AN/ Shout out to Nicia, Chansjq, raulie19, Jazminion, CandiGal, ShadowkissedAngel, rivereq, BelikovsRoza1697, laineylane03, ELFINA01, fanpiretothemax, missa27, Teal Angel, deliciouse, crystal49s, Rose's EVIL twin, nicole and Angelheart24. You guys rock :)
Disclaimer: The Vampire Academy novels are all the property of Richelle Mead.
MJ
Xxx
I'm falling,
I'm melting, like liquid
I run.
Lovers all
And lovers none
But it changes everyone.
For a moment, then it's gone,
It's fragile,
Precious
Count the seconds away
To the sound of your heart.
What a beautiful day
To get lost in the dark.
Amy Studt ~ Seconds Away
Fighting for a future: A Last Sacrifice Novel
When I awoke in the morning I was sprawled on Dimitri's chest, my hand gripping onto his shirt for dear life. I relaxed my fingers and flexed them to allow the blood to return the feeling to my hand. I then propped myself up on my elbow and looked down at a sleeping Dimitri.
I smiled, noting the relaxed expression on his face and the small smile he wore. He was completely calm, his arm draped loosely around my waist as he slowly breathed in and out. I gently brushed my finger along the line of his jaw and over his lips. The smile on his face grew a little bigger but his breathing didn't change, indicating he was still deeply asleep.
So much for keeping guard all night.
Or maybe, said a small voice in the back of my head, he just wanted to make sure you didn't abandon him again.
I thought over my rash decision to up and leave as soon as I could and felt a simmering of guilt. At the time I had only been focused on my goal and gave little thought to those I was leaving behind, assuming they would be fine without me. And they were, physically at least. And if Dimitri did still love me like he did before- I still couldn't quiet the little voice of doubt in my head – then it would have hurt him more than I had ever originally thought it would.
With a sigh I pushed myself into a sitting position and eased myself slowly off the sofa, careful not to disturb Dimitri. I was just standing up when an arm shot out and gripped mine tightly like a vice. I froze and turned around, expecting to be met with Dimitri's warm gaze. Instead I saw his eyes were screwed up tightly and his mouth was turned down in a frown. He was still very much asleep.
I put my hand on his and tried to pry my arm from his grip but he only tightened his hold. I was about to wake him up when he let out a low, guttural moan.
"Roza..."
I froze again, my heart beating hurriedly in my chest as I listened with rapt attention.
"No...please...don't" he muttered and thrashed slightly on the sofa. I realised with horrible clarity that he was having a nightmare...about me.
"I didn't...no...Rose...please," he gasped as the first tear fell from my eye and slid down my cheek. To see him like this, vulnerable and in pain was something I had never witnessed and never wanted to witness again.
"Dimitri," I whispered, shaking him gently with my free arm. "Wake up. It's only a dream."
Dimitri lurched up slightly and his body tensed as he let out another incoherent groan.
"So much blood...Everywhere...taste...Please! "
"Dimitri!" I tried more firmly, conscious of the other sleeping people in the room. "Wake up, please!"
"Rose, Rose, Rose, Rose...dead...No!" With the last outburst he sat up abruptly on the sofa, his eyes snapping open; frantic brown meeting my own tear-filled eyes. His breathing was heavy and his grip on my arm had bypassed painful and moved onto numb. I would undoubtedly have a bruise but I didn't care when I was currently faced with Dimitri's helpless panic.
"Rose?" he croaked, seemingly unashamed of his fear. I had a feeling he wasn't fully awake yet.
I knelt down on the floor in front of him and ran my fingers lightly through his hair, hopefully giving him some comfort.
"You wouldn't wake up," I explained, my voice cracking and my chest aching. "It was a dream, just a dream. I tried, but you were-"
"Where were you going?" He interrupted the panic less obvious in his voice. He suddenly noticed his death grip on my arm and released me only to wrap his arm around my waist. Pain flooded to the area as my blood began to flow through it again but I ignored it as Dimitri pulled me towards him and buried his head in my neck.
"I was just getting up," I assured him. "I didn't want the others to find us like this."
He pulled back and frowned at me, the panic from his nightmare forgotten. Or at least pushed back for now.
"Why not?"
I sighed. "Because I don't want to have to explain this to anyone yet. Whatever this is." I gestured between the two of us pointedly.
His face fell and for the first time since I'd met him he looked uncertain.
"Are you ashamed of me?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"No!" I exclaimed, shocked. "I just want to keep this to ourselves for a little while. Please?"
He opened his mouth, whether to acquiesce or object I never found out as Tasha chose that moment to roll over and yawn loudly, showing she was awake. I stepped back from Dimitri automatically and he rose from the sofa as well. His hand hovered at the base of my neck, sending shivers down my spine, before it dropped to his side.
"I need to shower," he murmured. "But first promise me one thing."
"What?" I asked quietly as Tasha kicked about in the bed a bit, indicating she was trying to get back to sleep.
Dimitri stepped closer to me until he was just a hairs breath away.
"Promise you'll never leave me."
My heart stuttered in my chest and I tried to pull back so I could see his expression but he wrapped an arm around my waist to hold me in place.
"Please," he repeated. "Just promise me."
"I promise," I swore, my heart in my throat.
I felt him smile into my hair and then he turned abruptly and headed towards the bathroom, leaving me with a whisper of a kiss on my forehead.
I slowly sunk onto the vacated space on the couch and smiled stupidly to myself. Things were finally moving forward again for me and Dimitri and I couldn't be happier.
"Do you ever think you two are fighting for something that was never meant to be?"
My head shot up as I startled, no expecting a voice so close. Tasha stood before me in rumpled sleep clothes and messed up hair, her head cocked to one side. I hadn't heard her get out of bed, never mind approach me.
So much for my epic ninja skills.
"What?" I asked confusedly.
"You and Dimka," she explained, sitting down next to me. "All you have ever done is fight for your relationship; fight for each other and in the end you have to wonder if maybe you'll ever stop fighting. And then you have to wonder if it'll be worth it in the end."
"It'll be worth it," I replied coolly feeling some level of insult.
She smiled sadly at me.
"I'm not jealous Rose. I wanted Dimka once, but I saw how much he loved you even before he rejected my offer. I've moved on. I'm just worried."
"About what?" I snapped, not liking the reminder of when she had nearly taken Dimitri away from me.
"Dimka's different. You say him this morning when he was asleep. He still dreams of his time as a Strigoi and it haunts him. He's not the same anymore. He's broken."
I gaped at her.
"You were awake?"
"Yes, I was awake. I just worry about you Rose. You're so young and you've already had to live through so much."
Before I could reply the bathroom door opened and Dimitri re-emerged. Tasha stood up from the sofa and gave him a dazzling smile.
"Morning Dimka!"
Dimitri smiled at her warmly before she scooped up her travel bag and moved past him into the bathroom.
"What was that all about?" Dimitri asked, looking slightly worried.
I just shook my head.
"Nothing I want to think about," I muttered before going in search of food.
~o~oo~o~
Later that morning everyone was once again gathered in Victor's room. Robert had slouched off after eyeing each of us distastefully and we were all discussing our next course of action. And by discussing I mean arguing.
"I don't see why I can't come. She's my little sister!" Demanded Lissa insistently.
"Because you're the most important person in this room and I'm not about to throw you out onto the front line!" I spat for what felt the millionth time.
"Wow, that hurts," said Adrian tiredly. He'd been in a particularly bad mood all day due to having to get out of bed before noon.
"Oh, shut up," I snapped exasperated.
"I agree that Vasilisa should stay here as an insurance policy if nothing else." Victor inputted, far too happily for my liking.
Lissa scowled at him in displeasure and opened her mouth to retaliate.
"Rose, Tasha and I will go," Dimitri interrupted. "We can all look after ourselves and will be in the best position to fight off an attack."
This of course brought on a round of protests and I sighed irritably.
"Shut up!" I shouted, jumping to my feet as my anger overflowed. "This is getting us nowhere."
"Well what do you suggest then?" Asked Christian looking as irritated as I felt.
"Exactly what Dimitri said," I replied. "It makes sense."
"I'm staying here," said Tasha flatly. "That way if we are attacked while you are away together with Christian we stand something of a chance."
I nodded in defeat. "Fine!" I exclaimed. "Dimitri and I will go. Case closed."
And that's how I found myself outside a reasonably clean council house with only Dimitri for company. A porch overhang cast the doorway and front wall into shadow. Trees lined either side of the building, creating an ominous atmosphere.
"Do you think she's in?" I asked as we rang the doorbell.
"She should be," Dimitri commented. "It's day time. I'm guessing she works nights in her profession."
I nodded in agreement and rang the doorbell again.
"I'm coming!" called an annoyed voice from the other side of the door.
The door opened to reveal a striking, young, Moroi woman. Her blonde hair hung loose around her shoulders and she wore form fitting clothes. She was tall and slender like typical Moroi by was slightly curvy, suggesting there was some human in her background. Her blue eyes were bright and clear.
Not exactly what I was expecting.
"Yes?" she asked her voice soft.
"Joy Eastwood?" I asked, just to clarify this was indeed her and not a babysitter or such like.
"Yes. Can I help you?" she asked, her gaze politely confused.
"I hope so," I said. "I'm Rose Hathaway and-"
I stopped when she closed her eyes as if in pain.
"You're here for Daylin, aren't you?" she whimpered.
I could only nod in response, suddenly hating myself. Why, in all my planning, had I never thought about how this would affect the child's mother?
She sighed ,sounding world weary.
"You better come in then," she said moving aside so we could enter.
The kitchen was small and pale but clean and not ratty like I had somehow expected. Joy fixed us all a cup of tea and sat around the table. She didn't speak of Daylin again, only made small talk about the weather and suchlike until she was done. She then sat down opposite us and cupped her hands around her mug, staring sullenly down at it.
"Eric talked about you a lot whenever I saw him. You were good friends with his daughter and he trusted you with her life. By default I trust you, even though I wish I didn't have to." She sighed sadly."I knew this was coming. I just never expected it to be so soon. But I assume that after Eric died and Vasilisa turned eighteen you need Daylin to get past the quorum. Right?"
"When you say it like that it makes us seem so cold hearted," I replied gently, feeling ashamed. Dimitri squeezed my knee under the table in a sign of support and I smiled thankfully at him.
"It's not cold-hearted," Joy disagreed. "This is no environment to raise a child in. I've always known that. I just...I hoped," she broke off on a sob and I felt even worse.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. Shit, this is not how this was meant to go.
She looked up at me and smiled a heartbroken smile.
"It's not your fault," she assured me. "Just promise me you'll take good care of her."
"I promise," I said for the second time that day.
She nodded in what looked like acceptance and rose from her seat.
"I'll go and get her then," she said briskly.
Before I could stop her she was off and out the door.
"This is horrible," I whispered to Dimitri as I laid my head on his shoulder. "I feel awful."
"I know," was his only response. What else could he say?
We waited in silence for a few minutes before Joy returned with her daughter in her arms. She was the spitting image of Joy, with pale blonde hair and a slightly taller height than would be expected for her age. Only her eyes were different. Instead of piercing blue they were jade green; Lissa's eyes.
I suddenly felt more sure about what was happening. This was Lissa's family and Daylin would have a much better life growing up as a Royal than she ever would growing up the daughter of a showgirl and stripper.
I stood up and walked over towards the pair. I crouched down slightly so I was eye-to-eye with Daylin and smiled in what I hoped was a reassuring way.
"Hello," I said. "My name's Rose. You're beautiful, aren't you?" I didn't have much experience dealing with children but I gathered compliments would be the way to go. And besides it was true; she was beautiful in an angelic way.
"Lala, say hello," said Joy softly, nudging her daughter gently.
Bright green eyes were suddenly boring into mine with intelligent intensity. I knew immediately this kid was smart.
"Hello, Rose," she said strongly, not showing any of the shyness I had expected. I straightened up and smiled at Joy, partly in apology partly in sadness.
"Rose is going to look after you from now on," said Joy gently with tears shinning in her eyes.
My eyes snapped to hers with the sudden realisation of what that meant; she expected me to raise Daylin personally. But what could I say? No? This was her daughter. And she wanted me to keep her safe. I only hoped I could live up to her expectations.
"Just like in the fairytale you used to tell me Mama?" Said Daylin quietly, not sounding entirely surprised by this revelation. "About the little girl who goes to live with the Queen and grows up with everything she ever want?"
"Yes," replied Joy sadly. "Just like that." She held Daylin tighter to herself for a moment before loosening her hold and letting her slide to the floor. Daylin looked up at her mother with bright eyes before moving towards me and wrapping her little hands around my legs.
"I want to be a princess!" She exclaimed excitedly.
"You already are," I assured her while stroking her hair hesitantly.
"Her bags are packed," said Joy calmly, but the pain in her eyes radiated through me. "She doesn't have much."
"Come with us," I blurted out, suddenly seeing how this could go entirely differently. Joy could come with us and keep Daylin and-
"No," Joy said softly. I looked at her in shock.
"You don't think I've thought about it? I don't belong at court. I've made something for myself here and I can't give it all up. Daylin deserves a life of riches and she can't do that with me in the picture."
Her cold logic was cutting but at the same time incredibly practical and I realised this was a mother who would do anything for her daughter.
"You can still visit," I promised. "She won't forget you, I know she won't."
Joy smiled weakly and stepped forward and crouched down in front of Daylin. She unhooked a golden locket from around her neck and placed it delicately around the little girl's.
"I know she won't forget. And neither will I." She whispered, her voice breaking as the tears began to fall. "But this is what is best for her, and if I can give her this one small thing then I will. I owe her that." She kissed Daylin on the forehead, lingering a moment before pulling back and standing up sniffing.
"You should go now," she said briskly as she brushed the tears away. I had a feeling she was only just keeping it together for the sake of the angel before us.
I nodded and crouched down to pull Daylin into my arms.
"Bye, mama. Love you," said Daylin sweetly while waving her hand in a good-bye gesture.
"Love you too, honey," Joy replied before turning to leave the room.
"I think we should go," murmured Dimitri in my ear from behind. I nodded, choking back my own tears at the horrible situation we were all in.
We were just heading out the door when a familiar nausea began to curl in my gut and I stopped short.
"Dimitri, take Daylin," I said slowly.
He looked at me confusedly before hoisting Daylin up in one of his arms. Her bag was wrapped around his other.
"You're going to have to run," I told him and watched as the comprehension grew on his face.
"Roza, no-"
"You have to," I snapped. "Or she'll get hurt you know she will."
Dimitri turned pale and it looked as if he wanted to do nothing more than protest but he nodded his acceptance.
"I'll come back for you," he promised. I shook my head.
"They come first," I quoted solemnly.
"No, Roza. You will always come first with me. Always." He corrected passionately.
I looked at him steadily before reaching up and pressing a hard kiss to his lips. "Don't look back," I whispered before reaching for the door and pulling it open.
As expected two Strigoi immediately swarmed the house. I hit out, missing my target but at least giving Dimitri the opportunity to escape through the doorway and out into the sunlight. The Strigoi must have been lurking in the trees either side of the house and used the shadow of the overhang to approach the front door.
It was a man and a woman, the man looking more sure of himself, suggesting he was the elder of the two. They circled me slowly and I backed up against the wall to keep them both in my line of sight. Their eyes glowed like beacons in their pale faces, causing fear to spread down my spine. I fought it back and lunched, aiming for the man; the more threatening opponent.
My punch landed in his stomach but he barely reacted as he fought back. I did a roundabout kick which caused him to stagger backwards and hiss menacingly. I took the opportunity to glance around for the woman but she was nowhere in sight. I felt cold to my core only seconds before I heard the blood-curdling scream from Joy. Seconds later it cut off and I knew her life had ended.
Fury swept through me and I lashed out with new determination. I could have headed for the door and into the sunlight where they couldn't reach me, but these monsters had to pay for ending the life of a bright young woman. For murdering a mother.
My stake was in my hand in a flash and I hurtled myself forward. The momentum caused us both to fall to the floor and I used the second of surprise to ram my stake through his heart. I panted, relieved but it wasn't over yet.
An animalistic cry sounded from my right seconds before I felt the impact of a body hitting my own. The woman had hurtled herself at me much the same way as I had just done. We fought on the floor, rolling over each other as we struggled for dominance. My stake was thrust from my hand and rolled away to the other side of the hallway, leaving me defenceless.
Panic burst through me as I realised how much danger I was in. The woman grinned triumphantly from above me before leaning forward and burying her fangs in my neck.
Pleasure and pain exploded through me as the endorphins hit, making me let out a giddy laugh as I was slowly drained of my vital liquid.
"Rose!"
I heard the voice as if through a layer of glass. My vision swam before me but I was still able to make out the blurred image of Dimitri approaching sans Daylin.
"No!" I shouted in a last burst on energy. "Don't look back! Don't look back!" I screeched hysterically as my vision began to fade to black.
The last thing I remembered before I passed out completely was the taste of copper and iron as blood was slowly dribbled into my mouth.
AN/ Yes...well...Ahem. That wasn't meant to happen. Anyway let me know what you think. I have the next chapter mapped out in my head and it will be Rose's POV but I might do Dimitri's POV as an outtake either after this story is complete or before the next chapter. Let me know what you want. :)
Thanks for Reading
MJ
Xxx
