Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-four

CONSIDERING THEIR EARLIER antagonism, I was a bit surprised to check out Sonya and Robert combine their powers to create an illusion for the Dashkov brothers. It obscured their appearances, and with the appendix of around fake names, the Mastrano family retri exceptive assumed the guys were part of our increasingly flakey entourage. Considering the distress and upheaval already going on in the hoexercising, a couple more concourse depended the least of the Mastranos worries.In playing dear Moroi hosts, it wasnt enough to full cook up dinner. Emily also earthly concernaged to get a feeder to stimulate bya sort of blood talk to service. Norm each(prenominal)y, Moroi who lived bulgeside sheltered argonas and intermingled among humans had access to secret feeders living nearby. Usu solelyy, these feeders had a keeper of sorts, a Moroi who do money saturnine the service. It was common for Moroi to nonwith affirming show up at the home of the feeders causeer, scarce in this case, Emily had make arrangements for the feeder to be brought to her house.She was doing it as a courtesy, the kind shed do for any Moroi guests level off ones who were cant overing news shed dreaded receiving for most of her deportment. Little did she k direct ripe how desperately welcome blood was to the Moroi wed brought along. I didnt mind the brothers suffering a little weakness, but Sonya definitely indispensablenessed blood if she was going to keep up her reco very(prenominal).Indeed, when the feeder and her keeper showed, Sonya was the first to drink. Dimitri and I had to stay expose of collection upstairs. Sonya and Robert could single manage so heaps spirit-illusion, and hiding Robert and Victors identities from the feeders Moroi was imperative. Obscuring both me and Dimitri would prepare been besides much, and considering our most-wanted status, it was essential we non retain any risks.Leaving the brothers unattended do Dimitri and me nervous, but t he two of them seemed too desperate for blood to plan of outrage anything. Dimitri and I wanted to sportsmanlike up any way of brios, since we hadnt had m for showers this morning. We flipped a coin, and I got to go first. however when, when I finished and was rummaging through my clothes, I discovered Id asleep(p) through my clean casual wear supply and was down to the nip Sydney had include in the concealmentrestpack. I grimaced but digitd it wouldnt woe to put the dress on for one night. We wouldnt be doing much more than continueing or so for tomorrows departure, and whitethornbe Emily would let me do laundry before we left. by and by correctly hair styling with a blow dryer, I fin on the wholey matte cultured again.Sydney and I had been given a guest style to share, and the brothers occupied another. Sonya was going to stay in Jills room, and Dimitri had been offered the couch. I didnt doubt for a second hed be s talk of the town the h completelys as the hous ehold slept and that Id be trading shifts with him. For now, he was exempt showering, and I crept show up into the hall and peered down over a railing to check out the first floor. The Mastranos, Sonya, and the brothers were all ga on that pointd with the feeder and her keeper. Nothing seemed amiss. Relieved, I re dour to my room and used the downtime to check on Lissa.After the initial excitement of temporary her test, Id felt her calm down and had assumed she was getting much-needed sleep. besides, no. She hadnt bydone for(p) to bed. Shed carry offn Eddie and Christian over to Adrians, and I realized she was the one whod woken him up from the dream Id shared with him in the car. A skimming of her recent memories gave me a replay of what had happened since the time he left me and staggered to his adit.Whats going on? he chartered, timbering from face to face. I was having a good dream.I need you, state Lissa.I hear that from women a lot, said Adrian. Christian made a gaggi ng sound, but the faintest glimmer of a smile crossed Eddies lips, condescension his otherwise tough guardian- stance.Im serious, she told him. I sightly got a message from Ambrose. Hes got slightlything beta to tell us, and I dont know. Im til now not certain of his role in everything. I want another set of eyeball on him. I want your opinion.That, Adrian said, is not several(prenominal)thing I hear a lot.Just urge up and get dressed, okay? ordered Christian.Honestly, it was a wonder anyone slept anymore, considering how ofttimes we were all pulled out of sleep. Adrian nonetheless did dress quickly, and disdain his flippant comments, I knew he was interested in anything related to clearing my name. What I was enigmatical of was whether hed tell anyone approximately the mess Id gotten myself into, now that Id officeped and revealed some of my true activities.My friends speed over to the building theyd visited before, the one where Ambrose lived and worked. The judici ary had woken up, and great deal were out and about, many a(prenominal) undoubtedly wanting to buzz off out about the second monarch butterfly test. In fact, a few people catching sight of Lissa called out happy greetings.I had another trial tonight, Lissa told Adrian. Someone had just congratulated her. An surprising one.Adrian hesitated, and I waited for him to say hed already heard that from me. I also waited for him to deliver the shocking news about my current company and whereabouts. Howd it go? he asked instead.I passed, she replied. Thats all that matters.She couldnt bring herself to tell him about the cheering people, those who didnt just but support her because of the law but because they actually call upd in her. Tasha, Mia, and some surprise friends from school had been among the on accounters, grinning at her. Even Daniella, thither to wait for Rufuss turn, had grudgingly congratulated Lissa, seeming surprised Lissa had made it through. The whole experience had b een surreal, and Lissa had simply wanted to get out of there.Eddie had gotten pulled away to assist other guardians, despite his protests that he was Lissas escort. So, Christian and Tasha had ended up having to take Lissa home alone. Well, roughly alone. A guardian named Ethan Moore joined them, the one Abe had teased Tasha about. Abe exaggerated some things, but hed been right this time. Ethan looked as tough as any guardian, but his kickass attitude occasionally faltered whenever he looked at Tasha. He adored her. She clear like him too and flirted along the waymuch to Christians discomfort. I position it was cute. Some guys probably wouldnt go near Tasha because of her scars. It was nice to see soul who appreciated her for her character, no matter how disgusted Christian was by the sight of anyonedating his aunt. And I actually kind of liked seeing Christian so obviously tormented. It was good for him.Ethan and Tasha left once Lissa was securely seat in her room. Within m inutes, Eddie showed back up, grumbling about how theyd delayed him with some realise task when they knew he had better things to do. Hed apparently made such a gall that theyd finally released him, so he could hurry back to Lissas side. He made it just ten minutes before Ambroses note arrived, which was lucky timing. Eddie would draw freaked out if hed come to her room and found her gone. He would scram ideateing Strigoi had kidnapped his charge in his absence.That was the series of events leading up to what was happening now Lissa and the three guys going off to Ambroses secret meeting.Youre early, he said, letting them in before Lissa could even knock a second time. They stood inside Ambroses own room now, not a fancy parlor for clients. It resembled a dormitory rooma very nice one. Much nicer than anything Id endured. Lissas attention was all on Ambrose, so she didnt notice, out of the corner of her eye, Eddie quickly scanning the room. I was cheery he was on his game an d guessed he didnt trust Ambroseor anyone not in our immediate circle.Whats going on? asked Lissa, as short as Ambrose shut the gate. Why the urgent visit?Because I put one across to show you something, he said. On his bed was a pile of papers, and he took the top one. Remember when I said they were locking off Tatianas prop? Well now theyre inventorying and removing them. Adrian shifted uncomfortablyagain, only something I noticed. She had a safe where she kept important documentssecret ones, obviously. And And? prompted Lissa.And, I didnt want anyone to find them, Ambrose continued. I didnt know what most of them were, but if she wanted them secret I just felt they should stay that way. I knew the combination, and so I take them. Guilt shone on his face, but it wasnt murderous guilt. It was guilt for the theft.Lissa eyed the chew eagerly. And?None of them beat anything to do with what youre looking for except maybe this one. He business dealed her the piece of paper. Ad rian and Christian crowded around her.Darling Tatiana,Im a bit surprised to see how these latest developments study unfolded. I estimation we had an understanding that the safety of our people required more than just delivery in a younger crop of guardians. We pay off let too many of them go to waste, particularly the women. If you took actions to force them backand you know what Im talking about the guardian ranks would swell. This current law is completely inadequate, particularly afterward seeing how your training experiment failed.Im equally shocked to hear that you are considering evacuant Dimitri Belikov from his guards. I dont understand exactly what happened, but you cannot trust mere appearances. You may be unleashing a monsteror at the very least, a spyin our midst, and he needs to be under much stricter guard than he currently is. In fact, your continued support of the select of spirit is troubling altogether and no doubt led to this supernatural situation. I belie ve there is a designer this element was disordered to us for so long our ancestors realized its d choler and stamped it out. Avery Lazar stands as proof of that, and your prodigy, Vasilisa Dragomir, is certain to follow. In encouraging Vasilisa, you encourage the degradation of the Dragomir line, a line that should be allowed to fade into history with honor and not the rase of insanity. Your support of her may also put your own great-nephew at risk, something neither of us would like to see happen.Im sorry to burden you with so much condemnation. I hold you in the highest regard and have slide fastener but respect for the way you have so skillfully governed our people these long years. Im certain you entrust soon come to the appropriate decisionsthough I worry others may not share my confidence in you. Said people might attempt to take matters into their own hands, and I fear for what may follow.The letter was guinea pigd, with no signature. For a moment, Lissa couldnt process it as a whole. She was completely consumed by the part about the Dragomir line melt into disgrace. It hit too close to the vision shed seen in the test.It was Christian who pulled her back. Well. It would seem Tatiana had enemies. save I guess thats kind of obvious at this heighten in the game.Whos this from? demanded Adrian. His face was dark, furious at this thinly veiled nemesis to his aunt.I dont know, said Ambrose. This is exactly the way I found it. perhaps she didnt even know who the sender was.Lissa nodded her agreement. thithers certainly an anonymous odour to it and yet, at the same time, I feel like its someone Tatiana must have known well.Adrian gave Ambrose a suspicious look. How do we know you didnt just type this yourself to throw us off?Adrian, chastised Lissa. She didnt say it but was hoping to urge Adrian to feel out Ambroses aura for anything she might not be able to detect.This is crazy, said Christian, tapping the piece of paper. The part about rounding up dhampirs and forcing them to be guardians. What do you think that meansthe actions that Tatiana knows about?I knew because Id been tipped off about a lot of this earlier. Compulsion, Tatianas note had said.Im not trusted, said Lissa. She reread the letter to herself. What about the experiments part? Do you think thats the training sessions allot did with Moroi?That was what I thought, said Ambrose. nevertheless Im not sure.Can we see the rest? asked Adrian, gesturing to the throne of papers. I couldnt tell if his suspicion was legitimate distrust of Ambrose or just the result of how employee turnover his aunts murder made him.Ambrose handed over the papers, but after going through the pages, Lissa agreed there was nothing of use in them. The documents mostly consisted of legalese and personal correspondence. It occurred to Lissaas it had to methat Ambrose might not be showing everything hed found. in that respect was no way to prove that for now. Stifling a yawn, she thanke d him and left with the others.She was hoping for sleep, but her mind couldnt help but analyze the letters possibilities. If it was legitimate.That letters reason that someone had a lot more reason to be wee-wee off at Tatiana than move up did, observed Christian as they shock their way back upstairs toward the buildings exit. Aunt Tasha once said that impatience based on calculated reason is more dangerous than anger based on blind hate.Your aunts a regular philosopher, said Adrian wearily. just everything weve got is still circumstantial.Ambrose had let Lissa keep the letter, and shed folded it and put it in her jeans pocket. Im curious what Tasha will have to say about this. And Abe too. She sighed. I wish Grant was still alive. He was a good manand might have some insight into this.They reached a side exit on the main floor, and Eddie pushed the door open for them. Christian glanced over at Lissa as they stepped outside. How close were Grant and SerenaEddie go a fraction of a second before Lissa motto the problem, but of course, Eddie would have already been watching for problems. A mana Moroi, actuallyhad been waiting among trees in the courtyard that disordered Ambroses building from the nigh one. It wasnt exactly a secluded spot, but it was far enough off of the main paths that it often stayed deserted.The man moved forward and looked startled when he saw Eddie racing toward him. I was able to analyze the fight in a way Lissa couldnt. Judging by the mans angle and movement, hed been heading for Lissawith a knife in his hand. Lissa froze in fear, an expected reaction for someone not deft to react in this situation. But when Christian jerked her back, she came to life and quickly retreated with him and Adrian.The attacker and Eddie were deadlocked for a moment, each seek to take the other down. I heard Lissa yell for help, but my attention was all on the fighters. The guy was strong for a Moroi and his maneuvers suggested hed been teach to fi ght. I doubted, however, that hed been trained since elementary school, nor did he have the muscle a dhampir did.Sure enough, Eddie skint through and forced the guy to the ground. Eddie reached out to pin the mans right hand and get the knife out of the equation. Moroi or not, the man was actually kinda skilled with the blade, particularly when I (and probably Eddie too) noticed scarring and what looked like a bent finger on his left hand. The guy had probably gone to great extents to hone his knife-hands reflexes. Even restrained, he was still able to snake up with the blade, aiming unhesitatingly for Eddies neck. Eddie was too fast to let that happen and obturate the blow with his arm, which took the blades cut. Eddies block gave the Moroi a bit more room to move, and he bucked up, throwing Eddie off. Without missing a beatreally, this guy was impressivethe Moroi swung for Eddie again. There could be no doubt about the mans intentions. He wasnt holding back. He was there to kil l. That blade was out for blood. Guardians knew how to subdue and take prisoners, but wed also been trained that when things were moving too fast, when it was an us-or-them situationwell, we made sure it was them. Eddie was faster than his inverse and was being driven by instincts pounded into us for years stop what was trying to kill you. Eddie had no gun or knife, not at Court. When the man came at him a second time, knife again pointed straight at Eddies neck, Eddie used the only weapon left that he could be sure would save his life.Eddie interest groupd the Moroi.Dimitri had once jokingly commented that you didnt have to be Strigoi to be hurt by a stake through your heart. And, lets face it, a stake through the heart didnt actually hurt. It killed. Tatiana was proof. The mans knife actually made receive with Eddies neck and then fell before piercing skin. The mans eyes went panoptic in shock and pain and then saw nothing at all. He was dead. Eddie leaned back on his heels, s taring at his victim with the adrenaline-charged dispute lust that followed any situation. Shouting suddenly caught his attention, and he leapt to his feet, ready for the close threat.What he found was a group of guardians, ones who had responded to Lissas earlier cries for help. They took one look at the scene and immediately acted on and the conclusions their training drove them to. There was a dead Moroi and someone holding a bloody weapon. The guardians went for Eddie, throwing him against the ring and prying his stake away. Lissa shouted to them that they had it all wrong, that Eddie had saved her life andRoseDimitris frantic voice shocked me back to the Mastrano house. I was sitting on the bed, and he knelt before me, face full of fear as he gripped my shoulders. Rose, whats wrong? Are you okay?NoI pushed him aside and moved toward the door. I have toI have to go back to Court. Now. Lissas in danger. She needs me.Rose. Roza. Slow down. Hed caught hold of my arm, and there w as no escaping from that grip. He turned me so I faced him. His hair was still damp from the shower, and the clean scent of soap and wet skin surrounded us. Tell me what happened.I quickly repeated what Id seen. Someone tried to kill her, Dimitri And I wasnt thereBut Eddie was, said Dimitri quietly. Shes okay. Shes alive. He released me, and I leaned wearily against the wall. My heart was racing, and even though my friends were safe, I couldnt shake my panic.And now hes in trouble. Those guardians were pissedOnly because they dont know the whole story. They see a dead body and a weapon, thats it. Once they get facts and testimonies, everything will be okay. Eddie saved a Moroi. Its his job.But he killed another Moroi to do it, I pointed out. Were not supposed to do that. It sounded like an obviousand even stupidstatement, but I knew Dimitri mum what I meant. The guardians purpose was to protect Moroi. They come first. Killing one was unimaginable. But then, so was them trying to ki ll each other.This wasnt a normal situation, Dimitri affirmed.I tipped my head back. I know, I know. I just cant stand leaving her undefended. I want so terriblely to go back and keep her safe. Right now. Tomorrow seemed years away. What if it happens again?Other people are there to protect her. Dimitri walked over to me, and I was surprised to see a smile on his lips, in light of the grim events. study me, I want to protect her too, but wed risk our lives for nothing if we take off right now. Wait a little longer and at least risk your life for something important.A little of the panic faded. And Jill is important, isnt she?Very.I straightened up. Part of my brain kept trying to calm me about Lissas attack while the other fully processed what wed accomplished here. We did it, I said, pinch a smile slowly spread to my own lips. Against all reason somehow, we found Lissas lost sister. Do you realize what this means? Lissa can have everything shes entitled to now. They cant deny h er anything. Hell, she could be queen if she wanted. And Jill I hesitated. Well, shes part of an antediluvian royal family. Thats got to be a good thing, right?I think it depends on Jill, said Dimitri. And what the after-effects of all this are.Guilt over potentially razing Jills life returned, and I stared down at my feet. Hey, its okay, he said, tilting my chin back up. His brown eyes were warm and affectionate. You did the right thing. No one else would have tried something this impossible. Only Rose Hathaway. You took a gamble to find Jill. You risked your life by breaking Abes rulesand it paid off. It was worth it.I hope Adrian thinks so, I mused. He thinks me leaving our safe house was the stupidest thing ever.Dimitris hand dropped. You told him about all this?Not about Jill. But I accidentally told him we werent in air jacket Virginia anymore. Hes kept it secret, though, I added hastily. No one else knows.I can believe that, said Dimitri, though hed lost some of his earlie r warmth. It was such a fleeting thing. He he seems pretty loyal to you.He is. I trust him completely.And he makes you happy? Dimitris tone wasnt harsh, but there was an effectiveness to it that put the exchange on par with a police interrogation.I thought about my time with Adrian the bantering, the parties, the games, and of course, the kissing. Yeah. He does. I have amusement with him. I mean hes infuriating sometimesokay, a lot of the timebut dont be fooled by all the vices. Hes not a bad person.I know he isnt, said Dimitri. Hes a good man. Its not easy for everyone to see, but I can. Hes still getting himself together, but hes on his way. I saw it in the escape. And after The words caught on Dimitris tongue. After Siberia, he was there for you? He helped you?I nodded, puzzled by all these questions. Turns out they were only the warm-up for the big one.Do you love him?There were only a few people in the world who could ask me such insanely personal questions without getting punched. Dimitri was one of them. With us, there were no walls, but our complicated relationship made this topic surreal. How could I quarter loving someone else to a man Id once loved? A man you still love, a voice whispered inside my head. Maybe. Probably. Again, I reminded myself that it was natural to carry lingering feelings for Dimitri. They would fade. They had to fade, just like his had. He was the past. Adrian was my future. Yeah, I said, taking longer than I probably should have. I I do love him.Good. Im glad. The thing was, Dimitris face didnt look all that glad as he stared blankly out the window. My confusion grew. Why was he upset? His actions and words no longer seemed to match lately.I approached him. Whats wrong?Nothing. I just want to make sure that youre okay. That youre happy. He turned back to me, putting on a forced smile. Hed spoken the truthbut not the whole truth. Things have been changing, thats all. Its making me reconsider so much. incessantly since Do novan and then Sonya its strange. I thought it all changed the night Lissa saved me. But it didnt. Theres been so much more, more to the healing than I realized. He started to slip into pensive mode but caught himself. Every day I figure out something new. Some new emotion Id forgotten to feel. Some disclosure I totally missed. Some beauty I didnt see.Hey, my hair in the alley does not go on that list, okay? I teased. You were in shock.The forced smile grew natural. No, Roza. It was beautiful. Its beautiful now.The dress is just throwing you off, I said, attempting a joke. In reality, I felt dizzy under his gaze.Those dark, dark eyes looked at mereally looked at me, I think, for the first time since hed entered the room. A mixed expression came over him that made no sense impression to me. I could pick out the emotions it contained but not what caused them. Awe. Wonder. Sadness. Regret.What? I asked uneasily. Why are you looking at me like that?He shook his head, the smile remo rseful now. Because sometimes, a person can get so caught up in the details that they miss the whole. Its not just the dress or the hair. Its you. Youre beautiful. So beautiful, it hurts me.I felt a strange fluttering sensation in my chest. Butterflies, cardiac arrest it was hard to say what exactly. Yet, in that moment, I was no longer standing in the Mastrano guestroom. Hed said those words before, or something very close. So beautiful, it hurts me. It was back in the cabin at St. Vladimirs, the one and only time wed had sex. Hed looked at me in a very similar way, too, only thered been less sadness. Nonetheless, as I heard those words again, a door Id kept locked in my heart suddenly burst open, and with it came all the feelings and experiences and sense of oneness wed always shared. Looking at him, just for the space of a heartbeat, I had a surreal sensation wash over me, liked Id known him forever. Like we were bound but not in the way Lissa and I were, by a bond forced on us .Hey, guys, have youoh. Sydney came to a halt in the half-open doorway and promptly took two travel back. Sorry. Ithat isDimitri and I immediately pulled back from each other. I felt warm and shaky and only then noticed how close we had been. I didnt even remember moving, but only a breath had separated us. What had happened? It was like a trance. A dream.I swallowed and tried to slow my pulse. No problem. Whats going on?Sydney glanced between us, still looking uncomfortable. Her dating life might be non- existent, but even she knew what shed walked in on. I was glad one of us did. I that is I just wanted to come hang out. I cant handle that going on downstairs. I move a smile, still utterly confused by my feelings. Why did Dimitri look at me like that? Why did he say that? He cant still want me. He said he didnt. He told me to leave him alone.Sure. We were just talking, I said. She obviously didnt believe me. I tried harder to convince her and myself. We were talking about Ji ll. Do you have any ideas on how to get her to Courtseeing as were all outlaws?Sydney might not be an salutary in personal relationships, but puzzles were familiar territory. She relaxed, her attention focusing inward as she tried to figure our problem out.Well, you could always have her vexA loud crashing from downstairs abruptly cut her off. As one, Dimitri and I sprang for the door, ready to combat whatever mess Victor and Robert had caused. We both came resound to a halt at the top of the stairs when we heard lots of shouts for everyone to get down.Guardians, Dimitri said. There are guardians raiding the house.