Chapter Twenty-One Summary

Rose tries to sleep but it does not come easily. She has bad dreams, haunted by Dimitri's rejection of their love. Adrian knocks on her door early the next morning. He tells her the Royal Council is about to hear protests to Tatiana's latest political maneuvering. The new decree is that Guardian Dhampirs will be graduated from St. Vladimir's at age 16 instead of their normal 18 years of age. Rose is furious. This will expose far too many unprepared Guardians to needless early deaths due to inexperience.

She attends the open Council hearing when Tatiana entertains public dissent to the new age-lowering of Guardians. Entertains dissent, but refuses to act upon it, her mind having been made up. Rose rises to the occasion, publicly challenging Tatiana's wisdom. Doesn't the Queen realize this will mean countless young Guardians die without reason? Tatiana will...