Dimitri's POV in Spirit Bound Vampire Academy

Chapter 6b

The moment you've all probably (not) been waiting for, almost.
Paragraphs are going to look like they do below, for a good reason. You have no idea how long I spent on this... Enjoy :)

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A great quality to have as a leader is being unpredictable. It makes it harder for your rivals to understand you and your motives. That’s why I have so much power and why I’m feared amongst the Strigoi. That’s also why I managed to take down Galina. It all leads down to their expectations. Galina hadn’t expected me to take Rose’s side, and that got her killed. There was something so satisfying about her astonishment that really made me smile.
And I couldn’t stop myself from smiling here, in front of these Moroi. They hadn’t expected it, heck, no one had. It must have made sense to them now, I could almost see them process my words in their brains like clockwork. I didn’t let them finish.
I sharply turned away, and the Strigoi followed, shoving the Moroi forward. I took a few steps forward, before turning back to make eye contact with Christian. “Try anything,” I warned. “And I will kill her.” I resumed the journey, leading the way. Though I had no idea where to go. Consciously, I kept moving in silence.
I have to hide somewhere close, I want Rose to find me after all. Somewhere in a remote area, an empty industrial building preferably. I don’t have much time, they’re probably recruiting guardians right now. If only I had more time to make everything perfect . . . But I don’t. I only have one shot at this, I reminded myself. Today, one of us dies. Either me or Rose. And I’ll make sure it’s not me.
It didn’t take long before I found the right place. A warehouse, stood deathly still. I stood in front of the double doors, and shoved the door, breaking its lock. On impact, it crashed open and I was surprised it didn’t break down. I rushed to step inside and circled my way through the furthest room in the building: a storage room. At least that’s what it looked like.
I switched on the light. Thick, heavy layers of dust coated bookshelves, tools, boxes, everything. Paper yellowed with age littered the floors. Stepping over them, I grabbed the back of two wooden chairs, one in each hand, and dragged them against the right side of a wall. “Tie them up.” I said, handing them rope left on top of an old box. Wiping my hands on my duster, I watched as they forced Vasilissa and Christian into a chair and binded them “Make sure it’s secure.”
Vasilissa was going to be a problem in my plan. They’ll be recruiting a lot of guardians. I have to balance the strengths and positions of the Strigoi. Luckily for us, I had paid attention to their strength. Most of them were once ‘respectable’ guardians themselves, like me. “You six” I pointed after a few short seconds. “Stay here and watch them”
“The rest of you, follow me” I left six of the weakest Strigoi (mainly ones who once were Moroi or human) on guard as I left. Rose would try to get to Vasilissa first, I knew that for sure. She wouldn’t trust anyone but herself would be able to get the princess out alive. That’s where I would be. As for the other dhampirs . . . I would have to make them as occupied as possible.
In a matter of minutes, everyone was in position and we were ready. I began pacing around the room, feeling both anxious and impatient. What if there were more guardians than expected? I really could die tonight, I pondered. When Rose and Vasilissa had escaped the academy, when I had first encountered Rose, there were about ten of the best guardians after them, including myself. That was a lot, considering that if it was any other Moroi outside the royal bloodline, they wouldn’t bother going after them. Except then, there was no guarantee we would have to face Strigoi. Now there was, they’ll be sending out many more guardians. Double or even triple the amount. Rose is my top priority, I reminded myself.
“Are you sure they’ll be coming?” One of the Strigoi suddenly asked, invading the silence. She was tall and thin, with ginger locks. She had been a Moroi when awakened, which is why I had her here.
“Yes,” Was all I said, in a dissmissive tone.
“If the guardians really are coming,” She snarled with a doubtful tone. “then we should be posted outside.”
“They’re coming,” I said, though her disrespect was starting to annoy me. “I know they are.” Anyone else would have known to stay quiet by now, but clearly she hadn’t learnt like the rest of them.
“Then let me get out there and be useful!” She snapped. “You don’t need us to babysit these two.” They had managed to escape the Strigoi that held them captive, Isiaih and Elena, with the help of Christian’s elemental magic and Rose. They could do that again.
“You don’t know them,” I said. “They’re dangerous. I’m not even sure this is enough protection.”
“That’s ridiculous!” I turned and backhanded her. Surprising her and everyone else in the room. I ignored it and resumed to pacing around the room.
“You will stay here, and you will guard them as long as I tell you to, do you understand?” She glared back, saying nothing as she touched her face. I narrowed my eyes at her before turning to the rest of them. “And you’ll stay too. If the guardians actually make it this far, you’ll be needed for more than just guard duty.”
“How do you know?” Another Strigoi demanded. “How do you know they’ll come?” They didn’t know who these two really were, how important they were, and I wasn’t planning on telling them. I almost made a move in responding. Rose would be---
I halted and abruptly turned to the princess. In two quick strides, I reached her and knelt so that I was on the same level as her. She jumped at the unexpected movement, watching me with widened eyes. I peered into her eyes, for some clue, or something that’d prove my suspicion . . .
My hand snaked around the back of her neck, tilting her face so that I’d get a better look. And somehow, it felt like I was looking directly at Rose. A look I recognised all too well, of longing and pain in those dark eyes.
“I know the guardians will come because Rose is watching,” My gaze didn’t leave hers. “Aren’t you Rose?” My hand moved to her neck, and gently stroked it, no doubt Rose must have felt it. I could kill her best friend in seconds, Rose knew that. It was a warning too, to remind Rose of my power, how easy it is to end her life.
“You’re in there, Rose.” My lips curved into a cold smile. “And you won’t abandon either of them. You also aren’t foolish enough to come alone, are you? Maybe once you would have---but not anymore.” The dark look faded and was replaced with fear, and shock. I knew Rose had left. 
Vasilissa’s light green eyes watered, as I rose and turned away.