I couldn't believe it, I had finally tracked down Adrian. After months of hard searching we had found him. He was in Russia running the empire that Dimitri had left and it appeared he was doing quite well at it too. Part of me was surprised that Adrian had survived this long as he had been a pampered royal Moroi before he was changed.

As we stood before Galina's estate I felt very nervous this could be the end for me or Adrian or one of my travelling companions, maybe even us all. Mikhail picked up on my nerves and gave me a hug to reassure me before giving Sonya a sweet passionate kiss before we met our fate. We looked at each other and nodded it was now or never.

We had decided to attack during the day for obvious safety reasons but we still weren't sure if this was the best idea as Adrian would be so weak, maybe we could restore him once we were out of the danger zone? I slipped into full guardian mode and prayed I would survive and be able to return to my family. God how I missed them. It was a nightmare trying to evade them as there were constant reminders and close calls with employees of Abe's. Damn I was slipping out of Guardian mode I really needed to stop doing that or it could cost all of our lives.

We made it into the house without any trouble. This was when problems could arise. We decided to take out each stirgoi as we came upon them immediately and quietly to avoid any attention. Thankfully this policy worked but it also meant we were wandering around aimlessly without any idea where Adrian was. I found myself thinking about the Spirit Battle between Lissa and Avery. I wondered was there any way that I could slip into Lissa's head while Dimitri linked to hers and Adrian's.

I decided to motion to Mikhail and Sonya to follow me. I silently brought them to a room and had them guard while I slipped iinto Lissa's mind. We refrained from talking due to Stirgoi's super hearing. Once I slipped into Lissa I was overcome with emotions. She was sitting opposite to Dimitri and he looked very haggard.

"Look Lissa I have no idea where she is sshe just left to try save Adrain okay?"

"Dimitri I know you must have some idea at least where Adrian is and that could make the world of a difference to the search ofr her."

"Do you think I don't know that?"

"Then why won't you tell me?

"Because I don't know"

I knew Dimitri was lying and oddly enough so did Lissa.

"Dimitri as Queen Dragomir I am ordering you to tell me any possible location of Adrian."

I was speechless and slightly pissed off as Lissa used compulsion on Dimitri but right know I wasn't as pissed as I should be as I might just get the answer I'm looking for.

"Adrian is in Russia, I'm not sure exactly where but I'm guessing he is working out of my olld estate" he told her with a glazed, emotionless expression.

I wondered if Dimitri had knowen this all along or whether he had only recently discovered how to use his bond. I was also confused on how he could work the bond while Adrian was in this undead state, maybe it had something to do with Spirit?

"Why didn't you tell us this Dimitri?"

"Why should I, it's not like Adrian isn't happy"

"In other words your just jealous of the attention he gets off Rose"

"Am not" he pouted in a very childlike manner

"Dimitri, why didn't you tell us this sooner? We could have retrieved Adrian and got Rose back by now" she practically yelled at him losing most of her composure. She desperately missed me and was fuming that Dimitri hadn't shared this information with her. So was I come to think of it. I could be back by now, with my family.

"Maybe I don't want her back" he said coolly.

I was shocked Lissa was no longer using compulsion but I could tell he meant it. He honestly at that moment at any rate did not want me back.

"Why" Lissa was almost as hurt as I was

"Because she left me, again. I am sick and tired of her childish games. I figured she wouldn't be away for too long before she accomplished her desires and returned to us. I am fed up of her attitude and lack of trust. Adrian means the world to her not me, not you, not Mason, I honestly don't really care if she ever comes back.

I felt something inside me snap. I was devastated how dare he think like that. What I was doing would benefit them all in some way or another and yes Adrian did mean the world to me but so did he, It hurt so much that he thought I didn't lose him with my heart and soul.

Dimitri obviously felt some change in Lissa. I did she was outraged at her accusations but when Dimitri looked at her I realised he wasn't looking at Lissa he was looking through her, he knew I was present and had been for most of the conversation. Regret pooled in those brown eyes I had loved so much.

"Roza I'm so sorry please forgive, I swear I didn't mean that I just miss you so much, please" he pleaded

"Emmm Dimitri is Rose in my head?"

"Yes your majesty she is and has been for most of this conversation" he replied in a monotone.

God Rose I'm so happy your okay. I miss you so much and am so sorry you had to witness that. I love you so much please hurry back she thought, and with that he focus changed

"Dimitri where exactly is Adrian?"

God I loved Lissa she was compelling him to give me an exact location for Adrian. I was so grateful to her.

"He's in my old room in Galina's estate"

I silently thanked Lissa and pulled myself from her mind. I slipped into my own mind and realised I had been crying. I wiped my eyes and nodded to Mikhail to follow me. I put my mind on the task ahead. We weren't far from Adrian's room and I wanted him so badly now, possibly for a rebound but I knew iw anted him now as more than a friend, hell I needed him so much.

We made it to Adrian's room and I thanked my lucky stars that we met Adrian on his own just leaving his room. I acted instinctively and knocked him out. He looked as if he had been going to call for help. The place was swarming with Stirgoi and we couldn't afford to be slowed down by two weak Moroi. Sonya carried Adrian while I lead the way and Mikhail brought up the rear. I made a few silent kills and we were back out. I mustn't have been long in Lissa's head as it was still daytime when we made it outside. We were relatively safe now but we still took precautions. We finally made it to our get-a-way car when Adrian started to stir. Sonya dropped him and Mikhail pinned him to the ground. He was less than impressed and thrashed out sending Mikhail flying into a tree trunk close by. I leapt around to try restrain Adrian to see him with a stake just about to go into his heart then there was a blinding white light as Sonya plunged the spirit induced stake into his heart. I left Sonya to deal with Adrian as I really wasn't one for emotional breakdowns and Mikhail looked seriously injured with a huge bump on his head and blood pumping from a gash at the back. Shit. I ran over to him and realised he really needed help. As I reached him he spoke

"Rose"

I could tell he was weak and terrified, they were very serious injuries. I panicked and called out for Sonya as I felt his heartbeat slow. By the time she had made it over his heartbeat had stopped, he was dead. I couldn't think. We had became so close to him over the past few months. I barely noticed Sonya until she sobbed and collapsed. It was then Adrian walked over panic stricken. I realised Mikhail still had no heartbeat, Sonya didn't have enough power to bring him back to life. Adrian had just been restored so I highly doubted he had either. It was then I noticed Adrian was picking Sonya up and carrying her closer to him as he put his hand over hers and tried to combine their spirit. I was amazed at Adrian's smart thinking. I was equally amazed as I realised it was working. I felt Mikhail's heartbeat returning. It was weak but it was there. Once I was satisfied that he would live I picked him up and got Adrian to carry Sonya as we made our way over to the car.

Our car journey was painfully quite and after around half an hour Adrian fell asleep. We made it to the nearest town and I booked us into a Moroi hotel as I knew Adrian and Sonya would be needing feeders, they could also tend to Mikhail. We were well looked after, I couldn't have asked for better service although I don't know if that was customer service, the fact I had Adrian Ivashkov in my company or the fact I used one of the numerous bank accounts belonging to Abe Mazur. Sometimes I just loved my father. I knew he would be here before long and I was delighted now that this ordeal was over I wanted everything to go back to normal.