After Mason was safely returned to the lodge and had ice on his ankle, Rose and Jasmine carried our equipment back outside toward the storage buildings. When Rose and Jasmine went back inside, Rose and Jasmine went through a different doorway than we normally used. This entrance was set behind a huge, open porch with an ornate wooden railing. The porch was built into the side of the mountain and had a breathtaking view of the other peaks and valleys around us- if you felt like standing around long enough in freezing temperatures to admire it. Which most people didn't.
Rose and Jasmine walked up the steps to the porch, stomping snow off our boots as we did. A thick scent, both spicy and sweet, hung in the air. Something about it felt familiar, but before we could identify it, a voice suddenly spoke to us out of the shadows.
Startled, we realized someone was indeed standing on the porch. A guy- a Moroi- leaned against the wall not far from the door. He brought a cigarette up to his mouth, took a long drag, and then dropped it to the floor. He stamped the butt out and crooked us a smile. That was the scent, Rose and Jasmine realized. Clove cigarettes.
Warily, we stopped and crossed our arms as we took him in. He was a little shorter than Dimitri but wasn't as lanky as some Moroi guys ended up looking. A long, charcoal coat- probably made out of some insanely expensive cashmere-wool blend- fit his body exceptionally well, and the leather dress shoes he wore indicated more money still. He had brown hair that looked like it had been purposely styled to appear a little unkempt, and his eyes were either blue or green- we didn't have quite enough light to know for sure. His face was cute, we supposed, and we pegged him to be a couple of years older than us. He looked like he'd just come from a dinner party.
His eyes swept over our bodies. We was used to attention from Moroi guys. It just usually wasn't so obvious. And Rose usually wasn't bundled up in winter clothing and sporting a black eye.
He shrugged. Just saying hi, that's all.
Jasmine said Hello!
Moroi man said I never seen identical twin sisters before. Rose and Jasmine looked at each other and back on him. They waited for more, but all he did was stuff his hands into the coat's pockets. With a shrug of my own, They took a couple steps forward.
You smell good, you know," he suddenly said.
They stopped walking again and gave him a puzzled look, which only made his sly smile grow a little bigger.
Rose what?"
"You smell good," he repeated.
Jasmine said, "which one of us?"
He said both of you.
Rose said Are you joking? We have been sweating all day. We are disgusting." They wanted to walk away, but there was something eerily compelling about this guy. Like a train wreck. We didn't find him attractive per se; they were just suddenly interested in talking to him.
Sweat isn't a bad thing," he said, leaning his head against the wall and looking upward thoughtfully. "Some of the best things in life happen while sweating. Yeah, if you get too much of it and it gets old and stale, it turns pretty gross. But on a beautiful woman? Intoxicating. If you could smell things like a vampire does, you'd know what I'm talking about. Most people mess it all up and drown themselves in perfume. Perfume can be good...especially if you get one that goes with your chemistry. But you only need a hint. Mix about 20 percent of that with 80 percent of your own perspiration...mmm." He tilted his head to the side and looked at us. "Dead sexy."
Rose said, "Well, thanks for the hygiene lesson." But we don't own any perfume, and we going to go shower all this hot sweaty action off us. Sorry!
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered it to us. He moved only a step closer, but it was enough for us to smell something else on him. Alcohol. We shook our heads at the cigarettes, and he tapped one out for himself. Jasmine said, "Bad habit," As we watching him light it."One of many," he replied. He inhaled deeply. "You here with St. Vlad's?"Rose and Jasmine said "Yup." So you're going to be a guardians when you grow up." "Both Rose and Jasmine said, "Obviously."
He exhaled smoke, and we watched it drift away into the night. Heightened vampire senses or no, it was a wonder he could smell anything around those cloves.
"How long until you both grow up?" he asked. "I might need a guardian or two."
Rose said, "We graduate in the spring. But both already spoken for. Sorry." Surprise flickered in his eyes. "Yeah? Who is he?" Jasmine said, "She's Vasilisa Dragomir."
"Ah." His face split into a huge grin. "I knew you were trouble as soon as I saw you. You're Janine Hathaway's daughters." J Rose said, "I am Rose Hathaway." Jasmine said, "I am Jasmine Hathaway. "We corrected, not wanting to be defined by our mother.
Nice to meet you, Rose and Jasmine Hathaway." He extended a gloved hand to us that both hesitantly took. "Adrian Ivashkov. Rosa said, "you think we trouble," Want to?" Adrian asked tauntingly. "Rose said, "Sorry. I'm not into older guys. Besides I have a boyfriend." It was a small lie. "
Adrian said, "I'm twenty-one. Not that much older." Besides, always take pair twins. Jasmine said well you going to have to wait a little longer. "Funny you didn't mention that right away," Adrian mused. "He didn't give you that black eye, did he?"I felt myself blushing, even in the cold. I'd been hoping he wouldn't notice the eye, which was stupid. With his vampire's eyes, he'd probably noticed as soon as I stepped onto the porch. Rose said, "He wouldn't be alive if he did. I got it during ... practice. I mean, We training to be a guardians. Our classes are always rough."
Adrian said, "That's pretty hot," He dropped this second cigarette to the ground and put it out with his foot. Rose said, "Punching me in the eye?" Adrian said, "Well, no. Of course not. I meant that the idea of getting rough with you is hot. I'm a big fan of full-contact sports." "I'm sure you are," I said dryly. He was arrogant and presumptuous, yet I still couldn't quite force myself to leave.
Jasmine stepped closer to Adrian and looked him into the eyes and said, "Adrian is a spirit user." Adrian looked at Jasmine's eyes could see they had changed from light brown eyes to golden. Adrian said, What are you?" Rose said, "Jazz is Dhampier!" Pulling Jasmine away from Adrian and whisper in her calm down."
The sound of footsteps behind us made us turn. Mia came around the path and walked up the steps. When she saw us, she stopped suddenly.
Rose said, Mia!
Jasmine turns around with smile on her face and said look, Rose. Someone, let the pixie hair, two-year-old toddler out of her playpen play in the snow like a big girl. Adrian smiled and laugh.
Mia glanced between the three of us.
Mia said Damn! Rose Another guy?
Adrian gave me a questioning, amused look. Rose gritted her teeth and decided not to dignify that with a response. Rose opted for uncharacteristic politeness. Mia, this is Adrian Ivashkov."
Adrian turned on the same charm he'd used on us. He shook her hand. Adrian said, "Always a pleasure to meet a friend of Rose and Jasmine especially a pretty one." He spoke like he and we had known each other since childhood.
Mia said Jasmine only hangs out with guys and psychopaths,"
Well," he said cheerfully, "since I'm both a psychopath and a guy, that would explain why we're such good friends." You and I aren't friends either," Rose told him. He laughed. "Always playing hard to get, huh?"
Mia said, "Rose not that hard to get. Just ask half the guys at our school." Jasmine said, "No! Mia. Everyone know that your biggest whore in at school. If you do her favor, she will alot for you like the good little whore she is. Both Rose and I don't have spread our legs to get guys to like us. Beside, It's past your bedtime, and the grown-ups would like to talk now." Mia's youthful looks were a sore point with her, one both loved frequently enjoyed exploiting.
Adrian started to make catcalls.
Mia storms away. Jasmine said, "they should make that sport. How much you could piss off Mia. Rose said so Damn! You are damn good at it. Jasmine said Thank you!" Adrian said, "I watch it." Rose said, "Jasmine do in the drop of a hat. Must people do watch and any given time?" Adrian, Jasmine, and Rose laugh about making fun of Mia.
You're one of those people who either have soul mates or mortal enemies, aren't you? No in-between. Both of you and Vasilisa are probably like sisters, huh?" Jasmine said I'm sorry Adrian! But Rose and I have to leave. Jasmine looked at the door. Rose said goodbye! Walking through the door.
(December 28)
There was a knock on the door. Christian opened the door. Christian said, "Sleeping Beauty arrives. Welcome." Christian ushered Rosa inside.
Jasmine had her head in Lissa's lap on the room's bed. Both Lissa and Jasmine smiled. When they saw Rose. The room was as sumptuous as mine, but most of the furniture had been shoved aside to make space, and in that open area, Tasha stood.
Tasha said, "Good Morning! Rose.
Rose said, "Hello! Tasha."
Lissa patted a spot beside her and Jasmine. "You've got to see this. Rose asked, "What's going on?" Rose sat down on the bed. Lissa said, "Bad Things,"
Christian walked over to the empty space and faced Tasha. They regarded each other, forgetting about Lissa, Jasmine, and Rose. I'd apparently interrupted something.
Christian said, "So why can't I just stick with the consuming spell?" Tasha said, "Because it uses a lot of energy."
Jasmine said, "don't burn yourself out. Before the battle is over." Tasha said, "That right!" Vasilisa said, "be quiet and watch." Jasmine said, "Sorry!"
Tasha said Plus, it'll most likely kill your opponent.
"Why wouldn't I want to kill a Strigoi?" Christian said.
Tasha said You might not always be fighting one. Or maybe you need information from them. Regardless, you should be prepared either way."
Tasha finished the lesson with Christian. Made plans to see Christian for dinner.
Jasmine said, Tasha. Tasha turns around and faces Jasmine. Jasmine's eyes started to change color to gold. When Jasmine started to see colors around Tasha. Soon find the reason why Tasha didn't like her.
Jasmine said, "I have few questions for you. I want you to tell me the truth. Tasha said, "alright!" Jasmine said, "Every since you meet me. You have been unfriendly to me. I would like to what I did make you dislike me?" Tasha said, "I do like you, Jasmine. I was upset to found that strigoi did you three years ago. It reminds me of what happened to me.
Jasmine said, "why don't you invite me to Christmas brunch?" Tasha said, "I forget to invite you. Plus I thought might have a party to go to." Jasmine said, "good thing Dimitri invented me to your Christmas brunch as his guest. As hosted you should have gone around talking to everyone. But what I find you more interesting is that pay more attention to Dimitri than anyone else.
Tasha said, "your eyes change color." Vislissa turns Jasmine's head and sees Jasmine's eyes was a gold color. Christian said, "Jasmine's eyes looked big at Vislissa. Seeing bright lights around Vislissa. Jasmine turns her looked at Rose and seen darkness around her. Moving her eyes to Christian founding different colors come from him. Moving her eyes back Vaslissa and see bright white light around her. Jasmine closes her eyes and reopens they are still golden.
Tasha said, "is everything OK?" Vasilisa said Yes! Jasmine turns to head back and looked at Tasha. Jasmine's eyes were still golden.
Tasha asked, "what happen to Jasmine's eyes." Christian said, "Jazz eyes change the color sometimes a way of her moods." Tasha said, "that really wield that someone's eyes would change like that? Rose said, "that normal it always happens to her.
Tasha said I will see you at lunch Christian. Please bring your friends with you. Jasmine, you are welcome to come. Jasmine said, "thank you, Tasha.
Tasha leaving Christian and Jasmine's living area. When Tasha had walked out the bedroom door and down the hallway.
Jasmine said, "Tasha lied to us. The reason that my eyes change color is I could colors around people at times. I looked at Vasilisa. Vasilisa shines bright in white light it was blinding and beautiful. When I looked at Rose, "I saw darkness and shadows around Rosie. Christian your different colors and feelings came through to me. Vasilisa and Adrian are spirit users they shine brighter than anyone I have seen. Vasilisa asked, "who is Adrian?" Jasmine said, "Adrian Ivashkov."
Christian said the day in class when took my power from Ray on fire your eyes change to gold then too. Christian said why would Aunt Tasha hate you? Jasmine said, "I see right through her bullshit. Tasha has been compelling everyone and Dimitri to follow her. But she can't compel me. I can't be compelled by anyone." Vasilisa said, "I tried to use compel on Jasmine and didn't work." Christian said, "Vaslisa your compels is strong anyone every."
Vasilisa said, "Jasmine. I want you to take a nap and rest. You know what happens when you use your power. Need rest and meet her before Lunch." Jasmine smiled at Vislissa and yes. Getting up walking to the bedroom and laying down.