Rose's POV

I have faced death countless of time, I saved Dimitri, took care of Lissa, and saved the Queen, but never with this odds. I fought with all my strength, my katana and I became one. We only thought of the point in killing what it's not alive, in a point I didn't know if I was able to comeback from the rage I've been drowning. The hate and adrenaline came back every time I fought them; it was never easy to keep track of my kills once I was deeply into the fight. It was something I was doing lately, but I knew this was wrong, maybe it was because I consumed too much of Lissa's darkness to myself. I have to make sure I survived to keep killing Strigoi. It has become my profession and my personal interest.

"Stop fighting!" the words were clear and angry. "Or they will die."

I stopped my sword half-way for killing the Strigoi who was on his knees. Damn if it wasn't for these warriors I would have deal with them myself. That is why I did this job alone, so wouldn't have to worry to save or lookout for anyone.

I tsked, annoyed because they couldn't handle themselves right now.

I turned around and find the, three warriors on their knees, arms spread and a Strigoi was holding their heads, ready to break their necks. I had a flash of déjà vu, when Manson was killed. No! I can't be distracted under these circumstances. I didn't have enough time to make a smart-ass remark because I was attacked from behind and I was consumed into darkness…

My head was killing me! And I felt something sticky trailing down my back, which I came into a conclusion that it was my blood wasting. A critic odor burned my lungs, conforming that gasoline shrouded the rock walls, the high ceiling and dirt floor of the underground prison. It was the stench of my worst immortal enemies.

I still couldn't believe that I was in this situation, again! Being caught by Strigois, it was a not what I had in mind. But luckily it wasn't just me. The warriors had been hauled into the same dungeon I was in. Rage and annoyance was chewing my insides. But I had to push it down, knowing it wouldn't do anything except weaken me more. And right now I needed my full senses and bearings.

Peeking carefully from beneath my lowered lashes so that no one would know I was awake, I took in the other three captives- the warriors- also held upright by ropes. Unlike me, I was held my chains.

A human would be blind in this black hole, but my vision wasn't the greatest either like a Moroi. Naturally I could make out the shape of each warrior, and the cave. They had nothing but their jeans, beaten in some places. Completely still, they hadn't made a sound since. Arms outstretched and legs spread apart, they made no sound whatsoever about making a breakout.

I believed the Moroi warrior in the middle of the three, struggle from the tight rope on his wrist. Just like me, my cuffs were rusty and I felt some sharp pins against my wrist, if I wasn't mistaken I think they were bleeding.

Being imprisoned with three warriors would normally fill me with hope to escape because we could come up with a plan and combine our skills. We have one chance if we come up with some plan, but I am not going to be the one who will talk first. I don't want them to think I was a helpless girl.

Never in this life.

"Anyone know who called for this delightful little meeting?" The youngest of the three grumble, if I wasn't mistaken I think he was The Ripper. He straightened his shoulders as if that would make his arms ache less, but the board of his shoulders was nice built. Bad, wicked and-handsome-black haired warrior next to the Moroi, with an athletically cut body that James Bond would envy. Now in a close distance, I could make out his face more clearly, I'd put him in his early twenties and at close to six foot three.

"Introductions appear necessary then . . . I suppose I shall have to open. The three of us are warriors form the Empire of Eura. I am Captain and Commander of the first division, head and leader of the Everto do Novus Ordo Clan and the Guardian Society. Cezar Phyre, Aka: Hades; Next to me is Captain Marcus Theron of the second division, lieutenant of the Everto do Novus Ordo Clan and the guardian Society, Aka: The Ripper; last but not least, is Vincent Morter, aka: Frucissiere. Captain of the third division, Commanding Officer of the Everto do Novus Ordo Clan and the Guardian Society. And you are?"

I fought a smirk over the man's dry tone and well-honed nonchalance. I'd never met an Empire of Eura warrior-or man- who wasn't alpha to the core. But I had no intention of jumping in first to answer after knowing their positions in this secret society.

"Two Dhampirs and a Moroi." My gaze walked up and down their forms.

"Yes." Cezar cleared his throat.

I lashed a look at the Moroi warrior; he shifted his head to my direction. "From our last meeting we found out you are a woman who kills Strigoi. It is amazing how skillful you are, I've never seen anyone move that fast in my life."

When I didn't pick up the conversation thread, Cezar asked, "And you would be?"

"Pissed off." I opened my eyes all the way, and look them in the eye. Being in front of them, all chain up against the wall wasn't something I had in mind in meeting a warrior. Not when I was wearing a black tank-top, dank jeans, and my boots. I had more of a moderate encounter with them, not like this.

Marcus smirked. "Love the name, darling. Should I refer to you as simply Cup cake?"

I ignore his sarcasm. "I am Anna Vladimir. A nomad Guardian no title of any sort, I am hired assassin and hunter to kill Strigoi; I have my promise mark and already graduated from an Academy. That's all I'm saying so deal with it."

"Hmnn, I do not know what is a lie and the truth. But you are not being completely honest with us. If you weren't in front of us, and if I wasn't paying attention to your aura I would have miss that." Of course, that Vincent knew I wasn't saying the truth. Damn spirit users.

"I prefer to keep my identity in secret for personal reasons, if you don't mind. Anna is not the name I was born, but it's the name I am known for a while."

"I see." Cezar frowned. "So tonight you were hired to kill a Strigoi, and we interrupt your work."

When I didn't say anything Cezar chuckled in a humorless way that brushed a ripple of unease across my skin. "Listen, sweetheart. We might have another couple of hours, or we might only have a couple of minutes. The Strigoi don't ransom."

"I've been in this type of situation. I can handle this, I know the Strigoi would feed off one of us and that would make it complicated to get out of here alive. They either, will go to the Moroi or me, or one of the Dhampirs and wait for the Moroi to be awakened. And there's not going to be anyone who might save us this time. I now you think we join up and help us find a way out of here, or prepare for the worst death we can imagine."

"I quite agree love," Vincent added. "I can understand your resistance to trust any of us after we drag you and ourselves in this trap. It is quite humiliating for us to be here, and I am not talking to ourselves, but also your reputation."

He was right; I would have to give him credit for it. If we didn't come up with a plan soon, it would be: Casket Time . . .

"Anyone got a plan?" Marcus insisted.

"Working on it." said Cezar. "We are losing strength. Vincent has to feed, Marcus and I are bloody beaten and our body aches. She is losing more blood by the minute and getting weaker. We all are in a bad shape, and we have to prepare ourselves for when the Strigoi will come. We must strike soon while we're still capable of battling."

Marcus looked around the cave. "You have an idea how many we have to fight to get out?"

"Best I can tell I sense more than twenty."

"Ok, I know you are a Moroi, and a Spirit user. But what do you mean: 'I can sense'." This was news to me.

"Oh, so you are familiar to the Spirit users. I knew you knew something about it, in our meeting at the ally."

"I'm quite aware of the powers of a Spirit user. I've seen them, but tell me; what else of: seeing auras, strong compulsion, dream walking, and healing, you can do?"

"I've never done the dream walking you speak of, but I can do a mind lock, telekinesis and telepath."

I had no idea what he was talking about. "What do you mean by mind lock?"

"I can reach into anyone's mind, lock into their brain waves and see through their eyes. I can guide them or command them, almost like compulsion, but I can do it without looking straight to their eyes with multiple people at the same time. They can't have control over their bodies, until I let them."

Ok, now I'm paranoid. I don't want this Moroi to use me as a puppet, and make me tell him my whole life story. This is the person I should be miles away, or countries away.

"Don't worry love; I wouldn't do that to you again. I tried to do it at the ally, but I had a hard time. I couldn't access into your brain waves, somehow they were hidden from me. And which is why I didn't sense the Strigoi coming to us, I was distracted and frustrated because I couldn't see into your head. My deepest apologies, love."

"I'll pretend that didn't happen, but I can't make any promises if you do it again, I might kill you." I didn't like anyone invading my head! "But, can you destroy their mind while you're inside a person's head?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear his answer.

Vincent's pause indicted me; he'd given some thought over the question. "Yes, but I wouldn't do that to you. Not without Cezar's or our Lady's approval. I am forbidden to use it against comrades, without their authorization, only during interrogations." On the other hand it felt good that he shared something no a lot of people knew about him, a secret that would make Vincent as vulnerable as I was if I told them I was a shadow kissed.

"Are you . . . dressed, Anna?" Cezar asked with sincere concern that surprised me. Did he think that the Strigoi had stripped me? Well I could see why, since they were bare from the upper body.

"Yes. I'm in jeans and a . . . shirt. Thought I am not wearing my face mask, the Strigoi fail to remove my boots which conceals some hidden blades and two silver stakes we could use."

Marcus gave a low laugh. "Can't wait to get a look at you woman, you are prepared for everything."

"Marcus, behave. You know Anna; would you give it a thought to join the Empire of Eura Divisions? I know this is not the time to say this, but you are someone who we need during this time. Strigoi all over the world are targeting Academies, and communities. Also the Royal and European court, we would like you to join our Society as well. What you say?"

I have the capability of joining the Society and the Divisions. But can I become some one important as Cezar Phyre? I am already good at killing, and my skills are way better than theirs. But if I do this I knew that I'll be leaving behind Rose Hathaway and my past. Could this be the new life I've been waiting for? "Give me some time to think about it. I am not sure if I want this responsibility yet."

"I understand, take time to think about it. This is something one must know what they are doing, if you join the Divisions and the Society you will have enemies as well as allies and you'll have the same power as the queen herself and the Lady of Europe. These two ladies and I are the ones with absolute power over the vampire government apart from the Moroi consul, who are third in command."

I couldn't say anything else because I felt the nauseas coming at me.

"Someone is coming." Vincent and I said the words together. The men gave me a curious expression but said nothing because the metal antique door open. A tall figure wearing a pale gray robe entered. He had a torch on his hand and hangs it against the wall. Giving us a good view of our surroundings but only showed us darkness from inside the hood.

"My. Oh. My." The cold hiss came when it was expected. "What do we have here? A Moroi, and two and a half Dhampirs!" his voice was soft but it echoed through the walls of the cave, and glanced at me. He then took the hood off, and reveals red hungry eyes. "My. My. Aren't you a pretty little thing?" he then came closer to me, and smelled me. "And smells delicious! Magnifique . . . Your scent it's all over the place. Everyone had been having a hard time, they wanted to come here and kill you but I wanted you for myself. You killed my mate, but I'm going to let it go. She was annoying me, but I loved her." His cold hand trailed up and down my jaw caressing it softly.

"Don't touch her!" Marcus yelled.

"Qu'avez-vous dit? What did you say? How can you expect me to leave such beauty unnoticed?" Touching my face he got closer and closer, I tried not to shudder. I didn't want to give him a reason to kill me and the others. "You are so irresistible, mademoiselle." His face came closer to mine, and lifting my head up to the side. He said, "Je boira votre sang. I shall drink your blood."

I felt his fangs piercing the skin of my neck. I felt a terrible pain, making me scream. I felt my own self drift into darkness as my voice was fading, and I could hear the others screaming for my sake . . .