Chapter Twenty-Five

Previously

I marched over to Tasha, and in an instant, she was on her feet as well. I stomped right up to her, maybe two feet away from her, and impulsively punched the tree no more than a foot behind her. The wood cracked and splintered, sending little shards of wood everywhere.

"You're going to let her go, NOW!" I said in an authoritative voice.

"On one condition," Tasha said childishly, a smirk playing on her lips. I waited impatiently for her to finish her dramatic little pause and tell me.

With an evil grin I supposed was supposed to be seductive, she said, "You have to give me a kiss."

Currently... (Dimitri POV)

I glared at the idiotic woman standing before me. Hell, this was no woman, just a dammed witch. What kind of fucked up world is she living in? How could she possibly even open that nasty mouth and spew such a vile condition! Disgusting!

I was so pissed off at this point I thought I just might kill her! I knew I was thinking very irrational, but I could hardly contain myself when I looked over at Rose's seemingly unconscious body to my right. Every part of me shaking, barely controlled body was aching to hurt her like she is hurting Rose. If she didn't stop the compulsion soon I would take her out and I might even enjoy it! I honestly didn't in the slightest care if she was a Moroi anymore.

"No, Tasha," I growled coldly, glaring daggers at her. "I can't even believe I ever considered you a friend," I spit out at her. Her smug composure dropped. She recoiled from my harsh words. For a split second I saw hurt flash in her eyes, and rejection. But it was quickly covered up by another coy smile.

"Oh, come on, Dimka. We used to be close," she breathed, leaning into me, still with that repulsive smile. She reached out to run her hand down my chest in a seductive maneuver. To be honest, she was making me sick. I could almost taste the bile in the back of my throat. I shoved her putrid, vile hand away from me. "What happened to us?" She said in a sweet innocent voice, batting her eyelashes at me.

I barked a humorless laugh. This seemed to amuse Tasha. She thought she was getting to me. "I'm sorry-" I paused, thinking for a second about those words. "Actually, scratch that, I'm not sorry, because there never was an 'us', Tasha," disdain dripping from my voice as I spat the words. Tasha visibly flinched at my ice cold statement, but she tried to look unaffected. It actually pleased me to see her cringe for a second.

"But Dimka, I know you used to have something for me, something special," she said believing her own delusional desperate words, her eyes were crazed for me to believe it too. Her hands were reaching out to me as if clawing for my attention. I've had enough of talking with this... I couldn't even put a name on her I was so frustrated.

"Tasha, just stop, I already have a restraining order against you-" My voice had begun to rise. "What part of this do you not understand…?"

"I love you, Dimka!" Tasha shouted at me. "Why don't you understand that! All I want is you! I would do anything for you! Anything!" she screamed, gripping onto my leather jacket.

"Tasha?" I gasped, staring down at her. I put my hands on her shoulders and squeezed them, applying pressure so that it would hurt her muscles to hold on to me. She moaned slightly at my touch, and I couldn't help but feel appalled. My mind screamed at me to recoil. Touching her made me want to puke.

Then, all at once, Tasha limply dropped to the floor.

I was stunned, to say in the least. I looked up, only to see my beautiful Rose standing there with a rock in hand. I sent her a confused and shocked look.

"Jesus Christ, how else was I supposed to knock her out?"

Relief flooded me at the sound of her angelic voice. That was the Rose Hathaway I knew.

I quickly engulfed her in my arms. She hadn't even seen me coming, I was that fast, but I had sidestepped Tasha's unconscious body and grabbed her in my arms and threw her up in the air. Rose giggled happily in my arms.

I didn't even look around before I kissed her hard on the lips. Rose responded the second my lips met hers, and soon enough it was a full blown make out session, not that I minded. I didn't mind anything right now; I was in hog-heaven here with Rose.

I deepened the kiss by stroking my tongue across her sensuous bottom lip. Rose granted me entrance and our tongues mingled in a divine, erotic dance. My heartbeat sped up as my body reacted to our passion. My hands slid over her body pulling her into me. I wanted more of her.

"We need to tell someone about this," Rose said in between our many kisses. I moaned in response, not wanting to talk anymore, but only worship Rose. "Dimitri, seriously."

I hesitated for a second, but then bringing the kiss to an abrupt stop, I sent Rose an odd look. "What?" I asked.

"Tasha just laying there like that is creeping me out," Rose said, wrapping an arm around herself. I smirked.

"Alright," I finally said, swooping down hurriedly and crashing my lips upon hers. This elicited a throaty groan from yours truly, because when it came to Rose, I could never get enough. "We can finish this later," I said hopefully with a sly wink. She smiled softly and nodded.

Rose reached up and caressed my cheek. "Thank you for coming to my rescue, once again." Her smile turned sad. "You're always there when I need you."

I pulled her close to me to rest my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry that you are going through all of this because of her obsession for me. I don't know how to stop her, but I promise you, I will do everything I can," I said with utmost sincerity. "I promise I won't let her hurt you again; I'll stick to you like glue. I'm so glad I heard the scuffle when I did, otherwise who knows what she would have done to you." I closed my eyes, not liking the thoughts that flashed through my mind.

"It's not your fault Dimitri-she's obviously sick in the head-something really is wrong with her. Let's take her to Kirova," Rose said pleadingly. I kissed her gently as well as reassuringly on the lips one more time before reluctantly letting her go.

Ten minutes later, we were in the guardian area of the campus, in the administration building. Rose pushed the big metal doors open and I hastily followed. The sound of the doors slamming shut behind us rang through the empty hallway. I had Tasha unceremoniously slung limply over my shoulder, because no doubt if we had left her there, she probably would have come-to at some point and ran away. That's pretty much how she is; she seems to have a talent for getting out of shit.

Alberta, who just happened to be walking by us as we entered, gasped at the appearance of Rose and I. "What the-!" Alberta stopped herself before she said a profanity, just staring at Tasha hanging over my shoulder.

"It's a long story. You're going to want to come with us, if you want to find out what happened. I'm glad to explain how Tasha violated the restraining order for the third time now," I said, an annoyed expression, no doubt, on my face.

Rose pulled my sleeve and brought me to the back of the corridor where she, of course for many reasons, knew where Kirova's office was. We skipped the front desk and dismissed all the other confused stares that my colleagues sent me.

Rose pushed open the door to Headmistress Kirova's office, not even bothering to knock at the door. Kirova thankfully was only looking through papers, it appeared, and glanced up quickly when we barged in, rudely I might add.

"Rosemarie? Guardian Belikov?" she asked, quite confused. He eyes landed on Alberta and then what was slumped over my shoulder. Her face showed shock, but then I could see frustration; she was just about to jump down my throat when I spoke.

"I need to discuss with you some urgent events that just occurred," I said, taking a deep breath. I turned to Rose, a controlled smile forming on my lips. I looked into her eyes so she understood my meaning.

"Alone."

Rose POV

I walked out of Kirova's office, shutting the door quietly and respectfully (that earned a mental eye roll), then walked to the front of the building, over to the front desk. But not before I heard a shout.

"Headmistress, please! I'm absolutely positive that she did, indeed, have bad intentions!" It was Dimitri's voice. I heard calming words from Alberta, who I imagined was right next to him, trying to calm him down from his bubbling over rage.

"Guardian Belikov, please, try to contain yourself," Kirova replied in a snotty voice that made me want to run in there and punch her in the jaw.

"I'm sorry, I'm very on edge right now," I heard Dimitri mumble in defeat.

After a pause, Alberta began to speak. "Miss. Kirova, I think what you're missing here is the fact that Miss. Ozera has violated the terms of the restraining order more than three times now," she paused. "Let's see, there was the first incident where she purposely walked into the same room as him way back when Rose was being awarded her Molnija marks. Then, at the clinic, she had been trying to talk to him-"

"Plus she used compulsion on Rose to try and hurt herself," Dimitri said, sticking up for me of course.

"Guardian Belikov," Kirova said in a warning tone.

Alberta continued. "And now, third time in a row, she's attacked Rose and for the final time has made contact with Guardian Belikov," she finished.

There was another long pause, and I wished that I could be in there to see what was actually happening. "I see," Kirova finally said. "Well I understand. I won't allow-"

"Excuse me?"

I practically could feel him breathing down my neck. I turned around slowly as ever and saw a big man, burly and stocky- no doubt solid as a brick house- with curly blonde hair and dark brown eyes. I recognized him; I stared at, him trying to put the name on the face.

"Emil?" I asked, and I realized after I had said it that it probably sounded kind of rude. But at this point I was too tired to care. I wasn't really aware of his last name, and I sure as hell wasn't going to call him Guardian Emil; that sounded something like what we called our pre-school and kindergarten teachers.

"Rosemarie," he said, always one of formalities. "What just happened?" he asked curiously. I was just about to call him a nosy bastard when I stopped myself. I really didn't feel like getting into more trouble tonight.

I gave him the shrug of my shoulders. "I don't know, just some random shit. Tasha attacked me, tried to seduce Dimitri, and then I knocked her out with a rock."

Emil stared at me with wide shocked eyes. Another guardian behind him, apparently had been eavesdropping, popped her head around his shoulder. Celeste, I think was her name. She looked at me like I was some crazy green haired alien with three heads.

Emil opened and closed his mouth a few times trying to say something. Though after another ten seconds or so, he swallowed the story and gave me the nod of his head.

"Interesting." He stated and with that, he turned and walked away. As did I, but someone stopped me. I turned around to see Celeste's hand on my shoulder. I cocked an eyebrow at her in confusion.

"Yes?" I asked impatiently. I wanted nothing more than to go back to my room and sleep... or at least get the hell out of here, but it would be even better if Dimitri was with me.

"Ah, well, I was just wondering if..." Celeste began quietly, if not shyly. I waited patiently for her to continue. "If Dimi- err- Guardian Belikov was okay..." she asked, her eyes cast down on the floor, a crimson blush on her cheeks.

You've got to be kidding me. At first I was mad. I was infuriated that someone else besides me thought more than kindly of my Dimitri; hence my usage of my. Then it dawned on me that no one knew what Dimitri and I were, though then again, it wasn't like that mattered. We knew we loved each other and that was our business-no one else's. Plus, I mean, Dimitri is so hot that it's hard for a girl not to appreciate what he has to offer.

"You're his student and all, and I thought that since you guys are close..." she continued to speak, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked abruptly.

"I was wondering if... you could speak to him on my behalf next time the two of you had class together," she said quickly, just throwing it out in the open.

I was rendered speechless- and let me tell you, that doesn't happen that often.

My first thought after that little add on was to shout at her 'No! He's MINE!' childishly, but then where would that get me? Blurting out our little affairs, exposing to the world that Dimitri Belikov isn't that perfect male role model that everyone thinks him to be.

After that little incident with our parents in his room, followed by Dimitri getting upset with me, and me running off with no shoes or jacket, falling and hitting my head and the whole Adrian thing, I think I've done enough damage for once. So I really wouldn't want to make an embarrassment of myself as well as my mother, now would I?

"Why?" I asked stupidly. I knew I was asking her a lot of questions, but I wanted to dig the truth out of her the best I could before deciding my answer.

"I-I... Guardian Belikov is very special to me." Celeste gave me a hard stare, probably for testing her so much.

"Well, Celeste, I'm sorry to break this to you, but I've been snooping around," I paused, trying to think up something that would definitely piss her off. "Essentially stalking him after practice, and... I believe Guardian Belikov is seriously involved with someone," I said, looking up at her with my big brown eyes as innocently as possible.

She stared at me for a moment, utterly speechless with the biggest blush I had ever seen on anyone, and then turned around and walked the same way Emil had went-out the door.

I stared at the door. "Huh," I said aloud, thinking to myself. So Celeste likes Dimitri. Well, well, well. Damn, why does he have to be so perfect? Why can't it just be easy for us? I wish I could just stake my claim and chase away all these unwanted advances. I just want to shout from the rooftops, 'He's mine, stay away!' Shaking my head I started walking.

Leaving the building, I walked out into the cold. God, what a shitty-ass day, could it honestly get any worse?

I stopped myself. Shit! I glanced around, trying to find some wood to knock on. About fifteen feet in front of me was an old, leafless oak. I raced forward and knocked my fist on it a couple times before I was sure it would sink in.

I mentally laughed and rolled my eyes at the superstition; something about these little critters called wood weirdos that make your ill stated words come true. Well, I wasn't taking any chances tonight. Too much shit has already happened.

Turning away from the over grown tree, I headed in the direction of the Moroi building. I guess I sort of needed to vent to my best friend. I made sure to take my time though; I didn't really have an urgent reason to go yet, so I made sure to twirl around in the falling snow. I honestly loved this time of the year, though I have to say the sun in the summer nights-err, day time- is really amazing.

I knew I would find Lissa and most likely Christian in the Moroi dormitory. It felt like it had been so long since the three of us had done something fun together or... just something together in general. Things were still kind of tense between us, and Christian essentially went wherever Lissa went, like a lost puppy.

I blew some hair from my face, trekking forward in the thick snow. When I opened the door, I felt a rush of hot air hit my face, I shuddered in pleasure. A tired looking guardian gave me a subtle nod in acknowledgment as I past the front desk. I nodded in return; the guy didn't need to ask me who I was-I'm proud to say that I'm in here more than I was in my own room. Much to Kirova's displeasure, that is.

Finally, I made it to Lissa's floor. I tiredly walked over to her door at the end of the corridor. I took notice that the door was not in the best of condition and made a mental note to ask about that.

Just as I was about to knock on the door and let myself in, I heard a loud, wailing sound.

"What the hell!" came a voice all too familiar. It was Lissa, and she sounded pissed. That was a surprise to say, since she was always so typically kind to everyone.

"Liss, baby, its okay." I knew Christian would be there. "Don't worry about it."

"No, Christian, it isn't okay!" Lissa shouted in reply.

At that point I decided to barge in. "What's going on?" I demanded. I rushed over to her side. Lissa's normally bright and vibrant green eyes were bloodshot, and angry. Her nose and cheeks were red with tear stains. She looked... like I had never seen her before. Well, besides the whole accident thing when her parents and Andre died... but that was definitely different from this situation... That is, unless someone died or something.

Lissa's eyes narrowed at me when her eyes met mine and her voice was suddenly venomous. "What's going on? Rose, do you honestly not know?" she asked in a beyond pissed voice. I was so shocked; I had never seen this side of Lissa, and it appeared that it was being directed towards me...

I looked at her, totally puzzled by the situation. "Um... no?" I said, raising the both of my eyebrows. "That's pretty much why I'm asking you," I said with a nervous chuckle. My mind ran through some scenarios, trying to put pieces together to find out why she was like this so suddenly.

Lissa mock laughed. "Jesus Christ! Ever since you've come here," she began, but paused to sniffle. "Things haven't been going very smooth. It's hard for me to say this because I'm not normally so mad, but frankly St. Vladimir's was just fine without you. And suddenly when you appear, everything has been jumbled; and to sum it up, I'm blaming it on you." Her words were like sharp icicles hitting me square in the face.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "W-what?" I asked, my voice breaking.

Christian looked down at the ground, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes glassy. Lissa wrapped a protective arm around her boyfriend and then turned to me, more and more tears streaming down her face. "Christian's aunt Tasha, as you know, has just been exiled from St. Vladimir's campus. And it's all your fault!"

xXx

A/N: You guys really have no faith in me. I can't belive you guys actually thought I would LET Tasha kiss Dimitri xD. REVIEW!

Don't forget I made a Twitter account... so you guys can chat with me or ask me about updates :D The link is on my page!