"Roza," I beg. "Where are you taking me?"

But she refuses to answer, and just drags me along.

"Rose," I demand.

"Promise you'll do what I say. Promise," she commands.

"Rose-"

"Promise!"

I hesitate, knowing I won't like what she has in store. She lets out a rush of air, quickly turning to face me, her eyes glowing bright. "Dimitri, this is really important. Promise me that you'll follow my instructions. Just this once!"

I sag in defeat. "Alright."

She smiles sadly. "Good." She starts to drag me along again, but pauses to look back at me.

"One more thing..."

I raise a brow.

"Uh, just remember that I threw myelf in front of you and turned strigoi to save your life, okay?"

I am taken aback. "Not that I would ever forget, Roza... But why are you using this to your advantage?"

She looks wary. "Dimitri, just...just don't do anything stupid, okay?"

And I am, once again, pulled behind the woman who has more muscle than height.

"Rose, tell me where we're going!"

But she tugs me along, then, eventually, shoves me behind a bush.

"Okay, you come out when I give the signal, okay?" she commands.

I stare up at her, on my knees, crouching behind a shubbery. "Roza-"

"I'll yell 'go', okay? That's the signal!"

I reach up, resting my hands on the back of her neck, and pull her down, forcing her lips onto mine.

She sinks to her knees beside me, and I kiss her with every emotion that I have ever felt.

She breaks the kiss, and before I can even feel the sting of rejection, she throws her arms around me, burying her face into my neck. "Please, please be careful," she whispers in my ear.

I hug her tightly. "Roza, stay with me. I can't lose you again. I'll fall apart," I admit, and I can feel as Rose presses her lips to my neck once more, before pulling away to cup my face.

"And I meant it. Don't do anything stupid."

"I already told you. I'm twenty-four. I can take care of myself."

She tilts her head. "You'd think."

Just like old times. I open my mouth to speak my mind, but Rose presses her finger to my lips, turning her head.

"Stay here," she whispers, and rises to her feet.

"Well, well. If it isn't the infamous Rosemarie. I heard you were a dhampir, I just couldn't believe it myself."

"Shut up, Nathan."

He steps forward, hands in his pockets. He's well-dressed, with polished shoes, a satin vest over his button-up shirt. The only reason I pay any attention to his clothing whatsoever is because he looks more he's about to attend a dinner party than a battle. He reminds me of Ivashkov. God, that kid infuriates me.

"So now you're on their side, hmm? I thought you hated them? Selfish was the word you used, I think."

"I've changed. I'm not a monster anymore."

'Nathan' smirks. "Like me? You didn't seem to think I was a monster, hmm? Not when we kissed. Not when I-"

"That meant nothing to me! I was using you," Rose interrupts, thankfully. My fists are clenched at my sides, and I want to run out and stake him, telling him he'll never touch Rose again. I've never been the jealous type, but just the thought of that monster touching her seeps into my mind.

"Oh, I know. I was using you, too," Nathan replies nonchalantly, and now I really want to kill him. "I was hoping you would give this up, but I see that's not going to happen. You remember John and Alex."

Rose turns to run, but is grabbed from behind by two strigoi. Rose struggles, but has been weakened due to her lack of training.

"Now, tell what's-his-name to stop hiding and come out."

Rose jerks her arm, then grits her teeth as she is tugged back. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really?" he hisses. "Well then I suppose there is no one to hear you scream."

Her arms are twisted behind her back and she bits her lip. "Don't," she gasps, speaking to me, and my heart breaks.

"No? Nothing? Well then, what about a broken neck?" He walks behind her, gripping her throat.

"No!" I roar, an inhuman growl escaping my throat, and I jump from my hiding place. "Don't. Touch. Her."

Nathan shoots me a bright, cold grin. Ice-like. "We were wondering when you would show up."

I grip my stake tightly. "I said let her go," I hiss. "Take me, instead."

Rose gasps. "No!"

Nathan removes his hands from around her neck, but I don't relax. My gaze never leaves Nathan, but I nudge my head towards his followers.

"I don't want their hands on her," I command.

Nathan shrugs. "So? What do you care? She doesn't care about you."

I refrain from rolling my eyes. How petty. "Really?" I say, sarcasm dripping from my lips. "Does she not?"

Nathan smirks. "How about you tell her what you told me, sweetheart? Remind me what you said, again?"

Rose keeps her face blank. "Screw you."

He grins again. "Oh? Not going to talk? Even if I kill your boyfriend, too?"

Now, she is silent. I am almost afraid of the words that will come from her mouth, words she has spoken about me.

She squeezes her eyes shut, then shakes her head. Nathan takes a step towards me, and Rose caves.

"No!" To my surprise, tears seep down her cheeks. Oh, Roza. "Okay! Okay!" she sniffs. "I... I said... I said that I didn't love you. That you were just like...just like Jesse." She struggles against the grip of the two men. "Please Dimitri, I was, I changed! I didn't mean it! Please, I-"

Nathan waves his hand, and the two strigoi pull up Rose's arms. She cries out. Nathan smiles, cold and emotionless.

"Oh, you skipped the part where you said what a heartless bastard he was, and how he never actually gave you what you needed."

I suppress a wince. My...previous display of affection towards Rose was a sore point for me. I knew that I hadn't shown Rose anything, any love, really any interest, when we were at the academy. And that is something I would regret. Every day of my life.

Nathan slowly approaches. "Still want to give your life for her?" he asks smugly.

I look at Rose, whose tears stain her face, slipping down her cheeks. "Dimtri," she whispers.

I turn back to Nathan. "No," I whisper, and turn away, unable to look at Rose's broken face. And then she screams in pain, and I can hear the crack of bone.

All of my love, my emotion, my anger, floods through me, and I take a deep breath.

*gasp* Please leave a review! I love to hear your comments!