Bloodlines Chapter Twenty-Six

IT TOOK DAYS for me to in the end put up the self-coloured story, both nigh(predicate) Lee and ab break how Eddie and Jill had make have intercourse to the rescue that night. erst I had Lee as the missing piece, it was easy to connect the murders of Tamara, Kelly, Melody, and Dina, the tender-hearted misfire hed menti mavend. altogether of them had been killed within the pop off five years, in constantlyy Los Angeles or Palm Springs, and m altogether had documented evidence of k cursorilying him. They werent ergodic victims. What little we could find out just about Lees history came from Clarence, though stock- stable that was muddled. By our best guesses, Lee had been turned forcibly into a Strigoi about fifteen years ago. Hed spent ten years that look until a aroma drug roler restored him, a good deal to Lees dismay. Clarence hadnt had entirely his wits about him still then and hadnt questi mavind how his son had returned home after ten years without age. He evaded answering our questions about Lee creation a Strigoi, and we didnt cut if Clarence exactly hadnt have it awayn or was in denial. Likewise, it was unclear if Clarence knew his own son was backside Tamaras death. The far-fetched vampire hunter theory was probably easier for him to stomach than the murderous righteousness about his son.Investigations into Lees college in Los Angeles showed he hadnt actually been enrolled there since before he became Strigoi. When hed become Moroi again, hed used college as an save to stay in Los Angeles, where he could more easily pursue victims and we suspected there were more of them than we had records for. From what wed come upd, hed manifestly tried to drink from a few of each race, in the hopes that champion of them would be the one to fare him a Strigoi again.Further research into Kelly hay had uncovered something I should book estimation of right away. She was a dhampir. Shed looked human, alone that stellar sport s record was the tip-off. Lee had stumbled onto her when visiting his father five years ago. Getting the drop on a dhampir wasnt easy, which was why Lee seemed to fuck off gone to the effort of dating her and luring her in.None of us knew anything about the pricking spirit user whod converted him, though that was of interest to both the Alchemists and the Moroi. there were very few spirit users on record, and with there still being so much un sleep togethern about their powers, everyone insufficiencyed to learn more. Clarence was ball field that he knew nothing about this closed book spirit user, and I believed him.Alchemists were in and out of Palm Springs all week, cleaning up the mess and interviewing everyone whod been gnarled. I met with a number of them, telling my story over and over, and finally had my last debriefing with Stanton over lunch one Saturday. Id kind of had a unrepentant interest in go to beding what had happened to Keith exactly dogged not to persu ade it up in light of everything else difference on. He wasnt here, which was all I cared about.Lees autopsy revealed nothing that wasnt ordinary Moroi, according to their doctors, Stanton told me betwixt bites of linguine carbonara. take in and discussing dead bodies werent mutually exclusive, apparently. besides then, something magical equivalently wouldnt show up anyway. hardly there must be something special about him, I express. I was simply moving my own food around the plate. The detail that his aging slowed was proof seemly hardly the rest? I mean, he drank from so many victims. And then I saw what Jacqueline did to him. That should guard worked. All the correct procedures were followed.It amazed me that I could speak so clinically about this, that I could sound so detached. Really, though, it was only that second-nature Alchemist mode fetching over. inside(a) me, the in timets of that night had left a permanent mark. When I closed my look at bedtime, I kept seeing Lees death and Jacqueline feeding him the blood. Lee, whod brought Jill flowers and taken us all mini-golfing.Stanton nodded ideafully. Which suggests that those who are restored from being Strigoi are immune to ever being turned again.We sit down in silence for a moment, allow the weight of those words settle over us.Thats considerable, I say at last. Talk about an understatement. Lee presented a number of mysteries. He had begun aging once he became a Moroi again, provided at a much slower rate. wherefore? We werent sure, and that alone was a monumental uncovering, as was my mistrust that he could no longer use Moroi magic. Id been too freaked out to notice anything strange about Lees behavior when Jill had asked him to create fog speckle we were golfing, but looking back, it occurred to me hed actually looked nervous about her requests. And the rest the item that something had changed in him, nurseed him, however unwillingly, from becoming Strigoi? Yeah. Huge was an understatement.Very, Stanton agreed. Half our committee is to stop humans from choosing to sacrifice their souls for immortality. If there was a way to draw rein this magic, figure out what protected Lee well. The effects would be far-reaching.To the Moroi as well, I pointed out. I knew that among them and the dhampirs, being forcefully turned Strigoi was often considered a fate worse than death. If there was some magical way to protect themselves, it would mean a lot since they encountered Strigoi far more than we did. We could be talk of the town about some kind of magical vaccine.Of course, verbalise Stanton, though her tactile sensation implied she wasnt nearly as concerned about that races benefits. It index even be possible to prevent the future creation of all Strigoi. Theres too the mystery of your blood. You said the Strigoi didnt like it. That could be a type of protection too.I shivered at the memory. perhaps. It all happened so fast its hard to say. And i t was certainly no protection from the Strigoi privationing to snap my neck.Stanton nodded. Its certainly something to look into eventually. But basic we exact to figure out what exactly happened to Lee.Well, I said, spirit has to be a key player, right? Lee was restored by a spirit user.A waiter came by, and Stanton waved her plate away. Exactly. Unfortunately, we have a very contain quantity of spirit users to work with. Vasilisa Dragomir hardly has the time to experiment with her powers. Sonya Karp has volunteered to admirer, which is beautiful news, especially since shes a former Strigoi herself. At the very least, we move observe the slowed aging firsthand. Shes only available for a short while, and the Moroi havent answered my request to that extent for some other(a) useful individuals. But if we had another spirit user on hand, one with no other obligations to derange him from helping us fulltimeShe looked at me meaningfully.Adrian? I asked.Do you think hed help res earch this? more or less magical way to protect against Strigoi conversion? Like I said, between Sonya and the others, hed have help, she added quickly. Ive spoken to the Moroi, and theyre vomit upting together a small host with expertise on Strigoi. They plan on sending them out soon. We just need Adrian to help.Wow. You poke funs move fast, I murmured.At the words Adrian and research, my mind had put together images of him in a lab, wearing a white coat, hang over test tubes and beakers. I knew that the actual research wouldnt look anything like that, but it was a hard picture to shake. It was also hard to judge Adrian seriously focused on anything. Except, I kept having that nagging ruling that Adrian would focus if he only had something worth caring about. Was this important enough? I really wasnt sure. It was too hard to guess what purpose baron be noble enough to get Adrians attention. But I was beauteous sure I knew some less-thannoble perks that might get him on boa rd.If you sens get him his own place, I bet hed do it, I said finally. He wants out of Clarence Donahues pretty badly.Stantons eyebrows rose. She hadnt expected this. Well. Thats not a huge request, I suppose. And actually, were already paying the account for Keiths old apartment since he took out a year-long lease. Mr. Ivashkov could simply move into there, exceptExcept what?Stanton gave a small shrug. I was going to offer it to you. later much discussion, weve decided to simply make you the Alchemist on point here, in light of Keiths un quick-witted departure. You could leave Amberwood, move into his apartment, and simply oversee activities from there.I frowned. But I thought you wanted somebody with Jill all the time.We do. And weve actually found a better select no offense. The Moroi were able to locate a dhampir girl Jills age, who could not only serve as Jills roommate but also as a bodyguard. Shell be joining the researchers who are coming out. You dont have to pose as a student anymore.The world reeled. Alchemist schemes and plans, always in motion. A lot had been decided in this week, it seemed. I considered what this meant. No more homework, no more high school politics. Freedom to come and go when I wanted. But it also meant removing myself from the friends Id make Trey, Kristin, Julia. Id still see Eddie and Jill, but not to the same extent. And if I was on my own, would the Alchemists or my father help fund college classes? Unlikely.Do I have to leave? I asked Stanton. arse I give the apartment to Adrian and stay on at Amberwood for a while? At least until we figure out if we peck get another place for me?Stanton didnt extend hide her surprise. I didnt expect youd want to stay on. I evaluate youd especially be apt to no longer room with a vampire.And like that, all the fears and pressure Id guinea pig before coming to Palm Springs descended on me. Vamp lover. I was an idiot. I shouldve been jumping at the chance to get away from J ill. Any other Alchemist would. In offering to stay, I was likely putting myself under suspicion again. How could I explain that there was so much more to my choice than just a change of roommate?Oh, I said, honouring a neutral face. When you said you were getting Jill a dhampir her own age, I figured shed be the roommate and I wouldnt have to room with Jill anymore. I thought Id have my own in the dorm.That can probably be putAnd honestly, after some of the things that have happened, Id sense of smell better still keeping an eye on Jill. Itll be easier if Im at the school. Besides, if it takes an apartment to make Adrian happy and work on this Strigoi mystery, then thats what we need to do. I can wait.Stanton examine me for several long seconds, breaking the silence only when the waiter dropped the bill off. Thats very professional of you. Ill look into the arrangements.Thank you, I said. A happy feeling welled up in me, and I al close to grimaced, picturing Adrians face when he heard about his new place.Theres just one more thing I dont understand, remarked Stanton. When we investigated the apartment, we saw some fire damage. But no(prenominal) of you who were there reported any.I put on a artificial frown. Honestly so much of its a blur with the blood impairment and the biting Im not really sure. Keith had some candles. I dont know if one got lit or I dont know. All I keep cerebration about is those teeth and how terrible it was when I was bit Yes, yes, said Stanton. My excuse was flimsy, but even she wasnt entirely impervious to the thought of being supply on by a vampire. It was pretty much an Alchemists worse nightmare, and I was entitled to my trauma. Well, dont worry about it. That fire is the least of our worries.It wasnt the least of my worries. And when I got back to campus later that day, I finally dealt with it and hunted Ms. Terwilliger down where she was workings in one of the library offices.You knew, I said, shutting the door. All thoughts of student-teacher protocol vanished from my head. Id been sitting on my anger for a week and could now finally permit it out. Id spent my life being taught to respect sources of authority, but now one of those had just betrayed me. Everything you make me do copying those spell books, making that talisman just to see what it was like I shook my head. It was all a lie. You knew you knew it was real.Ms. Terwilliger took off her glasses and peered at me carefully. Ah, so I take it you tried it?How could you do that to me? I exclaimed. You have no idea how I feel about magic and the supernaturalOh, she said dryly. I do actually. I know all about your organization. She tapped her cheek, mirroring the one my tattoo was on. I know why your sister is excused from outdoor activities and why your brother excels in sports. Im very assured about the various forces at work in our world, those hidden from most human eyes. Dont worry, my dear. Im certainly not going to tell anyone. Va mpires arent my concern.Why? I asked, deciding not to acknowledge her outing everything I strove to keep secret. Why me? Why did you make me do that especially if you claim you know how I feel?Mmm a couple of reasons. Vampires, as you know, wield a multifariousness of internal magic. They connect with the elements on a very basic, almost perfunctory level. Humans, however, have no such(prenominal) connection.Humans arent supposed to use magic, I said nippyly. You made me do something that violated my beliefs.For humans to do magic, she continued, as though I hadnt spoken, we must wrest it from the world. It doesnt come so easily. Sure, vampires use spells and ingredients occasionally, but nothing like what we must do. Their magic goes from the inside out. Ours comes from the impertinent in. It takes so much effort, so much concentration and exact weighing well, most humans dont have the patience or skill. But someone like you? Youve been grilled in those painstaking techniques since the time you could talk.So thats all it takes to use magic? An ability to organize and measure? I didnt bother hiding my scorn.Of course not. She laughed. There is a certain natural endowment fund needed as well. An instinct that combines with discipline. I sensed it in you. You see, I have some proficiency myself. It gives me coven status but is still relatively small. You? I can feel a wellspring of power in you, and my little experiment proved as much.I felt cold all over. Thats a lie, I said. Vampires use magic. Not humans. Not me.That amu allow didnt light itself on fire, she said. Dont deny what you are. And now that weve determined as much, we can move on. Your innate power might be greater than mine, but I can get you started in basic magical training.I couldnt believe I was hearing this. It wasnt real. It was like something from a movie because no way was this my life. No, I exclaimed. Youre youre crazy Magics not real, and I dont have any Its unnatural and wrong. I wont endanger my soul.So much denial for such a good scientist, she mused.Im serious, I said, barely recognizing my own voice. I want nothing to do with your occult studies. Im happy to go on taking notes and buying you coffee, but if you keep making these kinds of crazy statement and demands Ill go to the office and demand to be switched to another teacher. Believe me, when it comes to working bureaucracy and administrative staff, that is something I have innate power in.She almost smiled, but then it faded. You mean that. Youd really reject this amazing potential this discovery that you have?I didnt answer.So be it. She sighed. Its a loss. And a waste. But you have my word that I wont bring it up again unless you do.That, I said vehemently, is not going to happen.Ms. Terwilliger merely shrugged by way of answer. Well, then. Since youre here, you might as well go get me some coffee.I go toward the door and then thought of something. Were you the one calling Nevermore and com municate about vampires?Why in the world would I do that? she asked. I already know where to find them. Great, I thought. Another mystery.I made it to the cafeteria later that day just as Eddie, Jill, and Micah were finishing dinner. Jill was understandably having a difficult time adjusting to Lees death and all the revelations wed uncovered including his desire to make her his undead queen. Both Eddie and I had talked to her as much as we could, but Micah seemed to have the greatest soothing effect on her. I think it was because he never openly addressed the topic. He knew Lee had died but thought it was an accident and naturally knew none of the vampiric connections. While Eddie and I constantly tried our hand at being amateur psychologists, Micah simply tried to distract her and make her happy.We have to go, he said apologetically when I sat down. Rachel Walker is going to give us a lesson on one of the sewing machines.Eddie shook his head at him. I still dont know why you signe d up for sewing club. That wasnt true, of course. We both knew exactly why Micah had joined.Jills face wore the grave look it had had since Lees death a look she would carry for a while, I suspected but the ghost of a smile flickered over her lips. I think Micah has the makings of a real fashion designer. Maybe Ill walk in his show one day.I shook my head, hiding my own smile. No modeling of any kind, not for a while. After the show, Lia and other designers had gotten in touch, all wanting to work with Jill again. Wed had to refuse in order to protect her identity here, but it had made Jill sad to have to do it.Jill nodded. I know, I know. She stood up with Micah. Ill see you back in our room later, Sydney. Id like to talk some more.I nodded. Absolutely.Eddie and I watched them thrill off. I sighed.Thats going to be a problem, I told him.Maybe, he agreed. But she knows what she can and cant do with him. Shes smart. Shell be responsible.But he doesnt know, I said. I feel like Mica hs fallen for her too much already. I look Eddie carefully. Among other people.Eddie was still watching Micah and Jill, so it took him a moment to dismantle up on my meaning. He jerked his gaze back to me. Huh?Eddie, Im not going to claim to be any expert in romance, but even I can tell that youre crazy about Jill.He promptly looked away, though his flush betrayed him. Thats not true.Ive seen it all along, but it wasnt until that night at Keiths that I really understood what I was seeing. I saw how you looked at her. I know how you feel about her. So, what I want to know is how come we have to keep worrying about Micah at all? Why arent you just asking her out and saving us all a lot of trouble?Because shes my sister, he said wryly.Eddie Im serious.He made a face, took a deep breath, and then turned back toward me. Because she can do better than me. You want to talk about social rules? Well, where we come from, Moroi and dhampirs dont have serious relationships.Yeah, but thats lik e a class thing, I said. Its not quite the same as humans and vampires.Maybe not, but with her, it might as well be. Shes not just any Moroi. Shes royal. A princess. And youve seen how she is Smart and strong and beautiful. Shes destined for great things, and one of them isnt being involved with a controversial guardian like me. Her bloodlines regal. Hell, I dont even know who my dad is. Dating her is not even possible. My job is to protect her. To keep her safe. Thats where all my attention needs to be.And so you think she deserves being with a human instead? I asked incredulously. Dancing the line of a tabu upheld by both our races?Its not ideal, he admitted. But she can still have a fun social life and What if it was another guy? I interrupted. What if some other human asked her out, and they simply went on a casual date? Would you be okay with that?He didnt answer, and I knew my change posture was correct.This is about more than you not feeling worthy of Jill, I said. This is about Micah too, isnt it? About how he reminds you of Mason.Eddie blanched. How do you know about that?Adrian told me.Damn him, said Eddie. Why cant he be as oblivious as he pretends?I smiled at that. You dont owe Micah anything. You certainly dont owe him Jill. Hes not Mason, no matter how much they look alike.Its more than looks, said Eddie, growing pensive. Its the way they act too. Micahs the same outgoing, optimistic, excited. Thats how Mason was. There are too few people like that in the world people who are unfeignedly good. Mason was taken away from the world too soon. I wont let that happen to Micah.Micahs not in danger, I said gently.But he deserves good things. And even if hes human, hes still one of the best matches I know of for Jill. They deserve each other. They both deserve good things.And so, youre going to let yourself suffer as a result? Because youre so in love with Jill and convinced that she deserves some prince that you arent? And because you feel its your d uty to support all the Masons in the world? I shook my head. Eddie, thats crazy. Even you have to see that.Maybe, he admitted. But I feel like its the right thing to do. rightfield? Its the masochistic thing to do Youre encouraging the girl you want to be with one of your best friends.I want her to be happy. Its worth sacrificing myself.It makes no sense.Eddie gave me a small smile and a gentle pat on the arm before turning toward an approaching shuttle bus. Remember when you said you were no expert in romance? Well, you were right.