Hello Everyone…I tried to update quickly for you…please review if you like this chapter.

Same disclaimer…I own nothing……Richelle Mead owns VA and its Characters.

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A Special Thank You to Toolshed…your words were very sweet and encouraging… :D Terri


CHAPTER 28

ADRIAN'S POV

What the hell was she thinking? How could she do this? It' s only been a two months since she had been attacked. She was smarter than this; But, since when has Rose ever been sensible in her logic to get something done.

She definitely played by her own set of rules. If I really thought about it; I knew why Rose did what she did. She wanted to settle this on her own, not involving me, fearing I would isolate myself further from

my family. But, what she fails to see, is that I would do it for her regardless. I know for a fact she had just left 5 minutes before I made it home, leaving enough time to get to her. I have been waiting for Abe

for the last 3 minutes and she could not possibly be at her destination yet. Abe had instructed that I wait for him and Guardian Pavel before I did anything rash. I knew I couldn't disobey him because he was right.

Abe is the sole person who could help at this point, the only one that could possibly reason with Tatiana. I was racked with guilt by staying put and conceivably delaying our chances to rescue Rose.

I knew she was in better shape at this point to handle herself, if she had to, but I still didn't want her in that position. I hated to wait here for Abe; waiting as each second passes by, Rose could be hurt

or I hate to think it, dead.

"Ivashkov?" I spun around to see Abe and Guardian Pavel quickly approaching me. "Give me the note." Abe demanded as he reached for the envelope.

I gave it to him without delay. "Abe…We really need to get going. I hate wasting valuable time. Each second we stand here is one minute closer to Rose being harmed. I almost lost her once ...Abe

and I refuse to let her go through that again." I said to him; slightly raising my voice.

Abe lifted an eyebrow; glaring at me, as if I was challenging his decision to read the note. "I understand your need to want to come to Rose's rescue. However, my daughter is a Guardian. And Adrian,

you have to learn to trust that she can handle certain situations on her own. We need to know what we are dealing with before we just barge in on this meeting. I want to have all the facts in order, prior to making any

impetuous decisions. I have my own strategic plans in place and I can't have any reckless attempts of bravery disturbing my purpose. Do you understand me.. Ivashkov?"

I nodded my head; trying to act as if I understood, but I really didn't. "What ever you say Abe."

Abe looked at Pavel and then back at me. "Let's start walking to our locale and I will fill you in on our objective." I let Guardian Pavel lead the way as I walked beside Abe taking in his plans of action.


ROSE'S POV

I finally made my way to the lake to meet Tatiana, but she wasn't here. I wasn't blind coming into this meeting. I knew she would have Guardian Nikolai with her and that I would possibly be in for a fight. Hell, I

didn't care. It would be what it would be; I had no fear of the situation. But, I did use their absence to my advantage. I took the opportunity to glance around; taking in my surrounding, trying to adjust my senses to be

on alert, in the event I were being approached. And if and when I would be converged upon; I could guarantee that I wasn't going down without one hell of a battle. The instinctive side of me tensed up, sensing that

someone was on my flanks. I quickly turned to my right, spotting Guardian Nikolai and Guardian Sergei slowly approaching me.

I gave them both a smirk. "So boys...tell me….. Are you back for round two?" I ask; with a challenge evident in my voice.

Guardian Nikolai cleared his throat. "Forgive me, Miss Hathaway, but I have no idea what you are speaking about. The."

I interrupted him with contempt in my tone. "Guardian….Guardian Hathaway, Not Miss. Understood?"

He bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me Guardian Hathaway. I am here to make sure that the area is secure for your audience with Her Majesty."

I gave Nikolai a hard laugh. "You're afraid of what I may do to her, really? That's interesting….hmmm." I tilted my head to the side, giving him a dumbfounded look. "She needs to be afraid of me."

Guardian Nikolai took a step closer to me. "I think it is about time you stop your threats directed at Her Majesty. If you remember correctly it is my job to protect her."

I stood my ground, showing him no fear. "OH, I do remember. Except your weren't protecting her at that time."

He flinched as I spoke those words to him. He knew where I was coming from; knowing I remembered something that he was hoping I would have forgotten or wouldn't be able to remember; silenced by death.

"I think it is time we stop with the insinuations, Miss Hathaway." Tatiana said while stepping out from behind Guardian Sergei. I knew what I was in for it. I was in for one of the worst fights of my life.

"So, Miss Hathaway. What is it that you wish to speak with me about?" I could tell just by the sound of her voice that she wanted to play a game; I'll play, let them begin.

I gave the best sarcastic sneer I could invoke. "I don't know..Tatiana." I spread my arms wide; turning in a circle, bringing attention to the surroundings around us. "I had this vision, flashback, memory. Whatever you

want to call it. It involved you, Guardian Nikolai, and Guardian Sergei. Huh! You must be stupid like all the other criminals that return to the scene of their crimes."

Tatiana eyes narrowed. "I am afraid you are misunderstood, Rose. I am completely unaware of what you're speaking of." She going to play stupid, good angle. I guess I will have to provoke it out of her.

"Fascinating…you really are a stupid bitch, you know that Tatiana. I remember your two guardians here; Tweedle dee and Tweedle Dum, trying to carry out your specific orders. You wanted me dead, remember?

You really are a greedy, power hungry old hag?" I gave her a sardonic smile.

Her beady eyes staring at me with pure hatred. "You will NOT speak to me that way. I could have you killed for your disrespectful nature. I am your Queen."

"Shit lady, not only are you stupid. But, you're also delusional. You're not my Queen, remember.. you said so yourself. You are Queen of the Moroi society, I am a lowly Dhampir…jarring any memories in that thick

skull of yours. I mean you are really old. So, maybe senility is settling into your brain." I was so loving that fact I was antagonizing her.

"Oh Yea, and by the way, you already tried to have me killed. It didn't work." I gave her a dazzling smile.

Her face was scarlet;I had really done it, she was pissed. She raised her voice an octave. "I may have failed the first time in having you eliminated. But, it would happen the second time. Guardian Nikolai."

The Guardian turned to her and nodded; waiting for her instruction. " I want you to take care of Miss Hathaway. This time I will stay here and make sure it is done correctly.

You are not to stop until she is dead. Understood?" Her words with filled with malevolent intent.

He looked to the Queen and gave a slight nod. "Yes, Your Majesty." I saw it there in his eyes, he didn't want to do this. He was following direct orders; having no real choice, kill me or lose his future, as a Guardian.

I crouched down in my fighting stance. I curled my two fingers, encouraging him forward, to get the show started. He took his position in front of me as we starting circling each other. I was hoping that Guardian Sergei

would stay his position to guard the Queen. I didn't think he would be able to leave his station; Nikolai was on his own, regardless. The Queen's life was to be protected first and foremost.

I saw an opening as I jabbed Guardian Nikolai in the right side of his jaw, staggering him backwards. He was big and strong, but I was faster. I threw another punch at him; he blocked. He delivered his first blow as it

connected to my cheekbone. Christ! That was going to leave one hell of a bruise. The both of us continued to throws jabs and hooks until we were both bloodied and battered. Neither one of us was going to quit. I refused to give up and die.

I had too much to live for; my thoughts of my family didn't help because as my attention was on Adrian and Ethan, Nikolai made his move. He caught the right side of my head, rendering me to the ground.

I tried to struggle with him, but the blow hit me in the same spot that had put me down before.

"Finish Her! " Tatiana screamed the final command to be obeyed.

The dark figure danced before my eyes as my vision started to diminish. I felt Guardian Nikolai bringing his strong hands around my neck. This was it, I was going to die.

The last thing I remember was Tatiana screaming. "No, No! This can not be happening." I felt Nikolai hands slip from my neck; it was then the darkness consumed me again.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I slowly opened my eyes. I was fluttering my eyelids; trying to adjust to my surroundings. I was shocked to see Pavel beating the shit out of Nikolai. I mean Dimitri was

always fast and strong. But, I have a feeling that Pavel could have given him a run for his money. I felt someone helping me up from the ground. It was Adrian.

"Adrian? I am sor.." He interrupted me.

"We will talk about it later. We have bigger things to contend with right now." I followed the direction of his eyes as I saw my dad fighting Guardian Sergei. Man, my dad was seriously kicking ass, but I still didn't want him

to be hurt. I struggled to break free from Adrian's grip so I could help my dad.

Adrian whispered close to my ear. "Rose, your dad is fine. Trust me."

Tatiana yelled to her Guardians. "You're worthless, failures. How did you ever become Guardians. I will have both of your titles. Finish both of them…NOW! I will not tolerate incompetence."

It was then; Guardian Nikolai threw up his hands in surrender. Pavel quickly turned to Abe to seek his instruction on how he wanted to handle the situation, in the event that it was a trap. Abe signaled Pavel to cease all actions, for the moment.

Guardian Nikolai spoke, breaking the eerie silence. "I never wanted any of this. I didn't sign up for attempted murder on Guardian Hathaway; stalking, and threatening her. I didn't become a Guardian to abuse my power.

I became a Guardian to protect people. For Gods sake, she was pregnant when we assaulted her. I can no longer live with my guilt. I am ashamed of myself for what we have done to her and for no good reason. She didn't deserve

any of this." He turned to the Queen with a mixture of fear and remorse in his eyes. He knew his fate rested in her hands. I felt his anguish when he spoke and I saw it there in his eyes; I believed him.

My father stepped forward; closing the gap between Nikolai and himself. "Guardian, Are you saying that Queen Tatiana Ivashkov instructed you to murder my daughter, Rosemarie Hathaway?" As my father ask the

question, his eyes never left Tatiana's face; she was visibly shaking with fear or anger, I couldn't distinguish the difference.

Guardian Nikolai lowered his head in shame. "Yes Sir. Both Guardian Sergei and I were instructed to carry out the murder of Miss Hathaway and her unborn child. Forgive me, Mr. Mazur."

My father slapped Nikolai on his shoulder. "You've done your job Guardian. We will discuss this later." My father than turned his attention to Tatiana and spoke directly to her.

"Ah…my dear Queen Tatiana. I fear we have reached a juncture in our prior agreement. You see under our previous arrangement; you were to NEVER abuse your power, and well, ordering the death of my daughter and grandson

would be a direct violation of our terms. Would you agree?"

Tatiana just stood before my father, quivering with fear at this point. It was then that I noticed the audience that had assembled around us. I was so engrossed with the conversation between Abe and Tatiana; I hadn't noticed much

of anything else. I was completely lost; why was she so fearful of my dad? What the hell was going on?

My dad cleared his throat before speaking. He addressed ever person that had assembled before us. "I, Ibrahim Hanedani, the rightful heir; belonging to the original Ottoman Dynasty, The Imperial House Of Osman, relinquish you,

Tatiana Maria Ivashkov of your duties as the ruling member of the Moroi Society. I forthwith strip you of any and all titles of formality. You are to be placed under arrest and charged for the attempted murders of Rosemarie Hathaway and

Ethan Dimitri Ivashkov." Tatiana's head jerked upward and she gave me a sly smirk when my father mentioned Dimitri's name. What the hell?

My father turned to Pavel. "Guardian Pavel. Please handcuff Tatiana Ivashkov and escort her to a holding cell until she is officially charged for the crimes against her."

"Yes, sir." Pavel took Tatiana hands; placing them behind her back, while applying the handcuffs on her wrists, and escorting her to jail.

Finally, she opened her mouth and spoke. "I demand an attorney. I want charges brought against Rose Hathaway, for attempting to assault me. I am a Moroi, a dhampir cannot speak to the Queen the way she spoke to me." She was

struggling against her handcuffs.

Abe smiled at her. "Tatiana, You are no longer Queen. And if you remember correctly my daughter is a direct descent of my bloodline, dhampir or Moroi, it doesn't matter. Rosemarie is a princess; She could have you put to death for your

actions."

Adrian walked up to his Great Aunt. "I can't believe you would go to these lengths for power, and revenge. It backfired on you. If I weren't such a gentleman, I would smack your face, Tatiana."

I walked over and pushed Adrian out of the way. "Lucky for me, I'm not a gentleman." I slapped Tatiana across her cheek. "You better pray I am feeling merciful when you have your day in court." I walked away from her, not looking back.

I glanced around at all the faces; shocked, surprised, and some even elated at the turn of events. I turned to my dad. "What the hell just happened? Your who? How did you achieve all of this? I am so damn confused." I shook my head in bewilderment.

My dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders, giving a tight squeeze. "Ah Kiz! It's a long story. Let's all retire to your place….I need a stiff drink and I will explain everything."

I looked up at my dad. "Thanks for being there for me. It got kind of close there for a few minutes."

"No problem, Kiz. I will never let you down." My father said with a sly smile on his face.

I placed my hand in Adrian's, thinking it would be nice to finally try to live normal lives….Hell! Who was I kidding; my life was far from normal. I said to my dad and Adrian. "Me? A princess?" I snorted loudly. "Yea, right!"

We all burst out laughing as we made our way home.


I hope you guys liked this chapter..Tatiana got what she deserved or did she?

please review..i love your comments they keep me going..

the story is not over yet…maybe 5 more chapters to go.