DPOV

We were able to kill the most of the Strigoi who managed to get through. We also noticed some humans scattered around the Academy, calling orders and evading guardians. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a human run as fast as he could from the dhampir side of the Academy, yelling things in another language. All the humans and remaining Strigoi ran. The other guardians and I stood in our spots, confused.

"What just happened?" Celeste muttered.

"This doesn't make any sense," Alberta said. "Why would they break the wards, not even kill anyone, then runaway?"

A knot formed in my stomach. I had a bad feeling. They gave up too easily. Strigoi don't usually give up until they get what they want. Unless—

My eyes widened. I ran into the the dhampir side of the Academy. I checked Roza's room—empty. I checked my room—empty. But what made me freeze was that my door was off its hinges. My bed was messed up, a lamp was on the ground, broken. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs; my breathing became labored. This wasn't just some random attack. No matter how badly I tried telling myself it was. I punched the doorframe, feeling pain jolt through my arm.

They took my Roza and our baby. And I'm going to get them back.

RPOV

When I woke up, I was in a cold damp basement, on a filthy mattress, with a flickering lightbulb for my source of light. My hands instantly flew to my stomach.

Please be okay, baby, I thought. A clicking sound made me jump. The door opened and a group of humans, Moroi, and dhampirs came in. In the center, a male Strigoi. He looked youthful, elegant, but lethal and dangerous. His red eyes pierced into mine, his deathly pale skin made me shudder. He smiled wickedly, showing his fangs menacingly. From the looks of it, he was obviously Moroi before—from his slender build. His raven-black hair was slicked to the side.

"Rosemarie, what a pleasure." He had a British accent. His voice was deep, very masculine, and had a melodic tilt to it. Strange for a Stirgoi, I presumed, but this was the first encounter I ever had with one. "It's been a very long time." He frowned. "Many centuries, might I add." I blinked at him. Centuries? He chuckled. "That's right," he said coldly. "You killed yourself with that blasted Russian beast. You 'loved' him."

"Y-You knew me?" I asked shakily.

"Yes," he snapped. "But you hardly noticed me. I'm not surprised you don't remember me. I'm Alexander." He bowed gracefully. "Once a royal Moroi, I chose to turn out of the hatred that built up in me." He sneered at me. "I hated that Russian beast for making you love him. I hated you for loving him back. Such a waste, really. Dhampirs loving dhampirs?" He snorted. "Ridiculous!" Alexander's red eyes focused on me. "But there was a special meaning to your existance. If that Russian beast impregnated you, the child that grew in you would eliminate all the Strigoi in the world." His voice was menacing.

I gulped, my hands protectively covering my stomach.

"You failed the first time," he said, slowly walking up to me. "You thought that killing yourself was the only way out. But you got a second chance, and you're pregnant." He tsked me then smiled evilly. He knelt down and whispered: "Too bad you and your child will never see the light of day."

He got a gun out of the inside of his jacket and aimed it at my head.