A/N: Sorry for the delay! Christmas was just really hectic and I've been working heaps etc... but, I'm back!

A big thank you to everyone who has favourited and followed this story so far- it means a lot :D

Now on with the next chapter, but be warned, this is where things start to get more violent and dark...

Chapter Seven

DIMITRI P.O.V

WHERE WAS SHE? I HAD an ominous feeling, and I couldn't shake it. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I paced back and forth. Adrian was cradling Sydney in his arms, while Jackie sat cross legged on the concrete next to them. We were waiting in an alley way a few buildings away from where the Alchemists' Head Quarters were. This was where we were meant to meet Rose after she escaped capture, but she was late...

As she was pretending to be Sydney, no-one would expect her to have the strength and fighting abilities of a Dhampir, which would give her the upper hand she needed to escape on her own. Thanks to Adrian's Spirit enhanced ring, it would appear like Sydney escaped on her own merit, which would avoid a war between the Alchemists and the vampire world, which is why it was such a brilliant plan. But, I knew the truth. I knew that Rose wasn't herself, and that scared me. Especially after the stunt she had pulled to get us out of the building. It was stupid, but also incredibly ingenious and selfless.

Rose would make her move when they were transferring her from the building into the car that was suppose to take Sydney to the Re-Education Centre. She would be away from the security system, so she didn't have to worry about getting locked in.

I kept telling myself that Rose would be fine. But I couldn't do that anymore, not when she was meant to be here ten minutes ago. I had to do something.

I couldn't lose her. Not again.

"She should have been here by now," I stated firmly.

"I should never have let Rose take my place," Sydney started, pulling away from Adrian's embrace. "You guys should have just left me there…"

Adrian and I spoke simultaneously, "No."

I held my tongue, and let him continue. "We were never going to leave you there Sage. Don't worry, Rose knows what she's doing. I'm sure she just got caught up in the moment, and is having way too much fun kicking those jerk's asses."

Sydney smiled, but I could see concern in her eyes as she helped Jackie off the ground.

"He's right Sydney, this isn't your fault," I said as I threw the car keys to Adrian. "But she should have been back by now." I turned on my heels to leave and go find Rose, but a hand latched out and grabbed me.

"We aren't leaving without you guys Belikov."

I shook his hand off, and stared dead straight into his eyes.

"I need to protect Rose, but you need to protect Sydney. We'll be able to defend oursel-"

"Guys!" Sydney yelled "Look, it's Rose!"

I turned around to find Rose stumbling towards us. I ran to meet her, but she evaded my eyes.

"Roza, are you alright?"

She nodded, but I know something's up.

"What's going on?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, she collasped.

"Rose!"

I caught her, and wrapped my arms around her body. But, something was different.

"Is she okay?" Adrian asked peering over my shoulders.

Checking her pulse, I nodded. "She's just exhausted."

"We should get back to the car, I can sense that the Alchemists are on their way." Jackie didn't need to say another word.

We all rushed back to the coffee shop where our ride was waiting, and climbed in. Sydney jumped in the driver's seat, and I didn't argue. I sat in the back seat with Rose, and watched her rapid breathing. I carefully moved a strand of her hair away from her face, and I could swear I saw her flinch.

There was more going on here than we realised. I just had to figure out what it was.

ROSE P.O.V

WHITE. THAT'S ALL I COULD see as I opened my eyes. As my vision cleared, I began to notice more details. I was in a cool, stark room, which was covered with white tiles. If there was a door, it was camouflaged with the walls. The temperature of the room, reminded me of a sauna, and had already caused my body to start sweating. I went to wipe the sweat from my face, but my hands wouldn't budge. I looked down to see that they were strapped down with thick metal cuffs, which were embedded into the arms of the metal chair I was sitting in.

And that's when I started to remember everything. That's when I started to panic.

I pulled at the cuffs, and tried to push myself off the ground with my free legs. But the chair must have been welded to the ground, as no matter what I did, it would not budge. I heard something move behind me, and I froze.

I turned my head to see a shadow coming towards me, and I prepared myself for another meeting with Sydney's father. But it wasn't him. Instead, it was a man with dark hair that I had never seen before. He wore jeans and a white shirt, illuminating the gold earring that hung from his ear. He was also carrying a knife, which I didn't think was going to be used to slice me up some bread. Man, I was starving! The florescent lights bounced off the blade, illuminating the sharpness of its edge.

"What do you want?" I asked, breaking the silence. "I figured you guys would have just killed me, or thrown me in jail and contacted the Moroi. But it's clear that you haven't done either."

The guy smirked, and looked like he was about to say something, when another man entered the room. This man was older, and had a tangled beard. There was nothing but disgust in his eyes as he looked at me.

"You're here, because you ruined our plan. Which forced us to make some… alterations."

"Plan?"

The younger guy leaned over and slapped me in the face.

The taste of blood filled my mouth, but I remained still. I couldn't show him any weakness.

"Did I say you can speak?"

I clenched my fist, wanting so badly to be able to fight back.

"Now where were we…. Ah yes, alterations. You see, Sydney is supposed to be here right now. Which, you already knew. But, you and your friends are also supposed to be here."

I frowned. What was this guy on about?

"You see, we wanted you all to come and try to save Sydney. We even helped you out, and leaked you some information…"

So Abe's source had been a dodgy one. Great.

"We knew that if you had come and tried to break her out, the Alchemists would have had an excuse to start a war with you despicable devils, which would have helped us to complete our mission."

I replayed his words back in my mind. Helped us to complete our mission… So he wasn't an Alchemist. But what was he, and what was their mission?

"But… we underestimated you all. We didn't expect you guys to use a cloaking spell. You would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for the Alchemists' keen eyes with security. When they saw a door suddenly open and close, they knew something was up. That wasn't the first time that had happened. You see, we know what Sydney is."

I grimaced.

"So we knew that there had to be some form of magic assisting you all. Though, it did throw us off as we didn't account for another magic user to be involved. I'll give you points for creativity."

Before I could stop myself, I scoffed. And my "rudeness" was met with the slicing of the knife's blade across my cheek. I winced, but I kept still. Don't show him weakness, don't show him weakness!

"My, my. You are tough aren't you?" He turned towards the younger man, and whispered something into his ear. The man nodded in understanding, and began to pull his shirt off. I stared in horror as he flung the shirt to the corner of the room.

"Well, I don't want to get blood on my shirt. White stains so easily…"

Trying to block out his words, I shifted my attention to the older man, who had begun to retreat.

"I still don't get what you want with me! You said it yourself, I ruined your plan!" I tried to pivot my neck to glare at the older man, but all I could see was his shadow on the wall. He had stopped walking, and I thought my words would be met with more abuse, but instead he actually answered.

"The Alchemists are sick of working with your kind, and we want you all dead. Information is the key to making this vision of ours a reality. And you, Rosemarie Hathaway, are going to give us this information. One way or another."

"Like hell I will! You won't be able to torture anything out of me, you psychotic piece of shit!"

Both of the men laughed, but this time it was the younger man who spoke.

"I'm not going to torture you for information. I'm just going to make you weaker for the next stage." I shivered. Next stage? "And also, because if I'm honest, it will be fun."

I glared at him with more hate than I've ever glared at anyone, ever before. He's going to find this fun? And they think we're the monsters…

I heard a sliding sound from behind, which I figured must have been the door. As confirmation, I watched as the older man's shadow disappeared from view.

"Don't go easy on her Jeff. No matter how human she may look, she's still a demon." That was the last thing the bearded psychopath said before the doors slid shut.

I turned back toward Jeff, who was now standing right in front of me, with a massive grin plastered on his face.

I was about to speak, but instead of words, screams escaped my mouth as he plunged the knife deep into my leg.

So either Rose has an identical twin sister, or somethings up. Any theories?

And who are these guys that want info from Rose?

This is where things start to get interesting...

Please R&R- would LOVE to hear some feedback :D

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