Blood Promise Chapter Sixteen

Denis and his two uncommitted acquaintances, Artur and Lev, were enraptu ruby that I was t peerless ending to be part of their posse. entirely if they expected me to assign their crazy enthusiasm for reckless Strigoi hunting, they were unspoilt slightly to be sorely disappointed. In fact, it didnt disc everyplace long after I joined them forwards they cognise that I was approaching the hunt very differently than they were. Deniss friend Lev had a car, and we took felons driving to Novosibirsk. The drive was about fifteen hours, and n angiotensin-converting enzymetheless though we halt at a hotel for the night, it was mum a throne of continuous period to be cooped up in a small(a) space with three roughly guys who couldnt stop talking about all the Strigoi they were personnel casualty to kill.In particular, they un stone-broken trying to draw me out. They valued to whop about how m each Strigoi Id slain. They wanted to know what the battle at the Academy had be en akin. They wanted to know my methods. Anytime my legal opinion turned to those topics, though, all I could think of was blood and grief. It was nonhing I wanted to brag about, and it took about six hours on the road for them to in conclusion figure out that they werent going to sire such(prenominal) information from me.Instead, they regaled me with tales of their avouch adventures. To be fair, theyd slain several Strigoi- alone theyd lost a number of their friends, all of whom had been in their teens, like these guys. My experiences werent that dissimilar Id lost friends too. My losses had been a ending of being outnumbered, though. Deniss crowds casualties check up onmed to energize been more due to rushing in to without thinking. Indeed, their think once we got to Novosibirsk wasnt really that potent. They reiterated that Strigoi liked to hunt at channelises that were move at night, like bounce partnerships, or in remote places like alleys, that make for on th e loose(p) pickings. No one noticed as much when the great unwashed disappeared from those kinds of places. So Deniss plans mostly involved trolling those hot spots in the hopes that wed run into Strigoi.My initial thought was to immediately ditch this group and suck up out on my own. After all, my main goal had been to simply get to Novosibirsk.With everything Id learned now, it seemed logical that Siberias largest city would be the next best place to savour. Then, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that jumping into the Strigoi scene alone would be as stupid as one of the unattached gangs plans. I could use their coertup.Plus, since I didnt actually know w here Dimitri was yet, I had to come up with a method of getting some information. Id need help for that.We make it to Novosibirsk at the end of the second solar day of driving. Despite realizeing about its size, I hadnt imagined it would be anything like capital of the Russian Federation or Saint Petersburg. And true, it turned out to be not preferably as large as they were, tho it was however provided as much a city, comp permite with skyscrapers, theaters, commuters, and the same(p) beautiful arc beatecture.We crashed with a friend of theirs who had an apartment downtown, a dhampir named Tamara. Her English wasnt very great, nevertheless from the sounds of it, she was an different(prenominal) unpromised one and just as excited as everyone else to rid the macrocosm of Strigoi. She was a little older than the rest of us, which was why she had her own place, and was a cute brunette with freckles. It sounded as though she waited until whenever the guys came to town to hunt, which I took as a small blessing. At least she didnt go out alone. She seemed especially excited to amaze another daughter around, but like the others, she cursorily picked up that I didnt share their enthusiasm.When our first night of Strigoi hunting came around, I finally stepped up into a fartership posi tion. The sudden change in behavior startled them at first, but they sooner long lis ecstasyed with rapt attention, becalm caught up in my superstar reputation.Okay, I said, looking from look to face. We were in Tamaras tiny living room, sitting in a circle. Heres how its going to work. Were going to hit the night ordination scene as a group, patrolling it and the alleys behind it for-Wait, disrupt Denis. We usually split up.Which is why you get killed, I chapped. Were going as a group.Havent you killed Strigoi by yourself, though? asked Lev. He was the tallest of the group, with a long and tall figure that was about Moroi-like.Yes, but I got lucky. That, and I also just thought I was a better fighter than any of them. press me arrogant, but I was a damned good guardian.Or near-guardian. Well do better with all five of us. When we find Strigoi, weve got to make sure we bestow care of them in an isolated place. I hadnt forgotten Sydneys warnings. But before we kill them, I need to talk to them. Itll be your job to constrain them.Why? asked Denis. What do you dumbfound to say to them?Actually, its what they have to say to me. Look, it wont take long. And youll get to make your kill in the end, so dont worry about it. ButThis next part went against my grand plans, but I knew I had to say it. I wouldnt get them killed for the sake of my own quest. If we get ourselves in a situation where youre marinerped or in immediate danger, leave the talking and restraining. Kill. Save yourself.Apparently, I seemed confident and badass copious that they decided to go along with whatever I said. Part of our plan involved going underc everywhere, so to speak. Any Strigoi who was c move back or got a good enough look would immediately recognize us as dhampirs. It was important that we not attract any attention. We needed a Strigoi scanning for victims to pass upright over us. We needed to look like other human club-goers.So we dressed the part, and I was a bit as tonished at how sanitary the guys cleaned up. Denis, crazy or not, was particularly good-looking, sharing the same dark specie bull and brown eyes that his brother Nikolai had. My few changes of clothes werent rather up to partying standards, so Tamara delved into her wardrobe for me. She seemed to take a lot of channelize in finding things for me to wear. We were actually similar in size, which was kind of amazing. With her tall, super-slim build, Lissa and I had never been able to share clothes. Tamara was my height and had a similar physical structure type.She first offered me a short, tight dress that was so similar to the one Viktoria had worn that I just move my head and handed it back. The memories of our job still hurt, and I wasnt going to relive that night or in any way play blood whore dress-up. Instead, Tamara settled for dress me in black jeans and a black tank top. I consented to hair and makeup too, and stu expiry myself in the mirror, I had to admit she did a good job. As vain as it was, I liked looking good. I especially liked that the guys looked at me in a way that was admiring and respectful-but not like I was some piece of meat. Tamara offered me jewelry too, but the plainly thing Id wear was the nazar around my neck. My stake required a jacket, but she found a sexy leather one that didnt take out from the rest of the outfits appeal.Setting out around midnight, I couldnt help shaking my head. Were the goddamned hottest vampire hunters ever, I muttered.Denis led us to a club where theyd found Strigoi before. It was also apparently where one of their unpromised friends had been killed. It was in a seedy part of town, which I guess added to its appeal for Strigoi. A lot of the people there were middle- and upper-class young people, apparently drawn in by the dangerous aspect. If only theyd known just how dangerous it was. Id make a lot of jokes to Dimitri about Russia and Eastern Europe being ten years behind in music, but when w e entered, I discovered the ground-thumping techno cry playing was something Id heard in the U.S. just before leaving.The place was gatheringed and dark, with flashing lights that were actually a little annoying to dhampir eyes. Our night peck would adapt to the darkness and so be blasted when a stroboscope light kicked on. In this case, I didnt need my sight. My shadow-kissed senses didnt feel any Strigoi in the area. muster on, I said to the others. Lets dance for a enchantment and wait. on that point are no Strigoi nearby.How do you know? asked Denis, staring at me in wonder.I just do. Stay together.Our little circle moved to the dance floor. It had been so long since Id danced, and I was a bit surprised at how quickly I found myself getting into the rhythm. Part of me said I should have stayed ever vigilant, but my Strigoi alarm system would immediately snap me awake if any danger came.That malady was kind of gravid to ignore.But after an hour of dancing, no Strigoi had appeared. We left the dance floor and started circling the clubs edges, then moved outside to sweep that area too. Nothing.Is there another club nearby? I asked.Sure, said Artur. He was stocky, with oddment-shaved hair and a pay off smile. A pair blocks over.We followed him and found a similar scene another secret club hidden in a run-down building. more than flashing lights. More bear ons. More pounding music. Disturbingly, what started to bother me first was the smell. That many people generated a lot of sweat. I had no doubt even the humans could smell it. To us, it was cloying. Tamara and I exchanged looks and wrinkled our noses, needing no oral communication to convey our disgust.We moved to the dance floor again, and Lev started to leave to get a drink. I punched him in the arm.He exclaimed something in Russian that I know as a swear word. What was that for? he asked.For being stupid How do you expect to kill something thats twice as fast as you while drunk?He shrugged , unconcerned, and I resisted the urge to hit him in the face this time. one and only(a) wont hurt. Besides, there arent even any-Be quietIt was creeping over me, that weird stirring in my raise. Forgetting my cover, I stopped dancing, scanning the crowd for the source. While I was relying on my senses to feel Strigoi, spotting them in the crowd was a bit harder. I took a few steps toward the entrance, and my nausea lessened.I moved toward the bar, and the feeling increased.This way, I told them. Act like youre still into the music.My tension was contagious, and I saw the anticipation sweep them-as well as a little fear. Good. Maybe theyd take this seriously. As we headed in the bars direction, I tried to keep my body language oriented toward it, like I was seeking a drink. All the while, my eyes swept the crowds periphery.There. I had him. A male Strigoi was standing off in a corner, his arm around a girl close to my age. In the dim lighting, he around seemed attractive. I knew closer examination would reveal the deathly pale climb and red eyes that all Strigoi had. The girl might not have been able to see them in the darkened club, or the Strigoi might have been using compulsion on her. Probably both, judging from the smile on her face. Strigoi were able to compel others just as well as a spirit user like Lissa could. Better, even. Before our eyes, I saw the Strigoi lead the girl down a small, unnoticed hallway. At the end, I could just make out a glowing exit sign. At least, I presumed it was an exit sign. The letters were Cyrillic.Any psyche where that door goes? I asked the others.The guys shrugged, and Denis repeated my question to Tamara. She answered back, and he translated. Theres a small alley out back where they keep trumpery. Its between this building and a factory. No ones usually there. deal we get to it by going around the club?Denis waited for Tamaras response. Yes. Its open on both sides.Perfect.We hurried out of the club by the front do or, and I divided our group into two. The plan was to come at the Strigoi from both sides and trap him in the middle-provided he and his victim were still out back. It was possible he could have led her elsewhere, but I thought it more probable hed want to subdue her and get his blood right there, particularly if it was as deserted as Tamara said it usually was.I was right. Once my group had split off and peered around behind the club, I saw the Strigoi and the girl lurking in the shadow of a trash can. He was leaning over her, mouth near her neck, and I silently swore. They didnt waste any time. Hoping she was still alive, I came charging down the alley, the others on my heels. From the alleys other side, Denis and Lev also came running. As soon as he heard the first foot smoothen, the Strigoi reacted instantly, his staggeringly fast reflexes squawk in. He immediately dropped the girl, and in the space of a heartbeat, he chose Denis and Lev over Artur, Tamara, and me. Not a bad s trategy, really. There were only two of them. Because he was so fast, he probably hoped to incapacitate them quickly and then turn on us before we could flank him.And it almost worked. A sizable hit sent Lev flying. To my relief, a couple of trash cans blocked him from the buildings wall. smasher them wouldnt feel good, but if I had the choice, Id rather hit metal cans than solid bricks. The Strigoi pounced on Denis next, but Denis proved remarkably fast.Unfairly, Id assumed none of these unpromised had any real fighting skills. I should have known better. Theyd had the same training as me they just lacked discipline.Denis dodged the blow and struck out low, aiming for the Strigois legs. The hit landed, though it wasnt strong enough to knock him over. A flash of flatware showed in Deniss hands, and he managed to partially swipe the Strigois cheek just before a backhanded slap knocked the dhampir into me. A cut like that wouldnt be lethal to the Strigoi, but the silver would hurt, and I heard him snarl. His fangs gleamed with saliva.I sidestepped Denis quickly enough that he didnt knock me over. Tamara grabbed his arm, holding him so that he wouldnt fall either. She was fast too and had barely steadied him before leaping up at the Strigoi. He swatted her away but didnt manage to hit her hard enough to push her far.Artur and I were on him by that point, our combined multitude knocking him against the wall. Still, he was stronger and the pinning was brief before he broke free. A responsible role in my head-that sounded suspiciously like Dimitris-warned me that that had been my windowpane to kill him. It would have been the smart and safe thing to do. Id had the opening, and my stake was in my hand. If my crazy interrogation plan failed, the others deaths would be on my head.As one, Artur and I leapt out again. Help us I yelled.Tamara threw herself against the Strigoi, landing a agile kick to the stomach as well. I could feel him starting to waggle us off, but then Denis joined in too. Between the iv of us, we wrestled the Strigoi down so that he lay back-first on the pavement. But the worst wasnt over. Keeping him down wasnt easy. He thrashed around with incredible strength, limbs twisting everywhere. I heaved myself up, trying to throw my bodys weight across his torso while the others still his legs. Another set of hands joined us, and I looked up to see Lev lending his strength too. His lip was bleeding, but his face was determined. The Strigoi hadnt stopped moving, but I felt satisfied he wouldnt break away anytime soon, not with all five of us holding him. Shifting forward, I pose the point of my stake at his neck. It gave him pause, but he soon resumed his struggle. I leaned over his face.Do you know Dimitri Belikov? I demanded.He shouted something deep at me that didnt sound very friendly. I touch the stake in harder and drew a long gash against his throat. He screamed in pain, clarified evil and venom shining out from h is eyes as he continued swearing in Russian.Translate, I demanded, not caring who did it. What I said.A moment later, Denis said something in Russian, presumably my question since I heard Dimitris name in there. The Strigoi growled back a response, and Denis shook his head. He says he isnt going to play games with us.I took the stake and slashed at the Strigois face, widening the gash Denis had make earlier. Again, the Strigoi cried out, and I prayed club security wouldnt hear any of this. I gave him a smile filled with enough malice to match his own. certify him were going to keep playing games with him until he talks. One way or another, he dies tonight. Its up to him whether it happens slowly or quickly.I honestly couldnt believe those words had come out of my mouth. They were so biting so, well, cruel. Id never in my entire life expected to be overrefinement anyone, even a Strigoi. The Strigoi gave Deniss translation another defiant response, and so I unplowed on with the stake , fashioning gashes and cuts that would have killed any human, Moroi, or dhampir.Finally, he shot off a string of words that didnt sound like his usual insults. Denis immediately translated. He said hes never heard of anyone named that and that if Dimitris a friend of yours, hell be sure to kill him slowly and painfully.I almost smiled at the Strigois last effort at defiance. The problem with my strategy here was that the Strigoi could be lying. Id have no way of knowing. Something in his response made me think he wasnt. Hed sounded like he thought I was referring to a human or a dhampir, not a Strigoi.Hes useless then, I said. I leaned back and glanced at Denis. Go ahead and kill him.It was what Denis had been dying to do. He didnt hesitate, his stake striking hard and swift through the Strigois heart. The harebrained struggling stilled a moment later. The evil light faded from the red eyes. We stood up, and I saw my companions faces watching me with apprehension and fear. blush wine, asked Denis at last. What are you hoping to- neer mind that, I interrupted, moving over to the unconscious human girls side. rest down, I examined her neck. Hed bitten her, but not much blood had been taken. The wound was relatively small and bled only a little. She stirred slightly and moaned when I moved(p) her, which I took as a good sign. Carefully, I dragged her away from the trash can and out into the light where shed be most noticeable. The Strigoi, however, I dragged into as dark a place as I could, almost all obscuring him. After that, I asked to borrow Deniss cell bid and dialed the number Id kept crumpled in my pocket for the last week.After a couple of rings, Sydney answered in Russian. She sounded sleepy.Sydney? This is Rose.There was a slight pause. Rose? Whats going on?Are you back in Saint Petersburg?Yes where are you?Novosibirsk. Do you guys have agents here?Of course, she said warily. Why?Mmm Ive got something for you to clean up.Oh dear.Hey, at least Im calling. And its not like me ridding the world of another Strigoi is a bad thing. Besides, didnt you want me to let you know?Yes, yes. Where are you?I put Denis on the phone short so that he could explain our specific location. He handed the phone back to me when he finished, and I told Sydney about the girl.Is she seriously injured?Doesnt look like it, I said. What should we do?Leave her. The guy whos coming will make sure shes okay and doesnt go declaiming stories. Hell explain it when he gets there.Whoa, hey. Im not going to be here when he arrives.Rose-Im out of here, I told her. And Id really appreciate it if you didnt set up anyone else that I called-say, like, Abe.Rose-Please, Sydney. Just dont tell. Or else I hesitated. If you do, Ill stop calling when this happens. Were going to be taking down a few more.God, what next? First torture, now threats. Worse, I was threatening person I liked. Of course, I was lying. I understood why Sydneys group did what they did, and I wo uldnt risk the exposure. She didnt know that, though, and I prayed shed think I was just touch-and-go enough to risk revealing us to the world.Rose- she tried yet again. I didnt give her the chance.Thanks, Sydney. Well be in touch. I disconnected and handed Denis the phone. Come on, guys. Were not done tonight.It was clear they thought I was crazy to be interrogating Strigoi, but considering how reckless they were sometimes, my behavior wasnt quite weird enough for them to lose their faith in me. Soon they grew enthusiastic again, high on the idea of our first kill on this trip. My uncanny ability to sense Strigoi made me even cooler in their eyes, and I grew confident theyd pretty much follow me anywhere.We caught two more Strigoi that night and managed to repeat the procedure. The results were the same. Lots of insults in Russian. No new information. Once I was convinced a Strigoi had vigor to offer us, Id let the unpromised go in for the kill. They loved it, but after that thir d one, I found myself growing weary both mentally and physically. I told the group we were going to go home-and then, while bitter around the back of a factory, I sensed a fourth Strigoi.We jumped him. Another scuffle occurred, but we eventually managed to pin him as we had the others. Go ahead, I told Denis. You know what to-Im going to rip your throat out the Strigoi snarled.Whoa. This one spoke English. Denis opened his mouth to begin the interrogation, but I shook my head. Ill take over. Like the other Strigoi, he swore and struggled, even with the stake against his neck, making it hard for me to talk.Look, I said growing impatient and tired, just tell us what we need to know. Were looking for a dhampir named Dimitri Belikov.I know him. The Strigois voice was smug. And hes no dhampir.Without realizing it, Id called Dimitri a dhampir. I was tired and had slipped up. No wonder this Strigoi was so pleased to talk. He assumed we didnt know about Dimitri turning. And like any arrog ant Strigoi, he was happy to tell us more, clearly in the hopes of causing us pain.Your friend has been awakened. He stalks the night with us now, insobriety the blood of foolish girls like you.In a split second, a thousand thoughts raced through my head. Holy crap. Id come to Russia thinking it would be easy to find Dimitri. Id had those hopes dashed in his hometown, nearly causing me to give up, and Id swung the other way, resigning myself to the near impossibility of my task.The thought that I might be close to something here was staggering.Youre lying, I said. Youve never seen him.I see him all the time. Ive killed with him.My stomach twisted, and it had nothing to do with the Strigois proximity. Dont think about Dimitri killing people. Dont think about Dimitri killing people. I said the words over and over in my head, forcing myself to stay calm.If thats true, I hissed back, then Ive got a message for you to deliver to him. Tell him Rose Hathaway is looking for him.Im not your errand boy, he said, glowering.My stake slashed out, plan blood, and he grimaced in pain. Youre anything I want you to be. Now go tell Dimitri what I told you. Rose Hathaway. Rose Hathaway is looking for him. Say it. I pressed the point to his neck. Say my name so I know youll think.Ill remember it so I can kill you.The stake pressed harder, spilling blood.Rose Hathaway, he said. He spit at me but missed.Satisfied, I leaned back. Denis watched me expectantly, stake poised and ready.Now we kill him?I shook my head. Now we let him go.