Blood Promise Chapter Three

Wait-what? I exclaimed.That wasnt in the plan. That wasnt in the plan at all. I was trying to move through Russia in as incognito a way as possible. Plus, I didnt really relish the thought of having a taga bulky-particularly one who appeared to hate me. I didnt k direct how farsighted it would wee-wee to get to Siberia-a couple days, I thought-and I couldnt imagine spending them listening to Sydney talk closely what an unnatural, evil being I was.Swallowing my outrage, I try rea password. After all, I was asking a favor here. Thats not necessary, I say, forcing a smile. Its nice of you to offer, but I dont indispensability to inconvenience you.Well, she replied dryly, theres no get around that. And its not me being nice. Its not even my choice. Its an order from my superiors.It still sounds like a pain in the ass for you. Why dont you honest break up me where it is and blow them off?You obviously dont know the people I arrive at for.Dont need to. I ignore authority all the clock time. Its not hard at one time you get used to it.Yeah? Hows that working out for you with finding this village? she asked mockingly. Look, if you want to get there, this is the only way.Well-it was the only way I could get there if I used Sydney for information. I could al shipway go endorse to staking out the Nightingale but it had taken me this long to get a lead from there. Mean mend, she was here slump in front of me with the information I necessitate.Why? I asked. Why do you have to go too?I cant tell you that. rotter line They told me to.Lovely. I eyed her, trying to figure out what was button on here. Why on earth would eitherone-let alone humans with their hands in the Moroi world -care where one teenage dhampir went? I didnt pretend Sydney had any ulterior motives-unless she was a very, very good actress. Yet, clearly the people she answered to had an agenda, and I didnt like playing into anyones plan. At the equivalent time, I was anxious to get on with this. Each day that passed was another in which I didnt find Dimitri.How soon can we leave? I asked at last. Sydney, I decided, was a paper-pusher. Shed testn no real skill in tracking me earlier. Surely it wouldnt be that hard to ditch her once we were shape up comely to Dimitris town.She get worded harming of disappointed at my response, almost as though shed hoped I would decline and then shed be off the hook. She didnt want to come with me any more than I wanted her to. Opening her purse, she took out her cell phone again, fiddled with it a couple of minutes, and finally produced about explicate times. She showed me the schedule for the next day.Does that work for you?I studied the screen and nodded. I know where that station is. I can be there.Okay. She stood up and tossed some cash on the table. Ill see you tomorrow. She started to locomote away and then glanced back at me. Oh, and you can have the rest of my fries.When I graduation exercise came to Russia, I go al onged in youth hostels. Id certainly had the money to stay elsewhere, but I wanted to remain under the radar.Besides, luxury hadnt really been the first thing on my mind. When I began going to the Nightingale, how ever, I found I could hardly re moot to a boarding house of carrying students while wearing a designer dress.So I was now staying at a posh hotel, complete with guys who always held the doors open and a marble-floored lobby. That lobby was so big that I think an entire hostel could have fit in it. by chance two hostels. My room was large and overdone too, and I was grateful to reach it and change out of the heels and dress. I realized with only a weeny pang of regret that Id have to leave the dresses Id bought in Saint Petersburg behind. I wanted to keep my luggage light while jaunting around the country, and even if my backpack was large, there was only so much I could carry. Oh well. Those dresses would make some cleaning womans day, no doubt. The only bit of ornament ation I really needed was my nazar, a pendant that looked like a blue eye. It had been a gift from my mother, which had in turn been a gift from my father. I always wore it around my neck.Our train for Moscow left late in the morning, and we would then catch a cross-country train to Siberia. I wanted to be well rested and fast for it all. Once in my pajamas, I draw close under the beds heavy comforter and hoped sleep would come soon. Instead, my mind spun with all the things that had happened recently. The Sydney situation was a bizarre building but one I could handle. As long as we stuck to public transportation, she could hardly lead me into the clutches of her mysterious superiors. And from what shed said about our travel time, it would then only take a couple of days or so to reach the village. Two days seemed both impossibly long and impossibly short.It meant I could very well be confronting Dimitri in a few days and then what? Could I do it? Could I bring myself to kill hi m? And even if I decided I could, would I actually have the skill to overpower him? The same questions that Id been asking myself for the last two weeks kept plaguing me over and over. Dimitri had taught me everything I knew, and with enhance Strigoi reflexes, he would truly be the god Id always joked he was. Death was a very real possibility for me.But worrying wasnt admirerful indemnify now and, looking over at the clock in the room, I discovered Id been lying awake for almost an hour. That was no good. I needed to be in peak condition. So I did something I knew I shouldnt do, but which always worked to get my mind off my worries-largely because it involved me being in mortal elses mind.Slipping inside Lissas head required only a small amount of concentration on my part. I hadnt known if I could do it when we were faraway apart, but Id discovered the process was no different than if I were standing right beside her.It was late morning back in Montana, and Lissa had no classes today since it was Saturday. During my time away, Id worked very hard to put up mental walls between us, almost exclusively blocking her and her musical noteings out. promptly, inside her, all the barriers were down, and her emotions hit me like a tidal wave. She was pissed off. Really pissed off.Why does she think she can just snap her fingers and get me to go anywhere she wants, anytime she wants? Lissa growled.Because shes the pouffe. And because you made a deal with the devil.Lissa and her boyfriend, Christian, were lounging in the attic of the schools chapel. As soon as I recognized the surroundings, I nearly pulled out of her head. The two of them had had way too many romantic encounters up here, and I didnt want to stick around if clothes were going to be ripped off soon. Fortunately-or perhaps not-her annoyed feelings told me thered be no sex today, not with her notional mood.It was kind of ironic, actually. Their roles were reversed. Lissa was the raging one while Chri stian remained cool and collected, trying to appear calm for her sake. He sat on the floor, leaning up against the wall, while she sat in front of him, his legs apart and his arms holding her. She rested her head on his chest and sighed.For the last few weeks, Ive done everything shes asked ?Vasilisa, please show this stupid visiting august around campus. ?Vasilisa, please jump on a plane for the weekend so that I can introduce you to some boring officials here at Court. ?Vasilisa, please put in some volunteer time with the younger students. It looks good. Despite Lissas frustration, I couldnt help a forgetful amusement. She had Queen Tatianas voice down perfectly.You would have done that last one willingly, Christian pointed out.Yeah the point being willingly. I hate her trying to grade every part of my life lately.Christian leaned over and kissed her cheek. Like I said, you made a deal with the devil. Youre her darling now. She wants to make sure youre making her look good.Liss a scowled. Although Moroi lived inside human- fight countries and were subject to those governments, they were also ruled by a king or queen who came from one of the twelve royal Moroi families. Queen Tatiana-an Ivashkov-was the current ruler, and shed taken a particular interest in Lissa as the last living member of the Dragomir family. As such, Tatiana had cut Lissa a deal. If Lissa lived at Court after graduating from St.Vladimirs, the queen would arrange for her to attend LehighUniversity in Pennsylvania. Lissa was a total brain and thought living in Tatianas household would be worth it to attend a semi-big, esteemed university, as opposed to the tiny ones Moroi usually went to (for safety reasons).As Lissa was finding out, though, the strings attached to that deal were already in place now. And I just sit and take it, Lissa said. I just smile and say ?Yes, your majesty. Anything you want, your majesty.Then tell her the deals off. Youll be eighteen in a couple of months. Royal or not, youre under no obligations. You dont need her to go to a big school. Well just take off, you and me. Go to whatever college you want. Or dont go to college at all. We can run off to Paris or something and work at a little cafe. Or sell bad art on the streets.This actually made Lissa laugh, and she snuggled closer to Christian. Right. I can totally see you having the patience to wait on people. Youd be fired your first day. Looks like the only way well live on is if I go to college and support us.There are other ways to get to college, you know.Yeah, but not to any that are this good, she said wistfully. Not easily, at least. This is the only way. I just wish I could have all this and stand up to her a little. Rose would.Rose would have gotten herself arrested for treason the first time Tatiana asked her to do something.Lissa smiled sadly. Yeah. She would have. The smile turned into a sigh. I miss her so much.Christian kissed her again. I know. This was a familiar conversati on for them, one that neer grew old because Lissas feelings for me never faded.Shes okay, you know. Wherever she is, shes okay.Lissa stared off into the attics darkness. The only light came from a stained-glass window that made the whole place look like a lovelyyland. The post had been recently cleaned out-by Dimitri and me, actually. It had only been a couple of months ago, but already, dust and boxes were accumulating once more. The priest here was a nice guy but kind of a pack rat. Lissa noticed none of this, though. Her thoughts were too focused on me.I hope so. I wish I had some idea-any idea-where she is. I keep thought process that if anything happened to her, if she- Lissa couldnt finish the thought. Well, I keep thinking that Id know somehow. That Id feel it. I mean, I know the bonds one-way thats never changed. But Id have to know if something happened to her, right?I dont know, said Christian. Maybe. Maybe not. Any other guy would have said something overly sweet and comforting, assuring her that yes, yes, of course shed know. But it was part of Christians character to be brutally honest. Lissa liked that about him. So did I. It didnt always make him a pleasant friend, but at least you knew he wasnt bullshitting you.She sighed again. Adrian says shes okay. He visits her dreams. Id deem anything to be able to do that. My healings getting better and better, and Ive got the aura thing down. But no dreams yet.Knowing Lissa missed me hurt almost more than if shed completely written me off. Id never wanted to hurt her. Even when Id resented her for feeling like she was controlling my life, Id never hated her. I loved her like a babe and couldnt stand the thought of her suffering now on my behalf. How had things gotten so screwed up between us?She and Christian continue sit down there in satisfied silence, drawing strength and love from each other. They had what Dimitri and I had had, a sense of such oneness and familiarity that words often werent needed. He ran his fingers through her pig, and while I couldnt see it so well through her own eyes, I could imagine the way that pale hair would gleam in the rainbow light of the stained-glass windows. He tuck several long locks behind her ear and then tipped her head back, bringing his lips down to hers. The kiss started off light and sweet and then belatedly intensified, warmth spreading from his mouth to hers.Uh-oh, I thought. It might be time to take off after all. But she ended it before I had to.Its time, she said regretfully. Weve got to go.The look in Christians crystal-blue eyes said otherwise. Maybe this is the perfect time for you to stand up to the queen. You should just stay here -itd be a groovy way to build character.Lissa lightly elbowed him and then planted a kiss on his forehead before standing up. That is not why you want me to stay, so dont even try to play me.They left the chapel, and Christian mumbled something about wanting to do more than play that earned him another elbow. They were heading toward the administration building, which was in the heart of the upper schools campus. Aside from the first blushes of spring, everything looked like it had when Id left-at least on the outside. The stone buildings remained grand and imposing. The tall, ancient trees continued their watch.Yet, inside the hearts of the staff and students, things had changed. Everyone carried scars from the attack. legion(predicate) of our people had been killed, and while classes were up and running again, everyone still grieved.Lissa and Christian reached their destination the administration building. She didnt know the reason for her summoning, only that Tatiana had wanted her to meet some royal guy who had just arrived at the Academy. Considering how many people Tatiana was always forcing her to meet lately, Lissa didnt think too much of it. She and Christian stepped inside the main office, where they found Headmistress Kirova sitting and chatting with an ol der Moroi and a girl about our age.Ah, Miss Dragomir. There you are.Id gotten in trouble with Kirova a lot while Id been a student, yet seeing her now made me feel kind of nostalgic. Getting suspended for starting a fight in class seemed worlds better than traipsing through Siberia to find Dimitri. Kirova had the same birdlike look shed always had, the same glasses balanced at the end of her nose. The man and girl stood up, and Kirova gestured to them.This is Eugene Lazar and his daughter Avery. Kirova turned back toward Lissa. This is Vasilisa Dragomir and Christian Ozera.A fair bit of sizing up went on then. Lazar was a royal name, but that was no surprise since Tatiana had initiated this meeting. Mr. Lazar gave Lissa a winning smile as he shook her hand. He seemed a bit surprised to meet Christian, but the smile stayed. Of course, that kind of reaction to Christian wasnt so unusual.The two ways to become Strigoi were by choice or by force. A Strigoi could turn another person-hum an, Moroi, or dhampir-by drinking their blood and then feeding Strigoi blood back to them. That was what had happened to Dimitri. The other way to become Strigoi was unique to Moroi -and it was done by choice. Moroi who purposely chose to kill a person by drinking blood would also turn Strigoi. Usually, Moroi only drank small, nonlethal amounts from willing humans. But taking so much that it destroyed anothers life force? Well, that turned Moroi to the dark side, taking away their elemental magic and transforming them into the twisted undead.That was exactly what Christians parents had done. Theyd willingly killed and become Strigoi to gain eternal life. Christian had never shown any desire to become Strigoi, but everyone acted as though he were about to. (Admittedly, his snarky attitude didnt always help.) A lot of his close family-despite being royal-had been unfairly shunned as well. He and I had teamed up to kick a fair amount of Strigoi ass during the attack, though. Word of t hat was getting around and improving his reputation.Kirova was never one to waste time with formalities, so she got straight to the point. Mr. Lazar is going to be the new headmaster here.Lissa had still been smiling at him politely, but her head immediately jerked toward Kirova. What?Im going to be stepping down, explained Kirova, voice flat and emotionless enough to rival any guardians. Though Ill still be serving the school as a teacher.Youre going to teach? Christian asked incredulously.She gave him a dry look. Yes, Mr. Ozera. It was what I originally went to school for. Im sure if I try hard enough, I can remember how to do it.But why? asked Lissa. You do a massive job.It was more or less true. Despite my disputes with Kirova-usually over me breaking rules-I still had a healthy respect for her. Lissa did too.Its something Ive thought about returning to for some time, explained Kirova. Now seemed as good a time as any, and Mr. Lazar is a very capable administrator.Lissa was pre tty good at reading people. I think it was part of spirits side effects, along with how spirit made its users very, very charismatic. Lissa thought Kirova was lying, and so did I. If Id been able to read Christians mind, my guess would have been that he felt the same way. The attack on the Academy had sent a lot of people into a panic, royals in particular, even though the problem that had led to the attack had long since been fixed. I was guessing that Tatianas hand was at work here, forcing Kirova to step down and have a royal take her place, thus making other royals feel better.Lissa didnt let her thoughts show, and she turned back to Mr. Lazar. Well, its very nice to meet you. Im sure youll do a great job. Let me know if theres anything I can do for you. She was playing the proper princess role perfectly. Being polite and sweet was one of her many talents.Actually, said Mr. Lazar, there is. He had a deep, booming voice, the kind that fill up a room. He gestured toward his daugh ter. I was wondering if you could show Avery around and help her find her way here. She graduated last year but will be assisting me in my duties. Im sure shed much rather be spending time with someone her own age, however.Avery smiled, and for the first time, Lissa really paid attention to her. Avery was beautiful. Stunning. Lissa was beautiful too, between that gorgeous hair and the jade green eyes that ran in her family. I thought she was a hundred times prettier than Avery, but beside the older girl, Lissa felt kind of plain. Avery was tall and slim like most Moroi but had a few sexy curves thrown in. That kind of chest, like mine, was coveted among Moroi, and her long brown hair and blue-gray eyes completed the package.I promise not to be too much of a pain, said Avery. And if you want, Ill give you some insiders tips on Court life. I hear youre going to be moving there.Instantly, Lissas defenses went up. She realized what was going on. Not only had Tatiana ousted Kirova, shed sent a keeper for Lissa. A beautiful, perfect companion who could blot on Lissa and attempt to train her up to Tatianas standards. Lissas words were perfectly polite when she spoke, but there was a definite edge of frost in her voice.Thatd be great, she said. Im pretty busy lately, but we can try to make the time.Neither Averys father nor Kirova seemed to notice the back off subtext, but something flashed in Averys eyes that told Lissa the subject had come through.Thanks, said Avery. Unless I was mistaken, there was some legitimate hurt in her face. Im sure well figure something out.Good, good, said Mr. Lazar, totally oblivious to the girl drama. Maybe you can show Avery to guest housing? Shes staying in the east wing.Sure, said Lissa, wishing she could do anything but that.She, Christian, and Avery started to leave, but just then, two guys entered the room. One was a Moroi, a little younger than us, and the other was a dhampir in his twenties-a guardian, from the look of his hard , serious features.Ah, there you are, said Mr. Lazar, beckoning the guys in. He rested his hand on the boys shoulder. This is my son Reed. Hes a junior and will be attending classes here. Hes very excited about it.Actually, Reed looked extremely unexcited. He was pretty much the surliest guy Id ever seen. If I ever needed to play the role of a disgruntled teen, I could have learned everything there was to know about it from Reed Lazar. He had the same good looks and features as Avery, but they were marred by a grimace that seemed permanently attached to his face. Mr. Lazar introduced the others to Reed. Reeds only response was a guttural, Hey.And this is Simon, Averys guardian, continued Mr. Lazar. Of course, while on campus, he doesnt need to be with her all the time. You know how it goes. Still, Im sure youll see him around.I hoped not. He didnt look as completely rough as Reed, but he had a certain dour nature that seemed extreme even among guardians.Suddenly, I kind of felt sor ry for Avery. If this was her only company, Id want to befriend someone like Lissa pretty badly. Lissa, however, made it clear that she wouldnt be part of Tatianas schemes. With little conversation, she and Christian escorted Avery to guest housing and promptly left.Normally, Lissa would have stayed to help Avery get settled and offered to eat with her later. Not this time. Not with ulterior motives afoot.I came back to my own body, back in the hotel. I knew I shouldnt care about Academy life anymore and that I should even feel bad for Avery. Yet lying there and staring into the darkness, I couldnt help but take some smug-and yes, very selfish-satisfaction out of this encounter Lissa wouldnt be shopping for a new best friend anytime soon.