Hunters Task Force

Authors note: Hey Everyone! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Seeing how everyone is enjoying the story so far really helps me to continue and be more motivated. Also, if you ever have idea's on things that should happen in the story or plot twists. Message me and I'll take it under advisement. :)


After we were all packed up and all our bags were by the front door, we all headed out to to our favorite restaurant for some amazing food and mind blowing food. Being seated at our table, I looked around at the rest of my team. Grateful that I got to meet them all and have them as not only my team, but also as my best friends.

Starting off on my right, there was Erik Volkov. My partner in crime, the first friend I made here. We met at on the fifth day of training classes after I enrolled at H.T.F. He was laughing at the fact that he could see my bright red thong through my black leggings and being how I was in a bad mood that day, I pretended to trip and grabbed onto his sweatpants, pulling them down to his ankles. Revealing his black boxers. The whole class started laughing as he looked at me in shock. I smirked at him and said "Oops my bad, I kinda fell and grabbed the only thing I could to gain balance." He only scoffed at me as he pulled them back up and stuck his hand out towards me, introducing himself with a thick Russian accent and a smirk. Looking back, I still laugh every time I remember that day.

Then there is Atali Collins, I met her when she challenged me to a drinking contest. Needless to say, she won 15-12. I still think her being Irish was an unfair advantage. Later on, I found out we shared a few classes. I didn't even know she was a witch until we had a girls night out and saw her use magic to refill her drink instead of ordering a new one. Long story short, lets just say we have had even more fun girls nights. Hahaha.

Last but not least, on my left, sat Christian. He hunted me down a year after I left court. He looked broken and mad at the world. Soon, he also joined H.T.F. And within 6 months he joined me and the rest of the team. Now he was still a royal Moroi so in technical terms, he was all our charge. But other then that, we were all equals. A team. Since then, we have all lived a pretty happy life. We all share a house, more like a mansion, together and surprisingly it works. Even when we go on missions, our team works very well together. Reading each others movements and body language, knowing when the other needs help.

"Hey Rose! I went ahead and ordered for you since you have been spacing out on us for the past twenty minutes." Christian said with a devious smirk. "Oh, I do hope you like it, god only knows how hurt I'll be if you don't. Cause after all, its one of my favorites and only those whom I love would ever get the chance to eat it." He said dramatically with a hand over his heart and a frown on his lips.

I scoffed at it his silly stunt and took a sip from my beer. "So, is everyone all packed for tomorrow? This mission will be a long one, I'm not entirely how long it will take but I'm sure it will be longer then our other missions. Erik has emailed you both the details but while on our 5 hour plane ride, Id like you to read and study more about our enemy and come up with some strategies you may think would be useful." I said in a serious tone, They all nodded their heads in agreement. I smiled, knowing I couldn't have asked for a better team.

"I feel like you just gave us a homework assignment. Do you know if our comrades back in the U.S. Have already tried everything could, or do you think they just us called as soon as they discovered the threat?... Do you think that SHE might be there?" Erik leaned in front of me and whispered. I smacked his arm playfully but then looked at him with vengeance in my eyes

"To be honest, I'm not sure if their security runs the same way as when I left, but I hope its changed at least a little, in a good way. As for your question, I hope she is. Then maybe I'll get the chance to stake her."

Erik gave me a look that meant he understood but I could see the sadness in his eyes. " Just promise me that you will be careful, and to think before you strike Tsvetok." He chugged the rest of his beer as our food was brought out to us. After that, no one really talked, we just enjoyed this last meal we were gonna have in our favorite pub. We stayed all night till dawn, enjoying the folk music and gypsy's that accompanied us. Dancing and laughing the whole time. We all said our good byes and went home to gather all our luggage and load it into the cars. Driving to the airport, most of us slept. But the rest of us started our research and thought of a plan to put together by the time we got to the airport, I had written about fifteen pages what I thought would be a suitable plan. However, it wont be set in stone. There would be others who would have suggestions as well.

I helped Erik drag a certain sleepy Christian into the jet, and after plopping him down in one of the seats, we finally got to sit in ours. Looking at Atali, I watched as she tried to get comfortable in her chair and drift off to sleep. Thinking that it was a good idea, I went to my seat and did the same. I leaned my head against Erik's shoulder and curled up in my seat. Letting my eyes close, I was quickly engulfed in darkness...

I awoke at a sudden jolt, realizing that it meant the jet had landed, I quickly sat up and shook Erik awake, who was still lightly snoring. It took me two shakes and a flick to the nose to get him awake.

"Mind telling me why you flicked me like a dog?" He glared at me as we grabbed our carry on.

"Well, you weren't waking up. So I had to result to drastic measures." I shrugged.

The jets door opened and we waited till all the other groups got off first. After the last team got off the jet, which was my team, then we started exiting and walked down the stairs. When we reached the gravel, I looked around at all the black S.U.V's that would take us back to court. A place I had hoped to never see again. Sighing, I walked forward and was met by a guardian who lead me into the direction of one of the cars, along with Erik, Christian, and Atali.

When I got in the passenger seat, my eyes nearly feel out of my head. "Mikhail?! Is that you?"

"Welcome back Rose." he smiled, " I must say, that besides the circumstances, it is wonderful to see you again. You too Christian." He started the car and off we went.

"How have you been Mikhail? Last I herd was that you had found Sonya and that she was restored back to a Moroi. Did you guys get back together? Did Hans give you a crappy job for a punishment, or are you a full guardian again?" I asked in a rush. I was letting my excitement getting the better of me. Erik and Christian chuckled at my behavior and I shot them a look that said "shut up".

Mikhail just laughed as we passed through a tunnel. "Slow down Rose, you are acting like a child who just learned that she was getting candy. Sonya and I are due to be married in 5 months. I sent you and Christian an invite last week. But since you are here now, I guess the formal letter is pointless. I'm actually her Guardian. As soon as she was deemed okay by the doctor after her restoration, we have been together almost every day. Hans didn't have the heart to separate us so he messed with the system a bit so we could be together. Who knew he had such a soft spot for romance." Mikhail said softly, with a heart warming smile.

During the entire ride to court he would talk about some of the laws that have passed and the ones that were currently taken under advisement. He talked about how Tasha and the Queen put together self-defense classes for Moroi to learn basic combat and how to use their element against their enemy's. All in all, I was becoming impressed with how the world I grew up in, was changing for the better. Yes, they were small changes, but everything starts off small before becoming great.

I was just coming out of my own thoughts when I herd Christian give an exaggerated sigh and mumble out an "we are here" that I let actually took notice of our surrounding. He was right. I haven't seen the castle in four years and it still looked the same. Everything looked exactly as it had the day I left. Pulling up the large staircase, I noticed that there were a group of people waiting for us. Feeling a smile spread across my face as I recognized just who they all were. I leaped out of the car before Mikhail had the car come to a full stop and jumped into the arms of my friends.

"Eddie! Oh my god you look great! And is that muscle I feel under that shirt?! Mia! You look amazing! Look at the size of that ring on your finger, I see you and Eddie are tying the knot as well huh?" I laughed as I hugged them both tightly.

"Little Dhampir!" I herd someone call as I pulled away from Eddie and Mia and looked up at the face of my old friend and smiled as I saw him walk towards me holding Sydney's hand. I couldn't help but notice that she was carrying a small bundle of a blanket in her other hand

"Adrian, Sydney. How have you been? I see you two have been very busy lately. Congratulations you two." I said as I pulled them all into a hug and then stepped back a little to see the baby. I immediately saw Adrian's emerald green eyes and Sydney's blonde hair. Before I knew it, I felt a soft smile spread across my lips. I looked up at the couple, silently asking to hold him.

Sydney smiled and held the baby out towards me. I gently but firmly grabbed him and held him securely to me. Having a closer look at him, I realized that he was a Moroi. His skin was pale and flawless, his eyes had the hypnotic gleam, and his scent was that of a crisp winters wind mixed with lilac. The main scent of a Moroi. I looked at Adrian and Sydney in shock, hoping they had an answer. Adrian took in the look on my face and nodded.

"How? Shouldn't he be a Dhampir?" I asked in a whisper while I look back at the cooing baby in my arms.

"Spirit. I have discovered that I can manipulate the power of spirit to help choose whether my offspring's are Moroi, Dhampir, or even Human. I can do it to other couples kids as well." Adrian stated proudly. "Lissa and I discovered this ability about two and a half years ago. When my aunt was pregnant. And when she let me feel the baby kick, I was felt this over whelming feeling of happiness take over. I felt my powers mingle with the baby and bring out more of the Moroi traits. Everyone was surprised. Needles to say, but ever since then we have been further exploring the ability."

I looked at Adrian in excitement as I passed the baby back to Sydney. "What did you guys name him?"

"We named him Declan, after a friend of ours." Adrian replied a little sadly.

I patted him on the shoulder and gave him a small smile to let him know that I understood. After a couple minutes I backed away and glanced behind me to see if my team had all their bags and were ready to get working, turns out they were. Erik was even nice enough to grab my bags, such a gentleman. I let out a small giggle and when he looked my way with a raised eyebrow, I just shook me head. Telling him it was nothing.

I looked at Mikhail as he started to guide my team up the grand stairs and into the building. I gestured for my friends to follow as I started walking forward as well. After we got passed the doors, I slowed my steps and let my friends get ahead of me. Making sure that I could see anything that might happen. As we continued to walk through the halls, I noticed that some of the places that we walked by or through, all looked familiar. My mind started to do some flash backs as I recognized a few places. The times that I came here for Victor's trail, the spa where Lissa and I got a pedicure, the halls where I walked with Lissa and Christian, laughing at stupid jokes...

The places I sneaked around to try and reach him.

"Rose?"

Hearing my name being called, I was startled back to the present to look around and see who was trying to get my attention. The first person I saw was Mikhail, and I gave him a short nod to let him know to continue.

"We have arrived at the living space you and your team will be sharing."Mikhail said with a smile.

"Well why don't we all go in then and catch up. I'll make drinks and start cooking a meal for all of us." I called out as I walked in and headed for the kitchen, only to be stopped by a firm hand. Looking back I noticed that the hand touching my shoulder belong to Christian.

"Um Rose, no offense but I think Id rather do the cooking. You know, since you still slightly burn everything." He winked at me and walked past me into the kitchen as I just gave him a blank stare.

I heard laughter all around the room as everyone laughed at my dumbfounded reaction. I just huffed and grabbed my bag from Erik, while searching through all the rooms to see which one I wanted. After picking the room I wanted that had the walk in closet and privet bathroom in it. I laid out some clothes and went to take a quick shower.

Fifteen minutes later I walked out of my room looking nice and clean. And freshly dressed in a pair black slacks, a white skin tight long sleeve shirt that had a V-neck, and a half red vest over my shirt that connected around my neck. Everyone was sitting around the table talking and getting to know each other and Christian and Atali was serving lunch. I sat down and took a drink of water while I waited for the food. I got to say, out of all of us, I love the food that Christian cooks the most. Just the smell of his cooking makes my mouth water.

As soon as he brought the huge dish of lasagna to the table, everyone started to dig in. After a few minutes of silence, the room was filled with the buzz of everyone talking and laughing again. Adrian and Erik were swapping stories with everyone about all the crazy shit they have done over the years. My favorite so far is hearing how Eddie was trying to propose to Mia. Who would have though that he would have chosen a camping get away as a way to propose, only to end up covered in Bear crap.

All of a sudden my phone started buzzing from my pocket. Getting up, I walked to the balcony out the window and pressed the green accept button.

"How can I help you?" I answered.

"Hello, my name is Hans and I am the head of the Guardians. There is a meeting that is going to be taking place in the Queens study and we would like the leader of your squad to be there to discuses advancements." He was being so formal, didn't he know who he was talking to?

" I am the leader, I will be there in 15 minutes. See you soon Hans." I replied in a taunting voice.

Walking back into the apartment, I walked directly towards the door and when I made eye contact with Erik, I made a motion for him to follow me. As I called out to the rest of the group.

"Hey guys, Erik and I are gonna be out for a bit. You all are welcome to stay and chat for as long as you want."

Closing the door behind me, Erik and I started walking through the halls towards the Queens Study. With each step I was getting a little nervous and my hand was trembling. Erik must half noticed cause he grabbed my hand and rubbed his thumb across the top of my wrist until we got to the doors that would open to where we needed to be.

"Its all gonna be okay Tsvetok, you cant do this." he said calmly.

"I know, it's just been so long since I've been here and I am nervous about seeing them again. The Queen and I are not exactly the best of friends you know, but what I'm most worried about is seeing them in there. I know for a fact that wherever the Queen is, she will be there. And wherever she is, he will surely be there as well. I just wasn't ready to face them yet, not this early."

I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand before letting go and pushing the large door open. Bracing myself for what ever reaction that will come.