What Do I Do Now?

Here is the next chapter. It is not as long as the others, but needed. I will update as soon as I can. My move is almost complete and I will be transferring my internet to my new place, and that could take a while. I will update as soon as I can. Thank you for continuing to stay with the story.

Richelle Mead owns all original VA.

I woke the next morning groggy. Lissa was banging on my door as soon as I sat up. My head pounded from crying all night and my mind was a jumbled mess. I opened the door and by judging from her expression, I was a mess to look at.

"What happened?" she said as she pushed her way in.

"I don't know Liss. I really don't know." I said and lay back down on the bed, curling my knees almost to my chest. I recounted the events that took place the night before and tried to make sense of it.

"Why did you tell him? You know how people look at that. I mean, I've bit Dimitri, but I never told him about Adrian and you, and he has no idea you know about him and me. Did Chris end things?"

"I don't know. He said it didn't change the way he felt about me, but that he needed time to think. How am I going to face him today?" I was a mess.

"Easy, you're going to get up, shower and go to the track. Just treat it like you would any other gossip. I don't think he'll tell anyone."

"I hope you're right Liss." I got up off the bed, grabbed my clothes and we headed for the showers. The water didn't do much this time except rinse the soap and shampoo off my skin. I dressed then Lissa and I headed to the gym.

We walked in and I saw Chris and Tasha talking in the corner. I guess hiding our "relationship" was going to be pretty easy. He didn't even look up or flinch when Mia called out my name.

"Abe just said that he has two more acquaintances coming in today. Any idea who they are?" Mia asked excitedly.

"No idea. I haven't talked to my dad about the newbie's. When will they be here?" I asked.

"Some time later this afternoon. He didn't say for sure." Mia said, and then scanned the room. "Looks like we're ready to start. EJ's looking for you I think." Mia motioned to the other end of the gym. Sure enough Eddie nudged EJ and then motioned me over.

"Hey, what's up guys?" I asked, trying to sound cheerful.

"Nothing much, but we need to start. First Rose, Eddie and Dimitri." EJ said then stepped away.

We sparred for what seemed like hours. We also got in some staking time and practice with the Moroi. When we were finished it was nearly dinnertime and Christian was walking towards me for the first time today. He paused as he watched everyone else file out the doors of the gym.

"Hey Rose, how about some one on one? We can talk some." He grinned evilly.

"Umm…sure I guess." I wasn't sure what he was up to. "Blind or no?" I asked.

"No, I want to see your eyes." We began circling each other. I swung out and he dodged. It was almost like he expected it. "I'm sorry about the way I left you last night." He said as he took a swing at me.

"Yeah, well you should be." I kicked out at his legs and knocked him off balance, but he recovered quickly. "You talked about it as if you had done it." I said as I punched out at him again.

"I haven't, but my sister has." He shot a fireball at my head and I ducked down, it missed me by a few inches. " I know what it can do from her." He came closer and tried to grab my arm. He managed to twist it behind me, but I flipped him over me, onto the mat attempting to pin him. As he came down, he knocked my legs out and pinned me instead.

Both of our chests were heaving with fast and heavy breaths as he hovered above me. "If you know, then why did you react the way you did?"

"I care about you. A lot. And I don't want to be the rebound guy, but I also don't want you to be with me because of my bite. I want you to be with me because you want to be." His hold on me finally loosened and as he set up to his knees, he pulled me up to him. We were face to face and all I wanted to do was grab him, close the distance and press my lips to his.

"I want that too." I said as I looked into his crystal blue eyes, closing the distance between us. Suddenly, instead of his lips on mine, his lips were on my forehead.

"No rebounds. Before we venture into a physical relationship, you have to be 100% sure it's not a rebound. I can't take another broken heart." He said as he pulled back. I found that a little surprising, but didn't want to ask just then. "I think I'm falling for you, but you need to be sure."

I nodded my head an then he helped me up from the floor. We walked back tot the dorm hand in hand, but silent.

I knew about the bond that could be created by a bite, of course I did. Adrian had explained it before he bit me the first time. Yes, it was a taboo among our races, something dirty. But as Christian had said, it was extremely intimate. It showed great trust between two people. And then there was the bond. When a Moroi drank someone's blood for sexual purposes it created a connection. You could see into the other's heart and your partner could see into yours. It wasn't a bond like Lissa and I had, but it made the love stronger, the commitment deeper. Unless a Moroi was feeding, their bites were very sensual. I didn't completely understand why Chris had reacted the way he had, but I was glad he understood the reasoning behind it. And that he seemed to know I wasn't an addict.

I was brought out of my thoughts when my phone began to ring. It was Abe. Everyone was meeting in the cafeteria to meet the new arrivals. We arrived and everyone but Mia and Jill were there. When they finally arrived, Abe introduced up to the two people sitting with him.

There was a guy and a girl, and they were human. Why would he involve humans?

"Everyone, this is Sydney and Zane. They are alchemists and will be assisting us on this journey." Sydney was average height, thin, shoulder length blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was cute. Zane was taller than Sydney, built well, sandy blonde short hair and dark blue eyes. I was curious as to what they would be assisting with. Abe answered my question as if he could read my mind.

"Sydney and Zane will be helping us acquire some items we will be needing and helping with the plans. They are two of the best alchemists we have and will be with us to the end. Any questions?" he scanned all our faces. "I expect you all to treat them as you treat each other."

I wonder what will happen next? Any thoughts? I hope you are all enjoying this, and thank you again for sticking with me.

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