Chapter 3: Without You

Just want to say I own nothing but the clothes on my back. Beginning consists of actual material from Spirit Bound. Spoilers for those who haven't read Spirit Bound. Richelle Mead owns VA. I will also try my best to update regularly. My Darkest Days owns the song for chapter heading.

Warning: language and Rose and Adrian are being kind of emo.

Adrian POV:

I can't believe Rose's crazy plan actually worked. Never would I have followed anyone claiming that could restore a strigoi to its former state. The fact that it can is a miracle to most but to me it's a curse. He just keeps taking Rose from me. I loved her, even if no one believed my love for her is true and pure.

Before I met Rose my life had no meaning. I didn't care who the next girl I messed around with was. I had been in a whole bunch of different girls' pants. Not really caring who they were. When I wasn't looking for a good screw I was getting drunk off my ass and lighting up a cigarette.

But now I have Rose. Well, I had Rose, seeing how Belikov is probably all over now that he is a dhampir again. I just hope Rose won't leave me for him. I know it's stupid to wish but, hey, a guy can at least hope.

I don't want to know what my future will be like if Rose leaves me for him. She was always his but I wanted her to be mine.

He could always steal her away from me though. She loved him like I loved her. I didn't want to admit it, nor would I anytime soon, but I would let her go. Only if that's what she wants and it will make her happy.

Without her I knew my world would be screwed up. My life would be a complete disaster. I loved her so much but without her my life is nothing. Suicide sounds like an ideal choice if she ends up choosing him. However, I could never do that. So instead I'll start drinking VERY heavily.

When she goes back into his arms, which she will, I will always be there for her. I would even if I can only be a friend. Always, I will be there for her.

A knock sounded at the door. Slowly, I stood and went to open the door.

Lissa appeared on the other side of the door. "Have you seen Rose?" No, I haven't actually. I bet she was with Belikov.

"No, why cousin? What did she do now?" I figured since we were talking about Rose, she must have done something wrong. Or the alternative, like I said, and visited Dimitri.

"I can't find her and she really upset Dimitri." Rose upset Dimitri. Were we talking about the same Rose? "She saw him a little more than an hour ago." Damn, my fears were confirmed.

"So you haven't seen her since then?"

"Afraid not. I haven't seen her, sorry cousin. If you really want to find her go ask a guardian or something, they will probably know where she is at." After that Lissa left.

Rose is fine, she always is. However, I couldn't shake the worry that came with Lissa's news. If Dimitri was upset with her would she do something drastic? No, she's probably just upset right now.

I went to the bar in my room and pulled out something to drink. She had visited him. Time to drink my problems away. She really would choose him again. Like she always does.

Oh well, what do you do? Drink, that's what!

Rose POV:

Darkness laced Lissa's emotions. She must have found out about my visit with Dimitri, and boy, she was not happy.

Uncertainty and doubt filled my own emotions. Should I take her darkness? Of course I should, no questions asked. I allowed it to consume me and it only added to my sorrow. I couldn't take it. Suddenly, I remembered Lissa cutting herself, what did Lissa use to say?

Oh, that's right, she use to say cutting was a way to let it all go. I remember it hadn't made sense to me then. Now it did.

Unfortunately, I did NOT have anything to hurt myself with, not even my . . . CRAP! I forgot my stake. Well, there is no way in hell I'm going back there. I guess I'll have to find some other way to cause myself pain.

I looked around; all that surrounded me were trees and more trees. My hand fisted at my side and I began punching the closest tree to me.

A loud cracking noise sounded as I repeatedly hit the rough bark. Over and over again my fist smashed into the tree. Pain rushed through my arm with every hit. This made me smile. I enjoyed the physical pain. In a way it numbed the pain I felt over Dimitri.

He can hurt me all he likes but I can always hurt myself more. No wonder Lissa always hurt herself. This really wasn't that bad. Yet, I still don't want her hurting herself.

After standing there for a while I lost track of time and the pain in my hand started to subside. No longer could I feel my hand.

Glancing up, I noticed a large amount of blood coating the dented wood. This was done by my hand, literally. A cruel smile played across my lips. Dare I even look at my hand?

Slowly, my eyes drifted down my arm and finally resting on, what I assumed was, my mangled hand. If it wasn't attached to me I would have no clue what it was.

For a minute, I felt myself go queasy but then I shook it off. He wants me to suffer? Fine! I will make sure I will definitely suffer.

I allowed myself to drop to my knees, scraping them up, bloody raw. My head bowed low and my shoulders curled, hunched forward. I would not cry. Must remain strong, but I can't.

Stars began to dance around my vision. Soon everything I saw was tinged in black. My body swayed a little but I didn't fall right away. A whimper escaped my lips as my face fell forward into the dirt. My consciousness, out like a light.

Unknown POV:

I watched as she ran away from the safety of the wards around the court provided her. Recognition in my eyes was almost certain.

I know this dhampir. She terrorized the strigoi in Siberia, which is why I left. That and because Dimitri Belikov, another fellow strigoi, wanted me dead.

Australia had been my new destination. It was my homeland when I too had been a dhampir. However, I left when rumor around the strigoi world stated that another strigoi, Dimitri nonetheless, had been given a new chance at life as a dhampir again. I knew deep down that a part of me wanted to return to that weak state but I would never allow it.

I'd have been happier if I found out he died. He killed my family before I was awakened and now I wanted revenge. And now I knew exactly how to get him back, with Rosemarie Hathaway.

When he was strigoi he had wanted to awaken her, now I could make his wish come true. There would be no way, now that he is a dhampir again, would want her to be strigoi.

I followed her into the surrounding forest away from court. I would stalk her until I get bored then I would take her with me.

She growled in frustration, she seemed to be spacing out. Her head began to whip around as if searching for something. Tears had streaked her. Now this is getting interesting. I wanted to see what she would do.

She took a step closer to a tree and her hand struck out, fiercely striking the trunk of the tree. A loud cracking echoed throughout the woods. I smiled proudly, soon she will be mine. First however, I was going to flaunt her being mine. Dimitri would see that I have taken his most prized possession.

Over and over again her fist attacked the tree with such anger. Eventually, she stopped punching the tree and simply stared at the damaged bark covered in her blood. Her hand was destroyed beyond recognition. Slowly, she looked down at the mangled mess of her right fist.

A smile, cold enough to being chills down my spine, was displayed on her face. Then uncertainty played across her features and she dropped to her knees. A soft whimper escaped her barely parted lips as she fell face down into the dirt. She lost a lot of blood.

I strolled over to her casually. My fingers curled under the bottom of my shirt as I ripped the fabric so I could make a sling for her broken arm. After I had made the sling I checked to see that it was securely in place. When I finally deemed it good enough I smeared some of her blood, making it obvious she had been here.

Reaching under her, I picked her up and pulled her close to my chest. Off I ran, taking her to safety, well as safe she could be alone with a strigoi. I had to get us to shelter or I would die. The sun would be rising in a little over an hour and a half.

So I set off to an old abandoned mine that was never lucky enough to be graced with the sun's light. It was the most ideal place to go and I know not even strigoi use it, it was a very uncomfortable place but I didn't need comfort and most likely Rosemarie would be passed out most of the time being there. So it was going to have to do. There was no way in hell I would take her to a comfortable place surrounded by strigoi. She is now mine and I wasn't going to share her with anyone. Besides, not even I can drink from her right now, if she loses too much blood she will die. I could save my little Rosemarie in peace without looking weak.

Author's Note! Sorry, I know Rose was really self-defeating but I think it could be possible if no one was there to help her with the darkness. And yes, the strigoi said he wanted to awaken her. Will Rose become strigoi? You must stay tuned to find out. Anyways thanks for the reviews guys, they make me extremely happy. My buddy said hi krazygurl54321. Don't worry, nothing was awkward. Hey and thanks to FrostbittenRose, kyoko minion, and krazygurl54321 for the reviews. They really make me smile and get all happy! You guys are amazing and if you guys ask for things to be added into my story more than likely I will add it in unless it conflicts with the plot and won't fit in with what I have written down for future chapters. Thank you to anyone else who takes time out of their day to read my story as well. I hope you guys enjoy it so far.