Last Sacrifice Chapter Four

AND WHEN I SAY THEY blew up, I mean they blew up.Flames and smoke unfur guide like petals from a newly opened flower as those poor monarchs exploded into pieces of rock. For a moment, I was stunned. It was like honoring an action movie, the explosion cracking the air and shaking the ground. Then, guardian training kicked in. Critical observation and enumeration to a faultk everyplace. I immediately noniced that the bulk of the statues material blew toward the surfaceer sides of the garden. Small stone pieces and dust rained go across on the funeral procession, more(prenominal)over no large chunks of rock hit Lissa or anyone standing nearby. Assuming the statues had not spontaneously combusted, whoever had short-winded them up had done so in a precise counsel. The logistics aside, huge surge pillars of flame atomic number 18 pacify pretty s political machiney. Chaos broke loose as everyone tried to bug recess through(a) away. Only, they all alikek different r step fo rwardes, so collisions and entanglements occurred. crimson the pallbearers set slash their precious burden and took off. Ambrose was the last to do so, his mouth agape and look wide as he be packd at Tatiana, scarcely another verbalism at the statues sent him off into the mob. A few guardians tried to keep order, herding people congest down pat(p) the funeral path, but it didnt do a lot of good. Everyone was out for themselves, too terrified and panicked to hazard reasonably.Well, everyone everyplaceleap for Lissa.To my surprise, she wasnt surprised.She had been expecting the explosion.She didnt run right away, despite people pushing past and shoving her aside. She stood rooted where shed been when the statues blew up, analyse them and the wreckage theyd caused. In particular, she watch overmed touch approximately anyone in the crowd who might have been hurt by the blasts. precisely, no. As Id al plant observed, there take caremed to be no injuries. And if there we re, it was going to be because of the stampede.Satisfied, Lissa turned and began travel away with the others. (Well, she was walking they were running). Shed altogether gone a little distance when she saw a huge group of guardians locomote toward the church, awards grim. Some of them stopped to aid those escaping the destruction, but most of the guardians were on their way to the blast site to try out what had happened.Lissa paused again, causing the guy target her to slam into her topbone, but she barely felt the impact. She intently watched the guardians, taking contrast of how many there were, and indeed moved on once more. Her hidden thoughts were starting to unravel. Finally, I began to chatter pieces of the plan shed unplowed hidden from me. She was pleased. Nervous, too. But overall, she feltA commotion back at the gaol snapped me into my own take heed. The usual quiet of the entertaining area had shattered and was instantaneously change with grunts and exclam ations. I leapt up from where Id been sitting and pressed against the bars, straining to debate what was happening. Was this building astir(predicate) to explode too? My cell only faced a wall in the hallway, with no view of the rest of the corridor or its entrance. I did, however, see the guardians who usually stood at the halls far end come along tearing past me, toward whatever altercation was occurring.I didnt know what this meant for me and braced for any function, friend or foe. For all I knew, there could be some policy-making fringe group launching attacks on the Court to arrive a statement against the Moroi government. Peering around the cell, I swore silently, wishing I had anything to defend myself. The closest I had was Abes book, which was no good at all. If he was the badass he pretended to be, he really would have slipped a file into it. Or gotten me something bigger, like War and Peace.The scuffling died down and footsteps thundered toward me. Clenching my fists , I took a few steps back, ready to defend myself against anyone.Anyone turned out to be Eddie Castile. And Mikhail Tanner. intimate faces were not what I had expected. Eddie was a widetime friend from St. Vladimirs, another new guardian like me and soul whod stuck by me done a lot of misadventures, including the Victor Dashkov prison break. Mikhail was older than us, mid-twenties, and had helped us restore Dimitri in the hopes that Sonya Karpa woman Mikhail had loved who had turned Strigoimight be saved as well. I glanced back and forth between the two guys faces.Whats going on? I demanded.Nice to see you too, verbalise Eddie. He was sweating and primevaled up with battle fervor, a few purple marks on his face showing hed met mortals fist tonight. In his hand was a weapon Id seen in the guardians arsenal a baton-type thing used to incapacitate people without killing them. But Mikhail held something lots more valuable the keycard and mechanical key to open my cell.My friends w ere staging a prison break. Unbelievable. Crazy was usually my specialty.Did you guys I frowned. The thought of escape filled me with joy, but the logistics were sobering. Clearly, theyd been responsible for the fight with my guards that Id hardly heard. Getting down here in the first rear end wasnt that easy either. Did you two just take on every guardian in this building?Mikhail ideal unlocking the door, and I didnt waste any time in hurrying out. After feeling so oppress and smothered for days, it was like stepping onto a mountain ledge, wind and space all around me.Rose, there are no guardians in this building. Well, maybe one. And these guys. Eddie gestured in the guidance of the earlier fight, where I assumed my guards lay unconscious. trusted as shooting my friends hadnt killed anyone.The rest of the guardians are all checking out the explosion, I realized. Pieces began coming togetherincluding Lissas lack of surprise over the commotion. Oh no. You had Christian blow up ancient Moroi artifacts.Of course not, verbalise Eddie. He seemed shocked that I would have suggested such an atrocity. Other fire users would be able to tell if he did.Well, thats something, I tell. I should have had more faith in their sanity.Or maybe not.We used C4, explained Mikhail.Where on earth did youMy spittle locked up when I saw who was standing at the end of the hallway. Dimitri.Not knowing how he was during my impoundment had been frustrating. Christian and Tashas report had been only a tease. Well, here was the answer. Dimitri stood near the halls entrance in all his six-foot-s change surface glory, as imperious and intimidating as any god. His sharp brown eyes assessed everything in an instant, and his strong, lean consistency was tensed and ready for any threat. The look on his face was so focused, so filled with passion, that I couldnt believe anyone ever could have thought he was a Strigoi. Dimitri burned with life and energy. In fact, expression at him no w, I was again reminded of how hed stood up for me at my defend. He wore that same expression. Really, it was the same one Id seen interminable times. It was the one people feared and admired. It was the one I had loved.Youre here too? I tried reminding myself that my muddled wild-eyed history wasnt the most important thing in the world for a change. Arent you under house arrest? He escaped, said Eddie slyly. I caught the real meaning he and Mikhail had helped Dimitri escape. Its what people would expect some hostile probably- lull-a- Strigoi guy to do, right?Youd also expect him to come bust you out, added Mikhail, playing along with the game. Especially considering how he fought for you last week. Really, everyone is going to think he busted you out alone. Not with us.Dimitri said nothing. His eyes, while unsounded carefully watching our surroundings, were also assessing me. He was making surely I was okay and uninjured. He looked ameliorate that I was.Come on, Dimitri fina lly said. We dont have much time. That was an understatement, but there was one thing bugging me somewhat my friends brilliant plan.Theres no way theyll think he did it alone I exclaimed, realizing what Mikhail was getting at. They were setting Dimitri up as the culprit in this escape. I gestured to the unconscious guardians at our feet. They saw your faces.Not really, a new vocalisation said. Not subsequently a little spirit-induced amnesia. By the time they wake up, the only person theyll imagine seeing will be that unstable Russian guy. No offense.None taken, said Dimitri, as Adrian stepped through with(predicate) the doorway.I stared, trying not to gape. There they were together, the two men in my life. Adrian hardly looked like he could jump into a fistfight, but he was as alert and serious as the other fighters here. His endearing eyes were clear and full of the cunning I knew they could possess when he really tried. Thats when it hit me he showed no sign of intoxication whatsoever. Had what Id seen the other day been a ruse? Or had he squeeze himself to take control? Either way, I felt a slow grin creeping over my face.Lissa lied to your mom earlier, I said. Youre sibyllic to be passed out drunk somewhere.He rewarded me with one of his misanthropical smilings. Well, yes, that would probably be the smarterand more enjoyablething to be doing right now. And hopefully, thats what everyone thinks Im doing.We need to go, said Dimitri, growth agitated.We turned toward him. Our jokes vanished. That attitude Id noticed active Dimitri, the one that said he could do anything and would perpetually consume you to victory, made people fate to follow him unconditionally. The expressions on Mikhail and Eddies facesas they grew seriousshowed that was exactly how they felt. It seemed natural to me too. Even Adrian looked like he believed in Dimitri, and in that moment, I admired Adrian for gravelting aside any green-eyed monsterand also for risking himse lf like this. Especially since Adrian had made it clear on more than one occasion he didnt want to be involved with any dangerous adventures or use his spirit in a covert way. In Las Vegas, for example, hed simply accompanied us in an observers role. Of course, hed also been drunk most of the time, but that probably made no difference.I took a few steps forward, but Adrian suddenly held out a hand to stop me. Wait forwards you go with us, you need to know something. Dimitri started to protest, eyes glitter with impatience. She does, argued Adrian, meeting Dimitris gaze squarely. Rose, if you escape youre more or less confirming your guilt. Youll be a fugitive. If the guardians bugger off you, they arent going to need a trial or sentence to kill you on sight. Four sets of eyes rested on me as the full meaning sank in. If I ran now and was caught, I was dead for sure. If I stayed, I had the slim chance that in my short time before trial, we might find register to save me. It wasnt impossible. But if nothing turned up, I was also most certainly dead. Either selection was a gamble. Either one had the strong possibility of me not surviving.Adrian looked as conflicted as I felt. We twain knew I didnt have any good choices. He was simply worried and wanted me to know what I was risking. Dimitri, however for him, there was no debate. I could see it all over his face. He was an advocate of rules and doing the decorous thing. But in this case? With such bad odds? It was better to risk living as a fugitive, and if death came, better to face it fighting.My death will not be penciled in on someones calendar.Lets go, I said.We hurried out of the building, anxious to get miserable with the plan. I couldnt help but comment to Adrian, Youve got to be using a lot of spirit to pull off all those illusions on the guards.I am, he agreed. And I dont really have the power to do it for very long. Lissa could probably make a dozen guardians think theyd seen ghosts. Me? I can barely make a few sink Eddie and Mikhail. Thats why there had to be someone they remembered to attract the attention, and Dimitris the ideal scapegoat.Well, thank you. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. As warmth flowed between us, I didnt bother weighty him I was a long way from organism free yet. It would diminish his heroics. We had a lot of obstacles ahead, but I still comprehended him stepping up like this and respecting my decision to go along with the escape plan.Adrian shot me a sidelong glance. Yeah, well, Im supposed to be crazy, right? A inject of affection shone in his eyes. And there isnt much I wouldnt do for you. The stupider, the better.We emerged to the main floor, and I saw that Eddie had been right about guardian security. The halls and rooms were virtually deserted. Without a endorsement glance, we hurried outdoors, and the fresh air seemed to renew my energy.Now what? I asked my rescuers.Now we take you to the getaway car, said Eddie.The garages werent far, b ut they werent close either. Thats a lot of open ground to cover, I said. I didnt bring up the unambiguous caper me being killed if spotted.Im using spirit to keep us all vague and nondescript, said Adrian. More testing of his magic. He couldnt handle much more. People wont recognize us unless they stop and stare directly at us.Which they probably wont, said Mikhail. If anyone even notices us at all. Everyones too worried about themselves to pay much attention to others in all this chaos.Looking around outside, I could see he was right. The jail building was far from the church, but by now, people whod been near the blast had made their way to this part of Court. Some were running into their residences. Some were seeking guardians, hoping for protection. And some some were going the same direction we were, toward the garages.People are freaked out enough to actually try to go Court, I realized. Our group was moving as fast as we could with Adrian, who wasnt in the shame shape as dhampirs. The garages will be crowded. two official Court vehicles and visiting guests parked in the same area.That could help us, said Mikhail. More chaos.With so many distractions in my own reality, I couldnt plunge completely into Lissas. A light brush of the dumbfound found her safe, over in the palace.Whats Lissa doing during all of this? I asked.Believe me, I was glad she wasnt involved with this busting-me-out-of-jail madness. But, as Adrian had noted, her ability with spirit could have gone much farther than his here. And now, looking back on it all, it was obvious she had known about this plan. That had been her secret.Lissa necessarily to stay innocent. She cant be linked to any part of the escape or explosion, replied Dimitri, eyes fixed ahead on his goal. His tone was firm. He still regarded her as his savior. She has to keep herself distinct with the other royals. So does Christian. He almost smiled. Almost. Those two would certainly be my first peculiars if somet hing exploded.But the guardians wont suspect them once they realize the blast wasnt caused by magic, I mused. Mikhails earlier rowing turn backed to me. And hey, where did you guys get a cook of C4? Military grade explosives are benign of extreme, even for you.No one answered me because three guardians suddenly leapt out into our path. Apparently, they werent all out at the church. Dimitri and I surged ahead of our group, moving as one, just as we always had in battle together. Adrian had said the illusion hed stretched over our group wouldnt hold if anyone was facing us directly. I wanted to make sure Dimitri and I were the first line of contact with these guardians, in the hopes they wouldnt recognize the others behind us. I threw myself into the fight without hesitation, defensive instincts kicking in. But in those milliseconds, the reality of what I was doing truly sank in.Id fought guardians before and always felt guilty about it. Id taken on the ones at Tarasov Prison, as well as the queens guard during my arrest. I hadnt really known any of them, though. Just realizing they were my colleagues had been bad enough but now? Now I was facing one of the most difficult challenges in my life, as small as it seemed. After all, three guardians were an easy match for me and Dimitri. The problem wasI knew these guardians. Two of them Id run into quite a bit after graduation. They worked at Court and had always been kind to me.The third guardian wasnt just someone I knewshe was a friend. Meredith, one of the few girls in my class at St. Vladimirs. I saw the flash of uneasiness in her eyes, a sentiment mirroring my own. This felt wrong to her too. But, she was a guardian now, and like me, she had had employment drilled into her throughout her life. She believed I was a criminal. She could see I was free and in attack mode. mental process dictated she take me down, and honestly, I wouldnt have expected anything less. Its what I would have done had our roles be en reversed. This was life and death.Dimitri was on the other two guys, as fast and badass as ever. Meredith and I went for each other. At first, she tried to pink me down by virtue of her weight, probably in the hopes of pinning me down until backup could help kidnapping me. Only, I was stronger. She should have known that. How many times had we sparred in the schools gym? Id almost always won. And this was no game, no pattern drill. I pushed back at her attack, punching her on the side of her jaw and desperately praying I didnt break anything. She kept moving through the pain, butagainI was superior. I caught a hold of her shoulders and threw her down. Her head hit hard, but she remained conscious. I didnt know whether to be grateful or not. Maintaining my grip, I put her in a chokehold, waiting until her eyes closed. I released as soon as I was sure she was out, my heart twisting in my chest.Glancing over, I saw Dimitri had also taken down his opponents. Our group kept moving as though nothing had happened, but I glanced at Eddie, knowing there was regret on my face. He looked pained too but sought to reassure me as we hurried along.You did what you had to, he said. Shell be okay. Banged up, but okay.I hit her hard.The medics can deal with concussions. Hell, how many did we get in practice?I hoped he was right. The lines between right and wrong were getting confusing. The one good thing, I supposed, was that Meredith had been so occupied by the sight of me that she probably hadnt noticed Eddie and the others. Theyd held back from the fight, hopefully keeping on Adrians veil of spirit while Dimitri and I took the attention.We finally reached the garages, which were indeed more crowded than usual. Some Moroi had already set off. One royal was hysterical because her driver had her cars keys, and she didnt know where he was. She was shouting to passers-by to see if anyone could hotwire the car for her.Dimitri led us purposefully forward, never wavering. H e knew exactly where we were going. There had been a lot of planning, I realized. almost of which had probably happened yesterday. Why had Lissa obscured it from me? Wouldnt it have been better for me to have a heads-up on the plan?We scurried through the people, heading toward the garage on the very farthest side. There, sitting just outside of it and seemingly ready to go, was a drab gray Honda Civic. A man stood near it, arms crossed as he examined the windshield. Hearing our approach, he turned around.Abe I exclaimed.My illustrious father turned and gave me one of those charming smiles that could lure the unwary to their doom.What are you doing here? demanded Dimitri. Youll be on the list of suspects too You were supposed to stay back with the others.Abe shrugged. He looked remarkably unconcerned at Dimitris angry expression. I wouldnt have wanted that fury tell at me. Vasilisa will make sure a few people at the palace substantiate they saw me there during suspicious times. He turned his dark eyes toward me. Besides, I couldnt leave without telling you so long, could I?I shake my head in exasperation. Was this all part of your plan as my lawyer? I dont recall explosive escapes being part of legal training.Well, Im sure it wasnt part of Damon Taruss legal training. Abes smile never wavered. I told you, Rose. You will never face executionor even a trial, if I can help it. He paused. Which, of course, I can.I hesitated, glancing toward the car. Dimitri stood by it with a set of keys, looking impatient. Adrians words echoed in my memory.If I run, its just going to make me seem that much more guilty. They already think youre guilty, said Abe. You wasting away in that cell wont change that. This just ensures we now have more time to do what we need to without your execution looming over us.And what are you going to do exactly? arouse youre innocent, said Adrian. Or, well, that you didnt kill my aunt. Ive known for a while you arent all that innocent.What, a re you guys going to destroy the certify? I asked, ignoring the dig.No, said Eddie. We have to find who really did kill her.You guys shouldnt be involved with that, now that Im free. Its my problem. Isnt that why you got me out?Its a problem you cant solve while youre at Court, said Abe. We need you gone and safe.Yeah, but IWere wasting time arguing, said Dimitri. His gaze fell on the other garages. The crowds were still chaotic, too busy with their own fears to notice us yet. That didnt affect Dimitris concern. He handed me a silver stake, and I didnt question the reasons. It was a weapon, something I couldnt turn down. I know everything looks disorganized, but youll be amazed at how quickly the guardians will restore order. And when they do, theyre going to lock this place down.They dont need to, I said slowly, my mind spinning. Were already going to have trouble going out of Court. Well be stoppedif we can even get to the gate. There are going to be cars lined up for milesAh, we ll, said Abe, idly studying his fingertips. I have it on good authority theres going to be a new gate source up soon over on the south side of the wall.The truth dawned on me. Oh lord. Youre the one whos been doling out C4.You make it sound so easy, he said with a frown. That stuffs hard to get a hold of.Dimitris patience was at an end. All of you Rose needs to leave now. Shes in danger. Ill drag her out if I have to.You dont have to go with me, I shot back, kind of offended at the presumption. Memories of our recent arguments emerged, of Dimitri locution he couldnt love me and didnt even want to be friends. Ill take care of myself. No one else needs to get in trouble. Give me the keys.Instead, Dimitri gave me one of those rueful looks that said he thought I was being utterly ridiculous. We could have been back in class at St. Vladimirs Academy.Rose, I cant really get in any more trouble. Someone has to be responsible for helping you, and Im the best choice. I wasnt so sure of tha t. If Tatiana really had made progress in convincing people Dimitri wasnt a threat, this escapade would ruin it all.Go, said Eddie, surprising me with a quick hug. Well be in touch through Lissa. I realized then that I was fighting a losing battle with this group. It really was time to leave.I hugged Mikhail too, murmuring in his ear, convey you. Thank you so much for your help. I swear, well find her. Well find Sonya. He gave me that sad smile of his and didnt reply.Adrian was the hardest to leave behind. I could tell it was difficult for him too, no matter how relaxed his grin seemed. He couldnt be happy about me going off with Dimitri. Our hug lasted a little bit longer than the others, and he gave me a soft, shortened kiss on the lips. I almost felt like crying after how brave hed been tonight. I wished he could go with me but knew hed be safer here.Adrian, thank you forHe held up his hand. Its not goodbye, little dhampir. Ill see you in your dreams.If you stay sober enough.He winked. For you I just might.A loud booming kerfuffle interrupted us, and we saw a flash of light off to my right. People near the other garages screamed.There, you see? asked Abe, quite pleased with himself. A new gate. Perfect timing.I gave him a reluctant hug too and was surprised when he didnt pull back right away. He smiled at me fondly. Ah, my daughter, he said. Eighteen, and already youve been accuse of murder, aided felons, and acquired a death count higher than most guardians will ever see. He paused. I couldnt be prouder.I rolled my eyes. Goodbye, old man. And thanks. I didnt bother asking him about the felons part. Abe wasnt stupid. After Id asked him about a prison that had later been breeched, hed probably figured out who was behind Victor Dashkovs escape.And like that, Dimitri and I were in the car, speeding off toward Abes new gate. I regretted not being able to say goodbye to Lissa. We were never truly apart with the bond, but it couldnt take the place of face-to- face communication. Still, it was worth it to know she would be safe and free of any connection to my escape. I hoped.Like always, Dimitri drove, which I still thought was all in all unfair. It had been one thing when I was his student, but now? Wouldnt he ever give up that roll up? This didnt seem like the time to discuss it, thoughparticularly since I didnt plan on us staying together much longer.A few people had come out to see where the wall had blown up, but no one official had surfaced yet. Dimitri raced through the gap as impressively as Eddie had when hed driven through Tarasov Prisons gate, only the Civic didnt handle the bumpy, grassy terrain as well as the SUV in Alaska. The problem with making your own exit was that it didnt come with an actual road. Even that was beyond Abe.Why is our getaway car a Civic? I asked. Its not really great for off-roading.Dimitri didnt look at me but go along navigating over the rough ground toward a more drivable area. Because Civics are one of the most common cars out there and dont attract attention. And this should be the only off-roading we do. Once we hit a freeway, were putting as much distance between us and Court as we canbefore abandoning the car, of course.Abandon I shook my head, letting it go. We reached a dirt road that felt like the smoothest surface on earth after that jolting start. Look, now that were out of there, I want you to know that I mean it you dont have to come with me. I appreciate your help in the escape. Really. But hanging out with me wont do you any favors. Theyll be hunting for me more than you. If you take off, you can live somewhere around humans and not be treated like a lab animal. You might even be able to slink back to Court. Tasha would put up a fight for you.Dimitri didnt answer for a long time. It drove me crazy. I wasnt the kind of person who handled silence well. It made me want to chatter and fill the void. Plus, the longer I sat there, the more it hit me that I was alone with Dimitri. Like, really and truly alone for the first time since hed become a dhampir. I felt like a fool, but in spite of the dangers we still risked well, I was still overwhelmed by him. There was something so powerful about his presence. Even when he made me angry, I still found him attractive. Maybe the adrenaline pounding through me was addling my brain.Whatever it was, I was consumed by more than just his physical aspectsthough they were certainly distracting. The hair, the face, his closeness to me, his scent I felt it all, and it made my blood burn. But the inner Dimitrithe Dimitri whod just led a small army through a prison breakcaptivated me just as much. It took me a moment to realize why this was so powerful I was seeing the old Dimitri again, the one Id worried was gone forever. He wasnt. He was back.At long last, Dimitri replied, Im not leaving you. None of your Rose-logic arguments are going to work. And if you try to get away from me, Ill just find you.I didnt doubt he could, which just made the situation more confusing. But why? I dont want you with me. I still felt a lingering attraction for him, yes, but that didnt change the fact that he had hurt me in breaking things off between us. He had rejected me, and I needed to anneal my heart, particularly if I wanted to move on with Adrian. Clearing my name and leading a ruler life seemed far away right now, but if it happened, I wanted to be able to return to Adrian with open arms.It doesnt matter what you want, he said. Or what I want. Ouch. Lissa asked me to protect you.Hey, I dont need anyone toAnd, he continued, I meant what I said to her. I swore Id serve her and help her for the rest of my life, anything she asks. If she wants me to be your bodyguard, then thats what Ill be. He gave me a dangerous look. Theres no way youre getting rid of me anytime soon.