What about us: Vampire Academy

Always watching. Chapter 4.

Rose's POV

Mason and I originally talked for ages and it almost felt like old times. We covered; how I became shadowed kiss and everything that comes with it, how Eddie was doing without him and I answered his awkward questions about Dimitri. I asked Mason more questions about this realm and what that means for him. He explained that he feels he could move on now if he wanted to, but he didn't feel like he needed to just yet. Although the need was getting stronger for him.

After our catch up, I decided I needed to find out what was happening back home. So I have, for what feels like hours, been trying to 'hear' Lissa through bond, with no success. While I can feel the bond was still in place, I just wasn't able to grasp ahold of it, I could only feel a steady flow of warmth. It is so frustrating! I am desperate to find out what is happening at home.

"Maybe, we are going about this the wrong way. Maybe we should visit them ghost style?" Mason said carefully, attempting to pull me from my mental battle again.

"I thought you said I wasn't a ghost" I shot back at Mason, my annoyance getting the better of me.

"Your not, I can sense that you not one of the dead. But, you might be able cross the boundary and see what is happening." Mason explained with a strug.

Meh, worth a shot. So I asked him how he crossed the boundary to visit the land of the living. After a long explanation, I think I have the jist of it. 'Think of the person or place that I want to visit, draw the energies within myself and transport myself there.'

Mason had also explained that time didn't have the same rules within this realm. I can visit any event from my past to the very near future. However, visiting the past was more like snap shots, while the present was similar to watching a film. That's why he knew there was going to be a attack on the Acdamey but didn't know why.

"I will try to guide you through it. Where first Rosie Roo?" Mason asked, earning a pointed look from me when he used that nickname I hated since I was 6.

"Well, let's start at my 'kinda' death and follow it through until the present." I replied.

I don't particularly want to witness my 'kinda' death but a nagging feeling was telling me I needed to see everything that had happened after.

Nodding at Mason, I concentrated on taking myself back to the gates of St Vlad's. I felt a cold tickle down my spine followed by a feeling I would imagine being sucked through a straw would feel like. Holding my breath, I closed my eyes, silently hoping the torture will finish soon.

Suddenly, the sensation ended and I peaked through one eyelid. Blurry at first, I found myself staring at my childhood home and standing next to my Russian God.

"Comrade!" I half moaned, half sobbed as I reached out to him, but quickly redraw my hand when my fingers met the sting of an invisible barrier.

"Oh Rose, I told you they wouldn't be able to see or hear you," Mason whispered sympathetically.

I nodded to him without taking my eyes off of Dimitri's face. To the world he looked like a impassive Guardian standing to attention, eyes continually flicking, looking for danger. To my knowing eyes, he looked like a broken man, fighting to stay in control.
I'm here comrade, and I promise I will do anything to get back to you. I silently promised him.

Looking around the clearing of the academy gates, there is no sign of any Strigoi. I purposely turned a blind eye to where my body was, I really don't want to see that! I have no idea what time it was, but the darkness and bright moon in the middle of the sky are signs that it must be the middle of the night.