You beautiful people :') So many delightful reviews and birthday greetings! n_n I'm really quite thrilled. You beat my friends on the birthday greetings, by far. Be proud :D

(To the reviewer who asked that shouldn't Rose be able to sense Strigoi by now, I have one thing to say: I didn't like that detail. I excluded it -- you may or may not have noticed, I'm changing a lot of things. That chapter wouldn't have been half as dramatic, had she known a Strigoi was there. Do try to bear that in mind.)


Of course, I was never ready to tell the truth. I couldn't; not when I knew that both Anton and Valik's reactions would probably be blown about a thousand times out of proportion. I decided, then, not to tell them anything. I did go back and see Anton, but I checked that he was asleep when I did so. I didn't want him interrogating me at every spare minute.

When they were let out of the wards, I chose to make myself scarce. Since the fight, there had been a new Moroi day escort, as opposed to Anton. I couldn't help but notice how he didn't take up the position again after he'd come out, but I didn't really mind. I noticed that the new escort was much easier to slip.

So, the hunt was on. I knew what needed to be done. I needed to find a Spirit user, and I needed to find Dimitri. Then I needed to convince my Spirit user that it was for a greater good, if he or she bit him.

Spirit users aren't easy to come by, though. I didn't have many options, and sighing, I realised that it might be time, perhaps, to call an old friend.

"Lissa?" I whispered uncertainly down the line. I was sitting cross legged on the bed, clutching the phone in both hands nervously. I'm not sure why I was whispering, though. I guess my nerves were getting the better of me.

"This is Christian..... Lissa was feeling tired, so she's asleep in the other room. Can I take a message for you...... uh. Who is this, sorry?"

"Rose," I replied in a scarce voice.

"Rose."

"Yeah. Can you—"

"Nice talking to you, Rose," Christian interrupted, stiffly. "I've got to go."

"Hey!" I screamed suddenly. "You hold on one minute. This call isn't even for you."

"No," Christian replied quietly. "But Rose, can you do me a favour? Don't call again. Lissa's only just gone back to being vaguely normal. You leaving damn near killed her. Don't hurt her again."

The line went dead.

"Oh." I said, to no one in particular. "Okay then."

*

I was sitting at a lunch table, minding my own business a few days later, when Anton floated over and slid into the seat opposite me. I was reading a book, and as he sat, I didn't bother looking up. He didn't say anything, either, for a couple of minutes. We just sat there in this expectant silence. He caved first.

"Hey," he said idly. "What're you reading?" This time I did look up. I shrugged.

"Stuff. Hi."

He nodded.

"You're looking for a spirit user," he said suddenly. This caught my attention and I slammed the book shut. "Nadejda said something about it," he added by way of explanation. I shrugged again.

"And hypothetically... if I was. What would you care?" I asked.

"I'd want to know what you wanted with the spirit user," he replied, watching me carefully.

"She didn't tell you?" Anton laughed.

"The woman rarely ever talks sense to me," he chuckled. "So are you going to tell me?"

"Probably not," I admitted. His shoulders visibly drooped. "I'm sorry.... I can't."

He tried to smile, and failed miserably.

"It's okay, I guess. I just figured I could help, you know?"

I sighed. I couldn't believe I was giving in. I was getting far too soft, these days. Toughen up, Rose. I glanced at my watch.

"You free, now?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah."

"My room, in five." I told him, and strode off, not bothering to check whether or not he'd understood.

I explained to him, upstairs, as much as I knew. At first, I was reluctant. But I told him what I'd heard from Arine.

"So," he said thoughtfully. "You need to find a spirit user, and get them to bite Dimitri." His brow wrinkled. "That's disgusting."

"Yeah -but it'll save him," I snapped indignantly. Anton held his hands up in defence.

"I know. I'm just saying, this person's really got to... you know, like you to do that for you. No one else would. It's sick."

I leaned back against the headrest, and stared at the ceiling.

"I tried to call Lissa. She didn't answer; her boyfriend did. He told me I shouldn't call again."

"Oh."

"That's what I said, too."

*

Two days later, Valik came striding over. He was, it seemed, back in full health, and had a cheerful attitude about him. He caught me in the corridor before I was due to go to my session with the Moroi students.

"Rose!" he yelled. I started, and then spun around.

"Yeah?"

"I've been thinking. Term break's coming up about now." I nodded. It was literally around a week off, now, I think. The students wouldn't shut up about it. Everyone was allowed off campus for the week, a bliss that wasn't otherwise granted often, or so I'd heard.

"It is."

"And... that is. We think you've gotten a bit isolated, really." I frowned.

"What're you saying?" Valik just shook his head, and beamed.

"You know what? It can be a surprise," he said, grinning. "See you round, Rose."

A couple of minutes later, Anton stalked by. He seemed like he was set on going somewhere, but he caught my eye and his face broke into a smile.

"I know, I know. I'm amazing," he said.

"Huh?"

"Wait... has Valik told you?"

"Told me what?" I asked, confused. "He said he had a surprise. What's going on."

Recognition dawned on his face, and he snickered.

"Oh don't worry, Rose. You'll see. Now— go teach!" And with that, he dashed off.

"I'm not even going to ask," I muttered, pushing the classroom door open. Life never gets boring, really, does it?


I'm sorry it took so long to update :(

Really, I am.

In other depressing news, I'm going on holiday, so I'll be away for a week on Saturday. I don't think I'll have a chance to update tomorrow, but I'll write loads on holiday (hopefully), for you all!

I'm eagerly anticipating Blood Promise's release. I pre-ordered today, finally, after a long delay. But I've found a method of substantially reducing the international shipping I had to pay. Quite glad :)

Reviews, folks?