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Chapter Two

I do not understand what I'm feeling right now. I'm too shocked to even register what I'm feeling exactly. I'm stunned, annoyed and terrified at the same time.

I couldn't face the fact that two little words would have given me so different reactions. When I would hear Little dhampir from Adrian I always wanted to clobber him. The way he uses that term sounds like I'm a piece of ass that he wants to have, and it always annoyed me.

But this blonde Strigoi used this word as a derogatory term like I was a blood whore and not a novice guardian in training. He treated me like I wasn't a novice who already killed at least thirty Strigoi for the past three weeks, not the first novice in the academy to kill two Strigoi even before graduating.

He thinks I'm trash and that made me furious too. Yet those words crawled into my spine giving me goose bumps.

And the fact that he knows I'm going to Russia terrified me. How in the world did he know that I was looking for Dimitri? Did he have Strigoi spy on me?

I thought about it for a second. I closed my eyes trying to sense more Strigoi. But the only nauseating feeling that I have was coming from those two. Could he have humans spy on me then? But that would be impossible because I bought my tickets in my laptop and not a public café.

The blonde Strigoi finally let go of the tiny one. The tiny Strigoi whose name was Jack, immediately staggered back to his feet patting his body. "So what, I don't care what Dimitri's blood whore is doing and going." He spat at the blonde one.

I clenched my fists together; I was shaking with rage now. And it took a lot of strength to not run there and kill both of them.

The blonde Strigoi just laughed, "Don't you want to kill the person that murdered your wife in Spokane?" he asked coldly looking deep into Jack's eyes.

I widen my eyes in surprise, Spokane? I absentmindedly touched the two molnija on my neck. The first two Strigoi I killed was last Christmas. His wife is Elena?

Before I could react I saw Jack throw himself at the blondie pinning him to the ground. Jack's elbow was on his throat. Jack growled, "You're the one that sent them into a suicide mission in Spokane?"

I was stunned at this. Suicide mission? Then it hit me, his wife wasn't Elena. It was one of the Strigoi I killed in Spokane a week ago. The five Strigoi I killed at that house that held me, Mason, Christian, Eddie and Mia in prison for a week—where Mason had been murdered. I went there just to see if I would have clues about Dimitri there—hoping.

"Are you sure you're going to be fine here, kid?" the man who gave me a ride from Missoula, Montana to Spokane, Washington asked warily. He was dropping me off in front of a dark creepy alley that was at least a hundred yards away and at the end of the alley was the house that I didn't want to be anywhere near it but I had to.

I smiled at him trying to be calm, trying to hide the fact that I wanted to hop back in the car and take me anywhere but here. "Yeah, my mom isn't home yet. But when I turn the light on the house wouldn't be as creepy." I lied smoothly. I looked back at the dark house giving me chills down my spine.

He looked at me doubtfully and then at the dark alley. He looked scared of the place too. "Seriously kid, I'd take you to where your mom works at. I'd feel like your safer there."

Oh who am I kidding, no matter how many lights I would turn on for that house it would still look so creepy. Something about that house just makes it look creepy, and not just my history because of it. But I have to be believable that I'm going to be alright. Best I can do for this guy was to be at least try to make him buy it.

So I channeled Lissa's compulsion in my mind, the way her smile when she uses compulsion seems calm, believable and mesmerizing. Even though I can't use compulsion a calm smile would help him relax for me. I smiled a small smile, "I'm positive. I'll be fine." My voice was soothing and doesn't seem like my voice at all.

He smiled back. I didn't know if his smile was a smile of relief or a mesmerized one. But he just nodded, "Alright kid, good luck." And then he drove off leaving me alone questioning myself if I compelled him or did he just think I was crazy and left off.

Concentrate Rose, you have much more to deal with. I reminded myself. And of course I'm right. I had other things to think about like walking towards that dark creepy house. I barely remember walking here because when Dimitri just walked me out of the house I was in so much shock of Mason's death that I couldn't even walk myself until Dimitri carried me into his arms wanting to cry the entire time.

I reached my stake that was hidden underneath my pant leg, trying to hold on it tight on my hand even though I was shaking a little bit. I wanted to be some place else. Deep inside of me I was hoping that there would be nobody in that house… I wanted to be anywhere but here. But with my luck, I'm sure Strigoi would be here.

And then that twisting feeling in my stomach, the nauseating feeling slowly crawled into my spine. Yep, I knew it… just my luck.

Before I could react someone sneaked up from behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist restraining my arms to my side, and then he covered my nose and mouth trying to stop circulation of air from my mouth and nose.

When my head started spinning because of the lack of air, that's when I realized that I was in danger. I only had a few seconds to react before I knew I was going to pass out. I wasn't about to give up, I waited for a week before I started searching for Dimitri. I knew I had to train really well; I also started to do some stretches to check my flexibility since I knew something like this would happen.

And I was ready, I could feel the adrenaline pump into me that I didn't feel like I need oxygen to breathe. I knew I only had a few seconds to spare before my body would lose to consciousness. I raised my leg as high as it can go and hit his face. I heard a satisfying crunch that didn't come from me either. I easily squirmed off his strong hold, and was able to land another blow to his side staggering him away from me.

I held my stake that I was ready to hit him with the blunt side of my stake. Humans wouldn't have effect on the stake anyways so I might as well try to knock him unconscious before he would warn his masters about an unexpected visitor. I knew he was human since I felt his steady heartbeat when he restrained me.

But to my surprise, he was too fast for me that I didn't even notice that he grabbed a hold of my wrist before I even made contact to his throat. He was about to twist my arm but then I noticed his expression softened. His next word startled me…

"Rose?" I could see the question in his eyes. He let go of me hastily that I staggered backwards.

I immediately balanced myself to be able to look at my attacker. Who is he? I eyed him from head to toe and my heart skipped a beat when I finally recognized him. He looked much older the last time I saw him, His light brown hair had turned dark brown that it almost looked like it was black. The darkness underneath his eyes was a sign of no sleep to be able to hunt most of the day and night. One of my favorite instructors at the Academy, last time I saw him was almost three years ago… the night I took Lissa away from the Academy.

"Guardian Tanner?" I asked tentatively walking towards him to see the sad look on his face. "What are you doing here…?" I said hastily in a horse whisper.

He looked into my eyes, and then looked up on the moon shinning on both of us. "I came here for information," he looked back into my eyes. And that's when I felt a certain connection that he and I shared.

I knew then the true reason he is here. I looked away from his deep gaze and towards the dark house. "I did too…" I whispered softy that the only way he could hear me was through the cold night.

He sighed, "So it is true… Dimitri has been lost." His voice was too dark that there was no sound of regret to it.

I clenched my fists and closed my eyes not wanting to cry. I didn't want to hear it. Of course I knew that Dimitri had lost his soul and turned to a Strigoi. But I didn't want to hear it, something deep inside me wanted to believe that he still had his soul and he would be wondering around… dying.

The nauseating feeling was stronger now, and that's when I realized that the Strigoi that was in the shelter of that dark home was behind me. When I turned around Guardian Tanner was already in front of me in a protective crouch.

Five Strigoi emerged in the darkness, but a female with long blonde hair was in the middle and appeared to be the leader. She had a dark smile on her face; her eyes were bright red of hunger. "Look what we have here, a guardian and a novice with molnija marks." She cackled that her voice made the back of my hair stand.

She stopped and looked deviously at Guardian Tanner, "I didn't expect to see you again Mikhail…" she smirked, "Sonya sends her regards..." she raised her arm and bowed slightly. I don't know if that's a sign of disrespect but I don't like the look of it, and the way she said Miss Karp's name.

I saw Guardian Tanner fidget and then he held on his stake tightly. "It was a mistake to set you free Kasslyn." He spat darkly through his teeth.

She laughed again but this time she tilted her head to get a better look at me, she stared deep into my eyes, "Ah, you must be Dimitri's dhampir." She took a step forward and grinned. "It's too bad we are going to have to kill you. He would have loved to suck your blood dry." She cackled her dark laughter.

I shook this time, but with rage. I was about to launch towards her but Guardian Tanner stood in front of me blocking my way. "Don't give in… don't let her get the advantage." He whispered to me.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down. But I couldn't help it I was shaking with rage that I didn't even know what to do anymore. I feel like I'm almost blinded by rage.

"I knew you would come here… that's why I ordered Dimitri to go to Russia. So I would get to taste you're blood." She was directly talking to me distracting me. But I saw that the other four Strigoi were striding forward ready to attack without any need for command. "I hear you liked being a blood whore…Dimitri was one too… before we finally turned him." She raised an eyebrow testing me.

That was it, I was blinded with pure rage that I didn't even know what I was doing anymore… I lunged to her chest but someone jumped in the way and took the hit. I didn't care if Guardian Tanner was yelling at me. I was already lost in my world of murder.

"I didn't even realize it would work. I just wanted to try if she would show." The blonde Strigoi, whose name now I remembered, Sean, had said in a smug tone. Not even realizing that he was offending Jack. I don't even think he cares at all.

"But when I saw the way they looked at each other in that cave… I knew the way to separate that novice from Princess Dragomir. Hitting two birds with one stone." He laughed darkly. "I was going to grab the little novice, but Dimitri jumped in the way… protecting her. It was too fast that I don't think she even noticed." He easily grabbed Jack's and set him aside. "I wanted to kill the last Dragomir… to suck her blood dry to be stronger."

Jack was stunned and looked at his insane friend who started to laugh darkly. "My Kasslyn." He muttered under his breath.

"And I guessed right. If their love is just as strong as Sonya's and her lover… I knew she would hunt Dimitri to free him of his soulless life." He said darkly more to himself now since Jack wasn't really paying attention to him. "And I choose you to go to Russia. Because I knew you will make me proud by making her suffer." He knelt in front of Jack, taking his face to lean it closer to his. "Do what ever you want… I do not care."

I didn't listen anymore; I had to get out of there before I do anything rash. I just ran… I didn't know what to do. I had to go to Russia I knew that. If I won't go, they would know. The airline would call my name. I had to think of something fast…

"Please sir… you don't understand." I begged the check point person. I took his hand and held it tightly. He took his hand away that same second, looking around if someone was looking.

"I'm sorry miss. You either go on the flight or not." He said stiffly.

"I know… but I can't go on that flight. Please just scan my ticket when you start boarding." I whispered silently to him, I let some tears escape me eyes. It was easier now, these weren't crocodile tears either. "Please, my boyfriend will know I didn't go. I can feel he's here watching me." I put my head down and my hair was covering my face as tears started to flow down my eyes like waterfall. "At least he would think I'm in Russia and he can ride the next plane and search for me there while I hide here in the US. He's going to kill me, if he finds me."

The attendant just sighed in defeat, he shivered as well. He took my hand and removed the ticket away from shaking hand. He was shaking as well. "I will try my best to protect you Miss." He said with determination. He hastily wiped my tears from my face as he looked around again to see if people were watching. They were, but no one was right behind me so they don't know what we are talking about. "Now, run. Be safe." He smiled softly.

I looked up and I tried to smile but I couldn't. "Thank you…" and I ran, making sure I checked for any Strigoi. When I was at an end hall of the tiny airport I just bawled my heart out.

I couldn't believe that this had happened to me. Dimitri and I were just part of Sean's game to get Lissa. It was just as Dimitri had feared… our feelings got in the way of Lissa's safety. I chose Dimitri over her… and if Sean would have taken me instead of Dimitri… he would have done the same thing, therefore leaving her without a Guardian. Sure, she is in the Academy… she is much safer than me… but ever since the wards fell on that devastating night, I'm not sure if she is as safe.

I closed my mind and tried to enter Lissa's. She was sitting in one of her classes, she looked around the almost empty room and then she her eyes met Eddie's who was standing at the end of the hall. He nodded at her briefly and she just returned a smile.

Eddie looked different, I didn't know what it was. But he looked more mature. I wanted Lissa to look at him again, but she was called by Christian who was seated right beside her. That's weird, Christian doesn't sit there… Ralf used to sit there. And their teacher was usually strict with seat arrangements.

"Lissa," Christian called her name softly again he didn't look up from his notes so it would seem like he was listening to the teacher. "I'm sure Rose is alright… she has to be. She's going to be your guardian."

She softly sobbed, "I don't know about that Christian. I did hurt her so much. I wish I can take back what I had said. I hated the fact that I didn't support her. I feel selfish." She held on her pen so tight that it broke in half.

Christian was startled to this. He took her hand briefly, "You just wanted her to be safe."

When the bell rang saying that the class was over, she immediately threw herself to his arms not even caring that other people were watching and she just cried.

I escaped her mind and I felt bad. How could I feel like Lissa had abandoned me? She just wanted me to be safe as I kept her safe for the entire time I knew her. I don't know how long I'd be gone… I don't even know when I'd find Dimitri… or even I could kill him. It has been almost three years and Guardian Tanner hasn't even found Miss Karp.

"Enough Rose… they are all dead." Guardian Tanner took my arm as I was about to strike on the Strigoi that has been dead for a few seconds now.

He wrapped his arms around me in a fatherly way; he kept saying it was going to be alright and that I was going to find what I was looking for. He did that about five minutes until I had stopped.

I looked up at him and I asked a question that I had wanted to ask when I realized that I saw him. But again, there was that connection again that he knew what I was going to ask.

"No, I haven't killed Sonya yet," He whispered, he sounded tired.

I swallowed my tears again, "When you see her, would you be able to kill her?"

He looked at me, determination written in his face. "I have to. I'm afraid only time will tell. Either I would kill her or she would kill me." He said calmly.

His eyes were questioning something too, and I knew what his question was before he even worded them out. "I do not know what to do either when I'd come face to face with him. But I do know one thing, when his soul died part of me died too. So I do not care what happens from now on."

My words echoed in my head, I don't care what happens from now on… But when I think about it, it is my fault that Dimitri had become a Strigoi. If I didn't let him love me he would still be that Badass god that everyone would admire. He would be Lissa's guardian and protect her from me. So now, I know in my heart that I have to kill Dimitri—I need to kill Dimitri. For his sake, and my sake.

a/n:

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