I decided to leave out the fact that we had just found out that Nihita was a spirit user as well.
"Should I tell Lissa?" I asked, gripping the corners of the plastic file. "That's up to you, Rose. But I wouldn't disturb the Queen with something that might stress her further." She strained on the word Queen. Of course. Lissa was Queen and there were other matters for her to worry about. She was ruling a whole race. No, two- Moroi and Dhampirs. I nodded and handed the file back to her. "I should go. To you know- Lissa." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and turned.
"Rose, I'm sorry about Nihita." But her voice suggested that she was saying it just to calm waters and that she genuinely liked Nihita.
"What's her element?" I asked, turning to face her. What if she was like Avery?
She frowned. "Nihita's? She is a fire user. She specialized really early, when she was 12 I think. She got the highest marks in her class too. Abe was really proud." She smiled slightly.
I nodded and was about to leave when my mom touched my shoulder. "She really adores you, Rose. Abe told her about you many years ago, and she really likes you. Please, at least try. For your father."
"Well he does love her a lot." With that I left.
I didn't know why I said that. Was I jealous that Abe loved her more than me? Stupid. I walked over to the far end of the prison and stood near the barbed wired. It was an electified fence with barbed wires at the top. It wasn't likely that someone came from over it. I looked around, but found no means of tunnels. The only way someone would get in would be through the front gate, or by switching the electricity off, which was unlikely. Suddenly I heard something in the bushes and jumped to the side. I neared it, my hand feeling the stake concealed inside my coat for protection. But there was absolutely no one there. After a couple of thorough checkups, I decided to brush it off as a squirrel or a rabbit but then saw an envelop concealed in the bushes. I gingerly picked it up. It was a plain white envelop with two Ss caligraphied on it, one red and one golden. They had vines coming out of it and were glistening beautifully. But as soon as I read it, my heartbeat stopped.
Spirit is eternal and the strongest. It's only fitting it is with the strongest. We're coming for her, Rose Hathway. How long will you hide her in that castle of hers?
I stared at the note, my eyes wide. I knew very well who they meant by her. Spirit is the strongest. And Lissa was in danger.
I clutched the note, my fists shaking. I didn't know if it was anger or if I was scared. Probably both. I looked at the note and read it again. We're coming for her, Rose Hathway. I studied the note's engravings. Maybe the red S meant Strigoi, but what did the golden S stand for? I knew for sure that this was the work of the same Strigoi group who had abducted the Spirit prisoners. And now they were coming for Lissa...
"Roza?"
I quickly pocketed the note and turned around to face Dimitri. His hair were more disheveled than the last time I'd seen him and his eyes regarded me with confusion. "I've been looking for you everywhere inside. What are you doing here?" "Just checking the security." On cue, I looked at the electrified fence and then back at him. Dimitri nodded slightly, and continued. "The guards- they're all under questioning. I don't know the results yet, but..."
"But?" I asked, feeling the letter in my pocket.
"It seems as though they don't remember anything. Like they were-"
"Under the influence of compulsion." I finished slowly, my mind reeling. "Of course. Strigoi can wield powerful conpulsion."
"It's dangerous. Which is why you should be with Lissa and Christian."
Christian's name reminded me of the fact that he would be going to guard Jill. And the fact that he knew, but didn't tell me.
"You're one to talk, when you're abandoning your Moroi, and your girlfriend."
His eyes reflected the guilt of not telling me. "Roza, I wanted to tell you. But with more important things at hand, it didn't seem fitting you trouble you with this. You have to take care of Lissa. They come first." He neared me and I held out my arm. "Don't. You don't get to treat me like I'm still your student, comrade." Anger coiled me up. "I can deal with that and protect Lissa. Don't tell me how to do my job."
Hurt flashed in his eyes and was then replaced with anger. "Do you expect me to tell you everything right away? What about you? You didn't tell me about your sister, either. I appreciate having to know from Lissa." His behaviour was not at all like his usual, calm self. I met his eyes. "I'm sorry if I didn't want to tell you that my father had been whoring about before I was born."
"Lady Viola Ozera was well respected. I'm sure their love wasn't just a fling."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes of course, because now you're an expert over my father, his bastard daughter and his mistress."
"Your mother was a mistress, too."
I stared at him, shocked. I felt as though I had been slapped across the face. He realized his mistake too late. "Roza, forgive me. You know I didn't mean-"
"How dare you?" I replied, shaking with anger. I had often called my mother out on this before, when our relationship was borderline aqquaintace. But I couldn't bear to be compared to Nihita, to be told that I was like her.
That we were both bastards and somehow he loved her more.
"Roza, what is this really about?"
I looked up at him angrily. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean." He said, his eyes boring into mine. "I know you're upset about her. Why?"
"Why? Because she's my half-sister Dimitri! That is crazy. To know that-"
"To know what your father cheated on your mother?" I balled my fists, shaking with anger. "Of course not." I spit out, but even I didn't believe me.
"Roza, I know that's what it is. And I think it's fine. But, did you really except Abe to never have any children of his own?"
I stayed silent.
"You know, Nihita is elder to you. And Christian's aunt is dead. Also from what I hear, Abe hasn't been with anyone but your Mother and Lady Viola." He was approaching this lightly, and I was grateful.
"Roza, it's absolutely fine to feel conflicted. I know you think that you're some side child for Abe, but I've seen him talk about you. Heck, he even gave me the talk. I know he cares about you very much. But you and Nihita, you both are absolutely different from each other. You can't compare yourself to her. And she can't to you. I don't think anyone can actually, to you." He smiled slightly and I turned away. "But Roza, I think you should give her a chance. Isn't that what you want Lissa to do with Jill? I know you think Lissa should try things out with Jill and I think the same about you and Nihita."
"Don't you lecture me about all this. You have no idea how it feels." I shook my head, trying not to cry. "It also doesn't change the fact that you didn't tell me about your relocation. And that, I assure you," I turned towards him, and met his eyes. "Isn't the same as finding out about a half sister."
"Roza-"
I turned and left, walking faster, hoping he wouldn't follow me and he didn't. Because I knew what I would do. And I didn't want him to know that he was right and that I was taking his advice.
I would, or try to, set things right with Nihita.
