Hey everyone! Quite a fast update for this one, at least for me. This one is quite action fuelled, whilst the next one will have more conversation and reconciliations. I won't talk long but I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for reviewing and reading my story. It means a lot.


Ivy woke up with a shriek. I rushed over to her and put my arm around her, simultaneously grabbing my second stake, and a small silver bullet gun out of the bedside table. Lissa by this time had moved to my side, clutching onto my arm.

"What are we going to do?" Whispered Lissa.

I stood frozen for a second, trying to think up possible escape options. We didn't have many. There was only one exit, so we could barricade ourselves in the room, but if someone broke in we would cornered and unable to escape. I was also with Lissa, which meant that if I was sighted with her we were going to be relentlessly targeted. We had to get out, and fast.

Ivy whimpered and it spurred me into action. I picked up Ivy and padded softly over to the door, I couldn't hear anything outside.

"Why don't we just wait until my royal guard comes? They know I'm here." Lissa suggested softly.

I shook my head. "Your guardians won't be here in enough time that we can just wait it out. We don't know what's going on outside. We have to get both of you to the safe house."

"Ok." She said, exhaling slowly. I could see she was trying to calm herself. "I'll do whatever you tell me to."

I knew we should already be out the door, but I was scared. How could I protect both Ivy and Lissa?

"I'm just not very sure what the plan is, at the moment. And I'm just…"

Lissa interrupted me. "Should I take Ivy? It would leave your hands free."

That was actually a good idea, and it would help that I would only have to protect one person, Lissa, as she would be carrying Ivy.

I nodded.

"Ivy, I need you to hold onto Lissa for me." I asked. She shook her head, before trying to bury it into my chest.

"No Mummy. Too scary." I exhaled sharply.

"Baby, I really need you to hold onto Lissa for me." She shook her head, I could tell she was terrified, but I needed her to move.

"Honey, this is your Aunt Lissa, and I promise that I'm going to be there the whole time, right next to you. All you have to do is hold onto Lissa. I looked desperately at Lissa, I needed to get us out of here and fast, we were in a very vulnerable position.

She stepped forward, and held her arms out. "Ivy, I know your Mummy is going to keep us both safe, but we need to play our part as well, so we can keep her safe. And that means holding onto me for a little while. Do you understand?"

Ivy hesitated for a second then nodded.

"I promise I'll protect you sweetheart." I said, kissing her on the forehead, and then putting her in Lissa's arms.

I heard footsteps running down the corridor. Then a scream erupted. I was running out of time.

I wished I had someone to guard my back, but I only had Lissa, and she wouldn't be able to use a stake. I looked down at the weapons in my hands. The silver gun glinted up at me. It wouldn't kill a Strigoi but it would disable one long enough for me to move in, and it was easy enough to use.

Slowly I handed the gun to Lissa, she looked up at me startled, but took the gun.

"You press that bit, to remove the safety, and then you just aim and press the trigger. I doubt you'll have to use it, but just in case."

It was against protocol but Lissa had my daughter and I would not risk her safety. Lissa tucked the gun into her jeans.

"Rose." Lissa spoke up just before I opened the door. "I know you haven't been my guardian in a while, but there is no one I would trust more to keep me safe than you. Thank you for this."

I just nodded; we didn't have time for such niceties.

"Let's move."

I slowly opened the door, the hallway was completely empty. The other guardians must have run out as soon as they heard the alarm. The nearest safe room was quite far away, this being the dhampir section. I motioned for Lissa to follow me, and had just gone around the corner, when I saw the dead body. It was a male dhampir, and it looked like someone had torn his throat out. The violence should have disturbed me, but I had seen so much of this horror for it to bother me.

"Look away." I told Lissa, but she refused, only making sure Ivy was facing away from the body.

Her face paled but she did not move past. Unlike me, this violence was foreign, and I knew as his Queen she would be feeling guilty. Instead of moving she started to bend down, but it was only when she put her hands out that I realized she was going to try and heal him. I wrenched her away.

"Are you crazy?" I whispered. We had no time for this. She gave me a pleading look, but I continued dragging her along the corridor. She could deal with her guilt later.

Soon we got to the stairway, however I knew from the body before that there had to be a Strigoi running around this level. We were on the second floor, so we only had to go down one staircase to reach the ground. However since I was the only one able to really fight, I was hesitant to descend a staircase with a rogue strigoi around. If I went first, they might sneak up behind me, and take Lissa, however the same could happen if she went in front. Instead I'd have to draw the Strigoi out.

I quickly thrust Lissa and Ivy into the room closest to the stairs, and with a stern warning to not move until it was safe, I shut and then locked the door. Looking around I noticed a rather heavy pot plant. I lifted it up, dragging it up onto the bannister. I quickly made sure that both my stakes were available, before letting go off the pot. It quickly gained momentum, and smashed into the ground. The sound echoed around the building. Now all I had to do was wait. It was about 30 seconds before I heard footsteps coming closer and closer. I stayed perfectly silent. It seemed like he was coming from the left, which was good as there was a small shadowy alcove to the left side of stairwell, where I quickly concealed myself. The footsteps were coming closer and closer, but still I waited in the shadows. I could hear that he was just around the corner; I steadied my muscles, ready to pounce.

The second the Strigoi stepped past I made my move, I had aimed at his heart, but he must have heard me and at the last second turned around. My stake scraped his face instead. He roared, and swung his arm at me. I easily managed to dodge his blow. It was clear that this Strigoi was young. A few moves later and my stake entered his chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

I breathed a sigh of relief, but before I could move to let Lissa and Ivy out, I heard another set of footsteps, but this time they were coming up the stairs.

Dammit, I thought that this Strigoi was the only one in the building. I didn't have enough time to really conceal myself, so I instead I just ducked behind the bannister. I edged closer and closer to the stairs. Right at the moment when I thought the Strigoi had crossed the top of the stairs, I stuck my leg out. The Strigoi fell almost flat on his face, but managed to twist himself midair to land on his back. With a roar I pounced on him, angling my stake towards his heart. The warm hand that clutched my wrist stopped me in my tracks.

"Roza?" Dimitri's chocolate brown eyes stared at me. I was frozen for a second, looking down at him, before I remembered the situation we were in.

"I'm so sorry." I said jumping off him, "I thought you were another Strigoi"

"Another?" He questioned.

I gestured at the strigoi lying on the ground.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm looking for the Queen, her guardians said they left her here. Though God knows why they left her alone. I've searched the entire bottom floor. Have you seen her?"

"Relax. She's perfectly safe."

Dimitri sighed in relief.

I quickly opened the door to the room I had stashed Lissa and Ivy in. They were curled up on the bed, Ivy sitting on Lissa's lap.

"Mummy." She cried, rushing over to hug my legs. Lissa looked up fearfully, but as soon as she saw it was me, she came over to hug me as well.

"Your Majesty." Dimitri said, inclining his head.

"Oh thank God you're here." She cried. "Have you seen Christian?"

"He is secured in a bunker." She sighed in relief.

"Let's get out of here." I called. "We have to get them to a bunker."

Dimitri nodded.

"I'll go in front and you stay behind. " I told him.

"Alright, I know that the ground floor is empty. So let's just get out." He told me.

I nodded my assent.

Cautiously we made our way downstairs, as Dimitri said, it was empty.

Slowly we ventured outside, I was about to lead us forward, when Dimitri came up to me.

"I know these roads, and the quickest routes a lot better than you. Let me take the lead." I was about to argue, when I realized what he said was right. I'd been gone for four years; I wouldn't know the best paths to take. I quickly dropped to the back of the line.

Dimitri led us down side streets, slowly but surely taking us closer to the bunker.

The first Strigoi came out of nowhere, but the second and third I was prepared for. I thrust Lissa against a wall, standing in front of her and Ivy. Dimitri quickly followed my lead and stood beside me. There were two males and a female, the female looking significantly older. The two men struck first, one going for each of us. Dimitri and I struck at the same time, both of us aiming our stakes towards their chests. They both jumped out of the way, however mine was significantly slower and my stake managed to nick his chest. He hissed in pain.

Dimitri and I looked at each other, we were outnumbered and we had two vulnerable people to protect. I noticed the Strigoi on Dimitri's side was getting closer, and was stepping forward readying himself to punch.

"Duck." I yelled. Dimitri instantly fell to the ground, as the punch sailed through the air. He swiped his stake at the Strigoi's shins, who fell to the ground. I turned just as the other Strigoi took aim at my head. But he had left his heart vulnerable. He must have been a Moroi before, if he didn't know how to protect his most vital organ. He made one last attempt to claw at me, but his flailing soon stopped, as I drove my stake into his heart. I gave Lissa a reassuring look. She was cowering behind Dimitri, Ivy clutched in her arms.

"It's going to be ok." I mouthed at her. She nodded anxiously.

I knew Dimitri could easily take the other male strigoi down, so I moved out of the way, instead focusing my attentions on the female. She was standing to the side of us, so I launched myself at her, aiming for a kick at her knees, she moved but I still managed to land the kick on her shin.

She rebounded quickly, and managed to place a punch on my shoulder. I fought back with a kick to the stomach, still conscious of the fight that was going on behind me with Dimitri. The Strigoi took advantage of my distraction, and grabbed my arm, simultaneously punching me in the stomach. The punch winded me, and made it easier for the Strigoi to kick my legs out from underneath me. I tried to stop falling, but the Strigoi aimed another punch at my shoulder, making me fall to the ground.

She then immediately headed towards Ivy and Lissa, I tried to get up as quickly as I could but I knew I would not reach them in time. This Strigoi was an amazing fighter and incredibly old. There was no way I could outrun her. I could only scream out in terror as the Strigoi neared Ivy. At the very last moment Dimitri dove in front of them and sliced his stake across the Strigoi's chest, who recoiled and shrunk back in return. His strigoi was lying dead on the ground. With the Strigoi being distracted by Dimitri , I came behind her and attempted to drive my stake through her heart. She managed to move away, but Dimitri and I still managed to surround her, both of us circling her, waiting for her to make the first move. Finally she made to lash out at Dimitri, and I swept down and kicked her legs out from underneath herself. She fell heavily on the floor and before she could move again I was on top of her, driving my stake through her heart.

I exchanged a look with Dimitri. I knew he felt what I was feeling. That what we'd just done together had felt so natural. I'd forgotten the adrenaline rush that came from just being around him.

"We better keep moving." He suggested. I nodded.

I picked Lissa up off the ground, and gave Ivy a kiss on the forehead.

"Just keep being strong." I whispered to her.

Lissa and Ivy were soon between us as we made our way forward.

We'd gone about 500 metres when Dimitri spoke.

"When we've gone through this alley, there's a courtyard. After that is the bunker. Just stay here, while I go scout it out." I nodded, positioning myself in front of Ivy and Lissa.

It was about five minutes before he returned, and I was just starting to get anxious.

"There's at least 6 of them out there. I think they think that's where the Queen is." Dimitri whispered to me, trying not to scare Lissa.

"We need to get in there." I told him.

"There's no other way in, that doorway is the only entrance."

"Well then we have to get rid of them. We could draw them over here."

"Have you gone crazy? There's no way we can fight so many strigoi and protect Lissa."

"And Ivy." I added. He nodded. "What if we hid them?"

"Where?" He asked, gesturing around the alleyway. "There's nowhere to hide. "

He was almost right. The alley was empty, except for a large rubbish bin.

"They'll just have to go in the bin."

"No!" Lissa had joined our conversation.

"There's no other way Lissa. You've got to trust us."

"She's right your Majesty." Dimitri joined in. "We need to keep you safe, and this is the only way."

She grimaced but I knew she could see the truth in what we were saying.

Quickly we led them over to the bin.

"Ivy baby, you're going to have to do something really scary. And it will be just you and Lissa. But I promise I'm going to be nearby, and that both me and Dimitri will protect you. Both of you." I said looking over at Lissa.

I opened the lid of the bin. Ivy shook her head. I scooped her out of Lissa's arms and gave her a kiss. I could see Dimitri was squashing the trash bags inside. It didn't look too bad, because the majority of the bags were sealed but the smell was horrendous.

Lissa took a deep breath.

"We're going to keep you safe. I promise. All you need to do is stay there, and not come out, no matter what you hear. Until I tell you its safe." I told her. "Now get in."

Lissa grimaced but accepted Dimitri's offer to help her. She managed to sit in a relatively clean and dry area. Next I began to lift Ivy in. She struggled, but we didn't have time for this.

"Be a good girl, Ivy. Please." I begged. She must have seen the desperation in my eyes because she stopped struggling. I laid her next to Lissa, who draped an arm around her.

"Remember, don't come out. No matter what you hear." I reminded them.

Dimitri shut the top of the bin, and gently laid a hand on my arm.

"They're going to be fine."

"I hope so." I said grimly.

"We have an advantage here, they can only face us from the front. If we go into the courtyard, then they could surround us." Dimitri said.

"Then we bring them here."

"But how?"

I moved about ten metres away from the bin, and soon after Dimitri followed me.

As soon he was next to me, I began to scream. Loudly. Within seconds I heard footsteps running towards us. If this didn't work then we'd be leaving both Lissa and Ivy extremely vulnerable. But it was like Dimitri could read my thoughts. He grabbed my hand, and squeezed once. We would be ok.

Strigoi started appearing in front of us, but we were ready. Immediately Dimitri and I sprung into action. We'd both improved so much, but we still managed to match one another. He dodged, and I punched. I distracted, and he staked. We moved like two parts of the same machine. He had my back and I had his. It was like I had never left. Soon the Strigoi were lying dead around us.

I had a few bumps and bruises, as did Dimitri, but on the whole we were fine.

"Good job." He told me.

"You too." I said, breathing heavily. "I better let them out now. They must be dying of that stench. "

I turned back to the bin, and was halfway there when I heard the thump. A Strigoi had jumped down from the surrounding roof, and was standing directly behind Dimitri. Dimitri had jumped forward at the sound, but this Strigoi looked ancient and moved faster than him. I started running towards them, but then I saw the flash of a blade.

"Dimitri!" I shrieked, but it was too late. The Strigoi shoved the blade into his stomach. I screamed and pounced on the Strigoi.

My anger made me a better fighter, and soon the Strigoi and I were stuck in a desperate battle, but slowly I was gaining the upper hand. The Strigoi had to pay.
I blacked out with rage and allowed my body to take control, no one would take Dimitri from me. Soon the ground was covered in dark, red blood. Though I couldn't tell how much of it was mine and how much was Dimitri's.

I had vanquished the Strigoi but Dimitri was now on the ground, clutching his stomach. The bloodstain was spreading. I dropped to the ground beside him.

"Dimitri." I called, grabbing his hand. His eyes started to close. "Look at me! Please, please. Look at me." He squeezed my hand. "That's good, just keep holding on. You're going to be fine."

He squeezed one more time and then let go.

"Dimitri," I shrieked, starting to try and shake him awake. "You've got to wake up. You can't die like this. Please, please wake up."

I could hear muffled noises from behind me, but the only thing I was aware of was Dimitri. He was starting to get pale.

"I love you. I love you so much. You can't leave me. Please. Please." I could still see the blood coming out of his wound.

"God, Dimitri please don't leave me."

Suddenly I felt a presence behind me, and then the sound of quiet breathing.

I had just become conscious that there was someone behind me when a gunshot rang out.


Cliffhanger! Yay. Please don't kill me. I promise I'll try and update soon, but maybe if a few more of you review I'll be tempted to write faster. Have a wonderful day and enjoy!