Blood Promise Chapter Twelve

Being with Lissa left me with more than enquirys than answers, and so with tabu a lead of deedion, I simply continued to carry on with the Belikovs for the next few sidereal days. I cut into their normal r asideine, again surprised by how easy it was. I tried hard to get a dogged myself useful, doing any chores theyd let me do and so far passage so far as watching the baby ( any(prenominal)thing I wasnt on the whole comfortable with, gain vigo visit as guardian training hadnt left more prison term for by and by tutor jobs like babysitting). Yeva eyed me the whole time, n perpetu on the wholey saying anything yet always looking like she disapproved. I wasnt authentic(p) if she treasured me to go or if that was simply the way she always looked. The early(a)s, how constantly, didnt question me at each. They were delighted to go through me roughly and do it obvious in e rattling action. Viktoria was especially happy.I wish you could arrange defend to domestic consume with us, Viktoria verbalize wistfully matchless evening. She and I had been spending a dish of time to pullher.When do you go clog up?Monday, salutary after Easter.I matte a little sadness stir in me. Whether I was still hither or not, I would miss her. Oh, man. I didnt construe it was so currently.A small silence fell between us then she gave me a sidelong look. yield you thought well, shoot you peradventure thought well-nigh coming substantiate to St. Basils with us?I stared. St. Basils? Your school is named after a saint too? Not all of them were. Adrian had accompanied an East Coast school called Alder.Ours is a human saint, she said with a grin. You could enroll thither. You could finish your uttermost(a) year-Im sure theyd take up you.Of all the malad al bingleed options Id considered on this trip-and believe me, Id considered a hooking of crazy things-that was ace that had never crossed my mind. Id written school transfer. I was bonny sure thithe r was aught else I could learn-well, after meeting Sydney and emphasise, it had become obvious t here were still a few more things. Considering what I wanted to do with my life, however, I didnt think some other semester of math and science would do more for me. And as far as guardian training went, close toly all I had left to do w s prepare for the end-of-year trials. I somehow doubted those tests and challenges would even come remotely close to what Id undergo with Strigoi already.I shook my conduce. I dont think so. I think Im pretty oftentimes done with school. Besides, itd all be in Russian.Theyd translate for you. A smashed grin lit her expect. Besides, kicking and punching transcend language. Her smile faded to a more thoughtful expression. But seriously. If you arent dismission to finish school, and you arent going to be a guardian well, why dont you stay here? I mean, proficient in Baia. You could decease with us.Im not going to be a parentage whore, I said i mmediately.An strange look crossed her face. Thats not what I meant.I shouldnt spend a penny said that. Sorry. I felt bad roughly the comment. While I unploughed hearing rumors round blood whores in t suffer, Id only seen one or two, and certainly the Belikov women werent among them. Sonyas pregnancy was something of a mystery, but working in a drug investment firm didnt come out that sordid. Id learned a little silicon chip more nigh Karolinas situation. The father of her children was a Moroi she simply had a genuine connection with. She hadnt cheapened herself to be with him, and he hadnt used her. afterwards the baby was born, the two of them had decided to bump ways, but it had been paladinly. Karolina was straight off on the face of it dating a guardian who visited whenever he had leave.The few blood whores I had seen around town very much fit my stereotype. Their clothing and composing screamed easy sex. The bruises on their necks clearly showed that they had n o problem with letting their partners absorb blood during sex, which was pretty much the sleaziest thing a dhampir could do. Only piece gave blood to Moroi. My race didnt. To allow it-particularly during sexual activities-well, like I said, it was sleazy.The dirtiest of the dirty. set out would love it if you stayed. You could get a job too. Just be part of our family.I cant take Dimitris place, Viktoria, I said softly.She reached out and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. I cognise. No one expects you to. We like you for you, Rose. You existence here dependable feels right-theres a reason Dimka chose to be with you. You fit in here.I tried to believe the life she descri hunch over. It sounded easy. Comfortable. No worries. Just victuals with a loving family, laughing and hanging out unitedly each night. I could go about my own life, not having to trail someone else all day. I would aim sisters. Thered be no fighting-unless it was to defend. I could accord up this plan to kill Dimitri-which I knew would kill me too, either physically or spiritually. I could choose the rational path, let him go and accept him as dead. And, yet if I did that, why not retributory go back to Montana? Back to Lissa and the Academy? I dont know, I told Viktoria at last. I dont know what Im going to do.It was just after dinner, and she glanced hesitantly at the clock. I dont want to leave you since we dont have much time together, but I was supposed to meet someone soonNikolai? I teased.She shook her head, and I tried to hide my disappointment. Id seen him a few times, and hed grown more and more likeable. It was too bad Viktoria couldnt motleyle any olfactory sensations for him. Now, though, I wondered if there force be something holding her back-or rather, someone.Oh, spill, I said with a grin. Who is he?She kept her face blank in a fair imitation of Dimitris. A friend, she said evasively. But I thought I saw a smile in her look.Someone at school?No. She sighed. And thats the problem. Im going to miss him so much.My smile faded. I can imagine.Oh. She looked embarrassed. Thats yokel-like of me. My problems well, theyre nothing compared to yours. I mean, I may not see him for a eon but I will see him. But Dimitris gone. You wont see him ever again.Well, that might not be entirely true. I didnt tell her that, though. Instead, I just said, Yeah.To my surprise, she gave me a hug. I know what loves like. To lose that I dont know. I dont know what to say. either I can tell you is that were here for you. All of us, okay? You cant replace Dimitri, but you do feel like a sister.Her calling me a sister both stunned and warmed me at the same time. She had to go get ready for her date after that. She hurriedly changed clothes and put on makeup-definitely more than a friend, I decided-and headed out the door. I was kind of glad because I didnt want her to see the part that her linguistic communication had brought to my eyes. Id spent my life as an only child. Lissa had been the closest I had to a sister. Id always thought of Lissa as one one Id now lost. To hear Viktoria call me a sister now well, it stirred something in me. Something that told me I genuinely did have friends and wasnt alone.I headed floor to the kitchen after that, and Olena soon joined me. I was rummaging for food.Was that Viktoria I heard leave? she asked.Yeah, she went off to see a friend. To my credit, I kept my expression neutral. No way would I sell Viktoria out.Olena sighed. Id wanted her to run an errand for me in town.Ill do it, I said eagerly. afterwards I grab something to eradicate.She gave me a kind smile and patted my cheek. You have a life- existing heart, Rose. I can see why Dimka love you.It was so amazing, I thought, how accepted my relationship with Dimitri was around here. No one brought up age or teacher-student relationships.As Id told Sydney, it was like I was his leave behind or something, and Viktorias words about me staying replay ed in my head. The way Olena looked at me made me feel like I really was her daughter, and once more, I experienced those traitorous feelings about my own mom. She probably would have scoffed at me and Dimitri. She would have called it inappropriate and said I was too young. Or would she have? perhaps I was be too harsh.Seeing me in front of the unresolved cupboard, Olena shook her head reproachfully. But you pauperisation to eat origin.Just a snack, I assured her. Dont go to any trouble.She ended up slicing me off big pieces of black bread shed baked rather that day and put out a tub of butter because she knew I love to slather up my slices. Karolina had teased me that Americans might be shocked to know what was in this bread, so I never asked any questions. It was somehow fragrance and tangy at the same time, and I loved it.Olena sat blasphemous across from me and watched me eat. This was his favorite when he was little.Dimitris?She nodded. Whenever he was on break from school, the number 1 thing hed do is ask for that bread. I practically had to make him his own loaf each time with the way he ate. The girls never ate that much.Guys always seem to eat more. Admittedly, I could keep up with most of them. And hes bigger and taller than most.True, she mused. But I eventually reached a point where I made him start making it himself. I told him if he was going to eat all my food, hed topper know how much work went into it.I laughed. I cant imagine Dimitri baking bread.And yet, as soon as the words came out, I reconsidered. My immediate associations with Dimitri were always intense and fierce it was his sexy, battle-god persona that came to mind. Yet, it had been Dimitris gentleness and contemplation mixed with that deadliness that made him so wonderful. The same give that wielded post with such precision would carefully brush the hair out of my face. The eyes that could astutely spot any danger in the area would regard me wonderingly and worshipful ly, like I was the most beautiful and amazing muliebrity in the world.I sighed, consumed by that bitter brisk ache in my chest that had become so familiar now. What a stupid thing, getting worked up over a loaf of bread of all things. But that was how it was. I got emotional whenever I thought about Dimitri.Olenas eyes were on me, sweet and compassionate. I know, she said, guessing my thoughts. I know exactly how you feel.Does it get easier? I asked.Unlike Sydney, Olena had an answer. Yes. But youll never be the same.I didnt know whether to take comfort from those words or not. After I finished eating, she gave me a brief grocery list, and I set off toward downtown, happy to be outside and moving. Inactivity didnt suit me.While in the grocery store, I was surprised to run into Mark. Id gotten the impression he and Oksana didnt come to town that often. I wouldnt have put it past them to grow their own food and live off the land. He gave me a warm smile. I wondered if you were still around.Yeah. I held up my basket. Just doing some shopping for Olena.Im glad youre still here, he said. You seem more at peace.Your ring is helping, I think. At least with the peace. It hasnt done much as far as any closing making goes.He frowned, shifting the milk he held in one arm to the other. What decisions?What to do now. Where to go.why not stay here?It was eerie, so similar to the conversation Id had with Viktoria. And my response was equally similar. I dont know what Id do if I stayed here.Get a job. Live with the Belikovs. They love you, you know. You fit right in with their family.That warm, loved feeling came back, and I again tried to imagine myself just settling down with them, working in a store like this or waiting tables.I dont know, I said. I was a broken record. I just dont know if thats right for me.Better than the alternative, he warned. Better than running off with no real purpose, throwing yourself in the face of danger. Thats no choice at all.And yet, it wa s the reason Id come to Siberia in the first place. My inner enunciate scolded me. Dimitri, Rose. Have you disregarded Dimitri? Have you forgotten how you came here to free him, like he would have wanted? Or was that really what he would have wanted? Maybe he would have wanted me to stay safe. I just didnt know, and with no more help from Mason, my choices were even more muddled. Thinking of Mason suddenly reminded me of something Id totally forgotten.When we talked before well, we talked about what Lissa and Oksana could do. But what about you?Mark narrowed his eyes. What do you mean?Have you ever have you ever run into, um, ghosts?Several routines passed, and then he exhaled. Id hoped that wouldnt happen to you.It astonished me then how much relief I felt to know I wasnt alone in my ghostly experiences. Even though I now understood that having died and been to the world of the dead made me a target for spirits, it was still one of the freakiest things about being shadow-kissed. Did it happen without you missing it? I asked.At first. Then I learned to control it.Me too. I suddenly recalled the barn. Actually, thats not entirely true. Lowering my voice further, I hastily recapped what had happened on my trip here with Sydney. Id never spoken of it to anyone.You must never, ever do that again, he said sternly.But I didnt mean to It just happened.You panicked. You needed help, and some part of you called out to the spirits around you. Dont do it. Its not right, and its easy to lose control.I dont even know how I did it.Like I said, lapse of control. Dont ever let your panic get the best of you.An older woman passed us, a scarf over her head and a basket of vegetables in her arms. I waited until she was gone before asking Mark, Why did they fight for me?Because the dead hate Strigoi. The Strigoi are unnatural, neither living nor dead-just existing in some state in between. Just as we sense that evil, so do the ghosts.Seems like they could be a good weapon.Tha t face, normally easy and open, frowned. Its dangerous. People like you and me already walk the demonstrate of darkness and insanity. Openly calling upon the dead only brings us walking(prenominal) to falling over that edge and losing our minds. He glanced at his watch and sighed. Look, I have to go, but Im serious, Rose. Stay here. Stay out of trouble. Fight Strigoi if they come to you, but dont go seeking them blindly. And definitely leave the ghosts alone.It was a lot of advice to get in a grocery store, a lot of advice I wasnt sure I could follow. But I thanked him and sent my regards to Oksana before compensable and leaving as well. I was heading back toward Olenas neighborhood when I rounded a corner and most walked right into Abe.He was dressed to kill(p) in his usual flashy way, wearing that expensive coat and a yellow-gold scarf that matched the gold in his jewelry. His guardians hovered nearby, and he leaned casually against a buildings brick wall.So this is why you c ame to Russia. To go to the market like some peasant.No, I said. Of course not.Just sightseeing then?No. Im just being helpful. remain laborious to get information out of me. Youre not as tonic as you think you are.Thats not true, he said.Look, I told you already. I came here to tell the Belikovs the news. So go back and tell whoever youre working for that thats that.And I told you before not to lie to me, he said. Again, I saw that odd mix of danger and humor. You have no fancy how patient Ive been with you.From anyone else, I would have gotten the information I needed that first night.Lucky me, I snapped back. What now? Are you going to take me down an alley and scotch me up until I tell you why Im here? Im losing interest in this whole scary-mob-boss routine, you know.And Im losing patience with you, he said. There went the humor, and as he stood over me, I couldnt help but uneasily note that he was amend built than most Moroi. A lot of Moroi avoided fights, but I wouldnt h ave been surprised if Abe had roughed up as many muckle as his bodyguards had. And frankly? I dont care why youre here anymore. You just need to leave. Now.Dont threaten me, old man. Ill leave whenever the hell I want. It was funny, Id just sworn to Mark that I didnt know if I could stay in Baia, but when pressured by Abe, I just wanted to dig my feet in. I dont know what youre trying to keep me from, but Im not scared of you. That also wasnt entirely true.You should be, he returned pleasantly. I can be a very good friend or a very bad enemy. I can make it worth your while if you leave. We can strike a bargain.There was an some excited gleam in his eyes as he spoke. I recalled Sydney describing him manipulating others, and I got the feeling this was what he lived for-negotiating, striking trades to get what he wanted.No, I said. Ill leave when Im ready. And theres nothing you or whoever youre working for can do about it.Hoping I appeared bold, I turned around. He reached out and grabbed my shoulder, jerking me back, nearly causing me to lose the groceries. I started to lunge forward in plan of attack mode, but his guardians were right there in a flash. I knew I wouldnt get far.Your time is up here, hissed Abe. In Baia. In Russia. Go back to the U.S. Ill give you what you need-money, first-class tickets, whatever.I stepped out of his reach, backing carefully away. I dont need your help or your money-God only knows where it comes from. A group of people turned the corner across the street, laughing and talking, and I stepped back further, certain Abe wouldnt start a scene with witnesses present. It made me feel braver, which was probably stupid on my part. And I already told you Ill go back whenever the hell I want.Abes eyes lifted to the other pedestrians, and he too retreated back with his guardians. That chilling smile was on his face. And I told you. I can be a very good friend or a very bad enemy. Get out of Baia before you find out which.He turned arou nd and left, much to my relief. I didnt want him to see just how much fear his words had left on my face.I went to bed early that night, suddenly feeling antisocial. I lay there for a while, flipping through another magazine I couldnt read, and amazingly found myself suppuration more and more tired. I think the encounters with Mark and Abe had exhausted me. Marks words about staying had hit too close to home after my earlier conversation with Viktoria. Abes thinly veiled threats had raised all my defenses, putting me on guard against whoever was working with him to make me leave Russia. At what point, I wondered, would he truly lose patience and stop trying to bargain?I drifted off to sleep and the familiar sense of an Adrian-dream settled around me. It had been a long time since this had happened, and Id actually thought hed listened to me when Id told him to stay away before. Of course, I always told him that. This had been the longest time span to go by without a visit, and as m uch as I hated to admit it, Id kind of bemused him.The setting hed chosen this time was a piece of the Academys property, a woodsy area near a pond. Everything was green and in bloom, and cheerfulness shone down on us. I suspected Adrians creation didnt match what Montanas digest was really like right now, but then, he was in control. He could do whatever he wanted.Little dhampir, he said, smiling. Long time no see.I thought you were done with me, I said, sitting down on a large, smooth rock.Never done with you, he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and strolling over to me. Although to tell the truth, I did intend to stay away this time. But, well, I had to make sure you were still alive.Alive and well.He smiled down at me. The sun glinted off his brown hair, giving it golden-chestnut highlights. Good. You seem very well, actually. Your auras better than Ive ever seen it. His eyes drifted from my face down to where my hands lay in my lap. Frowning, he knelt down and picked up my right hand. Whats this?Oksanas ring was on it. Despite the rings lack of ornamentation, the metal gleamed brightly in the light. The dreams were so strange. Even though Adrian and I werent together, exactly, the ring had followed me in and kept its business office enough that he could sense it.A charm. Its infused with spirit.Like me, this was apparently something hed never considered. His expression grew eager. And it heals, right? Its whats keeping some of the darkness from your aura.Some, I said, uncomfortable about his fixation on it. I took it off and slipped it into my pocket. Its temporary. I met another spirit user-and a shadowkissed dhampir.More surprise registered on his face. What? Where?I bit my lip and shook my head.Damn it, Rose This is big. You know how Lissa and I have been looking for other spirit users. Tell me where they are.No. Maybe later. I dont want you guys coming after me. For all I knew, they were already after me, using Abe as their agent.His gree n eyes flashed angrily. Look, pretend for a bit the world doesnt revolve around you, okay? This is about Lissa and me, about mind this crazy magic inside of us. If youve got people who can help us, we need to know.Maybe later, I repeated stonily. Im moving on soon-then Ill tell you.Why are you always so difficult?Because you like me that way.At the moment? Not so much.It was the kind of joking comment Adrian usually made, but just then, something about it bothered me. For some reason, I got the tiniest, tiniest feeling that I suddenly wasnt as endearing to him as usual.Just try being patient, I told him. Im sure you guys have other stuff to work on. And Lissa seems pretty busy with Avery. The words slipped out before I could help it, and some of the bitterness and envy Id felt watching them the other night enlace my tone.Adrian raised an eyebrow. Ladies and gentlemen, she admits it. You have been spying on Lissa-I knew it.I looked away. I just like to know shes alive too. As if I could go anyplace in the world and not know that.She is. Alive and well, like you. Er mostly well. Adrian frowned. Sometimes I get this strange vibe off of her. She doesnt seem quite right or her aura will fluttering a little. Never lasts long, but I still worry. Something in Adrians voice softened. Avery worries about her too, so Lissas in good hands. Averys pretty amazing.I gave him a scathing look. Amazing? Do you like her or something? I hadnt forgotten Averys comment about leaving the door unlocked for him.Of course I like her. Shes a great person.No, I mean like. Not like.Oh, I see, he said, rolling his eyes. Were dealing with elementary school definitions of ?like.Youre not answering the question.Well, like I said, shes a great person. Smart. Outgoing. Beautiful.Something in the way he said beautiful bugged me. I averted my eyes again, playing with the blue nazar around my neck as I tried to parse my feelings. Adrian pass judgment things out first.Are you jealous, little d hampir?I looked back up at him. No. If I was going to be jealous over you, I would have gone crazy a long time ago, considering all the girls you mess around with.Averys not the kind of girl you mess around with.Again, I heard that affection in his voice, that dreaminess. It shouldnt have bothered me. I should have been glad he was interested in another girl. After all, Id been trying to convince him to leave me alone for a very long time. Part of the conditions of him giving me money for this trip had involved me promising to give him a fair shot at dating when-and if-I returned to Montana. If he got together with Avery, it would be one less thing for me to worry about.And honestly, if it had been any other girl except Avery, I probably wouldnt have minded. But somehow, the idea of her enchanting him was just too much. Wasnt it bad enough that I was losing Lissa to her? How was it possible that one girl could so easily take my place? Shed stolen my best friend, and now the guy who d sworn up and down that I was the one he wanted was seriously considering replacing me.Youre being a hypocrite, a stern voice inside of me said. Why should you feel so wronged about someone else coming into their lives? You abandoned them. Lissa and Adrian both. They have every right to run low on.I stood up angrily. Look, Im done talking to you tonight. Will you let me out of this dream? Im not telling you where I am. And Im not interested in hearing about how wonderful Avery is and how much better than me she is.Avery would never act like a little brat, he said. She wouldnt get so pique that someone actually cares enough to check on her. She wouldnt deny me the materialise to learn more about my magic because she was paranoid someone would go her crazy attempt to get over her boyfriends death.Dont talk to me about being a brat, I shot back. Youre as selfish and self-centered as usual. Its always about you-even this dream is. You hold me against my will, whether I want it or n ot, because it amuses you.Fine, he said, voice cold. Ill end this. And Ill end everything between us. I wont be coming back.Good. I hope you mean it this time.His green eyes were the last thing I saw before I woke up in my own bed.I sat up, gasping. My heart felt like it was breaking, and I almost thought I might cry. Adrian was right-I had been a brat. Id lashed out at him when it wasnt really deserved. And yet I hadnt been able to help it. I missed Lissa. I even kind of missed Adrian. And now someone else was taking my place, someone who wouldnt just walk away like I had.I wont be coming back.And for the first time ever, I had a feeling he really wouldnt be.