Here is the next chappie. Just want to say a big thanks to my friend Diimoziiana Belikov for her help and support, and a big thank you to my amazing Beta, AnimeSiren. :)

OMG! Big action in this one! Contains a fight and a lot of drama. Around one month after the last chapter. Have fun...

Sorry about the huge wait! Been away and exams, long story…

R&R

Chapter 8

Lissa POV

I went back into my room to sleep. I spent the whole of Sunday in there, only going out to go to the feeders when I started feeling slightly light headed. I was embarrassed to show my face and kept completely to myself without meeting anyone's eyes. I would stay like that until I talked to Rose and sorted things out.

Rose POV

It had been around a month since I had fallen out with Christian and about the same since we had sorted stuff out. He hadn't tried to push me for sex because we had talked about it and decided I would say when. We also agreed that heavy make-out sessions were very acceptable and to be done whenever there was a suitable time.

Christian didn't know I was friends with Adrian again because I didn't want him to flip out. I planned to tell him soon, as Adrian was really my best friend as I hadn't talked to Lissa since the 'incident' as Adrian calls it. I avoided her like the plague – the same as everyone else in my social group does.

Anyway, Christian thought I was training but I was with Adrian. We had been talking about all sorts of things but now the subject of Lissa came up. "How is she, Adrian? I don't particularly want to talk to her but I don't want her to suffer." I honestly didn't and I couldn't feel through the bond because she had put up shield of her own.

He seemed deep in thought for a moment and then said simply, "I'm not really sure. I haven't seen her around since the 'incident' and I don't have any desire to talk to her either. I still can't believe she used compulsion on me!"

I sighed and gave him a tight hug. I did honestly feel bad for Adrian. As I was pulling away and murmuring goodbye, Christian came marching into view with his hands fisted up. I groaned quietly and Adrian had the exact same reaction. He and Chrissie weren't exactly on the best of terms since Chris didn't know about the compulsion.

Christian's expression made him look half crazed and as if he were ready to kill someone – that someone being Adrian right now. It reminded me of the day he surrounded Jesse with harmless flames, and felt no regret for doing so.

He came to a stop about two feet away from Adrian and I, his eyes never leaving Adrian's face. Christian's breathing was ragged and his brows were creased over his eyes.

I had never really seen Christian like this before. Not even when he saw Lissa and Adrian together for the first time in Adrian's room. I really wasn't sure what his problem was and I was getting increasingly worried.

"Christian honey, what's wrong?" I knew that I needed to diffuse him so I stepped over and lay my hands on his heaving chest.

"Him! He is what's wrong!" He yelled loud enough to attract attention. He pointed an accusing finger at Adrian. People stopped in their tracks, probably wondering if there was going to be a fight. There was actually a good chance of one. Adrian sensed that and was getting scared. I could see he was about to put up his Spirit shield in case my Chrissie started using his fire. Spirit could deflect all the other elements because of its healing nature.

We only found that out because Mia had tried to play a practical joke on Adrian when he annoyed her. He had 'accidentally' told Mia's dad that she was with a Dhampir when he was on a visit. It wasn't that he told that was problem, it was the fact that he said it in a rather loud voice in the centre of all the parents. They all gave each other odd looks.

I think Mia's dad said something like, "Oh, is this your boyfriend? He's the Queens nephew!" He wasn't angry that she was with the Queens nephew – he was the exact opposite. He was absolutely elated. Adrian just had to spoil that, didn't he?

I remember his words exactly, "Oh, no! Mia is charming but I'm not interested in her that way! Anyway, she's with Eddie here, a Dhampir." Eddie had turned beet red as Mia's dad stared. Later that evening, they got to know each other and found out that they were quite similar so Mia's dad was happy for her to be him.

Mia, on the other hand, was pissed Adrian told her dad like that. A couple of days later, when all the parents went home, she tried to get him completely soaked but he knew that she was up to no good. Apparently all Adrian did was concentrate on his element and let it do all the work. Impressive, huh?

Mia's back for graduation because she wanted to support us all and she also wanted to come and see Eddie – who she was now dating (obviously). I say 'came back' because she goes to school at the court. (A/N. I don't know when Mia leaves St. Valdes do lets just make it now...) Eddie had confided in me and told me that he was going to propose to her on graduation day in front of all the people watching.

Apparently quite a few people were going to be proposing that day. It was this big thing all the guys were in on – I don't think Christian was going to be doing that because he wasn't really included in things like that even though Eddie had tried really hard. Christian just wasn't very social.

Anyway, the staring match was still going on between Adrian and Christian, you could practically see the testosterone floating about these two guys. I really hoped one of these pretty little Moroi would walk away but as the seconds stretched on I felt my hope die.

Lissa and Mia came running to see what was up. Lissa wasn't that great of friends

with Mia, but Mia had decided she needed a friend – even though she knew about the compulsion. Mia wasn't a close friend, more of an acquaintance so Lissa didn't feel lonely. Mia was a great friend to me so I was glad she could look after Lissa when I was upset with her.

I looked up and noticed just how many students were gathered. They were pushing a circle around our little group. Mia and Lissa didn't go any further than the edge of the circle – probably scared that they would get a fist in the face. I didn't blame them, I would much rather be there than here.

As Adrian and Christian edged closer to each other, Lissa and I tensed up. Lissa didn't like violence and she liked Adrian more than she let on. I knew Adrian hated her so she just didn't tell anyone, but I could see she was scared for him.

I joined Lissa by the sideline – knowing there was no way to break this up. Even with my Dhampir strength.

Christian drew himself up to his full height and the crowd went silent. Everyone knew there was going to be a big fight and they practically bounced with excitement.

The next few things all happened at once; I wasn't sure which one went before the other. I think what happened was that Adrian took about five steps forward to get in distance of Christian. Christian shoved Adrian hard then I saw Christian's eyes roll back into his head. Adrian was right to get his Spirit shield up. He was going to need it; Christian flung his hands out toward Adrian. I didn't need to look at Adrian to know he was lying in a heap on the floor. His shield obviously wasn't enough for the full force of Christian's magic.

Why was Christian doing this? Chrissie shouldn't be that upset that Adrian and I were friends again.

When I finally looked at Adrian, flames were nowhere to be seen and a figure stood there. Blackened. It stepped forward and was none other than Adrian – who had a huge grin on his face. Maybe I was wrong about Spirit's power!

When Adrian took another step forward and people could see him clearly, everyone gasped. No one else knew about the power Spirit possessed and that fire ball would have incinerated a normal person.

Through the bond I could feel relief wash through Lissa, she was still new to the extent of Adrian's power and had dropped her walls in pure fear. His power was so much stronger than her own power. Everyone thinks that all power gets stronger with age and Adrian is several years older than all the students.

I started to worry as I saw that Christian was exhausted and Adrian was still ready for a fight. What was he going to do to my Chrissie? Adrian wouldn't let that fire ball slip – no way. I knew him too well. And Spirit's darkness was probably floating around him – making him more and more angry.

Christian stood with his mouth forming a little 'o'. He was amazingly powerful with fire and no one would doubt him. He proved this when he got his battle star for fighting a group of Strigoi that attacked the school a little while back.

As Adrian measured Christian up I could see Christian getting ready to run into the crowd. He wasn't one to give up but he knew when he was beaten. Adrian saw Chrissie's subconscious adjustment to face the crowd and gave a little wink before rushing him.

He smacked Christian in the jaw which made Chrissie fall back with a yelp. He landed with a dull thud but I didn't hear anything crack so I don't think anything was broken. My heart thumped a few times, painfully, against my rib cage. When had things escalated into this?

Just as my Chrissie was recovering, Adrian jumped on him and pummelled his face and body. Christian just took it all and I realised what he was doing. Christian was going to flame Adrian when he didn't have his shield up.

I just had time to scream, "No!" as Adrian flew backwards. I could tell he was still alive but barely. When I tore my attention away from Adrian to Christian I could see just how bad off he was. He had purple splodges all over him from the punches he took and as I wondered over to him I saw his eyes close and his breathing even out. He was out cold.

I knew Christian would be okay so I ran over to Adrian just in time to see bright red burns disappear before my eyes. Lissa was healing him. I knew it before I looked up at her because I felt it through the bond. It was like her aura apparently – bright and golden.

Some grass still had fire on it so Mia very kindly put it out and some guy that obviously had an affinity for Earth made the grass grow back. It was like nothing had ever happened except for the two unconscious boys lying on the ground and the crowds that were ever so slowly thinning.

I walked back over to Chrissie just as he stumbled to his feet. Eddie ran over to steady him. I just looked at him in disgust and swung my hand back – bitch slapping him on the cheek and leaving a hand mark.

"What was that for?" Christian mumbled before falling back to the ground. Eddie had taken away Christian's support in surprise.

I ran away from them, from everything. "For everything," I whispered, answering Christian's question even though he couldn't hear me.

I picked up my pace to stop people from seeing the floods of tears running down my face. It was kind of hard to miss though and many people stopped and stared at me, why was I so emotional right now?

I tripped over a pebble and put my hands forward to steady myself on a tree. As my hand made contact I pulled it away because a painful shot ran through my entire arm.

Damn, Christian had a hard face. I think he broke my hand!

Christian POV

Damn, I think Rose broke my face! I never knew just how strong that girl was – especially for her tiny size.

Ringing filled my ears painfully; maybe I have concussion I thought. Then as my pocket started buzzing, I thought, or maybe it's a phone ringing. God, I'm such an idiot!

I stumbled away from the crowd to sit on a bench. I took out my phone and didn't recognise the number. I answered anyway, "Hello?" I murmured. Whoever it was, was lucky that I even answered.

"Mr. Ozera, hello. It's Guardian Petrov. I trust you remember that you are meant to be taking your cousin around today? She has just arrived." Oh my God! I totally forgot to tell Rose about that. This was going to be awkward if she spotted me talking to the new girl. She hates me enough today!

"No, of course I didn't forget! I'll be there in a second." Alberta's office was only around the corner. I think my cousin's name was Ivy. I didn't have a clue what she looked like though. Before one week ago, I didn't even know I had a cousin. Let alone met her.

"Excellent. And don't think I didn't hear about your little fight down on the training fields. See you in a minute." Fantastic. Today was really a good day for me! I looked a mess but I didn't want to disobey Alberta's orders. I wondered why Ivy was with Alberta and not Kirova. Today was a weird day!

I hung up my phone as I made my way to Guardian Petrov's office. People stared at me like I was useless in a fight. I really wasn't, as I had staked loads of Strigoi but I needed to lose that fist fight so I could get my magic back and burn Adrian into a crisp. I knew I was probably the best Moroi here in a fist fight and probably better than some dhampirs. In element fight I was the one of the best in the whole world, as I had shown today. I had very nearly killed that thing that called itself Adrian but I heard Rose's scream. I couldn't kill someone she liked – maybe even loved.

As I made the short walk to Alberta's office I thought about Rose. She had never seen me do anything like that before. Not only had I nearly killed a person – I had made my little Ro-Ro cry. Why was I such a dick today?

She was so upset, she ran to her dorm room by herself. Mia's probably there now, trying to get her to talk – so's Adrian. From what I saw, they were pretty cosy.

She had only gone to her dorm by herself before like that before when she was about to burst out in unstoppable tears. I wanted to go and comfort her but two things were stopping me. My stupid cousin for one, and I wasn't quite sure whether she even wanted to see me any more either. She was probably thinking right now about what a monster I was. Why do I have to lose everyone close to me?

I then realised that I couldn't live through losing Rose and would talk to her whether she liked it or not. Ivy would have to come first though. I'm not sure why I started on Adrian – actually, yeah, I am! He was trying to take Rose away again. He took her away in the first place, then Lissa, and now he was trying again.

I had reacted out of jealousy. I knew that Rose would never be with Adrian again after what he did to her. Or would she? I mean, if someone really loved someone they wouldn't sleep with their best friend. At least Rose and I told them. Even if we had been a bit harsh, but what did they expect?

I walked through he glass doors into the teachers offices. Alberta only had an office here because she was head Guardian. She was up there with Kirova, our pure evil head mistress.

I walked up to Guardian Petrov's dark chestnut door and took a deep breath. I decided I would just show Ivy where she was staying then go back after I was done with Rose.

I had never been to Alberta's office before so I only knew it was hers because there was a shiny gold plaque that said,

Guardian A .Petrov

I knocked gently twice and pushed the door open a crack. I peeped in and when Alberta motioned me forward I took a step in and closed the heavy wood door behind me. The door was shiny, just as everything else in this room was.

The desk was chestnut and polished to perfection. Behind it stood Alberta and nearest me sat a girl about Rose's height with her back to me. When the girl turned to me the first thing I saw were her ice blue eyes. They were exactly the same colour as mine. Only Royal's have that kind of eyes – this was my long lost cousin, Ivy.

When Ivy stood up my eyes got drawn to other places such as her cleavage as she was wearing a very skimpy top. No Moroi had curves like that and when I looked her slowly up and down I realised why she was in Alberta's office. She was a Dhampir.

I took in every detail of her – her shoulder length dead straight raven black hair, her flawless classical features and her eyes (they still amazed me. Even Aunt Tasha didn't have the exact colour of my eyes). As my own eyes raked up and down her body I noticed that she had her ears pierced, which was something that not many people at this school had. If she wasn't my cousin, I would either think she was a slut or extremely hot. I could just see Jesse Zeklos fawning over her.

She walked over and gave me a huge hug that I couldn't help but return. "Glad you could make it," I said once she had stopped suffocating me.

"Me too," she said, smiling hugely. Her and Rose would get on together so well, if Rose could ever forgive me. "It's nice to see family. I didn't actually know I had any until your Aunt contacted me about moving to your school. I'm from Chicago."

I forced a smile so not to upset her; I had upset enough people for today. "You two will get on great! Christian, she is in the same room as Rose. I thought that would be nice since Rose doesn't have a room-mate. Also, I'm going to let this fight with Adrian Ivashkov go because I don't know who started it. I also see that you have been punished enough by the looks of you. Now I really have got to do some work now." Alberta winked as she said that and gently pushed Ivy and I out the door.

"I think we're going to get on great!" She said to me, beaming as we made our way down the teachers' corridor. I forced a smile and just nodded in agreement, not sure how true that was.

A/N – This took me forever to write because I wanted to get it just right. My inspirational songs for this chapter were Horseshoes and Hand Grenades – by Green Day, Afterlife – by Avenged Sevenfold and Here Without You – by 3 Doors Down.

Hope you enjoyed and check out my poll on my profile. Who should Rose end up with? :)