Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)

by Richelle Mead

You flirted with the other guys simply for the sake of flirting. You flirted with Jesse in the hopes of getting semi-naked with him. He was a royal Moroi, and he was so hot, he should have worn a WARNING: FLAMMABLE sign. He met my eyes and grinned. “Hey Rose, welcome back. You still breaking hearts?” “Are you volunteering?” His grin widened. “Let’s hang out sometime and find out. If you ever get parole.”

I had a standing arrangement with God: I’d agree to believe in him—barely—so long as he let me sleep in on Sundays.

I froze, and for a moment, there was nothing going on in the world except him touching my hair.

This was the kind of dress that changed the world. The kind of dress that started religions.

“Did you see that dress?” “I saw the dress.” “Did you like it?” He didn’t answer. I took that as a yes. “Am I going to endanger my reputation if I wear it to the dance?” When he spoke, I could barely hear him. “You’ll endanger the school.”

He laughed outright, and the sound wrapped around me like a caress. God, I loved the sound of his laugh.

The greatest and most powerful revolutions often start very quietly, hidden in the shadows.” He

And then, suddenly, he was there, charging down the hallway like Death in a cowboy duster.

“No. If I let myself love you, I won’t throw myself in front of her. I’ll throw myself in front of you.”

But Mia had been right about the other part too. In some ways, Lissa and Christian were perfect for each other. Maybe they were outcasts, but the Dragomirs and Ozeras had once been among the most powerful Moroi leaders. And in only a very short time, Lissa and Christian had started shaping one another in ways that could put them right up there with their ancestors. He was picking up some of her polish and social poise; she was learning to stand up for her passions. The more I watched them, the more I could see an energy and confidence radiating around them. They weren’t going to stay down either.