Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 19 - Thanatia

'Look, Ash, can you leave me alone?' I said for the second time.

He had been following me all the way from the gym, to my room, to the underground spa, talking about all sorts of things that I now couldn't recollect.

'Nah. I also want to get a massage. I'd rather get it from you, but this'll do.'

I turned towards the receptionist. 'Well, I'm only paying for my massage,' I informed her. 'And can you please station me as far away from this nutter as possible?'

'The massaging area is very busy during these hours,' she said in a crisp voice. 'I'm sorry to say that if I schedule two massages, they'll be next to each other.'

I sighed. 'Okay, fine.' I paid for mine, and without waiting for Ash, headed towards the women's changing rooms.

It took some time to get all my clothes off. Afterwards I took a steaming hot shower, feeling my muscles relax in the heat. When I was done, I grabbed a fresh white towel, wrapping it high around my body. There was still about half an hour left until the massage was scheduled, so I wore my maroon bikini, heading for the hot baths.

The heated marble floor was as dark and glittery as a midnight sky, the walls coated with a complimentary marble layering in the deepest shades of blue. Burning candles provided the only light in the dimly lit rooms, which were scented with a mild tinge of roses. Bowls with fruit and other delicious snacks were stationed here and there, and I walked further on, past the largest common bath for the more private ones in the back. There was one bubbly tub, and another with water tipped with a layer of slithering smoke. I grabbed an apple and chose the smokey bath, which was blissfully empty. I was just about to enter when the peaceful quiet was rudely interrupted.

'Woah. I see now why your guardian uniform covers you head to toe.'

I bit down hard on my apple, chewed, swallowed, and finally deigned to turn and look at the ever-present annoyance that was Ash.

'Can you be quiet? This is a place to relax. You literally drown out the yoga music.'

He snorted. 'Yoga music.' He splashed his way into the bath, settling in a corner. He spread out his arms and sighed contentedly.

I quickly followed, not wanting him ogling me, and settled as far away from him as possible, concentrating on my apple.

'You dhampir chicks eat a lot, you know that? Everytime I see Rose, she's either eating, or talking about wanting to eat. And here you are, doing the same. What's up with that?'

I sighed. 'We work harder than you do, that's why.'

He considered. 'That could be true, actually.'

I rolled my eyes, glad that the steamy surface of the water hid my body underneath.

I was determined to look anywhere but at Ash, and yet I still felt his grey eyes on me.

'You're shy,' he said after a while, as if he'd made a huge discovery about my personality.

'Not really,' I said, in a bored voice. 'I just don't make a habit of displaying my body to just about anyone.'

'Oh? I thought you Scandinavians were more free with your bodies. You certainly didn't mind it in the arena.'

'Yes, and since you heard that from some jock at the bar, it must be true, and applicable to everyone, right?' I ignored the comment about the arena; that had been business.

He nodded. 'Pretty much, yeah. Or are you just sad you didn't get to show off to Casimir instead?'

I stared at him incredulously. 'Are you serious? He's my best friend.'