Chapter 10

RPOV

I woke up when someone was nudging me awake. I felt warm strong hands touch my hair and slowly shake my shoulders. I looked straight up into Dimitri's warm chocolate brown eyes. I realized the position we were in. I did not fall asleep on his shoulders, did I? It was the best nap I had in ages.

I saw us go through the gates of the academy. All the students on the shopping trip had had their morning classes canceled so we could get some extra sleep. I was grateful for that. I could sleep for days. Shopping with Lissa was fun but exhausting. We left the car and were walking back to the dorms, me next to Lissa, the Guardians including Dimitri behind us.

I felt great, better than I have in a long time. I had burned off most of the darkness, leaving me feeling light. I got some much needed new stuff and I got to finally spend some quality time with my best friend.

I was feeling almost giddy. I jumped on a nearby bench and started to walk across it, acting like an acrobat. Lissa had to laugh. I was making funny faces while balancing and we were having fun, just being normal teenagers for a change.

That was until I felt the bench give way underneath me. I could feel it move but could do nothing to stop it. I fell hard and twisted my foot. I could feel the bone in my foot snapping. Oh, this was not good.

I cried out in pain, grabbing my foot in the process. Lissa was by my side in seconds, so were Natalie, Alberta, and Dimitri.

"Oh my God Rose, are you okay?" Lissa asked.

All I could do was shake my head. I didn't trust my voice. If I would answer I would definitely cry. And I refused to cry. I had worse pains than this. But it hurt like hell.

"We need to get her to the infirmary and have it checked out." Dimitri said, concern lacing his voice.

He picked me up in his arms, careful not to jostle me. Even through the pain, I could appreciate this. If I had known this was what it would take for Dimitri to hold me like this I might have broken my foot earlier. That was until he started to walk into the direction of the infirmary and my foot was being moved slightly. The pain was beginning to really put a damper on things. Lissa followed Dimitri into the infirmary.

Dr. Olendski motioned for Dimitri to place me on the bed. She was getting a nurse and some stuff to do an examination with. I already knew though, it was broken. Probably in more places than one. This would really hurt my training schedule.

I was stressing big time. When Dr. Olendski left the room Lissa walked over. Dimitri was standing in the corner watching me carefully.

"Can I have a moment alone with Rose please, Guardian Belikov." Lissa asked.

Dimitri looked at her funny then looked at me as if asking where she was going with this. I just looked back at him signaling it was okay. Sometimes we were so in sync it was eerie but handy. He reluctantly left the room. I wonder if it was because he didn't want to leave me alone or because he wanted to see if Lissa could heal me. But I was glad he did leave. I hadn't informed Dimitri about her special abilities yet.

Once Dimitri left, Lissa went straight to work. I was grateful, a broken foot could have cost me weeks of training. But I always worried what using her magic would do to her, to us. But I suppose I just burned the majority off. We would be okay for a while and I really couldn't have a broken foot right now. I wouldn't be any good to Lissa.

"Careful Liss, Not all the way. I still need an injury after this, or people will think I am a wuss. Just make it so it can heal in a couple of days, Okay?"

I had been really vocal about the pain on the way here. Already they would think I was a bit of a wuss for screaming when it wouldn't even appear to be broken.

"Okay, no problem. I'll just heal the bone and let the tendon heal on its own. It would look like a good sprain."

"Thanks, Lissa, that should do it."

Lissa had just finished when Dr. Olendski walked into the room telling her to leave so she could examine me. Lissa was told to go back to her room and sleep while she still could before classes.

The doctor did conclude it was a sprain and I heard her inform Dimitri in the hallway that there would be no training for a few days. She would be back to bandage my foot later.

Dimitri walked into the room and sat next to the bed.

"Well, that was an interesting ending to an interesting day. How are you feeling? You're lucky it was only a sprain. It could have been much worse."

Oh, it was. I decided not to inform Dimitri what Lissa had done. I am sure he already had his suspicions. But we didn't need to be overheard by anyone.

"I know. Thank god. I mean getting injured is one thing, but being taken down by a bench would seriously hurt my bad-ass reputation around here."

Dimitri chuckled.

"Well, we wouldn't want that. But if you are so bad-ass I guess you don't want the 'get well' presents then."

I immediately perked up when I heard the word present. I hardly got them, so it was always special for me.

"Presents? How did you manage that fast?"

He smiled again.

"They weren't initially 'get well' presents, but Victor got you something to congratulate you on your first job well done. I also got you something."

I was shocked. It was very nice of Victor to think of me. And Dimitri got me something too. When did he have time? I kept an eye on him the entire time.

He handed me a box first.

"This one is from Victor."

I opened the box, and to my utter amazement, it had the rose necklace in it. I stared at it. I remember how expensive it was. Victor was indeed very generous. I felt bad accepting it. But then again, Viktor had more money than God, so if he wanted to splurge on a necklace for a Dhampir girl, let him. It would look amazing with my dress.

"Wow" was all I could master.

"I know I can't compare to that, but I got you something too."

He handed me a small bag and inside was my favorite lipgloss. He remembered. I loved the necklace but this meant just a little bit more to me. I also wondered how he knew which one was my favorite lip gloss flavor. I only ever mentioned I was running out.

"How did you manage that? I saw you the whole time?, except you know, in that particular store."

He cleared his throat at the mention of that store and smiled a brilliant smile that reached his eyes.

"Guardian secrets." I had no idea what Guardian secrets were but I think he meant stalking my student and my crush to figure out her favorite flavor, or maybe even going through her things and then distracting myself from the fact she was buying lingerie by going on an errand.

"Thanks."

I placed my hands on his, in a way of showing appreciation. Also letting him know that even though Victor's gift was more expensive, his meant more to me.

I let my hand linger. I didn't want to pull away. He didn't either. In fact he moved closer. I don't think he did it on purpose. It just seemed something natural to us. Whenever the other was around we couldn't help but move towards each other. Like we were stuck in each other's gravity.

When we heard the door open we quickly moved apart. I retracted my hand and so did he. I even banged my elbow against the rim of the bed because of the sudden movement.

Dr. Olendski didn't seem to notice. But Dimitri moved back towards the back of the room anyway, waiting for the doctor to finish. She bandaged me up and sent me on my way. She had instructed Dimitri to take me back to my room. I don't know if he was glad she did, but he obliged.

Dimitri supported me all the way back to my room, making sure I didn't put too much pressure on my foot. It still felt a little unbalanced and I knew it would feel worse in the morning.

He helped me up the stairs, his arm around my waist. Why did things have to be so difficult. I was trying to get over him. Why did the universe keep throwing me back into his arms. Literally.

He stopped on the threshold of my room. Ah, what a gentleman. Or he was afraid what would happen if he crossed the threshold.

"Thanks for today. Not just with the foot or the lipgloss, but with everything."

You knew you had found a good guy when he was willing to clean up a bloody crime scene with you.

"Don't worry about it, Roza. I said that I would be there for you when you needed me and I meant it. I am just glad you are okay."

He smiled at me. I smiled back. Subconsciously I moved a little closer to him. He made me feel so safe. And I must admit, it was nice to have someone to share this secret with and help me when I needed him. Dimitri moved towards me again too, but caught himself.

"Well, I should let you get some rest." Dimitri turned around and walked away before I could even respond.

I sighed but closed the door. I pressed my head against the grain of the wood. Why couldn't I be a normal teenager, with a normal life.

A few days later it was time for the dance and my foot had healed. I had convinced Lissa to go in a group instead of going with dates. This eliminated the need for me to reject Mason. We would just all go together. I was in Lissa's room getting ready together with her and Natalie. We were trying on hairstyles and makeup choices. It was one of the girliest things I had done in a long time and I loved it.

Kirova had been wise to let me go to the dance. She also knew that if she kept me from the dance all hell would break loose. I was a little surprised she had been human about it. Although she did say if she found me at any of the after-parties, I would be in serious trouble. Usually, the after-parties were the only reason one would go to the dance in the first place, but I would take what I could get. At least all my friends were going.

"I don't understand why you insisted on going as a group. Why is it so wrong for you to take Mason as a date?" Lissa asked all innocent.

"Because I don't want to give him the wrong idea. I mean I like Mason, just not like that. I am not blind, I know he has feelings for me. I just don't want to lead him on."

I don't want to encourage Mason. Maybe if Dimitri and I weren't so close I might have given him a shot. Not that Dimitri and I were going anywhere, but it wasn't fair to be with Mason when I wanted to be with someone else. Whether that person was actually available didn't matter.

"But Rose, why is it so wrong for you to try and work things out with Mason. I mean you could just give him a chance. You have been very chaste since you have been back. You haven't shown interest in a boy once since you have been back."

Oh darn, Lissa had noticed something. Before we ran away I was quite interested in boys, and boys in me. Although I never went further than making out with a boy, I had made out with a lot of boys on campus. Some of them have shown interest again since I have been back. But I only had eyes for one person and he could hardly be described as a boy. I knew that that could never amount to anything, but that doesn't mean I would have to lead other boys on. No, I first had to get over this ridiculous crush before moving on to another boy.

"I haven't exactly been available to check out boys Lissa. My social time has been very limited, in case you haven't noticed. Besides I need to take school seriously to be able to become your guardian. And no boy is worth losing you."

The last part I said was slightly sarcastic and partly serious. It was essentially the reason Dimitri and I couldn't be together, not now and not in the future.

We got dressed and I must admit I looked hot in my dress. I wore my hair down, partly to cover the scars and partly to drive Dimitri crazy. His fascination with my hair was not lost on me. I had once brought up the fact I might have to cut it to show my marks or to keep it out of the way. Most female Guardians did. The look on his face had been priceless.

To finish the look off I added the necklace that Victor had given me. We looked at each other and we smiled. The boys were going to have a heart attack.

We met the boys on the way to the dance and the look on Mason's face told me I was right in my assessment of me looking hot. He was practically drooling. Christian had a similar reaction as Mason when seeing Lissa. But where Mason could not openly drool, Christian had no such reserve. He walked to her and started making-out with her. I started to gag, they pulled apart, they got the hint. Lissa blushed, Christian just looked annoyed.

We walked to the dance together.

I knew Dimitri was chaperoning. I scanned the room for him when we walked in. I wanted to see his reaction. Just because I couldn't be with him, didn't mean I didn't want to know if I looked pretty or if it got a reaction out of him. I lived for those small moments when his Guardian mask dropped and he would show some real emotion. It always told me he still felt the same as me. The thought was both reassuring as well as heartbreaking. Neither one of us seemed to be able to get over this crush. And I started to believe 'crush' wasn't the right word for how I felt. It certainly wasn't the right word for what Dimitri felt. The term seemed juvenile and he was anything but. The term lover came to mind and it sent shivers down my spine.

He scanned the room in true guardian fashion until his eyes found mine. Then his eyes moved up and down my body. The look of lust was adamant in his eyes. He seemed to catch himself doing it because he quickly put his guardian mask into place and went back to scanning the room. I had to giggle to myself. Exactly the reaction I had wanted.

We were all enjoying ourselves dancing and talking. It was nice to socialize again. It was testimony how deprived of social interaction I was, that I considered Natalie and Christian to be acceptable talking partners. I danced a couple of dances with Lissa and even a couple with Mason. I avoided the slow dances but I couldn't keep refusing him when he was asking so nicely.

I was about to call it a night. I could leave on a high note. I had stayed out of trouble and it had been fun. But when I saw Mia come over I knew I had been a few minutes too late leaving. She walked up to our little group. She looked us over like a predator trying to determine the weakest prey to pick off. She honed in on Lissa. Personally, I would have thought Natalie was an easier target, but I knew Mia wasn't interested in hurting Natalie.

"Well, I am surprised they let you come to the dance, Princess. I mean with all the death, blood and gore following you around I would have thought they would try to keep this place clean and not take any chances."

"I have nothing to do with those dead animals. It isn't my fault someone has a sick sense of humor." Lissa replied.

I could feel Lissa getting anxious. She did not want to discuss the dead animals. She felt guilty for not being able to do anything for them and scared for however was leaving them around. I had expected Mia's hand in it, even if it was only as an accomplice. I doubt Mia would know about the reason someone was leaving nearly dead animals around Lissa.

"Sure you don't have anything to do with it," Mia said sarcastically. "I find it strange that the animals just started to turn up when you didn't get any attention anymore. Can't handle the fact you're not in the spotlight anymore?"

Okay so maybe the Mia theory isn't bulletproof. She actually seemed offended. If she believed Lissa had done it to get attention, then she wasn't the one who had placed the animals. Or maybe she did and she is using this as a way to throw us off of her scent.

Argh, my head was starting to hurt.

Lissa was on the verge of tears but was holding her own, that was until Mia made it worse.

"I guess the attention of the dead family was wearing off and you needed something else to turn the attention back on you."

That did it. Lissa was in tears.

I was furious. Thank God I had burned off most of the darkness otherwise Mia would be dead. But that did not mean that normal Rose temper could not do any damage. Instead of murder, I opted for a broken nose. I slammed my fist into her face and felt the bone crack. I knew I shouldn't have. But after weeks of bullying I had hit my breaking point. And just as I was about to get more social privileges too.

All hell broke loose after that. Blood from Mia's nose burst all around the room like a fountain and guardians were on me in a second. Through the haze of people I couldn't see where Lissa had gone. I could still feel her through the bond. She was safe. I knew Christian and Mason were there and they would protect her. Mia was carried off in the opposite direction towards the infirmary. I hoped I did some lasting damage. It would be nice if her perfect little dollface would have a crooked nose for the rest of her life.

The Guardians practically threw me in my room with instructions to stay there. Now that I was alone and had some time I checked the bond and saw Lissa fleeing towards the attic. Christian was following her. Good.

She was crying her eyes out in the church attic. Christian was trying hard to comfort her, but she was very upset. It had been a low blow by Mia. I was a little glad that Christian and Mason had been there too. They would be able to testify on my behalf and maybe Mia wouldn't walk away unpunished again.

I was about to leave them be, when the sadness I felt through the bond was turned into fear. Lissa saw Christian being struck on the head by a dark figure. Through her eyes I saw Christian was unconscious on the floor in front of her. Before she could scream for help or run, the dark figure stepped into the light just before blindfolding and gagging her. She was dragged out of the attic. Before the blind fold came on I recognized the person who had hit Christian. It was one of Victor's guardians.

I got out of her head as quickly as possible. There wasn't anything to see now anyway with the blind fold on. I needed help from someone and fast. Only one name came to mind that could help me, that would believe me and understood why she might have been taken. Although why Victor's Guardian wanted her I didn't know. I needed Dimitri; he would know what to do. We would have to move fast.

I walked to the guardians building. I had been sneaking out of my room for many years and I knew my way around the campus and how to avoid the guardian's eyes. Although I mostly tried to stay clear of the guardians building, now I had to find a way inside. I saw a drainpipe at the neighboring building I could use to get higher and then jump onto the guardians building. The jump was not easy but I managed. Once inside I descended the stairs to the living quarters. I had no idea which room was Dimitri's but somehow I could find him nonetheless. It was like I was pulled towards him, like Dimitri's room was a black hole, sucking me towards it and pulling me over the event horizon.

I stood in front of his door and knocked. He should be here. He had the early shift at the dance and I saw him leave half way through.

I knocked again and he opened the door. I was about to rush into the story of how Lissa was taken and Christian was unconscious in the attic until I laid eyes on him.

My mind went blank. All I could see was Dimitri, wearing only pajama bottoms that rode a little too low on his hips and his chest fully exposed.

"Rose, what are you doing here?"

I didn't even justify that with a response. I couldn't answer him, because I had forgotten why I was here. I was here for him obviously.

I pushed him inside, closed the door and attacked him with my lips. He pulled back startled until I saw his eyes glaze over and he returned the kiss. He pushed me up against the door and I moved my legs around his weight. His lips were on mine again. His tongue finding mine and the feeling was amazing. One hand was underneath my thigh holding me up the other was tracing its way downwards from my shoulder, my back, my lower back, just caressing me with a fiery passion. He lifted me up and placed me on the bed. His bed. The bed that had his smell, his cologne. The bed he sleeps in at night. Does he dream about me here? Does he sleep naked?

My hands were in his hair keeping his face close to mine. I moved one hand down his body and I could feel him shiver. He murmured my name occasionally, so I know I was doing a good job. He moved his lips to my neck down to my chest. One hand was running up my thigh, reaching higher and higher. I moaned at the sensation. He seemed to enjoy the sound as I could feel a small smirk appear on his face as he was still placing kisses down my neck and chest.

He moved the dress up and started to unzip the side. I was excited, nervous but excited. This was it, I was finally going to have sex. I had made out with a million boys before and everyone probably thought I had lost my virginity ages ago but I could never cross that line. I understood why now. It has to be with the right person, and I knew without a doubt that Dimitri was the right person. I did feel a bit self-conscious. Dimitri was older and more experienced than me. He obviously knows what he is doing whereas I just make it up as I go. But from the noises he was making when I would touch him or kiss him I guess I wasn't too bad.

Dimitri was taking off my dress and I was left in my underwear. I thanked the stars I had worn some of the new nicer stuff Lissa had gotten me. Turquoise matching panties and bra. It worked with my skin tone perfectly. I could see Dimitri stopping for a moment and taking me all in.

"God, you are beautiful, so beautiful it hurts me sometimes."

Before I could respond his lips were crashing back on mine. I knew there was no going back from this. I started to undo the laces of his pants and pulled his pants down. To my disappointment, he did wear boxers underneath. Dimitri was, in turn, taking off my bra. He focused his attention on my breast and his touch on my bare skin felt amazing. I needed him like I have never needed anything. The world was gone. It was just the two of us. Nothing in the world seemed to matter except his touch, his breath, his kiss.

He was scowling though; the necklace Victor had given me was in the way. It was a very nice necklace but was also slightly big. I guess he decided he wanted me completely naked down to the last piece. He took the necklace off and placed it on the nightstand next to him. The moment he let go of the necklace his demeanor and mine changed.

I was still turned on. Incredibly so, but the desperation of needing him to touch me was gone. We just stared at each other for a moment trying to decipher what had happened.

I could still see the lust in his eyes and he was having a hard time trying not to go back to kissing me. But I also saw understanding that this would be a bad idea. His reason was returning to him. And so was mine.

It hit me like lightning. Lissa. Lissa was taken and Christian was in the attic unconscious.

"Dimitri, it's Lissa, she has been taken by Victor's guardians. We need to move fast if we are going to get her back."

Dimitri was pulling on some pants and handed me my clothes and one of his sweaters. I was a little embarrassed that I was naked bar my panties. He had seen me naked once before in the shower, but that situation was different. I hurried up and put my clothes on as fast as I could, I didn't really zip up the dress though, his sweater would cover it anyway.

It smelled like him and in any other moment, I would have loved the feeling it gave me, but now all I could think of was Lissa and how guilty I felt for nearly having sex with my mentor while she was being kidnapped.

I looked back to the necklace and walked towards it.

"Don't, Rose, don't touch it. I think the necklace has been charmed. I am guessing Victor wanted us distracted while he would take the Princess away."

Distracted? Yeah, that is a way of putting it.

"What, no lord Dashkov?"

"Not after what he pulled. I'll contact Alberta, letting her know what has happened."

He looked a little flustered and then clarified.

"I mean, that Victor has taken Vasilisa."

Yeah, telling Alberta what happened or almost happened here would be a bad idea.

"They knocked Christian out in the attic, someone should check on him." I informed Dimitri.

Dimitri nodded and started to make phone calls.

five minutes later we were in Kirova's office discussing the situation. Christian sat next to me with a nasty head wound, but he was conscious and still the normal pain in the ass Ozera.

"We need to go after them, please. They are getting further and further away." I pleaded, but nobody seemed to be paying much attention to me.

"How did Strigoi get on campus to take the Princess?" Kirova said looking at me with disdain. I guess she wasn't sure this wasn't one of our pranks.

Dimitri had probably left out the part that Viktor was involved over the phone. His goal had been to mobilize and go after Lissa. But we were losing precious time explaining to Kirova what had happened.

"Strigoi didn't take Lissa. Victor did. We had the feeling someone was after Lissa since the accident that is why we left in the first place. I saw one of Victor's guardians. He was the one that knocked out Christian."

Kirova still looked at me like I had two heads. I guess she could not understand why Victor would want to take Lissa. Well, that made two of us. Christian came to my rescue.

"I saw them too before one of them knocked me out. Definitely guardians, but none that I recognized, so I am guessing there weren't school guardians."

He gave me a small nod. We might not like each other much, but when it came to Lissa we both wanted to keep her safe.

"Alright, we will send a team to pursue them. And the two of you will go back to your rooms. You, Miss Hathaway, are still to be punished for attacking a fellow student."

I couldn't go to my room. I had to be there. I needed to be there. They wouldn't be able to find her without me. Besides Mia will not be the reason I won't go. That wasn't fair.

"What? I am going with the team. I am not leaving Lissa. Besides, I can track them. I am the only one that can find Lissa."

Kirova was about to protest but Dimitri stepped in before she could tell me no.

"Headmistress, Rose is right. Having her relay information through the bond will help locate the Princess that much faster. And since time is of the essence here I suggest we contemplate her punishment for earlier events at a later time."

Kirova wasn't happy I could tell. But I think debating a Dhampirs punishment while a Royal was missing wasn't really going to work.

"Fine, I understand the time constraint, but why was there a time delay between when you learned the Princess had been taken and when you informed Alberta."

We both flinched at that one. Our little make-out session had caused us valuable time. But we could not really tell the truth, now could we. Luckily for me, Dimitri answered.

"Rose came to warn me, but Lord Dashkov had given her a necklace earlier that activated the moment she saw me. It caused her to attack me and me to attack her in return. It took a while to get that under control. It also is further evidence that Lord Dashkov is the one behind the princess' abduction."

Well it wasn't a flat out lie. I did 'attack' him. But he made it sound like the necklace was charmed with a violence spell. His eyes met fine for a split second.

Kirova only nodded her head. It was decided I would come along to guide them and we were on our way in less than five minutes after that. You have to love guardian efficiency.

Don't worry Lissa, I am coming for you. I won't let him harm you. I never wanted the bond to be two ways more.