I heard a scream.

Not a joyful, happy scream, but rather a blood curling shriek. A searing pain in my throat told me that scream was a genuine Rose Hathaway scream. I lashed out with my right arm, and connected hard with the Strigois nose. I heard her hiss in pain and return the blow with a brutal shove, sending me flying several feet into a wall.

"Rose, are you okay?" I heard Dimitri yell. I could feel the warm blood on my scalp, and my vision blurred slightly, but the adrenaline prevented unconsciousness from taking over. I quickly regained my composure and sprung back into action. Dimitri tossed me a stake and I felt it's cold, smooth metal. The weight was familiar, and in one swift movement, I stuck my arm straight, the stake going straight through the Strigois heart. Her eyes widened and she fell to her knees. Scarlet red began pouring out of her open wound, and she tried to scream but the only sound that came out was the gurgling of blood as it filled her lungs. She was lying still on the hard cement floor. A trickle of blood escaped her slightly parted lips. I grimaced and yanked the stake out of her heart.

Yeah, I was badass.

Suddenly, Abe and Sydney came running in.

"What happened?" Asked Abe, looking at the dead Strigoi at my feet.

"She attacked us. Rose killed her." Dimitri said. Standing so close I could smell his sweet aftershave.

"Jesus. Is everyone after you two?" Asked Sydney, looking well, extremely pissed.

"Basically." We said at the same time.

Then, I was suddenly aware of the bond. It was back. I was pulled into her mind, and what I saw was terrifying. Lissa was in an abandoned warehouse, and blood covered her whole body. Everywhere hurt. There was a Strigoi standing over her. He smiled a wicked smile, and at an inhuman speed, bent down and bit her neck. She screamed in pain, and her whole body withered. She could feel him suck the life out of her, and the bond began growing instable, and she was quickly losing consciousness. I could only watch as my best friend became part of the world I was supposed to destroy. She took one last ragged breath, and her heart stopped. He pulled away from her, and ran his toung along the two bite marks. Her eyes fluttered, and shot open. Her heart started pounding and the Strigoi blood was now in her veins. Then, I was pushed out of her mind. I tried to get back in, but it was like running into a brick wall.

I went back to the hotel room, and Abe, Sydney and Dimitri were all staring at me.

I ran into the bathroom and threw up. Sydney was standing there behind me, and I sat up, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.

"Is Lissa okay?" Sydney asked, looking worried.

"She's worse than gone, she's a... Strigoi."

(Line break)

"How do you know?" Asked Abe, looking ten years older than he normally did.

I explained the story.

Dimitri cussed, and began pacing the small room like a caged animal. Deep lines formed on his forehead the way they usually do when he's worried.

"Are you sure?" asked Abe, clearly unsure of my story.

"I know what I saw, Old Man." I replied, feeling sick.

Sydney had already pulled out her phone and was making a call. Abe then pulled out his and called Alec, I was assuming. They both talked in hushed voices, and I tapped my foot impatiently. Abe hung up his phone and shoved it hastily into his pocket.

"Jesus Christ!" Abe cussed. "How could this happen?"

I looked down, feeling ashamed. Somehow, this was my fault. I had let Lissa down, and now she was worse than dead. She was undead. Unnatural. I felt like I was going to cry. Then, Abe pulled me into his chest, and wrapped him arms around me. I buried my face deep into his chest and cried. Really, cried. Like, snots and tears. He just ran his hands down my head, comforting me. I pulled away and looked into his eyes. He smiled.

"This shirt costs more than your whole wardrobe." He joked.

"I'm sorry. It was a nice shirt." I mused.

"It's okay, now it has sentimental value." He said, pulling me in for one last quick hug.