Blood Promise Chapter Sixteen

Denis and his two unpromised fri destroys, Artur and Lev, were ecstatic that I was waiver to be collapse of their posse. But if they expected me to sh ar their crazy enthusiasm for reckless Strigoi scating, they were ab come along in to be sorely disappointed. In fact, it didnt take long after(prenominal) I joined them before they realized that I was approaching the hunt very differently than they were. Deniss accomplice Lev had a car, and we took turns driving to Novosibirsk. The drive was ab egress fifteen hours, and even though we halt at a hotel for the night, it was still a pack of continuous time to be cooped up in a teensy-weensy space with three guys who couldnt stop talking about all the Strigoi they were going a focus to overcome.In particular, they unbroken trying to draw me out. They pauperismed to distinguish about how many Strigoi Id slain. They compulsioned to know what the battle at the Academy had been homogeneous. They wanted to know my methods. Anyt ime my mind turned to those topics, though, all I could retrieve of was blood and grief. It was nothing I wanted to brag about, and it took about six hours on the road for them to in the long run figure out that they werent going to wee much information from me.Instead, they regaled me with tales of their avow adventures. To be fair, theyd slain some(prenominal) Strigoi- entirely 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 result of being outnumbered, though. Deniss mathematical groups casualties seemed to have been more due to rushing in to without conceptualizeing. Indeed, their plan once we got to Novosibirsk wasnt really that substantiality. They reiterated that Strigoi wish to hunt at places that were crowded at night, like dance niners, or in conflicting places like alleys, that made for easy pickings. No one noticed as much when people disa ppeared from those kinds of places. So Deniss plans mostly involved trolling those hot spots in the hopes that wed run into Strigoi.My initial purview was to flat ditch this group and strike 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 look. Then, the more I thought process about it, the more I realized that jumping into the Strigoi impression alone would be as pudding head as one of the unpromised gangs plans. I could use their tailup.Plus, since I didnt actually know where Dimitri was yet, I had to interject up with a method of getting some information. Id get hold of help for that.We made it to Novosibirsk at the end of the second day of driving. Despite hearing about its size, I hadnt imagined it would be anything like Moscow or Saint Petersburg. And true, it turned out to be not quite as large as they were, ponderously it was sti ll just as much a city, complete with skyscrapers, theaters, commuters, and the same beautiful architecture.We crashed with a friend of theirs who had an apartment overpowertown, a dhampir named Tamara. Her English wasnt very good, still from the goodlys of it, she was another unpromised one and just as excited as everyone else to rid the cosmos of Strigoi. She was a little older than the rest of us, which was why she had her own place, and was a trime 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 particularly excited to have another little female child or so, just now like the others, she quickly picked up that I didnt share their enthusiasm.When our basicborn night of Strigoi hunting came somewhat, I ultimately stepped up into a leadership position. The sudden change in behavior startled them at first, but they soon listened with rapt at tention, still caught up in my superstar reputation.Okay, I state, looking from verbal expression to face. We were in Tamaras tiny living room, sitting in a circle. Heres how its going to work. Were going to hit the nightclub scene as a group, patrolling it and the alleys behind it for-Wait, interrupted Denis. We usually split up.Which is why you get killed, I snapped. 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 lanky figure that was rise up-nigh Moroi-like.Yes, but I got lucky. That, and I also just thought I was a break-dance sensation than any of them. Call me imperative, but I was a damned good guardian.Or near-guardian. Well do better with all louvre of us. When we find Strigoi, weve got to make sure we take 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 jump them.Why? asked Denis. What do you h ave 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 k naked as a jaybird I had to say it. I wouldnt get them killed for the sake of my own quest. If we get ourselves in a smirch where youre trapped or in immediate danger, forget the talking and restraining. Kill. Save yourself.Apparently, I seemed confident and badass passable that they decided to go along with whatever I said. Part of our plan involved going undercover, so to speak. Any Strigoi who was c put down or got a good comely look would immediately recognize us as dhampirs. It was important that we not attract any attention. We needed a Strigoi s cornerstonening for victims to pass decent over us. We needed to look like other human club-goers.So we dressed the part, and I was a bit astonished at how well the guys cleaned up. Denis, crazy or not, was particularly goo d-looking, sharing the same aristocratic gold hair and brown eye that his brother Nikolai had. My few changes of clothes werent quite up to partying standards, so Tamara delved into her wardrobe for me. She seemed to take a lot of delight 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 body type.She first offered me a short, tight dress that was so similar to the one Viktoria had worn that I just agitate my head and handed it back. The memories of our argument still hurt, and I wasnt going to relive that night or in any way p fix blood whore dress-up. Instead, Tamara settled for dressing 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 jewellery too, but the just now thing Id wear was the nazar around my neck. My embark required a jacket, but she ground a sexy leather one that didnt take away 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 pull in by the dangerous aspect. If only theyd known just how dangerous it was. Id made a lot of jokes to Dimitri about Russia and Eastern Europe being ten years behind in music, but when we entered, I discovered the ground-thumping techno song playing was something Id heard in the U.S. just before leaving.The place was crowded and dark, with fanfare lights that were actually a little annoying to dhampir eyes. Our night vision would adapt to the darkness and then be blasted when a strobe light kicked on. In this case, I didnt need my sight. My shadow-kissed senses didnt feel any Strigoi in the celestial orbit.Come on, I said to the others. Lets dance for a while and wait. There are no Strigoi nearby.How do you know? asked Denis, staring at me in wonder.I just do. Stay together.Our little circle go 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 organisation would immediately snap me awake if any danger came.That nausea was kind of hard to ignore.But after an hour of dancing, no Strigoi had appeared. We left the dance floor and started circling the clubs edges, then move outside to espouse t hat area too. Nothing.Is there another club nearby? I asked.Sure, said Artur. He was stocky, with close-shaved hair and a posit smile. A play off blocks over.We followed him and found a similar scene another secret club vague in a run-down structure. More flashing lights. More crowds. More pounding music. Disturbingly, what started to bother me first was the note. 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 words to convey our disgust.We moved to the dance floor again, and Lev started to ease up to get a drink. I punched him in the arm.He exclaimed something in Russian that I recognized 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 wont hurt. Besides, there arent even an y-Be quietIt was creeping over me, that weird stirring in my stomach. Forgetting my cover, I stopped dancing, s give the bouncening 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 well-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 almost seemed attractive. I knew closer exam would reveal the deathly pale skin and red eyes that all Strigoi had. The girl might not have bee n able to see them in the darkened club, or the Strigoi might have been using fate 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 glow exit sign. At least, I presumed it was an exit sign. The letters were Cyrillic.Any idea 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 trash. Its between this building and a factory. No ones usually there.Can we get to it by going around the club?Denis waited for Tamaras response. Yes. Its at large(p) on both sides.Perfect.We hurried out of the club by the front door, 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 likely 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, spill 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 footfall, the Strigoi reacted instantly, his staggeringly fast reflexes kicking 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 strategy, 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 powerful hit sent Lev flying. To my relief, a couple of trash cans blocked him from the buildings wall. Hitting 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 armed combat 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 silver showed in Deniss hold, 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 calm 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 force knocking him against the wall. Still, he was stronger and the immobilize was brief before he broke free. A responsible voice in my head-that sounded suspiciously like Dimitris-warned me that that had been my window 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 research 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 swift kick to the stomach as well. I could feel him starting to shake us off, but then Denis joined in too. Between the four 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 restrained 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 placed 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 incomprehensible at me that didnt sound very friendly. I press the stake in harder and drew a long swing against his throat. He screamed in pain, pure evil and malice shining out from his eyes as he continued swearing in Russian.Translate, I demanded, not caring who did it. What I said.A second gear later, Denis said something in Russian, presumably my question since I heard Dimitris name in there. The Strigoi growled back a response, and Denis shake his head. He says he isnt going to play games with us.I took the stake and slashed at the Strigois face, widening the flog Denis had made earlier. Again, the Strigoi cried out, and I prayed club security wouldnt hear any of this. I gave him a smile make full with enough malice to match his own.Tell 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 harsh so, well, cruel. Id never in my entire life expected to be excruciate anyone, even a Strigoi. The Strigoi gave Deniss translation another defiant response, and so I kept on with the stake, qualification gashes and cuts that would have killed any human, Moroi, or dhampir.Finally, he shot off a string of words that didnt s ound 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 fuss 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 frantic 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. arise, asked Denis at last. What are you hoping to-Never mind that, I interrupted, moving over to the unconscious human girls side. Kneeling 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 around and moaned when I touched 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 completely obscuring him. After that, I asked to borrow Deniss cell phone 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. Whe re are you?I put Denis on the phone briefly 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? withdraw from her. The guy whos coming will make sure shes okay and doesnt go forking 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 tell 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 someone I liked. Of course, I was lying. I understood why Sydneys group did what they did, and I wouldnt risk the exposure. She didnt know that, though, and I prayed shed think I was just unstable enough to risk revealing us to the wo rld.Rose- she tried yet again. I didnt get around 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 elegant 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 nothing to offer us, Id let the unpromised go in for the kill. They loved it, but after that third one, I found myself growing weary both mentally and physically. I told the group we were going to go home-and then, while cuttin g 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 arrogant Strigoi, he was happy to tell us more, clearly in the hopes of causing us pain.Your friend has been awakened. He stalks the nig ht with us now, drinking 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, drawing 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 remember.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.