Review if you want me to update!

Sorry I took forever, I'm on vacation with family so it's really hard to work on this. Luckily I go back Jan. 4th so then I'll be able to update a lot.

Thanks everyone for your support.

And your comments, I get a lot of mixed advice so I hope you guys like what you see.

Chapter 12

Everyone began shouting, and unfortunately the consensus seemed to be that Tasha was wrong. They said horrible things to her, that she was trying to eliminate her own race and the Dhampirs by sending them off to fight the Strigoi. They even suggested that she was collaborating with Strigoi to try to exterminate our races.

They were probably all just too scared to fight and that's why they were acting like such wimps.

I would've interjected, but the truth was Tasha stood her ground and didn't need a man to protect her.

I decided there was really nothing left for me to hear so I just stood up and left the chaos in disgust.

"You might as well leave. Nothing useful's going to happen now," I finally said to Rose. They were the only words that we had spoken to each other.

Mason and Rose stood, and I added silently that I didn't need carrot top to come.

Luckily though, he nodded his head and didn't follow me out as Rose did.

I couldn't believe it had only been a few days since I'd spoken to Rose. Honestly, it'd felt like an eternity. I had missed Rose. I was used to having her every day and now I felt like I never was able to see her.

While I had enjoyed spending time with Tasha, it was nothing compared to how I felt as I stood right next to Roza.

"Shouldn't you be in there protecting Tasha?" Rose asked. "Before the mob gets her? She's going to get in big trouble for using magic like that."

I raised an eyebrow at her wondering what the hell this was about. "She can take care of herself."

"Yeah, yeah, because she's a badass karate magic user. I get all that. I just figured since you're going to
be her guardian and all..." Ahh, that's where she got it from.

Now I understood.

"Where did you hear that?" I asked, even though it should have been irrelevant. Still though, I could've avoided some trouble.

"I have my sources," answered Rose sounding like a little girl."You've decided to, right? I mean, it sounds like a good deal, seeing as she's going to give you fringe benefits...."

I gave me a level look. Now she was being disrespectful. And who was she to comment anyway. Tasha had been nothing but nice to her. And Rose sort of had a boyfriend, plus she had been hanging out with that stupid asshole Adrian, I let that consume me and told her flatly, "What happens between her and me is none of your business."

It looked like the words stung and I momentarily wanted to stop, tell her nothing was happening and that nothing would because I couldn't stand to see that expression on her face.

However, attitude and temper seem to overcome Rose once more. Good, I thought, it's easier to deal with her that way.

"Well, I'm sure you guys'll be happy together. She's just your type, too-I know how much you like
women who aren't your own age. I mean, she's what, six years older than you? Seven? And I'm seven
years younger than you."

"Yes," I said after several moments of silence. She was being a fucking bitch. I didn't like that being thrown in my face, that she was younger than me by seven years. It killed me. And it wasn't like I was trying to take advantage of her.

"You are," I added. "And every second this conversation goes on, you only prove how young you really are."

I didn't think it'd hurt her, but I saw the hurt in her eyes. I felt regret, realizing just how harsh my words had been, but I let the moment pass because the truth was –this was how things were supposed to be.

"Little dhampir," a voice suddenly called nearby.

I turned around. I had a feeling the voice wasn't talking to me.

I looked and saw Adrian Ivashkov.

My hands curled into fists.

Adrian nodded at me. He fucking nodded at me.

He should be afraid to stand so close.

Rose's face was beet red.

I realized she was wondering if he had heard us.

That was the least of my worries right now.

Adrian held up his hands in a casual gesture. "I don't want to interrupt or anything. Just wanted to talk to you when you have time."

I wanted to tell him that she'll never have time, but it wasn't really appropriate. Especially if he had heard what I had said.

I didn't exactly want to go to jail for statutory rape.

Rose smiled seductively at him, I was going to fucking wipe that grin off her face. I was going to lock her up in my room with me and board the door so no one could fucking put his nasty hands on her…except me.

"I've got time now." Rose said. Is she serious? We were in the middle of something.

Was she really going to pick someone else over me?

I was flabbergasted.

Rose just nodded at me and steered Adrian away, walking close to him. Too close.

"See you later, Guardian Belikov." Rose turned, without looking back.

I couldn't believe she'd actually do that to me. In all this time, I'd always come first. I think she'd even put me before Lissa, especially before any other guy, especially before Mason.

But now, she had left with Adrian.

Did she like him more than me?

I couldn't believe it.

How could she like that idiot? That idiot who probably just wanted to sleep with her and just wanted to add another dhampir to his list. I swear I was going to fucking kill Adrian Ivashkov.

When I get my hands on that little shit, he's going to wish he was never born.

Alberta walked by then, "Dimitri, time to make rounds."

I tried to make my voice steady and to not sound like I was about to kill someone, "Of course, I'll be right there."

I walked off hoping that I'd knock into that cocky Moroi as I made my way.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find where Rose and Adrian had gone anywhere.

Sure, I was supposed to be checking all around the lodge, but that didn't mean I couldn't search for them in the process. Or search for them as my main goal.

A little voice said in my head, they're probably in his room.

And it took every ounce of self-control not to walk to the Ivashkov wing and murder Adrian.

Eventually, I knocked into Tasha.

"Oh no," she said studying my face.

"What?" I asked.

"You have that look," she answered.

"What look?"

"The look of a Russian angry killer. What happened?" she asked.

"Rose, I was talking to her and you know what she did in the middle of it?" I asked.

"What?" questioned Tasha.

"Walked off with Ivashkov, so yeah, the rumors must be true," I answered.

"So what are you going to do now?" she asked.

"Kill Ivashkov," I answered.

"Wow. Your tone of voice is really scary, almost sounds like you actually mean it. Why don't you just relax and come hang out with me," she asked and I noticed her eyes were looking at me seductively.

Why couldn't I just love Tasha? I'm sure she wouldn't fall for an idiot like Adrian.

"I can't," I answered. "I'm supposed to be making rounds."

"Yeah, but you aren't doing that. You're looking for Ivashkov so that you can kill him. And frankly, I think hanging out with me is not as bad," she answered.

I wasn't convinced, "Tasha," I began.

"Fine!" she answered. "It isn't like I know exactly where they are," and turned around and stormed off to her room. She did know I realized.

"Tasha wait," I called but she started running.

God dammit these fucking women are going to drive me crazy.

I had to follow Tasha all the way to her room because everything was crowded and she's cunning.

I finally made it there but she had walked in.

I knocked but no one answered.

I tried the knob then, and it wasn't locked.

I walked in and all the lights in the room were dark.

"I know you're in here Tasha," I called.

No answer.

"You're acting like a child," I continued.

Still no answer.

"Tasha, you do not want a crazy Russian guy after you," I added.

I heard a giggle.

"Maybe I do," she answered, I hadn't realized that she was hiding to my left.

I smiled.

I couldn't help it, she was… cute.

Then my mind remembered why I was here and I began, "So where is she?"

"Where's who?" Tasha answered.

"Do you really even know?" I asked a little frustrated.

"Yes, but it's going to take some heavy questioning for you to get that sort of information out of me," she teased.

"I can always force you," I teased back.

She snorted and walked to her bed like a cat and laid down.

"I'm so scared," she said sarcastically. "I'm shivering!" she continued.

I walked over, "You're being cruel."

"I can't help it, you're just like a big teddy bear," she said.

"Wow thanks. First you boost my ego with crazy killer Russian guy and now you crush me with big teddy bear," I answered.

"Dimka! I'm kidding. If anything, you look more like a model who decided to become a killer. Is that better?"

"Yes," I answered. "So are you going to tell me?" I pressed.

"Maybe if you lay down here with me I will," she teased. I knew where this was going then. It was a little tempting, I could see it all happening in my head, I could forget about the Rose matter and make love to Tasha. No one would even notice that I was gone. I could build a life with Tasha. But the truth was, I only wished that it was Rose doing the teasing and not Tasha, and that wasn't fair to Tasha.

"Maybe that's not such a good idea," I said flatly without an ounce of flirtation.

"So who is she?" Tasha asked changing her tone abruptly.

"Who's who?" I questioned.

"The woman you're in love with," she answered.

"What do you mean?" I asked a little startled.

"Dimka, I'm not stupid, I'm old enough to know when a guy is with me and thinking about another girl," she answered.

I was somewhat at a loss for words.

I better lie I thought, "It's not like that."

"So it's not like that anymore, with this other woman. You don't have to tell me, but don't lie to me," she answered. "Is there another woman?"

Rose wasn't technically a woman yet, I thought to myself.

But, it would still be a lie. Maybe I could sort of tell Tasha.

"There is, or better yet was. But nothing is going to happen between her and I," I answered carefully.

"Okay. Are you still in love with her?" she asked.

I paused for a minute, evaluating the question, "Yes."

"Is it mutual?" she asked.

I realized what had occurred today, with Adrian, how Rose had chosen him over me, "No," I answered flatly.

"Are you trying to forget her?" she asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"Okay," she said. "Well I hope you can," she answered and put her hand on mine.

"Thanks," I answered.

She sighed, "She's with Christian and Lissa. At some Moroi party. I think Adrian's there too as is Mason so I'm sure he'll be watching his girlfriend."

That last bit, girlfriend, burned me a little.

I nodded, "Thanks."

"Aren't you going to go after her?" she asked.

"No," I shook my head. "I think I'd like to stay here for a little while."

She smiled, "Great."