Secret War

Chapter 18

18

"How long have you known?" I choked.

"Since we got here. You could leave her a message if you'd like." Riya suggested.

"I can't do that. If I did then she'd know I've been here."

"I could say that I finally got through to you and that you said 'Hi'." Adrian suggested.

"I think that you should say something Rose, she's really worried about you." Lissa urged.

"Tell her that I'm fine, eating well and I haven't encountered any Strigoi yet so she doesn't have to worry. Tell her that I'll write a letter soon and that I'm sorry for being a wretched child for making her worry so much." I smiled.

"Well said Roza." Dimitri smiled proudly hugging me as tears threatened to fall.

"Your mum would be so proud of you." Lissa beamed.

"Yeah well she can't see me and I don't know when she'll be able to either so..." I trailed off.

"You'll see her again Roza." Riya smiled reassuringly.

"Not necessarily."

"I can guarantee that you will see her again. Tatiana's a bitch and a scheming cow; she'll do something that will cause some of the most unlikely things to happen." Riya grinned. "So, we should probably go before K and Alik rip the house to shreds trying to find me."

"Who are they?"

"Konstantin and Aleksandr. Riya's partners from the guardian days."

"The trio!" Lissa gasped.

"Yeah." Riya nodded sheepishly.

"Aren't you guys rumoured to be a couple though?" Mia asked. "Something about not being able to choose between the two so you were also named the slut of the year since you had two of the best guys ever."

"Well I'd advise you not to say that to their faces when you see then Mia, it'll add to their already too big ego." Riya laughed.

"Aren't you mad that you were called a slut?" Christian asked.

"Can't be helped, all sorts of rumours spread about people who disappear." Riya shrugged. "Just like Roza and Dimi here. Besides, I had worse when I was alive."

"I don't understand why people spread rumours like that, it's wrong." Lissa shook her head and I could feel the shadow building inside of her.

"Lissa." I warned.

"They should all just mind their own business!" Lissa shouted. "They're pathetic losers who can't do anything and just sit around for others to save them and yet they have the nerve to spread rumours like that around afterwards?! They don't have the right! You saved them Rose and yet this is how they repay you!"

"Lissa calm down it's alright. I don't mind it." I shook my head and placed a hand on her shoulder trying to calm her down. She did something that surprised me.

"But I care what they say about my best friend who saved us all!" Lissa growled slapping my hand away. "They don't deserve to live! They don't deserve this life! They don't deserve the protection offered by this academy!"

"Vasilisa." Riya whispered. It was so quiet anyone would've mistaken it for the wind. It was calming and I couldn't help but smile and relax into Dimitri's arms. He was drooping slightly on the table too. Mia had to lean on Eddie who was against the wall. Adrian look really dazed and Christian held onto Lissa. "You have a great heart Princess but steer clear of those thoughts. You will be a great queen one day and you will guide your people well. Disputes will be solved and settled. You have a great future ahead of you. Always believe that. Everyone in this school is worth protecting no matter what they say."