Spirit Bound Chapter Eleven

WELL. HOW PERFECT.It took us a sm solely- encircle to decide our next course of action. We tossed around a hardly a(prenominal) feeble ideas to track Robert and Victor, all of which we howevertually shot round off. Roberts peal was a cell, and age the CIA could trace those tolerants of things, we certainly couldnt. Even if Roberts address was listed in the ph unmatched book, I knew Victor wouldnt have permit them go concealment thither. And while Adrian and Lissa could spot a drift users aura, we could hardly go wandering aimlessly in a city and expect to find some(prenominal)thing.No, we were go forth of luck with those two. There was cryptograph to be d adept straightway exactly proposition back to tap and face whatever punish ment awaited us. WeIhad screwed up.With sunset approachingand seeing as we no retentiveer had a kn receive criminal to nark us in troublemy group glumly firm to head to the Witching arcminute to make our travel plans. Lissa and I had th e potential to be know over there, but runa direction girls werent quite in the same category as fugitive traitors. We decided to roll the dice (no pun intended) and hang around withstanders rather than risk much(prenominal) Strigoi attacks before we could get by of Vegas.The Witching Hour was no different from any of the former(a) casinos wed been tounless you knew what to look for. Humans there were too interested in the allure of the games and glitz to notice that a lot of the other patrons were uniformly tall, slim, and pale. As for the dhampirs? Humans couldnt tell that we werent human. It was only the uncanny sense Moroi and dhampirs had that let us know who was who.Sprinkled passim the cheering, chattering, andat timeswailing crowd were guardians. As in demand as guardians were, only a handful could be allocated full-time to a place identical this. Fortunately, their numbers were reinforced by the sozzled and powerful whod fall knocked out(p) to play. Excited Moroi whooped over slot machines or roulette while silent, watchful guardians hovered lavatory them, keeping an eye on everything. No Strigoi would deduct here.What now? asked Lissa, al some yelling over the noise. It was the front time any of us had spoken since deciding to go here. Wed come to a halt salutary some blackjack t ables, right in the thick of everything.I sighed. My mood was so dark, I didnt even need any spirit side effects. I lost Victor, I lost Victor. My own affable accusations were on an endless loop.We find their transaction center and book tickets out of here, I utter. Depending on how long until we can catch a flight, we exponent have to get a room again.Adrians eyes were scan the action around us, lingering longest on one of the many bars. Wouldnt kill us to kick the bucket a smaller time here.I snapped. Really? After everything thats happened, thats all you can cypher nigh?His enraptured gaze turn back to me and became a frown. There are cameras here. People who may choose you. Getting hard proof that you were in this casino and not Alaska is a good thing.True, I admitted. I envisage Adrians typical blase air was masking discomfort. Aside from learning why Id really come to Las Vegas, hed also run into StrigoiDimitri among them. That was neer an easy experience for any Moroi. Though weve got no alibi for when we were in reality in Alaska.So long as Victor doesnt get himself spotted around here, no ones divergence to make the connection. Adrians voice became bitter. Which really shows how stupid they all are.We jocked put Victor away, express 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 drinking and try my hand at some games. The universe owes me some good luck.Ill get the tickets, said Lissa, scanning a sign that pointed out the directions for the pool, restroomsand personal credit li ne 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, track my arms. Let me know when youre done, and well find you. That was to Lissa, meaning shed tell me through the bond.Convinced he was free, Adrian headed straight for the bar, me tracking after him.A Tom Collins, he told the Moroi bartender. It was like Adrian had a mental cocktail dictionary in his head and just checked them off one by one. I almost never saw him drink the same thing twice.You want it spiked? the bartender asked. He wore a crisp white apparel and black bow tie and hardly appeared older than me.Adrian made a face. No.The bartender shrugged and turn around to make the drink. Spiked was Moroi code for putting a shot of blood into the drink. There were a couple of doors behind the bar, ones that probably led to feeders. Glancing down the bar, I could see happy, laughing Moroi with red-tinged drinks. Some like th e thought of having blood with their alcohol. Mostlike Adrian, apparentlywouldnt take blood unless it was straight from the source. It supposedly didnt attempt the same.While we waited, an older Moroi standing next to Adrian glanced over at me and nodded with approval. You got yourself a good one, he told Adrian. Young, but thats the best way. The guy, 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 populace and Moroi were some(prenominal) dhampir women, dressed very glamorously in silk and velvet dresses that left poor to the imagination. Most were older than me. Those who werent had a moil look in their eyes, despite their flirtatious laughter. Blood whores. I glared at the Moroi.Dont you dare guggle slightly them like that, or Ill smash that wine screwball in your face.The guys eyes widened, and he looked a t Adrian. Feisty.You have no idea, said Adrian. The bartender returned with the Tom Collins. Shes had assortment of a bad day.The asshole Moroi guy didnt look back at me. He apparently didnt take my threat adeptly as seriously as he should have. Everyones having shape of a bad day. You hear the news?Adrian looked relaxed and amused as he sipped his drink, but standing so keep mum 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 cigaret? He escaped.Adrians eyebrows rose. Escaped? 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 then the story gets weird.How weird? I asked.Adrian slipped an arm around me, which I suspected was a silent message to let him do the talking. Whether that was because he believed that was comme il faut blood whore behavior or because he was worried Id punch the guy, I couldnt say.One of the guards was in on itthough he claims he was being controlled. He also conveniently says its all a haze and he cant think up much. I heard it from some royals who are helping with the investigation.Adrian laughed, taking down a big gulp of his drink. That is convenient. Sounds like an inside job to me. Victord have a lot of money. uncomplicated enough to bribe a guard. Thats what I think happened.There was a pleasant smoothness to Adrians voice, and as a slightly dopey smile came over the other guys face, I realized Adrian had pulled a little requirement. I bet youre right.You should tell your royal friends, added Adrian. An inside job.The guy nodded eagerly. I will.Adrian held his gaze a few moments more and then finally glanced down to the Tom Collins. The glaze-eyed look faded from the man, but I knew Adrians gear up to spread the inside job story would stick. Adrian gulped down the rest of the drink and set the empty glass on the bar. He was almost to speak 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, for each one 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 look 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 own women. It was how their race survived, and though Moroi men might want to fool around with d hampirs, 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 must 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 wide-eyed look. I elbowed him.HeyThe last 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 performr here for years. He was here all the ti me. 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 saying 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 leave 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 lay out 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 big difference amongst a teenage boys exploits and those of a married man. I didnt like to admit it, but eve n the most in-love guys calm checked out other women without cheating. Adrian was proof. Still, I didnt think Lissa would like the idea of her dad dawdling around with other women. The truth 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 astute than he appeared, smiled down at me.Well, my sweet, shall we try our luck? Something tells me youre going to beat the oddslike always.I cut him a look. Cute.Adrian winked at me and stood up. Nice 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, Adrian called as he steered me away.Watch it, I warned through gritted teeth, or you might be the one with a wineglass in yo ur face.Im acting 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 converse 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 tincture Id gleaned from Lissa in the last twenty-four hours were making things worse, as Id feared. I changed the subject, steering to safer ground. Youre being pretty comme il faut 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 means 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 use spirit cheating. Because there was so much mental power tied into spirit, its users were very good at reading people. Victor had been right. Adrian joked and kept 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 bluff 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 official 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 banned 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, said Lissa. She hesitated. We could have gone out tonight, butShe didnt need to finish. After what wed face up today, no one wanted to risk even the slightest chance of running into a Strigoi. Going to the aerodrome 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 haunt 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 watch Adrian get thrown out by casino security.As Id hoped, watching Adrian cheat with spirit did indeed distract Lissaso much so that she grew interested in trying it herself. 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 typeand 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 flooded with Moroi news, insulated from the human world. But while waiting for our plane, 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 guess was that Dimitri had tossed his cronies outside, where the sun would turn them to ash. Meanwhile, Dimitri himself had slipped away, leaving no other witnesses behind. Even the camera s had recorded 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 arranged 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 Strigoi to walk free and gotten a bunch of humans killed. I held none of my friends responsible. This disaster was all on me.