Chapter 9

Dimitri's POV

Peach. I smelled peaches and I pulled her body closer to me as I opened my eyes – our feet spinning around as we danced. I stared deep in her eyes before I twirled her in a circle, her giggle contagious. The song changed to a slower tempo – my hands going to her waist and hers going around my neck. "I love you, Roza." I said, my heart melting from the look of love that was sent back to me. "I love you too, Comrade" she said, her sweet voice said. Hugging her close, I leaned my head down and placed my cheek on top of her head. This moment couldn't get more perfect.

Slowly Roza stared to fade under my arms, and I looked down to see her fading. "Roza, what's happening? Where are you going?" I asked panicked.

She giggled again and said, "You're waking up, silly man."

I blinked rapidly, squinting at the light that was invading my thoughts and dreams. Damn it! I leaned the back of my head into my pillow and pressed. Standing up, I went to go make coffee before I realized that my kitchenette wasn't here – wait, yesterday. Abe. Plane. Pennsylvania. Diner. Sebastian. Roza. Shit, Roza was here. Alive. Oh god. I hastily changed my clothes, throwing on a Guardian outfit. Black pants, black shirt. It was cold, but the shirt was fleece lined for the winter, perfect for keeping warm. I looked at my Guardian boots – do they wear shoes in the house here… should I put them on? In the end, my feet were freezing, so I opted for the boots; if they said anything, I'd take them off.

I quickly walked into the bathroom, peaking around the door to ensure Roza wasn't in here. I remember the conversation with Deacon last night where he said we would be sharing a bathroom; last thing I wanted to do was invade her privacy. She deserved that.

I brushed my teeth and combed my hair quickly, making sure I looked completely presentable for seeing her. For the first time in years. Well, being awake and expecting to see her.

I walked out my bedroom, leaving the door open, it wasn't like I had much to my name if they wanted to take it. Taking note of the fact that Lissa's door was just opening as I walked out, and she looked at me; she was nervous. Last night's meeting didn't quite go as everyone else planned. She was biting her lip and I gave her a small nod. "Together?" She said cautiously and I smiled lightly. She nodded and released a long breath.

Slowly we walked down the hall; I couldn't help but peak into Roza's room, shocked at seeing her bed made – she never used to do that. As we got closer to the stairs, the scent of coffee trailed up and I couldn't stop the groan from leaving me; it had been ages since I had a good cup of coffee. We took the steps one at a time, noting the use of artificial light as all the curtains were drawn – for Lissa's sake; a fact that caused me to smile. She still cared.

Light music interrupted my musings as we turned into the kitchen, only to be hit with a shocking sight. Roza was cooking. Roza was cooking and the house wasn't in flames. She was smiling and had the table stacked with food while a little girl danced around the kitchen. The girl from the photo. My breath caught at the wonderous sight in front of me.

"Domestic Goddess, much" Lissa said with a smile and Rose yipped while dropping the spatula. Her laughter filling the room after it.

"Damn right I am," Rose said dramatically while thrusting her hip to the side, showing a sliver of skin from between her pants and shirt – I ached to touch.

A tiny gasp was heard, and I looked down quickly only to be met with the astonished face of the little girl who was pointing at Roza. "Auntie Rose! You said a bad word!" the little girl said!

"You're right, I did. I'll give you a dollar if you don't tell your dad I swore in front of you" Roza schemed while bending down to her level. The sight melted my heart, and I had some serious groveling to do before I could even think future thoughts such as this.

"Make it TWO dollars and I will" the little girl played right back, leaving us all laughing.

"How about I give you THREE dollars if you go eat and play in your room so the three of us can talk" Roza said handing the little girl a plate of food.

"I can eat in my room!" The little girl squealed and took off of up the stairs.

"Amelia, no running in the house!" Roza called after her, while shaking her head. She gestured for us to sit down at the table while she stood by the counter.

Lissa stepped forward to Rose and started to speak "Rose, I am so so…". Rose held up a hand to stop her from speaking before lightly grabbing Lissa shoulders.

"Stop," Roza said with a sigh. "I appreciate what you're trying to say, but honestly last night was too emotionl and I can't handle something like that again so soon. I don't want to spend my time being angry while you're here. You hurt me" she paused before looking at me, but it didn't seem like she looked at me. "You both really hurt me, but I don't want to be mad. I don't want to be sad. Once upon a time, you were my best friend and I want that back. We've all grown up and figured shit out in our own heads, least I know I did – and I've been happy these last few years. So instead of an apology, I just want us to move on. I forgive you both, I'm not going to say that it doesn't still sting – it does, I'll never be able to forget it, and I had extreme reservations about having either of you here; but you're here, you need help and I'm not about to turn you away. So instead of being angry – I'm choosing to continue being happy, and I am really happy you're here" Rose finished. Lissa looked like she was going to cry before she threw herself at Rose in a hug.

"I'm glad you're happy but I still need to at least say the words, or I'll go crazy. I am so so sorry, Rose. You're my best friend and I let you down.". Lissa finally let go of her and sat down at the table before Rose handed her a blood bag.

"Roza…" I started and she looked in my direction, but like Deacon with Lissa, I felt that she wouldn't look at me. She was just starting around me.

"Rosie! Why did Amelia say that she could eat in our room?" Bass walked in, effectively cutting off what I was going to say.

Roza sighed, "We can talk later, Dimitri. Right now, we have to some stuff to do. Starting with getting a ring for Lissa."

I felt as though a cold bucket of water had been dumped on me. I shouldn't have expected anything else – how could she forgive me for what I did? I'm a monster. Sighing, I sat down at the table and Lissa sat next to me, she put her hand on me knee and gave me a sad smile.

"As for you Bass – I knew it'd annoy you" Roza said with a laugh – a laugh I wish I could elicit from her. God I'm pathetic – pathetic and in love. "Plus, I needed to speak to them without little ears – a conversation you just interrupted; thanks for that."

So, she DID want to speak to me – my mouth lifted in a small smile before Lissa interrupted their conversation, "I'm sorry, did you say ring?"

Rose leaned against the counter, slowly nodding before nibbling a bit on a piece of toast – I just wanted to kiss her. I shook my head a bit. What is wrong with me? I was always drawn to her, but this was a new level. It felt as though all of my feelings for her had been multiplied and nothing could turn it down. I could feel the blood in my body – mine, mine, mine. The thought pattern similar to when I was a strigoi but different – she was mine and I wanted to claim her, but she wasn't mine -not a possession, not a toy, but still mine.

A heavy hand touched my shoulder, and I jumped out of my thoughts before staring up into Bass' eyes. He looked down at me and slowly nodded as if he was telling me he knew how I was feeling. Looking back around I saw Rose and Lissa both looking at me concerned – Rose had a look in her eye that I couldn't place, she bit her lip and looked away. My head fell on the table, and I groaned, this was torture.

"Yes! A ring." Bass said as though he was trying to clear whatever thickness was in the air and in my head.

"And what is this ring going to do for me?" Lissa said confused.

"So, like you being here, this cannot get out to many people. Just consider it another secret, Liss. Okay?" Rose said while looking at Lissa directly – I've rarely seen her that serious and it was making me nervous. Lissa nodded and was agreed before Rose continued her reasoning, "This ring will make you a day walker."

My eyes shot open and Lissa started to cough on the water that she was drinking. "Day walker? Like walk in the sun" I said shocked – that wasn't possible, was it.

"We know a witch who has an ability to do it. It takes some bribing but she's already agreed and we just need to get out there to her. I also need to do something on the way for Deacon, so we should probably leave as soon as you all are done eating." Rose said as if it was the most natural thing.

"Roza, that…that can't be possible. A moroi. In the sun and not burn. It's blasphemy." I said shocked and she once again just looked through me – it was starting to really piss me off. I know I hurt her, I know I was an ass, but the least she could do was look at me while my emotions were all up in air.

"It is possible, Dimitri. A lot of what the counsel and the dominion have drilled into all your heads, is incorrect. There are more vampires out there than just strigoi, dhampir and moroi, there are cold ones, day walkers, true vampires, originals. Ghosts, witches, wizards, and then some, it's all real." Nothing made sense to me. Everything was changing too rapidly and I felt as though the walls were closing in on me. I didn't know what to make of life from here on out. I was a Guardian – promised to give my life to the Moroi – people who did not think I was worthy of the truth, people who would rather see me die and suffer than be happy in my own skin, just to keep them around longer.

If this was true, and by the look on Bass' face, it appeared to be. He looked sorry, as though he let the cat out of the bag. I stood up and did what I do best, stay silent and followed wordlessly, because everything I was taught to believe… was a lie.