Wanted to update before Christmass. :) Going to spend it with my dad in New York and don't know when I'm going to be able to upload again. Enjoy.

Previously: "Bye Nate and I guess I'll seee you in combat tomorrow Rose." I gave her one last look.

"Yeah, I guess you will."

It turned out that Nate was actually pretty popular, he led me to a table with elite looking Moroi and tough looking Dhampirs. It was exactly the kind of people that I used to kill to hang out with before I ran away with Lissa.

"Guys," Nate called the table to attention and they stared at me with different expressions. Some were appreciative, some confused and others were wearing the same fake smile Cathy had given me. I refused the urge to roll my eyes. "This is Rose, shes new."

I heard a few 'hey's and 'hello's I even heard a 'sup?'. I gave them my man eater smile.

"Hey." I said languidly. Catching the eyes of some of the guys and girls. One of the girls, with blonde hair that reminded me of Lissa's, scooted over.

"Here new girl, you can sit next to me. I'm Stephanie Ivashkov."

"Thanks." I sat down and then a few of the girls near me started asking me questions.

"So where are you from?" Said a brunnette.

"St. Vladimirs, Its in Montana."

"Wasn't that school attacked?" Asked a bulky Dhampir.

"Yeah." I frowned.

"Did you fight?"

"Yeah."

"So does that mean you have marks?" Stephanie asked.

"Yeah."

"Can I see them?" Nate asked, he sat in front of me.

"Now?" I looked around, people were already staring. I didn't really want them to know about my marks yet. I was kind of hoping I would surprise them with it in Weight Training.

"Is that a problem?" Said a voice that I knew was going to haunt me.

"Good to see you again Cassie." I smiled at the smirking redhead.

"It's Cathy and your in my seat."

"Thats too bad, you should have gotten here sooner."

"Whats too bad is that-" Nate interrupted.

"Here Cathy, we can make room." He moved a little and was able to make a decent amount of space. I took the last bite of the pizza I was eating and stood up.

"No its okay. Karen can have my seat, I better go get some rest before class tomorrow. I was surprised to see Stephanie stand up with me.

"I'll show you the way to the dorms. Bye you guys." I nodded a little cofused.

"See you later." I added. Steph walked with me and when we left the banquet hall, she started speaking.

"You should be carefull Rose. Catherine Damora is not someone you should mess with." I gave her an easy smile.

"I've messed with worse. I can handle her and her bad perm easily."

"Well, shes also one of the best fighters of the school. I heard a rumor saying that she could be elligible to guard Vasilisa Dragomir."

"Lissa's guardian is going to be me." I scoffed. "Its been set up for years."

"Oh, right. You know her, I heard she went to St. Vladimirs academy." I could tell Steph was impressed. "But, your Rose. Rosemarie Hathaway. Didn't you kidnap her or something?"

"Oh lord, not this again. I didn't kidnap her, we ran away because she was being stalked."

"Really? Huh. Whats your room number?" We talked a bit while we walked back. When we got to my room, It didn't look like she wanted to leave so I invited her in.

"Nice room." She fingered the pictures Id hung up earlier.

"Yeah right. It leaves something to be desired."

"I guess, so listen. This saturday is our monthly trip to Seattle. Do you want to be my shopping buddy?"

"I- what? They let you out of the school? Into Seattle?"

"Yeah, only seniors get to go and a whole bunch of guardians come. Its a way for all the novices to get practice or whatever."

"But isn't that like dangerous?"

"Not really. They keep a really good watch over us."

"Oh, well I guess. Sure, Ill be your shopping buddy." I smiled.

"Cool, wheres your schedule? I wanna see if we have any classes together." I handed it to her and she looked it over.

"Cool we have 3 classes together." Stephanie looked at her watch.

"Crap. I got to go. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Sure, bye." She walked out the door. Suddenly I felt the entire days events crash down on me. I felt exhausted, I slowly changed into my pajamas and fell asleep.

The next morning was dreary. I was still tired but got over it when I showered. I put on a track suit and a pair of sneakers. I got my schedule and map out and headed for class.

I walked in on a fight. Two Dhampir boys were throwing punches and kicks. I looked around for a guardian and saw one inspecting the spar. I walked over and introduced myself.

"Hey Guardian Dec-something? Im Rose Hathaway."

"Guardian Decishti, and I know who you are." I recognized the guardian as the one that got me from the airport yesterday.

"Right, well I-"

"No, no, no!" Guardian Deshits yelled at the two dhampirs who were fighting. "If your opponent jumps on you, you must not just stay still, you must struggle, kick, punch. Anything!"

"That's kind of common sense?" I said out loud.

"You see!" Guardian Dechis points at me. "Even she know and she new! Come here Rose, lets see what you got to give."

"Umm, okay?" I walked slowly to the mat, tying my hair and faced the Dhampir. Who, I realized, was really hot. God damn, Rose. Your not here for boys!

I got into my battle mode, bending my knees and holding my arms up.

"One...two...three!" I took a step to the side. I wasn't going to attack first. My opponent realized this and jumped for me. He hit my legs but I was able to bring my knee and kick him in the chin. I jumped away and the Dhampir stood up and aimed a punch at my chest.

I blocked it and delivered a punch of my own. It went on like that for a while. I was able to get in a lot of punches but the other guy got in a few kicks. Finally, he seemed to have had enough. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me under him.

I struggled, I managed to get my elbow free and hit him in the face. I had a quick flashback to when I had to beat Dimitri in a fight a few months ago. It felt like a long time ago but It sent a shiver through me.

I pulled him under me. I sat on his chest, holding down his arms with mine. After a little more struggling, he gave up and I let go. I slumped forward. I wasn't sweating but I was definately breathing hard.

I remembered the body under me. I gave the guy a smile.

"Hi, I'm Rose Hathaway."

"Jacob Soles, I hear your new." He gave a tired smile.

"Yeah, I guess I am." I rolled off him and stood up, noticing the audience. I guessed that this was the rest of the class. They openly stared at me, at first I thought they were surprised by my skills but then I realized that that wasn't all. In tying up my hair, I gave everyone a good look at my marks.

"Well," I saw Cathy in the audience. "who knew you were so priveleged."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you serious? Those marks are totally fake!" Oh lord, what an idiot!

"Want to fight me and find out whether or not they're fake?"

"I'm ready as soon as you are." She smirked.

"One..." I started.

"Two..." She went.

"Three!" I was ready to pounce when I was overwhelmed by Lissa's emotions.

Damn, I cut off the moment of truth. I really wanted to see Rose beat up Cathy!

Oh well, maybe next time. By the way, who has read LAST SACRIFICE? Isn't it amazing?

P.S. Thanks so much for my reviewers, we made it to 60! :) I love you guys.