Vampire Academy: A Desperate Cause

Chapter 1 of my Vampire Academy story, the final in my trilogy, wow, it's been a while, still hope it was worth the wait and you all enjoy.

Disclaimer: Vampire Academy belongs to Richelle Mead.

Chapter 1

ROSE POV

I grit my teeth and tried to bite back my retort; my hands closing to fists on the armrests of the chair. I still couldn't believe it, after everything that had happened, just when I thought I had a chance of fixing things, I found myself in my current situation.

The heat in the room was testament to it being the start of summer, which of course was why I was dressed as I was. In my St. Vladimir's Academy school uniform.

The girl's summer version consisting of a red and black plaid pleated skirt which I wore at mid-thigh length; a black blouse; red blazer; red and black striped tie; black socks which I wore at knee length and black flats.

Back to the matter at hand, I found myself sitting, trying desperately to think; all the while facing the harsh faces and even harsher interrogations of two of the Guardians. After a potentially deadly situation showed that my recent lifestyle choices was putting my career as a Guardian at risk, the one I was supposed to protect, my best friend and Moroi Princess, Lissa, had broke off all ties with me, especially as she was now involved in a race to become the next Moroi Queen following the death of Queen Tatiana.

'I thought I could fix things, I changed; I tried so hard to get better, to get back to where I was...But then, when I had hope, when I went to try and apologize and hopefully reconcile with Lissa...' I thought sadly. 'She was gone, Jill too...'

Jill was a girl we had befriended who turned out to be Lissa's half-sister. Rose had gone to the room they now shared to find it trashed and both girls gone.

Which was what led to her current predicament; as despite only being there for mere moments, the guardians seemed convinced she was to blame for said incident; they had arrested her for kidnapping Lissa and Jill.

"I told you before." I insisted angrily. "I didn't do anything."

One of the Guardians interrogating me slammed his hand on the table. "Enough of the lies, we know it was you who took them!"

I shook my head. "What cause would I have to kidnap them, why would I…?"

"You were dismissed and a lost cause, everybody knows it. You just couldn't accept it and this is either your revenge, or some ploy to try and win back whatever position you thought you had." The other replied sharply.

I so wanted to slam their faces into the table right now, but that wouldn't be possible, since my wrists and ankles were securely strapped to my chair and it was bolted to the floor.

"This is ridiculous, how can that possibly be when I only just got to the room."

But once again my words were twisted. "You mean you only just returned; we..."

I finally snapped; seriously getting tired of this. "You don't even have any proof, you cannot hold me here like this and..."

But that statement was also interrupted as they presented something, locked up in a clear bag. My heart skipped a beat, it was a torn sweatshirt; one I recognized as mine. The one I damaged when I had a fight with Tasha Ozera and later went missing.

I looked from the sweatshirt to the two Guardians; both of them now looking so smug, making me hate them all over again.

"We know that is yours, Miss Hathaway."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, yes it's mine, but I lost that over a week ago and..."

Shaking his head the first replied. "A likely tale; especially as it was found at the crime scene, you wore it to commit the crime and left it behind..."

"Will you just listen to yourselves and realize how stupid you sound for once, I mean..." I burst out.

But then, just when I thought it was hopeless; since no matter what she said, it was clear the Guardians seemed intent on pinning this crime on me and having me imprisoned and who knows what else, it happened.

The door suddenly opened and, glaring darkly at the Guardians, Dimitri walked in. At once relief flooded me, and a rather pleasant feeling began to stir inside me. I quickly pushed it down, this wasn't the time for that.

"What is the meaning of this?" He snarled.

One of the Guardians stood up. "We are conducting an official investigation Guardian Belikov, you should not..."

"You mean you are trying to frame somebody for a crime they didn't commit without checking all the facts first." He remarked calmly. "I'm afraid you are mistaken, as it has been discovered the crime took place between mid-night and one in the morning, correct?"

The Guardian nodded and I prayed I wasn't blushing, since I recalled what I had been doing at that time, with Dimitri. But he couldn't say that, we'd both be in trouble, if not legally, socially.

But then he simply stated. "Then Rose had no opportunity to carry out the crime, for that time frame falls exactly in the middle of the training we were doing last night."

I bit my lip, so it wasn't a complete lie and gave me an alibi, I still couldn't believe this was all really happening though.

Determined to save face clearly, the Guardians turned to their 'evidence'.

"This was found at the crime scene, so I don't see how..."

Dimitri nodded. "Ah yes, the missing sweatshirt, that went missing over a week ago, mere days after Natasha Ozera attacked Rose in the hallways...I filed a full report about that incident and the sweatshirt going missing...Which you would have found if you bothered to look for it."

Taken aback and caught in their own actions it was clear to me, much to my relief, that they were giving up, to an extent.

"I suggest, we take this matter to Kirova, let her decide this." Dimitri said at last.

The Guardians grudgingly agreed and I was released from the chair only to be handcuffed, I shot a quick glance at Dimitri. He understood and said nothing, although the anger was still clear in his eyes. We then left the interrogation room, heading for Kirova's office.

Thankfully nobody saw us or I knew I'd never hear the end of it, no matter what I did, I'd have rumours flying around for the rest of my life. Once in Kirova's office, the entire matter was laid before her; I had to admit, while never fond of her, I desperately hoped we were on good terms now, if only for the fact that my very life was clearly at stake, especially as I was innocent.

There was a long pause, before Kirova finally seemed to make up her mind.

"For starters, I can safely say that the evidence is clear enough, gentlemen you arrested the wrong person." She remarked. "Release Miss Hathaway at once."

Shocked and clearly put out, they did so. I let out a small sigh of relief as the handcuffs were taken off. But stopped as Kirova turned to me.

"I've heard of your improvements, so, I think there is a way here...to kill two birds with one stone." She remarked. "Especially in light of everything that was discovered at the crime scene. You, Miss Hathaway, will be taking charge of the investigation. Everything, all our findings and details, will be turned over to you. This is your Guardianship test and only Guardian Belikov can help you."

I was about to protest that this was no time for things like that, when I realized the underlying meaning in Kirova's words. She was trusting me, me and Dimitri, with finding and rescuing Lissa and Jill; she felt that we could succeed, have a better chance, than anyone else.

Kirova then continued. "Your task is simple, even if you cannot find or identify the culprit responsible for this, you must find and rescue Vasilisa Dragomir and Jillian Mastrano-Dragomir...Within the next four weeks."

The ominous tone when Kirova said that told me all I needed to know. That was how long until it would be too late to save them.

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