AN – Firstly THANK YOU to those who have reviewed, followed or favourited this story! I honestly didn't expect so many so fast! I've found writing to be so therapeutic to me and I only started like a week or two ago. I was never good at English (Failed GCSE English 5 times, I'm from UK).
So the chapter came to me a lot quicker than I thought it would. I wanted to keep it as close to the original as possible. Just changing the timings of everything to later. From here on out the plot changes.
DISCLAIMER – VA universe and characters belong to Richelle Mead!
Chapter 2 - The Rescue.
We headed out of the Dhampir dorms and towards the med clinic in complete silence to meet Alberta and Matthews. Usually our silences were comfortable. This was anything but, it was riddled with underlying tension. Dimitri walked as far from me as propriety allowed without drawing attention. Like he didn't even want to be near me. Was what we had done that bad for him? I thought it was pretty fantastic but he did have more experience than me. We needed to talk about this and soon. But Lissa was more important right now.
They come first I thought bitterly.
As we entered the med clinic, I caught sight of Christian who looked frantic ''Rose!'' He yelled, running towards me ''Is she ok? Please tell me she's ok? Where is she? Why have Guardians taken her? Is she ok?'' He repeated.
''Christian. Slow down. She's fine. For now.'' I looked towards Alberta, a question in my eyes, she shook her head. He didn't know, I couldn't tell him. He'd panic all the more. ''Christian, you don't need to worry. I'll get her back. Trust me?'' He nodded in response and went to follow to doctor, who'd been calling to him, back into the room he'd ran out of. I turned back towards Alberta.
''Dimitri, can you go and get a car ready. Rose follow me.'' Alberta said in a stern voice, I looked at Dimitri, scared he had told her. He caught my eye, the same guilt plaguing them. He must have seen the fear in my eye and shook his head so slightly I'm sure Alberta wouldn't of picked up on it. He turned to look at Alberta and nodded as he turned to leave. Finally, some sort of reaction out of him. I gulped and followed Alberta into the room. What if she asked me what happened? I couldn't tell her. I wouldn't. I needed to talk to Dimitri first. Even then, I wouldn't be telling anyone, he could lose his job. I didn't care what they'd do to me, but he'd worked to hard.
''Ok, Rose. I know Dimitri has already told me but I need it from your point of view. What happened? Spare no detail'' Alberta said, voice soft. Oh, I'd be sparing some detail I thought. Matthews had followed us in the room which was an examination room I had been in before. Would I ever go long without being in this place?
As we waited for Dimitri to get back with the car, I filled Alberta and Matthews in, giving as much detail as I could about what had happened. Dimitri arrived back just before I finished
''… and I got sucked into her head again, I saw that Victor looked healthier than before. I searched her most recent memories and saw briefly everything that unfolded. The torture...'' I shuddered at the slight memory of it that I had ''when he was trying to convince her to heal him. The healing itself. Then what he had planned for her now. He needs to keep her around. Locked up, like his own personal nurse so he can live a long life. He has some plans for the Moroi world but I don't know what that is.'' I explained. Skipping over certain aspects which were still a mystery to me and ones I would never tell.
Alberta looked up at Dimitri. He gulped. He couldn't think I told her. Right? ''Car all set?'' He let out a breath and nodded ''Let's go then. Rose with me.'' I followed them all out of the room as we piled into the SUV. I thought I was going to have to fight to come with them. Maybe they knew the bond was valuable in this situation. I could direct them after all. As we headed out to the car Dimitri made eye contact with me again, the same guilt in his eyes, but I could see a question there. Why didn't I tell Alberta? I just rolled my eyes at him with a why would I attitude.
Dimitri drove heading out of the Academy as I explained the basis of where to go. I was in the passenger seat, Alberta and Matthews behind. ''Its better if I'm in her head. I'll get a better feel for where she is.'' I said as I slipped into Lissa head. I noticed that she had passed out, exhausted from the healing. I used this opportunity to further search her memories for any information that might lead us to her. I saw road signs. ''They headed south on eighty-three.'' I informed Dimitri. ''They took a turning but I didn't see the road sign, I can tell you when we are closer though.'' He nodded in response.
Alberta gasped behind us. ''Eighty-three, and they've already been stopped for so long? How long ago did this happen?'' I winced slightly, unsure what to say. I couldn't exactly say, Well Alberta, it took me so long because I was too busy getting it on with my mentor in his dorm room, now said mentor won't even look at me for longer than a second. No I definitely couldn't say that. Luckily Dimitri replied, before I thought of something.
''I think Victor used a compulsion spell which he put on the necklace he gave Rose. Causing her to attack me and me to attack her'' He said it so matter-of-factly, I almost believed him. If I didn't already know the truth. It couldn't of really been compulsion could it? And attack? Is that what he thought, what he felt that was? Me attacking him, was it truly that awful that he would rather think of it as an attack than what it actually was? I thought I saw something in his eyes in his room, love, desire, but now maybe it was just lust. Just another man wanting a quick fix. The relieve some of the solitude he lives in with some -more than willing- female company. My brain started going into overdrive, thinking crazier thoughts what if it was all a trick? An illusion made up inside my head? He said it was compulsion. That can make you believe anything. But that wouldn't explain his reaction. Unless that was part of the illusion? No. It must of happened. I'm choosing to believe it happened. I could understand why he'd lie to his boss. I'd never heard of compulsion being added to a charm before but Alberta seemed to buy it.
I slipped back into Lissas head to search for anymore key identifiers on the path she travelled. After I felt like I knew the way, I stayed, experiencing everything she did. I didn't want to miss anything that might help us. Any small piece of information would be enough. Victor was asking her to heal him. She was refusing him. Making me proud as her temper flared. I didn't know she had it in her.
Suddenly someone else walked into the room. He was introduced as Kenneth. A Moroi air user and that's when everything turned bad. The pain she experienced caused me to scream. I couldn't get out of her head. Couldn't break away from the memories of the torture, they'll held me there. I knew they'd tortured her. I just didn't know truly how horrendous it was until I experienced it myself. I'd only caught a glimpse earlier, enough to know she didn't have a choice.
I felt the SUV jerk left at my sudden outburst, breaking me away from the bond slightly. I managed to separate myself from Lissas memories enough to have a feel of what was happening in the car. From the corner of my eye I could see Dimitri giving me a concerned look as I pressed my hands to my head, leaning forward. He started slowing the car ''NO! No. Don't stop. It's her memory of the torture. Keep going!'' Alberta reached around the seat and rubbed my arm comfortingly as I slipped back into Lissas head. Picking up where I left off. Luckily, Lissa gave in pretty fast, not that I could blame her. She healed Victor quickly. Seeing it through her eyes was remarkable. I'd seen her heal animals, and she'd healed me. But seeing it first-hand. Wow. I felt the warm and fuzzy feeling swarm over her as she used spirit.
After seeing everything in more detail again, I easily detached myself as she was still passed out. ''Turn here'' I said as the turning approached. We was nearly there now. As we grew closer, I explained how many people where in the cabin. ''From what I could tell there was Victor and Lissa as well as Kenneth.'' I shuddered ''Then there are 4 guardians, one has gone with Lissa, I'm presuming, the others are with Victor I guess''.
I was abruptly pulled into Lissa head as she woke up. Fear filled the bond, looking around the room, she noticed a guardian not far from her. Lucky for her, she was out of view from the others in the room and she was under a window. I could feel a plan forming ''No, Lissa, don't be an idiot.'' I muttered urgently. ''Stupid one way bond.'' Not caring to listen to the responses in the car, I only sensed the car speed up. She managed to sit up on the couch she had been moved to, which alerted the guardian she had awoken. As he turned to face her she tilted her face and smiled at him, staring directly into his eyes. Although she was still weak from the healing I could sense her pull on spirit compulsion.
''You're to stay quiet. I'm going to leave and you are not going to alert the others. You are going to help me leave.'' He was powerless against her, his eyes glazing over in submission. The guardian nodded in response. Lissa looked to the window, a clear direction in her eyes. The guardian slid the window open and held out his hand for Lissa. I felt the car start to slow so slipped out of her head. I could sense we was close. Maybe a few minutes away I hoped we got there in time. Any other day, I would admire her fearlessness at trying to save herself. Today not so much, she had to know I was coming after her. Suddenly I was reminded of another memory. Victor telling her I wasn't coming for her. Because I was otherwise occupied. Did he know? Does that mean the compulsion charm is real? Focus Rose I chastised myself. Focus on Lissa. She comes first.
As we pulled up a ways away from the cabin, I filled everyone in on what I saw through the bond. Slipping in momentarily to see where Lissa was. She'd already left the cabin and was in the woods. Damn it. Slipping back to my own head. This complicated things. We all turned to Alberta for the plan.
''Dimitri, you and I will go into the Cabin and dispatch the guardians and arrest Victor. Matthews you go after the princess. Meet back here.'' She said decidedly.
I looked at her. ''What about me?''
''No, Rose you need to stay here. You've played your part.'' With that Alberta and Matthews got out the car. Dimitri went to follow.
''Seriously Comrade? I need to go. I need to help her.''
He turned to face me. Still with that same guilt, but his expression soften slightly as he looked at me. ''No Rose. You have helped her. You told us where she is. It our turn now.'' he must have been able to tell I was going to fight him as he continued. ''Lissa will need your help after this, she needs you to stay safe. We both do.'' He muttered the last part so low I didn't think he meant for me to hear him. I didn't know what that meant, I really needed to talk to him. I sagged against the seat in defeat. I couldn't hold up this rescue. I wouldn't. With that he opened the door and followed Alberta. After about 30 seconds I decided I was going. I knew I wouldn't stay, he probably did too. Before I could get out of the SUV I was sucked back into the bond. Crap. Psi-hounds. Lissa was surrounded by four of them. I forced myself out of the bond kicking the passenger dash.
''What?! What did you see?'' came a voice right behind me. I spun startled and was met with ice blue eyes. Christian.
''Christian, how the hell did you get here?''
''I heard Petrov tell Belikov to get the car. I waited outside until he came back and got in the car while you were all in the med clinic.'' He shrugged, I looked at him outraged. ''What? You didn't think I'd let you come alone. Its Lissa.'' Christian replied matter-of-factly. ''Now what's going on?''
''Don't you have a concussion or something?'' He shrugged in response, as I continued. ''Psi-hounds. They're surrounding her. I have to warn Matthews and she needs back up'' On the off chance, I searched the glove box for a weapon, finding a stake. I shrugged and grabbed hold of it. Least it was a weapon, even if I wasn't trained to use it yet. ''And yes I know, you're coming with me'' I muttered before I turned around again to face Christian, giving him with a no bullshit stare ''Just do as I say and stay behind me.'' He nodded and mock saluted me. Rolling my eyes we both exited the car and headed towards where I could sense Lissa. We were so close now, I knew exactly where I needed to go.
We headed off into the woods in silence. It suddenly became clear to the both of us Christian was slowing us down, the daylight weakened him. I didn't even wait. It was daylight. He was safe, well safe from Strigoi. I ran at full speed, leaving him and heading to Lissa. Slipping into her head quickly as I ran. She was still surrounded. I guess they had orders to not attack her. They must belong to Victor, and take their orders from him. Running faster than I thought possible I made it to the clearing. Still no sign of Matthews, I'd beat her thanks to the bond.
As I broke through the edge of the clearing. Two psi-hounds turned on me. Apparently they had no such orders to not attack me. Luckily I had my borrowed stake and as one leaped for me I connected with my stake, piecing its neck. It fell to the ground immediately, whimpering softly, blood slowly spilling out of the wound, surrounding it. For half a heartbeat I felt remorse. Remorse for killing an animal which wasn't much different from a dog. But then I remembered Lissa. I would do anything to protect Lissa.
I turned to see the other one spring for an attack. This time I was too slow to respond in bringing my stake high enough, I managed to dodge slightly but its claws made impact to my shoulder, minimising the damage. It hurt, but I could still fight. I had to. I swung out with my stake in hand, luckily the beast made contact with my non-dominate arm so I could still wield my stake. I managed to knock this one down hard enough, using the hilt of the stake. Either dead or unconscious I wasn't sure. I took a quick glance to my shoulder, assessed the wound, weeping with blood. Not too bad. It wasn't deep, but would probably need stitches. It will heal.
My clothes were a different matter, my hoodie had been shredded, I pulled it off. Discarding it. My top had survived mostly. Some slight tears over my torso and the left shoulder where the wound was, was completely ruined, hanging on by a thread. I ripped the sleeve completely off. Lessening the material so it didn't get in my way.
As I turned to face Lissa and the remaining two psi-hounds. I noticed the hounds were already moving. But not towards me. I turned to see Christian on the edge of the clearing. ''get out of here!'' I shouted. It was too late though. They had his scent now. They charged towards him. He managed to light one up with fire, it turned away running wildly trying to put the fire out. It fell quickly. While the other came around the side of him. I was too far away from him to do anything other than shout at him. It leaped onto him, clawing and biting at him. He tried fighting it, I starting running towards him, but quickly halted and ducked when I heard someone shout ''DOWN!'' and gun shots echoed through the clearing. I heard unning and then someone halting beside me. Matthews, her gun raised and was shooting at a rapid speed into the beast clawing at Christians body. Eventually it released Christian and fell to the side. Probably dead.
Standing, I rushed over the Christian, clutching my bloody arm -the bleeding had increased- followed by Matthews. His body was covered in claw and bite marks. He was still alive but I didn't think he had long left. I turned to see Lissa practically crawling towards us. When she saw Christian she gasped. Her eyes wide and distraught as she looked at him. She reached out, I sensed her trying to summon on spirits power but she couldn't.
''I can't.'' she whispered, voice breaking. ''I'm too weak'' She looked broken. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Victor had taken everything she had for his own selfish reasons and now she would pay the ultimate price and lose someone close to her, again. Looking at her, I opened up the bond. Sensing her feelings, sensing how much she truly cared for him and how much pain she was in losing another person in her life. She had lost so much in her short life. She deserved some happiness. She's only had me for so long, but it wasn't just the two of us anymore. She had Christian. I couldn't let her lose him as well.
''Liss,'' I whispered, ''You need to save him'' taking a step towards her and moving my ponytail away from my neck, tilting slightly ''Power up princess'' I heard Matthews gasp behind me as she figured what I meant but I didn't care. Lissa looked at me, first in confusion then understanding dawned her features. She didn't even second guess it, happy for the offer to save him.
As her fangs made contact with my skin. The pain from the initial breaking of skin lasted a second, then the bliss overcame me. The wonderful high I had felt many times before, muting the pain which was becoming ever present in my shoulder. I was brought back to our time on the run. I didn't realise until this moment how much I missed the endorphins. Missed the bite. She didn't take much, from what I could tell. Just enough. I slumped over, luckily someone catching me. Matthews I suspected. As Lissa made her way over to Christians barely alive body and summon upon the power of spirit again.
I felt tiny flickers of the power through the bond, but it was mostly numb now from the endorphins in my blood stream. Instead I witnessed the changes before my eyes. The wounds all over Christians body slowly fused together completely disappearing, leaving no evidence they were ever there other than his torn and blood stained clothes. The sickly death look of his skin morphed into his usual healthier pale colour as his sparkly blue eyes fluttered open. Smiling up at Lissa.
I felt more people entering. Heard one gun shot, probably for the second psi-hound from earlier, mustn't of been dead before. They came to a stop beside us. I looked up, groggy from both the fight and blood loss – from the wound on my arm and from Lissa drinking from me- to see Alberta and Dimitri coming to a pause before us. Looking at me, slumped in Matthews arms then towards Lissa and Christian.
As Dimitri took me in, I could see the worry cross his features. I took in that concerned gaze and that's the last thing I remember before the blackness took me. Blacking out from blood loss.
AN - I had originally planned for it to be too late and not find Lissa but I decided that would be too harsh. Plus this is focusing on our favourite couple. I might do a one shot of the alternative that I had planned.. If people want to read it?
I loved the power up princess line from the VA Movie. I just had to include it! I've decided to change this into a short story. Maybe like 4-5 chapters? Next chapter we will see the all-important confrontation of what happened. What will Dimitri do? What do you think he should do?
I'm hoping to get my other story out soon. Its set after those 4 words in the church. Basically the last book never happened and Rose, Lissa and Christian moved to Lehigh with Eddie and Celeste (She didn't die, I've read so many fanfics which included her in them and loved her character) and another original guardian. But there's obviously a twist which I'm not telling you about. I might put a teaser in the next chapter author notes..