Next Generation Dhampirs

Vacation

Dimitri and Rose exchanged a glance, then Dimitri stood up and thanked her, focusing his gaze on me. This was not going to end well.

"Let's just get this over with," I muttered, pushing myself off the couch. I never even got to eat.

Noticing this, Dimitri turned to Wanda, who was still standing in the doorway, and said, "Could you have someone bring some food up for her? She hasn't eaten in 3 days."

Wanda nodded then disappeared. I flashed Dimitri a grateful smile, then led the way out of the room. I remembered where the queen's chambers were because James had shown me when he gave me a tour of the royal wing after dinner on Saturday.

When we entered the room, everyone was sitting around a table in the back of the room. By everyone, I meant the Ivashkovs and the Ozeras. James stiffened when he looked up and saw me, but tried to put on a smile. Lissa and Christian, on the other hand, looked worried. Across the table, all 3 Ivashkovs mirrored their expressions. They had already been talking.

Lissa stood up and made her way over to us, wrapping Rose and me in a hug, then shaking Dimitri's hand before pulling him into a hug too. She was so small compared to him; he had to bend over to return the hug, which made me laugh a little.

"You guys can sit down over here. We have a lot to discuss," Christian motioned to 3 empty seats. Of course 2 were between Lissa and Adrian, and the third was between Declan and James.

Dimitri pushed past me and took the seat between Declan and James, so I sat next to Adrian. Both of us laughed when we saw the smirks completely disappear from the boys' faces. I'm positive that was Dimitri's intention. But that didn't stop Declan.

You're not going to like this, he thought to me.

What's going on? I asked in reply

You'll see. But it's about the two of us. You didn't know you were in hiding before. This time, you'll know it and you'll hate it.

What do you mean?

I mean, things have changed since you got here. It's starting to show. People are asking questions. We need to get out of here before it's too late.

Wait, so you're telling me that I just got out of hiding, just to go back IN?! This is ridiculous!

Yes, it is, but it's to keep us "safe." I don't like it any more than you do, but unless there's another way to keep you safe, we're stuck.

You too! If something happens to you, what about me? You brought ME back, remember?

I don't know, maybe we'll-

He never finished his thought because just then, Rose nudged my arm, and Sydney did the same to him.

"Ow!" we cried in unison. This elicited a giggle from Adrian, but the look on Rose's face said, "Don't start."

I turned my attention to Lissa, who seemed all too fascinated by what was happening.

"Lissa, what's wrong?" Rose asked, sounding worried again.

"Their auras," she replied in visible awe, "I've never seen anything like it!"

"Me neither," Adrian added, "Were you two communicating, by any chance?"

I looked to Declan for confirmation and he nodded slightly. "Yes, we were," he said, finally.

"How is that possible?" Rose interjected.

"There's a lot we still don't know about these two on their own," Christian responded, "Together, we know even less."

"It could have something to do with them being spirit users," Lissa added, thoughtfully, "Remember how you were telling me about Oksana, who could openly communicate with others?" Rose nodded. "I wonder if it's the same principle. Could you try talking to one of us like that?"