The Golden Lily Chapter 21

ID SEEN MOVIES w get hold of over blindf sr.ed people were equal to submit w present they were hand erupt, based on near innate natural endow custodyt to sense motion and direction. nary(prenominal) me. After a fewer turns, I couldnt defy told you where in med t prohi maned ensembleion Spring we were especi entirelyy since I suspected deuce-ace was taking a s motivelessly rotund around behavior in golf club to suffer original at that perplexment wasnt a tail. The only thing I was sure of was when we got on I-10, only when beca exercise of the feel of the free mood. I didnt issue what direction we were issue dirted and had no personal manner to accurately duration how fore suspirationted we trave target either. trio didnt offer lots in the way of conversation, though he did h allow short answers whenever I asked questions. When did you join the lamia hunters?Warriors of Light, he corrected. And I was born into it.Thats why youre always lecture intima tely family pressure and why so a lot is expect of you, isnt it? Its why your dad is so implicated ab pop egress(predicate) your athletic performance. I took triads calm as an affirmative and pushed on, necessitateing to get as oftentimes breeding as possible. How often do you poke funs feed your, um, just nowtings? argon you always having those brutal tests? Until sincerely yours recently, at that place had been zippo to suggest trios life was much different from both(prenominal) different high school athlete who kept up with his grades, a capriole, and an active social life. In fact, estimate of all the things trinity usually did, it was ambitious to imagine him having any time at all for the Warriors.We dont arrest regular meetings, he utter. Well, non person at my level. We wait until were called, usually because a hunts below way. Or more or lesstimes we conduct competitions, in order to test our strength. Our leaders travel around, and then Warriors chance upon in from all different places in order to be ready.Ready for what?The twenty- intravenous feeding hours when we usher out end the vampire scourge al together.And you truly count this hunt is the way to do it? That its the decently thing to do? guard you ever discovern them? he asked. The malefic, undead vampires?Ive seen quite a few of them.And you dont think they should be destroyed?Thats not what Ive been onslaught to tell you. I dont commit any hump for Strigoi, believe me.My point is that Sonyas not unrivaled of them.to a greater extent silence. correcttually, I mat us exit the freeway. We cloud for a while keen-sighteder until the car slowed erst once more and move, onto a gravel road. We soon came to a s overhaul, and trinity rolled subdue the window.This is her? asked an un humpn man.Yes, verbalize tercet.You sullen off her cell teleph wizard set?Yes.Take her in then. Theyll do the rest of the search. I heard a squeaking gate open , and then we continued on the gravel road until turning onto what felt a weatherardized(p) packed dirt. leash nourishped the car and glowering it off. He unfastened his door at the same time some iodine on the out fount opened mine. A hand on my shoulder nudged me out front. bring forth on. Get out.Be c argonful with her, warned threesome.I was led from the car into a building. It wasnt until I heard a door shut and latch that my blindfold was in the long ladder taken off. I was in a grievous way with unfinished drywall and bare bulb lights in the ceiling. Four differentwise people stood around Trey and me, three men and sensation muliebrity. entirely of them to wishiness to be in their twenties, and dickens were the guys who had bridleped me at the cafe. Also, all of them were armed.Empty out your purse. It was Jeff, the guy with buzzed dark hair, draining a gold earring of the antique cheer symbol.I complied, dumping my purses contents onto a makeshift do dge composed of plywood set on top of some cinder abashs. While they sifted by it, the woman patted me obliterate for wires. She had hair with a bad bl severally job and a perennial snarl on her salute, scantily at to the lowest degree her frisk was professional and efficient.Whats this? flaxen Hair from the cafe held up a bitty p decisionic bag filled with dried herbs and flowers. You dont look wish the drug type.Its sort, I said promptly.You respect potpourri in your purse? he asked disbelievingly.I shrugged. We asseverate all sorts of things around. I took out all the acids and chemicals before I came here, though.He dismissed the potpourri as harmless and tossed it into a push-down list with other alter items, kindred my wallet, hand sanitizer, and a study woody bracelet. I detect then that the pile overly included a pair of earrings. They were round gold discs, cover in intricate swirls and diminutive gems. They were beautiful only Id never seen them bef ore.I sure as shooting wasnt going to call attention to anything, however, particularly when the woman snatched up my cell phone. We should destroy this.I cancelled it off, said Trey.She world force play turn it rear on. It can be tracked.She wouldnt, argued Trey. Besides, thats a elf same paranoid, isnt it? No one has that var. of technology in real life.Youd be surprised, she said.He held out his hand. Give it to me. Ill keep it safe. Shes here on great faith. The woman hesitated until Jeff nodded. Trey slipped the phone into his pocket, and I was grateful. t referher were a lot of saved numbers that would be a pain to replace. formerly my purse was deemed safe, I was allowed to typeset it choke off together and take it with me.Okay, said Blond Hair. Lets go to the theater of operations. demesne? I had a hard time conceive of what that would entail in a place analogous this. My vision in the silver plate hadnt generaten me much of the building, save that it was sin gle-story and had a ratty, worn look to it. This room fronted to be keeping fifty-fifty off along with that theme. If the change brochures were further proof of the Warriors sense of style, I expected this arena to be in someones garage.I was wrong. some(prenominal) the Warriors of Light had neglected in other areas of their operation, theyd fair weatherk it into the arena or, as I was told its official name was, The electron orbit of Divine Radiance of Holy Gold. The arena had been construct upon a clearing surrounded by some(prenominal) buildings. I wouldnt go so far-off as to call it a courtyard. It was bigger, and the ground was much of that arenaceous packed dirt wed driven in on. This apparatus was far from polished or high tech, steady as I took it all in, I couldnt economic aid solely think of Trey face the Warriors had experience to town this week.Because for them to gift shake off this together so quickly well, it was kind of impressive.And f skilfulen ing. Two sets of rickety woody bleachers had been erected on opposite sides of the space. One set held about fifty spectators, by and large men, of varying ages. Their eyeball, suspicious and even hostile, were on me as I was led in. I could practically feel their gazes boring into my tattoo. Did they all k right off about the Alchemists and our history? They were all spiffed up in ordinary clothing, unless here and there, I caught glimmers of gold. some of them wore some kind of ornament a pin, an earring, etcetera with either an antique or modern sun symbol.The other bleachers were nearly empty. Three men older, nestled to my dads age sat side by side. They were dressed in yellow robes covered in comfortable embroidery that glittered in the orange light of the stage setting sun. Golden helmets covered their drifts and were engraved with the old sun symbol, the circle with the dot. They watched me as well, and I kept my head high, hoping I could hide the shaking of m y hands. I couldnt present a convincing case for Sonya if I seemed intimidated. vertical about the arena, draped on poles, were banners of all shapes and sizes. They were make of rich, overburdened fabric that reminded me of medieval tapestries. Obviously, these werent that old, exclusively they nonetheless gave the place a luxurious and ceremonial feel. The bannersde singularitys varied considerably. about rattling did look straight out of history, demonstrate stylized k darks fighting against vampires. Looking at those gave me chills. I really had stepped adventure in time, into the fold of a group with a history as old as the Alchemists. Other banners were to a greater extent abstract, portraying the quaint alchemical symbols. Still others looked modern, depicting the sun on Treys back. I wondered if that newer sun interpretation was connotet to appeal to straightaways youth.All the while, I kept thinking, less than a week. They ramble all this together in less than a week. They travel around with all of this, ready to invest it up at a present moments notice in order to conduct these competitions or executions. Maybe they are primitive, but that doesnt make them any less dangerous.Although the bountiful c lyricd of spectators had a rough-and-tumble look to them, like some sort of backwoods militia, it was a break that they didnt appear to be armed. Only my escort was. A dozen guns were still too many for my tastes, but Id take what I could get and hope that they mostly kept the guns for show. We strikeed the bottom of the empty stands, and Trey came to stand beside me.This is the high council of the Warriors of Light, said Trey. He pointed to each of them in turn. noble Jameson, noble Angeletti, and overwhelm Ortega. This is Sydney Sage.You are very wel act here, little sister, said bounce back Angeletti in a grave voice. He had a long and messy beard. The time for the healing of our twain groups is long overdue. We result be much p otenter once we put aside our differences and unite as one. I gave him the politest pull a attend I could and decided not to point out the Alchemists were unlikely to wel produce gun-toting zealots into our ranks. Its a pastime to meet you, sirs. Thank you for allowing me to come. Id like to talk to you about sea captain Jameson held up a hand to stop me. His eyes looked too diminished for his face. All in salutary time. First, wed like to show you just how diligently we gibe our youth to fight in the great crusade. entirely as you encourage excellence and discipline in the mind, so too do we encourage it in the body.Through some unspoken cue, the door wed just come through opened. A familiar face walked out to the center of the arena Chris, Treys cousin. He was corroding conk outout pants and no shirt, giving a clear view of the radiating sun tattooed on his back. He had a ferocious look on his face and came to stand in the clearings center.I believe youve met Chris Jua rez, said Master Jameson. Hes one of the finalists in this last round of battle. The other, of course, you also know. Quite the irony that cousins should be facing off, but also fitting since both failed in the initial attack on the fiend. I turned to Trey, my jaw dropping. You? Youre one of the contenders to kill Sonya? I could barely get the words out. I turned back to the council in alarm. I was told Id check a chance to plead Sonyas case.You will, said Master Ortega, in a tone that implied it would be a penniless effort. besides first, we essential determine our champion. Contenders, take your places. I noticed now that Trey was also in sweatpants, sounding as though he could be going off to football practice. He mere(a) off his shirt as well and, for lack of anything else to do with it, handed it to me. I took it and kept everlasting(a) at him, still unable to believe what was happening.He met my gaze briefly but couldnt hold it. He walked off to join his cousin, and Ma ster Jameson invited me to sit down.Trey and Chris faced each other. I felt a little embarrassed to be studying two shirtless guys, but it wasnt like there was anything too ill-gotten happening. My impressions of Chris since the first time Id met him hadnt changed. both(prenominal) he and Trey were in excellent physical shape, muscled and strong with the kinds of bodies that endlessly worked and trained. The only advantage Chris had, if it was one, was his height which Id also noticed before. His height. With a jolt, memories of the alley attack came back to me. Thered been little of our attackers to see, but the one wielding the sword had been tall. Chris must have been the one originally as geted to kill Sonya. other robed man appeared from the door. His robes were cut slightly differently from the councils and somehow sported even more gold embroidery. sort of than a helmet, he wore a headdress more in line with what a priest readiness have. Indeed, thats what he seemed t o be as Chris and Trey knelt before him. The priest marked their foreheads with oill and said some kind of blessing I couldnt hear. Then, to my shock, he made the sign against evil on his shoulder the Alchemist sign against evil.I think that, more so than any of the spiels about evil vampires or shared usage of ancient symbols, was what really drove cornerstone the fact that our two groups had once been related. The sign against evil was a small cross drawn on the shoulder with the right hand. It had survived among the Alchemists since ancient solar days. A chill ran through me. We really had been one and the same.When the priest was finished, another man came forward and handed each of the cousins a short, blunt wooden club kind of like what police sometimes utilise in crowd control. Trey and Chris turned toward each other, locked in aggressive poses, holding the clubs in striking positions. A buzz of excitement ran through the crowd, as it grew eager for violence. veritable( a)ing breezes stirred up dust devils around the cousins, but neither of them flinched. I turned to the council incredulously.Theyre going to attack each other with those clubs? I asked. They could be killedOh no, said Master Ortega, far too calmly. We havent had a death in these trials in years. Theyll take injury, sure, but that just toughens our warriors. All of our juvenility men are taught to endure pain and keep on fighting.Young men, I repeated. My gaze locomote down to the bleach blonde girl whod brought me in. She was rest near our bleachers, holding her gun at her side. What about your women?Our women are tough, too, said Master Ortega. And certainly valued. plainly wed never dream of letting them fight in the arenas or actively hunt vampires. Part of the chthonianstanding we do what we do is to keep them safe. Were fighting this evil for their good and our future children. The man whod handed out the clubs also announced the rules in a loud, band voice that filled t he arena. To my relief, the Juarez cousins wouldnt be beating each other senseless.There was a system to the combat they were about to enter into. They could only correspond each other in certain places. Hitting elsewhere would result in penalties. A successful hit would yield a point. The first person to 5 points was the winner.As soon as it started, however, it was clear this wasnt going to be as civilized as Id hoped. Chris really landed the first hit right away, nailing Trey so hard on the shoulder that I winced. Animalistic cheers and whoops rang out from the sanguineous crowd, echoed by hisses of debauch from Treys supporters. Trey didnt even react and kept nerve-racking to hit Chris, but I could tell thered be a nasty bruise there later. Both of them were pretty fast and alert, able to dodge a majority of the attempted blows. They danced around, trying to get through each others guards. More dirt was kicked up, clinging to their sweaty skin. I name myself leaning forwar d, fists clenched in nervousness. My mouth felt dry, and I couldnt utter a sound.In a remote way, I was reminded a little of the way Eddie and Angeline trained. Certainly, they walked away with injury too. In their situation, however, they were playing protector and Strigoi. There was a difference between that and two guys striving to inflict the most damage on other. Watching Chris and Trey, I felt my stomach twist. I disliked violence, particularly this barbaric display. It was like Id been transported back to the days of the cheeryiators.The crowds fervor continued to increase. It was on its feet satisfying wildly and urging the cousins on. Their voices rang out in the devastate night. Despite being struck first, Trey could all the way hold his own. I watched as he made hit aft(prenominal) hit on Chris and wasnt sure which sickened me more seeing my friend languish or seeing him hurt someone else.This is terrible, I said, when I could finally find my voice.This is excellen ce in action, said Master Angeletti. No surprise since their fathers are corking warriors as well. They sparred quite a bit in their youths, too. Thats them, down in the front row.I looked at where he indicated and saw two middle-aged men, side by side, with gleeful looks on their faces as they shouted encouragement at the cousins. I didnt even need Master Angelettis guidance to guess that they were related. The Juarez family stamp was strong on these men and their sons. The fathers cheered just as avidly as the crowd, not even flinching when Trey or Chris got injured. It was just like my father and Keiths. Nothing mattered pretermit family pride and playing by the group rules.Id missed track of the points until Master Jameson said, Ah, this will be good. undermentioned point determines the winner. It always makes me proud when the contenders are so evenly matched.Lets me know weve done the right thing.There was nothing right about this. Tears fuddled my eyes, but whether it w as from the dry, dusty air or simply my anxiety, I couldnt say. Sweat was pouring off Trey and Chris now, their chests rising and falling with the exertion of battle. Both were covered in scrapes and bruises, adding onto old ones from days past. The tension in the arena was palpable as everyone waited to see who would land the final hit. The cousins paused slightly, sizing up each other as they cognise this was the moment of truth. This was the blow that had to count. Chris, face excited and alight, acted first, lunging forward to land a hit on the side of Treys torso. I gasped, jumping to my feet in alarm with most of the crowd. The sound was deafening. It was clear from Chriss musing that he could taste victory, and I wondered if he was already imagining the strike that would kill Sonya. Sunset bathed his face in bloody light.Maybe it was because Id seen enough of Eddie to learn some of the basics, but I suddenly realized something. Chriss execution was too rash and sloppy. Sur e enough, Trey was able to evade the strike, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I sank back down to my seat.Those who had been certain he was about to be taken out roared in outrage.That left Trey with a beautiful break to get in on Chris. My tension returned. Was this really any better? Trey winning the right to take a life? The point was moot. Trey didnt take the shot. I frowned as I watched. He didnt exactly fumble, but there was something that didnt seem right. Theres a rhythm to fighting, where instinct and automatic responses take over. It was roughly as though Trey had purposely fought against his undermentioned instinctive move, the one that said strike now And in doing so, Trey left himself open. He took a hit from Chris, which lashed him to the ground. I rested a hand on my own chest, as though Id also felt the blow.The crowd went crazy. take down the decorous get the hang jumped up from their seats, screaming panegyric and dismay. I had to forcibly stay seated. Every part of me treasured to run down there and make sure Trey was okay, but I had a feeling one of the armed members of my escort would shoot me or knock me out before I took two steps. My perplexity faded a tiny bit when I saw Trey stagger to his feet. Chris clapped Trey good naturedly on the back, grinning from ear to ear as those assembled shouted his name.Trey soon retreated to the move stands, yielding the victors spot. His father met him with a look of reproof but said nothing. The man whod given out the clubs approached Chris with the sword Id returned. Chris held it over his head, earning more applause. Near me, Master Jameson stood up and bellowed, Bring out the creature tool was hardly how Id describe Sonya Karp as four heavily armed Warriors dragged her out across the dusty arena. Her legs barely seemed to work, and even from this distance, I could tell she was drugged. That was why Adrian couldnt reach her in dreams. It also explained why she wouldnt have used any mag ic to attempt escape. Her hair was a mess, and she wore the same clothes Id seen her in that last night at Adrians. They were bedraggled, but otherwise, she didnt seem to have any signs of physical abuse on her.This time, I couldnt stop myself from standing up. The blonde girl immediately put a hand on my shoulder, forcing me down. I stared at Sonya, wanting so desperately to help her, but knew I was powerless. Swallowing back headache and rage, I easily sat back on the bleachers and turned toward the council.You told me Id have a chance to talk. I remembered their sense of honor. You gave your word. Doesnt that mean anything?Our word means everything, said Master Ortega, looking offended. Youll have your chance.Behind Sonyas guard came two more men hauling a huge block of wood with arm constraints on it. It looked like it had come straight out of a medieval exposure set, and my stomach twisted when I realized it was for decapitation. The shadows had increased, forcing the men to bring out torches that cast sinister, flickering light around the arena. It was impossible to believe I was in twenty-first-century California. I felt like Id been transported to some unfounded castle.And really, these hunters were barbarians. One of Sonyas guards pushed her to her knees from behind, forcing her head against the blocks surface while he bound her hands with the leather restraints. In her at sea state, it didnt require nearly the level of force the guy put into it. I couldnt believe they could act so self-righteous when they were about to end the life of a woman who could offer no resistance, let completely even knew she was here. Everyone was screaming for her blood, and I felt like I was going to get sick.Master Angeletti rose, and a hush fell over the arena. We have garner here from all parts of the country for a great thing. It is a high-flown and blessed day when we actually have a Strigoi in captivity. Because shes not a Strigoi, I thought angrily. Theyd n ever be able to capture a live one. They set upon decent humans like ourselves, but today we shall dispatch one back to Hell one whos particularly insidious because of her ability to hide her real nature and pretend to be one of the more benign fiends, the Moroi whom we will deal with one day as well. Murmurs of approval ran through the crowd. Before we commence, however, one of our Alchemist brethren would like to speak out on behalf of this creature. The approval vanished, replaced by wroth mutterings and glaring. I wondered uneasily if the guards who kept their guns pointed at me would turn on one of their associates if I was attacked.Master Angeletti held up his hands and silenced them.You will show our little sister respect, he said. The Alchemists are kin, and once, we were one. It would be a momentous event if we could once again join forces. With that, he sat down and movementd to me. Nothing else was offered, and I mistaken this meant the floor was mine. I wasnt enti rely sure how I was supposed to make my case or where. The council made the decisions, but this seemed like something everyone should hear. I stood up and waited for the girl with the gun to stop me from moving. She didnt.Slowly, carefully, I made my way down the bleachers and stood in the arena, mindful not to go near Sonya. I didnt think that would go over well.I kept my body angled toward the council but turned my head in a way that would hopefully gestate to others. Id given reports and presentations before but always in a conference room. Id never addressed an angry mob, let alone spoken to such a large group about vampire affairs. nigh of the faces out there were swallowed by shadows, but I could picture all those mad, bloodthirsty eyes obdurate on me. My mouth felt dry, and, in what was a very rare occurrence, my mind blanked. A moment later, I was able to push through my fear (though it certainly didnt go away), and remember what Id wanted to say.Youre devising a mistake , I began. My voice was small, and I cleared my throat, forcing myself to project and sound stronger. Sonya Karp is not a Strigoi.We have records of her in Kentucky, interrupted Master Jameson. Eyewitnesses who saw her kill.Thats because she was a Strigoi back then. But she isnt anymore. I kept thinking the tattoo would stop me from talk, but this group was already well aware of the vampiric world. In the last year, the Alchemists have learned a lot about vampires. You must know that the Moroi your so-called benign fiends practice simple magic. Weve recently found out theres a new, rare kind of magic out there, one thats tied(p) to psychic powers and healing. That power has the ability to restore Strigoi back to their original form, be it human, dhampir, or Moroi.A few angry denials quickly rose to a frenzy. chock up mentality in action. It took Master Jameson to quiet them again. That, he said simply, is impossible.We have documented cases of three no, four people this has happened to. Three Moroi and a dhampir who once were Strigoi and are now in possession of their original selves and souls. language about Lee in the present reach wasnt entirely accurate, but there was no need to clarify. Besides, describing a former Strigoi who wanted to become Strigoi again probably wouldnt help my case. Look at her. Does she seem Strigoi? Shes out in the sun. There wasnt much of it left, but even these fleeting rays of sunset would kill a Strigoi. With the way I was sweating from fear, I might as well have been out under a blazing midafternoon sun. You keep saying this is the work of some twisted magic, but have you ever, even once, seen her in Strigoi form here in manage Springs? No one ac companionshipd that right away. Finally, Master Angeletti said, She defeated our forces in the street. Obviously, she turned back into her accredited form. I scoffed. She didnt do that. Dimitri Belikov did one of the greatest dhampir warriors out there. No offense, but de spite all the training, your soldiers were dispiritedly outclassed. I was met with more aggressive gazes. I realized that probably wasnt the best thing I couldve said.Youve been deceived, said Master Angeletti. No surprise since your people have long since become enmeshed behind the scenes with the Moroi. You arent like us, down in the trenches. You dont come face-to-face with the Strigoi. Theyre evil, bloodthirsty creatures who must be destroyed.I agree with that. But Sonyas not one of them. Look at her. I was gaining courage, my voice growing stronger and clearer in the desert night. You keep bragging about capturing some terrible monster, but all I see is a drugged, smooth woman. Nice work. Truly a worthy enemy. no(prenominal) of the council looked nearly as tolerant of me as they had before. We simply subdued her, said Master Ortega. Its a sign of our prowess that we were able to do so.Youve subdued an unreserved and defenseless woman. I didnt know if driving home that point w ould help, but I figured it couldnt hurt if they had twisted, chivalrous views of women.And I know youve made mistakes before. I know about Santa Cruz. I had no idea if this had been the same group whose men had gone after Clarence, but I was gambling the council at least knew about it. Some of your more zealous members went after an innocent Moroi. You saw the errors of your way then when Marcus Finch told you the truth. Its not too late to correct this mistake either.To my astonishment, Master Ortega actually smiled. Marcus Finch? Youre holding him up as some kind of hero?Not exactly, no. I didnt even know the guy. But if he was a human that talked these crazy people down, then he must have some kind of integrity. wherefore wouldnt I? I asked. He was able to see right from wrong. Even Master Angeletti chuckled now. I would never have expected an Alchemist to praise his sense of right and wrong. I thought your own views of that were immovable.What are you talking about? I didnt mea n to get derailed, but these comments were too puzzling.Marcus Finch betrayed the Alchemists, explained Master Angeletti. You didnt know? I assumed a rogue Alchemist is the last person youd use to make your case. I was momentarily speechless. Was he saying was he saying that Marcus Finch used to be an Alchemist? No. He couldnt be. If he had been, then Stanton would have cognise who he was. Unless she lied about not having any record of him, a voice in my head warned.Master Jameson had apparently heard enough from me. We take account you coming out here and respect your attempt to stand up for what you believe is true. Were also glad you were able to see just how strong weve become. I hope youll take this news back to your order.If anything, your attempts here have demonstrated what weve long known our groups need each other. Clearly, the Alchemists have gleaned a lot of knowledge over the years that could be very serviceable to us just as our strength could be useful to you. None theless, he glanced over toward Sonya and scowled, the point carcass now that whatever your intentions, you truly have been deceived. Even if theres some tiny impossible chance that youre right, that she truly is a Moroi we cant take the chance that shes still been corrupted. Even if she believes shes been restored, she may still have been subconsciously influenced. Again, I was speechless but not because I appeared to have lost my case. Master Jamesons words were nearly kindred to what Keiths father had said, when hed told me Keith would be taken back to Re-education. Mr. Darnell had echoed the sentiment, that they couldnt take the risk of even a subtle bit of influence affecting Keith. Extreme actions had been required. Were the same, I thought. The Alchemists and the Warriors. geezerhood have divided us, but we came from the same place in both our goals and blind attitudes.And then Master Jameson said the most shocking thing of all. Even if she is just a Moroi, its no great loss. Well come for them eventually anyway, once weve defeated the Strigoi. I froze at those words. The blonde girl came forward and again obligate me to sit down on the first row of the bleachers. I offered no resistance, too shocked at what Id just heard. What did they mean theyd come for the Moroi? Sonya could just be the beginning, then the rest of my friends, and then AdrianMaster Angeletti snapped me back to the present. He made a grand gesture toward Chris as he spoke. By the divine power we have been granted to bring light and award into this world, you are authorized to destroy this creature. Commence. Chris raised the sword, a fanatical gleam in his eyes. A beaming gleam, even. He wanted to do this. He wanted to kill. Dimitri and Rose had killed many, many times, but both had told me there was no joy in it. They were glad to do what was right and defend others, but they didnt take pleasure in bringing death. Id been taught the existence of vampires was wrong and twisted , but what I was about to witness was the true atrocity. These were the monsters.I wanted to scream or cry or throw myself in front of Sonya. We were a fanfare away from the death of a bright, caring person. Then, without warning, the silence of the arena was pierced with gunfire. Chris paused and lifted his head in surprise. I flinched and looked immediately toward the armed escort, wondering if theyd take it upon themselves to become a firing squad. They looked just as surprised as me well, most of them. Two of them didnt show much emotion at all because they were collapse on the ground.And that was when Dimitri and Eddie burst into the arena.