Tasha know?"

"Yes, we informed her before she left for Brussels for her own safety. Because Christian is mortal, he's been staying with myself and Stan. We are never sure when we will present as immortals, we just know it happens after we turn eighteen. It's best for Christian to not be alone for extended periods of time for that reason. The thirst alone is…excruciating," Alberta said perching herself on the edge of the desk, her ankle dangling gently.

I sat down in her vacant chair and pulled my hair out of its braid, running my fingers against my scalp.

"That's horrible."

Alberta hummed in agreement and looked at the screen when the computer made a noise.

"I think it's time for you to be heading home, Rose," Alberta said. It wasn't exactly a dismissal, but I knew that she needed to get back to work. I nodded and said my goodbyes, leaving the room and finding Dimitri in the living area.

"Ready?" I asked.

Dimitri nodded and got up, rubbing his hands together. I smiled at him and grabbed my things, following him to the car.

I grinned and tried to hold back my laughter as Ellison tried to beat Ivan at shotgunning a beer, but you couldn't exactly beat a man who didn't need to breathe.

"How do people even enjoy this?" I asked.

"I have no idea," Dimitri said sipping his own beer casually. I shook my head and rested my head against his shoulder, sipping my pop. We went to one of the few all-aged clubs in the area, mostly because we needed something to do. Ellison came home with me for Spring break while Sydney stayed back because of a club she was part of.

Ellison suggested bar hopping, but we couldn't exactly do that because I lost my fake ID and I wasn't about to ask Baba to make me one. I knew the man was good, but I was pretty sure there were lines he wouldn't cross. Even for his little girl.

While Ivan and Ellison ordered another round, I gripped Dimitri's hand and pulled him out of the booth, swaying my hips as I went. It wasn't often I got to dance with him, but I liked doing it. There was something about watching a man who was graceful in every aspect of his life, struggle to dance in public.

Maybe it was because he was used to traditional dancing, not bumping and grinding in the club. I grinned at him and gripped both his hands, dancing towards him. Dimitri rolled his eyes and pulled his hands from mine, only to hold my hips as we danced.

The beat was low and heady, but the music was lulling me. I mouthed the words to myself and grinned when Dimitri started to move with me, letting loose. I spun in his arms and lifted my arms, wrapping them around his neck, smiling to myself when his lips drifted against my neck.

One hand held my hips, guiding me against him as he danced while the other came up and rested on my rib cage, his fingers firm but loose. I tipped my head to the side and sighed when he sucked on my earlobe, letting my eyes flutter.

I bite my lip when Dimitri whispered in my ear, telling me what he had planned when we got back to his place when I slipped, eyes focusing on someone across the room. The man was watching us from against the way.

"Roza?"

"Do you know him?"

"Who?"

I pointed in his direction, but he was already gone when Dimitri looked up. Dimitri had stopped dancing and rubbed his hands over my shoulders.

"Rose? What is it?"

I gapped at where the man was standing and shook my head. "I…I don't know. I thought I saw someone."

"Who?"

I shook my head. "No clue. But he was watching us," I said turning to look at him. Dimitri scanned the room, taking what I said to heart and trying to see what I saw. I could feel him poking around in my head, no doubt looking for my memory of what they looked like.

After a moment or so Dimitri shook his head. "Maybe he was just watching? People are weird and watch other people in places like this."

I nodded and shrugged it off. "You're right. I'm probably just on edge because of what Alberta told me."

Dimitri stroked my cheek with his thumb. "To be fair, I was going to tell you, Alberta just beat me to it."

I smiled and nodded. "I know."

I looked around the club again before gesturing to the booth, feeling a little thirsty. Dimitri wrapped his arm around my shoulders and lead me back, dipping his head down.

"If you could see how many people how been looking at you, you would know why I am the luckiest man in the world," Dimitri said in my ear, kissing it softly.

I smiled up at him. "I think you are blinded to how many women have been watching you," I chuckled as I slid back into the booth, swiping Ellison's shot while he wasn't paying attention.

I hid my face in mortification as my friends laugh. As promised, we were all going to meet up before I went back to school. Lissa wasn't going to be able to make it though, she had therapy and family grief counselling tonight that she couldn't get out of.

"Wait, you get out of the bath freshly fucked, step on a wine glass and Dimitri spent two hours picking glass out of the bottom of your foot?" Eddie asked, wiping under his eye because he laughed so hard.

"Fuck off," I grumbled.

Mason even had a grin on his face, trying not to laugh but even he couldn't deny there was something funny about the situation.

"It sucked. I almost kicked him in the face with one shard. It was this big!" I said and indicated with my fingers. It was about a quarter inch long. It hurt like a bitch to take out, and bled a lot too. I asked why we didn't just go to the hospital, but Dimitri said he could heal the cuts once the glass was out.

"But otherwise, did you have a good night?" Mason asked, picking at the cookie in front of him.

"I did. Did you guys get up to anything good?" I asked.

"Ellison and I watched a really nice movie at the theatre," Mia supplied, grinning at Ellison.

"I went on a date. Not on Valentine's Day, but the night before," Mason offered up.

"You did?" I asked, leaning onto the table, "With who? How did it go?!"

Mason blushed a little. "Do you remember Angela?"

I gasped quietly. "No! Oh my God! You got a date with Miss. Perfection!"

Mason rolled his eyes. "She's actually really sweet. She has a big heart and I think she was actually afraid of you two and Lissa," Mason explained, "She said she always admired our friend group."

Eddie had a look of approval on his face. "How did the date go?"

"It went really well. We have another planned for later this week," Mason said with a smile.

I looked at Mia and Ellison, sharing a smile with Mia. I don't think anyone knew how happy it made me that Mason found someone that he clicked with.

"What do you have planned?"

"We're going for breakfast. I remembered what you always said. Breakfast dates were the best because there was no expectation of going home with them after. I don't want a quick hookup or anything, I just want someone. It sucks seeing all my friends in relationships and I've been alone."

"Hey, I'm not in a relationship," Mia piped up and I watched Ellison's lips quirk up the tiniest bit. I stored that away for later.

"Neither am I," Eddie said folding his hands behind his head as he balanced on his chair.

"But you are also a serial dater," Mia piped up.

Eddie rolled his eyes and Ellison jumped up. I looked at him with confusion, but he said that Ellen just messaged him, saying that she had fallen. He looked frantic. I offered to drive him where he needed to go, but he didn't want to pull me away. He just wanted to know where the closest train station was.

We gave him the directions and I asked him again if he wanted me to come, but he shook his head, saying that he wasn't sure when he would be back in New York. I nodded and gave him a hug, whispering for him to let me know when he found out how Ellen was.

Once he left I sank back down in my chair, a frown plastered to my face.

"Hey, he'll be okay," Mia said sympathetically. I nodded and turned back to the table and gave a mute smile to them.

"Is that his mom?"

"The closest thing he has to one," I said quietly. I looked up and noticed that it was getting dark, checking my phone for the time. I sighed and closed my eyes, shivering at the image behind my eyes. I glanced down at my wrists, frowning.

"What is it?" Mason asked.

I looked up and shook my head. I jumped when Ellison's empty chair was filled, turning to find Christian sitting down.

"Jesus! Put a bell on!"

"Pay attention," Christian said with a roll of his eyes. I glared at him and pouted at my empty mug. I lifted it up and tipped it upside down.

"It's broken," I pouted, making Mia laugh.

"Don't worry. I'll get you another. Anyone else?"

"I need actual food," Eddie said getting up, Mason making a comment that he needed food too. I watched the three walk towards the counter before turning towards Christian.

"Remember when I asked you about the abilities?"

Christian nodded.

"I've been having visions."

"Okay?"

"They've been getting more frequent," I said pulling my notepad out of my purse, setting it on the table as I glanced behind me. Christian opened it and frowned, flipping through the pages. There were so many over the last few weeks. I watched Christian look at the sketches. Some were superficial, simply interactions with people, things I'd walk past, but it was the other ones that worried me.

Eddie looking high and dazed, Mia terrified, Ellison's worried face. But the one I just had, looking down at my burned wrists scared me.

"What do these mean?"

Christian shook his head. "I don't know. But these five," he said flipping through the pages and pointing to various sketches, "Everyone is wearing these articles of clothing."

I looked up at him and felt a shiver run through my spine.

"What do I do?"

Christian shrugged. "I wish I could tell you. Have you shown these to Alberta or Dimitri?"

I shrugged. "I showed a few to Dimitri, but he just reminded me that the future is subjective and that it changes."

"Maybe something will happen? But you shouldn't dwell on it, it could be nothing. I mean, here, Eddie could easily be sharing a joint with you," Christian said pointing to Eddie's sketch, " And your friend just ran off cause of a family member."

"These are all things that can be explained away," Christian continued.

I shook my head. "I have a bad feeling," I whispered."

"How bad of a feeling?"

"You know how characters on TV say they have a bad feeling and they end up in a school shooting or they almost drown?"

Christian nodded his head slowly.

"That kind of bad feeling. Like dread," I admitted.

Christian scratched his head and frowned. "I think we should get to the hub, just to be safe. Bring them with us. If you have a gut feeling like this, you should follow it"

I nodded and gathered my purse and coat, picking up Mia, Mason, and Eddie's coats too. Christian met them at the counter, telling them that it was urgent that we leave, saying that he would explain later. I handed them their things and we funnelled out of the shop. Christian led the way to the hub while I stuck my hand into my bag, cursing myself when I realized that my stake wasn't there.

Dimitri, something is wrong.

I could hear the whispers of his thoughts in my head before they stilled.

Where are you?

On my way to the hub. I don't know what it is, but all I feel is dread. Meet me?

I didn't get a chance to hear his response because the hair stood up on my neck and Mia gasped. I turned, thinking that she was in front of me but she slipped behind. But I was faced with a bigger problem.

"Look what we have here," Nathan drawled, pressing the tip of his gun against Mia's temple.

"Nathan, I'm the one you want. Put it down," I said, putting my hands up. I looked at Mia and her fear wafted off her.

"Well, you and Christian, but these three, they're extra. Can't have them running off and telling anyone," He said gesturing with the gun at Mia, Mason and Eddie. I didn't know what to do, but when he tightened his grip on Mia, I took a step forward, but he just pulled her back.

"Nuh-uh. Get in the car," he said, jerking his head to the left. I glanced at it and then at him, but there was a scuffle behind me. I turned to find Strigoi with us now, one gripping onto someone.

I lunged for Mia, hoping to pull her away from him, he cracked the gun against the side of my head instead.

Ohh! The suspense!

I wanted to take a quick moment to thank all of you who reached out to me. My surgery went textbook, and aside from a little hiccup in post-op and a short overnight stay, I am home. My doctor confirmed my diagnosis and cleared out as much endometriosis as he could (which was a lot, apparently.)

I am home now and resting with my loyal puppy and getting lots of rest :)