AN/ Thank-you to KissOfAShadow'sAngel, megan, Samma21, nicole, rivereq, Shadowkissedangel, fanpiretothemax and Twilighternproud for reviewing last chapter. You guys make me keep writing! :)
Disclaimer: The Vampire Academy novels are all the property of Richelle Mead.
Tell me what you think. :)
MJ
xxx
Are you lost or incomplete?
Do you feel like a puzzle?
You can't find your missing piece
Tell me how you feel
Talk ~ Coldplay
Fighting for a future: A Last Sacrifice Novel
Shit, shit, shit! No! He can't come after me! If he does then everyone else will follow, I just know it! I fidget in my seat, bouncing up and down clenching my fists on the cheap material. No!
I look around me trying to find some inspiration on what to do but I come up blank. There is nothing I can do to stop him.
"Fuck!" I yell, throwing my fist into the dashboard and causing a dent. Alex throws me a shocked look and then surveys the damage. He probably says something to me as well but I've already drifted back into Lissa's head.
The room is in chaos. Several Guardians have joined them now and they are all arguing animatedly. Dimitri is talking urgently on the phone again while simultaneously arguing with two guardians who are refusing to let him leave. He has a backpack on his shoulder at his duster under his arm.
"как можно скорее."
"Belikov we cannot just let you walk out of here, we are under command."
"The Queen's dead. There is no ruler right now. час? не достаточно скоро."
That may be so but we still-"
"Двадцать минут? Прекрасный" He hangs up and strides purposely out of the room causing the two guardians to runs after him.
Lissa is sitting on the red loveseat beside Christian, keeping his hand in a death grip. She is finally starting to absorb what Ambrose told her and has gone into a state of shock. She had a sibling. She wasn't alone.
Next to her, Christian was in a dispute with another Guardian who seemed to be trying to interview Lissa about what was going on but kept getting blocked by her over-protective boyfriend.
"She doesn't want to talk to you."
"We need all the facts so we can assess the situation-"
"No!"
On the other side of the room Eddie is talking to another of the Guardians. He seems a lot calmer than everyone else as he spews his lies.
"Guardian Belikov was just telling us about some of his time as a Strigoi. It upset the Princess is all."
"And what exactly did he say?..."
I was semi-relieved that at least my friends had the initiative to keep themselves from mentioning me or my whereabouts. With any luck it would stay that way and I wouldn't have a horde of Guardians after me as well.
Lissa's and consequently my, attention was grabbed by a quick movement just outside the doorway. Dimitri was there now wearing his duster and gesturing sharply to Liss. Comprehension dawned on her and she stood up, dragging Christian with her.
"I think I need a drink. If you could excuse us," she told the frustrated guardian, using a little compulsion to avoid an argument. He nodded brusquely and Lissa hauled Christian out of the room.
"I've got a car waiting. We need to go now," explained Dimitri urgently before ushering them down the corridor and out of sight. They hurried across the court, no one giving them a second glance.
"You're letting us come?" Lissa panted, trying to keep up with his long strides.
"Yes. I have a feeling I'll need you," Dimitri muttered before quickening his pace.
When they reached the gate Dimitri stepped back and let Lissa do her thing. However the dhampir on guard obviously wasn't as susceptible to compulsion as most and was taking a while to convince. I watched the frustration grow on Dimitri's face before he snapped, stepped forward and socked the guard in the face. Blood spurted from his nose as he fell to the ground unconscious.
Lissa and Christian's mouths were gaping open in astonishment and I'm pretty sure mine was too, though not for the same reasons. The two Moroi were probably shocked that he had assaulted another Guardian, I was just kicking myself for not thinking of doing that. It seemed so obvious now.
My thoughts temporarily pulled me into my own head and I looked around at my surroundings. We had stopped at some warehouses and Alex was outside talking with a man with a clipboard. Our last drop off in Phoenix before heading off to Vegas. Anticipation curled in my stomach. With any luck I could be in Vegas within six hours and then out again before the others even arrived. It was a slim to none possibility but there was still a chance.
Anxiety from Lissa caused me to slip back into her head again. They were running towards a beat up 1972 Citroën almost identical to the one Sydney got a hold of in Russia. When they jump in I half expect to be greeted with her Cropped dark blonde hair but instead I am met with a raven-black mane of hair.
Tasha.
Oh good God.
My heart clenches painfully when Dimitri throws her a brilliant smile.
"Thank-you for doing this," he implores.
She waves him off with a flick of her hand.
"No problem Dimka. We've been friends a long time. I'll do anything for you."
Was it just me or did anyone else hear the double meaning behind that? Anger brewed in me and I contemplated waiting for them in Vegas just so I could bitch slap her. I had nothing against her on principle; she was nice. So long as she kept her claws off my man we could be friends.
"Aunt Tasha?" Asked Christian slowly. "What are you doing here? I thought you were back in New York."
She smiled at him brightly.
"I was. But I was coming down to Court next week for the guardian assigning anyway. I heard of Rose running away and thought I'd come up early to see what was going on. Then Dimka phoned me about an hour ago and here I am."
Dimitri twists around in his seat to face Lissa and Christian.
"That's why I left Edison behind. I didn't want to ruin his reputation so close to assignment." He explained.
"What about Adrian? He's gonna be pissed you didn't invite him." Christian piped up.
Dimitri grimaced and turned his attention to the front again. They were now speeding down the back roads, taking corners at frightening speeds in a bid to get away from Court as fast as possible.
"He's meeting us at the airport. He has the money and resources to get us all to Vegas in about eight hours and we're going to use them. He's probably already waiting for us." His voice was blank and emotionless, not letting anything through and yet I had the feeling he was holding himself tightly in check. The thought made me smile temporarily before reality reared its ugly head and I came back to myself.
The lorry was moving again, with Alex back in the passenger seat. He kept throwing worried glances in my direction and looked on the verge of asking something. When he saw I had lost the vacant look I got when 'visiting' Lissa he spoke.
"Everythin' all righ' Lass? Y've been oot a lang time."
"My friends are coming for me." I gave him a brief recap, leaving out the whole 'wanted vampire' bit. "How long until we hit Vegas?"
"Aboot another hoor or so," he replied. "Y've been dead t' the whirld a good lang time. I thought y' might have lef' us."
"I'm fine," I reassured him hurriedly. "Can we go a little bit faster?"
He didn't answer, only shook his head but all the same the scenery began to whip past all the quicker.
The rest of the journey was uneventful but the tension in the cab was stifling. I was bouncing up and down in my seat like a jackhammer and wringing my hands together constantly. A brief trip into Lissa's head revealed they had just boarded a flight with Adrian and would land in Vegas in six and a half hours. This didn't help my nerves; I had a feeling my plans of evading them were quickly becoming fruitless.
When the bright lights of Vegas finally began to appear on the horizon I was practically vibrating in my seat. Alex had long since given up trying to calm me and instead concentrated on driving. When we pulled up at a loading station I jumped out of the cab in a hurry and started peering around for a map or signpost to direct me to the strip.
I was about to set off when a thin, calloused hand wrapped around my wrist.
"Hol' on Lass. You sure aboot this?" Asked Alex and the concern was back on his face.
I nodded assuredly. "I need to be here. This is what I want." Only the second part was a lie.
He sighed, looking upset.
"A' least take this," he handed me a piece of paper with a number on it. "That's my number. Gee us a ring if y' need any help. I'll be passin' back through in a couple wiks. I can easy gee y' a lift again."
I fought back tears and impulsively reached out to hug him. He stiffened in surprise before gently returning my embrace. I whispered 'thank-you' into his ear before turning around and bolting before I could change my mind.
It turned out I was only a few blocks over from the main strip. Most deliveries had to be made to the hotels and bars so it made sense. The city was just coming to life as the sun went down, the bright lights of billboards and casinos making it seem like daylight.
I wandered aimlessly for a minute, just looking around.
Now what?
Start at the beginning, I decided, choosing a random night club and walking up to it. I stopped short however when I glanced down at my clothes. I was wearing jeans and a long, stretchy top in blue that I had picked up cheap at a gas station along the way. Not exactly clubbing material.
I skipped into a nearby bathroom and wriggled out of my jeans. I curled them into a ball and lodged them behind a toilet, praying that no one would run off with them so I could come back for them later. I then tugged my top down until it reached mid-thigh and only hoped I could pull it off as a dress. I had no make-up on me but I splashed some cold water on my face to remove some of the evidence of my travelling.
Satisfied, I exited the bathroom and headed towards the club again. It was called 'Flamingo' with a large, flashing, neon pink sign above it. The bouncer let me in immediately when I flashed him my man-eater smile, his gaze lingering too long on my legs.
The interior of the club was flashy. Blue strobe lighting lit up the white booths and wooden dance floor as waitresses and waiters dressed in pink shirts and black shorts or trousers manoeuvred skilfully between customers, drinks balanced precariously on round trays.
The room was filled with people; human, Moroi and dhampir alike. I decided to start with the easiest option and sauntered up to the bar. I plopped down on one of the stools and immediately caught the attention of the bartender.
I ordered a coke so as not to seem conspicuous then struck up an easy conversation with him. He was tall with dark hair and eyes; not unlike Dimitri but he didn't have the same Russian God aura Dimitri did. Just as I had him relaxing I asked him my most important question.
"You work here regularly right? Do you know someone called Eric Dragomir?" He thought about it for a moment before shaking his head and going to serve someone else. I slumped but didn't give up. I repeated my actions at five other clubs only to receive the same results. I was about to give up and call it a night when a rather tall man sidled up to me. He was distinctly Moroi but his suit and hat kept his identity a secret.
"You won't find what you're looking for if you go about it like you have been." Said an achingly familiar voice.
I turned towards him and was met with the memorable green eyes of Victor Dashkov.
AN/ I know this is a rather quick update but I have family coming up next week so I might not be able to update in a while.
Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think
MJ
xxx
Translations:
как можно скорее- as soon as possible
час? не достаточно скоро- an hour? Not soon enough
Двадцатьминут? Прекрасный- Twenty minutes? Perfect.
