ROYALS: CHAPTER FOUR

Adrian

I wake up in my bedroom at my parents' house in Court. Taking a stroll around the house, I realize not much has changed, only there are fewer servants around and the drapes haven't been opened for a long time to let the sunlight in. I decide to visit my father's study since there's little chance of him being there; his duty at Court is his top-most priority now. Also, it's nine in the morning and the whole Court, of course, follows the vampiric schedule.

I open the door to my father's office and was surprised when I found him seated at his desk, poring over a thick volume of what seemed to be the Royal lineages.

I was just about to back out of opening the door the whole way when he greeted me, "Adrian, come in."

He adjusted his glasses and waved me to a seat, "I didn't know you were already awake."

"Well, I guess you do now," I mumble.

He looks at me pointedly, "How I have missed your snarkiness. But you were sent here to assist me in leading the Moroi. You do know how much responsibility that is, do you? This is not simply college or art classes or whatever it is you do when you're with those humans."

I ball my fists at his disregard of my education and accomplishments. "I am fully aware of my responsibilities here, father," I said drily. "And those art classes and humans you are referring to are who made me the responsible person I am now. No thanks to you." Of course my monthly allowance comes from him, but that's his obligation as a parent. And his only contribution.

I smile triumphantly and stand to take my leave, "Now, I'll leave you to your work, so I may start mine."

He shook his head, mumbled something under his breath, and returned to his reading.

I accidentally meet Rose on my way to the palace. I nod in her direction and continue on my way.

"You look like you could use a smoke. Or a drink," Rose tentatively said.

I shook my head at her, "Nah, I'm trying to keep a clear head."

Rose whistled, "Something I never would've expected to come from you. Whoever she is, you're lucky to have her."

Don't I know it. I smile as I think of Sydney, then frown, realizing she hasn't contacted me yet. I told myself to call her as the first thing to do when I have my time to myself.

"So why are you up already?" I ask Rose as we enter the palace. "Never pegged you for an early riser."

"Duty calls. That explosion last night made my head ache. Whoever did it will pay," Rose said determinedly as we head straight for the Military Planning Room.

"So how's being Royal Adviser so far?" Rose asked teasingly.

I shrugged. "It's been a headache," literally. "But then again I've only had the position for a day."

Rose's expression turned serious, "No one's briefed you yet, have they?"

I shook my head, "No one even gave me a choice if whether or not I want the job."

Rose shrugged, "True." Rose clears her throat, "You were sent here as a replacement for the previous adviser."

I look at her pointedly, "That's the best you could do, Hathaway?"

She laughs, "Don't make me laugh, Ivashkov. This is a serious story." Her expression turns serious once more, "The previous adviser was killed in his office."

"Oh. So, this is about politics," I guessed.

Rose shook her head, "Adrian, he was drained."

"What? How?" Who could have done this? A Strigoi, most definitely. But how could a Strigoi even enter the court? There are wards all over the place.

"A ward was weakened for a short time in order for the intruder to kill the poor guy," said Rose, answering my silent question.

"Weren't there guardians posted?"

"There was only one. He's dead too." Rose hung her head in contemplation and grief.

We finally reached our destination. The room was in pieces, the fourth wall nothing now but chunks of rubble that littered the floor. I was inspecting what was left of the map pinned on the left wall of the room when Rose suddenly sank to the floor at the corner of my sight.

"Rose!" I said as I check her vital signs. I breathe a sigh of relief as she regained consciousness after a few minutes.

She hold up her hands, "I'm fine. I just went woozy for a moment there." She repeatedly blinks her eyes, "I thought I saw Mason for a while."

I stilled. Seeing the dead was never a good sign. "Do you think they've found another way in?"

But before I could finish asking her, Rose ran out of the room, which left me no choice but to follow her.

We found the Guardians gathered at the throne room with Dimitri and Nathan at the head of the meeting.

"We should evacuate the court!" A Moroi was saying when we came in.

"And where will we flee?" My father retorted. "A huge population of Moroi leaving at once? The Strigoi may very well have a feast."

"Nathan, we could not just stay here! They have broken the ward for a second time, the other wards may not hold up."

My father turned to Dimitri, "What is your advise, Belikov?"

"It pains me to say it, but we should hold our ground. More guardians than ever are stationed at the wards, along with magic users."

Rose raised her hand as if in class, "Which ward was broken before?"

Dimitri raised his eyebrows, "The one at the south side."

"Thank you. Excuse me, I'll be joining them," And with that Rose Hathaway ran out of the throne room.

Dimitri sighed exasperatedly. "I believe the most safety you can achieve is to stay close to your guardians inside your homes," Dimitri said to the Moroi present.

"I agree," Nathan said. "There's no point in meddling in our guardians' affairs. Let us stay out of their way and let them handle the situation."

Just then, the earth shook and the palace's foundations rumbled. Dimitri was the first one out the door while the rest of us followed in chaos.

I kept Dimitri in my line of sight as he avoided the throng of Moroi seeking the protection of their homes. As people cleared out, I realized Dimitri's destination- the South Gardens. The gardens houses a ten-foot tall maze where the ward must be being kept.

I was struggling to keep up with Dimitri when at last we reached the maze. I quickly followed Dimitri into the maze, lest I lose him.

After a few sharp turns, I almost bumped into Dimitri as he abruptly stopped. And then sprang into action. As I recover my balance, I saw what made him stop- a battle has broken out. The magic users were wounded but they still kept at restoring the ward. Dhampirs and Strigoi were at each others throats.