"No,' she admitted, "but I'm not surprised. I told you they're savage. A lot of ordinary problems are settled by fights like that.'
"It's stupid,' I said, not caring that I was whining. I touched the top of my head, wishing I had a mirror to see if Angeline had taken a noticeable chunk of hair. "Although ... she wasn't bad. Unpolished, but not bad. Are they all that tough? The humans and Moroi too?'
"That's my understanding.'
I pondered that. I was annoyed and embarrassed by what had happened, but I had to admit the Keepers were suddenly way more interesting. How ironic that such a backward group had the insight to teach everyone to fight, no matter their race. Meanwhile, my own "enlightened' culture still refused to teach defense.
"And that's why Strigoi don't bother them,' I murmured, recalling breakfast. I didn't even realize what I'd said until Dimitri's smile dropped. He glanced toward the window, face grim.
"I should check in with Boris again and see what he's found.' He turned back toward Sydney. "It won't take long. We don't all need to go. Should I just take your car since I only have to go a little ways?'
She shrugged and reached for her keys. We'd learned earlier that Sydney's phone could pick up a signal about ten minutes from the village. He was right. There really was no reason for us all to go for a quick phone call. After my fight, Sydney and I were reasonably safe. No one would mess with me now. Still ... I didn't like the thought of Dimitri reliving his Strigoi days alone.
"You should still go,' I told her, thinking fast. "I need to check in on Lissa.' Not entirely a lie. What my friends had heard from Joe was still weighing on me. "I can usually still keep track of what's going on around me at the same time, but it might be better if you're away--especially in case Alchemists do show up.'
My logic was faulty, though her colleagues were still a concern. "I doubt they'd come while it's dark,' she said, "but I don't really want to hang out if you're just going to stare into space.' She didn't admit it, and I didn't need to say anything, but I suspected she didn't want someone else driving her car anyway.
Dimitri thought her coming was unnecessary and said as much, but apparently, he didn't feel like he could boss her around as much as me. So, they both set out, leaving me alone in the room. I watched them wistfully. Despite how annoying his earlier mockery had been, I was worried about him. I'd seen the effect of the last call and wished I could be there now to comfort him. I had a feeling he wouldn't have allowed that, so I accepted Sydney's accompaniment as a small victory.
With them gone, I decided I really would check in with Lissa. I'd said it more as an excuse, but truthfully, it beat the alternative--going back out and socializing. I didn't want any more people congratulating me, and apparently, Joshua had read my "maybe' and acceptance of the bracelet as a real commitment. I still thought he was devastatingly cute but couldn't handle seeing his adoration.
Sitting cross-legged on Angeline's bed, I opened myself to the bond and what Lissa was experiencing. She was walking through the halls of a building I didn't recognize at first. A moment later, I got my bearings. It was a building at Court that housed a large spa and salon--as well as the hideout of Rhonda the gypsy. It seemed weird that Lissa would be going to get her fortune told, but once I got a glimpse of her companions, I knew she was up to something else.
The usual suspects were with her: Adrian and Christian. My heart leapt at seeing Adrian again--especially after the Joshua Incident. My last spirit dream had been too brief.
Christian was holding Lissa's hand as they walked, his grip warm and reassuring. He looked confident and determined--though with that typically snarky half-smile of his. Lissa was the one who felt nervous and was clearly bracing herself for something. I could feel her dreading her next task, even though she believed it was necessary.
"Is this it?' she asked, coming to a halt in front of a door.
"I think so,' said Christian. "That receptionist said it was the red one.'
Lissa hesitated only a moment and then knocked. Nothing. Either the room was empty or she was being ignored. She held up her hand again, and the door opened. Ambrose stood there, stunning as always, even in jeans and a casual blue T-shirt. The clothing hugged his body in a way that showed off every muscle. He could have walked straight off the cover of GQ.
"Hey,' he said, clearly surprised.
"Hey,' said Lissa back. "We were wondering if we could talk to you?'
Ambrose ever so slightly inclined his head toward the room. "I'm kind of busy right now.' Beyond him, Lissa could see a massage table with a Moroi woman lying face down. The lower half of her body had a towel over it, but her back was bare, shining in the dim lighting with oil. Scented candles burned in the room, and a calming kind of New Age music played softly.
"Wow,' said Adrian. "You don't waste any time, do you? She's only been in her grave a few hours, and you've already got someone new.' Tatiana had finally been laid to rest earlier in the day, just before sunset. The burial had had much less fanfare than the original attempt.
Ambrose gave Adrian a sharp look. "She's my client. It's my job. You forget that some of us have to work for a living.'
"Please?' asked Lissa, hastily stepping in front of Adrian. "It won't take long.'
Ambrose looked my friends over a moment and then sighed. He glanced behind him. "Lorraine? I have to step outside. I'll be right back, okay?'
"Okay,' called the woman. She shifted, facing him. She was older than I'd expected, mid-forties or so. I guess if you were paying for a massage, there was no reason not to have a masseuse half your age. "Hurry back.'