Finally in the enclosure of my room, I started processing and analysing all that I have learned in the past 24 hours. Starting from my vision of the impending death that will change the world as we know it, up to my recent dinner conversation. I needed a plan. One that would cover all possible constituencies, including the chance of my ultimate failure to prevent the devastation and the aftermath that would follow. I will need a team. But first, I needed to clear my mind and go over the facts.

*Dhampirs and strigoi will be working together - Why? What has caused such an odd partnership? Do they have a goal beyond the queens elimination?

*A spy is working or will be working at court. They were probably the reason the wards were down. - Who is it? Why is he or she doing it?

*What happened to cause such unrest, deflation of all hope, leaving the people with no other choice but to put in action the events that I saw.

*What has caused it? What role did the Queen play to bring about such devastation and discontent?

*She has already changed the graduation age for both moroi and dhamphir students, and she is planning to lower it further. Plus, the compulsory conscription, is a clear battle cry, but against who? Who would be terrifying enough to justify this? The death of children, the future generation. Lower guardian numbers could potentially be the reason, with a growing population of the royal moroi and strigoi, but this is a short-term solution. The long-term resolution would be needed, which calls for a dramatic cultural change. One that would end the bloodwhore communities, the shaming, and the separation of families. I have seen the damage it causes. The lack of support and encouragement. You have to choose either to raise a child without a father or to become a guardian. The in-betweens are children being dumped at the academies, which is also not a perfect solution.

* What else will the queen do to trigger her people to attack?

*Lastly, the queen herself may have been involved with a dhampir man which resulted in a child. What happened to this child? Was it a girl or a boy? Are they still alive? If this was true, she was a true hypocrite.

I was walking circles in my room, frustrated and ready to jump out and go for a run.

"There are too many unanswered questions. I needed more information. I needed to see the future."

Decision made, I walked to the window, opening it to take a deep breath of fresh air. Sitting down on my bed, I crossed my legs and placed my hands on my knees. A calming gesture. Closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing, my mind clouded over and an unexpected image formed before me.

I was standing in a grand hall, soft music was drifting from somewhere nearby. I saw my reflection in the mirror. I was stunning, a deadly phoenix risen from the ashes. Ready to heal or kill. My dress, /emmergedem from the deep red colour to black, lace adding elegance and a touch of sexiness to the whole look. I didn't need to check, the black leather body suit continued beneath my dress. The knee high boots accentuated my look but also made it clear that I was prepared to fight. Invisible to everyone else, under my removable skirt I was packing guns, silver knives and stakes. My makeup completed the message that I was the queen of strategy and war. Turning to my right, I saw the guardians have already opened the door for me. Reading their thoughts, I knew that they were in an awe of me and the knew what I represented. They were prepared to fight. Trained like me all their life. I walked to the balcony, pausing to scan the room before me. Below me, dancing couples have stopped and looked directly at me. A man was walking towards the staircase. Armed, handsome and dangerous just like me. He called to me. I made my way down. His thoughts were directed at me.

- Rose, the entire room stopped breathing when you emerged. You are magnificent.

- I tend to have that effect one people.

- You have fed. On strigoi. I can sense the darkness all around you - his voice accusing

- Enough, we are here for a reason and not to discuss my diet choices.

- Of course my love

He held out his hand to me as I reached the stairs. He was truly the kind of war. Eyes holding the depth that was beyond his age. Timeless beauty and mind sharp. He was leading my to the centre of the dance floor, just as the music has changed to a Tango. The perfect companion to our mission. Distract, retrieve, and leave. Of course, there is always a chance of a fight, but surely we were allowed to have our fun. He pulled me close, his strong hands on my waist. His breath, hot against my neck as he made his way slowly to my earlobe, biting on it gently and eliciting a moan from me.

- Oh darling, you truly are a vision. Yet there are too many people for me to ravish you.
- Patience.

He looked directly into my eyes.

"Let's give them a show to remember"

With that, we begun our dance of danger, passion, and sex. Entrancing the entire room, as other danced and looked upon us. In that moment, I cast my power over them, an illusion become their reality. It is time for me to act.

Suddenly I was pulled out of the vision into another. The death around me was a clear contrast to the sexually charged atmosphere of the ballroom.

The smell of moroi, dhamphi and strogoi blood heavy perforated the air. Everyone was fighting all around me. I felt those close to me fighting for their lives. The skirt of my dress was gone and the lace at the top ripped. It was time. Five strigoi were running towards me. With my mind, I took control over their bodies. Frozen they stood. In a blink of an eye, I was standing behind them. My hold strong over them I, expanded my range to encompass others. It was as if the time has stopped. Twenty more were now standing motionless. Fangs extended I bit and started draining them all at once. Darkness was gaining strength all around me. Becoming an entity of its own. MORE it screamed and I complied. Temptation. Capturing 10 more, I dried them all at once. Now the darkness of forming a body of its own, or was it me? A ghost. A looked up, shocked and awed.

Ice cold. This is real. I was breathing heavily, my skin covered in shivers. I opened my eyes to find that once again I was the centre of attention. Dragomirs and Christian were looking at me with fear in their eyes. Did they see what I saw? Were they scared of me? Lissa broke me out of my reverie.

- Rose, what happened to you? I knocked but you weren't answering. I walked inside to call you for breakfast, but you were sitting on your bed, completely still. We tried everything, spirit, fire, shaking but nothing worked. Andre suggested shock therapy, he lowered the water temperature and created ice. When we placed you inside, that when you finally came about.

I stood up quickly, cursing myself for being so stupid. I should have cast an alarm for intruders, a protection spell, or at the very least an illusion to avoid these questions.

- Lissa, I am fine. I was just meditation.
- Meditating?
- Yes Chrissy, deep meditation. You should try it, helps to expand your mind.

Rhea and Eric still looked uncertain. I decided a little tampering wouldn't hurt. Entering their minds, I calmed their nerves. Their facial expression changes and Rhia spoke up.

- You still look pale Rose, since I doubt you managed to get any sleep, I would like for you to go and feed. Andre too.
- Sure, Rhea. Andre, wait for me outside, please. I'm just going to dry off and get changed.

Grabbing the first pair of jeans, t-shirt and shoes I walked into the hall. Andre was leaning against the wall. Gently touching my face he spoke:

-Rosie, I was so scared. You were completely still, it was as if you were in a trance.

- Come, you look worse for wear while I am rocking it.

Andre, the genius in the family, was the only one to work it out. He didn't seem convinced. Reaching up to touch his hand, I reassured him with a glance, and holding on to his hand we walked down the stairs to meet with the donors. Feeding didn't take long, soon enough we were in the kitchen. Bantering as I made breakfast. Soon the rest of the family trickled in, the incident of the morning put to the back of their mind. Only Lissa was missing. Speak of the devil, she skipped into the room.

- Rose! You are looking much better! Guess what we are going to be doing today?

- Oh no, I know that glint in you eyes, this look on your face. I'm not going to like this am I?

- Shopping! But I have already found a way to sweeten the deal for you. We planned a surprise for you and it will be arriving either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

- You know that I love presents but hate surprises. Come on, you can at least give me a hint!

Instead of Lissa, Andre responded.

- It feels magnificent beneath your loins, and it sings the songs of freedom.

- You decided to get me a stripper? or a singing vibrator?

While everyone tried to hold in their laughter, Lissa was blushing.

- Rose! Of course not, it's something much better! The sooner we come back from shopping the sooner you will know.
- Fine, you are lucky I have finished my breakfast. Let me grab my bag and we can go.

I went upstairs, collecting few essential items and checking my phone. A message from my mother was waiting for me. "Later" I thought. Coming down the stairs, I walked outside. Everyone was already in the cars. Eric, Rhea, Lissa and I were in one car, while Christian and Andre took another. There were too many of us. As we were driving off, I realised what was about to happen. Too soon. A choice was ahead of me, was I strong enough to make it?