Hey guys, Merry Christmas Eve! I tried to make this chapter long like chapter 9 which I hope I have succeeded in. Hopefully I will have the next chapter posted by New Years. But for now enjoy.
Within 3 hours everyone was packed and ready to go. The Belikov family decided that they were going to follow everyone to court, Dimitri obviously protested but when Yeva wacked him in the back of the head for being an idiot and threatened to wack him again he backed down. If Rose was amused by the scene she did not show it, she seemed to be indifferent to the Belikov family no matter how much they tried to interact with her. Rose spent her time with Rozalia and Ruşen, talking with them and training with them to control their newfound powers. Soon they were all on board of Abe's private jet and were heading back to court. After a nerve wrecking 17 hour plane ride on Lisa's part, they arrived at the airport and immediately stepped into the cars that Abe had waiting for them. The Belikov family took one car, Rose sat with Janine, Abe, Rozalia and Ruşen, while Lisa and Christian sat in a car with the guardians that Abe hired.
Within 30 minutes they had arrived at the court gates and was let in after everything was checked out. After they arrived and arranged their rooms Rose, Ruşen, Rozalia, Abe, Janine, Lisa, Christian, Dimitri and Vickotoria went to Hans Croft, the head guardian of the court to inform him of the invasion.
"Rose Hathaway never thought I would see you again." Greeted Hans.
"Same to you Hans, you don't look any different despite the 17 year gap," replied Rose.
"Speak for yourself Hathaway. I'm assuming the male and female next to you are your kids considering the girl looks like your clone,"
"You assumed correct but we're not here to talk about that. Al pleasantries aside, there is an army of Strigori coming to invade court,"
"You know this how?"
"I have my resources,"
"Right do you know how many there are?"
"If my prediction and info is correct around 3,000 strigori,"
"Damn it!"
"Guardian Croft does the court have the resources to defend itself and how are the wards around the court?" questioned Janine who immediately went into strategy mode.
"No, the most we have are about 1,000 trained guardians and about 1,500 newly instated guardians," replied Hans with a grim face.
"That's not going to be enough to defend the court, especially because they are new graduates," Janine's face was hard as stone as they thought about what this meant. There was going to be a lot of deaths if there is no plan.
"Don't worry mom. I can get a couple of the Gate Guardians to help. I get the feeling that within the strigori is some of the leaked out souls from the gates that might have slipped through," informed Rose.
"Okay Rose, but we still don't have enough people on hand to defend the people at court,"
"Hans, if my memory serves me right, there is an underground room where it is warded with support wards that are even stronger the the wards surrounding the outside gates," stated Rose.
"How, that is top secret information that only a select few know," Hans was shocked.
"I have my ways Hans, I wouldn't be a Hathaway and Mazar if I wasn't," Rose smirked at Hans.
"You know what, I don't even want to know how that mind of yours even works," Hans shook his head to avoid thinking about the working behind a Hathaway mind, which would only lead to a headache.
"Okay I suggest we start with the preparation of weapons and protocols for aximum protection and defense," Janine stated.
"That can wait until tomorrow mom, I'm sure we're all tired from the flight, plus I'm pretty sure that the jet lag is starting to catch up with everyone," stated Rose as see looked around the group.
"I already had people prepare rooms for you. I figured you would rather all be near each other for easy access," stated Hans.
"Thank you Hans," smiled Rose. As they all left for their rooms Carter came up to Rozalia and finally approached her for a much needed talk.
"Hey Ro, would you like to take a walk in the garden with me before we have to get ready for the battle," asked Carter who was a little nervous.
"Sure Carter, let me just tell my mom," replied Ro.
They walked around the garden and stopped at the gazebo in the garden beside the pond. Rose look at them with a knowing look in her eye as she watched them from the window that overlooked the garden while Ruşen had a stoic look on his face as he watched his sister interact with Carter.
"I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to hang out or even talk, these last few days have been very eventful," Ro apologized but Carter just shook his head in understanding.
"I get it Ro, I mean with having to deal with Guardian Belikov knowing he is your dad and your mom coming back. Its surprising to everyone. Now I can ask your mom for some blackmailing stories of my dad and some prank ideas, plus it'll be nice getting to know my aunt considering mom and aunt Rose treat each other as siblings in all but name and blood," replied Carter as he looked softly at Ro. Ro smiled at him.
Even though they had only known each other for a short amount of time, they felt a connection to each other that was not platonic by any means. Each hoped without the other knowing that they wanted to further explore the feelings they felt for the other but that would have to wait until after the battle. They just stood there staring at each other for a few more moments before they began to head back to the housing facilities standing closer to each other than before. Rose watched as they walked towards the facility with a look that could only be described as loving but soon that look turned to a stoic one thinking about the fighting to be happening their way. Her hand rose to clutch onto the winged key necklace around her neck silently praying for the safety of all of her loved ones.
Okay I hoped you guys enjoyed that little bit of romance between Carter and Ro. I thought it was cute though it could have been better time. For those Adrian fans, don't worry he'll be making an appearance soon, as well Sydney. ;P Anyway, I'm not one for battle sequences because I have never done them before so I am not opposed to suggestions(I need help). So please REVIEW!, and put your suggestions if you have any. Trust me I need al the help I can get with this. Ciao see you guys next time ;)