Adrian

Life in St. Vlad's got better the longer we were here – at least for Christian. His classes were slowly growing in popularity while the Guardians and Dhampirs in the school were getting more respect the longer Lissa was here. That was more or less down to the fact that after the first day here – Lissa had told the two guys to tell everyone, when no one believed it, a very hangry, Lissa forced Kirova to call an assembly and outright said that if any disrespect came to any Dhampirs from a Moroi, there would be consequence, likewise, if there was any disrespect from the Dhampirs.

Lissa was an amazing Queen – and I would know. My aunt was the queen previously. She was ruling fair, giving more rights to Dhampirs while still upholding the no violence act on Moroi – although, she was extending that to both races.

Lissa was able to teach me how to grow plants and use fire. I was trying my best to mask the darkness that I felt and Dimitri noticed. He even offered to help me with it. He was able to calm Rose, control her even when she gets into her darkness filled rages after Lissa used too much Spirit, I thought he might be able to help me. That's why we were in the gym right now – me running while Dimitri was on the bars.

I walked in panting, trying to catch my breath. Dimitri dropped down from the bars, threw a towel in my direction with a bottle of water. I grabbed both, gratefully chugged the water and rubbed my sweating face with the towel.

"That was good right?" I said, letting out a breath and standing straight. "We done?"

"That was one lap." He replied stone-faced. I looked at him as he stared back.

"Oh, come on! That's good! I've been drinking and smoking for so long – I did good." Dimitri rolled his eyes.

"I thought Rose was a complainer when I taught her."

"Yeah, but she has a sweet ass so I doubt you noticed the complaints while she was in here working it out." Dimitri growled at me. I rolled my eyes. "Sorry I don't have her looks or body."

"Adrian-" I laughed at his warning tone. Dimitri and I were alright – you know alright for being distantly related and me wanting his girlfriend. I had slowly gotten over Rose after realizing how in love she was with Dimitri. It was hard though.

"Alright, I'll stop!" I dropped the towel. "What next?"

Dimitri did let me go after another half an hour, after Aly came running into the gym after her after school activates. Janine and Abe followed her with smiles. Dimitri packed up, cleaned and then we all headed out the door. Aly ran ahead with a smile on her face as she played with her gloves and scarf.

"Is everything okay?" I asked Dimitri as we slowly walked back to the houses. He looked over at me.

"I went to visit Rose last night – She's better with helping me." He rolled his eyes but did accept it. "Her aura was different – worry. I tried to talk to her but she said she was worried about Aly."

"She was worried about Aly." I looked at him and shook my head.

"She trusts you and everyone else here too much – it was something else." Dimitri sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Later."

"Daddy!" Aly giggled as she ran towards Dimitri, her arms extended. Dimitri smiled brightly as he bent down and scooped her up. "Can uncle Adrian come for dinner?" Dimitri nodded without hesitation. She squirmed in his arms and held hers out for me. I looked at her and opened my arms as she climbed out of Dimitri's and into mine.

Abe and Janine waved as they continued walking to their house. Dimitri opened the door to his house and Aly went running in. I followed Dimitri as he went into the kitchen after putting on cartoons for Aly. He was taking out some plates and pots.

"Someone is killing Dhampir women." Dimitri said as he took food from the fridge and started to cook. I let out a breath. "Rose found out last week. Only Dhampir women."

"That's - wild." I responded, not knowing what else to say. "Is it Strogoi?" Dimitri shook his head.

"Rose said it looks more human than anything. She's talked to the alchemists in the area, see if there are some secrete human cults that know about us."

"Is she okay?" Dimitri shrugged his shoulders. "Are they promised?"

"Both promised and unpromised but all have Molnija marks, so no. She's not safe."

"And Rose is what? Walking around with a target on her neck?"

"Basically, but what can I do? I can't force that women to do anything – even if it was to save her life." I nodded in agreement. That was true – Rose was the most strong minded person I have ever met but the most caring and kind. I let out a breath.

"She's infuriating." Dimitri snorted and nodded.

"Very. Try living with her." Dimitri laughed as he continued to cook.

"I'm assuming she's staying to be Nancy Drew?" Dimitri nodded again, his shoulders rising and falling as he sighed.

Dimitri finished making dinner and I stayed until he was putting Aly to bed, giving her a hug goodnight. I left Dimitri's house and walked towards my own, passing the lit windows of many others before I made it towards my own. I sighed. There were no lights, there was no one there waiting for me to get home. I unlocked the door and slowly walked towards the bedroom and flopped down.

The bedroom slowly started to form into a white sand beach with glistening blue waters. I looked around area waiting for the usually dark-haired beauty that forms whenever I have these dreams. There she was, a smile on her face.

"Hey." I gave her a smile.

"Dimitri told me." She sighed scrunching her nose.

"It wasn't fair for me to tell him not to say anything." Rose sighed and sat down on the sand. I sank beside her and stretched out my legs. "How are you?"

"Oh, you know-"

"I know your lonely." I looked away from her. "Adrian - you won't hurt anyone."

"You don't know that." I swallowed. "I've never tried to beat the darkness sober-"

"You're doing fine." She encouraged. She sighed, linked her arm with mine and lay her head on my shoulder. I rested mine on hers. "We can do this together."

"As long as the Dhampir killer doesn't kill you."