Sorry about the long wait, I've had a busy week! Anyway, here it is, enjoy!

Mia smiled slightly, nodding to me.
"That's great. That's really great." I slumped with relief, not realising how concerned I was that Mia may disapprove and possibly tell someone- or even worse- think badly of me. We'd come a long way as friends since Spokane and I didn't want to lose that.
Adrian coughed- his eyes alert and watchful. I was surprised but pinned this to the fact that he hadn't been drinking- he had probably just woken up when Lissa got him. "Can I continue?" I smirked and he didn't wait for an answer, he began reading once again.

"I had to admit Dimitri Beli-whatever was pretty smart. After they'd carted us off to the airport and onto the Academy's private jet, he'd taken one ook at the two of us whispering and ordered us separated.
"Don't let them talk to each other," he warned the guardian who escorted me to the back of the plane. 'Five minutes together, and they'll come up with an escape plan.'
I shot him a haughty look and stormed off down the aisle. Never mind the fact that we had been planning escape."

Adrian stopped reading as a grin spread across his face, but it was Lissa who spoke. "I'm starting to really wish the bond had been two-ways, the way you think..." she paused, thoughtful while still smiling "hilarious."
"It would have been much easier for escape-planning," I noted. Dimitri shook his head, a smirk still playing at his lips. I sighed, attempting to control the nervousness within me.

"...my concern for her cut into my fury. They couldn't take her back there, not to that place. I wondered if Dimitri might have hesitated if he could feel what I did and if he knew what I knew. Probably not. He didn't care."

Dimitri shook his head at this and I turned to face him. "Of course I cared!" he exclaimed. His expression softened, "it's interesting, your first impression of me." I grinned at him and glanced across the room. Mia was leaning back into the couch, an amused grin crossing her face. Beside her, Eddie had a mask of concentration on, alert and ready to spring into action- but I knew him well enough to know that he was also entertained; his eyes were light and carefree- for the moment at least. It always brought a smile to my face when he was genuinely happy an relaxed, a surprisingly rare occurrence since Spokane and the attack on St Vladimirs, the time when Eddie had been captured by Strigoi. Adrian continued reading.

"...There had to be at least a dozen ways to get to Kirova's office, and they were taking us right through the center of the commons.
And it was Breakfast time."

This time I turned to Dimitri and gave him a harsh, pointed look. He lifted his hands as a symbol of surrender. "We simply considered the fastest way to get there." Of course Dimitri attempted to use reasoning to calm me down, he should have known by now that I would always find some Rose-logic to counter him, but this time I bit back the snarky remark, knowing I would have done the same in his position but still grunting over the annoyance of it.

"...a Moroi girl who looked about eleven but had to be older, unless he'd become a pedophile during our absence. With plump little cheeks and blond ringlets, she looked like a porcelain doll. A very pissed off and evil porcelain doll."

All eyes were on Mia as this was read out, she shook her head, flushing.
"I can't believe I was such a..."
"Bitch?" I finished for her, Lissa punched me lightly on the arm.
"Rose!" Mia shook her head.
"No, it's fine. I agree. The way I treated you both, it wasn't fair. Your brother had wronged me, yes, but I had no right to take it out on you." I realised that this had never properly been discussed between us, Lissa appeared to be thinking the same thing- although I couldn't be sure.
"We forgive you, and it's in the past. I'm glad we're friends now." Mia grinned at us and we both grinned back, pleased to have sorted everything out. Adrian sighed impatiently.
"Now that this touching scene is complete, can I continue?" I nodded, tilting my head backwards slightly.

"...The old hag looked exactly like I remembered, sharp-nosed and gray-haired. She was tall and slim, like most Moroi, and had always reminded me of a vulture. I knew her well because I'd spent a lot of time in her office."

I scanned the faces of my friends, none looking surprised by this or shocked by my description of Kirova. I shrugged as Adrian continued.

"...Startled, I realized there was someone else in the room... With a great deal of effort, Victor Dashkov rose from a corner chair."

Lissa flinched. I flinched. Christian flinched. Even Dimitri flinched. That name was a name all of us knew well. Lissa closed her eyes and I wrapped a comforting arm around her. Christian placed his hand on her knee, rubbing it gently. "Continue." she murmured. I had a feeling there were going to be many moments like this for all of us when reading these books.