Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 48 - Rose

We were having a conference - an emergency conference. With Lissa back in action, and Natia restored to the Court, it was time to finally address the issue that was Andrey Tarus.

All of us were gathered - well, almost. Casimir slipped in a few minutes late, which meant only Natia and Ash were missing from the party. Roger and Trey were still out in the wild, but they had called me and assured us that they were fine, and it wasn't like they were on speaking terms with the Queen either way.

While the Moroi discussed Moroi technicalities, I turned to Casimir. 'Weren't you supposed to get Natia here? We need to know what she knows.'

Casimir scratched his head, looking confused and definitely like he was sporting a temper. 'They're not coming.'

I was dumbstruck. 'Huh?' I managed.

'She's tired and needs rest. I'm not the boss of her. I can't tell her what to do.'

'Oh, for heaven's sake.' I dug my phone out of my pocket and dialed her number. It took a long time before she finally answered.

'Hello?' She sounded out of breath; flustered.

'Where are you? We need you at the conference-'

A voice spoke from the background. 'Sorryyyy, Natia isn't available at the moment.'

So help me god - it was Ash. I spun around and took several steps away from Casimir and the others.

'Ash!' I hissed. 'What the hell are you guys doing?' I blanched at the possibility. Were they in bed together? 'We need you at the conference,' I managed at last.

'Conference?' came Natia's voice. 'Ash? What-'

'I don't know anything about a conference. Spirit boy said nothing about it.'

I groaned. 'Can you guys stop behaving like a couple of teenagers and get your asses over here? We're waiting!'

'Natia needs rest,' Ash insisted. 'Whatever you need to know she can tell you over the phone. Right, Natia?'

'Shut up, Ash!' Natia and I said in unison. He simply laughed.

'Tell me what's going on,' Natia demanded, tone business-like. It sounded like she was pushing Ash away in the background.

'Glad to have you back,' I muttered, when I thought we were alone. 'Did Ash drug you or something?'

'Um...no. Just...I'm dealing with him,' she said evasively. 'What do you need to know?'

'Ash called us with your warning. Andrey Tarus is at work here - he is the one behind the attempted assassinations. Did you know that?'

'Yes.'

I took a deep breath. 'What else do you know?'

'That he is working together with the Strigoi that kidnapped me.'

I gaped. I spun back around, taking in the faces of all my loved ones. We were in more danger than we had ever thought.

'Okay,' I said with forced calm.

'Andrey planned for the Strigoi to attack at the same time...but the deal was that all spirit users were to be delivered to the Strigoi. When that failed...well, I suppose the Strigoi didn't feel like honouring the deal.'

'Spirit users...' I echoed, with a worried glance at Lissa. I thought about her, about Casimir, Sonya, Adrian...at least Adrian was safe. Nobody knew about him. 'Why do they want them?'

'Well...I think it's because they're filled with magic - spirit being the strongest. Probably boosts Strigoi strength more than common Moroi blood does.'

I nodded numbly. Realising Natia couldn't see that, I simply mumbled an "okay." Then, realisation struck me. 'They will attack again,' I said, with complete confidence.

'Yes.'

'When?'

'Andrey Tarus is probably going to strike a new deal with the Strigoi. At first, it seemed like Tarus really wanted to spare as many lives as possible. He was just willing to sacrifice the key players, as well as the Ozeras,' she added dryly. 'But now? Who knows. Maybe it'll be all out war. As to when? I don't know. But we have to be prepared.'

'And slouching with Ash,' I said, lowering my voice, 'that's how you prepare?'

Natia sighed. 'Rose - I've been freezing and starving and bleeding. I nearly died. Don't you think I deserve a bit of...rest?'

I realised then that Natia was actually getting better. Something about her had changed. Before, she'd never allow herself this rest. She'd never do anything for herself. She'd constantly sacrifice herself for others, unafraid of the consequences. Now, she really did seem concerned for her own health. I took a deep breath and swallowed my frustration. Natia deserved this.

'I'm sorry Natia,' I said, chagrined. 'I didn't meant to jump on you. 'Course you deserve rest. I'll keep you updated on what happens here.'

Natia was silent for a moment, like she hadn't at all expected that response from me.

'Thanks.' A pause. 'Is...Casimir okay?'

'Yep,' I lied. 'Bossing us around, as usual.'

Natia's hesitant chuckle just confirmed my fears about the drama that would surely unfold, just as soon as our world stopped being threatened by power-hungry Moroi and blood-thirsty Strigoi.

It was a testament of our survival instinct, that such drama could exist amidst such terrible chaos.

But that's ordinary vampire life, for ya.