Reaction to Frostbite

Chapter 12 - Janine/Adrian

Kirova was too shocked to keep reading and so quickly passed the book to her side. Janine picked up and began immediately.

I WAS OUT OF BED in a flash. We found the entire lodge abuzz with the news. People clustered in small groups in the halls. Family members sought each other out. Some conversations were conducted in terrified whispers; some were loud and easy to overhear. I stopped a few people, trying to get the story straight. Everyone had a different version of what had happened, though, and some wouldn't even pause to talk. They hurried past, either seeking out loved ones or preparing to leave the resort, convinced there might be a safer place elsewhere.

Great. The place is going to be in chaos Alberta thought ruefully, dreading the security nightmare it will turn out to be. Royals likely forming their own version of a council meeting, where the guardians will be expected to keep watch over them instead of the students like they should be. She sighed in frustration and bitterness.

Frustrated with the differing stories, I finally- reluctantly- knew I had to seek out one of the two sources who would give me solid information. My mother or Dimitri. It was like flipping a coin. I wasn't really thrilled with either one of them right now. I debated momentarily and finally decided on my mother, seeing as how she wasn't getting it on with Tasha Ozera.

Alberta gave Dimitri a threatening and warning glare. "You better not break her heart Belikov or I will find a way to kill you and make it look like a routine accident". Dimitri paled at the thought. He'd known Guardian Petrov for 6 months now and he had grown to respect her before meeting based on her reputation: She must really care for Rose, as do I, but there is nothing I can do about it.

The door to my mother's room was ajar, and as Lissa and I entered, I saw that a sort of makeshift headquarters had been established here.

There was some outrage from Kirova and Janine at the idea of Rose being there while the attack is discussed, let alone with Lissa too. They couldn't believe she did that. Alberta was different though, knowing Rose would likely keep Lissa in sight for the rest of the trip, Christian knew it too, but didn't like what it meant for them as a couple.

Lots of guardians were milling around, moving in and out, and discussing strategy. A few gave us odd looks, but no one stopped or questioned us.

Janine was looking to Alberta at that who simply shrugged as she said that Rose has a lot more respect among the Academy guardians than she knows. "Many had seen her grow up at the Academy and have seen how she protects those she loves, particularly Lissa" Alberta offered in explanation. Alberta had also seen her protecting Andre on occasion under the guise of simply hanging out as friends, she'd never let him know what she was up to.

Lissa and I slid onto a small sofa to listen to a conversation my mother was having. She stood with a group of guardians, one of whom was Dimitri.

"So much for avoiding you" Adrian laughed, laughing even harder when he heard Rose's next thought mirroring his comment.

So much for avoiding him. His brown eyes glanced at me briefly and I averted my gaze. I didn't want to deal with my troubled 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 turned Strigoi. The attack hadn't really happened near here; it had been somewhere in northern California. Nonetheless, a tragedy like this couldn't help but reverberate within the Moroi world, and for some, two states away was far too close. People were terrified, and I soon learned what in particular made this attack so notable.

All on edge everyone took a sudden intake of breath and held it as they waited for even more bad news. It was bad enough to have had the Badica massacre, now this one.