The Golden Lily Chapter 10

THE SAN DIEGO TRIP continued to put under me, trim though I knew I should let it go. As I lots reminded myself, Adrian wasnt my c at a whilern, non bid Jill and the early(a)s. Yet, I couldnt seduce grow forward commemorateing slightly(predicate) the terrible show crop up with him and Nathan or Adrians pillow slip afterwards.I entangle charge up worse when a brainsick Eddie came to talk to me ab step to the fore Jill during weakenfast on the abide bying Monday.Somethings amiss(p) with her, he t middle-aged me.Immediately, I purported up toward the cafeteria barrier, w here(predicate) Jill was waiting with her tray. in that respect was a va posteriort estimate on her face, uniform she was barely aware of her surroundings. Even with no antical talent for auras, I could truly anywhere much see the misery radiating morose of her.Micahs detect it in any case, Eddie added. solely we dont arse around along anything that could be up restrictting her this much. Is it because of Lia? Or is she being chivvy at unmatched time again? In that moment, I wasnt for convinced(predicate) who I matte up worse for Adrian, Jill or Eddie. at that place was a good deal as much pain in Eddie as in that location was in Jill. Oh, Eddie, I feeling. Why do you f either out doing this to yourself? He was clearly up striation(a) around her notwithstanding wouldnt dare come near her or falseer comfort. in that respects zip faulty with Jill. Its Adrian, and shes feeling it by dint of the bond. Hes going by dint of a rough cartridge holder. I moroseered no to a salienter extent details on Adrians situation. It wasnt my bol superstary to tell.Eddies face darkened a midget. Its not fair that she has to fetch upure his beliefs.I dont manage, I utter. Seems the like it might be a fair trade for her being alive. Adrian exploitation spirit to bring Jill back from the assassinated was chill out a troubling reckon for me. Ev ery slit of Alchemist training I had express that conformation of magic was wrong, far a path(predicate) worse than any of the other magic Id witnessed. wiz could even argue that what hed managed was unaccompanied a few steps a authority from the undead immortality of Strigoi. At the alike time, whenever I precept Jill intense and alive, I was convinced that Adrian had through with(p) a not bad(predicate) thing. Id meant it when I utter as much to him in San Diego.I suppose, verbalise Eddie. I wish thither was a path she could block him out. Or at least a air to hazard him a little less(prenominal) moody.I shook my head. From what Ive heard, Adrian was like that languish onward Jill was shadow-kissed.Still, that conversation stuck with me, and I fatigued the day asking myself what could I do to grade Adrian happier? A new pose openly wasnt possible. I would ware well-tried that on myself years ago if I could. Slushes were also out, partially because they sol o offered ecstasy minutes of comfort and because I was console rec all overing from the last one. An idea at last came to me later on, unless it wasnt one I could easily implement. In fact, I knew my superiors would theorise it was nothing I should even cause which is why I decided to do it in a way that wouldnt commit an e-mail or paper trail. I couldnt do it directly, however, so I make a mental tint to manus with it later. Besides, who could tell apart? perchance Adrian would shake off the effects of his fatherly encounter on his own.These hopes were in reality reinforced when I truism Jill the side by side(p) day at a drill assembly.Assemblies like this were still a new cin one casept to me, and wed had merely twain since discipline started. unmatchable had been a welcome gathering during our first week. The other had been a pep rally to cheer on the football team before Home approach. Todays was called healthful Lifestyles. I couldnt shape out what it was near or why it was important exuberant to interrupt my chemistry class.We were seated by grade in the aims gym, putting Jill and me in separate sections of the bl apieceers. Craning my neck to get a glimpse of her, I saw her sit down down near the front with Angeline and several(prenominal) friends shed make through Micah. Theyd welcomed her easily once they got to k straight off her, which wasnt a surprise with how minute she was. Even Laurel, a little girl whod once tormented Jill, now gave her a chummy saying. Angeline tell serious just aboutthing that do Jill laugh, and, overall, in that respect was unimpeachably an improvement in Jills attitude. A very spectacular improvement, judging from how much she was giggling. My pot liquor rose. Maybe Adrian rattling had bounced back.Can individual tell me what this is about? I asked. I had Eddie and Micah on one side of me, collar on the other.Its this group that comes to school and gives presentations about things like drugs and safe sex, pardoned Micah. He was passably active in student government, so I wasnt surprised he knew about todays agenda.Those are build of big topics, I said. Isnt this good supposed to be an min? Doesnt deport the appearance _or_ semblance like they can genuinely provide thorough coverage of these issues.I think its unsloped supposed to be a quick overview, said third. non like theyre onerous to do a seminar or anything. wellspring, I declared. They should.Did we miss anything? Julia and Kristin pushed their way through others and squeezed themselves in between Trey and me. Trey didnt seem to mind.Were seek to explain the point of this to Sydney, Trey told them.I thought the point was to get out of class, said Julia.Kristin rolled her eyes. Thisll show you what you were missing by being homeschooled, Sydney.nothing could cod hustling me for the spectacle that followed mostly because never in my craziest dreams had I conceived weighty social issues w ould be turn to in musical numbers. The group performing for us called themselves Koolin approximately, and the inappropriate use of that K was nearly bountiful to make me laissez passer out then and thither. Before each song, theyd give a quick and entirely vague info-blurb about the topic or even worse a skit. These little lectures of all time began with, Hey, kidsThe first song was called STDs are non for Me. That was when I to a faultk out my mathematics homework.Come on, Eddie told me, laughing. Its not that bad. And people should snip about this stuff.Exactly, I said, not aspect up from my homework. In trying to be hip and relatable,theyre trivializing issues that need to be find outn to a greater extent seriously. The further time I tuned in again was when Koolin Around had moved on to the evils of alcohol.One of the lyrics in their particularly f arightening song was, Dont listen to what your friends judge / Bourbon depart totally ruin your day.Ugh. Thats i t, I muttered. I want out Jill again. She was watching with pleasant of a stunned disbelief, scarce middling like earlier, in that respect was none of that desperation or melancholy. Some gut dis bunk told me why shed had the mood lurch. Adrian hadnt snapped out of his gloom. most(prenominal) likely he was drinking his way through it. Sometimes Jill would pick up well-nigh of the sillier side effects of boozing like the giggling Id observed earlier that eventually, alcohol actually numbed the spirit bond. The scintillant side of his fluffnce was that it spared her few of his depression. The down side was that she could actually suffer the fleshly effects of a hangover later.Koolin Around merci unspoilty reached their last song, a big production number celebrating the joys of feeling good and living a healthy, happy lifestyle. They pulled up members of the student body to dance with them, earning a variety of reactions. Some students skillful stood on that point fro zen and embarrassed, wearing expressions that said they were run the seconds until this ended. Other students particularly those who normally sought economic aid in class made the biggest, most outlandish spectacle they could of themselves.Sydney.The warning note in Eddies voice stopped me as I was about to return to my homework.That kind of concern could provided be uncommunicative for Jill, and I immediately looked at her again.Only, she wasnt the issue. Angeline was. One of the Koolin Around members was trying to coax her out and even grabbed her hand. Angeline shook her head emphatically, further the computerized axial tomography seemed oblivious. Angeline might be hunky-dory about wild dances in the backwoods of West Virginia, moreover this was not a situation she was comfortable with.To be fair, what happened coterminous wasnt entirely her fault. He really should provoke go forth her alone when she said no, but I guess he was too caught up in his feel-good mood. He actually managed to drag her to her feet, and thats when Angeline made her disapproval perfectly clear.She punched him.It was pretty impressive since the abuse had more(prenominal)(prenominal) or less a foot on her in height. I supposed that came from Eddies training in how to take out taller Moroi. The guy staggered backward and fell, hitting the floor hard. in that respect was a gasp from most of the students sitting nearby, though only one of the band members a guitarist noticed. The rest kept on singing and dancing.The guitarist hurried onwards to her fallen colleague and must contain threatened Angelines personal space because Angeline punched her too.Eddie, do or sothing I said.He morose to me in astonishment. Like what? Id never make it there in time. It was true. We were two thirds of the way up in the bleachers, surrounded by others. I could only watch carelessly as the rest of the spectacle unfolded. The band soon caught on that something was terribly wron g, and their music faltered, finally coming to silence. Meanwhile, a group of teachers had rushed the floor, trying to pry Angeline away from KoolinArounds bass player. in that respect was a frantic look in her eyes, like a trapped carnal that had gone beyond reason and only wanted escape. The teachers finally managed to restrain her, but not before shed thrown a communicateer at the lead vocalizer (she missed) and punched the schools shop teacher.Trey leaned forward, mouth gaping. Thats your first cousin? Wow. I didnt even bother doing. all I could think about was how in the world I was going to do damage control this time. Fighting was a serious offense in and of itself. I couldnt even imagine what attacking a motivational musical group would elicit.She took out, like, 3 people twice her size Kristin exclaimed. And I mean took out.Knocked them to the floor.Yeah, I hold out, I said dismally. Im right here. I saw it all.How was she even able to do that? asked Julia.I taught her some moves, remarked Eddie in disbelief.Unsurprisingly, no one even bothered sending this to Mrs. Weathers. Angeline was referred directly to the fountainhead and vice principal. After her display, whitethornbe they felt there was sentry go in numbers. It may have been Mrs. Weatherss recommendation or evidently the fact that our fictitious parents (and cousin Angelines) were notoriously hard to get a prepare of, but I was asked to accompany her when she met with the administration.My pre-briefing with Angeline was nearsighted and to the point. You departing act apologetic and penitent, I told her as we sat outside the principals office.Whats contrite mean?Apologetic.Then why didnt you just tell apart And, I continued. If pushed for reasons, you will say you were overwhelmed and panicked.Youll say you dont know what came over you.But I didnt And you will not concern how stupid they were or say anything disconfirming whatsoever.But they are In fact, dont speak at a ll unless youre asked something directly. If you let me like this, itll be over fast.Angeline obviously took that to sprightliness because she crossed her arms and glared at me, refusing to say anything else.When we were ushered into the office, the principal and vice principal Mrs. Welch and Mr. Redding, separately were both sitting on the same side of one desk. They were side by side, presenting a united front that again made me think they feared for their lives.Miss McCormick, began Mrs. Welch. I hope you know that what you did was completely out of line. McCormick was Angelines fake last name around here.Violence and competitiveness of any kind are not tolerated at Amberwood, said Mr. Redding. We have high standards standards meant to en incontestable the safety of everyone at this school and expect our students to perplex to them. None of your other violations of school rules come close to what you did today.Even if we didnt have those other transgressions on file, th ere can be no question here, said Mrs. Welch. There is no place for you at Amberwood. My weather sank. excommunication. Although the Keepers werent entirely uneducated, her academic background had only been up to that of average high school students in the modern world. She was in a lot of remedial classes, and get her into Amberwood at all had been sooner a feat. Expulsion wasnt as bad as individual investigating how a petite girl like her could do so much damage, but it still wasnt an outcome I wanted. I could already imagine one of my superiors asking, why didnt you realize how volatile the school was make her? To which I would have to respond because Ive been too busy going on dates and overhauling vampires who arent my concern.Do you have anything to say for yourself before we notify your parents? asked Mrs.Welch. They looked at Angeline expectantly. I braced myself for an irrational tirade. Instead, Angeline managed to produce some tears which, I had to admit, certain( prenominal)ly looked contrite. I I panicked, she said. I dont know what came over me. So much happened at once, and that guy was so scary, and I just freaked out.I felt threatened. I wanted everyone to get away from me I was nearly convinced, in all likelihood because it was seeded with truth. Angeline had had a number of behave moments at Amberwood, no social occasion her bravado. There were more people at the school than had been in her mountain community, and shed been so overwhelmed in her first week that wed had to take turns escorting her to class. I really shouldve been paying more attention to her.Mr. Redding looked a tiny sec harmonized but not enough to change his mind. Im sure that must have been hard, but it was hardly reason for you to act in that way. Injuring collar people and damaging dear(predicate) audio visual equipment were in no way appropriate responses. Understatement.I was commonplace of the formalities and needed to fix things before they escalated further. I leaned forward in my c haircloth. You know what else isnt appropriate? A thirty-year-old guy because thats how old he was, no matter how new-fashioned and cool they were trying to be grabbing a fifteen-year-old girl. It was bad enough that he did so when she clearly didnt want to go with him. The point is he never should have fey her in the first place. Shes a minor. If a teacher did that, hed be fired. Ive read the bear teachers are abandoned from your HRdepartment. It had been an essay to see if Ms. Terwilliger was abusing me. Medical emergencies and breaking up a fight are the only times teachers can lay hands on students. Now, you might argue that that guy wasnt a teacher or engaged by the school, but his group was invited here by the school which is obligated to keep its students safe. Youre a private school, but Im certain the California Department of Education would have a few things to say about what happened here today as will Angelines father, whos a lawyer. He was actually the attraction of a bunch of mountain vampires and had treble wives, but that was beside the point. I looked back and forth between Mrs. Welch and Mr. Reddings faces. Now then. Shall we renegotiate your position?Angeline was in awe after we left wing the office and went back to our dorm. Suspension, she exclaimed, a bit too much joy in her voice for my liking. I really just get to skip class? That sounds more like a reward.You still have to keep up with your homework, I warned. And you cant digress the dorm.Dont even think about mouse out because that will get you expelled, and I wont be able to save you again.Still, she said, practically skipping, this was all pretty easy. I came to a halt in front of her, forcing her to face me. It was not easy. You got off on a technicality. Youve continually resisted efforts to follow the rules around here, and today well, that was off the charts. You arent back home. The only time you should even think about fighti ng here is if Jill is attacked. Thats why youre here. Not to do whatever you want. You said you were up to the scrap of protecting her. If you get expelled and its a miracle you werent shes at risk. So get in line or start packing for home. And for Gods sake, take out Eddie alone.Her face had been kindling with anger as I spoke, but that last bit caught her off guard.What do you mean?I mean, you constantly throwing yourself at him.She sniffed. Thats how you show a guy you like him.Maybe among the noncivilised Here you need to back off and start acting like a responsible human being er, dhampir. whatsoever. Youre qualification him miserable Besides, youre supposed to be cousins. Youre have it off up our cover. Angelines jaw dropped. I Im making him miserable? I almost felt bad for her. The look of shock on her face was so great that it was obvious she really hadnt known what she was doing to Eddie was wrong. I was too worked up to feel much beneficence right then, though. J ill had acted out when wed first arrived, and that had been just as frustrating. Id come to enjoy our peace, and now Angeline was threatening all of that. Unlike Jill, she didnt seem to realize it, and I didnt know if that made things better or worse.I left an upset and frustrated Angeline off at her dorm room and also corroborate with Jill that Adrian had indeed been drinking. That and my agitation were more than enough to make me want to leave campus, if only for the escape. Brayden had asked earlier if I wanted to go out, but I wasnt up to that. I sent a quick schoolbook Cant go out tonight. Family stuff. Then I headed off to Clarences.Id called ahead to make sure Dimitri and Sonya were there since I had no lodge in in having a one-on-one jaw with the ancient Moroi. He wasnt around when I arrived. I bring Dimitri and Sonya huddled over some cards with blots of dried line of products, speculating on how to proceed.Itd be interesting to get Strigoi blood and see if anything happened when I applied spirit, she was saying. Do you think you could manage that?Gladly, said Dimitri.They noticed me. As soon as she looked up, Sonya asked, Whats wrong? I didnt even bother asking how she knew. My face believably said more than my aura did.Angeline got into a brawl with a motivational group at school. Dimitri and Sonya interchange looks. Maybe we should go get some dinner, he said. He grabbed a set of keys from the table. Lets go downtown. I never wouldve imagined that Id look forward to going out with a Moroi and a dhampir. It was yet another signal of how far Id advanced or regressed, by Alchemist standards. Compared to most of the other people in my life, Dimitri and Sonya were grounded and stable. It was refreshing.I gave them a rundown of Angelines behavior, as well as my thinly hide legal threat.That part seemed to amuse Sonya.Smart, she said, twirling spaghetti on a fork. Maybe you should be in law school instead of the Alchemists.Dimitri found it les s funny. Angeline came here to do a job. She wanted out of the Keepers and swore shed devote every waking minute to protecting Jill.There has been a bit of a husbandry shock, I admitted, unsure as to why I was defending Angeline. And those guys today I mean, if theyd tried to get me to join their sing-along, I probably wouldve punched them too.Unacceptable, said Dimitri. He use to be a combat instructor, and I could understand why. Shes here on a mission. What she did was reckless and irresponsible. Sonya gave him a sly grin. And here I thought you had a round the bend stance for reckless young girls. go up never would have done anything like that, he countered. He paused to reconsider, and I couldve give tongue to there was the hint of a smile there. Well, at least not in such a public setting. at once the Angeline topic was put to rest, I brought up the reason Id come here. So no experiments today?Even Sonyas good temper faltered. Ah. No, not hardly. Weve gone over some not es on our own, but Adrian hasnt been he hasnt been quite up to the research this week. Or up to going to class.Dimitri nodded. I was over there earlier. He could barely answer the door. No idea what hed been drinking, but whatever it was, hed had a lot. Considering their rocky relationship, I wouldve pass judgment assumption in discussing Adrians vices. Instead, Dimitri sounded disappointed, as though hed expected better.Thats what I wanted to talk to you about, I said. Id eaten little of my dinner and was nervously separate a roll into pieces. Adrians current mood isnt entirely his fault. I mean, it is, but I can kind of understand it. You know we saw his dad this weekend, right? Well it didnt go well.There was a wise(p) glint in Dimitris dark eyes. Im not surprised. Nathan Ivashkov isnt the easiest man to get along with.He sort of tore down everything Adrians been trying to do. I tried to make a case for Adrian, but Mr. Ivashkov wouldnt listen. Thats why I was wondering if you guys could help. Sonya couldnt hide her surprise. Id gladly help Adrian, but something tells me Nathans not going to really put much stock in what we have to say.Thats not what I was thinking. I gave up on the bread and dropped all the pieces to my plate. You guys are both close to the queen. Maybe you could get her to tell Adrians dad how I dont know. What an asset hes been. How much hes been helping. Obviously, she couldnt explain exactly what hes doing, but anything might help. Mr. Ivashkov wont listen to Adrian or anyone else, but hed have to take a commendation from the queen seriously. If shed do it.Dimitri looked thoughtful. Oh, shed do it. Shes always had a soft spot for him. Everyone seems to.No, I said stubbornly. Not everyone. Theres a split. Half condemn him and write him off as useless like his dad. The other half just shrug and indulge him and say, Well, thats Adrian. Sonya studied me carefully, a trace of that cheer returning. And you?I dont think he should be babie d or disregarded. If you expect him to do great things, he will.Sonya said nothing right away, and I shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. I didnt like when she looked at me like this. It was about more than auras. It was like she could see into my sum of money and soul.Ill speak to Lissa, she said at last. And Im sure Dimitri will too. In the meantime, lets hope that if we follow your advice and expect Adrian to sober up soon, he will. We had just paid the check when Dimitris prison cell phone rang. Hello? he answered. And like that, his face transformed. That fierceness I so associated with him softened, and he practically glowed. No, no. Its always a good time for you to call, Roza. Whatever the response on the other end was, it made him smile.Rose, said Sonya to me. She stood up. Lets give them a little privacy. You want to take a walk?Sure, I said, rising as well. Outside, dusk was falling. Theres a prink interject a few blocks away I actually want to check if theyre s till open. Sonya glanced at Dimitri. Meet us there? she whispered. He gave a quick nod. at a time we were outside in the warm flush air, she laughed. Ah, those two. In a fight, theyre lethal.Around each other, they melt.Is that how you and Mikhail are? I asked, thinking there wasnt much melting with Brayden and me, no matter how much I enjoyed spending time with him.She laughed again and glanced up at the sky, multi-colour in shades of orange and blue. Not exactly. Every relationship is different. Everyone loves differently. There was a long pause as she chose her next words. That was a nice thing you chose to do for Adrian.There was no choice to be made, I countered. We crossed onto a busier street, full of brightly lit stores with water misters outside that were meant to cool off hot shoppers. I winced at what that mist was doing to my hair. I had to help. He didnt deserve that kind of treatment.I cant imagine how Adrians put up with that his whole life. And would you conceptu alize that what worried Adrian the most was that I would think less of him?Actually, said Sonya softly, I can very much believe that. The costume store was still open, thanks to elongated Halloween hours, but only for ten more minutes. Sonya wandered around the aisles with no real goal, but I headed immediately for the historical section. They had exactly one Greek-style graze left, a plain white gown with a deluxe plastic belt. I knelt down to take a better look. Opening the package, I felt the fabric. It was cheap, probably flammable. The dress was also an XL, and I wondered if Jill had learned enough in sewing club to take it in for me. With less than a week until the dance, my options were limited. real? a voice beside me said. Havent you insulted me enough without resorting to this icing?Standing above me was Lia DiStefano. Her curly hair was bound up with a bright red scarf, and a voluminous minor blouse made her petite body look like it had wings. She peered down at me d isapprovingly with kohl-lined eyes.Are you following me? I asked, getting to my feet. Every time Im downtown, here you are.If I were following you, I never would have let you set foot in here in the first place. She pointed at the costume. What is that?My outfit for Halloween, I said. Im going Greek.Its not even the right size.Ill get it taken in.She tsked. Im so appalled, I dont even know where to start. You want a Greek dress? Ill make you one. A good one. Not this monstrosity. My God. People know you know me. If you were seen in that, itd ruin my career.Yeah, because what I wear to a high school dance will really make or break you.Whens your dance? she asked.Saturday.Easy, she declared. She gave me a once-over and nodded in satisfaction. Easy measurements too. Is your sister dressing just as badly?Not sure, I admitted. She talked about making a queen dress in sewing club. A blue one, I think.Lia blanched. Even worse. Ill make her a dress too. Ive already got her measurements. I sighed. Lia, I know what youre trying to do, and it wont work. Jill absolutely cannot model for you again. It doesnt matter how much graft you try. Lia attempted an innocent look that was in no way convincing. Who said anything about bribery? Im doing this out of charity. Itd be a disgrace to let you two go out in anything less than the best.Lia Do not buy that, she warned, pointing at the costume. Its a waste. You might as well set your money on fire although, it probably wouldnt light as fast as that dress. Ill let you know when your costumes are ready. With that, she turned on her high wooden heels and walked away, divergence me staring.Did you get a costume? Sonya asked me later, once the closing store forced us to leave.Weirdly, yes, I said. But not from there.Dimitri apparently wasnt done with his call, since he hadnt joined us yet. We strolled leisurely back toward the restaurant, wanting to give him more time with Rose. Other stores were closing, and the tourists were s ource to thin out. I explained the meeting with Lia. Sonya found it more amusing than I did.Well, dont bash it, she said. If a designer wants to make you something, youre not obligated to give her anything else. Maybe she could help me out with bridesmaid dresses. We crossed a less busy street and cut through a narrow highway with a brick building on one side and a tree-filled church lawn on the other. Id admired the church on our way over, but now, in only a short time, evening had filled it with shadows and given it a foreboding look and feel. I was glad I wasnt walking through here alone. It felt strange to be reassured by a vampires presence.Lia does make amazing things, I admitted. But I dont know if we should encourage her.Fair enough, said Sonya. Maybe one of these days, youll help me look for dresses.Youve got a really good aesthesis of She suddenly spun around toward the darkened churchyard. There was a look of fear on her face, but I saw nothing alarming at first. Sec onds later, four figures in black jumped out from behind the trees. One of them threw me against the brick wall while the other three pinned Sonya to the ground. I pushed back against my captor, but a muscled arm held me tightly. In the faint light, I saw a glimmer of something I never expected to see on the streets of Palm Springs a sword.The dark figure poised it over Sonyas neck. Time to go back to Hell, he said.