This excerpt from Blood Promise centers on Rose Hathaway's journey to Russia following the turning of her beloved mentor, Dimitri Belikov, into a Strigoi. Haunted by this transformation, Rose seeks out Dimitri's family while grappling with her feelings and the dangerous reality of his new existence. Her efforts to understand and potentially confront Dimitri intertwine with encounters with his family, other supernatural factions like the Alchemists, and the ever-present threat of Strigoi. Throughout her experiences, Rose reflects on her relationship with her best friend, Lissa, and her own identity as a dhampir guardian, all set against a backdrop of vampire society and personal sacrifice.