Vampire Academy: Deadly Intrigue and Deadly Love

Chapter 1 of my new Vampire Academy story, a sequel to 3rd Times the Prince Charming; hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Vampire Academy belongs to Richelle Mead.

Chapter 1

LISSA POV

I sighed, carefully brushing a hand through my hair. The sound of the music grew louder and louder the closer I got to the door. It was winter break at St. Vladimir's Academy; well, nearing the end of winter break, yet still the parties continued and were as wild as ever. However I didn't come here to socialize, nor to actually attend the party. No, I had come here to retrieve someone.

I had to admit I was amazed people could still party, especially after that terrible incident with the Strigoi attack and Victor's betrayal. I opened the door and winced at the increase in music volume; I quickly slipped inside, closing the door behind me. I looked around, the party had clearly been going on for some time, more than have the attendees were drunk.

However I couldn't see who I was looking for so I began to try and make my way through the crowd. I still wasn't having much luck, what was more, several people at the party recognized me. Many of them Royals; they kept calling over to me, trying to get me to join them. I did my best to remain calm, politely refuse them and continue my search. Some of the looks I was getting from those present made me uncomfortable.

'Oh, I should've brought Christian with me.' I thought worriedly.

But there was no turning back now, so I continued onwards.

Luckily I found myself aided in my search; thanks to a group of party-goers chanting the name of the person I was searching for. I turned quickly and followed their voices; hopeful. I froze however as what I saw horrified me. My guardian and best friend, Rose Hathaway, was kneeling on the floor, drinking a large volume of some kind of alcoholic beverage through a tube that was attached to a funnel, where the alcohol was being poured in.

She finished drinking and removed the tube from her mouth. Standing up with a stagger she smirked and raised her arms in triumph. Those around Rose all cheered and I took that as my cue to approach.

"Rose, what the hell?" I gasped.

She turned and saw me, despite the unfocused look in her eyes. "Hey, Lissa; glad you could make it."

I shook my head. "What was that?"

Rose just laughed. "Beer bong."

I rolled my eyes, and sighed; this was getting out of hand. Rose was fixing her dress which had twisted around her body, I looked around worriedly; this wasn't exactly a setting which made me comfortable. Rose however was completely undisturbed, mostly likely due to drink, if the glazed look in her eyes was anything to go by.

"C'mon Lissa." She said at last, her words definitely slurred. "Get a drink, join us."

I shook my head; this was definitely not what I came for.

I had to find some means of getting Rose away from here; without causing an incident.

"Rose, listen, I really think we should actually go." I said gently.

Rose looked at me confused. "Go, you just got here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Yes but how long have you been here.

"I forget." Rose replied with a nonchalant shrug.

I sighed; I had to keep trying, I didn't want to use compulsion as, in Rose's inebriated state, I wasn't sure it would be a good idea.

I tried to reason with her. "Honestly Rose, it's one in the morning, you've been here for hours. You should really get some sleep."

Rose sighed. "Maybe, maybe you're right…still, one more can't hurt."

I was about to protest when Rose tried to move, only to stumble and nearly fall. Luckily I had caught her.

I shook my head. "No, no more, let's go."

So, getting one of Rose's arms around my shoulders, holding her wrist and using my other arm, around her waist, to support her, I led her from the room. It wasn't easy, many of the party-goers were still calling out to us, trying to get us to join them. Rose didn't seem aware of her surroundings at all just now. I considered that a mixed blessing. Finally we got out of the party and back into the corridors of the Academy.

I began to walk Rose back to her dorm; she was slowly become a little more aware of her surroundings; but offered no complaint. Instead she merely smirked and began talking to me about the party. I nodded carefully, only half-listening; it was clear Rose was very drunk, not merely tipsy, but completely falling down drunk. It didn't help she was wearing heels either, she kept stumbling, even more, due to this.

It hurt seeing Rose like this; knowing when it all started. It was sad; during the Strigoi attack, Victor had murdered a Dhampir named Mason Ashford, who had been Rose's boyfriend, they were very close, even before dating. Since then Rose had never been the same.

Unable to cope with the loss, she started attending just about every party there was over the winter break; once there she would get blind drunk and try to drown her sorrows. Despite my various attempts to help her open up and come to terms with her loss, and accept that she had a problem, she refused to do so.

'She just can't face the fact that Mason is gone; she's trying to get rid of her feelings.' I thought sadly. 'She can't see she has to face them if she's going to get past this.'

Despite everything however I was going to get Rose through this; I had to, for both our sakes.

By the time I reached Rose's dorm, I was panting for breath and exhausted. Rose was no longer talking, I had to drag her the rest of the way. This was because, due to her excessive alcohol consumption this night, she had blacked out. I finally got inside the dorm and got to work; I got Rose's heels off before removing her dress and finally, put her to bed. Once sure Rose was comfortable and there were no obstacles between her and the bathroom, not even the door which I opened, I let out a sigh.

'Well, she's not at any more risk tonight at least.' I noted.

Shaking my head I left the dorm room, closing the door gently behind me. As I left for my dorm I prayed that there would be some way to hopefully resolve this soon; before Rose did some kind of permanent damage to herself.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.