Chapter 3 Strigoi Attack
Our tightly formed group abruptly halted approximately fifty feet from the coveted safety of the big black SUV's. My sharp experienced eyes immediately swept the vast dark parking lot area to effectively assess our available options. The unforgiving nausea hit me with surprising harshness indicating that we're dealing with a large well-organized attack. My frayed nerves were on edge; my heart began to beat at an increased rate, dizziness swept over me as I struggled to fully focus on the formidable group of Strigoi surrounding us.
Fortunately, no other vulnerable humans were anywhere in sight. I briefly glanced back behind me to see Lissa, making damn sure that she was well protected. The dhampir mantra that has been drilled, from day one, into my head echoed in my mind once again. 'She comes first,' a fierce desire to protect my best friend surged into my chest, my body tensed, ready for the inevitable battle. To me, even if she wasn't the queen, she is the most important, and I absolutely refuse to let any of these disgusting, vile creatures remotely near her! God, why… why can't we go anywhere without it ending in the inescapable attack! Every time!
Christian's vivid azure blue eyes lock tensely with mine, we instantly shared a conspiring look, and he knew what I was thinking. A cocky smirk formed on his serious face as he gave me a discrete nod. I wholeheartedly trust him to have my back. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he'll do anything to protect Liss, including give his own life. Extremely experienced in situations like this, Christian and I have perfected our corresponding fighting techniques. A fierce look of determination masked his face, his eyes were stone cold and I knew that he was ready for whatever comes. He knows how to determine which Strigoi is the biggest threat, to look for the strongest, oldest and fastest ones. Those are the first to torch, with his finely honed skills; he can now light up about five, or so, of them at a time.
A small amount of relief filtered through me knowing it's enough to give us equal ground, because currently we are slightly out numbered. Hopefully, the first few will go down fast, but Strigoi are fairly quick to catch on and always seem to go for the Moroi. I'm confident and proud to say that Christian can kick some serious ass, not that I would ever tell him that, I might have to deflate his huge head after. Even in the midst of all the trouble; I could picture popping Christians big balloon floating head with a giant pin.
The funny picture of a 'giant balloon head' Christian only lasted mere moments. Peering out at the circling strigoi, my demeanor became extremely serious in a quick hurry as the Strigoi inched their way closer to our anxious group. A few unanswered questions keep nagging at the back of my alert mind. Do they know who we are, were they watching us? Worry coursed through me for Lissa, if they know they have the queen within their grasps, we may be in for some real trouble.
My mind was racing trying to asses the situation, how vulnerable we are, what things work to our advantage. Automatically, I began to list the pros and cons. We only have St. Vladimir SUV's. They have no Royal markings what so ever. Dhampir's and Moroi's alike are dressed extremely casual today; even the guardians that are with us are not in uniform. My own words came floating back to me when I told them to 'dress in jeans and appropriate clothing for the Rodeo'. To our advantage, the cowboy hats cover our faces slightly, and I must look pretty young holding the little teddy bear Dimitri won for me.
A little bit of excitement built up in me as I realized how they might see us. If I were to look at us from their point of view, I would think we are students. My eyes flashed observantly around to look at our group. We're all young enough that we could pass, with the exception of a few of the guardians. I would bet that's who they think we are and the school wouldn't let us leave without protection.
Hoping beyond hope that this was the case; I quietly whispered to Lissa "keep your head down; they may not know who you are." She gave a slight nod. With the tips of her fingers, she grabbed the rim of the perfect white cowboy hat and tilted it to cover her face a little more. A little smirk grew on my lips as I handed my teddy bear and our cool black and white photo's back to her so my hands were free for the fight.
Suspicion ate at me, scanning out over our new guests. The most unusual thing that I keenly noticed was that the Strigoi were being cautious which makes me wonder why. Strigoi are definitely not known to be cautious in any way. I mentally chuckled at how cocky and aggressive they generally are, foolishly thinking of themselves as invincible, but… they are not altogether stupid either. They seem to be assessing the situation, too. And have hastily stopped where they are, no one is moving.
I'm sure they have noticed we're moving like a well-oiled machine. An enormous sense of pride filled me as I looked around at my group with observant eyes. The Dhampir's held their posture impressively in a confident fighting stance with sharp flashing silver stakes at the ready. The strigoi may not know it, but we are prepared for anything and we're about to kick some serious ass.
Even Lissa carries a stake now. I'm so proud of her I could bust. She charms them for her and Adrian. They have been diligently training to stake Strigoi. Several months ago, when she became queen, we decided that since Lissa was in constant danger, she needed to be stronger. So that, if needed, she was able to fight for herself or run whichever it came down to. I started conditioning her; she has been faithfully running with me every day and lifting weights. Once she was stronger, I taught her how to stake properly. How to block and dodge hits, and even how to throw a good punch. Hopefully, this does not come to that, but with her stake, she has a chance to save someone's soul.
The coolest thing was, my Comrade, was right there with me helping and Adrian had stepped up to the plate too. So right now, I feel pretty confident that these Strigoi have no chance in hell. I'm not going to stand here all night though. In an innocent voice, acting afraid, although I don't have to act too much, there is always an edge of fear in me when fighting Strigoi, so much can go wrong. I shouted "What do you want?"
I heard a collective annoying laugh roll through the Strigoi. It sounded evil and menacing. Grading on my nerves, it made my prickly skin crawl and a cold shiver run down my spine. Fuming with pent up anger, I clenched my jaw until it hurt. The urge to claw their eyes out seem to surface from somewhere in my gut. A large burly arrogant looking man stepped provocatively forward. The first to step up to die, I thought in the back of my mind. "Lookie what we got here, some lost little cowboys and girls." The big burly obnoxious strigoi whined in a childish voice.
"We're not the ones who look lost!" I growl like a pissed off cougar. "Easy Roza let them make the first move." Dimitri whispered tolerantly next to me trying to keep me somewhat contained. I felt infuriated with an enormous amount of bitter anger towards these degenerates. Nothing like ruining a really good day.
"What are you little kiddies doing so far from your school on a school night?" he asks light heartedly.
BINGO! I devilishly smirked at his comment; this is fantastic they think we are students from St. Vladimir. They don't realize it is the Queen. Major relief instantly shot through me, I flicked my eyes towards Dimitri, for a brief moment we locked our gaze. We were on the same page and with the slightest of motion discretely he nodded to me, a reserved cocky smirk quirked at his lips. My man was sure sexy with that cocky damn smirk. Snapping back to focus, I quickly caught sight of the other guardians. They all seemed to realize the Strigoi had mistakenly identified us as students, too. This worked to our advantage, the Strigoi didn't have a clue of who they were dealing with; Dimitri and I being the best, they didn't stand a chance. And with the royal guard backing us up, we were almost invincible. Apprehension spiked inside my anxious body for the upcoming battle.
"We just came out for a little well deserved fun, too bad you had to come along and ruin it" I sarcastically mouthed back. I sounded pretty immature which was good, that's exactly what I wanted them to think. The big burly challenging Strigoi gave me a creepy leering smile and began to slowly, menacingly taking a step forward. I agitatedly leered at him as he took his first step, watching his crony buddies do the same. My palms started to sweat anticipating the fight. A heightened sense of awareness settled over me.
Step by step they began to close in stalking towards us. Needing a little elbow room to fight, our tight huddle loosened as we took our first calculated step towards our aggressors. Concern seeped into my mind as we move further from our charges. The Moroi and Sydney stayed protectively around Lissa. Their tight formation gave less access to her, if someone should happen to get by, Christian would gladly light them up like a rocket. Another demented smirked crossed my lips at the thought; knowing he would enjoy it, too. If the Strigoi get too close, Christian has his lethal stake if need be. Something Strigoi would never expect from a Moroi student.
The Moroi are no longer helpless and without skills. I'm extremely proud of them all. Hidden in their pockets, as previously discussed, is their own sharp silver stakes. Mia has some serious kick ass skills in her element and can suffocate the Strigoi with water or take them out with her swift stake. She has been diligently practicing and is surprisingly really fast, an ace with a stake. Adrian can use his stake pretty well too, but he has figured out his compulsion is strong enough to hold them a few seconds, that's all he needs to stake them and restore their tortured soul.
Sydney has this cool little potion called Silver Nitrate that she can throw on a Strigoi and it immediately burns them painfully, instantly melting their unnatural pasty white flesh. It's kind of evil, but extremely effective. All of these things are defensive fighting techniques that students would not be doing, but we don't want the Moroi flashing weapons unless it's absolutely necessary. I hope and pray that it doesn't come down to that in any way. Sometimes, just the fact that the Moroi are fighting throws off the Strigoi enough to distract them and they are easier to stake. Notice how I say "easier" The Strigoi threateningly take a few more steps and so do we. Blood was pumping faster through my veins with the pre-fight rush. Careful that we only have enough space so they can't get past us. My adrenaline is kicking in, my heart is racing. My hands feel a bit sweaty on my stake.
"Are you ready to rumble?" The snaky leader sneers as he hunches down ready to fight. "A pretty little thing like you ought ta' be fun for a roll in the hay." A cruel smile graced my face at the thought of frying him to a crisp and stabbing my stake through his dark soulless heart. He thinks I am weak, that I will be easy. He's in for a nice little surprise. Why do they always misjudge me that way? Oh well, his problem not mine. I will be happy to show him how I roll!
"I picture you more the slither in the mud type, but whatever trips your trigger." I growl challengingly to his face. Then, I gave him my infamous man-eater smile.
"Did you hear that boys, she's feisty, I like 'em feisty!" he growl's back at me. Staring into his blood red ringed eyes; I saw his claws twitch itching to get at me. My eyes narrowed on him with a deadpan seriousness when I saw we were done throwing childish insults at each other. He ominously stalked forward, only about ten feet away. I was ready to pounce at the first sign of the slightest flinch from him. A strange, dark detached calm washed over me as I looked into his pale white cruel face. Calculating my first move, I blatantly waved my stake around a little making him focus on my movement with my right hand. The guardians caught my little signal to them, out of the corner of my eyes I saw them tense, readying for the fight. I slyly slid my left hand slightly behind my back so Christian could see my fingers I am holding. 3….2…1.
As I dropped down to one on my fingers a huge blinding flash erupted and a third of the Strigoi were instantly lit on fire like human tiki torches. Wow, Christian had seriously out done himself, seven flaming heads screamed in unbearable agony. I was completely impressed by his skills. My combative attacker flamed up like a marshmallow over the campfire. His arms flailed violently about like long streamers whipping in a harsh wind. Even in excruciating pain he aggressively lashed out at me. He raised his lengthy gnarled claws up, eager to rip my pretty little face off, maliciously striking out at me. I swiftly lunged with one quick stroke, boldly slashing him deeply across his expansive chest. Angrily he screamed out and viciously howled in undeniable agony. Again, violently he struck out, clawing at me, while exhaustively and rapidly trying to extinguish the searing flames scorching his flesh.
Gracefully pivoting on the balls of my feet, I quickly evaded his massive arms, executing a powerful reversal-spinning sidekick. Catching him entirely off guard, the unbalanced Strigoi staggered backwards as I pointedly buried my sharp silver stake deeply into his unguarded chest. I cringed as I heard his bones splintering and crackling from the driving force behind the stakes deadly blow. His tormented screams that filled the stifling air were promptly muffled as I decisively ended his miserable existence with the razor sharp piercing of his dark heart and all that was left was his nasty burning putrid stench.
One right after another Strigoi bodies began to litter the ground around us, their deafening screams becoming of one voice. Ripping my stake from the chest of the dead flaming Strigoi at my feet, I had gotten the attention of another. As my spiked sharpened blade, raked carelessly across his face, his skin sizzled, melting into pools at our feet. Angrily he snarled back at me, barring his sharpened fangs, he was hell bent on wrapping his gnarly claws around my throat to crush the fragile bones. He quickly advanced on me, impulsively grabbing me by my left arm and naively jerked me hard towards him, which was a stupid move on his part. I intentionally spun into him, closing the short distance to his unprotected chest. Seizing the golden opportunity, I cold clocked him with my right hook in the upper jaw. Decisively maneuvering the knifelike stake into my left hand, I brought it up into a devastating blow to his wide-open chest. The flames licked wildly and out of control around us, as I shoved my silver blade of death those last necessary inches piercing his blackened heart. I could hear violent screams all around our circle, as Strigoi bodies drop to the ground with consecutive thuds.
The seven flaming Strigoi bodies were turning to ash on the cold ground. Eddie and a few of the other guardians had taken their Strigoi down without Christians help. Precious seconds ticked by where it felt like everything was frozen in time. They were stunned and shocked at the turn of events. My heart was beating wildly in my chest from my battles, but this is exactly what I was hoping for, an eerie stillness blanked the grounds. All I could hear was my heavy breathing and blood rushing though my ears. Feeling like everything was in slow motion I realized this was my chance to get Lissa to safety. Looking slightly confused the Strigoi stood motionless. All the guardians, except me, lunged for the next Strigoi. Christian staggered slightly as four more of their heads erupted into blazing torches another round of agonizing screams slashed through the silence, with Lissa's support he managed to stay upright. A quick scan of who was left standing I counted only five more Strigoi not on fire. Christian had seriously outdone himself.
I turned quickly grabbing Lissa's hand and took off on a dead run towards our SUV. With the grueling training she has had she was able to stick to me like glue. The other Moroi were to follow me to the SUV's, to stay as close to me as possible, with me leading and Christian and Mia in the back. We evasively dodged the savage fights that erupted violently around us. The guardians not engaged in fights were running interference. Clearing a path ahead almost like a football play when the players clear the way for the quarter back with the ball headed for the touch down. In our case the players all knowing what needs to be done and pulling it off like a thing of beauty. Smooth choreographed moves that we have down to a science.
As we sprinted towards the SUV's I pulled the key out of my pocket and hit the button to unlock the doors. Grabbing Lissa by the waist I shoved her in first. Sydney was only steps behind; with force I pushed her to the back of the vehicle. Next Adrian dove for the back as Christian and Mia stumbled towards me. Christian was heavily leaning on Mia, totally wiped out from all the magic he has used. Relieved they were in, I slammed the door shut.
Hearing violent fighting behind me, I curiously swung around to discern who were locked in the heated battles. The five remaining Strigoi, not engulfed in flame, were barbaric and psychotic in their attack; remarkably producing one hell of a good fight. Dimitri was locked in a serious blood bath with an older experienced Strigoi. Strong, skilled and aggressive the Strigoi fought with a trained hand-to-hand military combat style, matching Dimitri's combination punches blow for blow in the deadly assault.
The hostile Strigoi easily thwarted the onslaught of flying fists, countering with his sharpened claws targeted towards Dimitri's stoic determined face. Sensing the Strigoi's attack, Dimitri instantly sidestepped him and hurled his massive heavy fists back towards the savage Strigoi. Drawing back his knife-edged stake with precision aim, Dimitri sliced the Strigoi across his vulnerable neck and plunged downward raking the pointed tip deep into his defenseless forearm. The brash Strigoi screeched back and cackled loudly from the onslaught. With furious rage he ruthlessly backhanded Dimitri across his cheek. Dimitri instantly shrugged it off seemingly unfazed by the furious attack, and wickedly struck out with his right leg, kicking him hard in the gut, with lightening fast precision. Dimitri did an impressive roundhouse kick, nailing the older Strigoi square in the side of his head.
The Strigoi's eyes hazily glazed over when Dimitri dominantly drew back with the stake, zeroing in on his exposed chest, with quick lightening speed he lethally thrust it forward hard into the Strigoi's rib cage. The strike precariously penetrated from an odd angle, as Dimitri didn't get a clear enough shot. However, with invincible determination Dimitri skillfully made the blow work for him, as he unwaveringly drove the stake steadfast into his flesh until the Strigoi wailed out withering in pain. His body twitched and spasm. Dimitri plunged the stake even deeper, until the red glowing life faded from the Strigoi's eyes and his body crumpled to the ground. The guardians not fighting were ready to jump in, backing up the ones in battle.
The epic battle between Dimitri and the Strigoi had me transfixed, realizing I should move I headed to the driver's door with the keys in my hand. As I rounded the front of the vehicle, a Strigoi shot out of nowhere. In a desperate attempt to get the Strigoi's away from the others, I leaped towards the front of the car. WHAM! I screamed out in excruciating pain. A devastating blow in the back of my head had stars popping in the blackness of my eyes. I woozily spun around to face my attacker, reeling from the first agonizing blow he landed. My knees went weak and began to buckle under me, but I fought to stay upright. Whatever he had hit me with, felt as though I had been hit by a Mac-truck. My head throbbed as if an explosion had just gone off and I just wanted to rest, but there was no rest for the wicked; he was in hot pursuit aiming for the kill.
Narrowly, I avoided contact from his right fist as it sailed through the air and whizzed past my cheek. I desperately struggled to focus on him with the severe stinging pain hammering at the back of my head. With breakneck speed and accuracy his left fist slammed hard into the side of my jaw, knocking me off balance. Jabbing my left leg up, I turned in on the Strigoi, kneeing him hard in the stomach. His hands closed in around my throat holding me so tightly within his grasp that he could literally snap my neck like a twig. Fear coursed through me as my life flashed before my eyes expecting to die right then and there.
Instead he flipped me around so that my back was arched up on the hood of the car. In one detrimental blow he forcefully creamed the back of my head into the hood, where I felt the metal buckle and bend from the force of it. Loud painful ringing sounds echoed through my head and all other noise deafened. The bones in my neck popped, as my vision dulled and blurred. I was rendered helpless like a ragdoll and shocked that he didn't take the time to finish me off. He grabbed for my keys when I saw Eddie barreling straight for us. Before I knew it, Eddie plowed into him knocking him to the ground and was on top of him. My eyes fluttered as I watched them rolling in the grass and dirt, fists wildly landing punches. The next time I open my cloudy eyes I saw a distorted view of Eddie plunging his stake deeply through the Strigoi's heart in one clean motion.
My vision was completely dimmed as if a black storm cloud had just rolled in darkening my sight, with black spots dancing and twirling before me. The cloud brought a thunderous boom inside my head. Sounds around me were all muffled, waves of contorted noise rippled as if I was under water. The world was spinning and tilting. I tried to reach out to anything to stabilize myself. I heard my name faintly being called; I think it was Eddie's voice. Then my damaged body slammed into the cold hard ground with a harsh bone-jarring crunch. My injured body screamed in protest when I hit the pavement with a hard painful thud. DAMN IT! That hurt! I shouted in my disoriented brain. I moaned as my eyes fluttered in the attempt to keep them open.
The distant voices were aimlessly drifting. I barely heard a slow deep garbled, yet panicked, voice urgently calling out to me, 'Roza! Please Roza! Try to stay awake!' I wanted to tell him it's ok, I'm just going to sleep for a little while, but my disabled mouth didn't want to move. Somehow it had disconnected from my brain. Familiar pleasant hot and cold sensations of Lissa's magic fluidly ran through me for just a second. My delirious thoughts were that she shouldn't be using her magic to heal me, but I couldn't really stop her right now. Feeling my body being lifted up and put in the car, I knew I was in good hands, I knew it was Dimitri by the scent of his shirt as he cradled me helplessly in his strong warm arms. I just need to rest now; I couldn't stop the shadows of darkness from consuming me.
DPOV
I had just finished my draining battle with a very strong well-trained Strigoi, when I turned; my eyes scanned the area searching for any more danger around us. Suddenly, a Strigoi leaped out of the darkened shadows, literally from nowhere, right behind Roza. He had something shinny in his hand and swung it at the back of my Roza's head, light reflected off of the glimmering object. The devastating blow hit her jarringly hard with a crack that echoed off the surrounding trees. I watched in horror, cringing as her head snapped forward from the teeth rattling impact. She staggered, but still managed to lead him away from the Moroi, towards the car's hood. Dodging his right fist that was gunning to smash her in between the eyes, Roza wobbled as if her knees went weak under her. Unfortunately, Roza didn't avoid his soaring left fist that connected a few seconds later, as it pummeled her in the jaw. She seemed stunned from the harsh blow, faltering from the collision. Out of pure desperation, she forcibly kneed him in the stomach, but his strong cold hands wrapped her neck. With lightning quick agility he spun Roza's back into the hood of the car. To my horror, he slammed her head with enough force that the bending metal made a huge creaking roar that echoed from the powerful impact.
I frantically ran straight towards her, fear coursing through my veins, but Eddie was several feet ahead of me. He was almost on top of the Strigoi and then plowed into him like a linebacker of a football team. Tackling him to the ground, both guardian and Strigoi crashed to the cold hard ground, landing in the grass and dirt several yards away. Eddie wildly swung his massive fists landing bone shattering punches to the Strigoi's face and head. Creaming him with every ounce of strength he possessed, one pulverizing punch at a time, as his legs wrapped securely around the offending Strigoi. Over and over their bodies turned with dirt and grass clinging in their hair until their bodies came to a final stop. Fully mounted over the Strigoi's waist, Eddie plunged his fatal stake deeply through the Strigoi's heart in one clean motion. Digging the stake back out, Eddie savagely power drove it back into the Strigoi again, cutting and slicing away his flesh with each and every mutilating jerk and tug. The sound around me suddenly sped up in fast forward and my heart stammered hearing his anguished cry. He was heartbreakingly screaming Rose's name. My eyes followed in slow motion, with the dreadful agony of terror, as my Roza hit the solid black pavement brutally with a dull painful thud. A terrified bellow left my lungs, fear ripped through me knowing I couldn't get to her fast enough.
I quickly skidded to an abrupt stop and instantly dropped to my knees beside her "Roza! Please Roza! Try to stay awake!" My hands violently shook as I gently reached out to her battered bloody face and frantically begged her to hold on. I worriedly gazed into her beautiful brown eyes as they flutter open for just a moment. But with a glossy eyed haze they rolled back in her head. Thick dark red sticky blood was pouring uncontrollably out of the back of her head. In all the years I have known her I had never seen her so mortally wounded as she involuntarily moan in excruciating pain and agony. I distinctly heard a loud rowdy commotion behind me and snapped my head up to see Lissa running towards me screaming.
"Rose! No! GOD NO!" Hysterically Lissa dropped to her knees beside us. Saturating the air was the discernible metallic smell of freshly spilled warm congealing blood that pooled around my Roza's lifeless body. The red essence of life that maintains our very existence seeped out in crimson rivers. Lissa was desperately crying and screaming. "THIS CAN'T HAPPEN!" Frantic tears streamed down her face as she looked into the pain filled contorted face of her best friend. With trembling hands Lissa shakily reached out to Roza placing them on the side of Roza's blood covered head. Closing her eyes Lissa tried to calm her quivering lips by biting down on them. Taking on an angelic glowing quality she sent waves of healing spirit into Rose to stop the bleeding. Only doing what was necessary, knowing Rose's refusal to be healed, due to the effects of Lissa's torturous darkness.
Carefully lifting my beautiful Roza into my arms, she hung limp as I rested her wobbling head gently on my chest. My focus was wavering as the worry for her surged and ripped through my hammering heart. I could barely think straight, but desperately tried to focus, for my Roza's was fighting for her life at this very moment.
The old palm reader's words of wisdom drifted through my distracted mind. "Be prepared for a battle, it is approaching fast, you will need to fight to survive."… "You must use all the strength that you possess, physically, emotionally, and mentally to survive the trials you will face throughout your life. You must allow yourself to rely on the strength of others that love you and support you. You must always stay vigil or all may be lost." The haunting words persistently echoed in my throbbing head. She didn't stay vigil! She didn't even see him coming at her! Disturbing realization of the significant battle my Roza must wage gravely sank in as I took in her listless form, she must fight to survive.
Hurriedly carrying her unconscious body to the passenger side of the SUV, I place her gently on the seat as her face slackened and she completely passed out. Staring at her, I couldn't believe this was happening to her again! A sharp stabbing pain shot through my heart, skipping a beat at the thought of possibly losing her. I won't lose her! Pushing the unthinkable horrid vision away from the forefront of my mind, I focused, must stay focused. Guilt and anger washed over me for not being fast enough to protect her. Why wasn't I faster! Why does this always have to happen to her! It kills me to see her like this! Oh God please, I will do anything for her to be ok, just please God let her be ok. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. All I wanted to do is get her somewhere safe, we needed to be moving, she needed to be at the hospital.
I scanned the vacant lot around the SUV's, dead Strigoi littered the ground. Burning piles of ash smoldered on the blackened pavement. Dhampir's hustled around collecting belongings scattered throughout the battle zone. Some had minor injuries, but most were all ok except for my Roza. Sydney was using a potion to destroy the bodies and clean up the mess. While she did that I checked on the Moroi, everyone appeared to be untouched thanks to Roza. Their glum faces were distraught and I could barely look them in the eye as they questioned if she was going to be ok. I mumbled incoherently the only answer that found its way to my lips. "I think so."
We all climb dejectedly into the SUV's and I made the strategic decision to head back to Saint Vladimir. Missoula didn't really have a facility to accommodate us. Yes, a human hospital, but I seriously hoped Roza was out of imminent danger at least enough to transport her to the schools clinic, where Dr. Olendzki can tend to her properly.
Jamming my foot down on the black rubber gas pedal, pegging the needle of the speedometer to its max, the engine roared as I eagerly pushed it to its limit. I steadily tried to keep focused on the dark deserted highway that lead back to the school, but my eyes kept wandering to Roza's lifeless body. She hadn't even twitched, securely fastened into the black leather seat, hanging there limp like a rag doll by the restraining seatbelt, she was just slumped over. I asked Lissa to carefully lay her seat back so she could rest more comfortably. Lissa was seated right behind Roza, reaching for the lever on the seat; she pulled it back into a reclining position. I cradled Roza's head in my hand so it went back easy, not want to cause any more pain to her, even if she is passed out cold. Lissa's small finger's caressed her cheek lovingly as tears leaked from her emerald green eyes.
Diving like a madman the seemingly endless distance only took about forty minutes to get Roza back to St Vladimir. Lissa called ahead alerting the staff of our present situation. The black rod iron gates swung wide open as we barreled our way towards the standing guard, who let us right through to the clinic. A large medical team was standing by in front of the small clinic, waiting as we screech to a stop. I instantly jumped out, picked up my beautiful Roza, and place her on the sterile white sheet draped over the gurney.
"Guardian Belikov, tell me what happened!" Dr. Olendzki said as she assessed Roza's pitiful condition and apprehensively looked up at me. Within seconds we were steadily running into the clinic pushing Rose on the gurney. I kept a firm reassuring grip on her hand as we ran down the hallway.
"Strigoi hit her hard in the back of her head. I don't know what he hit her with because of the distance, but the sound of it hitting her made a huge cracking noise that echoed through the parking lot. She tried to fight back, but then he slammed her head into the hood of the car. She was bleeding profusely, but Lissa healed her enough to stop the bleeding. She has been unconscious since I put her in the SUV." I looked at my watch, "About 48 minutes ago." I said almost breathless.
I gave Roza quick soft kiss on her forehead and whispered quietly into her ear just before they took her from me. "Please baby, I need you my Roza, please come back to me. I love you." As they ripped her soft hand away, I felt my knees shake unsteadily and weakness seemed to overpower me. My broken heart gave a hard painful squeeze; it felt as if a large sharp knife had just been stabbed through me. When she was no longer in my view, my knees completely buckled underneath me and I collapsed. With my head in my hands, tears slid down my cheek. It felt as if my breath had been knocked out of me as my chest caved inward and I could hardly pull in the slightest bit of air. I stayed on my knees shaking uncontrollably with my aching head in my hands for a long while, until I felt a warm comforting hand on my shoulder. I warily looked up to see Lissa with a tear stained face, who looked as inconsolable as I felt. "Dimitri, I made arrangements for us to stay here until Rose can go home. We have been given guest rooms. Here's your key." I took the key in an incoherent daze. "Thank you." I mumbled.
"Dimitri you should go to the waiting room and have a seat. I'm sure the doctor will come out to talk to us soon." She said in a sweet reassuring way. I nodded my head blankly and obediently stood up. Lissa gently took my hand and guided me to the big blue sofa in the quiet little side room. I was numb. In a hazed state I just sat and waited.
Time was relentless.
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