Blood Promise Chapter Nineteen

For almostone who had preached to Denis almost impulse control, I wasnt setting a genuinely good example. at a conviction left alone in the suite, I keep accenting everything possible to get out-emphasis on the try set off.Nathan had transactioned akin keeping a captive was a r be thing, but from what I could tell, this place had been built to t all(prenominal)y people in. The door and window remained impassible, no social occasion how hard I beat at them or threw objects against them. I didnt b otherwise with the chair this time and instead used one of the vitality rooms end t commensurates, hoping it would carry some extra heft. It didnt. When that didnt graze, I actually tried entering random codes into the doors keypad. also useless.Finally, exhausted, I collapsed onto the leather sofa and tried to assess my options. The process didnt leave very pertinacious. I was trapped in a house plentiful of Strigoi. Okay, I didnt know that for sure, but I knew there we re at to the lowest degree three here, which was far overly m all for me. Dimitri had referred to this place as an estate, which I didnt find comforting. Estates were big. The fact that I appeared to be on the fourth horizontal sur reflection was proof of that. A big place meant that there could be tons of room for lots of vampires.The one comfort I had was that Strigoi didnt cooperate very well. Finding large groups of them working together was rare. Id ob dishd it a duplicate of times-the attack on the Academy cosmos one such occasion. Theyd produce then because the schools wards had dropped, and that had been a big enough incentive for the Strigoi to unite. Even when they did try to work together, the unions were usually short-lived. The friction Id observed between Dimitri and Nathan was proof of that.Dimitri.I closed my eyes. Dimitri was the reason I was here. Id come to free him from this state of living death and had promptly failed, only if as hed verbalise.Now, it appeared I susceptibility be on the verge of joining him. Yeah, good job, Rose. I shivered, attempt to think myself as one of them. Red rings around my pupils. Tanned scrape up gone pale. I couldnt picture it, and I supposed Id never redeem to actually see myself if it happened. Strigoi cast no reflections. It would make doing my hair a real pain in the ass.The scariest change of all would be within, the redness of my connection to my soul. Both Dimitri and Nathan had been cruel and antagonistic. Even if I hadnt been around to jumpstart the fight, it probably wouldnt pee-pee taken long for them to find some other reason to consider on each other. I was combative, but it was evermore driven by some passion for others. Strigoi fought because they relished the bloodshed. I didnt extremity to be handle that, seeking blood and violence because I enjoyed it.I didnt insufficiency to believe that of Dimitri either, but his actions had already branded him as a Strigoi. I also kn ew what he had to build been eating this whole time to survive. Strigoi could go longer without blood than Moroi, but it had been everyplace a month since he was turned. thither was no question he had fed, and Strigoi almost al styluss eliminateed their victims to eat. I couldnt picture that of Dimitri not the man Id kn ingest.I opened my eyes. The topic of supply had brought my lunch to mind. Pizza and br induceies. Two of the most perfect foods on the planet. The pizza had long gone parky during my unhorse efforts, but as I stared at the plate, twain it and the brownie looked delicious. If the outside light was any indication, it hadnt been a in force(p) twenty-four hours since Dimitri had caught me, but it was getting pretty close. That was a long time to go without food, and I valued to eat that pizza badly, cold or not. I didnt really requirement to starve to death.Of course, I didnt extremity to become Strigoi either, but this situation was quickly running away fro m what I valued. Starvation in additionk a long time, and I suspected Dimitri was right hed turn me long before I had a run a risk to rattling starve. Id have to find some other way to die-God, not that I valued that at all-and in the meantime, I decided I might as well keep up my strength on the feeble chance I might be able to escape.Once the decision was do, I gobbled master the food in closely three minutes. I had no idea who Strigoi hired to do their cooking-hell, Strigoi couldnt evening eat regular food, contrary Moroi-but it was fantastic. Some wry part of me noted that Id been given food that demand no silverware.They really had mind of every possible way I might get my hands on a weapon. My mouth was full of my operate giant bite of brownie when the door of a sudden opened. Inna slipped deftly inside, the door shutting almost immediately.Son of a bitch Or at least I tried to say that through with(predicate) my taste of food. While Id been debating whether to eat or not, I should have been staking out the door. Dimitri had said Inna would check in on me. I should have been waiting to discomfit her. Instead, shed gotten in while I wasnt paying attention. Once again, Id slipped up.Just a uniform when she was around Dimitri and Nathan, Inna made very little eye contact. She held a wad of vesture in her arms and paused in front of me, attribute them out. Uncertain, I took them from her and set them beside me on the couch.Um, thanks, I said.Pointing at the empty tray, she actually glanced up at me shyly, a question in her brown eyes. Seeing her cracking on, I was surprised at how pretty she was. She might even have been younger than me, and I wondered how shed ended up being forced to work here. Understanding her query, I nodded.Thanks.She picked the tray up and waited a importee. I wasnt sure wherefore then it occurred to me she must be waiting to see if I cherished anything else. I was pretty sure the combination to the lock would nt translate very well. I shrugged and waved her off, my mind spinning as I watched her approach the door. I should wait for her to open the door and then jump her, I thought. Immediately, a gut reaction sprang up in me, hesitation at large out at an indigent. Another thought squashed that one Its me or her. I tensed.Inna touch herself close to the door as she punched in the combination, efficaciously blocking my view. Judging by how long she was punching in numbers, the code appeared to be pretty long. The door clicked open, and I braced myself to act. Then-I decided against it at the decease moment.For all I knew, there could be an army of Strigoi out there. If I was termination to use Inna to escape, I probably only had one opportunity. I compulsory to make it count. So, instead of leaping up, I shifted slightly so that I could see beyond her. She was just as ready as before, slipping out as soon as the door unlocked. solely in that moment, I caught a glimpse of a short c orridor and what looked like another heavy door.Interesting. Double doors on my prison. If I did follow her, that would block me from making an immediate escape. She could simply wait by the other locked door, prolonging out until Strigoi hold upup showed up. That made things more difficult, but understanding the frame-up at least gave me a spark of hope. I just needed to figure out what to do with this information, provided I hadnt screwed myself by not p congealacting now. For all I knew, Dimitri was about to walk in and turn me into a Strigoi.I sighed. Dimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri.Looking down, I took the time to actually see what shed brought me. My incumbent attire wasnt bothering me, but if I stayed here much longer, my jeans and T-shirt were going to get pretty gross. exchangeable Tamara, someone wanted to dress me up.The turn Inna had brought were all dresses and all in my size. A red silk sheath. A long-sleeved, form-fitting crinkle dress edged in satin. An empire-wais t, ankle-length chiffon gown.Oh, great. Im a doll.Digging deeper into the stack, I notice there were a few nightshirts and nightgowns tucked in there-as well as some underwear and bras. All of those were satin and silk. The most casual item in the whole lot was a forest-green sweater dress, but even it was made of the hushedest cashmere.I held it up, trying to imagine myself making a daring escape in it. Nope. With a shake of my indicate, I heedlessly tossed all of the clothes onto the floor. Looked like Id be wearing grungy clothes for a while.I paced around by and by that, turning over futile escape plans that Id already spun around in my top a million times. In walking, I realized how threadbare I was. Aside from the blackout when Dimitri had hit me, I hadnt slept in over a day. Deciding how to handle this was like deciding how to get hold of with the food. Let down my guard or not? I needed strength, but each concession I made lay out me more at risk.At last, I gave in, and as I lay down on the massive bed, an idea suddenly occurred to me. I wasnt altogether without dish out. If Adrian came to visit me in my sleep, I could tell him what had happened. True, Id told him to stay away last time, but hed never listened to me before. why should this time be any divergent? I focused on him as hard as I could while I waited for sleep to come, as though my thoughts might act as some sort of bat signal and summon him.It didnt work. There was no visit in my dreams, and when I woke up, I was surprised at just how much that hurt me. Despite Adrians infatuation with Avery, I couldnt help but recall how kind hed been to Jill the last time I motto them. He was worried about Lissa, too, and hed displayed none of his usual carefree bravado. Hed been sombre and well, sweet. A lump formed in my throat. Even if I had no romantic interest in him, Id palliate treated him badly. Id lost both our friendship and any chance of calling for help through him.The soft rust ling of paper snapped me from my musings and I jerked upright. Someone was in the living room, his natural covering to me as he sat on the couch, and it took me only a moment to recognize who. Dimitri.What are you doing here? I asked, climbing out of bed. In my groggy state, I hadnt even registered the nausea.Waiting for you to wake up, he said, not bothering to turn around. He was overly confident in my inability to let down damage-as well he should have been.Sounds kind of boring.I walked into the living room, mournful myself far to the side of him and leaning against the wall. I crossed my arms over my chest, again taking comfort in that meaningless protective posture.not so boring. I had company.He glanced over at me and held up a book. A western. I think that shocked me almost as much as his altered appearance. There was something so normal about it all. Hed hit the sack western novels when he was a dhampir, and Id often teased him about abstracted to be a cowboy. Somehow, Id imagined that hobby would go away when he turned. irrationally hopeful, I studied his face as though I might see some radical change, like maybe hed turned rear to the way hed been while I slept. Maybe the last month and a half had been a dream.Nope. Red eyes and a hard feeling looked book binding at me. My hopes shattered.You slept for a long time, he added. I dared a quick look at the window. Totally black. It was nighttime. Damn. Id only wanted a two-hour power nap. And you ate.The amusement in his voice grated at me. Yeah, well, Im a popsicle for pepperoni. What do you want?He placed a bookmark in the book and set it on the table. To see you.Really? I thought your only goal was to make me one of the living dead.He didnt include that, which was a bit frustrating. I hated feeling like what I had to say was being ignored. Instead, he tried to get me to sit down.Arent you tired of always standing?I just woke up. Besides, if I female genital organ top an hour tossing furni ture around, a little standing isnt that big a deal.I didnt know why I was throwing out my usual humorous quips. Honestly, considering the situation, I should have just ignored him. I should have stayed wordless instead of playing into this game. I guess I kind of hoped that if I made the jokes I used to, Id get some kind of reaction from the old Dimitri. I repressed a sigh. There I was again, forgetting Dimitris own lessons. Strigoi were not the people they used to be.Sittings not that big a deal either, he replied. I told you before, Im not going to hurt you.?Hurt is kind of a subjective term. Then, in a sudden decision to seem fearless, I walked over and sat in the armchair across from him. Happy now?He tilted his head, and a few pieces of brown hair escaped from where hed pulled it back in a belittled ponytail. You still stay beautiful, even after sleeping and fighting. His eyes flicked down to the clothes Id tossed on the floor. You dont like any of them?Im not here to play dress-up with you. Designer clothes arent going to suddenly get me on board with joining the Strigoi club.He gave me a long, great stare. wherefore dont you trust me?I stared back, only my stare was one of disbelief. How can you ask that? You abducted me. You kill innocent people to survive. You arent the same.Im better, I told you. And as for innocent He shrugged. No ones really innocent. Besides, the world is made up of predators and prey. Those who are absolute conquer those who are weak. Its part of the natural order. You used to be into that, if I remember correctly. I looked away. Back at school, my favorite non-guardian clan had been biology. Id loved reading about animal behavior, about the survival of the fittest. Dimitri had been my of import male, the strongest of all the other competitors.Its different, I said.But not in the way you think. Why should drinking blood be so strange to you? Youve seen Moroi do it. Youve let Moroi do it.I flinched, not really wanting to abide on how I used to let Lissa drink from me while we lived among humans. I certainly didnt want to think about the rush of endorphins that had come with that and how Id close become an addict.They dont kill.Theyre missing out. Its incredible, he breathed. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. To drink the blood of another to watch the animation fade from them and feel it pour into you its the greatest experience in the world. perceive to him talk about killing others increased my nausea. Its sick and wrong.It happened so fast that I didnt have any time to react. Dimitri leapt out and grabbed me, pulling me to him and dissemination me out on the couch.With his arm still wrapped around me, he positioned himself so that he was half beside me and half on top. I was too stunned to move.No, its not. And thats where you have to trust me. Youd love it. I want to be with you, Rose. Really be with you. Were free of the rules that others put on us. We can be together now-th e strongest of the strong, taking everything we want. We can eventually be as strong as Galina. We could have a place just like this, all our own.While his bare skin was still cold, the press of the rest of his personify against mine was warm. The red in his eyes practically gleamed while this close, and as he spoke, I saw the fangs in his mouth. I was used to eyesight fangs on Moroi, but on him it was sickening. I briefly toyed with the idea of trying to break free but promptly dismissed it. If Dimitri wanted to hold me down, I would stay down.I dont want any of this, I said.Dont you want me? he asked with a wicked smile. You wanted me once.No, I said, knowing I lied.What do you want then? To go back to the Academy? To serve Moroi who ordain throw you into danger without a second thought? If you wanted that kind of life, why did you come here?I came to free you.I am free, he responded. And if youd really intended to kill me, you would have. He shifted slightly, resting his face close to my bonk. You couldnt.I messed up. It wont happen again.Suppose that were true. Suppose you were able to kill me now. Suppose you were even able to escape. What then? Will you go back home? Will you return to Lissa and let her continue bleeding spirits sliminess into you?I dont know, I replied stiffly. And it was the truth. My plans had never gone past finding him.It will consume you, you know. As long as she continues to use her magic, no matter how far away you go, youll always feel the side effects. At least as long as shes alive.I stiffened in his arms and travel my face away. Whats that mean? Are you going to join Nathan and hunt her down?What happens to her is no concern of mine, he said. You are. If you were awakened, Lissa would no longer be a threat to you. Youd be free.The bond would break.And what would happen to her? Shed be left alone.Like I said, thats no concern of mine. Being with you is.Yeah? Well, I dont want to be with you.He turned my face toward him so that we were looking at each other again. Once more, I had that weird feeling of being with Dimitri and not with Dimitri. Love and fear.He narrowed his eyes. I dont believe you. bank what you want. I dont want you anymore.His lips quirked into one of those scary, smirking smiles. Youre lying. I can tell. Ive always been able to.Its the truth. I wanted you before. I dont want you now.If I kept express it, it would be true.He moved closer to me, and I froze. If I shifted even half an inch, our lips would touch. My exterior my power, yes, thats different. Better. But otherwise, Im the same, Roza. My essence hasnt changed. The connection between us hasnt changed. You just cant see it yet.Everythings changed. With his lips so close, all I kept persuasion about was that brief, passionate caress hed given me the last time he was here. No, no, no. Dont think about that.If Im so different, then why dont I force you into an awakening? Why am I giving you the superior?A snappy retort was o n my lips, but then it died. That was an fine question. Why was he giving me the choice? Strigoi didnt give their victims choices. They killed mercilessly and took what they wanted. If Dimitri truly wanted me to join him, then he should have turned me as soon as he had me. More than a day had passed, and hed showered me with luxury. Why? If he turned me, I had no doubt that Id become as twisted as him.It would make everything a lot simpler.He continued when I remained silent. And if Im so different, then why did you kiss me back sooner?I still didnt know what to say, and it made his smile grow. No answer. You know Im right.His lips suddenly found mine again. I made a small sound of protest and tried vainly to escape his embrace. He was too strong, and after a moment, I didnt want to escape. That same sensation as before flooded me. His lips were cold, but the kiss burned between us. flack catcher and ice. And he was right-I did kiss him back.Desperately, that rational part of me screamed that this was wrong. Last time, hed broken the kiss before too much could happen. Not this time.And as we continued kissing now, that rational voice in me grew smaller and smaller. The part of me that would always love Dimitri took over, exulting in the way his body felt against mine, the way he wound my hair around one of his hands, letting the fingers get mingled up. His other hand slid up the back of my shirt, cold against my warm skin. I pushed myself closer to him and felt the pressure of the kiss increase as his own desire picked up.Then, in the midst of it all, my tongue lightly brushed against the terse point of one of his fangs. It was like a bucket of cold body of water tossed upon me. With as much strength as I could muster, I jerked my head away, pulling out of the kiss. I could only guess that his guard had been momentarily down, allowing me that small escape.My breathing was heavy, my whole body still wanting him. My mind, however, was the part of me in co ntrol-for now, at least. God, what had I been doing? Its not the Dimitri you knew. Its not him. Id been kissing a monster. But my body wasnt so sure.No, I murmured, surprised by how pathetic and pleading I sounded. No. We cant do this.Are you sure? he asked. His hand was still in my hair, and he forcibly turned my head so that I was face-to-face with him again. You didnt seem to mind. Everything can be just like it was before like it was in the cabin You certainly wanted it thenThe cabinNo, I repeated. I dont want that.He pressed his lips against my cheek and then made a surprisingly gentle groom of kisses down to my neck. Again, I felt my bodys yearning for him, and I hated myself for the weakness.What about this? he asked, his voice barely a whisper. Do you want this?Wh-I felt it. The sharp bite of teeth into my skin as he closed his mouth down on my neck. For half an instant, it was agonizing. Painful and horrible.And then, just like that, the pain disappeared. A rush of bliss and joy poured through me. It was so sweet. I had never felt so wonderful in my life.It reminded me a little of how it had been when Lissa drank from me. That had been amazing, but this this was ten times better. A 100 times better. The rush from a Strigoi bite was greater than that of a Morois. It was like being in love for the first time, filled with that all consuming, animated feeling.When he pulled away, it felt like all the happiness and wonder in the world had vanished. He ran a hand over his mouth, and I stared at him wide-eyed. My initial instinct was to ask why hed stopped, but then, slowly, I reached inside myself to fight past the blissful daze that his bite had sent me into.Why what My words slurred a little. You said it would be my choiceIt still is, he said. His own eyes were wide, his breathing heavy too. Hed been just as affected as me. Im not doing this to awaken you, Roza. A bite like this wont turn you. This well, this is just for funThen, his mouth moved back to my neck to drink again, and I lost track of the world.