Frostbite Chapter 10

TenTHE SKI TRIP COULDNT HAVE come a moment too soon. It was impossible to lay show up the Dimitri and Tasha thing proscribed of my head, and at least packing and acquiring ready do certain(p) I didnt devote 100 percent of my brain power to him. more(prenominal) uniform 95 percent.I had other things to distract me, too. The honorary society energy- rightfully- be everyplaceprotective when it came to us, nonwithstanding sometimes that translated into pretty cool stuff. Example The Academy had access to a couple of private jets. This meant no Strigoi could attack us at an disperseport, and it also meant we got to travel in style. Each jet was little than a commercial plane, notwithstanding the seats were cushy and had piles of forking room. They ext fireed far plentiful bottom that you could practic tout ensembley lie grim to sleep. On long f leisurelys, we had little consoles in the seats that gave us TV movie options. Sometimes theyd even break out buffercy meals. I was betting this flight, however, would be too short for any movies or consider fitted food.We left late on the twenty-sixth. When I boarded the jet, I looked somewhat for Lissa, deficient to talk to her. We hadnt rightfully uttern after the Christmas brunch. I wasnt surprised to look on her sitting with Christian, and they didnt look hired manle they wanted to be interrupted. I couldnt listen their conver sit downion, yet hed put his arm somewhat her and had that relaxed, flirty expression that altogether she could nonplus out. I remained fully convinced that he could never do as good a job as me of taking care of her, but he clearly hasten her happy. I put on a smile and nodded at them as I passed down the aisle towageard where st calefactoryshotmason was waving at me. As I did, I also walked by Dimitri and Tasha sitting together. I pointedly ignored them.Hey, I say moved into the seat beside st whizzmason.He smiled at me. Hey. You ready for the ski challenge?As ready as Ill ever be.Dont worry, he said. Ill go easy on you.I sc shooted and leaned my head impale against the seat. Youre so delusional.Sane guys are boring.To my surprise, he slid his hand everywhere mine. His scrape was perfervid, and I felt my own skin tingle where he touched me. It startled me. Id convinced myself Dimitri was the only cardinal Id ever respond to again.Its time to move on, I thought. Dimitri obviously has. You should live with d unmatchable it a long time ago.I laced my fingers with masons, contracting him make guard. I do. This is going to be fun.And it was.I tried to nurture reminding myself that we were here because of a tragedy, that there were Strigoi and humans out there who skill strike again. No one else seemed to remember that, though, and I admit, I was having a difficult time myself.The resort was gorgeous. It was built to sort of look homogeneous a log cabin, but no pioneer cabin could put one across held hundreds of people or had such luxury accommodations. Three stories of gleaming, golden-colored wood sat among lofty pine trees. The windows were tall and gracefully arched, tinted for Moroi convenience. Crystal lanterns- electric, but contract to look like torches- hung around all the entrances, heavy(p) the entire make a glittering, almost bejeweled look.Mountains- which my enhanced eye could skillful barely make out in the night- surrounded us, and I bet the view would drive been breathtaking when it was light out. integrity side of the grounds led absent to the skiing area, complete with steep hills and exponents, as well as lifts and tow ropes. some other side of the lodge had an ice rink, which delighted me since Id missed out that one day by the cabin. Near that, smooth hills were reserved for sledding.And that was on the nose the outside.Inside, all sorts of arrangements had been made to cater to Moroi needs. Feeders stayed on hand, ready to serve 24 hours a day. The slopes ran on a nocturna l schedule. Wards and guardians circled the entire place. Everything a alimentation vampire could want.The main lobby had a cathedral ceiling and an wondrous chandelier hanging over it. Its floor was intricately tiled marble, and the preceding desk stayed open around the clock, ready to indulge our every need. The rest of the lodge, hall airs and lounges, had a red, calamitous, and gold color scheme. The hidden shade of red dominated over the other hues, and I wondered if its resemblance to blood was a coincidence. Mirrors and art change the contends, and little orna cordial tables had been placed here and there. They held vases of pale green, purple-spotted orchids that filled the air with a spicy scent.The room I shared with Lissa was bigger than our entrance hall rooms put together and had the same rich colors as the rest of the lodge. The carpet was so plush and deep that I direct shed my shoes at the door and walked in barefoot, luxuriating in the way my feet sank into that softness. We had king-size beds, covered in feather duvets and set with so some(prenominal) pillows that I swore a person could get lost in them all and never be seen again. French doors opened on to a tolerant balcony, which, considering we were on the top floor, would urinate been cool if not for the fact it was freezing outside. I suspected the two-person hot tub on the far end would go a long way to make up for the cold.Drowning in so much luxury, I reached an overload point where the rest of the accommodations started fluid together. The jetted marble bathtub. The plasma-screen TV. The b conveyet of chocolate and other snacks. When we last decided to go skiing, I had to practically drag myself from the room. I could in all likelihood get under ones skin worn out(p) the rest of my vacation lounging in there and been perfectly content.But we finally ventured outside, and once I managed to push Dimitri and my mother out of my head, I started to fuck myself. It helpe d that the lodge was so enormous there was little chance of tally into them.For the first time in weeks, I was able to finally tension on stonemason and realize but how much fun he was. I also got to hang out with Lissa more than I had in a man, which put me in an even cleanse mood.With Lissa, Christian, stonemason, and me, we were able to get kind of a double-date thing going. The four of us fatigued almost all of the first day skiing, though the two Moroi had a bit of trouble keeping up. Considering what Mason and I went with in our classes, he and I werent afraid to try daring stunts. Our competitive natures made us eager to go out of our way to outdo each other.You guys are suicidal, remarked Christian at one point. It was dark outside, and tall light posts illuminated his bem apply face.He and Lissa had been waiting at the bottom of the mogul hill, watching Mason and me come down. Wed been moving at insane speeds. The reference of me that had been trying to learn contro l and wisdom from Dimitri knew it was dangerous, but the rest of me want embracing that recklessness. That dark streak of rebelliousness still hadnt let me go.Mason grinned as we skidded to a halt, sending up a spray of snow. Nah, this is unsloped a warm-up. I mean, locomote has been able to keep up with me the full-page time. Kid stuff.Lissa shook her head. Arent you guys taking this too far?Mason and I looked at each other. No.She shook her head. Well, were going inside. Try not to kill yourselves.She and Christian left, arm and arm. I watched them go, then turned masking to Mason. Im good for a while longer. You?Absolutely.We took a lift back up to the top of the hill. When we were retributive astir(predicate) to head down, Mason pointed.Okay, how just well-nigh this? strike those moguls there, then jump over that ridge, swing back with a hairpin turn, evade those trees, and land there.I followed his finger as he pointed out a jagged path down one of the biggest slopes. I frowned.That one rightfully is insane, Mase.Ah, he said triumphantly. She finally cracks.I glowered. She does not. afterward another value of his crazy route, I conceded. Okay. Lets do it.He gestured. You first.I took a deep breath and leapt off. My skis slid smoothly over the snow, and piercing wind blasted into my face. I made the first jump neatly and precisely, but as the near part of the by nature sped forward, I know just how dangerous it really was. In that split second, I had a decision to make. If I didnt do it, Id never hear the end of it from Mason- and I really wanted to charge him up. If I did manage it, I could feel pretty secure approximately my awesomeness. But if I tried and messed up I could break my do it. someplace in my head, a parting that sounded suspiciously like Dimitris started talking about wise choices and learning when to show restraint.I decided to ignore that theatrical role and went for it.This course was as hard as Id aweed, but I pul led it off flawlessly, one insane move after another. Snow flew up around me as I made each sharp, dangerous turn. When I safely reached bottom, I looked up and saw Mason gesturing wildly. I couldnt make out his expression or words, but I could imagine his cheers. I waved back and waited for him to follow suit.But he didnt. Because when Mason got one-halfway down, he wasnt able to pull off one of the jumps. His skis caught, and his legs twisted. Down he went.I reached him at about the same time some of the resort staff did. To everyones relief, Mason hadnt broken his neck or anything else. His ankle did appear to have a nasty sprain, however, which was belike going to limit his skiing for the rest of the trip.One of the instructors monitoring the slopes ran forward, fury all over her face.What were you kids thinking? she exclaimed. She turned on me. I couldnt believe it when you did those stupid stunts Her glare fixed on Mason next. And then you had to go ahead and copy herI wanted to lay out that it had all been his idea, but blame didnt matter at this point. I was just glad he was all right. But as we all went inside, ungodliness began to gnaw at me. I had acted irresponsibly. What if hed been seriously injured? Horrible visions danced through my mind. Mason with a broken leg a broken neckWhat had I been thinking? No one had made me do that course. Mason had suggested it but I hadnt fought back. Goodness knew I probably could have. I might have had to endure some mockery, but Mason was crazy enough about me that feminine wiles probably would have stopped this madness. Id gotten caught up in the excitement and the risk- much as I had in kissing Dimitri- not giving enough thought to the consequences because secretly, inside of me, that impulsive desire to be wild still lurked. Mason had it too, and his called to me.That mental Dimitri voice chastised me once more.After Mason was safely returned to the lodge and had ice on his ankle, I carried our equipment back outside toward the storage buildings. When I went back inside, I went through a different doorway than I normally used. This entrance was set back tooth a huge, open porch with an ornate wooden railing. The porch was built into the side of the piling and had a breathtaking view of the other peaks and valleys around us- if you felt like standing around long enough in freezing temperatures to extol it. Which most people didnt.I walked up the steps to the porch, stomping snow off my boots as I did. A thick scent, both spicy and sweet, hung in the air. Something about it felt familiar, but before I could identify it, a voice of a sudden spoke to me out of the shadows.Hey, little dhampir.Startled, I realized someone was indeed standing on the porch. A guy- a Moroi- leaned against the wall not far from the door. He brought a tush up to his mouth, took a long drag, and then dropped it to the floor. He stamped the butt out and crooked me a smile. That was the scent, I realized. Clove cigarettes.Warily, I stopped and crossed my arms as I took him in. He was a little shorter than Dimitri but wasnt as tall as some Moroi guys ended up looking at. A long, charcoal coat- probably made out of some insanely expensive cashmere-wool blend- fit his bole exceptionally well, and the leather dress shoes he wore indicated more coin still. He had brown hair that looked like it had been purposely styled to appear a little unkempt, and his eyes were either blue or green- I didnt have quite enough light to know for sure. His face was cute, I supposed, and I pegged him to be a couple years older than me. He looked like hed just come from a dinner party.Yeah? I asked.His eyes swept over my body. I was used to attention from Moroi guys. It just unremarkably wasnt so obvious. And I usually wasnt bundled up in winter change state and sporting a black eye.He shrugged. Just saying hi, thats all.I waited for more, but all he did was stuff his hands into the coats pockets. With a shrug of my own, I took a couple steps forward.You belief good, you know, he suddenly said.I stopped walking again and gave him a puzzled look, which only made his sly smile turn over a little bigger.I um, what?You smell good, he repeated.Are you joking? Ive been sweating all day. Im disgusting. I wanted to walk away, but there was something eerily compelling about this guy. Like a train wreck. I didnt find him attractive per se I was just suddenly interested in talking to him. lying-in isnt a bad thing, he said, leaning his head against the wall and looking upward thoughtfully. Some of the best things in life happen while sweating. Yeah, if you get too much of it and it gets old and stale, it turns pretty gross. But on a beautiful woman? Intoxicating. If you could smell things like a vampire does, youd know what Im talking about. Most people mess it all up and drown themselves in perfume. Perfume can be good particularly if you get one that goes with your chemistry. But you on ly need a hint. ruffle up about 20 percent of that with 80 percent of your own swithermmm. He tilted his head to the side and looked at me. Dead sexy.I suddenly remembered Dimitri and his aftershave. Yeah. That had been dead sexy, but I certainly wasnt going to recount this guy about it.Well, thanks for the hygiene lesson, I said. But I dont own any perfume, and Im going to go shower all this hot sweaty action off me. Sorry.He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered it to me. He moved only a step closer, but it was enough for me to smell something else on him. Alcohol. I shook my head at the cigarettes, and he tapped one out for himself.Bad habit, I said, watching him light it.One of many, he replied. He inhaled deeply. You here with St. Vlads?Yup.So youre going to be a guardian when you grow up.Obviously.He exhaled smoke, and I watched it drift away into the night. Heightened vampire senses or no, it was a wonder he could smell anything around those cloves.How long until you grow up? he asked. I might need a guardian.I graduate in the spring. But Im already spoken for. Sorry.Surprise flickered in his eyes. Yeah? Who is he?Shes Vasilisa Dragomir.Ah. His face split into a huge grin. I knew you were trouble as soon as I saw you. Youre Janine Hathaways daughter.Im Rose Hathaway, I corrected, not wanting to be defined by my mother. proficient to action you, Rose Hathaway. He extended a gloved hand to me that I hesitantly took. Adrian Ivashkov.And you think Im trouble, I muttered. The Ivashkovs were a royal family, one of the wealthiest and most powerful. They were the kind of people who thought they could get anything they wanted and walked over those in their way. No wonder he was so arrogant.He laughed. He had a nice laugh, rich and almost melodious. It made me think of warm caramel, dripping from a spoon. Handy, huh? Each of our reputations precedes us.I shook my head. You dont know anything about me. And I only know of your family. I dont know anything about you. desire to? he asked tauntingly.Sorry. Im not into older guys.Im twenty-one. Not that much older.I have a boyfriend. It was a small lie. Mason certainly wasnt my boyfriend yet, but I hoped Adrian would leave me alone if he thought I was taken. particular(a) you didnt mention that right away, Adrian mused. He didnt give you that black eye, did he?I felt myself blushing, even in the cold. Id been hoping he wouldnt notice the eye, which was stupid. With his vampire eyes, hed probably noticed as soon as I stepped onto the porch.He wouldnt be alive if he did. I got it during practice. I mean, Im training to be a guardian. Our classes are always rough.Thats pretty hot, he said. He dropped this second cigarette to the ground and put it out with his foot.Punching me in the eye?Well, no. Of course not. I meant that the idea of getting rough with you is hot. Im a big fan of full-contact sports.Im sure you are, I said dryly. He was arrogant and presumptuous, yet I still couldnt qui te force myself to leave.The sound of footsteps behind me made me turn. Mia came around the path and walked up the steps. When she saw us, she stopped suddenly.Hey, Mia.She glanced between the two of us.Another guy? she asked. From her tone, you would have thought I had my own harem of men.Adrian gave me a questioning, amused look. I gritted my teeth and decided not to dignify that with a response. I opted for uncharacteristic politeness.Mia, this is Adrian Ivashkov.Adrian turned on the same charm hed used on me. He shook her hand. Always a pleasure to meet a friend of Roses, especially a pretty one. He spoke like he and I had known each other since childhood.We arent friends, I said. So much for politeness.Rose only hangs out with guys and psychopaths, said Mia. Her voice carried the usual scorn she harbored for me, but there was a look on her face that showed Adrian had clearly caught her interest.Well, he said cheerfully, since Im both a psychopath and a guy, that would explain w hy were such good friends.You and I arent friends either, I told him.He laughed. Always playing hard to get, huh?Shes not that hard to get, said Mia, clearly upset that Adrian was paying more attention to me. Just ask half the guys at our school.Yeah, I retorted, and you can ask the other half about Mia. If you can do a favor for her, shell do lots of favors for you. When shed declared war on Lissa and me, Mia had managed to get a couple of guys to communicate everyone at school that Id done some pretty awful things with them. The juiceless thing was that shed gotten them to lie for her by sleeping with them herself.A flicker of plethora passed over her face, but she held her ground.Well, she said, at least I dont do them for free.Adrian made some cat noises.Are you done? I asked. Its past your bedtime, and the grown-ups would like to talk now. Mias youthful looks were a sore point with her, one I frequently enjoyed exploiting.Sure, she said crisply. Her cheeks turned pink, intens ifying her porcelain-doll appearance. I have better things to do anyway. She turned toward the door, then paused with her hand resting on it. She glanced toward Adrian. Her mom gave her that black eye, you know.She went inside. The fancy glass doors swung shut behind her.Adrian and I stood there in silence. Finally, he took out the cigarettes again and lit another. Your mom?Shut up.Youre one of those people who either has soul mates or mortal enemies, arent you? No in-between. You and Vasilisa are probably like sisters, huh?I guess.How is she?Huh? What do you mean?He shrugged, and if I didnt know better, Id have said he was overdoing casualness. I dont know. I mean, I know you guys ran awayand there was that stuff with her family and Victor Dashkov.I stiffened at the reference to Victor. So?Dunno. Just figured it might be a lot for her to, you know, handle.I studied him carefully, wondering what he was getting at. There had been a brief leak about Lissas fragile mental health, but i t had been well-contained. Most people had forgotten about it or fictional it was a lie.Ive got to go. I decided avoidance was the best tactic just now.Are you sure? He sounded only mildly disappointed. Mostly he seemed as cocky and amused as before. Something about him still intrigued me, but whatever it was, it wasnt enough to combat everything else I was feeling, or to risk discussing Lissa. I thought it was time for the grown-ups to talk. Lots of grown-up things Id like to talk about.Its late, Im tired, and your cigarettes are giving me a headache, I growled.I suppose thats fair. He drew in on the cigarette and let out the smoke. Some women think they make me look sexy.I think you smoke them so you have something to do while thinking up your next witty line.He choked on the smoke, caught between inhaling and laughing. Rose Hathaway, I cant wait to see you again. If youre this enamor while tired and annoyed and this gorgeous while bruised and in ski clothes, you must be devast ating at your peak.If by devastating you mean that you should fear for your life, then yeah. Youre right. I jerked open the door. Good night, Adrian.Ill see you soon.Not likely. I told you, Im not into older guys.I walked into the lodge. As the door closed, I just barely heard him call behind me, Sure, you arent.