Over the next hour, nurses and doctors came in and out, running tests, and making sure I was really good to go. They did. It was about 8 pm and very dark, when I was released. Again, I had a very bad feeling. Dimitri stood by my side, not letting me one step out of his reach. We quickly got into one of the cars we'd rented back at the airport. Even then our tension did not drop. Dimitri started the car's engine and soon we were out of the parking lot. Our rental house was not far from the hospital, but it still took about half an hour to get there. I let my head fall back reluctantly. I was super tired.
"Go ahead and sleep, Roza." Dimitri said. "I'll wake you if I need you."
"I thought you always needed me." I joked.
"I do." He growled. "But you know what I mean."
I smiled before closing my eyes and falling asleep.
Crack! That sickening sound woke me. Only then did I feel the pain. I looked down to see my right wrist snapped.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Time to pay up, Rose Hathaway." My blood ran cold. It was a Strigoi. "You took our leader, and we want him back." I looked up, fear in my eyes.
"Where's Dimitri?" I asked.
"He's being taken care of." The Strigoi told me. If possible, my blood ran even colder. I grabbed my stake with my left hand. I had a perfect alignment, and soon the Strigoi was dead. I got out of the car, ignoring the screaming pain of the broken wrist. I hugged it to my body, and gathered my bearings. I looked to be about two minutes from the house. I had no idea where Dimitri was, so I ran toward the house. I heard soft screams when I got to the door that got louder and louder as I made my way to Lissa and Christian's room. The far wall was covered in blood. Britta and Matthew had their throats ripped out. Ophir and Aleksandr had broken necks. Carolyn was still alive, but looming over her was my worst nightmare reborn. Dimitri was Strigoi again. I screamed and he turned towards me. Eyes bright red from fresh blood, skin eerily pale, and the look of death on his face. I only noticed then that Lissa and Christian were cowering in a corner. Dimitri did too and lunged for them. He took them swiftly before turning to me once more.
"Oh, Roza." I froze that voice all too familiar. "We can finally be together for eternity." He was at my neck in a moment. Fangs bit in, but instead of the usual bliss, acid ran through my blood.
I screamed and woke up.
Wait, I fucking woke up? Yes. I was still in my bed, in my bikini, with wet hair. I never went to the hospital. I never saw Dimitri as Strigoi again. Now I was just pissed.
I heard the door open, and saw Dimitri and Lissa rush in.
"What's wrong?" Lissa asked.
"I had the worst fucking nightmare anyone will ever have." I told them.
"What was it about, Roza?"
I took a deep breath before replaying the whole dream. I briefly skimmed over the part where Dimitri had been Strigoi again. He looked green when I mentioned it. I motioned for him to sit next to me before giving him a big hug. He hugged back, that sad, scared look in his eyes. He hated hearing about that time. I did too. Lissa quietly left us. I pushed back Dimitri's hair from his face, wiping one of the tears in the process.
"Shh. It's ok. You aren't that thing anymore. You never will be again. I won't let it happen." I kissed his forehead.
"I know, Roza. I know." He moved his lips to mine, giving me a gentle kiss. I kissed him back, with a little more force. The intensity picked up, and Dimitri pushed me onto my back.
We came out of the room a while later in a much better mood. I was seriously starving by now. I had on a red tank top and jean shorts with a ripped look to them. We walked out to the kitchen where we found Britta and Carolyn eating lunch. Like in my nightmare, the sun blinded me, reflecting off the ocean. I walked over to the fridge, whimpering slightly.
"What are you two up to?" Dimitri asked the girls.
"Eating lunch, and then we're going swimming in the pool." They said. I saw the strap of a bathing suit peeking out from Britta's tank top.
"You two have fun. I'm going to feed a very hungry baby." I said grabbing a bowl, cereal, and the carton of milk. Lucky Charms! I grabbed my spoon and sat down at the island. I poured the cereal then the milk, and dug in.
I swear I made a record for eating a bowl of cereal. It took me about thirty seconds to get it down. The other three gaped at me.
"Rose. I don't even know what to say." Dimitri sighed. I grinned proudly.