Wooo! Snow day - and therefore a new chapter! I can't believe I'm already at chapter 25!

Many of you have been commenting about if Maya will ever meet Rose...and I have to say it won't be for a looong while before they meet face-to-face. I'm trying to weave this story seamlessly into the actual Vampire Academy series, and since Rose never truly meets Maya in the series, it won't be until after Last Sacrifice until Maya comes face-to-face with Rose. However, I do have some interesting ideas for when I get close to Blood Promise where Rose and Maya could cross paths. :)

purrfictionist - hahaha, I feel the exact same way! The more I write the more I'm like 'dang it. I like Maya and Dimitri together, but I would be murdered if I didn't make Dimitri end up with Rose.' Actually, Maya and Dimitri's relationship could pose some interesting situations later on when Rose is involved... ;)That should be fun to write.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Unexpected

I hadn't spoken to Mikhail Tanner since that day in the church and the news that he disappeared didn't necessarily surprise me. I had a good feeling about where Mikhail was, but Dimitri began his usual questioning before I could even say anything.

"What do you mean nobody knows where he is? Did he just disappear?"

Alberta shrugged. "We assumed he has left campus. We've searched everywhere and we haven't found him. We were wondering if you would happen to know anything."

"I'm sorry, we weren't very close with him," Dimitri answered.

"Actually, I think I might know," I finally said.

Alberta raised an eyebrow, skeptical of my response.

"Guardian Petrov, you can't expect anything but surprises from Maya," Dimitri joked as he placed his hand on my back. I was a bit uncomfortable with him being so blatantly affectionate, but Alberta didn't seem to even notice so I relaxed a little bit into his hand.

I glanced up at Dimitri and smiled. "You know me well, Guardian Belikov." I turned my attention to Alberta. "I don't know exactly where Guardian Tanner is, but I think I know why he left campus."

"Alright, well, how about you present your idea to the rest of the guardians?" Alberta suggested and we followed her until we reached a conference room. Even after a month, I still couldn't quite figure out my way around every nook of the campus. All the guardians looked up when we entered with Alberta. My eyes stopped when I saw Stan Alto and he grinned at me.

"Of course Schoenberg would know," he said.

I shrugged. "What can I say? I have a talent for knowing the unknown."

Alberta sighed. "Just tell us what you know."

"Yes ma'am," I muttered as I took a seat in the last empty chair around the table. Dimitri stood behind me with a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Mikhail was close to Sonya who had turned Strigoi by choice. Why wouldn't he leave campus to go after her?"

The rest of the guardians stared at me, dumbfounded. "Why didn't we think of that?" Stan asked and the guardians began to argue amongst themselves. I got up from the chair and headed to the door, thinking I couldn't do anything to help, but Stan grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the table.

"Is there anyway you could figure out where Mikhail is?" He whispered to me. The way he asked the question made me feel like he didn't care how I did it, as long as I found out where he was.

"...Yes," I answered. "Can you wait a day or two? It might take a little bit of time."

Stan nodded. "Take all the time you need, Schoenberg. We'll keep in touch. Now, make sure you and Dimitri get out of here before it gets crazy."

"Thanks, Guardian Alto. I promise I won't let you down," I whispered back before taking Dimitri out of the conference room with me.

"I swear, Maya, you surprise me everyday with something new," Dimitri said once we were out in the hallway. "When did you find out about Mikhail and Sonya? I don't think I've ever talked to Guardian Tanner and suddenly you know his life story."

I grinned. "I have to keep some of my secrets otherwise I wouldn't surprise you anymore," I teased.

Dimitri grinned back at me and cupped my face in his hands. "I love you, Maya. I don't want to pretend that we can only be friends when I know we both feel more. I know this can't be forever, but even if we're only together a couple weeks, it would be worth every moment."

I stared at him, unsure of what to say. "Dammit, I hate when you make me speechless," I replied.
He laughed. "I don't think you need to say anything else," he told me before he kissed me. Something about being with Dimitri felt so right and suddenly I didn't feel alone anymore. I had told him about my bond with Ivan and I felt as if slowly I wouldn't have to keep as many secrets from him. He balanced my impulsive attitude; he was my steady rock, always there to keep me in track.

"Whoa, might want to contain yourselves before the other guardians start to leave the room." Dimitri and I immediately broke apart, surprised by Stan's voice. Stan walked by and playfully punched Dimitri's arm. "She's quite the catch, but make sure you keep track of her. You never know what she's up to next."

"I'll try my best, but I think she has more tricks up her sleeve than she even realizes," Dimitri replied.

Stan laughed and grinned at me. "I think you're right. Maya, you are quite possibly one of the most unexpected people I've met."

"...Is that a compliment?" I asked.

Stan smirked and shrugged. "I'll leave that up for you to decide."