Author's Note: Wow, thank you to Secret-Haru for being the 300th reviewer, and to everyone who has continued to read and review this story! Here is the next chapter; I hope you all enjoy it.

'Fade Away'

Rose's POV

I didn't realise I'd started screaming until I was back in my own head; I was on the ground, surrounded by people. I'd been pushed out, completely. And I couldn't get back in. Lissa was in danger, I'd gathered that much. I'd been in her head when she felt the piercing bite of a Strigoi…and the pain, my God. It had been unbearable. I remembered distinctly the feeling of being bitten by a Strigoi, from the time when I was trapped with Dimitri. But it had been blissful, almost like a drug. Lissa's experience was the opposite. And now the bond was dark, black, empty. But it was still there. Surely, if something were really wrong, the bond would have …disappeared. I was confident that she was alive. For now.

"We have to find her…" Was the only thing I managed to say.

Looking up I met the worried gaze of Dimitri. He'd always been a tall, imposing figure. Death in a cowboy duster. Now, with worry in his eyes and hurt plastered on his Godlike face, he looked small. That somehow made this situation worse. The fact that it could reduce Dimitri, making him seem small, insignificant, made the gravity of the situation so much worse. He was always strong, a solid rock on which I constantly leaned upon. Without his strength this situation was even harder.

"What happened?" Christian asked, panic in his voice. He crouched next to me, his eyes alive with worry.

"A Strigoi…bit Lissa." I managed to choke out. I was still transitioning into my own mind. The pain still lingered like a ghost on my neck, though it hadn't been hurt at all, Lissa had. Her fear still pulsed in my veins, lacing its way through my own. I needed to save her.

Suddenly Oliver was at my side. "Did you see anything? Any surroundings?"

I shook my head. "They had her blindfolded and gagged." Have, I realise too late. I should have said have, because had implies the worst. "But it sounded like there was an echo. I think they'd be in some type of warehouse, probably something older, abandoned. Somewhere dark." They couldn't go in the sunlight, so they'd need something dark, remote.

"How many Strigoi do you think were there?" Dimitri asked. His stoic Guardian mask falling into place, hiding the panic he was feeling.

"At least two." I replied. "But most likely more. I could hear…voices. Like they were discussing her, or what to do with her. One bit her, but I'm guessing their leader told him to stop."

Christian sat next to me, dejected. His head hung between his legs, resting in his hands. He looked disheveled, like he hadn't slept in days. I didn't know how to comfort him…I couldn't even comfort myself. Lissa was missing – from us, from the bond. I just hoped that wherever she was she was safe. Though considering the fact that Strigoi had taken her we all knew she wasn't safe.

"We'll get her back." I said finally, resting a hand on his shoulder. Everyone knew it was an empty promise, but it was one I had to make. Surely I could find her. We always managed to save each other. I owed her my life, and I'd sworn to protect her, always. Now it was time to live up to that.

Dimitri called over a few Guardians. "Find any abandoned warehouse and mark it on the map. If we can figure out where they've taken her we can plan what to do from there." Brisk nods met his request and the Guardians filed in different directions, each going to complete their task.

"Thank you." I said. Dimitri looked shocked for a moment but then his Guardian mask fell back into place and he gave me a simple nod before turning away.

Dimitri's POV

I knew one thing – I had to save Lissa. If any harm came to her Rose would never forgive herself, or me. I had a duty to protect the Princess, and I'd already failed. She'd been kidnapped under my watch. Whether it was her fault or not, I had been responsible for her. I should have known she'd do something that reckless to save her best friend, her sister. I would not rest until she was safe. No matter the cost.

"Guardian Belikov." A young Guardian approached, looking anxious.

"Yes?" I replied. Too tired to bother with formalities.

"We've found at least ten abandoned warehouses in this area. More, the further away we get. I….there's too many, Sir. Too many to search them all."

I let out a sigh. I'd been afraid of that.

Quickly I strode over to the map that had been hung on the wall. Red pins indicated where each warehouse was – and there were a lot. Another sigh, then I stepped closer, scanning for the hotel we'd been staying at.

"These ones," I pointed to the three that were closest in proximity. "We need three teams, one to watch each. During the day. See if there's any movement. Humans might be helping them. If not, we extend our search to inside the buildings. Carefully. Any one of them could be swarming with Strigoi."

"Do we have building plans for any of them?" Oliver stepped up next to me, a thoughtful look on his face. "We need to see if any of them have basements. Places dark enough for them to hide during the day."

"Good idea." I admitted reluctantly. A few Guardians scampered off to find them. One was exceptionally good with hacking into databases. I suspected he was breaking a few laws, but that was necessary to find the Princess.

Rose stepped up then, on my other side, glaring at the map as if it were the enemy. "Where was she staying?" I pointed to the hotel. She gave a huff and continued watching the map until the Guardians returned with floor plans to the warehouses.

Rose snatched them away before I could say a word. Looking between the map and the plans. Finally she pointed to a pin, the furthest of the three from where we'd stayed. "There." She said. "That's where I'm searching." She glanced at me, defiance in her eyes as if she was daring me to stop her.

"I'll come with you." I replied. There was a good chance that's where they were, especially if she'd picked it. I needed to keep her safe. I needed to protect her and Lissa.

"I'm coming with you too." Christian suddenly appeared, a fierce look of determination on his face.

We set out to save the women he loved.

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The next one will be up next week!