Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Richelle Mead, Michelle Rowen Read Free Book Online

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 visits, 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