Disclaimer: VA belongs to Richelle Mead.
Her heart is hammering in her chest as they get closer to the school. Christian has her hand in a vice like grip, like he is afraid she is going to disappear. Last night was filled with a pleasure induced haze. Christian was like a man starved and her body was his feast. Not that she was complaining. Soon she wouldn't be able to see him. All she would have are their memories.
They stop a few miles outside of St. Vlad's. They had decided to walk to the back entrance; the one most people don't know about. Chris had said they were most likely keeping an eye on the front gates. Since most thought it was the only way in or out.
They walk in silence both lost in their own thoughts. Rose wonders if Adrian would be where she told him to wait. She had asked for him to meet them first; she didn't really want to see anyone else. And now with her plan to leave, she would need for Adrian to restrain Christian. How, she wasn't sure. But the answer most likely stood with compulsion and that made her stomach twist.
It was late in the afternoon but she wasn't surprised when she didn't see a Guardian at the back gate. She has asked Adrian to take care of that for her. She remembers getting in trouble with Lissa when they tried to ditch class back here. She gives a small smile at the memory.
When life was simple.
Rose looks up when the sun hides behind a dark cloud. She is amazed at how cloudy it is.
When she looks back down she sees the Academy; they are a few yards away from the gate. Christian tightens his hand around hers. She looks at him, "Are you ready? All hell is about to break loose." He gives her a sarcastic laugh, "Is there any other way to do it?"
Suddenly nausea hits hear like a train. Her stomach rolls and pivots; that only means one thing.
"Chris, run!" Red eyes pop up behind them. How had she not felt them before? They are so close!
They both head to the gate, Christian doesn't hesitate. But soon she is ripped away from him. A hand grabs her shirt and tosses her to the side.
She lands on her feet to see four Strigoi. Two going for her and two going for him. "Chris, you're magic!" Her view is blocked, a blonde steps into her line of sight. He snarls, "He is coming with us!" She doesn't answer. Instead she surprises him by kicking his middle. She doesn't stop, because soon the other one is right there.
Rose manages to stake one but the other is not letting up. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Chris surrounded by three more. What the hell? Where are they coming from?
Claws gash the side of her face and she yelps. She dodges back trying to find an opening. Just at that moment the clouds open up a bit. She can hear the hiss of the Strigoi as the sun rays come out. They withdraw into the trees but they don't disappear. Rose looks up to see that the clouds only part for a short time.
"Go to the gate!" They both run, trying to close the gap before the sun goes away again. Rose is tackled from the side.
"Rose!" Without thinking she shoves her stake into a chest. And is surprised when blood runs down her hand. She looks to see the same girl who attacked them the other day.
"Hurry up and open the gate. The humans are here as well!" She stands up only to be grabbed again. Rose doesn't stop. She sees Christian looking at her. "Chris, open the gate! I'll hold them off! I'll be right behind you."
Christian knows she's right. The sun is out so the Strigoi won't attack. She can deal with the humans. He needs to open the gate so they can both cross and be safe behind the wards. He can feel someone behind him so he sends a fireball in their direction. A Human scream hits his ear, but he doesn't feel bad.
He finally reaches the gate. There is a small lock on it. He yanks to see if it will give but no luck. He looks over to see Rose knock another human down; it seems like she got them all. But he can still see the eyes of the Strigoi, waiting for the sun to disappear.
He tries to incinerate the lock. It takes a few tries but it finally begins to crumble. But it's at that moment that the clouds begin to close.
"Come on you stupid lock!" Rose is running to him, but now so are the others. Finally the lock falls away and he yanks it open.
"Go Chris!" Rose is right behind him. But he feels another hand grab at him.
"No!"
It all happens in a matter of seconds but it plays in his mind like slow motion. A Strigoi has his hand on Christian's shirt. Rose slams her elbow into that things chin, making him lose his grasp, but it grabs Rose's arm. Her eyes lock with Christian's. He knows what she is going to do.
She manages to push him through the gate. She twists her arm and her stake drives through the Strigoi. Rose grabs the gate and slams it shut, just as two humans try to make their way in. Christian feels an icy hand grab hold of his heart. He shouts her name as he lights the humans on fire. But then a Strigoi slams into the gate. It shrikes in pain as the wards repel it.
He can't see her anymore! Because all he can see are those damn monsters.
"Rose! Rose, no!" He can't see her but he hears her, "Chris go! Go get help! Find Adrian! Go!" He can hear her grunt; she's still fighting. He can't light all those things on fire; he is already feeling his power drain.
So he listens to her. He runs shouting Adrian's name. He needs to hurry; she needs him.
"Christian! There you are, where the hell is-"
"Strigoi. Rose. She needs help!" Adrian's eyes widen, but he doesn't question it.
"Christian is that you?" He looks over and sees Tasha, Lissa, Dimitri, and Alberta. What the hell is she doing here?
He doesn't answer them; Rose is still alone out there. He runs to the back. He can hear them following him but he doesn't slow down.
Rose, please hold on. Wait for me I am coming.
His heart thumps so hard he's surprised it hasn't fallen out.
But soon he feels like it stopped altogether. Because once he reaches the back he can't breathe. Not from running.
But because when he reaches the gate, they are gone. The only thing he sees is the bodies they had taken down; blood and ashes on the floor.
There are no Strigoi.
But there is also no Rose.