Frostbite Chapter 5

FiveI HAD NO IDEA WHAT Dimitri was talking almost, further I followed on o merchantmaniently.To my surprise, he led me out of the boundaries of the campus and into the surrounding woods. The Academy owned a tummy of land, not all of which was actively used for educational purposes. We were in a remote sever of Montana, and at meters, it seemed as though the convey was just barely holding back the wilderness.We walked quietly for a while, our feet crunching by dint of thick, unbroken snow. A few birds flitted by, singing their greetings to the rising sun, precisely mostly all I sawing machine were scraggly, snow-heavy evergreen trees. I had to work to living up with Dimitris longer stride, particularly since the snow slowed me down a little. Soon, I discerned a large, dark shape a luff. Some kind of building.What is that? I asked. Before he could answer, I realized it was a teensy-weensy cabin, do out of logs and everything. Closer examination showed that the logs looked worn and rotten in some(prenominal) places. The roof sagged a little.Old watch-post, he said. Guardians used to live on the edge of campus and keep watch for Strigoi.Why dont they eithermore?We dont energise enough guardians to staff it. Besides, Moroi flip warded campus with enough protective charming that most dont cerebrate its necessary to have actual people on guard. Provided no humans staked the wards, I thought.For a few brief moments, I entertained the hope that Dimitri was leading me off to some amorous tick out-of-door. Then I heard voices on the opposite side of the building. A familiar hum of liveliness coursed into my mind. Lissa was there.Dimitri and I rounded the corner of the building, coming up on a surprising scene. A small frozen pond lay there, and Christian and Lissa were ice skating on it. A woman I didnt be was with them, but her back was to me. All I could see was a wave of jet-black tomentum cerebri that arced just about her when she skated to a graceful stop.Lissa grinned when she saw me. Rose Christian glanced everywhere at me as she spoke, and I got the distinct impression he felt I was intruding on their romantic moment.Lissa travel in awkward strides to the ponds edge. She wasnt so adept at skating.I could only stare in bewildermentand jealousy. give thanks for inviting me to the party.I figured you were busy, she said. And this is secret anyway. We arent supposed to be here. I could have told them that.Christian skated up beside her, and the fantastical woman soon followed. You bringing party crashers, Dimka? she asked.I wondered who she was talking to, until I heard Dimitri laugh. He didnt do it that often, and my surprise increased. Its impossible to keep Rose forth from places she shouldnt be. She invariably hears them eventually.The woman grinned and turned around, flipping her long hairsbreadth over one shoulder, so that I suddenly saw her face full-on. It took every ounce of my already dubiously held self -control not to react. Her heart-shaped face had large eyes on the dot the same ghost as Christians, a pale wintry blue. The lips that smiled at me were delicate and lovely, glossed in a shade of ping that set off the rest of her features.But across her left cheek, marring what would have otherwise been smooth, white climb were raised, purplish scars. Their shape and formation looked very much similar soulfulness had bitten into and torn out part of her cheek. Which, I realized, was exactly what had happened.I swallowed. I suddenly knew who this was. It was Christians aunt. When his parents had turned Strigoi, theyd come back for him, hoping to hide him away and turn him Strigoi when he was older. I didnt know all the details, but I knew his aunt had fended them off. As Id discovered before, though, Strigoi were deadly. Shed provided enough of a distraction until the guardians showed up, but she hadnt walked away without damage.She extended her gloved hand to me. Tasha Ozera, she said. Ive heard a banding about you, Rose.I gave Christian a d passionous look, and Tasha laughed.Dont worry, she said. It was all good.No, it wasnt, he countered.She agitate her head in exasperation. Honestly, I dont know where he got such horrible social skills. He didnt learn them from me. That was patent, I thought.What are you guys doing out here? I asked.I wished to spend some time with these two. A small frown wrinkled her forehead. But I dont really alike(p) hanging around the school itself. They arent always hospitable.I didnt get that at first. School officials usually fell all over themselves when royals came to visit. Then I figured it out.Because because of what happened Considering the way everyone treated Christian because of his parents, I shouldnt have been surprised to find his aunt facing the same discrimination.Tasha shrugged. Thats the way it is. She rubbed her hands together and exhaled, her breath making a wintry cloud in the air. But lets not stan d out here, not when we can build a fire inside.I gave a last, wistful glance at the frozen pond and then followed the others inside. The cabin was pretty bare, covered in layers of dust and dirt. It consisted of only one room. There was a narrow bed with no covers in the corner and a few shelves where food had probably once been stored. There was a fireplace, however, and we soon had a blaze going that warmed the small area. The five of us sat down, huddling around its heat, and Tasha produced a bag of marshmallows that we cooked over the flames.As we feasted on that gooey goodness, Lissa and Christian talked to each(prenominal) other in that easy, comfortable way they always had. To my surprise, Tasha and Dimitri also talked in a familiar and light way. They obviously knew each other from way back when. Id actually never seen him so animated before. Even when affectionate with me, thered always been a serious air about him. With Tasha, he bantered and laughed.The more I listened to her, the more I wish her. Finally, unable to stay out of the conversation, I asked, So are you coming on the ski slipperiness?She nodded. Stifling a yawn, she stretched herself out like a cat. I havent been skiing in ages. No time. Been livery all my vacation for this.Vacation? I gave her a curious look. Do you havea excogitate?Sadly, yes, Tasha said, though she didnt actually sound very tragicomic about it. I teach martial humanities classes.I stared in astonishment. I couldnt have been more surprised if shed said she was an astronaut or a telephone psychic.A down of royals just didnt work at all, and if they did, it was usually in some pick out of investment or other moneymaking business that furthered their family fortunes. And those who did work certainly didnt do a heap of martial arts or physically demanding jobs. Moroi had a lot of great attributes exceptional sensessmell, sight, and hearingand the power to work magic. But physically, they were tall and slender, of ten small-boned. They also got weak from being in sunlight. Now, those things werent enough to prevent someone from becoming a stirer, but they did make it more challenging. An idea had built up among the Moroi over time that their best offense was a good defense, and most shied away from the thought of physical conflict. They hid in well-protected places like the Academy, always relying on stronger, hardier dhampirs to guard them.What do you think, Rose? Christian seemed highly amused by my surprise. cypher you could take her?Hard to say, I said.Tasha crooked me a grin. Youre being modest. Ive seen what you guys can do. This is just a rocking horse I picked up.Dimitri chuckled. Now youre being modest. You could teach half the classes around here.Not likely, she said. Itd be pretty embarrassing to be beaten up by a bunch of teenagers.I dont think thatd happen, he said. I seem to remember you doing some damage to Neil Szelsky.Tasha rolled her eyes. Throwing my drink in his face w asnt actually damageunless you account the damage it did to his suit. And we all know how he is about his clothes.They both laughed at some private banter the rest of us werent in on, but I was only half-listening. I was still intrigued about her subprogram with the Strigoi.The self-control Id tried to maintain finally slipped. Did you start learning to fight before or after(prenominal) that happened to your face?Rose hissed Lissa.But Tasha didnt seem upset. Neither did Christian, and he usually grew uncomfortable when the attack with his parents was brought up. She regarded me with a level, thoughtful look. It reminded me of the one I sometimes got from Dimitri if I did something surprising that he approved of.After, she said. She didnt lower her look or look embarrassed, though I sensed sadness in her. How much do you know? I glanced at Christian. The basics.She nodded. I knew I knew what Lucas and Moira had become, but that still didnt prepare me. Mentally, physically, or e motionally. I think if I had to live through it again, I still wouldnt be ready. But after that night, I looked at myself figurativelyand realized how defenseless I was. Id spent my whole life expecting guardians to protect me and take care of me.And thats not to say the guardians arent capable. Like I said, you could probably take me in a fight. But theyLucas and Moiracut down our two guardians before we realized what had happened. I stalled them from taking Christian but just barely. If the others hadnt shown up, Id be dead, and hed She stopped, frowned, and kept going. I refractory that I didnt want to die that way, not without putting up a real fight and doing everything I could to protect myself and those I love. So I learned all sorts of self-defense. And after a while, I didnt really, uh, fit in so well with high society around here. So I go to Minneapolis and made a living from teaching others.I didnt doubt there were other Moroi living in Minneapolisthough God only knew w hybut I could read between the lines. Shed moved there and integrated herself with humans, keeping away from other vampires like Lissa and I had for two years. I started to wonder also if there efficiency have been something else there between the lines. Shed said shed learned all sorts of self-defenseapparently, more than just martial arts. qualifying along with their offense-defense beliefs, the Moroi didnt think magic should be used as a weapon. Long ago, it had been used that way, and some Moroi still secretly did today. Christian, I knew, was one of them. I suddenly had a good idea of where he might have picked up that kind of thing.Silence fell. It was hard to follow up a sad story like that. But Tasha, I realized, was one of those people who could always lighten a mood. It made me like her even more, and she spent the rest of the time telling us mistrustful stories. She didnt put on airs like a lot of royals did, so she had lots of dirt on everyone. Dimitri knew a lot of t he people she spoke of honestly, how did someone so antisocial seem to know everyone in Moroi and guardian societyand would occasionally add some small detail. They had us in hysterics until Tasha finally looked at her watch.Wheres the best place a girl can go shopping around here? she asked.Lissa and I exchanged looks. Missoula, we said in unison.Tasha sighed. Thats a couple hours away, but if I leave soon, I can probably still get in some time before the stores close. Im hopelessly behind in Christmas shopping.I groaned. Id kill to go shopping.Me too, said Lissa.Maybe we could sneak along. I gave Dimitri a hopeful look.No, he said immediately. I gave a sigh of my own.Tasha yawned again. Ill have to grab some coffee, so I dont sleep on the make in.Cant one of your guardians drive for you?She shook her head. I dont have any.Dont have any I frowned, parsing her words. You dont have any guardians?Nope.I shot up. But thats not possible Youre royal. You should have at least one. Two, really.Guardians were distributed among Moroi in a cryptic, micromanaged way by the Guardian Council. It was kind of an unfair system, considering the ratio of guardians to Moroi. Non-royals tended to get them by a draftsmanship system. Royals always got them. High-ranking royals often got more than one, but even the lowest-ranking member of royalty wouldnt have been without one.The Ozeras arent exactly first in line when guardians get assigned, said Christian bitterly. Ever sincemy parents diedtheres kind of been a shortage.My anger flared up. But thats not fair. They cant punish you for what your parents did.Its not punishment, Rose. Tasha didnt seem nearly as enraged as she should have been, in my opinion. Its justa rearranging of priorities.Theyre leaving you defenseless. You cant go out there by yourselfIm not defenseless, Rose. Ive told you that. And if I really wanted a guardian, I could make a nuisance of myself, but its a lot of hassle. Im fine for now.Dimitri glanced ove r at her. You want me to go with you?And keep you up all night? Tasha shook her head. I wouldnt do that to you, Dimka.He doesnt mind, I said quickly, excited about this solution.Dimitri seemed amused by me talk for him, but he didnt contradict me. I really dont.She hesitated. All proficient. But we should probably go soon.Our outlaw(a) party dispersed. The Moroi went one direction Dimitri and I went another. He and Tasha made plans to meet up in a half hour.So what do you think of her? he asked when we were alone.I like her. Shes cool. I thought about her for a moment. And I get what you mean about the marks.Oh?I nodded, watching my footing as we walked along the paths. Even when salted and shoveled, they could still collect hidden patches of ice.She didnt do what she did for glory. She did it because she had to. Just likejust like my mom did. I hated to admit it, but it was true. Janine Hathaway might be the worst mother ever, but she was a great guardian. The marks dont matter. Molnijas or scars.Youre a fast learner, he said with approval.I freehanded under his praise. Why does she call you Dimka?He laughed softly. Id heard a lot of his laughter tonight and decided Id like to hear more of it.Its a nickname for Dimitri.That doesnt make any sense. It doesnt sound anything like Dimitri. You should be called, I dont know, Dimi or something.Thats not how it works in Russian, he said.Russians weird, In Russian, the nickname for Vasilisa was Vasya, which made no sense to me.So is English.I gave him a sly look. If youd teach me to swear in Russian, I might have a new appreciation for it.You swear too much already.I just want to express myself.Oh, Roza He sighed, and I felt a thrill tickle me. Roza was my name in Russian. He rarely used it. You express yourself more than anyone else I know.I smiled and walked on a bit without verbalism anything else. My heart skipped a beat, I was so happy to be around him. There was something warm and right about us being togeth er.Even as I floated along, my mind churned over something else that Id been thinking about. You know, theres something funny about Tashas scars.Whats that? he asked.The scarsthey mess up her face, I began slowly. I was having trouble putting my thoughts into words. I mean, its obvious she used to be really pretty. But even with the scars now I dont know. Shes pretty in a different way. Its likelike theyre part of her. They complete her. It sounded silly, but it was true.Dimitri didnt say anything, but he gave me a sidelong glance. I returned it, and as our eyes met, I saw the briefest glimpse of the old attraction. It was fleeting and bygone too soon, but Id seen it. Pride and approval replaced it, and they were almost as good.When he spoke, it was to echo his earlier thoughts. Youre a fast learner, Roza.