Lissa harassed him all the way to the feeders, alternating between belittling him for his casual use of compulsion to demanding to know what was in the box. For the most part, he ignored her. By the time he walked her through the lunch line she'd given up, finally realizing he wasn't paying attention. Gazing around the room he noticed Alberta standing against the wall, deep in conversation with Guardian Dick. Judging by her calm demeanor, the kid had yet to deliver the package. Rose and Christian were sitting at the usual table, Ozera's face tensing when he spotted Lissa at Adrian's side.

"Where have you been all day?" His tone was accusatory.

Lissa looked over at him, frowning. "Adrian needed my help with spirit. Headmistress Kirova excused me from my morning classes."

Adrian slid into the seat beside Rose, ignoring her sigh of displeasure. "Hey little dhampir. Looking good."

She tensed—he could almost see her running through her repertoire of insults, trying to decide which one to use. Sighing, she turned to face him.

"Not today, okay? I'm not in the mood."

He studied her aura, mentally wincing at how large the black cloud had become. Oh yeah, Lissa's spirit use had hit her hard. Realizing she was waiting for a response, he forced himself to grin. "No witty comeback today?"

"Seriously Adrian, I—"

"Heads up!" Eddie said, nodding towards the entrance.

Adrian swiveled in his chair, his forced grin widening into a real one as he watched the dhampir kid enter, still carrying the box. He bit his lip, knowing that whatever Alberta's reaction was—be it anger or amusement—it would be priceless.

"What's going on?" Rose looked from Eddie to Adrian, confused.

"Ivashkov paid that kid to give Alberta that box, but he won't tell us what's in it." Eddie answered.

Rose looked at him expectantly. "He'll tell me, won't you Adrian?"

He shook his head, watching as Alberta ducked her head down, listening to the boy. "Wait and see, little dhampir. Wait and see."

Alberta carried the box over to an empty table with a puzzled expression on her face. When she tore into the box, her face displayed a vast array of emotions, running from shock to downright embarrassment. Letting out an involuntary laugh, he immediately ducked his head down, trying to hide behind Rose. Hearing the sound, Alberta's head shot up as she scanned the room, looking for him. Scooping the box up she strode towards him, a murderous expression on his face.

"Shit. That's my cue. Gotta go." He tried to stand up, intending to make a break for the door, only to feel two hands clamp down on his shoulders, forcing him back into his seat.

"I believe Guardian Petrov is coming to speak with you, Lord Ivashkov."

He narrowed his eyes in frustration. Goddamned Belikov. Always fucking lurking. Alberta was staring directly at him, almost to their table when a Moroi girl stood up, the older woman tripping over her chair. The box went flying out of her hands, its contents spilling out on the ground. Adrian bit his lip as she shoved the items back into the box.

"Was that a pink feather boa?" Rose asked, confused.

He nodded. "And a Commodores CD." He winced at the look on Alberta's face as she reached them.

"Guardian Belikov, please escort Lord Ivashkov to my office."

"Sorry, I'm not done with my lunch." Adrian shot her a winning smile. "How about I come by in an hour?"

"Now."

Rolling his eyes he stood, glaring as Belikov placed a hand on his arm. "Hands off buddy, I'm not a student here—I'm a grown man."

"Then act like one. Move." The Russian glanced over at Rose who was trying to contain her laughter. Hustling Adrian out of the cafeteria, he ducked his head down, his voice almost a whisper. "Why the Commodores?"

"She likes the song Brick House." He shrugged, relieved when the other man released his elbow. "What's up with dhampir women not liking gifts?"

Belikov chuckled. Adrian glanced over at him, freezing in place. Superimposed over the other man was a ghost like image, resembling a double exposed film negative. He saw Belikov standing in front of him as he normally appeared, skin tanned, eyes a deep brown, but overshadowing that was an image of him with pale skin and a ring of red around his pupils.

"Ivashkov?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come. A strange noise filled his head, like the buzzing of a great swarm of bees. He shook his head, trying to clear it, but it was in vain. The sound grew louder and louder until it was the only thing he could think of. The worlds around him narrowed down to a tiny corridor, shrinking more and more with each second that past. A deep, black swirling abyss appeared in front of him, growing wider and larger as he watched, the edges creeping closer and closer until finally he teetered on the edge. Dark creatures reached out from the pit, their misshapen claws trying to catch hold of him, wanting him to join them in their anguished torment. Over the buzzing he heard his voice crying out, but he could not focus on the words. Adrian Ivashkov felt himself slipping away, losing who and what he was as he tumbled forward into the gaping chasm before him. He surrendered himself into the grasping talons of his inner demons, falling into the embrace of madness.

He drifted in the darkness for an incalculable period of time, floating in a watery world of pain and confusion. A part of his brain realized he'd lost contact with reality, but he had no control in this place. From one moment to the next he lost all sense of time and being, simply riding along on a lazy current of… nothingness. Ever so often a thought would intrude, there was something he had to do… Someone he had to warn…

As quickly as his brain processed the thought another one cut it off, demanding his attention. An internal struggle began within him, each separate thought seeming to have its own voice and personality, each one making its own suggestions. He tried to grasp onto just one… to stop the constant flow of words and voices, but he couldn't control it. They came automatically, and all he could do was listen. Faster and faster they filled the void around him, increasing in speed and volume until he felt as though he were stuck in a hall full of people all talking at the same time, each person trying to shout louder than the one standing beside them. He felt his brain swelling to the point it would surely explode, building to a breaking point... and then it stopped. All the voices vanished, save one—that one was calling out, trying to reach him though the sticky molasses like layers of insanity. He felt hollow… he was totally empty… desolation drowning him as he struggled towards the familiar sound… He knew that accented voice… recognized the name it was saying… Adrian. What was an Adrian? Who was…

He was Adrian. Adrian Ivashkov.

The viscous, gelatinous layers of confusion melted away as his eyes shot open—he was staring up at the concerned face of Dimitri Belikov.

"Wha… What happened?" He asked, his voice sounding strange and raspy, as if he'd somehow strained it. He tried to sit up, only to be held in place by a large calloused hand.

Belikov shook his head. "Do not move yet. You had some kind of… seizure and collapsed. Alberta has gone to get the Doctor."

He briefly remembered walking… they had been on their way to…Shit. "Did anyone see me?"

"No one. You began shouting then you broke away from me and ran. We're in the forest. You didn't… completely break down until you were in the trees."

"I don't need a Doctor." He closed his eyes, sighing deeply. "I just went off the deep end for a while. It's because I haven't been drinking enough to counter act the… instability."

Belikov's eyes widened, his mask slightly slipping. "Why not? Why would you risk… this?"

"Look, I want to sit up. I'm okay now—well as okay as I'll ever be." He laughed, wincing at the sound. There was still a hint of dementia in it.

Belikov leaned back, watching as he slowly sat up—the look on his face making Adrian smirk. The Russian was tense, probably waiting for the madness to resurface. The other man could somehow tell it was still lingering in the recessed of his mind. Hell, he could still feel it running its fingers through his every thought, waiting for the chance to claim him again. Fuck, he needed a drink.

"I had another… prophecy, but I can't remember it. All I know is that it's something about Rose, and it could mean the difference between life and death." He met the other man's eyes, trying not to flinch at the fierce expression on his face. "I can't drink until I remember it."

Understanding flashed across Dimitri's face. He pulled out his phone, keying in a number as he stood and walked a few feet away. When he began speaking in a low voice, Adrian closed his eyes, searching his mind, trying to find any trace of the dream. He felt desperate; knowing somehow, that time was running out, he pushed himself, pulling on spirit and channeling it into his thoughts. His mind fought against him, refusing to surrender the hidden knowledge. All he found was a trail of feeling… a sense of sadness and loss that led to a brick wall he couldn't break through.

"Come on." Belikov's gruff voice pulled him out of his trance like state.

His eyes shot open and he stared up at the man, confused. "What?"

"You need to return to your room, in case this happens again." He reached down, pulling Adrian to his feet. "Alberta excused me from duty this afternoon. I'll keep you company, in case…" He trailed off, his brow furrowed.

Adrian smirked, understanding what he meant. "In case I go insane again. It's all right to say it Belikov, you won't hurt my feelings."

He followed after Dimitri, his mind running over what the other man had said. "What was I shouting at you?"

"You said Rose was screaming. And that I needed to fight." Belikov's jaw tensed. "What did you mean?"

"No idea. That's part of what I'm trying to remember."

They walked slowly, in uncomfortable silence towards the dorm that contained the guest suites. From time to time the Russian looked over at him, as if he had something he wanted to say, but was unsure how to proceed. Adrian sighed, wishing that whatever it was, he'd just get it over with. The waiting was getting on his last nerve.

"This… insanity. It's because of spirit. It's the darkness that Rose takes from the Princess, isn't it? If you had a bond-mate, it would help you."

Adrian glanced over at the other man, wondering where he was going with this. "Yes, it would. Are you volunteering?"

Belikov's lips twitched. "I believe I would have to die first… Isn't that correct?"

"I wouldn't do it anyway. I wouldn't saddle someone with… that. It's a horrible feeling, losing your mind." He sighed, running his hands through his hair.

"And yet you risk the madness to help Roza." Belikov stared straight ahead, seeming unaware that he'd slipped, using his pet name for the girl.

"Yeah well, believe it or not, I love her too."

Dimitri's face tensed for a moment. "If anything were to happen to me… If I were to die…" He stopped walking, grabbing Adrian's arm and staring down at him. "I would be willing to help you. With the madness."

The words shocked him. "Why?"

"Because you are taking a great risk for her. And because you are a good person. I think I would be able to handle it much better than you do, Adrian." His brown eyes bored into the young Moroi with the force of laser beams for a moment and then he started walking again.

Adrian stared after him, amazed. The kids around campus were right. The man was a God, in more ways than one. Not that he'd ever admit he agreed with them. He couldn't fathom how anyone would willingly volunteer to suffer… to lose everything you were for someone else. As soon as the thought crossed his mind realization struck him. That, in essence, was what the dhampirs did. They sacrificed everything—their entire lives, their happiness—for the Moroi. Belikov was simply taking it to the next level by offering to sacrifice his mind.

"Thank you."

His words took the other man by surprise. "For what?"

Adrian smiled at him as they reached the door. "For your offer. I promise, if you die, I'll try my damnedest to bring you back." He stopped the other man, grabbing his arm. "But not to save my sanity. I'll do it because if you died, Rose would never recover."

Their eyes met, and for just a moment, complete understanding passed between them. They were total opposites in every way—two different races despite the fact they shared Moroi genetics. They were separated by a vast gorge of class and privilege, however unfair that might be. They would never be friends. They would never agree on anything, other than one simple fact.

Rose came first. Always.