Chapter 55: The Last Sacrifice

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.

If I were you I'd get out a box of tissues for this chapter and I don't mean those dollar store kind either. I'm talking Puff's Plus with Lotion.

RPOV

After I hit the ground things happened in slow motion. I was nearing unconsciousness, but in what would be my last few seconds of life Lissa grabbed the charm that was around my neck and lifted it over my head. She put it on herself and as she did let out the most blood curdling scream I've ever heard. In that moment a sound that I could only describe as brain melting was emitted as a piercing ray of light shot from the pendant out into the brigade of Strigoi.

Our whole team had stopped dead in their tracks and gaped at Lissa.

Once the Strigoi were illuminated Lissa, looking like a woman possessed called out in a commanding voice.

"Stay where you are. Do not move."

One by one each Strigoi stood perfectly still. It was as if she were compelling them all at once. Her body was rigid, but began to shake the longer she held them.

As the Strigoi stood still the Guardians and fire users , and Mia and Adrian sprang into action staking and burning until every last Strigoi lay in a heap on the ground. Once the last Strigoi had fallen the light that had come from the pendant and from Lissa went dead and she fell to the ground in utter exaustion. Christian ran to her side as fast as he could.

The fight was over, we had won. I felt safe knowing I was leaving my friends and family alive and well. Clinging hard to that thought I felt Dimitri cradle me in his arms.

"Roza stay with me it's okay you're going to be okay. Do not leave me. The fight is over. We did it. We won. Just hold on for me." He pleaded desperation in his voice.

"It's okay Comrade. I'm ready to go." I finally realized what Babushka's warning meant." I told him calmly as my life's blood ebbed away.

The one who sacrifices everything will win. She had said.

"I love you." I told him as the blackness took me over.

DPOV

I watched as Strigoi lunged for Lissa and as I expected like any good Guardian Rose threw herself directly in between them. The Strigoi had nearly ripped her in two. I could see the blood dripping from her open wounds. My heart constricted and I knew that this was it. We were going to lose this battle and the love of my life had been the first to go. It took all I had to remain in an upright position and not to run to her and throw myself over her broken body.

What I didn't expect was in the second it took for Rose to fall. Lissa screamed like a banshee, ripped off the pendant Rose had been wearing and put it on herself. As she did a strange look came over her and a high pitched sound pierced the air. Just then a beam of light protruded from Lissa through the pendant and lit up the darkness. So much so that the Strigoi became confused.

Then in an almost inhuman voice she commanded them to stay where they were. To my utter amazement they stopped and stood where they were their eyes on Lissa. It was like she was compelling them all at the same time. This was the opening we needed. We sprung into action and even Adrian and Mia picked up stakes and began to rid us of the undead. I staked as fast as I could as getting to Roza was my only coherent thought.

When the last Strigoi corpse hit the ground the Princess's necklace shut off the light and she fell to the ground next to Rose. Christian was the first to make it to them and began to check for a pulse on the Princess.

I ran faster than I ever though possible and pulled Roza into my arms. Her eyes were open, but the light was slowly fading as she became weaker and weaker. I looked over at the princess who was unconscious. She had saved everyone, but would not be able to save Roza.

"Roza stay with me it's okay you're going to be okay. Do not leave me. The fight is over. We did it. We won. Just hold on for me." I pleaded with her desperately.

"It's okay Comrade. I'm ready to go." I finally realized what Babushka's warning meant." She told me as she slowly slipped away from me.

The one who sacrifices everything will win. Is what Babushka had told her.

"I love you." She whispered as she took her last breath. The love of my life died in my arms.

Well I can feel the hate mail starting to pour in already. Yes I did it! I killed Rose! It was necessary. She had to save everyone. Can one really kill off the main character in a book without losing all the readers? We'll find out soon enough.

Sorry this chapter is so short, but believe me I had to cut it here for dramatic effect. My advice to all of you is to stick with me. I have some tricks up my sleeve still yet to come.

Please Review even if it is to yell at me. I like it! Poor Dimitri!