Chapter one: The dream.

Rose P.O.V.

I had settled down that night with the high hopes of not being visited by Adrian. I mean, seriously! Does that guy have a life outside of drinking, smoking,…and me?

My dream blurred, and I suddenly found myself sitting in the ski lodge where I first met Adrian.

I sighed. "Where are you Adrian? I know you're here." I looked around the ski lodge. It appeared to be daytime, and the view of the frost-covered mountains was stunning.

Adrian immerged out of the trees, sporting a smirk that hid his fangs. He wore shorts today-something that was highly unusual for him.

I raised my eyebrows. "Five nights in a row? Wow, I'm impressed." I said sarcastically.

"Little dhampir, I could do this forever." He said slyly.

I sighed. "Shoot. I was hoping that you would be bored of me by now."

He snorted. "Impossible."

I turned away from him and looked at the scenery again. At least while in Adrian's dreams I could count on seeing the sun. Following the Moroi's nocturnal schedule was a real pain in my behind, and I was beginning to crave the sun as much as I might crave a double Big Mac.

I turned to him. "How do you not miss this?" I asked as I gestured outside. "All this sun is so…so beautiful.

He turned thoughtful, his green eyes brooding. He smiled at me again. "You can't miss what you never had. Anyways, what's so great about the sun. It's hot, blinding, and makes me sweaty. Kind of like you." He said deviously.

I rolled my eyes. "How many women have you used that line on?" I asked.

"If I knew you were going to make me count to impossible numbers, I would have left you alone. There's a reason I don't like school."

"You go to school? I always figured that you just bummed around all day and did absolutely nothing." I said mockingly, with a hint of actual curiosity.

"College graduate, little dhampir. I finished school last year." He said proudly.

I frowned. "Than shouldn't you have a guardian. Actually, shouldn't you have two guardians?"

His smirk turned into a full out grin. "Like I've said before Rose, I'm above all the rules. I didn't want a guardian."

"Are you serious? All that alcohol must have affected your brain or something, because that is the stupidest thing that I've heard since Lissa named her pet rock 'Dolly'." I snorted.

"Lissa had a pet rock named 'Dolly'? And you think I have problems?" He said mockingly.

I put my hands on my hips and tossed my hair around. "Adrian, I don't think you have problems, I know you have problems."

He sighed and put on a hurt expression. "Oh Rose, why can't you come without thorns?"

I snorted. "Great flower analogy. Can I go sleep now?" I asked.

"You ask that question every night, yet you know perfectly well that you are sleeping." He said slyly, as he took a step towards me.

"With all the mental stress you put me through in these dreams I might as well be awake." I retorted.

He walked forward and stopped when he was a few inches away from me.

"Whoa there buddy!" I exclaimed as I backed away with my hands held up in a 'back away' gesture. "I know I said that I would give you a chance… but still."

He pouted and gave me big, huge puppy dog eyes. It was kind of cute-not that I would ever tell him. "Aw, Rose, you're so mean. I haven't had any pleasurable human contacts in weeks. I think I deserve some gratitude."

I snorted. "Gratitude my ass. And you so have had pleasurable human contact." I said haughtily.

"Oh yeah? Who?" He challenged.

"Avery. You know, the girl who you chased after every day? The girl who went absolutely ass-crack crazy after you two destroyed her two shadow-kissed companions?" I said with a roll of my eyes.

"That wasn't pleasurable human contact. That was forced human contact." He said with a shake of his head and another step towards me. Where did he get the confidence from?

"Than what is it?" I asked.

"This." He said as he leaned down and pressed is lips to mine. His lips were warm and soft, but not as pleasing as Dimitri's had been. I didn't pull away because I had promised to give him a chance, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. His hand was making its way down my back when I woke up with a start.

A hand was pounding furiously on my door. I groaned. Whoever was waking me up at six in the morning on a Monday was going to get a kick in the ass.

"Rose, Rose! Get up quick!" Lissa exclaimed from behind my door. Her voice was frantic and excited.

I got up, my movements clumsy from being asleep. I tripped immediately and got a mouthful of carpet.

Lissa, I am going to kill you. I got up and went to the door.

"What do you want?" I grumbled as I opened the door. Lissa's pale, beautiful face was alight with excitement.

"It's here. It's finally here!"