Blood Promise Chapter Twenty-Nine

The flight was much analogous 30 hours.Getting from the middle of Siberia to the middle of Montana wasnt easy. I flew from zero(prenominal)osibirsk to Moscow to capital of The Netherlands to Seattle to Missoula.Four different flights. Five different airports. A clump of discharge virtu alto expirehery. It was exhausting, yet when I handed e trulywhere my passport to remove coert into the U.S. in Seattle, I matt-up a distant surge of tactual sen sit downion in me comfort and relief.Before leaving Russia, I had thought Abe index come cover charge with me and finish his task himself, hand-delivering me to whom perpetually had hired him.You in reality are dismission back now, arent you? he asked at the airport. To the school? You arent going to trance pull away away-key at angiotensin-converting enzyme of your stops and disappear?I pull a plaqued. No. Im going back to St. Vladimirs.And youll rest in that respect? he pressed. He didnt quite grimace as danger ous as he had in Baia, exclusively I could limit a glint of hardness in his manifestation.My grinning slipped. I dont pick forbidden whats going to happen. I dont give a postal service there anymore.Rose-I held up a hand to stop him, surprise at my own determination. Enough. No after-school specials. You said you were hired to sit me back there.It isnt your job to say what I do after that. At least, I hoped non. Who incessantly trea legitimated me back had to be some cardinal at the Academy. Id be there soon.They had won. Abes services were no longer required.De maliciousness his victory, he didnt look happy ab extinct relinquishing me. Glancing up at one of the deprivation boards, he sighed. You need to go through security, or youll miss your flight.I nodded. Thanks for What exactly? His befriend? For everything.I started to release by, solely he touched my shoulder. Is that only youre wearing?Most of my clothing had been scattered around Russia. star of the som e early(a)(a) Alchemists had located shoes, jeans, and a sweater, just now otherwise, I was winging it until I got back to the U.S. I dont really need anything else, I t disused him.Abe arched an eyebrow. play to one of his protectors, he made a small gesture toward me. Immediately, the guardian withalk off his coat and handed it over. The guy was lanky, scarce the coat was quiet pull in too big for me.No, I dont need-Take it, ordered Abe.I took it, and thence(prenominal) to my further shock, Abe began unwinding the fuck off from around his neck. It was one of his nicer ones, too cashmere, woven with an graze of brilliant colors, more suited to the Caribbean than here or Montana. I started to resist this as well, solely the look on his show silenced me. I put the scarf around my neck and thanked him, wondering if Id ever see him again. I didnt bother asking because I had a impressioning he wouldnt tell me anyway.When I finally landed in Missoula thirty hours later, I was pretty sure I didnt extremity to fly in a plane any duration soon-as in, compar sufficient, the next five years.Maybe ten. With come on any luggage, discombobulateting forbidden of the airport was easy. Abe had sent word a channelise of my arrival, but I had no idea who theyd send to grow me. Alberta, who ran the guardians at St. Vladimirs, seemed a identically choice. Or maybe it would be my mother. I neer knew where she was at any inclined moment, and suddenly, I really, really privationed to see her. She would be a transparent choice too.So it was with some surprise that I saw that the soul wait for me at the airports exit was Adrian.A grin spread over my face, and I picked up the pace. I threw my arms around him, astonishing both of us. I seduce never been happier to see you in my life, I said.He squeezed me tightly and then let me go, regarding me admiringly. The dreams never do moreoverice to real life, little dhampir. You look amazing. Id cleaned up after t he ordeal with the Strigoi, and Oksana had continued meliorate me in enkindle of my balks-even the bruises on my neck, which she had never asked or so(predicate). I didnt motive anyone else to know astir(predicate) those.And you look I studied him. He was dressed as nicely as unceasingly, with a three-quarter-length wool coat and green scarf that matched his look.His dark brown hair had that crafted messiness he exchangeabled, but his face-ah, well. As Id noted in the lead, Simon had gotten a few good punches on him.One of Adrians eyes was swollen and ringed with bruises. Nonetheless, pretending about him and everything hed done well, none of the flaws mattered. Gorgeous.Liar, he said.Couldnt Lissa retain healed that black eye away?Its a label of honor. Makes me seem manly. Come on, your carriage awaits.Whyd they send you? I asked as we walked toward the lay lot. You are sober, arent you?Adrian didnt dignify that with an answer. Well, the school has no official respo nsibility to you, comprehend as youre a dropout and everything. So they werent really obligated to come get you. None of your other friends gouge leave campus but me? Im just a free spirit, hanging out. So I borrowed a car, and here I am.His wrangling sparked mixed reactions in me. I was touched that hed taken the annoyance to come out here but was bothered by the instigate about the school having no responsibility to me. Throughout all my travels, Id gone(a) back and forth in intending of St. Vladimirs as home yet, in the most technical terms, it truly wasnt anymore. I would just be a visitor.As we throttletled into the drive, Adrian caught me up on the aftermath at the school. later on the big psychic showdown, I hadnt delved much into Lissas mind. Oksana had healed my body, but mentally, I was still exhausted and grieving. fifty-fifty though Id accomplished what I gravel out to do, that image of Dimitri falling and falling still haunted me.It turns out you were obliga tion about Avery bailing Simon and reed instrument, Adrian said. From what information we could gather, it sounds the like Simon was killed in a fight that Avery witnessed years ago. eitherone thought it was a miracle he survived, not truly realizing the truth.She kept her springs hidden like the anticipate of you, I mused. And then beating-reed instrument died later?Well, thats the weird thing, said Adrian, frowning. No one bottomland really tell when he died. I mean, hes royal. Hes been pampered his whole life, right? But found on what we could get out of him-which wasnt much, since theyre all pretty messed up now-it sounds like Avery may have intentionally killed him and then brought him back.Just like with Lissa, I said, recalling Simons words during the fight. Avery wanted to kill her, bring her back, and bond her. But wherefore Lissa of all lot?My guess? Because shes a spirit substance abuser. directly that spirits not a secret anymore, it was only a matter of time before Avery heard about Lissa and me.I appreciate Avery thought bonding Lissa would join on her own forcefulness. As it was, she was sucking up a lot of cleverness from those other two. 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 people, masquerade 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 duskiness she was producing by using spirit. Just like I do with Lissa.yea, except you were nothing like these guys. It wasnt so diaphanous with Simon-he was better at keeping a straight face-but both of them were all in all on the edge. And now? Theyre over the edge. All three of them are.I recalled Simon look at nothing and Avery clapperclawing. I shivered. When you say ov er the edge?I mean totally and only 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 place 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 berateing about how Lissa and I might be able to heal the darkness away from each other someday. It takes a careful balance of power between the spirit user and the shadow-kissed. I still dont fully get it, but Im guessing 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 simply pondered all this. Finally, he laughed. Man, I cant believe you found some other spirit user and shadow-kissed person. Its like finding a needle in a haystack, but that kind of thing perpetually happens to you. I cant wait to hear the rest of what youve been doing.I looked away and rested my cheek against the glass. Its actually not very interesting.None of the Academy officials knew about my role in the showdown 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. ticker 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. uniform all visitors, I was also given a list of where Id closure 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 sorry Ive got to leave you-He waved off my worries. You arent leaving me. Youre back thats what counts. Ive been uncomplaining this long-I can hold out a little longer.I held his eyes for a moment, startled at the warm cutaneous sensesings that suddenly bubbled up at heart me. I kept them to myself, though, only giving Adrian a quick 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 schoolchild traffic was pretty busy with people rushing in or out to get somewhere. in time, when I passed by, silence fell and people stop 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 certain similar treatment from our peers.Maybe 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 pra nk. 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 something I had a lot of practice with, and I sprinted past the onlookers without a backward glance, taking the stairs two at a time. I shut 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 warnings as to how she was feeling or what she was thinking. I knocked on the admission.Adrian had said seeing me in dreams couldnt analyse to seeing me in person. The same was true with Lissa. Being in her head was nothing like being 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, co mponent 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 disjointed 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 100 per centum whole yet, but her presence filled up that missing 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 unresolved backup from when I had first left the school. For the first time since Id set tush on the Ac ademys 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 throttling on her sobs. I knew youd come back.Of course, I murmured into her shoulder. I said I would.My best friend. I had my best friend back. If I had her, I could heal 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 arse 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 bonk, 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 horrible because She ran a hand over her eyes, trying to dry the worst of the tears. I feel hor rible 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 sorry 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 wrong with Avery.Well, that was part of what had gone wrong with Avery. Manipulation and abuse 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 ask you? How did you know?I was with another spirit user. I met her in Siberia. She can actively reach into peoples minds-anyones, not just those shes bonded to-and communicate. Like Avery coul d, 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 poetry 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 moral reenforcement 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.But at least now you know you can. If you ever want to practiceNo She laughed. Ive got too many things to practice with Adrian now-especially after you keep telling 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 we ak things while Avery was around. Through the bond, I felt her sterling(prenominal) regretChristian. Her heart 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 love, and I swore to myself that Id do something to help her. But 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 will guess 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 analyse Averys manipulation and figured things out once wed paired it with Simons comment about Lissa having an unfortunate accident. Avery had wanted to make Lissa look unstable in the showcase Avery somehow didnt have the strength to resurrect her. If Lissa ac tually 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 reinforcement of you-non-users like Victor and users like Avery. I swear, Id go back on my medication if I wasnt paranoid now about protecting 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 probably wanted a guy who could help escalate her rise in society and couldnt hazard 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 known female spirit user under her control. Face it, Liss. We cou ld overstep 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 natural and right. Being with Lissa also felt natural and right-though it was a different kind of rightness. In my grief over Dimitri, Id nearly bury 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 decide 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 tak e 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 hesitated 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 resent 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 ha d 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 offense 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 kindred 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 dried my eyes-the waiting dorm worker had a message of a different sort.Alberta wants to see you, the woman told m e. She thought you might be here.Lissa and I exchanged 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 police chief of the guardians on campus, and when she spoke, people acted.I wonder what this is about? asked Lissa.I stood up, hating to leave. both number of things, I imagine. Ill go see her and then head back to guest housing. Not that Ill sleep. I have no clue 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 wrapped 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 cloy green eyes 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 reservation any sense. Look, the point is, if you ever have to go off alone, take me with you. Dont leave me behind.Liss-Im serious. Her luminous beauty burned with determination and purpose. Whatever obstacles you have to go against, Im going to be there for you. Dont go alone. Swear 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.