Chapter 17
Lissa and I stood there in the middle of the field talking about her powers, I told her that it was time that we told someone about her powers, I told her that I could take the bad feelings and darkness from her but until I knew how to get rid of it, she needed to be careful with her powers, it affected both of us after all. "Lissa, we need help, someone that knows more about this than us. Our bond formed because you healed me after the accident. I died; you brought me back. That is how our bond started. Ms. Karp told me I was shadow kissed. I was touched by death. Just like Anna. I know that you won't be like Ms. Karp because she had no one to help her with the darkness, like you do and like St. Vladimir did." I explained. "They will take me away." Lissa argued. She was afraid of being carted away. "Or they will help you. We need to bring in the experts, I can keep the depression at bay, but we need help with this. You can decide who to ask." She nodded and left for her dorm, and I left for mine. I finally got to unpack all my purchases in my closet trying the dress on for the first time. It really looked great on me. Happily, I packed everything away and made sure I did not have any outstanding homework before going to bed.
I got up early to meet Dimitri for our 2-hour practice lessons before school followed by classes. Since I told no one about Lissa, leaving it up to her whether or not she tells someone she was not angry with me, and we were going to the dance together. I knew that Victor was going to try something tonight and I convinced Lissa to go speak to Ms. Carmack and the headmistress. Just about the magic, not the darkness. She was worried about me, because I was a little short tempered and I felt the weight of the darkness I had been carrying for her the whole day. Some of it I could take out on the equipment in the gym, but I knew I was going to have to release the fire somewhere. Lissa was excited about the dance tonight and kept telling me that she thinks that the dress would look so great on me. It was great to see her in such a great mood.
After lessons ended, she went to show them her magic and to ask if they could get some sort of experts to do research on it. In my room or more specifically my bathroom I took a shower and got ready for the dance. Using spells; I haven’t needed to use in forever. Full body wax, scrub and moisturizing spell. Smoky eyes make up spell and one to dry my hair in dark waves down my back. Using my perfume from my trunk and a strapless push up black bra and panty set I finally slipped the dress on. Then finally the shoes. I looked hot, finally the lip-gloss and Victor's cursed Rose necklace. When I stepped out of my room, Mason was the one who saw me first. His eyes practically bugged out. He offered to escort me to the dance, and I agreed, just as friends. We cut across the commons, laughing as we recounted how a particularly clumsy classmate of ours had given himself a black eye in practice this week. Moving quickly over the frozen ground wasn't easy in heels, and Mason kept grabbing my arm to keep me from falling over, half-dragging me along. It made us laugh that much more. Then we ran into Dimitri and Alberta. They were on their way somewhere else, talking guardian business. Alberta smiled when she saw us, giving us the kind of indulgent look grownups always used. Hell, I used it once or twice, but it was weird having it directed towards me.
We stumbled to a halt and Mason put a hand on my arm to steady me. "Mr. Ashford, Miss Hathaway. I'm surprised you aren't already in the commons." Mason gave her an angelic, teacher's pet smile. "Got delayed Guardian Petrov. You know how it is with girls. Always got to look perfect. You especially must know all about that." I was staring at Dimitri. He was staring at me too. Although his face had given nothing away his eyes traced every curve, and he lingered on Mason's arm on me. I was tempted to peek at his thoughts, but I didn't. Mason finished joking with Alberta and we went our separate ways. Music blasted inside the commons when we arrived, white Christmas lights and a disco ball casting the only light in the otherwise darkened room. Gyrating bodies mostly underclassmen, packed the dance floor. Those who were our age stood in too-cool clusters along the edges of the room, waiting for an opportunity time to sneak off. An assortment of chaperones, guardians and Moroi teachers alike, patrolled around, breaking up those dancers who did a little too much gyrating. When I saw Kirova in a sleeveless plaid dress, I turned to Mason and said, "Are you sure we can't hit the hard liquor yet?"
He snickered and took my hand again, but I shook my head and pointed towards Lissa. He looked disappointed but I told him, just friends. I was not starting something with Mason Ashford. I waved at him and then headed over to Lissa.