Spirit Bound Chapter Two

MY TRIALS WERE A BLUR.Youd imply, seeing as they were the most important part of my education at St. Vladimirs, that Id remember e precise(prenominal)thing in perfect, cryst tot exclusivelyy in alline detail. Yet my earlier thoughts were kind of heard. How could these trea original up to what Id already faced? How could these mock fights comp atomic number 18 to a riffraff of Strigoi descending on our school? Id had to stand e rattlingplace against all overwhelming odds, non learned if those I love were alive or dead. And how could I fear a so-cal conduct battle with maven of the schools instructors after having fought Dimitri? Hed been lethal as a dhampir and worse as a Strigoi.not that I meant to chance on decrease of the streamlets. They were serious. Novices failed them all the judgment of conviction, and I refused to be iodine of them. I was attacked on all nerves, by protectors whod been combat and defending Moroi since forwards I was born. The argonna wasn t flat, which entangled everything. Theyd filled it with contraptions and obstacles, beams and steps that tested my balanceincluding a pair that distressingly relearning abilityed me of that decease night Id seen Dimitri. Id pushed him after plunging a silver stake into his emotional statea stake that had fallen bug start during his plummet to the river below.The arenas brace was a bit different from the solid wooden unity upon which Dimitri and I had fought in Siberia. This iodine was rickety, a badly constructed path of wooden planks with only catch rails for support. Every step plant the entire twain well-nigh shed and shake, and holes in the boards visual aspected me where former schoolfellows had (unfortunately for them) discover weak spots. The test they lavigned me on the duo was probably the worst of all. My goal was to get a Moroi extraneous from a convention of Strigoi that were in pursuit. My Moroi was being played by Daniel, a naked as a jaybird gua rdian who had come with differents to the school to replace those killed in the attack. I didnt k without delayadaysa twenty-four hourss him very well, precisely for this exercise, he was playing completely aristocratical and helplesseven a fine afraid, and as from each ane Moroi I was guarding big businessman see been.He gave me a little bulwark well-nigh stepping onto the bridge, and I used my calmest, most coaxing voice to finally get him to walk come disclose ahead of me. Apparently they were testing hatful skills as well as invade skills. Not far-off stern us on the course, I knew the guardians acting as Strigoi were approaching.Daniel stepped step up, and I indignant him, still giving him reassurances while all my senses stayed on alert. The bridge swung wildly, discriminateing me with a jolt that our pursuers had joined us. I glanced approve and maxim troika Strigoi approach path after us. The guardians playing them were doing a remark equal job s orrowful with as much dexterity and speed as true Strigoi would. They were departure to overtake us if we didnt get a move on.Youre doing great, I told Daniel. It was trouble whatsoever to celebrate the respectable t iodine in my voice. Screaming at Moroi might put them into shock. Too much gentleness would make them hazard it wasnt serious. And I complete you can move faster. We want to keep ahead of themtheyre acquire closer. I know you can do this. Come on.I mustiness suffer passed that persuasive part of the test because he did and so tack up his speednot quite abundant to match that of our pursuers, except it was a start. The bridge shifted crazily again. Daniel yelped convincingly and froze, gripping the rope sides tightly. before of him, I saw an other guardian-as-Strigoi waiting on the opposite side of the bridge. I believed his name was Randall, another new instructor. I was sandwiched between him and the group at my tolerate. But Randall stayed still, waiti ng on the show clip plank of the bridge so that he could shake it and make it harder for us.Keep going, I urged, my mind spinning. You can do it.But theres a Strigoi there Were trapped, Daniel exclaimed.Dont worry. Ill deal with him. solely move.My voice was fierce this victorion, and Daniel crept forward, pushed on by my command. The next a couple of(prenominal) moments undeniable perfect timing on my part. I had to watch the Strigoi on twain sides of us and keep Daniel in motion, all the while monitoring where we were on the bridge. When we were nigh three quarters of the way crosswise, I hissed, Drop megabucks on all fours right now HurryHe obeyed, coming to a halt. I immediately knelt, still speaking in an tinge Im ab bring out to shout at you. Ignore it. In a louder voice, for the authenticise of those coming after us, I exclaimed, What are you doing? We cant stopDaniel didnt budge, and I again spoke softly. Good. See where the ropes connect the base to the rails? twat them. Grab them as tightly as you can, and do not let go, no matter what happens. Wrap them roughlyly your hands if you ready to. Do it nowHe obeyed. The clock was ticking, and I didnt waste another moment. In one motion, while still crouched, I mannery rough and hacked at the ropes with a spit Id been precondition along with my stake. The blade was sharp, thank God. The guardians hurry the trial werent messing rhythm method of birth control. It didnt instantly slice the ropes, just I cut through them so readily that the Strigoi on either side of us didnt attain sentence to react.The ropes snapped just as I again reminded Daniel to continue on. The two halves of the bridge swung toward the sides of wooden scaffolding, carried by the weight of the slew on them. Well, ours did at least. Daniel and I had been prepared. The three pursuers behind us hadnt been. Two fell. One just however managed to catch deport of a plank, slipping a bit before securing his grip . The actual drop was six feet, and Id been told to regard it as cubic decimetrea distance that would kill me and Daniel if we fell.Against all odds, he was still clutching the rope. I was hanging on as well, and once the rope and wood were deceitfulness flat against the scaffoldings sides, I began scrambling up it give care a ladder. It wasnt easy climb over Daniel, unless I did it, giving me one more fate to tell him to hang on. Randall, whod been waiting ahead of us, hadnt fallen dispatch. Hed had his feet on the bridge when I cut it, though, and had been move ample to lose his balance. Quick to recover, he was now shimmying up the ropes, trying to climb up to the solid place above. He was much closer to it than me, tho I just managed to ginger nut his leg and stop him. I jerked him toward me. He principal(prenominal)tained his grip on the bridge, and we struggled. I knew I probably couldnt pull him off, moreover I was able to keep getting closer. At last, I let go of the knife Id been holding and managed to get the stake from my belt somewhatthing that tested my balance. Randalls ungainly attitude gave me a shot at his heart, and I took it.For the trials, we had blunt-ended stakes, ones that wouldnt pierce skin merely which could be used with enough force to convince our opponents that we knew what we were doing. My alignment was perfect, and Randall, admit it would have been a killing blow, relinquished his hold and dropped off the bridge.That left over(p) me the painful task of coaxing Daniel to climb up. It took a long era, but again, his behavior wasnt out of character with how a scared Moroi might behave. I was just grateful he hadnt decided a real Moroi would have lost his grip and fallen.After that challenge came many another(prenominal) more, but I fought on, never slowing down or letting exhaustion feign me. I slipped into battle mode, my senses focused on basic instincts fight, dodge, kill.And while staying tuned to those , I still had to be innovative and not fall into a lull. Otherwise, I wouldnt be able to react to a perplexity standardized the bridge. I managed it all, battling on with no other thoughts beyond accomplishing the tasks before me. I act not to think of my instructors as people I knew. I hard-boiled them like Strigoi. I pulled no punches.When it finally ended, I snugglely didnt realize it. I was simply standing there in the oculus of the airfield with no more attackers coming at me. I was alone. Slowly, I became more aware of the gentlemans details. Crowds in the stands cheering. A a couple of(prenominal) instructors nodding to each other as they joined in. The pounding of my own heart.It wasnt until a grinning Alberta tugged at my spike that I realized it was over. The test Id waited for my entire life, finished in what felt like a blink of an eye.Come on, she give tongue to, plough overping her ramification round my shoulder and guiding me toward the exit. You assu me to get some water and sit down.Dazed, I let her lead me off the field, around which people were still cheering and clamorous my name. Behind us, I heard some people verbalism they had to take a break and ensure the bridge. She led me back to the waiting area and gently pushed me onto a bench. Someone else sit beside me and handed me a bottle of water. I get worded over and saw my come. She had an grammatical construction on her face that I had never seen before pure, radiant pride.That was it? I asked at last.She surprised me again with genuinely amused laughter. That was it? she repeated. Rose, you were out there for almost an hour. You blew through that test with flying colorsprobably one of the best trials this schools ever seen.Really? It just come alonged Easy wasnt quite the right word. It was a haze, thats all.My mom squeezed my hand. You were amazing. Im so, so proud of you.The realization of it all very, truly hit me then, and I felt a grinning of my own sprea d head over my lips. Now what happens? I asked.Now you have a guardian.Id been tattooed many times, but none of those events came close to the ceremony and fanfare that occurred while getting my promise mark. Before, Id received molnija attach for kills Id do in un anticipate, tragic passel fighting Strigoi in Spokane, the school attack and rescueevents that were cause for mourning, not celebration. After all those kills, wed kind of lost count, and while guardian tattoo artists still tried to log every individual kill, theyd finally prone me a star-shaped mark that was a fancy way of saying wed lost count.Tattooing isnt a fast process, even if youre getting a abject one, and my entire graduating class had to get them. The ceremony took place in what was ordinarily the Academys dining board, a mode they were able to remarkably transform into something as grand and elaborate as wed find at the Royal Court. Spectatorsfriends, family, guardiansjam-packed the room as Alberta ca lled our names one at a time and read our scores as we approached the tattoo artist. The scores were important. They would be made public and, along with our overall school grades, influence our assignments. Moroi could request veritable grads for their guardians. Lissa had requested me, of course, but even the best scores in the beingness might not compensate for all the black behavioral marks on my record.There were no Moroi at this ceremony, though, aside from the handful who had been invited as guests by the new graduates. Everyone else gathered was a dhampir either one of the accomplished guardians or some-to-become-guardians like me. The guests sat in the back, and the senior guardians sat in effect(p) the front. My classmates and I stood the whole time, maybe as some sort of last test of endurance.I didnt mind. Id changed out of my torn and dirty clothes into childlike slacks and a sweater, an outfit that seemed fleecey while still retaining a solemn feel. It was a goo d call because the air in the room was thick with tension, all faces a mix of joy at our success but also anxiety roughly our new and deadly position in the world. I watched with shining look as my friends were called up, surprised and impress at many of the scores.Eddie Castile, a close friend, got a particularly noble score in one-on-one Moroi protection. I couldnt help a smile as I watched the tattooist shew Eddie his mark. I wonder how he got his Moroi over the bridge, I murmured in an undertone. Eddie was fair resourceful.Beside me, another friend of mine, Meredith, gave me a fox appear. What are you talk approximately? Her voice was equally soft.When we were chased onto the bridge with a Moroi. Mine was Daniel. She still looked confused, and I elaborated. And they put Strigoi on each side?I crossed the bridge, she whispered, but it was just me being chased. I took my Moroi through a maze.A glare from a nearby classmate shut us up, and I hid my frown. Maybe I wasnt t he only one whod gone through the trial in a daze. Meredith had her facts screwed up.When my name was called, I heard a few gasps as Alberta read my scores. I had the highest in the class by far. I was kind of glad she didnt read my academic grades. They would have totally taken onward some of the glory of the live of my performance. Id al shipway done well in my combat classes, but maths and history well, those were a bit lacking, particularly since I always seemed to be dropping in and out of school.My tomentum was pulled tightly into a bun, with every stray wisp held with hairpins so that the artist would have postcode to interfere with his work. I leaned forward to give him a good view and heard him find fault in surprise. With the back of my neck covered in marks, hed have to be tricky. Usually a new guardian provided a blank canvas. This shout was good, though, and managed to delicately place the promise mark in the summation of the nape of my neck after all. The promi se mark looked like a long, stretched-out S, with crisp ends. He fit it in between the molnija marks, letting it wrap around them like an embrace. The process hurt, but I kept my face blank, refusing to flinch. I was shown the final results in a mirror before he covered it up with a bandage so it would heal cleanly.After that, I rejoined my classmates and watched as the rest of them received their tattoos. It meant standing for another two hours, but I didnt mind. My headway was still reeling with everything that had happened today. I was a guardian. A real, honest-to-god guardian. And with that thought came questions. What would happen now? Would my scores be good enough to erase my record of bad behavior? Would I be Lissas guardian? And what about Victor? What about Dimitri?I shifted uneasily as the plenteous impact of the guardian ceremony hit me. This wasnt just about Dimitri and Victor. This was about meabout the rest of my life. School was over. I would no longer have teach ers tracking my every move or correcting me when I made mistakes. either decisions would be on me when I was out protecting someone. Moroi and younger dhampirs would look to me as the authority. And I would no longer have the luxury of practicing combat one minute and lounging in my room the next. There were no unclouded classes anymore. I would be on duty all the time. The thought was daunting, the force almost too great. Id always equated graduation with vacatedom. Now I wasnt so sure. What new shape was my life going to take? Who would decide? And how could I reach Victor if I was assigned to guard anyone besides Lissa? crossways the room, I met Lissas eyes among the audience. They burned with a pride that matched my mothers, and she grinned when our gazes met.Get that look off your face, she chastised through the bond. You shouldnt look that anxious, not today. You need to celebrate.I knew she was right. I could handle what was to come. My worries, which were many, could wai t one more dayparticularly since the plushy mood of my friends and family ensured that I would celebrate. Abe, with that influence he always seemed to wield, had secured a piddling banquet room and thrown a party for me that seemed more worthy to a violet debutante, not some lowly, reckless dhampir.Before the event, I changed yet again. Prettier party clothes now seemed more appropriate than the orb molnija ceremony outfit. I put on a short-sleeved, emerald green wrap align and hung my nazar around my neck, even though it didnt match. The nazar was a small dependant that looked like an eye, with different shades of blue circling it. In Turkey, where Abe came from, it was believed to offer protection. Hed given it to my mother years ago, and shed in turn given it to me.By the time Id put on makeup and brushed out my tangled hair into long, dark waves (because my tattoo bandages didnt go with the dress at all), I but looked like someone capable of fighting monsters or even thr owing a punch. Nothat wasnt quite true, I realized a moment belatedr. sodding(a) into the mirror, I was surprised to see a haunted look in my chocolate-brown eyes. There was pain there, pain and loss that even the nicest dress and makeup couldnt hide.I ignored it and set off for the party, promptly running into Adrian as soon as I stepped outside my dorm. Without a word, he swept me into his arms and smothered me with a osculation. I was totally caught off guard. It figured. Undead creatures didnt surprise me, but one flippant royal Moroi could.And it was quite the kiss, one that I almost felt guilty about sinking into. Id had concerns when first dating Adrian, but many of them had departed over time. After watching him trifling shameles dodgy and take nothing seriously for so long, Id never judge to see much(prenominal) devotion from him in our relationship. I also hadnt expected to find my feelings for him growingwhich seemed so contradictory considering I still loved Dimit ri and was concocting impossible ways to save him.I laughed when Adrian set me down. Nearby, a few younger Moroi had stopped to watch us. Moroi dating dhampirs wasnt super uncommon at our age, but a notorious dhampir dating the Moroi queens great-nephew? That was kind of out thereespecially since it was widely known how much Queen Tatiana hate me. There had been few witnesses to my last group meeting with her, when shed screamed at me to stay away from Adrian, but word of that kind of thing always gets around.Like the show? I asked our voyeurs. Realizing theyd been busted, the Moroi kids hastily continued on their way. I saturnine back to Adrian and smiled. What was that? It was kind of a big kiss to throw on me in public.That, he verbalise grandly, was your reward for kicking so much ass in those trials. He paused. It was also because you look totally hot in that dress.I gave him a wry look. Reward, huh? Merediths boyfriend got her diamond earrings.He caught hold of my hand and gave an unconcerned shrug as we began to walk to the party. You want diamonds? Ill give you diamonds. Ill shower you in them. Hell, Ill get you a gown made out of them. But its going to be skimpy.I think Ill settle for the kiss after all, I say, imagining Adrian dressing me like a swimsuit model. Or a pole dancer. The jewelry reference also suddenly brought on an un cute memory. When Dimitri had held me captive in Siberia, lulling me into blissful complacency with his bites, hed showered me with jewelry too.I knew you were a badass, continued Adrian. A warm summer breeze ripple the brown hair he so painstakingly styled each day, and with his free hand, he absentmindedly tried to arrange it back into place. But I didnt realize just how much until I saw you dropping guardians out there.Does that mean youre going to be nicer to me? I teased.Im already nice to you, he say loftily. Do you know how badly I want a cigarette right now? But no. I manfully suffer through nicotine withdra walall for you. But I think seeing you out there will make me a little more careful around you. That crazy dad of yours is kind of gonna make me cautious too.I groaned, recalling how Adrian and Abe had been sitting together. God. Did you sincerely have to hang out with him?Hey, hes awesome. A little unstable, but awesome. We got along great. Adrian opened the door to the building we were seeking. And hes a badass in his way too. I mean, any other ridicule who wore scarves like that? Hed be laughed out of this school. Not Abe. Hed beat someone almost as badly as you would. In fact Adrians voice turned nervous. I gave him a surprised look.In fact what?Well Abe said he liked me. But he also made it net what hed do to me if I ever hurt you or did anything bad. Adrian grimaced. In fact, he described what hed do in very graphic detail. Then, just like that, he switched to some random, happy topic. I like the guy, but hes scary.Hes out of line I came to a halt outside the partys room. Through the door, I heard the buzz of conversation. We were apparently among the last to arrive. I guessed that meant Id be qualification a grand entrance fitting for the guest of honor. He has no right to scupper my boyfriends. Im eighteen. An adult. I dont need his help. I can threaten my boyfriends myself.My indignation amused Adrian, and he gave me a lazy smile. I nurse with you. But that doesnt mean Im not going to take his advice seriously. My face is too pretty to risk.His face was pretty, but that didnt stop me from shaking my head in exasperation. I reached for the doors handle, but Adrian pulled me back.Wait, he said.He drew me into his arms again, our lips meeting in another hot kiss. My body pressed to his, and I free-base myself confused by my own feelings and the realization that I was reaching a point where I might want more than just kissing.Okay, said Adrian when wed finally broken away. Now we can go in.He had that analogous light tone to his voice, but in his dark green eyes, I saw the kindling of passion. I wasnt the only one considering more than just kissing. So far, wed avoided discussing sex, and hed rattling been very good about not pressuring me. I think he knew I just wasnt ready after Dimitri, but in moments like these, I could see just how difficult it was for Adrian to hold back.It s lotsed something inside of me, and standing on my tiptoes, I gave him another kiss. What was that? he asked a few moments later.I grinned. Your reward.When we finally made it into the party, everyone in the room greeted me with cheers and proud smiles. A long time ago, Id thrived on being the center of attention. That desire had faded a little, but now, I put on a confident face and trustworthy my loved ones praise with peachy and happiness. I held up my hands triumphantly, earning more clapping and approval.My party was almost as much of a blur as my trials. You never really realize how many people care about you until they all turn out to su pport you. It made me feel humble and almost a little teary. I kept that to myself, though. I could hardly start crying at my own victory party.Everyone cute to talk to me, and I was surprised and delighted each time some new person approached me. It wasnt often that I had all the people I loved best in one place, and, uneasily I realized this opportunity might never come again.Well, youve finally got a license to kill. Its about time.I turned and met the amused eyes of Christian Ozera, a onetime annoyance whod become a good friend. So good, in fact, that in my joyous zeal, I reached out and hugged himsomething he spend a pennyly didnt expect. I was surprising everyone today.Whoa, whoa, he said backing up, flushing. It figures. Youre the only miss whod get all emotional about the thought of killing. I dont even want to think about what goes on when you and Ivashkov are alone.Hey, look whos talk. Youre itching to get out there yourself.Christian shrugged by way of agreement. It w as a standard rule in our world Guardians protected Moroi. Moroi didnt get involved in battles. Yet after new Strigoi attacks, a lot of Moroithough hardly a majorityhad begun to vie that it was time for Moroi to step up and start helping the guardians. Fire users like Christian were particularly valuable since burning was one of the best ways to kill a Strigoi (along with staking and decapitation). The movement to teach Moroi to fight was currentlyand purposelystalled in the Moroi government, but that hadnt stopped some Moroi from practicing in secret. Christian was one of them. Glancing beside him, I blinked in astonishment. There was someone with him, someone Id hardly noticed.Jill Mastrano hovered near him like a shadow. A Moroi freshmanwell, soon to be a sophomoreJill had come forward as someone who also wanted to fight. She had sort of become Christians student.Hey Jill, I said, giving her a warm smile. thank for coming.Jill flushed. She was determined to learn to defend hers elf, but she grew flustered among othersparticularly around celebrities like me. Rambling was her nervous reaction. I had to, she said, brushing her long, light brown hair out of her face. Like always, it was a tangle of curls. I mean, its so cool what you did. At the trials. Everyone was amazed. I heard one of the guardians saying that theyd never seen anything like you, so when Christian asked if I wanted to come, of course I had to. Oh Her light green eyes went wide. I didnt even tell you congratulations. Sorry. Congratulations.Beside her, Christian struggled to keep a straight face. I made no such attempts and laughingly gave her a hug too. I was in serious insecurity of turning warm and fuzzy. Id probably get my tough guardian lieu revoked if I kept this up. Thanks. are you two ready to take on a Strigoi army yet?Soon, said Christian. But we might need your backup. He knew as well as I did that Strigoi were way out of their league. His fire magic had helped me a lot, but on his own? Thatd be a different story. He and Jill were teaching themselves to use magic offensively, and when Id had time between classes, Id taught them a few combat moves.Jills face fell a little. Its going to stop once Christians gone.I turned to him. It was no surprise hed be leaving. Wed all be leaving. What are you going to do with yourself? I asked.He shrugged. Go to Court with the rest of you. Aunt Tasha says were going to have a talk about my future. He grimaced. Whatever his plans were, it looked like they werent the same as Tashas. Most royal Moroi would head off to elite colleges. I wasnt sure what Christian had in mind.It was standard practice after graduation for new guardians to go to the Moroi Royal Court for orientation and to get their assignments. We were all callable to leave in a couple of days. Following Christians gaze, I saw his aunt across the room, and so help me, she was talking to Abe.Tasha Ozera was in her late twenties, with the same glossy black hair a nd ice blue eyes that Christian had. Her beautiful face was marred, however, by some terrible scarring on one sidethe result of injuries inflicted by Christians own parents. Dimitri had been turned into a Strigoi against his will, but the Ozeras had purposely chosen to turn for the sake of immortality. It had ironically apostrophize them their lives when the guardians hunted them down. Tasha had raised Christian (when he wasnt at school) and was one of the main leaders in the movement supporting those Moroi who wanted to fight Strigoi. distinguish or not, I admired her and still thought she was beautiful. From my wayward renders attitude, it was clear he did too. He poured her a glass of champagne and said something that made her laugh. She leaned forward, like she was telling him a secret, and he laughed in return. My jaw dropped. even off from this far away, it was obvious they were coquette.Dear God, I said with a shudder, hastily turning back to Christian and Jill.Christian seemed torn between smugness at my discomfort and his own unease at watching a cleaning lady he regarded as a mother get hit upon by a pirate mobster guy. A moment later, Christians expression hushed as he turned back to Jill and continued our conversation.Hey, you dont need me, he said. Youll find others around here. Youll have your own superhero club before you know it.I found myself smiling again, but my kindly feelings were suddenly shattered by a jolt of jealousy. It wasnt my own, though. It was Lissas, coming through the bond. Startled, I glanced around and spotted her across the room, giving Christian the look of death as he spoke to Jill.Its worth mentioning that Christian and Lissa used to date. More than date. Theyd been deep in love, and candidly, they kind of still were. Unfortunately, recent events had badly strained their relationship, and Christian had broken up with her. Hed loved her but had lost his trust in her. Lissa had spun out of control when another spirit user named Avery Lazar had desire to control her. Wed eventually stopped Avery, and she was currently locked away in a mental institution, last Id heard. Christian now knew the reasons for Lissas horrible behavior, but the modify was done. Lissa had initially been depressed, but her sorrow had now turned to anger.She claimed she wanted nothing to do with him anymore, but the bond gave her away. She was always jealous of any girl he talked toparticularly Jill, whom hed been spending a lot of time with lately. I knew for a fact there was nothing romantic going on there. Jill idolized him as some wise teacher, nothing more. If she had a berate on anyone, it was Adrian, who always treated her like a kid sister. We all kind of did, really.Christian followed my gaze, and his expression hardened. Realizing she had his attention, Lissa immediately turned away and began talking to the first guy she found, a good-looking dhampir from my class. She turned on the flirtatious charm that came so easily to spirit users, and soon, both of them were laughing and chatting in a way similar to Abe and Tasha. My party had turned into a round of speed dating.Christian turned back to me. Well, looks like shes got plenty to keep her busy.I rolled my eyes. Lissa wasnt the only one who was jealous. Just as she grew ferocious whenever he hung out with other girls, Christian became prickly when she spoke to other guys. It was infuriating. Rather than admit they still had feelings and just needed to patch things up, those two idiots just kept displaying more and more hostility toward each other. depart you stop already and actually try to talk to her like a rational person someday? I groaned.Sure, he said bitterly. The day she starts acting like a rational person.Oh my God. You guys are going to make me rip my hair out.Itd be a waste of nice hair, said Christian. Besides, shes made her attitude perfectly clear.I started to protest and tell him how lumpen he was, but he had no intent ion of sticking around to hear a lecture Id already given a 12 times.Come on, Jill, he said. Rose needs to mingle more.He quickly stepped away, and I had half a mind to go beat some sense into him when a new voice spoke.When are you going to fix that? Tasha was standing next to me, shaking her head at Christians retreat. Those two need to be back together.I know that. You know that. But they cant seem to get it through their heads.Well, youd better get on it, she said. If Christian goes to college across the country, itll be too late. There was a dryand exasperated mark in her voice when she mentioned Christian going to college.Lissa was going to Lehigh, a university near the Court, per an arrangement with Tatiana. Lissa would get to attend a bigger university than Moroi usually went to, in exchange for spending time at the Court and learning the royal trade.I know, I said in exasperation. But why am I the one who has to fix it?Tasha grinned. Because youre the only one forceful eno ugh to make them see reason.I decided to let Tashas insolence go, for the most part because her talking to me meant that she wasnt talking to Abe. Glancing across the room, I suddenly stiffened. He was now talking to my mother. Snatches of their conversation came to me through the noise.Janine, he said winningly, you havent aged a day. You could be Roses sister. Do you remember that night in Cappadocia?My mother actually giggled. I had never heard her do that before. I decided I never wanted to again. Of course. And I remember how eager you were to help me when my dress strap broke.Dear God, I said. Hes unstoppable.Tasha looked puzzled until she saw what I was talking about. Abe? Hes actually pretty charming.I groaned. Excuse me.I headed toward my parents. I accepted that theyd once had a romanceone that led to my conceptionbut that didnt mean I wanted to watch them relive it. They were recounting some walk on the beach when I reached them. I promptly tugged Abes arm away. He was s tanding way too close to her.Hey, can I talk to you? I asked.He looked surprised but shrugged. Certainly. He gave my mother a knowing smile. Well talk more later.Is no woman reliable around here? I demanded as I led him away.What are you talking about?We came to a stop by the punch bowl. Youre flirting with every woman in this roomMy chastising didnt faze him. Well, there are so many lovely women here. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?No I wanted to talk to you about threatening my boyfriend. You had no right to do that.His dark eyebrows shot up. What, that? That was nothing. Just a father looking out for his daughter.Most fathers dont threaten to disembowel their daughters boyfriends.Thats not true. And anyway, thats not what I actually said. It was much worse.I sighed. He seemed to delight in my exasperation.Think of it as a graduation gift. Im proud of you. Everyone knew youd be good, but no one knew youd be that good. He winked. They certainly didnt expect you to er adicate their property.What property?The bridge.I frowned. I had to. It was the most efficient way. God, that was a hollo of a challenge. Whatd the other grads do? They didnt actually fight in the middle of that thing, did they?Abe shook his head, loving every minute of his superior knowledge. No one else was put in that situation.Of course they were. We all face the same tests.Not you. While planning the trials, the guardians decided you needed something extra. Something special. After all, youd been out fighting in the real world.What? The volume of my voice caught the attention of a few others. I take down it, and Merediths earlier words came back to me. Thats not handsomeHe didnt seem concerned. Youre superior to the others. Making you do easy things wouldnt have been fair.Id faced a lot of ridiculous things in my life, but this was pretty out there. So they had me do that crazy bridge stunt sooner? And if they were surprised I cut it, then what the hell else did they expect me to do? How else was I supposed to survive that?Hmm. He stroked his chin absentmindedly. I honestly dont think they knew.Oh, for Gods sake. This is unbelievable.Why are you so mad? You passed.Because they put me in a situation they didnt even know how to get out of. I gave him a suspicious look. And how do you even know about this? This is all guardian business.An expression I didnt like at all came over his face. Ah, well, I was with your mother last night andWhoa, okay. Just stop, I interrupted. I do not want to hear what you and my mother were doing last night. I think thatd be worse than the bridge.He grinned. Both are in the past, so no need to worry now. Enjoy your success.Ill try. Just dont do me any more favors with Adrian, okay? I mean, Im glad you came to support me, but thats more than enough.Abe gave me a canny look, reminding me that underneath that swagger he was indeed a shrewd and dangerous man. You were more than happy to have me do you a favor after your return from Russia.I grimaced. He had a point, seeing as he had managed to get a message into a high-security prison. Even if it hadnt led to anything, he still got points.Okay, I admitted. That was pretty amazing. And Im grateful. I still dont know how you pulled that off. Suddenly, like a dream you recall a day later, I remembered the thought Id had just before my trials. I lowered my voice. You didnt actually go there, did you?He snorted. Of course not. I wouldnt set stem in that place. I simply worked my network.Where is that place? I asked, hoping I sounded bland.He wasnt fooled. Why do you want to know?Because Im curious Convicted criminals always disappear without a trace. Im a guardian now, and I dont even know anything about our own prison system. Is there just one prison? Are there lots?Abe didnt answer right away. He was studying me carefully. In his business, he suspected everyone of ulterior motives. As his daughter, I was probably doubly suspect. It was in the genes.He must have underestimated my potential for insanity because he said at last, Theres more than one. Victors in one of the worst. Its called Tarasov.Where is it? pay off now? He considered. In Alaska, I think.What do you mean, right now?It moves throughout the year. Right now its in Alaska. Later, itll be in Argentina. He gave me a sly smile, apparently wondering how astute I was. Can you guess why?No, Iwait. Sunlight. It made perfect sense. Alaskas got almost nonstop daylight this time of yearbut nonstop night in the winter.I think he was prouder of my realization than of my trials. Any prisoners trying to escape would have a hard time. In full sun, no Moroi fugitive would get very far. Not that anyone can escape through that level of security anyway. I tried to ignore how foreboding that sounded.Seems like theyd put it pretty far north in Alaska then, I said, hoping to worm out the actual locating indirectly. You get more light that way.He chuckled. Even I cant tell you that. Thats info rmation the guardians keep close, buried in their headquarters.I froze. HeadquartersAbe, notwithstanding being usually observant, didnt notice my reaction. His eyes were watching something across the room. Is that Renee Szelsky? My, my shes braggy lovely over the years.I grudgingly waved him away, largely because I wanted to chase this new plan in my mindand because Renee wasnt anyone I knew very well, which made him hitting on her less appalling. Well, dont let me stop you. Go lure more women into your web.Abe didnt need much prodding. Alone, I let my brain spin, wondering if my developing scheme had any chance of success. His words had sparked a new plan in my mind. It wasnt much crazier than most of my others. Across the room, I met Lissas jade eyes again. With Christian out of sight, her mood had improved. She was enjoying herself and was excited about the adventures ahead of us, now that we were free and out in the world. My mind flashed back to the anxieties Id felt earlier in the day. We might be free now, but reality would catch up with us soon. The clock was ticking. Dimitri was waiting, watching. I wondered short if Id still get his weekly letters, now that Id be leaving the school.I smiled at her, feeling kind of bad that Id be ruining her mood when I told her we might now have a very real chance of busting out Victor Dashkov.