ʺLissa passed her second monarch test.ʺ
ʺOf course she did,ʺ said Victor. He was staring out the window away from me. The tone of his voice suggested Iʹd just wasted his time by saying something that was a given.
ʺIs she okay?ʺ asked Dimitri. ʺInjured?ʺ
Once, that would have sparked jealousy in me. Now, it was just a sign of our shared concern for Lissa.
ʺSheʹs fine,ʺ I said, wondering if that was entirely true. She wasnʹt physically injured, but after what sheʹd seen . . . well, that had to leave scars of a different type. The back door had been quite a surprise too. When sheʹd seen a small crowd by the first door, sheʹd thought it meant only a few people were up that late to see the candidates. Nope. Turned out everyone was just waiting out back to see the victors. True to her promise, Lissa hadnʹt let it faze her. She walked out with her head held high, smiling at her onlookers and fans as though she already owned the crown.
I was growing sleepy but Lissaʹs triumph kept me smiling for a long time. Thereʹs something tiring about an endless, unknown stretch of highway. Victor had closed his eyes and was leaning against the glass. I couldnʹt see Sydney when I twisted around to check on her, meaning she also had decided on a nap or was just lying down. I yawned, wondering if I dared risk sleeping. Dimitri had urged me to when we left Sonyaʹs house, knowing that I could use more than the couple hours Sydney had given me.
I tipped my head against the seat and closed my eyes, falling instantly asleep. The blackness of that sleep gave way to the feel of a spirit dream, and my heart leapt with both panic and joy. After living through Lissaʹs test, spirit dreams suddenly had a sinister feel. At the same time, this might be a chance to see Adrian. And . . . it was.
Only we appeared somewhere entirely unexpected: Sonyaʹs garden. I stared in wonder at the clear blue sky and the brilliant flowers, nearly overlooking Adrian in the process. He wore a dark green cashmere sweater that made him blend in. To me, he was more gorgeous than any of the gardenʹs other wonders.
ʺAdrian!ʺ
I ran to him, and he lifted me easily, spinning me around. When he placed me back on my feet, he studied the garden and nodded in approval. ʺI should let you pick the place more often. You have good taste. Of course, since youʹre dating me, we already knew that.ʺ
ʺWhat do you mean, ‘pick the place?ʹʺ I asked, lacing my hands behind his neck.
He shrugged. ʺWhen I reached out and sensed you were sleeping, I summoned the dream but didnʹt feel like thinking up a place. So I left it to your subconscious.ʺ Irritably, he plucked at the cashmere. ʺIʹm not dressed for the occasion, though.ʺ The sweater shimmered, soon replaced by a light gray T-shirt with an abstract design on the front. ʺBetter?ʺ
ʺMuch.ʺ
He grinned and kissed the top of my forehead. ʺIʹve missed you, little dhampir. You can spy on Lissa and us all the time, but the best I get are these dreams, and honestly, I canʹt figure out what schedule youʹre on.ʺ
I realized that with my ʺspying,ʺ I knew more about what had just happened at Court than he did. ʺLissa took her second test,ʺ I told him.
Yup. His expression verified it. He hadnʹt known about the test, probably because heʹd been sleeping. ʺWhen?ʺ
ʺJust now. It was a tough one, but she passed.ʺ
ʺMuch to her delight, no doubt. Still . . . that keeps buying us time to clear you and get you home. Not sure Iʹd want to come home if I were you, though.ʺ He looked around the garden again. ʺWest Virginiaʹs a lot better than I thought.ʺ
I laughed. ʺItʹs not West Virginia—which isnʹt that bad, by the way. Itʹs Sonya Karpʹs—ʺ
I froze, unable to believe what Iʹd nearly said. Iʹd been so happy to see him, so at ease . . . Iʹd let myself screw up. Adrianʹs face grew very, very serious.
ʺDid you say Sonya Karp?ʺ
Several options played out in my head. Lying was the easiest. I could claim this was some place Iʹd been a long time ago, like maybe sheʹd taken us on a field trip to her house. That was pretty flimsy, though. Plus, I was guessing the look on my face screamed guilt. Iʹd been caught. A pretty lie wouldnʹt fool Adrian.
ʺYes,ʺ I said finally.
ʺRose. Sonya Karpʹs a Strigoi.ʺ
ʺNot anymore.ʺ
Adrian sighed. ʺI knew you staying out of trouble was too good to be true. What happened?ʺ
ʺUm, Robert Doru restored her.ʺ
ʺRobert.ʺ Adrianʹs lip curled in disdain. The two spirit users hadnʹt gotten along well. ʺAnd just because I feel like weʹre marching into full-fledged Crazy Territory—which means something, coming from me—Iʹm going to take a guess that Victor Dashkov is also with you.ʺ
I nodded, wishing desperately then that someone would wake me up and get me away from Adrianʹs interrogation. Damn it. How could I have slipped up like this?
Adrian released me and walked around in small circles. ʺOkay, so. You, Belikov, the Alchemist, Sonya Karp, Victor Dashkov, and Robert Doru are all hanging out in West Virginia together.ʺ
ʺNo,ʺ I said.
ʺNo?ʺ
ʺWeʹre, uh, not in West Virginia.ʺ
ʺRose!ʺ Adrian halted his pacing and strode back over to me. ʺWhere the hell are you then? Your old man, Lissa—everyone thinks youʹre safe and sound.ʺ
ʺI am,ʺ I said haughtily. ʺJust not in West Virginia.ʺ
ʺThen where?ʺ
ʺI canʹt . . . I canʹt tell you.ʺ I hated saying those words to him and seeing the look they elicited. ʺPart of itʹs for safety. Part of itʹs because . . . well, um, I donʹt actually know.ʺ
He caught hold of my hands. ʺYou canʹt do this. You canʹt run off on some crazy whim this time. Donʹt you get it? Theyʹll kill you if they find you.ʺ
ʺItʹs not a crazy whim! Weʹre doing something important. Something thatʹs going to help all of us.ʺ
ʺSomething you canʹt tell me,ʺ he guessed.
ʺItʹs better if youʹre not involved,ʺ I said, squeezing his hands tightly. ʺBetter if you donʹt know the details.ʺ
ʺAnd in the meantime, I can rest easy knowing youʹve got an elite team at your back.ʺ
ʺAdrian, please! Please just trust me. Trust that Iʹve got a good reason,ʺ I begged.
He let go of my hands. ʺI believe you think youʹve got a good reason. I just canʹt imagine one that justifies you risking your life.ʺ
ʺItʹs what I do,ʺ I said, surprised at how serious I sounded. ʺSome things are worth it.ʺ
Pieces of static flickered across my vision, like TV reception going bad. The world started to fade. ʺWhatʹs going on?ʺ I asked.
He scowled. ʺSomeone or somethingʹs waking me up. Probably my mom checking in for the hundredth time.ʺ
I reached for him, but he was fading away. ʺAdrian! Please donʹt tell anyone! Anyone.ʺ
I donʹt know if he heard my pleas or not because the dream completely disappeared. I woke up in the car. My immediate reaction was to swear, but I didnʹt want to give away the idiotic thing Iʹd done. Glancing over, I nearly jumped out of my seat when I saw Sonya watching me intently.
ʺYou were having a spirit dream,ʺ she said.
ʺHowʹd you know?ʺ
ʺYour aura.ʺ
I made a face. ʺAuras used to be cool, but now theyʹre just starting to get annoying.ʺ
She laughed softly, the first time Iʹd heard her do so since being restored. ʺTheyʹre very informative if you know how to read them. Were you with Vasilisa?ʺ
ʺNo. My boyfriend. Heʹs a spirit user too.ʺ
Her eyes widened in surprise. ʺThatʹs who you were with?ʺ
ʺYeah. Why? Whatʹs wrong?ʺ
She frowned, looking puzzled. A few moments later, she glanced up toward the front seat, where Dimitri and Robert sat, and then studied me in a scrutinizing way that sent chills down my spine.
ʺNothing,ʺ she said. ʺNothingʹs wrong.ʺ
I had to scoff at that. ʺCome on, it sure seemed like—ʺ
ʺThere!ʺ Sonya abruptly turned from me, lean
ed forward, and pointed. ʺTake that exit.ʺ
We were nearly past ʺthat exit,ʺ and Dimitri had to do some fancy maneuvering—kind of like in our escape back in Pennsylvania—to make it. The car jerked and lurched, and I heard Sydney yelp behind me.
ʺA little warning next time would be helpful,ʺ Dimitri noted.
Sonya wasnʹt listening. Her gaze was totally fixated on the road weʹd pulled off onto. We came to a red light, where I caught sight of a cheery sign: WELCOME TO ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN. The spark of life Iʹd seen in her moments ago was gone. Sonya had returned to her tense, almost robotic self. Despite Sydneyʹs clever negotiating, Sonya still seemed uncomfortable about this trip. She still felt guilty and traitorous.
ʺAre we here?ʺ I asked eagerly. ʺAnd how long were we on the road?ʺ Iʹd hardly noticed the drive. Iʹd stayed awake for the first part of it, but the rest had been a blur of Lissa and Adrian.
ʺSix hours,ʺ said Dimitri.
ʺGo left at that second light,ʺ said Sonya. ʺNow right at the corner.ʺ
Tension built in the car. Everyone was awake now, and my heart raced as we pushed deeper and deeper into suburbia. Which house? Were we close? Was one of these it? It was a fast drive but seemed to stretch forever. We all let out a collective breath when Sonya suddenly pointed.
ʺThere.ʺ
Dimitri pulled into the driveway of a cute brick house with a perfectly trimmed lawn. ʺDo you know if your relatives still live here?ʺ I asked Sonya.
She said nothing, and I realized we were back to promise territory. Lockdown mode.
So much for progress. ʺI guess thereʹs only one way to find out,ʺ I said, unbuckling my seatbelt. ʺSame plan?ʺ
Earlier, Dimitri and I had discussed who would go and who would stay behind if Sonya got us to the right place. Leaving the brothers behind was a no-brainer. The question had been who would guard them, and weʹd decided Dimitri would while Sydney and I went with Sonya to meet her relatives—who were undoubtedly in for a shocking visit.
ʺSame plan,ʺ agreed Dimitri. ʺYou go to the house. You look less threatening.ʺ
ʺHey!ʺ
He smiled. ʺI said ‘look.ʹʺ
But his reasoning made sense. Even at ease, there was something powerful and intimidating about Dimitri. Three women going up to the door would freak these people out less—especially if it turned out Sonyaʹs relatives had moved. Hell, for all I knew, sheʹd purposely led us to the wrong house.
ʺBe careful,ʺ Dimitri said, as we got out of the car.
ʺYou too,ʺ I replied. That got me another smile, one a little warmer and deeper.
The feelings that stirred in me flitted away as Sonya, Sydney, and I walked up the sidewalk. My chest tightened. This was it. Or was it? Were we about to reach the conclusion of our journey? Had we really found the last Dragomir, against all odds? Or had I been played from the beginning?
I wasnʹt the only one who was nervous. I could feel Sydney and Sonya crackling with tension too. We reached the front step. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
Several seconds later, a man answered—and he was Moroi. A promising sign.
He looked at each of our faces, no doubt wondering what a Moroi, a dhampir, and a human were doing at his door. It sounded like the start of a bad joke.
ʺCan I help you?ʺ he asked.
I was suddenly at a loss. Our plan had covered the big stuff: find Ericʹs mistress and love child. What weʹd say once we actually got there wasnʹt so clear. I waited for one of my companions to speak up now, but there was no need. The Moroi manʹs head suddenly whipped to my side as he did a double take.
ʺSonya?ʺ he gasped. ʺIs that you?ʺ
Then, I heard a young female voice behind him call, ʺHey, whoʹs here?ʺ
Someone squeezed in beside him, someone tall and slim—someone I knew. My breath caught as I stared at waves of unruly light brown hair and light green eyes—eyes that should have tipped me off a long time ago. I couldnʹt speak.
ʺRose,ʺ exclaimed Jill Mastrano. ʺWhat are you doing here?ʺ
TWENTY-THREE
THE FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE that followed seemed to stretch out to eternity. Everyone was confused, each for totally different reasons. Jillʹs initial surprise had been laced with excitement, but as she stared around from face to face, her smile faded and faded until she looked as bewildered as the rest of us.
ʺWhatʹs going on?ʺ asked a new voice. Moments later, Emily Mastrano appeared beside her daughter. Emily glanced at me and Sydney with curiosity and then gasped when she saw the third member of our group. ʺSonya!ʺ Emily jerked Jill back, her face filled with panic. Emily wasnʹt guardian-fast, but I admired her responsiveness.
ʺEmily . . . ?ʺ Sonyaʹs voice was very small, on the verge of cracking. ʺIt . . . itʹs me . . . really me . . .ʺ
Emily tried to tug the man inside as well but stopped when she got a good look at Sonya. Like anyone else, Emily had to acknowledge the obvious. Sonya had no Strigoi features. Plus, she was out in broad daylight. Emily faltered and opened her mouth to speak, but her lips couldnʹt quite manage it. She finally turned to me.
ʺRose . . . whatʹs going on?ʺ
I was surprised that she would regard me as an authority, both because weʹd only met once and because I honestly wasnʹt sure what was going on either. It took me a few attempts to find my voice. ʺI think . . . I think we should come inside . . .ʺ
Emilyʹs gaze fell back on Sonya. Jill tried to push forward to see what all the drama was about, but Emily continued blocking the door, still not totally convinced it was safe. I couldnʹt blame her. At last, she gave a slow nod and stepped away to give us access.
Sydneyʹs eyes flicked toward the car, where Victor, Robert, and Dimitri were waiting. ʺWhat about them?ʺ she asked me.
I hesitated. I wanted Dimitri to be with me to drop the bombshell, but Emily might only be able to handle one thing at a time here. Moroi didnʹt have to run in royal circles to know who Victor Dashkov was or what he looked like. Our trip to Las Vegas had been proof of that. I shook my head at Sydney. ʺThey can wait.ʺ
We settled into the familyʹs living room and learned the guy whoʹd answered the door was Emilyʹs husband, John Mastrano. Emily went through the motions of offering us beverages, like this was a perfectly ordinary visit, but the look on her face confirmed she was still in shock. She handed us glasses of water like a robot, her face so pale she might have been Strigoi.
John rested his hand on Emilyʹs once she sat down. He kept giving us wary looks, but for her, he was all affection and concern. ʺWhatʹs going on?ʺ
Emilyʹs eyes were still dazed. ʺI . . . donʹt know. My cousin is here . . . but I donʹt understand how . . .ʺ She looked back and forth at me, Sydney, and Sonya. ʺHow is this possible?ʺ Her voice shook.
ʺIt was Lissa, wasnʹt it?ʺ exclaimed Jill, who undoubtedly knew this relativeʹs sordid history. She was understandably shocked—and a little nervous—but excitement was beginning to stir. ʺI heard what happened with Dimitri. Itʹs true, isnʹt it? Lissa can heal Strigoi. She saved him. She saved . . .ʺ Jill turned toward Sonya, enthusiasm wavering a little. I wondered what kind of stories sheʹd heard about Sonya. ʺShe saved you.ʺ
ʺLissa didnʹt do it,ʺ I said. ʺAnother, uh, spirit user did.ʺ
Jillʹs face lit up. ʺAdrian?ʺ Iʹd forgotten about her crush on him.
ʺNo . . . someone else. Itʹs not important,ʺ I added hastily. ʺSonyaʹs . . . well, sheʹs Moroi again. Confused, though. Not quite herself.ʺ
Sonya had been drinking in the sight of her cousin but now turned to me with a wry, knowing smile. ʺI can speak for myself, Rose.ʺ
ʺSorry,ʺ I said.
Emily turned to Sydney and frowned. Theyʹd been introduced, but no more. ʺWhy are you here?ʺ Emily didnʹt have to say what she really meant. She wanted to know why a human was here. ʺAre you a feeder?ʺ
ʺNo!ʺ exclaimed Sydney, jumping up from her spot beside me on the loveseat. I had never seen her filled with such outrage and disgu
st. ʺSay that again, and Iʹll walk right out of here! Iʹm an Alchemist.ʺ
She was met with blank stares, and I pulled Sydney back down. ʺEasy, girl. I donʹt think they donʹt know what Alchemists are.ʺ Secretly, I was glad. When Iʹd first discovered the Alchemists, Iʹd felt like I was the last person in the world to find out. It was nice to know others were out of the loop too. Keeping things simple for now, I explained to Emily, ʺSydneyʹs been helping us.ʺ
Tears brimmed in Emilyʹs blue eyes as she turned back to her cousin. Emily Mastrano was one of the most stunning women Iʹd ever met. Even tears were beautiful on her. ʺItʹs really you, isnʹt it? They brought you back to me. Oh God.ʺ Emily rose and walked over to hold her cousin in a deep embrace. ʺIʹve missed you so much. I canʹt believe this.ʺ
I almost felt like crying, too, but sternly reminded myself that we had come with a mission. I knew how startling this all was. We had just turned the Mastrano familyʹs world upside down . . . and I was about to complicate things even more. I hated to do it. I wished they could have the time they needed to adjust, to celebrate the miracle of having Sonya back. But the clock at Court—and on my life—was ticking.
ʺWe brought her . . .ʺ I said at last. ʺBut thereʹs another reason weʹre here.ʺ
I donʹt know what tone my voice conveyed, but Emily stiffened and stepped back from Sonya, sitting down beside her husband. Somehow, in that moment, I think she knew why we were here. I could see in her eyes that she was afraid—as if sheʹd been dreading this type of visit for years, as if sheʹd imagined it a hundred times.
I pushed forward. ʺWe know . . . we know about Eric Dragomir.ʺ
ʺNo,ʺ said Emily, her voice an odd mixture of harshness and desperateness. Her obstinate manner was remarkably similar to Sonyaʹs initial refusal to aid us. ʺNo. We are not doing this.ʺ
The instant Iʹd seen Jill, the instant Iʹd recognized those eyes, Iʹd known we had the right place. Emilyʹs words—more importantly, her lack of a denial—confirmed it.
Last Sacrifice (6) Page 29