Chapter 8:

I Will Never Let You Down

This Chapter is dedicated to kreej.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own. Richelle Mead Does.

Round of applause to my beta! claryxjace!

Both of them came at me full speed. I ducked as a fist came flying at my face, but one of their hands grabbed my hair and yanked back. I flew backwards, and my stake rolled across the ground. I searched for it quickly, but with no such luck. A foot jabbed me in the chest, and broke a few ribs. I turned my head and coughed up a mouthful of blood. I tried to stand, but every time another kick went to my chest. I placed my arms up defensively.

The leader laughed.

"Why don't you just give up now? You are never going to win. You may be an amazing fighter, but we are faster." He grinned, "and stronger."

"I will keep on fighting, if it's the last thing I do." I took a deep breath and rose from my position; still protecting my abdomen from any future kicks.

I faced them, prepared for the worst. Only one was still standing.

Dimitri had arrived, and was busy fighting the other one. I watched as he fought. His body moved with such a precise, and hard motions. The ways his tendons moved under his muscles, the fierce look he had when he was in battle; and the way he clenched his jaw. He was the most beautiful divine person I had ever met.

Tears began to glide down my cheeks as I remembered he wore the same expression while he fought at the Academy; where our lives both took the turn for the worst. I had been too caught up in Dimitri to notice the Strigoi watching me.

"You love him?" He grinned wickedly.

"What's it your concern?" I took offensive position.

He shook his head. "Best way to hurt someone...Is to hurt the ones they love." He laughed a deep, cackle and sauntered over to where Dimitri was still fighting.

Something snapped inside of me. Maybe all the anger and emotions I had been pressing down, or maybe it was the effects of spirit; could have been both. But whatever it was, I had never ran so fast in my entire life. I pounced onto his back, pressing all my weight onto him.

He turned when I approached, but I still was able to tackle him to the ground. He was faster than me. He flipped us to where I was on the bottom, and restrained my hands above my head. The position brought me back to the qualifying exam with Dimitri. I squirmed trying any way to have him loose his grip, only it tightened. I could feel my circulation being cut off.

He must be older than all the other three; he was a lot stronger. I struggled to free myself. I glanced over his shoulder to see Dimitri stake the only other remaining Strigoi. He looked at the little girl to make sure she was okay, before he glanced at me. Shadows covered his face as he realized what was happening. The Strigoi lowered his head to my neck.

"Roza!"

I heaved, tossed, and turned my head preventing him from biting my neck. He became irritated and released one hand to slap me.

My one advantage and I took it. I blocked his hit and punched him in the jaw. My other hand was released, and quicker than I had realized, I had us both flipped over. Dimitri materialized right in front of us and plunged the stake into the Strigoi's chest.

I released a gush of air, and relaxed a little. Dimitri offered his hand, and
pulled me up.

"Thanks." I muttered. I slowly walked to the little girl; leaving Dimitri where I had just stood.

I made sure she was alright and checked for any injuries. Only damage was mentally. I picked her up carefully, and shifted her weight to my side. My ribs were throbbing, making it hard to breathe. We had only walked a couple of feet, before I had to stop.

"Here let me take her. Are you alright?"

I nodded and continued walking.

"How did you know where we were?" I finally asked. We had just began to enter the parking lot, where there were police everywhere. How long had we been gone?

"Well, my stake was gone and your door was barely shut. The only place you really could have gone was into the woods. If you had walked into the store I would have seen you. You were least likely to get out of the car just to socialize with the other customers. I know you Rose; you would not have gotten out if it weren't serious."

"Oh." We didn't say anything after that. We found the little girl's mother who
sobbed with relief, and kept on asking how she could repay us. We politely said it was nothing and was glad she was alright.

Dimitri was watching the police the entire time, overlooking them.

When we got into the car, I turned towards him.

"Why were you staring at the police like that?"

"Like what?" He asked.

"You know what I mean. You looked at them like they were going to arrest us on
the spot." I urged on.

He faced me."Maybe because, you are an escaped fugitive who is being charged with murder, who I so happened to kidnap."

I flinched at his words. His face softened. "I'm sorry Rose, I really am. I'm just telling you the truth. I wish everything could be different, but it isn't."

"I know, me too." I gazed out the window. Dimitri tossed a bag onto my lap. "Now eat, you have lost a lot of weight. I am sure you are starving." I nodded greedily as I looked in the bag.

Chocolate glazed donuts with some water. I dug in stuffing as much as I could in my mouth.

Dimitri had already begun driving, and it was a peaceful silence.

"Hey comrade?" I asked.

"Yes Rose?"

"I did a victory cry, didn't I? Before I jumped on his back?"

Dimitri gave me one of rare grins.

"I'm afraid so, Roza."

I only have one question..Where did all my readers go? Is anyone still reading? Let me know if you are, because I am not getting a lot of feedback and it's making me sad :(

I would like to thank the only reader who reviewed for Chapter 7: Vampire academy

I hope to get more reviews!

Aroura