Bloodlines Chapter Nine

CONSIDERING I WAS ONLY SUPPOSED to visit Clarences twice a week for feedings, I was kind of amazed that I seemed to be here practically every day. Not only that, this was my first time visiting the estate al angiotensin converting enzyme. Before, Id been with Keith or Jill and had a very well-defined goal. instanteradays, I was on my own. I hadnt agnize how much that would freak me show up until I was approaching the house, which became rase more looming and dark than usual.thithers nonhing to be triskaidekaphobic of, I told myself. Youve been with a coquetteire and dhampir all week. You should be used to it. Besides, rightfully, the scariest thing abtaboo this place was the old house itself. Clarence and leeward werent all that intimidating, and Adrian well, Adrian was pretty much the least scarey vampire Id ever met. He was also bratty for me to feel either real fear, and actually as much as I hated to harbour it, I kind of looked forward to seeing him. It phrenetice no sense, scarcely something ab divulge his infuriating nature made me for defecate about my other(a) worries. Weirdly, I felt care I could relax more or less him.Dorothy escorted me in, and I expected to be taken to the sitting room again. Instead, the house preserveer led me through a fewer twists and turns of the dark halls, finally landing in a billiards room that looked worry it could have been straight out of Clue. More dark wood lined the room, and stained glass windows allow in filtered insolatelight. Most of the rooms illumination came from a hanging light centered all over a rich green pool table. Adrian was facing up a shot as I shut the door behind me.Oh, he said, knocking a red ball into a hole. Its you.You were expecting person else? I asked. Am I interrupting your social calendar? I made a coarse show of glancing nearly the empty room. I dont urgency to keep you from the mob of fans beating down your door.Hey, a guy basin hope. I mean, its not impossib le that a car full of scantily clad sorority girls world power break down outside and need my help.Thats true, I said. Maybe I can put a sign out front that says, ATTENTION altogether GIRLS FREE HELP HERE.ATTENTION ALL HOT GIRLS, he corrected, straightening up.Right, I said, trying not to roll my eyeball. Thats an important distinction.He pointed at me with the pool stick. speech production of hot, I like that uniform.This time, I did roll my eyes. After Adrian had teased me last time about my uniform smell like my normal clothes, Id made legitimate to change out of it before coming today. Now I wore dark jeans and a black-and-white printed blouse with a ruffled collar. I should have known the furnish change wouldnt save me from his snark.Are you the only one here? I asked, noting his solo game.Nah. Clarence is around doing I dont know. Old man stuff. And I think Lees doctor that lock before he heads to LA. Its kind of funny. He seems upset that he needs to use tools. He kee ps thinking the strength of his own detainment should be more than enough.I couldnt help a smile. I dont suppose you offered to help?Sage, Adrian declared. These hands dont do manual labor. He knocked another ball into a hole. You want to play?What? With you?No, with Clarence. He sighed at my dumbfounded look. Yes, of course with me.No. I need to discourse to you about Jill.He was silent for a few moments and accordingly returned to the game as though nothing had happened. She wasnt sick today. He said that with certainty, though there was a funny, bitter tone to his words.No. Well, not in the same way. She got sick out in the sun during PE. Im going to see Keith after this to see if we can get a medical excuse. Id actually essay calling him earlier, with no luck. But thats not why Im here. Theres a guy who likes Jill a pitying guy.Have Castile rough him up.I leaned back against the wall and sighed. Thats the thing. I asked him to. Well, not rough him up, exactly. Its Eddies r oommate. I asked Eddie to tell him to back off and make up some reason for staying away from Jill like that shes too young. Fearing Adrian would be as lax as Eddie in this, I asked, You understand why its important, right? No Moroi and human dating?He was watching the table, not me. Yup, Im with you there, Sage. But I still dont see the problem.Eddie wont do it. He says he doesnt think Jill should be denied the chance to date and go to dances. That its okay if she and Micah hang out, so long as it doesnt get serious.Adrian was good at hiding his feelings, but this looked like itd caught him by surprise. He straightened up and spun the base of the pool stick on the floor as he thought. That is weird. I mean, I get the logic, and theres something to it. She shouldnt be forced into isolation objet dart shes here. Im just surprised Castile came up with it.Yeah, but thats a hard c one timeit to live by. Where do you draw the casual line? Honestly, I get this feeling Eddie just didnt w ant to confront Micah the roommate. Which is crazy, because Eddie doesnt seem like the type to be afraid of anything. What is there about Micah that would make Eddie so un subdued?Is Micah some big, hulking guy?No, I said. Hes built, I guess. Good at sports. Really friendly and well-fixed not the type youd have to be afraid would turn on you if you warned him away from your sister.Then you can talk to him. Or just talk to Jailbait and justify things to her. Adrian seemed satisfied hed solved the matter and knocked in the last ball. That was my externalize. I just wanted to make sure youd back me. Jill listens to you, and I thought itd be easier if she knew you concord with me. Not that I even know how she feels. For all I know, this is all over come out.Cant hurt to be too careful with her, said Adrian. He stared off, lost in his own thoughts. And Ill let her know how I feel about it.Thank you, I said, kind of surprised at how easy this had been.His green eyes danced mischievo usly. Now will you play a round with me?I dont really The door opened, and Lee walked in, dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt. He was carrying a screwdriver. Hey, Sydney. I thought I saw your car out there. He glanced around. Is, uh, Jill with you?Not today, I said. New insight struck me as I recalled that Lee attended school in Los Angeles. Lee, have you ever dated a human girl at your school?Adrian arched an eyebrow. Are you asking him out, Sage?I scowled. NoLee turned thoughtful. No, not really. I have some human friends, and we go out as a group and hang out but Ive neer done more than that. LAs a big place, though. There are Moroi girls around, if you know where to look.Adrian perked up. Oh?My hope that Lee might tell Jill he too had to avoid dating faded. Well, that would make your dating situation much easier than Jills.What do you mean? asked Lee.I recapped everything to him about Micah and Eddie. Lee nodded along thoughtfully.That is hard, he admitted.Can we go back t o the part about Moroi girls hanging out in LA? asked Adrian hopefully. Can you direct me to some of the oh, lets say, more open-minded ones?Lees attention was on me, however. His easy smile grew uncertain, and he glanced at his feet. This might seem kind of weird but I mean, I wouldnt mind asking Jill out.Adrian was on that before I could even think of a response. What, do you mean like on a date? You son of a bitch Shes only fifteen. You never wouldve guessed hed been talk of the town about easy Moroi girls only moments before.Adrian, I said. Im guessing Lees definition of a date is a little different than yours.Sorry, Sage. Youve got to trust me when it comes to dating definitions. Last I checked, you arent an expert in social matters. I mean, when was the last time you were even on a date? It was just another of the witty barbs he tossed around so easily, but it stung a little. Was my lack of social experience that obvious?But, I added, ignoring Adrians question, there is an ag e difference. I honestly had no whim how old Lee was. His organism in college gave me some clue, but Clarence seemed awfully old. Having a child late in life wasnt that weird, though, for humans or Moroi.There is, said Lee. Im nineteen. Not a huge gap but big enough. I shouldnt have said anything. He looked embarrassed, and I felt both depressed for him and confused for myself. Match devising wasnt in the Alchemist hand take hold.Why would you want to ask her out? I asked. I mean, shes great. But are you just doing this to distract her from Micah and give her a arctic dating alternative? Or do you, um, like her?Of course he likes her, said Adrian, quick to defend Jills honor.I had a feeling that there was really no good way for Lee to answer at this point. If he expressed interest in her, Adrians bizarre chivalric instincts were going to kick in. If Lee wasnt interested, Adrian would no doubt demand to know why Lee didnt want to marry her then and there. It was one of those fasc inating but weird quirks of Adrians personality.I like her, said Lee bluntly. Ive only talked to her a couple of times, but well, Id really like to get to know her split.Adrian scoffed, and I shot him a glare. Once again, I said. I think you guys have different definitions for the same words.Not true, said Adrian. All guys mean the same thing when they want to get to know a girl better. Youre a well-bred young lady, so I understand why youd be too innocent to understand. Good thing youve got me here to interpret.I turned back to Lee, not even bothering to respond to Adrian. I think its fine if you go out with her.Assuming shed even be interested, said Lee, looking uncertain.I remembered her smile when hed stopped to talk to her yesterday. That had seemed pretty promising. But then, so had her enthusiasm over Micah. I bet she would.So youre just going to let her go off alone? asked Adrian, giving me a look that told me not to question him. This time, his concern was legitimate. I shared it. Jill was in Palm Springs to be safe. She was enrolled at Amberwood because it was also safe. Suddenly going out with a guy we hardly knew would not meet either Alchemist or guardian protocols for safety.Well, she cant even leave campus, I said, thinking aloud. Not without me.Whoa, said Adrian, if you get to come along as a chaperone, so do I.If we both do, then Eddie will want to as well, I pointed out. Doesnt sound like much of a date.So? Adrians brief moment of seriousness and concern had vanished in the face of what he saw as social fun. How could anyones mood flip so quickly? Think of it as less of a date than a faux-family outing. One that will entertain me while protecting her virtue.I put my hands on my hips and turned toward him. This seemed to amuse him more. Adrian, were focusing on Jill here. This isnt about your personal entertainment.Not true, he said, green eyes sparkling. Everythings about my personal entertainment. The world is my stage. Keep it up youre becoming a star performer in the show.Lee glanced between us with a comically helpless look. Do you guys want to be alone?I flushed. Sorry. Adrian made no apologies, of course.Look, said Lee, who kind of seemed like he was beginning to regret rescue this up at all. I like her. If it means bringing your whole group so I can be with her, then thats fine.Maybe its better this way, I mused. Maybe if we do more things as a group aside from her feedings she wont be in danger of wanting to go out with a human guy. Who we didnt even know for sure that she was interested in. We didnt even know if she was interested in Lee either. We were creation awfully heavy-handed with her love life, I realized.This is kind of what I wanted before, Adrian said to me. safe more of a social life.I thought back to yesterdays conversation, in which hed demanded I find him lodging. Thats not quite what you asked for.If you want to get out more, said Lee, you should come back to LA with me tonight. Ill be back here after class tomorrow anyway, so itd just be a quick trip.Adrian brightened so much that I wondered if Lee had suggested it to try to smooth over any tension remaining about his interest in Jill. Will you introduce me to those girls? asked Adrian. Unbelievable, I said. Adrians double standard was ridiculous.I didnt notice the door opening until Keith was completely in the room. I was never exactly happy to see him, but it was good luck that he was suddenly here, right when I involve to talk to him about Jill and her problems with PE. My best plan had been to show up at his apartment and hope to haul him there. Hed saved me the trouble.Keith looked at all three of us but he didnt share our smiles. No winks or pretty boy charm from him today. I saw your car out there, Sydney, he said sternly, turning to me. What are you doing here?I had to talk to Adrian, I said. Did you get my message? I tried calling earlier.Ive been busy, he said crisply. His expression was hard, his to ne chilling the room. Adrian and Lee had lost their smiles, and both now looked confused as they tried to figure out why Keith was so annoyed. I shared their curiosity. Lets talk. In private.I suddenly felt like a naughty child without knowing why. Sure, I said. I I was just leaving anyway. I moved to join Keith at the door.Wait, said Lee. What about Adrian nudged him and shake his head, murmuring something I couldnt hear. Lee stayed quiet.See you around, said Adrian cheerfully. Dont worry Ill remember what we talked about.Thanks, I said. See you guys later.Keith left without a word, and I followed him out of the house and into the late-afternoon heat. The temperature had asleep(p) down since the ill-fated PE class but not by much. Keith trudged through the get to driveway, coming to a halt beside Latte. His car was parked nearby.That was rude, I told him. You didnt even say goodbye to them.Sorry if I dont bring out my best manners for vampires, snapped Keith. Im not as close t o them as you are.Whats that supposed to mean? I demanded, crossing my arms. Staring him down, I felt all my old animosity bubble up. It was hard to believe that Id been laughing just a minute ago.Keith sneered. mediocre that you seemed awfully cozy with them in there hanging out, having a good time. I didnt know this was where you spent your free time after school.How dare you I came here on business, I growled.Yeah, I could tell.I did. I had to talk to Adrian about Jill.I dont recall him being her guardian.He cares about her, I argued. Just like any of us would for a friend.Friend? Theyre not like us at all, said Keith. Theyre godless and unnatural, and you have no business being friends with any of them.I wanted to shout back that from what Id observed, Lee was a hundred times more decent of a person than Keith would ever be. up to now Adrian was. It was only at the last second that my training kicked in. Dont raise a fuss. Dont contradict your superiors. No matter how much I hated it, Keith was in consecrate here. I took a deep breath.It was hardly fraternizing. I simply came by to talk to Adrian, and Lee happened to be here. It wasnt like wed all been planning some big party. Best not to mention the group date plan.Why didnt you just call Adrian if you had a question? You called me.Because being face-to-face with him is less sickening than being around you.It was important. And when I couldnt get ahold of you, I figured Id have to drive over to your place anyway.Hoping to shift away from my bad behavior, I jumped in and recapped everything that had happened today, including Jills sun exposure and Micahs attentions.Of course she cant date him, he exclaimed, after Id explained about Micah. You have to put a stop to that.Im trying. And Adrian and Lee said theyd help.Oh, well, I feel a lot better now. Keith shook his head. Dont be naive, Sydney. I told you. They dont care about this stuff as much as we do.I think they do, I argued. Adrian seemed to get it , and he has a lot of influence over Jill.Well, hes not the one the Alchemists are going to come after and send off to re-education for playing around with vampires when she should be disciplining them.I could only stare. I wasnt sure which part of what hed just said was more offensive the well-worn insinuation that I was a vamp lover or that I was capable of disciplining any of them. I shouldve known his false friendliness wouldnt last.Im doing my job here, I said, still keeping my voice level. And from what I can see, Im doing more work than you, since Im the one whos been putting out fires all week.I knew it was an illusion, seeing as the glass eye couldnt really stare, but I felt like he was glaring at me with both eyes. Im doing plenty. Dont even think to criticize me.What were you doing here? I asked, suddenly realizing how weird that was. Hed accused me of interact but had never explained his motives. I had to see Clarence, not that its any of your business.I wanted more det ails but refused to let on how curious I was. Hed been here yesterday too, according to Lee. Will you call the school tomorrow and get Jill excused from PE?Keith gave me a long and heavy look. No.What? Why not?Because being out in the sun wont kill her.Again, I bit down on my anger and tried for the diplomacy Id been schooled in. Keith, you didnt see her. Maybe it wont kill her, but it was miserable for her. She was in agony.I dont really care if theyre miserable or not, Keith said. And neither should you. Our job is to keep her alive. There was no mention of making sure shes happy and comfortable.I wouldnt think anyone would have to tell us, I said, aghast. Why was he so upset? Id think being sensitive human beings, we could just do it. Well, now you can. You can either get someone above us to issue a note to the school or you can give her ice baths after gym class. I really dont care what you do, but maybe itll keep you busy enough that youll stop coming over here unannounced and throwing yourself at creatures of darkness. Dont let me hear about this happening again.You are unbelievable, I said. I was too upset and at a exit for words to manage anything more eloquent.Im looking out for your soul, he said loftily. Its the least I can do for your dad. Too bad you arent more like your sisters.Keith turned his back on me and unlocked the car door without another word. He got in and drove off, leaving me staring. Tears threatened my eyes, and I swallowed them back. I felt like an idiot but not because of his accusations. I didnt believe for an instant that Id done anything wrong by coming over here. No, I was mad mad at myself because Id let him walk away with the last word and because I hadnt had the nerve to say anything back. Id stayed silent, just like everyone always told me to.I kicked the gravel in my anger, sending a spray of it into the air. A few small rocks hit my car, and I winced. Sorry.Would he accuse you of being evil for talking to an nonlivi ng object?I spun around, heart racing. Adrian was leaning against the house, smoking. Where did you come from? I demanded. Even though I knew everything there was to know about vampires, it was hard to shake superstitious fears of them appearing out of thin air.Other door, he explained. I went out to smoke and overheard the commotion.Its rude to eavesdrop, I said, knowing I sounded unbearably prim but unable to stop myself.Its rude to be an asshole like that. Adrian nodded toward where Keith had driven away. Are you going to be able to get Jill out of class? I sighed, suddenly feeling tired. Yeah, I should be able to. Itll just take a little longer while I get some other Alchemist to be our fake parents. Wouldve been a lot faster if Keith had done it.Thanks for looking out for her, Sage. Youre okay. For a human.I almost laughed. Thanks.You can say it too, you know.I walked over to Latte and paused. Say what?That Im okay for a vampire, he explained.I shook my head, still smiling. You ll have a hard time getting any Alchemist to admit that. But I can say youre okay for an irreverent party boy with occasional moments of brilliance.Brilliant? You think Im brilliant? He threw his hands skyward. You hear that, world? Sage says Im brilliant.Thats not what I saidHe dropped the cigarette and stamped it out, giving me a devil-may-care grin. Thanks for the ego boost. Im going to go tell Clarence and Lee all about your high opinion.Hey, I didnt But he was already gone. As I drove away, I decided the Alchemists needed an entire department devoted to handling Adrian Ivashkov. When I got back to my dorm room, I found Jill sitting surrounded in textbooks and papers, undoubtedly trying to catch up from yesterday. Wow, I said, thinking of the homework that waited for me too. Youve got a whole command center set up.Rather than smile at my joke, Jill looked up with an icy gaze. Do you think, she said, that maybe next time you want to mess with my dating life, you could talk to me first?I was speechless. Adrian had said hed talk to Jill. I just hadnt realized itd be so quickly.You dont have to go behind my back to keep me away from Micah, she added. Im not poor fish. I know I cant date a human.So Adrian had manifestly told her that much.And, Jill continued, still in that cold tone, you dont have to set me up with the only eligible Moroi within a hundred miles in order to keep me out of trouble.Okay Adrian had apparently told her everything. I wouldve expected more discretion from him, especially with the Lee part.We we werent setting you up, I said lamely. Lee wanted to ask you out anyway.But rather than talk to me, he asked permission from you guys You dont control my life.I know that, I said. We werent trying to How had this just blown up right in front of me? Lee acted on his own.Just like you did when you went to talk to Adrian behind my back. Her eyes glittered with angry tears, daring me to deny it. I couldnt and only now realized the wrongness of wh at Id done. Ever since she found out she was royal, Jill had watched other people dictate her life for her. Maybe my intentions to get Adrian to talk to her about Micah were good, but Id addressed them in the wrong way.Youre right, I said. Im sorry that I Forget it, she said, slipping a pair of headphones on. I dont want to hear any more. You made me look stupid in front of both Adrian and Lee. Not that theyll even think twice about me in Los Angeles tonight. She waved a hand at me and looked down at the book in front of her. Im done with you.Whether she couldnt hear me because of the music or simply because shed now chosen to ignore me, I couldnt say. All I knew was that I once again found myself comparing her to Zoe. Just like with Zoe, Id tried to do something good for Jill, and it had backfired. Just like with Zoe, Id ended up hurting and humiliating the one Id tried to protect.Sorry, Sage. Last I checked, you arent an expert in social matters.That, I thought bitterly, was the saddest part of all that Adrian Ivashkov was right.