Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 24 - Rose

There was a note on the whiteboard when I arrived at the gym with Dimitri.

Hathaway,

It's been two weeks since the last raid. I'm growing restless, and frankly, bored. You know how it is...being shadow-kissed does that to you. I'm going on a little "vacation," so I'll be gone a few days. The videotapes and weapon crates are in the storage rooms. You and Dimitri can take over the training for a while.

Thanatia

I handed the note to Dimitri, and sighed. 'She must have snapped,' I said, when he'd finished reading.

'I guess a vacation is what she needs.' Dimitri studied my eyes. 'Are you worried about her?'

I snorted. 'Not at all.'

'She has that effect, huh? She instills trust.'

'That she does. I guess it's us two now. Ash's gonna be miserable.'

'He'll manage. Let's study the videos.'

We decided to have a lesson on axes. When I saw Ash come in, looking around him hopefully, I felt bad for the guy. His expression dimmed a little. He walked over to us.

'Where's Natia?' he asked, not at all embarrassed. 'She wasn't in her room.'

'She took off,' I said, eyeing his reaction.

Confusion coloured his features, his brow drawing together. 'Where?'

'No idea.' I handed him the note.

'She didn't write me one.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Why would she?'

Ash shot me a look that was filled with hurt. I instantly felt bad, and opened my mouth to apologise. But he just shook his head and strode out.

Ugh. Though the last thing I wanted to do was baby Ash's feelings, I left the room and jogged after him.

'Ash!' I called, but he didn't turn around.

When I caught up with him, I grabbed his shoulder in an attempt to stop him in his stride. He jerked away from my touch.

'What?' he snapped, not meeting my eyes.

'Look, what's the deal here? I don't know where she is!'

'I know that. It's just...' he rubbed his eyes, looking a little confused. 'What if something happens to her?'

'It won't.'

His eyes flashed to mine. 'How do you know that? Because she's so cool and collected?' His voice dripped with sarcasm.

'Look,' I said, trying to sound placating. 'She's a little crazy, but...'

'A little crazy?' he interrupted, eyes blazing. 'A little crazy!' he repeated, now angry. 'Did you ever think that it's maybe a little more complicated than that? It's not her. I've hung around with her for weeks now, and I know it's not her. It's very rare, but sometimes I get a glimpse of her real personality. But it's trumped; by him. Her whole being is attuned to him. He's sucking the life out of her. She's either distant, or angry...but I prefer it when she's angry. When I'm with her, I try to wring some emotion out of her. Maybe I don't exactly make her happy, but at least she's not alone. And now, she's suddenly run off? Something must have happened.'

Woah. Ash was way more insightful than I'd ever thought him to be. And observant, too. I had to believe he really cared about her.

'So, what are you gonna do?' I asked, voice soft.

He shrugged. 'I guess I'll go find her. Somehow. Maybe Casimir knows where she is.'

I tried not to look too pessimistic. 'I doubt it, but yeah, ask.'

Ash nodded distractedly. His eyes met mine, just for a moment. Then he turned to leave.

Well, that was weird. I thought it over while heading back to the gym.

I'd known that Ash had a crush on Thanatia...I mean, who wouldn't? But his feelings seemed way deeper than I'd thought. I couldn't help feeling that it was hopeless. Thanatia wasn't really good for him, and he wasn't all that good for her either. But then I considered it. Maybe he was good, in a way. He was loud, cheerful and talkative; she was his opposite. I guess, in a way, they suited each other.

I didn't know what to make of that.

Ash was the kind of guy that flirted with everyone, even me - in front of Dimitri. In the year that I'd known him, he'd dated lots of women, though he'd never had a serious relationship. Being a guardian didn't make that much possible, anyway. And the women he'd dated had been as easy-going and cheerful as he was, so why was he suddenly so interested in Thanatia? Other than her looks, she had the kind of attitude that repelled suitors. Her whole persona screamed don't waste my time with bullshit. The whole thing was just odd.

Well, to each their own.