Blood. There was so much blood. Ipressed my hand against her abdomen and swallowed down the panic. "Don't worry,Roza. It'll be okay," I lied, furiously hoping she hadn't heard my voice crack with every word.
Shaking her head, she spoke, her voice faint. "Comrade, I thought you didn't lie." My throat began to ache as I held back the tears. "I almost had him," she said through shallow breath.
Glancing down at the strigoi a few feet from Rose, I thought back to the fight. She'd fought perfectly, exactly as I'd taught her. She'd anticipated his every move. What she hadn't anticipated is that he'd be carrying a knife. Strigoi never did. Immortality put a stopper on your fear, and bloodlust only added to the god-complex.
Ripping my t-shirt off, I desperately pressed it against her side. Then, with shaky hands, I ripped my phone out and called for backup. "Бог черт возьми," I murmered hanging up. Too long.It would take them too long.
"Dimka?"
With all the gusto I could muster, I met her eyes. "They're coming." But she shook her head.
"They won't make it. I won't make it." Her hand lightly cupped my cheek. "I love you. I need you to know that."
Suddenly, the tears began to spill over. "I know, Roza. I love you too." Kissing her forehead, I felt her body shaking under me. I'd never felt so helpless, so useless.
"No," she said, coughing up blood. "You don't…you don't know."
I put my finger to her lips. "You can tell me later. Rose, don't…"
"Dimitri, there won't be a later." Her voice was firm. "You have to listen." She struggled with the words, and the pain in my chest grew unbearable. "Are…are you listening?" I nodded. "You have to take care of Liss. Okay? And tell my parents that I love them."
"I will, Rose. I will."
"Comrade, don't cry. Look at me." I met her eyes. Despite her strong front, I could see the fear in her eyes and it killed me. "I love you. You have given me the best fourteen years anyone could ever ask for. The day we said 'I do' was the day I truly started living." Her eyes clenched shut and her shallow breathing sped up. Then just like that, it stopped.
"Rose?" No answer. "Roza?" No answer. I buried my face in her hair and allowed myself to cry. Surely, the world couldn't keep turning. Surely, after losing such a bright soul, such a beautiful life, the world and all the horrible things in it would come to an end.
Screaming, I grabbed my stake and threw it as far as I could. Useless. It was useless now without anyone to protect. And I cried. I cried until I knew the tears would come no more, but it didn't alleviate the pain. It didn't even begin the touch the pain. It was like drowning. The waves hit me again and again, but I just couldn't die.
Faintly, I heard footsteps behind me. Good, I thought. Let them come. Let them kill me.
"Guardian Belikov?" I didn't move. They were too late, and I hated them for it.
"Leave me here," I said emotionlessly. I felt a hand touch my arm and a tore away from it. "I SAID LEAVE ME HERE." I felt a sharp prick, and all went dark.

I woke up and wiped the sleep from my eyes. A faint pain radiated in my chest from the horrible nightmare. "Rose, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had." That's when I noticed that I wasn't our room in the royal court. This room was too white, too clean. The hospital.
Panic shook me. It wasn't real. It couldn't have been real. A dark figure emerged in the doorway. Christian. The snark I'd grown accustomed to was absent from his face, and his eyes were tinged with red.
"Belikov, how are you feeling?"
"She's gone," I said simply. Even as I said the words, I knew they must be wrong. Suddenly, I remembered my promise to Rose. "Lissa. Where is Lissa?"
He rubbed his eyes and leaned against the door frame. "She's not well, Dimitri. They have her in her own room, and she's taking enough pills to kill a horse. Sonya is making her some silver charms." He reached out with a large silver ring. "She made you one too."
Shaking my head, I tore my blankets off. "No. I have to have a clear mind, Christian. I have to take care of you and Lissa. I promis…"
"Belikov, stop." He put a hand on my arm and guided me back into bed. "You need to rest."
"NO. I have to tell Lissa what Rose…I have to…Rose," I lost my words in sobs. "She can't be gone."
Christian slipped the ring into my hand and hugged me tight. "I know, man. I know."