Blood Promise Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lissa didnt harbour to say rough(prenominal)thing to express her shock. The feelings of utter astonishment pouring into me utter more than any words could give way. I, however, had wiz important word for herDuckI think it was her surprise that made her respond so quickly. She dropped to the floor. The question was clumsy, merely it removed her body from Reeds direct attack and put her (mostly) discover of range of the window. He bland collided with her shoulder and the side of her channelise, however it only bumped her and ca employ a little pain.Of course, a little pain meant in completely different things to us. Lissa had been tortured a couple of times, but most of her battles were mental. Shed never been in a private physical confrontation. Getting thr feature against w all in alls was an average occurrence for me, but for her, a small swipe to the idea was monumental.Crawl away, I ordered. Get away from him and the window. Head for the door if possible.Lissa sta rted moving on her hands and feet, but she was too slow. Reed caught hold of her hair. I pleasing of felt interchangeable we were playing a spicy of teleph unity. With the delay in me giving direction and her figuring out how to respond, I might as good put up been passing the message through five people before it got to her. I wished I could find her body like a puppeteer, but I was no philia user.Its going to hurt, but publish around as best you can and add him.Oh, it did hurt. Trying to turn her body meant his hold on her hair tugged that much more painfully. She managed it reasonably well, though, and flailed out at Reed. Her hits werent that interrelated, but they surprised him enough that he let go of her hair and tried to fend her off. Thats when I noticed he wasnt overly coordinated either. He was stronger than her, aline, but he obviously had no combat training short of basic hits and throwing his weight atomic reactor around. He hadnt come here for a true fi ght hed come to just push her out the window and be done with it.Get away if you can desex away if you can.She scrambled crosswise the floor, but unfortunately her escape path didnt give her access to the door. Instead, she ventureed further into the room until her ass hit a rolling desk chair.Grab it. Hit him with it.Easier said than done. He was right in that respect, still attempt to grab her and jerk her to her feet. She caught hold of the chair and tried to roll it into him.Id wanted her to pick it up and hit him with it, but that wasnt quite so easy for her. She did, however, manage to get to her feet and get the chair between them. I directed her to keep hitting him with it in an effort to get him to retreat. It worked a little, but she didnt quite have the force to truly damage him.Mean speckle, I half expected A rattling to occasion in the fight. It wouldnt have scoopn much effort to assist Reed in subduing Lissa. Instead, out of the corner of Lissas eye, I saying Avery posing perfectly still, her eyes unfoc utilise and slightly glazed over. Okay. That was weird, but I had no complaints about her world out of the conflict.As it was, Lissa and Reed were in a stalemate, one I had to get her out of. Youre on the defensive, I said. You subscribe to to take the attack to him.I finally got a direct answer top. What? I cant do anything like that I have no clue howIll show you. Kick him-preferably between the legs. Thatll take down most guys.Without words, I tried to send the feelings into her, teaching her the right way to tense muscles and spank out. Steeling herself, she pushed the chair away so that there was null between her and Reed. It caught him by surprise, giving her a design opening. Her leg in love out. It missed the golden spot, but it did hit his knee. That was almost as good. He stumbled spikelet as his leg collapsed underneath him and just managed to grab the chair for support. It tried to roll, which didnt help him any.Liss a didnt contain any urging to sprint for the door at that point-except it was blocked. Simon had just entered. For a moment, some(prenominal) Lissa and I felt sculptural relief. A defender Guardians were safe. Guardians protected us. The thing was, this guardian worked for Avery, and it soon became clear his services went beyond merely retentivity Strigoi away from her. He strode in, and with no hesitation grabbed Lissa and dragged her harshly cover charge to the window.My direction faltered at that moment. Id been an okay animal trainer at showing her how to fend off a surly teenage boy. But a guardian? And that surly teenage boy had recovered himself and joined Simon to finish the job.Compel himIt was my stand up desperate bid. That was Lissas strength. Unfortunately, while her earlier drinking had metabolized enough to improve her coordination, it was still affecting her control of spirit. She could touch the advocate-but not very much of it. Her control was clumsy too.N onetheless, her resolve was strong. She drew as much of the spirit as she could, channeling it into want. energy happened. Then, I felt that weird tickling in my head. At first I thought Avery was back on the scene, only rather than someone reaching into me, it was like they reached through me.The power in Lissa surged, and I realized what had happened. Oksana was still there, somewhere in the background, and she was lending her strength again, channeling it through me and into Lissa. Simon froze, and it was almost amusing. He twitched slightly, rocking back and forth as he tried to advance on her and finish the lethal task. It was like he was suspended in Jell-O.Lissa was hesitant to move, for fear of breaking her control. There was also the issue that Reed was not being compelled, but for the moment, he seemed too confused about what was happening to Simon to react.You cant just kill me Lissa blurted out. Dont you think people are going to ask questions when they find my body sh oved out a window? They wont notice, said Simon stiffly. Even the words required effort. Not when youre resurrected. And if you cant be, then it was just a tragic accident that befell a troubled girl.Slowly, slowly, he began breaking out of her compulsion. Her power, while still there, was weakening a little-there was a unwrap somewhere, and it was dripping out. I suspected it might be Averys influence or simply Lissas mental fatigue. peradventure both. A supreme look of sitisfaction crossed Simons features as he lunged forward, and then. He froze again.A hell gold aura lit up in Lissas periphery. She glanced over just enough to see Adrian in the doorway. The look on his reflexion was comical, but shocked or not, hed picked up enough to target Simon. It was Adrians compulsion holding the guardian in place now. Lissa squirmed away, yet again trying to keep out of that beshrew windows opening.Hold him Lissa cried.Adrian grimaced. I cant. What the hell? Its like theres someone els e thereAvery, said Lissa, sparing a instruct glance at the other girl. Averys face had gone pale rase for a Moroi. Her breathing was heavy, and her sudation had increased. She was fighting Adrians compulsion. A few seconds later, Simon broke free yet again. He advanced on Lissa and Adrian, though his movements seemed sluggish.Son of a bitch, I thought.Now what? demanded Lissa.Reed. Go for Reed. Get him out of the picture.Reed had been frozen during the struggle with Simon, watching with fascination. And like those of the guardian, Reeds actions seemed a little sluggish. Still, he was moving toward Lissa again. Simon had apparently decided Adrian was the immediate terror and was heading that way. Time to see if dividing and conquering would work.What about Adrian? Lissa asked.Were going to have to leave him on his own for a minute. Get to Reed. Knock him out.WhatBut she advanced on him anyway, moving with a determination that warm up me with pride. His face curled into a snarl. He was frantic and overconfident, though-not thinking clearly and still moving in an ungainly way. Once more, I attempted to teach Lissa without words. I couldnt make her do anything, but I tried to make her feel what it was like to punch someone. How to draw back her arm, curl her fingers in the proper(ip) way, build up the strength. After what Id seen her do earlier, the best I could hope for was a decent melodic theme of a punch, enough to keep him off her and create further delay.And thats when something truly beautiful happened.Lissa socked him in the nose. And I mean, socked. We both heard the impact, heard the nose break. Blood came out. He flew backward, both he and Lissa staring wide-eyed. Never, never would I have thought Lissa capable of something like that. Not sweet, delicate, beautiful Lissa.I wanted to yell and dance with joy. But this wasnt over yet.Dont stop Hit him again. Youve got to knock him outI did she cried, horrified at what shed done. Her fist was also in agonizing pain. I hadnt really mentioned that part during my coaching.No, youve got to incapacitate him, I told her. I think he and Avery are bonded, and I think shes taking her strength from him. It made finger now, why hed frozen when Avery drew power to use compulsion, why hed hunch overn to show up when he had. Shed used their bond to summon him.And so Lissa went after Reed again. She got in two more punches, one of which knocked his head against the wall. His lips parted and his features went slack. He dropped to the floor, eyes staring vacantly. I wasnt sure if he was entirely unconscious, but he was out of this for the moment. Off to the side, I heard a small cry from Avery.Lissa false to Adrian and Simon. Adrian had ceased any attempts at compulsion, because Simon was engaged in a full-on attack. Adrians face showed hed taken a few hits of his own, and I figured that, like Lissa, hed never engaged in this kind of physical combat. Without any need for direction from me, Lissa strode over and turned on her compulsion. Simon jerked in surprise, not stopping his attack, but caught off guard. Lissa was still weak, but the walls around him had dropped a little, just as Id suspected they would.Help me cried Lissa.With the momentary lapse on Simons part, Adrian tried to wield his spirit too. Lissa felt and saw the change in his aura as the antic flowed through him. She felt him join her in their psychic attack on Simon, and a moment later, I sensed Oksana joining the fray. I wanted to play general and shout orders, but this wasnt my battle anymore.Simons eyes went wide, and he fell to his knees. Lissa could sense the other two spirit users-and was a bit surprised by Oksanas presence-and had the vague impression that they were all doing slightly different things to Simon. Lissa was trying to compel him to stop his attack, to simply sit still. Her brief brush with Adrians magic told her he was trying to make the guardian sleep, and Oksana was attempting t o get Simon to run out of the room.The conflicting messages and all that power were too much. The last of Simons defenses fell as all those mixed messages blasted into him, creating a tidal motion of spirit. He collapsed to the floor. With all of their magic combined, the spirit users had knocked him unconscious. Lissa and Adrian turned to Avery, bracing themselves, but there was no need.As soon as all that spirit had blasted into Simon, Avery had begun screaming. And screaming and screaming. She gripped the sides of her head, the sound of her voice horrible and grating. Lissa and Adrian exchange glances, unsure how to handle this new development.For Gods sake, gasped Adrian, exhausted. How do we shut her up?Lissa didnt know. She considered approaching Avery and trying to help her, in spite of all that had happened. But a few seconds later, Avery grew quiet. She didnt pass out like her companions had. She just sat there, staring. Her expression no longer resembled the dazed look s hed had while wielding spirit. It was just blank. Like there was nothing in her at all.Wh-what happened? asked Lissa.I had the answer. The spirit flooded from Simon into her. It fried her.Lissa was startled. How could it go from Simon to her?Because theyre bonded.You said she was bonded to ReedShe is. Shes bonded to both of them.Lissa had been too distracted while fighting for her life, but Id been able to notice everyones auras through her eyes. Avery-no longer mask hers-had possessed a gold one, just like Adrian and Lissa. Simon and Reed had had nearly identical ones, with ordinary colors-ringed in black.They were shadow-kissed, both having been brought back from the dead by Avery.Lissa asked no more questions and simply collapsed into Adrians arms. There was nothing amatory about it, just a desperate need on both their parts to be compressed to a friend.Why did you come? she asked him. atomic number 18 you kidding? How could I not? You guys were like a bonfire with all the spi rit you were wielding. I felt it all the way across campus. He glanced around. Man, I have a lot of questions.You and me both, she muttered.I have to go, I told Lissa. I felt a little wistful at having to leave them.I miss you. When will you be back?Soon. convey you. Thank you for being there for me.Always. I suspected I was smiling back in my own body. Oh, and Lissa? Tell Adrian Im proud of him.The academy room faded. I was once more sitting on a bed halfway around the world. Abe was looking at me with concern. Mark also was concerned, but he had eyes only for Oksana, who lay down beside me. She looked a little like Avery, pale and sweating. Mark clasped her hand frantically, fear all over him. Are you okay?She smiled. Just tired. Ill be all right.I wanted to hug her. Thank you, I breathed. Thank you so much.Im glad to have helped, she said. But I hope I dont have to do it again. It was strange. Im not sure what role I played there.Me either. It had been weird. Sometimes it was li ke Oksana had actually been there, fighting right along with Lissa and the rest. Other times, Id felt as though Oksana had merged with me. I shuddered. Too many minds linked together. nigh time, you have to be by her side, Oksana said. In the real world.I looked down at my hands, confused and unsure what to think. The silver ring gleamed up at me. I took it off and handed it to her.This ring deliver me. give the bounce it heal you even though you made it?She held it in her hand for a moment and then gave it back. No, but like I said, Ill recover. I heal quickly on my own.It was true. Id seen Lissa heal remarkably fast in the past. It was part of always having spirit in you. I stared at the ring, and something troubling came to mind. It was a thought that had struck me while riding with the old couple to Novosibirsk, when Id moved in and out of consciousness.Oksana a Strigoi touched this ring. And for a few moments-while he did-it was like well, he was still Strigoi, no question. B ut while he held it, he was almost like his old self too.Oksana didnt answer right away. She looked up at Mark, and they held each others gazes for a long time. He bit his lip and shook his head.Dont, he said. Its a fairy tale.What? I exclaimed. I looked back and forth between him. If you know something about this-about Strigoi-you have to tell meMark spoke sagaciously in Russian, a warning in his voice. Oksana looked equally determined. Its not our place to withhold information, she replied.She turned to me, face grave. Mark told you about the Moroi we met long ago the other spirit user?I nodded. Yeah.He used to tell a lot of stories-most of which I dont think were true. But one of them well, he claimed he restored a Strigoi to life.Abe, silent thus far, scoffed. That is a fairy tale.What? My whole world reeled. How?I dont know. He never elaborated much, and the details often changed. His mind was going, and I think half of what he said was imaginary, she explained.Hes crazy, sa id Mark. It wasnt true. Dont get caught up in an insane mans fantasy. Dont fixate on this. Dont let it become your next vigilante quest. You need to go back to your bondmate.I swallowed, every emotion in the world churning in my stomach. Was it true? Had a spirit user restored a Strigoi to life? Theoretically well, if spirit users could heal and bring back the dead, why not the undead? And Dimitri Dimitri had definitely seemed altered while holding the ring.Had spirit affected him and touched some piece of his old self? At the time, Id just assumed it was fond memories of his family affecting himI need to talk to this guy, I murmured.Not that I knew why. Fairy tale or not, it was too late. Id done it. Id killed Dimitri. zero point would bring him back now, no miracle of spirit. My heart rate increased, and I could hardly breathe. In my minds eye, I saw him falling, falling falling forever with the stake in his chest. Would he have said he love me? I would ask myself that for the re st of my life.Agony and grief flooded me, though at the same time, relief was there too. I had freed Dimitri from a state of evil. I had brought him peace, sending him on to happiness. Maybe he and mason were together in heaven somewhere, practicing some guardian moves. I had done the right thing. There should be no regret here.Oblivious to my emotions, Oksana addressed my last statement. Mark wasnt kidding. This man is crazy-if hes even still vital. The last time we saw him, he could barely hold up a conversation or even use his magic. He ran off into hiding. No one knows where he is-except maybe his brother.Enough, warned Mark.Abes attention was piqued, however. He leaned forward, shrewd as ever. Whats this mans name?Robert Doru, said Mark after a few hesitant moments.It was no one I knew, and I realized how pointless this all was. This guy was a lost cause and had believably imagined the whole idea of saving a Strigoi in a fit of insanity. Dimitri was gone. This part of my lif e was over. I needed to get back to Lissa.Then I noticed that Abe had gone very still.Do you know him? I asked.No. Do you?No. I scrutinized Abes face. You sure look like you know something, Zmey.I know of him, Abe clarified. Hes an illegal empurpled. His father had an affair, and Robert was the result. His father actually included him as part of the family. Robert and his half-brother grew quite close, though few knew about it. Of course Abe would know about it, though. Doru is Roberts mothers last name.No surprise. Doru wasnt a royal name. Whats his fathers last name?Dashkov. Trenton Dashkov.That, I told him, is a name I know.I had met Trenton Dashkov days ago while accompanying Lissa and her family to a royal holiday party. Trenton had been an old, stooped man then, kind but on the brink of death. Moroi often lived to be over a hundred, but hed been pushing a hundred and twenty-which was ancient even by their standards. There had been no sign or whisper of him having an illegit imate son, but Trentons legitimate son had been there. That son had even danced with me, showing a great courtesy to a lowly dhampir girl.Trenton is Victor Dashkovs father, I said. Youre saying Robert Doru is Victor Dashkovs half-brother.Abe nodded, still watching me closely. Abe, as Id noted, knew everything. He likely knew my history with Victor.Oksana frowned. Victor Dashkov is someone important, isnt he? Out in their Siberian cottage, she was removed from the ferment of Moroi politics, unaware that the man who would have been king had been locked away in prison.I started laughing-but not because I demonstrate any humor in the situation. This whole thing was unbelievable, and my hysteria was the only way to let out all the crazy feelings within me. Exasperation. Resignation. Irony.Whats so funny? asked Mark, startled.Nothing, I said, knowing if I didnt stop laughing, Id plausibly start crying. Thats the thing. Its not funny at all.What a wonderful twist to my life. The only p erson alive who might know something about saving Strigoi was the half-brother of my greatest living enemy, Victor Dashkov. And the only person who might know where Robert was was Victor himself. Victor had known a lot about spirit, and now I had a good idea where hed first learned about it.Not that it mattered. None of this mattered anymore. Victor himself could have been able to convert Strigoi for all the good it would have done me.Dimitri was dead by my hand. He was gone, saved in the only way I knew how. Id had to choose between him and Lissa once before, and Id chosen him. Now there could be no question. Id chosen her. She was real. She was alive. Dimitri was the past.Id been staring absentmindedly at the wall, and now I looked up and met Abe square in the eyes. All right, old man, I said. Pack me up and send me home.