"You disappeared after everything went to hell," the guy whose name Dimitri could not recall said. "Are you part of a new group?"
Dimitri observed the primary Strigoi, taking his time as he planned a response. It was obvious the other undead present answered to this guy, and unless he was mistaken, they all believed that Dimitri was still Strigoi. Straightening his shoulders, and mentally preparing himself to slip into that mindset, Dimitri allowed himself a single glance at Rose, wordlessly trying to explain to her he was attempting to bluff his way through at least part of this encounter. He didn't expect to escape without a fight, but the longer he could bluff, the better their chances would be. Thankfully, Rose seemed to understand the need to hold her tongue and play along.
"I never found out what ended up happening," Dimitri stated, his voice haughty. "I heard Nathan killed Galina? Since I didn't want to serve him, it was a good chance to take off."
"Nathan died. However, people said you did it."
"That's not true. Those of us senior in the army knew what he had planned. He didn't make a secret of it. I didn't want any part of it, so took off before he started." Dimitri made his statement strong and true. The uncertainty on the leader's face was clear. Dimitri had been far above him in rank in Galina's army, however now he was here with two Moroi, and a Dhampir, and inside he'd been dancing with them. And while he sounded and acted Strigoi, Dimitri's eyes lacked the red typical for their type. Still—since there was no known way for a Strigoi to be turned back, the lesser Strigoi played along, for now, recognizing even with seven companions, he had little chance of surviving a fight if Strigoi Dimitri made an issue about a lack of deference. He was, after all, legendary.
"You have two Moroi, and a Guardian with you," he said, fishing for intel as he glanced at those Belikov was escorting. "Care to share?"
"Would if I could," Dimitri said, his voice joking while his eyes did not. "Galina was a minor player, in the scheme of things. I have a different boss these days. He wants these three, and I intend to deliver."
"You're rounding up Moroi?" the Strigoi asked, thinking that if he could deliver those captured, he might curry favor with the unknown new boss. That's when he remembered a rumor Dimitri had had a Dhampir female pet secreted away during his time at Galina's mansion. Looking at the group with fresh eyes, he understood Dimitri wasn't detaining this group, he was protecting them.
"I capture whoever I'm told to," Dimitri lied, recognizing his tactical error. By attempting to shield Rose, Lissa, and Christian, he'd inadvertently put them in danger. "If I don't deliver, he'll be fucked off…"
Glancing at his subordinates, the chief Strigoi decided. Eight against one were good odds, even if one of them was a fighting God. "Атака," he declared, unsurprised when Dimitri immediately fell into a fighting stance. The female Dhampir next to him did likewise, which also wasn't entirely unexpected. However, before he engaged, one of his crew was alight! His head engulfed in flames, the recently turned Strigoi was panicking, and with good reason. Distracted by the flames on his person, the female Guardian slipped forward and staked him before he'd appreciated there was any risk. Dimitri fought the leader, meanwhile a second and then a third Strigoi were set alight, and promptly staked by the fast young female Dhampir.
Scared they'd be next on fire, four Strigoi attempted to escape but were stopped by a large contingent of private Guardians who appeared at the end of the alley, charging toward their group. The Strigoi chief didn't know who had come to Belikov's rescue. However, Pavel, with his cavalry, had arrived.
"What are Strigoi saying about me?" Dimitri demanded, he and Pavel restraining the head Strigoi as the other Guardians disposed of those remaining. They had appeared at an opportune moment, quickly killing the remaining undead, and leading Lissa and Christian out of the alley, around the corner, and into the waiting van, while Dimitri questioned the chief. Knowing he was outnumbered and would meet his maker, either way, the Strigoi responded to Dimitri's questions.
"We thought you killed Galina and Nathan to take over her army, but then you disappeared."
"What happened to the army?"
"It disbanded. There're a few smaller groups now. Three other groups in St. Petersburg, four in Moscow, and a similar number in Novosibirsk."
"And what do people think is my aim? What do they think I intend to do?"
"That you're biding your time before rebuilding the army to destroy the Moroi Monarchy."
"Her Majesty is already dead," Dimitri said, confused by what the Strigoi stated. The way this guy was talking, it sounded as though they were almost waiting for him to reunite Galina's army and finish what she started. That would not happen. With no intention of asking any more questions, Dimitri slammed his stake into the undead's chest, sending him straight into the afterworld. With everything he'd endured since the St. Vlad's rescue mission: turning, his time as an undead, then restoration, it had not occurred to Dimitri that the Russian Strigoi would be unaware he'd been restored. This encounter suggested this information was unknown here.
Taking the time to thank Pavel, and the other Guardians who'd arrived just in time to help him and Rose, they walked out of the alley toward the van where the others were waiting.
"Glad to see you all in one piece," Eddie said, relief clear in his features when Dimitri and Rose climbed into the van. "You were gone so long…"
"Thanks for calling for backup," Dimitri replied, too tired to express anything more.
"Lissa explained you had to go out through the fire exit," Adrian said, also thankful the final four had made it back. "When Pavel arrived, and you hadn't come out through the front, he took his team to the alley."
"That was a wise call," Rose replied with an unsteady laugh as the van started the trip home, Pavel and his team staying in the alley to do clean-up. "Thanks, Christian, for your help. It gave us the extra minutes we needed."
"It's a Moroi's responsibility," Tasha replied on his behalf. "We should train every Moroi in self-defense, and how to use their magic to assist their Guardians if needs be."
Rose looked at Tasha, not disagreeing with her sentiments. Moroi could play a part in their own defense and assist their Guardians. Yet knowing what Tasha had done—murdering their Queen and framing her for it—Rose wasn't feeling particularly benevolent right now.
"I'm surprised to hear you say that since you took the first opportunity to escape tonight's situation." Delivered with acerbic sarcasm, Tasha opened her mouth to retort but was stopped by an icy glance from Adrian. After that, the trip back to Abe's mansion was silent, Rose climbing onto Dimitri's lap, looping her arms around his neck, and burying her face in the crook of his neck. It was the same after every fight—all she wanted was to feel close to her man, and he felt the same way.
"You've earned three more molnia," Lissa said to Rose as they sat with Abe and the others, waiting for Pavel to return.
"And another one for Dimitri," Rose replied, letting her fingers dance across his nape to where his promise mark, molnia, and zvezda were tattooed. Far from the high Rose had anticipated after a night out clubbing with her friends and her man, she was feeling glum. Despite being horribly outnumbered, initially, they'd made it through their encounter with Strigoi. They'd been lucky Christian could help, and that Pavel and his Guardians had arrived when they did. Theirs was a dangerous job, and one day their luck was bound to run out. It was a sobering thought and not something she wanted to dwell on.
Rose wasn't the only one feeling out of sorts. Adrian had been pouring himself drink after drink as soon as they got home, Abe joining him when he learned just how close a call it had been for his daughter and her friends.
"You said they did not know you'd been restored?" Abe asked Dimitri after the Russian Guardian had outlined all that had occurred.
"No. They thought I was still undead—at least initially."
"And the army Galina formed has disbanded?"
"That's what the one in charge said. There are a few smaller groups here, in Novosibirsk, and Moscow. It sounded as though they are waiting for someone to take charge like Galina did."
"That's information the Alchemists and Court need to know. I'll contact them in the morning."
Pavel and his men arrived back not long after, reporting the clean-up had occurred without incident. Wired with the inevitable rush of adrenaline any Strigoi encounter provoked, he would have liked to have sat with Abe and the others to enjoy a quiet drink and unwind, but he had to write up his report, then he needed to start the paperwork to acknowledge his Guardian's kills.
"A Guardian's job is never done," he grumbled to himself, hoping Mr. Mazur would not let Adrian overindulge too much. It was bad enough that the Moroi Lord seemed to have become Abe's new BFF. Pavel didn't fancy having to carry him to bed if he drank to excess and passed out.
Rose never got around to modeling any of her bra and panty sets, much to Dimitri's disappointment, the two instead showered together and climbed into bed, happy to put the day behind them. Rising the next morning, Rose and Dimitri were surprised by a visitor at her father's breakfast table.
"Sydney?" Rose gasped, astonished to see her Alchemist friend seated with her father. "What are you doing here?"
"It seems like every time you come to Russia, they make me your personal Alchemist," Sydney said, not sounding too happy about it.
"Court and the Alchemists need to hear about the information Dimitri gathered during your interactions with the Strigoi last night," Abe explained. "If Court can work out where these smaller groups are based, there's a chance we can stop them before a new army forms. Ahh—Adrian. Thank you for joining us. Ms. Sage, may I introduce you to Guardian Dimitri Belikov? And you remember Lord Ivashkov? I've asked everyone to breakfast elsewhere this morning while we conduct our business."
Sydney was surveying Dimitri—the restored Strigoi—warily, while Rose's head snapped up, her brown eyes meeting Adrian's amused green ones. "You two have met before?! Where? When?"
"Sydney and Adrian helped me with a little side-project I've been working on. I'll fill you in on that later." Abe gave Adrian a loaded look, which infuriated Rose even more. Surely, as Zmey's daughter, if anyone should have his confidence it should be her?
"Whatever, old man. Just make sure you do." Flopping into a chair, Rose poured herself a coffee, and one for Dimitri, before moving the pot in front of Sydney, knowing from experience that the young Alchemist would probably polish off the entire lot. Sure enough, she had already downed half a cup before she pulled out her notepad and pen.
Since Dimitri's questioning of the Strigoi had been brief, it didn't take long for Sydney to document what they had said and any other pertinent recollections Belikov had from his time as a Strigoi in Russia. It wasn't a time he liked to dwell on, so Rose took his hand as he was as forthcoming as he could be. After that, Rose moved Sydney onto more general topics—such as did she still have the Red Hurricane? Sydney did but admitted she didn't drive it in winter since its heating wasn't really up to par compared to more modern vehicles. It was mostly Rose and Sydney chatting, with Dimitri and Adrian making the occasional comment.
"As this will go in a report, I'm going to have to put in the names of everyone present when Guardian Belikov interrogated the Strigoi—including yours, Rose." Sydney's tone was apologetic.
"That's quite alright, Ms. Sage. Her Majesty is already aware Rose is alive and staying with me. No confidences will be betrayed. It was nice to see you again. I know we'll be seeing you again soon." Their business done, Adrian offered to escort Sydney through the house and to her car, which she reluctantly agreed to, while Abe prepared to tell his daughter and her boyfriend all he had been up to.
"I know who murdered Tatiana Ivashkov. I've known for quite a while."
"Then why haven't you acted on it?" Dimitri snapped. Every day Abe had dallied had been one more day where he'd believed his woman was dead.
"I had to get indisputable proof, then I had to make sure there were witnesses who could vouch for the veracity of that information. Rose, you remember I told you about human magic and the potion Veritaserum? Well, it exists and works exactly as I described, but it was never my intention for you to consume it. I would never allow you to be put into a situation where you might be asked questions about events that, to date, no one else is aware you were involved in."
Right. Victor Dashkov and Tarasov, Rose thought. Wouldn't want that getting out.
"We used the potion on someone else—an accomplice to Tatiana's murderer. Before Adrian became aware you were still alive, at my invitation he, and Rufus Ivashkov, traveled to a small house I own in Turkey. There they met with Ms. Sage and Mr. Brennan, both Alchemists, two human wizards, Pavel, and myself. The human wizards administered the potion, and we extracted a confession from Ethan Moore."
"He's a Guardian at headquarters, right?" Rose checked, Abe nodding.
"Was. I employed him as a private Guardian to give me unfettered access to him while I got everything sorted." Something about Abe's words chilled Rose. She can't imagine that arrangement would have ended well for Moore.
"And who was he an accomplice to?" Dimitri asked, his voice arctic.
Abe's eyes dipped to his daughter's, who gave a reluctant nod.
"Natasha Ozera. Moore had Veritaserum used on him and declared Tatiana's murderer to be Lady Ozera. He was aware of the plan and helped her by disabling the palace CCTV system, although he was not part of Tasha's efforts to frame Rose. After Moore admitted what he knew, the human wizards erased his memory of his confession. Adrian then compelled him to tell the truth about Tatiana's murder, with the same result. Tasha killed Tatiana, and Moore is an accessory to murder."
"I will fucking end her," Dimitri growled, springing to his feet, pulling his stake out. Tasha's betrayal was unforgivable in his eyes. Not only had she framed the woman he loved for murder, but she'd also been shameless in her attempts to seduce him once he believed the love of his life had died.
"You'll do no such thing," Abe said, gesturing for him to return to his seat. It took a moment, and the Moroi mobster wondered whether Belikov would have to be restrained, but finally, Dimitri reluctantly complied.
"If you know she's guilty, and can prove it, then why is she not rotting in jail at Court?"
"Because jail, followed by the death sentence, is not enough for what Ozera tried to do to my daughter. Rose is my only child, and they could have sentenced her to death! No one fucks with me or my family and gets away with it. Before I turn Tasha over to the authorities, I want her broken in every way possible."
"And how do you intend to do that?"
"I have some ideas, but I'll need your help…"
Pavel was fuming. Yet again, instead of being included in an important meeting, where his experience and tactical insight might be of service, Abe had invited Adrian while he was left playing nurserymaid to three Moroi and a similar number of Guardian guests. Abe was insistent he didn't want Tasha sighting the visiting Alchemist, so had charged him with keeping their other guests in the smaller breakfast room until Ms. Sage had completed her business at the house. As Rose's friends were finishing breakfast, Adrian sauntered in, nodding to Pavel.
"Abe will be through in a moment. He's just catching up with Rose and Belikov. Why don't we Moroi feed, and then we can work out what to do with the day?" He didn't say it out loud, but as a group, they were still shaken by last night's nightclub encounter with Strigoi. Adrian doubted anyone wanted to stray too far from home today—the heavy snowfall making outdoor activities similarly unappealing.
"I don't know about you, but I fancy a lazy day watching a movie," Celeste said to Grigor and Eddie after the Royal Moroi had left to see the feeders.
"Maybe you can see if that Guardian you were hanging out with last night is off duty," Eddie teased with a grin.
"What a great idea. I might just do that!"
"Might just do what?" Rose asked as she walked into the breakfast room with Abe and Dimitri. "Where's everyone else?"
"At the feeders," Eddie replied. "We were just planning what to do with the day. Celeste suggested watching some movies."
Dimitri appeared strangely tense but shrugged in agreement. So by the time Lissa, Christian, Adrian, and Tasha returned, the crew were collecting comforters from their suites and claiming sofas. Abe didn't have many movies on hand, but he had a pay-for-view service where they could download from an enormous collection. Eddie grabbed the remote and started scrolling through.
"There's one I haven't seen in years," Abe said, deciding to join his daughter and her companions. He lowered the lights and sat in an armchair. "It's a bit gruesome, but I think you'll enjoy it…"
Eddie shrugged, unfamiliar with the film. "Sure thing, Mr. Mazur. Fatal Attraction it is."