Blood Promise Chapter Thirteen

The next sidereal day was Easter. Every 1 was up and around, getting ready to go to church. The whole house smelled delicious, filled with the scents of Olenas baking. My stomach rumbled, and I wondered if I could forbear until this after(prenominal)noon for the huge dinner shed prepared. Even though I wasnt always sure somewhat God, Id gone to church a lot in my life. Mostly, it was a courtesy to others, a way of being polite and social. Dimitri had gone because he found peace at that place, and I wondered if going today great power offer me almost insight on what I should do.I felt a little shabby accompanying the others. Theyd togged up up, lonesome(prenominal) when I didnt confuse anything other than jeans and day-to-day shirts. Viktoria, noticing my dismay, lent me a lacy white blouse that was a little tight tho console expressioned good. Once I was settled with the family into a pew, I looked around, enquire how Dimitri could have taken solace in the Academys t iny chapel when hed grown up with this place.It was huge. It could have held four chapels. The ceilings were higher and more elaborate, and gold decorations and icons of saints seemed to c everywhere every sur looking. It was overwhelming, dazzling to the eye. Sweet incense hung heavy in the air, so much so that I could actu completelyy see the smoke. at that place were a lot of pot in that respect, human and dhampir, and I was surprised to even spot some Moroi. Apparently, the Moroi vi turn oning town were pious enough to become to church, despite whatever sordid activities they competency be engaging in. And speaking of MoroiAbe isnt hither, I utter to Viktoria, glancing around. She was on my left wing Olena sat on my right. While he hadnt struck me as the religious type, Id pattern of expected him to follow me here. I hoped that maybe his absence meant hed left Baia. I was still unnerved by our last encounter. Did he leave town?I think hes Muslim, Viktoria explained. onl y last I knew, hes still around. Karolina saw him this morning.Damn Zmey. He hadnt left. What was it hed said? A good friend or a pernicious enemy.When I said nought, Viktoria gave me a concerned look. Hes never re every(prenominal)y done anything bad when hes around. He usually has set upings and thence disappears. I meant it before when I said I didnt think hed hurt you, but now youre worrying me. Are you in some kind of trouble?Excellent question. I dont tell apart. He salutary seems inte lie downed in me, thats all. I apprizet figure step to the fore why.Her frown deepened. We wont let anything happen to you, she said fiercely.I grind, both at her concern and because of her resemblance to Dimitri in that moment. Thanks. There are some people back home who capability be looking for me, and I think that Abe is moreover checking up on me. That was a nice way of describing mortal who was either going to drag me back to the U.S. kicking and screaming-or just make me vanish for good.Viktoria seemed to sense I was softening the truth. Well, I mean it. I wont let him hurt you.The service started, cutting off our conversation. While the priests chanting was beautiful, it meant even less to me than church services usually did. It was all in Russian, resembling at the funeral, and no one was going to bother translating it for me today. It didnt matter. Still taking in the beauty of my surroundings, I found my mind wandering. To the left of the altar, a golden-haired angel looked at me from a four-foot-tall icon.An unexpected memory came to me. Dimitri had once gotten permission for me to accompany him on a quick weekend trip to Idaho to meet with some other guardians. Idaho wasnt any place I was keen on going, but I welcomed the time with him, and hed convinced school officials that it was a learning experience. That had been goldbrickly after Masons death, and after the shock wave that tragedy had sent through the school, I think they would have allowe d me anything, to be honest.Unfortunately, there was little that was leisurely or romantic rough the trip. Dimitri had a job to do, and he had to do it quickly. So we make the best time we could, stopping only when absolutely necessary. Considering our last itinerary trip had involved us stumbling onto a Moroi massacre, this one being uneventful was probably for the best. As usual, he wouldnt let me drive, despite my claims that I could get us there in half the time. Or maybe that was why he wouldnt let me drive.We stopped at one point to get gas and run some food from the stations store. We were up in the mountains somewhere, in a tiny town that rivaled St. Vladimirs for remote location. I could see mountains on clear days at school, but it was a totally different experience being in them.They surrounded us and were so close it seemed handle you could just brook over and land on one. Dimitri was finishing up with the car. Holding my sub sandwich, I walked around to the back of the gas station to get a better view. some(prenominal) civilization the gas station offered disappeared as soon as I cleared it. Endless snowy pines stretched out before me, and all was still and quiet, action for the distant sound of the highway behind me. My heart ached over what had happened to Mason, and I was still having nightmares most the Strigoi whod held us captive. That pain was a long way from disappearing, but something about this peaceful setting soothed me for a moment.Looking down at the unbroken, foot-high snow, a crazy thought suddenly came to me. I let myself go, falling back-first to the ground. The impenetrable snow embraced me, and I rested there a moment, taking comfort in lying down. Then I moved my legs and arms back and forth, slip out new hollows in the snow. When I finished, I didnt get up right away. I simply continued lounging, staring up at the inconsolable, blue sky.What, asked Dimitri, are you doing? Aside from getting your sandwich cold.His s hadow fell over me, and I looked up at his tall form. In spite of the cold, the sun was out, and its rays backlit his hair. He could have been an angel himself, I thought.Im do a snow angel, I replied. Dont you know what that is?Yes, I know. But why? You must be freezing.I had on a heavy winter coat, hat, gloves, and all the other requisite cold-weather accessories. He was right about the sandwich. non so much, actually. My face is a little, I guess.He shook his head and gave me a wry smile. Youll be cold when youre in the car and all that snow starts melting.I think youre more worried about the car than about me.He laughed. Im more worried about you getting hypothermia.In this? This is nothing. I patted the ground beside me. Come on. You make one too, and then we open fire go.He continued looking down at me. So I can freeze too?So you can have fun. So you can leave your mark on Idaho. Besides, it shouldnt bother you at all, right? Dont you have some sort of super cold resistance from Siberia?He sighed, a smile still on his lips. It was enough to warm me even in this weather. There you go again, convinced Siberia is like Antarctica. Im from the southern part. The weathers almost the same as here.Youre making excuses, I told him. Unless you want to drag me back to the car, youre going to have to make an angel too.Dimitri studied me for several heavy moments, and I thought he might actually haul me away. His face was still light and open, though, and his expression was filled with a fondness that made my heart race. Then, without warning, he flopped into the snow beside me, lying there quietly.Okay, I said when he did nothing more. Now you have to move your arms and legs.I know how to make a snow angel.Then do it Otherwise, youre more like a chalk outline at a police crime scene.He laughed again, and the sound was rich and warm in the still air. Finally, after a little more coaxing on my part, he moved his arms and legs too, making an angel of his own. When h e finished, I expected him to jump up and demand we get back on the road, but instead, he stayed there too, watching the sky and the mountains.Pretty, huh? I asked. My breath made frosty clouds in the air. I guess in some ways, its not that different from the ski resorts view but I dont know. I feel different about it all today.Lifes like that, he said. As we grow and change, sometimes things weve experienced before take on new meaning. Itll happen for the rest of your life.I started to tease him about his tendency to always deliver these profound life lessons, but it occurred to me then that he was right. When Id first begun falling for Dimitri, the feelings had been all-consuming. Id never felt anything like it before. Id been convinced there was no possible way I could love him more. But now, after what Id witnessed with Mason and the Strigoi, things were different. I did love Dimitri more intensely. I loved him in a different way, in a deeper way. Something about seeing how frag ile life was made me appreciate him more. It had made me realize how much he meant to me and how sad Id be if I ever lost him.You think itd be nice to have a cabin up there? I asked, pointing to a nearby peak. knocked out(p) in the woods where no one could find you?I would think it was nice. I think youd be bored.I tried to imagine being stuck in the wilderness with him. Small room, fireplace, bed I didnt think itd be that boring. It wouldnt be so bad if we had cable. And Internet. And body heat.Oh, Rose. He didnt laugh, but I could tell he was blithe again. I dont think youd ever be happy someplace quiet. You always need something to do.Are you saying I have a short attention span?Not at all. Im saying theres a fire in you that drives everything you do, that makes you need to better the world and those you love. To stand up for those you cant. Its one of the marvellous things about you.Only one, huh? I spoke lightly, but his words had thrilled me. Hed meant what he said about th inking those were wonderful traits, and feeling his pride in me meant more than anything just then.One of many, he said. He sat up and looked down at me. So, no peaceful cabin for you. Not until youre an old, old woman.What, like forty?He shook his head in exasperation and stood up, not gracing my joke with a response. Still, he regarded me with the same affection Id heard in his voice. There was admiration too, and I thought I could never be unhappy as long as Dimitri thought I was wonderful and beautiful. Leaning down, he extended his hand. Time to go.I took it, letting him help pull me up. Once standing, we held hands for a heartbeat longer than necessary. Then we let go and surveyed our work. both perfect snow angels-one much, much taller than the other. Careful to step inside for each one outline, I leaned down and hacked out a horizontal line above each head.Whats that? he asked, when I stood beside him again.Halos, I said with a grin. For heavenly creatures like us.That migh t be a stretch.We studied our angels for a few moments more, looking at where we had lain side by side in that sweet, quiet moment. I wished what Id said was true, that we had rattling left our mark on the mountain. But I knew that after the next snowfall, our angels would disappear into the whiteness and be nothing more than a memory.Dimitri touched my arm gently, and without another word, we turned around and headed back to the car.Compared to that memory of him and the way hed looked at me out there on the mountain, I thought the angel looking back at me in church seemed pale and boring in comparison. No offense to her.The congregation was filing back to their seats after taking bread and wine. Id stayed seated for that, but I did understand a few of the priests words. Life. Death. Destroy. Eternal. I knew enough about all this to string together the meaning. I would have bet good money resurrection was in there too. I sighed, wishing it were truly that easy to vanquish death an d bring back those we loved.Church ended, and I left with the Belikovs, feeling melancholy. As people passed each other near the entrance, I saw some eggs being exchanged.Viktoria had explained that it was a big tradition around here. A few people I didnt know gave some to me, and I felt a little bad that I had nothing to give in return. I also wondered how I was going to eat them all. They were decorated in various ways. Some were simply colored others were elaborately designed.Everyone seemed chatty after church, and we all stood around outside it. Friends and family hugged and caught up on gossip. I stood near Viktoria, smiling and trying to follow the conversation that often took place in both English and Russian.ViktoriaWe turned and saw Nikolai striding toward us. He gave us-by which I mean, he gave her-a brilliant smile. Hed dressed up for the holiday and looked amazing in a sage shirt and dark green tie. I eyed Viktoria, wondering if it had any effect on her. Nope. Her smile was polite, genuinely happy to see him, but there was nothing romantic there. Again, I wondered about her mystery friend.He had a couple of guys with him whom Id met before. They greeted me too. akin the Belikovs, they seemed to think I was a permanent fixture around here.Are you still going to Marinas party? asked Nikolai.Id nearly forgotten. That was the party hed invited us to the first day Id met him. Viktoria had accepted then, but to my surprise, she now shook her head. We cant. We have family plans.That was news to me. There was a possibility something had come up that I didnt know about yet, but I doubted it. I had a feeling she was lying, and being a loyal friend, I said nothing to contradict her. It was hard watching Nikolais face fall, though. unfeignedly? Were going to miss you.She shrugged. Well all see each other at school.He didnt seem pacified by that. Yeah, but-Nikolais eyeball suddenly lifted from her face and focused on something behind us. He frowned. Viktori a and I both glanced back, and I felt her mood shift too.Three guys were strolling toward my group. They were dhampirs as well. I didnt notice anything unusual about them-smirks aside-but other dhampirs and Moroi gathered outside the church took on expressions similar to those of my companions. Troubled. Worried. Uncomfortable. The three guys came to a stop by us, pushing their way into our circle.I thought you might be here, Kolya, said one. He spoke in perfect English, and it took me a moment to realize he was talking to Nikolai. I would never understand Russian nicknames.I didnt know you were back, replied Nikolai stiffly. Studying the two of them, I could see a distinct resemblance. They had the same bronze hair and lean build. Brothers, apparently.Nikolais brothers gaze fell on me. He brightened. And you must be the unpromised American girl. It didnt surprise me that he knew who I was.After the memorial, most of the local dhampirs had left telling tales about the American girl who had fought battles against Strigoi but carried neither a promise mark nor a graduation mark.Im Rose, I said. I didnt know what was up with these guys, but I sure enough wasnt going to show any fear in front of them. The guy seemed to appreciate my confidence and shook my hand.Im Denis. He gestured to his friends. Artur and Lev.When did you come to town? asked Nikolai, still not looking happy about this reunion.Just this morning. Denis turned to Viktoria. I heard about your brother. Im sorry.Viktorias expression was hard, but she nodded politely. Thank you.Is it true he fell support Moroi?I didnt like the sneer in Deniss voice, but it was Karolina who voiced my angry thoughts. I hadnt noticed her approaching our group. She didnt look happy to see Denis at all.He fell fighting Strigoi. He died a hero.Denis shrugged, unaffected by the angry tone of her voice. Still makes him dead. Im sure the Moroi will sing his name for years to come.They will, I replied. He saved a whole group of them. And dhampirs too.Deniss gaze fell back on me, his eyes thoughtful as he studied my face for a few seconds. I heard you were there too. That both of you were sent into an impossible battle.It wasnt impossible. We won.Would Dimitri say that if he were alive?Karolina crossed her arms over her chest. If youre only here to start something, then you should leave. This is a church. It was funny. Upon meeting her, Id thought she seemed so gentle and kind, just an ordinary young mother working to support her family. But in this moment, she seemed more like Dimitri than ever. I could see that same strength within her, that fierceness that drove her to protect loved ones and stand up to her enemies. Not that these guys were her enemies, exactly. I frankly didnt yet understand who they were.Were just talking, said Denis. I just want to understand what happened to your brother. Believe me, I think his death was a tragedy.He wouldnt have regretted it, I told them. He died fighting for w hat he believed in.Defending others who took him for granted.Thats not true.Oh? Denis gave me a lopsided smile. Then why dont you work for the guardians? Youve killed Strigoi but have no promise mark. Not even a graduation mark, I heard. Why arent you out there consecrateing yourself in front of Moroi?Denis, said Nikolai uneasily, please just leave.Im not talking to you, Kolya. Deniss eyes were still on me. Im just trying to figure Rose out. She kills Strigoi but doesnt work for the guardians.Shes clearly not like the rest of you soft people in this town. Maybe shes more like us.Shes nothing like you, Viktoria snapped back.I got it then, and a chill ran down my spine. These were the kind of dhampirs that Mark had been talking about. The true unpromised ones. The vigilantes who sought out Strigoi on their own, the ones who neither settled down nor answered to any guardians. They shouldnt have unnerved me, not really. In some ways, Denis was right. In the simplest terms, I really was like them. And yet there was an air about these guys that just rubbed me the wrong way.Then why are you in Russia? asked one of Deniss friends. I already couldnt remember his name. This is a long trip for you. You wouldnt have come here without a good reason.Viktoria was picking up her sisters anger. She came to tell us about Dimka.Denis eyed me. I think shes here to hunt Strigoi. There are more in Russia to choose from than there are in the States.She wouldnt be in Baia if she was hunting Strigoi, you idiot, returned Viktoria evenly. Shed be in Vladivostok or Novosibirsk or somewhere like that.Novosibirsk. The name was familiar. But where had I heard it? A moment later, the answer came to me. Sydney had mentioned it. Novosibirsk was the largest urban center in Siberia.Denis continued. Maybe shes just passing through. Maybe shell want to join us when we go to Novosibirsk tomorrow.For Gods sake, I exclaimed. Im right here. Stop talking about me like Im not. And why would I want to go with you?Deniss eyes gleamed with an intense, feverish light. Good hunting there. Lots of Strigoi. Come with us, and you can help us go after them.And how many of you will come back from this? Karolina asked in a hard voice. Wheres Timosha? Wheres Vasiliy? Your hunting party keeps getting smaller each time you return here. Which one of you will be next? Whose family will be the next to mourn?Easy for you to talk, retorted the friend. Lev, I think his name was. You stay here and do nothing while we go out and keep you safe.Karolina gave him a disgusted look, and I recalled how she was dating a guardian. You go out and rush into situations without thinking. If you want to keep us safe, then stay here and defend your families when they need it. If you want to go after Strigoi, go join the guardians and work with those who have some sense.The guardians dont hunt Strigoi cried Denis. They sit and wait and cower before the Moroi.The unfortunate part was, he had a point. But not entirel y.Thats changing, I said. Theres a movement to start taking the ugly against the Strigoi. Theres also talk of the Moroi learning to fight with us. You could help be a part of that.Like you are? he laughed. You still havent told us why youre here and not with them. You can say what you want to the rest of this group, but I know why youre here. I can see it in you. The crazy, eerie look he gave me almost made me think that he could. You know the only way to rid the world of evil is to do it on our own. To seek out the Strigoi ourselves and kill them, one by one.Without a plan, finished Karolina. Without any thought of the consequences.Were strong and we know how to fight. Thats all we need to know when it comes to killing Strigoi.And that was when I understood. I finally got what Mark had been trying to tell me. Denis was saying exactly what I had been thinking since I left St. Vladimirs. Id run off without a plan, wanting to throw myself into danger because I felt I had a mission th at only I could carry out. Only I could kill Dimitri. Only I could ruin the evil within him. Id been giving no thought to how Id pull it off-seeing as Dimitri had beat me more often than not in fights when he was still a dhampir. With a Strigois strength and speed now? The odds were definitely against me. Still, I hadnt cared. Id been obsessed, convinced I had to do this.In my own head, what I had to do made sense, but now hearing those sentiments from Denis, it sounded crazy. Just as reckless as Mark had warned. Their motives might be good-just as mine were-but they were also suicidal. Without Dimitri, I honestly hadnt cared much about my own life. Id never been afraid to risk it before, but now I realized there was a big difference surrounded by dying uselessly and dying for a reason. If I died trying to kill Dimitri because I had no strategy, then my life would have meant nothing.Just then, the priest walked over and said something to us in Russian. From his tone and expression , I think he was asking if everything was okay.Hed mingled with the rest of the congregation after the service. Being human, he probably didnt know all the dhampir politics afoot, but he could undoubtedly sense trouble.Denis offered him a simpering smile and gave what sounded like a polite explanation. The priest smiled in return, nodded, and wandered off when someone else called to him.Enough, said Karolina harshly, once the priest was out of earshot. You need to go. Now.Deniss body tensed, and mine responded, ready for a fight. I thought he might start something then and there. A few seconds later, he relaxed and turned to me.Show them to me first.Show you what? I asked.The marks. Show me how many Strigoi youve killed.I didnt respond right away, wondering if this was a trick. Everyones eyes were on me. Turning slightly, I lifted the hair off the back of my neck and showed my tattoos. Little lightning-shaped molnija marks were there, along with the mark Id gotten for the battle. Fr om the sound of Deniss gasp, I was guess hed never seen that many kills before. I let my hair go and met his gaze levelly.Anything else? I asked.Youre wasting your time, he said at last, gesturing to the people behind me. With them. With this place. You should come with us to Novosibirsk. Well help make your life worthwhile.Im the only one who can make anything of my life. I pointed down the street. You were asked to leave. Now go.I held my breath, still bracing for a fight. After several tense moments, the group retreated. Before turning around, Denis gave me one last piercing look.This isnt what you want and you know it. When you change your mind, come find us at 83 Kasakova. We leave at sunrise tomorrow.Youll be leaving without me, I said.Denis smile sent another chill down my spine. Well see.