Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy. All characters in the original stories belong to Richelle Mead. This disclaimer covers all chapters. Any songs used in this story belong to their respective writers and performers.

Chapter 1

Rose's POV

It has been a year since I resumed my position as Lissa's guardian after the murder of Queen Tatiana and the execution of Tasha Ozera. Six months that I have protected Liss without the bond. As much as I hated the bond when I was pulled into her late night love sessions with Christian (YUCK!), I really did find the bond useful in her protection.

Liss, Christian, Dimitri and I are going to a small town in Georgia called Silver Springs to attend some crazy Moroi function. Why they chose this town I'll never know but since the Strogoi are so uncommon here then it will be relatively safe for the Queen and her little entourage. We are driving from a small local airport and renting rooms at a bed and breakfast in town.

"We're here! Finally!" I said. Dimitri Chuckles at my enthusiasm and pulls the car into the B&B.

"Yes we are. We still have to get settled into our rooms and then go get some food and look around." Dimitri says. He knows me so well!

We settled into our rooms. Eddie meets us there since he and Adrian came a day or two ahead. I really missed them. Adrian and I have had our talk and we decided to forgive and forget, but I'm still pained every time I see him because of the hurt I've put him through. We are not fully back to our old friendship, but we are getting there slowly.

"Hey Eddo! Miss me?" I ask wrapping him in a hug while he just laughs.

"Always!" He says. "You guys ready to go get something to eat? There really isn't much in the way of fast food, but this restaurant next to the park has a great view of the creek and some of the best burgers."

"Awe Eddie you sure know the way to a girl's heart, well mine anyway." I said laughing as he chuckled "let's go."

We all head down to the small town diner and order lunch. The cool air inside is really welcoming and the back dining room does have a great view of the Park. It's kind of sunny for our Moroi so we walk over to the Library to find out some more on the towns' layout. We were just about to enter the small library when the door opened and someone bumped into us. The girl exiting the library bumped right into Liss almost knocking her over if we weren't there to steady her.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't paying any attention to where I was going. Are you alright?" She asked looking worried. She was about my height and seemed to be tanned slightly with a build that suggested a Damphir. She had medium brown eyes and hair that was similar to mine in color, so brown that it was almost Black.

"Yes. I'm fine just knocked me a little off balance is all." Liss replied.

"I haven't seen you around here before of course we get visitors often but I usually know every face." She said. I really was surprised that she didn't recognize Liss but she was probably born in this small town and didn't wander much.

"Oh I'm sorry, how rude of me. My name is Lissa and these are my friends. This is my boyfriend Christian…" Christian displayed his signature smirk "…and this is my best friend Rose and her boyfriend Dimitri." I gave a friendly smile but Dimitri looked cautious and stoic.

"Nice to meet you all …but strangely I feel like I've met you before." She said.

Lissa began to seem a bit nervous so I stepped in. "What…what do you mean?" Could she really not know that she was a Damphir? Dimitri and I exchanged looks telling me that he was thinking the same. Eddie and Adrian were back several yards away looking on with confusion and curiosity.

Mellissa's POV

I left my house that summer afternoon to return the few books that I had gotten two weeks ago, now it hadn't taken that long to read them but oh well. As I walked down to the library that afternoon I had a strange feeling that I wasn't alone. Now I'm not the type to go all paranoid but that feeling was really starting to bug me. I lived in a very small town where there were few people that I considered strangers, but even fewer that I considered friends. I felt safe here but that didn't stop me from always packing at least some kind of weapon, even if it was a small one. I continued to walk down to the corner where the library was located. I wasn't dark just yet so that alleviated some of my mild paranoia. I finally made it to the library and returned the books I'd read. I got three more books and turned to leave. I put them in the bag on my shoulder and headed for the door.

I walked out of the library…and right into someone. The impact of our meeting caused her to fall backwards slightly. She was only held upright by the rest of her group. She was a tall, slim woman with sleek blond hair. She was well dressed in crisp clean clothing. I imagined that before our collision that there wasn't a single hair out of place, or a single wrinkle in her dress. She wore a light blue summer dress with low heels. I reached out to steady her just as the others did.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't paying any attention to where I was going. Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm fine just knocked me a little off balance is all." She replied. Looking at her now she had eyes the color of emeralds she looked like some runway model.

"I haven't seen you around here before of course we get visitors often but I usually know every face." I said.

"Oh I'm sorry, how rude of me. My name is Lissa and these are my friends. This is my boyfriend Christian…" She looked to her right to a man that appeared to be the same age with ice blue eyes and black hair. He wore a sarcastic smirk that he replaced with a friendly smile as soon as she mentioned him. "…and this is my best friend Rose and her boyfriend Dimitri." Rose gave a friendly smile but Dimitri looked like he was looking and listening to everyone but us and the conversation. Rose was the shortest one in the group. She had dark brown hair that was almost black and brown eyes. Her hair and eyes and even her height were very similar to mine. Dimitri was very tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was the tallest of them standing a good six foot-six. He was polite, but clearly had other things on his mind.

"Nice to meet you all, I'm Melissa but my friends call me Mel …but strangely I feel like I've met you before." I said.

Lissa began to seem a bit nervous and Rose stepped in. "What…what do you mean?" Rose and Dimitri exchanged looks like they had some silent communication.

"I really don't know but something about you guys seems familiar…especially you two" I said pointing to Rose and Dimitri. I was sure that I had never met them but something was so familiar about them.

"Let's take this somewhere more private shall we it's getting dark." Dimitri said. Two more guys came up beside them and asked if everything was okay.

"Yeah Eddie, Adrian this is Mellissa." She said to the two that just joined us. Adrian was looking at me awful hard and it kind of gave me the creeps. After his scrutiny a slow grin slid onto his face. I wonder what that was all about? It was almost as if he was checking me out, but his gaze was scrutinizing and calculating like he was trying to figure out a puzzle.

"Let's get going we can go to my apartment if you guys want? I don't like to be out at night and I live here." I said with a laugh. We all walked to my apartment and just when the apartments were in sight the group tensed and came to a stop. Six very pale figures appeared under the street light. I didn't recognize them and their eyes were strangely ringed in red. I took defensive stance I learned in martial arts and pulled out my pocket knife. Rose, Dimitri and Eddie looked like this was a regular occurrence while the others showed slightly fearful expressions.

"Well look here boys, new meat!" One said and the fight was on. They lunged and I took one punching him in the jaw with all my force. Shit he was strong but not really all that coordinated. I slashed him with my knife and his skin sizzled at the contact to his chest. What the hell are these things? The others were finished with theirs and two of them were on fire! WTF! I plunged the knife in his chest but wasn't enough. I held his attention while Rose staked his back but not before he backhanded me into the dumpster nearby. Again, what the hell were these things? Rose came and helped me up where I slumped to the ground. My shoulder was dislocated from the impact and most likely some broken ribs. The slash from his nails across my face was the least of my problems. We went to my apartment and I sat on the couch.

"So does anyone care to explain what the hell those things were and what they wanted?" I asked them. Their eyes widened and they exchanged looks of disbelief.

"You mean to tell us that you didn't know what they were and you still fought like that!" Eddie asked.

"Never seen them but what was I supposed to do just sit and watch. And where the hell did the fire come from?" I said with a sigh. "Look I don't know what's going on here but first things first. I got to get this shoulder back in place." I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a wooden spoon from the drawer and walked into the living room.

"I'm going to need some help setting this and then somebody better start talking." I said. I bit down on the spoon and Dimitri and Eddie set my shoulder back in. Shit that hurts! I went to the bathroom and got my wrap that I used the first time I broke a rib getting kicked too hard in martial arts. I wrapped my ribs and took something for pain and downed a bottle of water before I spoke again.

"Okay, don't all talk at once." I said sarcastically. Oh this better be good!

Rose POV

I couldn't believe that this girl had never heard of Strigoi before. The way she fought I was certain that my first impression was wrong but it was now confirmed. Mel had absolutely no idea about the world she lived in or the vampires that she shared it with. She really reminded me a lot of myself during that fight with the Strigoi. Now she wants some answers….well here goes nothing.

"Okay, we will tell you but you have to promise that you will not freak out. Deal?" I asked. Mel nodded.

"Those of us in this room, including you, are not what you would classify as normal humans. Dimitri, Eddie, you and I are what our society call Damphirs. We are half vampire, half human. Lissa, Christian and Adrian are full vampires called Moroi. Those things that we fought out there were called Strigoi. They are evil vampires that kill victims for blood. Moroi do not kill for their blood and take it from willing volunteers." Mel was really concentrating on trying to process all that I said. "Well that short version of 'Moroi society 101'. Any questions?"

"Wow! Ok that still doesn't explain why the Strigoi burst into flames." Mel said. God this girl was so much like me! I shot a look at Christian and he nodded showing he knew what I wanted him to do.

"Well the Moroi are special in that they can wield certain elements. There are five. Earth, Air, Water, fire, and Spirit. Chris care to demonstrate?" Christian opened his palm and produced a fireball. Mel looked at him with wide eyes. "Liss, care to show what a spirit user can do?"

"Hey what about me why can't I do it?" Adrian whined.

"Cause you suck at it!" I Quipped

"Children stop please!" Lissa said with a glare. She reached over on the couch and touched Mel lightly on the shoulder and healed her injuries. If her eyes were wide before they were even bigger now. I laughed at her expression along with the others. Mel glared around the room causing everyone to go quiet.

"Holy hell that is awesome!" Mel looked at Liss. "Where have you been all my life? I could have avoided many hospital trips if you were around" Mel said causing all of us to laugh. Yep she was really like me.

"Okay, how did you fight so well if you didn't know all of this?" Eddie asked.

"Easy, you learn certain things when you live alone." Her expression turned pained. "I have always been alone and didn't know my real parents. I was bounced from one foster home to the next. As soon as I turned 18 I started to fend for myself, got a job, apartment, etc. I took martial arts and trained on my own after that." Mel answered as if it was nothing.

Adrian who had been quiet for a while pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket and went to light one. Mel narrowed her eyes on him and rose from the couch. She walked over and grabbed the cigarettes and put them on the table by the door.

"If you're going to smoke do not do it in here. Either go outside or do without." Mel said. Adrian went to stand and go outside followed by Eddie. Mel turned to the rest of us and told us to make ourselves at home for the night since it was too late and too dangerous for us to go out. "I'll be back in just a moment." Mel said going out the door.

I turned to Dimitri. He wore the same expression that I had of confusion from tonight's events. He called the council since they would go crazy if we were not accounted for and alerted the alchemists to our run in with the Strigoi.

"You know she's a lot like you? You could pass as sisters." Liss said with a smirk.

"Great just what we need two Rose's! It's bad enough with one." Christian whined causing us all to laugh.

Mel's POV

I walked outside where Adrian and Eddie were standing on the front patio. I pulled out my own cigarette (I know bad habit right). I usually only smoke when things get really stressful. With the information from tonight floating through my brain, I felt like I needed my stress reliever. Adrian's eyes widened and then narrowed when I lit up beside him. I looked back with a glare of my own.

"What never seen a girl smoke before?" I asked.

"Well yeah but why come out here when we could smoke inside?" he inquired.

"There is only one room that I ever smoke in and that's my bedroom and since I'm not letting you in my bedroom then this was the only choice you had." I replied. "I only smoke when my nerves and stress get to me."

"Do you have any alcohol here? I seem to be in need of one of my vices" he asked with a grin.

"Sorry fresh out since I don't drink alcohol." I replied dryly. "But I bet I can guess you favorite poison." He didn't know it but I had a very accurate sense that I could read almost anyone like a book.

"Well, let's see if you can figure it out." He said with a smirk and a wink.

"Your favorite is Vodka, preferably Russian. Clove cigarettes. More women than you can count, but recently you've indulged in women less for the sake of one in particular woman that you have strong feelings for. Am I getting close?" I smirked as his eyes widened and Eddie Laughed.

"Damn I thought Rose was the only one who could render Adrian Ivashkov speechless." Eddie guffawed.

"Not anymore it seems." I replied with a smirk of my own. I put my cigarette butt in the ashtray and turned and walked inside. I vaguely heard Adrian's voice over Eddie's laughter mutter "what the hell just happened?" making my smile grow.

Adrian's POV

Liss, Christian, Dimitri and Rose were in the front of the library talking to another women when we caught up to them. It was getting dark so we decided to venture to her apartment. Looking at Mel's aura was confusing. There were colors that would normally only be present in Moroi as it relates to their elements. In particular there was a lot of gold specific to spirit users. As confusing as that was I also saw emotional pain in her past.

When we encountered the Strigoi I could tell from her aura that she didn't know about our world or the Strigoi. The fight was ended quickly but not before that damn Strigoi backhanded her into that dumpster. I really didn't believe that she was able to walk after that. I knew that she was in some serious pain but she never showed it. God she was strong. Dimitri and Eddie were asked to help set her dislocated shoulder. Lissa ended up healing her after Rose explained about our world. I still can't believe she fought like that not knowing about Strigoi.

I went to pull out my cigarettes and she told me I had to go outside. Eddie followed. Shortly after, the door opened again and Mel came out to smoke. We talked briefly about my vices. She read me like a book and I was absolutely speechless.

Wow! I thought that Rose was one of a kind, and she is to an extent but this girl is intriguing. I finished my clove and walked back inside. Everyone was sitting there with a look of confusion and Mel wore that damn smirk when we walked in. Eddie told everyone how Mel had pegged my vices to a tee, which brought with it peals of laughter. We discussed sleeping arrangements and ate. I hadn't fed today which was going to be a slight problem. Rose and Mel both noticed that there was an issue. Rose was the first to speak up.

"What's wrong Adrian?" Rose asked.

"Well unless you have a feeder in your pocket we could have a slight problem since I haven't fed today." Rose had the 'oh shit' look catching my meaning.

"What do you mean?" Mel asked with genuine concern and curiosity.

"Well it means that I need blood." I answered and her eyes widened.

"Oh yeah that could be an issue." She thought for a moment. "Since you need fully trained guardians to protect you guys the logical choice for a volunteer is me huh?" Rose stepped in and warned her of the endorphins but she didn't waver. I could tell by her aura that she really didn't worry about the endorphins. I saw that Mel had been through a great deal and has been on her own three years – things that she is not ready to tell yet. I reluctantly agreed that as far as protection goes she was the logical choice. She was selfless just like Rose. She led me to the bedroom down the hall but left the door open. She sat down on the bed as she spoke. "Well I guess we better get this over with huh?" I nodded not really sure what to say. I leaned down to her exposed neck and kissed it lightly in thanks before I sank my fangs into her. Seconds later she softly moaned and I knew

that she was under the effects of the endorphins. I pulled away and healed her neck. I picked her up and moved her farther onto the bed. Shutting the door I went back into the main room.

I thought that I would always pine for Rose but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel with Mel. Maybe she'll come back to court with us. I hope to get to know her better in the coming days. Rose asked to speak to me before we went to sleep.

"You like her don't you?" I could hear the smile in her voice and she was genuinely happy to think I've moved on from her.

"I don't know yet but I really can't wait to find out." I said. We shared a small smile.

"Do you think that she will come back to court with us?" I asked.

"I really don't know. We should give her some time to process everything that has happened today." She said.

"There is something strange about her aura that has me puzzled and I don't know if Lissa has noticed but she has an aura that is similar to a spirit user, but she is a Damphir." I said and she gave me a puzzled look.

We finally went to bed. Even though it was only a two bedroom apartment one room held a set of bunk beds and another twin bed. The other had a queen bed and there was a large sectional couch in the living room that was big enough for two people to stretch out on. Mel was in the single twin bed so that Liss and Christian could have the queen bed. Eddie and I took the bunks so that Rose and Dimitri could take the couch near the front door. We all said our good nights and went to bed. I finally fell into a fitful sleep.