Collateral Damage

- TWENTY THREE -

Dimitri's POV

"Wait, Adrian what the hell is going on?" I asked, my heart was racing I was not going to lose her. Not again. He looked at me for a moment before shaking his head.

"Just call a meeting." He said, he began to walk away.

"Adrian?"

"NOW!" Adrian swung around to face me.

The look in his eyes were desperate, almost scared. I wanted to retaliate. To tell him to stay in his place and not tell me how to do my job. But I couldn't. He loves Rose just as much as I do and if he says she is in trouble than she is.

I waited for him to leave before sending a group text to the head of all departments. I told them to be in the briefing room in half an hour and that it's urgent.

Like I had informed, everyone was seated in the briefing room in exactly half an hour. A few minutes after I had gotten there, Adrian walked in with Abe and Janine in tow. Adrian stood at the head of the table. Scott stood at the door with his arms folded across his chest. He looked pissed.

I wanted so desperately to know what was going on with her. She has been through so much and I don't think that her being murdered without a word is the way she deserves to go.

Rose means so much to everyone. I don't think I could survive knowing she was dead. The last 17 years I have only gotten through because I knew she was alive and safe wherever she was.

I desperately wanted her back but I knew her heart belonged to Scott. She loves him and I can see it. As much as it pains me to say, she loves him as much as she loved me and it makes me happy to know she is able to love after everything I put her through.

The last words I said to her was that my love had faded, that it wasn't there anymore. I don't know what I'd do if the last thing I said to her that meant anything was that I wasn't in love with her. I do love her. I love her so much and if the last few days have shown me anything, it's that she is probably the most important person in my life. Wherever she is.

I remember the first time we met, she was trying to protect her best friend. It was so daring of her to challenge me but she did. It was from that moment that I recognised something inside of her. The strength that she possessed I saw in myself. But she is so compassionate and caring, I never saw that in myself. I need her. If she dies then it is my fault, it's my fault for leaving the gates of the academy and in turn letting her leave.

"I was the one to call this meeting," Adrian began. Lissa frowned and gave me a questioning look, I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. "It's about Rosemary Hathaway. She is in surreal danger. We need to get to her before the strigoi do."

"What are you talking about Adrian?" Lissa said. I hadn't seen that look in her eyes since Rose went missing 17 years ago.

A pained look crossed his face as he looked to Scott. "He can't tell you, Rose wouldn't want it." Scott answered for him.

"Can't you see that it doesn't matter now? Rose is in trouble." I found myself saying. "Adrian?" I said, urging him on.

He took a deep breath, "Rose left the academy because she was pregnant, and she only knew the academy as her parent so she felt it was the right thing to do the same thing."

"What has this got to do with anything?" Janine said.

"Because the baby is Matilda Smith."

It all of a sudden made perfect sense.