Royal Roulette

Chapter 10|Betrayal

We arrive at the airport at 10 am human time, so it is the middle of the vampiric night. We don't have a car, so I decide on the next best option. "Are you sure you can hot wire a car?" Liss asks skeptically. "Dimitri taught me," I reply, thinking back to our days on the run. I smile fondly and return to my task. "Blue wire to red wire," I mutter to myself, smiling as the car roars to life. We hop in, and for the first time in like forever, I get to drive.

We go speeding down the backroads, making our way toward court. Everyone is silent, and little Lacey looks outside the window with wide eyes. After about an hour, we arrive at court, discovering one guardian at the gate. "Guardian Hathaway?" he asks, clearly astonished that we got back so quick. "Hey there buddy," I say, "open up the gates."

After we arrive, we speed down the road toward Lissa and Christian's house. We hurriedly get out of our getaway car, and jog to the door. It's starting to get dark, and if Strigoi have been attacking, we need to get inside. Liss pounds on the door until an annoyed Dimitri opens it. He sees us and his face brightens. "You all are okay," he says, rushing over and pulling me into a big hug. God I had missed him. "We're fine Comrade," I say playfully, "But what the hell is going on?" He gives us the whole story, and I am shocked. A huge group of Strigoi had attacked, heading straight for the side of town me and Dimitri lived in. Wierd. Some Moroi lived in our neighbor hood, but most of our neighbors were Dhampirs. A few of our Moroi neighbors were among the dead. "Why would they head toward that part of town?" I ponder aloud, "There are way more Moroi on this side of court, therefore more victims." "Good question," Dimitri says. A moment later, a knock sounds at the door. Liss goes to open, with Dimitri poised to attack behind her, stake in hand. She barely cracks the door and then says, "Adrian? What are you doing here?"

"What the hell are you doing here is the question," he says looking at Liss, "You should still be back at your hotel room!" His hair is dismantled, and he looks as if spirit is toying with his mind. "Adrian, are you alright?" I ask gently. "Ah little dhampir, I'm glad you are ok," he says walking up and giving me a hug. I flinch, and step back. What the hell is he doing? Dimitri puts his arm around my shoulder protectively and Adrian seems to notice him for the first time upon entering the room. "Shit shit shit shit," he says, mumbling something unintelligible under his breath and begins walking toward the door. "I have to go speak with my, um, associate," he stutters. I suddenly realize something. There is one common factor in all of the problems lately: Adrian.

I run and grab his wrist, slamming the door and positioning myself between him and my friends. "How could you?" I whisper, my voice thick with betrayal. He looks at me sadly, and just shakes his head. "I don't know what your talking about," he finally says quietly. "Don't play that bullshit Adrian," I say, my pain turning into rage, "There is only one thing that connects all the drama unfolding lately, and that one thing is you." "Rose please," he whispers, eyes searching mine desperately. "No Adrian, I'm not done," I growl, "You were the one sending me those letters, not Robert Doru. Hell I bet you even made me have those nightmares about that damned Strigoi." The guilty look on his face made me sick. "And you broke the damn wards Adrian! What the hell were you thinking! And then with some amazing stroke of luck, Strigoi attack," I shout, causing him to flinch away. He meets my eyes and hisses, "It wasn't an accident Rose. They were supposed to get in, they were supposed to kill Belikov over there." My mind is reeling. "Wha, what do you mean?" I stutter. "I mean they were supposed to kill your damned Prince Charming so I could take his place. We are meant to be Rose! I've never stopped loving you! And, and spirit is driving me mad and you're, you're the only one who can help me cope with that," he yells, voice trembling. I am in shock. "See Rose? It could've been me and you," he pleads, eyes searching mine desperately, "Adrian and the little Dhampir, like the good ole days." I feel physically sick to my stomach. "Never, have I ever, met a man as weak in the mind as you, Mr. Ivashkov," I say, voice cold as ice. He flinches at my words, but doesn't have time to move as my fist plummets into his nose, causing his world to fade into the blackness of unconsciousness. I slump down beside him, and my world begins to darken a little. You expect betrayal from your enemies, but when your friend is the one shoving the knife into your back, don't be so surprised. Always expect the unexpected, you little bastards.