Hi everyone
Finally, I've managed to get my chapter up.
Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter Fourteen
Explaining my story was very hard considering I was meant to be human. So I had to make up a story which is similar to what happened.
I told the lady that I was very much in love with someone and our feelings were mutual. We were together for sometime but something terrible happened.
She didn't ask what happened, which did help. I told her the brake up broke my heart and I haven't really recovered from it even now. But I managed to move on or so I thought and started to go out with another man.
I loved this man too but gradually found out that I didn't love him in the same way. My heart still belonged to my first love. So instead of hurting him, I broke up with him.
After breaking up, I turned my attention to getting my first love back. I made little progress but I knew he still loved me. He just needed to sort out his problems so I told him I would wait for him.
Everything was going great only for it to come crashing right back down again.
I said that a couple of nights ago, the man whom I broke up with visited me and took advantage of me. We parted as friends but that wasn't enough, he told me he couldn't let me go after all.
After taking advantage of me, we were then caught by the very person I told I was waiting for. He misunderstood the situation and walked away.
By this time I began to cry and the Moroi woman tried to comfort me. I told her I would never forgive my friend for doing that to me. But I couldn't hurt him because I know I broke his heart too and what good would come of hurting him.
I told her then that I did manage to explain what really happened to the man I love but, it doesn't change the fact of what happened.
"Forgiveness is a hard thing to give, but in time it will happen" She said to me.
"I don't think I will ever forgive him" I said as I tried to stop myself from crying. I am so sick and tired of crying.
"You are already trying to forgive him because you wouldn't be here crying alone trying to sort out your feelings. Don't worry in time, everything will work itself out." She smiled as she wiped away a stray tear on my cheek.
"Thank you for listening to me; you must have more important things to do than listen to a human's troubles". I said as I smiled at her.
"We all need help sometimes, pet" she said as she got up. She then patted me on the shoulder and walked away.
Sydney walked in soon after she left. "Are you waiting for me or can't you sleep?" Sydney asked. "Both really" I said with a forced smile.
Sydney took a seat beside me "I don't know what happened between you all Rose, but I know it was something bad. The problem is we haven't got the time to deal with it. And right now I get the impression you are vulnerable which worries me".
Sydney did look worried and she's right, I do feel vulnerable.
"As you know, Lissa and Adrian are using a lot of spirit to keep the charms working" I decided to tell Sydney the truth. The only reason for not telling her before was because I was too angry at the time.
Sydney nodded "yes"
I continued "Well, Adrian stole a spare charm Lissa was keeping just in case it was needed and he used it to trick me". I couldn't look her in the eye when telling her but I could feel her eyes on me.
I was about to continue explaining, but I felt Sydney jump up. "I'm going to kill him." I heard her growl.
Obvious from her tone, she knew exactly where I was going. "No wonder he was about to kill him. Vasilisa had to" she paused suddenly.
"Lissa had to what?" I demanded.
Sydney flinched at my tone "I wasn't meant to tell you"
Being patient isn't one of my strong points "What wasn't I suppose to know", I said a little louder.
Sydney turned to face me. "Well, when I told you about how Dimitri had Adrian by the throat. Well I left out the fact; he would off continued if it weren't for Vasilisa. "
That's what Dimitri meant by thanks to Lissa.
"I only saw the end of the fight and Vasilisa healed Adrian, so I think you should ask her what really happened", she said.
Now I know why Adrian had no marks at all on him when I saw him in the car. Lissa is using far too much spirit at the moment that must have taken a lot out of her. I'll be sure to get the whole story when she wakes up.
"Thanks for telling me Sydney", I took a deep breath to calm myself.
"Rose, I hate to ask, but from the way you're acting, how far did he actually go?" I could see the anger building up on her face.
I hesitated which was all she needed "You know he basically raped you right".
Sydney's the first person so far to actually say those words. "Don't you think I know that, I feel dirty enough without you spelling it out to me. But that's not the main reason I'm upset, it's the fact I thought Dimitri had finally accepted his past and returned to me. I'm also disappointed in myself that I couldn't tell the difference."
I didn't mean to snap at her, it's just at the moment; I'm fighting so many battles within myself.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, but I've got to ask, did he" she paused when I shot a glare at her.
She flinched "I don't know, considering the fact I thought I was with Dimitri, I didn't think to check" I said in a sarcastic tone.
"You need to find out" she said calmly.
I took a deep breath to try and calm myself down. "I can't very well go up to him in front of everyone and ask did you use protection, now can I. Besides we'll soon find out and hey I might not even live long enough to find out." I quipped.
Sydney slapped me hard then, it hurt so much but before I could say anything. "That's exactly the vulnerability I was talking about. If you're just going to give up, we might as well forget this mission", she said bluntly.
I was shocked to hear her words, but it really hit home. I really did sound like I was giving up.
"I'm sorry Sydney, You're right; I need to bury my problems and focus. I'll ask Lissa what really happened that day between Dimitri and Adrian then put it behind me until we've cleared my name, I promise."
Sydney nodded "Good, now let's get some rest"
I did manage to get some rest before Lissa woke me. "Rose, it's time to make a start" she said as she rocked me.
"Where is everyone?" I noticed nobody but Lissa and I were in the room.
"They've gone already; Sydney thought that you needed a little more sleep and that you needed to talk to me." She said
"Yes, I need to ask you what really happened between" she cut be off before I could finish.
"I know, Sydney mentioned it but first go and get freshened up".
After freshening up, I came out of the bathroom and saw Lissa on one of the beds with her eyes closed and her legs crossed.
"What are you doing?" I asked, although it looked a lot like meditation.
She opened her eyes and smiled "I've got a few things to tell you before I show you what happened between Adrian and Dimitri".
"What do you mean by show me?" I said with my eyebrow raised.
She grinned "Remember when you said Oksana helped you when you were asleep?"
I nodded "Yes, and?"
"Well she's been helping me too with my powers, inside my dreams. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would freak considering I'm using a lot of spirit", she said.
"Too right I'd freak, you're using far too much spirit and now that Adrian is unstable". Lissa cut me off before I could finish my sentence.
"Listen Rose, please", she pleaded.
"Fine" I said in an irritated voice.
"Oksana has been teaching me to control the darkness through meditation, that's what you saw before. It's working too Rose, I'm more in control of my powers and I'm getting stronger". She sounded so excited.
"What do you mean by stronger?" I asked.
"After turning Dimitri back to normal, I've started to notice changes in my powers. First my compulsion got stronger, as you saw on the night we broke you out. Then with a little help from Adrian, we made the charms stronger. Although I do regret having him help me now?" She paused for a second.
"Anyway after visiting you, Oksana has been coming to me in my dreams. She described ways of using my spirit to help control the darkness and how to keep the charms going. Plus one other thing which I'm about to show you now". She smiled and held out her hands.
I shot her a look of hesitation, I didn't like the fact she was using spirit so much.
"Rose, what I'm about to do, can only be done with you. I've not tried this before so I need your hands to help". She closed her eyes and I put my hands in hers.
"I now need you to enter the bond like you usually do" she said while keeping her eyes closed.
I did as she asked; it was pinch black at first then I found myself looking at Lissa as a child. I can't believe it, I was watching a memory.
I broke the bond's connection "Whoa, did I just see one of your memories then?"
Lissa opened her eyes and began to smile "Yep, cool huh? Now are you ready to see for yourself what happened between Dimitri and Adrian?"
I think my mouth must have been wide open because she started to laugh. "I'm so glad it worked, but I just wish it wasn't just one sided, but I'm working on it" she said.
"Let's just take it one step at a time, Okay", Lissa still hates the fact that the bond is only one sided.
"Yeah I know, anyway are you ready?" She said as she held out her hands again
I hesitated again; to actually see what happened scared me a little. I don't know why. I should be happy to see Adrian's comeuppance.
But actually seeing the whole situation for myself is a lot different from just listening to someone explaining it.
I finally took her hands as I needed to know, I think it's the only way I'm going to get some peace from my emotions.
Within seconds the memory began.
Vasilisa's Memory
"I will explain what happened" Lissa said before Dimitri could chase after Rose.
Adrian was just about to make his exit too
"Where do you think you're going?" Lissa glared at Adrian as he turned to face her.
He flinched before saying "I can't stay here, sorry".
"STAY WHERE YOU ARE" Lissa yelled. Adrian jumped at the sound of her voice, so cold and enraged. He did as she asked; he stayed exactly where he was and leaned against the wall. At least he was close to the hall opening so he could sprint if he needed too.
Dimitri didn't know what was going on but he was beginning to understand that it has something to do with the night he spent with Rose.
Lissa took a seat on the sofa nearest to Dimitri.
She began by taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Okay, I suppose I'd better start, although this is not going to be easy to explain" she said.
"As you know, when spirit users use too much spirit the darkness consumes us" Dimitri nodded at Lissa.
"Although Adrian wears a charm to help with the effects, it didn't help this time. We've used so much spirit to help with the mission that the charm stopped working." Lissa paused for a second.
"What are you trying to say, Adrian was violent towards Rose?" Dimitri asked,
"The darkness doesn't affect everyone the same way, it affects Adrian differently to me" she paused again for a second and lowered her head. "It made him take what he desires" she said quietly but loud enough for Dimitri to hear.
The next thing she heard was a bang on the wall. She looked up and saw that Dimitri had Adrian by the throat hanging one foot in the air against the wall.
"Dimitri NO" she cried out.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER? TELL ME" He growled as he spoke.
Adrian tried to struggle but Dimitri had a firm grip, "TELL ME" Dimitri growled once again.
Lissa ran over to them "Dimitri, let him go, please" she cried.
Dimitri didn't let him go but he did let his feet touch the floor again. "Now talk" he commanded.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it, but it was like I was under my own compulsion" Adrian pleaded.
"Tell me what you did" Dimitri commanded again.
"You know what I did, please don't make me say it" Adrian begged.
"I want to hear you say it from your own mouth" Dimitri was serious, he wasn't going to let go at all until he heard everything.
"I used the spare charm Lissa had that was already full of her spirit; it just needed an appearance added to it. I took it and made myself look like you. I knew you had gone to look around and search the perimeter, So I" Adrian paused to try and catch his breath, Dimitri was beginning to squeeze so hard, he found it hard to breath and talk at the same time.
He choked out the last words "So I seduced her as you, she didn't even notice the difference, as soon as she sees you, she just melts into your arms". Adrian's last words were quite cold.
Dimitri snapped and had him in the air again with both hands now around his neck, gradually squeezing tighter.
"INFLUENCED OR NOT, YOU STILL HURT HER BECAUSE OF YOU OWN JEALOUSY. SHE REJECTED YOU SO YOU TOOK WHAT YOU WANTED INSTEAD", the rage in Dimitri's voice was frightening.
Lissa began to cry out "Dimitri please, you're killing him, let him go, he's royal remember, if you kill him, you'll be locked away forever". She begged.
Sydney then walked in, saw what was happening and ran like lightning over to them. Lissa by this time was trying to pull his arms away from Adrian who was fighting to catch his breath.
Sydney went to the opposite side of Lissa and started to tug at Dimitri too. Lissa tried to talk some sense into him "Do you think this is going to help Rose? Do you think she wants to hear that you killed Adrian?"
It didn't work until Lissa said "Do you think Rose wants to see you locked away forever"
Dimitri roared loudly and let Adrian go. Adrian coughed and coughed before he could catch his breath, you could see the bruising around his neck.
Adrian dropped to floor and coughed some more before saying "I'm so sorry, I couldn't control it, I'm weak and I loved her. I knew she was never going to be mine and I tried to let her go. But the darkness overpowered me, I couldn't stop" he cried.
He looked up at Dimitri "I never meant to hurt her, I tried so hard to stop myself, but the darkness won and I will pay for that for the rest of my life".
Dimitri growled his last words "no amount of suffering will pay for what you did, if you weren't a royal Moroi, I would have probably killed you. " He then left the room.
"What the hell was all that about?" Sydney asked.
"It's not my place to say, you will have to ask Rose", Lissa said.
The memory then faded and Rose was back in her own mind again.
Lissa wiped away my tears which had fallen, "Please don't cry, it's over Rose. It's in the past and we need to look to your future now".
Lissa was right, I need to put my demons to rest now and get on with my life. "I know, so let's make a start and go find your little sister or brother".
On that note, Sydney came bursting through the door, all breathless "We've found her"
Lissa and I jumped off the bed "That was quick" I said
"It wasn't that hard, we asked in quite a few places but then we asked in one of the schools. Apparently she's a teacher there". Sydney explained.
"We need to go now because if it was that easy for us to find her, then the people, who were a step ahead of us, might have already found them." Sydney looked worried and right to be, I just pray we are not too late.
We ran out the door and joined the others; I hoped my eyes weren't too red from my crying earlier. "Every think alright?" Dimitri asked, I just nodded and smiled a little before getting in the car.
Sydney told the driver to step on it, which he did. We got to a cottage which was covered by lots of trees, not an easy place to find in the dark.
The door wasn't locked at all, Dimitri went inside first, I went in next and the others followed behind.
Dimitri went through one of the doors and I was just about to follow until I saw Dimitri went flying into the wall and finding it hard to breathe.
I quickly rushed through the door and saw a lady standing with one of her hands up. "STOP, you're hurting him, we're here to help", I shouted.
She glared at me, but she did let Dimitri drop. Lissa came through the door next and took of her charm. The lady's eyes went wide upon seeing Lissa.
"You're late, they already took her" the lady didn't sound worried, she was just angry. From her earlier display, I would say she was an air user. She really did look like Emily Mastrano except for the dark skin and she was maybe a little taller as well.
I took my charm off and said "I assume by her, you mean your daughter. Why did you not defend yourself, you appear more than able".
She began to glare again at me, "I had no chance against them".
"You don't seem worried about your daughter" Lissa said quietly.
The lady laughed "don't underestimate my daughter, they're playing right into my little dragons fire"
At least she was smiling now, "Come, we have much to discuss in so little time", she walked through to the next room and took a seat.
We all then took a seat; Dimitri and Adrian were the last to remove their charms. "Now that we are all comfortable, I think introductions are in order. As you probably know I am Zarifa Valdez, my daughter is called Natara." The lady said.
"I am Vasilisa Dragomir and this next to me is Rose Marie Hathaway" Lissa said. Zarifa then turned towards the guys.
Dimitri spoke "My name is Dimitri Belikov and this is Adrian Ivashkov".
She nodded and turned back to face Lissa "I suppose I should explain what happened".
Lissa nodded "Did you see who took her?"
Zarifa nodded "Yes, a Strigoi women took her but she was being controlled by someone. There was another too, a Strigoi man".
"Strigoi being controlled, that must be one powerful spirit user" I said and looked at Lissa. She knew exactly what I was thinking.
"This is not good; there is only one spirit user whom I can think of who could have that power and he works with someone I'm not looking forward to seeing". Lissa explained.
"Viktor Dashkov I assume" Zarifa said.
Lissa nodded "So you know who he is"
Zarifa nodded "Yes, I'm kept updated by Emily, I've heard great things about all of you. But enough of that now, I need to tell you about Natara."
"Please do" Lissa said eagerly.
"Natara knows about the whole situation, I have brought her up to be strong and fear nothing. But considering this is a spirit user we are dealing with now, you need to get to her quickly." Zarifa was so calm; I would have thought she would be panicking by now.
"Shouldn't you be more worried about the Strigoi?" I asked.
Zarifa gave me quite an evil grin "Natara has been killing Strigoi since she was old enough to use her powers. If she feels threatened she will burn them all to dust."
"Hence playing into the dragon's fire, She a fire user, that helps" I chuckled a little.
"But that won't help against Robert, Viktor's brother" Lissa said
"That is why you must get going; daylight will be here soon, they must have taken shelter in the forests. If Natara was free to, she will have left a trail for you of scorch marks." We got up out of our seats, Lissa nodded to her "Don't worry, we will find her".
Zarifa smiled "Come back alive please, there is another part to this story which only I can reveal to you".
We all quickly put our charms on and made our way to the car, we told the driver to stay with Zarifa; we needed to do this alone. Lissa and Adrian got into the back; I got in the front with Dimitri who was driving.
I spotted the first scorch mark on one of the trees as we drove by, "Look, that tree is burnt slightly" I shouted
We followed the scorch marks for miles; we had no idea where we were going. We stopped when we couldn't find any more marks.
We searched the area keeping ourselves as low as we could. After around ten minutes of walking straight we spotted a small house tucked away in the forest. Two guards who appeared to be human guarded the door. I assumed they were there to alert them for when we arrived.
"Roza, you're the only one with the appearance of a human, you need to distract them for a second while I come up from behind" Dimitri instructed.
I suppose this is it, no turning back now. "Got it" I said.
"You two stay here until we signal you" Dimitri said to Lissa and Adrian.
"Let's go" I said.
Lissa and Adrian remained hiddden while we got a little closer.
"Well, see you on the inside" I said to him
Dimitri grabbed my arm gently as he whispered "Don't die in their Roza". He then kissed my neck just below my ear.
After letting go, I took a deep breath and took my first step out into the open.
End of Chapter Fourteen
Sorry it took so long to write this chapter.
I had some requests from people wanting to actually read about the conflict between Adrian and Dimitri when Lissa explained to Dimitri what happened between Rose and Adrian.
I didn't actually just want to have someone explain to Rose what happened. So I thought up this idea where Lissa can use her power to show rose through the bond they hold.
I hope you liked it.
Please keep on commenting.