So I got a ton of questions from some people, I might explain this in this chapter but I'll give you a few answers. Dimitri was confused in the last part of the chapter because he couldn't think of a reason why Rose would switch the rings and Lissa is confused because she doesn't know why she's in Anthony's office.

Anyway, Here is chapter 17 enjoy!

Previously: "Woah! Hands off." I shoved at him but walked toward the office. Anthony, Tasha, Dimitri and Lissa was there. Anthony looked disappointed, Tasha looked angry and Dimitri and Lissa looked confused.

"Rose, we have had a few complaints about you-" Tasha interrupted Anthony's speech.

"Get to the chase, Rose, why did you steal Dimitri's engagement ring?"

Chapter 17: Surprise! Your Life Sucks

"Engaged?" Lissa said for me when she saw that I was too shocked to say anything. I stared at Dimitri, who didn't seem to know what to say but looked at my facial expression thoughtfully. It was weird how he looked at me, there wasn't a trace of snarkiness or malice on his face.

"Of course," Tasha came out of her rage for a moment and looked between me and Lissa. She turned toward Dimitri, "Didn't you tell them?"

"Didn't get the chance too." Dimitri shrugged, still looking at me. Tasha noticed but didn't acknowledge it.

"Anyway," Anthony changed the subject, "Rose why did you steal Guardian Belikov's ring?"

"I didn't steal it." I shook my head and feigned confusion. Lissa threw me a panicked look.

"Rose we know you stole the ring, where is it?"

"I didn't steal anything, he's wearing his stupid ass ring." I pointed at the silver ring that shined against Dimitri's skin.

"That's not the ring, that is some type of fake."

"It looks like silver to me, why don't you test the stupid ring before blaming everything on me."

"Rosemarie, that's not the real ring." Anthony held his hand out toward me and Dimitri slid the ring off and handed it over. "The real ring had an inscription inside it, this one does not."

He held the ring out toward me and, lo and behold, there was no inscription on the inside of the ring.

"Still doesn't mean it was me." I grimaced on the inside, I should have double checked the ring to make sure that nothing was different.

"Rose, the only memory that Dimitri has of taking off the ring was during training with you. So again I ask, why did you take the ring?"

"Well, trust me when I say that Dimitri's memory isn't as reliable as you think." I said and then mentally slapped myself, why do I have such a loud mouth?

"What is that supposed to mean?" Anthony fired at me, probably thinking I was implying that Dimitri was lying. Dimitri's eyebrows raised, but there was still no trace of malice in his eye.

"Nothing," I sent a meaningful glare at Tasha, I was now almost positive that Tasha charmed Dimitri's ring. She didn't even spare me a glance.

"Rosemarie Hathaway, if you are inquiring that I shouldn't trust Guardian Belikov's word, I would like to hear your reasons."

"My name is Rose," I mumbled arrogantly "and I didn't mean anything toward Dimitri."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Well I didn't mean anything by my comment." I wanted to hold off telling any superiors about my suspicions until I had evidence. The black marks on my record wouldn't really help my case.

"Rose," Tasha sharply called me. "Anthony, enough of this. Rose, Lissa, if you don't admit to stealing my ring, you will probably face expulsion."

"What? Both of us?" I tossed a desperate look at Anthony.

"Probably not, just you Rose." I internally sighed. At least Lissa would be safe. But, what about me? Why don't I just tell them what happened or I could fabricate something. Before I could say anything Lissa stood up from her chair and interrupted.

"Rose didn't steal it. I did." I jumped from my chair, ready to argue but Lissa stopped me. Don't stop me Rose, I know what I'm doing. Lissa's voice ran clear and loud through my head so I stayed quiet, giving her a chance.

"I was jealous of Tasha, I need Dimitri as my guardian, he's the best and I'm the only Dragomir left, if you don't provide me with the best how will I survive?" No one spoke. Everyone stared at Lissa incredulously, but Lissa kept a snobby look on her face. Staring at Anthony in the eye.

"Are you serious?" Anthony said, he sounded so confused I could have laughed.

"Yes, I stole it now leave Rose alone, I switched the rings without Rose or anyone knowing." She turned toward me. "Rose you can go now. This is between me and them."

"But Lissa-"

"Go! I'll see you later." She winked at me and pushed me out the door. Sorry Rose, but they would have expelled you, the only thing they'll do to me is send me back to St. Vlads.

I went back to my room, and immediately felt terrible. I shoudn't have left her, she shouldn't have stood up for me. What will I do if she gets in a lot of trouble. She said she wasn't going to get in trouble. I wonder how Dimitri is? Wait, what? Where did that thought come from?

I immmediately thought about all of Dimitri's actions tonight, he seemed normal and just really confused. Did it work? or is it just a coincidence? I should go tell him, it might sound impossible but maybe he'll believe me. I opened my door and went straight to the gym since he spends most of his time in there.

I pushed open the door but just saw a few other Dhampirs. I turned around and walked straight into Dimitri's hard chest.

"Damn," I rubbed my eye. "you should really think of using your pecks for good instead of evil."

"Rose, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be hiding from the headmaster?" Amazing, not a spec of malice in his eye. Only surprise and he didn't even notice it.

"I was looking for you. We need to talk." I led him to one of the one-on-one training rooms. He followed hesitantly behind.

"Rose, i've been meaning to speak with you. I know you were lying in there Rose, you and Vasilisa. I don't know why you would lie and why you would take my ring, I need to know why."

"Dimitri," I faced him, I wish I could've been born taller just so i could look him in the eye. "I took it because you were being compulsed. By Tasha, most likely."

"Tasha? Why would Tasha want to control me?"

"I haven't figured that out yet but haven't you been an asshole to me for the last few weeks?"

"A what?"

"Dimitri, you've been a jerk to me remember? You kissed me when you were engaged to Tasha, got me kicked out of St. Vlads, made me feel dirty, played with my emotions and this better be ringing a bell!"

"I did all that?"

"Dimitri, what do you think you've been doing the last few weeks?"

"Well I know I didn't play a part in getting you kicked out of St. Vladimirs. I was surprised when I got the letter that you were tranfering and I've been guarding at the academy until two days ago."

"What? But, you do know you're engaged to Tasha right?" Dimitri's face hardened.

"Rose, Im engaged to Tasha because she's pregnant."

"I swear to God Dimitri, if your the father. I'm gutting you like a fish." He didn't say anything, just looked at me sadly.

"When? Was it before the attack?" He nodded once, my heart broke but I didn't show it. I turned around on one heel and left the room. And just like that I gave up on Dimitri. He was going to be happy with Tasha and a baby. Something I couldn't give him, even though at that moment, I would have given anything to be able to.

I was back in my room when someone knocked on the door. Lissa was gone, a guardian had informed me that she was immediately sent back to the Academy. That was her only punishment. I was glad she wasn't severly punished, but still missed her.

"Yeah?" I yelled, hoping it was Adrian or Stephanie. Any friendly face.

"Open up Rose." A masculine voice said, It was Dimitri so I opened it. Outside my door were three guardians. Alberta, Stan and another guardian I didn't recognize. They all looked sad.

"Alberta, what are you doing here?"

"I've come with bad news." She took a step inside my room and looked upset about the messy room. "Two days ago there was another attack-"

"Was anyone I know hurt? Was it another school?"

"I'm getting to that." I held my breath, was it anyone at the academy or maybe the royal court? "The Szelsky's were attacked. The guardians did their best, your mother did her best but their was too much commotion."

"Is she dead?" I asked.

"Most likely, her body wasn't found."

Please R&R, hope you loved it.