It sounds like we have a lot of 80's music fans out there. Dimitri would be so proud. The phone number is from the song 'Jenny' from Tommy Tutone. If you're too young to remember the song, ask your parents, they'll probably sing it for you.
I am not the owner of Vampire Academy. Poor me.
Adrian POV
"Adrian. 8148675..." she faded away. Damn it! What is she trying to tell me? I pound my fist against the wall I'm leaning against here on the floor in frustration. I open my eyes to see light jade green eyes staring back at me. I jump at the sight of Lissa's face not two inches away from mine.
"Did you find her yet?" she asks. I've been trying to get into Rose's dreams for hours now to see if she had any more information that could help us track her down.
"Yeah, I found her but she didn't have much time to talk. She tried to rattle off a bunch of numbers to me but she left before I could hear it all." I let out a big breath and run my hand through my hair, trying to calm myself down. "She's been bitten again. That son of a bitch!" I yell. The thought of him touching her or drinking from her makes my stomach turn. I feel so helpless and pissed that I'm so unable to help her right now.
"What were the numbers she was able to tell you? Do you remember them?" Lissa asks grabbing a pad of paper and a pen.
"Umm, 8148675 was all I could hear. I don't know what the numbers are from or what they mean though. She didn't say. She just said they would help us find her." I can see the wheels turning inside Lissa's mind as she stares at the numbers, tapping the pen against her chin.
"Maybe they're part of an address, or zip code or phone number? Hmm, let me check it out." She walks over to her laptop and starts clicking away. I'm so tired right now from trying to get into Rose's dreams and just not being able to sleep knowing she's in trouble. Christian walks over to me and slides down the wall to sit next to me.
"Hey man, you should get some sleep. You look like shit, and you have a big day tomorrow." One thing I appreciate about Christian is that he doesn't sugar coat anything, just tells it like it is. He's right, I do have a big day ahead of me. I have a meeting with the Offensive Magic Committee to get the okay to use magic in a fight, and then I need to get permission from the Council to get guardian help to find and rescue Rose. The Council meeting is the one that's making me nervous. The Counsil is made up of the twelve Prince or Princess' from the royal families. The eldest member from each familiy is given that title. Since Lissa is the last of the Dragomirs, she is the Princess. At least I know I'll get that vote. I just need to convince six more that Rose is worth saving. Since the Council hearing is so last minute, not all members can attend and have appointed a representative nearby to attend in their place. Lord Conta, the one that's been harassing Rose, has been asked to stand for the Conta family. I know I won't get his vote. I just hope he doesn't have six friends on the Counsil that owe him favors. This should be interesting.
"Alright, I'll go try to rest. If Lissa finds something, anything that locates her, wake me up." Christian pats me on the back and nods. I drag myself out their door and back to my place. I don't even bother getting undressed, but plop down on the bed. I pull the pillow I stole from Rose's bed over to me and burry my face in it's softness, inhaling the wonderful scent that is Rose. I try one more time to get into Rose's dream, but she isn't there. Stay strong, Rose. I think to myself. I just hope Lissa figures out what the numbers mean soon, before it's too late.
My eyes pop open suddenly, waking me from my dreamless sleep. I look over to my alarm clock just in time to hear the beeping start. That, like never happens. I hope it's a good oman. I jump in the shower and go over all my arguments in my head that I will give the council today. I must be on autopilot because the next thing I know is being fully dressed, staring at myself in front of my mirror. I even managed to put on the shirt that Rose bought for me last Christmas. It's almost like Rose is guiding me along, picking out my clothes like she always did, does. I have to keep a postive attitude, for Rose's sake.
I get to the committee meeting early and practically bounce in my chair waiting for the others to arrive. I just want to get this part over with so I can get to the more important one. Tasha walks in and immediately comes over to me. "Are you ready Adrian?" she asks concerned.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Why does it seem that the more you want time to speed up, it slows down to a crawl? I sit and watch people stroll in like it's just another day. I guess to them it is. Finally, everyone is here and Tasha gets up to bring the meeting to order.
"We're going to start off today with new business. We have a request for a field test from Lord Ivashkov." she says and motions for my to begin. I stand up and face the others around the table.
"Well, it's pretty simple. We talk a lot about using magic and how it will benefit the guardians out in the field, but we have very few examples of it working. The biggest example is from the attack on St Vlads over two years ago where Christian Ozera and Guardian Hathaway, who was only a novice then, worked together to bring down more Strigoi than all the other guardians combined. Guardian Hathaway is now being held prisoner and I would like to use Moroi magic along with guardians to rescue her from Strigoi. The more real world tests we have, the better for our cause." I sit down and wait for the rebuttles. Of course, Emily is the first to stand to argue against me.
"So you want to endanger the lives of Moroi to save one guardian?" she says with disgust. My fists clench at my sides as I fight the urge to punch her face. Rose must still be guiding me, or she's really rubbing off on me.
"The Moroi who would come along would be volunteers. They are fully aware of the risks involved." I say as calmly as I can. I hope it pulled it off.
"And which Moroi have volunteered on this rescue mission?" she continues.
"Christian Ozera with fire and Mia Rinaldi uses water, and two Spirit users. Princess Dragomir and myself." Emily's eyes go wide with the mention of Lissa. That probably not a smart move on my part mentioning the last Dragomir, too risky.
"Oh, what about earth and air? If this is to be a true field experiment, shouldn't all the elements be represented?" Damn, she has a point. Unfortunately, I don't know any air or earth users who would help us. Just as I'm about to speak, Jake Mastrano beat me to it.
"I'll volunteer. My little sister Jill goes to St Vlads and just loves Guardian Hathaway. She spoke to Jill a few years ago and lit a fire in her about fighting with her magic. I'm an air user and would love to help get Guardian Hathaway back." I remember Jill. She worked with Christian after the attack at the academy, secretly of course.
"Thanks Jake. Now we just need to find an earth..." I was cut off by Amy Cooper.
"I'm an earth user and I'll help. I have lots of ideas on what I can do to help in a fight and I'd just love an opportunity to try them out." she gushes. Amy is really nice and very hyper. I can only take so much of her at a time, but right now, I don't care.
"Great, we have all the elements represented. Now can we have a vote as to whether we can use our magic without legal repurcussions?" I just want to get this over with before Emily thinks of something else to get in my way. Tasha must be thinking the same thing as she stands and calls for a vote. Everyone, except Emily, votes for us to use our magic in combat. One obstacle down, more to go.
Tasha and I walk out of the room, high on our victory, when Lissa comes running up to us with Christian and Eddie trailing behind. "I found her! I found her!" Lissa screams. It feels like my heart stops as I let her words sink in. She found her. The urge to just go charging out and get Rose without even bothering with the Council is so tempting, but I know we need more help.
"Where is she?" I manage to get out.
"The old Warren State Prison that was shut down almost twenty years ago. It's about a five hour drive from here." she hands me a map of Pennsylvania and has the location circled on red.
"How did you figure this out?" I ask.
"I thought that maybe she was giving you a phone number so I looked up the first three numbers, the area code and then compared the area to the list of possible hide outs and Warren fit. I'm not one hundred percent, but it makes sense." Her face lights up as she explains how she found the location. I just hope it's right. I pull her into a big hug and thank her over and over again.
I still have an hour before the Council meeting, so I run to my apartment and start packing some clothes and anything else I might need. I even go to Rose's room and get her some clothes to change into. I want to be ready to go as soon as I get more guardians from the Council. After everythings packed, I sit on Rose's bed and try one last time to reach her and let her know that I'm on my way soon, but I still can't get through. I was almost there, but it all faded before I was able to get in. She must have just woken up. Again. What the hell is he doing to her?
My stomach is twisted in knots as I sit here waiting for the Council meeting to start. I'm sitting at a little table in the middle of the room, facing a huge arched table that the twelve members will sit plus the Queen in the middle. Behind me is the gallery where Christian, Mia, Amy and Jake are seated. Tasha and Lissa are on the committee representing their families and Dimitri and Eddie are on duty standing at the perimeter. As I look to each one, we all have a look of nervousness about us. I just want this over with. Finally, everyone is seated and my aunt is the first to speak.
"Lord Ivashkov, you may state your business." she says formally. I take a deep breath and stand up to speak into the microphone next to my table.
"I am requesting the council that a group of Court guardians be allowed to go on a mission to rescue Guardian Hathaway, who was abducted from the raid two days ago. We believe to have found her location, but we need experienced guardians to help us get her out." I barely get my request out when Lord Conta speaks up.
"Why would we put the lives of more guardians at risk to save one?"
"Because she's a person. Her life matters. If there is a chance to save her, I say we need to do it."
"So if any other guardian were in this situation, you would be here fighting for their rescue as well?" I can see where he's going with this. He wants to expose our relationship.
"Honestly, it depends on the guarduian. Guardian Hathaway happens to be my guardian and a good friend of mine, so naturally I'm here advocating for her. I would hope all Moroi would do the same for their guardian who puts their lives on the line for us everyday." I'm hoping a little guilt will tip the votes in my favor.
"How do you even know she's alive and where she's at? The last I heard, she was assumed dead with the other guardians on the raid. Are they with her as well?" he has a smug look on his face I just want to wipe off his face with my fists. Rose really is rubbing off on me.
"I was able to contact her in her dream. I'm a Spirit user and one of my abilites is to visit people in their dreams and interact with them. She's being tortured by Strigoi in an old abandoned prison hours from here, alone."
"I hear that Moroi will be fighting along side with guardians on this mission." Prince Lazar mentions. "Are you saying that Guardian Hathaway's life is more important than their lives? Doesn't that seem unbalanced?" This guy is a friend of Conta's.
"The Moroi that are coming along have volunteered. And, I don't think it's unbalanced at all considering the number of lives Guardian Hathaway has saved in the past."
"Yes, but isn't that her job, what she swore to do when she became a guardian? She swore to lay down her life to protect the Moroi race. Plus with guardian numbers being so low now, I don't see how we can justify allocating such valuable resources to save one." Lord Conta speaks again. My temper is rising quickly. How dare he treat her like inventory.
"Yes, she did swear such an oath, but that doesn't mean she should be written off the books and left for dead. I believe that with the help of the Moroi offensive magic, we can save Guardian Hathaway and not loose any lives. It just takes careful planning by experienced guardians, that's why I'm here." I have to remind myself to keep calm and breath so I don't fly off the handle and ruin this.
I think that if you want to save your guardian, that is your choice, but the Court shouldn't have to risk the safety of many for one. I vote no." Lord Conta says. All the other members give their vote, and unfortunatly, the outcome is not in our favor. The final tally is 4 yes and eight no. I can't believe this. How can these people not see the absurdaty of all this. If I would've been the one that was taken, they'd be a whole army on the way to bust me out. My thoughts are interupted by the Queen.
"I'm sorry Lord Ivashkov, but the council has decided not to grant your request for extra guardians. I know the Council can't stop you and your guardians for continuing on this mission, so good luck to you." The Queen says with a wink. Okay, I have permission to use offensive magic, and to search for her on my own, with the guardians already assigned to me, and the other Moroi. Hmm, there are seven Moroi coming, if I include Tasha. If each Moroi has two guaridans, that fourteen. That should be enough to form a plan and bust Rose out.
After we all leave the room, I motion for our group to gather by the side of the building. "Mia, who are your guardians?" I don't know Mia as well as Rose does and this topic never came up.
"Uh, I don't have any guardians. I'm not royal and I work in the heavily warded Court, so I never needed any." she shrugs. I get the scoop on the other Moroi and there guardian status. They need more guardians for these Moroi. Lucky for me, it's my job to assign guardians to a Moroi. I run to my office and start working. I give Mia two buly ones and continue until we all have evey Moroi with two guardians, even me. That was hard, replacing Rose. But, as soon as she's back, I can reverse the change, or should I? This will be a great time to talk to her about whether she wants to stay my guardian or be something more.
I gather everyone together in my apartment and tell them what I did. By tomorrow, all the new guaridan assignments will be official and we can leave for Warren, PA to get Rose back home.
I hope they make it in time to save Rose. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review. I enabled the anonymous reviews so if you've been reading the story but aren't a member of FanFiction, you can still let me know what you thought of the chapter and story too.