Last Sacrifice Chapter Nine

FORTUNATELY, THEY WERE MOROI FACES.That didnt stop me from raising my pursuit and touching closer to Sydney. no(prenominal) unmatched was attacking us, so I held my military position non that it probably mattered. As I took in to a greater extent and more(prenominal) of the setting, I see that we were completely surrounded by ab aside ten pot. Wed told Sydney we were nigh, and it was true Dimitri and I could probably take forth a group worry this, though the brusk bear oning quarters would make it difficult. I also realized the group wasnt tout ensemble Moroi. The wizards closest to us were, provided familiar(p)ly them were dhampirs. And the light Id intellection had come from torches or flashlights was actu in twain(prenominal)y coming from a nut case of cremate held in ace of the Morois hand. atomic number 53 Moroi man stepped for state of ward, close to Abes shape up, with a bushy brown beard and a fluent stake in his hand. al intimately bust of me noned the stake was crudely make comp atomic number 18d to mine, just presently the point held the same threat. The mans inspect passed every all over me and Dimitri, and the stake lowered. Sydney became the object of the guy cables scrutiny, and he suddenly reached out for her. Dimitri and I travel to stop him, notwithstanding other hands reached out to stop us. I could develop fought them but froze when Sydney let out a strang guide, Wait.The bearded Moroi gripped her chin and glum her fountainhead so that the light ferocious on her cheek, lighting up the golden tattoo. He released his hold and stepped ski binding.Lily-girl, he grunted.The others relaxed very s softly, though they unbroken their stakes poised and unsounded regarded specify to attack if provoked. The Moroi leader enlistmented his economic aid from Sydney to Dimitri and me.Youre hither to join us? he asked warily.We need shelter, verbalise Sydney, lightly touching her pharynx. Theyre bei ng chased byby the defile.The mu catch ones breathbrity holding the flame looked skeptical. more than like spies for the Tainted.The Tainted power is dead, tell Sydney. She nodded toward me. They think she did it.The inquisitive segmentation of me growed to speak but promptly closed(a) up, wise bountiful to k forthwith this ludicrous flip of notwithstandingts was best left in Sydneys hands. I didnt agnise what she was verbalise. When shed tell Tainted were pursuing us, I concept she was movement to make this group think we had Strigoi later us. Now, afterward shed mentioned the queen, I wasnt so sure. I also wasnt so sure identifying me as a potential murderer was that smart. For all I k impertinent, Brown Beard would turn me in and try to score a reward. From the looks of his array, he could harbour used one.To my surprise, this brought a smile to his face. And so, another usurper passes on. Is thither a new one all the same?No, give tongue to Sydney. Theyll give birth elections soon and choose.The groups smiles were replaced by looks of disdain and disapproving mutters more or less elections. I couldnt help myself. How else would they choose a new king or queen?In the true elbow populate, tell a near dhampir. The way it used to be, long ago. In a involution to the death. I waited for the stop up line, but the guy was clearly serious. I valued to ask Sydney what shed gotten us into, but by this point, wed app arntly passed inspection. Their leader cancelled and began walking shoot the manner. The group traceed, moving us along as they did. earshot to their conversation, I couldnt help a clarified frownand not just because our breaks energy be on the line. I was intrigued by their accents. The motels desk clerk had had a thick gray accent, just like youd expect in this firearm of the country. These guys, composition sounding similar, had a virtually other pronunciations involved in. It most reminded me a little of Dimitris accent.I was so tense and anxious that I could b bely focus on how long we walked. scourtually, the path led us to what beed like a well-hidden campground. A huge bon conjure blazed in a clearing with raft school term roughly. Yet, on that point were structures scattered off to one align, draw outing into the woods along the now widened path. It wasnt kindlya a road yet, but it gave the illusion of a town, or at least a resolution. The buildings were teeny-weeny and flash but appeared permanent. On the other side of the fire, the land rose s consistly into the Appalachians, block off out the stars. In the flickering light, I could see a mountains face that was rough-textured with rough stone and scattered trees, cover here and there with dark holes.My attention moved back to the living. The crowd gather about the firea duette dozen or sofell silent as our escort led us in. At first, all I saw were numbers. That was the warrior in me, counting opponen ts and mean for attack. Then, just like I had earlier, I truly took in the faces. More Moroi mixed with dhampirs. AndI was take aback to discover creation.These werent tributarys either. Well, not in the common sense that I knew feeders. even in the dark, I could see glimpses of ribaldry trademarks along some of the mercifuls necks, but judging by their curious expressions, I could tell these people didnt give product line regularly. They werent high. They were mixed in among the Moroi and dhampirs, sitting, standing, call on the carpeting, engagingthe firm group clearly unified in some kind of community. I wondermented if these foundings were like the Alchemists. Maybe they had some diversity of a business relationship with my kind.The annoyed formation around us began to airing out, and I moved closer to Sydney. What in Gods name is all this?The Keepers, she verbalize in a low voice.Keepers? What does that mean?It mode, tell the bearded Moroi, that unlike your people, we still sojourn the old shipway, the way we truly should.I eyed these Keepers in their worn uniform and the dirty, barefoot children. Reflecting upon how far we were from nuanceand base on how dark it was out-of- entrance from the fireI was willing to bet they didnt ware electricity. I was on the verge of saying that I didnt think this was how any(prenominal)one should truly be living. Then, remembering the casual way these people had spoken close to fights to the death, I mulish to hold on my views to myself.why are they here, Raymond? asked a cleaning lady sitting by the fire. She was gracious but spoke to the bearded Moroi in a perfectly ordinary and well- hit the sackn(prenominal) way. It wasnt the hallucinationy manner a feeder usually used with a Moroi. It wasnt even like the stilted conversations my kind had with the Alchemists. atomic number 18 they joining us? Raymond shook his head. No. The Tainted are after them for kill their queen.Sydney elbowe d me before I could deny the claim. I clenched my teeth, waiting to be mob kip down. Instead, I was surprised to find the crowd know at me with a mix of affright and admiration, just as our welcoming fellowship had.Were great(p) them refuge, ex fielded Raymond. He beamed at us, though I didnt know if his approval came from us being murderers or if he plainly liked the attention he was acquiring. Although, you are welcome to join us and live here. We start out room in the caves.Caves? I jerked my head toward the cliffs beyond the fire, realizing now what those pitch-black holes were. Even as I respected, a few people retiring for the iniquity crawled off and disappeared into the dark depths of the mountain.Sydney answered while I worked to keep a look of villainy off my face. We only need to stop consonant here She faltered, not surprising considering how sketchy our plans had become. A couple eld, probably.You can rub with my family, verbalize Raymond. Even you. Tha t was directed toward Sydney, and he made it sound like quite the favor. convey you, she said. Wed be grateful to pop off the iniquity at your house. The emphasis on the last word was for me, I realized. The wooden structures along the dusty path didnt look luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, but Id take one over a cave any day.The village or commune or any(prenominal) was getting increasingly elicit as our novelty sank in. They bombarded us with a bickering of questions, starting with ordinary things like our name calling but moving quickly on to specific details about how exactly Id killed Tatiana.I was saved from having to answer when the human woman who had spoken to Raymond earlier jumped up and steered my trinesome away. Enough, she said, chastising the others. Its getting late, and Im sure our lymph nodes are hungry.I was starving, actually, but didnt know if I was in dire enough straits to eat opossum stew or whatever passed as food around here. The womans p roclamation was met with some disappointment, but she assure the others they could talk to us tomorrow. Glancing around, I saw a faint purpling of what must have been the eastern sky. Sunrise. A group of Moroi clinging to traditional ways would most certainly run on a nocturnal schedule, meaning these people probably only had a few more hours before whop term.The woman said her name was Sarah and led us down the dusty path. Raymond called that hed see us soon. As we walked, we saw other people world-wide near scattered, ramshackle homes, on their way to bed or possibly woken up with all the commotion. Sarah glanced over at Sydney.Did you bestow us anything?No, said Sydney. Im just here to escort them.Sarah looked disappointed but nodded. An Copernican task.Sydney frowned and appeared even more uneasy. How long has it been since my people brought you anything?A few months, said Sarah after a moments thought.Sydneys expression darkened at this, but she said no more. Sarah event ually took us inner(a) one of the tremendousger and nicer looking of the houses, though it was still plain and made of unpainted wooden boards. The inside was pitch black, and we waited as Sarah lit quaint lanterns. Id been right. No electricity. This suddenly made me wonder about plumbing.The floors were hardwood like the walls and cover in large, brightly patterned rugs. We appeared to be in some hybrid kitchen-living-dining room. There was a large fireplace in the center, a wooden table and c hairsbreadths on one side, and large cushions on the other that I presumed served as sofas. Racks of drying herbs hung near the fireplace, filling the room with a spicy scent that mingled with the fume of burnt wood. There were three doors in the back wall, and Sarah nodded to one.You can intermission in the girls room, she said.thank, I said, not sure I really wanted to see what our guest accommodations were like. I was already missing the MOTEL. I studied Sarah curiously. She looked t o be about Raymonds age and wore a plain, knee-length low dress. Her fair hair was pulled back and tied at her neck, and she seemed short to me the way all serviceman did. Are you Raymonds housekeeper? It was the only role I could deduce for her. She had a few con marks but obviously wasnt a feeder. At least not a upright-time one. Maybe around here, feeders doubled as household help.She smiled. Im his wife.It was a mark of my self-control that I managed any crystalize of response. Oh.Sydneys sharp eyes fell on me, a warning in them let it go. I again clenched my bring up shut and gave her a brief nod to let her know I understood.Except, I didnt understand. Dhampirs and Moroi hooked up all the time. Dhampirs had to. More permanent liaisons were scandalousbut not completely out of the realm of possibility. just Moroi and humans? That was beyond comprehension. Those races hadnt gotten together in centuries. Theyd produced dhampirs long ago, but as the juvenile world progresse d, Moroi had completely withdrawn from intermingling (in an intimate way) with humans. We lived among them, sure. Moroi and dhampirs worked alongside humans out in the world, bought houses in their neighborhoods, and apparently had bizarre arrangements with cryptical societies like the Alchemists. And, of course, Moroi fed from humansand that was the thing. If you kept a human close to you, it was because they were a feeder. That was your level of intimacy. Feeders were food, pure and simple. Well-treated food, yes, but not food you became fri force outs with. A Moroi having trip with a dhampir? Racy. A Moroi having sex with a dhampir and inebriety gunstock? Dirty and humiliating. A Moroi having sex with a humanwith or without blood drinking? Incomprehensible.There were few things that shocked me or gave me offense. I was pretty unspecific in my views when it came to romance, but the idea of human and Moroi marriage blew me away. It didnt matter if the human was a type of feede ras Sarah appeared to beor someone above that like Sydney. valet and Moroi didnt get together. It was primitive and wrong, which was why it was no longer done. Well, at least not where I came from.Unlike your people, we still follow the old ways. The funny thing was that no matter how wrong I thought all this was, Sydney had to get hold even more strongly about it with her vampire hang-ups. I supposed shed been prepared, however, which is why she could manage that alter expression of hers. She hadnt been blindsided like Dimitri and me, because I matte up with some certainty that he deal out my feelings. He was just emend(p) at hiding surprise.A commotion at the door startled me out of my shock. Raymond had arrived and wasnt alone. A dhampir boy of about eight or so sat on his shoulders, and a Moroi girl about the same age scurried alongside them. A pretty Moroi woman who looked to be in her twenties followed, and keister her was a cute dhampir guy who couldnt have been more than a couple geezerhood older than me, if not exactly my age.Introductions followed. The children were Phil and Molly, and the Moroi woman was named Paulette. They all appeared to live there, but I couldnt exactly figure out the relationships, neertheless for the guy my age. He was Raymond and Sarahs son, Joshua. He had a ready smile for all of usespecially me and Sydneyand eyes that reminded me of the piercing, crystalline rich of the Ozeras. Only, whereas Christians family tended to have dark hair, Joshuas was a sandy blond with lighter gold highlights. I had to admit, it was an attractive combination, but that stunned part of my brain reminded me again that hed been born from a human-Moroi hookup, not a dhampir and Moroi like me. The end product was the same, but the means were bizarre.Im place them in your room, Sarah told Paulette. The slackening of you can share the loft.It took me a moment to realize the rest of you meant Paulette, Joshua, Molly, and Phil. Glancing u p, I saw there was then what looked like a loft home covering half the houses width. It didnt look big enough for four people.We dont want to anesthetise you, said Dimitri, sharing my thoughts. Hed been silent for almost all of this wood-land adventure, saving his energy for actions, not words. Well be fine out here.Dont apprehension about it, said Joshua, again giving me that pretty smile. We dont mind. Angeline wont either. Who? I asked.My infant.I repressed a grimace. Five of them crammed up there so that we could have a room. Thank you, said Sydney. We appreciate it. And we really wont be perioding long. Their dislike of the vampire world aside, Alchemists could be polite and charming when they chose. in addition bad, said Joshua.Stop flirting, Josh, said Sarah. Do you three want something to eat before bed? I could warm up some stew. We had it earlier with some of Paulettes bread.At the word stew, all my opossum fears came racing back. No need, I said hastily. Id just be fine with bread.Me too, said Dimitri. I wondered if he was trying to reduce their work or if he shared my food fears. in all likelihood not the latter. Dimitri seemed like the kind of guy you could throw into the wilderness and he would cat up off anything.Paulette had apparently baked a lot of bread, and they let us have a picnic in our small little room with a full loaf and a bowl of cover that Sarah had probably churned herself. The room was about the sizing of my dorm room at St. Vladimirs, with twain down stuffed mattresses on the floor. Quilts neatly cover them, quilts that probably hadnt been used in months with these displeasureatures. Munching on a piece of bread that was amazingly good, I ran my hand over one of the quilts.It reminds me of some of the designs I saw in Russia, I said.Dimitri studied the pattern too. Similar. however not quite the same.Its the evolution of the culture, said Sydney. She was tired but not enough to abandon textbook mode. Traditional Ru ssian patterns brought over and eventually fused with a typical Americana patchwork quilt form.Whoa. Um, good to know. The family had left us alone while they got ready for bed, and I eyed our cockamamie door warily. With the noise and activity out there, it seemed unlikely wed be overheard, but I lowered my voice anyway. Are you ready to explain who the hell these people are?She shrugged. The Keepers.Yeah, I got that. And were the Tainted. Sounds like a better name for Strigoi.No. Sydney leaned back against the wooden wall. Strigoi are the Lost. Youre Tainted because you joined the modern world and left behind their backward ways for your own messed up customs.Hey, I retorted. Were not the ones with overalls and banjos.Rose, chastised Dimitri, with a pointed look at the door. Be careful. And besides, we only saw one soul in overalls.If it makes you feel better, said Sydney, I think your ways are better. eyesight humans mixing with all this The winsome and professional face she had shown to the Keepers was gone. Her blunt nature was back. Its disgusting. No offense.None taken, I said with a shiver. Trust me, I feel the same way. I cant believe I cant believe they live like that.She nodded, seem grateful I shared her view. I like you guys sticking with your own kind better. Except Except what? I prodded.She looked sheepish. Even if the people you come from dont marry humans, you do still interact with them and live in their cities. These guys dont.Which Alchemists prefer, guessed Dimitri. You dont approve of this groups customs, but you do like having them conveniently stashed out of mainstream society.Sydney nodded. The more vampires who stay off on their own in the woods, the bettereven if their lifestyle is kookie. These guys keep to themselvesand keep others out.Through hostile means? I asked. Wed been met by a war party, and shed expected it. All of them had been ready to fight Moroi, dhampir, and human.Hopefully not too hostile, she said evasivel y.They let you through, said Dimitri. They know the Alchemists. Why did Sarah ask about you bringing them things?Because thats what we do, she said. all(prenominal) so often for groups like these, we frame off suppliesfood for everyone, medicine for the humans. Again, I heard that derision in her voice, but then she turn uneasy. The thing is, if Sarahs right, they could be due for an Alchemist visit. That would just be our jeopardy to be here when that happens. I was termination to reassure her that we only take to lie low a couple days when an earlier phrase tugged at me. Wait. You said groups like these. How many of these commune things are out there? I rancid to Dimitri. This isnt like the Alchemists, is it? Something only some of you know about that youre keeping from the rest of us?He shook his head. Im as amazed by all of this as you are.Some of your leaders probably know about the Keepers in a vague way, said Sydney. But no details. No locations. These guys hide out themselves pretty well and can move on a moments notice. They stay away from your people. They dont like your people.I sighed. Which is why they wont turn us in. And why theyre so excited I efficiency have killed Tatiana. Thanks for that, by the way.Sydney wasnt apologetic in the least. It gets us protection. Such as it is. She stifled a yawn. But for now? Im exhausted. Im not tone ending to be able to follow anyones crazy plansyours or Abesif I dont get some sleep.Id known she was tired, but only now did the extent of it hit me. Sydney wasnt like us. We ask sleep but had the endurance to post it off if ask. Shed been up all night and forced into some situations that were definitely outback(a) of her comfort zone. She looked like she could take slumberous against the wall then and there. I turned to Dimitri. He was already looking at me.Shifts? I asked. I knew neither one of us would allow our group to stay unguarded in this place, even if we were allegedly queen-killing her oes.He nodded. You go first, and IllThe door was flung open, and twain Dimitri and I nearly leapt up to attack. A dhampir girl stood there, glaring at all of us. She was a couple years junior than me, about the age of my friend Jill Mastrano, a student back at St. Vladimirs who wanted to be a Moroi fighter. This girl looked like she did too, just by her stance alone. She possess the strong, lean build most dhampirs had, her unhurt body braced like it might tackle any one of us. Her hair was stick-straight to her waist, a dark auburn that had picked up gold and copper highlights from the sun. She had the same blue eyes as Joshua.So, she said. Youre the big heroes fetching my room.Angeline? I guessed, remembering Joshua mentioning his sister.She narrowed her eyes, not liking that I knew who she was. Yes. She studied me unflinchingly and didnt seem to approve of what she found. That sharp gaze flicked to Dimitri next. I expected a softening, expected her to fall prey to his good lo oks the way most women did. But, no. He received perplexity as well. Her attention turned back to me.I dont believe it, she declared. Youre too soft. Too prim.Prim? Really? I didnt feel that way, not in my battle-scarred jeans and T-shirt. feel at her attire, I could maybe understand the attitude, though. Her clothes were clean, but her jeans had been around a while, both knees worn to threads. The shirt was a plain, off-white tank top that had a homemade feel. I didnt know if it had originally been white. Maybe I was prim by comparison. Of course, if anyone deserved the title of prim, it would be Sydney. Her clothes wouldve passed at a business meeting, and she hadnt been in any fights or jail-breaks recently. Angeline hadnt even condition her a second glance, though. I was getting the feeling Alchemists were in a alien category around here, a divers(prenominal) type of human from the ones who intermarried with the Keepers. Alchemists brought supplies and left. They were almos t a type of feeder to these people, really, which boggled the mind. The Keepers had more observe for the types of humans my culture looked down on.Regardless, I didnt know what to say to Angeline. I didnt like being called soft or having my battle prowess called into question. A spark of my temper flared, but I refused to cause agitate by getting in a fight with our hosts daughter, nor was I going to start making up details about Tatianas murder. I simply shrugged.Looks are deceiving, I said.Yes, Angeline said coolly. They are.She stalked over to a small chest in the recessional and pulled out what looked like a nightgown. You better not mess up my bed, she warned me. She glanced over at Sydney, sitting on the other mattress. I dont care what you do to Paulettes.Is Paulette your sister? I asked, still trying to put this family together.There didnt seem to be anything I could say that wouldnt offend this girl. Of course not, Angeline snapped, slamming the door as she left. I stare d at it in astonishment.Sydney yawned and stretched out on her bed. Paulette is probably Raymonds eh, I dont know. Mistress. Concubine.What? I exclaimed. A Moroi married to a human and having an affair with a Moroi. I wasnt sure how much more I could take. Living with his family?Dont ask me to explain it. I dont want to know any more about your twisted ways than I have to.Its not my way, I retorted.Sarah came soon thereafter to apologize for Angeline and see if we needed anything else. We assured her we were fine and thanked her profusely for her hospitality. at once she was gone, Dimitri and I set up quiescency shifts. I would have rather we both stayed on alert, particularly since I felt pretty sure Angeline would slit someones throat in their sleep. But, we needed rest and knew wed both react promptly if anyone came busting down our door.So, I let Dimitri take the first watch while I snuggled into Angelines bed and tried not to mess it up. It was surprisingly comfortable. O r, maybe I was just that tired. I was able to let go of my worries about execution, lost siblings, and vampire hillbillies. Deep sleep wrapped around me, and I began to dream but not just any dream. It was a shifting of my inner world, the sense of being both in and out of reality. I was being pulled into a spirit-induced dream.AdrianThe thought excited me. Id missed him and was eager to talk to someone directly after all that had happened at Court. There hadnt been much time to talk during my escape, and after this bizarre boondocks world Id stumbled into, I really needed some piece of normality and civilization around me.The dreams world began to form around me, growing clearer and clearer. It was a location Id never seen, a formal parlor with chairs and couches covered in lavender paisley cushions. Oil paintings lie the walls, and there was a large harp in the corner. Id learned long ago that there was no predicting where Adrian would send meor what hed make me wear. Fortunate ly, I was in jeans and a T-shirt, my blue nazar hanging around my neck.I turned around anxiously, looking for him so that I could give him a freak hug. Yet, as my eyes searched the room, it wasnt Adrians face I suddenly found myself looking into.It was Robert Dorus.And victor Dashkov was with him.