So just to clarify, this story is set post Shadow Kiss, but rather than Dimitri getting taken, Rose was captured by the Strigoi. There will be many twists and turns, and I really hope you all enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to read.

Chapter 1

RPOV

Darkness. I was surrounded by darkness in a damp smelling room, and I could only imagine what kind of grime would have been growing on the walls.

I suppose that I'd never find out, considering the Strigoi who captured me kept the lights off, and there were no windows to let in any light.

I wasn't sure how long it had been since the attack on the academy, where I'd faced my ultimate defeat and had been captured by the Strigoi. It could have been days, weeks, or even months. I'd tried slipping into Lissa's head to determine the length of my imprisonment, but I was loaded up with endorphins from my constant string of Strigoi bites. I'd become somewhat of a feeder.

At first, this had been sickeningly enjoyable, as the constant high had clouded my judgment and rendered me useless to do anything about it. They fed me scraps, mostly old, stale bread and pitiful amounts of water that must be from some form of kitchen they had in this facility.

And this facility, well, I wasn't even sure what it was. I was chained to a chair in what must have been some form of basement, but I knew there was some kind of house or residence upstairs from the light that escaped when they came through the door to feed off of me.

I sighed. I, Rose Hathaway, was not gong to die in battle as I imagined, but at the mercy of my greatest enemies who had succeeded in detaining me.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a heavy door slam, and I braced myself. I hated to admit that I was fearful, but I was defenseless now. No amount of bratty attitude and wit could save me anymore.

"So nice to see you, Rose. I've missed you so much."

The Strigoi who entered my prison had a slimy yet smooth voice, and I instantly recognized him as Nathan, the blonde Strigoi who had been responsible for my capture.

I frantically whipped my head around, trying to source where his presence was. Damn this dark room.

I gulped, waiting for the fangs to pierce my neck. But they didn't.

Instead, I heard Nathan grunt, and then a liquid trickling into some form of vial or glass. I wasn't sure.

"Still so quiet, eh? Very different to the girl at St Vladmirs. I don't suppose you've been enlightened to our ways?" It sounded like a question, but I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

"What does that mean?" I tried to sound brave, but my time of starvation and being on a constant high had strained my voice immensely.

He chuckled, but it was far from a light sound. It was dark and twisted.

Within seconds, he had forcefully shoved a vial to my lips, and liquid was flooding my throat. It was warm, and tasted almost metallic…

Oh god, I thought. He's feeding me his blood.

I tried to struggle, but it was useless. He was far too strong, and I was chained so tightly to the metal chair that I barely made it budge.

I tried to scream, but it was just a gargle and made me choke, and the blood splattered out of my mouth and down my chin. It was too late though; I'd already swallowed plenty.

"Well you see, me and my superiors believe you would be a desirable commodity on our ranks. You're fierce, almost savage, and your training was quite extraordinary. It's an opportunity I cant quite let go of, and –"

Nathan was cut off by someone shrieking his name. He swore, and threw the vial on the ground, glass smashing. He ran back up the stairs, slamming the door quietly.

I sobbed quietly.

I didn't know how long had passed in all honesty, but Nathan would regularly give me feedings of his blood, accompanied by many taunts about my inevitable future as a Strigoi.

But, I had started to regain my strength and mental clarity. It was most likely an effect from the Strigoi blood, as well as the fact that they were so preoccupied with feeding me their blood that they didn't feed off of me anymore. Maybe they thought it was cannibalism.

I was somewhat grateful for the blood I was given, due to its healing properties. It gave me enough energy to plan an escape, and I was beginning to feel a trickle of Lissa's emotions – worry, and fear. But today those emotions were strong and relentless, sucking me into her head altogether.

"Princess Vasilissa, I'm sorry but there isn't much more we can do. They took her, and it's been almost a month. I don't believe she's longer with us." Alberta told Lissa tentatively.

Rage spiked in Lissa. "You don't know what you're talking about! She's alive! I would know if she were dead, I'd feel it. She needs us." A sob broke through.

Dimitri sat across from her. His eyes were ringed darkly, and there was a gaunt look in his face. He looked at her sympathetically, and then to Alberta. "The Princess could be right. It was unusual for the Strigoi to work together in such a large number; they could have other plans with the captured. She wasn't the only one taken." Hope trickled through his accent, and my heart soared knowing he hadn't given up on me. My Dimitri…

I was pulled from her head when I heard someone open the door, and I silently hoped it was someone to rescue me due to his or her silence.

Nothing. No noise, no fangs, but no rescuing either. I just knew I wasn't alone.

A light turned on, and my eyes burned at the sudden exposure. Weeks of darkness had become normal to me, and I internally begged for it to return.

When I finally adjusted, there was a Strigoi I had never seen before, standing in front of me. She looked furious.

She was petite, but not all that tall. She was definitely a Moroi before, by her build. She had long, chocolate hair and gray eyes that were ringed in that awful red shade, and a heart shaped face that would have been lovely if wasn't twisted into a snarl. She was bearing her fangs to me.

"I don't know what Nathan finds so fascinating about you. You're quite average, and you couldn't be that strong if you were captured. You seem like a waste of time." She seemed triumphant, cockily expecting her words to sting me.

I couldn't believe I was captured by Strigoi and still needed to deal with petty girl problems. I shook my head sarcastically. "You're right. Maybe you should just let me go, and I won't bother you."

She snickered. "Oh please. I'm here to kill you, bitch. That way you can leave Nathan alone."

Oh, that got a laugh out of me. "Oh, me leave him alone? Right. I'm not the one feeding him my blood so we can live into eternity with our love." My sarcasm was dry, and I may have exaggerated a little more then I should have. But the point got across, and her face turned ice cold.

"He did not." She barked out.

Oh, I had hit the spot. "Oh, he did. So kill me if you want to, but I'm just going to come back."

I prayed she wouldn't call my bluff, and thank God, she didn't. Her face twisted. "Nathan wouldn't want you on our ranks. You're not pretty enough."

That stung a little, as I knew right now that was probably true. I had suffered countless blows to the face due to my attitude, which Nathan didn't appreciate.

"Mm, well maybe you should take that up with Nathan? He seems to enjoy my looks fine."

Oh Rose, my brain chastised. Not cool.

I felt her nails pierce my cheek before I even saw her hand snake out. I felt the blood drip down my face. With a snarl, the Strigoi woman ran back up the stairs and slammed the door.

My face stung, but I felt empowered. After the many days and weeks feeling defenseless in this chair, it felt good to finally gain a reaction from them.

I was exhausted, and I finally succumbed to sleep.

I was dreaming, for once. I was wearing… oh god.

I was wearing the same clothes as I did the attack, and they were ripped and bloody. I was in a forest, and there was a river next to me. I looked down at my reflection, and jumped back in horror. The scratch mark from the Strigoi was there, as well as blood stains from my feedings.

"Little Dhampir? Is that really you?" Adrian's voice called out to me, joyous and hopeful.

I turned around, and when he caught sight of my appearance, his face fell. He ran to me and put his arms around me.

"What the fuck has happened to you?"

So there is the first chapter! Reviews will let me know that you enjoyed and want more, so please give me any criticism or ideas or things you want to see! Love Sarah xx