The Great Belikov
By Rachel Glogiewicz
As Eddie Castile was on his way to cousin, Rose's house, he pondered on something his mother told him some years back, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages you've had."
When he finally reached his cousin's large home, he found her husband, Adrian, smoking on the porch. "Long time no see, Castile," Adrian greeted with a smile. He wore a black sit made of some expensive material that looked really good on him; everything looked good on him. He had messy brown hair but it was styled to look messy. The most striking of his features were his eyes. They weren't the green normally seen on peoples' faces, but in the windows of jewelry shops.
Adrian let him inside. On the couch sat two breathtaking beauties. One was a Moroi. It was obvious by her skin tone and figure. Her light hair was cut in a short bob and she wore a blue mini dress that showed off her long legs. The other was a dhampir. She had a darker complexion and more curves. Though short hair was a fashion, her's was long, and it suited her that way. She smiled at my arrival.
"Hello, Rose," Eddie said as they kissed each other on the cheek.
"Eddie this is my friend, Jill," Rose motioned to the Moroi on the couch.
"How do you do," Jill said in greeting.
"Oh, you're just in time for dinner," Rose cried excitedly. She led us to the dining room where Eddie was bombarded with questions.
"So Eddie," Adrian began, "tell us about yourself. Where do you live?"
"I live in West Egg."
"I went to a party in West Egg once," Jill declared. "Fantastic place. You must know Belikov."
"Belikov?" Rose asked.
"Well actually," Eddie went on, "I just moved in. I don't know anyone."
The conversation continued that way until the phone rang. Adrian got up to answer it. Rose looked furious but still managed a smile at Eddie, "Excuse me."
Just the two of them sitting at the table, Eddie started to say something but Jill shushed him.
"What?"
"Adrian's got a girl in the city." Jill said. "She's a fine girl and, oh, please don't think too badly of Adrian. I don't think what he's doing is fair to Rose but she really does make him happy. I just thought she would have enough sense to not call during dinner."
"And Rose knows? And she puts up with it?" Eddie asked in disbelief. "Rose and I haven't had much contact over the years but she didn't seem the type to just sit by. I would think she would kill him for it."
Jill chuckled. "Believe me she doesn't just sit by. But what else could she do?"
"File a divorce?" Eddie provided.
"Oh, no. There was a huge scandal when a dhampir married a Moroi-a royal Moroi. If they got divorced they would have to deal with the press, the gossip, the 'I-told-you-so's. And, uh, even if they did get a divorce, Adrian wouldn't be able to be with his girl."
"Why not?"
Jill glanced around. There was nobody in sight but she beckoned Eddie to lean in closer. "The mistress is a human. An Alchemists." Eddie's eyes widened, and it wasn't easy to surprise him. "Adrian can't be seen with her."
After dinner, said god night and climbed the stairs. "Does she live here?" Eddie asked.
"She splits her time between here and with her mom," Rose explained. "Adrian and Jill are bonded so it's easier that they stay together. Plus, her mom isn't royal so they don't have guardians at her house. She's safer with me around." Rose smiled.
Adrian was watching the spot where she had disappeared with brotherly protectiveness. "She really should have her own guardian though."
Playing match-maker, Rose said, "Eddie will take care of her. Won't you Eddie?"
Eddie smiled.