Hi again!

I have uploaded a picture of the Immortal Rose - shown on the sign in the last chapter - to my profile. So if you have time, check it out.

As promised, here is chapter 10!

Read, Review, and Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owner, Richelle Mead. I own nothing - except this plot, Alexei and Stephanie.

Chapter 10

RPOV

There was a huge crash, like the sound of a clap of thunder on a silent night. It sent the windows shattering into tiny shards of glass that fell to the floor like sheets of ice.

Then there was silence. It had begun.

We waited; Dimitri and I stood side by side, Alexei in my arms.

"Put him down Roza, he's the safest one here," Dimitri spoke quickly.

I placed Alexei on his feet beside me, and with a quick glance down at him, I went back into position.

My right hand subconsciously reached down to grab my stake from its pocket. Now, without my child in my arms, I had more room to move.

My other weapons covered the majority of my lower body. There were throwing knives surrounding the inside of my leather, calve-high boots, as well as tucked into the strap around my thighs. I even had a sword in its sheath at my hip – all thanks to the storeroom/safe.

Finally, the sound of heavy foot-falls could be heard in the distance, reminding me of a storm rolling in.

Looking through the now absent window, the view outside was terrifying.

An army of strigoi marched towards us, the red glow of their eyes lit up the maze like a city street, right before they tore through it.

They surrounded the house, causing me to become light-headed from the nausea the sheer numbers created.

I pushed that away, I didn't need that now.

The first few flooded the room, destroying any hope of escape.

I looked over at Dimitri, he looked back and nodded; its time.

We spun around so we were back to back, with Alexei inside the protective circle we created.

I chanced a glance around the room; it was packed. There was barely any room to turn around.

The first one came at me from my right. I had just enough time to drive my stake through his heart before-

WATCH OUT! Alexei mentally screamed.

-I received a blow to my rib.

I stumbled back – almost tripping over him in the process – but caught my balance at the last second. I'm loosing my touch.

The strigoi – that I'm pretty sure just broke my rib – came at me again.

My left hand grabbed for a throwing knife, and with a flick of my wrist, he was on the floor too.

This kept going on for what felt like forever; with me barely dodging fists before I killed the supplier.

That was until they changed tactic. Instead of coming at me one-by-one, they attacked together.

Four burly strigoi jumped on me, and I fell to the floor. I turned slightly so I wouldn't squash Alexei.

I lashed out; before I hit the ground with the force that knocked the air from my lungs.

It was no-use; they were too strong.

I looked up at Dimitri, hoping that he could help; but he was having enough trouble.

He was fighting at least eight of them; killing them with deadly grace.

The strigoi above me was snapping at my neck; getting closer with every close of their mouth.

Two of them held my arms at my side, while one was at my feet.

MUM! GET UP! PLEASE! Alexei pleaded. It was the first time I'd heard him sound like the child he was.

So this is how it ends. I had thought that over a hundred times before, but this time it was harder for me. I wouldn't just be leaving Lissa; I would also leave Dimitri and my son; I couldn't deal with that.

I kept my eyes open, to watch the last moment of my life.

There was a blinding light; and I realised that this was a pretty stupid idea, and closed my eyes.

The pressure on my limbs eased, and the light turning my eyelids pink ceased.

I opened my eyes and sat up.

There was Alexei, with his hands on two dhampirs; the other two were standing up.

One of them spoke, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

I interrupted him, "No time to talk. Here," I threw a stake to each of them, "help us".

The one that spoke helped me to my feet, and I surveyed the room.

Everyone had stopped during the light, but they were coming back for more.

Even with the extra four fighters; the odds were against us.

The battle continued; but after ten minutes, the dhampirs were dead - either from shock or exhaustion - that enabled the strigoi to end them.

So it was just Dimitri and I left. Alexei was regaining his strength after curing the four dhampirs.

I had used all the knives on the strigoi that were lying around the room. But I didn't have time to retrieve them; more strigoi were still coming. All I had left was the sword – which is now my favourite weapon.

Where were they coming from? I was sure we had already killed a small town worth of people.

My arms ached, along with all the injuries I had received.

"I can't keep this up much longer Dimitri," my voice could barely be heard over the continuous 'THUMP' of bodies hitting the floor.

I had gone on auto-pilot - even the darkness wasn't enough to keep me going.

So, what did you think? Review!

If you're unsure about something, or have any questions, just ask. I might even write a chapter about to clear things up.

~Serious~