Last Sacrifice (6)

by Richelle Mead

  When indeed? It was almost noon, and I hadnʹt paid much attention to where weʹd stopped. How long would it take us to reach Court? From what I knew about the elections, those who passed this last test would give speeches when the Moroi day started. In theory, theyʹd then go straight to voting—except, if our plan worked, Lissaʹs involvement would slow that down for days. Provided she passed.

  ʺMidnight,ʺ I said. If I was guessing correctly, the Court would be completely wrapped up in the election drama, making it easier for Mikhail to get out. I hoped. ʺWill you tell him?ʺ

  ʺAnything for you.ʺ Adrian swept me a gallant bow. ʺAlthough, I still think itʹs dangerous for you to be involved directly with this.ʺ

  ʺI have to do this myself,ʺ I said. ʺI canʹt hide.ʺ

  He nodded, as though he understood. I wasnʹt sure he did.

  ʺThank you,ʺ I told him. ʺThank you so much for everything. Now go.ʺ

  Adrian gave me a crooked grin. ʺBoy, you donʹt waste any time kicking a guy out of bed, huh?ʺ

  I flinched, the joke hitting a little too close to home. ʺI want Mikhail to be prepared. And I also need to watch Lissaʹs last test.ʺ

  This sobered Adrian. ʺDoes she have a chance? Will she pass?ʺ

  ʺI donʹt know,ʺ I admitted. ʺThis is a tough one.ʺ

  ʺOkay. Weʹll see what we can do.ʺ He gave me a small kiss. My lips responded automatically, but my heart wasnʹt into it. ʺAnd Rose? I mean it. Be careful. Youʹre going to be awfully close to Court. Not to mention a bunch of guardians who have you on their most wanted list and will probably try to kill you.ʺ

  ʺI know,ʺ I said, choosing not to mention that there was no ʺprobablyʺ about it.

  With that, he vanished, and I woke. Strangely, what I found in my own world seemed almost more dreamlike than what Iʹd experienced with Adrian. Dimitri and I were still in bed, snuggled under the covers, our bodies and limbs still wrapped around each other. He slept with that rare peaceful look of his and almost seemed to smile. For half a second, I considered waking him and telling him we had to hit the road. A look at the clock happily squashed that thought. We still had time, plus it was getting close to the test. I had to go to Lissa and trusted Sonya would come by if we overslept.

  Sure enough, Iʹd gauged the testing correctly. Lissa was cutting across the Courtʹs lawns, marching like someone going to a funeral. The sun, flowers, and birds were lost on her. Even her company did little to cheer her up: Christian, my mom, and Tasha.

  ʺI canʹt do this,ʺ she said, staring ahead at the building that held her fate. ʺI canʹt do this test.ʺ The tattoo kept her from giving out any more information.

  ʺYouʹre smart. Brilliant.ʺ Christianʹs arm was around her waist, and in that moment, I loved him for his confidence in her. ʺYou can do it.ʺ

  ʺYou donʹt understand,ʺ she said, with a sigh. Sheʹd come up with no answers to the riddle, meaning the plan was at stake—and her desire to prove herself.

  ʺFor once he does,ʺ said Tasha, a slight teasing tone in her voice. ʺYou can do it. You have to do it. We have so much riding on it.ʺ

  Her confidence didnʹt make Lissa feel better. If anything, it added to the pressure. She would fail, just like in the Council dream the chalice had shown her. Sheʹd had no answer there either.

  ʺLissa!ʺ

  A voice brought them to a halt, and Lissa turned to see Serena running toward them, her long athletic legs quickly covering the distance between them. ʺHi Serena,ʺ said Lissa. ʺWe canʹt stop. The test—ʺ

  ʺI know, I know.ʺ Serena was flushed, not with exertion, but with anxiety. She proffered a piece of paper. ʺI made your list. As many as I could remember.ʺ

  ʺWhat list?ʺ asked Tasha.

  ʺMoroi that the queen was having trained, to see how well they could learn fighting.ʺ

  Tashaʹs eyebrows rose in surprise. She hadnʹt been around when theyʹd discussed it last time. ʺTatiana was training fighters? I never heard about anything like that.ʺ I had a feeling she would have liked to be one of the ones helping with instruction.

  ʺMost didnʹt,ʺ agreed Lissa, straightening the piece of paper. ʺIt was a big secret.ʺ

  The group crowded around to read the names, listed in Serenaʹs neat handwriting. Christian let out a low whistle. ʺTatiana might have been open to the idea of defense but only for certain people.ʺ

  ʺYes,ʺ agreed Tasha. ʺThis is definitely an A-list.ʺ

  All the names were royal. Tatiana hadnʹt brought in ʺcommonersʺ for her experiment. This was the elite of the elite, though as Ambrose had noted, Tatiana had gone out of her way to get a variety of ages and genders.

  ʺCamille Conta?ʺ asked Lissa in surprise. ʺNever saw that coming. She was always really bad in P.E.ʺ

  ʺAnd thereʹs another of our cousins,ʺ added Christian, pointing to Lia Ozera. He glanced at Tasha, who was still in disbelief. ʺDid you know that?ʺ

  ʺNo. I wouldnʹt have guessed her either.ʺ

  ʺHalf the nominees too,ʺ mused Lissa. Rufus Tarus, Ava Drozdov, and Ellis Badica. ʺToo bad they—oh my God. Adrianʹs mother?ʺ Sure enough: Daniella Ivashkov.

  ʺWhoa,ʺ said Christian. That summed up my reaction too. ʺPretty sure Adrian didnʹt know about that.ʺ

  ʺDoes she support Moroi fighting?ʺ asked my mom, surprised as well.

  Lissa shook her head. ʺNo. From what I know about her, she is definitely in favor of leaving defense to dhampirs.ʺ Neither of us could imagine beautiful and proper Daniella Ivashkov in a fight.

  ʺShe already hated Tatiana,ʺ noted Tasha. ʺIʹm sure this did lovely things for their relationship. Those two bickered all the time behind closed doors.ʺ

  An uncomfortable silence fell.

  Lissa looked at Serena. ʺDid these people see the queen a lot? Would they have had access to her?ʺ

  ʺYes,ʺ said Serena uneasily. ʺAccording to Grant, Tatiana watched every training sessions. After he died . . . she started debriefing with the students individually, to see how well theyʹd learned.ʺ She paused. ʺI think . . . I think she might have met with some the night she died.ʺ

  ʺHad they progressed enough to learn to use a stake?ʺ asked Lissa.

  Serena grimaced. ʺYes. Some better than others.ʺ

  Lissa looked back at the list, feeling ill. So much opportunity. So much motivation. Was the answer here on this piece of paper? Was the murderer right before her? Serena had said earlier that Tatiana had purposely picked people resistant to training, probably to see if the obstinate could still learn. Had she gone too far with someone? One name in particular kept scrolling across Lissaʹs mind.

  ʺI hate to interrupt,ʺ said my mother. Her tone and stance indicated sleuth time was over; it was back to business. ʺWeʹve got to move, or youʹll be late.ʺ

  Lissa realized my mom was right and shoved the piece of paper in her pocket. Being late to the test meant failure. Lissa thanked Serena, reassuring her that this had been the right thing to do. Then, my friends moved away quickly, feeling the press of time as they hurried toward the testing building.

  ʺDamn,ʺ muttered Lissa, in a rare show of swearing. ʺI donʹt think that old ladyʹll tolerate any lateness.ʺ

  ʺOld lady?ʺ My mother laughed, surprising us all. She could move faster than everyone and was obviously restraining her pace for them. ʺThe one running most of the tests? You donʹt know who she is?ʺ

  ʺHow would I?ʺ asked Lissa. ʺI figured she was just someone they recruited.ʺ

  ʺNot just someone. Thatʹs Ekaterina Zeklos.ʺ

  ʺWhat?ʺ Lissa nearly stopped but still had their time crunch in mind. ʺShe was . . . she was the queen before Tatiana, right?ʺ

  ʺI thought she retired to some island,ʺ said Christian, just as surprised.

  ʺNot sure if it was an island,ʺ said Tasha, ʺbut she did step down when she thought she was too old and went off to live in luxury—and away from politics—once Tatiana was on the throne.ʺ

  Too old? That had been twenty years ago. No wonder she seemed ancient. ʺIf she was happ
y to get out of politics, then why is she back?ʺ asked Lissa.

  My mother opened the door for all of them when they reached the building, after first peering inside for any threats. It was so instinctual for her that she continued the conversation without missing a beat. ʺBecause itʹs custom for the last monarch to test the new one—if possible. In this case, it obviously wasnʹt, so Ekaterina came out of retirement to do her duty.ʺ

  Lissa could barely believe that sheʹd been chatting casually with the Moroiʹs last queen, a very powerful and beloved queen. As soon as her group entered the hallway, Lissa was escorted by guardians and hurried toward the testing room. Their faces showed they hadnʹt thought sheʹd make it. Several spectators, also apparently worried, cheered at her appearance giving the usual shouts about Alexandra and the dragons. Lissa had no chance to respond or even say goodbye to her friends before she was practically pushed into the room. The guardians looked relieved.

  The door shut, and Lissa found herself staring once more at Ekaterina Zeklos. Seeing the old woman had been intimidating before, but now . . . Lissaʹs anxiety doubled. Ekaterina gave her a crooked smile.

  ʺI was afraid you wouldnʹt make it,ʺ she said. ʺShould have known better. You arenʹt the type to back down.ʺ

  Lissa was still starstruck and almost felt the need to ramble out an excuse, explaining about Serenaʹs list. But, no. Ekaterina didnʹt care about that right now, and one didnʹt make excuses to someone like her anyway, Lissa decided. If you screwed up, you apologized.

  ʺIʹm sorry,ʺ said Lissa.

  ʺNo need to be,ʺ said Ekaterina. ʺYou made it. Do you know the answer? What must a queen possess in order to truly rule her people?ʺ

  Lissaʹs tongue felt thick in her mouth. She didnʹt know the answer. It really was just like the Council dream. Investigating Tatianaʹs murder had taken so much time. For a strange moment, Lissaʹs heart burned with sympathy for that prickly queen. Sheʹd done what she thought best for the Moroi and had died for it. Lissa even felt bad now, staring at Ekaterina. This former queen had probably never expected to be taken away from her—island?—retirement and forced back into Court life. Yet, she had come when needed.

  And just like that, Lissa suddenly knew the answer.

  ʺNothing,ʺ she said softly. ʺA queen must possess nothing to rule because she has to give everything she has to her people. Even her life.ʺ

  The widening of Ekaterinaʹs gap-toothed grin told Lissa sheʹd answered correctly. ʺCongratulations, my dear. Youʹve made it through to tomorrowʹs vote. I hope youʹve got a speech ready to win over the Council. Youʹll have to give it in the morning.ʺ

  Lissa swayed slightly, not sure what to say now, let alone in a formal speech. Ekaterina seemed to sense how in shock Lissa was, and the smile that always seemed so mischievous turned gentle.

  ʺYouʹll be fine. You made it this far. The speech is the easy part. Your father would be proud. All the Dragomirs before you would be.ʺ

  That nearly brought tears to Lissaʹs eyes, and she shook her head. ʺI donʹt know about that. We all know Iʹm not a real candidate. This was just . . . well, kind of an act.ʺ Somehow, she didnʹt feel bad admitting that in front of Ekaterina. ʺArianaʹs the one who deserves the crown.ʺ

  Ekaterinaʹs ancient eyes bored into Lissa, and that smiled faded. ʺYou havenʹt heard then. No, of course you wouldnʹt have with how quickly this is all happening.ʺ

  ʺHeard what?ʺ

  Sympathy washed over Ekaterinaʹs face, and later, Iʹd wonder if that compassion was because of the message she delivered or because of Lissaʹs reaction.

  ʺAriana Szelsky didnʹt pass this test . . . she couldnʹt solve the riddle . . .ʺ

  ʺRose, Rose.ʺ

  Dimitri was shaking me, and it took several seconds for me to shift from being a shocked Lissa to a startled Rose.

  ʺWe have to—ʺ he began.

  ʺOh my God,ʺ I interrupted. ʺYou will not believe what I just saw.ʺ

  He went rigid. ʺIs Lissa okay?ʺ

  ʺYeah, fine, but—ʺ

  ʺThen weʹll worry about that later. Right now, we have to leave.ʺ

  I noticed then that he was fully dressed while I was still naked. ʺWhatʹs going on?ʺ

  ʺSonya came by—donʹt worry.ʺ The shock that my face must have shown made him smile. ʺI got dressed and didnʹt let her come in. But she said the front desk called. Theyʹre starting to realize we had an unusual check-in. We need to get out of here.ʺ

  Midnight. We had to meet Mikhail at midnight and get the last piece of the mystery that consumed us. ʺNo problem,ʺ I said, tossing the covers off me. As I did, I saw Dimitriʹs eyes on me, and I was kind of surprised at the admiration and hunger I saw there. Somehow, even after sex, Iʹd kind of expected him to be detached and wear his guardian face—particularly considering our sudden urgency to leave.

  ʺYou see something you like?ʺ I asked, echoing something Iʹd said to him long ago, when heʹd caught me in a compromising position at school.

  ʺLots,ʺ he said.

  The emotion burning in those eyes was too much for me. I looked away, my heart pounding in my chest as I pulled my clothes on. ʺDonʹt forget,ʺ I said softly. ʺDonʹt forget . . .ʺ I couldnʹt finish, but there was no need.

  ʺI know, Roza. I havenʹt forgotten.ʺ

  I slipped on my shoes, wishing I was weaker and would let my ultimatum slide. I couldnʹt, though. No matter what had passed between us verbally and physically, no matter how close we were to our fairy-tale ending . . . there was no future until he could forgive himself.

  Sonya and Jill were ready and waiting when we emerged from our room, and something told me Sonya knew what had happened between Dimitri and me. Damned auras. Or maybe you didnʹt need magical powers to see that kind of thing. Maybe the afterglow just naturally showed on someoneʹs face.

  ʺI need you to make a charm,ʺ I told Sonya, once we were on the road. ʺAnd we have to stop in Greenston.ʺ

  ʺGreenston?ʺ asked Dimitri. ʺWhat for?ʺ

  ʺItʹs where the Alchemists are being held.ʺ I had already started slinging the pieces together. Who hated Tatiana—both because of her personality and for having Ambrose? Who resented her wanting Moroi to fight Strigoi? Who feared her endorsing spirit and its dangerous effects on people, say, like Adrian? Who wanted to see a different family on the throne to support new beliefs? And who would be happy to have me locked away and out of the picture? I took a deep breath, scarcely believing what I was about to say.

  ʺAnd itʹs where weʹre going to find proof that Daniella Ivashkov murdered Tatiana.ʺ

  THIRTY-ONE

  I WASNʹT THE ONLY ONE who had come to that startling conclusion. When the Moroi Court woke up several hours into our road trip, Lissa was also putting all the pieces together in her room as she prepared herself to give her pre-election speech. Sheʹd thought of all the arguments I had, plus a few more—like how frantic Daniella had been that Adrian might be implicated with me, which would undoubtedly unravel a carefully laid out plan. There was also Daniellaʹs offer of having her lawyer cousin, Damon Tarus, defend me. Would that have actually helped? Or would Damon have subtly worked to weaken my defense? Abeʹs uncouth involvement might have been a blessing.

  Lissaʹs heart pounded rapidly as she twisted her hair into a chignon. She preferred it down but thought for the coming event, she should put on a more dignified look. Her dress was matte ivory silk, long-sleeved and ruched, about knee length. Some might have thought wearing that color would make her look bridal, but when I saw her in the mirror, I knew no one would make that mistake. She looked luminous. Radiant. Queenly.

  ʺIt canʹt be true,ʺ she said, completing the look with pearl earrings that had belonged to her mother. She had shared her theory with Christian and Janine, who were with her now, and had half hoped theyʹd tell her she was crazy. They hadnʹt.

  ʺIt makes sense,ʺ said Christian, with none of his usual snark.

  ʺThereʹs just no proof quite yet,ʺ my mother said, ever practical. ʺLots of
circumstantial stuff.ʺ

  ʺAunt Tashaʹs checking with Ethan to see if Daniella was there the night of the murder,ʺ said Christian. He made a slight face, still not happy about his aunt having a boyfriend. ʺDaniella wasnʹt on the official lists, but Aunt Tashaʹs worried some things might have been altered.ʺ

  ʺThat wouldnʹt surprise me. Even so, putting Daniella there at the right time builds the case but still isnʹt hard proof.ʺ My mother should have been an attorney. She and Abe could have opened a law firm together.

  ʺItʹs as much proof as theyʹve got for Rose!ʺ exclaimed Lissa.

  ʺAside from the stake,ʺ Janine reminded her. ʺAnd people are more willing to believe sketchy evidence about Rose than Lady Daniella Ivashkov.ʺ

  Lissa sighed, knowing it was all true. ʺIf only Abe could talk to the Alchemists. We need what they know.ʺ

  ʺHeʹll do it,ʺ said my mother confidently. ʺItʹll just take time.ʺ

  ʺWe donʹt have time!ʺ The dramatic turn of events was giving spirit a nice chance to raise its ugly head, and like always, I tried to pull the darkness from Lissa. Youʹd think I would have learned my lesson after Victor, but well . . . old habits died hard. They come first. ʺMarie Conta and Rufus Tarus are the only candidates left! If he wins, Daniellaʹs going to have a lot of influence. Weʹll never prove Rose is innocent then.ʺ

  Ariana failing the last test had come as a huge blow to everyone, smashing a future Lissa had thought was set in stone. Without Ariana, the outcome didnʹt look good. Marie Conta wasnʹt Lissaʹs favorite person, but Lissa felt sheʹd make a much better ruler than Rufus. Unfortunately, the Conta family had been quiet in politics in recent years, giving them fewer allies and friends. The numbers were leaning dangerously toward Rufus. It was frustrating. If we could get Jill there, Lissa could vote, and on a Council of twelve, even one vote would be powerful.

  ʺWe have time,ʺ my mom said calmly. ʺThereʹll be no vote today, not with the controversy youʹll cause. And for every day the election is delayed, we have another chance to build our case. Weʹre close. We can do it.ʺ

  ʺWe canʹt tell Adrian about this,ʺ warned Lissa, moving toward the door. It was time to go.