Chapter One
I was escorting Lissa (even though I was suppose to escort Christian) to go feed when we both first saw her. She was about my height-maybe shorter- and had the undeniable beauty of a Moroi. She had golden brown hair, the signature Moroi paleness- maybe even paler- and had steel blue eyes. I'd never seen her before; she was probably the new student I've heard about from Dimitri. According to Dimitri, however, she was a guy. I guess even the strictest instructors make, well, obvious mistakes.
"Hey! You must be Roxanne Bridges," Lissa said as she tugged my arm over to the girl.
"Yes, I am. Do I know you? I don't think I've ever met you." Confusion flickered in Roxanne's eyes.
"No… I just heard about you from someone." Suddenly, Lissa blushed pink. I rolled my eyes. Last night, Lissa and Christian were randomly chatting during…their usual thing…and the topic of Roxanne's new arrival had come up. Christian had mentioned that she was also a guy. The almost repulsive images of their lovey-dovey moments flashed into my head. Stupid, damn bond.
"I'm Vasilisa- you can call me Lissa. This is my best friend, Rose," Lissa said as she held out her hand.
Roxanne stared at Lissa and then at me and hesitated, but took her hand.
"Well, I hope we'll see each other later." I could feel Lissa's hunger rumbling in her throat.
"Yeah. See you around." Roxanne turned around and walked away.
I turned away as Lissa had her daily fill. This time her feeder was a girl who looked a bit older than us. I imagined the girl's eyes closing as the endorphins rushed through her. I could still remember the pleasant feeling a vampire's bite was. After Lissa had finished, I walked with her to class and met up with Christian. Oh, joy. Another day to be spent on Christian.
Today in Christian's culinary science class, they had to make rose hip jam, something I've never even heard of before. Since when did human beings make jam out of flowers? At least normal human beings, as far as I'm concerned, didn't. I guess I can probably get something out of this class after all. Christian seemed to have read my mind.
"Rose, rose hip jam is made from rose hips, not the rose flower." Christian said as he focused in on boiling the pot of water.
"No shit, Sherlock. I didn't think roses could show off their beauty better than the red, but no… the hips as well," I said and smiled at my little pun.
Christian measured the rose hips in a large measuring cup. "I think four quarts will do." I glanced curiously at the little rose hip. They looked like small red head-of-a-rod thingies. I couldn't see a way for them to be turned into jam unless someone used their fists or something. My own fist twitched at its call.
"So, have you seen the new girl?"
Christian dumped the four quarts of rose hips into the boiling water. "No, but I've heard about her. Why?"
"Nothing in particular. Just curious."
"You're always curious, Rose."
After my training with Dimitri, I spotted Adrian by a tree. He was smoking his clove cigarettes, again, and staring into space. I walked up to him and lightly punched him in the ribs.
"Rose." Adrian seemed startled and gave me one of his rare surprised moments.
"What's up? You seem spooked. Like I'm a ghost or something."
"No way! You'll always be my little dhampir." Adrian's usualness came upon his face.
I raised an eyebrow. "Your little dhampir?"
Adrian looked surprised again. Twice in a day- that's a new record. This time I kind of understood why he was surprised. He and I were both pretty much used to his use of words that indicated that I was his. Today I felt strangely refreshed, like I've just had a full-body message and a full-blast steam treatment at the spa; I couldn't help but to be a bit more sensitive than usual about Adrian's word choice.
"You know what I mean." Adrian regained his confidence and flashed a wide smile, exposing his fang.
"How long do you plan to stay here?"
Adrian paused and looked thoughtful. "As long as you stay."
I sighed. "Adrian, you're hot. There's no doubt about that, but-"
"Rosemarie Hathaway just said what?" Adrian's eyes were wide and shone with pride.
I almost threw up my arms in exasperation. "Look, Adrian, you shouldn't waste such flattery on me. I don't deserve it. Besides, you can probably get any girl out there with your looks and money and status, for crying out loud. And besides, the queen's going to have my head one of these days if she finds out you like me."
Adrian looked genuinely hurt. "You think I'm flattering you?
"Well-" I bit my lip. I didn't realize how serious he took my words. "I don't know. You seem so-" I heard someone clear their throat quietly and realized just how close Adrian and I were standing.
"Rose, I need you to come with me! We need some girl time." Lissa's voice was saturated with excitement.
"Now?" I can't believe what perfect timing this was. I needed a break from Adrian to think.
"I'll catch you later, Rose," Adrian said. He gave a slight smile, probably still hurt by my insensitive words.
Wow, I can really be a mean bitch sometimes.
I got to admit: vampires sure know how to pamper themselves. Lissa got permission from Kirova to go out tonight with me. There was one catch- not necessarily a bad catch- we had to bring Dimitri along. According to Lissa, Dimitri was just there for precautious protection, but we are going to feel like we're alone with all the shopping and girl stuff we've got to do.
When we got there, Lissa wanted to shop at some fancy jewelry store.
"What do you plan to get there?" I asked curiously.
"We are getting the good old-fashion friendship bracelets," Lissa answered with a bright smile.
"Lissa, as much as I appreciate your many gifts to me, I'm probably going to lose the bracelet after just one training session."
"That's okay. You don't have to wear it during your training. I just want you to have it."
I sighed. Man, it really pays off being a royal princess doesn't it? Especially since the queen is particularly found of you.
"How do you like these?" Lissa held up a pair of gold charm bracelets. The glare from the reflective gold blinded me from a second.
"They're cool. I like the gold- it's kind of like your hair."
Lissa reflexively touched her hair.
"You know, its color does kind of look like her hair." The voice hadn't come from Dimitri.
Lissa and I whipped our heads around. Adrian came towards us.
"Adrian, what the hell are you doing here?" I was surprised by my own worried feelings that came out as almost a growl and immediately regretted it; Adrian looked a bit faltered.
"What's with the tone of hostility?" Adrian asked sincerely.
"I don't think she was trying to hostile. I think she was just really concerned about the fact that you're here in a public place," Dimitri answered for me. His voice sounded slightly grim.
"What's wrong with me being in a public place?" Adrian asked innocently.
"Do you could've been hurt by a Strigoi!" Dimitri and I said in unison.
Adrian looked stunned. "If I'm not wanted here… then I guess I'll just-"
"Are you crazy? Do you really want a Strigoi to get you? Since you're here, you'll just come with us." I grabbed his arm and pulled him along. I could just imagine Adrian's lips curving up into an amused and smartassy smile; his reverse psychology had worked.
Lissa bought the two bracelets and the small gold chain now dangled on my left wrist. The words, Please Return to Tiffany & Co., had been engraved on one side of the heart charm. The other side said, Best, which would mean that Lissa got the Friends bracelet. Leave it to Lissa to go buy expensive things. Next, we went into a small vintage dress boutique, where Lissa wanted to buy a few sundresses. As we entered the store, I couldn't help but to notice that the clerk behind the counter was staring at Lissa as if she was the main course of a five-star meal. Strigoi was the first thing I thought, but as I took a closer look at his eyes, I noticed that they were hazel, not the crimson red Strigoi had. Lissa seemed to have sensed my relief.
"Is something the matter?"
"No," I answered briskly. I walked to where Dimitri was. "Is it possible for the redness of a Strigoi's eyes to change when a Strigoi is wearing contacts?
Dimitri looked up from the floral sash he was examining. "I suppose… why?"
"The guy behind the counter," I whispered.
"We'll keep our eyes open, then." Dimitri whispered back calmly. "Stand close to Lissa. I'll watch Adrian."
Was there a double meaning behind him watching Adrian?
I shrugged it off and walked over to Lissa, who was holding up two dresses and comparing them.
"Oh, Rose. I can't figure out which one I should get. I really like them both." Lissa looked at me with pleading eyes, waiting for my deciding call.
I looked at the first one- it was a classic jade green chiffon sundress with ruffles that flared out the bottom and a periwinkle blue rosette at the waist. The second one was a fairytail-ish white dress with a pink satin ribbon tied at the waist with a bow at the back. I stared. Both seemed very Lissa; the green dress would play up her green eyes and the white dress would play up her sweet personality. I mentally weighed the options.
"If you like both of them so much, why not just buy both of them?" I said it because it was true. Both would look amazing on her slim body.
"You're right! I will get both of them. I do have extra money…. What are you getting?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm getting a dress." I didn't have any money and didn't want to worry her with the Stigoi possibility.
Suddenly Lissa held up a dress. "Rose. This. Will. Look. Absolutely. Beautiful. On. You!" Lissa pronounced each word separately. "Go on! Try it on! I'm so getting you this."
I opened my mouth to protest, but Lissa, using all of her Moroi strength she could muster pushed me into one of the dressing stalls and yanked the curtain closed. All this meant for me was that I had to change-fast. The dress she handed me was a pale rose color with really girly ruffled straps. I've really had enough of rose for the day. Oh well, if this makes Lissa happy, then what the hell. Just as I was about to zip up the side of the dress, I heard Lissa's scream and dashed out.
I spotted Lissa right away. She was trapped in a corner by a very pale tall guy- a Strigoi by the looks of it. I launched myself onto the guy. I tackled him into the wall, where some glass vases were on display. The glass shattered when the guy hit the wall hard and a piece flew at my arm and gave it a nasty cut. That was going to sting later. My hand flew at my pockets, searching for my silver stake.
"Shit!" I left it inside the clothes I came here in. There wasn't time to retrieve it. I guess the only way now is to beat the Strigoi unconscious. I raised my fist and bashed the Strigoi's head into the wall, creating a large dent. The Strigoi suddenly shoved me off and sent me flying into a rake of dresses. I felt something warm and wet at the back of my head. Usually not a good sign. The Strigoi was flying at me with a headlong charge. The guy sure knows how to usefully use his head, doesn't he? He must be a young, inexperienced Strigoi to have such an open, straightforward attack like that. I quickly dodged out of his way, cursing at myself for not having my stake with me; I could've split the guys head open if I had one when he ran head first at me. Too bad. The Strigoi quickly recovered and lunged at me again. I evaded his strike and send a strong kick to his gut, followed by a pound on the head. Once, twice, a third time I struck the Strigoi's head. Damn, the guy wasn't losing his conscious.
"Rose!" Dimitri's voice. "Catch!"
A shiny stake flew at me. I caught it neatly and spun around to face my Strigoi. He was writhing in pain from his head blows. I gave him another good kick in the ribs and straddled him, pinning him on the floor. I grasped the stake with all my might and aimed it at the Strigoi's heart. Just as I was going to bring down the stake at the heavily battered Strigoi, with my peripheral vision, I saw a third Strigoi came in at Lissa. My heart sank- there's no possible way for me to reach Lissa. Suddenly, the third Strigoi collapsed. Behind the collapsed Strigoi, I saw Roxanne.
What was she doing here? Did she do that to the Strigoi? Wait a second, since when did Moroi get the ability to telepathically kill someone? I halted. Spirit, of course, stupid. Could spirit actually kill someone? Lissa's never told me about this before.
"Thanks, Roxanne," Lissa said gratefully.
Roxanne nodded at Lissa and began to walk away.
"Wait!" I caught her shoulder. "What are you doing here?"
Roxanne stared at me. "I'm like you. Here to shop and stuff."
"Don't you know you can't be in public places like this without at least one guardian?" I almost shouted in disbelief. Did anyone know the rules?
Roxanne flinched.
I am being really harsh today, aren't I?
"I'm sorry. I-I-I didn't know that…." Her words faded away.
"Just remember to not do this next time, okay?" I tried my best to give her a sympathetic look. "Since you're here, why don't you come with us?"
Roxanne's eyes suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree. "I'd love to!"
I wanted to ask how she killed that Stigoi. I wanted to ask her if she used spirit.
It looks like Dimitri finished of two other Strigoi without getting a single scratch. Adrian didn't seem to be injured either.
"Guys, this is Roxanne. She's new to St. Vlad's."
Dimitri held out his hand. Roxanne didn't hesitate this time to shake.
"Roxanne, this is Dimitri and Adrian."
Suddenly, Roxanne tackled Adrian. Or rather, she hugged him really tight. Adrian's expression looked so funny, I almost giggled. When Roxanne finally let him go, she beamed at him.
"You must be Adrian Ivashkov! The queen's told me much about you!"
Did she bump her head or something? She was all quiet a second again, but now she's all ecstatic over Adrian.
"How do you know my great-aunt?" Adrian still looked staggered. I guess he doesn't appreciate every girl's company.
"She's a family friend."
"What family are you from?" Adrian's voice sounded authorized.
"The Bridges family."
Adrian looked confused. I guess he thought that she was from a royal family.
"My grandmother was an old colleague of your great-aunt."
"Oh." Adrian seemed to be pondering.
"Is everyone okay?" Dimitri asked.
"Yeah, I think so," Lissa answered.
"We should probably get back, now, and report this to the other guardians." Dimitri dumped the last of the glass shards into the trash.
Just as I was getting up to go get my clothes from the fitting room stall, Adrian took one long look of approval and chuckled at me.
"Nice view, Rose." Now he was laughing.
I just realized that my dress was half-zipped. I glowered and scowled at him.
When we got back to St. Vladimir, dinner had already passed. Lissa already had her daily feed and I didn't feel so hungry so I skipped dinner and headed towards Christian's room. Surprisingly, Christian was already asleep. I decided not to wake him up this time. Too late.
"Rose, will you explain where you and Lissa have been the past four five hours?" Christian sat up and glared at me as if I stole Lissa away from him or something.
"Lissa, Dimitri, and I went shopping, that's all."
Christian seemed to be less tense. "Why wasn't I invited?"
"Lissa wanted girl time," I answered innocently.
"Oh." Christian looked away.
I hope I didn't just give Christian the wrong idea.
Christian shrank back under his blankets and mumbled his goodnight. I mumbled back mine.
The next morning, as I was escorting Christian to his culinary science class, I caught a glimpse of Adrian and Roxanne talking. They were sitting in a rather intimate position. Seriously, get a room. Then, I flinched at my own thoughts. This didn't happen everyday. Christian seemed to have noticed too.
"What's got you scared, Rose?" Christian smirked at me.
"I'm not scared!" I snapped back.
"Okay, no need for harsh words."
I mentally kicked myself for being so worked up over Adrian and his flirtatious personality. Did he and Roxanne get together after Roxanne's bold action? Oh, who the hell gives a shit?
"Hey, are Ivashkov and Bridges hooking up?"
"Christian, shut up."
"Hey, just asking."
"Don't bother to ask, then." I glared at him.
Christian looked confused for a second, but then something occurred over him. "Is this jealousy I sense coming out of you, Rose?"
"Is it, Rose?"
I turned my head around. That was Adrian. He came over with Roxanne while I was restraining myself from yelling at Christian.
"Is what?" Better to pretend that I didn't have any idea what the hell he was talking about than to answer.
"Is it jealousy, Rose?" Adrian asked softly.
"Well, I think I'll leave you lovebirds alone."
Christian, you sick bastard. Just as he was about to make a run for it, I grabbed his arm and dragged him towards his class. Screw you to hell, Christian.
"Christian, what the hell was that?" He really knows how to piss me off.
"What do you mean?"
Oh, so now he's playing innocent? Two can play at that game.
"You know what I mean." I shook out my hair to hide my reddening face.
"Oh, you mean the 'lovebirds' part." Christian smirked wickedly at me.
Go shrivel up and die, Christian. Even though I feel slightly embarrassed, I wasn't about to let Christian know.
"Adrian and I aren't in love with each other, got it?"
Christian chuckled. "You guys are so obviously in love its actually funny seeing how you deny it."
My eyes shot sparks at him. "That's bullshit."
"That's bulltruth."
I turned around and faced him straight on. "What gave you this unimaginable idea? Sure it's obvious that Adrian's into me, but he's only like that because he wants to get me to sleep with him. That part is so obvious, it's almost repulsive." I screwed my face up in disgust.
Christian gave me an amused look.
Oops. I said too much. Apparently, by the look on Christian's face, he was stupid enough to not figure the part about Adrian wanting to sleep with me out.
"How could you not notice that? He's not really the type of guy that's serious."
"Rose, actually I think Adrian really does like you. Not in the way you think."
I frowned. "Did Lissa tell you about this?"
Christian shrugged. "It might've slip out of her."
In that case, I guess I can't really do anything, could I? Lissa wouldn't sabotage me on purpose like this. No, she would never sabotage me.
I swallowed my pride and asked, "What exactly did Lissa say?
Christian smiled complacently. I glared back.
"She said something about you not noticing Adrian's affection towards you."
I blinked. "Did she say how she knows…?"
Christian paused and thought about it. "No, she didn't, but you can kind of tell."
"How?" I know how clueless I sound, but Christian just couldn't get to the point, could he?
"Rose, why don't you ask him yourself?" There was no irritation in Christian's eyes- it was more like brotherly concern.
"That doesn't seem like a bad idea."
Christian and I were late to class. After the old hag (the teacher who I refuse to refer to with her proper name) gave us a stern lecture about being on class on time and blah blah blah, I noticed that Roxanne had joined this class. She seemed to be really into learning how to make strawberry meringues, the dish of the day.
"Rose, as punishment for not making sure Christian was in class on time, you'll make each class' dish everyday for a week, starting with today's strawberry meringues."
I stared in disbelief at the wrinkled devil standing in front of me. Christian elbowed me to keep my mouth shut; he knew me too well. As soon as the bitch walked away, I stuck my tongue out at her, despite feeling like a first grader. Christian bit back a laugh.
After class, I successfully made my first meringues without any explosions or fire and other potential cooking disasters. Inside my little sac with the rose ribbon (complements of Christian), were my perfectly made pinkish meringues dotted with specks of strawberry. Even though I was supposed to make them by myself as punishment, I didn't plan to listen to the old bitch. I made the batter and Christian shaped the meringues with a fancy meringue-shaper tool. The results were, as I said, perfectly shaped meringues with the curl at the top. Unfortunately, I didn't exactly like meringues- they were too sweet for me. I decided to take them to Adrian since I needed a casual reason for going to his dorm and asking him about what Christian said. I knocked against the elaborate French door. Adrian answered the door after my second knock.
"Hey, Rose. Come in."
I frowned. "No 'little dhampir' today?"
"Do you prefer it?" Adrian leaned towards me.
I caught a whiff of his scent. He was wearing some kind of cologne- slightly spicy and fresh. His eyes were gorgeously green as usual, his hair was damp and tousled and he was wearing an unbuttoned white button down with jeans. I gotta admit Adrian did look sexy. Having caught off guard, I just shrugged.
"Little dhampir it is, then." Adrian smiled at me.
I looked around the dorm. As usual, bottles of alcohol- both empty and unopened- were scattered across the room. No smell of clove cigarettes today, though. I never noticed this because of the scent of his cigarettes, but his room actually seemed really nice.
"Is that for me?"
"Yeah… I don't really like meringues. And Christian wouldn't let me throw these away."
Adrian broke into a dazzling smile, exposing his fangs. "Meringues are my favorite. They have a certain sweetness to them. I love the way they kind of melt in your mouth when you take a bite into one. Just like the way my heart does for you." Adrian's eyes grew soft and his voice had traces of desire and sweetness.
I blushed pink.
Adrian came over and sat next to me on the leather loveseat. The loveseat. Could this situation get anymore cliché?
"I have a question."
"What is it?" Adrian looked earnest.
I made a promise to myself that I'd say this straightforwardly. "What's the reason for you being so… affectionate towards me?
Adrian seemed calm.
Good. I didn't offend him like the last time.
"That's because I love you, Rose."
My heart pounded in my chest.
"I thought you were… nice to me because you were… well…." I bit my lip. This was going to be harder than I'd thought.
Adrian still looked sincere and willing to listen. Then, he held my hand in his own. "You thought I just wanted to sleep with you. I did and I still do, but Rose, I really do love you.
