"You know, sometimes I think I love you.'
"Sometimes?' he asked in mock outrage.
She ruffled his hair. "All the time. But I've got to keep you on your toes.'
"Consider me kept.'
He brought his lips toward hers again but stopped when a knock sounded at the door. Lissa pulled back from the near-kiss, but neither of them broke from the embrace.
"Don't answer,' said Christian.
Lissa frowned, peering toward the living room. She slipped out of his arms, stood up, and walked toward the door. When she was several feet from it, she nodded knowingly. "It's Adrian.'
"More reason not to answer,' said Christian.
Lissa ignored him and opened the door, and sure enough, my devil-may-care boyfriend stood there. From behind Lissa, I heard Christian say, "Worst. Timing. Ever.'
Adrian studied Lissa and then looked at Christian sprawling on the bed on the far side of the suite. "Huh,' Adrian said, letting himself in. "So that's how you're going to fix the family problem. Little Dragomirs. Good idea.'
Christian sat up and strolled toward them. "Yeah, that's exactly it. You're interrupting official Council business.'
Adrian was dressed casually for him, jeans and a black T-shirt, though he made it look like designer clothing. Actually, it probably was. God, I missed him. I missed them all.
"What's going on?' asked Lissa. While Christian seemed to consider Adrian's arrival a personal offense, Lissa knew that Adrian wouldn't be here without a good reason-- especially this early in the Moroi day. Although he had on his normal lazy smile, there was an excited and eager glitter in his aura. He had news.
"I've got him,' said Adrian. "Got him trapped.'
"Who?' asked Lissa, startled.
"That idiot Blake Lazar.'
"What do you mean trapped?' asked Christian, as perplexed as Lissa. "Did you set out a bear trap on the tennis courts or something?'
"I wish. He's over at the Burning Arrow. I just bought another round, so he should still be there if we hurry. He thinks I went out for a cigarette.'
Judging from the scent wreathing Adrian, Lissa had a feeling he actually had been out for a cigarette. And likely shared in the round. "You've been at a bar this early?'
Adrian shrugged. "It's not early for humans.'
"But you're not--'
"Come on, cousin.' Adrian's aura didn't have the muted colors of someone who was completely drunk, but yes, he'd definitely had a few drinks. "If pretty boy Ambrose was right about Aunt Tatiana, then this guy can tell us the names of other jealous women.' "Why didn't you ask him yourself?' asked Christian.
"Because me asking about my aunt's sex life would be sick and wrong,' said Adrian. "Whereas Blake will be more than happy to talk to our charming princess here.'
Lissa really wanted her bed, but finding out anything to help me sparked a new rush of energy within her. "Okay, let me at least get some different clothes and brush my hair.'
While she was changing in the bathroom, she heard Adrian say to Christian, "You know, your shirt's kind of grungy-looking. Seems like you could put in a little more effort since you're dating a princess.'
Fifteen minutes or so later, the threesome were on their way across Court to a tucked away bar inside an administrative building. I'd been there before and had originally thought it was a weird place to house a bar. But, after a recent stint of filing, I'd decided that if I were doing office work for living, I'd probably want a quick source of alcohol on hand, too.
The bar was dimly lit, both for mood and Moroi comfort. Adrian's joking aside, it really was early for Moroi, and only a couple patrons were there. Adrian made a small gesture to the bartender, which I presumed was some kind of ordering signal because the woman immediately turned and began pouring a drink.
"Hey, Ivashkov! Where'd you go?'
A voice called over to Lissa and the others, and after a few moments, she spotted a lone guy sitting at a corner table. As Adrian led them closer, Lissa saw that the guy was young--about Adrian's age, with curly black hair and brilliant teal eyes, kind of like Abe's recent tie. It was as though someone had taken the stunning color of both Adrian and Christian's eyes and mixed them together. He had a leanly muscled body--about as buff as any Moroi could manage--and, even with a boyfriend, Lissa could admire how hot he was.
"To get better-looking company,' replied Adrian, pulling out a chair.
The Moroi then noticed Adrian's companions and jumped up. He caught hold of Lissa's hand, leaned over, and kissed it. "Princess Dragomir. It's an honor to meet you at last. Seeing you from a distance was beautiful. Up close? Divine.'
"This,' said Adrian grandly, "is Blake Lazar.'
"It's nice to meet you,' she said.
Blake smiled radiantly. "May I call you Vasilisa?'
"You can call me Lissa.'
"You can also,' added Christian, "let go of her hand now.'
Blake looked over at Christian, taking a few more moments to release Lissa's hand-- seeming very proud about those extra seconds. "I've seen you too. Ozera. Crispin, right?'
"Christian,' corrected Lissa.
"Right.' Blake pulled out a chair, still playing the over-the-top gentleman. "Please. Join us.' He made no such offer to Christian, who went out of his way to sit close to Lissa. "What would you like to drink? It's on me.'
"Nothing,' said Lissa.
The bartender appeared just then, bringing Adrian's drink and another for Blake. "Never too early. Ask Ivashkov. You drink as soon as you roll out of bed, right?' "There's a bottle of scotch right on my nightstand,' said Adrian, still keeping his tone light. Lissa opened her eyes to his aura. It bore the bright gold all spirit users had, still muddled slightly from alcohol. It also had the faintest tinge of red--not true anger, but definite annoyance. Lissa recalled that neither Adrian nor Ambrose had had a good opinion of this Blake guy.