Dimitri's Point of View

Unlike Rose, I'd never had a problem waking up in the morning, but as my phone buzzed incessantly against the bedside table I found myself wanting to chuck it against the bedroom wall. Who the hell could be calling me at this hour?

Reluctantly I untangled myself from Rose's body, careful not to wake her up. She was lying on her stomach, her back bare as the sheet only covered her lower half. Her beautiful brown hair was sprawled out all over the pillow and I mentally cursed the asshole that pulled me from my bed. Of course the second I glanced at my phone I took it back.

Meet me in the hallway. Don't wake Rose- Abe

I quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before slipping out into the hall. Even at 4am he was dressed in a flashy suit. I was just about to inquire about all the secrecy when he spoke.

"We have a problem." He told me, handing me a familiar piece of stationary. I recognized it from the last note Victor wrote Rose. I didn't need to unfold the paper to know it was from him.

My Dearest Rosemarie,

I was unhappy to hear about your little declaration of love at dinner. I'd hate to think you let that filthy Dhamphir taint you. If you value his life, you'll heed my warning and end this foolish charade. You belong to me, and it's about time you remember it.

Merry Christmas Rosemarie.

All my love

Victor.

"Where did you get this?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"Pavel intercepted it outside of Rose's room." Abe told me. "The messenger boy knew nothing of its contents; we interrogated him thoroughly." I knew enough about Abe to understand what that meant.

"Well that's helpful, but we have bigger problems…" I told him. "Like the fact that Victor has a spy here at court."

"I'm aware." He stated coldly. At first I thought he was angry with me but when he started pacing back in forth in the hallway I could tell his irritation was directed elsewhere.

"He's getting bolder Belikov, daring to reach Rose here at court. If she's not safe from him here in the most guarded place in the world, then is she safe anywhere?" He growled.

I didn't want to think about the truth in his words.

"We've managed to keep her fairly safe at Lehigh, perhaps we should forgo the rest of the holiday and head back there in the morning." I suggested.

"No, that won't work either. They know that she's there; it's only a matter of time before they try to get to her. No…we need to send her somewhere remote, somewhere no one will think to look for her." He mused, stroking his long black beard deep in thought.

"Sir with all due respect, I'm not comfortable with the idea of sending Rose anywhere without me. I'm sure your guardians are some of the best, but no one can look after her with the same dedication as I can."

Abe stopped his pacing to study me before smirking.

"You're right Belikov, which is why it is you that will be going with her, and I know exactly where I want to send you…"

"Siberia Comrade? Please tell me that you're joking!"

Rose was taking the news about as well as expected.

"Roza be reasonable, we need to keep you safe, and somewhere no one will think to look for you. My family home in a Dhamphir Commune is the perfect hiding place."

"Why do I have to hide at all?" she shouted. "I'm a bad ass fire using Moroi who was trained by yours truly to kick some serious ass. I thought that was the whole point of all this. So I wouldn't have to worry about running and hiding. I like my school, and my friends, and my life back at Lehigh. I don't want to run!"

"Did you just say you like school?" I teased trying to distract her.

"Don't try to be cute." She glared.

"Roza please…try to think on the bright side of things."

"Which is what exactly?" she challenged adorably, trying and failing to raise one eyebrow like I can.

"We'll be alone there, away from the prying eyes of a judgmental Moroi society." I winked, and I had the pleasure of watching Rose's beautiful face brighten.

"Okay, I'll admit it…that doesn't sound completely terrible…" she mused, closing the distance between us and wrapping her arms tightly around my neck. I mimicked the gesture, grabbing her hips and lowering my head for a passionate kiss. When she finally pulled back to take a breath she rest her forehead against mine.

"Okay I'll go on one condition…"She warned me, but with the way she was looking at me, I'd have probably agreed to anything.

"Anything" I whispered huskily, still a little breathless.

"Sophia and Lissa are coming with us."

Rose's Point of View

When I came to, I was back in that dreadful estate, but instead of the cold wet basement, I was chained to a giant four poster bed.

"Oh good, you're awake." Victor spoke from somewhere close by. I tried to turn my head to search for him, but the action pulled at the gaping hole in my neck and I gasped in pain.

"Ah yes, I am sorry about that, but I had to weaken you my pet; we couldn't have you getting away again."

"Let me go you sick son of a bitch!"

I was furious about being back here, and they'd clearly learned their lesson since I was chained up with metal this time instead of plastic. My only solace came from the fact that I knew Mason, Christian and Eddie were safe, and with any luck, calling for backup right now.

I knew what these sick bastards wanted with me, and I just needed to hang on long enough for help to arrive.

"Tsk Tsk Rosemarie. We're going to have to work on that temper of yours. But in the meantime I think you've earned a little time out to think about what you've done."

I wanted to scream and yell and curse that monster all to hell, but with a forceful shove, my mouth was smothered with an awful smelling material. He gave me one last sinister smile and flipped out the lights before leaving the room.

The room itself was pitch black, all the windows were covered, blocking out even the slightest bit of moonlight. I tried to relax against the pillow, grateful for the time alone and the chance to try and figure a way out of this mess. Burning off my cuffs were out of the question this time, not to mention the fact that Victor draining my blood had left me weak. But as I sat there trying to devise an escape plan, something else occurred to me.

Why hadn't they packed up and hauled ass yet? I barely had a chance to ponder that in detail before I heard a rustling noise when the door cracked open. My eyes shot towards the sound to find a mop of curly red hair.

Mason.

He was by my side in no time, pulling the rag from my mouth and picking the locks on my cuffs.

"Mason, you idiot!" I hissed. He was supposed to be safe right now.

"Don't look so surprised Mazur; did you honestly think I'd actually leave you?" I wanted to smack the dumbass, but I was too relieved to do anything but throw my arms around his neck.

"Thank you Mase." I whispered, trying to ignore how weak I felt.

"Yeah well, it's my fault we got into this mess in the first place." He said shamefully. "Rose, I'm so sorry. None of this would have happened if I'd just let you explain. But I heard you and Belikov arguing and I just got so mad…"

"Don't apologize Mase; I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have led you on the way I did, not when I feel the way I do about Dimitri." His face saddened at my omission, making me feel like an even worse human being. He gently helped me off the bed when I stumbled slightly.

"Rose, your neck!" He nearly shouted and I had to clamp my hand over his mouth to muffle him.

"I'm fine Mase, really. But we need to go." I tried to make a move towards the door but I was too unsteady to make any progress.

"You're not fine, you need blood." He told me sternly. "Here." He said, tilting his neck to the side.

"Mason don't be stupid. If I drink from you that's only going to weaken us both. I can't take enough from you to get back what Victor took, and at least one of us deserves a fighting chance. I'll be damned if I'm going to take that away from you."

But Mason just rolled his eyes.

"Would you just shut up and drink already? Quit trying to be so damn noble. We're both getting out of here Rose and we're doing it together."

I wanted to argue, but one look at his fac told me it was pointless. I was a Moroi and he was a Dhamphir. I knew he'd never put his own needs above my own, no matter how ridiculous it was not to. So with a defeated sigh I drank, hoping and praying that he was right.

"Roza, wake up." Dimitri nudged.

"No." I grumbled, trying to shove my head back under the blankets. He chuckled lightly at my antics before pulling the covers back.

"Come on Milaya" He murmured, placing soft open mouthed kisses down my neck and shoulders. I squirmed slightly at his touch, trying to ignore the feelings he was stirring inside of me.

"If you really want me to be on time, you should stop doing that." I warned, cursing him and my dad to hell for coming up with his stupid idea in the first place. Hiding out in Siberia even sounded ridiculous, not to mention boring as hell. What was I even supposed to do for fun, build an igloo?

"Actually I woke you up a little earlier to make time for this…" Dimitri whispered as he slid the strap of my nightgown off my shoulder. I soft shudder rippled through my body.

Damn the things this man does to me.

2 hours later we were standing on the tarmac, bags in hand as the cold winter wind ripped furiously around us. I snuggled closer into Dimitri's side for warmth.

"Isn't this exciting?" Lissa squealed while Christian dragged their bags slowly behind him. I could feel through the bond Lissa meant it. Unlike me, she was thrilled about the idea of a new adventure, and much to my displeasure had been easy to persuade to defer from school this semester. I had been counting on her to play the heavy there, hoping that her insistence would help me convince Dimitri and my dad what we needed to stay.

But nope, she had caved. And now, here we were.

"I don't know what you're so excited about Liss; its Siberia for crying out loud. We are basically being banished to an arctic wasteland." I grumbled feeling Dimitri's chest rumble underneath my head.

"I think you're going to be surprised when you see just how normal a town Baia really is." He told me.

I just snorted in response.

"Okay, the party has arrived." Ivan bellowed, walking over to where we were standing. "Let's get this show on the road!"

Dimitri had made good on his promise and as such, the whole gang was coming with us. Abe had insisted on numerous occasions that this was foolish. The less people who knew about my whereabouts the better. But if I was going to have to suffer though Russian isolation, the least they could do was let me bring my friends along for entertainment.

With one last wistful look at the Pennsylvania landscape, I trudged up the plane's steps.

Arctic Wasteland…here we come.