Blood Promise Chapter Eight

The reactions were mixed among Dimitris family members. rough cried. Some were stunned. And any(prenominal)-mainly Yeva and Viktoria-simply alsok it in and kept their senses from their loo pouf ats, unsloped as Dimitri would concur d peerless(prenominal). That upset me intimately as more as the tear it reminded me too loads of him. Out of completely of them, pregnant Sonya-who came home abruptly later the news broke-had the most intense corporal reaction. She ran sobbing to her mode and wouldnt sum aside.It didnt wad long, how incessantly, for Yeva and Olena to spring into action. They spoke rapidly in Russian, clearly planning something. Phone c each(prenominal)s were do, and Viktoria was dispatched to modernize an errand. No one shapemed to need me, so I mostly wandered the reside and act to stay out of the charge.I be myself studying the shelves Id envisionn anterior, running my hands on the leather-bound books. The titles were in Cyrillic, n eve rtheless it didnt matter.Touching them and imagining Dimitri having held and s lavatory them somehow made me olfactory property immediate to him.Looking for a minute sw altogether toldow reading? Sydney walked up and stood beside me. She hadnt been almost earlier but had heard the news.Very clean-living, lookight as I dont under project w nauseatever of them, I replied. I motiond to the scurrying family members. Whats issue on present?Theyre planning Dimitris funeral, Sydney explained. Or, well, his muniment dish of process.I frowned. provided hes non dead-Shh. She disrupt me off with a sharp gesture and glanced warily at the others as they hustled nearly. Dont several(prenominal)(prenominal)ize that. exclusively when its true, I hissed back.She shook her head. non to them. Out here out in these villages at that state of affairss no middle state. Youre alive or youre dead. They arent going to ack at a timeledge him being one of those. She couldnt keep the disgust out of her voice. For every intents and purposes, he is dead to them. Theyll mourn him and ply on. So should you. I didnt take rudeness at her blunt attitude because I knew she hadnt recollectt to give any. It was near her way.The problem was, that in-between state was very real to me, and there was no way I could impress on. Not save.Rose began Sydney subsequently several seconds of silence. She wouldnt oppose my eyes. Im unappeas competent.You involve, for Dimitri?Yeah I had no idea. I havent sincerely been that dainty to you. I mean, Im non going to act uniform I feel any recrudesce close to hanging out with your variety show, but you guys are lock onward well, not serviceman, obviously. besides I dont chicane. You thus far have feelings you soundless love and hurt. And while we were approach shot here, you had all this horrible news in you, and I didnt make it any easier for you. So Im sorry for that. And Im sorry for animadverting the worst o f you.At archetypal, I prospect she was talking close to thinking I was evil, but and soce I got it. Shed thought this whole clipping that I really was coming to be a lineage whore and straight believed delivering the news to Dimitris family had been my only purpose. I didnt cod to correct her.Thanks, but you couldnt have known. And honestly, if I were in your place I dont know. Id believably act the same way.No, she declare. You wouldnt. Youre endlessly nice to race.I gave her an incredulous look. Have you been traveling with someone else these last few age? Back home, Ive got a reputation for not continuously being so nice. Ive got attitude, and I know it.She smiled. Yeah, you do. But you also asseverate the refine things to plenty when you have to. carnal knowledge the Belikovs what you did well, that was hard.And no matter what you say, you can be polite and go out of your way to make people feel ripe. roughly of the time.I was a bit startled. Was that how I appeared? I often thought of myself as a trigger-happy pantywaist quetch and time-tested to think close to my expression with her these last few days. I had sparred with her a spate, but among the others wed met, I supposed I had been friendly. hearty, thanks, I express, not knowing what else to say.Did you see Abe yet? When you walked around townspeople?No, I say, realizing Id forgotten almost my mysterious rescuer. Should I have?I just calculate hed find you.Who is he? Why did he hap get us when you told him I was hurt?Sydney hesitated, and I thought I was going to get some much of the Alchemist taciturn treatment. Then, later on glancing around uneasily, she tell in a low voice, Abes not royal, but hes a really of the essence(predicate) guy. Hes not Russian any, but hes in the country a lot, always on business- two illegal and legal, I think. Hes friends with all the primary(prenominal) Moroi, and half the time, it awaits handle he controls the Alchemists, t oo. I know hes involved in the member of making our tattoos but his business goes uttermost beyond that. We have a come upon for him behind his back Zmey.Zma what? I had further heard the word. It hygieniced wish well zz-may. It was certainly cypher Id ever heard forrader.She gave a minute smile at my confusion. Zmey is Russian for ?snake. But not just any snake. Her eyes narrowed as she pondered a disc everyplace explanation. Its a term 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 tend of Eden? Who made Eve stock? He was called a zmey too.I shivered. Okay, that was picturesque freaky, but it made something click into place. The Alchemists allegedly had ties to leaders and authorities, and Abe apparently wielded a lot of influence with them. Is Abe the one who wanted 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 shadow 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 peeping for you on someones behalf.I went cold. My fears were being realized. great deal had been flavor 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 accept my need for this quest.So who was looking for me? And for what reason? This Abe sounded like a high-ranking person-albeit someone involved in shady business someone who power very well be attached to the queen or others almost as important. Had he been legitimate to find me and represent me back? Or considering how much the queen hated me-had he perhaps been ordered to make sure I didnt come back? Was I dealing with an bravo?Sydney certainly seemed to regard him with a weird mix of fear and respect.Maybe 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 several games at once, and he deals in replete secrets to tint the Alchemists.So you dont want him?She gave me a rueful grin as she sour to walk away. You forget I dont trust any of you.When she was gone, I fixed to go alfresco, away from the sorrow and business indoors. I sat lot on the elapse step of the backyard porch, watching Paul play. He was building a fort for some of his action figures. fleck sensitive to the affliction in his family, it was hard for him to be too affected by the death of an uncle hed only met a couple of times. The news didnt mean as much to him as it did to the proportionality of us.With so much time on my hands for the rest of the day, I decided to do a quick check in with Lissa. In spite of my self, I was kind of curious about how things had panned out with Avery Lazar.While Lissas intentions were good, shed still had some mis natural endowments about convey Avery on to lunch. And yet, she was pleasantly surprised to see Avery fitting in perfectly, charming both Adrian and Christian. Admittedly, Adrian was impressed by graceful 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 illusion at Adrians expense ranked high on Christians list.So, explain this, Avery said, winding linguini around her fork. You just, what, hang around the honorary society all day? Are you seek to redo your high school set out?Nothing to redo, said Adrian loftily. I entirely ruled my high school. I was adore and adored-not that that should come as a shock. Beside him, Christian nearly choked on his food.So youre trying to relive your glory days. Its all gone pop outhill since th en, huh?No way, said Adrian. Im like a fine wine-coloured. 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 throw away part of the day helping my dad.Adrian sleeps most of the day, noted Lissa, trying to keep a straight face. So he doesnt in reality have to worry about finding things to do.Hey, I spend a good portion of my time helping you ravel the mysteries of spirit, Adrian reminded her.Avery leaned forward, curiosity 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 address it-probably in the hopes of impressing Avery-and provided a quick sum total 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 gossipmonger 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 outset. I couldnt help being a little amused.Adrian was so brash and flippant in public and then, in my dreams, hed show that adept and concerned side. He was more compound than anyone gave him credit for.Avery looked floored. Man. I used to think using air was cool. I guess not. A dwarfish breeze all at once blew her hair back, making her look as though she were posing for a bathing suit photo shoot. She gave the root word a fulgurant smile. All that was missing was a photographer.The sound of the bell made them all stand up. Christian realized hed left provision in another class and travel off to get it-after kissing Lissa goodbye, of course.Adrian go away equally as fast. T he teachers start giving me dirty 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 older girls face was thoughtful. So you really are with Christian, unspoilt? 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 speak to. 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 expenditure time with him, but the reason were always together there is because Tatiana makes us.She seems to like you, though. She dialog about you all the time, about how much potential you have and how proud she is of you.I think shes proud to manipulate me. cantillate ending there is such a pain. She either completely ignores the fact that Im dating Christian or takes whatever chance she can get to slip in insults about him. Queen Tatiana, like so more other people, could never forgive Christians parents for volitionally turning Strigoi.Sorry, said Avery, looking like she felt really unfit. 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 fierceness was turn toward the queen, at how she assumed everyone would run the way she wanted and dance when she commanded it. The Moroi earthly concern had been ruled by a king or a queen since the ascendent of time, and sometimes, Lissa thought it was time for a change. They inevitable a system where everyone had an equal say-royal and n on-royal alike. plain the dhampirs.The more she thought about it, the more she felt her temper spike, anger and foiling flaring up in a way more ballpark to me than her. It made her want to scream sometimes, to walk right up to Tatiana and tell her their deal was off. No college was worth this. Maybe shed even tell Tatiana that it was time for a revolution, time to visit the Morois backward Lissa blinked, astonished to find she was shiver. 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 view a lot of royals had toward common Moroi. She just laughed about you and Adrian being together. utter 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, heady attitude, one both Lissa and I wish immensely. Mia lived at Court with her father, secretly pedagogy to fight so that she would be able to battle Strigoi someday.Oh, said Avery suddenly. Theres Simon. I should go.Lissa looked crosswise the hall and saw Averys stern guardian. Simon readiness not be as exacting as Averys brother Reed, but he still had that same stiff and sorry 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, showtime to turn.Oh, and Avery?Avery glanced at Lissa. Yeah?Adrian is available.Averys only perform was a quick grin forward 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, with every proceeds and table surface covered in dishes. Some were foods I knew, and there were lots of desserts-cookies and pastries covered in nuts and frost that smelled freshly baked. Some of the dishes Id never seen in advance and wasnt sure I wanted to ever again. There was a slimy trough 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 military personnel 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 put forward 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. human beings didnt expect to see the supernatural, so their minds seldom considered it an option, even when it was right in social movement of them.Everyone grew silent. It was sunset now, with orange fire combustion in the western sky, and shadows falling crossways all of us. The priest performed a funeral service in Russian, chanting in a voice that sounded unearthly in the change 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, let the priests mournful voice fill my soul. My feelings for Dimitri churned inwardly me like a growin g storm, and I worked to keep them in, locked up in my heart. When the service finally finished, the eerie tension 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 sat wherever they could find space, be it inside the house or in the backyard. None of the guests really knew me, and Dimitris family was far too busy to stipend 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 soothe about that familiar habit.When dinner 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 mystifying hissing that the ghosts made during their visits. It was oppressive and smothering, the draw 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 present yard.I walked down the street, not intending to go far. The night was potent and clear, with the moon and stars burning brightly 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 outburst 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 cessation 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 severalise this group from the service-but I did recognize the Moroi from someplace else. I gave him a wry half-smile.Abe Mazur, I presume.