Dear readers. I am sorry it has taken me 3 years to update. I am back with the sole purpose of finishing these stories that I have written my heart and soul. I am now 27 years old! I am not married yet, but I am disgustingly happy with the man of my dreams. When I started writing these stories I was 17! Its insane! I've thought about putting my stories up for adoption but I couldn't. I wouldn't do that to my own children, so I won't be doing it to my story that I've manifested through RM's wonderful mind. In the next several chapters that I will be posting over the next couple months will be the final chapters. I'm estimating about six to seven chapters.

Enjoy

Chapter 20

I looked at Dimitri and Zena. "I believe we need to have everyone sit down and talk about what would be the best course of action." We need to be smarter than our enemy, even though we have no idea who it is. That last thought really hit a nerve. Why would our enemy remain in the shadows?

Zena nodded and walked over to get everyone's attention. Now that everyone had a full stomach we can all sit down and think logically. Lev was leaning against the wall and Tamara was leaning against his chest. Zena was looking out the window and Zak was in the threshold from the kitchenet to the living room area where everyone else was it. Gabe and Denis were sitting on the ground. Larisa was leaning up against the other side of the couch were Dimitri and I were.

When I had everyone's attention I got up from the couch and went to the front of the room so everyone could see me. "Again, it seems like we have an infestation of strigoi in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk. We don't have the man power with it being just the nine of us. Nine strong dhampires against hundreds maybe even thousands of strigoi doesn't sound like good odds to me. We need to take a step back and think about what we should do." I took a deep breath before I said the next part. "We need help."

Everyone in the room nodded. I could feel a heavy weight in the room. It was almost suffocating. This was the first time we admitted we needed help. There was no way we could eliminate all the strigoi with just nine of us. IT is impossible, especially since their numbers kept growing.

Levi spoke next, standing up in the process. "Agreed. The attack on you and Dimitri was a rude awakening on how strong our enemy has become. Our question is all the same. Who is this enemy? Is this the same enemy we dealt with during the war at Court?"

I was quick to answer the question. "No." Everyone looked at me. "Or, at least I don't believe so." Everyone had the same question in their eyes, so I continued. "Sonya Karp was the mastermind behind the war at court."

Gabe shook his head at that. "It takes more than one single person, strigoi or not, to bring together a group of that magnitude. If anything, we should talk to Karp about the people she was with during her time as strigoi."

I nodded, agreeing with that. Gabe was right. Thousands of strigoi fought in that war. The guardians and moroi were vastly outnumbered, but against all odds we won. I looked around the groom and everyone's face was morbid, including mine.

Shaking that feeling off, I continued: "We will talk with Ms. Karp, but our problem still stands; we need help. Should we contact the guardian council here? Where is the nearest one?"

"There is at least one headquarter in every major city." This came from Zak. "I have connections. I will reach out." I was surprised that Zak had connections. Where is he from exactly?

"Who is your connection?" Tamara asked curiously.

Zak didn't hide his frown. "My mother. Natalia Kibitka."

Gabe and the others had on a shocked face. I was lost. "Who is that?" I asked.

Zak shrugged, but it was Denis who spoke.

"The wife of our latest Russian president. From what I hear, she is the one who pretty much runs Russia."

Zak shrugged. "Tomato, Tamato. Does it matter? If Russia is in good hands and not at war, what does it matter?" Zak was trying to make it look like it wasn't that big of a deal, but inside I could sense a fire stirring.

"Well, Russia is kind of at war. Strigoi are killing everyone, and their numbers are growing fast. Something needs to be done."

I sighed heavily. And now we are back at pointing fingers.

"Zak, please reach out to her. We will greatly appreciate any help she can offer." Zak had on an embarrassed smile, so I quickly added "We are lucky to have you."

He turned towards the door with his cellphone in hand and gave me an appreciated smile as he did.

"Gather anything you need to for a trip into the big city of Moscow. We leave in a few hours. I want to get to the guardians before nightfall."

Everyone dispersed, and I sat back down on the couch. Somehow, I was mentally exhausted. A million questions were running through my mind, making me feel overwhelmed. Why didn't the guardians here try to find help? Are they not working as a team to vanquish this evil? Are they to proud? What is so important that they are letting the general public's safety be neglected?

I was so frustrated that I didn't notice Dimitri had taken the seat next to me until he started rubbing my shoulders. It was very welcomed distraction.

"What do you think we should do Dimitri? Am I going about this correctly?"

"Seeking help was the best decision you could have made. Right now, we need to take this one step at a time. We don't know who our enemy is exactly and until we do, we need to be careful who we seek help from. We know now that dhampirs and moroi can be controlled. Zak and I were perfect examples of that."

I was trying to stay focused on what to do, but his hands made all my worries disappear. It was moments like this that Dimitri knew exactly what I needed. I would truly be lost without him.

His hands stopped rubbing into the muscles on my neck, and I could feel him lean down. "I almost lost you." He whispered in my ear.

"I almost lost you too." I said with a frown in my tone. His massage starting back up.

"I think maybe we should travel in groups." I heard the hesitance in his voice. "I know it sounds a little presumptuous and maybe even a little too cautious, but until we know exactly what we are dealing with Roza, I don't feel comfortable letting everyone walk around by themselves."

I turned towards him, massage time over. He continued. "We almost died because someone has been analyzing our every move. They knew we got carless. Lev was wrong when he said that our enemy has grown stronger. No, they have gotten smarter. They saw an opportunity to strike, and they did. They almost won today if it weren't for Lissa sending the others after us. We got lucky." He looked down, grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. "This isn't easy for me to do, but because I was strigoi and that is who we very well might be dealing with, I need to tell you what I believe might be going on."

I could see it clearly now; Dimitri wants to open up about him being strigoi. He is finally willing to share with me what was going through his head when he was undead. This was something he hasn't done, not really. He mentioned a few brief ideas on what the others might be thinking, but nothing about what his thought process was.

He looked me dead in the eyes. His dark brown eyes had a cold and empty depth to them. It made me shiver, and it wasn't because I was cold. In a gruff voice he continued "I believe they want to pick us off one by one. They picked the two of us out because we are the leaders. It would have been too easy for them because weren't on alert, we were unprepared, and we had no idea what to be watching out for." Dimitri looked down. "We still don't know what to look for."

I sighed. My chest felt heavy. "I'm scared too." I said so quiet it was a whisper. I didn't want to admit it to anyone, even myself; but it's the truth. I am scared. We are up against a faceless enemy.

It was maddening. This entire situation is ridiculous. "Maybe we should just get hitched tonight and say fuck a traditional wedding. It is taking too long and I could end up dead before we can say our vows."

Dimitri did the last thing I thought he would do. He looked incredulous and said "no."

"Stop and think about what I said. I'm not be ludicrous about this. I'm actually perfectly serious." I let go of our hands and moved my hair out of my eyes, then I gestured with them as I talked. "Dimitri, we very well might not get out of this shit alive." I looked at him steadfast and said "If I die, I want to die happy and having everything I want. Marrying you being at the very top of my happy list. We have a duty to protect our people, but I have a duty to myself as well."

Dimitri ran his fingers through his hair.

I hid a smile. When he made that gesture, it meant he was considering what I was saying.

"You are the love of my life." Dimitri said in Russian.

"As you are mine." I said back in Russian.

He smiled and chuckled. He squeezed my hand. "Roza, it's not right."

I was not happy with that answer and I was shocked he didn't agree. "I figured you'd want to. You suggested it first. In fact, I was the one that disagreed."

"I know. If you would have asked me this the other day I would have been thrilled, but I've listened to what your explanation and you are right. We need to do this right. No, we won't die before we get married. I won't let you. We are going to live a long and happy life together. You are Rose Hathaway. You make the impossible possible, remember?

"I guess." I said with distain. I suddenly felt very stupid. I wanted to get out of the room and be alone. Dimitri grabbed my hand and held it. I removed my hand and folded my arms over my chest. "I should go see the others."

I turned around and headed for the door.

"Rose." Dimitri said.

I stopped walking but didn't turn around. "Forget what I said." Then I continued until I walked out of the hotel room and into the corridor. As soon as the door latched closed, I couldn't help but let those traitorous tears loose. Only Dimitri would change his mind once I decided his idea was better.

I decided to head to the hotel bar. Keeping my head down to the ground while I passed a crowed, I bumped into someone. I muttered an apology and kept walking. I took the stairs, thinking the elevator would be to public. I was down five flights of stairs before I knew it. I looked for signs to point me in the right direction. One led to me the spa, one to the pool/ sauna, check in/out, and another to the bar which is what I wanted. I need some Russian rocked fuel.

Before I entered the bar I wiped my face off. No one needs to see that I am drowning my sorrows. I walked up to the bar and gave bartender my order. I sat down and not a minute later she served me my drink. "We are pretty slow right now." She said in Russian.

"Yes." I agreed back in Russian. "It's 5pm. Most people like to eat their dinner, not drink it."

She cracked a smile. "Yes, most do. What brings you in?"

"I just needed to get away and clear my head. Work is driving me nuts."

She shrugged. Her eyes darted towards the door. Naturally mine does when someone enters my surrounding area. It was Tamara. She noticed me and came up to me, seeming surprised to find me here. That made two of us. She stood next to me, looked at me and sighed. "I'll have the same." She told the bartender. The bar tender left and Tamara sat on the stool next to me. "What did Dimitri say?"

Was I that transparent? With a sigh, I obliged and told her. "I suggested we get hitched tonight. He thought it was a terrible idea."

I didn't even see her fist coming. She punched my shoulder so hard I fell off the seat. I felt her hard knuckles dig right into my right pectoral muscle. I was already sore as it was from being beaten today and this was the cherry on top.

"Don't you think I got beat up enough already Tamara?" I said, furious.

She rolled her eyes at me and then glared. "Do you know how much effort and time I've put into planning your wedding?"

"Well, when you almost die you start having mind blowing revelations Tamara!"

Tamara gave me a startled look. She didn't even consider what just happened today. She gave me a rueful smile after a moment. Yes, she understood all too well.

"I think we are all too wrapped up about this wedding to even see the danger that surrounds us." I'm starting to think that having a wedding isn't in my cards. Oddly enough, I was okay with that. If I got my man in the end, everything would be perfect.

Tamara looked at me. "The danger has gotten worse," she agreed, "but putting your life on hold isn't going to stop the inevitable. You can't let what's happening now stop you from accomplishing what it is you truly want. People are going to die Rose. You can't protect everyone from strigoi or this unknown enemy. Don't let fear rule your life." She picked up her drink and literally chugged it. She slammed the glass down on the bar, took one disappointed look at me and walked away.

Great another person disappointed in me. Shall we shoot for number three? How the hell was she still standing? If I did that, the rocket fuel would have knocked me on my ass by now. Not to mention that I'm not the drinker that I use to be…

I hated having Tamara upset at me. Its one of the worst feelings a person could have. Like she did, I slammed my drink. Putting it in my mouth was the easy part. Swallowing it was another entirely. Russian vodka is rocket fuel; it burned every inch of the way down my throat.

I thanked the bartender, set a tip down on the bar and left. Time to make a phone call. I walked to a secluded area of the hotel lobby. I sat down on a couch and selected a familiar name on my phone's contact list.

"Guardian Hathaway?" Asked a soprano voice. I could hear other people in the background talking.

"Your majesty," I said. "Do you have a moment?"

"For you, yes." She said. I heard footsteps on the phone retreating until I couldn't hear them anymore. "How is the other side of the planet?" I could hear genuine curiosity and a hint of worry.

"Not good. Dimitri and I were attacked. I'm curious to know if we weren't the only ones that have gone under attack." I had a feeling that our enemy has grown very confident and I wanted to see if he has tried to stretch his reach overseas.

"What do you mean attacked?" She sounded slightly alarmed.

"Strigoi, is what happened. Several banned together to take our Dimitri and myself. Obviously, they didn't win, but they caught us off guard. Have you heard of any other attack similar to ours?" I hope my hunch is wrong.

There was a long silence. I was about to ask if she was still there when she started talking. "You weren't the only ones. Our headquarters in Washington was raided by strigoi last week." My jaw fell to the ground. "The casualties were great."

I have no idea how big the headquarters in Washington is, but I know a lot of guardians go there for upper management positions.

"What happened?" My heart dropped. Things were getting more worse than I imagined. My head started to spin a little and it wasn't from the vodka. In fact, I should probably get another drink. We were in trouble.

"From what was reported to me strigoi walked right in and started slaughtering everyone. They had no weapons and they passed through security. Must have been through compulsion. Nearly everyone in the building was slaughtered, moroi and dhampirs alike. That isn't where it ends. I've been hearing that they have been hitting homes of moroi."

"More causalities?"

"Yes, but it's worse. Sources tell me there have been more and more guardians being turned, some humans as well as moroi. I don't know what's going on. I don't know what kind of outcome our enemy is wanting and neither does the guardian council. We don't even know who is behind this. For all we know it's a single strigoi calling all the shots. I thought we eliminated this threat during the invasion at Court. They destroyed my city." She stopped and took a deep breath. "You need to figure it out Rose, and soon. This enemy goes stronger by the day and the death tolls are raising. I have a feeling the war didn't end at Court. It only began and all we did is piss them off."

I heard urgent voices on the other end of the line. "I must go Rose. Keep me updated on everything." She ended the call before I could respond. I couldn't think. My feet were leading me back to the hotel room before I knew what I was doing. While I was walking, my thoughts drifted back to an earlier conversation with the group about Sonya Karp. Suddenly, I wasn't so sure she was the mastermind behind all of this. In fact, I'm positive she couldn't be due to the fact that our enemy has not been defeated, strigoi numbers are grown and there has been attacks on court grounds.

My mind was spinning so much that I barely noticed walking in the room. It was only when I met Gabe's eyes that I realized that I made it back inside the room. I noticed that mostly everyone was together. It looked like everyone was trying to figure out a plan on how to go about finding strigoi. I saw a map on the coffee table and a couple black marks on the map and a Sharpe pen.

When I walked in all eyes were on me. Tamara was on the phone, but quickly hung up.

"As if this day couldn't get any worse." I shook my head. I went to the mini bar of the hotel room. I took a shot of vodka again before I started talking. In Russian I said "I need to tell you something important. I got a report from the Queen."

Just like that the side conversations stopped, and all attention was on me. "There has been several strigoi attacks in the US. Most were moroi home invasions," I looked at Lev, "and forcing them to turn." It was silent. "They also attacked the headquarters in Washington. From what I was told there were a lot of casualties. Nearly everyone was slaughtered.

"How?" Denis asked.

I shook my head. I had no idea. There were safety measures that were laid out to protect this very incident from occurring. "Maybe there were too many of them to handle. We are used to only having one at a time. Strigoi don't travel together. For whatever reason they are now." I was ready to bang my head up against the wall. I keep repeating myself.

"Are we headed back to the states then?" Lev asked in a determined voice.

"I don't know. There are problems here that we need to attend to. We came back to Russia because Strigoi numbers have been rising. I don't think we should be running back to the States just because of a few home invasions. I want to fix the problem here first. So many people here have died as it is. The States have good Guardians that will figure out a plan and it seems to me that Russia does not due to the death toll rise."

"Sounds to me that there are bigger fish to fry back in the states." Zena said. I was a little shocked to see her side with Levi. "Forgive me, but if they are forcing people to turn then they need us the most."

You can't save everyone. Tamara's words came back to me from earlier. She was right. It's an impossible mission.

"Let's vote on it." I suggested.

Dimitri lifted his head and spoke. He was leaning against the wall the entire time. "Everyone in favor of returning back to the States raise your hand." Levi, Zena, Tamara and Dimitri all raised their hands.

"All apposed." I said. Denis and Gabe raised their hands.

"The only reason I'm opposed," Gabe was explaining, "is because this is my home. I don't want to see it in worse shape. I hate the condition it is in now. If we must go back to the States, we really should talk with the Guardians here and help them set up a plan to fight these son-of-a-bitches." Gabe sounded really worked up, and I don't blame him. If anything, I felt the same way, and this isn't even my homeland. Nevertheless, I did agree with Gabe, and I liked his alternative. He would be okay with leaving, but only if we helped figure out a solution and kept Russia in good hands.

"Why don't you split us up?" Tamara suggested. She looked emotionally torn. "I agree with Gabe." She said with a grimace. "I don't want this place in worse shape than we found it, and it is rough shape. We came back with the very purpose making Russia a safer place.

I looked to Dimitri, wanting his support against this idea.

He looked at me with the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Roza…."

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