Moving Objects

Chapter 20

"Have you been eating Roza? You're looking thinner."

"Yes. I just haven't been sleeping so I've been going to the gym at random hours of the night. It seems to be the only way to make my brain shut up."

She nodded and bit her lip, looking sullen. I knew she was worried about me, but I didn't want her to be. Hopefully, I could give her a little bit more news in a few weeks. In two weeks, they would be here and when I ended this call, I'd start a mission I promised myself I would do.

Fulfilling a promise I made Dimitri all those months ago.

"I have to get going, but I will be there to pick you up at the airport on the thirtieth," I said, trying to muster a smile for her. Olena returned it, but it wasn't full of life like I'd seen in photos of her. It was to save face. She said her goodbyes and ended the call, and I dropped the phone onto the coffee table, only for it to ring again. I picked it up without looking.

"Hello?"

There was no response except for empty air. I sighed and looked at the caller ID, but it said blocked. I closed the call and dropped the phone beside me. Stupid telemarketers. I tried not to look at the contents of his phone the best I could. There were too many pictures, too many happy memories and it made my stomach twist. The masochist in me did though, and I smiled through tears looking at the pictures he had taken. Some of them I didn't understand, but some were wholesome. Pictures of him and his mother, him and his sisters, some of our trip to Bora Bora, me waist-deep in the water looking back at him with a playful smirk. My hair hid my back, but I knew that I was topless in the picture. But nobody else would know.

Some were of the two of us and I forwarded them to my phone. I think my favourite was one that was so unflattering that it made me laugh. I remember him taking it the one time I was able to go up to Lehigh. I had a pair of his sweats and one of his shirts on, my hair tied up in a gigantic bun with my mouth full of pizza, mid-chew. The whole picture was pulled together with Dimitri's laughing face as I scowled at the camera.

Or maybe it was the one Lissa had taken of us on the trip just before we went snorkeling. I was sitting in his lap while he sat crossed legged on the floor of the boat. Both of us with the snorkelling gear on our faces, looking at each other.

Yes, that was my favourite one of all.

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I sighed and got up, wandering to the bedroom to grab my bags. It was time that I set off, off to kill the man I loved.

After a little guidance from my spirited friend, well friends including the blonde man who was always with Mason these days, I found myself in a club in the middle of Pittsburgh. It was crowded and hot, but it was a hunting ground for both Dhampirs and Strigoi. I managed to slip in with a group, but my attire made me look old enough that nobody questioned it.

Who knew what a little cleavage would do for you?

I sat at the bar sipping my club soda as I watched people, searching for the red eyes in the crowd. Mason had found using dirt or fog against glass the best way to communicate and told me that he had seen Dimitri in this club multiple times.

Maybe I'd get lucky tonight.

It was easy to follow the Moroi and Guardians in the crowd, along with the unpromised Dhampir, but I had yet to see or feel any Strigoi. I had been here for a few hours now and was starting to think that this wasn't going to work.

At least I got to wear the pretty dress I bought. It would be the only time it would be appropriate. I figured that I could lure Strigoi out of the club in hopes of something more, so dressing a little provocatively would be better suited. Mid-thigh red mini dress with a square neckline did wonders, and I watched eyes look at my chest far too many times. But I wasn't the only one dressed in a skintight dress. The only saving grace was the over-the-knee-heeled boots. It made me feel less naked.