Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy.

Ch. 11 The Watch Theft

Planning how to break in and steal Dimitri's watch was…difficult, to say the least.

Lissa filled Christian in on what we were doing. He was astonished to hear that his aunt had been using compulsion on Dimitri, and struggled between who to side with. He finally told us that he would side with us because he didn't want Dimitri to be with Tasha just because of compulsion.

"Although I don't know how exactly I can help you in getting Aunt Tasha to…I don't know…release her grip," Christian said dryly.

"Maybe a little breaking and entering will do it," I muttered.

"What?" he demanded, his blue eyes full of shock.

I shrugged. "Hey. I'm not a big fan of it either. But we've got no choice."

He turned to Lissa. "So you're recruiting me because I have more access to Aunt Tasha's room."

She looked embarrassed but nodded. "Adrian's idea."

"Who knew Adrian could be smart," Christian grumbled under his breath. "Okay I'll do a little scouting, but I hope you have a backup plan."

Once Christian left to go to Tasha's, we tried to hash out backup plans.

"Maybe you could arm wrestle Dimitri and 'accidentally' break his watch," she suggested.

"He's stronger than me. Don't forget, he's one of the most badass guardians around besides my mom," I pointed out.

Lissa tried again. "Maybe you could dress up as a maid and clean up their suite but take the watch."

I frowned. "How can I pull that off? Do you have a wig and contacts?"

Now she frowned too. "I don't know…Wait. Maybe I could try to disguise you with spirit."

"But how?"

"Hmm. If I was able to cause Jesse to see things that aren't really there…then theoretically I should be able to use spirit to create a disguise for you. If you're disguised as some new maid, then if Tasha begins questioning everyone, then no one could get in trouble."

"Yeah, but you have to keep in mind you don't know how to do that," I reminded her. "And the more spirit you use, the more likely you'll…" I trailed off, unable to finish.

Go insane, Lissa finished for me. I know. And I don't think I can learn fast enough about illusion charms or whatever. But just keep it in mind, okay? If you can't break in, we'll have to fall back on this.

"Unless someone can think of an idea," I murmured.

There was a knock on the door and I stood up. "Christian's back so soon?"

Lissa shook her head and concentrated on the door. "It's Adrian."

Spirit users could sense each other from their auras, which did come in handy sometimes.

I opened the door and Adrian stood there. The smell of alcohol wreathed him, but I made no comment on that. As long as he didn't smoke…I supposed alcohol was the lesser of two evils.

"Any ideas yet?" he asked, almost stumbling into the room. I grabbed his arm to keep him from falling before shutting the door and leading him to sit on one of the beds.

"Somewhat. It's either breaking and entering, or using spirit to create an illusion," I answered wearily.

"Maybe you could just convince Tasha and Belikov to have some drinks with me at the bar and get them tipsy," Adrian slurred. "Once they're out, you can remove that watch."

I snorted. "Even for you, that's a stupid idea." I couldn't imagine Dimitri drinking, letting alone drinking enough to get tipsy or drunk.

Lissa beamed. "Hey, that's a possibility. Get them out of it and then take the watch."

I stared at her. "You've got to be kidding me. That's like….drugging them!"

"Who said anything about slipping things into their drinks?" she asked. "Maybe get them some stronger alcohol…"

"Why are you even going along with this idea? It's crazy! Neither of them even drink that much. I sincerely doubt they will want to have a drink – or more – at a bar with Adrian here."

"They will if I convince them," Lissa said mischievously.

I shook my head. First she'd disapproved of Adrian using compulsion a few days ago, but now she was all for it. Wonderful.

Christian returned a few hours later. "Dimitri almost never takes off the watch," he reported. "He did leave me and Aunt Tasha to shower, and I think he took it off then, but I'm not sure."

"Great. Not only do we have to do a break in, but I have to break in while Dimitri's showering," I groaned.

"I'm guessing it varies from day to day," Lissa added. She thought about it a while longer before turning to me. "What do you think is the best plan?"

"Whichever way doesn't have me get caught the fastest."

"Okay. Let's start with something simple – trying to get Tasha and Dimitri drunk," Lissa said, holding her hand out. "If I combine my compulsion with Adrian's, that should be enough to distract them."

"Adrian said Tasha's compulsion is strong, so don't leave that part out," I grumbled.

Christian looked from me to Lissa, and I couldn't blame him for looking so lost. Poor guy. Now he had to deal with how his aunt was a psycho bitch.

"Okay. So we try that first, and then if that doesn't work…break in time," Lissa finished.

"Yeah, but you haven't even figured out how to work your compulsion with Adrian's," I protested.

That same night was the beginning of the theft. Kind of.

After a long, boring, formal dinner (hosted by the Ivashkovs – the queen herself hadn't attended), Adrian made the suggestion that we all find a nice bar to go drink at.

"But I wanted to go ski early tomorrow," Tasha protested. "A little after sunset."

I checked my watch and saw that there were two hours to "midnight". It was hard for me to repress the urge to recoil at the sight of her. Now with the knowledge that she'd been compelling Dimitri for years… I hated her even more. She was insecure to the point that she had forced her to stay by his side.

It broke my heart to see Dimitri by her side, a quiet shadow of his former self. I'd caught glimpses of the passionate, strong man he used to be over the past few days. I suspected that that personality was now buried under the compulsion Tasha was wielding over him.

Our eyes met for a moment, and I could see something fighting in his eyes. Then he looked away from me, and the moment was broken.

"It'll be a quick drink," Lissa said easily, and her voice sounded so smooth and persuasive. "Don't leave anyone out."

I shivered as I felt the compulsion through the bond. I was more resistant to compulsion because of our bond, but it didn't mean I couldn't feel it.

I looked over at Tasha, and I could see a glazed look in her eyes. I hid a smile. It was her turn to get a taste of her own medicine.

"Erm…fine. One drink," Tasha mumbled, her eyes locked with Lissa's.

We all went down to the main lobby, where there was a bar. Plenty of well-dressed Moroi with some guardians were milling around the lobby.

Thanks to Adrian, we were promptly seated at a table near a window. Thomas and Luc had begged out of coming with us, although Eddie tagged along to watch over Christian.

We each made our own orders and I heard Adrian whisper something into the bartender's ear, since we were sitting so close to each other. "Make the last two drinks a little stronger."

I felt a little nervous. Our plan of stealing the watch was about to be put into action.

Our drinks came very quickly, and I took very small sips of my champagne. Eddie had only ordered a juice. Everyone else was vicariously downing their drinks.

"Wow. T-this tastes g-g-great," Tasha slurred, holding up her empty glass. "I think I'll order another."

To my astonishment, Dimitri raised his half-empty glass as well. "Great idea, Tasha."

Adrian slapped down a few dollar bills on the table. "Next round's on me!"

I shot a look at Lissa after she'd finished her drink. How would she be able to use compulsion if she was drunk? She seemed to sense my gaze, and slowed down on her drinking.

Two rounds later, Tasha, Dimitri, Christian, and Adrian were extremely drunk. Lissa and I were a bit tipsy, and Eddie was the only sober one out of all of us.

He surveyed us in dismay. "How am I supposed to get all of you back up to your rooms? Where's Thomas or Luc when I need them?"

"Me and Liss can probably help Tasha and Dimitri," I managed to say. "Just get Adrian and Christian up."

"All by myself," he muttered. "Calling backup."

Lissa and I then had to lead the drunken couple up their suite. Tasha was giggling and chattering away animatedly. Dimitri kept swaying unsteadily when he walked, so I had to support some of his weight.

We helped them into their suite and then had them lie down on the bed. I looked nervously to Lissa. Now, she said.

I looked down at Dimitri's wrist. The key to freeing him was right in front of me. I tried my best not to jostle Dimitri's arm as I desperately tried to unfasten it.

Hurry, Lissa begged. They both seemed out of it, but who knew how long they'd be out.

Then Dimitri's eyelids fluttered and he opened his eyes. I froze. Oh, shit.

"What are you doing?" he murmured. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I dropped his wrist like he'd burned me. "It looked a little loose so I wanted to put it back on," I quickly lied. That was the lamest excuse ever. I hope he was too drunk to realize it.

"Might as well take it off," he mumbled before easily loosening it and leaving it right next to me.

I looked at the watch, a million thoughts swirling through my head. Should I take it? Would Dimitri remember if it was me? Would Tasha suspect it's me, since she's out cold?

Lissa shook her head at me. Don't. They might remember later that we were the last two to be with them. We need to try again when no one is looking so no one will get in trouble. No one must suspect us.

I wanted to scream in frustration. I was so close, but so far away…. I had been so close to freeing Dimitri. I felt like I'd failed him. I'll free you soon, I vowed.

Looking back at him one last time, I followed Lissa out and shut the door behind me.

The next day, Lissa had a better idea. We would go ski with Tasha, and then Lissa would suggest that Tasha go with her to get some type of beauty treatment. Lissa would somehow engineer so Dimitri had an "accident" and then I would break into the suite while he was showering.

"We're leaving one major factor. How do I get into the room?" I asked.

Lissa held up a keycard triumphantly. "With this. I stole it from their room last night."

I let out a whistle. "You are evil."

"Why thank you," she said, sounding pleased.

"So what exactly is the plan?" I asked.

Lissa started, "It does involve spilling things on Dimitri…"

We called up Tasha and arranged to go skiing. Luc decided to tag along this time, but Thomas didn't.

After we'd gone skiing for two hours, we went back inside the lodge for some drinks. I'd about drained half my juice when Lissa nudged me.

Action, she murmured.

Before I knew exactly what she was doing, she pretended to slip and bumped into me. I wobbled backwards and splashed my apple juice onto Dimitri's shirt.

I stared, horrified by the mess. "Oh my God. I'm so sorry!"

"It's not a big deal," Dimitri said with a shrug.

Tasha was fussing over him, and it was sickening to watch and hear her. "Are you okay? It was just juice right? I hope that you won't get sick."

"You can't get sick from spilled apple juice," I retorted acidly, glaring daggers at Tasha.

"Yes, you can, if the juice is from sluts like you," she sneered, a cold smile on her face.

I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. Slut? She'd just called me a slut? Sure, people at St. Vlad's had said that about me – but that was in high school. This was on a whole different scale.

Without thinking, I snapped, "Well, at least I didn't get so desperate to have Dimitri that I made him break up with his previous girlfriend."

Tasha opened her mouth to retort, but Adrian broke in. "Enough," he said, looking from me to her before locking eyes with her. "Be more courteous to your guests."

Lissa then stepped in. "Tasha, maybe we could pamper ourselves at the beauty spa," she said. "Let's spend a few hours there. In fact, let's go now."

Tasha blinked, mesmerized by Lissa's eyes, before replying. "Sure. Let's go right now."

Lissa smiled before dropping her gaze from Tasha's. Tasha blinked, momentarily stunned, before shaking it off and following Lissa.

This will probably be the only chance that you get to break in, Lissa warned me as she stepped across the lobby. If necessary, have Christian or Adrian stand guard for you while Dimitri's in the shower. I'm planning to keep Tasha occupied for at least two hours.

Dimitri looked down at his soaked shirt and sighed. "I'll just change this and workout at the gym before hitting the shower."

I froze. This was my window of opportunity. But how long would Dimitri be hanging out at the gym?

Adrian leaned in and whispered, "I'll keep an eye on Belikov and I'll let you know when he's heading up."

I nodded. That was all I could ask for. As for breaking in and sneaking out…I was on my own.

We watched Dimitri walk away. I sighed. "The start of my life as a cat burglar begins."

"I'll text you when Dimitri heads into his room," Christian said, sounding uncomfortable. "I hope you don't have to steal the watch from right his nose – which is virtually impossible."

I made a face. "Just shut up and get moving okay?"

About an hour and a half later, I got a text from Adrian. Belikov's on the move back to his room.

I looked over at the clock. About three A.M. I had to get ready to move any moment. I spent the next five minutes waiting for Christian's text, agitatedly pacing around my room.

Then Christian texted me. Dimitri's in his room. I say give it ten minutes before you sneak in.

I followed Christian's advice and I was in front of Dimitri's and Tasha's door ten minutes later. I'd even put on gloves, so if there was an investigation, there would be no record of my fingerprints. I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and slid the keycard in.

There was a low beeping sound, which made me wince. If I made too much sound, I would give myself away. I doubted Dimitri would be too keen on letting me have a look at his watch. I slowly slid the door open and heard the very loud sounds of Dimitri rummaging around in the bathroom. Perfect. The loud sounds would hopefully block my own sounds out, since dhampirs had excellent senses.

I tiptoed in, leaving the door slightly ajar behind me. I held my breath until I heard the telltale sounds of the shower being started and then looked around.

The suite was huge, much like the one I shared with Lissa. Bed, living room area, and probably a huge bathroom.

I had just stepped up to the bed and begun shifting through Dimitri's clothes on the bed when suddenly I heard Lissa's voice in my mind.

Crap. We just finished our beauty treatments early. We're going to be up in less than ten minutes, and I got a text from Christian that you just got in! Clear out in less than five minutes!

Fuck. If I was caught… I didn't even want to think about what Tasha would do, not to mention what she might do to Dimitri. I had to find the watch and clear out as fast as I could. The stakes had just been raised in the search.

I frantically went through Dimitri's clothes on the bed. The watch wasn't there. Fuck, fuck, fuck, where the hell was it? I turned around, scanning the desks and nightstands. Nothing there either.

I knew that if Dimitri had kept the watch with him in the bathroom, chances of me retrieving it while he was showering were slim to none. I checked the drawers in the nightstands but there was nothing there. I wanted to scream in frustration, but that would bring Dimitri running in from his shower. Where was the fucking watch? I was getting more agitated by the moment.

I quietly ran into the living room area, pulling down pillows and looking under the couches. Nothing again.

I was about to seriously consider how I could sneak into the bathroom when I saw the silver watch half-buried under some of Tasha's belongings. I almost wanted to groan as I picked it up. It had been sitting almost in plain sight.

My skin tingled as I touched it. I had a feeling that it was part of Tasha's compulsion. I shoved the watch into my pocket and surveyed the mess I'd made. I had no time to clean it up before Tasha arrived. Then I was hit by inspiration. Maybe I could make it look like someone had broken in…

I quickly threw the pillows haphazardly on the ground before racing into the bedroom area and quickly throwing the clothes all over the place. I went over to the desk and messed up some papers before pulling out drawers.

The shower was suddenly turned off. "Hello? Is anyone there?" Dimitri called out, sounding concerned.

I ran for the door and shut it behind me, my heart pounding from the adrenaline. I looked left and right. Which way to go to avoid Tasha?

I decided that going right was the best bet, since the elevators were in the opposite direction, and tore off right before Dimitri opened the door.

When Lissa and Adrian came to my (or mine and Lissa's) suite a few minutes later, I leapt up. "Got it?" Adrian asked.

I nodded and pulled the watch out of my pocket.

Lissa and Adrian took the watch and huddled around it to study it. "The compulsion is strong," Lissa murmured, briefly touching it. "It's…it's really close to that of a spirit user's."

"That's probably because the earth user combined their compulsion with Tasha's," Adrian grumbled. "I really need to look into that."

Their talk got more technical until I didn't really get what they were talking about. I interrupted. "Hey, do you think taking the watch away helped with getting Dimitri back to normal?"

"Hard to say," Lissa said. "Let's say there's three levels of compulsion – low, medium, and strong. For very low-level compulsion, just take the object away and I'm guessing the person under compulsion will be okay. Medium…I guess it's the same. But for strong compulsion like this…it might take awhile for the compulsion to fully wear off."

"How about if I destroy it?" I asked.

Lissa and Adrian stared at me before switching their gaze back to the watch. "That should probably do it," Adrian said, but he sounded reluctant. "I would've liked the chance to study a little bit of this though…"

I tried to raise my eyebrows at him but failed. Adrian was actually interested in the compulsion in the watch?

Lissa put her hand on his arm. "We have to make it one hundred percent sure that Dimitri regains his own control."

"Why not see if Belikov's already free from compulsion now?" he argued.

"Things are suspicious enough as it is! He's not that close to us, and if we suddenly start to talk to him…it might look like we're trying to fish around for something. Better destroy it – or at least – damage it so Dimitri's fine for sure. Even if it's unnecessary."

They exchanged a long look for a moment before Adrian turned to me. "Fine. Destroy it."

I picked up the watch and smashed it onto the floor.