2. Frostbite - Richelle Mead

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FROSTBITE Vampire Academy Book 2

Richelle Mead



Like always, this book couldn't have been written without the help and support of my friends

and family. In particular, I need to thank my I !ounselin" #eam$ !aitlin, %avid, &ay, &ackie, and

at. (ou "uys lo""ed more late)ni"ht online hours than I can even be"in to count. I couldn't have

"otten throu"h this book and the rest of this year's cra*iness without you.

#hanks also to my a"ent, &im c!arthy, who has moved heaven, earth, and deadlines to

help me finish what I need to. I'm "lad you've "ot my back. And finally, many thanks to &essica

+othenber" and Ben chrank at +a*orbill for their continued support and hard work.

-or at +ichardson, who is very wise.



PROLOGUE

THINGS DIE. BUT THEY DON'T always stay dead. Believe me, I !"w.

The#e's a #ace "$ vam%i#es "! this ea#th wh" a#e lite#ally the wali!& dead. They'#e called

St#i&"i, a!d i$ y"'#e !"t al#eady havi!& !i&htma#es a("t them, y" sh"ld (e. They'#e st#"!&,

they'#e $ast, a!d they ill with"t me#cy "# hesitati"!. They'#e imm"#tal, t"")which i!d "$ maes

them a (itch t" dest#"y. The#e a#e "!ly th#ee ways t" d" it* a silve# stae th#"&h the hea#t,deca%itati"!, a!d setti!& them "! $i#e. N"!e "$ th"se is easy t" %ll "$$, (t it's (ette# tha! havi!& !"

"%ti"!s at all.

The#e a#e als" &""d vam%i#es wali!& the w"#ld. They'#e called M"#"i. They'#e alive, a!d

they %"ssess the i!c#edi(ly c""l %"we# t" wield ma&ic i! each "$ the $"# eleme!ts) ea#th, ai#,

wate#, a!d $i#e. +ell, most M"#"i ca! d" this)(t I'll e-%lai! m"#e a("t the e-ce%ti"!s late#.

They d"!'t #eally se the ma&ic $"# mch a!ym"#e, which is i!d "$ sad. It'd (e a &#eat wea%"!, (t

the M"#"i st#"!&ly (elieve ma&ic sh"ld "!ly (e sed %eace$lly. It's "!e "$ the (i&&est #les i!

thei# s"ciety. M"#"i a#e als" sally tall a!d slim, a!d they ca!'t ha!dle a l"t "$ s!li&ht. Bt they

d" have s%e#hma! se!ses that mae % $"# it* si&ht, smell, a!d hea#i!&.

B"th i!ds "$ vam%i#es !eed (l""d. That's what maes them vam%i#es, I &ess. M"#"i d"!'t

ill t" tae it, h"weve#. I!stead, they ee% hma!s a#"!d wh" willi!&ly d"!ate small am"!ts.They v"l!tee# (ecase vam%i#e (ites c"!tai! e!d"#%hi!s that $eel #eally, #eally &""d a!d ca!

(ec"me addictive. I !"w this $#"m %e#s"!al e-%e#ie!ce. These hma!s a#e called $eede#s a!d a#e

esse!tially vam%i#e/(ite 0!ies.

Still, ee%i!& $eede#s a#"!d is (ette# tha! the way the St#i&"i d" thi!&s, (ecase, as y"

mi&ht e-%ect, they ill $"# thei# (l""d. I thi! they lie it. I$ a M"#"i ills a victim while d#i!i!&,

he "# she will t#! i!t" a St#i&"i. S"me M"#"i d" this (y ch"ice, &ivi!& % thei# ma&ic a!d thei#

m"#als $"# imm"#tality. St#i&"i ca! als" (e c#eated (y $"#ce. I$ a St#i&"i d#i!s (l""d $#"m a victim

a!d the! maes that %e#s"! d#i! St#i&"i (l""d i! #et#!, well1y" &et a !ew St#i&"i. This ca!

ha%%e! t" a!y"!e* M"#"i, hma!, "# 1 dham%i#.

Dham%i#.

That's what I am. Dham%i#s a#e hal$/hma!, hal$/M"#"i. I lie t" thi! we &"t the (est t#aits

"$ ("th #aces. I'm st#"!& a!d st#dy, lie hma!s a#e. I ca! als" &" "t i! the s! as mch as I wa!t.

Bt, lie the M"#"i, I have #eally &""d se!ses a!d $ast #e$le-es. The #eslt is that dham%i#s mae the

ltimate ("dy&a#ds)which is what m"st "$ s a#e. e'#e called &a#dia!s.

I've s%e!t my e!ti#e li$e t#ai!i!& t" %#"tect M"#"i $#"m St#i&"i. I have a wh"le set "$ s%ecial

classes a!d %#actices I tae at St. 2ladimi#'s 3cademy, a %#ivate sch""l $"# M"#"i a!d dham%i#s. I

!"w h"w t" se all s"#ts "$ wea%"!s a!d ca! la!d s"me %#etty mea! ics. I've (eate! % &ys

twice my si4e)("th i! a!d "t "$ class. 3!d #eally, "uys a#e %#etty mch the "!ly "!es I (eat %,

si!ce the#e a#e ve#y $ew &i#ls i! a!y "$ my classes.

Becase while dham%i#s i!he#it all s"#ts "$ &#eat t#aits, the#e's "!e thi!& we did!'t &et.

Dham%i#s ca!'t have child#e! with "the# dham%i#s. D"!'t as me why. It's !"t lie I'm a &e!eticist "#a!ythi!&. Hma!s a!d M"#"i &etti!& t"&ethe# will always mae m"#e dham%i#s5 that's whe#e we

came $#"m i! the $i#st %lace. Bt that d"es!'t ha%%e! s" mch a!ym"#e5 M"#"i te!d t" stay away

$#"m hma!s. Th#"&h a!"the# wei#d &e!etic $le, h"weve#, M"#"i a!d dham%i#s mi-i!& will

c#eate dham%i# child#e!. I !"w, I !"w* it's c#a4y. Y"'d thi! y"'d &et a (a(y that's th#ee/6a#te#s

vam%i#e, #i&ht7 N"%e. Hal$ hma!, hal$ M"#"i.

M"st "$ these dham%i#s a#e ("#! $#"m M"#"i me! a!d dham%i# w"me! &etti!& t"&ethe#.

M"#"i w"me! stic t" havi!& M"#"i (a(ies. hat this sally mea!s is that M"#"i me! have $li!&s

with dham%i# w"me! a!d the! tae "$$. This leaves a l"t "$ si!&le dham%i# m"the#s, a!d that's why

!"t as ma!y "$ them (ec"me &a#dia!s. They'd #athe# $"cs "! #aisi!& thei# child#e!.

3s a #eslt, "!ly the &ys a!d a ha!d$l "$ &i#ls a#e le$t t" (ec"me &a#dia!s. Bt th"se wh"

ch""se t" %#"tect M"#"i a#e se#i"s a("t thei# 0"(s. Dham%i#s !eed M"#"i t" ee% havi!& ids. ehave t" %#"tect them. 8ls, it's 0st1well, it's the h"!"#a(le thi!& t" d". St#i&"i a#e evil a!d

!!at#al. It is!'t #i&ht $"# them t" %#ey "! the i!!"ce!t. Dham%i#s wh" t#ai! t" (e &a#dia!s have



this d#illed i!t" them $#"m the time they ca! wal. St#i&"i a#e evil. M"#"i mst (e %#"tected.

Ga#dia!s (elieve this. I (elieve this.

3!d the#e's "!e M"#"i I wa!t t" %#"tect m"#e tha! a!y"!e i! the w"#ld* my (est $#ie!d,

9issa. She's a M"#"i %#i!cess. The M"#"i have twelve #"yal $amilies, a!d she's the "!ly "!e le$t i!

he#s)the D#a&"mi#s. Bt the#e's s"methi!& else that maes 9issa s%ecial, aside $#"m he# (ei!& my

(est $#ie!d.

Remem(e# whe! I said eve#y M"#"i wields "!e "$ the $"# eleme!ts7 ell, it t#!s "t 9issawields "!e !" "!e eve! !ew e-isted !til #ece!tly* s%i#it. :"# yea#s, we th"&ht she 0st was!'t

&"i!& t" devel"% he# ma&ical a(ilities. The! st#a!&e thi!&s sta#ted ha%%e!i!& a#"!d he#. :"#

e-am%le, all vam%i#es have a! a(ility called c"m%lsi"! that lets them $"#ce thei# will "! "the#s.

St#i&"i have it #eally st#"!&ly. It's weae# i! M"#"i, a!d it's als" $"#(idde!. 9issa, h"weve#, has it

alm"st as mch as a St#i&"i. She ca! (at he# eyelashes, a!d %e"%le will d" what she wa!ts.

Bt that's !"t eve! the c""lest thi!& she ca! d".

I said ea#lie# that dead thi!&s d"!'t always stay dead. ell, I'm "!e "$ them. D"!'t w"##y)

I'm !"t lie the St#i&"i. Bt I did die "!ce. +I d"!'t #ec"mme!d it. It ha%%e!ed whe! the ca# I was

#idi!& i! slid "$$ the #"ad. The accide!t illed me, 9issa's %a#e!ts, a!d he# (#"the#. Yet, s"mewhe#e

i! the cha"s)with"t eve! #eali4i!& it)9issa sed s%i#it t" (#i!& me (ac. e did!'t !"w a("t

this $"# a l"!& time. I! $act, we did!'t eve! !"w s%i#it e-isted at all.U!$"#t!ately, it t#!ed "t that one %e#s"! did !"w a("t s%i#it (e$"#e we did. 2ict"#

Dash"v, a dyi!& M"#"i %#i!ce, $"!d "t a("t 9issa's %"we#s a!d decided he wa!ted t" l"c he#

% a!d mae he# his "w! %e#s"!al heale#)$"# the #est "$ he# li$e. he! I #eali4ed s"me"!e was

stali!& he#, I decided t" tae matte#s i!t" my "w! ha!ds. I (#"e s "t "$ sch""l t" #! "$$ a!d

live am"!& hma!s. It was $!)(t als" i!d "$ !e#ve/w#aci!&)t" always (e "! the #!. e &"t

away with this $"# tw" yea#s !til the ath"#ities at St. 2ladimi#'s h!ted s d"w! a!d d#a&&ed s

(ac a $ew m"!ths a&".

That was whe! 2ict"# made his #eal m"ve, id!a%%i!& he# a!d t"#t#i!& he# !til she &ave

i!t" his dema!ds. I! the %#"cess, he t"" s"me %#etty e-t#eme meas#es)lie 4a%%i!& me a!d

Dimit#i, my me!t"#, with a lst s%ell. +I'll &et t" him late#. 2ict"# als" e-%l"ited the way s%i#it was

sta#ti!& t" mae 9issa me!tally !sta(le. Bt eve! that was!'t as (ad as what he did t" his "w!

da&hte# Natalie. He we!t s" $a# as t" e!c"#a&e he# t" t#! i!t" a St#i&"i t" hel% c"ve# his esca%e.

She e!ded % &etti!& staed. Eve! whe! ca%t#ed a$te# the $act, 2ict"# did!'t seem t" dis%lay t""

mch &ilt "ve# what he'd ased he# t" d". Maes me thi! I was!'t missi!& "t "! &#"wi!& %

with"t a $athe#.

Still, I !"w have t" %#"tect 9issa $#"m St#i&"i and M"#"i. O!ly a $ew "$$icials !"w a("t

what she ca! d", (t I'm s#e the#e a#e "the# 2ict"#s "t the#e wh" w"ld wa!t t" se he#.

:"#t!ately, I have a! e-t#a wea%"! t" hel% me &a#d he#. S"mewhe#e d#i!& my heali!& i! the ca#

accide!t, s%i#it $"#&ed a %sychic ("!d (etwee! he# a!d me. I ca! see a!d $eel what she e-%e#ie!ces.

+It "!ly w"#s "!e way, th"&h. She ca!'t ;$eel; me. The ("!d hel%s me ee% a! eye "! he# a!d

!"w whe! she's i! t#"(le, alth"&h s"metimes, it's wei#d havi!& a!"the# %e#s"! i!side y"# head.e'#e %#etty s#e the#e a#e l"ts "$ "the# thi!&s s%i#it ca! d", (t we d"!'t !"w what they a#e yet.

I! the mea!time, I'm t#yi!& t" (e the (est &a#dia! I ca! (e. R!!i!& away %t me (ehi!d i!

my t#ai!i!&, s" I have t" tae e-t#a classes t" mae % $"# l"st time. The#e's !"thi!& i! the w"#ld I

wa!t m"#e tha! t" ee% 9issa sa$e. U!$"#t!ately, I've &"t tw" thi!&s that c"m%licate my t#ai!i!&

!"w a!d the!. O!e is that I s"metimes act (e$"#e I thi!. I'm &etti!& (ette# at av"idi!& this, (t

whe! s"methi!& sets me "$$, I te!d t" %!ch $i#st a!d the! $i!d "t wh" I actally hit late#. he! it

c"mes t" th"se I ca#e a("t (ei!& i! da!&e#1well, #les seem "%ti"!al.

The "the# %#"(lem i! my li$e is Dimit#i. He's the "!e wh" illed Natalie, a!d he's a t"tal

(adass. He's als" %#etty &""d/l""i!&. Oay)m"#e tha! &""d/l""i!&. He's h"t)lie, the i!d "$

h"t that maes y" st"% wali!& "! the st#eet a!d &et hit (y t#a$$ic. Bt, lie I said, he's my

i!st#ct"#. And he's twe!ty/$"#. B"th "$ th"se a#e #eas"!s why I sh"ld!'t have $alle! $"# him. Bt,h"!estly, the m"st im%"#ta!t #eas"! is that he a!d I will (e 9issa's &a#dia!s whe! she &#adates. I$

he a!d I a#e checi!& each "the# "t, the! that mea!s we a#e!'t l""i!& "t $"# he#.



I have!'t had mch lc i! &etti!& "ve# him, a!d I'm %#etty s#e he still $eels the same a("t

me. 8a#t "$ what maes it s" di$$iclt is that he a!d I &"t %#etty h"t a!d heavy whe! we &"t hit with

the lst s%ell. 2ict"# had wa!ted t" dist#act s while he id!a%%ed 9issa, a!d it had w"#ed. I'd (ee!

#eady t" &ive % my vi#&i!ity, a!d Dimit#i had (ee! #eady t" tae it. 3t the last mi!te, we (#"e the

s%ell, (t th"se mem"#ies a#e always with me a!d mae it i!d "$ ha#d t" $"cs "! c"m(at m"ves

s"metimes.

By the way, my !ame's R"se Hathaway. I'm seve!tee! yea#s "ld, t#ai!i!& t" %#"tect and illvam%i#es, i! l"ve with a c"m%letely !sita(le &y, a!d have a (est $#ie!d wh"se wei#d ma&ic c"ld

d#ive he# c#a4y.

ey, no one said hi"h school was easy.



I #emem(e#ed the! that I had "!e "$ the m"st im%"#ta!t tests "$ my li$e c"mi!& %, a!d

sdde!ly, I $"#&"t all a("t 9issa a!d he# %ills %"ssi(ly !"t w"#i!&. I wa!ted t" %#"tect he#, (t that

w"ld!'t mea! mch i$ I c"ld!'t %ass hi&h sch""l a!d actally (ec"me he# &a#dia!.

Dimit#i st""d the#e, l""i!& as &"#&e"s as eve#. The massive, (#ic (ildi!& cast l"!&

shad"ws "ve# s, l""mi!& lie s"me &#eat (east i! the dsy %#edaw! li&ht. 3#"!d s, s!"w was

0st (e&i!!i!& t" $all. I watched the li&ht, c#ystalli!e $laes d#i$t &e!tly d"w!. Seve#al la!ded a!d

%#"m%tly melted i! his da# hai#.;h" else is &"i!&7; I ased.

He sh#&&ed. ;=st y" a!d me.;

My m""d %#"m%tly sh"t % %ast ;chee#$l; a!d we!t st#ai&ht t" ;ecstatic.; Me a!d Dimit#i.

3l"!e. I! a ca#. This mi&ht ve#y well (e w"#th a s#%#ise test.

;H"w $a# away is it7; Sile!tly, I (e&&ed $"# it t" (e a #eally l"!& d#ive. 9ie, "!e that w"ld

tae a wee. 3!d w"ld i!v"lve s stayi!& "ve#!i&ht i! l-#y h"tels. May(e we'd &et st#a!ded i! a

s!"w(a!, a!d "!ly ("dy heat w"ld ee% s alive.

;:ive h"#s.;

;Oh.;

3 (it less tha! I'd h"%ed $"#. Still, $ive h"#s was (ette# tha! !"thi!&. It did!'t #le "t the

s!"w(a! %"ssi(ility, eithe#.The dim, s!"wy #"ads w"ld have (ee! di$$iclt $"# hma!s t" !avi&ate, (t they %#"ved !"

%#"(lem $"# "# dham%i# eyes. I sta#ed ahead, t#yi!& !"t t" thi! a("t h"w Dimit#i's a$te#shave

$illed the ca# with a clea!, sha#% sce!t that made me wa!t t" melt. I!stead, I t#ied t" $"cs "! the

>ali$ie# a&ai!.

It was!'t the i!d "$ thi!& y" c"ld stdy $"#. Y" eithe# %assed it "# y" did!'t. Hi&h/%

&a#dia!s visited !"vices d#i!& thei# 0!i"# yea# a!d met i!dividally t" discss stde!ts'

c"mmitme!t t" (ei!& &a#dia!s. I did!'t !"w e-actly what was ased, (t #m"#s had t#icled

d"w! "ve# the yea#s. The "lde# &a#dia!s assessed cha#acte# a!d dedicati"!, a!d s"me !"vices had

(ee! deemed !$it t" c"!ti!e d"w! the &a#dia! %ath.

;D"!'t they sally c"me t" the 3cademy7; I ased Dimit#i. ;I mea!, I'm all $"# the $ield

t#i%, (t why a#e we &"i!& t" them7;

;3ctally, y"'#e 0st &"i!& t" a him, !"t a them./ 3 li&ht Rssia! acce!t laced Dimit#i's

w"#ds, the "!ly i!dicati"! "$ whe#e he'd &#"w! %. Othe#wise, I was %#etty s#e he s%"e E!&lish

(ette# tha! I did. ;Si!ce this is a s%ecial case a!d he's d"i!& s the $av"#, we'#e the "!es mai!& the

t#i%.;

;h" is he7;

;3#th# Sch"e!(e#&.;

I 0e#ed my &a4e $#"m the #"ad t" Dimit#i.

;hat7; I s6eaed.

3#th# Sch"e!(e#& was a le&e!d. He was "!e "$ the &#eatest St#i&"i slaye#s i! livi!&

&a#dia! hist"#y a!d sed t" (e the head "$ the Ga#dia!s @"!cil)the &#"% "$ %e"%le wh"assi&!ed &a#dia!s t" M"#"i a!d made decisi"!s $"# all "$ s. He'd eve!tally #eti#ed a!d &"!e (ac

t" %#"tecti!& "!e "$ the #"yal $amilies, the Badicas. Eve! #eti#ed, I !ew he was still lethal. His

e-%l"its we#e %a#t "$ my c##iclm.

;as!'t1 was!'t the#e a!y"!e else availa(le7; I ased i! a small v"ice.

I c"ld see Dimit#i hidi!& a smile. ;Y"'ll (e $i!e. Besides, i$ 3#t a%%#"ves "$ y", that's a

&#eat #ec"mme!dati"! t" have "! y"# #ec"#d.;

Art. Dimit#i was "! a $i#st/!ame (asis with "!e "$ the m"st (adass &a#dia!s a#"!d. O$

c"#se, Dimit#i was %#etty (adass himsel$, s" I sh"ld!'t have (ee! s#%#ised.

Sile!ce $ell i! the ca#. I (it my li%, sdde!ly w"!de#i!& i$ I'd (e a(le t" meet 3#th#

Sch"e!(e#&'s sta!da#ds. My &#ades we#e &""d, (t thi!&s lie #!!i!& away a!d &etti!& i!t" $i&hts

at sch""l mi&ht cast a shad"w "! h"w se#i"s I was a("t my $t#e ca#ee#.;Y"'ll (e $i!e,; Dimit#i #e%eated. ;The &""d i! y"# #ec"#d "twei&hs the (ad.;

It was lie he c"ld #ead my mi!d s"metimes. I smiled a little a!d da#ed t" %ee at him. It



was a mistae. 3 l"!&, lea! ("dy, "(vi"s eve! while sitti!&. B"tt"mless da# eyes. Sh"lde#/le!&th

(#"w! hai# tied (ac at his !ec. That hai# $elt lie sil. I !ew (ecase I'd #! my $i!&e#s th#"&h it

whe! 2ict"# Dash"v had e!s!a#ed s with the lst cha#m. ith &#eat #est#ai!t, I $"#ced mysel$ t"

sta#t (#eathi!& a&ai! a!d l"" away.

;Tha!s, @"ach,; I teased, s!&&li!& (ac i!t" the seat.

;I'm he#e t" hel%,; he #e%lied. His v"ice was li&ht a!d #ela-ed)#a#e $"# him. He was sally

w"!d % ti&htly, #eady $"# a!y attac. 8#"(a(ly he $i&#ed he was sa$e i!side a H"!da)"# at leastas sa$e as he c"ld (e a#"!d me. I was!'t the "!ly "!e wh" had t#"(le i&!"#i!& the #"ma!tic

te!si"! (etwee! s.

;Y" !"w what w"ld #eally hel%7; I ased, !"t meeti!& his eyes.

;Hmm7;

;I$ y" t#!ed "$$ this c#a% msic a!d %t "! s"methi!& that came "t a$te# the Be#li! all

we!t d"w!.;

Dimit#i la&hed. ;Y"# w"#st class is hist"#y, yet s"meh"w, y" !"w eve#ythi!& a("t

Easte#! E#"%e.;

;Hey, &"tta have mate#ial $"# my 0"es, @"m#ade.;

Still smili!&, he t#!ed the #adi" dial. T" a c"!t#y stati"!.

;Hey? This is!'t what I had i! mi!d,; I e-claimed.I c"ld tell he was "! the ve#&e "$ la&hi!& a&ai!. ;8ic. It's "!e "# the "the#.;

I si&hed. ;G" (ac t" the ACs st$$.;

He $li%%ed the dial, a!d I c#"ssed my a#ms "ve# my chest as s"me va&ely E#"%ea!/

s"!di!& (a!d sa!& a("t h"w vide" had illed the #adi" sta#. I wished s"me"!e w"ld ill this

#adi".

Sdde!ly, $ive h"#s did!'t seem as sh"#t as I'd th"&ht.

3#th# a!d the $amily he %#"tected lived i! a small t"w! al"!& I/, !"t $a# $#"m Billi!&s.

The &e!e#al M"#"i "%i!i"! was s%lit "! %laces t" live. S"me a#&ed that (i& cities we#e the (est

si!ce they all"wed vam%i#es t" (e l"st i! the c#"wds5 !"ct#!al activities did!'t #aise s" mch

atte!ti"!. Othe# M"#"i, lie this $amily, a%%a#e!tly, "%ted $"# less %"%lated t"w!s, (elievi!& that i$

the#e we#e $ewe# %e"%le t" !"tice y", the! y" we#e less liely t" (e !"ticed.

I'd c"!vi!ced Dimit#i t" st"% $"# $""d at a twe!ty/$"#/h"# di!e# al"!& the way, a!d

(etwee! that a!d st"%%i!& t" (y &as, it was a#"!d !""! whe! we a##ived. The h"se was (ilt i! a

#am(le# style, all "!e level with &#ay/stai!ed w""d sidi!& a!d (i& (ay wi!d"ws)ti!ted t" (l"c

s!li&ht, "$ c"#se. It l""ed !ew a!d e-%e!sive, a!d eve! "t i! the middle "$ !"whe#e, it was

a("t what I'd e-%ected $"# mem(e#s "$ a #"yal $amily.

I 0m%ed d"w! $#"m the 8il"t, my (""ts si!i!& th#"&h a! i!ch "$ sm""th s!"w a!d

c#!chi!& "! the &#avel "$ the d#iveway. The day was still a!d sile!t, save $"# the "ccasi"!al (#eath

"$ wi!d. Dimit#i a!d I waled % t" the h"se, $"ll"wi!& a #ive# #"c sidewal that ct th#"&h the$#"!t ya#d. I c"ld see him slidi!& i!t" his (si!ess m"de, (t his "ve#all attitde was as chee#y as

mi!e. e'd ("th tae! a i!d "$ &ilty satis$acti"! i! the %leasa!t ca# #ide.

My $""t sli%%ed "! the ice/c"ve#ed sidewal, a!d Dimit#i i!sta!tly #eached "t t" steady me.

I had a wei#d m"me!t "$ dF0 v, $lashi!& (ac t" the $i#st !i&ht we'd met, (ac whe! he'd als"

saved me $#"m a simila# $all. :#ee4i!& tem%e#at#es "# !"t, his ha!d $elt wa#m "! my a#m, eve!

th#"&h the laye#s "$ d"w! i! my %a#a c"at.

;Y" "ay7; He #eleased his h"ld, t" my dismay.

;Yeah,; I said, casti!& accsi!& eyes at the icy sidewal. ;Have!'t these %e"%le eve# hea#d "$

salt7;

I mea!t it 0"i!&ly, (t Dimit#i sdde!ly st"%%ed wali!&. I i!sta!tly came t" a halt t"". His

e-%#essi"! (ecame te!se a!d ale#t. He t#!ed his head, eyes sea#chi!& the (#"ad, white %lai!ss##"!di!& s (e$"#e settli!& (ac "! the h"se. I wa!ted t" as 6esti"!s, (t s"methi!& i! his

%"st#e t"ld me t" stay sile!t. He stdied the (ildi!& $"# alm"st a $ll mi!te, l""ed d"w! at the



icy sidewal, the! &la!ced (ac at the d#iveway, c"ve#ed i! a sheet "$ s!"w (#"e! "!ly (y "#

$""t%#i!ts.

@ati"sly, he a%%#"ached the $#"!t d""#, a!d I $"ll"wed. He st"%%ed a&ai!, this time t"

stdy the d""#. It was!'t "%e!, (t it was!'t e!ti#ely sht eithe#. It l""ed lie it had (ee! cl"sed i!

haste, !"t seali!&. :#the# e-ami!ati"! sh"wed sc$$s al"!& the d""#'s ed&e, as th"&h it had (ee!

$"#ced at s"me %"i!t. The sli&htest !d&e w"ld "%e! it. Dimit#i li&htly #a! his $i!&e#s al"!& whe#e

the d""# met its $#ame, his (#eath mai!& small cl"ds i! the ai#. he! he t"ched the d""#'s ha!dleit 0i&&led a little, lie it had (ee! (#"e!.

:i!ally, he said 6ietly, ;R"se, &" wait i! the ca#.;

;Bt wh);

;G".;

O!e w"#d)(t "!e $illed with %"we#. I! that si!&le sylla(le I was #emi!ded "$ the ma! I'd

see! th#"w %e"%le a#"!d a!d stae a St#i&"i. I (aced %, wali!& "! the s!"w/c"ve#ed law!

#athe# tha! #is the sidewal. Dimit#i st""d whe#e he was, !"t m"vi!& !til I'd sli%%ed (ac i!t" the

ca#, cl"si!& the d""# as s"$tly as %"ssi(le. The!, with the &e!tlest "$ m"veme!ts, he %shed "! the

(a#ely held d""# a!d disa%%ea#ed i!side.

B#!i!& with c#i"sity, I c"!ted t" te! a!d the! clim(ed "t "$ the ca#.

I !ew (ette# tha! t" &" i! a$te# him, (t I had t" !"w what was &"i!& "! with this h"se.The !e&lected sidewal a!d d#iveway i!dicated that !" "!e had (ee! h"me $"# a c"%le days,

alth"&h it c"ld als" mea! the Badicas sim%ly !eve# le$t the h"se. It was %"ssi(le, I s%%"sed,

that they'd (ee! the victims "$ a! "#di!a#y (#ea/i! (y hma!s. It was als" %"ssi(le that s"methi!&

had sca#ed them "$$)say, lie St#i&"i. I !ew that %"ssi(ility was what had made Dimit#i's $ace

t#! s" &#im, (t it seemed a! !liely sce!a#i" with 3#th# Sch"e!(e#& "! dty.

Sta!di!& "! the d#iveway, I &la!ced % at the sy. The li&ht was (lea a!d wate#y, (t it was

the#e. N""!. The s!'s hi&hest %"i!t t"day. St#i&"i c"ld!'t (e "t i! s!li&ht. I did!'t !eed t" $ea#

them, "!ly Dimit#i's a!&e#.

I ci#cled a#"!d the #i&ht side "$ the h"se, wali!& i! mch dee%e# s!"w)alm"st a $""t "$

it. N"thi!& else wei#d a("t the h"se st#c me. Icicles h!& $#"m the eaves, a!d the ti!ted

wi!d"ws #evealed !" sec#ets. My $""t sdde!ly hit s"methi!&, a!d I l""ed d"w!. The#e, hal$/

(#ied i! the s!"w, was a silve# stae. It had (ee! d#ive! i!t" the &#"!d. I %iced it % a!d (#shed

"$$ the s!"w, $#"w!i!&. hat was a stae d"i!& "t he#e7 Silve# staes we#e vala(le. They we#e a

&a#dia!'s m"st deadly wea%"!, ca%a(le "$ illi!& a St#i&"i with a si!&le st#ie th#"&h the hea#t.

he! they we#e $"#&ed, $"# M"#"i cha#med them with ma&ic $#"m each "$ the $"# eleme!ts. I

had!'t lea#!ed t" se "!e yet, (t &#i%%i!& it i! my ha!d, I sdde!ly $elt sa$e# as I c"!ti!ed my

s#vey.

3 la#&e %ati" d""# led $#"m the (ac "$ the h"se t" a w""de! dec that %#"(a(ly w"ld

have (ee! a l"t "$ $! t" ha!& "t "! i! the smme#. Bt the %ati"'s &lass had (ee! (#"e!, s" mch

s" that a %e#s"! c"ld easily &et th#"&h the 0a&&ed h"le. I c#e%t % the dec ste%s, ca#e$l "$ the

ice, !"wi!& I was &"i!& t" &et i! ma0"# t#"(le whe! Dimit#i $"!d "t what I was d"i!&. I! s%ite"$ the c"ld, sweat %"#ed d"w! my !ec.

%ayli"ht, dayli"ht, I #emi!ded mysel$. N"thi!& t" w"##y a("t.

I #eached the %ati" a!d stdied the da# &lass. I c"ld!'t tell what had (#"e! it. =st i!side,

s!"w had (l"w! i! a!d made a small d#i$t "! %ale (le ca#%et. I t&&ed "! the d""#'s ha!dle, (t it

was l"ced. N"t that that matte#ed with a h"le that (i&. @a#e$l "$ the sha#% ed&es, I #eached

th#"&h the "%e!i!& a!d !l"ced the ha!dle's latch $#"m the i!side. I #em"ved my ha!d 0st as

ca#e$lly a!d %lled "%e! the slidi!& d""#. It hissed sli&htly al"!& its t#acs, a 6iet s"!d that

!"!etheless seemed t"" l"d i! the ee#ie sile!ce.

I ste%%ed th#"&h the d""#way, sta!di!& i! the %atch "$ s!li&ht that had (ee! cast i!side (y

"%e!i!& the d""#. My eyes ad0sted $#"m the s! t" the dim!ess withi!. i!d swi#led th#"&h the

"%e! %ati", da!ci!& with the c#tai!s a#"!d me. I was i! a livi!& #""m. It had all the "#di!a#yitems "!e mi&ht e-%ect. @"ches. T2. 3 #"ci!& chai#.

3!d a ("dy.



It was a w"ma!. She lay "! he# (ac i! $#"!t "$ the T2, he# da# hai# s%illi!& "! the $l""#

a#"!d he#. He# wide eyes sta#ed %wa#d (la!ly, he# $ace %ale)t"" %ale eve! $"# a M"#"i. :"# a

m"me!t I th"&ht he# l"!& hai# was c"ve#i!& he# !ec, t"", !til I #eali4ed that the da#!ess ac#"ss

he# si! was (l""d)d#ied (l""d. He# th#"at had (ee! #i%%ed "t.

The h"##i(le sce!e was s" s##eal that I did!'t eve! #eali4e what I was seei!& at $i#st. ith

he# %"st#e, the w"ma! mi&ht ve#y well have (ee! slee%i!&. The! I t"" i! the "the# ("dy* a ma!

"! his side "!ly a c"%le $eet away, da# (l""d stai!i!& the ca#%et a#"!d him. 3!"the# ("dy wasslm%ed (eside the c"ch* small, child/si4e. 3c#"ss the #""m was a!"the#. 3!d a!"the#. The#e we#e

("dies eve#ywhe#e, ("dies a!d (l""d.

The scale "$ the death a#"!d me sdde!ly #e&iste#ed, a!d my hea#t (e&a! %"!di!&. N",

!". It was!'t %"ssi(le. It was day. Bad thi!&s c"ld!'t ha%%e! i! dayli&ht. 3 sc#eam sta#ted t" #ise i!

my th#"at, sdde!ly halted whe! a &l"ved ha!d came $#"m (ehi!d me a!d cl"sed "ve# my m"th. I

sta#ted t" st#&&le5 the! I smelled Dimit#i's a$te#shave.

;hy,; he ased, ;d"!'t y" eve# liste!7 Y"'d (e dead i$ they we#e still he#e.;

I c"ld!'t a!swe#, ("th (ecase "$ the ha!d a!d my "w! sh"c. I'd see! s"me"!e die "!ce,

(t I'd !eve# see! death "$ this ma&!itde. 3$te# alm"st a mi!te, Dimit#i $i!ally #em"ved his ha!d,

(t he stayed cl"se (ehi!d me. I did!'t wa!t t" l"" a!ym"#e, (t I seemed !a(le t" d#a& my eyes

away $#"m the sce!e (e$"#e me. B"dies eve#ywhe#e. B"dies a!d (l""d.:i!ally, I t#!ed t"wa#d him. ;It's daytime,; I whis%e#ed. ;Bad thi!&s d"!'t ha%%e! i! the

day.; I hea#d the des%e#ati"! i! my v"ice, a little &i#l's %lea that s"me"!e w"ld say this was all a

(ad d#eam.

;Bad thi!&s ca! ha%%e! a!ytime,; he t"ld me. ;3!d this did!'t ha%%e! d#i!& the day. This

%#"(a(ly ha%%e!ed a c"%le "$ !i&hts a&".;

I da#ed a %ee (ac at the ("dies a!d $elt my st"mach twist. Tw" days. Tw" days t" (e dead,

t" have y"# e-iste!ce s!$$ed "t)with"t a!y"!e i! the w"#ld eve! !"wi!& y" we#e &"!e. My

eyes $ell "! a ma!'s ("dy !ea# the #""m's e!t#a!ce t" a hallway. He was tall, t"" well/(ilt t" (e a

M"#"i. Dimit#i mst have !"ticed whe#e I l""ed.

;3#th# Sch"e!(e#&,; he said.

I sta#ed at 3#th#'s (l""dy th#"at. ;He's dead,; I said, as th"&h it was!'t %e#$ectly "(vi"s.

;H"w ca! he (e dead7 H"w c"ld a St#i&"i ill 3#th# Sch"e!(e#&7; It did!'t seem %"ssi(le. Y"

c"ld!'t ill a le&e!d.

Dimit#i did!'t a!swe#. I!stead his ha!d m"ved d"w! a!d cl"sed a#"!d whe#e my "w! ha!d

held the stae. I $li!ched.

;he#e did y" &et this7; he ased. I l""se!ed my &#i% a!d let him tae the stae.

;Otside. I! the &#"!d.;

He held % the stae, stdyi!& its s#$ace as it sh"!e i! the s!li&ht. ;It (#"e the wa#d.;

My mi!d, still st!!ed, t"" a m"me!t t" %#"cess what he'd said. The! I &"t it. a#ds we#e

ma&ic #i!&s cast (y M"#"i. 9ie the staes, they we#e made si!& ma&ic $#"m all $"# "$ the

eleme!ts. They #e6i#ed st#"!& M"#"i ma&ic/se#s, "$te! a c"%le $"# each eleme!t. The wa#dsc"ld (l"c St#i&"i (ecase ma&ic was cha#&ed with li$e, a!d the St#i&"i had !"!e. Bt wa#ds $aded

6icly a!d t"" a l"t "$ mai!te!a!ce. M"st M"#"i did!'t se them, (t ce#tai! %laces e%t them %.

St. 2ladimi#'s 3cademy was #i!&ed with seve#al.

The#e had (ee! a wa#d he#e, (t it had (ee! shatte#ed whe! s"me"!e d#"ve the stae

th#"&h it. Thei# ma&ic c"!$licted with each "the#5 the stae had w"!.

;St#i&"i ca!'t t"ch staes,; I t"ld him. I #eali4ed I was si!& a l"t "$ can't a!d don't

stateme!ts. It was!'t easy havi!& y"# c"#e (elie$s challe!&ed. ;3!d !" M"#"i "# dham%i# w"ld d"

it.;

;3 hma! mi&ht.;

I met his eyes. ;Hma!s d"!'t hel% St#i&"i); I st"%%ed. The#e it was a&ai!. %on't. Bt I

c"ld!'t hel% it. The "!e thi!& we c"ld c"!t "! i! the $i&ht a&ai!st St#i&"i was thei# limitati"!s) s!li&ht, wa#d, stae ma&ic, etc. e sed thei# wea!esses a&ai!st them. I$ they had "the#s)

hma!s)wh" w"ld hel% them a!d we#e!'t a$$ected (y th"se limitati"!s 1



Dimit#i's $ace was ste#!, still #eady $"# a!ythi!&, (t the ti!iest s%a# "$ sym%athy $lashed i!

his da# eyes as he watched me wa&e my me!tal (attle.

;This cha!&es eve#ythi!&, d"es!'t it7; I ased.

;Yeah,; he said. ;It d"es.;



Chapter 2

DIMITRI M3DE ONE 8HONE @399, a!d a ve#ita(le S3T team sh"wed %.

It t"" a c"%le "$ h"#s, th"&h, a!d eve#y mi!te s%e!t waiti!& $elt lie a yea#. I $i!ally

c"ld!'t tae it a!ym"#e a!d #et#!ed t" the ca#. Dimit#i e-ami!ed the h"se $#the# a!d the! came

t" sit with me. Neithe# "$ s said a w"#d while we waited. 3 slide sh"w "$ the &#isly si&hts i!side

the h"se e%t %layi!& i! my mi!d. I $elt sca#ed a!d al"!e a!d wished he w"ld h"ld me "# c"m$"#tme i! s"me way.

Immediately, I sc"lded mysel$ $"# wa!ti!& that. I #emi!ded mysel$ $"# the th"sa!dth time

that he was my i!st#ct"# a!d had !" (si!ess h"ldi!& me, !" matte# what the sitati"! was.

Besides, I wa!ted t" (e st#"!&. I did!'t !eed t" &" #!!i!& t" s"me &y eve#y time thi!&s &"t t"&h.

he! the $i#st &#"% "$ &a#dia!s sh"wed %, Dimit#i "%e!ed the ca# d""# a!d &la!ced "ve#

at me. ;Y" sh"ld see h"w this is d"!e.;

I did!'t wa!t t" see a!y m"#e "$ that h"se, h"!estly, (t I $"ll"wed a!yway. These

&a#dia!s we#e st#a!&e#s t" me, (t Dimit#i !ew them. He always seemed t" !"w eve#y("dy.

This &#"% was s#%#ised t" $i!d a !"vice "! the sce!e, (t !"!e "$ them %#"tested my %#ese!ce.

I waled (ehi!d them as they e-ami!ed the h"se. N"!e "$ them t"ched a!ythi!&, (t they

!elt (y the ("dies a!d stdied the (l""dstai!s a!d (#"e! wi!d"ws. 3%%a#e!tly, the St#i&"i hade!te#ed the h"se th#"&h m"#e tha! 0st the $#"!t d""# a!d (ac %ati".

The &a#dia!s s%"e i! (#s6e t"!es, dis%layi!& !"!e "$ the dis&st a!d $ea# I $elt. They

we#e lie machi!es. O!e "$ them, the "!ly w"ma! i! the &#"%, c#"ched (eside 3#th#

Sch"e!(e#&. I was i!t#i&ed si!ce $emale &a#dia!s we#e s" #a#e. I'd hea#d Dimit#i call he# Tama#a,

a!d she l""ed a("t twe!ty/$ive. He# (lac hai# 0st (a#ely t"ched he# sh"lde#s, which was

c"mm"! $"# &a#dia! w"me!.

Sad!ess $lice#ed i! he# &#ay eyes as she stdied the dead &a#dia!'s $ace. ;Oh, 3#th#,; she

si&hed. 9ie Dimit#i, she ma!a&ed t" c"!vey a h!d#ed thi!&s i! 0st a c"%le w"#ds. ;Neve#

th"&ht I'd see this day. He was my me!t"#.; ith a!"the# si&h, Tama#a #"se.

He# $ace had (ec"me all (si!esslie "!ce m"#e, as th"&h the &y wh"'d t#ai!ed he# was!'t

lyi!& the#e i! $#"!t "$ he#. I c"ld!'t (elieve it. He was he# mentor. H"w c"ld she ee% that i!d "$

c"!t#"l7 :"# hal$ a hea#t(eat, I ima&i!ed seei!& Dimit#i dead "! the $l""# i!stead. N". N" way c"ld

I have stayed calm i! he# %lace. I w"ld have &"!e "! a #am%a&e. I w"ld have sc#eamed a!d

iced thi!&s. I w"ld have hit a!y"!e wh" t#ied t" tell me thi!&s w"ld (e "ay.

:"#t!ately, I did!'t (elieve a!y"!e c"ld actally tae d"w! Dimit#i. I'd see! him ill a

St#i&"i with"t (#eai!& a sweat. He was i!vi!ci(le. 3 (adass. 3 &"d.

O$ c"#se, 3#th# Sch"e!(e#& had (ee! t"".

;H"w c"ld they d" that7; I (l#ted "t. Si- sets "$ eyes t#!ed t" me. I e-%ected a

chastisi!& l"" $#"m Dimit#i $"# my "t(#st, (t he me#ely a%%ea#ed c#i"s. ;H"w c"ld they ill

him0/

Tama#a &ave a small sh#&, he# $ace still c"m%"sed. ;The same way they ill eve#y"!e else.He's m"#tal, 0st lie the #est "$ s.;

;Yeah, (t he's 1 y" !"w, 3#th# Sch"e!(e#&.;

;Y" tell s, R"se,; said Dimit#i. ;Y"'ve see! the h"se. Tell s h"w they did it.;

3s they all watched me, I sdde!ly #eali4ed I mi&ht (e !de#&"i!& a test a$te# all t"day. I

th"&ht a("t what I'd "(se#ved a!d hea#d. I swall"wed, t#yi!& t" $i&#e "t h"w the im%"ssi(le

c"ld (e %"ssi(le.

;The#e we#e $"# %"i!ts "$ e!t#y, which mea!s at least $"# St#i&"i. The#e we#e seve!

M"#"i1; The $amily wh" lived he#e had (ee! e!te#tai!i!& s"me "the# %e"%le, mai!& the massac#e

that mch la#&e#. Th#ee "$ the victims had (ee! child#e!. ;1 a!d th#ee &a#dia!s. T"" ma!y ills.

:"# St#i&"i c"ld!'t have tae! d"w! that ma!y. Si- %#"(a(ly c"ld i$ they we!t $"# the &a#dia!s

$i#st a!d ca&ht them (y s#%#ise. The $amily w"ld have (ee! t"" %a!iced t" $i&ht (ac.;;3!d h"w did they catch the &a#dia!s (y s#%#ise7; Dimit#i %#"m%ted.

I hesitated. Ga#dia!s, as a &e!e#al #le, did!'t &et ca&ht (y s#%#ise. ;Becase the wa#ds



we#e (#"e!. I! a h"seh"ld with"t wa#ds, the#e'd %#"(a(ly (e a &a#dia! wali!& the ya#d at

!i&ht. Bt they w"ld!'t have d"!e that he#e.;

I waited $"# the !e-t "(vi"s 6esti"! a("t h"w the wa#ds had (ee! (#"e!. Bt Dimit#i

did!'t as it. The#e was !" !eed. e all !ew. e'd all see! the stae. 3&ai!, a chill #a! d"w! my

s%i!e. Hma!s w"#i!& with St#i&"i)a la#&e &#"% "$ St#i&"i.

Dimit#i sim%ly !"dded as a si&! "$ a%%#"val, a!d the &#"% c"!ti!ed thei# s#vey. he! we

#eached a (ath#""m, I sta#ted t" ave#t my &a4e. I'd al#eady see! this #""m with Dimit#i ea#lie# a!dhad !" wish t" #e%eat the e-%e#ie!ce. The#e was a dead ma! i! the#e, a!d his d#ied (l""d st""d "t

i! sta# c"!t#ast a&ai!st the white tile. 3ls", si!ce this #""m was m"#e i!te#i"#, it was!'t as c"ld as

the a#ea (y the "%e! %ati". N" %#ese#vati"!. The ("dy did!'t smell (ad yet, e-actly, (t it did!'t

smell #i&ht, eithe#.

Bt as I sta#ted t" t#! away, I ca&ht a &lim%se "$ s"methi!& da# #ed)m"#e (#"w!, #eally

)"! the mi##"#. I had!'t !"ticed it (e$"#e (ecase the #est "$ the sce!e had held all "$ my atte!ti"!.

The#e was w#iti!& "! the mi##"#, d"!e i! (l""d.

1oor, poor Badicas. o few left. ne royal family nearly "one. thers to follow.

Tama#a s!"#ted i! dis&st a!d t#!ed away $#"m the mi##"#, stdyi!& "the# details "$ the

(ath#""m. 3s we waled "t, th"&h, th"se w"#ds #e%eated i! my head. ne royal family nearly

"one. thers to follow.The Badicas we#e "!e "$ the smalle# #"yal cla!s, it was t#e. Bt it was ha#dly lie th"se

wh" had (ee! illed he#e we#e the last "$ them. The#e we#e %#"(a(ly alm"st tw" h!d#ed Badicas

le$t. That was!'t as ma!y as a $amily lie, say, the Ivash"vs. That %a#ticla# #"yal $amily was h&e

a!d wides%#ead. The#e we#e, h"weve#, a l"t m"#e Badicas tha! the#e we#e s"me "the# #"yals.

9ie the D#a&"mi#s.

9issa was the "!ly "!e le$t.

I$ the St#i&"i wa!ted t" s!$$ "t #"yal li!es, the#e was !" (ette# cha!ce tha! t" &" a$te# he#.

M"#"i (l""d em%"we#ed St#i&"i, s" I !de#st""d thei# desi#e $"# that. I s%%"sed s%eci$ically

ta#&eti!& #"yals was sim%ly %a#t "$ thei# c#el a!d sadistic !at#e. It was i#"!ic that St#i&"i w"ld

wa!t t" tea# a%a#t M"#"i s"ciety, si!ce ma!y "$ them had "!ce (ee! a %a#t "$ it.

The mi##"# a!d its wa#!i!& c"!smed me $"# the #est "$ "# stay at the h"se, a!d I $"!d

my $ea# a!d sh"c t#a!s$"#mi!& i!t" a!&e#. H"w c"ld they d" this7 H"w c"ld a!y c#eat#e (e s"

twisted a!d evil that they'd d" this t" a $amily)that they'd wa!t t" wi%e "t a! e!ti#e (l""dli!e7

H"w c"ld a!y c#eat#e d" this whe! they'd "!ce (ee! lie me a!d 9issa7

3!d thi!i!& "$ 9issa)thi!i!& "$ St#i&"i wa!ti!& t" wi%e "t he# $amily t"")sti##ed % a

da# #a&e withi! me. The i!te!sity "$ that em"ti"! !ea#ly !"ced me "ve#. It was s"methi!& (lac

a!d miasmic, swelli!& a!d #"ili!&. 3 st"#m cl"d #eady t" (#st. I sdde!ly wa!ted t" tea# % eve#y

St#i&"i I c"ld &et my ha!ds "!.

he! I $i!ally &"t i!t" the ca# t" #ide (ac t" St. 2ladimi#'s with Dimit#i, I slammed thed""# s" ha#d that it was a w"!de# it did!'t $all "$$.

He &la!ced at me i! s#%#ise. ;hat's w#"!&7;

;3#e y" se#i"s7; I e-claimed, i!c#edl"s. ;H"w ca! y" as that7 Y" we#e the#e. Y"

saw that.;

;I did,; he a&#eed. ;Bt I'm !"t tai!& it "t "! the ca#.;

I $aste!ed my seat (elt a!d &l"we#ed. ;I hate them. I hate them all? I wish I'd (ee! the#e. I

w"ld have #i%%ed their th#"ats "t?;

I was !ea#ly sh"ti!&. Dimit#i sta#ed at me, $ace calm, (t he was clea#ly ast"!ished at my

"t(#st.

;Y" #eally thi! that's t#e7; he ased me. ;Y" thi! y" c"ld have d"!e (ette# tha! 3#t

Sch"e!(e#& a$te# seei!& what the St#i&"i did i! the#e7 3$te# seei!& what Natalie did t" y"7;I $alte#ed. I'd ta!&led (#ie$ly with 9issa's c"si!, Natalie, whe! she (ecame a St#i&"i, 0st

(e$"#e Dimit#i had sh"w! % t" save the day. Eve! as a !ew St#i&"i)wea a!d !c""#di!ated)



she'd lite#ally th#"w! me a#"!d the #""m.

I cl"sed my eyes a!d t"" a dee% (#eath. Sdde!ly, I $elt st%id. I'd see! what St#i&"i c"ld

d". Me #!!i!& i! im%et"sly a!d t#yi!& t" save the day w"ld have "!ly #eslted i! a 6ic

death. I was devel"%i!& i!t" a t"&h &a#dia!, (t I still had a l"t t" lea#!)a!d "!e seve!tee!/yea#/

"ld &i#l c"ld!'t have st""d a&ai!st si- St#i&"i.

I "%e!ed my eyes. ;I'm s"##y,; I said, &ai!i!& c"!t#"l "$ mysel$. The #a&e that had e-%l"ded

i!side me di$$sed. I did!'t !"w whe#e it had c"me $#"m. I had a sh"#t tem%e# a!d "$te! actedim%lsively, (t this had (ee! i!te!se a!d &ly eve! $"# me. ei#d.

;It's "ay,; said Dimit#i. He #eached "ve# a!d %laced his ha!d "! mi!e $"# a $ew m"me!ts.

The! he #em"ved it a!d sta#ted the ca#. ;It's (ee! a l"!& day. :"# all "$ s.;

he! we &"t (ac t" St. 2ladimi#'s 3cademy a#"!d mid!i&ht, eve#y"!e !ew a("t the

massac#e. The vam%i#ic sch""l day had 0st e!ded, a!d I had!'t sle%t i! m"#e tha! twe!ty/$"#

h"#s. I was (lea#y/eyed a!d sl&&ish, a!d Dimit#i "#de#ed me t" immediately &" (ac t" my d"#m

#""m a!d &et s"me slee%. He, "$ c"#se, l""ed ale#t a!d #eady t" tae "! a!ythi!&. S"metimes I

#eally was!'t s#e i$ he sle%t at all. He headed "$$ t" c"!slt with "the# &a#dia!s a("t the attac,

a!d I %#"mised him I'd &" st#ai&ht t" (ed. I!stead, I t#!ed t"wa#d the li(#a#y "!ce he was "t "$si&ht. I !eeded t" see 9issa, a!d the ("!d t"ld me that was whe#e she was.

It was %itch/(lac as I waled al"!& the st"!e walway that c#"ssed the 6ad $#"m my d"#m

t" the sec"!da#y sch""l's mai! (ildi!&. S!"w c"m%letely c"ve#ed the &#ass, (t the sidewal had

(ee! meticl"sly clea#ed "$ all ice a!d s!"w. It #emi!ded me "$ the %""# Badicas' !e&lected h"me.

The c"mm"!s (ildi!& was la#&e a!d &"thic/l""i!&, m"#e sited t" a medieval m"vie set

tha! a sch""l. I!side, that ai# "$ myste#y a!d a!cie!t hist"#y c"!ti!ed t" %e#meate the (ildi!&*

ela("#ate st"!e walls a!d a!ti6e %ai!ti!&s wa##i!& with c"m%te#s a!d $l"#esce!t li&hts. M"de#!

tech!"l"&y had a $""th"ld he#e, (t it w"ld !eve# d"mi!ate.

Sli%%i!& th#"&h the li(#a#y's elect#"!ic &ate, I immediately headed $"# "!e "$ the (ac

c"#!e#s whe#e &e"&#a%hy a!d t#avel (""s we#e e%t. S#e e!"&h, I $"!d 9issa sitti!& the#e "!

the $l""#, lea!i!& a&ai!st a (""case.

;Hey,; she said, l""i!& % $#"m a! "%e! ("" %#"%%ed % "! "!e !ee. She (#shed a $ew

st#a!ds "$ %ale hai# "t "$ he# $ace. He# ("y$#ie!d, @h#istia!, lay "! the $l""# !ea# he#, his head

%#"%%ed % "! he# "the# !ee. He &#eeted me (y way "$ a !"d. @"!side#i!& the a!ta&"!ism that

s"metimes $la#ed % (etwee! s, that was alm"st "! %a# with him &ivi!& me a (ea# h&. Des%ite he#

small smile, I c"ld $eel the te!si"! a!d $ea# i! he#5 it sa!& th#"&h the ("!d.

;Y" hea#d,; I said, sitti!& d"w! c#"ss/le&&ed.

He# smile sli%%ed, a!d the $eeli!&s "$ $ea# a!d !ease withi! he# i!te!si$ied. I lied that "#

%sychic c"!!ecti"! let me %#"tect he# (ette#, (t I did!'t #eally !eed my "w! t#"(led $eeli!&s

am%li$ied.

;It's aw$l,; she said with a shdde#. @h#istia! shi$ted a!d li!ed his $i!&e#s th#"&h he#s.He s6ee4ed he# ha!d. She s6ee4ed (ac. Th"se tw" we#e s" i! l"ve a!d s&a#y sweet with each

"the# that I $elt lie (#shi!& my teeth a$te# (ei!& a#"!d them. They we#e s(ded 0st !"w,

h"weve#, !" d"(t tha!s t" the massac#e !ews. ;They'#e sayi!&1they'#e sayi!& the#e we#e si- "#

seve! St#i&"i. 3!d that hma!s hel%ed them (#ea the wa#ds.;

I lea!ed my head (ac a&ai!st a shel$. News #eally did t#avel $ast. Sdde!ly, I $elt di44y. ;It's

t#e.;

;Really7; ased @h#istia!. ;I $i&#ed that was 0st a (!ch "$ hy%ed/% %a#a!"ia.;

;N" 1; I #eali4ed the! that !"("dy !ew whe#e I'd (ee! t"day. ;I1 I was the#e.;

9issa's eyes wide!ed, sh"c c"#si!& i!t" me $#"m he#. Eve! @h#istia!)the %"ste# child $"#

;sma#tass;)l""ed &#im. I$ !"t $"# the h"##i(le!ess "$ it all, I w"ld have tae! satis$acti"! i!

catchi!& him "$$ &a#d.;Y"'#e 0"i!&,; he said, v"ice !ce#tai!.

;I th"&ht y" we#e tai!& y"# >ali$ie#1; 9issa's w"#ds t#ailed "$$.



;I was s%%"sed t",; I said. ;It was 0st a w#"!&/%lace/a!d/w#"!&/time i!d "$ thi!&. The

&a#dia! wh" was &"i!& t" &ive me the test lived the#e. Dimit#i a!d I waled i!, a!d1;

I c"ld!'t $i!ish. Ima&es "$ the (l""d a!d death that had $illed the Badica h"se $lashed

th#"&h my mi!d a&ai!. @"!ce#! c#"ssed ("th 9issa's $ace a!d the ("!d.

;R"se, a#e y" "ay7; she ased s"$tly.

9issa was my (est $#ie!d, (t I did!'t wa!t he# t" !"w h"w sca#ed a!d %set the wh"le

thi!& had made me. I wa!ted t" (e $ie#ce.;:i!e,; I said, teeth cle!ched.

;hat was it lie7; ased @h#istia!. @#i"sity $illed his v"ice, (t the#e was &ilt the#e t""

)lie he !ew it was w#"!& t" wa!t t" !"w a("t sch a h"##i(le thi!&. He c"ld!'t st"% himsel$

$#"m asi!&, th"&h. 9ac "$ im%lse c"!t#"l was "!e thi!& we had i! c"mm"!.

;It was 1; I sh"" my head. ;I d"!'t wa!t t" tal a("t it.;

@h#istia! sta#ted t" %#"test, a!d the! 9issa #a! a ha!d th#"&h his slee (lac hai#. The

&e!tle adm"!ishme!t sile!ced him. 3 m"me!t "$ awwa#d!ess h!& (etwee! s all. Readi!&

9issa's mi!d, I $elt he# des%e#ately &#"%e $"# a !ew t"%ic.

;They say this is &"i!& t" mess % all "$ the h"liday visits,; she t"ld me a$te# seve#al m"#e

m"me!ts. ;@h#istia!'s a!t is &"i!& t" visit, (t m"st %e"%le d"!'t wa!t t" t#avel, a!d they wa!t

thei# ids t" stay he#e whe#e it's sa$e. They'#e te##i$ied this &#"% "$ St#i&"i is "! the m"ve.;I had!'t th"&ht a("t the #ami$icati"!s "$ a! attac lie this. e we#e "!ly a wee "# s"

away $#"m @h#istmas. Usally, the#e was a h&e wave "$ t#avel i! the M"#"i w"#ld this time "$ yea#.

Stde!ts we!t h"me t" visit thei# %a#e!ts5 %a#e!ts came t" stay "! cam%s a!d visit thei# child#e!.

;This is &"i!& t" ee% a l"t "$ $amilies se%a#ated,; I m#m#ed.

;3!d mess % a l"t "$ #"yal &et/t"&ethe#s,; said @h#istia!. His (#ie$ se#i"s!ess had

va!ished5 his s!ide ai# was (ac. ;Y" !"w h"w they a#e this time "$ yea#)always c"m%eti!&

with each "the# t" th#"w the (i&&est %a#ties. They w"!'t !"w what t" d" with themselves.;

I c"ld (elieve it. My li$e was a("t $i&hti!&, (t the M"#"i ce#tai!ly had thei# sha#e "$

i!te#!al st#i$e)%a#ticla#ly with !"(les a!d #"yals. They wa&ed thei# "w! (attles with w"#ds a!d

%"litical allia!ces, a!d h"!estly, I %#e$e##ed the m"#e di#ect meth"d "$ hitti!& a!d ici!&. 9issa a!d

@h#istia! i! %a#ticla# had t" !avi&ate s"me t#"(led wate#s. They we#e ("th $#"m #"yal $amilies,

which mea!t they &"t a l"t "$ atte!ti"! ("th i!side a!d "tside "$ the 3cademy.

Thi!&s we#e w"#se $"# them tha! $"# m"st M"#"i #"yals. @h#istia!'s $amily lived !de# the

shad"w cast (y his %a#e!ts. They had %#%"sely (ec"me St#i&"i, t#adi!& thei# ma&ic a!d m"#ality t"

(ec"me imm"#tal a!d s(sist "! illi!& "the#s. His %a#e!ts we#e dead !"w, (t that did!'t st"%

%e"%le $#"m !"t t#sti!& him. They seemed t" thi! he'd &" St#i&"i at a!y m"me!t a!d tae

eve#y"!e else with him. His a(#asive!ess a!d da# se!se "$ hm"# did!'t #eally hel% thi!&s, eithe#.

9issa's atte!ti"! came $#"m (ei!& the last "!e le$t i! he# $amily. N" "the# M"#"i had e!"&h

D#a&"mi# (l""d i! them t" ea#! the !ame. He# $t#e hs(a!d w"ld %#"(a(ly have e!"&h

s"mewhe#e i! his $amily t#ee t" mae s#e he# child#e! we#e D#a&"mi#s, (t $"# !"w, (ei!& the "!ly

"!e made he# i!d "$ a cele(#ity.Thi!i!& a("t this sdde!ly #emi!ded me "$ the wa#!i!& sc#awled "! the mi##"#. Nasea

welled % i! me. That da# a!&e# a!d des%ai# sti##ed, (t I %shed it aside with a 0"e.

;Y" &ys sh"ld t#y s"lvi!& y"# %#"(lems lie we d". 3 $ist$i&ht he#e a!d the#e mi&ht d"

y" #"yals s"me &""d.;

B"th 9issa a!d @h#istia! la&hed at this. He &la!ced % at he# with a sly smile, sh"wi!& his

$a!&s as he did. ;hat d" y" thi!7 I (et I c"ld tae y" i$ we we!t "!e "! "!e.;

;Y" wish,; she teased. He# t#"(led $eeli!&s li&hte!ed.

;I d", actally,; he said, h"ldi!& he# &a4e.

The#e was a! i!te!sely se!sal !"te t" his v"ice that made he# hea#t #ace. =eal"sy sh"t

th#"&h me. She a!d I had (ee! (est $#ie!ds "# e!ti#e li$e. I c"ld #ead he# mi!d. Bt the $act

#emai!ed* @h#istia! was a h&e %a#t "$ he# w"#ld !"w, a!d he %layed a #"le I !eve# c"ld)0st ashe c"ld !eve# have a %a#t "$ the c"!!ecti"! that e-isted (etwee! me a!d he#. e ("th s"#t "$

acce%ted (t did!'t lie the $act that we had t" s%lit he# atte!ti"!, a!d at times, it seemed the t#ce



we held $"# he# sae was %a%e# thi!.

9issa (#shed he# ha!d a&ai!st his chee. ;Behave.;

;I am,; he t"ld he#, his v"ice still a little hsy. ;S"metimes. Bt s"metimes y" d"!'t wa!t

me t"1.;

G#"a!i!&, I st""d %. ;G"d. I'm &"i!& t" leave y" &ys al"!e !"w.;

9issa (li!ed a!d d#a&&ed he# eyes away $#"m @h#istia!, sdde!ly l""i!& em(a##assed.

;S"##y,; she m#m#ed. 3 delicate %i! $lsh s%#ead "ve# he# chees. Si!ce she was %ale lieall M"#"i, it actally s"#t "$ made he# l"" %#ettie#. N"t that she !eeded mch hel% i! that

de%a#tme!t. ;Y" d"!'t have t" &"1.;

;N", it's $i!e. I'm e-hasted,; I ass#ed he#. @h#istia! did!'t l"" t"" (#"e! % a("t seei!&

me leave. ;I'll catch y" t"m"##"w.;

I sta#ted t" t#! away, (t 9issa called t" me. ;R"se7 3#e y"1a#e y" s#e y"'#e "ay7

3$te# eve#ythi!& that ha%%e!ed7;

I met he# 0ade &#ee! eyes. He# c"!ce#! was s" st#"!& a!d dee% that it made my chest ache. I

mi&ht (e cl"se# t" he# tha! a!y"!e else i! the w"#ld, (t I did!'t wa!t he# w"##yi!& a("t me. It was

my 0"( t" ee% he# sa$e. She sh"ld!'t (e t#"(led a("t %#"tecti!& me)%a#ticla#ly i$ St#i&"i had

sdde!ly decided t" mae a hit list "$ #"yals.

I $lashed he# a sacy &#i!. ;I'm $i!e. N"thi!& t" w"##y a("t e-ce%t y" &ys tea#i!& each"the#'s cl"thes (e$"#e I &et a cha!ce t" leave.;

;The! y" (ette# &" !"w,; said @h#istia! d#yly.

She el("wed him, a!d I #"lled my eyes. ;G""d !i&ht,; I t"ld them.

3s s""! as my (ac was t" them, my smile va!ished. I waled (ac t" my d"#m with a

heavy hea#t, h"%i!& I w"ld!'t d#eam a("t the Badicas t"!i&ht.



Chapter 3

THE 9OBBY O: MY DORM was a(44 whe! I s%#i!ted d"w!stai#s t" my (e$"#e/sch""l

%#actice. The c"mm"ti"! did!'t s#%#ise me. 3 &""d !i&ht's slee% had &"!e $a# t" chase away the

ima&es $#"m last !i&ht, (t I !ew !eithe# I !"# my classmates w"ld easily $"#&et what had tae!

%lace "tside Billi!&s.

3!d yet, as I stdied the $aces a!d clste#s "$ "the# !"vices, I !"ticed s"methi!& wei#d. The$ea# a!d te!si"! $#"m yeste#day we#e still a#"!d, ce#tai!ly, (t s"methi!& !ew was the#e t""*

e-citeme!t. 3 c"%le "$ $#eshme! !"vices we#e %#actically s6eali!& with 0"y as they s%"e i!

hshed whis%e#s. Nea#(y, a &#"% "$ &ys my "w! a&e we#e &est#i!& wildly, e!thsiastic &#i!s "!

thei# $aces.

I had t" (e missi!& s"methi!& he#e)!less all "$ yeste#day had (ee! a d#eam. It t"" eve#y

"!ce "$ sel$/c"!t#"l I had !"t t" &" "ve# a!d as s"me("dy what was ha%%e!i!&. I$ I delayed, I'd

(e late $"# %#actice. The c#i"sity was illi!& me, th"&h. Had the St#i&"i a!d thei# hma!s (ee!

$"!d a!d illed7 That w"ld ce#tai!ly (e &""d !ews, (t s"methi!& t"ld me that was!'t the case.

8shi!& "%e! the $#"!t d""#s, I lame!ted that I'd 0st have t" wait !til (#ea$ast t" $i!d "t.

;Hath/away, d"!'t #!/away,; a si!&s"!& v"ice called.

I &la!ced (ehi!d me a!d &#i!!ed. Mas"! 3sh$"#d, a!"the# !"vice a!d a &""d $#ie!d "$ mi!e, 0"&&ed % a!d $ell i! ste% with me.

;hat a#e y", twelve7; I ased, c"!ti!i!& "! t"wa#d the &ym.

;Nea#ly,; he said. ;I missed y"# smili!& $ace yeste#day. he#e we#e y"7;

3%%a#e!tly my %#ese!ce at the Badica h"se still was!'t widely !"w!. It was!'t a sec#et "#

a!ythi!&, (t I did!'t wa!t t" discss a!y &"#y details. ;Had a t#ai!i!& thi!& with Dimit#i.;

;G"d,; mtte#ed Mas"!. ;That &y is always w"#i!& y". D"es!'t he #eali4e he's de%#ivi!&

s "$ y"# (eaty a!d cha#m7;

;Smili!& $ace7 Beaty a!d cha#m7 Y"'#e layi!& it "! a little thic this m"#!i!&, a#e!'t y"7;

I la&hed.

;Hey, I'm 0st telli!& it lie it is. Really, y"'#e lcy t" have s"me"!e as save a!d (#illia!t

as me %ayi!& this mch atte!ti"! t" y".;

I e%t &#i!!i!&. Mas"! was a h&e $li#t, a!d he lied t" $li#t with me i! %a#ticla#. 8a#t "$ it

was 0st (ecase I was &""d at it a!d lied t" $li#t (ac. Bt I !ew his $eeli!&s t"wa#d me we#e

m"#e tha! 0st $#ie!dly, a!d I was still decidi!& h"w I $elt a("t that. He a!d I had the same &""$y

se!se "$ hm"# a!d $#e6e!tly d#ew atte!ti"! t" "#selves i! class a!d am"!& $#ie!ds. He had

&"#&e"s (le eyes a!d messy #ed hai# that !eve# seemed t" lie $lat. It was cte.

Bt dati!& s"me"!e !ew was &"i!& t" (e i!d "$ di$$iclt whe! I still e%t thi!i!& a("t

the time I was hal$/!aed i! (ed with Dimit#i.

;Save a!d (#illia!t, hh7; I sh"" my head. ;I d"!'t thi! y" %ay !ea#ly as mch atte!ti"!

t" me as y" d" y"# e&". S"me"!e !eeds t" !"c it d"w! a little.;

;Oh yeah7; he ased. ;ell, y" ca! t#y y"# (est "! the sl"%es.;I st"%%ed wali!&. ;The what7;

;The sl"%es.; He tilted his head. ;Y" !"w, the si t#i%.;

;hat si t#i%7; I was a%%a#e!tly missi!& s"methi!& se#i"s he#e.

;he#e have y" (ee! this m"#!i!&7; he ased, l""i!& at me lie I was a c#a4y w"ma!.

;I! (ed? I "!ly &"t %, lie, $ive mi!tes a&". N"w, sta#t $#"m the (e&i!!i!& a!d tell me

what y"'#e tali!& a("t.; I shive#ed $#"m the lac "$ m"veme!t. ;3!d let's ee% wali!&.; e

did.

;S", y" !"w h"w eve#y"!e's a$#aid t" have thei# ids c"me h"me $"# @h#istmas7 ell,

the#e's this hu"e si l"d&e i! Idah" that's e-clsively sed (y #"yals a!d #ich M"#"i. The %e"%le

wh" "w! it a#e "%e!i!& it % $"# 3cademy stde!ts a!d thei# $amilies)a!d actally a!y "the#

M"#"i wh" wa!t t" &". ith eve#y"!e i! "!e s%"t, they'#e &"i!& t" have a t"! "$ &a#dia!s t" %#"tect the %lace, s" it'll (e t"tally sa$e.;

;Y" ca!'t (e se#i"s,; I said. e #eached the &ym a!d ste%%ed i!side "t "$ the c"ld.



Mas"! !"dded ea&e#ly. ;It's t#e. The %lace is s%%"sed t" (e ama4i!&.; He &ave me the &#i!

that always made me smile i! #et#!. ;e'#e &"i!& t" live lie #"yalty, R"se. 3t least $"# a wee "#

s". e tae "$$ the day a$te# @h#istmas.;

I st""d the#e, ("th e-cited a!d st!!ed. I had!'t see! this c"mi!&. It #eally was a (#illia!t

idea, "!e that let $amilies #e!ite sa$ely. 3!d what a #e!i"! s%"t? 3 #"yal si l"d&e. I'd e-%ected t"

s%e!d m"st "$ my h"liday (#ea ha!&i!& "t he#e a!d watchi!& T2 with 9issa a!d @h#istia!. N"w

I'd (e livi!& it % i! $ive/sta# acc"mm"dati"!s. 9"(ste# di!!e#s. Massa&es. @te si i!st#ct"#s 1Mas"!'s e!thsiasm was c"!ta&i"s. I c"ld $eel it welli!& % i! me, a!d the!, sdde!ly, it

slammed t" a halt.

Stdyi!& my $ace, he saw the cha!&e #i&ht away. ;hat's w#"!&7 This is c""l.;

;It is,; I admitted. ;3!d I &et why eve#y"!e's e-cited, (t the #eas"! we'#e &etti!& t" &" t"

this $a!cy %lace is (ecase, well, (ecase %e"%le a#e dead. I mea!, d"es!'t this all seem wei#d7;

Mas"!'s chee#y e-%#essi"! s"(e#ed a little. ;Yeah, (t we'#e alive, R"se. e ca!'t st"% livi!&

(ecase "the# %e"%le a#e dead. 3!d we have t" mae s#e more %e"%le d"!'t die. That's why this

%lace is sch a &#eat idea. It's sa$e.; His eyes t#!ed st"#my. ;G"d, I ca!'t wait !til we'#e "t "$

he#e i! the $ield. 3$te# hea#i!& a("t what ha%%e!ed, I 0st wa!t t" &" tea# a%a#t s"me St#i&"i. I

wish we c"ld &" !"w, y" !"w7 The#e's !" #eas"!. They c"ld se the e-t#a hel%, a!d we %#etty

mch !"w eve#ythi!& we !eed t".;The $ie#ce!ess i! his v"ice #emi!ded me "$ my "t(#st yeste#day, th"&h he was!'t 6ite as

w"#ed % as I'd (ee!. His ea&e#!ess t" act was im%et"s a!d !ave, whe#eas mi!e had (ee! ("#!

"t "$ s"me wei#d, da# i##ati"!ality I still did!'t e!ti#ely !de#sta!d.

he! I did!'t #es%"!d, Mas"! &ave me a %44led l"". ;D"!'t y" wa!t t"7;

;I d"!'t !"w, Mase.; I sta#ed d"w! at the $l""#, av"idi!& his eyes as I stdied the t"e "$ my

sh"e. ;I mea!, I d"!'t wa!t St#i&"i "t the#e, attaci!& %e"%le eithe#. 3!d I wa!t t" st"% them i!

the"#y1 (t, well, we a#e!'t eve! cl"se t" (ei!& #eady. I've see! what they ca! d" I d"!'t

!"w. Rshi!& i! is!'t the a!swe#.; I sh"" my head a!d l""ed (ac %. G""d &#ie$. I s"!ded s"

l"&ical a!d cati"s. I s"!ded lie Dimit#i. ;It's !"t im%"#ta!t si!ce it's !"t &"i!& t" ha%%e!

a!yway. I s%%"se we sh"ld 0st (e e-cited a("t the t#i%, hh7;

Mas"!'s m""ds we#e 6ic t" cha!&e, a!d he t#!ed easy&"i!& "!ce m"#e. ;Y%. 3!d y"'d

(ette# t#y t" #emem(e# h"w t" si, (ecase I'm calli!& y" "t "! !"ci!& d"w! my e&" "t the#e.

N"t that it's &"i!& t" ha%%e!.;

I smiled a&ai!. ;B"y, it s#e is &"i!& t" (e sad whe! I mae y" c#y. I i!d "$ $eel &ilty

al#eady.;

He "%e!ed his m"th, !" d"(t t" delive# s"me sma#tass #e%ly, a!d the! ca&ht si&ht "$

s"methi!&)"# #athe#, s"me"!e)(ehi!d me. I &la!ced "ve# a!d saw Dimit#i's tall $"#m

a%%#"achi!& $#"m the "the# side "$ the &ym.

Mas"! swe%t me a &alla!t ("w. ;Y"# l"#d a!d maste#. @atch y" late#, Hathaway. Sta#t

%la!!i!& y"# si st#ate&ies.; He "%e!ed the d""# a!d disa%%ea#ed i!t" the $#i&id da#!ess. I t#!ed

a#"!d a!d 0"i!ed Dimit#i.9ie "the# dham%i# !"vices, I s%e!t hal$ "$ my sch""l day "! "!e $"#m "# a!"the# "$

&a#dia! t#ai!i!&, (e it actal %hysical c"m(at "# lea#!i!& a("t St#i&"i a!d h"w t" de$e!d a&ai!st

them. N"vices als" s"metimes had %#actices a$te# sch""l. I, h"weve#, was i! a !i6e sitati"!.

I still st""d (y my decisi"! t" #! away $#"m St. 2ladimi#'s. 2ict"# Dash"v had %"sed t""

mch "$ a th#eat t" 9issa. Bt "# e-te!ded vacati"! had c"me with c"!se6e!ces. Bei!& away $"#

tw" yea#s had %t me (ehi!d i! my &a#dia! classes, s" the sch""l had decla#ed that I had t" mae

% $"# it (y &"i!& t" e-t#a %#actices (e$"#e and a$te# sch""l.

ith Dimit#i.

9ittle did they !"w that they we#e als" &ivi!& me less"!s i! av"idi!& tem%tati"!. Bt my

att#acti"! t" him aside, I was a $ast lea#!e#, a!d with his hel%, I had alm"st ca&ht % t" the "the#

se!i"#s.Si!ce he was!'t wea#i!& a c"at, I !ew we'd (e w"#i!& i!side t"day, which was &""d !ews.

It was $#ee4i!& "t. Yet eve! the ha%%i!ess I $elt "ve# that was !"thi!& c"m%a#ed t" what I $elt whe!



I saw what e-actly he had set % i! "!e "$ the t#ai!i!& #""ms.

The#e we#e %#actice dmmies a##a!&ed "! the $a# wall, dmmies that l""ed ama4i!&ly

li$elie. N" st#aw/st$$ed (#la% (a&s he#e. The#e we#e me! a!d w"me!, wea#i!& "#di!a#y cl"thes,

with #((e#y si! a!d di$$e#e!t hai# a!d eye c"l"#s. Thei# e-%#essi"!s #a!&ed $#"m ha%%y t" sca#ed

t" a!&#y. I'd w"#ed with these dmmies (e$"#e i! "the# t#ai!i!&s, si!& them t" %#actice ics a!d

%!ches. Bt I'd !eve# w"#ed with them while h"ldi!& what Dimit#i held* a silve# stae.

;Sweet,; I (#eathed.It was ide!tical t" the "!e I'd $"!d at the Badica h"se. It had a ha!d &#i% at the ("tt"m,

alm"st lie a hilt with"t the little side $l"#ishes. That was whe#e its #esem(la!ce t" a da&&e#

e!ded. Rathe# tha! a $lat (lade, the stae had a thic, #"!ded ("dy that !a##"wed t" a %"i!t, i!d "$

lie a! ice %ic. The e!ti#e thi!& was a little sh"#te# tha! my $"#ea#m.

Dimit#i lea!ed casally a&ai!st the wall, i! a! easy sta!ce he always %lled "$$ #ema#a(ly

well, des%ite (ei!& alm"st si-/seve!. ith "!e ha!d, he t"ssed the stae i!t" the ai#. It s%! a#"!d

i! a ca#twheel a c"%le "$ times a!d the! came d"w!. He ca&ht it hilt $i#st.

;8lease tell me I &et t" lea#! h"w t" d" that t"day,; I said.

3mseme!t $lashed i! the da# de%ths "$ his eyes. I thi! he had a ha#d time ee%i!& a

st#ai&ht $ace a#"!d me s"metimes.

;Y"'ll (e lcy i$ I let y" hold it t"day,; he said. He $li%%ed the stae i!t" the ai# a&ai!.My eyes $"ll"wed it l"!&i!&ly. I sta#ted t" %"i!t "t that I had al#eady held "!e, (t I !ew that li!e

"$ l"&ic w"ld &et me !"whe#e.

I!stead, I t"ssed my (ac%ac "! the $l""#, th#ew "$$ my c"at, a!d c#"ssed my a#ms

e-%ecta!tly. I had "! l""se %a!ts tied at the waist a!d a ta! t"% with a h""die "ve# it. My da# hai#

was %lled (#tally (ac i!t" a %"!ytail. I was #eady $"# a!ythi!&.

;Y" wa!t me t" tell y" h"w they w"# a!d why I sh"ld always (e cati"s a#"!d them,;

I a!!"!ced.

Dimit#i st"%%ed $li%%i!& the stae a!d sta#ed at me i! ast"!ishme!t.

;@"me "!,; I la&hed. ;Y" d"!'t thi! I !"w h"w y" w"# (y !"w7 e've (ee! d"i!&

this $"# alm"st th#ee m"!ths. Y" always mae me tal sa$ety a!d #es%"!si(ility (e$"#e I ca! d"

a!ythi!& $!.;

;I see,; he said. ;ell, I &ess y"'ve &"t it all $i&#ed "t. By all mea!s, &" "! with the

less"!. I'll 0st wait "ve# he#e !til y" !eed me a&ai!.;

He tced the stae i!t" a leathe# sheath ha!&i!& $#"m his (elt a!d the! made himsel$

c"m$"#ta(le a&ai!st the wall, ha!ds st$$ed i! %"cets. I waited, $i&#i!& he was 0"i!&, (t whe!

he said !"thi!& else, I #eali4ed he'd mea!t his w"#ds. ith a sh#&, I la!ched i!t" what I !ew.

;Silve# always has %"we#$l e$$ects "! a!y ma&ical c#eat#e)it ca! hel% "# h#t them i$ y"

%t e!"&h %"we# i!t" it. These staes a#e #eally ha#d/c"#e (ecase it taes $"# di$$e#e!t M"#"i t"

mae them, a!d they se each "$ the eleme!ts d#i!& the $"#&i!&.; I $#"w!ed, sdde!ly c"!side#i!&

s"methi!&. ;ell, e-ce%t s%i#it. S" these thi!&s a#e s%e#cha#&ed a!d a#e a("t the "!ly !"!/

deca%itati!& wea%"! that ca! d" dama&e t" a St#i&"i)(t t" ill them, it has t" (e th#"&h thehea#t.;

;ill they h#t you0/

I sh"" my head. ;N". I mea!, well, yeah, i$ y" d#ive "!e th#"&h my hea#t it will, (t it

w"!'t h#t me lie it w"ld a M"#"i. Sc#atch "!e "$ them with this, a!d it'll hit them %#etty ha#d)

(t !"t as ha#d as it'd hit a St#i&"i. 3!d they w"!'t h#t hma!s, eithe#.;

I st"%%ed $"# a m"me!t a!d sta#ed a(se!tmi!dedly at the wi!d"w (ehi!d Dimit#i. :#"st

c"ve#ed the &lass i! s%a#li!&, c#ystalli!e %atte#!s, (t I ha#dly !"ticed. Me!ti"!i!& hma!s a!d

staes had t#a!s%"#ted me (ac t" the Badica h"se. Bl""d a!d death $lashed th#"&h my th"&hts.

Seei!& Dimit#i watchi!& me, I sh"" "$$ the mem"#ies a!d e%t &"i!& with the less"!.

Dimit#i w"ld "ccasi"!ally &ive a !"d "# as a cla#i$yi!& 6esti"!. 3s the time ticed d"w!, I e%t

e-%ecti!& him t" tell me I was $i!ished a!d c"ld sta#t haci!& % the dmmies. I!stead, he waited!til alm"st te! mi!tes (e$"#e the e!d "$ "# sessi"! (e$"#e leadi!& me "ve# t" "!e "$ them)it

was a ma! with (l"!d hai# a!d a &"atee. Dimit#i t"" the stae "t $#"m its sheath (t did!'t ha!d it



t" me.

;he#e a#e y" &"i!& t" %t this7; he ased.

;I! the hea#t,; I #e%lied i##ita(ly. ;I al#eady t"ld y" that lie a h!d#ed times. @a! I have it

!"w7;

He all"wed himsel$ a smile. ;he#e's the hea#t7;

I &ave him a! a#e/y"/se#i"s l"". He me#ely sh#&&ed.

ith "ve#d#amatic em%hasis, I %"i!ted t" the le$t side "$ the dmmy's chest. Dimit#i sh""his head.

;That's !"t whe#e the hea#t is,; he t"ld me.

;S#e it is. 8e"%le %t thei# ha!ds "ve# thei# hea#ts whe! they say the 8led&e "$ 3lle&ia!ce

"# si!& the !ati"!al a!them.;

He c"!ti!ed t" sta#e at me e-%ecta!tly.

I t#!ed (ac t" the dmmy a!d stdied it. I! the (ac "$ my (#ai!, I #emem(e#ed lea#!i!&

@8R a!d whe#e we had t" %lace "# ha!ds. I ta%%ed the ce!te# "$ the dmmy's chest.

;Is it he#e7;

He a#ched a! eye(#"w. N"#mally I th"&ht that was c""l. T"day it was 0st a!!"yi!&. ;I

d"!'t !"w,; he said. ;Is it7;

;That's what I'm asi!& y"?;;Y" sh"ld!'t have t" as me. D"!'t y" all have t" tae %hysi"l"&y7;

;Yeah. =!i"# yea#. I was "! 'vacati"!,' #emem(e#7; I %"i!ted t" the &leami!& stae. ;@a! I

%lease t"ch it !"w7;

He $li%%ed the stae a&ai!, letti!& it $lash i! the li&ht, a!d the! it disa%%ea#ed i! the sheath.

;I wa!t y" t" tell me whe#e the hea#t is the !e-t time we meet. E-actly whe#e. 3!d I wa!t t" !"w

what's i! the way "$ it t"".;

I &ave him my $ie#cest &la#e, which)0d&i!& $#"m his e-%#essi"!)mst !"t have (ee! that

$ie#ce. Ni!e "t "$ te! times, I th"&ht Dimit#i was the se-iest thi!& wali!& the ea#th. The!, the#e

we#e times lie this 1

I headed "$$ t" $i#st %e#i"d, a c"m(at class, i! a (ad m""d. I did!'t lie l""i!& i!c"m%ete!t

i! $#"!t "$ Dimit#i, a!d I'd #eally, really wa!ted t" se "!e "$ th"se staes. S" i! class I t"" "t my

a!!"ya!ce "! a!y"!e I c"ld %!ch "# ic. By the e!d "$ class, !" "!e wa!ted t" s%a# with me. I'd

accide!tally hit Me#edith)"!e "$ the $ew "the# &i#ls i! my class)s" ha#d that she'd $elt it th#"&h

he# shi! %addi!&. She was &"i!& t" have a! &ly (#ise a!d e%t l""i!& at me as th"&h I'd d"!e it

"! %#%"se. I a%"l"&i4ed t" !" avail.

3$te#wa#d, Mas"! $"!d me "!ce a&ai!. ;Oh, ma!,; he said, stdyi!& my $ace. ;h" %issed

y" "$$7;

I immediately la!ched i!t" my tale "$ silve# stae a!d hea#t w"es.

T" my a!!"ya!ce, he la&hed. ;H"w d" y" !"t !"w whe#e the hea#t is7 Es%ecially

c"!side#i!& h"w ma!y "$ them y"'ve (#"e!7;

I &ave him the same $e#"ci"s l"" I'd &ive! Dimit#i. This time, it w"#ed. Mas"!'s $ace %aled.

;Beli"v is a sic, evil ma! wh" sh"ld (e th#"w! i!t" a %it "$ #a(id vi%e#s $"# the &#eat

"$$e!se he c"mmitted a&ai!st y" this m"#!i!&.;

;Tha! y".; I said %#imly. The!, I c"!side#ed. ;@a! vi%e#s (e #a(id7;

;I d"!'t see why !"t. Eve#ythi!& ca! (e. I thi!.; He held the hallway d""# "%e! $"# me.

;@a!adia! &eese mi&ht (e w"#se tha! vi%e#s, th"&h.;

I &ave him a sidel"!& l"". ;@a!adia! &eese a#e deadlie# tha! vi%e#s7;

;Y" eve# t#ied t" $eed th"se little (asta#ds7; he ased, attem%ti!& se#i"s!ess a!d $aili!&.

;They'#e vici"s. Y" &et th#"w! t" vi%e#s, y" die 6icly. Bt the &eese7 That'll &" "! $"# days.

M"#e s$$e#i!&.;

;"w. I d"!'t !"w whethe# I sh"ld (e im%#essed "# $#i&hte!ed that y"'ve th"&ht a("tall this,; I #ema#ed.

;=st t#yi!& t" $i!d c#eative ways t" ave!&e y"# h"!"#, that's all.;



;Y" 0st !eve# st#c me as the c#eative ty%e, Mase.;

e st""d 0st "tside "# sec"!d/%e#i"d class#""m. Mas"!'s e-%#essi"! was still li&ht a!d

0"i!&, (t the#e was a s&&estive !"te i! his v"ice whe! he s%"e a&ai!. ;R"se, whe! I'm a#"!d

y", I thi! "$ all sorts "$ c#eative thi!&s t" d".;

I was still &i&&li!& a("t the vi%e#s a!d a(#%tly st"%%ed, sta#i!& at him i! s#%#ise. I'd

always th"&ht Mas"! was cte, (t with that se#i"s, sm"y l"" i! his eyes, it sdde!ly "cc##ed

t" me $"# the $i#st time that he was actally i!d "$ se-y.;Oh, l"" at that,; he la&hed, !"tici!& h"w mch he'd ca&ht me "$$ &a#d. ;R"se &ets

#e!de#ed s%eechless. 3sh$"#d A, Hathaway .;

;Hey, I d"!'t wa!t t" mae y" c#y (e$"#e the t#i%. It w"!'t (e a!y $! i$ I've al#eady (#"e!

y" (e$"#e we eve! hit the sl"%es.;

He la&hed, a!d we ste%%ed i!t" the #""m. This was a class "! ("dy&a#d the"#y, "!e that

t"" %lace i! a! actal class#""m i!stead "$ the %#actice $ield. It was a !ice (#ea $#"m all the

%hysical e-e#ti"!. T"day, the#e we#e th#ee &a#dia!s sta!di!& at the $#"!t wh" we#e!'t $#"m the

sch""l's #e&ime!t. H"liday visit"#s, I #eali4ed. 8a#e!ts a!d thei# &a#dia!s had al#eady sta#ted

c"mi!& t" cam%s t" acc"m%a!y thei# child#e! t" the si #es"#t. My i!te#est was %i6ed

immediately.

O!e "$ the &ests was a tall &y wh" l""ed lie he was a("t a h!d#ed yea#s "ld (t c"ldstill ic ma0"# ass. The "the# &y was a("t Dimit#i's a&e. He had dee%ly ta!!ed si! a!d was (ilt

well e!"&h that a $ew "$ the &i#ls i! class l""ed #eady t" sw""!.

The last &a#dia! was a w"ma!. He# a(#! hai# was c#"%%ed a!d c#ly, a!d he# (#"w! eyes

we#e c##e!tly !a##"wed i! th"&ht. 3s I've said, a l"t "$ dham%i# w"me! ch""se t" have child#e!

#athe# tha! $"ll"w the &a#dia! %ath. Si!ce I t"" was "!e "$ the $ew w"me! i! this %#"$essi"!, I was

always e-cited t" meet "the#s)lie Tama#a.

O!ly, this was!'t Tama#a. This was s"me"!e I'd !"w! $"# yea#s, s"me"!e wh" t#i&&e#ed

a!ythi!& (t %#ide a!d e-citeme!t. I!stead, I $elt #ese!tme!t. Rese!tme!t, a!&e#, a!d (#!i!&

"t#a&e.

The w"ma! sta!di!& i! $#"!t "$ the class was my m"the#.



@ha%te#

I @OU9DN'T BE9IE2E IT. =3NINE Hathaway. My m"the#. My i!sa!ely $am"s a!d

st!!i!&ly a(se!t m"the#. She was !" 3#th# Sch"e!(e#&, (t she did have a %#etty stella#

#e%tati"! i! the &a#dia! w"#ld. I had!'t see! he# i! yea#s (ecase she was always "$$ "! same

i!sa!e missi"!. 3!d yet1he#e she was at the 3cademy #i&ht !"w)#i&ht in front "$ me)a!d she

had!'t eve! ("the#ed t" let me !"w she was c"mi!&. S" mch $"# m"the#ly l"ve.hat the hell was she d"i!& he#e a!yway7 The a!swe# came 6icly. 3ll the M"#"i wh"

came t" cam%s w"ld have thei# &a#dia!s i! t"w. My m"the# %#"tected a !"(le $#"m the S4elsy

cla!, a!d seve#al mem(e#s "$ that $amily had sh"w! % $"# the h"lidays. O$ c"#se she'd (e he#e

with him.

I slid i!t" my chai# a!d $elt s"methi!& i!side "$ me sh#ivel %. I !ew she had t" have see!

me c"me i!, (t he# atte!ti"! was $"csed elsewhe#e. She had "! 0ea!s a!d a (ei&e T/shi#t, c"ve#ed

with what had t" (e the m"st ("#i!& de!im 0acet I'd eve# see!. 3t "!ly $ive $eet tall, she was

dwa#$ed (y the "the# &a#dia!s, (t she had a %#ese!ce a!d way "$ sta!di!& that made he# seem

talle#.

O# i!st#ct"#, Sta!, i!t#"dced the &ests a!d e-%lai!ed that they we#e &"i!& t" sha#e #eal/

li$e e-%e#ie!ces with s.He %aced the $#"!t "$ the #""m, (shy eye(#"ws !itti!& t"&ethe# as he s%"e. ;I !"w this

is !sal,; he e-%lai!ed. ;2isiti!& &a#dia!s sally d"!'t have time t" st"% (y "# classes. O#

th#ee &ests, h"weve#, have made time t" c"me tal t" y" t"day i! li&ht "$ what's ha%%e!ed

#ece!tly1; He %ased a m"me!t, a!d !" "!e !eeded t" tell s what he was #e$e##i!& t". The Badica

attac. He clea#ed his th#"at a!d t#ied a&ai!. ;I! li&ht "$ what's ha%%e!ed, we th"&ht it mi&ht (ette#

%#e%a#e y" t" lea#! $#"m th"se c##e!tly w"#i!& i! the $ield.;

The class te!sed with e-citeme!t. Hea#i!& st"#ies)%a#ticla#ly "!es with a l"t "$ (l""d a!d

acti"!)was a hell "$ a l"t m"#e i!te#esti!& tha! a!aly4i!& the"#y $#"m a te-t("". 3%%a#e!tly

s"me "$ the "the# cam%s &a#dia!s th"&ht s" t"". They "$te! st"%%ed (y "# classes, (t they

we#e %#ese!t t"day i! a la#&e#/tha!/sal !m(e#. Dimit#i st""d am"!& them i! the (ac.

The "ld &y we!t $i#st. He la!ched i!t" his st"#y, a!d I $"!d mysel$ &etti!& h""ed i!. It

desc#i(ed a time whe! the y"!&est s"! "$ the $amily he &a#ded had wa!de#ed "$$ i! a %(lic %lace

that St#i&"i we#e l#i!& i!.

;The s! was a("t t" set,; he t"ld s i! a &#avelly v"ice. He swe%t his ha!ds i! a

d"w!wa#d m"ti"!, a%%a#e!tly t" dem"!st#ate h"w a s!set w"#ed. ;The#e we#e "!ly tw" "$ s,

a!d we had t" mae a s!a% decisi"! "! h"w t" %#"ceed.;

I lea!ed $"#wa#d, el("ws %#"%%ed % "! my des. Ga#dia!s "$te! w"#ed i! %ai#s. O!e)

the !ea# &a#d)sally stayed cl"se t" th"se (ei!& &a#ded while the "the#)the $a# &a#d)

sc"ted the a#ea. The $a# &a#d still sally stayed withi! eye c"!tact, s" I #ec"&!i4ed the dilemma

he#e. Thi!i!& a("t it, I decided that i$ I we#e i! that sitati"!, I'd have the !ea# &a#dia! tae the

#est "$ the $amily t" a sec#e l"cati"! while the "the# &a#dia! sea#ched $"# the ("y.;e had the $amily stay i!side a #esta#a!t with my %a#t!e# while I swe%t the #est "$ the

a#ea,; c"!ti!ed the "ld &a#dia!. He s%#ead his ha!ds "t i! a swee%i!& m"ti"!, a!d I $elt sm&

"ve# havi!& made the c"##ect call. The st"#y e!ded ha%%ily, with a $"!d ("y a!d !" St#i&"i

e!c"!te#s.

The sec"!d &y's a!ecd"te taled a("t h"w he'd &"tte! the d#"% "! a St#i&"i stali!& s"me

M"#"i.

;I was!'t eve! tech!ically "! dty,; he said. He was the #eally cte "!e, a!d a &i#l sitti!&

!ea# me sta#ed at him with wide, ad"#i!& eyes. ;I was visiti!& a $#ie!d a!d the $amily he &a#ded.

3s I was leavi!& thei# a%a#tme!t, I saw a St#i&"i l#i!& i! the shad"ws. He !eve# e-%ected a

&a#dia! t" (e "t the#e. I ci#cled the (l"c, came % (ehi!d him, a!d 1; The ma! made a stai!&

m"ti"!, $a# m"#e d#amatic tha! the "ld &y's ha!d &est#es had (ee!. The st"#ytelle# eve! we!t s"$a# as t" mimic twisti!& the stae i!t" the St#i&"i's hea#t.

3!d the! it was my m"the#'s t#!. 3 sc"wl s%#ead "ve# my $ace (e$"#e she eve! said a w"#d,



a sc"wl that &#ew w"#se "!ce she actally la!ched i!t" the st"#y. I swea#, i$ I did!'t (elieve he#

i!ca%a(le "$ havi!& the ima&i!ati"! $"# it)a!d he# (la!d cl"thi!& ch"ices %#"ved she #eally didn't

have a! ima&i!ati"!)I w"ld have th"&ht she was lyi!&. It was m"#e tha! a st"#y. It was a! e%ic

tale, the i!d "$ thi!& that &ets made i!t" m"vies a!d wi!s Osca#s.

She taled a("t h"w he# cha#&e, 9"#d S4elsy, a!d his wi$e had atte!ded a (all %t "! (y

a!"the# %#"mi!e!t #"yal $amily. Seve#al St#i&"i had (ee! lyi!& i! wait. My m"the# disc"ve#ed "!e,

%#"m%tly staed it, a!d the! ale#ted the "the# &a#dia!s %#ese!t. ith thei# hel%, she h!ted d"w!the "the# St#i&"i l#i!& a#"!d a!d %e#$"#med m"st "$ the ills he#sel$.

;It was!'t easy,; she e-%lai!ed. :#"m a!y"!e else that stateme!t w"ld have s"!ded lie

(#a&&i!&. N"t he#. The#e was a (#is!ess t" the way she s%"e, a! e$$icie!t way "$ stati!& $acts that

le$t !" #""m $"# $l"#ishes. She'd (ee! #aised i! Glas&"w a!d s"me "$ he# w"#ds still had a Sc"ttish

lilt. ;The#e we#e th#ee "the#s "! the %#emises. 3t the time, that was c"!side#ed a! !sally la#&e

!m(e# t" (e w"#i!& t"&ethe#. That's !"t !ecessa#ily t#e !"w, c"!side#i!& the Badica massac#e.;

3 $ew %e"%le $li!ched at the casal way she s%"e a("t the attac. O!ce a&ai!, I c"ld see the

("dies. ;e had t" dis%atch the #emai!i!& St#i&"i as 6icly a!d 6ietly as %"ssi(le, s" as !"t t"

ale#t the "the#s. N"w, i$ y" have the eleme!t "$ s#%#ise, the (est way t" tae St#i&"i is t" c"me

a#"!d $#"m (ehi!d, (#ea thei# !ecs, a!d the! stae them. B#eai!& thei# !ecs w"!'t ill them, "$

c"#se, (t it st!s them a!d all"ws y" t" d" the stai!& (e$"#e they ca! mae a!y !"ise. The m"stdi$$iclt %a#t is actally s!eai!& % "! them, (ecase thei# hea#i!& is s" acte. Si!ce I'm smalle#

a!d li&hte# tha! m"st &a#dia!s, I ca! m"ve $ai#ly 6ietly. S" I e!ded % %e#$"#mi!& tw" "$ the

th#ee ills mysel$.;

3&ai!, she sed that matte#/"$/$act t"!e as she desc#i(ed he# "w! stealthy sills. It was

a!!"yi!&, m"#e s" tha! i$ she'd (ee! "%e!ly ha&hty a("t h"w awes"me she was. My classmates'

$aces sh"!e with w"!de#5 they we#e clea#ly m"#e i!te#ested i! the idea "$ (#eai!& a St#i&"i's !ec

tha! a!aly4i!& my m"the#'s !a##ative sills.

She c"!ti!ed with the st"#y. he! she a!d the "the# &a#dia!s had illed the #emai!i!&

St#i&"i, they'd disc"ve#ed tw" M"#"i had (ee! tae! $#"m the %a#ty. Sch a! act was!'t !c"mm"!

$"# St#i&"i. S"metimes they wa!ted t" save M"#"i $"# a late# ;s!ac;5 s"metimes l"we#/#a!i!&

St#i&"i we#e dis%atched (y m"#e %"we#$l "!es t" (#i!& (ac %#ey. Re&a#dless, tw" M"#"i we#e

&"!e $#"m the (all, a!d thei# &a#dia! had (ee! i!0#ed.

;Nat#ally, we c"ld!'t leave th"se M"#"i i! St#i&"i cltches,; she said. ;e t#aced the

St#i&"i t" thei# hide"t a!d $"!d seve#al "$ them livi!& t"&ethe#. I'm s#e y" ca! #ec"&!i4e h"w

#a#e that is.;

It was. The evil a!d sel$ish !at#e "$ St#i&"i made them t#! "! each "the# as easily as they

did thei# victims. O#&a!i4i!& $"# attacs)whe! they had a! immediate a!d (l""dy &"al i! mi!d)

was the (est they c"ld d". Bt livi!& t"&ethe#7 N". It was alm"st im%"ssi(le t" ima&i!e.

;e ma!a&ed t" $#ee the tw" ca%tive M"#"i, "!ly t" disc"ve# that "the#s we#e (ei!& held

%#is"!e#,; my m"the# said. ;e c"ld!'t se!d the "!es we'd #esced (ac (y themselves, th"&h, s"

the &a#dia!s wh" we#e with me esc"#ted them "t a!d le$t it t" me t" &et the "the#s.;Yes, "$ c"#se, I th"&ht. My m"the# (#avely we!t i! al"!e. 3l"!& the way, she &"t ca%t#ed

(t ma!a&ed t" esca%e a!d #esce the %#is"!e#s. I! d"i!& s", she %e#$"#med what had t" (e the hat

t#ic "$ the ce!t#y, illi!& St#i&"i i! all th#ee ways* stai!&, deca%itati"!, a!d setti!& them "! $i#e.

;I had 0st staed a St#i&"i whe! tw" m"#e attaced,; she e-%lai!ed. ;I did!'t have time t"

%ll the stae "t whe! the "the#s 0m%ed me. :"#t!ately, the#e was a! "%e! $i#e%lace !ea#(y, a!d I

%shed "!e "$ the St#i&"i i!t" it. The last "!e chased me "tside, i!t" a! "ld shed. The#e was a! a-e

i!side a!d I sed that t" ct "$$ he# head. I the! t"" a ca! "$ &as"li!e a!d #et#!ed t" the h"se.

The "!e I'd th#"w! i!t" the $i#e%lace had!'t c"m%letely (#!ed, (t "!ce I d"sed him i! &as"li!e,

he we!t % %#etty 6icly.;

The class#""m was i! awe as she s%"e. M"ths d#"%%ed. Eyes (&&ed. N"t a s"!d c"ld

(e hea#d. Gla!ci!& a#"!d, I $elt lie time had $#"4e! $"# eve#y"!e)e-ce%t me. I a%%ea#ed t" (e the"!ly "!e !im%#essed (y he# ha##"wi!& tale, a!d seei!& the awe "! eve#y"!e's $aces e!#a&ed me.

he! she $i!ished, a d"4e! ha!ds sh"t % as the class %e%%e#ed he# with 6esti"!s a("t he#



tech!i6es, whethe# she was sca#ed, etc.

3$te# a("t the te!th 6esti"!, I c"ld!'t tae it a!ym"#e. I #aised my ha!d. It t"" he# a

while t" !"tice a!d call "! me. She seemed mildly ast"!ished t" $i!d me i! class. I c"!side#ed

mysel$ lcy that she eve! #ec"&!i4ed me.

;S", Ga#dia! Hathaway,; I (e&a!. ;hy did!'t y" &ys 0st sec#e the %lace7;

She $#"w!ed. I thi! she'd &"!e "! he# &a#d the m"me!t she called "! me. ;hat d" y"

mea!7;I sh#&&ed a!d sl"ched (ac i! my des, attem%ti!& a casal a!d c"!ve#sati"!al ai#. ;I

d"!'t !"w. It seems t" me lie y" &ys messed %. hy did!'t y" sc"%e "t the %lace a!d mae

s#e it was clea# "$ St#i&"i i! the $i#st %lace7 Seems lie y" c"ld have saved y"#sel$ a l"t "$

t#"(le.;

3ll eyes i! the #""m t#!ed t"wa#d me. My m"the# was m"me!ta#ily at a l"ss $"# w"#ds. ;I$

we had!'t &"!e th#"&h all that 't#"(le,' the#e'd (e seve! m"#e St#i&"i wali!& the w"#ld, and th"se

"the# ca%t#ed M"#"i w"ld (e dead "# t#!ed (y !"w.;

;Yeah, yeah, I &et h"w y" &ys saved the day a!d all that, (t I'm &"i!& (ac t" the

%#i!ci%les he#e. I mea!, this is a the"#y class, #i&ht7; I &la!ced "ve# at Sta! wh" was #e&a#di!& me

with a ve#y st"#my l"". He a!d I had a l"!& a!d !%leasa!t hist"#y "$ class#""m c"!$licts, a!d I

ss%ected we we#e "! the ve#&e "$ a!"the#. ;S" I 0st wa!t t" $i&#e "t what we!t w#"!& i! the (e&i!!i!&.;

I'll say this $"# he#)my m"the# had a hell "$ a l"t m"#e sel$/c"!t#"l tha! I did. Had "# #"les

(ee! #eve#sed, I w"ld have waled "ve# a!d smaced me (y !"w. He# $ace stayed %e#$ectly calm,

h"weve#, a!d a small ti&ht!ess i! the set "$ he# li%s was the "!ly si&! that I was %issi!& he# "$$.

;It's !"t that sim%le,; she #e%lied. ;The ve!e had a! e-t#emely c"m%le- lay"t. e we!t

th#"&h it i!itially a!d $"!d !"thi!&. It's (elieved the St#i&"i came i! a$te# the $estivities had

sta#ted)"# that the#e mi&ht have (ee! %assa&es a!d hidde! #""ms we had!'t (ee! awa#e "$.;

The class ""h'ed a!d ahh'ed "ve# the idea "$ hidde! %assa&es, (t I was!'t im%#essed.

;S" what y"'#e sayi!& is that y" &ys eithe# $ailed t" detect them d#i!& y"# $i#st swee%,

"# they (#"e th#"&h the 'sec#ity' y" set % d#i!& the %a#ty. Seems lie s"me"!e messed %

eithe# way.;

The ti&ht!ess i! he# li%s i!c#eased, a!d he# v"ice &#ew $#"sty. ;e did the (est we c"ld

with a! !sal sitati"!. I ca! see h"w s"me"!e at y"# level mi&ht !"t (e a(le t" &#as% the

i!t#icacies "$ what I'm desc#i(i!&, (t "!ce y"'ve actally lea#!ed e!"&h t" &" (ey"!d theory,

y"'ll see h"w di$$e#e!t it is whe! y"'#e actally "t the#e a!d lives a#e i! y"# ha!ds.;

;N" d"(t,; I a&#eed. ;h" am I t" 6esti"! y"# meth"ds7 I mea!, whateve# &ets y" the

molni3a ma#s, #i&ht7;

;Miss Hathaway.; Sta!'s dee% v"ice #m(led th#"&h the #""m. ;8lease tae y"# thi!&s a!d

&" wait "tside $"# the #emai!de# "$ class.;

I sta#ed at him i! (ewilde#me!t. ;3#e y" se#i"s7 Si!ce whe! is the#e a!ythi!& w#"!& with

asi!& 6esti"!s7;;Y"# attitde is what's w#"!&.; He %"i!ted at the d""#. ;G".;

3 sile!ce heavie# a!d dee%e# tha! whe! my m"the# had t"ld he# st"#y desce!ded "ve#

eve#y"!e. I did my (est !"t t" c"we# !de# the sta#es "$ &a#dia!s a!d !"vices alie. This was!'t the

$i#st time I'd (ee! iced "t "$ Sta!'s class. It was!'t eve! the $i#st time I'd (ee! iced "t "$

Sta!'s class while Dimit#i was watchi!&. Sli!&i!& my (ac%ac "ve# my sh"lde#, I c#"ssed the

sh"#t dista!ce t" the d""#)a dista!ce that $elt lie miles)a!d #e$sed t" mae eye c"!tact with my

m"the# as I %assed.

3("t $ive mi!tes (e$"#e the class let "t, she sli%%ed "t "$ the #""m a!d waled "ve# t"

whe#e I sat i! the hallway. 9""i!& d"w! "! me, she %t he# ha!ds "! he# hi%s i! that a!!"yi!& way

that made he# seem talle# tha! she was. It was!'t $ai# that s"me"!e "ve# hal$ a $""t sh"#te# tha! me

c"ld mae me $eel s" small.;ell. I see y"# ma!!e#s have!'t im%#"ved "ve# the yea#s.;

I st""d % a!d $elt a &la#e s!a% i!t" %lace. ;Nice t" see y" t"". I'm s#%#ised y" eve!



#ec"&!i4ed me. I! $act, I did!'t eve! thi! y" remembered me, seei!& as h"w y" !eve# ("the#ed

t" let me !"w y" we#e "! cam%s.;

She shi$ted he# ha!ds $#"m he# hi%s a!d c#"ssed he# a#ms ac#"ss he# chest, (ec"mi!&)i$

%"ssi(le)eve! m"#e im%assive. ;I c"ld!'t !e&lect my dty t" c"me c"ddle y".;

;@"ddle7; I ased. This w"ma! had !eve# c"ddled me i! he# li$e. I c"ld!'t (elieve she eve!

!ew the w"#d.

;I w"ld!'t e-%ect y" t" !de#sta!d. :#"m what I hea#, y" d"!'t #eally !"w what 'dty'is.;

;I !"w e-actly what it is,; I #et"#ted. My v"ice was i!te!ti"!ally ha&hty. ;Bette# tha!

m"st %e"%le.;

He# eyes wide!ed i! a s"#t "$ m"c s#%#ise. I sed that sa#castic l"" "! a l"t "$ %e"%le a!d

did!'t a%%#eciate havi!& it di#ected t"wa#d me. ;Oh #eally7 he#e we#e y" $"# the last tw" yea#s7;

;he#e we#e y" $"# the last $ive7; I dema!ded. ;"ld y" have !"w! I was &"!e i$

s"me"!e had!'t t"ld y"7;

;D"!'t t#! this (ac "! me. I was away (ecase I had t" (e. (ou we#e away s" y" c"ld &"

sh"%%i!& a!d stay % late.;

My h#t a!d em(a##assme!t m"#%hed i!t" %#e $#y. 3%%a#e!tly, I was !eve# &"i!& t" live

d"w! the c"!se6e!ces "$ #!!i!& away with 9issa.;Y" have no idea why I le$t,; I said, my v"ice's v"lme #isi!&. ;3!d y" have !" #i&ht t"

mae assm%ti"!s a("t my li$e whe! y" d"!'t !"w a!ythi!& a("t it.;

;I've #ead #e%"#ts a("t what ha%%e!ed. Y" had #eas"! $"# c"!ce#!, (t y" acted

i!c"##ectly.; He# w"#ds we#e $"#mal a!d c#is%. She c"ld have (ee! teachi!& "!e "$ my classes.

;Y" sh"ld have &"!e t" "the#s $"# hel%.;

;The#e was !" "!e I c"ld &" t")!"t whe! I did!'t have ha#d %#""$. Besides, we've (ee!

lea#!i!& that we'#e s%%"sed t" thi! i!de%e!de!tly.;

;Yes,; she #e%lied. ;Em%hasis "! learnin". S"methi!& y" missed "t "! $"# tw" yea#s.

Y"'#e ha#dly i! a %"siti"! t" lect#e me a("t &a#dia! %#"t"c"l.;

I w"!d % i! a#&me!ts all the time5 s"methi!& i! my !at#e made that i!evita(le. S" I was

sed t" de$e!di!& mysel$ a!d havi!& i!slts slammed at me. I had a t"&h si!. Bt s"meh"w,

a#"!d he#)i! the (#ie$ times I had (ee! a#"!d he#)I always $elt lie I was th#ee yea#s "ld. He#

attitde hmiliated me, a!d t"chi!& "! my missed t#ai!i!&) al#eady a %#icly s(0ect)"!ly made

me $eel w"#se. I c#"ssed my a#ms i! a $ai# imitati"! "$ he# "w! sta!ce a!d ma!a&ed a sm& l"".

;Yeah7 ell, that's !"t what my teache#s thi!. Eve! a$te# missi!& all that time, I've still

ca&ht % with eve#y"!e else i! my class.;

She did!'t a!swe# #i&ht away. :i!ally, i! a $lat v"ice, she said, ;I$ y" had!'t le$t, y" w"ld

have s#%assed them.;

T#!i!& milita#y/style, she waled "$$ d"w! the hall. 3 mi!te late#, the (ell #a!&, a!d the

#est "$ Sta!'s class s%illed i!t" the hall.

Eve! Mas"! c"ld!'t chee# me % a$te# that. I s%e!t the #est "$ the day a!&#y a!d a!!"yed,s#e that eve#y"!e was whis%e#i!& a("t my m"the# a!d me. I si%%ed l!ch a!d we!t t" the li(#a#y

t" #ead a ("" a("t %hysi"l"&y a!d a!at"my.

he! it was time $"# my a$te#/sch""l t#ai!i!& with Dimit#i, I %#actically #a! % t" the

%#actice dmmy. ith a c#led $ist, I sla%%ed its chest, ve#y sli&htly t" the le$t (t m"stly i! the

ce!te#.

;The#e,; I t"ld him. ;The hea#t is the#e, a!d the ste#!m a!d #i(s a#e i! the way. @a! I have

the stae !"w7;

@#"ssi!& my a#ms, I &la!ced % at him t#im%ha!tly, waiti!& $"# him t" sh"we# me with

%#aise $"# my !ew c!!i!&. I!stead, he sim%ly !"dded i! ac!"wled&me!t, lie I sh"ld al#eady

have !"w! that. 3!d yeah, I sh"ld have.

;3!d h"w d" y" &et th#"&h the ste#!m a!d the #i(s7; he ased.I si&hed. I'd $i&#ed "t the a!swe# t" "!e 6esti"!, "!ly t" (e &ive! a!"the#. Ty%ical.

e s%e!t a la#&e %a#t "$ the %#actice &"i!& "ve# that, a!d he dem"!st#ated seve#al tech!i6es



that w"ld yield the 6icest ill. Eve#y m"veme!t he made was ("th &#ace$l a!d deadly. He made

it l"" e$$"#tless, (t I !ew (ette#.

he! he sdde!ly e-te!ded his ha!d a!d "$$e#ed the stae t" me, I did!'t !de#sta!d at $i#st.

;Y"'#e &ivi!& it t" me7;

His eyes s%a#led. ;I ca!'t (elieve y"'#e h"ldi!& (ac. I $i&#ed y"'d have tae! it a!d #!

(y !"w.;

;3#e!'t y" always teachi!& me t" h"ld (ac7; I ased.;N"t "! eve#ythi!&.;

;Bt "! some thi!&s.;

I hea#d the d"(le mea!i!& i! my v"ice a!d w"!de#ed whe#e it had c"me $#"m. I'd acce%ted

a while a&" that the#e we#e t"" ma!y #eas"!s $"# me t" eve! thi! a("t him #"ma!tically a!ym"#e.

Eve#y "!ce i! a while, I sli%%ed a little a!d i!d "$ wished he w"ld t"". It'd have (ee! !ice t"

!"w that he still wa!ted me, that I still d#"ve him c#a4y. Stdyi!& him !"w, I #eali4ed he mi&ht !"t

eve# sli% (ecase I didn't d#ive him c#a4y a!ym"#e. It was a de%#essi!& th"&ht.

;O$ c"#se,; he said, sh"wi!& !" i!dicati"! we'd discssed a!ythi!& "the# tha! class

matte#s. ;It's lie eve#ythi!& else. Bala!ce. <!"w which thi!&s t" #! $"#wa#d with)a!d !"w

which t" leave al"!e.; He %laced a heavy em%hasis "! that last stateme!t.

O# eyes met (#ie$ly, a!d I $elt elect#icity #ace th#"&h me. He did !"w what I was tali!&a("t. 3!d lie always, he was i&!"#i!& it a!d (ei!& my teache#)which is e-actly what he sh"ld

have (ee! d"i!&. ith a si&h, I %shed my $eeli!&s $"# him "t "$ my head a!d t#ied t" #emem(e#

that I was a("t t" t"ch the wea%"! I'd (ee! l"!&i!& $"# si!ce childh""d. The mem"#y "$ the

Badica h"se came (ac t" me yet a&ai!. The St#i&"i we#e "t the#e. I !eeded t" $"cs.

Hesita!tly, alm"st #eve#e!tially, I #eached "t a!d c#led my $i!&e#s a#"!d the hilt. The

metal was c""l a!d ti!&led a&ai!st my si!. It was etched al"!& the hilt $"# (ette# &#i%, (t i!

t#aili!& my $i!&e#s "ve# the #est "$ it, I $"!d the s#$ace t" (e as sm""th as &lass. I li$ted it $#"m his

ha!d a!d (#"&ht it t" me, tai!& a l"!& time t" stdy it a!d &et sed t" its wei&ht. 3! a!-i"s %a#t

"$ me wa!ted t" t#! a#"!d a!d im%ale all "$ the dmmies, (t i!stead I l""ed % at Dimit#i a!d

ased, ;hat sh"ld I d" $i#st7;

I! his ty%ical way, he c"ve#ed (asics $i#st, h"!i!& the way I held a!d m"ved with the stae.

9ate# "!, he $i!ally let me attac "!e "$ the dmmies, at which %"i!t I did i!deed disc"ve# it was

not e$$"#tless. Ev"lti"! had d"!e a sma#t thi!& i! %#"tecti!& the hea#t with the ste#!m a!d #i(s.

Yet th#"&h it all, Dimit#i !eve# $alte#ed i! dili&e!ce a!d %atie!ce, &idi!& me th#"&h eve#y ste%

a!d c"##ecti!& the $i!est details.

;Slide up th#"&h the #i(s,; he e-%lai!ed, watchi!& me t#y t" $it the stae's %"i!t th#"&h a

&a% i! the ("!es. ;It'll (e easie# si!ce y"'#e sh"#te# tha! m"st "$ y"# attace#s. 8ls, y" ca! slide

al"!& the l"we# #i('s ed&e.;

he! %#actice e!ded, he t"" the stae (ac a!d !"dded his a%%#"val.

;G""d. 2e#y &""d.;

I &la!ced at him i! s#%#ise. He did!'t sally ha!d "t a l"t "$ %#aise.;Really7;

;Y" d" it lie y"'ve (ee! d"i!& it $"# yea#s.;

I $elt a deli&hted &#i! c#ee% "ve# my $ace as we sta#ted leavi!& the %#actice #""m. he! we

!ea#ed the d""#, I !"ticed a dmmy with c#ly #ed hai#. Sdde!ly, all the eve!ts $#"m Sta!'s class

came tm(li!& (ac i!t" my head. I sc"wled.

;@a! I stae that "!e !e-t time7;

He %iced % his c"at a!d %t it "!. It was l"!& a!d (#"w!, made "$ dist#essed leathe#. It

l""ed ve#y mch lie a c"w("y dste#, th"&h he'd !eve# admit t" it. He had a sec#et $asci!ati"!

with the Old est. I did!'t #eally !de#sta!d it, (t the!, I did!'t &et his wei#d msical %#e$e#e!ces

eithe#.

;I d"!'t thi! that'd (e healthy,; he said.;It'd (e (ette# tha! me actally d"i!& it t" her,/ I &#m(led, sli!&i!& my (ac%ac "ve# "!e

sh"lde#. e headed "t t" the &ym.



;2i"le!ce is!'t the a!swe# t" y"# %#"(lems,; he said sa&ely.

;She's the "!e with the %#"(lem. 3!d I th"&ht the wh"le %"i!t "$ my edcati"! was that

vi"le!ce is the a!swe#.;

;O!ly t" th"se wh" (#i!& it t" y" $i#st. Y"# m"the# is!'t assalti!& y". Y" tw" a#e 0st

t"" mch alie, that's all.;

I st"%%ed wali!&. ;I'm !"t a!ythi!& lie he#? I mea!1we i!d "$ have the same eyes. Bt

I'm a l"t talle#. 3!d my hai#'s c"m%letely di$$e#e!t.; I %"i!ted t" my %"!y tail, 0st i! case he was!'tawa#e that my thic (#"w!/(lac hai# did!'t l"" lie my m"the#'s a(#! c#ls.

He still had i!d "$ a! amsed e-%#essi"!, (t the#e was s"methi!& ha#d i! his eyes t"".

;I'm !"t tali!& a("t y"# a%%ea#a!ces, a!d y" !"w it.;

I l""ed away $#"m that !"wi!& &a4e. My att#acti"! t" Dimit#i had sta#ted alm"st as s""!

as we'd met)a!d it was!'t 0st (ecase he was s" h"t, eithe#. I $elt lie he !de#st""d %a#t "$ me

that I did!'t !de#sta!d mysel$, a!d s"metimes I was %#etty s#e I !de#st""d %a#ts "$ him that he

did!'t !de#sta!d eithe#.

The "!ly %#"(lem was that he had the a!!"yi!& te!de!cy t" %"i!t "t thi!&s a("t mysel$ I

did!'t want t" !de#sta!d.

;Y" thi! I'm 0eal"s7;

;3#e y"7; he ased. I hated it whe! he a!swe#ed my 6esti"!s with 6esti"!s. ;I$ s", whata#e y" 0eal"s "$ e-actly7;

I &la!ced (ac at Dimit#i. ;I d"!'t !"w. May(e I'm 0eal"s "$ he# #e%tati"!. May(e I'm

0eal"s (ecase she's %t m"#e time i!t" he# #e%tati"! tha! i!t" me. I d"!'t !"w.;

;Y" d"!'t thi! what she did was &#eat7;

;Yes. N". I d"!'t !"w. It 0st s"!ded lie sch a 1 I d"!'t !"w1lie she was (#a&&i!&.

9ie she did it $"# the &l"#y.; I &#imaced. ;:"# the ma#s.; olni3a ma#s we#e tatt""s awa#ded t"

&a#dia!s whe! they illed St#i&"i. Each "!e l""ed lie a ti!y 4 made "$ li&ht!i!& ("lts. They

we!t "! the (acs "$ "# !ecs a!d sh"wed h"w e-%e#ie!ced a &a#dia! was.

;Y" thi! $aci!& d"w! St#i&"i is w"#th a $ew ma#s7 I th"&ht y"'d lea#!ed s"methi!&

$#"m the Badica h"se.;

I $elt st%id. ;That's !"t what I);

;@"me "!.;

I st"%%ed wali!&. ;hat7;

e'd (ee! headi!& t"wa#d my d"#m, (t !"w he !"dded his head t"wa#d the "%%"site side

"$ cam%s. ;I wa!t t" sh"w y" s"methi!&.;

;hat is it7;

;That !"t all ma#s a#e (ad&es "$ h"!"#.;



@ha%te# J

I H3D NO IDE3 H3T Dimit#i was tali!& a("t, (t I $"ll"wed al"!& "(edie!tly.

T" my s#%#ise, he led me "t "$ the ("!da#ies "$ the cam%s a!d i!t" the s##"!di!&

w""ds. The 3cademy "w!ed a l"t "$ la!d, !"t all "$ which was actively sed $"# edcati"!al

%#%"ses. e we#e i! a #em"te %a#t "$ M"!ta!a, a!d at times, it seemed as th"&h the sch""l was

0st (a#ely h"ldi!& (ac the wilde#!ess.e waled 6ietly $"# a while, "# $eet c#!chi!& th#"&h thic, !(#"e! s!"w. 3 $ew

(i#ds $litted (y, si!&i!& thei# &#eeti!&s t" the #isi!& s!, (t m"stly all I saw we#e sc#a&&ly, s!"w/

heavy eve#&#ee! t#ees. I had t" w"# t" ee% % with Dimit#i's l"!&e# st#ide, %a#ticla#ly si!ce the

s!"w sl"wed me d"w! a little. S""!, I disce#!ed a la#&e, da# sha%e ahead. S"me i!d "$ (ildi!&.

;hat is that7; I ased. Be$"#e he c"ld a!swe#, I #eali4ed it was a small ca(i!, made "t "$

l"&s a!d eve#ythi!&. @l"se# e-ami!ati"! sh"wed that the l"&s l""ed w"#! a!d #"tte! i! s"me

%laces. The #""$ sa&&ed a little.

;Old watch/%"st,; he said. ;Ga#dia!s sed t" live "! the ed&e "$ cam%s a!d ee% watch

$"# St#i&"i.;

;hy d"!'t they a!ym"#e7;

;e d"!'t have e!"&h &a#dia!s t" sta$$ it. Besides, M"#"i have wa#ded cam%s withe!"&h %#"tective ma&ic that m"st d"!'t thi! it's !ecessa#y t" have actal %e"%le "! &a#d.;

8#"vided !" hma!s staed the wa#ds, I th"&ht.

:"# a $ew (#ie$ m"me!ts, I e!te#tai!ed the h"%e that Dimit#i was leadi!& me "$$ t" s"me

#"ma!tic &etaway. The! I hea#d v"ices "! the "%%"site side "$ the (ildi!&. 3 $amilia# hm "$

$eeli!& c"#sed i!t" my mi!d. 9issa was the#e.

Dimit#i a!d I #"!ded the c"#!e# "$ the (ildi!&, c"mi!& % "! a s#%#isi!& sce!e. 3 small

$#"4e! %"!d lay the#e, a!d @h#istia! a!d 9issa we#e ice sati!& "! it. 3 w"ma! I did!'t !"w was

with them, (t he# (ac was t" me. 3ll I c"ld see was a wave "$ 0et/(lac hai# that a#ced a#"!d

he# whe! she sated t" a &#ace$l st"%.

9issa &#i!!ed whe! she saw me. ;R"se?; @h#istia! &la!ced "ve# at me as she s%"e, a!d I

&"t the disti!ct im%#essi"! he $elt I was i!t#di!& "! thei# #"ma!tic m"me!t.

9issa m"ved i! awwa#d st#ides t" the %"!d's ed&e. She was!'t s" ade%t at sati!&.

I c"ld "!ly sta#e i! (ewilde#me!t)a!d 0eal"sy. ;Tha!s $"# i!viti!& me t" the %a#ty.;

;I $i&#ed y" we#e (sy,; she said. ;3!d this is sec#et a!yway. e a#e!'t s%%"sed t" (e

he#e.; I c"ld have t"ld them that.

@h#istia! sated % (eside he#, a!d the st#a!&e w"ma! s""! $"ll"wed. ;Y" (#i!&i!& %a#ty

c#ashe#s, Dima7; she ased.

I w"!de#ed wh" she was tali!& t", !til I hea#d Dimit#i la&h. He did!'t d" it that "$te!,

a!d my s#%#ise i!c#eased. ;It's im%"ssi(le t" ee% R"se away $#"m %laces she sh"ld!'t (e. She

always $i!ds them eve!tally.;

The w"ma! &#i!!ed a!d t#!ed a#"!d, $li%%i!& he# l"!& hai# "ve# "!e sh"lde#, s" that Isdde!ly saw he# $ace $ll/"!. It t"" eve#y "!ce "$ my al#eady d(i"sly held sel$/c"!t#"l !"t t"

#eact. He# hea#t/sha%ed $ace had la#&e eyes e-actly the same shade as @h#istia!'s, a %ale wi!t#y (le.

The li%s that smiled at me we#e delicate a!d l"vely, &l"ssed i! a shade "$ %i! that set "$$ the #est "$

he# $eat#es.

Bt ac#"ss he# le$t chee, ma##i!& what w"ld have "the#wise (ee! sm""th, white si! we#e

#aised, %#%lish sca#s. Thei# sha%e a!d $"#mati"! l""ed ve#y mch lie s"me"!e had (itte! i!t"

a!d t"#! "t %a#t "$ he# chee. hich, I #eali4ed, was e-actly what had ha%%e!ed.

I swall"wed. I sdde!ly !ew wh" this was. It was @h#istia!'s a!t. he! his %a#e!ts had

t#!ed St#i&"i, they'd c"me (ac $"# him, h"%i!& t" hide him away a!d t#! him St#i&"i whe! he

was "lde#. I did!'t !"w all the details, (t I !ew his a!t had $e!ded them "$$. 3s I'd "(se#ved

(e$"#e, th"&h, St#i&"i we#e deadly. She'd %#"vided e!"&h "$ a dist#acti"! !til the &a#dia!ssh"wed %, (t she had!'t waled away with"t dama&e.

She e-te!ded he# &l"ved ha!d t" me. ;Tasha O4e#a,; she said. ;I've hea#d a l"t a("t y",



R"se.;

I &ave @h#istia! a da!&e#"s l"", a!d Tasha la&hed.

;D"!'t w"##y,; she said. ;It was all &""d.;

;N", it was!'t,; he c"!te#ed.

She sh"" he# head i! e-as%e#ati"!. ;H"!estly, I d"!'t !"w whe#e he &"t sch h"##i(le

s"cial sills. He did!'t lea#! them $#"m me.; That was "(vi"s, I th"&ht.

;hat a#e y" &ys d"i!& "t he#e7; I ased.;I wa!ted t" s%e!d s"me time with these tw".; 3 small $#"w! w#i!led he# $"#ehead. ;Bt I

d"!'t #eally lie ha!&i!& a#"!d the sch""l itsel$. They a#e!'t always h"s%ita(le1.;

I did!'t &et that at $i#st. Sch""l "$$icials sally $ell all "ve# themselves whe! #"yals came t"

visit. The! I $i&#ed it "t.

;Becase 1 (ecase "$ what ha%%e!ed 1;

@"!side#i!& the way eve#y"!e t#eated @h#istia! (ecase "$ his %a#e!ts, I sh"ld!'t have (ee!

s#%#ised t" $i!d his a!t $aci!& the same disc#imi!ati"!.

Tasha sh#&&ed. ;That's the way it is.; She #((ed he# ha!ds t"&ethe# a!d e-haled, he#

(#eath mai!& a $#"sty cl"d i! the ai#. ;Bt let's !"t sta!d "t he#e, !"t whe! we ca! (ild a $i#e

i!side.;

I &ave a last, wist$l &la!ce at the $#"4e! %"!d a!d the! $"ll"wed the "the#s i!side. Theca(i! was %#etty (a#e, c"ve#ed i! laye#s "$ dst a!d di#t. It c"!sisted "$ "!ly "!e #""m. The#e was a

!a##"w (ed with !" c"ve#s i! the c"#!e# a!d a $ew shelves whe#e $""d had %#"(a(ly "!ce (ee!

st"#ed. The#e was a $i#e%lace, h"weve#, a!d we s""! had a (la4e &"i!& that wa#med the small a#ea.

The $ive "$ s sat d"w!, hddli!& a#"!d its heat, a!d Tasha %#"dced a (a& "$ ma#shmall"ws that

we c""ed "ve# the $lames.

3s we $easted "! that &""ey &""d!ess, 9issa a!d @h#istia! taled t" each "the# i! that easy,

c"m$"#ta(le way they always had. T" my s#%#ise, Tasha a!d Dimit#i als" taled i! a $amilia# a!d

li&ht way. They "(vi"sly !ew each "the# $#"m way (ac whe!. I'd actally !eve# see! him s"

a!imated (e$"#e. Eve! whe! a$$ecti"!ate with me, the#e'd always (ee! a se#i"s ai# a("t him. ith

Tasha, he (a!te#ed a!d la&hed.

The m"#e I liste!ed t" he#, the m"#e I lied he#. :i!ally, !a(le t" stay "t "$ the

c"!ve#sati"!, I ased, ;S" a#e y" c"mi!& "! the si t#i%7;

She !"dded. Sti$li!& a yaw!, she st#etched he#sel$ "t lie a cat. ;I have!'t (ee! sii!& i!

a&es. N" time. Bee! savi!& all my vacati"! $"# this.;

;2acati"!7; I &ave he# a c#i"s l"". ;D" y" have1a 0"(7;

;Sadly, yes,; Tasha said, th"&h she did!'t actally s"!d ve#y sad a("t it. ;I teach ma#tial

a#ts classes.;

I sta#ed i! ast"!ishme!t. I c"ld!'t have (ee! m"#e s#%#ised i$ she'd said she was a!

ast#"!at "# a tele%h"!e %sychic.

3 l"t "$ #"yals 0st did!'t w"# at all, a!d i$ they did, it was sally i! s"me s"#t "$

i!vestme!t "# "the# m"!eymai!& (si!ess that $#the#ed thei# $amily $"#t!es. 3!d th"se wh" didw"# ce#tai!ly did!'t d" a l"t "$ ma#tial a#ts "# %hysically dema!di!& 0"(s. M"#"i had a l"t "$ &#eat

att#i(tes* e-ce%ti"!al se!ses)smell, si&ht, a!d hea#i!&)a!d the %"we# t" w"# ma&ic. Bt

%hysically, they we#e tall a!d sle!de#, "$te! small/("!ed. They als" &"t wea $#"m (ei!& i!

s!li&ht. N"w, th"se thi!&s we#e!'t e!"&h t" %#eve!t s"me"!e $#"m (ec"mi!& a $i&hte#, (t they

did mae it m"#e challe!&i!&. 3! idea had (ilt % am"!& the M"#"i "ve# time that thei# (est

"$$e!se was a &""d de$e!se, a!d m"st shied away $#"m the th"&ht "$ %hysical c"!$lict. They hid i!

well/%#"tected %laces lie the 3cademy, always #elyi!& "! st#"!&e#, ha#die# dham%i#s t" &a#d

them.

;hat d" y" thi!, R"se7; @h#istia! seemed hi&hly amsed (y my s#%#ise. ;Thi! y"

c"ld tae he#7;

;Ha#d t" say,; I said.Tasha c#""ed me a &#i!. ;Y"'#e (ei!& m"dest. I've see! what y" &ys ca! d". This is 0st

a h"((y I %iced %.;



Dimit#i chcled. ;N"w you're (ei!& m"dest. Y" c"ld teach hal$ the classes a#"!d he#e.;

;N"t liely,; she said. ;It'd (e %#etty em(a##assi!& t" (e (eate! % (y a (!ch "$ tee!a&e#s.;

;I d"!'t thi! that'd ha%%e!,; he said. ;I seem t" #emem(e# y" d"i!& s"me dama&e t" Neil

S4elsy.;

Tasha #"lled he# eyes. ;Th#"wi!& my d#i! i! his $ace was!'t actally dama&e)!less y"

c"!side# the dama&e it did t" his sit. 3!d we all !"w h"w he is a("t his cl"thes.;

They ("th la&hed at s"me %#ivate 0"e the #est "$ s we#e!'t i! "!, (t I was "!ly hal$/liste!i!&. I was still i!t#i&ed a("t he# #"le with the St#i&"i.

The sel$/c"!t#"l I'd t#ied t" mai!tai! $i!ally sli%%ed. ;Did y" sta#t lea#!i!& t" $i&ht (e$"#e

"# a$te# that ha%%e!ed t" y"# $ace7;

;R"se?; hissed 9issa.

Bt Tasha did!'t seem %set. Neithe# did @h#istia!, a!d he sally &#ew !c"m$"#ta(le whe!

the attac with his %a#e!ts was (#"&ht %. She #e&a#ded me with a level, th"&ht$l l"". It

#emi!ded me "$ the "!e I s"metimes &"t $#"m Dimit#i i$ I did s"methi!& s#%#isi!& that he a%%#"ved

"$.

;3$te#,; she said. She did!'t l"we# he# &a4e "# l"" em(a##assed, th"&h I se!sed sad!ess i!

he#. ;H"w mch d" y" !"w7;

I &la!ced at @h#istia!. ;The (asics.;She !"dded. ;I !ew 1 I !ew what 9cas a!d M"i#a had (ec"me, (t that still did!'t

%#e%a#e me. Me!tally, %hysically, "# em"ti"!ally. I thi! i$ I had t" live th#"&h it a&ai!, I still

w"ld!'t (e #eady. Bt a$te# that !i&ht, I l""ed at mysel$) $i&#atively)a!d #eali4ed h"w

de$e!seless I was. I'd s%e!t my wh"le li$e e-%ecti!& &a#dia!s t" %#"tect me a!d tae ca#e "$ me.

;3!d that's !"t t" say the &a#dia!s a#e!'t ca%a(le. 9ie I said, y" c"ld %#"(a(ly tae me

i! a $i&ht. Bt they)9cas a!d M"i#a)ct d"w! "# tw" &a#dia!s (e$"#e we #eali4ed what had

ha%%e!ed. I stalled them $#"m tai!& @h#istia!) (t 0st (a#ely. I$ the "the#s had!'t sh"w! %, I'd

(e dead, a!d he'd); She st"%%ed, $#"w!ed, a!d e%t &"i!&. ;I decided that I did!'t wa!t t" die that

way, !"t with"t %tti!& % a #eal $i&ht a!d d"i!& eve#ythi!& I c"ld t" %#"tect mysel$ a!d th"se I

l"ve. S" I lea#!ed all s"#ts "$ sel$/de$e!se. 3!d a$te# a while, I did!'t #eally, h, $it i! s" well with

hi&h s"ciety a#"!d he#e. S" I m"ved t" Mi!!ea%"lis a!d made a livi!& $#"m teachi!& "the#s.;

I did!'t d"(t the#e we#e "the# M"#"i livi!& i! Mi!!ea%"lis)th"&h G"d "!ly !ew why)

(t I c"ld #ead (etwee! the li!es. She'd m"ved the#e a!d i!te&#ated he#sel$ with hma!s, ee%i!&

away $#"m "the# vam%i#es lie 9issa a!d I had $"# tw" yea#s. I sta#ted t" w"!de# als" i$ the#e mi&ht

have (ee! s"methi!& else the#e (etwee! the li!es. She'd said she'd lea#!ed ;all s"#ts "$ sel$/

de$e!se;)a%%a#e!tly, m"#e tha! 0st ma#tial a#ts. G"i!& al"!& with thei# "$$e!se/de$e!se (elie$s,

the M"#"i did!'t thi! ma&ic sh"ld (e sed as a wea%"!. 9"!& a&", it had (ee! sed that way, a!d

s"me M"#"i still sec#etly did t"day. @h#istia!, I !ew, was "!e "$ them. I sdde!ly had a &""d idea

"$ whe#e he mi&ht have %iced % that i!d "$ thi!&.

Sile!ce $ell. It was ha#d t" $"ll"w % a sad st"#y lie that. Bt Tasha, I #eali4ed, was "!e "$

th"se %e"%le wh" c"ld always li&hte! a m""d. It made me lie he# eve! m"#e, a!d she s%e!t the#est "$ the time telli!& s $!!y st"#ies. She did!'t %t "! ai#s lie a l"t "$ #"yals did, s" she had l"ts

"$ di#t "! eve#y"!e. Dimit#i !ew a l"t "$ the %e"%le she s%"e "$) h"!estly, h"w did s"me"!e s"

a!tis"cial seem t" !"w everyone i! M"#"i a!d &a#dia! s"ciety7)a!d w"ld "ccasi"!ally add

s"me small detail. They had s i! hyste#ics !til Tasha $i!ally l""ed at he# watch.

;he#e's the (est %lace a &i#l ca! &" sh"%%i!& a#"!d he#e7; she ased.

9issa a!d I e-cha!&ed l""s. ;Miss"la,; we said i! !is"!.

Tasha si&hed. ;That's a c"%le h"#s away, (t i$ I leave s""!, I ca! %#"(a(ly still &et i!

s"me time (e$"#e the st"#es cl"se. I'm h"%elessly (ehi!d i! @h#istmas sh"%%i!&.;

I &#"a!ed. ;I'd ill t" &" sh"%%i!&.;

;Me t"",; said 9issa.

;May(e we c"ld s!ea al"!&1.; I &ave Dimit#i a h"%e$l l"".;N",; he said immediately. I &ave a si&h "$ my "w!.

Tasha yaw!ed a&ai!. ;I'll have t" &#a( s"me c"$$ee, s" I d"!'t slee% "! the d#ive i!.;



;@a!'t "!e "$ y"# &a#dia!s d#ive $"# y"7;

She sh"" he# head. ;I d"!'t have a!y.;

;D"!'t have a!y 1; I $#"w!ed, %a#si!& he# w"#ds. ;Y" d"!'t have a!y &a#dia!s7;

;N"%e.;

I sh"t %. ;Bt that's !"t %"ssi(le? Y"'#e #"yal. Y" sh"ld have at least "!e. Tw", #eally.;

Ga#dia!s we#e dist#i(ted am"!& M"#"i i! a c#y%tic, mic#"ma!a&ed way (y the Ga#dia!

@"!cil. It was i!d "$ a! !$ai# system, c"!side#i!& the #ati" "$ &a#dia!s t" M"#"i. N"!/#"yalste!ded t" &et them (y a l"tte#y system. R"yals always &"t them. Hi&h/#a!i!& #"yals "$te! &"t m"#e

tha! "!e, (t eve! the l"west/#a!i!& mem(e# "$ #"yalty w"ld!'t have (ee! with"t "!e.

;The O4e#as a#e!'t e-actly $i#st i! li!e whe! &a#dia!s &et assi&!ed,; said @h#istia! (itte#ly.

;Eve# si!ce1my %a#e!ts died1the#e's i!d "$ (ee! a sh"#ta&e.;

My a!&e# $la#ed %. ;Bt that's !"t $ai#. They ca!'t %!ish y" $"# what y"# %a#e!ts did.;

;It's !"t %!ishme!t, R"se.; Tasha did!'t seem !ea#ly as e!#a&ed as she sh"ld have (ee!, i!

my "%i!i"!. ;It's 0st1a #ea##a!&i!& "$ %#i"#ities.;

;They'#e leavi!& y" de$e!seless. Y" ca!'t &" "t the#e (y y"#sel$?;

;I'm !"t de$e!seless, R"se. I've t"ld y" that. 3!d i$ I #eally wa!ted a &a#dia!, I c"ld

mae a !isa!ce "$ mysel$, (t it's a l"t "$ hassle. I'm $i!e $"# !"w.;

Dimit#i &la!ced "ve# at he#. ;Y" wa!t me t" &" with y"7;;3!d ee% y" % all !i&ht7; Tasha sh"" he# head. ;I w"ld!'t d" that t" y", Dima.;

;He d"es!'t mi!d,; I said 6icly, e-cited a("t this s"lti"!.

Dimit#i seemed amsed (y me s%eai!& $"# him, (t he did!'t c"!t#adict me. ;I #eally d"!'t.;

She hesitated. ;3ll #i&ht. Bt we sh"ld %#"(a(ly &" s""!.;

O# illicit %a#ty dis%e#sed. The M"#"i we!t "!e di#ecti"!5 Dimit#i a!d I we!t a!"the#. He

a!d Tasha made %la!s t" meet % i! a hal$ h"#.

;S" what d" y" thi! "$ he#7; he ased whe! we we#e al"!e.

;I lie he#. She's c""l.; I th"&ht a("t he# $"# a m"me!t. ;3!d I &et what y" mea! a("t

the ma#s.;

;Oh7;

I !"dded, watchi!& my $""ti!& as we waled al"!& the %aths. Eve! whe! salted a!d

sh"veled, they c"ld still c"llect hidde! %atches "$ ice.

;She did!'t d" what she did $"# &l"#y. She did it (ecase she had t". =st lie10st lie my

m"m did.; I hated t" admit it, (t it was t#e. =a!i!e Hathaway mi&ht (e the w"#st m"the# eve#, (t

she was a &#eat &a#dia!. ;The ma#s d"!'t matte#. olni3as "# sca#s.;

;Y"'#e a $ast lea#!e#,; he said with a%%#"val.

I swelled !de# his %#aise. ;hy d"es she call y" Dima7;

He la&hed s"$tly. I'd hea#d a l"t "$ his la&hte# t"!i&ht a!d decided I'd lie t" hea# m"#e "$

it.

;It's a !ic!ame $"# Dimit#i.;

;That d"es!'t mae a!y se!se. It d"es!'t s"!d a!ythi!& lie Dimit#i. Y" sh"ld (e called, Id"!'t !"w, Dimi "# s"methi!&.;

;That's !"t h"w it w"#s i! Rssia!,; he said.

;Rssia!'s wei#d,; I! Rssia!, the !ic!ame $"# 2asilisa was 2asya, which made !" se!se t"

me.

;S" is E!&lish.;

I &ave him a sly l"". ;I$ y"'d teach me t" swea# i! Rssia!, I mi&ht have a !ew

a%%#eciati"! $"# it.;

;Y" swea# t"" mch al#eady.;

;I 0st wa!t t" e-%#ess mysel$.;

;Oh, R"4a1; He si&hed, a!d I $elt a th#ill ticle me. ;R"4a; was my !ame i! Rssia!. He

#a#ely sed it. ;Y" e-%#ess y"#sel$ m"#e tha! a!y"!e else I !"w.;I smiled a!d waled "! a (it with"t sayi!& a!ythi!& else. My hea#t si%%ed a (eat, I was s"

ha%%y t" (e a#"!d him. The#e was s"methi!& wa#m a!d ri"ht a("t s (ei!& t"&ethe#.



Eve! as I $l"ated al"!&, my mi!d ch#!ed "ve# s"methi!& else that I'd (ee! thi!i!& a("t.

;Y" !"w, the#e's s"methi!& $!!y a("t Tasha's sca#s.;

;hat's that7; he ased.

;The sca#s1they mess % he# $ace,; I (e&a! sl"wly. I was havi!& t#"(le %tti!& my

th"&hts i!t" w"#ds. ;I mea!, it's "(vi"s she sed t" (e #eally %#etty. Bt eve! with the sca#s !"w

1 I d"!'t !"w. She's %#etty i! a di$$e#e!t way. It's lie1lie they'#e %a#t "$ he#. They c"m%lete

he#.; It s"!ded silly, (t it was t#e.Dimit#i did!'t say a!ythi!&, (t he &ave me a sidel"!& &la!ce. I #et#!ed it, a!d as "# eyes

met, I saw the (#ie$est &lim%se "$ the "ld att#acti"!. It was $leeti!& a!d &"!e t"" s""!, (t I'd see!

it. 8#ide a!d a%%#"val #e%laced it, a!d they we#e alm"st as &""d.

he! he s%"e, it was t" ech" his ea#lie# th"&hts. ;Y"'#e a $ast lea#!e#, R"4a.;



@ha%te# K

I 3S :EE9ING 8RETTY GOOD a("t li$e whe! I headed t" my (e$"#e/sch""l %#actice

the !e-t day. The sec#et &athe#i!& last !i&ht had (ee! s%e# $!, a!d I $elt %#"dly #es%"!si(le $"#

$i&hti!& the system a!d e!c"#a&i!& Dimit#i t" &" with Tasha. Bette# still, I'd &"tte! my $i#st c#ac

at a silve# stae yeste#day a!d had %#"ve! I c"ld ha!dle "!e. Hi&h "! mysel$, I c"ld!'t wait t"

%#actice eve! m"#e.O!ce I was d#essed i! my sal w"#"t atti#e, I %#actically si%%ed d"w! t" the &ym. Bt

whe! I stc my head i!side the %#actice #""m $#"m the day (e$"#e, I $"!d it da# a!d 6iet.

:li%%i!& "! the li&ht, I %ee#ed a#"!d 0st i! case Dimit#i was c"!dcti!& s"me i!d "$ wei#d,

c"ve#t t#ai!i!& e-e#cise. N"%e. Em%ty. N" stai!& t"day.

;Shit,; I mtte#ed.

;He's !"t he#e.;

I yel%ed a!d !ea#ly 0m%ed te! $eet i! the ai#. T#!i!& a#"!d, I l""ed st#ai&ht i!t" my

m"the#'s !a##"wed (#"w! eyes.

;hat a#e y" d"i!& he#e7; 3s s""! as the w"#ds we#e "t "$ my m"th, he# a%%ea#a!ce

#e&iste#ed with me. 3 st#etchy s%a!de- shi#t with sh"#t sleeves. 9""se, d#awst#i!& w"#"t %a!ts

simila# t" the "!es I w"#e. ;Shit,; I said a&ai!.;atch y"# m"th,; she s!a%%ed. ;Y" mi&ht (ehave lie y" have !" ma!!e#s, (t at least

t#y !"t t" s"!d that way.;

;he#e's Dimit#i7;

/5uardian Belikov is i! (ed. He 0st &"t (ac a c"%le "$ h"#s a&" a!d !eeded t" slee%.;

3!"the# e-%letive was "! my li%s, a!d I (it it (ac. O$ c"#se Dimit#i was aslee%. He'd had

t" d#ive with Tasha t" Miss"la d#i!& dayli&ht i! "#de# t" (e the#e d#i!& hma! sh"%%i!& h"#s.

He'd tech!ically (ee! % all "$ the 3cademy's !i&ht a!d had %#"(a(ly "!ly 0st &"tte! (ac. U&h. I

w"ld!'t have (ee! s" 6ic t" e!c"#a&e him t" hel% he# i$ I'd !"w! it'd #eslt i! this.

;ell,; I said hastily. ;I &ess that mea!s %#actice is ca!celed);

;Be 6iet a!d %t these "!.; She ha!ded me s"me t#ai!i!& mitts. They we#e simila# t"

("-i!& &l"ves (t !"t as thic a!d (ly. They sha#ed the same %#%"se, h"weve#* t" %#"tect y"#

ha!ds a!d ee% y" $#"m &"&i!& y"# "%%"!e!t with y"# !ails.

;e've (ee! w"#i!& "! silve# staes,; I said slily sh"vi!& my ha!ds i!t" the mitts.

;ell, t"day we'#e d"i!& this. @"me "!.;

ishi!& I'd (ee! hit (y a (s "! my wal $#"m the d"#m t"day, I $"ll"wed he# "t t"wa#d

the ce!te# "$ the &ym. He# c#ly hai# was %i!!ed % t" stay "t "$ the way, #eveali!& the (ac "$ he#

!ec. The si! the#e was c"ve#ed i! tatt""s. The t"% "!e was a se#%e!ti!e li!e* the %#"mise ma#,

&ive! whe! &a#dia!s &#adated $#"m academies lie St. 2ladimi#'s a!d a&#eed t" se#ve. Bel"w that

we#e the molni3a ma#s awa#ded each time a &a#dia! illed a St#i&"i. They we#e sha%ed lie the

li&ht!i!& ("lts they t"" thei# !ame $#"m. I c"ld!'t &a&e e-act !m(e#s, (t let's 0st say it was a

w"!de# my m"m had a!y !ec le$t t" tatt"". She'd wielded a l"t "$ death i! he# time.he! she #eached the s%"t she wa!ted, she t#!ed t"wa#d me a!d ad"%ted a! attac sta!ce.

Hal$ e-%ecti!& he# t" 0m% me the! a!d the#e, I 6icly mi##"#ed it.

;hat a#e we d"i!&7; I ased.

;Basic "$$e!sive a!d de$e!sive %a##yi!&. Use the #ed li!es.;

;That's all7; I ased.

She lea%t t"wa#d me. I d"d&ed)0st (a#ely)a!d t#i%%ed "ve# my "w! $eet i! the %#"cess.

Hastily, I #i&hted mysel$.

;ell,; she said i! a v"ice that almost s"!ded sa#castic. ;3s y" seem s" ee! "!

#emi!di!& me, I have!'t see! y" i! $ive yea#s. I have !" idea what y" ca! d".;

She m"ved "! me a&ai!, a!d a&ai! I 0st (a#ely e%t withi! the li!es i! esca%i!& he#. That

6icly (ecame the %atte#!. She !eve# #eally &ave me the cha!ce t" &" "! the "$$e!sive. O# may(e I 0st did!'t have the sills t" tae the "$$e!sive. I s%e!t all my time de$e!di!& mysel$)%hysically, at

least. G#d&i!&ly, I had t" ac!"wled&e t" mysel$ that she was &""d. +eally &""d. Bt I ce#tai!ly



was!'t &"i!& t" tell he# that.

;S", what7; I ased. ;This is y"# way "$ mai!& % $"# mate#!al !e&li&e!ce7;

;This is my way "$ mai!& y" &et #id "$ that chi% "! y"# sh"lde#. Y"'ve had !"thi!& (t

attitde $"# me si!ce I a##ived. Y" wa!t t" $i&ht7; He# $ist sh"t "t a!d c"!!ected with my a#m.

;The! we'll $i&ht. 8"i!t.;

;8"i!t,; I c"!ceded, (aci!& % t" my side. ;I d"!'t wa!t t" $i&ht. I've 0st (ee! t#yi!& t" tal

t" y".;;M"thi!& "$$ t" me i! class is!'t what I'd #eally call tali!&. 8"i!t.;

I &#!ted $#"m the hit. he! I'd $i#st (e&! t#ai!i!& with Dimit#i, I'd c"m%lai!ed that it

was!'t $ai# $"# me t" $i&ht s"me"!e a $""t talle# tha! me. He'd %"i!ted "t that I'd $i&ht %le!ty "$

St#i&"i talle# tha! me a!d that the "ld ada&e was t#e* si4e d"es!'t matte#. S"metimes I th"&ht ht

was &ivi!& me $alse h"%e, (t 0d&i!& $#"m my m"m's %e#$"#ma!ce he#e, I was sta#ti!& t" (elieve

him.

I'd !eve# actally $"&ht a!y"!e smalle# tha! me. 3s "!e "$ the $ew &i#ls i! the !"vice

classes, I acce%ted that I was alm"st always &"i!& t" (e sh"#te# a!d slimme# tha! my "%%"!e!ts.

Bt my m"the# was smalle# still a!d clea#ly had !"thi!& (t mscle %aced i!t" he# %etite ("dy.

;I have a !i6e style "$ c"mm!icati"!, that's all,; I said.

;Y" have a %etty tee!a&e delsi"! that y"'ve s"meh"w (ee! w#"!&ed $"# the lastseve!tee! yea#s.; He# $""t hit my thi&h. ;8"i!t. he! i! #eality, y"'ve (ee! t#eated !" di$$e#e!tly

tha! a!y "the# dham%i#. Bette#, actally. I c"ld have se!t y" "$$ t" live with my c"si!s. Y" wa!t

t" (e a (l""d wh"#e7 Is that what y" wa!ted7;

The te#m ;(l""d wh"#e; always made me $li!ch. It was a te#m "$te! a%%lied t" the si!&le

dham%i# m"the#s wh" decided t" #aise thei# child#e! i!stead "$ (ec"mi!& &a#dia!s. These w"me!

"$te! had sh"#t/te#m a$$ai#s with M"#"i me! a!d we#e l""ed d"w! "! $"# it)eve! th"&h the#e

was!'t #eally a!ythi!& else they c"ld have d"!e, si!ce M"#"i me! sally e!ded % ma##yi!&

M"#"i w"me!. The ;(l""d wh"#e; te#m came $#"m the $act that s"me dham%i# w"me! let me! d#i!

(l""d $#"m them d#i!& se-. I! "# w"#ld, "!ly hma!s &ave (l""d. 3 dham%i# d"i!& it was di#ty

a!d i!y)es%ecially d#i!& se-. I ss%ected "!ly a $ew dham%i# w"me! actally did this, (t

!$ai#ly, the te#m te!ded t" &et a%%lied t" all "$ them. I had &ive! (l""d t" 9issa whe! we had #!

away, a!d alth"&h it had (ee! a !ecessa#y act, the sti&ma still stayed with me.

;N". O$ c"#se I d"!'t wa!t t" (e a (l""d wh"#e.; My (#eathi!& was (ec"mi!& heavy. ;3!d

they'#e !"t all lie that. The#e'#e "!ly a $ew that actally a#e.;

;They (#i!& that #e%tati"! "! themselves,; she &#"wled. I d"d&ed he# st#ie. ;They sh"ld

(e d"i!& thei# dty as &a#dia!s, !"t c"!ti!i!& t" $""l a#"!d a!d have $li!&s with M"#"i.;

;They'#e #aisi!& thei# child#e!,; I &#!ted. I wa!ted t" yell (t c"ld!'t waste the "-y&e!.

;S"methi!& y"'d !"w !"thi!& a("t. Besides, a#e!'t y" the same as they a#e7 I d"!'t see a #i!&

"! y"# $i!&e#. as!'t my dad 0st a $li!& $"# y"7;

He# $ace t#!ed ha#d, which is sayi!& s"methi!& whe! y"'#e al#eady (eati!& % y"#

da&hte#. /#hat,/ she said ti&htly, ;is s"methi!& you !"w !"thi!& a("t. 8"i!t.;I wi!ced at the (l"w (t was ha%%y t" see I'd st#c a !e#ve. I had !" cle wh" my dad was.

The "!ly (it "$ i!$"#mati"! I had was that he was T#ish. I mi&ht have my m"m's c#vy $i&#e a!d

%#etty $ace)th"&h I c"ld sm&ly say mi!e was mch %#ettie# tha! he#s !"wadays)(t the #est

"$ my c"l"#i!& was $#"m him. 9i&htly ta!!ed si! with da# hai# a!d eyes.

;H"w'd it ha%%e!7; I ased. ;e#e y" "! s"me assi&!me!t i! T#ey7 Meet him at a l"cal

(a4aa#7 O# was it eve! chea%e# tha! that7 Did y" &" all Da#wi! a!d select the &y m"st liely t"

%ass "! wa##i"# &e!es t" y"# "$$s%#i!&7 I mea!, I !"w y" "!ly had me (ecase it was y"# duty,

s" I s%%"se y" had t" mae s#e y" c"ld &ive the &a#dia!s the (est s%ecime! y" c"ld.;

;R"sema#ie,; she wa#!ed th#"&h &#itted teeth, ;$"# "!ce i! y"# li$e, sht %.;

;hy7 3m I ta#!ishi!& y"# %#eci"s #e%tati"!7 It's 0st lie y" t"ld me* y" a#e!'t a!y

di$$e#e!t $#"m a!y "the# dham%i# eithe#. Y" 0st sc#ewed him a!d);The#e's a #eas"! they say, ;8#ide &"eth (e$"#e a $all.; I was s" ca&ht % i! my "w! c"cy

t#im%h that I st"%%ed %ayi!& atte!ti"! t" my $eet. I was t"" cl"se t" the #ed li!e. G"i!& "tside "$



it was a!"the# %"i!t $"# he#, s" I sc#am(led t" stay withi! a!d d"d&e he# at the same time.

U!$"#t!ately, "!ly "!e "$ th"se c"ld w"#. He# $ist came $lyi!& at me, $ast a!d ha#d)a!d,

%e#ha%s m"st im%"#ta!tly, a (it hi&he# tha! the %e#missa(le acc"#di!& t" #les "$ this i!d "$

e-e#cise. It smaced me i! the $ace with the %"we# "$ a small t#c, a!d I $lew (acwa#d, hitti!& the

ha#d &ym $l""# (ac/$i#st a!d head/sec"!d. 3!d I was "t "$ the li!es. Dam! it.

8ai! c#aced th#"&h the (ac "$ my head, a!d my visi"! we!t (l##y a!d s%a#ly. ithi!

sec"!ds, my m"the# was lea!i!& "ve# me.;R"se7 R"se7 3#e y" "ay7; He# v"ice s"!ded h"a#se a!d $#a!tic. The w"#ld swam.

3t s"me %"i!t a$te# that, "the# %e"%le came, a!d I s"meh"w w"!d % i! the 3cademy's

med cli!ic. The#e, s"me"!e sh"!e a li&ht i! my eyes a!d sta#ted asi!& me i!c#edi(ly idi"tic

6esti"!s.

;hat's y"# !ame7;

;hat7; I ased, s6i!ti!& at the li&ht.

;Y"# !ame.; I #ec"&!i4ed D#. Ole!d4i %ee#i!& "ve# me.

;Y" !"w my !ame.;

;I wa!t y" t" tell me.;

;R"se. R"se Hathaway.;

;D" y" !"w y"# (i#thday7;;O$ c"#se I d". hy a#e y" asi!& me sch st%id thi!&s7 Did y" l"se my #ec"#ds7;

D#. Ole!d4i &ave a! e-as%e#ated si&h a!d waled "$$, tai!& the a!!"yi!& li&ht with he#. ;I

thi! she's $i!e,; I hea#d he# tell s"me"!e. ;I wa!t t" ee% he# he#e $"# the sch""l day, 0st t" mae

s#e she d"es!'t have a c"!cssi"!. I ce#tai!ly d"!'t wa!t he# a!ywhe#e !ea# he# &a#dia! classes.;

I s%e!t the day m"vi!& i! a!d "t "$ slee% (ecase D#. Ole!d4i e%t wai!& me % t" d"

he# tests. She als" &ave me a! ice %ac a!d t"ld me t" ee% it cl"se t" my $ace. he! the

3cademy's classes let "t, she deemed me well e!"&h t" leave.

;I swea#, R"se, I thi! y" sh"ld have a $#e6e!t %atie!t's ca#d.; The#e was a small smile

"! he# $ace. ;Sh"#t "$ th"se with ch#"!ic %#"(lems lie alle#&ies a!d asthma, I d"!'t thi! the#e's

a!y "the# stde!t I've see! he#e s" "$te! i! sch a sh"#t %e#i"d "$ time.;

;Tha!s,; I said, !"t #eally s#e I wa!ted the h"!"#. ;S", !" c"!cssi"!7;

She sh"" he# head. ;N". Y"'#e &"i!& t" have s"me %ai!, th"&h. I'll &ive y" s"methi!&

$"# that (e$"#e y" &".; He# smile $aded, a!d sdde!ly she l""ed !e#v"s. ;T" (e h"!est, R"se, I

thi! m"st "$ the dama&e ha%%e!ed t", well, y"# $ace.;

I sh"t % $#"m the (ed. ;hat d" y" mea! 'm"st "$ the dama&e ha%%e!ed t" my $ace'7;

She &est#ed t" the mi##"# a("ve the si! "! the $a# side "$ the #""m. I #a! "ve# t" it a!d

l""ed at my #e$lecti"!.

;S"! "$ a (itch?;

8#%lish #ed s%l"tches c"ve#ed the %%e# %"#ti"! "$ the le$t side "$ my $ace, %a#ticla#ly !ea#

the eye. Des%e#ately, I t#!ed a#"!d t" $ace he#.

;This is &"i!& t" &" away s""!, #i&ht7 I$ I ee% the ice "! it7;She sh"" he# head a&ai!. ;The ice ca! hel%1(t I'm a$#aid y"'#e &"i!& t" have a wiced

(lac eye. It'll %#"(a(ly (e at its w"#st t"m"##"w (t sh"ld clea# % i! a wee "# s". Y"'ll (e (ac

t" !"#mal (e$"#e l"!&.;

I le$t the cli!ic i! a da4e that had !"thi!& t" d" with my head i!0#y. @lea# % i! a wee "#

s"7 H"w c"ld D#. Ole!d4i s%ea s" li&htly a("t this7 Did!'t she #eali4e what was ha%%e!i!&7 I

was &"i!& t" l"" lie a mta!t $"# @h#istmas a!d m"st "$ the si t#i%. I had a (lac eye. 3 $#eai!&

(lac eye.

3!d my m"the# had &ive! it t" me.



@ha%te# L

I 3NGRI9Y 8USHED THROUGH THE d"(le d""#s that led i!t" the M"#"i d"#m. S!"w

swi#led i! (ehi!d me, a!d a $ew %e"%le li!&e#i!& "! the mai! $l""# &la!ced % %"! my e!t#a!ce.

N"t s#%#isi!&ly, seve#al "$ them did d"(le taes. Swall"wi!&, I $"#ced mysel$ !"t t" #eact. It

w"ld (e "ay. N" !eed t" $#ea "t. N"vices &"t i!0#ed all the time. It was actally #a#e# not t"

&et i!0#ed. 3dmittedly, this was a m"#e !"ticea(le i!0#y tha! m"st, (t I c"ld live with it !til ithealed, #i&ht7 3!d it was!'t lie a!y"!e w"ld !"w h"w I'd #eceived it.

;Hey R"se, is it t#e y"# "w! m"the# %!ched y"7;

I $#"4e. I'd !"w that ta!ti!& s"%#a!" v"ice a!ywhe#e. T#!i!& sl"wly, I l""ed i!t" the

dee% (le eyes "$ Mia Ri!aldi. @#ly (l"!d hai# $#amed a $ace that mi&ht have (ee! cte i$ !"t $"#

the malici"s smi# "! it.

3 yea# y"!&e# tha! s, Mia'd tae! "! 9issa +a!d me (y de$alt i! a wa# t" see wh" c"ld

tea# a%a#t the "the#'s li$e m"st 6icly)a wa#, I sh"ld add, that she sta#ted. It had i!v"lved he#

steali!& 9issa's e-/("y$#ie!d)des%ite the $act 9issa had decided i! the e!d she did!'t wa!t him)

a!d the s%#eadi!& "$ all s"#ts "$ #m"#s.

3dmittedly, Mia's hat#ed had!'t (ee! e!ti#ely !0sti$ied. 9issa's "lde# (#"the#, 3!d#e)wh"

had (ee! illed i! the same ca# accide!t that tech!ically ;illed; me)had sed Mia %#etty (adlywhe! she was a $#eshma!. I$ she we#e!'t sch a (itch !"w, I w"ld have $elt s"##y $"# he#. It had

(ee! w#"!& "$ him, a!d while I c"ld !de#sta!d he# a!&e#, I d"!'t !"w that it was $ai# "$ he# t"

tae that "t "! 9issa i! the way she did.

9issa a!d I had tech!ically w"! the wa# i! the e!d, (t Mia had i!e-%lica(ly ("!ced (ac.

She did!'t #! with the same elite that she "!ce had, (t she had #e(ilt a small c"!ti!&e!t "$

$#ie!ds. Malici"s "# !"t, st#"!& leade#s always att#act $"ll"we#s.

I'd $"!d that a("t %e#ce!t "$ the time, the m"st e$$ective #es%"!se was t" i&!"#e he#.

Bt we had 0st c#"ssed "ve# t" the "the# A %e#ce!t, (ecase it's im%"ssi(le t" i&!"#e s"me"!e

a!!"!ci!& t" the w"#ld that y"# m"the# 0st %!ched y")eve! i$ it was t#e. I st"%%ed wali!&

a!d t#!ed a#"!d. Mia st""d !ea# a ve!di!& machi!e, !"wi!& she'd d#aw! me "t. I did!'t ("the#

asi!& h"w she'd $"!d "t a("t my m"the# &ivi!& me the (lac eye. Thi!&s #a#ely stayed sec#et

a#"!d he#e.

he! she ca&ht $ll si&ht "$ my $ace, he# eyes wide!ed i! !a(ashed deli&ht. ;"w. Tal

a("t a $ace "!ly a m"the# c"ld l"ve.;

Ha. @te. :#"m a!y"!e else, I w"ld have a%%laded the 0"e.

;ell, y"'#e the e-%e#t "! $ace i!0#y,; I said. ;H"w's y"# !"se7;

Mia's icy smile twitched a little, (t she did!'t (ac d"w!. I'd (#"e! he# !"se a("t a m"!th

a&")at a sch""l da!ce "$ all %laces)a!d while the !"se had si!ce healed, it !"w sat 0st the ti!iest

(it asew. 8lastic s#&e#y c"ld %#"(a(ly $i- it %, (t $#"m my !de#sta!di!& "$ he# $amily's

$i!a!ces, that was!'t %"ssi(le 0st !"w.

;It's (ette#,; she #e%lied %#imly. ;:"#t!ately, it was "!ly (#"e! (y a %sych"%athic wh"#ea!d !"t a!y"!e actally #elated t" me.;

I &ave he# my (est %sych"%athic smile. ;T"" (ad. :amily mem(e#s hit y" (y accide!t.

8sych"%athic wh"#es te!d t" c"me (ac $"# m"#e.;

Th#eate!i!& %hysical vi"le!ce a&ai!st he# was sally a %#etty s"!d tactic, (t we had t""

ma!y %e"%le a#"!d #i&ht !"w $"# that t" (e a le&itimate c"!ce#! $"# he#. 3!d Mia !ew it. N"t that

I was a("ve attaci!& s"me"!e i! this i!d "$ setti!&)hell, I'd d"!e it l"ts "$ times)(t I was

t#yi!& t" w"# "! my im%lse c"!t#"l lately.

;D"es!'t l"" lie mch "$ a! accide!t t" me,; she said. ;D"!'t y" &ys have #les a("t

$ace %!ches7 I mea!, that l""s really $a# "t "$ ("!ds.;

I "%e!ed my m"th t" tell he# "$$, (t !"thi!& came "t. She had a %"i!t. My i!0#y was $a#

"t "$ ("!ds5 i! that s"#t "$ c"m(at, y" a#e!'t s%%"sed t" hit a("ve the !ec. This was way a("vethat $"#(idde! li!e.

Mia saw my hesitati"!, a!d it was lie @h#istmas m"#!i!& had c"me a wee ea#ly $"# he#.



U!til that m"me!t, I d"!'t thi! the#e'd eve# (ee! a time i! "# a!ta&"!istic #elati"!shi% i! which

she'd #e!de#ed me s%eechless.

;9adies,; came a ste#!, $emale v"ice. The M"#"i atte!di!& the $#"!t des lea!ed "ve# it a!d

$i-ed s with a sha#% l"". ;This is a l"((y, !"t a l"!&e. Eithe# &" %stai#s "# &" "tside.;

:"# a m"me!t, (#eai!& Mia's !"se a&ai! s"!ded lie the (est idea i! the w"#ld)t" hell

with dete!ti"! "# ss%e!si"!. 3$te# a dee% (#eath, I decided #et#eat was my m"st di&!i$ied acti"!

!"w. I staled "$$ t"wa#d the stai#s leadi!& % t" the &i#ls' d"#m. Ove# my sh"lde#, I hea#d Mia call,;D"!'t w"##y, R"se. It'll &" away. Besides, it's !"t y"# face &ys a#e i!te#ested i!.;

Thi#ty sec"!ds late#, I (eat "! 9issa's d""# s" ha#d, it was a w"!de# my $ist did!'t &" th#"&h

the w""d. She "%e!ed it sl"wly a!d %ee#ed a#"!d.

;Is it 0st y" "t he#e7 I th"&ht the#e was a! a#my at the)"h my G"d.; He# eye(#"ws sh"t

% whe! she !"ticed the le$t side "$ my $ace. ;hat ha%%e!ed7;

;Y" have!'t hea#d al#eady7 Y"'#e %#"(a(ly the "!ly "!e i! the sch""l wh" has!'t,; I

&#m(led. ;=st let me i!.;

S%#awli!& "! he# (ed, I t"ld he# a("t the day's eve!ts. She was %#"%e#ly a%%alled.

;I hea#d y"'d (ee! h#t, (t I $i&#ed it was "!e "$ y"# !"#mal thi!&s,; she said.

I sta#ed % at the s%acled ceili!&, $eeli!& mise#a(le. ;The w"#st %a#t is, Mia was #i&ht. It

was!'t a! accide!t.;;hat, y"'#e sayi!& y"# m"m did it "! %#%"se7; he! I did!'t a!swe#, 9issa's v"ice

t#!ed i!c#edl"s. ;@"me "!, she w"ld!'t d" that. N" way.;

;hy7 Becase she's %e#$ect =a!i!e Hathaway, maste# "$ c"!t#"lli!& he# tem%e#7 The thi!&

is, she's als" %e#$ect =a!i!e Hathaway, maste# "$ $i&hti!& a!d c"!t#"lli!& he# acti"!s. O!e way "#

a!"the#, she sli%%ed %.;

;Yeah, well,; said 9issa, ;I thi! he# stm(li!& a!d missi!& he# %!ch is m"#e liely tha!

he# d"i!& it "! %#%"se. She'd have t" #eally l"se he# tem%e#.;

;ell, she was tali!& t" me. That's e!"&h t" mae a!y"!e l"se thei# tem%e#. 3!d I

accsed he# "$ slee%i!& with my dad (ecase he was the s"!dest ev"lti"!a#y ch"ice.;

;R"se,; &#"a!ed 9issa. ;Y" i!d "$ le$t "t that %a#t i! y"# #eca%. hy'd y" say that t"

he#7;

;Becase it's %#"(a(ly t#e.;

;Bt y" had t" !"w it'd %set he#. hy d" y" ee% %#"v"i!& he#7 hy ca!'t y" 0st

mae %eace with he#7;

I sat %#i&ht. ;Mae %eace with he#7 he "ave me a black eye. 8#"(a(ly "! %#%"se? H"w d"

I mae %eace with s"me"!e lie that7;

9issa 0st sh"" he# head a!d waled "ve# t" the mi##"# t" chec he# mae%. The $eeli!&s

c"mi!& th#"&h "# ("!d we#e "!es "$ $#st#ati"! a!d e-as%e#ati"!. 9i!&e#i!& i! the (ac was a (it

"$ a!tici%ati"!, t"". I had the %atie!ce t" e-ami!e he# ca#e$lly, !"w that I'd $i!ished my ve!ti!&.

She had "! a sily lave!de# shi#t a!d a !ee/le!&th (lac si#t. He# l"!& hai# had the i!d "$

sm""th %e#$ecti"! "!ly achieved (y s%e!di!& a! h"# "$ y"# li$e "! it with a hai# d#ye# a!d $lati#"!.

;Y" l"" !ice. hat's %7;

He# $eeli!&s shi$ted sli&htly, he# i##itati"! with me dimmi!& a little. ;I'm meeti!& @h#istia!

s""!.;

:"# a $ew mi!tes the#e, it had $elt lie the "ld days with 9issa a!d me. =st s, ha!&i!& "t

a!d tali!&. He# me!ti"! "$ @h#istia!, as well as the #eali4ati"! that she'd have t" leave me s""! $"#

him, sti##ed % da# $eeli!&s i! my chest1$eeli!&s I had t" #elcta!tly admit we#e 0eal"sy.

Nat#ally, I did!'t let "! t" that.

;"w. hat'd he d" t" dese#ve that7 Resce "#%ha!s $#"m a (#!i!& (ildi!&7 I$ s", y"

mi&ht wa!t t" mae s#e he did!'t set the (ildi!& "! $i#e i! the $i#st %lace.; @h#istia!'s eleme!t was

$i#e. It was $itti!& si!ce it was the m"st dest#ctive "!e.9a&hi!&, she t#!ed $#"m the mi##"# a!d !"ticed me &e!tly t"chi!& my sw"lle! $ace with

my $i!&e#s. He# smile t#!ed i!d. ;It d"es!'t l"" that (ad.;



;hateve#. I ca! tell whe! y"'#e lyi!&, y" !"w. 3!d D#. Ole!d4i says it'll (e eve! w"#se

t"m"##"w.; I lay (ac d"w! "! the (ed. ;The#e %#"(a(ly is!'t e!"&h c"!ceale# i! the w"#ld t"

c"ve# this, is the#e7 Tasha a!d I'll have t" i!vest i! s"me 1hantom of the pera)style mass.;

She si&hed a!d sat "! the (ed !ea# me. ;T"" (ad I ca!'t 0st heal it.;

I smiled. ;That w"ld (e !ice.;

The c"m%lsi"! a!d cha#isma (#"&ht "! (y s%i#it we#e &#eat, (t #eally, heali!& was he#

c""lest a(ility. The #a!&e "$ thi!&s she c"ld achieve was sta&&e#i!&.9issa was als" thi!i!& a("t what s%i#it c"ld d". ;I wish the#e we#e s"me "the# way t"

c"!t#"l the s%i#it 1 i! a way that still let me se the ma&ic1.;

;Yeah,; I said. I !de#st""d he# (#!i!& desi#e t" d" &#eat thi!&s a!d hel% %e"%le. It #adiated

"$$ "$ he#. Hell, I w"ld als" have lied t" have this eye clea#ed % i! a! i!sta!t #athe# tha! days. ;I

wish the#e we#e t"".;

She si&hed a&ai!. ;3!d the#e's m"#e t" me tha! 0st wishi!& I c"ld heal a!d d" "the# st$$

with s%i#it. I als", well, 0st miss the ma&ic. It's still the#e5 it's 0st (l"ced "$$ (y the %ills. It's

(#!i!& i!side "$ me. It wa!ts me, a!d I wa!t it. Bt the#e's a wall (etwee! s. Y" 0st ca!'t

ima&i!e it.;

;I ca!, actally.;

It was t#e. 3l"!& with havi!& a &e!e#al se!se $"# he# $eeli!&s, I c"ld s"metimes als" ;sli%i!t" he#.; It was ha#d t" e-%lai! a!d eve# ha#de# t" e!d#e. he! that ha%%e!ed, I c"ld lite#ally see

th#"&h he# eyes a!d feel what she e-%e#ie!ced. D#i!& th"se times, I was he#. Ma!y times, I'd (ee!

i! he# head while she l"!&ed $"# the ma&ic, a!d I'd $elt the (#!i!& !eed she s%"e "$. She "$te!

w"e % at !i&ht, yea#!i!& $"# the %"we# she c"ld !" l"!&e# #each.

;Oh yeah,; she said #e$lly. ;I $"#&et a("t that s"metimes.;

3 se!se "$ (itte#!ess $illed he#. It was!'t di#ected at me s" mch as it was the !"/wi! !at#e

"$ he# sitati"!. 3!&e# s%a#ed i!side "$ he#. She did!'t lie $eeli!& hel%less a!y m"#e tha! I did.

The a!&e# a!d $#st#ati"! i!te!si$ied i!t" s"methi!& da#e# a!d &lie#, s"methi!& I did!'t lie.

;Hey,; I said, t"chi!& he# a#m. ;Y" "ay7;

She cl"sed he# eyes (#ie$ly, the! "%e!ed them. ;I 0st hate it.;

The i!te!sity "$ he# $eeli!&s #emi!ded me "$ "# c"!ve#sati"!, the "!e we'd had 0st (e$"#e I

we!t t" the Badica h"se. ;Y" still $eel lie the %ills mi&ht (e weae!i!&7;

;I d"!'t !"w. 3 little.;

;Is it &etti!& w"#se7;

She sh"" he# head. ;N". I still ca!'t se the ma&ic. I $eel closer t" it1 (t it's still (l"ced

"$$.;

;Bt y" still1 y"# m""ds 1;

;Yeah 1 they'#e acti!& %. Bt d"!'t w"##y,; she said, seei!& my $ace. ;I'm !"t seei!& thi!&s

"# t#yi!& t" h#t mysel$.;

;G""d.; I was &lad t" hea# it (t still w"##ied. Eve! i$ she still c"ld!'t t"ch the ma&ic, I

did!'t lie the idea "$ he# me!tal state sli%%i!& a&ai!. Des%e#ately, I h"%ed the sitati"! w"ld 0ststa(ili4e "! its "w!. ;I'm he#e,; I t"ld he# s"$tly, h"ldi!& he# &a4e. ;I$ a!ythi!& ha%%e!s that's

wei#d1y" tell me, "ay7;

9ie that, the da# $eeli!&s disa%%ea#ed withi! he#. 3s they did, I $elt a wei#d #i%%le i! the

("!d. I ca!'t e-%lai! what it was, (t I shdde#ed $#"m the $"#ce. 9issa did!'t !"tice. He# m""d

%e#ed % a&ai!, a!d she smiled at me.

;Tha!s,; she said. ;I will.;

I smiled, ha%%y t" see he# (ac t" !"#mal. e la%sed i!t" sile!ce, a!d $"# the (#ie$est "$

m"me!ts, I wa!ted t" %"# my hea#t "t t" he#. I'd had s" mch "! my mi!d lately* my m"the#,

Dimit#i, a!d the Badica h"se. I'd (ee! ee%i!& th"se $eeli!&s l"ced %, a!d they we#e tea#i!& me

a%a#t. N"w, $eeli!& s" c"m$"#ta(le with 9issa $"# the $i#st time i! a l"!& time, I $i!ally $elt that I

c"ld let he# i!t" my $eeli!&s $"# a cha!&e.Be$"#e I c"ld "%e! my m"th, I $elt he# th"&hts sdde!ly shi$t. They (ecame ea&e# a!d

!e#v"s. She had s"methi!& she wa!ted t" tell me, s"methi!& she'd (ee! thi!i!& a("t i!te!tly. S"



mch $"# %"#i!& my hea#t "t. I$ she wa!ted t" tal, I w"ld!'t (#de! he# with my %#"(lems, s" I

%shed them aside a!d waited $"# he# t" s%ea.

;I $"!d s"methi!& i! my #esea#ch with Ms. @a#mac. S"methi!& st#a!&e1;

;Oh7; I ased, i!sta!tly c#i"s.

M"#"i sally devel"%ed thei# s%eciali4ed eleme!t d#i!& ad"lesce!ce. 3$te# that, they we#e

%t i!t" ma&ic classes s%eci$ic t" that eleme!t. Bt as the "!ly s%i#it se# "! #ec"#d at the m"me!t,

9issa did!'t #eally have a class she c"ld 0"i!. M"st %e"%le (elieved she 0st had!'t s%eciali4ed, (tshe a!d Ms. @a#mac)the ma&ic teache# at St. 2ladimi#'s)had (ee! meeti!& i!de%e!de!tly t"

lea#! what they c"ld a("t s%i#it. They #esea#ched ("th c##e!t a!d "ld #ec"#ds, checi!& $"# cles

that mi&ht lead t" "the# s%i#it se#s, !"w that they !ew s"me "$ the telltale si&!s* a! i!a(ility t"

s%eciali4e, me!tal i!sta(ility, etc.

;I did!'t $i!d a!y c"!$i#med s%i#it se#s, (t I did $i!d1#e%"#ts "$, m, !e-%lai!ed

%he!"me!a.;

I (li!ed i! s#%#ise. ;hat i!d "$ st$$7; I ased, %"!de#i!& what w"ld c"!t as

;!e-%lai!ed %he!"me!a; $"# vam%i#es. he! she a!d I had lived with hma!s, we w"ld have

(ee! c"!side#ed !e-%lai!ed %he!"me!a.

;They'#e scatte#ed #e%"#ts1(t, lie, I #ead this "!e a("t a &y wh" c"ld mae "the#s see

thi!&s that we#e!'t the#e. He c"ld &et them t" (elieve they we#e seei!& m"!ste#s "# "the# %e"%le "#whateve#.;

;That c"ld (e c"m%lsi"!.;

/+eally %"we#$l c"m%lsi"!. I c"ld!'t d" that, a!d I'm st#"!&e#)"# sed t" (e)i! it tha!

a!y"!e we !"w. 3!d that %"we# c"mes $#"m si!& s%i#it1.;

;S",; I $i!ished, ;y" thi! this illsi"! &y mst have (ee! a s%i#it se# t"".; She !"dded.

;hy !"t c"!tact him a!d $i!d "t7;

;Becase the#e's !" i!$"#mati"! listed? It's sec#et. 3!d the#e a#e "the#s 0st as st#a!&e. 9ie

s"me"!e wh" c"ld %hysically d#ai! "the#s. 8e"%le sta!di!& !ea#(y w"ld &et wea a!d l"se all

thei# st#e!&th. They'd %ass "t. 3!d the#e was s"me"!e else wh" c"ld st"% thi!&s i! midai# whe!

they we#e th#"w! at him.; E-citeme!t lit % he# $eat#es.

;He c"ld have (ee! a! ai# se#,; I %"i!ted "t.

;May(e,; she said. I c"ld $eel the c#i"sity a!d e-citeme!t swi#li!& th#"&h he#. She

des%e#ately wa!ted t" (elieve the#e we#e "the#s "t the#e lie he#.

I smiled. ;h" !ew7 M"#"i have R"swell/ a!d 3#ea JA/ty%e st$$. It's a w"!de# I'm !"t

(ei!& stdied s"mewhe#e t" see i$ they ca! $i&#e "t the ("!d.;

9issa's s%eclative m""d t#!ed teasi!&. ;I wish I c"ld see i!t" your mi!d s"metimes. I'd

lie t" !"w h"w y" $eel a("t Mas"!.;

;He's my $#ie!d,; I said st"tly, s#%#ised at the a(#%t cha!&e i! s(0ect. ;That's it.;

She tsed. ;Y" sed t" $li#t)a!d d" "the# st$$)with a!y &y y" c"ld &et y"# ha!ds

"!.;

;Hey?; I said, "$$e!ded. ;I was!'t that (ad.;;Oay1may(e !"t. Bt y" d"!'t seem i!te#ested i! &ys a!ym"#e.;

I was i!te#ested i! &ys)well, "!e &y.

;Mas"!'s #eally !ice,; she c"!ti!ed. ;3!d c#a4y a("t y".;

;He is,; I a&#eed. I th"&ht a("t Mas"!, a("t that (#ie$ m"me!t whe! I'd th"&ht he was

se-y "tside Sta!'s class. 8ls, Mas"! was #eally $!!y, a!d we &"t al"!& (eati$lly. He was!'t a

(ad %#"s%ect as $a# as ("y$#ie!ds we!t.

;Y" &ys a#e a l"t alie. Y"'#e ("th d"i!& thi!&s y" sh"ld!'t.;

I la&hed. That was als" t#e. I #ecalled Mas"!'s ea&e#!ess t" tae "! eve#y St#i&"i i! the

w"#ld. I mi&ht !"t (e #eady $"# that)des%ite my "t(#st i! the ca#)(t I sha#ed s"me "$ his

#ecless!ess. It mi&ht (e time t" &ive him a sh"t, I th"&ht. Ba!te#i!& with him was $!, a!d it had

(ee! a l"!& time si!ce I'd issed a!y"!e. Dimit#i made my hea#t ache 1 (t, well, it was!'t liea!ythi!& else was &"i!& "! the#e.

9issa watched me a%%#aisi!&ly, lie she !ew what I was thi!i!&)well, aside $#"m the



Dimit#i st$$. ;I hea#d Me#edith say y" we#e a! idi"t $"# !"t &"i!& "t with him. She said it's

(ecase y" thi! y"'#e t"" &""d $"# him.;

;hat? That's !"t t#e.;

;Hey, I did!'t say it. 3!yway, she said she's thi!i!& "$ &"i!& a$te# him.;

;Mas"! a!d Me#edith7; I sc"$$ed. ;That's a disaste# i! the mai!&. They have !"thi!& i!

c"mm"!.;

It was %etty, (t I'd &"tte! sed t" Mas"! always d"ti!& "! me. Sdde!ly, the th"&ht "$s"me"!e else &etti!& him i#ed me.

;Y"'#e %"ssessive,; 9issa said, a&ai! &essi!& my th"&hts. N" w"!de# she &"t s" a!!"yed

at me #eadi!& he# mi!d.

;O!ly a little.;

She la&hed. ;R"se, eve! i$ it's !"t Mas"!, y" #eally sh"ld sta#t dati!& a&ai!. The#e a#e

l"ts "$ &ys wh" w"ld ill t" &" "t with y")&ys wh" a#e actally !ice.;

I had!'t always made the (est ch"ices whe! it came t" me!. O!ce a&ai!, the #&e t" s%ill all

my w"##ies t" he# sei4ed me. I'd (ee! hesita!t t" tell he# a("t Dimit#i $"# s" l"!&, eve! th"&h the

sec#et (#!ed i!side "$ me. Sitti!& with he# he#e #emi!ded me that she was my (est $#ie!d. I c"ld

tell he# a!ythi!&, a!d she w"ld!'t 0d&e me. Bt, 0st lie ea#lie#, I l"st the cha!ce t" tell he# what

was "! my mi!d.She &la!ced "ve# at he# ala#m cl"c a!d sdde!ly s%#a!& % $#"m the (ed.

;I'm late? I've &"t t" meet @h#istia!?;

="y $illed he#, !de#sc"#ed with a (it "$ !e#v"s a!tici%ati"!. 9"ve. hat c"ld y" d"7 I

swall"wed (ac the 0eal"sy that sta#ted t" #aise its &ly head. O!ce a&ai!, @h#istia! had tae! he#

away $#"m me. I was!'t &"i!& t" (e a(le t" !(#de! mysel$ t"!i&ht.

9issa a!d I le$t the d"#m, a!d she %#actically s%#i!ted away, %#"misi!& we'd tal t"m"##"w. I

wa!de#ed (ac t" my "w! d"#m. he! I &"t t" my #""m, I %assed (y my mi##"# a!d &#"a!ed whe!

I saw my $ace. Da# %#%le s##"!ded my eye. I! tali!& t" 9issa, I'd alm"st $"#&"tte! a("t the

wh"le i!cide!t with my m"the#. St"%%i!& t" &et a cl"se# l"", I sta#ed at my $ace. May(e it was

e&"tistical, (t I !ew I l""ed &""d. I w"#e a @/c% a!d had a ("dy mch c"veted i! a sch""l

whe#e m"st "$ the &i#ls we#e s%e#m"del slim. 3!d as I'd !"ted ea#lie#, my $ace was %#etty t"". O! a

ty%ical day, I was a !i!e a#"!d he#e)te! "! a ve#y &""d "!e.

Bt t"day7 Yeah. I was %#actically i! !e&ative !m(e#s. I was &"i!& t" l"" $a(l"s $"# the

si t#i%.

;My m"m (eat me %,; I i!$"#med my #e$lecti"!. It l""ed (ac sym%athetically.

ith a si&h, I decided I mi&ht as well &et #eady $"# (ed. The#e was !"thi!& else I wa!ted t"

d" t"!i&ht, a!d may(e e-t#a slee% w"ld s%eed the heali!&. I we!t d"w! the hall t" the (ath#""m t"

wash my $ace a!d (#sh my hai#. he! I &"t (ac t" my #""m, I sli%%ed "! my $av"#ite %a0amas,

a!d the $eel "$ s"$t $la!!el chee#ed me % a little.

I was %aci!& my (ac%ac $"# the !e-t day whe! a (#st "$ em"ti"! a(#%tly sh"t th#"&h

my ("!d with 9issa. It ca&ht me !awa#e a!d &ave me !" cha!ce t" $i&ht it. It was lie (ei!&!"ced "ve# (y a h##ica!e/$"#ce wi!d, a!d sdde!ly, I was !" l"!&e# l""i!& at my (ac%ac. I

was ;i!side; 9issa, e-%e#ie!ci!& he# w"#ld $i#stha!d.

3!d that's whe! thi!&s &"t awwa#d.

Becase 9issa was with @h#istia!.

3!d thi!&s we#e &etti!& 1 h"t.



@ha%te# C

@HRISTI3N 3S <ISSING HER , 3ND O, was it a iss. He was!'t messi!& a#"!d. It was the i!d

"$ iss that small child#e! sh"ld!'t (e all"wed t" see. Hell, it was the i!d "$ iss no one sh"ld (e

all"wed t" see)let al"!e e-%e#ie!ce th#"&h a %sychic li!.

3s I've !"ted (e$"#e, st#"!& em"ti"! $#"m 9issa c"ld mae this %he!"me!"! ha%%e!)the

"!e whe#e I &"t %lled i!side he# head. Bt always, always, it was (ecase "$ s"me !e&ativeem"ti"!. She'd &et %set "# a!&#y "# de%#essed, a!d that w"ld #each "t t" me. Bt this time7 She

was!'t %set.

She was ha%%y. 2e#y, ve#y ha%%y.

Oh ma!. I !eeded t" &et "t "$ he#e.

They we#e % i! the attic "$ the sch""l's cha%el "#, as I lied t" call it, thei# l"ve !est. The

%lace had (ee! a #e&la# ha!&"t $"# them, (ac whe! each "$ them was $eeli!& a!tis"cial a!d

wa!ted t" esca%e. Eve!tally, they'd decided t" (e a!tis"cial t"&ethe#, a!d "!e thi!& had led t"

a!"the#. Si!ce they sta#ted %(licly dati!&, I had!'t !"w! they s%e!t mch time he#e a!ym"#e.

May(e they we#e (ac $"# "ld time's sae.

3!d i!deed, a cele(#ati"! did seem t" (e &"i!& "!. 9ittle sce!ted ca!dles we#e set % a#"!d

the dsty "ld %lace, ca!dles that $illed the ai# with the sce!t "$ lilacs. I w"ld have (ee! a little!e#v"s a("t setti!& all th"se ca!dles i! a c"!$i!ed s%ace $illed with $lamma(le ("-es a!d (""s,

(t @h#istia! %#"(a(ly $i&#ed he c"ld c"!t#"l a!y accide!tal i!$e#!"s.

They $i!ally (#"e that i!sa!ely l"!& iss a!d %lled (ac t" l"" at each "the#. They lay "!

thei# sides "! the $l""#. Seve#al (la!ets had (ee! s%#ead !de# them.

@h#istia!'s $ace was "%e! a!d te!de# as he #e&a#ded 9issa, his %ale (le eyes a&l"w with

s"me i!!e# em"ti"!. It was di$$e#e!t $#"m the way Mas"! #e&a#ded me. The#e was ce#tai!ly

ad"#ati"! with him, (t Mas"!'s was a l"t lie whe! y" wal i!t" a ch#ch a!d $all t" y"# !ees

i! awe a!d $ea# "$ s"methi!& y" w"#shi% (t d"!'t #eally !de#sta!d. @h#istia! clea#ly w"#shi%%ed

9issa i! his way, (t the#e was a !"wi!& &li!t t" his eyes, a se!se that the tw" "$ them sha#ed a!

!de#sta!di!& "$ each "the# s" %e#$ect a!d %"we#$l that they did!'t eve! !eed w"#ds t" c"!vey it.

;D"!'t y" thi! we'#e &"i!& t" &" t" hell $"# this7; ased 9issa.

He #eached "t a!d t"ched he# $ace, t#aili!& his $i!&e#s al"!& he# chee a!d !ec a!d d"w!

t" the t"% "$ he# sily shi#t. She (#eathed heavily at that t"ch, at the way it c"ld (e s" &e!tle a!d

small, yet ev"e sch a st#"!& %assi"! withi! he#.

;:"# this7; He %layed with the shi#t's ed&e, letti!& his $i!&e# 0st (a#ely (#sh i!side "$ it.

;N",; she la&hed. ;:"# this./ She &est#ed a#"!d the attic. ;This is a ch#ch. e sh"ld!'t

(e d"i!& this i!d "$, m, thi!& % he#e.;

;N"t t#e,; he a#&ed. Ge!tly, he %shed he# "!t" he# (ac a!d lea!ed "ve# he#. ;The ch#ch

is d"w!stai#s. This is 0st st"#a&e. G"d w"!'t mi!d.;

;Y" d"!'t (elieve i! G"d,; she chastised. He# ha!ds made thei# way d"w! his chest. He#

m"veme!ts we#e as li&ht a!d deli(e#ate as his, yet they clea#ly t#i&&e#ed the same %"we#$l#es%"!se i! him.

He si&hed ha%%ily as he# ha!ds slid !de# his shi#t a!d % his st"mach. ;I'm hm"#i!& y".;

;Y"'d say a!ythi!& #i&ht !"w,; she accsed. He# $i!&e#s ca&ht the ed&e "$ his shi#t a!d

%shed it %. He shi$ted s" she c"ld %sh it all the way "$$ him a!d the! lea!ed (ac "ve# he#,

(a#e/chested.

;Y"'#e #i&ht,; he a&#eed. He ca#e$lly !did "!e (tt"! "! he# (l"se. =st "!e. The! he

a&ai! lea!ed d"w! a!d &ave he# "!e "$ th"se ha#d, dee% isses. he! he came % $"# ai#, he

c"!ti!ed "! as th"&h !"thi!& had ha%%e!ed. ;Tell me what y" !eed t" hea#, a!d I'll say it.; He

!$aste!ed a!"the# (tt"!.

;The#e's !"thi!& I need t" hea#,; she la&hed. 3!"the# (tt"! %"%%ed $#ee. ;Y" ca! tell me

whateve# y" wa!t)it'd 0st (e !ice i$ it we#e t#e.;;The t#th, hh7 N" "!e wa!ts t" hea# the t#th. The t#th is !eve# se-y. Bt y" 1; The

last (tt"! came !d"!e, a!d he s%#ead he# shi#t away. ;Y" a#e t"" &"ddam!ed se-y t" (e #eal.;



His w"#ds held his t#adema# s!a#y t"!e, (t his eyes c"!veyed a di$$e#e!t messa&e

e!ti#ely. I was wit!essi!& this sce!e th#"&h 9issa's eyes, (t I c"ld ima&i!e what he saw. He#

sm""th, white si!. Sle!de# waist a!d hi%s. 3 lacy white (#a. Th#"&h he#, I c"ld $eel that the lace

was itchy, (t she did!'t ca#e.

:eeli!&s ("th $"!d a!d h!&#y s%#ead "ve# his $eat#es. :#"m withi! 9issa, I c"ld $eel he#

hea#t #ace a!d (#eathi!& 6ice!. Em"ti"!s simila# t" @h#istia!'s cl"ded all "the# c"he#e!t

th"&hts. Shi$ti!& d"w!, he lay "! t"% "$ he#, %#essi!& thei# ("dies t"&ethe#. His m"th s"&ht he#s"t a&ai!, a!d as thei# li%s a!d t"!&es made c"!tact, I !ew I had t" &et "t "$ the#e.

Becase I !de#st""d it !"w. I !de#st""d why 9issa had d#essed % a!d why the l"ve !est

had (ee! deced "t lie a Ya!ee @a!dles sh"w#""m. This was it. #he m"me!t. 3$te# a m"!th "$

dati!&, they we#e &"i!& t" have se-. 9issa, I !ew, had d"!e it (e$"#e with a %ast ("y$#ie!d. I did!'t

!"w @h#istia!'s %ast, (t I si!ce#ely d"(ted ma!y &i#ls had $alle! %#ey t" his a(#asive cha#m.

Bt i! $eeli!& what 9issa $elt, I c"ld tell that !"!e "$ that matte#ed. N"t i! that m"me!t. I!

that m"me!t, the#e we#e "!ly the tw" "$ them a!d the way they $elt a("t each "the# #i&ht !"w. 3!d

i! a li$e $illed with m"#e w"##ies tha! s"me"!e he# a&e sh"ld have had, 9issa $elt a(s"ltely

ce#tai! a("t what she was d"i!& !"w. It was what she wa!ted. hat she'd wa!ted $"# a ve#y l"!&

time with him.

3!d I had no #i&ht t" (e wit!essi!& it.h" was I iddi!&7 I did!'t want t" wit!ess it. I t"" !" %leas#e i! watchi!& "the# %e"%le

&et it "!, a!d I s#e as hell did!'t wa!t t" e-%e#ie!ce se- with @h#istia!. It'd (e lie l"si!& my

vi#&i!ity vi#tally.

Bt =ess @h#ist, 9issa was!'t mai!& it easy t" &et "t "$ he# head. She had !" desi#e t"

detach $#"m he# $eeli!&s a!d em"ti"!s, a!d the st#"!&e# they &#ew, the st#"!&e# they held me.

T#yi!& t" dista!ce mysel$ $#"m he#, I $"csed my e!e#&ies "! c"mi!& (ac t" mysel$, c"!ce!t#ati!&

as ha#d as I c"ld.

M"#e cl"thes disa%%ea#ed 1

!ome on, come on, I t"ld mysel$ ste#!ly.

The c"!d"m came "t1 yies.

(ou're your own person, +ose. 5et back in your head.

Thei# lim(s i!te#twi!ed, thei# ("dies m"vi!& t"&ethe# 1

on of a6

I #i%%ed "t "$ he# a!d (ac t" mysel$. O!ce a&ai!, I was (ac i! my #""m, (t I !" l"!&e#

had a!y i!te#est i! %aci!& my (ac%ac. My wh"le w"#ld was asew. I $elt st#a!&e a!d vi"lated)

alm"st !s#e i$ I was R"se "# i$ I was 9issa. I als" $elt that #ese!tme!t t"wa#d @h#istia! a&ai!. I

ce#tai!ly did!'t wa!t t" have se- with 9issa, (t the#e was that same %a!& i!side "$ me, that

$#st#ated $eeli!& that I was !" l"!&e# the ce!te# "$ he# w"#ld.

9eavi!& the (ac%ac !t"ched, I we!t #i&ht t" (ed, w#a%%i!& my a#ms a#"!d mysel$ a!d

c#li!& i!t" a (all t" t#y t" s6elch the ache withi! my chest.

I $ell aslee% %#etty 6icly a!d w"e % ea#ly as a #eslt. Usally, I had t" (e d#a&&ed "t "$

(ed t" &" meet Dimit#i, (t t"day I sh"wed % ea#ly e!"&h that I actally (eat him t" the &ym. 3s I

waited, I saw Mas"! ctti!& ac#"ss t" "!e "$ the (ildi!&s that held class#""ms.

;h"a,; I called. ;Si!ce whe! a#e y" % this ea#ly7;

;Si!ce I had t" #etae a math test,; he said, wali!& "ve# t" me. He &ave me his mischiev"s

smile. ;Mi&ht (e w"#th si%%i!&, th"&h, t" ha!& "t with y".;

I la&hed, #emem(e#i!& my c"!ve#sati"! with 9issa. Yes, the#e we#e de$i!itely w"#se thi!&s

I c"ld d" tha! $li#t a!d sta#t s"methi!& with Mas"!.

;Nah. Y" mi&ht &et i! t#"(le, the! I'd have !" #eal challe!&e "! the sl"%es.;

He #"lled his eyes, still smili!&. /I'm the "!e with !" #eal challe!&e, #emem(e#7;;Y" #eady t" (et "! s"methi!& yet7 O# a#e y" still t"" a$#aid7;

;atch it,; he wa#!ed, ;"# I mi&ht tae (ac y"# @h#istmas %#ese!t.;



;Y" &"t me a %#ese!t7; I had!'t e-%ected that.

;Y%. Bt i$ y" ee% (ac/tali!&, I mi&ht &ive it t" s"me"!e else.;

;9ie Me#edith7; I teased.

;She is!'t eve! i! y"# lea&e, a!d y" !"w it.;

;Eve! with a (lac eye7; I ased with a &#imace.

;Eve! with tw" (lac eyes.;

The l"" he &ave me 0st the! was!'t teasi!& "# eve! #eally s&&estive. It was 0st !ice. Nice, $#ie!dly, a!d i!te#ested. 9ie he #eally ca#ed. 3$te# all the st#ess lately, I decided I lied (ei!&

ca#ed a("t. 3!d with the !e&lect I was sta#ti!& t" $eel $#"m 9issa, I #eali4ed I als" i!d "$ lied

havi!& s"me"!e wh" wa!ted t" %ay s" mch atte!ti"! t" me.

;hat a#e y" d"i!& "! @h#istmas7; I ased.

He sh#&&ed. ;N"thi!&. My m"m alm"st came d"w! (t had t" ca!cel at the last mi!te 1

y" !"w, with eve#ythi!& that ha%%e!ed.;

Mas"!'s m"the# was!'t a &a#dia!. She was a dham%i# wh"'d ch"se! t" 0st (e d"mestic a!d

have ids. 3s a #eslt, I !ew he saw he# 6ite a (it. It was i#"!ic, I th"&ht, that my m"m actally

was he#e, (t $"# all i!te!ts a!d %#%"ses, she mi&ht as well have (ee! s"mewhe#e else.

;@"me ha!& with me,; I said "! im%lse. ;I'll (e with 9issa a!d @h#istia! a!d his a!t. It'll

(e $!.;;Really7;

;2e#y $!.;

;That's !"t what I was asi!& a("t.;

I &#i!!ed. ;I !"w. =st (e the#e, "ay7;

He swe%t me "!e "$ the &alla!t ("ws he lied t" mae. ;3(s"ltely.;

Mas"! wa!de#ed "$$ 0st as Dimit#i sh"wed % $"# "# %#actice. Tali!& t" Mas"! had made

me $eel &iddy a!d ha%%y5 I had!'t th"&ht a("t my $ace at all with him. Bt with Dimit#i, I

sdde!ly (ecame sel$/c"!sci"s. I did!'t wa!t t" (e a!ythi!& less tha! %e#$ect with him, a!d as we

waled i!side, I we!t "t "$ my way t" ave#t my $ace s" he c"ld!'t l"" at me $ll/"!. "##yi!&

a("t that (#"&ht my m""d d"w!, a!d as it %lmmeted, all the "the# thi!&s that had (ee! %setti!&

me came tm(li!& (ac.

e #et#!ed t" the t#ai!i!& #""m with the dmmies, a!d he t"ld me he sim%ly wa!ted me t"

%#actice the ma!eve#s $#"m tw" days a&". Ha%%y he was!'t &"i!& t" (#i!& % the $i&ht, I set t" my

tas with a (#!i!& 4eal, sh"wi!& the dmmies 0st what w"ld ha%%e! i$ they messed with R"se

Hathaway. I !ew my $i&hti!& $#y was $i#ed % (y m"#e tha! 0st a sim%le desi#e t" d" well. My

$eeli!&s we#e "t "$ c"!t#"l this m"#!i!&, #aw a!d i!te!se a$te# ("th the $i&ht with my m"the# a!d

what I'd wit!essed with 9issa a!d @h#istia! last !i&ht. Dimit#i sat (ac a!d watched me,

"ccasi"!ally c#iti6i!& my tech!i6e a!d "$$e#i!& s&&esti"!s $"# !ew tactics.

;Y"# hai#'s i! the way,; he said at "!e %"i!t. ;N"t "!ly a#e y" (l"ci!& y"# %e#i%he#al

visi"!, y"'#e #!!i!& the #is "$ letti!& y"# e!emy &et a ha!dh"ld.;

;I$ I'm actally i! a $i&ht, I'll wea# it %.; I &#!ted as I sh"ved the stae !eatly % (etwee!the dmmy's ;#i(s.; I did!'t !"w what these a#ti$icial ("!es we#e made "$, (t they we#e a (itch t"

w"# a#"!d. I th"&ht a("t my m"m a&ai! a!d added a little e-t#a $"#ce t" the 0a(. ;I'm 0st

wea#i!& it d"w! t"day, that's all.;

;R"se,; he said wa#!i!&ly. I&!"#i!& him, I %l!&ed a&ai!. His v"ice came m"#e sha#%ly the

!e-t time he s%"e. /+ose. St"%.;

I (aced away $#"m the dmmy, s#%#ised t" $i!d my (#eathi!& la("#ed. I had!'t #eali4ed I

was w"#i!& that ha#d. My (ac hit the wall. ith !"whe#e t" &", I l""ed away $#"m him,

di#ecti!& my eyes t"wa#d the &#"!d.

;9"" at me,; he "#de#ed.

;Dimit#i);

/Look at me./ N" matte# "# cl"se hist"#y, he was still my i!st#ct"#. I c"ld!'t #e$se a di#ect "#de#.

Sl"wly, #elcta!tly, I t#!ed t"wa#d him, still tilti!& my head sli&htly d"w! s" the hai# h!& "ve# the



sides "$ my $ace. Risi!& $#"m his chai#, he waled "ve# a!d st""d (e$"#e me.

I av"ided his eyes (t saw his ha!d m"ve $"#wa#d t" (#sh (ac my hai#. The! it st"%%ed.

3s did my (#eathi!&. O# sh"#t/lived att#acti"! had (ee! $illed with 6esti"!s a!d #ese#vati"!s, (t

"!e thi!& I'd !"w! $"# s#e* Dimit#i had l"ved my hai#. May(e he still l"ved it. It was &#eat hai#,

I'll admit. 9"!& a!d sily a!d da#. He sed t" $i!d e-cses t" t"ch it, a!d he'd c"!seled me

a&ai!st ctti!& it as s" ma!y $emale &a#dia!s did.

His ha!d h"ve#ed the#e, a!d the w"#ld st""d still as I waited t" see what he w"ld d". 3$te#what seemed lie a! ete#!ity, he let his ha!d &#adally $all (ac t" his side. B#!i!& disa%%"i!tme!t

washed "ve# me, yet at the same time, I'd lea#!ed s"methi!&. He'd hesitated. He'd (ee! a$#aid t"

t"ch me, which may(e)0st may(e)mea!t he still wa!ted t". He'd had t" h"ld himsel$ (ac.

I sl"wly ti%%ed my head (ac s" that we made eye c"!tact. M"st "$ my hai# $ell (ac $#"m

my $ace)(t !"t all. His ha!d t#em(led a&ai!, a!d I h"%ed a&ai! he'd #each $"#wa#d. The ha!d

steadied. My e-citeme!t dimmed.

;D"es it h#t7; he ased. The sce!t "$ that a$te#shave, mi!&led with his sweat, washed "ve#

me. G"d, I wished he had t"ched me.

;N",; I lied.

;It d"es!'t l"" s" (ad,; he t"ld me. ;It'll heal.;

;I hate he#,; I said, ast"!ished at 0st h"w mch ve!"m th"se th#ee w"#ds held. Eve! whilesdde!ly t#!ed "! a!d wa!ti!& Dimit#i, I still c"ld!'t d#"% the &#d&e I held a&ai!st my m"the#.

;N", y" d"!'t,; he said &e!tly.

;I do./

;Y" d"!'t have time t" hate a!y"!e,; he advised, his v"ice still i!d. ;N"t i! "#

%#"$essi"!. Y" sh"ld mae %eace with he#.;

9issa had said e-actly the same thi!&. Ot#a&e 0"i!ed my "the# em"ti"!s. That da#!ess

withi! me sta#ted t" !$#l. ;Mae %eace with he#7 3$te# she &ave me a (lac eye on purpose7 hy

am I the "!ly "!e wh" sees h"w c#a4y that is7;

;She a(s"ltely did not d" it "! %#%"se,; he said, v"ice ha#d. ;N" matte# h"w mch y"

#ese!t he#, y" have t" (elieve that. She w"ld!'t d" that, a!d a!yway, I saw he# late# that day. She

was w"##ied a("t y".;

;8#"(a(ly m"#e w"##ied s"me"!e will (#i!& he# % "! child a(se cha#&es,; I &#m(led.

;D"!'t y" thi! this is the time "$ yea# $"# $"#&ive!ess7;

I si&hed l"dly. ;This is!'t a @h#istmas s%ecial? This is my li$e. I! the #eal w"#ld, mi#acles

a!d &""d!ess 0st d"!'t ha%%e!.;

He was still eyei!& my calmly. ;I! the #eal w"#ld, y" ca! mae y"# "w! mi#acles.;

My $#st#ati"! sdde!ly hit a (#eai!& %"i!t, a!d I &ave % t#yi!& t" mai!tai! my c"!t#"l. I

was s" ti#ed "$ (ei!& t"ld #eas"!a(le, %#actical thi!&s whe!eve# s"methi!& we!t w#"!& i! my li$e.

S"mewhe#e i! me, I !ew Dimit#i "!ly wa!ted t" hel%, (t I 0st was!'t % $"# the well/mea!t

w"#ds. I wa!ted c"m$"#t $"# my %#"(lems. I did!'t wa!t t" thi! a("t what w"ld mae me a (ette#

%e#s"!. I wished he'd 0st h"ld me a!d tell me !"t t" w"##y.;Oay, ca! y" 0st st"% this $"# "!ce7; I dema!ded, ha!ds "! my hi%s.

;St"% what7;

;The wh"le %#"$"!d e! c#a% thi!&. Y" d"!'t tal t" me lie a #eal %e#s"!. Eve#ythi!& y"

say is 0st s"me wise, li$e/less"! !"!se!se. Y" #eally d" s"!d lie a @h#istmas s%ecial.; I !ew it

was!'t e!ti#ely $ai# t" tae my a!&e# "t "! him, (t I $"!d mysel$ %#actically sh"ti!&. ;I swea#,

s"metimes it's 0st lie y" wa!t t" hea# y"#sel$ tal? 3!d I know y"'#e !"t always this way. Y"

we#e %e#$ectly !"#mal whe! y" taled t" Tasha. Bt with me7 Y"'#e 0st &"i!& th#"&h the

m"ti"!s. Y" d"!'t ca#e a("t me. Y"'#e 0st stc i! y"# st%id me!t"# #"le.;

He sta#ed at me, !cha#acte#istically s#%#ised. ;I d"!'t ca#e a("t y"7;

;N".; I was (ei!& %etty)ve#y, ve#y %etty. 3!d I !ew the t#th)that he did ca#e a!d was

m"#e tha! 0st a me!t"#. I c"ld!'t hel% mysel$, th"&h. It 0st e%t c"mi!& a!d c"mi!&. I 0a((ed hischest with my $i!&e#. ;I'm a!"the# stde!t t" y". Y" 0st &" "! a!d "! with y"# st%id li$e

less"!s s" that);



The ha!d I'd h"%ed w"ld t"ch my hai# sdde!ly #eached "t a!d &#a((ed my %"i!ti!&

ha!d. He %i!!ed it t" the wall, a!d I was s#%#ised t" see a $la#e "$ em"ti"! i! his eyes. It was!'t

e-actly a!&e#1(t it was $#st#ati"! "$ a!"the# i!d.

/%on't tell me what I'm $eeli!&,; he &#"wled.

I saw the! that hal$ "$ what I'd said was t#e. He was alm"st always calm, always i! c"!t#"l

)eve! whe! $i&hti!&. Bt he'd als" t"ld me h"w he'd "!ce s!a%%ed a!d (eate! % his M"#"i $athe#.

He'd actally (ee! lie me "!ce)always "! the ve#&e "$ acti!& with"t thi!i!&, d"i!& thi!&s he!ew he sh"ld!'t.

;That's it, is!'t it7; I ased.

;hat7;

;Y"'#e always $i&hti!& $"# c"!t#"l. Y"'#e the same as me.;

;N",; he said, still "(vi"sly w"#ed %. ;I've lea#!ed my c"!t#"l.;

S"methi!& a("t this !ew #eali4ati"! em("lde!ed me. ;N",; I i!$"#med him. ;Y" have!'t.

Y" %t "! a &""d $ace, a!d m"st "$ the time y" d" stay i! c"!t#"l. Bt s"metimes y" ca!'t. 3!d

s"metimes 1; I lea!ed $"#wa#d, l"we#i!& my v"ice. ;S"metimes y" d"!'t wa!t t".;

;R"se1;

I c"ld see his la("#ed (#eathi!& a!d !ew his hea#t was (eati!& as 6icly as mi!e. 3!d he

was!'t %lli!& away. I !ew this was w#"!&)!ew all the l"&ical #eas"!s $"# s stayi!& a%a#t. Bt#i&ht the!, I did!'t ca#e. I did!'t wa!t t" c"!t#"l mysel$. I did!'t wa!t t" (e &""d.

Be$"#e he #eali4ed what was ha%%e!i!&, I issed him. O# li%s met, a!d whe! I $elt him iss

me (ac, I !ew I was #i&ht. He %#essed himsel$ cl"se#, t#a%%i!& me (etwee! him a!d the wall. He

e%t h"ldi!& my ha!d, (t his "the# "!e s!aed (ehi!d my head, slidi!& i!t" my hai#. The iss was

$illed with s" mch i!te!sity5 it held a!&e#, %assi"!, #elease1.

He was the "!e wh" (#"e it. He 0e#ed away $#"m me a!d t"" seve#al ste%s (ac, l""i!&

shae!.

;D" not d" that a&ai!,; he said sti$$ly.

;D"!'t iss me (ac the!,; I #et"#ted.

He sta#ed at me $"# what seemed lie $"#eve#. ;I d"!'t &ive 'e! less"!s' t" hea# mysel$ tal.

I d"!'t &ive them (ecase y"'#e a!"the# stde!t. I'm d"i!& this t" teach y" c"!t#"l.;

;Y"'#e d"i!& a &#eat 0"(,; I said (itte#ly.

He cl"sed his eyes $"# hal$ a sec"!d, e-haled, a!d mtte#ed s"methi!& i! Rssia!. ith"t

a!"the# &la!ce at me, he t#!ed a!d le$t the #""m.



@ha%te#

I DIDN'T SEE DIMITRI :OR a while a$te# that. He'd se!t a messa&e late# that day sayi!&

that he th"&ht we sh"ld ca!cel "# !e-t tw" sessi"!s (ecase "$ the #a%idly a%%#"achi!& %la!s t"

leave cam%s. @lasses we#e a("t t" e!d a!yway, he said5 tai!& a (#ea $#"m %#actice seemed lie

the #eas"!a(le thi!&.

It was a lame e-cse, a!d I !ew that was!'t the #eas"! he was ca!celi!&. I$ he wa!ted t"av"id me, I w"ld have %#e$e##ed he made % s"methi!& a("t h"w he a!d the "the# &a#dia!s had

t" % M"#"i sec#ity "# %#actice t"%/sec#et !i!0a m"ves.

Re&a#dless "$ his st"#y, I !ew he was av"idi!& me (ecase "$ the iss. That dam!ed iss. I

did!'t #e&#et it, !"t e-actly. G"d "!ly !ew h"w mch I'd (ee! wa!ti!& t" iss him. Bt I'd d"!e it

$"# the w#"!& #eas"!s. I'd d"!e it (ecase I was %set a!d $#st#ated a!d had sim%ly wa!ted t"

%#"ve that I could. I was s" ti#ed "$ d"i!& the #i&ht thi!&, the sma#t thi!&. I was t#yi!& t" (e m"#e i!

c"!t#"l lately, (t I seemed t" (e sli%%i!&.

I had!'t $"#&"tte! the wa#!i!& that he'd "!ce &ive! me) that s (ei!& t"&ethe# was!'t 0st

a("t a&e. It w"ld i!te#$e#e with "# 0"(s. 8shi!& him i!t" the iss1well, I'd $a!!ed the $lames

"$ a %#"(lem that c"ld eve!tally h#t 9issa. I sh"ld!'t have d"!e it. Yeste#day, I'd (ee! !a(le t"

st"% mysel$. T"day I c"ld see m"#e clea#ly a!d c"ld!'t (elieve what I'd d"!e.Mas"! met me "! @h#istmas m"#!i!&, a!d we we!t t" &" ha!& "t with the "the#s. It

%#"vided a &""d "%%"#t!ity t" %sh Dimit#i "t "$ my head. I lied Mas"!)a l"t. 3!d it was!'t

lie I had t" #! "$$ a!d ma##y him. 9ie 9issa had said, it w"ld (e healthy $"# me t" 0st date

s"me"!e a&ai!.

Tasha was h"sti!& "# @h#istmas (#!ch i! a! ele&a!t %a#l"# i! the 3cademy's &est

6a#te#s. 9"ts "$ &#"% activities a!d %a#ties we#e "cc##i!& th#"&h"t the sch""l, (t I'd 6icly

!"ticed that Tasha's %#ese!ce always c#eated a dist#(a!ce. 8e"%le eithe# sec#etly sta#ed "# we!t "t

"$ thei# way t" av"id he#. S"metimes she w"ld challe!&e them. S"metimes she w"ld 0st lie l"w.

T"day, she'd ch"se! t" stay "t "$ the "the# #"yals' way a!d sim%ly e!0"y this small, %#ivate %a#ty "$

th"se wh" did!'t sh! he#.

Dimit#i had (ee! i!vited t" the &athe#i!&, a!d a (it "$ my #es"lve $alte#ed whe! I saw him.

He'd actally d#essed % $"# the "ccasi"!. Oay, ;d#essed %; mi&ht have (ee! a! e-a&&e#ati"!, (t

it was the cl"sest I'd eve# see! him c"me t" that. Usally he 0st l""ed a little #"&h1lie he c"ld

s%#i!& i!t" (attle at a!y &ive! m"me!t. T"day, his da# hai# was tied at the (ac "$ his !ec, as

th"&h he'd actally t#ied t" mae it !eat. He w"#e his sal 0ea!s a!d leathe# (""ts, (t i!stead "$ a

T/shi#t "# the#mal shi#t, he had "! a $i!ely !it (lac sweate#. It was 0st a! "#di!a#y sweate#,

!"thi!& desi&!e# "# e-%e!sive, (t it added a t"ch "$ %"lish I did!'t sally see, a!d &""d G"d, did

it $it him well.

Dimit#i was!'t mea! t" me "# a!ythi!&, (t he ce#tai!ly did!'t &" "t "$ his way t" mae

c"!ve#sati"! with me. He did tal t" Tasha, h"weve#, a!d I watched with $asci!ati"! as they

c"!ve#sed i! that easy way "$ thei#s. I'd si!ce lea#!ed that a &""d $#ie!d "$ his was a dista!t c"si!"$ Tasha's $amily5 that was h"w the tw" "$ them !ew each "the#.

;:ive7; ased Dimit#i i! s#%#ise. They we#e discssi!& the $#ie!d's child#e!. ;I had!'t hea#d

that.;

Tasha !"dded. ;It's i!sa!e. I swea#, I d"!'t thi! his wi$e's had m"#e tha! si- m"!ths "$$

(etwee! ids. She's sh"#t, t"") s" she 0st &ets wide# a!d wide#.;

;he! I $i#st met him, he sw"#e he did!'t eve! wa!t ids.;

He# eyes wide!ed e-citedly. ;I know7 I ca!'t (elieve it. Y" sh"ld see him !"w. He 0st

melts a#"!d them. I ca!'t eve! !de#sta!d him hal$ the time. I swea#, he s%eas m"#e (a(y tal

tha! E!&lish.;

Dimit#i smiled his #a#e smile. ;ell1child#e! d" that t" %e"%le.;

;I ca!'t ima&i!e it ha%%e!i!& t" you,/ she la&hed. ;Y"'#e always s" st"ic. O$ c"#se 1 Is%%"se y"'d (e d"i!& (a(y tal i! Rssia!, s" !" "!e w"ld eve# !"w.;

They ("th la&hed at that, a!d I t#!ed away, &#ate$l Mas"! was the#e t" tal t". He was a



&""d dist#acti"! $#"m eve#ythi!&, (ecase i! additi"! t" Dimit#i i&!"#i!& me, 9issa a!d @h#istia!

we#e chatti!& "! i! thei# "w! little w"#ld t"". Se- a%%ea#ed t" have made them that mch m"#e i!

l"ve, a!d I w"!de#ed i$ I'd &et t" s%e!d a!y time with he# at all "! the si t#i%. She did eve!tally

(#ea away $#"m him t" &ive me my @h#istmas %#ese!t.

I "%e!ed the ("- a!d sta#ed i!side. I saw a st#i!& "$ ma#""!/c"l"#ed (eads, a!d the sce!t "$

#"ses $l"ated "t.

;hat the 1;I li$ted the (eads "t, a!d a heavy &"ld c#ci$i- sw!& $#"m the e!d "$ them. She'd &ive! me

a chotki. It was simila# t" a #"sa#y, "!ly smalle#. B#acelet/si4e.

;3#e y" t#yi!& t" c"!ve#t me7; I ased w#yly. 9issa was!'t a #eli&i"s !t "# a!ythi!&, (t

she (elieved i! G"d a!d atte!ded ch#ch #e&la#ly. 9ie ma!y M"#"i $amilies wh"'d c"me $#"m

Rssia a!d Easte#! E#"%e, she was a! O#th"d"- @h#istia!.

Me7 I was %#etty mch a! O#th"d"- 3&!"stic. I $i&#ed G"d %#"(a(ly e-isted, (t I did!'t

have the time "# e!e#&y t" i!vesti&ate. 9issa #es%ected that a!d !eve# t#ied t" %sh he# $aith "! me,

which made the &i$t that mch wei#de#.

;:li% it "ve#,; she said, clea#ly amsed at my sh"c.

I did. O! the (ac "$ the c#"ss, a d#a&"! w#eathed i! $l"we#s had (ee! ca#ved i!t" the &"ld.

The D#a&"mi# c#est. I l""ed % at he#, %44led.;It's a $amily hei#l""m,; she said. ;O!e "$ my dad's &""d $#ie!ds has (ee! savi!& ("-es "$

his st$$. This was i! it. It (el"!&ed t" my &#eat/&#a!dm"the#'s &a#dia!.;

;9iss 1; I said. The ch"ti t"" "! a wh"le !ew mea!i!&. ;I ca!'t1 y" ca!'t &ive me

s"methi!& lie this.;

;ell, I ce#tai!ly ca!'t ee% it. It's mea!t $"# a &a#dia!. My &a#dia!.;

I w"!d the (eads a#"!d "!e w#ist. The c#"ss $elt c""l a&ai!st my si!.

;Y" !"w,; I teased, ;the#e's a &""d %"ssi(ility I'll &et iced "t "$ sch""l (e$"#e I ca!

(ec"me y"# &a#dia!.;

She &#i!!ed. ;ell, the! y" ca! &ive it (ac.;

Eve#y"!e la&hed. Tasha sta#ted t" say s"methi!&, the! st"%%ed whe! she l""ed % at the

d""#.

;=a!i!e?;

My m"the# st""d the#e, l""i!& as sti$$ a!d im%assive as eve#.

;S"##y I'm late,; she said. ;I had (si!ess t" tae ca#e "$.;

Bsi!ess. 3s always. Eve! "! @h#istmas.

I $elt my st"mach t#! a!d heat #ise t" my chees as the details "$ "# $i&ht came #shi!&

(ac t" my mi!d. She'd !eve# se!t "!e w"#d "$ c"mm!icati"! si!ce it had ha%%e!ed tw" days a&",

!"t eve! whe! I was i! the i!$i#ma#y. N" a%"l"&ies. N"thi!&. I &#itted my teeth.

She sat d"w! with s a!d s""! 0"i!ed i! the c"!ve#sati"!. I'd l"!& si!ce disc"ve#ed she

c"ld #eally "!ly tal a("t "!e s(0ect* &a#dia! (si!ess. I w"!de#ed i$ she had a!y h"((ies. The

Badica attac was "! eve#y"!e's mi!d, a!d this d#"ve he# i!t" a c"!ve#sati"! a("t s"me simila#$i&ht she'd (ee! i!. T" my h"##"#, Mas"! was #iveted (y he# eve#y w"#d.

;ell, deca%itati"!s a#e!'t as easy as they seem,; she said i! he# matte#/"$/$act way. I'd

!eve# th"&ht they we#e easy at all, (t he# t"!e s&&ested that she (elieved eve#y"!e th"&ht they

we#e cae. ;Y"'ve &"t t" &et th#"&h the s%i!al c"#d a!d te!d"!s.;

Th#"&h the ("!d, I $elt 9issa &#"w 6easy. She was!'t "!e $"# &#es"me tal.

Mas"!'s eyes lit %. ;hat's the (est wea%"! t" d" it with7;

My m"the# c"!side#ed. ;3! a-e. Y" ca! &et m"#e wei&ht (ehi!d it.; She made a swi!&i!&

m"ti"! (y way "$ illst#ati"!.

;@""l,; he said. ;Ma!, I h"%e they let me ca##y a! a-e.; It was a c"mical a!d ldic#"s idea,

si!ce a-es we#e ha#dly c"!ve!ie!t wea%"!s t" ca##y a#"!d. :"# hal$ a sec"!d, the th"&ht "$

Mas"! wali!& d"w! the st#eet with a! a-e "ve# his sh"lde# li&hte!ed my m""d a little. Them"me!t 6icly %assed.

I h"!estly c"ld!'t (elieve we we#e havi!& this c"!ve#sati"! "! @h#istmas. He# %#ese!ce



had s"#ed eve#ythi!&. :"#t!ately, the &athe#i!& eve!tally dis%e#sed. @h#istia! a!d 9issa we!t "$$

t" d" thei# "w! thi!&, a!d Dimit#i a!d Tasha a%%a#e!tly had m"#e catchi!& % t" d". Mas"! a!d I

we#e well "! "# way t" the dham%i# d"#m whe! my m"the# 0"i!ed s.

N"!e "$ s said a!ythi!&. Sta#s cltte#ed the (lac sy, sha#% a!d (#i&ht, thei# &litte#

matched i! the ice a!d s!"w a#"!d s. I w"#e my iv"#y %a#a with $ae $# t#immi!&. It did a &""d

0"( ee%i!& my ("dy wa#m, eve! th"&h it did !"thi!& a&ai!st the chilly &sts that sea#ed my $ace.

The wh"le time we waled, I e%t e-%ecti!& my m"the# t" t#! "$$ t"wa#d the "the# &a#dia! a#eas, (t she came #i&ht i!side the d"#m with s.

;I've (ee! wa!ti!& t" tal t" y",; she $i!ally said. My ala#ms cliced "!. hat had I d"!e

!"w7

That was all she said, (t Mas"! %iced % "! the hi!t immediately. He was !eithe# st%id

!"# "(livi"s t" s"cial ces, th"&h at that m"me!t, I i!d "$ wished he was. I als" $"!d it i#"!ic

that he wa!ted t" $i&ht eve#y St#i&"i i! the w"#ld (t was a$#aid "$ my m"the#.

He &la!ced at me a%"l"&etically, sh#&&ed, a!d said, ;Hey, I've &"t t" &et, m, s"mewhe#e.

I'll see y" late#.;

I watched with #e&#et as he le$t, wishi!& I c"ld #! a$te# him. 8#"(a(ly my m"m w"ld

"!ly tacle me a!d %!ch my "the# eye i$ I t#ied t" esca%e. Bette# t" d" thi!&s he# way a!d &et this

"ve# with. Shi$ti!& !c"m$"#ta(ly, I l""ed eve#ywhe#e (t at he# a!d waited $"# he# t" s%ea. Ot"$ the c"#!e# "$ my eye, I !"ticed a $ew %e"%le &la!ci!& "ve# at s. Recalli!& h"w eve#y"!e i! the

w"#ld seemed t" !"w a("t he# &ivi!& me the (lac eye, I sdde!ly decided I did!'t wa!t

wit!esses a#"!d $"# whateve# lect#e she was a("t t" !leash "! me.

;Y" wa!t t", m, &" t" my #""m7; I ased.

She l""ed s#%#ised, alm"st !ce#tai!. ;S#e.;

I led he# %stai#s, ee%i!& a sa$e dista!ce away as we waled. 3wwa#d te!si"! (ilt

(etwee! s. She did!'t say a!ythi!& whe! we #eached my #""m, (t I saw he# e-ami!e eve#y detail

ca#e$lly, as th"&h a St#i&"i mi&ht (e l#i!& i! the#e. I sat "! the (ed a!d waited while she %aced,

!s#e what I sh"ld d". She #a! he# $i!&e#s "ve# a stac "$ (""s "! a!imal (ehavi"# a!d

ev"lti"!.

;3#e these $"# a #e%"#t7; she ased.

;N". I'm 0st i!te#ested i! it, that's all.;

He# eye(#"ws #"se. She had!'t !"w! that. Bt h"w w"ld she7 She did!'t !"w a!ythi!&

a("t me. She c"!ti!ed he# a%%#aisal, st"%%i!& t" stdy little thi!&s that a%%a#e!tly s#%#ised he#

a("t me. 3 %ict#e "$ 9issa a!d me d#essed % lie $ai#ies $"# Hall"wee!. 3 (a& "$ SweeTa#ts. It

was as th"&h my m"the# we#e meeti!& me $"# the $i#st time.

3(#%tly, she t#!ed a!d e-te!ded he# ha!d t"wa#d me. ;He#e.;

Sta#tled, I lea!ed $"#wa#d a!d held my %alm "t !de#!eath he#s. S"methi!& small a!d c""l

d#"%%ed i!t" my ha!d. It was a #"!d %e!da!t, a small "!e)!"t mch (i&&e# tha! a dime i!

diamete#. 3 (ase "$ silve# held a $lat disc "$ c"l"#ed &lass ci#cles. :#"w!i!&, I #a! my thm( "ve# its

s#$ace. It was st#a!&e, (t the ci#cles alm"st made it l"" lie a! eye. The i!!e# "!e was small, 0stlie a %%il. It was s" da# (le that it l""ed (lac. S##"!di!& it was a la#&e# ci#cle "$ %ale (le,

which was i! t#! s##"!ded (y a ci#cle "$ white. 3 ve#y, ve#y thi! #i!& "$ that da# (le c"l"#

ci#cled the "tside.

;Tha!s,; I said. I had!'t e-%ected a!ythi!& $#"m he#. The &i$t was wei#d)why the hell

w"ld she &ive me a! eye7)(t it was a &i$t. ;I1 I did!'t &et y" a!ythi!&.;

My m"m !"dded, $ace (la! a!d !c"!ce#!ed "!ce m"#e. ;It's $i!e. I d"!'t !eed a!ythi!&.;

She t#!ed away a&ai! a!d sta#ted wali!& a#"!d the #""m. She did!'t have a l"t "$ s%ace

t" d" it, (t he# sh"#te# hei&ht &ave he# a smalle# st#ide. Each time she %assed i! $#"!t "$ the

wi!d"w "ve# my (ed, the li&ht w"ld catch he# a(#! hai# a!d li&ht it %. I watched he# c#i"sly

a!d #eali4ed she was as !e#v"s as me.

She halted i! he# %aci!& a!d &la!ced (ac t"wa#d me. ;H"w's y"# eye7;;Getti!& (ette#.;

;G""d.; She "%e!ed he# m"th, a!d I had a $eeli!& she was "! the ve#&e "$ a%"l"&i4i!&. Bt



she did!'t.

he! she sta#ted %aci!& a&ai!, I decided I c"ld!'t sta!d the i!activity. I (e&a! %tti!& my

%#ese!ts away. I'd &"tte! a %#etty !ice hal "$ st$$ this m"#!i!&. O!e "$ them was a sil d#ess $#"m

Tasha, #ed a!d em(#"ide#ed with $l"we#s. My m"the# watched me ha!& it i! the #""m's ti!y cl"set.

;That was ve#y !ice "$ Tasha.;

;Yeah,; I a&#eed. ;I did!'t !"w she was &"i!& t" &et me a!ythi!&. I #eally lie he#.;

;Me t"".;I t#!ed $#"m the cl"set i! s#%#ise a!d sta#ed at my m"m. He# ast"!ishme!t mi##"#ed mi!e.

I$ I had!'t !"w! a!y (ette#, I'd have said we'd 0st a&#eed "! s"methi!&. May(e @h#istmas mi#acles

did ha%%e!.

;Ga#dia! Beli"v will (e a &""d match $"# he#.;

;I); I (li!ed, !"t e!ti#ely s#e what she was tali!& a("t. ;Dimit#i7;

;Ga#dia! Beli"v,; she c"##ected ste#!ly, still !"t a%%#"vi!& "$ my casal way "$

add#essi!& him.

;hat1 what i!d "$ match7; I ased.

She #aised a! eye(#"w. ;Y" have!'t hea#d7 She's ased him t" (e he# &a#dia!)si!ce she

d"es!'t have "!e.;

I $elt lie I'd (ee! %!ched a&ai!. ;Bt he's1assi&!ed he#e. 3!d t" 9issa.;;3##a!&eme!ts ca! (e made. 3!d #e&a#dless "$ the O4e#a #e%tati"!1she's still #"yal. I$ she

%shes, she ca! &et he# way.;

I sta#ed (lealy i!t" s%ace. ;ell, I &ess they are $#ie!ds a!d eve#ythi!&.;

;M"#e tha! that)"# %"ssi(ly c"ld (e.;

Bam7 8!ched a&ai!.

/8hat0/

;Hmm7 Oh. She's1interested i! him.; By my m"the#'s t"!e, it was clea# that #"ma!tic

matte#s actally held !" i!te#est $"# he#. ;She's willi!& t" have dham%i# child#e!, s" it's %"ssi(le

they mi&ht eve!tally mae a!, m, a##a!&eme!t i$ he we#e he# &a#dia!.;

Oh. My. G"d.

Time $#"4e.

My hea#t st"%%ed (eati!&.

I #eali4ed my m"the# was waiti!& $"# a #es%"!se. She was lea!i!& a&ai!st my des, watchi!&

me. She mi&ht (e a(le t" h!t d"w! St#i&"i, (t she was "(livi"s t" my $eeli!&s.

;Is 1 is he &"i!& t" d" it7 Be he# &a#dia!7; I ased wealy.

My m"m sh#&&ed. ;I d"!'t thi! he's a&#eed t" it yet, (t "$ c"#se he will. It's a &#eat

"%%"#t!ity.;

;O$ c"#se,; I ech"ed. hy w"ld Dimit#i t#! d"w! the cha!ce t" (e a &a#dia! t" a $#ie!d

"$ his and t" have a (a(y7

I thi! my m"m said s"methi!& else a$te# that, (t I did!'t hea# it. I did!'t hea# a!ythi!&. I

e%t thi!i!& a("t Dimit#i leavi!& the 3cademy, leavi!& me. I th"&ht a("t the way he a!d Tashahad &"tte! al"!& with each "the# s" well. 3!d the!, a$te# th"se #ec"llecti"!s, my ima&i!ati"! sta#ted

im%#"visi!& $t#e sce!a#i"s. Tasha a!d Dimit#i t"&ethe#. T"chi!&. <issi!&. Naed. Othe# thi!&s

1

I s6ee4ed my eyes sht $"# hal$ a sec"!d a!d the! "%e!ed them.

;I'm #eally ti#ed.;

My m"m st"%%ed mid/se!te!ce. I had !" idea what she'd (ee! sayi!& (e$"#e I i!te##%ted

he#.

;I'm #eally ti#ed,; I #e%eated. I c"ld hea# the h"ll"w!ess i! my "w! v"ice. Em%ty. N"

em"ti"!. ;Tha!s $"# the eye1m, thi!&, (t i$ y" d"!'t mi!d 1;

My m"the# sta#ed at me i! s#%#ise, he# $eat#es "%e! a!d c"!$sed. The!, 0st lie that, he#

sal wall "$ c""l %#"$essi"!alism slammed (ac i!t" %lace. U!til that m"me!t, I had!'t #eali4edh"w mch she'd let it %. Bt she had. :"# 0st a (#ie$ time, she'd made he#sel$ vl!e#a(le with me.

That vl!e#a(ility was !"w &"!e.



;O$ c"#se,; she said sti$$ly. ;I d"!'t wa!t t" ("the# y".;

I wa!ted t" tell he# it was!'t that. I wa!ted t" tell he# I was!'t ici!& he# "t $"# a!y

%e#s"!al #eas"!. 3!d I wa!ted t" tell he# that I wished she we#e the i!d "$ l"vi!&, !de#sta!di!&

m"the# y" always hea# a("t, "!e I c"ld c"!$ide i!. May(e eve! a m"the# I c"ld discss my

t#"(led l"ve li$e with.

G"d. I wished I c"ld tell anyone a("t that, actally. Es%ecially #i&ht !"w.

Bt I was t"" ca&ht % i! my "w! %e#s"!al d#ama t" say a w"#d. I $elt lie s"me"!e had#i%%ed my hea#t "t a!d t"ssed it ac#"ss the "the# side "$ the #""m. The#e was a (#!i!&, a&"!i4i!&

%ai! i! my chest, a!d I had !" idea h"w it c"ld eve# (e $illed. It was "!e thi!& t" acce%t that I

c"ld!'t have Dimit#i. It was s"methi!& e!ti#ely di$$e#e!t t" #eali4e s"me"!e else could.

I did!'t say a!ythi!& else t" he# (ecase my s%eech ca%a(ilities !" l"!&e# e-isted. :#y

&li!ted i! he# eyes, a!d he# li%s $latte!ed "t i!t" that ti&ht e-%#essi"! "$ dis%leas#e she s" "$te!

w"#e. ith"t a!"the# w"#d, she t#!ed a#"!d a!d le$t, slammi!& the d""# (ehi!d he#. That d""#

slam was s"methi!& I w"ld have d"!e t"", actally. I &ess we #eally did sha#e s"me &e!es.

Bt I $"#&"t a("t he# alm"st immediately. I 0st e%t sitti!& the#e a!d thi!i!&. Thi!i!&

a!d ima&i!i!&.

I s%e!t the #est "$ the day d"i!& little m"#e tha! that. I si%%ed di!!e#. I shed a $ew tea#s. Bt

m"stly, I 0st sat "! my (ed thi!i!& a!d &#"wi!& m"#e a!d m"#e de%#essed. I als" disc"ve#ed thatthe "!ly thi!& w"#se tha! ima&i!i!& Dimit#i a!d Tasha t"&ethe# was #emem(e#i!& whe! he a!d I

had (ee! t"&ethe#. He w"ld !eve# t"ch me a&ai! lie that, !eve# iss me a&ai!1

This was the w"#st @h#istmas eve#.



@H38TER A

THE S<I TRI8 @OU9DN'T H32E c"me a m"me!t t"" s""!. It was im%"ssi(le t" &et the

Dimit#i a!d Tasha thi!& "t "$ my head, (t at least %aci!& a!d &etti!& #eady made s#e I did!'t

dev"te A %e#ce!t "$ my (#ai! %"we# t" him. M"#e lie J %e#ce!t.

I had "the# thi!&s t" dist#act me, t"". The 3cademy mi&ht)#i&ht$lly)(e "ve#%#"tective

whe! it came t" s, (t s"metimes that t#a!slated i!t" %#etty c""l st$$. E-am%le* The 3cademy hadaccess t" a c"%le "$ %#ivate 0ets. This mea!t !" St#i&"i c"ld attac s at a! ai#%"#t, and it als"

mea!t we &"t t" t#avel i! style. Each 0et was smalle# tha! a c"mme#cial %la!e, (t the seats we#e

cshy a!d had l"ts "$ le& #""m. They e-te!ded $a# e!"&h (ac that y" c"ld %#actically lie d"w!

t" slee%. O! l"!& $li&hts, we had little c"!s"les i! the seats that &ave s T2 m"vie "%ti"!s.

S"metimes they'd eve! (#ea "t $a!cy meals. I was (etti!& this $li&ht, h"weve#, w"ld (e t"" sh"#t

$"# a!y m"vies "# s(sta!tial $""d.

e le$t late "! the twe!ty/si-th. he! I ("a#ded the 0et, I l""ed a#"!d $"# 9issa, wa!ti!&

t" tal t" he#. e had!'t #eally s%"e! a$te# the @h#istmas (#!ch. I was!'t s#%#ised t" see he#

sitti!& with @h#istia!, a!d they did!'t l"" lie they wa!ted t" (e i!te##%ted. I c"ld!'t hea# thei#

c"!ve#sati"!, (t he'd %t his a#m a#"!d he# a!d had that #ela-ed, $li#ty e-%#essi"! that "!ly she

c"ld (#i!& "t. I #emai!ed $lly c"!vi!ced that he c"ld !eve# d" as &""d a 0"( as me "$ tai!&ca#e "$ he#, (t he clea#ly made he# ha%%y. I %t "! a smile a!d !"dded at them as I %assed d"w! the

aisle t"wa#d whe#e Mas"! was wavi!& at me. 3s I did, I als" waled (y Dimit#i a!d Tasha sitti!&

t"&ethe#. I %"i!tedly i&!"#ed them.

;Hey,; I said slidi!& i!t" the seat (eside Mas"!.

He smiled at me. ;Hey. Y" #eady $"# the si challe!&e7;

;3s #eady as I'll eve# (e.;

;D"!'t w"##y,; he said. ;I'll &" easy "! y".;

I sc"$$ed a!d lea!ed my head (ac a&ai!st the seat. ;Y"'#e s" delsi"!al.;

;Sa!e &ys a#e ("#i!&.;

T" my s#%#ise, he slid his ha!d "ve# mi!e. His si! was wa#m, a!d I $elt my "w! si!

ti!&le whe#e he t"ched me. It sta#tled me. I'd c"!vi!ced mysel$ Dimit#i was the "!ly "!e I'd eve#

#es%"!d t" a&ai!.

It's time to move on, I th"&ht. %imitri obviously has. (ou should have done it a lon" time

a"o.

I laced my $i!&e#s with Mas"!'s, catchi!& him "$$ &a#d. ;I d". This is &"i!& t" (e $!.;

3!d it was.

I t#ied t" ee% #emi!di!& mysel$ that we we#e he#e (ecase "$ a t#a&edy, that the#e we#e

St#i&"i a!d hma!s "t the#e wh" mi&ht st#ie a&ai!. N" "!e else seemed t" #emem(e# that, th"&h,

a!d I admit, I was havi!& a di$$iclt time mysel$.The #es"#t was &"#&e"s. It was (ilt t" s"#t "$ l"" lie a l"& ca(i!, (t !" %i"!ee# ca(i!

c"ld have held h!d#eds "$ %e"%le "# had sch l-#y acc"mm"dati"!s. Th#ee st"#ies "$ &leami!&,

&"lde!/c"l"#ed w""d sat am"!& l"$ty %i!e t#ees. The wi!d"ws we#e tall a!d &#ace$lly a#ched,

ti!ted $"# M"#"i c"!ve!ie!ce. @#ystal la!te#!s)elect#ic, (t sha%ed t" l"" lie t"#ches)h!&

a#"!d all the e!t#a!ces, &ivi!& the e!ti#e (ildi!& a &litte#i!&, alm"st (e0eweled l"".

M"!tai!s)which my e!ha!ced eyes c"ld 0st (a#ely mae "t i! the !i&ht)s##"!ded

s, a!d I (et the view w"ld have (ee! (#eathtai!& whe! it was li&ht "t. O!e side "$ the &#"!ds

led "$$ t" the sii!& a#ea, c"m%lete with stee% hills a!d m"&ls, as well as li$ts a!d t"w #"%es.

3!"the# side "$ the l"d&e had a! ice #i!, which deli&hted me si!ce I'd missed "t that "!e day (y

the ca(i!. Nea# that, sm""th hills we#e #ese#ved $"# sleddi!&.

3!d that was 0st the "tside.I!side, all s"#ts "$ a##a!&eme!ts had (ee! made t" cate# t" M"#"i !eeds. :eede#s stayed "!

ha!d, #eady t" se#ve twe!ty/$"# h"#s a day. The sl"%es #a! "! a !"ct#!al schedle. a#ds a!d



&a#dia!s ci#cled the e!ti#e %lace. Eve#ythi!& a livi!& vam%i#e c"ld wa!t.

The mai! l"((y had a cathed#al ceili!& a!d a! e!"#m"s cha!delie# ha!&i!& "ve# it. Its $l""#

was i!t#icately tiled ma#(le, a!d the $#"!t des stayed "%e! a#"!d the cl"c, #eady t" i!dl&e "#

eve#y !eed. The #est "$ the l"d&e, hallways a!d l"!&es, had a #ed, (lac, a!d &"ld c"l"# scheme.

The dee% shade "$ #ed d"mi!ated "ve# the "the# hes, a!d I w"!de#ed i$ its #esem(la!ce t" (l""d

was a c"i!cide!ce. Mi##"#s a!d a#t ad"#!ed the walls, a!d little "#!ame!tal ta(les had (ee! %laced

he#e a!d the#e. They held vases "$ %ale &#ee!, %#%le/s%"tted "#chids that $illed the ai# with a s%icysce!t.

The #""m I sha#ed with 9issa was (i&&e# tha! "# d"#m #""ms %t t"&ethe# a!d had the

same #ich c"l"#s as the #est "$ the l"d&e. The ca#%et was s" %lsh a!d dee% that I immediately shed

my sh"es at the d""# a!d waled i! (a#e$""t, l-#iati!& i! the way my $eet sa! i!t" that s"$t!ess.

e had i!&/si4e (eds, c"ve#ed i! $eathe# dvets a!d set with s" ma!y %ill"ws that I sw"#e a %e#s"!

c"ld &et l"st i! them all a!d !eve# (e see! a&ai!. :#e!ch d""#s "%e!ed "! t" a s%aci"s (alc"!y,

which, c"!side#i!& we we#e "! the t"% $l""#, w"ld have (ee! c""l i$ !"t $"# the $act it was $#ee4i!&

"tside. I ss%ected the tw"/%e#s"! h"t t( "! the $a# e!d w"ld &" a l"!& way t" mae % $"# the

c"ld.

D#"w!i!& i! s" mch l-#y, I #eached a! "ve#l"ad %"i!t whe#e the #est "$ the

acc"mm"dati"!s sta#ted swimmi!& t"&ethe#. The 0etted ma#(le (atht(. The %lasma/sc#ee! T2. The (aset "$ ch"c"late a!d "the# s!acs. he! we $i!ally decided t" &" sii!&, I had t" %#actically

d#a& mysel$ $#"m the #""m. I c"ld %#"(a(ly have s%e!t the #est "$ my vacati"! l"!&i!& i! the#e

a!d (ee! %e#$ectly c"!te!t.

Bt we $i!ally ve!t#ed "tside, a!d "!ce I ma!a&ed t" %sh Dimit#i a!d my m"the# "t "$

my head, I sta#ted t" e!0"y mysel$. It hel%ed that the l"d&e was s" e!"#m"s5 the#e was little cha!ce

"$ #!!i!& i!t" them.

:"# the $i#st time i! wees, I was a(le t" $i!ally $"cs "! Mas"! a!d #eali4e 0st h"w mch

$! he was. I als" &"t t" ha!& "t with 9issa m"#e tha! I had i! a while, which %t me i! a! eve!

(ette# m""d.

ith 9issa, @h#istia!, Mas"!, a!d me, we we#e a(le t" &et i!d "$ a d"(le/date thi!&

&"i!&. The $"# "$ s s%e!t alm"st all "$ the $i#st day sii!&, th"&h the tw" M"#"i had a (it "$

t#"(le ee%i!& %. @"!side#i!& what Mas"! a!d I we!t th#"&h i! "# classes, he a!d I we#e!'t

a$#aid t" t#y da#i!& st!ts. O# c"m%etitive !at#es made s ea&e# t" &" "t "$ "# way t" "td"

each "the#.

;Y" &ys a#e sicidal,; #ema#ed @h#istia! at "!e %"i!t. It was da# "tside, a!d tall li&ht

%"sts illmi!ated his (emsed $ace.

He a!d 9issa had (ee! waiti!& at the ("tt"m "$ the m"&l hill, watchi!& Mas"! a!d me

c"me d"w!. e'd (ee! m"vi!& at i!sa!e s%eeds. The %a#t "$ me that had (ee! t#yi!& t" lea#!

c"!t#"l a!d wisd"m $#"m Dimit#i !ew it was da!&e#"s, (t the #est "$ me lied em(#aci!& that

#ecless!ess. That da# st#ea "$ #e(elli"s!ess still had!'t let me &".

Mas"! &#i!!ed as we sidded t" a halt, se!di!& % a s%#ay "$ s!"w. ;Nah, this is 0st awa#m/%. I mea!, R"se has (ee! a(le t" ee% % with me the wh"le time. <id st$$.;

9issa sh"" he# head. ;3#e!'t y" &ys tai!& this t"" $a#7;

Mas"! a!d I l""ed at each "the#. ;N".;

She sh"" he# head. ;ell, we'#e &"i!& i!side. T#y !"t t" ill y"#selves.;

She a!d @h#istia! le$t, a#m a!d a#m. I watched them &", the! t#!ed (ac t" Mas"!. ;I'm

&""d $"# a while l"!&e#. Y"7;

;3(s"ltely.;

e t"" a li$t (ac % t" the t"% "$ the hill. he! we we#e 0st a("t t" head d"w!, Mas"!

%"i!ted.

;Oay, h"w a("t this7 Hit th"se m"&ls the#e, the! 0m% "ve# that #id&e, swi!& (ac with a

hai#%i! t#!, d"d&e th"se t#ees, a!d la!d the#e.;I $"ll"wed his $i!&e# as he %"i!ted "t a 0a&&ed %ath d"w! "!e "$ the (i&&est sl"%es. I

$#"w!ed.



;That "!e #eally is i!sa!e, Mase.;

;3h,; he said t#im%ha!tly. ;She $i!ally c#acs.;

I &l"we#ed. ;She d"es !"t.; 3$te# a!"the# s#vey "$ his c#a4y #"te, I c"!ceded. ;Oay. 9et's

d" it.;

He &est#ed. ;Y" $i#st.;

I t"" a dee% (#eath a!d lea%t "$$. My sis slid sm""thly "ve# the s!"w, a!d %ie#ci!& wi!d

(lasted i!t" my $ace. I made the $i#st 0m% !eatly a!d %#ecisely, (t as the !e-t %a#t "$ the c"#ses%ed $"#wa#d, I #eali4ed 0st h"w da!&e#"s it #eally was. I! that s%lit sec"!d, I had a decisi"! t"

mae. I$ I did!'t d" it, I'd !eve# hea# the e!d "$ it $#"m Mas"!)a!d I really wa!ted t" sh"w him %.

I$ I did ma!a&e it, I c"ld $eel %#etty sec#e a("t my awes"me!ess. Bt i$ I t#ied a!d messed % 1

I c"ld (#ea my !ec.

S"mewhe#e i! my head, a v"ice that s"!ded ss%ici"sly lie Dimit#i's sta#ted tali!&

a("t wise ch"ices a!d lea#!i!& whe! t" sh"w #est#ai!t.

I decided t" i&!"#e that v"ice a!d we!t $"# it.

This c"#se was as ha#d as I'd $ea#ed, (t I %lled it "$$ $lawlessly, "!e i!sa!e m"ve a$te#

a!"the#. S!"w $lew % a#"!d me as I made each sha#%, da!&e#"s t#!. he! I sa$ely #eached

("tt"m, I l""ed % a!d saw Mas"! &est#i!& wildly. I c"ld!'t mae "t his e-%#essi"! "# w"#ds,

(t I c"ld ima&i!e his chee#s. I waved (ac a!d waited $"# him t" $"ll"w sit.Bt he did!'t. Becase whe! Mas"! &"t hal$way d"w!, he was!'t a(le t" %ll "$$ "!e "$ the

0m%s. His sis ca&ht, a!d his le&s twisted. D"w! he we!t.

I #eached him at a("t the same time s"me "$ the #es"#t sta$$ did. T" eve#y"!e's #elie$,

Mas"! had!'t (#"e! his !ec "# a!ythi!& else. His a!le did a%%ea# t" have a !asty s%#ai!,

h"weve#, which was %#"(a(ly &"i!& t" limit his sii!& $"# the #est "$ the t#i%.

O!e "$ the i!st#ct"#s m"!it"#i!& the sl"%es #a! $"#wa#d, $#y all "ve# he# $ace.

;hat we#e y" ids thi!i!&7; she e-claimed. She t#!ed "! me. ;I c"ld!'t (elieve it

whe! y" did th"se st%id st!ts?; He# &la#e $i-ed "! Mas"! !e-t. ;3!d the! you had t" &" ahead

a!d c"%y he#?;

I wa!ted t" a#&e that it had all (ee! his idea, (t (lame did!'t matte# at this %"i!t. I was 0st

&lad he was all #i&ht. Bt as we all we!t i!side, &ilt (e&a! t" &!aw at me. I had acted i##es%"!si(ly.

hat i$ he'd (ee! se#i"sly i!0#ed7 H"##i(le visi"!s da!ced th#"&h my mi!d. Mas"! with a

(#"e! le& 1 a (#"e! !ec1

hat had I (ee! thi!i!&7 N" "!e had made me d" that c"#se. Mas"! had s&&ested it1

(t I had!'t $"&ht (ac. G""d!ess !ew I %#"(a(ly c"ld have. I mi&ht have had t" e!d#e s"me

m"ce#y, (t Mas"! was c#a4y e!"&h a("t me that $emi!i!e wiles %#"(a(ly w"ld have st"%%ed

this mad!ess. I'd &"tte! ca&ht % i! the e-citeme!t a!d the #is)mch as I had i! issi!& Dimit#i

)!"t &ivi!& e!"&h th"&ht t" the c"!se6e!ces (ecase sec#etly, i!side "$ me, that im%lsive

desi#e t" (e wild still l#ed. Mas"! had it t"", a!d his called t" me.

That me!tal Dimit#i v"ice chastised me "!ce m"#e.

3$te# Mas"! was sa$ely #et#!ed t" the l"d&e a!d had ice "! his a!le, I ca##ied "#e6i%me!t (ac "tside t"wa#d the st"#a&e (ildi!&s. he! I we!t (ac i!side, I we!t th#"&h a

di$$e#e!t d""#way tha! I !"#mally sed. This e!t#a!ce was set (ehi!d a h&e, "%e! %"#ch with a!

"#!ate w""de! #aili!&. The %"#ch was (ilt i!t" the side "$ the m"!tai! a!d had a (#eathtai!&

view "$ the "the# %eas a!d valleys a#"!d s) i$ y" $elt lie sta!di!& a#"!d l"!& e!"&h i!

$#ee4i!& tem%e#at#es t" admi#e it. hich m"st %e"%le did!'t.

I waled % the ste%s t" the %"#ch, st"m%i!& s!"w "$$ my (""ts as I did. 3 thic sce!t, ("th

s%icy a!d sweet, h!& i! the ai#. S"methi!& a("t it $elt $amilia#, (t (e$"#e I c"ld ide!ti$y it, a

v"ice sdde!ly s%"e t" me "t "$ the shad"ws.

;Hey, little dham%i#.;

Sta#tled, I #eali4ed s"me"!e was i!deed sta!di!& "! the %"#ch. 3 &y)a M"#"i)lea!ed

a&ai!st the wall !"t $a# $#"m the d""#. He (#"&ht a ci&a#ette % t" his m"th, t"" a l"!& d#a&, a!dthe! d#"%%ed it t" the $l""#. He stam%ed the (tt "t a!d c#""ed me a smile. That was the sce!t, I

#eali4ed. @l"ve ci&a#ettes.



a#ily, I st"%%ed a!d c#"ssed my a#ms as I t"" him i!. He was a little sh"#te# tha! Dimit#i

(t was!'t as la!y as s"me M"#"i &ys e!ded % l""i!&. 3 l"!&, cha#c"al c"at)%#"(a(ly made

"t "$ s"me i!sa!ely e-%e!sive cashme#e/w""l (le!d)$it his ("dy e-ce%ti"!ally well, a!d the

leathe# d#ess sh"es he w"#e i!dicated m"#e m"!ey still. He had (#"w! hai# that l""ed lie it had

(ee! %#%"sely styled t" a%%ea# a little !em%t, a!d his eyes we#e eithe# (le "# &#ee!)I did!'t

have 6ite e!"&h li&ht t" !"w $"# s#e. His $ace was cte, I s%%"sed, a!d I %e&&ed him t" (e a

c"%le yea#s "lde# tha! me. He l""ed lie he'd 0st c"me $#"m a di!!e# %a#ty.;Yeah7; I ased.

His eyes swe%t "ve# my ("dy. I was sed t" atte!ti"! $#"m M"#"i &ys. It 0st sally was!'t

s" "(vi"s. 3!d I sally was!'t (!dled % i! wi!te# cl"thi!& a!d s%"#ti!& a (lac eye.

He sh#&&ed. ;=st sayi!& hi, that's all.;

I waited $"# m"#e, (t all he did was st$$ his ha!ds i!t" the c"at's %"cets. ith a sh#& "$

my "w!, I t"" a c"%le ste%s $"#wa#d.

;Y" smell &""d, y" !"w,; he sdde!ly said.

I st"%%ed wali!& a&ai! a!d &ave him a %44led l"", which "!ly made his sly smile &#"w a

little (i&&e#.

;I1 m, what7;

;Y" smell &""d,; he #e%eated.;3#e y" 0"i!&7 I've (ee! sweati!& all day. I'm dis&sti!&.; I wa!ted t" wal away, (t

the#e was s"methi!& ee#ily c"m%elli!& a("t this &y. 9ie a t#ai! w#ec. I did!'t $i!d him att#active

%e# se5 I was 0st sdde!ly i!te#ested i! tali!& t" him.

;Sweat is!'t a (ad thi!&,; he said, lea!i!& his head a&ai!st the wall a!d l""i!& %wa#d

th"&ht$lly. ;S"me "$ the (est thi!&s i! li$e ha%%e! while sweati!&. Yeah, i$ y" &et t"" mch "$ it

a!d it &ets "ld a!d stale, it t#!s %#etty &#"ss. Bt "! a (eati$l w"ma!7 I!t"-icati!&. I$ y" c"ld

smell thi!&s lie a vam%i#e d"es, y"'d !"w what I'm tali!& a("t. M"st %e"%le mess it all % a!d

d#"w! themselves i! %e#$me. 8e#$me ca! (e &""d1es%ecially i$ y" &et "!e that &"es with y"#

chemist#y. Bt y" "!ly !eed a hi!t. Mi- a("t %e#ce!t "$ that with C %e#ce!t "$ y"# "w!

%e#s%i#ati"!1mmm.; He tilted his head t" the side a!d l""ed at me. ;Dead se-y.;

I sdde!ly #emem(e#ed Dimit#i a!d his a$te#shave. Yeah. #hat had (ee! dead se-y, (t I

ce#tai!ly was!'t &"i!& t" tell this &y a("t it.

;ell, tha!s $"# the hy&ie!e less"!,; I said. ;Bt I d"!'t "w! a!y %e#$me, and I'm &"i!& t"

&" sh"we# all this h"t sweaty acti"! "$$ me. S"##y.;

He %lled "t a %ac "$ ci&a#ettes a!d "$$e#ed it t" me. He m"ved "!ly a ste% cl"se#, (t it

was e!"&h $"# me t" smell s"methi!& else "! him. 3lc"h"l. I sh"" my head at the ci&a#ettes, a!d

he ta%%ed "!e "t $"# himsel$.

;Bad ha(it,; I said, watchi!& him li&ht it.

;O!e "$ ma!y,; he #e%lied. He i!haled dee%ly. ;Y" he#e with St. 2lad's7;

;Y%.;

;S" y"'#e &"i!& t" (e a &a#dia! whe! y" &#"w %.;;O(vi"sly.;

He e-haled sm"e, a!d I watched it d#i$t away i!t" the !i&ht. Hei&hte!ed vam%i#e se!ses "#

!", it was a w"!de# he c"ld smell a!ythi!& a#"!d th"se cl"ves.

;H"w l"!& !til y" &#"w %7; he ased. ;I mi&ht !eed a &a#dia!.;

;I &#adate i! the s%#i!&. Bt I'm al#eady s%"e! $"#. S"##y.;

S#%#ise $lice#ed i! his eyes. ;Yeah7 h" is he7;

/he's 2asilisa D#a&"mi#.;

;3h.; His $ace s%lit i!t" a h&e &#i!. ;I !ew y" we#e t#"(le as s""! as I saw y". Y"'#e

=a!i!e Hathaway's da&hte#.;

;I'm R"se Hathaway,; I c"##ected, !"t wa!ti!& t" (e de$i!ed (y my m"the#.

;Nice t" meet y", R"se Hathaway.; He e-te!ded a &l"ved ha!d t" me that I hesita!tly t"".;3d#ia! Ivash"v.;

;3!d y" thi! I'm t#"(le,; I mtte#ed. The Ivash"vs we#e a #"yal $amily, "!e "$ the



wealthiest a!d m"st %"we#$l. They we#e the i!d "$ %e"%le wh" th"&ht they c"ld &et a!ythi!&

they wa!ted a!d waled "ve# th"se i! thei# way. N" w"!de# he was s" a##"&a!t.

He la&hed. He had a !ice la&h, #ich a!d alm"st mel"di"s. It made me thi! "$ wa#m

ca#amel, d#i%%i!& $#"m a s%""!. ;Ha!dy, hh7 Each "$ "# #e%tati"!s %#ecedes s.;

I sh"" my head. ;Y" d"!'t !"w a!ythi!& a("t me. 3!d I "!ly !"w "$ y"# family. I

d"!'t !"w a!ythi!& a("t y".;

;a!t t"7; he ased ta!ti!&ly.;S"##y. I'm !"t i!t" "lde# &ys.;

;I'm twe!ty/"!e. N"t that mch "lde#.;

;I have a ("y$#ie!d.; It was a small lie. Mas"! ce#tai!ly was!'t my ("y$#ie!d yet, (t I

h"%ed 3d#ia! w"ld leave me al"!e i$ he th"&ht I was tae!.

;:!!y y" did!'t me!ti"! that #i&ht away,; 3d#ia! msed. ;He did!'t &ive y" that (lac

eye, did he7;

I $elt mysel$ (lshi!&, eve! i! the c"ld. I'd (ee! h"%i!& he w"ld!'t !"tice the eye, which

was st%id. ith his vam%i#e eyes, he'd %#"(a(ly !"ticed as s""! as I ste%%ed "!t" the %"#ch.

;He w"ld!'t (e alive i$ he did. I &"t it d#i!& 1 %#actice. I mea!, I'm t#ai!i!& t" (e a

&a#dia!. O# classes a#e always #"&h.;

;That's %#etty h"t,; he said. He d#"%%ed this sec"!d ci&a#ette t" the &#"!d a!d %t it "twith his $""t.

;8!chi!& me i! the eye7;

;ell, !". O$ c"#se !"t. I mea!t that the idea "$ &etti!& #"&h with y" is h"t. I'm a (i& $a!

"$ $ll/c"!tact s%"#ts.;

;I'm s#e y" a#e,; I said d#yly. He was a##"&a!t a!d %#esm%t"s, yet I still c"ld!'t 6ite

$"#ce mysel$ t" leave.

The s"!d "$ $""tste%s (ehi!d me made me t#!. Mia came a#"!d the %ath a!d waled %

the ste%s. he! she saw s, she st"%%ed sdde!ly.

;Hey, Mia.;

She &la!ced (etwee! the tw" "$ s.

/Another &y7; she ased. :#"m he# t"!e, y" w"ld have th"&ht I had my "w! ha#em "$

me!.

3d#ia! &ave me a 6esti"!i!&, amsed l"". I &#itted my teeth a!d decided !"t t" di&!i$y

that with a #es%"!se. I "%ted $"# !cha#acte#istic %"lite!ess.

;Mia, this is 3d#ia! Ivash"v.;

3d#ia! t#!ed "! the same cha#m he'd sed "! me. He sh"" he# ha!d. ;3lways a %leas#e

t" meet a $#ie!d "$ R"se's, es%ecially a %#etty "!e.; He s%"e lie he a!d I had !"w! each "the#

si!ce childh""d.

;e a#e!'t $#ie!ds,; I said. S" mch $"# %"lite!ess.

;R"se "!ly ha!&s "t with &ys a!d %sych"%aths,; said Mia. He# v"ice ca##ied the sal

sc"#! she ha#("#ed $"# me, (t the#e was a l"" "! he# $ace that sh"wed 3d#ia! had clea#ly ca&hthe# i!te#est.

;ell,; he said chee#$lly, ;si!ce I'm ("th a %sych"%ath a!d a &y, that w"ld e-%lai! why

we'#e sch &""d $#ie!ds.;

;Y" a!d I a#e!'t $#ie!ds eithe#,; I t"ld him.

He la&hed. ;3lways %layi!& ha#d t" &et, hh7;

;She's !"t that ha#d t" &et,; said Mia, clea#ly %set that 3d#ia! was %ayi!& m"#e atte!ti"! t"

me. ;=st as hal$ the &ys at "# sch""l.;

;Yeah,; I #et"#ted, ;a!d y" ca! as the "the# hal$ a("t Mia. I$ y" ca! d" a $av"# $"# he#,

she'll d" lots "$ $av"#s $"# y".; he! she'd decla#ed wa# "! 9issa a!d me, Mia had ma!a&ed t" &et

a c"%le "$ &ys t" tell eve#y"!e at sch""l that I'd d"!e s"me %#etty aw$l thi!&s with them. The

i#"!ic thi!& was that she'd &"tte! them t" lie $"# he# (y slee%i!& with them he#sel$.3 $lice# "$ em(a##assme!t %assed "ve# he# $ace, (t she held he# &#"!d.

;ell,; she said, ;at least I d"!'t d" them $"# $#ee.;



3d#ia! made s"me cat !"ises.

;3#e y" d"!e7; I ased. ;It's %ast y"# (edtime, a!d the &#"w!/%s w"ld lie t" tal !"w.;

Mia's y"th$l l""s we#e a s"#e %"i!t with he#, "!e I $#e6e!tly e!0"yed e-%l"iti!&.

;S#e,; she said c#is%ly. He# chees t#!ed %i!, i!te!si$yi!& he# %"#celai!/d"ll a%%ea#a!ce.

;I have (ette# thi!&s t" d" a!yway.; She t#!ed t"wa#d the d""#, the! %ased with he# ha!d #esti!&

"! it. She &la!ced t"wa#d 3d#ia!. ;He# m"m &ave he# that (lac eye, y" !"w.;

She we!t i!side. The $a!cy &lass d""#s sw!& sht (ehi!d he#.3d#ia! a!d I st""d the#e i! sile!ce. :i!ally, he t"" "t the ci&a#ettes a&ai! a!d lit a!"the#.

;Y"# m"m7;

;Sht %.;

;Y"'#e "!e "$ th"se %e"%le wh" eithe# has s"l mates "# m"#tal e!emies, a#e!'t y"7 N" i!/

(etwee!. Y" a!d 2asilisa a#e %#"(a(ly lie siste#s, hh7;

;I &ess.;

;H"w is she7;

;Hh7 hat d" y" mea!7;

He sh#&&ed, a!d i$ I did!'t !"w (ette#, I'd have said he was "ve#d"i!& casal!ess. ;I d"!'t

!"w. I mea!, I !"w y" &ys #a! away1a!d the#e was that st$$ with he# $amily a!d 2ict"#

Dash"v1.;I sti$$e!ed at the #e$e#e!ce t" 2ict"#. ;S"7;

;D!!". =st $i&#ed it mi&ht (e a l"t $"# he# t", y" !"w, ha!dle.;

I stdied him ca#e$lly, w"!de#i!& what he was &etti!& at. The#e had (ee! a (#ie$ lea a("t

9issa's $#a&ile me!tal health, (t it had (ee! well/c"!tai!ed. M"st %e"%le had $"#&"tte! a("t it "#

assmed it was a lie.

;I've &"t t" &".; I decided av"ida!ce was the (est tactic 0st !"w.

;3#e y" s#e7; He s"!ded "!ly mildly disa%%"i!ted. M"stly he seemed as c"cy a!d

amsed as (e$"#e. S"methi!& a("t him still i!t#i&ed me, (t whateve# it was, it was!'t e!"&h t"

c"m(at eve#ythi!& else I was $eeli!&, "# t" #is discssi!& 9issa. ;I th"&ht it was time $"# the

&#"w!/%s t" tal. 9"ts "$ &#"w!/% thi!&s I'd lie t" tal a("t.;

;It's late, I'm ti#ed, a!d y"# ci&a#ettes a#e &ivi!& me a headache,; I &#"wled.

;I s%%"se that's $ai#.; He d#ew i! "! the ci&a#ette a!d let "t the sm"e. ;S"me w"me!

thi! they mae me l"" se-y.;

;I thi! y" sm"e them s" y" have s"methi!& t" d" while thi!i!& % y"# !e-t witty

li!e.;

He ch"ed "! the sm"e, ca&ht (etwee! i!hali!& a!d la&hi!&. ;R"se Hathaway, I ca!'t

wait t" see y" a&ai!. I$ y"'#e this cha#mi!& while ti#ed a!d a!!"yed and this &"#&e"s while

(#ised a!d i! si cl"thes, y" mst (e devastati!& at y"# %ea.;

;I$ (y 'devastati!&' y" mea! that y" sh"ld $ea# $"# y"# li$e, the! yeah. Y"'#e #i&ht.; I

0e#ed "%e! the d""#. ;G""d !i&ht, 3d#ia!.;

;I'll see y" s""!.;;N"t liely. I t"ld y", I'm !"t i!t" "lde# &ys.;

I 39<ED INTO THE 9ODGE. 3S THE DOOR @9OSED, I =UST B3RE9Y HE3RD HIM @399 BEHIND ME, ;SURE, YOU

3REN'T.;



@ha%te# AA

9ISS3 3S U8 3ND GONE (e$"#e I eve! sti##ed the !e-t m"#!i!&, which mea!t I had the

(ath#""m t" mysel$ while I &"t #eady $"# the day. I l"ved that (ath#""m. It was e!"#m"s. My i!&/

si4e (ed w"ld have $it c"m$"#ta(ly i!side it. 3 scaldi!& sh"we# with th#ee di$$e#e!t !"44les w"e

me %, th"&h my mscles ached $#"m yeste#day. 3s I st""d i! $#"!t "$ the $ll/le!&th mi##"# a!d

c"m(ed my hai#, I saw with s"me disa%%"i!tme!t that the (#ise was still the#e. It was si&!i$ica!tlyli&hte#, h"weve#, a!d had t#!ed yell"wish. S"me c"!ceale# a!d %"wde# alm"st e!ti#ely c"ve#ed it

%.

I headed d"w!stai#s i! sea#ch "$ $""d. The di!i!& #""m was 0st shtti!& d"w! (#ea$ast,

(t "!e "$ the wait#esses &ave me a c"%le "$ %each ma#4i%a! sc"!es t" &". M!chi!& "! "!e as I

waled, I e-%a!ded my se!ses t" &et a $eel $"# whe#e 9issa was. 3$te# a c"%le "$ m"me!ts, I

se!sed he# "! the "the# side "$ the l"d&e, away $#"m the stde!t #""ms. I $"ll"wed the t#ail !til I

a##ived at a #""m "! the thi#d $l""#. I !"ced.

@h#istia! "%e!ed the d""#. ;Slee%i!& Beaty a##ives. elc"me.;

He she#ed me i!side. 9issa sat c#"ss/le&&ed "! the #""m's (ed a!d smiled whe! she saw

me. The #""m was as sm%t"s as mi!e, (t m"st "$ the $#!it#e had (ee! sh"ved aside t" mae

s%ace, a!d i! that "%e! a#ea, Tasha st""d.;G""d m"#!i!&,; she said.

;Hey,; I said. S" mch $"# av"idi!& he#.

9issa %atted a s%"t (eside he#. ;Y"'ve &"t t" see this.;

;hat's &"i!& "!7; I sat d"w! "! the (ed a!d $i!ished the last "$ the sc"!e.

;Bad thi!&s,; she said mischiev"sly. ;Y"'ll a%%#"ve.;

@h#istia! waled "ve# t" the em%ty s%ace a!d $aced Tasha. They #e&a#ded each "the#,

$"#&etti!& a("t 9issa a!d me. I'd a%%a#e!tly i!te##%ted s"methi!&.

;S" why ca!'t I 0st stic with the c"!smi!& s%ell7; ased @h#istia!.

;Becase it ses a l"t "$ e!e#&y,; she t"ld him. Eve! with 0ea!s a!d a %"!ytail)and the sca#

)she ma!a&ed t" l"" #idicl"sly cte. ;8ls, it'll m"st liely ill y"# "%%"!e!t.;

He sc"$$ed. ;hy w"ld!'t I wa!t t" ill a St#i&"i7;

;Y" mi&ht !"t always (e $i&hti!& "!e. O# may(e y" !eed i!$"#mati"! $#"m them.

Re&a#dless, y" sh"ld (e %#e%a#ed eithe# way.;

They we#e %#actici!& "$$e!sive ma&ic, I #eali4ed. E-citeme!t a!d i!te#est #e%laced the

slle!!ess I'd ac6i#ed %"! seei!& Tasha. 9issa had!'t (ee! iddi!& a("t them d"i!& ;(ad thi!&s.;

I'd always ss%ected they we#e %#actici!& "$$e!sive ma&ic, (t1 w"w. Thi!i!& a("t it a!d

actally seei!& it we#e tw" ve#y di$$e#e!t thi!&s. Usi!& ma&ic as a wea%"! was $"#(idde!. 3

%!isha(le "$$e!se. 3 stde!t e-%e#ime!ti!& with it mi&ht (e $"#&ive! a!d sim%ly disci%li!ed, (t

$"# a! adlt t" actively (e teachi!& a mi!"#1yeah. That c"ld &et Tasha i! ma3or t#"(le. :"# hal$ a

sec"!d, I t"yed with the idea "$ t#!i!& he# i!. Immediately, I dismissed the !"ti"!. I mi&ht hate he#

$"# mai!& m"ves "! Dimit#i, (t %a#t "$ me s"#t "$ (elieved i! what she a!d @h#istia! we#e d"i!&.8ls, it was 0st c""l.

;3 dist#acti!& s%ell is alm"st as se$l,; she c"!ti!ed.

He# (le eyes t"" "! the i!te!se $"cs I "$te! saw M"#"i &et while si!& ma&ic. He# w#ist

$liced $"#wa#d, a!d a st#ea "$ $i#e s!aed %ast @h#istia!'s $ace. It did!'t t"ch him, (t $#"m the

way he $li!ched, I ss%ected it had (ee! cl"se e!"&h $"# him t" $eel the heat.

;T#y it,; she t"ld him.

@h#istia! hesitated $"# "!ly a m"me!t a!d the! made the same ha!d m"ti"! she had. :i#e

st#eaed "t, (t it had !"!e "$ the $i!ely t!ed c"!t#"l he#s had had. He als" did!'t have he# aim. It

we!t st#ai&ht $"# he# $ace, (t (e$"#e it c"ld t"ch he#, it %a#ted a!d s%lit a#"!d he#, alm"st lie it

had hit a! i!visi(le shield. She'd de$lected it with he# "w! ma&ic.

;N"t (ad)aside $#"m the $act y" w"ld have (#!ed my $ace "$$.;Eve! I w"ld!'t wa!t he# $ace (#!ed "$$. Bt he# hai#1ah, yes. e'd see h"w %#etty she

was with"t that #ave!/(lac ma!e.



I c"ld!'t (elieve this. ;ill y" &ys lay "$$7 I taled t" him $"#, lie, $ive mi!tes? 3!d

that's "!ly (ecase he was (l"ci!& my way i!side. he#e a#e y" &etti!& all this7; Immediately, I

a!swe#ed my "w! 6esti"!. ;Mia.;

Mas"! !"dded a!d had the &#ace t" l"" em(a##assed.

;Si!ce whe! d" y" tal t" he#7; I ased.

;I 0st #a! i!t" he#, that's all,; he t"ld me.

;3!d y" (elieved he#7 Y" !"w she lies hal$ the time.;;Yeah, (t the#e's sally s"me t#th i! the lies. 3!d y" did tal t" him.;

;Yes. #alk. That's it.;

I #eally had (ee! t#yi!& t" &ive s"me se#i"s th"&ht a("t dati!& Mas"!, s" I did!'t

a%%#eciate him !"t (elievi!& me. He had actally hel%ed me !#avel Mia's lies ea#lie# i! the sch""l

yea#, s" I was s#%#ised he'd (e s" %a#a!"id a("t them !"w. May(e i$ his $eeli!&s #eally had &#"w!

$"# me, he was m"#e ssce%ti(le t" 0eal"sy.

S#%#isi!&ly, it was @h#istia! wh" came t" the #esce a!d cha!&ed the s(0ect. ;I s%%"se

the#e's !" sii!& t"day, hh7; He %"i!ted t" Mas"!'s a!le, immediately t#i&&e#i!& a! i!di&!a!t

#es%"!se.

;hat, y" thi! this is &"i!& t" sl"w me d"w!7; ased Mas"!.

His a!&e# dimi!ished, #e%laced (y that (#!i!& !eed t" %#"ve himsel$)the !eed he a!d I ("th sha#ed. 9issa a!d @h#istia! l""ed at him lie he was c#a4y, (t I !ew !"thi!& we said w"ld

st"% him.

;Y" &ys wa!t t" c"me with s7; I ased 9issa a!d @h#istia!.

9issa sh"" he# head. ;e ca!'t. e have t" &" t" this l!che"! (ei!& h"sted (y the

@"!tas.;

@h#istia! &#"a!ed. ;ell, you have t" &".;

She el("wed him. ;S" d" y". The i!vitati"! said I &et t" (#i!& a &est. Besides, this is 0st

a wa#m/% $"# the bi" "!e.;

;hich "!e is that7; ased Mas"!.

;8#iscilla 2"da's h&e di!!e#,; si&hed @h#istia!. Seei!& him l"" s" %ai!ed made me smile.

;The 6ee!'s (est $#ie!d. 3ll the s!"((iest #"yals will (e the#e, and I'll have t" wea# a sit.;

Mas"! $lashed me a &#i!. His ea#lie# a!ta&"!ism was &"!e. ;Sii!&'s s"!di!& (ette# a!d

(ette#, hh7 9ess "$ a d#ess c"de.;

e le$t the M"#"i (ehi!d a!d we!t "tside. Mas"! c"ld!'t c"m%ete with me i! the same

way he had yeste#day5 his m"veme!ts we#e sl"w a!d awwa#d. Still, he did #ema#a(ly well whe!

"!e c"!side#ed eve#ythi!&. The i!0#y was!'t as (ad as we'd $ea#ed, (t he had the %#de!ce t" stic

t" e-t#emely easy #!s.

The $ll m""! h!& i! the (la!!ess, a &l"wi!& s%he#e "$ silve#y white. The elect#ic li&hts

"ve#%"we#ed m"st "$ its illmi!ati"! "! the &#"!d, (t he#e a!d the#e, i! the shad"ws, the m""!

0st (a#ely ma!a&ed t" cast its &l"w. I wished it we#e (#i&ht e!"&h t" #eveal the s##"!di!&

m"!tai! #a!&e, (t th"se %eas stayed sh#"ded i! da#!ess. I'd $"#&"tte! t" l"" at them whe! itwas li&ht "t ea#lie#.

The #!s we#e s%e# sim%le $"# me, (t I stayed with Mas"! a!d "!ly "ccasi"!ally teased

him a("t h"w his #emedial sii!& was %tti!& me t" slee%. B"#i!& #!s "# !", it was 0st !ice t" (e

"tside with my $#ie!ds, a!d the activity sti##ed my (l""d e!"&h t" wa#m me a&ai!st the chill ai#.

The li&ht %"sts lit % the s!"w, t#!i!& it i!t" a vast sea "$ white, the $laes' c#ystals s%a#li!&

$ai!tly. 3!d i$ I ma!a&ed t" t#! away a!d (l"c the li&hts $#"m my $ield "$ visi"!, I c"ld l"" %

a!d see the sta#s s%illi!& "ve# the sy. They st""d "t sta# a!d c#ystalli!e i! the clea#, $#ee4i!& ai#.

e stayed "t $"# m"st "$ the day a&ai!, (t this time, I called it 6its ea#ly, %#ete!di!& t" (e ti#ed

s" Mas"! c"ld &et a (#ea. He mi&ht ma!a&e easy sii!& with his te!de# a!le, (t I c"ld tell it

was sta#ti!& t" h#t him.

Mas"! a!d I headed (ac t"wa#d the l"d&e wali!& ve#y cl"se t" each "the#, la&hi!& a("ts"methi!& we'd see! ea#lie#. Sdde!ly, I saw a st#ea "$ white i! my %e#i%he#al visi"!, a!d a

s!"w(all smashed i!t" Mas"!'s $ace. I immediately we!t "! the de$e!sive, 0e#i!& (acwa#d a!d



%ee#i!& a#"!d. h""%s a!d c#ies s"!ded $#"m a! a#ea "$ the #es"#t &#"!ds that held st"#a&e

sheds a!d was i!te#s%e#sed with l""mi!& %i!es.

;T"" sl"w, 3sh$"#d,; s"me"!e called. ;D"es!'t %ay t" (e i! l"ve.;

M"#e la&hs. Mas"!'s (est $#ie!d, Eddie @astile, a!d a $ew "the# !"vices $#"m sch""l

mate#iali4ed $#"m (ehi!d a clste# "$ t#ees. Bey"!d them, I hea#d m"#e sh"ts.

;e'll still tae y" i!, th"&h, i$ y" wa!t t" (e "! "# team,; said Eddie. ;Eve! i$ y" d"

d"d&e lie a &i#l.;;Team7; I ased e-citedly.

Bac at the 3cademy, th#"wi!& s!"w(alls was st#ictly %#"hi(ited. Sch""l "$$icials we#e

i!e-%lica(ly a$#aid that we'd th#"w s!"w(alls %aced with &lass sha#ds "# #a4"# (lades, th"&h I had

!" cle h"w they th"&ht we'd &et a h"ld "$ that i!d "$ st$$ i! the $i#st %lace.

N"t that a s!"w(all $i&ht was that #e(elli"s, (t a$te# all the st#ess I'd (ee! th#"&h

#ece!tly, th#"wi!& "(0ects at "the# %e"%le sdde!ly s"!ded lie the (est idea I'd hea#d i! a while.

Mas"! a!d I dashed "$$ with the "the#s, the %#"s%ect "$ $"#(idde! $i&hti!& &ivi!& him !ew e!e#&y

a!d casi!& him t" $"#&et the %ai! i! his a!le. e set t" the $i&ht with a die/ha#d 4eal.

The $i&ht s""! (ecame a matte# "$ !aili!& as ma!y %e"%le as %"ssi(le while d"d&i!& attacs

$#"m "the#s. I was e-ce%ti"!al at ("th a!d $#the#ed the immat#ity (y catcalli!& a!d sh"ti!& silly

i!slts at my victims.By the time s"me"!e !"ticed what we we#e d"i!& a!d yelled at s, we we#e all la&hi!& a!d

c"ve#ed with s!"w. Mas"! a!d I "!ce a&ai! sta#ted (ac $"# the l"d&e, a!d "# m""d was s" hi&h, I

!ew the 3d#ia! thi!& was l"!& $"#&"tte!.

I!deed, Mas"! l""ed at me 0st (e$"#e we we!t i!side. ;S"##y I, h, 0m%ed all "ve# y"

a("t 3d#ia! ea#lie#.;

I s6ee4ed his ha!d. ;It's "ay. I !"w Mia ca! tell s"me %#etty c"!vi!ci!& st"#ies.;

;Yeah1(t eve! i$ y" we#e with him1it's !"t lie I have a!y #i&ht1;

I sta#ed at him, s#%#ised t" see his sal (#ash c"!te!a!ce t#! shy. ;D"!'t y"7; I ased.

3 smile t#!ed % his li%s. ;D" I7;

Smili!& (ac, I ste%%ed $"#wa#d a!d issed him. His li%s $elt ama4i!&ly wa#m i! the

$#ee4i!& ai#. It was!'t lie the ea#th/shatte#i!& iss I'd had with Dimit#i (e$"#e the t#i%, (t it was

sweet a!d !ice)a $#ie!dly s"#t "$ iss that maybe c"ld t#! i!t" m"#e. 3t least, that was h"w I saw

it. :#"m the l"" "! Mas"!'s $ace, it a%%ea#ed his wh"le w"#ld had (ee! #"ced.

;"w,; he said, eyes wide. The m""!li&ht made his eyes l"" silve#y (le.

;Y" see7; I said. ;N"thi!& t" w"##y a("t. N"t 3d#ia!, !"t a!y("dy.;

e issed a&ai!)a (it l"!&e# this time)(e$"#e $i!ally d#a&&i!& "#selves a%a#t. Mas"!

was clea#ly i! a (ette# m""d, as well as he sh"ld have (ee!, a!d I d#"%%ed i!t" (ed with a smile "!

my $ace. I was!'t tech!ically s#e i$ Mas"! a!d I we#e a c"%le !"w, (t we we#e ve#y cl"se t" it.

Bt whe! I sle%t, I d#eamed a("t 3d#ia! Ivash"v.

I st""d with him "! the %"#ch a&ai!, "!ly it was smme#. The ai# was (almy a!d wa#m, a!d

the s! h!& (#i&ht i! the sy, c"ati!& eve#ythi!& i! &"lde! li&ht. I had!'t (ee! i! this mch s!si!ce livi!& am"!& hma!s. 3ll a#"!d, the m"!tai!s a!d valleys we#e &#ee! a!d alive. Bi#ds sa!&

eve#ywhe#e.

3d#ia! lea!ed a&ai!st the %"#ch's #aili!&, &la!ced "ve#, a!d did a d"(le/tae whe! he saw

me. ;Oh. Did!'t e-%ect t" see y" he#e.; He smiled. ;I was #i&ht. Y" are devastati!& whe! y"'#e

clea!ed %.;

I!sti!ctively, I t"ched the si! a#"!d my eye.

;It's &"!e,; he said.

Eve! with"t (ei!& a(le t" see it, I s"meh"w !ew he was #i&ht. ;Y" a#e!'t sm"i!&.;

;Bad ha(it,; he said. He !"dded t"wa#d me. ;Y" sca#ed7 Y"'#e wea#i!& a l"t "$

%#"tecti"!.;

I $#"w!ed, the! l""ed d"w!. I had!'t !"ticed my cl"thi!&. I w"#e a %ai# "$ em(#"ide#ed 0ea!s I'd see! "!ce (t had (ee! !a(le t" a$$"#d. My T/shi#t was c#"%%ed, sh"wi!& "$$ my st"mach,

a!d I w"#e a (elly/(tt"! #i!&. I'd always wa!ted t" &et my (elly (tt"! %ie#ced (t had !eve# (ee!



a(le t" a$$"#d it. The cha#m I !"w w"#e he#e was a little silve# da!&ly "!e, a!d ha!&i!& at the e!d "$

it was that wei#d (le eye %e!da!t my m"m had &ive! me. 9issa's ch"ti was w"!d a#"!d my

w#ist.

I l""ed (ac % at 3d#ia!, stdyi!& the way the s! sh"!e "$$ his (#"w! hai#. He#e, i! $ll

dayli&ht, I c"ld see that his eyes we#e i!deed &#ee!)a dee% eme#ald as "%%"sed t" 9issa's %ale

0ade. S"methi!& sta#tli!& sdde!ly "cc##ed t" me.

;D"es!'t all this s! ("the# y"7;He &ave a la4y sh#&. ;Nah. It's my d#eam.;

;N", it's my d#eam.;

;3#e y" s#e7; His smile #et#!ed.

I $elt c"!$sed. ;I1 I d"!'t !"w.;

He chcled, (t a m"me!t late#, the la&he# $aded. :"# the $i#st time si!ce I'd met him, he

l""ed se#i"s. ;hy d" y" have s" mch da#!ess a#"!d y"7;

I $#"w!ed. ;hat7;

;Y"'#e s##"!ded i! (lac!ess.; His eyes stdied me sh#ewdly, (t !"t i! a checi!&/me/

"t s"#t "$ way. ;I've !eve# see! a!y"!e lie y". Shad"ws eve#ywhe#e. I !eve# w"ld have &essed

it. Eve! while y"'#e sta!di!& he#e, the shad"ws ee% &#"wi!&.;

I l""ed d"w! at my ha!ds (t saw !"thi!& "t "$ the "#di!a#y. I &la!ced (ac %. ;I'mshad"w/issed1.;

;hat's that mea!7;

;I died "!ce.; I'd !eve# taled t" a!y"!e "the# tha! 9issa a!d 2ict"# Dash"v a("t that, (t

this was a d#eam. It did!'t matte#. ;3!d I came (ac.;

"!de# lit his $ace. ;3h, i!te#esti!&1;

I w"e %.

S"me"!e was shai!& me. It was 9issa. He# $eeli!&s hit me s" ha#d th#"&h the ("!d that I

(#ie$ly s!a%%ed i!t" he# mi!d a!d $"!d mysel$ l""i!& at me. ;ei#d; did!'t (e&i! t" c"ve# it. I

%lled (ac i!t" mysel$, t#yi!& t" si$t th#"&h the te##"# a!d ala#m c"mi!& $#"m he#.

;hat's w#"!&7;

;The#e's (ee! a!"the# St#i&"i attac.;



@ha%te# A

I 3S OUT O: BED i! a $lash. e $"!d the e!ti#e l"d&e a(44 with the !ews. 8e"%le

clste#ed i! small &#"%s i! the halls. :amily mem(e#s s"&ht each "the# "t. S"me c"!ve#sati"!s

we#e c"!dcted i! te##i$ied whis%e#s5 s"me we#e l"d a!d easy t" "ve#hea#. I st"%%ed a $ew %e"%le,

t#yi!& t" &et the st"#y st#ai&ht. Eve#y"!e had a di$$e#e!t ve#si"! "$ what had ha%%e!ed, th"&h, a!d

s"me w"ld!'t eve! %ase t" tal. They h##ied %ast, eithe# seei!& "t l"ved "!es "# %#e%a#i!& t"leave the #es"#t, c"!vi!ced the#e mi&ht (e a sa$e# %lace elsewhe#e.

:#st#ated with the di$$e#i!& st"#ies, I $i!ally)#elcta!tly)!ew I had t" see "t "!e "$

the tw" s"#ces wh" w"ld &ive me s"lid i!$"#mati"!. My m"the# "# Dimit#i. It was lie $li%%i!& a

c"i!. I was!'t #eally th#illed with eithe# "!e "$ them #i&ht !"w. I de(ated m"me!ta#ily a!d $i!ally

decided "! my m"the#, seei!& as h"w she was!'t &etti!& it "! with Tasha O4e#a.

The d""# t" my m"the#'s #""m was a0a#, a!d as 9issa a!d I e!te#ed, I saw that a s"#t "$

maeshi$t head6a#te#s had (ee! esta(lished he#e. 9"ts "$ &a#dia!s we#e milli!& a#"!d, m"vi!&

i! a!d "t, a!d discssi!& st#ate&y. 3 $ew &ave s "dd l""s, (t !" "!e st"%%ed "# 6esti"!ed s.

9issa a!d I slid "!t" a small s"$a t" liste! t" a c"!ve#sati"! my m"the# was havi!&.

She st""d with a &#"% "$ &a#dia!s, "!e "$ wh"m was Dimit#i. S" mch $"# av"idi!& him.

His (#"w! eyes &la!ced at me (#ie$ly a!d I ave#ted my &a4e. I did!'t wa!t t" deal with my t#"(led$eeli!&s $"# him #i&ht !"w.

9issa a!d I s""! disce#!ed the details. Ei&ht M"#"i had (ee! illed al"!& with thei# $ive

&a#dia!s. Th#ee M"#"i we#e missi!&, eithe# dead "# t#!ed St#i&"i. The attac had!'t #eally

ha%%e!ed !ea# he#e5 it had (ee! s"mewhe#e i! !"#the#! @ali$"#!ia. N"!etheless, a t#a&edy lie this

c"ld!'t hel% (t #eve#(e#ate withi! the M"#"i w"#ld, a!d $"# s"me, tw" states away was $a# t""

cl"se. 8e"%le we#e te##i$ied, a!d I s""! lea#!ed what i! %a#ticla# made this attac s" !"ta(le.

;The#e had t" (e m"#e tha! last time,; said my m"the#.

;M"#e7; e-claimed "!e "$ the "the# &a#dia!s. ;That last &#"% was !hea#d "$. I still ca!'t

(elieve !i!e St#i&"i ma!a&ed t" w"# t"&ethe#)y" e-%ect me t" (elieve they ma!a&ed t" &et

m"#e "#&a!i4ed still7;

;Yes,; s!a%%ed my m"the#.

;3!y evide!ce "$ hma!s7; s"me"!e else ased.

My m"the# hesitated, the!* ;Yes. M"#e (#"e! wa#ds. 3!d the way it was all c"!dcted1it's

ide!tical t" the Badica attac.;

He# v"ice was ha#d, (t the#e was a i!d "$ wea#i!ess i! it, t"". It was!'t %hysical

e-hasti"!, th"&h. It was me!tal, I #eali4ed. St#ai! a!d h#t "ve# what they we#e tali!& a("t. I

always th"&ht "$ my m"the# as s"me s"#t "$ !$eeli!& illi!& machi!e, (t this was clea#ly ha#d

$"# he#. It was a ha#d, &ly matte# t" discss)(t at the same time, she was tacli!& it with"t

hesitati"!. It was he# dty.

3 lm% $"#med i! my th#"at that I 6icly swall"wed d"w!. Hma!s. Ide!tical t" the

Badica attac. Eve# si!ce that massac#e, we'd e-te!sively a!aly4ed the "ddity "$ sch a la#&e &#"%"$ St#i&"i teami!& % a!d #ec#iti!& hma!s. e'd s%"e! i! va&e te#ms a("t ;i$ s"methi!& lie

this eve# ha%%e!s a&ai! 1; Bt !" "!e had se#i"sly taled a("t this &#"%)the Badica ille#s)

d"i!& it a&ai!. O!e time was a $le)may(e a (!ch "$ St#i&"i had ha%%e!ed t" &athe# a!d

im%lsively decided t" &" "! a #aid. It was h"##i(le, (t we c"ld w#ite that "$$.

Bt !"w1!"w it l""ed as th"&h that &#"% "$ St#i&"i had!'t (ee! a #a!d"m "cc##e!ce.

They'd !ited with %#%"se, tili4ed hma!s st#ate&ically, a!d had attaced a&ai!. e !"w had what

c"ld (e a %atte#!* St#i&"i actively seei!& "t la#&e &#"%s "$ %#ey. Se#ial illi!&s. e c"ld !"

l"!&e# t#st the %#"tective ma&ic "$ the wa#ds. e c"ld!'t eve! t#st s!li&ht. Hma!s c"ld m"ve

a#"!d i! the day, sc"ti!& a!d sa("ta&i!&. The li&ht was !" l"!&e# sa$e.

I #emem(e#ed what I'd said t" Dimit#i at the Badica h"se* #his chan"es everythin", doesn't

it0My m"the# $li%%ed th#"&h s"me %a%e#s "! a cli%("a#d. ;They d"!'t have $"#e!sic details

yet, (t the same !m(e# "$ St#i&"i c"ld!'t have d"!e this. N"!e "$ the D#"4d"vs "# thei# sta$$



esca%ed. ith $ive &a#dia!s, seve! St#i&"i w"ld have (ee! %#e"cc%ied)at least tem%"#a#ily)

$"# s"me t" esca%e. e'#e l""i!& at !i!e "# te!, may(e.;

;=a!i!e's #i&ht,; said Dimit#i. ;3!d i$ y" l"" at the ve!e1it's t"" (i&. Seve! c"ld!'t

have c"ve#ed it.;

The D#"4d"vs we#e "!e "$ the twelve #"yal $amilies. They we#e la#&e a!d %#"s%e#"s, !"t

lie 9issa's dyi!& cla!. They had %le!ty "$ $amily mem(e#s t" &" a#"!d, (t "(vi"sly, a! attac

lie this was still h"##i(le. :#the#m"#e, s"methi!& a("t them ticled my (#ai!. The#e wass"methi!& I sh"ld #emem(e# 1 s"methi!& I sh"ld !"w a("t the D#"4d"vs.

hile %a#t "$ my mi!d %44led that "t, I watched my m"the# with $asci!ati"!. I'd liste!ed

t" he# tell he# st"#ies. I'd see! a!d felt he# $i&ht. Bt #eally, t#ly, I'd !eve# see! he# i! acti"! i! a

#eal/li$e c#isis. She sh"wed eve#y (it "$ that ha#d c"!t#"l she did a#"!d me, (t he#e, I c"ld see

h"w !ecessa#y it was. 3 sitati"! lie this c#eated %a!ic. Eve! am"!& the &a#dia!s, I c"ld se!se

th"se wh" we#e s" eyed % that they wa!ted t" d" s"methi!& d#astic. My m"the# was a v"ice "$

#eas"!, a #emi!de# that they had t" stay $"csed a!d $lly assess the sitati"!. He# c"m%"s#e

calmed eve#y("dy5 he# st#"!& ma!!e# i!s%i#ed them. This, I #eali4ed, was h"w a leade# (ehaved.

Dimit#i was 0st as c"llected as she was, (t he de$e##ed t" he# t" #! thi!&s. I had t" #emi!d

mysel$ s"metimes that he was y"!& as $a# as &a#dia!s we!t. They discssed the attac m"#e, h"w

the D#"4d"vs had (ee! havi!& a (elated @h#istmas %a#ty i! a (a!6et hall whe! they we#e attaced.;:i#st Badicas, !"w D#"4d"vs,; mtte#ed "!e &a#dia!. ;They'#e &"i!& a$te# #"yals.;

;They'#e &"i!& a$te# M"#"i,; said Dimit#i $latly. ;R"yal. N"!/#"yal. It d"es!'t matte#.;

R"yal. N"!/#"yal. I sdde!ly !ew why the D#"4d"vs we#e im%"#ta!t. My s%"!ta!e"s

i!sti!cts wa!ted me t" 0m% % a!d as a 6esti"! #i&ht !"w, (t I !ew (ette#. This was the #eal

deal. This was !" time $"# i##ati"!al (ehavi"#. I wa!ted t" (e as st#"!& as my m"the# a!d Dimit#i, s"

I waited $"# the discssi"! t" e!d.

he! the &#"% sta#ted t" (#ea %, I lea%t % "$$ the s"$a a!d %shed my way t"wa#d my

m"the#.

;R"se,; she said, s#%#ised. 9ie i! Sta!'s class, she had!'t !"ticed me i! the #""m. ;hat

a#e y" d"i!& he#e7;

It was sch a st%id 6esti"!, I did!'t t#y t" a!swe# it. hat did she thi! I was d"i!& he#e7

This was "!e "$ the (i&&est thi!&s t" ha%%e! t" the M"#"i.

I %"i!ted t" he# cli%("a#d. ;h" else was illed7;

I##itati"! w#i!led he# $"#ehead. ;D#"4d"vs.;

;Bt wh" else7;

;R"se, we d"!'t have time);

;They had sta$$, #i&ht7 Dimit#i said !"!/#"yals. h" we#e they7;

3&ai!, I saw the wea#i!ess i! he#. She t"" these deaths ha#d. ;I d"!'t !"w all the !ames.;

:li%%i!& th#"&h a $ew %a&es, she t#!ed the cli%("a#d t"wa#d me. ;The#e.;

I sca!!ed the list. My hea#t sa!.

;Oay,; I t"ld he#. ;Tha!s.;9issa a!d I le$t them t" &" a("t thei# (si!ess. I wished I c"ld have hel%ed, (t the

&a#dia!s #a! sm""thly a!d e$$icie!tly "! thei# "w!5 they had !" !eed $"# !"vices !de#$""t.

;hat was that a("t7; ased 9issa, "!ce we we#e headi!& (ac t" the mai! %a#t "$ the

l"d&e.

;The D#"4d"vs' sta$$,; I said. ;Mia's m"m w"#ed $"# them1.;

9issa &as%ed. ;3!d7;

I si&hed. ;3!d he# !ame was "! the list.;

;Oh G"d.; 9issa st"%%ed wali!&. She sta#ed "$$ i!t" s%ace, (li!i!& (ac tea#s. ;Oh G"d,;

she #e%eated.

I m"ved i! $#"!t "$ he# a!d %laced my ha!ds "! he# sh"lde#s. She was shai!&.

;It's "ay,; I said. He# $ea# came t" me i! waves, (t it was a !m(ed $ea#. Sh"c. ;This is&"i!& t" (e "ay.;

;Y" hea#d them,; she said. ;The#e's a (a!d "$ St#i&"i "#&a!i4i!& a!d attaci!& s? H"w



ma!y7 3#e they c"mi!& he#e7;

;N",; I said $i#mly. I had !" evide!ce "$ that, "$ c"#se. ;e'#e sa$e he#e.;

;8""# Mia 1;

The#e was !"thi!& I c"ld say t" that. I th"&ht Mia was a! a(s"lte (itch, (t I w"ld!'t

wish this "! a!y"!e, !"t eve! my w"#st e!emy)which, tech!ically, she was. Immediately, I

c"##ected that th"&ht. Mia was!'t my w"#st e!emy.

I c"ld!'t (ea# t" leave 9issa's side $"# the #est "$ the day. I !ew the#e we#e !" St#i&"il#i!& i! the l"d&e, (t my %#"tective i!sti!cts #a! t"" st#"!&. Ga#dia!s %#"tected thei# M"#"i.

9ie sal, I als" w"##ied a("t he# (ei!& a!-i"s a!d %set, s" I did my (est t" di$$se th"se

$eeli!&s.

The "the# &a#dia!s %#"vided #eass#a!ce $"# M"#"i t"". They did!'t wal side (y side with

the M"#"i, (t they #ei!$"#ced l"d&e sec#ity a!d stayed i! c"!sta!t c"mm!icati"! with &a#dia!s

at the sce!e "$ the attac. I!$"#mati"! $l"wed i! all day a("t the &#isly s%eci$ics, as well as

s%eclati"! a("t whe#e the (a!d "$ St#i&"i was. 9ittle "$ this was sha#ed with !"vices, "$ c"#se.

hile the &a#dia!s did what they did (est, the M"#"i als" did what they)!$"#t!ately)

did (est* talk.

ith s" ma!y #"yals a!d "the# im%"#ta!t M"#"i at the l"d&e, a meeti!& was "#&a!i4ed that

!i&ht t" discss what had ha%%e!ed a!d what mi&ht (e d"!e i! the $t#e. N"thi!& "$$icial w"ld (edecided he#e5 the M"#"i had a 6ee! a!d a &"ve#!i!& c"!cil elsewhe#e $"# th"se ty%es "$

decisi"!s. Eve#y"!e !ew, th"&h, that "%i!i"!s &athe#ed he#e w"ld mae thei# way % the chai!

"$ c"mma!d. O# $t#e sa$ety c"ld ve#y well de%e!d "! what was discssed i! this meeti!&.

It was held i! a! e!"#m"s (a!6et hall i!side the l"d&e, "!e with a %"dim a!d %le!ty "$

seati!&. Des%ite the (si!esslie atm"s%he#e, y" c"ld tell this #""m had (ee! desi&!ed $"# thi!&s

"the# tha! meeti!&s a("t massac#es a!d de$e!se. The ca#%et had the te-t#e "$ velvet a!d sh"wed

a! "#!ate $l"#al desi&! i! shades "$ silve# a!d (lac. The chai#s we#e made "$ (lac %"lished w""d

a!d had hi&h (acs, clea#ly i!te!ded $"# $a!cy di!i!&. 8ai!ti!&s "$ l"!&/dead M"#"i #"yalty h!&

"! the walls. I sta#ed (#ie$ly at "!e "$ a 6ee! wh"se !ame I did!'t !"w. She w"#e a! "ld/

$ashi"!ed d#ess)t"" heavy "! lace $"# my tastes)a!d had %ale hai# lie 9issa's.

S"me &y I did!'t !"w was i! cha#&e "$ m"de#ati!& a!d st""d at the %"dim. M"st "$ the

#"yals "! ha!d &athe#ed at the $#"!t "$ the #""m. Eve#y"!e else, i!cldi!& stde!ts, t"" seats

whe#eve# they c"ld. @h#istia! a!d Mas"! had $"!d 9issa a!d me (y that %"i!t, a!d we all sta#ted

t" sit i! the (ac whe! 9issa sdde!ly sh"" he# head.

;I'm &"i!& t" sit i! the $#"!t.;

The th#ee "$ s sta#ed at he#. I was t"" dm($"!ded t" %#"(e he# mi!d.

;9"".; She %"i!ted. ;The #"yals a#e sitti!& % the#e, sitti!& (y $amily.;

It was t#e. Mem(e#s "$ the same cla!s had clste#ed !ea# each "the#* Badicas, Ivash"vs,

el"ses, etc. Tasha sat the#e as well, (t she was (y he#sel$. @h#istia! was the "!ly "the# O4e#a

the#e.

;I !eed t" (e % the#e,; said 9issa.;N" "!e e-%ects y" t" (e the#e,; I t"ld he#.

;I have t" #e%#ese!t the D#a&"mi#s.;

@h#istia! sc"$$ed. ;It's all a (!ch "$ #"yal (llshit.;

He# $ace set i!t" a dete#mi!ed e-%#essi"!. ;I !eed t" (e % the#e.;

I "%e!ed mysel$ % t" 9issa's $eeli!&s a!d lied what I $"!d. She'd s%e!t m"st "$ the day

6iet a!d a$#aid, mch as she had whe! we'd $"!d "t a("t Mia's m"m. That $ea# was withi! he#

still, (t it was "ve#%"we#ed (y a steady c"!$ide!ce a!d dete#mi!ati"!. She #ec"&!i4ed that she was

"!e "$ the #li!& M"#"i, a!d as mch as the idea "$ #"vi!& (a!ds "$ St#i&"i sca#ed he#, she wa!ted

t" d" he# %a#t.

;Y" sh"ld d" it,; I said s"$tly. I als" lied the idea "$ he# de$yi!& @h#istia!.

9issa met my eyes a!d smiled. She !ew what I had se!sed. 3 m"me!t late#, she t#!ed t"@h#istia!. ;Y" sh"ld 0"i! y"# a!t.;

@h#istia! "%e!ed his m"th t" %#"test. I$ !"t $"# the h"##i(le!ess "$ the sitati"!, seei!&



9issa "#de# him a#"!d w"ld have (ee! $!!y. He was always st(("#! a!d di$$iclt5 th"se wh"

t#ied t" %sh him did!'t scceed. atchi!& his $ace, I saw the same #eali4ati"! I'd had a("t 9issa

c"me "ve# him. He lied seei!& he# st#"!& t"". He %#essed his li%s t"&ethe# i! a &#imace.

;Oay.; He ca&ht he# ha!d, a!d the tw" "$ them waled "$$ t"wa#d the $#"!t.

Mas"! a!d I sat d"w!. =st (e$"#e thi!&s sta#ted, Dimit#i sat d"w! "! the "the# side "$ me,

hai# tied (ehi!d his !ec a!d the leathe# c"at d#a%i!& a#"!d him as he settled i! the chai#. I &la!ced

at him i! s#%#ise (t said !"thi!&. The#e we#e $ew &a#dia!s at this &athe#i!&5 m"st we#e t"" (syd"i!& dama&e c"!t#"l. It w"ld $i&#e. The#e I was, stc (etwee! ("th "$ my me!.

The meeti!& iced "$$ sh"#tly the#ea$te#. Eve#y"!e was ea&e# t" tal a("t h"w they

th"&ht the M"#"i sh"ld (e saved, (t #eally, tw" the"#ies &"t the m"st atte!ti"!.

;The a!swe#'s all a#"!d s,; said "!e #"yal, "!ce he'd (ee! &ive! leave t" s%ea. He st""d

(y his chai# a!d l""ed a#"!d the #""m. /ere. I! %laces lie this l"d&e. 3!d St. 2ladimi#'s. e

se!d "# child#e! t" sa$e %laces, %laces whe#e they have sa$ety i! !m(e#s a!d ca! (e easily

&a#ded. 3!d l"" h"w ma!y "$ s made it he#e, child#e! a!d adlts alie. hy d"!'t we live this

way all the time7;

;8le!ty "$ s al#eady d",; s"me"!e sh"ted (ac.

The ma! waved that "$$. ;3 c"%le "$ $amilies he#e a!d the#e. O# a t"w! with a la#&e M"#"i

%"%lati"!. Bt th"se M"#"i a#e still dece!t#ali4ed. M"st d"!'t %""l thei# #es"#ces)thei#&a#dia!s, thei# ma&ic. I$ we c"ld emlate this m"del1; He s%#ead his ha!ds "t. ;1 we'd !eve#

have t" w"##y a("t St#i&"i a&ai!.;

;3!d M"#"i c"ld !eve# i!te#act with the #est "$ the w"#ld a&ai!,; I mtte#ed. ;ell, !til

hma!s disc"ve#ed sec#et vam%i#e cities s%#"ti!& % i! the wilde#!ess. The! we'd have lots "$

i!te#acti"!s.;

The "the# the"#y a("t h"w t" %#"tect the M"#"i i!v"lved $ewe# l"&istical %#"(lems (t had

&#eate# %e#s"!al im%act) %a#ticla#ly $"# me.

;The %#"(lem is sim%ly that we d"!'t have e!"&h &a#dia!s.; This %la!'s adv"cate was

s"me w"ma! $#"m the S4elsy cla!. ;3!d s", the a!swe# is sim%le* "et more. The D#"4d"vs had

$ive &a#dia!s, a!d that was!'t e!"&h. O!ly si- t" %#"tect "ve# a d"4e! M"#"i? That's !acce%ta(le.

It's !" w"!de# these i!ds "$ thi!&s ee% ha%%e!i!&.;

;he#e d" y" %#"%"se &etti!& m"#e &a#dia!s $#"m7; ased the ma! wh"'d (ee! i! $av"#

"$ M"#"i (a!di!& t"&ethe#. ;They'#e i!d "$ a limited #es"#ce.;

She %"i!ted t" whe#e I a!d a $ew "the# !"vices sat. ;e've &"t %le!ty al#eady. I've watched

them t#ai!. They'#e deadly. hy a#e we waiti!& !til they t#! ei&htee!7 I$ we accele#ated the

t#ai!i!& %#"&#am a!d $"csed m"#e "! c"m(at t#ai!i!& tha! (""w"#, we c"ld t#! "t !ew

&a#dia!s whe! they'#e si-tee!.;

Dimit#i made a s"!d l"w i! his th#"at that did!'t seem ha%%y. 9ea!i!& $"#wa#d, he %laced

his el("ws "! his !ees a!d #ested his chi! i! his ha!ds, eyes !a##"wed i! th"&ht.

;N"t "!ly that, we have %le!ty "$ %"te!tial &a#dia!s &"i!& t" waste. he#e a#e all the

dham%i# w"me!7 O# #aces a#e i!te#twi!ed. The M"#"i a#e d"i!& thei# %a#t t" hel% the dham%i#ss#vive. hy a#e!'t these w"me! d"i!& thei#s7 hy a#e!'t they he#e7;

3 l"!&, slt#y la&h came as a! a!swe#. 3ll eyes t#!ed t"wa#d Tasha O4e#a. he#eas ma!y

"$ the "the# #"yals had d#essed %, she was easy a!d casal. She w"#e he# sal 0ea!s, a white ta!

t"% that sh"wed a (it "$ mid#i$$, a!d a (le, lacy !it ca#di&a! that came t" he# !ees.

Gla!ci!& at the m"de#at"#, she ased, ;May I7;

He !"dded. The S4elsy w"ma! sat d"w!5 Tasha st""d %. U!lie the "the# s%eae#s, she

st#"de #i&ht % t" the %"dim, s" she c"ld (e clea#ly see! (y eve#y"!e. He# &l"ssy (lac hai# was

%lled (ac i!t" a %"!ytail, c"m%letely e-%"si!& he# sca#s i! a way I ss%ected was i!te!ti"!al. He#

$ace was ("ld a!d de$ia!t. Beati$l.

;Th"se w"me! a#e!'t he#e, M"!ica, (ecase they'#e t"" (sy #aisi!& thei# child#e!)y"

!"w, the "!es y" wa!t t" sta#t se!di!& "t t" the $#"!ts as s""! as they ca! wal. 3!d %lease d"!'ti!slt s all (y acti!& lie the M"#"i d" a h&e $av"# t" the dham%i#s (y hel%i!& them #e%#"dce.

May(e it's di$$e#e!t i! y"# $amily, (t $"# the #est "$ s, se- is $!. The M"#"i d"i!& it with



dham%i#s a#e!'t #eally mai!& that (i& "$ a sac#i$ice.;

Dimit#i had st#ai&hte!ed % !"w, his e-%#essi"! !" l"!&e# a!&#y. 8#"(a(ly he was e-cited

that his !ew &i#l$#ie!d had me!ti"!ed se-. I##itati"! sh"t th#"&h me, a!d I h"%ed that i$ I had a

h"micidal l"" "! my $ace, %e"%le w"ld assme it was $"# St#i&"i a!d !"t the w"ma! c##e!tly

add#essi!& s.

Bey"!d Dimit#i, I sdde!ly !"ticed Mia sitti!& (y he#sel$, $a#the# d"w! the #"w. I had!'t

#eali4ed she was he#e. She was slm%ed i! he# seat. He# eyes we#e #ed/#immed, he# $ace %ale# tha!sal. 3 $!!y ache (#!ed i! my chest, "!e I'd !eve# e-%ected he# t" (#i!& a("t.

;3!d the #eas"! we'#e waiti!& $"# these &a#dia!s t" t#! ei&htee! is s" that we ca! all"w

them t" e!0"y s"me %#ete!se "$ a li$e (e$"#e $"#ci!& them t" s%e!d the #est "$ thei# days i! c"!sta!t

da!&e#. They !eed th"se e-t#a yea#s t" devel"% me!tally as well as %hysically. 8ll them "t (e$"#e

they'#e #eady, t#eat them lie they'#e %a#ts "! a! assem(ly li!e)a!d y"'#e 0st c#eati!& St#i&"i

$"dde#.;

3 $ew %e"%le &as%ed at Tasha's call"s ch"ice "$ w"#ds, (t she scceeded i! &etti!&

eve#y"!e's atte!ti"!.

;Y" c#eate m"#e $"dde# still i$ y" t#y mai!& the "the# dham%i# w"me! (ec"me &a#dia!s.

Y" ca!'t $"#ce them i!t" that li$e i$ they d"!'t wa!t it. This e!ti#e %la! "$ y"#s t" &et m"#e

&a#dia!s #elies "! th#"wi!& child#e! a!d the !willi!& i!t" ha#m's way, 0st s" y" ca!)(a#ely) stay "!e ste% ahead "$ the e!emy. I w"ld have said it's the st%idest %la! I've eve# hea#d, i$ I had!'t

al#eady had t" liste! t" his.;

She %"i!ted at the $i#st s%eae#, the "!e wh" had wa!ted M"#"i c"m%"!ds. Em(a##assme!t

cl"ded his $eat#es.

;E!li&hte! s the!, Natasha,; he said. ;Tell s what you thi! we sh"ld d", seei!& as y"

have s" mch e-%e#ie!ce with St#i&"i.;

3 thi! smile %layed "! Tasha's li%s, (t she did!'t #ise t" the i!slt. ;hat d" I thi!7; She

st#"de cl"se# t" the sta&e's $#"!t, &a4i!& at s as she a!swe#ed his 6esti"!. ;I thi! we sh"ld st"%

c"mi!& % with %la!s that i!v"lve s #elyi!& "! s"me"!e "# s"methi!& t" %#"tect s. Y" thi!

the#e a#e t"" $ew &a#dia!s7 That's !"t the %#"(lem. The %#"(lem is the#e a#e t"" ma!y St#i&"i. 3!d

we've let them mlti%ly a!d (ec"me m"#e %"we#$l (ecase we d" !"thi!& a("t them e-ce%t have

st%id a#&me!ts lie this. e #! a!d hide (ehi!d the dham%i#s a!d let the St#i&"i &" !checed.

It's "# $alt. 8e a#e the #eas"! th"se D#"4d"vs died. Y" wa!t a! a#my7 ell, he#e we a#e.

Dham%i#s a#e!'t the "!ly "!es wh" ca! lea#! t" $i&ht. The 6esti"!, M"!ica, is!'t whe#e the dham%i#

w"me! a#e i! this $i&ht. The 6esti"! is* 8here are we0/

Tasha was sh"ti!& (y !"w, a!d the e-e#ti"! t#!ed he# chees %i!. He# eyes sh"!e with

he# im%assi"!ed $eeli!&s, a!d whe! c"m(i!ed with the #est "$ he# %#etty $eat#es)a!d eve! with

the sca#)she made a st#ii!& $i&#e. M"st %e"%le c"ld!'t tae thei# eyes "$$ he#. 9issa watched

Tasha with w"!de#, i!s%i#ed (y he# w"#ds. Mas"! l""ed hy%!"ti4ed. Dimit#i l""ed im%#essed.

3!d $a#the# %ast him 1

:a#the# %ast him was Mia. Mia !" l"!&e# h!ched i! he# chai#. She was sitti!& % st#ai&ht,st#ai&ht as a stic, he# eyes as wide as they c"ld &". She sta#ed at Tasha as th"&h she al"!e held

all the a!swe#s t" li$e.

M"!ica S4elsy l""ed less awed, a!d she $i-ed he# &a4e "! Tasha. ;S#ely y" a#e!'t

s&&esti!& the M"#"i $i&ht al"!&side the &a#dia!s whe! the St#i&"i c"me7;

Tasha #e&a#ded he# levelly. ;N". I'm s&&esti!& the M"#"i a!d the &a#dia!s &" $i&ht the

St#i&"i before they c"me.;

3 &y i! his twe!ties wh" l""ed lie a Ral%h 9a#e! s%"esm"del sh"t %. I w"ld have

wa&e#ed m"!ey he was #"yal. N" "!e else c"ld have a$$"#ded (l"!d hi&hli&hts that %e#$ect. He

!tied a! e-%e!sive sweate# $#"m a#"!d his waist a!d d#a%ed it "ve# the (ac "$ his chai#. ;Oh,; he

said i! a m"ci!& v"ice, s%eai!& "t "$ t#!. ;S", y"'#e &"i!& t" 0st &ive s cl(s a!d staes a!d

se!d s "$$ t" d" (attle7;Tasha sh#&&ed. ;I$ that's what it taes, 3!d#ew, the! s#e.; 3 sly smile c#"ssed he# %#etty

li%s. ;Bt the#e a#e "the# wea%"!s we ca! lea#! t" se, t"". O!es the &a#dia!s ca!'t.;



The l"" "! his $ace sh"wed h"w i!sa!e he th"&ht that idea was. He #"lled his eyes. ;Oh

yeah7 9ie what7;

He# smile t#!ed i!t" a $ll/$led&ed &#i!. ;9ie this.;

She waved he# ha!d, a!d the sweate# he'd %laced "! the (ac "$ his chai# (#st i!t" $lames.

He yel%ed i! s#%#ise a!d !"ced it t" the $l""#, stam%i!& it "t with his $eet.

The#e was a (#ie$, c"llective i!tae "$ (#eath th#"&h"t the #""m. 3!d the! 1 cha"s (#"e

"t.



@H38TER A

8EO89E STOOD U8 3ND SHOUTED, eve#y"!e wa!ti!& thei# "%i!i"! t" (e hea#d. 3s it

was, m"st "$ them held the same view* Tasha was w#"!&. They t"ld he# she was c#a4y. They t"ld

he# that i! se!di!& "t M"#"i a!d dham%i#s t" $i&ht the St#i&"i, she'd (e e-%editi!& the e-ti!cti"! "$

("th #aces. They eve! had the !e#ve t" s&&est that that was Tasha's %la! all al"!&)that she was

s"meh"w c"lla("#ati!& with the St#i&"i i! all "$ this.Dimit#i st""d %, dis&st all "ve# his $eat#es as he s#veyed the cha"s. ;Y" mi&ht as well

leave. N"thi!& se$l's &"i!& t" ha%%e! !"w.;

Mas"! a!d I #"se, (t he sh"" his head whe! I sta#ted t" $"ll"w Dimit#i "t.

;Y" &" "!,; said Mas"!. ;I wa!t t" chec s"methi!& "t.;

I &la!ced at the sta!di!&, a#&i!& %e"%le. I sh#&&ed. ;G""d lc.;

I c"ld!'t (elieve it had "!ly (ee! a $ew days si!ce I'd s%"e! t" Dimit#i. Ste%%i!& "t i!t"

the hall with him, I $elt lie it'd (ee! yea#s. Bei!& with Mas"! these last c"%le "$ days had (ee!

$a!tastic, (t seei!& Dimit#i a&ai!, all "$ my "ld $eeli!&s $"# him came #shi!& (ac. Sdde!ly,

Mas"! seemed lie a child. My dist#ess "ve# the Tasha sitati"! als" came (ac, a!d st%id w"#ds

$ell "t "$ my m"th (e$"#e I c"ld st"% them.

;Sh"ld!'t y" (e i! the#e %#"tecti!& Tasha7; I ased. ;Be$"#e the m"( &ets he#7 She's &"i!&t" &et i! (i& t#"(le $"# si!& ma&ic lie that.;

He #aised a! eye(#"w. ;She ca! tae ca#e "$ he#sel$.;

;Yeah, yeah, (ecase she's a (adass a#ate ma&ic se#. I &et all that. I 0st $i&#ed si!ce

y"'#e &"i!& t" (e he# &a#dia! a!d all1;

;he#e did y" hea# that7;

;I have my s"#ces.; S"meh"w, sayi!& I'd hea#d it $#"m my m"m s"!ded less c""l. ;Y"'ve

decided t", #i&ht7 I mea!, it s"!ds lie a &""d deal, seei!& as she's &"i!& t" &ive y" $#i!&e

(e!e$its1.;

He &ave me a level l"". ;hat ha%%e!s (etwee! he# a!d me is !"!e "$ y"# (si!ess,; he

#e%lied c#is%ly.

The w"#ds between her and me st!&. It s"!ded lie he a!d Tasha we#e a d"!e deal. 3!d,

as "$te! ha%%e!ed whe! I was h#t, my tem%e# a!d attitde t"" "ve#.

;ell, I'm s#e y" &ys'll (e ha%%y t"&ethe#. She's 0st y"# ty%e, t"")I !"w h"w mch

y" lie w"me! wh" a#e!'t y"# "w! a&e. I mea!, she's what, si- yea#s "lde# tha! y"7 Seve!7 3!d

I'm seve! yea#s y"!&e# tha! y".;

;Yes,; he said a$te# seve#al m"me!ts "$ sile!ce. ;Y" a#e. 3!d eve#y sec"!d this

c"!ve#sati"! &"es "!, y" "!ly %#"ve h"w y"!& y" #eally a#e.;

h"a. My 0aw alm"st hit the $l""#. N"t eve! my m"the# %!chi!& me had h#t as (adly as

that. :"# a hea#t(eat, I th"&ht I saw #e&#et i! his eyes, lie he t"" #eali4ed 0st h"w ha#sh his w"#ds

had (ee!. Bt the m"me!t %assed, a!d his e-%#essi"! was ha#d "!ce m"#e.

;9ittle dham%i#,; a v"ice sdde!ly said !ea#(y.Sl"wly, still st!!ed, I t#!ed t"wa#d 3d#ia! Ivash"v. He &#i!!ed at me a!d &ave a (#ie$

!"d "$ ac!"wled&me!t t" Dimit#i. I ss%ected my $ace was (#i&ht #ed. H"w mch had 3d#ia!

hea#d7

He held % his ha!ds i! a casal &est#e. ;I d"!'t wa!t t" i!te##%t "# a!ythi!&. =st wa!ted

t" tal t" y" whe! y" have time.;

I wa!ted t" tell 3d#ia! I did!'t have time t" %lay whateve# &ame he was i!t" !"w, (t

Dimit#i's w"#ds still sma#ted. He was l""i!& at 3d#ia! !"w i! a ve#y disa%%#"vi!& way. I ss%ected

he, lie eve#y"!e else, had hea#d a("t 3d#ia!'s (ad #e%tati"!. 5ood, I th"&ht. I sdde!ly wa!ted

him t" (e 0eal"s. I wa!ted t" h#t him as mch as he'd h#t me lately.

Swall"wi!& my %ai!, I !ea#thed my ma!/eati!& smile, "!e I had!'t sed t" $ll e$$ect i!

s"metime. I waled "ve# t" 3d#ia! a!d %t a ha!d "! his a#m.;I've &"t time !"w.; I &ave a !"d "$ my "w! t" Dimit#i a!d stee#ed 3d#ia! away, wali!&

cl"se t" him. ;See y" late#, Ga#dia! Beli"v.;



Dimit#i's da# eyes $"ll"wed s st"!ily. The! I t#!ed away a!d did!'t l"" (ac.

;N"t i!t" "lde# &ys, hh7; ased 3d#ia! "!ce we we#e al"!e.

;Y"'#e ima&i!i!& thi!&s,; I said. ;@lea#ly, my st!!i!& (eaty has cl"ded y"# mi!d.;

He la&hed that !ice la&h "$ his. ;That's e!ti#ely %"ssi(le.;

I sta#ted t" ste% (ac, (t he t"ssed a! a#m a#"!d me. ;N", !", y" wa!ted t" %lay chmmy

with me)!"w y"'ve &"t t" see it th#"&h.;

I #"lled my eyes at him a!d let the a#m stay. I c"ld smell alc"h"l "! him as well as the %e#%etal smell "$ cl"ves. I w"!de#ed i$ he was d#! !"w. I had the $eeli!& that the#e was %#"(a(ly

little di$$e#e!ce (etwee! his attitdes d#! "# s"(e#.

;hat d" y" wa!t7; I ased.

He stdied me $"# a m"me!t. ;I wa!t y" t" &#a( 2asilisa a!d c"me with me. e'#e &"i!& t"

have s"me $!. Y"'ll %#"(a(ly wa!t a swimsit t"".; He seemed disa%%"i!ted (y the admissi"! "$

this. ;U!less y" wa!t t" &" !aed.;

;hat7 3 (!ch "$ M"#"i a!d dham%i#s 0st &"t sla&hte#ed, a!d y" wa!t t" &" swimmi!&

a!d 'have $!'7;

;It's !"t 0st swimmi!&,; he said %atie!tly. ;Besides, that sla&hte# is e-actly why y"

sh"ld &" d" this.;

Be$"#e I c"ld a#&e that, I saw my $#ie!ds #"!d the c"#!e#* 9issa, Mas"!, a!d @h#istia!.Eddie @astile was with the &#"%, which sh"ld!'t have s#%#ised me, (t Mia was as well)which

ce#tai!ly did s#%#ise me. They we#e dee% i! c"!ve#sati"!, th"&h they all st"%%ed tali!& whe!

they saw me.

;The#e y" a#e,; said 9issa, a %44led l"" "! he# $ace.

I #emem(e#ed 3d#ia!'s a#m was still a#"!d me. I ste%%ed "t "$ it. ;Hey, &ys,; I said. 3

m"me!t "$ awwa#d!ess h!& a#"!d s, a!d I was %#etty s#e I hea#d a l"w chcle $#"m 3d#ia!. I

(eamed at him a!d the! my $#ie!ds. ;3d#ia! i!vited s t" &" swimmi!&.;

They sta#ed at me i! s#%#ise, a!d I c"ld alm"st see the wheels "$ s%eclati"! t#!i!& i!

thei# heads. Mas"!'s $ace da#e!ed a little, (t lie the "the#s, he said !"thi!&. I sti$led a &#"a!.

3d#ia! t"" me i!viti!& the "the#s t" his sec#et i!te#lde %#etty well. ith his easy&"i!&

attitde, I had!'t #eally e-%ected a!ythi!& else. O!ce we had swimsits, we $"ll"wed his di#ecti"!s

t" a d""#way i! "!e "$ the $a# wi!&s "$ the l"d&e. It held a stai#case that led d"w!)a!d d"w! a!d

d"w!. I !ea#ly &"t di44y as we w"!d a#"!d a!d a#"!d. Elect#ic li&hts h!& i! the walls, (t as

we we!t $a#the#, the %ai!ted walls cha!&ed t" ca#ved st"!e.

he! we #eached "# desti!ati"!, we disc"ve#ed 3d#ia! had (ee! #i&ht)it was!'t 0st

swimmi!&. e we#e i! a s%ecial s%a a#ea "$ the #es"#t, "!e sed "!ly $"# the m"st elite M"#"i. I!

this case, it was #ese#ved $"# a (!ch "$ #"yals I assmed we#e 3d#ia!'s $#ie!ds. The#e we#e a("t

thi#ty "the#s, all his a&e "# "lde#, wh" ("#e the ma#s "$ wealth a!d elitism.

The s%a c"!sisted "$ a se#ies "$ h"t mi!e#al %""ls. May(e "!ce they'd (ee! i! a cave "#

s"methi!&, (t the l"d&e (ilde#s had l"!& si!ce &"tte! #id "$ a!y s"#t "$ #stic s##"!di!&s. The

(lac st"!e walls a!d ceili!& we#e as %"lished a!d (eati$l as a!ythi!& else i! the #es"#t. It waslie (ei!& i! a cave)a #eally !ice, desi&!e# cave. Racs "$ t"wels li!ed the walls, as did ta(les $ll

"$ e-"tic $""d. The (aths matched the #est "$ the #""m's hew!/"t dFc"#* st"!e/li!ed %""ls

c"!tai!i!& h"t wate# that was heated $#"m s"me !de#&#"!d s"#ce. Steam $illed the #""m, a!d a

$ai!t, metallic smell h!& i! the ai#. S"!ds "$ %a#ty&"e#s la&hi!& a!d s%lashi!& ech"ed a#"!d s.

;hy is Mia with y"7; I ased 9issa s"$tly. e we#e wi!di!& "# way th#"&h the #""m,

l""i!& $"# a %""l that was!'t "cc%ied.

;She was tali!& t" Mas"! whe! we we#e &etti!& #eady t" leave,; she #et#!ed. She e%t he#

v"ice 0st as 6iet. ;It seemed mea! t" 0st1 I d"!'t !"w 1 leave he# 1;

Eve! I a&#eed with that. O(vi"s si&!s "$ &#ie$ we#e w#itte! all "ve# he# $ace, (t Mia

seemed at least m"me!ta#ily dist#acted (y whateve# Mas"! was telli!& he#.

;I th"&ht y" did!'t !"w 3d#ia!,; 9issa added. Disa%%#"val h!& i! he# v"ice a!d i! the ("!d. e $i!ally $"!d a la#&e %""l, a little "t "$ the way. 3 &y a!d a &i#l we#e "! the "%%"site

side, all "ve# each "the#, (t the#e was %le!ty "$ #""m $"# the #est "$ s. They we#e easy t" i&!"#e.



I %t a $""t i!t" the wate# a!d %lled it (ac immediately.

;I d"!'t,; I t"ld he#. @ati"sly, I i!ched the $""t (ac i!, sl"wly $"ll"wed (y the #est "$ my

("dy. he! I &"t t" my st"mach, I &#imaced. I had "! a ma#""! (ii!i, a!d the scaldi!& wate#

ca&ht my st"mach (y s#%#ise.

;Y" mst !"w him a little. He i!vited y" t" a %a#ty.;

;Yeah, (t d" y" see him with s !"w7;

She $"ll"wed my &a4e. 3d#ia! st""d "! the $a# side "$ the #""m with a &#"% "$ &i#ls i! (ii!is mch smalle# tha! mi!e. O!e was a Betsey ="h!s"! sit I'd see! i! a ma&a4i!e a!d c"veted.

I si&hed a!d l""ed away.

e'd all sli%%ed i!t" the wate# (y the!. It was s" h"t I $elt lie I was i! a s"% ettle. N"w

that 9issa seemed c"!vi!ced "$ my i!!"ce!ce with 3d#ia!, I t!ed i!t" the "the#s' discssi"!.

;hat a#e y" tali!& a("t7; I i!te##%ted. It was easie# tha! liste!i!& a!d $i&#i!& it "t

mysel$.

;The meeti!&,; said Mas"! e-citedly. 3%%a#e!tly, he'd &"tte! "ve# seei!& me a!d 3d#ia!

t"&ethe#.

@h#istia! had settled "!t" a small shel$ i! the %""l. 9issa c#led % (eside him. 8tti!& a

%#"%#ieta#y a#m a#"!d he#, he ti%%ed his (ac s" it #ested "! the ed&e.

;Y"# ("y$#ie!d wa!ts t" lead a! a#my a&ai!st the St#i&"i,; he t"ld me. I c"ld tell he wassayi!& it t" %#"v"e me.

I l""ed at Mas"! 6esti"!i!&ly. It was!'t w"#th the e$$"#t t" challe!&e the ;("y$#ie!d;

c"mme!t.

;Hey, it was your a!t wh" s&&ested it,; Mas"! #emi!ded @h#istia!.

;She "!ly said we sh"ld $i!d the St#i&"i (e$"#e they $i!d s a&ai!,; c"!te#ed @h#istia!.

;She was!'t %shi!& $"# !"vices $i&hti!&. That was M"!ica S4elsy.;

3 wait#ess came (y the! with a t#ay "$ %i! d#i!s. These we#e i! ele&a!t, l"!&/stemmed

c#ystal &lasses with s&a#ed #ims. I had a st#"!& ss%ici"! the d#i!s we#e alc"h"lic, (t I d"(ted

a!y"!e wh" made it i!t" this %a#ty was &"i!& t" &et ca#ded. I had !" idea what they we#e. M"st "$

my e-%e#ie!ces with alc"h"l had i!v"lved chea% (ee#. I t"" a &lass a!d t#!ed (ac t" Mas"!.

;Y" thi! that's a &""d idea7; I ased him. I si%%ed the d#i!, cati"sly. 3s a &a#dia! i!

t#ai!i!&, I $elt lie I sh"ld always (e "! ale#t, (t t"!i&ht I "!ce a&ai! $elt lie (ei!& #e(elli"s.

The d#i! tasted lie %!ch. G#a%e$#it 0ice. S"methi!& sweet, lie st#aw(e##ies. I was still %#etty

s#e the#e was alc"h"l i! it, (t it did!'t a%%ea# st#"!& e!"&h $"# me t" l"se slee% "ve#.

3!"the# wait#ess s""! a%%ea#ed with a t#ay "$ $""d. I eyed it a!d #ec"&!i4ed alm"st !"thi!&.

The#e was s"methi!& that l""ed va&ely lie msh#""ms st$$ed with cheese, as well as s"methi!&

else that l""ed little #"!d %atties "$ meat "# sasa&e. 3s a &""d ca#!iv"#e, I #eached $"# "!e,

thi!i!& it c"ld!'t (e that (ad.

;It's $"ie &#as,; said @h#istia!. The#e was a smile "! his $ace I did!'t lie.I eyed him wa#ily. ;hat's that7;

;Y" d"!'t !"w7; His t"!e was c"cy, a!d $"# "!ce i! his li$e, he s"!ded lie a t#e #"yal

t"ti!& his elite !"wled&e "ve# s !de#li!&s. He sh#&&ed. ;Tae a cha!ce. :i!d "t.;

9issa si&hed i! e-as%e#ati"!. ;It's &""se live#.;

I 0e#ed my ha!d (ac. The wait#ess m"ved "!, a!d @h#istia! la&hed. I &la#ed at him.

Mea!while, Mas"! was still h!& % "! my 6esti"! a("t whethe# !"vices &"i!& t" (attle

(e$"#e &#adati"! was a &""d idea.

;hat else a#e we d"i!&7; he ased i!di&!a!tly. ;hat a#e you d"i!&7 Y" #! la%s with

Beli"v eve#y m"#!i!&. hat's that d"i!& $"# y"7 :"# the M"#"i7;

hat was that d"i!& $"# me7 Mai!& my hea#t #ace a!d my mi!d have i!dece!t th"&hts.

;e a#e!'t #eady,; I said i!stead.;e've "!ly &"t si- m"#e m"!ths,; %i%ed i! Eddie.

Mas"! !"dded his a&#eeme!t. ;Yeah. H"w mch m"#e ca! we lea#!7;



;8le!ty,; I said, thi!i!& "$ h"w mch I'd %iced % $#"m my tt"#i!& sessi"!s with Dimit#i.

I $i!ished my d#i!. ;Besides, whe#e d"es it st"%7 9et's say they e!d sch""l si- m"!ths ea#ly, the!

se!d s "$$. hat !e-t7 They decide t" %sh (ac $#the# a!d ct "# se!i"# yea#7 O# 0!i"# yea#7;

He sh#&&ed. ;I'm !"t a$#aid t" $i&ht. I c"ld have tae! "! St#i&"i whe! I was a

s"%h"m"#e.;

;Yeah,; I said d#yly. ;=st lie y" did sii!& "! that sl"%e.;

Mas"!'s $ace, al#eady $lshed $#"m the heat, t#!ed #edde# still. I immediately #e&#etted myw"#ds, %a#ticla#ly whe! @h#istia! sta#ted la&hi!&.

;Neve# th"&ht I'd live t" see the day whe! I a&#eed with y", R"se. Bt sadly, I d".; The

c"ctail wait#ess came (y a&ai!, a!d ("th @h#istia! a!d I t"" !ew d#i!s. ;The M"#"i have &"t t"

sta#t hel%i!& s de$e!d themselves./

;ith ma&ic7; ased Mia sdde!ly.

It was the $i#st time she'd s%"e! si!ce we'd &"t he#e. Sile!ce met he#. I thi! Mas"! a!d

Eddie did!'t #es%"!d (ecase they !ew !"thi!& a("t $i&hti!& with ma&ic. 9issa, @h#istia!, a!d I

did)a!d we#e t#yi!& ve#y ha#d t" act lie we did!'t. The#e was a $!!y s"#t "$ h"%e i! Mia's eyes,

th"&h, a!d I c"ld "!ly ima&i!e what she'd &"!e th#"&h t"day. She'd w"e! % t" lea#! he#

m"the# was dead a!d the! (ee! s(0ected t" h"#s a!d h"#s "$ %"litical (a!te#i!& a!d (attle

st#ate&ies. The $act that she was sitti!& he#e at all seemi!& semi/c"m%"sed was a mi#acle. I assmed %e"%le wh" actally lied thei# m"the#s w"ld (a#ely (e a(le t" $!cti"! i! that sitati"!.

he! !" "!e else l""ed lie they we#e &"i!& t" a!swe# he#, I $i!ally said, ;I s%%"se.

Bt1 I d"!'t !"w mch a("t that.;

I $i!ished the #est "$ my d#i! a!d ave#ted my eyes, h"%i!& s"me"!e else w"ld tae % the

c"!ve#sati"!. They did!'t. Mia l""ed disa%%"i!ted (t said !" m"#e whe! Mas"! switched (ac t"

the St#i&"i de(ate.

I t"" a thi#d d#i! a!d sa! i!t" the wate# as $a# as I #eas"!a(ly c"ld a!d still h"ld the

&lass. This d#i! was di$$e#e!t. It l""ed ch"c"latey a!d had whi%%ed c#eam "! t"%. I t"" a taste

a!d de$i!itely detected the (ite "$ alc"h"l. Still, I $i&#ed the ch"c"late %#"(a(ly dilted it.

he! I was #eady $"# a $"#th d#i!, the wait#ess was !"whe#e i! si&ht. Mas"! seemed

#eally, #eally cte t" me all "$ a sdde!. I w"ld have lied a little #"ma!tic atte!ti"! $#"m him, (t

he was still &"i!& "! a("t St#i&"i a!d the l"&istics "$ leadi!& a st#ie i! the middle "$ the day. Mia

a!d Eddie we#e !"ddi!& al"!& with him ea&e#ly, a!d I &"t the $eeli!& that i$ he decided t" h!t

St#i&"i #i&ht !"w, they'd $"ll"w. @h#istia! was actally 0"i!i!& the tal, (t it was m"#e t" %lay

devil's adv"cate. Ty%ical. He th"&ht a s"#t "$ %#eem%tive st#ie w"ld #e6i#e &a#dia!s and

M"#"i, mch as Tasha had said. Mas"!, Mia, a!d Eddie a#&ed that i$ the M"#"i we#e!'t % t" it, the

&a#dia!s sh"ld tae matte#s i!t" thei# "w! ha!ds.

I c"!$ess, thei# e!thsiasm was i!d "$ c"!ta&i"s. I #athe# lied the idea "$ &etti!& the d#"%

"! St#i&"i. Bt i! the Badica a!d D#"4d"v attacs, all "$ the &a#dia!s had (ee! illed. 3dmittedly

the St#i&"i had "#&a!i4ed i!t" h&e &#"%s a!d had hel%, (t all that t"ld me was that "# side

!eeded t" (e e-t#a ca#e$l.His cte!ess aside, I did!'t wa!t t" liste! t" Mas"! tal a("t his (attle sills a!ym"#e. I

wa!ted a!"the# d#i!. I st""d % a!d clim(ed "ve# the ed&e "$ the %""l. T" my ast"!ishme!t, the

w"#ld sta#ted s%i!!i!&. I'd had that ha%%e! (e$"#e whe! I &"t "t "$ (aths "# h"t t(s t"" 6icly,

(t whe! thi!&s did!'t #i&ht themselves, I #eali4ed th"se d#i!s mi&ht have (ee! st#"!&e# tha! I

th"&ht.

I als" decided a $"#th was!'t sch a &""d idea, (t I did!'t wa!t t" &et (ac i! a!d let

eve#y"!e !"w I was d#!. I headed "$$ t"wa#d a side #""m I'd see! the wait#ess disa%%ea# i!t". I

h"%ed may(e the#e was a sec#et stash "$ desse#ts s"mewhe#e, ch"c"late m"sse i!stead "$ &""se

live#. 3s I waled, I %aid s%ecial atte!ti"! t" the sli%%e#y $l""#, thi!i!& that $alli!& i!t" "!e "$ the

%""ls a!d c#aci!& my sll w"ld de$i!itely c"st me c""l!ess %"i!ts.

I was %ayi!& s" mch atte!ti"! t" my $eet a!d t#yi!& !"t t" sta&&e# that I waled i!t"s"me"!e. T" my c#edit, it'd (ee! his $alt5 he'd (aced i!t" me.

;Hey, watch it,; I said, steadyi!& mysel$.



Bt he was!'t %ayi!& atte!ti"! t" me. His eyes we#e "! a!"the# &y, a &y with a (l""dy

!"se.

I'D 39<ED RIGHT INTO THE MIDD9E O: 3 :IGHT.



@H38TER A

TO GUYS I'D NE2ER MET (e$"#e we#e s6a#i!& "$$ a&ai!st each "the#. They l""ed t"

(e i! thei# twe!ties, a!d !eithe# !"ticed me. The "!e wh"'d (m%ed i!t" me sh"ved the "the# "!e

ha#d, $"#ci!& him t" sta&&e# (ac c"!side#a(ly.

;Y"'#e a$#aid?; yelled the &y (y me. He had "! &#ee! swimmi!& t#!s, a!d his (lac hai#

was sliced (ac with wate#. ;Y"'#e all a$#aid. Y" 0st wa!t t" h"le % i! y"# ma!si"!s a!d letthe &a#dia!s d" y"# di#ty w"#. hat a#e y" &"i!& t" d" whe! they'#e all dead7 h"'ll %#"tect

y" the!7;

The "the# &y wi%ed the (l""d "$$ his $ace with the (ac "$ his ha!d. I sdde!ly #ec"&!i4ed

him)tha!s t" his (l"!d hi&hli&hts. He was the #"yal wh"'d yelled at Tasha a("t wa!ti!& t" lead

M"#"i t" (attle. She'd called him 3!d#ew. He t#ied t" la!d a hit a!d $ailed5 his tech!i6e was all

w#"!&. ;This is the sa$est way. 9iste! t" that St#i&"i/l"ve#, a!d we'll all (e dead. She's t#yi!& t" ill

"# wh"le #ace "$$?;

;She's t#yi!& t" save s?;

;She's t#yi!& t" &et s t" se (lac ma&ic?;

The ;St#i&"i/l"ve#; had t" (e Tasha. The !"!/#"yal &y was the $i#st %e#s"! "tside "$ my

little ci#cle wh"m I'd eve# hea#d s%ea i! he# $av"#. I w"!de#ed h"w ma!y "the#s "t the#e sha#edhis view. He %!ched 3!d#ew a&ai!, a!d my (ase i!sti!cts)"# may(e the %!ch)made me lea%

i!t" acti"!.

I s%#a!& $"#wa#d a!d wed&ed mysel$ (etwee! them. I was still di44y a!d a (it !steady. I$

they had!'t (ee! sta!di!& s" cl"se, I %#"(a(ly w"ld have $alle! "ve#. They ("th hesitated, clea#ly

ca&ht "$$ &a#d.

;Get "t "$ he#e,; s!a%%ed 3!d#ew.

Bei!& male a!d M"#"i, they had &#eate# hei&ht a!d wei&ht tha! I, (t I was %#"(a(ly

st#"!&e# tha! eithe# "!e al"!e. H"%i!& I c"ld mae the m"st "$ that, I &#a((ed each "$ them (y the

a#m, %lled them t"wa#d me, a!d the! sh"ved them away as ha#d as I c"ld. They sta&&e#ed, !"t

havi!& e-%ected my st#e!&th. I sta&&e#ed a little t"".

The !"!/#"yal &la#ed a!d t"" a ste% t"wa#d me. I was c"!ti!& "! the $act that he'd (e "ld/

$ashi"!ed a!d !"t hit a &i#l. ;hat a#e y" d"i!&7; he e-claimed. Seve#al %e"%le had &athe#ed a!d

we#e watchi!& e-citedly.

I #et#!ed his &la#e. ;I'm t#yi!& t" st"% y" &ys $#"m (ei!& a!y m"#e idi"tic tha! y"

al#eady a#e? Y" wa!t t" hel%7 St"% $i&hti!& each "the#? Ri%%i!& each "the#'s heads "$$ is!'t &"i!&

t" save the M"#"i !less y"'#e t#yi!& t" thi! st%idity "t "$ the &e!e %""l.; I %"i!ted at 3!d#ew.

;Tasha O4e#a is not t#yi!& t" ill eve#y"!e "$$. She's t#yi!& t" &et y" t" st"% (ei!& a victim.; I

t#!ed t" the "the# &y. ;3!d as $"# y", y"'ve &"t a l"!& ways t" &" i$ y" thi! this is the way t"

&et y"# %"i!t ac#"ss. Ma&ic)es%ecially "$$e!sive ma&ic)taes a l"t "$ sel$/c"!t#"l, a!d s" $a#,

y" a#e!'t im%#essi!& me with y"#s. I have m"#e tha! y" d", a!d i$ y" !ew me at all, y"'d

!"w h"w c#a4y that is.;The tw" &ys sta#ed at me, st!!ed. I was a%%a#e!tly m"#e e$$ective tha! a tase#. ell, at

least $"# seve#al sec"!ds I was. Becase "!ce the sh"c "$ my w"#ds w"#e "$$, they we!t at each

"the# a&ai!. I &"t ca&ht i! the c#"ss$i#e a!d sh"ved away, !ea#ly $alli!& i! the %#"cess. Sdde!ly,

$#"m (ehi!d me, Mas"! came t" my de$e!se. He %!ched the $i#st &y he c"ld)the !"!/#"yal.

The &y $lew (acwa#d, $alli!& i!t" "!e "$ the %""ls with a s%lash. I yel%ed, #emem(e#i!&

my ea#lie# $ea# a("t sll/c#aci!&, (t a m"me!t late#, he $"!d his $eet a!d #((ed wate# "t "$

his eyes.

I &#a((ed Mas"!'s a#m, t#yi!& t" h"ld him (ac, (t he sh#&&ed me "$$ a!d we!t a$te#

3!d#ew. He sh"ved 3!d#ew ha#d, %shi!& him i!t" seve#al M"#"i)a!d#ew's $#ie!ds, I ss%ected)

wh" seemed t" (e t#yi!& t" (#ea % the $i&ht. The &y i! the %""l clim(ed "t, $#y w#itte! all "ve#

his $ace, a!d made m"ves t"wa#d 3!d#ew. This time, ("th Mas"! a!d I (l"ced his way. He &la#edat all "$ s.

;D"!'t,; I wa#!ed him.



The &y cle!ched his $ists a!d l""ed as th"&h he mi&ht t#y t" tae s "!. Bt we we#e

i!timidati!&, a!d he did!'t a%%ea# t" have a! e!t"#a&e "$ $#ie!ds he#e lie 3!d#ew) wh" was

sh"ti!& "(sce!ities a!d (ei!& led away)did. ith a $ew mtte#ed th#eats, the !"!/#"yal (aced

"$$.

3s s""! as he was &"!e, I t#!ed "! Mas"!. ;3#e y" "t "$ y"# mi!d7;

;Hh7; he ased.

;=m%i!& i!t" the middle "$ that?;;Y" 0m%ed i! t"",; he said.

I sta#ted t" a#&e, the! #eali4ed he was #i&ht. ;It's di$$e#e!t,; I &#m(led.

He lea!ed $"#wa#d. ;3#e y" d#!7;

/9o. O$ c"#se !"t. I'm 0st t#yi!& t" ee% y" $#"m d"i!& s"methi!& st%id. =st (ecase

y" have delsi"!s "$ (ei!& a(le t" ill a St#i&"i d"es!'t mea! y" have t" tae it "t "! eve#y"!e

else.;

;Delsi"!s7; he ased sti$$ly.

I sta#ted t" $eel i!d "$ !ase"s 0st the!. My head s%i!!i!&, I c"!ti!ed t"wa#d the side

#""m, h"%i!& I did!'t stm(le.

Bt whe! I #eached it, I saw that it was!'t s"me i!d "$ desse#t "# d#i! #""m a$te# all. ell,

at least !"t i! the way I'd (ee! thi!i!&. It was a $eede# #""m. Seve#al hma!s #ecli!ed "! sati!/c"ve#ed chaise l"!&es with M"#"i (y thei# sides. =asmi!e i!ce!se (#!ed i! the ai#. St!!ed, I

watched with a! ee#ie $asci!ati"! as a (l"!d M"#"i &y lea!ed $"#wa#d a!d (it i!t" the !ec "$ a

ve#y %#etty #edhead. 3ll "$ these $eede#s we#e e-ce%ti"!ally &""d/l""i!&, I #eali4ed 0st the!. 9ie

act#esses "# m"dels. O!ly the (est $"# #"yalty.

The &y d#a! l"!& a!d dee%, a!d the &i#l cl"sed he# eyes a!d %a#ted he# li%s, a! e-%#essi"!

"$ %#e (liss "! he# $ace as M"#"i e!d"#%hi!s $l""ded i!t" he# (l""dst#eam. I shive#ed, tae! (ac

t" whe! I t"" had e-%e#ie!ced that same i!d "$ e%h"#ia. I! my alc"h"l/ha4ed mi!d, the wh"le

thi!& sdde!ly seemed sta#tli!&ly e#"tic. I! $act, I alm"st $elt i!t#sive)lie I was watchi!& %e"%le

have se-. he! the M"#"i $i!ished a!d liced the last "$ the (l""d away, he (#shed his li%s a&ai!st

he# chee i! a s"$t iss.

;a!t t" v"l!tee#7;

9i&ht $i!&e#ti%s (#shed my !ec, a!d I 0m%ed. I t#!ed a#"!d a!d saw 3d#ia!'s &#ee!

eyes a!d !"wi!& smi#.

;D"!'t d" that,; I t"ld him, !"ci!& his ha!d away.

;The! what a#e y" d"i!& i! he#e7; he ased.

I &est#ed a#"!d me. ;I'm l"st.;

He %ee#ed at me. ;3#e y" d#!7;

/9o. O$ c"#se !"t1(t 1; The !asea had settled a little, (t I still did!'t $eel #i&ht. ;I

thi! I sh"ld sit d"w!.;

He t"" my a#m. ;ell, d"!'t d" it i! he#e. S"me"!e mi&ht &et the w#"!& idea. 9et's &"

s"mewhe#e 6iet.;He stee#ed me "$$ i!t" a di$$e#e!t #""m, a!d I l""ed a#"!d with i!te#est. It was a massa&e

a#ea. Seve#al M"#"i lay (ac "! ta(les a!d we#e &etti!& (ac a!d $""t massa&es $#"m h"tel sta$$.

The "il they sed smelled lie #"sema#y a!d lave!de#. U!de# a!y "the# ci#cmsta!ces, a massa&e

w"ld have s"!ded &#eat, (t lyi!& "! my st"mach seemed lie the w"#st idea 0st !"w.

I sat d"w! "! the ca#%eted $l""#, lea!i!& (ac a&ai!st the wall. 3d#ia! waled away a!d

#et#!ed with a &lass "$ wate#. Sitti!& d"w! as well, he ha!ded it t" me.

;D#i! this. It'll hel%.;

;I t"ld y", I'm !"t d#!,; I mm(led. Bt I d"w!ed the wate# a!yway.

;Uh/hh.; He smiled at me. ;Y" did !ice w"# with that $i&ht. h" was the "the# &y that

hel%ed y"7;

;My ("y$#ie!d,; I said. ;S"#t "$.;;Mia was #i&ht. Y" d" have a l"t "$ &ys i! y"# li$e.;

;It's !"t lie that.;



;Oay.; He was still smili!&. ;he#e's 2asilisa7 I $i&#ed she'd (e attached t" y".;

;She's with her ("y$#ie!d.; I stdied him.

;hat's with the t"!e7 =eal"s7 Y" wa!t him $"# y"#sel$7;

;G"d, !". I 0st d"!'t lie him.;

;D"es he t#eat he# (adly7; he ased.

;N",; I admitted. ;He ad"#es he#. He's 0st i!d "$ a 0e#.;

3d#ia! was clea#ly e!0"yi!& this. ;3h, y" are 0eal"s. D"es she s%e!d m"#e time with himtha! y"7;

I i&!"#ed that. ;hy d" y" ee% asi!& a("t he#7 3#e y" i!te#ested i! he#7;

He la&hed. ;Rest easy, I'm !"t i!te#ested i! he# i! the same way I am y".;

;Bt y" a#e i!te#ested.;

;I 0st wa!t t" tal t" he#.;

He le$t t" $etch me m"#e wate#. ;:eeli!& (ette#7; he ased, ha!di!& the &lass t" me. It was

c#ystal a!d i!t#icately ca#ved. It seemed t"" $a!cy $"# %lai! wate#.

;Yeah 1 I did!'t thi! th"se d#i!s we#e that st#"!&.;

;That's the (eaty "$ them,; he chcled. ;3!d s%eai!& "$ (eaty 1 that's a &#eat c"l"# "!

y".;

I shi$ted. I mi&ht !"t have (ee! sh"wi!& as mch si! as th"se "the# &i#ls, (t I wassh"wi!& m"#e tha! I #eally wa!ted t" with 3d#ia!. O# was I7 The#e was s"methi!& wei#d a("t

him. His a##"&a!t ma!!e# a!!"yed me1(t I still lied (ei!& a#"!d him. May(e the sma#tass i!

me #ec"&!i4ed a i!d#ed s%i#it.

S"mewhe#e i! the (ac "$ my d#!e! mi!d, a li&ht cliced "!. Bt I c"ld!'t 6ite &et t" it.

I d#a! m"#e wate#.

;Y" have!'t had a ci&a#ette i!, lie, te! mi!tes,; I %"i!ted "t, wa!ti!& t" cha!&e the

s(0ect.

He made a $ace. ;N" sm"i!& i! he#e.;

;I'm s#e y"'ve made % $"# it i! %!ch.;

His smile #et#!ed. ;ell, some "$ s ca! h"ld "# li6"#. Y" a#e!'t &"i!& t" (e sic, a#e

y"7;

I still $elt ti%sy (t !" l"!&e# !ase"s. ;N".;

;G""d.;

I th"&ht (ac t" whe! I'd d#eamed a("t him. It had (ee! 0st a d#eam, (t it had stc

with me, %a#ticla#ly the tal a("t me (ei!& s##"!ded i! da#!ess. I wa!ted t" as him a("t

it1 eve! th"&h I !ew it was st%id. It had (ee! my d#eam, !"t his.

;3d#ia!1;

He t#!ed his &#ee! eyes "! me. ;Yes, da#li!&7;

I c"ld!'t (#i!& mysel$ t" as. ;Neve# mi!d.;

He sta#ted t" #et"#t, the! tilted his head t"wa#d the d""#. ;3h, he#e she c"mes.;

;h");9issa ste%%ed i!t" the #""m, eyes sca!!i!& a#"!d. he! she s%"tted s, I saw #elie$ (#ea

"ve# he#. I c"ld!'t $eel it, th"&h. I!t"-ica!ts lie alc"h"l !m(ed the ("!d. It was a!"the# #eas"! I

sh"ld!'t have tae! sch a st%id cha!ce t"!i&ht.

;The#e y" a#e,; she said, !eeli!& (eside me. Gla!ci!& at 3d#ia!, she &ave him a !"d.

;Hey.;

;Hey y"#sel$, c"si!,; he #et#!ed, si!& the $amily te#ms #"yals s"metimes sed a#"!d

each "the#.

;Y" "ay7; 9issa ased me. ;he! I saw h"w d#! y" we#e, I th"&ht y" mi&ht have

$alle! i! s"mewhe#e a!d d#"w!ed.;

;I'm !"t); I &ave % t#yi!& t" de!y it. ;I'm $i!e.;

3d#ia!'s sal e-%#essi"! had t#!ed se#i"s as he stdied 9issa. It a&ai! #emi!ded me "$the d#eam. ;H"w'd y" $i!d he#7;

9issa &ave him a %44led l"". ;I, m, checed all the #""ms.;



;Oh.; He l""ed disa%%"i!ted. ;I th"&ht y" mi&ht have sed y"# ("!d.;

B"th she a!d I sta#ed.

;H"w d" y" !"w a("t that7; I dema!ded. O!ly a $ew %e"%le at sch""l !ew a("t it.

3d#ia! had s%"e! a("t it as casally as he mi&ht have my hai# c"l"#.

;Hey, I ca!'t #eveal all my sec#ets, ca! I7; he ased myste#i"sly. ;3!d (esides, the#e's a

ce#tai! way y" tw" act a#"!d each "the# 1 it's ha#d t" e-%lai!. It's %#etty c""l1 all the "ld myths

a#e t#e.;9issa #e&a#ded him wa#ily. ;The ("!d "!ly w"#s "!e way. R"se ca! se!se what I'm $eeli!&

a!d thi!i!&, (t I ca!'t d" it (ac t" he#.;

;3h.; e sat i! sile!ce a $ew m"me!ts, a!d I d#a! m"#e wate#. 3d#ia! s%"e a&ai!.

;hat'd y" s%eciali4e i! a!yway, c"si!7;

She l""ed em(a##assed. e ("th !ew it was im%"#ta!t t" ee% he# s%i#it %"we#s sec#et

$#"m "the#s wh" mi&ht a(se he# heali!&, (t he# c"ve# st"#y "$ !"t havi!& s%eciali4ed always

("the#ed he#.

;I have!'t,; she said.

;D" they thi! y"'#e &"i!& t"7 9ate (l""me#7;

;N".;

;Y"'#e %#"(a(ly hi&he# i! the "the# eleme!ts, th"&h, #i&ht7 =st !"t st#"!& e!"&h t" #eallymaste# a!y7; He #eached "t t" %at he# sh"lde# i! a! e-a&&e#ated sh"w "$ c"m$"#t.

;Yeah, h"w'd y");

The i!sta!t his $i!&e#s t"ched he#, she &as%ed. It was as th"&h a ("lt "$ li&ht!i!& had

st#c he#. The st#a!&est l"" c#"ssed he# $ace. Eve! d#!, I $elt the $l""d "$ 0"y that came %"#i!&

th#"&h the ("!d. She sta#ed at 3d#ia! i! w"!de#. His eyes we#e l"ced "!t" he#s t"". I did!'t

!de#sta!d why they we#e l""i!& at each "the# lie that, (t it ("the#ed me.

;Hey,; I said. ;St"% that. I t"ld y", she has a ("y$#ie!d.;

;I !"w,; he said, still watchi!& he#. 3 small smile t#!ed his li%s. ;e !eed t" have a chat

s"meday, c"si!.;

;Yes,; she a&#eed.

;Hey.; I was m"#e c"!$sed tha! eve#. /(ou have a ("y$#ie!d. 3!d the#e he is.;

She (li!ed (ac t" #eality. 3ll th#ee "$ s t#!ed t"wa#d the d""#way. @h#istia! a!d the

"the#s st""d the#e. I sdde!ly had a $lash(ac t" whe! they'd $"!d me with 3d#ia!'s a#m a#"!d

me. This was!'t mch (ette#. 9issa a!d I we#e sitti!& "! eithe# side "$ him, ve#y cl"se.

She s%#a!& %, l""i!& mildly &ilty. @h#istia! was #e&a#di!& he# c#i"sly.

;e'#e &etti!& #eady t" leave,; he said.

;Oay,; she t"ld him. She l""ed d"w! at me. ;Ready7;

I !"dded a!d sta#ted t" clam(e# t" my $eet. 3d#ia! ca&ht my a#m as I did a!d hel%ed me

%. He smiled at 9issa. ;Nice tali!& t" y".; T" me, he m#m#ed ve#y 6ietly, ;D"!'t w"##y. I t"ld

y", I'm !"t i!te#ested i! he# i! that way. She d"es!'t l"" as &""d i! a (athi!& sit. 8#"(a(ly !"t as

&""d "t "$ "!e eithe#.;I %lled my a#m away. ;ell, y"'ll !eve# $i!d "t.;

;It's "ay,; he said. ;I have a &""d ima&i!ati"!.;

I 0"i!ed the "the#s, a!d we headed (ac t"wa#d the mai! %a#t "$ the l"d&e. Mas"! &ave me

as st#a!&e a l"" as @h#istia! had &ive! 9issa a!d stayed away $#"m me, wali!& t"wa#d the $#"!t

with Eddie. T" my s#%#ise a!d disc"m$"#t, I $"!d mysel$ wali!& (eside Mia. She l""ed

mise#a(le.

;I1 I'm #eally s"##y a("t what ha%%e!ed,; I said $i!ally.

;Y" d"!'t have t" act lie y" ca#e, R"se.;

;N", !". I mea! it. It's h"##i(le1I'm s" s"##y.; She w"ld!'t l"" at me. ;Is1that is, a#e y"

&"i!& t" see y"# dad s""!7;

;he!eve# they have the mem"#ial,; she said sti$$ly.;Oh.;

I did!'t !"w what else t" say a!d &ave %, i!stead t#!i!& my atte!ti"! t" the stai#s as we



clim(ed (ac % t" the l"d&e's mai! level. U!e-%ectedly, Mia was the "!e wh" c"!ti!ed the

c"!ve#sati"!.

;I watched y" (#ea % that $i&ht 1; she said sl"wly. ;Y" me!ti"!ed "$$e!sive ma&ic.

9ie y" !ew a("t it.;

Oh. G#eat. She was &"i!& t" mae a %lay at (lacmail1"# was she7 3t the m"me!t, she

seemed alm"st civil.

;I was 0st &essi!&,; I said. N" way was I &"i!& t" (st Tasha a!d @h#istia!. ;I d"!'t #eally!"w that mch. =st st"#ies I've hea#d.;

;Oh.; He# $ace $ell. ;hat i!d "$ st"#ies7;

;Um, well1;I t#ied t" thi! "$ s"methi!& !eithe# t"" va&e !"# t"" s%eci$ic. ;9ie I t"ld

th"se &ys1the c"!ce!t#ati"! thi!& is (i&. Becase i$ y"'#e i! a (attle with St#i&"i, all s"#ts "$

thi!&s ca! dist#act y". S" y"'ve &"t t" ee% c"!t#"l.;

That was actally a (asic &a#dia! #le, (t it mst have (ee! !ew t" Mia. He# eyes wide!ed

with ea&e#!ess. ;hat else7 hat i!d "$ s%ells d" %e"%le se7;

I sh"" my head. ;I d"!'t !"w. I d"!'t #eally eve! !"w h"w s%ells w"#, a!d lie I said,

these a#e 0st1st"#ies I've hea#d. My &ess is y" 0st $i!d ways t" se y"# eleme!t as a wea%"!.

9ie 1 $i#e se#s #eally have a! adva!ta&e (ecase $i#e'll ill St#i&"i, s" it's easy $"# them. 3!d ai#

se#s ca! s$$"cate %e"%le.; I'd actally e-%e#ie!ced that last "!e vica#i"sly th#"&h 9issa. It had (ee! h"##i(le.

Mia's eyes &#ew wide# still. ;hat a("t a wate# se#7; she ased. ;H"w c"ld wate# h#t a

St#i&"i7;

I %ased. ;I, h, !eve# hea#d a!y st"#ies a("t wate# se#s. S"##y.;

;D" y" have a!y ideas, th"&h7 ays that, lie, s"me"!e lie me c"ld lea#! t" $i&ht7;

3h. S" that's what this was a("t. It actally was!'t all that c#a4y. I #emem(e#ed h"w e-cited

she'd l""ed at the meeti!& whe! Tasha had taled a("t attaci!& St#i&"i. Mia wa!ted t" tae

#eve!&e "! the St#i&"i $"# he# m"the#'s death. N" w"!de# she a!d Mas"! had (ee! &etti!& al"!& s"

well.

;Mia,; I said &e!tly, catchi!& h"ld "$ the d""# t" let he# %ass. e we#e alm"st at the l"((y

!"w. ;I !"w h"w y" mst wa!t t" 1 d" s"methi!&. Bt I thi! y"'#e (ette# "$$ 0st s"#t "$

letti!& y"#sel$, m, &#ieve.;

She #edde!ed, a!d sdde!ly, I was seei!& the !"#mal a!d a!&#y Mia. ;D"!'t tal d"w! t"

me,; she said.

;Hey, I'm !"t. I'm se#i"s. I'm 0st sayi!& y" sh"ld!'t d" a!ythi!& #ash while y"'#e still

%set. Besides 1; I (it "$$ my w"#ds.

She !a##"wed he# eyes. ;hat7;

Sc#ew it. She !eeded t" !"w. ;ell, I d"!'t #eally !"w what &""d a wate# se# w"ld (e

a&ai!st a St#i&"i. It's %#"(a(ly the least se$l eleme!t t" se "! "!e "$ them.;

Ot#a&e $illed he# $eat#es. ;Y"'#e a #eal (itch, y" !"w that7;

;I'm 0st telli!& y" the t#th.;;ell, let me tell you the t#th. Y"'#e a t"tal idi"t whe! it c"mes t" &ys.;

I th"&ht a("t Dimit#i. She was!'t e!ti#ely "$$ (ase.

;Mas"!'s &#eat,; she c"!ti!ed. ;O!e "$ the !icest &ys I !"w)a!d y" d"!'t eve! !"tice?

He'd d" a!ythi!& $"# y", a!d y" we#e "$$ th#"wi!& y"#sel$ at 3d#ia! Ivash"v.;

He# w"#ds s#%#ised me. @"ld Mia have a c#sh "! Mas"!7 3!d while I ce#tai!ly had!'t

(ee! th#"wi!& mysel$ at 3d#ia!, I c"ld see h"w it mi&ht have l""ed that way. 3!d eve! i$ it

we#e!'t t#e, that w"ld!'t have st"%%ed Mas"! $#"m $eeli!& h#t a!d (et#ayed.

;Y"'#e #i&ht,; I said.

Mia sta#ed at me, s" ast"!ished I'd a&#eed with he# that she did!'t say a!ythi!& else $"# the

#est "$ the wal.

e #eached the %a#t "$ the l"d&e that s%lit "$$ i!t" di$$e#e!t wi!&s $"# &ys a!d &i#ls. I&#a((ed a h"ld "$ Mas"!'s a#m as the "the#s waled "$$.

;Ha!& "!,; I t"ld him. I (adly !eeded t" #eass#e him a("t 3d#ia!, (t a ti!y %a#t "$ me



w"!de#ed i$ I was d"i!& it (ecase I actally wa!ted Mas"! "# (ecase I 0st lied the idea "$ him

wa!ti!& me a!d sel$ishly did!'t wa!t t" l"se that. He st"%%ed a!d l""ed at me. His $ace was wa#y.

;I wa!ted t" tell y" I'm s"##y. I sh"ld!'t have yelled at y" a$te# the $i&ht)I !"w y" we#e 0st

t#yi!& t" hel%. 3!d with 3d#ia!1!"thi!& ha%%e!ed. I mea! it.;

;It did!'t l"" that way,; Mas"! said. Bt the a!&e# "! his $ace had $aded.

;I !"w, (t (elieve me, it's all him. He's &"t s"me i!d "$ st%id c#sh "! me.;

My t"!e mst have (ee! c"!vi!ci!& (ecase Mas"! smiled. ;ell. Ha#d !"t t".;;I'm !"t i!te#ested i! him,; I c"!ti!ed. ;O# a!y"!e else.; It was a small lie, (t I did!'t

thi! it matte#ed 0st the!. I was &"i!& t" (e "ve# Dimit#i s""!, a!d Mia had (ee! #i&ht a("t

Mas"!. He was w"!de#$l a!d sweet a!d cte. I w"ld (e a! idi"t !"t t" %#se this 1 #i&ht7

My ha!d was still "! his a#m, a!d I %lled him t"wa#d me. He did!'t !eed mch m"#e "$ a

si&!al. He lea!ed d"w! a!d issed me, a!d i! the %#"cess, I $"!d mysel$ %#essed % a&ai!st the

wall)ve#y mch lie with Dimit#i i! the %#actice #""m. O$ c"#se, it $elt !"thi!& lie h"w it had

with Dimit#i, (t it was still !ice i! its way. I %t my a#ms a#"!d Mas"! a!d sta#ted t" %ll him

cl"se#.

;e c"ld &" 1 s"mewhe#e,; I said.

He %shed (ac a!d la&hed. ;N"t whe! y"'#e d#!.;

;I'm !"t1 that1 d#! a!ym"#e,; I said, t#yi!& t" %ll him (ac.Givi!& me a small iss "! the li%s, he ste%%ed (ac. ;D#! e!"&h. 9"", this is!'t easy,

(elieve me. Bt i$ y" still wa!t me t"m"##"w)whe! y"'#e s"(e#)the! we'll tal.;

He lea!ed d"w! a!d issed me a&ai!. I t#ied t" w#a% my a#ms a#"!d him, (t he (#"e

away "!ce m"#e.

;Easy the#e, &i#l,; he teased, (aci!& t"wa#d his hallway.

I G93RED 3T HIM, BUT HE ON9Y 93UGHED 3ND TURNED 3ROUND. 3S HE 39<ED 33Y, MY G93RE :3DED,

3ND I HE3DED B3@< TO MY ROOM ITH 3 SMI9E ON MY :3@E.



@H38TER AJ

I 3S TRYING TO 83INT my t"e!ails the !e-t m"#!i!&)!"t easy with sch a &"d/aw$l

ha!&"ve#)whe! I hea#d a !"c at the d""#. 9issa had (ee! &"!e whe! I w"e %, s" I sta&&e#ed

ac#"ss the #""m, t#yi!& !"t t" #i! my wet !ail %"lish. O%e!i!& % the d""#, I saw "!e "$ the h"tel

sta$$ sta!di!& "tside with a la#&e ("- i! ("th a#ms. He shi$ted it sli&htly s" that he c"ld %ee#

a#"!d a!d l"" at me.;I'm l""i!& $"# R"se Hathaway.;

;That's me.;

I t"" the ("- $#"m him. It was (i& (t !"t all that heavy. ith a 6ic tha!/y", I sht the

d""#, w"!de#i!& i$ I sh"ld have ti%%ed him. Oh well.

I sat "! the $l""# with the ("-. It had !" ma#i!&s "! it a!d was sealed with %aci!& ta%e. I

$"!d a %e! a!d sta((ed at the ta%e. O!ce I'd haced "$$ e!"&h, I "%e!ed the ("- a!d %ee#ed

i!side.

It was $illed with %e#$me.

The#e had t" (e at least thi#ty little ("ttles "$ %e#$me %aced i!t" the ("-. S"me I'd hea#d

"$, s"me I had!'t. They #a!&ed $#"m c#a4y e-%e!sive, m"vie/sta# cali(e# t" chea% i!ds I'd see! i!

d#&st"#es. :ternity. An"el. Vanilla -ields. &ade Blossom. ichael ors. 1oison. ypnotic 1oison. 1ure 1oison. appy. Li"ht Blue. &;van usk. 1ink u"ar. Vera 8an". O!e (y "!e, I %iced % the

("-es, #ead the desc#i%ti"!s, a!d the! %lled "t the ("ttles $"# a s!i$$.

I was a("t hal$way th#"&h whe! #eality hit. These had t" (e $#"m 3d#ia!.

I did!'t !"w h"w he'd ma!a&ed t" &et all "$ these delive#ed t" the h"tel i! sch a sh"#t

am"!t "$ time, (t m"!ey ca! mae alm"st a!ythi!& ha%%e!. Still, I did!'t !eed the atte!ti"! "$ a

#ich, s%"iled M"#"i5 a%%a#e!tly he had!'t %iced % "! my si&!als. Re&#et$lly, I sta#ted t" %lace the

%e#$mes (ac i! the ("-)the! st"%%ed. O$ c"#se I'd #et#! them1(t the#e was !" ha#m i!

s!i$$i!& the #est (e$"#e I did.

O!ce m"#e, I sta#ted %lli!& "t ("ttle a$te# ("ttle. S"me I 0st s!i$$ed the ca% "$5 "the#s I

s%#ayed i! the ai#. erendipity. %olce < 5abbana. halimar. %aisy. N"te a$te# !"te hit me* #"se,

vi"let, sa!dalw""d, "#a!&e, va!illa, "#chid 1

By the time I was $i!ished, my !"se (a#ely w"#ed a!ym"#e. 3ll "$ these had (ee! desi&!ed

$"# hma!s. They had a weae# se!se "$ smell tha! vam%i#es a!d eve! dham%i#s, s" these sce!ts

we#e e-t#a st#"!&. I had a !ew a%%#eciati"! $"# what 3d#ia! had mea!t a("t "!ly a s%lash "$

%e#$me (ei!& !ecessa#y. I$ all these ("ttles we#e mai!& me di44y, I c"ld "!ly ima&i!e what a

M"#"i w"ld smell. The se!s"#y "ve#l"ad was!'t #eally hel%i!& the headache I'd w"e! % with

eithe#.

I %aced % the %e#$me $"# #eal this time, st"%%i!& "!ly whe! I came t" a ce#tai! i!d that I

#eally lied. I hesitated, h"ldi!& the little ("- i! my ha!d. The!, I t"" the #ed ("ttle "t a!d #e/

s!i$$ed it. It was a c#is%, sweet $#a&#a!ce. The#e was s"me i!d "$ $#it)(t !"t a ca!died "# s&a#y

$#it. I #aced my (#ai! $"# a sce!t I'd "!ce smelled "! a &i#l I !ew i! my d"#m. She'd t"ld me the!ame. It was lie a che##y1(t sha#%e#. @##a!t, that's what it was. 3!d he#e it was i! this %e#$me,

mi-ed with s"me $l"#als* lily "$ the valley a!d "the#s I c"ld!'t ide!ti$y. hateve# the (le!d,

s"methi!& a("t it a%%ealed t" me. Sweet)(t !"t too sweet. I #ead the ("-, l""i!& $"# the !ame.

Amor Amor.

;:itti!&,; I mtte#ed, seei!& h"w ma!y l"ve %#"(lems I seemed t" have lately. Bt I e%t the

%e#$me a!yway a!d #e%aced the #est.

H"isti!& the ("- % i! my a#ms, I t"" it d"w! t" the $#"!t des a!d ac6i#ed s"me %aci!&

ta%e t" #eseal it. I als" &"t di#ecti"!s t" 3d#ia!'s #""m. 3%%a#e!tly, the Ivash"vs %#actically had

thei# "w! wi!&. It was!'t t"" $a# $#"m Tasha's #""m.

:eeli!& lie a delive#y &i#l, I waled d"w! the hall a!d st"%%ed i! $#"!t "$ his d""#. Be$"#e I

c"ld ma!a&e t" !"c, it "%e!ed %, a!d 3d#ia! st""d (e$"#e me. He l""ed as s#%#ised as I $elt.;9ittle dham%i#,; he said c"#dially. ;Did!'t e-%ect t" see y" he#e.;

;I'm #et#!i!& these.; I h"isted the ("- t"wa#d him (e$"#e he c"ld %#"test. @lmsily, he



ca&ht it, sta&&e#i!& a (it i! s#%#ise. O!ce he had a &""d &#i%, he t"" a $ew ste%s (ac a!d set it

"! the $l""#.

;Did!'t y" lie a!y "$ them7; he ased. ;Y" wa!t me t" &et y" s"me m"#e7;

;D"!'t se!d me a!y m"#e &i$ts.;

;It is!'t a &i$t. It's a %(lic se#vice. hat w"ma! d"es!'t "w! %e#$me7;

;D"!'t d" it a&ai!,; I said $i#mly.

Sdde!ly, a v"ice (ehi!d him ased, ;R"se7 Is that y"7;I %ee#ed (ey"!d him. 9issa.

;hat a#e y" d"i!& he#e7;

Betwee! my headache a!d what I had assmed was s"me i!te#lde with @h#istia!, I'd

(l"ced he# "t as (est I c"ld this m"#!i!&. N"#mally I w"ld have !"w! the i!sta!t I

a%%#"ached that she was i!side the #""m. I "%e!ed mysel$ % a&ai!, letti!& he# sh"c #! i!t" me.

She had!'t e-%ected me t" sh"w % he#e.

;hat a#e you d"i!& he#e7; she ased.

;9adies, ladies,; he said teasi!&ly. ;N" !eed t" $i&ht "ve# me.;

I &la#ed. ;e'#e !"t. I 0st wa!t t" !"w what's &"i!& "! he#e.;

3 (#eath "$ a$te#shave hit me, a!d the! I hea#d a v"ice (ehi!d me* ;Me t"".;

I 0m%ed. S%i!!i!& a#"!d, I saw Dimit#i sta!di!& i! the hallway. I had !" cle what he wasd"i!& i! the Ivash"v wi!&.

n his way to #asha's room, a v"ice i!side me s&&ested.

Dimit#i !" d"(t always e-%ected me t" &et i!t" all s"#ts "$ t#"(le, (t I thi! seei!& 9issa

the#e ca&ht him "$$ &a#d. He ste%%ed %ast me a!d came i!t" the #""m, l""i!& (etwee! the th#ee

"$ s.

;Male a!d $emale stde!ts a#e!'t s%%"sed t" (e i! each "the#'s #""ms.;

I !ew %"i!ti!& "t that 3d#ia! was!'t tech!ically a stde!t was!'t &"i!& t" &et s "t "$

t#"(le he#e. e we#e!'t s%%"sed t" (e i! a!y &y's #""m.

;H"w d" y" ee% d"i!& this7; I ased 3d#ia!, $#st#ated.

;D" what7;

;<ee% mai!& s l"" (ad?;

He chcled. ;Y" &ys a#e the "!es wh" came he#e.;

;Y" sh"ld!'t have let them i!,; sc"lded Dimit#i. ;I'm s#e y" !"w the #les at St.

2ladimi#'s.;

3d#ia! sh#&&ed. ;Yeah, (t I d"!'t have t" $"ll"w a!y sch""l's st%id #les.;

;8e#ha%s !"t,; said Dimit#i c"ldly. ;Bt I w"ld have th"&ht y"'d still #es%ect th"se #les.;

3d#ia! #"lled his eyes. ;I'm i!d "$ s#%#ised t" $i!d you lect#i!& a("t !de#a&e &i#ls.;

I saw the a!&e# i!dle i! Dimit#i's eyes, a!d $"# a m"me!t, I th"&ht I mi&ht have see! the

l"ss "$ c"!t#"l I'd teased him a("t. Bt he stayed c"m%"sed, a!d "!ly his cle!ched $ists sh"wed

h"w a!&#y he was.

;Besides,; c"!ti!ed 3d#ia!, ;!"thi!& s"#did was &"i!& "!. e we#e 0st ha!&i!& "t.;;I$ y" wa!t t" 'ha!& "t' with y"!& &i#ls, d" it at "!e "$ the %(lic a#eas.;

I did!'t #eally lie Dimit#i calli!& s 'y"!& &i#ls,' a!d I i!d "$ $elt lie he was "ve##eacti!&

he#e. I als" ss%ected %a#t "$ his #eacti"! had t" d" with the $act that I was he#e.

3d#ia! la&hed 0st the!, a wei#d i!d "$ la&h that made my si! c#awl. ;Y"!& &i#ls7

(oun" &i#ls7 S#e. Y"!& a!d "ld at the same time. They've (a#ely see! a!ythi!& i! li$e, yet they've

al#eady see! t"" mch. O!e's ma#ed with li$e, a!d "!e's ma#ed with death1(t they're the "!es

y"'#e w"##ied a("t7 "##y a("t y"#sel$, dham%i#. "##y a("t y", a!d w"##y a("t me. e'#e

the "!es wh" a#e y"!&.;

The #est "$ s 0st s"#t "$ sta#ed. I d"!'t thi! a!y"!e had e-%ected 3d#ia! t" sdde!ly tae

a! a(#%t t#i% t" @#a4yville.

3d#ia! was calm a!d l""ed %e#$ectly !"#mal a&ai!. He t#!ed away a!d st#"lled t"wa#d thewi!d"w, &la!ci!& casally (ac at the #est "$ s as he %lled "t his ci&a#ettes.

;Y" ladies sh"ld %#"(a(ly &". He's #i&ht. I am a (ad i!$le!ce.;



I e-cha!&ed l""s with 9issa. H##iedly, we ("th le$t a!d $"ll"wed Dimit#i d"w! the hall

t"wa#d the l"((y.

;That was1st#a!&e,; I said a c"%le "$ mi!tes late#. It was stati!& the "(vi"s, (t, well,

s"me"!e had t".

/Very,/ said Dimit#i. He did!'t s"!d a!&#y s" mch as %44led.

he! we #eached the l"((y, I sta#ted t" $"ll"w 9issa (ac t"wa#d "# #""m, (t Dimit#i

called t" me.;R"se,; he said. ;@a! I tal t" y"7;

I $elt a sym%athetic #sh "$ $eeli!& $#"m 9issa. I t#!ed t"wa#d Dimit#i a!d ste%%ed "$$ t" the

side "$ the #""m, "t "$ the way "$ th"se %assi!& th#"&h. 3 %a#ty "$ M"#"i i! diam"!ds a!d $#

swe%t %ast s, a!-i"s l""s "! thei# $aces. Bellh"%s $"ll"wed with l&&a&e. 8e"%le we#e still

leavi!& i! sea#ch "$ sa$e# %laces. The St#i&"i %a#a!"ia was $a# $#"m "ve#.

Dimit#i's v"ice s!a%%ed my atte!ti"! (ac t" him. ;That's 3d#ia! Ivash"v.; He said the

!ame the same way eve#y"!e else did.

;Yeah, I !"w.;

;This is the sec"!d time I've see! y" with him.;

;Yeah,; I #e%lied &li(ly. ;e ha!& "t s"metimes.;

Dimit#i a#ched a! eye(#"w, the! 0e#ed his head (ac t"wa#d whe#e we'd c"me $#"m. ;Y"ha!& "t i! his #""m a l"t7;

Seve#al #et"#ts %"%%ed i!t" my head, a!d the! a &"lde! "!e t"" %#ecede!ce. ;hat ha%%e!s

(etwee! him a!d me is !"!e "$ y"# (si!ess.; I ma!a&ed a t"!e ve#y simila# t" the "!e he'd sed

"! me whe! mai!& a simila# c"mme!t a("t him a!d Tasha.

;3ctally, as l"!& as y"'#e at the 3cademy, what y" d" is my (si!ess.;

;N"t my %e#s"!al li$e. Y" d"!'t have a!y say i! that.;

;Y"'#e !"t a! adlt yet.;

;I'm cl"se e!"&h. Besides, it's !"t lie I'll ma&ically (ec"me a! adlt "! my ei&htee!th

(i#thday.;

/!learly,/ he said.

I (lshed. ;That's !"t what I mea!t. I mea!t);

;I !"w what y" mea!t. 3!d the tech!icalities d"!'t matte# #i&ht !"w. Y"'#e a! 3cademy

stde!t. I'm y"# i!st#ct"#. It's my 0"( t" hel% y" a!d t" ee% y" sa$e. Bei!& i! the (ed#""m "$

s"me"!e lie him = well, that's !"t sa$e.;

;I ca! ha!dle 3d#ia! Ivash"v,; I mtte#ed. ;He's wei#d) #eally wei#d, a%%a#e!tly)(t

ha#mless.;

I sec#etly w"!de#ed i$ Dimit#i's %#"(lem mi&ht (e that he was 0eal"s. He had!'t %lled 9issa

aside t" yell at he#. The th"&ht made me sli&htly ha%%y, (t the! I #emem(e#ed my ea#lie# c#i"sity

a("t why Dimit#i had eve! wa!de#ed (y.

;S%eai!& "$ %e#s"!al lives 1 I s%%"se y" we#e "$$ visiti!& Tasha, hh7;

I !ew it was %etty, a!d I e-%ected a ;!"!e "$ y"# (si!ess; #es%"!se. I!stead he #e%lied,;3ctally, I was visiti!& y"# m"the#.;

;Y" &"i!& t" h"" % with he# t""7; I !ew "$ c"#se that he was!'t, (t the 6i% seemed

t"" &""d t" %ass %.

He seemed t" !"w that t"" a!d me#ely &ave me a wea#y &la!ce. ;N", we we#e l""i!& "ve#

s"me !ew data a("t the St#i&"i i! the D#"4d"v attac.;

My a!&e# a!d s!a#i!ess d#ied %. The D#"4d"vs. The Badicas. Sdde!ly, eve#ythi!& that

had ha%%e!ed this m"#!i!& seemed i!c#edi(ly t#ivial. H"w c"ld I have st""d the#e a#&i!& with

Dimit#i a("t #"ma!ces that mi&ht "# mi&ht !"t (e ha%%e!i!& whe! he a!d the "the# &a#dia!s we#e

t#yi!& t" %#"tect s7

;hat'd y" $i!d "t7; I ased 6ietly.

;e've ma!a&ed t" t#ac s"me "$ the St#i&"i,; he said. ;O# at least the hma!s with them.The#e we#e wit!esses wh" lived !ea#(y wh" s%"tted a $ew "$ the ca#s the &#"% sed. The %lates

we#e all $#"m di$$e#e!t states)the &#"% a%%ea#s t" have s%lit %, %#"(a(ly t" mae it ha#de# $"# s.



Bt "!e "$ the wit!esses did catch "!e %late !m(e#. It's #e&iste#ed t" a! add#ess i! S%"a!e.;

;S%"a!e7; I ased i!c#edl"sly. ;S%"a!e, 8ashin"ton0 h" maes S%"a!e thei#

hide"t7; I'd (ee! the#e "!ce. It was a("t as ("#i!& as eve#y "the# (acw""ds !"#thwest city.

;St#i&"i, a%%a#e!tly,; he said, dead%a!. ;The add#ess was $ae, (t "the# evide!ce sh"ws

they #eally a#e the#e. The#e's a i!d "$ sh"%%i!& %la4a that has s"me !de#&#"!d t!!els. The#e've

(ee! St#i&"i si&hti!&s a#"!d that a#ea.;

;The! 1; I $#"w!ed. ;3#e y" &"i!& t" &" a$te# them7 Is s"me("dy &"i!& t"7 I mea!, thisis what Tasha's (ee! sayi!& all al"!&1. I$ we !"w whe#e they a#e 1;

He sh"" his head. ;The &a#dia!s ca!'t d" a!ythi!& with"t %e#missi"! $#"m hi&he# %.

That's !"t &"i!& t" ha%%e! a!ytime s""!.;

I si&hed. ;Becase the M"#"i tal t"" mch.;

;They'#e (ei!& cati"s,; he said.

I $elt mysel$ &etti!& w"#ed % a&ai!. ;@"me on. Eve! y" ca!'t wa!t t" (e ca#e$l "! this

"!e. Y" actally !"w whe#e St#i&"i a#e hidi!& "t. St#i&"i wh" massac#ed child#e!. D"!'t y"

wa!t t" &" a$te# them whe! they d"!'t e-%ect it7; I s"!ded lie Mas"! !"w.

;It's !"t that easy,; he said. ;e a!swe# t" the Ga#dia! @"!cil a!d the M"#"i &"ve#!me!t.

e ca!'t 0st #! "$$ a!d act "! im%lse. 3!d a!yway, we d"!'t !"w eve#ythi!& yet. Y" sh"ld

!eve# wal i!t" a!y sitati"! with"t !"wi!& all the details.;;e! li$e less"!s a&ai!,; I si&hed. I #a! a ha!d th#"&h my hai#, tci!& it (ehi!d my ea#s.

;hy'd y" tell me this, a!yway7 This is &a#dia! st$$. N"t the i!d "$ thi!& y" let !"vices i!

"!.;

He c"!side#ed his w"#ds, a!d his e-%#essi"! s"$te!ed. He always l""ed ama4i!&, (t I

lied him (est lie this. ;I've said a $ew thi!&s1the "the# day a!d t"day1that I sh"ld!'t have.

Thi!&s that i!slted y"# a&e. Y"'#e seve!tee!1(t y"'#e ca%a(le "$ ha!dli!& a!d %#"cessi!& the

same thi!&s th"se mch "lde# tha! y" d".;

My chest &#ew li&ht a!d $ltte#y. ;Really7;

He !"dded. ;Y"'#e still #eally y"!& i! a l"t "$ ways) a!d act y"!&)(t the "!ly way t"

#eally cha!&e that is t" t#eat y" lie a! adlt. I !eed t" d" that m"#e. I !"w y"'ll tae this

i!$"#mati"! a!d !de#sta!d h"w im%"#ta!t it is a!d ee% it t" y"#sel$.;

I did!'t l"ve (ei!& t"ld I acted y"!&, (t I lied the idea that he w"ld tal t" me lie a!

e6al.

;Dima,; came a v"ice. Tasha O4e#a waled % t" s. She smiled whe! she saw me. ;Hell",

R"se.;

The#e we!t my m""d. ;Hey,; I said $latly.

She %laced a ha!d "! Dimit#i's $"#ea#m, slidi!& he# $i!&e#s "ve# the leathe# "$ his c"at. I

eyed th"se $i!&e#s a!&#ily. H"w da#e they t"ch him7

;Y"'ve &"t that l"",; she t"ld him.

;hat l""7; he ased. The ste#! l"" he'd w"#! with me va!ished. The#e was a small,

!"wi!& smile "! his li%s. 3lm"st a %lay$l "!e.;That l"" that says y"'#e &"i!& t" (e "! dty all day.;

;Really7 I have a l"" lie that7; The#e was a teasi!&, m"ci!& t"!e t" his v"ice.

She !"dded. ;he! d"es y"# shi$t tech!ically e!d7;

Dimit#i actally l""ed)I swea#)shee%ish. ;3! h"# a&".;

;Y" ca!'t ee% d"i!& this,; she &#"a!ed. ;Y" !eed a (#ea.;

;ell 1 i$ y" c"!side# that I'm always 9issa's &a#dia!1;

;:"# !"w,; she said !"wi!&ly. I $elt sice# tha! I had last !i&ht. ;The#e's a (i& %""l

t"#!ame!t &"i!& "! %stai#s.;

;I ca!'t,; he said, (t the smile was still "! his $ace. ;Eve! th"&h I have!'t %layed i! a l"!&

time 1;

hat the)7 Dimit#i %layed pool0Sdde!ly, it did!'t matte# that we'd 0st had a discssi"! a("t him t#eati!& me lie a! adlt.

S"me small %a#t "$ me did !"w what a c"m%lime!t that was)(t the #est "$ me wa!ted him t"



t#eat me lie he did Tasha. 8lay$l. Teasi!&. @asal. They we#e s" $amilia# with each "the#, s"

c"m%letely at ease.

;@"me "!, the!,; she (e&&ed. ;=st "!e #"!d? e c"ld tae them all.;

;I ca!'t,; he #e%eated. He s"!ded #e&#et$l. ;N"t with eve#ythi!& &"i!& "!.;

She s"(e#ed a little. ;N". I s%%"se !"t.; Gla!ci!& at me, she said teasi!&ly, ;I h"%e y"

#eali4e what a ha#d/c"#e #"le m"del y" have he#e. He's !eve# "$$ dty.;

;ell,; I said, c"%yi!& he# lilti!& t"!e $#"m ea#lie#, /for now, at least.;Tasha l""ed %44led. I d"!'t thi! it "cc##ed t" he# I'd (e mai!& $! "$ he#. Dimit#i's da#

l"" t"ld me he !ew e-actly what I was d"i!&. I immediately #eali4ed I'd 0st illed whateve#

%#"&#ess I'd made as a! adlt.

;e'#e $i!ished he#e, R"se. Remem(e# what I said.;

;Yeah,; I said, t#!i!& away. I sdde!ly wa!ted t" &" t" my #""m a!d ve& $"# a while. This

day was mai!& me ti#ed al#eady. ;De$i!itely.;

I had!'t &"tte! $a# whe! I #a! i!t" Mas"!. G""d G"d. Me! eve#ywhe#e.

;Y"'#e mad,; he said as s""! as he l""ed at my $ace. He had a !ac $"# disc"ve#i!& my

m""ds. ;hat ha%%e!ed7;

;S"me 1 ath"#ity %#"(lems. It's (ee! a wei#d m"#!i!&.;

I si&hed, !a(le t" &et Dimit#i "$$ the (#ai!. 9""i!& at Mas"!, I #emem(e#ed h"w I'd (ee!c"!vi!ced I wa!ted t" &et se#i"s with him last !i&ht. I was a head case. I c"ld!'t mae % my

mi!d a("t a!y"!e. Decidi!& the (est way t" (a!ish "!e &y was t" %ay atte!ti"! t" a!"the#, I

&#a((ed Mas"!'s ha!d a!d stee#ed him away.

;@"me "!. as!'t the deal t" &" s"mewhe#e1m, %#ivate t"day7;

;I $i&#ed y" we#e!'t d#! a!ym"#e,; he 0"ed. Bt his eyes l""ed ve#y, ve#y se#i"s.

3!d i!te#ested. ;I assmed it was all "$$.;

;Hey, I sta!d (y my claims, !" matte# what.; O%e!i!& my mi!d, I sea#ched $"# 9issa. She

was !" l"!&e# i! "# #""m. She'd &"!e "$$ t" s"me "the# #"yal eve!t, !" d"(t still %#actici!& $"#

8#iscilla 2"da's (i& di!!e#. ;@"me "!,; I t"ld Mas"!. ;e'll &" t" my #""m.;

3side $#"m whe! Dimit#i i!c"!ve!ie!tly ha%%e!ed t" (e %assi!& (y s"me"!e's #""m,

!"("dy was #eally e!$"#ci!& the mi-ed/&e!de# #le. It was %#actically lie (ei!& (ac i! my

3cademy d"#ms. 3s Mas"! a!d I we!t %stai#s, I #elated t" him what Dimit#i had t"ld me a("t the

St#i&"i i! S%"a!e. Dimit#i had t"ld me t" ee% it t" mysel$, (t I was mad at him a&ai!, a!d I

did!'t see a!y ha#m i! telli!& Mas"!. I !ew he'd (e i!te#ested i! this.

I was #i&ht. Mas"! &"t #eally w"#ed %.

;hat7; he e-claimed as we waled i!t" my #""m. ;They'#e !"t doin" a!ythi!&7;

I sh#&&ed a!d sat "! my (ed. ;Dimit#i said);

;I !"w, I !"w 1 I hea#d y". 3("t (ei!& ca#e$l a!d all that.; Mas"! %aced a#"!d my

#""m a!&#ily. ;Bt i$ th"se St#i&"i &" a$te# a!"the# M"#"i1a!"the# $amily1dam! it? They'#e &"i!&

t" wish they we#e!'t s" ca#e$l the!.;

;:"#&et a("t it,; I said. I $elt i!d "$ mi$$ed that me "! a (ed was!'t e!"&h t" dete# him$#"m c#a4y (attle %la!s. ;The#e's !"thi!& we ca! d".;

He st"%%ed wali!&. /8e c"ld &".;

;G" whe#e7; I ased st%idly.

;T" S%"a!e. The#e a#e (ses y" ca! catch i! t"w!.;

;I 1 wait. Y" wa!t s t" &" t" S%"a!e a!d tae "! St#i&"i7;

;S#e. Eddie'd d" it t"" 1 we c"ld &" t" that mall. They w"ld!'t (e "#&a!i4ed "#

a!ythi!&, s" we c"ld wait a!d %ic them "$$ "!e (y "!e 1;

I c"ld "!ly sta#e. ;he! did y" &et s" dm(7;

;Oh, I see. Tha!s $"# the v"te "$ c"!$ide!ce.;

;It's !"t a("t c"!$ide!ce,; I a#&ed, sta!di!& % a!d a%%#"achi!& him. ;Y" ic ma0"# ass.

I've see! it. Bt this 1 this is!'t the way. e ca!'t &" &et Eddie a!d tae "! St#i&"i. e !eed m"#e %e"%le. M"#e %la!!i!&. M"#e i!$"#mati"!.;

I #ested my ha!ds "! his chest. He %laced his "ve# them a!d smiled. The $i#e "$ (attle was



still i! his eyes, (t I c"ld tell his mi!d was shi$ti!& t" m"#e immediate c"!ce#!s. 9ie me.

;I did!'t mea! t" call y" dm(,; I t"ld him. ;I'm s"##y.;

;Y"'#e 0st sayi!& that !"w (ecase y" wa!t t" have y"# way with me.;

;O$ c"#se I am,; I la&hed, ha%%y t" see him #ela-. The !at#e "$ this c"!ve#sati"!

#emi!ded me a little "$ the "!e @h#istia! a!d 9issa had had i! the cha%el.

;ell,; he said, ;I d"!'t thi! I'm &"i!& t" (e t"" ha#d t" tae adva!ta&e "$.;

;G""d. Becase the#e a#e lots "$ thi!&s I wa!t t" d".;I slid my ha!ds % a!d a#"!d his !ec. His si! was wa#m (e!eath my $i!&e#s, a!d I

#emem(e#ed h"w mch I'd e!0"yed issi!& him last !i&ht.

Sdde!ly, "t "$ !"whe#e, he said, ;Y" #eally a#e his stde!t.;

;h"se7;

;Beli"v's. I was 0st thi!i!& a("t whe! y" me!ti"!ed !eedi!& m"#e i!$"#mati"! a!d

st$$. Y" act 0st lie him. Y"'ve &"tte! all se#i"s si!ce y"'ve (ee! ha!&i!& "t with him.;

;N", I have!'t.;

Mas"! had %lled me cl"se#, (t !"w I sdde!ly did!'t $eel s" #"ma!tic. I'd wa!ted t" mae

"t a!d for"et Dimit#i $"# a while, !"t have a c"!ve#sati"! a("t him. he#e had this c"me $#"m7

Mas"! was s%%"sed t" (e dist#acti!& me.

He did!'t !"tice a!ythi!& was w#"!&. ;Y"'ve 0st cha!&ed, that's all. It's !"t (ad 1 0stdi$$e#e!t.;

S"methi!& a("t that made me a!&#y, (t (e$"#e I c"ld s!a% (ac, his m"th met mi!e i! a

iss. Reas"!a(le discssi"!s s"#t "$ va!ished. 3 (it "$ that da# tem%e# sta#ted t" #ise i! me, (t I

sim%ly cha!!eled that i!te!sity i!t" %hysicality as Mas"! a!d I $ell "! t"% "$ each "the#. I ya!ed

him d"w! "! the (ed, ma!a&i!& t" d" s" with"t st"%%i!& the issi!&. I was !"thi!& i$ !"t a

mltitase#. I d& my !ails i!t" his (ac while his ha!ds slid % the (ac "$ my !ec a!d #eleased

the %"!ytail I'd 0st made mi!tes a&". R!!i!& his $i!&e#s th#"&h the !("!d hai#, he shi$ted his

m"th d"w! a!d issed my !ec.

;Y" a#e 1 ama4i!&,; he t"ld me. 3!d I c"ld tell that he mea!t it. His wh"le $ace &l"wed

with a$$ecti"! $"# me.

I a#ched %wa#d, letti!& his li%s %#ess ha#de# a&ai!st my si! while his ha!ds sli%%ed !de#

the ("tt"m "$ my shi#t. They t#ailed %wa#d al"!& my st"mach, 0st (a#ely t#aci!& the ed&e "$ my

(#a.

@"!side#i!& we'd 0st (ee! havi!& a! a#&me!t a mi!te a&", I was s#%#ised t" see thi!&s

escalati!& s" 6icly. H"!estly, th"&h 1 I did!'t mi!d. This was the way I lived my li$e.

Eve#ythi!& was always $ast a!d i!te!se with me. The !i&ht Dimit#i a!d I had $alle! victim t" 2ict"#

Dash"v's lst cha#m, the#e'd (ee! s"me %#etty $#i"s %assi"! &"i!& "! t"". Dimit#i had c"!t#"lled

it, th"&h, s" s"metimes we'd tae! thi!&s sl"wly1a!d that had (ee! w"!de#$l i! its "w! way.

Bt m"st "$ the time, we had!'t (ee! a(le t" h"ld "#selves (ac. I c"ld $eel it all "ve# a&ai!. The

ways his ha!ds had #! "ve# my ("dy. The dee%, %"we#$l isses.

It was the! that I #eali4ed s"methi!&.I was issi!& Mas"!, (t i! my head, I was with Dimit#i. 3!d it was!'t lie I was sim%ly

#emem(e#i!& eithe#. I was actally ima&i!i!& I was with Dimit#i)#i&ht now6 #elivi!& that !i&ht all

"ve# a&ai!. ith my eyes cl"sed, it was easy t" %#ete!d.

Bt whe! I "%e!ed them a!d saw Mas"!'s eyes, I !ew he was with me. He ad"#ed me a!d

had wa!ted me $"# a l"!& time. :"# me t" d" this 1 t" (e with him a!d %#ete!d I was with s"me"!e

else 1

It was!'t #i&ht.

I wi&&led "t "$ his #each. ;N" 1 d"!'t.;

Mas"! st"%%ed immediately (ecase that's the i!d "$ &y he was.

;T"" mch7; he ased. I !"dded. ;That's "ay. e d"!'t have t" d" that.;

He #eached $"# me a&ai!, a!d I m"ved $a#the# away. ;N", I 0st d"!'t1 I d"!'t !"w. 9et'scall it 6its, "ay7;

;I1; He was s%eechless $"# a m"me!t. ;hat ha%%e!ed t" the 'l"ts "$ thi!&s' y" wa!ted t"



d"7;

Yeah 1 it l""ed %#etty (ad, (t what c"ld I say7 I can't "et physical with you because

when I do, I 3ust think about the other "uy I actually want. (ou're 3ust a stand)in.

I swall"wed, $eeli!& st%id. ;I'm s"##y, Mase. I 0st ca!'t.;

He sat % a!d #a! a ha!d "ve# his hai#. ;Oay. 3ll #i&ht.;

I c"ld hea# the ha#d!ess i! his v"ice. ;Y"'#e mad.;

He &la!ced "ve# at me, a st"#my e-%#essi"! "! his $ace. ;I'm 0st c"!$sed. I ca!'t #ead y"#si&!als. O!e m"me!t y"'#e h"t, the !e-t y"'#e c"ld. Y" tell me y" wa!t me, y" tell me y"

d"!'t. I$ y" %iced "!e, that'd (e $i!e, (t y" ee% mai!& me thi! "!e thi!& a!d the! y" e!d

% &"i!& i! a c"m%letely di$$e#e!t di#ecti"!. N"t 0st !"w)all the time.;

It was t#e. I had &"!e (ac a!d $"#th with him. S"metimes I was $li#ty, "the# times I

c"m%letely i&!"#ed him.

;Is the#e s"methi!& y" wa!t me t" d"7; he ased whe! I did!'t say a!ythi!&. ;S"methi!&

that'll1 I d"!'t !"w. Mae y" $eel (ette# a("t me7;

;I d"!'t !"w,; I said wealy.

He si&hed. ;The! what d" y" wa!t i! &e!e#al7;

%imitri, I th"&ht. I!stead, I #e%eated mysel$. ;I d"!'t !"w.;

ith a &#"a!, he st""d % a!d headed $"# the d""#. ;R"se, $"# s"me"!e wh" claims shewa!ts t" &athe# as mch i!$"#mati"! as %"ssi(le, y" #eally have a l"t t" lea#! a("t y"#sel$.;

The d""# slammed (ehi!d him. The !"ise made me $li!ch, a!d as I sta#ed at whe#e Mas"!

had 0st st""d, I #eali4ed he was #i&ht. I did have a l"t t" lea#!.



@H38TER AK

9ISS3 :OUND ME 93TER IN the day. I'd $alle! aslee% a$te# Mas"! le$t, t"" de0ected t"

leave the (ed. He# slammi!& "$ the d""# 0"lted me awae.

I was ha%%y t" see he#. I !eeded t" s%ill a("t the $m(led thi!& with Mas"!, (t (e$"#e I

c"ld, I #ead he# $eeli!&s. They we#e as t#"(led as mi!e. S", as always, I %t he# $i#st.

;hat ha%%e!ed7;She sat "! he# (ed, si!i!& i!t" the $eathe# dvet, he# $eeli!&s ("th $#i"s a!d sad.

;@h#istia!.;

;Really7; I'd !eve# !"w! them t" $i&ht. They teased each "the# a l"t, (t it was ha#dly the

i!d "$ thi!& that c"ld !ea#ly (#i!& he# t" tea#s.

;He $"!d "t1 I was with 3d#ia! this m"#!i!&.;

;Oh, w"w,; I said. ;Yeah. That mi&ht (e a %#"(lem.; Sta!di!& %, I waled "ve# t" the

d#esse# a!d $"!d my (#sh. i!ci!&, I st""d i! $#"!t "$ the &ilt/$#amed mi##"# a!d (e&a! (#shi!&

"t the s!a#ls ac6i#ed d#i!& my !a%.

She &#"a!ed. ;Bt !"thi!& ha%%e!ed? @h#istia!'s $#eai!& "t "ve# !"thi!&. I ca!'t (elieve

he d"es!'t t#st me.;

;He t#sts y". The wh"le thi!&'s 0st wei#d, that's all.; I th"&ht a("t Dimit#i a!d Tasha.;=eal"sy maes %e"%le d" a!d say st%id thi!&s.;

;Bt !"thi!& ha%%e!ed,; she #e%eated. ;I mea!, y" we#e the#e a!d)hey, I !eve# $"!d "t.

hat were y" d"i!& the#e7;

;3d#ia! se!t me a (!ch "$ %e#$me.;

;He)y" mea! that &ia!t ("- y" we#e ca##yi!&7;

I !"dded.

;h"a.;

;Yeah. I came t" #et#! it,; I said. ;The 6esti"! is, what we#e y" d"i!& the#e7;

;=st tali!&,; she said. She sta#ted t" li&ht %, "! the ve#&e "$ telli!& me s"methi!&, (t

the! she %ased. I $elt the th"&ht alm"st #each the $#"!t "$ he# mi!d a!d the! &et sh"ved (ac.

;I've &"t a l"t t" tell y", (t $i#st tell me what's % with y".;

;N"thi!&'s % with me.;

;hateve#, R"se. I'm !"t %sychic lie y", (t I !"w whe! y"'#e %issed "$$ a("t

s"methi!&. Y"'ve (ee! i!d "$ d"w! si!ce @h#istmas. hat's %7;

N"w was!'t the time t" &et i!t" what had ha%%e!ed "! @h#istmas whe! my m"m t"ld me

a("t Tasha a!d Dimit#i. Bt I did tell 9issa the st"#y a("t Mas"!)editi!& "t why I had st"%%ed

)a!d sim%ly d#ivi!& h"me h"w I had.

;ell1; she said whe! I $i!ished. ;That was y"# #i&ht.;

;I !"w. Bt I i!d "$ led him "!. I ca! see why he'd (e %set.;

;Y" &ys ca! %#"(a(ly $i- it, th"&h. G" tal t" him. He's c#a4y a("t y".;

It was m"#e tha! misc"mm!icati"!. Thi!&s with Mas"! a!d me c"ld!'t (e %atched % s"easily. ;I d"!'t !"w,; I t"ld he#. ;N"t eve#y"!e's lie y" a!d @h#istia!.;

He# $ace da#e!ed. ;@h#istia!. I still ca!'t (elieve he's (ei!& s" st%id a("t this.;

I did!'t mea! t", (t I la&hed. ;9iss, y" &ys'll iss a!d mae % i! lie a day. M"#e tha!

iss, %#"(a(ly.;

It sli%%ed "t (e$"#e I c"ld st"% it. He# eyes wide!ed. ;Y" !"w.; She sh"" he# head i!

e-as%e#ati"!. ;O$ course y" !"w.;

;S"##y,; I said. I had!'t mea!t t" let he# !"w I !ew a("t the se- thi!&, !"t !til she t"ld

me he#sel$.

She eyed me. ;H"w mch d" y" !"w7;

;Um, !"t mch,; I lied. I'd $i!ished (#shi!& my hai# (t (e&a! %layi!& with the (#sh's

ha!dle i! "#de# t" av"id he# eyes.;I have "ot t" lea#! t" ee% y" "t "$ my mi!d,; she mtte#ed.

;O!ly way I ca! 'tal' t" y" lately.; 3!"the# sli%%.



;hat's that s%%"sed t" mea!7; she dema!ded.

;N"thi!& 1 I1; She was &ivi!& me a sha#% l"". ;I1 I d"!'t !"w. I 0st $eel lie we d"!'t

tal as mch a!ym"#e.;

;Taes tw" t" $i- that,; she said, v"ice i!d a&ai!.

;Y"'#e #i&ht,; I said, !"t %"i!ti!& "t that tw" c"ld $i- that "!ly i$ "!e was!'t always with

he# ("y$#ie!d. T#e, I was &ilty i! my "w! way "$ l"ci!& thi!&s %)(t I had wa!ted t" tal t"

he# a !m(e# "$ times lately. The timi!& 0st !eve# seemed t" (e #i&ht)!"t eve! !"w. ;Y" !"w, I!eve# th"&ht y"'d (e $i#st. O# I &ess I !eve# th"&ht I'd (e a se!i"# a!d still (e a vi#&i!.;

;Yeah,; she said d#yly. ;Me eithe#.;

;Hey? hat's that s%%"sed t" mea!7;

She &#i!!ed, the! ca&ht si&ht "$ he# watch. He# smile $ell. ;U&h. I've &"t t" &" t" 8#iscilla's

(a!6et. @h#istia! was s%%"sed t" &" with me, (t he's "$$ (ei!& a! idi"t1.; He# eyes $"csed

h"%e$lly "! me.

;hat7 N". 8lease, 9iss. Y" !"w h"w I hate th"se $"#mal #"yal thi!&s.;

;Oh, c"me "!,; she (e&&ed. ;@h#istia! $laed "t. Y" ca!'t th#"w me t" the w"lves. 3!d

did!'t y" 0st say we !eeded t" tal m"#e7; I &#"a!ed. ;Besides, whe! y"'#e my &a#dia!, y"'ll

have t" d" these thi!&s all the time.;

;I !"w,; I said da#ly. ;I th"&ht I c"ld may(e e!0"y my last si- m"!ths "$ $#eed"m.;Bt i! the e!d, she c"!!ed me i!t" &"i!& with he#, as we'd ("th !"w! she w"ld.

e did!'t have mch time, a!d I had t" d" a #sh sh"we#, (l"w/d#y, a!d mae% 0"(. I'd

(#"&ht Tasha's d#ess "! a whim, a!d while I still wa!ted he# t" s$$e# h"##i(ly $"# (ei!& att#acted t"

Dimit#i, I was &#ate$l $"# he# %#ese!t !"w. I %lled "! the sile! mate#ial, ha%%y t" see the shade "$

#ed was 0st as ille# "! me as I'd ima&i!ed. It was a l"!&, 3sia!/style d#ess with $l"we#s

em(#"ide#ed i!t" the sil. The hi&h !ec a!d l"!& hem c"ve#ed a l"t "$ si!, (t the mate#ial cl!&

t" me a!d l""ed se-y i! a di$$e#e!t i!d "$ way tha! sh"wi!& a l"t "$ si! did. My (lac eye was

%#actically !"!e-iste!t (y !"w.

9issa, as always, l""ed ama4i!&. She w"#e a dee% %#%le d#ess (y ="h!!a Rasi, a well/

!"w! M"#"i desi&!e#. It was sleeveless a!d made "$ sati!. The ti!y amethyst/lie c#ystals set i!t"

the st#a%s s%a#led a&ai!st he# %ale si!. She w"#e he# hai# % i! a l""se, a#t$lly styled (!.

he! we #eached the (a!6et #""m, we d#ew a $ew eyes. I d"!'t thi! the #"yals had

e-%ected the D#a&"mi# %#i!cess t" (#i!& he# dham%i# $#ie!d t" this hi&hly a!tici%ated, i!vitati"!/

"!ly di!!e#. Bt hey, 9issa's i!vite had said ;a!d &est.; She a!d I t"" "# %laces at "!e "$ the

ta(les with s"me #"yals wh"se !ames I %#"m%tly $"#&"t. They we#e ha%%y t" i&!"#e me, a!d I was

ha%%y t" (e i&!"#ed.

Besides, it was!'t lie the#e we#e!'t %le!ty "$ "the# dist#acti"!s. This #""m was d"!e all i!

silve# a!d (le. Mid!i&ht (le sil cl"ths c"ve#ed the ta(les, s" shi!y a!d sm""th that I was

te##i$ied t" eat "! them. Sc"!ces "$ (eeswa- ca!dles h!& all "ve# the walls, a!d a $i#e%lace

dec"#ated with stai!ed &lass c#acled away i! "!e c"#!e#. The e$$ect was a s%ectacla# %a!"#ama "$

c"l"# a!d li&ht, di44yi!& t" the eye. I! the c"#!e#, a slim M"#"i w"ma! %layed s"$t cell" msic, he#$ace d#eamy as she $"csed "! the s"!&. The cli!i!& "$ c#ystal wi!e&lasses c"m%leme!ted the

st#i!&s' l"w, sweet !"tes.

Di!!e# was e6ally ama4i!&. The $""d was ela("#ate, (t I #ec"&!i4ed eve#ythi!& "! my

%late +chi!a, "$ c"#se a!d lied all "$ it. N" $"ie &#as he#e. Salm"! i! a sace "$ shiitae

msh#""ms. 3 salad with %ea#s a!d &"at cheese. Delicate alm"!d/st$$ed %ast#ies $"# desse#t. My

"!ly c"m%lai!t was that the %"#ti"!s we#e small. The $""d seemed m"#e lie it was the#e t" sim%ly

dec"#ate the %lates, a!d I swea#, I $i!ished it i! te! (ites. M"#"i mi&ht still !eed $""d al"!& with

thei# (l""d, (t they did!'t !eed as mch as a hma!)"#, say, a &#"wi!& dham%i# &i#l)!eeded.

Still, the $""d al"!e c"ld have 0sti$ied me c"mi!& al"!& "! this ve!t#e, I decided. E-ce%t,

whe! the meal e!ded, 9issa t"ld me we c"ld!'t leave.

;e have t" mi!&le,; she whis%e#ed.Mi!&le7

9issa la&hed at my disc"m$"#t. ;Y"'#e the s"cial "!e.;



It was t#e. I! m"st ci#cmsta!ces, I was the "!e wh" %t mysel$ "t the#e a!d was!'t a$#aid

t" tal t" %e"%le. 9issa te!ded t" (e shye#. O!ly, with this &#"%, the ta(les we#e t#!ed. This was

he# eleme!t, !"t mi!e, a!d it ama4ed me t" see 0st h"w well she c"ld i!te#act with #"yal hi&h

s"ciety !"w. She was %e#$ect, %"lished a!d %"lite. Eve#y"!e was ea&e# t" tal t" he#, a!d she always

seemed t" !"w the #i&ht thi!& t" say. She was!'t si!& c"m%lsi"!, e-actly, (t she de$i!itely %t

"t a! ai# that d#ew "the#s t" he#. I thi! it mi&ht have (ee! a! !c"!sci"s e$$ect "$ s%i#it. Eve!

with the meds, he# ma&ical a!d !at#al cha#isma came th#"&h. he#eas i!te!se s"cial i!te#acti"!shad "!ce (ee! $"#ced a!d st#ess$l $"# he#, she !"w c"!dcted them with ease. I was %#"d "$ he#.

M"st "$ the c"!ve#sati"! stayed %#etty li&ht* $ashi"!, #"yal l"ve lives, etc. N" "!e seemed t" wa!t

t" s%"il the atm"s%he#e with &ly St#i&"i tal.

S" I cl!& t" he# side $"# the #est "$ the !i&ht. I t#ied t" tell mysel$ it was 0st %#actice $"# the

$t#e, whe! I'd $"ll"w he# a#"!d lie a 6iet shad"w a!yway. The t#th was, I 0st $elt t""

!c"m$"#ta(le with this &#"% a!d !ew my sal s!a#y de$e!se mecha!isms #eally we#e!'t se$l

he#e. 8ls, I was %ai!$lly awa#e that I was the "!ly dham%i# di!!e# &est. The#e we#e "the#

dham%i#s, yes, (t they we#e i! $"#mal &a#dia! m"de, h"ve#i!& "! the %e#i%he#y "$ the #""m.

3s 9issa w"#ed the c#"wd, we d#i$ted "ve# t" a small &#"% "$ M"#"i wh"se v"ices we#e

&#"wi!& l"de#. O!e "$ them I #ec"&!i4ed. He was the &y $#"m the $i&ht that I'd hel%ed (#ea %,

"!ly this time he w"#e a st#ii!& (lac t-ed" i!stead "$ a swimsit. He &la!ced % at "# a%%#"ach, (lata!tly checed s "t, (t a%%a#e!tly did!'t #emem(e# me. I&!"#i!& s, he c"!ti!ed "! with his

a#&me!t. N"t s#%#isi!&ly, M"#"i %#"tecti"! was the t"%ic. He was the "!e wh"'d (ee! i! $av"# "$

M"#"i &"i!& "! the "$$e!sive a&ai!st the St#i&"i.

;hat %a#t "$ 'sicide' d"!'t y" !de#sta!d7; ased "!e "$ the me! sta!di!& !ea#(y. He had

silve#y hai# a!d a (shy mstache. He w"#e a t- t"", (t the y"!&e# &y l""ed (ette# i! "!e.

;M"#"i t#ai!i!& as s"ldie#s will (e the e!d "$ "# #ace.;

;It's !"t sicide,; e-claimed the y"!& &y. ;It's the #i&ht thi!& t" d". e have t" sta#t

l""i!& "t $"# "#selves. 9ea#!i!& t" $i&ht a!d se "# ma&ic is "# &#eatest asset, "the# tha! the

&a#dia!s.;

;Yes, (t with the &a#dia!s, we d"!'t !eed "the# assets,; said Silve# Hai#. ;Y"'ve (ee!

liste!i!& t" !"!/#"yals. They d"!'t have a!y &a#dia!s "$ thei# "w!, s" "$ c"#se they'#e sca#ed. Bt

that's !" #eas"! t" d#a& us d"w! a!d %t our lives at #is.;

;The! d"!'t,; said 9issa sdde!ly. He# v"ice was s"$t, (t eve#y"!e i! the little &#"%

st"%%ed a!d l""ed at he#. ;he! y" tal a("t M"#"i lea#!i!& h"w t" $i&ht, y" mae it s"!d

lie a! all/"#/!"thi!& matte#. It's !"t. I$ y" d"!'t wa!t t" $i&ht, the! y" sh"ld!'t have t". I

c"m%letely !de#sta!d.; The ma! l""ed sli&htly m"lli$ied. ;Bt, that's (ecase y" can #ely "!

y"# &a#dia!s. 3 l"t "$ M"#"i ca!'t. 3!d i$ they wa!t t" lea#! sel$/de$e!se, the#e's !" #eas"! why

they sh"ld!'t d" it "! thei# "w!.;

The y"!&e# &y &#i!!ed t#im%ha!tly at his adve#sa#y. ;The#e, y" see7;

;It's !"t that easy,; c"!te#ed Silve# Hai#. ;I$ it was 0st a matte# "$ y" c#a4y %e"%le

wa!ti!& t" &et y"#selves illed, the! $i!e. G" d" it. Bt whe#e a#e y" &"i!& t" lea#! all these s"/called $i&hti!& sills7;

;e'll $i&#e the ma&ic "t "! "# "w!. Ga#dia!s will teach s actal %hysical $i&hti!&.;

;Yes, see7 I !ew that was whe#e this was &"i!&. Eve! i$ the #est "$ s d"!'t tae %a#t i!

y"# sicide missi"!, y" still wa!t t" st#i% s "$ "# &a#dia!s t" t#ai! % y"# %#ete!d a#my.;

The y"!& &y sc"wled at the w"#d pretend, a!d I w"!de#ed i$ m"#e $ists w"ld $ly. ;Y"

"we it t" s.;

;N", they d"!'t,; said 9issa.

I!t#i&ed &a4es t#!ed he# way a&ai!. This time, it was Silve# Hai# wh" #e&a#ded he#

t#im%ha!tly. The y"!&e# &y's $eat#es $lshed with a!&e#.

;Ga#dia!s a#e the (est (attle #es"#ces we have.;

;They a#e,; she a&#eed, ;(t that d"es!'t &ive y" the #i&ht t" tae them away $#"m thei#dty.; Silve# Hai# %#actically &l"wed.

;The! h"w a#e we s%%"sed t" lea#!7; dema!ded the "the# &y.



;I d"!'t d#i!.;

;Ri&ht.; 3d#ia! ha!ded me a &lass a!yway, the! sh""ed the waite# away a!d t"" a d#i! "$

the cham%a&!e. I had a $eeli!& it was!'t his $i#st "$ the !i&ht. ;S". S"!ds lie "# 2asilisa %t my

dad i! his %lace.;

;Y"# 1; I &la!ced (ac at the &#"% I'd 0st le$t. Silve# Hai# still st""d the#e, &esticlati!&

wildly. ;That &y's y"# dad7;

;That's what my m"m says.;;Y" a&#ee with him7 3("t h"w M"#"i $i&hti!& w"ld (e sicide7;

3d#ia! sh#&&ed a!d t"" a!"the# si%. ;I d"!'t #eally have a! "%i!i"! "! that.;

;That's !"t %"ssi(le. H"w ca! y" !"t $eel "!e way "# a!"the#7;

;D!!". =st !"t s"methi!& I thi! a("t. I've &"t (ette# thi!&s t" d".;

;9ie stal me,; I s&&ested. ;3!d 9issa.; I still wa!ted t" !"w why she'd (ee! i! his

#""m.

He smiled a&ai!. ;I t"ld y", y"'#e the "!e $"ll"wi!& me.;

;Yeah, yeah, I !"w. :ive times); I st"%%ed. ;:ive times7;

He !"dded.

;N", it's "!ly (ee! $"#.; ith my $#ee ha!d, I ticed them "$$. ;The#e was that $i#st !i&ht,

the !i&ht at the s%a, the! whe! I came t" y"# #""m, a!d !"w t"!i&ht.;The smile t#!ed sec#etive. ;I$ y" say s".;

;I do say s"1; 3&ai!, my w"#ds t#ailed "$$. I had taled t" 3d#ia! "!e "the# time. S"#t "$.

;Y" ca!'t mea! 1;

;Mea! what7; 3 c#i"s, ea&e# e-%#essi"! lit his eyes. It was m"#e h"%e$l tha!

%#esm%t"s.

I swall"wed, #ecalli!& the d#eam. ;N"thi!&.; ith"t thi!i!& a("t it, I t"" a d#i! "$

cham%a&!e. 3c#"ss the #""m, 9issa's $eeli!&s (#!ed (ac t" me, calm a!d c"!te!t. G""d.

;hy a#e y" smili!&7; 3d#ia! ased.

;Becase 9issa's still "ve# the#e, w"#i!& that c#"wd.;

;N" s#%#ise the#e. She's "!e "$ th"se %e"%le wh" ca! cha#m a!y"!e she wa!ts i$ she t#ies

ha#d e!"&h. Eve! %e"%le wh" hate he#.;

I &ave him a w#y l"". ;I $eel that way whe! I tal t" y".;

;Bt y" d"!'t hate me,; he said, $i!ishi!& the last "$ his cham%a&!e. ;N"t #eally.;

;I d"!'t lie y" eithe#.;

;S" y" ee% sayi!&.; He t"" a ste% t"wa#d me, !"t th#eate!i!&, 0st mai!& the s%ace

(etwee! s m"#e i!timate. ;Bt I ca! live with that.;

;R"se?;

The sha#%!ess "$ my m"the#'s v"ice ct th#"&h the ai#. 3 $ew %e"%le withi! ea#sh"t &la!ced

"ve# at s. My m"the#)all $ive a!&#y $eet "$ he#)st"#med % t" s.



@H38TER AL

H3T DO YOU THIN< YOU'RE d"i!&7; she dema!ded. He# v"ice was still t"" l"d as

$a# as I was c"!ce#!ed.

;N"thi!&, I);

;E-cse s, 9"#d Ivash"v,; she &#"wled. The!, lie I was $ive yea#s "ld, she &#a((ed me (y

my a#m a!d 0e#ed me "t "$ the #""m. @ham%a&!e sl"shed "t "$ my &lass a!d s%lashed "!t" thesi#t "$ my d#ess.

;hat d" y" thi! you're d"i!&7; I e-claimed, "!ce we we#e "t i! the hall. M"#!$lly, I

l""ed d"w! at my d#ess. ;This is silk. Y" c"ld have #i!ed it.;

She &#a((ed the cham%a&!e $lte a!d set it d"w! "! a !ea#(y ta(le. ;G""d. May(e it'll st"%

y" $#"m d#essi!& % lie a chea% wh"#e.;

;h"a,; I said, sh"ced. ;That's i!d "$ ha#sh. 3!d whe#e d" y" &et "$$ t#!i!& m"the#ly

all "$ a sdde!7; I &est#ed t" the d#ess. ;This is!'t e-actly chea%. Y" th"&ht it was !ice "$ Tasha

t" &ive it t" me.;

;That's (ecase I did!'t e-%ect y" t" wea# it "t with M"#"i a!d mae a s%ectacle "$

y"#sel$.;

;I'm !"t mai!& a s%ectacle "$ mysel$. 3!d a!yway, it c"ve#s eve#ythi!& %.;;3 d#ess that ti&ht mi&ht as well (e sh"wi!& eve#ythi!&,; she #et"#ted. She, "$ c"#se, was

d#essed i! &a#dia! (lac* tail"#ed (lac li!e! %a!ts a!d a matchi!& (la4e#. She had a $ew c#ves "$

he# "w!, (t the cl"thi!& hid them.

;Es%ecially whe! y"'#e with a &#"% lie that. Y"# ("dy's1c"!s%ic"s. 3!d $li#ti!& with

M"#"i d"es!'t #eally hel%.;

;I was!'t $li#ti!& with him.;

The accsati"! made me a!&#y (ecase I $elt I'd (ee! "! #eally &""d (ehavi"# lately. I sed

t" $li#t all the time) a!d d" "the# thi!&s)with M"#"i &ys, (t a$te# a $ew tals a!d "!e

em(a##assi!& i!cide!t with Dimit#i, I'd #eali4ed h"w st%id that was. Dham%i# &i#ls did have t" (e

ca#e$l with M"#"i &ys, a!d I e%t that i! mi!d all the time !"w.

S"methi!& %etty "cc##ed t" me. ;Besides,; I said m"ci!&ly, ;is!'t that what I'm s%%"sed

t" d"7 H"" % with a M"#"i a!d $#the# my #ace7 It's what you did.;

She &l"we#ed. ;N"t whe! I was y"# a&e.;

;Y" we#e "!ly a $ew yea#s "lde# tha! me.;

;D"!'t d" a!ythi!& st%id, R"se,; she said. ;Y"'#e t"" y"!& $"# a (a(y. Y" d"!'t have the

li$e e-%e#ie!ce $"# it) y" have!'t eve! lived y"# "w! li$e yet. Y" w"!'t (e a(le t" d" the i!d "$

0"( y" wish y" c"ld.;

I &#"a!ed, m"#ti$ied. ;3#e we #eally eve! discssi!& this7 H"w did we &" $#"m me alle&edly

$li#ti!& t" sdde!ly havi!& a litte#7 I'm !"t havi!& se- with him "# a!y"!e else, a!d eve! i$ I we#e, I

!"w a("t (i#th c"!t#"l. hy a#e y" tali!& t" me lie I'm a child7;

;Becase y" act lie "!e.; It was #ema#a(ly lie what Dimit#i had t"ld me.I &la#ed. ;S" y"'#e &"i!& t" se!d me t" my #""m !"w7;

;N", R"se.; She sdde!ly l""ed ti#ed. ;Y" d"!'t have t" &" t" y"# #""m, (t d"!'t &"

(ac i! the#e, eithe#. H"%e$lly y" did!'t d#aw t"" mch atte!ti"!.;

;Y" mae it s"!d lie I was &ivi!& a la% da!ce i! the#e,; I t"ld he#. ;I 0st had di!!e# with

9issa.;

;Y"'d (e s#%#ised what thi!&s ca! s%a# #m"#s,; she wa#!ed. ;Es%ecially with 3d#ia!

Ivash"v.;

ith that, she t#!ed a!d headed "$$ d"w! the hall. atchi!& he#, I $elt a!&e# a!d

#ese!tme!t (#! th#"&h me. Ove##eact mch7 I had!'t d"!e a!ythi!& w#"!&. I !ew she had he#

wh"le (l""d/wh"#e %a#a!"ia, (t this was e-t#eme, eve! $"# he#. "#st "$ all, she'd d#a&&ed me "t

"$ the#e, a!d seve#al %e"%le had wit!essed it. :"# s"me"!e wh" s%%"sedly did!'t wa!t meatt#acti!& atte!ti"!, she'd i!d "$ messed that "!e %.

3 c"%le "$ M"#"i wh"'d (ee! sta!di!& !ea# 3d#ia! a!d me waled "t "$ the #""m. They



&la!ced i! my di#ecti"! a!d the! whis%e#ed s"methi!& as they %assed.

;Tha!s, M"m,; I mtte#ed t" mysel$.

Hmiliated, I staled "$$ i! the "%%"site di#ecti"!, !"t #eally s#e whe#e I was &"i!&. I

headed "t t"wa#d the (ac "$ the l"d&e, away $#"m all the activity.

The hall eve!tally e!ded, (t a d""# leadi!& t" s"me stai#s sat "! the le$t. The d""# was

!l"ced, s" I $"ll"wed the stai#s %wa#d t" a!"the# d""#. T" my %leas#e, it "%e!ed % "!t" a small

#""$t"% dec that did!'t a%%ea# t" see mch se. 3 (la!et "$ s!"w lay "ve# it all, (t it was ea#lym"#!i!& "t he#e, a!d the s! sh"!e (#i&htly, mai!& eve#ythi!& &litte#.

I (#shed s!"w "$$ "$ a la#&e, ("-/lie "(0ect that l""ed t" (e %a#t "$ the ve!tilati"! system.

Heedless "$ my d#ess, I sat d"w! "! it. #a%%i!& my a#ms a#"!d mysel$, I sta#ed "$$, tai!& i! the

view a!d the s! I #a#ely &"t t" e!0"y.

I was sta#tled whe! the d""# "%e!ed a $ew mi!tes late#. he! I l""ed (ac I was eve!

m"#e sta#tled still t" see Dimit#i eme#&e. My hea#t &ave a small $ltte#, a!d I t#!ed away, !s#e

what t" thi!. His (""ts c#!ched i! the s!"w as he waled "ve# t" whe#e I was sitti!&. 3 m"me!t

late#, he t"" "$$ his l"!& c"at a!d d#a%ed it "ve# my sh"lde#s.

He sat d"w! (eside me. ;Y" mst (e $#ee4i!&.;

I was, (t I did!'t wa!t t" admit it. ;The s!'s "t.;

He ti%%ed his head (ac, l""i!& % at the %e#$ect (le sy. I !ew he missed the s! asmch as I did s"metimes. ;It is. Bt we'#e still "! a m"!tai! i! the middle "$ wi!te#.;

I did!'t a!swe#. e sat the#e i! a c"m$"#ta(le sile!ce $"# a while. Occasi"!ally, a li&ht wi!d

(lew cl"ds "$ s!"w a#"!d. It was !i&ht $"# M"#"i, a!d m"st w"ld (e &"i!& t" (ed s""!, s" the

si #!s we#e 6iet.

;My li$e is a disaste#,; I $i!ally said.

;It's !"t a disaste#,; he said at"matically.

;Did y" $"ll"w me $#"m the %a#ty7;

;Yes.;

;I did!'t eve! !"w y" we#e the#e.; His da# cl"thes i!dicated he mst have (ee! "!

&a#dia! dty at the %a#ty. ;S" y" saw the illst#i"s =a!i!e case a c"mm"ti"! (y d#a&&i!& me

"t.;

;It was!'t a c"mm"ti"!. Ha#dly a!y"!e !"ticed. I saw (ecase I was watchi!& y".;

I #e$sed t" let mysel$ &et e-cited "ve# that. ;That's !"t what she said,; I t"ld him. ;I mi&ht

as well have (ee! w"#i!& a c"#!e# as $a# as she was c"!ce#!ed.;

I #elayed the c"!ve#sati"! $#"m the hallway.

;She's 0st w"##ied a("t y",; Dimit#i said whe! I $i!ished.

;She "ve##eacted.;

;S"metimes m"the#s a#e "ve#%#"tective.;

I sta#ed at him. ;Yeah, (t this is my m"the#. 3!d she did!'t seem that %#"tective, #eally. I

thi! she was m"#e w"##ied I'd em(a##ass he# "# s"methi!&. 3!d all that (ec"mi!&/a/m"the#/t""/

y"!& st$$ was st%id. I'm !"t &"i!& t" d" a!ythi!& lie that.;;May(e she was!'t tali!& a("t y",; he said.

M"#e sile!ce. My 0aw $ell "%e!.

(ou don't have the life e4perience for it6you haven't even lived your own life yet. (ou won't

be able to do the kind of 3ob you wish you could.

My m"m had (ee! twe!ty whe! I was ("#!. G#"wi!& %, that had always seemed #eally "ld

t" me. Bt !"w1that was "!ly a $ew yea#s "$$ $"# me. N"t "ld at all. Did she thi! she'd had me

t"" s""!7 Had she d"!e a sh"ddy 0"( #aisi!& me sim%ly (ecase she did!'t !"w a!y (ette# at the

time7 Did she #e&#et the way thi!&s had t#!ed "t (etwee! s7 3!d was it1 was it maybe %"ssi(le

that she'd had s"me %e#s"!al e-%e#ie!ce "$ he# "w! with M"#"i me! a!d %e"%le s%#eadi!& #m"#s

a("t he#7 I'd had i!he#ited a l"t "$ he# $eat#es. I mea!, I'd eve! !"ticed t"!i&ht what a !ice $i&#e

she had. She had a %#etty $ace, t"")$"# a !ea#ly $"#ty/yea#/"ld, I mea!. She'd %#"(a(ly (ee! #eally,#eally &""d/l""i!& whe! she was y"!&e#1.

I si&hed. I did!'t wa!t t" thi! a("t that. I$ I did, I mi&ht have t" #eevalate my #elati"!shi%



with he#)may(e eve! ac!"wled&e my m"the# as a #eal %e#s"!)a!d I al#eady had t"" ma!y

#elati"!shi%s st#essi!& me. 9issa always w"##ied me, eve! th"&h she seemed t" (e "ay $"# a

cha!&e. My s"/called #"ma!ce with Mas"! was i! sham(les. 3!d the!, "$ c"#se, the#e was

Dimit#i1.

;e a#e!'t $i&hti!& #i&ht !"w.; I (l#ted "t.

He &ave me a sidel"!& l"". ;D" y" wa!t t" $i&ht7;

;N". I hate $i&hti!& with y". 2e#(ally, I mea!. I d"!'t mi!d i! the &ym.;I th"&ht I detected the hi!t "$ a smile. 3lways a hal$/smile $"# me. Ra#ely a $ll "!e. ;I

d"!'t lie $i&hti!& with y" eithe#.;

Sitti!& !e-t t" him the#e, I ma#veled at the wa#m a!d ha%%y em"ti"!s s%#i!&i!& % i!side "$

me. The#e was s"methi!& a("t (ei!& a#"!d him that $elt s" &""d, that m"ved me i! a way Mas"!

c"ld!'t. Y" ca!'t $"#ce l"ve, I #eali4ed. It's the#e "# it is!'t. I$ it's !"t the#e, y"'ve &"t t" (e a(le t"

admit it. I$ it is the#e, y"'ve &"t t" d" whateve# it taes t" %#"tect the "!es y" l"ve.

The !e-t w"#ds that came "t "$ my m"th ast"!ished me, ("th (ecase they we#e

c"m%letely !sel$ish a!d (ecase I actally mea!t them.

;Y" sh"ld tae it.;

He $li!ched. ;hat7;

;Tasha's "$$e#. Y" sh"ld tae he# % "! it. It's a #eally &#eat cha!ce.;I #emem(e#ed my m"m's w"#ds a("t (ei!& #eady $"# child#e!. I was!'t. May(e she had!'t

(ee!. Bt Tasha was. 3!d I !ew Dimit#i was t"". They &"t al"!& #eally well. He c"ld &" (e he#

&a#dia!, have s"me ids with he# 1 it w"ld (e a &""d deal $"# ("th "$ them.

;I !eve# e-%ected t" hea# y" say a!ythi!& lie that,; he t"ld me, v"ice ti&ht. ;Es%ecially

a$te#);

;hat a (itch I've (ee!7 Yeah.; I t&&ed his c"at ti&hte# a&ai!st the c"ld. It smelled lie

him. It was i!t"-icati!&, a!d I c"ld hal$/ima&i!e (ei!& w#a%%ed i! his em(#ace. 3d#ia! mi&ht have

(ee! "!t" s"methi!& a("t the %"we# "$ sce!t. ;ell. 9ie I said, I d"!'t wa!t t" $i&ht a!ym"#e. I

d"!'t wa!t s t" hate each "the#. 3!d1well 1; I s6ee4ed my eyes sht a!d the! "%e!ed them.

;N" matte# h"w I $eel a("t us = I wa!t y" t" (e ha%%y.;

Sile!ce yet a&ai!. I !"ticed the! that my chest h#t.

Dimit#i #eached "t a!d %t his a#m a#"!d me. He %lled me t" him, a!d I #ested my head

"! his chest. ;R"4a,; was all he said.

It was the $i#st time he'd really t"ched me si!ce the !i&ht "$ the lst cha#m. The %#actice

#""m had (ee! s"methi!& di$$e#e!t 1 m"#e a!imal. This was!'t eve! a("t se-. It was 0st a("t

(ei!& cl"se t" s"me"!e y" ca#ed a("t, a("t the em"ti"! that i!d "$ c"!!ecti"! $l""ded y"

with.

Dimit#i mi&ht #! "$$ with Tasha, (t I w"ld still l"ve him. I w"ld %#"(a(ly always l"ve

him.

I ca#ed a("t Mas"!. Bt I w"ld %#"(a(ly !eve# l"ve him.

I si&hed i!t" Dimit#i, 0st wishi!& I c"ld stay lie that $"#eve#. It $elt #i&ht (ei!& with him.3!d)!" matte# h"w mch the th"&ht "$ him a!d Tasha made me ache)d"i!& what was (est $"#

him $elt #i&ht. N"w, I !ew, it was time t" st"% (ei!& a c"wa#d a!d d" s"methi!& else that was #i&ht.

Mas"! had said I !eeded t" lea#! s"methi!& a("t mysel$. I 0st had.

Relcta!tly, I %lled away a!d ha!ded Dimit#i his c"at. I st""d %. He #e&a#ded me

c#i"sly, se!si!& my !ease.

;he#e y" &"i!&7; he ased.

;T" (#ea s"me"!e's hea#t,; I #e%lied.

I admi#ed Dimit#i $"# a hea#t(eat m"#e)the da#, !"wi!& eyes a!d sile! hai#. The! I

headed i!side. I had t" a%"l"&i4e t" Mas"!1a!d tell him the#e'd !eve# (e a!ythi!& (etwee! s.



Mas"!, Eddie, a!d Mia had le$t the #es"#t ea#lie# t"day. N"t "!ly that, they had d"!e it (y

si!& c"m%lsi"!)which was tte#ly $"#(idde!. They had!'t t"ld a!y"!e. They'd le$t th#"&h the

!"#th &ate. I'd see! a ma% "$ the #es"#t. The !"#th &ate &a#ded a d#iveway that c"!!ected t" the

"!ly semi/ma0"# #"ad i! the a#ea, a small hi&hway that led t" a little t"w! a("t twelve miles away.

The t"w! Mas"! had me!ti"!ed that had (ses.

T" S%"a!e.

S%"a!e)whe#e this t#aveli!& %ac "$ St#i&"i a!d thei# hma!s mi&ht (e livi!&.S%"a!e)whe#e Mas"! c"ld $l$ill all his c#a4y d#eams "$ slayi!& St#i&"i.

S%"a!e)which he "!ly !ew a("t (ecase "$ me.

;N", !", !",; I m#m#ed t" mysel$, alm"st #!!i!& t"wa#d my #""m.

The#e, I st#i%%ed "$$ the d#ess a!d cha!&ed i!t" heavy wi!te# cl"thes* (""ts, 0ea!s, a!d a

sweate#. G#a((i!& my c"at a!d &l"ves, I h##ied (ac t"wa#d the d""# a!d the! %ased. I was acti!&

with"t thi!i!&. hat was I actally &"i!& t" d"7 I !eeded t" tell s"me"!e, "(vi"sly1(t that

w"ld &et the t#i" i! a l"t "$ t#"(le. It w"ld als" ti% Dimit#i "$$ that I'd &"!e a!d &"ssi%ed a("t

the S%"a!e St#i&"i i!$"#mati"! he'd t"ld me i! c"!$ide!ce as a si&! "$ #es%ecti!& my mat#ity.

I stdied the time. It w"ld tae a while $"# a!y"!e a#"!d the #es"#t t" !"w we we#e

missi!&. If I c"ld actally &et "t "$ the #es"#t.

3 $ew mi!tes late#, I $"!d mysel$ !"ci!& "! @h#istia!'s d""#. He a!swe#ed, l""i!&slee%y a!d cy!ical as sal.

;I$ y"'ve c"me t" a%"l"&i4e $"# he#,; he t"ld me l"$tily, ;y" ca! 0st &" ahead a!d);

;Oh, sht %,; I s!a%%ed. ;This is!'t a("t y".;

Hastily, I #elayed the details "$ what was &"i!& "!. Eve! @h#istia! did!'t have a witty

#es%"!se $"# that "!e.

;S"1Mas"!, Eddie, a!d Mia we!t t" S%"a!e t" h!t St#i&"i7;

;Yes.;

;H"ly shit. hy did!'t y" &" with them7 Seems lie s"methi!& y"'d d".;

I #esisted the #&e t" smac him. ;Becase I'm !"t i!sa!e? Bt I'm &"i!& t" &" &et them

(e$"#e they d" s"methi!& eve! st%ide#.;

That was whe! @h#istia! ca&ht "!. ;3!d what d" y" !eed $#"m me7;

;I !eed t" &et "$$ the #es"#t's %#"%e#ty. They &"t Mia t" se c"m%lsi"! "! the &a#ds. I !eed

y" t" d" the same thi!&. I !"w y"'ve %#acticed it.;

;I have,; he a&#eed. ;Bt1well1; :"# the $i#st time eve#, he l""ed em(a##assed. ;I'm !"t

ve#y &""d at it. 3!d d"i!& it "! dham%i#s is !ea#ly im%"ssi(le. 9iss is a h!d#ed times (ette# tha!

me. O# %#"(a(ly a!y M"#"i.;

;I !"w. Bt I d"!'t wa!t he# t" &et i! t#"(le.;

He s!"#ted. ;Bt y" d"!'t mi!d i$ I d"7;

I sh#&&ed. ;N"t #eally.;

;Y"'#e a %iece "$ w"#, y" !"w that7;

;Yeah. I d", actally.;S", $ive mi!tes late#, he a!d I $"!d "#selves t#ei!& "t t" the !"#th &ate. The s! was

c"mi!& %, s" m"st eve#y"!e was i!side. This was a &""d thi!&, a!d I h"%ed it'd mae "# esca%e

that mch easie#.

tupid, stupid, I e%t thi!i!&. This was &"i!& t" (l"w % i! "# $aces. hy had Mas"!

d"!e this7 I !ew he'd had this wh"le c#a4y vi&ila!te attitde1a!d he'd ce#tai!ly seemed %set that

the &a#dia!s had!'t d"!e a!ythi!& a("t the #ece!t attac. Bt still. as he #eally that !hi!&ed7

He had t" !"w h"w da!&e#"s this was. as it %"ssi(le1was it %"ssi(le I'd %set him s" mch

with the mai!&/"t disaste# that he'd &"!e "$$ the dee% e!d7 E!"&h t" &" d" this a!d &et Mia a!d

Eddie t" 0"i! him7 N"t that th"se tw" w"ld (e ha#d t" c"!vi!ce. Eddie w"ld $"ll"w Mas"!

a!ywhe#e, a!d Mia was alm"st as &!& h" as Mas"! t" ill eve#y St#i&"i i! the w"#ld.

Yet, "t "$ all the 6esti"!s I had a("t this, "!e thi!& was de$i!itely clea#. I'd t"ld Mas"!a("t the St#i&"i i! S%"a!e. Ha!ds d"w!, this was my $alt, a!d with"t me, !"!e "$ this w"ld

have ha%%e!ed.



;9issa always maes eye c"!tact,; I c"ached @h#istia! as we a%%#"ached the e-it. ;3!d

s%eas i! a #eally, lie, calm v"ice. I d"!'t !"w what else. I mea!, she c"!ce!t#ates a l"t t"", s" t#y

that. :"cs "! $"#ci!& y"# will "! them.;

;I !"w,; he s!a%%ed. ;I've see! he# d" it.;

;:i!e,; I s!a%%ed (ac. ;=st t#yi!& t" hel%.;

S6i!ti!&, I saw that "!ly "!e &a#dia! st""d at the &ate, a t"tal st#"e "$ lc. They we#e i!

(etwee! shi$ts. ith the s! "t, the #is "$ St#i&"i had disa%%ea#ed. The &a#dia!s w"ld stillc"!ti!e i! thei# dties, (t they c"ld #ela- 0st a (it.

The &y "! dty did!'t seem %a#ticla#ly ala#med (y "# a%%ea#a!ce. ;hat a#e y" ids

d"i!& "t he#e7;

@h#istia! swall"wed. I c"ld see the li!es "$ te!si"! "! his $ace.

;Y"'#e &"i!& t" let s "t "$ the &ate,; he said. 3 !"te "$ !e#v"s!ess made his v"ice

t#em(le, (t "the#wise, he did a $ai# a%%#"-imati"! "$ 9issa's s""thi!& t"!es. U!$"#t!ately, it had

!" e$$ect "! the &a#dia!. 3s @h#istia! had %"i!ted "t, si!& c"m%lsi"! "! a &a#dia! was !ea#ly

im%"ssi(le. Mia had &"tte! lcy. The &a#dia! &#i!!ed at s.

;hat7; he ased, clea#ly amsed.

@h#istia! t#ied a&ai!. ;Y"'#e &"i!& t" let s "t.;

The &y's smile $alte#ed 0st a little, a!d I saw him (li! i! s#%#ise. His eyes did!'t &la4e"ve# i! the same way 9issa's victims did, (t @h#istia! had d"!e e!"&h t" (#ie$ly e!th#all him.

U!$"#t!ately, I c"ld tell #i&ht the! a!d the#e that it w"ld!'t (e e!"&h t" mae him let s "t a!d

$"#&et. :"#t!ately, I'd (ee! t#ai!ed t" c"m%el %e"%le with"t the se "$ ma&ic.

Sitti!& !ea# his %"st was a! e!"#m"s Ma&lite, tw" $eet l"!& a!d easily seve! %"!ds. I

&#a((ed the Ma&lite a!d cl"ced him "! the (ac "$ the head. He &#!ted a!d c#m%led t" the

&#"!d. He'd (a#ely see! me c"mi!&, a!d des%ite the h"##i(le!ess "$ what I'd 0st d"!e, I i!d "$

wished "!e "$ my i!st#ct"#s had (ee! the#e t" &#ade me "! sch a! awes"me %e#$"#ma!ce.

;=ess @h#ist,; e-claimed @h#istia!. ;Y" 0st assalted a &a#dia!.;

;Yeah.; S" mch $"# &etti!& the &ys (ac with"t &etti!& a!y"!e i! t#"(le. ;I did!'t !"w

0st h"w mch y" sced at c"m%lsi"!. I'll deal with the $all"t late#. Tha!s $"# y"# hel%. Y"

sh"ld head (ac (e$"#e the !e-t shi$t c"mes "!.;

He sh"" his head a!d &#imaced. ;N", I'm &"i!& with y" "! this.;

;N",; I a#&ed. ;I "!ly !eeded y" t" &et th#"&h the &ate. Y" d"!'t have t" &et i! t#"(le

"ve# this.;

;I'm al#eady i! t#"(le?; He %"i!ted at the &a#dia!. ;He saw my $ace. I'm sc#ewed eithe#

way, s" I mi&ht as well hel% y" save the day. St"% (ei!& a (itch $"# a cha!&e.;

e h##ied "$$, a!d I cast "!e last, &ilty &la!ce at the &a#dia!. I was %#etty s#e I had!'t hit

him ha#d e!"&h t" case #eal dama&e, a!d with the s! c"mi!& "t, he w"ld!'t $#ee4e "#

a!ythi!&.

3$te# a("t $ive mi!tes "$ wali!& d"w! the hi&hway, I !ew we had a %#"(lem. Des%ite

(ei!& c"ve#ed a!d wea#i!& s!&lasses, the s! was tai!& its t"ll "! @h#istia!. It was sl"wi!& sd"w!, a!d it w"ld!'t tae that l"!& $"# s"me"!e t" $i!d the &a#dia! I'd tae! "t a!d c"me a$te#

s.

3 ca#)!"t "!e "$ the 3cademy's)a%%ea#ed (ehi!d s, a!d I made a decisi"!. I did!'t

a%%#"ve "$ hitchhii!& i! the least. Eve! s"me"!e lie me !ew h"w da!&e#"s it was. Bt we

!eeded t" &et t" town fast, a!d I %#ayed @h#istia! a!d I c"ld tae d"w! a!y c#ee%y stale# &y wh"

t#ied t" mess with s.

:"#t!ately, whe! the ca# %lled "ve#, it was 0st a middle/a&ed c"%le wh" l""ed m"#e

c"!ce#!ed tha! a!ythi!& else. ;Y" ids "ay7;

I 0e#ed my thm( (ehi!d me. ;O# ca# slid "$$ the #"ad. @a! y" tae s t" t"w! s" I ca!

call my dad7;

It w"#ed. :i$tee! mi!tes late#, they d#"%%ed s "$$ at a &as stati"!. I actally had t#"(le&etti!& #id "$ them (ecase they wa!ted t" hel% s s" mch. :i!ally, we c"!vi!ced them we'd (e

$i!e, a!d we waled the $ew (l"cs "ve# t" the (s stati"!. 3s I'd ss%ected, this t"w! was!'t mch



"$ a h( $"# #eal t#avel. Th#ee li!es se#viced the t"w!* tw" that we!t t" "the# si #es"#ts a!d "!e that

we!t t" 9"wst"!, Idah". :#"m 9"wst"!, y" c"ld &" "! t" "the# %laces.

I'd hal$/h"%ed that we mi&ht (eat Mas"! a!d the "the#s (e$"#e thei# (s came. The! we

c"ld have haled them (ac with"t a!y t#"(le. U!$"#t!ately, the#e was !" si&! "$ them. The

chee#y w"ma! at the c"!te# !ew e-actly wh" we we#e tali!& a("t, t"". She c"!$i#med that all

th#ee "$ them had ("&ht ticets t" S%"a!e (y way "$ 9"wst"!.

;Dam! it,; I said. The w"ma! #aised he# eye(#"ws at my la!&a&e. I t#!ed t" @h#istia!.;Y" &"t m"!ey $"# the (s7;

@h#istia! a!d I did!'t tal mch al"!& the way, e-ce%t $"# me t" tell him he'd (ee! a! idi"t

a("t 9issa a!d 3d#ia!. By the time we #eached 9"wst"!, I $i!ally had him c"!vi!ced, which was a

mi!"# mi#acle. He sle%t the #est "$ the way t" S%"a!e, (t I c"ld!'t. I 0st e%t thi!i!& "ve# a!d

"ve# that this was my $alt.

It was late a$te#!""! (y the time we #eached S%"a!e. It t"" a $ew %e"%le, (t we $i!ally

$"!d s"me"!e wh" !ew the sh"%%i!& ce!te# Dimit#i had me!ti"!ed. It was a l"!& ways $#"m the

(s stati"!, (t it was wala(le. My le&s we#e sti$$ a$te# alm"st $ive h"#s "$ #idi!& a (s, a!d I

wa!ted the m"veme!t. The s! was a while $#"m setti!&, (t it was l"we# a!d less det#ime!tal t"vam%i#es, s" @h#istia! did!'t mi!d the wal eithe#.

3!d, as "$te! ha%%e!ed whe! I was i! calm setti!&s, I $elt a t& i!t" 9issa's head. I let

mysel$ $all i!t" he# (ecase I wa!ted t" !"w what was ha%%e!i!& (ac at the #es"#t.

;I !"w y" wa!t t" %#"tect them, (t we !eed t" !"w whe#e they a#e.;

9issa sat "! the (ed i! "# #""m while Dimit#i a!d my m"m sta#ed he# d"w!. It was Dimit#i

wh" had s%"e!. Seei!& him th#"&h he# eyes was i!te#esti!&. She had a $"!d #es%ect $"# him, ve#y

di$$e#e!t $#"m the i!te!se #"lle# c"aste# "$ em"ti"!s I always e-%e#ie!ced.

;I t"ld y",; said 9issa, /I d"!'t !"w. I d"!'t !"w what ha%%e!ed.;

:#st#ati"! a!d $ea# $"# s (#!ed th#"&h he#. It sadde!ed me t" see he# s" a!-i"s, (t at

the same time, I was &lad I had!'t &"tte! he# i!v"lved. She c"ld!'t #e%"#t what she did!'t !"w.

;I ca!'t (elieve they w"ld!'t have t"ld y" whe#e they we#e &"i!&,; said my m"the#. He#

w"#ds s"!ded $lat, (t the#e we#e li!es "$ w"##y "! he# $ace. ;Es%ecially with y"#1("!d.;

;It "!ly w"#s "!e way,; said 9issa sadly. ;Y" !"w that.;

Dimit#i !elt d"w! s" he c"ld (e at 9issa's hei&ht a!d l"" he# i! the eye. He %#etty mch

had t" d" that t" l"" a!y"!e i! the eye. ;3#e y" s#e the#e's !"thi!&7 N"thi!& at all y" ca! tell

s7 They'#e !"whe#e i! t"w!. The ma! at the (s stati"! did!'t see them 1 th"&h we'#e %#etty s#e

that's whe#e they mst have &"!e. e !eed s"methi!&, anythin" t" &" "!.;

an at the (s stati"!7 That was a!"the# st#"e "$ lc. The w"ma! wh"'d s"ld s the

ticets mst have &"!e h"me. He# #e%laceme!t w"ld!'t !"w s.

9issa &#itted he# teeth a!d &la#ed. ;D"!'t y" thi! i$ I !ew, I'd tell y"7 Y" d"!'t thi!

I'm w"##ied a("t them t""7 I have no idea whe#e they a#e. N"!e. 3!d why'd they eve! leave1 itd"es!'t mae a!y se!se eithe#. Es%ecially why they'd &" with Mia, "$ all %e"%le.; 3 twi!&e "$ h#t

$lice#ed th#"&h the ("!d, h#t at (ei!& le$t "t "$ whateve# we we#e d"i!&, !" matte# h"w w#"!&.

Dimit#i si&hed a!d lea!ed (ac "! his heels. :#"m the l"" "! his $ace, he "(vi"sly

(elieved he#. It was als" "(vi"s that he was w"##ied)w"##ied i! m"#e tha! a %#"$essi"!al way.

3!d seei!& that c"!ce#!)that c"!ce#! $"# me6 ate % my hea#t.

;R"se7; @h#istia!'s v"ice (#"&ht me (ac t" mysel$. ;e'#e he#e, I thi!.;

The %la4a c"!sisted "$ a wide, "%e! a#ea i! $#"!t "$ a sh"%%i!& ce!te#. 3 ca$F was ca#ved

i!t" a c"#!e# "$ the mai! (ildi!&, its ta(les s%illi!& "t i!t" the "%e! a#ea. 3 c#"wd m"ved i! a!d

"t "$ the c"m%le-, (sy eve! at this time "$ the day.

;S", h"w d" we $i!d them7; ased @h#istia!.

I sh#&&ed. ;May(e i$ we act lie St#i&"i, they'll t#y t" stae s.;3 small, #elcta!t smile %layed "ve# his $ace. He did!'t wa!t t" admit it, (t he'd th"&ht my

0"e was $!!y.



He a!d I we!t i!side. 9ie a!y mall, it was $illed with $amilia# chai!s, a!d a sel$ish %a#t "$

me th"&ht that may(e i$ we $"!d the &#"% s""! e!"&h, we c"ld still &et i! sh"%%i!& time.

@h#istia! a!d I waled the le!&th "$ it twice a!d saw !" si&!s "$ "# $#ie!ds "# a!ythi!&

#esem(li!& t!!els.

;May(e we'#e i! the w#"!& %lace,; I $i!ally said.

;O# may(e they a4e,/ s&&ested @h#istia!. ;They c"ld have &"!e t" s"me "the#)wait.;

He %"i!ted, a!d I $"ll"wed the &est#e. The th#ee #e!e&ades sat at a ta(le i! the middle "$the $""d c"#t, l""i!& de0ected. They l""ed s" mise#a(le, I alm"st $elt s"##y $"# them.

;I'd ill $"# a came#a #i&ht !"w,; said @h#istia!, smi#i!&.

;This is!'t $!!y,; I t"ld him, st#idi!& t"wa#d the &#"%. I!side, I (#eathed a si&h "$ #elie$.

The &#"% clea#ly had!'t $"!d a!y St#i&"i, we#e all still alive, a!d c"ld may(e (e tae! (ac

(e$"#e we &"t i! eve! m"#e t#"(le.

They did!'t !"tice me !til I was alm"st #i&ht !e-t t" them. Eddie's head 0e#ed %. ;R"se7

hat a#e y" d"i!& he#e7;

;3#e y" "t "$ y"# mi!d7; I yelled. 3 $ew %e"%le !ea#(y &ave s s#%#ised l""s. ;D" y"

!"w h"w mch t#"(le y"'#e i!7 H"w mch t#"(le y"'ve &"tte! us i!7;

;H"w the hell did y" $i!d s7; ased Mas"! i! a l"w v"ice, &la!ci!& a!-i"sly a#"!d.

;Y" &ys a#e!'t e-actly c#imi!al maste#mi!ds,; I t"ld them. ;Y"# i!$"#ma!t at the (sstati"! &ave y" away. That, a!d I $i&#ed "t that y"'d wa!t t" &" "$$ "! y"# %"i!tless St#i&"i/

h!ti!& 6est.;

The l"" Mas"! &ave me #evealed he still was!'t e!ti#ely ha%%y with me. It was Mia wh"

#e%lied, h"weve#.

;It is!'t %"i!tless.;

;Oh7; I dema!ded. ;Did y" ill a!y St#i&"i7 Did y" eve! $i!d a!y7;

;N",; admitted Eddie.

;G""d,; I said. ;Y" &"t lcy.;

;hy a#e y" s" a&ai!st illi!& St#i&"i7; ased Mia h"tly. ;Is!'t that what y" t#ai! $"#7;

;I t#ai! $"# sa!e missi"!s, !"t childish st!ts lie this.;

;It is!'t childish,; she c#ied. ;They illed my m"the#. 3!d the &a#dia!s we#e!'t d"i!&

a!ythi!&. Eve! thei# i!$"#mati"! is (ad. The#e we#e!'t a!y St#i&"i i! the t!!els. 8#"(a(ly !"!e i!

the wh"le city.;

@h#istia! l""ed im%#essed. ;Y" $"!d the t!!els7;

;Yeah,; said Eddie. ;Bt lie she said, they we#e seless.;

;e sh"ld see them (e$"#e we &",; @h#istia! t"ld me. ;It'd (e i!d "$ c""l, a!d i$ the data

was (ad, the#e's !" da!&e#.;

;N",; I s!a%%ed. ;e'#e &"i!& h"me. N"w.;

Mas"! l""ed ti#ed. ;e'#e &"i!& t" sea#ch the city a&ai!. Eve! y" ca!'t mae s &" (ac,

R"se.;

;N", (t the sch""l's &a#dia!s ca! whe! I call a!d tell them y"'#e he#e.;@all it (lacmaili!& "# (ei!& a tattletale5 the e$$ect was the same. The th#ee "$ them l""ed

at me lie I had 0st simlta!e"sly &t/%!ched them all.

;Y"'d #eally d" that7; ased Mas"!. ;Y"'d sell s "t lie that7;

I #((ed my eyes, w"!de#i!& des%e#ately why I was t#yi!& t" (e the v"ice "$ #eas"! he#e.

he#e was the &i#l wh"'d #! away $#"m sch""l7 Mas"! had (ee! #i&ht. I had cha!&ed.

;This is!'t a("t selli!& a!y"!e "t. This is a("t ee%i!& y" &ys alive.;

;Y" thi! we'#e that de$e!seless7; ased Mia. ;Y" thi! we'd &et illed #i&ht away7;

;Yes,; I said. ;U!less y"'ve $"!d s"me way t" se wate# as a wea%"!7;

She $lshed a!d did!'t say a!ythi!&.

;e (#"&ht silve# staes,; said Eddie.

:a!tastic. They mst have st"le! them. I l""ed at Mas"! %leadi!&ly.;Mas"!. 8lease. @all this "$$. 9et's &" (ac.;

He l""ed at me $"# a l"!& time. :i!ally, he si&hed. ;Oay.;



!de#sta!d the dashes a!d li!es (eside the lette#s, (t I 6icly !"ticed which !ames had a! 4

(eside them* Badica a!d D#"4d"v.

I ste%%ed (ac $#"m the wall. ;e have t" &et "t "$ he#e,; I said. My "w! v"ice sca#ed me

a little. ;Ri&ht !"w.;

The "the#s l""ed at me i! s#%#ise. ;hy7; ased Eddie. ;hat's &"i!& "!7;

;I'll tell y" late#. e 0st !eed t" &".;

Mas"! %"i!ted i! the di#ecti"! we'd (ee! headi!&. ;This lets "t a $ew (l"cs away. It'scl"se# t" the stati"!.;

I %ee#ed d"w! i!t" the da# !!"w!. ;N",; I said. ;e'#e &"i!& (ac the way we came.;

They all l""ed at me lie I was i!sa!e as we #et#aced "# ste%s, (t !"("dy 6esti"!ed me

yet. he! we eme#&ed $#"m the mall's $#"!t, I (#eathed a si&h "$ #elie$ t" see that the s! was still

"t, th"&h it was steadily si!i!& i!t" the h"#i4"! a!d casti!& "#a!&e a!d #ed li&ht "!t" the

(ildi!&s. The #emai!i!& li&ht w"ld still (e e!"&h $"# s t" &et (ac t" the (s stati"! (e$"#e we

we#e #eally i! a!y da!&e# "$ seei!& St#i&"i.

3!d I !ew !"w that the#e #eally we#e St#i&"i i! S%"a!e. Dimit#i's i!$"#mati"! had (ee!

c"##ect. I did!'t !"w what the list mea!t, (t it clea#ly had s"methi!& t" d" with the attacs. I

!eeded t" #e%"#t it t" the "the# &a#dia!s immediately, a!d I ce#tai!ly c"ld!'t tell the "the#s what

I'd #eali4ed !til we we#e sa$ely at the l"d&e. Mas"! was liely t" &" (ac i!t" the t!!els i$ he!ew what I did.

M"st "$ "# wal (ac t" the stati"! %#"ceeded i! sile!ce. I thi! my m""d had c"wed the

"the#s. Eve! @h#istia! seemed t" have #! "t "$ s!ide c"mme!ts. I!side, my em"ti"!s swi#led,

"scillati!& (etwee! a!&e# a!d &ilt as I e%t #ee-ami!i!& my #"le i! eve#ythi!&.

3head "$ me, Eddie st"%%ed wali!&, a!d I !ea#ly #a! i!t" him. He l""ed a#"!d. ;he#e

a#e we7;

S!a%%i!& "t "$ my "w! th"&hts, I s#veyed the a#ea t"". I did!'t #emem(e# these

(ildi!&s. ;Dam! it,; I e-claimed. ;3#e we l"st7 Did!'t a!y"!e ee% t#ac "$ which way we we!t7;

It was a! !$ai# 6esti"! si!ce I clea#ly had!'t %aid atte!ti"! eithe#, (t my tem%e# had

%shed me %ast #eas"!. Mas"! stdied me $"# a $ew m"me!ts, the! %"i!ted. ;This way.;

e t#!ed a!d waled d"w! a !a##"w st#eet (etwee! tw" (ildi!&s. I did!'t thi! we we#e

&"i!& the #i&ht way, (t I did!'t #eally have a (ette# idea. I als" did!'t wa!t t" sta!d a#"!d de(ati!&.

e had!'t &"!e ve#y $a# whe! I hea#d the s"!d "$ a! e!&i!e a!d s6eali!& ti#es. Mia was

wali!& i! the middle "$ the #"ad, a!d %#"tective c"!diti"!i!& iced i! (e$"#e I eve! saw what was

c"mi!&. G#a((i!& he#, I 0e#ed he# "t "$ the st#eet a!d % a&ai!st "!e "$ the (ildi!& walls. The

("ys had d"!e the same.

3 la#&e, &#ay va! with ti!ted wi!d"ws had #"!ded the c"#!e# a!d was headed i! "#

di#ecti"!. e %#essed $lat a&ai!st the wall, waiti!& $"# it t" &" %ast.

O!ly it did!'t.Sc#eechi!& t" a halt, it st"%%ed #i&ht i! $#"!t "$ s, a!d the d""#s slid "%e!. Th#ee (i& &ys

s%illed "t, a!d a&ai!, my i!sti!cts iced i!. I had !" cle wh" they we#e "# what they wa!ted, (t

they clea#ly we#e!'t $#ie!dly. That was all I !eeded t" !"w.

O!e "$ them m"ved t"wa#d @h#istia!, a!d I st#c "t a!d %!ched him. The &y (a#ely

sta&&e#ed (t was clea#ly s#%#ised t" have $elt it at all, I thi!. He %#"(a(ly had!'t e-%ected

s"me"!e as small as me t" (e mch "$ a th#eat. I&!"#i!& @h#istia!, he m"ved t"wa#d me. I! my

%e#i%he#al visi"!, I saw Mas"! a!d Eddie s6a#i!& "$$ with the "the# tw". Mas"! had actally

%lled "t his st"le! silve# stae. Mia a!d @h#istia! st""d the#e, $#"4e!.

O# attace#s we#e #elyi!& a l"t "! (l. They did!'t have the s"#t "$ (ac&#"!d we had i!

"$$e!sive a!d de$e!sive tech!i6es. 8ls, they we#e hma!, a!d we had dham%i# st#e!&th.

U!$"#t!ately, we als" had the disadva!ta&e "$ (ei!& c"#!e#ed a&ai!st the wall. e had !"whe#e t"#et#eat t". M"st im%"#ta!tly, we had s"methi!& t" l"se.

9ie Mia.



The &y wh"'d (ee! s%a##i!& with Mas"! seemed t" #eali4e this. He (aced "$$ $#"m Mas"!

a!d i!stead &#a((ed he#. I (a#ely saw the $lash "$ his &! (e$"#e its (a##el was %#essed a&ai!st he#

!ec. Baci!& "$$ $#"m my "w! adve#sa#y, I yelled at Eddie t" st"%. e'd all (ee! t#ai!ed t"

#es%"!d i!sta!tly t" th"se i!ds "$ "#de#s, a!d he halted his attac, &la!ci!& at me 6esti"!i!&ly

he! he saw Mia, his $ace we!t %ale.

I wa!ted !"thi!& m"#e tha! t" ee% %mmeli!& these me!)wh"eve# they we#e)(t I

c"ld!'t #is this &y h#ti!& Mia. He !ew it, t"". He did!'t eve! have t" mae the th#eat. He washma!, (t he !ew e!"&h a("t s t" !"w that we'd &" "t "$ "# way t" %#"tect the M"#"i.

N"vices had a sayi!& &#illed i!t" s $#"m a! ea#ly a&e* nly they matter.

Eve#y"!e st"%%ed a!d l""ed (etwee! him a!d me. 3%%a#e!tly we we#e the ac!"wled&ed

leade#s he#e. ;hat d" y" wa!t7; I ased ha#shly.

The &y %#essed his &! cl"se# t" Mia's !ec, a!d she whim%e#ed. :"# all he# tal a("t

$i&hti!&, she was smalle# tha! me a!d !"t !ea#ly as st#"!&. 3!d she was t"" te##i$ied t" m"ve.

The ma! i!cli!ed his head t"wa#d the va!'s "%e! d""#. ;I wa!t y" t" &et i!side. 3!d d"!'t

sta#t a!ythi!&. Y" d", a!d she's &"!e.;

I l""ed at Mia, the va!, my "the# $#ie!ds, a!d the! (ac t" the &y. Shit.



her i! %a#ticla#.;

he! we'd (ee! #est#ai!ed t" his satis$acti"!, he (a#ed "t a $ew m"#e "#de#s t" the "the#s

a!d the! le$t the #""m, shtti!& the d""# l"dly (ehi!d him. His ste%s ech"ed th#"&h the h"se as

he waled %stai#s. M"me!ts late#, sile!ce $ell.

e sat the#e, sta#i!& at each "the#. 3$te# seve#al mi!tes, Mia whim%e#ed a!d sta#ted t"

s%ea. ;hat a#e y" &"i!& t");

;Sht %,; &#"wled "!e "$ the me!. He t"" a wa#!i!& ste% t"wa#d he#. Bla!chi!&, shec#i!&ed (t still l""ed as th"&h she mi&ht say s"methi!& else. I ca&ht he# eye a!d sh"" my

head. She stayed sile!t, eyes wide a!d a sli&ht t#em(le t" he# li%.

The#e's !"thi!& w"#se tha! waiti!& a!d !"t !"wi!& what'll ha%%e! t" y". Y"# "w!

ima&i!ati"! ca! (e c#ele# tha! a!y ca%t"#. Si!ce "# &a#ds w"ld!'t tal t" s "# tell s what was

i! st"#e, I ima&i!ed all s"#ts "$ h"##i(le sce!a#i"s. The &!s we#e the "(vi"s th#eat, a!d I $"!d

mysel$ %"!de#i!& what a (llet w"ld $eel lie. 8ai!$l, %#esma(ly. 3!d whe#e w"ld they sh""t7

Th#"&h the hea#t "# the head7 >ic death. Bt s"mewhe#e else7 9ie the st"mach7 That w"ld (e

sl"w a!d %ai!$l. I shdde#ed at the th"&ht "$ my li$e (leedi!& "t "$ me. Thi!i!& "$ all that

(l""d %t me i! mi!d "$ the Badica h"se a!d may(e havi!& "# th#"ats slit. These me! c"ld have

!ives as well as &!s.

O$ c"#se, I had t" w"!de# why we we#e still alive at all. @lea#ly they wa!ted s"methi!&$#"m s, (t what7 They we#e!'t asi!& $"# i!$"#mati"!. 3!d they we#e human. hat w"ld

hma!s wa!t with s7 Usally the m"st we $ea#ed $#"m hma!s was eithe# #!!i!& i!t" c#a4y

slaye# ty%es "# th"se wh" wa!ted t" e-%e#ime!t "! s. These seemed lie !eithe#.

S" what did they wa!t7 hy we#e we he#e7 Ove# a!d "ve#, I ima&i!ed m"#e aw$l,

&#es"me $ates. The l""s "! my $#ie!ds' $aces sh"wed I was!'t the "!ly "!e wh" c"ld e!visi"!

c#eative t"#me!ts. The smell "$ sweat a!d $ea# $illed the #""m.

I l"st t#ac "$ time a!d was sdde!ly 0"lted "t "$ my ima&i!i!&s whe! $""tste%s s"!ded

"! the stai#s. The lead ca%t"# ste%%ed i!t" the hall. The #est "$ the me! st#ai&hte!ed %, te!si"!

c#acli!& a#"!d them. Oh G"d. This was it, I #eali4ed. This was what we'd (ee! waiti!& $"#.

;Yes, si#,; I hea#d the leade# say. ;They'#e i! he#e, 0st lie y" wa!ted.;

:i!ally, I #eali4ed. The %e#s"! (ehi!d "# id!a%%i!&. 8a!ic sh"t th#"&h me. I had t"

esca%e.

;9et s "t "$ he#e?; I yelled, st#ai!i!& at my (i!di!&s. ;9et s "t "$ he#e, y" s"! "$ a);

I st"%%ed. S"methi!& i!side "$ me sh#iveled %. My th#"at we!t d#y. My hea#t wa!ted t"

st"%. The &a#d had #et#!ed with a ma! a!d a w"ma! I did!'t #ec"&!i4e. I did, h"weve#, #ec"&!i4e

that they we#e 1

1 St#i&"i.

Real, live)well, $i&#atively s%eai!&)St#i&"i. It all sdde!ly cliced t"&ethe#. It was!'t

0st the S%"a!e #e%"#ts that had (ee! t#e. hat we'd $ea#ed)St#i&"i w"#i!& with hma!s)had

c"me t#e. #his chan"es everythin". Dayli&ht was!'t sa$e a!ym"#e. N"!e "$ s we#e sa$e a!ym"#e.

"#se, I #eali4ed these mst (e the #"&e St#i&"i)the "!es wh" had attaced the tw" M"#"i$amilies with hma! hel%. 3&ai!, th"se h"##i(le mem"#ies came t" me* ("dies a!d (l""d

eve#ywhe#e. Bile #"se i! my th#"at, a!d I t#ied t" shi$t my th"&hts $#"m the %ast t" the %#ese!t

sitati"!. N"t that that was a!y m"#e #eass#i!&.

M"#"i had %ale si!, the i!d "$ si! that (lshed a!d (#!ed easily. Bt these vam%i#es1

thei# si! was white, chaly i! a way that made it l"" lie the #eslt "$ a (ad mae% 0"(. The

%%ils "$ thei# eyes had a #ed #i!& a#"!d them, d#ivi!& h"me what m"!ste#s they we#e.

The w"ma!, actally, #emi!ded me "$ Natalie)my %""# $#ie!d wh"se $athe# had c"!vi!ced

he# t" t#! St#i&"i. It t"" me a $ew m"me!ts t" $i&#e "t what the #esem(la!ce was (ecase they

l""ed !"thi!& alie. This w"ma! was sh"#t) %#"(a(ly hma! (e$"#e (ec"mi!& St#i&"i)a!d had

(#"w! hai# with a (ad hi&hli&hti!& 0"(.

The! it hit me. This St#i&"i was a !ew "!e, mch as Natalie had (ee!. It did!'t (ec"me"(vi"s !til I c"m%a#ed he# with the St#i&"i ma!. The St#i&"i w"ma!'s $ace had a little li$e i! it.

Bt his 1 his was the $ace "$ death.



His $ace was c"m%letely dev"id "$ a!y s"#t "$ wa#mth "# &e!tle# em"ti"!. His e-%#essi"!

was c"ld a!d calclati!&, laced with malici"s amseme!t. He was tall, as tall as Dimit#i, a!d had a

sle!de# $#ame that i!dicated he'd (ee! M"#"i (e$"#e cha!&i!& "ve#. Sh"lde#/le!&th (lac hai#

$#amed his $ace a!d st""d "t a&ai!st the (#i&ht sca#let "$ his d#ess shi#t. His eyes we#e s" da# a!d

(#"w! that with"t the #ed #i!&, it w"ld have (ee! alm"st im%"ssi(le t" tell whe#e %%il e!ded a!d

i#is (e&a!.

O!e "$ the &a#ds sh"ved me ha#d, eve! th"&h I'd (ee! sile!t. He &la!ced % at the St#i&"ima!. ;Y" wa!t me t" &a& he#7;

I sdde!ly #eali4ed I'd (ee! h!chi!& i!t" the (ac "$ my chai#, !c"!sci"sly t#yi!& t" &et

as $a# away $#"m him as %"ssi(le. He #eali4ed this t"", a!d a thi!, t""thless smile c#"ssed his li%s.

;N",; he said. His v"ice was sily a!d l"w. ;I'd lie t" hea# what she has t" say.; He #aised

a! eye(#"w at me. ;8lease. @"!ti!e.;

I swall"wed.

;N"7 N"thi!& t" add7 ell. D" $eel $#ee t" %i%e % i$ s"methi!& else c"mes t" mi!d.;

;Isaiah,; e-claimed the w"ma!. ;hy a#e y" ee%i!& them he#e7 hy have!'t y" 0st

c"!tacted the "the#s7;

;Ele!a, Ele!a,; Isaiah m#m#ed t" he#. ;Behave y"#sel$. I'm !"t &"i!& t" %ass % the

cha!ce t" e!0"y mysel$ with tw" M"#"i a!d 1; He waled (ehi!d my chai# a!d li$ted my hai#,mai!& me shdde#. 3 m"me!t late#, he %ee#ed at Mas"! a!d Eddie's !ecs as well. ;1th#ee

!(l""ded dham%i#s.; He s%"e th"se w"#ds with a! alm"st ha%%y si&h, a!d I #eali4ed he'd (ee!

l""i!& $"# &a#dia! tatt""s.

St#"lli!& "ve# t" Mia a!d @h#istia!, Isaiah #ested a ha!d "! his hi% as he stdied them. Mia

c"ld "!ly meet his eyes $"# a! i!sta!t (e$"#e l""i!& away. @h#istia!'s $ea# was %al%a(le, (t he

ma!a&ed t" #et#! the St#i&"i's sc#ti!y. It made me %#"d.

;9"" at these eyes, Ele!a.; Ele!a waled "ve# a!d st""d (eside Isaiah as he s%"e. ;That

%ale (le. 9ie ice. 9ie a6ama#i!es. Y" alm"st !eve# &et that "tside "$ the #"yal h"ses.

Badicas. O4e#as. The "ccasi"!al el"s.;

;O4e#a,; said @h#istia!, t#yi!& ve#y ha#d t" s"!d $ea#less.

Isaiah tilted his head. ;Really7 S#ely !"t1; He lea!ed cl"se# t" @h#istia!. ;Bt the a&e is

#i&ht1a!d that hai#1; He smiled. ;9cas a!d M"i#a's s"!7;

@h#istia! said !"thi!&, (t the c"!$i#mati"! "! his $ace was "(vi"s.

;I !ew y"# %a#e!ts. G#eat %e"%le. U!%a#alleled. Thei# deaths we#e a shame1 (t, well1

I da#esay they (#"&ht that "! themselves. I told them they sh"ld!'t have &"!e (ac $"# y".

"ld have (ee! waste$l t" awae! y" s" y"!&. They claimed they we#e &"i!& t" 0st ee% y"

a#"!d a!d wae! y" whe! y" we#e "lde#. I wa#!ed them that that w"ld (e a disaste#, (t,

well1; He &ave a delicate sh#&. ;3wae!; was the te#m St#i&"i sed am"!& themselves whe!

they cha!&ed "ve#. It s"!ded lie a #eli&i"s e-%e#ie!ce. ;They w"ld!'t liste!, a!d disaste# met

them i! a di$$e#e!t way.;

Hat#ed, dee% a!d da#, ("iled (ehi!d @h#istia!'s eyes. Isaiah smiled a&ai!.;It's 6ite t"chi!& that y" sh"ld $i!d y"# way t" me a$te# all this time. 8e#ha%s I ca!

#eali4e thei# d#eam a$te# all.;

;Isaiah,; said the w"ma!)Ele!a)a&ai!. Eve#y w"#d "t "$ he# m"th seemed lie a

whi!e. ;@all the "the#s);

;St"% &ivi!& me "#de#s?; Isaiah &#a((ed he# sh"lde# a!d sh"ved he# away)e-ce%t that the

%sh !"ced he# ac#"ss the #""m a!d alm"st th#"&h the wall. She 0st (a#ely th#ew he# ha!d "t

i! time t" st"% the im%act. St#i&"i had (ette# #e$le-es tha! dham%i#s "# eve! M"#"i5 he# lac "$

&#ace mea!t he'd c"m%letely ca&ht he# "$$ &a#d. 3!d #eally, he'd (a#ely t"ched he#. The %sh had

(ee! li&ht)yet it had %aced the $"#ce "$ a small ca#.

This $#the# e!$"#ced my (elie$ that he was i! a!"the# class alt"&ethe#. His st#e!&th (eat he#s

(y ma&!itdes. She was lie a $ly he c"ld swat away. St#i&"i %"we# i!c#eased with a&e) as wellas th#"&h the c"!sm%ti"! "$ M"#"i (l""d a!d, t" a lesse# e-te!t, dham%i# (l""d. This &y was!'t

0st "ld, I #eali4ed. He was a!cie!t. 3!d he'd d#! a lot "$ (l""d "ve# the yea#s. Te##"# $illed



Ele!a's $eat#es, a!d I c"ld !de#sta!d he# $ea#. St#i&"i t#!ed a&ai!st each "the# all the time. He

c"ld have #i%%ed he# head "$$ i$ he wa!ted.

She c"we#ed, ave#ti!& he# eyes. ;I1 I'm s"##y, Isaiah.;

Isaiah sm""thed his shi#t)!"t that it had (ee! w#i!led. His v"ice t"" "! the c"ld

%leasa!t!ess he'd a$$ected ea#lie#. ;Y" clea#ly have "%i!i"!s he#e, Ele!a, a!d I welc"me y"

v"ici!& them i! a civili4ed ma!!e#. hat d" y" thi! we sh"ld d" with these c(s7;

;Y" sh"ld)that is, I thi! we sh"ld 0st tae them !"w. Es%ecially the M"#"i.; She wasclea#ly w"#i!& ha#d !"t t" whi!e a&ai! a!d a!!"y him. ;U!less1y" a#e!'t &"i!& t" th#"w a!"the#

di!!e# %a#ty, a#e y"7 It's a c"m%lete waste. e'll have t" sha#e, a!d y" !"w the "the#s w"!'t (e

&#ate$l. They never a#e.;

;I'm !"t mai!& a di!!e# %a#ty "t "$ them,; he decla#ed l"$tily. Di!!e# %a#ty7 ;Bt I'm !"t

illi!& them yet eithe#. Y"'#e y"!&, Ele!a. Y" "!ly thi! a("t immediate &#ati$icati"!. he!

y"'#e as "ld as me, y" w"!'t (e s" 1 im%atie!t.;

She #"lled he# eyes whe! he was!'t l""i!&.

T#!i!&, he swe%t his &a4e "ve# me, Mas"!, a!d Eddie. ;Y" th#ee, I'm a$#aid, a#e &"i!& t"

die. The#e's !" av"idi!& it. I'd lie t" say I'm s"##y, (t, well, I'm !"t. Sch is the way "$ the w"#ld.

Y" d" have a ch"ice i! h"w y" die, h"weve#, a!d that will (e dictated (y y"# (ehavi"#.; His eyes

li!&e#ed "! me. I did!'t #eally &et why eve#y"!e seemed t" (e si!&li!& me "t as the t#"(lemae#he#e. ell, may(e I did. ;S"me "$ y" will die m"#e %ai!$lly tha! "the#s.;

I did!'t !eed t" see Mas"! a!d Eddie t" !"w thei# $ea# mi##"#ed mi!e. I was %#etty s#e I

eve! hea#d Eddie whim%e#.

Isaiah a(#%tly t#!ed "! his heels, milita#y/style, a!d $aced Mia a!d @h#istia!. ;Y" tw",

$"#t!ately, have "%ti"!s. O!ly "!e "$ y" will die. The "the# will live "! i! &l"#i"s imm"#tality.

I'll eve! (e i!d e!"&h t" tae y" !de# my wi!& !til y"'#e a little "lde#. Sch is my cha#ity.;

I c"ld!'t hel% it. I ch"ed "! a la&h.

Isaiah s%! a#"!d a!d sta#ed at me. I $ell sile!t a!d waited $"# him t" th#"w me ac#"ss the

#""m lie he had Ele!a, (t he did !"thi!& else (t sta#e. It was e!"&h. My hea#t #aced, a!d I $elt

tea#s (#im i! my eyes. My $ea# shamed me. I wa!ted t" (e lie Dimit#i. May(e eve! lie my

m"the#. 3$te# seve#al l"!&, a&"!i4i!& m"me!ts, Isaiah t#!ed (ac t" the M"#"i.

;N"w. 3s I was sayi!&, "!e "$ y" will (e awae!ed a!d live $"#eve#. Bt it will !"t (e me

wh" wae!s y". Y" will ch""se t" (e awae!ed willi!&ly.;

;N"t liely,; said @h#istia!. He %aced as mch s!a#y de$ia!ce as he c"ld ma!a&e i!t"

th"se tw" w"#ds, (t it was still "(vi"s t" eve#y"!e else i! the #""m that he was sca#ed "t "$ his

mi!d.

;3h, h"w I l"ve the O4e#a s%i#it,; msed Isaiah. He &la!ced at Mia, his #ed eyes &leami!&.

She sh#a! (ac i! $ea#. ;Bt d"!'t let him %sta&e y", my dea#. The#e's st#e!&th i! c"mm"! (l""d,

t"". 3!d he#e's h"w it will (e decided.; He %"i!ted at s dham%i#s. His &a4ed chilled me all "ve#,

a!d I ima&i!ed I c"ld smell the sti! "$ decay. ;I$ y" wa!t t" live, all y" have t" d" is ill "!e "$

these th#ee.; He t#!ed (ac t" the M"#"i. ;That's it. N"t !%leasa!t at all. =st tell "!e "$ these&e!tleme! he#e y" wa!t t" d" it. They'll #elease y". The! y" d#i! $#"m them a!d a#e awae!ed

as "!e "$ s. h"eve# d"es this $i#st wals $#ee. The "the# will (e di!!e# $"# Ele!a a!d me.;

Sile!ce h!& i! the #""m.

;N",; said @h#istia!. ;N" way am I illi!& "!e "$ my $#ie!ds. I d"!'t ca#e what y" d". I'll

die $i#st.;

Isaiah waved a dismissive ha!d. ;Easy t" (e (#ave whe! y" a#e!'t h!&#y. G" a $ew days

with"t a!y "the# sste!a!ce 1 a!d yes, these th#ee will sta#t t" l"" very &""d. 3!d they a#e.

Dham%i#s a#e delici"s. S"me %#e$e# them t" M"#"i, a!d while I mysel$ have !eve# sha#ed sch

(elie$s, I ca! ce#tai!ly a%%#eciate the va#iety.;

@h#istia! sc"wled.

;D"!'t (elieve me7; ased Isaiah. ;The! let me %#"ve it.; He waled (ac "ve# t" my side "$the #""m. I #eali4ed what he was &"i!& t" d" a!d s%"e with"t $lly thi!i!& thi!&s th#"&h.

;Use me,; I (l#ted "t. ;D#i! $#"m me.;



Isaiah's sm& l"" $alte#ed $"# a m"me!t, a!d his eye(#"ws #"se. ;Y"'#e v"l!tee#i!&7;

;I've d"!e it (e$"#e. 9et M"#"i $eed "$$ me, I mea!. I d"!'t mi!d. I lie it. 9eave the #est "$

them al"!e.;

;R"se?; e-claimed Mas"!.

I i&!"#ed him a!d l""ed (eseechi!&ly at Isaiah. I did!'t wa!t him t" $eed "$$ me. The

th"&ht made me sic. Bt I had &ive! (l""d (e$"#e, a!d I'd #athe# him tae %i!ts $#"m me (e$"#e

he t"ched Eddie "# Mas"!.I c"ld!'t #ead his e-%#essi"! as he si4ed me %. :"# hal$ a sec"!d, I th"&ht he mi&ht &" $"#

it, (t i!stead he sh"" his head.

;N". N"t y". N"t yet.;

He waled "ve# a!d st""d (e$"#e Eddie. I %lled a&ai!st my $le-/c$$s s" ha#d that they d&

%ai!$lly i!t" my si!. They did!'t &ive. ;N"? 9eave him al"!e?;

;>iet,; s!a%%ed Isaiah, with"t l""i!& at me. He #ested "!e ha!d "! the side "$ Eddie's

$ace. Eddie t#em(led a!d had &"!e s" %ale, I th"&ht he w"ld $ai!t. ;I ca! mae this easy, "# I ca!

mae it h#t. Y"# sile!ce will e!c"#a&e the $"#me#.;

I wa!ted t" sc#eam, wa!ted t" call Isaiah all s"#ts "$ !ames a!d mae all s"#ts "$ th#eats. Bt

I c"ld!'t. My eyes $liced a#"!d the #""m, sea#chi!& $"# e-its, as I had s" ma!y times (e$"#e. Bt

the#e we#e !"!e. =st (la!, (a#e white walls. N" wi!d"ws. The "!e %#eci"s d""#, always &a#ded.I was hel%less, 0st as hel%less as I'd (ee! $#"m the m"me!t they'd %lled s i!t" the va!. I $elt lie

c#yi!&, m"#e $#"m $#st#ati"! tha! $ea#. hat i!d "$ &a#dia! w"ld I (e i$ I c"ld!'t %#"tect my

$#ie!ds7

Bt I stayed 6iet, a!d a l"" "$ satis$acti"! c#"ssed Isaiah's $ace. The $l"#esce!t li&hti!&

&ave his si! a sicly, &#ayish he, em%hasi4i!& the da# ci#cles !de# his eyes. I wa!ted t" %!ch

him.

;G""d.; He smiled at Eddie a!d held his $ace s" that the tw" made di#ect eye c"!tact. ;N"w,

y" w"!'t $i&ht me, will y"7;

3s I've me!ti"!ed, 9issa was &""d at c"m%lsi"!. Bt she c"ld!'t have d"!e this. I!

sec"!ds, Eddie was smili!&.

;N". I w"!'t $i&ht y".;

;G""d,; #e%eated Isaiah. ;3!d y"'ll &ive me y"# !ec $#eely, w"!'t y"7;

;O$ c"#se,; #e%lied Eddie, tilti!& his head (ac.

Isaiah (#"&ht his m"th d"w!, a!d I l""ed away, t#yi!& t" $"cs "! the th#ead(a#e ca#%et

i!stead. I did!'t wa!t t" see this. I hea#d Eddie emit a s"$t, ha%%y m"a!. The $eedi!& itsel$ was

#elatively 6iet)!" sl#%i!& "# a!ythi!& lie that.

;The#e.;

I &la!ced (ac whe! I hea#d Isaiah s%ea a&ai!. Bl""d d#i%%ed $#"m his li%s, a!d he #a! his

t"!&e ac#"ss them. I c"ld!'t see the w"!d "! Eddie's !ec, (t I ss%ected it was (l""dy a!d

h"##i(le t"". Mia a!d @h#istia! sta#ed wide/eyed, ("th with $ea# a!d $asci!ati"!. Eddie &a4ed "$$ i!

a ha%%y, d#&&ed ha4e, hi&h $#"m ("th the e!d"#%hi!s a!d the c"m%lsi"!.Isaiah st#ai&hte!ed % a!d smiled at the M"#"i, lici!& the last "$ the (l""d "$$ his li%s. ;Y"

see7; he t"ld them, m"vi!& t"wa#d the d""#. ;It's 0st that easy.;



@ha%te#

E NEEDED 3N ES@38E 893N, a!d we !eeded it $ast. U!$"#t!ately, my "!ly ideas

called $"# thi!&s that #eally we#e!'t !de# my c"!t#"l. 9ie s (ei!& le$t c"m%letely al"!e s" we

c"ld s!ea "$$. O# havi!& st%id &a#ds wh"m we c"ld easily $""l a!d sli% away $#"m. 3t the

ve#y least, we sh"ld have (ee! sl"%%ily sec#ed s" that we c"ld (#ea $#ee.

N"!e "$ that was ha%%e!i!&, th"&h. 3$te# alm"st twe!ty/$"# h"#s, "# sitati"!s had!'t#eally cha!&ed. e we#e still %#is"!e#s, still sec#ely ("!d. O# ca%t"#s stayed vi&ila!t, alm"st as

e$$icie!t as a!y &#"% "$ &a#dia!s. 3lm"st.

The cl"sest we &"t t" $#eed"m was heavily s%e#vised) a!d e-t#emely em(a##assi!&)

(ath#""m (#eas. The me! &ave s !" $""d "# wate#. That was #"&h "! me, (t the hma! a!d

vam%i#e mi- made dham%i#s ha#dy. I c"ld ha!dle (ei!& !c"m$"#ta(le, eve! th"&h I was $ast

#eachi!& a %"i!t whe#e I w"ld have illed $"# a cheese(#&e# a!d s"me #eally, #eally &#easy $#e!ch

$#ies.

:"# Mia a!d @h#istia!1well, thi!&s we#e a little ha#de#. M"#"i c"ld &" wees with"t $""d

a!d wate# i$ they we#e still &etti!& (l""d. ith"t (l""d, they c"ld ma!a&e a $ew days (e$"#e

&etti!& sic a!d wea, s" l"!& as they still had "the# sste!a!ce. That was h"w 9issa a!d I had

ma!a&ed while livi!& "! "# "w!, si!ce I had!'t (ee! a(le t" $eed he# eve#y day.Tae away $""d, (l""d, a!d wate#, a!d M"#"i e!d#a!ce d#"%%ed th#"&h the $l""#. I was

h!&#y, (t Mia a!d @h#istia! we#e #ave!"s. 3l#eady, thei# $aces l""ed &a!t, thei# eyes alm"st

$eve#ish. Isaiah made matte#s w"#se d#i!& his s(se6e!t visits. Each time, he w"ld c"me d"w!

a!d #am(le "! i! his a!!"yi!&, ta!ti!& way. The!, (e$"#e leavi!&, he'd tae a!"the# d#i! $#"m

Eddie. By the thi#d visit, I c"ld %#actically see Mia a!d @h#istia! salivati!&. Betwee! the

e!d"#%hi!s a!d lac "$ $""d, I was %#etty s#e Eddie did!'t eve! !"w whe#e we we#e.

I c"ld!'t #eally slee% !de# these c"!diti"!s, (t d#i!& the sec"!d day, I sta#ted !"ddi!&

"$$ !"w a!d the!. Sta#vati"! a!d e-hasti"! will d" that t" y". 3t "!e %"i!t, I actally d#eamed,

s#%#isi!& si!ce I did!'t #eally thi! I c"ld $all i!t" a dee% slm(e# !de# sch i!sa!e c"!diti"!s.

I! the d#eam)a!d I !ew %e#$ectly well that it was a d#eam)I st""d "! a (each. It t"" me

a m"me!t t" #ec"&!i4e 0st which (each it was. It was al"!& the O#e&"! c"ast) sa!dy a!d wa#m,

with the 8aci$ic !$"ldi!& i! the dista!ce. 9issa a!d I had t#aveled "t he#e "!ce whe! we lived i!

8"#tla!d. It had (ee! a &"#&e"s day, (t she c"ld!'t ha!dle (ei!& "t i! that mch s!. e'd e%t

the visit sh"#t as a #eslt, (t I'd always wished I c"ld have stayed l"!&e# a!d (ased i! all that.

N"w I had all the li&ht a!d wa#mth I c"ld wa!t.

;9ittle dham%i#,; said a v"ice (ehi!d me. ;It's a("t time.;

I t#!ed a#"!d i! s#%#ise a!d $"!d 3d#ia! Ivash"v watchi!& me. He had "! hais a!d a

l""se shi#t a!d)i! a s#%#isi!&ly casal style $"# him)w"#e !" sh"es. i!d #$$led his (#"w! hai#,

a!d he e%t his ha!ds st$$ed i! his %"cets as he #e&a#ded me with that t#adema# smi# "$ his.

;Still &"t y"# %#"tecti"!,; he added.

:#"w!i!&, I th"&ht $"# a m"me!t he was sta#i!& at my chest. The! I #eali4ed his eyes we#e"! my st"mach. I had "! 0ea!s a!d a (ii!i t"%, a!d "!ce a&ai!, the little (le eye %e!da!t da!&led

$#"m my (elly/(tt"!. The ch"ti was "! my w#ist.

;3!d y"'#e i! the s! a&ai!,; I said. ;S" I s%%"se it's y"# d#eam.;

;It's "# d#eam.;

I wi&&led my t"es i! the sa!d. ;H"w ca! tw" %e"%le sha#e a d#eam7;

;8e"%le sha#e d#eams all the time, R"se.;

I l""ed % at him with a $#"w!. ;I !eed t" !"w what y" mea!. 3("t the#e (ei!&

da#!ess a#"!d me. hat d"es it mea!7;

;H"!estly, I d"!'t !"w. Eve#y"!e has li&ht a#"!d them, e-ce%t $"# y". Y" have shad"ws.

Y" tae them $#"m 9issa.;

My c"!$si"! &#ew. ;I d"!'t !de#sta!d.;;I ca!'t &et i!t" it #i&ht !"w,; he t"ld me. ;That's !"t why I'm he#e.;

;Y"'#e he#e $"# a #eas"!7; I ased, my eyes wa!de#i!& t" the (le/&#ay wate#. It was



hy%!"tic. ;Y" a#e!'t 0st1he#e t" (e he#e7;

He ste%%ed $"#wa#d a!d ca&ht my ha!d, $"#ci!& me t" l"" % at him. 3ll amseme!t was

&"!e. He was dead se#i"s. ;he#e a#e y"7;

;He#e,; I said, %44led. ;=st lie y".;

3d#ia! sh"" his head. ;N", that's !"t what I mea!. I! the #eal w"#ld. he#e a#e y"7;

The #eal w"#ld7 3#"!d s, the (each sdde!ly (l##ed, lie a $ilm &"i!& "t "$ $"cs.

M"me!ts late#, eve#ythi!& steadied itsel$. I #aced my (#ai!. The #eal w"#ld. Ima&es came t" me.@hai#s. Ga#ds. :le-/c$$s.

;I! a (aseme!t 1; I said sl"wly. 3la#m sdde!ly shatte#ed the (eaty "$ the m"me!t as

eve#ythi!& came (ac t" me. ;Oh G"d, 3d#ia!. Y"'ve &"t t" hel% Mia a!d @h#istia!. I ca!'t);

3d#ia!'s &#i% "! my ha!d ti&hte!ed. ;he#e7; The w"#ld shimme#ed a&ai!, a!d this time it

did!'t #e$"cs. He sw"#e. ;he#e a#e y", R"se7;

The w"#ld (e&a! t" disi!te&#ate. 3d#ia! (e&a! t" disi!te&#ate.

;3 (aseme!t. I! a h"se. I!);

He was &"!e. I w"e %. The s"!d "$ the #""m's d""# "%e!i!& sta#tled me (ac t" #eality.

Isaiah swe%t i! with Ele!a i! t"w. I had t" $i&ht a s!ee# whe! I saw he#. He was a##"&a!t a!d

mea! a!d all/a#"!d evil. Bt he was that way (ecase he was a leade#. He had the st#e!&th a!d

%"we# t" (ac % his c#elty)eve! i$ I did!'t lie it. Bt Ele!a7 She was a lacey. She th#eate!eds a!d made s!ide c"mme!ts, (t m"st "$ he# a(ility t" d" s" came $#"m (ei!& his sideic. She

was a t"tal sc/%.

;Hell", child#e!,; he said. ;H"w a#e we d"i!& t"day7;

Slle! &la#es a!swe#ed him.

He st#"lled "ve# t" Mia a!d @h#istia!, ha!ds $"lded (ehi!d his (ac. ;3!y cha!&es "$ hea#t

si!ce my last visit7 Y"'#e tai!& a! aw$lly l"!& time, a!d it's %setti!& Ele!a. She's ve#y h!&#y,

y" see, (t)I ss%ect)!"t as h!&#y as y" tw".;

@h#istia! !a##"wed his eyes. ;:c "$$,; he said th#"&h &#itted teeth.

Ele!a s!a#led a!d l!&ed $"#wa#d. ;D"!'t y" da#e);

Isaiah waved he# "$$. ;9eave him al"!e. It 0st mea!s we wait a little l"!&e#, a!d #eally, it's

a! e!te#tai!i!& wait.;

Ele!a's eyes sh"t da&&e#s at @h#istia!.

;H"!estly,; c"!ti!ed Isaiah, watchi!& @h#istia!, ;I ca!'t decide which I wa!t m"#e* t" ill

y" "# have y" 0"i! s. Eithe# "%ti"! "$$e#s its "w! amseme!ts.;

;D"!'t y" &et ti#ed "$ hea#i!& y"#sel$ tal7; ased @h#istia!.

Isaiah c"!side#ed. ;N". N"t #eally. 3!d I d"!'t &et ti#ed "$ this, eithe#.;

He t#!ed a#"!d a!d waled t"wa#d Eddie. 8""# Eddie c"ld (a#ely sit %#i&ht i! his chai#

a!ym"#e a$te# all the $eedi!&s he'd &"!e th#"&h. "#se, Isaiah did!'t eve! !eed t" se c"m%lsi"!.

Eddie's $ace sim%ly lit % with a st%id &#i!, ea&e# $"# the !e-t (ite. He was as addicted as a $eede#.

3!&e# a!d dis&st $l""ded th#"&h me.

;Dam! it?; I yelled. ;9eave him al"!e?;Isaiah &la!ced (ac at me. ;Be sile!t, &i#l. I d"!'t $i!d y" !ea#ly as amsi!& as I d" M#.

O4e#a.;

;Yeah7; I s!a#led. ;I$ I %iss y" "$$ s" mch, the! se me t" %#"ve y"# st%id %"i!t. Bite

me i!stead. 8t me i! my %lace, a!d sh"w me what a (adass y" a#e.;

;N"?; e-claimed Mas"!. ;Use me.;

Isaiah #"lled his eyes. ;G""d G"d. hat a !"(le l"t. Y"'#e all S%a#tacs, a#e!'t y"7;

He st#"lled away $#"m Eddie a!d %t a $i!&e# !de# Mas"!'s chi!, tilti!& his head %. ;Bt

y",; Isaiah said, ;d"!'t #eally mea! it. Y" "!ly "$$e# (ecase "$ her./ He #eleased Mas"! a!d

waled i! $#"!t "$ me, sta#i!& d"w! with th"se (lac, (lac eyes. ;3!d y" 1 I did!'t #eally

(elieve y" at $i#st eithe#. Bt !"w7; He !elt d"w! s" that he was at my hei&ht. I #e$sed t" l""

away $#"m his eyes, eve! th"&h I !ew that %t me at #is "$ c"m%lsi"!. ;I thi! y" #eally mea!it. 3!d it's !"t all !"(ility, eithe#. Y" do wa!t it. Y" #eally have (ee! (itte! (e$"#e.; His v"ice was

ma&ical. Hy%!"tic. He was!'t si!& c"m%lsi"!, e-actly, (t he de$i!itely had a! !!at#al



cha#isma s##"!di!& him. 9ie 9issa a!d 3d#ia!. I h!& "! his eve#y w"#d. ;9"ts "$ times, I'd

&ess,; he added.

He lea!ed t"wa#d me, (#eath h"t a&ai!st my !ec. S"mewhe#e (ey"!d him, I c"ld hea#

Mas"! sh"ti!& s"methi!&, (t all "$ my $"cs was "! h"w cl"se Isaiah's teeth we#e t" my si!. I!

the last $ew m"!ths, I'd "!ly (ee! (itte! "!ce) a!d that was whe! 9issa had had a! eme#&e!cy.

Be$"#e the!, she'd (itte! me at least twice a wee $"# tw" yea#s, a!d I had "!ly #ece!tly c"me t"

#eali4e h"w addicted t" that I'd (ee!. The#e is !"thi!&)!othin"6i! the w"#ld lie a M"#"i (ite,lie the $l""d "$ (liss it se!ds i!t" y". O$ c"#se, (y all acc"!ts, St#i&"i (ites we#e eve! m"#e

%"we#$l1.

I swall"wed, sdde!ly awa#e "$ my "w! heavy (#eathi!& a!d #aci!& hea#t. Isaiah &ave a l"w

chcle.

;Yes. Y"'#e a (l""d wh"#e i! the mai!&. U!$"#t!ate $"# y")(ecase I'm !"t &"i!& t"

&ive y" what y" wa!t.;

He (aced away, a!d I slm%ed $"#wa#d i! my chai#. ith"t $#the# delay, he #et#!ed t"

Eddie a!d d#a!. I c"ld!'t watch, (t it was (ecase "$ e!vy this time, !"t dis&st. 9"!&i!& (#!ed

i!side "$ me. I ached $"# that (ite, ached $"# it with eve#y !e#ve i! my ("dy.

he! Isaiah $i!ished, he sta#ted t" leave the #""m, the! %ased. He di#ected his w"#ds at

Mia a!d @h#istia!. ;D"!'t delay,; he wa#!ed. ;Sei4e y"# "%%"#t!ity t" (e saved.; He tilted hishead t"wa#d me. ;Y" eve! have a willi!& victim.;

He le$t. 3c#"ss the #""m, @h#istia! met my eyes. S"meh"w, his $ace l""ed eve! &a!te#

tha! it had a c"%le "$ h"#s a&". H!&e# (#!ed i! his &a4e, a!d I !ew I w"#e the c"m%leme!ta#y

"!e* a desi#e t" sate that h!&e#. G"d. e we#e s" sc#ewed. I thi! @h#istia! #eali4ed it at the same

time. His li%s twisted i!t" a (itte# smile.

;Y" !eve# l""ed s" &""d, R"se,; he ma!a&ed, 0st (e$"#e the &a#ds t"ld him t" sht %.

I d"4ed a little th#"&h"t the day, (t 3d#ia! did!'t #et#! t" my d#eams. I!stead, while

h"ve#i!& 0st at the ed&e "$ c"!sci"s!ess, I $"!d mysel$ sli%%i!& i!t" $amilia# te##it"#y* 9issa's

head. 3$te# all the wei#d!ess "$ these last tw" days, (ei!& i! he# mi!d $elt lie a h"mec"mi!&.

She was i! "!e "$ the l"d&e's (a!6et #""ms, "!ly it was em%ty. She sat "! the $l""# "$ the

$a# side "$ it, t#yi!& t" stay i!c"!s%ic"s. Ne#v"s!ess $illed he#. She was waiti!& $"# s"methi!&)

"# #athe#, s"me"!e. 3 $ew mi!tes late#, 3d#ia! sli%%ed i!.

;@"si!,; he said (y way "$ &#eeti!&. He sat d"w! (eside he# a!d d#ew his !ees %,

!c"!ce#!ed a("t his e-%e!sive d#ess %a!ts. ;S"##y I'm late.;

;It's "ay,; she said.

;Y" did!'t !"w I was he#e !til y" saw me, did y"7;

She sh"" he# head, disa%%"i!ted. I $elt m"#e c"!$sed tha! eve#.

;3!d sitti!& with me 1 y" ca!'t #eally !"tice a!ythi!&7;

;N".;He sh#&&ed. ;ell. H"%e$lly it'll c"me s""!.;

;H"w d"es it l"" $"# y"7; she ased, (#!i!& with c#i"sity.

;D" y" !"w what a#as a#e7;

;They'#e lie 1 (a!ds "$ li&ht a#"!d %e"%le, #i&ht7 S"me New 3&e thi!&7;

;S"methi!& lie that. Eve#y"!e has a s"#t "$ s%i#ital e!e#&y that #adiates "t $#"m them.

ell, alm"st eve#y"!e.; His hesitati"! made me w"!de# i$ he was thi!i!& "$ me a!d the da#!ess I

alle&edly waled i!. ;Based "! the c"l"# a!d a%%ea#a!ce, y" ca! tell a l"t a("t a %e#s"!1well, i$

a!y"!e c"ld actally see a#as, that is.;

;3!d y" ca!,; she said. ;3!d y" ca! tell I se s%i#it $#"m my a#a7;

;Y"#s is m"stly &"ld. 9ie mi!e. It'll shi$t with "the# c"l"#s de%e!di!& "! the sitati"!, (t

the &"ld always stays.;;H"w ma!y "the# %e"%le "t the#e lie s d" y" !"w7;

;N"t ma!y. I 0st see them eve#y "!ce i! a while. They i!d "$ ee% t" themselves. Y"'#e



the $i#st I've actally eve# taled t". I did!'t eve! !"w it was called 's%i#it.' ish I'd !"w! a("t

this whe! I did!'t s%eciali4e. I 0st $i&#ed I was s"me i!d "$ $#ea.;

9issa held % he# a#m a!d sta#ed, willi!& he#sel$ t" see the li&ht shi!i!& a#"!d it. N"thi!&.

She si&hed a!d let the a#m d#"%.

3!d that's whe! I &"t it.

3d#ia! was a s%i#it se# t"". That was why he'd (ee! s" c#i"s a("t 9issa, why he'd

wa!ted t" tal t" he# a!d as a("t the ("!d a!d he# s%eciali4ati"!. It als" e-%lai!ed a l"t "$ "the#thi!&s)lie that cha#isma I c"ld!'t seem t" esca%e whe! I was !ea# him. He'd sed c"m%lsi"!

that day 9issa a!d I had (ee! i! his #""m)that was h"w he'd $"#ced Dimit#i t" #elease him.

;S", they $i!ally let y" &"7; 3d#ia! ased he#.

;Yeah. They $i!ally decided I #eally did!'t !"w a!ythi!&.;

;G""d,; he said. He $#"w!ed, a!d I #eali4ed he was s"(e# $"# a cha!&e. ;3!d y"'#e sure

y" d"!'t7;

;I al#eady t"ld y" that. I ca!'t mae the ("!d w"# that way.;

;Hmm. ell. Y"'ve &"t t".;

She &la#ed. ;hat, y" thi! I'm h"ldi!& (ac7 I$ I c"ld $i!d he#, I w"ld?;

;I !"w, (t t" have it at all, y" mst have a st#"!& c"!!ecti"!. Use that t" tal t" he# i!

he# d#eams. I t#ied, (t I ca!'t ha!& "! l"!& e!"&h t");;hat did y" say7; e-claimed 9issa. ;Tal t" he# i! he# dreams0/

N"w he l""ed %44led. ;S#e. D"!'t y" !"w h"w t" d" that7;

;N"? 3#e y" iddi!&7 H"w is that eve! %"ssi(le7;

My d#eams 1

I #emem(e#ed 9issa tali!& a("t !e-%lai!ed M"#"i %he!"me!a, h"w the#e mi&ht (e s%i#it

%"we#s "t the#e (ey"!d heali!&, thi!&s !" "!e eve! !ew a("t yet. It w"ld a%%ea# that 3d#ia!

(ei!& i! my d#eams was !" c"i!cide!ce. He'd ma!a&ed t" &et i!side my head, may(e i! a way

simila# t" h"w I saw 9issa's mi!d. The th"&ht made me !easy. 9issa c"ld (a#ely eve! &#as% it.

He #a! a ha!d th#"&h his hai# a!d ti%%ed his head (ac, sta#i!& at the c#ystal cha!delie#

a("ve as he %"!de#ed. ;Oay. S". Y" d"!'t see a#as, a!d y" d"!'t tal t" %e"%le i! d#eams. hat

do y" d"7;

;I 1 I ca! heal %e"%le. 3!imals. 8la!ts, t"". I ca! (#i!& dead thi!&s (ac t" li$e.;

;Really7; He l""ed im%#essed. ;Oay. Y" &et c#edit $"# that. hat else7;

;Um, I ca! se c"m%lsi"!.;

;e ca! all d" that.;

;N", I ca! really d" it. It's !"t ha#d. I ca! mae %e"%le d" a!ythi!& I wa!t)eve! (ad

thi!&s.;

;S" ca! I.; His eyes lit %. ;I w"!de# what w"ld ha%%e! i$ y" t#ied t" se it "! me1.;

She hesitated a!d a(se!tmi!dedly #a! he# $i!&e#s "ve# the te-t#ed #ed ca#%et. ;ell1 I

ca!'t.;

;Y" 0st said y" c"ld.;;I ca!)0st !"t #i&ht !"w. I tae this %#esc#i%ti"! 1 $"# de%#essi"! a!d "the# st$$1a!d it

cts me "$$ $#"m the ma&ic.;

He th#ew his a#ms % i! the ai#. ;H"w ca! I teach y" t" wal th#"&h d#eams the!7 H"w

else a#e we &"i!& t" $i!d R"se7;

;9"",; she said a!&#ily, ;I d"!'t want t" tae the meds. Bt whe! I was "$$ them 1 I did

#eally c#a4y st$$. Da!&e#"s st$$. That's what s%i#it d"es t" y".;

;I d"!'t tae a!ythi!&. I'm "ay,; he said.

N", he was!'t, I #eali4ed. 9issa #eali4ed it t"".

;Y" &"t #eally wei#d that day whe! Dimit#i was i! y"# #""m,; she %"i!ted "t. ;Y"

sta#ted #am(li!&, a!d y" did!'t mae a!y se!se.;

;Oh, that7 Yeah 1 it ha%%e!s !"w a!d the!. Bt se#i"sly, !"t "$te!. O!ce a m"!th, i$ that.;He s"!ded si!ce#e.

9issa sta#ed at him, sdde!ly #eevalati!& eve#ythi!&. hat i$ 3d#ia! c"ld d" it7 hat i$



he c"ld se s%i#it with"t %ills and with"t a!y ha#m$l side e$$ects7 It w"ld (e eve#ythi!& she

had (ee! h"%i!& $"#. Besides, she was!'t eve! s#e i$ the %ills w"ld ee% w"#i!& a!ym"#e1.

He smiled, &essi!& what she was thi!i!&.

;hat d" y" say, c"si!7; he ased. He did!'t !eed t" se c"m%lsi"!. His "$$e# was

%le!ty tem%ti!& i! its "w! #i&ht. ;I ca! teach y" eve#ythi!& I !"w i$ y"'#e a(le t" t"ch the

ma&ic. It'll tae a while $"# the %ills t" &et "t "$ y"# system, (t "!ce they d" 1;



@ha%te# A

THIS 3S NOT H3T I !eeded #i&ht !"w. I c"ld have ha!dled a!ythi!& else 3d#ia!

did* hitti!& "! he#, &etti!& he# t" sm"e his #idicl"s ci&a#ettes, whateve#. Bt !"t this. 9issa

6itti!& th"se %ills was e-actly what I'd wa!ted t" av"id.

Relcta!tly I %lled "t "$ he# head a!d #et#!ed t" my "w! &#im sitati"!. I w"ld have

lied t" see what $#the# devel"%ed with 3d#ia! a!d 9issa, (t watchi!& them w"ld d" !" &""d.Oay. I really !eeded a %la! !"w. I !eeded acti"!. I !eeded t" &et s "t "$ he#e. Bt, &la!ci!&

a#"!d me, I $"!d mysel$ !" cl"se# t" esca%e tha! I had (ee! ea#lie#, a!d I s%e!t the !e-t $ew

h"#s (#""di!& a!d s%eclati!&.

e had th#ee &a#ds t"day. They l""ed a little ("#ed (t !"t e!"&h t" slac "$$. Nea#(y,

Eddie a%%ea#ed !c"!sci"s, a!d Mas"! sta#ed (la!ly at the $l""#. 3c#"ss the #""m, @h#istia!

&la#ed at !"thi!& i! %a#ticla#, a!d I thi! Mia was slee%i!&. 8ai!$lly awa#e "$ h"w d#y my th#"at

was, I alm"st la&hed i! #ecalli!& h"w I'd t"ld he# wate# ma&ic was seless. It mi&ht !"t d" mch i!

a $i&ht, (t I w"ld have &ive! a!ythi!& $"# he# t" smm"! % s"me)

Ma&ic.

hy had!'t I th"&ht "$ this (e$"#e7 e we#e!'t hel%less. N"t e!ti#ely.

3 %la! sl"wly c"alesced i! my mi!d)a %la! that was %#"(a(ly i!sa!e (t was als" the (estwe had. My hea#t thdded with a!tici%ati"!, a!d I immediately sch""led my $eat#es t" calm!ess

(e$"#e the &a#ds !"ticed my sdde! i!si&ht. O! the "%%"site side "$ the #""m, @h#istia! was

watchi!& me. He'd see! the (#ie$ $la#e "$ e-citeme!t a!d #eali4ed I'd th"&ht "$ s"methi!&. He

watched me c#i"sly, as #eady $"# acti"! as I was.

G"d. H"w c"ld we %ll this "$$7 I !eeded his hel%, (t I had !" #eal way "$ letti!& him

!"w what I had i! mi!d. I! $act, I was!'t eve! s#e i$ he c"ld hel% me at all)he was %#etty wea.

I held his &a4e, willi!& him t" !de#sta!d that s"methi!& was &"i!& t" ha%%e!. The#e was

c"!$si"! "! his $ace, (t it was %ai#ed with dete#mi!ati"!. 3$te# mai!& s#e !"!e "$ the &a#ds

we#e l""i!& di#ectly at me, I shi$ted sli&htly, &ivi!& a small t& at my w#ists. I &la!ced (ehi!d me

as mch as I c"ld, the! met @h#istia!'s eyes a&ai!. He $#"w!ed, a!d I #e%eated the &est#e.

;Hey,; I said l"dly. Mia a!d Mas"! ("th 0e#ed i! s#%#ise. ;3#e y" &ys #eally &"i!& t"

ee% sta#vi!& s7 @a!'t we at least have s"me wate# "# s"methi!&7;

;Sht %,; said "!e "$ the &a#ds. It was a %#etty sta!da#d a!swe# whe!eve# a!y "$ s s%"e.

;@"me "!.; I sed my (est (itchy v"ice. ;N"t eve! lie a si% "$ s"methi!&7 My th#"at's

burnin". 8#actically "! $i#e.; My &a4e $liced t" @h#istia! as I said th"se last $ew w"#ds, the!

#et#!ed t" the &a#d wh"'d s%"e!.

3s e-%ected, he #"se $#"m his seat a!d l#ched t"wa#d me. ;D" not mae me #e%eat mysel$,;

he &#"wled. I did!'t !"w i$ he'd #eally d" a!ythi!& vi"le!t, (t I had !" i!te#est i! %shi!& it 0st

yet. Besides, I'd acc"m%lished my &"al. I$ @h#istia! c"ld!'t tae the hi!t, the#e was !"thi!& else t"

(e d"!e $"# it. H"%i!& I l""ed a$#aid, I sht %.

The &a#d #et#!ed t" his seat, a!d a$te# a while, he st"%%ed watchi!& me. I l""ed at@h#istia! a&ai! a!d &ave the w#ist t&. !ome on, come on, I th"&ht. 1ut it to"ether, !hristian.

His eye(#"ws sdde!ly sh"t %, a!d he sta#ed at me i! ama4eme!t. ell. He'd a%%a#e!tly

$i&#ed "t s"methi!&. I 0st h"%ed it was what I'd wa!ted. His l"" t#!ed 6esti"!i!&, as th"&h

asi!& i$ I was #eally se#i"s. I !"dded em%hatically. He $#"w!ed i! th"&ht $"# a $ew m"me!ts a!d

the! t"" a dee%, steadyi!& (#eath.

;3ll #i&ht,; he said. Eve#y"!e 0m%ed a&ai!.

;Sht %,; said "!e "$ the &a#ds at"matically. He s"!ded wea#y.

;N",; said @h#istia!. ;I'm #eady. Ready t" d#i!.;

Eve#y"!e i! the #""m $#"4e $"# the s%ace "$ a $ew hea#t(eats, i!cldi!& me. This was!'t

e-actly what I'd had i! mi!d.

The &a#ds' leade# st""d %. ;D" not sc#ew a#"!d with s.;;I'm !"t,; said @h#istia!. He had a $eve#ish, des%e#ate l"" "! his $ace that I did!'t thi! was

e!ti#ely $aed. ;I'm ti#ed "$ this. I wa!t t" &et "t "$ he#e, a!d I d"!'t wa!t t" die. I'll d#i!)a!d I



wa!t her./ He !"dded t"wa#d me. Mia s6eaed i! ala#m. Mas"! called @h#istia! s"methi!& that

w"ld have ea#!ed him a dete!ti"! (ac at sch""l.

This definitely was!'t what I'd had i! mi!d.

The "the# tw" &a#ds l""ed t" thei# leade# 6esti"!i!&ly. ;Sh"ld we &et Isaiah7; ased

"!e "$ them.

;I d"!'t thi! he's he#e,; said the leade#. He stdied @h#istia! $"# a $ew sec"!ds a!d the!

made a decisi"!. ;3!d I d"!'t wa!t t" ("the# him a!yway i$ this is a 0"e. 9et him &", a!d we'llsee.;

O!e "$ the me! %#"dced a %ai# "$ sha#% %lie#s. He m"ved (ehi!d @h#istia! a!d lea!ed

d"w!. I hea#d the s"!d "$ %lastic %"%%i!& as the $le-/c$$s &ave way. G#a((i!& a h"ld "$

@h#istia!'s a#m, the &a#d 0e#ed him %#i&ht a!d led him "ve# t" me.

;@h#istia!,; e-claimed Mas"!, $#y $illi!& his v"ice. He st#&&led a&ai!st his c"!st#ai!ts,

shai!& his chai# a little. ;3#e y" "t "$ y"# mi!d7 D"!'t let them d" this?;

;Y" &ys have t" die, (t I d"!'t,; s!a%%ed @h#istia!, t"ssi!& his (lac hai# "t "$ his eyes.

;The#e's !" "the# way "t "$ this.;

I did!'t #eally !"w what was &"i!& "! !"w, (t I was %#etty s#e I sh"ld (e sh"wi!& a l"t

m"#e em"ti"! i$ I was a("t t" die. Tw" &a#ds $la!ed @h#istia! "! eithe# side, watchi!& wa#ily as

he lea!ed t"wa#d me.;@h#istia!,; I whis%e#ed, s#%#ised at h"w easy it was t" s"!d a$#aid. ;D"!'t d" this.;

His li%s twisted i!t" "!e "$ the (itte# smiles he %#"dced s" well. ;Y" a!d I have !eve#

lied each "the#, R"se. I$ I've &"t t" ill s"me"!e, it mi&ht as well (e y".; His w"#ds we#e icy,

%#ecise. Believa(le. ;Besides, I th"&ht y" wa!ted this.;

;N"t this. 8lease, d"!'t);

O!e "$ the &a#ds sh"ved @h#istia!. ;Get it "ve# with, "# &et (ac t" y"# chai#.;

Still wea#i!& that da# smile, @h#istia! sh#&&ed. ;S"##y, R"se. Y"'#e &"i!& t" die a!yway.

hy !"t d" it $"# a &""d case7; He (#"&ht his $ace d"w! t" my !ec. ;This is %#"(a(ly &"i!& t"

h#t,; he added.

I actally d"(ted it w"ld 1 i$ he was #eally &"i!& t" d" it. Becase he was!'t1#i&ht7 I

shi$ted !easily. By all acc"!ts, i$ y" &"t all y"# (l""d sced "t "$ y", y" als" &"t e!"&h

e!d"#%hi!s %m%ed i! d#i!& the %#"cess t" dll m"st "$ the %ai!. It was lie &"i!& t" slee%. O$

c"#se, that was all s%eclati"!. 8e"%le wh" died $#"m vam%i#e (ites did!'t #eally c"me (ac t"

#e%"#t "! the e-%e#ie!ce.

@h#istia! !44led my !ec, m"vi!& his $ace !de# my hai# s" that it %a#tially "(sc#ed him.

His li%s (#shed my si!, eve#y (it as s"$t as I #ecalled $#"m whe! he a!d 9issa issed. 3 m"me!t

late#, the %"i!ts "$ his $a!&s t"ched my si!.

3!d the! I $elt %ai!. Real %ai!.

Bt it was!'t c"mi!& $#"m the (ite. His teeth "!ly %#essed a&ai!st my si!5 they did!'t (#ea

it. His t"!&e m"ved a&ai!st my !ec i! a la%%i!& m"ti"!, (t the#e was !" (l""d t" sc. I$

a!ythi!&, it was m"#e lie s"me i!d "$ wei#d, twisted iss. N", the %ai! came $#"m my w#ists. 3 (#!i!& %ai!. @h#istia! was si!& his ma&ic t" cha!!el

heat i!t" my $le-/c$$s, 0st as I had wa!ted him t". He'd !de#st""d my messa&e. The %lastic &#ew

h"tte# a!d h"tte# as he c"!ti!ed his (a#ely the#e d#i!i!&. 3!y"!e wh"'d (ee! l""i!& cl"sely

w"ld have (ee! a(le t" tell he was hal$/$ai!& it, (t t"" mch "$ my hai# was (l"ci!& the &a#ds'

view.

I !ew %lastic was ha#d t" melt, (t "!ly !"w did I #eally, #eally !de#sta!d what that mea!t.

The tem%e#at#es #e6i#ed t" d" a!y dama&e we#e "$$ the cha#ts. It was lie %l!&i!& my ha!ds i!t"

lava. The $le-/c$$s sea#ed my si!, h"t a!d te##i(le. I s6i#med, h"%i!& I c"ld #elieve the %ai!. I

c"ld!'t. hat I did !"tice, h"weve#, was that the c$$s &ave a little whe! I m"ved. They we#e

&etti!& s"$te#. Oay. That was s"methi!&. I 0st had t" h"ld "t a little l"!&e#. Des%e#ately, I t#ied t"

$"cs "! @h#istia!'s (ite a!d dist#act mysel$. It w"#ed $"# a("t $ive sec"!ds. He was!'t &ivi!& memch i! the way "$ e!d"#%hi!s, ce#tai!ly !"t e!"&h t" c"m(at that i!c#easi!&ly h"##i(le %ai!. I

whim%e#ed, %#"(a(ly mai!& mysel$ m"#e c"!vi!ci!&.



;I ca!'t (elieve it,; mtte#ed "!e "$ the &a#ds. ;He's actally d"i!& it.; Bey"!d them, I

th"&ht I hea#d the s"!d "$ Mia c#yi!&.

The c$$s' (#!i!& i!c#eased. I'd !eve# $elt a!ythi!& s" %ai!$l i! my li$e, a!d I'd (ee!

th#"&h a l"t. 8assi!& "t was #a%idly (ec"mi!& a ve#y #eal %"ssi(ility.

;Hey,; the &a#d sdde!ly said. ;hat's that smell7;

That smell was melti!& %lastic. O# may(e my melti!& $lesh. H"!estly, it did!'t matte#

(ecase the !e-t time I m"ved my w#ists, they (#"e th#"&h the &""ey, scaldi!& c$$s.I had te! sec"!ds "$ s#%#ise, a!d I sed them. I lea%t "t "$ my chai#, %shi!& @h#istia!

(acwa#d i! the %#"cess. He'd had a &a#d "! eithe# side "$ him, a!d "!e still held the %lie#s. I! a

si!&le m"ti"!, I &#a((ed the %lie#s $#"m the &y a!d %l!&ed them i!t" his chee. He &ave s"me

i!d "$ &#&led sc#eam, (t I did!'t wait t" see what ha%%e!ed. My wi!d"w "$ s#%#ise was cl"si!&,

a!d I c"ld!'t waste time. 3s s""! as I let &" "$ the %lie#s, I %!ched the sec"!d &y. My ics we#e

st#"!&e# tha! my %!ches as a &e!e#al #le, (t I still hit him ha#d e!"&h t" sta#tle him a!d mae

him sta&&e#.

By the!, the &a#ds' leade# was i! acti"!. 3s I'd $ea#ed, he still had a &!, a!d he we!t $"# it.

;D"!'t m"ve?; he yelled, aimi!& at me.

I $#"4e. The &a#d I'd %!ched came $"#wa#d a!d &#a((ed my a#m. Nea#(y, the &y I'd

sta((ed was m"a!i!& "! the $l""#. Still t#ai!i!& the &! "! me, the leade# sta#ted t" say s"methi!&a!d the! yel%ed i! ala#m. The &! &l"wed $ai!tly "#a!&e a!d $ell $#"m his ha!ds. he#e he'd held

it, the si! (#!ed #ed a!d a!&#y. @h#istia! had heated the metal, I #eali4ed. Yeah. e de$i!itely

sh"ld have (ee! si!& this ma&ic thi!& $#"m the sta#t. I$ we &"t "t "$ this, I was &"i!& t" tae %

Tasha's case. The M"#"i a!ti/ma&ic cst"m was s" i!stilled i! "# (#ai!s that we had!'t eve!

th"&ht t" t#y this s""!e#. It was st%id.

I t#!ed "! the &y h"ldi!& me. I d"!'t thi! he e-%ected a &i#l my si4e t" %t % s" mch "$

a $i&ht, %ls he was still i!d "$ st!!ed "ve# what had ha%%e!ed t" the "the# &y a!d the &!. I

ma!a&ed e!"&h #""m t" &et i! a ic t" his st"mach, a ic that w"ld have ea#!ed me a! 3 i! my

c"m(at class. He &#!ted at the im%act, a!d the m"ti"! %#"%elled him (ac i!t" the wall. I! a $lash,

I was "! him. G#a((i!& a $ist$l "$ his hai#, I slammed his head a&ai!st the &#"!d ha#d e!"&h t"

!"c him "t (t !"t ill him.

Immediately, I s%#a!& %, s#%#ised the leade# had!'t c"me a$te# me yet. It sh"ld!'t have

tae! him that l"!& t" #ec"ve# $#"m the sh"c "$ the heated &!. Bt whe! I t#!ed a#"!d, the

#""m was 6iet. The leade# lay !c"!sci"s "! the &#"!d)with a !ewly $#eed Mas"! h"ve#i!&

"ve# him. Nea#(y, @h#istia! held the %lie#s i! "!e ha!d a!d the &! i! the "the#. It had t" still (e

h"t, (t @h#istia!'s %"we# mst have made him imm!e. He was aimi!& at that ma! I'd sta((ed.

The &y was!'t !c"!sci"s, me#ely (leedi!&, (t, lie I had, he $#"4e (e!eath that (a##el.

;H"ly shit,; I mtte#ed, tai!& i! the sce!e. Sta&&e#i!& "ve# t" @h#istia!, I held "t my

ha!d. ;Give me that (e$"#e y" h#t s"me("dy.;

I e-%ected a (iti!& #ema#, (t he sim%ly ha!ded the &! "ve# with shai!& ha!ds. I sh"ved

it i!t" my (elt. Stdyi!& him $#the#, I saw h"w %ale he was. He l""ed lie he c"ld c"lla%se ata!y m"me!t. He'd d"!e s"me %#etty ma0"# ma&ic $"# s"me"!e wh"'d (ee! sta#ved $"# tw" days.

;Mase, &et the c$$s,; I said. ith"t t#!i!& his (ac "! the #est "$ s, Mas"! t"" a $ew

ste%s (ac t"wa#d the ("- whe#e "# ca%t"#s had e%t thei# stash "$ $le-/c$$s. He %lled "t th#ee

st#i%s "$ %lastic a!d the! s"methi!& else. ith a 6esti"!i!& &la!ce at me, he held % a #"ll "$ dct

ta%e.

;8e#$ect,; I said.

e ("!d "# ca%t"#s t" the chai#s. O!e had #emai!ed c"!sci"s, (t we !"ced him "t

t"" a!d the! %t dct ta%e "ve# all thei# m"ths. They'd eve!tally c"me t", a!d I did!'t wa!t them

mai!& a!y !"ise.

3$te# #eleasi!& Mia a!d Eddie, the $ive "$ s hddled t"&ethe# a!d %la!!ed "# !e-t m"ve.

@h#istia! a!d Eddie c"ld (a#ely sta!d, (t at least @h#istia! was awa#e "$ his s##"!di!&s. Mia's$ace was st#eaed with tea#s, (t I ss%ected she'd (e a(le t" tae "#de#s. That le$t Mas"! a!d me as

the m"st $!cti"!al i! the &#"%.



;That &y's watch says it's m"#!i!&,; he said. ;3ll we've &"t t" d" is &et "tside, a!d they

ca!'t t"ch s. 3s l"!& as the#e a#e !" m"#e hma!s, at least.;

;They said Isaiah was &"!e,; said Mia i! a small v"ice. ;e sh"ld 0st (e a(le t" leave,

#i&ht7;

;Th"se me! have!'t le$t i! h"#s,; I said. ;They c"ld (e w#"!&. e ca!'t d" a!ythi!&

st%id.;

@a#e$lly, Mas"! "%e!ed the d""# t" "# #""m a!d %ee#ed "t i!t" the em%ty hallway.;Thi! the#e's a way "tside d"w! he#e7;

;That'd mae "# lives easie#,; I mtte#ed. I &la!ced (ac at the "the#s. ;Stay he#e. e'#e

&"i!& t" chec "t the #est "$ the (aseme!t.;

;hat i$ s"me("dy c"mes7; e-claimed Mia.

;They w"!'t,; I ass#ed he#. I was actally %#etty s#e the#e was !" "!e else i! the (aseme!t5

they w"ld have c"me #!!i!& with all that #acet. 3!d i$ a!y"!e t#ied t" c"me d"w! the stai#s, we

w"ld hea# them $i#st.

Still, Mas"! a!d I m"ved cati"sly as we sc"ted a#"!d the (aseme!t, watchi!& each

"the#'s (acs a!d checi!& a#"!d c"#!e#s. It was eve#y (it the #at's ma4e I #emem(e#ed $#"m "#

i!itial ca%t#e. Twisted hallways a!d l"ts "$ #""ms. O!e (y "!e, we "%e!ed each d""#. Eve#y #""m

was em%ty, save $"# the "ccasi"!al chai# "# tw". I shdde#ed, thi!i!& that all "$ these we#e %#"(a(ly sed as %#is"!s, 0st as "#s had (ee!.

;N"t a &"ddam!ed wi!d"w i! this wh"le %lace,; I mtte#ed whe! we'd $i!ished "# swee%.

;e've &"t t" &" %stai#s.;

e headed (ac t"wa#d "# #""m, (t (e$"#e we &"t the#e, Mas"! ca&ht h"ld "$ my ha!d.

;R"se 1;

I st"%%ed a!d l""ed % at him. ;Yeah7;

His (les eyes)m"#e se#i"s tha! I'd eve# see! them) l""ed d"w! at me #e&#et$lly. ;I

#eally sc#ewed thi!&s %.;

I th"&ht a("t all the eve!ts that had led t" this. /8e sc#ewed thi!&s %, Mas"!.;

He si&hed. ;I h"%e 1 I h"%e whe! this is all d"!e, we ca! sit d"w! a!d tal a!d $i&#e

thi!&s "t. I sh"ld!'t have &"tte! mad at y".;

I wa!ted t" tell him that that was!'t &"i!& t" ha%%e!, that whe! he'd disa%%ea#ed, I'd actally

(ee! "! my way t" tell him thi!&s w"ld!'t (e (ette# (etwee! s. Si!ce this did!'t seem lie the

#i&ht time "# %lace t" (#i!& % a (#ea%, I lied.

I s6ee4ed his ha!d. ;I h"%e s" t"".;

He smiled, a!d we #et#!ed t" the "the#s.

;3ll #i&ht,; I t"ld them. ;He#e's h"w it's &"i!& t" (e.;

e 6icly hashed "t a %la! a!d the! c#e%t % the stai#s. I led, $"ll"wed (y Mia as she t#ied

t" s%%"#t a #elcta!t @h#istia!. Mas"! (#"&ht % the #ea#, %#actically d#a&&i!& Eddie.

;I sh"ld (e $i#st,; Mas"! m#m#ed as we st""d at the t"% "$ the stai#s.

;Y" a#e!'t,; I s!a%%ed (ac, #esti!& my ha!d "! the d""#!"(.;Yeah, (t i$ s"methi!& ha%%e!s);

;Mas"!,; I i!te##%ted. I sta#ed at him ha#d, a!d sdde!ly, I had a (#ie$ $lash "$ my m"the#

that day whe! the D#"4d"v attac had (#"e!. @alm a!d c"!t#"lled, eve! i! the wae "$ s"methi!&

s" h"##i(le. They'd !eeded a leade#, 0st lie this &#"% did !"w, a!d I t#ied as ha#d as I c"ld t"

cha!!el he#. ;I$ s"methi!& ha%%e!s, y" &et them "t "$ he#e. R! $ast a!d #! $a#. D" !"t c"me

(ac with"t a he#d "$ &a#dia!s.;

;Y"'ll (e the "!e wh" &ets attaced $i#st? hat am I s%%"sed t" d"7; he hissed. ;9eave

y"7;

;Yes. Y" $"#&et a("t me i$ y" ca! &et them "t.;

;R"se, I'm !"t &"i!& t");

;Mas"!.; I a&ai! e!visi"!ed my m"the#, $i&hti!& $"# that st#e!&th a!d %"we# t" lead "the#s.;@a! y" d" this "# !"t7;

e sta#ed at each "the# $"# seve#al heavy m"me!ts while the "the#s held thei# (#eaths.



;I ca! d" this,; he said sti$$ly. I !"dded a!d t#!ed (ac a#"!d.

The (aseme!t d""# s6eaed whe! I "%e!ed it, a!d I &#imaced at the s"!d. Sca#cely da#i!&

t" (#eathe, I st""d %e#$ectly still at the t"% "$ the stai#s, waiti!& a!d liste!i!&. The h"se a!d its

ecce!t#ic dec"#ati!& l""ed the same as whe! we'd (ee! (#"&ht i!. Da# (li!ds c"ve#ed all "$ the

wi!d"ws, (t al"!& the ed&es, I c"ld see (#i&ht li&ht %ee%i!& i!. S!shi!e had !eve# tasted s"

sweet as it did at that m"me!t. Getti!& t" it mea!t $#eed"m.

The#e we#e !" s"!ds, !" m"veme!ts. 9""i!& a#"!d, I t#ied t" #emem(e# whe#e the $#"!td""# was. It was "! the "the# side "$ the h"se)#eally !"t $a# i! the &#a!d scheme "$ thi!&s (t a

&a%i!& chasm at the m"me!t.

;Sc"t with me,; I whis%e#ed t" Mas"!, h"%i!& t" mae him $eel (ette# a("t (#i!&i!& %

the #ea#.

He let Eddie lea! "! Mia $"# a m"me!t a!d ste%%ed $"#wa#d with me t" d" a 6ic swee% "$

the mai! livi!& a#ea. N"thi!&. The %ath was clea# $#"m he#e t" the $#"!t d""#. I e-haled i! #elie$.

Mas"! t"" h"ld "$ Eddie a&ai!, a!d we m"ved $"#wa#d, all "$ s te!se a!d !e#v"s. G"d. e we#e

&"i!& t" d" this, I #eali4ed. e we#e #eally &"i!& t" d" this. I c"ld!'t (elieve h"w lcy we'd

&"tte!. e'd (ee! s" cl"se t" disaste#)a!d had 0st (a#ely made it th#"&h. It was "!e "$ th"se

m"me!ts that made y" a%%#eciate y"# li$e a!d wa!t t" t#! thi!&s a#"!d. 3 sec"!d cha!ce y"

swea# y" w"!'t let &" t" waste. 3 #eali4ati"! that) I hea#d them m"ve alm"st at the same time I saw them ste% i! $#"!t "$ s. It was lie a

ma&icia! c"!0#ed Isaiah a!d Ele!a "t "$ thi! ai#. O!ly, I !ew the#e was !" ma&ic i!v"lved this

time. St#i&"i 0st m"ved that 6icly. They mst have (ee! i! "!e "$ the "the# mai! $l""# #""ms that

we'd assmed we#e em%ty)we had!'t wa!ted t" waste the e-t#a time l""i!&. I #a&ed at mysel$

i!te#!ally $"# !"t havi!& checed "t eve#y i!ch "$ the wh"le $l""#. S"mewhe#e, i! the (ac "$ my

mem"#y, I hea#d mysel$ ta!ti!& my m"the# i! Sta!'s class* /It seems to me like you "uys messed

up. 8hy didn't you scope out the place and make sure it was clear of tri"oi in the first place0

eems like you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble./

<a#ma's a #eal (itch.

;@hild#e!, child#e!,; c#""!ed Isaiah. ;This is!'t h"w the &ame w"#s. Y"'#e (#eai!& the

#les.; 3 c#el smile %layed "ve# his li%s. He $"!d s amsi!&, !" #eal th#eat at all. H"!estly7 He

was #i&ht.

;:ast a!d $a#, Mas"!,; I said i! l"w v"ice, !eve# tai!& my eyes "$$ the St#i&"i.

;My, my 1 i$ l""s c"ld ill 1; Isaiah a#ched his eye(#"ws as s"methi!& "cc##ed t" him.

;3#e y" thi!i!& y" ca! tae s ("th "! (y y"#sel$7; He chcled. Ele!a chcled. I &#itted my

teeth.

N", I did!'t thi! I c"ld tae them ("th "!. I! $act, I was %#etty s#e I was &"i!& t" die. Bt

I was als" %#etty s#e I c"ld %#"vide "!e hell "$ a dist#acti"! $i#st.

I l!&ed t"wa#d Isaiah (t %lled the &! "! Ele!a. Y" c"ld &et a 0m% "! hma! &a#ds

)(t !"t "! St#i&"i. They saw me c"mi!& %#actically (e$"#e I eve! m"ved. They did!'t e-%ect me

t" have a &!, th"&h. 3!d while Isaiah (l"ced my attaci!& ("dy with alm"st !" e$$"#twhats"eve#, I still ma!a&ed t" &et a sh"t "$$ at Ele!a (e$"#e he sei4ed my a#ms a!d #est#ai!ed me.

The &!'s #e%"#t #a!& l"d i! my ea#s, a!d she sc#eamed i! %ai! a!d s#%#ise. I'd aimed $"# he#

st"mach (t had (ee! 0"stled i!t" hitti!& he# thi&h. N"t that it matte#ed. Neithe# s%"t w"ld ill he#,

(t the st"mach w"ld have h#t a l"t m"#e.

Isaiah held my w#ists s" ha#d, I th"&ht he'd (#ea the ("!es. I d#"%%ed the &!. It hit the

$l""#, ("!ced, a!d slid t"wa#d the d""#. Ele!a sh#ieed i! #a&e a!d clawed at me. Isaiah t"ld he# t"

c"!t#"l he#sel$ a!d %shed me "t "$ #each. 3ll the while, I $lailed as mch as %"ssi(le, !"t s" mch

t" esca%e as t" mae a !isa!ce "$ mysel$.

3!d the!* the sweetest "$ s"!ds.

The $#"!t d""# "%e!i!&.

Mas"! had tae! adva!ta&e "$ my dist#acti"!. He'd le$t Eddie with Mia a!d s%#i!ted a#"!dme a!d the &#a%%li!& St#i&"i t" "%e! the d""#. Isaiah t#!ed with that li&ht!i!&/$ast s%eed "$ his)

a!d sc#eamed as s!li&ht %"#ed "ve# him. Bt eve! th"&h he was s$$e#i!&, his #e$le-es we#e still



$ast. He 0e#ed himsel$ "t "$ the %atch "$ li&ht i!t" the livi!& #""m, d#a&&i!& Ele!a a!d me with

him)he# (y the a#m a!d me (y my !ec.

;Get them "t?; I yelled.

;Isaiah); (e&a! Ele!a, (#eai!& "t "$ his &#i%.

He sh"ved me t" the $l""# a!d s%! a#"!d, sta#i!& at his esca%i!& victims. I &as%ed $"#

(#eath !"w that his &#i% "! my th#"at was &"!e a!d %ee#ed (ac at the d""# th#"&h the ta!&le "$

my hai#. I was 0st i! time t" see Mas"! d#a& Eddie "ve# the th#esh"ld, "t i!t" the sa$ety "$ theli&ht. Mia a!d @h#istia! we#e al#eady &"!e. I !ea#ly we%t i! #elie$.

Isaiah t#!ed (ac "! me with all the $#y "$ a st"#m, his eyes (lac a!d te##i(le as he

l""med "ve# me $#"m his &#eat hei&ht. His $ace, which had always (ee! sca#y, (ecame s"methi!&

alm"st (ey"!d c"m%#ehe!si"!. ;M"!st#"s; did!'t eve! (e&i! t" c"ve# it.

He 0e#ed me % (y my hai#. I c#ied "t at the %ai!, a!d he (#"&ht his head d"w! s" that

"# $aces we#e %#essed % t" "!e a!"the#'s.

;Y" wa!t a (ite, &i#l7; he dema!ded. ;Y" wa!t t" (e a (l""d wh"#e7 ell, we ca! a##a!&e

that. I! eve#y se!se "$ the w"#d. 3!d it will not (e sweet. 3!d it will not (e !m(i!&. It will (e

%ai!$l)c"m%lsi"! w"#s ("th ways, y" !"w, a!d I will mae s#e y" (elieve y" a#e

s$$e#i!& the w"#st %ai! "$ y"# li$e. 3!d I will als" mae s#e y"# death taes a ve#y, ve#y l"!&

time. Y" will sc#eam. Y" will c#y. Y" will (e& me t" e!d it all a!d let y" die);;Isaiah,; c#ied Ele!a i! e-as%e#ati"!. ;=st ill he# al#eady. I$ y"'d d"!e it s""!e# lie I

said, !"!e "$ this w"ld have ha%%e!ed.;

He e%t his &#i% "! me (t $liced his eyes t"wa#d he#. ;D" !"t i!te##%t me.;

;Y"'#e (ei!& mel"d#amatic,; she c"!ti!ed. Yeah, she #eally was whi!y. I !eve# w"ld have

th"&ht a St#i&"i c"ld d" that. It was alm"st c"mical. ;3!d waste$l.;

;D" !"t tal (ac t" me, eithe#,; he said.

;I'm hun"ry. I'm 0st sayi!& y" sh"ld);

;9et he# &", "# I'll ill y".;

e all t#!ed at the !ew v"ice, a v"ice da# a!d a!&#y. Mas"! st""d i! the d""#way, $#amed

i! li&ht, h"ldi!& my d#"%%ed &!. Isaiah stdied him $"# a $ew m"me!ts.

;S#e,; Isaiah $i!ally said. He s"!ded ("#ed. ;T#y it.;

Mas"! did!'t hesitate. He $i#ed a!d e%t $i#i!& !til he'd em%tied the e!ti#e cli% i!t" Isaiah's

chest. Each (llet made the St#i&"i $li!ch a little, (t "the#wise, he e%t sta!di!& a!d h"ldi!& "! t"

me. This was what it mea!t t" (e a! "ld a!d %"we#$l St#i&"i, I #eali4ed. 3 (llet i! the thi&h h#t a

y"!& vam%i#e lie Ele!a. Bt $"# Isaiah7 Getti!& sh"t i! the chest mlti%le times was sim%ly a

!isa!ce.

Mas"! #eali4ed this t"", a!d his $eat#es ha#de!ed as he th#ew d"w! the &!.

;Get "t?; I sc#eamed. He was still i! the s!, still sa$e.

Bt he did!'t liste! t" me. He #a! t"wa#d s, "t "$ his %#"tective li&ht. I #ed"(led my

st#&&les, h"%i!& I'd %ll Isaiah's atte!ti"! away $#"m Mas"!. I did!'t. Isaiah sh"ved me i!t" Ele!a

(e$"#e Mas"! was hal$way t" s. Swi$tly, Isaiah (l"ced a!d sei4ed h"ld "$ Mas"!, e-actly as he'dd"!e t" me ea#lie#.

O!ly, !lie with me, Isaiah did!'t #est#ai! Mas"!'s a#ms. He did!'t 0e# Mas"! %#i&ht (y

the hai# "# mae l"!&, #am(li!& th#eats a("t a! a&"!i4i!& death. Isaiah sim%ly st"%%ed the attac,

&#a((ed Mas"!'s head with ("th ha!ds, a!d &ave a 6ic twist. The#e was a sice!i!& c#ac.

Mas"!'s eyes we!t wide. The! they we!t (la!.

ith a! im%atie!t si&h, Isaiah #eleased his h"ld a!d t"ssed Mas"!'s lim% ("dy "ve# t"wa#d

whe#e Ele!a held me. It la!ded (e$"#e s. My visi"! swam as !asea a!d di44i!ess w#a%%ed a#"!d

me.

;The#e,; Isaiah said t" Ele!a. ;See i$ that'll tide y" "ve#. 3!d save s"me $"# me.;



@ha%te#

HORROR 3ND SHO@< @ONSUMED ME, s" mch s" that I th"&ht my s"l w"ld

sh#ivel, that the w"#ld w"ld e!d #i&ht the! a!d the#e)(ecase s#ely, surely it c"ld!'t ee% &"i!&

"! a$te# this. N" "!e c"ld ee% &"i!& "! a$te# this. I wa!ted t" sh#ie my %ai! t" the !ive#se. I

wa!ted t" c#y !til I melted. I wa!ted t" si! d"w! (eside Mas"! a!d die with him.

Ele!a #eleased me, a%%a#e!tly decidi!& I %"sed !" da!&e# %"siti"!ed as I was (etwee! he#a!d Isaiah. She t#!ed t"wa#d Mas"!'s ("dy.

3!d I st"%%ed $eeli!&. I sim%ly acted.

;D"!'t. T"ch. Him.; I did!'t #ec"&!i4e my "w! v"ice.

She #"lled he# eyes. ;G""d &#ie$, y"'#e a!!"yi!&. I'm sta#ted t" see Isaiah's %"i!t)y" do

!eed t" s$$e# (e$"#e dyi!&.; T#!i!& away, she !elt d"w! t" the $l""# a!d $li%%ed Mas"! "ve#

"!t" his (ac.

;D"!'t t"ch him?; I sc#eamed. I sh"ved he# with little e$$ect. She sh"ved (ac, !ea#ly

!"ci!& me "ve#. It was all I c"ld d" t" steady my $eet a!d stay %#i&ht.

Isaiah l""ed "! with amsed i!te#est5 the! his &a4e $ell t" the $l""#. 9issa's ch"ti had

$alle! "t "$ my c"at %"cet. He %iced it %. St#i&"i c"ld t"ch h"ly "(0ects)the st"#ies a("t

them $ea#i!& c#"sses we#e!'t t#e. They 0st c"ld!'t e!te# h"ly &#"!d. He $li%%ed the c#"ss "ve#a!d #a! his $i!&e#s "ve# the etched d#a&"!.

;3h, the D#a&"mi#s,; he msed. ;I'd $"#&"tte! a("t them. Easy t". The#e's what, "!e7 Tw"

"$ them le$t7 Ba#ely w"#th #emem(e#i!&.; Th"se h"##i(le #ed eyes $"csed "! me. ;D" y" !"w

a!y "$ them7 I'll have t" see t" them "!e "$ these days. It w"!'t (e ve#y ha#d t");

Sdde!ly, I hea#d a! e-%l"si"!. The a6a#im (#st a%a#t as wate# sh"t "t "$ it, shatte#i!&

the &lass. 8ieces "$ it $lew t"wa#d me, (t I (a#ely !"ticed. The wate# c"alesced i! the ai#, $"#mi!& a

l"%sided s%he#e. It (e&a! t" $l"at. T"wa#d Isaiah. I $elt my 0aw d#"% as I sta#ed at it.

He watched it t"", m"#e %44led tha! sca#ed. 3t least !til it w#a%%ed a#"!d his $ace a!d

sta#ted s$$"cati!& him.

Mch lie the (llets, s$$"cati"! w"ld!'t ill him. Bt it c"ld case him a hell "$ a l"t "$

disc"m$"#t.

His ha!ds $lew t" his $ace, des%e#ately t#yi!& t" ;%#y; the wate# away. It was !" se. His

$i!&e#s sim%ly sli%%ed th#"&h. Ele!a $"#&"t a("t Mas"! a!d 0m%ed t" he# $eet.

;hat is it7; she sh#ieed. She sh"" him i! a! e6ally seless e$$"#t t" $#ee him. ;hat's

ha%%e!i!&7;

3&ai!, I did!'t $eel. I acted. My ha!d cl"sed a#"!d a la#&e %iece "$ &lass $#"m the (#"e!

a6a#im. It was 0a&&ed a!d sha#%, ctti!& i!t" my ha!d.

S%#i!ti!& $"#wa#d, I %l!&ed the sha#d i!t" Isaiah's chest, aimi!& $"# the hea#t I'd w"#ed s"

ha#d t" $i!d i! %#actice. Isaiah emitted a st#a!&led sc#eam th#"&h the wate# a!d c"lla%sed t" the

$l""#. His eyes #"lled (ac i! his head as he (laced "t $#"m the %ai!.

Ele!a sta#ed, as sh"ced as I'd (ee! whe! Isaiah had illed Mas"!. Isaiah was!'t dead, "$c"#se, (t he was tem%"#a#ily d"w! $"# the c"!t. He# $ace clea#ly sh"wed she had!'t th"&ht that

was %"ssi(le.

The sma#t thi!& at that %"i!t w"ld have (ee! t" #! t"wa#d the d""# a!d the s!'s sa$ety.

I!stead, I #a! i! the "%%"site di#ecti"!, t"wa#d the $i#e%lace. I &#a((ed "!e "$ the a!ti6e sw"#ds

a!d t#!ed (ac t"wa#d Ele!a. I did!'t have $a# t" &", (ecase she'd #ec"ve#ed he#sel$ a!d was

headi!& t"wa#d me.

S!a#li!& with #a&e, she t#ied t" &#a( me. I had !eve# t#ai!ed with a sw"#d, (t I had (ee!

ta&ht t" $i&ht with a!y maeshi$t wea%"! I c"ld $i!d. I sed the sw"#d t" ee% dista!ce (etwee!

s, my m"ti"!s clmsy (t e$$ective $"# the time (ei!&.

hite $a!&s $lashed i! he# m"th. ;I am &"i!& t" mae y");

;S$$e#, %ay, #e&#et I was eve# ("#!7; I s&&ested.I #emem(e#ed $i&hti!& with my m"m, h"w I'd (ee! "! the de$e!sive the wh"le time. That

w"ld!'t w"# this time. I had t" attac. =a((i!& $"#wa#d, I t#ied t" la!d a (l"w "! Ele!a. N" lc.



She a!tici%ated my eve#y m"ve.

Sdde!ly, $#"m (ehi!d he#, Isaiah &#"a!ed as he sta#ted t" c"me a#"!d. She &la!ced (ac,

the smallest "$ m"ti"!s that let me swi%e the sw"#d ac#"ss he# chest. It ct the $a(#ic "$ he# shi#t a!d

&#a4ed the si!, (t !"thi!& m"#e. Still, she $li!ched a!d l""ed d"w! i! %a!ic. I thi! the &lass

&"i!& th#"&h Isaiah's hea#t was still $#esh i! he# mi!d.

3!d that was what I #eally !eeded.

I mste#ed all my st#e!&th, d#ew (ac, a!d sw!&.The sw"#d's (lade hit the side "$ he# !ec, ha#d a!d dee%. She &ave a h"##i(le, sice!i!& c#y,

a sh#ie that made my si! c#awl. She t#ied t" m"ve t"wa#d me. I %lled (ac a!d hit a&ai!. He#

ha!ds cltched at he# th#"at, a!d he# !ees &ave way. I st#c a!d st#c, the sw"#d di&&i!& dee%e#

i!t" he# !ec each time. @tti!& "$$ s"me"!e's head was ha#de# tha! I'd th"&ht it w"ld (e. The

"ld, dll sw"#d %#"(a(ly was!'t hel%i!&.

Bt $i!ally, I &ai!ed e!"&h se!se t" #eali4e she was!'t m"vi!&. He# head lay the#e, detached

$#"m he# ("dy, he# dead eyes l""i!& % at me as th"&h she c"ld!'t (elieve what had ha%%e!ed.

That made tw" "$ s.

S"me"!e was sc#eami!&, a!d $"# a s##eal sec"!d, I th"&ht it was still Ele!a. The! I li$ted

my eyes a!d l""ed ac#"ss the #""m. Mia st""d i! the d""#way, eyes (&&i!& "t a!d si! ti!&ed

&#ee! lie she mi&ht th#"w %. Dista!tly, i! the (ac "$ my mi!d, I #eali4ed she was the "!e wh"'dmade the a6a#im e-%l"de. ate# ma&ic a%%a#e!tly was!'t w"#thless a$te# all.

Still a (it shae!, Isaiah t#ied t" #ise t" his $eet. Bt I was "! him (e$"#e he c"ld $lly

ma!a&e it. The sw"#d sa!& "t, w#eai!& (l""d a!d %ai! with each (l"w. I $elt lie a! "ld %#" !"w.

Isaiah $ell (ac t" the $l""#. I! my mi!d, I e%t seei!& him (#ea Mas"!'s !ec, a!d I haced a!d

haced as ha#d as I c"ld, as th"&h st#ii!& $ie#cely e!"&h mi&ht s"meh"w (a!ish the mem"#y.

;R"se? +ose7/

Th#"&h my hate/$illed ha4e, I 0st (a#ely detected Mia's v"ice.

;R"se, he's dead?;

Sl"wly, shaily, I held (ac the !e-t (l"w a!d l""ed d"w! at his ("dy)a!d the head !"

l"!&e# attached t" it. She was #i&ht. He was dead. 2e#y, ve#y dead.

I l""ed at the #est "$ the #""m. The#e was (l""d eve#ywhe#e, (t the h"##"# "$ it did!'t

#eally #e&iste# with me. My w"#ld had sl"wed d"w!, sl"wed d"w! t" tw" ve#y sim%le tass. <ill the

St#i&"i. 8#"tect Mas"!. I c"ld!'t %#"cess a!ythi!& else.

;R"se,; whis%e#ed Mia. She was t#em(li!&, he# w"#ds $illed with $ea#. She was a$#aid "$ me,

!"t the St#i&"i. ;R"se, we have t" &". @"me "!.;

I d#a&&ed my eyes away $#"m he# a!d l""ed d"w! at Isaiah's #emai!s. 3$te# seve#al

m"me!ts, I c#awled "ve# t" Mas"!'s ("dy, still cltchi!& the sw"#d.

;N",; I c#"aed "t. ;I ca!'t leave him. Othe# St#i&"i mi&ht c"me1.;

My eyes (#!ed lie I des%e#ately wa!ted t" c#y. I c"ld!'t say $"# s#e. The (l""dlst still

%"!ded i! me, vi"le!ce a!d #a&e the "!ly em"ti"!s I was ca%a(le "$ a!ym"#e.

;R"se, we'll c"me (ac $"# him. I$ "the# St#i&"i a#e c"mi!&, we have t" &et "t.;;N",; I #e%eated, !"t eve! l""i!& at he#. ;I'm !"t leavi!& him. I w"!'t leave him al"!e.;

ith my $#ee ha!d, I st#"ed Mas"!'s hai#.

;R"se);

I 0e#ed my head %. ;Get "t?; I sc#eamed at he#. ;Get "t, a!d leave s al"!e.;

She t"" a $ew ste%s $"#wa#d, a!d I li$ted the sw"#d. She $#"4e.

;Get "t,; I #e%eated. ;G" $i!d the "the#s.;

Sl"wly, Mia (aced % t"wa#d the d""#. She &ave me "!e last, des%e#ate l"" (e$"#e #!!i!&

"tside.

Sile!ce $ell, a!d I #ela-ed my h"ld "! the sw"#d (t #e$sed t" let it &". My ("dy sa&&ed

$"#wa#d, a!d I #ested my head "! Mas"!'s chest. I (ecame "(livi"s t" eve#ythi!&* t" the w"#ld

a#"!d me, t" time itsel$. Sec"!ds c"ld have %assed. H"#s c"ld have %assed. I did!'t !"w. Idid!'t !"w a!ythi!& e-ce%t that I c"ld!'t leave Mas"! al"!e. I e-isted i! a! alte#ed state, a state

that 0st (a#ely e%t the te##"# a!d &#ie$ at (ay. I c"ld!'t (elieve Mas"! was dead. I c"ld!'t (elieve



I'd 0st smm"!ed death. S" l"!& as I #e$sed t" ac!"wled&e eithe#, I c"ld %#ete!d they had!'t

ha%%e!ed.

:""tste%s a!d v"ices eve!tally s"!ded, a!d I li$ted my head %. 8e"%le %"#ed i! th#"&h

the d""#, l"ts "$ them. I c"ld!'t #eally mae "t a!y "$ them. I did!'t !eed t". They we#e th#eats,

th#eats I had t" ee% Mas"! sa$e $#"m. 3 c"%le "$ them a%%#"ached me, a!d I lea%t %, li$ti!& the

sw"#d a!d h"ldi!& it %#"tectively "ve# his ("dy.

;Stay (ac,; I wa#!ed. ;Stay away $#"m him.;They e%t c"mi!&.

;Stay (ac?; I yelled. They st"%%ed. E-ce%t $"# "!e.

;R"se,; came a s"$t v"ice. ;D#"% the sw"#d.;

My ha!ds sh"". I swall"wed. ;Get away $#"m s.;

;R"se.;

The v"ice s%"e a&ai!, a v"ice that my s"l w"ld have !"w! a!ywhe#e. Hesita!tly, I let

mysel$ $i!ally (ec"me awa#e "$ my s##"!di!&s, let the details si! i!. I let my eyes $"cs "! the

$eat#es "$ the ma! sta!di!& the#e. Dimit#i's (#"w! eyes, &e!tle a!d $i#m, l""ed d"w! "! me.

;It's "ay,; he said. ;Eve#ythi!&'s &"i!& t" (e "ay. Y" ca! let &" "$ the sw"#d.;

My ha!ds sh"" eve! ha#de# as I $"&ht t" h"ld "! t" the hilt. ;I ca!'t.; The w"#ds h#t

c"mi!& "t. ;I ca!'t leave him al"!e. I have t" %#"tect him.;;Y" have,; said Dimit#i.

The sw"#d $ell "t "$ my ha!ds, la!di!& with a l"d clatte# "! the w""de! $l""#. I $"ll"wed,

c"lla%si!& "! all $"#s, wa!ti!& t" c#y (t still !a(le t".

Dimit#i's a#ms w#a%%ed a#"!d me as he hel%ed me %. 2"ices swa#med a#"!d s, a!d "!e

(y "!e, I #ec"&!i4ed %e"%le I !ew a!d t#sted. He sta#ted t" t& me t"wa#d the d""#, (t I #e$sed

t" m"ve 0st yet. I c"ld!'t. My ha!ds cltched his shi#t, c#m%li!& the $a(#ic. Still ee%i!& "!e a#m

a#"!d me, he sm""thed my hai# (ac away $#"m my $ace. I lea!ed my head a&ai!st him, a!d he

c"!ti!ed st#"i!& my hai#, m#m#i!& s"methi!& i! Rssia!. I did!'t !de#sta!d a w"#d "$ it, (t

the &e!tle t"!e s""thed me.

Ga#dia!s we#e s%#eadi!& th#"&h"t the h"se, e-ami!i!& it i!ch (y i!ch. 3 c"%le "$

them a%%#"ached s a!d !elt (y the ("dies I #e$sed t" l"" at.

;She did that7 B"th "$ them7;

;That sw"#d has!'t (ee! sha#%e!ed i! yea#s?;

3 $!!y s"!d ca&ht i! my th#"at. Dimit#i s6ee4ed my sh"lde# c"m$"#ti!&ly.

;Get he# "t "$ he#e, Beli"v,; I hea#d a w"ma! say (ehi!d him, he# v"ice $amilia#.

Dimit#i s6ee4ed my sh"lde# a&ai!. ;@"me "!, R"4a. It's time t" &".;

This time, I we!t. He &ided me "t "$ the h"se, h"ldi!& "!t" me as I ma!a&ed each

a&"!i4i!& ste%. My mi!d still #e$sed t" #eally %#"cess what had ha%%e!ed. I c"ld!'t d" mch m"#e

tha! $"ll"w sim%le di#ecti"!s $#"m th"se a#"!d me.

I eve!tally e!ded % "! "!e "$ the 3cademy's 0ets. E!&i!es #"a#ed a#"!d s as the %la!e

li$ted "$$. Dimit#i m#m#ed s"methi!& a("t c"mi!& (ac sh"#tly a!d le$t me al"!e i! my seat. Ista#ed st#ai&ht ahead, stdyi!& the details "$ the seat i! $#"!t "$ me.

S"me"!e sat (eside me a!d d#a%ed a (la!et "ve# my sh"lde#s. I !"ticed the! 0st h"w

(adly I was shive#i!&. I t&&ed at the ed&es "$ the (la!et.

;I'm c"ld,; I said. ;H"w am I s" c"ld7;

;Y"'#e i! sh"c,; Mia a!swe#ed.

I t#!ed a!d l""ed at he#, stdyi!& he# (l"!d c#ls a!d (i& (le eyes. S"methi!& a("t

seei!& he# !leashed my mem"#ies. It all tm(led (ac. I s6ee4ed my eyes sht.

;Oh G"d,; I (#eathed. I "%e!ed my eyes a!d $"csed "! he# a&ai!. ;Y" saved me)saved

me whe! y" (lew % the $ish ta!. Y" sh"ld!'t have d"!e it. Y" sh"ld!'t have c"me (ac.;

She sh#&&ed. ;Y" sh"ld!'t have &"!e $"# the sw"#d.;

:ai# %"i!t. ;Tha! y",; I t"ld he#. ;hat y" did 1 I !eve# w"ld have th"&ht "$ that. Itwas (#illia!t.;

;I d"!'t !"w a("t that,; she msed, smili!& #e$lly. ;ate# is!'t mch "$ a wea%"!,



@H38TER

THE E3THER 3RMED U8 ON the day "$ my molni3a ce#em"!y. I! $act, it was s"

wa#m that a l"t "$ the s!"w "! cam%s (e&a! melti!&, #!!i!& d"w! the sides "$ the 3cademy's

st"!e (ildi!&s i! slim, silve#y st#eams. i!te# was $a# $#"m (ei!& "ve#, s" I !ew eve#ythi!&

w"ld 0st $#ee4e % a&ai! i! a $ew days. :"# !"w, th"&h, it $elt as th"&h the e!ti#e w"#ld was

wee%i!&.I had waled away $#"m the S%"a!e i!cide!t with mi!"# (#ises a!d cts. The (#!s $#"m

the melti!& $le-/c$$s we#e the w"#st "$ my i!0#ies. Bt I was still havi!& a ha#d time deali!& with

the death I'd cased a!d the death I'd see!. I'd wa!ted little m"#e tha! t" &" c#l % i! a (all

s"mewhe#e a!d !"t tal t" a!y"!e, e-ce%t may(e 9issa. Bt "! my $"#th day (ac at the 3cademy,

my m"the# had $"!d me a!d t"ld me it was time t" #eceive my ma#s.

It had tae! me seve#al m"me!ts t" &#as% what she was tali!& a("t. The! it "cc##ed t"

me that i! deca%itati!& tw" St#i&"i, I'd ea#!ed tw" molni3a tatt""s. My $i#st "!es. The #eali4ati"!

had st!!ed me. 3ll my li$e, i! c"!side#i!& my $t#e ca#ee# as a &a#dia!, I'd l""ed $"#wa#d t" the

ma#s. I'd see! them as (ad&es "$ h"!"#. Bt !"w7 Mai!ly they we#e &"i!& t" (e #emi!de#s "$

s"methi!& I wa!ted t" $"#&et.

The ce#em"!y t"" %lace i! the &a#dia!s' (ildi!&, i! a la#&e #""m they sed $"# meeti!&sa!d (a!6ets. It was !"thi!& at all lie the &#eat di!i!& #""m at the #es"#t. It was e$$icie!t a!d

%#actical, lie the &a#dia!s we#e. The ca#%et was a (lish &#ay shade, l"w a!d ti&htly w"ve!. The

(a#e white walls held $#amed (lac/a!d/white %h"t"s "$ St. 2ladimi#'s th#"&h the yea#s. The#e

we#e !" "the# dec"#ati"!s "# $a!$a#e, yet the s"lem!ity a!d %"we# "$ the m"me!t we#e %al%a(le. 3ll

the &a#dia!s "! cam%s)(t !" !"vices)atte!ded. They milled a#"!d i! the (ildi!&'s mai!

meeti!& #""m, ha!&i!& "t i! clste#s (t !"t tali!&. he! the ce#em"!y sta#ted, they $ell i!t"

"#de#ly #a!s with"t (ei!& t"ld a!d watched me.

I sat "! a st""l i! the c"#!e# "$ the #""m, lea!i!& $"#wa#d with my hai# ha!&i!& "ve# the

$#"!t "$ my $ace. Behi!d me, a &a#dia! !amed 9i"!el held a tatt""ist's !eedle t" the (ac "$ my

!ec. I'd !"w! him the wh"le time I'd (ee! at the 3cademy, (t I'd !eve# #eali4ed he was t#ai!ed

t" d#aw molni3a ma#s.

Be$"#e he sta#ted, he had a m#m#ed c"!ve#sati"! with my m"the# a!d 3l(e#ta.

;She w"!'t have a %#"mise ma#,; he said. ;She has!'t &#adated.;

;It ha%%e!s,; said 3l(e#ta. ;She made the ills. D" the molni3as, a!d she'll &et the %#"mise

ma# late#.;

@"!side#i!& the %ai! I #e&la#ly %t mysel$ th#"&h, I did!'t e-%ect the tatt""s t" h#t as

mch as they did. Bt I (it my li% a!d stayed sile!t as 9i"!el made the ma#s. The %#"cess seemed

t" &" "! $"#eve#. he! he $i!ished, he %#"dced a c"%le "$ mi##"#s, a!d with s"me ma!eve#i!&, I

was a(le t" see the (ac "$ my !ec. Tw" ti!y (lac ma#s sat the#e, side (y side, a&ai!st my#edde!ed a!d se!sitive si!. olni3a mea!t ;li&ht!i!&; i! Rssia!, a!d that's what the 0a&&ed sha%e

was mea!t t" sym("li4e. Tw" ma#s. O!e $"# Isaiah, "!e $"# Ele!a.

O!ce I'd see! them, he (a!da&ed them % a!d &ave me s"me i!st#cti"!s a("t ca#i!& $"#

them while they healed. M"st "$ it I missed, (t I $i&#ed I c"ld as a&ai! late#. I was still i!d "$

sh"ced (y it all.

3$te# that, all the &athe#ed &a#dia!s came % t" me "!e (y "!e. They each &ave me s"me

s"#t "$ si&! "$ a$$ecti"!)a h&, a iss "! the chee)a!d i!d w"#ds.

;elc"me t" the #a!s,; said 3l(e#ta, he# weathe#ed $ace &e!tle as she %lled me i!t" a ti&ht

em(#ace.

Dimit#i did!'t say a!ythi!& whe! his t#! came, (t as always, his eyes s%"e le&i"!s. 8#ide

a!d te!de#!ess $illed his e-%#essi"!, a!d I swall"wed (ac tea#s. He #ested "!e ha!d &e!tly "! mychee, !"dded, a!d waled away.

he! Sta!)the i!st#ct"# I'd $"&ht with the m"st si!ce my $i#st day)h&&ed me a!d said,



;N"w y"'#e "!e "$ s. I always !ew y"'d (e "!e "$ the (est,; I th"&ht I'd %ass "t.

3!d the! whe! my m"the# came % t" me, I c"ld!'t hel% the tea# that #a! d"w! my chee.

She wi%ed it away a!d the! (#shed he# $i!&e#s a&ai!st the (ac "$ my !ec. ;D"!'t eve# $"#&et,;

she t"ld me.

N"("dy said, ;@"!&#atlati"!s,; a!d I was &lad. Death was!'t a!ythi!& t" &et e-cited a("t.

he! that was d"!e, d#i!s a!d $""d we#e se#ved. I waled t" the ($$et ta(le a!d made a

%late $"# mysel$ "$ mi!iat#e $eta 6iches a!d a slice "$ ma!&" cheesecae. I ate with"t #eallytasti!& the $""d a!d a!swe#ed 6esti"!s $#"m "the#s with"t eve! !"wi!& what I said hal$ the

time. It was lie I was a R"se #"("t, &"i!& th#"&h the m"ti"!s "$ what was e-%ected. O! the (ac

"$ my !ec, my si! st!& $#"m the tatt""s, a!d i! my mi!d, I e%t seei!& Mas"!'s (le eyes a!d

Isaiah's #ed "!es.

I $elt &ilty $"# !"t e!0"yi!& my (i& day m"#e, (t I was #elieved whe! the &#"% $i!ally

sta#ted dis%e#si!&. My m"the# waled % t" me as "the#s m#m#ed thei# &""d(yes. 3side $#"m he#

w"#ds he#e at the ce#em"!y, we had!'t taled mch si!ce my (#ead"w! "! the %la!e. I still $elt a

little $!!y a("t that)a!d a little em(a##assed as well. She'd !eve# me!ti"!ed it, (t s"methi!&

ve#y small had shi$ted i! the !at#e "$ "# #elati"!shi%. e we#e!'t a!ywhe#e !ea# (ei!& $#ie!ds1

(t we we#e!'t e-actly e!emies a!ym"#e eithe#.

;9"#d S4elsy is leavi!& s""!,; she t"ld me as we st""d !ea# the (ildi!&'s d""#way, !"t $a#$#"m whe#e I'd yelled $"# he# "! that $i#st day we'd taled. ;I'll (e &"i!& with him.;

;I !"w,; I said. The#e was !" 6esti"! she'd leave. That was h"w it was. Ga#dia!s

$"ll"wed M"#"i. They came $i#st.

She #e&a#ded me $"# a $ew m"me!ts, he# (#"w! eyes th"&ht$l. :"# the $i#st time i! a l"!&

time, I $elt lie we we#e actally l""i!& eye t" eye, as "%%"sed t" he# l""i!& d"w! "! me. It was

a("t time, t"", seei!& as I had hal$ a $""t "$ hei&ht "! he#.

;Y" did well,; she said at last. ;@"!side#i!& the ci#cmsta!ces.;

It was "!ly hal$ a c"m%lime!t, (t I dese#ved !" m"#e. I !de#st""d !"w the mistaes a!d

la%ses "$ 0d&me!t that had led t" the eve!ts at Isaiah's h"se. S"me had (ee! my $alt5 s"me

had!'t. I wished I c"ld have cha!&ed s"me "$ my acti"!s, (t I !ew she was #i&ht. I'd d"!e the

(est I c"ld i! the e!d with the mess (e$"#e me.

;<illi!& St#i&"i was!'t as &lam"#"s as I th"&ht it'd (e,; I t"ld he#.

She &ave me a sad smile. ;N". It !eve# is.;

I th"&ht the! a("t all the ma#s "! he# !ec, all the ills. I shdde#ed.

;Oh, hey.; Ea&e# t" cha!&e the s(0ect, I #eached i!t" my %"cet a!d %lled "t the little

(le eye %e!da!t she'd &ive! me. ;This thi!& y" &ave me. It's a n)na*ari/ I stm(led "ve# the

w"#d. She l""ed s#%#ised.

;Yes. H"w'd y" !"w7;

I did!'t wa!t t" e-%lai! my d#eams with 3d#ia!. ;S"me"!e t"ld me. It's a %#"tecti"! thi!&,

#i&ht7;

3 %e!sive l"" c#"ssed he# $ace, a!d the! she e-haled a!d !"dded. ;Yes. It c"mes $#"m a!"ld s%e#stiti"! i! the Middle East1S"me %e"%le (elieve that th"se wh" wa!t t" h#t y" ca! c#se

y" "# &ive y" 'the evil eye.' The !a4a# is mea!t t" c"!te#act the evil eye 1 a!d 0st (#i!&

%#"tecti"! i! &e!e#al t" th"se wh" wea# it.;

I #a! my $i!&e#s "ve# the %iece "$ &lass. ;Middle East1s", %laces s"#t "$ lie, m, T#ey7;

My m"the#'s li%s 6i#ed. ;8laces e-actly lie T#ey.; She hesitated. ;It was 1 a &i$t. 3

&i$t I #eceived a l"!& time a&" 1; He# &a4e t#!ed i!wa#d, l"st i! mem"#y. ;I &"t a l"t "$ 1

atte!ti"! $#"m me! whe! I was y"# a&e. 3tte!ti"! that seemed $latte#i!& at $i#st (t was!'t i! the

e!d. It's ha#d t" tell the di$$e#e!ce s"metimes, (etwee! what's #eal a$$ecti"! a!d what's s"me"!e

wa!ti!& t" tae adva!ta&e "$ y". Bt whe! y" $eel the #eal thi!&1well, y"'ll !"w.;

I !de#st""d the! why she was s" "ve#%#"tective a("t my #e%tati"!)she'd e!da!&e#ed

he# "w! whe! she was y"!&e#. May(e m"#e tha! that had (ee! dama&ed.I als" !ew why she'd &ive! the !a4a# t" me. My $athe# had &ive! it t" he#. I did!'t thi! she

wa!ted t" tal a!ym"#e a("t it, s" I did!'t as. It was e!"&h t" !"w that may(e, 0st may(e,



thei# #elati"!shi% had!'t (ee! all a("t (si!ess a!d &e!es a$te# all.

e said &""d(ye, a!d I #et#!ed t" my classes. Eve#y"!e !ew whe#e I'd (ee! that m"#!i!&,

a!d my $ell"w !"vices wa!ted t" see my molni3a ma#s. I did!'t (lame them. I$ "# #"les had (ee!

#eve#sed, I w"ld have (ee! ha#assi!& me t"".

;@"me "!, R"se,; (e&&ed Sha!e Reyes. e we#e wali!& "t "$ "# m"#!i!& %#actice, a!d

he e%t swatti!& my %"!ytail. I made a me!tal !"te t" wea# my hai# d"w! t"m"##"w. Seve#al "the#s

$"ll"wed s a!d ech"ed his #e6ests.;Yeah, c"me "!. 9et's see what y" &"t $"# y"# sw"#dsma!shi%?;

Thei# eyes sh"!e with ea&e#!ess a!d e-citeme!t. I was a he#", thei# classmate wh"'d

dis%atched the leade#s "$ the #"vi!& (a!d "$ St#i&"i that had s" te##"#i4ed s "ve# the h"lidays. Bt I

met the eyes "$ s"me"!e sta!di!& at the (ac "$ the &#"%, s"me"!e wh" l""ed !eithe# ea&e# !"#

e-cited. Eddie. Meeti!& my &a4e, he &ave me a small, sad smile. He !de#st""d.

;S"##y, &ys,; I said, t#!i!& (ac t" the "the#s. ;They have t" stay (a!da&ed. D"ct"#'s

"#de#s.;

This was met with &#m(les that s""! t#!ed i!t" 6esti"!s a("t h"w I'd actally illed the

St#i&"i. Deca%itati"! was "!e "$ the ha#dest a!d #a#est ways t" ill a vam%i#e5 it was!'t lie ca##yi!&

a sw"#d was c"!ve!ie!t. S" I did my (est t" tell my $#ie!ds what had ha%%e!ed, mai!& s#e t"

stic t" the $acts a!d !"t &l"#i$y the illi!&s.The sch""l day c"ld!'t e!d a m"me!t t"" s""!, a!d 9issa waled with me (ac t" my

d"#m. She a!d I had!'t had the cha!ce t" tal mch si!ce eve#ythi!& had &"!e d"w! i! S%"a!e. I'd

!de#&"!e a l"t "$ 6esti"!i!&, a!d the! the#e'd (ee! Mas"!'s $!e#al. 9issa had als" (ee! ca&ht

% i! he# "w! dist#acti"!s with the #"yals leavi!& cam%s, s" she'd had !" m"#e $#ee time tha! me.

Bei!& !ea# he# made me $eel (ette#. Eve! th"&h I c"ld (e i! he# head at a!y time, it 0st

was!'t the same as actally (ei!& %hysically a#"!d a!"the# livi!& %e#s"! wh" ca#ed a("t y".

he! we &"t t" the d""# "$ my #""m, I saw a ("6et "$ $#eesias sitti!& "! the $l""# !ea# it.

Si&hi!&, I %iced % the $#a&#a!t $l"we#s with"t eve! l""i!& at the attached ca#d.

;hat a#e th"se7; ased 9issa while I !l"ced the d""#.

;They'#e $#"m 3d#ia!,; I t"ld he#. e waled i!side, a!d I %"i!ted t" my des, whe#e a $ew

"the# ("6ets sat. I %t the $#eesias d"w! (eside them. ;I'll (e &lad whe! he leaves cam%s. I d"!'t

thi! I ca! tae mch m"#e "$ this.;

She t#!ed t" me i! s#%#ise. ;Oh. Um, y" d"!'t !"w.;

I &"t that wa#!i!& twi!&e th#"&h the ("!d that t"ld me I w"ld!'t lie what was a("t t"

c"me.

;<!"w what7;

;Uh, he is!'t leavi!&. He's &"i!& t" stay he#e $"# a while.;

;He has t" leave,; I a#&ed. T" my !"wled&e, the "!ly #eas"! he'd c"me (ac at all was

(ecase "$ Mas"!'s $!e#al, a!d I still was!'t s#e why he'd d"!e that, si!ce he (a#ely !ew Mas"!.

May(e 3d#ia! had 0st d"!e it $"# sh"w. O# may(e t" ee% stali!& 9issa a!d me. ;He's i! c"lle&e.

O# may(e #e$"#m sch""l. I d"!'t !"w, (t he d"es s"methi!&.;;He's tai!& the semeste# "$$.;

I sta#ed.

Smili!& at my sh"c, she !"dded. ;He's &"i!& t" stay a!d w"# with me1 a!d Ms.

@a#mac. 3ll this time, he !eve# eve! !ew what s%i#it was. He 0st !ew he had!'t s%eciali4ed (t

that he had these wei#d a(ilities. He 0st e%t them t" himsel$, e-ce%t $"# whe! he "ccasi"!ally

$"!d a!"the# s%i#it se#. Bt they did!'t !"w a!y m"#e tha! he did.;

;I sh"ld have $i&#ed it "t s""!e#,; I msed. ;The#e was s"methi!& a("t (ei!& a#"!d

him. 1 I always wa!ted t" tal t" him, y" !"w7 He 0st has this 1 cha#isma. 9ie y" d". I

&ess it's all tied i!t" s%i#it a!d c"m%lsi"! "# whateve#. It maes me lie him 1 eve! th"&h I

d"!'t lie him.;

;D"!'t y"7; she teased.;N",; I #e%lied adama!tly. ;3!d I d"!'t lie that d#eam thi!&, eithe#.;

He# 0ade eyes we!t wide with w"!de#. /#hat is c""l,; she said. ;Y"'ve always (ee! a(le t"



tell what's &"i!& "! with me, (t I've !eve# (ee! a(le t" c"mm!icate with y" the "the# way. I'm

&lad y" &ys &"t away whe! y" did1(t I wish I c"ld have $i&#ed "t the d#eam thi!& a!d

hel%ed $i!d y".;

;N"t me,; I said. ;I'm &lad 3d#ia! did!'t &et y" t" &" "$$ y"# meds.;

I had!'t $"!d that "t !til a $ew days a$te# (ei!& i! S%"a!e. 9issa had a%%a#e!tly #e0ected

3d#ia!'s i!itial s&&esti"! that st"%%i!& the %ills w"ld let he# lea#! m"#e a("t s%i#it. She had

admitted t" me late#, h"weve#, that i$ @h#istia! a!d I had stayed missi!& mch l"!&e#, she mi&hthave c#aced.

;H"w a#e y" $eeli!& lately7; I ased, #ecalli!& he# c"!ce#!s a("t the medicati"!. ;Y"

still $eel lie the %ills a#e!'t w"#i!&7;

;Mmm1well, it's ha#d t" e-%lai!. I still $eel cl"se# t" the ma&ic, lie may(e they a#e!'t

(l"ci!& me s" mch a!ym"#e. Bt I'm !"t $eeli!& a!y "$ the "the# me!tal side e$$ects1!"t %set

"# a!ythi!&.;

;"w, that's &#eat.;

3 (eati$l smile lit he# $ace. ;I !"w. It maes me thi! the#e mi&ht (e h"%e $"# me t" lea#!

t" w"# the ma&ic a$te# all s"meday.;

Seei!& he# s" ha%%y made me smile (ac. I had!'t lied seei!& th"se da# $eeli!&s sta#ti!& t"

#et#! a!d was &lad they'd va!ished. I did!'t !de#sta!d the h"w "# the why, (t as l"!& as she $elt"ay)

:veryone has li"ht around them, e4cept for you. (ou have shadows. (ou take them from

Lissa.

3d#ia!'s w"#ds slammed i!t" my mi!d. U!easily, I th"&ht a("t my (ehavi"# these last

c"%le "$ wees. S"me "$ the a!&#y "t(#sts. My #e(elli"s!ess)!sal eve! $"# me. My "w!

(lac c"il "$ em"ti"!, sti##i!& i! my chest1

N", I decided. The#e we#e !" simila#ities. 9issa's da# $eeli!&s we#e ma&ic/(ased. Mi!e

we#e st#ess/(ased. Besides, I $elt $i!e #i&ht !"w.

Seei!& he# watchi!& me, I t#ied t" #emem(e# whe#e we'd le$t "$$ i! the c"!ve#sati"!.

;May(e y"'ll eve!tally $i!d a way t" mae it w"#. I mea!, i$ 3d#ia! c"ld $i!d a way t" se

s%i#it a!d d"es!'t !eed meds 1;

She sdde!ly la&hed. ;Y" d"!'t !"w, d" y"7;

;hat7;

;That 3d#ia! d"es medicate himsel$.;

;He d"es7 Bt he said); I &#"a!ed. ;O$ c"#se he d"es. The ci&a#ettes. The d#i!i!&. G"d

"!ly !"ws what else.;

She !"dded. ;Y%. He's alm"st always &"t s"methi!& i! his system.;

;Bt %#"(a(ly !"t at !i&ht1which is why he ca! %"e his head i!t" my d#eams.;

;Ma!, I wish I c"ld d" that,; she si&hed.

;May(e y"'ll lea#! s"meday. =st d"!'t (ec"me a! alc"h"lic i! the %#"cess.;

;I w"!'t,; she ass#ed me. ;Bt I will lea#!. N"!e "$ the "the# s%i#it se#s c"ld d" it, R"se )well, aside $#"m St. 2ladimi#. I'll lea#! lie he did. I'm &"i!& t" lea#! t" se it)a!d I w"!'t let it

h#t me.;

I smiled a!d t"ched he# ha!d. I had a(s"lte $aith i! he#. ;I !"w.;

e taled $"# m"st "$ the eve!i!&. he! the time came $"# my sal %#actice with Dimit#i, I

%a#ted ways with he#. 3s I waled away, I %"!de#ed s"methi!& that had (ee! ("the#i!& me.

3lth"&h the attaci!& &#"%s "$ St#i&"i had had ma!y m"#e mem(e#s, the &a#dia!s $elt c"!$ide!t

Isaiah had (ee! thei# leade#. That did!'t mea! the#e w"ld!'t (e other th#eats i! the $t#e, (t they

$elt it'd (e a while (e$"#e his $"ll"we#s #e&#"%ed.

Bt I c"ld!'t hel% thi!i!& a("t the list I'd see! i! the t!!el i! S%"a!e, the "!e that had

listed #"yal $amilies (y si4e. 3!d Isaiah had me!ti"!ed the D#a&"mi#s (y !ame. He !ew they we#e

alm"st &"!e, a!d he'd s"!ded ee! "! (ei!& the "!e t" $i!ish them. S#e, he was dead !"w1(twe#e the#e "the# St#i&"i "t the#e with the same idea7

I sh"" my head. I c"ld!'t w"##y a("t that. N"t t"day. I still !eeded t" #ec"ve# $#"m



eve#ythi!& else. S""!, th"&h. S""! I'd have t" deal with this.

I did!'t eve! !"w i$ "# %#actice was still "! (t we!t t" the l"ce# #""m a!yway. 3$te#

cha!&i!& i!t" %#actice cl"thes, I headed d"w! i!t" the &ym a!d $"!d Dimit#i i! a s%%ly #""m,

#eadi!& "!e "$ the este#! !"vels he l"ved. He l""ed % at my e!t#a!ce. I'd see! little "$ him i!

these last $ew days a!d had $i&#ed he was (sy with Tasha.

;I th"&ht y" mi&ht c"me (y,; he said, %tti!& a (""ma# (etwee! the %a&es.

;It's time $"# %#actice.;He sh"" his head. ;N". N" %#actice t"day. Y" still !eed t" #ec"ve#.;

;I've &"t a clea! (ill "$ health. I'm &""d t" &".; I %shed as mch %ate!ted R"se Hathaway

(#avad" i!t" my w"#ds as I c"ld.

Dimit#i was!'t $alli!& $"# a!y "$ it. He &est#ed t" the chai# (eside him. ;Sit d"w!, R"se.;

I hesitated "!ly a m"me!t (e$"#e c"m%lyi!&. He m"ved his "w! chai# cl"se t" mi!e s" that

we sat di#ectly ac#"ss $#"m each "the#. My hea#t $ltte#ed as I l""ed i!t" th"se &"#&e"s da# eyes.

;N" "!e &ets "ve# thei# $i#st ill1ills1easily. Eve! with St#i&"i1well, it's still tech!ically

tai!& a li$e. That's ha#d t" c"me t" te#ms with. 3!d a$te# eve#ythi!& else y" we!t th#"&h 1; He

si&hed, the! #eached "t a!d ca&ht my ha!d i! his. His $i!&e#s we#e e-actly lie I #emem(e#ed,

l"!& a!d %"we#$l, call"sed with yea#s "$ t#ai!i!&. ;he! I saw y"# $ace1whe! we $"!d y" i!

that h"se1y" ca!'t ima&i!e h"w I $elt.;I swall"wed. ;H"w 1 h"w did y" $eel7;

;Devastated 1 &#ie$/st#ice!. Y" we#e alive, (t the way y" l""ed 1 I did!'t thi! y"'d

eve# #ec"ve#. 3!d it t"#e me a%a#t t" thi! "$ that ha%%e!i!& t" y" s" y"!&.; He s6ee4ed my

ha!d. ;Y" will #ec"ve#)I !"w that !"w, a!d I'm &lad. Bt y" a#e!'t the#e. N"t yet. 9"si!&

s"me"!e y" ca#e a("t is !eve# easy.;

My eyes d#"%%ed $#"m his a!d stdied the $l""#. ;It's my $alt,; I said i! a small v"ice.

;Hmm7;

;Mas"!. Getti!& illed.;

I did!'t have t" see Dimit#i's $ace t" !"w c"m%assi"! was $illi!& it. ;Oh, R"4a. N". Y"

made s"me (ad decisi"!s1y" sh"ld have t"ld "the#s whe! y" !ew he was &"!e1(t y" ca!'t

(lame y"#sel$. Y" did!'t ill him.;

Tea#s (#immed i! my eyes as I l""ed (ac %. ;I mi&ht as well have. The wh"le #eas"! he

we!t the#e)it was my $alt. e had a $i&ht1a!d I t"ld him a("t the S%"a!e thi!&, eve! th"&h

y" ased me !"t t"1.;

O!e tea# leaed "t "$ the c"#!e# "$ my eye. Really, I !eeded t" lea#! t" st"% that. =st as my

m"the# had, Dimit#i delicately wi%ed the tea# "$$ my chee.

;Y" ca!'t (lame y"#sel$ $"# that,; he t"ld me. ;Y" ca! #e&#et y"# decisi"!s a!d wish

y"'d d"!e thi!&s di$$e#e!tly, (t i! the e!d, Mas"! made his decisi"!s t"". That was what he ch"se

t" d". It was his decisi"! i! the e!d, !" matte# y"# "#i&i!al #"le.; he! Mas"! had c"me (ac $"#

me, I #eali4ed, he'd let his $eeli!&s $"# me &et i! the way. It was what Dimit#i had always $ea#ed,

that i$ he a!d I had a!y s"#t "$ #elati"!shi%, it w"ld %t s)a!d a!y M"#"i we %#"tected)i!da!&e#.

;I 0st wish I'd (ee! a(le t" 1 I d"!'t !"w, d" a!ythi!&1;

Swall"wi!& (ac $#the# tea#s, I %lled my ha!ds $#"m Dimit#i's a!d st""d % (e$"#e I c"ld

say s"methi!& st%id.

;I sh"ld &",; I said thicly. ;9et me !"w whe! y" wa!t t" sta#t %#actice a&ai!. 3!d

tha!s $"# 1 tali!&.;

I sta#ted t" t#!5 the! I hea#d him say a(#%tly, ;N".;

I &la!ced (ac. ;hat7;

He held my &a4e, a!d s"methi!& wa#m a!d w"!de#$l a!d %"we#$l sh"t (etwee! s.

;N",; he #e%eated. ;I t"ld he# !". Tasha.;

;I 1; I sht my m"th (e$"#e my 0aw hit the $l""#. ;Bt1why7 That was a "!ce/i!/a/li$etime thi!&. Y" c"ld have had a (a(y. 3!d she 1 she was, y" !"w, i!t" y"1.;

The &h"st "$ a smile $lice#ed "! his $ace. ;Yes, she was. Is. 3!d that's why I had t" say !".



I c"ld!'t #et#! that1c"ld!'t &ive he# what she wa!ted. N"t whe!1; He t"" a $ew ste%s t"wa#d

me. ;N"t whe! my hea#t is s"mewhe#e else.;

I alm"st sta#ted c#yi!& a&ai!. ;Bt y" seemed s" i!t" he#. 3!d you e%t &"i!& "! a("t

h"w y"!& I acted.;

;Y" act y"!&,; he said, ;(ecase y" are y"!&. Bt y" !"w thi!&s, R"4a. Thi!&s

%e"%le "lde# tha! y" d"!'t eve! !"w. That day 1; I !ew i!sta!tly which day he #e$e##ed t". The

"!e % a&ai!st the wall. ;Y" we#e #i&ht, a("t h"w I $i&ht t" stay i! c"!t#"l. N" "!e else has eve#$i&#ed that "t) a!d it sca#ed me. (ou sca#e me.;

;hy7 D"!'t y" wa!t a!y"!e t" !"w7;

He sh#&&ed. ;hethe# they !"w that $act "# !"t d"es!'t matte#. hat matte#s is that

s"me"!e)that y")!"w me that well. he! a %e#s"! ca! see i!t" y"# s"l, it's ha#d. It $"#ces

y" t" (e "%e!. 2l!e#a(le. It's mch easie# (ei!& with s"me"!e wh"'s 0st m"#e "$ a casal

$#ie!d.;

;9ie Tasha.;

;Tasha O4e#a is a! ama4i!& w"ma!. She's (eati$l a!d she's (#ave. Bt she d"es!'t);

;She d"es!'t "et y",; I $i!ished.

He !"dded. ;I !ew that. Bt I still wa!ted the #elati"!shi%. I !ew it w"ld (e easy a!d that

she c"ld tae me away $#"m y". I th"&ht she c"ld mae me $"#&et y".;I'd th"&ht the same thi!& a("t Mas"!. ;Bt she c"ld!'t.;

;Yes. 3!d, s" 1 that's a %#"(lem.;

;Becase it's w#"!& $"# s t" (e t"&ethe#.;

;Yes.;

;Becase "$ the a&e di$$e#e!ce.;

;Yes.;

;Bt m"#e im%"#ta!tly (ecase we'#e &"i!& t" (e 9issa's &a#dia!s a!d !eed t" $"cs "! he#

)!"t each "the#.;

;Yes.;

I th"&ht a("t this $"# a m"me!t a!d the! l""ed st#ai&ht i!t" his eyes. ;ell,; I said at

last, ;the way I see it, we a#e!'t 9issa's &a#dia!s yet./

I steeled mysel$ $"# the !e-t #es%"!se. I !ew it was &"i!& t" (e "!e "$ the e! li$e less"!s.

S"methi!& a("t i!!e# st#e!&th a!d %e#seve#a!ce, a("t h"w the ch"ices we made t"day we#e

tem%lates $"# the $t#e "# s"me "the# !"!se!se.

I!stead he issed me.

Time st"%%ed as he #eached "t a!d c%%ed my $ace (etwee! his ha!ds. He (#"&ht his

m"th d"w! a!d (#shed it a&ai!st my li%s. It was (a#ely a iss at $i#st (t s""! i!c#eased,

(ec"mi!& heady a!d dee%. he! he $i!ally %lled away, it was t" iss my $"#ehead. He le$t his li%s

the#e $"# seve#al sec"!ds as his a#ms held me cl"se.

I wished the iss c"ld have &"!e "! $"#eve#. B#eai!& the em(#ace, he #a! a $ew $i!&e#s

th#"&h my hai# a!d d"w! my chee. He ste%%ed (ac t"wa#d the d""#.;I'll see y" late#, R"4a.;

;3t "# !e-t %#actice7; I ased. ;e are sta#ti!& th"se % a&ai!, #i&ht7 I mea!, y" still have

thi!&s t" teach me.;

ST3NDING IN THE DOOR3Y, HE 9OO<ED O2ER 3T ME 3ND SMI9ED. ;YES. 9OTS O: THINGS.;

2. Frostbite - Richelle Mead

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Transcript of 2. Frostbite - Richelle Mead