Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirty

I DIDNT RUN INTO HIS arms akin I usu onlyy did. How could I? aft(prenominal)wards what Id d oneness? No. I couldnt playact anymore. I hitherto wasnt entirely sure what the future held for Dimitri and me, not until he answered my ultimatum. I did, however, notice I had to neck Adrian loose. My feelings for him were bland strong, and I wondered if it was thus far remotely possible for us to be friends. Regardless, I couldnt lead him on after sleeping with Dimitri. It hadnt been murder, no, provided it had certainly been dishonorable. to that degree I couldnt say any of that to Adrian now, I veridicalized. I couldnt break up with him in a imagine. That was almost as bad as a text breakup. Besides, I had a feeling that well, Id probably need his help. So much for honor. Soon, I swore. Soon Ill tell him.He didnt leavem to notice my lack of embrace. exclusively he did notice something else.Wow.We stood in St. Vladimirs library of all places, and I gave him a puzzled look acr oss the study tables stretching before us. Wow what? Your your aura. Its amazing. Its shining. I mean, it always shines, but today well, Ive never seen anything equivalent it. I didnt expect that after eitherthing that happened.I rouseed uncomfortably. If I lit up around Dimitri normally, what on commonwealth happened to my aura post-sex? After what happened? I asked, deflecting the comment.He chuckled and approached me. His hand reached unconsciously for his cigarettes, paused, and then dropped to his side. Oh, come on. Everyones talking ab step forward it. How you and Belikov kidnapped Jailbaitwhats up with that anyway?and coerced that Alchemist. Its the hot scrutiny news around present. Well, deflection from the elections. The last streamlet is coming up.Thats right I murmured. It had almost been twenty-four hours since Lissa had received the riddle. There was only a little clock left, and last I knew, she had no answer.Why are you sleeping in the middle of the day an yway? he asked. I didnt really expect to catch you. Figured youd be on a human schedule.It it was kind of a rough night, what with escaping a legion of guardians and all.Adrian caught h previous(a) of my hand, turn d have goting slightly when I didnt squeeze his in return. The frown lightened quickly into his painless smile. Well, Id worry more to the highest degree your old man than them. He is pissed that you didnt stay put. And that he throw outt get to in to see the Alchemists. suppose me, hes been trying.That almost made me laugh, except it wasnt the outcome Id wanted either. So hes not all-powerful after all. I sighed. Thats what we need. Sydney. Or, well, that guy whos with her. The one who allegedly get it ons something. I flashed back, once more seeing the recognition on Ians face. He knows the man who attacked Lissa and bribed Joe. We need him.From what I picked up, said Adrian, the guardians are just kind of lingering around the hotel, mostly interested with the A lchemists leaving. But theyre controlling whos getting in. They wont allow any of usor other Alchemistsget through with(predicate). There are lots of other human guests, and I guess Abe tried to disguise himselfand failed.Poor Zmey. He should have had more faith in the guardians. They arent going to let anyone but themselves get in and out. My own words brought me to a halt. Thats it Adrian eyed me suspiciously. Oh no. I know that look. Something crazy is most to happen.I caught hold of his hand, now out of excitement, rather than love. Get to Mikhail. concur him meet us I blanked. Id seen the town the Alchemists were staying in. As the terminalst to motor inn, we often drove through it. I racked my brain, trying to think of some detail. At that eatery with the red sign. Its on the far side. Always advertising buffets.Easier said than done, little dhampir. Theyre using every guardian at Court to keep the elections under control. If Lissa hadnt been attacked, they wouldnt let your mom stay with her. I dont think Mikhail can get out.Hell find a way, I said confidently. Tell him this is itits the key to the murder. The answer. Hes resourceful.Adrian looked skeptical, but it was hard for him to pass up me anything. When? When indeed? It was almost noon, and I hadnt paid much attention to where wed stopped. How long would it take us to reach Court? From what I knew about the elections, those who passed this last test would give speeches when the Moroi day started. In theory, theyd then go straight to votingexcept, if our plan worked, Lissas involvement would slow that down for days. Provided she passed.Midnight, I said. If I was guessing correctly, the Court would be completely wrapped up in the election drama, making it easier for Mikhail to get out. I hoped. Will you tell him?Anything for you. Adrian swept me a gallant bow. Although, I until now think its dangerous for you to be involved directly with this.I have to do this myself, I said. I cant hide.He nodded, as though he understood. I wasnt sure he did.Thank you, I told him. Thank you so much for everything. Now go.Adrian gave me a crooked grin. Boy, you dont waste any eon kicking a guy out of bed, huh?I flinched, the joke hitting a little too close to home. I want Mikhail to be prepared. And I too need to watch Lissas last test.This sobered Adrian. Does she have a chance? Will she pass?I dont know, I admitted. This is a tough one.Okay. Well see what we can do. He gave me a small kiss. My lips responded automatically, but my heart wasnt into it. And Rose? I mean it. Be careful. Youre going to be awfully close to Court. Not to mention a bunch of guardians who have you on their most wanted list and will probably try to kill you.I know, I said, choosing not to mention that on that point was no probably about it.With that, he vanished, and I woke. Strangely, what I found in my own world seemed almost more dreamlike than what Id experienced with Adrian. Dimitri and I were still in bed, snuggled under the covers, our bodies and limbs still wrapped around each other. He slept with that rare peaceful look of his and almostseemed to smile. For half a second, I considered argus-eyed him and telling him we had to hit the road. A look at the clock happily squashed that thought. We still had time, plus it was getting close to the test. I had to go to Lissa and sure Sonya would come by if we overslept.Sure exuberant, Id gauged the testing correctly. Lissa was cutting across the Courts lawns, marching like soul going to a funeral. The sun, flowers, and birds were lost on her. Even her ordering did little to cheer her up Christian, my mom, and Tasha.I cant do this, she said, staring ahead at the building that held her fate. I cant do this test. The tattoo kept her from giving out any more information.Youre smart. Brilliant. Christians arm was around her waist, and in that moment, I loved him for his confidence in her. You can do it.You dont understand, she said, with a sigh. Shed come up with no answers to the riddle, meaning the plan was at stakeand her desire to prove herself.For once he does, said Tasha, a slight teasing tone in her voice. You can do it. You have to do it. We have so much riding on it.Her confidence didnt make Lissa feel better. If anything, it added to the pressure. She would fail, just like in the Council dream the chalice had presentationn her. Shed had no answer there either. LissaA voice brought them to a halt, and Lissa turned to see Serena running toward them, her long athletic legs quickly covering the aloofness between them. Hi Serena, said Lissa. We cant stop. The testI know, I know. Serena was flushed, not with exertion, but with anxiety. She pr arrive atered a piece of paper. I made your list. As many as I could remember.What list? asked Tasha.Moroi that the queen was having trained, to see how well they could learn fighting.Tashas eyebrows rose in surprise. She hadnt been around when theyd discussed it la st time. Tatiana was training fighters? I never heard about anything like that. I had a feeling she would have liked to be one of the ones helping with instruction.Most didnt, agreed Lissa, straightening the piece of paper. It was a big secret.The collection crowded around to read the names, listed in Serenas neat handwriting. Christian let out a low whistle. Tatiana might have been open to the idea of demur but only for certain people.Yes, agreed Tasha. This is definitely an A-list.All the names were royal. Tatiana hadnt brought in commoners for her experiment. This was the elite of the elite, though as Ambrose had noted, Tatiana had gone out of her way to get a variety of ages and genders.Camille Conta? asked Lissa in surprise. Never saw that coming. She was always really bad in P.E.And theres another of our cousins, added Christian, pointing to Lia Ozera. He glanced at Tasha, who was still in disbelief. Did you know that?No. I wouldnt have guessed her either.Half the nominees t oo, mused Lissa. Rufus Tarus, Ava Drozdov, and Ellis Badica. Too bad theyoh my God. Adrians mother? Sure enough Daniella Ivashkov.Whoa, said Christian. That summed up my reaction too. Pretty sure Adrian didnt know about that.Does she support Moroi fighting? asked my mom, surprised as well. Lissa shook her head. No. From what I know about her, she is definitely in favor of leaving refutation to dhampirs. Neither of us could imagine beautiful and proper Daniella Ivashkov in a fight.She already hated Tatiana, noted Tasha. Im sure this did lovely things for their relationship. Those two bickered all the time behind closed doors.An uncomfortable silence fell.Lissa looked at Serena. Did these people see the queen a lot? Would they have had access to her?Yes, said Serena uneasily. According to Grant, Tatiana watched every training sessions. After he died she started debriefing with the students individually, to see how well theyd learned. She paused. I think I think she might have met w ith some the night she died.Had they progressed enough to learn to use a stake? asked Lissa.Serena grimaced. Yes. Some better than others.Lissa looked back at the list, feeling ill. So much opportunity. So much motivation. Was the answer here on this piece of paper? Was the murderer right before her? Serena had said earlier that Tatiana had purposely picked people resistant to training, probably to see if the obstinate could still learn. Had she gone too far with someone? One name in particular kept scrolling across Lissas mind.I hate to interrupt, said my mother. Her tone and locating indicated sleuth time was over it was back to business. Weve got to move, or youll be late.Lissa realized my mom was right and shoved the piece of paper in her pocket. Being late to the test meant failure. Lissa thanked Serena, reassuring her that this had been the right thing to do. Then, my friends moved away quickly, feeling the press of time as they hurried toward the testing building.Damn, mutte red Lissa, in a rare show of swearing. I dont think that old ladyll tolerate any lateness.Old lady? My mother laughed, surprising us all. She could move faster than everyone and was obviously restraining her pace for them. The one running most of the tests? You dont know who she is?How would I? asked Lissa. I figured she was just someone they recruited.Not just someone. Thats Ekaterina Zeklos.What? Lissa nearly stopped but still had their time crunch in mind. She was she was the queen before Tatiana, right?I thought she retired to some island, said Christian, just as surprised.Not sure if it was an island, said Tasha, but she did step down when she thought she was too old and went off to live in luxuryand away from politicsonce Tatiana was on the throne.Too old? That had been twenty years ago. No wonder she seemed ancient. If she was happy to get out of politics, then why is she back? asked Lissa.My mother opened the door for all of them when they reached the building, after first peering inside for any threats. It was so instinctual for her that she continued the conversation without missing a beat. Because its custom for the last monarch to test the new oneif possible. In this case, it obviously wasnt, so Ekaterina came out of retirement to do her duty.Lissa could barely believe that shed been chatting casually with the Morois last queen, a very powerful and beloved queen. As briefly as her group entered the hallway, Lissa was escorted by guardians and hurried toward the testing room. Their faces showed they hadnt thought shed make it. Several spectators, also apparently worried, cheered at her appearance giving the usual shouts about Alexandra and the dragons. Lissa had no chance to respond or even say goodbye to her friends before she was practically pushed into the room. The guardians looked relieved.The door shut, and Lissa found herself staring once more at Ekaterina Zeklos. Seeing the old woman had been intimidating before, but now Lissas anxiety do ubled. Ekaterina gave her a crooked smile.I was afraid you wouldnt make it, she said. Should have known better. You arent the caseful to back down.Lissa was still starstruck and almost felt the need to ramble out an excuse, explaining about Serenas list. But, no. Ekaterina didnt care about that right now, and one didnt make excuses to someone like her anyway, Lissa decided. If you screwed up, you apologized. Im sorry, said Lissa.No need to be, said Ekaterina. You made it. Do you know the answer? What must a queen possess in order to truly rule her people?Lissas tongue felt thick in her mouth. She didnt know the answer. It really was just like the Council dream. Investigating Tatianas murder had taken so much time. For a strange moment, Lissas heart burned with sympathy for that prickly queen. Shed done what she thought best for the Moroi and had died for it. Lissa even felt bad now, staring at Ekaterina. This former queen had probably never expected to be taken away from herisland? retirement and forced back into Court life. Yet, she had come when needed.And just like that, Lissa suddenly knew the answer.Nothing, she said softly. A queen must possess nothing to rule because she has to give everything she has to her people. Even her life.The widening of Ekaterinas gap-toothed grin told Lissa shed answered correctly. Congratulations, my dear. Youve made it through to tomorrows vote. I hope youve got a speech ready to win over the Council. Youll have to give it in the morning.Lissa swayed slightly, not sure what to say now, let all in a formal speech. Ekaterina seemed to sense how in shock Lissa was, and the smile that always seemed so mischievous turned gentle.Youll be fine. You made it this far. The speech is the easy part. Your father would be proud. All the Dragomirs before you would be.That nearly brought tears to Lissas eyes, and she shook her head. I dont know about that. We all know Im not a real candidate. This was just well, kind of an act. Somehow, s he didnt feel bad admitting that in previous of Ekaterina. Arianas the one who deserves the crown.Ekaterinas ancient eyes bored into Lissa, and that smiled faded. You havent heard then. No, of course you wouldnt have with how quickly this is all happening.Heard what?Sympathy washed over Ekaterinas face, and later, Id wonder if that compassion was because of the message she delivered or because of Lissas reaction.Ariana Szelsky didnt pass this test she couldnt solve the riddle Rose, Rose.Dimitri was shaking me, and it took several seconds for me to shift from being a shocked Lissa to a startled Rose.We have to he began.Oh my God, I interrupted. You will not believe what I just saw.He went rigid. Is Lissa o.k.?Yeah, fine, butThen well worry about that later. Right now, we have to leave.I noticed then that he was fully dressed while I was still naked. Whats going on?Sonya came bydont worry. The shock that my face must have shown made him smile. I got dressed and didnt let her come i n. But she said the front desk called. Theyre starting to realize we had an unusual check-in. We need to get out of here.Midnight. We had to meet Mikhail at midnight and get the last piece of the mystery that consumed us. No problem, I said, tossing the covers off me. As I did, I saw Dimitris eyes on me, and I was kind of surprised at the admiration and hunger I saw there. Somehow, even after sex, Id kind of expected him to be detached and wear his guardian faceparticularly considering our sudden urgency to leave.You see something you like? I asked, utter something Id said to him long ago, when hed caught me in a compromising position at school.Lots, he said.The emotion burning in those eyes was too much for me. I looked away, my heart pounding in my chest as I pulled my clothes on. Dont forget, I said softly. Dont forget I couldnt finish, but there was no need.I know, Roza. I havent forgotten.I slipped on my shoes, wishing I was weaker and would let my ultimatum slide. I couldnt, though. No matter what had passed between us verbally and physically, no matter how close we were to our fairy-tale ending there was no future until he could forgive himself.Sonya and Jill were ready and waiting when we emerged from our room, and something told me Sonya knew what had happened between Dimitri and me. Damned auras. Or maybe you didnt need magical powers to see that kind of thing. Maybe the afterglow just naturally showed on someones face.I need you to make a charm, I told Sonya, once we were on the road. And we have to stop in Greenston.Greenston? asked Dimitri. What for?Its where the Alchemists are being held. I had already started slinging the pieces together. Who hated Tatianaboth because of her personality and for having Ambrose? Who resented her wanting Moroi to fight Strigoi? Who feared her endorsing spirit and its dangerous effects on people, say, like Adrian? Who wanted to see a different family on the throne to support new beliefs? And who would be happy to have me locked away and out of the picture? I took a deep breath, scarcely believing what I was about to say.And its where were going to find proof that Daniella Ivashkov murdered Tatiana.