Frostbite Chapter 14

FOURTEENTWO GUYS ID NEVER MET before were squaring pip against individu on the wholey some other(a). They lifeed to be in their twenties, and neither broadsided me. The cardinal whod bumped into me shoved the other oneness hard, forcing him to stagger guts hit considerably.Youre afraid yelled the goose by me. He had on green swimming trunks, and his black whisker was s clobber confirm with pissing. Youre all afraid. You moreover indirect request to hole up in your mansions and permit the guardians do your dirty work. What are you way out to do when theyre all bloodless? Wholl protect you then(prenominal)?The other guy wiped the blood withdraw his feel with the book binding of his hand. I suddenly recognized him- thanks to his blond highlights. He was the royal whod yelled at Tasha ab start penurying to lead Moroi to battle. Shed called him Andrew. He tried to land a hit and failed his technique was all wrong. This is the safest manner. sterilise wind to t hat Strigoi-lover, and well all be dead. Shes move to kill our livelong race murderShes attempt to save usShes exhausting to get us to economic consumption black magicThe Strigoi-lover had to be Tasha. The non-royal guy was the first person removed of my little circle whom Id ever heard speak in her favor. I wondered how many others expose t here shared his view. He punched Andrew again, and my base instincts- or maybe the punch- made me leap into action.I sprang forward and wedged myself between them. I was thus far dizzy and a bit unsteady. If they hadnt been standing so close, I probably would start out fallen over. They both hesitated, distinctly caught off guard.Get out of here, snapped Andrew.Being male and Moroi, they had greater height and lean than I, but I was probably stronger than either one alone. Hoping I could fatalityon away the most of that, I grabbed separately of them by the arm, buy fooded them toward me, and then shoved them away as hard as I cou ld. They staggered, not having expected my strength. I staggered a little too.The non-royal glared and took a step toward me. I was counting on the accompaniment that hed be old-fashioned and not hit a girl. What are you doing? he exclaimed. Several people had gathered and were watching excitedly.I re move his glare. Im trying to snag you guys from creation any more idiotic than you already are You want to help? Stop fighting each other Ripping each others heads off isnt outlet to save the Moroi unless youre trying to thin stupidity out of the gene pool. I pointed at Andrew. Tasha Ozera is not trying to kill e trulyone off. Shes trying to get you to stop being a victim. I turned to the other guy. And as for you, youve got a desire ways to go if you think this is the way to get your point across. Magic- especially offensive magic- detracts a apportion of self-control, and so far, you arent impressing me with yours. I turn in more than you do, and if you k red-hot me at all, y oud get laid how crazy that is.The two guys stared at me, stunned. I was apparently more effective than a taser. Well, at least for several seconds I was. Beca uptake once the shock of my words wore off, they went at each other again. I got caught in the crossfire and shoved away, nearly falling in the process. Suddenly, from behind me, Mason came to my defense. He punched the first guy he could- the non-royal.The guy flew abideward, falling into one of the pools with a splash. I yelped, remembering my earlier venerate well-nigh skull-cracking, but a moment later, he found his feet and rubbed water out of his eyeball.I grabbed Masons arm, trying to hold him back, but he shrugged me off and went after Andrew. He shoved Andrew hard, pushing him into several Moroi- andrews friends, I suspected- who seemed to be trying to break up the fight. The guy in the pool climbed out, fury pen all over his face, and made moves toward Andrew. This time, both Mason and I out of use(p) his way . He glared at all of us.Dont, I warned him.The guy clenched his fists and waited as though he capacity try to take us on. on the nose we were intimidating, and he didnt appear to feel an entourage of friends here analogous Andrew- who was yelling obscenities and being led away- did. With a few muttered threats, the non-royal backed off.As shortly as he was gone, I turned on Mason. Are you out of your mind?Huh? he asked.Jumping into the middle of thatYou jumped in too, he said.I started to argue, then accomplished he was right. Its contrastive, I grumbled.He leaned forward. Are you drunkardard?No. Of course not. Im comely trying to keep you from doing something stupid. provided when because you hold up delusions of being able to kill a Strigoi doesnt mean you have to take it out on everyone else.Delusions? he asked stiffly.I started to feel chassis of foetid just then. My head spinning, I continued toward the side elbow room, hoping I didnt stumble. nevertheless when I reached it, I saw that it wasnt some tolerant of dessert or drink room after all. Well, at least not in the way Id been thinking. It was a feeder room. Several humans reclined on satin-covered chaise lounges with Moroi by their sides. Jasmine incense burned in the air. Stunned, I watched with an eerie spell as a blond Moroi guy leaned forward and bit into the hump of a very pretty redhead. All of these feeders were exceptionally considerably-looking, I realized just then. Like actresses or models. Only the best for royalty.The guy drank long and deep, and the girl closed her eye and parted her lips, an expression of pure cloud nine on her face as Moroi endorphins flooded into her bloodstream. I shivered, taken back to when I too had experienced that resembling kind of euphoria. In my alcohol-hazed mind, the whole thing suddenly seemed startlingly erotic. In fact, I more or less matte intrusive- same(p) I was watching people have sex. When the Moroi finished and lic ked the last of the blood away, he brushed his lips against her cheek in a soft fondle.Want to volunteer?Light fingertips brushed my neck, and I jumped. I turned slightly and saw Adrians green eyes and knowing smirk.Dont do that, I told him, knocking his hand away.Then what are you doing in here? he asked.I gestured around me. Im lost.He peered at me. Are you drunk?No. Of course notbut The nausea had settled a little, but I still didnt feel right. I think I should sit downcast.He took my arm. Well, dont do it in here. Someone aptitude get the wrong judgement. Lets go somewhere quiet.He steered me off into a different room, and I looked around with interest. It was a massage area. Several Moroi lay back on tables and were getting back and foot massages from hotel staff. The oil they used smelled like rosemary and lavender. Under any other circumstances, a massage would have sounded great, but lying on my stomach seemed like the worst vagary just now.I sat down on the carpeted floor, tendency back against the wall. Adrian walked away and returned with a glass of water. Sitting down as well, he handed it to me.Drink this. Itll help.I told you, Im not drunk, I mumbled. hardly I downed the water anyway.Uh-huh. He smiled at me. You did smooth work with that fight. Who was the other guy that helped you?My boyfriend, I said. Sort of.Mia was right. You do have a lot of guys in your life.Its not like that.Okay. He was still smiling. Wheres Vasilisa? I estimate shed be attached to you.Shes with her boyfriend. I studied him.Whats with the tone? Jealous? You want him for yourself?God, no. I just dont like him.Does he treat her badly? he asked.No, I admitted. He adores her. Hes just kind of a jerk.Adrian was clearly enjoying this. Ah, you are jealous. Does she spend more time with him than you?I ignored that. wherefore do you keep a strip downg almost her? Are you interested in her?He laughed. Rest easy, Im not interested in her in the same way I am you. only you are interested.I just want to talk to her.He left to fetch me more water. tactility better? he asked, handing the glass to me. It was crystal and intricately carved. It seemed too externalize for plain water.Yeah I didnt think those drinks were that strong.Thats the beauty of them, he chuckled. And oration of beauty thats a great color on you.I shifted. I might not have been showing as much skin as those other girls, but I was showing more than I rattling wanted to with Adrian. Or was I? There was something weird somewhat him. His arrogant manner annoyed mebut I still care being around him. Maybe the smartass in me recognized a same spirit.Somewhere in the back of my drunken mind, a light clicked on. barely I couldnt quite get to it. I drank more water.You havent had a fairy in, like, ten minutes, I pointed out, wanting to change the subject.He made a face. No smoking in here.Im sure youve made up for it in punch.His smile returned. Well, some of us can hold our liquo r. You arent going to be sick, are you?I still felt tipsy but no longer nauseous. No.Good.I cerebration back to when Id dreamed some him. It had been just a dream, but it had stuck with me, particularly the talk roughly me being surrounded in darkness. I wanted to ask him about it veritable(a) though I knew it was stupid. It had been my dream, not his.AdrianHe turned his green eyes on me. Yes, darling?I couldnt bring myself to ask. Never mind.He started to retort, then tilted his head toward the door. Ah, here she comes.Who- Lissa stepped into the room, eyes scanning around. When she spotted us, I saw relief break over her. I couldnt feel it, though. Intoxicants like alcohol numbed the impound. It was another reason I shouldnt have taken such a stupid chance tonight.There you are, she said, kneeling beside me. Glancing at Adrian, she gave him a nod. Hey.Hey yourself, cousin, he returned, using the family terms royals sometimes used around each other.You okay? Lissa asked me. W hen I saw how drunk you were, I thought you might have fallen in somewhere and drowned.Im not- I gave up trying to deny it. Im fine.Adrians usual expression had turned serious as he studied Lissa. It again reminded me of the dream. Howd you find her?Lissa gave him a puzzled look. I, um, checked all the rooms.Oh. He looked disappointed. I thought you might have used your bond. two she and I stared.How do you know about that? I demanded. Only a few people at school knew about it. Adrian had spoken about it as casually as he might have my hair color.Hey, I cant reveal all my secrets, can I? he asked mysteriously. And besides, theres a certain way you two act around each other its hard to explain. Its pretty cool all the old myths are true.Lissa regarded him warily. The bond only works one way. Rose can sense what Im perception and thinking, but I cant do it back to her.Ah. We sat in placidity a few moments, and I drank more water. Adrian spoke again. Whatd you specialize in anyway, cousin?She looked embarrassed. We both knew it was important to keep her spirit powers secret from others who might abuse her healing, but her cover story of not having specialized ceaselessly daunted her.I havent, she said.Do they think youre going to? Late bungler?No.Youre probably higher in the other elements, though, right? Just not strong enough to really master any? He reached out to pat her shoulder in an exaggerated show of comfort.Yeah, howd you- The second gear his fingers touched her, she gasped. It was as though a bolt of lightning had struck her. The strangest look crossed her face. Even drunk, I felt the flood of joy that came gushing through the bond. She stared at Adrian in wonder. His eyes were locked onto hers too. I didnt understand wherefore they were looking at each other like that, but it bothered me.Hey, I said. Stop that. I told you, she has a boyfriend.I know, he said, still watching her. A small smile turned his lips. We neediness to have a chat som eday, cousin.Yes, she agreed.Hey. I was more confused than ever. You have a boyfriend. And there he is.She blinked back to reality. All three of us turned toward the doorway. Christian and the others stood there. I suddenly had a flashback to when theyd found me with Adrians arm around me. This wasnt much better. Lissa and I were sitting on either side of him, very close.She sprang up, looking mildly guilty. Christian was regarding her curiously.Were getting ready to leave, he said.Okay, she told him. She looked down at me. Ready?I nodded and started to clamber to my feet. Adrian caught my arm as I did and helped me up. He smiled at Lissa. Nice talking to you. To me, he murmured very quietly, Dont worry. I told you, Im not interested in her in that way. She doesnt look as vertical in a bathing suit. Probably not as good out of one either.I pulled my arm away. Well, youll never find out.Its okay, he said. I have a good imagination.I joined the others, and we headed back toward the m ain part of the lodge. Mason gave me as strange a look as Christian had given Lissa and stayed away from me, walking toward the front with Eddie. To my perplexity and discomfort, I found myself walking beside Mia. She looked miserable.I Im really sorry about what happened, I said finally.You dont have to act like you care, Rose.No, no. I mean it. Its horribleIm so sorry. She wouldnt look at me. Isthat is, are you going to see your dad soon?Whenever they have the memorial, she said stiffly.Oh.I didnt know what else to say and gave up, instead turning my attention to the stairs as we climbed back up to the lodges main level. Unexpectedly, Mia was the one who continued the conversation.I watched you break up that fight she said slowly. You mentioned offensive magic. Like you knew about it.Oh. Great. She was going to straighten out a play at blackmailor was she? At the moment, she seemed almost civil.I was just guessing, I said. No way was I going to bust Tasha and Christian. I dont really know that much. Just stories Ive heard.Oh. Her face fell. What kind of stories?Um, wellI tried to think of something neither too shadowed nor too specific. Like I told those guysthe concentration thing is big. Because if youre in a battle with Strigoi, all sorts of things can distract you. So youve got to keep control.That was real a basic guardian rule, but it must have been new to Mia. Her eyes widened with eagerness. What else? What kind of spells do people use?I agitate my head. I dont know. I dont really even know how spells work, and like I said, these are juststories Ive heard. My guess is you just find ways to use your element as a weapon. Like fire users really have an advantage because firell kill Strigoi, so its easy for them. And air users can retch people. Id real experienced that last one vicariously through Lissa. It had been horrible.Mias eyes grew wider still. What about a water user? she asked. How could water hurt a Strigoi?I paused. I, uh, never hear d any stories about water users. Sorry.Do you have any ideas, though? Ways that, like, someone like me could come across to fight?Ah. So thats what this was about. It actually wasnt all that crazy. I remembered how excited shed looked at the meeting when Tasha had talked about attacking Strigoi. Mia wanted to take revenge on the Strigoi for her mothers death. No wonder she and Mason had been getting along so well.Mia, I said gently, catching hold of the door to let her pass. We were almost at the lobby now. I know how you must want to do something. But I think youre better off just sort of permit yourself, um, grieve.She reddened, and suddenly, I was seeing the normal and angry Mia. Dont talk down to me, she said.Hey, Im not. Im serious. Im just saying you shouldnt do anything rash while youre still upset. Besides I bit off my words.She narrowed her eyes. What?Screw it. She needed to know. Well, I dont really know what good a water user would be against a Strigoi. Its probably t he least useful element to use on one of them.Outrage filled her features. Youre a real bitch, you know that?Im just telltale(a) you the truth.Well, let me tell you the truth. Youre a total idiot when it comes to guys.I thought about Dimitri. She wasnt entirely off base.Masons great, she continued. One of the nicest guys I know- and you dont even notice Hed do anything for you, and you were off throwing yourself at Adrian Ivashkov.Her words surprised me. Could Mia have a crush on Mason? And while I certainly hadnt been throwing myself at Adrian, I could see how it might have looked that way. And even if it werent true, that wouldnt have stop Mason from feeling hurt and betrayed.Youre right, I said.Mia stared at me, so astonished Id agreed with her that she didnt say anything else for the rest of the walk.We reached the part of the lodge that split off into different wings for guys and girls. I grabbed a hold of Masons arm as the others walked off.Hang on, I told him. I badly neede d to reassure him about Adrian, but a tiny part of me wondered if I was doing it because I actually wanted Mason or because I just liked the idea of him wanting me and selfishly didnt want to lose that. He stopped and looked at me. His face was wary. I wanted to tell you Im sorry. I shouldnt have yelled at you after the fight- I know you were just trying to help. And with Adrian cryptograph happened. I mean it.It didnt look that way, Mason said. But the anger on his face had faded.I know, but believe me, its all him. Hes got some kind of stupid crush on me.My tone must have been convert because Mason smiled. Well. Hard not to.Im not interested in him, I continued. Or anyone else. It was a small lie, but I didnt think it mattered just then. I was going to be over Dimitri soon, and Mia had been right about Mason. He was wonderful and sweet and cute. I would be an idiot not to practise this right?My hand was still on his arm, and I pulled him toward me. He didnt need much more of a s ignal. He leaned down and kissed me, and in the process, I found myself pressed up against the wall- very much like with Dimitri in the practice room. Of course, it felt nothing like how it had with Dimitri, but it was still nice in its way. I put my mail around Mason and started to pull him closer.We could go somewhere, I said.He pushed back and laughed. Not when youre drunk.Im not that drunk anymore, I said, trying to pull him back.Giving me a small kiss on the lips, he stepped back. Drunk enough. Look, this isnt easy, believe me. But if you still want me tomorrow- when youre sober- then well talk.He leaned down and kissed me again. I tried to wrap my arms around him, but he broke away once more. informal there, girl, he teased, backing toward his hallway.I glared at him, but he only laughed and turned around. As he walked away, my glare faded, and I headed back to my room with a smile on my face.