"Cut the crap Belikov." I hissed, gaining a surprised reaction from Dimitri which was soon covered with his guardian mask. "Why don't you just take care of Tasha since you're going to be her guardian and all…"
"Where did you hear that?"
"I have my sources." I said, saying I'd heard it from my mom sounded childish and less intimidating. "I mean, it's not that you haven't decided, right? It sounds like a hell of a good deal, seeing as she's going to give you fringe benefits. Just like you've always wanted. A family. It's like a package deal! You would be an idiot for not taking it…" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
He gave me a cold look. "What happens between her and me is none of your business," he replied crisply. His choice of words stung and for a moment, I froze. Between her and me? It sounded like he and Tasha were a done deal. I was hurt, and like always, my temper and attitude took over my whole being.
"Well, I'm sure you guys will be happy together. You guys are just oh so perfect for each other." I hissed, sarcasm coating every word. "Oh and she's just your type too! I know how much you like women who aren't your own age." I know it was a low blow but I was too hurt to realise what I was saying. "I mean she's what, six years older than you? Seven? Wow, I'm seven years younger than you."
"Yes. You are. And every second this conversation goes on, only proves how young you really are." Wow. That hurt. I don't think my mother punching my had hurt badly as what he said. My face must have shown my pain because for a second, I saw regret in his eyes, like he just realised just how harsh his words have been. But the moment passed, and just like that his guardian mask was still on.
"You know what-"
"Little dhampir," a voice suddenly said nearby. Only one person - one Moroi - calls me that. Must mean only one thing. Adrian.
I turned around to find Adrian grinning at me and giving a brief nod of acknowledgment to Dimitri. Shit, how much did Adrian hear? He held up his hands in a casual gesture. "I didn't mean to interrupt or anything. Just wanted to talk to you when you have time."
I wanted to tell Adrian to go away and that I didn't have time or any intention to play whatever sick game he was into now, but I was still hurt and frozen with what Dimitri had said. I looked at Dimitri who was looking at Adrian in a disapproving way. I guess he, like everyone else in this damn hotel, had heard about Adrian's bad reputation. Great. I suddenly wanted him to be jealous and to show him that I didn't need him and that I wasn't that little girl who needed him to mentor and look after her every minute of the day. I wanted to hurt him just as much as he'd hurt me.
I unearthed my man-eating smile, one I hadn't used to full effect since I had my eyes on a Russian God. I walked over to Adrian and put a hand on his arm, tracing a line along his arm. "Sure Ivashkov, I've got time." I gave a nod of my own to Dimitri and grabbed Adrian to steer him away, walking close to him. "See you later, Guardian Belikov." Dimitri's dark eyes followed us stonily and with that he walked away, my legs restricting themselves from kicking him from behind.
"Not into older guys, huh?"
"Clearly, my stunning beauty has clouded your mind, making you imagine things."
He laughed that nice and melodious laugh of his. "That's, without a doubt, possible. So, get Vasilisa and come with me. We are going to have some fun. You'll probably want a swimsuit too." I looked curiously at him and watch a sly grin sneak its way onto his face, "unless you want to naked. Which is, believe me, no problem at all."
"Really? A bunch of Moroi and dhampirs got killed and you want to go swimming and have fun?
"Killed? What are you talking about?" Shit, I don't think he's supposed to know about that. "Never mind, I don't want to know. It's not just swimming, come on. When was the last time Rose Hathaway let of some steam and just had fun?" I guess he was right…
"Fine, but if you want Lissa then we're going the wrong way. And you do know with inviting me and Lissa, you're practically inviting Christian, Mason and Eddie too?" He just shrugged and put his arm around me.
"I don't care who you bring as long as you come." He whispered into my ear, making goosebumps appear on my skin. "I give you goosebumps." Adrian observed amused, with a proud grin on his face.
"Now I know you're just imagining things. I'm having goosebumps because it's cold."
"Then let me warm you up." With that, Adrian wrapped me with his coat and put an arm around me, bringing me close to him and making me feel his warmth. Strange. Isn't he supposed to be the one who was always cold and me warm? Adrian and I went to my room that I shared with Lissa and I told Lissa everything. Adrian told me that he'll meet us there and finally went away.
"Adrian Ivashkov? Really? Rose I told you-"
"Yeah, yeah. Bad reputation. Bla bla bla. Lissa, we're just friends. He just invited us to swim."
"There's no just friends with Adrian."
"Well I'm different. Then again, haven't I always been different?"
We put on our bikinis on, and put on clothes on top of them, called the boys and decided to meet up with them there.
"So exactly what are doing?" Eddie asked, already having his swim trunks and a shirt on along with the other guys.
"I don't know Eddie, what do you usually do when you have swim trunks on?" I asked, irritated by his stupid question, probably because of Lissa's darkness.
"Let me rephrase that, why are we swimming?"
"Adrian invited us."
"Adrian Ivashkov?" I see Mason's jaw clench just from the corner of my eye and I give him a small smile while I see Lissa nod at Mason.
"Okay, let's go."
We were in a special spa area of the resort, one used only for the most elite Moroi. I don't think there any Dhampirs aside from us and some guardians on duty. Oh and some bloodwhores as well. Great. There were a bunch of royals who I assumed were Adrian's' friends. There were about forty others, all his age or older and bore the marks of wealth and elitism. The spa consisted of a series of hot mineral pools, next to racks of towels that lined the walls and tables full of exotic food. Steam filled the room, a faint metallic smell hung in the air, probably of blood and the sound of partygoers laughing and splashing echoed around us. We finally found a large pool at the end of the room, or should I say cave. It was empty and so there was plenty of room for everyone. I put a foot into the water, checking the temperature to find it warm. Lissa and I stripped out of my clothes, leaving us in our bikinis. I saw the boys gaping and Christian's hungry eyes taking in Lissa's appearance. Lissa giggled and kissed his cheek before stepping into the pool. I saw Mason and Eddie who had their eyes stuck on my body, I was pretty curvy, if I do say so myself. And I acquired muscles to tone my body because of the hard training Dimitri had me doing. I was wearing a maroon bikini, while Lissa was wearing a black bikini which contrasted with her pale white Moroi skin. I gave them my man-eating smile and inched my foot back in, followed by the rest of my body. They were soon out of their daze and followed Christian, Lissa and I into the pool.
"I thought you weren't close with Adrian." Mason said, disapproval hang in in his voice. I laughed at the thought of being 'close' to Adrian. The only thing that he wants with me is to have our bodies close against each other.
"I'm not."
"You must know him a little. He did invite you, and us, to the party."
"Does it matter? Look around Mase, do you see him with us now? If we were close, why would he be there with those girls?" They all soon followed my gaze that stopped at Adrian. He stood on the other side of the room with a group of girls who had bikinis much more smaller than mine. Much more smaller, as in practically nonexistent.
"So, Rose…" Mason started off, bringing me back to reality? I hummed an answer and saw the others talking about something else. "What did you and your mom talk about yesterday?"
"Training. My eye. The usual." I said, being as discrete as possible. I didn't like talking about my relationship with my mother, which was another thing that was nonexistent. Why bother pretending? Mason gave me an understanding nod and we tuned into the discussion the other's were having.
"My aunt and Dimitri. Eddie thinks they're sleeping together." Ouch. That hurt. I was not ready to hear that.
"And I said that he's being delusional. Guardian Belikov probably has guardian duties to attend to every night."
"Wouldn't stop them from doing anything." I winced, some part of me knew that this was a big possibility but I just hoped it wasn't true.
"Ten bucks say they're fucking." Eddie says.
"Dude! She's still my aunt!" Christian says, his face showing pure disgust. I hear Eddie and Mason chuckle as I see a waitress come with a tray of pink drinks. I had a strong suspicion that they were alcoholic drink. I didn't know what it was, as most of my alcoholic experiences only involved cheap beer. But I was having a rough night and hearing about the huge probability that Dimitri was already sleeping with Tasha definitely made it worse. I took a sip, cautiously at first but then I just drank the whole thing. I'm not a guardian yet, I don't have to be alert all the time. Besides if anything goes wrong, Mason and Eddie would be here and sober. I could just let loose and get drunk this one time. The drink turned out to taste like punch and wasn't strong enough for me. I asked her for something stronger and she obliged. I saw Lissa shoot a disapproving look and I knew she was feeling worried through the bond but I ignored her. Just tonight Liss. I need to let off some stress. If you knew you would let me off this once. Another waitress soon appeared with a tray of food. I eyed it and recognised almost nothing. I reached for one and before I took a bite, I showed it to Lissa and Christian hesitantly to find out what it is.
"It's foie gras." There was a sly smile on his face that was begging for me to punch.
"What in God's name is that?" I asked, tired of the fancy names used for simple things.
"Take a chance Hathaway! Find out yourself." I was about to take a bite when Lissa sighs in exasperation.
"It's goose liver." I jerked my hand back and the waitress tried to stifle a laugh, and handed me a bottle of vodka.
"Ugh, I hate rich people food." I said, chugging the vodka down my throat. I honestly didn't care how much it would cost, I could probably just tell them to charge it under Adrian's name. Hey, with what he's drinking, he wouldn't even know. I felt the vodka burn down my throat as I coughed. It didn't taste good but it sure did it's job. It made me numb, making the pain go away.
"Slow down Rose." Mason shouted, taking the bottle from my reach. I growled and pushed him down the water and grabbed the bottle back.
"Go away Ashford." I growled lowly, warning him of messing with me. Concern took over Lissa's face, Rose are you okay? She thought through the bond. I forced a smile and nodded softly. I know for whatever reason you're doing this that it's heavy on you but please make good decisions. I don't wanna see you get hurt. I see Mason and Eddie looking at me and sighing.
"Fine, if you don't stop then share." Eddie said, grabbing the bottle and taking a swig from it. Mason looked at him, obviously shocked and smacked him from behind his head. "Dude, just because you're responsible enough not to drink and to look after us, doesn't mean I have to be." After a couple of more swigs, the bottle was empty so I went to the bar to get another one and hit someone and fell, thankfully into someone's arms.
"Watch where you're going." I slurred.
"Roza. What is the meaning of this? Are you drunk?" I hear a thick Russian accent say.
"Guardian Belikov! Join in the party! I'm just drinking away my feelings since you broke my heart! Congratulations! You can go fuck with Tasha all you want and not have to be discrete about it because I know! I know all about it! Now, if you'll excuse me I have a date with a bottle of vodka." I slurred, making my way up to the bar. I ordered another bottle and went back, to find Eddie laughing out loud to something Mason said.
"Mase, you're truly the funniest guy I know, did you know that? I don't understand why Rose," Eddie slurs looking back at me and throwing an arm around my shoulders and pulling me towards him. "doesn't want to go out with you! I mean you're practically in love with her for how many years? 3? Jesus, if I were you I would just ditch her and look for someone else. Even if Rose looks like a fucking goddess. No offence." Eddie confesses, a stupid grin plastered onto his face. Mason? In love with me? Yeah right. I know he has some school boy crush on me but I'm pretty sure he doesn't love me. Eddie's out of his mind. Probably drunk off his ass.
"You're absolutely crazy, you know that?" Mason said to Eddie, confirming my thoughts. No way was he in love with me. Eddie just shrugs and throws an arm around me, making me snuggle into him more.
"Little dhampir! Seems like your friend Mia was right. You do have a lot of 'boy friends'!" I hear Adrian say suggestively. Is he saying I'm some kind of slut?
"Mia is not my friend, and kinda ironic for you to say that, since you were all over those girls with nonexistent bikinis back there." I said, probably a bit too loud.
"Jealous much?"
"In your dreams Ivashkov, why would I be jealous over you when I have Eddie over here?" I say, tracing my finger under Eddie's jaw which earns a silly smile and a purr? Hell, I didn't even know if it was that or if I was just imagining things.
"I'm surprised to see you okay with this Ashford." Adrian says to Mason before joining us.
"Oh yeah Adrian, sure. You're very welcomed to join us." I say in a sarcastic tone, to which Adrian chuckles.
"Feisty. I like you little dhampir. A lot. The feisty ones are usually the best in bed." He says, waggling his eyebrows shooting me a grin. I hear Eddie and Mason growl, warning him not to do anything stupid and Christian and Lissa scoffing in disgust. Eddie brought me closer to him and put me on his lap protectively. "Come on, little dhampir. I want to meet someone." He said, getting out of the pool and extending a hand towards me.
"And why the hell would I go with you?"
"Because this might influence your future." He said mysteriously, furthering his hand towards my reach. I debated over myself in my hand and felt Eddie's warm breath on my neck.
"Don't listen to him. Stay with us. He's nothing but trouble." Eddie half-whispers and kisses my cheek. Hey, we're drunk. Don't judge. I turned to face him and kiss him on the nose and giggle.
"I'm a big girl. I can defend myself, even when I'm drunk." I slur, getting off his lap and taking Adrian's hand. I felt a jolt of electricity when I touched Adrian so I took my hand from him a followed him.
"So, who am I meeting?" I asked curiously, I hated being kept in the dark like Dimitri so often did with me.
"No one."
"What? What do you mean no one? You said…"
"I was joking? How else would I get you to come with me willingly?" I groaned and felt his hand tug on mine, pulling me into a room, secluded from everyone else. "So, what's the deal between you and big old Russian man?" Fuck. Okay, keep your cool.
"Nothing? What do you-?"
"Save it, I know you guys had - or have a thing. If you tell me then I won't ask or repeat this conversation to anyone else." Adrian said, taking a seat on the bed in the room. Shit. I have to come clean.
I took a seat on the foot of the bed, next to him, leaving a gap between us. I told him all about Victor's lust charm and me and Dimitri.
"I'm not sure if we have - or had a thing. Yeah, we kissed and all but it's like a game. One time he's hot then the next he's cold. He never makes up his mind. It's just frustrating you know? And now I hear he's going to get reassigned to some other Moroi who's his close friends. And they're going to be friends with benefits." I explained with a sigh, I felt a tug in my heart and my chest tightened. I was holding back tears but with a soft sigh, they were escaped. Adrian looked at me with pity and, surprisingly, hugged me.
"Hey, it's okay little dhampir. He's stupid for not looking at what's in front of him. But hey, I feel bad for you and all but that just gives me a bigger opportunity with you." He whispers alluringly into my ear, causing me to shiver.
"Oh hell no, Ivashkov. I will shove my foot up your ass if you try to take advantage of me." I say sternly, pulling myself back from his embrace.
"Never even thought of it." Adrian says with a cheeky grin. I groaned and punched his shoulder playfully.
"All jokes aside, I meant what I said. He's stupid for letting you go. I would never give up on you like that, I would fight for you and show you how much you mean to me. I mean, why would he let someone as feisty and sexy as you go? Feisty, sexy and damn beautiful…"
AN: Okay, so I'm not sure if you guys want me to continue or not so I'm kind of confused and self-conscious of this story, in a way. So review for another chapter! I'll be waiting for at least 5 reviews before updating! Adrian will be waiting!
