A/N: Sorry for too many long A/N! I could say a lot more, but I'll stop myself. Here's the chapter

Chapter 28

Rose's POV

I woke up slowly, hearing leaves crunch under me as I stretched, it was nearly sunset, and I had to get back to my room. My memories didn't come back slowly or in a flood of information, it was as if I had never left consciousness, last night was so clear in my mind.

The cabin, the CDs, the dreaded comments next to the lyrics. The message I had left to whoever had dared to threaten me – the smashed CD and the shredded lyrics in front of the cabin door. The phone call I had lied my way through. Well, today was going to be great after all that, I thought sarcastically. But on rethinking it, today would be fine, nobody else would know my suffering. That was the beauty of lies and secrets.

I wasn't going to let them live happily while I mentally screamed at the world again though, this would be a shared day of doom. Lissa would get her CD and the sheet of lyrics, as for Christian well... that letter had mentioned him.

I had no idea why it had mentioned him, so I would have to figure that out. As well as what I was going to say to C, because I was going to track him down and soon. But I would worry about that later. I had to talk to Christian, and then I had to give this CD to Lissa and figure out what it was about by going into her head.

As for Adrian... I felt guilty for deceiving him last night, so I was going to have to be nice to him today in an effort to reconcile my conscious.

I knew I'd have to get to C before he decided to go after Eddie; the threat was clear in his letter. He thought Eddie and I were going to hook up and he wasn't happy. I wouldn't be happy either but he had no right to be upset about such things.

Which brought me back to the question, how was he here?

I had left him in the past. I had found my peace. I had done what I had to. I was still breathing.

But him? I had no idea what of that applied to him.

I was so close to the dhampir dorms now, I was nearly back to the safety of my room. So close to fooling everyone that I had been sleeping in my room.

"My, my, Rosemarie Hathaway." A voice said behind me and I spun around.

It was the annoying guy from yesterday, even though it seemed like a life-time ago.

"I do believe I made it clear, It's Rose." I stated dismissively.

He shrugged, "My apologies," at that he smirked, "Well, they do put you novices through hell, don't they?"

"Hmm?" I asked distractedly.

"What was it, pre-dawn boot camp? You look like you've been in the forest all night hunting or something..."

I gave him a hard look to cover my surprise and he quickly tried to correct himself,

"Not to say you don't look beautiful, as always. I was just concerned about your well-being. Did they have you up hours ago climbing though trees for training? I could speak to someone about that if you wanted; surely it's abusive or unjust treatment at least."

"I'm fine, thank you. I was just jogging and I tripped. You wouldn't understand what working out and being strong are like, I'm sure." I said glaring at him.

I needed to have a shower before anyone else woke up.

He just shrugged and smiled, walking towards me like he thought we were going to hang out.

"What are you doing up so early?" I asked, stopping him.

"Oh, I had a phone call to make, different time zones, you know. My parents are travelling; I have to be awake to answer their calls." He stated smugly.

"I really need to go. Nice seeing you again...?" I trailed off forgetting his name.

"Cameron, I thought you said you would remember that?" He said grinning.

"Well, Cameron. Later..." I said and turned on my heels, darting into the dhampir dorms. I hadn't promised to see him later; I had merely said the word.

I was running around, in a hurry, shower, clothes, brush hair, gym bag, stairs. I couldn't be late for breakfast or my friends would get suspicious.

Slipping into my chair with a tray of food I was greeted by the familiar faces of Lissa, Christian and Eddie. The mood was strange and I felt through the bond to see what was going on but Lissa was happy, calm. Christian and Eddie had fake smiles and kept sending glares at each other or walls around the room.

"Where's Adrian?" I asked, breaking the trance.

"I'm not sure, probably sleeping in." Lissa said.

"Oh, okay." I said, looking around the cafeteria.

The place was buzzing with gossip, about what I had no idea. At least they weren't staring at our table. They were giggling and pointing at Ralf and his cohorts.

"What's that about?" I asked, motioning to them.

"Ah..." Christian tried not to laugh and hid a smile behind his hand.

Eddie and Lissa obviously didn't know, they looked as confused as me.

"What?" I asked Christian.

"Well, it would seem that – from what everyone's saying – Jesse and uh, Ralf, were caught together by guardians, past curfew..." He said looking down, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I don't get why that would be a source of gossip." Lissa said blankly while Eddie stared at Ralf blinking, wide-eyed.

I didn't understand either, they must have snuck out tons of times, but I wasn't going to admit that, not to Christian of all people.

He gave Lissa a kind smile, "They were together, together, Liss."

"Ooh!" I said, understanding sparking.

Christian finally let out the laugh he'd been holding back at the sight of Lissa's horrified face.

I was a little concerned about Adrian, the feeling tugging on the back of my mind, as the day went by.

It was nearly lunch and I hadn't seen him or heard from him. I'd called him, he hadn't answered. I'd texted him too but he wasn't replying. This would be normal of Adrian if it hadn't been for him giving up drinking.

But that wasn't a major concern; I had given Lissa her CD at first break, then left her. I hadn't seen her since.

I also hadn't seen Christian after I passed him in the hall and told him we needed to talk and he needed to start telling me what he knew.

When I had given Lissa the CD I had simply said, "This is for you, someone told me to give it you. I don't know who."

Even know that was totally suspicious she had smiled and said, "Sure Rose. Thanks. See you at lunch!" and then practically skipped to her next class. How could she be so happy?

On my way to lunch I was caught by Cameron, again. Only this time it was obvious he had been waiting for me.

"Rose."

"Cameron."

"Ah, you remembered this time."

"Obviously," I stated.

"I do believe we had a date for today. You did reject my offer for last night, after all." He said, running his hand up and down my arm.

"Uh... Are you delusional? I didn't agree to anything, Sarcozy. Much less being with you." I said annoyed at his arrogance.

"Not in a great mood today, are we? You were much nicer yesterday. Well, tonight then. I'll find you."

"No, you won't, you-" my insults got cut off as he walked passed me, kissed the back of my neck and left.

Idiot, I finished mentally. He was so going to pay for that. But not now.

I walked into the cafeteria and over to one of the quietest tables, where we always sat. Christian and Lissa were together, her face stricken. He was whispering something in her ear which vaguely sounded like a threat, though it was hard to tell from the other side of the table. Eddie was smiling, waving to me and munching an apple.

"Hey, guys..." I said uncertainly to Lissa and Christian.

"Rose." Christian said in a flat tone, not looking at me.

Lissa nodded, whether at me or in agreement with whatever Christian was saying, I couldn't be sure.

"What's up?" I asked, putting on a casual face.

"I do believe we need to talk, you were going to explain what the hell this is, remember?" Christian said, holding up the sheet of lyrics.

"Um... I don't know? But yes, we did need to discuss something." I said looking around the cafeteria to avoid his eyes.

"What would that be, Rose? Because I don't feel like chatting right now. Especially if it would involve more of your lies. All I want to know is what this is." He said menacingly, like it would scare me.

"Okay, not a good time to talk then. I get that, later would be fine. Where's Adrian?" I replied nonchalantly, finally meeting his eyes in a stare.

"Still not here..." Lissa said softly.

"Oh, I have to give him back his shirt. I'll go to his room and see if he's awake yet..." I said and practically ran out of the cafeteria; I could feel their eyes burning into me.

"Adrian?" I yelled, banging on the door.

After a moment I heard footsteps and then the door opened.

"Rose, didn't expect to see you." He stated without emotion.

"Oh, why? I had to give you your shirt back..." I said opening my bag and searching through it.

"Well, after you said 'I'm fine' and hung up, I figured that was a sign to leave you alone. You know 'Stop-caring-about-me-because-I-couldn't-care-less-about-you' in so many words." He said staring out the window behind me.

"Ah, I was just tired, and everyone was asking the same question, it was irritating. I didn't mean to hurt you or whatever." I said smiling, because I actually wanted him to believe me so I could hang out with him again and have those brief encounters with happiness he provided.

"Well, I'm surprised you didn't go to bed if you were so tired." He said, still not letting me in, still looking out of that cursed window.

"Uh...? Can I come in?" I asked, confused.

"Why do you think you have to lie to me all the time, Rose?" He asked finally looking at me.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered, pulling him unwillingly into a hug, I still didn't know how much he knew but I wasn't prepared to lose him.

Not with this threat hanging over me.

This threat telling me not to tell him or it would be the end of the Dragomirs.

"I don't know..." He said pulling back and walking into his room.

"What?" I asked when he didn't finish.

"...if I can trust you when you don't trust me." He finished after a moment.

"Adrian, it's not that I don't trust you. I do, so much. Please, what have I done that you're upset about?" I asked, he was breaking the strength I held as a shield.

"I went to your room; I snuck in last night after our phone call. I was worried. You weren't there and after everything Rose, you couldn't have expected me to go searching for you, to let myself care if you were lying dead somewhere. Because you never care. So I didn't, I just came back here. I still don't – can't – trust you." He said, pacing the room.

I stepped in the door and closed it behind me, "I needed space to think, I'm still just getting used to everything, him..." I couldn't say dying. Not now, not ever.

"Ah, well, you could have just said that, Rose. But you didn't." He said turning back to me.

"I'm sorry, let's forget this. Here's your shirt and belt." I said handing the items to him.

"You did say rules were meant for breaking – I didn't get to take it off you." He said offering a half smile. This was Adrian, back to himself.

"That is a shame..." I said just as he tackled me onto the couch.

"What...?" I asked shocked.

"Revenge for not letting me take the shirt off last night." He explained smiling.

I smiled back, but I could feel that it didn't reach my eyes. I couldn't be happy when Eddie was at risk, Lissa confused and Christian angry with me in the cafeteria. Not with him watching me – Where ever he was.

"So... what happened last night?" He asked, suddenly his eyes felt like they could burn through me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, fighting the memories.

"You know what I mean, what truthfully happened?" He said, watching me carefully.

"I just needed some space, I told you that. I promise nothing else happened," for a lie I didn't want to tell, it was very convincing, maybe because I needed to tell it, "Let's forget this, please? I thought you were getting revenge?" I grinned at him.

He sighed but after a minute of watching me he broke into a grin, "I can't get proper compensation because you're not wearing the top."

"Ah, that would be a problem..." I smiled and snatched the top back, "I'll wear it tonight." I said winking and standing up to leave.

"Seriously?" He asked taken back.

I nodded and left to go talk to Christian, sometimes he was the most terrifying person I knew, but not today. Today I was the one getting answers.

When I went to my room at the end of the day, there was an envelope under the door.

It was addressed to me, as 'Rose' for once. But I knew it was from him. It was always from him.

Inside it read:

Roza,

Why am I doing this to you?

This is an equal punishment for both of us, you know. And you deserve it.

They say forgiveness is divine, I've never really considered that before. Thinking now, I know I should concentrate on my own feelings, forgiving you and others. But all I can think is: would you forgive me?

Because for all the things you'd done, I'm sure I'd hurt you more. I gave you ten-fold the anguish and pain you inflicted on me. So, would you ever forgive me, after everything?

But still, I am punishing you, for what? It's pretty obvious.

But I can't live like this forever...

Do you understand the torment?

It's like I don't have a choice, I have to fight to be right and stop being so ... wrong.

But I can't give in just yet...

I know you have questions, that you want answered.

Not yet.

I've heard you've changed, my dearest... That you're different. I'm worried.

Are you still my Rose?

I've upset you now, I'm sorry.

Just, trust me. Trust that the lyrics I gave you held all the answers. You know me, trust me...

Soon, Roza, soon.

C.

Sorry, I have to do the disclaimer, but I let you read the chapter first, didn't I?

Richelle Mead owns vampire academy, sadly Adrian owns himself otherwise I'd been taking the highest bid for him.