Alberta told me I was the only person she could trust with the person that was going to be my new roommate, coming from the head guardian that was a huge compliment.

"She's fragile at the moment. And I don't think putting her in a room by herself is going to help her. She needs a friend, and I wouldn't burden you with it, except, I know what bitches girls can be. I trust you to be there for her Dimitri."

She knew I wouldn't try to take advantage of her like the other novices, and I was honoured. All afternoon I waited for her to arrive. I cleaned the room, put clean sheets on the spare bed and clean towels in the bathroom. I had just begun reading when the door opened and a beautiful goddess walked in. Rose Hathaway was stunningly, breathtakingly beautiful – all 5 ft 4 of her.

I felt this irrational need to protect her.

"My God your beautiful" I whispered in Russian. She looked up at me and dropped her suitcase, slightly blushing.

"Hi" she said softly. "I'm Rose." She said it as if she wasn't really sure. I walked over to her standing more than a foot taller than her. The height only made me want to protect her even more.

"Dimitri Belikov" I said holding my hand out to her. Slowly she took it and I could feel the electricity between us, but I didn't pull back. Unfortunately she did. She picked up her suitcase and headed over to the spare bed. She pulled out an envelope and handed it to me.

"Headmistress Kirova said to give that to you." She sat on her bed and watched as I pulled the letter out of the envelope. Before reading it I studied her.

"You look exhausted, the bathrooms through there, if you want to freshen up." I pointed to the door. She eyed me warily before walking into the bathroom with her pyjamas. Once she was inside the bathroom I began reading the letter.

Mr Belikov,

I wish to inform you a little about Rosemarie before it is too late.

She has not had it easy in the past few months and it is a good thing we have used compulsion on her so she will not remember. While she is a dhampir, she does not know anything about the vampire world. She has no idea as to why she is here and I want you to keep that information to yourself until further notice.

It has been known for a while that Janine Hathaway had a child in hiding and apparently the strigoi gained control of that information. You no doubt know guardian Hathaway's reputation amongst strigoi. Well I believe they have decided Rosemarie is the way to defeat her and I am NOT going to let that happen. In the last few months she has had repeated contact with strigoi and only barely escaped. Her adopted mother didn't know what to do anymore so she sent her here and we compelled her into forgetting everything. I do not wish for her to know about ANYTHING for I fear she will fall into a deeper depression than which we found her. She's lost a lot of people she loves to the strigoi and was in a barely lucid state when her mother brought her in.

Do not tell her about our way of life and merely tell her small lies when she asks questions about her classes, timetable or the schedule we run on.

Alberta has given you quite the recommendation Dimitri and I am putting her life here at St Vladimir's in your hands. When you feel she is ready to handle to truth, my door is open and we shall discuss it. Don't let her fall Dimitri, she will find it hard to trust again.

Protect her. Think of her as your temporary charge.

Headmistress Kirova.

After reading the letter I put it into my sock draw so Rose wouldn't find it. This poor girl put under so much pressure she didn't even know about. No wonder she seemed so sad. I had to ask her why though. Kirova said she didn't remember anything. I needed to know what she was feeling, it's the only way I will be able to protect her like Kirova asked.

Rose walked out of the bathroom and plonked herself on the couch in the middle of the room staring at the ceiling.

"Rose?" I asked softly. She slowly turned to face me and I could see how hard she was trying not to break down. "Do you want to talk about it?" I got up and sat next to her, putting my hand over hers comfortingly.

"There's nothing to talk about. Kirova said I fell and that's why I don't remember anything. But, I have this feeling, this feeling that something bad happened to the people I love. Only I don't know who they are, and nothing happened. That's what Kirova said." She held onto my hand and didn't let go. "Maybe it was a dream" she muttered.

"Maybe" I whispered. She got up, grabbed a piece of paper from her bag and sat beck down next to me.

"Then why can't I remember? I feel like I should know them, but I don't, I CANT" she handed me the photo sighing in frustration. It was a picture of her and what I could only assume had been her best friends on Halloween, the ones shed lost. "If I tell you something, will you promise to keep it a secret?" I nodded not taking my eyes off the picture. She looked so happy there, but now she looked sad and alone. "The people here," she was whispering, "I don't trust them. They remind me of something, something... I don't know what it is. But, I don't feel safe anymore."

Although Kirova had said Rose had been compelled into not remembering anything, I had the feeling she still remembered the feelings she'd been experiencing since the strigoi found her.

"You can trust me. I'll protect you" I told her solemnly, looking her straight in the eyes.

"And you won't tell anyone" I shook my head and she smiled at me before standing up. "it was nice meeting you Dimitri, but I think I want to sleep now." she headed over to her bead and laid down. I turned off the light and went to my own bed.

"Goodnight Rose" I whispered before we both fell asleep.

so guys what do you think ?

read and review pleaseeeee ? :)

love georgiie