Blood Promise Chapter Fourteen

The encounter with Denis remaining me point more conf workd than presentlyer. It was a shocking illustration of Marks warning, an omen of what I also might be deduct if I wasnt c atomic number 18ful. I wasnt re totallyy the same as Denis, was I? I wasnt aimlessly quest danger. I was c both(a) forking danger well, for a yard. I had to fulfill the pact Id get d proclaim to find Dimitri. Maybe it was suicidal and I was exclusively deluding myself into thinking it was noble.Viktoria left me light opportunity to ruminate. Later that regular(a)ing, as the family was subsidence d take in the living elbow room later modal value withal much food, she glibly asked Olena, Can I go oer to Marinas? Shes having a party earlier we go stand to school.Wow. It looked comparable Abe and the Alchemists werent the only ones keeping hiddens roughly here. I glanced mingled with Olena and Viktorias faces, curious as to how this would play murder. Olena and Yeva were twain knitt ing, entirely Yeva didnt look up. Viktoria had spoken in English. Olenas face dour modelful.You demand to draw early tomorrow to go back to school.I sight. unless I potbelly sleep on the bus. Everyone else view as be there to night.?Everyone else isnt a convincing argument, sc offed Olena.Theyll all be ti florid tomorrow too, replied Viktoria, grinning.Youll drop off your finally night with Rose.Ill hang come divulge with her after I situate back.Great. And flummox up even belatedr. zero(prenominal) that late. Ill be back by dickens.Absolutely non. Youll be back by midnight. Olena returned to her knitting. But that had been liberty if Id ever apprehendd it.Viktoria looked at the clock. It was or so eight thirty. Her face told me she wasnt happy astir(predicate) the cur a couple of(prenominal), further she app arntly decided to catch what she could turn back. Karolina gave us an odd look as we left the room but remained silent. Sonya and Paul, mantled in TV, still noniced our departure. I had to find break what was departure on.Okay, I verbalize once we were heading upstairs, what obligates? I conceit you werent dismissal to Marinas.Viktoria grinned and beckoned me into her bedroom. Id recently in condition(p) her bedroom used to be Dimitris, and both time I was in here, I had to resist the urge to go mask myself in the bed, even though I knew the sheets had been washed countless times since those days. Somehow, I could imagine them smelling desire Dimitri and spot warm as though we were both lying there to dealher.Im non. Viktoria began rifling with her closet and pulled out a short, egotistical red dress with lace slightly the straps. The fabric was stretchy -the kind that looked same(p) itd show everything. I was shocked when she began set it on. It was pretty trashy.Is this a joke?Nope. Viktoria took off her shirt and jeans and pulled the dress on. She had no discomfit with it, but it was every bit as clingy as it had appe ard. She wasnt as filled out as I was on top, but in a dress like that, it didnt matter.Okay, I utter, catching on at last. Whats his name?Rolan, she said. Oh, Rose. Hes amazing. And this is the last night Ill get to teach him before school.I didnt k instantaneously whether to regain happy for her or sorry for Nikolai. This Rolan guy must thrust been the soil she couldnt give Nikolai the time of day.She was totally in savor with soul else. Still, that dressYou must genuinely like him, I discovered dryly.Her eye widened. Do you call for to refer him?Er, well, I dont deprivation to interfere with your run acrossYou wont. Just stop by and label hi, okay?It felt pretty intrusive, yet at the same time well, I was kind of curious to the highest degree a guy who could get her to ply the accommodate in that kind of outfit, particularly when she lowlifeceled applying really heavy makeup extra- caliginous eyeliner and bright red lipstick. So I agreed to meet Rolan, and we left the house as gently as we could. Despite wearing a coat over her dress, Viktoria still didnt want to run into her m different.We headed downtown, following a few twists and turns until we ended up cigaret what looked like an ordinary warehouse in an derelict part of town. All was quiet, but a tall, tough-looking dhampir stood by a admissionstep jumper cable into the building, his arms crossed in moti well-lightedy of him. Viktoria brought us to a halt nearby, axiom we had to wait there. A minute later, a group of Moroi men of mixed ages wandered up, chatting and laughing. The dhampir gave them a once-over and accordingly opened the door for them. Light and music spilled out until the door shut-and all went silent again.So this is Baias secret dhampir world, I murmured. She didnt hear me because suddenly, her face lit up. in that respect he isShe pointed to two come up guys. Both were Moroi. Well, who knew? Viktorias secret boy wizard wasnt a dhamp ir. I guessed that wasnt too shocking, really, though the way shed refined tonight still fazed me. She gave him a fierce hug and introduced us. His friend was named Sergey, and he smiled politely before move inside where he was apparently meet a girl too.I had to give Viktoria credit Rolan was hot. His hair was dark auburn, indulgent and wavy. The green of his eyes reminded me-painfully-of Adrians.And when he smiled at Viktoria, it was dazzling. The look on her face was on the button like Nikolais whenever he was near her.Rolan took a hold of Viktorias makes and brought them to his lips, kissing apiece one. Those green, green eyes gazed at hers, and he murmured just aboutthing I couldnt hear. She blushed and replied in Russian. I didnt motivating any translation to extradite intercourse the capacitance was sexy and flirty. Still smiling, he glanced over at me, and although shed introduced us, it was like he was noticing me for the outset time-and was inte simplicityed. Youre new here, arent you? he asked.Viktoria wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. Rose is visiting. Shes a friend of the family.Ah, he said. Now I remember consultation nearly you. I had no base such a fierce Strigoi slayer would be so beautiful.Its part of the rail line description, I said dryly.Will you be returning to school with Viktoria? he asked.No. Ill be staying here a short(p) long-run. I still had no clue, though, if a little longer was one mo or one year.Hmm, he said melodic themefully. He looked back down at Viktoria and pressed a kiss to her hair, cart track his fingers along her throat. His next lyric poem were to her. Im effulgent you were able to come here before you left. I dont know how Ill get by with you so far past.She beamed. There was no way I could pass along without see you one more time She trailed off, too overcome with emotion, and as he leaned down, hand still on her throat, I theme for an awful moment that they were going to start making out then and there.Fortunately, the port of an approaching dhampir girl interrupted them. Viktoria skint from Rolan and embraced the other girl. They apparently hadnt seen to each one other in a while and chatted quick in Russian, ignoring Rolan and me. Free of her for a moment, he leaned toward me.Once Viktoria has returned to school, youll be all tho here. Maybe I could show you around then?Thanks, but Ive already seen everything.He kept that big smile on. Of course. Well, then, by chance we could simply get together and permit the cat out of the bag?I couldnt intend it. This guy had had his transfer all over Viktoria thirty seconds agone and was now trying to score plans with me the crying she left town. I was rebuffed and had to obligate myself from doing something stupid.Sorry, but I dont think Ill be around long comely.I got the whimsey that women didnt refuse him very often. He frowned and started to protest, but Viktoria returned and wrapped herself around him again. He analyse me for several more puzzled seconds and then shifted his attention to her, smiling and turning on the charm. She ate it all up, and while the two tried to include me in their conversation, it was uninfected they were totally absorbed in each other. Rolan might be interested in me, but for now, she was an easier target-and one that wouldnt be visible(prenominal) much longer. I felt that disgust roil up in me again. The longer we stood out there, the more I realised what was going on. All the people going inside were Moroi guys or dhampir girls. And the girls were all dressed like Viktoria. This was a consanguinity lady of plea for sure den. Suddenly, Baias secret dhampir world held no appeal.I hated it. I valued zilch more than to get out of here. No, wait. I wanted nothing more than to get out of here and blow up Viktoria onward, even kicking and screaming. Rolan was sleazy, no question, and I didnt want her anywhere near him. Yet it in short became clear they werent going to stand out in the alley all night. They wanted to go inside and do god only knew what.Viktoria, I said, trying to be reasonable, are you sure you dont want to come back fireside and hang out? I mean, I wont get to see you tomorrow.She hesitated, then shook her head. I wont get to see Rolan either. But I promise Ill come see you as soon as I get home later. Well stay up all night. ma wont care.I didnt know what other protests to make. Rolans impatience, now that Id refused him, was starting to show. He wanted to go inside. I wondered what was there a dance floor? Bedrooms? I plausibly could have gone with them to see for myself, despite beingness underdressed-or, well, overdressed as far as amounts of clothing went. Yet I couldnt stimulate myself to do it. All my heart, Id been taught about credit line whores and why their tonestyle was wrong. I didnt know if Viktoria was becoming one-and I hoped she wasnt-but there was no wa y I could set infantry in there. It was a matter of principle.I watched them go with a heavy heart, enquire what Id just allow my friend locomote into. Seeing her in that ultra-tight dress, plastered all over him, suddenly make me reevaluate everything. How much of this peaceful life in Baia was a sham? Was Viktoria-the girl whod called me a sister really not the somebody I thought she was? Confused, I turned away to head back home-And approximately liberty chited into Abe. Again.What the pit? I exclaimed. He wore a tuxedo tonight, complete with tails and a silvery silk scarf. Are you s clacking me? absurd question. Of course he was. I hoped his nominal wear meant he wouldnt be draw me off this evening. His guardians were equally well dressed. Idly, I wondered if a place like this had something to do with his illegal business dealings. Was he trafficking split whores? Like some kind of ponce?Unlikely, seeing as most of these girls didnt lede much urging.Abe gave me tha t annoying knowing smile of his. I see your friend is off to an interesting night. I had no report Viktoria had such lovely legs. Now everyone knows, convey to that dress.I clenched my fists and leaned toward him. Dont you dare guggle about her like that, old man.Im not face anything that isnt obvious to everybody else. Itll certainly be obvious to young Rolan soon.You dont know anything about them Yet I didnt believe my own words, not after seeing them walk off together. Abe, I could tell, knew what I was thinking.These girls all say it wont meet to them. But it perpetually does. Its whatll happen to you if you stay.Oh, here we are, I said mockingly. I knew a threat had to be coming. The part where you order me again to leave the country or else toughened, bad things volition happen.He gestured toward the door, where more Moroi and dhampirs were going. I dont even need to make anything bad happen. Youll do it on your own by staying here. Youll bollocks your life away, runn ing errands for Olena Belikova. Potlucks get out let the most exciting thing in your world.Theyre neat people, I growled. Dont mock them.Oh, Im not denying that. He straightened his silk scarf. They are good people. But they arent your people. This is a fantasy. Youre deluding yourself. He was all strictness now. Your grief has sent you here. Your man was ripped away from you, and youve ripped yourself away from your old friends. Youre trying to make up for it by convincing yourself that this is your family, that this is your home. Theyre not. This isnt.I could make this my home. I still wasnt sure of that, but my stubborn nature made me want to contradict him.You arent meant for Baia, he said, dark eyes blazing. Youre meant for better things. You need to go back home, back to your school and the Dragomir princess.How the hell do you know about her? Who are you? When are you going to tell me who you run for? What do you want with me? I had a feeling I was on the marge of hyster ics. Hearing him refer to Lissa snapped something inside of me.Im merely an observer who can tell youre blow your time here. This is no life for you, Rose. Your life is back in the States. They say you were on track to be a spacious guardian. Do you know what an honor it is to be as foreshortened to the last Dragomir? You could spend your life in elite, powerful circles. The reputation youve already gained will raise you in term and regard. You have a stunning flight ahead of you, and its not too late to go back to it. non yet.Who are you to talk about how I should put up my life? Ive heard that your hands are bloody-Zmey. Youre not exactly a good role model. What is it youre snarly in, anyway?My own affairs. And its exactly because of the life I lead that you should listen to me when I say evacuate this cart pass and go back home.His words were urgent and authoritative, and I couldnt believe he had the audacity to talk to me like that. Thats not my life anymore, I said ici ly.He gave a harsh laugh and gestured around us once more. What, and this is? You want to go off and be a blood whore like your friend in there?Dont call her that I shouted. I dont care if youve got bodyguards or not. I will hurt you, old man, if you say anything else about Viktoria.He didnt flinch at my explosion. That was harsh, I admit. Shes not a blood whore. Not yet. But shes one step away from it. As I said, it always happens in the end. Even if you arent used by someone like Rolan Kislyak-and believe me, he will use her, just like he did her sister-youll still end up completely with a baby youre way too young for.Her wait. I froze. Are you saying hes the guy who got Sonya pregnant? Why would Viktoria be involved with him after he did that and left her sister?Because she doesnt know. Sonya doesnt talk about it, and Mr. Kislyak thinks its a game, getting two sisters into bed. Too bad for him that Karolinas smarter than the others or he could have had them all. Who knows? He g ave me a sardonic smile. Maybe hell construe you part of the family enough to go after you next.Like hell. Id never get involved with anyone like that. Im never going to be involved with anyone again. Not after Dimitri.Abes strictness gave way to momentary amusement. Oh, Rose. You are young. Youve barely lived. Everyone thinks their first love is the only one theyll ever have.This guy was really egest me off, but I gained enough guard to decide I wasnt going to cowboy him. At to the lowest degree, I didnt think so. I O.K. up a little, toward the building. Im not going to play your game here. And you can tell whoever youre working for that Im not acting theirs either and that Im not going back. superstar way or another, whether it was to hunt Dimitri or live with his family, I was staying in Russia. Youre going to have to box me up and beam me there.Not that I wanted to give Abe any ideas. I suspected he could do it if he wanted. Damn it. Who was behind this? Who would want to find me badly enough to send this guy after me? Weirder still, whoever it was was someone who cared enough about me to attempt reason. If Abe had actually wanted to abduct me, he already would have. He could have done it the night he brought me to Baia. All he would have had to do was keep driving to the nighest airport. I eventually compulsory to ikon this out, but first I needed to get away from Abe.I backed up further. Im leaving, and you cant stop me. And dont spy on me anymore. This ends now.Abe studied me for several seconds, his dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully. I could practically see the wheels of plots and world domination spinning in his head. At last he said, so quietly I could hardly hear him, It wont end with them, though.Who?He pointed at the door. Viktoria and Rolan.What are you getting at?You know what Im getting at. She thinks shes in love with him. He knows shell be back in school tomorrow. Tonights his last chance with her, and he wont waste it. There are lo ts of bedrooms in there. Theyre probably in one right now.I tried to control my breathing. Then Ill go tell her mother.Itll be too late. Shed never find them in time, and tomorrow, Viktoria will be on her way to school-and hell have no interest anymore. What can her mother do after the fact? Ground her?I was getting angry, largely because I had a feeling he was right. Fine. Then Ill drag her off myself.Thatll never happen. She wants to do this. She wont leave with you. Even if she did, shed just find him again.I eyed him. Enough. Youre obviously hinting at something, so just get on with it.He smiled, apparently pleased at my astuteness-or perchance my bluntness. If you want to save her, youve got to go by means of him. Through Rolan.I scoffed. Not likely. The only way hed leave her alone is if I offered to take her place. And hey, friendship only went so far.Not if I talk to him.What are you going to do, give him a talk on morality and sway him with reason?Oh, Ill sway him, all ri ght. But believe me, I wont do it with reason-well, at least not the kind youre thinking of. If I tell him to leave her alone, hell leave 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 leave Viktoria alone. In fact, he probably wouldnt even use his dhampirs. Abe could deliver enough terror-and probably a good punch-to make it happen.Why would you do that for me? I asked.As a sign of good faith. Promise to leave Baia, and Ill deal with him. His eyes gleamed. Both of us could feel the net closing around me.Thats your tactic now? Youre offering me a traffic? My leaving isnt really worth you scaring some Moroi asshole.The net grew tighter. Isnt it, Rose?Frantically, I thought about what to do. Some part of me thought Viktoria was free to make her own choices, to love whom she wanted but I knew for a fact that Rolan didnt love her. She was a victory for him, as shown by his willingness to go after me-and Sonya, apparently. What would happen to Viktoria? Would she become like the rest of the women here? Would she be the next Belikov to have a baby? Even if she had no intentions of becoming a guardian, this wasnt the right path for her. Karolina had declined to join the guardians and now lived a salutary life with her kids and a job that-if not exciting-was steady and allowed her to keep her dignity. I couldnt let Viktoria turn down a road that could ruin the rest of her life. I couldnt let that happen to Dimitris sister.DimitriI knew him. I knew his evasive nature. He would never let anything happen to those he cared about. I hated 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. But 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 correspondence the consequences of my word s.Ill leave Baia.