I jolted awake, not sure what woke me. I listened for a moment and turned my head. Briar was asleep beside me, her arms curled above her head as she breathed. Her breathing was getting clearer, but she still coughed and her breath crackled.

I hated hearing her cry for her dad. She looked for him in every room we went into. Janine had asked me about a service, but I wasn't ready. I didn't want to have a service until there was a body to mourn. We knew where he might be, but it was simply a matter of taking care of him.

Croft had followed through with his promise. The entrance to the tunnels in the house was now warded. It took a lot of work, but we made it happen. It was the only way I was able to sleep in this house. But there was something, almost like a tug in my mind. I sat up and placed the pillows on either side of Briar so she wouldn't roll off the bed.

I grabbed my stake off the bed as a precaution and walked into Briar's room, the sensation leading me here. As soon as I walked into the room I knew why I had woken. I could hear something in the hidden walls. I opened the trap door and went down slowly. I checked the stow room and deemed it clear before I continued further. Once I got to the steel door I heard it again, my name in almost a whisper.

I opened the door, pushing it open so that I didn't cross the warding line. He stood there in the tunnel, his eyes glowing crimson.

"Roza," he whispered.

"Trapped in the caves, I see," I said with a squint.

"Yes and no," he said with a shake of his head, "I haven't fed."

"And you expect me to offer myself up to you?"

He shook his head again. "I can feel my humanity still."

I snorted a laugh but stepped back when he reached out for me, his hand passing over the warding. I looked at his face and it was pinched, a quiet hiss passing his lips. Humanity was what made Strigoi different from Moroi mostly. The handing over of humanity for the blood lust made the Strigoi immortal.

"How can you do that?"

"Like I said, I have my humanity still," he whispered before pulling his hand back, clutching it in pain. I took a slow breath in and stayed where I was, not sure what to think.

"Roza?"

I met his eyes. Eyes that despite the red, looked the exact same.

"What?"

"I just want to see her. Please," he whispered, and I could have sworn his eyes watered. "Is she getting better?"

I nodded and crossed my arms around my waist. "She's getting better. Her fever finally broke this evening."

Dimitri nodded. "Please."

I swallowed and shut the door between us. The tears in his eyes, and the genuine sound of concern could be fake or artificial. There was a part of him that was fighting inside. I went back up the stairs and scooped Briar out of bed, holding her tight to my chest as I climbed back down the stairs. When I got to the steel door again I stepped back so my back was against the wall. Dimitri had come as close to the wards as he could, a hopeful look on his face. Another thing that couldn't be faked.

"Hi sweet girl," he whispered. I turned her a bit so he could look at her, her red cheek resting against my chest. She was still warm despite the fever breaking.

"Her cough? It's eased?" he asked earnestly.

I nodded. "Yes. I had to do that steam thing again, but she's stayed asleep since I put her to bed."

He smiled, taking care not to show his teeth. "And you're okay? Did she hurt you? Galina?"

I shook my head. "Minor concussion and surface injuries, but Lissa took care of it," I whispered. He nodded and carefully put his hand through the wards again, gently beckoning me. I took slow steps, watching his hand start to turn red in spots from the magic irritating his skin. When I was close enough he rested his hand against my cheek, gentle and warm. I let out a breath and closed my eyes, leaning into his hand.

"Hang in there. We'll find something to bring you back," I whispered, "No Strigoi has skin as warm as yours."

"I'm hanging in as much as I can, but the pain is becoming unbearable," he grunted, wiping the tear from my cheek. I rested my hand against his with a nod and opened my eyes, noticing that the red was less red than before.

"I love you, Roza. Please don't ever forget that," he whispered before abruptly pulling his hand back. He shook his hand with a hiss, his fangs poking out and I stepped back again.

"You found my ring," he said after a moment. I looked at my hand and nodded.

"I did. And I felt that I needed to wear it even though you hadn't asked me. I hope that's okay."

He smiled at me. "It's more than okay."

I nodded and sighed quietly. "What do you think it is that takes the humanity?"

"The act of killing. I overheard another newborn saying that it was the kill that completes the transformation," he said quietly.

"So a blood bag or something?"

"Not human blood," he said sharply, "I won't risk it. Animal."

I nodded and Briar started to stir in my arms.

"I don't want her to see me like this," he urged with a slight shake of his head. Seeing how different he was I stepped closer to him, standing directly over top of the warding. Dimitri stepped closer and kissed Briar's head and stroked it softly, before looking at me, cupping my head and kissing my forehead.

"Go back to sleep, Rose," he urged and gently moved me back over the barrier. I nodded and closed the door between us.

"I love you too," I said quietly.

"I've always known that," he said.

I listened to the buzz of the phone as I waited. There weren't many people I could ask these questions to without them thinking I was nuts.

"Hello?"

"Nance? It's me."

Nancy grunted. "That explains why you are calling me at ten o'clock at night," she grumbled and I heard a click on the other side.

"Sorry. I forgot that you had worked the weird shift," I said as I bit my nail, "But I didn't know who else to turn to."

"What's wrong kiddo?"

I took a slow breath. "Dimitri was turned," I said quietly, "But not completely?"

"He hasn't fed?" she asked.

"No. He said that it's becoming hard to fight the urge though. I mean, when I spoke to him, he had tears in his eyes. I remembered you once mentioned that you spent a lot of time doing research on Strigoi. Have you ever heard of something like this?"

Nancy moved around on her side of the phone and I waited patiently for her to speak.

"It's rare. More rare than Spirit. But if a Strigoi has resisted the urge to feed, they haven't let go of their humanity. If this is the case, he doesn't have long. Eventually, the bloodlust will win out."

"And can he be restored in any way?"

"It's risky."

"How risky?"

"You're going to need help from one of your Spirit friends. Not the ghosts, I mean the Moroi. He needs to be staked."

"That's not going to bring him back," I started but she cut me off.

"If a Spirit user infuses Spirit into the stake before he is staked, then he will come back. But there is always the risk it won't work. Would you want him to live like that? As a monster?"

I leaned back in the seat of my car and shook my head.

"No. I would rather him dead than like that," I whispered.

"Animal blood may be able to ease the hunger until you can get things sorted, but the only other way to ensure is it to kill the Strigio that tried to turn him."

I chuckled darkly. "Oh, I plan on it," I said, "Thank you. If you can send me anything info you, I would be grateful."

"I'll do it before I go back to sleep," she whispered, "And I'm truly sorry, Rose."

"Thanks, Nancy. Um, please don't tell anyone yet?"

"Of course," she whispered before she hung up. I sighed and tossed my phone onto the seat beside me, sinking down in the seat and covering my face with my hands. I hadn't slept much since seeing Dimitri, partly because seeing him with crimson eyes kept haunting my thoughts.

Briar woke up with less of a cough which made me stress a little less. I had been focusing on her to keep myself sane. If I just focused on her, I wouldn't fall apart. If I focused on Briar, I wouldn't have to feel what was lingering inside of me.

Because I knew deep down that there was a possibility that he wouldn't be able to be turned back.

I angrily tossed my keys across the car with a frustrated sigh, running my hands through my hair. I hated that I acknowledge the reality of it all. I wanted to believe that it was possible, I wanted to believe in a miracle, just like I believed in the miracle that is my daughter. She was real, she was alive and breathing.

I wanted to believe that anything was possible with Spirit because I had seen what it could do. I was living proof of what it could do. With another deep sigh, I got out of the car and went into the butcher's shop. The Moroi working behind the counter smiled at me.

"Good morning," he said kindly.

"Hi. I have kind of an odd request."

"I can try to help."

"I need animal blood," I said with a face, "It's for a recipe."

"What kind?"

"Um. Whatever you have available? The recipe said cow or pig," I said with a shrug.

"Making black pudding?" he asked. I wasn't sure what he was talking about but nodded slowly. He held up a finger for me to wait and he slipped into the back room. I walked around the butcher's shop and picked up a package of burgers and headed back to the counter.

"We don't have a whole lot, but I have this," he said setting a small pail on the counter. It wasn't a whole lot, but maybe a litre or so.

"That should be fine," I said and set the burgers on the counter as well. I paid for both and drove back to the house. Briar was with Lissa this morning, giving me a few hours to myself. Lissa didn't want me to feel too overwhelmed so she offered to take Briar for a few hours.

But it gave me the time to do this. Once I was back at the house I swapped the pail for a water bottle and went back into the hidden passage. As I moved down the steps I heard yelling, freezing on the second set of sets. I couldn't make out the words, but I recognized Dimitri's voice. I waited a few minutes before the fighting ceased before I continued on. I got to the door and waited a moment.

"Rose?"

I opened the door and looked at him with furrowed brows.

"What was that all about?"

"We're all trapped in here by the wards. People are getting antsy. I've been hanging out here to make sure nobody tries to break through. Everyone thinks it's because I want the first bite, but I don't want anyone to get near the two of you," Dimitri explained. I could see how irritated he was, and I bit my lip. He was on edge and I could see the emotional change in him.

"I brought you something," I said quietly as I handed him the water bottle. He looked at it for a moment before his eyes met mine again. He swallowed thickly and turned his back to me, lifting the bottle to his lips.

I tried not to pay attention to his as he drank, the idea was still not something I could mull over easily but I knew that he needed it. After a few moments, he turned around and handed me the bottle with a relieved sigh.

"Thank you," he whispered and brushed his hand over his mouth, making sure that no blood was still on his lips.

I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest. "Nancy said there might be a way to bring you back."

"And?"

"It involves Lissa or Adrian. They would have to charm the stake and then stake you."

Dimitri shook his head. "No. Absolutely not. They can't come in here."

"Even if there's a chance?" I whispered.

Dimitri shook his head slowly. "Even if there's a chance. I can't risk them getting hurt. And what about you? What about the toll it would take on you? We don't know the amount of Spirit needed to do this."

"So what? Am I supposed to let you stay like this? Or stake you?"

"It's better than seeing you possibly getting hurt in the crossfire," he said quietly, his head snapping to the side.

"You have to go," he said and reached for the door, slamming it closed between us. I stood there for a moment and shook my head, but as I listened carefully, I could hear Dimitri's snarled voice on the other side of the door before there was a loud bang against it. I jumped and watched it carefully before the door opened and Dimitri's eyes met mine, the vibrancy in his eyes making me swallow.

"It's fine. Go upstairs," he said and closed the door again.

"Yes, sir," I grumbled as I walked up the stairs. When I got to the top of the stairs my phone pinged. I looked at it and rolled my eyes.

I heard that. Kiss Briar for me.

I chewed my lip as I waited for Croft to speak. I had provided him with everything that Nancy had sent me and I brought it to Croft for his opinion. He was quiet the entire time he read it, his face not giving anything away.

"So?"

"Your ex-Alchemist friend has a lot of research that has been kept hidden from the Moroi society for years," he mused as he turned the page, "How did she get this?"

"No clue. Not that we actually have any of it," I pointed out with a look. Croft nodded again and went back to the information in front of him.

"I don't think either the Princess or Lord Ivashkov are suited for this," he said and I felt my shoulders drop, sinking back in the chair.

"You don't?"

He shook his head. "Neither of them has a good enough handle on their abilities for me to even feel comfortable bringing this to them."

I bit my lip and sighed quietly. "So we just…stake him?"

"I didn't say that," he said, "I just said I didn't think either of them are suitable for this."

"Then who?" I all but demanded, "Because I don't think Dimitri has a lot of time. On top of fighting the hunger, he's fending off other Strigoi. Apparently, the warding on my house isn't as strong as it could be. He can reach through the warding, but it causes him pain. What's to stop anyone else from doing that?"

Croft stood up and moved around his desk, sitting in the chair next to me. "I understand your frustration and anxiety, Rose. I know that he meant a lot to you, but we can't put other people at risk. Leave this with me and we will figure this out, alright?"

I nodded and rubbed my forehead. Croft frowned and patted my knee comfortingly.

"I meant to ask, how is your little one?"

"She's getting better. Her cough has subsided, and she's got more energy, which means I am getting less sleep," I said with a chuckle and ran my hand through my hair. Croft chuckled and nodded as he stood up.

"I get that," he said with a smirk, "Oh. I know it's a pain, but I really need that package finished sooner rather than later."

I nodded and bit my lip. "I'm leaving Dimitri in there as my spouse, regardless of us not being legally married."

"There's a marriage certificate somewhere that says you were, just different variations of names," he pointed out.

"You're right," I whispered as I stood up, picked up my bag and slipped out of the office.

When I got back home I poured the last of the animal blood into the same water bottle and put it just beside the door. Knowing that Dimitri was able to reach through it, I felt that it was best for it to be there in case he felt a craving.

When I got back into the living room I jumped.

"Jesus. How did you get in?"

Adrian cocked his head to the side. "I have a key remembered. I was the one taking care of the house," he said and stood up from the couch.

"How are you doing?"

"Please don't ask me that?" I said tiredly, "I hate to be rude, but I have to go pick up Briar."

Adrian pointed to the side and I looked seeing her sitting with her blocks. She was in her own little world. I looked at Adrian again and gestured for him to sit down.

"Want a coffee or something?"

"Naw, I'm trying to cut back. I ended up substituting booze for coffee. But if you have tea or something, that would be great."

I nodded and went into the kitchen, crouching down to kiss the top of Briar's head as I passed. She didn't react right away. When I came back I sat down and watched Adrian carefully.

"How have you been holding up with what happened?"

Adrian sipped his tea with a small nod. "I'm okay. I mean, I'm upset, but I think because I've mourned you both before it itself as hard this time? I'm sorry if that sounds rude."

I shook my head. "No, no. I'm glad to hear that you're okay. I was worried that it might set you back," I whispered.

Adrian shook his head. "The thought was there when I found out, but after going to a human AA meeting, I don't feel the urge. I feel like it would be a dishonour to his memory. I remember when he saw my last chip. He was so happy for me, and I've never had family be that happy or proud of my accomplishments before. I guess I don't want to let him down as much as I don't want to let myself down."

I nodded and reached out, gripping his hand tightly. "If you ever need someone to talk to, please don't be a stranger. I know what it's like in a way to be addicted to something."

And in a way I did. I got addicted to Lissa's bite after being on the run, and I craved it. I knew what it was like to give something up that made everything seem so much easier.

"Thank you, but I just want to know that you're okay. This must be hard for you."

I smiled gently. "I'm coping."

Adrian nodded before a thoughtful look crossed his face.

"I know that this isn't the best time, but I found this and thought you'd want it," Adrian said as he pulled a thumb drive out of his pocket. I set my mug on the coffee table.

"What is it?" I asked. Adrian got up and went to the T.V., feeling along the side of it before he found the USB port and put the drive in. He sat back down and changed the channels so that we could see the drive. Once he got the right one he hit play and the video came to life.

I gasped quietly and sat on the edge of my seat, resting my elbows on my knees.

The video was from a few days before I gave birth. Dimitri was standing behind me and had his hands wrapped under my belly.

"She's utterly miserable," Dimitri's voice laughed through the speakers.

I shook my head and chuckled. I was utterly miserable. All I wanted was Briar out and I was exhausted. I hadn't been sleeping, I couldn't get comfortable, and I couldn't wear pants comfortably. I lived in nightgowns, Dimitri's shirts and dresses for the last month.

"I completely forgot about this dinner," I said with a chuckle. I watched as Dimitri teased me endlessly, all while caressing my stomach and kissing my cheek and then my temple. I smiled to myself as I watched the video, humming when Adrian tapped my shoulder.

"What?" I whispered.

"Look," Adrian said excitedly, holding his phone up. I glanced away from the screen only to gasp quietly. Briar had abandoned her blocks and taken her first steps. She had tried a few times on her own the last few days, but never made it.

"Oh, my God!" I whispered excitedly, watching her toddle towards the T.V. I watched her like a hawk, biting my lip when her hands reached for the T.V., putting her hand over Dimitri's image.

"Dada!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands before losing balance and falling onto her butt. I got up and praised her, kissing her cheek and telling her how she was such a smart girl.

"I got the whole thing on video," Adrian said with a smile. I looked back at him and smiled gratefully at him, asking him to send a copy to me.

Happy Easter lovelies!

Let me know what you think!