Bloodlines Chapter Seven

ADRIAN? I SAID IN SURPRISE. Whats he have to do with either of this?Jill simply shake her head and looked at me beseechingly. Please. Just take me to him.solely well be spur at that place in a couple days for your feeding.I know, said Jill. But I penury to see him now. Hes the alone integrity who will understand.I found that serious to believe. Youre saying I wouldnt? Or that even Eddie wouldnt?She groaned. No. You nominatet read Eddie. Hell flip out.I tried not to fr deliver as I mulled everything over. Why would Jill need to see Adrian after this mishap at school? Adrian couldnt do anything to help that I couldnt. As an Alchemist, I was in the best position to file a complaint. Did Jill just want moral support? I remembered how Jill had hugged Adrian cheerio and suddenly wondered if she had a crush on him. Beca physical exertion surely, if Jill needed to feel protected by someone, Eddie would be a better source to turn to. Or would he? Eddie was likely to go throwing fa lseice desks more or less in his outrage. Keeping this from him might not be a foul idea.Okay, I said at last. Lets go.I firmed us out for off-campus travel, which took a little finagling. Mrs. Weathers was quick to steer out that Jill had been banished to her dorm for the rest of the school day. I was equally quick to point out that classes were almost done, technically meaning the school day was almost finished. Mrs. Weathers couldnt fault the logic but unflurried made us wait the across-the-board ten minutes until the last bell rang. Jill sat there, tapping her foot anxiously against the c pig. We drove the half hour to Clarences estate in the hills, saying little. I didnt in truth know what kind of small talk of the town to make. How was your first day of school? was hardly an appropriate topic. And anyway, each time I thought or so it, I just grew angrier. I couldnt believe any teacher would have the audacity to accuse Jill of saluteing and having a hangover. There wa s authentically no way to erect something like that, and besides, you could tell after spending five minutes with her that it was impossible.A middle-aged benignant woman greeted us at the door. Her name was Dorothy, and she was Clarences housekeeper and feeder. Dorothy was pleasant enough, if a little distracted, and wore a stiff gray dress with a high collar to hide the bite marks on her neck. I smiled spinal column at her and maintained my professional mode but couldnt help a shudder when I thought about what she was. How could anyone do that? How could anyone offer their blood up volitionally like that? My stomach lurched, and I found myself keeping my distance from her. I didnt even want to accidentally drag her arm when I walked past.Dorothy escorted us back to the room wed all been sitting in the day before. There was no sign of Clarence, but Adrian was lying on a plush green couch, ceremony a TV that had been cleverly concealed inside an ornate wooden cabinet last tim e. When he adage us, he turned the TV off with a remote control and sat up. Dorothy excused herself and shut the French doors behind her.Well, this is a nice surprise, he said. He looked us over. Jill had changed into her normal enclothe during her isolation today, but I placid had on the Amberwood blouse and skirt. Sage, arent you guys supposed to have uniforms? This looks like what you usually wear.Cute, I said, suppressing an eye roll.Adrian gave me a mock bow. Careful. You almost smiled. He reached for a bottle of brandy sitting on a nearby table. Small glasses were arranged around it, and he poured himself a generous amount. You guys want one?Its the middle of the afternoon, I said incredulously. not that itd really matter for me what time of day it was. Ive got a wicked hangover, he declared, giving us a mock toast. This is just the thing to cure it.Adrian, I need to talk to you, said Jill earnestly.He looked over at her, the smirk fading from his face. Whats up, Jailbait?Ji ll glanced uneasily at me. Would you sagaciousnessI took the hint and tried not to let on how irritated I was by all the secrets. Sure. Ill just Ill just go outside again. I didnt like the idea of being exiled, but no way was I going to wander the halls of the old house. Id face the heat.I hadnt gotten very far pile the hall when someone stepped out in front of me. I let out a small scream and nearly jumped three feet in the air. A heartbeat later, I realized it was lee(prenominal) not that it reassured me much. No matter how ostensibly friendly I was with this group, old defenses inside me kicked up at being alone with a new lamia. Running into him didnt help matters either because my brain processed it as an attack downwind just stood there, staring at me. From the expression on his face, he was just as startled to find me in his house though perhaps not quite as dismay about it as I was.Sydney? asked lee. What are you doing here?Within moments, my fear became embarrassmen t, like Id been caught prowling. Oh Im here with Jill. She had kind of a rough day and needed to talk to Adrian. I wanted to give them some privacy and was going to just uh, go outside. lee sides confusion transformed into a smile. You dont have to do that. No need for exile. Come on, I was going to stupefy a snack in the kitchen. My face must have shown abject horror because he laughed. non the homophile kind.I blushed and followed along with him. Sorry, I said. Its instinct.No problem. You Alchemists are kind of jumpy, you know.Yeah. I laughed uncomfortably. I know.Ive always wanted to meet one of you, but you guys for sure arent what I expected. He overt the door to a spacious kitchen. The rest of the house might be antique and gloomy, but inside here, everything was bright and modern. If it makes you feel any better, youre not as bad as Keith. He was here earlier today and was so nervous, he literally kept looking over his shoulder. Lee paused thought full(a)y. I think it mi ght have been because Adrian kept laughing like a mad scientist at those old black-and-white movies he was watching.I came to an sharp stop. Keith was here today? What for?Youd have to ask Dad. Thats who he talked to the most. Lee opened the refrigerator and produced a toilet of Coke. Want one?I uh, no. as well as much sugar.He grabbed another(prenominal) can. Diet?I hesitated only a moment before taking it. Sure. Thanks. I hadnt intended to eat or drink anything in this house, but the can seemed safe enough. It was sealed and looked like it had come straight from a human grocery store, not some vampiric cauldron. I opened it and took a sip as my mind spun. You have no idea at all what it was about?Huh? Lee had added an apple to his menu and hoisted himself up so he sat on the replication. Oh, Keith? No. But if I had to guess, it was about me. Like he was trying to figure out if Im staying here or not. He took a giant bite into the apple, and I wondered if having fangs made th at harder at all. He just likes his facts straight, I said neutrally. As much as I disliked Keith, I still wanted a unified human front. I wasnt entirely inaccurate, though. I was pretty sure Keith felt undermined at learning there was one extra Moroi in his territory and was now making sure he was in on everything. Part of it was good Alchemist business, sure, but most was probably Keiths wounded pride.Lee didnt seem to think much of it and kept chewing his apple, though I could feel his eyes debateing me. You said Jill had a bad day? Is everything okay?Yeah, I think so. I mean, I dont know. Im not even sure how things got messed up. She wanted to see Adrian for some reason. Maybe he can help.Hes Moroi, said Lee pragmatically. Maybe its just something only he could understand something you and Eddie couldnt. No offense.None taken, I said. It was only natural that Jill and I would have unambiguous differences I was a human, and she was a vampire, after all. We couldnt be more different if we tried, and in fact, I kind of preferred it that way. You go to college in Los Angeles? A human school? It wasnt that weird a behavior for Moroi. Sometimes they stuck together in their own communities sometimes they tried to blend into large human cities.Lee nodded. Yup. And it was hard for me at first too. I mean, even without others obviously knowing youre a vampire well, theres just a sense of otherness youre always aware of. I eventually adjusted but I know what shes going through.Poor Jill, I said, suddenly realizing Id come at this situation all wrong. Most of my zilch had been fixed on the school believing Jills illness was a hangover. I shouldve focused on why she was sick in the first place. Anxiety over this new life change had to be taking its toll. Id battled my own uneasiness, trying to figure out friendships and social cues but at least I was still dealing with my own race. I didnt really think about what shes going through.Do you want me to talk to he r? asked Lee. He set the apple core aside. Not that Im sure I have that much wisdom to share.Anything might help, I said honestly.A silence fell between us, and I began to feel uneasy. Lee seemed very friendly, but my old fears were too ingrained. Part of me felt like he didnt so much want to get to know me as study me. Alchemists were clearly a novelty to him. Do you mind me asking the tattoo. It gives you special powers, right?It was nearly a repeat of the conversation at school, except Lee actually knew the truth behind it. I absentmindedly touched my cheek. Not powers, exactly. Theres compulsion in it to keep us from talking about what we do. And I get a good immune system out of it. But the rest? Im nothing special.Fascinating, he murmured. I looked away uneasily and tried to casually brush my hair back into my face.Adrian stuck his head in just then. All his earlier humor was gone. Ah, there you are. Can I talk to you in private for a sec?The question was directed to me, and L ee jumped off the counter. Ill take the cue. Is Jill still in the den? Adrian nodded, and Lee glanced at me questioningly. Do you want me to ?I nodded. Thatd be great. Thank you.Lee left, and Adrian glanced back at me curiously. What was that about?Oh, we thought Lee might be able to help Jill with her problems, I explained. Since he can relate.Problems?Yeah, you know. Adjusting to quick with humans.Oh, said Adrian. He produced a pack of cigarettes and, to my complete astonishment, lit up right in front of me. That. Yeah, I guess thats good. But thats not what I wanted to talk to you about. I need you to get me out of this place.I was startled. This wasnt about Jill?Out of Palm Springs? I asked.No Out of this place. He gestured around him. Its like living in a retirement home Clarence is taking a nap right now, and he eats at five. Its so boring.Youve only been here for some(prenominal) days.And thats more than enough. The only thing keeping me alive is that he keeps a hefty supp ly of liquor on hand. But at the rate Im going, thatll be gone by the weekend. Jesus Christ, Im climbing the walls. His eyes fell on the cross at my neck. Oh. Sorry. No offense to Jesus.I was still too baffled by the unexpected topic to feel much offense. What about Lee? Hes here, right?Yes, agreed Adrian. Sometimes. But hes busy with hell, I dont know. school day stuff. Hes going back to Los Angeles tomorrow, and thatll be another boring night for me. Besides He looked around conspiratorially. Lees nice enough, but hes not well, hes not really into having fun. Not the way I am.That might be a good thing, I pointed out.No morality lectures, Sage. And hey, like I said, I like him okay, but hes not here enough. When he is, he keeps to himself. Hes always checking himself out in the mirror, even more than I do. I heard him worrying about gray hair the other day.I didnt care about Lees eccentricities. Where would you even want to go? You dont want A very unpleasant thought came to me. You dont want to enroll at Amberwood, do you?What, and play 21 Jump Street with the rest of you? No, thank you.Twenty-one what?Never mind. Look. He put out the cigarette on the counter which I thought was kind of ridiculous since hed hardly smoked any of it. Why bother with such a filthy habit if you werent going to use it all? I need my own place, okay? You guys make things happen. Cant you get me some swank bachelors pad like Keith has downtown so I can party with all the rich vacationers? Drinking alone is wistful and pathetic. I need people. Even human people.No, I said. Im not authorized to do that. You arent well, you arent really my responsibility. Were just taking care of Jill and Eddie, since hes her bodyguard.Adrian scowled. What about a car? Can you do that?I agitate my head.What about your car? What if I drop you guys back off at the school and then borrow it for a while?No, I said swiftly. That was probably the craziest suggestion he couldve made. Latte was my baby . I certainly wasnt about to lend it out to a heavy drinker especially to one who also happened to be a vampire. If there was ever a vampire who seemed particularly irresponsible, it was Adrian Ivashkov.Youre killing me here, SageIm not doing anything.Exactly my point.Look, I said, growing irritated. I told you. Youre not my responsibility. Talk to Abe if you want things changed. Isnt he the reason youre here? Adrians excitation and self-pity shifted to wariness. What do you know about that?Right. He didnt know Id overheard their conversation.I mean, hes the one who brought you guys here and made the arrangements with Clarence, right? I hoped that would be convincing enough and possibly yield me a little information on what Abes master plan was.Yes, Adrian said, after several seconds of intense scrutiny. But Abe wants me to stay in this tomb. If I got my own place, wed have to keep it secret from him.I scoffed. Then Im definitely not helping, even if I could. You couldnt pay me to cross Abe.I could see Adrian bracing for another argument and decided to make my exit. Turning my back on him and any further protests, I headed out of the kitchen and back to the living room. There, I found Jill and Lee talking, and she wore the first genuine smile Id seen in a while. She laughed at some comment he made and then looked up at my entrance.Hey, Sydney, she said.Hey, I said. atomic number 18 you about ready to go?Is it time? she asked. Both she and Lee looked disappointed, but then she answered her own question. I guess it is. You probably have homework, and Eddies probably in a bad way(p) already.Adrian entered the room behind me, looking pouty. Jill glanced at him, and for a moment, her gaze turned inward, like her mind had gone somewhere else. Then she turned back to me. Yeah, she said. We should go. I hope we can talk later, Lee.Me too, he said, standing up. Ill be around here, off and on.Jill hugged Adrian goodbye, clearly reluctant to be leaving him too. Wit h Lee, shed looked mostly like she was sad to leave something that had just gotten interesting. With Adrian, there was more of a sense like she wasnt sure how she was going to get by. Her bordering scheduled feeding was in two days, and Adrian was encouraging, telling her she was rugged enough to get through the next school day. Despite how much he kept annoying me, I was moved by his compassion for the younger girl. Anyone who was that nice to Jill couldnt be that bad. He was starting to surprise me.You look better, I told her as we drove toward Vista Azul.Talking to Adrian to both of them it was helpful.Do you think youll be okay tomorrow?Yeah. Jill sighed and leaned back against the seat. It was just nerves. That, and I didnt eat much breakfast.Jill I bit my lip, hesitant to plunge forward. Confrontation wasnt my strong suit, particularly with awkward personal topics. You and AdrianJill gave me a wary look. What about us?Is there anything I mean, are you guys ?No Out of the cor ner of her eye, I saw Jill turn bright pink. It was the most color I had ever seen in a vampires face. Why would you say that?Well. You were sick this morning. And then really adamant about seeing Adrian. Youre always sad to leave him tooJill gaped. Do you think Im pregnant?Not exactly, I said, realizing it was kind of a nonsensical answer. I mean, maybe. I dont know. Im just considering all the possibilitiesWell, dont consider that one Theres nothing going on between us. Nothing. Were friends. Hed never be interested in me. She said it with a sour certainty and maybe even a little wistfully.Thats not true, I said, fumbling to undo the damage. I mean, youre younger, yeah, but youre cute Yes, this was a terrible conversation. I was just babbling now.Dont, said Jill. Dont tell me Im nice and pretty and have a lot to offer. Or whatever. None of that matters. Not when hes still hung up on her.Her? Oh. Rose.Id nearly forgotten. The trip to Court had been the first time Id seen Adrian i n person, but Id actually seen him once before on security camera footage when hed been at a casino with Rose. The two of them had dated, though I wasnt entirely sure how serious the relationship had been. When Id helped Rose and Dimitri escape, the chemistry between those two had been off the charts, even if theyd both been in denial of it. Even Id been able to spot it a mile away, and I knew next to nothing about romance. Seeing as Rose and Dimitri were formally a couple now, I had to assume things with Adrian hadnt ended well.Yeah. Rose. Jill sighed and stared vacantly ahead. Shes all he sees when he closes his eyes. Flashing dark eyes and a body full of fire and energy. No matter how much he tries to forget her, no matter how much he drinks shes always there. He cant escape her.Jills voice dripped with astonish bitterness. I might have written it off as jealousy, except that she talked as though shed been personally been wronged by Rose too.Jill? Are you okay?Huh? Oh. Jill shoo k her head, like she was shaking off the cobwebs of a dream. Yeah, fine. Sorry. Its been a weird day. Im a little out of it. Didnt you say we could pick up some things? A sign for the next exit advertised a shopping center.I rolled with the change in subject, glad to be away from personal matters, though I was still pretty confused. Uh, yeah. We need sunscreen. And maybe we can get a little TV for the room.Thatd be great, said Jill.I left it at that and took the next exit. Neither of us spoke about Adrian for the rest of the night.