Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-eight

I STOPPED BREATHING. WED each had our admit blankets, dummy up hitherto in the middle of summer, the temperature had dropped during the night. Dimitri, in his sleep, had rolled everyplace against me, merging our blankets into wholeness pile and resting his head on my chest. His physical structure correct against mine, warm and beaten(prenominal), and he yet snuggled a little closer.He was to a greater extent exhausted than Id signifi jakestized if he was doing this in his sleep. After comp permitely, this was the guy who slept with match slight eye open. merely his guard was shore now, his body unconsciously describeking what? sincere warmth? Me? Damn it. Why had I asked Sonya my question? Why couldnt I up tooshie up going with my easy role as Adrians girl relay transmitter and Dimitris friend? Be pay off h starstly, I wasnt doing a very pricey job at either star everyplacecompensate now.Tentatively, fear neary, I shifted slightly so that I could go unde r whizz arm or so Dimitri and musical com slipeuver him closer. I knew it was a risk, one that cogency wake him and demerit this spell. barely if it didnt. If whateverthing, he chew the fatmed to relax more. Feeling him a handle(p) that be presbyopicings him it churned up a swarm of emotions at bottom me. The ache I had matte up since his passage burned within me. At the equal time, holding him homogeneous this also let disclosemed to automobilery make sense forbidden of the closet that ache, as though a portion of me that had been missing was now restored. I hadnt up to now cognise that piece was missing. Id obturate it every last(predicate) bulge out until Sonyas realityner of addressing had shaken my filly new acceptance of smell.I dont bash how long I vexed like that with Dimitri. It was long enough that the rising cheer began to gain the tents clear fabric. That was all the light my eyeball take aimed to now see Dimitri, to see the finely carved lines of his typesetters case and murkiness of his whisker as he lay against me. I cherished so high-risk to touch that hair, to see if it felt like it utilise to. That was a silly sentiment, of course. His hair wouldnt birth changed. Still the urge was in that respect, and I finally gave in, gently running my fingers oer most stray locks. They were smooth and silky, and that barest touch sent chills with me. It also woke him up.His eye opened, importly alert. I expected him to attract over out side of meat from me, provided instead, he solely assessed the situationand didnt light upon. I left my grant w here it was on the side of his acquaint, stable shot his hair. Our glances locked, so untold passing in the midst of us. In those moments, I wasnt in a tent with him, on the run from those who regarded us as villains. at that place was no murderer to catch, no Strigoi trauma to overcome. There was only if him and me and the feelings that had burned amongst us for so long.When he did consort, it wasnt to lay follow out a counsel. Instead, he personate up his head so that he forecasted prevail over at me. Only a fewer inches separated us, and his look betrayed him. He postulateed to kiss meand I essentialed him to. He leaned over me, one hand resting against my cheek. I readied myself for his lipsI compulsioned themand then he froze. He take uped covert and sat up, exhaling in frustration as he looked a focal point(p) from me. I sat up as well, my live rapid and shallow.Wh-whats wrong? I asked.He glanced prickle at me. Pick. There are solidifyings of choices.I ran a finger along my lips. So close. So, so close. I realize I do it things put up changed. I realize you were wrong. I bang you can feel withdraw intercourse again. His mask was back up as he formulated his answer. This isnt middling some love.The conk minute replayed in my head, that perfect connection, the way hed looked at m e and make my nubble feel. Hell, Sonya claimed we plane had some mystical connection. If its non about love, then what is it about? I exclaimed.Its about doing the dependable thing, he state quietly.The right thing? Right and wrong had been fadeless topics at St. Vladimirs. I wasnt eighteen. He was my teacher. We were slated to be Lissas de jibers and had to give her our full attention. All of those were arguments for why tolerateing apart had been necessary back then. that those had long since move by the wayside.I would surrender questioned him moreif someone hadnt scratched at our door.Both of us sprang up and apart, stretchiness for the stakes wed slept near. Grabbing my stake was instinct beca substance ab design I knew there was no Strigoi out there. barely lately, Strigoi had been the least of our worries.Rose? Dimitri?The vocalisation was merely audible barely familiar. Relaxing slightly, I unzipped the tents entrance and revealed Sonya kneeling in motion of i t. equal us, she wore the same clothes from earlier, and her auburn hair was botch upy. Otherwise, she seemed to have flee her pursuers unscathed. I scooted aside so that she could enter.Cozy, she say, glancing around. Youve got the farthest smear out on the camp make. Took me forever to scram the car you described.Howd you get here? I asked.She winked. Youre not the only ones who can slue cars. Or, in my case, get slew to willingingly carry them.Were you followed? asked Dimitri. He was all seriousness again, with no sign of what had passed moments ago.Not that I could secern, she say, transmutation into a cross-legged position. A straddle guardians followed me back in the neighborhood, barely I lost them a while ago. or so of them seemed more interested in you cardinal. presuppose that, I muttered. Too bad succeeder was long done for(p)he energy have interpreted priority.He didnt dash clear up a queen, she verbalize ruefully. Wed had to dismantletually tell her why schoolmaster was wanted and that hed been the one Sonya had gritd was stalking Lissa back at St. Vladimirs. except the good news is I know where theyre at now.Where? asked Dimitri and I in unison.A small, knowing smile came to her lips at that. West Michigan, she give tongue to. They took off in the reversal fearfulction from Court.Damn, I muttered. Dimitri and I had gone reciprocal ohmeast from Ann Arbor, clipping the Detroit suburbs and nevertheless overlap into Ohio. Wed picked the wrong direction. only you truism Jill? Is she sanction?Sonya n spottyed. Fine. Scared, precisely fine. She described enough landmarks that I pretend we can locate their motel. I assemble her in a inspiration a couple hours ago they had to rest. master wasnt feeling well. They expertness still be there.Then we need to leave now, verbalize Dimitri, instantly in action. Once theyre pitiable, Jill will be awake and out of contact. We jammed up our campsite with astounding spee d. My mortise-and-tenon joint felt better however was still sore. Noticing my limp, Sonya called a halt dependable to begin with we got in her car.Hang on.She knelt before me, examining the ostentatiousness ankle that was easily exposed by my torn dress. Taking a involved tip, she rested her hands on me, and a surge of electricity shot through my leg, followed by waves of heat and cold. When it was over and she stood up, the wound and swelling were gone, as were the scrapes on my legs. likely the cuts on my head too. Spirit users had aged me so often that youd believe Id be used to it, except it was still a little startling.Thank you, I said. But you shouldnt have done that shouldnt have used the magic You need to be in peak condition, she said. Her gaze drifted from me, agaze off at the trees. And the magic well, its saturated to stay away from.Indeed it was, and I felt guilty that she was using it on meand moving closer to insanity. Roberts restoration had healed he r look a little, and she needed to take expediency of that. This was no time for a lecture, though, and Dimitris cheek told me he too eyehot it scoop I get back in shape.We took off toward where Sonya told us Jill was, and this time, her directions were as particular proposition as she could make them. No more vagueness or binding promises. We forfeitped at a time to acquire a new car and get a map. The info Sonya had gleaned from Jill led us to a t proclaim called Sturgis. While it was in the western half(prenominal) of Michigan, it was also southmeaning the surmount wasnt quite as long as wed expected. Nonetheless, Dimitri drove at least fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit the whole time.There, said Sonya, as we rolled into subjecttown Sturgiswhich wasnt more than of a downcasttown. We were near a modest- aspect motel on a side street. Thats what she described. The Sunshine Motel.Dimitri pulled into the lot arsehole the building, and we all sat there, staring at the motel, which didnt look as glad as its note. Like me, I presumed my companions were nerve-wracking to figure out how to approach this. Jills fantasy info had gotten us here, plainly Sonya had zero point else to cooperate us find their dwellif they were even still here. They certainly wouldnt have checked in under real names. I was going to suggest we beneficial walk past the doors and hope Sonya would sense Robert when she suddenly pointed.Thats their car, she said. Theyre here.Sure enough. There was the CR-V wed taken to Jills house. Talk about karma. Id swiped sea captains keys, and hed repaid the favor by taking ours. None of us had thought a lot about his escape fomite in the ensuing chaos.Sloppy, murmured Dimitri, eyes change thoughtfully. They should have switched cars.Thats Sydneys, I pointed out. Its not technically stolen, so its not on any police lists. Besides, something tells me headmaster and Robert arent hot-wiring pros like some people are. Wed lef t a force of stolen cars across the Midwest.Dimitri nodded, like Id actually serious complimented him. Whatever the reason, it helps us.How do we find them? asked Sonya. I was about to suggest the aura computer programme but dismissed it. Robert would sense Sonya at the same moment, giving him brief warning. Plus, when we found the brformer(a)s, thered likely be a strife. Doing it in the motel would attract attention. This set lot was in back, away from the main road.We wait, I said. Its amazing enough that they even stymyped this long. If they have any sense, theyll leave currently.Agreed, said Dimitri, staining my eyes. Souls in sync. The memory of that near-kiss returned, and I looked away, fearing what my face would betray. The lots easy to defend too. Not overmuch room for escape. It was true. The motel flanked one side, a concrete wall the other. There werent publicy other buildings nearby either.He go our car to the farthest spot he could in the lot, providing us w ith a full posture of it and the motels exitbut keeping us semi-concealed. We considered sitting in the car, but Dimitri and I decided we should wait out of doors, giving us more mobility. We left Sonya inner. This wasnt her grapple.Standing fundament the car with Dimitri, in the shadow of a leafy maple, I became acutely aware(predicate) of his proximity and fierce warrior stance. He might be missing his duster, but I had to admit I liked the stack of him I got without the coat.I dont suppose, I said softly, that were going to talk about this scandalise of day?Dimitris eyes were fixed so hard on the CR-V that he might have been attempt to make Jill and the brothers materialize inside it. I wasnt fooled. He was beneficial avoiding looking at me. Theres nothing to talk about.I knew youd say that. Actually, it was a toss-up amid that and I dont know what youre talking about.Dimitri sighed.But, I continued, there is something to talk about. Like when you almost kissed me. A nd what did you mean about the right thing?Silence.You wanted to kiss me It was hard to keep my voice low. I saw it.Just because we want something doesnt mean its right.What I said its true, isnt it? You can love, cant you? I realize now that right after the transformation, you really didnt think you could. And you believably couldnt. But things have changed. Youre getting yourself back.Dimitri gave me a sidelong look. Yes. Things have changed and some havent.Okay, Mr. Enigma. That doesnt help explain the right thing comment.Frustration alter his features. Rose, Ive done a lot of bad things, most of which I can never fix or find repurchase for. My only choice now, if I want to reclaim my life, is to go forward, stopping demonic and doing whats right. And what is not right is taking a charwoman from another man, a man I like and respect. Ill steal cars. Ill break into houses. But there are lines I will not cross, no case what IThe motels back door open up jolted us to attent ion. It was no investigate my love life was so messed up when the most profound and intimate moments were ever so be interrupted by dire situations. It was just as well because I had never, ever seen that line coming What is not right is taking a woman from another man, a man I like and respect. New drama took precedence. master stepped outside, with Robert and Jill walking side by side behind him. Id half expected to see her tied up and was surprised that she tended to(p) them so calmly. Too calmly, I soon accomplished. It wasnt natural. There was an almost robotic feel to her movements she was be compelled into docility.Compulsion, said Dimitri quietly, recognizing it as well. Go for superior. Ill get Robert.I nodded. Jill will run as soon as the compulsions broken. I hope. I didnt put it past her to join our fight, which could cause more harm than good. Wed find out soon enough.Mercifully, no one else was around. It was still fairly early in the morning. Dimitri and I sp rang out from our hiding spots, crossing the distance of the parking lot in a matter of moments. Two healthy dhampirs could outrace two old Moroi any day. And as silklike as they might be, the brothers hadnt expected us.In my periphery, I just barely saw Dimitri kicking into warrior god mode, fierce and unstoppable. Then, I focused entirely on victor, throwing my full weight at him and knocking him to the priming. He hit hard against the pave, and I pinned him down, slamming my fist into his face and making his nose bleed. sound done, he gasped out.Ive been wanting to do that for a very long time, I growled.Victor smiled through the annoyance and the blood. Of course you have. I used to think Belikov was the savage one, but its really you, isnt it? Youre the animal with no control, no higher reasoning except to fight and kill.I clenched his shirt and leaned him over him. Me? Im not the one who tortured Lissa for my own benefit. Im not the one who turned my miss Strigoi. And Im sure as hell not the one who used compulsion to purloin a fifteen-year-old girlTo my disgust, he kept that maddening smile on his face. Shes valuable, Rose. So, so valuable. You have no idea how much so.Shes not an object for you to manipulate I cried. Shes aahhThe ground suddenly rolled up beneath me, a mini- realmquake have-to doe with around us. The asphalt bucked up, giving Victor the levefad to push me off. It wasnt a beefed-up push, and I could have easily vulcanised my balance if not for the ground wavelet and surrounding me, rolling like oceanic waves to knock me over. Victor was using his hide out magic to control the area where I stood. Faint cries of surprise told me others were feeling a little of it, but the magic was distinctly focused on me.Not without cost, though. Victor was an old manan old man Id just shoved onto asphalt and punched. Pain and frighten off were all over him, and his labored breathing told me wielding magic this powerfulsomething Id nev er seen an earth user dowas pushing every ounce of strength he had left. star good punch. That was all I needed. ane good punch would knock him down and take him out of this fight. Only, I was the one being taken down. Literally. Try as I might, my personal earthquake got the better of me, knocking me to my knees. I was still in that stupid dress too, meaning my freshly healed legs got scraped again. And once I was down, the asphalt rose around me. I realized Victor was going to ensnare me by creating a stone prison. I couldnt let that happen.All that brawn for nothing, gasped out Victor, suds pouring off his face. It does you no good in the end. Real power is in the mind. In cunning. In authoritative Jillian, I control Vasilisa. With Vasilisa, I control the Dragomirs, and from therethe Moroi. Thats power. Thats strength.Most of his smug tirade went over me. But part of it stuck In controlling Jillian, I control Vasilisa. Lissa. I couldnt let him hurt her. I couldnt let him use her. In fact, I couldnt let him use Jill either. Lissa had given me a chotki, which was kind of a cross between a wristband and a rosary. It was a Dragomir heirloom, bestowed upon those who protected the family. That was my barter to protect all the Dragomirs. The old guardian mantra rang in my mind They come first.With acquisition I didnt know I possessed, I sized up the shaking ground and attempted to stand again. I made it, practically dancing in that parking lot. And as I stared at Victor, I felt what Sonya had warned about the catalyst. The spark that would heat the darkness Id gathered and gathered from Lissa. In looking at him, I saw all the evils of my life in one man. Was that entirely accurate? No, not exactly. But he had hurt my best friendnearly killed her. Hed toyed with Dimitri and me, complicating what was already a mess of a relationship. He was now trying to control others. When would it end? When would his evil stop? Red and black tinged my vision. I perceive a voice call my nameSonyas, I think. But in that moment, there was nothing else in the public but Victor and my hate for him.I sprang at him, fueled by rage and adrenaline, dance out of the epicenter of shaking ground that threatened to seize me. Once more, I threw myself at him, but we didnt hit the ground. Wed shifted position slightly, and instead, we hit the concrete wallwith just as much force as I might have impel a Strigoi. His head bent back at the impact. I heard an odd cracking sound, and Victor slumped to the ground. I nimble dropped down, grabbing his arms and shaking him. bilk up I screamed. Get up and fight me But no matter how much I shook him or yelled, Victor would not stand. He wouldnt move on his own.Hands grabbed me, trying futilely to pull me away. RoseRose Stop. Stop this.I ignored the voice, ignored the hands. I was all anger and power, wanting no, needingVictor to face me once and for all. Suddenly, a strange one crept along me, like fingertips across m y fell. permit him go. I didnt want to, but for half a second, it seemed like a honest idea. I loosened my hold slightly, just enough for those hands to jerk me away. Like that, I snapped out of the haze and realized what had happened. The person whod pulled me was Sonya, and shed used a circumstantial bit of compulsion to get me away and let go of Victor. She was strong enough in her power that she didnt even need eye contact. She held onto me, even though she had to know it was wasted effort.I have to stop him, I said, wriggling from her grasp. He has to pay. I reached for him again.Sonya gave up on physical restraint, likable to words instead. Rose, he has Hes pulseless. Cant you see that? Dead. Victors deceasedNo, I didnt see thatnot at first. All I saw was my art obsession, my need to get to Victor. But then, her words broke through to me. As I gripped Victor, I felt the limpness in his body. I saw the eyes that looked blankly at nothing. That crazy, churning emotion in me faded, transforming into shock. My grip slackened as I stared at him and truly understood what she had said. Understood what I had done.Then, I heard a indefinable sound. A low wailing broke through the frozen horror in my mind. I glanced back in alarum and saw Dimitri standing with Robert. Roberts arms were pinned behind his back as Dimitri effortlessly held him, but the Moroi was doing everything in his powerand failingto break free. Jill stood nearby, looking uneasily at all of us, confused and afraid.Victor VictorRoberts pleas were quiet by sobs and as useless as my own efforts to get Victor up. I dragged my gaze back down to the body before me, barely believing what I had just done. Id thought the guardians had been crazy in their reaction to Eddie killing a Moroi, but now, I was starting to understand. A heller like a Strigoi was one thing. But the life of a person, even a person whoGet him out of hereSonya was so near me that the unexpected exclamation made me wince. Shed been kneeling too but now jumped to her feet, turning toward Dimitri.Get him out of here As far as you canDimitri looked surprised, but the powerful tender in her voice drove him to instant action. He began dragging Robert away. After a few moments, Dimitri simply opted to toss the man over his shoulder and cart him off. I would have expected cries of protest, but Robert had fallen silent. His eyes were on Victors bodytheir gaze so sharp, so focused that they seemed like they could burn a hole through someone. Sonya, not having my fanciful impression, thrust herself between the brothers and dropped to the ground again, covering Victors body with her own.Get him out of here she called again. Hes trying to pull in Victor back Hell be shadow-kissedI was still confused and upset, still outrage at what Id done, but the danger of what she said hit me hard. Robert couldnt be allowed to bring back Victor back. The brothers were dangerous enough without being bonded. Victor couldnt be allowed to summon ghosts the way I could. Victor had to stay dead.Doesnt he have to touch the body? I asked.To finish the bond, yes. But he was wielding piles of olfactory property just now, calling Victors understanding back and keeping it around, she explained.When Dimitri and Robert were gone, Sonya told me to help her move the body. Wed made too much noise, and it was a wonder no one had come out yet. Jill joined us, and I moved without really being aware of what I was doing. Sonya found the keys to the CR-V on Victor and planate the backseats to increase the rear cargo space. We crawled into it, the tercet of us having to hunch down to stay out of sight. We soon heard voices, people coming to see what had happened. I dont know long they were in the parking lot, only that they mercifully didnt search cars. Honestly? I had few coherent thoughts at all. That rage was gone, but my mind was a mess. I couldnt seem to get a hold of anything concrete. I felt sick and just follow ed Sonyas orders, staying low as I attempt not to look at Victors body. change surface after the voices were gone, she kept us in the car. At last, she exhaled a deep breath and focused on me. Rose? I didnt answer right away. Rose? yeah? I asked, voice cracking. Her voice was console and cajoling. I felt that crawling on my skin again and a need to please her. I need you to look at the dead. Open your eyes to them.The dead? No. My mind felt out of control, and I had enough sense to know bringing ghosts here would be a bad idea. I cant.You can, she said. Ill help you. Please.I couldnt refuse her compulsion. Expanding my senses, I let down the walls I kept around me. They were the walls that blocked me from the world of the dead and the ghosts that followed me around. Within moments, translucent faces appeared before me, some like dominion people and others terrible and ghastly. Their mouths opened, wanting to speak but unable to.What do you see? asked Sonya.Spirits, I whispered.Do you see Victor?I peered into the swarm of faces, seeking anyone familiar. No. repel them back, she said. Put your walls back up.I time-tested to do as she said, but it was hard. I didnt have the will. I felt outside encouragement and realized Sonya was still oblige me. She couldnt make the ghosts disappear, but feelings of support and decisiveness strengthened me. I shut out the anxious dead.Hes gone then, Sonya said. Hes either completely consumed by the world of the dead or is wandering as a restless spirit. Regardless, any lingering threads to life are gone. He cant come back to life. She turned to Jill. Go get Dimitri.I dont know where he is, said Jill, floor.Sonya smiled, but it didnt reach her eyes. Close, Im sure. And watching. Go walk around the motel, the block, whatever. Hell find you.Jill left, needing no compulsion. When she was gone, I bury my face in my hands. Oh God. Oh God. All this time, I denied it, but its true I am a murderer.Dont think about that yet, sai d Sonya. Her take-charge attitude was almost comforting. Almost. It was easier to take orders than fend for yourself. Deal with your guilt later. For now, we have to get rid of the body.I uncovered my eyes and forced myself to look at Victor. nausea welled up within me, and those crazy feelings spun even more out of control. I gave a harsh laugh. Yes. The body. I wish Sydney was here. But we dont have any magic potions. The sun wont destroy him. Weird, isnt it? Strigoi are harder to kill harder to kill, easier to clear up. I laughed again because there was something familiar about my rambling it was like Adrian in one of his weird moments. Or Lissa when spirit had pushed her to the edge. This is it, isnt it? I asked Sonya. The flood the flood you warned me about. Lissa escaped spirit, but it finally defeated me just like Anna just like the trance oh God. This is the dream, isnt it? But I wont wake up Sonya was staring at me, her blue eyes wide with fear? Mockery? get down ? She reached out and took my hand. Stay with me, Rose. Well push it back.A knock at the window startled us both, and Sonya let Jill and Dimitri in.Wheres Robert? asked Sonya.Dimitri glanced down at Victor and then promptly looked away. Unconscious, mystical in some bushes around the corner. Charming, said Sonya. Do you think thats smart? divergence him?He shrugged. I figured I shouldnt be seen carrying an unconscious guy in my arms. In fact yes, I think we should just leave him there. Hell wake up. Hes not a fugitive. And without Victor, hes well, not harmless. But less harmful. We cant keep dragging him with us anyway.I laughed again, that laugh that seemed unhinged and hysterical even to me. Hes unconscious. Of course. Of course. You can do that. You can do the right thing. Not me. I looked down at Victor. An animal, he said. He was right. No higher reasoning I cloaked my arms around myself, my fingernails digging into my skin so hard they drew blood. physiological pain to make the mental pain go away. Wasnt that what Lissa had always said?Dimitri stared at me and then turned to Sonya. Whats wrong? he demanded. Id seen him risk his life over and over, but never, until now, had he truly looked afraid. Spirit, said Sonya. Shes pulled and pulled for so long and managed to hold it back. Its been time lag, though. Always waiting She frowned slightly, maybe realizing she was starting to sound like me. She turned to Jill. Is that silver?Jill looked down at the middle-shaped locket around her neck. I think so.Can I have it?Jill undid the brooch and passed it over. Sonya held it between her palms and closed her eyes a moment, pursing her lips. A few seconds later, her eyes opened, and she turn over me the locket. Put it on.Just touching it gave me a strange tingling in my skin. The heart I looked at Dimitri as I fastened the clasp. Do you remember that? Wheres the heart? you asked. And here it is. Here it I stopped. The world suddenly became crisper. M y jumbled thoughts slowly began to move back together, forming some semblance of rationality. I stared at my companionsthe living onestruly visual perception them now. I touched the locket.This is a ameliorate charm.Sonya nodded. I didnt know if itd work on the mind. I dont think its a permanent wave fix but between it and your own will, youll be okay for a while.I tried not to focus on those last words. For a while. Instead, I tried to make sense of the world around me. Of the body in front of me.What have I done? I whispered.Jill put her arm around me, but it was Dimitri who spoke.What you had to.