Chapter sixteen
Night turned to day in the various mountains of Romania. I had made. We had made it. Lissa was close, very close. It would only be a matter of minutes before the discovery of her location would be underway. I could feel her, she was close. Somewhere in one of these mountainous caverns she laid, scared, afraid and unsettled. Her breathing was shallow, but her determination was strong. She had one last strand of energy to go out with a fight. Now she only waited for me, for my rescue. I was coming for her and her family. My life along with a couple others rested in the palm of hands. I would not fail them.
Scouting around the mountain, I along with the others were only able to locate one available entrance. Of course, there were others, but they were only large enough for a person such as size of Catherine's status to fit into. Looks like plan A, for the element of surprise would be completely out. Already, daylight swarmed the mountain range, which however, was beneficial for all of us at least. It gave us a wide berth of sanctuary for us along with the Dragomirs when we finally got them out.
Tension reigned in the bond between Lissa and me. I could feel it. She knew I was close, but would not speak about it though. Not to her capturers or her family. She knew she had to remain quiet about the situation, until our exact arrival. It's strange, it hasn't been until recently when our bond seemed to almost be reconstructed, or at least it was stronger then before. Technically though, it was never broken, just more as damaged. But that was now ancient history. Soon, when this was all over, I would have my baby and finally declare my rightful place as Lissa's main protector. Speaking with my party, I sought on our next motives.
"So we're all clear with the plan right?" I asked them all reassuringly, all nine of their observant faces."Okay three of you are to stay out here and wait for any straggling survivors." I told them at random, choosing the three of whom I countered the finishing touch to reviewing the already formulated plan. "Now that that's settled, the rest of you are going to divide and conquer. I've already estimated up to at least a minimum of seven Strigoi. The queen is about a half mile in, held in one of the many grottos of the cave. Are we clear?"Once again heads nodded and we set into the dark, dank hole.
Silently as we walked on the rocky floor, not daring to shuffle our feet and create a disturbance. Strigoi have excellent, acute hearing and the slightest movement of sound would alert them momentarily. Small breaths were all we could afford. Except for Dimitri and Ben who lucky didn't need to breath in this times of crisis. Dimitri who, who I might add, at this point was walking by my side in a protective manner. I knew if he could he'd protest about me being here. Not just for the baby's sake, but for my memories sake as well.
It was what about two years ago on that fateful day when Dimitri was taken from me. When he was transformed into a living nightmare. One I had thought needed to kill, but in the couldn't. No my Dimitri, he wasn't like them, he was good. He didn't need to try, he just was. On that day, Dimitri wasn't just transformed, he did die, but he was brought back. Not just by chance, but by our love. Our love made him into what he is today. My husband, my lover, the father to my children.
So much has happened since that day two years ago. Decisions were made, chooses done. And a pact made promise. Never did I make that promise. And truthfully, I was glad. I have been so unhappy for so long, but here in the verge of danger, walking closely next to the one person I chose to give my life to. I could never be happier. If today doesn't go out like planned, Dimitri and I will runaway. We'll go to someplace secret, someplace they'll never find us. I know that meant giving up Catherine. But she'd understand, she's a smart girl. As for this little thing here, we'll teach him right. We'll teach him the truth about real Strigoi and his father, and he'll grow into a powerful Moroi guardian. Protector of others.
Glancing over to Dimitri once more I could see the plan leak out from his eyes as well. He too knew the consequences of this day, but unlike him, I knew he would not fail this time. It wasn't only me who was in pain when he left; he too felt the thrust of heartbreak to our twisted destiny. Taking his hand as we marched, we stayed side by side together. As I reminiscing of the day Dimitri lost as well as I did too. To be honest, I knew he wasn't going to lose again. He, as well as I, have learned from both of our past mistakes. However, when the time came, he could be protecting me while I protected Lissa.
It was a two way win situation. Both us working together as a team, but if I did become a guardian. Dimitri and I would not be able to stay together. We'd have to go our different ways. Maybe today was meant to be; maybe Dimitri and I are destined to be together, no matter what. Maybe or maybe not. Maybe this is just Mother Nature's way of driving us apart, forever. No I was being pessimistic. No way would the gods have this much anger towards just one couple. Not us. We were blessed by way too much for it to be taken away from us all now. However, instead of focusing on my rambling thoughts, I tuned into Lissas, basically wanting to know what the hell she was thinking and to escape my own dreary mind. As well as the fact since Lissa knew of our upcoming arrival.
"Okay queenie." Snorted one of the vicious Strigoi. "How about a riddle to pass the time?" Instead of responding I gritted my teeth and forced a snarl through them. Course, it sounded pretty weak, but he got the memo."Okay what's white and blond with red all over?"What was that suppose mean?
"I don't know." I innocently stated.
"Oh come on, I'll give you a hint." He said sourly. Then bending down next to my ear as he spoke his implication to the recent question."It's you." A small tremor shook my body as the hairs on mine arms started to stand up. He shot me an evil smile, laughing at his sick joke. "Oh come on queenie just one bite, I promise it won't hurt, much." I spat in his direction causing him to laugh manically at me, before departing from the room. Jerk. Someone needed to teach him a lesson. Fortunately, I knew just the girl; hopefully she would just hurry up right now. I don't think Christian has much time left. He's been unconscious for at least a few days now, the only sign of life that came from him were his small attempts of breath. Oh Rose hurry up. Christians in trouble and I don't think we have enough time left.
"Mama." My little girl said trying to grab some form my attention.
"Yes Anna." I answered her regardless of her question.
"Why can't you help daddy?" Oh.
"Well Anna I kind of tied up at the moment. I just can't." And if I even tried to heal Christian, I'm so weak, I'd probably just end up dying in the end as well as him. But I didn't let Anna know this information, she didn't need to know the fact I was too weak, or rather even that help was on the way. All she needed to know was the obvious, which I could keep dishing out to her till the end of time. Or at least till Rose gets here. Oh she's getting to be just a big girl as well as Andre too. Already at fifteen months old together. Never in my wildest dreams have I thought of having twins. But here they were soon to be in the hands of protection once more. Hurry up Rose.
Just then the door swung open."Oh queenie I'm baacck." Shit. "Oh don't do this to me now queenie, what would the kids say?"
"Leave them out of this." I growled to him.
"Oh queenie now why do you have to be like dat."
"Stop calling me that." I said to him getting angrier by the minute.
"Come here." He said with a smile. Picking me up by my throat as he sniffed my neck line and placed his lips against the surface."You don't know how tempting you're being right now, or how easy I could just rip the flesh away from your skinny, little throat." The bond in which I shared with Rose dramatically increased at that second. She was really close. She was here.
"Try me." I urged him as he took one easy turned on me. Dramatizing the size and luster of his fangs he slowly went for the hollow edge of my throat. My children whimpered in the background, obviously scared of what he was about to do. And most likely envious as well, we're been without blood for how long, this would be torture for us all. Including me if I hadn't suspected on what was to happen next. Rose, breaking down the only entrance of the room, that is.
There was Lissa. In the corner inches away from that bastard Strigoi's teeth. Oh it was time; time to pay and I knew the exact creature for that commission. The damn Strigoi who'd kidnapped my best friend, and who have been hurting the ones both she and I loved.
"Put her down!" I screeched to him. He smiled at me willingly allowing her to be dropped to her knees as she gasped for air. He'd be the first to go. I could feel Dimitri cautioning me on my next movements, as the Strigoi in front of us slowly sauntered over.
"Aww so what's the little Dhampir going to do about that, beat me up." He spoke to me as if I were a child, only with a menacing background to his voice. Nowhere near the way had I ever spoken to Catherine. I wasn't a monster. Dimitri growled behind me, obviously angry to the Strigoi's teasing. I don't even think the Strigoi realized Dimitri's presence until he made his disturbing sound.
At first the Strigoi seemed shocked only shaking it off by walking back to Lissa.
"If you lay one hand on her." I threatened.
"But you'd what? Action speaks louder than words and right now I could go for a little action." The Strigoi said as I started to spring through the dark air easily slamming into the chest of the surprised Strigoi, which fortunately caused him to stagger, a couple of feet. But instead of fighting more I allowed Dimitri to take place my in the conflict I had just caused. Rushing over to Lissa's side I got there just in time before she went limp into unconsciousness. "It's okay Liss I'm here." I told the fainted girl.
Meanwhile, capsizing roars of effort came from the preceding hallway as both Strigoi and Dhampirs went into mortal combat. Hoping reluctantly, that all my fellow guardians may emerge victorious. However, while back in the cavern I stayed huddled against Lissa as I watched another fight continue. It was amazing. Well from my standards it was amazing, yet unusual at the same time as well. Both of them were equally matched, but it was a fight that not even I dared to enter. From the looks of it, it was death itself. The only difference of the two combats were, one mortal and the other immortal. And only one champion would come about from this close quarrel.
Finally a flash of silver was brought into my disheveled vision of sight. A silver stake, which was plunged into the heart of the opposite opponent. That was when only one victor stood. At first I was afraid to approach him, I've never actually seen him after a battle. Was he still in control? Or did he have to reign it back from after the bloody massacre. Silently, tip toeing over to where he stood by the body, I stood next to him waiting for anything, something at least. But finally he turned to me, and before I could even get a read on him he attacked me, with a long passionate kiss.
He hadn't changed at all, not now, not two years ago, he was still Dimitri. The same I had fallen in love with, and he was the same Dimitri still today. I never wanted to break away, but a gliding body settled into the room and we needed to protect the others. Ending the kiss I soon realized it was only Eddie and about half of the other guardians who had come to watch the show. Embarrassment flushed my cheeks as I just completely comprehended as to what the others had just seen.
"Umm… the others have all been taken care of, we can move the Dragomirs out now." Eddie said uncomfortably making an awkward situation even worse then what it was two seconds ago.
"Okay." I agreed to him. Walking over, away from Dimitri, I headed to one of Lissa's children. It was a small girl, maybe a few months younger then Catherine was. "Hello." I stated my greeting kindly. She was either too shy or too afraid to answer, but the second I outstretched my arms she instantly jumped into them. Sobbing into my shoulder where her head was pressed up against."Shh." I spoke comforting her."It'll be alright, your safe now. Everything will be fine from now on."
"Who… are… you?" She spoke between sobs. I smiled at her, not like the Strigoi, but a friendly smile. A trusting smile.
"I'm your mom's best friend and I'm here to help you." She seemed to understand to what I was telling her and instantly closed up herself, as for talking that is, but I wasn't done with her. "Where's your brother?" I asked her patiently, waiting for her response. She didn't answer, but more as pointed in a general direction, in which one of the shadows lingered in the corner and just like that, there stood Lissa's son Andre.
Without any words of order or command, one of the female guardians scooped up Andre and away we went along with the unconscious Lissa and Christian. We had done it. They were all secure and safe as we immediately, would head back to the prison's hospital wing, by private aircraft, of course. But that wasn't the only reason for celebrating either, Dimitri and Ben would have their names clear, they would be free, until the end of their days, I guess. Forever, to do whatever they wanted to do. Be with the people who they wanted to be.
Thinking through this I got onto the fancy jet plane, feeling the first kick of my baby boy in what seemed like an eternity since the day I left. That's right little Jasha, I thought as I boarded on the plane. Your dad is free and he he'll be there to see your delivery, of your arrival into a little more of a perfect world.
Okay for all of you who thought that was the end, sorry I'm not done yet. So enjoy, cause chapter seventeen goes up the second I'm done with it so, ciao.