What about us: Vampire Academy

The void. Chapter three.

Dimitri POV

Silence spread among the guardians and Strigoi, as my gun slips from my hands to the ground. My eyes are fixed on the form laying on the grass in front of me, while I try to regain control of my frenzied breathing.

Enraged growls start to ripple through the air, looking up, I find around twenty sets of livid red eye staring at me. My gaze flickered between every set of eyes before me, meeting them defiantly, until I met Radomir's. A slow incensed smile spread across his face, as he took a single step forward rubbing his ring claded fists.

"I don't like people taking my things" he snarled, curling his lips back to expose his fangs.

This was the first time I registered this appearance.  Short, pale and previously human, he certainly dressed like a man who has lived through many era's. Wearing a 1800 style white shirt, combined with more modern tight leather trousers, completeing his look with black combat boots and tying his blonde mid-back length hair back with a ribbon bow. Even for a Strigoi, he had a air of danger about him.

He looked like he wanted nothing more than to rip my head off, and I am certain my face is showing him that I wanted to do the same. His gaze shifted to the Guardians behind me, who had taken up defensive positions the second Radomir moved forward.

"However, I have learnt alot today, for my little project. Thank you." He addressed them with a murderous smile. "I'll see you soon." He whispered to me, with a wink.

Dramatically blowing a kiss to the crowd, he turned on his heel, gesturing the Strigoi to leave. Disappointed and furious grunts tittered amongs the herd, but one by one they retreated from the entrance clearing.

"Defense protocol 4!! Fall into position, now!" Alberta bellowed, causing the guardians around me to burst into action.

Protocol 4 dictated that small groups are to be placed around the academy border. Putting the strongest fighters at entrance points with the weakest guarding the walled areas.

Being apart of group Delta, I am to guard the boarder nearest the church. If the boarder is breached, I am to retreat to the church bunker to guard my charge and the other Royals. Starting to turn to follow orders instinctively, my stomach clenched when a body fell into my line of sight, freezing me to the stop. I can't leave her.

"Belikov, I need you to stay for recovery and detainment" Alberta ordered in an emotionless voice that may have a edge of grief to it.

Nodding in acknowledgement, I stood to attention, scanning the area for danger, not allowing myself the look in that direction directly. Locking my emotions away that were theatening to spill over, I prepared to spend the hours until sunrise guarding the entrance. At sunrise I will bring the woman I love home one last time.

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Rose POV

"Ugh! My head is kill me." I grumbled as I woke up.

What happened? Opening my eyes, to find complete silence and darkness caused me to freak out.
What the hell? Where am I?
I can't see anything or hear anything.

"Hello?!" I shout, as panic flooded my body. Nothing.

Ok, I need to calm down, what is the last thing I remember. The cabin, the attack, the cave, running, Strigoi, Dimitri's gun.

"Oh God! I'm dead" I wailed into the darkness.

Memories of Dimitri and Lissa flash across my mind. I've left the two most important people behind and I will never see them again. I was about to let myself succumb to my distress, when a voice I would recognise anywhere called out to me.

"Hathaway? Is that you? Rose!"

Mason.

"Mase? Yeah it's me! Why can't I see you?" I called back.

"I think you need to focus in on me. Pull me towards you, Rose" Mason instructed.

I closed my eyes, picturing Mason in my mind, I did I mental tug on the image. A cold shiver run down my spine as I felt a presence before me. Opening my eyes, I saw a red haired guy with a huge toothy grin, standing in front of me.

"Mason!" I all but sobbed, as I launched myself at him.

That was a mistake, it felt like I just walked through a freezing shower as I fell through him. Turning to look back at him, I felt slightly embarrassed when he let out a chuckle.

"Oh Hathaway, only you would try to hug a ghost." He teased with a Mason smirk.

"I just missed you so much, and anyway aren't I a ghost too?" I replied in my signature bratty tone and failing to rise an eyebrow.

"No, your not dead but your not completely alive either," he let out a snort. "You can't even die properly." He added, rolling his eyes.

I'm not dead? Relief explored within me, only to be replaced with fear again. So what am I? Where am I. So I asked Mason.

"Well, you don't really get a information leaflet when you arrive, but I am pretty sure this some sort of transitional realm between the land of the living and the land of the dead." He explained scratching his chin.

"The longer you're here, the stronger the pull is to take you to the other side. The land of the dead, it feels quite peaceful, while this realm is full of uncertainty." He added with a meaningful expression.

"Sorry!" I suddenly blurted out. Shame and regret coming to me in full force. Here I am thinking how I might be able to get back home, while Mason has no option because of me.

"I am so sorry you died because of me! I should be the one going to the land of the dead not you. I am really sorry, you must hate me!" I cried at Mason, tears streaming down my face.

"Rose, stop. It wasn't your fault. It was my choice. I died trying save someone I loved and I can't think of a better way to go. So stop beating yourself up over it. Despite how I feel about you, I saved you because you are one of my oldest friends, I would of done the same thing for Eddie. My choice." He said looking me dead in the eye.

I will always feel alittle guilty about Mason's death, but his words did comfort me. If I ever get back to the land of the living, I know I could start to accept that he was gone. The land of the living. I need to get back home.