Blood Promise Chapter Twelve

organism with Lissa remaining over(p) me with more than questions than answers, and so without a course of action, I simply continued to stomach with the Belikovs for the side by side(p) hardly a(prenominal) days. I fell into their normal routine, again surprised by how well it was. I try hard to fill myself useful, doing every(prenominal) chores theyd allow me do and even going so far as watching the baby ( near topic I wasnt entirely comfortable with, go steadying as view asian training hadnt left frequently quantify for after civilize jobs same(p) babysitting). Yeva eyed me the whole time, neer saying any affaire hardly al counsellings looking like she disapproved. I wasnt real if she wanted me to go or if that was simply the stylus she always looked. The others, however, didnt question me at all. They were delighted to provoke me around and made it obvious in both action. Viktoria was especially happy.I wish you could come O.K. to civilise with us, Vikto ria express wistfully one evening. She and I had been spending a isthmus of time to touch onher.When do you go back?Monday, safe after Easter.I felt a half-size sadness stir in me. Whether I was still here or non, I would miss her. Oh, man. I didnt realize it was so soon.A small silence fell betwixt us then she gave me a sidelong look. Have you thought well, have you maybe thought nigh coming back to St. Basils with us?I stared. St. Basils? Your school is named after a saint too? not all of them were. Adrian had attended an East Coast school called Alder.Ours is a human saint, she said with a grin. You could scratch on that point. You could finish your last year-Im sure theyd take you.Of all the frantic options Id considered on this trip-and believe me, Id considered a lot of crazy things-that was one that had neer crossed my mind. Id written school off. I was pretty sure on that point was nothing else I could learn-well, after meeting Sydney and Mark, it had become obv ious there were still a few more things. Considering what I wanted to do with my life, however, I didnt think other semester of math and science would do more for me. And as far as guardian training went, approximatelyly 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 look on to what Id see with Strigoi already.I shook my head. I dont think so. I think Im pretty much make with school. Besides, itd all be in Russian.Theyd translate for you. A mischievous grin lit her face. Besides, kicking and punching outgo language. Her smile faded to a more thoughtful expression. barely seriously. If you arent going to finish school, and you arent going to be a guardian well, why dont you stay here? I mean, clean in Baia. You could live with us.Im not going to be a blood whore, I said immediately.An odd look crossed her face. Thats not what I meant.I shouldnt have said that. Sorry. I felt bad nearly the c omment. While I kept hearing rumors most blood whores in t ingest, Id only line upn one or two, and certainly the Belikov women werent among them. Sonyas motherliness was something of a mystery, scarce rangeing in a drugstore didnt seem that sordid. Id learned a little bit more nearly 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. After the baby was born, the two of them had decided to part ways, only when it had been champly. Karolina was now apparently dating a guardian who visited whenever he had contribute.The few blood whores I had seen around towns concourse very much fit my stereotype. Their clothing and makeup screamed easy sex. The bruises on their necks clearly showed that they had no problem with permit their partners drink blood during sex, which was pretty much the sleaziest thing a dhampir could do. Only humans gave blood to Moroi. My p elt along didnt. To allow it-particularly during sexual activities-well, like I said, it was sleazy.The dirtiest of the dirty.Mother would love it if you stayed. You could fill a job too. s tushtily be part of our family.I cant take Dimitris place, Viktoria, I said softly.She reached out and gave my hand a tranquillise squeeze. I pick out. No one expects you to. We like you for you, Rose. You being here notwithstanding feels right-theres a reason Dimka chose to be with you. You fit in here.I well-tried to cogitate the life she described. It sounded easy. Comfortable. No worries. Just living with a loving family, laughing and hanging out to pick upher each night. I could go nearly my own life, not having to trail someone else all day. I would have sisters. Thered be no fighting-unless it was to defend. I could legislate up this plan to kill Dimitri-which I knew would kill me too, either physically or spiritually. I could recognize the rational path, let him go and accept hi m as dead. And, yet if I did that, why not just go back to Montana? Back to Lissa and the Academy? I dont know, I t elderly 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 evoke any feelings for him. Now, though, I wondered if there might 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. alone I thought I saw a smile in her eyes.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 stupid of me. My problems well, theyre noth ing compared to yours. I mean, I may not see him for a while but I will see him. But Dimitris gone. You wont see him ever again.Well, that might not be entirely true. I didnt pick out 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. All 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 form of dexterous because I didnt want her to see the tears that her rowing 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 authentically did have friends and wasnt alone.I headed follow through to the kitchen after that, and Olena soon joined me. I was rummaging for food.Was that Viktoria I heard leave? she geted.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. After I grab something to eat.She gave me a kind smile and patted my cheek. You have a good flavour, Rose. I can see why Dimka loved you.It was so stupefying, 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 widow or something, and Viktorias express communication about me staying replayed 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. Sh e 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 being too harsh.Seeing me in expect of the open cupboard, Olena shook her head reproachfully. But you need to eat first.Just a snack, I apprised her. Dont go to any trouble.She ended up slicing me off big pieces of black bread shed parched earlier that day and put out a tub of butter because she knew I loved 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 sweet and tangy at the same time, and I loved it.Olena sat down 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 first 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 best 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 approximate it was his sexy, battle-god persona that came to mind. Yet, it had been Dimitris gentleness and thoughtfulness mixed with that deadliness that made him so wonderful. The same hands that wielded adventure with such precision would carefully brush the hair out of my face. The eyes that could astutely spot any danger in the field of battle would regard me wonderingly and worshipfully, like I was the most beautiful and amazing woman in the world.I sighed, consumed by that bittersweet ache in my chest that had become so familiar now. What a stupid th ing, 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 showcase 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 effulgent youre still here, he said. You seem more at peace.Your ring is helping, I think. At least with the peace. It hasnt make much as far as any decision making goes.He frowned, shifting the draw 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 was the reason Id come to Siberia in the first place. My inner voice scolded me. Dimitri, Rose. Have you bury Dimitri? Have you forgotten how you came here to free hi m, like he would have wanted? Or was that really what he would have wanted? by chance 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 in the lead 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 moments passed, and then he exhaled. Id hoped that wouldnt happen to you.It astonished me then how much moderateness 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 wanting it? I asked.At first. Then I learned to control it.Me too. I suddenly recalled the barn. Actually, thats not entirely true. Low ering 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 in the lead asking Mark, Why did they fight for me?Because the dead loathe 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.That face, normally easy and open, frowned. Its dangerous. mountain like you and me already walk the edge of darkness and insanity. Openly calling upon the dead only brings us closer 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 paying and leaving as well. I was mind back toward Olenas neighborhood when I rounded a corner and nearly walked right into Abe.He was dressed 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 came to Russia. To go to the market like some peasant.No, I said. Of course not.Just sightseeing then?No. Im just being helpful. Stop heavy to get information out of me. Youre not as smart a s 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 conceit 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 beat 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 better built than most Moroi. A lot of Moroi avoided fights, but I wouldnt have been surprised if Abe had roughed up as many people as his bodyguards had. And honestly? I dont care why youre here anymore. You just need to leave. Now.Dont threaten me, old man. Ill leave whene ver 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 almost excited fall 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 straight thrust forward in attack mode, but his guardians were right there in a flash. I knew I wouldnt ge t 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 congregation 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 demoralize 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 around 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 wh ile, flipping through another magazine I couldnt read, and amazingly found myself growing more and more tired. I think the encounters with Mark and Abe had exhausted me. Marks words about staying had hit too close to internal 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 block off trying to bargain?I drifted off to sleep and the familiar sense of an Adrian- ideate 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 much as I hated to take for it, Id kind of missed him.The setting hed chosen this time was a piece of the Academys property, a woodsy area near a pond. Everything was green and i n bloom, and sunlight shone down on us. I suspected Adrians humans didnt match what Montanas weather 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 do with me, I said, sitting down on a large, smooth rock.Never done with you, he said, dressing 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, vainglorious 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 brilliantly in the light. The dreams were so strange. Even thou gh Adrian and I werent together, exactly, the ring had followed me in and kept its power comme il faut 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, uneasy 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. bloody 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 green eyes flashed angrily. Look, pretend for a moment the world doesnt revolve around you, okay? This is about Lissa and me, about understanding 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 delight 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 begrudge Id felt watching them the other night laced 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 anywhere 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 doe snt seem quite right or her aura will waffle 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 figured things out first.Are you jealous, little dhampir?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 big money 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 whod 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 wronge d about someone else coming into their lives? You abandoned them. Lissa and Adrian both. They have every right to move 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 anger that someone actually cares enough to check on her. She wouldnt deny me the chance to learn more about my magic because she was paranoid someone would ruin 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 not, 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 l ast 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.