Vampire Academy Chapter 9

NINEI SNAPPED INTO HER MIND, once over again seeing and directly experiencing what went on virtually her.She was sneaking into the chapels attic again, confirming my worst fears. wish suffer time, she met no resistance. Good God, I thought, could that priest be both worse astir(predicate) securing his induce chapel?Sunrise lit up the stained-glass window, and Christians silhouette was framed against it he was sitting in the window seat.Youre late, he told her. Been waiting a while.Lissa pulled up bingle of the rickety chairs, brushing dust off it. I pass judgment youd be tied up with Headmistress Kirova.He shook his head. non much to it. They suspended me for a week, thats wholly. no. a comparable(p) its hard to sneak come out. He waved his good deals around. As you sens see.Im surprised you didnt get much time.A patch of sunlight lit up his crystal- sombre eyeb both. Disappointed?She looked shocked. You set individual on approachNo, I didnt. Did you see any burn s on him?He was covered in flames.I had them to a lower place control. I kept them off of him.She sighed. You shouldnt flummox do that.Straigh disco biscuiting out of his lounging position, he sat up and leaned toward her. I did it for you.You attacked roughone for me?Sure. He was boastful you and Rose a hard time. She was doing an okay job against him, I guess, tho I figured she could use the backup. Besides, thisll shut anyone else up most the whole fox thing, besides.You shouldnt stomach done that, she repeated, looking away. She didnt survive how to feel astir(predicate) this generosity. And dont passage give care it was all for me. You the liked doing it. Part of you precious to barely because.Christians smug expression dropped, replaced by one of uncharacteristic surprise. Lissa might not be psychic, only if she had a startling ability to read people.Seeing him off guard, she continued. Attacking someone else with semblance is prohibit and thats just why yo u wanted to do it. You got a thrill out of it.Those rules are stupid. If we used conjury as a weapon instead of just for warm and fuzzy shit, Strigoi wouldnt keep killing so many of us.Its wrong, she say firmly. Magic is a gift. Its mollificationful.Only because they say it is. Youre repeating the party line weve been supply our whole lives. He stood up and paced the small space of the attic. It wasnt endlessly that way, you realize. We used to fight, by rights aprospicient with the guardians centuries ago. accordingly people started getting scared and stopped. Figured it was safer to just hide. They forgot the attack spells.Then how did you hunch forward that one?He crooked her a smile. Not eeryone forgot. deal your family? Like your parents?The smile disappeared. You dont know anything roughly my parents.His face darkened, his look grew hard. To most people, he might have appeared scary and intimidating, hardly as Lissa studied and admired his features, he suddenly s eemed very, very vulnerable.Youre right, she admitted softly, after a moment. I dont. Im sorry.For the second time in this meeting, Christian looked astonished. probably no one apologized to him that often. Hell, no one even talked to him that often. Certainly no one ever listened. Like usual, he quickly turned into his cocky self.Forget it. Abruptly, he stopped pacing and knelt in drift of her so they could look each early(a) in the eye. Feeling him so close made her inhibit her breath. A dangerous smile curled his lips. And truly, I dont get why you of all people should act so outraged that I used ?forbidden magic.Me ?of all people? Whats that alleged(a) to mean?You gage play all innocent if you want and you do a pretty good job still I know the truth.What truth is that? She couldnt hide her uneasiness from me or Christian.He leaned even closer. That you use coercion. All the time.No, I dont, she verbalize immediately.Of work you do. Ive been lying awake at night, try ing to figure out how in the world you both were able to rent out a place and go to high school without anyone ever scatty to meet your parents. Then I figured it out. You had to be using compulsion. Thats probably how you broke out of here(predicate)(predicate) in the first place.I see. You just figured it out. Without any proof.Ive got all the proof I need, just from ceremonial you.Youve been watching me spying on me to prove Im using compulsion?He shrugged. No. Actually, Ive been watching you just because I like it. The compulsion thing was a bonus. I saw you use it the other day to get an extension on that math assignment. And you used it on Ms. Carmack when she wanted to put one across you go through more than testing.So you assume its compulsion? Maybe Im just really good at convincing people. There was a defiant note in her voice understandable, considering her fear and anger. Only she delivered it with a toss of her hair which if I didnt know any better might have been considered flirtatious. And I did know better?right? Suddenly, I wasnt sure.He went on, but something in his eyes told me hed noticed the hair, that he always noticed everything slightly her. People get these goofy looks on their faces when you talk to them. And not just any people youre able to do it to Moroi. Probably dhampirs, too. Now thats crazy. I didnt even know that was possible. Youre some word form of superstar. Some configuration of evil, compulsion-abusing superstar. It was an accusation, but his tone and presence radiated the homogeneous flirtatiousness she had.Lissa didnt know what to say. He was right. Everything hed said was right. Her compulsion was what had allowed us to dodge authority and get along in the world without adult help. It was what had allowed us to incline the bank to permit her tap into her inheritance.And it was considered every bit as wrong as using magic as a weapon. Why not? It was a weapon. A powerful one, one that could be mistreat ed very easily. Moroi children had it drilled into them from an early age that compulsion was very, very wrong. No one was taught to use it, though every Moroi technically had the ability. Lissa had just sort of stumbled into it deeply and, as Christian had pointed out, she could wield it over Moroi, as well as clements and dhampirs.What are you going to do thence? she asked. You going to turn me in?He shook his head and smiled. No. I think its hot.She stared, eyes widening and go steadyt racing. Something about the shape of his lips intrigued her. Rose thinks youre dangerous, she blurted out nervously. She thinks you might have killed the fox.I didnt know how I felt about existence dragged into this bizarre conversation. Some people were scared of me. Maybe he was too.Judging from the amusement in his voice when he mouth, it appeared he wasnt. People think Im unstable, but I tell you, Rose is ten time worse. Of course, that declares it harder for people to fuck with you, so Im all for it. Leaning back on his heels, he last broke the intimate space between them. And I sure as hell didnt do that. hap out who did, though?and what I did to Ralf wont seem like anything.His gallant offer of creepy vengeance didnt exactly reassure Lissa?but it did thrill her a little. I dont want you doing anything like that. And I still dont know who did it.He leaned back toward her and caught her wrists in his hands. He started to say something, then stopped and looked mastermind down in surprise, runway his thumbs over faint, barely there scars. Looking back up at her, he had a grotesque for him kindness in his face.You might not know who did it. But you know something. Something you arent talking about.She stared at him, a swirl of emotions playing in her chest. You cant know all my secrets, she murmured.He glanced back down at her wrists and then released them, that dry smile of his back on his face. No. I guess not.A feeling of peace settled over her, a feeling I thought only I could bring. Returning to my own head and my room, I sat on the floor staring at my math book. Then, for reasons I didnt really get, I slammed it shut and threw it against the wall.I spent the rest of the night brooding until the time I was supposed to meet Jesse came around. Slipping downstairs, I went into the kitchen a place I could visit so long as I kept things brief and caught his eye when I cut through the main visiting area. woful past him, I paused and whispered, Theres a lounge on the fourth floor that nobody uses. Take the stairs on the other side of the bathrooms and meet me there in five minutes. The lock on the introduction is broken.He complied to the second, and we found the lounge dark, dusty, and deserted. The drop in guardian numbers over the years meant a lot of the dorm stayed empty, a sad sign for Moroi society but terribly convenient right now.He sat down on the couch, and I lay back on it, putting my feet in his lap. I was still annoyed a fter Lissa and Christians bizarre attic romance and wanted nothing more than to forget about it for a while.You really here to study, or was it just an excuse? I asked.No. It was real. Had to do an assignment with Meredith. The tone in his voice indicated he wasnt happy about that.Oooh, I teased. Is work with a dhampir beneath your royal blood? Should I be offended?He smiled, showing a embouchure full of perfect white dentition and fangs. Youre a lot hotter than she is.Glad I make the cut. There was a sort of a heat in his eyes that was turning me on, as was his hand sliding up my leg. But I needed to do something first. It was time for some vengeance. Mia must too, since you guys let her hang out with you. Shes not royal.His finger playfully poked me in the calf. Shes with Aaron. And Ive got lots of friends who arent royal. And friends who are dhamps. Im not a total asshole.Yeah, but did you know her parents are practically custodians for the Drozdovs?The hand on my leg stopped. Id exaggerated, but he was a sucker for gossip and he was notorious for spreading it.Seriously?Yeah. Scrubbing floors and stuff like that.Huh.I could see the wheels turning in his dark blue eyes and had to hide a smile. The origin was planted.Sitting up, I moved closer to him and draped a leg over his lap. I wrapped my arms around him, and without further delay, thoughts of Mia disappeared as his testosterone kicked in. He kissed me eagerly sloppily, even pushing me against the back of the couch, and I relaxed into what had to be the first enjoyable physical activity Id had in weeks.We kissed like that for a long time, and I didnt stop him when he pulled off my shirt. Im not having sex, I warned between kisses. I had no intention of losing my virginity on a couch in a lounge.He paused, thinking about this, and finally decided not to push it. Okay.But he pushed me onto the couch, lying over me, still kissing with that same fierceness. His lips traveled down to my neck, and when the acute points of his fangs brushed against my skin, I couldnt help an excited gasp.He raised himself up, looking into my face with hand surprise. For a moment, I could barely breathe, recalling that rush of pleasure that a vampire bite could fill me with, query what itd be like to feel that while making out. Then the old taboos kicked in. Even if we didnt have sex, giving blood while we did this was still wrong, still dirty.Dont, I warned.You want to. His voice held excited wonder. I can tell.No, I dont.His eyes lit up. You do. How hey, have you done it before?No, I scoffed. Of course not.Those gorgeous blue eyes watched me, and I could see the wheels spinning behind them. Jesse might flirt a lot and have a big mouth, but he wasnt stupid.You act like you have. You got excited when I was by your neck.Youre a good kisser, I countered, though it wasnt entirely true. He drooled a little more than I would have preferred. Dont you think everyone would know if I was giving blood?Th e realization seized him. Unless you werent doing it before you left. You did it while you were gone, didnt you? You fed Lissa.Of course not, I repeated.But he was on to something, and he knew it. It was the only way. You didnt have feeders. Oh, man.She found some, I lied. It was the same line wed fed Natalie, the one shed spread around and that no one except Christian had ever questioned. Plenty of humans are into it.Sure, he said with a smile. He leaned his mouth back to my neck.Im not a blood whore, I snapped, pulling away from him.But you want to. You like it. All you dhamp girls do. His teeth were on my skin again. Sharp. Wonderful.I had a feeling hostility would only make things worse, so I defused the situation with teasing. Stop it, I said gently, running a fingertip over his lips. I told you, Im not like that. But if you want something to do with your mouth, I can give you some themes.That peaked his interest. Yeah? Like wha ?And that was when the door opened.We sprang apart. I was ready to handle a fellow student or even by chance the matron. What I was not ready for was Dimitri.He burst in the door like hed expected to take us, and in that horrible moment, with him raging like a storm, I knew why Mason had called him a god. In the blink of an eye, he crossed the room and jerked Jesse up by his shirt, nearly holding the Moroi off the ground.Whats your reach? barked Dimitri.J-Jesse, sir. Jesse Zeklos, sir.Mr. Zeklos, do you have permission to be in this part of the dorm?No, sir.Do you know the rules about male and female interactions around here?Yes, sir.Then I suggest you get out of here as fast as you can before I turn you over to someone who leave alone punish you accordingly. If I ever see you like this again Dimitri pointed to where I cowered, half-dressed, on the couch I leave alone be the one to punish you. And it will hurt. A lot. Do you understand?Jesse swallowed, eyes wide. none of the bravado he usually showed was there. I guess there was usually and then there was being held in the grip of a really ripped, really tall, and really pissed-off Russian guy Yes, sirThen go. Dimitri released him, and, if possible, Jesse got out of there faster than Dimitri had burst in. My mentor then turned to me, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He didnt say anything, but the angry, disapproving message came through loud and clear.And then it shifted.It was almost like hed been taken by surprise, like hed never noticed me before. Had it been any other guy, I would have said he was checking me out. As it was, he was definitely studying me. Studying my face, my body. And I suddenly realized I was only in jeans and a bra a black bra at that. I knew short well that there werent a lot of girls at this school who looked as good in a bra as I did. Even a guy like Dimitri, one who seemed so focused on duty and training and all of that, had to appreciate that.And, finally, I noticed that a hot soaked was spreading over me, and that t he look in his eyes was doing more to me than Jesses kisses had. Dimitri was quiet and distant sometimes, but he also had a dedication and an intensity that Id never seen in any other person. I wondered how that kind of power and strength translated into?well, sex. I wondered what itd be like for him to touch me and shitWhat was I thinking? Was I out of my mind? Embarrassed, I covered my feelings with attitude.You see something you like? I asked.Get dressed.The set of his mouth hardened, and whatever hed just felt was gone. That fierceness sobered me up and made me forget about my own disturbing reaction. I immediately pulled my shirt back on, uneasy at seeing his badass side.Howd you find me? You following me to make sure I dont run away?Be quiet, he snapped, leaning down so that we were at eye level. A janitor saw you and reported it. Do you have any idea how stupid this was?I know, I know, the whole probation thing, right?Not just that. Im talking about the stupidity of getting in that kind of situation in the first place.I get in that kind of situation all the time, Comrade. Its not a big deal. Anger replaced my fear. I didnt like being treated like a child.Stop calling me that. You dont know even know what youre talking about.Sure I do. I had to do a report on Russia and the R.S.S.R. last year.U.S.S.R. And it is a big deal for a Moroi to be with a dhampir girl. They like to brag.So?So? he looked disgusted. So dont you have any respect? Think about Lissa. You make yourself look cheap. You live up to what a lot of people already think about dhampir girls, and it reflects back on her. And me.Oh, I see. Is that what this is about? Am I hurting your big, bad male self-complacency? Are you afraid Ill ruin your reputation?My reputation is already made, Rose. I set my standards and lived up to them long ago. What you do with yours remains to be seen. His voice hardened again. Now get back to your room if you can manage it without throwing yourself at someone else.Is that your subtle way of calling me a slut?I hear the stories you guys tell. Ive heard stories about you.Ouch. I wanted to yell back that it was none of his business what I did with my body, but something about the anger and disappointment on his face made me falter. I didnt know what it was. Disappointing someone like Kirova was a non-event, but DimitriI remembered how proud Id felt when he praised me the last few times in our practices. Seeing that disappear from him?well, it suddenly made me feel as cheap as hed implied I was.Something broke inside of me. Blinking back tears, I said, Why is it wrong to?I dont know, have mutant? Im seventeen, you know. I should be able to enjoy it.Youre seventeen, and in less than a year, someones life and death will be in your hands. His voice still sounded firm, but there was a gentleness there too. If you were human or Moroi, you could have fun. You could do things other girls could.But youre saying I cant.He glanced away, and his dark eyes went unfocused. He was thinking about something far away from here. When I was seventeen, I met Ivan Zeklos. We werent like you and Lissa, but we became friends, and he requested me as his guardian when I graduated. I was the top student in my school. I remunerative attention to everything in my classes, but in the end, it wasnt enough. Thats how it is in this life. One slip, one distraction? He sighed. And its too late.A lump formed in my throat as I thought about one slip or one distraction costing Lissa her life.Jesses a Zeklos, I said, suddenly realizing Dimitri had just thrown around a relative of his former friend and charge.I know.Does it bother you? Does he remind you of Ivan?It doesnt result how I feel. It doesnt matter how any of us feel.But it does bother you. It suddenly became very obvious to me. I could read his pain, though he clearly worked hard to hide it. You hurt. Every day. Dont you? You miss him.Dimitri looked surprised, like he didnt want me to know tha t, like Id uncovered some secret part of him. Id been thinking he was some aloof, antisocial tough guy, but maybe he kept himself apart from other people so he wouldnt get hurt if he lost them. Ivans death had clearly left a aeonian mark.I wondered if Dimitri was lonely.The surprised look vanished, and his standard serious one returned. It doesnt matter how I feel. They come first. protect them.I thought about Lissa again. Yeah. They do.A long silence fell before he spoke again.You told me you want to fight, to really fight. Is that still true?Yes. Absolutely.Rose?I can teach you, but I have to believe youre dedicated. Really dedicated. I cant have you distracted by things like this. He gestured around the lounge. Can I trust you?Again, I felt like crying under that gaze, under the sincerity of what he asked. I didnt get how he could have such a powerful effect on me. Id never cared so much about what one person thought. Yes. I promise.All right. Ill teach you, but I need you stro ng. I know you hate the running, but it really is necessary. You have no idea what Strigoi are like. The school tries to prepare you, but until youve seen how strong they are and how fast?well, you cant even imagine. So I cant stop the running and the conditioning. If you want to learn more about fighting, we need to add more trainings. Itll take up more of your time. You wont have much left for your homework or anything else. Youll be tired. A lot.I thought about it, about him, and about Lissa. It doesnt matter. If you tell me to do it, Ill do it.He studied me hard, like he was still trying to decide if he could believe me. Finally satisfied, he gave me a sharp nod. Well start tomorrow.