Hey, Comrade

4

< 4 - четыре >

Dimitri of course, drove and Alberta had called shotgun before I had, due to my lips being preoccupied somewhere else. We were travelling in a large black Land Rover, David was sitting in the middle row and I had chosen to lie down in the very back of the car. It was a comfortable position and with Dimitri driving, even though I hated that he always had to drive, the ride was smooth and tireless.

An hour into the drive, when I was just about asleep, the car stopped at a very familiar fast food chain. I was excited to see the red M in the sky until Alberta told me it was strictly a toilet stop. With the mission thrown to us, Dimitri and I had never gotten that food he had promised me. I didn't need the toilet so I sat sulking in the car instead. I was hungry.

Dimitri came back before anyone else and to my surprise, opened the door to the row of seats in front of me and handed me a cheeseburger over the chairs. I would still be hungry after eating it, but the fact that Dimitri got me one was just one of the reasons why I love him so bloody much. A grin stretches over my face and I lean forwards to kiss him. "Thank you."

I try to pull away but Dimitri puts his hand in my hair and presses my face too his. Eventually we hear the faint sound of Alberta's loud laugh alerting another presence to be advancing on the car. We break apart and looked into each others eyes. What I saw in his deep browns was worry. He was worried about me. He always was before something dangerous.

He moved back to the front seat and I opened the cheeseburger quickly and shoved it down in three bites as Alberta opened the car door. She climbed in and sniffed the air before turning to me. I was still chewing and she looked back towards Dimitri before shaking her head. "I should have known."

Dimitri didn't say anything but met my eyes through the rear view mirror. I wiggled my eyebrows at him before opening my mouth and showing him all the mushed up food in my mouth. He just looked away wth a eye roll. David stepped into the car and we continued driving again.

It was six when we finally arrived at the city, still sunlight. We had just over two hours to get the princess into the car and get away from the city. Unfortunately though, there was mass road closures over the main road due to a white car having crashed into one car and flipped over onto the other side of the road. Both sides were closed and we had no way of getting away with cars in front and behind.

It had been a hour of valuable time when we finally make it to the hotel. The sun, which had supposed to set after eight due to the mid June weather, had begun at seven and it was well past dusk. From the mood in the car, everyone knew it wouldn't be as easy as once seemed. It was dark enough now that older and stronger Strigoi could walk out if wanted to

Parking the car, we give each other a minute to get ready. Alberta is the first to get out of the car, Dimitri, David, then me.

I was worried. Not for my wellbeing but for Dimitri's. I hadn't realised before but us being here together was another scenario where it could be the princess's life over his. Given it wasn't Lissa, but that princess was one of the last of the Voda bloodlines and if people knew I had let her die...

God, I didn't want to think about the consequences.

"David and Dimitri you go into the hotel and grab the Princess. We don't know how many have managed to get in." Alberta pressed a small device into Dimitri's hands. "Press this to alert us down below if you get in trouble. Rose and I will stay down here and stop Strigoi from coming in."

We say quick goodbyes and Dimitri presses his lips to mine for a short kiss. He pulls away and stares into my eyes. "I love you Roza."

I am aware of how long we are taking and I smile softly "I love you too, Comrade. Now go and get the princess."

He still looks hesitant to leave me, even after all we have been through to prove I can take care of myself. Alberta presses a hand on my shoulder and looks warmly at Dimitri. "Go Dimitri. I'll take care of her."

I nearly roll my eyes. I am not some child. But Dimitri nods and is gone through the doors of the hotel with David in tow. Alberta and I wait for a few minutes, watching as the sun falls and falls and is gone.

Almost instantly five Strigoi step out of the shadows and I cast a quick glance at Alberta before retrieving my silver stake from my jacket.

This was going to be fun.