Last Sacrifice

I was sitting in the backseat with Adrian and Jill, leaning forward and checking things off on my fingers. 'Motive? Yes. Ability? Yes. Paying off Joe? Yes. Access to Tatiana's chambers . . .' I frowned, suddenly thinking of what I'd overheard while with Lissa. 'Yes.'

This earned me a surprised glance from Dimitri. 'Really? That was one piece I couldn't figure out.'

'Pretty sure I know how she did it,' I said. 'But the anonymous letter to Tatiana doesn't make sense. Not to mention obscuring Lissa's family—or trying to kill her.' Or trying to frame me.

'We might be dealing with more than one person,' said Dimitri.

'Like a conspiracy?' I asked, startled.

He shook his head. 'No, I mean, someone else had a grudge against the queen. But not someone who'd go as far as to kill her. Two people, two agendas. Probably not even aware of each other. We're mixing up the evidence.'

I fell silent, turning over his words. It made sense, and I picked up on the nuance that by someone, he meant Daniella. We'd been right about reasons she'd dislike Tatiana—the trainings, the age law not being hardcore enough, encouraging spirit . . . But that hadn't been enough for murder. An angry letter, bribery for her son's safety? Those were the kinds of actions Lady Daniella Ivashkov took. Not staking.

In the ensuing silence, I heard soft words between Jill and Adrian, who'd been having a conversation while the rest of us plotted strategy.

'What do I do?' Jill asked him in a small voice.

His answer was swift and sure. 'Act like you deserve to be there. Don't let them intimidate you.'

'What about Lissa? What's she going to think of me?'

Adrian hesitated only a moment. 'Doesn't matter. Just act the way I told you.'

My stomach sank, listening to him give her such earnest, kind advice. Rowdy, smug, and flippant . . . he was all those things. But his heart was good. The heart I'd just broken. I knew I was right about his potential. Adrian was great. He could do great things. I just hoped I hadn't set him back. At least I hadn't had to tell him his mother was a murderer . . . but still.

All of us grew quiet when we reached the gate. The line of cars was still there, and we became more and more nervous as we crept forward. A flip to Lissa's mind told me we weren't missing anything in the Council. The chaotic situation was pretty much the same as before, though the exasperated look on Nathan's face made me think he'd call a close to proceedings soon and continue tomorrow. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

The guardians recognized Mikhail, of course, and while still vigilant, their initial instincts didn't suspect him of nefarious deeds. He vaguely said he'd been sent to pick up some people. The guardian looking in the car scanned over Dimitri, me, and—thankfully—Jill. Adrian, a well-known figure, got us added respect. After a mandatory check of the trunk, we were sent on through.

'Oh my God. It worked,' I breathed, as Mikhail drove over to the guardians' parking area.

'Now what?' asked Jill.

'Now we reestablish the Dragomir line and call out a murderer,' I said.

'Oh, is that all?' Adrian's sarcasm was palpable.

'You know,' remarked Mikhail, 'that the instant your illusions are dropped, you two are going to be jumped by guardians and thrown back into jail. Or worse.'

Dimitri and I exchanged looks. 'We know,' I said, trying to ignore the memories of that terrible, claustrophobic experience. 'But if everything works out . . . we won't have to stay there for long. They'll use what we've found out and then eventually set us free.' I sounded more optimistic than I felt.

Once parked, our party headed toward the ballroom's building, which could have been seen miles away with all the people around it. How strange. Not long ago, I'd made this same journey, with nearly the same people, hurrying away from Court. We'd worn spirit disguises then, too, and had been seeking escape. Now we were knowingly walking into peril. I was convinced if I could make it in undetected and deliver my news, everything would work out. Sonya's charm had worked perfectly when I saw the Alchemists. I had no reason to doubt it, but the fear still lurked in the back of my mind: what if it stopped functioning? What if the disguise failed and I was spotted before even getting into the building? Would they arrest me? Or would they simply shoot first?

The doors were barred to spectators, but guardians were allowed access, so once again Mikhail talked us in—using a sullen Adrian as the reason. The late queen's nephew could hardly be refused, and with the chaos inside, more guardians—which Dimitri and I appeared to be—were welcome. Adrian kept an arm around Jill as they entered, and the guardians let her pass.

We slipped into the ballroom, completely unnoticed. I'd seen the arguing through Lissa's eyes, but it was totally different in person. Louder. More grating. My friends and I exchanged looks. I'd braced myself for a big confrontation with the audience—hell, it wouldn't be the first time—but this was a test of even my skills.

'We need someone to get the room's attention,' I said. 'Someone not afraid to make a spectacle—I mean, besides me, of course.'

'Mikhail? Where have you been?'

We turned and saw Abe standing before us.

'Well, speak of the devil,' I said. 'Exactly what we need.'

Abe peered at me and frowned. Charms could be seen through when others knew one was being used. Charms were also less effective if others knew the wearer well. It was how Victor had recognized me in Tarasov. Sonya's was too strong for Abe to fully break through, but he could tell something wasn't right.

'What's going on?' he demanded.

'The usual, old man,' I replied cheerily. 'Danger, insane plans . . . you know, the stuff that runs in our family.'

He squinted his eyes again, still unable to fully see through the charm. I was probably blurry. 'Rose? Is that you? Where have you been?'

'We need the room's attention,' I said. I wondered if this was what it felt like when parents busted their kids for breaking curfew. He looked very disapproving. 'We've got a way to settle this whole argument.'

'Well,' observed Adrian dryly, 'we've at least got a way to start another one.'

'I trusted you at my hearing,' I told Abe. 'Can't you trust me now?'

Abe's expression turned wry. 'You apparently didn't trust me enough to stay put in West Virginia.'

'Technicalities,' I said. 'Please. We need this.'

'And we're short on time,' added Dimitri.

Abe studied him too. 'Let me guess. Belikov?' There was uncertainty in my father's voice—Adrian was doing a good job in keeping the illusion over Dimitri—but Abe was clever enough to deduce who would be with me.

'Dad, we have to hurry. We've got the killer—and we've got Lissa's . . .' How did I explain it? 'A chance to change Lissa's life.'

Not much startled Abe, but I think my earnest use of 'Dad' did. Scanning the room, his eyes landed on someone, and he gave a small jerk of his head. Several seconds later, my mother squeezed her way through to us. Great. He called; she came. They were awfully chummy lately. I hoped Lissa remained the only one with a surprise sibling.

'Who are these people?' my mother asked.

'Guess,' replied Abe flatly. 'Who would be foolish enough to break into Court after escaping it?'

My mom's eyes widened. 'How—'

'No time,' Abe said. The sharp look he got in return said she didn't like being interrupted. Maybe no siblings after all. 'I have a feeling half the guardians in this room are going to be all over us soon. Are you ready for that?'

My poor, law-abiding mother looked pained, realizing what was being asked of her. 'Yes.'

'Me too,' added Mikhail.

Abe studied us all. 'I guess there are worse odds.'

He headed up to where Nathan Ivashkov was leaning against his podium. He looked weary and defeated— and utterly at a loss on what to do with the mess before him. At our approach, the monarch candidates glanced over curiously, and I sensed a sudden jolt of surprise through the bond. Lissa could see right through the spirit charms. I felt her breath catch at the sight of us. Fear, shock, and relief played through her. And confusion, of