Spirit Bound Chapter Nineteen

ARE YOU CRAZY? I ASKED.He gave me the same wordless look he always did when I needed that question.I sighed and essay again. A troupe? Thats pushing it, counterbalance for you. populate tho died Guardians. Priscilla Voda. Not to mention, volume had just summate book binding from the bushed(p). Probably best to leave that part out. This isnt the time to pop off-key trashed and play beer pong.I expected Adrian to word that it was always a good time for beer pong, hardly he remained serious. Actu everyy, its because people died that thithers divergence to be a party. Its non a kegger type. Maybe partys not even the right word. Its a He frowned, grasping at words. A special event. An elite unmatchable. each royal parties are elite atomic number 53s, I pointed out.Yeah, only when not every royal is invited to this. Its the sound, elite of the elite.That very wasnt helping. AdrianNo, listen. He do that familiar gesture of his that indicated frustration, running his p ay with his hair. Its not so much a party as a ceremony. An elder, venerable usage from I dont know. Romania, I command. They c in all it the Death Watch. just its a way to honor the dead, a out of sight thats been passed on through the oldest bloodlines.Flash stickers of a destructive unfathomed society at St. Vladimirs came game to me. This isnt close to Mana issue, is it?No, I swear. Please, Rose. Im not all that into it either, but my moms acquire me go, and Id really kindred it if you were there with me.Elite and bloodline were example words to me. Will there be other dhampirs there?No. He then added quickly, But I made arrangements for some people youll approve of to be there. Itll make it better for both of us.Lissa? I guessed. If ever there was an esteemed bloodline, hers was it.Yeah. I just ran into her at the medical center. Her reaction was some alike yours.That made me grimace. It withal piqued my interest. I treasured to talk to her to a greater ext ent nigh what had happened during her visit to Dimitri and knew shed been avoiding me because of it. If going to some silly royal ritual or whatever it was could get me to her, then so much the better.Who else?People youll like.Fine. Be mysterious. Ill go to your cult meeting.That earned me a return smile. Hardly a cult, lilliputian dhampir. It really is a way to pay last respects to the people killed in that fight. He reached out and ran a hand along my cheek. And Im glad God, Im so glad you werent ace of them. You dont know. His voice caught, the flippant smile trembling for a moment before stabilizing again. You dont know how worried I was. Every spot you were gone, every minute I didnt know what had happened to you it was agony. And even after I heard you were okay, I unplowed asking everyone at the medical center what they knew. Had they chit-chatn you fight, did you get hurtI felt a orchis in my throat. I hadnt been able to cons genuine Adrian when Id re sour, but I sho uld watch sent a message, at least. I squeezed his hand and tried to make a joke of some involvement that really wasnt funny. Whatd they say? That I was a badass?Yeah, very. They couldnt s carrousel talking intimately how amazing you were in battle. Word got back to Aunt Tatiana as well as about what you did, and even she was impressed.Whoa. That was a surprise. I started to ask more, but his next words brought me up short.I as well as heard you were yelling at anyone you could to find out about Belikov. And that you were beating strike down the guardians doors this morning.I looked away. Oh. Yeah. I Look, Im sorry, but I had toHey, hey. His voice was heavy and earnest. Dont apologize. I understand.I looked up at him. You do?Look, its not like I didnt expect this if he came back.I glanced back at him hesitantly, studying his serious expression. I know. I remember what you utter before.He nodded, then gave me another rueful smile. Of course, I didnt actually expect any of this to work. Lissa tried to explain the magic she used but good God. I dont think I could ever do anything like she did.Do you believe? I asked. Do you believe hes no longer Strigoi?Yeah. Lissa verbalize hes not, and I believe her. And I truism him from a distance out in the sun. But Im not sure its a good musical theme for you to try to reveal him.Thats your jealousy talking. I had absolutely no right to sound accusing, considering the way my heart was all tangled up all over Dimitri.Of course its jealousy, verbalize Adrian nonchalantly. What do you expect? The former love of your life comes backfrom the dead, no less. Thats not something Im really excited about. But I dont blame you for feeling confused.I told you beforeI know, I know. Adrian didnt sound particularly upset. In fact, there was a strikely patient tone in his voice. I know you utter him coming back wouldnt affect things between us. But manifestation one thing before it happens and then actually having that thin g happen are two different things.What are you getting at? I asked, kind of confused.I unavoidableness you, Rose. He squeezed my hand more tightly. Ive always wanted you. I want to be with you. Id like to be like other guys and say I want to take care of you withal, but well. When it comes down to it, youd probably be the one taking care of me.I laughed in spite of myself. some(prenominal) days I think youre in more danger from yourself than anyone else. You touch like cigarettes, you know.Hey, I energize never, ever verbalize I was perfect. And youre wrong. Youre probably the most dangerous thing in my life.AdrianWait. With his other hand, he pressed his fingers over my lips. Just listen. Itd be stupid for me to think that your old boyfriend coming back isnt going to scram any effect on you. So do I like you wanting to reassure him? No, of course not. Thats instinct. But theres more, you know. I do believe that hes a dhampir again. Absolutely. ButBut what? Adrians words ha d me more curious than ever now.But just because he isnt a Strigoi doesnt mean its entirely gone from him. Hold on. Adrian could see my mouth opening in outrage. Im not saying hes loathsomeness or means to be evil or anything like that. But what he went through Its huge. Epic. We really dont know much about the changing process. What effect did that kind of life have on him? Are there violent parts of him that might suddenly lash out? Thats what Im worried about Rose. I know you. I know you arent going to be able to help yourself. Youll have to see him and talk to him. But is it safe? Thats what no one knows. We dont know anything about this. We dont know if hes dangerous.Christian had said the same thing to Lissa. I examined Adrian intently. It sounded like a convenient excuse to solemnize Dimitri and me away. Yet, I saw truth in those deep green eyes. He meant it. He was nervous about what Dimitri might do. Adrian had also been honest about being jealous, which I had to admire. He hadnt ordered me not to see Dimitri or tried to dictate my behavior. I liked that too. I extended my hand and laced my fingers with Adrians.Hes not dangerous. Hes sad. Sad for what hes done. The guilts sidesplitting him.I can imagine. I probably wouldnt forgive myself either if I suddenly realized Id been savagely killing people for the last four months. Adrian pulled me to him and kissed the top of my transfer. And for everyones sakeyes, even hisI really commit he is exactly the way he was. Just be careful, okay?I will, I said, kissing his cheek. Inasmuch as I ever am.He grinned and released me. Thats the best I can hope for. For now, Ive got to head back to my parents for a little bit. Ill come back for you at four, okay?Okay. Is there anything I should wear to this unfathomed party?Nice dress clothes are fine.Something occurred to me. If this is so elite and prestigious, how are you going to get a lowly dhampir like me in?With this. Adrian reached for a bag hed set down upon entering. He pass it to me.Curiously, I opened the bag and gaped at what I saw. It was a mask, one that just covered the top fractional of the face around the eyes. It was intricately worked with gold and green leaves and bejeweled flowers.A mask? I exclaimed. Were exhausting masks to this thing? What is this, Halloween?He winked. See you at four.We didnt actually put on the masks until we arrived at the Death Watch. As part of the secret nature of it all, Adrian said we didnt want to call any attention to ourselves go going to it. So we walked across the Courts grounds dressed upI wore the same dress Id worn to dinner party at his parentsbut not getting much more notice than the two of us commonly did when we were together. Besides, it was late, and a lot of the Court was getting ready for bed.Our destination surprised me. It was one of the buildings that non-royal Court workers lived in, one that was very near Mias. Well, I supposed the last place youd look for a royal p arty would be at the home of a commoner. Except we didnt go to any of the apartments inside. Once we stepped into the buildings lobby, Adrian indicated we should put our masks on. He then took me over to what appeared to be a janitors closet.It wasnt. Instead, the door opened to a staircase leading down into darkness. I couldnt see the bottom, which put me on high alert. I instinctively wanted to know the lucubrate of every situation I entered. Adrian seemed calm and confident as he headed down, so I took it on faith he wasnt leading me to some sacrificial altar. I hated to admit it, but queerness over this Death Watch thing was temporarily taking my mind off Dimitri.Adrian and I finally reached another door, and this one had two guards. Both men were Moroi, both masked like Adrian and me. Their postures were stiff and defensive. They said nothing but simply looked at us expectantly. Adrian said a few words that sounded like Romanian, and a moment later, one of the men unlocked t he door and gestured us inside.Secret password? I murmured to Adrian as we swept past.Passwords, actually. One for you and one for me. Every guest has a unique one.We stepped into a differentiate tunnel lit only by torches embedded in the walls. Their dancing flames cast fanciful shadows as we passed by. From far ahead, the low murmur of conver sit downion reached us. It sounded surprisingly normal, like any conversation youd hear at a party. Based on Adrians description, Id half-expected to hear chanting or drums.I shook my head. I knew it. They keep a medieval dungeon under the Court. Im surprised there arent chains on the walls.Scared? Adrian teased, clasping check of my hand.Of this? Hardly. I mean, on the Rose Hathaway Scale of Scariness, this is barely aWe emerged out of the hall before I could finish. An expansive elbow room with vaulted ceilings spread out before us, something that boggled my spatially challenged brain as I tried to recall just how far underground wed gon e. Wrought-iron chandeliers holding lit candles hung from the ceiling, casting the same unearthly light the torches had. The walls were made of stone, but it was a very artful, pretty stone gray with reddish flecks, slim into smooth round pieces. Someone had wanted to keep the Old World dungeon feel but still have the place look stylish. It was a typical line of royal thinking.Fifty or so people were milling around the room, some huddled in groups. Like Adrian and me, they wore formal clothes and half masks. All the masks were different. Some had a floral theme like mine, while others were decorated with animals. Some simply had swirls or geometric designs. Even though the masks only covered half the guests faces, the sketchy spark went a long way to obscure any other identifying features. I scrutinized them carefully, hoping I might choose out details that would give someone away.Adrian led me out of the entryway and over toward a corner. As my view of the area expanded, I cou ld see a large fire pit in the spirit of the room, embedded in the stone floor. No fire burned in it, but everyone unplowed well away. For a moment, I had a disorienting flash of deja vu, thinking back to my time in Siberia. Id been to a type of memorial ceremony there toothough hardly one with masks or passwordsand everyone had sat around a bonfire outdoors. It had been in Dimitris honor, as all those who had loved him sat and told stories about him.I tried to get a better look at the fire, but Adrian was intent on belongings us rat the bulk of the crowd. Dont make for attention to yourself, he warned.I was just looking.Yeah, but anyone who looks too close is going to realize youre the shortest person here. Itd be pretty obvious youre a dhampir. This is elite old blood, remember? I frowned at him as much as I could through the mask. But I thought you said youd made arrangements for me to be here? I groaned when he didnt resolve. Does making arrangements mean just pussyfoot me in? If so, those guys were kind of crap security.Adrian scoffed. Hey, we had the right passwords. Thats all it takes. I stoleer, borrowed them off my moms list.Your moms one of the people who helped organize this?Yup. Her branch of the Tarus familys been deep inside this group for centuries. They apparently had a really walloping ceremony here after the school attack.I turned all of this over in my mind, toilsome to decide how I felt. I hated when people were obsessed with status and appearances, yet it was hard to mar them wanting to honor those who had been killedparticularly when a majority of them had been dhampirs. The Strigoi attack on St. Vladimirs was a memory that would perpetually haunt me. Before I could ponder much further, a familiar sensation swept me.Lissas here, I said, looking around. I could feel her nearby but didnt spot her immediately in the sea of masks and shadows. There.She stood apart from some of the others, wearing a rosehued dress and a w pisse and g old mask with swans on it. through our link, I felt her searching for anyone she knew. I impulsively started to go to her, but Adrian held me back, telling me to wait while he retrieved her.What is all this? she asked when she reached me.I figured youd know, I told her. Its all top secret royal stuff. to a fault top secret for me, she said. I got my invite from the queen. She told me it was part of my heritage and to keep it to myself, and then Adrian came and said I had to come for your sake.Tatiana invited you directly? I exclaimed. Maybe I shouldnt have been surprised. Lissa would have hardly needed sneaking in like I did. I figured someone would have made sure she got an invitation, but Id assumed it had all been Adrians doing. I glanced around uneasily. Is Tatiana here?Likely, said Adrian, voice annoyingly casual. As usual, his aunts movement didnt have the same impact on him that it did the rest of us. Oh, hey. Theres Christian. With the fire mask.I didnt know how Adrian spo tted Christian, divagation from the not-so-subtle mask metaphor. With his height and dark hair, Christian easily blended in with the other Moroi around him and had even been chatting with a girl standing nearby, which seemed out of character. No way did he get a legit invite, I said. If any Ozeras had been deemed special enough to come to this, Christian wouldnt have been one of them.He didnt, agreed Adrian, making a small gesture for Christian to join us. I gave him one of the passwords I stole from Mom.I gave Adrian a startled look. How many did you steal?Enough toLet us come to attention.A mans flourishing voice rang out through the room, halting both Adrians words and Christians steps. With a grimace, Christian returned to where hed been standing, cut off from us now on the other side of the room. It looked like I wouldnt have the chance to ask Lissa about Dimitri after all.Without any direction, the others in the room began forming a roach around the fire pit. The room wasnt big enough for us to make a single-layered circle, so I was still able to chit behind other Moroi as I watched the spectacle. Lissa stood by me, but her attention was fixated across from us, on Christian. She was defeated that he hadnt been able to join us.Tonight we come to honor the spirits of those who died fighting the great evil that has plagued us for so long. This was the same man who had called us to attention. The black mask he wore glittered with silver swirls. He wasnt anyone special that I recognized. It was probably safe to assume that he was someone from an important bloodline who happened to have a good voice for bringing people together. Adrian confirmed it.Thats Anthony Badica. They always recruit him as an emcee.Anthony seemed more like a religious leader than an emcee right now, but I didnt want to answer back and attract anyones notice.Tonight we honor them, continued Anthony.I flinched as almost everyone around us repeated those words. Lissa and I exchanged st artled looks. Apparently, there was a script we hadnt been told about.Their lives were taken from us too curtly, continued Anthony.Tonight we honor them.Okay, this script might not be so hard to watch after all. Anthony kept talking about how terrible the tragedy was, and we repeated the same response. The whole idea of this Death Watch still weirded me out, but Lissas sadness permeated the bond and began to affect me too. Priscilla had always been good to herand cultivated to me. Grant might have only been Lissas guardian a short time, but he had protected her and helped her. In fact, if not for Grants work with Lissa, Dimitri might still be a Strigoi. So, slowly, the gravity of it all began to hit me, and even if I thought there were better ways to mourn, I appreciated the acknowledgment the dead were getting.After a few more refrains, Anthony gestured someone forward. A woman in a look emerald mask came forward with a torch. Adrian shifted beside me. My darling mother, he mu rmured.Sure enough. Now that hed pointed it out, I could clearly make out Daniellas features. She tossed her torch into the fire pit, and it lit up like the Fourth of July. Someone must have doused that wood with either gasoline or Russian vodka. Maybe both. No wonder the other guests had kept their distance. Daniella melted into the crowd, and another woman came forward holding a tray with aureate goblets. Walking around the circle, she pass on a cup to each person. When she ran out, another woman appeared with a tray.As the goblets were distributed, Anthony explained, Now we will goner and drink to the dead, so that their spirits will move on and find peace.I shifted uncomfortably. People talked about restless spirits and the dead finding peace without really knowing what that meant. Being shadow-kissed came with the ability to see the restless dead, and it had taken me a long time to gain control so that I didnt see them. They were always around me I had to work to keep them b locked out. I wondered what Id see now if I let down my walls. Would the ghosts of those killed the night of Dimitris attack be hovering around us?Adrian sniffed his cup as soon as he got it and scowled. For a moment, I felt panic until I sniffed mine too. Wine. Thank God, I whispered to him. From your face, I thought it was blood. I recalled how much he hated blood that wasnt straight from the source.Nah, he murmured back. Just a bad vintage.When everyone had their wine, Anthony raised his cup over his head with both hands. With the fire behind him, it gave him an almost sinister, otherworldly look. We drink to Priscilla Voda, he said.We drink to Priscilla Voda, everyone repeated.He brought the goblet down and took a sip. So did everyone elsewell, except for Adrian. He gulped half his down, bad vintage or not. Anthony raised his cup over his head again.We drink to James Wilket.As I repeated the words, I realized James Wilket was one of Priscillas guardians. This hazardous group of royals really was showing respect to dhampirs. We went through the other guardians one by one, but I kept my sips small, wanting to keep a level head tonight. I was pretty sure that by the end of the name list, Adrian was faking his sips because hed run out.When Anthony finished naming all who had died, he held his cup up again and approached the blazing fire, which had begun to make the small room uncomfortably hot. The back of my dress was growing damp with sweat.To all those lost by the great evil, we honor your spirits and hope they will move on in peace to the next world. He then dumped the remainder of his wine into the flames.All this talk of spirits inert in the world certainly didnt go along with the usual Christian afterlife beliefs that dominated Moroi religion. It made me wonder just how old this ceremony really was. Once more, I had an urge to drop my barriers and see if any of this had really drawn ghosts to us, but I feared what Id find. Besides, I promptly got dist racted when everyone else in the circle began dumping their wine into the fire as well. One by one, going clockwise, each person approached. All was silent as this happened, save for the crackling in the fire pit and shifting of logs. Everyone watched respectfully.When my turn came, I fought hard not to tremble. I hadnt forgotten that Adrian had sneaked me in here. Lowly Moroi werent allowed, let alone dhampirs. What would they do? entertain the space violated? Mob me? Cast me into the fire?My fears proved unfounded. No one said or did anything unusual as I poured out my wine, and a moment later, Adrian stepped forward for his turn. I melted back beside Lissa. When the entire circle had gone up, we were led into a moment of silence for the departed. Having witnessed Lissas kidnapping and subsequent rescue, I had a lot of dead to ponder. No amount of silence would ever do them justice.Another unspoken signal seemed to pass through the room. The circle dispersed, and the tension lif ted. People again fell into small garrulous groups, just like at any other party, though I did see tears on the faces of some.A lot of people must have liked Priscilla, I observed.Adrian turned toward a dishearten that had mysteriously been arranged during the ceremony. It sat against the back wall and was filled with fruit, cheese, and more wine. Naturally, he poured a glass.They arent all crying for her, he said.I find it hard to believe theyre crying for the dhampirs, I pointed out. No one here even knew them.Not true, he said.Lissa quickly caught his meaning. Most of the people who went on the rescue would have been guardians assigned to Moroi. They couldnt all be Court guardians.She was right, I realized. Wed had too many people with us at the warehouse. Many of these Moroi had undoubtedly lost guardians that theyd become close to. Despite the disdain I often had for these types of royals, I knew some had probably formed legitimate friendships with and attachments to their bo dyguards.This is a lame party, a voice suddenly said. We turned and saw that Christian had finally made his way over to us. I couldnt tell if we were supposed to be having a funeral or summoning the devil. It was kind of a half-assed attempt at both.Stop it, I said, surprising myself. Those people died for you last night. Whatever this is, its still out of respect for them.Christians face grew sober. Youre right.Beside me, Id felt Lissa light up inside when she saw him. The horrors of their ordeal had brought them closer together, and I recalled the tenderness theyd shared on the ride back. She offered him a warm look and got a tentative smile in return. Maybe some good would come of all that had happened. Maybe theyd be able to fix their problems.Or maybe not.Adrian broke into a grin. Hey. sunny you could make it.For a moment, I thought he was speaking to Christian. Then I looked and saw a girl in a peacock mask had joined us. With the mingling people and masks, I hadnt spy that she was purposely standing near us. I peered at her, seeing only blue eyes and golden curls before I finally recognized her. Mia.What are you doing here? I asked.She grinned. Adrian got me a password.Adrian apparently got passwords for half the party.He seemed very pleased with himself. See? he said, smiling at me. I told you Id make this charge your while. The whole gangs here. Nearly.This is one of the weirdest things Ive ever seen, said Mia, glancing around. I dont see why it has to be a secret that the people who got killed were heroes. Why cant they wait for the group funeral?Adrian shrugged. I told you, this is an ancient ceremony. Its a holdover from the Old Country, and these people think its important. From what I know, it used to be a lot more elaborate. This is the modernized version.It occurred to me then that Lissa hadnt said a single word since wed noticed Christian had come with Mia. I opened myself to the bond, feeling a flood of jealousy and resentment. I still mai ntained Mia was one of the last people Christian would be involved with. (Okay, it was hard for me to imagine him involved with anyone. His getting together with Lissa had been monumental.) Lissa couldnt see that, though. All she saw was him continually hanging out with other girls. As our conversation continued, Lissas attitude grew frostier, and the friendly looks hed been giving her began to fade.So is it true? Mia asked, oblivious to the drama unfolding around her. Is Dimitri really back?Lissa and I exchanged glances. Yes, I said firmly. Hes a dhampir, but no one believes it yet. Because theyre idiots.It just happened, little dhampir. Adrians tone was gentle, though the topic clearly made him uncomfortable too. You cant expect everyone to get on board with it right away.But they are idiots, said Lissa fiercely. Anyone who talks to him can tell hes not a Strigoi. Im pushing for them to let him out of his cell so that people can actually see for themselves.I wished she would push a little harder for me to get to see him, but now wasnt the time to talk about that. Eyeing the room, I wondered if some people would have stretch out accepting Dimitri because of his role in the deaths of their loved ones. He hadnt been in control of himself, but that wasnt enough to bring back the dead.Still uncomfortable around Christian, Lissa was growing restless. She also wanted to leave and check on Dimitri. How long do we have to stay here? Is there more toWho the hell are you?Our little cluster turned as one and found Anthony standing by us. Considering most of us were here illicitly, he could have been speaking to anyone. But, based on where his gaze was fixed, there was no question who he meant.He was talking to me.