Rose POV:

It's been almost 5 months now since Dimitri visited, and since we saw each other in person. Unfortunately it was so much stress on his part that he couldn't just catch a plane and visit for a short time, he was also rarely at Court otherwise I could have taken a plane with Masie and visit him for a few days. Queen Bitch made sure Lissa was her 'errand boy or rather girl' and of course Dimitri as her Guardian needed to follow wherever she went. Damn this sanctimonious bitch. I still wonder if those errands couldn't have been done by herself, or another.. Why sending the last Dragomir? Giving a speech on Easter in Tatiana's name, at St. Basil's in Russia! At least Dimitri saw a few teachers of him and Lissa gave him the opportunity to make a stop in Baia. Which she still refuses to tell me why it was so important to go to Baia and not let the family come to the school? But hey, who am I to judge?

My nineteenth birthday also came, I didn't really celebrated. I spent time with Viktoria and Masie in my dorm. Got called to Kirova to pick up my unexpected presents. It wasn't much, but it was perfect. From Viktoria I got a framed picture of myself and Masie, it looked like a recent picture and I really didn't even know she took it but it's so cute. We were in the gym, she was standing on the floor as much as possible for a 4 months old baby at that time and I was holding her under her armpits, so it looked like she was walking. Her smile on this picture is everything. I'm looking down to her with a loving expression on my face and to make sure she won't fall. The frame was a simple black one with silver dots.

Dimitri got me a lipgloss, the identical like he gifted me when he was still my mentor. I loved the gift, because this man remembered which lipgloss he bought me, and how much I love lipgloss. I was stunned, how does a guy remember which lipgloss with the same taste he bought more than a year ago, and are they available in every store or was it just pure luck he found them? Thanks to the bond, I know he searched at least 7 stores. And not to mention a love letter he wrote me! Hot and sexy love letter.. Leaving me quite desirous for his company in bed at night. Never would've imagined to receive a love letter from my Russian Battle God. With so many promises. If I'd ever doubted his love for me, even only a slight part of me well that definitely vanished into thin air. He certainly has a way with words. I was already so happy with the love letter and the lipgloss, but the other present blew my mind simply speaking. He got me a silver stake, engraved with my Russian Nickname 'Roza' and the date our journey together began. Portland. But this isn't all, also beautiful tribals around the Name and the date and last but not least, a very small Rose.

And now, it's already the end of June, the trial and Graduation for all senior novices. I think I'm more excited than all of the novices together. I get to be a freaking Strigoi not a fearful Moroi, thanks to Alberta! I get to fight again, since months. Hell yeah! And the only two girls in the senior class, will be mine to deal with. Even better.. Wanted to kick their asses since my second week as a Guardian here. Is it possible to really dislike two senior novices? Yes, totally. They are the only ones who are showing no respect at all to me. Calling me Novice Hathaway when no one is around, mobbing my baby, calling me Blood whore. Getting suspended for two weeks each of them and a mark in their records didn't helped. I'm ready to play Strigoi. And to make it a little worse for the girls, I plan on pulling a little bit of Lissa's Darkness, totally unfair on my part but That's what you get when you mess with Rose Hathaway!

After quite some time the trials are finally done, and I was able to kick some asses, to put it mildly. I didn't pull the darkness after all, I had all the adrenaline in me, and ready for every fight. As it happened one of the two girls really underrated me and Guardian Jean and failed the trial. I can't help but feel sad for her, her classmates are all leaving for Court, getting assigned, whereas she can only hope and pray she gets to stay to do the senior year again. And if so, with a Belikov in her class who got trained by a Belikov and by a Hathaway. That will be fun.

Now standing in the dining room of the Academy, watching how the novices of this year's class get their promise mark feels like hours. It certainly felt quicker for me back then, when I was still a novice. As I'm still standing along the wall with the other Guardians I suddenly see a colorful scarf in the back. Oh hell, what is he doing here? It can only be Abe. I break the Guardian rules for a quick moment and bend my head in his direction. Just as I wanted to turn back I recognize Masie among them on Abe's arms. What the hell? Is he insane? I always knew he is somewhat insane, but bringing my daughter to the ceremony is extremely insane. I bend my head again to where he's sitting with her, and Oh my god. Is that a yellow scarf around her neck? Right now I'm so tempted to go over there, pick her up and bring her back to Ellen.

As the whole ceremony finally ends and I'm good to go, I make my way to my father.

"Old man, what are you doing here with my daughter?"

"Am I not allowed to visit my daughter and my little granddaughter?" cooing at Masie.

"What are you doing at the ceremony with her?" I ask impatiently. "I don't have time for your games."

"Your daughter missed you." He answers with a smug smile. "And it appears Tarasov isn't so high-secure as one might think." He said the last so casually as if he's talking about the weather.

I look at him, my eyes wide open in shock. Victor is in Tarasov, if it's not so high-secure then he may be on the run right now, but last I've seen him was at the trial and his disease is taking its toll on him. Is Victor strong enough to flee? Even if I don't like him, or rather despise him, I need to admit that he is clever. Damn it. Has Abe anything to do with it?

"What did you do dad?" I ask silently and cautiously.

"I unfortunately can't take any credit in blowing up Tarasov. I thought maybe you are the mastermind behind it." As if..

"Blowing up? Woah. Do you know if anyone survived and how many are on the run now?" I gulp. Who in their right mind would blow up a high secure prison and why? Sadly Abe has no further informations. "I see Alberta has gone, probably to her office. Can I trust you with my baby for 5 more minutes?"

Being back in Alberta's office always gives me a Déjà-vu to when I told her in an outburst that I'm pregnant.

"Rose, I got a package for you. It came today." She says and hands me the package. There's no name, I open it regardless, the first thing I notice is a small note.

'Rose,

I never got the chance to congratulate you. Being Shadow-Kissed certainly has its benefits. If only I would have known sooner about yours and Guardian Belikov little miracle. The only right thing to do is to send you a little gift. I know for a fact how much you like presents. Dear Rosemarie, I'm watching you and you can't hide yourself and Masie Belikov away forever. Enjoy your time with your precious little daughter while it lasts.

My Best Wishes.'

I read the note again and again before opening the so called present with trembling fingers. I thought I wouldn't see this necklace again. Didn't Dimitri threw it out of the window? How in the world.. In shock I let everything finally fall to the ground. Alberta was watching me while opening but my face and action put her into motion and she moves beside me and picking up both, reading the note quietly and examining the necklace.

"Rose, nothing will happen. We will deal with this. Go back to your dorm with Masie. Leave this with me." She says, I feel like being on autopilot someone wants to harm my daughter.

"It's from Victor.. it can only be." I swallow. She only nods and makes a few notes on a piece of paper before ushering me out. I linger a bit at the door and evidently hear her talking on the phone.

"Abe, we got a problem. Victor made his presence known, suffice to say, he's a potential threat. Yes, yes.. She's going to her dorm now. And what do you suggest?" She sighs. I don't stay for the rest, I set off to the dining room where I last saw my father, maybe he's still there, either way he still has Masie. There in far corner I spot both, going up to them, my dad is on the phone barking some orders and Masie is looking at him in awe. He's barking some orders, but instead of fearing him like I thought, she looked in awe up at him.

"See? Perfect Granddaughter for me." he flats her palm and very lightly high fife them. "Good Team, you and me."

Back in my dorm with the little munchkin, I set her on the floor with her toys and call Dimitri. He should know about Victor. Dimitri picks up the call but changes to FaceTime. I'm sitting on the bed, first showing me but afterwards showing her.

"Hey Comrade. Damn you look good and old. My little Munchkin, say hi to daddy." I smirk a bit. Masie doesn't even look up and starts crawling. She began pretty early with her crawling, and sometimes it sucked because I couldn't just quickly do something while she's lying on my bed, no, she would crawl to the edge and fall. On the floor it's a little better but always while turning my back for a second she ran into something while exploring and cried or pushed something over. In desperation one day I said Down, like with a dog but she didn't listen to the commando. I think no one would.

"Roza, look at her." I do look at her, she apparently crawled to the nearest table and tries to pull herself up. I don't intervene though and just watch her, ready if something were to happen.

"That's a first, Dimitri." I smile and quickly look at the screen to see his reaction. His broad smile tells me everything. I can't resist to tease him. "Don't smile so, we knew it's going to happen eventually."

"You're there for all her firsts. Seeing this mile step through FaceTime is better than nothing and it's not only a video but it's live. Like what is happening right now and even if I only saw it through the lens, I'll cherish this moment. Just like now, she's looking at you and has your look on her face."

"Hey! I don't have a look. She's smiling like always just before she's trying something again.." I say, but remembering that I do have that look, or had. "Oh fuck.. No please. She's only little over 6 months." I groan loudly but my bastard of a boyfriend only laughs. Speaking of bastard..

"Comrade? The reason I called.. I have bad news I guess. Or how you may take it." Turning the camera to me again. "Someone blew up Tarasov. And I received a nice surprise from Victor Dashkov.. A note, it looks like a subtle threat and I got the necklace, you know the one with the lust charm. I don't know if it's charmed or not, haven't touched the necklace itself. Alberta told me I should go to the dorm with Masie and she would handle it, but I can't just sit still and wait for them to deal with Victor."

"Rose, don't do anything reckless please! Keep yourself and Masie safe. I'll let Guardians from Court know that one of them is Victor and was already sending threats. Promise me you won't do anything stupid, reckless or try to hunt him. Promise me you keep yourself and our daughter safe. Please. And I'll do whatever I can, okay?" He literally begs me, but I'm very reluctant to promise anything now..

"I'll do my best. I won't let anything happen to her." It's very vague, but that's just something I can't promise him.

"Roza.. Don't even think about it. I'll talk to Lissa and I'll be there as soon as possible."

"You don't have to Comrade, it's summer break soon and they don't need me. Kirova needs a break too." I say with a shrug. In that moment Abe barges in without even knocking and all furious. Alberta must have told him.

"You will remove yourself with Masie to Court, until I personally took care of Victor." I focus my attention too much on my dad to notice anything else, not even Dimitri's voice at first.

"He's right Rose. Listen to your father please." I groan in frustration because I feel helpless, I should be one of the people who are dealing with Dashkov, not Abe nor Dimitri nor Alberta. It just sounds too easy.

"Yes yes.. It still should be me." I finally look around the room but I can't see Masie anymore and let my phone drop. God damn it.. "Where's the munchkin? You left the door open! You know she crawls like a pro." I say while running out the door and looking for her. I should put her on a leash.

"Why don't you take this child until you find yours?" Abe smirks and scoops Masie in his arms.

Picking my daughter from Abe. I just shake my head. "You can't just crawl outside every time you see an open door. You will fall down the steps, like in Ellen's office Sweetie."

"She did what?" I suddenly hear Dimitri's voice, and this time loud and angry.. Oops, I must have forgotten to tell him. Sitting myself on my bed again with our daughter on my lap, taking the phone in one hand, with my other hand I hold her and gently bouncing my knees making her laugh.

"She's fine. I had a meeting with Kirova, took her with me. She got restless on my lap so I sat her down. Masie was crawling around like the happy child she is, a student barged in and let the door standing wide open. Kirova and I jumped up to close the door but this idiotic novice was standing in my way. That was all it took and your daughter tumbled down the steps, Alto caught her before anything worse could have happened. I swear Dimitri. I rushed to the infirmary with her.. If it makes you feel better, Masie laughed the whole time. You got a strange child there, Comrade." I already feel bad enough only thinking about her little bump on her forehead which I indirectly caused because I wasn't paying enough attention nor did I shoved this damn student out of my way to get to her in time.

"Roza.. Don't. Don't blame yourself, it could happen to everyone. You are a good mother, if not even the best. Uhm Rose, it's also your child."

"Thank you Comrade! I'm not so sure about that anymore, her perfect timing, running away or rather crawling away when the door's open, never crying, I could go on. She even listens to most orders, who does that? I certainly don't. And she looks like you." My bastard of a boyfriend only laughs. "I gotta go. Your daughter needs a bath and afterwards it's bedtime for her. We love you. Little Munchkin, say bye to daddy." showing her how to wave with her hands.

2 days later I receive another note from Victor, stating where to meet him and when, according to him, he has interesting facts to share about my child. And of course without Guardians. I'm still contemplating if I should go. Interesting facts about my child? Even if I can't stand him, I need to admit Prince Dashkov has a great deal of knowledge about the Moroi World, or everything surrounding the Moroi World. And with me having a miracle child, does he have any informations, even the slightest? Like will she be a target for some of our world? Is she purely Dhampir? Is the Moroi World a safe place for her?

On the planned day I bring Masie to Kirova like always, but this time with more diapers, extra clothing more powder milk etc.. I know I'll make it back but not when, and to not let them worry I say I got to buy diapers, more powder milk, and every thing else I ran out but I don't name a destination. With my stake in the holster and a gun I drive off to meet the man I hate the most.