Chapter 4

Before Rose could even speak, Lissa asked "Aren't you going to invite us in?" And with that, her and Christian proceeded to enter the hotel room.

"How the hell did you find-" Rose was about to ask, but then a thought dawned on her, and she knew exactly how it happened.

"YOU USED COMPULSION ON ADRIAN, DIDN'T YOU?" she demanded furiously.

"Yeah, but it was only to make sure you're safe! You shouldn't have ran off!" Lissa countered.

"Listen Lissa, this is MY life, and MY promise that I must keep to Dimitri! How dare you come follow me when I specifically asked you not to! God, you really don't respect me do you?" Rose was trembling with a burning anger that was pulsating through her body.

"We came here to protect you! To make sure you were alright! To help you!"

"I didn't ask for it!"

"Wow, is this anyway to treat two people who are risking expulsion and other harm, all because they think you are worth it?" Christian said coolly.

They had a point, but Rose wasn't giving up. In her mind, what they did was completely out of line.

"You guys, I can't have anything getting in the way of this. It's complicated enough!" Rose said.

"Rose," Lissa said in a soft voice. She approached the angry dhampir and hugged her close.

"I understand that you're hurt, that you're angry…" This sparked something in Rose that none of them expected. She shoved her best friend away from her, almost causing her to fall.

"Understand! You will never understand how I feel! You still have…him!" she said, pointing at Christian. "You will never know what its like to cry every night, to not be able to sleep. To miss the ONE thing that was so amazing and true in your life. And you want to know why? Because you goddamn moroi get everything handed on a silver platter to you, that's why! God forbid any of you ever have to make a sacrifice!"

Christian looked absolutely horrified, and Lissa began to cry.

"You've changed, Rose! This isn't you!" Lissa pleaded between sobs.

Rose was just as shocked at her outbursts, and a little afraid of the feelings that were harbored inside of her.

"I'm sorry you guys, this is just so hard for me. Maybe it's better if you just go back home and forget about me."

"No Rose, we're not going to. We never did and we never will," Lissa said.

Alexander came into the room with a plate of French fries, and was surprised at the uninvited guests.

"Miss Hathaway, who might our guests be?" he asked.

"This is Lissa Dragomir and Christian Ozera, they're my friends from St. Vladimir's"

"Ah, nice to meet you, I'm Alexander. I'm sorry I wasn't prepared for company."

"It's alright, we're going to go to bed, it's been a long trip. Do you guys want to get breakfast tomorrow?" Lissa asked.

"Sure, we'll meet you at nine. I'm taking Miss Hathaway to meet a contact named Boris, a telepath," Alexander said.

"Sounds good, let us know if you need anything!" And with that, Lissa and Christian left the room.

Rose didn't like the fact that they were coming along, she felt that it was an intrusion. She was trying not to resent Lissa, that was her best friend after all. But she really couldn't help it.

"You look exhausted Miss Hathaway, perhaps it is time to get some sleep," Alexander said in a concerned tone.

"You're right, I need it. Goodnight Alexander."

"Goodnight Miss Hathaway."

Rose completed her bedtime rituals, and tried to fall asleep. She could feel a dream forming, and hoped it would happen quickly because she wanted to talk to Adrian. Sure enough, a field of daisies appeared.

"Adrian, are you there!" Rose asked. In this dream, she was dressed in a turquoise sundress, and had flowers in her hair.

"I am darling," he answered, walking towards her.

"I'm sorry that Lissa used compulsion on you."

"It isn't your fault, she's just really good at it. I just feel guilty that I wasn't strong enough to withstand it."

"You shouldn't feel guilty, she's really good."

"I know my love, I've missed you so much…" he said, and started to run his fingers through her hair. Rose smiled, enjoying the feeling it brought. Maybe one day in her heart she could love him, maybe destiny had a different plan. But she couldn't shake the feeling that Dimitri needed her, and that possibly they could be together. Maybe even if I turn strigoi, I could use feeders she thought to herself, trying to rationalize it in her mind. Adrian sensed the shift in her demeanor, and backed away considerately.

"I know you still love him, but I will always be here for you my little dhampir," he said. The dream began to blur and fade, taking Rose into the darkness of sleep.