Authors Note: Hey everyone, I want to apologize for the mix up of the chapters. I don't know how that happened, but I'm going to blame gremlins. I understand that some of you have concerns about how long this story is going to be. And I am going to be flat out honest with you; it is going to be a long story, about 35 to 50 chapters. I am trying to pre-write some chapters for you guys so that way I can be on a regular schedule to post chapters and you, the readers, are happy.

Also, I know it has been a while since I last posted, but I promise you all that I am not going to abandon this story. I just had to deal with a lot of overtime at my job and trying to balance home life as a mom. Anyway, I hope to see all of your reviews.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter and as always, thank you all for your support and fee back.

Vika


I didn't even respond to her statement; I just quickly repositioned where my hands were and lifted us off the deck. I felt her body stiffen in surprise and for a split second I thought that she would reject me and jump out of my arms, but when she suddenly relaxed into me and yawned, I felt relieved.

I walked into the dimly lit house and headed towards the stairs quietly; I do not want the others to spoil this small victory for me. It took three years to have her back in my arms, three very long years.

I lowered my face to the top of her head, smelling the familiar scent of jasmine, that has haunted me ever since she left.

Reluctantly, I took her to her room and laid her on her bed, pulling the covers over her. I would have taken her to my room, but I didn't want to push my luck. As I walked out and closed the door behind me, I saw Erik leaning against the wall across from me, glaring. I nodded my head at him in acknowledgment and ignored his hostile posture as I began walking down the hall.

"I don't trust you, Belikov, I don't like you either. If you hurt her and make her cry, I will personally see to it that you never enter her life again." He threatened.

I continued walking down the hall and stairs, straight to my room that was across the living room.

When I closed the door, it slammed shut, showing my frustration. To think he has the nerve to threaten me and get away with it. Mentally growling, I got undressed and laid in bed. Looking out the window to the right of my bed, I saw the sun starting to shine through my window, and I sighed in annoyance at the offending light as I drew the curtain over the window. When my head reached the pillows once again, I closed my eyes, and slowly, I let the pulls of darkness drag me into a dreamless sleep.


I awoke early the next day and headed for the kitchen for some coffee. As the coffee was brewing, I watched the sun as it was setting and was surprised that the house was so quiet. I might as well enjoy it while it last, I mentally chuckled while pouring my drink.

"Is there any coffee left?"

I turned around towards the entrance of the kitchen and raised an eyebrow at sight.

Christian was stretching as he walked into the kitchen, wearing a girly black fuzzed robe. He casually walked to the coffee maker next to me and inspected it before getting two cups out of the cupboard above it and filling them to the top.

"Look Belikov, I know we need all the help we can get at this time, and I am willing to work together as peacefully as possible. But, you did hurt Rose, and she is like a sister to me. What you did to her was fucked up, and I won't be surprised if she doesn't want to see you ever again after this entire mess. But while we are all stuck with each other, I expect you to be a freaking saint and not cause her any trouble during this mission." Christian stated in a casual tone, but when he looked me in the eyes, I could see the unspoken threat that laid there.

I acknowledged his words with a nod, and he smiled. "Good." He said as he turned from me and left the kitchen. "Thanks for the coffee Belikov."

I smirked and continued to drink my coffee in silence for a while until I heard the princess voice coming down the hall."I know he is your nephew Tasha, but I hope he disappears and never enters my life again." She said acidly, coming into the kitchen and sitting at the table with Tasha close behind her. I rolled my eyes at her declaration and tried to tone out their high pitched voices as I refilled my cup.

As it became darker, the lights in the house were being turned on, and I heard a thud coming from upstairs, followed by a few curses and a door slamming. Putting my cup on the counter, I walked out of the kitchen just in time to see Rose sprinting out the front door. I sighed and went to the front door, looking out into the night to see if I could see her and maybe go after her.

"I wouldn't even try it hot stuff; she is probably halfway there by now." A woman behind me said. I turned my head in her direction, realizing that the woman who was speaking to me called Atali. I closed the door and walked towards my room, Ignoring her.

"Everyone needs to get dressed in comfortable clothes and meet out in the back yard. Training starts in half an hour." Atali yelled, her voice echoing throughout the house.

When I got to my room, I saw a pair of sweats, a tank top, and running shoes on my bed. I arched my eyebrow in surprise. Where did those come from? Then I remember what Atali said, smart witch.

Twenty minutes later, I was dressed and heading outside to the back yard where I found Erik and Christian throwing stakes at sandbags tied to the tree trunks. However, I noticed that these stakes were not silver; they were more white than silver. I walked closer towards Christian to examine these weapons more closely, picking up one from the bag next to him.

"Interesting, aren't they?" Christian said from beside me, still throwing the stakes at the sack of sand. "When I first saw them, I thought they were silver, but they're not. However, they work just as good as silver stakes, but only when used against the Fae."

"Of course they can still kill any human and dhamphir alike if they are stabbed. However, these are made with the idea of killing and hurting the Fae. Its like poison to them, too much of it can be fatal, so they avoid it with a vengeance." Erik spoke with authority like he was teaching an immature student.

Ignoring his attempt to irritate me, I looked back down at stake before quickly throwing it at the sandbag, right in the middle.

"Nice shot Dimka" I heard Tasha purr from behind me, I narrowed my eyes in frustration and turned my head to see her, and the rest of the group walk down the deck and into the yard where Erik, Christian and I stood.

"Well, now that you are all here, let us begin. Now to see what you are fully capable of, I want you to fight one on one with either Christian or myself. We will be doing this until I feel like we have seen all you can show us. With that said, Tasha, come and show me what you can do." Erik instructed.

For the next Five hours, we were always kept on our toes, Sparing with each other and watching as half of us had our asses handed to us. Currently, we are all sitting down, resting after such a hard work out. And even though I hate to admit it, I must agree that they are pretty tough. Especially Christian, who was only able to throw weak punches and use fire in the past, can now defend and beat Eddie.

"Hey Belikov, catch!"

Looking up quickly, I barely had enough time to realize what was being thrown at me before catching it. Twisting the cap off the bottle of water, I promptly chugged half the container.

"You were pretty good out there Belikov; you're the only one who has lasted more than fifteen minutes against me. I'm impressed." Erik said as he bent to sit down next to me.

" I spent my entire life learning how to fight and defend, and it is not that awe-inspiring." I countered back.

"Ah, well, if you were a normal person, you would have had your ass beaten like poor Adrian over there. However, your different because you have an edge that no one else has. You still have the killing instinct of a Strigoi, and that has made you more of a threat to your enemies than you realize." He spoke with an air of wisdom around him, and even though my body still shutters at the mention of my Strigoi self, a part of me understood what he meant.

" Come on, time to get back to work Belikov. I don't want you guys getting stage fright when the battles start." Erik stood up and whistled to the other before walking back out on the yard.

Sighing as I pushed my body back up, I couldn't help but notice the feeling of being watched as the rest of the group, and I followed Erik.