Hmm, There IS A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Recap: Bella's POV: I turned and ran down the rest of the stairs. I heard his pounding feet behind me or maybe that is my heart trying to beat out of my chest. I grabbed the doorknob that would lead me out of this disaster. But he grabbed my hair and pulled me back. No!

Chapter 16: Burning Blossoms

Adrian's POV:

Double crap. Why does this always happen? I listened as the gang made a plan of attack. Dimitri and Rose will go in from the back. Mrs. Hathaway will be partnered with one of Abe's men and go through the front. Ozera will wait on the sidelines in case he needs to use his fire power. The other Moroi not involved are to wait across the street with Mr. Swan.

"Move out people," Rose ordered. I watched many eye rolls at her leading this mission. But we all still followed. More Dhampir joined us to protect the Queen. I went straight to Mr. Swan.

"They have a plan and will get her out soon." I informed him.

"What do we know about Vitali Orlov?" Mr. Swan asked me. "And son, don't sugar coat it. I want to know what freak is after my daughter."

"He is a well-trained Dhampir. He graduated top of his class. Orlov is a known Strigoi sympathizer. Abe was able to find out his information. The only thing we don't know is why he is after Bella." I told him.

"Great." He mumbled as we watched the team go in as a scream echoed into the early morning. My blood ran cold at that sound. I feel so damn powerless right now.

Bella's POV:

I screamed as he pulled me away from freedom by my hair. He quickly put his meaty hand over my mouth to smother my screams. Why?! He turned me around to face him.

"You will not scream or fight me Isabella. I grow tired of doing this." He gritted out and shook me. "There will be dire consequences for all that you hold dear if you continue. Do you understand me?" I nodded my head, unable to speak. He grinned and removed his hand from my mouth. He pulled me into the living room where a large duffle was sitting on the loveseat.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked.

"My boss wants your rare Swan blood. In exchange for this last delivery, he said I could have immortality. Finally, I have waited years for this. Years searching for the blood he has craved. I have delivered so many Moroi to him. None have satisfied his thirst thus far. But you will. He has tasted of your blood before. Not from you of course, but an ancestor. I will finally be free of this indentured servitude once he turns me. But he won't allow me to turn until I give him you." He said.

"You don't have to do this. Eternity is a long time to live alone. That will eat away at your soul." I begged.

"What soul? Immortality will enhance my skills. I will be feared by all." He said. "Now enough chatting." He ordered and brought out a zip tie. I began pulling away. Or at least trying to. If he ties my hands, I will be done for.

"No!" I yelled at him.

"What did I say?" He hissed. "I suppose if you can't follow the rules willingly, then I will just have to make you." Then he grabbed both of my hands and bound them behind my back with the zip tie.

"Stop! This hurts. You have them too tight." I complained.

"Good, maybe it will remind you to behave." He said and dug in his bag for something else while keeping a hold of my bound hands.

"Stop! Just let me go!" I yelled again and pulled. I felt my skin tear this time.

"I warned you!" He then shoved a gag in my mouth and tied it around my head. I screamed through the cloth that was choking me. I quickly shot forward and head-butted him. I backed towards kitchen this time while he held his bloody nose. Maybe I can alert a passing guard. My temple is throbbing but I can't give up. "I am so sick of this." Then he pulled out a damp cloth from the bag. "This should make you less of a pain." Orlov rushed at me. Then he shoved the cloth against my nose. I tried not to breathe in but it was impossible due to the gag in my mouth. I ended up taking a large breath in. I felt my eyes roll back in my head and my knees begin to buckle. Black spots clouded my vision until all I saw was black.

Adrian's POV:

"I can't just sit here on the sidelines!" I groaned and pulled out a cigarette from my pocket. I lit it and took a deep drag of it.

"There is nothing else we can do. We will just be in the way," Mr. Swan reasoned and clapped a hand on my shoulder.

"He is right cousin. As much as I want to go in and help, I know that it will only make things worse," Lissa said.

Rose's POV:

Dimitri and I arrived at the back door. We were lucky that this Bella chick is fighting back and caused a diversion for us. We were able to slip back here unnoticed.

"This reminds me of our first mission Comrade." I whispered as I worked on unlocking the door.

"Which mission Roza?" He asked.

"When Dashkov had Lissa. That was insane." I reminisced. The door popped free of the latch. "We're in."

"I am going first Roza." Dimitri said and moved to take the lead.

"Pssh, over my dead body," I hissed.

"That's what I am trying to avoid." He informed.

"Well, I don't want you risking yourself. Orlov will see you as an opponent and go on the defensive or even hurt Bella. Let me go first and get him monologue-ing about his dastardly plans and you can come in from behind and take him out." I suggested.

"Can you control your temper enough to let me take him out?" Dimitri asked.

"Of course I can Belikov. Trust me." I said and pulled him down by his duster's collar. "Now how about a kiss for good luck?" I asked.

"Anything for you Roza," He agreed and quickly kissed me. I was actually the one to pull away first.

"Well, I've got a Moroi to save." I said and saluted him. Then I turned and walked into the house. I followed the hallway until it led me to a living room. I took note of the large duffle sitting on the loveseat. I went over to it and opened it up. Inside held many weapons. Yje bag also had a case of syringes filled with liquid.

The bag also had tons of money for different countries. It looks like he was planning on taking her somewhere European based off of the large sums of money in this bag. The American money is almost gone.

I dug through the bag some more until I came across a list of names. Some had been marked through. I folded it and quickly put it in my pocket. There is also a folded up extra-large duffle bag. What is he going to do with that? I continued digging. Then I found a cell phone. I quickly pocketed that as well.

"Finally," I heard a booming voice come from the kitchen adjacent to the living room. Then heavy footsteps began getting louder. I ducked into a supply closet. I left it open a crack to be able to see what he is doing. He finally came into view. Orlov was hauling an unconscious Bella with him. He dropped her on the floor and went to his bag. He pulled out the second duffle. Is he seriously going to put her in it?

Rose! Lissa mentally yelled through our link. Mr. Swan and Adrian are freaking out. Please hurry. Seriously Liss? I shook my head and refocused on Orlov. And of course, he shoved her prone form into the duffle. I watched him zip it shut. What an arse. Orlov left the room again. I slid out of the closet. I ran straight for the duffle he put her in. I unzipped it and pulled her out. Dang. He did not want anything going wrong did he? She is tied, gagged, and drugged inside this bag.

I saw Dimitri slip into the house. I motioned for him to go ahead and take Bella out of here. He nodded and began walking toward us. He stopped about halfway. What is he stopping for? Then I felt a hand in my hair and a knife on my throat. Okay, good enough reason.

"Let her go Orlov." Dimitri demanded.

"Why Belikov? She came in here and tried to take the only thing that I need." He spat.

"Why do you need Bella?" I asked.

"She is my ticket out of this life." He answered.

"You are not getting out of here alive Orlov." Dimitri informed him.

"Yes I am if you want your precious Roza to live. Or I can always deliver her in addition to him." Orlov suggested. He put the knife away and caressed my face. "I am sure he would love to play with this famous Hathaway." Dimitri glowered and took a step forward. Orlov in retaliation tightly griped my face. "Don't even think about it Belikov. If you so much as take another step, I will snap her neck." Fantastic. Yeah, this damsel stuff is for the birds. I reached up and grabbed his hands.

"That won't be necessary," I said.

"What? Why?" Orlov asked confused and in turn let his grip slack off.

"Because, it is time for your solitary confinement." I purred and used his hands to balance myself as I flipped and kicked him in the face. He stumbled back into my mother's arms. She quickly shocked his butt with a Taser and slapped some cuffs on him. "Great work mom," I said and fist-bumped her.

"You too Rose. I almost believed the act. Now we need to get Bella to a doctor." She said and looked at said girl who was still lying unconscious and tied up on the floor. Dimitri quickly moved to her side and scooped her up. He cut off the ties and the gag.

"I am taking her out the back so that I can get her to the medical building quickly. Rose can you inform her father?" He said.

"Of course, Comrade," I told him. "Mom, are you good with this one?"

"I am and the guards are right outside to take him in for questioning." She told me.

"And I can't wait to question this snake." Dad said appearing from around the corner to the kitchen.

"How did you get in?" I asked.

"The kitchen has French doors. Did no one notice that? Granted the doors were designed to look like a wall, you should still be more aware." He answered. I just rolled my eyes at the man.

"Well, I am going to talk to Adrian and Mr. Swan. Hopefully any drug that dirt bag gave her will wear off soon." I said. They both nodded and I walked out the front door. Adrian flew off the sidewalk from across the street. Mr. Swan followed suit.

"How is my daughter?" Mr. Swan asked.

"Bella is currently on her way to the court's medical facility. She suffered minimal injuries. We are more concerned with the drug in her system." I informed.

"What drug?" Mr. Swan asked.

"Orlov managed to slip a drug into her. We are unsure about how. The criminal in question however has been apprehended and is being escorted to solitary confinement." I said.

"I would like to question him myself." Mr. Swan ordered.

Adrian's POV:

I couldn't help a chuckle as Rose's professional face faltered at Mr. Swan's demand. However, I need to get to Bella. I can tell how strong of a drug it is by my ability to get into her dreams. As Rose began bickering about if he could question Orlov or not, I rushed to the medical facility. I made my way back without argument from the staff. Well, minimal argument.

"Ma'am," I said gaining the attention of the current on-call nurse.

"Young man, I don't have much time. What can I help you with?" She asked looking up from her clipboard. I looked into her blue eyes before speaking.

"Which room is Bella Swan in?" I asked slipping some compulsion in as well.

"Room 254." She droned.

"Thank you, please continue with whatever business you were working on before bumping into me." I compelled.

"Yes," then she turned down a different hallway. I began checking door numbers. Okay, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, and finally 254. I looked in the window to see that she was once again all alone. Why does no one believe that she is a danger magnet? I pushed the door open slowly to keep the noise down for her. I slinked into the room and shut the door behind me. I walked over to her frail form on the bed. Bruises littered the skin I could see. Bella's wrists also had thick bandages around them. I would heal her some, but I need more energy to see if she is coherent with the drugs in her system. I sat down in the recliner beside her bed. I reached out and grabbed the hand without an IV needle sticking out. Physical contact always strengthens the connection. I closed my eyes and felt for her spiritual essence. Come on Bella, I know you are a fighter.

(AN: And so the action picks up. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Which by the way I was able to deliver much sooner than anticipated! Can't wait to read your reviews. Anyway, I do not own Twilight or Vampire Academy. Thanks for reading everyone! Love your patience! 3 )

○Forever and For Always,
~LHNT~
A.K.A.
*Heather* :D