Here is the next chapter . I am so , so sorry for not updating the story sooner , but high school is taking its toll on me and I am being bombarded with homework and assignments . But I made the chapter longer this time to try to compensate my late update . Hope you like it . Enjoy ! :D :D . .
Tasha Ozera .
She was standing near the door , smiling at me with some kind of an amused look on her face . And before I could move , she began walking towards me .
" Close your mouth Dimka . Didn't you know that it's rude ?" she said mockingly .
" Tasha , I didn't know you were coming ." Well , I agree it was a very stupid thing to say , considering the fact that she had probably figured it out by taking a look at my dumbfounded expression , but that didn't stop me from saying it though .
" I'm glad to know that my surprise visit has served its purpose ." she added with some more of her sarcasm .
My mind must really have been numb from what had happened earlier this morning , because I didn't even attempt to make any form of conversation with her . I just wanted to be left alone to brood over my misfortunes . But apparently , Tasha was not letting me go that easily .
Tasha Ozera had always been one of my close friends , closest perhaps . She was nice and I could always be free around her .
I mean , I used to be free around her , until she made it quite clear that her feelings towards me were far from platonic , which was the exact opposite of what I felt . She had made me an offer to become her guardian and also have a relationship with her . She had also made it quite clear that she wanted to have children with me later on in life .
For a male dhampir , this was a very lucrative offer . But being me , I had refused . How could I leave a part of my soul behind and try to love another woman ? The part of my soul , who would happily give up her life for those she loved . The part of my soul named Rose Hathaway .
I had never really considered accepting it , but I had thought that maybe it would be better for Rose's future if she was not involved with me . Even Rose , being as self –less as she was , had told me to go , because she thought that would be good for me . But I just couldn't bring myself to do it . I had barely seen Tasha after my rejection of her proposal and I definitely did not want to see her now of all times .
With that I came back to reality , only to realise that Tasha was standing right in front to me , much closer than I would have liked . Who knows , maybe she still harboured feelings for me . But I certainly did not want to find out .
" You have changed Dimka . You look so … different ." she said while trying to reach for my face . Sensing her movement , I quickly moved away and out of her reach . I did not want her to touch me , dreading that I would be reminded of the way Rose's skin felt heated against mine . How her lips ….. Damn it Dimitri , snap out of it already . I chastised myself in my own mind .
I turned to look at Tasha who looked a little sad about the fact that I had not been keen on her coming near me , but I couldn't care less . My mind was dangerously close to wandering towards Rose again . I desperately needed to distract myself now .
" How did you find me here anyways ?" I asked her , attempting to make feeble conversation as a means to take my mind off a certain someone .
" Well , I asked some guardians around here and they told me that they had seen you coming into this gym quite some time ago . Knowing you , I figured that you were probably still working out , getting those muscles into place ." she said , nudging me .
Ew , was she still trying to flirt with me ? Hadn't I made it quite clear to her that I didn't want to be romantically involved with her ? Tasha's hopeless flirting along with last night's happenings , were probably enough to make me throw up all over her. Maybe that would make her stop trying her luck with me . But being the gentleman that I was , I merely nodded and returned her smile .
" So , would you mind escorting me to Christian's house ?" she finally asked . Good. Now I could just hand her over to Christian and take off from there . But something about her behaviour told me that she would try her best to prevent that from happening . I suppressed a sigh and replied .
" Of course . Why would I mind ? I'll go and change ." With that I went into the changing room , showering and changing into my jeans , taking my own sweet time . I finally decided that she might get suspicious if I took more time , and God forbid may even come inside to check . I certainly did not want that to happen .
Left without a choice , I went outside and saw Tasha spring up from her seat .
" Come on already , Dimka ." she said , literally pulling me towards the door . Here I go again . Rose was most probably still there . Lissa had mentioned something about planning for some stupid party that was coming up . And everyone knew that Lissa would never take a single step in these matters without Rose , even though Rose hardly ever wanted to be a part of it . She had changed so much . The incident at Spokane and everything that happened in Siberia had definitely left her scarred emotionally . She was no longer the fun – loving party animal she used to be in her early teenage years . This only managed to depress me further .
Beside me , Tasha kept on blabbering about something , probably about the martial art classes that she took . Did she not understand that I did not want to take part in her conversation ? But finally and thankfully , we stopped in front of Lissa's apartment , for the second time this day .
" I can't wait to see Christian again . It has been such a long time ." she said after ringing the bell .
My heart fell when I saw who opened the door .
" Rose ." greeted Tasha , throwing her arms around her . " It's so nice to see you . How have you been ?"
Rose's eyes fell on me and then Tasha , and you could actually see the wheels turning in her head . I thought I saw a scowl form on her face , that was quickly masked by a small smile . Maybe I had imagined that scowl , who knows , maybe I was going crazy .
She reluctantly hugged her back and muttered something to her . I guess , I wasn't the only one who didn't like the idea of Tasha getting all touchy – feely with me . This definitely succeeded in lifting my mood . I was now much happier even though Tasha was practically trying to cling to me . Why was she acting like such a teenager who couldn't keep her hormones in control ?
After the jovial greetings were over , we all sat down for some more catching up . As I had predicted earlier , Tasha insisted that I stay for some more time . So , I sat down and was thankful that it was Lissa who came and sat next to me and not Tasha .
I kept tuning in and out of their banter , hardly paying any attention . Once in a while, whenever a question was directed towards me , I would answer and fall quiet again . I had been lost in my thoughts , ever since I had seen Rose go and sit next Adrian . They both seemed awfully chummy . But Rose had not been very pleased about seeing Tasha with me , had she ? I didn't know what to make out of all this . I just could not understand what Rose felt at this moment .
But I certainly knew what Adrian was feeling right now , and from what I kept hearing over the bond , he was just as bored as I was . Yet he was also excited about something , something that he knew was going to happen in the near future . So , I decided to do a little snooping around of my own . It was slightly difficult initially , as he tried to block it from me . But apparently , he wasn't that good at blocking me out . And after a few minutes of searching through his memories , I found what I was looking for . And I instantly regretted invading his mind . He had blocked me out for a very good reason .
As it turns out , Adrian had been planning on some very intimate alone time with Rose tonight , if you know what I mean . His memories were full of every miniscule detail of their past encounters . It was like reliving last night all over again . While I was trying to get back to my own mind , I silently swore to myself never , and I repeat never to check in on what Adrian was thinking …. Sharing a bond with Adrian was going to be harder than I would have ever thought possible …..
I tuned back into their conversation when I heard Rose's name being mentioned . It had been Tasha who had said her name .
" Well , as I already said , the taboos about dhampir and moroi interaction are simply preposterous . Moroi simply use dhampir women and later run off to marry other moroi . Don't dhampirs deserve better lives ? After all , they are the ones risking their lives every day to protect us ."
Her words held passion and her eyes simply confirmed the sincerity with which she spoke . " Is this how we repay them for their sacrifice ? It certainly should not be so . But the question is ….. How do we bring about the change in this age old society that we live in ?" she paused for a while to take a breath . I couldn't help but notice the strange gleam in her eyes . it became almost mischievous as her gaze fell upon Rose .
When I had turned Tasha down , she had asked me to tell her the reason . But once again , I had refused to open my mouth . She may not have realised it then , but something about the way she was acting today , told me that she had figured it out on her own .
But as much as I may not like Tasha now , I had to admit , she was a very good orator , and what she said was the truth . I definitely felt the same way as she did and so did all the others in this room .
" Well , do you have some idea about the issue you will take up and your method of protest ? I would be more than glad to help you ." Lissa said politely .
" Lissa , Aunt Tasha can tell you all about it after she gets herself comfortable in the guest bedroom ." Christian spoke up . " Now where is your luggage ?" he directed this question towards his aunt .
" I left them at my room in the guest housing . I didn't know that I would be staying with you both . Thank you so much for offering ." she nodded gratefully . This is just great . Now Tasha would have a lot of time to flirt with me during her stay . I can hardly wait . I sighed to myself quietly .
Our little group had begun to say their goodbyes and part ways when I heard Lissa's exasperated voice . Apparently , she and Rose had been having a hushed argument about something . Till now only Rose's part of the conversation could be heard in a low but agitated whisper . But Lissa was now too irritated not to voice her thoughts .
" No Rose please . We can't go to some restaurant at Court tonight . Christian really wanted to go there . I thought we already had this conversation ."
" But it's for your own safety Liss . Remember what happened the last time we went outside the wards ? You wouldn't want something like that to happen again , would you ?" replied Rose . I cringed at what she said . I vividly remembered the night she was addressing even though the details were a little hazy . It was the night my life changed forever . It was the night I had died .
After a few long moments , Rose scowled and ran a hand through her hair .
" Fine , I'll be there to guard you on your stupid date with Fireboy . But you both better not start ripping each others' clothes off in public . I really don't want to watch it." She paused for a moment and turned to look at me . " I guess you are tagging along with Christian too huh ? You better keep me entertained while Fireboy says cheesy lines to the princess here ." she told me with a smirk . I returned her smile and rolled my eyes at her .
Wow . This was a very positive turn in the events currently occurring in my life . And I felt smug satisfaction when I felt disappointment through the bond . Ha . I guess , Adrian's plans will not come into play tonight after all . Someone would be very lonely tonight .
I made my way to my own room after confirming when to meet them again . It was decided that we all would leave shortly after the meeting which was scheduled later this day . I was smiling to myself all the way to my room , thinking about Lissa's date. This was going to be very entertaining indeed .
Like it ? Please give me ideas about how Dimitri will try to win Rose back . And what do you think Tasha is planning ? Again , I am very sorry for not updating sooner . I will try harder next time . But thank you for sticking with the story .
Don't forget to review this chapter . Your reviews mean a lot to me . :D :D . .
