Chapter 12
I continued to spy on Lissa over the next couple of days, occasionally taking some of the darkness from her. I know she did not like the invasion of privacy but I needed to keep her safe even if I could not be near her all the time. I watched as she steadily reintegrated herself into the royal power players one by one. She couldn't do group compulsion, but catching one person alone was just as effective, if slower. And really a lot of them didn't need to be compelled to start hanging out with her again. Many weren't as shallow as they seemed, they remembered Lissa and liked her for who she was. They flocked to her, and now a month and a half after our return to the Academy, it was like she'd never left at all. But all that seemed to drive Christian away, he didn't want to hang around the other Royals and seemed to take himself out of the equation. Now that she was Princess Lissa again. I felt sorry for him and sad, that Lissa was forcing herself to be this way for me.
But I worried about Lissa, now more than anything. She was using her powers too much, even in public. And at church one day I decided to speak up. "This is going to backfire," I whispered. "Someone's going to start wondering and asking questions." "Stop being so melodramatic. Power shifts all the time around here." "Not like this." "You don't think my winning personality could do this on its own." I sighed. She was so stubborn about it; how can I save her from herself? My thoughts were interrupted when two guys farther down the pew suddenly exploded into snickers. Glancing up I saw them looking straight at me, not even bothering to hide their smirks. It did not bother me, but Lissa was furious and I had a feeling she might have heard what they said. Lissa returned their looks, and a sudden fierceness flashed across her face. She didn't say a word but their smiles grew smaller under her heavy gaze. "Tell her you're sorry," she told them. "And make sure she believes it."
A moment later, they practically fell over themselves apologizing to me and begging for forgiveness. I couldn't believe it. She used compulsion in public -- in the church of all places. And on two people at the same time. They finally exhausted their supply of apologies, but Lissa wasn't finished. "That's the best you can do?" she snapped. Their eyes widened in alarm, both terrified that they'd angered her. "Liss," I said quickly, touching her arm. "It's okay, I uh accept their apologies." I pulled again and felt the rage swirl in me, wanting so badly to punch them for -- wait that was not my feelings, it was hers. I took a deep breath and I saw the confusion in Lissa's eyes. The guys slumped in relief and then the service started. Christian was openly watching Lissa, a troubled look on his face. When he saw me, he gave me that "What the hell look?" He was worried, and I was too. Dimitri sat in the back as usual, for once not scanning every corner for danger. His attention was turned inward. His expression was almost pained. And after the service was done I was whisked off to my prison again. I needed to talk to Christian, it was difficult because of the rules surrounding me.
While heading to practice later, I stopped in the dorm's kitchen to grab a granola bar. As I did, I passed a couple of novice guys. Miles and Anthony. Miles whistled when he saw me. "How's it been going, Rose? Are you getting lonely? Want some company?" Anthony laughed. "I can't bite you, but I can give you something else you want." I had to pass through the doorway, they stood in to get outside. Glaring at them I pushed past them, but Miles caught me around the waist, his hand sliding down to my butt. "Get your hands off my ass before I break your face," I told him jerking away. In doing so, I only bumped into Anthony. "Come on," Anthony said. "I thought you didn't have a problem taking on two guys at the same time." A new voice spoke up. "If you guys don't walk away right now; I'll take both of you on." Mason came to my rescue; I knew Rose hated it but thanks to Rose I cannot retaliate or get kicked out. It was a small blessing that Ralph and Jesse didn't turn me in for the broken noses they were sporting after our altercation. "You're so full of it Ashford," Miles said. He was the bigger of the two and left me to go square off with Mason. Anthony backed off from me, more interested in whether or not there'd be a fight.
There was just too much Testosterone in the air, I felt like I needed a gas mask. "Are you doing her too?" Miles asked Mason. "You don't want to share?" "Say one more word about her, and I'll rip your head off." "Why? She's just a cheap blood --" Mason punched him and I got a strange satisfaction from it, although I would have punched harder. His eyes widened and he lunged towards Mason. The sound of doors opening in the hall caused everyone to freeze. Novices got in a lot of trouble for fighting. "Probably some guardians coming." Mason grinned. "You want them to know you were beating up on a girl?" Miles and Anthony exchanged glances. "Come on," Anthony said. "Let's go. We don't have time for this." Miles reluctantly followed. "I'll find you later, Ashford."
When they were gone I turned towards Mason. "Beat up on a girl?" I asked him snarkily. It is not as if I didn't appreciate the help, just the way he said it. "You're welcome," he said drily. "Thank you, I hate that it was necessary, and I hate that I cannot defend myself from assholes like him without getting kicked out. And I especially hate being treated like a girl. But thank you for helping Mase. You are a good friend." We talked for a bit and I managed to get him to spill some more school gossip. He had noticed Lissa's rise in status but didn't seem to find it strange. As I talked to him, I noticed the adoring look he always got around me. I could not encourage it though. I will never play with anyone like that, that was a Katherine thing to do. Not me. "Hey Mason, can I ask you a favor," "Sure, name it," Mason said immediately. Rose didn't have to flirt with him, he was just a nice guy. "I need you to get a message to Christian Ozera." His eagerness faltered. "What the --? You aren't serious." "Yes, I am." "Rose ... I can't talk to him. You know that." "Please." "What do you want me to tell him." He sighed. "Tell him that he needs to check in the box in storage, in the attic. Everything he can get on St. Vladimir, I have a hunch I will find it in there. He needs to sneak it to me." "That doesn't make any sense." "It doesn't have to, Christian will understand." He frowned and nodded only telling me that he would see what he could do. He left for lunch and I headed to practice.