Hello Everyone

Hope you didn't get too upset with my last chapter.

So on to the next one, hope you enjoy it. Remember please comment, I love to hear from you all.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Chapter Thirteen

I was in complete darkness until a bright light came towards me, "Hello Rose" I recognised the voice straight away, "Hi Oksana". She gave me a sad smile.

"Oh Rose, You look a mess", she said in worried voice. "Yeah I've been through hell, but you already knew something was going to happen, why else would you be here?"

Oksana looked to the ground "I didn't know what though, I'm sorry Rose"

I tried to wipe the tears from my eyes which were constantly falling "I can't believe that he would do something like this, using spirit on me". I put my hands to my face, I couldn't stop the tears. I felt Oksana's arms go round me.

"I know this is going to be hard to hear right now Rose, but I must say it". She paused a moment and I screamed "I HATE HIM".

Oksana pulled me closer, "I know Rose, but you have to know he lost control, as you said he's not the type of person to something like this, it was the Darkness Rose. Using too much spirit made him lose control, but instead of making him aggressive like what happens to Vasilisa, it did the opposite, it made him take what he desired. And you know he". She paused as I started to shake.

"I'm sorry Rose, I know this is hard, especially considering what he did. But you need to somehow block this memory right now, he's still needed on this mission. I can help you block it if you will let me".

I pushed myself out of her arms "No, I'm not that weak, I want to remember everything." She nodded to me. I had finally stopped crying.

"I understand what you're trying to say Oksana, but what he did is unforgivable, I'm going to need time, but as you said, we still need him and that will be the only reason which will hold me back from KICKING THE SHIT OUT OF HIM". I shouted the last part and it made Oksana jump a little.

"You will forgive him in time Rose, you'll see, but for now it's time for me to go, you got work to do". She raised herself up, as did I. "Oksana, I'm really glad you came, thank you", I smiled a little and she nodded to me "Good Luck and stay safe" she said as she disappeared.

I woke up feeling awful, my eyes stunk and my head was banging. Mind you what do you expect after crying so much.

Nobody was around so I took my chance and locked myself in the bathroom. I felt so dirty, so I scrubbed myself until I felt sore. I was thinking to myself, why didn't I notice the difference, why didn't my body tell me something was wrong. But then I thought maybe I just ignored everything which was warning me.

I kept on debating everything in head until I heard someone come into the room. Someone knocked on the bathroom door "Rose". I began to relax at the sound of her voice, it was Lissa. "Rose, answer me" she sounded worried.

"I'm taking a bath Lissa, I won't be long" I said as I pulled myself out. I put the robe on which was hanging on the door, even though this place is not a hotel, it was like one. I opened the bathroom door and Lissa was just putting some clothes out for me.

"I found them in the wardrobe, it seems like a lot people stay here". She looked me straight in the eyes with such a glum expression. But I ignored it and put the clothes on she had picked out for me. It was just a pair of blue jeans and a pale blue top.

"Thanks, I feel a lot better now" I said to her which she answered straight after I finished speaking "Do you?"

"Lissa, I'm fine, I'm handling it, try not to worry, it won't make me feel any better". She made a huge sigh. "You're not alright, Rose, no one would be after". She paused when she saw my expression change from sort of calm to anger. "Sorry, I won't say anymore" she said as she lowered her head.

My expression calmed again "Oksana helped me Lissa while I was asleep, I won't hurt him, so don't worry, but" I paused for a second and Lissa raised her head again. I looked into her eyes "I won't forgive him, Lissa, no matter what influence he was under".

Tears began to fall from Lissa's eyes and she flopped down on the bed "Oh Rose, this is all my fault, I shouldn't have had him help me, and then the darkness wouldn't off". I sat down beside her and hugged her "Hush, this isn't your fault, he willingly helped, do not blame yourself for this Lissa". I wiped away her tears "aren't you suppose to be comforting me, not the other way round' I said as I chuckled a little and she smiled.

I took a look outside the window then, it was still dark "How long have I been out? And how did you get me to this room?" Lissa explained "The butler heard the shouting and came to see if everything was alright. He saw you and carried you here but asked no questions. As for how long you've been asleep, not long, only a couple of hours". I didn't like the fact that the butler had seem me in that state, but at least it was still night.

Lissa was just about to say something but I cut her off "enough on this then, we've got more important things to do". I stood up and helped her up too "I haven't told him yet Rose". I knew who she was talking about, but I just nodded to her. "Everyone is in the main living room, including" and that's the last word she said while we made our way to them.

Lissa entered the room first and I followed up behind and the first one to speak was Sydney "What the hell happened earlier, I heard shouting" she looked straight at me. "Nothing you need to know, it has nothing to do with the mission." I said to her, she didn't like my answer but she seemed to except it.

I didn't look at Adrian or Dimitri, but I knew they were watching, I took a seat on one of the sofas away from them both. Lissa sat down beside me..

I took a deep breath and raised my head "Well, considering we've only got a week, I think we'd better get busy". I paused for a second "Me, Lissa and Sydney will go to the studio alone and see if we can find this Zarifa lady".

Dimitri interrupted me "Rose, I don't think that is a good idea, we need to stick together". I turned towards him and glared at him. I wasn't just angry at Adrian, I was also angry at Dimitri. To think after everything I said to him, that I was going to wait for him, does he really think I would jump into bed with the nearest guy?

"Well I'm afraid you have no say in the matter, I decide who goes where from now on". Dimitri knew I was serious, but a little confused at the tone of my voice.

"He's right Rose" Adrian spoke in sheepish voice. I turned quickly to Adrian and he jumped at the glare I gave him.

"This isn't up for discussion" I growled.

"Let's go" I said next and lifted myself from the sofa.

Dimitri grabbed my arm as I turned to walk towards the door "Rose what is wrong with you?". I snapped my arm out of his hand, I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I glared at him. "That's not up for discussion either right now".

He didn't like my answer, so he turned to Lissa "what is going on Vasilisa?" But before she could answer I was walking up to Adrian. His head was facing the floor but he soon raised it when he heard me approach.

"Maybe you would like to explain to everyone what happened", I couldn't believe how cruel my own voice sounded.

"Rose, I'm, ugh" Adrian dropped to floor as I punched him in the stomach. "Just be thankful it was your stomach" I said as I walked off.

I put my charm on and signalled Lissa and Sydney to follow me out the door.

As soon as I got outside I took a huge breath to calm myself.

"Wow I really missed something didn't I" Sydney said. I didn't turn to her, I just said "you could say that".

Lissa spoke next "you said you weren't going to hurt him" she said in a quiet voice.

"I didn't hurt him, much" I said a little harshly. "Maybe you'll explain everything to me later, for now let's get going, I've already given the address to the driver" Sydney said.

I nodded and we got into the car which was waiting for us at the bottom of the steps.

We didn't speak much in the car, I was just staring at the black windows thinking what Dimitri might be doing to Adrian right about now. Whatever he does, he deserves it, whether he was in control or not.

We were on the road for quite a while, "We're here" Sydney said loudly. "The car will be waiting around the corner so he doesn't draw too much attention". I started to make my way inside but Lissa grabbed my arm.

"Maybe I should go in first considering you two appear human". Lissa was right; it would look odd to have two humans in front. I let her pass and Sydney and I followed behind.

We got to the front desk, there was a Moroi woman at the desk but she wasn't the one we were looking for. "May I help you?" She asked.

"We're looking for Zarifa" Lissa said friendly, as she knew her. "And you are?" the women said with one eyebrow raised.

"My name is Mia Rinaldi, I was told to see her about joining the studio". The women smiled "Oh I see, well you can speak to me then, I'm her partner in the business".

This was going to be hard to get around, Lissa began to speak again "I mean no offence to you, but I was told to speak to Zarifa, you see I have financial difficulties and was told Zarifa could help me".

"Who told you this?" the women demanded. Lissa what are you doing? I was thinking to myself.

"Emily Mastrano" Lissa said.

The women started writing down on a piece of paper "Here, I don't know exactly where she lives as she never told me. But if anyone ever mentioned that name, I'm to tell you where bouts you can find her, the rest is up to you".

She gave Lissa the piece of paper "Thank you" Lissa said and we walked towards the door. Before we opened the door the women shouted "It's funny, just the other day two gentlemen were looking for Zarifa".

Lissa turned back to her "WHO?" she said a little loudly which startled the women.

"I'm afraid they didn't give their names and I can't seem to remember what they looked like". She said.

Lissa spoke to me through the bond "another spirit user by the looks of it" I nodded to her in agreement. Who was the question?

"We'll be on our way then, thank you again" Lissa said.

Lissa opened the piece of paper when we got outside, Elysian Park was the name of our next location". Sydney said "Well let's go, I'll get the driver to drop me off at the computer place I found earlier, you two can go back and explain everything to the guys".

As Sydney said, we dropped her off at this little library where it had a few computers and we travelled back to the house. "I wonder who these people were, It's got to be a spirit user, I'm just hoping it's not who I think it is" Lissa said to me.

I knew what she was thinking, as I was thinking the same thing. "Let's just pray we find her first".

We arrived back at the house, nobody was there to greet us, well except the butler. "Forgive us for not being around this morning, we thought it would be best to stay away while discussions were going on", he said to us.

"Thank you for putting it so delicately and no worries" Lissa said to him. He smiled and opened the door for us. "If you are looking for the gentlemen, they are resting in their rooms. I will get one of the maids to alert them of your return" Lissa nodded to him.

"Gentlemen, that's an understatement" I said in a sarcastic tone. The butler didn't react to my sarcasm, he kept his face expressionless.

Lissa and I sat down in the main living room while we waited. We didn't speak one word to each other. I assume she was caught up in her thoughts as much as I was. I don't know how this is going to go, I'm so angry but also so hurt, I don't know which one of my emotions is going to strike first.

Then I heard footsteps approaching, I took a deep breath and thought to myself, keep calm Rose.

Adrian and Dimitri entered the living room and sat in one of the armchairs, Lissa and I were on the sofa. Adrian kept his head down and Dimitri looked straight into my eyes with a confused but angry expression.

"First things first, we've found the location of where Zarifa is, but sadly no address. Hopefully when we get there, people will know her. The other problem is someone else is still a step ahead of us and from what we found out, a Spirit User" I said to them all.

This caught Adrian's attention and he finally raised his head, "Do you think it could be". Lissa cut him off "We don't know as yet, we're hoping it isn't".

Dimitri was still staring into my eyes which were a little distracting but I carried on anyway. "Sydney is looking the location up now and will update Abe. As soon as she gets back we'll be on our way"

I got up to leave the room but was interrupted by a loud voice "While we are waiting, I would like to know what was going on earlier" Dimitri said while looking at me.

I shot a quick glance towards Adrian who had his head down facing the floor again. Then I looked at Lissa as I heard the words through our bond "I'll do it". I smiled and began to walk away.

I heard Dimitri move out of his seat but Lissa must off cut him off before he could speak "I will explain what happened" She said is a stern voice.

I didn't go to my own room or anybody else's, I kept on walking down the hallway, trying each door and managed to find one unlocked. It was obviously from all the books in the room, it was the library.

I wasn't really in the mood for any type of reading but it was a nice room and quiet. I sat down on this chair which was like a bed, it's was lovely and comfy. I didn't want to think about anything that happened so I laid down. I felt a few tears fall from my eyes as I shut them and then drifted of asleep.

The next thing I knew the sun was up, "Morning already" I said to myself, but I wasn't alone "Morning Roza" Dimitri said softly to me. I jumped a little at the sound of his voice and turned towards him with my face staring at the floor. He sat in the armchair next to me, "Roza look at me" in the same calm soft voice.

I stood up and turned my back on him and as I heard him lift from the chair I said "Right now I can't". I didn't want to do this right now, tears were already starting to fall again, I'm so sick of crying. These two guys have made me into such a cry baby. I quickly wiped the stray tears from my face and felt two arms go around me.

I gasped at the touch of his arms, I knew it was definitely Dimitri this time, "I'm sorry" he said as his arms went tighter around me. Just two words and I felt myself sink back into his embrace.

I don't know why I couldn't sense the difference before. After a couple of minutes had passed he said "It's time to go". Then his arms left my body but not before leaving a kiss on my shoulder where it joined my neck.

"Go freshen yourself up, we'll be waiting for you in the living area". I took a deep breath and ran quickly to my room to freshen up. Once I done that I joined the others.

They were all sitting in silence, Sydney spotted me first "Ready to get going". I nodded to her "Let's go" I said in an eager voice. I noticed when I looked around Adrian wasn't in sight.

"Where is he?" I said as I turned to Lissa.

"He's in the car waiting, he thought it might be easier" she said. "It would be easier if he stayed here" Dimitri said bluntly.

I turned to him, "The first priority is the mission and we still need his help". I paused for a short moment and then I couldn't help but say "well at least I know he's still alive" I said as I tried to smile little.

Dimitri's angered expression changed to gloomy one "I didn't hurt him Roza, thanks to Lissa". Then I heard someone chuckle, I turned to Sydney "He may not have hurt him, but holding him up in the air by his throat sure frightened him, I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in. I don't know what he's done to you Rose, but whatever he did, he paid for it, a little".

I smiled at her, "enough said about all this now, we've got my innocence to prove, which is more important" I said, Sydney nodded "I found out that Elysian Park is mostly a hillside community with small tuck-in developed areas. Hopefully it shouldn't be too hard to find this Zarifa and it's not far from here".

"Alright we best get going then" I said as I started to walk to the door. The butler was there, I hadn't noticed him, "Thank you for letting us stay" I said.

"Take care and good luck to you" He said as he opened the door.

In the car, Lissa was sandwiched between me and Adrian, Dimitri and Sydney were on the opposite side. I took a quick glance at Adrian, he was all in one piece sadly.

It wasn't too long of a journey, but it felt longer because no one spoke. I assumed this was for my benefit plus I made Lissa get some sleep as it was daytime.

It looked a nice place and judging from the map Sydney printed, the houses were tucked in small areas. We decided to tackle each area at a time. But first we drove to a small guest house Sydney had found, it was a pleasant enough, an old Moroi couple owned it.

We asked them by any chance did they know the lady we're looking for, sadly they didn't but they did give us the local telephone book. Although considering she doesn't want to be found I don't think she would list her number somehow.

Turns out I was right, no number listed for a Zarifa Valdez. "Well looks like we've got a lot of work to do, I think it' probably best we split up a little to search the areas "I said to them.

Sydney answered "That's probably best considering our time limit ". I nodded in agreement "Me and Lissa will go to one area" I said. "And I'll go with the guys" Sydney said as she interrupted.

"You sure Sydney, I thought you'd go solo to another area" I said to her. "No, I'll go with them. Someone needs to keep them in check".

She was right, Adrian paired up with Dimitri wasn't really the best combination right now. But I know Dimitri would never stray from his responsibilities, he wouldn't let Adrian get hurt.

"Fine, if you're sure" I said.

"For now get some rest, I'm going to look around a bit" Sydney said and I quickly answered her "Sydney don't you think you should get some rest too".

She turned back to me "I just want to take a quick look around, I will get some sleep afterwards".

After that she was out the door. The Moroi couple had given us a big room which was for tour groups apparently. I didn't like the fact I was sharing a room with Adrian but at least we were all together in one place.

Lissa fell asleep very quickly, as soon as she did I got up and left the room quietly, being careful not disturb the others too.

I found a small living area, I just wanted a bit of time to myself. But it was soon interrupted by the Moroi woman who owned the place.

"Hello, all alone" she said, I just nodded to her. "Why so sad?" she asked.

"It's a long story", she took a seat in the armchair next to me and said "I've got time".

End of Chapter Thirteen

Well that's it for now. Next chapter you'll meet one of my own characters, Zarifa Valdez.

Good news I've managed to complete the accountancy course I was doing, so hopefully my chapters shouldn't take so long to write now as I'll have more spare time.

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter

Bye for now