For anyone that has already read the first chapter, please, go back to the first chapter. I changed Adrian's plan a little and this chapter would probably be seriously confusing! Thank you all for continuing to read!
Lissa's POV
When I woke up, my head was fuzzy and I felt lightheaded. "What the..." I tried to rub my head but I found I couldn't. I looked down, trying to find the reason for my immobility. Ropes bound my arms and there was rope also binding my ankles to the legs of the chair.
Laughter echoed through the room and I looked around wildly, trying to find where the voice originated. There was nothing in front of me but large, beautiful windows shwoing the dark. Suddenly I felt cold fingers brush my neck as fingers encircled my hair, pulling it into a ponytail. Instantly, I flinched away but the hands tightly held me still.
"Queen Vasilisa Dragomir..." The voice was cold, empty of any emotion. It was still familiar- Adrian Ivashkov. His face came into view and the image again shocked me- the red ringed eyes, the unnaturally (even for a Moroi) pale skin, and the cruel demeanor that ever Strigoi had.
I knew this was dangerous- he was dangerous. I could die, but still, Adrian had been my friend for so long now, it was hard to believe he chose this. So many things were the same- the way he dressed, the unruly style of his hair, the way he held himself.
"Adrian..." I whispered, hoping I could speak sense to him.
He smiled, "So you remember me, Your Highness."
"Of course I do!" I was surprised, I hadn't expected that. "Why would you think that I forgot?"
He laughed, long and slow, "Well... You didn't talk to me much at Lehigh and you know how flaky Moroi are sometimes..." He pouted and looked away, hiding his face. He reminded me of the old Adrian, the one that battled with spirit day to day.
"Adrian..." Maybe I could still save him, and myself, from this Strigoi. "I would never forget you..."
He didn't look at me, "It's so hard with Rose now, I see her every second of the day. I see her in the mirror. I see her lying in the shade. I see her everywhere Lissa..." My emotions were conflicted. I was tied up in an old warehouse, I had seen him for myself. However, I also knew these were the words of the old Adrian, the one that hurts over Rose.
"Adrian, I know you hurt over Rose but this isn't the way to handle it- don't you see? You shouldn't be doing this. You could have told me, I would have helped you." I said, sympathetically. It was all true. So simple, yet true.
A slow, steady laugh began again. He turned, smiling, his long white Strigoi fangs showing. "You believed it. That's funny." He bent forward, leaning over me, face inches from mine. He had his hands steadily on the edges of the chair, his cold dead hands almost touching my thigh.
I could smell his breath as he whispered softly, "You really thought I was that weak? That'd I'd so easily slip back into my old ways?" He laughed again. "Vasilisa, join me." He ran his fangs softly over my cheek, caressing me with them. I shuddered, unable to stop myself.
"No." My voice was weak and unsure, I knew that was the way it sounded. I knew I wasn't unsure- I would never become a Strigoi willingly. I couldn't- I had to protect my kind, I had to keep everyone safe. That, and I couldn't let Christian down. I couldn't hurt him like that.
He pulled back, eyes catching mine. "Why don't I just take a drink...?" He smiled and I shook my head quickly.
"No, Adrian, don't touch me!" I tried pulling back but found that I couldn't because of the chair.
He smiled, "It won't hurt sweetie." I felt his fangs softly touch my skin before sinking into my neck.
"No..." Within seconds, I was lost in a land of euphoria.
Rose's POV
I had to act this right, or else they would know what I was planning- I was going to go tomorrow night- it was midnight now. The night of Lissa's kidnapping.
"Now, Guardian Hathaway, tell me again what he told you." Hans asked curiously. I knew what Adrian really said would give me away so I had told him a fake one. He couldn't get over it and I knew why- it wasn't helpful yet it was our only clue.
"Adrian called and confirmed my suspicions. He had kidnapped Queen Dragomir and turned himself Strigoi. That was it." It was simple, not anywhere near the conversation I'd had with him.
"Do you know why he would do this?"
"To hurt me." My answer was quick and easy, "Queen Dragomir is not only the Moroi I swore to protect but also my best friend. I hurt him last year." I hesitated slightly then continued, "Dating issues."
"I remember." He thought. "I guess that's it..." He murmured and waved me away. Leave."
I stood and walked to my room, touching the door and looking back, "Would you please tell me when you find their location?"
"Yes, Guardian Hathaway. Of course we can."
I nodded and left, my feet carrying me to the room I shared with Dimitri. I knew what Adrian would do- he'd either turn me or kill me. There was no way I'd be able to go back and meet Dimitri. I wouldn't come back.
The thought of never seeing Dimitri again hurt but I knew if I was turned, I wouldn't hurt Dimitri like he hurt me. Not only would Adrian not allow it but Dimitri would kill me first.
I had to keep reminding myself why I was going. To begin, Lissa was my best friend and I felt that was what I needed to do. Also, my job was to protect her. Off the personal level, Lissa was much more important than I was. She could move crowds, she'd save younger dhampirs. She'd save vampire kind. She'd fix everything. She was much more important than I was.
"Roza, it's not your fault." The voice came from right beside me. I turned quickly, instantly feeling guilty when I saw it was Dimitri. He would be the hardest to act for. He knew me better than anyone else and understood me.
I looked at him, "Yes, Dimitri, it is." I looked back down, feeling sick at not being able to tell him. "Adrian wouldn't have done this if I hadn't have..."
"Roza, it's not your fault. It's Adrian's. He should have controlled himself, should know what's right. Even with the worst influences, one should know the right path to take." He stroked my back softly, in the way I love.
"Thanks, comrade for the Zen lesson."
"Always, Roza. Always." I smiled slightly and kissed him softly. He always made me feel good, even if it was just for a little bit.
When I woke up the next day, I was relieved to feel Dimitri's strong, warm arms encircling me. I took a deep breath and smiled, pressing my face against his chest and breathing deeply his scent.
"You're up, Roza." His voice was deep and sexy. I smiled at him, nodding. "Isn't it too early for you?"
"Nope. I get up early now." He laughed softly and kissed my hair, pressing his cheek against my head.
"I love the way your hair smells. Strawberries." He kissed me deeply. I giggled softly then stopped myself- Rose Hathaway doesn't giggle. But Dimitri could make me do anything, I guess.
"I love the way you laugh." He smiled at me and I giggled again, hiding my face in his chest, hiding. I kissed his chest softly, looking up at him, kissing him. He kissed me deeply and soon I got lost in him- my entire world was Dimitri Belikov.
He laughed and then whispered, "I love the way you kiss." He said, smiling slightly and wrapping me in his arms again when he kissed me. I wrapped my hands in his long brown hair, smiling widely.
"I love the way you talk." He whispered against my lips and I kissed him again, pulling him tighter against my body.
He smiled and pressed his lips against my ear. "I love you, Roza."
"I love you too Dimitri." I smiled and we held each other for a long time before someone knocked on the door. "I guess this is over now..." I whispered, kissing him one more before dressing in Guardian clothing and going to the door, opening it and stepping out.
Christian smiled weakly at me, his eyes sad and tired. "They want you. They think they know where Adrian took her." I froze- no, they couldn't have. I tried to relaxx again. Christian led us to the room where a bunch of guardians milled about.
"Good luck, Rose." Christian murmured, then turned. "Dimitri, they want you to stay with me."
Dimitri looked at me and took my face in his hands. "Be safe, Roza."
"Goodbye Dimitri." I knew he wouldn't understand why this was so important but I needed to say goodbye to him. I had to.
"It's not goodbye Rose, don't say that. Good luck." He kissed me softly and left.
No, Dimitri. It is goodbye.
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