Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-four

CONSIDERING THEIR EARLIER antagonism, I was a bit surprised to see Sonya and Robert combine their powers to create an illusion for the Dashkov brothers. It obscured their appearances, and with the accompaniment of virtually fake names, the Mastrano family mediocre assumed the guys were part of our increasingly bizarre entourage. Considering the distress and upheaval already going on in the house, a checkmate more than people seemed the least of the Mastranos worries.In playing good Moroi hosts, it wasnt enough to just cook up dinner. Emily also valet de chambreaged to get a feeder to jazz bya sort of blood delivery service. Normally, Moroi who lived egressside sheltered areas and intermingled among humans had access to secret feeders living nearby. Usually, these feeders had a keeper of sorts, a Moroi who make money off the service. It was common for Moroi to simply show up at the home of the feeders owner, just 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(prenominal) Moroi guestseven ones who were delivering intelligence activity shed dreaded receiving for most of her life. Little did she know just how desperately welcome blood was to the Moroi wed brought along. I didnt mind the brothers suffering a little weakness, nevertheless Sonya definitely needed blood if she was going to continue her recovery.Indeed, when the feeder and her keeper showed, Sonya was the first to drink. Dimitri and I had to stay out of sight upstairs. Sonya and Robert could scarcely manage so a great deal spirit-illusion, and hiding Robert and Victors identities from the feeders Moroi was imperative. Obscuring both me and Dimitri would demand been as well as much, and considering our most-wanted status, it was essential we non determine any risks.Leaving the brothers unsupervised made Dimitri and me nervous, but the two of them seemed too desperate for blood to attempt anyth ing. Dimitri and I wanted to clean up anyways, since we hadnt had time for showers this morning. We flipped a coin, and I got to go first. Only, when I finished and was rummaging through my clothes, I discovered Id foregone through my clean casual wear supply and was down to the dress Sydney had included in the back downpack. I grimaced but figured it wouldnt hurt to put the dress on for one night. We wouldnt be doing much more than waiting around for tomorrows departure, and maybe Emily would let me do laundry before we left. After decent hair styling with a blow dryer, I finally tangle civilized again.Sydney and I had been given a guestroom to share, and the brothers assiduous another. Sonya was going to stay in Jills room, and Dimitri had been offered the couch. I didnt doubt for a second hed be stalking the halls as the household slept and that Id be trading shifts with him. For now, he was save showering, and I crept out into the hall and peered down over a railing to che ck out the first floor. The Mastranos, Sonya, and the brothers were all ga in that locationd with the feeder and her keeper. Nothing seemed amiss. Relieved, I returned to my room and used the downtime to check on Lissa.After the initial excitement of passing her test, Id felt her calm down and had assumed she was getting much-needed sleep. further, no. She hadnt gone to bed. Shed taken 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 rematch of what had happened since the time he left me and staggered to his door.Whats going on? he asked, looking from face to face. I was having a good dream.I need you, say Lissa.I hear that from women a lot, said Adrian. Christian made a gagging sound, but the faintest glimmer of a smile crossed Eddies lips, despite his otherwise tough guardian- stance.Im serious, she told him. I just got a message from Ambrose. Hes got s omething pregnant to tell us, and I dont know. Im still not certain of his role in everything. I want another preen of eyes on him. I want your opinion.That, Adrian said, is not something I hear a lot.Just hurry up and get dressed, okay? ordered Christian.Honestly, it was a wonder anyone slept anymore, considering how often we were all pulled out of sleep. Adrian nonetheless did dress pronto, and despite his flippant comments, I k new-fangled he was interested in anything related to clearing my name. What I was uncertain of was whether hed tell anyone about the mess Id gotten myself into, now that Id slipped and revealed some of my true activities.My friends hurried over to the building theyd visited before, the one where Ambrose lived and worked. The Court had woken up, and people were out and about, numerous undoubtedly wanting to find out about the second monarch test. In fact, a few people catching sight of Lissa called out expert greetings.I had another trial tonight, Lis sa told Adrian. Someone had just congratulated her. An unexpected 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 simply support her because of the rectitude but because they genuinely believed in her. Tasha, Mia, and some surprise friends from school had been among the onlookers, grinning at her. Even Daniella, there to wait for Rufuss turn, had grudgingly congratulated Lissa, seeming surprised Lissa had made it through. The whole experience had been 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, almost 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 clearly bidd him too and flirted along the waymuch to Christians discomfort. I scene it was cute. Some guys probably wouldnt go near Tasha because of her scars. It was nice to see someone who appreciated her for her character, no matter how disgusted Christian was by the thought of anyonedating his aunt. And I actually kind of wishd comprehend Christian so obviously tormented. It was good for him.Ethan and Tasha left formerly Lissa was securely back in her room. Within minutes, Eddie showed back up, grumbling about how theyd delayed him with some crap task when they knew he had better things to do. Hed apparently made such a fuss 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 engage freaked out if hed come to her room and ground her gone. He would have thought 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 dorm 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 s evokening the room. I was fortunate he was on his game and guessed he didnt trust Ambroseor anyone not in our immediate circle.Whats going on? asked Lissa, as soon as Ambrose shut the door. Why the urgent visit?Because I have to show you something, he said. On his bed was a pile of papers, and he took the top one. echo when I said they were locking off Tatianas belongings? 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 stole them. Guilt shone on his face, but it wasnt finish offous guilt. It was guilt for the theft.Lissa eyed the stack eagerly. And?None of them have anything to do with what youre looking for shut maybe this one. He handed her the piece of paper. Adrian and Christian crowded around her.Darling Tatiana,Im a bit surprised to see how these latest developments have unfolded. I thought we had an chthonian stand up that the safety of our people required more than just bringing in a younger crop of guardians. We have 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 after seeing how your training experiment failed.Im equally shocked to hear that you are considering releasing 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 soon is. In fact, your continued support of the study of spirit is troubling altogether and no doubt led to this unnatural situation. I believe there is a reason this element was lost to us for so long our ancestors realized its d see red and stamped it out. Avery Lazar stands as proof of that, and your prodigy, Vasilisa Dragomir, is certain to follow. In encouraging Vasilisa, you gain ground the degradation of the Dragomir lin e, a line that should be allowed to fade into history with honor and not the disgrace 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 nonentity but respect for the way you have so skillfully governed our people these long years. Im certain you will 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 typed, with no signature. For a moment, Lissa couldnt process it as a whole. She was completely consumed by the part about the Dragomir line fading into disgrace. It hit too cobblers last to the vision shed seen in the test.It was Christian who pulled her back. Well. It would seem Tatiana had enemies. only when I guess thats kind of obvious at this point in the game. Whos this from? demanded Adrian. His face was dark, furious at this thinly veiled threat to his aunt.I dont know, said Ambrose. This is exactly the way I found it. Maybe she didnt even know who the sender was.Lissa nodded her agreement. Theres certainly an nameless feel 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 judge 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 sure, said Lissa. She reread the letter to herself. What about the experiments part? Do you think thats the training sessions Grant did with Moroi?That was what I thought, said Ambrose. plainly Im not sure.Can we see the rest? asked Adrian, gesturing to the stack of papers. I couldnt tell if his suspicion was legitimate distrust of Ambrose or just the result of how upset 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 in the flesh(predicate) correspondence. It occurred to Lissaas it had to methat Ambrose might not be showing everything hed found. There was no way to prove that for now. Stifling a yawn, she thanked 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 evidence that someone had a lot more reason to be pissed off at Tatiana than rosaceous did, observed Christian as they wound their way back upstairs toward the buildings exit. Aunt Tasha once said that anger based on calculated reason is more dangerous than anger based on blind hate.Your aunts a regular philosopher, said Adrian wearily. But 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 moved a split of a second before Lissa saw the problem, but of course, Eddie would have already been watching for problems. A mana Moroi, actuallyhad been waiting among trees in the homage that separated Ambroses building from the neighboring one. It wasnt exactly a secluded spot, but it was far enough off of the main paths that it often stayed d eserted.The man moved forward-moving 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 comportment for Lissawith a knife in his hand. Lissa froze in fear, an expected reaction for someone not trained 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 deceasedlocked for a moment, each trying 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 trained to fight. I doubted, however, that hed been trained since elementary school, nor did he have the muscle a dhampir did.Sure enough, Eddie broke through and labored 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 quite 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 blocked 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 kill. 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 oppositeness and was being driven by instincts pounded into us for years sto p 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 staked 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 contact with Eddies neck and and then fell before piercing skin. The mans eyes went wide in shock and pain and then saw nothing at all. He was dead. Eddie leaned back on his heels, staring at his victim with the adrenaline-charged battle lust that followed any situation. Shouting on the spur of the moment caught his attention, and he leapt to his feet, ready for the next 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 s cene and immediately acted on and the conclusions their training lot them to. There was a dead Moroi and someone holding a bloody weapon. The guardians went for Eddie, throwing him against the wall and prying his stake away. Lissa shouted to them that they had it all improper, 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. tardily down. Hed caught hold of my arm, and there was 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 steamed skin surrounded us. Tell me what happened.I quickly repeated what Id seen. Someone tried and true to kill her, Dimitri And I wasnt thereBut Eddie was, said Dimit ri 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 suppositious to do that. It sounded like an obviousand even stupidstatement, but I knew Dimitri understood what I meant. The guardians purpose was to nurse Moroi. They come first. Killing one was unimaginable. But then, so was them trying to kill each other.This wasnt a normal situation, Dimitri affirmed.I tipped my head back. I know, I know. I just cant stand expiration her undefended. I want so pestilentially 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. Believe 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 naturalized here. We did it, I said, feeling 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 her anything. Hell, she could be queen if she wanted. And Jill I hesitated. Well, shes part of an ancient 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 ruini ng Jills life returned, and I stared down at my feet. Hey, its okay, he said, tilting my chin back up. His brownness 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 prison-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 West 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 earlier 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 intensity 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 fun 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 describe 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 my self 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. Ever since Donovan 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 revelation 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 superstar 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 contrite 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 exact ly. 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 raceway 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 steps 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 s eparated 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 suitcase that going on downstairs. I attempted 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 Jill. Do you have any ideas on how to get her to Courtseeing as were all outlaws?Sydney might not be an expert 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 fe tchA 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 screeching 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.