A/N: Thanks for the alerts, faves and reviews :) I got some quite lovely ones; they make my heart go aflutter. :)
And hello new readers! I hope you enjoy reading the rest. We're more than halfway till the end.
Thank you to ohayou/Zmeyette for her mad beta skillz. She hates Nadiya with a passion because of this chapter. Hee.
Disclaimer: Vampire Academy and its characters belong to Richelle Mead. No copyright infringement is intended with the writing of this story.
SEVEN
Rose was peacefully sleeping on the bed when I came back to the estate. Galina was pleased with our catch, and it seems I have regained my place with her favor for the time being. Nathan looked sullen the whole time—I barely hid my satisfaction over this. Galina valued me in her organization for a reason.
I approached the bed silently, not wanting to disturb her. My mind briefly wandered to the seven guardians being drained right now, and waiting to be awakened. New pawns. Rose was not going to be like that. I will personally make sure her transition will be as comfortable as it could possibly be. She will not leave my side—even if technically she would work under Galina. I will make her stronger, deadlier than any Strigoi out there. So no one could hurt her ever again. She could break Nathan's neck if he ever touches her again. She'll never feel weak or helpless.
She murmured something in her sleep. What could she be dreaming of? As a Strigoi, there was no sleeping anymore—our bodies didn't need it anymore. But that was alright. My waking hours were much better than I could ever have hoped to be. In my dreams as a dhampir, I had wished Rose and I would be free of the constraints they've bound us with since birth. As a Strigoi, I can now make that happen. And we would be together. Finally.
I sat in the bed, and moved closer to her body. Her fingers twitched and her breathing became shallower…she must be coming awake. I lifted the mass of her hair to reveal the nape of her neck and pressed my lips to her skin softly. I missed the taste of her blood.
She finally opened her eyes. They were heavy with sleep and exhaustion, and for a moment I was worried that Nathan's attack was more serious than I thought. But her face was gentle and soft as her smile. Her fingertips grazed my jawline. "You're back. I missed you."
I twisted my head to kiss her palm and breathe in her scent. "I had things to do."
Her eyes sought my face. Slowly, she pulled her fingers across the corner of my mouth. Probably Alexei's blood.
"So I see." She frowned.
"It's the natural order, Rose." I reminded her patiently, not wanting to be upset with her or myself. I remembered the condition her body must be in. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. Except…" she bit her lip and looked away.
Something was troubling her deeply—separate from the situation she was in right now. It could only be because of one reason.
"What?" I asked.
She hesitated for a moment then… "I was in Lissa's head."
I controlled my expression.
"And… I got pushed out." She said.
"Pushed out?"
"Yeah…" she frowned. "I was seeing through her eyes like I usually do, and then some force…" she shook her head. "I don't know, an invisible hand shoved me out. I've never felt anything like it."
"Maybe it's a new spirit ability." I said, thinking of the possibilities—and how it might harm us in the future. The bond will surely break when Rose is turned… I was counting on it.
"Maybe…" she allowed. "Except, I've been watching her regularly, and I've never seen her practice or even consider anything like that."
I pulled her closer to me, feeling the warmth of her body so near with mine. I did not want this conversation that focused on Lissa. It just made it harder for her to let go of her soon-to-be old life. "Being awakened gives you better senses and accessibility to the world. But it doesn't make you omniscient." I played with her hair as I spoke. "I don't know why that happened to you."
"Clearly not omniscient, or else Nathan wouldn't want information about her so badly." Rose said darkly, remembering the attack. She looked up to me with questioning eyes. "Why is that? Why are the Strigoi fixated on killing the royal lines? We know they've—" she shook her head, "—you've been doing it, but why? What does it matter? Isn't a victim a victim—especially when plenty of Strigoi used to be royal Moroi?"
"That requires a complicated answer." But it was all very simple really. I had wondered why I did not consider it as a dhampir. Of course, I was too blinded to see Strigoi as something more than a savage creature. "A large part of hunting Moroi royalty is fear. In your old world, royalty are held above all others. They get the best guardians, the best protection…" Rose didn't argue—she knew I had a point. "If we can still get to them through that, then what does it say? It means that no one is safe. It creates fear, and fear makes people do foolish things. It makes them easier prey."
She closed her eyes. "That's horrible."
There's nothing horrible about it. "Prey or—"
She cut me off impatiently. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Prey or predator."
I let her interference pass. "There's also a benefit of unraveling Moroi leadership. That creates instability too."
"Or maybe they'd be better off with a change of leadership." She said carelessly. I looked at her—something familiar in her voice, the way she spoke reminded me of the times when she argued with me about something she fiercely believed in. I haven't heard that voice in a long while. But before I could dwell on it, she asked another question again.
"What's the rest?"
"The rest…. The rest is prestige." I couldn't hide the pleasure in my voice. "We do it for the glory of it. For the reputation it gives us and the satisfaction of knowing we're responsible for destroying that which others haven't been able to destroy for centuries."
It was the foundation for Galina's organization, why many Strigoi believed and followed her lead when so many others failed. The group she created had the most potential to decimate the Moroi leadership in a way that was never heard of in centuries. However, I didn't elaborate more than that with Rose. She can learn all about it when I awaken her.
Rose didn't ask anymore, either. She seemed deep in thought—but that was improbable. My bite would prevent her from clear thoughts. It was then that my eyes noticed the bedside table where she put all the gifts I gave her ever since she arrived here. It gave me enormous pleasure to be able to have the capacity to give these for her. She must be so happy.
I saw her nazar, the one her mother gave her. For some reason it annoyed me—but I didn't show it. "You still have this." I said, picking it up.
"Yup. Not as pretty as your stuff, though." She looked at it, but there was a far-away look in her eyes.
There was an unfamiliar ring resting amongst the jewels. It was a plain, silver ring, not like the fancy things Rose seems to prefer. "This I haven't seen before." I picked the ring up.
The metal was a little warm, warmer than the normal temperature of metal. Maybe she wears it when I was not around.
"I got it while I was—" she stopped abruptly.
I tore my eyes from the ring and looked at her. "While you were what?"
Rose met my eyes, somehow apologetic… and sad.
"While I was in your hometown. In Baia."
Baia. I have not heard the name of my hometown for so long, it was almost unfamiliar. More than the fact that it fell from Rose's lips.
My fingers twirled the ring around, the warmth seeming to spread from the tips of my fingers and to my hands. It was distracting… but not unpleasant. I glanced at her.
"You were there?"
She nodded slowly. "I thought that's where you'd be. I didn't know that Strigoi did their hunting in cities there." She paused for a while, as if not wanting to continue. She took a deep breath. "I stayed with your family."
My family. Karolina. Sonya. Viktoria. Babushka. Mama. Their faces were sharper in my memory that I ever thought was possible. I haven't thought of them for a long while. The last letter I wanted to give them remained in the desk of my old quarters in St. Vladimir's. Why didn't I send it?
"And?" I prompted her.
"And… they were nice." Rose said. "I liked them. I hung out with Viktoria a lot."
My youngest sister. I was so protective of her before I was assigned to be a guardian for Ivan Zeklos. Karolina was strong and never really needed the protectiveness of an older brother, Sonya was a bit reclusive and shied away from trouble… but Viktoria was delicate, naïve and believed the best in everybody. It was amazing that she and Rose got along well. I rather… liked the thought of it.
.
"Why wasn't she at school?" I asked. Surely she was still studying at St. Basil's.
"It was Easter." Rose answered.
"Ah right." Of course… I haven't paid much attention to the old holidays my family—no, my old people celebrated. "How was she?"
"Fine." Rose replied. "Karolina's good too, she reminds me of you. She really laid into some dhampir guys who were causing trouble."
I smiled in remembrance. She was still the same. Once she chased off a bunch of girls who were hassling Sonya because of some petty incident in school—I was the last to learn about it, and I was the only man in the family. "I can see Karolina doing that. Did she have her baby yet?"
"Yeah." Rose nodded slowly, never looking away from me. "It was a girl. Zoya."
Dimka, you should help me pick out a name for the baby, okay? Even though you're far away. Karolina's words in her last letter came back to me.
Karolina was the closest to me. Perhaps the age gap had something to do with it, but we understood each other: we were the eldest among the siblings and we took it upon ourselves to help Mother in any way we could. It didn't escape me that I left her to deal with my sisters when I had to leave.
"Zoya… Not a bad name." The ring winked in the dim light. I remembered my other sister. "How was Sonya?"
"Okay." She replied. "I didn't see too much of her. She's a little touchy… Viktoria says it's because of the pregnancy."
"Sonya's pregnant too?" I asked, completely surprised by this.
"Oh yeah. Six months, I think."
Must have been an accident. Or a result of Sonya's tendency to fall for someone too easily. Karolina and Sonya had once argued over her choice of boyfriends every night for a week until the guy dumped her for another girl. Sonya was devastated and cried on Karolina's arms like the arguing never happened.
Three days later, Sonya found another man to distract her. Mother and I only sighed at that.
"I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. Her decisions aren't always as wise as Karolina's. Karolina's children were by choice… I'm guessing Sonya's was a surprise."
"Yeah, I kind of got that feeling too." Rose agreed.
"My mother and grandmother?" I prompted, suddenly eager for news about them.
"Er, fine. Both of them." A shadow passed in her eyes, then it was gone. She shook her head. "Your grandmother scared me a little."
I suddenly laughed… Oh babushka. Why scare Roza? She must have found Rose very interesting to play that game with her. "Yes, she does that to people."
"And she pretended not to speak English." Rose scowled, clearly irritated.
"Yes, she does that too." I said, partly to appease her. Babushka was a wise woman, ahead of her time. "Do they all still live together? In that same house?"
The house of my childhood. The wood shingles, the broken fences I tried to mend everyday, the smell of the kitchen that I could sniff blocks away whenever I'd come home…
"Yup." Rose's eyes brightened. "I saw the books you told me about. The pretty ones—but I couldn't read them."
The old books. Yes, yes I remembered them. When so many children of my age wanted comic books and drawings… I was fascinated with stories of truth and justice told by the words.
"That's where I first got into American westerns. " I reminded her.
She smiled mischievously. "Man, I loved making fun of you over those."
"Yes, between that, your stereotypes about Eastern European music, and the whole 'comrade' thing, you had plenty of material." I chided her.
She laughed in response, a little bit embarrassed. "But you brought the cowboy thing on yourself!" she said defensively, "…between the leather duster and—"
"And then you left them and came to Novosibirsk?" I asked.
She nodded, the smile leaving her face. "Yeah, I came with those dhampirs, I was hunting with… those other unpromised ones. I almost didn't though. Your family wanted me to stay." There was the far away look again. "I thought about doing it."
The ring on my hands seemed to be giving off heat, like a gentle flame. Strange. The warmth had now spread to my arms and in this life—it was hard for me to feel this kind of sensation. The only feeling I got was coldness. I brought the ring to the light to examine it, at the same time thinking about Rose and my family.
What if she had stayed? Then we would have never met, and Rose would be free.
Was that what I wanted? I did leave the United States to protect her from me, after all.
I sighed at her. "You probably should have."
"They're good people." Rose murmured.
"They are. You might have been happy there." I said in a low voice. I put the ring away and pushed her hair behind her ear. And then I kissed her. As soft as the tender thoughts I have for my family who are far away from me, and whom I will never see again. Only Rose was here with me.
And she was mine.
The hunger came back. I sought to open her mouth for me, sliding my hand to the nape of her neck to hold the kiss, my other hand sliding idly beneath her shirt. Just like that, I forgot about my family, my earlier regret why I had to meet Rose in that street in Novosibirsk. Because it was done. She was already here, and I have no intentions of letting her go. Not ever again. I couldn't keep myself from taking more, demanding of what I wanted.
And right now, I wanted her blood again. I haven't tasted her since Nathan attacked her.
I broke off the kiss and started to caress her neck with my tongue when she spoke aloud.
"What's it like?"
I spoke languidly, my mouth against her skin, already drunk with her scent. "What's what like?"
"Kissing."
I pulled away from her so I could look on her face. Her question was… unexpected.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You said being awakened enhances all the senses." She explained slowly. "Is kissing different then?"
"Ah." Rose had the most curious mind. It was one of the things that enabled her to catch up with her classmates quickly and became one of the Academy's best novices. And her interest was certainly a good sign. "It is, kind of. My sense of smell is stronger than it used to be, so your scent comes through much more intensely." My hold on her tightened… just talking about it made me— "your sweat, the shampoo in your hair…. It's beyond what you can imagine. Intoxicating." Yes that was the word. I brought my lips to her ear. "And of course, sharper taste and touch make this better."
I kissed her again, biting her lower lip gently. She pushed herself closer to me to deepen the kiss, then she pulled back again. "When we were outside the other night, the flowers were really strong. If they're strong to me, are they overwhelming to you? I mean, do the scents get to be too much?
I considered it. "Yes, it's strong in a way. But over time you learn how to filter the scents and narrow it to that particular scent you are after. Practice makes perfect, Roza."
"Wow." She breathed. "And that night when we were out… I'm guessing you couldn't see the stars right?"
"I don't need to see them." I said. And that was true. "Darkness is a concept that does not exist anymore."
"And you move very fast. Isn't that disconcerting?" she asked again.
"No. It just feels like a part of yourself. No stranger than talking or hunting." In fact, it was one of the best advantages we have over a dhampir guardian. It was the one strength that Nathan had over me in that cave after all.
"I doubt if anyone can outrun you." She mused, her eyes closing and slowly opening again.
"It's still possible. Injury or weakness." I replied. "Guardians are able to slay many of us because some move too clumsily or carelessly. They overestimate guardians because we are supposed to be stronger."
"But you taught me otherwise." She recalled.
"Yes I did. There's always a way Roza, if you wanted it bad enough."
She nodded slowly, bringing her hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn. "It must be so incredible to feel so….strong." She sighed. "I couldn't wrap my mind around it yet."
Ah finally. Was she seeing the truth now? I haven't seen her so interested in talking about Strigoi before. Usually she dodges the topic or makes fun of it. "It is incredible. And you'll be accustomed to it soon enough." I lightly traced her eyelids, to the bridge of her nose, to the tip. "I would never leave you to deal with the change alone. And I would teach you all that I know. It would be just like before, since you're still my student."
She rubbed her eyes and yawned. I didn't miss the fact she was fighting off the tiredness. "There's so much I didn't know… still don't know…"
"I told you it was amazing." I said, watching her.
"I have more questions… but I'm so tired… I still feel don't feel good…" her words were slurred. "You don't think I have a concussion, do you?"
"No." Nathan and Inna would never have left the room alive. "And once you're awakened, it won't matter anyway."
She stiffened slightly. "But not until you answer the rest of my questions."
Patience. I've waited this long. Don't make her clamp down again.
"Okay, not until then." I acquiesced. "But time is running out, I told you that before."
She closed her eyes. "But it's not the second day yet."
"No… not yet." I agreed.
Her breaths became slow and deep. Her body was weakening faster than I would have liked. Soon, she would face the real danger of stress, exhaustion and—as much as I hated to admit it—blood loss. I laid beside her again, just watching her so quiet and peaceful. Once, she brought me that. during that time we were under Victor's lust charm, that day she kissed me against the wall, that one afternoon in the cabin…. Those were the few moments I knew what peace must have been like.
Now… Rose only stirred hunger, desire and possession inside me. It was unmatched by anything in this world. And if she refuses me…
I quietly stood up and left her on the bed to sleep.
If she refuses me… she and I would both regret it.
I left the room swiftly, before I changed my mind. And it was so easy to. I had given her too much chances already.
In the hallway, a movement caught my eye. Nathan was in the far end of the corridor, a gloating look in his face. Then he was gone, before I could react anything more.
I had no time to ponder over Nathan… there was Rose to think about, and the deadline. Things were moving too slowly.
I reached my quarters, wanting the quiet space to think, when I realized Nadiya was leaning on the wall along the door. I growled—she knew I didn't want let anyone inside.
"Trust me, you'd want the privacy." She said, her face hard.
I opened the door and walked inside, allowing her to follow me. The space was sparse—I had no belongings from my old life. I mainly use these quarters to think and be alone.
Unlike the other rooms in the mansion, I had asked Galina to make my space as isolated as possible—until to the soundproofed walls. She granted me this when I brought her four of the best Guardians in Moscow for her army.
I turned back to Nadiya and she was looking at the stack of books I had in the corner. I acquired them out of habit. There was a smirk playing on Nadiya's lips.
"You have an interesting taste in literature, Dimitri. Fascinating."
"I could break your neck for this." I hissed at her. "You better have a good reason for coming here.
She tore her eyes from the books and faced me, her expression a mixture of annoyance and anger. "One of our recruits died in a street in Novosobirsk."
I scoffed. "And what interest do I have in that?"
"One of Ibrahim Mazur's men killed him."
I froze at the name, but controlled my expression.
She was not fooled. "Jared, the other one, was able to escape the guardians." There was steel in Nadiya's eyes, clearly very angry. She was never angry with me, even if I was very hostile with her.
"He told me that Abe Mazur's men were looking for information about Rose Hathaway."
I could not avoid it any longer. The only thing I feared of happening—at least until Rose was awakened—was this.
I did not speak for several moments. How should I play this with Nadiya? I know she was on my side, but this information could certainly turn the tables. Should I kill her right now before she goes to Galina?
"I killed Jared." She said flatly. "He would talk."
Now that was more unexpected.
"You didn't have to do that." I said.
"But I already did." It was then that I noticed the thin lance she was always carrying around on her side was bloodied. Strigoi didn't need weapons, but Nadiya had been a Moroi when turned, and needed the extra advantage in strength. And she was an expert swordswoman.
I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off sharply. "Don't thank me yet. That is not the end of this little mess. Before I was able to kill him, he talked to Nathan first."
A growl escaped my chest. Fuck. So that was the meaning behind his expression a while ago in the corridor.
"You know what would happen if Galina hears about one of the most powerful Moroi in Eastern Europe looking particularly for her estate. For his daughter." She shot me a look of pure venom. "Galina will kill both of you just for the spite. You know she does not want secrets in her organization. Especially from her right-hand."
Yes, I did not doubt for a second Galina's reaction. I did not tell her anything about Rose, more so of her relationship with Ibrahim Mazur. Galina would never have let me keep Rose for this long if she had.
Which meant I could not hold on any longer.
But I promised Rose one more day.
When I did not speak, Nadiya snapped at me. "This is madness, Dimitri! Galina has a strong force, but so does Abe Mazur. This is not the time to clash against him. Our plans will all be for nothing." She banged her fist on the wall. "If you are to awaken her, then do it. Now. Or else, Galina will finish her off herself."
"I won't let that happen." I growled, but she had a point. Things were becoming too complicated. And it seems I was getting careless. I was jeopardizing my position in Galina's eyes, while Abe Mazur was looking for his daughter in every corner of Russia.
All because of Rose. The lengths of what I would do to keep her.
Nadiya seemed to calm down. She sat on the leather couch and looked up to me.
"Why did she come here?" she asked in a low voice, uncharacteristic of her.
I paused, thinking if I should answer her. I remembered her killing the Strigoi earlier and decided I could pay her back the favor.
"She wanted to destroy me, to save me."
I remembered Rose's fierce eyes when she made me remember our conversation in that tight, cramped van to Missoula.
"She is the reason why you wanted to go back here in Russia, isn't it? To avoid her?"
Nadiya had been surprised when I came to Galina's mansion with Nathan, after him convincing me that I had to see my old mentor again. Nadiya and I did not know each other personally, but she knew me by the name. Years ago, Nadiya was awakened by a Strigoi who wanted her for himself. Her extraordinarily cunning mind was able to unravel her maker's weaknesses and destroyed him as soon as she was capable. Galina usually preferred Strigoi who were dhampirs first—but Nadiya was a prized possession because of her strategist mind. And Nadiya was satisfied to work for her… until she met me.
"Yes." I answered her.
"Save you…." she mused, her tone as if half-crazed. "Salvation. An interesting but worthless concept. Does she know how many lives you took since you were awakened? How many you've tortured? How many bodies have you drained dry?"
"No." If anything, I tried to shield Rose from that knowledge. Was that a mistake?
"I killed my little sister for my first victim. Next my grandfather." She recalled, her red-rimmed eyes glinting dully. "His blood did not taste that good, but I didn't stop until there was not a drop left. My parents have hired mercenary guardians to finish me off. They want to save me." She laughed mirthlessly. "But there never will be salvation for me even if a silver stake plunge my heart or I become ashes. There is no salvation in this life. The same goes for you."
I kept quiet, but she knew her words have struck inside me, and that was what she was aiming for. She stood up, apparently satisfied.
"I have given you my allegiance because I know you are destined for great things. You are powerful and ruthless, and you can lead Strigoi in a way that no one has ever done before." She stabbed a finger against my chest. "But I tell you, this girl will be your downfall."
Our eyes met for a long while. And then with a dark look, she exited the room, leaving me alone.
A/N
I didn't mean to upset anyone with my leaving… don't worry, I WILL FINISH BLOOD AWAKENING NO MATTER WHAT. And here I thought nobody cared. :p /endofemoshizz
Leave me a review! (if you do care. LOL) - Anya
