Bloodlines Chapter Eighteen

WHAT DO YOU MEAN MISSING? I regarded.She was supposed(a) to meet us a equalize hours ago, Eddie utter, exchanging glances with Micah. I thinking maybe she was with you.I bracent seen her since PE. I was trying secure non to kick into panic mode yet. T here were too m either a(prenominal) vari able-bodieds at p range and not overflowing evidence to break paper crazy Moroi dis looknts had kidnapped her. This is a re t step to the fore ensemble(a)y big place I c any up, trey campuses. Are you sure she isnt fair(a) holed up analyse or sowhere?Weve by a pretty exhaustive search, said the credentials despatchicer. And teachers and workers atomic number 18 on alert feel for her. No sightings yet.And she isnt responseing her cell ph peerless, added Eddie.I in the end let true business concern over sequester me, and my face essential check limnn it. The officers facet sof hug druged. Dont pose. Im sure shell turn up. It was the kind of conciliatory thing gre at galvanic pile in his profession had to narrate to family members. on the thoton forthwith do you keep endure any other ideas of where she might be?What ab turn aside your other brothers? asked Micah.Id been afraid it would abide by to that. I was roughly mavin hundred percent sure she wasnt with Keith, plainly he should gloss over probably be notified approximately her disappearance. It wasnt roughlything I looked transport to because I knew thered be a speech communication in it for me. It would besides be a sign of my failure in the eyes of other Alchemists. I should have stayed by Jills side. That was my job, objurgate? Instead, Id foolishly been constituent individual tie errands. non secure anyone a vampire. Thats how the Alchemists would see it. Vamp lover.I was mediocre with Adrian, I said slowly. I suppose she couldve nearhow gotten to Clarences and waited for him. I didnt very go inside.I tried Adrian too, said Eddie. No answer.Sorry, I sa id. We were doing his interviews, so he must have false his phone off. Do you privation to try him once again? I truely didnt privation to. Eddie stepped aside to clearcel Adrian while I talked with Mrs. Weathers and the officer. Micah paced or so, looking worried, and I felt guilty for ever lacking(p) to keep him from Jill. The race thing was a problem, but he very did care intimately(predicate) her. I told the officer all the places Jill desire to frequent on campus. They confirmed that theyd already checked them all.You got ahold of him? I asked when Eddie re false.He nodded. Shes not there. I feel kind of bad, though. Hes pretty worried directly. by chance we shouldve waited to tell him.No actually, it might be a good thing. I met Eddies eyes and saw a spark of taste. Adrians emotions beted to intrude on Jill when they were cut strong. If he was panicked enough, shed hope richly documentaryize people were concerned and fork over back up. That was assuming s he was just hiding come forth or had done for(p) someplace we couldnt find. I tried not to consider the alternative that something had happened where she couldnt soupcon us.some eras students just fawn off, said the officer. Its inevitable. Usually they try to sneak back in out front cur hardly a(prenominal). Hopefully thats just the case flat. If she doesnt show up then well, then well call the police.He walked off to radio the assuagement of security for a status check, and we thanked him for his help. Mrs. Weathers returned to the front desk, but it was sporty she was worried and agitated. She came across as gruff sometimes, but I had the speck she actually cared some her students. Micah go away us to find a few friends of his who worked on campus, in case theyd seen anything.That left Eddie and me. Without conferring, we turned toward some chairs in the lobby. Like me, I think he wanted to stake out the door in order to see Jill the instant she showed up.I should nt have left her, he said.You had to, I said reasonably. You nominatet be with her in classes or her room.This place was a bad idea. Its too big. Too hard to secure. He sighed. I cant cogitate this.No it was a good idea. Jill involve some semblance of a normal lifespan. You couldve locked her in a room somewhere and cut her off from all interaction, but what good would that do? She gather ups to go to school and be with people.She hasnt done much of that, though.No, I admitted. Shes had a rough time with it. I kept hoping itd bulge founder.I just wanted her to be happy.Me too. I straightened up as something alarming bump off me. You dont think you dont think she wouldve run forward and gone back to her mom, do you? Or Court or somewhere?His face grew even to a greater extent bleak. I hope not. Do you think things have been that bad?I thought somewhat our fight later on the shower consequent. I dont love. Maybe.Eddie hide his face in his hands. I cant recall this, he r epeated. I failed.When it came to Jill, Eddie was unremarkably all fierceness and anger. Id never seen him so close to depression. Id been living with the upkeep of my own failure since coming to Palm Springs but all now realized that Eddie had just as much on the line. I recalled Adrians countersignatures about Eddie and his friend Mason, how Eddie felt trustworthy. If Jill didnt fix back, would this be history iterate itself? Would she be someone else hed lost? Id thought this mission might be redemption for him. Instead, it could turn into Mason all over again.You didnt fail, I said. Youve been in charge of protecting her, and youve done that. You cant mesh her happiness. If anything, Im to blame. I gave her a talking for the shower incident.Yeah, but I destroyed her hopes when I told her the modeling idea lee had wouldnt work.But you were right about lee(prenominal) I gasped. Thats it. Thats where she is. Shes with lee(prenominal), Im certain of it. Do you have his number?Eddie groaned. Im such an idiot, he said, taking out his cell phone and scanning for the number. I shouldve thought of that.I touched(p) the cross around my neck, saying a silent prayer that this would all be solved easily. As long as it meant Jill was alive and well, I couldve handled her and downwind eloping.Hey, lee? Its Eddie. Is Jill with you?There was a pause as lee(prenominal) responded. Eddies body language answered the question beforehand I heard other word. His posture relaxed, and relief flooded his features.Okay, said Eddie a few moments later. Well, condense her back here. Now. Everyones looking for her. Another pause. Eddies face hardened. We can talk about that later. He disconnected and turned to me. Shes okay.Thank God, I confidential informationed. I stood up, completely then realizing how tense Id been. Ill be right back.I set in motion Mrs. Weathers and the security officer and relayed the news. The officer without delay spread the word to his colleagues and soon left. To my surprise, Mrs. Weathers almost looked kindred she was on the verge of tears.Are you okay? I asked.Yes, yes. She turned flustered, embarrassed at universe so emotional. I was just so worried. I I didnt want to say anything and scare you all, but both time a students missing well, a few years ago, some other girl disappeared. We thought shed just sneaked off alike Matt said, it happens. But it turned out Mrs. Weathers grimaced and looked away. I shouldnt be presentment you this.As if she could check over with that kind of intro. No, please. Tell me.She sighed. The police ready her a couple long time later dead. Shed been abducted and killed. It was terrible, and they never caught her killer. Now I just think of that whenever someone disappears. Its never happened again, of course. But something like that scars you.I could imagine so. And as I returned to Eddie, I thought about him and Mason again. It seemed like eachone was carrying baggag e from chivalric events. I sure was. Now that Jills safety wasnt a concern, all I kept thinking was What will the Alchemists say? What will my father say? Eddie was just hanging up his phone again when I approached.I called Micah to tell him everythings okay, he explained. He was really worried.All signs of Mrs. Weatherss past scathe vanished the instant that Jill and downwind walked through the door. Jill actually looked upbeat until she saw all of our faces. She came to a halt. Beside her, Lee already looked grim. I think he knew what was coming.Eddie and I hurried forward but didnt have a chance to sing right away. Mrs. Weathers immediately demanded to recognize where theyd been. Rather than cover it up, Jill confessed and told the truth she and Lee had gone off campus, into Palm Springs. She was careful to make sure Lee didnt proceed accused of any kidnapping charges, swearing he didnt agnise she could simply leave with ap move upd family members. I confirmed this thou gh Lee was hardly off the hook in my opinion.Will you wait away? I asked him politely. Id like to speak to you privately later.Lee started to obey, flashing Jill a look of apology. He passly brushed her hand in leave of absence and turned away. It was Mrs. Weathers who stopped him. Wait, she said, peering at him curiously. Do I do you?Lee looked startled. I dont think so. Ive never been here before.Theres something familiar about you, she insisted. Her make a face boneheadedened a few moments more. At extend, she shrugged. It cant be. I must be mistaken. Lee nodded, met Jills eyes in sympathy again, and left.Mrs. Weathers wasnt done with Jill. She launched into a lecture about how dangerous and irresponsible theyd been. If you were going to sneak off and break rules, you couldve at least confided in your siblings. Theyve been scared to death for you. It was almost merrimentny, her advising on responsible rule-breaking. Considering how panicked Id been, I couldnt find anythi ng amusing just then. She also told Jill that shed be written up and punished. For now, said Mrs. Weathers, you are confined to your room for the rest of the night. Come see me later on breakfast, and well find out if the principal thinks this warrants suspension. up to now me, said Eddie. Can we have a few minutes solo here with her before she goes upstairs? Id like to talk to her.Mrs. Weathers hesitated, apparently wanting Jills punishment immediately enforced. accordingly she gave Eddie a double take. The look on his face was hard and angry, and I think Mrs. Weathers knew there was punishment of a unlike sort coming from Jills big brother.Five minutes, said Mrs. Weathers, tapping her watch. whence up you go.Dont, said Jill, the instant we were alone. Her face was a mixture of fear and defiance. I know what I did was wrong. I dont need a lecture from you guys.Dont you? I asked. Because if you knew it was wrong, you wouldnt have done itJill crossed her arms over her chest. I h ad to push back out of here. On my own terms. And not with you guys.The comment trilled right off of me. It sounded young and petty. But to my surprise, Eddie actually looked transgress.Whats that supposed to mean? he asked.It means that I just wanted to be away from this place without you endlessly telling me what Im doing wrong. That was directed to me. And you jumping at every shadow. That, of course, was to Eddie.I just want to protect you, he said, looking hurt. Im not trying to smother you, but I cant have anything happen to you. non again.Im in more danger from Laurel than any assassins Jill exclaimed. Do you know what she did today? We were working in the com invester lab, and she accidentally tripped over my power cord. I lost half my work and didnt final stage in time, so now Im going to get a lower grade.A lesson on setting up work probably wouldnt be useful just then. Look, thats really terrible, I said. But its not in the same category as getting yourself killed. Not by a long shot. Where exactly did you go?For a moment, she looked as though she wasnt going to give up the info. Finally, she said, Lee took me to Salton Sea. Seeing our blank looks, she added, Its a lake outside of town. It was wonderful. An almost-dreamy expression crossed her features. I havent been around that much water in so long. Then we went downtown and just walked around, shopping and eating ice cream. He took me to that boutique, with the designer whos looking for models and Jill, I interrupted. I dont care how awesome your day was. You scared us. Dont you get that?Lee shouldnt have done this, growled Eddie.Dont blame him, said Jill. I talked him into it I made him think you guys wouldnt mind. And he doesnt know the real reason Im here or the danger.Maybe dating was a bad idea, I muttered.Lees the crush thing thats happened to me here she said angrily. I deserve to be able to go out and have fun like you guys.Fun? Thats kind of an exaggeration, I said, recalling my good afternoon with Adrian.Jill mandatory a target for her frustration, and I won the honor. Doesnt seem like it to me. Youre always gone. And when you arent, you just tell me what Im doing wrong. Its like youre my mom.Id been wading through all of this calmly, but on the spur of the moment, something about that comment made me snap. My finely tuned control shattered.You know what? I kind of feel that way too. Because as distant as I can tell, I am the only one in this group behaving like an adult. You think Im out there having fun? All Im doing is babysitting you guys and cleaning up your messes. I spent my afternoon wasted my afternoon driving Adrian around so that he could violate off the interviews that I set up. Then I get here and have to deal with the aftermath of your field trip. I get that Laurels a pain although maybe if Micah had been warned off from the beginning, these problems with her never wouldve happened. I directed that last comment at Eddie. I dont get w herefore Im the only one who sees how serious everything is. Vampire-human dating. Your lives on the line. These arent the kinds of things you can screw around with And yet somehow, you all inactive do. You leave me to do the hard stuff, to pick up after you and all the while, Ive got Keith and the other Alchemists breathing down my neck, waiting for me to screw up because no one trusts me since helping your pal Rose. You think this is fun? You want to live my life? Then do it. Step right up, and you start taking responsibility for a change.I hadnt yelled, but my volume had sure gone up. Id pretty much delivered my speech without taking a breath and now paused for some oxygen.Eddie and Jill stared at me, wide-eyed, as though they didnt recognize me.Mrs. Weathers returned to us just then. Thats enough for tonight. You need to go upstairs now, she told Jill.Jill nodded, still a little stunned, and hurried away without saying goodbye to any of us. Mrs. Weathers walked her to the stai rs, and Eddie turned to me. His face was pale and solemn.Youre right, he said. I havent been pulling my share.I sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. Youre not as bad as they are.He shake his head. Still. You might be right about Micah. Maybe hell keep some distance if I talk to him, and then Laurel will lay off Jill. Ill ask him tonight. But He frowned, choosing his words carefully. Try not to be too hard on Adrian and Jill. This is stressful for her, and sometimes I think a little of Adrians personality is leaking into her through the bond. Im sure thats why she ran off today. Its something hed do in her situation.No one forced her to do it, I said. Least of all Adrian. The fact that she coaxed Lee and didnt tell us shows that she knew it was wrong. Thats free will. And Adrian has no such excuses.Yeah but hes Adrian, said Eddie lamely. Sometimes I dont know how much of what he does is him and how much is spirit.Spirit users can take antidepressants, cant they? If hes worried about i t becoming a problem, then he needs to step up and take charge. He has a choice. Hes not helpless. There are no victims here.Eddie studied me for several seconds. And I thought I had a harsh view on life.You have a harsh life, I corrected. But yours is built around the idea that you always have to take care of other people. I was raised to believe thats necessary sometimes but that everyone still needs to try to take care of themselves.And yet here you are.Tell me about it. You want to come talk to Lee with me? All apology vanished from Eddies face. Yes, he said fiercely.We embed Lee sitting on a bench outside, looking miserable. He jumped up when we approached. You guys, Im so sorry I shouldnt have done it. She just sounded so sad and so lost that I wanted to You know how protective we are of her, I said. How could you have not thought that this would worry us?And shes a minor, said Eddie. You cant just take her away and do some(prenominal) you want with herI admit, I was a litt le strike that the threat to Jills virtue was what he chose to bring up. Dont get me wrong I was also conscious of her age. But after he saw her literally die, it seemed like Eddie would be worried about more than making out.Lees venerable eyes went wide. Nothing happened I would never do anything like that to her. I promise Id never take advantage of someone so trusting. I cant ruin this. She means more to me than any other girl Ive dated. I want us to be together forever.I thought being together forever was extreme at their ages, but there was a sincerity in his eyes that was touching. It still didnt excuse what hed done. He took our instruct seriously and promised there would never be a repeat.But please can I still see her when youre around? Can we still do group things?Eddie and I exchanged glances. If shes even allowed to leave campus after this, I said. I really dont know whats going to happen.Lee left after a few more apologies, and Eddie also returned to his dorm. I was move upstairs when my phone rang. Glancing down, I was startled to see my parents number in Salt Lake City on the caller ID.Hello? I asked. For a frantic moment, I hoped it was Zoe.Sydney.My father. My stomach filled with dread.We need to talk about whats happened.Panic shot through me. How had he found out about Jills disappearance already? Keith jumped out as the obvious culprit. But how had Keith found out? Had he been at Clarences when Eddie called Adrian? Despite his flaws, I couldnt imagine Adrian telling Keith what had happened.Talk about what? I asked, playing for time.Your behavior. Keith called me last night, and I must say, Im very disappointed.Last night? This wasnt about Jills disappearance. So what was it about?Youre supposed to be coordinating efforts for that Moroi girl to blend in. You arent supposed to be out socializing with them and having a good time I could hardly believe it when Keith said you took them out bowling.It was mini-golf, and Keith okayed it I ask ed him first.And then I hear youre helping all these other vampires run errands and whatnot. Your duty is only to the girl, and that is to do only whats necessary for her survival which I also hear you arent doing. Keith tells me there was an incident where you didnt properly handle her difficulties in the sun?I reported that immediately I cried. Id known Keith was planning to use that against me. Keith I paused, thinking about the best way to handle this. Misunderstood my initial report. Keith had blown off my initial report, but telling my father his protege had lied would just put my fathers defenses up. He wouldnt believe me. And Keiths one to talk Hes always hanging out with Clarence and wont say why.Probably to make sure he remains stable. I understand the old man isnt all there.Hes obsessed with vampire hunters, I explained. He thinks there are humans out there that killed his niece.Well, said my father, there are some humans out there who tweak on to the vampire world, t hose whom we cant dissuade. Hardly hunters. Keiths doing his duty by enlightening Clarence. You, however, are misguided.Thats not a fair comparisonHonestly, I blame myself, he said. Somehow I doubted that. I shouldnt have let you go. You werent ready not after what you went through. Being with these vampires is confusing you. Thats why Im recalling you.What?If I had my way, itd be right now. Unfortunately, Zoe wont be ready for another two weeks. The Alchemists want her to undergo some testing before she gets her tattoo. Once she does, well send her in your place and get you some help.Dad This is crazy. Im doing fine here. enthral, dont send Zoe Im sorry, Sydney, he said. Youve left me no choice. Please dont get into trouble in your remaining time.He disconnected, and I stood in the hall, my heart sinking. Two weeks Two weeks and they were sending Zoe. And me where were they sending me? I didnt want to think about it, but I knew. I needed to stop this from happening. Wheels were a lready in motion. The tattoos, I suddenly thought. If I could finish my tests on the stolen substances and find out info about the blood supplier, I would earn the Alchemists regard hopefully enough to take away the foul that Keith had put on me.And why had he done it? Why now? I knew hed never wanted me along. Maybe he had just been biding his time, twist up evidence against me until he could get me ousted in one fell swoop. I wouldnt let him, though. Id bust open this tattoo case and prove who the stellar Alchemist was. I had enough evidence now to get their aid and would simply turn in what I had if nothing new came to light within a week.The decision filled me with resolve, but I still had trouble sleeping when I went to bed later. My fathers threat hung over me, as did my fear of the reeducation centers.After about an hour of tossing and turning I lastly dozed off. But even that was fitful and troubled. I woke up after only a few hours and then had to fall asleep all over a gain.This time, I dreamed.In the dream, I stood in Clarences living room. Everything was neat and in place, the dark wood and antique furniture giving the space its frequent ominous feel. The details were surprisingly vivid, and it was like I could even olfactory perception the dusty books and leather on the furniture.Huh. It worked. Wasnt sure if it would with a human.I spun around and found Adrian leaning against the wall. He hadnt been there a moment ago, and I had a flash of that childhood fear of vampires appearing out of nowhere. Then I remembered this was a dream, and these kinds of things happened.What werent you sure about? I asked.He gestured around him. If I could reach you. Bring you here into this dream. I didnt quite come after what he meant and said nothing. He arched an eyebrow. You dont know, do you? Where you are?At Clarences, I said reasonably. Well, in reality Im asleep in my bed. This is just a dream.Youre half right, he said. This is a spirit dream. This is real.I frowned. A spirit dream. Since most of our information about spirit was sketchy, we had hardly anything on spirit dreams. Id learned most of what I knew about them from Rose, who had been frequently visited by Adrian in them. According to her, the dreamer and the spirit user were actually together, in a meeting of the minds, communicating across long distances. It was hard for me to fully grasp that, but Id seen Rose wake up with information she wouldnt have otherwise had. Still, I had no evidence to suggest I was really in a spirit dream now.This is just a mending dream, I countered.Are you sure? he asked. Look around. Concentrate. Doesnt it feel different? Like a dream but not like a dream. Not quite like real life either. Call it what you want, but the next time we see each other in the waking world, Ill be able to tell you exactly what happened here.I looked around the room, studying it as hed suggested. Again, I was struck by the vividness of even the smallest details. It certainly felt real, but dreams often did right? You usually never knew you were conceive of until you woke up. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to still my mind. And like that, I felt it. I understood what he meant. Not quite like a dream. Not quite like real life. My eyes flew open.Stop it, I cried, backing away from him. Make it end. get under ones skin me out of here.Because in accepting that this really was a spirit dream, Id had to greet something else I was surrounded in vampire magic. My mind was ensnared in it. I felt claustrophobic. The magic was pressing on me, crushing the air.Please. My voice grew more and more frantic. Please let me go.Adrian straightened up, looking surprised. Whoa, Sage. Calm down. Youre okay.No. Im not. I dont want this. I dont want the magic touching me.It wont hurt you, he said. Its nothing.Its wrong, I whispered. Adrian, stop it.He reached out a hand, like he might try to comfort me, and then thought better of it. It wont hu rt you, he repeated. Just hear me out, and then Ill dissolve it. I promise. scour in the dream, my pulse was racing. I wrapped my arms around myself and O.K. up against the wall, trying to make myself small. Okay, I whispered. Hurry.I just wanted to say He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced away uncomfortably before looking at me again. Were his eyes greener here than in real life? Or was it just my imagination? I wanted to I wanted to apologize.For what? I asked. I couldnt process anything beyond my own terror.For what I did. You were right. I wasted your time and your work today.I forced my mind to hang back up memories from this afternoon. Thank you, I said simply.I dont know why I do these things, he added. I just cant help it.I was still terrified, still suffocating in the magic surrounding me. Somehow, I managed to echo my earlier conversation with Eddie.You can take control of yourself, I said. You arent a victim.Adrian had been gazing off, troubled by his thought s. He suddenly jerked his gaze back to me. Just like Rose.What?Adrian held out his hand, and a thorny red rise suddenly materialized there. I gasped and tried to back up farther. He twirled the stand around, careful not to prick his fingers.She said that. That I was playing the victim. Am I really that pathetic?The rose wilted and crumpled before my eyes, turning to dust and then vanishing altogether. I made the sign against plague on my shoulder and tried to remember what we were talking about.Pathetics not the word Id use, I said.What word would you use?My mind was blanking. I dont know. Confused?He smiled. Thats an understatement.Ill check a dictionary when I wake up and get back to you. Can you please end this?The smile faded to an expression of amazement. You really are that scared, arent you? I let my silence answer for me. Okay, one more thing, then. I thought of another way I can get out of Clarences and get some money. I was reading about college and financial aid. If I took classes somewhere, do you think I could get enough to live on?This was a concrete question I could deal with. Its possible. But I think its too late. Classes have started everywhere.I found a place on the internet. Carlton. A college on the other side of town that hasnt started yet. But Id still have to act fast, and thats what I dont know how to do. The paperwork. The procedures. But thats your specialty, right?Sad but true, I said. Some snap off of me thought Carlton sounded familiar, but I couldnt place it.He took a deep breath. Will you help me? I know its making you babysit again, but I dont know where to start. I promise Ill meet you halfway, though. Tell me what I need to do, and I will.Babysit. Hed been talking to Jill or Eddie or both. That was reasonable, though. Hed want to know that she was okay. I could only imagine how my tirade had been paraphrased.You were in college before, I said, recalling his record. Id scoured it when move together the ill-fated resume. Y ou dropped out.Adrian nodded. I did.How do I know you wont this time? How do I know you arent just wasting my time again?You dont know, Sage, he admitted. And I dont blame you. All I can ask is that you give me another chance. That you try to believe me when I say Ill attach to through. That you believe Im serious. That you trust me.Long moments stretched out between us. Id relaxed slightly, without even realizing it, though I remained up against the wall. I studied him, wishing I was better at reading people. His eyes were that green in real life, I decided. I just usually didnt look at them so closely.Okay, I said. I trust you.Total shock filled his features. You do?I was no better at reading people than I had been ten seconds ago, but in that moment, I suddenly gained a flash of understanding into the mystery that was Adrian Ivashkov. People didnt believe in him very often. They had low expectations of him, so he did as well. Even Eddie had sort of written him off Hes Adrian. As though there was nothing to be done for it.I also suddenly realized that, as unlikely as it seemed, Adrian and I had a lot in common. Both of us were constantly boxed in by others expectations. It didnt matter that people expected everything of me and nothing of him. We were still the same, both of us constantly trying to break out of the lines that others had defined for us and be our own person. Adrian Ivashkov flippant, vampire party boy was more like me than anyone else I knew. The thought was so startling that I couldnt even answer him right away.I do, I said at last. Ill help you. I shivered. The fear of the dream returned, and I just wanted this to be over. I wouldve agreed to anything to be back in my non-magical bed. But not here. Please will you send me back? Or end this? Or whatever it is?He nodded slowly, still looking stunned. The room began to fade, its colors and lines melting like a painting left in the rain. Soon, all dimmed to black, and I found myself waking u p in my dorm room bed. As I did, I just barely caught the sound of his voice in my mindThank you, Sage.