KPOV
"Hello, Love," I greeted her, hoping to see relief wash over her face. However, instead of relief, she suddenly started screaming in pain, calling out to people who weren't there. Before she could respond, the agony overwhelmed her, and she blacked out.
Checking for any visible injuries, I found none. Carefully, I lifted her limp body and placed her in the car. The journey from the train station to the compound was relatively short, and as I drove, a sense of calm settled over me. Yet, my mind raced with questions. What could be wrong with her? Why were people coming after her? And why had she passed out in my back seat?
Upon arrival, Rebecca, Elijah, and Haley were waiting anxiously by the front door. Their excitement at seeing her evaporated when they witnessed me carrying her motionless form.
"What happened?" Elijah rushed over, concern etched on his face.
"She was attacked by a strigoi. I arrived just as she was fending him off, but as I removed the creature's heart, she started screaming, not in fear of me, but as if she were in immense pain," I explained, the weight of worry heavy in my voice.
"I'll fetch Freya. Perhaps she can offer some assistance," Rebecca responded, rushing off to find our elder sister.
"Could it be the strigoi she was running from?" Haley speculated.
"It's possible, but Rose has never shown fear toward them before. I believe there's something much larger at play here," I replied, my thoughts aligning with Haley's.
Agreement hung in the air as we all contemplated the enigma that had befallen Rose. With great care, I placed her in one of the spare bedrooms, one of many within our sanctuary, and returned downstairs to join the rest of our family.
Davina and Freya bombarded me with questions about how I found Rose and what I knew about her current state. I confessed my ignorance, explaining that I had no clue as to the cause of her condition. As the words left my lips, I could almost hear her agonized screams echoing once more in my ears.
"Rose," I whispered, my heart wrenching.
Without a moment's hesitation, we all rushed upstairs to find her lying on the bed, her gaze fixed upon the ceiling, eyes transformed into a shimmering gold hue. It was as if she were attempting to communicate with someone, a presence that only she could perceive.
Kneeling by her side, I gently grasped her hand, offering support. "I have a feeling that whatever this is, it's connected to that," I murmured, casting a concerned glance at the ethereal transformation in her eyes.
The journey into the depths of Rose's mysterious affliction had only just begun, and we knew that our united strength would be crucial in uncovering the secrets that awaited us.
RPOV
The last thing I remembered was Nik's scream before everything went dark, consumed by the depths of unconsciousness. In my dreams, haunting voices echoed—Mason calling out to me, Lissa's parents and her brother spewing venomous words, telling me I should have died too.
As I slowly regained consciousness, I instinctively delved into Lissa's mind, seeking solace within the familiar refuge. It appeared that she was having lunch with a group of people. Vaguely, I recognized the faces—Christian, Tasha, and...
Dimitri.
My former mentor, the man who once comforted me as I wept for Mason's loss, the man who shared multiple kisses with me. There he stood before me.
"I always knew she was a whore," Christian scoffed, causing my heart to sink. "I mean, she was known as a blood whore around school. Why would the queen need her, anyway?"
"I can't say this to many people," Lissa responded in a hushed voice, ensuring only those present could hear. "But according to Rose, before I got the Guardians, she said the baby's father was Mason."
"But that's not possible," Tasha replied, her voice dripping with disdain.
"That's what I said, but she's adamant that she's telling the truth," Lissa explained, her words filled with uncertainty.
Finally, Dimitri broke his silence.
"She's likely lying. It's impossible. Since I found her once before, I'm leading the team to find her. Any ideas, Princess?" he asked, turning his attention to Lissa.
"I have no clue. She doesn't have any friends or family she could run to. I'm at a loss," Lissa admitted, her voice tinged with concern.
Abruptly, I was yanked out of Lissa's mind and thrust back into my own consciousness. Taking in my surroundings, I found the people whom I once considered family surrounding me. Nik held my hand tightly, while two unfamiliar faces observed me with guarded expressions, as if expecting me to shatter at any moment.
"Rose, you have some explaining to do," one of the strangers finally spoke, their voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Gathering my strength, I took a deep breath, ready to face the daunting task of unraveling the truths that had come to light.
To be continued...