"Why did I agree to this?" Roza asked as she moved slowly down the halls of the palace. Her eyes were wide and her face pale after taking in all the information that the queen could give us on Lissa's sibling, which wasn't a lot, almost nothing.
So, with almost nothing to go on, we left the queen's chambers and started a very slow trek back to guest housing. I was fairing a little better than Roza because I didn't know Erik Dragomir, and I knew that it was common for royals to have affairs, even if it was out of character for this particular one.
"To be fair, you didn't know exactly what you were agreeing to when you agreed to do it," I stated looking down at her with concern.
"How's that supposed to make this better?" She asked, finally turning her head to look at something other than the space in front of her.
"I don't suppose that it was meant to make this better, but it should make you feel better about agreeing to do it. Try not to think of it in such a negative way. This is pretty much the only way that Lissa is going to get her spot on the Council without taking years to accomplish it." I pointed out, hoping she would focus less on Erik's discrepancies and more on the positive outcome of it all.
"It could take us years to track down even a clue as to the identity of this long lost Dragomir child." Roza countered, her face glazing over with thought.
"How bout we rope in a few trust-worthy people? Your father would be more than happy to lend his resources, and Sydney is excellent at research and has access to an entire database that we don't know anything about, perhaps she could find something neither of us could?" I offered, hoping to make this task sound less daunting than it actually was.
In all actuality, there was a very small possibility that we would find the child within a year. The way the queen was speaking, we probably didn't have a year before something drastic would happen. What could be happening that even the queen couldn't stop?
I shook my head clear of any thoughts that didn't pertain to the matter at hand and turned my attention back to Roza, who was deep in thought.
"I suppose we could ask for help, but I'd rather not have my father involved with all of this, or if we need something from him, not to involve him in the particulars. Sydney will probably be the best bet for finding the kid, but I don't want to involve very many people. I don't want to risk this getting out before we want it to." She stated as we paused outside of guest housing.
"Why not?" I questioned.
"Lissa may have her supporters, but she also has people who oppose her, who don't like her progressive way of thinking nor her liberal attitude toward Dhampir. Should it become known that there is another Dragomir, something might happen to Lissa or to this sibling. There must be a reason that they haven't been revealed as a Dragomir, and I would bet it's because of their safety." She explained, looking around to make sure no one could overhear us.
"Alright. We include Sydney and leave out Abe until absolutely necessary. We'll have to come up with a reason as to why we're leaving with only Sydney." I stated, hoping that she'd already thought through that problem.
"Right. I'm thinking that we can spin it in terms of Alchemist activity. We can tell them that the queen has put us on a secret mission involving the Alchemists, and we have to leave for a little while. We should probably find a place to set up camp for a while, a home base of sorts that we can work and live out of."
"Sounds good to me, but you're the one that gets to tell all this to your father. He's not going to be very happy about it." I stated opening the door for her. A worried expression crossed her face before she shrugged and headed up to the room.
She took a deep breath before turning the doorknob. Almost immediately, Abe was out of his seat and in front of us, a worried expression painted on his face.
"What did the queen want? She's not going to punish you for leaving Court, is she?" He asked. It was then that I understood what Roza's disappearance did to this man. He seemed smaller than he used to, scared. He was scared to lose his daughter, of course, I was, too, but he was nothing like the slithering serpent that usually instilled fear into the hearts of men, women, and children.
"No, Baba. I took an indefinite leave of absence. She can't be upset about me leaving when I went through the proper channels. She just wanted to talk, but before I can tell you what we talked about, we need to speak to Sydney. She's going to be a part of this, and we need to discuss the details so she knows what's going on." Roza said, gently taking Abe's hand in hers, reassuring her father that she was still there with him, though I don't think he would take our sudden departure kindly.
Even though he gave a puzzled look, Abe stepped aside as a confused and slightly panicked Sydney stepped forward. I stepped to the side, holding the door open for the two of them to walk through. At first, I didn't know where Roza was taking us, but then I recognized the pathway back to our room. I didn't know how secure it would be, but most of the neighbors should be at work right about now.
"So, what did you need to talk to me about? If I'm going to be a part of this, shouldn't the queen have spoken to me also, or at least the Alchemists?" Sydney questioned when I'd closed the door to the small room. She plopped herself down in one of the chairs and looked up at us expectantly.
"The queen doesn't technically know you're going to be involved with this, but I told her that I may need to find some trustworthy assistance with carrying out our task. She's assigned us to a mission, a secret mission. We need you researching skills and your connections to the Alchemists' information network." Roza began.
"What's the secret mission?" Sydney asked, both intrigued and hesitant.
"We've been tasked with finding someone that we know very little about, and when I say very little, I mean very little, like, next to nothing," Roza said, stressing that the job would be difficult, but I think, judging by the glint in Sydney's eyes, that she took the implication as a challenge.
"Who am I finding?" She asked, narrowing her eyes, accepting the challenge.
"The other Dragomir," I stated from my position against the door. Sydney's wide eyes swiveled quickly to meet mine, a silent question forming in her irises. A question to which I answered with a solemn nod.
"Erik Dragomir had an affair at some point in time. We don't know when. We don't know with whom. We don't know where. We just know he had one, and it resulted in an illegitimate Dragomir child, one that we need to find if Lissa is going to get her place on the Council." Roza explained.
"You were right, that is next to nothing to go off of," Sydney mumbled, a thoughtful expression covering her face.
"Do you think it's doable?" Roza asked, worry lacing her tone.
"If I have time. It won't get done in an hour, or even a day. Give me a week, tops, and I'm sure that I can dig up something useful." She responded after a few moments of contemplation.
"Wonderful. Now, as I said, this mission is secret, as in no one can know. Meaning, we can't do anything at the house in New York. This is another thing that we needed to discuss with you. We're going to find a place to set up a mission headquarters, of sorts, that we can run this operation out of for the time being. I was thinking somewhere not too terribly far from Court. Do you know anywhere that might do the trick?" Roza asked.
"There are several places that I can think of, off the top of my head, in West Virginia that are secluded but close enough to civilization to be convenient." Sydney provided. "I'm also assuming that we're not going to be able to tell you father or take any of the Guardians."
"You'll have the two of us. Arguably the greatest Guardians alive." Roza said, placing a hand to her chest in mock offense.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." Sydney glared.
"I know." Roza sighed, giving the feisty Alchemist an apologetic look. "No, you can't bring Jasper with us. It's not that I don't trust him, believe me, I do, but we need to keep this between as few people as possible for the time being."
"I figured as much," Sydney mumbled, closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath. "It's okay. It's not like we're dating, anyway."
"You're not?" I asked, surprising myself more than Sydney for asking the question. Roza's need for information was rubbing off on me.
"No. He hasn't bucked up enough courage to properly ask me, and I'm not going to be the instigator, not that I don't think the woman can make the first move, but I'd rather him take the initiative." Sydney said shrugging like it was no big deal, but I knew that shrug. That shrug meant that it was a big deal to Sydney, even if she didn't want it to be. Roza had the same shrug.
"Well, it's his loss. Maybe this time apart will make him realize what he's missing." Roza said with an overexaggerated wink. Sydney chuckled while rolling her eyes before standing.
"Let's go explain what we can to your father. Do you know how we're going to get to wherever it is we're going? I figured that once we'd gone back to New York, packed, and were on our way, I could research places that we could use." Sydney said, gesturing to the door.
"That sound's fine. I had hoped to take at least one of the bikes with us, we'll probably need two vehicles at some point, but I hadn't thought much about the logistics of this endeavor." Roza said, looking back at me for my input.
"We can take a car and a bike, or a truck with the bike in the bed." I offered, not really knowing the car demographics of West Virginia.
"Trucks are common enough in every state not to stand out." Sydney supplied while also voicing her vote on the vehicle situation. Roza looked a little disappointed that she wouldn't be able to drive her bike through different states, but I was pleased. I knew Roza could drive the thing, and drive it well, but I'd much rather be driving it while she was pressed tightly against me.
"Then we'll get a truck," Roza stated, her voice falling a little flat, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her, though she didn't find it was amusing as I did and shot me a glare instead.
"There will be plenty of opportunities for you to ride Sasha when we have to scout information." Sydney soothed. "I don't think I should go into the field with you guys. Just be in the information in your head. I'll probably just end up in your way otherwise."
"I'd feel much more comfortable knowing that you were safe, but I'd hate to just leave you behind by yourself while we go out and investigate," I said, barely getting out the last words before there was a knock at the door.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but I turned and cracked the door open slowly. The urge to roll my eyes was strong as the emerald green eyes of Adrian Ivashkov peered at me with a hint of amusement. He raised his hand to give a small salute and cocked his head to the side before speaking.
"Well, are you going to let me in?" He asked. Against my better judgment, I opened the door fully and stepped aside to let him in, but only because of Roza's sweet voice in my head telling me to do so.
"What are you doing here, Adrian?" Roza asked with slight annoyance.
"Why, Little Dhampir, you wound me with your tone," Adrian said, placing a hand to his chest, though his hurt act dropped as soon as Sydney shifted in her chair, drawing his attention to her. "Hello, Cupcake, it's nice to see you again."
"Hello, Lord Ivashkov," Sydney said stiffly, her eyes narrowing slightly at his sudden behavioral shift.
"What are you doing here, Adrian?" I asked, mimicking Roza's earlier annoyance.
"My beloved aunt sent me with great news." He said enthusiastically, clapping his hands together and spinning to face me. He looked genuinely thrilled, though his movements dripped with sarcasm. "I'm going to be accompanying you on your adventure. She doesn't want a physical link between herself and what you two are attempting to do, so I'll be there to relay information on a day to day basis if need be or just whenever."
"Well, we were just telling Sydney that she won't be coming into the field with us, and the same will go for you," I said crossing my arms over my chest, getting ready for any opposition he might have, but he had none.
"That's fine with me. I wouldn't want to get in your way. I trust that the two of you can handle yourself in any situation you find yourselves in, but I'll be checking in on you every night you're gone to make sure that nothing new has happened. Having a link between you and Ms. Sage here would be expected, especially if the call is coming from Rose, but on the off chance that you don't have anything to report to Sydney during the day, or whatever schedule we're going to be on, I'll check in on you during the night." Adrian explained, apparently having thought everything out in advance.
I saw Roza narrow her eyes at the Moroi Lord as she tried to figure out how he'd pulled himself together in the brief time since we'd left to talk to the queen. She sent a questioning look toward Sydney, but she only responded with a shrug. All of this happened in a matter of seconds, Adrian having no idea what was happening behind him.
"So, what's the plan?" He asked after the few seconds of silence had persisted. He turned back around to face Rose, sparing one glance at Sydney as he spun.
"We were just working out the specifics. We're going to go back to New York, pack, and drive toward West Virginia. Along the way, Sydney will find us a decent place to stay as our command center. For as long as it takes Sydney to dig up something useful, we'll be there. Until we know something useful, we can't really create a plan other than Dimitri and me going to following the leads that Sydney give us." Roza explained. Adrian nodded and looked over at Sydney.
"So, it will be just you and me while the Wonder Twins go out and do the dangerous job?" He said, a confident smirk covering his face. Had he said this months ago, Sydney probably would have scowled and stayed silent, but I personally think, much like myself, she'd been spending too much time with Roza and her sarcastic attitude.
"Oh, joy. Rapture. I can't wait." She deadpanned, crossing her arms over her chest and adopting Roza's signature sassy stance. Roza was looking extremely proud at the way Sydney handled herself, but Adrian was, for once, at a loss for words. His confident smirk disappeared as his jaw dropped slightly, a look of hurt flashing in his eyes before determination took over.
"Well, I can see that you've been spending a little too much time with my favorite Dhampir." He said finally, even going as far as giving a little 'hmph' at the end.
"Is there something wrong with that, Adrian?" Roza asked, taking up her signature sassy stance, though her eyes narrowed slightly as she awaited Adrian's response. Adrian quickly shook his head, now having two powerful females before him, giving him the same sassy stance, their arms folded across their chests, both looking equally as unamused.
"No, of course not, Little Dhampir," Adrian muttered quickly before turning back around toward me. He gestured with one hand to the door and gave me a questioning look. "Shall we go tell the others as little as we can?"
I looked over his head at Roza, and she gave a slight nod, my permission. I nodded and opened the door without a word. Adrian led the way back to guest housing in silence. Sydney was walking beside him stiffly while Roza had fallen into step beside me, her soft hand slipping into mine perfectly.
Raising her hand to my lips, I conveyed my love for her with my eyes. Hers shone in admiration as she returned my loving look. I didn't know what I would do without her, and thankfully, I don't think I'll ever have to find out.
When we walked into the room, it must have been a sight to behold. The usually carefree Royal Moroi looking a little dejected while the usually serious, unreadable Alchemist wore an amused smirk. When we were met with questioning looks from those in the room, Roza and I shrugged our shoulders and sat back in our previous spot on the couch.
"Are you going to tell us what's going on, Yeğen?" Pavel asked with a sigh of annoyance. Neither Abe nor Pavel liked being out of the loop just like Roza, and trait she had inherited from her father no doubt, and I doubt they would like it less knowing a little about the loop but not knowing everything about the loop.
"Dimitri and I are being sent on a special mission, orchestrated by the queen herself. She's partnering us with the Alchemists and had Sydney be our liaison, and Adrian will be accompanying us as our connection between Court. We'll be accompanying you back to New York to give Sydney, Dimitri, and me a chance to pack some clothes before we leave. We don't know how long we'll be away nor when we'll be back, but we'll keep in touch as often as possible. That's all we can tell you." Roza stated, ignoring the looks of protest from her father and uncle and the lost, pleading looks from Lissa and Christian.
"Is there anything you need me to do?" Abe asked finally, acceptance replacing his horrified look.
"Nothing right now, Baba," Roza replied gently. "If I need anything, you'll be my first call."
"Just make sure you let me know you're alive and well as often as possible, daily if you can. Your old man worries you know?" Abe said, a gentle smile he reserves only for Roza taking over his expression.
"I know, Baba. I'll try my best. Besides, I've got Dimitri to take care of me, and you know he won't let anything bad happen to me." Roza said with a wide smile, taking my hand in hers. Pulling my gaze from hers, I met her father's worry-filled eyes and vowed my life for hers in a moment of silent determination.
"Of course, Kiz. I take it you won't be taking along any of these three?" Abe asked, gesturing to the younger of the Guardians lining the walls.
"Not this time, Baba. If we need help, they'll be the first people we'll ask for back up, but going into this, we don't think we'll need much help in terms of muscle." Roza said shaking her head.
"Then I suppose we'll need to be heading back to New York in the near future?" Pavel said, breaking the awkward silence created by a dejected Abe and an apologetic Roza.
"Yes, as soon as possible, really," I responded.
"I'll let our pilot know. I'll meet you at the airstrip in a couple hours." Abe said, waving for Pavel to follow him out the door. Roza nodded silently and looked over at Lissa, whose eyes were filling with tears once again. Christian still had his arm wrapped around her, but he was fairing a little better, probably because he knew that Rose would come back to see Lissa eventually.
We said our goodbyes and accompanied Adrian back to his quarters to watch him pack. In my opinion, he overpacked, but I was a kind of man that was comfortable with jeans and t-shirts as my only wardrobe selection.
Two hours later we were on the plane heading back to New York. We were about to embark on a mission that had no guarantee of being successful, but if anyone could accomplish the impossible, it was Roza.