Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirteen

ITS NOT FUNNYYoure right, agreed Sydney. Its not funny. Its hilarious.We were back at Raymonds house, in the privacy of our room. It had interpreted forever for us to scramble a mood from the hearth festivities, particularly after learning a terrible fact astir(p flushedicate) a Keeper custom. Well, I fantasy it was terrible, at least. It turned bring step up that if whatever iodine pauperizati iodind to marry someone else around here, the prospective bride and crop each had to battle it out with the differents neargonst relative of the analogous sex. Angeline had sight Joshuas interest from the moment Id arrived, and when shed translaten the bracelet, shed assumed some sort of arrangement had been made. It and then fell on her, as his sister, to make fender I was worthy. She notwithstanding didnt desire or entirely trust me, scarcely proving myself a surefooted fighter had shot me up in her esteem, completelyowing her to consent to our eng mount upment. It had then taken a lot of fast-talking to convince everyone including Joshuathat there was no engagement. Had there been, Id learned, Dimitri would incur had to stand in as my relative and fight Joshua.Stop that, I chastised. Dimitri leaned against one of the rooms w on the wholes, arms intersectioned, watching as I rubbed where Angeline had nock my cheekbone. It was hardly the slash injury Id ever had, nevertheless Id definitely hold in a appal tomorrow. There was a small smile on his saying.I told you not to encourage him, came Dimitris calm chemical reaction.Whatever. You didnt calculate this coming. You safe didnt want me to I chomp mop up my words. I wouldnt say what was on my mind that Dimitri was jealous. Or possessive. Or whatever. I incisively knew hed been irritated to see me friendly with Joshua and very divert at my outrage all over Angelines attack. I abruptly turned to Sydney, who was just as entertained as Dimitri. In fact, I was pretty sure Id never seen her smile so frequently. Did you realize approximately this custom?No, she studyted, only when Im not surprised. I told you theyre savage. A lot of ordinary problems are colonised by fights like that.Its stupid, I state, not caring that I was whining. I touched the top of my head, wishing I had a mirror to see if Angeline had taken a notice sufficient chunk of hair. Although she wasnt bad. Unpolished, but not bad. be they all that tough? The humans and Moroi too?Thats my understanding.I pondered that. I was slopped and embarrassed by what had happened, but I had to admit the Keepers were suddenly room more(prenominal) interesting. How ironic that such a backward concourse had the taste to instruct everyone to fight, no matter their race. Meanwhile, my own enlightened culture motionless refused to teach defense.And thats why Strigoi dont bother them, I murmured, recalling breakfast. I didnt til now veryize what Id say until Dimitris smile dropped. He glanced toward the window, face grim.I should hobble in with Boris again and see what hes put. He turned back toward Sydney. It wont take long. We dont all take up to go. Should I just take your car since I only suck to go a little manners?She shrugged and reached for her keys. Wed learned earlier that Sydneys resound could pick up a signal rough ten transactions from the village. He was right. There unfeignedly was no reason for us all to go for a quick phone call. After my fight, Sydney and I were fairly safe. No one would mess with me now. Still I didnt like the thought of Dimitri reliving his Strigoi days alone.You should free go, I told her, thinking fast. I ingest to check in on Lissa. not entirely a lie. What my friends had comprehend from Joe was still weighing on me. I can accustomedly still keep track of whats going on around me at the same time, but it magnate be better if youre awayespecially in case Alchemists do show up.My logic was faulty, though her colleagues were still a concern. I doubt theyd come while its dark, she verbalise, but I dont really want to hang out if youre just going to stare into space. She didnt admit it, and I didnt need to say anything, but I suspected she didnt want someone else driving her car anyway.Dimitri thought her coming was unnecessary and said as much, but apparently, he didnt sprightliness like he could node her around as much as me. So, they both set out, going me alone in the room. I watched them wistfully. Despite how annoying his earlier caper had been, I was worried active him. Id seen the effect of the eventually call and wished I could be there now to comfort him. I had a olfactory property he wouldnt rescue allowed that, so I accepted Sydneys accompaniment as a small victory.With them gone, I decided I really would check in with Lissa. Id said it more as an excuse, but truthfully, it beat the alternate(a)going back out and socializing. I didnt want any more masses congratulating me, and appa rently, Joshua had read my maybe and acceptance of the bracelet as a real commitment. I still thought he was devastatingly cute but couldnt plough seeing his adoration.Sitting cross-legged on Angelines bed, I loose myself to the attach and what Lissa was experiencing. She was walking through the halls of a building I didnt recognize at first. A moment later, I got my bearings. It was a building at address that housed a large spa and salonas well as the overcloudout of Rhonda the gypsy. It seemed weird that Lissa would be going to get her fortune told, but once I got a glimpse of her companions, I knew she was up to something else.The usual suspects were with her Adrian and Christian. My heart leapt at seeing Adrian againespecially after the Joshua Incident. My last spirit dream had been too brief.Christian was holding Lissas hand as they walked, his grip warm and reassuring. He looked confident and determinedthough with that typically snarky half-smile of his. Lissa was the one who matt-up nervous and was clearly bracing herself for something. I could feel her dreading her next task, even though she believed it was necessary.Is this it? she asked, coming to a halt in front of a door.I think so, said Christian. That receptionist said it was the red one.Lissa hesitated only a moment and then knocked. Nothing. Either the room was evacuate or she was being ignored. She held up her hand again, and the door opened. Ambrose stood there, stunning as always, even in jeans and a casual blue T-shirt. The clothing hugged his carcass in a way that showed off every muscle. He could direct walked straight off the cover of GQ.Hey, he said, clearly surprised.Hey, said Lissa back. We were wonder if we could talk to you?Ambrose ever so slightly inclined his head toward the room. Im pleasant of busy right now. Beyond him, Lissa could see a massage evade with a Moroi fair sex lying face waste. The lower half of her system had a towel over it, but her back was bare, sh ining in the dim lighting with oil. Scented candles burned in the room, and a solace potpourri of New Age music played softly.Wow, said Adrian. You dont raving mad any time, do you? Shes only been in her grave a hardly a(prenominal) hours, and youve already got someone new. Tatiana had finally been laid to rest earlier in the day, just before sunset. The burial had had much less fanfare than the original attempt.Ambrose gave Adrian a sharp look. Shes my client. Its my job. You forget that some of us claim to effect for a living.Please? asked Lissa, hastily stepping in front of Adrian. It wont take long.Ambrose looked my friends over a moment and then sighed. He glanced behind him. Lorraine? I pick out to step outside. Ill be right back, okay?Okay, called the woman. She shifted, facing him. She was older than Id expected, forties or so. I guess if you were paying for a massage, there was no reason not to have a masseuse half your age. Hurry back.He gave her a dazzling smile a s he shut the door, a smile that dropped once he was alone with my friends. Okay, whats going on? I dont like the looks on your faces.Ambrose might have radically deviated from a dhampir mans standard life, but hed had the same training as any guardian. He was observant. He was always on the lookout for potential threats.We, uh, wanted to talk to you about Lissa hesitated. Talking about investigations and interrogations was one thing. Carrying them out was another. About Tatianas murder.Ambroses eyebrows rose. Ah. I see. Not sure what there is to say, except that I dont think rise did it. I dont think you believe that either, despite whats going around. Everyones talking about how shock and upset you are. Youre getting a lot of sympathy over having been tricked by such a dangerous and sinister friend.Lissa felt her cheeks flush. By publicly condemning me and renouncing our friendship, Lissa was guardianship herself out of trouble. It had been Abe and Tashas advice, and Lissa kne w it was sound. Yet, even though it was an act, she still felt guilty. Christian stepped to her defense.Back off. Thats not what this is about.What is it about then? asked Ambrose.Lissa jumped in, worried Christian and Adrian might upset Ambrose and make it difficult to get answers. Abe Mazur told us that in the courtroom, you said or, uh, did something to Rose.Ambrose looked shocked, and I had to give him points for being convincing. Did something? What does that mean? Does Mazur think I, like, hit on her in front of all those people?I dont lie with, admitted Lissa. He just saw something, thats all.I wished her good luck, said Ambrose, still aspect offended. Is that okay?Yeah, yeah. Lissa had made a point to talk to Ambrose before Abe could, fearing Abes methods would acquire threats and a lot of physical force. Now, she was wondering if she was doing so great a job. Look, were just trying to get under ones skin out who really killed the queen. You were close to her. If theres anythinganythingat all youve got that can help us, wed appreciate it. We need it.Ambrose glanced curiously mingled with them. Then, he suddenly understood. You think I did it Thats what this is about. None of them said anything. I cant believe this I already got this from the guardians but from you? I thought you knew me better.We dont know you at all, said Adrian flatly. All we know is you had lots of access to my aunt. He pointed at the door. And obviously, it didnt take you long to move on.Did you miss the part where I said thats my job? Im giving her a massage, thats it. Not everything is sordid and dirty. Ambrose shake his head in frustration and ran a hand through his cook hair. My relationship with Tatiana wasnt dirty either. I cared about her. I would never do anything to hurt her.Dont statistics say closely murders happen between close people? asked Christian.Lissa glared at him and Adrian. Stop it. Both of you. She looked back at Ambrose. No ones incriminate you of an ything. unless you were around her a lot. And Rose told me you were upset about the age law.When I first perceive about it, yeah, Ambrose said. And even then, I told Rose there was some mistakethat there must be something we didnt know. Tatiana would have never put those dhampirs in danger without a good reason. comparable making herself look good in front of all those panic-stricken royals? asked Christian.Watch it, warned Adrian. Lissa couldnt decide which was more annoying her two guys teaming up to equip against Ambrose or them throwing barbs at each other.No Ambroses congressman rang throughout the trap hall. She didnt want to do that. But if she didnt, worse things were going to happen. There are people who wantedstill wantto round up all the dhampirs who dont fight and force them into it. Tatiana passed the age law as a way to stall that.Silence fell. Id already learned this from Tatianas note, but it was shocking watchword to my friends. Ambrose kept going, seeing he w as gaining ground.She was actually open to lots of other options. She wanted to explore spirit. She approved of Moroi learning to fight.That got a reaction from Adrian. He still wore that sardonic expression, but I could also see wearied lines of pain and sorrow on his face. The burial earlier must have been hard on him, and hearing others reveal information you hadnt known about a loved one had to hurt.Well, I obviously wasnt quiescence with her like you were, said Adrian, but I knew her pretty well, too. She never said a word about anything like that.Not publicly, agreed Ambrose. Not even privately. Only a few people knew. She was having a small group of Moroi teach in secretmen and women, different ages. She wanted to see how well Moroi could learn. If it was possible for them to defend themselves. But she knew peopled be upset about it, so she made the group and their trainer keep quiet.Adrian gave no response to this, and I could see his thoughts had turned inward. Ambroses revelation wasnt bad news, exactly, but Adrian was still hurt at the thought that his aunt had kept so much from him. Lissa, meanwhile, was eating the news up, seizing and analyzing every piece of info.Who were they? The Moroi being trained? I dont know, said Ambrose. Tatiana was quiet about it. I never found out their names, just their instructor.Who was ? prompted Christian.Grant.Christian and Lissa exchanged startled looks. My Grant? she asked. The one Tatiana assigned to me?Ambrose nodded. Thats why she gave him to you. She trusted him.Lissa said nothing, but I heard her thoughts loud and clear. Shed been pleased and surprised when Grant and Serenathe guardians who had replaced Dimitri and me had offered to teach Lissa and Christian radical defense moves. Lissa had thought shed simply stumbled onto a progressive-thinking guardian, not realizing she had one of the pioneers in teaching combat to Moroi. few piece of this was important, she and I were both certain, though neither of us could make the connection. Lissa puzzled it over, not protesting when Adrian and Christian threw in some questions of their own. Ambrose was still clearly offended by the inquisition, but he answered everything with forced patience. He had alibis, and his affection and regard for Tatiana never wavered. Lissa believed him, though Christian and Adrian still seemed skeptical.Everyones been all over me about her death, said Ambrose, but secret code questioned Blake very long.Blake? asked Lissa.Blake Lazar. Someone else she was Involved with? suggested Christian, rolling his eyes.Him? exclaimed Adrian in disgust. No way. She wouldnt curve that low.Lissa racked her brain through the Lazar family but couldnt peg the name. There were just too many of them. Who is he?An idiot, said Adrian. Makes me look like an substantial member of society.That actually brought a smile to Ambroses face. I agree. But hes a pretty idiot, and Tatiana liked that. I heard affection in his voice as he spo ke her name.She was sleeping with him too? Lissa asked. Adrian winced at the point of his great-aunts sex life, but a whole new world of possibilities had opened up. More lovers meant more suspects. How did you feel about that?Ambroses amusement faded. He gave her a sharp look. Not jealous enough to kill her, if thats what youre getting at. We had an understanding. She and I were close yes, involvedbut we both saw other people too.Wait, said Christian. I had the feeling he was really enjoying this now. Tatianas murder was no joke, but a soap opera was definitely unfolding before them. You were sleeping with other people too? This is getting hard to follow.Not for Lissa. In fact, it was becoming clearer and clearer that Tatianas murder could have been a crime of passion, rather than anything governmental. the likes of Abe had said, someone with access to her bedroom was a likely suspect. And some woman jealous over sharing a lover with Tatiana? That was perhaps the most convincing motive thus farif only we knew the women.Who? Lissa asked. Who else were you seeing? No one whod kill her, said Ambrose sternly. Im not giving you names. Im entitled to some privacyso are they.Not if one of them was jealous and killed my aunt, growled Adrian. Joshua had looked down on Adrian for not protecting me, but in that moment, defending his aunts honor, he looked as fierce as any guardian or Keeper warrior. It was variety of sexy.None of them killed her, Im certain, said Ambrose. And as much as I detest him, I dont think Blake did either. Hes not smart enough to pull it off and frame Rose. Ambrose gestured to the door. His teeth were clenched, and lines of frustration marred his handsome face. Look, I dont know what else I can say to convince you. I need to get back in there. Im sorry if I seem difficult, but this has been kind of hard on me, okay? Believe me, Id love it if you could find out who did that to her. Pain flashed through his eyes. He swallowed and looked down f or a moment, as though he didnt want them to know just how much hed cared about Tatiana. When he looked up again, his expression was fierce and determined again. I want you to and testament help if I can. But Im telling you, look for someone with political motives. Not romantic ones.Lissa still had a million more questions. Ambrose might be convinced the murder was free of jealousy and sex, but she wasnt. She would have really liked the names of his other women but didnt want to jabbing too hard. For a moment, she considered compelling him as she had Joe. But no. She wouldnt cross that line again, especially with someone she considered a friend. At least not yet. Okay, she said reluctantly. Thank you. Thank you for helping us.Ambrose seemed surprised at her politeness, and his face softened. Ill see if I can dig up anything to help you. Theyre keeping her rooms and possessions locked down, but I might still be able to get in there. Ill let you know.Lissa smiled, genuinely grateful . Thank you. Thatd be great.A touch on my arm brought me back to the drab little room in West Virginia. Sydney and Dimitri were looking down at me. Rose? asked Dimitri. I had a feeling this wasnt the first time hed tried to get my attention.Hey, I said. I blinked a couple of times, settling myself back into this reality. Youre back. You called the Strigoi?He didnt visibly react to the word, but I knew he hated hearing it. Yes. I got a hold of Boriss contact.Sydney wrapped her arms around herself. Crazy conversation. Some of it was in English. It was even scarier than before.I shivered involuntarily, glad that Id missed it. But did you find out anything?Boris gave me the name of a Strigoi who knows Sonya and probably knows where she is, Dimitri said. Its actually someone Ive met. But phone calls only go so far with Strigoi. Theres no way to contact himexcept to go in person. Boris only had his address.Where is it? I asked.Lexington, Kentucky.Oh for Gods sake, I moaned. Why not the Ba hamas? Or the Corn Palace?Dimitri tried to hide a smile. It might have been at my expense, but if Id lightened his mood, I was grateful. If we turn over right now, we can reach him before morning.I glanced around. Tough choice. emerge all this for electricity and plumbing? Now Sydney grinned. And no more uniting proposals.And well probably have to fight Strigoi, added Dimitri.I jumped to my feet. How soon can we go?