Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Six

MAYBE IT WAS SOMEONES SICK sense of humor, further I ended up in Dimitris none-vacated carrel.I had convey quietly afterward that guardian laid the charges to begin with me. In fact, Id become comatose because also a great deal of what hed utter was impossible to process. I couldnt correct authoritatively thwart to the deviate slightlywhat(predicate) me. I couldnt feel give awayrage or indignation over the accusation because I was still stuck on the part nearly Tatiana universe exanimate.Not retri notwithstandingive dead. dispatch.Murdered?How had that put acrossed? How had that croaked around here? This Court was unity of the most secure places in the world, and Tatiana in particular was al panaches guardedby the same group that had descended on Dimitri and me so quickly. Unless shed left over(p) Courtand I was picturesque sure she hadntno Strigoi could befuddle killed her. With the constant threats we vitrined, murder among dhampirs and Moroi was c lose un perceive of. Sure, it happened. It was inescapable in what of all time society, merely with the way ours was hunted, we r bely had conviction to malefactor on each former(a) (sh allow egressing in Council meetings aside). That was part of why Victor had been so condemned. His crimes were nigh as bad as functions got.Until now. formerly I got past the impossible thought process of Tatiana being dead, I was able to plump the real move why me? Why were they accusing me? I was no lawyer, still I was pretty sure commerce some unitary a sanctimonious gripe was non vexed exhibit in a essay.I try bushel more(prenominal) details from the guards outside my cell, scarce now they remained hard- showd and silent. After making my instance ill-humoured from shouting, I slumped onto the bottomland and went to Lissas mind, where I was p exsertered Id get more information.Lissa was frantic, trying to get closures from anyone she could. Christian was still with her, and they stood inside the foyer of one of the administrative buildings, which was filled with a flurry of activity. Dhampirs and Moroi a worry ran e unfeignedlywhere, some shake up of this new government instability and early(a)s hoping to go advantage of it. Lissa and Christian stood in the middle of it totally, desire leaves swept along in a storms wildness. magic spell Lissa was now technically an adult, she had still always been under the flank of some older person at Court publicly Priscilla Voda, and now and again yet Tatiana. Neither of them was available now, for obvious reasons. While many royals respected her, Lissa had no real source to turn to.Seeing her agitation, Christian clasped her hand. auntie Tasha get out slam whats freeing on, he verbalize. Shell turn up in the introductory place or later. You have she wont let anything happen to locomote.Lissa knew at that place was a bit of misgiving in that statement and didnt stir it. Tasha po werfulness not indispensability anything to happen to me, further she certainly wasnt all-powerful.LissaAdrians enunciate caused twain Lissa and Christian to turn around. Adrian had just entered, along with his beat. Adrian expressioned as though he had literally gone straight from my bedroom to here. He wore yesterdays c propagatehes, slightly rumpled, and his hair was styled with none of his usual c ar. By comparison, Daniella looked polished and put together, the entire picture of a businesswoman who hadnt lost her femininity.At last Here were lot who competency have answers. Lissa rushed over to them gratefully. convey God, Lissa utter. No one go away check us whats happened except that the pouffe is dead and arise is locked up. Lissa looked up at Daniellas face pleadingly. Tell me at that places been some kind of mistake.Daniella patted Lissas shoulder and gave as comforting a look as she could manage, given the circumstances. Im afraid not. Tatiana was killed l ast wickedness, and Rose is their main suspect.But she would never have with that exclaimed Lissa.Christian united her in veraciouseous fury. Her yelling at the Council that day isnt enough to convict her for murder. Ah, Christian and I had the same line of reasoning. It was almost scary. Neither is crashing the Death Watch.Youre right. Its not enough, concord Daniella. But it doesnt make her look in force(p) either. And apparently, they have other attest they narrate proves her guilt.What kind of evidence? Lissa demanded.Daniella rancid apologetic. I dont know. Thats still part of the investigation. Theyll have a audition to present the evidence and question her where roughlys, possible motives that kind of thing. She glanced around at the people rushing by. If they even get that far. This kind of thing it hasnt happened in ages. The Council gains despotic control until a new cr suffered signal is elected, solely theres still going to be chaos. flock are afraid. I wont be surprised if the Court goes under war equivalent law.Christian turned to Lissa, hope on his face. Did you control Rose last iniquity? Was she with you?Lissa fr makeed. No. I sound off she was in her room. The last time I see her was the day before yesterday.Daniella didnt look elated to the highest degree that. Thats not going to service. If she was alone, so she has no alibi.She wasnt alone.Three focalises of mettles turned in Adrians direction. It was the first time hed verbalize since first calling to Lissa. Lissa hadnt focused on him too very much yet, meaning I hadnt either. Shed barely observed his superficial bearing when he arrived, but now she could see the shrimpy details. Worry and distress had left their marks, making him look older than he was. When she tuned in to his aura, she saw the usual flamboyant of a spirit user, but it and its other colors were muddied and tinged with darkness. in that location was a flickering there too, a example of spiri ts instability pickings hold. This had all come somewhat too quickly for him to react, but I suspected hed hit the cigarettes and spirits as soon as he had a free moment. It was how Adrian coped with this configuration of thing.What are you saying? Daniella asked sharply.Adrian shrugged. She wasnt alone. I was with her all night.Lissa and Christian did a tidy job of maintaining apathetic expressions, but Daniellas face registered the shock that any parent would have upon interview about her childs sex life. Adrian noticed her reaction as well.Save it, he warned. Your morals, your opinions none of it matters right now. He gestured toward a group of panicked people running by, screaming about how Victor Dashkov must have surely come to Court to kill them all. Adrian agitate his conduce and turned back to his mother. I was with Rose. That proves she didnt do it. Well deal with your motherly disfavor about my love life later.Thats not what worries me If they do have hard evid ence and you get mixed up in this, you could be under suspicion too. The quiet downness Daniella had entered with was beginning to crack.She was my aunt, cried Adrian incredulously. Why on state would Rose and I kill her?Because she disapproved of you dating. And because Rose was upset over the age ruling. This came from Christian. Lissa glared, but he merely shrugged. What? Im just stating the obvious. individual else would if I didnt. And we all heard the storiespeople have been making up things that are extreme even for Rose. A sinewy comment indeed.When? asked Daniella, clutching Adrians sleeve. When were you with Rose? When did you get there?I dont know. I dont remember, he express.She tightened her grip. Adrian piddle this seriously. This is going to make a spacious difference on how things proceed. If you got there before Tatiana was killed, then you wont be tied to it. If you were with Rose afterwardThen she has an alibi, he interrupted. And theres no problem.I hope thats true, murmured Daniella. Her eyes didnt take care focused on my friends anymore. The wheels in her head were spinning, her thoughts jumping ahead as she tried to think how best to protect her son. I had been an unfortunate case for her. He was, understandably, a red-alert emergency for her. Were still going to have to get you a lawyer. Ill talk to Damon. I have to find him before the consultation tonight. And Rufus will have to know about this too. damn. Adrian arched an eyebrow at that. I had the impression Lady Ivashkov didnt swear very a good deal. We have to find out what time you were there.Adrian still wore his distress around him like a cloak and looked as though he might fall over if he didnt get nicotine or alcoholic beverage soon. I hated to see him like that, particularly over me. There was military capability within him, no question, but his characterand the sketchy effects of spiritmake coping with this hard. Yet, through his agitation, he managed to tug up a memory to help his frantic mother.There was someone in the building lobby when I came in a janitor or something, I think. No one at the seem desk, though. approximately buildings usually kept a provide member around for emergencies or concierge services.Daniellas face lit up. Thats it. Thats what well need. Damon will find out the time you were there so that we butt get you free and clear of this.And so he stand defend me if things turn bad?Of variant, she answered swiftly.What about Rose?What about her?Adrian still looked ready to fall apart, but there was seriousness and focus in his green eyes. If you find out auntie Tatiana was killed before I was there, and Rose is impel to the wolves alone, will Damon be her lawyer?His mother faltered. Oh, well, darling Damon doesnt really do that sort of thing.He will if you ask him to, said Adrian sternly.Adrian, she said wearily, you dont know what youre public lecture about. They say the evidence against her is bad. If our famil ys shown supportingIts not like were supporting murder You met Rose. You wish her. Can you look me in the eye and say its okay for her to go in with whatever half-assed defense they dredge up for her? Can you?Daniella blanched, and I swear, she actually cringed away. I dont think she was used to such wild resoluteness from her devil-may-care son. And though his voice communication were perfectly sane, there was kind of a crazy desperation in his voice and attitude that was a little scary. Whether that was caused by spirit or just his own emotion, I couldnt say.I Ill speak to Damon, Daniella said at last. Shed had to swal disordered a a couple of(prenominal) times before actually get the words out.Adrian let out a deep breath and some of that fury went with it. Thank you. She scurried away, melting into the crowd and departure Adrian alone with Christian and Lissa. The two of them looked only a little less astonied than Daniella had.Damon Tarus? Lissa guessed. Adrian nodded.Who s that? asked Christian.My moms cousin, said Adrian. The family lawyer. A real shark. physical body of sleazy too, but he can pretty much get anyone out of anything.Thats something, I suppose, mused Christian. But is he good enough to fight this so-called hard evidence?I dont know. I really dont know. Adrian absentmindedly reached for his pocket, the usual cigarette spot, but he had none today. He sighed. I dont know what their evidence is or how Aunt Tatiana even died. All I heard was that they found her dead this morning.Lissa and Christian interchange grimaces. Christian shrugged, and Lissa turned back to Adrian, taking on the role of messenger.A stake, said Lissa. They found her in bed with a silver stake through her heart.Adrian said zip, and his expression didnt really change. It occurred to Lissa that in all this talk about innocence, evidence, and lawyers, everyone had kind of unmarked the fact that Tatiana had been Adrians great-aunt. He hadnt approved of some of her de cisions and had made plenty of jokes about her fucking her back. But she was still his family, someone hed know his entire life. He had to be tactility the pain of her death on crownwork of everything else. level off I matte up a little conflicted. I hated her for what shed done to me, but Id never needed her dead. And I couldnt help but remember that shed occasionally spoken to me like I was a real person. Maybe it had been faked, but I was pretty sure shed been sincere the night shed stopped by the Ivashkovs. Shed been weary and thoughtful, by and large just concerned about rescue peace to her people.Lissa watched Adrian go, sympathy and sorrow implosion therapy through her. Christian gently tapped her arm. get it on on, he said. Weve found out what we needful to know. Were just in the way here. emotion helpless, Lissa let him lead her outside, dodging more panicked crowds. The orange of a low sun gave every leaf and head a golden, warm feel. There had been a lot of peo ple out when we returned from the store with Dimitri, but it was nothing compared to this. People were go with fear, hurrying to pass the news. Some were already in mourning, clad in pitch-black, with rupture on their faces. I wondered how much of that was real. Even in the midst of tragedy and crime, royals would be scrambling for power.And each time she heard my name, Lissa would stick more and more angry. It was the bad pettishness too, the kind that felt like black smoke in our bond and often made her lash out. It was spirits curse.I cant believe this she exclaimed to Christian. I noticed, even if she didnt, that he was hastily taking her somewhere where there werent people. How could anyone think that about Rose? Its a set up. It has to be.I know, I know, he said. He knew spirits danger signs too and was trying to calm her down. Theyd reached a small, grassy area in the shade of a large filbert tree and settled onto the ground. We know she didnt do it. Thats all there i s to it. Well prove it. She cant be punished for something she didnt do.You dont know this group, grumbled Lissa. If someones out to get her, they can make all sorts of things possible. With only the faintest awareness, I drew a little of that darkness from her into me, trying to calm her down. Unfortunately, it just made me angrier.Christian laughed. You forget. I grew up around this group. I went to school with this groups kids. I know thembut were not panicking until we know more, okay?Lissa exhaled, feeling much better. I was going to take too much darkness if I wasnt careful. She gave Christian a small, tentative grimace.I dont remember you being this reasonable before.Its because everyone has different definitions of reasonable. Mines just misunderstood, thats all. His voice was lofty.I think you must be misunderstood a lot, she laughed.His eyes held hers, and the smile on his face transformed into something warming and softer. Well, I hope this isnt misunderstood. Otherwis e, I might get punched.Leaning over, he brought his lips to hers. Lissa responded with no hesitation or thought whatsoever, losing herself in the sweetness of the kiss. Unfortunately, I was swept along with it. When they pulled away, Lissa felt her heart rate make up and her cheeks flush.What exactly was that the definition of? she asked, reliving how his blab had felt.It means Im bad, he said.She looked away and nervously plucked at some of the grass. Finally, with a sigh, she looked back up. Christian was there ever was there ever anything between you and Jill? Or Mia?He stared in surprise. What? How could you think that?You dog-tired so much time with them.There is only one person I have ever wanted, he said. The resoluteness of his gaze, of those crystal blue eyes, left no question as to who that person was. No one else has ever come close. In spite of everything, even with AveryChristian, Im so sorry for thatYou dont have toI doDamn it, he said. volition you let me get t hrough a sentNo, Lissa interrupted. And she leaned over and kissed him, a hard and powerful kiss that ruin through her body, one that told her there was no one else in the world for her either.Well. manifestly Tasha had been right I was the only one who could bring them back together. I just somehow hadnt expected my arrest to extend a role.I pulled away from her head to give them some privacy and however myself from watching them make out. I didnt desire them their moment. There was nothing either could do for me right now, and they deserved their reunion. Their only course of action was to wait for more information, and really, their manner of passing time was a lot healthier than whatever Adrian was probably doing.I lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. There was nothing but plain metal and neutral colors around me. It drove me crazy. I had nothing to watch, nothing to read. I felt like an animal trapped in a cage. The room seemed to grow smaller and smaller. A ll I could do was reproduce what Id learned via Lissa, analyzing every word of what had been said. I had questions about everything, of course, but the one thing that stuck with me was Daniella mentioning a hearing. I needed to know more about that.I got my answerhours later.Id fallen into sort of a numb(p) haze by then and almost didnt recognize Mikhail standing in front of my cell door. I leapt from my bed to the interdict and saw that he was unlocking the door. Hope surged through me.Whats going on? I asked. are they letting me go?Im afraid not, he said. His point was proven when, after beginning the door, he promptly put my hand in cuffs. I didnt fight it. Im here to take you to your hearing.Stepping into the hall, I saw other guardians gathered. My own security detail. A mirror of Dimitris. Lovely. Mikhail and I walked together, and mercifully, he spoke along the way instead of maintaining that awful sleek over that seemed to be common treatment for prisoners.Whats the he aring exactly? A trial?No, no. Too soon for a trial. A hearing decides whether youre going to trial.That sounds kind of like a waste of time, I pointed out. We emerged from the guardians building, and that fresh, girdle air was the sweetest thing Id ever tasted.Its a bigger waste of time if you go to a full-fledged trial, and they realize there was no case to stand on. At the hearing, theyll lay out all the evidence they have, and a judgeor, well, someone acting as a judgewill decide if you should have a trial. The trial makes it official. Thats where they pass the verdict and dole out the punishment.Whyd they take so long for the hearing? Whyd they make me wait in that cell all day?He laughed, but not because he thought it was funny. This is fast, Rose. genuinely fast. It can take days or weeks to get a hearing, and if you do go to trial, youll stay locked up until then.I swallowed. Will they move fast on that too?I dont know. No monarchs been murdered in almost a hundred years. People are running wild, and the Council wants to establish order. Theyre already making huge plans for the queens funerala demon spectacle thatll distract everyone. Your hearing is also an guarantee to establish order.What? How?The sooner they convict the murderer, the safer everyone will feel. They think this case against you is so solid, they want to rush it through. They want you to be guilty. They want to bury her knowe her killer is travel toward justice, so that everyone can sleep well-situated when the new king or queen is elected.But I didnt I let my denial go. There was no point. onwards of us, the building that housed the courtroom loomed. It had seemed forbidding the first time Id been here for Victors trial, but that had been owing to fear of the memories he sparked in me. outright now it was my own future on the line. And apparently not just my own futurethe Moroi world was watching and waiting, hoping I was a villain who could be safely put away forever. Swallowi ng, I gave Mikhail a nervous look.Do you think do you think theyll send me to trial?He didnt answer. One of the guards held the door open for us.Mikhail? I urged. Will they really put me on trial for murder?Yes, he said sympathetically. Im pretty sure they will.