I know I've been completely evil, but we are starting with Dimitri, so you don't have to wait even more. Again big thanks to my Beta who puts up with me with amazing patients XD. Enjoy Chapter 9! xx

DPOV

In moments, everything snapped into perspective, and I realized a lot of things at once; not only had we been watching them, but they had been watching us in return. They had known we were here all along. Not only that, but they had to have been in the building before we installed cameras, or else we would have seen them come in. They also know that most of the Guardians that were in the building would be asleep. They were attacking when we were most vulnerable; as we were planning for them. One main difference though. Element of surprise for us; useful, but for them, it was a death warrant. Our chances of survival were somewhere near seven percent, closer to two if they had taken out the Guardians downstairs first; most probably.

I had no time to dwell on any of that; however, as Strigoi were heaping into the room, outnumbering us three fold. My mind threatened to bring back carefully hidden images from Russia, but as I Attacked the closest Strigoi easily in the heart – she was new, recently changed. Powerful but uncoordinated and clumsy – all of the images melted away, replaced with adrenalin and the need to fight, destroy, protect. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a few other Guardians running though the doorway. Apparently the Strigoi hadn't known we had two rooms, either that or they had concentrated their power up here. Another Strigoi, new one again, attacked me, along with a slightly more coordinated one from my left. I attacked that one first as he seemed to be the bigger threat. The table was to my right which meant that the Strigoi would probably try to push me against it and make me lose my balance. When he reached me, I threw me weight against him. He appeared to have been human, shorter than a Moroi but not much wider. Even with his extra strength, I vastly outweighed him, and the sudden impact knocked him to the ground; head first. I took the opening to stake him, but then was pushed sideways and rolled onto my back. The younger Strigoi was on top of me, hands pinning my upper arm and fangs nearing my neck. I pushed sideways with my hip, jostling him a little but he quickly regained composer. I repeated the same action, but harder and the Strigoi loosened his grip on my right arm ever so slightly; that was my opening. I pushed up with my arm, staking him in the ribs. It didn't kill him, but it sure as hell hurt. He emitted an ear splitting cry, and fell off of me. I promptly staked him. I shot up off of the floor, only to find five Strigoi coming at me, and these ones weren't new; they were old, centuries old in some cases. They had lost all humanity, and they were deadly. As I looked around, I saw everyone was in the same position; surrounded but that didn't mean we were going to give in, not by a long way. As if on cue, the Strigoi attacked, all at once. I was able to take down two and fighting the third, when something heavy and blunt hit the back of my head, blackening the world around me. I distantly felt the impact of me hitting the floor. In my mind, I saw Roza's face, her beautiful hair. I felt her love. My last regret was not having another moment with her. Then my world went black.

ROPV

The look on Lissa's face told me everything I needed to know; the mission had failed, and I had either lost a best friend (again) or the love of my life – or both. I could feel my heart start to fracture as Lissa's face contorted in fear and sadness. Christian went to comfort Lissa. I tried to go to her but my legs wouldn't move, I felt too weak to move. I tried to be strong, to hold my Guardian role, but this struck too close to the heart; it struck right through. My vision blurred and I was no longer in the room, no longer in the present. All I could see was Dimitri being dragged down into the caves the day of the attack at the school. I saw the love in his eyes, and realized that I could never see that look again. This wasn't like last time; I'd run out of second chances – I could feel it.

I heard Lissa put down the phone after thanking the person on the other end. I focused back on the room and saw Lissa looking intently at me. "Rose" she said softly, but stopped there, as if unsure what to say next. "What's happened?" Christian surprisingly tenderly, putting his arms around her for comfort. "That was Alberta," that sealed the deal; it was about the Strigoi mission. Alberta had been appointed to be head of the Guardians while Hans wasn't here, as she was the closest guardian with the highest rank. Lissa took a deep breath before continuing. "Sydney called her. She said, she said that they have taken some of the guardians, killed the rest." She buried her head in Christian's chest as he soothed her. My mind was moving at a sluggish pace and it took me some time to process what Lissa had said. "What was Sydney doing there?" I asked to no one in particular. One of the Guardians along the wall seemed to spark into life. "Sydney? You mean the Alchemist girl?" I nodded impatiently, waiting to hear what I needed to know "Well Alchemists were sent in as bona fide spies." I was about to ask why Alchemists, but then it came to me; we could send neither Moroi nor Dhampirs, as they would be able to tell. We had also learned from past experience that normal humans couldn't be trusted. Alchemists were the only option. Then Lissa's final words flashed through my head; taken some of the guardians, killed the rest. This time I addressed Lissa directly. I could hear the urgency in my own voice, and I found my legs again, enabling me to stand. "Lissa, who did they take?" She raised her head, looking at me. I think she could tell where my mind was going. "I- I don't know Rose, she didn't say, I'm sorry." "Damn" I cursed under my breath, and then realized that there was someone I could ask.

I set off towards the Guardian's building with Lissa asking where I was going behind me. I didn't answer her though; I was too focused on getting to the one person who could answer my question. I sprinted my way across court, barely dodging several people walking down the paths. When I reached the Guardian's building, I slowed my pace, but only a little. "I need to see Alberta. It's urgent." I told the woman behind the desk. If I had been in one of the Moroi buildings, I would have been asked 'Do you have an appointment?' or something as equally idiotic, but this, luckily, was where the Guardians are; If one says it's urgent, you really don't want to get in the way. The woman behind the desk thankfully knew this; the fact that I have a reputation as a bit of a loose cannon probably sped the whole thing on a bit – I like to think it did anyway. She let me through, saying she was in the main office. I tried to calm myself, gaining composure before I entered; I needed to be calm and professional if I wanted to be heard. I knocked then entered, not waiting for a reply. Alberta lifted her head from looking down at paperwork and looked me in the eye. She could tell I knew. On a normal day I would be in full Guardian mode around her; she was my superior, it was expected. But it wasn't a normal day, and right now, looking at the woman who had, for all intents and purposes, had been my mom since I was little. She had cared for me and looked after me; she knew me well. I wanted to break down and cry, but I knew I couldn't, I didn't have time. I couldn't help some tears from escaping though. I wiped them away roughly. My voice gave me away, as it broke half way through my sentence, "Who were the survivors." I asked bluntly. I tried not to hope for anything; to not let myself think there was a chance. Alberta sighed quietly and extended a piece of paper out to me. "These are those who are missing. The rest are dead." I dreaded looking at the piece of paper, but I had to know. I looked down at the names, trying to focus my eyes. It took me a few minutes. Then I saw them; the two names I had wanted to see most in the world; Edward Castile and Dimitri Belikov.

I know it's horrendously short, but I just wanted to get it out there for you. I promise promise PROMISE the next chap will be longer. Got some big plans ahead so stay tuned!

Gina xx