A/N: If by any chance, you are doubting whether Strigoi has the capacity to love, Richelle Mead said herself in a chat interview that yes they can (like Christian's parents), just in a different, really twisted way. Like destroy-your-beloved-if-you-can't-have-her kind of way.

And quoting Slughorn: Never. ever underestimate the power of obsessive love. :)

Thanks to my beta extraordinaire, Zmeyette. I hope we can still work together someday :)

Disclaimer: Vampire Academy and its characters belong to Richelle Mead. No copyright infringement is intended with the writing of this story.

Epilogue

I will always love you.

Standing by the window, where the glass was shattered to form a hole… I stood there, my gaze on the maze gardens. I closed my eyes, her words washing over me again and again, as I recalled her last words to me. As she plunged that stake to my heart that she did because of love—not hatred for what I've become.

My beautiful, strong Roza had almost succeeded in killing me. If I had not twisted my torso in time, she would have stabbed my heart. I was careless, because I was overcome with dread that she was going to jump off that bridge. Which she did, and I barely held on to her.

And like the warrior that she was, she took advantage of my weakness when she stabbed me without an ounce of hesitation in her eyes.

And again, it was so like Rose to forget another important lesson of mine. Never turn your back until you know your enemy is dead. She had been certainly fooled by my slackened expression after she staked me. Innocent, naïve Rose. I could not help a fond smile.

I stepped over the crumpled bodies of Oleg and Inna that were broken on the floor to sit on one of the plush armchairs. Their blood had already dried up on the carpet.

I had no use for them anymore—they let Rose escape. Humans were only good for food or to toy with, and none of them deserved to be awakened. How pathetic… that a weakened teenage girl could have escaped from the humans that Galina had tolerated.

Of course, I should have expected nothing less from my best student. I had counted on the fact that my bites would drug her until she succumbed to me—but looking back, those last days where she would refuse me to drink from her… she was already plotting escape then. Against all odds. And she succeeded to get away from me.

The only woman I had ever wanted. We are each other's equals… that night only strengthened my belief in this.

In the corner of my eye I saw Nadiya frown at me, guessing perhaps that I was thinking again of Rose. When Galina died, a large number of leaderless Strigoi had come to her estate—which was mine now—to come look for a new leader. I had healed fairly quickly when the silver stake dislodged from my chest as I fell in the water, and when I returned to the mansion to face the convening Strigoi, I was weakened but otherwise able to hold my ground against the others. Galina had already said that I was her right-hand—the second-in-command if she was not around. Little did she know that I would be the one to cause her permanent absence—with help from Rose.

It was in this library where Galina had tried to kill Rose and I was just in time to intervene. There was a war of emotions in Rose's eyes when she had to decide whether to jump from this window, or help me stake Galina. In the end, she still chose me.

That silver stake was now in my hands, wrapped in a thick cloth. It did not leave my grip even when I returned to the estate… until now. This was a reminder of Rose. Her strength, her will to fight me, and her resolve to free me. She had it the other way around. She was the one tied to her Guardian fate—dying in vain as she absorbs Lissa's darkness day by day. And I will be the one to free her.

The heavy doors of the library opened, and several newly recruited Strigoi came in. They were all obedient and willing to follow authority—I knew exactly how to manipulate them and make them work for me. I had observed Galina very closely.

I nodded for one of them to speak.

A young Strigoi came forward. "We have received word from our contacts that Rose Hathaway had already been arranged a very secure transport from Novosibirsk to Moscow."

That was fast. I expected a few days more. From Moscow, it would be to Amsterdam, and then… United States. Not that it was such an impossible hindrance, but I was suddenly stabbed by infuriation—someone was very eager to ship her back home.

"Who arranged it?"

The Strigoi cringed slightly at my tone. "Ibrahim Mazur."

Rose's father. So he had thwarted me yet again. We have met once, and it was not a pleasant encounter. Not to mention that his connections and underground militia was almost as menacing as an army of Strigoi. Well, almost.

My grip tightened on Galina's stake. Another obstacle between Rose and I.

"No matter." My lips curled into a smile. "There are still many things to be done, before we execute our plans."

Nadiya spoke up, irritation in her features. "Are you certain the Dragomir princess will fall into our hands once this is over?"

I didn't look at her—my eyes were only for the stake. "If we execute this right, yes. I know how they think."

I know their plans, their security detail. Even if they switch, the foundations are already there—it would take a long while before the guardians can change everything. I know this because I've contributed to those myself.

She stepped in front of me, demanding attention. "Why can't you let the dhampir go? I don't believe her being an asset trumps her being a liability."

This was getting old. "I do not remember asking for your opinion, Nadiya."

"Someone has to give it to you," she snarled.

I slid my gaze slowly from the stake to her angry face. She had proven to be a ruthless assassin and a cunning strategist. Her loyalty shifted easily from Galina to me, because I proved to be the stronger one. Prey and predator.

Still, with her taxing attitude—if she were any other Strigoi, I would have sent her crashing to the opposite wall. But it was unnecessary. I held on to that thought as she continued on.

"You want the Dragomir princess dead. But your reasons for that are not entirely what they seem. This is personal." Her eyes narrowed accusingly.

"If she falls into our hands it will be a great loss to the morale of the Moroi Royalty. Vasilisa is the last living Dragomir. Finally there will be one extinct throne among the twelve families."

"She is the other-half of the shadow-kissed bond of the Hathaway girl. You want the Dragomir princess to ensure that you will meet with that dhampir again."

I was silent, my fingers tracing the cloth. Rose's hands on my skin had been so warm, overwhelming to my senses. Roza used my weakness against me then—I will use hers this time.

"Either way it is beneficial to us," I said flatly.

Nadiya approached me boldly taking a few steps forward to where I was sitting, meeting me eye-to-eye.

"That girl will choose to die before she joins you."

I met hers unflinchingly. "Then Rose will die by my hands and no one else's."

Her fate must lie with what I desire. And no one can take that away from me ever again. No Moroi, dhampir or Strigoi edict shall control what I want. Of this I will be certain.

A shadow of fear passed in Nadiya's eyes, and she looked away.

"I don't understand your obsession with her." She muttered sullenly.

I grabbed her chin and forced her to face me. "Then again I don't expect you to, Nadiya." Roughly, I let her go. "You can close your pretty mouth now."

With one insulted look at me, she backed off into the corner where she belonged.

I turned the stake in my hands again. It was not possible for me to touch the surface of the stake, but it was as if I could almost feel her warm hold on it as she fought for her life. Rose was too powerful for a life of slavery underneath the Moroi. By my side she would be much more. She has to understand this the next time we meet.

With a finger I motioned for one of the Strigoi to approach me. I handed him a package with a note inside… I wish I could be there to see Rose's face when she opens it.

"Find a human to mail this package to this address."

He nodded, reaching out his hands to grab it.

"Wait." I slid the stake inside the envelope, almost reluctant to let it go. But no matter, I will be seeing her soon.

Very soon.

A/N: Debriefing and goodbye message is at ashemoon(dot)livejournal(dot)com. There is also the book cover for Blood Awakening done by my LD girls. Come say goodbye. :)

Thanks everyone. It has been really quite an experience sharing this story with you all. Each review has a place in my heart, and I will treasure them for always. Hope to see you all again someday.

*Strigoi Dimka and I wave goodbye*

Anya :)