Last Sacrifice (6)

by Richelle Mead

  His observation startled me. Most of the Keepers had been so fiercely defensive of their way of life that I hadnʹt thought anyone would even think an outsider would question it—or that any Keeper would care if we did.

  ʺItʹs just different,ʺ I said diplomatically. ʺA lot different from what Iʹm used to.ʺ I felt a flash of homesickness for all the people and places I was now cut off from. Lissa. Adrian. Our other friends. Court. St. Vladimirʹs. I shook the feeling off quickly. I had no time to mope and could at least check on Lissa later.

  ʺIʹve been to human towns,ʺ continued Joshua. ʺAnd other places the Tainted live. I can see why youʹd like them.ʺ He turned a bit sheepish. ʺI wouldnʹt mind electricity.ʺ

  ʺWhy donʹt you guys use it?ʺ

  ʺWe would if we could. Weʹre just too far out, and no one really knows weʹre here anyway. The lily-people say itʹs better for hiding us.ʺ

  It hadnʹt occurred to me that they simply endured these conditions because they were forced to in order to conceal themselves. I wondered how many of their choices came from clinging to the so-called old ways . . . and how much was influenced by the Alchemists.

  ʺHere we are,ʺ said Joshua, pulling me from my musings.

  He gestured to a dark hole at ground level. The opening was big enough for an adult to enter.

  ʺNice,ʺ I said. Iʹd noticed earlier that some of the caves were set higher into the mountains and had watched their residents either climb the rock bare-handed or use homemade ladders. An easy-access doorway seemed luxurious.

  Joshua looked surprised at my praise. ʺReally?ʺ

  ʺReally.ʺ

  Weʹd ended up losing too much daylight. He paused to light a torch, and then I followed him inside. We had to duck a little at first, but as we went deeper into the cave, the ceiling slowly expanded and opened up into a wide, rounded space. The floor was hard-packed dirt, the stone walls rough and jagged. This was a natural cave, but I could pick out the efforts made to civilize it. The floor had been cleaned and leveled, and I saw some stones and rocks in a corner that looked like theyʹd been gathered up to clear space. A couple pieces of furniture had already been moved in: a narrow wooden chair and a mattress that looked like it could barely hold one person.

  ʺYou probably think itʹs small,ʺ said Joshua.

  It was true, but it was actually bigger than my dorm room at St. Vladimirʹs. ʺWell . . . yeah, but I mean, how old are you?ʺ

  ʺEighteen.ʺ

  ʺSame as me,ʺ I said. This seemed to make him pretty happy. ʺHaving your own, um, cave at eighteen is pretty cool.ʺ It would have been cooler still with electricity, Internet, and plumbing, but there was no need to bring that up.

  His blue eyes practically shone. I couldnʹt help but notice what a pretty contrast they made against his tanned skin. I dismissed the thought immediately. I wasnʹt here for a boyfriend. But apparently, I was the only one who believed that. Joshua suddenly took a step forward.

  ʺYou can stay if you want,ʺ he said. ʺThe other Tainted would never find you here. We could get married, and then when we had kids, we could build a loft like my parentsʹ and—ʺ

  The word married had me moving toward the entrance as shocked and panicked as I would be by a Strigoi attack. Except, I usually had fair warning before those.

  ʺWhoa, whoa, slow down.ʺ No. I hadnʹt seen a proposal coming. ʺWe just met!ʺ

  Thankfully, he didnʹt come closer. ʺI know, but sometimes thatʹs how it is.ʺ

  ʺWhat, marriages between people who hardly know each other?ʺ I asked incredulously.

  ʺSure. Happens all the time. And seriously, just in this short of time, I already know I like you. Youʹre amazing. Youʹre beautiful and obviously a good fighter. And the way you carry yourself . . .ʺ He shook his head, awe on his face. ʺIʹve never seen anything like it.ʺ

  I wished he wasnʹt so cute and nice. Having creepy guys profess their adoration was a lot easier to deal with than one you liked. I remembered Sydney saying I was a hot commodity here. Scorching was more like it, apparently.

  ʺJoshua, I really like you, but,ʺ I added hastily, seeing hope fill his features, ʺIʹm too young to get married.ʺ

  He frowned. ʺDidnʹt you say you were eighteen?ʺ

  Okay. Age was probably not a good argument around here. Iʹd seen how young people had kids back in Dimitriʹs home-town. In a place like this, they probably had child marriages. I tried another angle.

  ʺI donʹt even know if I want to get married.ʺ

  This didnʹt faze him. He nodded in understanding. ʺThatʹs smart. We could live together first, see how we get along.ʺ His serious expression turned back into a smile. ʺBut Iʹm pretty easygoing. Iʹd let you win every argument.ʺ

  I couldnʹt help it. I laughed. ʺWell, then, Iʹm going to have to win this one and tell you Iʹm just not ready for . . . any of it. Besides, Iʹm already involved with someone.ʺ

  ʺDimitri?ʺ

  ʺNo. Another guy. Heʹs back at the Tainted Court.ʺ I couldnʹt even believe I was saying that.

  Joshua frowned. ʺWhy isnʹt he here protecting you then?ʺ

  ʺBecause . . . thatʹs not how he is. And I can take care of myself.ʺ Iʹd never liked the assumption that I needed rescuing. ʺAnd look, even if he wasnʹt in the picture, Iʹm leaving soon anyway. It would never work out between you and me.ʺ

  ʺI understand.ʺ Joshua looked disappointed but seemed to be taking the rejection okay. ʺMaybe when youʹve got everything sorted out, youʹll come back.ʺ

  I started to tell him not to wait for me and that he should just marry someone else (despite how ridiculous it was at his age), but then I realized that was a pointless comment. In Joshuaʹs fantasies, he could probably marry someone else now and then add me on to his harem later, like Sarah and Paulette. So, I just simply said, ʺMaybe.ʺ Groping for a change in subject, I searched for anything to distract us. My eyes fell on the chair and a leafy pattern carved into it. ʺThatʹs really neat.ʺ

  ʺThanks,ʺ he said, walking over. To my relief, he didnʹt pursue the earlier topic. He ran his hand lovingly over the ornately carved wood. The design looked like braided leaves. ʺI did it myself.ʺ

  ʺReally?ʺ I asked in true surprise. ʺThat . . . thatʹs amazing.ʺ

  ʺIf you like it . . .ʺ His hand moved, and I feared there was a kiss or embrace coming. Instead, he reached into his shirt pocket and produced a finely carved wooden bracelet. It was a simple, sinuous design, the true marvel being how narrow and delicate it was to all be one piece. The wood had been polished to brilliance. ʺHere.ʺ He handed me the bracelet.

  ʺThis is for me?ʺ I ran my finger along the smooth edge.

  ʺIf you want it. I made it while you were out today. So youʹll remember me after you leave.ʺ

  I hesitated, wondering if accepting this would be encouraging him. No, I decided. Iʹd made my views on teenage marriage clear, and anyway, he looked so nervous, I couldnʹt stand the thought of hurting his feelings. I slipped it onto my wrist.

  ʺOf course Iʹll remember. Thank you.ʺ

  From the happy look on his face, taking the bracelet made up for my earlier refusal. He showed me a few more details around the cave and then followed my suggestion to join the others at the fire. We could hear the music echoing through the trees long before we made it back, and while it was hardly my style, there was something warm and friendly about this communityʹs way of life. Iʹd never been to summer camp, but I imagined this was what itʹd be like.

  Sydney and Dimitri sat near the groupʹs edge. They were quiet and watchful, but everyone else sang, clapped, and talked. Again, I was stunned at how easily dhampirs, humans, and Moroi could all be involved with one another. Mixed couples were everywhere, and one—a human and Moroi—were openly making out. Every so often, when he kissed her neck, heʹd also bite and take some blood. I had to glance away.

  I turned back toward my friends. Sydney noticed me and looked relieved. Dimitriʹs expression was unreadable. Like always, the othersʹ eyes followed my movement, and to my s
urprise, I saw open jealousy on some of the guysʹ faces. I hoped they didnʹt think Joshua and I had been off getting naked in the cave. That was hardly the reputation I wanted to leave behind.

  ʺI have to talk to Sydney,ʺ I told him over the noise. I decided itʹd be best to keep my distance before any rumors started, and truthfully, Sydney looked like she wanted me by her side. Joshua nodded, and I turned away. Iʹd taken two steps when a fist suddenly came right toward my face.

  Iʹd had no defenses up and just barely had the presence of mind to turn my head and catch the blow on my cheek, rather than end up with a broken nose. After the initial surprise, all my training kicked in. I quickly sidestepped out of the line of attack and put my body into a fighterʹs stance. The music and singing stopped, and I turned to face my attacker.

  Angeline.

  She stood in a way similar to my own, fists clenched and eyes completely honed in on me. ʺOkay,ʺ she said. ʺItʹs time to find out how tough you really are.ʺ

  What it was time for was someone—say, like, a parent—to come and drag her off and punish her for punching guests. Amazingly, no one moved or tried to stop her. No—that wasnʹt quite true. One person stood up. Dimitri had sprung to action the instant he saw me in danger. I expected him to come pull Angeline away, but a group of Keepers hastily moved to his side, saying something to him that I couldnʹt hear. They didnʹt try to physically restrain him, but whatever they said, it kept him where he stood. I would have demanded to know what theyʹd told him, but Angeline was coming at me again. It looked like I was on my own.

  Angeline was short, even for a dhampir, but her whole body was packed with strength. She was pretty fast too, though not fast enough to get that second hit in on me. I neatly dodged it and kept my distance, not wanting to go on the offensive with this girl. She could probably do a fair amount of damage in a fight, but there was a sloppy—no, more like rough—edge to it. She was a scrapper, someone whoʹd done a lot of brawling but without any formal training.

  ʺAre you insane?ʺ I exclaimed, moving out of the way of another assault. ʺStop this. I donʹt want to hurt you.ʺ

  ʺSure,ʺ she said. ʺThatʹs what you want everyone to think, right? If you donʹt actually have to fight, then theyʹll all go on believing those marks are real.ʺ

  ʺThey are real!ʺ The insinuation that Iʹd faked my tattoos sparked my temper, but I refused to get drawn into this ridiculous scuffle.

  ʺProve it,ʺ she said, coming at me again. ʺProve youʹre who you say you are.ʺ

  It was like a dance, keeping away from her. I could have done it all night, and a few dismayed cries from the crowd demanded we ʺget on with it.ʺ

  ʺI donʹt have to prove anything,ʺ I told her.

  ʺItʹs a lie then.ʺ Her breathing was heavy now. She was working a lot harder than me. ʺEverything you Tainted do is a lie.ʺ

  ʺNot true,ʺ I said. Why was Dimitri letting this go on? Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of him, and so help me, he was smiling.

  Meanwhile, Angeline was still continuing her tirade as she tried to hit me. ʺYou all lie. Youʹre all weak. Especially your ‘royals.ʹ Theyʹre the worst of all.ʺ

  ʺYou donʹt know them at all. You donʹt know anything about them.ʺ

  She might be able to carry on a conversation, but I could see her growing increasingly frustrated. If not for the fact I was pretty sure sheʹd hit me in the back, I would have taken the noble approach and simply walked away. ʺI know enough,ʺ she said. ʺI know theyʹre selfish and spoiled and donʹt do anything for themselves. They donʹt care about anyone else. Theyʹre all the same.ʺ

  I actually agreed with Angeline about some royals but didnʹt like the generalization. ʺDonʹt talk about things you donʹt understand,ʺ I snapped. ʺTheyʹre not all like that.ʺ

  ʺThey are,ʺ she said, pleased to see me angry. ʺI wish they were all dead.ʺ

  It was hardly enough to push me into offense mode, but the comment did cloud my thoughts enough that I let her get through my guard, just a little. I never would have let that happen with a Strigoi, but Iʹd underestimated this wild girl. Her leg snaked out just enough to hit my knee, and it was like tossing a spark into gasoline. Everything exploded.

  With that hit, I stumbled slightly, and she pushed her advantage. My battle instincts took over, and I had no choice but to strike back before she could hit me. People began cheering now that the fight was ʺreally going.ʺ I was on offense, trying to subdue her, meaning the physical contact had jumped up exponentially. I was still better than her, no doubt, but in trying to get to her, I put myself in her range. She landed a few blows on me, nothing serious, before I was able to tackle her to the ground. I expected that to be the end, but she pushed back against me before I could fully restrain her. We rolled over, and she tried to take the dominant position. I couldnʹt allow that and managed a punch on the side of her face that was a lot harder than the earlier one.

  I thought that would be the end of the fight. My hit had knocked her off me, and I started to stand, but then that little bitch grabbed my hair and jerked me back down. I twisted out of her hold—though Iʹm pretty sure she took some hair away with her—and this time managed to fully pin her, throwing all my weight and strength into it as I pressed down. I knew it had to be painful but didnʹt really care. Sheʹd started it. Besides, this skirmish had gone beyond defense. Pulling someoneʹs hair was just playing dirty.

  Angeline made a few more attempts to break away, but when it became clear she couldnʹt, those around us began whistling and cheering. A few moments later, that dark and furious look vanished from Angelineʹs face, replaced by resignation. I eyed her warily, not about to let down my guard.

  ʺFine,ʺ she said. ʺI guess itʹs okay. Go ahead.ʺ

  ʺHuh? Whatʹs okay?ʺ I demanded.

  ʺItʹs okay if you marry my brother.ʺ

  THIRTEEN

  ʺITʹS NOT FUNNY!ʺ

  ʺYou′re right,ʺ agreed Sydney. ʺItʹs not funny. Itʹs hilarious.ʺ

  We were back at Raymondʹs house, in the privacy of our room. It had taken forever for us to get away from the fireside festivities, particularly after learning a terrible fact about a Keeper custom. Well, I thought it was terrible, at least. It turned out that if someone wanted to marry someone else around here, the prospective bride and groom each had to battle it out with the otherʹs nearest relative of the same sex. Angeline had spotted Joshuaʹs interest from the moment Iʹd arrived, and when sheʹd seen the bracelet, sheʹd assumed some sort of arrangement had been made. It therefore fell on her, as his sister, to make sure I was worthy. She still didnʹt like or entirely trust me, but proving myself a capable fighter had shot me up in her esteem, allowing her to consent to our ʺengagement.ʺ It had then taken a lot of fast-talking to convince everyone—including Joshua—that there was no engagement. Had there been, Iʹd learned, Dimitri would have had to stand in as my ʺrelativeʺ and fight Joshua.

  ʺStop that,ʺ I chastised. Dimitri leaned against one of the roomʹs walls, arms crossed, watching as I rubbed where Angeline had hit my cheekbone. It was hardly the worst injury Iʹd ever had, but Iʹd definitely have a bruise tomorrow. There was a small smile on his face.

  ʺI told you not to encourage him,ʺ came Dimitriʹs calm response.

  ʺWhatever. You didnʹt see this coming. You just didnʹt want me to—ʺ I bit off my words. I wouldnʹt say what was on my mind: that Dimitri was jealous. Or possessive. Or whatever. I just knew heʹd been irritated to see me friendly with Joshua . . . and very amused at my outrage over Angelineʹs attack. I abruptly turned to Sydney, who was just as entertained as Dimitri. In fact, I was pretty sure Iʹd never seen her smile so much. ʺDid you know about this custom?ʺ

  ʺNo,ʺ she admitted, ʺbut Iʹm not surprised. I told you theyʹre savage. A lot of ordinary problems are settled by fights like that.ʺ

  ʺItʹs stupid,ʺ I said, 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 noticeable chunk of hair. ʺAlthough
. . . she wasnʹt bad. Unpolished, but not bad. Are they all that tough? The humans and Moroi too?ʺ

  ʺThatʹs my understanding.ʺ

  I pondered that. I was annoyed and embarrassed by what had happened, but I had to admit the Keepers were suddenly way more interesting. How ironic that such a backward group had the insight to teach everyone to fight, no matter their race. Meanwhile, my own ʺenlightenedʺ culture still refused to teach defense.

  ʺAnd thatʹs why Strigoi donʹt bother them,ʺ I murmured, recalling breakfast. I didnʹt even realize what Iʹd said until Dimitriʹs smile dropped. He glanced toward the window, face grim.

  ʺI should check in with Boris again and see what heʹs found.ʺ He turned back toward Sydney. ʺIt wonʹt take long. We donʹt all need to go. Should I just take your car since I only have to go a little ways?ʺ

  She shrugged and reached for her keys. Weʹd learned earlier that Sydneyʹs phone could pick up a signal about ten minutes from the village. He was right. There really was no reason for us all to go for a quick phone call. After my fight, Sydney and I were reasonably safe. No one would mess with me now. Still . . . I didnʹt like the thought of Dimitri reliving his Strigoi days alone.

  ʺYou should still go,ʺ I told her, thinking fast. ʺI need to check in on Lissa.ʺ Not entirely a lie. What my friends had heard from Joe was still weighing on me. ʺI can usually still keep track of whatʹs going on around me at the same time, but it might be better if youʹre away—especially in case Alchemists do show up.ʺ

  My logic was faulty, though her colleagues were still a concern. ʺI doubt theyʹd come while itʹs dark,ʺ she said, ʺbut I donʹt really want to hang out if youʹre just going to stare into space.ʺ She didnʹt admit it, and I didnʹt need to say anything, but I suspected she didnʹt want someone else driving her car anyway.

  Dimitri thought her coming was unnecessary and said as much, but apparently, he didnʹt feel like he could boss her around as much as me. So, they both set out, leaving me alone in the room. I watched them wistfully. Despite how annoying his earlier mockery had been, I was worried about him. Iʹd seen the effect of the last call and wished I could be there now to comfort him. I had a feeling he wouldnʹt have allowed that, so I accepted Sydneyʹs accompaniment as a small victory.