Hey guys! Thank you all so much for the reviews! I really appreciate them. Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own VA or any of it's characters, Richelle Mead does! Although I really wish I owned Dimitri…. Haha
Chapter 2
DPOV
The sun was setting and both of the guardian groups were finally out of the caves. Many guardians were lost, but not nearly as many that had died in the battle last night. There were only a few Strigoi left, but the guardians are too weak to go back in and fight them. I looked around frantically trying to find her. Roza. My Roza. Where could she be? My eyes rested on the five feet of Guardian Hathaway, Roza's mother. Her face was not the carefully controlled mask that she usually kept it in. Instead it was streaked with tears and dirt. Her expression showed distraught and a deep sadness shown in her eyes. I kept searching for my Roza. She couldn't be dead. Janine must be crying about some other loss. Right? I mean, how could they kill my Roza? I wasn't giving up hope yet. Maybe she had already returned with the earlier group that rescued the hostages. Yes, she must be with them.
Alberta announced that we must return to the academy immediately before the Strigoi attack us again. We ran for the school grounds. It was slow and hard, though. I know I have a broken hand and at least a sprained ankle. I was also supporting Yuri, another guardian that works at the school. He has a broken leg and can't run well. We eventually arrived at the school only a half hour after sun down. We were all gathered in the guardian's building to reorganize. As soon as the sun came back up a party will sent back to the caves to retrieve the dead and possibly any live people that the Strigoi left behind.
As soon as I walked through the doors I scanned the crowd for Rose. I didn't see her, but I found a friend of hers. It was Eddie, another senior novice. He was with Rose in Spokane and was probably the reason that Rose felt so strongly about forming a rescue party for the taken. Eddie had been one of the taken and I don't think Rose would've forgiven herself if she had done nothing to help him, ever since Mason died. I walked over to him with my guardian mask in place. His eyes also held sadness and my thoughts immediately went back to Guardian Hathaway. No! I scolded myself. No it must just be over all the friends and guardians we have lost. My reasoning was weak and some inner part of me argued that Rose may not have made it out. I pushed those thoughts away, not wanting to let my mask slip.
"Have you seen Rose? I can't find her anywhere," I asked him.
Tears welled up in his eyes and I steeled myself for the response I would surely receive. Eddie shook his head and finally looked into my eyes.
"Guardian Belikov, she was attacked by two Strigoi. She never made it out," tears were now streaming down his face. I couldn't blame him, he had already lost Mason to Strigoi and now Rose too. I locked all my muscles, not letting my mask fall from my face or the tears form in my eyes. "I should've gone back. I could've saved her. It's all my fault!" he exclaimed angrily and punched the wall behind him.
I looked at him. Those were my thoughts. I should've gone back. I could've saved her. It's all MY fault! It's all my fault she's gone. It's all my fault. "It's not your fault. There was nothing you could do without getting yourself killed," I told him reassuringly, "You didn't even have a stake." He nodded but the tears were still streaming down his face. I was going to lose it if I didn't get out of here soon. Luckily Alberta called us to attention just then and told us to check into the medical clinic and then go to bed. I kept my thoughts incoherent. I couldn't think of her right now, not yet. Dr. Olendzki led me to a room where Lissa was and she looked up at me when I walked in. I was going to have to tell her about Rose, it's the least I can do for her. She took my hand and healed me. It was weird feeling. I had never been healed before but it was like cold, hot, then cold again. I looked around the room and noticed Adrian sitting in a corner. I didn't smell any of the usually cloves or alcohol. He must not have been drinking today, so that he could help with the healings.
"Where's Rose?" Lissa asked, "I thought she'd be with you." Something told me that she must've known about Rose and me, but I didn't bring it up. I swallowed hard and loud unsure of how to say it.
"Princess, she's gone," my voice broke at the end and I could feel my mask melting away. "Two Strigoi attacked her and she never came out of the caves," I explained. Her face went blank, but I heard a small intake of breath from Adrian. I knew he liked her, but I never noticed the extent of his love until now. Tears fell down off his face and he stormed angrily out of the room. I turned my attention back to Lissa. She would need the most comfort and protection. I waited for her to react, but she just stood there. "Princess?" I asked. She didn't look good. She dropped, her legs giving way beneath her and I noticed that she wasn't breathing. Panic took me over as I caught her before hitting the ground. I sat her up with her back against the wall and slumped down next to her. I gently shook her shoulders. "Breathe, Princess, breathe. Everything will be okay, everything will be okay," I told her, though I was having difficulty believing that myself. She took a few shaky breaths and then started sobbing. I put my arm around her to comfort her and she buried her head into my chest.
"How can she be gone?" she cried, "She promised she'd come back! She promised!" she yelled in between sobs. It was then that I felt the hot tears in my eyes and the salt water dripping down my face. She was gone. My Roza is gone. I was sad and angry at the same time. I didn't know what to do so I locked my feelings back up and put on my guardian mask in hope that it might stay on this time. I held on to Lissa while she cried, gently rocking her back and forth until Christian came in and took her out of my arms. He looked at us both sympathetically and led Lissa to the Moroi dorms.
I left the clinic and went back to my room, collapsing on the bed. I was so tired, but I was still crying and it took awhile for me to fall into any form of sleep at all. When I opened my eyes I saw Rose. She was sitting next to me looking as beautiful as ever. "Roza…" I breathed, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her passionately. She smiled and looked into my eyes lovingly. I thought I would never get to hold her again. I was the happiest man alive in that moment. "Why did you leave me Roza? Why didn't you come back?" I asked burying my face in her hair.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. There was pain in her eyes in response to the hurt she had caused me. "Dimitri?" she asked softly and I looked at her waiting for her to continue. "Will you do something for me?"
I nodded. "Anything," I told her.
"Kill me," she said watching the horror that spread across my face. "Free me. Free my soul. Please?" She begged me desperately.
"Of course Roza. I will always love you," I told her as she started to fade.
"I love you, Dimitri." Then she was gone.
I opened my eyes and realized I was covered in sweat. I sighed and tears filled my vision again. My Roza needs me. She needs me to set her free and I won't let her down this time. I walked to the bathroom, peeling off the bloody clothes I still had on from the fight. I took a shower and got dressed, thinking of Roza the whole time. I thought of how perfect that night in the cabin was, how beautiful. I remember looking into her eyes and seeing how much she absolutely loves me. I remembered feeling nervous for my first time. I didn't want to disappoint her. I still didn't know if she had slept with other men, but at that moment I didn't care, just as long as she loved me. I remember the feel of her skin against mine, the electricity that sparked with every kiss and touch. I remember the wonderful sensation of holding her in my arms and knowing that she is mine. She is all mine. These memories only made the tears come faster and the sobs more violent. I have to set her free I owe it to her to set her soul free. She will not be controlled by the monster that has taken her. I will save her. I promise.
What did you guys think? Please review! And if anyone has any ideas they would like to share, including names for some new characters please let me know! You'll get credit for your ideas in the beginning of the chapters that I use them. Thank you! Chapter three should be up by tomorrow. :)