Spirit Bound Chapter Eleven

WELL. HOW PERFECT.It took us a plot of ground to decide our bordering course of exploit. We tossed nuzzlely a few feeble ideas to track Robert and Victor, tot solelyy of which we tear downtually gunslinger down. Roberts phone was a cell, and while the CIA could trace those kinds of things, we for sure couldnt. Even if Roberts point of reference was listed in the phone book, I knew Victor wouldnt book permit them go back t here. And while Adrian and Lissa could spot a temper users aura, we could hardly go wandering aimlessly in a city and expect to find something. zero(prenominal) we were source to the fore of luck with those two. There was nothing to be done with prohibited delay except taper back to Court and face whatever penalisation awaited us. WeIhad screwed up.With sunset approachingand seeing as we no longer had a k straightawayn criminal to get us in troublemy group glumly decided to head to the jinx time of day to vex our travel plans. Lissa and I had the potential to be recognized e preciseplace on that point, tho runaway girls werent quite in the same category as fugitive traitors. We decided to roll the dice (no pun intend) and hang slightly guardians rather than find more Strigoi attacks forward we could get out of Vegas.The Witching Hour was no assorted from whatever of the another(prenominal) casinos wed been tounless you knew what to look for. valet there were too interested in the allure of the games and glitz to receive that a lot of the other patrons were uniformly tall, slim, and pale. As for the dhampirs? Hu servicemans couldnt read that we werent human. It was further the uncanny sense Moroi and dhampirs had that let us know who was who.Sprink guide end-to-end the cheering, chattering, andat timeswailing crowd were guardians. As in withdraw as guardians were, only a handful could be allocated full-time to a place like this. Fortunately, their numbers were reinforced by the wealthy and reigning whod a dd to play. Excited Moroi whooped over slot machines or roulette while silent, construeful guardians hovered behind them, keeping an eye on everything. no(prenominal)Strigoi would come here.What now? asked Lissa, al close to yelling over the noise. It was the first time all of us had spoken since deciding to go here. Wed come to a choke up boney some blackjack tables, right in the thick of everything.I sighed. My mood was so dark, I didnt notwithstanding need any spirit side effects. I lost Victor, I lost Victor. My own psychogenic accusations were on an endless loop.We find their business center and book tickets out of here, I express. Depending on how long until we can kidnapping a flight, we dexterity have to get a room again.Adrians eyes were see the issueion or so us, lingering longest on one of the many bars. Wouldnt yetcher us to spend a little time here.I snapped. rattling? After everything thats happened, thats all you can phone stiff to?His enraptured glance turned back to me and became a frown. There are cameras here. People who may recognize you. Getting hard proof that you were in this casino and not Alaska is a good thing.True, I admitted. I think Adrians typical worldly air was masking discomfort. Aside from learning why Id really come to Las Vegas, hed also run into StrigoiDimitri among them. That was never an easy experience for any Moroi. though weve got no alibi for when we were real in Alaska.So long as Victor doesnt get himself spotted around here, no ones going to make the connection. Adrians voice became bitter. Which really shows how stupid they all are.We help oneselfed rear Victor away, verbalise Lissa. No one would think wed be crazy enough to let him out.Eddie, staying silent, gave me a pointed look.Then its settled, said Adrian. Somebody go book us tickets. Im going to get a drink and try my hand at some games. The universe owes me some good luck.Ill get the tickets, said Lissa, scanning a mug that point ed out the directions for the pool, restroomsand business center.Ill go with you, said Eddie. Whereas before his expression had been accusatory, he now seemed to be avoiding my eyes altogether.Fine, I said, hybrid my arms. Let me know when youre done, and well find you. That was to Lissa, meaning shed insure me through the bond. convinced he was free, Adrian headed straight for the bar, me trailing after him.A Tom Collins, he told the Moroi mixologist. It was like Adrian had a workforcetal cocktail dictionary in his head and secure checked them off one by one. I almost never saw him drink the same thing twice.You destiny it spiked? the barkeeper asked. He wore a crisp white shirt and black mold tie and hardly appeared older than me.Adrian do a face. No.The bartender shrugged and turned around to make the drink. Spiked was Moroi code for putting a shot of cable into the drink. There were a couple of doors behind the bar, ones that believably led to feeders. Glancing down t he bar, I could see happy, laughing Moroi with red-tinged drinks. Some desire the thought of having blood with their alcohol. Mostlike Adrian, apparentlywouldnt guard blood unless it was straight from the source. It supposedly didnt taste the same.While we waited, an older Moroi standing adjacent to Adrian glanced over at me and nodded with approval. You got yourself a good one, he told Adrian. Young, but thats the take up way. The kat, who was either drinking red wine or pure blood, jerked his head toward the others standing at the bar. Most of these are used and washed-up.I followed his shrug, even through there was no need. Interspersed among the humans and Moroi were several dhampir women, croped very glamorously in silk and velvet dresses that left little to the imagination. Most were older than me. Those who werent had a weary look in their eyes, despite their flirtatious laughter. Blood whores. I glared at the Moroi.Dont you dare prate or so them like that, or Ill tr ansgress that wineglass in your face.The khats eyes widened, and he looked at Adrian. Feisty.You have no idea, said Adrian. The bartender returned with the Tom Collins. Shes had kind of a bad day.The asshole Moroi guy didnt look back at me. He apparently didnt take my terror nearly as seriously as he should have. Everyones having kind of a bad day. You hear the news?Adrian looked relaxed and amused as he sipped his drink, but standing so close to him, I felt him stiffen a little. What news?Victor Dashkov. You know, that guy who kidnapped the Dragomir girl and was plotting against the queen? He escaped.Adrians eyebrows rose. break loose? Thats crazy. I heard he was at some maximum-security place.He was. No one really knows what happened. There were supposedly humans involved and consequently the layer gets weird.How weird? I asked.Adrian slipped an arm around me, which I venture was a silent great dealage to let him do the communioning. Whether that was because he believed th at was correct blood whore behavior or because he was worried Id puncher the guy, I couldnt state. bingle of the guards was in on itthough he claims he was being controlled. He also conveniently says its all a fogginess and he cant remember much. I heard it from some royals who are service with the investigation.Adrian laughed, taking down a big gulp of his drink. That is convenient. Sounds like an inwardly(a) job to me. Victord have a lot of money. Easy enough to takings a guard. Thats what I think happened.There was a pleasant suaveness to Adrians voice, and as a slightly dopey smile came over the other guys face, I agnize Adrian had pulled a little compulsion. I bet youre right.You should tell your royal friends, added Adrian. An inside job.The guy nodded eagerly. I volition.Adrian held his gaze a few moments more and then finally glanced down to the Tom Collins. The glaze-eyed look worn-out(a) from the man, but I knew Adrians order to spread the inside job story woul d stick. Adrian gulped down the rest of the drink and set the empty glass on the bar. He was about to express again when something across the room caught his attention. The Moroi man noticed too, and I followed both of their gazes to see what had them both so starstruck.I groaned. Women, of course. At first I thought they were dhampirs since my kind seemed to be making up most of the eye candy here. A double take revealed a surprise The women were Moroi. Moroi showgirls, to be precise. There were several of them, clad in similar short, low-cut sequined dresses. Only, each one wore a different jewel-toned color copper, peacock blue Feathers and rhinestones glittered in their hair, and they smiled and laughed as they passed through the gawk crowd, beautiful and sexy in a way different from my race.Which wasnt a surprise. I tended to notice Moroi men ogling dhampir girls more often, simply because I was a dhampir. But naturally, Moroi men were attracted to and infatuated with their o wn women. It was how their race survived, and though Moroi men might extremity to fool around with dhampirs, they almost always ended up with their own kind in the end.The showgirls were tall and graceful, and their fresh, brilliant appearances made me think they mustiness be on their way to a performance. I could just imagine what a glittering display of dancing they must make. I could appreciate that, but Adrian clearly appreciated it more, judging from his elementary look. I elbowed him.HeyThe be of the showgirls disappeared through the casino crowd, off toward a sign that said THEATER, just as Id suspected. Adrian looked back at me, turning on a rogue smile.Nothing wrong with looking. He patted my shoulder.The Moroi standing next to him nodded in agreement. I think I might take in a show today. He swirled his drink around. All this Dashkov business and that mess with the Dragomirs makes me sad for poor Eric. He was a good guy.I put on a dubious look. You knew Lissas fathEric Dragomir?Sure. The Moroi gestured for a refill. Ive been a manager here for years. He was here all the time. Believe me, he had an appreciation for those girls.Youre lying, I said coolly. He adored his wife. Id seen Lissas parents together. Even at a young age, Id been able to see how crazy in love they were.Im not precept he did anything. Like your boyfriend said, nothing wrong with looking. But a lot of people knew the Dragomir prince liked to party it up wherever he wentespecially if there was female company. The Moroi sighed and lifted his glass. Damn shame what happened to him. Heres hoping they catch that Dashkov bastard and conduct Erics little girl alone.I didnt like this guys insinuations about Lissas dad and was grateful she wasnt around. What made me uneasy was that wed recently found out Lissas brother Andre had also been kind of a party boy who fooled around and broke hearts. Did that kind of thing run in the family? What Andre had done wasnt right, but there was a b ig difference between a teenage boys exploits and those of a married man. I didnt like to admit it, but even the most in-love guys still checked out other women without cheating. Adrian was proof. Still, I didnt think Lissa would like the idea of her dad flirting around with other women. The legality about Andre had been hard enough, and I didnt want anything to shatter the angelic memories of her parents.I shot Adrian a look that said listening to this guy any longer really would come down to a fistfight. I didnt want to be standing here if Lissa came searching for us. Adrian, always more piercing than he appeared, smiled down at me.Well, my sweet, shall we try our luck? Something tells me youre going to get at the oddslike always.I cut him a look. Cute.Adrian winked at me and stood up. delicate talking to you, he told the Moroi.You too, the man said. The thrall of compulsion was wearing off. You should dress her better, you know.Im not interested in putting clothes on her, Ad rian called as he steered me away.Watch it, I warned through gritted teeth, or you might be the one with a wineglass in your face.Im playing a part, little dhampir. One thats going to make sure you stay out of trouble. We stopped near the casinos poker room, and Adrian gave me a head-to-toe assessment. That guy was right about the clothes, though.I gritted my teeth. I cant believe he said those things about Lissas dad.Gossip and rumors never go awayyou of all people should know that. Doesnt matter if youre dead. Besides, that conversation was actually to ourby which I mean youradvantage. Somebody else is probably considering the inside-job theory already. If that guy can help get it around even more, itll ensure no one even thinks the worlds most dangerous guardian could have been involved.I suppose. Forcibly, I pushed my temper down. I had always been trigger-happy, and I knew for sure now that the bits of darkness Id gleaned from Lissa in the last twenty-four hours were making thi ngs worse, as Id feared. I changed the subject, steering to safer ground. Youre being pretty nice now, considering how mad you were earlier.Im not all that happy, but Ive done some thinking, Adrian said.Oh? Care to enlighten me?Not here. Well talk later. Weve got more important things to worry about.Like covering up a crime and getting out of this city without being attacked by Strigoi?No. Like me winning money.Are you crazy? Asking Adrian that was never a good idea. We just escaped a bunch of bloodthirsty monsters, and all you can think about is gambling?The fact that were alive gist we should live, he argued. Especially if weve got the time, anyway.You dont need any more money.I will if my dad turns me out. Besides, its really about enjoying the game.By enjoying the game, I soon realized that Adrian meant cheating. If you considered using spirit cheating. Because there was so much mental spring tied into spirit, its users were very good at reading people. Victor had been right. Adrian joked and unploughed ordering drinks, but I could tell he was paying close attention to the others. And even though he was careful not to say anything explicitly, his expressions spoke for himconfident, uncertain, annoyed. Without words, he was still able to project compulsion and vaporous the other players.Be right back, I told him, feeling Lissas call.He waved me off, unconcerned. I wasnt worried about his safety either, seeing as there were a few guardians in the room. What concerned me was the possibility some casino formalized would notice his compulsion and throw us all out. Spirit users wielded it the most strongly, but all vampires had it to a certain extent. Using it was considered immoral, so it was criminalise among Moroi. A casino would definitely have reason to be on the lookout for it.The business center turned out to be near the poker room, and I found Lissa and Eddie quickly. Whats the report? I asked as we walked back.Weve got a flight in the morning, sai d Lissa. She hesitated. We could have gone out tonight, butShe didnt need to finish. After what wed faced today, no one wanted to risk even the slightest chance of running into a Strigoi. Going to the airport would only require a taxi ride, but even still, that would mean wed have to risk walking out into the darkness.I shook my head and led them toward the poker room. You did the right thing. Weve got time to kill now. Do you want to get a room and get some sleep?No. She shivered, and I felt fear in her. I dont want to leave this crowd. And Im kind of afraid of what Id dream.Adrian might be able to act like he didnt care about the Strigoi, but those faces were still follow Lissaespecially Dimitris. Well, I said, hoping to make her feel better, staying up will help get us back on the Courts schedule. You can also consume Adrian get thrown out by casino security.As Id hoped, notice Adrian cheat with spirit did indeed distract Lissaso much so that she grew interested in trying it h erself. Great. I urged her to safer games and recapped how Adrian had planted the idea of an inside job in the Moroi guys head. I left out the part about Lissas father. The night miraculously passed without incidenteither of the Strigoi or security suitand a couple of people even recognized Lissa, which would help our alibi. Eddie didnt speak to me the entire night.We left the Witching Hour in the morning. None of us were happy about losing Victor or the attack, but the casino had soothed us all a littleat least until we got to the airport. At the casino, wed been fill with Moroi news, insulated from the human world. But while waiting for our bed sheet, we couldnt help but watch the TVs that seemed to be everywhere.The headline story that night was all about a mass killing over at the Luxor, one that had left no clues for the police. Most of the casino guards involved had died from broken necks, and no other bodies were found. My judge was that Dimitri had tossed his cronies out side, where the sun would turn them to ash. Meanwhile, Dimitri himself had slipped away, leaving no other witnesses behind. Even the cameras had enter nothing, which didnt surprise me. If I could disable surveillance at a prison, Dimitri could certainly manage it at a human hotel.Whatever mood-improvement wed achieved instantly disappeared, and we didnt talk much. I stayed out of Lissas mind because I didnt need her depressed feelings amplifying my own.Wed position a direct flight to Philadelphia and would then catch a commuter flight back to the airport near Court. What wed face once there well, that was probably the least of our concerns.I wasnt worried about Strigoi boarding our plane in the daytime, and without any prisoners to watch, I allowed myself to fall into much-needed sleep. I couldnt remember the last time Id gotten any on this trip. I slept heavily, but my dreams were haunted by the fact that Id let one of the Morois most dangerous criminals escape and allowed a Str igoi to walk free and gotten a bunch of humans killed. I held none of my friends responsible. This disaster was all on me.