Next part is up! This is a little longer than the other two, but I hope you still stick with it! ^.^

As always, your support keeps me goin' so please R&R!

Chapter 3

I stood by the window having flung it wide open to feel the raging storm outside, the swirling wind mirrored my own storming emotions. Something was up with Lissa, the cold in her voice had made me shiver more than the icy rain being blown against my face.

'Roza?' I jumped a mile. Dimitri had returned, as requested. My voice caught in my throat, rather than trying to talk, I rushed into his arms, crashing myself against his body. He held me tight for a few moments before gently peeling me away.

'Christian. He's…' He trailed off uncomfortable and shifted his weight. Dread began to build in my stomach. 'He's requested we leave. Immediately.'

'What the heck is going on?' I demanded, pushing away from him and his warmth and marching back to the window. The rain was pouring even harder and the wind blew it onto my bare arms, I shivered, feeling the icy sheen grip me to my very core. 'Well go on then,' I said through gritted teeth, 'Get going. Fucking leave. It's what you do best.'

I listened to him quickly stuffing things in bag, not daring to turn around lest I be either upset or angered by his obvious lack of compassion right now. In minutes the door banged shut and I finally dared to move. Closing the windows, I rubbed my body; cold for so much more than the rain. Shivering, I quickly changed into something dry and warm. Clambering into a fluffy jumper, angora wool no less, I sat cross legged on the floor. What hell had just happened? I couldn't understand how I had so easily dismissed him, not unlike Lissa's cruel actions earlier. The sense that this was something supernatural prickled at my skin, gooseflesh rising even under the layer of toasty wool, I put my head in my hands.

Glumly, I tried to figure this out, but nothing made sense. Whatever it was, it was effecting more than just Lissa and Christian, even Dimitri had seemed strange. The sudden memory of his warm, but damp-from-the-elements body, invaded my senses. I could almost smell that intoxicating scent of him that always drove me wild.

A sharp knock dragged me back to the now. I opened the door a crack and saw one of Lissa's other guardians; a small chap, all puffed up with importance like a bloated fish. I was undoubtedly and unquestionably her first choice out of the small army of guardians that protected her, but I guess while in banishment, she still needed someone to watch over her.

'Ahem,' The short fish, Gilbert, I think his name was, pretended to clear his throat, 'her majesty would see you.' I sighed.

'Would she?' I said with more sarcasm than intended, 'I am forever at her beck and call.' Yeah, I felt bitter, and I hoped to all that was unholy that I was being summoned for some kind of apology. All this uneasiness made me feel edgy.

I entered Lissa's rooms and found her where I'd left her, sat in bed. She downed a glass of water as I waited for her to speak.

'Ah, Rose. Could you fetch me another glass? I'm so thirsty.' She held out her tumbler. I felt my face shape itself into a sneer.

'Of course, your royal highness.' I snatched the glass from her hands and grumbled all the way to the faucet, 'Because of course, us guardians are well trained as water boys and serving girls.'

Shoving the glass back at her, a little spilling over into her lap, I watched as she downed it in three easy gulps. 'Ah!' She exclaimed, 'A little better. But still… Oh Rose, don't look at me like that, I am sorry for earlier. Truly, I've not been myself today and after Chritian-' She stopped short, a look of real anguish twisted in her eyes. 'Please,' She whispered, 'can you forgive me?'

The relief washed over me like a warm shower. Of course, I was still mad at her, but that strange steeliness seemed to have dissipated, and now maybe we could actually talk about what had happened. And then maybe a solution could be found which would bring Christian back and my lover along with him.

I collapsed into her open arms and held her tightly. 'Talk to me Liss. Tell me what you need.' She didn't say anything for a long time, just letting me rock her gently. I wondered if she had taken the emergency meds, with the bond broken, it was hard to tell exactly how stable she was. I held her tighter, the need to protect swelling inside of me. I felt her move then, rearranging herself so she had her head on my shoulder.

'What I need?' She whispered, her breath tickling my neck. Flashes from a long time ago invaded my mind. Suddenly very aware of how close those little canines were to my jugular. 'This.'

I tried to fight, to push her off, but as her teeth pierced through, I couldn't even bring myself to move. The strange mixture of fear and ecstasy overloaded my entire body. A heavy shudder worked through my muscles as Lissa sucked harder. Her hands roamed my back, gently at first, but then digging in her nails, scratching me beneath my jumper. I heard myself moan, the pleasure of the pain and the bliss of being fed from, was just too much. Lissa pushed me onto my back and drew more of myself into her. Her hands moved from my back, instead travelling down my front. This was very unfamiliar territory, but so lost in the buzz I couldn't and wouldn't, do anything to stop it.

When her hand reached the top of my jeans and disappeared under, I complete lost it. Black stars swam in front of my eyes as I felt the heat rise in my face, I was completely on fire.

'Enough,' I whispered from somewhere far away, like speaking down a long tunnel. But there was something looming on the edges of my ecstasy. It was like death himself had arrived to witness this scene of wrongness. A reel of images, bright and disorientating, imprinted on my brain. Was this that moment where your life flashes before your eyes?

'Stop!' I said with more strength. But she didn't. I struggled then, bucking beneath her body, I flailed my arms and legs in hopes that I connected with something. Completely blind, or were my eyes just closed? Somehow I threw her off. Rolling away, still in darkness, I made a silent prayer to whatever gods would listen that the ravenous Moroi had been satiated and stayed the hell away from me.

It felt like forever, but slowly my vision started to clear. Blurry and feeling fuzzier than my angora jumper, I stumbled towards the doors. I spared no thought for the royal that might be watching, or indeed following me, I just bolted, in a wobbly kind of fashion.

As graceful as a duck, I waddled through the corridors. There was no way I was going back to my room, but the walk across the complex was horrific. Twice I stopped to throw up my lunch in something green, that I hoped was a bush. But my guardian grit was paying off and finally I made it to my destination. Slumping against the door, I hit at it the best I could, hoping the occupant was in, and sober.

Mercifully the door opened. 'Hello? Oh!' Adrian grabbed me before I fell over the threshold and guided me to a sofa.