Every-screaming-body agreed on one thing, and one thing alone: Tasha was wrong. Well, everyone except me, at least. And I couldn't be sure, but I was willing to bet Rose and Mason shared my view on the subject.

I stood up. The room was a flurry of chaos, everyone trying to be the loudest so they could be heard. Tasha would have a hard time getting out – served her right for letting her drama queen tendencies win.

"You might as well leave. Nothing useful's going to happen now" I told Rose. She and Mason both stood up, but when I finally emerged, only Hathaway was beside me.

"Shouldn't you be in there protecting Tasha?" She asked "Before the mob gets her? She's gonna get in big trouble for using magic like that"

I raised an eyebrow. I hadn't known Rose was mad enough to wish me gone "She can take care of herself"

She rolled her eyes "Yeah, yeah, because she's a badass karate magic user. I get all that. I just figured since you're gonna be her guardian and all…"

I froze "Where did you hear that?"

Rose shrugged, and then, sounding straight out of a James Bond movie, she went, "I have my sources"

Sources? And then I got it. Tasha had mentioned talking to Janine, hadn't she?

Shitholes and fucktards, she's probably pissed as Hell. Alayah's eyes were wide. Though she's good at hiding it. I wonder if she's ever taken acting classes…

"You've decided to, right?" Rose asked "I mean, it sounds like a good deal, seeing as she's gonna give you fringe benefits"

Gosh, D, for your sake, I hope that girl's bark is worse than her bite. Alayah laughed.

It isn't. Damon replied, butting in. Trust me.

"What happens between her and me is none of your business" I said, because, first of all, it wasn't, and second, I was pissed too. I mean, you tell a girl you love her but you can't be together and the next thing you know, she's getting all jealous because she just assumed you're hooking up with someone else.

Oh, so Rose can be Mason's girlfriend but I don't even have the right to consider Tasha's offer? I fumed. Forget it. Like I need another reason to take it.

"Well, I'm sure you guys'll be happy together" She said pleasantly "She's just your type, too – I know how much you like women who aren't your own age. I mean, she's what, six years older than you? Seven? And I'm seven years younger"

My head spun around for a minute, and it wasn't from a kiss like in that Taylor Swift song Victoria likes so much, either. I couldn't – I really couldn't believe Rose had just said that. Not my Rose.

Everything was silent for a moment. "Yes, you are" I said "And every second this conversation goes on, you only prove how young you really are"

The hurt left Rose's eyes as quickly as it came, and her expression turned into the steely determination she rarely wore.

Bastard. Alayah hissed. She gave you a verbal slap, yeah. But that – that was a fucking punch, Dimitri.

I am ashamed to know you. Damon said over the sound of Alayah's door slamming. That was crossing the line. I might not like her, but, dude…

"Little dhampir" Someone called. I started and Rose turned. There stood Adrian Ivashkov in all his cock-sucking glory, leering at Rose. He nodded at me.

"I don't want to interrupt or anything" He said "Just wanna talk to you when you have time"

I frowned. Yeah, because talking is surely the first thing he thinks of when he looks at Rose.

I was sure she was gonna tell him to go away, and then, the smile came out. THE smile. Rose's patented, cock-raising, man-eater smile. The smile that made her look like she was a tigress luring in her prey.

I am embarrassed to admit that Little Dimka came out to play, waving the white flag of surrender.

Rose put a hand on Adrian's arm "I've got time now" She purred, then nodded at me and began leading Ivashkov away "See you later, Guardian Belikov"

I left, more than willing to go to my room and take a long, cold shower.

***

I'd been in the bathroom for little over half an hour when someone knocked on the door.

"Dimka?" Tasha's voice rang out "How long have you been in there? Think of how much water you're wasting!"

"I'll be out in a sec" I answered, closing the faucet and wrapping a towel around my middle. I hadn't take my clothes in with me, so I had to endure the nearly-freezing cold as I rummaged around my drawers until I found something decent. Tasha stared at my chest as I straightened up "How'd you get in here anyway?"

She rolled her eyes "You left the door open, stupid"

"Oh. So much for being a badass Strigoi-killer, huh?" I joked. Tasha laughed.

"What where you doing, anyway? You missed the best fight ever" She gushed.

I frowned "They tried to hurt you?"

"Oh, no" Tasha rolled her eyes "But they had to direct all their anger-fueled testosterone somewhere, you know? So these totally random guys started hitting each other, and everyone was screaming… Yeah. It was fun"

"Hmm" I grunted.

"You don't sound too impressed" Tasha noted "So I'll ask again: what were you doing?"

"Stuff" I answered.

"Gee, vague, much?" She insisted "Come on, tell me already!"

"I. Was. Masturbating" I said slowly. "Got it? Or should I say it again?"

Tasha threw a pillow at me "Eww! TMI, Dimka! God, that is so gross!"

I shrugged and she frowned for a second.

"Were you joking? You were totally joking, weren't you?"

"Guess you'll never know"

Hmmm... and neither will yoou guys. LOL.

Sorry this was so short!!!!!! I'll make the next chapter as long as I can to make up for it, I swear, but sometimes, though lots of stuff happens to Rose in a chapter, not much happens to Dimka.