A/N: This is my very first fan-fic. I thought I would right this out for fun. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Vampire Academy and its characters do not belong to me. They belong to the lovely and brilliant Richelle Mead
My fist connects with the side of his ribs. He grunts but doesn't fall. Seriously why won't this guy go down? I see his hand coming towards my face and I smoothly duck my head. My knee swishes upward and hits his midline. He huffs and falls back. I smirk at him, "Had enough yet?" His icy blue eyes glare at me, "Not even close Hathaway." He jumps back on his feet and I shake my head, "Christian, give it up. I've had more training than you."
He doesn't reply. Instead he charges at me. I am getting ready to move when I feel heat surrounding my face. I flinch at the change in atmosphere and that's all he needs. His fist connects with the side of my face and he kicks me on my right knee. I go down and soon he is on top of me. He pins my hands down and I keep thrashing. But unfortunately it's no use. Since I've started training Christian he has become stronger. His muscles have developed nicely and he is a much better fighter than when we graduated the Academy. I hate to admit it but we are matched in strength; something I thought Moroi's wouldn't be capable of.
I stop moving and glare, "We agreed no magic." He smirks, "I said I would never light you up. Are there any flames on you?" I try to shove him off but it doesn't work. I say, "You cheated." He gives me a full on grin, something that is rare for Christian. His grip on me tightens as he says, "I finally beat you Rose." His face comes closer to mine and that's when I realize the truth. His body is pressing into mine and I can feel, uh, well parts I shouldn't be feeling. His eyes lock with mine and I feel my heartbeat pick up speed. I see him lick his lips and my breath catches. I try to keep the blush off my face, "Chris, get off. Alright you won. Now move." He smirks at me again, the intensity of his stare broken, "Make me." I let out a growl and do some cheating of my own. I turn my head and bite his hand. He lets out a surprised noise but he lets go. I push him off and stand up.
I smirk, "Always be on guard Pyro. Never know when something might bite you." I can feel his glare on my back as I walk off into the locker rooms. When the door shuts behind me I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I really didn't understand what was happening to me. I was more aware of Christian than ever before. Had he always had those piercing blue eyes? Has his black hair always fallen into his eyes? And now I couldn't help but notice how muscular he had gotten. I groan out loud, "Rose, get a hold of yourself. It's Pyro!" I slam my fist into the lockers but I can't feel it.
I shake my head trying to think of anything else. For a moment I think about checking in on Lissa. But then I remember that I can't; the bond is broken. It's been two years since that day but it still feels surreal.
I walk out of the locker room and see Chris waiting for me. I walk over to him and say, "I still don't understand why you had a gym built. We could have practiced in the living room." He shakes his head, "Do you remember how you threw me around the first month? We would have broken everything!" I laugh at the memory, "Okay you have a point." His smile falls, "She called again." Now I frown and I look away, "What did she want?" He sighs, "She wants you back. She says she made a mistake." My teeth clench and I spit out, "Well she shouldn't have asked for a reassignment." He doesn't say anything as we walk out. The night is crisp and there is a light breeze that lifts the strands of hair that came loose during practice.
I walk towards the large house that Christian and I currently live in. He tries to lift my mood, "It's convenient that our gym is in our backyard. I can practically hear your stomach." I roll my eyes, "Don't tell me you aren't itching to go to your feeder?" He laughs, "How did you learn to read me so well?"
I smile but say nothing. We walk in a comfortable silence and I chance a peek at him. His face is at ease but I can tell that he is thinking about something. Does it have to do with the call from earlier? I have a feeling it is. I want to ask him but I know he wants to talk about her as much as I do. I haven't seen or heard from Lissa for over a year now; ever since I became Christian's Guardian. Thinking about her causes a deep ache in my heart, but it mostly brings anger. I never understood why she casted me aside but it had left its mark.
On the night our bond had broken she had been attacked by Strigoi. Long story short is I had come close to dying…..again. But by my own strength I had managed to survive. And somehow that had broken our bond. I had been in bed rest for two weeks. And as soon as I was back on duty, a big surprise came my way. Lissa had asked for a new guardian and for me to be reassigned. And to my utter shock her new Guardian was none other than my ex-lover, Dimitri. That had been a low blow to my heart.
I was so lost in my thoughts I almost missed seeing a fist heading right for my face. At the last second I push my head back as the hand grazes my nose. I grab the wrist and shove my elbow into the shoulder. I twist the arm and pin it behind his back. I chuckle, "Chris, what are you trying to do?" He huffs, "Trying to catch you off guard. You were so lost in thought." I laugh and let go of his arm, "I am your Guardian. I am always alert." He grumbles something but I don't understand what. I just laugh as we step inside.
A delicious smell hits me and I think my mouth actually waters. "Oh you guys are done! Just in time for dinner." I look at the kitchen and see Tasha mixing something in a pot. Christian says, "That smells great Aunt Tasha. What is it?" She doesn't look at us as she says, "Chicken parmesan, I remember Rose saying how much she was craving it the other day." I say, "It smells great Tasha, but I have to switch with Alex right now." Tasha waves her hand, "You can eat and then switch with him. I already fed them and now it's your turn." Christian laughs and I can't help but join him.
My best friend might have gotten rid of me but I am really happy with the current family I am with. I thought Guarding the Ozera's was going to be a pain in the ass; seeing as Pyro and I were always at each other's throats. But it has proven to be a lot better than I thought.
The good thing about being in Flagstaff, Arizona is that the Strigoi count is practically non-existent here. The house is protected by wards and there are three guards out at the gates. One in the back, one in front, and the other walking the perimeter. There is one who is inside the house as well. Being out in the human world makes it easier since Tasha and Christian run on human schedule. It's around two in the morning when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see Christian heading my way; two mugs in his hand. "What are you doing out here Chris?" He enters the little both I am in and sits in the empty chair. "I couldn't sleep. I thought you might be cold." The temperature had dropped a bit and there was a slight chill now. Winter was coming and this place tended to get cold this time of year. He hands me a mug and says, "Here, peppermint hot chocolate, your favorite." My eyes widen in surprise, "How did you know?" He smiles as he leans back, "You've been here for over a year Rose. I know you more than you think."
I lift a brow, "Oh yeah?" He smirks, "Your favorite colors are black and blue, you sleep with the fan on no matter how cold it is, you don't like spinach, you love horror movies, you hate watching TV because of all the commercials. Those are just a few I can think of right now." I think my jaw hit the floor. He really did know me pretty well. He chuckles, "Don't be so surprised." I close my mouth and shake my head, "You never cease to amaze me, Pyro." I take a sip of my chocolate and I can't help the moan that escapes me. I whisper, "That is so good."
I look up at Christian and smile at him. But he isn't smiling anymore. His posture is stiff and I see his hands clench. I give him a confused look, "Are you alright?" His eyes snap to mine and anything else I was going to say erases from my mind. His eyes seem to become a darker shade of blue. His gaze is hot and the cold night seems to warm up rather quickly. We stare at each other for what seems like hours. I see him lick his lips; something I notice he does when he wants something. I can't help my eyes from moving to his mouth. And God help me, I want to lean into him. I feel something pulling me to him and I have to fight the urge to to do just that.
I hear an owl in the distance and it breaks my trance I blink and look anywhere but him. I try to think of something to say. "Uh, Christian you should go back to sleep. You have class in the morning." I can feel him looking at me, "So do you." I take another sip of my drink. The heat burns my throat but it's nothing like what I felt before. I say, "Greg is going to relieve me in an hour." He makes himself more comfortable, "I'll keep you company." I shake my head, "Christi-" he doesn't let me finish. "I'm not leaving Rose. Deal with it." I finally look at him, "Why? You could be inside instead of freezing out here."
I don't know what I expected him to say, but I wasn't ready for his words. "Because I want to be out here with you."
I feel my face heat up and I look away. I hope it's too dark for him to see. I don't think about his word; I have an act of reading too much into things. But I can't help the happiness I feel at him wanting to be here with me.
I am sitting next to Christian in his Lit 102 class and I am having a hard time not falling asleep. This was his most boring class yet; I never did like English. I look at the professor who looks tiny at the bottom of the room. This class was huge; he needed a microphone just to teach. I whisper, "Is it over yet?" Christian chuckles, "In about 10 minutes. You can make it." I thump my head on the desk, "Why did you have to pick such a boring class?" He talks while he writes down his notes, "I needed to take this. Besides, it's not so bad." I turn to face him, "I'd rather be in Stan's class." He smiles, "Ouch. Look, just wait for me outside. I doubt a Strigoi is lying in wait to eat me." I lightly punch his arm, "Who'd want to eat you." He scoffs, "Rose, I am delicious."
'Yes you are.' My face heats up as that thought floats in my head. Christian isn't looking at me, and I thank God for that. I say, "I am going to be right outside." Without another word I get up and exit the room. What the hell is wrong with me? I seem to be asking myself that question a lot. Christian seems to always be on my mind and every time he looks at me I get butterflies in my stomach.
That is not something Rose Hathaway does!
Christian is my charge and nothing more. So, then why can't I get him and his snarky ass out of my thoughts? I sigh and bang my head against the wall.
"Careful, wouldn't want to ruin that pretty head of yours." My eyes snap open and land on a human boy. He managed to sneak up on me; damn it Christian!
I say, "Believe me when I say I have a hard head." I cross my arms as I stare at the guy in front of me. He smiles, "I'm Miles. And who might you be?"
"Rose."
"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he moves a little closer. I roll my eyes, "Very original." 'Come on Pyro.'
Another step closer; okay this guy needs to learn about personal space. He runs a hand through his brown hair, "So tell me Rose, what are you doing all by yourself?" I tuck a hand into my back pocket, "Waiting for a friend." He smiles again, "Would you like some company?" I shake my head, "He should be out any moment." I hear students shuffling inside and I sigh in relief.
Down the hall I hear, "Miles come on, we are going to be late!" I say, "You better get going. Wouldn't want you to be late." He laughs, "It'd be worth it to get a few more minutes with you." Was this guy for reals? Before I could come up with some sarcastic remark, he pulls out a pen and paper. As he writes he says, "I'd love to find out if you're as sweet as your name." He folds the paper and has the nerve to put it in my front pocket.
He winks at me a walks away. I watch him walk away and I have to keep myself from running to him and smacking the back of his head. Are all guys like that? Geez, he was just as bad as some of the Moroi at my old Academy.
"Rose, who was that?" I jump a little as I hear Christian's voice next to me. I look at him but he is staring at Miles. His face is set in angry lines. "Are you okay, Christian?" His eyes meet mine and I am surprised at the anger behind them. He asks, "Who was he?" I give him a confused look, "Just some guy." His eyes dart to my pocket, "What did he give you?" Damn so he saw that. I shrug, "I think it was his number. Not like-" he cuts me off. His hand goes to my front pocket and takes the piece of paper out. "Hey what are you doing?" He clenches the paper in his hand and I see a light orange tint in his hand. My eyes widen as I realize what he's doing. And sure enough when he opens his hand there is a small ash pile on it. He lets it fall to the floor. "Christian, what the hell? You can't go all Pyro at school! And that wasn't yours." I try to keep my voice low but I am having a hard time; how the hell could he use magic in school? He glares at me, and I can't help but flinch. He says, "Where you planning on calling him?" His tone is ice and I match his glare. I say, "No but you shouldn't have done that!"
He steps closer to me, "Then it shouldn't matter." My fist clench, "You had no right to do that." He sneers at me, "If you weren't going to call him then it isn't a problem." I push him, "So what if I wanted to? You just took that option away." Okay I didn't really want to call the creep, but Christian had seriously pissed me off. I can't understand why he is so mad!
He looks down at me with a nasty look on his face, "I thought you had left your slutty days back in high school." My glare drops and my mask isn't in place; hurt and anger flash through my face. My chest seems to twist, and I won't lie, his words cut deep. He seems to think his words over and soon his glare disappears. Regret flashes in his eyes and he says, "Rose I didn't-" I interrupt. "You're going to be late to your next class. Come on." I keep my voice level; trying to keep the hurt out of my voice. I am sure he saw it on my face but I put my guardian mask on. It's one of the things I can thank Dimitri for.
"Rose-"
"Lord Ozera, please keep up." I can practically feel him flinch. The only time I ever call him by his title is when we are in front of other royals or I am truly mad at him. There are no Moroi around so I am sure he knows why I used it.
The day seems to go by slow. I don't talk to him even though he tries; I always cut him off. My anger is still there but it is mostly hurt that I am feeling. I never thought it would ever hurt if he called me a slut; he had done it before in the past. But this time it had really struck a chord. It reminds me of the time Dimitri had caught me with Jesse. He had said something along those lines and I remember how badly that had hurt.
I push that thought out of my mind. No need to open old wounds.
The end of his final class was here. We met up with Alex in the parking lot. Once we were in he asks, "So how was it today?" I shrug as I lean against the window, "Same old. Boring classes, stupid boys; nothing new." My eye look into the rearview mirror and my gaze locks with Christian. His eyes are hard and I know he is trying to keep me from reading his emotions. I look away.
We reach our home and we all pile out. Tasha is in the living room reading a book. She looks up at our approach and smiles, "I'm glad you're home. Are you guys training tonight?" Before I can answer Christian says, "Yeah. I'm going to change." I glare at his retreating form. Tasha laughs, "I think that's his favorite part of the day." She closes her book and stands. She looks at Alex, "I need to pick up a few things from town." He nods, "Of course My Lady."
I quickly say, "Actually Alex do you mind training with Christian? I'll go with Lady Ozera." He gives me a puzzled look but says, "Sure." He leaves and I look at Tasha. She is giving me the same look Alex did. She asks, "What happened between you two?" I shake my head, "Are you ready to go?"
"Where are you going?" I look at Christian who has just come down the stairs. I nod towards his Aunt, "Tasha needs to go into town. I am going with her." His face is guarded, "Have her take Alex." I turn away from him, "He is going to train with you tonight. Don't worry he is very good. Shall we go, Tasha?" Her eyes drat from me to Christian but she finally nods.
Maybe I am being childish but right now I don't care. Christian had been a complete ass and I don't want to see him.
