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Chapter 3

The morning of the funeral, our plan was set into motion.

Abe had come and assured me that the explosions were set up and everything was going as planned.

There were very few people who knew what was going to happen this morning. Only myself, Abe, Lissa, Christian, Eddie and Mikhail. Not even Rose was told.

I waited a little impatiently and watched the procession from my bedroom window. When the statues leading up to the cathedral blew up, I heard the guards outside my room take off and took that as my queue to go.

I burst out of my room, ready to take down any lingering guards.

There was one. But he was currently distracted by the fact that Eddie and Mikhail had burst through the door.

He didn't see me coming behind me. We didn't hang around to take care of his unconscious body or feel any remorse about rendering a fellow guardian unconscious. All that matter to me was getting Rose out of here.

I rushed towards where Rose was being held. I saw Eddie Castile and Mikhail Tanner entering the building ahead of me.

When I reached the door, Eddie and Mikhail were both fighting three guardians a piece. Eddie was closer to me so I joined him and together we took out the three guardians. We turned to Mikhail and saw he had taken one down. Eddie was about to jump in and help him but I stopped him.

"Go. I'll handle these." I said to him. Eddie nodded and both he and Mikhail took off in the direction of Rose's cell. The two guardians made to go after them but I caught them both and threw them on the ground.

It didn't take me long to bring them down and I quickly hurried after Eddie and Mikhail.

When I reached them, they had already freed Rose and were trying to explain what was going on to her. I looked around the room, searching for any guards or threats. I was filled with adrenaline. Filled with the need to get Rose out of this place.

"We used C4," Mikhail explained to her.

"Where on earth did you-" She started but broke off when she saw me in the doorway.

ʺYou're here too? Aren't you under house arrest?ʺ she asked me.

"He escaped," said Eddie slyly. "it's what people would expect some violent probably-still-a-Strigoi guy to do, right?"

Mikhail said something after that but I stopped listening. I was trying hard to keep my Guardian mask and look for danger, but I couldn't help myself from looking at Rose. I needed to make sure she was ok. Physically anyway.

A feeling of relief came to me as I realised that she was, followed quickly by confusion.

Relief? I hadn't realised that I could feel that. I hadn't felt anything but pain and grief since I was turned back.

I mentally slapped myself for hanging around. We didn't have time to stay around and chat.

"Come on. We don't have much time" I said to the three of them.

"There's no way they'll think he did it alone!" Rose exclaimed to Mikhail and Eddie. "They saw your faces!" she gestured to the unconscious guards we had taken down.

I heard a movement behind me and turned quickly, relaxing slightly when I saw it was only Adrian Ivashkov.

"Not really," he said as he entered. "Not after a little spirit-induced amnesia. By the time they wake up the only person they'll remember seeing will be that unstable Russian guy." He turned to me. "No offense."

"None taken." I replied.

A grin slid over Rose's face. I felt something stir in the pit of my stomach.

"Lissa lied to your mom earlier. You're supposed to be passed out drunk somewhere."

"Well, yes, that would probably be the smarter—and more enjoyable—thing to be doing right now. And hopefully, thatʹs what everyone thinks Iʹm doing.ʺ

"We need to go." I cut in before Rose could reply. We didn't have time.

Everyone turned to me at once and I saw serious expressions slide onto all of their faces.

Rose took a few steps forward to leave. Adrian however stopped her before she got very far.

ʺWait—before you go with us, you need to know something." He said to her.

Didn't anyone actually understand that right now, guardians had probably realised that I wasn't in my room where I was supposed to be?

I started to protest but Adrian cut me off. .

ʺShe does," he said, glaring at me slightly. I cut see a hint of jealousy in his eyes.

ʺRose, if you escape . . . youʹre more or less confirming your guilt. Youʹll be a fugitive. If the guardians find you, they arenʹt going to need a trial or sentence to kill you on sight.ʺ

His timing wasn't great, but I had to admit, she did have to know this. She had to know what position she was going to put herself in.

I already knew what she was going to say of course. No matter what had happened between us, it didn't change the fact that I knew her better than she knew herself.

I could see her processing his words in her head, making sure she would make the right decision.

I knew that she would take the chance of becoming a fugitive, and have a chance of getting caught, rather than wait around in a cell for someone to decide to date and time of her death.

Rose would not take her death lying down. She would die fighting, the way she wanted to. The way we all wanted to. The way I wanted to.

I saw the decision in her eyes a second before she spoke.

"Let's go."

Without wasting another second, we took off down the hall and into the main hall. When we got there, I was glad to see that the place was still deserted, meaning that they hadn't realised I had escaped just yet. We kept moving and made our way outdoors.

"Now what?" Rose asked us.

"Now we take you to the getaway car." Eddie answered her and we all took off toward the garages. The court was still in chaos and there were people panicking everywhere after the explosions.

"What's Lissa doing during all of this?" Rose asked us.

ʺLissa needs to stay innocent. She can't be linked to any part of the escape or explosion,ʺ I replied. I was glad she wasn't playing a part in the actual breaking-Rose-out part. I needed to protect and keep her safe. It was the least I could do for her for what she had done for me.

ʺShe has to keep herself visible with the other royals. So does Christian.ʺ I realised that if I had had no idea what was going on and was in the crowd, my first thoughts would go to Lissa and Christian. ʺThose two would certainly be my first suspects if something exploded.ʺ

ʺBut the guardians wonʹt suspect them once they realize the blast wasnʹt caused by magic,ʺ she said. ʺAnd hey, where did you guys get a hold of C4? Military grade explosives are kind of extreme, even for you.ʺ

Even though he was her father, I don't think she had any idea just how much power Abe Mazur had.

Before I could answer her, we were intercepted.

Three guardians stood in front of us.

I ran ahead to take the brunt of the attack, noticing that Rose had done the same.

Two of these guardians worked here at Court, the other, I recognised as an old school friend of Rose's.

I went for the two men, assuming they were the bigger threat. They were older and more experienced after all.

Just as I took down the second guardian, I noticed Rose had rendered the girl unconscious and we all took off faster in the direction of the garage.

As we ran, Eddie tried to comfort Rose. I knew she'd feel bad about taking down fellow guardians – our colleagues. But this girl was someone Rose had known most of her life. She'd trained and sparred with her. But I knew that Rose did what she had to do.

We reached the garage, which was full of frightened people. I led the group the far side of the room, not hesitating. Abe had told exactly where to go and what to do.

I saw Abe standing outside the Honda Civic. Confusion filled me. He'd promised he wouldn't be here.

"Abe!" Rose exclaimed, seeing him.

"What are you doing here? You'll be on the list of suspects too! You were supposed to stay back with the others." I said to him angrily.

Abe just shrugged at me.

ʺVasilisa will make sure a few people at the palace swear they saw me there during suspicious times.ʺ He turned towards Rose. ʺBesides, I couldnʹt leave without telling you goodbye, could I?ʺ

ʺWas this all part of your plan as my lawyer? I donʹt recall explosive escapes being part of legal training.ʺ Rose said to him.

ʺWell, Iʹm sure it wasnʹt part of Damon Tarusʹs legal training.ʺ Abeʹs smile never wavered. ʺI told you, Rose. You will never face execution—or even a trial, if I can help it.ʺ He paused. ʺWhich, of course, I can.ʺ

I took the set of keys out of my pocket and moved around to the driver's door, waiting impatiently for them. There was no way we'd get out of here if we didn't leave soon.

ʺIf I run, itʹs just going to make me seem that much more guilty.ʺ Rose said to her father.

ʺThey already think you're guilty,ʺ said Abe. ʺYou wasting away in that cell won't change that. This just ensures we now have more time to do what we need to without your execution looming over us.ʺ

ʺAnd what are you going to do exactly?ʺ she asked.

ʺProve you're innocent,ʺ Adrian jumped in. ʺOr, well, that you didnʹt kill my aunt. I've known for a while you aren't all that innocent.ʺ

ʺWhat, are you guys going to destroy the evidence?ʺ I asked, ignoring the dig.

ʺNo,ʺ said Eddie. ʺWe have to find who really did kill her.ʺ

ʺYou guys shouldnʹt be involved with that, now that Iʹm free. Itʹs my problem.

Isnʹt that why you got me out?ʺ

ʺItʹs a problem you canʹt solve while youʹre at Court,ʺ said Abe. ʺWe need you gone and safe.ʺ

ʺYeah, but I—ʺ

I couldn't listen to anymore.

ʺWe're wasting time arguing,ʺ I argued, eyeing the area. For all we knew, the unconscious guards would be waking up now, or someone would have found unconscious bodies lying around.

I gave Rose a silver stake to protect herself.

ʺI know everything looks disorganized, but you'll be amazed at how quickly the guardians will restore order. And when they do, they're going to lock this place down.ʺ I said to her.

ʺThey donʹt need to,ʺ she said slowly. I could see the wheels in her head turning. ʺWeʹre already going to have trouble going out of Court. Weʹll be stopped—if we can even get to the gate. There are going to be cars lined up for miles!ʺ

ʺAh, well,ʺ said Abe, which the same mischievous look I often saw on Rose's face back at the academty. ʺI have it on good authority thereʹs going to be a new 'gateʹ opening up soon over on the south side of the wall.ʺ

Realisation hit her. ʺOh lord. Youʹre the one whoʹs been doling out C4.ʺ

ʺYou make it sound so easy,ʺ he said with a frown. ʺThat stuffʹs hard to get a hold of.ʺ

My patience was at an end. ʺAll of you: Rose needs to leave now. Sheʹs in danger. Iʹll drag her out if I have to.ʺ

ʺYou donʹt have to go with me,ʺ she said angrily. ʺIʹll take care of myself. No one else needs to get in trouble. Give me the keys.ʺ

I had a feeling I'd have to deal with Rose's stubbornness at some stage during the day.

ʺRose, I canʹt really get in any more trouble." I explained to her, hanging onto the keys. "Someone has to be responsible for helping you, and Iʹm the best choice.ʺ

ʺGo,ʺ said Eddie, hugging her quickly. At least someone understood that we needed to get out of here. ʺWeʹll be in touch through Lissa."

Mikhail hugged her too, and she murmured something in his ear.

She hugged Adrian next and I felt that same pang in my stomach that I had felt earlier and I found myself looking away from them.

ʺAdrian, thank you for—ʺ I heard her start.

ʺItʹs not goodbye, little dhampir. Iʹll see you in your dreams.ʺ

ʺIf you stay sober enough.ʺ she said to him.

ʺFor you I just might.ʺ she replied.

A loud booming noise interrupted them, and there was a flash of light.

ʺThere, you see?ʺ asked Abe, quite pleased with himself. ʺA new gate. Perfect timing.ʺ

Rose gave Abe what looked like a slightly forced hug. Abe didn't pull back right away.

He smiled at her . . . fondly. ʺAh, my daughter,ʺ he said. ʺEighteen, and already youʹve been accused of murder, aided felons, and acquired a death count higher than most guardians will ever see.ʺ He paused. ʺI couldnʹt be prouder.ʺ

Only Abe Mazur.

She rolled my eyes. ʺGoodbye, old man. And thanks."

I jumped into the car and Rose wasted no time climbing in the passenger seat. I took off before anyone could delay us any longer. I was half-expecting Rose to start arguing about me driving but she didn't say a word.

I sped out of the new opening that Abe had made.

ʺWhy is our getaway car a Civic?ʺ she asked. ʺItʹs not really great for off-roading.ʺ

ʺBecause Civics are one of the most common cars out there and donʹt attract attention. And this should be the only off-roading we do. Once we hit a freeway, weʹre putting as much distance between us and Court as we can—before abandoning the car, of course.ʺ I answered her, not letting my eyes roam from the road.

ʺAbandon—ʺ she started but cut herself off. ʺLook, now that weʹre out of there, I want you to know that I mean it: you donʹt have to come with me. I appreciate your help in the escape. Really. But hanging out with me wonʹt do you any favors. Theyʹll be hunting for me more than you. If you take off, you can live somewhere around humans and not be treated like a lab animal. You might even be able to slink back to Court. Tasha would put up a fight for you.ʺ

Her words sparked something in me. I wasn't sure exactly what. She didn't understand why I needed to help her. Hell…I didn't understand it.

I did know however, that she would do whatever was in her power to let her deal with this by herself.

ʺIʹm not leaving you." I replied. "None of your Rose-logic arguments are going to work. And if you try to get away from me, Iʹll just find you.ʺ

ʺBut why? I donʹt want you with me.ʺ

I knew she didn't. Especially after what I had said to her. I had hurt her but it was for her own good, and she had moved on.

ʺIt doesnʹt matter what you want,ʺ I said. ʺOr what I want.ʺ Lissa asked me to protect you.ʺ

ʺHey, I donʹt need anyone to—ʺ she started to argue again.

ʺAnd,ʺ I cut her off, ʺI meant what I said to her. I swore Iʹd serve her and help her for the rest of my life, anything she asks. If she wants me to be your bodyguard, then thatʹs what Iʹll be.ʺ He gave me a dangerous look. ʺThereʹs no way youʹre getting rid of me anytime soon.ʺ