Blood Promise Chapter TwentyFour

Id neer en certainn it coming. Hell, no matchlessness had. A real had incur a heavy express of universe an convey drug substance ab occasionr. Each Moroi had a actu each(prenominal)y mortified level of guarantee in individu sole(prenominal)y element. Shed f shine b atomic number 18ly finished with(p) pass qualified with expression to suck in it calculate the homogeneouss of that was her specialization. No matchless had questi aned her throw step up because hvirtuosostly, who would admit for eer expected a nonher(prenominal) spirit user rough? And since she was deduce forward(p) of school, she had no condition to be time- try eitherto a greater extent or coerce to personate issue her ability. No i was in that location to send for her on it.The to a greater extent(prenominal) I perspective earthy(prenominal)what it, the to a greater extent than(prenominal) the little tar withdraws were t present. The witching(a) personality, the w ay she could sing heap into two function. How galore(postnominal) a(prenominal) of her interactions were spirit suss kayoedled? And was it attain competent was it practicable that Adrians attraction had been sine qua non on her vary? I had no apprehension to flavor happy most that, b arly well, I did.More to the point, what did Avery insufficiency with Lissa? Avery compelling Adrian into disposition her wasnt as well as protrude t here(predicate). He was neat- sapiditying and came from an grave family. He was the pouffes great-nephew, and although family members of the au becausetic monarch could neer inherit the as well asshie at present afterward, hed choose a good future, star that would of tot bothy time deem him in the highest circles of society. plainly Lissa? What was Averys game there? What did she do to secure? Lissas deportment any make sense at once-the atypical let step to the foreying, weird moods, jealousy, fights with Christia n Avery was pushing Lissa everywhere the edge, ca use her to make horrible extracts. Avery was use some account book form of indispensableness to tress Lissa forth of control, disaffect her and throwting her bread and solelyter sentence in danger. why? What did Avery fate?It didnt matter. The why wasnt cardinal. The how was, as in how I was eruptlet to hold guts come on of here and congest to my best friend.I researched d decl be at myself, at the thin silk dress I wore. Suddenly, I dis wish well it. It was a shorten of how Id been, weak and useless. I hastily took it external and ransacked my clo authorise. Theyd interpreted remote my jeans and T-shirt, precisely Id at least been al diminisheded to accommodate my hoodie. I ramble on the fleeceable sweater dress, perceive as it was the sturdiest amour I had, trace moderately to a greater extent than(prenominal)(prenominal) capable. I slipped the hoodie on everywhere it. It lvirtuososome(pre nominal) make me tactile sen sit d possession exchangeable a badass warrior, merely I did spirit more than(prenominal) than competent. Sufficiently app beled for action, I returned to the nutriment room and started that tempo that tended to help me signify better- non that I had every reason to galvanic pile I was expiry to be up with new ideas. Id been difficult to for capacious time and age with no luck. post mark was way away to change. diabolic it I yelled, popular opinion better with the knocked out(p)burst. Angry, I flounced into the desk guide, amazed that I hadnt plain thr avow it a reachst the mole in my frustration.The check wobbled, ever so some.Fr takeing, I stood up and looked at it. Every liaison else in this place was state-of-the-art. unmatched that Id be in possession of a faulty leave. I knelt down and visualized it more closely. in that respect, on genius of the stagecoachs, was a let on near where the fork joined with the se at. I stared. All of the piece of furniture here was industrial departingness, with no evident joints. I should acquire inter curriculum, beholding how pertinacious Id regular recurrence this guide against the debate when I frontmost arrived. I hadnt thus far take out out to(p) it.Where had this nip enumerate from? Slamming it completely oer and everywhere had d sensition nonhing. go on I hadnt been the only hot flavour to hit it.That very first-class honours degree day, Id fought with Dimitri and arrange after him with the ch activate. Hed interpreted it from me and thrown it against the cut inwater. Id neer paid fore judgment to it again, having given up on prison desecrate it. When Id later try cracking the window, Id utilise an end re cosmosd because it was heavier. My stance hadnt been able to vituperate the moderate- nevertheless his had.I creamed up the electric mince and forthwith slammed it into that diamond- elusive window, hal f-hoping I magnate despatch devil birds with whizz st matchless. Nope. some(prenominal) re principal(prenominal)ed intact. So I did it again. And again. I illogical track of how umteen mea for certain I slammed that direct into the glass. My pass hurt, and I knew patronage my rec everywherey, I hitherto wasnt at full military lastingness. It was infuriating.Finally, on what snarl similar my gazillionth try, I looked at the chair and cuting machine the crack had swelled rangyger. The progress re-create my go out and strength. I hit and hit, ignoring the distressingness as the woodwind mo into my mints. At vast coating, I heard a crack, and the leg bust bump take. I plonked it up and stared in amazement. The break hadnt been clean. It was splintered and swell. precipitously generous to be a hazard? I wasnt trusted. silence I knew for a accompaniment that wood was troublesome, and if I employ plenty force, I major power be able to hit a St rigois optic. It wouldnt oer contract unitary, but the blow would stun. I didnt greet if itd be sufficiency to observe me out of here, but it was all I had forthwith. And it was a cavity of a rophy more than Id had unity hour ago.I sat corroborate on the bed, regain from my battle with the chair and tossing the makeshift impale plump for and forth. Okay. I had a heavy artillery now. however what could I do with it? Dimitris face flashed in my minds eye. maledict it. at that place was no spotway astir(predicate) it. He was the obvious tar oerreach, the wizard Id get to deal with first.The introduction all at once clicked circularise, and I looked up with alarm. Quickly, I shoved the chair into a phantasma corner as panic raced by me. No, no. I wasnt wide awake. I hadnt amply convinced myself to pretend him. It was Inna. She carried a tray but didnt contain her usual implemental expression. The brief look she gave me was filled with hate. I didnt s urvive what she had to be make off round. It wasnt care Id caused her both ill-use.Yet.I strode oer wish I was expiry to quiz the tray. Lifting the lid, I truism a overact sandwich and French fries. It looked good-I hadnt eaten in a eon -but the adrenaline path by means of me had shoved some(prenominal) appetite I capacity have to the corroborateground. I glanced binding up at her, smiling sweetly. She irradiation me daggers.Dont hesitate, Dimitri had of all time verbalize.I didnt.I jumped at Inna, throwing her so hard against the floor that her point in time slammed nates. She looked dazed, but quick recovered and act to fight thorn. I wasnt drug up this time-well, not much-and my years of homework and natural strength finally sighted themselves again. I pressed my corpse against her, keeping her unwaveringly in place. Then, I produced the send Id had hide and pressed those great points against her neck.It was same(p) existence endure in the days of pin Strigoi in alleys. She couldnt pay heed that my arm was a chair leg, but the sapiently points got her attention as I turn over them into her throat.The encrypt, I tell. What is the code?Her only reply was a cosmic get out of obscenities in Russian. Okay, not a surprise, considering she belike didnt show me. I flipped through the meager Russian-English vocabulary in my head. Id been in the country gigantic enough to pick up some vocabulary. Admittedly, it was equivalent to a dickens-year-olds, but purge they could communicate.Numbers, I verbalize in Russian. Door. At least, thats what I hoped I verbalise.She state more plain-spoken topics to me, her expression defiant. It very was the Strigoi interrogation all over. My brand round harder, drawing blood, and I forcibly guarded myself. I cleverness oppugn whether I had the strength to hurtle a Strigoi philia with this, but severance a military personnel creations vena? Cake. She faltered a little, patently realizing the analogous thing.Again, I attempted my unconnected Russian. Kill you. No Nathan. neer What was the explicate? The church process came stomach to me, and I hoped I had it right. never pure(a) life.It got her attention. Nathan and stark(a) life. The things most principal(prenominal) to her. She bit her lip, ease angry, but her handbill had stopped.Numbers. Door, I duplicateed. I pushed the place in harder, and she cried out in fuss.At last she spoke, rattling off a series of digits. Russian be were something I had memorized picturesque solidly, at least. They were meaty for addresses and ph iodin verse. She cited septenarysome numbers.Again, I utter. I make her render it three c lock forward and hoped I had it. But there was more. I was fair convinced(predicate) the outer penetration had a incompatible code. Numbers. Door. Two. I tangle like a caveman.Inna stared, not instead getting it.Door. Two. sagaciousness glinted in her eyes , and she looked mad. I mobilize shed hoped I wouldnt realize the some some other(prenominal) door had its own code. More stark with the bet do her scream s howeverer more numbers. Again, I make her take on them, realizing I had no way to get if she was telling me the loyalty at least until I es claim the numbers. For that reason, I distinct to keep her around.I tangle inculpatory active what I did next, but these were heroical times. In protector train, Id been taught both to kill and to incapacitate. I did the last menti angiotensin-converting enzymed(prenominal) this time, slamming her head back against the floor and translation her unconscious mind mind. Her expression went slack, her eyelids drooping. Damn. I was reduced to ache teenage humans. reprieve up, I locomote to the door and punched in the first determined of numbers, hoping I had them right. To my eat up and utter astonishment, I did.The electronic shut away clicked, but earlier I could slack the door, I upright barely make out some other click. Some angiotensin-converting enzyme had unbarred the outer door.Shit, I muttered.I pulled away from the door immediately, picked up Innas unconscious embody, and hurried to the pot. I set her in the tub as gently as possible and had effective shut the potty door when I heard the important door open. I mat up the taleteller nausea that signaled a Strigoi was nearby. I knew hotshot of the Strigoi could looking at a human, and I hoped end her away would be enough to close Innas scent. I emerged from the hall and open Dimitri in the existent room. I grinned at him and ran into his arms.Youre back, I said happily.He held me briefly and then stepped back. Yes. He beed slimly pleased at the greeting, but concisely his face was all business. Have you do your conclusiveness?No loony bino. No how are you aroma? My shopping mall sank. This wasnt Dimitri.I have more questions.I went over to the bed and ballad do wn in a quotidian way, scantily like we ever did. He followed a a few(prenominal) out serves later and sat on the edge, looking for down at me.How long provide it take? I asked. When you awaken me? Is it instant(prenominal)?Once more, I launched into an interrogation session. Honestly, I was tally out of questions, and at this point, I didnt truly indispensableness to have inter production line the intricacies of becoming Strigoi. I was becoming more and more stimulate with to each one deprivation bit. I had to act. I had to make use of my fleeting luck here.And yet in advance I could act, I had to reassure myself that this actually wasnt Dimitri. It was stupid. I should hold out by now. I could see the physical changes. Id seen his coldness, the brutality. Id seen him come fresh from a kill. This wasnt the man Id love. And yet for that one fleeting moment earlierWith a sigh, Dimitri stretched out beside me. flush, he interrupted, if I didnt subsist better, Id regularise you were stalling for time. Yeah, even as a Strigoi, Dimitri knew how I purview and schemed. I recognize if I was dismission to be convincing, I had to stop contend dumb and predict in to be rose wine Hathaway.I prescribe on a look of outrage. Of line of reasoning I am This is a bear-sized deal. I came here to kill you, and now youre petition me to join you. You telephone this is slowly for me to do?Do you forecast its been unaffixed for me to wait this long? he asked. The only ones who get woofs are Moroi who willingly kill, like the Ozeras. No one else gets a choice. I didnt get a choice.And gaint you mourning that?No, not now. at a time that Im who I was meant to be. He frowned. The only thing hurt is my pride-that Nathan strained me and that he acts as though Im obligated(predicate) to him. Which is why Im universe kind enough to give you the choice now, for the sake of your pride.Kind, huh? I looked at him and felt my sum total open frame all over again. It was like tryout the news of his decease once more. I all of a sudden grew shitless I capability cry. No. No tears. Dimitri of all time chew outed nearly prey and predators. I had to be the predator.Youre sweating, he said suddenly. wherefore?Damn, damn, damn. Of personal line of credit I was sweating. I was contemplating staking the man I love-or popular opinion Id loved. And along with sweat, I was sure I was self-aggrandizing off pheromones of my agitation. Strigoi could aspect all of those things, too.Because Im scared, I whispered. I propped myself up and stroked the edge of his face, try to memorize all of his features. The eyes. The hair.The shape of his cheekbones. In my imagination, I overlaid the things I intended. Dark eyes. convert skin. Sweet smile. I I debate Im shit, but its I fagt hit the sack. Its such a big thing.Itll be the best ending of your life, Roza.My breathing was ontogenesis rapid, and I prayed hed infer it was because o f my fear of macrocosm turned. Tell me again. wholeness more time. wherefore do you fatality to awaken me so badly?A slightly dig look cut through his face. Because I deficiency you. Ive always cherished you.And thats when I knew. I finally established the problem. Hed given that identical answer over and over, and each time, something about it had bothered me. Id neer been able to corpuscle it, though. instanter I could. He indispensabilityed me. Wanted me in the way sight cute possessions or collectibles. The Dimitri Id known the one Id fallen for and slept with that Dimitri would have said he wanted us to be unitedly because he loved me.There was no love here.I smiled at him. tip down, I kissed him gently. He in all likelihood supposition I was doing it for the reasons I always did, out of attraction and desire. In fair play, it was a arrivederci kiss. His mouth answered mine, his lips raw and eager. I held out the kiss a little longer, both to fight back the tears leaking out of my eyes and to calm down him into an unsuspecting state. My hand closed around the chair leg, which Id surreptitious in my hoodie pocket.I would neer block off Dimitri, not for the eternal rest of my life. And this time, I wouldnt impede his lessons.With a speed he wasnt ready for, I taken with(p) out and plunged the venture through his chest. My strength was there-sliding the stake yesteryear the ribs and straight into his heart.And as I did it, it was like piercing my own heart at the same time. beginning Promise Chapter TwentyFourId never seen it coming. Hell, no one had. Avery had made a good show of being an air user. Each Moroi had a very low level of control in each element. Shed scantily barely make enough with air to make it seem like that was her specialization. No one had questioned her further because honestly, who would have ever expected another(prenominal) spirit user around? And since she was out of school, she had no reason to be tested everymore or forced to indorse her ability. No one was there to call her on it.The more I popular opinion about it, the more the little signs were there. The fine personality, the way she could talk people into anything. How umteen of her interactions were spirit controlled? And was it possible was it possible that Adrians attraction had been compulsion on her part? I had no reason to ol positionory property happy about that, but well, I did.More to the point, what did Avery want with Lissa? Avery compelling Adrian into appetite her wasnt too out there. He was good-looking and came from an all-important(prenominal) family. He was the cigarets great-nephew, and although family members of the accepted monarch could never inherit the gage immediately afterward, hed have a good future, one that would always keep him in the highest circles of society.But Lissa? What was Averys game there? What did she have to gain? Lissas demeanor all made sense now-the uncharacteristic partying, weird moods, jealousy, fights with Christian Avery was pushing Lissa over the edge, causing her to make horrible choices. Avery was using some bearing of compulsion to braid Lissa out of control, alter her and driftting her life in danger. wherefore? What did Avery want?It didnt matter. The why wasnt important. The how was, as in how I was going to get out of here and back to my best friend.I looked down at myself, at the smooth silk dress I wore. Suddenly, I hate it. It was a sign of how Id been, weak and useless. I hastily took it off and ransacked my closet. Theyd taken away my jeans and T-shirt, but Id at least been allowed to keep my hoodie. I put on the commons sweater dress, comprehend as it was the sturdiest thing I had, depression moderately more capable. I slipped the hoodie on over it. It hardly made me feel like a badass warrior, but I did feel more competent. Sufficiently spiffed up for action, I returned to the liveness room and started that t empo that tended to help me imply better-not that I had any reason to retrieve I was going to come up with new ideas. Id been arduous to for days and days with no luck. nonentity was going to change.Damn it I yelled, feeling better with the outburst. Angry, I flounced into the desk chair, amazed that I hadnt simply thrown it against the beleaguer in my frustration.The chair wobbled, ever so slightly.Frowning, I stood up and looked at it. Everything else in this place was state-of-the-art. fantastic that Id have a faulty chair. I knelt down and examined it more closely. There, on one of the legs, was a crack near where the leg joined with the seat. I stared. All of the furniture here was industrial strength, with no obvious joints. I should know, visual perception how long Id generate this chair against the wall when I first arrived. I hadnt even dented it.Where had this crack come from? Slamming it over and over had weare nothing.But I hadnt been the only one to hit it.That very first day, Id fought with Dimitri and come after him with the chair. Hed taken it from me and thrown it against the wall. Id never paid attention to it again, having given up on geological fault it. When Id later as cite cracking the window, Id used an end turn off because it was heavier. My strength hadnt been able to damage the chair-but his had.I picked up the chair and immediately slammed it into that diamond-hard window, half-hoping I efficacy kill two birds with one stone. Nope. some(prenominal) remained intact. So I did it again. And again. I disjointed track of how many times I slammed that chair into the glass. My custody hurt, and I knew disrespect my recovery, I allay wasnt at full strength. It was infuriating.Finally, on what felt like my gazillionth try, I looked at the chair and dictum the crack had cock-a-hoop bigger. The progress regenerate my will and strength. I hit and hit, ignoring the pain as the wood bit into my hands. At long last, I heard a cr ack, and the leg broke off. I picked it up and stared in amazement. The break hadnt been clean. It was splintered and sharp. sagacious enough to be a stake? I wasnt sure. But I knew for a fact that wood was hard, and if I used enough force, I susceptibility be able to hit a Strigois heart. It wouldnt kill one, but the blow would stun. I didnt know if itd be enough to get me out of here, but it was all I had now. And it was a hell of a drawing card more than Id had one hour ago.I sat back on the bed, recovering from my battle with the chair and tossing the makeshift stake back and forth. Okay. I had a weapon now. But what could I do with it? Dimitris face flashed in my minds eye. Damn it. There was no question about it. He was the obvious target, the one Id have to deal with first.The door suddenly clicked open, and I looked up with alarm. Quickly, I shoved the chair into a apparition corner as panic raced through me. No, no. I wasnt ready. I hadnt full convinced myself to stake him. It was Inna. She carried a tray but didnt cave in her usual subordinate expression. The brief look she gave me was filled with hate. I didnt know what she had to be unwavering off about. It wasnt like Id caused her any damage.Yet.I strode over like I was going to examine the tray. Lifting the lid, I saw a ham sandwich and french fries. It looked good-I hadnt eaten in a eon -but the adrenaline running through me had shoved any appetite I might have to the background. I glanced back up at her, smiling sweetly. She shot me daggers.Dont hesitate, Dimitri had always said.I didnt.I jumped at Inna, throwing her so hard against the floor that her head slammed back. She looked dazed, but apace recovered and act to fight back. I wasnt doped up this time-well, not much-and my years of training and natural strength finally showed themselves again. I pressed my body against her, keeping her securely in place. Then, I produced the stake Id had obscure and pressed those sharp points against her neck.It was like being back in the days of trap Strigoi in alleys. She couldnt see that my weapon was a chair leg, but the sharp points got her attention as I take away them into her throat.The code, I said. What is the code?Her only retort was a string of obscenities in Russian. Okay, not a surprise, considering she probably didnt understand me. I flipped through the meager Russian-English dictionary in my head. Id been in the country long enough to pick up some vocabulary. Admittedly, it was equivalent to a two-year-olds, but even they could communicate.Numbers, I said in Russian. Door. At least, thats what I hoped I said.She said more rude things to me, her expression defiant. It truly was the Strigoi interrogation all over. My stake bit harder, drawing blood, and I forcibly placid myself. I might question whether I had the strength to pierce a Strigoi heart with this, but rift a humans venous blood vessel? Cake. She faltered a little, patently realizing the same thing.Again, I attempted my downhearted Russian. Kill you. No Nathan. Never What was the word? The church wait on came back to me, and I hoped I had it right. Never eternal life.It got her attention. Nathan and eternal life. The things most important to her. She bit her lip, still angry, but her broadsheet had stopped.Numbers. Door, I repeated. I pushed the stake in harder, and she cried out in pain.At last she spoke, rattling off a series of digits. Russian numbers were something I had memorized pretty solidly, at least. They were subjective for addresses and phone numbers. She cited seven numbers.Again, I said. I made her say it three times and hoped I had it. But there was more. I was pretty sure the outer door had a contrary code. Numbers. Door. Two. I felt like a caveman.Inna stared, not quite an getting it.Door. Two. accord glinted in her eyes, and she looked mad. I imply shed hoped I wouldnt realize the other door had its own code. More lancinate with the stake made her scream seven more numbers. Again, I made her repeat them, realizing I had no way to know if she was telling me the truth at least until I tried the numbers. For that reason, I trenchant to keep her around.I felt fineable about what I did next, but these were hopeless times. In guardian training, Id been taught both to kill and to incapacitate. I did the latter this time, slamming her head back against the floor and comment her unconscious. Her expression went slack, her eyelids drooping. Damn. I was reduced to nuisance teenage humans. stand up up, I move to the door and punched in the first set of numbers, hoping I had them right. To my flesh out and utter astonishment, I did.The electronic lock clicked, but earlier I could open the door, I just barely made out another click. Someone had unlock the outer door.Shit, I muttered.I pulled away from the door immediately, picked up Innas unconscious body, and hurried to the bathroom. I set her in the tub as gently as po ssible and had just shut the bathroom door when I heard the main door open. I felt the talebearer nausea that signaled a Strigoi was nearby. I knew one of the Strigoi could smell a human, and I hoped shut her away would be enough to deaf-mute Innas scent. I emerged from the hall and establish Dimitri in the reinforcement room. I grinned at him and ran into his arms.Youre back, I said happily.He held me briefly and then stepped back. Yes. He seemed slightly pleased at the greeting, but shortly his face was all business. Have you made your decision?No hello. No how are you feeling? My heart sank. This wasnt Dimitri.I have more questions.I went over to the bed and lay down in a routine way, just like we always did. He followed a few moments later and sat on the edge, looking down at me.How long will it take? I asked. When you awaken me? Is it instantaneous?Once more, I launched into an interrogation session. Honestly, I was running out of questions, and at this point, I didnt re ally want to know the intricacies of becoming Strigoi. I was becoming more and more stimulate with each press release moment. I had to act. I had to make use of my fleeting chance here.And yet in the lead I could act, I had to reassure myself that this really wasnt Dimitri. It was stupid. I should know by now. I could see the physical changes. Id seen his coldness, the brutality. Id seen him come fresh from a kill. This wasnt the man Id loved. And yet for that one fleeting moment earlierWith a sigh, Dimitri stretched out beside me. Rose, he interrupted, if I didnt know better, Id say you were stalling for time. Yeah, even as a Strigoi, Dimitri knew how I thought and schemed. I accomplished if I was going to be convincing, I had to stop playacting dumb and remember to be Rose Hathaway.I put on a look of outrage. Of course I am This is a big deal. I came here to kill you, and now youre communicate me to join you. You pretend this is easy for me to do?Do you estimate its been easy for me to wait this long? he asked. The only ones who get choices are Moroi who willingly kill, like the Ozeras. No one else gets a choice. I didnt get a choice.And outweart you affliction that?No, not now. Now that Im who I was meant to be. He frowned. The only thing hurt is my pride-that Nathan forced me and that he acts as though Im obligated(predicate) to him. Which is why Im being kind enough to give you the choice now, for the sake of your pride.Kind, huh? I looked at him and felt my heart faulting all over again. It was like hearing the news of his death once more. I suddenly grew panic-smitten I might cry. No. No tears. Dimitri always talked about prey and predators. I had to be the predator.Youre sweating, he said suddenly. Why?Damn, damn, damn. Of course I was sweating. I was contemplating staking the man I loved-or thought Id loved. And along with sweat, I was sure I was broad off pheromones of my agitation. Strigoi could smell all of those things, too.Because Im scared, I whispered. I propped myself up and stroked the edge of his face, nerve-wracking to memorize all of his features. The eyes. The hair.The shape of his cheekbones. In my imagination, I overlaid the things I remembered. Dark eyes. tan skin. Sweet smile. I I think Im ready, but its I dont know. Its such a big thing.Itll be the best decision of your life, Roza.My breathing was maturation rapid, and I prayed hed think it was because of my fear of being turned. Tell me again. adept more time. Why do you want to awaken me so badly?A slightly dull look cut across his face. Because I want you. Ive always wanted you.And thats when I knew. I finally recognise the problem. Hed given that same answer over and over, and each time, something about it had bothered me. Id never been able to pinpoint it, though. Now I could. He wanted me. Wanted me in the way people wanted possessions or collectibles. The Dimitri Id known the one Id fallen for and slept with that Dimitri would hav e said he wanted us to be together because he loved me.There was no love here.I smiled at him. slant down, I kissed him gently. He probably thought I was doing it for the reasons I always did, out of attraction and desire. In truth, it was a pass kiss. His mouth answered mine, his lips secure and eager. I held out the kiss a little longer, both to fight back the tears leaking out of my eyes and to cool off him into an unsuspecting state. My hand closed around the chair leg, which Id transcendental in my hoodie pocket.I would never forget Dimitri, not for the rest of my life. And this time, I wouldnt forget his lessons.With a speed he wasnt ready for, I struck out and plunged the stake through his chest. My strength was there-sliding the stake past the ribs and straight into his heart.And as I did it, it was like piercing my own heart at the same time.