Ok, so just imagine Lissa is Queen and Rose is her guardian but they still have their bond. Sorry if anyone seems out of character, just let me know. :) Thanks xx

Rose's POV

"Why do you even have to do it?" I complained. I really wasn't liking this idea at all. I was sat crossed legged opposite Christian's mocking face, while he grinned in amusement. There aren't many times when I feel uncomfortable but this, I admit, was one of them. And by the glint in Christian's eyes it was obvious that he knew how uncomfortable I was.

"Because you know how important magic is. And so I need to practice." He stated as if I was mentally deficient. I heard Mia giggle in the background, which just made me mad.

"You can practice. Over there." I nodded my head across the room to make it clear I wanted him a far distance from me. He laughed.

"But what about my target? What would I be aiming for?" He asked, finally getting to the reason why he needed me. Well, that, and he doesn't like me.

"Well use a chair or something! Don't use me!" I fought. Yeah, pick on me. He was so dead when we finished.

"Look, you saw how awesome fire was when we were taking down those Strigoi at St. Vllads. Academy! How can you not want to help? How great would it be if I could learn to crisp a bunch of them in seconds? It would be just as helpful for you too in the long run. Less exercise when it comes to killing them," He said, and winked at me. Yes. I guess it would help... providing he didn't kill me.

"What about Mia and Eddie? You could use them!" I moaned. This was so not fair.

"Mia could just put it out with water," Christian pointed out, with a finger in the air. Lame.

"Two birds, one stone! You're practising magic, she'd be practising magic too! See? Or if not then use Eddie! He's a bigger build than me, and so he could be more threatening," I argued back at him.

"Nice try Rose. Just do it. Besides, he's only practising distracting spells." Mia chimed in with a smile. "No 'crisping'."

"Rose, believe me, there's nothing more 'threatening' than you out there, especially not me" Eddie joined in laughing. "Besides, you don't have to look threatening; you just sit there and wait it out."

"And I prefer tormenting you over Eddie any day," Christian added with a chuckle, completely ignoring my last comment. A sudden flame leapt past my ear and I couldn't help it; I flinched. Everyone burst out laughing and Eddie said, "Not so badass now, are you Rose?" and I gave him the death glare, which everyone just found funnier. They were really enjoying this.

"Rose, all you've gotta do is sit there while I just make rings of fire round you and stuff. Nothing that will kill you. Yet. So can you please just sit still and shut up?" Christian said, trying to sound convincing but failing miserably. I opened my mouth to tell him where to shove it, but he clearly realised this and added "It'll help Lissa." Lissa. My best friend, who was practically my sister. I would do anything for her and damn it, he knew it. He grinned after a few moments had passed and I hadn't said anything.

"I hate you." I spat venomously at him. As if he didn't know that already. He just laughed and raised his hands, ready to flick fire at me. Brilliant. Eddie and Mia came closer in to watch. We were hanging out at Mia's so we weren't worried anyone was gonna find us and freak out. The worst that could happen was something set alight, but as I said we had a water user on hand just in case. Or of course, Christian could miss and hit me, which could kill me. No biggy. Once he'd used a fire spell on a guy named Ralf at St. Vllads. because he'd been pissing me and, more importantly, Lissa off. So Christian had set him on fire, but without actually burning him and causing him any damage at all. Well, except for humiliating him and probably giving him nightmares, but I had no problem with that. I was just worried he would do something similar to me, just to scare me. He was an ass like that.

I zoned out, and tried to use a method where I was there but not really experiencing it. The usual Guardian 'see-without-actually-seeing' method. I was hoping I could just sink into it, so Christian could 'burn' me and I wouldn't care, or hardly even notice. My mind wandered away from my body. Maybe that was why I felt a tug from Lissa. Or maybe it was because a usual feeling shone through the bond. The one I usually felt when her and Christian were making out or... doing other stuff. That was weird. My eyes shot up to Christian, who was still sat infront of me. Well if he was here, then who was...?

I felt myself being pulled through the bond and into Lissa's head, and found myself looking into gorgeous brown eyes I could find anywhere. Dimitri.