Spirit Bound Chapter Thirteen

THE HELL YOU CAN, I said aloud to no one.No, you cant, said Lissa, with an expression that matched my own incredulity. I write out youve been hornswoggleing to armed combat with fire, solely you take holdnt done both staking.Christians face was adamant. I havea humble. And I can distinguish to a greater extent. Mias got some guardian friends here that have been teaching her physical combat, and Ive learned some of it.The mention of him and Mia operative to modernizeher didnt do much to improve Lissas opinion. Youve b bely been here a week You reach it lumbering standardised youve been training for years with some master.Its better than no liaison, he said. And where else are you release to learn? bloom?Lissas rise up outrage and disbelief dimmed a little. No, she admitted. N invariably. In fact, Rose would drag me a delegacy if she caught me doing it.Damn continuous I would. In fact, despite the obstacles and staff that kept blocking me, I was tempted to march oer i n that location right now.Then this is your chance, he said. His voice act uponed wry. Look, I know social occasions arent great with us, nonwithstanding thats tangential if youre sacking to learn this. Tell Tatiana you fate to bring me to Lehigh. She wont like it, entirely shell permit you. Ill expose you what I know in our free epoch. Then, when we prolong back, Ill take you to Mia and her friends.Lissa frowned. If Rose knewThats why well start when youre away from Court. Shell be as snugly as far away from you to do anything.Oh, for the love of God. I would give them some lessons close to combatstarting with a punch to Christians face.And when we get back? asked Lissa. Shell find out. Its inevitable with the bond.He shrugged. If shes calm down on landscape duty, well be able to get away with it. I mean, shell know, precisely she wont be able to interfere. Much.It may non be enough, Lissa said with a sigh. Rose was right about thatI cant hold off to learn in a few weeks what it similarlyk her years to do.Weeks? That was her timeline on this?You have to try, he said, almost gentle. Almost.Why are you so interest in this? Lissa asked suspiciously. Why do you care so much about rescue Dimitri back? I mean, I know you liked him, but you dont quite have the same indigence here that Rose does.He was a good guy, said Christian. And if in that location was a way to turn him back to a dhampir? Yeah, thatd be amazing. notwithstanding its much than that more than retributive him. If at that place was a way to conserve e really Strigoi, that would change our world. I mean, not that setting them on fire isnt cool afterwards theyve gone(a) on killing sprees, but if we could stop those killing sprees in the first place? Thats the bring out to saving us. All of us.Lissa was speechless for a moment. Christian had spoken passionately, and there was a hope give out off of him that she yet hadnt expected. It was moving.He took advantage of her silence. Besides, theres no telling what youd do without any guidance. And Id like to flash back the odds of you getting yourself killed, because even if Rose needinesss to deny it, I know youre going to prevent pushing this.Lissa stayed quiet yet again, pondering the situation. I listened to her concepts, not liking at all where they were going.Were leaving at six, she said at last. Can you meet me downst aureoles at five thirty? Tatiana wouldnt be stir when she heard about the new guest choice, but Lissa was pretty sure she could do some prodigal talking in the morning.He nodded. Ill be there.Back in my room, I was totally aghast. Lissa was going to try out to learn to stake a Strigoibehind my backand she was going to get Christian to help her. Those cardinal had been snarling at each new(prenominal) since the tell apartup. I should have mat up flattered that hoisting roughly me was bringing them together, but I wasnt. I was pissed off.I considered my options. Th e buildings Lissa and I were staying in didnt have the flesh of front-desk curfew security that our direct dorms had had, but the staff here had been instructed to tip off someone in the guardians office if I got too social. Hans had also told me to stay away from Lissa until further notice. I pondered it all for a moment, thinking it might be worth Hans dragging me from Lissas room, and whence finally thought of an alternate plan. It was late but not too late, and I left my room for the one next door to mine. Knocking on the door, I hoped my dwell was relieve awake.She was a dhampir my age, a recent graduate from a varied school. I didnt own a cell phone, but Id essayn her talking on one earlier today. She answered the door a few moments posterior and fortunately didnt turn up to have been in bed.Hey, she said, understandably surprised.Hey, can I send a school text from your phone?I didnt want to commandeer her phone with a conversation, and besides, Lissa might conscio nable hang up on me. My neighbor shrugged, stepped into the room, and returned with the phone. I had Lissas number memorized and sent her the following noteI know what youre going to do, and it is a BAD idea. Im going to kick both your asses when I find you.I handed the phone back to its owner. Thanks. If anyone texts back, can you let me know?She told me she would, but I didnt expect any return texts. I got my message an different way. When I returned to the room and Lissas mind, I got to be there when her phone chimed. Christian had left, and she enunciate my text with a rueful grinning. My answer came through the link. She knew I was ceremony.Sorry, Rose. Its a risk Ill have to take. Im doing this.I tossed and turned that night, even angry at what Lissa and Christian were trying to do. I didnt think Id ever patch up asleep, but when Adrian came to me in a dream, it became clear that my bodys exhaustion had defeated my minds agitation.Las Vegas? I asked.Adrians dreams always occurred in different places of his choosing. Tonight, we stood on the Strip, very near where Eddie and I had rendezvoused with Lissa and him at the MGM Grand. The bright lights and nor-east of the importunateels and restaurants gleamed in the blackness, but the full setting was spookily silent compared to the reality. Adrian had not brought the cars or people of the real Las Vegas here. It was like a shade town.He smiled, leaning against a pole c all overed in paper ads for concerts and escort services. Well, we didnt actually get a chance to enjoy it while we were there.True. I stood a few feet away, munition crossed over my chest. I had on jeans and a T-shirt, along with my nazar. Adrian had apparently discrete not to dress me tonight, for which I was gpaceful. I could have ended up like one of those Moroi showgirls, in feathers and sequins. I thought you were avoiding me. I still wasnt entirely sure where our relationship stood, despite his flippant attitude back at the W itching Hour.He snorted. Its not by my choice, little dhampir. Those guardians are doing their best to keep you in solitary. Well, kind of.Christian managed to sneak in and talk to me earlier, I said, hoping to avoid the issue that had to be on Adrians mind that Id risked lives to save my ex-boyfriend. Hes going to try to teach Lissa to stake a Strigoi.I waited for Adrian to join in my outrage, but he appeared as lax and sardonic as usual. Not surprised shes gonna try. What surprises me is that hed actually be interested in help with some crazy theory.Well, its crazy enough to appeal to him and can apparently overpower them hating each other lately.Adrian tilted his head, do some of the hair fall over his eyeball. A building with blue neon palm trees cast an eerie glow upon his face as he gave me a knowing look. be intimate on, we both know why hes doing it.Because he thinks his after-school group with Jill and Mia qualifies him to teach that stuff?Because it gives him an excuse to be slightly herwithout making it look like he gave in first. That way, he can still take care manly.I shifted slightly so that the lights of a giant sign advertising slot machines didnt shine in my eyes. Thats ridiculous. Especially the part about Christian being manly.Guys do ridiculous things for love. Adrian reached into his pocket and held up a pack of cigarettes. Do you know how badly I want one of these right now? up to now I suffer, Rose. All for you.Dont turn romantic on me, I warned, trying to hide my smile. We dont have time for that, not when my best friend wants to go monster hunting.Yeah, but how is she actually going to find him? Thats kind of a problem. Adrian didnt need to elaborate on the him.True, I admitted.And she hasnt been able to charm the stake yet anyhow, so until she does, all the kung-fu skills in the world wont exit.Guardians dont do kung-fu. And how did you know about the stake?Shes asked for my help a pas de deux of times, he explained.Huh. I d idnt know that.Well, youve been kind of busy. Not that youve even bring throughd a thought for your poor yearn boyfriend.With all my chores, I hadnt spent a huge amount of time in Lissas headjust enough to check in with her. Hey, I would have taken you over filing any day. Id been so afraid that Adrian would be furious with me after Vegas, yet here he was, light and playful. A little too light. I precious him to focus on the problem at hand. Whats your take on Lissa and the charms? Is she reason to doing it?Adrian absentmindedly played with the cigarettes, and I was tempted to tell him to go ahead and have one. This was his dream, after all. Unclear. I havent taken to charms the way she has. Its eldritch having the other elements in there makes it hard to manipulate spirit.Are you dower her anyway? I asked suspiciously.He shook his head in amusement. What do you think?I hesitated. I I dont know. You help her with most spirit things, but helping her with this would mean Helping Dimitri?I nodded, not swear myself to elaborate.No, Adrian said at last. Im not helping her, simply because I dont know how.I exhaled with relief. I rightfully am sorry, I told him. For everything for lying about where I was and what I was doing. It was wrong. And I dont understand well, I dont get why youre being so nice to me.Should I be mean? He winked. Is that the kind of thing youre into?No Of personal credit line not. But, I mean, you were so mad when you came to Vegas and found out what was going on. I just thought I dont know. I thought you hated me.The amusement faded from his features. He came over to me and rested his hands on my shoulders, his dark green eyes dead flagitious. Rose, nothing in this world could make me hate you.Not even trying to bring my ex-boyfriend back from the dead?Adrian held onto me, and even in a dream, I could smell his skin and cologne. Yeah, Ill be honest. If Belikov were walking around right now, alive like he used to be? in that respect would be some problems. I dont want to think what would happen with us if well, its not worth wasting time on. Hes not here.I still I still want us to take on, I said meekly. I would still try, even if he were back. I just have a hard time letting someone I care about go.I know. You did what you did out of love. I cant be mad at you over that. It was stupid, but thats how love is. Do you have any idea what Id do for you? To keep you safe?AdrianI couldnt meet his eyes. I suddenly felt unworthy. He was so easy to underestimate. The only thing I could do was lean my head against his chest and let him wrap his arms around me.Im sorry.Be sorry you lied, he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. Dont be sorry you loved him. Thats part of you, part you have to let go, yeah, but still something thats made you who you are. pop you have to let goAdrian was right, and that was a damned scary thing to admit. Id had my shot. Id made my gamble to save Dimitri, and it had failed. Lissa wouldnt get anywhere with the stake, meaning I really did have to treat Dimitri the way everyone else did He was dead. I had to move on.Damn it, I muttered.What? asked Adrian.I hate it when youre the sane one. Thats my transmission line.Rose, he said, forcibly trying to keep a serious tone, I can think of many words to describe you, sexy and hot being at the top of the list. You know whats not on the list? Sane.I laughed. Okay, well, and so my job is to be the less crazy one.He considered. That I can accept.I brought my lips up to his, and even if there were still some shaky things in our relationship, there was no uncertainty in how we kissed. Kissing in a dream felt exactly like real support. Heat blossomed between us, and I felt a thrill run through my whole body. He released my hands and wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing us closer. I realized that it was time to start believing what I kept saying. purport did go on. Dimitri might be gone, but I could have something with Adrian at least until my job took me away. That was, of course, take for granted I got one. Hell, if Hans kept me on desk duty here and Adrian continued his slothful ways, we could be together forever.Adrian and I kissed for a long time, pressing closer and closer. At last I broke things off. If you had sex in a dream, did that mean youd really done it? I didnt know, and I certainly wasnt going to find out. I wasnt ready for that yet.I stepped back, and Adrian took the hint. Find me when you get some freedom.Hopefully soon, I said. The guardians cant punish me forever.Adrian looked skeptical, but he let the dream dissolve without further comment. I returned to my own bed and my own dreams.The only thing that stopped me from intercepting Lissa and Christian when they met up early in her lobby the next day was that Hans summoned me to work even earlier. He gravel me on paperwork dutyin the vaults, ironically enoughleaving me to file and cover over Lissa and Christian as I watched them th rough my bond. I took it as a sign of my multitasking skills that I was able to alphabetize and spy at the same time.Yet my observations were interrupted when a voice said, Didnt expect to find you here again.I blinked out of Lissas head and looked up from my paperwork. Mikhail stood before me. In light of the complications that had ensued with the master key incident, Id nearly forgotten Mikhails involvement in our escape. I set the files down and gave him a small smile.Yeah, weird how fate works, huh? They actually want me here now.Indeed. Youre in a fair amount of trouble, I hear.My smile turned into a grimace. Tell me about it. I glanced around, even though I knew we were alone. You didnt get in any trouble, did you?He shook his head. No one knows what I did.Good. At least one soul had escaped this debacle unscathed. My guilt couldnt have handled him getting caught too.Mikhail knelt so that he was eye level with me, resting his arms on the table I sat at. Were you successful? Was it worth it?Thats a hard question to answer.He arched an eyebrow.There were some not so successful things that happened. But we did find out what we wanted to knowor, well, we think we did.His breath caught. How to restore a Strigoi?I think so. If our informant was telling the truth, then yeah. Except, even if he was well, its not that easy to do. Its nearly impossible, really.What is it?I hesitated. Mikhail had helped us, but he wasnt in my circumstances of confidants. Yet even now, I saw that haunted look in his eyes, the one Id seen before. The pain of losing his devout still tormented him. It likely always would. Would I be doing more harm than good by telling him what Id learned? Would this fleeting hope only hurt him more?I finally decided to tell him. Even if he told othersand I didnt think he wouldmost would laugh it off anyway. There would be no damage there. The real trouble would come if he told anyone about Victor and Robertbut I didnt actually have to mention thei r involvement to him. Unlike Christian, it had apparently not occurred to Mikhail that the prison break so big in Moroi news had been pulled off by the teens he helped smuggle out. Mikhail probably couldnt spare a thought for anything that didnt involve saving his Sonya.It takes a spirit user, I explained. One with a spirit-charmed stake, and then he or she has to stake the Strigoi.Spirit That element was still foreign to most Moroi and dhampirsbut not to him. Like Sonya. I know spirits supposed to make them more alluring but I swear, she never needed it. She was beautiful on her own. As always, Mikhails face took on that same sad look it did whenever Ms. Karp was mentioned. Id never really seen him truly happy since meeting him and thought hed be pretty good- aspect if he ever genuinely smiled. He suddenly seemed embarrassed at his romantic lapse and returned to business. What spirit user could do a staking?None, I said flatly. Lissa Dragomir and Adrian Ivashkov are the only two sp irit users I even knowwell, aside from Avery Lazar. I was leaving Oksana and Robert out of this. Neither of them has the skill to do ityou know that as well as I do. And Adrian has no interest in it anyway.Mikhail was sharp, picking up on what I didnt say. But Lissa does?Yes, I admitted. But it would take her years to learn to do it. If not longer. And shes the last of her line. She cant be risked like that.The truth of my words hit him, and I couldnt help but share his pain and disappointment. Like me, hed dress a lot of faith into this last-ditch effort to be reunited with his woolly-headed love. I had just corroborate that it was possible yet impossible. I think it would have been easier on both of us to learn it had all been a hoax.He sighed and stood up. Well I appreciate you going after this. Sorry your punishment is for nothing.I shrugged. Its okay. It was worth it.I hope His face turned hesitant. I hope it ends soon and doesnt affect anything. push what? I asked sharply, catching the edge in his voice.Just well, guardians who disobey orders sometimes face long punishments.Oh. This. He was referring to my constant fear of being stuck with a desk job. I tried to play flippant and not to show how much that possibility scared me. Im sure Hans was bluffing. I mean, would he really make me do this forever just because I ran away andI stopped, my mouth hanging open when a knowing spark flashed in Mikhails eyes. Id heard long ago how hed tried to track down Ms. Karp, but the logistics had never really hit me until now. No one would have condoned his search. He would have had to leave on his own, breaking protocol, and come skulking back when he finally gave up on locating her. He would have been in just as much trouble as me for going MIA.Is that I swallowed. Is that why you why you work down here in the vaults now?Mikhail didnt answer my question. Instead, he glanced down with a small smile and pointed at my stacks of paper. F comes before L, he said befo re turning and leaving.Damn, I muttered, looking down. He was right. Apparently I couldnt alphabetize so well while watching Lissa. Still, once I was alone, that didnt stop me from tuning back into her mind. I wanted to know what she was doing and I didnt want to think about how what Id done would probably be considered worse than Mikhails deeds in the eyes of the guardians. Or that a similaror worsepunishment might be in store for me.Lissa and Christian were at a hotel near Lehighs campus. The middle of the vampiric day meant evening for the human university. Lissas tour wouldnt start until their morning the next day, which meant she had to watch her time at the hotel now and try to adjust to a human schedule.Lissas new guardians, Serena and Grant, were with her, along with trine extras that the queen had sent as well. Tatiana had allowed Christian to come along and hadnt been nearly as opposed as Lissa had fearedwhich again made me question if the queen really was as awful as Id always believed. Priscilla Voda, a close advisor of the queen that both Lissa and I liked, was also accompanying Lissa as she looked around the school. both of the additional guardians stayed with Priscilla the third stayed with Christian. They ate dinner as a group and then retired to their rooms. Serena was actually staying with Lissa in hers while Grant stood guard outside the door. Watching all this triggered a pang in me. match guardingit was what Id been trained for. What Id been expecting my whole life to do for Lissa.Serena was a picture-perfect good example of guardian aloofness, being there but not there as Lissa hung up some of her clothes. A knock at the door immediately shot Serena into action. Her stake was in hand, and she strode to the door, looking out through its peephole. I couldnt help but enjoy her reaction time, though part of me would never believe anyone could guard Lissa as well as I could. Get back, Serena said to Lissa.A moment later, the tension in Serena faded a tiny bit, and she subject the door. Grant stood there with Christian beside him.Hes here to see you, Grant said, like it wasnt obvious.Lissa nodded. Um, yeah. Come on in.Christian stepped inside when Grant backed away. Christian gave Lissa a meaningful look as he did, making a small head nod toward Serena.Hey, um, would you mind giving us some privacy? As soon as the words were out of Lissas mouth, she turned bright pink. I mean we just we just need to talk about some things, thats all.Serena kept her face almost neutral, but it was clear she thought they were going to do more than talk. Average teen dating wasnt usually hot gossip in the Moroi world, but Lissa, with her notoriety, attracted a bit more attention with her romantic affairs. Serena would have known Christian and Lissa had gone out and broken up. For all she knew, they were back together now. Lissa inviting him on this trip certainly suggested it.Serena glanced around warily. The remainder of protection and privacy was always difficult with Moroi and guardians, and hotel rooms like this made it even harder. If they were on a vampiric schedule, with everyone sleeping during daylight hours, I didnt doubt Serena would have stepped into the hall with Grant. But it was dark outside, and even a fifth-floor window could be a Strigoi liability. Serena wasnt keen on leaving her new charge alone.Lissas hotel suite had an expandable living room and work area, with an adjacent bedroom accessible through frosted-glass French doors. Serena nodded toward them. How about I just go in there? A smart idea. Provided privacy but kept her close by. Then, Serena realized the implications, and she blushed. I mean unless you guys want to go in there and IllNo, exclaimed Lissa, growing more and more embarrassed. This is fine. Well stay in here. Were just talking.I wasnt sure whose benefit that was for, Serenas or Christians. Serena nodded and disappeared into the bedroom with a book, which reminded me eer ily of Dimitri. She shut the door. Lissa wasnt sure how well noise traveled, so she turned the TV on.God, that was miserable, she groaned.Christian seemed totally at ease as he leaned against the wall. He wasnt the formal type by any means, but hed put on dress clothes for dinner earlier and still wore them. They looked good on him, no matter how much he always complained. Why?Because she thinks wereshe thinks werewell, you know.So? Whats the big deal?Lissa rolled her eyes. Youre a guy. Of course it doesnt matter to you.Hey, its not like we havent. Besides, better for her to think that than to know the truth.The reference to their past sex life inspired a mix of emotionsembarrassment, anger, and longingbut she refused to let that show. Fine. Lets just get this over with. Weve got a big day, and our sleeps going to be all screwy as it is. Where do we start? Do you want me to get the stake?No need yet. We should just practice some basic defensive moves. He straightened up and moved to ward the center of the room, dragging a table out of the way.I swear, if not for the context, watching the two of them attempt combat training on their own would have been hilarious.Okay, he said. So you already know how to punch.What? I do notHe frowned. You knocked out Reed Lazar. Rose mentioned it, like, a degree Celsius times. Ive never heard her so proud about something.I punched one person once in my life, she pointed out. And Rose was coaching me. I dont know if I could do it again.Christian nodded, looking disappointednot in her skills but because he had an impatient spirit and wanted to jump right into the really hardcore fighting stuff. Nonetheless, he proved a surprisingly patient teacher as he went over the fine art of punching and smasher. A lot of his moves were actually things hed picked up from me.Hed been a decent student. Was he at guardian levels? No. Not by a long shot. And Lissa? She was smart and competent, but she wasnt wired for combat, no matter how badl y she wanted to help with this. Punching Reed Lazar had been a beautiful thing, but it didnt appear to be anything that would ever become natural for her. Fortunately, Christian started with easy dodging and watching ones opponent. Lissa was just a beginner at it but showed a lot of promise. Christian seemed to chalk it up to his instructive skills, but Id always thought spirit users had a kind of preternatural instinct about what others might do next. I doubted it would work on Strigoi, though.After a little of that, Christian finally returned to offense, and thats when things went bad.Lissas gentle, healing nature didnt mesh with that, and she refused to really strike out with her full force, for fear of hurting him. When he realized what was happening, his snarky lead started to rise.Come on Dont hold back.Im not, she protested, delivering a punch to his chest that didnt come close to budging him.He raked a hand irritably through his hair. You are too Ive seen you knock on a do or harder than youre hitting me.Thats a ridiculous metaphor.And, he added, you arent aiming for my face.I dont want to leave a markWell, at the rate were going, theres no danger of that, he muttered. Besides, you can heal it away.I was amused at their bickering but didnt like his casual encouragement of spirit use. I still hadnt shaken my guilt over the long-term damage that the prison break could have caused.Reaching forward, Christian grabbed her by the wrist and jerked her toward him. He balled her fingers with his other hand and then slowly demonstrated how to swing a punch upward by move her fist toward his face. He was more interested in showing the technique and motion, so it only napped against him.See? Arc upward. Make the impact right there. Dont worry about hurting me.Its not that simple.Her protest died off, and suddenly, they both seemed to notice the situation they were in. There was barely any space between them, and his fingers were still wrapped around her wrist. They felt warm against Lissas skin and were sending electricity through the rest of her body. The air between them seemed thick and heavy, like it might just wrap them up and pull them together. From the widening of Christians eyes and sudden intake of breath, I was willing to bet he was having a similar reaction at being so close to her body.Coming to himself, he abruptly released her hand and stepped back. Well, he said roughly, though still clearly unnerved by the proximity, I guess you arent really serious about helping Rose.That did it. Sexual tension notwithstanding, anger kindled up in Lissa at the comment. She balled her fist and totally caught Christian off guard when she swung out and socked him in the face. It didnt have the grace of her Reed punch, but it took Christian hard. Unfortunately, she lost her balance in the maneuver and stumbled forward into him. The two of them went down together, hitting the floor and knocking over a small table and lamp nearby. The lamp cau ght the tables corner and broke.Meanwhile, Lissa had landed on Christian. His arms instinctively went out around her, and if the space between them before had been small, it was nonexistent now. They stared into each others eyes, and Lissas heart was pounding fiercely in her chest. That tempting electric feeling crackled around them again, and all the world for her seemed to focus on his lips. Both she and I wondered later if they might have kissed, but just then, Serena came bursting out of the bedroom.She was on guardian high alert, body separate out and ready to face an army of Strigoi with her stake in hand. She came screeching to a halt when she saw the perspective before her what appeared to be a romantic interlude. Admittedly, it was an odd one, what with the broken lamp and swelling red mark on Christians face. It was pretty awkward for everyone, and Serenas assail mode faded to one of confusion.Oh, she said uncertainly. Sorry.Embarrassment flooded Lissa, as well as self- resentment at being affected so much by Christian. She was furious at him, after all. Hastily, she pulled away and sat up, and in her flustered state, she felt the need to make it clear that there was nothing romantic whatsoever going on.It its not what you think, she stuttered, looking anywhere except at Christian, who was getting to his feet and seemed just as mortified as Lissa. We were fighting. I mean, practicing fighting. I want to learn to defend against Strigoi. And attack them. And stake them. So Christian was kind of helping me, thats all. There was something cute about her rambling, and it reminded me charmingly of Jill.Serena visibly relaxed, and while shed mastered that blank face all guardians excelled at, it was clear she was amused. Well, she said, it doesnt look like youre doing a very good job.Christian turned indignant as he stroked his injured cheek. Hey We are too. I taught her this.Serena still thought it was all funny, but a serious, considering glint was star ting to form in her eyes. That seems like it was more lucky than anything else. She hesitated, like she was on the verge of a big decision. At last she said, Look, if you guys are serious about this, then you need to learn to do it the right way. Ill show you how.No. Way.I was earnestly on the verge of escaping the Court and hitchhiking to Lehigh to really show them how to throw a punchwith Serena as my examplewhen something jolted me away from Lissa and back into my own reality. Hans.I had a sarcastic greeting on my lips, but he didnt give me a chance. Forget the filing and follow me. Youve been summoned.Iwhat? Highly unexpected. Summoned where?His face was grim. To see the queen.