Turning Tables

Chapter 11

Dimitri

I left Mikhail and Sonya upstairs. She had quieted down a little. She was still sniffing and Mikhail was still rubbing her back and softly saying it would be okay, but she wasn't hysterical anymore.

The image of the two lovers clinging to each other was branded in me. How differently would things have been for me if I had been able to be in Rose's arms after my restoration? I realized that if I could do it again, I wouldn't have hesitated and pulled her into my chest and hugged her until they would have hauled me away. Which was probably pretty soon afterwards, seeing as I had been a nasty Strigoi in the midst of battle.

I went downstairs. Robert was lying on the couch. He wasn't sleeping exactly, but awake was also a strong word for his condition. Whatever it was, he was exhausted. Viktor didn't look any better. He was sitting on a chair next to Robert never taking his eyes off of Rose, except when I came down. His eyes briefly met mine before refocusing on Rose.

Rose had her eyes on Viktor. She didn't turn around when I came down the stairs. She knew it was me. I don't think either of them has said anything in a while.

I noticed one person was missing. "Where is Mia?"

Without turning around and keeping her eyes firmly on Viktor she replied. "I sent her out for some supplies. Food and stuff."

Not exactly a bad idea. We would need food soon and it kept Mia safe.

I moved towards Rose. I sat in the chair next to Rose. Together we were a front of Guardians against these seemingly weak Moroi. But I would never underestimate either of them. They were dangerous and at least one of them should be behind bars.

"Not that this wasn't helpful, Viktor, but you do know we will take you back to Tarasov right?" I broke the silence. That is where he belonged. After his escape guardians hadn't been able to find him, but he must know that we had means of communicating with Court and that there would be guardians here in a blink of an eye. So I wondered why Viktor had exposed himself like this and why he didn't seem to worry.

Viktor's cruel smile did nothing to alleviate my worry.

"You might want to hold off on that call Guardian Belikov. If I go back, I will have to tell them exactly how I got out of Tarasov in the first place."

Rose cringed a bit and looked guiltily my way. It took me a moment too long to register his words as he looked towards Rose. It shouldn't have been a shock, not with Rose.

'I broke my own record this time.'

That is what Rose had said to me when she explained the lengths she had gone through to get me restored. And breaking into a maximum security prison to help her arch nemesis escape truly is one hell of a Rose plan. I groaned as I realized she didn't do it alone. Lissa was in on this too.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. If we put Viktor back in prison he would tell people who had freed them. They might not believe him. It would certainly be hard for people to believe Lissa had helped Viktor escape, but their alibi wasn't watertight. It couldn't be, they weren't actually in Vegas the night of the escape.

I looked over to Rose, unable to keep looking at Viktor who was very pleased with himself. But I wouldn't let him do this to Rose. He wouldn't hurt her again or Lissa. I stepped closer, towering over him, my guardian mask was replaced with my scowl. I knew I looked threatening, but Viktor seemed unperturbed.

"Ah, yes, the violent option. You and Rose are truly made for each other."

Rose pulled me back a bit and away from Viktor. I kept my eyes on the man a moment longer before I broke contact and looked towards Rose- who was very calm and had a smile on her face.