Twisted Frame (VA Fanfic)

Two: Camera Angle

DPOV
Only it wasn't Rose and she wasn't alone. A very, very, very dangerous snake was at her side. They pushed their way in, slammed the door shut and locked it.

"What did you do to her, Belikov," he demanded in the low voice that he was infamous for back home.
"Who?" I felt so stupid asking that question. There could only be one who.
Both sets of eyes burned holes in my head.
"Rosemarie," Janine hissed, "your... I'm not going to go there! What the hell did you do to her!"
"Do you even think about what the f*** she had to do for this to occur?" Zmey gestured me up and down. "Do you stop to think! Vasilisa didn't suddenly know how to stake, how to charm silver. She didn't randomly choose you." Neither one could possibly be any more livid.
"Settle, Ibrahim," Janine warned, placing a hand over his before turning back to me. "Our daughter risked execution for you, Belikov. And this is how you repay her?" To my surprise, Janine Hathaway had tears threatening to spill over.

My surprise didn't last more than a second before guilt crashed down over me as her image from this morning returned. Her in tears. It wasn't something anyone needed to see, wasn't something that should occur in the first place. I had destroyed her.

"Come with us," Mazur commanded before opening my door.
"You should see what your gratitude has done to her." Janine's fury was punctuated by her slam of the aforementioned door.
I was expecting to be led to Guest Housing—her room, Lissa's, or even Ivashkov's—or to Guardian Admin, possibly the cells. Instead, I was led in the complete opposite direction. To the end of Court where the palace was located. But I was led off to the right and beyond. When it came into view no words could ever possibly describe how I felt... none but the one I couldn't prevent escaping.

"No..." I breathed, "no, no, no!" I was no longer in control of my emotions. I couldn't make my legs work and my heart exploded in my chest. This was what I had feared. Even as a Strigoi a part of me had feared this. I hadn't fully grasped the notion let alone the emotion, and once more it was all my fault. It was always my fault.

"Face the consequences of your actions, Belikov," hissed Janine as she dragged me forward. I already had, hadn't I? Wasn't I still?
I followed obediently, but not at all in any rush to see the extent of the damage to her. But I wasn't led to her. Instead, I was led to the NICU.
"If she dies," warned Mazur, "you've got a lot of work to do."
"26 weeks, Belikov. She's 14 weeks early. And under-developed in the first place. Heaven forbid they both die."
"This is your punishment...."