All of us grew quiet when we reached the gate. The line of cars was still there, and we became more and more nervous as we crept forward. A flip to Lissaʹs mind told me we werenʹt missing anything in the Council. The chaotic situation was pretty much the same as before, though the exasperated look on Nathanʹs face made me think heʹd call a close to proceedings soon and continue tomorrow. I wasnʹt sure if that was good or bad.
The guardians recognized Mikhail, of course, and while still vigilant, their initial instincts didnʹt suspect him of nefarious deeds. He vaguely said heʹd been sent to pick up some people. The guardian looking in the car scanned over Dimitri, me, and—thankfully—Jill. Adrian, a well-known figure, got us added respect. After a mandatory check of the trunk, we were sent on through.
ʺOh my God. It worked,ʺ I breathed, as Mikhail drove over to the guardiansʹ parking area.
ʺNow what?ʺ asked Jill.
ʺNow we reestablish the Dragomir line and call out a murderer,ʺ I said.
ʺOh, is that all?ʺ Adrianʹs sarcasm was palpable.
ʺYou know,ʺ remarked Mikhail, ʺthat the instant your illusions are dropped, you two are going to be jumped by guardians and thrown back into jail. Or worse.ʺ
Dimitri and I exchanged looks. ʺWe know,ʺ I said, trying to ignore the memories of that terrible, claustrophobic experience. ʺBut if everything works out . . . we wonʹt have to stay there for long. Theyʹll use what weʹve found out and then eventually set us free.ʺ I sounded more optimistic than I felt.
Once parked, our party headed toward the ballroomʹs building, which could have been seen miles away with all the people around it. How strange. Not long ago, Iʹd made this same journey, with nearly the same people, hurrying away from Court. Weʹd worn spirit disguises then, too, and had been seeking escape. Now we were knowingly walking into peril. I was convinced if I could make it in undetected and deliver my news, everything would work out. Sonyaʹs charm had worked perfectly when I saw the Alchemists. I had no reason to doubt it, but the fear still lurked in the back of my mind: what if it stopped functioning? What if the disguise failed and I was spotted before even getting into the building? Would they arrest me? Or would they simply shoot first?
The doors were barred to spectators, but guardians were allowed access, so once again Mikhail talked us in—using a sullen Adrian as the reason. The late queenʹs nephew could hardly be refused, and with the chaos inside, more guardians—which Dimitri and I appeared to be—were welcome. Adrian kept an arm around Jill as they entered, and the guardians let her pass.
We slipped into the ballroom, completely unnoticed. Iʹd seen the arguing through Lissaʹs eyes, but it was totally different in person. Louder. More grating. My friends and I exchanged looks. Iʹd braced myself for a big confrontation with the audience—hell, it wouldnʹt be the first time—but this was a test of even my skills.
ʺWe need someone to get the roomʹs attention,ʺ I said. ʺSomeone not afraid to make a spectacle—I mean, besides me, of course.ʺ
ʺMikhail? Where have you been?ʺ
We turned and saw Abe standing before us.
ʺWell, speak of the devil,ʺ I said. ʺExactly what we need.ʺ
Abe peered at me and frowned. Charms could be seen through when others knew one was being used. Charms were also less effective if others knew the wearer well. It was how Victor had recognized me in Tarasov. Sonyaʹs was too strong for Abe to fully break through, but he could tell something wasnʹt right.
ʺWhatʹs going on?ʺ he demanded.
ʺThe usual, old man,ʺ I replied cheerily. ʺDanger, insane plans . . . you know, the stuff that runs in our family.ʺ
He squinted his eyes again, still unable to fully see through the charm. I was probably blurry. ʺRose? Is that you? Where have you been?ʺ
ʺWe need the roomʹs attention,ʺ I said. I wondered if this was what it felt like when parents busted their kids for breaking curfew. He looked very disapproving. ʺWeʹve got a way to settle this whole argument.ʺ
ʺWell,ʺ observed Adrian dryly, ʺweʹve at least got a way to start another one.ʺ
ʺI trusted you at my hearing,ʺ I told Abe. ʺCanʹt you trust me now?ʺ
Abeʹs expression turned wry. ʺYou apparently didnʹt trust me enough to stay put in West Virginia.ʺ
ʺTechnicalities,ʺ I said. ʺPlease. We need this.ʺ
ʺAnd weʹre short on time,ʺ added Dimitri.
Abe studied him too. ʺLet me guess. Belikov?ʺ There was uncertainty in my fatherʹs voice—Adrian was doing a good job in keeping the illusion over Dimitri—but Abe was clever enough to deduce who would be with me.
ʺDad, we have to hurry. Weʹve got the killer—and weʹve got Lissaʹs . . .ʺ How did I explain it? ʺA chance to change Lissaʹs life.ʺ
Not much startled Abe, but I think my earnest use of ʺDadʺ did. Scanning the room, his eyes landed on someone, and he gave a small jerk of his head. Several seconds later, my mother squeezed her way through to us. Great. He called; she came. They were awfully chummy lately. I hoped Lissa remained the only one with a surprise sibling.
ʺWho are these people?ʺ my mother asked.
ʺGuess,ʺ replied Abe flatly. ʺWho would be foolish enough to break into Court after escaping it?ʺ
My momʹs eyes widened. ʺHow—ʺ
ʺNo time,ʺ Abe said. The sharp look he got in return said she didnʹt like being interrupted. Maybe no siblings after all. ʺI have a feeling half the guardians in this room are going to be all over us soon. Are you ready for that?ʺ
My poor, law-abiding mother looked pained, realizing what was being asked of her. ʺYes.ʺ
ʺMe too,ʺ added Mikhail.
Abe studied us all. ʺI guess there are worse odds.ʺ
He headed up to where Nathan Ivashkov was leaning against his podium. He looked weary and defeated—and utterly at a loss on what to do with the mess before him. At our approach, the monarch candidates glanced over curiously, and I sensed a sudden jolt of surprise through the bond. Lissa could see right through the spirit charms. I felt her breath catch at the sight of us. Fear, shock, and relief played through her. And confusion, of course. She was so glad to see us that she forgot all about the elections and started to stand at our approach. I gave her a quick shake of my head, urging her to keep our cover, and after a momentʹs hesitation, she sat back down. She was worried and puzzled—but trusted me.
Nathan came to life when he saw us, particularly when Abe simply shoved him out of the way and grabbed the microphone. ʺHey, what are you—ʺ
I expected Abe to yell for everyone to shut up or something like that. Of course, Nathan had been trying that for a while with no results. So, I was quite shocked—as was everyone else—when Abe put fingers to his lips and let out the most ear-piercing whistle I had ever heard. A whistle like that through a microphone? Yeah. It hurt my ears. It had to be worse for the Moroi, and the screeching feedback in the speakers didnʹt help.
The room quieted enough for him to be heard. ʺNow that you have the sense to keep your mouths shut,ʺ said Abe, ʺwe have . . . some things to say.ʺ He was using his confident, I-control-the-world voice, but I knew he was taking a lot on faith here. ʺAct fast,ʺ he muttered, extending the microphone out to us.
I took it and cleared my throat. ʺWeʹre here to, uh, settle this debate once and for all.ʺ That brought grumbles, and I hurried on loudly before the room erupted again. ʺThe laws can stay the way they are. Vasilisa Dragomir is entitled to her Council vote—and eligible to be a full candidate for the throne. Thereʹs another member in her family. She isnʹt the only Dragomir left.ʺ
Murmurs and whispers broke out, though it was nothing like the roar earlier—most likely because the Moroi loved intrigue, and they had to know how this would play out. In my periphery, I could see guardians forming a very loose perimeter around us. Their concern was security, not scandal.
I beckoned Jill forward. For a moment, she froze; then I wondered if she recalled Adrianʹs words in the car. She stepped beside me, so pale that I worri
ed she might pass out. I almost felt like I could too. The tension and pressure were overwhelming. No. Iʹd come too far.
ʺThis is Jillian Mastrano Dragomir. Sheʹs Eric Dragomirʹs illegitimate daughter—but she is his daughter and officially part of the bloodline.ʺ I hated using illegitimate, but in this case, it was a necessary fact.
In the heartbeat of silence that followed, Jill hastily leaned toward me and the microphone. ʺI am a Dragomir,ʺ she said clearly, despite her trembling hands. ʺOur family has its quorum, and my s-sister has all her rights.ʺ
I could see another explosion building, and Abe jumped in between Jill and me, grabbing the microphone. ʺFor those who donʹt believe this, a DNA test will clear up any doubts about her lineage.ʺ I had to admire Abeʹs audacity. He had only learned this information sixty seconds ago and was already advocating it with certainty, as though he himself had performed the necessary tests back in his home genetics lab. More faith—and an advantage he couldnʹt pass up. My old man loved secrets.
The news triggered the reaction Iʹd expected. Once the audience had processed the information, a flurry of shouted commentary began.
ʺEric Dragomir didnʹt have any other children, illegitimate or not!ʺ
ʺThis is a scam!ʺ
ʺShow us the proof! Where are your tests?ʺ
ʺWell . . . he was kind of a flirt . . .ʺ
ʺHe did have another daughter.ʺ
That last one shut the crowd up, both because it was spoken with authority and because it came from Daniella Ivashkov. She had stood up, and even without a microphone, she had a voice that could carry in a room. She was also an important enough person in our society to draw attention. Many among the royals were practically conditioned to listen to her. In the now quiet room, Daniella continued speaking.
ʺEric Dragomir had an illegitimate daughter, with a woman named Emily Mastrano—a dancer, if I recall correctly. He wanted it kept secret and needed certain things done—things he couldnʹt do himself—to help with that. I was one of the few who helped.ʺ An uncharacteristically bitter smile turned up her lips. ʺAnd honestly, I wouldnʹt have minded it staying secret either.ʺ
Pieces clicked in my head. I knew now who had broken into the Alchemistsʹ records. And why. In the roomʹs silence, I didnʹt need a microphone to respond either.
ʺEnough that youʹd make certain papers disappear.ʺ
Daniella fixed that smile on me. ʺYes.ʺ
ʺBecause if the Dragomirs faded, spirit might too. And Adrian would be safe. Spirit was getting too much attention too fast, and you needed to get rid of any evidence about Jill to kill Vasilisaʹs credibility.ʺ Daniellaʹs expression confirmed as much. I should have left it at that, but my curiosity wouldnʹt allow it. ʺThen why admit it now?ʺ
Daniella shrugged. ʺBecause youʹre right. One DNA test will show the truth.ʺ There were gasps of awe from those who took her word as gospel and wondered what this meant. Others people refused to believe and wore looks of scorn. Daniella, undoubtedly disappointed the truth had leaked, nonetheless seemed resigned and willing to accept it. But her smile soon dropped as she studied me more closely. ʺWhat Iʹd like to know is: who in the world are you?ʺ
A good portion of the audience appeared to want to know this as well. I hesitated. Sonyaʹs charmed disguise had gotten me pretty far at this point. We had a fragile acceptance of Jill and the Dragomir line. If we let the system run its course, and if Lissa won like I now wanted—Iʹd have a queenly advocate to help in the case to clear me.
But staring at the crowd—full of people Iʹd known and respected and who had still condemned me without question—I felt anger burn within me. Spirit-induced or not, it didnʹt matter. I was still outraged at how easily Iʹd been accused and tossed away. I didnʹt want to wait for this to be settled in some quiet guardian office. I wanted to face them. I wanted them to know I was innocent—of killing the queen, at least.
And so, surpassing my own records for dangerous, reckless behavior, I ripped off Sonyaʹs bracelet.
ʺIʹm Rose Hathaway.ʺ
THIRTY-THREE
CRIES AND SCREAMS FROM THE audience told me my disguise was gone.
Many eyes also went to Dimitri. Adrian had dropped that illusion too, once Iʹd shed mine. And, as weʹd been expecting, the guardians who had been gradually taking up position around us surged forward, armed with handguns. I still thought that was cheating. Fortunately, my mother and Mikhail moved quickly into place to block our attackers and deter any gunshots.
ʺDonʹt,ʺ I snapped at Dimitri, who I knew was probably about to join our two defenders. It was crucial he and I stay perfectly still, so we werenʹt taken as threats. I even went as far as to hold up my arms, and—reluctantly, I suspected—Dimitri did too. ʺWait. Please listen to us first.ʺ
The guardian circle was tight, with no gaps. I was pretty sure my mom and Mikhail were the only thing keeping them from shooting us then and there. Guardians would always avoid fighting other guardians if possible. Two blockers were easy to take down, though, and these guardians wouldnʹt wait forever. Jill and Abe suddenly moved forward, taking positions next to us. More shields. I saw one of the looming guardians grimace. Civilians complicated things. Adrian had not moved, but the fact that he was enclosed in the circle at all still made him an obstacle.
ʺHaul us off later if you want,ʺ I said. ʺWe wonʹt resist. But you have to let us talk first. We know who killed the queen.ʺ
ʺSo do we,ʺ said one of the guardians. ʺNow, the rest of you . . . back away before youʹre hurt. These are dangerous fugitives.ʺ
ʺThey need to talk,ʺ said Abe. ʺThey have evidence.ʺ
Again, he pushed forward with his case, acting confidently about things he had no clue about. He was staking it all on me. I was starting to like him. It was kind of unfortunate that our evidence wasnʹt as 100 percent solid as Iʹd hoped, but as Iʹd said earlier . . . technicalities.
ʺLet them talk.ʺ
It was a new voice, but a voice I knew by heart. Lissa pushed her way through two of the guardians. They held their tight position, the immediate concern being that we not escape. This allowed her to slip through—but only so one could grab her arm and stop her from reaching us.
ʺTheyʹve come this far. They were right about . . . Jill.ʺ Boy, that was not easy for her to say with a straight face, seeing as she hadnʹt entirely come to terms with the issue. My imminent death was probably the only thing distracting her from the earth shattering experience of learning she had a potential sibling. She too was taking a lot on faith here, confident I was telling the truth. ʺYouʹve got them. They canʹt go anywhere. Just let them talk. Iʹve got evidence to support their case too.ʺ
ʺIʹd hold off on sharing that, Liss,ʺ I said in a low voice. Lissa still believed Daniella was the killer and wasnʹt going to like hearing the truth. Lissa flashed me a confused look but didnʹt protest.
ʺLetʹs hear them,ʺ said one of the guardians—and not just any: Hans. ʺAfter an escape like they pulled, Iʹd really like to know what brought them back.ʺ
Hans was helping us?
ʺBut,ʺ he continued, ʺIʹm sure you two will understand weʹll have to restrain you before you make your great reveal.ʺ
I looked at Dimitri who had already turned to me. Weʹd both known what we were getting ourselves into, and honestly, this was a better scenario than Iʹd envisioned.
ʺOkay,ʺ said Dimitri. He glanced at our noble protectors. ʺItʹs okay. Let them get through.ʺ
My mom and the others didnʹt move right away. ʺDo it,ʺ I said. ʺDonʹt end up as our cellmates.ʺ
I thought for sure those loveable fools wouldnʹt listen to me. But Mikhail backed off first, and then the others did too, practically in sync. In a flash, guardians seized them all, leading them away. Dimitri and I stayed put, and four guardians moved in, two for Dimitri and two for me. Adrian had retreated with the others, but Lissa still stood a few feet away from us, all her trust in me.
ʺGet on with it,ʺ said Hans. He gripped my r
ight arm tightly.
I met Lissaʹs eyes, hating what I had to say. But, no. She wasnʹt the one I was worried about hurting the most. Looking out into the audience, I found Christian, who was understandably watching this drama with avid attention. I had to turn away and stare at the crowd as a whole, refusing to see individual faces. Just a blur.
ʺI didnʹt kill Tatiana Ivashkov,ʺ I said. Several people grumbled doubtfully. ʺI didnʹt like her. But I didnʹt kill her.ʺ I glanced at Hans. ʺYouʹve questioned the janitor who testified about where I was during the murder, right? And he IDʹd the man who attacked Lissa as the one who paid him off to lie about where I was?ʺ Iʹd learned from Mikhail that Joe had eventually admitted to taking money from the mystery Moroi, once the guardians had cornered him with the picture.
Hans frowned, hesitated, and then nodded for me to continue.
ʺThereʹs no record of his existence—at least not with the guardians. But the Alchemists know who he is. They saw him at one of their facilities—acting as someoneʹs bodyguard.ʺ My eyes fell on Ethan Moore, who stood with the guardians near the door. ʺA bodyguard for someone who was let in to see Tatiana the night she died: Tasha Ozera.ʺ
There was no need for any uproar from the audience this time because Tasha more than made up for it on her own. Sheʹd been sitting next to Christian and sprang up from her chair.
ʺWhat on earth are you saying, Rose?ʺ she exclaimed. ʺAre you out of your mind?ʺ
When Iʹd stood there defiantly, ready to face the crowd and demand justice, Iʹd been full of triumph and power. Now . . . now I was just sad as I stared at someone Iʹd always trusted, someone who was staring back at me with so much shock and hurt.
ʺI wish I was . . . but itʹs true. We both know it is. You killed Tatiana.ʺ
Tashaʹs disbelief grew, tinged now with a little anger, though she still seemed to be giving me the benefit of the doubt. ʺI never, never believed you killed her—and Iʹve fought for you on that. Why are you doing this? Are you playing on the Strigoi taint in our family? I thought you were above that kind of prejudice.ʺ
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