Blood Promise Chapter Four

At any opposite date in my life, I would harbor loved exploring Moscow. Sydney had planned our trip so that when our train arrived there, wed waste a few hours before we had to board the next oneness to Siberia. This gave us well-nigh time to wander around and grab dinner, though she wanted to make sure we were safely inside the station before it grew too dark knocked out(p). despite my badass claims or my molnija marks, she didnt want to take any chances.It make no difference to me how we spent our slashtime. So long as I was attemptting closer to Dimitri, that was each(prenominal) that mattered. So Sydney and I walked aimlessly, taking in the sights and saying very little. I had never been to Moscow. It was a beautiful metropolis, thriving and full of people and commerce. I could have spent days there right shopping and trying out the relaxationaurants. Places Id heard about all in all my life-the Kremlin, Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre-were all at my fingertips. Des pite how cool it it all was, I truly tried to tune out the citys sights and sounds after a while because it reminded me of well, Dimitri.He used to talk to me about Russia all the time and had sworn up and down that Id love it here.To you, itd be like a fairy tale, hed told me once. It was during a before-school practice late last autumn, nevertheless before the source snowfall. The air had been misty, and dew coated everything.Sorry, comrade, Id replied, reaching back to tie my copper into a ponytail. Dimitri had always loved my hair down, that in combat practice? dogged hair was a total liability. Borg and out-of-date music arent part of any happy ending Ive ever imagined.Hed given me one of his rare, easy grins then, the kind that just slightly crinkled up the corners of his eyes. Borscht, not borg. And Ive seen your appetite. If you were thirsty(p) enough, youd eat it.So starvations necessary for this fairy tale to work out? thither was nothing I loved more than teasing Dimitri. Well, aside from maybe kissing him.Im talking about the land. The buildings. Go to one of the big cities-its like nothing youve ever seen. Everyone in the U.S. tends to build the equal-always in big, chunky blocks. They do whats agile and easy. But in Russia, there are buildings that are like pieces of art. They are art-even a lot of the ordinary, ordinary buildings. And places like the WinterPalace and TroitskyChurch in Saint Petersburg? Those will take your breath away.His face had been aglow with the memory of sites hed seen, that joy making his already handsome features divine. I recall he could have named landmarks all day. My heart had burned within me, just from watching him. And then, just like I always did when I worried I efficiency turn sappy or sentimental, Id made a joke to shift the attention away and hide my emotions. It had switched him back into business mode, and wed gotten to work.Now, walking the city streets with Sydney, I wished I could take back that joke and listen to Dimitri talk more about his homeland. I would have given anything to have Dimitri with me here, the way he used to be. Hed been right about the buildings. Sure, most were blocky copies of anything youd find in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world, just now some were exquisite-painted with bright colourise, adorned with their fantastical yet beautiful onion-shaped domes. At times, it really did seem like something from another world. And all the while, I kept thinking that it should have been Dimitri here by my side, pointing things out and explaining them to me. We should have been having a romantic poseaway. Dimitri and I could have eaten at exotic restaurants and then gone dancing at night. I could have worn one of the designer dresses Id had to leave behind in the Saint Petersburg hotel. Thats how it was supposed to be. It wasnt supposed to be me with a glowering human.Unreal, huh? Like something from a novel.Sydneys voice startled me, and I realize d wed come to a stop in front of our train station. There were a number of them in Moscow. Her echoing of my conversation with Dimitri sent chills down my spine-largely because she was right. The station didnt have the onion domes barely quench looked like something straight out of a storybook, like a cross amid Cinderellas castle and a gingerbread house. It had a big arched roof and towers on either end. Its white walls were interspersed with patches of brown brick and green mosaic, almost making it look striped. In the U.S., some might have called it gaudy. To me, it was beautiful.I felt tears start to spring to my eyes as I wondered what Dimitri would have tell about this building. He probably would have loved it just as he loved everything else here. Realizing that Sydney was waiting for a response, I swallowed back my grief and played flippant teenager. Maybe something from a story about a train station.She arched an eyebrow, surprised at my indifference, unless when she didnt question it. Who could say? Maybe if I kept up the sarcasm, shed eventually get annoyed and ditch me. Somehow, I doubted Id be that lucky. I was pretty sure her fear of her superiors trumped any other feelings she might have in regard to me.We had resplendent train accommodations, which turned out to be a lot smaller than I expected. There was a combination bed/sitting bench on each side, a window, and a TV high on the wall. I supposed that would help pass the time, but I often had trouble side by side(p) Russian television-not just because of the language but also because some of the showings were downright bizarre. Still, Sydney and I would each have our own space, even if the room was cozier than we would have liked.The colors reminded me a lot of the same fanciful patterns Id seen by dint ofout the cities. Even the hall outside our cabin was brightly colored, with plush carpet in red and color designs and a teal and yellow runner press release down the middle. Inside our room, the benches were covered in cushions with rich orange velvet, and the curtains matched in shades of gold and peach, made of thick heavy fabric embossed with a silky pattern. Between all that and the ornate table in the middle of the cabin, it was almost like change of location in a mini-palace.It was dark out by the time the train left the station. For whatever reason, the Trans-Siberian always left Moscow at night. It wasnt that late yet, but Sydney said she wanted to sleep, and I didnt want to make her more irate than she already was. So we turned wrap up all the lights, save for a petite reading lamp by my bed. Id bought a magazine at the train station, and even if I couldnt check the language, the pictures of makeup and clothes transcended all cultural barriers. I flipped through the pages as quietly as I could, admiring summer tops and dresses and wondering when -if ever-Id be able to start worrying about that kind of thing again.I wasnt tired when I lay down, bu t sleep took me nonetheless. I was dreaming about water-skiing when suddenly, the waves and sun around me dissolved into a room seamed with shelves and shelves of books. Tables with state-of-the-art computers lined the rooms, and there was a calmness that permeated the place. I was in the library at St. Vladimirs Academy.I groaned. Oh, come on. Not instantly.Why not today? Why not every day?I turned and found myself looking into the handsome face of Adrian Ivashkov. Adrian was a Moroi, the queens great-nephew, and someone Id left behind in my old life when I took off on this suicide mission. He had beautiful emerald-green eyes that made most girls swoon, particularly since they were paired with stylishly mussy brown hair. He was also kind of in love with me and the reason I had so much money on this trip. Id sweet talked him out of it.True, I admitted. I suppose I should be grateful you only show up about once a week.He grinned and sat down retroflex in one of the slatted wooden c hairs. He was tall, like most Moroi, with a leanly muscled build. Moroi guys never got too bulky. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Rose. Dont want you to take me for granted.Were in no danger of that dont worry.I dont suppose youre going to tell me where you are?Nope.Aside from Lissa, Adrian was the only other spangn living spirit user, and among his talents was the ability to show up in my dreams-often uninvited-and talk to me. I took it as a blessing that his powers never actually let him know where I was.You kill me, Rose, he said melodramatically. Every day is agony without you. Empty. Alone. I pine for you, wondering if youre even still alive.He spoke in an exaggerated, silly sort of way that was feature film of him. Adrian rarely took things seriously and always had a flippant edge.Spirit also had a tendency to make people unstable, and while he fought it, he wasnt unaffected. underneath that melodrama, though, I sensed a kernel of truth. No matter how shallow an appeara nce he gave off, he really did care about me.I get over my arms. Well, Im still alive, clearly. So I guess you domiciliate let me go back to sleep.How many times have I told you? You are asleep.And yet I inexplicably feel exhausted talking to you.This made him laugh. Oh, I do so miss you. That smile faded. She misses you too.I stiffened. She. He didnt even need to say her name. There was no question as to whom he was talking about.Lissa.Even saying her name in my mind caused me pain, particularly after seeing her last night. Choosing between Lissa and Dimitri had been the hardest decision of my life, and time passing hadnt made it any easier. I might have chosen him, but being away from her was like having an arm sleep with off, particularly because the bond ensured we were never truly apart.Adrian gave me a canny look, like he could guess my thoughts. Do you go see her?No, I said, refusing to acknowledge that Id just seen her last night. Let him think I was truly free of all tha t. Thats not my life anymore.Right. Your life is all about dangerous vigilante missions.You wouldnt understand anything that isnt drinking, smoking, or womanizing.He shook his head. Youre the only one I want, Rose.Unfortunately, I believed him. It would have been easier for both of us if he could find someone else. Well, you can clench feeling that way, but youre going to have to keep waiting.Much longer?He asked me this all the time, and every time, I emphasized how long it would be and how he was wasting his time. persuasion of Sydneys possible lead, I hesitated tonight. I dont know.Hope blossomed on Adrians face. Thats the most optimistic thing youve told me so far.Dont read too much into it. ?I dont know could be one day or one year. Or never.His mischievous grin returned, and even I had to admit it was cute. Im going to hope its one day.Thinking of Sydney brought a question to my mind. Hey, have you ever heard of the Alchemists?Sure, he said.Typical. Of course you have.Why? Di d you run into them?Kind of.Whatd you do?Why do you think I did anything?He laughed. Alchemists only show up when trouble happens, and you bring trouble wherever you go. Be careful, though. Theyre religious nuts.Thats kind of extreme, I said. Sydneys faith didnt seem to be anything bad.Just dont let them convert you. He winked. I like you being the sinner you are.I started to tell him that Sydney probably thought I was beyond all salvation, but he ended the dream, sending me back to sleep.Except, instead of returning to my own dreams, I woke up. Around me, the train hummed comfortingly as we sped through the Russian countryside. My reading lamp was still on, its light too bright for my sleepy eyes. I reached over to turn it off and noticed then that Sydneys bed was empty. Probably in the bathroom, I thought. Yet, I felt uneasy. She and her group of Alchemists were still mysteries, and I suddenly worried that she might have some sinister plan going on. Was she off meeting with some c overt operative? I decided to find her.Admittedly, I had no idea where she could be on a train of this size, but logic had never really deterred me before. No reason they should now.Thankfully, after slipping on my shoes and stepping out in the hall adjacent to our cabin, I observe I didnt have to look very far.The corridor was lined with windows, all draped in those rich curtains, and Sydney stood with her back to me, gazing outside, a blanket wrapped around her. Her hair was messy from sleep and looked less gold in the poor lighting.Hey I began hesitantly. Are you okay?She turned slightly toward me. One hand held the blanket the other played with the cross around her neck. I remembered Adrians comments about religion.I cant sleep, she said bluntly.Is it is it because of me?Her only answer was to turn back to the window.Look, I said, feeling helpless. If theres anything I can do I mean, aside from going back and canceling this tripIll handle it, she said. This is just, well, its r eally strange for me. I deal with you guys all the time, but I dont actually deal with you, you know?We could probably get you a room of your own, if that would help. We can find an attendant, and Ive got the money.She shook her head. Its just a couple of days, if that.I didnt know what else to say. Having Sydney on was inconvenient in the grand scheme of my plans, but I didnt want her to suffer. Watching her play with the cross, I tried to think of something comforting to tell her. attach over our views of God might have been a way to get closer, but somehow, I didnt think telling her how I had daily battles with God and doubted His humankind lately would really help me out with the whole evil creature-of-the-night reputation.Okay, I said at last. Let me know if you change your mind.I returned to my bed and take flight asleep surprisingly fast, despite worrying that Sydney would be standing in the hall all night. Yet, when I woke in the morning, she was curled up on her bed, fa st asleep. Apparently, her exhaustion had been so strong that even fear of me had driven her to rest. I got up quietly and changed out of the T-shirt and sweatpants Id gone to bed in. I was hungry for breakfast and figured Sydney might sleep longer if I wasnt around.The restaurant was in the next car over and looked like something out of an old movie. handsome burgundy linens draped the tables, and brass and dark wood, along with bits of bright-colored stained glass art, gave the whole place an antique feel. It looked more like a restaurant Id find on the streets of Saint Petersburg than a train dining car. I ordered something that reminded me vaguely of french toast, except that it had cheese on it. It came with sausage, which thus far seemed to be the same everywhere I went.I was just about finished when Sydney wandered in. When Id met her that first night, Id assumed her dress pants and blouse had been for the sake of the Nightingale. I was discovering, however, that that was he r normal style. She struck me as one of those people who didnt own jeans or T-shirts. Shed been mussed while standing in the hall last night, but now she was in neat black fiddle and a dark green sweater. I was in jeans and a long-sleeved gray thermal shirt and felt kind of sloppy beside her. Her hair was brushed and styled but had a slightly messy look that I suspected never went away, no matter how hard she tried. At least I had my sleek ponytail going for me today.She slid across from me and ordered an omelette when the server came by, again speaking in Russian.How do you know that? I asked.What, Russian? She shrugged. I had to learn it growing up. And a few other languages.Wow. I had taken intros to a couple of languages too and performed miserably in all of them. I hadnt thought much of it at the time, but now, because of this trip and because of Dimitri, I really wished Id learned Russian. I supposed it wasnt too late, and I had picked up a few phrases in my time here, but s till it was a daunting task.You must have to learn a lot of stuff for this job, I mused, pondering what it must mean to be part of a secret group that crossed international lines and interacted with all sorts of governments. Something else crossed my mind. And what about that stuff you used on the Strigoi? That disintegrated the body?She smiled. Almost. Well, I told you the Alchemists started off as a group of people trying to make potions, right? Thats a chemical we developed to get rid of Strigoi bodies fast.Could you use it to actually kill one? I asked. Dousing a Strigoi in some dissolving liquid would be a lot easier than the usual ways decapitation, staking, or burning.Afraid not. Only whole kit and boodle on corpses.Bummer, I said. I wondered if she had other potions up her sleeve but figured I should ration my amount of Sydney questions for the day. What are we going to do when we get to Omsh?Omsk, she corrected. Well get a car and drive the rest of the way.Have you been the re? To this village?She nodded. Once.Whats it like? I asked, surprised to hear a wistful take note in my own voice. Aside from my quest to find Dimitri, there was a piece of me that just wanted to cling to everything I could of him. I wanted to know everything about him that I hadnt known before. If the school had given me his possessions, I would have slept with them each night. His room had been cleared out pretty quickly, though. Now I could only gather what pieces of him I could, as though hoarding these bits of information would keep him with me somehow.Its like any other dhampir town, I guess.Ive never been to one.The server set Sydneys omelet down, and she paused with her fork in the air. Really? I thought all of you well, I dont know.I shook my head. Ive been at the Academy my whole life. More or less. My biyearly stint among humans wasnt really relevant.Sydney chewed thoughtfully. I was willing to wager she wouldnt finish the omelet. From what Id seen that first night and while waiting for trains yesterday, she hardly seemed to eat anything. It was like she subsisted on air alone. Maybe it was another Alchemist thing. Most likely it was just a Sydney thing.The town is half-human and half-dhampir, but the dhampirs blend in. They have a whole underground monastic order that the humans are completely oblivious to.Id always figured there was a whole subculture going on, but Id had no idea how it would fit into the rest of the town. And? I asked. Whats that subculture like?She set her fork down. Lets just say youd better brace yourself.