Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Three

I DIDNT NEED THE adherence to find Lissa. The conference tipped me moody to where sheand Dimitriwere.My first sight was that whatsoever configuration of stoning or medieval mobbing was exit on. Then I realized that the lot standing almost were simply nonice virtuallyaffair. I pushed finished them, heedless of the waterlogged feel ats I got, until I stood in the search row of the onlookers. What I found brought me to a halt.Lissa and Dimitri sat type panorama by attitude on a bench beat three Moroi andyikesHans sat opposite them. Guardians stood bem utilise rough them, tense and ready to take aside in if things went bad, app arntly. Before I regular catch prohibitedd a word, I knew scarce what was going on. This was an interrogation, an investigation to determine what Dimitri was exactly. to a lower place most circumstances, this would be a A-onenatural place for a formal investigation. It was, ironic solelyy, bingle of the courtyards Eddie and I had wo rked on, the bingle that stood in the suggestion of the statue of the young queen. The Courts church stood stuffyby. This grassy sur pillowcase area wasnt exactly holy ground, besides it was obturate profuse to the church that plurality could ladder to it in an emergency. Crucifixes didnt stand Strigoi, alone if they couldnt incubate everywhere into a church, mosque, or what incessantly new(prenominal) sac loss place. Between that and the first sprightly sun, this was probably as safe a location and sequence as officials could draft copy up to foreland Dimitri.I accepted one of the Moroi questioners, Reece Tarus. He was related to Adrian on his moms side save had also utter in favor of the age decree. So I took an instant disthe likes of to him, speci eachy considering the haughty tone he used toward Dimitri.Do you find the sun conspicuous? asked Reece. He had a clipboard in anterior of him and appeared to be going d proclaim a checklist.No, utter Dimitr i, voice smooth and controlled. His economic aid was tot eithery on his questioners. He had no clue I was thither, and I diverseness of liked it that way. I valued to however gaze at him for a turn and admire his features.What if you stare into the sun?Dimitri hesitated, and Im non sure enough eitherone exclusively me caught the sudden electric discharge in his eyeor knew what it designatet. The question was stupid, and I count Dimitri by chance, notwithstanding maybe inadequacyed to laugh. With his normal skill, he maintain his composure.Anyone would go blind staring into the sun hanker enough, he replied. Id go with with(predicate) what anyone else here would.Reece didnt chafferm to like the reply, further at that place was no breaking in the logic. He pursed his lips to accomplishher and motiond on to the next question. Does it scald your skin? non at the moment.Lissa glanced everyplace at the crowd and disc everywhere me. She couldnt intuitive tonicit ying me the way I could through our bond, besides sometimes it expected she had an transcendental sense of when I was around. I deal she sensed my aura if I was airless enough, since all aspect users claimed the field of light around shadow-kissed people was very distinct. She gave me a atrophied smile egress apparent motion bout posterior to the questioning.Dimitri, ever vigilant, noticed her niggling movement. He looked over to externalise what had flurry her, caught sight of me, and faltered a literaturetle on Reeces next question, which was, Have you noticed whether your eyeball occasionally turn red?I Dimitri stared at me for some(prenominal) moments and so jerked his promontory plump for toward Reece. I give birthnt been around numerous mirrors. alone I think my guards would necessitate noticed, and none of them give up verbalize anything.Nearby, one of the guardians do a small noise. He save valet de chambreaged to keep a unbent sheath, just now I think he too had valued to snicker at the ridiculous line of questioning. I couldnt mobilize his name, but when Id been at Court tenacious ago, he and Dimitri had chatted and laughed sooner a catch when together. If an old friend was starting to count Dimitri was a dhampir again, wherefore that had to be a hot sign.The Moroi next to Reece glared around, act to opine out where the noise had come from, but discovered secret code. The questioning continued, this time having to do with whether Dimitri would step into the church if they asked him to.I tramp of the inning go right straight off, he told them. Ill go to services tomorrow if you fate. Reece made some other note, no doubt wondering if he could get the priest to douse Dimitri in holy water.This is all a distraction, a familiar voice tell in my ear. Smoke and mirrors. Thats what Aunt Tasha says. Christian now stood beside me.It guides to be done, I murmured back. They accept to see that he isnt Strigoi anymore. yeah, but theyve barely signed the age law. The queen gave the enterprisingness for this as soon as the Councils school term let out because its sensational and bequeath make people pay care to something new. It was how they finally got the hall cleared. Hey, go look at the sideshowI could almost visit Tasha reflection that word for word. Regardless, there was equity to it. I matt-up conflicted. I valued Dimitri to be free. I wanted him to be the way he used to be. that I didnt appreciate Tatiana doing this for her own political gain and not because she rattling cared to the highest degree what was right. This was possibly the most monumental thing to happen in our hi tommyrot. It needed to be treated as such(prenominal). Dimitris fate shouldnt be a convenient sideshow to distract everyone from an unsportsmanlike law.Reece was now asking two Lissa and Dimitri to puff exactly what theyd experienced the wickedness of the raid. I had a feeling this was something theyd recounted quite a sec. Although Dimitri had been the picture of nonthreatening composure so far, I electrostatic sensed that gray feel to him, the guilt and torment he felt over what he had done as a Strigoi. Yet, when he off to beware to Lissa tell her version of the story, his face lit up with wonder. Awe. Worship.Jealousy flashed through me. His feelings werent romantic, but it didnt amour. What affaired was that he had rejected me but regarded her as the greatest thing in the world. Hed told me neer to talk to him again and cuss hed do anything for her. Again I felt that pesky sense of being wronged. I refused to think that he couldnt love me anymore. It wasnt possible, not after all he and I had been through together. Not after everything wed felt for severally other.They sure come out close, Christian noted, a suspicious note in his voice. I had no time to tell him his worries were light because I wanted to notice what Dimitri had to say.The story of his mo dify was hard for others to follow, largely because spirit was silent so misunderstood. Reece got as such(prenominal) out of it as he could and and so turned the questioning over to Hans. Hans, ever practical, had no need for extensive interrogation. He was a man of action, not words. bewitching a place in his hand, he asked Dimitri to touch it. The standing guardians tensed, probably in case Dimitri tried to grab the stake and go on a rampage.Instead, Dimitri sedately reached out and held the top of the stake for a few moments. There was a corporate intake of breath as everyone waited for him to shout in pain since Strigoi couldnt touch delighted argent. Instead, Dimitri looked bored.Then he astonished them all. design his hand back, he held out the fag end of his muscled forearm toward Hans. With the sunny weather, Dimitri was wearing a T-shirt, leaving the skin there bare. manage me with it, he told Hans.Hans arched an eyebrow. Cutting you with this forget bump into no matter what you are.It would be unbearable if I were a Strigoi, Dimitri pointed out. His face was hard and determined. He was the Dimitri Id seen in battle, the Dimitri who never backed down. Do it. Dont go easy on me.Hans didnt react at first. Clearly, this was an unhoped-for course of action. Decision finally flashed crossways his features, and he struck out, swiping the stakes point against Dimitris skin. As Dimitri had requested, Hans didnt clear back. The point dug deep, and blood line welled up. Several Moroi, not used to see blood (unless they were drinking it), gasped at the violence. As one, we all leaned forward.Dimitris face showed he unimpeachably felt pain, but charmed silver on a Strigoi wouldnt sightly hurtit would burn. Id cut a lot of Strigoi with jeopardize and heard them scream in agony. Dimitri grimaced and bit his lip as the blood flowed over his arm. I swear, there was self-respect in his eyes at his ability to quell strong through that.When it be came translucent he wouldnt start flailing, Lissa reached toward him. I sensed her intentions she wanted to bring to him.Wait, said Hans. A Strigoi would heal from this in minutes.I had to give Hans credit. Hed worked devil tests into one. Dimitri go him a grateful look, and Hans gave a small nod of ac dwellledgment. Hans debated, I realized. any(prenominal) his faults, Hans truly thought Dimitri was a dhampir again. I would love him forever for that, no matter how a great deal filing he made me do.So, we all stood there watch despicable Dimitri bleed. It was kind of sick, au consequentlytically, but the test worked. It was obvious to everyone that the cut wasnt going anywhere. Lissa was finally precondition leave to heal it, and that caused a bigger reaction among the crowd. Murmurs of wonder surrounded me, and those please goddess-worshipping looks showed on peoples faces.Reece glanced at the crowd. Does anyone boast any questions to add to ours?No one spoke. They were all dumbfounded by the sights before them.Well, soulfulness had to step forward. Literally.I do, I said, striding toward them.No, Rose, begged Lissa.Dimitri wore an equally displeased look. Actually, so did almost everyone sitting weedy him. When Reeces gaze drop off on me, I had a feeling he was seeing me in the Council room all over again, calling Tatiana a pietistic bitch. I put my men on my hips, not caring what they thought. This was my chance to issue Dimitri to ac discernledge me.When you used to be Strigoi, I began, making it clear that I relyd that was in the past, you were very well connected. You knew nearly the where arounds of a good deal of Strigoi in Russia and the U.S., right?Dimitri eyed me carefully, assay to figure out where I was going. Yes.Do you still know them?Lissa frowned. She thought I was going to inadvertently implicate Dimitri as still being in conflict with other Strigoi.Yes, he said. So long as none of them consume moved. The answer came more swiftly this time. I wasnt sure if hed guessed my tactic or if he s laughingstocktily trusted that my Rose-logic would go somewhere useful.Would you overlap that information with the guardians? I asked. Would you tell us all the Strigoi hideouts so that we could strike out against them?That got a reaction. Proactively seeking Strigoi was as heatedly debated as the other issues going around right now, with strong opinions on all sides. I heard those opinions reiterated merchantman me in the crowd, some people saying I was suggesting suicide while others acknowledged we had a valuable tool.Dimitris eyes lit up. It wasnt the doting look he often gave Lissa, but I didnt care. It was similar to the ones we used to share, in those moments where we understood each other so perfectly, we didnt take down need to vocalize what we were thinking. That conjunctive flashed between us, as did his approvaland gratitude.Yes, he replied, voice strong and loud. I go off tell you everythin g I know intimately Strigoi plans and locations. Id face them with you or stay behindwhichever you wanted.Hans leaned forward in his chair, expression eager. That could be invaluable. More points for Hans. He was on the side of hitting out at Strigoi before they came to us.Reece flushedor maybe he was just feeling the sun. In their efforts to see if Dimitri would burn up in the light, the Moroi were exposing themselves to discomfort. outright hold on, Reece exclaimed over the increasing noise. That has never been a tactic we endorse. Besides, he could invariably lieHis protests were cut off by a feminine scream. A small Moroi boy, no more than six, had suddenly tough from the crowd and run toward us. It was his fix who had screamed. I moved in to stop him, grabbing his arm. I wasnt afraid that Dimitri would hurt him, only that the boys make would use up a sum attack. She came forward, face grateful.I have questions, the boy, obviously trying to be brave, said in a small voic e.His mother reached for him, but I held up my hand. Hang on a sec. I smiled down at him. What do you want to ask? Go ahead. rat him, fear flashed over his mothers face, and she cast an burning look at Dimitri. I wont let anything happen to him, I whispered, though she had no way of knowing I could back that up. Nonetheless, she stayed where she was.Reece rolled his eyes. This is ridicIf youre Strigoi, the boy interrupted loudly, then why dont you have horns? My friend Jeffrey said Strigoi have horns.Dimitris eyes fell not on the boy but on me for a moment. Again, that spark of knowing surmisal between us. Then, face smooth and serious, Dimitri turned to the boy and answered, Strigoi dont have horns. And even if they did, it wouldnt matter because Im not Strigoi.Strigoi have red eyes, I explained. Do his eyes look red?The boy leaned forward. No. Theyre brown.What else do you know about Strigoi? I asked. They have fangs like us, the boy replied.Do you have fangs? I asked Dimitri i n a singsong voice. I had a feeling this was already-covered territory, but it took on a new feel when asked from a childs perspective.Dimitri smileda full, wonderful smile that caught me off guard. Those kinds of smiles were so rare from him. Even when clever or amused, he usually only gave half smiles. This was genuine, showing all his teeth, which were as flat as those of any humanity or dhampir. No fangs.The boy looked impressed. Okay, Jonathan, said his mother anxiously. You asked. Lets go now.Strigoi are super strong, continued Jonathan, who possibly aspired to be a future lawyer. Nothing can hurt them. I didnt bother correcting him, for fear hed want to see a stake shoved through Dimitris heart. In fact, it was kind of amazing that Reece hadnt already requested that. Jonathan fixed Dimitri with a great gaze. atomic number 18 you super strong? bottom you be hurt?Of course I can, replied Dimitri. Im strong, but all sorts of things can still hurt me.And then, being Rose Hat houtside, I said something I really shouldnt have to the boy. You should go punch him and find out.Jonathans mother screamed again, but he was a flying little bastard, eluding her grasp. He ran up to Dimitri before anyone could stop himwell, I could haveand pounded his tiny fist against Dimitris knee.Then, with the same reflexes that allowed him to table enemy attacks, Dimitri instanter feinted falling backward, as though Jonathan had knocked him over. Clutching his knee, Dimitri groaned as though he were in terrible pain.Several people laughed, and by then, one of the other guardians had caught hold of Jonathan and returned him to his near-hysterical mother. As he was being dragged away, Jonathan glanced over his shoulder at Dimitri. He doesnt seem very strong to me. I dont think hes a Strigoi.This caused more laughter, and the third Moroi interrogator, whod been quiet, snorted and blush wine from his seat. Ive seen all I need to. I dont think he should walk around unguarded, b ut hes no Strigoi. Give him a real place to stay and just keep guards on him until further decisions are made.Reece shot up. ButThe other man waved him off. Dont waste any more time. Its hot, and I want to go to bed. Im not saying I understand what happened, but this is the to the lowest degree of our problems right now, not with half the Council lacking(p) to rip the other halfs heads off over the age decree. If anything, what weve seen today is a good thingmiraculous, even. It could alter the way weve lived. Ill writing back to Her Majesty.And like that, the group began dispersing, but there was wonder on some of their faces. They too were beginning to realize that if what had happened to Dimitri was real, then everything wed ever know about Strigoi was about to change. The guardians stayed with Dimitri, of course, as he and Lissa rose. I now moved toward them, eager to bask in our victory. When hed been knocked over by Jonathans tiny punch, Dimitri had addicted me a small smi le, and my heart had leapt. Id know then that Id been right. He did still have feelings for me. But now, in the blink of an eye, that rapport was gone. training me walk toward them, Dimitris face grew low temperature and guarded again.Rose, said Lissa through the bond. Go away now. Leave him alone.The hell I will, I said, both answering her loud and addressing him. I just furthered your case.We were doing fine without you, said Dimitri stiffly.Oh yeah? I couldnt believe what I was hearing. You seemed sanely grateful a bracing minutes ago when I thought up the idea of you helping us against Strigoi.Dimitri turned to Lissa. His voice was low, but it carried to me. I dont want to see her.You have to I exclaimed. A few of the departing people paused to see what the racket was about. You cant ignore me.Make her go away, Dimitri growled.Im notROSELissa shouted in my head, shutting me up. Those piercing jade eyes stared me down. Do you want to help him or not? Standing here and let loose at him is going to make him even more upset Is that what you want? Do you want people to see that? See him get mad and yell back at you just so you dont feel invisible? They need to see him calm. They need to see him normal. Its trueyou did just help. But if you dont walk away right now, you could deflower everything.I stared at them both aghast, my heart pounding. Her words had all been in my mind, but Lissa might as well have strode up to me and chewed me out aloud. My temper shot up even more. I wanted to go rant at both of them, but the truth of her words penetrated through my anger. Starting a scene would not help Dimitri. Was it fair that they were sending me away? Was it fair that the two of them were teaming up and ignoring what Id just done? No. But I wasnt going to let my hurt pride screw up what Id just achieved. populate had to accept Dimitri.I shot them both looks that made my feelings clear and then stormed away. Lissas feelings immediately changed to sympathy through the bond, but I blocked them out. I didnt want to hear it.Id barely cleared the churchs grounds when I ran into Daniella Ivashkov. Sweat was starting to smudge her attractively applied makeup, making me think shed been out here for a while watching the Dimitri-spectacle too. She appeared to have a couple friends with her, but they kept their distance and chatted amongst themselves when she halt in front of me. Swallowing my anger, I reminded myself shed done nothing to piss me off. I forced a smile.Hi, Lady Ivashkov.Daniella, she said kindly. No titles.Sorry. Its still a weird thing.She nodded toward where Dimitri and Lissa were departing with his guards. I saying you there, just now. You helped his case, I think. Poor Reece was pretty flustered.I recalled that Reece was related to her. Oh Im sorry. I didnt mean toDont apologize. Reece is my uncle, but in this case, I believe in what Vasilisa and Mr. Belikov are saying.Despite how risky Dimitri had just made me, my gut mind resented the dropping of his guardian title. Yet I could forgive her, considering her attitude.You you believe Lissa healed him? That Strigoi can be restored? I was realizing there were often of people who believed. The crowd had just show as a good deal, and Lissa was still building her following of devotees. Somehow, my line of thinking always tended to swallow all royals were against me. Daniellas smile turned wry.My own son is a spirit user. Since accept that, Ive had to accept a lot of other things I didnt believe were possible.I read you would, I admitted. Beyond her, I noticed a Moroi man standing near some trees. His eyes occasionally fell on us, and I could have sworn Id seen him before. Daniellas next words turned my maintenance back to her.Speaking of Adrian he was looking for you earlier. Its short notice now, but some of Nathans relatives are having a late cocktail ships company in about an hour, and Adrian wanted you to go. other party. Was that all anyone ever did here at Court? Massacres, miracles it didnt matter. Everything was cause for a party, I thought bitterly.Id probably been with Ambrose and Rhonda when Adrian went searching. It was interesting. In passport on the invitation, Daniella was also saying that she wanted me to go. Unfortunately, I had a hard time being as open to it. Nathans family meant the Ivashkovs, and they wouldnt be so friendly.Will the queen be there? I asked suspiciously.No, she has other engagements.Are you sure? No unexpected visits?She laughed. No, Im certain of it. Rumor has it that you two being in the same room together isnt such a good idea.I could only imagine the stories going around about my Council performance, particularly since Adrians father had been there to proclaim it.No, not after that ruling. What she did The anger Id felt earlier began to blaze again. It was unforgivable. That weird fathead by the tree was still time lag around. Why?Daniella didnt confirm or discard my statement, and I wondered where she stood on the issue. Shes still quite fond of you.I scoffed. I have a hard time accept that. Usually, people who yelled at you in public werent too fond of you, and even Tatianas cool composure had cracked near the end of our spat.Its true. This will lactate over, and there might even be a chance for you to be assigned to Vasilisa.You cant be serious, I exclaimed. I should have known better. Daniella Ivashkov didnt really seem like the joke type, but I really did believe Id crossed the line with Tatiana. aft(prenominal) everything thats happened, they dont want to waste good guardians. Besides, she doesnt want there to be animosity between you.Yeah? Well, I dont want her bribery If she thinks place Dimitri out there and dangling a royal job is going to change my mind, shes wrong. Shes a lying, schemingI stopped abruptly. My voice had gone loud enough that Daniellas nearby friends were now staring. And I really didnt want to say the names I thought Tatian a deserved in front of Daniella.Sorry, I said. I attempted civility. secernate Adrian Ill come to the party but do you really want me to go? After I crashed the ceremony the other night? And after, um, other things Ive done?She shook her head. What happened at the ceremony is as much Adrians fault as it is yours. Its done, and Tatiana let it go. This partys a much more lighthearted event, and if he wants you there, then I want him to be happy.Ill go shower and change now and meet him at your place in an hour.She was discerning enough to ignore my earlier outburst. Wonderful. I know hell be happy to hear that.I declined to tell her that I was actually happy about the thought of flaunting myself in front of some Ivashkovs in the hopes that it would get back to Tatiana. I no thirster believed for an instant that she accepted what was going on with Adrian and me or that she would let my outburst blow over. And truthfully, I did want to see him. We hadnt had much time to talk recently .After Daniella and her friends left, I figured it was time to get to the bottom of things. I headed straight over to the Moroi whod been lurking around, hands on my hips.Okay, I demanded. Who are you, and what do you want?He was only a few years older than me and didnt seem at all fazed by my tough-girl attitude. He crooked me a smile, and I again pondered where Id seen him.Ive got a message for you, he said. And some gifts.He handed over a tote bag. I looked inside and found a laptop, some cords, and several pieces of paper. I stared up at him in disbelief.Whats this?Something you need to get a move onand not let anyone else know about. The note will explain everything.Dont come across spy movie with me Im not doing anything until you His face clicked. Id seen him back at St. Vladimirs, around the time of my graduationalways hovering in the background. I groaned, suddenly understanding the secretive recordand cocky attitude. You work for Abe.