I walked across campus. It had been almost three weeks since my best friend Lissa and I had been caught by the guardians and brought back to St. Vladimir's school for Moroi and dhampirs. We were both holding up as best we could, but it was hard with all the stares we've been getting. Mia Rinaldi was a Moroi, year younger than both Lissa and I, and has been making both our lives a living hell with her bitchiness.

Lissa appeared to be holding up apart from a few comments from people and stares. But, the others seemed to remember how cool she was and started hanging out with her. Don't get me wrong, I had some friends too, but I just didn't have the time to hang out with them, what with my classes and extra training sessions with Guardian Dimitri Belikov. He was a total badass, not to mention a Russian hottie. Of course, he was my mentor, so that kind of put seducing him off my list.

I made it to the gym doors and slipped in. It was my after school practice. I had considered either ditching or just showing up for the hell of it. Apparently, the latter won out. Dimitri was sitting against the wall, reading one of his western novels. I studied him, loving his dark hair, his very tall, muscular build, and dark eyes. I knew he could feel me watching him, but he didn't look up.

"Rose, staring at me isn't helping anything. You know what to do." That was all he said to acknowledge me.

Ever since Victor Dashkov had put us under a lust spell not even a week ago, he'd been acting distant, more like my mentor. See, Victor Dashkov was a Royal Moroi, but he found out before anyone else (except me), that Lissa was a spirit user and could heal. The bastard had put me and Dimitri under a lust spell so he could kidnap her and have her heal the disease out of him.

He succeeded for a while, but Dimitri figured out the spell before he could get any further than taking our clothes off, which led us to telling the guardians and launching a rescue mission. SO, yeah, my love life was currently a mess.

I still wasn't sure if he felt the same way about me like I felt about him. I was the biggest flirt and hooked up with guys my age, but they were nothing, nothing compare to what I felt about Dimitri. I felt like he understood a part of me I didn't and vice versa, such as me figuring out he fought for self control everyday….

I sighed and dropped my backpack off in the corner, taking a quick drink of water and then jogging out onto the track. Laps were typical, and I still didn't see the point of them quite yet. What did running have to do with anything? But, even though I wasn't a fan, I saw some help with it…I rounded my last lap and sped up, crossing the finish line and then making my way back into the gym.

Dimitri was waiting on the mats, arms crossed. It looked like I would be sparring with him, one of my favorite things to do, besides kiss those soft, gorgeous lips. Focus, Rose, I scolded myself. I took up my stance and nodded at him when I was ready.

He wasted no time in taking the offense. His fist struck out, almost hitting my head, but I deflected it swiftly. I loved to fight him, but it was sometimes impossible to keep up with him, keeping in mind the "God" comment from Mason, one of my dhampir friends.

He kept coming at me and I knew if I didn't take offensive soon, I would be pinned down to the ground. Determination ran through me as I planned a move in my head. It was a very risky one and I knew it, but that didn't stop me from using it.

I dodged his blows, but acted like I was giving in. I pretended I was getting tired and he came at me. Perfect. When he was close enough, I ducked under his arm and slammed full force into him. I managed to pin him from the element of surprise and I straddled his hips, holding my hands over my heart like I would a stake.

"Dead," I announced.

He looked utterly astonished. "Rose, what did you do?"

Crap, that wasn't the response I was hoping for. I felt my face fall, hating that he didn't appear to like the move. He appraised my face and then he seemed to realize that and explained.

"There's nothing wrong, Roza. It's just the fact that was very risky. What if I was Strigoi? You wouldn't be able to move fast enough, and aside from the fact you can't just slam into them without another thought. You could be bitten or killed. You might not get so lucky with that move."

I sighed. "What is it with you and Zen Life lessons?"

Surprising me, he reached up and stroked a lock of my hair, obviously lost in thought. "I suppose it helps you learn control better…."

His fingers tangled themselves in my hair and I was suddenly lost for words, wanting nothing more, but for him to kiss me. His other hand wrapped around my waist and suddenly, I didn't want to be good anymore, and I didn't care what he said. I leaned down and pressed my mouth on his, kissing him.

He responded almost immediately and I was surprised when he let it go farther, tilting my head forward so he could reach me better. His tongue swept my lips, tracing them, tasting me. Soon, his control got the better of him and we both sighed at the same time. Our lips were still touching and moved together when he spoke.

"Roza, I think practice is over," he sounded breathless.

I got up and held out a hand, helping him up. When we were both upright, I stood up on my toes to reach his lips, pecking them. One more couldn't hurt. As I left, I glanced back, catching amusement in his eyes.

I was in a happy mood for once, as I made my way back to the dhampir dorms to shower. I knew that I was right: Dimitri did have feelings for me. He never showed them, even with our stolen kisses. I never knew what he felt since he was always stoic on the outside, guardian mask in place.

As I stepped into the hot shower, I decided to forget about that for awhile and figure out how to sneak past the dorm matron to go see Lissa….

A quick check of the bond, later, told me that she was in the library…with Christian Ozera, her boyfriend. She was waiting for me, like I had asked her to and when I entered, she looked up, studying me and then asking through the bond, You look happy. There was a hint of suspicion.

Out loud she said, "Hi, Rose. Long time no see," she teased me.

My extra training sessions with Dimitri, as well as being under house arrest, left me little time to talk with my friends. "How you holding up?" I asked softly.

She kept her face cheerful, but I could tell through the bond that Mia was still giving her trouble. "Everything's okay, Rose. Don't worry about me."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Has Mia been bothering you at all?" I was really going to kill that girl. "Because if she is," I continued, "I'm going to kick that bitch's ass."

Christian answered. "Of course she is. She's giving Lissa a hard time still, but not as bad as when she first came back. But, she's also spreading rumors about you and Belikov having more than a student mentor relationship."

I felt myself grow cold. No, way. That bitch. "No," I whispered. Mia may be a bitch, but she wasn't very good at spying, and I knew I had nothing to worry about. Yet, there was some small part wondering how far she went with the rumor to get back at me.

"Rose," someone called from nearby.

Heads turned in my direction and I scowled when I saw Dimitri standing by the door, arms crossed. Shit, busted. I technically wasn't supposed to be anywhere in here when it wasn't for class or for meal time. Damn it.

I felt the other students staring, and I knew Mia had succeeded in making everyone watch me and Dimitri more because of the damn rumor. I saw him looking at me expectantly.

"Rose, I hope there's a good reason as to why you were in the library and not in your room. You have noticed that you are under house arrest, right?" he was goading me, I could just tell.

"Yeah, Guardian Belikov I have noticed. But, can't I see my own friend? That's just plain stupid."

I wanted to punch something or someone. Figuring I would get expelled for sure if I got into a fight, I was thinking more of punching an object. We entered the dhampir dorms and he escorted me back to my room. When we got there, I didn't bother unlocking the door, standing back with my arms crossed angrily.

He eyed me, but took out a set of keys and found one, sticking it in the keyhole and opening the door. I searched for something I could punch since a wall would hurt, but Dimitri's warm hand uncurled my fingers from the fist. "Roza, don't do anything you'll regret," he murmured.

He led me inside and shut the door, taking off his coat and draping it over my chair. I was surprised that he was staying, but I was in no mood to question him, slumping down onto my bed, not caring that he was still there.

Okay, I think this sounds so much better. And thanks to Nadia Callanan for some suggestions on the sequel and I think it was twilighter5…something…who gave me suggestions on this thing. ~_^ Thanks guys.

SONGS:

Rain-Breaking Benjamin

I Will Not Bow-Breaking Benjamin

Torn In Two-After We Fall

Not Ready To Make Nice-Dixie Chicks

Fields Of Gold-Sting

Love Left To Lose-Sons Of Sylvia