Not much to say, so will let you get on with reading. Enjoy chapter 8, was a satisfying one to write.

DPOV

The next few days went in much the same way; follow the Strigoi cars back and forth from the warehouse, go over hours and hours of CCTV footage and watching the footage from inside the house. Sydney had successfully planted several cameras throughout the house without detection. Unfortunately, she still had to keep going back there, so as to not raise any suspicion. When I wasn't out following the suspected vehicles, I was in the HQ, either reporting back to Hans on any new information or discussing entry tactics for the attack. After looking at all the information over the past few days, it became clear that the Strigoi were split between the two buildings; the appointed leaders were at the house, while the newly turned Strigoi and human slaves had to stay in the warehouse. We didn't have an exact number as to how many were staying in there; all cars were blacked out, and they would go into the building before anyone got out. It was smart, but a serious inconvenience to us. We guessed by the size of the vans coming in and out, that there were around thirty or forty staying there; a daunting number. We hadn't yet been able to get Sydney in there, as her cover said that she lived within walking distance of the house, so didn't need to. Thankfully, because of Sydney's technical expertise, we know that there were ten living in the house, creating a group of over fifty in total; more than anyone would have imagined.

"We need more Guardians" I said to Hans. We sat at the meeting table with photos spread out in front of us. We were seriously outnumbered without having to split our resources between the two locations. "We have to stage simultaneous attacks. Look," I said, pulling a photograph of the outside of the warehouse closer and pointing to the security cameras outside, "they are no doubt streamed to the house. We would have to attack there first." When staging two attacks, it was obvious to a logical mind to attack the larger groups first; losses were almost inevitable. "That would alert the leaders to the attack, giving them time to escape or prepare. We need to keep that element of surprise, it's our biggest advantage." Hans had been listening to my views quietly and seemed to be evaluating what I had said. Something I had learned about Hans' leading style over the past few days was that he was fair in listening to everyone's ideas, and would look at things from every angle; like any good Guardian. He obviously hadn't had his position handed to him on a plate, so he didn't abuse it. If only it were the same in the Moroi community, the royals might have been a little more level headed. "Using your, erm, personal experience, which do you think they would do? Run or fight?" he asked, looking at me levelly. I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I was grateful he wasn't completely blunt. I thought about it, knowing what I would do in the same situation. "Most probably fight. They would assume we would be weak from the fighting." I said briskly, not wanting to stay on the subject much longer. Apparently Hans didn't quite get the hint. "How long would they need? To prepare?" This answer I, mercifully, didn't have to think about for long. "Minutes." Hans tsked at my answer, and then studied the blueprints which also lay on the table. "How about this?" Hans said, sitting up straighter. "I agree with you on both the simultaneous attack and need for more Guardians; we're stretching it with just the warehouse." He pushed a few photos away and moved the piece of paper so that I had a better view. "We use the Patio as the main point of entry, as it's more open. While that's happening, we have others entering though, here, here and here," he said, pointing to several windows on the ground floor. They all had plenty of open space around them, so the Guardian couldn't, in theory, get cornered, yet there was enough cover, in the form of hedges and walls that they could get close to the house without detection. I nodded my head, agreeing with the entry points for the house. "And what about the warehouse?" I asked. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. I knew we were both tired, even though neither of us would admit it. It was mid afternoon to the humans but the sun struggled to break through a thin grey sheet of cloud. "We will just have to see how many more Guardians we get, and then go from there." He said, standing up. I stood also. "Go get some rest Belikov; you've got recon in a few hours." He said to me before turning to talk to someone who sat at a computer screen. I bid everyone good night, then headed straight into the shower, then to my bed to try and rest before going out to follow Strigoi around in a van all day, or perhaps be able to mix it up a bit, and sit in a tree, watching a door for six hours. Not being able to act on what was instinct was frustrating, but necessary.

Unfortunately, sleep was evasive that night. In my mind, I would either be faced with the red ringed eyes of the blonde Strigoi, or the warm brown ones of Rose. Both images kept me tossing and turning, but for very different reasons. This meant that when there were the sounds of rapid footfall in the corridor outside, I was already awake and alert. I immediately got out of bed, hastily grabbing my stake and pulling a t-shirt over my head as I walked out of the apartment; there were no immediate signs of danger, but that didn't mean there was none. I heard footsteps above me, along with loud raised voices. I used the fire escape doors to get up to the HQ room; the lift was too slow if there was any danger. As I entered the room I, again, saw no immediate threats; unless you counted Hans. He paced back and forth, a murderous look stapled to his stern face. Around the room were several other Guardians who hadn't been here originally; reinforcements. I had no idea how they had gotten here so quickly, but I was just glad they were hear at all. Among them stood Eddie Castile, an old classmate of Rose's, I knew he was good – very good – but I didn't know why he had been considered for this; he seemed too young. Also in the room was Sydney; she sat on one of the computer chairs, silent tears running down her cheeks, smudging her make-up and revealing her golden tattoo, which had been carefully concealed for the past few days. After a quick assessment of her, I could tell she wasn't bleeding or bruised, which meant I would have to start asking questions to find out why she was in such a state. "What's happened?" I asked, to no one in particular. Hans was the one to answer. "One of the Alchemists has been killed. Drained." He spoke emotionlessly, but the look on his face spoke legions for the fury he felt. Sydney finely spoke up, her voice weak and raw. "They know." Was all she said, but it sent chills through my entire body. The Strigoi knew we were spying on them, which meant one of two things; they would scatter and run or-

Before I could finish my thought, the panicked voice of one of the men at the computer monitors shouted for Hans to look at the images coming from the hidden camera in the lounge area; which, we had learned, was the center of activity in the house. He pulled the video feed up onto the TV screen which stood atop a filing cabinet. It was there for times when more than one person needed to see an image; like right now. The image which popped up made everyone in the room recoil and caused Sydney to make a strangled noise and look quickly away. The live images showed a body on a chair; He didn't seem much more than twenty five, with dark hair, his skin was white, his body limp. Dead. The drained Alchemist. None of this, however, is why we were all so shocked. The chair had been angled in such a way that it was directly opposite the hidden camera, his dead eyes, wide in shock, stared straight into the camera. Sydney was right; they did know, they knew everything.

Hans was the first to compose himself. "How long has that been there?" he asked the man at the monitor. "I, I have no idea, the light just got switched on, there are blackout curtains in that room, so no light was reaching the camera." He stammered, still looking shell shocked. "Who's in the room?" I asked, more to myself than anyone else. When I was met with questioning eyes, it occurred to me that no one else had yet considered the obvious. "He just said that the light had been turned on, so someone has to be in there." Before anyone could say anything, I got my answer, the one I had been dreading. The blonde Strigoi walked into view of the camera. He threw the lifeless body out of chair and sat in his place, staring straight into the camera's lens, taking on a casual posture, slouching in the chair and crossing his arms across his chest and wearing a patronizing smirk on his face. "Ready or not," his cold voice taunted "here we come."

I only had a split second to reach for my stake before all hell broke loose.

RPOV

"What the hell do you mean 'I'm not going'? The hell with that!" Honestly, I shouldn't be talking to my superior in that tone, but then again, I had used the same tone with my teachers back at the academy, and I don't think anyone expected me to change that much. Also, since Hans wasn't here, Alberta had stepped up and since she had plenty of experience with me, I'm pretty sure she saw this one coming. And to think it had started out a nice day. After my breakdown with Lissa yesterday, I was feeling much better, having got some of my negative feelings out in the open. All that about a problem shared really must be true. Either that or Lissa's presence was calming. Either way I had been having a nice morning, up until I found out more Guardians were being sent to help against the Strigoi, and that I wasn't one of them. That kind of put a downer on things. So now I stood in front of Alberta, hands on hips, being the smartass Hathaway she knew and loved; well half was true. "You are the Queens head Guardian; you can't go swaying off just so you can spend some time with your boyfriend and kill some Strigoi in the process." She said. What she had said was a little harsh, but I had to say, seeing Dimitri was a part of why I wanted to go so badly; a considerable part. But I certainly wasn't about to admit that; I had my honor to protect. "That is not why I want to go. It's a waste having so many Guardians on a court ringed with so many wards." What I said next hurt, but it was necessary. "If you don't send me, then at least Eddie." I knew he was also itching to go, as he was the one who told me. He, like me, thought it was a travesty that we had not been selected to go. "You know as well as I do that Eddie is one of the best. We need everything we have out there. And I need someone I trust to make sure Dimitri is ok." To this day I have no idea why I said the last part out loud; why I let myself look vulnerable. I don't know if the admission made any difference to her decision, but I do take eternal credit for getting Eddie in the reinforcements.

Just before he had to leave, I pulled Eddie to one side. "Remember what I asked." I said to him in a hushed voice. He sighed and rolled his eyes at me. "Rose, he's a big boy; he can take care of himself. You know that as well as me." He laughed, but I think the look on my face showed just how serious – and desperate – I really was. Eddie sighed again and put a hand on my shoulder. "Alright, I'll keep an eye out." He said, before pulling me into a tight hug. "Take care of yourself, Eddie." I whispered into his chest as I returned the hug. He pulled back and gave me a lopsided grin. "Always do Rose." He said, before turning around and leaving. Why were all of the men in my life leaving? Although, I had to admit, I had induced this one.

From behind me, I heard Christian say. "There goes another one. Don't worry Rose my dear; I'll not be leaving anytime soon." Even though I hated admitting it, even to myself, He had an uncanny gift for being able to tell what I was thinking – and then make a joke about it. Today, I found it comforting, as opposed to just annoying. "Comforting thought," I remarked dryly, before turning to him and asking, "On your way to see Liss?" He nodded and walked with me to the royal quarters. Since we were both there so much, the receptionist had given up long ago trying to make us sign in and out all the time, instead, she just wrote down the time with either an R or a C next to it, saving everyone a lot of time. I spent most of the day content in the company of my best friend and her sarcastic boyfriend. My mood had perked up from the confrontation of this morning and I was relaxed and happy as the three of us ate supper in the lounge area of Lissa's office room while I was on my break. Well, I was calm and happy up until the phone rang

In that phone call, I felt my world come crashing down.

Hey guys! I know things aint looking good for Dimitri and Rose, but really, when does it ever? And don't worry, I'm sure things will get better for them two. Thanks for reading, and next chap is coming ASAP! As always, love you all and thanks for the support.

Gina xx