When Rose is shot by Tasha Ozera in Last Sacrifice, both Lissa and Adrian use all of the Spirit they can wield to try and bring her back. In a shocking turn of events, Rose is not only healed, but somehow ends up somewhere she never could have imagined. Canon up until Time-Travel. Rated M for language…etc First multi-chapter fic.
LEMON WARNING FOR CHAPTER!
"Lucas and Moira's son?"
Christian said nothing, but the confirmation on his face was obvious.
"I knew your parents. Great people. Unparalleled. Their deaths were a shame… but, well… I daresay they brought that on themselves. I told them they shouldn't have gone back for you. Would have been wasteful to awaken you so young. They claimed they were going to just keep you around and waken you when you were older. I warned them that that would be a disaster, but, well…"
Frostbite
-Richelle Mead
Bonds of Time
Chapter Twenty
As The Rush Comes
The weeks after my mother's funeral passed in a haze of activity. My father had blackmailed Kirova into letting me accompany him to Scotland to put my mother to rest. He had been very patient and supportive and I saw no sign of the cunning Russian mob boss when he was near me. The arrangements had all been handled by him and I couldn't have been more grateful as I had no experience whatsoever in planning a funeral. When we returned to the airport in Scotland, my father had put his arms around my shoulders and handed me the plane ticket to return to the lodge where the rest of the students were still staying.
"There will be a guardian waiting for you at the gate, little one." He gave me a quick hug. "Have a safe flight and don't hesitate to call if you need anything."
"Thanks, old man." I smiled at him as I grabbed my bag and headed onto the plane.
The flight was long and tiring, and the constant swirling darkness had left me with the mother of all headaches. But it was well worth it if it got me back to Dimitri and Lissa. Neither of them had been able to contact me since I left and I was dying to see them both. Everytime I had checked on Lissa, she had always been with Tasha and I would get so angry that I'd pull my mind from the bond. Hell, I even missed Sparky. Adrian had pulled me into his dreams every night. The conversations were always light hearted and fun, but each time I could see the dark rings under his eyes and the bone deep weariness get worse. No matter how much darkness I pulled from him, there was always more. Neither of us spoke about it, because I don't think he even knew what was happening.
It felt surreal to stand at the baggage claim by myself. I had always been pretty content the few times I was out on my own, but for some odd reason I kept feeling the urge that I needed to get back. A hand on my shoulder caught me by surprise and I spun around ready to face any attacker. I had been so caught up in my own musings that I didn't even hear the footsteps behind me.
Our eyes met and he pulled me into a bone crushing hug that made my heart soar. "I've missed you."
Dimitri set me back down as his eyes searched my face. "Watching you leave with your father, so soon after everything that happened, was one of the hardest things I've ever done."
I know what he meant. I had felt exactly the same way as I had to pack my bags and leave without being able to get one last kiss. After my escape from the makeshift clinic, there was always someone around to keep me and Dimitri apart. All that we had were stolen glances and the occasional word or two before we were interrupted. It seemed that every guardian, novice and Moroi in the lodge had stopped by my room at least twice to either give their condolences or tell me how brave I was to freaking blow myself up. Which brought a very important question to mind.
"Is Tasha still at the lodge?" I looked up at him with a sour face.
"Alberta is still trying to find the best way to get the charges passed." Dimitri tried to reassure me. "Everyone's been quite busy in the aftermath of the last attack."
"She hasn't tried anything has she?" I narrowed my eyes as my mind went back to the night she had tried to compel him to knock her up.
"No, Roza," Dimitri kissed my forehead, "She hasn't tried anything. I've spent the last week at the guard station. I haven't even seen her other than in passing."
I brushed the hair out of my face and looked up at him. "Let's get out of here."
"As you wish." Dimitri pulled my bag from my hand and slung it onto his shoulder as he grabbed my other hand and held it tightly.
"You better be careful with that bag," I smirked at him, "your Christmas present is inside."
"Having you back is gift enough." Dimitri smiled at me. "And you'll have to wait until Christmas morning to open yours."
"Damn," I sighed in mock disappointment as we walked toward where he had parked the SUV. "Hey, is Adrian okay?"
"Define okay." Dimitri replied in a low tone. "He has stayed shut in his room for most of the week."
"That's not like him." I said worriedly. "I'd have figured that he'd have drained the bar while I was gone."
"No," Dimitri shook his head and stared straight ahead, not meeting my eyes. "he hasn't been drinking. I'm quite sure that he has been doing his best to avoid me though."
"Why would he avoid you?" I asked curiously. "I thought you two were alright with each other."
"Let's just say that your father and I both had a talk with him about the consequences of helping you get to the Drozdov estate."
"Well, I was going to be there whether Adrian helped me or not." I stopped and stared at Dimitir. "If I had to do it all over again, I would."
There was a knowing glint in Dimitri's eyes as he turned away from me. "My grandmother pulled me to the side, the day I was leaving home to travel to the US. She told me that one day I would find a girl that was more mysterious than any book that I have ever read. Would you like to know how she described this girl to me?"
"How?" I asked as I pictured Yeva and her crazy ass cryptic speech. "Trouble?"
Dimitri's eyes widened momentarily as he said; "She said that you were cloaked in darkness but that you would shine brighter than the rising sun."
"That's helpful." I laughed. "There's no way that could be me, you better get back on the ball about searching for your mystery woman."
"Oh, it's you alright." Dimitri chuckled. "She said that you'd be even more stubborn than I am."
"I'll concede to that one." I shook my head.
We got back to the lodge around noon. The guard at the gate smiled widely at me and nodded his head as we drove through. It was unnerving to be in the spotlight when I had tried for months to avoid it. The dhampirs that worked at the lounge were scattered throughout as they cleaned. Dimitri eye's searched the hallway and when he found it empty, he opened the door and pulled me into his room. My bag hit the floor along with my new heavy wool jacket. Dimitri's duster ended up on top of the TV.
His warm hands pulled my face to his and he kissed me deeply. I wrapped my legs around him, drinking in the feeling of being closer to him. My back arched in an effort to feel more of him. His breath caught as I reached between us and unbuttoned his pants and then started on my own. His eyes were filled with lust and longing as he watched me unzip my pants. My movements are swift and well calculated but still he surprised me when he dropped me onto the bed. My entire body was alight with anticipation and need. When there are no more clothes to shed, he stood and stared down at me with reverence.
"See something you like, comrade?" I teased him.
"No," his voice was deep and husky as he knelt on the bed and hovered over me, "Everything that I see, I love."
My hands snake around his neck as I kissed him. His tongue grazes over my lips and I grant him entrance. Our hands roam over each other's bodies as we move closer and closer together. And then there was no space between us. Dimitri breaks the kiss and stared into my eyes as he entered me. My eyes rolled back at the euphoric sensation as he moves against me slowly. Already my muscles are tightening and I know that I won't last long. I rolled Dimitri on his back and straddle him as I grind down on him. His hands grabbed my ass as he lifted me slightly and drove into me again and again. Our pace was slow and steady to start out but quickly became heated and frantic. My back arches once again as I can feel myself climbing to the edge of ecstasy with him. He leans up and then his mouth is on my breast as his teeth grazed my nipple. I leaned back and moaned as he continues his ministrations. And then at last I collapsed into his arms as the intense pleasure washed over me. Dimitri plowed into me three more times before he went rigid beneath me. Our breaths came out in quick pants as he peppered my face with kisses.
"I love you, Roza." He put his arms around me and held me tight.
"I love you, too." I whispered into his ear.
We fell asleep quickly after that, wrapped up in each others arms. I'm pulled from my restful sleep an hours later when I was overcome with fear. Jumping up from the bed, I paced the floor as I checked in on Lissa.
"Not another word, vamp!"
Her fear was palpable as she and Christian stared at each other with panicked eyes. Their feet and hands were bound by plastic zip ties as they lied face down on the metal floor of a van. Mia cried quietly behind Lissa as the driver hit a bump and they were bounced around.
My own fear and worry pulled me back out of the bond. Dimitri was sitting up and grabbed my shaking hands.
"Lissa, Christian, Mia and a few other novices have been kidnapped." I hissed as I pulled free from his grip and dug into my bag to try to find some clothes.
"Where?" Dimitri was in guardian mode as he joined me in getting dressed.
"Spokane, Washington." I pulled on my pants and shoes.
"Who has taken them?" He asked as he pulled my bra off the ceiling fan and handed it to me.
"Fucking humans!" I was twisted up in my shirt and ended up ripping it down the side in my irritation. "They're taking them to Strigoi."
"Do you know the way?" He opened the door when we were both dressed.
"Yes." There was no way I could forget the place where Mason had died in my dream.
Dimitri stopped by Alberta's room on our way to the main floor. The stern looking woman was surprised that Lissa and the others had been able to escape the lodge's security. I was wondering how they pulled it off. There was no way that they could have found out about the Strigoi hideout from any of the guardians. Any Moroi would have known better than to tell a bunch of teenagers about it.
"Tasha." I hissed as I took off down the hallway.
Dimitri and Alberta were quick on my heels as I burst through the stairwell door. I didn't bother with the stairs as I jumped over the hand rails and fell the fifteen feet to the floor. I heard their quick footsteps as I opened the first floor door and ran straight into the person I was looking for.
"Oh, Rose." Tasha laughed as she held a hand to her chest.
I didn't hold back. My fist hit her jaw with all the force I could manage. Tasha fell to the floor with a scream and I jumped on top of her as I reared back to hit her again. Strong arms pulled me back as I tried to get another swing in.
"Rose, STOP!" Dimitri roared at me as he held my arms down in his iron grasp.
"She fucking told them! Didn't you, you stupid bitch!" I screamed at her. "You told them about the Strigoi hideout in Washington!"
"Told who?" Tasha looked at me in alarm.
"Christian and Lissa!" My rage was overpowering me and I didn't know if I could stand the sight of her much longer. "Don't deny that you've been filling their heads full of the whole 'We Moroi can defend ourselves' shit!"
"Well, yes," She said confused as she looked from Alberta to Dimitri. "I told them about it. I don't understand what the problem is."
"Well," I spat, "you might've succeeded in sending five teenagers to their deaths so they can prove that they can take offensive measures. I hope you're fucking proud."
"What?" Tasha's eyes widened in realization. "No! They weren't meant to go themselves! I never wanted that!"
"We need to leave now." I said to Dimitri who still held my arms.
Despite my anger towards Tasha, I tried to stay focused on the task at hand. During the long drive from Lowston, Idaho to Spokane, I stayed in the bond with Lissa. And the longer I stayed the more distressed I became. Isaiah and Elena hadn't hesitated this time. They had called in reinforcements.
Lissa had been tied to a wooden chair in the basement, but she was alone and scared. Where as in my dream we had all been together in one room, Lissa was cut off from the others. She cried quietly as the plastic cuffs cut into her wrists. The Strigoi came in to gawk at her in groups of three as they marveled over having captured the last Dragomir. The last three to open her door had me cringing in fear. Isaiah and Elena both stood there with a look of pride in their eyes as they held the door open for a fairly short Strigoi woman to walk in. Galina, Dimitri's former mentor, stood there pale faced and red eyed as she looked down on Lissa with a look that I can only describe as contemplative bloodlust.
"The last Dragomir," Galina cooed with a heavy accent, "yes, she will be a great addition to our ranks."
Lissa's fear escalated as she looked into the woman's hungry eyes. I couldn't blame her. There had to be almost ten to twelve Strigoi in the house. There was no clue as to the state of the other teens well being. Please, Rose! Lissa thought. Please help us!
I left the bond when Dimitri squeezed my hand and I turned to him. "They have them trapped in a basement." I said quickly. "There are at least ten or twelve Strigoi that I've seen so far, maybe more. Their leader has a heavy Russian accent. The others called her Galina."
Dimitri's expression held no sign that he recognized the name. My goal wasn't to try to shock him with the information, but he needed to be warned about who we were going up against. The rest of the drive was spent with careful planning. Dimitri, Alberta and Stan all asked questions non-stop. I gave them the most accurate answers that I could and hoped that we would not be too late. There was no way I could survive losing Lissa or anyone else.
Three long hours after leaving the lodge, we pulled onto the cul-de-sac that led to the Strigoi hideout. The tension in the vehicle was almost unnerving. There were three young Moroi, one of which was the Princess, and two novices. My fear and anger overwhelmed me the closer we got to the house, but I reigned it in. The darkness was like a thundercloud around me, calling to me, their lifeless faces staring at me in warning. Blocking them out, I looked through the back glass of the SUV to see Tasha Ozera waving her hands and gesturing wildly to the guardian who drove behind us. I didn't understand why they had let her tag along, she would only get in the way, but there was nothing I could say to change her mind.
The house looked different in the middle of the night. The streetlights gave it a quiet and unsuspicious look as we stopped further down the street. But I could feel the nausea bubbling up in my stomach. Fourteen Strigoi, by my count, where inside and they had no idea we were coming.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Stan asked me in a disbelieving tone.
"What did you expect? A gothic mansion that had the windows boarded up?" I said sarcastically. "Yes, it's the right place."
Alberta passed around a duffle bag that held stakes and headsets. I grabbed two stakes and put the earpiece into my ear.
"We've got runners!" Stan informed us as he pointed to where Strigoi flooded out of the back of the house and into the surrounding woods.
I checked on Lissa through the bond and felt her confusion as the chaos of Strigoi fleeing the house could be heard in the basement. She was tired and hungry, but otherwise okay. I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped out of the SUV and followed Dimitri.
Alberta took up the front of the group as she jogged toward the house. Stan was a few feet behind her. I followed him closely as Dimitri jogged beside me. All of us were on high alert, there were only six of us going up against who knows how many Strigoi. My nausea had eased off but hadn't gone away completely.
"Three of them." I whispered into my earpiece. "They're waiting for us in the house."
"Copy." The guardians that went towards the woods responded in quick succession.
Alberta stopped at the door and pointed for Dimitri and I to go around the back. I stalked across the icy grass quietly with Dimitri covering my back. The patio doors were wide open when we walked up and I hesitated for a moment before I walked through them. The darkness was too thick for me to block out and I had no choice but to let it in. It circled and called to me and from the depths a form emerged, a form I would recognize anywhere. Eddie shook his head and smiled at me as he tried to reach for me. His icy hand passed through my outstretched one. No! I thought fiercely. This couldn't be happening. Over a month spent trying to protect Lissa and Victor still takes her. Natalie still turns Strigoi an dies. All of my efforts to save the Badica's and Leanne had been lost. The Drozdovs were saved, but my mother had not made it. What was the point of the dream if bad things still happened?
Dimitri tapped my shoulder and I turned to him with tears in my eyes. I said nothing as I shook my head as I stepped across the threshold with Eddie walking beside me. Eddie turned to the left and I followed suit. I saw a flash of movement and struck out, my stake raked across the face of a tall Strigoi man. He bared his teeth and swiped at me as I ducked while Dimitri swung an arm around and staked him quickly. The Strigoi fell to the floor as I moved toward the basement door where Eddie was waiting for me. Dimitri covered me as I opened the door and quietly walked down the stairs. Mia was held in the first room that Eddie pointed to. She looked up at me in relief as she recognized me. I could tell that she hadn't expected to be rescued. I used my pocket knife to cut her free from the plastic cuffs and helped her stand up.
"Are you okay, Mia?" I put my arm under hers as I guided her out into the hallway.
"Yeah," Mia replied as I helped her sit down, "How'd you find us?"
"You're not all that subtle," I tried to joke with her, "You left quite the trail."
Eddie was waiting for me at another door and I left Mia with Dimitri as I opened it to find Christian who had set his chair on fire and stood there beside it with his arms still smoking.
"Come on, Sparky." I told him as I held up my knife. "Let the big kids handle this one."
Christian stared at me in awe as though he didn't believe I was really there. "Rose?"
"That's my name." I said as I easily cut through the half melted plastic strap. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he winced as he rubbed at his wrists, "where's Lissa?"
"Haven't gotten to her room yet." I shook my head as we walked out. "You can either go to Guardian Belikov and wait or you can help me find her."
"I'll help," Christian said quickly as I opened another door to find Mason.
Mason's head was lolled to the side and his neck was bleeding profusely. The Strigoi had been feeding off of him for a while. They had not been kind while feeding either, his neck bore pair after pair of bite marks and parts of it had been ripped open by their sharp fangs.
"Shit!" I whispered as I cut him free. "Help me carry him out."
He mumbled incoherently as Christian caught him before he could fall to the floor. Christian was stronger than he looked as he helped me half drag half carry Mason out of the room. Dimitri stood at the end of the hallway keeping guard at the foot of the stairs as we pulled Mason along the hallway, Mia darted forward and helped us with him as she stared aghast at the state of his neck.
"He'll need a medic." I said to Dimitri just as Alberta and Stan walked down the steps.
"They've cleared out." Stan said quickly as he surveyed the scene. "Looks like they're last two failed attempts have left them a little bit scared of us."
Not waiting any longer, I took off for the last door on the right. Lissa's head shot up and she let out a little squeak of surprise as I burst through the door. Her eyes met mine and tears streamed down her face as she cried into the gag. I cut the ties and pulled the gag from her mouth.
"Lissa," I pulled her into a hug as I helped her stand. "Don't ever do something like this again."
"I won't." She cried. "Are the others okay?"
Mia's scream echoed through the basement and my steps faltered. They had found Eddie. My heart caught in my throat as Lissa pulled away from me. My legs trembled as I followed her. Dimitri's eyes caught my own as he supported Mia. Lissa ran into the room that they stood beside. I could feel her grief and shock mixing with my own as she pushed Stan away and tried to heal him. Eddie's ghost knelt next to Lissa as she cried, he shook his head at me as he looked at her in sadness. He had been dead for hours, there was no way for her to heal him from that.
"Lissa," I whispered as I pulled her back, "It's too late."
"No," Lissa sobbed as her hands dropped to her sides, "It's my fault. This whole thing was my idea."
There was nothing I could say to make this better so I just held Lissa close. I knew what she was going through. But this wasn't the time for us to be sitting around, we didn't know if the Strigoi would come back or not. I pulled Lissa up and handed her off to Christian as we made our way back up the stairs. Stan had wrapped Eddie in a blanket and carried him with us as Alberta followed. Dimitri led the group while Christian and I both helped support a very groggy Mason.
The walk to the SUV's was solemn and silent until Tasha opened the door to the SUV and jumped out. She had barely made a few steps before a short Strigoi jumped from the branches. I held my stake in my fist as the other guardians surrounded those that we had rescued in an effort to protect them should more Strigoi show up. You could hear Tasha screaming for help until the sudden silence made us all flinch in shock as Galina punched her in her already bruised face and carried her off into the night. Christian slammed into my outstretched arm as he tried to chase after her, but with Alberta's help, we held him back.
"Let me go!" Christian hissed at me as he tried to get free. "We can still save her."
"Stop!" Dimitri's voice stopped him in his tracks. "The other guardians will make their best efforts to find her. I promise."
End Chapter Twenty
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Thank you to everyone who has supported this story! I appreciate all of you!
Chapter One of Bonds of Fate is about to be posted. Check it out if you'd like to see this story from Dimitri's POV.
Special thanks to Caden29 for her epicness! :::Sends special brownies and beer:::