Rose

Woah. Did this sick asshole just ask for my hand in marriage? No way in hell I'm marrying a strigoi. I rather be dead. How the fuck is that even possible?

"Marry you?" I questioned. "And what makes you think I'll marry you? I'm a dhampir and you're a strigoi."

He gave me a half bored half amused smile. "So? I have ways of making you..."

He's right. Like the Moroi, Strigoi can use compulsion but theirs is like 100 times better than the Moroi. He can easily 'persuade me into becoming a Strigoi. I thought of my options. I was completely weaponless and trying to fight against Nathan would be completely suicidal.

"But that's no fun." Nathan continues. "And it's all too easy." He plays with a strand of my hair, curling it in his finger. "I'll be so much more...entertaining if I get you to like me."

He's more delusional than I thought. "You won't."

The look he gave me showed that he thought that was indeed a ridiculous thing to say. "I will. This situation now, your future, is in my hands. It's inevitable."

He stepped away and walked toward the living room without looking back at me. I was tempted to do a sneak attack on him, but something told me I probably only make it four feet before getting backhanded. He sat down in one of the luxurious armchairs, folding his six-foot-six frame gracefully. He studied me. I felt like dirt when he did, like slime oozing over my skin as he studied me.

"You changed over the years since I last saw you and the Dragomir girl."

I was curious to how he knew me and Lissa. Back at the Academy, he mentioned seeing me and Lissa when we were in kindergarten. He must have been a student before he became Strigoi. Based on his body type, he was most likely a dhampir before being turned.

"It's called puberty." I said sarcastically.

"And it ready work out for you." Nathan said. "I know the Moroi women are jealous."

I didn't know what to sat to that. I'd never really had a conversation with a Strigoi, short of trading a few insults and threats in the midst of a fight. The nearest I'd come was when I'd been held captive by Isaiah. I was tied up at the time, and most of the talking had been about him killing me. I crossed my arms over my chest and backed up against the wall. Closet I'll probably get to being defensive.

He tilted his head, watching me carefully. A shadow fell across his face.

"You can sit down,"

"I'm fine over here."

"Is there anything you want?"

That was a stupid question. "Um...to let me go."

"I meant in this room. Food? Books? Entertainment?"

"You make it sound like I'm in the Holiday Inn." I spat.

"To a certain extent, it is."

I rolled my eyes at the statement. I mumbled a series of curse words before looking at my captor. "So where the fuck am I?"

"In Russia."

Russia. Dimitri's home. He would tell me about all the wonderful things and gorgeous buildings if I was to ever visit. Thinking of Dimitri made me think of Lissa. Two of the most important people who mean the world to me.

"You're thinking about the russian dhampir. What was his name again? Dimitri Belikov?"

"How do you know-" I began to say.

"Our kind likes to keep track on those who are very well-known for killing Strigoi." He explains. "We always keep track on who we're up against when we hunt. You see Rosemarie, we don't just focus on the royal families. We like to take out the body guards. You're mother is on the hit list as well, considering her status as the "greatest guardian."

I felt my face burn with anger. How dare he threaten to take out my mother? Sure we don't have the best relationship in the world but she is still my mother. And if anyone is gonna take her out...it's going to be me.

"Then what the hell are you doing?" I demanded, all my pent-up fear bursting out as anger. "Why are you holding me here? Kill me or let me go."

"Brave words." He stood up. Nathan was now standing in front of me, moving in Strigoi speed. My Strigoi-nausea had never gone away but I somehow gain a tolerance to it.

"Killing you...was never an option. At first." he said. His voice drop to low whisper, like a slithering snake. "I want to awaken you."

I froze and stop breathing all together.

"No." It was the only thing I could say.

"Trust me, you don't know what it's like. All of your senses, the world, is more alive-"

"You're dead."

"Am I? Are all Strgoi dead? I have a heartbeat. I'm breathing." He states, taking my hand and placing it on his chest. I could feel the steady heartbeat.

"But..." I tried to think of everything I been taugh about Strigoi. "It's dark magic reanimating you. Illusion of life."

Both of his hands cupped my face. "It's like being a God. strength. Speed. And...immortality. You'll be free."

"Free of what exactly? My humanity?"

Nathan chuckles. "No my silly girl. Of them. The Moroi has treated you and me like we're second class citizens. It's our only purpose in life: They come first. Be a guardian or a blood whore." He had some deep resentment towards the Moroi. I didn't blame him. I feel like that some times. No Rose! Don't empathize with the enemy!

"We don't always-"

"Oh Rosemarie." He said. "Nothing you say will stop me from claiming you. Or awakening you." His bright red eyes stares into mines deeply. "And your friend."

"What?"

"I know about your bond with the Dragomir girl. I hear it takes a toll on your sanity if she uses her magic." He said. "Do you want to be with someone who can literally drive you crazy? I sure wouldn't."

He was right. He was right about the Moroi and Lissa-NO! He was trying to use compulsion on me. I was trying to fight the effect off but it was proving to be a real challenge. I turned my head away from him.

Wrong move.

He turned my face back to him and his lips found mines. I made a small sound of protest and tried vainly to escape his embrace. He was too strong. One arm encircled around my waist as the arm kept my head lock in place. His lips were cold but strongly felt soft.

"Oh Rosemarie." He breaths out, his lips making his way to my neck. He was surprisgly placing gentle kisses on my neck. "I must have you. Do you want this?"

"No-"

I felt it. The sharp bite of teeth into my skin as he closed his mouth down on my neck. For a moment, it was unbearable pain. Then it became bliss and joy. It was sweet and a hundred times better than when I let Lissa fed from me.

I felt the ripping of my jeans and the sudden cool air on my bare skin.

I didn't care.

His fingers trace along the ouside of my underwear, ripping them off in one swift movement. I was so aroused from the bite that Nathan managed to shove three fingers inside of me.

He pulled his mouth away from me. "I'm only doing this to awaken you, Rosemarie. I won't turn you...yet. This is simply to break you."

Then his mouth was back on mines and everything was a blur.