Frostbite Chapter 12

TwelveI WAS OUT OF merchantman in a flash. We found the entire lodge abuzz with the news. hatful clustered in comminuted groups in the h eachs. Family members sought each opposite come out of the closet. Some conver sit downions were conducted in terrified whispers whatso invariably were loud and liberal to overhear. I stopped a few people, trying to get the story straight. Every match little had a different version of what had happened, though, and some wouldnt even pause to talk. They hurried past, either straining out loved ones or preparing to abjure the resort, convinced t present might be a safer place elsew here(predicate)(predicate).Frustrated with the differing stories, I fin totallyy- reluctantly- knew I had to seek out one of the ii sources who would give me solid information. My m other or Dimitri. It was like flipping a coin. I wasnt rattling thrilled with either one of them right now. I debated momentarily and finally decided on my mother, seeing as how s he wasnt getting it on with Tasha Ozera.The door to my mothers room was ajar, and as Lissa and I entered, I aphorism that a sort of makeshift headquarters had been established here. Lots of guardians were milling around, moving in and out, and discussing strategy. A few gave us odd emotional states, exactly no one stopped or questioned us. Lissa and I slid onto a small sofa to listen to a conversation my mother was having.She s besidesd with a group of guardians, one of whom was Dimitri. So practically for avoiding him. His brown eyes glanced at me briefly and I averted my gaze. I didnt want to deal with my roily feelings for him right now.Lissa and I soon discerned the details. Eight Moroi had been killed along with their five guardians. Three Moroi were missing, either dead or turn Strigoi. The attack hadnt really happened near here it had been somewhere in northern California. nonetheless, a catastrophe like this couldnt help incisively reverberate within the Moroi worl d, and for some, two states a steering was far too close. People were terrified, and I soon learned what in particular made this attack so notable.There had to be more than than last time, said my mother.More? exclaimed one of the other guardians. That last group was unheard of. I lighten freightert believe nine Strigoi managed to work together- you expect me to believe they managed to get more organized still?Yes, snapped my mother.Any raise of humans? someone else asked.My mother he sitated, then Yes. More broken wards. And the way it was all conductedits identical to the Badica attack.Her voice was hard, all if at that place was a kind of weariness in it, too. It wasnt physical exhaustion, though. It was mental, I realized. Strain and hurt over what they were talking slightly. I always sight of my mother as some sort of unfeeling killing machine, save this was clearly hard for her. It was a hard, ugly matter to discuss- besides at the same time, she was tackling it wit hout hesitation. It was her duty.A lump formed in my throat that I quickly swallowed down. Humans. alike to the Badica attack. Ever since that massacre, wed extensively analyzed the oddity of such a large group of Strigoi teaming up and recruiting humans. Wed verbalize in vague terms or so if something like this ever happens again But no one had seriously talked about this group- the Badica killers- doing it again. One time was a fluke- maybe a bunch of Strigoi had happened to gather and impulsively decided to go on a raid. It was horrible, but we could write that absent.But nownow it looked as though that group of Strigoi hadnt been a random occurrence. Theyd united with purpose, utilized humans strategically, and had attacked again. We now had what could be a pattern Strigoi actively seeking out large groups of prey. Serial killings. We could no longer trust the antifertility magic of the wards. We couldnt even trust sunlight. Humans could move around in the twenty-four ho urs, scouting and sabotaging. The light was no longer safe.I remembered what Id said to Dimitri at the Badica house This changes everything, doesnt it?My mother flipped through some papers on a clipboard. They dont feature forensic details yet, but the same number of Strigoi couldnt constitute done this. None of the Drozdovs or their staff escaped. With five guardians, seven Strigoi would have been preoccupied- at least temporarily- for some to escape. Were looking at nine or ten, maybe.Janines right, said Dimitri. And if you look at the venueits too big. Seven couldnt have cover it.The Drozdovs were one of the twelve royal families. They were large and prosperous, not like Lissas dying clan. They had kettle of fish of family members to go around, but obviously, an attack like this was still horrible. Furthermore, something about them tickled my brain. There was something I should remember something I should know about the Drozdovs.While part of my mind puzzled that out, I watch ed my mother with fascination. Id listened to her tell her stories. Id seen and felt her squeeze. But really, truly, Id neer seen her in action in a real- heart crisis. She showed every bit of that hard control she did around me, but here, I could see how necessary it was. A situation like this created panic. Even among the guardians, I could sense those who were so keyed up that they valued to do something drastic. My mother was a voice of reason, a reminder that they had to confine focused and fully assess the situation. Her composure calmed everybody her strong manner inspired them. This, I realized, was how a loss leader behaved.Dimitri was just as collected as she was, but he deferred to her to feast things. I had to remind myself sometimes that he was young as far as guardians went. They discussed the attack more, how the Drozdovs had been having a belated Christmas party in a banquet hall when they were attacked.First Badicas, now Drozdovs, muttered one guardian. Theyre going by and by royals.Theyre going after Moroi, said Dimitri flatly. Royal. Non-royal. It doesnt matter.Royal. Non-royal. I suddenly knew why the Drozdovs were important. My spontaneous instincts wanted me to jump up and ask a question right now, but I knew better. This was the real deal. This was no time for irrational behavior. I wanted to be as strong as my mother and Dimitri, so I waited for the discussion to end.When the group started to fork up, I leapt up by the sofa and pushed my way toward my mother.Rose, she said, surprised. homogeneous in Stans class, she hadnt discover me in the room. What be you doing here?It was such a stupid question, I didnt try to answer it. What did she think I was doing here? This was one of the biggest things to happen to the Moroi.I pointed to her clipboard. Who else was killed?Irritation wrinkled her forehead. Drozdovs.But who else?Rose, we dont have time- They had staff, right? Dimitri said non-royals. Who were they?Again, I saw the we ariness in her. She took these deaths hard. I dont know all the names. Flipping through a few pages, she glowering the clipboard toward me. There.I scanned the list. My heart sank.Okay, I told her. Thanks.Lissa and I left them to go about their business. I wished I could have helped, but the guardians ran smoothly and efficiently on their own they had no penury for novices underfoot.What was that about? asked Lissa, once we were fountainhead vertebral column to the main part of the lodge.The Drozdovs staff, I said. Mias mom worked for them.Lissa gasped. And?I sighed. And her name was on the list.Oh God. Lissa stopped walking. She stared off into space, blinking back tears. Oh God, she repeated.I moved in front of her and placed my hands on her shoulders. She was shaking.Its okay, I said. Her fear came to me in waves, but it was a numbed fear. Shock. This is going to be okay.You heard them, she said. Theres a band of Strigoi organizing and contend us How many? Are they coming he re?No, I said firmly. I had no evidence of that, of course. Were safe here.Poor Mia There was nothing I could say to that. I thought Mia was an absolute bitch, but I wouldnt wish this on anyone, not even my worst enemy- which, technically, she was. Immediately, I corrected that thought. Mia wasnt my worst enemy.I couldnt bear to leave Lissas side for the rest of the day. I knew there were no Strigoi lurking in the lodge, but my over treasureive instincts ran too strong. Guardians protected their Moroi. Like usual, I also worried about her being anxious and upset, so I did my best to diffuse those feelings.The other guardians provided reassurance for Moroi too. They didnt walk side by side with the Moroi, but they reenforce lodge security and stayed in constant communication with guardians at the scene of the attack. Information flowed in all day about the grisly specifics, as well as speculation about where the band of Strigoi was. myopic of this was shared with novices, of cours e.While the guardians did what they did best, the Moroi also did what they- unfortunately- did best talk. With so many royals and other important Moroi at the lodge, a meeting was organized that night to discuss what had happened and what might be done in the future. Nothing decreed would be decided here the Moroi had a queen and a governing council elsewhere for those types of decisions. Everyone knew, though, that opinions gathered here would make their way up the chain of command. Our future safety could very well depend on what was discussed in this meeting.It was held in an enormous banquet hall inside the lodge, one with a podium and plenty of seating. Despite the businesslike atmosphere, you could tell this room had been designed for things other than meetings about massacres and defense. The carpet had the texture of velvety and showed an ornate floral design in shades of silver and black. The chairs were made of black polished woods and had high backs, clearly intended f or fancy dining. Paintings of long-dead Moroi royalty hung on the walls. I stared briefly at one of a queen whose name I didnt know. She wore an old-fashioned dress- too heavy on lace for my tastes- and had unhinged hair like Lissas.Some guy I didnt know was in charge of moderating and stood at the podium. most of the royals on hand gathered at the front of the room. Everyone else, including students, took seats wherever they could. Christian and mason had found Lissa and me by that point, and we all started to sit in the back when Lissa suddenly shook her head.Im going to sit in the front.The three of us stared at her. I was too dumbfounded to probe her mind.Look. She pointed. The royals are seated up there, sitting by family.It was true. Members of the same clans had clustered near each other Badicas, Ivashkovs, Zekloses, etc. Tasha sat there as well, but she was by herself. Christian was the only other Ozera there.I need to be up there, said Lissa.No one expects you to be ther e, I told her.I have to represent the Dragomirs.Christian scoffed. Its all a bunch of royal bullshit.Her face set into a determined expression. I need to be up there.I opened myself up to Lissas feelings and care what I found. Shed spent most of the day quiet and afraid, much as she had when wed found out about Mias mom. That fear was within her still, but it was overpowered by a steady confidence and determination. She recognized that she was one of the ruling Moroi, and as much as the estimation of roving bands of Strigoi scared her, she wanted to do her part.You should do it, I said softly. I also liked the idea of her defying Christian.Lissa met my eyes and smiled. She knew what I had sensed. A moment later, she turned to Christian. You should join your aunt.Christian opened his talk to protest. If not for the horribleness of the situation, seeing Lissa order him around would have been funny. He was always stubborn and difficult those who tried and true to push him didnt suc ceed. Watching his face, I saw the same realization Id had about Lissa come over him. He liked seeing her strong too. He pressed his lips together in a grimace.Okay. He caught her hand, and the two of them walked off toward the front.Mason and I sat down. Just before things started, Dimitri sat down on the other side of me, hair tied behind his neck and the leather coat draping around him as he settled in the chair. I glanced at him in surprise but said nothing. There were few guardians at this gathering most were too busy doing damage control. It would figure. There I was, stuck between both of my men.The meeting kicked off shortly thereafter. Everyone was eager to talk about how they thought the Moroi should be saved, but really, two theories got the most attention.The answers all around us, said one royal, once hed been given leave to speak. He stood by his chair and looked around the room. Here. In places like this lodge. And St. Vladimirs. We send our children to safe places, p laces where they have safety in song and can be easily guarded. And look how many of us made it here, children and adults alike. Why dont we live this way all the time?Plenty of us already do, someone shouted back.The man waved that off. A yoke of families here and there. Or a town with a large Moroi population. But those Moroi are still decentralized. almost dont pool their resources- their guardians, their magic. If we could emulate this model He spread his hands out. wed never have to worry about Strigoi again.And Moroi could never interact with the rest of the world again, I muttered. Well, until humans discovered secret vampire cities spud up in the wilderness. Then wed have lots of interactions.The other theory about how to protect the Moroi touch on fewer logistical problems but had greater personal impact- particularly for me.The problem is simply that we dont have equal guardians. This plans advocate was some woman from the Szelsky clan. And so, the answer is simple get more. The Drozdovs had five guardians, and that wasnt enough. Only six to protect over a dozen Moroi Thats unacceptable. Its no wonder these kinds of things keep happening.Where do you propose getting more guardians from? asked the man whod been in favor of Moroi banding together. Theyre kind of a limited resource.She pointed to where I and a few other novices sat. Weve got plenty already. Ive watched them train. Theyre deadly. Why are we delay until they turn eighteen? If we accelerated the training plan and focused more on combat training than bookwork, we could turn out new guardians when theyre sixteen.Dimitri made a sound low in his throat that didnt seem happy. Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on his knees and be his chin in his hands, eyes narrowed in thought.Not only that, we have plenty of capableness guardians going to waste. Where are all the dhampir women? Our races are intertwined. The Moroi are doing their part to help the dhampirs survive. Why arent thes e women doing theirs? Why arent they here?A long, sultry laugh came as an answer. All eyes turned toward Tasha Ozera. Whereas many of the other royals had garbed up, she was easy and casual. She wore her usual jeans, a white tank top that showed a bit of midriff, and a blue, webbed knit cardigan that came to her knees.Glancing at the moderator, she asked, May I?He nodded. The Szelsky woman sat down Tasha stood up. Unlike the other speakers, she strode right up to the podium, so she could be clearly seen by everyone. Her glossy black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, completely exposing her scars in a way I suspected was intentional. Her face was bold and defiant. Beautiful.Those women arent here, Monica, because theyre too busy raising their children- you know, the ones you want to start sending out to the fronts as soon as they can walk. And please dont insult us all by acting like the Moroi do a ample favor to the dhampirs by helping them reproduce. Maybe its different in y our family, but for the rest of us, sex is fun. The Moroi doing it with dhampirs arent really making that big of a sacrifice.Dimitri had straightened up now, his expression no longer angry. Probably he was crazy that his new girlfriend had mentioned sex. Irritation shot through me, and I hoped that if I had a homicidal look on my face, people would assume it was for Strigoi and not the woman currently addressing us.Beyond Dimitri, I suddenly noticed Mia sitting by herself, farther down the row. I hadnt realized she was here. She was slumped in her seat. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face paler than usual. A funny ache burned in my chest, one Id never expected her to bring about.And the reason were waiting for these guardians to turn eighteen is so that we can allow them to enjoy some pretense of a life before forcing them to spend the rest of their days in constant danger. They need those extra years to expose mentally as well as physically. Pull them out before theyre ready, trea t them like theyre part on an assembly line- and youre just creating Strigoi fodder.A few people gasped at Tashas callous choice of words, but she succeeded in getting everyones attention.You create more fodder still if you try making the other dhampir women stimulate guardians. You cant force them into that life if they dont want it. This entire plan of yours to get more guardians relies on throwing children and the unwilling into harms way, just so you can- barely- stay one step ahead of the enemy. I would have said its the stupidest plan Ive ever heard, if I hadnt already had to listen to his.She pointed at the first speaker, the one who had wanted Moroi compounds. Embarrassment clouded his features. inculcate us then, Natasha, he said. Tell us what you think we should do, seeing as you have so much experience with Strigoi.A thin smile played on Tashas lips, but she didnt rise to the insult. What do I think? She strode closer to the stages front, gazing at us as she answered hi s question. I think we should stop coming up with plans that involve us relying on someone or something to protect us. You think there are too few guardians? Thats not the problem. The problem is there are too many Strigoi. And weve let them multiply and hold up more powerful because we do nothing about them except have stupid arguments like this. We run and hide behind the dhampirs and let the Strigoi go unchecked. Its our fault. We are the reason those Drozdovs died. You want an army? Well, here we are. Dhampirs arent the only ones who can learn to fight. The question, Monica, isnt where the dhampir women are in this fight. The question is Where are we?Tasha was shouting by now, and the exertion turned her cheeks pink. Her eyes shone with her impassioned feelings, and when combined with the rest of her pretty features- and even with the scar- she made a striking figure. Most people couldnt take their eyes off her. Lissa watched Tasha with wonder, inspired by her words. Mason look ed hypnotized. Dimitri looked impressed. And farther past him far past him was Mia. Mia no longer hunched in her chair. She was sitting up straight, straight as a stick, her eyes as wide as they could go. She stared at Tasha as though she alone held all the answers to life.Monica Szelsky looked less awed, and she fixed her gaze on Tasha. Surely you arent suggesting the Moroi fight alongside the guardians when the Strigoi come?Tasha regarded her levelly. No. Im suggesting the Moroi and the guardians go fight the Strigoi before they come.A guy in his twenties who looked like a Ralph Lauren spokesmodel shot up. I would have wagered money he was royal. No one else could have afforded blond highlights that perfect. He untied an expensive jumper from around his waist and draped it over the back of his chair. Oh, he said in a teasing voice, speaking out of turn. So, youre going to just give us clubs and stakes and send us off to do battle?Tasha shrugged. If thats what it takes, Andrew, then sure. A sly smile crossed her pretty lips. But there are other weapons we can learn to use, too. Ones the guardians cant.The look on his face showed how insane he thought that idea was. He rolled his eyes. Oh yeah? Like what?Her smile turned into a full-fledged grin. Like this.She waved her hand, and the sweater hed placed on the back of his chair burst into flames.He yelped in surprise and knocked it to the floor, stamping it out with his feet.There was a brief, collective intake of breath throughout the room. And then chaos broke out.