Here it is... Rose's story. I was tearing up a little writing it. I know some of it is glazed over, but this IS rated Teen. I must say I do like Rose's evaluation at the end of her story. And you get a little more insight into AJ at the end!

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy. Only Hugo, AJ, and Mason Markov at this point. Oh! I own Esen too!



My mom looked at me. "Of course we want to know."

I took a deep breath. "I killed him relatively quickly. I was actually surprised the Strigoi were still in the area. I figured once they got Dimitri they would get out of here and get me to follow. They were in Spokane though. At the same house. I did some recognizance around the house. I had only been gone a few weeks when I finally made my attack. I went into the house at sundown. I was ready for a fight. And I saw him. Dimitri looked at me and I think, even as a Strigoi, he remembered who I was... Who WE were. He hesitated and then, almost like he was angry with himself, he lunged at me." I undid the top couple buttons of my shirt revealing the scars at the base of my neck.

Lissa reached out. "Let me..."

I shook my head. "No. It is the only thing I have left. I need it." I rebuttoned and continued my story. "It was surprisingly quick. While his teeth were in me, he was distracted enough for me to stake him. He was gone." I let a little giggle escape.

My mother cocked her head. "What could possibly be funny?"

"It was supposed to be all glamorous and tragic... two lovers feuding, but nope, not for me. Silver stake to the heart and BAM! No more Rose and Dimitri. It was so anticlimactic..." I took a deep breath. "I burned his body and the bodies of the other two Strigoi that I killed. I took Dimitri's ashes and went to Russia. I met up with Tasha and told her what happened. I figured out of everyone, she was the one that would understand. I was right. I stayed with her about a week and I finally went to see Dimitri's family. I took them the ashes and they invited me to stay as long as I needed. I was hesitant at first, but I guess Dimitri had told them all about me, and they wanted to know about the last days of their son and brother. It was actually really nice. I stayed there about 3 months. They helped me recuperate from my injuries. I finally decided I needed to be on my way so I went back to Tasha's and told her that I couldn't come back to St. Vladimir's, but I didn't know where else I would be safe. She suggested my father's. We did a little looking and found him."

My mother gave a small growl.

"Mom, relax. He was amazingly polite. I got to meet his Moroi family. They have a daughter, Esen, who is just a little older than me and she and I hit it off immediately. She was really into the party scene and I went with her... almost as her unofficial guardian. One night at a club, I met this amazing guy. Hugo Markov. It was the first time since Dimitri someone really seemed interested in me. We got some drinks and talked for awhile. I learned he was an associate of my father's that lived in Russia, but came to Turkey several times a year. I was probably just really drunk, but we went back to his place and we...." I trailed off. "I let him bite me. When done right, it is the most amazing feeling in the world. He had to leave the next day to go back to Russia, but he promised to be back soon. I swore I would never do it again. When he walked out, I felt so cheap and used...." I shifted uncomfortably. "About a month later, I found out I was pregnant. Sadly, I lost the baby. I was devastated. I thought, at least after all that, I would have something to show for it." I couldn't help smiling a little. "You both know how well I do with loss. I tend to get some what... irrational. I started drinking heavily and going to more and more parties with Esen. Hugo finally came back 6 months later and well... I now have AJ, Mason, and," I rubbed my stomach, "This one. I tried to make it work as a family. I made so many excuses for Hugo and why he was gone, but that wasn't good enough for AJ. She wanted him there all the time. Like her friends, who were mostly Moroi, had. That is how I made the decision to send her here. I thought maybe St. Vladimir's would give her what it gave me."

My mother looked at me with curiosity. "What was that?"

I smiled. "A sense of camaraderie, knowing that I am not the only girl in the world whose dad disappeared.

My mom and I stared at each other with a silent understanding when Adrian came back into the gym with a pained look on his face. "Rose... she just started crying all the sudden and won't look at me or tell me what is wrong."

I took my daughter and held her close. "Hey... what's wrong?"

"I saw a ghost..." She whispered.


What? A ghost? What could AJ be talking about? Remember she is only 5....

Sorry about the cliffhanger, but what are you going to do?

Oh, and there is a poll in my profile, it will be open through chapter 10, so through Thursdayish! Thanks for any votes!

I have been posting these in the evening because it is something relaxing to do right before bed. So look for the next Chapter tomorrow night!

Oh, by the way... *Points to the green button*