The Golden Lily (37 page)

“Good,” I said. “Now just reverse what you did before, one hand down in front of the—” Something slipped, either his hand or foot, and Adrian plummeted to the ground. It wasn’t that long of a drop, and his height helped a little—not that he was in any shape to actualy use his legs and land on his feet. I winced.

“Or you can just take the short way down,” I said.

I quickly scaled down after him and helped him stand. Aside from the spell’s debilitation, he didn’t seem to have suffered any damage. Slipping an arm around him and letting him lean his weight on me, I attempted to run toward the road he’d mentioned, which was now slightly visible. “Running” was difficult, however. It was hard work keeping Adrian up and I kept stumbling. still, we made our way slowly from the compound, which was about as much as we could hope for.

Adrian’s state made him clumsy and heavy, and his height was a real inconvenience.

Then, without warning, the spell wore off, and Adrian instantly recovered. His legs strengthened and his unwieldy gait straightened out. Suddenly, it was as though he were carrying me, and we practicaly tripped over each other trying to adjust.

“You okay?” I asked, letting go.

“I am now. What the hell was that?”

“It’s not important. What is important is that those guys have recovered too. Maybe I knocked them down hard enough to slow them down.” That seemed kind of unlikely. “But run anyway.”

We ran, and even if he undoubtedly had the respiratory system of a chain smoker, his long legs made up for it. He could easily outdistance me but slowed so that we stayed together.

Whenever he started to get ahead, he’d grab my hand again.

Shouts sounded behind us, and I turned off the flashlight to make us harder to spot.

“There,” said Adrian. “See the cars?”

Slowly, out of the darkness, two SUVs materialized, along with a much more conspicuous yelow Mustang.

“Very covert,” I muttered.

“Most of the guardians have gotten away,” said Adrian. “But not everyone.”

Before I could respond, someone grabbed me from behind. In a maneuver that would have made Wolfe proud, I managed the backward kick that he’d tried so hard Before I could respond, someone grabbed me from behind. In a maneuver that would have made Wolfe proud, I managed the backward kick that he’d tried so hard to teach us. It caught my attacker by surprise, and he released me, only for his companion to shove me to the ground.

Three figures ran toward us from the cars and hurled themselves at our attackers. Thanks to his signature duster, I knew Dimitri led the group.

“Get out of here,” he caled to Adrian and me. “You know

“Get out of here,” he caled to Adrian and me. “You know where to meet. We’ll cover you. Drive fast—they’ll probably be on the road soon.” Adrian helped me up, and once again we ran together. I’d hurt my ankle in the fal, so I moved slowly, but Adrian helped me along and let me lean on him. All the while, my heart was threatening to pound out of my chest, even when we reached the safety of the Mustang. He guided me to the passenger side. “Can you get in okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, sliding in and unwiling to admit the pain was growing. I prayed I hadn’t slowed us too much. I couldn’t stand the thought of being the one responsible for Adrian’s capture.

Satisfied, Adrian raced over to the driver’s side and started the car. The engine roared to life, and he folowed Dimitri’s orders to the letter, peeling out at a speed I was envious of. Out on this country highway, however, it seemed unlikely there were any cops. I glanced behind us a few times, but by the time we made it to I-10, it was obvious no one had folowed us. I sighed gratefuly and leaned my head against the seat, though I was still a long way from being calm. I couldn’t assume we were safe yet.

“Okay,” I said. “How on earth did you guys find me?” Adrian didn’t answer right away. When he did, I could tell it was with great reluctance. “Eddie put a tracking device in your purse, back at my place.”

“What? He couldn’t have! They searched me.”

“Wel, I’m sure it didn’t look like one. I don’t know what he ended up getting. He got it from your people, actualy. As soon as Trey confirmed the meeting tonight, Belikov was on the phone as Trey confirmed the meeting tonight, Belikov was on the phone with every guardian in a two-hour radius, trying to recruit backup. He caled the Alchemists too and convinced them to share some tech.”

There were so many crazy things about what he’d just said, I didn’t know where to begin parsing it. All sorts of wheeling and dealing had gone on without me realizing it. And even when it had been settled, no one had told me about it. Plus, the Alchemists had been involved? Helping the guardians to track me?

“The earrings,” I said. “That’s where they came from. The tracker must be in one of them. I never would have guessed.”

“I’m not surprised, knowing the way you guys work.” The rest of tonight’s reality began to sink in. The last of my fear subsided—only to be replaced by anger.

“You lied to me!

All of you! You should have told me what you were doing—that you were tracking me and planning a raid! How could you keep that from me?” He sighed. “I didn’t want to, believe me. I told them over and over they needed to get you in the loop. But everyone was afraid you’d refuse to take the device if you knew about it. Or that you’d somehow slip up and give away the plan to those nuts. I didn’t believe that, though.”

“And yet, you didn’t bother teling me yourself,” I snapped, still outraged.

“I couldn’t! They made me promise not to.” Somehow, his betrayal hurt worse than all the others. I had come to trust him implicitly. How could he do this to me?

“No come to trust him implicitly. How could he do this to me? “No one believed I’d be able to talk the Warriors down, so everyone just made contingency plans without me.” Never mind that I hadn’t been able to talk them down. “Someone should have told me. You should have told me.” There was legitimate pain and regret in his voice. “I’m teling you, I wanted to. But I was trapped. You of all people should know what it’s like being caught between groups, Sage. Besides, don’t you remember what I said just before you got in the car with Trey?” I did, actualy. Almost word for word. No matter what happens, I want you to know that I never doubted what you’re going to do. It’s smart, and it’s brave.

I slouched further into my seat and felt like I was on the verge of tears. Adrian was right. I did know what it was like to have your loyalty stretched between different groups. I understood the position he’d been in. It was just, some selfish part of me wished that I’d been the one his loyalty had been strongest to. He tried, an inner voice said. He tried to tell you.

The meeting spot that Dimitri had told Adrian to go to turned out to be Clarence’s house. The place was crawling with guardians, some of whom were patching up each other’s injuries.

No one had been kiled on either side, something the guardians had been very cautious about. The Warriors of Light already thought vampires were twisted and corrupt. They didn’t need more fuel added to the fire.

Not that tonight’s raid was probably going to help matters. I Not that tonight’s raid was probably going to help matters. I had no clue how the Warriors would react or if there might be some lethal retaliation in store. I supposed the guardians and Alchemists had taken that into consideration. I wondered bitterly if any of them would share their opinions on it with me.

“I know better than to offer to heal you,” Adrian told me, as we squeezed past a group of guardians. “Grab a seat in the living room, and I’ll get you some ice.” I started to say I could get my own, but my ankle was growing increasingly painful. With a nod, I left him and made my way to the living room. A couple of unknown guardians were there, along with a beaming Clarence. To my surprise, Eddie and Angeline were also in there, sitting side by side—and holding hands?

“Sydney!” he exclaimed. He immediately released Angeline’s hand and hurried over to me, astonishing me with a hug. “Thank God you’re okay. I hated having to

“Sydney!” he exclaimed. He immediately released Angeline’s hand and hurried over to me, astonishing me with a hug. “Thank God you’re okay. I hated having to leave you there. That wasn’t part of the plan. I was supposed to have gotten you out with Sonya.”

“Yeah, wel, maybe next time, someone can fill me in on the plan,” I said pointedly.

Eddie grimaced. “I’m sorry about that. I realy am. We just …”

“I know, I know. Didn’t think I’d go along with it, were afraid something would go wrong, etc., etc.”

“I’m sorry.”

I didn’t entirely forgive him, but I was too tired to push the matter much further. “Just tell me this,” I said, lowering my voice.

matter much further. “Just tell me this,” I said, lowering my voice.

“Were you just holding hands with Angeline?” He blushed, which seemed ludicrous after the fierceness I’d seen him pull off back at the compound. “Er, yeah. We were just … talking. I mean, that is … I think we might go out sometime. Not at school, of course, since everyone thinks we’re related. And probably not anything serious. I mean, she’s still a little out there, but she’s not as bad as I used to think. And she was realy great in that battle. I feel like maybe I should get my head out of the fantasy with Jill and try some normal dating. If you’ll let me borrow your car.”

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. “Sure,” I said. “Far be it for me to stop a budding romance.” Should I tell him Jill might not be such a fantasy after al? I didn’t want to meddle. Eddie deserved to be happy, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bad that I’d told Jill he might be interested. I hope I hadn’t made things more complicated.

Adrian returned with a bag of ice. I sat down in an armchair, and he helped position the ice on my ankle after I propped it up on a footstool. I relaxed as the ice began numbing the pain and hoped I hadn’t broken anything.

“Isn’t this exciting?” Clarence asked me. “Finaly, you were able to see the vampire hunters for yourselves!” I wasn’t sure I’d describe the night with that much enthusiasm, but I did have to concede a point to him. “You were right,” I said. “I’m sorry for not believing you sooner.” He gave me a kind smile. “It’s all right, my dear. I probably wouldn’t have believed a crazy old man either.” wouldn’t have believed a crazy old man either.” I smiled in return and then thought of something from earlier.

“Mr. Donahue … you said when you encountered the hunters before that a human named Marcus Finch intervened on your behalf.” Clarence nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes. Nice young man, that Marcus. Certainly hope I run into him again someday.”

“Was he an Alchemist?” I asked. Seeing Clarence’s puzzled look, I tapped my cheek. “Did he have a tattoo like mine?”

“Like yours? No, no. It was different. Hard to explain.” I leaned forward. “But he did have a tattoo on his cheek?”

“Yes. Didn’t you see in the picture?”

“What picture?”

Clarence’s gaze turned inward. “I could’ve sworn I showed you some of my old pictures, back when Lee and Tamara were young … ah, such good days those were.” I worked hard to stay patient. Clarence’s moments of coherence were sometimes hard to get a hold of. “And Marcus?

You have a picture of him too?”

“Of course. A lovely one of the two of us. I’ll find it one day and show you.”

I wanted to ask him if he’d show it to me now, but with his place so crowded, it didn’t seem like the right time.

Dimitri arrived shortly thereafter, along with the last of the guardians who’d been at the compound. Dimitri immediately asked about Sonya, who I’d learned was resting in her bedroom. Adrian had offered to heal her, but Sonya had had bedroom. Adrian had offered to heal her, but Sonya had had enough clarity of mind to refuse him, saying she simply wanted blood and rest and a chance for the drugs to wear off naturaly.

Once Dimitri got this report and could rest easy about Sonya, he came straight to me, looking down from his lofty height at where I sat with my ice. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I know you must have heard by now what happened.”

“That I was sent into a dangerous situation with only half the information I needed?” I asked. “Yeah, I heard all about that.”

“I’m not a fan of lies and half truths,” he said. “I wished there’d been another way. We had so little time, and this just seemed like the best option. No one doubted your ability to reason and make a compeling case. It was the Warriors’ ability to listen and see reason that we didn’t believe in.”

“I can see why you guys didn’t trust me with the plan.” Near me, I saw Adrian flinch at the way I said “you guys.” I hadn’t intentionaly meant anything by it but realized now that it sounded very condescending and Alchemist—so Us versus Them. “But I still can’t believe the Alchemists went along with that—that they condoned keeping me out of the loop.”

There were no free chairs left, so Dimitri simply sat down cross-legged. “There’s not much I can tell you about that. Like I said, it was all short notice, and when I spoke with Donna Stanton, she felt it would be safer all around if you didn’t know what was coming. If it makes you feel better, she was very adamant about us keeping you safe once we were there.”

“Maybe,” I said. “It’d be better still if she’d thought about how I might feel when I found out I wasn’t trusted with vital how I might feel when I found out I wasn’t

“Maybe,” I said. “It’d be better still if she’d thought about how I might feel when I found out I wasn’t trusted with vital how I might feel when I found out I wasn’t trusted with vital information.”

“She did think about it,” said Dimitri, looking slightly uncomfortable. “She said you wouldn’t mind because you understand the importance of not questioning your superiors’

decisions and that you know what they do is for the best. She said you’re an exemplary Alchemist.” Don’t question. They know what’s best. We can’t take any chances.

“Of course she did,” I said. I never question anything.

IT TOOK SONYA a few days to recover, thus delaying her return to Pennsylvania. When she was ready to go to the airport, I offered to drive her. The rental car had been found, but Dimitri was using it to clean up after the mission. Within twenty-four hours, the Warriors had vacated their compound, which had turned out to be a rental facility generaly used for retreats.

They’d left almost no trace of their presence behind, but that hadn’t stopped the guardians from scouring every inch of the abandoned compound.

“Thanks again,” Sonya told me. “I know how busy you must be.”

“It’s no problem. It’s the weekend, and anyway this is what I’m here for—to help you guys.” She laughed softly to herself. Her recovery in the last couple of days had been remarkable, and she now looked as pretty and bright as usual. She wore her auburn hair down today, letting it fall in fiery waves around the delicate lines of her face. “True, but it seems like you keep having to go above and beyond your job description.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” I said earnestly. I’d grown close

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” I said earnestly. I’d grown close to Sonya and was sad to see her go. “Back in that arena … wel, it was kind of terrifying.” Some of her amusement faded. “It was. I was out of it most of the time and not realy able to process what was going on around me. But I do remember your words.

You were pretty amazing, not to mention brave, to face down that crowd and defend me. I know how hard it must have been to be in opposition with your own kind.”

“Those people are not my kind,” I said adamantly. Some part of me wondered exactly who my kind were. “What’s going to happen to your research now?”

“Oh, it’ll continue back East. Dimitri will be returning soon too, and there are other researchers who can help us at Court.

Having an objective spirit user like Adrian was extremely useful, and we’ve got plenty of data to keep us busy now, thanks to the blood samples and aura observations. We’ll let Adrian continue with his art and get in touch later if we need him again.” I still couldn’t shake the guilt over how my refusal to give more blood had indirectly resulted in Sonya’s kidnapping.

“Sonya, about my blood—”

“Don’t worry about it,” she interrupted. “You were right about me being pushy and also that we need to focus on Dimitri first. Besides, we might be making some headway with getting Alchemist help.”

“Realy?” Stanton had seemed pretty against it when we spoke. “They said yes?”

“No, but they said they’d get back to us.”

“No, but they said they’d get back to us.” I laughed. “With them, that’s a pretty positive answer.” I fell silent for a moment, wondering if this meant everyone would forget about my blood. Between the Warriors and the potential of Alchemist aid, surely my blood was no longer important. After al, initial study had found nothing special. No one had any reason to worry about my blood anymore. Except, the thing was … I was kind of worried. Because no matter how much I dreaded being experimented on, that nagging question wouldn’t leave me alone: Why hadn’t the Strigoi been able to drink my blood?

Sonya’s earlier mention of auras reminded me of another burning question. “Sonya, what does purple mean in someone’s aura? Adrian says he saw it in mine but won’t tell me what it is.”

“Typical,” she said with a chuckle. “Purple … wel, let’s see.

From what I’ve observed, it’s a complex color. It’s a spiritual but passionate color, tied to those who love deeply and also seek a higher caling. It’s interesting in that it has such depth.

White and true gold tend to be the colors associated with higher powers and metaphysics, just as red and orange are linked to love and baser instincts. Purple kind of has the best of all of those. I wish I could explain it more clearly.”

“No, that makes sense,” I said, puling into the airport’s circle driveway. “Kind of. It doesn’t exactly sound like me, though.”

“Wel, it’s hardly an exact science. And he’s right—it’s there in you. The thing is …” We’d stopped at the curb, and I saw her studying me carefuly. “I’ve never noticed it before. I mean, I’m sure it’s always been there, but whenever I looked at you, I just sure it’s always been there, but whenever I looked at you, I just saw the yelow of most intelects. Adrian isn’t as adept at reading auras as I am, so I’m surprised he noticed what I missed.” She wasn’t the only one. Spiritual, passionate

… was I realy those things? Did Adrian believe I was those things? The thought made me feel warm all over. Elated … and confused.

Sonya seemed like she was about to say more on the matter and then changed her mind. She cleared her throat. “Wel, then.

Here we are. Thank you again for the ride.”

“No problem,” I said, my mind still swimming with visions of purple. “Have a safe trip.” She opened the car door and then paused. “Oh, I have something for you. Clarence asked me to give it to you.”

“Clarence?”

Sonya rustled through her purse and found an envelope.

“Here you are. He was pretty adamant you get it—you know how he is when he gets worked up about something.”

“I do. Thanks.”

Sonya left with her luggage, and curiosity made me open the envelope before I drove away. Inside was a photograph, showing Clarence and a young guy, close to my age, who looked human. The two of them had their arms around each other and were smiling at the camera. The unknown guy had straight blond hair that just barely brushed his chin and stunning blue eyes that stood out against suntanned features. He was extremely handsome, and although his eyes mirrored his smile, I thought there was a little sadness too.

thought there was a little sadness too.

I was so caught up in his good looks that I didn’t notice his tattoo right away. It was on his left cheek, an abstract design made of clustered crescents of various sizes and orientations, lying together so that they almost looked like a vine. It was exotic and beautiful; the rich indigo ink a near match for his eyes.

Studying the design more closely, I noticed something familiar about its shape and swore I could see a faint glimmer of gold edging the blue lines. I nearly dropped the picture in shock. The crescents had been tattooed over an Alchemist lily. I flipped the picture over. One word was scrawled on it: Marcus.

Marcus Finch, whom the Warriors had claimed was an ex-Alchemist. Marcus Finch, whom the Alchemists had claimed didn’t exist. The crazy thing was, unless someone locked away like Keith counted, there were no “ex-Alchemists.” You were in it for life. You couldn’t walk away. Yet, that obscured lily spoke for itself.

Unless Marcus had had a name change that somehow eluded the Alchemists, Stanton and the others were lying to me about knowing who he was. But why? Had there been some rift?

A week ago, I would have said it was impossible that Stanton wouldn’t tell me the truth about him, but now, knowing how carefuly information was parceled out—

or not—I had to wonder.

I stared at the picture a few more moments, caught up in those haunting blue eyes. Then, I tucked it away and returned to Amberwood, resolved to keep the photograph a secret. If the Alchemists wanted to deny Marcus Finch’s existence to me, I would let them continue until I figured out why. That meant my would let them continue until I figured out why. That meant my only lead was Clarence and the absent Warriors. still, it was a start.

Somehow, sometime, I was going to find Marcus Finch and get my answers.

I was surprised to see Jill sitting outside our dorm when I walked in. She was in the shade, of course, still able to enjoy the nice weather without the sun’s full force.

We’d finaly moved into a sort of autumn around here, not that eighty was what I usualy associated with brisk fall weather. Jil’s face was pensive, but she brightened a little when she saw me.

“Hey, Sydney. I was hoping to catch you. Can’t find you anymore without your phone.” I made a face. “Yeah, I need to replace that. It’s been a huge pain.”

She nodded in commiseration. “Did you drop Sonya off?”

“She’s on her way back to Court and Mikhail—and hopefuly a much more peaceful life.”

“That’s good,” said Jil. She glanced away and bit her lower lip.

I knew her well enough by now to recognize the signs of when she was bracing to tell me something. I also knew better than to push the matter, so I waited patiently.

“I did it,” she said at last. “I told Micah it’s over … realy over.”

Relief flooded me. One less thing to worry about. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I know that must have been hard.” She brushed curly hair away from her face as she considered.

She brushed curly hair away from her face as she considered.

“Yes. And no. I like him. And I’d like to keep hanging out with him—as friends—if he wants to. I don’t know, though. He took it kind of hard … and our mutual friends? Well … they’re not very happy with me right now.” I tried not to groan. Jill had made such headway with her status here, and now it could be shattered.

“But it’s for the best. Micah and I live in different worlds, and there’d be no real future with a human anyway.

Besides, I’ve been thinking a lot about love … like, epic love …” She looked up at me for a moment, her gaze softening.

“And that wasn’t what we had. Seems like if I’m with someone, that’s what I should feel.” I thought epic love was kind of a stretch for someone her age but didn’t say so. “Are you going to be okay?” She snapped back to reality. “Yeah, I think so.” A small smile played over her lips. “And once this has passed, maybe Eddie will want to go out sometime—away from campus, of course.

Seeing as we’re ‘related.’”

Her words were almost a repeat of what I’d heard the other night at Clarence’s, and I stared in surprise as realization dawned on me. “You don’t know … I thought you would since Angeline’s your roommate …”

you would since Angeline’s your roommate …”

Jill frowned. “What are you talking about? What don’t I know?”

Oh God. Why, oh why, did I have to be the one to deliver this news? Why couldn’t I be locked away in my room or the library doing something enjoyable, like homework?

doing something enjoyable, like homework?

“Eddie’s, um, asked Angeline out. I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but he decided to give her a chance.” He hadn’t borrowed my car, so presumably there’d been no date yet.

Jill looked stricken. “W-what? Eddie and Angeline? But … he can’t stand her …”

“Something changed,” I said lamely. “I’m not sure what. It’s not like, er, epic love, but they’ve gotten closer these last few weeks. I’m sorry.” Jill seemed more devastated by this than breaking up with Micah.

She looked away and blinked back tears. “It’s okay. I mean, I never encouraged him. He probably still thinks I’m dating Micah. Why should he have waited around? He should have someone.”

“Jil—”

“It’s okay. I’ll be okay.” She looked so sad and then, amazingly, her face grew even darker. “Oh, Sydney. You’re going to be so mad at me.” I was still thinking of Micah and felt totaly confused at the topic change. “Why?”

She reached into her backpack and puled out a glossy magazine. It was some kind of southern California tourism one, with articles and ads highlighting the area.

One of the pages was marked, and I turned to it. It was a ful-page advertisement for Lia DiStefano, a colage of pictures of her various designs.

And one of the photos was of Jil.

It took me a moment to catch it. The picture was a profile It took me a moment to catch it. The picture was a profile shot, with Jill in sunglasses and a fedora—as well as that peacock-colored scarf Lia had given her. Jil’s curly hair streamed out behind her, and the angles of her face looked beautiful. If I hadn’t known Jill so wel, I would never have identified her as this chic model—though it would certainly be obvious that she was a Moroi to anyone who knew what to look for.

“How?” I demanded. “How did this happen?” Jill took a deep breath, ready to accept her blame. “When she dropped off the costumes and gave me the scarf, she asked if I’d let her take a picture to see how the colors photographed. She had some of the other accessories in the car, and I put those on too. She wanted to prove to me that with the right coverage, she could hide my identity. But I never thought … I mean, she didn’t say she’d use it. God, I feel so stupid.” Maybe not stupid, but certainly naïve. I nearly crumpled up the magazine. I was furious at Lia. Part of me wanted to sue for using a picture of a minor without permission, but we had much bigger problems. How wide was this magazine’s circulation? If Lia had only put Jil’s photo on display in California, maybe no one would recognize her. still, a Moroi model could raise eyebrows. Who knows what kind of trouble this was going to cause for us now?

“Sydney, I’m sorry,” said Jil. “What can I do to fix this?”

“Nothing,” I said. “Except to stay away from Lia.” I felt il.

“I’ll take care of this.” I realy didn’t know how, though. I could only pray no one noticed the picture.

only pray no one noticed the picture.

“I’ll do whatever you need if you think of something. I—oh.” Her eyes lifted to something behind me. “Maybe we should talk later.” I glanced back. Trey was walking toward us. Another problem to deal with.

“Probably a good idea,” I said. Jil’s heartache and publicity would have to go on the back burner. She left as Trey came to stand beside me.

“Melbourne,” he said, attempting one of his old smiles. It faltered a little.

“I didn’t know you were still around,” I said. “I thought you’d left with the others.” The Warriors had scattered to the wind.

Trey had said before that they traveled for their “hunts,” and Master Angeletti had also mentioned gathering from various places of the country. Presumably, they had all returned to where they’d come from. I’d thought Trey would simply disappear as wel.

“Nope,” he said. “This is where I go to school, where my dad wants me to stay. Besides, the other Warriors never had a permanent base here in Palm Springs.

They’ll move on to wherever …”

He couldn’t finish, so I did. “Wherever you get a tip-off about monsters you can brutaly execute?”