If Ethan Moore thought his troubles were over after his confession, then he was sorely mistaken. He was removed from the dining room, taken to a dim, dark room in what he suspected was a root cellar—still tied to a chair—where he was locked in and left to languish for hours. He'd reconciled he'd be there indefinitely in the cold, alone when the door to his dank cell opened. The light suddenly illuminating the space was blinding and alarming. Going from pitch black to almost dazzling light had Moore on edge. Worse was seeing Mazur's private Guardians bringing in video equipment alongside freestanding lights. Whatever was about to happen was evidently going to be taped.
"What's going on?" Moore asked, alarmed.
"Nothing you don't deserve," one of his former colleagues replied, placing the lights in a corner of the room, well outside Moore's reach. That done, he set up a tripod before connecting a handheld video camera to it, activating the device. "All ready, Mr. Mazur," he said when Pavel and Abe stepped into the room.
"Thank you. Moore—besides Pavel and myself, two Alchemists, two human wizards, and two members of the late Queen's family have witnessed your confession. I don't doubt your admission was genuine, however, I must ask you to humor me while I extract your statement, again, via more physical means."
Before Moore had a chance to ponder what 'physical means' might entail, Abe was in front of him. Nodding to Pavel, who held the back of the chair so it could not topple, Abe started by repeatedly punching Moore in the face. Sickening sounds of bone-breaking were audible to all present, yet Abe didn't stop until his victim's face was a bloodied mess. Satisfied with the destruction he'd wrought, Abe sat beside Moore in a chair one of his Guardians had thoughtfully provided. He'd barely raised a sweat and looked remarkably comfortable with the damage he'd inflicted.
"Time for you to talk. Look at the camera."
Despite being barely conscious, Moore knew better than to defy Abe, so obediently faced the video camera, staring at it with the one eye that had not completely swollen shut. At a nod from Abe, Pavel untied the topmost of the restraints securing Moore to the chair, freeing his arms. Delicately, almost reverently, Abe took the closer of Moore's hands before retrieving a pair of heavy-duty pliers from his pocket. Rusty, and well used, Abe grinned at what was about to come.
"Tell me who killed Tatiana Ivashkov, and why," Abe demanded, taking the pliers and using them to crush Moore's thumb. Again bone shattered and immediately terrified shrieking filled the air, followed by all but incomprehensible babble from Moore.
"You'll need to speak more clearly," Abe warned, before moving on, breaking Moore's index finger.
By the time Moore had got through his videotaped 'confession,' Abe had broken all ten of Moore's fingers. Standing and punching him a few more times, Abe declared himself done. Being a man of his word, he offered the locum Guardian up to Pavel's attention, only stipulating the man must remain alive. Moore was swimming in and out of consciousness, yet still asked his boss, "Why the recording?"
Abe looked at the human-shaped bloodied mess still tied to a chair, and in a truly chilling voice replied, "So I can re-watch your pain again and again at my leisure."
With his business in Antep wrapped up, Abe was eager to get back to St. Petersburg so he could move forward with the next phase of his plan. Now he had irrefutable proof that Tasha Ozera murdered their late Queen, and framed his daughter, he wanted Tasha to suffer. Yes, he would eventually hand Moore over to the authorities—same with Tasha—but he wanted to hear a confession from her lips, first. And he wanted her to pay.
Before they returned to Court, Abe had extracted promises from Rufus and Adrian Ivashkov that they would tell no one about Moore, and the confession they'd witnessed. Rufus was eager for Tasha Ozera to be arrested and punished as soon as possible, however Adrian convinced the Ivashkov Prince that Abe would make Natasha's life a living hell before presenting Moore's confession and turning them both in at Court. Besides which, Rufus was too frightened of Abe to deny any request the Turkish mobster made of him. Yes, Tatiana had been murdered, but despite her innocence, it was Mazur's daughter who'd paid the ultimate price for it, so it made sense Mazur had a score to settle. Provided Moore and Ozera were eventually tried and punished for their crimes, he saw no reason that Abe could not be the one to bring Lady Ozera down.
"What have you got in mind?" Pavel asked Abe as they were on their way back to Russia. With Moore under guard in Antep for the foreseeable future, and Rufus and Adrian already dropped back to Istanbul ahead of their return trip to Pennsylvania, it was just the two of them and a few Guardians on board as Abe's luxury airplane flew them home.
"We need to prepare the house for some guests," Abe said, a devious twinkle in his eye. "I want to go all out. Christmas is only weeks away, which means Princess Dragomir and Christian Ozera will have a few days off. Adrian said Vasilisa already suspects Natasha from seeing her aura. Adrian's going to invite them for a European Christmas at my house in St. Petersburg."
"And Tasha Ozera?"
"She'll also be invited. I won't have to bother finding her—she's going to come to me. But before that, there's another matter I need to attend to."
"Russia?" Christian asked Lissa, who was taking a break from her incessant studying. Heaven knows, Court held no fascination for him, but he hadn't considered traveling overseas for the holidays, given the college Christmas break was relatively short.
"That's what Adrian's suggesting. He just got back from a quick trip to Europe and said he's got the travel bug. He doesn't get along well with his parents, so he wanted to get out of Court for Christmas and New Year's." Lissa didn't spell it out, but the subtext was clear; this would be Adrian's first festive season since Tatiana, and Rose's deaths. A brief diversion might be in order. "He's got a friend who has a warded place we can stay at in St. Petersburg. If we arrive on Christmas Eve and leave on New Year's Day, we could spend just over a week there. I know they don't celebrate Christmas until a week later in Russia, but that doesn't matter. I've always wanted to visit, and it will give me a chance to brush up on my Russian."
Christian considered Lissa's words. They didn't have to spend their break at Court. As far as he was concerned, there were several good reasons not to. They had the time and the means, and if they were with Adrian, they'd no doubt have a great time. The only sticking point was his aunt. Tasha would be disappointed if he didn't spend Christmas with her, but he knew her constant presence had irritated Lissa the last time they'd visited Court.
"It's ok, Christian. I know we'll have to invite Tasha. Adrian already suggested we bring her with us."
"You don't mind? I know she can be a bit much."
Truthfully, Lissa minded very much. There was now little doubt in her mind that Tasha had murdered their former Queen and framed Lissa's best friend for murder, starting a chain of events that had resulted in Rose's death. Knowing what she did, the last thing Lissa wanted was to spend more time with Tasha than necessary, however Adrian had been adamant that she and Christian needed to come to St. Petersburg for Christmas, and that Natasha needed to accompany them.
"She's your family, Christian. We should spend Christmas with her," she replied, elegantly sidestepping the question.
With the issue of his aunt resolved, Christian told his girlfriend he was all for the trip. Visiting somewhere new, away from the gossip and bitchiness of the Moroi Court, was certainly appealing, and it would artfully excuse him and Vasilisa from the many Royal festive functions they'd be obliged to attend if they spent their break at Court. Grateful that Adrian had thought to include them, Christian was now actually looking forward to Christmas.
Lissa raised the idea with their Guardians the next morning over breakfast. Guardian Belikov, in particular, seemed quite enthusiastic about the plan.
"St. Petersburg is a beautiful city, especially at that time of year. If you wish, I can show you many wonderful sights and places around town."
"Is that close to where you grew up?" Eddie asked, surprised yet pleased to hear Dimitri voluntarily engaging in conversation.
Dimitri smiled, something his companions were disused to seeing. "Not unless you call a forty-five-hour drive close. My first charge was from St. Petersburg, and we lived there for a year after our graduation."
"Then we'll have our very own tour guide," Celeste said. Like Christian, she had no desire to spend the holiday season at Court. Having never left America, she was excited at the prospect of spending Christmas overseas and Russia was as good a spot as any, especially since it would mean getting away from Christian's aunt.
Although she'd promised to stop reading her housemates' auras, Lissa couldn't resist a quick peek as she said, "Well, it looks like that's settled. I'll call Adrian today to tell him we can make it. Christian? You can call Tasha and check that she's free to join us."
Dimitri's aura showed a sickly brown of displeasure when Lissa revealed they would invite Tasha on the trip, whereas Eddie and Celeste's auras showed mistrust. Lissa couldn't question them about it without revealing her misgivings about Christian's aunt, so she resolved to say nothing, but would mention it to Adrian when they next spoke. She wasn't sure what was going on with him. He'd been unusually cagey when she'd asked about his recent trip overseas, only stating it was 'Ivashkov family business.' Suspecting it might have something to do with Tatiana's apparently sizeable estate, she didn't choose to pry.
"Hey Tasha, it's Christian."
"My favorite nephew! Long time no hear. I was beginning to think you'd lost my number," Natasha joked. She was in an excellent mood. She was finding Moroi interested in defensive magic and hoped to start classes early in the new year.
"Your only nephew, and sorry about that. Lissa and I have been crazy busy studying."
"You need a break."
"We do, and that's why I'm calling. Adrian Ivashkov wants to go to Europe for Christmas. St. Petersburg. He has a friend who has a warded house there, and he's visiting Christmas through to New Year. It sounds like a blast, and he's asked Lissa and me to join him."
"So, you won't be at Court over Christmas?" There was no mistaking the disappointed tone of Tasha's voice.
"No. We're planning to leave straight from Lehigh. Buuuuuuuuuut," Christian said, drawing it out, "you're welcome to join us."
"St. Petersburg? I haven't been there in a long time," Tasha said thoughtfully. "My Russian will be super rusty."
"That doesn't matter. Liss has studied for years and can speak Russian pretty well, and we'll have Guardian Belikov with us, too, so he can help out."
Her unspoken question answered Tasha concluded a trip to Russia for Christmas would be just the thing. Seeing his homeland again would hopefully put Dimitri in a good mind space. Perhaps enough to think about moving on with a new partner?
"Christmas in St. Petersburg sounds perfect! Do you know where we'll be staying?"
"I don't, but Lissa probably does. The house belongs to one of Adrian's friends or family. I'm not even sure if they'll be there, but he said the house is warded, so it will be safe."
"Well, that's wonderful. I have nothing pressing over that week, so I might as well take the same flights as you and Lissa," and Dimitri, she thought. "Book my flights when you book yours. Just let me know when, where, and how much and I'll fix you up."
"No need for that. The tickets can be your Christmas present from me and Liss. It's the least we can do." Christian mentally congratulated himself. One less present to shop for this Christmas. Winning!
Tasha smiled as they ended the call. St. Petersburg was a romantic city, especially in the winter. She had a good feeling about this trip. An entire week with Dimka should be just the thing to take things to the next level.
Appreciating it had been a while since she'd contacted Ethan, while her phone was in her hand, she dropped him a quick text.
Hope everything is going well there. Just letting you know I won't be at Court over the holiday break. Going to Russia with Christian and Vasilisa for Christmas and New Year. Chat when I get back. Tasha x
Some hours later, after checking the time difference and consulting the pattern and language of their previous text conversations, one of Moore's former colleagues responded on his behalf.
All ok here. Bit boring. Enjoy Christmas. Will call in the New Year. E
"Christian called Tasha, and she's totally on board with the idea of Christmas in Russia. He said she was really excited."
"Excited by the trip, or excited to see Guardian Belikov again?" Adrian asked, feeling a little snarky. Why did everyone seem to fall for Dimitri? Not that Adrian wanted scarface's affections, but that wasn't the point.
"Probably a bit from a and bit from b," Lissa admitted, "which reminds me… When I mentioned Tasha was invited, Dimitri's aura showed displeasure, but Eddie and Celeste's showed distrust. I think they might have the same suspicions about Tasha that we do."
Unable to tell Lissa what she suspected he now knew to be fact, Adrian grunted in a non-committed manner. "It's possible, but it's unlikely they'll say anything without proof."
"That's true. Part of me hopes I am wrong about Tasha. She gets on Christian's nerves sometimes, but she's the only family he has left."
"Trust me, family can be seriously overrated," Adrian said, momentarily forgetting Lissa's circumstances. "Shit - that was insensitive."
"It's ok."
"No, it's not. Please forgive me—I had dinner at my parent's place today, and it always puts me in a shitty mood. I told them I was going away for Christmas. Nathan gave me an earful, but I think Mom was relieved. Anyway, if it comes out about Tasha, all you can do is be there to support him."
"Do you think it will come out? I mean, should we go to Queen Szelsky and tell her what we can see? We can both see Tasha's aura and how it reacts. Surely that means something?"
"I was Rose's boyfriend, you her best friend. I doubt anyone would consider us impartial witnesses. Besides, could you do that to Christian?"
That's the question Lissa had been asking herself again and again. Could she be the one to break Christian's heart by telling anyone else her suspicions about Tasha? Even if proven right, she would be instrumental in the loss of Christian's last family member.
"I don't know," Lissa whispered, and she didn't.
Lying back on his bed once he'd finished talking to Lissa, Adrian wondered what exactly Abe had planned. All he'd said was that he needed Lissa, Christian, et al. at his home in Russia as soon as practicable. As per Abe's instructions, Adrian had been vague about where they'd stay—or more to the point with whom. If Tasha knew they'd be staying at Zmey's residence, she wouldn't get on the plane. Not that anywhere was safe for her now Abe had proof of what she'd done. He felt bad that he was leading Lissa and Christian into what was likely a trap, however Abe had made it clear he held them in no way responsible for Tasha's actions and would do his utmost to make sure their visit with him was enjoyable.
And Adrian wanted to get away. Court was holding less and less appeal. His mother was determined to marry him off to any suitable young Royal Moroi lady, something which held no interest for him. In fact, depending on how things went over Christmas, he'd decided he might spend a few months traveling through Europe. He could certainly afford to, his already very healthy bank account boosted thanks to Aunt Tatiana's last will and testament. He'd need a Guardian, but that was easily arranged. A few months touring the sites sounded like just the thing. But first, he needed to make it through Christmas.
Exhausted by his family, his need for discretion during the discussion with Lissa, and pondering Abe's plans, Adrian closed his eyes, relishing the peace of his apartment and the comfort of his bed. Sometimes a man just needed to chillax, and tonight was just such an occasion for him. Too weary even to fetch a bottle of vodka, Adrian lay there and let his mind wander. Thinking about Tasha, Christian, then Dimitri, his subconscious worked its way over to the person he rarely let himself think about. Self-preservation.
Rose. He replayed their last conversation through his mind; their farewell at the prison. Unfortunately, he recalled it almost word for word. Every look. Each interaction. It was as though his brain knew it would be their last ever conversation, so had imprinted it indelibly in his psyche. Half asleep he let his mind go where it would, imagining how life might have played out for Rose had Tasha fucking Ozera not intervened.
He was already halfway there when Adrian recognized he was slipping into someone's dreams. It had been months since he'd dream walked, there being no one he chose to visit. However, this dream seemed sweet. Familiar. Comfortable, even. It wasn't until he recognized the setting that he had any idea of whose dream he was visiting. A ski lodge. Almost a year ago.
"Rose?!"