But St. Vladimir didn’t turn Strigoi. After going to the chapel and asking the priest some questions, Rose learns that St. Vlad lived for a very long time. After all, St. Vladimir was lucky enough to have Anna as his “shadow-kissed” guardian to help him stay strong and never give in to his madness . . .
And Lissa has Rose.
POP QUIZ: Vampire Academy
1. Finish the quote: I felt her fear before I heard her ___.
2. What kind of animal did Lissa first bring back to life in front of Ms. Karp and Rose?
3. Christian Ozera specializes in which element?
4. What’s the name of Mason Ashford’s best friend?
5. What are Dimitri’s favorite kind of novels?
6. Victor Dashkov is afflicted with what disease?
7. What does Dimitri tell Rose to do after he catches her making out with Jesse? “Get _____.”
8. What gift does Dimitri personally give Rose when she’s recovering in the clinic?
9. What are the names of the students who accuse Rose of being a blood whore?
10. Who is turned into a Strigoi in order to help rescue her father?
* For quiz answers, see p.298.
CHAPTER 2
Frostbite
RICHELLE ON FROSTBITE
Starting Frostbite was a little rough. I knew what the running plotlines were going to be, but establishing them was tricky. The writing of this book was also taking place in a tumultuous time in my own life, which made it even more difficult to just really focus and get out the words I wanted. I think I rewrote the beginning of Frostbite about three times! What’s surprising to a lot of people is that, despite the beginning difficulties, the book’s ending was pretty much set in stone. I wrote it in one energetic burst, and it was good to go. I’d known from the day I started writing the first VA book what the path of the series would be, and this ending—as harsh as it was—was essential both for the story and Rose’s growth. Terrible, traumatic endings would eventually become a normal thing for me in all of my series, but this was the very first one I ever wrote. Again, knowing it was needed for the series, I didn’t feel a lot of guilt over what happened, but I was a little amazed in looking back at it that I had actually created something so heart-wrenching.
First line: I didn’t think my day could get any worse until my best friend told me she might be going crazy. Again.
SCENE OF THE CRIME
Rose definitely has her hands full at the moment.
First, Lissa confides in Rose that her darkness is returning, despite the depression meds she’s on that cut her off from using spirit, including her ability to heal others.
Second, Rose is off to take her Qualifier, which is an important interview to determine her commitment to being a guardian. It’s nerve-racking, but there’s one very bright side about the test . . . and that’s who’s going with her.
Dimitri stood there, looking as gorgeous as ever. The massive, brick building cast long shadows over us, looming like some great beast in the dusky predawn light. Around us, snow was just beginning to fall. I watched the light, crystalline flakes drift gently down. Several landed and promptly melted in his dark hair.
“Who else is going?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Just you and me.”
My mood promptly shot up past “cheerful ” and went straight to “ecstatic.” Me and Dimitri. Alone. In a car. This might very well be worth a surprise test.
—page 11
However, when they arrive at the test location, something is horribly wrong. A royal Moroi family, the Badicas—and their dhampir guardians—have been slaughtered by Strigoi.
Dimitri tells Rose to wait in the car while he goes inside to investigate. Never one to follow orders, Rose finds a silver stake buried in the ground and heads into the house to see the victims for herself, horrified by the bloody massacre. When she finds Dimitri, he’s angry she didn’t stay safely outside, but he questions her about where she found the stake. Strigoi can’t touch the charmed silver—but its magic would be enough to breach the protective wards around the house that are placed there to keep Strigoi out. Dimitri surmises that humans could have helped the Strigoi by planting the stake and allowing Strigoi access to commit the murders. Rose can’t believe a human would help a Strigoi to do something this horrible . . . would they?
After Dimitri calls in a group of guardians to investigate the murder scene, Rose catches a glimpse of something horribly disturbing as they continue to survey the house. The Strigoi have left a warning on a mirror—
And it’s written in blood.
It’s a message that Moroi royal families are targets and the Badica family is only the first. Rose is enraged. And now, she’s even more afraid for Lissa—the last of the Dragomir line. Not only will Lissa have to deal with her inner darkness and worry for her sanity, but now she must also fear for her life.
News of the tragedy reaches the Academy quicker than Rose and Dimitri can return. When she gets back, Mason tells her that plans are already underway for a school trip to a huge ski lodge that will include both students and their parents. The school rapidly organized this in order to gather Moroi somewhere safe while the Strigoi responsible for the Badica massacre are hunted down. While the idea of a getaway sounds fantastic to Rose, it’s sobering to know that the only reason the trip was planned is because people were murdered.
Rose now knows Lissa’s in direct mortal danger from these dangerous Strigoi, so she wants to step up her training with Dimitri and learn how to use a silver stake. But when Rose has trouble figuring out exactly where the heart is—kind of important when you’re required to put a stake through one—Dimitri tells her to study up if she really wants to get to the next level. Sometimes Dimitri can be devastatingly sexy, and sometimes, like now, he’s just really annoying.
Just because they have a deeper connection—not that they can act on it—doesn’t mean he’s going to go easy on her.
MOMMY DEAREST
Family members start to arrive for the big ski trip, along with their guardians. To Rose’s deep dismay, among them is her estranged mother, Janine Hathaway.
The novices are excited to hear Janine, a famous guardian with a high Strigoi kill count, speak to Rose’s class about her legendary field experience. Well, all the novices except for Rose. Janine left her in the Academy’s care when Rose was just a kid and never looked back—choosing to pursue her career as a guardian rather than be a devoted mother. And Rose’s father? Other than him being Turkish, Rose has never met him and knows absolutely nothing about him at all.
Rose and Janine haven’t spoken in more than two years, and Rose can’t get past her animosity toward the woman she feels abandoned her—one who didn’t even bother to give her the heads-up that she was on campus.
Janine tells the class an epic tale about a kidnapping that occurred at a royal Moroi ball. Two Moroi were abducted, and guardians tracked them to a hideout where Janine performed a hat trick—staking, decapitating, and burning her Strigoi foes.
Everyone is in awe of this incredible guardian. Rose, however, rudely questions the decisions her mother made, making it seem like Janine was out more for glory than for the safety of the Moroi victims.
The tightness in her lips increased, and her voice grew frosty. “We did the best we could with an unusual situation. I can see how someone at your level might not be able to grasp the intricacies of what I’m describing, but once you’ve actually learned enough to go beyond theory, you’ll see how different it is when you’re actually out there and lives are in your hands.”
“No doubt,” I agreed. “Who am I to question your methods? I mean, whatever gets you the molnija marks, right?”
—page 56
That’s enough snark to get Rose booted from the class for having a bad attitude. All too soon, though, she’ll realize just how right her mother is . . .
For now, she’s just pissed off and ready to hit something. Hard. In her after-school session with Dimitri, she p
roves she now knows exactly where the heart is—she studied up, like he asked her to.
Later in their practice, he surprises her:When he suddenly extended his hand and offered the stake to me, I didn’t understand at first. “You’re giving it to me?”
His eyes sparkled. “I can’t believe you’re holding back. I figured you’d have taken it and run by now.”
“Aren’t you always teaching me to hold back?” I asked.
“Not on everything.”
“But on some things.”
—page 60
He’s made it very clear that too much stands between them right now—the age difference and the fact that protecting Lissa takes top priority over any potential romance. Still, she finds herself wishing things could be different. Just because Rose knows it’s true doesn’t make it any easier to be near him.
Especially when he notes how similar Rose and her mother are. It’s the last thing she wants to hear because, hello? So not true. She still feels like Janine’s story earlier was all about bragging about her fierce reputation and her impressive number of molnija marks.
Dimitri wants to show Rose something that might change her mind—not all marks are badges of honor.
He takes her to a small, run-down cabin in the woods that surround the school. It’s an abandoned watch post for school guardians. Lissa and Christian are skating on a nearby frozen pond, and they’re with another woman who seems to know Dimitri. She even calls him by a nickname: Dimka.
This is Rose’s first introduction to Tasha Ozera, Christian’s aunt, a woman whose beautiful face is marred by a large scar she got protecting Christian from his Strigoi parents.
She’s way different than other Moroi, who shy away from physical conflict. Tasha teaches martial arts classes. And even though she’s a royal, she has no guardian. When she mentions she’s going shopping later, Dimitri offers to go with her for extra protection.
Before they leave, Rose lets Dimitri know that she gets it. Tasha’s shown her that when it comes to fighting Strigoi, the marks don’t matter—molnija or scars. What matters is doing the right thing to save others.
Dimitri didn’t say anything, but he gave me a sidelong glance. I returned it, and as our eyes met, I saw the briefest glimpse of the old attraction. It was fleeting and gone too soon, but I’d seen it. Pride and approval replaced it, and they were almost as good.
When he spoke, it was to echo his earlier thoughts. “You’re a fast learner, Roza.”
—page 76
When Rose goes to her before-school practice the next day, she’s greeted by her mother. Apparently, Dimitri only just returned from taking Tasha shopping and is still sleeping. Instead of canceling the session, Janine’s offered to take over today. She wants to see what her daughter can do.
Oh, it’s so on.
It’s the chance Rose has been waiting for, to take some of her frustrations out on the woman herself. As they spar, Rose doesn’t hold back on how she feels.
“Did you go all Darwin and select the guy most likely to pass on warrior genes to your offspring? I mean, I know you only had me because it was your duty, so I suppose you had to make sure you could give the guardians the best specimen you could.”
“Rosemarie,” she warned through gritted teeth, “for once in your life, shut up.”
“Why? Am I tarn ish in g your precious reputation? It’s just like you told me: you aren’t any different from any other dhampir either. You just screwed him and—”
—page 82
—and she gets a fist to the face, which sure feels more personal than part of any training session.
Rose heads directly to the Academy’s med clinic to get checked out. She’s okay—apart from a big black eye. Great. Just in time for the ski trip, too.
Lissa isn’t entirely sympathetic to Rose’s plight when she learns that Rose provoked the punch—although it still doesn’t excuse what Janine did. If it weren’t for her anti-depression meds, Lissa could use spirit to heal Rose. Lissa wishes she could use her magic in a controlled way that doesn’t destroy her mentally and physically. Bitterness over this comes through the bond, which quickly intensifies to something darker and uglier. Uh-oh. Are the meds really starting to weaken?
Lissa’s mood brightens during their talk when they switch to a different topic. Namely, Rose’s potential romantic future . . . with Mason. After all, the guy’s crazy about her.
Lissa has no idea yet that Rose is really interested in Dimitri. Rose wants to tell her the truth about her crush on her older mentor and how her feelings were very nearly returned in full. She and Lissa have always told each other everything. Why should this be any different?
Rose is about to spill all her secrets about Dimitri and her hesitation to date other guys like Mason when Lissa interrupts her to go meet her boyfriend, Christian, for their date. Later, a burst of emotion shoots through the bond and—bam!—Rose is in Lissa’s head experiencing her world firsthand. And Lissa and Christian’s date is getting hot and heavy.
The two are taking their relationship to the next level. Since Rose really doesn’t want to virtually lose her virginity to Christian while being stuck in Lissa’s head, she manages to get out of Lissa’s head and escape the romantic encounter just in time.
That Lissa and Christian are taking their relationship to the next level leaves Rose with an ache in her heart. Christian’s officially replaced her as the most important person in her best friend’s life . . . and this makes her feel very alone.
A KISS FROM A ROSE
Rose wears her hair down for her next session with Dimitri to make her bruise less visible. When it gets in the way, Dimitri almost brushes it away from her face—he has an ongoing love of her beautiful hair—but he stops himself.
Rose can see he wants to touch her. He is still attracted to her, despite being on his best and most professional behavior lately.
With concern, he asks if her bruise hurts—and her attention momentarily shifts from her sexy instructor back to her annoying mother, darkening Rose’s mood. Dimitri suggests she make peace with Janine and control her hatred. This isn’t what Rose wants to hear. She challenges his Zen-like behavior. Despite his protests, she knows Dimitri doesn’t always want to stay in control . . . especially when he’s around her.
And you know what? Rose is ready to prove this once and for all.
Before he realized what was happening, I kissed him. Our lips met, and when I felt him kiss me back, I knew I was right. He pressed himself closer, trapping me between him and the wall. He kept holding my hand, but his other one snaked behind my head, sliding into my hair. The kiss was filled with so much intensity; it held anger, passion, release . . .
He was the one who broke it. He jerked away from me and took several steps back, looking shaken.
“Do not do that again,” he said stiffly.
“Don’t kiss me back then,” I retorted.
—page 112
Rose has definitely succeeded in shaking Dimitri’s composure. And, just like that, their session is over. He cancels the next two sessions too, and, despite his other excuses, Rose is sure it’s because of their very dangerous kiss.
On Christmas morning, with the upcoming ski trip on everyone’s mind, Rose goes to an on-campus brunch hosted by Tasha. Who should be there but Dimitri? She hasn’t seen him since their kiss. Rose realizes she should have expected him—he’s Tasha’s friend after all. He seems to make a point to steer away from Rose, keeping his attention totally on Christian’s aunt.
Lissa gives Rose a present of a chotki, which is like a rosary, only bracelet-sized. It’s a Dragomir family heirloom that belonged to her great-grandmother’s guardian, so it’s only appropriate that Lissa pass it on to her own (soon-to-be) guardian and best friend Rose.
Tasha also invited Janine to the brunch—which Rose is less than thrilled about and only makes her more agitated. Rose hasn’t seen her mother since she punched her in the face two days ago. And since that time, there have been no vis
its, no apologies. No big surprise. Now, with her mother in attendance, talk turns to such festive topics as how to decapitate a Strigoi and—as always—everyone except Rose seems fascinated by Janine’s tales of being a guardian.
After the party, Rose is on her way back to her dorm when Janine catches up to her. She has a Christmas present for her daughter. It’s a piece of jewelry too: in this case a strange glass pendant that looks like an eye—which she’ll later find out is called a nazar, given to Janine by Rose’s real father. It’s a generous and heartfelt gift, but Rose doesn’t know or appreciate that yet.
And that’s when Janine drops a bombshell on Rose’s lap in casual conversation: Tasha has requested Dimitri as an official guardian. And she has her eye on something more . . . Apparently, Christian’s aunt is romantically interested in Dimitri and willing to have dhampir children with him—something very few Moroi women would be willing to do. Hooking up with a Moroi woman is the only way Dimitri can have kids since dhampirs can’t procreate with each other.
This news hits Rose like another punch to the face, stunning and sickening her. The thought that Dimitri could be leaving the Academy, leaving her, to be with Tasha instead is too much for her to bear. It’s one thing to accept that she can’t have him, but imagining him with someone else?
It’s the worst Christmas ever.
RESORT LIFE
If the news about Dimitri has done one thing, it’s made Rose look at Mason with a bit more interest. After all, if Dimitri can move on with Tasha, then she should be able to do the same, right?