A/N: Sorry for the late upload guys, I've had exams! But I'll post the next chapter (that comes after this) up within the next 48 hours to make up for it. Any comments about what you guys think of the story so far would be much appreciated :)

Chapter Three:

I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF, AND burst out laughing.

"Seriously, a witch?"

We had just arrived at the air field where our private jet was waiting. Since St. Louis was about a twelve hour drive away, so Dimitri had asked my father to organise a faster method of transportation. It was times like this that I loved Abe's shifty side.

"Roza, how can you be that shocked?"

I thought Dimitri would share my reaction, but I should have known better. This was the man who had an apparent psychic for a grandmother, though I still thought she was more of a bull sh-

"She really is, I've seen it. Nice lady too," Adrian continued. "She can make us some charms that will allow us to get in and out of the building without being seen."

I frowned. We were now out of the car and the sound of the jet's engine put our talk on hold. We quickly made our way to the jet and ascended the stairs. When our bags were all stored away and we were all seated, I resumed the conversation.

"Okay, so by witch, you mean a vampire who has spirit right?"

"No, by witch I mean witch."

"Oh."

I was still trying to wrap my head around it all, but from Adrian's tone, I knew it would be a good idea to stop talking. Dimitri had gone to speak to the pilot, so knowing there was nothing else to do, I folded my arms and snuggled into the soft seat of the plane.

This was going to be a long night.

I hadn't meant to, but somewhere along the journey, I had fallen asleep. I was back in the room where everything had gone wrong. The gun sounded, and my feet moved, knowing exactly where I needed to be in order to save my best friend. The bond let me act quickly, and stop the bullet from entering my friend's chest. For a long time, there was nothing. I felt like darkness was all that I would experience for the rest of eternity. Something had been severed, and I was drifting further and further into the black abyss.

I couldn't breathe.

"Rose."

I couldn't move.

"Roza."

I couldn't-

"Rose!"

I gasped. My body was shaking, and sweat was dripping down my face. I looked down to see Dimitri's duster wrapped snuggly around my body. I looked up to see his gorgeous brown eyes gazing at me with concern.

I was in the front passenger seat of a car. Last time I was awake, we were in the jet. Dimitri must have carried me. I couldn't believe I had stayed asleep this entire time. I could tell by the lighting outside that it was early in the morning. Dimitri stood outside my door, allowing the wind to cool my heated skin. I looked around, but Adrian wasn't in the car or anywhere nearby.

Realising what had happened, I quickly wiped away the tears that I had mistaken for sweat, and began to unbuckle my seat belt. Where we already in St. Louis? I looked around and noticed a local book store with a sign that read: St. Louis Book Store. Well that answered that question…

"It happened again, didn't it?"

I ignored Dimitri's question, and focused on getting the damn belt undone.

"Rose…"

"Shit!" I started to shake the stupid belt in frustration. I was about to grab my silver stake to cut the fricken thing, but Dimitri's hands clamped my own, resting them in my lap.

Dimitri stayed silent, and waited for me to calm down. When my body had stopped shaking, he released my hands, and pressed the button that undid my belt with ease.

"Where's Adrian?" I asked, trying to avoid having the conversation I knew was coming.

"He and his friend went to order some coffee, much to Adrian's annoyance. I was about to wake you up, but then you started screaming."

"I screamed?"

Avoiding eye contact, I pushed past Dimitri so I could get out of the car. I took one stride past him when he grabbed my wrist and spun me around. His face was only inches from mine.

"Rose, Stop this!" His voice was low, but powerful. He was frustrated, and scared. Just like me, he had no idea what was happening. "Talk to me. Please."

I sighed, and met his eyes.

"There's nothing to talk about Dimitri. I'm just as clueless as you, but I'm not going to let whatever the hell is going on, affect my life."

He frowned, and pulled me closer.

"But it already is! It feels like I'm losing you. And I can't lose you Roza, I can't…"

I took his hands in my own, and leaned into his body.

"You're not going to. I'm sorry," I whispered. "Once we rescue Sydney, we'll go back to court and figure this all out. I promise."

He let go of my hands so he could wrap his arms around my waist. We stood there in silence, and I knew Dimitri had a million things running through is mind. I just didn't think one of those things would be what he said next.

"I think you should give this mission a miss."

In the past, I probably would have started up a massive argument before storming off. But not now, not today.

I pulled back so I could see Dimitri's face.

"Okay."

He was taken aback. "Oh come on Comrade, I'm not that unreasonable. I know I shouldn't be a part of this rescue operation when I'm in a state like this. I pose a risk to Sydney being saved."

Dimitri shook his head.

"I didn't mean it like that. I don't think you'd accidently sabotage the rescue, I know that we will be able to get Sydney out of there. One way or another."

"Then why?"

"Because if you had to protect someone else, I know you'd do anything in your power to get the job done. But to defend yourself? Lately, that's been concerning me."

"What, you don't think I'm capable of keeping myself safe?" I scoffed.

"No, I think you're completely capable of doing it. But in your current state of mind, I'm afraid of how you'll act. It's like you've lost your fight… I don't even know how to describe what I'm thinking properly."

His eyebrows furrowed, and then realisation washed over his face. "We've been out here too long. We need to go join Adrian and Ms. Terwilliger, and see what they've come up with.

He closed the door, and started to move towards a small building, which must have been the coffee shop Adrian had mentioned earlier. I didn't really understand what Dimitri meant by his comment, but I knew he wasn't trying to offend me. So I decided to let it slip until we got back to court.

"Why did you let Adrian go off on his own anyway? I know it's not dark, but this place is pretty seedy looking."

Right on cue, a man stumbled out of the coffee shop, with a beer bottle in his left hand. He was clearly drunk.
A middle aged woman with mousey brown hair, and thin glasses was right behind him. Adrian stood watching behind the door, with a smirk plastered on his face.

"I think it's time you left," the lady said, making a shooing gesture with her hand.

The guy didn't like this suggestion, and instead smashed his empty bottle on the brick wall of the coffee shop. He pointed the broken end of the bottle towards the woman, making a jabbing motion.

I started to pull out my stake, but Dimitri motioned for me to stop. I looked at him questioningly, and he indicated for me to continue watching.

The bottle was no longer in the man's hand. It was laying on the ground, completely intact. But I swear it had just been broken!
The man was now turning around, and walking calmly away. The lady kept her eyes on him the entire time. When he turned the corner, she began to fall backwards, but Adrian suddenly appeared at her side and helped her stay upright.

"Still sceptical?" Dimitri questioned as we made our way over to the pair.

I just shook my head. I couldn't believe what I'd just seen! It was like spirit, but ten times stronger. And I'm pretty sure spirit didn't give people the power to fix broken objects! I still couldn't bring myself to think of this lady as a witch, but she was definitely something.

"Ah, you must be the famous Rosemarie Hathaway," Ms. Terwilliger said in a way of greeting. I cringed at the mention of the word 'famous.' Even a so called witch knew about my endeavours, and most likely not the good ones. She gestured us back inside, where she was thanked by the younger woman who was standing anxiously behind the coffee counter. She wore a name tag that read Julie, and looked like she was on the verge of tears. But to her credit, she was able to keep a reasonably calm composure.

"Don't mention it, he was all talk."

We all took a seat, and Julie brought us all over a free round of coffee, along with the large donut Ms. Terwilliger had also ordered.

"I didn't want her to call the cops for obvious reasons," she started as soon as Julie had walked out of ear shot. "But doing those spells drained a lot of energy out of me. He had a hard temperament to control, and I think I'm getting too old for this." She took a bite into her donut. Her body was shaking, and she seemed like she would faint at any moment.

"I've seen you do more powerful spells which took less out of you than that though," Adrian added, confused.

"Yes, but I've already used up a lot of energy today making these."

She pulled out of her pocket three identical small, brown sacks.

"These will make you appear invisible, but only for about an hour. I'll cast the spell before you enter the complex."

"I think they would notice if Sydney suddenly disappeared," I remarked, trying to ignore the part of my brain that was telling me that invisibility spells were impossible. "They would put the whole place on lock down instantly."

A spark seemed to ignite in Ms. Terwilliger's eyes.

"No, they won't. Because you'll take her place."