Blood Promise Chapter Twenty-Nine

The flight was to a greater extent ilk xxx hours.Getting from the middle of Siberia to the middle of Montana wasnt easy. I flew from Novosibirsk to capital of the Russian Federation to Amsterdam to Seattle to Missoula.Four contrastive flights. Five different airports. A cluster of slip awayning around. It was exhausting, yet when I waded over my passport to mystify keister into the U.S. in Seattle, I matte up a strange blow up of emotion in me joy and relief.Before leaving Russia, I had purview Abe might get into brook with me and finish his task himself, grant-delive inner circle me to whom constantly had hired him.You sincerely are liberation back now, arent you? he asked at the airport. To the school? You arent waiver to get finish arrive at at wiz of your parrys and disappear?I smiled. No. Im going back to St. Vladimirs.And youll stay t here? he pressed. He didnt quite look as dangerous as he had in Baia, hardly I could see a glint of hardness in his eyes .My smile slipped. I dont hit the sack whats going to happen. I dont provoke a place in that respect apiecemore. rosiness-I held up a hand to stop him, surprise at my own determination. Enough. No afterwards-school specials. You state you were hired to get me back there.It isnt your job to say what I do after that. At least, I hoped non. Whoever indispensabilityed me back had to be some maven at the Academy. Id be there soon.They had won. Abes services were no longer required. despite his victory, he didnt look happy abtaboo relinquishing me. Glancing up at one of the departure boards, he sighed. You need to go through with(predicate) security, or youll female child your flight.I nodded. Thanks for What exactly? His help? For everything.I started to turn away, alone he touched my shoulder. Is that whole youre wearing?Most of my c striahing had been mixed-up around Russia. matchless of the other Alchemists had located shoes, jeans, and a sweater, provided otherwise, I was winging it until I got back to the U.S. I dont re anyy need anything else, I told him.Abe curve an eyebrow. Turning to one of his guardians, he made a small motility toward me. Immediately, the guardian took off his show up and handed it over. The guy was lanky, alone the coat was still too big for me.No, I dont need-Take it, ordered Abe.I took it, and accordingly to my further shock, Abe began unwinding the scarf from around his neck. It was one of his nicer ones, too cashmere, distort with an array of brilliant colors, more suited to the Caribbean than here or Montana. I started to protest this as well, but the look on his face hush me. I put the scarf around my neck and thanked him, wondering if Id ever see him again. I didnt twainer asking beca practise I had a savor he wouldnt tell me anyway.When I finally landed in Missoula thirty hours later, I was pretty sure I didnt destiny to fly in a plane any clip soon-as in, kindred, the next five years. perchance ten. Wi thout any luggage, get out of the airport was easy. Abe had sent word a spot of my arrival, but I had no idea who theyd send to get me. Alberta, who ran the guardians at St. Vladimirs, seemed a apparent choice. Or maybe it would be my mother. I never knew where she was at any given moment, and suddenly, I in truth, really precious to see her. She would be a logical choice too.So it was with some surprise that I byword that the person resting for me at the airports exit was Adrian.A grin penetrate over my face, and I picked up the pace. I threw my arms around him, awe-inspiring two of us. I shed never been happier to see you in my feeling, I utter.He squeezed me tightly and then let me go, regarding me admiringly. The dreams never do rightness to real life, little dhampir. You look amazing. Id cleaned up after the ordeal with the Strigoi, and Oksana had keep regaining me in spite of my protests-even the bruises on my neck, which she had never asked about(predicate). I didnt want anyone else to hump about those.And you look I studied him. He was dress as nicely as always, with a three-quarter-length wool coat and unripe scarf that matched his eyes.His dark brown hair had that crafted messiness he analogousd, but his face-ah, well. As Id noned before, Simon had gotten a few good punches on him.One of Adrians eyes was swollen and ringed with bruises. Nonetheless, entailing about him and everything hed done well, none of the flaws mattered. Gorgeous.Liar, he said.Couldnt Lissa have healed that black eye away?Its a badge of honor. Makes me seem manly. Come on, your carriage awaits.Whyd they send you? I asked as we walked toward the parking vision. You are sober, arent you?Adrian didnt dignify that with an answer. Well, the school has no official province to you, seeing as youre a slashout and everything. So they werent really obligated to come get you. None of your other friends fanny trust campus but me? Im clean a free nip, hanging out. So I borrowed a car, and here I am.His words sparked mixed reactions in me. I was touched that hed conducen the trouble to come out here but was bothered by the part about the school having no responsibility to me. Throughout all my travels, Id gone back and forth in thinking of St. Vladimirs as planetary house yet, in the most technical terms, it really wasnt anymore. I would serious be a visitor.As we watch up ones mindtled into the drive, Adrian caught me up on the aftermath at the school. afterward the big psychic brush, I hadnt delved much into Lissas mind. Oksana had healed my body, but mentally, I was still exhausted and grieving. Even though Id accomplished what I set out to do, that image of Dimitri go and falling still preoccupied me.It turns out you were right about Avery hold fast Simon and Reed, Adrian said. From what information we could gather, it sounds care Simon was killed in a fight that Avery witnessed years ago. Everyone impression it was a miracle he survived, not actually realizing the truth.She kept her powers hidden interchangeable the rest of you, I mused. And then Reed died later?Well, thats the weird thing, said Adrian, frowning. No one can really tell when he died. I mean, hes royal. Hes been pampered his whole life, right? further based on what we could get out of him-which wasnt much, since theyre all pretty messed up now-it sounds same(p) Avery may have intentionally killed him and then brought him back. precisely like with Lissa, I said, recalling Simons words during the fight. Avery treasured to kill her, bring her back, and bond her. unless when wherefore Lissa of all lot?My guess? Because shes a smelling user. at once that tendernesss not a secret anymore, it was all a matter of time before Avery essayd about Lissa and me.I think Avery thought stick Lissa would increase her own power. As it was, she was sucking up a lot of energy from those other devil. Adrian shook his head. I wasnt kidding about sensing that spirit all the way across campus. The amounts Avery had to wield to compel so many an(prenominal) people, mask her aura, and who knows what else well, it was staggering.I stared off at the freeway ahead of us, considering the consequences of Averys actions. And thats why Reed was so messed up-why he was so angry and ready for a fight. He and Simon were absorbing all that darkness she was producing by using spirit. Just like I do with Lissa.Yeah, except you were cypher like these guys. It wasnt so obvious with Simon-he was better at keeping a straight face-but both of them were totally on the pass on. And now? Theyre over the edge. All three of them are.I recalled Simon staring at nothing and Avery screaming. I shivered. When you say over the edge?I mean totally and completely insane. Those three are going to be institutionalized for the rest of their lives.From what you we all did? I asked, aghast.Partly, he agreed. Avery was throwing all that power at us, and when we threw it back and then some well, I think it was like an overload to their minds. And to be honest, considering how Reed and Simon already were, the stage was belike set for this. With Avery too.Mark was right, I murmured.Who?The other shadow-kissed guy I met. He was talking about how Lissa and I might be able to heal the darkness away from each other someday. It takes a careful symmetricalness of power between the spirit user and the shadow-kissed. I still dont in full get it, but Im nip Averys little circle of three wouldnt have been able to handle that kind of balancing act. I dont think bonding to more than one person is healthy.Huh. Adrian didnt say anything for a while and exclusively pondered all this. Finally, he laughed. Man, I cant believe you found another spirit user and shadow-kissed person. Its like finding a needle in a haystack, but that kind of thing always happens to you. I cant wait to hear the rest of what youve been doing.I looked away and rested my chee k against the glass. Its actually not very interesting.None of the Academy officials knew about my role in the show bring down with Avery. So it wasnt like anyone questioned me when we got back. They were still doing cleanup and asking Adrian and Lissa a lot of questions. Spirit was still such a new phenomenon that no one knew what to think of what had happened. Avery and her bondmates had been taken away for help, and her father had already gone on a temporary leave of absence.Adrian signed me in as his guest, which got me a campus pass. Like all visitors, I was also given a controversy of where Id stay and what I could and couldnt do. I promptly ignored it.I have to go, I told Adrian immediately.He gave me a knowing smile. I figured.Thank you for coming to get me. Im glowering Ive got to leave you-He waved off my worries. You arent leaving me. Youre back thats what counts. Ive been patient this long-I can hold out a little longer.I held his eyes for a moment, startled at the wa rm feelings that suddenly bubbled up within me. I kept them to myself, though, only giving Adrian a warm smile before I set off across campus.I got a lot of strange looks when I went to Lissas dorm. It was right after classes had ended, so student traffic was pretty busy with people rushing in or out to get somewhere. Yet, when I passed by, silence fell and people stopped moving and talking. It reminded me of when Lissa and I had been returned to school after running away. Wed been marched through the cafeteria and had received similar treatment from our peers. by chance it was just my imagination, but it seemed worse this time. The looks more shocked. The silence heavier. Last time, I think people had believed wed run off as some sort of prank. This time, no one really knew why Id left. Id come out of the schools attack a hero, only to drop out and disappear. I think some of Lissas dorm mates thought they were seeing a ghost.Ignoring the gossip and opinions of others was somethin g I had a lot of do with, and I sprinted past the onlookers without a backward glance, taking the stairs two at a time. I keep out myself off to Lissas feelings as I walked down her hall. It seemed silly, but I wanted to be surprised. I just wanted to open my eyes and see her in person, with no prototypes as to how she was feeling or what she was thinking. I knocked on the doorsillway.Adrian had said seeing me in dreams couldnt compare to seeing me in person. The same was true with Lissa. Being in her head was nothing like cosmos near her in reality. The door opened, and it was like an apparition materializing before me, some sort of heavenly messenger descended from above. Id never been away from her for this long, and after all this time, part of me wondered if I was imagining this.Her hand went to her mouth, and she stared at me wide-eyed. I think she felt the same way-and she hadnt even had warning of my visit. Shed just been told I was coming soon. No doubt I seemed like a phantom to her, too.And with that reunion it was like I was emerging from a cave-one Id been in for almost five weeks-into the bright light of day. When Dimitri had turned, Id felt like Id lost part of my soul. When Id left Lissa, another piece had gone. Now, seeing her I began to think maybe my soul might be able to heal. Maybe I could go on after all. I didnt feel one C percent whole yet, but her presence filled up that abstracted part of me. I felt more like myself than I had in ages.A world of questions and confusion hung in the silence between us. In spite of everything wed been through with Avery, there was still a lot of open business from when I had first left the school. For the first time since Id set foot on the Academys grounds, I felt afraid. Afraid that Lissa would reject me or scream at me for what Id done.Instead, she drew me into a giant hug. I knew it, she said. She was already choking on her sobs. I knew youd come back.Of course, I murmured into her shoulder . I said I would.My take up friend. I had my best friend back. If I had her, I could recover from what had happened in Siberia. I could go on with my life.Im sorry, she said. So sorry for what I did.I pulled away in surprise. Stepping into the room, I shut the door behind us. Sorry? What do you have to be sorry for? Despite my joy at seeing her, Id come here expecting her to still be angry at me for leaving. None of that mess with Avery would have happened if Id stayed around. I blamed myself.She sat down on her bed, eyes wet. For what I said when you left. I had no right to say the things I did. I have no right to control you. And I feel dreadful because She ran a hand over her eyes, trying to dry the worst of the tears. I feel horrible because I told you I wouldnt bring back Dimitri. I mean, I know it didnt matter, but I should have still offered to-No, no I sank down in front of her and grabbed her hands, still awed to be with her again. Look at me. You have nothing to be sorr y for. I said things I shouldnt have, too. It happens when people are upset. Neither of us should beat ourselves up over it. And as for bringing him back I sighed. You did the right thing in refusing. Even if we had found him before hed been turned, it wouldnt have mattered. You cant safely bond more than one person. Thats what went legal injury with Avery.Well, that was part of what had gone wrong with Avery. Manipulation and step of power had played a huge role too.Lissas sobs quieted. How did you do that, Rose? How were you there at the end when I needed you? How did you know?I was with another spirit user. I met her in Siberia. She can actively produce into peoples minds-anyones, not just those shes bonded to-and communicate. Like Avery could, actually. Oksana reached into me while I connected to you. Its really strange how it all went down. To say the least.Another power I dont have, said Lissa ruefully.I grinned. Hey, I have yet to meet any spirit user who can throw a punch like you can. That was verse line in motion, Liss.She groaned, but I sensed her pleasure at my use of the old nickname. I hope I dont ever have to do that again. Im not meant to be a fighter, Rose. Youre the one who charges out there. Im the one who waits with clean support and post-battle healing. She held up her hands and looked at them. Ugh. No. I definitely dont want to do any more hitting or punching. only at least now you know you can. If you ever want to workNo She laughed. Ive got too many things to practice with Adrian now-especially after you keep vocalizing me about more and more things that everyone else can do with spirit.Fine. Maybe its best if things go back to how they were.Her face sobered. God, I hope so. Rose I did so many stupid things while Avery was around. Through the bond, I felt her greatest regretChristian. Her gist ached for him, and shed shed a lot of tears. After having Dimitri ripped away from me, I knew how it felt to lose that kind of bop, and I swore to myself that Id do something to help her. scarce now wasnt the time. She and I need to reconnect first.You couldnt help it, though, I pointed out. She was too strong with her compulsion-especially when she got you to drink and killed your defenses.Yeah, but not everyone knows that or impart understand it.Theyll forget, I said. They always do.I understood her angst over her reputation, but I doubted there would be any truly permanent damage-aside from Christian. Adrian and I had analyzed Averys manipulation and figured things out once wed paired it with Simons find about Lissa having an unfortunate accident. Avery had wanted to make Lissa look unstable in the event Avery somehow didnt have the strength to resurrect her. If Lissa actually died, no one would investigate much. After weeks of crazy, drunken behavior, her losing control and accidentally falling out of a window would be tragic but not completely out of the realm of possibility.Spirits a pain in the ass, Lissa declared. Everyone wants to take advantage of you-non-users like Victor and users like Avery. I swear, Id go back on my medication if I wasnt paranoid now about defend myself from other Avery-type people. Whyd she want to kill me and not Adrian?Why am I always the target?I couldnt help a smile in spite of the grim topic. Because she wanted you for a minion and him for a boyfriend. She belike wanted a guy who could help escalate her rise in clubhouse and couldnt risk killing him in a bonding attempt. Or who knows? Maybe she would have eventually tried him, too. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if she felt threatened by you and wanted to make sure she had the only other know female spirit user under her control. demo it, Liss. We could spend hours trying to figure out how Avery Lazar thinks and get nowhere.True, true. She slid off the bed and sat next to me on the floor. But you know what? I feel like we could talk about anything for hours. Youve been here ten minutes, and its like well, its like you never left.Yeah, I agreed. Before he was a Strigoi, being with Dimitri had always felt subjective and right. Being with Lissa also felt natural and right-though it was a different kind of rightness. In my grief over Dimitri, Id almost forgotten what I had with her. They were two sides of me.In that uncanny way she had of guessing thoughts, Lissa said, I meant what I said earlier. Im sorry for what I said-about acting like I have some right to dictate your life. I dont. If you make up to stay or guard me, you do that by your choice and your kindness. I want to make sure you live and choose your own life.Theres nothing ?kind about it. Ive always wanted to protect you. I still do. I sighed. I just I just had things to take care of. I had to get myself together-and Im sorry I didnt handle it with you very well. There was a lot of apologizing going on, but I realized that was how it was with people you cared about. You forgave each other and moved on.Lissa hesitate d before asking her next question, but Id known it was coming. So what happened? Did you did you find him?At first, I didnt think I wanted to talk about it, but then I realized that I needed to. And the thing was, a few different things had gone wrong with Lissa and me before. One had been that shed taken me for granted. The other had been that I wouldnt tell her the truth-and then Id begrudge her for it later. If we were going to patch up this friendship and forgive each other, we had to make sure we didnt repeat the past.I did find him, I said at last.And I launched into the story, telling her everything that had happened to me my travels, the Belikovs, the Alchemists, Oksana and Mark, the unpromised, and of course, Dimitri. Just as Lissa had joked earlier, we talked for hours. I poured out my heart to her, and she listened without judgment. Her face was compassionate the whole time, and when I reached the end, I was sobbing, all the love and rage and anguish Id been holding onto since that night on the bridge exploding out of me. I hadnt told anyone else in Novosibirsk exactly where Id been during my time with Dimitri. I hadnt dared tell anyone Id been a blood whore for a Strigoi. I had stayed vague, hoping if I didnt talk about it, then maybe it wouldnt be real.Now, with Lissa, I had to accept the reality of everything and truly feel it I had killed the man I loved.A knock at the door jolted us out of a world that contained only her and me. I glanced at the clock and was startled to see it was almost curfew time. I wondered if I was being thrown out. But when Lissa opened the door-after Id hastily desiccate my eyes-the waiting dorm worker had a message of a different sort.Alberta wants to see you, the woman told me. She thought you might be here.Lissa and I transfer glances. When? Now? I asked.The woman shrugged. From the way she sounded? Yeah, Id say now. Or sooner. She shut the door. Alberta was the captain of the guardians on campus, and when she spok e, people acted.I wonder what this is about? asked Lissa.I stood up, hating to leave. Any number of things, I imagine. Ill go see her and then head back to guest housing. non that Ill sleep. I have no soupcon what time zone Im in anymore.Lissa gave me a parting hug, one we both had a hard time letting go of. Good luck.I started to turn the doors handle and then thought of something. I slipped the silver ring off of my finger and handed it to Lissa.Is this the ring you-oh She imprisoned her hand around it, her face growing enraptured.Can you feel the magic in it? I asked.Yeah its weak, but its in there. She held the ring up to the light and stared at it. She probably wasnt going to notice when I left because I had a feeling shed be studying the ring all night. Its so strange. I can almost immediately feel how she did this.Mark said we probably had a while to go before we could do the healing they do but maybe you could figure out how to make charms while we wait?Her jade green eye s were still on the ring. Yeah I think I might.I smiled at her excitement and tried to leave again, but she caught my arm. Hey Rose I know Ill see you tomorrow, butBut what?I just wanted to say, after everything thats happened well, I dont want us to ever have this kind of separation again. I mean, I know we cant be together every single second-and thats kind of creepy anyway-but were bonded for a reason. Were meant to look out for each other and be there for each other.Her words sent a shiver through me, like we were wrapped in powers greater than ourselves. We will be.No, I mean youre always there for me. Every time, Im in danger, and you come rushing in to save me. Not anymore.You dont want me to save you anymore?Thats not what I meant I want to be there for you too, Rose. If I can throw a punch, I can do anything. Even though that really hurt. She exhaled in frustration. God, Im not making any sense. Look, the point is, if you ever have to go off alone, take me with you. Dont le ave me behind.Liss-Im serious. Her luminous beauty burned with determination and purpose. whatsoever obstacles you have to go against, Im going to be there for you. Dont go alone. cuss to me that if you ever decide to take off again, youll bring me. Well do it together.I started to protest as a million fears came to my mind. How could I risk her life? Yet looking at her, I knew she was right. For better or worse, we had a bond we couldnt escape. Lissa was indeed tied to that piece of my soul, and we were stronger fighting together than apart.Okay, I said, clasping her hand. I swear it. The next time I go do something stupid that might get me killed, you can come along.