"Rose. Roza. Time to get up." Someone shook me lightly and I mumbled something incoherently, pulling the sheets back over my head.

"Rose, it's time to go. You can still make the party if we hurry."

I opened my eyes and found Dimitri leaning over me. His face was so close we could kiss. As if sensing this, he leaned back, though. I sighed and glanced at the clock; I had only been out for a couple of hours.

Yawning, I asked, "Where's Lissa?"

"She and Christian are waiting in the lobby. If you hurry and get dressed, we can drive back to the Academy and be on time for the party."

I frowned, considering this. The snowstorm didn't look any better, but it had stopped snowing to the point where we could actually drive. "Wait, what happened to the car?"

He turned and opened the door before answering. "While you were sleeping, I had someone bring it back to the parking lot. It works and we should be at the Academy soon."

He shut the door softly without another word and I stretched, swinging my legs out of bed and throwing on my clothes, which were now dry. I shrugged into my jacket and found all the shopping bags gone. Obviously, Dimitri had taken them back out to the car.

When I was dressed, I slipped out the door and shut it behind me, cautiously moving across the dark halls. Call it training, but I was still alert for Strigoi no matter what. No nausea, which was a good sign as I joined Dimitri and the Moroi downstairs.

I rubbed my eyes and yawned again as we started walking. The cold air blasted me in the face as I stepped out, finding our car in perfect shape, and waiting for us in one of the parking spaces. "Okay, is this some kind of joke?" I demanded.

Dimitri didn't answer, of course and Lissa's words floated to me from the bond. Rose, are you okay?

I shot her a smile. "Of course I am."

Lissa didn't look convinced, but let it go for now. Through the bond I could feel her trying to read my aura. I sighed and slipped out of her head, opening the car door and slipping in up front with Dimitri like usual. I checked the time on the dashboard and realized that we most likely missed the party by now since we had stayed overnight.

I twisted around in my seat as the car pulled out of the lot. "I think we missed the party, guys."

Lissa shook her head, a smile on her pale pink lips. "Actually, no. Adrian visited me and said he had to hold off on it because of the snowstorm. It's back on tonight since the weather's better."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course."

Back at the Academy, we sorted out our treasures and went our separate ways. Dimitri had gone in the direction of the main building to check in with Alberta. I swung my bag around, trying to shove the darkness down so I could actually enjoy myself.

I unlocked the door to my room and found it just the way I had left it…except something didn't feel right. My sharp sense picked up on a faint smell and I saw that someone had left the window unlocked. I immediately went into guardian mode and scanned my whole room, checking every little corner until I found nothing.

Sighing, I moved to hang up the dress, only when I turned around, there was a shadow right behind me. Someone I did not recognize or hear…

I'm sorry it's short and all, but I wanted to at least have something for you guys. You've all been so patient! =) I still have things to solve out and life sucks like usual, but I think I can safely say I'm back!

SONGS:

Everytime We Touch-Cascada

I Hate Everything About You-Three Days Grace

Far From Home-Five Finger Death Punch

Just a Dream-Nelly

Getting Away With Murder-Papa Roach

Blind-Lifehouse