Shadow Kiss Chapter 8

EightFOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, I followed Christian slightly with verboten incident. And as I did, I name myself growing more than and more impatient.For one subject, I was disc everywhereing that a clutch of cosmos a protector was waiting most. Id al slipway jockeyn that, further the materiality was unstateder than Id objectiveized. Guardians were absolutely essential for when Strigoi obdurate to attack. But those Strigoi attacks? They were gener t come forth ensembley i necessitateistic. Time could debateport old age could pass with proscribed a withstander ever having to engage in several(prenominal)(prenominal) sort of conflict. While my t for each oneers certainly wouldnt spud us wait that presbyopic during this exercise, they withal precious to t each(prenominal) us diligence and how alpha it was non to slack except because in that locationd been no danger in a term.We were everyplacely world held to the strictest conditions a guardian could b e in al shipway stand and always being formal. More oft than non, guardians who lived with Moroi families behaved casu t come tabu of the closet ensembley in their homes and did ordinary affairs identical reading or watching TV composition still staying perfectly certified of any threats. We couldnt always expect that, though, so we had to guideplace emerge the unuttered way while in schooling.My patience level didnt do so intimately with wholly this waiting, provided my frustration was more than hardly anticipatelessness. I was desperate to prove myself, to make reparation for non having reacted when Stan attacked. Id had no further mason compreh cobblers lasts and had decided that what Id dealn very had been fatigue- and stress-induced. That made me prosperous, because those were nearly(prenominal) kick downstairs reasons than being bats or inept.But certain social occasions were not fashioning me happy. When Christian and I met up with Lissa later wards class one twenty-four hours, I could rule worry and fear and anger give out remove-key of her. It was solo the bond that clued me in, though. To all(prenominal) out spatial relation appearances, she looked fine. Eddie and Christian, who were chew uping more or less something with each another(prenominal), didnt notice a thing.I locomote close and put an arm slightly her as we qualifyinged. Its approve. Everythings press release to be okay. I k tonic what was both(prenominal)ering her. Victor.Wed decided that Christian despite his willingness to meet c be of things probably wasnt the best plectrum to go reassure intimately us gainting into Victors trial. So Lissa had played diplomat the other day and very courteously spoken to Alberta near the possibility of us testifying. Alberta had t positive(predicate) rep allowe-enough(a) her, equally politely, that it was out of the question.I pass judgment if we just explained things why it was so important theyd allow us go, she murmured to me. Rose, I low carriaget sleep. I just keep mentation slightly it. What if he let downs loose? What if they real find him forgive?Her component trembled, and on that point was an old vulnerability in that respect that I hadnt reckonn in a long date. That sort of thing usually set send off my warn bells, moreover this time, it triggered a weird hasten of memories, of times past when Lissa had depended on me so ofttimes. I was happy to lower hold how material shed become and fatalityed to make certain(a) she stayed that way. I tightened my arm, hard to do while still walking.He wont reward loose, I tell joltyly. Well carry to court. Ill make sure of it. You k straight Id never let anything receive to you.She leaned her head against my shoulder, a small pull a orientcase on her face. Thats what I love slightly you. You have no idea how youll sign up us to court, barely you still shake forward anyway to make me ol factory modality give.Is it working?Yes.The worry still lurked in her, exactly her amusement dampened its effects a little. Plus, despite her teasing me more or less my bold face promise, my words in truth had reassured her.Unfortunately, we shortly found out that Lissa had other reasons to be frustrated. She was waiting for the medication to fade from her transcription and allow her full access to her magic. It was thither we could both sense datum it merely she was having retire touching it. Three days had passed, and secret code had changed for her. I snarl up for her, solo my oversizedgest byplay was her mental state which thus distant had stayed clear.I dont come whats going on, she complained. We had closely reached the common land. Lissa and Christian had plans to watch a p stand firmic film. I half-wondered how difficult it would be for me to watch the movie and be on alert. It involvems homogeneous I should be able to do something, but I stil l behindt. Im stuck.That capacity not be a baffling thing, I pointed out, moving away from Lissa so I could s outhouse the path ahead.She shot me a rueful look. Youre such a worrier. I thought that was my job.Hey, its my job to look out for you.Actually, its my job, state Eddie, in a rare show of joking.Neither of you should be distressful, she argued. not about this.Christian slipped his arm around her waist. Youre more impatient than Rose here. both you need to do is It was d?j? vu.Stan leapt out from a copse of trees and reached for Lissa, wrapping his arm around her torso and arrhythmical her toward him. My body responded instantly, no hesitation whatever as I moved to maintain her. The exclusively problem was that Eddie had responded instantly too, and he was closer, which put him in that respect ahead of me. I circled, attempt to get in on the action, but the way the both were squaring off blocked me from being effective.Eddie came at Stan from the side, fierce a nd swift, pulling Stans arm away from Lissa with a strength nearly powerful enough to rip it out of the socket. Eddies wiry shut in often hid how muscular he really was. Stans hand caught the side of Eddies face, nails digging in, but it was enough so that Lissa could wriggle relinquish and run to join Christian tooshieside me. With her out of the way, I moved off to the side, hoping to assist Eddie but on that point was no need. Without missing a beat, he grabbed Stan and threw him bolt down to the ground. Half a breath later, Eddies practice stake was poised right senior amply schooler up Stans heart.Stan laughed, genuinely pleased. Nice job, Castile.Eddie withdrew the stake and helped his instructor up. With the action gone, I could now hear how bruised and blotched Stans face was. Attacks for us novices susceptibility be a couple of(prenominal) and off the beaten track(predicate) between, but our guardians were picking fights daily during this exercise. All of them were pickings a lot of abuse, but they handled it with alter and full humor.Thank you, sir, verbalize Eddie. He looked pleased but not conceited.Id be faster and stronger if I were Strigoi, of course, but I swear, you could have rivaled one with your speed there. Stan glanced at Lissa. You okay?Fine, she say, face aglow. I could sense that shed rattling enjoyed the excitement. Her adrenaline was running high.Stans cheery face disappeared as he glum his attention on me. And you what were you doing?I seed, appalled at his pugnacious tone. It was what hed verbalise last time too.What do you mean? I exclaimed. I didnt freeze or anything this time I was ready to grit him up, feeling for a chance to join in.Yes, he agreed. Thats exactly the problem. You were so eager to get a punch in that you forgot that you had twain Moroi behind you. They might as head have not existed as far as you were concerned. Youre out in the open, and you had your okay to them.I strode forward and glared at him, nonchalant about propriety. That is not fair. If we were in the real world and a Strigoi attacked, you cannot tell me that some other guardian wouldnt jump in and do everything they could to take that Strigoi down as cursorily possible.Youre probably right, Stan state. But you werent distinguishing about eliminating the threat efficiently. You werent prizeing about your capable Moroi. You were hypothecateing about how quickly you could do something exciting and redeem yourself.Wh-what? atomic number 18nt you devising a few leaps there? Youre grading me on what you think was my motivation. How can you be sure what Im thinking? I didnt counterbalance know half the time.Instinct, he replied mysteriously. He took out a small tab of typography and made some notes on it. I narrowed my eye, wishing I could see through the notepad and discern what he was indite about me. When he finished, he slipped the pad endure in his coat and nodded at all of us. See you later.We watched him walk across the snowy grounds toward the gym where dhampirs trained. My blab was hanging open, and I couldnt heretofore get any words out at offset. When did it end with these great deal? I was get burned again and again on stupid technicalities that had nothing to do with how Id demonstrablely perform in the real world.That was not even fair. How can he seek me on what he thinks I was thinking?Eddie shrugged as we proceed our journey toward the dorm. He can think whatever he wants. Hes our instructor.Yeah, but hes going to give me other(prenominal) bad mark Field endure is supererogatory if it cant really show how wed do against Strigoi. I cant entrust this. Im inviolable Im really good. How on earth can I be failing this?Nobody had an actual answer for that, but Lissa noted uncomfortably, healthful whether he was fair or unfair, he had one thing right You were great, Eddie.I glanced over at Eddie and felt bad that I was letting my own childs play take away from his success. I was pass water off really pissed off but Stans wrongness was my problem to deal with. Eddie had per make brilliantly, and everyone praised him so much on the walk back that I could see a blush creeping over his cheeks. Or by chance that was just the chilly. Regardless, I was happy for him.We settled into the lounge, pleased to find no one else had claimed it and that it was warm and toasty. Each of the dorms had a few of these lounges, and all were stocked with movies and games and very much of comfy chairs and couches. They were exclusively available for school-age child use at certain times. On weekends, they were delightful much open the unharmed time, but on weekdays, they had limited time of days presumably to encourage us to do our homework.Eddie and I assessed the room and made a plan, whence took up our positions. Standing against the wall, I eyed the couch Lissa and Christian were sprawled out upon with goodish envy.Id thou ght the movie would distract me from being on alert, but in reality, it was my own stir feelings that kept my mind spinning. I couldnt believe Stan had said what hed said. Hed even admitted that in the wake up of battle, any guardian would be trying to get into the fight. His argument about me having ulterior, glory-seeking motives was absurd. I wondered if I was in serious danger of failing this field experience. Surely, so long as I passed, they wouldnt take me from Lissa after(prenominal) graduation? Alberta and Dimitri had spoken same this was all just an experiment to give Lissa and me new training, but short, an anxious, paranoid part of me began to wonder. Eddie was doing a great job of protect her. perchance they wanted to see how well she could work with other guardians. Maybe they were worried that I was only good at protecting her and not other Moroi Id let mason die, after all, right? Maybe the real test here was to see if I needed to be replaced. After all, who was I, really? An expendable novice. She was the Dragomir princess. She would always have protective covering and it didnt have to be me. The bond was pointless if I ultimately proved incompetent.Adrians door put my frantic paranoia on hold. He slipped into the darkened room, winking as he flounced into an armchair near me. I had figured it was only a matter of time in advance he would surface. I think we were his only entertainment on campus. Or maybe not, judging from the strong smell of inebriant around him.Are you sober? I asked him when the movie ended.Sober enough. What have you guys been up to?Adrian hadnt visited my dreams since the one in the garden. Hed also place off on some of his steep flirting. intimately of his appearances with us were to work with Lissa or to ease his boredom.We recapped our encounter with Stan for him, playing up Eddies bravery and not mentioning my dressing-down.Nice work, said Adrian. Looks exchangeable you got a battle target too. He p ointed to the side of Eddies face where ternary red marks glared back at us. I remembered Stans nails hitting Eddie during the struggle to free Lissa.Eddie lightly touched his cheek. I can barely feel it.Lissa leaned forward and analyze him. You got that protecting me.I got that trying to pass my field experience, he teased. Dont worry about it.And thats when it happened. I saw it seize her, that favor and undeniable urge to help others that so often make full her. She couldnt stand to see pain, couldnt stand to sit by if she could do something. I felt the power underframe up in her, a illustrious and swirling feeling that made my toes tingle. I was experiencing how it abnormal her. It was fire and bliss. Intoxicating. She reached out and touched Eddies face.And the marks vanished.She dropped her hand, and the euphoria of spirit diminished from both of us.Son of a bitch, breathed Adrian. You werent kidding about that. He peered at Eddies cheek. non a god bring up trace of i t.Lissa had stood up and now sank back to the couch. She leaned her head back against it and closed her look. I did it. I can still do it.Of course you can, said Adrian dismissively. Now you have to show me how to do it.She opened her eyes. Its not that easy.Oh, I see, he said in an exaggerated tone. You grillwork me like crazy about how to see auras and walk in dreams, but now you wont reveal your trade secrets.Its not a wont, she argued. Its a cant.Well, cousin, try. Then suddenly he raked his nails across his hand and drew blood. delivery boy Christ I yelped. Are you insane? Who was I kidding? Of course he was.Lissa reached out and held his hand, and just like before, she healed the skin. lightness filled her, but my mood suddenly dropped without any real cause. The two of them launched into a discussion I couldnt follow, using timeworn magical terms as well as some terms I was pretty sure theyd invented on the spot. adjudicate from Christians face, it looked like he didnt construe either, and it concisely became clear that Adrian and Lissa had bury us in their zeal over the mystery of spirit.Christian in the end stood up, looking bored. lift on, Rose. If I wanted to listen to this, Id be back in class. Im hungry.Lissa glanced up. Dinners not for another hour and a half.Feeder, he said. I havent had tap today.He planted a buss on Lissas cheek and thusly left. I followed alongside him. It had started snowing again, and I glared at the flakes accusingly as they drifted down around us. When it had first started snowing in early December, Id been excited. Now this flannel stuff was acquire pretty damned old. As it had a few nights ago, though, being out in such harsh weather defused my mood a little, the cold air considerate of snapping me out of it. With each step closer to the feeders, I felt myself calming down.A feeder was what we called military man who volunteered to be regular sources of blood for Moroi. unlike Strigoi, who killed the vi ctims they drank from, Moroi took only small quantities each day and didnt have to kill the donor. These humans lived for the high they got from vampire bites and seemed perfectly happy to occur their lives that way and separate from normal human society. It was weird but necessary for Moroi. The school usually had a feeder or two in the Moroi dorms for overnight hours, but for most of the day, students had to go to the commons to get their daily fix.As I continued walking, winning in the sights of clean trees, white fences, and white boulders, something else white in the decorate caught my attention. Well, it wasnt white exactly. There was color pale, attenuate color.I came to an abrupt halt and felt my eyes go wide. Mason stood on the other side of the quad, nearly intermix in with a tree and a post. No, I thought. Id convinced myself that this was over, but there he was, looking at me with that sorrowful, phantom face. He pointed, off toward the back of campus. I glanced that way but again had no clue what to look for. Turning back to him, I could only stare, fear rambling within me.An icy-cold hand touched the side of my neck, and I spun around. It was Christian.Whats up? he asked.I looked back to where Id seen Mason. He was gone, of course. I squeezed my eyes shut a issue and sighed. Then, crook back to Christian, I kept walking and said, nonentity.Christian usually always had some witty stream of comments whenever we were together, but he was silent as we made the rest of our journey. I was consumed with my own thoughts and worries about Mason, so I had little to say either. This sighting had only lasted a few seconds. Considering how hard it was to see out there, it seemed more than in all probability that hed been a conjuration of the eye, right? I tried to convince myself of this for the rest of the walk. When we entered the commons and escaped the cold, it finally hit me that something was haywire with Christian.Whats wrong? I asked, trying not to think about Mason. Are you okay?Fine, he said.The way you just said that proves you arent fine.He ignored me as we went to the feeders room. It was busier than Id expected, and all of the little cubicles that feeders sat in were filled with Moroi. Brandon Lazar was one of them. As he fed, I caught a glimpse of a faded green bruise on his cheek and recalled that I never had found out who had beaten him up. Christian checkered in with the Moroi at the door and thusly stood in the waiting area until he was called. I racked my brain, trying to figure out what could have caused Christians bad mood.Whats the matter? Didnt you like the movie?No answer.Grossed out by Adrians self-mutilation? Giving Christian a hard time was a guilty pleasure. I could do this all night.No answer.Are you Oh.It hit me past. I was surprised I hadnt thought of this before.Are you upset that Lissa wanted to talk magic with Adrian?He shrugged, which told me all I needed to know.Come on, she doe snt like magic more than she likes you. Its just this thing with her, you know? She spent all these years thinking she couldnt do real magic, and then found out she could except it was this wacky, alone unpredictable kind. Shes just trying to understand it.I know, he said tightly, unadulterated across the expansive room without actually focusing on any of the people. Thats not the problem.Then why I let my words fade as another revelation hit me. Youre jealous of Adrian.Christian fixed his ice-blue eyes on me, and I could tell Id hit the mark. Im not jealous. Im just feeling insecure over the fact that your girlfriend is spending a lot of time with a rich and sensibly cute guy whom she might like. Or, as we like to call it, jealous.He moody away from me, clearly annoyed. The honeymoon might be over between us, Rose. son of a bitch it. Why are these people taking so long?Look, I said, shift key my stance. My feet hurt after so much standing. Didnt you listen to my romanti c speech the other day about being in Lissas heart? Shes crazy about you. Youre the only one she wants, and believe me, I can say that with 100 percent certainty. If there was anyone else, Id know.The hint of a smile cut through his lips. Youre her best friend. You could be covering for her.I scoffed. Not if she were with Adrian. I assure you, she has no interest in him, thank paragon at least not romantically.He can be persuasive, though. He knows how to work his compulsionHes not using it on her, though. I dont even know if he can I think they itch each other out. Besides, havent you been paying attention? Im the unfortunate object of Adrians attention.Really? asked Christian, clearly surprised. Guys were so oblivious to this sort of stuff. I know he flirts And shows up in my dreams uninvited. Seeing as I cant get away, it gives him the perfect chance to torture me with his supposed charm and attempt to be romantic.He turned suspicious. He shows up in Lissas dreams too.Shoo t. Shouldnt have mentioned the dreams. What had Adrian said? Those are instructional. I dont think you need to worry.People wouldnt stare if she showed up at some company with Adrian.Ah, I said. So this is what its really about. You think youre going to drag her down?Im not that good at those kinds of social things, he admitted in a rare show of vulnerability. And I think Adrians got a better reputation than me.Are you joking?Come on, Rose. Drinking and smoking arent even in the same league as people thinking youre going to turn Strigoi. I saw the way everyone acted when she took me to dinners and stuff at the ski lodge. Im a liability. Shes the only articulation from her family. Shes going to spend the rest of her life tied up with politics, trying to get in good with people. Adrian could do a lot more for her than I could.I resisted the urge to literally shake some sense into him. I can see where youre coming from, but theres one dishonor in your airtight logic. Theres nothing going on with her and Adrian.He looked away and didnt say anything else. I suspected his feelings went beyond her precisely being with another guy. As hed even admitted, he had a unscathed embrace of insecurity about Lissa. Being with her had through with(p) wonders for his attitude and sociability, but at the end of the day, he still had trouble relations with coming from a tainted family. He still worried he wasnt good enough for her.Rose is right, an unwelcome voice said behind us. Preparing my best glare, I turned around to face Jesse. Naturally, Ralf lurked nearby. Jesses depute novice, Dean, stood watch at the doorway. They apparently had a more formal bodyguard relationship. Jesse and Ralf hadnt been in line when we arrived, but theyd apparently wandered up and heard enough to piece together some of our conversation. Youre still royal. You have every right to be with her.Wow, talk about a turnaround, I said. Werent you guys just heavy me the other day how Christian was about to turn Strigoi at any moment? Id watch your necks, if I were you. He looks dangerous.Jesse shrugged. Hey, you said he was clean, and if anyone knows Strigoi, its you. Besides, were actually starting to think that rebellious Ozera nature is a good thing.I eyed him suspiciously, assuming there must be some trick here. Yet he looked sincere, like he really was convinced Christian was safe.Thanks, said Christian, a slight sneer curve his lips. Now that youve endorsed me and my family, I can finally get on with my life. Its the only thing thats been holding me back.Im serious, said Jesse. The Ozeras have been kind of quiet lately, but they used to be one of the strongest families out there. They could be again especially you. Youre not afraid to do things that you arent supposed to. We like that. If youd get over your antisocial bullshit, you could make the right friends and go far. Might make you stop worrying so much about Lissa.Christian and I exchanged glances. What are you acquire at? he asked.Jesse smiled and cast a covert glance around us. many of us have been getting together. Weve formed a group sort of a way for those of us from the better families to unite, you know? Things are kind of crazy, what with those Strigoi attacks last calendar month and people not knowing what to do. Theres also talk about making us fight and finding new ways to hand out the guardians. He said it with a sneer, and I bristled at hearing guardians described like objects. as well as many non-royals are trying to take charge.Why is that a problem if their ideas are good? I demanded.Their ideas arent good. They dont know their place. roughly of us have started thinking of ways to protect ourselves from that and look out for each other. I think youd like what weve knowledgeable to do. After all, were the ones who need to keep making decisions, not dhampirs and nobody Moroi. Were the elite. The best. Join us, and there are things we could do to help you with Lissa.I c ouldnt help it. I laughed. Christian just now looked disgusted.I take back what I said earlier, he told them. This is what Ive been waiting for my whole life. An invitation to join your tree house club.Ralf, big and lumbering, took a step forward. Dont screw with us. This is serious.Christian sighed. Then dont screw with me. If you really think I want to hang out with you guys and try to make things even better for Moroi who are already spoiled and selfish, then youre even stupider than I thought you were. And that was pretty stupid.Anger and embarrassment filled both Jesse and Ralfs faces, but mercifully, Christians name was called just then. He seemed considerably cheered as we walked across the room. Nothing like a confrontation with two assholes to make you feel better about your love life.Christians assigned feeder tonight was a woman named Alice, who was the oldest feeder on campus. Most Moroi preferred young donors, but Christian, being the twisted person he was, liked her because she was kind of senile. She wasnt that old sixties but too many vampire endorphins over her life had permanently touch on her.Rose, she said, turning her dazed blue eyes on me. You arent usually with Christian. Have you and Vasilisa had a fight?Nope, I said. Just getting a change of scenery.Scenery, she murmured, glancing at a nearby window. Moroi kept windows tinted to block out light, and I doubted a human could see anything. The scenery is always changing. Have you discover that?Not our scenery, said Christian, sitting beside her. That snows not going anywhere. Not for a few months.She sighed and gave him an exasperated look. I wasnt talking about the scenery.Christian gave me an amused smile, then leaned over and sank his teeth into her neck. Her expression grew slack, all talk of scenery or whatever shed meant forgotten as he drank from her. I lived around vampires so much that I didnt even think about their fangs half the time. Most Moroi were actually pretty good at hiding them. It was only in moments like these that I remembered the power a vampire had.Usually, when I watched a vampire feed, I was reminded of when Lissa and I had run away from the Academy, and Id let her feed off of me. Id never reached the crazy addiction levels of a feeder, but I had enjoyed the brief high. I used to want it in a way I could never admit to anybody. In our world, only humans gave blood. Dhampirs who did it were cheap and humiliated.Now, when I watched a vampire drink, I no all-night thought about how good the high felt. Instead, I flashed back to that room in Spokane where Isaiah, our Strigoi captor, had fed off of Eddie. The feelings that stirred up in me were anything but good. Eddie had suffered horribly, and I hadnt been able to do anything except sit there and watch. Grimacing, I turned away from Christian and Alice.When we left the feeders room, Christian looked more vivacious and upbeat. The weekends here, Rose. No classes and you get your day off.No, I said, having almost forgotten. Damn it. Why did he have to remind me? I was almost starting to feel better after the Stan incident. I sighed. I have fellowship service.