LOCATION: MONTANA

DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

I had just finished giving Lissa blood, and she said she was going to get me something to drink and eat. Lissa's cat, Omar—who likes her since she's Moroi—looked at me through slitted eyes. I glared at the cat and took a deep breath. The endorphins from a Moroi's bite was overwhelming. I've been giving blood to Lissa ever since we ran from St. Vlad's. Omar jumped from Lissa's bed—that's his favorite place to lay down—and stood near the window. His fur bristled and a growl rose up.

Shakily, I got out of bed and walked over to the window. Omar tensed when I walked over but continued to growl at whatever was out the window. I looked out and saw a shadowy figure standing across the street, looking up at me.

Jumping back, and ignoring the lightheadedness, I grabbed my coat and put some tennis shoes on. I left the room and found Lissa in the kitchenette, microwaving something. I put a hand on her shoulder and she looked at me.

"We're leaving," I said. "Now."

"What?" she said. "What do mea—"

"We're leaving," I repeated. "Get a jacket or whatever." Lissa went up to the room, grabbed a jacket and some shoes, and rushed back down. I grabbed her hand and we rushed out the door.

"Why're we leaving?" Lissa asked. "What's going on?"

I shook my head. "It's not safe here anymore."

"Why—" Lissa began.

Then a figure stepped in front of us. I skidded to a hault, Lissa stumbling behind me. Breathing heavily, and my head buzzing from the bite, I looked up and saw a man looking down at me. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, unruly strands of hair in his face, he had a strong jaw and eyes that looked like melted dark chocolate. And his lips— Oh God those lips, they looked so soft and kissable.

But he looked oddly familiar. But I couldn't put my finger on it.

He cocked his head a little to the side, his lips parting slightly. "Have we met?" he asked. His voice was deep and laced with some sort of accent. Russian, maybe.

"You know him?" Lissa whispered.

"I-I don't know," I muttered. "He looks familiar. . ." The man's eyes wandered my face, then rested on my neck. I stiffened. I touched my neck—some blood had come from the puncture wounds. I shifted my hair so it covered my neck. The man took a tentative step forward, I glared at him. "Stay away from her," I snapped. "Don't touch her."

"I'm not going to," he said softly. His hand reached over and touched my cheek lightly. A buzzing sensation lit up on my cheek where his fingers touched.

"Belikov!" Someone shouted. He looked at me then turned, six more guardians rushed over. "You've got them?"

The man, Belikov (?), nodded. He turned and looked at me. "I'm guardian Dimitri Belikov," he said. "And I'll be bringing you back to St. Vladimir's."

I stiffened. "No way," I growled. "You're not taking us back—you're not taking her back."

Dimitri took another step forward, I took a step back, pushing Lissa.

"I won't hurt you," Dimitri said. "Or the Princess." I felt Lissa's fear and confusion through the bond. "I'm just taking you back to the Academy. Trust me." Deep down, I trusted him. I felt a warm, fluttery feeling in my chest. I looked back at Lissa, her jade green eyes looking between this Dimitri guy and me confusedly. I looked back at Dimitri and sighed.

QUICKY A/N: HOPE THIS CH WAS GOOD ENOUGH! REVIEW, PLEASE

:) :)

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY