Authors Note: I know it's been a long time, but I haven't had a moment spare, life took over. Here is a new chapter and I hope you will like it. Reviews are always welcome and if anyone wants to BETA me, I would appreciate it very much!. I have also changed the layout, let me know if its better!

When I think of juxtapositions, I think of hospitals. It is a place of life and death, illness, and recovery. Constant contrasts with grey areas in between. Tonight, I am experiencing both. Lissa and Christian will be waking up soon, while the bodies of Rhea and Eric will be put into the morgue. In the meantime, Andre and I have been answering the guardians questions, giving our official statements and making calls. By the time Lissa and Cristian will wake up we would have informed the Headmistress Kirova of the academy, the lawyers and everyone at home. They were devastated of course, but asked us to call them when they can pick us up or if they can help us with anything else. My old man called, saying that he will land soon. This is a risky move on his part but I am grateful that he will be here to help. I was listening to any new thoughts for news on Lissa and Christian, finally, I heard a nurse approaching us. It was time, Lissa and Christian woke up.

"Miss Rose and, Mr Andre Dragomir?"

"Yes, that's us." - I responded as Andre come towards me.

"Ms Vasilisa Dragomir and Mr Christina Ozera are awake and in good health. They are asking to see you. I haven't told them about the accident, as I thought it would be best coming from family. They are being discharged right now."

"Of course, thank you. We will be there momentarily."

With a nod, the nurse disappeared. We looked at each other, with the same questions reflecting in our eyes "How are we going to tell them?".

"Do you want to tell them or should I?"

"Let's do it together, it would be better that way. They will need our support, just as we will need theirs."

"I agree. The quicker it's done, the better."

We found the room quickly, and as we were approaching it, a doctor left. They must have been discharged. We walked into the door, shutting the door behind it. I set out a ward, to ensure that our conversation is not disturbed or overheard. This is going to be difficult and whatever will be said, it will need to remain between us. It was time to tell them the truth. Looking at them now, both of them looked much better. There was colour in their faces so they must have been given blood.

"Rose! Andre! I am so happy to see you both! The last thing I remember is the car ride and then I woke up here. How did we all end up in a hospital? Are you both okay? Where are our parents?"

Looking at each other, we didn't know where to begin. Walking towards the bed they were sitting on, we took a seat beside them. Confusion, dread, and a shimmer of hope was reflected in their eyes and faces.

"Lissa, Christian what is the last thing that you remember?"

"I remember how sentimental you were, declaring your love for our family and your hand holding on to mine as a white light blinded me. Why what happened Rose? Where are our parents?"

"Christian?"

"I just remember talking to Andre, him looking at me before the car started to slow down. I felt like something came over us and then I something pushed me back. After that nothing."

"Okay. That's a start, we were in an accident. There was a car driving on an opposite lane, it was going too fast with full beam lights on. The car would have continued to drive on, but a strigoi couple run out into the road. Which caused the car to swerve and crash into ours. Rhea and Eric, your parents, they died on contact. I am so sorry Lissa. They were incredible people."

"No! It can't be!"

"I am sorry, but it's true. After the car crashed, I managed to pull you out. Luckily the strigoi were distracted as they were feeding on the other driver. The fuel was leaking, which caused the explosion, killing them all. In the meantime, Andre managed to get Christian out of their car. As soon as I knew that you were safe, I started to frantically search for the guys, until I found them on the other side. After that, I called for help and that's how you ended up here. I am sure that the guardians will be asking you questions soon. Andre and I have already given our statements."

Looking at the distraught faces of his sister and the man who became his friend, Andre decided to speak.

"Lissa, Christian, this is hard for all of us, but at least we are together. Our parents would have wanted us to remain a strong family. Christian that includes you, you have become like a second son to them and a friend to me. We will get through this."

"Wait, Rose. You were super sentimental before the collision. Why?" Her voice was full of disbelief "...it's as if you know" the last part coming out as a whisper.

Her voice filled with awe and fear, as she began to piece things together. I do not give Lissa enough credit, she is fast. Looking into her eyes and praying for forgiveness I started my story.

"Lissa, Andre, Christian, what I am about to tell you must never be repeated. You need to swear on that."

"Rose, what on earth could be so serious that we must swear?"

"What I am about to tell you, can be life threatening and dangerous for us all. Once you know, you can not unknown. You must swear and say the words."

Swearing to something for moroi is binds, and it its broken, the consequences are unimaginable. Their faces were filled with fear, but also trust, finally their decision was made. Once I heard the words, I began my story.

"Lissa, since the day that I was born I was gifted and I mean beyond the standard moroi powers. It's the reason why I always travel, never in the same place for a long time and why so few people know who I am. It's dangerous. I can control all of the 4 elements, let me demonstrate."

First, I created a fireball, then used the water vapour in the air to form small droplets, which I made levitate in the air and finally used the power of the earth to make the room flower in the pot bloom.

"In addition to that, one of my powers is the ability to see the future. I saw the accident a few months ago. Lissa, remember that day when I called you out of the blue and woke you up? I was so distressed that I made you tell me about all of you? That's the day I saw all of you die. From then on, I did everything I could to find a way to save you and I found it, but I couldn't save all of us."

"Rose, that's impossible and even if it is, how could you let them die? Why didn't you prevent it? They loved you like one of their own!"

"This is really difficult to explain and in this case, I do it with a heavy heart. Some events are fixed points in time, others are variable. You, Andre and, Christian were variable points, you could live. It wasn't your time to die, but it wasn't the case for your parents. If they didn't die in the car crash, they would have died within a months or so. I looked at all their possible futures, this was the kindest. The alternative was worse. They would have been caught by the strigoi, turned, haunted and then killed. This way they died among the people who loved them, seeing the best moments flash before them and knowing that they meant the world to everyone. Lissa, they have lived a happy life full of love. That's more than most people get."

"So without you, we would have died?"

"I am sorry, but yes. Let me show you."

I opened my mind, and entered theirs, replaying the crash from my perspective. Minutes went by, their faces grew pale with shock. This was beyond their wildest imaginations. I showed them all, after all, they need to know. Once I finished the show and tell, Christian was the first to recover and started asking the questions that were on all of their minds.

"What was that glimmering around us all? Did you do that? Why were you feeding from the strigoi? How were you able to kill them with your bare hands?"

"Woah pyro, that's a lot of questions. Let's start from the top. I cast a protection shield around all of us, to make sure we got out with minimal or no injuries. This is why you got minimal damage if any at all. The strigoi have richer blood and for me, it has a much more powerful effect. As far as I am aware, it only works for me, you guys should not even think of trying it. Their blood is powerful and helps to enhance as well as strengthen my powers. However, too much, and the darkness becomes too enticing. And for your last question, I have been in training similar to a dhampir for a long time, plus I used my mind power to still the strigoi."

"That incredible, no wonder everyone is in awe of our survival. I get why no one can know about this. - Christian's voice was full of gratefulness and shock."

"Yes, Rose, thank you for saving our lives and I am sorry about my reaction earlier. I know you loved them like your own parents. This was kindness and I am grateful to you for that. - Lissa, the sister I always wanted"

"Thank you, Rose, truly. You have saved my sister, myself and Christian, for that I do not know how to repay you. - Andre, thankful for his life and to have his family."

"You are part of my family, I love you guys more than anything. We need to stick together, we are a team."

"Yes and we will. Now and always."

Lissa, the rational, kind, and caring mothering figure. She was so similar to Rhea, the next few days are going to be hard on all of us.

"Okay, so any more questions?"

"Yes, what happens next?"

"There are two guardians approaching to ask you questions about the crash. Just told them, what you have told us before. In the mean time we will call for a pickup, and go home."

"Okay Rose, thank you."

The warmth and love radiation from Lissa's hug was exactly what I needed. I felt relief flash through my system. We are all human, no one can predict everything, even me. That's the lesson I learned a long time ago. Now it was time to start the next chapter. There was a knock on the door, breaking the moment. Christian was the one to answer it.

"Yes?"

"Sir, we have come to take your account of the crash, May we come in?"

"Of course, please do so."

The guardians were in their elements, quickly moving into the room and asking if they could have a few words in private with Lissa and Christian.

"Miss Vasilisa Dragomir and Mr Christian Ozure, we are going to ask you some question in private. Mr Andre Dragomir and Miss Rose, please leave the room, they will join you shortly."

"Of course sir, we will be just outside."

The door closed behind us. Andre looked at me searching for reassurance and support finding it in my eyes. He pulled me into a hug, relief pouring from him and quietly whispering my name.

"Rose"

That one word communicated everything he could not put into words. Releasing me, I gave him my phone to make his call, leaving me to my thoughts. Telling them was dangerous, but I knew this was the right time to do so. I will need their help in the future. I wonder how my father will explain his presence. I know that he knew the Dragomir's well and had business links with Eric. Abe held much respect for the whole family and the values they stood for. It's the reason why I spent so much time with them all in the first place. I wonder if Andre knows about my father? My immediate next thought jumped to our journey home. I need to check that it would be peaceful and uneventful, the rest I decided to leave as a surprise. Thankfully it seemed to be the case. Fifteen minutes later, Andre was back and Christian with Lissa were allowed to leave. The guardians remaining in their positions.

"Thank you for you statements. It truly is a miracle that all of you have survived. Are you sure there is nothing else you can add?"

The last question was suspicious. Looking through his mind, I found out that his name was Daniel, he was a family man, who once lost his friend to a car crash similar to ours. He was simply looking for a way his life could have been saved. It explains his awe, he saw the car crash and he could not argue with the facts, but he didn't fully believe the strigoi story as it seemed too unbelievable.

"No sir, thank you for all of your help."

"Just doing my job. I wish you all the best in the future, goodbye."

"Bye"

After that awkward moment, Andre said that the guardian called Richard is here, and soon we were in the car, on our way home with Abe waiting for us.

The drive back was quite. All of us spent that time to reflect and process the last few hours. I was looking out of the window, as the scene before me changed from the large roads to a more secluded area. We were approaching the house, stopping in front of the gate, and pulling up at the driveway. The reality was about to hit us all once again. This place is a home to us all, but without Rhea and Eric, we will need to make it our own. It is time to pull ourselves together and begin a new chapter as a team. The car came to a stop, and in that moment we all looked at each other, preparing ourselves for what's to come. I was the one to break the silence.

"It will be okay. We are together."

The front door opened and a frantic Maria run towards us, hugging us one by one, making sure we were okay.

"Oh my babies, I am so relived you are all okay and I am very sorry about your parents. They were incredible people, all of us miss them already. The house has been in a state of mourning since you called us Andre. I have made you some food, you must be hungry after such difficult night. Also, there is a man waiting for you, he said that he knew your parents and came to offer his support and assistance."

"Maria, thank you for everything, you are part of our family and your support means the world. We will get through this, like a team that we all are. Now, who is this man? Did he give you his name?"

"No Lissa, I am afraid he didn't, but he is waiting for you all in the kitchen."

"Okay, lead the way."

Walking through the doors and into the house was surreal. In this moments I was grateful for Maria, the smell of home cooked food, brought on an illusion of comfort.

"Hello Sir and welcome to our home. Let me introduce myself, my name is Andre Dragomir, this is my sister Vasilisa Dragormit. These are our friends Rose and Christian Ozera. May I ask who you are and why you are here?"

"Its a pleasure to finally meet you. I have known you parents for a long time and we were business partners. I have wanted to meet you for a while now, but sadly, my schedule rarely allows social visits. I am here to offer my deepest condolences as well as support in these difficult times. A long time ago your father and I have made a pack, that if he ever is in trouble or gone from the world, I will help his family."

"That's very kind of you, but how do we know that we can trust you."

"Perhaps my name will ring a bell - Abe Mazure?"

"I have heard about you from my mother, she said that you are a great friend to the family, and that they owe you a lot."

"Yes, thank you, Lissa. Now do you trust me?"

"Yes, Mr Mazure. I have heard about you from my father, he said that you are a dangerous and powerful man, but we had nothing to fear from you. You are a great friend to the family, and that you trusted us with the most precious gift."

"Please call me Abe. Now that we have that sorted out, perhaps we can have some food and call it a night? All of you look tired and in need of some sleep."

"That's a good idea, Abe."

"Let's sit down and eat."

During dinner we reminiscent over the good times we shared with Eric and Rhea. It was a night that we celebrated their life but eventually it was time to sleep. I caught a thought from my old man, requesting a quick meeting before we went to sleep. Agreeing that i will see him in the guest room, where he was staying. Just before sunrise, we said our thanks to Maria and went to sleep. As soon as I was in my room, I thought of Abe and transported him to my room.