I woke up in my familiar dorm at the Academy with the bonus that Adrian's arms were rapped around me and his head on my stomach. I grinned at myself and stroked his hair, his grip getting tighter.

''Mm Rose.'' He mumbled. I had to hold in my laugh.

''Adrian.'' I whispered nudging him a little. Nothing.

''Adrian.'' I said raising my voice. Nothing. I pushed him off the bed but he dragged me with him.

''Fuck!'' He shouted opening his eyes, I was on top of him laughing and he soon joined me.

''You wouldn't wake up.'' I said innocently. He laughed again and lent in to kiss me but I pulled back.

''I have morning breath.'' I said with disgust. He rolled his eyes and kissed me anyway. We pulled away and I sighed dreamily. I began to get up but Adrian kept me tightly to his body.

''I need to pee.'' I said seriously, laughing. He pecked my lips once more before letting me go.
I got up and walked to the toilet then quickly brushed my teeth and used the toilet before washing my face and drying it with towel. I walked out to Adrian who was sitting upright on my bed with his eyes closed.

''It's like 6am you actually get up at this time?'' He said childishly. I laughed.

''Yeah, I need to go and run. Go back to sleep babe.'' I said kissing his head. I walked to my draw and got out my gym clothes. He pulled me on to his lap making me drop the clothes I had in my arms onto the floor. He kissed my shoulder and neck holding my waist tightly.

''Why do you need to go and run? Sleep here, with me.'' He wined. I laughed and turned to face him. I kissed him with a little bit of tongue, teasing him before pulling away and picking the clothes up.

''Because I like to run.'' I said turning to him. I stood over him and pecked his lips.

''Go to sleep.'' I kindly demanded before walking into the bathroom. I quickly changed and done my hair into a high ponytail.
I walked out to see Adrian curled up on my bed. I grabbed a bottle of water from my mini fridge and kissed Adrian's cheek, walking out quickly and making my way to the track.
No one was ever up at this time so I didn't need to worry about bumping into anyone. I walked over to the track setting my water down and stretched. I took a sip of water before I started to run, I was on mile 6 when I was joined by Dimitri.

''Hey.'' I said happily.

''Hey.'' He replied. There was silence for about 5 minutes before I started mile 7.

''How many miles do you do?'' He asked. What a conversation starter, I thought.

''8. I'm on mile 7 now.'' I saw him look at me from the corner of his eye and he started to run faster. I shook my head at him, he was going to burn out faster now.
I finished my 8th mile and picked up my water gulping it greedily then starting my cool down stretches. After about 5 minutes he stopped, panting.

''Just done 10.'' He said breathlessly. I laughed.

''No you didn't. You need to go around the small circle 40 times for that, you only ran round it like 20 times, you ran about 5 miles.'' I said raising both of my eyebrows and finishing the water. His eyes widened.

''How did you know that?'' I shrugged.

''I'm good at math.'' I said walking away. I felt him walk next to me.

''Everyone's talking about you and Adrian and your..'' He whispered not finishing his sentence. Made me feel a little angry at him, if I'm honest. I threw my bottle in the bin.

''It was bound to happen.'' I said shrugging it off.
I walked into my dorm building Dimitri not saying anything else to me and walked to my room quickly.
The academy was a bit more alive now but even then it was mainly Guardians.
I walked in and found Adrian in the exact same position I left him. I rolled my eyes walking into the bathroom and locking the door. I took off my sweaty clothes, undone my hair and got under the cool water.
I showered quickly finding a towel and wrapping it around myself. I walked out and found Adrian awake. He looked at me and gulped. I quickly turned around to find my clothes, hoping he didn't see the grin on my face because of how he reacted to me. I picked out Zebra print skinny jeans, black fringe wedges, some spiky bracelets along with a skull one, a skeleton top with bright almost neon colours, a leather jacket complete with a below the hip shoulder bag. ( Outfit on profile ) I wasn't planning on sparring today so why shouldn't I look good?

''Hey, are you showering here or at your dorm?'' I asked turning around to look at him. He was standing about 6ft away his eyes were glued to me then snapped out of it. My towel was just above my knees so I know he hadn't seen my ass or anything but he continued to look at me, his eyes covering every inch of my body.

''Adrian?'' I asked questionably. He blinked and his eyes came to mine before a blush took over his face. I grinned at the cuteness of him.

''Are you showering here or at your dorm?'' I repeated. He looked up at me sadly with a small smile on his face.

''I haven't got any clothes here.'' I felt my mood drop slightly that he was leaving me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, his hands quickly finding my waist.

''I'll be about 20 minutes.'' He said against my lips before we kissed for about a minute. He put his forehead to mine. I felt something hard against my stomach and grinned.

''Exited are we?'' I asked flirtatiously. He nodded grinning at me before he kissed my lips again.

''Make that 10.'' He whispered reluctantly breaking away from me and throwing on some jeans and a t shirt that were lazily thrown on the floor. He stuck his feet in his shoes and pecked my lips walking to the door and looking back at me.

''I love you.'' I grinned happily.

''I love you too.'' He whispered walking back to me kissing me again. He grinned one last time before walking out. The grin naturally on my face dropped realising how alone I felt without him. There was a knock on the door and I opened it to find Adrian quickly walking in.

''This isn't working for me. Get dressed, I'm not leaving you.'' He said distressed. I grinned and closed the door. I walked up to him and grabbed his face pressing his lips to mine, no tongue just simple 10 second peck. I broke apart from him resting my forehead on his.
I grinned and pecked his lips and grabbed my hair dryer. Adrian sat on the bed and watched me as I dried and brushed my hair. Once I was sure it was dry properly I walked over and grabbed my clothes, finding a clean bra and underwear.
I locked the bathroom door quickly putting on some mascara and making my eyes have a smoky effect. I quickly got dressed along with putting my boots on over my jeans and looked at myself in the mirror deciding to put a little bit clear lip gloss on. Happy with how I looked I walked out and immediately found Adrian's eyes trail down my body and felt nervous under his gaze. He stood up and walked over to me, still taller than me, and he put his forehead to mine.

''My beautiful girlfriend.'' He whispered to me with a grin. His lips found mine easily, the kiss only lasting about 10 seconds.
I pulled away from him, lip gloss all over his lips. I laughed and wiped it off with my thumb before wiping my own off, Adrian having smudged it. I pecked his lips and grabbed my jacket about to put it on when Adrian took it off me and held it out, helping me put it on. I suddenly flinched.
''What is it?'' He asked quickly, concerned.
''That damn burn from Tasha, it kills.''
''Let me heal it for you.'' He suggested, worry covering his face. I shook my head and turned to him, my jacket not covering even one of scars the jacket ending just below my elbows. I looked at them and found my bracelets, I put them on my left wrist, though it didn't really help cover anything.
''Maybe I should put make up on them.'' I whispered to myself, Adrian stopped me as I was going to my closet to get it and shook his head.
I sat on the bed and put my head in my hands. I felt Adrian kneel infront of me and I looked up at him. He had something in his hands, the bracelet he bought for me, he tied it to my left wrist taking the other bracelets off and putting them on my right wrist. I smiled at him.

''I can ignore everything they all say to me but I can't pretend as though it won't hurt.'' I whispered. He put his left hand under my chin making me look at him.

''I won't lie to you, it'll be hard but I know how strong you are and you need to fight past it. I'll be with you every step of the way.'' He said confidently as his other hand rubbed my knee. I grinned at him and wrapped in a hug.

''How did I ever live without you?'' I heard his laughter and butterflies rose in my stomach. He pulled back and rubbed my cheek.

''Right come on you need to shower we only have-'' I moved to look at my alarm clock and was shocked at the time.

''An hour Rose and that's when breakfast starts.'' He said laughing a little at me.

''Aw you could have had more time to sleep. I didn't realise it was that early, I'm sorry I kept you up.'' I said guiltily, he laughed again.

''More time seeing you? I'll take what I can get.'' He said lovingly. I kissed him and took control. After about a minute, and the both of us in need to breathe, I pulled away from him and stood up. He looked up at me his mouth open slightly and stood close to me. I pecked his lips.

''You need to shower.'' He nodded and pecked my lips again.
I quickly put everything I needed into my bag and lazily slung it on my shoulder. He laced my hand with his and we both held onto one another tightly before walking out of the door.
We walked in comfortable silence to the Moroi building. I'd only ever been in here once with Lissa and that was on my first day, every other time we hung out it was in my room or Eddie and Mason's.
We were in the male section and walking in the hall leading to Adrian's dorm, it looked normal until I realised I hadn't come past another door in a while.
He looked at me and opened his door.
To say his room was huge was an understatement. He had a kingsize bed, a massive bathroom, his own kitchen, a few sofas and a massive TV, not like the one he had at his parents but still huge. There were clothes all over his floor but that's what I expected from Adrian. He looked at me guiltily and lead me to the couch. I crossed my legs over looking at him.

''Won't be long.'' He said kissing my cheek before disappearing into the bathroom.
I leant forward and looked at his coffee table. On it was an ashtray and a small stack of photos. I picked them up and looked at the first one.
It was of me and Adrian when I opened the door on the day of the ball. Adrian's mouth was open slightly, his eyes wide and I had a huge smile on my face and a blush covering my cheeks. I quickly realised these all had to be taken by Lissa. I put it to the back and looked at the next one. Adrian and I entering we both had serious yet playful expressions on our faces. I smiled to myself.
Next I found myself at a piano, singing. The next one was of me and Adrian singing together and looking idiotically at one another. Then it was the pictures from Adrian's mother's birthday loads of different shots of us kissing, just talking and us singing to one another.
I looked at the last few and was shocked, it was of Adrian and I kissing at the mall. I didn't even think she had her camera with her let alone her being that close to us. I looked at the last one and it was just after the kiss, Adrian and I had small smiles on our faces and were holding one another looking like the other person was the most precious thing in the world.
I smiled at them again before setting them back on the table. I got up and started to pick the clothes up off of Adrian's floor. I was almost finished when I heard him come out I turned to him and wow. I've said before that he had an amazing body but I can't stress it enough.

''You know, having you bent over, you looking at me like that and the fact that I'm naked really doesn't help at all.'' He said seductively but with a cheeky grin on his face. I grinned and rolled my eyes starting to pick up more of his clothes. I swallowed trying to keep myself calm that he was just in a towel. Just a towel. I felt myself shiver.

''Why are tidying my room anyway?'' He asked coming up to me, a smile on his face. I picked up the last of his clothes and put them in the unused wash basket. I held his chin with my thumb and index finger.

''Because, my dear, you're disgusting.'' I said lovingly before pecking his lips. He laughed and pulled me to him, my small frame against his rock hard abs. I looked up and smiled, he was staring at me with a grin of his face. He tucked some hair behind my ear and left his hand in my hair, he looked at me lovingly.

''I'm so lucky to have you.'' I laughed lightly.

''I feel sorry for you that you have all my baggage to deal with, I wouldn't say you were lucky.'' He shook his head and repeatedly ran his hand threw my hair.

''Whatever you've been through or whatever your going threw it makes you who you are and that's who I love.'' He said lovingly. I grinned.

''You bring out the lovesick teenager in me, never thought I'd see it.''

''Glad I could help.'' He said mischievously. We laughed in sync and just looked at one another for a moment. I hit his chest lightly and broke away from him.

''You need to get dressed.'' He pulled me back to him and held my cheeks kissing my forehead and going to his drawer.
He bent over and I cheekily looked at his ass. It was covered by the towel but it even looked amazing threw it.

''Rose, why are you looking at my ass?'' He said picking something out of his drawer and giving me a sly smile. I blushed but held my hands up as if to act innocent. He walked over to me.

''Were you checking out my butt?'' He asked a grin forming on his lips.

''Hey, it's your fault! You have such a god damn cute ass that I can't help but look.'' I put my arms around his neck and smiled innocently. We both laughed a little before pecking one another's lips.

''I could say that same about you.'' He whispered seductively, his hands sliding down from my waist to my butt. I grinned and giggled.
I actually giggled.
A blush took over my face. He looked at me and I could tell he liked my reaction. He let his hands linger there for a little longer before going back to his drawers.
I could still feel his hands there, Adrian having left an electric shock run threw my body as he always did. I just stood there and watched his muscles move, suddenly his body tensed and he stopped moving. I looked at his face and he was looking at me the same way he had when I was looking at his ass. I looked at him guiltily.

''You work out right?'' I asked.

''Yes, why?'' He replied a smile playing on his lips.

''I've never seen you work out. We should spar!'' I said it like it was the greatest idea in the world but Adrian looked at me doing that cool one eyebrow thing that I couldn't do.

''I don't think so.'' He said picking up the clothes he picked out and walking over to me.

''Why not?''

''Because I don't feel like getting my ass handed to me by my stronger-than-me girlfriend.'' He said laughing lightly. I frowned.

''Meanie.'' I said babishly crossing my arms over my chest. He laughed and kissed my forehead disappearing again into the bathroom.
I sat on his bed so I could see his entire room, other than the couch which was to the side and the TV; there wasn't much to look at.
I wondered if you were allowed to anything to decorate your room because Lissa's room was the same; plain.
Okay, she had a family photo or two but it's not like it really made much of a difference.
They both had their own rooms because their parents were so powerful, no one to share with, yet they had the most boring rooms.
I studied the room carefully making sure I memorized every inch, making sure I knew where everything was placed, just in case
There's no such thing as to careful. I did the same with every room I walked into, noticing quickly if something had moved.
I looked at the small table next to his bed. There was an alarm clock and a small wooden trinket box with a swirl and flower pattern. I picked it up inspecting it and as I was about to open it Adrian came out the bathroom. He looked alarmed that I was just about to open it and carefully took it from my grasp. I stood up.

''Curiosity killed the cat.'' He said menacingly, placing the box back on the table and standing infront of it. I ruffled my eyebrows at him.

''Why can't I look?'' I asked questioningly. He looked at me before hesitantly moving and putting the box in my hand.
It was clear that he was uncomfortable showing me whatever it contained but didn't want to say no to me. I handed it back with a smile. He looked at me confused.

''Show me when your ready, not because you feel you have to.'' He grinned at me and put the box on the small table again.

''You, are amazing and I love you.'' He said holding my waist tighter and leaning toward my lips. I grinned and went past his lips that were just about to touch mine. My lips were just touching his ear and I felt him shiver, I grinned to myself.

''You my darling, are hard.'' I whispered and pressed myself tightly to him. He didn't move but rather moaned pretty loudly, I smiled evilly to myself and moved away from his ear. I was about to look at him but he didn't allow me to he just attacked my lips, I reacted fast and our tongues had a battle before we broke apart and our foreheads joined together.I opened my eyes slowly just as his were opening to. We both had our natural smiles on our faces and I sighed in contentment. Adrian opened his mouth as if to say something but my stomach rumbled interrupting him. His mouth was open but he masked it with a laugh a blush appearing on his face. I looked at him silently telling him to tell me what he had to say.

''Let's go and get you some breakfast.'' He said moving out of my grasp and grabbing his wallet. He quickly joined me again and laced his left hand with my right. We walked out and fell into comfortable silence.
There were a few shares and whispers from people as we past but nothing I couldn't get over. I had just noticed what Adrian was wearing and my god did he look stunning. He was wearing a full out Ralph Lauren suit, minus the tie but including some black Ralph Lauren Polo Vaughn Canvas'.

Offt.

''See something you like?'' He asked staring down at me with a goofy smile. I bit my bottom lip.

''Like you wouldn't believe.'' I whispered. I heard his laugh which in turn made me smile.
We walked out of the Moroi building and that's when the real shit started.
Stares.
I couldn't explain it, it was almost as if they were expecting us at this very moment because everyone had stopped dead in their tracks, I didn't see a single person move. After 10 seconds of staring that's when the whispers started. It's not like I didn't expect it but hearing parts of conversation like 'Rose. Self harm. Crazy. Slut.' all in the same sentence did nothing for me wanting to beat the crap out of them.
Adrian had taken his hand from mine and wrapped it tightly around my waist. I felt him push me softly along and I finally got my legs to work.
I looked up at him and right then I knew he believed in me. He believed I was strong and he loved me. That's all I need. I wrapped my arm tightly around his waist and my steps grew confident. He squeezed my waist and I looked up at him again. He had a big grin on his face before looking confidently ahead with me at his side and it instantly put a smile on my face. He was proud of me and he wanted to show me off as his girlfriend.
I was surprised at how confident I was, I even had a huge smile on my face. They weren't so much looking at me or Adrian, but more my scars. I suppose they wanted to see if it was true and I guess I couldn't blame them for being curious. I was just named best fighter in the world and finding out that 'best fighter' has depression and self harms must be a lot to take in, on the other hand though I wanted to be selfish and use the 'what about me?' speech.
I shook the thoughts from my head and realised we were just about to walk into the cafeteria. We walked in and again more stares but there were a lot less people so it wasn't to bad. I looked around and I didn't see my friends yet.
He was heading toward the small lunch line but I steered him straight a head and I felt him look down on me.
''Feeders.'' I said looking up at him with a smile. He grinned at me and kissed my forehead. I had never actually been to the feeders before. I made a note of where it was but only upon passing by the door, I actually had never seen a Moroi feed but imagined it would be something that I didn't want to see.
We got there and I looked up at the small plaque that read, 'Moroi Feeding Unit', Adrian gave me a small nudge and opened the door. It wasn't that bad.
There was a line with a plumpish Moroi woman signing you in, small cubicles were all the feeders were and some chairs. We walked to the small line were again the few people that were here stared at us. He quickly signed in and we stood off to the side. I turned 360 degrees memorizing the room quickly and then felt Adrian stare down at me, he had a huge grin on his face.
''What?'' I asked confused. He lightly chuckled at me and pressed his lips to my forehead for a few moments and turned my body so I was directly infront of him and only a few inches apart.
''I love your little insecurities.'' I felt a blush appear on my cheeks and he looked at me. Just looked. He lightly brushed his right knuckle against my cheek
''We can't tell the future, the first kiss, the beauty of the world we know. Don't know what tomorrow brings but I'm still hoping that you are the one for me. What if I had you what if you had me and baby what's the reason we can't fall in love? What if.'' I stared up at him the whole time and he looked deep into my eyes, as if searching for my soul. A grin formed on my lips and we both leaned in at the same time meeting one another halfway as our lips met. It was just a simple kiss on the lips nothing more but it was still perfect.
Someone then nervously called Adrian's name and we broke apart looking at the plump Moroi woman who looked scared. I laughed under my breath slightly but Adrian heard it and I felt his eyes flick toward me.
I looked up at him with an innocent face and kissed his cheek lightly pushing him in the direction of the cubicle. He grinned back at me and walked towards the small cubicle, knowing I was looking after him he winked back at me and disappeared. I rolled my eyes but failed at keeping the smile from my lips, I walked over to the water cooler and filled up a plastic cup up with water and downed half of it before I felt someone walking toward me before I felt Adrian's arms around my waist I turned my head slightly to my right, our lips were about to touch just from being so close but as he leaned in I got out of his grasp and pressed the cup to his lips.
''Drink.'' I demanded holding the cup and tilting it until all its contents had gone. Without looking I threw it in the trash and looked through my bag before unwrapping a stick of gum and holding it out.

''You might like that taste but I certainly don't.'' I said feeding him the gum. He chewed it for a few moments, the grin never leaving his face.
''Better?'' He asked breathing in my face while holding my waist, making his hands meet at my back. I smiled and laughed a little.
''Much.'' I whispered as our lips met, he tasted like fresh mint. Our tongues had a small battle before we pulled back. He took my right hand with his left and we walked out of the door.
Everyone was up by now so it was very busy but, again, it seemed as if everyone just stopped and stared.
They all sort of moved to the side so we could walk down the middle of the corridor with ease. Adrian squeezed my hand. I looked up at him and he was looking down at me with his eyebrows ruffled.
''I think I swallowed my gum.'' I outright laughed at him and held the gum in between my teeth. He did a pouty frown and bent down taking the gum from my mouth with his tongue, looked down at me and chewed exaggeratively. I rolled my eyes at him and turned my gaze from his looking ahead as once again we were about to enter the cafeteria.
I swallowed hard and I held Adrian's hand tighter and he did mine to, sensing my nerves again. It was packed. The fullest I had actually ever seen it and it seems that Adrian and I were the main attraction.
They all looked at us, some taking pictures. Why? I don't know but I felt like punching them.
We breezily walked through with no one getting in our way and I tried to run but Adrian was like a dead weight so I let go of his hand. I stood behind some male Dhampirs who seemed to be talking about me but not yet realised that I was there.
''But she's so fucking hot, man. I'd fuck her. You know I hear she's a virgin, that's even sexier.'' The first said.
''I heard that too and that she's never had an orgasm. I mean wow how can you not like her.'' The other said. The first thing that came into my head with how they knew this.
Andre. I'm guessing he hadn't yet grown up.
They weren't talking quietly, which made me want to punch the two of them even more but I stayed silent wanting to listen to the rest of their conversation.
''She cuts herself, that's kinda kinky.'' The first guy said again.
''No it's not, it gross dude. That's the only thing that makes her unattractive. I mean have you seen the fucking train wreck on her arm? Nah, man.'' I clenched my jaw at the second guys comment.
''So you wouldn't ask her out if she became single and she got rid of that manwhore Adrian?''
''Hell yeah! But-'' I stopped him mid sentence by clenching his friends shoulder tightly. He looked over at me angrily but it soon turned into fear. I smiled innocently and held it tighter.
I heard his whimper, some might call it screaming in pain. His friend stepped back from me.
''Say all the shit you want about me but talk about Adrian? I'm not fucking okay with that.'' I half shouted.
I felt my hand clamp his shoulder tighter and tighter feeling the bones bend and go in awkward angles under my strength, any tighter and I would successfully have shattered it. He tried to get free but I was a lot stronger than him so he failed and cried in pain. I felt someone rush to my side and quickly drunk in Adrian's scent.
''Rose, let go.'' He whispered trying to reason with me in his naturally sexy and husky voice. He wasn't using compulsion, he'd never use that on me, but it was Adrian. Simple as that.
I clenched my jaw again and flicked my eyes toward his, his eyes stared into mine and reached for my hand which was clamping the guys shoulder; he was still crying out in pain. He touched my right hand, which was on the guys shoulder, and rubbed it lighting while trying to take it off. I released my hand and let Adrian take hold of it, immediately Adrian wrapped me in a hug. The Dhampir fell to the floor.

''I just saved your shoulder from being crushed. Go, before she and I break every bone in your body.'' Adrian spat with venom. His friend helped him off the floor and they didn't give us a second glance, running far away from us.
Adrian pulled back from me curled in his chest I looked at him.
''I can't leave you for 1 minute without you getting into a fight.'' He joked a loving smile on his face while taking his right hand and tucking hair behind my ear.
''He started it. I don't care that they were both talking about me, but then they started saying stuff about you. I'm not okay with that, the shit they were saying wasn't even true!'' I shouted hysterically. My small outburst didn't faze him but he continued to smile lovingly at me.
''I couldn't care less what anyone else thought of me, you know it's not true and that's all that matters to me.'' While Adrian was here I couldn't stay angry at anyone very long, he always calmed me down just by his presence. I smiled a small smile and sighed closing my eyes for a few seconds, rolling my shoulders and taking a deep breath then letting it out dramatically. I heard Adrian's laugh and opened my eyes, looking at him. His laughing died down and he put is right hand on my back and kissed my temple.

''I love you.'' I grinned. I never get tired of hearing him say that, it gave me butterflies.
Do I say it enough to him? He says it to me all the time maybe I should tell him more. Adrian rubbed my back and I looked up at him again.

''What you thinking about?'' He smiled.

''Do I tell you I love you enough? You say it to me all the time.'' I asked bluntly.
He looked surprised but a massive grin covered his perfect face. He turned me towards him and we were pressed together, my arms around his neck and his on my waist.
''No, tell me. Tell me.'' He demanded in a whisper, he sounded as if he was going to die unless he heard it.
Both of us were getting closer to one another's lips and I grinned looking into his eyes as he was to mine, the both of us looked at each others lips constantly too.
''I love you I love you I love you I love you. I. Love. You.'' I said finally as he quickly crashed his lips to mine. My hands quickly held his face and his held my waist tighter. I heard 'woos' 'get in there' and wolf whistles come from all around the cafeteria.
Adrian and I had the same idea and at the same time I stuck my left hand out as he stuck out his right, sticking our middle fingers up. Breaking our small tongue battle we both grinned against each other's lips. We opened our eyes and looked at each other whilst lacing our hands.

''You do say it enough, you say it a lot.'' He whispered, stroking my cheek. I grinned and kissed his forehead lingering it there for a few moments and pulled back, leaving our hands laced.
I had realised we had sort of moved out of the line and into an empty space and everyone surrounded us so it was like a circle. I looked at the lunch line, my stomach in need of food, and there was no one there, just the lunch lady who was looking at me a smile on her face.
I smiled in return and looked back up at Adrian who was looking down at me, his lips parted slightly and showing his fangs a little.
I was grinning like a fool at him but then saw some cameras flash. I whipped my head around fast and the people responsible looked into their 30s or 40s but as I was about to walk over to them and give them what for but Adrian held my waist tighter making me look at him.
''It doesn't matter, Little Dhampir. We shouldn't have to hide how we feel because of them. I love you, and I don't care if the whole world sees that.'' He smiled that perfect smile again making my heart melt and my knees buckle
I let Adrian hold my weight a little more than normal as I was tucked in his embrace, not wanting him or the people around us see me faint because of a smile when a Strigoi couldn't even do that to me.
He seemed to notice and I turned my head, a and blushed furiously. Slowly I was pulling away from him, feeling awkward. I was almost completely pulled away from him but he spun me fast so I was again pressed against him.
''I love your reaction to me.'' He said seductively with lust in his eyes. I gulped and felt my weight almost cave in under me but Adrian held me willingly, tilting me at almost a 90 degree angle, so he was looming over me and holding all my weight. He took hold of my left hand tightly and kept staring into my eyes, suddenly everything around me was blanked out and Adrian and I were in our own little bubble. I grinned up at him and he grinned at me wider.

''Can you stand?'' He whispered almost seductively. I gulped but nodded my head and he slowly raised me. I stood upright and we stared at one another, we didn't hold smiles but rather we held serious expressions.
''I never thought I could love someone this much.'' I was sure whoever else was around us heard what I said but I didn't care, right now it was just me and Adrian. He looked taken aback by my words and tucked some hair behind my ear.
''I never thought I would find someone who I want to..'' He looked afraid of what he was going to say and gulped.
''..want to spend my life with.'' I heard gasps but saw no people, instead I gave Adrian my complete attention. I was just looking at him shocked, not even Christian said that to me and we dated for a year.
I wanted him and only him for the rest of my life, whether I die young or live to be a grandma but I didn't know he wanted that too. To be completely honest I was scared, I didn't want him to run a mile if I said that to him, he had a lot more courage than I did.
I threw myself at him and I ended up straddling him on the floor, we were kissing urgently. My hands were on his face and his we hugging my waist tightly so I had no room to move.
All to soon we pulled apart, grinning. I kept stroking his cheek with my right thumb where as his hands pressed me tightly to him not budging.
''Wait, you know how much of an insecure mess I am right? I'm pretty strange, I'm aggressive and any other words for way too angry and messed up you can think of.'' I asked half seriously. He grinned.
''You're also smart, caring, loving, loyal, amazing, wonderfully weird and beautiful. The way I see it, it all comes as a package and I want to help you threw all the good times and all the bad ones because we're a team, we are now the package.'' I felt a tear about to fall but Adrian caught it with his index finger and cupped my cheek with his left hand. I lent into his hand and grinned. I kissed his wrist and hand lightly while my eyes were still closed then heard someone clearing their throat, obviously wanting our attention. I tightly closed my eyes.

''Mother fucker!'' I half shouted and looked up to find Stan cockily standing there looking down on Adrian and I.
Could I see a little fear in his eyes?

''What?'' I asked sharply and may I say rather rudely. Stan and I didn't exactly get along, he hated me for some reason and the feeling was mutual.
He was just an ass.
''Headmistress Kirova wants to speak with you.'' He said a little angrily.
''Shit.'' I whispered under my breath.
I knew this conversation was coming. There was the whole thing with Tasha, the 'disagreement' with the Dhampir I just had, I had no doubt they ran and told her, and of course I had no doubt that my 'mental state' was going to be thrown into the mix too.
The last I heard about Tasha was that she was still in hospital, I grinned at the thought but quickly got off Adrian anyway. I held my hands out for him to get up and he held them tightly, even though he didn't need them. He kissed my temple and linked our hands, we both looked at Stan expectantly and he held a cocky half smile with his arms still crossed.
''Alone.'' He said walking off muttering something with a colourful vocabulary.
Ass.
''I'll be fine.'' I said tilting his head down and kissing it walking off. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back.
''Don't be rude to her.'' He said seriously.
''Me? Rude? Never.'' I scoffed, but his face was serious.
''Rose.'' He warned and I just rolled my eyes at him.
''Fine. But if she starts then don't expect me to just stand there and take it.'' He grinned at me.
''Of course. Do you want me to get you some breakfast?'' He called out as I walked off. I turned back when I was 50ft away.
''Nah, I might get expelled. Don't want to waste good food.'' I winked and walked away with a smile.
''Nice ass!'' He called out to me. I held in a laugh and stuck my middle finger up at him as I kept walking away.
I turned the corner getting nearer and nearer to her office.
Obviously I didn't want to get expelled but to be honest I was doing just fine on my own. Hell, I only had Jose and my mother and I'm trained and I know a damn sight more than most of the Guardians in this place.
Everyone was still staring at me but I just kept walking with my head held high. I got to the door, about to just walk in but stopped myself. I'll start with acting like a princess by listening to her every word and doing everything 'by the book' as they say.
I knocked on the door and a few seconds later I heard her sharp voice.
''Come in.'' I opened the door and made a quick look around the room. She was at her desk with paper scattered all over it. Alberta stood by her desk and on the opposite side at the bottom of the three steps leading to her desk and filing cabinets, stood Stan.
I continued to look around and to my right sat Jose and Horatio. I quickly noticed Alberta move from her stance and whisper to Kirova, covering her mouth. After my quick sweep of the room I grinned at her.
''You wanted to see me, headmistress.'' Her eyes held shock and she resisted a smile from forming on her lips.
''Yes Rosemarie, please, take a seat.'' She said putting her pen down and linking her hands together, leaning her elbows against the table. I sat on the left of the room where 2 plain wooden chairs sat facing the wall opposite, or in my case, Stan. I set my bag down on the floor. To my right, and in direct view of Kirova, sat Jose and Horatio.
I was confused as to why they were here, surely this had nothing to do with them?
I looked at her expectantly a small smile on my face.
''Well Rosemarie, you know why you're here. You clearly need a punishment for what you did to Miss Ozera and Mr Donahue.'' I clenched my jaw trying to resist rolling my eyes at her and shout a string of swear words in her direction but she was watching me like a hawk. As were all the people in the room.
I simply smiled at her and she raised her eyebrows obviously expecting a repeat of what happened on my first day.
Let's just say Stan and I didn't even get to the start point. From first glance the both of us decided we didn't like one another, I only didn't like him because he was an ass, if he stopped then we might get along but that isn't going to happen any time soon so I guess we'll never get on.
Kirova picked her glasses up that were hanging from her neck and put them and the brim of her pointed nose. They were the sort of glasses that McGonagall wore in Harry Potter, you know, sort of half glasses.
She read for about 10 seconds then looked at me over her glasses then began to read again.
I quickly looked over at Jose and Horatio and both of them were looking at me. I mouthed 'What's going on?' and both of them shrugged at the same time, but they both turned away from my gaze too quickly for me to believe them. I wanted to say get the hell on with it but I don't think that would score me any points to be in her good books.
She read again for the next 30 seconds or so until finally she took off her glasses and let them hang around neck.
''Rosemarie, you have showed your exemplary fighting skills on a number of occasions, including when you had your spar with Mr. Novokov and when you sparred and trained with Mr. Vanderbelt but you have used these skills in such an appalling manor. You have put Miss. Ozera in hospital and she only awoke from her coma 2 days ago. Mr. Donahue's shoulder is broken in several places and fractured at least 12 bones, not including the damage you have done to his arm. He will not be able to train for months. This is all because of your negligence and bad temper-''
''Actually, I would like to point out that Rose is not negligent and she only ever fights another person if she is training or if they have pushed her to far. When Guardian Hathaway and I enrolled her here we notified all staff about this and they all, including you, headmistress, agreed not to push Rose to the point when she had gotten that angry. It is not her fault that you did not notify the students of this.'' Jose said proudly while standing. I wanted to run up to him hug him tightly for giving Kirova a angry and embarrassed expression. She coughed lightly.
''Mr. Vanderbelt, Rose attacked a defenceless Moroi would you like to explain to me why she did this, if this wasn't her being negligent?'' I stood from my seat and faced Kirova directly.
''Headmistress, I was not negligent with Tasha. Whilst I was on stage, hugging Adrian, she said she wanted to ask me a question, as I was doing a small interview with the people there, and she asked me why I was such a slut. She had riled my temper previously and it became clear that she did not like me as soon as we met. The last thing I would want to do is attack a defenceless Moroi but I would like to point out that Tasha is not defenceless. She gave me damn 2rd degree burn!'' I shouted the last sentence but other than that I sounded very formal and unwavering. Alberta, Kirova and Stan all looked at one another confused.
''This is the first we've heard of this Rose. Would you mind if we took a look?'' Alberta asked in a motherly sort of way.
I loved Alberta she was like another mother, she always took care of me and made sure I was okay.
I took my left arm out of my jacket and walked further toward Kirova's desk. Stan and Alberta leaned in as I took the dressing off. I gritted my teeth at the pain but held the dressing underneath it so I could just put it back on.
They gasped and Alberta moved my elbow slightly so they could see how far it went around my arm. The burn didn't meet so it rapped around my whole arm but it was close. I looked down at it and it was all blistered and wrinkled. The very pink wrinkly skin looked sticky and I almost wanted to touch it to see if my finger were to get stuck.
''She didn't say anything about this to me. Did she say anything to anyone else about using her power?'' Kirova said to both Stan and Alberta. They shook their heads and Kirova turned her head back to me.
''Rose, could you tell me the exact moment when Tasha gave you this burn?'' She asked concerned.
''When I had her against the wall, to try and get away from me she used her magic. She did this for about 30 seconds, my anger rose and she stopped then I threw her across the room.'' I said covering it up again and clenching my jaw at the pain as I put my arm back into my jacket. They whispered amongst themselves so I turned to Jose and Horatio. Jose was still standing and we smiled at one another before hugging.

''How have you been? How's your brother? Your mum and dad?'' I asked quickly just as I pulled away. He grinned at me.
''Their fine, Petre misses you though. So does mum and dad.'' I smiled.
I loved his family, I hadn't met them that many times but they welcomed me with open arms. I had been told his16 year old brother had a crush on me on my last visit by his parents. Jose was jealous because at the time we were sort of dating and because his brother was nearer my age he thought I might go off with him.
Petre wasn't trained like Jose. His mother and father let them both decide whether or not they wanted to be Guardians and Petre wanted a normal life. Jose taught him the basics like how to punch properly and initiate simple moves if he ever got into trouble but Petre quite happily went to a human school that was close to I went straight from school to Jose's place he would always go out of his way to wait outside school and walk me there.
I knew of course for a while that he liked me but I chose to ignore it and maybe he'd get over it quickly and like some human girl. Who wouldn't?
Petre had dark brown hair and grey eyes, he was gorgous and had a toned body, yet, he ignored all the girls falling all over him and just pissed about wth his friends like a normal teenager and I admired him for that.
''Glad to hear and what about you? You look, to put it lightly, like shit.'' He laughed.
''Oh Rose always so polite.'' He shook his head at me.

''I mean it, are you okay? Has something happened?'' I asked concerned whilst lightly touching his arm.
''It's nothing, flower.'' He said sadly.
''You're lying. What's happened?''
''Just tell her.'' Horatio piped in with is strong Russian accent. He looked just as bad as Jose did.
''Tell me what?'' I looked up at Jose and turned to Kirova, Alberta and Stan. They were all looking at me. Stan walked out of the room without a single word and Kirova cleared her throat.
''There has been a Strigoi attack. 4 Moroi and 9 Guardians were killed by a group of 7.'' I was shocked. For a while now I've been hearing Strigoi have been working together but not to this extent. I thought I was about to fall over. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
''When was this? Has the group been tracked? Where was the family attacked?'' I rushed my questions but I didn't care;
I needed answers.
''It was 4 days ago Rose. Everyone's doing their very best to track the Strigoi down. The attack was in.. Springfield.'' Kirova said hesitantly. My eyes went wide.
''I.. what? Why?'' It was silent and a minute went by with no one in the room saying anything, but they all looked at me.

''God damn it, tell me!'' I shouted to no one inparticular.
''Rose calm down.'' Jose tried to sooth. I whipped my head around to him.
''I will not calm down! I was only there there 2 weeks ago!'' I shouted at him and turned back to Kirova.

''Why were they there?'' I said in a slightly queiter tone. Kirova sighed and fiddled with the pen on her desk.
''One of the Guardians got fatally injured and he said that they were looking for you.'' Suddenly I put it together 3 of the 9 burnt and died add 1 and that's 7.
I staggered back and nearly fell over but Jose held onto me tightly.
''Guardian Willis said that their leader thought you might have gone home because of the.. events that happened.'' I laughed like a mad woman and flung my arms up in the air while quickly pacing across the whole room.
I started crying but can you blame me?That family got killed because Strigoi were looking for me.

''You can say it Kirova, it won't hurt any less. Everyone else is. I'm insane, unstable. I cut myself for attention. This was bound to come up in at least 10 conversations today, why not make it now? I may aswell sign myself over to Tarasov right now, at least there I can be with my kind of people right? I mean it wouldn't matter if anyone there were to get killed by Strigoi, their all crazy aren't they? I'm the crazy girl who 8 years ago told everyone that Strigoi were going to come for me. But no, everyone was to fucking proud to stand up to the truth.'' I continued.
''I warned you this was going to happen. Check my file I bet you it's in there. Just because I was a fucking 9 year old at the time doesn't mean I was crazy like my councillor said I was. She dismissed it as did everyone else because I was emotional at the time. My best friend got taken infront of me and I was powerless, 9 fucking Strigoi were infront of me and they just took him, this is the same group. 3 of them died right infront of me and now they have him. Please, you need to let me help.'' I was in front of her desk and holding onto it tightly. She was looking at what looked to be my file and reeding threw it. It was a pretty thick file compared to others my age.
She wasn't acknowledging I was there, she just ignored me and kept reading. She finished after what felt like hours later and looked up at me.
''You're right you did warn multiple people. In here it says you reported to your mother and Zoe that you saw Jamie multiple times in your dreams when you were younger, it was always different images and that he was in a dark room. Do you remember what else you saw?'' She asked seriously. I groaned.
''What does any of this matter? They were dreams! Dreams never mean anything, dreams are what you desire the most or your worst fear. At the time my worst fear was seeing him hurt and that's what I got, okay?'' I paced the room again, impatiently biting the skin around my thumb.
''Rose, it's important just try to remember. Remember the building, where he was kept.'' She said seriously. I looked at her face and I knew she wouldn't be making me do this unless it held something that she thought was valuable.
I tried to calm myself down, quickly wiping my eyes, I sat back in the chair and closed my eyes trying to get my breathing even. Once I had done that I began to 'reopen old wounds' as it were.
Dreams and memories I didn't want to remember resurfaced and I felt my eyes water before I found it. It was an old cottage in the middle of nowhere and they had him in the basement. I opened my eyes and quickly got off the chair.
''Paper and pencil, quickly.'' I rushed. They were put on her desk and I closed my eyes remembering the details of the cottage again and scribbling it on the paper. I opened my eyes and looked at it again. I turned the paper towards her.
''That's what it looked like in my dream but why do you need to know?'' She held the paper and looked at me seriously, like she had done before.
''Rose, I think you may be able to see another person or thing as if another person is looking at them. Before you accuse me of lying think, really think, have you ever had anything like his happen to you before?'' I rubbed my temples.
''Well when a Strigoi hurts my mother I feel like I'm there with her. I can feel everything she can, see everything, smell everything as if I'm there with her but I'm not her, I'm sort of watching it happen as if I'm another person there. It happens with Lissa and Adrian sometimes too. What does this mean?'' I asked curiously. I just assumed I was dreaming and that it wasn't real. I get curious of it's happening with my mother because then I get a sense of deja vu when she tells me her stories of killing Strigoi.

''This gift is from stories centuries old, Rose. No one has reported having it since. When something happens to the people you're closest to you get almost sucked in to them without being them, this is the only known case in existence.'' Alberta said softly, looking at me curiously.
''So you're saying that, I'm kind of side kick? Don't you think that's a little far fetched? I mean think about it, Dhampirs don't get powers. Moroi do. I protect, I fight, I kill.''
''This is protection. The best protection a Moroi could wish to have, someone who knows immediately if their charge is in danger. What you've drawn is a very accurate drawing of a place your friend was taken to. His feelings and how close you were with him must have been strong enough so that you would be sucked into where he was. There is a very high chance that the pack of Strigoi are still there and your friend could still be alive. I'll notify the Guardians.'' Alberta said pulling out her phone.
''No, wait.'' I said quietly.
''Rose there's no time, they could move at any moment.'' Kirova said softly yet impatiently.
''If what you're saying is true then he's gone. They turned him, it's to late.'' I said sitting down feeling tears flood my eyes again.
''How do you know?'' Kirova asked. I put my head in my hands.
''Because they kept him, they kept him until he was 18 so he could be as highly trained as possible but not strong enough so he could run away and take down all of them. They turned him so he wouldn't want to run.'' I shook my head and let a few tears fall down my face. I felt someone kneel infront of me and looked up to see Alberta. She put her hand on my knee.
''You saw it while you were in a coma didn't you?'' She asked, already knowing the answer. I nodded.
I heard Kirova stand from her chair and she stood in the centre of the room with her hands behind her back.
''I want the Queen down here, and I want the senior students with Spirit down here, now.'' Kirova said forcefully. Alberta smiled at me before telling Jose and Horatio to go and do something. Alberta walked out of room too while dialling a number and putting it to her ear.
I was left in a room with Kirova, this can never end well.

It was silent for about 5 minutes until she broke it.
''I know it is a subject which you do not like to hear Rose but we need to talk about your mental health.'' I laughed wiping my tears away. I stood up and walked directly infront of her.
''No, see, talking about my depression and whatever else I might have is fine but talking about..'' I hesitated not wanting the name to cross my lips.
''..Jaime, is something that I don't want to talk about, but here we are. This is all my fault, it always comes back to me. I was the stupid 9 year old who ditched class, I was the idiot who just stood there while Strigoi took my best friend, I'm the one who has this weird power, I'm the one who has depression and cuts, It's my fault that a whole family and Guardians got killed and I'm the one that needs to find him and kill him. Do me a favour Kirova, do not bring my mental stability into this because, right now, it doesn't matter. What matters is taking down the Strigoi that ruined my life in the first place.'' I raised my voice at her, I just didn't care what happened to me any more.
All I wanted was for the people I loved to be okay and for them to be safe and while these Strigoi were hunting me, they weren't safe.
Instead of giving me a disapproving look she gave me one of pride and admiration; She even managed a small smile.
''I can tell you love your friends and family very much and want them to be safe. I knew from the moment your mother enrolled you here you were going to be as good as her if not better and you've excelled past your mother by a long shot. You've been in a lot more fights and arguments than your mother but you are an amazing student Rose. Your grades from your human school are nothing short of excellent and you got A+ in every subject even though you got suspended 3 times for fighting, you officially completed high school when you were just 14 and graduated the top of all the seniors in the school's history.''
''Even though you graduated early you still wanted to stay in school to see if you could learn anything new. You are an amazing example of what a Guardian should be and you have a lot more training than any other Guardian I've ever met. Rose my dear, none of this is your fault. After that night you made one of the best decisions of your life and that was become one of the best Guardians in the world. You have reached your goal before you're even promised, you can ask no more from yourself other than to protect your charge the best you can and again you've shown this with Zoe when you bravely killed 3 Strigoi that were trying to kill her, you killed them with ease when you were just 15.'' She smiled wider.
''You can ignore what any other student says to you because you know you have already become a Guardian, you are years ahead of many Guardians and Moroi much older than you and at such a young age. I can only imagine how proud your mother must be but I for one am very proud to have a student who is eager to learn more even if they are already the best. I'm letting you go ahead and help with tracking the Strigoi and if the Queen gives the go ahead I'm happy to have you out there looking for them because I believe with Jose and Horatio as a team you three will be unstoppable and will accomplish great things.'' I kind of just stood there shocked. I didn't know what to say, I thought Kirova hated me, then she comes out with this.
I didn't know what to do, so I did something I'm good at; I hugged her.
It was awkward at first but then she relaxed and patted my back in return and even let out a small laugh. I pulled back from her.
''Thank you, Kirov- headmistress.'' I smiled and corrected myself.
''Come now Rose, I think you and I are on first name basis. Call me Ellen, or Kirova which ever you'd prefer.'' She smiled. I smiled back at her and felt myself relax slightly, not enough to let my guard down but I was less wired than before.
There was a rap on the door and Alberta poked her head in before walking in completely with Jose, Horatio, Lissa and Adrian in tow, the only Spirit users known in the world, although there were probably many more but they probably just thought they never specialized or didn't tell anyone that they have it or their locked in Tarasov for being insane.
Lissa and Adrian both stopped dead when they saw the sight of me, I couldn't blame them I'd been shouting and crying I wouldn't be surprised if my make up was completely ruined and all over my face. Adrian ran up to me and held my face in his big hands.
''What happened? What's going on?'' He shouted angrily around the room, I wanted to laugh.
I could tell he wanted to kill the person who made me cry.
Oh how I loved Adrian.
''Shh. It's fine, just listen to Kirova. I'm okay.'' I said smiling and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
I broke away from him and smiled at Lissa who looked horrified at the state of me too.
I sat on the same chair and opened up my bag pulling out my small bottle of water and drinking a little bit of it. I put it back in my bag a bought out my compact mirror.
Wow. I really did look a mess. My cheeks were red and my lips had the sort of smudge around them when someone's been crying. My eye-shadow was still perfect but I had some mascara down my face were my tears had streaked down my face.
I took out some of wipes I always kept with me and wiped all the make up off my face. I looked at myself again and my face was still a little red but I could live with that. I put my wipes and mirror back in my bag and took another sip of water.
It seems Kirova just finished filling them in. I didn't want to listen to it again so I zoned out as much as I could.
Lissa looked at me with tears down her face and her hand over her mouth and I could tell she needed to let out her sob so I gave her a small smile and stood up wrapping my arms around her. She let out a cry which I could tell she tried to make quieter but she failed.
''Shh, shh. It's going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you, do you hear me?'' I said fiercely. She broke away from me and tried to control herself, she was hysterical.
''I know I'll be- be fine. But you- you might get killed.'' That was all she got out before she started to cry again. I lead her to the chair that I was sitting in and knelt down infront of her and took both her hands in mine.
''Hey, hey. Don't cry on me. I'm going to be just fine, don't you worry about me. Worry about that sarcastic boyfriend of yours, when he finds out he might burn down the academy.'' I joked, Lissa's eyes went wide before she lightly laughed.
I got my hanky out of my bag, it was silk and it had my initials on. I had bought it because it was on sale and thought it was awesome but Lissa needed it more than I did.
I handed it to her and as she was about to wipe her eyes she looked at it.
''I can't use this, it's silk!'' She squeaked. I laughed.
''It'll come out, don't worry.'' I smiled one last time and stood up looking at Adrian who was in floods of tears as well. I gave him a small smile and that was all it took.
He collapsed on his knees and hugged my legs. I stroked his hair, trying to calm him.
He let out sobs that broke my heart, I had to bite my bottom lip to stop myself from crying again. He held my legs tightly while he continued to sob. I felt my chin quiver, about to cry, but stopped myself.
I need to be strong for him, for everyone.
I knelt on the floor and as soon as I did he looked to the floor and let his arms fall loosely by his side and lifted his chin so he could look at me. He stared into my eyes and more tears fell from his eyes. I felt tears well in my eyes but blinked them back. I smiled at him.
''I'm not going anywhere, okay? Just like I promised.'' I slid my hand along his jaw and cupped his cheek and stroked it with my thumb. His chin quivered and more tears fell down his face. He put his forehead to my shoulder holding me tightly, as I was him.
I felt a tear fall down my face.
Everyone in the room but Lissa and Adrian knew I couldn't guarantee coming back from a Strigoi hunt. I could be killed or turned. I didn't want to break that promise but being a Guardian it was what I've been trained to do; protect my charge and if that means dying for them, well, I was more than willing to do it. Adrian, Lissa or anyone else I cared for may not be my responsibility but I'm willing to die for them, without a doubt in my mind. If a bullet came flying at one of them I'd take it in a heartbeat. If a Strigoi was about to kill anyone else, even if they were my worst enemy, I'd rather be in their place and do everything I could to stop it.
I don't think younger Moroi really grasp the danger Guardian's go threw and that's why Lissa and Adrian are so sure that I'll come back. I tried to put it at the back of my mind and I'd deal with it when the time came.
He seemed to have calmed down so I pulled back from him and so did he but it was reluctant. I gave him a small smile and kissed his forehead for a lingering moment before making him stand up with me. I wiped his tears away making sure there was no wetness on his cheeks. He hasn't smiled since he entered the room and he looked distraught. That worried me because Adrian was always the one to light up a room, make everyone laugh and be the one who always smiled but not this time.
''Listen to Kirova, okay? She needs to speak with you and Lissa.'' He looked intently at me and nodded. I gave him a smile and went to walk towards Lissa but he grabbed my hand.
''Don't leave.'' He croaked, his voice grainy from his crying.
''I'm not going anywhere, I'm just going to talk to Lissa, okay?'' I said to him in an almost childlike manner. He hesitantly nodded his head and released my hand that he had tightly gripped.
I turned towards Lissa who was wiping her eyes again. I knelt infront of her and put my hands on her knees.
''Kirova needs to talk to you. Are you okay now?'' I asked, concerned. She took the handkerchief away from her face and it had black smudges all over it. She gave out a small shaky laugh.
''No. Sorry about your hanky, I'll wash it for you.'' I laughed a little at her.
''Don't worry about it, you keep it. You need it more than I do.'' I smiled and stood up. She smiled at me and stood with me walking over to where Adrian stood.
He was staring at me and he looked exhausted and it looked like it took all his strength just to stand. I walked over to him and wrapped my right arm around his waist to try and help him. He looked down at me and managed a small but genuine smile. He snuck his arm around my waist too, holding onto me tightly as if I was about to disappear right before his eyes.
Kirova looked at me with genuine shock but I also saw a huge amount of admiration in her eyes. She cleared her throat quietly and paced a little infront of us.
''You two are the only known Spirit users in the world, we are finding new things about Spirit as time goes by, it has come to my attention that Rose has an ability in which she be 'sucked' into other people's environments. She can hear whatever the person can and has a perspective as if she's there but she's still in the persons mind, so knows what their thinking. The both of you have been training with one another at the supervision of Guardian Petrov and she has said you are both strong in reading auras. I would like you both to check Rose's at the same time and I want you to tell me any abnormalities, whether they have a small or huge affect on her aura compared to others. Are you both okay with this?'' She seemed so serious but even thinking that I had a 'power' made me want to laugh. They looked at her puzzled.
''Excuse me, headmistress. I hate to question you but what exactly are we looking for?'' Lissa asked curiously. She couldn't just stick with the whole 'look for anything weird' thing could she?
Kirova sighed.
''To tell you the truth, Vasilisa, I'm not entirely sure. I want to see if Rose has anything strange in her aura compared to those with a normal aura.''
''If I may, Ellen, but from what I have learned from Spirit, and the several books I have read, no one has a normal aura. They are all unique, for example those who posses Spirit have an aura ringed in gold. Those that are happy they have an aura ringed in yellow. Perhaps a better request might be if they see something in my aura in which they've never seen before and we could research any findings.'' They all looked at me shocked. I sounded intelligent and I was happy with myself for actually reading those books at the right moment.

Who's awesome? Rose is.

Kirova gave me a grin. Not a full one but the biggest smile I've ever seen on her.
''Well done Rose. Yes, do what Rose suggests and if there's anything, even if it's minor, please tell me.'' I broke away from Adrian but he didn't want to let go. I stood back a couple of steps.
issa, who was on the other side of Adrian, came and stood infront of me and at the same time both her and Adrian looked at me intently.
I felt embarrassed under both of their staring but darted my eyes between the both of them before settling my gaze on Adrian. He looked as if he had been crying again which made me turn away from him.
A minute passed then Lissa broke out of it. I immediately looked her to make sure she was okay. She looked fine and not worn out but I could tell something was bothering her.
''What's wrong Liss? Do you need some water? Do you need to sit down?'' I said quickly going up to her, about to lead her to a chair. She gave out a small laugh.
''I'm fine Rose, really.'' She smiled and turned to Kirova. Adrian was still looking at me but not for my aura. Just staring. He walked up to me and laced my right hand with his left.
He turned to Kirova too.
''Well?'' She asked impatiently.
''Well, Rose's aura is something I've never seen before. The whole thing. It's just so crammed with emotions like she's feeling all of them at once but from what I've read and learnt a Dhampir, Moroi and humans can only feel up to 3 emotions at a time. A Spirit user can feel up to 4 but Rose, she has 7. A Spirit user is known to crazy with that 4th without some kind of release whether that be anti depressants to ease off their powers or any self medication like Adrian's drinking and smoking. According to the books and stories, and no disrespect to Rose, she should be completely insane.'' I suppose I kinda had that coming. I am a damn mess most of the time.
''Could you tell me which emotions Rose has in her aura?'' Kirova didn't look at anyone but kept her face to the floor, pacing. With her right arm behind her back, her hand flat against her back and her left hand was to her face almost as if she wanted to bite her nails.
''When she wasn't looking at any one thing I saw anger, frustration, confusion, sadness and pain. When she looked at me happiness and concern appeared as well then when he looked at Adrian, well, it gets a little confusing. Her aura sort of dulled out every other emotions and love filled it's place, it's the kind of love where the aura is extremely bright but to get to that level of love the other person needs to love you too, the other emotions were still there but they were faded. It was the fastest change in emotion I've ever seen, faster than a heartbeat, all of them came back to normal brightness and the love for Adrian, dulled and mixed in with the others. It was still easier to spot though, and added to it was heartbreak and the pain in her aura enhanced. She was feeling all of this as well as a constant fading. I had discussed this with Adrian before we left to Mr and Mrs. Ivashkov's as well as having a conversation with him on the plane and from what we know this means that Rose..'' Lissa hesitated not wanting to say it.
''Dying. A fading aura means that I'm dying.'' I finished for her. Kirova's head turned in my direction faster than I thought possible and she looked at me with disbelief. Then looked to Lissa and Adrian.

''Are you sure? Have you ever seen this on anyone else before?''
''We both have when we had seen a Guardian get shot. I'm sure you are aware of the situation but his aura showed complete normality then when he was shot his aura kept fading until he announced dead the exact same time as his aura was completely gone. This is why it confuses us Headmistress. According to everything we've found and learnt, Rose should be insane and dying.'' Lissa still sounded as if she couldn't believe it herself. Kirova nodded her head and looked at Adrian.
''Is this what you see to, Lord. Ivashkov?'' She asked almost hesitantly.
''Almost exactly the same apart from the faint black dots the appear and reappear. I was only just able to see them as her aura changes so much but when she's looking at me they disappear completely and reappear when she turns away. I've never seen anything like it before.'' His voice held confusion and determination.
I had no doubt we would find out the cause but when was a completely different matter.
''And you don't see this Vasilisa?'' Kirova asked. Lissa shook her head.
''I don't know if this is to any relevance but when Rose was in hospital after her spar I was able to heal her, but when she was in hospital after she.. I couldn't heal her but Adrian could. Anyone who had watched both Adrian and I, know that I am a very strong at healing whilst healing is his weak point. I had blood and food while he didn't and I was well hydrated. What I mean is; I wasn't able to heal Rose but Adrian was. It was almost as if her body repelled my healing.'' Lissa didn't want to point out my cutting knowing it was a touchy subject, still, I didn't what her to feel as if I couldn't talk about because I would and can.
''Have you had anything like this Ivashkov?'' Kirova asked, not bothering with titles.
''When I was with Rose and she was sleeping she was having a nightmare. I, like Lissa, have a stronger power which is dream walking. I wasn't able to get into her dreams, it was like she was stopping me from seeing what she was having a nightmare about and as Lissa said; it felt as if she was repelling my powers.'' I felt all their eyes go on me. I just stood there and I felt like a circus act.
''What, may I ask, were you dreaming of Rose?''
''I was running threw a forest screaming and I was wearing a ripped white dress with blood and dirt all over it, I had no shoes on either. My hair was loose, sticking up everywhere and it had leaves and twigs in. I had blood all over my face and arms. I was crying and kept looking back, I was panicking because I knew I was being followed then I crashed into something and fell on the floor, I was surrounded by 4 people. Their faces were blurred but they were laughing at me and they way they laughed lead me to believe they were men. Then I called for Adrian and begged him not to let them hurt me. Then I woke up.'' I repeated the dream uneasily. I actually felt sick while telling them the dream.
Kirova said nothing she was just looking at me like many people have all day.
''You 3 take the rest of the day to research and find anything you can. Take any resources you might need to carry out this task and come back to me at the end of the day.'' She wrote something on some paper and gave it to me and said that we were allowed to take anything from anywhere in the school, even if the teacher were to be worse off without it, to carry out a project. She gave me another note.
''Get Mr. Ozera to help you. Classes will have started by now so I trust you not to cause trouble. Come back to me at the end of the day to report any findings you may have. I will call to you 3 when the Queen arrives.'' I grabbed my bag and she smiled at me a final time before we walked out. I shut the door behind me and sighed.

It's been a while.
Yeah. I suck. I know.
You guys rock for sticking with me though!

-Chloe x