Yeah... I totally lost track of the week, so a later upload this week.

Sorry about that!

"St. Vladimir's?" I raised my eyebrows at them expectantly.

"It's a nickname for the school, and the name just kind of stuck," Viktoria explained, shrugging. "Saying Moroi and dhampir compounds just doesn't have a nice ring to it."

I nodded in agreement, picking at my food. "So you all just live here and hide in fear?" It wasn't the nicest way of putting it, but just the thought of staying in this same building for years sounded depressing.

"We used to live more in the open, towns full of people, but then an Ancient led an army of Strigoi that killed more than half of us. So now we live like this to be safe," Lissa gave me a tight-lipped smile.

"Now we dhampir train and protect the Moroi so we don't all disappear from existence." Mason flexed his muscles.

"And we have to keep Moroi alive if dhampirs want to keep going," Viktoria grumbled. I tilted my head, but she didn't elaborate. Mason was already moving on with the conversation before I could ask.

"So what brings you here?" he asked again, "Did you move here from another compound?"

Only Viktoria and Lissa knew that I had only just learnt of their world. Mason and Eddie watched me with intrigue, and the black-haired man beside Lissa glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

I shifted in my seat, "I was living in the city but had a run-in with the…Strigoi." It still felt so weird to say that. Vampires were real, tried to make a lunch of my neck, and now I'm staying in a building full of strangers. Half of them were… good vampires.

I sounded just as crazy as I thought Dimitri was.

"Yeah, they can be a bitch to fight, especially if you don't have a stake," Eddie jibed, elbowing Mason's shoulder with a laugh.

Mason scowled, pushing him back. "That was one time!"

"You guys fight them too?" I asked. I couldn't imagine actually fighting one of those. A lot of the attack in the alley was hazy thanks to the bite, but I remembered how strong and fast they were.

Both of them gave me looks of pride. "Yep." Mason puffed out his chest, "Have been patrolling the city for almost a year now. Killed two of them myself."

I furrowed my brow. "No offence, but don't they work in large groups? You've only killed two?"

That comment earned everyone's attention.

"Strigoi work alone, maybe two at once. Any more than that is rare."

Now I was confused. There had definitely been more than two in the alley. I caught Viktoria watching me from the corner of my eye, yet when I looked, she turned away.

"With Belikov training you, I'm sure we will see you out there with us soon," Eddie commented, a friendly smile aimed at me.

I scrunched my nose at the mention of Dimitri. My appetite left me, and the headache from before returned to the forefront of my mind. I only followed him because he said he would give me answers about my parents; instead, I had a hundred more.

Gathering my plate, I stood from the table. "I need to sleep. I'll see you guys around, I guess." I didn't hang around for goodbyes. After I dumped what was still on my plate, I made my way to the elevator.

While agreeing to come here to find answers, I hadn't expected that to include being trained to kill the undead. In all honesty, I didn't want to fight those creatures. Though, if they were truly after me for some reason, then having an idea on how to fight them off wasn't the worst.

I leaned my head against the wall in the elevator, sighing.

How had there been this whole other world that I'm apparently a part of yet was never told of? Why would my parents keep me in the dark, fake their deaths and then leave me alone?

They obviously found me at one point. I wondered if it was before or after I was living on the streets, jumping between shelters until Riley helped me get into a transitional house. If it wasn't for Riley, I would probably still be homeless or dead even.

Whereas my parents abandoned me in both the normal world and this one.

As I entered their apartment, my lip started to tremble. The overwhelming emotions built in me again, and they would either come out as anger or sorrow. Spying the family photo of us on the table, the anger took control.

We looked so happy in it. Taken when I was fifteen, one of the rare times I could convince my father to join us on a hike. He liked to be outside but never for long periods during the day. While my mother was always happy to do something adventurous.

This time, I talked them both into coming with me. It was great, one of the fond memories that I had held onto after they died.

It used to bring me so much joy, yet now I looked at it and thought of how much they lied to me.

My hands gripped the side of the frame until the wood bit into my skin.

It was all a lie.

I threw the frame at the wall, and the glass shattered, leaving a chip in the paint.

Silent tears ran down my cheek, wiping them with the back of my hand. I turned from the mess and stalked into my room. I hated that they decorated it.

Not caring for how much noise I made or about the mess, I started pulling things down, throwing them into the corner for me to throw out later. The books on the shelf, ones I had been reading when we lived together, more photos on the desk against the wall. I threw them all.

Finally, I climbed onto the bed where the block letters of my name were. I used to love these, buying the letters so I could spell words on my shelf, leaving messages for my parents to let me sleep in or jokes. I gripped them and threw them into the hall, hearing them bounce against their bedroom door.

My parents may have tried to fool themselves into thinking they were preparing this room for me, but I know they wouldn't ever bring me here. Viktoria had been working at the cafe with me for almost six months. They knew where I was but never cared enough to tell me the truth.

I'd stay for two weeks, learn how to defend myself from the Strigoi, but then I was gone. They didn't want me. Why should I want them?

I threw Eddie over my shoulder, his back impacted the mat, followed by my hand on his chest seconds after.

Dimitri made a noise of approval, "Not bad."

I released a long breath and rolled my eyes, knowing Dimitri wouldn't be able to see it with my back to him. Eddie did, biting his lip to hide his smirk. I held out a hand and pulled him back onto his feet.

"Damn, Rose, you can't give me a chance to show off," Eddie complained as he stretched.

I grinned at him, patting him on the back. "If only you had moves to show off."

He grinned at my teasing. I had managed to build a friendship with both him and Mason, sparring together when they had free time. I had only been here for a week and a half now, yet I was catching up to them quickly.

"Castile, go get ready to leave. Rose, do weights for another hour, and then you can rest for the night." Dimitri kept up his hard-ass attitude the whole time he trained me. Whenever I saw him in passing I would ignore him just as he did me.

I was getting really irritated with it. I spun on my heel, hands resting on my hips as my eyes found his. "When can I go out? How long are you going to keep me locked up in here?" I was going stir-crazy being stuck inside this building every day. Dimitri had me working out in the gym for the whole day. By the time I had time to go out, it was night, and the security around the building was near impossible to sneak by.

His eyebrow raised, but the rest of his face remained impassive. "Until you are ready."

I gritted my teeth, fists clenching as he turned from me. With a burst of speed, I rushed at him, aiming low on his waist to knock him off balance, but he knew I was coming. In a blink of an eye, he caught me, flipping me over his shoulder and onto the mat.

All the air left my lungs from the impact, groaning as Dimitri hovered over me. "You aren't ready yet," his lips quirked up, "but soon."

My heart fluttered at his smile. Glaring up at him, I grumbled, "You're an ass."

His lips pressed together in a thin line, "I'm keeping you alive, Roza."

I felt a burst of warmth when he used that nickname; it'd been a while since I'd heard it. Taking his offered hand, I climbed to my feet, rubbing my back. My pride was hurt more than anything else.

"Do the weights and then rest," he ordered again in a softer tone, eyes giving me a once over before he turned and left the gym.

I didn't know what to make of his hot and cold responses. Whenever he would smile at me or show a semblance of being caring towards me, I was reminded of how much I had fallen for him during those weeks we would speak at the diner. I missed it.

Everything was much easier back then.

I rolled my shoulders as I chewed on the protein bar I'd managed to get from the cafeteria. What I really craved was a cheeseburger with fries and a really big dessert. I was over the healthy shit they served here.

"Rose!" Glancing up, I found Lissa waving at me from across the hall. My relationship with Viktoria was still strained, but I had managed to get close with Lissa. When the guardians went out at night to patrol the area, I would spend time with Lissa and her boyfriend, Christian.

Her arm looped around mine as she fell into step with me.

"What are your plans for tonight?"

I chewed on my lip, glancing around us for anyone that might be listening in, "I'm actually thinking of making a break for it." It was a risk, but I had had enough of being stuck here. I missed my friends and freedom. I missed the life I had built for myself.

Lissa's eyes widened, "That's not a good idea."

"I need to get away from all this for a couple of hours. Get some real, greasy food." My mouth was salivating just thinking about it. Side-eyeing Lissa, I squeezed her arm, "You don't have to be a part of it, just don't tell anyone I'm gone."

"But it's not safe out at night," she implored, "I don't think Dimitri would be okay with this. If he finds out –"

"And that's why he won't find out." I stepped in front of her, pleading her, "Please don't say anything, Liss. I need this. I'll be back in a few hours, and no one will know." Of course, I had no idea how I would get out, but it wouldn't be the first plan I made up as I went.

I could see the indecision on her face until finally, she nodded. "Okay, I won't tell anyone. But you have to be back before the patrols finish," she warned me.

I pulled her close in a quick hug, "Thank you! If anyone asks about me, just say I have a headache or something." Her face scrunched at the idea of lying but she agreed.

Her eyes flicked around us before leaning in further, "And I can help you get out. But you'll have to find your own way back in."

I grinned. I never expected her to help me sneak out. "You know, you could come with me." Another look crossed her face, appearing to consider the offer before shaking her head.

"No. I can't do that. I'm sorry."

I shrugged, not surprised. "It's okay." I gripped her arm and pulled her down the hall. "Come on. I need to change. If we are quick enough, we get there between shifts."

Twenty minutes later, after a quick shower and change of clothes, Lissa and I were in the back of the building. In my downtime, I had been wandering the building and familiarising myself with areas the guardian would guard during the night, even learning the schedule. The back had the least amount of surveillance, and the guard placed here liked to talk to his friend at the shift change.

When the guardian showed up, and they began to talk, I looked over at Lissa. "You don't have to do this."

She shook her head, "No, I can do this." With a determined look, she marched towards them.

I watched as she drew their attention. I had learnt more about compulsion but seeing her actually use it was fascinating. The two guardians looked entranced as they stared at her, not once blinking. When Lissa waved her hand, I knew it was safe to go.

"You never saw me or Rose down here, and you won't remember this conversation." I heard her command them, her voice calm and enticing.

I shot her a grateful smile before I slipped out the door. The air outside was humid, and the heat of the day lingered. I took a deep breath, the first taste of freedom in almost two weeks. Though, I wasn't quite out yet.

While inside was easy enough to get past, outside was a whole other thing.

Dimitri had explained to me the whole compound was protected by an invisible ward created by using a combination of Moroi powers, reinforced weekly. The ward would keep Strigoi out, which meant guardians only patrolled the area, making rounds throughout their shift. It was getting past the large fence without being seen that was the issue.

The fence didn't do a whole lot against Strigoi, but it did stop any humans that got curious. Spikes at the top made it difficult to climb, no gaps to slip through, and I'm pretty sure all of the gates were connected to a system that sent an alert if opened.

My great escape may just end here.

"Little dhampir, out for a stroll, are we?" Spinning to the side, I found Adrian leaning against the brick wall, shrouded by the shadows. The light from his cigarette cast his face in an orange glow as he took a drag. "Up to no good?"

"Are you going to tell on me?"

He chuckled, throwing the cigarette to the ground, grounding his heel on it, "That depends."

I tilted my head at him, "On what?"

"On if I get to come with you," he replied, a wide grin on his face.

I hadn't spent much time with Adrian, unsure if he would be the best company for a midnight escape. But considering he was already outside, I wondered what else he could achieve. "Do you know how to get past the fence?"

He strolled towards me, giving me a smouldering look, "There are many things I know, little dhampir."

Turned out, it wasn't so much what he knew but what he had. With a devious smirk, he produced a master key card, swiping it on one of the gates. Adrian explained he had paid off the guy that watched the security system; he would ignore the notification when Adrian used his card.

I almost couldn't believe how easy it was to get out, walking down the sidewalk with Adrian trailing after me.

"So, where to now?"

"You're really going to come with me?" I asked.

Adrian shrugged, "You keep things interesting, so why not." He smirked again, "Plus, if my cousin knew you were out all alone, he would be very distraught."

I scoffed. "Sure, whatever. I'm going to the diner I work at; I need to check on my friends." I had messaged Riley since I'd been at the compound, but it wasn't the same.

He pulled a face, grabbing his phone from his pocket. "Fine, but I am not taking a train," he grumbled, "I'm calling us a ride."

Walking through the front door of the diner was like returning home. Sure, there were times I hated it, but I'd worked here for over a year; I missed it.

I spied Riley in the back; I chose a seat in her section and waited for her to see me. Adrian slid into the booth opposite me, lounging like he owned the place as his eyes swept the room. "Homey, I guess."

"That's it. We put in all the effort to make this place homey. It's what keeps bringing people back for more shitty coffee." I replied sarcastically.

His eyes locked with mine, "I know why Dimitri kept returning."

A frown pulled at my lips, crossing my arms, "He only came here because he had to."

"He was meant to keep an eye on you, yes," Adrian started, shifting in his seat to lean his elbows on the table, "but he was never meant to approach you."

I didn't know what to say. Bouncing my knee as I waited for Adrian to elaborate. "So what?"

"So, Dimitri always follows the rules, and yet he broke this one and started to build a relationship with you. Why do you think that is?"

Before I could reply, a squeal made me whip my head to the side in time to see Riley jump onto my seat, arms wrapped around me tightly. "Where have you been? Do you know how boring this place is without you!"

I returned the hug, laughing, "I know; I make everything better."

"Stan's been having a bit of a fit since you've been gone so long. I think he actually misses you."

I rolled my eyes, "He just misses me taking the closing shift all the time."

Riley pouted, "I miss you doing that too. I hate late nights."

Her words made concern churn in my chest. Usually, I wouldn't be too worried about her taking the night shifts, Riley could take care of herself, but that was against another human. Now I knew there were worse things to be wary of at night.

"Did you drive to work, or are you walking again?"

She snorted, "In this heat? Fuck no, I drove."

Relief washed over me. At least she would be less of a target.

"So, why did you suddenly drop off the face of the planet? You never take days off, let alone two weeks." She poked at my side until I slapped her hand away.

"Actually, I've been trying to find out some stuff about my family," I admitted to her, not sure what else to say. She knew everything that happened to my home, believing like I had that I had no family left.

Her eyes widened, "No way? What did you find out?"

"Umm…" I bite my lip, "not much, yet."

Riley's eyes shifted from me to Adrian's, not so silently whispering, "Who's he?"

I panicked, "My cousin." Both of them turned surprised eyes on me.

"You don't look related," Riley commented, looking between us with a dubious look.

I didn't know how to respond, but Adrian saved me, "Related by marriage."

"Order up!"

Riley glanced back at the kitchen, "Shit. You're hanging around for a bit, right?" At my nod, she grinned, pulling me into another hug. "Great! You have to tell me if you ever saw Mr Tall and Sexy again."

My face fell as Riley ran off to take care of her other tables.

"Cousins?" Adrian chuckled.

"Yeah. I don't want her thinking that we are dating or something."

A playful glint shined in his eyes. "No, you only want to date Mr Tall and Sexy, right?"

Writing Rose and Adrian annoying each other is my favourite, ngl.

Let me know what you think :D