AN: As I seem to be saying a lot here lately, I'm sorry for the late update. I will try to update my story as often as possible, but unfortunately, right now I cannot make any promises. I appreciate all of the reviews and new story alerts that I have received. And as always, I do not own Vampire Academy/Bloodlines or the characters, Richelle Mead does.

The nightmares that I had not had since coming to Amberwood resurfaced. The nightmares of re-education. The worst part about the nightmare now was that it finally had a face, Mr. Juarez.

Chapter 26

When my alarm went off to wake me up for the day, I felt as if I had not slept at all. Several times throughout the night I had woken up covered in sweat sure that Mr. Juarez had shown up to haul me off to re-education.

By the end of my classes, I just wanted to go crawl back into bed, but I knew it wasn't an option. I met up with Jill and Angeline, so that we could get our bags and be waiting with Eddie in the parking lot for the limo.

The limo arrived promptly at 4 pm and the four of us piled in and then went to pick up the others. When we pulled up to Sonya's apartment building, they were waiting in the parking lot for us.

Once back on the road, I looked around at the others sitting in the back with me. Eddie, Jill, and Angeline were sitting together talking about the ski resort. Eddie seemed to have moved on from the depressed state he had been in the other day at hearing where we were going. I'm sure that had everything to do with being able to spend time with Jill. Jill animatedly discussed all the exciting things they could do together and Angeline seemed to have caught on to the excitement as well.

Sonya and Mikhail sat together. Mikhail had his arm around Sonya and she contentedly was leaning into his embrace while watching Eddie, Jill, and Angeline. As I watched them together, I could see how much they loved each other. Sonya looked over to me, realizing that I had been watching them and I just smiled. It was nice to see everyone so happy.

Of course, then I glanced over at Adrian and realized that not everyone was happy. He had not spoken since we picked them up and he now sat next to me silently staring out the window.

The limo pulled up to a private airstrip and the excitement coming from Jill seemed to buzz around everyone. As we boarded the jet, I was in awe. It was not the first time I had ridden in a private jet, but this one was almost unbelievable. The cushy leather seats were placed around the jet to allow people to sit across from each other or just sit by the windows.

Jill went for a window seat immediately, dragging Angeline behind her. I could see the wonder in Angeline's eyes as well. I doubted that she had been in many private jets in her life. Eddie followed sitting beside Jill. Sonya and Mikhail headed over to the other side and sat by a window.

I immediately became aware of Adrian at my side. "Would you like a window seat?" he asked, but it seemed forced, as if he felt the need to attempt to make conversation.

As I glanced over at him, I noticed that he wasn't really looking at me as he spoke. "No, I think I will just sit in the back," I replied and headed towards the seats farthest away from everyone. Adrian followed, but did not say anything else to me.

When the flight took off, a stewardess came around and offered us drinks. I noticed Adrian reach to take one, but then change his mind as he glanced over at Jill. She offered me one as well, which I declined, but I did request a blanket and pillow.

With the sleepless night that I just had and the fact that Adrian seemed upset by the way we had left things yesterday, I decided that I might as well try to catch a nap. Besides, we were going to be on Moroi time once we landed, which meant that the day would be well underway.

As I drifted off to sleep, I was vaguely aware of Adrian sitting beside me. It was mildly comforting to know, at least until the nightmares started. Mr. Juarez seemed to be around every corner, waiting to haul me off to re-education. And not just him, but many faceless sorcerers were there as well. He had warned me that he was not the only one watching, but I never thought it would be so many others. I kept running, but I couldn't get away. I never got away in these dreams. They always caught me, dragging me towards my fears, dragging me towards re-education.

I woke with a start, eyes darting around me. As my vision cleared, I realized I was still on the jet. I noticed that the others had decided to take a nap as well and no one seemed to notice my abrupt waking, no one except for Adrian.

His eyes were filled with concern as he watched me. I hastily wiped at my forehead with the back of my hand as I tried to calm my breathing. I could feel the sweat that glistened there.

"Sage?" Adrian asked hesitantly.

I settled back into my seat and turned from him. "I'm fine," I said but I knew I wasn't. At this rate, I would never be able to sleep again if I could not find a way to stop the nightmares. As I closed my eyes again, I felt Adrian pull my blanket up and tuck me in.

The next time I woke, it was because the jet was touching down. My sleep had been dreamless this time and when I looked down, I noticed that Adrian had entwined his hand with mine. I looked over at him and he had that same concerned look on his face as he watched me. I had a feeling he had not slept at all during our flight.

"Did you sleep better?" he asked. Using the excuse of stretching, I removed my hand from his and replied, "Yes."

Everyone seemed wide-awake and Jill was excitedly talking again. Looking out the window I noticed it was now night, which would be the middle of the day for the Moroi. I did not see how all of them could so easily adapt to being awake at night, but they were vampires after all, so I guess this was natural for them.

I took in the resort as we pulled up to it. It was gorgeous. The design of the building was amazing. It was a log cabin made of golden-colored wood and tall arched windows. Its three stories were set in the middle of an expansive lot of pines and mountains.

Someone came out and retrieved our bags. Sonya and Mikhail headed inside together to check us in. Eddie escorted Jill and Angeline inside as well. I don't know if it was the sudden feeling of stepping into a fairy tale or what, but Adrian turned to me as if there had been no tension between us and offered me his arm.

I absently took it still looking around in awe as he escorted me up the steps and into the gorgeous receiving area. The inside of the resort was even more amazing than the outside. Crystal lanterns and intricately carved log furniture gave the feel of a romantic resort getaway. Glancing over, I noticed Adrian once again watching me, but not with concern. This time his eyes seemed to be bright and filled with adoration as he watched me take in the room.

"This place is breathtaking," I said still awestruck.

Adrian leaned in closer to me. "You are breathtaking," he said in a low voice only meant for me to hear. When I looked back into his eyes, I could see every perfect moment that we had ever had together reflected in them. I looked away unable to breathe.

Sonya and Mikhail came over to us with room keys in hand. Sonya seemed to be assessing our auras as she approached, but just smiled at whatever she saw. At that moment, I wished I knew how to turn off my aura.

"Here are your keys," she said handing one to each of us. "Jill and Angeline will be sharing a room. Mikhail and I will be on one side of their room. You and Eddie will be on the other side," Sonya said to Adrian. "And you will be in the room next to them," she said to me.

Eddie, Jill, and Angeline had come to join us as Sonya spoke. Eddie seemed annoyed by the sleeping arrangements. "Why aren't I staying with Jill? I am her guardian," he protested.

At the same time, Adrian spoke up, "Why isn't anyone staying with Sage?"

Sonya took their complaints in stride as she responded. "For starters, I am not going to allow an underage young lady to stay in the same room as an older gentleman," she said to Eddie. I could see the argument rising in Eddie as she said this, but she simply lifted her hand to stop him. "I understand that you are her guardian, but so is Angeline. She is very capable of taking care of Jill while we stay in this well secured resort. As for why you are staying with Adrian, I should think that that is clear. He is also a royal and while at a place like this in the public eye, he too needs a guardian."

Adrian seemed to scoff at this. "I haven't had a babysitter since I was a teenager," Adrian huffed.

"I didn't say babysitter. I said guardian and it is only appropriate that you be assigned one when you are in the Moroi public eye," Sonya replied calmly. "Besides, it is not as if Eddie will need to trail you throughout your stay. Remember, I did say this was a well secured resort."

"Okay. Fine, but why is Sage staying alone. Shouldn't she be assigned someone?" Adrian said as he looked over at me. I remembered that I was still holding on to his arm, so I slipped from his grasp.

Answering for Sonya, I said, "Actually, as an Alchemist, I rank non-existent as far as Moroi are concerned. There is no need for me to have a guardian." I looked over at Sonya and she nodded. Looking back at Adrian I said, "Besides the Alchemists would question my motives if I stayed with a vampire when there was no need to."

I could see that the good mood that we had shared moments ago was now gone. He looked as if he wanted to argue, but noticing everyone watching he decided against it.

"Let's go check out our rooms," Jill said trying to lighten the mood that had definitely grown cold between us.

"Yes, lets," Sonya agreed, taking Mikhail's arm and ushering us towards the stairs. Adrian turned away from me and followed everyone up. I hung back from everyone as we went up taking in the view around us and trying to forget the look in Adrian's eyes.

We were staying on the top floor in accommodations definitely fit for a princess. As everyone went to check out their rooms, I went to mine alone. I knew staying by myself was important to keep up appearances, especially since Mr. Juarez had warned me that he was not the only one watching me, but I could not help but feel depressed as I took in the spacious room.

The room was gorgeous, just like every other part of the resort that I had seen. A huge plush king-size bed covered in pillows, a Plasma TV hanging on the wall, a leather couch placed for a sitting area, and a mini-fridge made up several of the obvious luxuries. I trudged across the plush carpet and flopped back onto the bed, kicking off my shoes.

As I laid there, I replayed the way Adrian had said I was breathtaking over and over again in my head. I drifted off to sleep and was placed back in a nightmare. There I was holding Adrian's arm as the faceless sorcerers descended on me ripping me away from him. Mr. Juarez stood somewhere in the distance condescendingly saying, "I told you they were watching."

I jolted awake to the sound of banging on my door. I stumbled to the door in a daze and opened it. Adrian stood in front of me looking worried. Wiping the back of my hand across my forehead to remove the sheen of sweat that I knew was there I asked, "What's wrong?"

"You tell me," he said as he entered my room, shutting the door behind him. I wandered over to the couch, well aware of my shallow breathing and trembling hands, but I tried to look at Adrian as if nothing was wrong.

He walked over to the mini-fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. Crossing the room back to me, he sat down. "Here, drink this," he said passing me the bottle.

After several swallows, I was finally able to hold the bottle without shaking. "What did you want?" I asked trying desperately to seem okay.

"I was coming to see if you wanted to wander around the resort with me, but when I knocked on your door I heard you talking loudly. You seemed upset and I was worried about you," he said studying me. "Were you asleep?"

"Yeah," I said looking towards the bed. "I must have dozed off. The bed is really comfortable." Looking back at him, I tried for a smile.

"But not comfortable enough to keep your nightmares away," he said still studying me. My smile fell. "I know that you are scared about something. Your aura hasn't changed since the other day. Why won't you tell me what is bothering you?"

I looked away again. "What did Trey's dad say to you the other day? Why are you so scared? Why won't you talk to me?" I could hear the desperation and frustration in Adrian's voice.

How could I answer him? How could I tell him that the Alchemists were waiting for me to slip up and give them an excuse to haul me off to re-education? How could I tell him that every moment I spent with him was one-step closer to re-education? He would just want to protect me and he couldn't. There was nothing he could do.

I looked back at him and I could feel the sting of tears in my eyes. Adrian put an arm around me and pulled me towards him. I curled up next to him placing my head on his chest and desperately tried not to cry.

I'm not exactly sure when I drifted off again, but when I woke I was still curled up next to Adrian. He had the television on and was watching some old black and white movie. I lifted my head looking up at him and noticed his weary appearance.

Looking down at me, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "Did you get some rest?" he asked full of concern. He seemed to have let our earlier discussion go.

"Yes," I replied timidly turning towards the television and placing my head against his shoulder. "Do you still want to go exploring the resort?" I asked.

"Well, actually it is nearing bedtime," he said as he gestured towards the French doors that opened on to the balcony. I glanced over seeing that the sun was rising. The glass was tinted, but you could still make out the subtle brightness.

"Oh," I said realizing that I had wasted our first day at the resort sleeping in my room. "You should have woken me."

"No, you needed your rest. I don't think you have been getting much of it," he said still holding me.

"So do you," I said taking in his tired features again. "You really should head back to your room. Besides, I'm sure Eddie will be looking for you."

Adrian smiled slightly. "I'm sure Eddie is more preoccupied with looking at Jill than looking for me," he said with a chuckle.

I couldn't help but smile to that too. "Seriously though, you really should go get some rest." As I said this, his smile faded. "I'll be fine," I said. "I'm just going to take a shower and then head to bed as well."

I could tell he was torn. He may have let our earlier discussion go, but I do not think he was ready to let me go. Not after he had seen the way my nightmares had affected me. "I could stay if you want," he said casually. "I'll sleep on the couch."

God how I wanted to say yes, but I knew that he wouldn't rest if he stayed, being to busy watching over me. Besides, how would that look if he stayed? What if someone was watching my room right now? What if someone had seen him go in hours ago and never saw him leave?

"No, Adrian. I will be fine," I said firmly as I stood. He followed suit. "I'll see you in the morning or night or whatever. This Moroi time is so confusing," I said shaking my head as I walked him to the door.

"I'm sure you will get used to it," he said smiling at me again. "If you do need me, you can always text me. I'm right next door and I can be over here in no time."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said smiling back at him as I shooed him out the door.

After my shower, the tension in my body had seemed to subside. I pulled the heavy drapes across the windows to block out the little bit of light that filters in through the tinting and climbed into bed. It was even more comfortable once under the fluffy down comforter surrounded by all the pillows.

Thinking of Adrian and his offer to be there if I needed him, I had taken my cell phone to bed with me. As I lied there trying to fall asleep, I heard it vibrate on the pillow next to me. The text was from Adrian: SWEET DREAMS.

As I drifted off to sleep, it was almost as if he was beside me. For the first time in what had seemed like a long time, my sleep was not dreamless nor was it filled with nightmares. It was simply filled with sweet dreams of Adrian.

Sorry that the chapter is kind of a filler. I was having trouble with getting them to the ski resort. Please R & R. Thanks! :)