Sorry that I have taken so long to write again. Family drama had renewed along with another death in my life circle. Aunt Red I love you and this one is for you love. You and your brother have inspired this chapter.

Again I don't own Vampire Academy. (Sigh)

Stupid! Stupid Rose! How can you get yourself all caught up in this mess! Really Rose? Both Dimitri and Ivan are vying for your attention and yet you can't decided on either of them? Rose thought bitterly to herself as she drove on into the night. The air was stifling in the car and she was almost to the ball at the address the invitation had given. Reaching the ball was the only thing on her mind that would block out Ivan's words. She gave the valet her keys and walked in with her new bravado.

From the shadows of the alley, Ivan watched on as Rose slipped so easily into the Katya persona. It drove him wild how free she seemed when she didn't have the weight of the future on her mind. He stood there for hours while Rose was inside. It would soon be approaching dawn and she had yet to come out. Worried she was in trouble he was about to risk exposing himself to see if she was ok.

Inside the grand ball room two sets of eyes watched Rose/Katya dance from one dance partner to another. "Your highness the woman with the blood red highlights in her hair is the Lady Katya Wilhemina." The servant said quietly to the Strigoi King.

"She is even more beautiful then when I saw her last."

"My Lord?"

"Never mind Jackson. Your dismissed." The King said as he walked away from his groom. He approached the dance floor after removing his royal regalia. To be able to get to Rose/Katya he would slowly win her over before making trying to make her his Queen of the Strigoi.

"May I cut in?" Rose/Katya turned her head from her dance partner to see a familiar set of eyes search her soul. As her partner bowed to the King and make his leave Rose stood still looking as submissive as much as possible. Taking her hands into his the two waltzed through the next two songs. The two didn't say anything to each other and Rose felt like she was entranced by him. Something unexplainable was drawing her to him and she couldn't understand why this Strigoi was so fascinating to her. Before another song began he slowly bowed to her then walked away leaving her in a stunned stance.

Shaking her head and coming to her senses Rose left the dance floor. Quietly she slipped out of the ballroom and walked around the palace trying to see what the layout is. As she was about to go down one of the wings a guard stopped her dead in her tracks. Pinning her to the wall, while two others frisked her. "The king does not taking kindly to those that snoop Lady Wilhemina. Guards take her back to her home. Have her wire her holdings to the King then kill her." Jackson the groom replied coldly. He was the one who had been beside the King earlier that evening and knew that Rose was the kings latest eye candy. Growing tired of the slew of Ladies of the court that leave the King's bedroom he was thrilled that this one would be dealt with easily. Or so he thought, Rose didn't resist as she quietly went with them. As they led her out the palace, she waited for her chance.

The Strigoi King walked over to the table behind his throne. He replaced the Regalia and crown on his head. Stepping out from behind he scanned the room looking for Rose. Sure enough Jackson walked up to him and took his place by his side. "Jackson, where have you been?"

"I found someone snooping around my Lord. But no need to worry sire. I have the guards dealing with the person forth wit."

"Very good Jackson. Do take care of the dispersing the guests please. I intend to retire for the evening. By the way send one of the human concubines to my chambers within the hour. I intend to have a work out before I dine."

"Very well sire. Any particular one you prefer this evening?"

"A brunette will work. Also make sure they are cleaned up and dressed for the evening. I am not a savage you know." With a deep throaty laugh he walked off. Jackson sneered at the request when he was sure the King could not see him. He hated this part of his job. He was counting down the days to years that someone offed the sorry bastard.

Ivan had been watching the entrance to the palace waiting for his wildcat. It would be soon approaching dawn and if she didn't come out soon. He couldn't bare to think what would happen. Right when he was about to go in, Rose and two armed guards came out and loaded a Range Rover. Starting the bike Ivan followed out behind them staying two cars behind. Rose was being calm and that scared him. As he followed them they went to the safe house that Rose was using as Lady Katya's private home. As soon as they entered the home two more of the Strigoi King's guards appeared and followed them in. A fight ensued and sure enough it was two much. Ivan joined in just as one of the guards was about to stab Rose with a stake.

Blow to blow each one dueled as Rose laid on the ground bleeding. Panting she was trying to catch her breath. Somewhere in the fight with two of the guards Rose broke a rib from one of the blows. She was bleeding profusely as the cuts had hit one of her veins blowing it out. Ivan staked the last one to turn around and see Rose battered and weak, bleeding heavily. Rushing to her side, Ivan placed pressure on the wound using his belt as a leverage. Running to the fridge he grabbed a blood bag out and cut it open on one end. "Come on Katya. Your losing too much blood. You have to drink this to heal faster. Not hesitating much longer Rose chugged the blood bag down. She past out after she drank the last of it.

The sun was starting to peek over the horizon in the backyard. He lifted Rose up and laid her on the couch. The 10 ft privacy fence would prevent the humans from seeing the bodies. As fast as he could he threw the four guards out in the middle of the yard. He grabbed the emergency flares from the utility room lit them and threw them on the bodies. The sun rose just as Ivan was back in the house safe and sound. Standing back he watched as the bodies burned even hotter after the sun rose.