The plane began its descent into Fairbanks, and I gazed out the window at tall pines and stretches of greenland. In Lissa's thoughts, I read how she'd been half expecting glaciers and snowbankds, despite knowing it was full on summer here. After Siberia, I learned to keep an open mind about regional stereotypes. My biggest concern was the sun. Thanks to the time zone change and the northern latitude we had full, sunny blue skies. It was like a giant safety blanket. It would also be draining for Lissa.
Our first complaint after we landed was that none of us could rent a car due to our age. Finally at the fourth place we tried a hesitant woman who told us there was a guy who would rent to us with the right amount of cash. That's how we ended up at Buds Rental Cars. a shady looking place that indeed rented us a car when we produced enough cash.
Our info indicated that the prison ran on a vampire schedule. Our plan was to stay in a hotel and rest before heading out during the Moroi 'night' ; it also gave Lissa more time to work on her charms. Running against our vampire schedule meant that I couldn't get any visits from Adrien to see how Raven is doing. We took our opportunity to lay down though I doubt any of us got a good rest in.
"I thought Alaska was Tundra '' Eddie said, exhaustion lacing his speech from the schedule switch and hard time sleeping. Outside the sky was blue and clear, with only a few clouds that did nothing to keep the sun at bay. The heat was insane as I tied my jacket around my waist. Occasionally a welcome gust of wind would roll through, flattening the grass and throwing my hair around.
We came to a stop before a high, barbed wire fence with an enormous 'private property no unauthorized personnel' sign on it. The lettering was red, emphasizing how serious they were. Eddie and I exchanged glances "before we go any farther are you sure this is what you want" Eddie asked. I gave a harsh laugh. "Want? No. But it's what we have to do" he nodded.'' Good enough for me" we watched the prison a while longer, moving around to get different angles while keeping a wide perimeter.
When we got into the car. Me and lissa putting on wigs and all three of us putting on our charmed rings. We road to the checkpoint manned by a guardian. Eddie lowered his window, and the guardian approached him. "What's your business?" Eddie handed over papers "dropping off new feeders' ' the file had contained all sorts of forms and papers for prison business, including order forms for supplies, and feeders. "I wasn't notified of a delivery" he peered at the paperwork "this is an old form" he stated.
Eddie shrugged "it's what they gave me, i'm kinda new at this" the man sighed looking in the back at me and Lissa. We kept our heads down hoping the charms make him believe were human. A few moments pass and he returns his attention to Eddie. He stepped away and made a call that lasted about a minute before coming back and handing Eddie the papers back. "They said go on in they'll sort it out in there" Eddie thanked him and drove us on. Two guys greeted us at the door and took us into the assistant wardens office. A older man came in and shook Eddies hand "Theo Marx" he said. Eddie replied with his fake name. The guy took the papers and scanned them over before rubbing his forehead and informing us we'll have to wait for the warden to come back. Eddie looked over at us " can they get a feeding, been fidgety the whole way here" the guy looked over at us and Lissa really turned up the dramatics. "Go ahead and the them down" he told a guardian outside.
He took us to the feeding room where another guy was. He looked confused when we entered. The guardian explained what was going on to the other guy and started looking at chats before the guardian walked away. Me and Lissa exchanged looks before she did her magic. "Who's due next? '' she asked. The guy's eyes glazed over before he answered. "Rudolf Kaiser'' Lissa sighed "when is Victor Dashkov due?" she asked. "Two hours'' he replied after checking the chart. "Make it now" she ordered. The man made a call and we waited for him to walk through the door.
When the realization that her tormentor would emerge any second now Lissa filled with the same distress she always felt at the trial, it seemed to shoot through her in waves. Forcibly she shoved her fears aside as to keep a hold on the guard in charge of feedings. When Victor finally walked into the room he was accompanied by one guardian. He looked as if his sickness was starting to rear its ugly head again. Lack of fresh air and exercise might be accountable too, as had the limited blood. The guard had him clad in shackles as an extra precaution, and the heavy weight dragged him down, making him shuffle.
"Over there" the feeder guard said pointing at me "that one"
The guardian led Victor past Lissa, and he barely gave her a second glance. The guardian settled him into a chair beside me and then stepped back. Victor leaned toward me and opened his mouth. Feedings were so second nature, the motions always the same, that he hardly had to think of what he did. It was like he didn't see me.
Except, he did.
He froze, eyes going wide. He was confused. Like others we'd encountered, my charm muddled his thoughts. His senses told him I was human, yet the illusion wasn't perfect. There was also the fact that Victor was also a strong non-spirit compulsion wielder, and was usually resistant to it. Just as me, Eddie, and Lissa could see through the charms because we knew each other's true identities, Victor experienced the same effect. His mind might insist that I was human, but his eyes told him I was Rose Hathaway, even with my wig on. And once that knowledge sunk in his face contorted into a wicked smile. "Oh my. This might be the best meal I've ever had" his voice was barely above a whisper. "Put your teeth anywhere near me and it'll be your last meal" I murmured to him. "But if you want any chance out of here, you'll do what I say" he gave me a questioning look. I took a deep breath, dreading my next words.
"Attack me"
