Rating:
This chapter is Rated T.

Beta:
Twilighternproud; I wish I could let you know how much I appreciate your work and time.

Authors Notes:
Here is chapter twenty-one, for all you loyal and patiently waiting fans!
I arrived home last night and I typed this chapter up for you guys.
I hope this chapter does not disappoint!
Some of you are picking up the clues as the chapters go on,as to what is happening to the characters. Well done.
Please review this chapter and let me know your opinions. I have a high rate of readers, but hardly any feedback.

Disclaimer:
The author Richelle Mead owns the Vampire Academy universe. I Want To Experience Love is a Vampire Academy Fan Fiction story and it is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Richelle Mead or Razor Bill Company. Richelle Mead is the creator of the Vampire Academy characters, however this story is my original work. Copyright 2010 by xx-RedRoseBlackThorn-xx. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Power Struggle

"I don't think it's – maybe I could talk to Alberta about letting you do your test another day," Dimitri stated. I tried to intercept, but he cut me off. "This is serious, Rose. What I saw out there... with Christian... it wasn't like you. What if it flares up while your fighting?"

I looked up at Dimitri for a few moments, taking in all of his features. He was mad, that I could see clearly. The reason for his anger, I couldn't decipher. I relayed what I was feeling towards Christian and how the angry feelings have been building up with the regular outbursts. He didn't have trouble believing me, simply because I wasn't the kind of person to lie to him. He had also seen my outbursts, they were mostly directed towards him. However, at this stage, he was trying to convince me to not do my statistics test. As if... there was no way I would miss any test which would decide my overall Guardian result. Dimitri's last sentence wasn't a question. He was stating a fact. I couldn't help but bite.

"Well then, I'll be fighting, won't I Comrade?"

"Rose, this isn't something you can ignore. Especially when we don't know what is causing you to act this way."

I studied his face for a bit longer, contemplating whether I should go with my gut, knowing I could do this test, or listen to Dimitri.

"Dimitri," I said softly. "Please, trust me. I need to do this test. I'll be fine. I promise if I start to feel it building up, then I'll back down."

His guardian mask was up, as he did every time we spoke about anything serious, but his eyes... I saw them soften slightly and I knew he had given in.

"I worry about you Roza," he murmured so softly I was shocked I could hear it myself.

"I know you do. But I have you with me," I said, as I looked down at the promise ring.

I looked back up and Dimitri had walked closer to me; he was oh, so close to my lips. His guardian mask was gone, and all that was left was a little crease in his forehead. I stood up on my tip-toes and kissed his forehead where the crease was indented. I let my lips linger there for longer than necessary, before moving down and giving him a chaste kiss on his lovable lips.

"As much as I really don't want to do this... I must go have some lunch before I'm needed." My stomach growled in agreement and Dimitri softly laughed.

"And as much as I don't want to let you go... I must so you're all ready for your test," he said.

I lightly grabbed Dimitri's left hand and started to play with it while looking into his eyes. I traced every finger on his hand and stopped when I moved to his ring finger.

"Dimitri," I said shocked. "Where's your ring?"

He looked at me with a little smirk and placed a hand over his heart. "It's right here, with me."

I looked at him frustrated, "Where is it?"

He bent down so his lips were right on my ear and he held my hands in his. He softly nibbled on the end of my ear, which sent me swaying in response. He always had this effect on me, and just for a few seconds it would knock me senseless. He moved back up so his lips were slightly touching my inner ear.

"It's under my shirt and in middle of my chest," he whispered.

He moved back to look and me and smiled when he saw the look on my face.

"Why don't you have it on your finger?" I pouted.

"I can't have it on display, Roza. Other guardians will notice and ask. I have it on a chain, and it's dangling down on my heart. I'm still with you and the ring is still with me."

I bit my lip and nodded before saying, "I'll let you off this once," and gave him my man eating smile. "What if they ask about my ring?"

"Then you can tell them whatever you wish."

I gave him a quick peck before leaving to go get lunch. Christian was no where in sight, which I was glad about. Hopefully he listened to me and decided to get some rest. Lissa however, was there and asked if I knew where he was and I told her, "Last I heard, he wasn't feeling so well. I think he went to his dorm to rest." She nodded and continued to talk to me. It was nice... usually Lissa had Christian hanging off her like a bad smell, or Adrian wouldn't leave me alone, so we never had time to talk privately.

I enjoyed every moment of it, and it felt good to have Lissa to myself for half an hour of the day. She noticed my ring, and I told her it was a birthday present from Dee. She asked who Dee was and I explained it was someone I met at the ski lodge. She was a bit suspicious at first for someone I just met to be sending me something so beautiful and expensive, but eventually she let it go. I walked Lissa to her next class and she gave me a big hug to wish me well on my test.

I waited about an hour before my name was called out by the one and only, Guardian Stan Alto. I stood up from sitting on the floor, squared my shoulders, headed up and followed Stan through the crowd to the exit doors. I heard other Novices talking, the ones who were left to be tested. Which, considering how many we had been through now – there was hardly anyone left – maybe say twenty left.

I followed Stan through the exit door and there it was – in front of me – the virtual studio where my abilities were going to be tested. I looked around in the court yard, and no one was in sight. It was only Stan and I. I figured the Guardians that were involved in test were inside waiting to watch my performance. I was secretly hoping I would see Dimitri, even a quick glance. But no, I was unlucky.

Stan pointed to five pairs of clothes I could choose from to wear during the test. There were: one black tracksuit, one white tracksuit, grey sweatpants with a white top which stopped about the belly button, mini black shorts with a low cut shirt or a greyish black dress. I gave him a questioning look because, honestly, why the hell would clothes be important? He didn't answer my questioning face. Well, actually, he gave me an answer. Just not the one I've been waiting for. He told me I had five minutes to change and then went back inside the virtual studio.

A thought then popped into my mind – the clothes are part of my test. It's to test my ability to choose the appropriate clothing. I know right, seems like a lame test. But I got to think about what would best hide me and what would be easiest for me to move in. I then had two choices to choose from. It was either the black tracksuit or the grey sweatpants and white shirt. I ended up choosing the black tracksuit, because the white shirt would be quite noticeable. I have no idea why anyone would choose some of the clothing, but hey, some people must if they put the option out there.

Once I changed into my clothes, I walked over to where Stan had left my practice gun and practice stake, and took deep breaths. I closed my eyes and reopened them, while positioning myself at the virtual studio entrance. I tucked my gun in the left side of my tracksuit and held my stake with my right hand, taking a few steps in. The door slammed shut behind me, which made me jump – I wasn't expecting it to be like a horror movie. It was quite dark inside and yet... I hadn't seen any image in my sight. I took a sharp right turn and ended up having to climb some stairs.

And there it was – my first image. It was of a little girl with a smile on her face holding her mother's hand. I slowly walked past the image thinking nothing was wrong, then it clicked... the mother wasn't smiling. Wasn't she meant to be happy with her child? The child had sort of an evil gesture in the way she was holding her hand. I quickly staked the girl in the heart with the stake, and the image faded away. I took a deep breath hoping I was making the right choice and didn't just stake an innocent girl who decided to be a brat for her Mother for the day.

Another image appeared and it was a teenage girl putting on some make-up. I quickly walked past her taking a turn to the left when two images popped up. One was in the distance and one was up close. The one up close was a middle aged man reading a book and the one in the distance was defiantly a Strigoi. I lowered to the floor pulling my gun out at the same time and pulled the trigger. It didn't aim straight for the heart, which was a bummer, but it did end up in the centre of his chest. So, the Strigoi would be paralysed for about ten minutes. I power walked over to the body image and staked the Strigoi in the heart. The image disappeared and I took the time to look back at the other image. I walked over and the image was staked. The man wasn't reading just any book, he was reading a book about Strigoi Killings. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand, and continued climbing the stairs and down through obstacles towards images when they appeared.

I made my way to the end of the course. Well, I thought I did, but I didn't see an exit anywhere. It looked like a dead end and I knew turning around would not help one bit, because I was perfectly sure this lead to the correct way. So, the only other explanation is that I was having my final test – how to exit this shit of a place.

I carefully walked around the room, feeling the wall and knocking it to hear the sound. I had no luck with it so, my next mission was to find out where a door would be, because honestly, there had to be one – right? I mean... the others left this studio and they couldn't break through the wall like I was planning to do, because there would be evidence of that. Unless... no... it's very unlikely... unless they had to build it up again, after each student. But who would put so much effort in doing that each time? Hmm.

I moved loose wooden planks, and metal timber from around the small room I was now left in. I knew the guardians would be watching me, so I tried to keep my cool, just like Dimitri had tried to teach me so many times. I was learning though... very slowly, but still learning. I began feeling frustrated and angry while I threw pieces of useless material around. And then it clicked... maybe these weren't useless, maybe they could help me escape. I stared at the material for several minutes and decided to take action.

I quickly ran over to the pile I made of junk, and laughed like a crazy woman when I found the long pole again. It was made out of metal and was partially long, however it wasn't too heavy for me to carry. I walked over to the wall I believed was an exit and pushed the pole into the wall. Nothing happened. Nothing at all. Well, apart from myself stumbling back from the impact. I walked back about ten metres, to give me a run up. I stood there holding the pole with two hands over my shoulder. If I was to look at myself from the outside, I would be cracking up laughing, however by this time, all I wanted to do was escape this place. I was stuck in here for too long, I just wanted to leave. Leave and relax. I felt exhausted already today.

I took plenty of breaths, thinking about how stupid this idea could be. If it didn't work, I could put myself in complete danger by injuring myself. Then I thought about Dimitri. Ah. Dimitri was mostly always on my mind. Don't think about Dimitri that way, Rose. Think about what he would want you to do in this situation. So I did think about it. A lot. And I couldn't help but laugh, because I knew by this stage, I was mostly certainly pissing Stan off with my stalling.

I tightened my grip on the pole and ran towards the wall. I suddenly hated the idea, but I couldn't come around to stopping my legs from moving. I closed my eyes tight, and rammed the pole into the wall. I kept my eyes closed but I didn't fall back like I expected. I stumbled back a little, yes... but I did land on my ass. I slowly opened my eyes and quickly shut them again, due to the light shining in my eyes. It was too bright, too bright for a girl who had spent an hour or more in a dark studio.

I dropped the pole on the ground, and sat there for a moment longer catching my breath. While slowly opening my eyes again to the blazing sun, I saw shadows on the ground. Three shadows to be precise.

"Welcome out," Stan acknowledged roughly.

"You made quiet an exit." I heard Alberta try and muffle a laugh.

I slowly stood up and rubbed my eyes before moving outside to where they were waiting. I first saw Alberta, holding a sheet of paper. My results. Oh, how badly I wanted to know how I scored on this test, but at the same time I was worried that I didn't make the cut.

"As much as would hate for you to fail this test Hathaway," Stan began with a sarcastic tone, but took a look in Alberta's direction and quickly finished what he was saying. "...You have passed the Statistics Test."

I stood there staring at him for a moment, and then sighed with relief. Alberta caught my attention again calling my name several times.

"Would you like to know your score?" Alberta asked.

What a stupid question! Of course I want to know my score.

"Yes, please."

"Your total score was 112."

I blinked at her a couple of times and asked, "What's that? A high score, or a low score? What's it out of? I don't understand Alb- um... Guardian Petrov."

She let out a quiet chuckled and handed me the piece of paper she was holding in her hands. It was my piece of paper – it had the results on it. However she insisting on explaining to me my results as well, due to clear understanding.

"You were shown 24 different images during your journey throughout the studio. You staked the correct images, which gave you the score of 90. There were 18 images to be staked, and 5 points were given to you for each one." She quickly took a glance at the sheet in front of me and continued, "You shot the correct 5 images and you got given each 5 points for those as well. That came to a total of 25. So your score now would be 115."

I nodded at her, excited that I had not made any mistake in my test. I shot the correct images and staked the correct images. But wait... Didn't she say my final score before was 112 and right now she said it's 115. Wait! What? Where did I go wrong?

"That's... that's 3 points over my final score," I stuttered out annoyed that I had lost 3 points. "Where did I go wrong?"

Stan cleared his voice and spoke, "there was a particular image in the tunnel you had to climb through..." I looked at him to continue with a glare. Of course Stan found a way to sabotage me, I believe it's his mission in life. "That was an image of a man lying face down in the water. You didn't stake him, which resulted in taking 3 points off your score."

"The man was lying down in the water! He was harmless!" I shouted in anger.

Stan glared at me, "He was a Strigoi."

"The man was face down. Maybe in the real world I would have turned him over to check, but those were images. I can't even flip them over. You have got to be kidding me!" I kept shouting.

"Miss Hathaway," Alberta warned. "I suggest you calm down a bit."

"Calm down? Are you serious? He just deducted 3 points, 3 lazy fucking points, because the 'man' was a Strigoi. Where I was standing, the man was clearly unconscious, face down in the water."

Stan intercepted, "If it was 3 lazy points, Miss Hathaway, then you wouldn't mind another 10 been taken off for your behaviour."

I felt so angry, I felt my body go rigid and my hand form fists. I was staring Stan down and I was about to say something when I felt his hand hold on to my wrist.

Dimitri's hand.

"I believe Miss Hathaway has had a misunderstanding. It would be fair to say that she is clearly one of the best skilled Novice's here at the academy. It would be a shame to lower her score because of a misinterpretation." Dimitri's voice was calm, but demanding.

I don't know what misunderstanding he is talking about! What the fuck does Dimitri think he is doing! Oh, but his skin on my skin is so mesmerising. I took a peek at my wrist and his hand was tightly holding it. My eyes then flew straight to Stan's. I was too afraid to look at Dimitri and see disappointment in his eyes because of the way I acted. Stan's eyes, however, were angry. I could see how much he wanted to go against Dimitri's demand, but he didn't push it any further. Instead, he finally forced his eyes away from our direction and looked at Alberta.

"You're right," Alberta announced. "She is very skilled and talented. However..." She turned and took her eyes from Dimitri's to mine, "Her attitude will not be accepted when she is a Guardian. I will, for the hard work, not take any more points off, but that is not to say she is off the hook. If I hear that you have caused trouble for a teacher... or other students, I will over think my decision."

Dimitri let go of my wrist when he felt me relax slightly. "Thank you," I mumbled to Alberta.

Stan and Alberta walked off in the right direction, to rebuild the wall I had broken. I still can't believe they put all the effort in each time. I started to walked off towards the pond, when I heard Dimitri's footsteps following mine. I couldn't help keep the smile off my face. Dimitri caught my forearm and turned me around.

"What were you thinking?" He half shouted.

"Oh don't bother Dimitri. I'm not in the fucking mood with your stupid Zen life lessons. Thank you for the support and all, but I got it handled."

I started to walk away from him again but he caught my arm once more.

"Don't walk away from me," his voice was level and not giving anything away.

"You walk away from me all the time," I spat and tried to move out of his hold.

He waited for me to stop moving around and said, "I don't walk away from you any more"

"So what? That means I don't get the opportunity to walk away from you for once. Why? Because it's all about you? Isn't it always all about you?" I hissed.

He looked me in the eyes and his mask came off as soon as he spoke.

"Rose, please calm down. You know it isn't about me. I did all I had to do for you at least. You know that now. Please tell me what's wrong Roza."

"I'm fucking pissed off, that's what wrong," I said half defeated.

Dimitri noticed my lack of energy and let go of my arm. He moved closer towards me and moved the hair that had fallen out of my pony tail behind my ears.

"I can see that, but I don't know what's wrong... in here," he said as he placed his hand on my heart.

I looked him in his beautiful brown eyes, and without my knowledge I felt a couple of tears fallout from my eyes. Dimitri wiped them away with his thumb pads, but all I wanted to do was have him close to me. I crushed my body against his, and rested my head of his chest, while I held him close to me. I knew no one would find us where we were, so we were in no risk of being caught, but that didn't stop Dimitri from being stiff.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

He reached around to lift my chin up and kissed my forehead. "Was it the spirit affects?"

I nodded my head, "I think so... it makes sense, but I am tired from the busy day."

"You need to rest."

I shook my head, "I can't rest, because I have nothing to do and when I have nothing to do, I think about you."

He half smiled, "You look exhausted. I'm sure you'll hit the bed and be asleep in no time."

I looked up at him with pleading eyes, "Can you come see me? I don't want to be alone."

"Roza, you know we can't risk getting caught," he cautioned.

"Fine," I rolled my eyes. "I'll see you around," I mumbled and went to walk back past him.

"Rose..."

I spun around, "Yeah?"

"Try and look after yourself. You haven't been well."

Jeez, thanks for the concern, Dimitri. I turned around again, but he called once more.

"Rose..."

I stood there not turning, waiting for another health message to escape his lips. Instead I felt a pair of hands turn me around and I was now looking up at Dimitri.

"I want to be with you too, but we have to be careful. I'm doing this for you, you know?" He sighed and pulled me into him.

I felt a hard lump digging into my head, so I slowly undid a few buttons from the bottom of Dimitri's shirt and moved my hands under. He froze in position but did not stop me from touching him. I soon found what the object was and it was his promise ring. I held onto it for a while and took in Dimitri's smell.

"This is going to be a hard goodbye," I sighed.

He pulled back to look at me, "Goodbye?" He asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, until graduation. That's what you want... right?"

"It's not what I want, Roza. It's something that we need to do. You will still have training in the mornings and afternoons. We just can't be together."

I nodded and pulled my hand out from his shirt. His grip on my lower back tightened and I knew it was his attempt to keep my close for a while longer, which I gladly accepted. I wrapped my arms around his waist and we stayed there holding each other. His face was leaning on the top of my head and my head was relaxing on Dimitri's chest, listening to his fast heart beat.

"We should start heading back. We don't want to give them a reason to start looking for us," Dimitri mentioned.

We pulled away from each other, however, Dimitri lowered his hand and intertwined it with mine. We walked together in silence, but it was a comfortable silence, until we reached the boundary of the trees. The academy was in sight now. Dimitri stopped and I followed his gesture.

Dimitri gently rubbed circles on my hand. "This isn't for forever."

"I know," I mumbled looking down.

Dimitri's hand cupped my face and he didn't say anything until I looked up at him.

"I'll be here if you need me, alright?" He smiled but quickly added, "Within reason."

I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips and I saw the amusement in his eyes. I stared at his lips and then back at his eyes. I was asking him a silent question and I knew he knew what I was asking.

He lowered his head and touched his lips with mine. It was slow, oh so slow. It was painful but needed.

We moved away from each other and I found myself walking to my dorm in a daze. It was going to be a living hell not being able to be with Dimitri.

My day routine was pretty much the same everyday, since it was three weeks ago that Dimitri announced our separation. Yes – I know, sounds like we are having a divorce, but I feel lonely and incomplete without him around me so often... touching me.

We kept our training sessions in the mornings and afternoons... they were still my favourite part of the day, but the only physical contact I got off him was when we were sparring. It was only four hours of the twenty-four hour day I get to spend with him, but every moment I cherished it.

School was pretty much the same as well. The Moroi were busy preparing for their end of school tests, so they were running around frantic most of the time. They still had six weeks left before graduation, but to them it was very important that they got accepted into great universities. Us Novices, well... we got to slack off a fair bit. Not that the teachers would acknowledge it, but our education has a very low percentage when it comes to the overall result. Our training skills are what makes up the score. Don't get me wrong, the school part is important. For example: history, combat techniques etc... but fighting is our strongest point, and that's why it helps decide who we end up guarding.

Lissa noticed my mood change, but didn't persist when I said, "It's nothing much, just the reality hitting me in my face."

Lissa was also having problems of her own. Her and Christian were having disagreements more often than usual and her main focus was on their relationship. I don't really take notice of their bickering any more, I pretty much got used to it. One of them is always walking away from each other when something doesn't go to plan, or because they disagree on an opinion. However, give them a couple of hours or a day to blow off steam, and then they're back to flirting.

Christian was a different matter. After our discussion three weeks ago when I told him to take some days off, he did so. I was surprised myself that he even listened to me, but I would have been pretty scary to look at. He didn't look any healthier, only pale. But no one seemed to be to concerned because he was doing everything like normal. Apart from he was still feeding very often. I convinced him with Lissa's help to see Dr. Olendzki, which he did. It was incredibly hard to get him to go, but he did and we found out that when boys and girls mature, their feeding may increase. Christian took it as a 'I told you so Rose', but I still had my suspicions.

I kept my deal to Christian and spent plenty of time with Adrian. He only practised spirit with Lissa for two hours a day, and the rest of his spare time was with me. It was nice having Adrian around. He always knew how to make me laugh and when to stop the interrogation questions about Dimitri and I. He tried his damn hardest to not smoke often around me and every now and then he would have some vodka. I didn't mind that because Adrian off his 'medication' is a scary thing to see. Trust me. Spending the time with Adrian also meant I had a lot of time to get to know him better, and I must admit – sometimes I wondered what it would be like to give Adrian a chance...

I was having a rather normal morning training with Dimitri. He told me to run 20 laps, and I did so with ease. He said today there would be no sparring, and I gave him my best puppy eyes look, however he didn't budge. Instead he made me climb an object he made around the gym.

"Is this necessary?" I whined. "I could think of other ways to keep my adrenalin going."

Dimitri shook his head and yelled, "Move it or you will be staying later."

"You say it like that's a bad thing."

"It will be if you don't pick up your pace!"

I rolled my eyes and continued around the gym. I'm sure I finished in time and I even exaggerated looking at the time. I jumped off the latter from the top and jogged over to when my water bottle was located in the corner of the room. I sat down taking my shoes off and sweaty socks, before looking up at Dimitri. He was packing away the equipment, but he looked amazing. He always did, but I just needed to touch him so much – yet today he wouldn't even let me touch him from sparring. Which was a major disappointment and a attitude downer.

"Are you going to make me do this everyday for now on?" I asked, with a touch of sadness in my voice.

Dimitri didn't look up from his packing, but answered me honestly.

"I needed to see how you would do under pressure. Without knowing what I was going to be testing in advance."

"You didn't answer my question, Comrade."

"Rose, how many times do I have to tell you to not call me that."

"Why are you avoiding the question?" I laughed.

He looked up and started walking towards me, "Think of it as a pop quiz."

"I see, a pop quiz – so that means there may be more of those..."

"You look like a girl who likes changes and surprises. Am I wrong?" He asked with a smile.

"No, I guess not. Do you mind if I take a shower here instead? I need to be at my Math class early and I don't have time to walk back to my dorm."

"Eager to get to Math... this must be important," he teased and I saw the amusement in his eyes.

I snorted, "More like if I don't go, I'll have double Algebra by this afternoon. I'll take that as a yes, I can shower here."

He nodded and turned back to the packed equipment. I stood there checking out his ass and headed for the showers.

"Feel free to join me," I purred over my shoulder.

I saw him shaking his head, but he wasn't mad by my suggestion, because I saw a smile on his lips.

After the shower, I hoped I would have a waiting Dimitri for me in the gymnasium. I was wrong. The gym was cleaned up and there was no sign of him left. I sighed and exited the gym for the path of my Math class.

I stopped in my tracks and Goosebumps rose on my skin. I felt nauseous and shivered involuntarily. Something wasn't right and I knew it. I didn't know where to go, but I kept walking to Math class. Students were everywhere, with panicked expressions on their faces.

I got one's attention, "What's wrong? What's happening?"

"Go Hide! They're here, they're coming for us again!"

The young boy took off, and I knew he was talking about Strigoi. I walked further down the hallway and saw Guardian Chase.

"Hathaway, retreat to your dorm immediately!"

"I can help. How many is there?"

"You certainly can not help! Go before you cause more trouble than necessary."

"Look, I need to do something. Anything, just please..." I begged.

"Fine, go up to the 3rd floor and watch out for the freshmen Moroi. They would be very shaken up." I nodded in understanding. "There is one window in the play-club, I suggest you get as many of them as you can to hide in there for protection."

He left in a hurry and I bolted for the 3rd floor, Moroi and young Novices were yelling and scattering everywhere. I got to the floor and got as many of them as I could into the play-club. I stayed close to the one and only window in case and Strigoi happened to break through. I told everyone it would be best if they could keep as quiet as possible under the circumstances. They seemed to understand my authority and they were quiet in minutes. The only sound in the room was the sound of rapid breathing, which was something I had no control over. A loud knocking came from the door and I saw some Moroi flinch. I grabbed my stake out of my pocket and got ready to pounce as I open the door.

It's me and Adrian, Lissa said through the bond.

I relaxed and opened the door for them to hurry in.

"What are you doing here? You should be in your rooms!"

"We were practising... a Guardian told us to come here," Lissa voice was shaking with fear.

"Thank god you two are safe," I sighed in relief. "Did you see anything?"

"No," they both said in unison.

"But I overheard a Guardian telling another that there was at least 30," Adrian blurted out.

I heard gasps in the room and looked around at the terrified Moroi. I gave Adrian and glare and he quickly gave me an apology. I took them over to the corner of the room as far away as I could from the Freshman.

"I need to get out there and help," I whispered. "I can't stand here and not do anything."

"But you are, Rose." Lissa emotions were worrying for my safety.

I gave her a hug and told her everything would be alright. I gave Adrian and nod and he understood I felt happy for him to be here as well. That's when I realised...

"Where Christian?"

Lissa's eyes got wide and I felt fear taking control of her body. "I thought... I thought he came here with you?"

I looked at her confused, "Why here with me?"

"He said he was coming to see you. I just assumed he was here with you as well."

Adrian put an arm around Lissa and held her up.

"It's ok Liss, I'll go get him. He'll be okay, he knows how to fight."

"Adrian are you -"

"I can take care of it Rose." Adrian voice was serious and very stern.

I nodded and gave Lissa one last hug. "I will find him, he will be fine."

I looked back at the Freshman, "Stay safe and don't come out unless a Guardian or I tell you to."

I gave Lissa and Adrian one last look, before I open the door and went on my hunt for Christian. The next problem was, where would Christian be? And in what state of mind? I don't have a link to him like I did with Lissa.

Why do I always get stuck with him?