Dear Sweet Baby Jesus what a freaking month. Just so you know, the world of retail sucks right now. My hubby has mutated Cystic Fibrosis, and to keep him safe I went from working days to being an ASM for overnights. So I've been learning a new job, trying to get my sleep patterns under control, while trying to figure out how to clean a house when everyone is asleep but me. This has been written for months, but I needed to go over it a few times (I am sure there has to be more mistakes) and add a few things. Sorry about the delay.

And to answer swimmer07's question about a few characters . . . I did watch Haven. In fact I loved Haven (not the ending). So yes, in my mind Duke and Jennifer look like the characters. I just really liked the names, thought they fit, and kept them. Garland, well that was unintentional, so oops.

Sleep just wasn't coming. It rarely did these days. Not when so many of my past sins haunted me in the dark. Since my return, I have made several irresponsible, and unforgivable errors. Some had been made unknowingly, during those early days when every second of being alive was pure agony, and I barely kept myself from falling apart. Every single moment had been torturous, as my mind replayed every single disgusting memory of my time as a strigoi. Every life I had taken. The poor humans I'd played dark and dangerous games with, and the ones I ended with little regard or consideration.

The other sins, those I had made intentionally. I had talked myself into believing they were done with pure intention, but when he was alone in bed, with nothing but silence for comfort, I am unable to hide from the truth. Dhampir or strigoi, I keep inflicting pain on people who do not deserve it.

The most recent misstep had been entirely unintentional, but it did not excuse the pain I had caused.

Feeling the familiar sting of self-disgust, I kicked the blanket off, knowing sleep would not be coming anytime soon. Moving across the suite Vasilisa strong-armed me into taking, I entered the bathroom not bothering with the light. The routine was well ingrained, seeing I repeated it several times a week, and I striped off my sleep pants while turning the shower on. Stepping under the scolding hot spray, I let the water beat down on me, trying to picture the water washing my sins away.

It was a fruitless endeavor; I knew no amount of hot water could erase what I had done.

Tasha's pain filled expression flashed through my mind, as I titled my head back and let the water hit my face. Again, I had inflicted pain on another, this time out of pure ignorance. I should have anticipated the inevitable fallout, should have somehow known I had not been clear enough with her this time around. Her friendship had been invaluable, and how did I pay her back?

Nauseated, I jerked the nozzle on the shower to turn it off. Grabbing the towel from the rack and wrapped it around my hips, I fought back the rising bile in my throat. For someone who was seeking redemption for evil actions, I sure was screwing things up.

Knowing sleep was not an option tonight, I quickly dressed and grabbed the gym bag from the closet. There was one sure fire way to force my mind and body into submission.

The short distance between the royal suites and gym was short, and luckily no one was about. Ever since Vasilisa's valiant crusade to redeem me in the court's eyes, the suspicious glares slowly turned more curious. Moroi who once went out of their way to avoid crossing my path, were now giving me polite nods of recognition. I knew she meant well, and I took the change in stride, but being forgiven hurt more than the cold distant reception I received when I first returned to court.

Passing by the church, my steps faltered. Pain lanced through my chest, as I forced my feet to keep moving. Shifting my eyes around the path, making sure no one noticed, I called myself an idiot for the thousandth time since that day. At the time I had half convinced myself I had been so loathsome for the greater good. Rose had a future ahead of her that could not include me. People like her, they deserved the best, and I had already taken so much, the least I could do was give her back her life.

Shamefully, my admission that day had not been far from the truth. Numb, confused, and full of self-hatred, I could not feel anything but my own depression. Rose had refused to listen, and no matter how hard I pushed, she only pushed back harder. Until I felt myself pushed into a corner and felt the only way I could escape was to completely destroy the only reason she fought so hard.

By doing so, I also destroyed the future she had been destined for. And that by far, was my greatest sin.

Seeing it was in the middle of the moroi night, the gym was mostly deserted, except for a few tired attendants. Using my key-card to gain entrance, I wasted no time hitting the mats to stretch my strained muscles. Several sleepless nights left my body tense, and my muscles screamed in protest. Ignoring the strain, I pushed through clearing my mind with each new position. Sometimes it worked, but tonight the ghosts from the past just could not let me be.

"What's with all the running, anyway? I mean, I realize the importance of stamina and all that, but shouldn't I be moving on to sometime with a little hitting?"

Swearing under my breath I pushed back the memory where it belonged and headed to the weights.

Rose proved to be a great runner, so good in fact that she had been missing almost a year. As far as the court was concerned, she ran because she was guilty of murdering Queen Tatiana. I never believed for one second Rose was the guilty party, not that the court's Guardians would listen to someone who had recently been strigoi, and my words had fallen on deaf ears. Not even Princess Vasilisa's plea for her best friend's innocence had been enough to sway the Guard, Rose had stayed on the list as the number one suspect.

And as long as she was wanted for the Queen's murder, it was best she stayed wherever she was. It meant she was safe. More importantly, it meant she was alive.

"This isn't over. I won't give up on you."

"I've given up on you, love fades, mine has."

Another ghost of a memory invaded my mind, nearly causing me to drop the dumbbell from my hand. Of all the things that kept me up at night, those careless words were a constant. They had effectively done what was needed, but in a way, I would never forgive myself for.

Moving to the mats, while shaking some of the burn from my arm, I tried to push the image of Rose from my mind. It was futile, but I suppose it was a fitting punishment, having her shattered look of disbelief taunting me for the rest of my days.

Positioning my body as I had done hundreds of times before, I let my arms raise into the air and started the first movement of Tai Chi. Usually the exercise helped, by bringing a sense of calm to my tormented soul. But today it seemed no matter what I did, or how many times I repeated the movements, I could not find the center I needed. Giving up, I moved to retrieve my bag and call it a night, seeing that the court would be waking soon.

Walking the path back to royal housing, my eyes landed on the last person I expected to see. Tasha was headed toward me, her hair tied back and a large smile on her face. After the way we parted ways the day before, I was prepared to be frozen out. The unpredictable attitude put me on alert.

"Thought I'd find you here." Suspicious, I slowed my steps as she headed in my direction. "Only you would wake up at such an ungodly hour to work out."

"It clears my head." Forcing the words, I watched as she fell in line with my steps and put her arm through mine. "I didn't expect to see you today."

"I know things were tense last night." Studying her facial features, I could see the strain around her eyes, but other than that I could not see any other sign of an impending fight. "So, I thought I'd treat you to breakfast this morning. Kind of an apology breakfast."

Feeling the sticky feeling of my shirt on my back, the last place I wanted to be was in one of the courts cafes. But my friendship with Tasha was one of the only things I had left in my life that kept me going over the last few months. Refusing her offer of an olive branch seemed beyond rude.

"I could use some coffee." I admitted.

"Coffee isn't breakfast." Tasha scolded.

"I need to be at Vasilisa's in an hour."

Tasha's mouth curved down for the briefest moment, and if the crease in her brow was any indication, she was considering her reply carefully. "You know, no one would think less of you if you took a day off."

"Tasha, can we not have this argument?"

"I'm not trying to fight." Looking like she really wanted to, Tasha forced a smile. "I'm just saying it's not healthy to work every day. Lissa has guardians, and seriously what's going to happen to her at court?"

Apparently, she wanted to have the same argument. "I made an oath."

Her feet came to a halt, and her hand on my arm pulled me to stop as well. "You made that oath when you were in a dark place."

"I know exactly what state of mind I was in." I could hear the annoyance in my words. "But my conviction still stands."

Hurt flashed through her eyes, but after a moment she gave me a hesitant smile. "That's what I admire most about you Dimka, your honor."

Apparently ready to let the matter drop, she pulled on my arm and I considered for a moment of bringing up the previous night's conversation. I didn't want to mislead her, giving her hope of a future that would never come. But I let it go, for now.

Moving again we made our way to the small café we usually ate at, that catered to moroi as well as dhampir. Opening the door, she flashed a smile and walked in. Following, my eyes paused on a bulletin board just inside the entrance. Rose's wanted poster was still up, a picture that must have been taken after she had graduated. I sent a silent prayer she was well. Tasha paused as her eyes found what had caught my attention.

"I heard the guard is following a new lead." Tasha said quietly. "Someplace in Iowa."

I snorted. The very thought of her being somewhere like Iowa was ridicules. "Rose isn't in Iowa."

"And you know this how?"

"Because Rose wouldn't be drawn to a place that doesn't interest her." Opening the door for her, I followed.

"So, they should be looking for her in more exciting locations?" Tasha asked, a thoughtful look in her eyes that I did not particularly like.

"They shouldn't be looking at all." I muttered. "Rose is innocent."

"Shhh." Tasha quickly scanned our surrounding area. "You can't say stuff like that in public."

I wanted to argue, but knew she was right. We had learned months ago to stop pushing Rose's innocence. The more we resisted, the more we were questioned. When the new Queen Ariana Szelsky approached Vasilisa, wanting to repeal the quorum law, it was made clear her support of Rose was impeding its reversal. After heavy debate, and several tears, it had been decided that Vasilisa could do more good on the council than supporting her friend.

From that point on, our views on Rose's innocence had become taboo.

Ordering coffee for myself and a light breakfast for Tasha we made our way to an empty table. The silence between us was grating, as I sipped on the hot beverage. After a few uncomfortable minutes I considered saying something, anything to fill the void, but just as quickly decided against it.

Instead, I let my eyes move about the café, as more customers arrived. The first were mostly Guardians, in a rush to get their morning fix before reporting to their posts. Some gave a polite nod as they passed the table, a few threw out a greeting.

"Have you spoken to Hans about being reinstated?" Tasha asked between nibbles.

"No." Sighing, I hoped she was not already preparing to revisit our previous conversation.

"I'm not saying –." Frowning, she set her muffin down. "I know you take your oath to Lissa seriously, but you used to take your oath as a guardian just as passionately. Reinstatement doesn't mean you won't be able to keep you vow."

Setting down the coffee, I felt a tension knot forming on the back of my neck. "That's exactly what it would mean. To be reinstated, would mean I had no say in my assignment. As you said, Vasilisa already has guards assigned to her, they wouldn't waste resources."

"Then I would lobby to have you assigned to me." Tasha exclaimed in frustration. "Dimka, I understand you're not ready to commit to a future with me, but you need to start taking steps for a future."

So many mistakes. Hearing her words, I knew I had not been clear enough the day before. Some mistakes I had no way of correcting, but this I could, even if it was going to hurt. Unlike the church, I could use softer, kinder words. "I can't be your guardian."

"Why not?"

"The only future I want with you is one of friendship." Direct, and to the point, I needed to leave no room for misinterpretation. "Maybe there had been a time, long ago, but we missed that connection, and with everything that has happened since, I will never see you as anything but a dear friend."

Tasha's face fell, and then filled with tension. "There's someone else."

"There's no one else." I believed the answer to be true, but something in my chest clenched, and I pushed it aside. "That's not my path in life."

"But there was someone." Tasha pushed. "When you refused my offer at Christmas time."

"Even if there had been, so much has happened this last year that it would no longer matter." Watching as storm clouds brewed in Tasha's eyes, I knew she was preparing an argument. "There is no room in my life for romance, or love. My feelings for you are of friendship, nothing more."

"There's no room because it's me." Tasha snapped. "Or because the one who you really want is currently on the run for killing the Queen. I overheard Christian and Lissa talking about your disgusting interactions with Rose."

Leaning forward, feeling my calm slipping I locked my gaze on hers. "You know Rose didn't kill the Queen, she had no reason to do so."

"I don't hear you denying a relationship with her." Tasha hissed. "She was your student."

"That is not up for discussion." Sitting back, forcing myself to regain control, I watched the emotions on Tasha's face. Anger and hurt warred, until she also sat back and stared at me. "I apologize if I gave you false hope, it was never my intention. I've always valued your friendship and hope we can remain friends."

"I do too." Standing, Tasha looked ready to say more, but instead quietly walked away, leaving me to feel a sense that nothing was going to be the same.

"Mind if I join you?" A shadow fell across the table, almost startling me. Glancing up, my eyes fell on the last person I expected. After a moment, I consented with a silent nod.

"Its been awhile." Lowering his tall form into the seat Tasha vacated, the man moved her half-finished plate to the side. "Do you remember me?"

"Ibrahim Mazur." As his name slipped past my lips, I recalled a conversation with Rose back in Russia, and that he had been following her. "You're well known in Baia, I believe you're well acquainted with my grandmother and mother."

"Yes." Flashing a large, fang filled smile, Abe folded his hands in front of him and sat back. "Yeva, certainly is a spitfire. Did she mention I came for your memorial service?"

Swallowing hard, I tried to keep my face clear of the emotions brewing inside. "Its been awhile since I spoke with my family."

Humming, he looked thoughtful. "I suppose that would be a difficult conversation, explaining how you changed back from being strigoi."

"I don't like talking about my time as strigoi." This wasn't the first time a royal moroi had approached me, asking personal questions I had no interest in answering. Ibrahim may not be royal, but he was well connected and rich, which made him just as entitled. About to stand and excuse myself, he held out a hand to pause my actions.

"Forgive me if my questions were too personal." He sounded anything but. "It was not the reason I approached you."

"It wasn't?"

"No." He nearly purred. "I wanted to meet the man responsible for ruining my daughter's future with moroi society."

His words hit me, and it took a moment to fully process their meaning.

"You're Rose's father?" I wanted to doubt his words, but couldn't, not when it made sense as to why he would've been following her in Russia.

How did I not know Ibrahim Mazur was Rose's father? The last I knew, her relationship with her mother Janine was turbulent at best, and she had no idea who her father was. The question rattled inside my head for a few seconds until another voice quickly answered. "Because you refused to talk to her. Refused to talk about her with anyone."

"Yes." He answered with his thick accent, his dark amused eyes studying me intently.

"It was never my intention." My words sounded guilt filled, and I cleared my throat and tried again. "I tried to keep Rose away after being restored, to ensure my past actions didn't ruin her position with the Guardians."

"Oh, you mistaken me." He smiled again, in a way that held no humor. "I have no ill will over her losing her spot in Guardian life. She has too much passion and loyalty to be suffocated by such trivial nonsense."

"All she wanted to be was a guardian." The argument fell from my lips before I could really process what I was saying.

"It was all she knew." Ibrahim corrected. "But that matters little. Now she's wanted for a crime she didn't commit, and that just won't do."

"Rose didn't kill the Queen." I replied darkly.

"I know that." He smirked. "You know that. But until those inept fools here at court find the one truly responsible, her life is in danger."

"Is that why you're here?" I hadn't seen him at court before. But seeing how well guarded I had been after being restored, and then my own self seclusion, I would not have seen him. Did he have information that could clear Rose's name? "Trying to prove her innocence?"

"Perhaps." He gave a casual shrug. "Do you have any information that could be of use?"

The last I had seen her I had been cruel and made her cry. I had enough self-preservation not to mention that. "My contact with your daughter was minimal before she went missing."

"Good to know." He answered dryly. "Perhaps I need to be a little more . . . precise. Are you covering for the real perpetrator of the crime?"

That was precise, and very to the point. "Of course not."

"Forgive me." He gave a casual shrug. "But I had to ask."

"Of course." I nodded, a little stunned. Growing up I had heard tales of Ibrahim, of his clever and ruthless nature. But nothing so far rang as sinister, which truth be told, put me more on edge than if he had just outright threatened me. He had the right to after all, but so far, our entire interaction had been surreal.

"Ah, here are my companions." Looking over my shoulder, he raised a hand to whoever had just arrived before settling his attention back on me. "Before we part ways let me share this. I am sorry you lost my daughter's love and regard."

His statement startled me, to be honest, I expected something more wicked and painful. Watching him rise, I tried to make sense of his words. "Why do you say that?"

Looking down at me, his eyes turned serious for a moment. "Because if Rose is anything like her mother, it will take a miracle to earn them back, and seeing you've already spent yours on your rebirth I doubt the fates would grant you a second. Have a good day Belikov."

Turning in my chair to watch him join his party, I blinked in confusion when Adrian Ivashkov and a short petite blonde greeted him at the door. After a quick exchange they left, leaving me with more questions.

Hurrying back to my suite, I quickly showered and dressed. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I rushed out the door, and made my way to where Vasilisa and Christian shared a suite. Nodding to Eddie who was on duty, I entered and found Vasilisa going through a speech she had been preparing to appeal the age decree, as Christian listened from his spot on the couch. From his pain filled expression, it looked like he had been subjected as an unwilling participant for quiet awhile.

"Oh, thank god." Sending me a pleading glance, Christian quickly rose. "Will you please tell her that the speech is perfect? If I have to hear it one more time, I may be forced to gnaw my arm off for a quick escape."

"I thought you wanted to help me with this." Dropping the paper she'd been reading from, Vasilisa leveled a glare in Christian's direction. "Queen Ariana says this speech is imperative. It needs to be perfect if I'm to sway the council to agree revisiting the Age Decree."

"They have to see how their stupid law backfired spectacularly." Christian smirked. "Rose would've been pleased -."

"Christian." Vasilisa hissed, cutting him off with a perturbed look, before turning an apologetic look my way. "You're here early."

I saw through her quick change of topic, and let it go. "Had an early start this morning."

Pity filled Vasilisa's eyes, and I knew I should have come up with something more convincing. Always one to be overly observant, she was the first to correctly assume when insomnia started to haunt my nights. I appreciated her concern, especially at first, but it was starting to become suffocating.

How was I supposed to be trusted with her safe keeping if she felt compelled to mother me. It wasn't her fault, it was mine, I should've said something long before now, but it'd just been easier to let her have her way.

"And you do know we can talk about Rose." Hearing Christian snort, my eyes moved to where he was still sitting in time to watch him roll his eyes. "Its not like we haven't before."

"That's what I've been saying." Throwing his arms up in the air, Christian was immediately silenced by another look from Vasilisa.

"What's going on?" Searching both their faces, I folded my arms across my chest.

"Nothing." Her quick response, and blushed face didn't paint the picture of honesty. Apparently, my expression expressed just how unconvincing she had been, because Christian snorted in response. Exasperated, Vasilisa sighed at her boyfriend. "You have been very clear on not wanting to talk about Rose, and outside of her disappearance and wanted criminal status, we've tried to respect you wishes." Christian cleared his throat. "Fine, I've respected your wishes."

"I've just endured her bullying over the last year." Christian muttered.

"I see." Sighing, I knew I had no one else to blame but myself. "I suppose your silence is the reason why I didn't know Ibrahim Mazur was Rose's father."

Both looked startled. It was Christian who recovered first. "How could you not know that? Everyone knows, like even that old strange man who talks to himself and smells like trash knows Abe is Rose's old man."

"Christian." Vasilisa cut in, her eyes wide pleading with him to stop talking. "Dimitri, you've had other . . . things you've been focusing on."

"Things?" That was putting it mildly.

"You know, your rocky future within the moroi court, your unstable mental state, a missing ex-girlfriend no one was allowed to speak freely about." Christian smirked. "Things."

"Will you please not do this?" Hands on her hips, Vasilisa stomped her foot.

"Are you kidding me?" Standing from the couch, Christian's face was filled with frustration. "How long am I supposed to stand by while you baby him like he's some kind of emotionally challenged cyborg."

"I can't believe you just said that!" Clearly stunned, Vasilisa turned toward me. "He didn't mean that."

"Yes, I did." Christian said. "I'm sorry, but it's the truth. I'm not saying what you went through didn't suck. But how long are we supposed to tip toe around your feelings? Are we supposed to pretend the last two years didn't happen, or that Rose has been missing whenever you're around?"

"Christian."

"Don't Christian me." He fumed. "This right here is the reason Rose left to begin with."

"Oh, not this again." I felt like I was watching a fight that had been rehashed several times.

"Lissa, I get you feel responsible for him because of the part you played in bringing him back. That your soft heart makes you want to protect him. But enough is enough."

Looking embarrassed, Vasilisa snuck a look in my direction, her cheeks pink in her anger at Christian's words. "Can we please talk about this in the other room."

"I'm not trying to be an ass, but it's exhausting." Sighing, Christian headed toward the door. "I need some air."

The door slammed and Vasilisa sent me an apologetic look. "He really didn't mean any of that."

"Yes, he did." I replied. "Don't be angry with him, he was just being honest."

"But he had no right . . ."

"He did." I sighed, the sleepless night and Christian's honesty was starting to weigh heavily on me.

"You're right, he did." Vasilisa said softly, her mouth fell into a frown. "But I'm still sorry. He tends to be very blunt."

"It was never my intention to place you in this position." Shame filled my chest. "What did he mean it was the reason why Rose left?"

Biting on her lower lip, Vasilisa wrung her hands as she stood silently for a moment. "After the church." Her words were so softly spoken, and I thought for a moment I misunderstood. But the pity in her eyes, mixed with guilt confirmed I had heard correctly.

My heart hit painfully against my chest and started to wonder how the life I had carefully pieced back together over the last year was beginning to unravel in just a few hours. "What about it?"

"You have to remember, I had used so much Spirit bringing you back, that I was a little unstable and lost my temper quickly over the stupidest stuff." Beginning to pace, she sent me a pleading look. I tried to remember her acting out of sorts during those early days, but all I could recall was how her calm steadied my raw nerves. If she acted out of sorts, I had not witnessed it. "I'd been trying to get Rose to back off, and when I heard what happened at the church, I lost my temper."

"How?"

"What?"

"How did you hear?"

"Tasha had been there and saw Rose harassing you." Vasilisa explained.

"Rose wasn't exactly harassing me." Pinching my nose, I felt a bubble of doom forming in my gut. "She was trying to get answers, and in return I had been cruel. I could've been more patient."

"That's not how Tasha explained it." She frowned. "I'm pretty sure Rose had been pulled inside my head when I was going off."

"You two have fought before." I said. "She never left."

A lone tear slipped from her eye. "Dimitri, she didn't willingly slip inside my head, I pulled her in because I lost control. I said so many vile and untrue things, but there had been so much Spirit induced rage inside of me I lost control. I freaked Tasha out so bad that she had to call Christian. It took him a few hours, but between him and Adrian I was able to calm down. The next morning Rose was nowhere to be found."

Blowing out a deep breath, I moved to the couch and took a seat. "What else do I not know?"

Looking startled, Vasilisa's mouth dropped for a second before snapping it shut. "I don't understand."

"So far in the last two hours I have learned Ibrahim Mazur is Rose's father, and I wasn't the only reason she left the safety of court. What else has been kept from me?"

"Dimitri, why do you want to know?" She asked softly. "I mean don't get me wrong, but you seem to be getting better, and maybe not knowing is better."

I thought about her words. Why was I suddenly so curious? I had let the last year pass by sitting on the sidelines. But sitting across from Ibrahim, having to see the disappointment in his eyes, made me realize I had been selfish. There may not be a future for us any longer, but she deserved better than she got.

"Tell me."

"We've been looking into the murder of Queen Tatiana."

"I thought you were supposed to back off that. And who's we?"

"It was suggested that I stop vocalizing my feelings on Rose's innocence." Vasilisa smirked, a habit she had picked up from her boyfriend. "And by we, I mean Adrian, Christian, Rose's father and Sydney."

"But they found Rose's stake . . ." In the Queen's heart.

Looking uncomfortable again, Vasilisa waited for a moment before replying. "They did. But what's not being said, is that when Adrian was looking for her, before we knew she left, he went to her room. Her stake was on the dresser. For whatever reason, she didn't take it with her."

"Why?"

Shrugging, she shook her head. "To be honest, Rose left a lot of stuff behind. Clothing, a new laptop, pictures. Its like she packed random things before she left."

She had been upset. Clearly not thinking when she planned her escape. "Who's Sydney?"

"She's a . . . she's an alchemist." Vasilisa admitted. "She helped Rose when she went to Russia. From what I know, she has some sort of connection to Abe."

I found it slightly humorous that someone as innocent as Vasilisa, called one of the most feared men in Russia by a nickname. I may have laughed if I had it in me. "What else?"

"That's all Christian and I know. Abe made it clear that he can't have a bunch of us making waves, in fact he made us promise not to tell Tasha."

"But you told me."

Looking very proud of herself, Vasilisa sat up straight. "He never said I couldn't tell you, so I guess you can say I'm taking advantage of a loophole. Very political of me don't you think?"

"Very." Unable to stop the smile I gave her a proud nod. "Does Ibrahim know where Rose is now?" If anyone would know the whereabouts of Rose, it would be someone with the resources of the Zmey.

"No." Shaking her head, Vasilisa sighed. "He tracked her to Detroit. After awhile there, she bought a ticket to Florida."

"She's in Florida?" I asked. I knew she wasn't in Iowa.

"She bought a ticket to Florida, but never made it there." She shook her head. "But we know for sure she left Detroit."

"What else?"

"What do you mean?"

"I want to know, what you and the others have kept from me."

"We didn't keep -."

Holding up a hand to stop her, I sighed. "This is my fault, not yours. I put you in a position I never should have. But enough is enough. I have put you at odds with Christian, and I can't ask that of you anymore."

"I don't know."

"Vasilisa please."

Shifting uncomfortably, she looked uncertain for a moment. "Promise not to get mad?"

Eyeing her as she gnawed on her lower lip, I couldn't fathom what she could have done that would make me upset. "Promise."

Looking as though she was on the verge of changing her mind, Vasilisa let out a sigh. For the next hour I heard every incriminating step taken to help me. I heard of Eddie's part in the scheme, of prison breaks and my strigoi self, crashing the party, allowing the escape of a very corrupt individual and his mentally unstable Spirit using brother. I did not say a word as Vasilisa came to her conclusion, her eyes barely meeting mine.

I felt sick. Sick that so many people put their lives on the line over speculation. Over a miracle that very well may not have succeeded. I knew without a sliver of a doubt that Rose's friends rallied around her, because they loved and supported her. That she had heard a far-fetched fairy tale and simply had to find out if it was true. It was Rose's love for him that pushed her to do the impossible.

And he had paid her back by spitting in her face.

"I didn't know." Swallowing, I winced at the lancing pain in my chest. "I didn't know because I refused to listen."

"So, you're not mad?"

Looking over to where she sat wringing her hands, I let out a huff. "I'm furious. At the danger you put yourselves in, and that a dangerous criminal is in the wind. But mostly I am furious with myself."

So there. Many wanted to see what was happening with the rest of the gang, here it is. Hope you all love, and thank you for the reviews.