Chapter 10

DPOV

Once the sun set we decided it was best to tread swiftly through the Flathead National forest heading west though to Ceur d'Alene Forest. I came up with a plan that Rose was not so keen on a first.

"Roza I think there still might be some abandoned houses in Spokane that will be able to shield us during the day time?" Rose whipped her head around to stare incredulously at me.

"Spokane, you really want me to go back there after everything that happened? You know how hard it is for me to forget that experience. How I wasn't able to save Mason!".

I knew that this was going to be hard for her and in her voice I could tell that she couldn't believe what I was suggesting and within the next moment her face was blank of all emotion looking out into the distance. It seemed as though she was transfixed in a moment in time recalling that awful place where Rose had lost her lifelong friend and a lone tear leaked down her face. This really shook me up because I still could not fathom these feelings Rose still seemed attached to which consisted of love, sadness, guilt and regret. I could not get my head around the way she still seemed so human. I was starting to think it might have been because she was shadow-kissed and it may have affected her soul during the transformation keeping her emotions in tact. Or it could be just delaying her transformation. I shook my head I didn't want to believe that my Roza could slowly be turning into the monsters I was sworn to kill.

"Roza that place has tortured both of us but I think it is our only option for now while we try and find a more permanent situation!". I tried to sound as sincere as I possibly could in an effort to persuade Rose because I believed that we had no other option. Rose seemed to understand my logic and let out a long exasperated sigh.

"Fine, you're right but it is only temporary and I am not going back to that same house!". Rose was quick to defend her initial hesitance to the idea and I was mortified to comprehend that Rose would really believe that I would go back to the same house.

"No Roza I would never ask that of you!, I know some other houses that were abandoned in the same area and have the same safety value. The guardians have already searched and evacuated them all and will most likely not think to check those houses again, so we can be safe for now." At least that is the usual protocol.

"Yes you're right ok lets go" There was determination in Rose's voice.

"Great this way". I lead us to Spokane in need of much required protection from the outside world.

Finally we found a house that suited our needs and to our astonishment I managed to find some canned food in the cupboards which was such a relief because it had been so long since my last meal and I was famished. There was coat of dust around the place but it made for a very comfortable hideout. The basement was fully cloaked and there were two rooms with queen sized beds in them. The living room was quite cosy with cream painted walls and a TV on top of a mahogany T.V. cupboard and to make things even more peculiar there was a X-box console in one of the draws. The former Strigoi must of really enjoyed their entertainment unit when they weren't feeding and torturing their victims.

"Well this is interesting!" Rose pointed to the X-box games which consisted of all The Assassins creed series. I lifted my eyebrow at the peculiar arrangement.

"Hmmm, very strange"

"Hey comrade, hungry?" I was thrown off my her question.

"What do you mean?". I was worried that Rose wanted to feed off of me and that I would get a taste of that sweet euphoria... I had to bite my tongue and I fisted my palms until my nails drew blood so that I could try and forget the unnatural feeling that came with the thought of Rose biting me. I hoped my Guardian mask could hide my torment as I tried to fight against the mixture of pain and longing.

Rose seemed confused.

"You haven't eaten in 3 days comrade you must be starving for some food?"

My shoulders instantly relaxed but at the same time I felt a pang of disappointment as I realised that she was asking if I was hungry for food.

"Oh right yes I am a little hungry and I think I saw some canned food in the pantry, I'll go and check it out".

I made my way to the kitchen and discovered a can of baked beans as well a bowl and a tin cutter. I poured the beans, that was mixed in with a tomato sauce in the bowl and put it in the microwave waiting until it was nuked. All the while Rose slipped in behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I was still on edge when in came to Roza even though we made such passionate love, but now that I wasn't controlled by my second brain I was able to gather my thoughts and what happened was not right. I flinched away from her touch in that instant but with her hands cloaked around me I had no where to move so I slowly turned around to face her.

"Rose what are you doing?". I needed her to see that my guard was back up and that I was not going to rush into any shenanigans but when I looked at her I saw hurt in her eyes. Damn it, I felt terrible. How could I have lead her on like that, I was an absolute ass-hole.

"I want to be with you, I thought after last night?". Rose couldn't understand by cold behaviour and to be honest neither could I but I was so confused.

"I don't know what happened last night, I don't know how I let myself go like that".

It was the truth! I did love Rose and I would keep my promise to stay by her side and protect her but I couldn't be with her like that again it wasn't right. She just couldn't understand what I was saying, but in the next moment I saw a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"What do you mean to tell me you didn't you enjoy what we did?".

Rose leaned forward and started to press her self against my body in a very suggestive manner.

"Please Rose I don't think this is right". I tried to push her away but her just body felt so good especially when her right hand snaked down in between us and made its way down to my every so wanting member.