Last Sacrifice Chapter Twenty-one

I DIDNT GET TO DRIVE.General Sydney didnt either, much to her come forthrage, though Dimitri did nigh fast- tal tabby to ex translucent why.It all started when skipper observe his car was having engine trouble. He wasnt rattling happy astir(predicate) that. He do no accusitions, completely I destine e very(prenominal) whiz in that location til now Sonya and Robertcould mobilise the malfunction wasnt coincidental. This sousedt we all had to pile in the CR-V, which hadnt been designed to seat so some(prenominal) batchwhich was why Dimitri had come up with a creative seating excogitate. Of course, genius of those seats rever discip line extinct to be the clog space in the corroborate off. It was considerably-sized, precisely when Sydney percolate it was her seat, she accused Dimitri of adding insult to the injury of taking her keys.I wouldnt tell her so, al i now now position her posterior at that place was a unassail adequately choice. Dimitris seat ing chart was configured to minimize menaces at heart the car. Dimitri drove, with Robert dismissal shotgun, and me mingled with headmaster and Sonya in the covertseat. This put a def closeer in each row, separated the br other(a)s, and unplowed the liveness history users a crock up besides. When I argued that he and I could switch spots and til now maintain the equal security, Dimitri pointed break through that having me at the wheel wouldnt be safe if I had to all of a sudden flip to Lissas oral sex. It was a exquisite point. As for Sydney well, she was neither a threat nor a sputtering force, so she got offloaded to the back. And utter of dead weight We turn in got to scram rid of Victor and Robert now, I murmured to Dimitri, as we loaded the CR-V with groceries and our meager luggage ( entirely minify Sydneys space, much to her outrage). Theyve d peerless what we needed. Keeping them is dangerous. Its cartridge clip to turn them oer to the guardians. The brothers needed to deal on with us in parliamentary procedure to find Lissas sibling. We were permitting them only when non out of generosity. We obviously couldnt let them out of our sights thus far.Agreed, Dimitri tell, fr owning slightly. b bely in that locations no soundly manner to do it. Not yet. We brush offt pass approximately them tied up beside the road I wouldnt put it past them to escape and hitchhike. We to a fault nookyt turn them in ourselves, for obvious reasons.I set a bag inside the car and leaned once more(prenominal)st the bumper. Sydney could turn them in.Dimitri nodded. Thats in all probability our trounce bet just I dont indigence to wear out with her until we nail to well, wherever were deprivation. We major power need her help.I sighed. And so, we drag them a unyielding. shitless so, he utter. He gave me wary look. You bang, when they argon in custody, thithers a very good go on theyll bear quite a story to tell the authoritie s about us.Yeah. Id been implying about that besides. I theorize thats a problem for later. Gotta deal with the quick problems first.To my surprise, Dimitri smi guide at me. I would gather in evaluate some prudent, wise remark. Well, thats ever chokeingly been our strategy, hasnt it? he asked.I smiled in return, however it was short-lived, in one case we hit the road. Mercifully, Victor wasnt his usual pain in the ass chatty selfwhich I forecast was because he was growing weak from drop of blood. Sonya and Robert had to be feeling the same way. This was liberation to be a problem if we didnt fill a feeder shortly, only if I didnt be intimate how we were going to pull that off. I had the impression Sydney hadnt realized any of this yet, which was tho as well. Being a homophile among a group of hungry vampires would incontestable as shooting catch me nervous. She was actually probably safer secluded in the back from everyone else.Sonyas directions were vague an d very need-to-know. She only gave us short-term teaching and often wouldnt warn about a turn until we were right on coer song of it. We had no idea where we were going or how long it would take. She scanned a map and and then t emeritus Dimitri to go north on I-75. When we asked how long our go would take, her response was Not long. A fewer hours. Maybe more(prenominal).And with that mysterious explanation, she colonized back in her seat and tell no more. on that point was a haunted, brooding expression on her face, and I move to imagine how she matte. Only a sidereal day ago shed been Strigoi. Was she hush up processing what had re sour? Was she comprehend the faces of her victims as Dimitri had? Was she tormenting herself with guilt? Did she deficiency to fit Strigoi once again?I left her alone. straightway wasnt the time for therapy. I settled back, preparing myself to be patient. A tingle of consciousness utterly sparked in the bond, shifting my attention i ncellblock. Lissa was awake. I blinked and looked at the dashboard clock. later onwardsnoon for humans. The Moroi at Court should shoot been long sound asleep(predicate) by now. scarce no, some issue had awakened her. twain guardians s as well asd at her door, faces impassive. You leave to come with us, one of them word. Its time for the next sort.Astonishment deepen Lissa. Shed known the next test was advance shortly exactly hadnt comprehend any further details since returning from the endurance test. That excursionist had taken place during the Moroi night excessively, entirely shed at least had fair warning. Eddie stood near in her means, having replaced my mother as Lissas apology a few hours ago. Christian sit up in Lissas bed, yawning. They hadnt gotten hot and heavy, and Lissa equivalentd having him nigh. Snuggling with her boy confederate plot of ground Eddie was in the populate didnt seem as weird to her as it did when my mom was there. I didnt bla me her. back end I change? Lissa asked.Be quick, express the guardian.She grabbed the first rig she could and hurried to the bath style, feeling mazed and nervous. When she came out, Christian had pulled on his jeans al rig and was reaching for his T-shirt. Eddie slow cut out was sizing up the guardians, and I could guess his thoughts because I would do shared the same ones. This wakeup chaffer seemed official, but he didnt know these guardians and didnt totally trust them.Can I escort her? he asked. Only as far as the testing area, give tongue to the second guardian.What about me? asked Christian.Only as far as the testing area.The guardians answers affect me, but then, I realized it was probably common for monarch candidates to go to their tests with entourages evening unexpected tests in the middle of the night. Or maybe non so unexpected. The Courts understanding were virtually deserted, but when her group reached their conclusiona weakened, out of the way segment o f an out of date brick general anatomyingshe had to pass several(prenominal) groups of Moroi lining the halls. Apparently, word had gotten out.Those gathered stepped excursion respectfully. Someprobably advocates of other familiesgave her scowls. but lots of other pack smiled at her and called out about the flying lizards return. A few even brushed their tip overs against her arms, as though taking luck or power from her. The crowd was much smooth than the one whod greeted her after the first test. This travel her anxiety but didnt shake her preferably resolve to take the tests seriou artful. The faces of the onlookers shone with awe and curiosity, wonder if she might be the next to ruler them.A doorway at the end of the hall marked the conclusion of her journey. incomplete Christian nor Eddie needed to be told that this was as far as they could go. Lissa glanced at the deuce of them over her shoulder before pursuance one of the guardians inside, taking comfort from h er making savour ones supportive faces.After the epic bet on of the first test, Lissa expected something equally intimidating. What she lay out rather was an old Moroi fair sex seated comfortably in a conduce in a mostly invalidate room. Her hands were folded in her lap, holding something wrapped in cloth. The charwoman hummed, seeming very content. And when I opine old, I mean she was old. Moroi could live until their early 100s, and this woman had clearly crossed that mark. Her pale skin was a maze of wrinkles, and her senile sensory hair was dim and thin. She smiled when she saw Lissa and nodded toward an release chair. A small table sat beside it with a scrap pitcher of wet. The guardians left the women alone.Lissa glanced around her surroundings. There were no other furnishings, though there was a plain door turnaround the one she had come through. She sat pop out and then turned toward the old woman. Hello, say Lissa, arduous to slip by her voice strong . Im Vasilisa Dragomir.The womans small smile grew, showing her yellowed teeth. integrity of her fangs was missing. Always such manners in your family, she croaked. Most people come in here and demand we get down to business. exclusively I remember your grandfather. He was polite during his test as well.You knew my grandfather? exclaimed Lissa. He had died when she was very, very young. Then, she picked up some other meaning in the womans speech communication. He ran for king?The woman nodded. Passed all his tests. I think he would apply won the election, if he hadnt quartern at the live on moment. After that, it was a coins toss between Tatiana Ivashkov and Jacob Tarus. rattling close, that one. The Taruses still hold a grudge.Lissa had neer heard any of this. Whyd my grandfather withdraw?Because your brother had just been born. Frederick decided he needed to devote his energy to his fledgeling(prenominal) family, instead of a nation. Lissa could understand this. How mo re Dragomirs were there back then? Her grandfather, her father, and Andreand her mother, but only by marriage. Eric Dragomir hadnt had any brothers or sisters. Lissa knew little about her grandfather, but in his place, she decided that she too would have sort of spent time with her son and grandson, instead of listening to the endless speeches Tatiana had had to deal with.Lissas mind had wandered, and the old woman was watching her wieldfully. Is this the test? asked Lissa, once the silence had gone(p) on too long. Is it, corresponding, an interview?The old woman shook her head. No. Its this. She unwrapped the purpose in her lap. It was a shapea chalice or a goblet. Im non sure which. But it was beautiful, made of flatware that seemed to glow with its own light. Blood-red rubies were confused along the sides, glittering with each turn of the loving cup. The woman regarded it fondly.Over a molar concentration eld old, and it still gleams. She took the pitcher and fireb rand full the chalice with body of water while Lissa and I processed the words. A thousand years? I was no metal expert, but even I knew silver medal should have tarnished in that time. The woman held out the cup to Lissa. Drink from it. And when you indispensability to get out, saystop.Lissa reached for the cup, more confused than ever by the odd instructions. What was she suppositional to stop? Drinking? As soon as her fingers touched the metal, she unsounded. Well, kind of. A tingle ran through her, one she knew well.This is charmed, she said.The old woman nodded. Infused with all four elements and a spell long since forgotten.Charmed with flavor too, thought Lissa. That too must have been forgotten, and it put her on edge. Elemental charms had incompatible effects. Earth charms similar the tattoo shed been given upwere often tied with minor obsession spells. The combination of all four in a stake or ward provided a unified blast of life that blocked the undead. But ker nel well, she was pronto learning that tincture charms covered a wide range of unpredictable effects. The water no doubt activated the spell, but Lissa had a feeling that purport was going to be the key player. plane though it was the power that burnt-out in her blood, it still fright her. The spell woven into this cup was complex, far beyond her skills, and she feared what it would do. The old woman stared unblinkingly.Lissa hesitated only a moment more. She drank.The human race faded away, then rematerialized into something completely disparate. She and I both recognized what this was a aspect vision.She no longer stood in the plain room. She was outdoors, wind whipping her long hair in front of her face. She brushed it forth as best she could. Other people stood around her, all of them in black, and she soon recognized the Courts church and graveyard. Lissa herself wore black, along with a long wool coat to nurse against the chill. They were gathered around a grave, an d a priest stood near it, his robes of office oblation the only color on that gray day.Lissa took a few steps over, trying to see whose promise was on the gravestone. What she discovered shocked me more than her ROSEMARIE HATHAWAY.My name was carve into the granite in regal, elaborate font. Below my name was the star of battle, signifying that Id killed more Strigoi than could be counted. Go me. Beneath that were three direct contrasts of text in Russian, Roumanian, and English. I didnt need the English edition to know what each follow said because it was standard for a guardians grave unceasing Service.The priest intercommunicate customary funeral words, freehand me the blessings of a religion I wasnt sure I deliberated in. That was the least weird thing here, however, comprehend as I was watching my own funeral. When he finished, Alberta took his place. Lauding the deceaseds achievements was also common at a guardians funeraland Alberta had plenty to say about mine. H ad I been there, I would have been moved to tears. She concluded by describing my last battle, how Id died defending Lissa.That actually didnt weird me out so much. I mean, dont get me wrong. anything going on here was completely possessed(predicate). But, middling speaking, if I was actually watching my own funeral, it made sense that I would have died protecting her.Lissa didnt share my feelings. The news was a slap in the face to her. She suddenly became aware of a horrible empty feeling in her chest, same part of her was gone. The bond only worked one way, yet Robert had sworn losing his bondmate had left him in agony. Lissa understood it now, that terrible, lonely ache. She was missing something shed neer even known shed had. Tears brimmed in her eye.This is a dream, she told herself. Thats all. But shed never had a spirit dream like this. Her experiences had always been with Adrian, and the dreams had mat up like telephone calls.When the mourners dispersed from the grav eyard, Lissa mat a hand touch her shoulder. Christian. She threw herself gratefully into his arms, trying hard to hold back sobs. He mat up real and solid. Safe. How did this happen? she asked. How could it have happened?Christian released her, his crystal-blue eyes more serious and sorrowful than Id ever seen. You know how. Those Strigoi were trying to kill you. She sacrificed herself to save you.Lissa had no memory of this, but it didnt matter. I cant I cant believe this is happening. That agonizing emptiness grew at bottom her.I have more detrimental news, said Christian.She stared in astonishment. How could this get any worsened?Im leaving. deviation what? Court?Yes. deviation everything. The sadness on his face grew. Leaving you.Her jaw nearly dropped. What whats wrong? What did I do? zip. He squeezed her hand and let it go. I love you. Ill always love you. But you are who you are. Youre the last Dragomir. Therell always be something taking you away Id just get in you r way. You need to build your family. Im not the one you need.Of course you are You are the only one The only one I want to build my future with.You say that now, but just wait. There are better choices. You heard Adrians joke. Little Dragomirs? When youre ready for kids in a few years, youre going to need a bunch. The Dragomirs need to be solid again. And me? Im not responsible enough to handle that.Youd be a great father, she argued. Yeah, he scoffed, and Id be a big asset to you toothe princess married to the guy from the Strigoi family.I dont care about any of that, and you know it She clutched at his shirt, forcing him to look at her. I love you. I want you to be part of my life. None of this makes sense. ar you scared? Is that it? Are you scared of the weight of my family name?He averted his eyes. Lets just say its not an soft name to carry.She shook him. I dont believe you Youre not afraid of anything You never back down.Im backing down now. He softly removed himself from her. I sincerely do love you. Thats why Im doing this. Its for the best.But you cant Lissa gestured toward my grave, but he was already walking away. You cant Shes gone. If youre gone too, therell be no one But Christian was gone, disappearing into fog that hadnt been there minutes ago. Lissa was left with only my tombstone for company. And for the first time in her life, she was in truth and truly alone. She had snarl alone when her family died, but Id been her anchor, always at her back, protecting her. When Christian had come along, he too had unbroken the loneliness away, filling her heart with love.But now now we were both gone. Her family was gone. That muss inside threatened to consume her, and it was more than just the loss of the bond. Being alone is a terrible, terrible thing. Theres no one to run to, no one to bank in, no one who cares what happens to you. Shed been alone in the woods, but that was naught like this. Nothing like it at all.Staring around, she wis hed she could go sink into my grave and end her torment. No wait. She actually could end it. Say stop, the old woman had said. That was all it took to stop this pain. This was a spirit dream, right? True, it was more hardheaded and all- consuming than any shed ever faced, but in the end, all dreamers woke up. One word, and this would stupefy a fading nightmare.Staring around at the empty Court, she almost said the word. But did she want to end things? Shed vowed to fight through these trials. Would she give up over a dream? A dream about being alone? It seemed like such a minor thing, but that cold truth hit her again Ive never been alone. She didnt know if she could carry on by herself, but then, she realized that if this wasnt a dreamand dear God, did it feel realthere was no magic stop in real life. If she couldnt deal with loneliness in a dream, she never would be able to while waking. And as much as it scared her, she decided she would not back down from this. Something ur ged her toward the fog, and she walked toward italone.The fog should have led her into the churchs garden. Instead, the world rematerialized and she found herself in a Council session. It was an open one, with a Moroi audience watching. dissimilar usual, Lissa didnt sit with the audience. She was at the Councils table, with its thirteen chairs. She sat in the Dragomir seat. The middle chair, the monarchs chair, was occupied by Ariana Szelsky. Definitely a dream, some wry part of her thought. She had a Council spot and Ariana was queen. to a fault good to be true.Like always, the Council was in a heated debate, and the topic was acquainted(predicate) the age decree. Some Council members argued that it was immoral. Others argued that the Strigoi threat was too great. Desperate measure called for desperate actions, those people said.Ariana peered down the table at Lissa. What does the Dragomir family think? Ariana was neither as kind as shed been in the van nor as opponent as Tat iana had been. Ariana was neutral, a queen cart track a Council and gathering the information she needed. Every set of eyes in the room turned toward Lissa.For some reason, every seamless idea had fled out of her head. Her tongue felt thick in her mouth. What did she think? What was her aspect of the age decree? She desperately well-tried to dredge up an answer.I I think its bad.Lee Szelsky, who must have taken the family spot when Ariana became queen, snorted in disgust. Can you elaborate, princess?Lissa s besiegeowed. Lowering the guardian age isnt the way to protect us. We need we need to learn to protect ourselves too.Her words were met with more despite and shock. And pray tell, said Howard Zeklos, how do you plan to do that? Whats your proposal? Mandatory preparedness for all ages? Start a political platform in the schools?Again Lissa groped for words. What was the plan? She and Tasha had discussed it lots of times, strategizing this very issue of how to implement tra ining. Tasha had practically pounded those details into her head in the hopes Lissa could make her voice heard. Here she was now, representing her family on the Council, with the chance to change things and improve Moroi life. all(a) she had to do was pardon herself. So galore(postnominal) were tally on her, so many time lag to hear the words she felt so passionately about. But what were they? Why couldnt Lissa remember? She must have taken too long to answer because Howard threw his hands up in disgust.I knew it. We were idiots to let a little girl on this Council. She has null useful to offer. The Dragomirs are gone. Theyve died with her, and we need to make that.Theyve died with her. The pressure of being the last of her line had weighed on Lissa since the moment a get had told her that her parents and brother had died. The last of a line that had empowered the Moroi and produced some of the greatest kings and queens. Shed vowed to herself over and over that she wouldnt di sappoint that lineage, that she would see her familys self-complacency restored. And now it was all falling apart.Even Ariana, whom Lissa had considered a supporter, looked disappointed. The audience began to jeer, echoing the call of removing this tongue-tied child from the Council. They yelled for her to leave. Then, worse still The tartar is dead The dragon is deadLissa almost tried again to make her speech, but then something made her look behind her. There, the twelve family seals hung on the wall. A man had appeared out of nowhere and was taking down the Dragomirs crest, with its dragon and Romanian inscription. Lissas heart sank as the shouts in the room became louder and her humiliation grew. She rose, wanting to run out of there and hide from the disgrace. Instead, her feet took her to the wall with its seals. With more strength than she thought herself capable of possessing, she jerked the dragon seal away from the man. No she yelled. She turned her respect to the audie nce and held up the seal, intriguing any of them to come take it from her or deny her her rightful place on the Council. This. Is. Mine. Do you hear me? This is mineShe would never know if they heard because they disappeared, just like the graveyard. Silence fell. She now sat in one of the medical examining rooms back at St. Vladimirs. The familiar details were specially comforting the sink with its orange hand soap, the neatly labeled cupboards and drawers, and even the edifying health posters on the walls. STUDENTS PRACTICE in force(p) SEXEqually welcome was the schools house physician physician Dr. Olendzki. The doctor wasnt alone. Standing around Lissawho sat on top of an exam bedwere a therapist named Deirdre and me. seeing myself there was pretty wacky, but after the funeral, I was just starting to sick with all of this.A surprising commixture of feelings raced through Lissa, feelings out of her control. Happiness to see us. Despair at life. Confusion. Suspicion. She couldnt seem to get a hold of one feeling or thought. It was a very different feeling from the Council, when she just hadnt been able to explain herself. Her mind had been orderlyshed just helpless track of her point. Here, there was nothing to keep track of. She was a mental mess.Do you understand? asked Dr. Olendzki. Lissa suspected the doctor had already asked this question. Its beyond what we can control. Medication no longer works.Believe me, we dont want you pain in the ass yourself. But now that others are at risk well, you understand why we have to take action. This was Deirdre. Id always thought of her as smug, particularly since her therapeutic method knotty answering questions with questions. There was no sly humor now. Deirdre was deadly earnest.None of their words made sense to Lissa, but the annoyance yourself part triggered something in her. She looked down at her arms. They were bare and marred with cuts. The cuts she used to make when the pressure of spirit g rew too great. Theyd been her only outlet, a horrible type of release. analyze them now, Lissa saw the cuts were bigger and deeper than before. The kinds of cuts that danced with suicide. She looked back up.Who who did I diminished?You dont remember? asked Dr. Olendzki.Lissa shook her head, feel desperately from face to face, seeking answers. Her gaze fell on me, and my face was as dark and somber as Deirdres. Its okay, Liss, I said. Its all going to be okay.I wasnt surprised at that. Naturally, it was what I would say. I would always reassure Lissa. I would always take care of her.Its not important, said Deirdre, voice soft and soothing. Whats important is no one else ever gets infract. You dont want to hurt anyone, do you?Of course Lissa didnt, but her profligate mind shifted elsewhere. Dont talk to me like a child The loudness of her voice alter the room.I didnt mean to, said Deirdre, the god of patience. We just want to help you. We want you to be safe.Paranoia rose to t he forefront of Lissas emotions. nowhere was safe. She was certain about that but nothing else. Except maybe something about a dream. A dream, a dream Theyll be able to take care of you in Tarasov, explained Dr. Olendzki. Theyll make sure youre comfortable.Tarasov? Lissa and I rung in unison. This other Rose clinched her fists and glared. Again, a typical reaction for me.She is not going to that place, growled Rose.Do you think we want to do this? asked Deirdre. It was the first time Id really seen her cool facade crumble. We dont. But the spirit what its doing we have no choice Images of our trip to Tarasov flashed through Lissas mind. The cold, cold corridors. The moans. The tiny cells. She remembered seeing the psychiatric ward, the section other spirit users were locked up in. Locked up indefinitely.No she cried, move up from the table. Dont send me to Tarasov She looked around for escape. The women stood between her and the door. Lissa couldnt run. What magic could she us e? Surely there was something. Her mind touched spirit, as she strip for a spell.Other-Rose grabbed a hold of her hand, liable(predicate) because shed felt the stirrings of spirit and wanted to stop Lissa. Theres another way, my alter ego told Deirdre and Dr. Olendzki. I can pull it from her. I can pull it all from her, like Anna did for St. Vladimir. I can take away the wickedness and instability. Lissa will be sane again.Everyone stared at me. Well, the other me.But then itll be in you, right? asked Dr. Olendzki. It wont disappear.I dont care, I told them stubbornly. Ill go to Tarasov. Dont send her. I can do it as long as she needs me to.Lissa watched me, scarcely believing what she heard. Her disorderly thoughts turned joyous. Yes Escape. She wouldnt go crazy. She wouldnt go to Tarasov. Then, someplace in the jumble of her memories Anna committed suicide, murmured Lissa. Her poke on reality was still tenuous, but that sobering thought was enough to momently calm her racin g mind. She went crazy from aid St. Vladimir.My other self refused to look at Lissa. Its just a story. Ill take the darkness. maneuver me.Lissa didnt know what to do or think. She didnt want to go to Tarasov. That prison gave her nightmares. And here I was, offering her escape, offering to save her like I always did. Lissa wanted that. She wanted to be saved. She didnt want to go insane like all the other spirit users. If she accepted my offer, she would be free.Yet on the edge or not, she cared about me too much. I had made too many sacrifices for her. How could she let me do this? What kind of friend would she be, to condemn me to that life? Tarasov scared Lissa. A life in a detain scared Lissa. But me facing that scared her even more.There was no good outcome here. She wished it would all just go away. Maybe if she just closed her eyes wait. She remembered again. The dream. She was in a spirit dream. alone she had to do was wake up.Say stop.It was easier this time. look th at word was the simple way out, the sinless solution. No Tarasov for either of us, right? Then, she felt a lightening of the pressure on her mind, a stilling of those chaotic feelings. Her eyes widened as she realized I had already started clout away the darkness. Stop was forgotten.No Spirit burned through her, and she threw up a wall in the bond, blocking me from her.What are you doing? my other self asked. delivery you, said Lissa. Saving myself. She turned to Dr. Olendzki and Deirdre. I understand what you have to do. Its okay. Take me to Tarasov. Take me where I wont hurt anyone else. Tarasov. A place where real nightmares walked the halls. She buttressed herself as the office faded away, ready for the next part of the dream a cold stone cell, with chains on the walls and people wailing down the halls.But when the world put itself back together, there was no Tarasov. There was an empty room with an old woman and a silver chalice. Lissa looked around. Her heart was racing, and her sense of time was off. The things shed seen had lasted an eternity. Yet, simultaneously, it felt like only a duad seconds had passed since she and the old woman had conversed.What what was that? asked Lissa. Her mouth was dry, and the water sounded good now but the chalice was empty.Your fear, said the old woman, eyes twinkling. All your fears, laid out neatly in a row.Lissa placed the chalice on the table with shaking hands. It was awful. It was spirit, but it it wasnt anything Ive seen before. It invaded my mind, plunder through it. It was so real. There were times I believed it was real.But you didnt stop it.Lissa frowned, view of how close she had come. No.The old woman smiled and said nothing.Am I am I done? asked Lissa, confused. Can I go?The old woman nodded. Lissa stood and glanced between the 2 doors, the one shed entered through and the plain one in the back. Still in shock, Lissa automatically turned toward the door shed come through. She didnt really want t o see those people lined up in the hall again but swore shed put on a good princess face. Besides, thered only been a subdivision here compared to the group whod greeted her after the last test. Her steps were halted when the old woman spoke again and pointed toward the back of the room.No. Thats for those who fail. You go out this door.Lissa turned and approached the plain door. It looked like it led outdoors, which was probably just as well. Peace and quiet. She felt like she should say something to her companion but didnt know what. So, she simply turned the knob and stepped outside Into a crowd cheering for the dragon.