Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) (22 page)

As the others make small talk, I study
Grigori and Svetlana. They are polar opposites physically, but it’s
easy to see where Anya and Nik got their looks. Svetlana has
summery blond hair, which didn’t stand a chance in the gene pool;
but it’s obvious the children inherited their fine bone structure
from her. She has the same high cheekbones and slender nose as her
offspring. Grigori has more bulbous features, but shares his
children’s curly dark hair. All four of them have the same crystal
blue eyes.

Svetlana catches my roving eyes and takes the
opportunity to engage me in conversation. I guess that’s what I get
for staring.

“Katia! This is your first year at
Crossroads, no?”

“Yes, that’s right.” I reply politely,
refusing to give up any more information than absolutely
necessary.

“How are you liking it so far?” she asks in
her less than perfect English.

“It’s a wonderful school.” I get the feeling
she’d grill me all night if she could. She has the same feral look
in her eye that Jade and Blaine get when Nikolai is around, like
she’d devour me given the opportunity. If everything Nik says about
her aspirations for him is true, I’m certain she sees me as a
political pawn.

“What is your favorite class?” she asks. “My
Nikolai tells us so little about his schooling.” Nik gives a subtle
shake of the head. He doesn’t want me to tell her about our
training.

“Historical Perspectives,” I tell her
blithely. Forget the Linkuri; I need to find a career where I can
get paid to lie. I’m going to be a pro at it by the time I leave
this place. “Professor Moore is fascinating.”

“Svetlana, that is a wonderful dress,”
Lissette cuts in, rescuing me. “Is it a Dolce?”

“How did you guess? It’s part of the spring
collection. It hasn’t even been released to retail yet,” she says
looking pleased with herself. They blather on about fashion for a
few more minutes. I tune them out and concentrate on the contents
of my goblet. I suspect Anya and Nik are as miserable as I am right
now. Neither has said a word.

Suddenly all conversation at the table is cut
short by Aldo’s steely tone.

“I told you I would not discuss politics this
evening, Grigori. Perhaps I’ve not made myself clear?” I’ve never
seen Aldo like this. His amber eyes radiate anger, and there is a
dangerous edge to his voice. I would not want to be sitting in
Grigori’s seat right now. I wish I’d been paying more attention.
What could he have said to make Aldo so angry?

Grigori recants immediately. “Forgive me, old
friend. You are right. This can all wait for another day. Tonight
is a time for celebration. To fresh starts!” he toasts, raising his
glass with finesse.

I raise my glass with the others, but my mind
is racing. I’ve often wondered what Aldo is like as the head of the
Council. I know that he’s powerful and that a world such as ours is
not ruled by words alone, but I’ve never seen it firsthand. Aldo is
so different with me that it’s difficult to imagine the ruthless
personality that he must harbor inside. He told me once that the
Vampir world is no different than the human world: It requires an
iron fist inside the velvet glove. I see that now and wonder just
what he would be capable of if pushed to the limit of his
patience.

“Nikolai! Where are your manners?” asks
Svetlana reproachfully. “You should ask Katia to dance.” It’s clear
she’s trying to smooth things over for her husband. I’m certain
he’s burning with embarrassment on the inside after the exchange
with Aldo.

“Of course, Mother. How rude of me. I don’t
know why I didn’t think of it sooner!” Nik grins. Hell’s bells! I
know that look. He’s going to enjoy this. “Katia, would you permit
me the honor of a dance?” he asks formally, panning to our
audience.

“What a grand idea!” booms Aldo. He and
Lissette are both smiling broadly.

“Certainly.” I can’t very well say no, and
Nik knows it. No matter how rude I am to him in the confines of the
gym, he knows I’ll never embarrass Aldo that way in front of so
many important people. He comes around the table and extends his
arm to me. I slide my hand through, hooking our elbows together,
and follow his lead. “You are so dead,” I whisper when we are out
of earshot of the table.

“Well, then I’d best make the most of this
evening, hadn’t I?” he asks, turning to face me as a new song
starts. It’s a melody. “A slow dance. It must be my lucky day!” He
winks at me, and I stomp on his foot with my heel.

Nik grimaces in pain. “Sorry,” I say sweetly.
“Two left feet.”

Not one to give up easily, he pulls me in
closer so that I’m flat against the hard muscles of his chest.
“You’ll have to do better than that to get rid of me.” We both know
I can’t get away with much more than a good toe stomping this
evening, so I relent to the feel of his strong arms around me. It’s
only one dance after all.

As we spin around the dance floor under the
twinkling white lights, more couples join us, including Aldo and
Lissette. It appears Lissette is tickled pink at the sight of Nik
and me dancing. Not everyone is so happy though. I see Jade
standing across the room, and, while she might otherwise look
positively radiant, her face is a mask of hatred. I hope I haven’t
kicked the hornet’s nest again. I have to stay out of trouble
tonight.

When the song ends I pry myself from Nik’s
arms, refusing to give any thought to the lustful look in his eyes
or the comfort of his warm embrace.

“One more dance?” he asks rubbing my arm
gently. Electricity shoots up my arm, and I yank it away from his
touch.

“Don’t push your luck.”

“Later then,” he cedes. I roll my eyes and
head off in search of Shaye.

“She’s got to be here somewhere,” I grumble to myself. This place
is jam packed tonight, and, now that everyone is up and moving
around, it’s even more difficult to find one person in the crush of
bodies.

I’m doubly disadvantaged because I’m stopped
every few feet by people who want to meet me. Everyone knows my
face after this evenings’ grand introduction. I’m engaged by
politicians, casino owners, and business professionals. I’ll never
remember all of their faces, let alone their names. I’m simply not
that interested. I do my best to make polite conversation for a few
minutes and excuse myself. I repeat this process no less than a
dozen times before I spot Keegan by the buffet.

He’s working desserts tonight. It’s a
ridiculously large spread for a group of beings who predominantly
stick to liquid sustenance. The table is twenty-five feet long and
three tiers high. The assortment is extravagant, and, if the taste
is half as good as the presentation, the desserts have got to be
out of this world. I spot elaborate cakes, cocktail glasses
overflowing with mousse, fruit tarts, and fancy desserts the likes
of which I’ve never seen before. The buffet is dotted with ornate
ice sculptures which pour blood and seem to attract more attention
than the desserts themselves. My favorite is a large flower with
blood trickling over its petals like fresh morning dew. I approach
Keegan’s station hoping he can tell me where to find Shaye.

“Miss Katia.” Keegan greets me formally
playing to the audience. I doubt anyone is paying attention to us,
but I go with it. “What can I get ye this evening?”

“Actually, I was looking for Shaye. Have you
seen her?” I ask pointing to a chocolate truffle which he promptly
serves to me on a delicate china saucer.

“I haven’t seen Miss Shaye this evening, but
I’ll let her know you’re looking for her if she happens by.” I pop
the truffle in my mouth and let the chocolate melt on my tongue.
It’s heavenly.

“Thank you,” I reply formally. This type of
charade makes me uncomfortable. I hate having to treat Keegan
differently just because there are other people around. “The
truffles are wonderful.” I help myself to another one as I turn
away.

Before I can devour the second truffle, I’m
accosted again. This time it’s an accident. The stranger bumps into
me hard as he’s shoved from behind.

“Pardon me,” he says turning to look me in
the face. “Oh, dear!” Recognition lights his eyes. He’s worried
about my reaction. Damn that introduction.

“Not to worry,” I assure him. “My truffle is
intact. Katia Lescinka.” I extend my free hand to him to show there
are no hard feelings.

“Dr. Andrew Philips,” he says, shaking my
hand firmly. He’s the most average looking guy in the world.
Average height, average build, nondescript features. And yet he’s
the face of our future.

“The Dr. Philips? You head the research team
at the Dwyer Group, right?” I can’t believe it. My night is finally
turning around.

“Correction. I lead one of the research teams
at the Dwyer Group. I see my reputation precedes me, as does
yours.” He smiles looking pleased. He probably spends a lot of time
in the lab and doesn’t achieve celebrity status often. I’m
impressed by his humbleness.

“I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but
could I please have a few moments of your time? I know you aren’t
here to talk business, but I have a friend who would like very much
to meet you. It would mean the world to me if you could spend a few
minutes with her.” I probably look desperate, but I would never
forgive myself if Shaye didn’t get to meet Philips tonight. I know
she’s been looking forward to it since the guest list was
published.

“It would be my pleasure,” he returns
easily.

“Thank you,” I reply gratefully. “Just have a
seat at that table over there, and I’ll go get her. Would you like
a truffle?” I ask as an afterthought, offering him my last
remaining treat.

He wrinkles his nose in distaste. “I’m a
purist, Miss Lescinka. I only put into the body what it needs to
survive: blood.”

“Fair enough. I’ll be right back.”

To each his own I think, inserting the
remaining truffle in my mouth as I head off in search of Shaye. It
takes me a few minutes to find her, but I’m not worried. I’m pretty
sure Philips will be waiting right where I left him no matter how
long it takes me to return. Being Aldo’s great niece does have its
advantages sometimes.

I see Shaye sitting with what I assume is her
family. I don’t want to approach the table and get caught up in
introductions, so I wave to her from a few tables away. Shaye
excuses herself and comes to me.

“OMG! You look freaking awesome!” she gushes,
bouncing up and down with excitement. Before I can get a word in,
she goes on. “Like my dress? I designed it myself!” Thankful I
don’t have time for pleasantries (she’d totally know I was lying
about her hella ugly Rainbow Brite-like ensemble), I get right to
the point. “I found Philips. He’s waiting for you over by the
dessert table. Are you ready to meet him?”

Her face lights up involuntarily, and I know
the answer. She hugs me tightly to show her gratitude, and I lead
her to the table where Philips is waiting.

“Dr. Philips, this is my friend Shaye Walker.
Shaye, Dr. Philips of the Dwyer Group.”

They exchange greetings briefly.

“Thank you again for your time, Dr. Philips.
It was good meeting you.” To Shaye I simply say, “Find me
later?”

I head back to the table in search of Aldo
but strike out. The only people there are Nik’s parents. I have no
interest in being grilled by those social leeches again. Their
approval means nothing. They were only pushing Nik and me together
because of Aldo. They’re probably beside themselves at the prospect
of us as a couple. Too bad it will never happen. I keep moving.

It seems like I move all night long without
pause. I do my best to be charming when engaged in conversation and
accept all invitations to dance, although I’d much rather be
sitting by the dessert table talking to Keegan or getting the
lowdown on Dr. Philips from Shaye.

I’m on the dance floor when the servers come
around with flutes of blood for the midnight toast. I graciously
accept a fresh glass and turn my attention to the front of the
room. Aldo has taken center stage. The music dies down, as does the
hum of the crowd. No one wants to miss a word of his speech, myself
included.

I edge my way closer so that I can get a
better view. I find myself shoulder to shoulder with Blaine. We
ignore one another.

“Welcome friends!” Aldo’s voice carries
easily over the crowd. “I hope that each of you is having a
wonderful time this evening. We are fortunate to be in such good
company and in good spirits. This year has been a challenging one
for us in many ways, but we have labored through it together and
have come out stronger in the end. I look forward to continued
prosperity not only for my coven, but for all of the covens under
the rule of the Consiliul de Batrani. I wish each of you happiness
and contentment in the year ahead. Now please raise your glass with
me as we toast to new beginnings!”

“Ten, nine, eight…” We count down the
remaining seconds of the outgoing year in unison. It’s been a long
year for me personally, but Aldo is right. The New Year offers a
fresh start for all of us. Maybe even me. “Three, two, one!”

The room explodes in noise. Those around me
exclaim cries of “Happy New Year!” and the band breaks into an
instrumental version of Auld Lang Syne. Everyone begins to hug and
the traditional New Year’s kisses are exchanged. Over my dead body
will I lock lips with Blaine. I turn away from him abruptly and
find myself sliding into Nik’s arms.

Before I can stop him, Nik leans in for a
kiss. His hand slips past my chin and into my hair, gently
massaging the back of my neck as his soft lips descend upon mine. I
feel the pressure of his other hand as it lands on the small of my
back, pulling me closer until our bodies meet. The heat of his kiss
spreads over me and I’m tingling right down to the tips of my toes.
I refuse to let myself surrender to his passion and although the
exchange is way beyond friendly, I can’t seem to pull myself away.
Before I can stop it, one of my traitorous hands finds its way into
his hair. It’s even softer than I’d imagined. I hate to admit that
I enjoy the feel of his lips moving ravenously over mine. It just
feels so good.