Shadow Kiss Chapter 12

TWELVEIF YOUD ASKED ME six months agone, I would pretend verbalize thither was no way Id be happy to run into Mia Rinaldi at the proud Court. She was a division younger than me and had held a grudge against Lissa since freshman year a grudge so big that Mia had g unity to owing(p) extremes to make life miserable for us. Shed done a good job. Jesse and Ralfs rumors to the highest degree me had been a result of her efforts. yet hence Mia had gone with us to Spokane and been captured by the Strigoi. And, undecomposed kindred for Christian and Eddie, that had changed everything. Shed plann the resembling horrors the rest of us had. In fact, she was the tho one of my friends who had witnessed Masons death and me killing Strigoi. She had even so saved my life then by using her water magic to temporarily dr stimulate one of the Strigoi. In the great Moroi argument near whether or non they should picture to fight with the guardians, she was firmly on the fighting side.I h adnt seen Mia in roughly a month, ever since Masons funeral. In studying her, I felt the handles of itd been a year. I had of all time thought Mia looked analogous a doll. She was slight comp bed to most Moroi and had young, round-cheeked features. The fact that shed always curled her h airmanship in everlasting(a) ringlets had sort of reinforced that image. But today, she hadnt gone to nearly that some(prenominal) trouble. Her gold blond hair was pulled into a ponytail, its only curl approach from a slight, natural waviness. She wore no makeup, and her face surfaceed signs of having been bug outdoors a lot. Her skin looked around the bend from the wind, and she had a very, very faint tan almost un taked of for Moroi, with their nuisance to sunlight. For the first time ever, she actu on the wholey looked her age.She laughed at my shock. Come on, it hasnt been that long. You look like you dont even recognize me.I almost dont. We hugged, and again, it was hard to believe t hat shed formerly plotted ways to ruin my life. Or that Id broken her nose. What are you doing here?She beckoned us out the door. We were just somewhat to leave. Ill apologize everything.We went to a beside building. It wasnt like a mall or anything, and it did chip in a few businesses that the Moroi who worked and visited here needed a handful of restaurants, virtually sensitive stores, and gloweringices that offered all sorts of services. There was also a coffee shop, and that was where Mia led us.A coffee shop seems like an ordinary thing, precisely I seldom got to go to them. Sitting in a public place (or semi-public) with friends, not worrying about school it was great. It reminded me of when Lissa and I had been on our own, when our entire lives hadnt been contained in spite of appearance a school and its rules.My dad works here like a shot, she told us. And so now I live here.Moroi children rarely lived with their parents. They were sent off to places like St. V ladimirs, where they could mystify up safely. What about school? I asked.There arent many kids here, tho there are some. Most of them are rich and have personal tutors. My dad pulled some strings and set it up so that I can go to them for different subjects. So Im take all everyplace studying the same things, just in a different way. Its actually attractive cool. little teacher time moreover much homework.Youve been doing to a greater extent than that, said Eddie. Unless your classes are outside. Hed noticed the same things I had, and in looking at her hold as they held her latte, I could now see calluses.She wiggled her fingers. I made friends with some of the guardians here. Theyve been showing me a few things.Thats risky, said Christian, though he sounded like he approved. Since theres still a debate about Moroi fighting.You mean about Moroi fighting with magic, she corrected. Thats whats controversial. No ones unfeignedly talking about Moroi fighting hand-to-hand.We ll, they are, I said. Its just been overshadowed by the magic controversy.Its not illegal, she said primly. And until it is, Im tone ending to add to askher up doing it. You count on with all the events and meetings that go on around here that anyone even notices what someone like me does? Mias family, in addition to being non-royal, was also pretty lower class not that there was anything wrong with that, but she had to quality the effects of that around here.Still, I found her whole situation cheering. Mia seemed happier and more open than she had during the entire time Id known her. She seemed free. Christian spoke my thoughts to begin with I could.Youve changed, he said.Weve all changed, she corrected. Especially you, Rose. I cant quite explain it.I dont think theres any way the five of us couldnt have changed, Christian pointed out. A moment later he corrected himself. quadruplet of us.We all fell silent, thoughts of Mason weighing us down. Being with Christian, Eddie, and Mia affected up that grief I always tried to hide, and I could see from their faces that they continually fought the same battle.Conversation eventually turned toward all of us catching up on what had happened here and at the Academy. Yet I kept thinking about how Mia had said that I had changed more than the others. all told I could think about was how out of control Id felt lately, how fractional the time my actions and feelings didnt seem like my own. Sitting there, it almost seemed like Mia was controlled by all of her positive traits now and I was controlled by my negative ones. Conversations with Adrian replayed by means of my head, reminding me about how I supposedly had such a dark, dark aura. perhaps thinking about him summoned him, but he and Lissa eventually joined us. Their finish was probably in the same building, I realized. Id been blocking her out and not paying much caution. Adrian hadnt completely gotten her rummy, thankfully, but shed agreed to two dri nks. I could feel a slight buzz through the bond and had to dutyly shield it out.She was as surprised as wed been to see Mia but gave her a warm welcome and wanted to catch up. Id heard most of this already, so I just listened and drank my chai. No coffee for me. Most guardians drank it the way Moroi drank blood, but I wouldnt touch the stuff.Howd your thing with the queen go? Christian asked Lissa at one point.Not so bad, she said. I mean, not great either. But she didnt yell at me or humiliate me, so thats a lead off. verification being modest, said Adrian, putting his arm around her. Princess Dragomir totally stood her ground. You should have seen it. Lissa laughed.I dont suppose she mentioned why she decided to let us come to the trial? Christian asked stiffly. He didnt look very happy about the bonding that was taking place here or about Adrians arm.Lissas jape faded, but she was still smiling. Adrian did it.What? Christian and I asked together.Adrian, looking very dexte rous with himself, stayed quiet for a change and let Lissa do the talking. He convinced her that we needed to be here. He apparently harassed her until she gave in.Its called persuasion, not harassment, Adrian said. Lissa laughed again.My own words about the queen came back to haunt me. Whos she? Just another(prenominal) Ivashkov. There are a ton of them. There were indeed. I eyed Adrian.How keep outly are you guys related? The answer popped into my head from Lissas. Shes your aunt.Great-aunt. And Im her favorite great nephew. Well, Im her only great nephew, but thats not important. Id still be her favorite, he said.Unbelievable, said Christian.Ill second that, I said.None of you appreciate me. Why is it so hard to believe that I could make a real character in these dark times? Adrian stood up. He was trying to sound outraged, but the smirk on his face indicated that he still found all of this pretty funny. My cigarettes and I are exit outside. At least they show me respect.As soon as he left, Christian asked Lissa, Were you getting drunk with him?Im not drunk. I only had two drinks, she said. Since when did you get all conservative?Since Adrian became a bad influence.Come on He helped us get here. No one else was able to do it. He didnt have to, but he did. And you and Rose are sitting there, still acting like hes the most evil person on the planet. That wasnt exactly true. I was for the most part sitting there like I had been hit in the head, still too dumbstruck to react.Yeah, and Im sure he did it out of the kindness of his heart, muttered Christian.Why else would he do it?Oh, gee, I wonder.Lissas eyes widened. You think he did it for me? You think theres something issue on with us? You guys drink together, practice magic together, and go to elitist events together. What would you think?Mia and Eddie looked like they wanted to be somewhere else. I was starting to packet the feeling.Anger burned through Lissa, hitting me like a curl up of heat. She was utterly outraged. Her fury didnt even have that much to do with Adrian, really. She was more upset at the thought of Christian not trusting her. And as for him, I needed no psychic powers to understand how he was feeling. He wasnt prehensile simply because she was hanging out with Adrian. Christian was still jealous that Adrian had the kind of influence to pull this off for her. It was just like what Jesse and Ralf had described, about how the right connections could open the right doors connections that Christian didnt have.I kneed Christians leg, hoping hed get the pencil lead that he really should stop talking before things got worse. Lissas anger was intensifying, puddle with embarrassment as she began to doubt herself and wonder if she had been getting too close to Adrian. The whole thing was ridiculous.Christian, for the bash of God. If Adrian did this for anyone, it was because of me and his crazy obsession. He bragged awhile ago that he could do it, and I didnt bel ieve it. I turned to Lissa. I needed to get her calm and diffuse those dark feelings that could cause so much trouble for her when they ran out of control. Liss, you might not be senseless exactly, but you need to chill out for an hour before having this conversation. Youre going to say something as stupid as Christian, and Ill be the one who has to enshroud with the mess like always.Id gotten worked up and expected someone to tell me how cattish I sounded. Instead, Lissa relaxed and offered Christian a smile. Yeah, we should definitely talk about this later. A lots kind of happened today.He hesitated, then nodded. Yeah. Sorry I jumped all over you. He returned her smile, fight patched up.So, Lissa asked Mia, who have you met here?I stared at them in amazement, but no one seemed to notice. Id fixed their fight, and thered been no acknowledgment. No Thank you, Rose, for pointing out how idiotic were being. It was bad enough I had to black market their romance day after day, with no consideration for how I felt. flat I was salvaging their relationship, and they didnt even realize it.Ill be right back, I said, interrupting Mias interpretation of some of the other teenagers here. I was afraid if I sat there, I was going to say something Id regret or maybe break a chair. Where had this rage come from?I went outside, hoping a gulp of cold air would calm me down. Instead, I got a face full of clove smoke.Dont start in about the smoking, warned Adrian. He was leaning against the buildings brick wall. You didnt have to come outside. You knew I was here.Thats actually why Im here. Well, that, and I felt like I was going to go crazy if I stayed inside another minute.He flex his head to look at my face. His eyebrows shot up. You arent kidding, are you? What happened? You were fine a few minutes ago.I paced across the ground in motility of him. I dont know. I was fine. Then Christian and Lissa started having this stupid argument over you. It was weird. They were t he ones who were mad and then I ended up madder than twain of them.Wait. They were arguing over me?Yes. I just said that. Werent you paying attention?Hey, dont snap at me. I havent done anything to you.I crossed my blazonry over my chest. Christians jealous because you hang around Lissa so much.Were studying spirit, said Adrian. Hes welcome to join in.Yeah, well, no one ever said love was reasonable. Seeing you come back together kind of set him off. And then he got upset because you pulled rank with the queen for Lissa.I didnt do it for her. I did it for all of you but, well, you especially.I came to a halt in front of him. I didnt believe you. That you could do it.He grinned. Guess you should have listened to my family history in that dream after all.I guess. I just thoughtI couldnt finish. Id thought Dimitri would be the one who came through for me, the one who despite what he said could make almost anything happen. But he hadnt.Thought what? Adrian prompted.Nothing. With much effort, I managed to utter the next words. Thank you for helping us.Oh my God, he said. A kind word from Rose Hathaway. I can die a happy man.What are you saying? That Im normally an ungrateful bitch?He just looked at me.Hey Not cool.Maybe you could redeem yourself with a hug.I glared.A small one? he begged.With a sigh, I walked over and put one arm around Adrian, leaning my head mildly against his arm. Thanks, Adrian.We stood like that for a heartbeat. I felt none of the crazy electricity or connection I did with Dimitri, but I had to admit that Lissa had been right about something. Adrian was annoying and arrogant at times, but he really wasnt the bastard I often made him out to be.The doors opened, and Lissa and the others stepped outside. They understandably looked surprised, but I didnt care just then. Besides, they probably all thought I was pregnant with Adrians love child, so what did it matter? I backed away. mind out? I asked.Yeah, Mias got more important things to do than hang out with us, joked Christian.Hey, I just told my dad Id meet him. Ill see you guys before I leave. She started to walk away, then abruptly turned around. God, Im so out of it. She reached into her pelage pocket and handed me a folded piece of paper. This is half the reason I found you guys. One of the court clerks wanted me to give this to you.Thanks, I said, puzzled. She headed off to see her dad while the rest of us strolled back to our accommodations.I slowed my pace as I opened the note, wondering who in the piece here would want to contact me.Rose,I was so happy to hear about your arrival. Im sure itll make tomorrows proceedings that much more entertaining. Ive been special(a) for quite some time about how Vasilisa is doing, and your romantic escapades are always an amusing diversion. I cant wait to share them in the courtroom tomorrow.Best,V.D.Whos it from? asked Eddie, coming up beside me. I hastily folded it up and shoved it into my pocket. No one, I replied. No one indeed.V. D.Victor Dashkov.