What about us: Vampire Academy

My choice. Chapter two.

Dimitri POV.

I am running just behind my Roza, towards the Academy. The Strigoi are not to far behind us and I am worried Roza may black out from her head injury, and looking at the red stain on the back of her neck and jacket, and possibly from blood loss.

The last of the sunlight has past, thanks to the overcast, ensuring we lost the last few precious moments of safety. The barbarous taunts and laughter sounding closer by the second, as the Strigoi hunted us from behind.

I've been whispering calm and encouraging words to Roza, to keep her moving. I suddenly feel thankful that I had made her run so many laps when we first started training together. It was obvious that her adrenaline and muscle memory are the only things keeping her running right now. If she slows down anymore, I will have to carry her. Which is something I really didn't want to do, as it will leave me unable to defend her, protect her, if I needed too. I just needed to get her to safety, behind the wards.

Roza let out a strained grunt, the same noise she made when we faced the first Strigoi outside our cabin last night. I grabbed her arm with one hand, while tightening my grip on my stake with my other. We ran three more paces, when suddenly Strigoi came rushing out of the outposts with their turbo speed.

Seven Strigoi stood in our path to the Acdamey. This was a basic Strigoi fighting strategy. They will surround us, their prey, forcing us to fight on two fronts, leaving no room for escape. I felt anxiety pulse through my veins. I wasn't usually one to panic but I always seem to my lose cool when Roza is concerned.

Unexpectedly, a blinding light lit up the grounds. St. Vlad's UV ray flood lights had been activated, someone within the Acdamey knew we are still alive and fighting. Thank the lord! While the flood lights wouldn't kill the Strigoi, it will definitely distract them enough for us to take them down.

"Keep running!" I barked at my Roza, as I released her arm and charged in front. Pulling my second stake from my knee holster, I forced my full weight into the two closest blinded Strigoi, taking all three of us to the ground. Leaning back slightly, I plunged both stakes into the dead hearts of the Strigoi who lay beneath me.

Looking around, I quickly assessed the fight surrounding me. Stan had also staked his Strigoi on impact, just like me. He was now racing to assist Janine, who was fighting two Strigoi. Just before I turned away, I saw Janine pounce into a spinning hook kick, her blow forcing a Strigoi into Stan's ready stake.

Turning to my left, my heart clenched in my chest. Roza was standing back to back with Samson, both facing a Strigoi each. Even, injured and exhausted she outclassed many of the guardian I know.

I lunched myself forward, my eyes meeting Roza's. Sending her silent instructions with my gaze, hoping she will understand my intention. I felt a surge of relief when I caught her confirmation flash across her face, so I lifted my stake in anticipation for Roza to push her Strigoi into my direction. I could see Roza's jaw grit with determination, as she side stepped the Strigoi punch that was aimed to her face. Spinning on her heel, she leapted into the air to deliver a powerful jumping back kick. It was a beautiful offensive manoeuvre that completely threw her opponent off balance and into my path. Wrapping one of my arms around his upper torso, I thrusted the stake into his back, between his ribs and into the his heart.

As the Strigoi fell from my arms, I saw Samson fall from the corner of my eye. Without hesitation, I quickly dashed forward, jumping over Samson's body. I sliced my stake across the Strigoi face, who let out a hiss of pain. Before the Strigoi could regain his composure, I booted him square in the chest, forcing him back a few spaces. I could see the herd of Strigoi from the caves coming into view over my opponent's shoulder.