“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 course. She was so glad to see us that she forgot all about the elections and started to stand at our approach. I gave her a quick shake of my head, urging her to keep our cover, and after a moment’s hesitation, she sat back down. She was worried and puzzled–but trusted me.
Nathan came to life when he saw us, particularly when Abe simply shoved him out of the way and grabbed the microphone. “Hey, what are you–‘
I expected Abe to yell for everyone to shut up or something like that. Of course, Nathan had been trying that for a while with no results. So, I was quite shocked–as was everyone else–when Abe put fingers to his lips and let out the most ear-piercing whistle I had ever heard. A whistle like that through a microphone? Yeah. It hurt my ears. It had to be worse for the Moroi, and the screeching feedback in the speakers didn’t help.
The room quieted enough for him to be heard. “Now that you have the sense to keep your mouths shut,’ said Abe, “we have … some things to say.’ He was using his confident, I-control-the-world voice, but I knew he was taking a lot on faith here. “Act fast,’ he muttered, extending the microphone out to us.
I took it and cleared my throat. “We’re here to, uh, settle this debate once and for all.’ That brought grumbles, and I hurried on loudly before the room erupted again. “The laws can stay the way they are. Vasilisa Dragomir is entitled to her Council vote–and eligible to be a full candidate for the throne. There’s another member in her family. She isn’t the only Dragomir left.’
Murmurs and whispers broke out, though it was nothing like the roar earlier–most likely because the Moroi loved intrigue, and they had to know how this would play out. In my periphery, I could see guardians forming a very loose perimeter around us. Their concern was security, not scandal.
I beckoned Jill forward. For a moment, she froze; then I wondered if she recalled Adrian’s words in the car. She stepped beside me, so pale that I worried she might pass out. I almost felt like I could too. The tension and pressure were overwhelming. No. I’d come too far.
“This is Jillian Mastrano Dragomir. She’s Eric Dragomir’s illegitimate daughter–but she is his daughter and officially part of the bloodline.’ I hated usingillegitimate, but in this case, it was a necessary fact.
In the heartbeat of silence that followed, Jill hastily leaned toward me and the microphone. “I am a Dragomir,’ she said clearly, despite her trembling hands. “Our family has its quorum, and my s-sister has all her rights.’
I could see another explosion building, and Abe jumped in between Jill and me, grabbing the microphone. “For those who don’t believe this, a DNA test will clear up any doubts about her lineage.’ I had to admire Abe’s audacity. He had only learned this information sixty seconds ago and was already advocating it with certainty, as though he himself had performed the necessary tests back in his home genetics lab. More faith–and an advantage he couldn’t pass up. My old man loved secrets.
The news triggered the reaction I’d expected. Once the audience had processed the information, a flurry of shouted commentary began.
“Eric Dragomir didn’t have any other children, illegitimate or not!’
“This is a scam!’
“Show us the proof! Where are your tests?’
“Well … he was kind of a flirt …’
“He did have another daughter.’
That last one shut the crowd up, both because it was spoken with authority and because it came from Daniella Ivashkov. She had stood up, and even without a microphone, she had a voice that could carry in a room. She was also an important enough person in our society to draw attention. Many among the royals were practically conditioned to listen to her. In the now quiet room, Daniella continued speaking.
“Eric Dragomir had an illegitimate daughter, with a woman named Emily Mastrano–a dancer, if I recall correctly. He wanted it kept secret and needed certain things done– things he couldn’t do himself–to help with that. I was one of the few who helped.’ An uncharacteristically bitter smile turned up her lips. “And honestly, I wouldn’t have minded it staying secret either.’
Pieces clicked in my head. I knew now who had broken into the Alchemists’ records. And why. In the room’s silence, I didn’t need a microphone to respond either.
“Enough that you’d make certain papers disappear.’
Daniella fixed that smile on me. “Yes.’
“Because if the Dragomirs faded, spirit might too. And Adrian would be safe. Spirit was getting too much attention too fast, and you needed to get rid of any evidence about Jill to kill Vasilisa’s credibility.’ Daniella’s expression confirmed as much. I should have left it at that, but my curiosity wouldn’t allow it. “Then why admit it now?’
Daniella shrugged. “Because you’re right. One DNA test will show the truth.’ There were gasps of awe from those who took her word as gospel and wondered what this meant. Others people refused to believe and wore looks of scorn. Daniella, undoubtedly disappointed the truth had leaked, nonetheless seemed resigned and willing to accept it. But her smile soon dropped as she studied me more closely. “What I’d like to know is: who in the world are you?’
A good portion of the audience appeared to want to know this as well. I hesitated. Sonya’s charmed disguise had gotten me pretty far at this point. We had a fragile acceptance of Jill and the Dragomir line. If we let the system run its course, and if Lissa won like I now wanted–I’d have a queenly advocate to help in the case to clear me.
But staring at the crowd–full of people I’d known and respected and who had still condemned me without question–I felt anger burn within me. Spirit-induced or not, it didn’t matter. I was still outraged at how easily I’d been accused and tossed away. I didn’t want to wait for this to be settled in some quiet guardian office. I wanted to face them. I wanted them to know I was innocent–of killing the queen, at least.
And so, surpassing my own records for dangerous, reckless behavior, I ripped off Sonya’s bracelet.
“I’m Rose Hathaway.’
CRIES AND SCREAMS FROM THE audience told me my disguise was gone.
Many eyes also went to Dimitri. Adrian had dropped that illusion too, once I’d shed mine. And, as we’d been expecting, the guardians who had been gradually taking up position around us surged forward, armed with handguns. I still thought that was cheating. Fortunately, my mother and Mikhail moved quickly into place to block our attackers and deter any gunshots.
“Don’t,’ I snapped at Dimitri, who I knew was probably about to join our two defenders. It was crucial he and I stay perfectly still, so we weren’t taken as threats. I even went as far as to hold up my arms, and–reluctantly, I suspected–Dimitri did too. “Wait. Please listen to us first.’
The guardian circle was tight, with no gaps. I was pretty sure my mom and Mikhail were the only thing keeping them from shooting us then and there. Guardians would always avoid fighting other guardians if possible. Two blockers were easy to take down, though, and these guardians wouldn’t wait forever. Jill and Abe suddenly moved forward, taking positions next to us. More shields. I saw one of the looming guardians grimace. Civilians complicated things. Adrian had not moved, but the fact that he was enclosed in the circle at all still made him an obstacle.
“Haul us off later if you want,’ I said. “We won’t resist. But you have to let us talk first. We know who killed the queen.’ “So do we,’ said one of the guardians. “Now, the rest of you … back away before you’re hurt. These are dangerous fugitives.’
“They need to talk,’ said Abe. “They have evidence.’
Again, he pushed forward with his case, acting confidently about things he had no clue about. He was staking it all on me. I was starting to like him. It was kind of unfortunate that our evidence wasn’t as 100 percent solid as I’d hoped, but as I’d said earlier … technicalities.
“Let them talk.’
It was a new voice, but a voice I knew by heart. Lissa pushed her way through two of the guardians. They held their tight position, the immediate concern being that we not escape. This allowed her to slip through–but only so one could grab her arm and stop her from reaching us.
“They’ve come this far. They were right about … Jill.’ Boy, that was not easy for her to say with a straight face, seeing as she hadn’t entirely come to terms with the issue. My imminent death was probably the only thing distracting her from the earth shattering experience of learning she had a potential sibling. She too was taking a lot on faith here, confident I was telling the truth. “You’ve got them. They can’t go anywhere. Just let them talk. I’ve got evidence to support their case too.’
“I’d hold off on sharing that, Liss,’ I said in a low voice. Lissa still believed Daniella was the killer and wasn’t going to like hearing the truth. Lissa flashed me a confused look but didn’t protest.
“Let’s hear them,’ said one of the guardians–and not just any: Hans. “After an escape like they pulled, I’d really like to know what brought them back.’
Hans was helping us?
“But,’ he continued, “I’m sure you two will understand we’ll have to restrain you before you make your great reveal.’
I looked at Dimitri who had already turned to me. We’d both known what we were getting ourselves into, and honestly, this was a better scenario than I’d envisioned.
“Okay,’ said Dimitri. He glanced at our noble protectors. “It’s okay. Let them get through.’
My mom and the others didn’t move right away. “Do it,’ I said. “Don’t end up as our cellmates.’
I thought for sure those loveable fools wouldn’t listen to me. But Mikhail backed off first, and then the others did too, practically in sync. In a flash, guardians seized them all, leading them away. Dimitri and I stayed put, and four guardians moved in, two for Dimitri and two for me. Adrian had retreated with the others, but Lissa still stood a few feet away from us, all her trust in me.
“Get on with it,’ said Hans. He gripped my right arm tightly.
I met Lissa’s eyes, hating what I had to say. But, no. She wasn’t the one I was worried about hurting the most. Looking out into the audience, I found Christian, who was understandably watching this drama with avid attention. I had to turn away and stare at the crowd as a whole, refusing to see individual faces. Just a blur.
“I didn’t kill Tatiana Ivashkov,’ I said. Several people grumbled doubtfully. “I didn’t like her. But I didn’t kill her.’ I glanced at Hans. “You’ve questioned the janitor who testified about where I was during the murder, right? And he ID’d the man who attacked Lissa as the one who paid him off to lie about where I was?’ I’d learned from Mikhail that Joe had eventually admitted to taking money from the mystery Moroi, once the guardians had cornered him with the picture.
Hans frowned, hesitated, and then nodded for me to continue.
“There’s no record of his existence–at least not with the guardians. But the Alchemists know who he is. They saw him at one of their facilities–acting as someone’s bodyguard.’ My eyes fell on Ethan Moore, who stood with the guardians near the door. “A bodyguard for someone who was let in to see Tatiana the night she died: Tasha Ozera.’
There was no need for any uproar from the audience this time because Tasha more than made up for it on her own. She’d been sitting next to Christian and sprang up from her chair.
“What on earth are you saying, Rose?’ she exclaimed. “Are you out of your mind?’
When I’d stood there defiantly, ready to face the crowd and demand justice, I’d been full of triumph and power. Now … now I was just sad as I stared at someone I’d always trusted, someone who was staring back at me with so much shock and hurt.
“I wish I was … but it’s true. We both know it is. You killed Tatiana.’
Tasha’s disbelief grew, tinged now with a little anger, though she still seemed to be giving me the benefit of the doubt. “I never, never believed you killed her–and I’ve fought for you on that. Why are you doing this? Are you playing on the Strigoi taint in our family? I thought you were above that kind of prejudice.’
I swallowed. I’d thought getting evidence would be the hard part. It was nothing compared to revealing it. “What I’m saying has nothing to do with Strigoi. I almost wish it did. You hated Tatiana for her age law and refusal to let Moroi fight.’ Another memory came to me, when Tasha had learned about the secret training sessions. Tasha had been aghast with what I now suspected might have been guilt at misjudging the queen.
The crowd was riveted and stunned, but one person came to life: an Ozera I didn’t know but who apparently had family solidarity on his mind. He stood up, crossing his arms defiantly. “Half this Court hated Tatiana for that law. You among them.’
“I didn’t have my bodyguard bribe a witness or attack Lis–Princess Dragomir. And don’t pretend you didn’t know the guy,’ I warned her. “He was your bodyguard. You were seen together.’ Ian’s description of her when she visited St. Louis had been perfectly clear: long black hair, pale blue eyes, and scarring on one side of her face.
“Rose, I can’t even believe this is happening, but if James–that was his name–did whatever you’re talking about, then he acted alone. He always had radical ideas. I knew that when I hired him as outside protection, but I never thought he was capable of murder.’ She glanced around, looking for someone in charge, and finally settled on the Council. “I’ve always believed Rose was innocent. If James is the one responsible for this, then I’m more than happy to tell you whatever I know to clear Rose’s name.’
So, so easy. The mystery Moroi–James–was almost everywhere Tasha had been. He’d also been spotted in suspicious situations where she hadn’t been–like Joe’s bribery and Lissa’s attack. I could save Tasha and just blame it all on him. He was already dead. Tasha and I could stay friends. She’d acted on principle, right? What was wrong with that? Christian stood up beside her, looking at me like I was a stranger. “Rose, how can you say any of this? You know her. You know she wouldn’t do it. Stop making a scene and let us figure out how that James guy killed the queen.’ So, so easy. Blame the dead man.