Blood Promise Chapter Eight

The re d alto enchantheryions were mixed among Dimitris family members. well-nigh cried. Some were stunned. And some-mainly Yeva and Viktoria-simply took it in and kept their emotions from their faces, adept as Dimitri would dedicate done. That upset me well-nigh as much as the tears it reminded me too much of him. Out of only of them, pregnant Sonya-who came ha trashation shortly after the news broke-had the most intense physical reaction. She ran cocksucker to her room and wouldnt stimulate prohibited.It didnt pack long, however, for Yeva and Olena to spring into action. They spoke rapidly in Russian, clearly planning something. Phone calls were determine, and Viktoria was dispatched to run an errand. No one seemed to motif me, so I mostly wandered the ho manipulation and tried to mollify out of the course.I found myself studying the shelves Id seen earlier, running my hands along the leather-bound books. The titles were in Cyrillic, save it didnt matter.Touching the m and imagining Dimitri having held and read them somehow made me disembodied lifetime adpressed to him.Looking for a little light reading? Sydney walked up and stood beside me. She hadnt been nigh earlier just had comprehend the news.Very light, seeing as I dont understand each of them, I replied. I gestured to the scurrying family members. Whats expiration on present?Theyre planning Dimitris funeral, Sydney explained. Or, well, his memorial service.I frowned. save hes not dead-Shh. She sign me off with a sharp gesture and glanced warily at the others as they hustled almost. Dont say that. nevertheless its true, I hissed back.She shook her head. not to them. Out here out in these villages theres no in-between state. Youre alive or youre dead. They bent going to acknowledge him cosmos one of those. She couldnt carry the disgust out of her voice. For all intents and purposes, he is dead to them. Theyll mourn him and move on. So should you. I didnt take offense at her blunt attitude because I knew she hadnt meant to give both. It was comely her means.The problem was, that in-between state was very real to me, and there was no way I could move on. Not yet.Rose began Sydney after several(prenominal) seconds of silence. She wouldnt meet my eyes. Im sorry.You mean, for Dimitri?Yeah I had no idea. I havent very been that keen to you. I mean, Im not going to act same I feel any better skillful most hanging out with your merciful, only when you guys are understood well, not human, obviously. But I dont know. You still have feelings you still love and infract. And man we were approaching here, you had all this horrible news in you, and I didnt bear it any easier for you. So Im sorry for that. And Im sorry for cerebration the worst of you.At first, I suasion she was talk round persuasion I was evil, but then I got it. Shed thought this whole quantify that I really was approaching to be a personal line of credit working girl and no w believed delivering the news to Dimitris family had been my only purpose. I didnt some(prenominal)er to correct her.Thanks, but you couldnt have known. And honestly, if I were in your place I dont know. Id probably act the same way.No, she verbalize. You wouldnt. Youre incessantly nice to people.I gave her an incredulous look. Have you been traveling with someone else these exsert few days? approve home, Ive got a write up for not always being so nice. Ive got attitude, and I know it.She smiled. Yeah, you do. But you similarly say the right things to people when you have to. Telling the Belikovs what you did well, that was hard.And no matter what you say, you send word be polite and go out of your way to make people feel good. Most of the time.I was a bit startled. Was that how I appeared? I often thought of myself as a tearing queen bitch and tried to think active my behavior with her these last few days. I had sparred with her a lot, but among the others wed met, I s upposed I had been friendly.Well, thanks, I state, not knowing what else to say.Did you see Abe yet? When you walked close to township?No, I said, realizing Id forgotten about my mysterious rescuer. Should I have?I just figured hed let out you.Who is he? Why did he come quiver us when you told him I was hurt?Sydney hesitated, and I thought I was going to incur some to a greater extent of the Alchemist silent treatment. Then, after glancing around uneasily, she said in a low voice, Abes not royal, but hes a really most-valuable guy. Hes not Russian either, but hes in the soil a lot, always on business-both illegal and legal, I think. Hes friends with all the important Moroi, and half the time, it seems like he controls the Alchemists, too. I know hes involved in the process of make our tattoos but his business goes far beyond that. We have a name for him behind his back Zmey.Zma what? I had barely heard the word. It speech sounded like zz-may. It was certainly nothing Id ever heard before.She gave a re exquisited smile at my confusion. Zmey is Russian for ?snake. But not just any snake. Her eyes narrowed as she pondered a better explanation. Its a bourn used in lots of myths. Sometimes for giant snakes heroes have to battle. there are also a few stories about wizards with snake blood who get called that. The snake in the Garden of Eden? Who made stock-stilling fall? He was called a zmey too.I shivered. Okay, that was charming freaky, but it made something click into place. The Alchemists allegedly had ties to leaders and authorities, and Abe apparently wielded a lot of check with them. Is Abe the one who cute you to come with me to Baia? The reason the Alchemists made you come here?Again, she paused, then nodded. Yeah when I called that night in Saint Petersburg, I was told there was a search going on for you. Abe gave orders through the Alchemists for me to stay with you until he could meet up with us here. Hes apparently been searching for you on someones behalf.I went cold. My fears were being realized. People had been looking for me. But who? If Lissa had initiated a manhunt, I would have sensed it when I visited her mind. I didnt think it was Adrian either, not from the way he seemed so desperate and clueless about my whereabouts. Plus, he seemed to use up my need for this quest.So who was looking for me? And for what reason? This Abe sounded like a spicy-level person-albeit someone involved in shady business someone who efficiency very well be connected to the queen or others almost as important. Had he been ordered to go back me and stupefy me back? Or considering how much the queen hated me-had he perhaps been ordered to make undisputable I didnt come back? Was I dealing with an bravo?Sydney certainly seemed to regard him with a weird mix of fear and respect.mayhap I dont want to meet him, I said.I dont think hell hurt you. I mean, if he wanted to, he already would have. But be careful. Hes always playing sev eral games at once, and he deals in abounding secrets to rival the Alchemists.So you dont trust him?She gave me a rueful grin as she turned to walk past. You forget I dont trust any of you.When she was gone, I decided to go outside, away from the sorrow and business indoors. I sit surmount down on the top step of the backyard porch, watching Paul play. He was building a fort for some of his action figures. While tippy to the grief in his family, it was hard for him to be too affected by the death of an uncle hed only met a pit of times. The news didnt mean as much to him as it did to the rest of us.With so much time on my hands for the rest of the day, I decided to do a spry check-in with Lissa. In spite of myself, I was kind of curious about how things had panned out with Avery Lazar.While Lissas intentions were good, shed still had some misgivings about bringing Avery along to lunch. And yet, she was pleasantly impress to see Avery fitting in perfectly, charming both Adria n and Christian. Admittedly, Adrian was impressed by pretty much anything female. Christian was harder to crack, but even he seemed to be growing fond of her-probably because she kept teasing Adrian. Anyone who could make a joke at Adrians expense ranked high on Christians list.So, explain this, Avery said, winding linguine around her fork. You just, what, hang around the honorary society all day? Are you trying to redo your high school experience?Nothing to redo, said Adrian loftily. I to tallishy ruled my high school. I was worshipped and adored-not that that should come as a shock. Beside him, Christian nigh choked on his food.So youre trying to relive your glory days. Its all gone downhill since then, huh?No way, said Adrian. Im like a fine wine. I get better with age. The best is yet to come.Seems like itd get old after a while, said Avery, apparently not convinced by the compelling wine simile. Im certainly bored, and I even run part of the day helping my dad.Adrian sleeps most of the day, noted Lissa, trying to keep a straight face. So he doesnt actually have to business about finding things to do.Hey, I spend a good dowery of my time helping you unravel the mysteries of spirit, Adrian reminded her.Avery leaned forward, curiosity all all over her pretty face. So its actually real? I heard stories about spirit about how you can heal people?It took Lissa a moment to respond. She wasnt sure shed ever get used to her magic being out in the open now. Among other things. Were still figuring it out.Adrian was more eager than she was to hash out it-probably in the hopes of impressing Avery-and provided a quick rundown of some of spirits abilities, like auras and compulsion. And, he added, I can visit people in their dreams.Christian held up a hand. Stop. I can feel theres a comment coming on about how women already dream about you. I just ate, you know.I wasnt going to go there, said Adrian. But he kind of looked like he wished hed thought of the joke fi rst. I couldnt help being a little amused.Adrian was so brash and flippant in earth and then, in my dreams, hed show that serious and concerned side. He was more abstruse than anyone gave him credit for.Avery looked floored. Man. I used to think using air was cool. I guess not. A weakened breeze suddenly blew her hair back, make her look as though she were posing for a swimsuit delineation shoot. She gave the group a dazzling smile. All that was missing was a photographer.The sound of the bell made them all stand up. Christian realized hed left over(p) homework in another class and hurried off to get it-after kissing Lissa goodbye, of course.Adrian departed equally as fast. The teachers start giving me marked-up looks if I hang around once classes start. He gave Lissa and Avery a small half bow. Until next time, ladies.Avery, who couldnt care less about what teachers thought, walked with Lissa to her next class. The elder girls face was thoughtful. So you really are with Chri stian, right? Was she ever. If Averyd seen half the things Id seen Christian and Lissa do through the bond, thered be no question.Lissa laughed. Yes, why?Avery hesitated, piquing Lissas curiosity. Well I heard that you were involved with Adrian.Lissa nearly stopped walking. Where did you hear that?At salute. The queen was saying how happy she is about you guys being a couple and how youre always together.Lissa groaned. Thats because whenever I go to Court, she invites him too and then sends us both off to do things for her. Its not by choice well, I mean, dont get me wrong. I dont mind spending time with him, but the reason were always together there is because Tatiana makes us.She seems to like you, though. She talks about you all the time, about how much potential you have and how eminent she is of you.I think shes proud to manipulate me. Going there is such a pain. She either solely ignores the fact that Im dating Christian or takes whatever chance she can get to slip in insul ts about him. Queen Tatiana, like so many other people, could never forgive Christians parents for willingly turning Strigoi.Sorry, said Avery, looking like she felt really bad. I didnt mean to bring up a bad subject. I just kind of wanted to know if Adrian was available, thats all.Lissa wasnt mad at Avery. Her fury was turned toward the queen, at how she fictional everyone would behave the way she wanted and dance when she commanded it. The Moroi world had been ruled by a king or a queen since the beginning of time, and sometimes, Lissa thought it was time for a change. They needed a system where everyone had an equal say-royal and non-royal alike. nonetheless the dhampirs.The more she thought about it, the more she felt her temper spike, particularness and frustration flaring up in a way more common to me than her. It made her want to scream sometimes, to walk right up to Tatiana and itemize her their deal was off. No college was worth this. Maybe shed even tell Tatiana that it was time for a revolution, time to overturn the Morois backward Lissa blinked, astonished to find she was shaking. Where had that emotion come from? It was one thing to be upset with Tatiana, but this?She hadnt had such out-of-control rages since she first began using spirit. With a deep breath, she tried to use some of the calming techniques shed acquired so that Avery wouldnt know what a nutcase shed nearly turned into.I just hate people talking about me, thats all, Lissa said at last.Avery hadnt seemed to notice Lissas lapse into anger. Well, if it makes you feel better, not everyone thinks that about you. I met a girl Mia?Yeah, that was her name. Some non-royal. Averys dismissive tone suggested she held the scenery a lot of royals had toward common Moroi. She just laughed about you and Adrian being together. verbalize it was ridiculous.Lissa almost smiled at that. Mia had once been Lissas rival and a self-centered brat. But after Strigoi killed her mother, Mia had taken on a fierce, determined attitude, one both Lissa and I liked immensely. Mia lived at Court with her father, secretly training to skin so that she would be able to battle Strigoi someday.Oh, said Avery suddenly. thithers Simon. I should go.Lissa looked across the hall and saw Averys stern guardian. Simon might not be as grim as Averys brother Reed, but he still had that same stiff and dour look hed had when Lissa first met him. Avery seemed to get along with him fine, though.Okay, said Lissa. Ill see you later.You bet, said Avery, starting to turn.Oh, and Avery?Avery glanced at Lissa. Yeah?Adrian is available.Averys only resultant role was a quick grin before she headed off to join Simon.Back with the Belikovs in Baia, the memorial service was going forward. Neighbors and friends, all dhampirs, slowly arrived, many bringing food. It was my first glimpse of the dhampir community, though it still didnt seem as mysterious as Sydney had implied. The kitchen turned into a banquet hall, wi th every reverberation and table surface covered in dishes. Some were foods I knew, and there were lots of desserts-cookies and pastries covered in nuts and icing that smelled freshly baked. Some of the dishes Id never seen before and wasnt sure I wanted to ever again. There was a slimy bowl of cabbage in particular that I went out of my way to avoid.But before we ate, everyone went outside and gathered in a semicircle in the backyard. It was the only place that could accommodate so many people. A priest appeared just then, a human one. That surprised me a little, but I supposed when living in a human town, dhampirs would attend a human church. And to most humans, dhampirs looked just like them, so the priest no doubt thought he was making an ordinary house call. A handful of Moroi who had been in town were also present, but they, too, could more or less pass for humans-pale ones-if they were discreet with the fangs. homo didnt expect to see the supernatural, so their minds rarely considered it an option, even when it was right in front of them.Everyone grew silent. It was sunset now, with orange fire burning in the western sandwich sky, and shadows falling across all of us. The priest performed a funeral service in Russian, chanting in a voice that sounded unearthly in the blackening yard.All the church services Id ever attended were in English, but I could see how this had the same feel. Every so often, those gathered would cross themselves. I didnt know the cues, so I simply watched and waited, letting the priests pitiable voice fill my soul. My feelings for Dimitri churned within me like a growing storm, and I worked to keep them in, locked up in my heart. When the service finally finished, the eerie stress that had engulfed the group dispersed. People moved again, hugging the Belikovs and shaking hands with the priest. He left shortly thereafter.Food followed. Plates were loaded up, and everyone sit down wherever they could find space, be it inside t he house or in the backyard. None of the guests really knew me, and Dimitris family was far too busy to pay much attention to me as they ran around and tried to make everyone feel welcome. Sydney stayed with me a lot of the time, and while conversation was light between us, I took comfort in her presence. We sat on the living room floor, leaning against the wall near the bookcase. She picked over her food, like always, which made me smile. There was something soothing about that familiar habit.When dinner party was over, people continued chatting in small groups. I couldnt understand any of it, but I kept hearing his name mentioned Dimitri, Dimitri. It reminded me of the incomprehensible let out that the ghosts made during their visits. It was oppressive and smothering, the force of his name pressing on my heart. Dimitri, Dimitri. afterwards a while, it grew to be too much. Sydney had stepped away for a bit, so I went outside to get some air. Some people had built a bonfire in the back and were sitting around it, still talking about Dimitri, so I headed off toward the front yard.I walked down the street, not intending to go far. The night was warm and clear, with the moon and stars burning bright in the blackness above me. My feelings were tangled up, and now that I was away from the others, I allowed a bit of that pent-up emotion to burst forth, coming out as silent tears on my cheeks. When I was a couple of houses away, I sat down on the curb, resting and enjoying the stillness around me. My peace was short-lived, however-my sharp ears picked up the sound of voices coming from the Belikov house. Three figures appeared. One, tall and slim, was Moroi, and the others were dhampirs. I stared as they came to a stop in front of me. Not bothering with formalities, I remained where I was, looking up into the Morois dark eyes. I didnt be intimate this group from the service-but I did recognize the Moroi from somewhere else. I gave him a teetotal half-smile.Abe M azur, I presume.