"It's hard to describe. I don't know how I first did it. I think I was dreaming and there was suddenly someone else there. I didn't even appreciate it was real until the next morning . At first, I'd imagine the place and me there and then the other person there, too. Now it's easier. I just kind of let my mind wander to the person and then most of the time I let their mind pick the place; although if it's their first time I usually choose as their mind doesn't really get what's happening," Adrian explained, reclined on a couch in the Church attic. He was about to light a cigarette when Lissa stopped him with a look.
Adrian had turned up on campus Saturday, moving to St Vladimir's for the rest of the school year to work with Lissa and Ms. Carmack on spirit.
After the diversions of Court, returning to High School promised to be eternally dull, although it wasn't entirely without its compensations. Working with Lissa on spirit had piqued his interest; but not as much as Lissa's friend Rose. Beautiful and spirited, something about Rose fascinated Adrian. It wasn't just her looks, although she was admittedly a stunner. It was the way she was simultaneously so strong but so vulnerable. The way she'd looked at him at the Ski Lodge had sucked him right in – eyes knowing yet full of innocence. She was a walking, talking, sexy as hell conundrum, and while his primary occupation at St Vlad's would be working on spirit with Lissa, his second was to figure out Rose Hathaway. He wanted to be the man to answer the questions hidden in the depths of those deep brown eyes.
"So where's your sidekick?" Adrian asked Lissa casually, not wanting to give his interest away.
"He's spending time with his aunt," Lissa said distractedly, misunderstanding Adrian's question as she focused on the seed she was coaxing to life in front of her. "He's been struggling since Spokane, so Tasha's visiting for the weekend to spend time with him."
"How's Rose going after what happened?"
"Yeah, she's ok. She's off outdoor survival training this weekend," Lissa said, looking at the now blooming seedling with satisfaction.
"A bunch of dhampir out in the cold and wet. Better them than me," Adrian laughed. He wondered for a moment whether the cradle robber was there with her, but pushed the thought from his mind. "So if it's just the two of us, what do you want to do?"
"Keep practicing spirit?" Lissa suggested.
"We can't do that all day; it's not worth the burnout. Let's go find Christian and his aunt?" Adrian suggested.
It probably wasn't a bad idea Lissa thought. Although she'd had explained to Christian a thousand times she wasn't interested in Adrian, he still wasn't thrilled about the amount of time the two of them spent alone together. Maybe hanging out as a group might help with that?
"Hey," she said when she and Adrian tracked Christian and Tasha down in one of the common rooms. "It's nearly dinner time – you want to come to the cafeteria?"
"Yeah sure. Tasha?" Christian said, wrapping a proprietary arm around Lissa and giving Adrian a slightly uneasy look.
"You go ahead. I was going to find Dimitri and see if he wanted to hang out."
"Oh, he's off campus this weekend, Tasha. He and Rose have gone on an outdoor survival camping weekend," Lissa explained.
"What? In this weather? Dhampir are crazy," Christian laughed. "They must have been snowed out because Blake and Eddie were up here earlier doing a group assignment for Animal Phys."
"I think just Rose and Guardian Belikov went. She said it was to make up for her missing the survival skills last year while we were away."
Lissa might have missed the flash of Tasha's aura, but Adrian didn't. Interesting. Either Tasha batted for the other team, or Rose had a bit of competition for Guardian Boring Borscht's attention, he thought.
"Hmm. Hope they've got a fire burning. It'll be freezing out there. Although I suppose they could share a tent for warmth," Adrian said innocently. Lissa and Christian didn't react to his words, but there was a deep flash of jealousy from Tasha. "So – dinner?" he added, quickly changing topics. Lissa could be a big ally in his pursuit of Rose, and giving her any idea there might be something between Rose and Belikov might get her to throw her support in that direction. Best, for now, she stay ignorant to Belikov's illicit interest in Rose.
The four of them wandered down to the cafeteria, taking their time over their Saturday night meal. Lissa and Christian were all loved up, and Tasha was eating but looking unhappy. Adrian watched her with interest. It was 7.30 am Moroi time – so early on a Saturday night. With nothing else to occupy themselves the four decided to retire to one of the smaller common rooms and watch a film. Not that anyone did much watching. Lissa and Christian were making out, Tasha was staring in the general direction of the screen lost in thought, and Adrian was looking at Tasha. Her aura was fascinating. It kept swirling between pink (love), army green ( uncertainty), dark maroon (frustration) and sunshine yellow (happiness and pride). The latter was whenever she looked at Christian.
"So how long are you staying?" Adrian asked, trying to tempt Tasha into conversation.
"Well I was going to go back on Sunday, but I'd like to see Guardian Belikov while I'm here, so I might extend a day or two." Pink flashes. So it was the cradle robber she wanted.
"Yes, I should imagine he and Rose will be back ready for classes on Mond ay." Army green and maroon. She was subconsciously worried about Rose, Adrian surmised. Not that he was surprised. Anyone with eyes could see there was something between Rose and Belikov. Still, there were none so blind as those who didn't want to see.
The movie over they went their separate ways. Christian to walk Lissa to her room, them all pretending they didn't know he intended to stay over for a little sexytime. Adrian walked Tasha back to guest quarters. It was barely 9 am. Early. Adrian knew he should do the polite thing and ask her in to hang out, but after hearing about Rose and Belikov's weekend away, he just wanted to go to grab a bottle and wipe himself out. So bidding Tasha farewell when they reached his door, that's exactly what he did.
It was lunchtime Sunday when he woke; just after midnight. Walking to the bathroom with a pounding head, he took a shower. Shaving would have to wait until he was feeling less crappy. He was hungry, so after dressing, he made the slow move across campus towards the cafeteria. It was crisp out. Not snowing, but very cold. Still, cold was better than hot when it came to a hangover; this he knew from long experience. He hated to admit it, but using so much spirit was affecting him. It was going to be a hard four months until graduation.
He was passing the back of the Novice dorms when he spotted her. Rose. Good God she was magnificent. More than beautiful, she was glowing. Standing next to a Honda Pilot fetching her bag from the back, she was carefree - laughing and smiling. In their short acquaintance, Adrian had never seen her looking so happy and at peace. She was gazing at someone standing behind the car's boot with adoration, and that's when Adrian spotted Belikov.
When Adrian left campus after Mason's funeral, Belikov been quiet and subdued, his aura filled with sadness, worry, and guilt. But not now. He, too, was glowing. Adrian didn't even have to concentrate to see the deep pink, red and yellow that radiated from their auras. Love, desire, and joy. It would have been less obvious what was happening if they'd each worn a TShirt emblazoned with 'We're madly in love and just had sex together for the first time.'
Unobserved by the lovers, he stopped to pull out a clove cigarette, using the moment to compose himself. Right then and there he saw he'd never be anything other than a friend to Rose. This wasn't a schoolgirl crush – she was head over feet, and Belikov felt the same way. He was bitterly disappointed. Angry, too. But the heart wants what the heart wants – and Rose's wanted Dimitri.
"Well hello little Dhampir," he said, striding towards the two of them. "You're looking a bit more adult than when I last saw you," he joked, giving Rose and then Dimitri a knowing look.
Rose's eyes flicked to Dimitri's in alarm; the older guardian wiping his face clear of any emotion stared at Adrian impassively.
"Lord Ivashkov," he greeted coolly.
"The cradle robber speaks," Adrian taunted, noticing the protective way Dimitri stepped in front of Rose. The way his first reaction was to defend and shield her from any threat. It was the actions of a man in love, and while it sucked to see Rose's beautiful brown doe eyes looking at another man with such love, trust, and admiration, at least the guy in question felt the same way about her. It would have hurt more to see her give her love to an asshole or a man who didn't appreciate the prize he'd been given.
"Don't worry, Belikov. Your naughty little secret is safe with me. Did the two of you have a good weekend away? Teach her a lot, did you?" he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, trying to drag his mind away from the unbidden image of Rose on her back, head thrown back in bliss as another man labored between her thighs, introducing her to the pleasures of making love. He was so busy baiting Dimitri he almost missed the flash of sadness and worry from Rose. A moment before she'd been on top of the world; and now she was scared and upset. Because of him.
"I'm just teasing," he said, turning back to Rose, his voice contrite. "I can see how you feel about each other. Auras don't lie. I wish it had been me, but I won't ruin this for you. I won't give the two of you away, and I'll help you protect your secret, " he solemnly promised. And surprisingly he meant it. He wanted Rose to be happy.
Dimitri opened his mouth to deny any knowledge of what Adrian was talking about, but Rose stepped forward and hugged Adrian.
"Thank you," she said so quietly Dimitri almost couldn't hear it. "I'm sorry, Adrian, but he's the one. It would have been easier if it was someone else, but it's him, and it's always going to be him."
Looking at their auras, unfortunately, Adrian had to agree.
"Then I wish you happiness, little Dhampir. I'm off to lunch – do you two care to join me?"
"I would, but we got burgers on the way through. I need to get back into Moroi time, so I was just going to crash," Rose explained.
"And you Guardian Belikov?" Adrian asked, almost disguising the disdain in his voice.
"I need to return the vehicle, and then I'l l also retire," he said stiffly, his distrust of Adrian painfully apparent.
"Well sleep well, both of you. Tasha Ozera is looking for you, cradle robber – shall I tell her she'll find you in your room?"
Rose looked to the ground.
"Adrian? If you see her, can you not mention we're back?" Her eyes were pleading, and he knew he'd do anything she asked when she looked at him like that. "Please?"
"You got it, little Dhampir. I didn't see you. Either of you," he said, smiling at Rose and giving Dimitri a nod before he sauntered off towards the cafeteria.
"I'll return the car and equipment, and then come up to your room, milaya," Dimitri said softly, gazing love struck at Rose once Adrian had disappeared.
"Ok," she whispered, giving him a final devoted look before slipping unseen up the stairs to her dorm room. Fifteen minutes later Dimitri slipped in via Rose's unlocked door to find his woman sound asleep on her bed, wearing nothing but a tiny pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. Taking off his duster, boots, shirt, and p ants he set the alarm on his phone and carefully climbed into bed next to her wearing just his boxers. They were both exhausted, but the opportunity to spend a few more hours together was irresistible; even if they'd just be sleeping. Within minutes the two of them were deeply asleep, his arm protectively draped around her waist, both of them with happy smiles on their faces.
"You're up late?" Lissa said, not unkindly when Adrian walked into the cafeteria to join them for lunch.
"Busy night," Adrian said self-deprecatingly. It had been; h e'd been busy drinking himself into oblivion, and he had a feeling he'd be doing the same again tonight. "What have you been up to?"
"Just hanging out with Christian and Tasha," Lissa said fondly giving her boyfriend and his aunt an affectionate look. "Are you up to showing them what we've learned to do with spirit?" she asked him with an imploring expression.
Adrian nodded. He wasn't incognizant of Christian's mistrust of the time he spent with Lissa. Showing him they'd actually been working on their magic would go a long way towards setting his mind at ease. And while he'd find it amusing to tease the guy, his reason for being here was to try and learn more about spirit - and Christian feeling secure about the time he was spending with Lissa would help him achieve that.
"Sure," he drawled. "Tasha? You want to see?"
"I'd love to, but I really need to find Dimitri. He must be back by now."
Adrian shrugged noncommittally.
"We'll be in the small common room if you can't find him."
Adrian had a quick meal and went to the feeders with Lissa and Christian while Tasha went to the Guardian Quarters. Knocking at Dimitri's door there was no response. Maybe he wasn't back yet? If only there were a w ay to know for sure, she pondered. If he'd gone off campus, then he'd had to have taken a car. Maybe a quick trip to the motor pool was in order? Guardians loved their paperwork – if he'd come back in, they'd surely have a record of it?
With a spring in her step, she walked to the motor pool. Once there it was just too easy; she asked the attendant whether Guardian Belikov had signed back in. She discovered he had some half an hour before. The gregarious guardian was happy to reveal he'd said he was tired and had been off to catch some sleep. Tasha thanked him and turned back in the direction she'd come from. Perhaps he'd stopped to return some equipment or grab something to eat on the way to his room?
She was unable to explain why her feet took her away from the guardian dorms towards the Novice ones, yet for some reason they did. A friendly Novice was able to point her in the direction of Rose's room. Tasha stood in the deserted corridor trying to decide whether to knock. Rose must be exhausted, and it was pathetic waking her just to ask where Dimitri was. She turned away from the door, pulling out her phone to ring Dimitri; it was easier than looking for him all over campus.
Pressing call, she heard a phone ring back down the corridor. She walked back towards the ringing, realizing it was coming from Rose's room. She hung up, giving it a minute or two before dialing Dimitri's number again. When the phone rang again from within Rose's room, the crushing reality became apparent. Dimitri was back, and by the looks of it, he was spending time in Rose's dorm room!
She hung up a second time, walking away down the corridor, all sorts of explanations going through her mind. But like a domino show, now the idea had been planted one by one the pieces fell, and she could see everything. That stupid, stupid man. He hadn't been lying when he'd told her his heart was elsewhere. The idiot had given it to a student! If this got out, it would ruin his career and Rose's. Tasha had always been perplexed by the way they'd interacted; the banter and the indulgent way he'd tolerate Rose's sarcasm and churlishness. Now she knew why. Looking back, in her heart of hearts she realized she'd probably known for a while. The way Dimka loathed Adrian must be because of his interest in Rose, too. Of all the stupid, foolish things to do, falling in love with a student took the cake. And if they were going away off-campus alone together, and he was hanging out in her room, Tasha could only assume their relationship had progressed to being sexual.
She walked almost in a daze back to the Moroi dorms, finding Christian, Lissa, and Adrian and sitting to watch them use spirit although she didn't take in anything. Her mind was working overtime on Dimitri and Rose. She was almost certain Christian didn't know. She couldn't be so sure about Lissa or Adrian, but it wasn't something she could ask without giving her knowledge away. She wondered whether anyone else suspected. Rose wasn't close with her mother, so that wasn't likely. Guardian Petrov seemed quite observant, but Dimitri wasn't stupid – he'd be discreet. But not discreet enough for her not to realize…
"Penny for your thoughts?" Adrian asked, looking at Tasha shrewdly once the spirit demonstration was over. She shivered. Sometimes the way Adrian looked at her made her feel like he knew her every secret.
"Sorry, I was miles away," she replied evasively.
"Did you end up finding Guardian Belikov?" Lissa asked Tasha innocently.
"No – I was halfway to his room when I realized he'd probably be changing back to Moroi time so was most likely asleep. I'll catch him after his morning training with Rose tomorrow." The lie slipped easily from her tongue, but it wasn't enough to fool Adrian. He noticed the way Tasha's eyes dipped away from Lissa's as she spoke – a surefire sign of a falsehood.
Tasha looked up, catching Adrian staring at her.
"You must be looking forward to seeing Rose?" she asked, watching him carefully.
"I'm always happy to see my little Dhampir," he said enigmatically. "There's always so much going on with her."
"Isn't there just," Tasha muttered under her breath, a surge of anger and envy coursing through her.