Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) (20 page)

“You’re learning,” he comments approaching
slowly.

“Yeah, I’m a quick study.” Getting my butt
kicked on a regular basis will do that, I think wryly. Not that I’m
complaining. With the combination of group and one-on-one training,
I’m advancing steadily. I wouldn’t be nearly so far along without
Nik’s help. My confidence is growing and I’ve decided to ask Nik if
he’ll recommend me for a more advanced MMA class in the spring.

He begins to circle me, but I hold my
position. I’m getting better at anticipating his moves, so I don’t
need to keep my eyes on him at all times in order to react. I know
he’s glad to see this progression. He continually reminds me that a
day may come where I’m facing more than one opponent and will not
have the luxury of line of sight on both.

Nik charges from behind, but I’m able to
dodge him and duck below the arc of his staff. I swing my bo wide
and catch him behind the knees. Nik goes to the ground, and I leap
into the air descending upon him viciously. Showing no mercy, I
lead with the end of my bo. He rolls away just in time, and I stab
only the mat.

We both step back to regroup. Nik charges
again, and we face off bo to bo this time. The solid wooden poles
crash together over and over, neither of us able to land a worthy
blow. It’s obvious neither of us is going to gain the upper hand by
the use of the bo alone. I surprise myself by dropping my weapon
and letting Nik strike my shoulder.

Although painful, the move allows me to
transition into a reverse kick putting the full force of my leg
straight into his stomach. He stumbles backward and I pursue. I
attempt a spinning back fist, but he manages to block me and evade
the powerful maneuver. Nik grabs my extended arm and flips me onto
the mat. I spring back to my feet, showing my teeth. It’s been a
while since he’s managed to throw me. I’m pissed that he’s done it
again.

“Don’t take it personally,” he reminds me,
bending to scoop up my bo. “You need to keep a level head.”

I know he’s right, and I suppose I should be
glad that he’s maintaining his role of teacher when he knows that
given the chance I might very well tear into his throat. He throws
me the bo. “Again.”

I charge at Nik reaching full speed and
launch myself into the air. I catch him in the chin with a spinning
hook kick and the end of my bo. The aerial assault proves
successful, but it only slows him down. Nik does a forward roll
landing behind me. Before I can raise my bo in self-defense, he
lashes me across the back with his own. It hurts like hell, and I’m
pretty sure he’s drawn blood. We don’t stop though. The injury is
not ideal, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay to elevate my skill
level. Mostly I’m annoyed that I’ll be throwing yet another bloody
shirt in the garbage.

We practice for another hour. Nik is far more
comfortable with the bo than I am. He’s able to use it as an
extension of his body instead of as a tool. As a result, I only
manage to best Nik once. It’s extremely frustrating. I feel like
he’s better, faster, and stronger. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll
ever be good enough to beat him.

While he returns the bo’s to the wall, I pour
us each a cup of blood from the cooler. This downtime is becoming a
part of our routine. It gives us a chance to talk while we
replenish our bodies. When we’re in the gym, I feel like I’m with a
different Nikolai. He’s more serious here beyond the watchful eyes
of his admirers.

“You did well today.” He joins me on the
bench as I offer him a cup.

“Well enough that you’ll talk to Garcia about
bumping me up to a more advanced class for spring?” I ask
hopefully.

“Yes. Well enough for that,” he commends me.
“You deserve it. You’ve been working really hard, and you’ve come a
long way in a short time. Your Uncle would be proud.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. “I couldn’t have
done it without your help. I don’t say it often enough, but I do
appreciate all of the time you’ve spent working with me. I hope we
can continue in the spring if you have the time.”

“Definitely. We’ll work something out after
the holidays. I enjoy working with you.” He reaches under the bench
and pulls something from his bag. I’m horrified when I see what it
is.

“What is that?”

“A gift.” He looks nervous. I don’t think
I’ve ever seen Nik look nervous about anything. “An early Christmas
present.”

He holds the box out, but I don’t take it.
He’s apparently taken great pains to wrap it. The slim box is
covered in shiny silver paper and is topped off with a red satin
bow.

“I can’t,” I protest. I don’t know what’s in
that box, but I can’t accept it whatever it is. I’m not sure what
to do. It never even crossed my mind to get him a gift. I just
don’t see Nik that way. I don’t think of him as a friend, but as an
instructor. To me he is a means to an end. Why is he doing this I
wonder? He’s going to mess up everything.

“Please,” he says quietly. “I want you to
have it.” He thrusts the package into my hands, leaving me no
choice but to open it. I gently pull the ribbon loose and remove
the lid from the box. Inside there is a black velvet pouch. I
glance up at Nik and find him watching me intently. He’s waiting to
see if I like it.

I gingerly remove the heavy pouch from the
box and peel back the flap. Inside is the most stunning dagger I’ve
even seen. It’s impossible to suppress the smile that spreads over
my face.

“Oh, Nik. It’s beyond words.” I pull the
dagger from the pouch so that I can see it in the full light of the
training center. It’s about eight inches in length and has a
delicate gold hilt which has been encrusted with rubies. The blade
gleams under the bright lights. It’s exquisite and I can tell he’s
pleased with my reaction.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Nik, I love it, but I can’t accept this.
It’s too much,” I tell him laying the knife gently on the bench
between us. I have no clue what something like this is worth, but
it looks very old and very expensive.

“It’s a gift, Katia. I won’t take it back.
It’s yours now. You can do with it what you want, but I hope you’ll
keep it.” It’s clear he doesn’t understand my reluctance to accept
the gift. “It was in my family for a long time. I can’t think of
anyone I’d want to have it more than you.”

I stare at him blankly. I have no words. My
brain has totally failed me.

“Merry Christmas, Katia.” He stands up and
grabs his bag from the floor. I still sit speechless on the bench.
He leans down and gives me a kiss on the forehead.

“Thank you,” I whisper. It seems
insufficient, but it’s all I can manage before he disappears.

**********

Midterms come and go. I don’t need to see my
scores to know that I’ve passed although I’m sure my performance
won’t be top of the class. Studying paid off but not to the extent
it might have if I’d been sleeping more. I promise myself that I’m
going to get the dreams under control and rest up before New
Year’s. I don’t want Aldo to worry, and I know I can’t go on like
this much longer.

The campus is quiet. Many of the students
have left for holiday break and won’t return until New Year’s, if
at all, before the semester starts up again. It’s eerie being at
Crossroads when the school is so quiet. There’s no laughter in the
hall, no slamming doors, no horse play in the dining hall.

Christmas passes uneventfully. I stay in bed
all day and watch holiday movies: It’s a Wonderful Life, A
Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th
Street, A Christmas Carol. I’ve seen them all before, but they
remind me of past Christmases. I look at old photos and think of my
life before Crossroads, before Aldo. I know where I’d spend the day
if I weren’t restricted to campus. Since I can’t leave, I gorge
myself on blood instead.

As I lay in bed, I stare at the colorful
miniature Christmas tree Shaye dropped off before she left for
break. The lights twinkle in the dark, casting little rainbows here
and there on the wall. I’ve placed Aldo and Lissette’s gift under
the tree. This is the only area of my room that will pass for
festive today. Everything else is pretty bleak, including my
mood.

While it was really thoughtful of Shaye to
bring it, the tree is just another reminder of my isolation. I’m
jealous of Shaye. She’s spending the holiday with her parents in
Colorado while I’m stuck here by myself.

Aldo and Lissette call to wish me a Merry
Christmas, but we only talk briefly. I’m feeling melancholy and
don’t want to bring them down too. I still don’t get a chance to
ask Aldo about the connection between a sire and a mixed-blood. It
doesn’t seem right to be discussing such things today. Christmas is
supposed to be a day for family and tranquility, neither of which I
am experiencing this year. Mostly, I just feel alone.

**********

I’m beside myself with excitement, as I wait
for the car service to deliver Aldo and Lissette to Crossroads.
Although they will be staying at a hotel in town, I’m hopeful that
we’ll be able to spend the better part of their trip together. I’ve
been sitting on the front steps for half an hour waiting for them
when I finally see a limo pulling up the drive. I jump to my feet
certain that this is the car I’ve been waiting for. There will be
many others arriving tonight and tomorrow for the ball, but this
morning things remain quiet at Crossroads.

As the limo glides to a stop at the bottom of
the steps, I race forward and open the rear door not bothering to
wait for the driver to come around. My haste pays off, and I’m
greeted by the smiling faces of my surrogate family.

“Katia!” they cry in unison. Both look well.
Better than I do for sure. Aldo gets out first wearing a long wool
coat over a black pinstripe suit and white dress shirt which is
unbuttoned at the collar. As usual his shoes are highly polished
and send off a bit of shine in the mid-morning sun. I note he’s had
a haircut recently. His gray hair is buzzed unusually short, most
likely in preparation for tomorrow’s ball. He’s also grown a goatee
since the last time I saw him. It draws the eye and makes his
square jaw even more prominent. Aldo’s face is a strong one,
weathered by years of service to the council.

As I extend my hand to help him out of the
vehicle, I see that he’s wearing the bloodstone ring. His amber
eyes go straight to its mate hanging around my neck. He smiles,
pleased to see that I’m wearing the pendant. We hug briefly, and he
turns to assist Lissette.

Lissette is also dressed in a suit today.
Hers is a charcoal gray that sets off her honey blonde hair nicely.
Always having her finger on the pulse of the fashion world,
Lissette has livened up her ensemble with a red leather belt and
matching shoes. I have no doubt the matching bag is in the car.

Their travel clothes are a blatant reminder
of the fact that there are always watchful eyes about. It’s
important for the Lescinka’s to be mindful of their image at all
times. And this is what Nik’s parents want for him? Thanks, but no
thanks.

I hug Lissette, and she plants a kiss on my
cheek, squeezing me tight. Her display of affection makes me a
little uncomfortable. “Darling! How we’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you guys too!” I tell her
hooking my arms through theirs and leading them into the
school.

“Will you give us a tour?” Lissette asks
excitedly. “I’ve never been to Crossroads, but I’ve heard wonderful
things about it from Anya. I want to see everything!”

I give them the grand tour ending with my
dormitory. When I open the door and enter I’m alarmed by the sight
that greets me: presents, presents, and more presents. The driver
must have brought them up, and, as usual, Lissette has gotten
carried away. I can’t even begin to imagine what might be in all of
those boxes.

“Oh, Lissette! What have you done?” It’s not
possible to keep the dismay from my voice. I look helplessly at
Aldo who just shrugs as if to say, “What could I do?”

“I told her you would not like it,” he tells
me smiling. Despite his placating words, I suspect he was a willing
participant in this craziness.

“Did you try to stop her though?” I challenge
doubtfully. He’s hardly intimidated by my inquisition and ignores
my indignation entirely.

“Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here!”
Lissette huffs playfully. “Besides, it’s Christmas, and Katia
deserves to have a wonderful holiday. So, I might have gone a
little overboard, but what’s the harm? I wanted to make up for
leaving you all by yourself,” she tells me affectionately.

“It’s really great of you,” I tell her. “But
you didn’t have to do all of this. Just seeing you and Aldo is
enough for me.”

“Well, it wasn’t enough for me,” she says
unequivocally. “Now let’s go open those presents. It will be so
much fun!”

It’s hard to argue with Lissette. She won’t
take no for an answer, and her excitement is contagious. I resign
myself to opening the gifts. Lissette and I make ourselves
comfortable on the bed, and Aldo takes the chair at the desk. I
open package after package, and soon even I’m tired of opening the
boxes. Lissette has bought more clothes, some inexpensive costume
jewelry I’ll never wear, a bottle of designer perfume that I’m sure
was overpriced, a new speaker for my iPod, make-up, an iPad (which
I am actually ecstatic to have), and a pair of gold heels with
matching handbag that I can wear to tomorrow’s ball.

“Thank you for everything.” I give them both
another hug to show my gratitude for all they’ve done. “This is
hands down the most generous Christmas I’ve ever had.” I can’t say
it’s the best, because, while the gifts are nice, they’re just
things. What matters most has already been stripped away. All I
have left are memories.

I offer them my gift meekly. It seems so
inadequate in the face of all they’ve given me. “I hope you like
it. I wasn’t quite sure what to get.”