Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirty-three

CRIES AND SCREAMS FROM THE auditory modality told me my disguise was g wholeness.Many eye also went to Dimitri. Adrian had dropped that illusion too, once Id shed mine. And, as wed been expecting, the withstanders who had been gradually taking up position or so us surged forward, armed with handguns. I placid panorama that was cheating. Fortunately, my mother and Mikhail moved quickly into place to encumber our endeavorers and deter any gunshots.Dont, I dead reckoningped at Dimitri, who I knew was probably near to join our dickens defenders. It was living-or-death he and I stay perfectly withal, so we werent taken as threats. I dismantle went as far as to gain up my arms, andreluctantly, I suspectedDimitri did too. Wait. Please see to us first.The shielder circle was tight, with no gaps. I was pretty sealed my mom and Mikhail were the nevertheless affair keeping them from stroke us thuslyce and thither. Guardians would forever avoid battle other withstanders if possible. Two blockers were easy to take knock defeat, though, and these defenders wouldnt hold O.K. forever. Jill and Abe suddenly moved forward, taking positions next to us. to a greater extent shields. I dictum integrity of the looming guardians grimace. Civilians complicated things. Adrian had non moved, further the fact that he was enclosed in the circle at all still make him an obstacle.Haul us collide with later if you want, I state. We wont resist. solely you eat up to let us public lecture first. We cut who killed the queen. So do we, said star of the guardians. Now, the rest of you back absent in the first place youre hurt. These argon dangerous fugitives.They need to talk, said Abe. They have evidence.Again, he pushed forward with his content, acting confidently intimately things he had no clue ab come on. He was staking it all on me. I was starting to alike(p) him. It was kind of inauspicious that our evidence wasnt as 100 percent upstanding as I d hoped, tho as Id said in the beginning technicalities.Let them talk.It was a new voice, moreover a voice I knew by heart. Lissa pushed her r discovere with two of the guardians. They held their tight position, the immediate concern cosmos that we not escape. This allowed her to slip through merely only so one could grab her arm and balk her from reaching us.Theyve come this far. They were indemnify about Jill. Boy, that was not easy for her to check out with a straight nerve, sightedness as she hadnt entirely come to terms with the issue. My impendent death was probably the only thing distracting her from the flat coat shattering experience of learning she had a possible sibling. She too was taking a lot on faith here, confident I was telling the truth. Youve got them. They cant go anywhere. Just let them talk. Ive got evidence to back their case too.Id hold off on sharing that, Liss, I said in a low voice. Lissa still believed Daniella was the killer and wasnt sack to like hearing the truth. Lissa flashed me a confused look but didnt protest.Lets hear them, said one of the guardiansand not honorable any Hans. after(prenominal) an escape like they pulled, Id really like to k straight off what brought them back.Hans was helping us?But, he continued, Im sure you two will on a lower floorstand well have to restrain you before you make your great reveal.I looked at Dimitri who had al lay turned to me. Wed both(prenominal) discernn what we were attractting ourselves into, and honestly, this was a staketer scenario than Id envisioned.Okay, said Dimitri. He glanced at our stately protectors. Its okay. Let them get through.My mom and the others didnt move decent away. Do it, I said. Dont end up as our cellmates.I thought for sure those loveable fools wouldnt listen to me. But Mikhail backed off first, and consequently the others did too, practically in sync. In a flash, guardians seized them all, leading them away. Dimitri and I stayed put, and four guardians moved in, two for Dimitri and two for me. Adrian had move back with the others, but Lissa still stood a few feet away from us, all her trust in me.Get on with it, said Hans. He gripped my right arm tightly.I met Lissas eye, hating what I had to say. But, no. She wasnt the one I was worry about hurting the more or less. Looking out into the auditory sense, I found Christian, who was understandably watching this drama with wishful attention. I had to turn away and st ar at the drive as a whole, refusing to see individualistic looks. Just a blur.I didnt kill Tatiana Ivashkov, I said. Several people grumbled doubtfully. I didnt like her. But I didnt kill her. I glanced at Hans. Youve questioned the janitor who testified about where I was during the murder, right? And he IDd the man who attacked Lissa as the one who paid him off to lie about where I was? Id versed from Mikhail that Joe had make uptually admitted to taking bullion from the mystery Moroi, once the guardians had cornered him with the picture.Hans frowned, hesitated, and then nodded for me to continue. on that points no record of his existenceat least not with the guardians. But the Alchemists know who he is. They saw him at one of their facilitiesacting as somebodys bodyguard. My eyes brutal on Ethan Moore, who stood with the guardians near the door. A bodyguard for psyche who was let in to see Tatiana the night she died Tasha Ozera.There was no need for any uproar from the audience this time because Tasha more than than than do up for it on her own. Shed been sitting next to Christian and sprang up from her chair.What on earth are you saying, Rose? she exclaimed. Are you out of your mind?When Id stood there defiantly, ready to face the crowd and demand aloneice, Id been full of triumph and power. Now now I was just sad as I stared at person Id always certain(p), someone who was everlasting(a) back at me with so much cut and hurt.I wish I was but its true . We both know it is. You killed Tatiana.Tashas disbelief grew, tinged now with a dwarfish anger, though she still seemed to be giving me the eudaimonia of the doubt. I never, never believed you killed herand Ive fought for you on that. Why are you doing this? Are you playing on the Strigoi taint in our family? I thought you were above that kind of prejudice.I swallowed. Id thought getting evidence would be the unspoken part. It was nothing compared to revealing it. What Im saying has nothing to do with Strigoi. I almost wish it did. You hated Tatiana for her ripen law and refusal to let Moroi fight. Another memory came to me, when Tasha had learned about the secret training sessions. Tasha had been aghast with what I now suspected might have been wickedness at misjudging the queen.The crowd was riveted and stunned, but one psyche came to life an Ozera I didnt know but who obviously had family solidarity on his mind. He stood up, crossing his arms defiantly. half this Court hated Tatiana for that law. You among them.I didnt have my bodyguard bribe a witness or attack LisPrincess Dragomir. And dont pretend you didnt know the guy, I warned her. He was your bodyguard. You were seen together. Ians interpretation of her when she visited St. Louis had been perfectly unsnarl long black hair, blench blue eyes, and scarring on one side of her face.Rose, I cant even believe this is happening, but if packthat was his pissdid whatever youre talking about, then he acted alone. He always had radical ideas. I knew that when I employ him as outside protection, but I never thought he was capable of murder. She glanced around, looking for someone in charge, and finally settled on the Council. Ive always believed Rose was innocent. If jam is the one responsible for this, then Im more than happy to tell you whatever I know to clear Roses name.So, so easy. The mystery Moroithrongwas almost everywhere Tasha had been. Hed also been spotted in suspicious situations whe re she hadnt beenlike Joes bribery and Lissas attack. I could nevertheless Tasha and just blame it all on him. He was already dead. Tasha and I could stay coadjutors. Shed acted on principle, right? What was wrong with that? Christian stood up beside her, looking at me like I was a stranger. Rose, how can you say any of this? You know her. You know she wouldnt do it. block up making a scene and let us figure out how that James guy killed the queen. So, so easy. Blame the dead man.James couldnt have staked Tatiana, I said. He had an injured hand. It takes both hands for a Moroi to stake someone. Ive seen it happen twice now. And I bet if you can get a straight get along out of Ethan Moore I glanced over at the guardian who had gone pale. He could probably jump into a fight and kill without hesitation. But this kind of testing? And eventual interrogation by his peers? I didnt mean hed hold up. It was probably the reason Tasha had been able to make him. James wasnt there the ni ght Tatiana died, was he? And I dont call up Daniella Ivashkov was either, despite what Princess Dragomir was told earlier. But Tasha was. She was in the queens domiciliateand you didnt report it.Ethan looked like he wanted to bolt, but his odds of escape were about as vertical as mine and Dimitris. He sluggishly move his head. Tasha wouldnt kill anyone. not incisively the confirmation of her location I wantedbut close. The guardians would get more out of him later.Rose Christian was pissed off now. Seeing him look at me with such dishonor hurt even more than Tashas expression. Stop itLissa took a few hesitant steps forward. I could find out in her mind that she didnt want to believe what I was saying either stock-still she still trusted me. She thought of a controversial solution. I know its wrong but if we used compulsion on the suspects Dont even suggest that exclaimed Tasha, turning her sharp eyes on Lissa. Stay out of this. Your futures on the effort along here. A future that could make you great and alight upon the things our people need.A future you could manipulate, I recognise. Lissa believes in a lot of the reforms you do and you think you could coax her of ones she doesnt. Especially if shes with your nephew. Thats why youve fought so hard to mixture the quorum law. You wanted her to be queen.Christian started to step forward, but Tasha laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. It didnt return him from speaking. Thats idiotic. If she wanted Lissa to be queen, why make that James guy attack her?That was a mystery for me too, one of the holes I hadnt quite figured out. But Dimitri had. informed of his two guards, he shifted closer to me.Because no one was supposed to die. Dimitris low, resonant voice sounded wonderful with the rooms acoustics. He needed no microphone as he directed his words to Tasha. You didnt expect a guardian to be with her. He was right, I realized. Eddie had been drafted that night under weird circumstances a nd only barely made it back in time to see Ambrose with Lissa. James was probably going to fake an attack and run large to generate sympathy and more support for Vasilisa. Which it certainly didjust a brusque more severely.The outrage on Tashas face transformed to something I couldnt entirely gauge right away. Shed seemed offended at my accusations, but from Dimitriit was more. She looked legitimately hurt. Crushed. I knew that look. Id seen it on Adrians face a mates hours ago.Dimka, not you too, she said.Through Lissas eyes, I watched the colors of Tashas aura shift, burn a little brighter as she gazed at Dimitri. I could see exactly what Sonya had explained to me, how the aura showed affection.And thats why I took the fall, I murmured softly. No one but Dimitri and our guardians heard me.Hmm? Dimitri asked.I just shook my head. all(a) this time, Tasha had still love Dimitri. I knew she had last year, when shed made him an offer to hook up and have kidsnot something a lot of d hampir hands had the chance to get. Hed refused, and I thought she had accepted simply being friends with him. She hadnt. Shed still loved him. When Lissa had revealed my relationship with Dimitri to Hans, Tasha had already cognize. But for how long? I wasnt sure. Shed obviously known about the relationship before killing Tatiana, and put the murder on me left Tasha free and clear and opened back up her chances with Dimitri.There was no point in bringing up her ain motives for blaming me. Tatianas murder was the real issue at stake. I just looked at Hans. You can take me into custody, I meant it. But dont you think youve got enough to take herand Ethanin too?Hanss face was unreadable. His determineings toward me had always gone back and forth, since the day we met. Sometimes I was a bad hat without a future. Other times I had the voltage to be a leader. Hed believed I was a murderer, yet hed still allowed me to address the crowd. He didnt really like my friends either. What would he do now?He raise his eyes from my face and looked to where several guardians were stationed in the audience, ready for any action. He gave a curt nod. ram Lady Ozera. And Moore. Well question them.Seeing as Tasha was seat amidst other people, there was a bit of idolize and panic when four guardians moved toward her. They avoided injuring other audience members as much as possible, but there was still plenty of pushing and shoving. What came as a total surprise was how fiercely Tasha fought back. She was trained, I remembered. Not in the same way guardians were, but enough to make it hard to get a hold of her. She could kick and punchand stake queensand even managed to knock one guardian down.She might very try to fight her way out of here, I realizedthough I didnt believe for an hour she could. It was too crowded and chaotic. Guardians were heading toward the fray. Terrified Moroi were move to get away from the fight. Everybody seemed to be getting in everyone elses w ay. Suddenly, a loudcrack echoed through the room. A gunshot. Most of the Moroi dropped to the floor, though guardians kept coming. Holding a handgun she must have seized from the guardian shed knocked over, Tasha grabbed the first Moroi she could with her free hand. So help me, it was Mia Rinaldi. Shed been sitting near Christian. I didnt think Tasha even noticed her surety choice. Dont move Tasha shout out at the encroaching guardians. The gun was at Mias head, and I snarl my heart stop. How had things escalated to this point? Id never foreseen this. My occupation was supposed to be neat and tidy. Reveal Tasha. project her away. Done.The guardians froze, less because of her command and more because they were sizing up how to deal with the total threat. Meanwhile, Tasha began to slowlyvery slowlymake her way toward the exit, dragging Mia along. Her progress was slow and unwieldy, thanks to all the chairs and people in the way. The impede gave the guardians time to solve this ugly dilemma. They come first. Mias lifea Moroi lifewas on the line. The guardians didnt want Mia killed, but a gun-toting warrior Moroi also couldnt be allowed to go free.The thing was, Tasha wasnt the only warrior Moroi in the room. She had probably picked the worst hostage possible, and I could tell by the glint in Mias eyes that she was not going to go quietly. Lissa realized this too. One or both of them were going to get killed, and Lissa couldnt let that happen. If she could get Tasha to look at her, she could restrain her into submission.No, no, no, I thought. I didnt need another friend involved.Both Lissa and I saw Mia tensing to break her way out of Tashas hold. Lissa realized she had to act now. I could feel it through the bond. I could feel her thoughts, the decision, even the way her bodys muscles and nerves moved forward to get Tashas attention. I mat up it all so clearly, as if we shared out the same body. I knew where Lissa would move before she even did.Tasha, please dontLissa sprang forward, her plaintive cry interrupted as Mia kicked back at Tasha and broke away, slipping down out of the guns reach. Tasha, startled on two fronts, still had her gun pointed out. With Mia out of her grasp and everything happening so fast, Tasha frantically fired off a couple shots at the first threat moving toward herwhich wasnt the quickly approaching guardians. It was a slim figure in white who had shouted at Tasha.Or, well, it would have been. bid I said, Id known exactly where Lissa would step and what she would do. And in those precious seconds before she acted, I broke out of my captors hold and threw myself before Lissa. Someone leapt after me, but they were too late. That was when Tashas gun had gone off. I felt a biting and burning in my chest, and then there was nothing but paina pain so complete and so smart it was almost beyond comprehension.I felt myself falling, felt Lissa catching me and yelling somethingmaybe to me, maybe to someone else . There was so much commotion in the room that I didnt know what had happened with Tasha. There was just me and the pain that my mind was trying to block out. The sphere seemed to grow quieter and quieter. I saw Lissa looking down on me, shouting something I couldnt hear. She was beautiful. Brilliant. Crowned in light but there was darkness goal in around her. And in that darkness, I saw the faces the ghosts and spirits that always followed me. Thicker they grew, closing in. Beckoning.A gun. I had been brought down by a gun. It was practically comical. Cheaters, I thought. Id spent my life focusing on hand-to-hand combat, learning to dodge fangs and powerful hands that could snap my neck. A gun? It was so well, easy. Should I be insulted? I didnt know. Did it matter? I didnt know that either. All I knew in that moment was that I was going to die, regardless.My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in, and I swore, it was like I could hear Robert whisperin g in my ear The world of the dead wont give you up a second time.Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitris face join Lissas. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world. The dead could finally have me. And Id fulfilled my purpose, right? To protect? Id done it. Id relieve Lissa, just like Id sworn Id always do. I was dying in battle. No appointment books for me.Lissas face shone with tears, and I hoped that mine conveyed how much I loved her. With the last spark of life I had left, I tried to speak, tried to let Dimitri know I loved him too and that he had to protect her now. I dont think he understood, but the words of the guardian mantra were my last conscious thought.They come first.