I sat with Zhalia and Sophie at one of the cafés. She was seriously depressed after Lok was turned. We tried to cheer her up but nothing helped.
"Sophie," I said. "I know it hurts but you need to stay strong. I know how hard it is to lose someone you love to them. I'm sure you heard about what happened to Dimitri."
"I did." She said.
"You also can't go running off to save him." I had caught her earlier in the day trying to charm a steak with spirit.
"But I can change him back." Sophie protested. "I can save him."
"I know you can. But it's not safe."
"Rose is right." Zhalia agreed. "You could be killed."
"I'm not some weak little kid." Sophie argued. "I can defend myself."
"Against Strigoi?" I asked. "Against Lok? You could go to use that stake and hesitate. He's not who he used to be and will kill you if given the chance."
"We don't want you going out against them alone." Zhalia said.
"I just want him back." Tears streamed down her face.
"I know you do." I said. "But you need to think this through."
"I have thought this through." Sophie said. "I know what I'm doing. I have my titans and I know how to fight. I'm going to save him."
"At least let me and Dante come with you." Zhalia said.
"This is something I need to do alone."
"This is something you can't do alone."
"Zhalia's right." I said. "I wouldn't have been able to track down Dimitri if it wasn't for the Alchemist Sydney."
"Fine. We'll go." Sophie gave in.
"Be careful." I said. "He could have partners. Because he was human when turned, they probably have someone with him."
"We'll leave tomorrow." Zhalia said. "I'll call Dante." She grabbed her phone from her bag and left the table.
"Be careful." I said again. "Don't do anything crazy or stupid. He'll fight you, but you have to remember its not him in there. Don't hesitate. Hesitation can get you killed."
"Alright. Thank you Rose."