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

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?
    They reach the gorgeous resort, all decked out—including human feeders—for a large group of holidaying vampires. Wards are set, guardians are in place, and the ski slopes are on a nocturnal schedule. Even though the reason they’re there is because of the Badica massacre, it’s kind of hard not to have fun.
    Rose and Mason challenge each other on the slopes in dangerous feats of bravery. Rose sees firsthand that Mason’s a major risk taker and he loves to face danger head-on. That risky behavior will soon lead to very bad things for him. Today, however, it’s just a sprained ankle.
    After Rose helps the injured Mason back to the lodge, she meets someone who will soon become one of the most important people in her life....
    Adrian Ivashkov is a very good-looking but arrogant, cigarette-smoking Moroi royal who seems intrigued by the pretty girl he immediately nicknames “little dhampir.”
    Rose’s first impression of Adrian? He’s a jerk. And the Ivash-kovs’ arrogant family reputation certainly doesn’t help change Rose’s opinion of him. And yet—she’s not scurrying away. Adrian’s also charming and handsome and has an air of danger to him that she’s drawn to.
    Rose’s nemesis Mia Rinaldi picks that moment to stroll by, sneering about Rose being with yet another guy. She even tries to give the handsome Ivashkov a bit of advice when it comes to the dhampir:
    “Rose only hangs out with guys and psychopaths,” said Mia. Her voice carried the usual scorn she harbored for me, but there was a look on her face that showed Adrian had clearly caught her interest.
    “Well,” he said cheerfully, “since I’m both a psychopath and a guy, that would explain why we’re such good friends.”
    “You and I aren’t f riends either,” I told him.
    He laughed. “Always playing hard to get, huh?”
    “She’s not that hard to get,” said Mia, clearly upset that Adrian was paying more attention to me. “Just ask half the guys at our school.”
    —pages 139–140
     
     
    When Rose not-so-gently reminds Mia that she’s the one known for sleeping with guys so they’ll do favors for her, an embarrassed Mia quickly skulks away. Rose is left alone with Adrian, who seems genuinely interested in her.
    He’s not only interested in Rose , though. He’s also curious to know more about Lissa and how she’s doing after being kidnapped by Victor Dashkov. This makes Rose end the conversation immediately. It doesn’t matter how charming Adrian is; Rose doesn’t like discussing Lissa’s fragile mental health with anyone .
    But abruptly shutting down the conversation isn’t nearly enough to stop Adrian in his tracks. Even though Rose makes a swift beeline for the lodge, her brash attitude and good looks have definitely captured the young Lord Ivashkov’s interest.
    “Rose Hathaway, I can’t wait to see you again. If you’re this charming while tired and annoyed and this gorgeous while bruised and in ski