Chapter 2

Adrian POV

She leaned against the wall, aiming to look casual but I saw her aura. She was really concerned about what I had told her and really nervous about what she was thinking about. I wished I could read her mind like she could Lissa's. Talking about Lissa – where was she? I hadn't actually gotten that out of Rose yet!

Rose was really playing me at the moment, I enjoyed my time with her however, so I couldn't really complain. Could I?

Adrian POV

"Did you hear anything about them beating up people? There are at least four Moroi I know of who were attacked, and they won't talk about it." Okay, that confused me. What royal goes round beating people up? That's a getting your hands dirty type job, not exactly royal tradition.

"Who? Like non-royals?" that was the only response I could think of. Royals putting non-royals down, something like that. Some of them especially liked doing that. Specifically the ones in the Mana.

What Rose said next ruined that theory, "No, other royals." WHAT!? I'm sorry...what royals beat up other royals for no reason then the victims who got hurt wont tell anyone? Something's going on...

"That doesn't make any sense. The whole point of it is for the elite royals to band together and protect themselves from any unwanted change. Unless, perhaps, they're going after royals who refuse to join, or are supporting non-royals." that makes sense! I surprise myself sometimes! Go Me! I just thought of a great logical answer to a very important question. Perhaps I impressed Rose in the process?

I was still basking in my wonderfulness when Rose said, "Maybe, but one of them was Jesse's brother, and Jesse seems to be a founding member. It seems like he'd have to make the cut. And they didn't do anything when Christian refused." Damn. Why did she have to put me down all the time?

I decided I was ending this conversation; I spread my hands wide and said, "Even I don't know everything, and like I said, this one's got their own little agenda they're keeping hidden. Why do you care so much anyway?" Now, what a conversation change that was! Let's see how she'd take to me turning it back on her.

"Because it isn't right, the people I saw were in a bad shape. If some group's going around and ganging up on victims, they need to be stopped."

I couldn't help but laugh at her complete determination to save everyone. I played with her hair while I said, "You cant save everyone, though God knows you try."

"I just want to do what's right." She smiled and added, "I need to bring justice where it's needed." I'm not too sure why that made her smile but her smile was flawless. My breathing stopped for a moment while I admired her.

I noticed her aura while I was doing that, "The crazy thing, little dhampir, is that you mean that. I can tell by your aura." It was true, a million people could spout what she just said but could they believe in it too?

That seemed to catch her attention and I noticed that all talk of spoiled royals had disappeared. "What, are you saying it's not black any more?"

I examined her for a moment then said, "No...it's still dark, definitely. But it's got a little light in it, streaks of gold. Like sunlight."

She smiled even more at this. I hadn't realised how much this dark aura thing upset her before. "Maybe your theory about me catching it from Lissa is wrong then."

I thought for a moment then completely seriously I said, "Depends. When was the last time you saw her?" Only after I said that I realise that I sounded like I was making it up.

Rose punched me lightly and laughed, "You have no clue, do you? You're making this up as you go along!"

She was so close already and then I just lost myself in her. I grabbed her wrist and pulled he even closer to me, I had to have her. I was mad about this girl and just completely mad anyway. "Isn't that the way you normally operate?"

She grinned as I slid a step toward her. Maybe I did make her happy. I just kept hold of that thought so that I didn't back down. She was looking me up and down and studying my face. It made me kind of uncomfortable so I decided to make a semi-joke. "You know, under any other circumstances, this would be hot. Instead, you're looking at me like I'm some kind of science project."

Rose took a deep breath then asked, "Why don't you ever use compulsion on me? And I don't mean just to stop me getting into fights."

The answer to that was easy, I had thought about it many times, "Because half the fun if you is that you're so difficult"

"Do it."

What was she going on about? "Do what?"

"Use compulsion on me." Okay, that was unexpected! I remembered back to earlier in the week when I had to use compulsion on her and she had a go at me.

I really didn't want to get injured, "What?" I asked her, feeling slightly protective of my face.

"Use compulsion one me to make me want to kiss you, except you have to promise not to actually kiss me." Rose was serious! How could I go so close to kissing her then back down? It seemed impossible and I didn't want to go against her word.

I decided to get the defences up and say, "That's pretty weird – and when I say something's weird, you know it is."

"Please." it was one word but full of longing that I couldn't resist so I focused my eyes on hers. I sighed quietly to myself and made sure I would be able to pull away without actually kissing her. I would be hard.

"I want to kiss you Rose, and I want you to want me too." I knew she wouldn't be able to resist and I hardly could. She tilted her head up and I leaned down.

"Do you want me to?" I knew she was still under compulsion so the answer would be yes, but I couldn't resist. "Do you want to kiss me?" I wished at that moment that she wasn't under compulsion and she really did want to kiss me. I realised in that moment just how much I loved this girl.

"Yes." I knew if I waited a moment longer she would press her lips to mine so I stepped back. I knew it would be hard, it would be so easy to just lean back in.

"We're done." I knew she snapped out of it the moment I said that but she still took another step towards me. What was she doing?

"Rose?" I was so confused. She had never made a move on me before, was she really out of the compulsion?

"Adrian...why are you walking away from me? What's wrong?" Yeah, she was definitely out of compulsion so I took a step toward her. She put her hands on my chest then took another little step toward me. Closer than we had been when she was under my compulsion. What was she trying to do to me?

"What's wrong with you is the question." I just decided to be straight out with her. She did look kind of hurt that I thought something was wrong with her, "I didn't mean it like that; I just want to know why you're doing all this." I gestured to my chest and her gaze followed.

"Well, when we were talking before the compulsion thing happened, all I could see was your eyes. They are so pretty and I just want to drown in them, then I also realized you would do anything for me. Then we were so close and then the compulsion started and I just realised that I think I might really like you." Rose finished with a blush.

I let her words sink in and my heart skipped a beat. She wanted me? WOW! It was my lucky day today!

I thought I would really push my luck and say, "So you don't mind me doing this then..." Then I kissed her, at first she seemed really surprised but then the tip of her tongue traced my bottom lip as if looking for entry.

I pushed my tongue forward just slightly to touch hers and she tasted like chocolate and oranges. It was the most amazing kiss and I lost myself in her even more than before.

I let my hands slip around to her back and push her against me. Somewhere along the way her hands had wound their way around my neck and into my hair. Our kiss deepened and just as I was slipping one of my hands up her shirt, some one cleared their throat behind us. Rose was blocking my view so I couldn't see who it was – and anyway, they were in shadows.

Rose jumped away from me as I let my hand slip away from her. We both thought it was a Guardian as no one can move ghost silent like that except them. We were sorely surprised though, because stepping out of the shadows was none other than Christian Ozera.

When Rose and I both just stood there gaping at him he raised one eyebrow and said, "Interesting conversation."

At that moment I knew that he had not only seen me and Rose but had heard our entire conversation. Great!