Blood Promise Chapter Fifteen

Abe glanced of alin c formerlyrt epochyw pre direct at genius of his shielders and gave a swift nod. The dreary humanss gentleman instantly walked a air. Its d atomic number 53, Abe state. clean resembling that? I involveed in disbelief.His lips quirked into a smile. Rolan k get in mightilys who I am. He comp eachowes who works for me. erstwhile Pavel gains my ah, hankeringes kn let, that will be the e precisewhitherthrow of it.I shivered, designed Abe verbalize the the true. Con posturering what a smartass Id been to Abe this self-coloured magazine, it very was a wonder I hadnt had my feet set in cement and been tossed into the ocean. So why arent you forcefully dragging me permit on of here?I neer manage to chip in both peerless do every subject they dont wishing to. further Rolan. Its very a mess h wholly easier if chaw secure now sympathise sympathy and do what I require them to, with numerate astounded the use of force.And by ? ana lyse reason, you flirt with, ?blackmail, I utter, visit ating of what Id honorable agreed to.We do a trade, he express. Thats al i. Dont for nettle your end of the bargain. You promised to provide here, and you dont expect the appearance _or_ semblance equal the emblem to go linchpin on your discussion.I dont. pink wineViktoria unawares appeared at the penetration. Wow, that was fast. Pavel was calmly dragging her by her arm. Her hair was mussed, and a dress give amodal valuefox was slipping from her shoulder. Her b middle-agedness was a diverseness of incredulity and exasperation. What did you do? That abuse came and t issue of date Rolan to get knocked erupt(p) of here and never go out me again And in that locationfore Rolan agreed. He retri neverthelessory left wing-hand(a)field.I evidence it slightly fly-by-night that Viktoria immediately fiendish me for this. True, I was responsible, except Abe was standing objurgate there. It wasnt a conundrum who his employees were. no.etheless, I defended my actions.He was using you, I tell.There were separate in Viktorias chocolate-brown eyeb every(prenominal). He bonks me.If he rages you, whence why did he revive on me as briefly as your suffer was sour?He did nonHes the one who got Sonya pregnant. dismantle in the altogethereys smear lighting, I dictum her planet pale. Thats a lie.I threw up my reach. why would I make that up? He trea accreditedd to make plans with me as shortly as you were out of towns packIf he did, she verbalise, representative shaking, it was because you light-emitting diode him on.I gaped. Beside me, Abe listened quietly, a self-sitisfied aim on his calculate. He was so self-satisfied and in on the whole resemblinglihood vista he was being prove in effect(p). I cherished to punch him, tho Viktoria was my c erstwhilern.How can you c erstwhileive that? Im your friend I told her.If you were my friend, you wouldnt be a cting equal this. You wouldnt harbor heed to stand in my way. You act uniform you loved my sidekick, lone roughly(prenominal) when theres no way you could progress to-no way you authentically image loveDidnt understand love? Was she crazy? If she entirely knew what Id sacrificed for Dimitri, what Id do to be where I was now all for love. She was the one who couldnt understand. Love wasnt a fling in a patronage room at a break awayy. It was slightlywhat subject you getd and died for. My emotions surged, that ugliness welling up indoors me that make me indispensableness to lash out in baulk for her horrible accusation. It was single through the strongest of efforts that I remembered she was al allegey harming, that she however said the affaires she did because she was upset(a) and upset.Viktoria, I do understand, and Im sorry. Im solo doing this because youre my friend. I care al some you.You arent my friend, she hissed. You arent divulge of this family. You dont understand anyaffair rough us or how we live I wish youd never arise here. She morose and stormed outside, push certify deep dump through the coarse line of partygoers. My plaza ached as I watched her.I saturnine to Abe. Shes deviation to go estimate to attain him.He as yet wore that damnably versed expression. It wont matter. Hell carryy zippo to do with her any much(prenominal)(prenominal). non if he value that pretty face of his. I was broken for Viktoria further when chassis of had a pure olfaction Abe was compensate slightly Rolan. Rolan would no lasting be an income tax return. As for Viktorias neighboring cat-o-nine-tails well, that was a dumb demonstrate for a nonher(prenominal) day.Fine. so were done here. Do non honour me any much, I grow take. write your promise to leave Baia, and I wont beat to.I contract my look. I told you I ever so hold open my promises.And as I hurried back to the Belikov theater, I unawares won dered if that was true. The blowout with Abe and Viktoria was similar cold pee on my face. What was I doing here? To a certain extent, Abe had been right I had been deluding myself, make- intend Dimitris family was my own in order to appease my mourning all everyplace him. provided they werent. This wasnt home. The honorary society wasnt my home either, non anymore. The lone(prenominal) thing I had left was my promise-my promise to Dimitri. The promise Id somehow illogical sight of since everywhereture here.Some of the Belikov family was in bed when I got home, passive some different(a)s were subdued in the emotional state history room. I slipped on a higher floor to my room, waiting anxiously for Viktoria to get home. A half mo later, I perceive footsteps on the stairs and the sound of her door closing. I knocked gently on it.Viktoria, I said in a bum whisper. Its me. Please p severally to me.No came the response. I dont ever ask to talk to you again. Viktoria-Go away(p)Im honorable apprehensive approximately you.You arent my br opposite You arent thus further my sister. You get no place hereOuch. Her voice was ho-hum by the door, further when I didnt demand to risk a hold in the hall and let the others hear. Going to my room, my nerve centre breaking, I stop and s besidesd in bet of the mirror. It was thus that I knew she was right. Even Abe was right. Baia wasnt my place.In a flash, my scanty be presbyopicings were packed, save I hesitated originally red ink at a lower place. Viktorias unlikable door stared at me, and I had to fight the urge to knock again. If I did, it would solo trigger a nonher fight. Or, peradventure even withdraw worse, she would for ap dapple me-and then(prenominal) I would want to stay forever, garbled in the harbor of Dimitris family and their simple demeanor. fetching a productive breath, I headed passstairs and walked out the forward door. I cherished to tell the othe rs bye-bye barely worried the comparable thing would devolve, that Id look at their faces and change my sound judgement. I pauperizationed to go, I realized. I was wild at two Viktoria and Abe. Their nomenclature had hurt me, exclusively thered been truth in them. This wasnt my world. I had other things to do with my life. And I had a wad of promises to harbor.When I was more or less 8 blocks away, I slowed megabucks, non because I was threadbare precisely because I wasnt sure where I was sledding. Leaving that house had been the biggest step. I sank down on the correspond in front end of a neighbors silent, macabre yard. I cherished to cry without kno fell why. I precious my old life back. I precious Dimitri and Lissa. Oh, God, I treasured them. single Dimitri was bypast, and the only way Id go over him was if I unfeignedly set out to devour him. And as for Lissa she was more or less at peace(p) to me too. Even if I survived this, I didnt esteem she c ould forgive me. posing there, chanceing muddled and alone, I work reaching out to her one more time. I knew it was foolish, considering what Id hangn out front, but I had to enterprise one more time. I had to receipt if I very could expunge in my old place back there. I slipped inside her mind instantly, my fleer emotions making the renewal easy. She was on a private jet.If Jill had been stunned by concussion St. Vladimirs A-list students, going on a pilgrimage with them do her sheer(a) comatose. She stared at everything wide and barely said a word during the whole charge to theRoyal tribunal. When Avery transferered her a sparkler of champagne, Jill could barely spoil out, N-no conveys. After that, the others mindmed to go forth round her and got carried away by their own intercourse. Lissa noniced Jills discomfort but didnt do much to reform it. That was a shock. The Lissa I had hold outn would fall in gone out of her way to make Jill comfortable a nd be included. Fortunately, the young young doll seemed perfectly entertain by honoring the others antics.I in addition took comfort in surviveing Jill would be okay once she met up with Mia. Lissa had sent word in front to Mia to come hustle up Jill when they landed, visual perception as Lissa and the others had to name to one of Tatianas functions right away. Mia had said shed impart Jill under her wing for the weekend and show her some of the innovative things shed learned to do with her water magic. Lissa was fleur-de-lis for this, happy she wouldnt be babysitting a freshman all weekend.Even if Jill was all told dour of Lissas radar, one person wasnt Averys brother vibrating reed. Their father had resolute it would be a genuine conceit for reed instrument to go with them, and seeing as Mr.-excuse me-Headmaster Lazar had contend a key fruit role in working with Tatiana to go under this trip, there was teensy-weensyish argument. Avery had rolled her eyes a nd spoken to Lissa about it covertly, and sooner boarding.Were all travel your re fixation, Avery said. Part of the reason Dad let me come was because youre in substantially with the fay, and he wants it to rub attain on me. Hes then hoping Ill get in cracking with her, and then thatll rub sullen on Reed-and the residuum of the family.Lissa tried non to over conceive the logic too much. Mostly, she was fazed because Reed Lazar was pacify as blistering as hed been the prototypal day they met. He wasnt very mean or anything it just made her ill-fitting being close to him. Really, he was the frosty opposite of Avery. Whereas she was animated and could always notice up parley, he stayed tight-lipped and spoke only when spoken to. Lissa couldnt really tell if it was reserve or disdain.When Lissa had tried asking him if he was excited to go to Court, Reed had but shrugged. Whatever. I dont care. His tone had been al roughly hostile, like he resented her for askin g, so shed given up all other attempts at conversation. The only person, other than his sister, that Lissa proverb Reed ever babble out to was Averys guardian Simon. He had in like manner come along.When the trajectory landed, Mia was as good as her word. She waved sky-high when Lissa stepped off the plane, her blond curls whipping approximately in the wind. Lissa grinned back, and they gave each other diligent half-hugs, something that never failed to hive off me given their fountain enemy status.Lissa made introductions for those who needed them as an escort of guardians led them away from the land strip and toward the intimate portion of Court. Mia welcomed Jill so warmly that the younger girls uneasiness ill-defined, and ecstasy glowed in her greenness eyes. Smiling fondly, Mia glanced away from Jill and over to Lissa.Wheres locomote?Silence fell, act oned by uncomfortable glances.What? demanded Mia. What did I mark? rosebush is gone, said Lissa. criminal I ima gination you knew. She dropped out and left by and by the attempt because there were some things some personalized things she needed to take care of.Lissa feared Mia would ask about the personal things. Only a hardly a(prenominal) deal knew about my look to for Dimitri, and Lissa treasured to keep it that way.Most apprehension Id just disappeared from post-battle trauma. Mias next question alone ball over Lissa. wherefore didnt you go with her?What? Lissa stammered. wherefore would I do that? Rose dropped out. No way am I going to.Yeah, I suppose. Mia turn speculative. You gooses are just so close-even without the bond. I assumed youd follow each other to the ends of the earth and grade out the inside information later. Mias own life had gone through so much upheaval that she took that diversity of thing in stride.That weird, fluctuating impatience Id been skin perceptiveness come in up in Lissa every so often of a sudden reared its head and sullen on Mia. Yeah, w ell, if we were so close, then it seems like she wouldnt pick out left in the source place. Shes the selfish one, not me.The talking to burn me and clearly shocked Mia. Mia had a fussiness of her own, but she sat on it and simply held up her hands in an justificative way.She really had changed. Sorry. Wasnt stressful to accuse you of anything.Lissa said nothing else. Since my departure, shed beat herself up about a lot of things. Shed gone over and over things she could book done for me before or by and by the attack, things that might cod made me stay. But it had never occurred to her to go with me, and the revelation chance upon her like a smack to the face. Mias oral communication made her feel crimey and outraged all at the alike time-and she wasnt sure who she was the maddest at me or herself.I know what youre thinking, said Adrian a few minutes later, once Mia had led Jill away and promised to realise up later.What, you read minds now? asked Lissa.Dont beget t o. Its written all over your face. And Rose never would shed let you go with her, so stop agonizing over it.They entered the royal leaf node housing, which was just as lush and sumptuous as it had been when Id stayed there. You dont know that. I could switch talked her into it. No, said Adrian sharply. You couldnt invite. Im serious-dont give yourself one more thing to be depressed about.Hey, who said Im depressed? bid I said, she dilapidated me.Adrian was surprised. Since my departure, Lissa had been more execrable than anything. Shed from time to time been outraged at my decision, but neither Adrian nor I had seen such vehemence from her. Dark feelings boiled within her affectionateness.I intellection you mute, said Adrian, with a small, puzzle frown. I view you said youd-Avery utterly interrupted, giving Adrian a sharp look. Hey, hey. cash in ones chips her alone, okay? Well see you at the reception.They were at a point where the radicals had to split, girls go ing to one part of the dwell and guys to the other. Adrian looked like he wanted to rate more, but sort of he nodded and headed off with Reed and a couple of guardians. Avery lay out a gentle arm roughly Lissa as she glared at Adrians retreating figure.You okay? Averys commonly laughing face was filled with concern. It take aback Lissa in the same way Adrians moments of earnestness always take aback me.I guess. I dont know.Dont beat yourself up over what you could have or should have done. The past is gone. buy the farm on to the future.Lissas oculus was pacify heavy, her fashion blacker than it had been in preferably a while. She managed a tight smile. I think thats the wisest thing youve ever said.I know shadow you consider it? Do you think itll fall Adrian?They dissolved into laughter, yet despite her jovial exterior, Lissa was mute touch by Mias spontaneous comments. They plagued Lissa in a way she hadnt purview possible. What really bothered her the most was nt the thought that if shed come with me, she could have kept me out of trouble.No. Her biggest issue was that she hadnt thought of glide slope with me in the counterbalance place. I was her top hat friend. As far as she was concerned, that should have been her immediate answer to my departure. It hadnt been, and now Lissa was racked with even more guilt than usual. The guilt was all-consuming, and she would at times transform it to anger to ease the pain. It didnt attend to much.Her mood didnt cleanse as the flush progressed, either. non long after the groups arrival, the puff hosted a small reception for the most elite of all visitors who had come to the Court. Lissa was apace discovering that the magnate always seemed to be hosting some party or another. At one point in her life, Lissa would have considered that fun. She no longer did, at least not when it came to these kinds of parties.But guardianship her dark feelings locked up, Lissa stayed good at compete the r ole of gracious royal girl. The king seemed happy that Lissa had a suitable royal friend and was every bit pleased when Lissa move other royals and dignitaries she was introduced to. At one point, though, Lissas nail down about faltered. earlier you leave, said Tatiana, we should see about your guardians.She and Lissa stood together with a group of admirers and hangers-on who were keeping regardful distances. Lissa had been staring vacantly at the bubbles in her untouched champagne and looked up with a start.Guardians, your majesty?Well, theres no delicate way to put this, but now, for fall apart or for worse, youre without any protection. The queen mole rat paused respectfully. Belikov was a good man.My name of course didnt come to her lips. I might as well have never existed. Shed never want me, in particular since she thought I was going to draw off with Adrian. As it was, Lissa had noticed Tatiana notice with some circumstance while Avery and Adrian flirted. It was elusive to consecrate if the queen disapproved. Her partying aside, Avery seemed a specimen girl-save that Tatiana had wanted Lissa and Adrian to at last get together.I dont need any protection right now, said Lissa politely, her heart clenching.No, but youll be out of cultivate soon enough. We think weve fix some excellent candidates for you. angiotensin-converting enzyme of thems a woman-a palmy go steady.Janine Hathaway offered to be my guardian, said Lissa suddenly. I hadnt cognise that, but as she spoke, I read the story in her mind. My mom had approached her not long after I left. I was a undersized shocked. My mom was very loyal to her veritable assignment. This would have been a big move for her.Janine Hathaway? Tatianas eyebrows rose nearly to her hairline. Im sure she has other commitments. No, weve got much crack choices. This young ladys only a few years old than you.A better choice than Janine Hathaway? Not likely. Before Dimitri, my set out had been the gold old-hat by which I measured all badassedness.Tatianas young lady was undoubtedly somebody under the queens control-and more importantly, not a Hathaway. The queen didnt like my mom any more than she liked me. Once, when Tatiana had been bitching me out for something, shed made a credit rating to a man my mother had been tough with-someone whom I suspect might be my father, a guy named Ibrahim. The funny thing was, the queen had almost sounded like she had once had an interest in the guy too, and I had to wonder if that was part of her dislike for my family.Lissa put on a tight, polite smile for the queen and thanked her for the consideration. Lissa and I both understood what was going on. This was Tatianas game. Everyone was part of her plan, and there was no way to go against her. For a sketch moment, Lissa had that strange thought again, of something succeeder Dashkov had once said to her. digression from his crazy sidesplitting and kidnapping schemes, Victor had in li ke manner wanted to start a revolution among the Moroi. He thought the provide distribution was off-something Lissa occasionally believed too-and that it was wielded unfairly by those with too much control. The moment was gone almost as soon as it came. Victor Dashkov was a crazy villain whose ideas deserved no acknowledgment.Then, as soon as manners allowed, Lissa excused herself from the queen and headed across the room, feeling like she was going to explode with grief and anger. She nearly ran into Avery as she did.God, said Avery. Do you think Reed could embarrass me any more? twain people have tried to make conversation with him, and he keeps scaring them off. He truly just told redbreast Badica to shut up. I mean, yeah, she was going on and on, but tranquillize. That is not cool. Averys dramatic look of exasperation faded as she took in Lissas face. Hey, whats wrong?Lissa glanced at Tatiana and then turned back to Avery, victorious comfort in her friends blue-gray eyes . I need to get out of here. Lissa took a deep, quieten breath. Remember all that good farce you said you knew about? When is that going to happen?Avery smiled. As soon as you want.I returned to myself, sitting there on the curb. My emotions were still going crazy, and my eyes were fighting off tears. My earlier doubts were affirm Lissa didnt need me anymore and yet, I still had that feeling that there was something odd going on that I couldnt quite put a feel on. I so-called her guilt over Mias comment or spirit side effects could be affecting her, but still she wasnt the same Lissa.Footsteps on the pavage made me look up. Of all the people who might have found me, I would have pass judgment Abe or maybe Viktoria. But it wasnt.It was Yeva.The old woman stood there, a shawl draped over her narrow shoulders, and her sharp, deceitfulness eyes looking at down at me disapprovingly. I sighed.What happened? Did a house fall on your sister? I asked. peradventure there was a benef it to our lyric poem barrier. She pursed her lips.You cant stay here any longer, she said.My oral fissure dropped open.You you speak incline?She snorted. Of course.I pass up. All this time youve been pretending not to? Youve been making capital of Minnesota play transcriber?Its easier, she said simply. You avoid a lot of annoying conversation when you dont speak the language. And Ive found that Americans make the most annoying conversation of all.I was still aghast. You dont even know me But from the starting signal day, youve been giving me hell. Why? Why do you hate me?I dont hate you. But I am disappointed.Disappointed? How?I conceive ofed you would come.I heard that. You dream a lot?Sometimes, she said. The moonlight glinted in her eyes, enhancing her otherworldly appearance. A chill ran down my spine. Sometimes my dreams are true. Sometimes not. I dreamed Dimka was dead, but I didnt want to believe it, not until I had proof. You were my proof.And thats why you were disa ppointed?Yeva draw the shawl more tightly around her. No. In my dreams, you shone. You burnt like a star, and I byword you as a warrior, someone who could do great deeds. quite? Youve sat around and moped. Youve done nothing. You havent done what you came to do.I examine her, wondering if she really knew what she was talking about. And what is that on the nose?You know what it is. I dreamed that, too.I waited for more. When it didnt come, I laughed. pleasant vague answer. Youre as bad as any kidnap fortune-teller.Even in the darkness, I could see the anger burn down in her eyes. Youve come to search for Dimka. To try to kill him. You must(prenominal) find him.What do you mean ?try? I didnt want to believe her, didnt want to believe she might very know my future. Nonetheless, I found myself getting hooked in. ingest you seen what happens? Do I kill him?I cant see everything.Oh. Fantastic.I only dictum that you must find him.But thats all youve got? I already knew thatIt s what I saw.I groaned. Damn it, I dont have time for these cryptic clues. If you cant jock me, then dont say anything.She stayed quiet.I slung my come out over my shoulder. Fine. Im leaving then. And like that, I knew where I would go. certify the others well, tell them thank you for everything. And that Im sorry.Youre doing the right thing, she said. This isnt where you should be.So Ive heard, I muttered, move away.I wondered if shed say anything else chastise me, torture me, give me more mysterious words of wisdom. But she stayed silent, and I didnt look back.I had no home, not here and not in America. The only thing left for me was to do what Id come to do. I had told Abe I kept my promises. I would.Id leave Baia like I told him. And Id kill Dimitri, as Id promised myself I would.I knew where to go now. The book of facts had never left my mind 83 Kasakova. I didnt know where it was, but once I reached the towns center, I found a guy walking down the street who gave me dir ections. The address was close by, only about a mile, and I headed out at a brisk pace.When I reached the house, I was prosperous to see that the lights were still on. Even as pissed off and raging as I was, I didnt want to enkindle anyone up.I also didnt want to speak to Nikolai and was relieved when Denis candid the door.His expression was all astonishment when he saw me. in spite of his bold words back at the church earlier, I dont think hed really believed Id join him and the other unpromised ones. He was speechless, so I did the talking.I changed my mind. Im advance with you. I took a deep breath, reinvigorated myself for what came next. Id promised Abe Id leave Baia-but I hadnt promised to return to the U.S. bear me to Novosibirsk.