Dimitri's Point of View in Frostbite (Vampire Academy) (Book 2)

Dimitri's Point of View in Frostbite (Vampire Academy)

"What?" She squeaked.

I knew why she was so shocked. Arthur was a legend. He was one of the great Strigoi slayers in all of guardian history. And used to be the head of the Guardian's Council. He eventually retired and gone back to protecting one of the royal families, the Badicas.

"Wasn't...wasn't there anyone else available?" She asked in a small voice.

I tried my best to hide the smile that was playing at my lips. "You'll be fine. Besides, if Art approves of you, that's a great recommendation to have on your record."

Silence fell in the car once again. By the way I saw her body tense out of the corner of my eye I knew she was nervous. I needed to calm her down, it was my job to do such a thing.

"You'll be fine." I repeated. "The good in your record outweighs the bad."

I could see the corners of her lips tighten up in a smile. She turned her face towards me, sneaking a peek that she thought only she knew about. After a long moment she averted her gaze.

"Thanks, Coach." She teased as she snuggled back into the seat.

"I'm here to help." I replied. I found myself relaxing more as we traveled down the snowy road. Something that didn't happen often, I was usually tense and ready for action. But like in the van, that Rose and I had took when we escorted Lissa to the mall, I relaxed. Not much can happen in a car when it's in motion. Although my eyes were still darting back and forth as we passed tall looming trees.

"You know what would really help?" Rose asked.

"Hmm?"

"If you turned off this crap music and put on something that came out after the Berlin Wall went down."

I laughed. "Your worst class is history, yet somehow, you know everything about Eastern Europe."

"Hey, gotta have material for my jokes, Comrade."

Still smiling, I turned the radio dial. To a country station. Knowing what her reaction would be. I was the mentor and she was the student. Whose to say that I can't torture her?

"Hey! This isn't what I had in mind." She exclaimed.

I was on the verge of laughing again. "Pick. It's one or the other."

She sighed. "Go back to the 1980's stuff."

I flipped the dial as she crossed her arms over her chest. The song: Video Killed the Radio Star boomed through the Honda.

Arthur and the Badicas lived in a small town along I-90, not far from the Billings. Some of the Moroi world believed that big cities were best since they allowed vampires to be lost in the crowds; that their nocturnal schedules didn't raise suspicion. Others opted for less populated towns, believing that if there were fewer people to notice you, then you were less likely to be noticed.

Rose convinced me to stop for food at a twenty-four-hour diner along the way. I had to admit I was hungry as well. The only other stop we made was to buy gas. It was around noon when we arrived. The house was built in a rambler style, all one level with gray-stained wood sliding and big bay windows--tinted to block the sunlight. It was new and expensive--the royals had no problem with money. It was located out in the middle of the forest. Away from population and curious eyes.

Rose jumped down from the Pilot. She and I walked up to the house, following a river rock sidewalk that cut through the front yard. Careful of my footing as I walked, I knew there would be patches of ice along the rocky sidewalk.