Thanks for the reviews, people. They put me in a substantially better mood, I must confess. You guys are great (y) Thanks in particular to Jessties. I was rather flattered by some of your reviews — and in a quick response to your chapter 12 review, we will be seeing Adrian again, later on. I'm quite excited about writing that bit of the story, actually :D


"Hey Valik, can I—"

"No." I frowned, glaring annoyedly at him, hands on hips.

"You don't even know what I was going to say!" He looked up from his newspaper and gestured for me to sit down.

"You want to go and see my aunt. And I'm saying no."

"Fine.... maybe you did know what I was going to ask. But why?"

"Three simple reasons: firstly, Rose, the queen is still here for a couple of days. I think it'd be sensible if you tried not to draw too much attention to yourself during that time. Secondly, it wasn't too long ago that you claimed to see Strigoi on campus — and if you were correct, then I want to keep you away from them. I don't know why they'd be looking for you, but they can't have you. And lastly, I fear your mother." He paused thoughtfully. "I think it's mostly that last reason."

"This is ridiculous," I huffed. "You can't expect me to just stay here all the time."

"Actually, I can. And I will, Rose. Now, if I remember correctly, you have a training session to attend. Go."

As if to emphasise that he wanted me gone, he picked up his newspaper again and turned away from me. I growled, and strode from the room.

Anton was leaning against a wall outside, waiting for me. As I walked by, he caught up with me, landing in step. I ignored him.

"It's quite funny, isn't it?" he mused. I glanced in his direction, but still remained silent. "I mean, it's a Guardian's job to protect Moroi from Strigoi. But here we are-" he grinned, "and it's a total role reversal. It's kind of cool, being the guardian of a Guardian."

"You're not my guardian," I grumbled.

"Oh come on, Rose. Lighten up. Your bestest buddy will be gone soon enough, and then everything will go back to normal." I rolled my eyes.

"I don't care for when Tatiana's leaving. I, however, am not allowed to leave. How does that work?"

"I thought it was quite obvious," the boy replied bluntly. "Valik doesn't think you're mental, after all. He's starting to wonder about the whole Strigoi thing. If humans are working with them, then no one's safe. Anything could be happening, and we're completely in the dark about it.

"He was telling you the truth, just now. He's got no idea whatsoever as to why the Strigoi seem to be hell-bent on finding you... maybe they just want you dead. They're like that, aren't they? But you're a good Guardian, you are. A good asset to the Moroi, whether the queen likes it or not. So he finds it of utmost importance to enforce all of this extra security."

I stopped in my tracks.

"By extra security... you do just mean this walking around with me thing, don't you?" Anton snickered and shook his head.

"Oh, no, Rose. You've got the royal treatment. You've got armed patrols around the block you're staying in at night, and patrols up and down your corridor, too. I bet Tatiana's envying the lucky bastards that are living in the same block as you. They'd bee safe if there was a major attack."

"You've got to be kidding me," I groaned.

*

During the course of the next week, my desperation to leave campus grew and grew. It's amazing how much more you want something when you can't have it, really. Anyway, I attempted several escapes at various points on various days.

I tried it when the queen was leaving and everyone was caught up in those annoying formal farewells, but Anton had been told by Valik to keep an eye on me during that time — apparently I was starting to become a bit predictable.

I tried it during my training sessions, but the guardians who were expecting me came and hunted me down. Apparently it made a good sport, Rose hunting.

I tried it during my 'teaching' hours. My class didn't approve, and then I had to make up time, which was just irritating for all of us.

And finally, I tried at midnight. Two minutes after, to be precise. I knew that the patrols were running up and down the corridor, but for the past few nights I'd been watching the guys on patrol. They did things too logically. You'd see them pass my window once every 3 minutes, and then after 10 laps, there'd be a rotation, meaning I'd have a one minute delay on the patrol.

So, in the dead of night, I slid my window up. It was soundless, and I counted my blessings silently as I swung my feet over the ledge so that they were hanging in the air. Then I let myself drop. I landed deftly, gracefully on the ground, and smiled to myself. It felt good to be doing this. I couldn't quite put my finger on why.

I revelled in the moment, then, knowing I had time to kill. The guards should be on the other side, and changing shifts right now. I was so caught up, I never noticed the approaching figure that had been lurking in the shadows.

A glint of light in the dark; I spun around. His eyes were a piercing red. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run... I stayed. I felt like my breath had been knocked out of me.

"Buria," I whispered scarcely. His red eyes glimmered in the blackness of the night. I swear, I swear I saw a tear roll down his cheek. The shadows engulfed him, then.

I dropped to my knees. My cheeks were damp. I had a lump in my throat. I choked back a sob.

"Wait..." I tried to whisper. My lips moved, but no sound came from them.

I heard a rustling of leaves and grass behind me.

"Rose?"

Game over.


I think I've been playing on the gameboy waaay too much recently. So, I wasn't really planning on our mysterious Strigoi guest (guess who?) appearing. I was quite shocked when he showed up, actually.
Reviews, prz?