I tried to listen, but Dimitri slipped out of the room so I couldn't eavesdrop. Damn it, I needed to start being sneakier. As I listened, I could hear Aunt Tasha's frantic voice and Dimitri's calmer one. I thought something was strange, but dismissed the feeling as Dimitri came back.

The desire and lust and love that had filled his eyes were no longer evident as he quickly came in and shut the door securely behind him.

I sat up, using the blanket as a cover for my naked body. "Dimitri? What happened?"

He picked up my clothes and tossed them at me. "Get dressed. The Strigoi are back. Tasha said I have to take you, Lissa, and your brother out of here before they notice."

His voice was urgent and strained. He was stressed, which was something rare for him since he was always ready to protect the ones he loved. But something told me that there was more to it than just the Strigoi attacking. Before I could ask him since I knew he could read through the bond what I wanted to ask, he turned and disappeared into the bathroom.

Frustrated, I got dressed. As I pulled my stuff on, I could faintly smell smoke…Fire. There was a fire. Fucking hell. How could the Strigoi pull off a fire?

"Dimitri!" I yelled, coughing as the smoke reached the room.

He appeared almost immediately with two cloths. He took one and placed it over my mouth gently, tying it at the back so I could breathe easier. He did the same for himself and then pushed me out the door where smoke was evident everywhere.

Even with the fabric, my senses were too strong and the smoke wasn't doing me any favors. I realized I didn't know where I was going, even with my keen eyesight. I turned to find Dimitri and panicked when I didn't see him. Either the smoke was too thick or I took a wrong turn.

I'm here, Rose. I'm not going to leave you alone.

Dimitri…I'm scared.

I had stopped in the middle of a hall and felt relieved when I saw his familiar outline. He grabbed me and lifted me swiftly into his arms, hastily finding many back door ways and halls that lead outside. The air was a little cleaner and I could see easier, but there were still flames and smoke everywhere.

Dimitri took me into the Moroi dorms and kicked the door to my room open. Setting me down he said, Find your messenger back and pack the necessities in there. Anything and everything it can hold: change of clothes, technology, anything that'll help us out while we're on the road. As soon as you're done, we're going to find the other two and Tasha. I'll be outside the door, so hurry up!

He left and I searched the room anxious to find my bag. It was sitting on my bed, fortunately and it still had the things I normally kept, in it. My heart raced as I tore my room apart, taking only the most important things I could find. I took as many clothes as I could fit, took a hairbrush, my makeup, and a warm sweatshirt of Dimitri's that I hadn't given back to him yet.

When I was done, I took everything, stuffing it and closing the bag. I clutched the strap tight as I met up with Dimitri outside. I could keep up with him now that my eyes had adjusted to the smoke filled room. We were almost outside when something grabbed me from behind.

My scream rang out and Dimitri turned, and, quick as lighting, pulled his stake out. The Strigoi holding me laughed and tossed me behind him. I hit the wall, just barely keeping my head from hitting too hard. The impact still made it spin, though.

This Strigoi knew what he was doing and I watched as the two of them grappled. They fell onto the floor and Dimitri had just barely managed to stake him when another one approached, taking advantage. And another one grabbed me again.

I didn't think. I panicked. Magic shot out of my hands and I was astonished to find blue flames instead of something else. I vaguely remembered one of my classes with Lissa and Adrian. The teacher had said spirit was its own element, but was also a low control over the other four elements. It was hard to find enough power to try it and so much magic could drive us over the edge.

Yet, I had accomplished it and a slow grin spread across my face as I switched to air and then water. And then I used earth to make the ground near the Strigoi shake. I laughed gleefully and then remembered Dimitri. He had staked the last one and I had taken care of the rest. He looked shocked to find I could use all the elements, but said nothing else as we ducked out the door.

We raced across campus, occasionally stopping to hide against something when someone passed. We were at the edge when his phone rang.

"Belikov," he answered.

He listened for a moment. "All right. I'll take her somewhere safe and I'll have her call you when she can."

Flipping the phone shut, he glanced over at me. "Rose, it was Tasha. She already took Lisa and Christian with her. She said to take you somewhere, anywhere safe. And it looks like we'll be living like the humans," he added wryly.

I grabbed his hand. "What are you waiting for? Let's get going!"

We of course had to walk a distance before we found a place where we could get a car. As he drove, I wrinkled my nose, noticing how badly I reeked of smoke and sweat. A look at him told me he had some wounds that needed me to heal them.

I reached out and took his hand, sending the magic through. Startled, he stared at me. "Rose…"

I made a face. "Oh, calm down. It's not working that way anyways."

He shook his head. I looked out the window, wondering where we were going. He answered me, of course. "There's an old abandoned house your aunt told me about. It's still in good condition, but no one lives there anymore because it's a bit secluded."

So many thoughts ran through my mind at the word secluded and the thought of Dimitri and me alone. In a house. With no one else to worry about.

"Rose," he groaned. "Don't be getting any ideas."

I twisted in my seat to face him. "Too late, Comrade."

He sighed. It wasn't a very long drive and before I knew it, we had reached the house. It was simple and he was right about it being slightly secluded with a bunch of trees surrounding it. He turned the ignition off and I hopped out eagerly.

It was almost country-like with a western feel. It even had shutters over the windows and the house was a plain, country white. The door was a faint, peeling green and when I opened it, expecting a musty smell, I was genuinely surprised when it simply smelled of nature and wood.

"Hey, Comrade," I called. "This looks like something that could come out of those western books you read!" I teased.

His arms wrapped around my waist from behind. "And how would you know?" he whispered in my ear, his breath tickling me.

I shrugged and pulled out of his embrace, yawning. It was a one story house, but still pretty big. I found the bedroom and only saw one bed. I was a bit nervous about sharing a bed with him, but it faded when he came into the room, placing a kiss on my forehead and taking my bag.

"Why don't you go shower?" he murmured. "Then you can sleep."

My eyelids were drooping and I yawned again. "Sure thing, Comrade."

He rolled his eyes as I took out his sweatshirt and clean underwear. His sweatshirt was big enough to cover me and I had a feeling that the house would be pretty cold during the night.

As I stepped in, the water was pleasantly warm and soothed my muscles as I used my shampoo to wash away the smoke and dirtiness from my hair and body. I scrubbed myself clean, turned the shower off, stepped out and toweled myself dry. I slipped into the sweatshirt, feeling cozy and noticing how it smelled like Dimitri's aftershave.

I came out and found Dimitri laying on the bed, eyes closed. They snapped open when I climbed into the bed with him, pressing close to him and stretching out. A small smile touched his lips and he pulled me close to him. I didn't drift off right away.

"How long are we going to stay here?" I mumbled sleepily.

I felt him take a breath. "I don't know, Rose."

"Won't someone come looking for us?"

"No."

"How come?"

"Because there will be too much destruction at the Court for them to care about coming after us. They'll just think we're either dead, or taken away."

"Oh."

It was silent between us and the he asked, "Why are you wearing that sweatshirt?" his tone was teasing, joking with me.

I smiled, my eyes closing. "Because it's comfortable and cozy. And it reminds me of you."

He chuckled. "Of course it does."

It was dark outside when I woke up. I was still in Dimitri's arms, encased tightly and pressed up against him. I carefully moved his arms and then leaned over, kissing his lips softly. He stirred, but he continued to sleep peacefully and I left him alone.

It was so perfect being here with Dimitri and everything alone. He always took care of me no matter what happened and was always there for me when I needed him. I trusted him with my life like I would no one else.

I loved him with all my heart and hoped he felt the same way about me…."Of course I do, Roza."

Lost in thought, I hadn't heard him, and jumped, spinning around to find him standing there. I smiled sheepishly. "I thought you were still sleeping."

He shook his head. "No."

I walked over and placed my head on his chest gently and he hugged me tight. "What do you want to eat?" he wondered.

I sighed. "I don't care as long as we get some food."

He thought about it and then said, "Go get dressed. We'll go find some take out and go shopping tomorrow."

"Mm, can we go later? I just got up." He chuckled when he took in my appearance.

"What do you have in mind?"

A lazy grin spread across my face. "This," I stated and then leaned up to kiss him.

Mm, this was more of a filler chapter I think…Not very good, and I'm sorry. But now you know what's goin' on. xD

SONGS:

This is Where I Belong-bryan adams

I need you tonight-backstreet boys

No air-jordin sparks and chris brown

And there are some more I cant remember