Chapter 17

The impact of his boots as he sent dirt high in the air, he advanced at us, it happened so quick I could focus.

Happening so quick no one seen it coming.

Dimitri being Dimitri decided to completely catch us fools off guard, with determination to get to me. Instead of running safely out the main doors like we assumed he would, saving his immortal life. Instead, Dimitri stormed from Jackson to Brendan knocking both onto their asses.

Jackson few backwards and hit the wooden walls of the warehouse, while Brendan landed backwards into the dirt with his ass up in the air.

Dimitri smirked at this, clearly satisfied.

"Looks like I've got you where I wanted Roza, now it's time for you and me to take out leave,' Walking a few steps to close to me for comfort. The look of triumph and glee on his face. Used to Dimitri's static personality unless he personally was leaving me dumbfounded.

Seriously? Does he honestly think I'm going to go with him when we still have the upper hand. He may think it's a few of us but I've got back up on the way, while his buddies are dead and the old one fled.

"Why would you really think I'd leave with you without fighting back. I'm not stupid and value my life," I spoke, distracting him till the other group arrives. "Besides I have Lissa and our child counting on me."

"I love you always with all of my heart, but sometimes fate deals you shitty ass tarot cards." I continued.

Hearing the sounds approaching outside, it sounded like our back up is here." I smirked. "Give up my love, your officially out numbered." Satisfied, storing in both doors they were finally here.

"Giving up isn't something I want to do either, besides I still have plans for us, don you run away just yet." He chuckled darkly. The look on his face reminded me of that show Lissa used to binge while we where on the run. He looked like a soulless Angel from the way he toys with me from threats, games and his twisted sense of humour, his lack of sanity is uncanny. Both could pass as brothers, damn you Buffy for the great example to describe what the hell in dealing with. A mad man.

Yeah, like that's going to happen.

Glancing around at the guardians Dimitri's face remained neutral, not giving us any clue as to what he is thinking. Looking to Brendan and Jackson they two both where watching for a slip.

"What do you mean by plans for us?" I questioned. No way in hell am I going with him even. If I wasn't pregnant. "What have you got planned you lunatic?"

Oh, dear lord please tell me this is all just a stupid nightmare and that I'll wake up with everything back to normal. The feeling of the loss of everyone was making me feel scared. Losing Mason almost tore me apart, Dimitri almost killed me. Therefore, I need Adrian safe.

What did I do to deserve this, why did this happen to me, haven't I suffered enough. The biggest question I ask myself is what will happen to my child if I some how ended up in his clutches. Would Dimitri harm him?

"Don't look at me this way." He spoke now in front of me. Looking into my eyes as he held my chin with his rough fingers. Probably from many years training, his soulless eyes were haunting.

"You're a moving most wanted target to the strigoi's. Seeing how we once shared a special connection; I should be the one to do the honours and complete the task of taking you down.

Cringing as he spoke, his words made me wanna choke myself out. How romantic of you to do the talk.

Sorry baby, your daddy is crazy and us trying to kill me, sprouting nonsense. You're the one who needs me the most, you're a beacon of hope, for a better future. No matter the consequences I must face to protect you, I will go t any lengths to do so. You and your Auntie Lissa are my two top priorities.

Stepping away from him I twirled my staked in my hands and than pointed it towards the son of a bitch, i I was going to inflict him the most pain I could deal him for what he caused.

Missing his face, a quarter of an inch was a real bummer.

How dare he speak to me like he was the dhampir Dimitri. How dare he think he can decide when my time to die. He thinks he just because he is a Strigoi now he can act all big and though towards me.

He may think he knows me, but he doesn't have a growing baby inside of him. Right now, I felt like I could take on anyone to protect my unborn baby.

Adjusting my scooting and wrist I take another jab at him with my stake.

"Little Dhampir be careful and focus, he is just trying to lower your guard." Adrian interrupted yelling at me standing beside Jackson. "Don't let that cradle robber get the bets of you." Causing both Jackson and Brendan to laugh at the nickname for Dimitri. Dimitri rolled his eyes. "I have faith in you."

"You really know how get a woman motivated to fight." I grinned.

He replied with, "I live to please."

"Cradle robber? I think she was thinking that, not long ago. That night she had other things in her mind." He mocked, winking my way.

"Bastard! I will make you pay for the make you pay for making a mockery of our memories we shared you foulness son of a bitch, you are not him anymore I won't hesitate to kill you."

"You are one ignorant son of a bitch." Gritting my teeth.

"Admit it Roza, you knew there was a darkness inside of me. Past demons burdened in ones own soul. Now I'm free from that burden, I feel free because the thing I cherished most is gone. That pesky soul." Then continued.

"How about you admit that night you lost confront and slipped into the darkness from spirit. The look in your eyes I could see the thirst to inflict pain on Jesse, you can practically smell the revenge seeping from you. Not feeling anything like guilt, shame or loss of Guardians go through. If anyone can understand it would be you."

I remained silent, as I processed his words carefully. What he spoke was the truth, I had lost someone close to me and took it hard. Dimitri was afraid that I wouldn't come out of that depression stage when it happened. We both shared a burden of loss but also the feeling when you kill a Strigoi, technically they were once alive. Sometimes it bothers you when your reminded they were once human, moroi or dhampir.

For Dimitri the late Lord Ivan Zeklos. Dimitri once shared mixed emotions about the situation. He knew it wasn't technically his fault, but he spoke on how he still felt like he was to blame, the feeling of loss of his best friend because he took time off when it happened. Something like what Lissa and I share, minus the magic bond.

If the roles were the same, I would feel the exact same way.

"I do remember that day, without you I would have killed a Royal moroi, that was also around when I lost you as well." I spoke sadly.

"This time I'm saving you," I choked. ""We made a promise remember, at the shopping trip back when we first met, we promised if either of us turned we would find them and set them free. I felt like I could have saved you, but this is the only option."

"I'm sorry it has to be this way." As I delivered a round house kick to his ribs, causing him to stumble back. Throwing a few punches to him before he could recover from the kick to the ribs.

Cursing words in Russian I assumed it was from the nasty blow to his side. Quickly scanning the room, I noticed the six guardians surrounded us like a wall of humans, a shield to hold both Dimitri and I in. Off to the side Brendan and Jackson where taking Adrian but kept there eyes firmly to Dimitri.

Looking back to Dimitri he was also scanning the room, probably planning some kind of Houdini act and escape out of here. He was looking for weak point in our strategy and forces. Any flaw in our formation will give Dimitri that advantage.

"Your foolish to think you can take out nine guardians, as well as another group outside."

"Not even you could pull that off, it's useless to fight. Give up." I smirked.

"Roza you should know by now I don't give up," he chastised me, his accent gave me chills.

"Giving up will get you no where. Besides if I where to die, I'd want to go down fighting."

"So be it."

"It seems fit that I should be the one to take you down." I grinned widely. "Be prepared to be schooled by your former student." Challenging him.

"Unless you're to scared to face me." I Taunted.

Circling each other we both wait for one of us to make the first move. Waiting for Dimitri to move I focused for any sudden attack. Usually, I wouldn't be to be concerned on taking him on without hesitating but behind pregnant with our child I was at a disadvantage.

Advancing towards me, he quickly went to throw me a punch but fake it and threw his body at me, knocking me backwards on my butt with a thump.

Managing to land without major damage to me or my baby.

"Is it just me or it have you been getting slower Roza, is being off duty making you lazy, you're losing your touch."

Getting up, I channeled out any distractions and focus on just Dimitri and I. "Quick playing games with me."

"It's time! Grab her!" Brendan yelled as I charged forward to take Dimitri out, but was instantly stopped.

What the hell?"

Instead of delivering what probably would have been a final blow, if only I wasn't just held back by two of my guardians. Two my old man said with a list of others that would get the job done.

"Wh-what the hell are you two doing?" Looking up at the two blank faces guardians who where not looking at me.

"I had him right where I needed him, now explained to me why you are holding me." These two morons ruined the probably the only shot to keep that promise. So, help me god if Dimitri escapes, these two will be dead, I will stake their asses.

"Expl…"

"Shh-" they shushed me in unison.

Excuse me!

"Hey! Excuse me!" I scoffed. "Don't you shush me, you two. Are forgetting I call the shots, now let me go." I demanded.

Getting shushed again, they pointed at the direction of Dimitri. When they grabbed me a moment ago, they grafted me from the circle.

Now both Guardian Brendan and Jackson both stood facing Dimitri.

This whole thing caught me off guard, this wasn't apart of the plan.

"Sorry Belikov you've had your moment of fun, now sorry to disappoint you but you will be taking us on now." Brendan spoke. "Rose needs to focus on her and the child and stay safe. She is a little stubborn on the take it easy part, so be prepared." He smirked "Taking on a former legend is a bonus I couldn't pass up."

Jackson grinned. "Couldn't have said it better my self. You see we have been training for this moment, to fight with one thing in mind."

"Yeah, and what's that?" Dimitri baited.

"Don't hesitate."

Now that got him a bit surprised.

He didn't expect that didn't he.

Snickering in my spot, I couldn't help but laugh. Perfect choice of words, perfect choice of words indeed.

Pulling the knife from her book with her open hand, she was the first one to strike.

Advancing, Jackson took a swipe of her knife than swapped with her stake in her other hand. She was skilled with both her hands, her an advantage on Dimitri.

Redirecting her stake, she jams it into his shoulder, causing him to roar in pain. Taking the stake out she moves back from his personal space. Brendan moves forward and kicks Dimitri backwards.

Recovering quickly. From the blows directed at him, Dimitri was clearly not amused. If anything, he was pissed and wasn't hiding it.

Dimitri was overwhelmed. Not sure if anyone else could see it, behind around him for hours upon hours training I could pick certain details and emotions from him no one normally could see.

Moving quickly, Jackson was going in for another lash at him, only he blocked her. Dimitri tried throwing her off her footing to take her down, but Brendan stepped in to throw him off Jackson.

"Considering you are taking on the two of us is amazing, you really live up to your name and expectations." Brendan rambled. "I'm confident in our strength and what Rose taught us that we are here today taking you on." Jackson got back up, stake in hand ready.

Guardian Brendan may shit tell you in a fight but can definitely use it to his advantage to get under your skin, but also back it up when push comes to shove.

Few times I fought with him before I knew I was pregnant he taunted me relentlessly putting me a bit on edge while fighting him, it as simply an annoyance.

What the hell are they doing? We were supposed to slow him down and get information from him. Why is everyone taking Brendans order? Why is everyone it listening to me and not in our formation like we had planned earlier.

Why am I even being held down in the first place?

My head was hurting, all these questions running through my head arms none of them are technically getting answered. Instead, I am shushed and clueless as to what is happening now.

Four guardians stood in front of me now in a square formation shielding Dimitri inside.

Stakes ready on standby for any sudden moves from their target, the guardians stood straight as a wall focuses on Dimitri, who was looking prepared for any attacks coming his way.

Even if he somehow subdued another, one would strike. He doesn't stand a chance.

With both guardians taking shot for shot at him trying to slow him down. Brendan slid his stake across Dimitri's left leg making him fall on his one knee as Jackson swipe, she'd stake bidding the same arm she hit earlier. Know matter his past background as a Guardian and his extra abilities with being a Strigoi, he can only do so much in this situation.

Glancing around the area I spotted Adrian in the circle off to the left side watching intently, focusing on the current situation.

After being held down I lost track of him for a moment, I had assumed he was closed to me after Jackson and Brendan took over the fight, but he stood beside two guardians.

What the hell is he thinking! Why Is he even remotely close to Dimitri in the first place, why are the Guardians not doing anything?

Did everyone forget the plan and make a new one in my absence?

What I didn't understand the most was that both Brendan and Jackson had multiple openings to take out Dimitri but wasn't taken.

"Would you guys quit playing games, you morons take the damn shot. Take it before he gets the upper hand and takes you guys out." I yelled angrily at them, hoping they where listening before they got hurt in the process. After spending the last few months training extensively to taken him down, I had hoped they wouldn't let him escape or worse, someone ends up dead.

"Guardian Shields," I yelled, who I spotted beside Adrian. Not noticing him there earlier, I felt a bit discouraged. Maybe I was losing my game, hoe did I not see him when I first spotted Adrian over there. I had assumed he went with the other group to patrol the perimeter. "Get Adrian out of the way you idiot, he could get himself killed."

Guardian Shields ignored me, not bothering to look my way he was still focused on the scene in front of him. When this is all over him and I are having a chat on ignoring you superior the basted.

"Guys let me go now, Adrian needs to move safety and Shields isn't listening." I told my captives; I think names are Guardian Knight and Guardian Gray.

Pulling myself forward to get free from them, I was instantly pulled back into there secure hands. They where clearly ordered to not let me go, to keep me firmly in this spot, no matter if I order you to do so or struggle. "Let me go! You're hurting me," pulling my self forward again. Struggling to get them off was getting me nowhere.

"Are you ignoring me to! I said let me release me, I order you two now or so help me lord I will beast both of your asses when I get free, and I will I promise you that." No answer. "Don't you see that a Royal Moroi is in danger." I growled, frustrated. They still where not budging. Sending me an apologetic smile they returned to the fight ahead of them.

"What have you two got hidden up your sleeves," Dimitri asked, glancing my way. "Clearly your bot isn't too happy with you, which makes me believe your either under someone else's authority or you two have hijacked this whole thing." Grinning at my pathetic form, trapped by two guardians who clearly not caring a pregnant woman is demanding them to let go. Now I am angry and their grip on me hurts.

"Yes, this isn't the original plan we laid out," Brendan speaks, backing Jackson up as she throws a few punches towards Dimitri. "A few adjustments here and there was needed but we where told to go this route when the time was ready."

"We have orders from the boss man himself to contain you and keep Rose safe at all costs," Guardian Jackson continues.

"Rose is being held back, unfortunately we where a little busy earlier to stop her from killing your buddies, but she did learn to learn from the best and came out with minor bruises.

"Sorry Rose, orders are orders you will thank me later anyways so please have faith and relax, we will take care of everything." She apologized.

I should have known he would interfere with my plans, the way he acted earlier today.

Abe what are you planning and why wasn't I included in this plan you cooked up.

Why are you hiding it from me?

The fact he clearly went behind my back makes me annoyed that he meddled. Yes, I was thankful for everything he has done and what I will return but this is something I had to deal with personally in my own way and now I'm trapped with two big headed buffoons. Now I'm really pissed, Ibrahim Mazur when I get my hands on you, I'm going to beat your Turkish ass back to Turkey.

"Zemy has also asked us to give you this," Throwing something tiny at him. "He said there is two roles to this piece possesses. He never explained what the first one was something you will understand when the time is right.

Catching it Dimitri looks at it, confused he looks up at Jackson showing us what was in his hand.

A chess pieces. Abe gave him the Queen chess piece.

"And the second one?" Dimitri asked.

"You lose, Checkmate." She smirked.

Moving towards Dimitri with her stake and knife in hand, Guardian Brendan moved around them.

What are they up to?

Watching them both cautiously Dimitri was prepared for there encounter. Jackson went in to strike Dimitri and Brendan came behind Dimitri to subdue him, but Dimitri seen it. Blocking Jackson attack and kicking back at Brendan he managed to stop them for a moment. Both looked a bit frustrated but shook it off. Circling Dimitri they both looked for an opening to strike at the same time.

"Congratulations Roza, you didn't do a bad job training them." Dimitri grinned. "I've always knew you where the best." Sounding almost like the old Dimitri, if his eyes weren't red id believe it was the old him smiling back at me.

"I've learned from the best" I smirked, giving him a flash of the pearly whiles.

Adverting my eyes quickly to Adrian's I caught site of Guardian Shields handing Adrian a stake. Nodding to each other, Adrian takes a step froward while Guardian Shields watches his back.

No! They wouldn't, would they? I've explained to them why I didn't want it to go down this way, and here they are doing it. I didn't want to risk anyone I cared about doing this. What if it didn't work, and you got killed in the process.

Now I get why they held me down and wasn't aware of the plan.

Damn you Abe!

"Adrian please don't do this. You don't need to put your life in danger to do this." I yelled. Adrian turned to look at me. Let the guardian take care of him, we don't even know if it works. Don't risk your life with odds it wont work."

"Sorry Little Dhampir, but I am doing this for you and your child." Adrian replied turning back to Dimitri. "Don't worry about me, you don't need t always protect me, I can handle this."

"No please don't do it, Guys stop him, please Adrian." I bedded; my legs buckled as I lost the feeling in my legs.

I knew that Adrian was right, I knew he could handle this, but it wasn't that it was the thought if losing him. Losing him I don't think id ever be the same. Adrian was supposed to be Uncle Adrian not a memory I tell my child about. He was supposed to be in our lives, not dead for something that Robert Doru lied about.

Taking a few more shots at Dimitri, they finally had him pegged down for Adrian to take the final shot.

Dimitri growled thrashing trying to break out of their hold to escape. "You've got some balls Ivashkov, I've always thought you where the sit back and watch them take care if its kind of guy." Dimitri taunted.

"When I get loose your first to die." Struggling in his spot.

"Well than you really don't know me at all cousin," Adrian replied. "When I'm done with you, it will be quite the opposite."

Then shrugs. "Well at least I hope so."

Then walks forward. Both Dimitri and I where thrashing in out spots, both for different reasons.

"Dimitri, I love you I really do but I can't lose anymore people and be selfish." Kicking both my guards in the shins then elbowed them both in the face, running to stop everything. Only it was to late.

Adrian left forward as both my guardians where using every ounce of strength to hold him down, with the stake in his hand he was determined to risk it all and stake Dimitri.

"No! I yelled. "Stop! You have got to stop him. Are you trying to get him killed, he is a Royal Moroi." Screaming at the top of my lungs, everything felt like it was going in slow motion. No one was listening to me and I felt powerless to stop it. I wouldn't make it in time.

Adrian swung his arm back in one swift motion, and with one powerful thrust he staked Dimitri.

A blinding white light filled the warehouse, followed by a woosh sound and a force throwing everyone backwards. Landing on my back I knocked the wind out of myself and hit my head on something.

Taking a few gasping breaths to regain my breathing I tried to focus my eyes and the ringing in my ears.

Getting up from the ground everyone else was also trying to get themselves focused.

Looking around to look for Adrian and Dimitri the scene broke me inside. There in front of me was an unconscious Adrian on the floor beside him was a babbling Dimitri whose hand was gripping Adrian's for arm looking off into no where.

The sight broke my heart. Dimitri wore this look of defeat, he beautiful brown eyes where normal again meaning he was dhampir again. Looking at them made me gasp in surprise. Which made him flick his eyes my way.

Guild, sadness, shame a man full of emotions stared back at me. Averting his eyes quickly to my stomach he put his Guardian mask on and looked away from me.

Falling to my knees I began to sob. "Oh, thank god! Thank god your alright." Looking at him.

As the guardians began to rise, they began to make there way to Dimitri and Adrian.

"He isn't a threat anymore be careful with him. Anyone who touches him the wrong way will have to personally deal with me. This time you're not going to catch me off guard." Threatening everyone in the room. Nodding there heads they begin to help them up. Brendan ordered them to grab a stretcher for Adrian and helped Dimitri off the floor and cuffed him.

"Don't worry he was fine, calm down would yeah. Nothing happened." Guardian Shields spoke. Making me turn and rammed my fist in his face. Blood quirted everywhere.

"Wh-What you crazy bitch." He yelled, stumbling backwards.

Throwing another punch at him I clipped his mouth, dodging it he held his bloody nose.

"He could have been killed you stupid bastard!" I yelled. "My father may have made an order but I sure as hell don't appreciate you or anyone else ignoring me and having me held down! Cross me again and I will personally end you." Spewing venom.

Everyone looked at me silently. No one dared to speak to me hesitate to see what would happen next.

Going back to their jobs they dispersed, Shields walked away pissed with his hands on his nose head up.

What was going to happen to him, will they lock him up? Will he ever be a guardian again? What will happen to us, will there even be us after everything? Remembering Yeva's warning.

So many things where running through my head. "Don't worry about him right now worry about yourself Rose, we can't do anything for him now. The rest will be up to Queen Tatiana and the Council to decide his fate, all we can do is have hope and get you and that child looked at your head is bleeding.

Now I feel guilty, Dimitri has it worse and here I am being useless and a big baby. Now wasn't the time for this, now I needed to go to court and talk Abe into helping Dimitri after giving him an earful.

"Lets this the road, you take that nasty fall when that bright light threw us backwards, you could have a concussion." Nodding head, I follow her out of the warehouse. Right now, everything I was processing was keeping me occupied. But something was bothering me, something I needed to know. Stopping in my tracks, she turns to look my way.

"Abe really gave you those orders didn't he." I asked. The fact they with held information from this mission while I was supposed to be in charge made me angry. Laura nodded. "Why did you withheld important knowledge from me, you guys could have gotten someone seriously hurt or killed."

Brendan must have heard me talking and came our way. "Believe me Rose we tried to get Abe to let you in on the plan, but he wouldn't budge on the subject." Brendan answered.

"Why! Why was it so damn important that he would go behind my back, hold me down forcefully. Explain to me why he couldn't just tell me instead of hiding it." Frustrated, confused about this whole thing.

"He told us not to because of the look on your face. "Jackson answered. "Abe said he saw the look on your face when you got that letter, he knew you would do the right thing and kill Dimitri." Rubbing my Aching head, my whole body felt like it got hit by a bus.

"He said his grandchild deserves a father." Brendan added looking at me, before dialling a phone number. Probably the alchemists.

Now I get it, Abe may play it like it some noble thing to do for his grandchild, but he doesn't fool me now. Ibrahim Mazur felt guilty for my lack of a father growing up, he felt like he needed to intervene on me taking the same thing away from my child. The circumstances may be different from my mothers, but there was a possibility, and he took it. An Abe thing to do when you ask him to but out.

"I think you should forgive him." Jackson reasoned.

"Well, he owes me a huge apology, before I thank him. I admit he was right to save him I was just scared to hurt more people." I admitted.

"Everyone is scared of something, there is nothing wrong for protecting your loved ones." She replied, as I turned to head for the vehicles.

"Wait Rose watch ou-" Jackon yelled as I turned weirdly. Landing forward I managed to twist to fall on my back but in doing so I hit my injured head again. Looking focus all could hear was my name being yelled as everything went black.