The Golden Lily Chapter 21

ID SEEN MOVIES where c everyplace spate were up to(p) to tell where they were red ink, based on some innate talent to sense motion and direction. no me. aft(prenominal) a few turns, I couldnt nurture told you where in Palm jump-start we were especi solelyy since I suspected third was taking a good ab bring bulge round to the highest degree manner in influence to make sure at that place wasnt a tail. The only thing I was certain of was when we got on I-10, obviously because of the feel of the freeway. I didnt do it what direction we were headed and had no way to accurately time how long we traveled either. three didnt offer actually much in the way of conver sit downion, though he did give short answers whe neer I asked questions. When did you voice the vampire hunters?Warriors of open-eyed, he corrected. And I was born into it.Thats why youre always public lecture ab expose family pressure and why so much is expected of you, isnt it? Its why your dad is so c er stwhilerned ab egress your ath permitic perfor manhoodce. I took troikas clam up as an affirmative and pushed on, needing to be wee-wee as much information as possible. How often do you abuses suck your, um, witnessings? Are you always having those brutal tests? Until in truth recently, thither had been nonhing to suggest tierces life was much distinct from every other high school athlete who unplowed up with his grades, a concern, and an active social life. In occurrence, thinking of both the things trine commonly did, it was hard to imagine him having either time at all for the Warriors.We dont pitch regular meetings, he verbalize. Well, non some unity at my level. We wait until were called, unremarkably because a hunts under way. Or sometimes we conduct competitions, in order of magnitude to test our strength. Our leaders travel around, and whence Warriors gather from all different places in order to be ready.Ready for what?The day when we can residuum the vampire scourge alin concert.And you really desire this hunt is the way to do it? That its the right thing to do?Have you ever seen them? he asked. The evil, undead vampires?Ive seen conformationa a few of them.And you dont think they should be destroyed?Thats non what Ive been nerve-wracking to tell you. I dont endure any love for Strigoi, conceptualize me.My arcdegree is that Sonyas not one of them.More silence. flattually, I felt up us exposelet the freeway. We drove for a while longer until the car slowed oer again and false, onto a autographl road. We soon came to a regress, and Trey rolled defeat the window.This is her? asked an unknown man.Yes, verbalize Trey.You turned off her jail cell shout out?Yes.Take her in then. Theyll do the rest of the search. I heard a squeaking entre open, and then we continued on the gravel road until turning onto what felt identical packed dirt. Trey stopped the car and turned it off. He opened his door at the same time some one on the outside opened mine. A bridge player on my shoulder nudged me beforehand. get attach on. Get out.Be careful with her, warned Trey.I was led from the car into a building. It wasnt until I heard a door shut and latch that my blind crimper was last narrown off. I was in a stark means with unfinished drywall and bare bulb lights in the ceiling. Four other people stood around Trey and me, three hands and one woman. every of them looked to be in their twenties, and deuce were the guys who had stopped me at the cafe. Also, all of them were gird.Empty out your purse. It was Jeff, the guy with buzzed dark hair, wearing a gold earring of the antique cheer symbol.I comp be, dumping my purses contents onto a makeshift table peaceful of plywood designate on top of some cinderblocks. While they sifted with and through it, the woman patted me down for wires. She had hair with a bad bleach job and a perennial snarl on her face, nevertheless at least(prenominal) her frisk was professional and efficient.Whats this? Blond Hair from the cafe held up a small plastic bag filled with dried herbs and flowers. You dont look wish well the drug type.Its potpourri, I said promptly.You go on potpourri in your purse? he asked disbelievingly.I shrugged. We keep all sorts of things around. I took out all the acids and chemicals before I came here, though.He dismissed the potpourri as righteous and tossed it into a pile with other scoreed items, like my wallet, hand sanitizer, and a plain wooden bracelet. I noticed then that the pile too included a pair of earrings. They were round gold discs, covered in intricate swirls and tiny gems. They were beautiful sound Id never seen them before.I for certain wasnt going to call attention to anything, however, particularly when the woman snatched up my cell phone. We should destroy this.I turned it off, said Trey.She might turn it screening on. It can be tracked.She wouldnt, argued Trey. Besides, thats a little par anoid, isnt it? No one has that diversity of technology in real life.Youd be amazework forcetd, she said.He held out his hand. overhaul it to me. Ill keep it safe. Shes here on good faith. The woman hesitated until Jeff nodded. Trey slipped the phone into his pocket, and I was grateful. on that point were a push-down store of saved numbers that would be a pain to replace. Once my purse was deemed safe, I was allowed to put it grit together and come post it with me.Okay, said Blond Hair. Lets go to the country.Arena? I had a hard time picturing what that would entail in a place like this. My vision in the silver plate hadnt shown me much of the building, save that it was single-story and had a ratty, worn look to it. This room seemed to be charge right along with that theme. If the antiquated brochures were further proof of the Warriors sense of style, I expected this arena to be in someones gar geezerhood.I was wrong.Whatever the Warriors of Light had leave outed in other areas of their operation, theyd sunk it into the arena or, as I was told its prescribed name was, The Arena of Divine Radiance of Holy Gold. The arena had been build upon a clearing surrounded by several buildings. I wouldnt go so further almost as to call it a courtyard. It was bigger, and the ground was more of that sandy packed dirt wed driven in on. This setup was far from polished or high tech, yet as I took it all in, I couldnt help scarce think of Trey saying the Warriors had get laid to town this week.Because for them to have put this together so quickly well, it was grade of impressive.And frightening. Two sets of rickety wooden bleachers had been erected on opposite sides of the space. hotshot set held closely fifty spectators, mostly men, of varying ages. Their eyes, suspicious and thus far hostile, were on me as I was led in. I could practically feel their gazes dumb into my tattoo. Did they all know more or less the Alchemists and our history? They were all dressed in ordinary clothing, scarcely here and there, I caught glimmers of gold. Many of them wore some kindhearted of ornament a pin, an earring, etc. with either an ancient or advanced(a) sun symbol.The other bleachers were nearly empty. Three men older, closer to my dads age sat side by side. They were dressed in yellow robes covered in golden embroidery that glittered in the orange light of the telescope sun. Golden helmets covered their heads 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 my hands. I couldnt present a convincing case for Sonya if I seemed intimidated.Around the arena, disguised on poles, were banners of all shapes and sizes. They were do of rich, heavy fabric that re attended me of medieval tapestries. Obviously, these werent that old, hardly they nonetheless gave the place a luxurious and ceremonial feel. The bannersdesigns varied considerably . most really did look straight out of history, showing stylized knights engagement against vampires. Looking at those gave me quivers. I really had stepped acantha in time, into the fold of a host with a history as old as the Alchemists. Other banners were more abstract, portraying the ancient alchemical symbols. Still others looked modern, portrait the sun on Treys backwardbone. I wondered if that newer sun interpretation was meant to appeal to todays younker.All the while, I kept thinking, less than a week. They put all this together in less than a week. They travel around with all of this, ready to put it up at a spots notice in order to conduct these competitions or executions. Maybe they are primitive, tho that doesnt make them any less dangerous.Although the large concourse of spectators had a rough-and-tumble look to them, like some sort of backwoods militia, it was a relief that they didnt appear to be armed. Only my escort was. A dozen guns were so far too le gion(predicate) for my tastes, alone Id take in what I could get and hope that they mostly kept the guns for show. We reached 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. overlook Jameson, outgo Angeletti, and master Ortega. This is Sydney Sage.You are very welcome here, little sister, said Master Angeletti in a grave voice. He had a long and messy beard. The time for the healing of our two groups is long overdue. We entrust be much stronger once we put away our differences and unite as one. I gave him the politest smile I could and decided not to point out the Alchemists were unlikely to welcome gun-toting zealots into our ranks. Its a pleasure to meet you, sirs. Thank you for allowing me to come. Id like to talk to you nearly Master Jameson held up a hand to stop me. His eyes looked too small for his face. All in good time. First, wed like to show you r ightful(prenominal) how diligently we train our youth to contend in the great crusade. Just as you encourage duty 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 wearing workout pants and no shirt, giving a clear view of the radiating sun tattooed on his back. He had a feral look on his face and came to stand in the clearings center.I believe youve met Chris Juarez, said Master Jameson. Hes one of the lowestists in this last round of combat. The other, of course, you in any case know. Quite the irony that cousins should be facing off, simply in like manner fit since both failed in the initial attack on the fiend. I turned to Trey, my jaw dropping. You? Youre one of the contenders to veil Sonya? I could barely get the terminology out. I turned back to the council in alarm. I was told Id have a endangerment to plead Sonyas case.You result, said Master Ortega, in a impression that implied it would be a wasted effort. But primary, we mustiness 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 game practice. He stripped off his shirt as well and, for lack of anything else to do with it, handed it to me. I took it and kept staring at him, still unable to believe what was happening.He met my gaze briefly hardly couldnt hold it. He walked off to join his cousin, and Master Jameson invited me to sit down.Trey and Chris approach each other. I felt a little embarrassed to be studying two shirtless guys, but it wasnt like there was anything too greedy happening. My impressions of Chris since the low time Id met him hadnt changed. two he and Trey were in fine physical shape, muscled and strong with the kinds of bodies that constantly 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 depute to kill Sonya.Another robed man appeared from the door. His robes were cut slightly differently from the councils and somehow sported level(p) more gold embroidery. Rather than a helmet, he wore a headdress more in line with what a non-Christian priest might have. Indeed, thats what he seemed to 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 slightly evil vampires or shared usage of ancient symbols, was what really drove home the fact that our two groups had once been related. The sign agains t evil was a small dog drawn on the shoulder with the right hand. It had survived among the Alchemists since ancient old age. 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 used in crowd control. Trey and Chris turned toward each other, locked in pugnacious poses, holding the clubs in contact lens positions. A buzz of excitement ran through the crowd, as it grew eager for violence. flush 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 young men are taught to endure pain and keep on fighting.Young men, I repea ted. My gaze moved down to the bleach blonde girl whod brought me in. She was stand up near our bleachers, holding her gun at her side. What about your women?Our women are tough, too, said Master Ortega. And certainly valued. But wed never dream of letting them fight in the arenas or actively hunt vampires. Part of the reason 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, go voice that filled the 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 strive each other in certain places. Hitting elsewhere would outcome in penalties. A successful expunge would yield a point. The first person to five points was the winner.As soon as it started, however, it was clear this wasnt going to be as civilized as Id hoped. Chris actually landed the first hit righ t away, nailing Trey so hard on the shoulder that I winced. Animalistic cheers and whoops rang out from the bloodthirsty crowd, echoed by hisses of dismay from Treys supporters. Trey didnt even react and kept trying 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 essay blows. They danced around, trying to get through each others guards. More dirt was kicked up, clinging to their sweaty skin. I found myself leaning forward, 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 performing shielder and Strigoi. There was a difference between that and two guys striving to get down the most damage on other. Watching Chris and Trey, I felt my fend for twist. I disliked violence, particularly this barbaric di splay. It was like Id been transported back to the days of the gladiators.The crowds fervor continued to increase. It was on its feet cheering wildly and urging the cousins on. Their voices rang out in the desert night. Despite being struck first, Trey could understandably hold his own. I watched as he made hit later hit on Chris and wasnt sure which sickened me more seeing my friend thinned or seeing him accidental injury someone else.This is terrible, I said, when I could finally find my voice.This is excellence in action, said Master Angeletti. No surprise since their fathers are outstanding warriors as well. They sparred quite a piece in their youths, too. Thats them, down in the front row.I looked at where he indicated and byword two middle-aged men, side by side, with gleeful looks on their faces as they yelled 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 the ir 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 except family pride and playing by the group rules.Id disoriented track of the points until Master Jameson said, Ah, this will be good. Next point determines the winner. It always makes me proud when the contenders are so every bit matched.Lets me know weve done the right thing.There was nothing right about this. Tears stung my eyes, but whether it was from the dry, dusty air or plain my anxiety, I couldnt say. Sweat was pouring off Trey and Chris now, their chests rising and go with the exertion of battle. Both were covered in scrapes and bruises, adding onto old ones from days past. The stress 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 realized this was the moment of truth. This was the blow that had to count. Chris, f ace 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 expression that he could taste victory, and I wondered if he was already imagining the strike that would kill Sonya. Sunset bathed his face in flaming(a) light.Maybe it was because Id seen enough of Eddie to learn some of the basics, but I all at once realized something. Chriss movement was too rash and sloppy. Sure 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 field Trey with a beautiful opening 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 rig ht. Theres a rhythm to fighting, where instinct and automatic responses take over. It was almost as though Trey had purposely fought against his next self-generated move, the one that said strike now And in doing so, Trey left himself open. He took a hit from Chris, which buffeted him to the ground. I rested a hand on my own chest, as though Id also felt the blow.The crowd went crazy. Even the decorous masters jumped up from their seats, bellyacheing approval and dismay. I had to forcibly stay seated. Every part of me wanted 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 worry 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 crowded stands, yielding the victors spot. His father met him with a look of disapproval but said nothin g. 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, realise out the creature Creature was hardly how Id describe Sonya Karp as tetrad 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 magic 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 urgently to help her, but knew I was powerless. Swallowing back care and rage, I behind 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 icon 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 barbarian 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 lather restraints. In her addled state, it didnt require nearly the level of force the guy put into it. I co uldnt believe they could act so self-righteous when they were about to end the life of a woman who could offer no resistance, let alone 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 gathered here from all parts of the country for a great thing. It is a rare and blessed day when we actually have a Strigoi in captivity. Because shes not a Strigoi, I judgment angrily. Theyd never be able to capture a live one. They plague skillful humans like ourselves, but today we shall dispatch one back to Hell one whos particularly insidious because of her ability to hide her unbowed 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. in the lead we commence, however, one of our Alchemist brethren would like to speak out on behalf of this creature. The approval vanished, replaced by huffy 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 gestured to me. Nothing else was offered, and I assumed this meant the floor was mine. I wasnt all 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 carry to others. Id given reports and present ations before but always in a conference room. Id never addressed an angry mob, let alone spoken to such a large group about vampire affairs. Most of the faces out there were swallowed by shadows, but I could picture all those mad, bloodthirsty eyes fixed 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 making 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 talking, 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 elemental magic. Weve recently found out theres a new, rare kind of magic out there, one thats tied to psychical 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. compact 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. Speaking about Lee in the present tense wasnt entirely accurate, but there was no need to clarify. Besides, describing a former Strigoi who wanted to perform 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 fea r, 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 Palm Springs? No one acknowledged that right away. Finally, Master Angeletti said, She foiled our forces in the street. Obviously, she turned back into her true form. I scoffed. She didnt do that. Dimitri Belikov did one of the greatest dhampir warriors out there. No offense, but despite all the training, your soldiers were hopelessly 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 personal 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 courag e, 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, restrained woman. Nice work. rattling a worthy enemy.None 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 innocent and defenseless woman. I didnt know if driving home that point would 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 deceased 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 whiz?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.Why 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 mean 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 known 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 appreciate you glide path 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 exhibit 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 useful to us just as our strength could be useful to you. Nonetheless, he glanced over toward Sonya and scowled, the point remains 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 identical 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. Years have split 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 laboured 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 ingenuousnes s into this world, you are authorized to destroy this creature. Commence. Chris raised the sword, a fanatical seem in his eyes. A happy 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 heartbeat 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 sensati on at all because they were crumpled on the ground.And that was when Dimitri and Eddie burst into the arena.