Hi everyone, I know it's been a few days since I updated, I've had some rather severe writers block and it was a friends 19th birthday so it's been non stop parties/dinners/trips to the city for the past week.
I hope you like this, I was having some difficulty directing the story where I wanted it to go for the next section (I don't think thats the right word to use haha) but I think this is ok.
The Last Sacrifice excerpt comes out today, whose excited?
As always feedback is so appreciated words can not convey how happy it makes me. Thanks for reading xx
We knew for certain the guardians at Court were not aware of Adrian's capture when news bulletins the same as the ones on the television in the first hotel flashed onto the plasma television screen in one of Abe's living rooms, this one designed for evening general, something that made me roll my eyes and stifle a scoff every time it was mentioned.
Abe had left us with a swift 'Don't worry, I'll get him back', funnily enough I believed him, if there was one person I could trust to deliver it was Abe, something I never would have said a few short months ago. We headed up north to one of his 'many houses', this particular one situated in Seattle and was owned under one of his 'many' alias's.
Tad, the Moroi who had delivered Sydney's webcam to me on Abe's orders back at Court, was acting as a sort of host until Abe came back with Adrian. If he didn't come back with Adrian I didn't know what I'd do, I had to believe in Abe right now or it was likely I would tip over the edge again. Tad pointed out the homes main features in matter of fact fashion. There was a guest house in which three feeders were housed, a kitchen, two dining rooms, three living rooms and four bedrooms and a bathroom all on the lower level. The second floor held six bedrooms which we would be using all with en suites a fourth living room and two studies. This all left me in sort of a daze and I was vaguely aware of Lissa hustling me upstairs to our quarters.
I noticed Christian looking more sullen than usual as we turned off the tv and recalled a few moments on the drive where he had been scowling at Dimitri, could it be that I wasn't the only one jealous of the new connection between him and Lissa? I quickly put that thought out of my mind in favour of a hot shower and quickly found the bedroom door which had a post it stuck on the dark wood. It read Rose so I entered and managed to strip off and get under the water in around five seconds flat.
Feeling more relaxed, not mention a zillion times cleaner I wrapped myself up in the white fluffy robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and wrapped my hair in an equally fluffy towel. I exited the bathroom revelling in the smell of expensive shampoo. I stopped, sitting on the plush looking bed was Tad, he seemed like a nice guy and everything but I didn't really enjoy seeing him in this sort of awkward situation. My awkwardness appeared not to faze him and he smiled at me while looking me, and my white robe, up and down. I pulled it tighter around me ensuring nothing was going to escape and tried to arrange a natural smile on my face.
'Hey, er, what are you doing in here?' I asked, not wanting to come off as rude. It may be on the orders of his boss but this guy was still harbouring two wanted fugitives and the Dragomir Princess. Tad looked amused at how uncomfortable I was and he began to bother me even more, I looked over at the door and saw it was slightly ajar to my relief. Not that I couldn't take this guy if I wanted to but I was wearing a robe and nothing else, not to mention that it was part of my training to check all exits.
'Just wanted to see how you were settling in and everything' He indicated for me to sit on the bed with him but I declined. No way was I getting any closer to this creep, I silently hoped my bedroom had a lock on the door, that last thing I wanted was him sneaking in at god knows what time. 'I'm fine, thanks for your concern'. He stood up and strolled over to where I stood near the bathroom door and I braced myself ready to attack. He lifted a finger to trace the collar and I flicked his finger away with my hand taking a step back as I did so.
A cough in the door way alerted me to the presence of a third party, I looked over only to see Dimitri, his face an emotionless mask but his eyes burning with something deep, he spun on his heel and I heard him marching down the stairs. 'I think you should leave Tad' I said to the disgruntled Moroi who reluctantly did as I asked.
After throwing on some clean clothes, a pile of them had been left on the bed, I started downstairs in search of food or news. Surely Abe must have contacted the house by now, and if not I would have to page him. I stopped in my tracks however when I heard a commotion coming from one of the living rooms, I forgot what this one was named, probably something pretentious.
I walked through the open door to see Dimitri stood against the wall, his face slightly horrified and Lissa standing in front of him her face full of pleading and, as I checked the bond, I realised her thoughts were filled with anger, guilt and confusion. 'Ok Christian, spill.' I said, hands on my hips and tapping my foot on the hard wood floor. Christian looked uncomfortable, a feeling I was used to after a huge outburst once the adrenaline wares down. 'I don't think he's treating you right, that's all ok.' My mouth fell agape and I felt Lissa's sentimentality get the best of her for a second, she was a sucker for Christian's sensitive side but for the moment my own astonishment was more prominent. 'What, are you talking about?' Lissa rolled my eyes at my brash tone and took a seat on the white leather couch. White leather, honestly!
After Christian said nothing for a moment or two and so Lissa stepped in. 'Oh Rose, isn't it obvious. Christian thinks of you like a sister, and he thinks Dimitri is mistreating you and that's making him angry.' Then she turned to Christian. 'Which is stupid, do you have any idea what Dimitri has been through, you cannot blame him like this Christian, it's just not fair and it puts extra stress on him, he already feels guilty.' Christian and I tutted at the same time and we locked eyes for a second and I hoped he saw the silent thank you on my face.
'I know what he's been through Lissa, honestly I do and I don't know he's being as strong as he is but Rose saved him' Lissa opened her mouth to retaliate but Christian carried on 'You actually saved him yes I get that but Rose dropped out of school, went to Russia and has risked her life, her freedom and her sanity for you and for him. She deserves more acknowledgment from him, more respect and what they had before he was turned, that deserves respect too.'
I had never known Christian to be so emotional, nor so gallant and I felt honoured that he would stick up for me. I also hadn't realised anyone was aware of the strain between me and Dimitri. I didn't want everyone to think I was pining over him, which I kind of was.
'Christian, its ok, I love Dimitri, I think I will always love Dimitri and I would give anything, anything, for him to be the way he was. For him to want me the way he did. But he doesn't, or he can't, I don't know. And this whole Lissa worship thing is hard, I'm jealous.' I felt Lissa's stricken feelings through the bond but carried on none the less; it would help to clear the air. 'I'm jealous and it isn't getting easier, but I think it will. I love him, and Lissa, so much that as long as they are happy and well I'll be ok. It'll always hurt, but maybe it'll stop hurting quite so much.' Christian nodded and I could feel Lissa's apologises forming in her mind before she voiced them. She walked over and hugged me, her silence comforting and I knew that I should have come clean sooner, keeping things in never ended well.
Once again I sensed him before I saw him, it was as though I had personal Dimitri radar built in. How much had he heard? It occurred to me that I didn't care, yes I wanted him to be happy and live his life but not at the expense of myself, I was glad if he knew how I felt. And by the look on his face he did. The desperate burning look of sadness was on his face again and I spared a moment of guilt before I realised why he was stood there.
'Abe called?' I asked immediately rushing towards the door.
'Not exactly, they were attacked. Abe's been badly injured, they're on their way back here, and yes they have Adrian. They say there's something wrong with him.'