As soon as we returned home I questioned Rose, "What did he want?!"
"He said I should join him and his friends-" started Rose.
I snorted, "Seriously? He keeps trying to recruit. You didn't say yes did you?"
"Well no," admitted Rose.
"You should have accepted. That's the only way we'll find Dimitri," I said forcefully.
She stared at me for a minute like I was the crazy one.
"Sorry, let me explain. Despite how...utterly disgusting he is, he knows people in the city. Strigoi are more likely to hide in cities because they are so crowded that no one will notice if a person disappears. And by the looks of it, since Abe keeps shadowing you, Denis is the only way out of Baia undetected, so to speak," I explained, "Just don't let anyone else know, okay?"
"Sure," agreed Rose.
We sat down for dinner and as usual, mama stuffed us.
After dinner, Viktoria requested to go out to Marina's party. I knew she wasn't going to that party, why would she when she could see him.
Rose went up with Viktoria. I was tired, so I didn't care where they went. Probably some place with a whole bunch of blood whores...and Moroi...where Strigoi could probably hide...Rose could take care of herself and I knew she'd keep Viktoria out of trouble.
I fell asleep quickly, but was awakened by screaming and yelling from Viktoria. I came out sleepily, "How'd you break them up Rose?"
"I didn't, Abe did," said Rose tiredly, "In exchange I promised him that I'd leave Baia."
"Good choice of words," I smiled, "Do you want to go outside and talk?"
Rose shook her head, but she went outside anyways. I debated whether to leave her alone, or if I should go out and sit with her, just for moral support. From the upstairs window, I watched as Yeva went out to talk to Rose, watching Rose's face become shocked upon hearing that Yeva could actually speak English. It made me laugh quietly to myself. Then I saw Rose walking off alone.
"Shit!" I swore under my breath.
I quickly ran into my room, got changed, grabbed my stakes and ran down the street after her. I had some idea where she was going. I would have to meet her there.
***************************************************************************
I was breathless by the time I got there and nearly pounded the door in with my knocking.
Denis was absolutely shocked to see me.
"Is Rose here?" I asked.
"What made you change your mind?" Denis asked, "I've asked you for years, and-"
"Just answer the question," I interrupted.
"She just got here," Denis answered.
"Okay, then I'm coming with you to Novosibirsk," I nodded.
Denis nodded and opened the door for me.
His friends looked at me in surprise and Denis made a sexual joke in Russian, which made me glad that Rose couldn't understand. I punched them, all three of them, hard enough to break something.
We talked for a while, mostly about Rose's achievements, nothing about me, since my reputation already preceded me and I was from around here, so they'd already know my story. Then we all piled into the car and drove off. It took about two days of driving to get there from Baia and crashed at Tamara's place, in downtown Novosibirsk.
Rose laid out a plan, seeing as these amateurs had no idea what they were doing anyways.
The first few hits to clubs were pretty unsuccessful, no one had heard of Dimitri, just a lot of swearing in Russian. It wasn't until the fourth Strigoi, who could actually speak English, that we had any luck, although Rose did call Dimitri a dhampir without thinking. Rose was starting to scare me; the evil streak in her was nothing like I'd ever seen before. She let the fourth one go, as an errand boy.
Kills continued for weeks, but nothing came up on Dimitri.
One night we had to walk Tamara home. I watched as Rose crossed the street to talk to the crazy old lady. Out of nowhere came Dimitri.
"Rose!" I called out, but I was too late, Dimitri already struck her and she passed out immediately. I would too, if I was punched in the head.
I ran forward to take Dimitri down and in essence, save Rose, but I felt strong hands grab me from behind. How could I not notice him?
"Mira, it's been such a long time," spoke the Strigoi.
His voice was like velvet, but more like frozen velvet, if that made any sense, it was the most beautiful voice I had ever heard...I realized I hadn't heard that voice in so long either, Alexander.
"I'm sorry darling, we can't have you getting in the way," Alexander whispered.
I felt euphoric ecstasy and then nothing.
