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Haettenschweiler;}}\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue50;\red0\green0\blue100;\red0\green0\blue150;\red0\green0\blue200;\red0\green0\blue250;\red0\green50\blue0;\red0\green50\blue50;\red0\green50\blue100;\red0\green50\blue150;\red0\green50\blue200;\red0\green50\blue250;\red0\green100\blue0;\red0\green100\blue50;\red0\green100\blue100;\red0\green100\blue150;\red0\green100\blue200;\red0\green100\blue250;\red0\green150\blue0;\red0\green150\blue50;\red0\green150\blue100;\red0\green150\blue150;\red0\green150\blue200;\red0\green150\blue250;\red0\green200\blue0;\red0\green200\blue50;\red0\green200\blue100;\red0\green200\blue150;\red0\green200\blue200;\red0\green200\blue250;\red0\green250\blue0;\red0\green250\blue50;\red0\green250\blue100;\red0\green250\blue150;\red0\green250\blue200;\red0\green250\blue250;\red50\green0\blue0;\red50\green0\blue50;\red50\green0\blue100;\red50\green0\blue150;\red50\green0\blue200;\red50\green0\blue250;\red50\green50\blue0;\red50\green50\blue50;\red50\green50\blue100;\red50\green50\blue150;\red50\green50\blue200;\red50\green50\blue250;\red50\green100\blue0;\red50\green100\blue50;\red50\green100\blue100;\red50\green100\blue150;\red50\green100\blue200;\red50\green100\blue250;\red50\green150\blue0;\red50\green150\blue50;\red50\green150\blue100;\red50\green150\blue150;\red50\green150\blue200;\red50\green150\blue250;\red50\green200\blue0;\red50\green200\blue50;\red50\green200\blue100;\red50\green200\blue150;\red50\green200\blue200;\red50\green200\blue250;\red50\green250\blue0;\red50\green250\blue50;\red50\green250\blue100;\red50\green250\blue150;\red50\green250\blue200;\red50\green250\blue250;\red100\green0\blue0;\red100\green0\blue50;\red100\green0\blue100;\red100\green0\blue150;\red100\green0\blue200;\red100\green0\blue250;\red100\green50\blue0;\red100\green50\blue50;\red100\green50\blue100;\red100\green50\blue150;\red100\green50\blue200;\red100\green50\blue250;\red100\green100\blue0;\red100\green100\blue50;\red100\green100\blue100;\red100\green100\blue150;\red100\green100\blue200;\red100\green100\blue250;\red100\green150\blue0;\red100\green150\blue50;\red100\green150\blue100;\red100\green150\blue150;\red100\green150\blue200;\red100\green150\blue250;\red100\green200\blue0;\red100\green200\blue50;\red100\green200\blue100;\red100\green200\blue150;\red100\green200\blue200;\red100\green200\blue250;\red100\green250\blue0;\red100\green250\blue50;\red100\green250\blue100;\red100\green250\blue150;\red100\green250\blue200;\red100\green250\blue250;\red150\green0\blue0;\red150\green0\blue50;\red150\green0\blue100;\red150\green0\blue150;\red150\green0\blue200;\red150\green0\blue250;\red150\green50\blue0;\red150\green50\blue50;\red150\green50\blue100;\red150\green50\blue150;\red150\green50\blue200;\red150\green50\blue250;\red150\green100\blue0;\red150\green100\blue50;\red150\green100\blue100;\red150\green100\blue150;\red150\green100\blue200;\red150\green100\blue250;\red150\green150\blue0;\red150\green150\blue50;\red150\green150\blue100;\red150\green150\blue150;\red150\green150\blue200;\red150\green150\blue250;\red150\green200\blue0;\red150\green200\blue50;\red150\green200\blue100;\red150\green200\blue150;\red150\green200\blue200;\red150\green200\blue250;\red150\green250\blue0;\red150\green250\blue50;\red150\green250\blue100;\red150\green250\blue150;\red150\green250\blue200;\red150\green250\blue250;\red200\green0\blue0;\red200\green0\blue50;\red200\green0\blue100;\red200\green0\blue150;\red200\green0\blue200;\red200\green0\blue250;\red200\green50\blue0;\red200\green50\blue50;\red200\green50\blue100;\red200\green50\blue150;\red200\green50\blue200;\red200\green50\blue250;\red200\green100\blue0;\red200\green100\blue50;\red200\green100\blue100;\red200\green100\blue150;\red200\green100\blue200;\red200\green100\blue250;\red200\green150\blue0;\red200\green150\blue50;\red200\green150\blue100;\red200\green150\blue150;\red200\green150\blue200;\red200\green150\blue250;\red200\green200\blue0;\red200\green200\blue50;\red200\green200\blue100;\red200\green200\blue150;\red200\green200\blue200;\red200\green200\blue250;\red200\green250\blue0;\red200\green250\blue50;\red200\green250\blue100;\red200\green250\blue150;\red200\green250\blue200;\red200\green250\blue250;\red250\green0\blue0;\red250\green0\blue50;\red250\green0\blue100;\red250\green0\blue150;\red250\green0\blue200;\red250\green0\blue250;\red250\green50\blue0;\red250\green50\blue50;\red250\green50\blue100;\red250\green50\blue150;\red250\green50\blue200;\red250\green50\blue250;\red250\green100\blue0;\red250\green100\blue50;\red250\green100\blue100;\red250\green100\blue150;\red250\green100\blue200;\red250\green100\blue250;\red250\green150\blue0;\red250\green150\blue50;\red250\green150\blue100;\red250\green150\blue150;\red250\green150\blue200;\red250\green150\blue250;\red250\green200\blue0;\red250\green200\blue50;\red250\green200\blue100;\red250\green200\blue150;\red250\green200\blue200;\red250\green200\blue250;\red250\green250\blue0;\red250\green250\blue50;\red250\green250\blue100;\red250\green250\blue150;\red250\green250\blue200;\red250\green250\blue250;}\margt193980\margb1680\margr5840\margl199980\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn193900\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb520\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-464 \li290 \ri4267 \expndtw-37 \b \f20 \fs40 UNU \plain\par\sl-311\fs31\par\sl-240\fs24\par\pard\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri2361 \expndtw-9 \b \f20 \fs24 NU SUPORT CU{\f63 \u350\'3f}TILE. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri29 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 Nu-mi place nici m{\f63 \u259\'3f}car s{\f63 \u259\'3f} merg la gr{\f63 \u259\'3f}dina zoologic{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri23 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Prima oar{\f63 \u259\'3f} cnd am vizitat una, aproape c{\f63 \u259\'3f} am f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut o \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 criz{\f63 \u259\'3f} de claustrofobie la vederea bietelor animale. Nu \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 reu{\f63 \u351\'3f}eam s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi imaginez cum ar putea tr{\f63 \u259\'3f}i astfel o \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 vietate. Ba uneori chiar sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}eam un pic de mil{\f63 \u259\'3f} fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} de \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 criminali, condamna{\f63 \u355\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} r{\f63 \u259\'3f}mn{\f63 \u259\'3f} pentru tot restul vie{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 ntr-o celul{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Sigur nu m-a{\f63 \u351\'3f} fi a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptat vreodat{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 petrec\i eu\i0 existen{\f63 \u355\'3f}a n a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a ceva. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Cu toate acestea, n ultima vreme via{\f63 \u355\'3f}a mi-a aruncat \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 n cale o mul{\f63 \u355\'3f}ime de lucruri la care nu m-a{\f63 \u351\'3f} fi a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptat, \plain\expndtw-14 \f20 \fs24 fiindc{\f63 \u259\'3f} iat{\f63 \u259\'3f}-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} aici, {\f63 \u355\'3f}inut{\f63 \u259\'3f} sub cheie. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Hei! am urlat, apucndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} de gratiile de o{\f63 \u355\'3f}el care \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f} izolau de restul lumii. Ct o s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai stau aici? Cnd e \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 procesul meu? Doar n-o s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u355\'3f}ine{\f63 \u355\'3f}i n carcera asta pe \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri4356 \expndtw-14 \f20 \fs24 vecie! \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb240\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri25 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Bine, nu era tocmai o carcer{\f63 \u259\'3f}, nu la modul ntunecos, \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 cu lan{\f63 \u355\'3f}uri ruginite. M{\f63 \u259\'3f} aflam ntr-o celul{\f63 \u259\'3f} micu{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}, cu \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 pere{\f63 \u355\'3f}i simpli, o podea simpl{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i... n fine, cu totul simplu. \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Imaculat. Steril. Rece. n realitate, era o senza{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie mai \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 deprimant{\f63 \u259\'3f} dect ar fi putut s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi ofere oricare carcer{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 muceg{\f63 \u259\'3f}it{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}eam pe piele r{\f63 \u259\'3f}ceala gratiilor u{\f63 \u351\'3f}ii, dure \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i inflexibile. Lumina fluorescent{\f63 \u259\'3f} f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cea metalul s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 sclipeasc{\f63 \u259\'3f} ntr-un fel aspru, care-mi irita ochii. Puteam \plain\expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} v{\f63 \u259\'3f}d um{\f63 \u259\'3f}rul unui b{\f63 \u259\'3f}rbat care st{\f63 \u259\'3f}tea {\f63 \u355\'3f}eap{\f63 \u259\'3f}n ntr-o parte \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 a intr{\f63 \u259\'3f}rii n celul{\f63 \u259\'3f}, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam c{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai erau, probabil, al{\f63 \u355\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 patru gardieni pe coridor, n afara cmpului meu vizual. \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 Mai {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam {\f63 \u351\'3f}i c{\f63 \u259\'3f} niciunul dintre ei nu avea s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spund{\f63 \u259\'3f}, dar asta nu m{\f63 \u259\'3f} oprise s{\f63 \u259\'3f} cer permanent \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 r{\f63 \u259\'3f}punsuri din partea lor n ultimele dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} zile. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri29 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Alegndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} din nou cu obi{\f63 \u351\'3f}nuita t{\f63 \u259\'3f}cere, am oftat {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 m-am trntit la loc pe priciul din col{\f63 \u355\'3f}ul celulei. Ca tot \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 restul noului meu c{\f63 \u259\'3f}min, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i el era lipsit de culoare {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f}c{\f63 \u259\'3f}cios. Mda. Chiar ncepeam s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi doresc o carcer{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}rat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. {\f63 \u350\'3f}obolanii {\f63 \u351\'3f}i pnzele de p{\f63 \u259\'3f}ianjen mi-ar fi dat \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f}car ocazia s{\f63 \u259\'3f} urm{\f63 \u259\'3f}resc ceva cu privirea. Ridicndu- \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 mi ochii, am avut instantaneu acea senza{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie derutant{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 mereu prezent{\f63 \u259\'3f} aici: c{\f63 \u259\'3f} tavanul {\f63 \u351\'3f}i pere{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii se strng n \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 jurul meu. Ca {\f63 \u351\'3f}i cum n-a{\f63 \u351\'3f} mai putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} respir. Ca {\f63 \u351\'3f}i cum \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 marginile celulei ar fi naintat ntruna spre mine, pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} la \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 dispari{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia oric{\f63 \u259\'3f}rui spa{\f63 \u355\'3f}iu, alungnd tot aerul... \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb680\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 M-am ridicat brusc n capul oaselor, gfind cu \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri44 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 respira{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia t{\f63 \u259\'3f}iat{\f63 \u259\'3f}.\i Nu te mai zgi la pere{\f63 \u355\'3f}i {\f63 \u351\'3f}i la tavan, \plain\expndtw0 \i \f20 \fs24 Rose,\i0 m-am certat singur{\f63 \u259\'3f}. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i-atunci, mi-am cobort \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 privirea spre minile ncle{\f63 \u351\'3f}tate una de cealalt{\f63 \u259\'3f}, ncercnd \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi dau seama cum de intrasem ntr-un astfel de \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 bucluc. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 R{\f63 \u259\'3f}spunsul ini{\f63 \u355\'3f}ial venea de la sine: cineva mi-a pus n \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 crc{\f63 \u259\'3f} o fapt{\f63 \u259\'3f} pe care n-am comis-o. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i nici m{\f63 \u259\'3f}car una \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f}runt{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Ci un asasinat. Au avut neobr{\f63 \u259\'3f}zarea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 acuze de cea mai nalt{\f63 \u259\'3f} crim{\f63 \u259\'3f} pe care ar fi putut-o \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 comite vreun moroi sau vreun dhampir. Ei, doar n-o s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 spun acum c{\f63 \u259\'3f} n-am mai omort pe nimeni n via{\f63 \u355\'3f}a mea. \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Ba da, am omort. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i mi-am adunat n palmares destule \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 nc{\f63 \u259\'3f}lc{\f63 \u259\'3f}ri ale regulamentelor ({\f63 \u351\'3f}i chiar ale legilor). Cu \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 toate acestea, asasinatul cu snge-rece nu face parte din \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 repertoriul meu. Cu att mai pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}in asasinarea unei \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 regine. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb240\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 E drept c{\f63 \u259\'3f} regina Tatiana nu se num{\f63 \u259\'3f}rase printre \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 prietenele mele. Ea fusese conduc{\f63 \u259\'3f}toarea cea rece {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 calculat{\f63 \u259\'3f} a moroilor: o ras{\f63 \u259\'3f} de vampiri vii, practican{\f63 \u355\'3f}i ai \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 magiei, care nu-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i ucideau victimele pentru snge. ntre \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 mine {\f63 \u351\'3f}i Tatiana a existat o rela{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie spinoas{\f63 \u259\'3f} dintr-o serie \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 de motive. Unul dintre ele era faptul c{\f63 \u259\'3f} umblam cu \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 str{\f63 \u259\'3f}nepotul ei, Adrian. Iar altul l constituia dezaprobarea \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 pe care o manifestasem fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} de politica ei privitoare la \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 modul de lupt{\f63 \u259\'3f} mpotriva strigoilor {\f63 \u8212\'3f} vampirii cei r{\f63 \u259\'3f}i, \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 mor{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii vii care ne vnau pe noi to{\f63 \u355\'3f}i. Tatiana mi n{\f63 \u351\'3f}elase \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 n cteva rnduri ncrederea, ns{\f63 \u259\'3f} niciodat{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu-i dorisem \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 moartea. Dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} toate aparen{\f63 \u355\'3f}ele, totu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i, cineva i-o dorise, \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i avusese grij{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} lase n urm{\f63 \u259\'3f} un ntreg {\f63 \u351\'3f}ir de dovezi \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} conduc{\f63 \u259\'3f} drept spre mine, capacul fiind pus de \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 amprentele mele g{\f63 \u259\'3f}site peste tot pe {\f63 \u355\'3f}epu{\f63 \u351\'3f}a de argint \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 lolosit{\f63 \u259\'3f} pentru uciderea Tatianei. Sigur, fiind {\f63 \u355\'3f}epu{\f63 \u351\'3f}a \plain\expndtw-2 \i \f20 \fs24 mea\i0 , era firesc s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi poarte amprentele. Dar nimeni nu \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri302 \expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} considere aceast{\f63 \u259\'3f} eviden{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} ca fiind relevant{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Oftnd din nou, am scos din buzunar o buc{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ic{\f63 \u259\'3f} de \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 hrtie mototolit{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Unicul meu material pentru lectur{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 Am strns cu putere cocolo{\f63 \u351\'3f}ul n pumn, fiindc{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu mai \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 aveam nevoie s{\f63 \u259\'3f} privesc cuvintele. Doar le {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam de \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 mult{\f63 \u259\'3f} vreme pe de rost. Con{\f63 \u355\'3f}inutul biletului punea sub \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 semnul ntreb{\f63 \u259\'3f}rii ceea ce {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiusem eu despre Tatiana. \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Punea sub semnul ntreb{\f63 \u259\'3f}rii foarte multe. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb60\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Deprimat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de atmosfera care m{\f63 \u259\'3f} nconjura, m-am \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri34 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 strecurat afar{\f63 \u259\'3f} din el, trecnd n al altcuiva: n al Lissei, \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 cea mai bun{\f63 \u259\'3f} prieten{\f63 \u259\'3f} a mea. Lissa era moroi, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i ntre noi \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 exista o leg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tur{\f63 \u259\'3f} parapsihic{\f63 \u259\'3f}, una care-mi permitea s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 p{\f63 \u259\'3f}trund n minte {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} privesc lumea prin ochii ei. To{\f63 \u355\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 moroii st{\f63 \u259\'3f}pnesc un anume tip de magie al elementelor. \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 Specialitatea Lissei era spiritul, element legat de \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 acpacit{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ile parapsihice {\f63 \u351\'3f}i t{\f63 \u259\'3f}m{\f63 \u259\'3f}duitoare. Era o raritate \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 printre moroi, care utilizau de obicei elemente mai \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 materiale, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu-i n{\f63 \u355\'3f}elegeam n prea mare m{\f63 \u259\'3f}sur{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 posibilit{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ile {\f63 \u8212\'3f} care erau incredibil de vaste. Ea \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 ntrebuin{\f63 \u355\'3f}ase spiritul acum c{\f63 \u355\'3f}iva ani pentru a m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 readuce din lumea mor{\f63 \u355\'3f}ilor, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i tocmai asta f{\f63 \u259\'3f}urise \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 leg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tura dintre noi dou{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Prezen{\f63 \u355\'3f}a n mintea ei m{\f63 \u259\'3f} elibera din cu{\f63 \u351\'3f}c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, dar tot nu \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f} prea ajuta n problema mea. Lissa se str{\f63 \u259\'3f}duise din \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 r{\f63 \u259\'3f}sputeri s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi dovedeasc{\f63 \u259\'3f} nevinov{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia, nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} de la \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 audierea n care fuseser{\f63 \u259\'3f} prezentate toate probele \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 adunate mpotriv{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi. {\f63 \u354\'3f}epu{\f63 \u351\'3f}a mea, ca arm{\f63 \u259\'3f} a crimei, \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 nsemnase numai nceputul. Potrivnicii mei se gr{\f63 \u259\'3f}biser{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} le aminteasc{\f63 \u259\'3f} tuturor despre aversiunea pe care-o \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 manifestasem fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} de regin{\f63 \u259\'3f}, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mai g{\f63 \u259\'3f}siser{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i un martor \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} depun{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f}rturie cu privire la unde m{\f63 \u259\'3f} aflam n \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 intervalul de timp corespunz{\f63 \u259\'3f}tor comiterii asasinatului. \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Iar m{\f63 \u259\'3f}rturia aceasta m{\f63 \u259\'3f} l{\f63 \u259\'3f}sase f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} cel mai mic alibi. \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Consiliul hot{\f63 \u259\'3f}rse c{\f63 \u259\'3f} sunt dovezi suficiente pentru \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 trimiterea mea ntr-un proces n toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} regula, n urma \plain\expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 c{\f63 \u259\'3f}ruia aveam s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi primesc sentin{\f63 \u355\'3f}a. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb240\margr280\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri11 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Lissa se str{\f63 \u259\'3f}duise cu disperare s{\f63 \u259\'3f} capteze aten{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri11 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 celorlal{\f63 \u355\'3f}i {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i conving{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} eram victima unei nscen{\f63 \u259\'3f}ri. \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Cu toate acestea, nu prea g{\f63 \u259\'3f}sea persoane dispuse s-o \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 asculte, din cauz{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} ntreaga Curte regal{\f63 \u259\'3f} a moroilor era \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 ocupat{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu preg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tirile pentru fastuoasele funeralii ale \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 Tatianei. Moartea unui monarh era mare chestie. Moroii \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i dhampirii {\f63 \u8212\'3f} adic{\f63 \u259\'3f} semivampirii ca mine {\f63 \u8212\'3f} aveau s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 vin{\f63 \u259\'3f} din toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} lumea ca s{\f63 \u259\'3f} vad{\f63 \u259\'3f} spectacolul. Mncare, \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 flori, ornamente, ba chiar {\f63 \u351\'3f}i muzican{\f63 \u355\'3f}i... Tacmul \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 complet. Dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} Tatiana s-ar fi m{\f63 \u259\'3f}ritat, m{\f63 \u259\'3f} ndoiesc c{\f63 \u259\'3f} ar \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 fi avut parte de tot att fast. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i, cu atta activitate {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 zarv{\f63 \u259\'3f}, nimeni nu se mai interesa acum de mine. n ochii \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 majorit{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii, eram pus{\f63 \u259\'3f} la loc sigur, incapabil{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 omor pe altcineva. Asasinul Tatianei fusese descoperit. \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Dreptatea era nf{\f63 \u259\'3f}ptuit{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Cazul era nchis. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri12 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 Dar, pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi conturez o imagine clar{\f63 \u259\'3f} a locului n \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 care se afla Lissa, g{\f63 \u259\'3f}l{\f63 \u259\'3f}gia iscat{\f63 \u259\'3f} subit n nchisoare m-a \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 smuls napoi, n propria-mi minte. Cineva p{\f63 \u259\'3f}trunsese n \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 zon{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i discuta cu paznicii, cernd s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} viziteze. Era \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 primul meu oaspete dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} attea zile. Inima a nceput s{\f63 \u259\'3f}- \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 mi bat{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu putere, f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} ajung dintr-un salt la \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 gratii, cu speran{\f63 \u355\'3f}a c{\f63 \u259\'3f} e cineva care s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi spun{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} totul \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 nu fusese dect o oribil{\f63 \u259\'3f} eroare. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri183 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Numai c{\f63 \u259\'3f} vizitatorul meu nu era tocmai cel a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptat. \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Mo{\f63 \u351\'3f}ule, am zis, cu o voce obosit{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Ce cau{\f63 \u355\'3f}i aici? \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb400\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 Abe Mazur era cel din fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}a mea. Ca de obicei, \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri31 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 reprezenta o apari{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie demn{\f63 \u259\'3f} de privit. Eram n toiul verii \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f} ceea ce nsemna canicul{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i umezeal{\f63 \u259\'3f}, dat fiind faptul \plain\expndtw5 \f20 \fs24 c{\f63 \u259\'3f} ne aflam chiar n miezul zonei rurale din \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Pennsylvania {\f63 \u8212\'3f} dar asta nu-l mpiedica s{\f63 \u259\'3f} poarte un \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 costum complet. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i unul b{\f63 \u259\'3f}t{\f63 \u259\'3f}tor la ochi, impecabil croit \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mpodobit cu o str{\f63 \u259\'3f}lucitoare cravat{\f63 \u259\'3f} din m{\f63 \u259\'3f}tase \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 purpurie {\f63 \u351\'3f}i o e{\f63 \u351\'3f}arf{\f63 \u259\'3f} asortat{\f63 \u259\'3f} care doar a{\f63 \u351\'3f}eza bomboana \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 pe coliv{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Bijuteriile din aur scnteiau pe pielea lui \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 oache{\f63 \u351\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i, din cte se p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i tunsese de curnd barba \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 neagr{\f63 \u259\'3f}, scurt{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Abe era moroi {\f63 \u351\'3f}i, cu toate c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu apar{\f63 \u355\'3f}inea \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 unei familii regale, se bucura de tot atta influen{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} ca {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 membrii acestora. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri2099 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}i, ntmpl{\f63 \u259\'3f}tor, era tat{\f63 \u259\'3f}l meu. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri30 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Eu sunt avocatul t{\f63 \u259\'3f}u, mi-a r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spuns, pe un ton vesel. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri178 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 Prezent la datorie, ca s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i ofer asisten{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} legal{\f63 \u259\'3f}, normal. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dar tu nu e{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti avocat, m-am sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}it datoare s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 amintesc. Iar ultima ncercare de asisten{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu {\f63 \u355\'3f}i-a ie{\f63 \u351\'3f}it \plain\expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 prea grozav. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Era o r{\f63 \u259\'3f}utate din partea mea. Abe {\f63 \u8212\'3f} cu toate c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 avea niciun fel de preg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tire juridic{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u8212\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} ap{\f63 \u259\'3f}rase n \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 cadrul audierii. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb120\margr280\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri6 \fi284 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 Evident, din moment ce eram nchis{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mi a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptam \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri11 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 judecata, rezultatul nu fusese prea grozav. Numai c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, n \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 singur{\f63 \u259\'3f}tatea mea, ajunsesem s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi dau seama de faptul \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 c{\f63 \u259\'3f} avusese dreptate ntr-o privin{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Niciun avocat, orict \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 ar fi fost de bun, nu m-ar fi putut salva la audiere. \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 Trebuia s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i recunosc meritul de a-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i fi asumat o cauz{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 pierdut{\f63 \u259\'3f}, cu toate c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, avnd n vedere leg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tura destul de \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 sumar{\f63 \u259\'3f} dintre noi, tot nu-mi d{\f63 \u259\'3f}deam seama exact de ce o \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cuse. Variantele mele preferate erau c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu avea \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 ncredere n familiile regale {\f63 \u351\'3f}i c{\f63 \u259\'3f} sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}ea o obliga{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie \plain\expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 patern{\f63 \u259\'3f}. n aceast{\f63 \u259\'3f} ordine. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri12 \fi284 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Presta{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia mea a fost irepro{\f63 \u351\'3f}abil{\f63 \u259\'3f}, m-a contrazis el. \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 n timp ce conving{\f63 \u259\'3f}torul t{\f63 \u259\'3f}u discurs, n care ai zis {\f63 \u8222\'3f}dac- \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 a{\f63 \u351\'3f} fi fost eu criminalul", nu ne-a prea ajutat. Faptul c{\f63 \u259\'3f} ai \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 implantat n mintea judec{\f63 \u259\'3f}toarei imaginea asta n-a fost \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 cel mai inteligent lucru din partea ta. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri6 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Nelundu-i n{\f63 \u355\'3f}ep{\f63 \u259\'3f}tura n seam{\f63 \u259\'3f}, mi-am ncruci{\f63 \u351\'3f}at \plain\expndtw-16 \f20 \fs24 bra{\f63 \u355\'3f}ele. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri11 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Prin urmare, ce cau{\f63 \u355\'3f}i aici? {\f63 \u350\'3f}tiu c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu e doar o \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri139 \expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 vizit{\f63 \u259\'3f} p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rinteasc{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Tu nu faci niciodat{\f63 \u259\'3f} ceva f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} motiv. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri409 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Sigur c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu. De ce s{\f63 \u259\'3f} faci ceva lipsit de motiv? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri5 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Hai, nu-mi ncepe cu logica ta care se-nvrte{\f63 \u351\'3f}te n \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri4449 \expndtw-16 \f20 \fs24 cerc. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri1929 \expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 mi f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cu {\f63 \u351\'3f}treng{\f63 \u259\'3f}re{\f63 \u351\'3f}te cu ochiul. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri8 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Nu e cazul s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fii geloas{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} te str{\f63 \u259\'3f}duie{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti din \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri12 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 greu {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i pui mintea la contribu{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie, e posibil ca ntr-o zi \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi mo{\f63 \u351\'3f}tene{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti str{\f63 \u259\'3f}lucitele aptitudini ntr-ale logicii. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb180\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Abe, am exclamat, pe un ton de avertisment. Treci \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri3500 \expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 odat{\f63 \u259\'3f} la subiect. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Bine, bine, m-a domolit el. Am venit s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i spun c{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 procesul t{\f63 \u259\'3f}u ar putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie devansat. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri1083 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}C-cum? Asta-i o veste nemaipomenit{\f63 \u259\'3f}! \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri27 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Sau, cel pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}in, a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a mi se p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea mie. Expresia de pe \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 chipul lui spunea altceva. Ultima dat{\f63 \u259\'3f} aflasem c{\f63 \u259\'3f} era \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 posibil ca procesul s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie programat {\f63 \u351\'3f}i peste luni de zile. \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}i doar gndul acesta {\f63 \u8212\'3f} de a sta n celul{\f63 \u259\'3f} att de mult \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 timp {\f63 \u8212\'3f} mi trezea din nou claustrofobia. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Rose, e{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti con{\f63 \u351\'3f}tient{\f63 \u259\'3f} de faptul c{\f63 \u259\'3f} procesul va fi \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 aproape identic cu audierea? Acelea{\f63 \u351\'3f}i dovezi, acela{\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 verdict de vinov{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Mda, dar trebuie s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fim n stare s{\f63 \u259\'3f} facem ceva \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 nainte de asta, corect? S{\f63 \u259\'3f} g{\f63 \u259\'3f}sim dovada care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri4073 \expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 disculpe? \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Brusc, mi veni n minte care anume putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie \plain\expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 problema. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Cnd ai spus {\f63 \u8222\'3f}devansat", cam la ce termen te-ai \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri4262 \expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 referit? \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Teoretic, ei prefer{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-l fac{\f63 \u259\'3f} dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} ncoronarea \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 noului rege sau a noii regine. {\f63 \u350\'3f}tii cum e, ca parte a \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 ceremoniilor post-ncoronare. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Tonul i era u{\f63 \u351\'3f}uratic, dar, privindu-l drept n ochii \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 ntuneca{\f63 \u355\'3f}i, am receptat adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}rata semnifica{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie. Cifrele au \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 nceput s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi vjie prin cap. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb240\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}nmormntarea e s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mna asta, iar alegerile, \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 imediat dup{\f63 \u259\'3f}... Vrei s{\f63 \u259\'3f} spui c{\f63 \u259\'3f} a{\f63 \u351\'3f} putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} duc la \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 judecat{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fiu condamnat{\f63 \u259\'3f} n, ct, practic n dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri3914 \expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri2433 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Abe a ncuviin{\f63 \u355\'3f}at din cap. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri28 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 M-am repezit din nou spre gratii, cu inima bubuindu- \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri3900 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 mi n piept. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri1216 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}\i Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni?\i0 Tu vorbe{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti serios? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri24 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Atunci cnd spusese c{\f63 \u259\'3f} procesul a fost devansat, mi \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri30 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 nchipuisem c{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai era, poate, o lun{\f63 \u259\'3f} pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} atunci. Timp \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 suficient pentru descoperirea de noi dovezi. Cum s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fi \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 reu{\f63 \u351\'3f}it a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a ceva? Asta n-o prea {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam. Acum, timpul mi \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 fugea din fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni nu erau suficiente, mai \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 ales cu toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} activitatea de la Curte. Acum cteva clipe, \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f} plngeam de intervalul prea mare de timp pe care l- \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 a{\f63 \u351\'3f} fi putut avea de nfruntat. Acum, mi r{\f63 \u259\'3f}mnea prea \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}in din el, iar r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spunsul la urm{\f63 \u259\'3f}toarea mea ntrebare n- \plain\expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 a f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut dect s{\f63 \u259\'3f} nr{\f63 \u259\'3f}u{\f63 \u355\'3f}easc{\f63 \u259\'3f} totul. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Ct timp? l-am ntrebat, ncercnd s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi st{\f63 \u259\'3f}pnesc \plain\expndtw4 \f20 \fs24 treimurul vocii. Ct timp trece de la anun{\f63 \u355\'3f}area \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri459 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 verdictului pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} la... punerea n aplicare a sentin{\f63 \u355\'3f}ei? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam pe de-a-ntregul ce anume mo{\f63 \u351\'3f}tenisem \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 de la Abe, dar p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea evident{\f63 \u259\'3f} o tr{\f63 \u259\'3f}s{\f63 \u259\'3f}tur{\f63 \u259\'3f} comun{\f63 \u259\'3f}: un \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 neclintit talent n transmiterea ve{\f63 \u351\'3f}tilor proaste. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri2154 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Probabil se aplic{\f63 \u259\'3f} imediat. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb180\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri23 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Imediat, am ngnat, dndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} napoi, dar n clipa \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri23 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 urm{\f63 \u259\'3f}toare am sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}it un nou val de adrenalin{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Imediat? \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 A{\f63 \u351\'3f}a. Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni. n dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni, a{\f63 \u351\'3f} putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-13 \f20 \fs24 fiu... moart{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri30 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Pentru c{\f63 \u259\'3f} tocmai acesta era deznod{\f63 \u259\'3f}mntul... cel care- \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 mi atrna deasupra capului nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} din clipa n care \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 devenise clar c{\f63 \u259\'3f} cineva l{\f63 \u259\'3f}sase dovezi suficiente ca s{\f63 \u259\'3f} par \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 vinovat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Cine asasina o regin{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu mai ajungea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 trimis la nchisoare. Era\i executat\i0 . Pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}ine crime din \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 rndul moroilor {\f63 \u351\'3f}i al dhampirilor erau pedepsite astfel. \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 ncercam s{\f63 \u259\'3f} facem justi{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie ntr-un mod civilizat, \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 demonstrnd c{\f63 \u259\'3f} suntem superiori strigoilor seto{\f63 \u351\'3f}i de \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 snge. Dar anumite crime, in ochii legii, meritau \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 pedeapsa cu moartea. Unii chiar {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-o meritau: cum ar fi, \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} zicem, criminalii vinova{\f63 \u355\'3f}i de nalt{\f63 \u259\'3f} tr{\f63 \u259\'3f}dare. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i, pe \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f}sur{\f63 \u259\'3f} ce ntregul impact al destinului meu mi se \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 deslu{\f63 \u351\'3f}ea, am sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}it cum ncep s{\f63 \u259\'3f} tremur {\f63 \u351\'3f}i cum lacrimile \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 amenin{\f63 \u355\'3f}au s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mi mi se reverse din ochi. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dar nu e drept! i-am zis lui Abe. Nu e drept, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i tu o \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri4539 \expndtw-19 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}tii! \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Ceea ce cred eu nu conteaz{\f63 \u259\'3f}, a replicat el, calm. Eu \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 nu fac dect s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i comunic faptele. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni, am repetat. Ce putem s{\f63 \u259\'3f} facem n \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni? Vreau s{\f63 \u259\'3f} zic... tu ai vreo pist{\f63 \u259\'3f}, nu? \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 Sau... sau... po{\f63 \u355\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} g{\f63 \u259\'3f}se{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti ceva pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} atunci? E \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 specialitatea ta. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb280\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri23 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 B{\f63 \u259\'3f}team cmpii {\f63 \u351\'3f}i {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam c{\f63 \u259\'3f} vocea mi suna isteric{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 disperat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Desigur, asta pentru c{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}eam isteric{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-15 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i disperat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}O s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie greu s{\f63 \u259\'3f} reu{\f63 \u351\'3f}im mare lucru, mi-a explicat \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 el. Curtea e preocupat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de funeralii {\f63 \u351\'3f}i de alegeri. Apele \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 sunt tulburi... ceea ce e att bine, ct {\f63 \u351\'3f}i r{\f63 \u259\'3f}u. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}tiam totul despre preg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tiri, fiindc{\f63 \u259\'3f} v{\f63 \u259\'3f}zusem prin \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 ochii Lissei. Constatasem c{\f63 \u259\'3f} haosul deja ncepea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} dea \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 n clocot. Descoperirea oric{\f63 \u259\'3f}rui fel de dovad{\f63 \u259\'3f} n toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 harababura asta n-ar fi doar ceva dificil. Ar putea foarte \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 bine s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie chiar imposibil. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri46 \fi284 \expndtw-9 \i \f20 \fs24 Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni. Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni, dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} care puteam \plain\expndtw-13 \i \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fiu moart{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri30 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Nu se poate, i-am zis lui Abe, cu vocea frngndu- \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 mi-se. Nu mi-e... sortit s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mor a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri30 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Da? a replicat, arcuindu-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i o sprncean{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Tu {\f63 \u351\'3f}tii \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri2902 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 cum {\f63 \u355\'3f}i-e sortit s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mori? \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri3039 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}n lupt{\f63 \u259\'3f}, am zis. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri24 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 O lacrim{\f63 \u259\'3f} a reu{\f63 \u351\'3f}it s{\f63 \u259\'3f} scape de sub control, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mi-am \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}ters-o n mare grab{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} via{\f63 \u355\'3f}a mi p{\f63 \u259\'3f}strasem \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 imaginea de tip{\f63 \u259\'3f} dur{\f63 \u259\'3f}. N-a{\f63 \u351\'3f} fi vrut s-o pierd, mai ales \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 acum, cnd conta mai mult ca orice. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Luptndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f}, am repetat. Ap{\f63 \u259\'3f}rndu-i pe cei pe \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri550 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 care-i iubesc. Nu... nu printr-o execu{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie planificat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb120\margr280\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri7 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}{\f63 \u350\'3f}i asta-i un fel de lupt{\f63 \u259\'3f}, a precizat el, gnditor. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri7 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Doar c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu una fizic{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni nseamn{\f63 \u259\'3f}, totu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i, \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni. E r{\f63 \u259\'3f}u? Da. Dar tot e mai bine dect o \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 singur{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mn{\f63 \u259\'3f}. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i nimic nu e imposibil. E posibil s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 apar{\f63 \u259\'3f} noi dovezi. Tu n-ai dect s{\f63 \u259\'3f} a{\f63 \u351\'3f}tep{\f63 \u355\'3f}i {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} vezi. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri5 \fi284 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Ur{\f63 \u259\'3f}sc a{\f63 \u351\'3f}tept{\f63 \u259\'3f}rile. Camera asta... e att de mic{\f63 \u259\'3f}! Nu \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri333 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 pot s{\f63 \u259\'3f} respir. O s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} omoare naintea oric{\f63 \u259\'3f}rui c{\f63 \u259\'3f}l{\f63 \u259\'3f}u. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri1848 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}M{\f63 \u259\'3f} foarte ndoiesc, a zis Abe. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri10 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Expresia fe{\f63 \u355\'3f}ei i era n continuare calm{\f63 \u259\'3f}, f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} vreun \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri1412 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 semn de compasiune. De dragoste aspr{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri6 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Ai luptat nenfricat{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu grupuri ntregi de strigoi, a \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri1001 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 ad{\f63 \u259\'3f}ugat el, dar nu po{\f63 \u355\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} supor{\f63 \u355\'3f}i o c{\f63 \u259\'3f}m{\f63 \u259\'3f}ru{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri11 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}E mai mult dect att! Acum, sunt obligat{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 a{\f63 \u351\'3f}tept zi de zi n v{\f63 \u259\'3f}g{\f63 \u259\'3f}una asta, {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiind c{\f63 \u259\'3f} un ceas tic{\f63 \u259\'3f}ie \plain\expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 spre ora mor{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii mele, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i nu exist{\f63 \u259\'3f} aproape nicio \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 posibilitate s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie oprit. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri10 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Uneori, cele mai importante ncerc{\f63 \u259\'3f}ri ale t{\f63 \u259\'3f}riei \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 noastre sunt situa{\f63 \u355\'3f}iile care nu par att de evident \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 periculoase. Uneori, supravie{\f63 \u355\'3f}uirea e cea mai grea dintre \plain\expndtw-14 \f20 \fs24 toate. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri8 \fi284 \expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}A, nu!\i Nu!\i0 am izbucnit, ndep{\f63 \u259\'3f}rtndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 ncepnd s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} plimb n cercuri mici. Vorbe{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti ca \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Dimitri cnd mi servea lec{\f63 \u355\'3f}iile lui profunde despre \plain\expndtw-27 \f20 \fs24 via{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri9 \fi284 \expndtw5 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}El a supravie{\f63 \u355\'3f}uit chiar n situa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia ta. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 supravie{\f63 \u355\'3f}uie{\f63 \u351\'3f}te {\f63 \u351\'3f}i n alte ncerc{\f63 \u259\'3f}ri. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri3922 \fi284 \expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 Dimitri. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb60\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri25 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Am inspirat adnc, calmndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} nainte de a-i da \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri27 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spunsul. Pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} la nebunia asta cu asasinarea reginei, \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 Dimitri reprezentase cea mai mare complica{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie din via{\f63 \u355\'3f}a \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 mea. Acum un an {\f63 \u8212\'3f} cu toate c{\f63 \u259\'3f} p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fi trecut o \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 ve{\f63 \u351\'3f}nicie {\f63 \u8212\'3f} fusese instructorul meu n liceu, preg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tindu- \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} devin unul dintre acei dhampiri gardieni care-i \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 ap{\f63 \u259\'3f}rau pe moroi. Reu{\f63 \u351\'3f}ise asta... {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mult mai multe nc{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 Ne ndr{\f63 \u259\'3f}gostiser{\f63 \u259\'3f}m unul de cel{\f63 \u259\'3f}lalt, lucru nepermis. Ne \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 descurcaser{\f63 \u259\'3f}m pe ct posibil, descoperind pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} la urm{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i o cale prin care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} putem fi mpreun{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Speran{\f63 \u355\'3f}a \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 aceasta se spulberase atunci cnd el fusese mu{\f63 \u351\'3f}cat {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 transformat n strigoi. Pentru mine, fusese ca un co{\f63 \u351\'3f}mar \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 tr{\f63 \u259\'3f}it n realitate. Apoi, printr-un miracol pe care nimeni \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 nu-l credea cu putin{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}, Lissa se folosise de magia \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 spiritului {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-l preschimbase la loc n dhampir. Din \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 nefericire, totu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i, situa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia nu revenise la ceea ce fusese \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 nainte de atacul strigoilor. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri1294 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 I-am aruncat lui Abe o privire furioas{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri23 \expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dimitri a supravie{\f63 \u355\'3f}uit, dar a fost cumplit de \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri359 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 deprimat din cauza asta! {\f63 \u350\'3f}i nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} e. n toate privin{\f63 \u355\'3f}ele. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 ntreaga povar{\f63 \u259\'3f} a atrocit{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}ilor comise n chip de \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 strigoi l bntuiau pe Dimitri. Nu putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} se ierte pentru \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 asta {\f63 \u351\'3f}i jura c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu mai e capabil acum s{\f63 \u259\'3f} iubeasc{\f63 \u259\'3f} pe \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 cineva. Iar faptul c{\f63 \u259\'3f} eu ncepusem s{\f63 \u259\'3f} umblu cu Adrian \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 nu ameliora ctu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i de pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}in situa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia. Dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} o serie de \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 eforturi zadarnice, acceptasem c{\f63 \u259\'3f} ntre Dimitri {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mine se \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 sfr{\f63 \u351\'3f}ise totul. Trecusem mai departe, spernd c{\f63 \u259\'3f} de- \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 acum a{\f63 \u351\'3f} putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} am o rela{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie veritabil{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu Adrian. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb60\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Corect, a replicat sec Abe. El e deprimat, n timp \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri1118 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 ce tu e{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti ntruchiparea bucuriei {\f63 \u351\'3f}i a fericirii. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri2505 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 I-am r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spuns cu un oftat. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri32 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}{\f63 \u350\'3f}tii ce? Uneori, discu{\f63 \u355\'3f}iile cu tine sunt ca {\f63 \u351\'3f}i cum a{\f63 \u351\'3f} \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 vorbi cu mine ns{\f63 \u259\'3f}mi: afurisit de enervante. Mai ai {\f63 \u351\'3f}i alt \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 motiv pentru prezen{\f63 \u355\'3f}a ta aici? n afar{\f63 \u259\'3f} de transmiterea \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 ve{\f63 \u351\'3f}tilor cumplite? A{\f63 \u351\'3f} fi fost mai fericit{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} r{\f63 \u259\'3f}mn n \plain\expndtw-21 \f20 \fs24 ignoran{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 Nu sunt sortit{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mor a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a. Nu sunt sortit{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi v{\f63 \u259\'3f}d \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 sfr{\f63 \u351\'3f}itul cum se apropie. Moartea mea nu poate s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fie o \plain\expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 dat{\f63 \u259\'3f} nsemnat{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu creionul ntr-o agend{\f63 \u259\'3f}\i . \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}N-am vrut dect s{\f63 \u259\'3f} te v{\f63 \u259\'3f}d, mi-a r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spuns, ridicnd \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 din umeri. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i cum stai pe-aici. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Da, asta era; acum observam. Privirea lui Abe se \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 ntorcea mereu spre mine n timp ce discutam; f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 ndoial{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i captam aten{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia. n flec{\f63 \u259\'3f}reala noastr{\f63 \u259\'3f}, nu \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 exista nimic menit s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i ngrijoreze pe paznicii mei. Dar, \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 din cnd n cnd, mai vedeam cum lui Abe i fug ochii \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 prin preajm{\f63 \u259\'3f}, studiind coridorul, celula mea, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i oricare \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 alte am{\f63 \u259\'3f}nunte pe care le considera demne de interes. \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Abe nu-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i dobndise reputa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia de\i zmeu\i0 pe degeaba. Tot \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 timpul calcula cte ceva, tot timpul c{\f63 \u259\'3f}uta un avantaj. Se \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 pare c{\f63 \u259\'3f} aplecarea mea spre planuri nebune{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti era \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 mo{\f63 \u351\'3f}tenire de familie. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Am vrut {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} te ajut s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i mai omori timpul, a \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 ad{\f63 \u259\'3f}ugat, zmbind {\f63 \u351\'3f}i sco{\f63 \u355\'3f}nd la iveal{\f63 \u259\'3f}, de sub bra{\f63 \u355\'3f}, vreo \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} reviste {\f63 \u351\'3f}i o carte, pe care mi le-a nmnat printre \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 gratii. Poate c{\f63 \u259\'3f} astea {\f63 \u355\'3f}i-or mai ridica moralul. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb180\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 M{\f63 \u259\'3f} cam ndoiam c{\f63 \u259\'3f} ar exista vreo distrac{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie capabil{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi fac{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai u{\f63 \u351\'3f}or de suportat num{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f}toarea invers{\f63 \u259\'3f} a \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 celor dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mni. Revistele erau de mod{\f63 \u259\'3f}, cu accent \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 pe coafuri. Cartea era\i Contele de Monte-Cristo\i0 . Am \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 ridicat-o, sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}ind nevoia s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fac o glum{\f63 \u259\'3f}, sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}ind nevoia \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri183 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fac orice, doar, doar s{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu mai par{\f63 \u259\'3f} totul att de real. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Am v{\f63 \u259\'3f}zut filmul. Subtila ta metafor{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu e chiar att \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 de subtil{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Doar dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu mi-oi fi ascuns vreo pil{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 n{\f63 \u259\'3f}untru. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri23 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Cartea e ntotdeauna mai bun{\f63 \u259\'3f} dect filmul, a \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 decretat el, dnd s{\f63 \u259\'3f} se ntoarc{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} plece. Poate c-o s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 avem {\f63 \u351\'3f}i o discu{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie pe teme literare data viitoare, a mai \plain\expndtw-21 \f20 \fs24 ad{\f63 \u259\'3f}ugat. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Stai pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}in, l-am oprit, aruncnd pe pat materialul \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 pentru lectur{\f63 \u259\'3f}. nainte s{\f63 \u259\'3f} pleci... n toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} nebunia asta, \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 nimeni nu a adus n discu{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie cine a omort-o de fapt. \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 V{\f63 \u259\'3f}znd c{\f63 \u259\'3f} Abe nu-mi r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spunde imediat, i-am adresat o \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri494 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 privire t{\f63 \u259\'3f}ioas{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Tu\i chiar\i0 crezi c{\f63 \u259\'3f} am f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut-o eu, da? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Pentruru c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, de unde s{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiu dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu m{\f63 \u259\'3f} credea \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 vinovat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i doar ncerca s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} ajute, chiar {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a? N-ar \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 fi fost ceva neobi{\f63 \u351\'3f}nuit pentru el. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Cred c{\f63 \u259\'3f} iubita mea fiic{\f63 \u259\'3f} este capabil{\f63 \u259\'3f} de crim{\f63 \u259\'3f}, mi- \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 a r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spuns ntr-un trziu. Dar nu {\f63 \u351\'3f}i de asta. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri2208 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}{\f63 \u350\'3f}i-atunci, cine e f{\f63 \u259\'3f}pta{\f63 \u351\'3f}ul? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri30 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Problema asta, mi-a zis, nainte de a se ndep{\f63 \u259\'3f}rta, e \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri1392 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 una la a c{\f63 \u259\'3f}rei rezolvare lucrez n prezent. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb60\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dar tocmai mi-ai spus c{\f63 \u259\'3f} suntem n criz{\f63 \u259\'3f} de timp! \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri22 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 Abe! Nu voiam s{\f63 \u259\'3f} plece. Nu voiam s{\f63 \u259\'3f} r{\f63 \u259\'3f}mn singur{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri380 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 temerile mele. Asta n-ai cum s-o rezolvi! am insistat. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Tu doar aminte{\f63 \u351\'3f}te-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i de ceea ce am spus n sala de \plain\expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 judecat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, mi-a strigat peste um{\f63 \u259\'3f}r. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri31 \fi284 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 Apoi a disp{\f63 \u259\'3f}rut din vedere, a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a c{\f63 \u259\'3f} m-am a{\f63 \u351\'3f}ezat la loc \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 pe pat, ducndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu gndul napoi la ziua aceea a \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 audierii. La sfr{\f63 \u351\'3f}itul ei, mi spusese {\f63 \u8212\'3f} cu destul{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 fermitate {\f63 \u8212\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} n-o s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fiu executat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Ba c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nici m{\f63 \u259\'3f}car n-o \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} ajung la proces. Abe Mazur nu era omul care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fac{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 promisiuni de{\f63 \u351\'3f}arte, ns{\f63 \u259\'3f} ncepeam s{\f63 \u259\'3f} cred c{\f63 \u259\'3f} pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i el \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i are limitele sale, mai ales de cnd am aflat c{\f63 \u259\'3f} tocmai \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 ne-a fost revizuit programul. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Am luat nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} o dat{\f63 \u259\'3f} cocolo{\f63 \u351\'3f}ul de hrtie {\f63 \u351\'3f}i l-am \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 desf{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i el ap{\f63 \u259\'3f}ruse tot n sala de judecat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, fiindu-mi \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 transmis pe furi{\f63 \u351\'3f} de Ambrose, slujitorul {\f63 \u351\'3f}i micul amant \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 al Tatianei. \plain\par\sl-275\fs28\par\pard\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri4150 \expndtw-16 \i \f20 \fs24 Rose, \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri46 \expndtw-5 \i \f20 \fs24 n cazul n care cite{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti mesajul acesta, nseamn{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} s- \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri44 \expndtw-2 \i \f20 \fs24 a ntmplat ceva cumplit. Probabil c{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} dete{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i nu \plain\expndtw-5 \i \f20 \fs24 te nvinov{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u355\'3f}esc. Nu pot dect s{\f63 \u259\'3f} te rog s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} crezi c{\f63 \u259\'3f} tot \plain\expndtw-1 \i \f20 \fs24 ceea ce am f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut cu privire la decretul cu vrsta a fost \plain\expndtw3 \i \f20 \fs24 mai favorabil pentru poporul t{\f63 \u259\'3f}u dect ceea ce \plain\expndtw0 \i \f20 \fs24 pl{\f63 \u259\'3f}nuiser{\f63 \u259\'3f} al{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii. Exist{\f63 \u259\'3f} unii moroi care doresc s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i \plain\expndtw-3 \i \f20 \fs24 for{\f63 \u355\'3f}eze pe\i0 to{\f63 \u355\'3f}i\i dhampirii s{\f63 \u259\'3f} intre n serviciul nostru, fie \plain\expndtw-2 \i \f20 \fs24 c{\f63 \u259\'3f} vor, fie c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu, prin constrngere. Decretul cu vrsta \plain\expndtw-6 \i \f20 \fs24 a mai ncetinit elanul acestei fac{\f63 \u355\'3f}iuni. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb840\margr300\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri9 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \i \f20 \fs24 Totu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i, {\f63 \u355\'3f}i scriu ca s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i mp{\f63 \u259\'3f}rt{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u351\'3f}esc un secret pe care \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri12 \expndtw1 \i \f20 \fs24 tu trebuie s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-l ndrep{\f63 \u355\'3f}i, iar secretul acesta trebuie \plain\expndtw-6 \i \f20 \fs24 cunoscut de ct mai pu{\f63 \u355\'3f}ine persoane cu putin{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Vasilisa \plain\expndtw-1 \i \f20 \fs24 trebuie s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i ocupe locul cuvenit n cadrul Consiliului, \plain\expndtw1 \i \f20 \fs24 ceea ce se poate nf{\f63 \u259\'3f}ptui. Ea nu este cel din urm{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-4 \i \f20 \fs24 vl{\f63 \u259\'3f}star al familiei Dragomir. Mai exist{\f63 \u259\'3f} unul n via{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}, \plain\expndtw1 \i \f20 \fs24 copilul nelegitim al lui Eric Dragomir. Nu mai {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiu \plain\expndtw-7 \i \f20 \fs24 altceva, dar dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} vei putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} g{\f63 \u259\'3f}se{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti acest fiu sau fiic{\f63 \u259\'3f}, \plain\expndtw-4 \i \f20 \fs24 i vei oferi Vasilisei puterea pe care o merit{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Indiferent \plain\expndtw-1 \i \f20 \fs24 de gre{\f63 \u351\'3f}elile pe care le-ai f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut, sau de temperamentul \plain\expndtw2 \i \f20 \fs24 t{\f63 \u259\'3f}u periculos, tu e{\f63 \u351\'3f}ti singura pe care o consider \plain\expndtw0 \i \f20 \fs24 capabil{\f63 \u259\'3f} de ndeplinirea acestei misiuni. Nu irosi nici \plain\expndtw-8 \i \f20 \fs24 m{\f63 \u259\'3f}car o clip{\f63 \u259\'3f} n ducerea ei la ndeplinire. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri3113 \fi284 \expndtw-7 \i \f20 \fs24 Tatiana Ivashkov \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb560\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 Cuvintele nu se schimbaser{\f63 \u259\'3f} fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} de celelalte sute de \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 ori n care le citisem, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i nici ntreb{\f63 \u259\'3f}rile pe care le \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 declan{\f63 \u351\'3f}aser{\f63 \u259\'3f} de fiecare dat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Oare biletul era unul \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 autentic? Oare chiar Tatiana s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-l fi scris? Oare ea {\f63 \u8212\'3f} n \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 ciuda atitudinii ei aparent ostile {\f63 \u8212\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} fi avut atta \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 ncredere n mine nct s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi transmit{\f63 \u259\'3f} o informa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie att \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 de periculoas{\f63 \u259\'3f}? Dou{\f63 \u259\'3f}sprezece familii regale luau \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 hot{\f63 \u259\'3f}rrile pentru moroi, ns{\f63 \u259\'3f}, practic vorbind, ele nu erau \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 dect unsprezece. Lissa era cea din urm{\f63 \u259\'3f} descendent{\f63 \u259\'3f} a \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 spi{\f63 \u355\'3f}ei sale {\f63 \u351\'3f}i, neexistnd vreun alt membru al familiei \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Dragomir, legea moroilor prevedea ca ea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu poat{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 participa {\f63 \u351\'3f}i vota la {\f63 \u351\'3f}edin{\f63 \u355\'3f}ele Consiliului, n care se luau \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 hot{\f63 \u259\'3f}rrile privitoare la noi to{\f63 \u355\'3f}i. Unele legi destul de rele \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 se adoptaser{\f63 \u259\'3f} deja, iar dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} biletul spunea adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}rul, \plain\expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 aveau s{\f63 \u259\'3f} urmeze {\f63 \u351\'3f}i altele. Or, Lissa putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} se \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 mpotriveasc{\f63 \u259\'3f} unor astfel de legi... ceea ce unora nu le-ar \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 fi pl{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut, unora care deja {\f63 \u351\'3f}i demonstraser{\f63 \u259\'3f} nclina{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia de \plain\expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 a ucide. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri3164 \fi284 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Un alt Dragomir. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb460\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 Un alt Dragomir nsemna dreptul de vot pentru Lissa. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri31 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Un vot n plus putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} schimbe att de multe n cadrul \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Consiliului. Putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} schimbe ns{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u351\'3f}i lumea moroilor. \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} schimbe {\f63 \u351\'3f}i lumea mea: de exemplu, s{\f63 \u259\'3f} zicem, \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} eram g{\f63 \u259\'3f}sit{\f63 \u259\'3f} vinovat{\f63 \u259\'3f} sau nu. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i, n mod cert, putea \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} schimbe lumea Lissei. n tot acest timp ea se crezuse \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 singur{\f63 \u259\'3f}. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i totu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i... m-am ntrebat, nelini{\f63 \u351\'3f}tit{\f63 \u259\'3f}, dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} ea s- \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 ar bucura s{\f63 \u259\'3f} afle c{\f63 \u259\'3f} are un frate sau o sor{\f63 \u259\'3f} vitreg{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 Acceptasem ideea c{\f63 \u259\'3f} tat{\f63 \u259\'3f}l meu e o canalie, ns{\f63 \u259\'3f} Lissa {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-l \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 situase mereu pe al ei pe un soclu, crezndu-l tot ce \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 putea fi mai bun. Vestea ar fi venit pentru ea ca un {\f63 \u351\'3f}oc \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i, de{\f63 \u351\'3f}i m{\f63 \u259\'3f} antrenasem de cnd m{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiam ca s-o feresc de \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 amenin{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}rile fizice, ncepeam s{\f63 \u259\'3f} cred c{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai erau {\f63 \u351\'3f}i alte \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 lucruri de care ar trebui protejat{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Numai c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, nainte de toate, eu aveam nevoie de \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}r. Aveam nevoie s{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiu dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} biletul provenise ntr- \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}r de la Tatiana. Eram destul de convins{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} puteam \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} aflu, dar asta implica un lucru pe care detestam s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-l \plain\expndtw-18 \f20 \fs24 fac. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri31 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Dar, n definitiv, de ce nu? Doar nu aveam altceva \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 mai bun de f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut n clipa de fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb860\margr280\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri5 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Ridicndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} din pat, m-am ntors cu spatele spre \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri10 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 gratii {\f63 \u351\'3f}i am fixat cu privirea peretele gol, folosindu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 de el ca punct de concentrare. ncordndu-mi for{\f63 \u355\'3f}ele, \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 amintindu-mi c{\f63 \u259\'3f} sunt ndeajuns de puterrnic{\f63 \u259\'3f} nct s{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u355\'3f}in \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 totul sub control, mi-am deschis barierele mentale cu \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 care mi nconjuram n permanen{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}, din subcon{\f63 \u351\'3f}tient, \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 creierul. O uria{\f63 \u351\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} ap{\f63 \u259\'3f}sare s-a ridicat de pe mine, ca aerul \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 degajat dintr-un balon. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri587 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}i, dintr-odat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, am fost nconjurat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de fantome. \plain\par\sl-125\fs13\par\sl-240\fs24\par\par\par\pard\pard\sl-442 \li290 \ri4360 \expndtw-37 \b \f20 \fs40 DOI \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb460\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri25 \fi284 \expndtw-4 \b \f20 \fs24 CA DE FIECARE DAT{\f63 \u258\'3f}, A FOST DERUTANT\b0 . \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Chipuri {\f63 \u351\'3f}i cranii, transparente {\f63 \u351\'3f}i luminiscente, toate \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 plutind n jurul meu. Erau atrase spre mine, roind ca un \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 nor, de parc{\f63 \u259\'3f} toate sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}eau nevoia disperat{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} spun{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 cte ceva. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i, ntr-adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}r, probabil c{\f63 \u259\'3f} o sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}eau. \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 Fantomele care mai z{\f63 \u259\'3f}boveau pe lumea asta nu-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i g{\f63 \u259\'3f}seau \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 odihna, erau suflete care, din anumite motive, nu puteau \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} treac{\f63 \u259\'3f} dincolo. Cnd m{\f63 \u259\'3f} readusese Lissa din mor{\f63 \u355\'3f}i, \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 p{\f63 \u259\'3f}strasem o leg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tur{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu lumea lor. Avusesem nevoie de \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 mult{\f63 \u259\'3f} trud{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mult autocontrol ca s{\f63 \u259\'3f} blochez fantomele \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 care m{\f63 \u259\'3f} urm{\f63 \u259\'3f}reau. Dispozitivele magice de paz{\f63 \u259\'3f} care \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 protejau Curtea moroilor {\f63 \u355\'3f}ineau, ntr-adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}r, cea mai \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 mare parte a fantomelor departe de mine, numai c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, de \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 data asta, le voiam prezente. Faptul c{\f63 \u259\'3f} le ofeream acces, \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 c{\f63 \u259\'3f} le atr{\f63 \u259\'3f}geam n{\f63 \u259\'3f}untru... n fine, era periculos. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri28 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Ceva mi spunea c{\f63 \u259\'3f}, dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} exist{\f63 \u259\'3f} spirite neodihnite, \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 atunci siguri unul dintre ele ar fi cel al unei regine \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 asasinate n propriul ei pat. n grupul din jurul meu n-am \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 z{\f63 \u259\'3f}rit chipuri cunoscute, dar n-am renun{\f63 \u355\'3f}at s{\f63 \u259\'3f} sper. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri23 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Tatiana, am murmurat, concentrndu-mi gndurile \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri180 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 asupra chipului decedatei regine. Tatiana, vino la mine. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb120\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri31 \fi284 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 Alt{\f63 \u259\'3f} dat{\f63 \u259\'3f} reu{\f63 \u351\'3f}isem destul de u{\f63 \u351\'3f}or s{\f63 \u259\'3f} chem o fantom{\f63 \u259\'3f}: \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri23 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 pe prietenul meu Mason, care fusese ucis de strigoi. Cu \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 toate c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu eram att de apropiat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de Tatiana pe ct \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 fusesem fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} de Mason, era clar c{\f63 \u259\'3f} exista o anume \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 leg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tur{\f63 \u259\'3f} ntre noi dou{\f63 \u259\'3f}. O vreme, nu s-a ntmplat nimic. \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Acelea{\f63 \u351\'3f}i fe{\f63 \u355\'3f}e nce{\f63 \u355\'3f}o{\f63 \u351\'3f}ate se nvolburau n fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}a ochilor mei \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 prin celul{\f63 \u259\'3f}, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i ncepeam s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi pierd speran{\f63 \u355\'3f}a. Cnd, \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 deodat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, iat-o. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri30 \fi284 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 Era n ve{\f63 \u351\'3f}mintele n care fusese asasinat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, o c{\f63 \u259\'3f}ma{\f63 \u351\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 lung{\f63 \u259\'3f} de noapte {\f63 \u351\'3f}i un halat de cas{\f63 \u259\'3f}, pline de snge. \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Culorile i erau estompate, plpind ca un ecran de \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 televizor defect. Dar, chiar {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a, coroana de pe cap {\f63 \u351\'3f}i \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 atitudinea regeasc{\f63 \u259\'3f} i d{\f63 \u259\'3f}deau acela{\f63 \u351\'3f}i aer suveran de care- \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 mi aminteam. Dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} ce s-a materializat, a r{\f63 \u259\'3f}mas pe loc, \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f} se mi{\f63 \u351\'3f}te. Doar m-a privit fix, practic sfredelindu- \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 mi sufletul cu ochii ei ntuneca{\f63 \u355\'3f}i. Un v{\f63 \u259\'3f}lm{\f63 \u259\'3f}{\f63 \u351\'3f}ag de emo{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 mi-a strns pieptul. Acea reac{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie visceral{\f63 \u259\'3f} pe care o \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 aveam mereu n preajma Tatianei {\f63 \u8212\'3f} de mnie {\f63 \u351\'3f}i de \plain\expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 revolt{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u8212\'3f} s-a aprins instantaneu. Pe urm{\f63 \u259\'3f}l, s-a \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 amestecat n ea un surprinz{\f63 \u259\'3f}tor val de compasiune. Nicio \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 via{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu trebuia s{\f63 \u259\'3f} se sfr{\f63 \u351\'3f}easc{\f63 \u259\'3f} a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a, ca a ei. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri30 \fi284 \expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Am {\f63 \u351\'3f}ov{\f63 \u259\'3f}it, temndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f} c{\f63 \u259\'3f} paznicii ar putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 aud{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Dar, cumva, aveam senza{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia c{\f63 \u259\'3f} volumul vocii mele \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 n-avea importan{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nimeni dintre ei nu putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} vad{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 ceea ce vedeam eu. Am ridicat mna n care {\f63 \u355\'3f}ineam \plain\expndtw-13 \f20 \fs24 bile{\f63 \u355\'3f}elul. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri742 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Tu ai scris asta? am murmurat. E adev{\f63 \u259\'3f}rat? \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb180\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri23 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 A continuat s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} priveasc{\f63 \u259\'3f}. {\f63 \u350\'3f}i fantoma lui Mason se \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 comportase la fel. S{\f63 \u259\'3f} invoci mor{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii era una; s{\f63 \u259\'3f} comunici \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 cu ei era cu totul altceva. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Trebuie s{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiu. Dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai exist{\f63 \u259\'3f} un Dragomir, o s{\f63 \u259\'3f}- \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 l g{\f63 \u259\'3f}sesc. (N-avea rost s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai atrag aten{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia asupra faptului \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 c{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu m{\f63 \u259\'3f} aflam n situa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia de a putea g{\f63 \u259\'3f}si pe cineva sau \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 ceva.). Dar trebuie s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi spui. Tu ai scris biletul? E \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri4107 \expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 autentic? \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri22 \fi284 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 Doar acea privire nnebunitor de st{\f63 \u259\'3f}ruitoare mi-a fost \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spunsul. iritarea mi sporea, iar ap{\f63 \u259\'3f}sarea exercitat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 toate spiritele acelea ncepea s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi dea dureri de cap. \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 Dup{\f63 \u259\'3f} toate aparen{\f63 \u355\'3f}ele, Tatiana era la fel de enervant{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 moart{\f63 \u259\'3f} pe ct fusese n via{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Tocmai m{\f63 \u259\'3f} preg{\f63 \u259\'3f}team s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mi repun n func{\f63 \u355\'3f}iune \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 zidurile de protec{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie, cnd Tatiana a f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut o mi{\f63 \u351\'3f}care, cea \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 mai m{\f63 \u259\'3f}runt{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu putin{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. O foarte mic{\f63 \u259\'3f} nclinare a \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 capului, cu greu observabil{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Privirea ei dur{\f63 \u259\'3f} s-a l{\f63 \u259\'3f}sat \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 apoi asupra biletului din mna mea, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i apoi, uite-a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a... \plain\expndtw-15 \f20 \fs24 dus{\f63 \u259\'3f} a fost. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 Mi-am ridicat repede barierele la loc, ntrebuin{\f63 \u355\'3f}ndu- \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 mi ntreaga voin{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} ca s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} nchid fa{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f} de spiritele \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 mor{\f63 \u355\'3f}ilor. Durerea de cap nu mi-a disp{\f63 \u259\'3f}rut, ns{\f63 \u259\'3f} chipurile \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 acelea, da. M-am trntit pe pat, privind biletul f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-l \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 v{\f63 \u259\'3f}d. mi primisem r{\f63 \u259\'3f}spunsul. Biletul era autentic. \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Tatiana fusese cea care-l scrisese. Nu {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiu de ce, dar m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 ndoiam c{\f63 \u259\'3f} fantoma ei ar avea vreun motiv s{\f63 \u259\'3f} mint{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb680\margr280\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri9 \fi284 \expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 ntinzndu-m{\f63 \u259\'3f}, mi-am a{\f63 \u351\'3f}ezat capul pe pern{\f63 \u259\'3f}, \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri10 \expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptnd ca zvcnirile acelea dureroase s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 p{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f}seasc{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Am nchis ochii {\f63 \u351\'3f}i, prin intermediul leg{\f63 \u259\'3f}turii \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 de spirit, m-am ntors s{\f63 \u259\'3f} v{\f63 \u259\'3f}d ce mai face Lissa. De cnd \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 cu arestarea mea, fusese ocupat{\f63 \u259\'3f} numai s{\f63 \u259\'3f} implore {\f63 \u351\'3f}i s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 aduc{\f63 \u259\'3f} argumente n favoarea mea, a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a c{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptam s{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 aflu tot ceva asem{\f63 \u259\'3f}n{\f63 \u259\'3f}tor. n loc de asta, am g{\f63 \u259\'3f}sit-o... la \plain\expndtw-11 \f20 \fs24 cump{\f63 \u259\'3f}rat de rochii. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri14 \fi284 \expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 Ct pe ce s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} simt ofensat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de frivolitatea celei mai \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 bune prietene a mea, dar numai pn{\f63 \u259\'3f} cnd mi-am dat \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 seama c{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u351\'3f}i c{\f63 \u259\'3f}uta o rochie de doliu. Era ntr-unul dintre \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 magazinele exclusiviste ale Cur{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii, cel care aproviziona \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 familiile regale. Spre mirarea mea, era nso{\f63 \u355\'3f}it{\f63 \u259\'3f} de \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 Adrian. Vederea fe{\f63 \u355\'3f}ei lui familiare, atr{\f63 \u259\'3f}g{\f63 \u259\'3f}toare, mi-a mai \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 domolit o parte din temeri. O rapid{\f63 \u259\'3f} sondare a min{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii ei \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 mi-a dest{\f63 \u259\'3f}inuit {\f63 \u351\'3f}i motivul prezen{\f63 \u355\'3f}ei lui acolo: l \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li6 \ri277 \expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 convinsese ea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} vin{\f63 \u259\'3f}, fiindc{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu voia s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-l lase singur. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb400\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri27 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}i n{\f63 \u355\'3f}elegeam de ce. Era complet beat. Chiar m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 miram c{\f63 \u259\'3f} mai putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f} stea pe picioare; de fapt, aveam o \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 puternic{\f63 \u259\'3f} b{\f63 \u259\'3f}nuial{\f63 \u259\'3f} cum c{\f63 \u259\'3f} peretele de care se rezema era \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 singurul care-l mai men{\f63 \u355\'3f}inea la vertical{\f63 \u259\'3f}. P{\f63 \u259\'3f}rul lui {\f63 \u351\'3f}aten \plain\expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 st{\f63 \u259\'3f}tea alandala... {\f63 \u351\'3f}i nu n acel stil n care {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-l ciufulea el \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 de obicei, cu inten{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie. Ochii verzi i erau injecta{\f63 \u355\'3f}i de \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 snge. Ca {\f63 \u351\'3f}i Lissa, Adrian era utilizator al spiritului. \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Avea un talent pe care ea nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} nu-l st{\f63 \u259\'3f}pnea: putea s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-i \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 viziteze pe al{\f63 \u355\'3f}ii n visele lor. M{\f63 \u259\'3f} a{\f63 \u351\'3f}teptasem s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 viziteze {\f63 \u351\'3f}i pe mine, nc{\f63 \u259\'3f} de cnd fusesem nchis{\f63 \u259\'3f}, iar \plain\expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 acum m{\f63 \u259\'3f} l{\f63 \u259\'3f}muream {\f63 \u351\'3f}i de ce nu venise. Alcoolul \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 n{\f63 \u259\'3f}bu{\f63 \u351\'3f}ea spiritul. n anumite privin{\f63 \u355\'3f}e, era o treab{\f63 \u259\'3f} bun{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Excesul de spirit genera un ntuneric care-i mpingea pe \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 utilizatori spre demen{\f63 \u355\'3f}{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Dar nici s{\f63 \u259\'3f}-{\f63 \u355\'3f}i petreci via{\f63 \u355\'3f}a ntr-o \plain\expndtw-12 \f20 \fs24 permanent{\f63 \u259\'3f} be{\f63 \u355\'3f}ie nu era ceva prea s{\f63 \u259\'3f}n{\f63 \u259\'3f}tos. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri24 \fi284 \expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 Vederea lui prin ochii Lissei mi-a declan{\f63 \u351\'3f}at o \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 tulburare emo{\f63 \u355\'3f}ional{\f63 \u259\'3f} aproape la fel de intens{\f63 \u259\'3f} pe ct \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 fusese cea a ntlnirii cu Tatiana. mi p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea r{\f63 \u259\'3f}u pentru el. \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Era evident ngrijorat {\f63 \u351\'3f}i nec{\f63 \u259\'3f}jit de situa{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia mea, iar \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 uluitoarele ntmpl{\f63 \u259\'3f}ri ale s{\f63 \u259\'3f}pt{\f63 \u259\'3f}mnii trecute l prinseser{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 la fel de nepreg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tit ca pe noi to{\f63 \u355\'3f}i ceilal{\f63 \u355\'3f}i. {\f63 \u351\'3f}i mai pierduse \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i m{\f63 \u259\'3f}tu{\f63 \u351\'3f}a, la care, n pofida atitudinii ei aspre, {\f63 \u355\'3f}inea. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb180\margr280\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri9 \fi284 \expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}i totu{\f63 \u351\'3f}i, n ciuda tuturor acestora, am sim{\f63 \u355\'3f}it... \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri6 \expndtw-3 \f20 \fs24 dispre{\f63 \u355\'3f}. Era nedrept din partea mea, poate, dar nu m-am \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 putut st{\f63 \u259\'3f}pni. {\f63 \u354\'3f}ineam att de mult la el {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-i n{\f63 \u355\'3f}elegeam \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 necazul, ns{\f63 \u259\'3f} existau {\f63 \u351\'3f}i moduri mai bune n care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} te \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 mpaci cu o pierdere ca a lui. Comportamentul lui p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 aproape la{\f63 \u351\'3f}itate. Se ascundea de toate problemele n \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 sticla cu alcool, lucru care contrazicea aproape fiecare \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rticic{\f63 \u259\'3f} a firii mele. Eu? P{\f63 \u259\'3f}i, eu nu m{\f63 \u259\'3f} puteam l{\f63 \u259\'3f}sa \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 nvins{\f63 \u259\'3f} de problemele mele, f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} lupt{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri14 \fi284 \expndtw2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Catifea, i zicea vnz{\f63 \u259\'3f}toarea Lissei, cu toat{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw3 \f20 \fs24 siguran{\f63 \u355\'3f}a. Vestita femeie moroi i ar{\f63 \u259\'3f}t{\f63 \u259\'3f} o rochie \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 voluminoas{\f63 \u259\'3f}, cu mneci lungi. Catifeaua e tradi{\f63 \u355\'3f}ional{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 pentru alaiul regal. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri10 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 Pe lng{\f63 \u259\'3f} tot restul pompei, funeraliile Tatianei aveau \plain\expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} cuprind{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u351\'3f}i un alai protocolar care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} nso{\f63 \u355\'3f}easc{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-1 \f20 \fs24 sicriul, fiecare dintre familii avnd cte un reprezentant \plain\expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 acolo. Din cte se p{\f63 \u259\'3f}rea, nu deranja pe nimeni ca Lissa \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 s{\f63 \u259\'3f} joace acest rol, n numele familiei sale. n schimb, \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 dreptul de vot era cu totul alt{\f63 \u259\'3f} problem{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri7 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 Lissa a cercetat cu privirea rochia. Sem{\f63 \u259\'3f}na mai \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 degrab{\f63 \u259\'3f} a costum pentru Halloween dect a ve{\f63 \u351\'3f}mnt de \plain\expndtw-13 \f20 \fs24 doliu. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri7 \fi284 \expndtw-2 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Afar{\f63 \u259\'3f} sunt treizeci {\f63 \u351\'3f}i dou{\f63 \u259\'3f} de grade, s-a plns ea. \plain\expndtw-14 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u350\'3f}i e umezeal{\f63 \u259\'3f}. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri12 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Tradi{\f63 \u355\'3f}ia cere sacrificii, a replicat, melodramatic, \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 femeia. La fel {\f63 \u351\'3f}i tragediile. \par\sect\sectd\sbkpage\margtsxn200\pard\jexpand\viewkind1\paperw5960\paperh8400\margt280\margb240\margr260\margl280\plain\pard\sl-279 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 Adrian a deschis gura, f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} ndoial{\f63 \u259\'3f} avnd preg{\f63 \u259\'3f}tit \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri25 \expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 vreun comentariu inadecvat {\f63 \u351\'3f}i zeflemitor. Lissa l-a redus \plain\expndtw-9 \f20 \fs24 la t{\f63 \u259\'3f}cere printr-o cl{\f63 \u259\'3f}tinare categoric{\f63 \u259\'3f} din cap. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li290 \ri605 \expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dar nu sunt {\f63 \u351\'3f}i, nu {\f63 \u351\'3f}tiu, variante f{\f63 \u259\'3f}r{\f63 \u259\'3f} mneci? \plain\expndtw-8 \f20 \fs24 Vnz{\f63 \u259\'3f}toarea a f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut ochii mari. \plain\par\pard\sl-275 \li290 \ri23 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Nimeni n-a purtat vreodat{\f63 \u259\'3f} rochii cu bretele la o \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri1459 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 nmormntare regal{\f63 \u259\'3f}. N-ar fi cuviincios. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri29 \fi284 \expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Dar pantalonii scur{\f63 \u355\'3f}i? s-a interesat Adrian. Merg, \plain\expndtw-10 \f20 \fs24 dac{\f63 \u259\'3f} ai cravat{\f63 \u259\'3f}? Pentru c{\f63 \u259\'3f} eu a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a o s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f}-mbrac. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri21 \fi284 \expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Femeia a f{\f63 \u259\'3f}cut o mutr{\f63 \u259\'3f} ngrozit{\f63 \u259\'3f}. Lissa l-a s{\f63 \u259\'3f}getat pe \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Adrian cu o privire sup{\f63 \u259\'3f}rat{\f63 \u259\'3f}, nu att din cauza replicii lui \plain\expndtw-4 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f} pe care o considerase u{\f63 \u351\'3f}or amuzant{\f63 \u259\'3f} {\f63 \u8212\'3f} ci pentru c{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw-6 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u351\'3f}i ea era dezgustat{\f63 \u259\'3f} de permanenta lui stare de ebrietate. \plain\par\pard\sl-276 \li6 \ri26 \fi284 \expndtw1 \f20 \fs24 {\f63 \u8212\'3f}Ei bine, {\f63 \u351\'3f}i-a{\f63 \u351\'3f}a nu m{\f63 \u259\'3f} trateaz{\f63 \u259\'3f} nimeni ca pe o \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 persoan{\f63 \u259\'3f} dintr-o familie regal{\f63 \u259\'3f} cu toate drepturile, a \plain\expndtw-5 \f20 \fs24 hot{\f63 \u259\'3f}rt Lissa, ntorcnd din nou capul spre rochii. A{\f63 \u351\'3f}a c{\f63 \u259\'3f} \plain\expndtw0 \f20 \fs24 n-am niciun motiv pentru care s{\f63 \u259\'3f} m{\f63 \u259\'3f} comport ca atare. \plain\expndtw-7 \f20 \fs24 Ar{\f63 \