DPOV

'It's simply unacceptable, I dread to think what would have happened had I been at home.' Lord Badica continued to drone on about the "traumatising" event. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes-Rose was really starting to rub off on me-and scanned the room for any possible dangers.

'Lord Badica, you have my sympathies but as the guardians said there was no implicative evidence'-thank god I had a friend in forensics-'so I really don't know what action you expect me to take. Perhaps you should invest in a better security system. Now, if we could get back to council issues-'

'I demand justice!' Lissa glared at the interruption, she was starting to lose her patience. Realising this, he tried a new approach, 'it's clear that there is no respect for you or the royal families. The guardians must put more time into the investigation so punishment can be dealt and authority asserted.'

My eyes found Eddie who was doing a terrible job of trying to look inconspicuous while guarding the doors. I could see him tense at the mention of punishment. Honestly, he broke into Tarasov last year and managed to keep cool but Lord Badica had him scared?

'The guardians have more important issues to deal with than teenagers stealing your alcohol.' Lissa snapped then stopped to take a breath; it was not a good idea to lose your temper in a council meeting. 'Now we will continue the meeting. I trust I do not have to assert my authority over you, Lord Badica.' Her voice turned cold towards the end, leaving no question of who was in charge. Badica proceeded to blush both in anger and embarrassment but averted his eyes in submission. The meeting carried on and I began to zone out the voices of the moroi. Then I did something I would later regret.

I met Rose's eyes.

She stood opposite me, behind Lissa, in her guardian uniform with her hands clasped behind her back. A mischievous smile flickered across her face but was quickly replaced by her guardian mask. Her eyes left mine and focused in a spot above my head as if our small interaction hadn't taken place. What was she up to?

I didn't have to wait long to find out. Her hand sneaked up behind her neck as if to wipe off sweat, I watched as her fingers trailed around to the base of her throat. Then, ever so slowly and oh so sensually, she loosened her top button…widening the collar just enough to show me the hickey I left last night at Badica's. Once again her fingers traced her throat…going down…tracing her collar bone. My mouth suddenly felt dry as I remembered my lips there, feeling the softness of her skin below mine…

She replaced her hand behind her back. The whole thing had been discreet and anyone who had noticed would have seen a guardian fidgeting under the stifling heat. Her guardian mask had remained firmly in place the entire time but I saw the devilish glint in her eyes. Oh yes, Roza knew exactly what she was doing.

And she was far from finished.

Her mouth parted slightly, just enough for me to see her tongue run agonisingly slowly across her teeth before they captured her plump bottom lip and squeezing it gently. Immediately my mind conjured the sounds of her soft moans when I was the one to bite it. I abruptly closed my mouth, I had practically been drooling. I glanced round; no one else seemed to realise they were in the room with a siren. How could they not notice this goddess who was slowly torturing me? I looked back at Roza. Her eyes were still trained above my head but she couldn't fight the slight quirk to her mouth; she knew the exact effect she had on me.

I pulled at my collar, suddenly feeling hot. I gulped. Her hand was moving up towards her hair tie.

Oh god Roza

Her hair came flooding down her shoulders, the light catching it as if it were molten. I knew from experience that it was softer than it look-although seeing it now that seemed impossible. It ran down in curves and curls like waves on a moonless night, I imagined that it was the stars that cast such a brilliant shine. It hung below her breast and I recalled how it felt when it tickled my chest as she straddled me in Badica's bed.

I was losing all sense of control and my fists were clenched as I fought the urge to take her on the council table. That would not go down well.

Who cares?

I tried to even out my breathing. In, out. In, out-come on, this meeting must be nearly over now. Roza's eyes met mine, shining bright with amusement, all traces of a mask gone she smirked at me. She winked.

Oh fuck it.

I was two strides across the room before the royals began to move. Lord Badica pushed his chair out, blocking my path. I hadn't even heard them adjourn the meeting. Looking through the mass of moroi and dhampir I realised Rose was already tailing Lissa out the door. I sped out of the room. Christian had only needed me there as a formality of the council meeting and I knew he was perfectly safe at court. I found her outside, her back to me, as she switched shifts with someone. I waited for him to leave, adding himself to Lissa's rear guard then bent down low by her ear, 'Roza, that wasn't very nice.' My voice was low and felt her stiffen, her breath catching slightly as she turned to face me. Her eyes were wide and innocent, 'What wasn't very nice comrade?'

I stepped closer, cutting off all distance between us. I could feel her breathe through my shirt.

'Roza.' With that I conveyed all my emotion and one simple message-I wasn't playing anymore games.

'There's an empty room inside,' she gasped out, her breathless voice showing me that I wasn't the only one affected by the lust in the air-and that she liked it when I took control. Almost as an afterthought she added, 'Maybe you could punish me in there for my…earlier behaviour.' She met my intense gaze showing me her darkened eyes.

With that I threw her over my shoulder and raced inside. I thought I was in love with a goddess but she was really the devil.