Authors Note:

Aaaaand here's chapter ten [:

Disclaimer:

Do not own Vampire Academy or any of it's canon characters / places. The only part that are mine and those that I have added to the story - mostly Dimitri's thoughts. This is purely a fanfic for your reading pleasure - I do not profit from it except from reading nice reviews :D

Recap:

"Enough," I ordered, and began to steer Rose away from the Ozera kid, who seemed frozen with shock and hurt.

"Thanks for 'helping,' then," He snapped back at her as I lead her away.

"No problem," She called, her voice still dripping with dislike. I shook my head at the childishness of it all. I lead her towards the female Dhampir dorms and instantly she began to stalk inside, clearly still in a foul mood. She didn't even say a word as she left, and I felt a slight twinge of hurt at it, which was ridiculous really. Why should it matter if she says good night or whatever?

Only it did to me, and again I was aware of how wrong that was.

I made my way back towards my own room, feeling drained. Climbing in bed, I once again fell back in my normal bedtime routine of laying in bed, the image of Rose half naked running through my mind, only this time it was coupled with the image of her laying under me, of the feel of her pressed against me…

Something had to be done about my inappropriate feelings towards her, that much was for certain.

I knew that trying to sleep was a lost cause, especially once I had began the 'Rose thought train' as I referred to it. Instead I flicked on one of my side lamps and began to work through a couple of chapters on my novel, hoping the storylines of the wild west would distract me enough to allow sleep to peacefully consume me. I had been reading for an hour or so when the sudden beep of my cell phone almost made me leap out of the bed in surprise.

Reaching over for it I glanced down at the caller ID with wonder, curious at to who would be calling me at this time.

"Paula?" I asked, confused as to why the Guardian dorm matron would be calling me at such an hour. "What's wrong?" I asked, wondering if there was some sort of problem that they needed my help with. I heard her sigh on the other end, clearly not impressed herself with having to call me, her voice low as though she was trying to avoid being heard. My interest spiked.

"Sorry for calling so late Belikov, but there's a novice down here who wants to see you…" I felt my heart rate suddenly pick up. There was only one novice who I knew who would be reckless enough to risk calling for me like this at such an hour. Instantly though, I was on high alert.

"I'll be right down." I told her, hanging up my phone as I leaped out of bed and pulling on a pair of jeans and a loose black top. Slipping my feet into a pair of black sneakers I made my way out of my room and down the stairs, pushing them open expectantly.

Rose stood a little to the side of the matron sitting close to where I had just come from, her face impassive, though it had been clear from her tone she did not approve of this behaviour. However, one look at Rose's face and I knew the reason she was here, and instantly I felt the tension in me rising as I said one word - or name, rather.

"Lissa."

Rose nodded, and without another word to one another we quickly made our way over to the Moroi dorm. The mid-afternoon sun shone down on the two of us, and instantly I felt the warmth the feeble rays offered. It wasn't often I got a 'night' shift - which was daytime in our world - so any chance to feel the sun was bliss to me. I didn't let me enjoyment showed however, as I stayed calm and poised for whatever was to come.

We stepped into the Moroi dorm and was instantly confronted with the Moroi dorm matron, who made as if to stop us. I gave her a look, signalling with this was serious and she instantly backed down as we swiftly made out way to the Princesses' room with her following. When we had reached the door, Rose turned to face us, her expression worried.

"She's in the bathroom." She informed us before heading into the room. I hesitated, a little caught off guard to hear she was in the bathroom though the matron instantly stepped forwards to follow. Immediately Rose was there, stopping her.

"She's too upset. Let me talk to her alone first." I saw her eyes flicker to me, as though looking for backup. I considered this a moment, wondering what the situation could be that the Princess was alone in her bathroom upset. Eventually I agreed.

"Yes. Give them a minute." I told the matron, who stared at me in shock as Rose shut the door slightly, though not fully, just enough so that we couldn't hear anything going on inside. The matron - who's name I believed to be Cathy - gave me a look that clearly showed she wasn't impressed with all this.

"What's the meaning of this Belikov? You know Rose isn't allowed here, it's past curfew!" I nodded, feeling on edge as the moments ticked by with no response from Rose.

"I am aware of that." Was I all I said to the matron, who was still staring at me in shock.

"Then what are you doing bringing her here?" She demanded, her anger now showing at my lack of answers. I resisted rolling my eyes, in no mood for Cathy tonight. She was too eccentric for my liking.

"She needed to check on the Princess."

"Check on the Princess? Why? Is there something wrong with the Princess I have not been informed of?" She had taken a step towards me, and I instantly felt my own anger bubbling up at this insufferable women, though I kept it in check along with my expression. My tone, however, was slightly harder. I was becoming impatient.

"No, there is nothing wrong with the Princess you needed to be informed of. Now if you'll excuse me…" I had suddenly had enough of waiting out here with Cathy, and pushed open the dorm rooms door, my eyes instantly moving to the bed, wondering if it would show the gore of another dead fox. The sheets were clean, however, and instantly I made my way over to the bathroom door, knocking. I heard muffled voices from the other side.

"It's okay, come on." It was Rose's voice. I knocked on the door, wanting to know what 'it' was.

"Rose?" I called out.

"Just a sec" She responded, before the sound of the water running from the sink. I hesitated with my hand near the handle, wondering what was going on before I was aware Cathy had moved up beside me.

"We're coming in" She called, and pushed my hand away as she barged into the bathroom. I stepped in with her, taking in the situation, rushing to the girls instantly as I took in the blood smeared on the Princess's face. My eyes widened in shock. She seemed to realise and instantly she spoke up, her words slightly rushed.

"It's not mine" She promised, though I wasn't sure I was convinced. "It… it's the rabbit…" She suddenly stammered, and instantly I began to look her over, looking for confirmation of her words. She seemed unharmed, anyway, and I was relieved before my mind them processed her words. Rabbit?

"What rabbit?" I asked, and instantly she turned, pointing the trash can. He hand shook slightly.

"I cleaned it up. So Natalie wouldn't see." My eyes widened at her words as I made my way over to the trash can, wanting to see for myself. Rose had followed, and instantly I felt sick. It was hard to tell clearly if it was a rabbit, since it seemed to be primary just blobs of gore and bloody tissues, but it was clearly something. Something that should not be in the Princesses' room.

I turned back to the Princess, bending so I was eye level with her. I reached to the toilet paper and ripped off several pieces of tissue, handing them to her gently.

"Tell me what happened." I asked, and she instantly launched into her story, her voice hesitant.

"I came back about an hour ago. And it was there. Right there in the middle of the floor. Torn apart. It was like it had…exploded." She suddenly sniffed, and instantly I felt my heartstrings pull. "I didn't want Natalie to find it, didn't want to scare her… so I-I cleaned it up. Then I just couldn't… I couldn't go back…" Her voice began to waver towards the end before she finally burst out in tears. I leaned back, glancing towards the Cathy as she suddenly spoke up for the first time since entering the room.

"No one should be able to get into those rooms! How is this happening?" She demanded. That was what I wanted to know. I turned to the Princess again.

"Do you know who did it?" I asked her, trying to keep my tone as gentle as I could though inside I was livid with anger. Who would be sick enough to do something like this? The princess twisted her body, reaching in her pajama bottoms pocket and brining out a crumpled piece of paper soaked through with blood as she showed us it. I felt my blood boil at the words scrawled across it.

'I know what you are. You won't survive being here. I'll make sure of it. Leave now. It's the only way you might live through this.'

Cathy suddenly whirled around, her expression clearly determined as she began to stalk out of the room, livid.

"I'm getting Ellen." She announced, and I agreed. This was definitely a serious matter that needed Kirova's attention.

"Tell her we'll be at the clinic." I told her as she was leaving and I saw her nod briefly. Once she had left I turned back to the Princess, suddenly worried for her.

"You should lie down." I told her, knowing that this had obviously been a distressful event for her. She was clearly shaken up, though she made no attempt to move. Rose stepped forwards, linking her arm through hers and began to lead her out of the room.

"Come on, Liss. Let's get you out of here." I followed them both, keeping on high alert as we left. As we entered the clinic, a nurse stepped forwards and after taking one look at Lissa offered to wake up one of the Doctors, her face a mask of concern. I shook my head at her.

"She just needs to rest." I formed her, and she nodded, her eyes taking in the sight of the clearly distressed Princess leaning on Rose heavily. Without another word, she lead us towards the clinics many narrow beds and offered one to the Princess to take. With the help of Rose, Lissa was soon stretched out across one of them, still looking shaken up. Kirova entered shortly after we did followed by three on duty Guardians. Kirova clearly looked angry, and I knew she had been informed of the situation from Cathy - saving me the trouble of having to explain it to her now. She began to question the Princess, but instantly Rose was standing in front of her, blocking her efforts.

"Leave her alone! Can't you see she doesn't want to talk about it? Let her get some sleep first!" She shouted, and instantly I cringed. She still lacked discipline, and i knew that reflected on me.

"Miss Hathaway, you're out of line as usual. I don't even know what you're doing here." She looked around as though looking for the culprit, and instantly I stepped forwards.

"Kirova… do you mind if I speak to you privately in the hall for a moment?" She gave me a look that indicated that she did mind, but never the less allowed me to lead her out into the hallway, her expression disapproving.

"What is the meaning of this Belikov? Why is Rose out of her room after hours?" She demanded, though her voice was just a whisper. She was definitely angry.

"Rose came to me earlier and told me that there was a problem with the Princess. I brought her here" I informed her, and instantly I saw her face twist to confusion.

"Rose came to you? How could she had known…" She muttered, though I instantly stepped in.

"Their bond. It's clear that Rose had sensed the Princess's distress and instantly stepped forwards to report it. We're lucky she did, the Princess seemed to have been trying to clear the mess herself…"

"Well." She seemed suddenly at a loss for words. "Be that as it may, it does not give her the right to be here now! She's already on probation, and she had no right to tag along. It's doubtful her being here is of any use to the situation…" I held up my hand to silence her as i stepped in for Rose's defense.

"In all due respect, Ellan, I think Rose being here is the perfect solution. It's clear the Princess has been emotionally shook up during this ordeal. What she needs now isn't us lecturing her or asking questions, it's a friend. She needs Rose there." Kirova stopped to stare at me a while, obviously assessing my words. Eventually she sighed.

"Fine." She announced, though she clearly wasn't happy about it. Without another word we both made our way back into the room and turned to address Rose and the Princess.

"You may stay with her for a little while. We'll have janitors do further cleaning and investigation in the bathroom and your room, Miss Dragomir, and then discuss the situation in detail in the morning." I saw Rose appraise me as she spoke before turning her attention back to the Princess.

"Don't wake Natalie, I don't want to scare her. I cleaned up everything in the room anyway." The Princess whispered, though Kirova looked doubtful. With a nod to me and the other three guardians as I sign it was time for us to go, Kirova lead the way out of the room, leaving the two girls in peace, though I had wanted to stay.

Once we was outside, Kirova stopped to turn to each of us, firing off instructions quickly.

"Marcus, go to Cathy in the Moroi dorms and see to it the… mess is cleared. Also check for any signs of forced entry or anything else that shouldn't be there. God forbid any other dead animals are in the room." With a nod, Marcus tore off across the campus towards the Moroi dorms. Next, Kirova turned to the other two Guardians

"Ralph, James, go see to it that security is stepped up at the Moroi dorms. I want to make sure the only ones getting into the Princess's dorm room are herself and her roommate. Nobody else. Question Cathy and the matron before her for information. I want to know who went in that room and what time starting from this morning." They each nodded as they in turn tore off towards the Moroi dorms. That just left me.

"Dimitri… I want a full report on what happened tonight on my desk by tomorrow morning. I expect you to tell me exactly what happened tonight since i assume the Princess will have informed you." I nodded my head, and instantly Kirova relaxed, suddenly looking concerned and tired. It was obvious that this ordeal was tiring for her as well, and that she had been woken up form sleeping to see to this.

"I'm not sure what's going on here, but this is more than a teenagers idea of a sick joke. I want this to end, now. That girl has been through enough in her life without this added on top of it all…" She sighed, before giving me one last look. "Well, that's all. Get some rest Belikov. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day." With a final nod to me - which I returned - she began to make her own way towards the Moroi dorms, leaving me alone outside the clinic.

I turned, giving the doors one last wistful glance before making my way back to my own room now feeling tired enough to sleep, my mind still going over who could have done this and their reasoning, the words in the note swirling in my mind.

Whoever it was, clearly wanted the Princess gone.

Authors Note:

[: Should have the next chapter up tomorrow since I'm off to bed now ^_^ Hope you enjoyed it :D