“No,” said Jill meekly. “What did they say?” Lee sighed and looked miserable.
Clarence snorted. “They said there was no such thing. That there was no evidence to support my claim. They ruled it a Strigoi killing and said there was nothing anyone could do, that I should be grateful she wasn’t turned.”
I looked at Keith, who again seemed startled by this story. He apparently didn’t know Clarence as well as he’d claimed. Keith had known the old man had a hang-up involving his niece, but not the extent of it. Keith gave me a small shrug that seemed to say, See? What did I tell you? Crazy.
“The guardians are very thorough,” said Eddie. His tone and words were both clearly chosen with care, striving not to offend. He sat back down next to Jill. “I’m sure they had their reasons.”
“Reasons?” asked Clarence. “If you consider denial and living a delusional life reasons, then I suppose so. They just don’t want to accept that vampire hunters are out there. But tell me this. If my Tamara was killed by Strigoi, why did they cut her throat? It was cut cleanly with a blade.” He made a slashing motion under his chin. Jill flinched and cowered into her chair. Rose, Eddie, and Abe also looked taken aback, which surprised me because I didn’t think anything would make that group squeamish. “Why not use fangs? Makes it easier to drink. I pointed that out to the guardians, and they said that since about half of her blood had been drunk, it was obviously a Strigoi. But I say a vampire hunter did it and made it look like they took her blood. Strigoi would have no reason to use a knife.”
Rose started to speak, paused, and then began again. “It is strange,” she said calmly. I had a feeling she’d probably been about to blurt out how ridiculous this conspiracy theory was, but had thought better of it. “But I’m sure there’s another explanation, Mr. Donahue.”
I wondered if mentioning that the Alchemists had no records of vampire hunters—not in several centuries, at least—would be helpful or not. Keith suddenly took the conversation in an unexpected direction. He met Clarence’s gaze levelly.
“It might seem strange for Strigoi, but they do all sorts of vicious things for no reason. I know from personal experience.”
My stomach sank. Oh no. All eyes turned to Keith.
“Oh?” asked Abe, smoothing his black goatee. “What happened?”
Keith pointed to his glass eye. “I was attacked by Strigoi earlier this year. They beat me up and ripped out my eye. Then they left me.”
Eddie frowned. “Without drinking or killing? That is really weird. That doesn’t sound like normal Strigoi behavior.”
“I’m not sure you can really expect Strigoi to do anything ‘normal,’” pointed out Abe. I gritted my teeth, wishing he wouldn’t engage Keith in this. Please don’t ask about the eye, I thought. Let it go. That was too much to expect, of course, because Abe’s next question was, “They only took the one eye? They didn’t try for both?”
“Excuse me.” I rose before Keith could answer. I couldn’t sit through this conversation and listen to Abe bait Keith, simply for the fun of tormenting me. I needed to escape. “I . . . I don’t feel well. I’m going to get some air.”
“Of course, of course,” said Clarence, looking as though he wanted to rise as well. “Should I have my housekeeper get you some water? I can ring the bell—”
“No, no,” I said, moving toward the door. “I just . . . I just need a minute.”
I hurried out and heard Abe saying, “Such delicate sensibilities. You’d think she wouldn’t be so squeamish, considering her profession. But you, young man, seem like you can handle talking about blood . . .”
Abe’s ego-stroking worked, and Keith launched into the one story I most definitely didn’t want to hear. I went back down the dark hallway and emerged outside. The fresh air was welcome, even if it was more than twenty degrees warmer than what I’d come from. I took a deep, steadying breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Everything was going to be okay. Abe would be leaving soon. Keith would return to his own apartment. I would go back to Amberwood with Jill and Eddie, who really didn’t seem like bad companions, considering who I could have ended up with.
With no real destination in mind, I decided to walk around and scope out Clarence’s home—more like an estate, really. I picked a side of the house at random and walked around, admiring the detailed sculpting of the house’s exterior. Even if it was hopelessly out of place in the southern California landscape, it was still impressive. I had always loved studying architecture—a subject my father thought was pointless—and was impressed by my surroundings. Glancing around, I noted that the grounds didn’t match the rest of what we’d driven through to get here. A lot of the land in this region had gone brown from summer and lack of rain, but Clarence had clearly spent a fortune to keep his sprawling yard lush and green. Non-native trees—beautiful and full of flowers—were artfully arranged to make walking paths and courtyards.
After several minutes of my nature stroll, I turned around and headed back toward the front of the house. I came to a stop when I heard someone.
“Where are you?” a voice asked. Abe. Great. He was looking for me.
“Over here,” I just barely heard Adrian say. His voice came from the far side of the house, opposite the side I was on. I heard someone walk across the gravel driveway, the footsteps coming to a halt when they reached what I gauged to be the back door where Abe stood.
I bit my lip and stayed where I was, concealed by the house. I was almost afraid to breathe. With their hearing, Moroi could pick up the tiniest detail.
“Were you ever coming back?” asked Abe, amused.
“Didn’t see the point,” was Adrian’s laconic response.
“The point is politeness. You could have made an effort to meet the Alchemists.”
“They don’t want to meet me. Especially the guy.” There was concealed laughter in Adrian’s voice. “You should have seen his face when I ran into him at the door. I wish I’d had a cape on. The girl’s at least got some nerve.”
“Nevertheless, they play a crucial role in your stay here—and Jill’s. You know how important it is that she remain safe.”
“Yeah, I get that. And I get why she’s here. What I don’t get is why I’m here.”
“Don’t you?” asked Abe. “I’d assume it’s obvious to both Jill and you. You have to stay near her.”
There was a pause. “That’s what everyone says . . . but I’m still not sure it’s necessary. I don’t think she needs me close by, no matter what Rose and Lissa claim.”
“You have something better to do?”
“That’s not the point.” Adrian sounded annoyed, and I was glad that I wasn’t the only one Abe had that effect on.
“That’s exactly the point,” Abe said. “You were wasting away at Court, drowning in your own self-pity—among other things. Here, you have a chance to be useful.”
“To you.”
“To yourself as well. This is an opportunity for you to make something of your life.”
“Except you won’t tell me what it is I’m supposed to do!” said Adrian irritably. “Aside from Jill, what is this great task you have for me?”
“Listen. Listen and watch.” I could perfectly picture Abe stroking his chin in that mastermind way of his again as he spoke. “Watch everyone—Clarence, Lee, the Alchemists, Jill and Eddie. Pay attention to every word, every detail, and report it to me later. It may all be useful.”
“I don’t know that that really clears things up.”
“You have potential, Adrian. Too much potential to waste. I’m very sorry for what happened with Rose, but you have to move on. Maybe things don’t make sense now, but they will later. Trust me.”
I almost felt bad for Adrian. Abe had once told me to trust him too, and look how things had turned out.
I waited until the two Moroi returned inside and then followed a minute later. In the living room, Keith was still wearing his cocky attitude but looked relieved to have me back. We discussed more details
and worked out a schedule for feedings, one I was in charge of maintaining since I’d have to drive Jill (and Eddie, since he didn’t want to let her out of his sight) back and forth to Clarence’s.
“How are you going to get to feedings?” I asked Adrian. After hearing his conversation with Abe, I was now more curious than ever about his role here.
Adrian was standing against the wall, on the opposite side of the room. His arms were crossed defensively, and there was a rigidness to his posture that conflicted with the lazy smile he wore. I couldn’t be sure, but it looked as though he was purposely positioning himself as far from Rose as possible. “By walking down the hall.”
Seeing my puzzled look, Clarence explained, “Adrian will be staying here with me. It will be nice to have someone else in these old walls.”
“Oh,” I said. To myself, I muttered, “How very Secret Garden.”
“Hmm?” asked Adrian, tilting his head toward me.
I flinched. Their hearing was good. “Nothing. I was just thinking of a book I read.”
“Oh,” said Adrian dismissively, glancing away. The way he said the word seemed to be a condemnation of books everywhere.
“Don’t forget me,” said Lee, grinning at his father. “I told you I’ll be around more.”
“Maybe young Adrian here will keep you out of trouble, then,” declared Clarence.
No one said anything to that, but I saw Adrian’s friends exchange a few amused glances.
Keith didn’t look nearly as freaked out as he had when we’d arrived, but there was a new air of impatience and irritability in him that I didn’t quite understand. “Well,” he said, after clearing his throat. “I need to get home and take care of some business. And since you’re my ride, Sydney . . .”
He left the words hanging but looked at me meaningfully. From what I’d learned, I was more convinced than ever that Palm Springs was the least active vampire area anywhere. I couldn’t honestly figure out what “business” Keith would have to take care of, but we had to leave here sooner or later. Eddie and Jill went to gather their luggage, and Rose used the opportunity to pull me aside.
“How have you been?” she asked in a low voice. Her smile was genuine. “I’ve been worried about you, ever since . . . well, you know. No one would tell me what happened to you.” The last time I’d seen her, I’d been held prisoner in a hotel by guardians while the Moroi tried to figure out how big my role had been in Rose’s escape.
“I was in a little trouble at first,” I said. “But it’s past.” What was a small lie between friends? Rose was so strong that I couldn’t stand the thought of looking weak in front of her. I didn’t want her to know that I still lived in fear of the Alchemists, forced to do whatever it took to get back in their good graces.
“I’m glad,” she said. “They told me originally it was your sister that was going to be here.”
Those words reminded me again how Zoe could replace me at any moment. “It was a mix-up.”
Rose nodded. “Well, I feel a little better with you here, but it’s still hard . . . I still feel like I should protect Jill. But I need to protect Lissa too. They think Jill’s the easier target, but they’re still going after Lissa.” The inner turmoil shone in her dark eyes, and I felt a pang of pity. This was what I’d had trouble explaining to the other Alchemists, how dhampirs and vampires could seem so human at times. “It’s been crazy, you know. Ever since Lissa took the throne? I thought I’d finally get to relax with Dimitri.” Her smile broadened. “I should’ve known nothing’s ever simple with us. We’ve spent all our time looking out for Lissa and Jill.”
“Jill will be okay. As long as the dissidents don’t know she’s here, it should all be easy. Boring, even.”
She was still smiling, but her smile had dimmed a little. “I hope so. If you only knew what had happened . . .” Her expression changed as some memory seized her. I started to insist she tell me what had happened, but she shifted the subject before I could. “We’re working on changing the law—the one that says Lissa needs one family member in order to stay queen. Once that’s done, both she and Jill will be out of danger. But that just means those who want to take out Jill are more insane than ever, because they know the clock’s ticking.”
“How long?” I asked. “How long will it take to change the law?”
“I don’t know. A few months, maybe? Legal stuff . . . well, it’s not my thing. Not the details of it, at least.” She grimaced briefly and then became battle tough again. She tossed her hair over one shoulder. “Crazy people who want to hurt my friends? That is my thing, and believe me, I know how to deal with it.”
“I remember,” I said. It was weird. I thought of Rose as one of the strongest people I knew, yet it seemed as though she needed my assurance. “Look, you go do what you do, and I’ll do what I do. I’ll make sure Jill blends in. You guys got her out without anyone knowing. She’s off the grid now.”
“I hope so,” Rose repeated, voice grim. “Because if she’s not, your little group here doesn’t stand a chance against those crazy rebels.”
CHAPTER 5
AND ON THAT NOTE, Rose left me so she could tell the others goodbye.
Her words left me chilled. For half a second, I wanted to demand a reassessment of this mission. I wanted to insist that they send no less than a dozen guardians here with Jill, in the event her attackers came back. Soon, I dismissed that thought. One of the key parts of this plan working was simply not attracting attention. So long as her whereabouts were secret, Jill was safer if she blended in. A squadron of guardians would hardly be discreet and could attract notice from the larger Moroi community. We were doing the right thing. So long as no one knew we were here, all would be well.
Surely if I told myself that often enough, it would become true.
Yet why Rose’s ominous statement? Why Eddie’s presence? Had this mission really been bumped from “inconvenient” to “life-threatening”?
Knowing how close Jill and Rose were, I kind of expected their goodbye to be more tearful. Instead, it was Adrian whom Jill had the most difficulty leaving. She flung herself at him in a giant hug, fingers clinging to his shirt. The young Moroi girl had remained quiet for most of the visit, simply watching the rest of us in that curious, nervous way of hers. The most I’d heard her talk was when Lee had tried to draw her out earlier. Her goodbye display seemed to surprise Adrian too, though the snarky look he’d worn on his face softened into something like affection as he awkwardly patted her shoulder.
“There, there, Jailbait. I’ll see you again soon.”
“I wish you were coming with us,” she said in a small voice.
He crooked her a grin. “No, you don’t. Maybe the rest of them can get away with playing back-to-school, but I’d be thrown out on my first day. At least here, I won’t corrupt anyone . . . unless it’s Clarence and his liquor cabinet.”
“I’ll be in touch,” promised Jill.
His smile twitched, and he gave her a knowing look that was both amused and rueful. “So will I.”
This small moment between them was odd. With his flippant, arrogant nature and her sweet shyness, they seemed like an unlikely pair of friends. Yet there was obvious affection between them. It didn’t seem romantic but had a definite intensity I couldn’t quite understand. I remembered the conversation I’d overheard between Abe and Adrian, where Abe had said it was imperative Adrian stay near Jill. Something told me there was a connection between that and what I was witnessing now, but I didn’t have enough information to put it all together. I filed this mystery away for later.
I was sad to leave Rose but glad that our departure meant parting ways with Abe and Keith. Abe left with his typically cryptic remarks and a knowing look for me that I didn’t appreciate. I dropped Keith off at his place before going on to Amberwood, and he told me he’d keep me updated. Honestly, I wondered what exactly he had to update me on, since I was doing most of the work around here. As far as I could tell, he really had nothing to
do except lounge around in his downtown apartment. Still, it was worth it to be rid of him. I never thought I’d be so happy to drive off with a vampire and a dhampir.
Jill still seemed troubled during the car ride to the school. Eddie, sensing this, tried to soothe her. He peered back at her from the passenger seat.
“We’ll see Adrian soon.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh.
“And nothing else bad is going to happen. You’re safe. They can’t find you here.”
“I know that too,” she said.
“How bad was it?” I asked. “The attack, I mean. No one’s getting into details.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Eddie glance back at Jill again.
“Bad enough,” he said grimly. “But everyone’s okay now; that’s what matters.”
Neither of them said any more, and I quickly picked up on the hint that no more details would be forthcoming. They acted as though the attack had been no big deal, that it was done and over with, but they were being too evasive. Something had happened that I didn’t know about—that the Alchemists likely didn’t know about—something that they were working to keep secret. My guess was that it had to do with Adrian being here. He had mentioned an “obvious reason” for coming to Palm Springs, and then Abe had hinted at some ulterior motive that Adrian himself didn’t know about. It was all kind of annoying, seeing as I was risking my life here. How did they expect me to adequately do my job if they insisted on making this a tangle of secrets?
Alchemists dealt in secrets, and despite my rocky past, I was still Alchemist enough to resent being denied answers. Fortunately, I was also Alchemist enough to hunt those answers down myself.
Of course, I knew grilling Jill and Eddie right away wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I needed to play it friendly and get them to relax around me. They might not harbor the secret belief that humans were creatures of darkness, but that didn’t mean they trusted me yet. I didn’t blame them. After all, I certainly didn’t trust them either.
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