Blood Promise Chapter Twenty-One

Dimitri didnt elaborate. I was too startle by his lyric poem and the rest of the nights correctts to even k directly how to begin to process them. He took me back in incline, past the Strigoi on guard duty, and upstairs to my suite. Nathan was no hugeer go forthside.For a few brief moments, that nagging utter in my head spoke loudly plenteous to break through my wooly- piged thoughts. If I had no guard in the h entirely in each and Inna re divergeed soon, I had a actually good chance of threatening her enough to get let on of here(predicate). Admittedly, that would mean Id shed to quid with a theater of operations of God all knew how many an(prenominal) Strigoi, unspoiled my escape odds were better in the house than in this room.Then, well-nigh as soon as those thoughts appeared, they vanished. Dimitri snaked his arm well-nigh me and draw outed me to him. It had been chilly immaterial, and even if his body was cold, his clothes and jacket provided some warmth. I snuggled closer to him as his hands ran all everyplace me. I thought he was pass to bite me, unless it was our talks that met, hard and furious. I wrapped my fingers in his hair, trying to pull him closer to me. Meanwhile, his fingers were running once against my clean leg, pushing my skirt up almost to my hip. Anticipation and eagerness illuminated every pop of my body. I had dreamed intimately the cabin for so long, remembering it with so a lot longing. Id never expected any social occasion resembling that to take place again, only at presenta twenty-four hourss it could, and I was astonished at how badly I valued it.My hands moved drop to his shirt, undoing all the furthertons so that I could touch his chest. His disrobe lock away matte up like ice, a startling contrast to the burning within me. He moved his lips from mine, down to my fuck and shoulder, pushing down the dresss strap as he c all everywhere my flesh with hungry kisses. His hand was still o n the side of my dismantle hip, and I frantically move to pull his shirt collide with altogether.Suddenly, with a surprising abruptness, he jerked outdoor(a) and shoved me down. At first, I thought it was dear more of the foreplay between us, until I receivedized he was by de sign on pushing me out.No, he express, voice hard. Not yet. Not until youre awakened.why? I take aimed awfully. I couldnt animadvert of any affaire except him touching me-and, well, a nonher bite. wherefore does it egress? Is there is there a reason we cant? Until Id engender here, sex with a Strigoi had never occurred to memaybe it near wasnt possible.He leaned toward me, putting his lips near my ear. No, but itll be so more better if youre awakened. Let me do it allow me do it, and then(prenominal) we can do any social occasion we wantIt was a dicker chip, I realized vaguely. He wanted me-it was written all all over him-but he was using the lure of sex to get me to give in. And h wizardstl y? I was this close to accepting. My body was overriding my mind- almost.No, I whimpered. I Im shake upThat dangerous look softened, and while he didnt exactly look like the Dimitri from before, there was something a little less Strigoi close to him.Rose, do you withdraw Id do anything that would hurt you? Somewhere, hadnt there been a discussion about how my options were to turn or return?The latter perceivemed like it might hurt, but I didnt mention that and now.The bite the turning would hurtI told you Itll be honorable like what weve already done. Youll get it on it. It wont hurt, I swear it.I looked away. Damn it. Why couldnt he still be sinister and s accusationy? It was so much easier to put my foot down and resist. Even in the heat of passion, I was able to resist. save somehow seeing him like this, calm and sensitive well, it was too close to the Dimitri Id loved. And that was hard to turn away from. For the first quantify, it made turning Strigoi seem not so b ad.I dont tell apart, I said lamely.He released me and sat up, frustration filling his features. It was almost a relief. Galinas patience is running out. So is mine.You said we still get down time I just need to estimate more How long could I use that excuse? The narrowing of his eyes told me not much longer.I founder to go, he said harshly. There would be no more touching or kissing, I could tell. I need to deal with some things.Im sorry, I said, both conf utilize and afraid. I didnt receive which Dimitri I wanted. The terrifying one, the sensual one, or the almost-but still not quite-gentle one.He said zipper. Without any other(a) warning, he leaned down and bit into the tender skin of my throat. Whatever feeble escape strategies I had were deceased. I closed my eyes, nearly falling over, and only his arm wrapped firmly slightly me unplowed me up right hand. Just like when we kissed, his mouth was warm against my flesh, and the feel of his tongue and teeth direct electri city through me.And like that, it was over. He pulled away, licking his lips as he still continued to hold onto me. The fog was back. The world was grand and joyous and I was without any cares. Whatever hed been worrying about with Nathan and Galina meant nothing to me. The fear Id felt moments ago my disappointment over sex my confusion-I didnt have time to worry about any of that, not when life was so beautiful and I loved Dimitri so much. I smiled up at him and tried to hug him again, but he was already leading me to the couch.Ill see you later. In a flash, he was at the door, which saddened me. I wanted him to stay. proceed forever. Remember, I want you-and I would never let anything bad adventure to you. Ill protect you. But I cant wait much longer.With that, he left. His words made me smile more broadly. Dimitri wanted me. Vaguely, I recalled asking him outside why he wanted me. Why on earth had I asked? What answer had I wanted? Why did it matter? He wanted me. That was w hat counted.That thought and the wonderful endorphin rush enveloped me as I lay on the couch, and I felt drowsiness overtaking me. Walking over to the manage seemed like too much wee-wee, so I stayed where I was and just let sleep get on.And, unexpectedly, I found my egotism in one of Adrians dreams.Id beautiful much assumption up on him. After my first desperate attempts at escape in the suite, Id finally convinced myself that Adrian wasnt coming back, that Id sent him away for good. Yet here he was, standing right in front of me-or, well, at least his dream version was. Often we were in the woods or a garden, but today we stood where wed first met, on the porch of an Idaho ski lodge. Sun shone down, and mountains soared off to the side of us.I grinned broadly. AdrianI didnt destine Id ever seen him look as affect as he did just then. Considering how mean I usually was to him, I could understand his feelings.Hello, Rose, he said. His voice sounded uncertain, like he was worr ied I might be contend a trick on him.You look good today, I told him. It was true. He wore dark jeans and a printed button-down shirt in shades of navy blue and turquoise that looked fantastic with his dark green eyes. Those eyes, however, looked weary. Worn. That was a little odd. In these dreams, he could shape the world and even our appearances to what he wanted, with only a little effort. He could have looked perfect but instead appeared to be reflecting real-world fatigue.So do you. His voice was still wary, as he look me from head to toe. I was still in the clingy sundress, my hair down and loose, the sapphires or so my neck. That looks like something Id normally dress you in. Are you asleep in that?Yup. I smoothed down the dresss skirt, thinking how pretty it looked. I wondered if Dimitri had liked it. He hadnt said so specifically, but he had kept telling me I was beautiful. I didnt think youd coif back.I didnt think I would either.I looked back up at him. He wasnt li ke his usual self at all. Are you trying to figure out where I am again?No, I dont care about that anymore. He sighed. The only thing I care about is that you arent here. You have to come back, Rose.I get across my arms and flounced onto the porchs railing. Adrian, Im not ready for anything romant-Not for me, he exclaimed. For her. You have to come back for Lissa. Thats why Im here.LissaMy waking self was pumped full of endorphins, and it carried over here. I tried to remember why I should be so worried about Lissa.Adrian took a step forward and studied me carefully. Yeah, you know, Lissa? Your s conflagration friend? The one youre bonded to and sworn to protect?I swung my legs back and forth. I never made any vows.What the hells the matter with you?I didnt like his provoke tone. It was ruining my good mood. Whats the matter with you?You arent acting like yourself. Your aura He frowned, unable to continue.I laughed. Oh yes. Here it comes. The magical, mystical aura. Let me guess. Its black, right?No it He continued scrutinizing me for several heavy seconds. I can scarce get a fix on it. Its all over the place. Whats press release on, Rose?Whats happening in the waking world? nobodys happening, I said. Nothing except me being skilful for the first time in my life. Why are you acting weird all of a sudden? You used to be fun. Figures the first time Im finally having a good time, you go all boring and strange.He knelt down in front of me, no trace of humor anywhere. Theres something ill-timed with you. I cant tell what-I told you, Im fine. Why do you have to keep coming and trying to ruin things for me? True, Id urgently wanted him to come a little while ago, but now well, that wasnt so important. I had a good thing with Dimitri here, if only I could figure out how to solve all the not-so-good parts.I told you, Im not here for me. Im here for Lissa. He looked up at me, wide-eyed and earnest. Rose, I am begging you to come home. Lissa needs you. I dont know whats wrong, and I dont know how to help her. No one else does either. I think I think only you can. Maybe being apart is whats hurting her. Maybe thats whats wrong with you now, why youre acting so weird. Come home. Please. Well heal both of you. Well all figure it out together. Shes acting so strange. Shes reckless and doesnt care about anything.I shook my head. Being away isnt whats wrong with me. Probably not whats wrong with her, either. If shes really worried about spirit, she should go back on her meds.Shes not worried thats the problem. Damn it. He stood up and began pacing. Whats wrong with you 2? Why cant either of you see theres something the matter?Maybe its not us, I said. Maybe its you imagining things.Adrian off-key back toward me and looked me over again. No. Its not me.I didnt like any of this-not his tone, expression, or words. Id been excited to see him, but now I resented him ruining my good mood. I didnt want to think about any of this. It was too hard.Look, I said. I was happy to see you this night but not anymore, not if youre going to sit and accuse me and take in demands.Im not trying to do that. His voice was gentle-the anger was gone. The last thing I want is to make you unhappy. I care about you. I care about Lissa, too. I want you both to be happy and live your lives like you want but not when youre both head word down destructive paths.He almost made sense. Almost seemed reasonable and sincere. I shook my head.Stay out of it. Im where I want to be, and Im not coming back. Lissas on her own. I jumped off the rail. The world swirled a little, and I stumbled. Adrian caught my hand, and I jerked away. Im fine.You are not. Jesus Christ. Id swear youre drunk, except the auras still not right for that. What is it? He ran his hands through his dark hair.It was his typical sign of agitation.Im done here, I said, trying to be as polite as possible. Why on earth had I wanted to see him again? It had seemed so important when I first arri ved. Send me back, please.He open his mouth to say something, then froze a few moments. Whats on your neck?He reached forward, and addled or no, I managed to dodge pretty efficiently. I had no idea what he saw on my neck, and I had no interest in finding out. Dont touch me. Rose, that looks like-Send me back, Adrian So much for my politeness.Rose, let me help-Send. Me. BackI shouted the words, and then, for the first time, I managed to pull myself out of Adrians dream. I left sleep altogether and woke up on the couch.The room was still and silent, the only sound my rapid breathing. I felt all tangled up inside. Usually, so fresh from a bite, I would be floating and gleeful. Yet, the encounter with Adrian had left part of me troubled and sad. rest up, I managed to make my way to the bathroom. I flicked on the light and winced. It hadnt been very bright in the other room. Once my eyes adjusted, I leaned toward the mirror and pushed my hair out of the way. I gasped at what I saw. Ther e were bruises all over my neck, as well as signs of fresher wounds. Around where Dimitri had just bitten me, I could see dried tide rip.I looked like a blood whore.How had I never noticed this before? I wet a washcloth and scrubbed at my neck, trying to get the blood off. I rubbed and rubbed until the skin turned pink. Was that it? Were there more? That looked like the worst of it. I wondered how much Adrian had seen. My hair had been down, and I was pretty sure most of it had cover my neck.A rebellious thought came to my head. What did it matter if Adrian saw or not? He didnt understand. There was no way he could even come close.I was with Dimitri. Yeah, he was different but not that much different. And I was sure I could find a way to make this work without becoming a Strigoi. I just didnt know how yet.I tried to reassure myself over and over, but those bruises kept staring back at me.I left the bathroom and returned to the couch. I turned on the TV without really watching, and after a while, the happy fog rolled over me again. I soon tuned out the TV and returned to sleep. This time, my dreams were my own.It took a while for Dimitri to come again. And by a while, I mean almost an entire day. I was getting twitchy by that point, both because I bewildered him and because I missed the bite. He usually visited twice a day, so this was the longest Id gone without the endorphins. Needing something to do, I preoccupied myself with making myself as beautiful as possible.I sorted through the dresses in my closet, choosing a long ivory silk one that had purple flowers delicately painted into the fabric. It fit like a glove.I wanted to wear my hair up, but after looking at the bruises again, I decided to wear it down. Id been provided with a curling iron and musical composition recently, so I worked my hair over carefully, turning the ends up in perfect little curls. Once made up, I stared happily at my reflection, certain Dimitri would be happy too. All I needed now was to put on some of the exquisite jewelry hed given me. But when I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of my back from the side and saw Id missed fastening a clasp. I reached roughly to do it but couldnt get a hold of it. It was in that perfect daub just out of my reach.Damn, I muttered, still grappling with the hook. The flaw in my perfection.Just then, I heard the door open in the other room, followed by the telltale sound of a tray being set on the coffee table. A stroke of luck.Inna I called, walking out of the bathroom. I need you to-Nausea rolled through me, and as I stepped into the alimentation room, I saw that Dimitri wasnt the source. Nathan was.My jaw dropped open. Inna stood near him, waiting patiently by the tray, eyes downcast as always. I immediately ignored her and then looked back at Nathan. Presumably, he was still on guard duty, but that had never actually included him coming inside. For the first time in a while, some of my battle instincts kicked in, as sessing escape options. My fear urged me to back away, but that would trap me in the bathroom. Best to stay where I was. Even if I couldnt leave the room, this gave me the most space to maneuver.What are you doing here? I asked, awed at how calm I sounded.Taking care of a problem.I didnt really need any pointers to figure out the subtext here. I was the problem.Again, I fought the urge to back up. Ive never done anything to you. It was faulty logic to a Strigoi. none of their victims ever did anything to them.You exist, he said. Youre taking up space here, use everyones time. You know how to find her-the Dragomir girl-yet youll offer nothing remotely useful until Belikov gets off his ass and awakens you. And in the meantime, Galina forces me to waste time watching you and keeps promoting him because hes convinced her that youre going to be some amazing asset to us.It was an interesting set of grievances. So um, what are you going to do?In a flash, he stood in front of me. Seeing h im so close triggered that memory in my minds eye-him tart Dimitri and starting all of this. A spark of anger kindled in me but didnt do much in the way of development. Im getting the culture one way or another, he hissed. Tell me where she is.You know where she is. Shes at the school. There was nothing useful in giving up that news. He knew she was there. He knew where the school was.The look he gave me showed he was not happy about me providing knowledge he already had. Reaching out, he gripped my hair and jerked my head painfully back. Wearing my hair down maybe hadnt been so useful after all. Where is she going? She wont stay there forever. Is she going to college? The proud Court? They must(prenominal) have made plans for her.I dont know what they are. Ive been away for a while.I dont cogitate you, he snarled. Shes too valuable. Her future would have been think out a while ago.If it is, no ones shared it with me. I left too soon.I shrugged by way of answer. Rage modify hi s eyes, and I swear, they grew redder.Youre bonded You know. Tell me now, and Ill shovel in you quickly. If you dont, Ill awaken you to get the information, and then Ill polish you. Ill light you up like a bonfire.You youd kill me once I was one of you? Foolish question. Strigoi felt no loyalty to each other.Yes. Itll subvert him, and once Galina sees how unhinged he is, I leave alone return to my veritable place by her side-especially after I stamp out the Dragomir line.The hell you will.He smiled and touched my typesetters case, running his fingers along my neck and the bruises all over it. Oh, I will. It really will make things easier if you just tell me now. Youll die in ecstasy rather than being burned alive. Well both enjoy it. He wrapped his hand delicately around my throat. Youre definitely a problem, but you are beautiful-especially your throat. I can see why he wants youWarring emotions played within me. Logically, I knew this was Nathan-Nathan, whom I hated for havi ng turned Dimitri in the first place. Yet my bodys need for Strigoi endorphins was raising its head too, and it barely mattered that it was Nathan. What mattered was that his teeth were only a breath away from my neck, promising that agreeable, sweet delirium.And while one hand held my throat, the other ran down my waist, down to the ignore of my hip. There had been a sultry edge to Nathans voice, like he wanted to do more than just bite me. And after so many sexually charged encounters with Dimitri-encounters that never resulted in anything-my body almost didnt care who touched it. I could close my eyes, and it wouldnt matter whose teeth bit into me or whose hands peeled off my clothes. Only the next fix would matter. I could close my eyes and pretend it was Dimitri, lost in it all as Nathans lips brushed my skinExcept, as some small reasonable part of me recalled, Nathan didnt just want sex and blood. He eventually wanted to kill me.Which was kind of ironic. Id been dead set-no pun intended-on killing myself when I got here, lest I capture a Strigoi. Nathan was offering me that now. Even if he turned me first, he planned on killing me immediately afterward. Either way, I wouldnt have to send packing eternity as a Strigoi. I should have welcomed this.But just then, as my bodys addiction screamed for his bite and that bliss, I realized something with startling uncloudedness I didnt want to die. Maybe it was because Id gone almost a day without a bite, but something small and rebellious woke up in me. I would not let him do this to me. I would not let him go after Dimitri. And I sure as hell wasnt going to let him hunt down Lissa.Pushing through that endorphin cloud that still hung around me, I summoned up as much willpower as I could. I dug deep, remembering my years of training and all the lessons Dimitri had given me. It was hard to access those memories, and I only touched a few. Still, enough came to spur me to action. I lunged forward and punched Nat han.And accomplished nothing.He didnt budge. Hell, I dont even know if he felt it. The surprise on his face pronto turned to mirth, and he laughed in that horrible way Strigoi did-cruelly and without any real joy. Then, with the greatest of ease, he slapped me and knocked me across the room. Dimitri had done nearly the same thing when Id arrived and attacked him. Only I hadnt flown quite as far or had so miniscule an effect on him.I slammed into the back of the couch, and good God, did it hurt. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I realized the stupidity of fighting soul vastly stronger than me when Id been losing blood all week. I managed to crystalize up and desperately sought my next course of action. Nathan, for his part, seemed in no hurry to respond to my attack. In fact, he was still laughing.Glancing around, I latched onto a truly pitiful course of action. Inna stood near me. Moving with a hotfoot that was painfully slow-but better than I expected myself to manage-I reached for her and wrapped my arm around her neck. She yelped in surprise, and I jerked her harder against me. she-bop out of here, I said to Nathan. Get out of here, or Ill kill her.He stopped laughing, stared at me for a moment, and then laughed even harder. Are you serious? Do you honestly think I couldnt stop you if I wanted? And do you honestly think I care? Go ahead. Kill her. There are hemorrhoid more just like her.Yeah, that really shouldnt have been a surprise either, but even I was a bit taken aback by how easily he could throw away a closemouthed servants life.Okay. Time to go to Plan B. Or maybe it was Plan J? Frankly, I was losing track, and none of them were very good anyway OwInna suddenly elbowed me in the stomach. I released her in my surprise. She spun around with a strangled scream and socked me in the face. The blow wasnt as hard as Nathans had been, but it still knocked me over. I tried to catch a hold of something-anything-as I fell but failed. I hit the fu ndament, my back slamming against the door. I expected her to come right back at me, but instead, she darted across the room and-God help us all threw herself into a defensive posture in front of Nathan. in the lead I could fully process the weirdness of her trying to protect someone who was willing to let her die, the door suddenly opened. Ow I said again, as it hit me and pushed me aside.Dimitri swiftly entered. He looked from face to face, and I had no question mine showed signs of both Nathans and Innas attacks. Dimitris fists clenched, and he turned toward Nathan. It reminded me of their scuffle in the hallway, all rage and malice and bloodlust. I cringed, bracing myself for another horrible confrontation.Dont, warned Nathan, face smug. You know what Galina said. Touch me and youre out of here.Dimitri strode across the room and came to stand in front of Nathan, knocking Inna aside like a rag doll. Itll be worth facing her wrath, particularly when I tell her you attacked first. Rose sure as shooting bears the marks of it.You wouldnt. He pointed at Inna, who was sitting dazed on the floor from where Dimitri had knocked her over. Despite my own injuries, I began crawling over to her. I had to know if she was all right. Shell tell the truth.Now Dimitri looked smug. You really think Galina will believe a human? No. When I tell her how you attacked me and Rose out of jealousy, shell let me off. The fact that youll be so easily defeated will be proof of your weakness. Ill slice your head off and get Roses threaten from the vault. With your last breath, you can watch her drive it through your heart.Holy crap. That was a little worse than Nathan threatening to burn me-wait.My stake?Nathans face still bore haughty arrogance-at least to me. But I think Dimitri must have seen something that satisfied him, something that made him think hed gotten the upper hand. He visibly relaxed, his smirk growing larger. Twice, Dimitri said softly. Twice Ive let you go. Next tim e next time, youre gone.I reached Inna and gently held out my hand. Are you okay? I murmured.With a look of hate, she recoiled and scooted away. Nathans eyes fell on me, and he began fill-in toward the door.No, he said. Twice Ive let her live. Next time shes gone. Im the one in control here, not you.Nathan opened the door and Inna stood up, stumbling after him. I stared, mouth agape at the events that had just taken place. I didnt know which of them I found more disturbing. Looking up at Dimitri, I grappled with what to ask him first. What were we going to do? Why had Inna defended Nathan? Why had Dimitri let him go? None of those defiant questions came to my lips, though.Instead, I burst into tears.