We met Alberta at the airstrip. "Wasn't expecting you here Belikov" there seemed to be a knowing glint in her eye. "I'll give you two some time." Okay, she knew somehow. She stepped away into the plane cabin.
"Roza" he hugged me and pressed a kiss to my forehead "be careful. Come back. Come back to me in one piece. I'll be be here, watching." He spoke against my forehead.
"I'll come back. Promise. Call me, seriously, if you don't I will call you." 'I love you Dimitri' I sent through the bond.
"As I do you milaya" he kissed my cheek and released me. "I'll see you in three weeks."
"That you will!"
"Take care."
'I will. I'll come back. I love you too much not to Dimitri.'
"Bye Rose."
"It's not "bye" Dimitri, it's "until we meet again" and we will." I stepped into the cabin, my heart now aching, if only the bond was two way- if just to talk. The door was shut behind me. I put my bag into an overhead compartment and sat down- buckling up.
Albert came to sit next to me. "You love him don't you? Belikov."
"Yeah. I do. I really do. This hurts- leaving him behind, not knowing if I'm coming back. I know he's trained me well, you all have, but is it enough?"
"It has to be. They wouldn't have called you otherwise. It has to be enough."
A few hours later I landed at Court and had been whisked off to my first Elite briefing. The plan was complex in its simplicity. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Another few hours later we were off to Russia- Novosibirsk, it was a long trip. I slept most of the way and Adrian visited- with Dimitri.
"Dimitri!" I squealed and bear hugged him.
"Roza" he breathed. "Where are you? Still at Court or headed off?"
"Headed off."
"Can I know where? Or do I have to wait?" Hmm. Technically it was Top Secret.
"It's kind of Classified. But, it's close to your home. Shh" I placed a finger over his lips. "Top Secret remember. I'll let you know when I get back."
"So somewhere in in Russia? Without me as your guide? Not cool!"
"Comrade! I'm doing everything but a tourist trip here!"
"Sorry milaya." God I loved him even more when he called me that.
"What about me little dhampir?" Now that nickname I hated.
"Hi Adrian." I turned in Dimitri's arms.
"What?! Cradlerobber here gets a welcome like it's been centuries and you couldn't care less about me?" Uh oh. Time to pull.
"No Roza!"
"Dimitri, I can handle it." I could so I pulled.
"What the hell you two?"
"What are you 'what'ing about Adrian?"
"I felt Rose pull darkness from my aura only to end up in Belikov's."
"Comrade! Why?!"
"Because you need to be focused. You have way too much already."
"Have you figures out how to expel it yet?" I was worried now.
"Yes. I brushed your mind to find how you do it. I've done it once already."
"Dimitri" I sighed, giving up the fight.
