Spirit Bound Chapter Twelve

WHICH WAS affirm WHEN WE finally stumbled covert to the Royal Court.I wasnt the solitary(prenominal) wiz in perturb, of course. Lissa was summoned to the queen for chastising, though I k naked as a jaybird shed suffer no actual punishment. non analogous Eddie and me. We efficacy be extinctside of school, and we were technically to a lower place the jurisdiction of the finish official safeguardians now, which meant we flavord as much trouble as whatever disobedient employee. Only Adrian escaped any consequences. He was let off to do what incessantly he complimentsed.And actually, my punishment wasnt as bad as it could ask been. Honestly, what did I ask to lose at this point? My chances of guarding Lissa had already been sketchy, and no one had wanted me as a guardian neglect Tasha anyway. A malad on the buttoned Vegas weekendwhich was our cover storywas hardly sufficient to dissuade her from taking me on. It was teeming, however, to make some of Eddies prospec ts withdraw their requests for him to be their guardian. fair to middling put out-of-door wanted him that he was in no danger of losing a good position, besides I felt horribly guilty. He didnt pass off a word to anyone al most(prenominal) what wed done, but each time he beliefed at me, I could front the condemnation in his eyeball.And I saying a solidification of him in the nigh couple days. It glum out guardians had a system in place to deal with those who were disobedient.What you did was so trigger-happy that you might as surface be back in school. Hell, master(a) school, hitherto.We were in one of the offices in the guardians subjectquarters, being yelled at by Hans Croft, the guy in charge of all the guardians at Court and individual who was instrumental in guardian appellations. He was a dhampir in his first fifties, with a bushy gray-and-white must(prenominal)ache. He was also an asshole. The scent of cigar smoke ever encircled him. Eddie and I were s itting meekly before him charm he paced with his hands behind his back.You could put one across gotten the last Dragomir killed non to celebrate the Ivashkov boy. How do you telephone the queen would brook reacted to the death of her great-nephew? And talk active timing You go off party-hopping right when the guy who tried to abduct the princess is running loose. no(prenominal) that you would deal that, seeing as you were in all likelihood in like existencener busy playing slot machines and using your fake IDs.I winced at the reference to master key, though I suppose I should apply been projecting that we were above suspicion for his escape. Hans read my grimace as an admission of guilt.You might subscribe to graduated, he declargond, but that does not mean you are invincible.This building block encounter reminded me of when Lissa and I had returned to St. Vladimirs, when wed been chastised for the same thing recklessly running off and endangering her. Only this tim e, at that place was no Dimitri to defend me. That warehousing made a lump form in my throat as I guessed his face, honorable and gorgeous, those brown eyes intense and passionate as he r up for me and convince the others of my value. scarce no. No Dimitri here. It was just Eddie and me alone, face up the consequences of the real world.You. Hans pointed a stubby finger at Eddie. You might be lucky enough to slide out of this without withal many other(prenominal) repercussions. Sure, youll occupy a black mark on your record forever. And youve totally screwed up your chances of ever having an elite royal position with other guardians to support you. Youll run low some assignment though. Working alone with some minor nobility, probably. high-altitude royals had to a greater extent than one guardian, which always made protection easier. Hanss point was that Eddies assignment would be lowlycreating more work and danger for him. Casting him a sidelong glance, I saw that hard, determined look on his face again. It seemed to say he didnt care if he had to guard a family by himself. Or yet ten families. In fact, he gave off the shakiness that they could drop him alone into a nest of Strigoi and hed take them all on.And you. Hanss piercing voice jerked my gaze back to him. You drum out be lucky to ever have a job.Like always, I spoke without thinking. I should have taken this silently like Eddie. Of course Ill have one. Tasha Ozera wants me. And youre overly curtly on guardians to keep me sitting around.Hanss eyes gleamed with bitter amusement. Yes, we are short- flip on guardians, but theres all sorts of work we need donenot just personal protection. Someone has to staff our offices. Someone has to sit and guard the front gates.I froze. A desk job. Hans was threatening me with a desk job. All of my majestic imaginings had involved me guarding some random Moroi, someone I didnt bash and would perhaps hate. only in any of those scenarios, I would be out in the world. I would be in motion. I would be fighting and defending.But this? Hans was right. Guardians were needed for the Courts administrative jobs. True, they only unploughed a handfulwe were besides valuablebut someone had to do it. One of those someones being me was too awful to comprehend. Sitting around all day for hours and hours like the guards in Tarasov. Guardian life had all sorts of unglamorousbut necessarytasks.It in truth, truly hit me thusly that I was in the real world. Fear slammed into me. Id taken on the title of guardian when I graduated, but had I really understood what it meant? Had I been playing make- rememberenjoying the perks and ignoring the consequences? I was out of school. at that place would be no detention for this. This was real. This was life and death.My face must have preparen away my feelings. Hans gave a small, cruel smile. Thats right. Weve got all sorts of ways to train troublemakers. Lucky for you, your ultimate fates ease being decided. And in the meantime, theres a lot of work that needs to be done around here that you deuce are going to be helping with.That work over the next few days turned out to be menial manual(a) labor. Honestly, it wasnt too different from detention, and I was beautiful veritable it had just been created to give wrongdoers like us something awful to do. We worked twelve hours a day, much of it surface hauling rocks and dirt to build some new, pretty courtyard for a set of royal town houses. Sometimes we were put on change duty, scrubbing floors. I knew they had Moroi workers for these human bodys of things, and probably they were being given a pass right now.Still, it was better than the other work Hans would give us categorisation and file mountains and mountains of paper. That gave me a new appreciation for information going digital and again made me worry close to the future. Over and over, I kept thinking active that initial conversation with Hans. The threat t hat this could be my life. That I would never be a guardianin the true gumptionto Lissa or any other Moroi. Throughout my training, wed always had a mantra They play on first. If I had really and truly screwed up my future, Id have a new mantra A totals first. Then B, C, DThose work days kept me away from Lissa, and the front-desk staff within our respective buildings went out of their way to keep us unconnected too. It was frustrating. I could keep track of her through the link, but I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to talk to anyone. Adrian stayed away too and didnt bother with inhalations, making me wonder how he felt. Wed never had our talk by and by Las Vegas. Eddie and I often worked side by side, but he wasnt speech to me, which left me with hours of being trapped with my own panoramas and guilt.And believe me, I had stool of things to intensify my guilt. Around Court, mess didnt really notice workers. So whether I was inside or outside, people were always talking l ike I wasnt there. The biggest topic was Victor. Dangerous Victor Dashkov on the loose. How could it have happened? Did he have powers no one knew about? People were afraid, some take down convinced hed show up at Court and try to kill everyone in their sleep. The inside job theory was running rampant, which go on to keep us above suspicion. Unfortunately, it meant a lot of people now worried about traitors within our midst. Who knew who might be work for Victor Dashkov? Spies and rebels could be lurking at Court, planning all sorts of atrocities. I knew all the stories were exaggerated, but it didnt matter. They all came from one kernel of truth Victor Dashkov was walking the world a clear man. And only Iand my accomplicesknew it was all because of me.Being seen in Las Vegas had continued to claim out an alibi for the prison break and had made what wed done seem even more rash. People were aghast that wed let the Dragomir princess run off while there was a dangerous man on th e loosethe man whod assaulted her thank God, everyone said, that the queen had pulled us out of there before Victor found us. The Las Vegas trip had also opened up a entire new line of speculationone that involved me personally.Well, that doesnt surprise me about Vasilisa, I overheard a woman say while I was working outdoors one day. She and some friends were strolling along toward the feeders building and didnt even see me. Shes run away before, right? Those Dragomirs tolerate be wild ones. Shell probably go straight back to the first party she can find, erst they catch Victor Dashkov.Youre wrong, her friend said. Thats not wherefore she went. Shes actually pretty levelheaded. Its that dhampir thats always with herthe Hathaway girl. I heard she and Adrian Ivashkov went to Las Vegas to elope. The queens people just barely got there in time to stop them. Tatianas furious, especially since Hathaway declared nothing will keep her and Adrian apart.Whoa. That was kind of a shock. I mean, I guessed it was better for people to think Adrian and I were running off than for them to accuse me of aiding and abetting a fugitive, but still I was kind of amazed at how that conclusion had come about. I hoped Tatiana hadnt heard about our so-called elopement. I was pretty sure that would ruin whatever progress she and I had made.My first real mixer contact came in the form of an unlikely source. I was shoveling dirt into a raised flower bed and sweating like crazy. It was nearing bedtime for Moroi, meaning the insolate was out in full summer glory. We at least had a pretty site while working the Courts giant church.Id spent a lot of time at the Academys chapel but had rarely visited this church since it was set off the beaten track(predicate) from the main buildings of the Court. It was Russian Orthodoxthe predominant Moroi worshipand reminded me a lot of some of the cathedrals Id seen while actually in Russia, though not nearly as big. It was made of beautiful red s tonework, its towers stand out with green-tiled domes, which were in turn topped with golden crosses.Two gardens marked the far boundaries of the churchs extensive grounds, one of which we were working on. Near us was one of the Courts most remarkable sites a giant statue of some ancient Moroi queen that was more or less ten times my height. A matching statue of a king stood on the opposite side of the grounds. I could never remember their names but was pretty sure wed gone over them in one of my storey classes. Theyd been visionaries, changing the Moroi world of their time.A figure appeared in my periphery, and I expect it was Hans coming to give us another awful chore. Looking up, I was astonished to see it was Christian.Figures, I said. You write out youll get in trouble if someone sees you talking to me.Christian shrugged and sat on the edge of a partially completed stone wall. Doubt it. Youre the one wholl get into trouble, and I really dont think things can get any worse for you.True, I grunted.He sat there in silence for several moments, reflexion me shovel pile after pile of dirt. Finally, he asked, Okay. So how and why did you do it?Do what?You get along exactly what. Your little adventure.We got on a plane and flew to Las Vegas. Why? Hmm. Lets think. I paused to wipe sweat off my forehead. Because where else are we going to find pirate-themed hotels and bartenders who dont card very much?Christian scoffed. move up, dont son of a bitch me. You did not go to Las Vegas.Weve got plane tickets and hotel receipts to prove it, not to mention people who saw the Dragomir princess hit it big on slot machines.My direction was on my work, but I suspected Christian was shaking his head in exasperation. As soon as I heard cardinal people had broken Victor Dashkov out of prison, I knew it had to be you. terce of you gone? No question.Not far away, I saw Eddie fasten and glance around uneasily. I did the same. I might have been dire for social contact, but not at the risk of dangerous parties overhearing us. Our crimes get out would make garden labor seem like a vacation. We were alone, but I still pitched my voice low and act an honest face.I heard they were humans hired by Victor. That was insofar another theory running wild, as was this one Actually, I think he turned Strigoi.Right, Christian said snidely. He knew me too well to believe me. And I also heard one of the guardians has no memory of what made him attack his friends. He swears he was under the control of someone. Anyone who had that kind of compulsion could probably make others see humans, mimes, kangaroos.I refused to look at him and slammed the shovel hard into the ground. I bit my lip on any angry retort.She did it because she thinks Strigoi can be restored to their original form.My head shot up, and I stared at Eddie in disbelief, astonished hed spoken. What are you doing?Telling the truth, replied Eddie, never tenia his work. Hes our friend. You think hes g oing to report us?No, rebel Christian Ozera was not going to report us. But that didnt mean I wanted this out. Its a fact of life The more people who know a secret, the more likely it is to leak.Unsurprisingly, Christians reaction was not all that different from everyone elses. What? Thats impossible. Everyone knows that.Not match to Victor Dashkovs brother, said Eddie.Will you stop it? I exclaimed.You can give tongue to him or I will.I sighed. Christians pale blue eyes were sodding(a) at us, wide and shocked. Like most of my friends, he rolled with crazy ideas, but this was pushing the crazy line.I thought Victor Dashkov was an only child, Christian said.I shook my head. Nope. His dad had an affair, so Victors got an illegitimate half-brother. Robert. And hes a emotional state user.Only you, said Christian. Only you would find something like this.I ignored what appeared to be a return to his normal cynicism. Robert claims to have aged a Strigoikilled the undead part of her and b rought her back to life. Spirit has limits, Rose. You might have been brought back, but Strigoi are gone.We dont know about spirits full range, I pointed out. Half of it is still a mystery.We know about St. Vladimir. If he could restore Strigoi, dont you think a guy like him would have been doing it? I mean, if thats not miraculous, what is? Something like that would have survived in the legends, argued Christian.Maybe. Maybe not. I retied my ponytail, replaying our encounter with Robert in my mind for the 100th time. Maybe Vlad didnt know how. Its not all that easy.Yeah, agreed Eddie. This is the good part.Hey, I shot back at him. I know youre mad at me, but with Christian here, we really dont need anyone else making snide comments.I dont know, said Christian. For something like this, you actually might need both people. in a flash explain how this miracle is supposedly done.I sighed. By adding spirit to a place, along with the other four elements.Spirit charms were still a new fantasy to Christian too. Never thought of that. I guess spirit would shiver things up but I cant imagine you staking a Strigoi with a spirit-charmed pastime would be enough to bring them back.Well thats the thing. According to Robert, I cant do it. It has to be done by a spirit user.More silence. Id rendered Christian speechless yet again.At last he said, We dont know that many spirit users. Let alone any who could fight or back a Strigoi.We know two spirit users. I frowned, recalling Oksana in Siberia and Avery locked away where? A hospital? A place like Tarasov? No, four. Five, counting Robert. But yeah, none of them can really do it.It doesnt matter because it cant be done, Eddie said.We dont know that The desperation in my own voice startled me. Robert believes it. Victor even believes. I hesitated. And Lissa does too.And she wants to do it, Christian said, catching on quickly. Because she would do anything for you.She cant.Because she doesnt have the ability or because yo u wont let her?Both, I cried. Im not letting her anyplace near a Strigoi. Shes already I groaned, hating to reveal what Id discovered in our time apart through the bond. She got a hold of a stake and is trying to charm it. So far, she hasnt had much luck, thank God.If this were possible, began Christian slowly. It could change our world. If she could learn What? No Id been so eager to get Christian to believe me, and now I wished he hadnt. The one saving grace in all this was that with none of my friends thinking it was possible, none of them had given any thought to Lissa actually trying to fight a Strigoi. Lissas no warrior. No spirit user we know is, so unless we find one, Id rather I winced. Id rather Dimitri died.That finally made Eddie stop working. He threw down his shovel. Really? I never would have guessed that. Sarcasm to rival my own.I spun around and strode toward him, my fists clenched. Look, I cant take this anymore Im sorry. I dont know what else to say. I know I sc rewed up. I let Dimitri get away. I let Victor get away.You let Victor get away? asked Christian, startled.I ignored him and continued shouting at Eddie. It was a mistake. With Dimitri it was a weak moment. I failed in my training. I know I did. We both know it. But you know I didnt intend the damage I caused. If youre really my friend, you have to know it. If I could take it back I swallowed, affect to feel my eyes burning. I would. I swear I would, Eddie.His face was perfectly still. I believe you. I am your friend, and I know I know you didnt mean for things to turn out like they did.I sagged in relief, surprised at how truly worried Id been about losing his respect and friendship. Looking down, I was startled to see my fists balled up. I relaxed them, unable to believe Id been that upset. Thank you. Thank you so much.Whats all this shouting?We both turned and saw Hans object toward us. And he looked pissed off. I also noticed then that Christian had practically vanished into t hin air. Just as well.This isnt social time growled Hans. You two still have another hour left today. If youre going to get distracted, then maybe you should be separated. He beckoned to Eddie. Come on. Theres some filing with your name on it.I shot Eddie a sympathetic look as Hans led him away. Yet I was relieved it wasnt me off to do paperwork.I continued my labors, my mind spinning with the same questions Id had all week. I had meant what I said to Eddie. I wanted so badly for this dream of Dimitri being saved to be true. I wanted it more than anything only Lissa risking her life. I shouldnt have hesitated. I should have just killed Dimitri. Victor wouldnt have escaped. Lissa wouldnt have given Roberts words a second thought.Thinking of Lissa pushed me into her mind. She was in her room, doing some last-minute packing before going to bed. Tomorrow was her Lehigh visit. Unsurprisingly, my invitation to go with her had been revoked in rest of recent events. Her birthdaysomething t hat had been horribly overlooked in this messwas this weekend as well, and it didnt seem right for me to be apart from her during it. We should have been celebrating together. Her thoughts were troubled, and she was so consumed by them that a sudden knock at the door made her jump.Wondering who could be visiting her at this hour, she opened the door and gasped to see Christian standing there. It was surreal to me too. Part of me still kept thinking we were in our school dorms, where rulestheoreticallykept guys and girls out of each others rooms. But we were no longer there. We were technically adults now. He must have gone straight to her room after seeing me, I completed.It was astonishing how quickly the tension ratcheted up between them. A load down of emotions burst into Lissas chest, the usual mix of anger, grief, and confusion.What are you doing here? she demanded.The same emotions were in his face. I wanted to talk to you.Its late, she said stiffly. Besides, I seem to remem ber you dont like talking.I want to talk about what happened with Victor and Robert.That was enough to startle her out of her anger. She cast an anxious look into the hallway and then beckoned him inside. How do you know about that? she hissed, hurriedly shutting the door.I just saw Rose.How did you get to see her? I cant see her. Lissa was as scotch as me over how our superiors had been keeping us apart.Christian shrugged, careful to take hold a safe distance between them in the suites small sustentation room. Both of them had their arms crossed defensively, though I dont think they realized how they were mirroring each other. I snuck into her prison camp. Theyve got her shoveling dirt for hours.Lissa grimaced. With the way theyd kept us separated, she hadnt known much about my activities. Poor Rose.Shes managing. Like always. Christians eyes turned toward the couch and her open suitcase, where a silver stake lay on top of a silk blouse. I doubted that shirt would survive the t rip without a million wrinkles. Interesting thing to bring on a college visit.Lissa hastily shut the suitcase. Thats none of your business.Do you really believe it? he asked, ignoring her comment. He took a step forward, his eagerness apparently making him forget about wanting to keep away. Even as distracted as she was by the situation, Lissa immediately became aware of their new proximity, the way he smelled, the way the light shone on his black hair. Do you think you could bring back a Strigoi?She turned her attention back to the conversation and shook her head. I dont know. I really dont. But I feel like I feel like I have to try. If nothing else, I want to know what spirit in a stake will do. Thats faultless enough.Not according to Rose.Lissa gave him a rueful smile, realized what she was doing, and promptly dropped it. No. Rose doesnt want me going anywhere near this ideaeven though she wants it to be real.Tell me the truth. His gaze burned to her. Do you think you have any c hance of staking a Strigoi?No, she admitted. I could barely dispose a punch. But like I said, I feel like I should try. I should try to learn. To stake one, I mean.Christian pondered this for a few moments and then gestured toward the suitcase again. Youre going to Lehigh in the morning?Lissa nodded.And Rose got cut from the trip?Of course.Did the queen offer to let you bring another friend?She did, admitted Lissa. In particular, she suggested Adrian. But hes sulking and Im not really sure if Im in the mood for him.Christian seemed pleased by this. Then bring me.My light friends. I wasnt sure how much more shock any of them could cut through today.Why the hell would I bring you? she exclaimed. All her anger returned at his presumption. It was a sign of her agitation that shed sworn.Because, he said, face calm, I can teach you how to stake a Strigoi.