Last Sacrifice Chapter Ten

WHEN YOUR BOYFRIEND IS A dream-walker, you pick up a few lessons. One of the nigh in-chief(postnominal) is that doing physical things in dreams feels exactly same(p) doing them in the real world. Say, like kissing some one and only(a). Adrian and I had shared a number of dream- kisses intense sufficient to touch off my body wanting to try a whole lot more. Although Id never actually attacked someone in a dream, I was willing to bet a punch here would feel just as painful as a real one.With come out hesitation, I lunged toward victor, uncertain as to whether I should sock him or choke him. Both seemed like good ideas. Turned out, I did neither. Before I could reach him, I slammed into an invisible wallhard. It both blocked me from him and bounced me sustain at the impact. I stumbled, tried to regain my footing, exactly instead landed painfully on the ground. Yupdreams felt just like real life.I glared at Robert, feeling a mix of both anger and uneasiness. I tried to hide that last emotion. Youre a spirit user with telekinesis?Wed gift intercoursen that was possible, but it was a skill neither Lissa nor Adrian had mastered yet. I really didnt like the idea that Robert might have the power to throw objects close to and create invisible barriers. It was a disadvantage we didnt need. Robert remained enigmatic. I control the dream. sea captain was looking down at me with that smug, calculating facet he excelled at. Realizing what an undignified position I was in, I leapt to my feet. I kept a hard stance, my body tense and ready as I wondered if Robert would keep the wall up continuously.Are you done with your fit? asked Victor. Behaving like a civilized person will make our talk so a lot more pleasant.I have no provoke in talking to you, I snapped. The only thing Im difference to do is hunt you down in the real world and drag you cover version to the authorities.Charming, express Victor. We loafer share a cell.I winced.Yes, he continued. I know all about what happened. Poor Tatiana. Such a tragedy. Such a loss.His mocking, melodramatic regulate sparked an alarming idea. You you didnt have anything to do with it, did you? Victors escape from prison had triggered a lot of fear and paranoia amongst the Moroi. Theyd been convinced he was coming for them all. Knowing the truth about the escape, Id disregard such talk and figured hed simply lie low. Now, store how hed once wanted to start a revolution among the Moroi, I wondered if the queens murderer actually was the to the highest degree evil villain we knew.Victor snorted. Hardly. He put his hands behind his back as he paced the room and pretended to study the art. I again wondered how far Roberts shield extended. I have much more sophisticated methods to accomplish my goals. I wouldnt stoop to something like thatand neither would you.I was about to pose out that messing with Lissas mind was simply sophisticated, but his last words caught my attention. You dont think I did it?He glanced back from where hed been studying a creation with a flower hat and cane. Of course not. Youd never do anything that required that much foresight. And, if what Ive heard about the crime scene is true, youd never leave that much evidence behind. at that place was both an insult and a compliment there. Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. Ive been worrying about what youd think. This earned me a smile, and I crossed my arms over my chest. How do you guys tear down know whats happening at Court? Do you have spies?This sort of thing spreads throughout the Moroi world quickly, said Victor. Im not that out of touch. I knew about her murder almost as soon as it happened. And about your most impressive escape.My attention mostly stayed on Victor, but I did cut down a quick glance at Robert. He remained silent, and from the blank, distracted look in his eyes, I wondered if he was even aware of what was being said around him. Seeing him always sent a charge down my s pine. He was a prominent example of spirit at its worst.Why do you contend? I demanded. And why the hell are you b early(a)ing me in my dreams?Victor continued his pacing, pausing to suck up his fingertips along the harps smooth, wooden surface. Because I have a great interest in Moroi politics. And Id like to know whos amenable for the murder and what their game is.I smirked. Sounds like youre just jealous someone else is pulling the strings besides you for a change. No pun intended.His hand dropped from the harp, back to his side, and he fixed his sharp eyes on me, eyes the same pale green as Lissas. Your humourous commentary isnt going to get you anywhere. You can either let us jock you or not.You are the last person I want help from. I dont need it.Yes. Things seem to be going quite well for you, now that youre a hunted fugitive and on the run with a man that many still believe is Strigoi. Victor gave a calculated pause. Of course, Im sure you dont mind that last part so mu ch. You know, if I found you two, I could believably shoot you and be welcomed back as a hero.Dont bet on it. Rage burned through me, both at his insinuation and because hed caused so much trouble for Dimitri and me in the past. With great force of will, I replied in a low, deadly voice I am going to find you. And you probably wont expect to see the authorities.We already established murder isnt in your skill set. Victor sat down in one of the cushioned chairs, making himself comfortable. Robert continued standing, that out-of-it expression still on his face. Now, the first thing we need to do is determine why someone would want to kill our late queen. Her abrasive personality is hardly motivation, though Im sure it didnt hurt. People do things like this for power and advantage, to push their schedules through. From what I hear, Tatianas most controversial action recently was that age fair playyes, thats the one. The one making you scowl at me like that. It stands to reason that her murderer opposed that.I didnt want to comply with Victor at all. I didnt want a reasonable discussion with him. What I wanted was some indication of where he was in real life, and then, I wanted to take a chance on slamming into that invisible wall again. Itd be worth the risk if I could do some damage. So, I was a bit surprised when I found myself saying, Or, whoever did it wanted to push something worse throughsomething harsher on dhampirs. They thought her decree was too soft.I admit, catching Victor Dashkov off guard was one of the greatest joys of my life. I had that satisfaction now, seeing his eyebrows rise in astonishment. It wasnt easy proposing something a master schemer like him hadnt already considered. Interesting, he said at last. I may have underestimated you, Rose. Thats a brilliant deduction on your part.Well, um it wasnt exactly my deduction.Victor waited expectantly. Even Robert snapped out of his daze and focused on me. It was creepy.It was Tatianas. I mea n, not her deduction. She said it directlywell, that is, the note she left for me did. Why was I rambling in front of these guys? At least I surprised Victor again.Tatiana Ivashkov left you a note with clandestine information? Whatever for?I bit my lip and turned my attention over to one of the paintings. It showed an elegant Moroi woman with those same play out green eyes most Dashkovs and Dragomirs shared. I suddenly wondered if perhaps Robert had formed this dream in some Dashkov mansion from their childhood. Movement in my periphery do me instantly turn back to the cronys.Victor rose and took a few steps toward me, curiosity and cunning all over him. Theres more. What else did she tell you? She knew she was in danger. She knew this law was part of it but it wasnt the only thing, was it?I remained silent, but a crazy idea began forming in my mind. I was actually considering seeing if Victor could help me. Of course, in retrospect, that wasnt such a crazy notion, considering I d already busted him out of prison to get his help.Tatiana said Should I say it? Should I dampen up the concealed even Lissa didnt know? If Victor knew there was another Dragomir, he might use that knowledge for one of his schemes. How? I wasnt sure but had long wise to(p) to expect the unexpected from him. Yet Victor knew a lot of Moroi secrets. I would have enjoyed watching him and Abe match wits. And I didnt doubt that a lot of Victors within knowledge involved the Dragomirs and Dashkovs. I swallowed. Tatiana said that there was another Dragomir. That Lissas pappa had an affair and that if I could find whoever this is, itll give Lissa her power back on the Council.When Victor and Robert transfer shocked looks, I knew my plan had backfired. Victor wasnt going to give me insight. Instead, Id been the one to just yield valuable information. Damn, damn, damn. He turned his attention back to me, his expression speculative. So. Eric Dragomir wasnt the saint he so often played.I balled my fists. Dont slam her dad.Wouldnt dream of it. I liked Eric immensely. But yes if this is true, then Tatiana is right. Vasilisa technically has family backing, and her liberal views would certainly cause friction on a Council that never seems to change their ways. He chuckled. Yes, I can definitely see that upsetting many peopleincluding a murderer who wants to oppress dhampirs. I imagine he or she wouldnt want this knowledge to get out.Someone already tried to get rid of records linking Lissas dad to a mistress. I again spoke without thinking and hated myself for it. I didnt want to give the brothers any more info. I didnt want to play like we were all working together here.And let me guess, said Victor. Thats what youre trying to do, isnt it? Find this Dragomir bastard.Hey, dontIts just an expression, he interrupted. If I know you twoand I feel self-assured I do Vasilisa is desperately trying to clear your name back at Court while you and Belikov are off on a sexually charged adventure to find her brother or sister.You dont know anything about us, I growled. Sexually charged indeed.He shrugged. Your face says it all. And really, its not a fallacious idea. Not a great one either, but not bad. Give the Dragomir family a quorum, and youll have a voice speaking on your behalf on the Council. I dont suppose you have any leads? Were working on it, I replied evasively.Victor looked at Robert. I knew the two didnt have any psychic communication, but as they exchanged glances, I had a feeling they were both thinking the same thing and confirming with each other. At last, Victor nodded and turned back to me. precise well then. Well help you. He made it sound like he was reluctantly agreeing to do me a big favor.We dont need your helpOf course you do. Youre out of your league, Rose. Youre wandering into a nest of ugly, complex politicssomething you have no experience with. Theres no shame in acknowledging that, just as Im not dishonored to admit that in a n irrational, ill-planned fist fight, you would certainly prove superior.Another backhanded compliment. Were doing just fine. We have an Alchemist helping us. There. That would show him who was out of whose league. And, to my credit, he did look some impressed. Slightly.Better than I expected. Has your Alchemist come up with a location or any lead yet?Shes working on it, I repeated.He sighed in frustration. Were going to need time then, arent we? Both for Vasilisa to investigate Court and you to start tracking this child.Youre the one who acts like you know everything, I pointed out. I figured youd know something about this.To my chagrin, no. Victor didnt really sound all that put out. But as soon as we get a thread, I assure you, Ill be essential in unraveling it. He walked over to his brother and patted Roberts arm comfortingly. Robert stared back adoringly. Well visit you again. Let us know when you have something useful, and then well meet up with you. My eyes widened. Youll do no such I hesitated. Id let Victor escape in Las Vegas. Now he was offering to come to me. Maybe I could repair that mistake and make good on my earlier threat to him. Quickly, I tried to cover my lapse of speech. How do I know I can trust you?You cant, he said bluntly. Youve got to take it on faith that the enemy of your enemy is your friend.Ive always hated that saying. Youll always be my enemy.I was a bit surprised when Robert suddenly came to life. He glared and stepped forward. My brother is a good man, shadow-girl If you hurt him if you hurt him, youll pay. And next time you wont come back. The world of the dead wont give you up a second time.I knew better than to take the threats of a crazy man seriously, but his last words sent a chill through me. Your brother is a psychoEnough, enough. Victor again gave Robert a reassuring pat on the arm. Still scowling at me, the younger Dashkov brother backed off, but I was willing to bet that invisible wall was back in place. This does us no good. Were wasting timewhich is something we dont have enough of. We need more. The monarch elections will start any day now, and Tatianas murderer could have a hand in those if there really was some agenda going on. We need to slow down the electionsnot just to thwart the assassin, but also to give all of us time to accomplish our tasks.I was getting tired of all this. Yeah? And how do you propose we do that?Victor smiled. By running Vasilisa as a candidate for queen.Seeing as this was Victor Dashkov we were dealing with, I really shouldnt have been surprised by anything he said. It was a testament to his level of craziness that he continually caught me unprepared.That, I declared, is impossible.Not really, he replied.I threw my hands up in exasperation. Havent you been paying attention to what weve been talking about? The whole point is to get Lissa full family rights with the Moroi. She cant even vote How could she run for queen?Actually, the law says she can. According to the way the nomination policy is written, one person from each royal line may run for the monarch position. Thats all it says. One person from each line may run. There is no mention of how many people need to be in her family, as there is for her to vote on the Council. She simply needs three nominationsand the law doesnt specify which family they come from.Victor spoke in such a precise, crisp way that he might as well have been reciting from a legal book. I wondered if he had all the laws memorized. I supposed if you were going to make a career of breaking laws, you might as well know them.Whoever wrote that law probably assumed the candidates would have family members. They just didnt bother spell it out. Thats what people will say if Lissa runs. Theyll fight it.They can fight it all they want. Those who are denying her a Council spot base it on one line in the law books that mentions another family member. If thats their argument, that every detail must count, then theyll have t o do the same for the election laws which, as I have said, do not mention family backing. Thats the beauty of this loophole. Her opponents cant have it both ways. A smile twisted at Victors lips, supremely confident. I assure you, there is absolutely nothing in the wording that prevents her from doing this.How about her age? I pointed out. The princes and princesses who run are always old. The title of prince or princess went to a familys oldest member, and traditionally, that was the person who ran for king or queen. The family could decide to bring up someone else more fitting, but even thento my knowledgeit was always someone older and experienced.The only age restriction is full adulthood, said Victor. Shes eighteen. She qualifies. The other families have much larger pools to draw from, so naturally, theyd select someone who seemed more experienced. In the Dragomir case? Well, thats not an option, now is it? Besides, young monarchs arent without precedence. There was a very fam ous queenAlexandrawho wasnt much older than Vasilisa. Very well loved, very extraordinary. Her statue is by the Courts church.I shifted uncomfortably. Actually its, um, not there anymore. It kind of blew up.Victor just stared. Hed apparently heard about my escape but not all of the details.Its not important, I said hastily, feeling guilty that Id been indirectly responsible for blowing up a renowned queen. This whole idea about using Lissa is ridiculous.You wont be the only one who thinks so, Victor said. Theyll argue. Theyll fight. In the end, the law will prevail. Theyll have to let her run. Shell go through the tests and probably pass. Then, when voting comes, the laws that govern those procedures reference a family member assisting with the vote.My head was spinning by now. I felt mentally exhausted listening to all these legal loopholes and technicalities.Just come right out and put it in simple language, I ordered.When voting comes, she wont be eligible. She has no family to fulfill the role required at the actual election. In other words, the law says she can run and take the tests. Yet, people cant actually vote for her because she has no family.Thats idiotic.Agreed. He paused. I dont think either of us ever expected to concur on something.Lissa would hate this. She would never, ever want to be queen.Are you not following this? exclaimed Victor. She wont be queen. She cant. Its a badly written law for a situation no one foresaw. Its a mess. And it will bog down the elections so badly that well have extra time to find Vasilisas sibling and find out who really killed Tatiana.Hey I told you Theres no we here. Im not going toVictor and Robert exchanged looks.Get Vasilisa nominated, said Victor abruptly. Well be in touch soon on where to meet you for the Dragomir search. ITThats notI woke up.My immediate reaction was to swear, but then, remembering where I was, I kept my expletives inside my own head. I could make out Dimitris silhouette in the corner, al ert and watchful, and didnt want him to know I was awake. gag law my eyes, I shifted into a more comfortable position, hoping for true sleep that would block out the Dashkov brothers and their ridiculous schemes. Lissa running for queen? It was crazy. And yet it really wasnt much crazier than most of the things I did.Putting that aside, I let my body relax and felt the tug of true sleep start to take me down. Emphasis on start. Because suddenly, I felt another spirit dream materializing around me.Apparently, this was going to be a busy night.