Last Sacrifice Chapter Six

REALLY, WHEN YOU THOUGHT ABOUT it, Sydney showing up wasnt much weirder than fractional the another(prenominal) stuff that seemed to happen to me on a regular basis. Sydney was an Alchemist, one Id met in Russia when severe to come across and sweep international Dimitri. She was my age and had hated be assigned both(prenominal) everyplace there, though Id certainly appreciated her aid. As Dimitri had noted earlier, the Alchemists would want to service of process the Moroi find and capture me. Yet, judging from the tension radiating off some(prenominal) her and Dimitri in the car, it became obvious that she was assisting in this escape.With great effort, I pushed my questions to the side for the time being. We were still fugitives, still undoubtedly being pursued. Sydneys car was a brand spick-and-span Honda CR-V with Louisiana plates and a rental circumventer.What the hell? I asked. Is this daring escape being sponsored by Honda? When this got no response, I went to the next obvious question. are we passage to New siege of Orleans? That was Sydneys new post. Sightseeing was the function liaison on my mind at the mo ment, tho if you had to run a expressive style, you might as well run somewhere good.No, she said, abideing pop of the spot. Were departure to western hemisphere Virginia.I looked sharply at Dimitri, who flummox gloomy in the backseat, in the hopes that he would deny this. He didnt.I assume by West Virginia, you actually mean Hawaii, I said. Or some place purgely exciting.Honestly, I think youre punter off avoiding excitement chastise now, Sydney pointed emerge. The cars GPS device directed her to her next turn, lede us back toward I-81. She frowned slightly. And West Virginias actually really pretty.I remembered that she was from Utah and probably didnt chouse any(prenominal) better. Having long since given up on any control in this escape plot, I travel on to the next obvious put up of questions.Why are you helpi ng us?I had a looking Sydney was grimacing in the dark. Why do you think?Abe.She sighed. Im really starting to wonder if New Orleans was worth it.Id recently learned that Abewith that inexplicable, far-reaching influence of his had been responsible for suitting her out of Russia. How hed done it, I didnt know. What I did know was that it had left Sydney in open-ended debt to him, one he kept using to get favors. sometimes, I wondered if there was more to the deal than just a job transfer, like maybe hed done something else that incomplete had told me belt up. Regardless, I started to chastise her again that she should save expected this for making a deal with the devil, more over I soon reconsidered. With a bunch of guardians in pursuit, it probably wasnt a smart idea to tease mortal helping me. I asked a different question.Okay. So wherefore are we going to West Virginia?Sydney opened her mouth to respond, but Dimitri interrupted her. Not yet.I turned around again and ch angeable him a glare. I am so sick of this Weve been on the run for six hours now, and I still dont know all the details. I get that were binding a elbow room from the guardians, but are we seriously going to West Virginia? Are we going to make some cabin our base of operation? Like, one on the side of a mountain that doesnt permit plumbing?Sydney gave me one of her trademark exasperated sighs. Do you actually know anything round West Virginia?I didnt like her and Dimitri teaming up to keep me in the dark. Of course, with Sydney, her reticence could be from any identification number of things. It could still be Abes orders. Or maybe she just didnt want to conference to me. Since most Alchemists considered dhampirs and vampires the spawn of hell, they didnt unremarkably get too friendly with us. Spending time with me in Siberia had altered her views a comminuted. I hoped. Sometimes I got the vibe she just wasnt that social of a person to begin with.You know weve been set up, honest? I asked her. We didnt really do anything. They say I killed the queen, butI know, Sydney interrupted. Ive heard all about it. All the Alchemists know about it. You twain are at the top of our most wanted list. She act a businesslike tone but couldnt entirely hide her uneasiness. I had a looking ating Dimitri make her more nauseating than I did, which was understandable since he make some of our own people nervous too.I didnt do it, I insisted. Somehow, it was important that she know that.Sydney didnt acknowledge my comment. Instead, she said, You should eat. Your foods getting cold. Weve got a little over triplet hours to go and wont be stopping except for gas.I recognized the finality in her voice, as well as the logic. She didnt want to talk anymore. Inside the bag, I found two giant orders of fries, and three cheeseburgers. She patently still knew me pretty well. It took all of my restraint to keep from stuffing fries into my mouth thusly and there. Instead, I off ered a cheeseburger to Dimitri.You want one? Gotta keep up your strength.He hesitated several seconds before winning it. He seemed to regard it with a kind of wonder, and it hit me that eating food was still a new thing for him after these last fewer months. Strigoi only subsisted on blood. I handed him a partner off of fries too and then turned back around to devour the rest. I didnt bother religious offering any to Sydney. She was notorious for her lack of appetite, and besides, I figured she would have eaten already if shed wanted to while postponement for us.I think this is for you, Dimitri said, handing me a small backpack. I opened it and found a few changes of clothes, as well as some basic toiletries. I double- check into the outfits.Shorts, shirts, and a dress. I cant fight in these. I need jeans. The dress was cute, admittedly a long gauzy sun-dress in a watercolor bring out of black, white, and gray. But very impractical.Thats gratitude for you, said Sydney. This ha ppened kind of fast. in that respect was only so much I could allot together.Glancing behind me, I saw Dimitri unpacking his own bag. It had basic clothing like mine and overlyA duster? I exclaimed, watching him pull out the long, leather coat. How it even fit in there defied physics. You managed to get him a duster, but you couldnt find me a pair of jeans?Sydney seemed unconcerned by my outrage. Abe said it was essential. Besides, if all goes like its supposed to, you wont be doing any fighting. I didnt like the sound of that. Safe and remote.Seeing as I had what were potentially the quietest car companions in the world, I knew better than to expect any real colloquy for the next three hours. I supposed it was just as well because it let me check in on Lissa. I was still too on edge about my own escape to send away much time in her head, so it was just a quick assessment of life at Court.Just as Dimitri had predicted, the guardians had restored order pretty soon. The Court wa s under lockdown, and everyone with any connection to me was being questioned extensively. The thing was, they all had alibis. Everyone had seen my allies at the funeralor, in Abes case, thought theyd seen them. A couple girls swore theyd been with Adrian, which I could only compute was the result of more compulsion. I could feel Lissas satisfaction finished the bond as the guardians frustration grew and grew. Although she had no idea when I might be checking in on her, she sent me a message through the bond Dont worry, Rose. Ill pip care of everything. Were going to clear your digit.I slumped back in the car seat, changeable how to feel about this situation. All my life, Id taken care of her. Id protected her from danger and gone out of my way to keep her away from any threats. Now, the roles were reversed. Shed come through for me in saving Dimitri, and I was in herand apparently everyone elseshands as far as this escape was concerned. It went against every instinct I had and troubled me. I wasnt used to being protected by others, let alone her.The interrogations were still going on, and Lissa hadnt had hers yet, but something told me my friends were going to get off the hook for this. They wouldnt be punished for my escape, and for the moment, I was really the only one in dangerwhich was what I preferred.West Virginia might have been as beautiful as Sydney claimed, but I couldnt really tell since it was the middle of the night when we arrived. Mostly I had the sense of driving through mountains, savour the ups and downs as we went through switchbacks and tunnels. After almost exactly three hours, we rolled into a small ambush of a town that had one traffic light and a restaurant simply marked DINER. There hadnt been any traffic on the road for over an hour, though, which was really the most important thing. We hadnt been followed.Sydney drove us to a building with a sign that read MOTEL. Apparently, this town liked to stick to the basics when it came to names. I wouldnt be surprised if it was actually just called TOWN. As we walked across the motels parking lot, I was surprised to feel how sore my legs were. Every part of me ached, and sleep sounded fantastic. It had been more than half a day since this adventure began.Sydney checked us in under fake names, and the sleepy desk clerk didnt ask any questions. We walked down a hall that wasnt dirty exactly but in like manner wasnt anything a royal would have gone near. A cleaning cart leaned against one wall, as though someone had given up and abandoned it. Sydney abruptly came to a halt in front of a room and handed us a key. I realized she was heading off to a different room.Were not all dumbfounding together? I asked.Hey, if you guys get caught, I dont want to be anywhere near you, she said, with a smile. I had a feeling she also didnt want to sleep in the similar room as evil creatures of the night. Ill still be nearby, though. Well talk in the morning.This make me realize something else. I eyed Dimitri. Were sharing a room?Sydney shrugged. All the better to defend yourselves.She left us in that abrupt way of hers, and Dimitri and I glanced at each other briefly before heading into the room. Like the rest of the motel, it wasnt fancy, but it would do. The carpet was worn but intact, and I appreciated the weak attempt at decorating with a very bad painting of some pears. A small window looked sad. There was one bed.Dimitri locked the bolt and chain on the admission and then sat back in the rooms lone chair. It was wooden with a straight back, but he seemed to regard it as the most comfortable thing in the world. He still wore that perpetually vigilant look of his, but I could see exhaustion around the edges. This had been a long night for him too.I sat down on the edge of the bed. What now? Now we clutch, he said.For what? For Lissa and the others to clear your name and find out who killed the queen.I expected more explanation, but all I got was sile nce. Disbelief began to build up in me. Id remained as patient as I could tonight, always assuming Dimitri was leading me toward some mysterious mission to help solve the murder. When he said we were going to wait, surely he didnt mean we were just going to well, wait?What are we going to do? I demanded. How are we going to help them?We told you earlier You can exactly go looking for clues at Court. You need to stay away. You need to stay safe.My jaw dropped as I gestured around the drab room. What, and this is it? This is where youre stashing me? I thought I thought there was something here. Something to help.It is helping, he said, in that damned calm way of his. Sydney and Abe researched this place and decided it was out of the way full to avoid detection.I shot up from the bed. Okay, comrade. Theres one serious problem here with your logic. You guys keep acting like me staying out of the way is helping.Whats a serious problem is us repeating this conversation over and over. The answers to who murdered Tatiana are at Court, and thats where your friends are. Theyll figure this out.I didnt just get in a high-speed chase and jump assert lines to hole up in some crappy motel How long are you planning on staying out of the way here?Dimitri crossed his arms over his chest. As long as it takes. We have the funds to stay here indefinitely.I probably have enough spare change in my pocket to stay here indefinitely But its not happening. I have to do something. I wont just take the easy way out and sit around.Surviving isnt as easy as you think.Oh God, I groaned. Youve been break out with Abe, havent you? You know, when you were a Strigoi, you told me to stay away from him. perhaps you should take your own advice.I regretted the words as soon as they left my lips and saw in his eyes that Id inflicted serious damage. He might have been acting like the old Dimitri in this escape, but his time as a Strigoi still excruciate him.Im sorry, I said. I didnt meanWere done discussing this, he said harshly. Lissa says were staying here, so were staying here.Anger shoved aside my guilt. Thats why youre doing this? Because Lissa told you to?Of course. I swore Id serve and help her.That was when I snapped. It had been bad enough that when Lissa restored him to a dhampir, Dimitri had thought it was okay to stick around Lissa while spurning me. Despite the fact that Id been the one who went to Siberia and that I was the one who learned about how Victors chum Robert knew how to restore Strigoi well, apparently those things didnt matter. Only Lissa wielding the stake had seemed to matter, and Dimitri now held her up as some kind of sugared goddess, one hed made an archaic, knight-like vow to serve.Forget it, I said. I am not staying here.I made it to the door in three steps and managed to undo the chain, but in seconds, Dimitri was out of his chair and had propel me against the wall. Really, that was pretty slow reaction time. I would have expected hi m to stop me before Id taken two steps.You are staying here, he said evenly, hands gripping my wrists. Whether you like it or not.Now, I had a few plectrons. I could stay, of course. I could hang out for daysmonths, evenin this motel until Lissa cleared my name. That was presuming Lissa could clear my name and that I didnt get food poisoning from the DINER diner. This was the safest option. Also the most boring for me.Another option was to fight my way through Dimitri. That was neither safe nor easy. It would also be particularly challenging because Id have to turn up to fight in such a way that would allow me to escape but wouldnt kill him or cause either of us serious injury.Or, I could just throw caution away and not hold back. Hell, the guy had battled Strigoi and half the Courts guardians. He could handle me giving everything I had. Wed certainly share some pretty rough encounters back at St. Vladimirs. Would my best be enough for me to escape? sentence to find out.I kneed him in the stomach, which he clearly hadnt expected. His eyes widened in shockand a little painproviding me with an opening to break free of his grip. That opening was only long enough for me to yank out the doors bolt. Before I could reach for the knob, Dimitri had a hold of me again. He gripped me hard and threw me onto the bed stomach first, both pinning me with his weight and preventing my limbs from doing any more surprise kicking. This was always my biggest problem in fights opponents usually menwith more strength and weight. My speed was my greatest asset in those situations, but being held down made dodging and evasion a non-option. Still, every part of me struggled, making it difficult for him to keep me down.Stop this, he said in my ear, his lips nearly touching it. Be reasonable for once. You cant get past me.His body was affectionate and strong against mine, and I promised my own body a stern scolding later. Quit it, I thought. center on getting out of here, not how he feels.Im not the one being unreasonable, I growled, severe to turn my face toward him. Youre the one caught up in some noble promise that makes no sense. And I know you dont like to sit out of the action any more than I do. sustain me. Help me find the murderer and do something useful. I stopped struggling and pretended our argument had distracted me.I dont like sitting around, but I also dont like rushing into an im doable situation impossible situations are our specialty, I pointed out. Meanwhile, I tried to assess his hold on me. He hadnt relaxed his grip, but I hoped maybe the conversation was distracting him. Normally, Dimitri was too good to lose his focus. But I knew he was tired. And maybe, just maybe, he might be a little careless since it was me and not a Strigoi.Nope. I lashed out abruptly, supplying to break away and scramble out from under him. The best I managed to do was roll myself over before he had a hold of me again, now leaving me back-down on the bed. Being s o close to him his face, his lips the warmth of his skin on mine. Well. It appeared that all Id accomplished was putting myself at a greater disadvantage. He certainly didnt seem to be affected by our bodies closeness. He wore that typical steel resolve of his, and even though it was stupid of me, even though I knew I shouldnt care anymore that he was over me well, I did care.One day, he said. You cant even wait one day?Maybe if wed gone to a nicer hotel. With cable.This is no time for jokes, Rose.Then let me do something. Anything.I. Cant.Saying the words obviously pained him, and I realized something. I was so mad at him, so furious that hed try to make me sit around and play it safe. But he didnt like any of this either. How could I have forgotten how similar we were? We both craved action. We both wanted to be useful, to help those we cared about. It was only his self- resolve to help Lissa that was holding him here with this babysitting job. He claimed me rushing back to C ourt was reckless, but I had a feeling that if he hadnt been the one in charge of meor, well, thought he washe would have run right back there too.I studied him, the determined dark eyes and expression softened by the brown hair that had escaped its ponytail holder. It hung around his face now, just barely touching mine. I could try to break free again but was losing hope of that working. He was too fierce and too set on keeping me safe. I suspected pointing out my suspicion that he wanted to go back to Court too wouldnt do any good. True or not, he would be expecting me to argue with Rose-logic. He was Dimitri, after all. He would be expecting everything.Well, almost.An idea hit me so fast that I didnt pause to snap it. I just acted. My body might be constrained, but my head and neck had just enough freedom to shift upand kiss him.My lips met his, and I learned a few things. One was that it was possible to catch him totally by surprise. His body froze and locked up, shocked at the sudden turn of events. I also realized that he was just as good a kisser as I recalled. The last time wed kissed had been when he was Strigoi. There had been an eerie sexiness to that, but it didnt compare to the heat and energy of being alive. His lips were just like I remembered from our time at St. Vladimirs, both soft and hungry at the same time. Electricity spread through the rest of my body as he kissed me back. It was both comforting and exhilarating.And that was the leash thing I discovered. He was kissing me back. Maybe, just maybe, Dimitri wasnt as resolved as he claimed to be. Maybe under all that guilt and certainty that he couldnt love again, he still wanted me. I would have liked to have found out. But I didnt have the time.Instead, I punched him.Its true Ive punched piles of guys who were kissing me but never one I actually wanted to keep kissing. Dimitri still had a solid hold on me, but the shock of the kiss had dropped his guard. My fist broke out and attached with the side of his face. Without missing a beat, I shoved him off me as hard as I could and leapt away from the bed and toward the door. I heard him scramble to his feet as I threw it open. I shot out of the room and slammed the door shut before I could see what he did next. Not that I needed to. He was coming after me.Without a moments hesitation, I shoved the abandoned cleaning cart in front of the rooms door and sprinted off down the hall. A couple seconds later, the door opened, and I heard a cry of pain sensationas well as a very, very bad word in Russianas he ran into the cart. It would only take him a few moments to push it aside, but that was all I needed. I was down the flight of stairs in a flash and into the meager lobby where a worldly desk clerk was reading a book. He nearly jumped out of his chair when I came tearing through.Theres a guy chasing me I called as I headed out the door.The clerk didnt really look like anyone who would try to stop Dimitri, and I had a f eeling Dimitri wouldnt stop anyway if the guy asked him to. In the most complete case, the man would call the police. In this town, the POLICE probably consisted of one guy and a dog.Regardless, it was no long-run my concern. I had escaped the motel and was now in the middle of a sleepy mountain town, its streets cast in shadows. Dimitri might be right behind me, but as I plunged into some woods nearby, I knew it was going to be easy for me to lose him in the darkness.