Chapter Five Summary

In Chapter Five, Rose and Lissa attend the luncheon wherein Royal Moroi members interrogate newly-christened Guardians socially, all the while deciding which of the freshmen they wish to later bid upon as their own personal body guards against Strigoi attacks. Rose wants to be assigned to protect her friend Princess Lissa, but no one expects Queen Tatiana to grant Rose's wishes. Tasha Ozera, a militant Moroi whose own parents turned to undead Strigoi by choice before they were destroyed by the Guardians, tells Rose that she has bid for Rose as her own guardian, even though Tasha believes Queen Tatiana will never allow it. Rose is flattered but agrees the chances are slim.

Tatiana summons Lissa and Rose to her court. There she informs Lissa that Lissa is to journey to Lehigh University to celebrate her 18th birthday. Lissa is delighted...