Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 28 - Rose

Just as we were beginning to fear that the Strigoi had the upper hand, they began clawing at their faces, swatting at the empty air. They shuddered as if in unison, and some of them began to attack each other. The Strigoi I had been fighting launched himself at another, and they were biting and hitting each other with death blazing in their eyes.

'What is she doing?' Christian asked, horrified. The Strigoi were thinning out now. Only a handful remained, locked in combat with the other guardians.

Thanatia lay crumpled on the ground just outside the cave, screaming and thrashing.

'Seeing ghosts,' I whispered, reminiscing the time long ago when I too had been plagued by the sights.

'She's not just seeing ghosts,' Casimir said, his eyes never leaving his guardian. 'She's... she's manipulating them.'

'Manipulating them?' I asked, horrified. 'How?'

'She helps them find closure. She always did. It makes them do things for her... she used to tell me about it.'

A chill ran up my spine. 'What do you mean?' I demanded.

'Watch out!' Dimitri yelled, pushing Christian back just as a Strigoi broke away from the guardians he were fighting. Christian ignited the Strigoi's hair, and Dimitri finished him easily.

I watched as the last two Strigoi attacked each other. 'You mean to tell me she is making them do this?!'

Casimir looked troubled. 'I think so, yes.'

When the last Strigoi had been staked, Thanatia fell silent. Casimir and I ran up to her side, where she lay completely immobile, her eyes closed. Acting on an impulse, I reached down to feel the pulse by her neck. It was quick, way too quick.

Suddenly, Ash was there, pushing us both away, screaming, 'What the hell is wrong with her?!'

Casimir shot him a furious look. 'I think she's just passed out,' I said, trying to make my voice calming.

'Get away from her,' Casimir commanded, in a voice so full of authority I found myself actually taking a step back. 'I'm going to heal her.' He put his hands on her, investigating her injuries. It appeared she had a broken hand and a broken calf. Blood was gushing from a wound on her scalp. 'She's gonna regret losing the scar,' Casimir muttered, as his healing magic flowed into her.

I realised he meant the scar that cut along the edge of her face. I had to wonder why anyone with a bond-mate who could heal would want to keep a scar. Perhaps she had some memory attached to it. In any case, Casimir's healing magic wasn't selective, and I watched in wonder as the wounds closed up.

When she didn't wake up, Casimir scooped her into his arms, carrying her all the way back to the cars. Ash hovered nearby, shooting Thanatia anxious looks.

Dimitri and I walked over to what remained of the prisoners. When Thanatia had entered the cave, the Strigoi had abandoned their captives, and they'd been the firsts ones to emerge from the crumbling chaos. The Strigoi had already drained two guardians, and three were severely injured, among them the Moroi, but the others had been unscathed, and had even joined in the battle. In our party there were plenty that were seriously injured, but none had died, thanks to Casimir. He'd healed a lot tonight.

When we reached Court, Casimir disappeared with his guardian, Jenny and Ash trailing behind them.

Lissa hugged us all very violently, voicing all her worries, asking if any of us needed healing. When we were able to escape, Dimitri and I collapsed into the shower, both of us sinking down onto the floor tiles. We sat together in silence, as the water cascaded over us, washing away the dirt and blood.