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I DIDN’T RUN INTO HIS arms like I usually did How could I? After what I’d done? No I couldn’t playact anymore I still wasn’t entirely sure what the future held for Dimitri and me, not until he answered my ultimatus for hi, and I wondered if it was even reardless, I couldn’t lead hi with Dimitri It hadn’t been murder, no, but it had certainly been dishonorable

YetI couldn’t say any of that to Adrian now, I realized I couldn’t break up with him in a dream That was al thatwell, I’d probably need his help So much for honor Soon, I swore Soon I’ll tell him

He didn’t see else

"Wow’

We stood in St Vladiave hi before us "Wohat?’ "Youryour aura It’sa I mean, it always shines, but todaywell, I’ve never seen anything like it I didn’t expect that after everything that happened’

I shifted uncomfortably If I lit up around Dimitri normally, what on earth happened to my aura post-sex? "After what happened?’ I asked, deflecting the comment

He chuckled and approached arettes, paused, and then dropped to his side "Oh, co about it How you and Belikov kidnapped Jailbait--what’s up with that anyway?--and coerced that Alchemist It’s the hottest news around here Well, aside fro up’

"That’s right ’ I murmured It had almost been twenty-four hours since Lissa had received the riddle There was only a little time left, and last I knew, she had no answer

"Why are you sleeping in the middle of the day anyway?’ he asked "I didn’t really expect to catch you Figured you’d be on a huh night, ith escaping a legion of guardians and all’

Adrian caught hold of htly when I didn’t squeeze his in return The frown lightened quickly into his easy smile "Well, I’d worry more about your old man than them He is pissed that you didn’t stay put And that he can’t get in to see the Alche’

That alh, except it wasn’t the outcome I’d wanted either "So he’s not all-powerful after all’ I sighed "That’s e need Sydney Or, well, that guy who’s with her The one who allegedly knows sonition on Ian’s face He knows the man who attacked Lissa and bribed Joe "We need him’

"Frouardians are just kind of lingering around the hotel,But they’re controlling who’s getting in They won’t let any of us--or other Alcheuests, and I guess Abe tried to disguise himself--and failed’

Poor Zuardians They aren’t going to let anyone but theht me to a halt "That’s it ’

Adrian eyedcrazy is about to happen’

I caught hold of his hand, now out of excitement, rather than love "Get to Mikhail Have him meet us ’ I blanked I’d seen the town the Alche in As the closest to Court, we often drove through it I rackedto think of son It’s on the far side Always advertising buffets’

"Easier said than done, little dhauardian at Court to keep the elections under control If Lissa hadn’t been attacked, they wouldn’t let your et out’

"He’ll find a way,’ I said confidently "Tell him this is it--it’s the key to the murder The answer He’s resourceful’

Adrian looked skeptical, but it was hard for hi "When?’ When indeed? It was almost noon, and I hadn’t paidwould it take us to reach Court? From what I knew about the elections, those who passed this last test would give speeches when the Moroi day started In theory, they’d then go straight to voting--except, if our plan worked, Lissa’s involvement would slow that down for days Provided she passed

"Midnight,’ I said If I was guessing correctly, the Court would be co it easier for Mikhail to get out I hoped "Will you tell hi for you’ Adrian swept erous for you to be involved directly with this’

"I have to do this myself,’ I said "I can’t hide’

He nodded, as though he understood I wasn’t sure he did

"Thank you,’ I told hio’

Adrian gavea guy out of bed, huh?’

I flinched, the joke hitting a little too close to home "I want Mikhail to be prepared And I also need to watch Lissa’s last test’

This sobered Adrian "Does she have a chance? Will she pass?’

"I don’t know,’ I adh one’

"Okay We’ll see e can do’ He gave me a small kiss My lips responded automatically, but my heart wasn’t into it "And Rose? Ito be awfully close to Court Not to uardians who have you on their most wanted list and will probably try to kill you’

"I know,’ I said, choosing not to mention that there was no "probably’ about it

With that, he vanished, and I woke Strangely, what I found in my oorld seemed almost more dreamlike than what I’d experienced with Adrian Diled under the covers, our bodies and limbs still wrapped around each other He slept with that rare peaceful look of his and al hi him we had to hit the road A look at the clock happily squashed that thought We still had tio to Lissa and trusted Sonya would coed the testing correctly Lissa was cutting across the Court’s lawns,to a funeral The sun, flowers, and birds were lost on her Even her company did little to cheer her up: Christian, my mom, and Tasha

"I can’t do this,’ she said, staring ahead at the building that held her fate "I can’t do this test’ The tattoo kept her fro out any more information

"You’re smart Brilliant’ Christian’s arm was around her waist, and in that moment, I loved him for his confidence in her "You can do it’

"You don’t understand,’ she said, with a sigh She’d co the plan was at stake--and her desire to prove herself

"For once he does,’ said Tasha, a slight teasing tone in her voice "You can do it You have to do it We have soon it’

Her confidence didn’t , it added to the pressure She would fail, just like in the Council dream the chalice had shown her She’d had no answer there either "Lissa!’

A voice brought the toward the the distance between them "Hi Serena,’ said Lissa "We can’t stop The test--’

"I know, I know’ Serena was flushed, not with exertion, but with anxiety She proffered a piece of paper "I made your list As many as I could remember’

"What list?’ asked Tasha

"Moroi that the queen was having trained, to see hoell they could learn fighting’

Tasha’s eyebrows rose in surprise She hadn’t been around when they’d discussed it last tihters? I never heard about anything like that’ I had a feeling she would have liked to be one of the ones helping with instruction

"Most didn’t,’ agreed Lissa, straightening the piece of paper "It was a big secret’

The group crowded around to read the na Christian let out a lohistle "Tatiana ht have been open to the idea of defense but only for certain people’

"Yes,’ agreed Tasha "This is definitely an A-list’

All the naht in "commoners’ for her experih as Aet a variety of ages and genders

"Camille Conta?’ asked Lissa in surprise "Never saw that co She was always really bad in PE’

"And there’s another of our cousins,’ added Christian, pointing to Lia Ozera He glanced at Tasha, as still in disbelief "Did you know that?’

"No I wouldn’t have guessed her either’

"Half the nominees too,’ mused Lissa Rufus Tarus, Ava Drozdov, and Ellis Badica "Too bad they--oh h: Daniella Ivashkov

"Whoa,’ said Christian That summed up my reaction too "Pretty sure Adrian didn’t know about that’

"Does she support Moroi fighting?’ asked my mom, surprised as well

Lissa shook her head "No Fro defense to dhaine beautiful and proper Daniella Ivashkov in a fight

"She already hated Tatiana,’ noted Tasha "I’s for their relationship Those two bickered all the time behind closed doors’