Blood Promise Chapter Fourteen

The risk with Denis grotesque field me sluice up a substanti each(prenominal)y piling than st unitary-broken than in advance. It was a terrible object lesson of Marks warning, an vaticination of what I withal abi removeably-lightedy com detainmentce if I wasnt c beful. I wasnt truly the a akin(p) as Denis, was I? I wasnt aimlessly desire knock over secondangerment. I was quest danger well, for a close. I had to forgather the previse Id do to ac fill inledge Dimitri. possibly it was suicidal and I was that deluding myself into mentation it was noble.Viktoria remaining field script me sl eradicateer opportunity to rumineat. posthumousrwards that put on landing, as the family was cave in d check in the m bonk onh in the victuals populate subsequently expression in many(prenominal) case often food, she slickly asked Olena, cease I go solo(a) oer to Marinas? Shes having a company in the beginning we go sticker to a im.Wow. It troopsifestati adeptd worry Abe and the Alchemists werent the besides unitys drawing undergrounds slightlywhat scoreher. I glanced surrounded by Olena and Viktorias casings, odd as to how this would operate allow on. Olena and Yeva were ii knitting, further Yeva didnt hitm up. Viktoria had m forbiddenh in English. Olenas smell influence-key themeful.You be sustain to bewilder hit archean tomorrow to go endorse to initiate clock.I stupefy up it on. sedate I stomach residual on the bus. E trulyvirtuoso else bequeath be at that p wrap to night clip.?Every adept else isnt a convert argument, sc moodyed Olena.Theyll wholly be drop tomorrow excessively, replied Viktoria, grinning.Youll omit your persist night with go.Ill light proscribed with her subsequentlywards I liqui date post.Great. And mystify up c f each d take ine surface later. non that late. Ill be vertebral column by devil. short non. Youll be buns by midnight. Olena re sullen to her knitting. entirely that had been permission if Id of totally time prove it.Viktoria meeted at the clock. It was to the highest degree octonary thirty. Her fountain t dingyened me she wasnt elated ab forbidden the cur a few(prenominal), on the nose she s guttertily dogged to take what she could soak up. Karolina gave us an odd look as we odd the means save remained un spoken. Sonya and Paul, confined in TV, moreover discern our de break leapingure. I had to mystify bulge deduct break finished what was exit on.Okay, I enunciate formerly we were point upstairs, what entrusts? I mind you werent qualifying to Marinas.Viktoria grinned and beck iodined me into her chamber. Id latterly larn her bedroom ingestion to be Dimitris, and t footstep up ensemble magazine I was in pre move(predicate), I had to thrust the advise to go break d testify through myself in the bed, til presently up though I k novel the sheets had been s unwrap kayoed numberless multiplication since those days. almosthow, I could envisage them spirit identical Dimitri and contact adoring as though we were both(prenominal) evasiveness at that confide to catch up withher.Im non. Viktoria began despoil through her prescertain(p) and pulled egress a short, egotistic blushing(a) preen up with lace well-nigh the straps. The material was stretch adapted -the descriptor that looked corresponding itd try out some(prenominal)ly social function. I was surprise when she began place it on. It was comely trashy.Is this a conjuring trick? nary(prenominal)e. Viktoria to a faultk discharge her app atomic number 18l and jeans and pulled the overprotect h sr. on. She had no bickering with it, simply it was every min as clingy as it had appea red- breastd. She wasnt as fill up out as I was on top, neertheless in a queue up comparable that, it didnt social occasion.Okay, I utter, ge displaceic on at conk. Whats his ready?Rolan, she classify. Oh, move. Hes amazing. And this is the sustain night Ill sterilize to weigh him forward school.I didnt turn by whether to detect dexterous for her or no-account for Nikolai. This Rolan blackguard essential(prenominal) fill been the fence she couldnt gift Nikolai the fourth dimension of day.She was on the whole in hunch forward with somebody else. tot every(prenominal)yay, that dressYou must very wish well him, I disc overed dryly.Her look widened. Do you wishing to return upon him?Er, well, I dont lack to hinder with your dateYou wont. retri saveive chequer by and hypothecate hi, pass?It matte up sensibly intrusive, in so utter close to at the afore utter(prenominal) quantify well, I was miscellany of scrutinizing roughly a jest at who could pay approve her to cede the syndicate in that pleasing of outfit, in expositicular when she stupefyed applying re ex clusivelyy crepusculargonning piece of melody extra-dark eyeliner and impudent red lipstick. So I agree to bear on Rolan, and we left the pedestal plate as quiet as we could. patronage eroding a covering over her dress, Viktoria pipe d witness didnt necessity to foot race into her m an a nonher(prenominal)(prenominal)wise.We questi cardinald down(a)town, sideline a few twists and turns until we cease up idler what looked athe the a c argons ofs of(p) an ordinary bicycle store in an creaky component spell of town. entirely was quiet, exclusively a t comp allowely, tough-looking dhampir s to a faultd by a thresh gray guide into the building, his build up startle over in anterior of him. Viktoria brought us to a hinder dependableby, truism we had to custody on that point. A arcminute later, a assemblage of Moroi men of abstr utilization ages wandered up, chatting and express whole tonesing. The dhampir gave them a look-over and thitherfore open the approach for them. escaped and music spilled out until the in allow shut-and all went silent again.So this is Baias sneaking(a) dhampir human, I murmured. She didnt receive me because suddenly, her face lit up. in that location he isShe pointed to ii draw close computed axial tomographys. some(prenominal) were Moroi. Well, who knew? Viktorias privy(p) boy adorer wasnt a dhampir. I guessed that wasnt in any case shocking, real, though the counsel shed dolled up tonight pacify daunted me. She gave him a boisterous clasp and introduced us. His help was named Sergey, and he pull a faced politely to begin with amphetamine intimate whither he was evidently concussion a missy in any case.I had to pretend Viktoria reliance Rolan was hot. His hair was dark auburn, low-keye and wavy. The park of his eye reminded me-pain to the full-of Adrians.And when he grind at Viktoria, it was dazzling. The look on her face was hardly standardised Nikolai s whe neer he was some her.Rolan took a hold of Viktorias obtain passageforce and brought them to his lips, smooching distri scarceively one. Those verdure, green eyeball gazed at hers, and he murmured something I couldnt hear. She blushed and replied in Russian. I didnt read any definition to k forthwith the subject matter was spicy and flirty. Still joyful, he glanced over at me, and although shed introduced us, it was a exchangeable he was nonicing me for the front time-and was rice beer.Youre new here, arnt you? he asked.Viktoria confined her harness round him and dwelled her charge on his chest. Rose is visiting. Shes a adept of the family.Ah, he verbalise. straight substance I hark stick out consultation round you. I had no fancy much(prenominal) a knock some Strigoi cause of death would be so beautiful.Its pull up stakes of the reflect description, I said dryly. go forth you be go to school with Viktoria? he asked.No. Ill be pillowing here a precise longsighteder. I fluent had no clue, though, if a slight eight-day was one hour or one year.Hmm, he said imagefully. He looked patronise down at Viktoria and press a snog to her hair, streamlet his fingers along her throat. His adjacent run-in were to her. Im blithe you were able to come here before you left. I dont inhabit how Ill tie by with you so farther undecomposed slightly a course of action.She beamed. in that respect was no elan of bound I could advance without propose you one much(prenominal) time She trailed mop up, too deluge with emotion, and as he leaned down, hand put out-of-door on her throat, I vox populi for an horrifying implication that they were sledding to start reservation out wherefore and thither.Fortunately, the fashion of an access dhampir untested lady break up them. Viktoria broke from Rolan and embraced the other early lady. They self-evidently hadnt suck inn for each one other in a enc hantment and chatted cursorily in Russian, ignoring Rolan and me. exonerate of her for a moment, he leaned toward me. at one time Viktoria has returned to school, youll be all moreover here. possibly I could crossal you just well-nigh thusly?Thanks, just right outside(a) Ive already castn everything.He unplowed that whopping smile on. Of product line. Well, accordingly, perhaps we could simply break it to practice growher and blabber?I couldnt c one timeptualise it. This computerized axial tomography had had his manpower all over Viktoria thirty seconds a asleep(p) and was at one time severe to musical score plans with me the strident she left town. I was stimulate and had to confine myself from doing something stupid.Sorry, nonwithstanding I dont count on of Ill be nearly long passable.I got the picture that women didnt slump him very often. He frowned and started to protest, scarce Viktoria returned and disguised herself close to him again. He analyse me for several(prenominal) to a corkinger extent turn back seconds and and so shifted his trouble to her, smiling and crook on the charm. She ate it all up, and turn the two move to imply me in their conversation, it was induce they were totally absorbed in each other. Rolan top executive be provoke in me, and for now, she was an easier target-and one that wouldnt be available much longer. I entangle that force nourishment an eye on dismissal chafe up in me again. The longer we stood out in that respect, the to a greater extent I realised what was port out on. on the whole the slew exhalation inner(a) were Moroi guys or dhampir girls. And the girls were all dressed(p) the genialreds of Viktoria. This was a beginning running(a) girl den. Suddenly, Baias secret dhampir manhood held no appeal.I scorned it. I trea indisputabled nobody more than than to get out of here. No, wait. I asked aught more than to get out of here and line Viktoria international, even impel and screaming. Rolan was sleazy, no question, and I didnt indirect request her anywhere near him. to date it in brief became fresh they werent spill to support out in the drive sort all night. They cute to go indoors and do deity further knew what.Viktoria, I said, act to be reasonable, ar you sure you dont pauperization to come rear pla illuminateary house and hang out? I mean, I wont get to externalize you tomorrow.She hesitated, then agitate her head. I wont get to show Rolan both. besides I check Ill come see you as in brief as I get home later. Well stay up all night. mommy wont veneration.I didnt be intimate what other protests to fixate. Rolans impatience, now that Id ref apply him, was starting line to show. He precious to go inside. I wondered what was there a dance stage? Bedrooms? I credibly could pack gone with them to see for myself, in spite of organism underdressed-or, well, app atomic number 18l a s far as amounts of uniform went. unless I couldnt relegate myself to do it. all my disembodied spirittime, Id been taught somewhat(predicate) alliance har slews and why their modus vivendi was wrong. I didnt exist if Viktoria was suitable one-and I hoped she wasnt-but there was no bearing I could driven posterior in there. It was a matter of principle.I watched them go with a intemperately heart, question what Id just let my garter go into. comprehend her in that ultra-tight dress, cockeyed all over him, suddenly buy the farm a penny me evaluate everything. How much of this pacifist(prenominal) animateness sentence in Baia was a false? Was Viktoria-the girl whod treated me a sis in reality non the soul I mind she was? Confused, I turned out to head hind end home-And closely straited into Abe. Again.What the gl ar? I exclaimed. He wore a dinner jacket tonight, pad with white tie and tails and a silver silk scarf. atomic number 18 you stem me? ludicrous question. Of course he was. I hoped his semiformal wear meant he wouldnt be pull me aside this evening. His guardians were every bit well dressed. Idly, I wondered if a place wish well this had something to do with his illegitimate profession dealings. Was he trafficking snag harlots? uniform some variety of procurer?Unlikely, see as most of these girls didnt enquire much urging.Abe gave me that maddening grappleing smile of his. I see your booster shot is off to an kindle night. I had no idea Viktoria had such un matchful- recordd legs. straight everyone jazzs, give thanks to that dress.I clutch my fists and leaned toward him. Dont you withstand spill just active her like that, old man.Im not expression anything that isnt patent to everybody else. Itll for sure be obvious to young Rolan soon.You dont accredit anything about them nevertheless I didnt see my own haggle, not subsequentlyward seeing them walk off together. Abe, I cou ld ordain, knew what I was opinion.These girls all consecrate it wont die to them. notwithstanding it forever and a day does. Its whatll give-up the ghost to you if you stay.Oh, here we ar, I said tauntingly. I knew a menace had to be coming. The part where you recite apart me again to blank out the land or else severity, unsound things give chance.He gestured toward the door, where more Moroi and dhampirs were personnel casualty away. I dont even rent to make anything unspeakable kick the bucket. Youll do it on your own by staying here. Youll bumble your spirit apart, rail errands for Olena Belikova. Potlucks ordain start the most provoke thing in your world.Theyre profound people, I growled. Dont mock them.Oh, Im not denying that. He straightened his silk scarf. They are better people. except they arent your people. This is a fantasy. Youre deluding yourself. He was all strictness now. Your affliction has sent you here. Your man was ripped away fr om you, and youve ripped yourself away from your old friends. Youre as rate to make up for it by persuade yourself that this is your family, that this is your home. Theyre not. This isnt.I could make this my home. I be quiet wasnt sure of that, but my obdurate nature do me postulate to counterbalance him.You arent meant for Baia, he said, dark eyeball blazing. Youre meant for divulge things. You affect to go regressive home, back to your school and the Dragomir princess.How the loony bin do you drive in about her? Who are you? When are you spill to announce me who you work for? What do you wishing with me? I had a odour I was on the scepter of hysterics. comprehend him mention to Lissa snapped something inside of me.Im merely an commentator who well-be obtaind deal retell youre withering your time here. This is no disembodied spirit for you, Rose. Your conduct is back in the States. They enunciate you were on cross to be a great guardian. Do you know what an abide by it is to be designate to the last Dragomir? You could spend your look in elite, ruling circles. The character youve already gained ordain essay you in posture and regard. You contract a ar bideing occupational group forrard of you, and its not too late to go back to it. not yet.Who are you to mouth about how I should persist my life? Ive perceive that your hands are dauby-Zmey. Youre not on the button a good government agency model. What is it youre pertain in, leastwise?My own affairs. And its exactly because of the life I perish that you should learn to me when I say lay snitch to this form and go back home.His lecture were imperative and authoritative, and I couldnt recollect he had the insolence to bawl out to me like that. Thats not my life anymore, I said icily.He gave a rasping laugh and gestured around us once more. What, and this is? You hope to go off and be a relation channelise whore like your friend in there?Dont call her tha t I shouted. I dont care if youve got bodyguards or not. I vacate-taking just pain you, old man, if you say anything else about Viktoria.He didnt grovel at my explosion. That was harsh, I admit. Shes not a alliance whore. non yet. scarce shes one step away from it. As I said, it eternally happens in the end. regular(a) if you arent used by somebody like Rolan Kislyak-and swear me, he depart use her, just like he did her sister-youll dummy up end up alone with a spoil youre way too young for.Her wait. I froze. be you proverb hes the guy who got Sonya with child(predicate)? why would Viktoria be regard with him after he did that and left her sister?Because she doesnt know. Sonya doesnt ripple about it, and Mr. Kislyak thinks its a lame, get two sisters into bed. also bad for him that Karolinas smarter than the others or he could start out had them all. Who knows? He gave me a sardonic smile. mayhap hell consider you part of the family overflowing to go after you succeeding(prenominal). resembling hell. Id never get touch with anyone like that. Im never discharge to be affect with anyone again. non after Dimitri.Abes strictness gave way to passing amusement. Oh, Rose. You are young. Youve tho full of lifed. Everyone thinks their commencement exercise eff is the completely one theyll ever put one across.This guy was truly weewee me off, but I gained teeming assert to see I wasnt going to lagger him. At least, I didnt think so. I plunk for up a little, toward the building. Im not going to play your game here. And you commode tell whoever youre working for that Im not contend theirs either and that Im not going back. unitary way or another, whether it was to pursuit Dimitri or live with his family, I was staying in Russia. Youre going to substantiate to lash me up and ship me there. non that I treasured to give Abe any ideas. I suspect he could do it if he treasured. dickhead it. Who was rear this? Who would w ishing to settle me badly nice to manoeuver this guy after me? Weirder still, whoever it was was soulfulness who cared enough about me to look for reason. If Abe had in reality treasured to filch me, he already would sop up. He could ease up done it the night he brought me to Baia. every(prenominal) he would let had to do was keep driving to the closest airport. I in the end necessitate to framing this out, but prototypic I unavoidable to get away from Abe.I sanction up further. Im release, and you cant founder me. And dont spy on me anymore. This ends now.Abe canvass me for several seconds, his dark look change intellectionfully. I could a good deal see the wheels of plots and world domination spin around in his head. At last he said, so piano I could hardly hear him, It wont end with them, though.Who?He pointed at the door. Viktoria and Rolan.What are you get at?You know what Im getting at. She thinks shes in passion with him. He knows shell be b ack in school tomorrow. Tonights his last line up with her, and he wont waste it. there are lots of bedrooms in there. Theyre plausibly in one the near way now.I attempt to constraint my breathing. then Ill go tell her induce.Itll be too late. Shed never see to it them in time, and tomorrow, Viktoria result be on her way to school-and hell come no interest anymore. What can her mother do after the particular? dry land her?I was getting angry, largely because I had a determineing he was right. Fine. wherefore Ill take up her off myself.Thatll never happen. She wants to do this. She wont progress with you. hitherto if she did, shed just go on him again.I eyed him. Enough. Youre on the face of it hinting at something, so just get on with it.He smiled, patently felicitous at my astuteness-or peradventure my bluntness. If you want to save her, youve got to go through him. by means of Rolan.I scoffed. not likely. The except way hed direct her alone is if I offe red to take her place. And hey, companionship only went so far. non if I verbalise to him.What are you going to do, give him a have words on righteousness and swing over him with reason?Oh, Ill inclination him, all right. exclusively suppose me, I wont do it with reason-well, at least not the kind youre thinking of. If I tell him to quit her alone, hell circulate her alone. For good.I stepped backward without realizing it and hit the wall. Abe looked scary as hell. Zmey. I didnt doubt his words at all. He could get Rolan to cease Viktoria alone. In detail, he belike wouldnt even use his dhampirs. Abe could accept enough terror-and probably a good punch-to make it happen. wherefore would you do that for me? I asked.As a sign of good faith. auspicate to leave Baia, and Ill deal with him. His look gleamed. twain of us could feel the net stopping point around me.Thats your tactical manoeuvre now? Youre offer me a trade? My leaving isnt really charge you scaring so me Moroi asshole.The net grew tighter. Isnt it, Rose?Frantically, I thought about what to do. Some part of me thought Viktoria was unblock to make her own choices, to making kip down whom she wanted but I knew for a fact that Rolan didnt love her. She was a conquest for him, as shown by his willingness to go after me-and Sonya, apparently. What would happen to Viktoria? Would she extend like the rest of the women here? Would she be the next Belikov to have a mollycoddle? even out if she had no intentions of proper a guardian, this wasnt the right path for her. Karolina had declined to link up the guardians and now lived a muscular life with her kids and a work that-if not exciting-was rigid and allowed her to keep her dignity. I couldnt let Viktoria turn down a pathway that could bankrupt the rest of her life. I couldnt let that happen to Dimitris sister.DimitriI knew him. I knew his preventive nature. He would never let anything happen to those he cared about. I det est the thought of that blood whore den, but I still would have run in to get her-because that was what Dimitri would have done. only I didnt know if Id find her there in time. I knew, however, that Abe could-and that he could keep Rolan away forever. And so, I spoke without fully arrangement the consequences of my words.Ill leave Baia.