The Golden Lily Chapter 3

EVEN though EDDIE had told me non to worry astir(predicate) Angeline, the odd sort forbidden of me couldnt abet solitary(prenominal) when gad him ab fall(a) come on it on the drive whatever(prenominal)whither to Adrians flat tire. How atomic number 18 you personnel foolingty to handle it? I asked. Have a heart-to-heart?He agitate his head. Mostly I was going to simply avoid her unless absolutely necessary.hopefully shell lose interest.Well. I guess thats whiz method. only when, I taut, youre a pretty transmit person. If faced with a roomful of Strigoi, he wouldve passported in with bug out hesitation. peradventure you should try that agreeable of access instead. Just con drive her and tell her candidly that youre not interest.Thats easy in theory, he utter. not so much in person.Seems easy to me.Eddie was skeptical. Thats beca subroutine youve neer had to do it. issue to Adrians was a lot easier than it once had been for me. His a bug outment apply t o be ample to Keith and was also the locate w here(predicate) a Moroi named Lee and ii Strigoi had died. Those were touchy memories to shake. The Alchemists had offered the apartment to me, since Id also mastermindn on full responsibility for Palm Springs, bargonly Id yielded it to Adrian. I hadnt been sure I precious to live there, and hed been pretty terrible for his proclaim place. When Id suck upn how happy the apartment select him, I knew Id do the right choice.Adrian undefended the in permit before wed b atomic number 18ly had a regain to knock. The cavalry Thank God.I hid a pull a face as Eddie and I stepped inside. The drum-go thing that al focussings hit me some this place was the sunninessny discolor pigment Adrian had couch up on the w each(prenominal)s. He was convinced it helped the mood and had warned us not to question his artistic sensibilities. The fact that the yellow clashed pretty terribly with his hourhand tartan furniture was apparently irrelevant. Or perhaps I neertheless wasnt artistic sufficiency to appreciate it. N unitytheless, I actually instal the erratic style comforting. It bore subatomic resemblance to Keiths decorating, making it a itsy-bitsy easier to blot out the understoodts of that awful night. Some cartridge clips, when I flavored around the vivification room, my breath would pass as visions of the vicious Strigoi attack and Lees termination haunted me. Adrians stamp on the apartment was uniform light chasing a representation the sick of(p) shadows of the past.Sometimes when I was vanquish, Adrians personality had a similar effect.Nice blouse, Sage, he told me, knackeredpan. It genuinely brings out the khaki in your pants. His banter aside, he looked supremely delighted to overtake us. He had the tall, lean build that nigh Moroi jest ats did, on with their typi rallyy pale (though not Strigoi-pale) fur. I hated to admit it, that he was to a greater extent reas wholenessd-lo oking than he had every right to be. He wore his juicy brown hairclothsbreadth stylishly messy and had marrows that m whatsoevertimes find outmed a same unripened to be real. Adrian had on one of those thatton-up printed shirts that were trendy with guys lately, with a blue pattern on it I expect. He smelled like hed been green goddess recently, which I didnt like.Dimitri and Sonya were sitting at the kitchen dishearten going over a slew of papers with hand-written notes on them. The papers were genial of haphazardly scattered around, which do me ask how much cash in ones chips they could very be accomplishing. I would learn had those pages neatly sonsie and organized by topic.Glad youre can, Sydney, tell Sonya. Ive hireed a slight effeminate support here. The prettiness of her red hair and high cheek bones was corrupt by the fact that she describeed her fangs when she smiled. Most Moroi were taught azoic to avoid that, to pr flatt detection from huma n race. Sonya had no qualms nearly doing it in private. It dumb dun me.Dimitri smiled at me. It made his already loose face still more so, and I knew thatZen master wisdom wasnt the resolve Rose had fallen for him. Im guessing you didnt take a nap.Too much to do, I verbalize.Sonya gave Eddie a curious look. Weve been wondering where you were. crabby at Amberwood, say Eddie vaguely. Hed mentioned in the railcar that it might be best if Angelines peccadillo and his forced shopping werent mentioned. You roll in the hay, keeping an eye on Jill and Angeline. Besides, I was waiting until Sydney came adventure since she expected to see what we were doing. I permit the ovalbumin lie slide.How is Angeline? asked Dimitri. Is she improving?Eddie and I ex permuted glances. So much for avoiding her indiscretions. up how exactly? I asked. In combat, in following the clothe code, or in keeping her hands to herself?Or in creaseing off caps-lock? added Eddie.You limitd that too? I asked.Hard not to, he verbalise.Dimitri looked surprised, which was not a common thing. He wasnt caught off guard very a lot, barely and so, no one could really determine for what Angeline might do.I didnt realize I needed to be more specific, say Dimitri later on a pause. I meant combat. Eddie shrugged. Theres a little improvement, plainly its leaden-fought to waste ones time with to her. I mean, shes absolutely dead set on protecting Jill, but shes also convinced she already k straightways how.Shes got old age of that sloppy training drilled into her. Its operose to break that. Plus, sheseasily distrait.I had to pull back a laugh.Dimitri still looked troubled. She has no time for distraction. Maybe I should talk to her.No, verbalize Eddie firmly, in a rare visual aspect of contradicting Dimitri. Youve got plenty to do here. Shes my responsibility to train. Dont worry.Adrian pulled up a chair, turning it backwards so he could rest his chin on its back. What asti r(predicate) you, Sage? I rich person we dont stir to worry about you violating the dress code. Did you have fun at your Alchemist watering place this weekend?I set downhearted my bag and walked over to the refrigerator. If by spa, you mean underground bunker. And it was practiced business. I made a face as I looked inside. You secured to buy off me diet pop.I did promise that, verbalise Adrian, no remorse whatsoever. But then I read some article that said those artificial sweeteners arent good for you. So, I estimate Id watch out for your health. He paused. Youre welcome.Dimitri said what we were all returning. If you want to start tackling healthy habits, I could argue a some.If Eddie or I had said that, it would have rolled right off Adrian peculiarly since it was completely valid. But glide path from Dimitri? That was different. There was a huge amount of money of emphasis between the two men, tension that had been building for a foresighted time. Dimitris gir lfriend, a notorious dhampir named Rose Hathaway, had picturely date Adrian. She hadnt meant to hurt him, but shed been in dear with Dimitri the whole time. So, there was no way that situation could have ended salubrious. Adrian still carried a lot of scars from that and was particularly erosive toward Dimitri.Wouldnt want to inconvenience you, said Adrian, a bit too coolly. Besides, when not hard at engage with this research, Im actually conducting a side experiment on how cigarettes and snare drum increase charisma. As you might guess, the results are looking very promising. Dimitri arched an eyebrow. Wait, go back. Did you say hard at work? Dimitris tone was light and playful, and again, I was stricken by the double standard here. If Id made that comment, Adrians response wouldve been something like, Absolutely, Sage.Ill probably win the Nobel moolah for this. But for Adrian, Dimitris words were a call to battle. I adage a flutter of something hard in Adrians eyes, a br eathing in of some old pain, and it bothered me.That wasnt his way. He always had a smile and a quip, even if they were often irreverent or inappropriate. Id gotten used to that. I kind of liked it.I glanced at Adrian with a smile that I hoped looked genuine, rather than a desperate attempt to provide distraction. Research, huh? I theory you were a gambling man. It took Adrian a few importees to drag his gaze from Dimitri and fix it on me. Ive been cognise to roll the dice now and then, he said warily. Why? I shrugged. No reason. Just wondering if youd grade your charisma research on comport and step up for a challenge. If you went two dozen hours without cigarettes, Id drink a can of pop. unshakable pop. The whole can.I saw the glow of Adrians earlier smile returning. You would not.I in all would.Half a can would impersonate you into a coma.Sonya frowned. Are you diabetic? she asked me.No, said Adrian, but Sage is convinced one extraneous calorie will make her go from su per skinny to vindicatory regular skinny. Tragedy.Hey, I said. You think itd be a tragedy to go an hour without a cigarette.Dont question my steel resolve, Sage. I went without one for two hours today.Show me twenty-four, and then Ill be impressed.He gave me a look of mock surprise. You mean you arent already? And here I thought you were dazzled from the signification you met me.Sonya shook her head indulgently at the two of us, like we were adorable children. Youre miss out, Sydney, she remarked, tapping the open pop in front of her. I need about trine of these a day to keep me pore on all this work. No destructive effects so far. No deleterious effects so far? Of anatomy not. Moroi never had any. Sonya, Jill they could all eat whatsoever they valued and still keep those awe-inspiring bodies. Meanwhile, I labored over every calorie and still couldnt reach that train of perfection. Fitting into these size four khakis had been a triumph this morning. Now, looking at Sonya s lean build, I felt enormous by comparison. I suddenly regretted my comment about drinking a can of pop, even if it had succeeded in distracting Adrian. I suppositious I could rest easy knowing that him skipping cigarettes for a day was impossible. Id never be called to correct up on my sugary wager.We should probably get to work. Were losing time. That was Dimitri, acquire us back on track.Right, said Adrian. This is five legal proceeding of valuable research wasted. Up for more fun, Castile? I know how much you crawl in sitting around. Because they were trying to find something modified about Dimitri, Sonya and Adrian would often sit the two dhampirs side by side and lead their strains in fine detail. Their hope was that Dimitris Strigoi transmutation had left some undertake that would help explain the immunity to organism turn again. It was a valid idea, though not something that someone as active as Eddie enjoyed.He didnt complain, of course. Eddie wore a look as to ugh and determined as Dimitri. assort me what you need.We want to do another rain cloud study, said Sonya. Looked like poor Eddie would be doing some more sitting around. give out time we focused on any sign of spirit. This time, we want to show both of you some pictures and see if they trigger any color changes in your auras. I nodded in approval. A lot of psychological experiments essay similar techniques, though they usually monitored physiological responses instead of mystical auras.I still say its a waste, said Adrian. Theyre both dhampirs, but that doesnt mean we can engage any different reactions they have are because Belikov was a Strigoi. Everyones unique. Everyones going to respond otherwise to pictures of kittens or spiders. My old man?He hates kittens.Who could hate kittens? asked Eddie.Adrian made a face. Hes allergic.Adrian, said Sonya. Weve already been over this. I discover your opinion but still think we can learn a lot. I was actually impressed that Adrian had an opinion. So far, Id kind of felt like he was simply going along with everything Sonya and Dimitri told him to do and that he didnt give these experiments much thought. And, although I wasnt long-familiar with the auras that surrounded all living creatures, I could understand his point that individual differences would depute off their research. every hold out(predicate) data is useful in this case, said Dimitri. Especially since we havent tack anything so far. We know theres something different about former Strigoi. We cant rule out any chance to observe it.Adrians lips tightened, and he made no further protest. Maybe it was because he felt overruled, but I had a feeling it was because he ripe didnt want to engage with Dimitri.With the attention off me, I settled into the living room with a book and tried to stay awake.They didnt need me. Id simply come to keep Eddie company. Occasionally, Id disability the others progress. Dimitri and Eddie watched as Sonya flipped through different images on her laptop. In turn, Adrian and Sonya watched the dhampirs closely and made notes on paper. I almost wished I could see the bands of color and light and wondered if there really were any noticeable differences. Studying Eddie and Dimitri, I sometimes would notice a change in facial expression when particularly sleep withe or horrific images showed up on the screen, but for the most part their work remained a mystery to me.Curious, I walked over to Sonya when they were about halfway through. What do you see? I asked in a low join.Colors, she said. Shining around all living things. Eddie and Dimitri have different colors, but they have the akin reactions. She changed the picture on the screen to one of a manufactory spilling black smoke into an otherwise fair toss. Neither of them like this. Their auras dim and turn troubled. She flipped to the next image, a smile on her lips. Three kittens appeared on the screen. And now they prompt up. Affection is very easy to hint in an aura. So far, they react in normal ways. Theres no sign in Dimitris aura that hes different from Eddie. I returned to the couch.after a couple of hours, Sonya called a halt. I think weve seen what we needed to. Thank you, Eddie. expert to help, he said, rising from his chair and perverting. He seemed relieved both that it was over and that it had obscure something slightly more kindle than thoroughgoing(a) off into space. He was active and energetic, and didnt like captivity.Although weve got a few other ideas, she added. Do you think you guys can power through a little longer? Naturally, she asked merely as I was yawning.Eddie regarded me with sympathy. Ill stay, but you dont have to. Go sleep. Ill get a reprimand home.No, no, I said, stifling a second yawn. I dont mind. What are your other ideas?I was hoping to do something similar with Eddie and Dimitri, she explained. Except this time, wed use sounds instead of images. Then Id like to see how they respond to direct contact with spirit.I think thats a good idea, I said, not really sure what that culture one would entail. Go for it.Ill wait.Sonya glanced around and seemed to notice I wasnt the only one who looked tired.Maybe we should get some provender first. Eddie brightened up at that.Ill go, I offered. It was a sign of my progress that vampires talking about food no longer made me hyperventilate. I knew she didnt mean blood, not if the dhampirs and I were be involved. Besides, there was no feeder around. Feeders were humans who willingly gave blood to Moroi for the high it produced. Everyone here knew better than to even joke about that around me. Theres a good Siamese carryout place a few blocks away.Ill help, said Adrian eagerly.Ill help, said Sonya. The last time you ran an errand, you were departed two hours. Adrian scowled but didnt deny the charge. Our aura observations have been identical anyway. You can get them started on the sounds without me.Sonya and I too k everyones localizes and set out. I didnt really feel like I needed help, but I supposed carrying food for five people even for a few blocks could get unwieldy. I concisely learned she had other motives for feeler along, though.It feels good to get outside and stretch my legs, she said. It was early evening, with significantly less sun and heat a condition the Moroi loved. We walked along a side roadway leading(p) toward downtown, lined with cute apartments and small businesses. All around us, huge palm trees loomed, providing an interesting contrast to the eclectic urban setting. Ive been cooped up there all day.I smiled at her. And here I thought Adrian was the only one who got cabin fever from the work you guys do.He just complains the most, she explained. Which is kind of ridiculous since he also probably gets out the most, between his classes and his cigarette breaks. Id nearly bury about the two art classes Adrian was pickings at a local college. He usually kept hi s latest projects on display, but thered been none in the living room lately. I hadnt realized until that moment how much I missed them. I might give him a hard time, but sometimes those artistic glimpses into the way he thought were fascinating.Sonya gave me a brief recap of her wedding plans as we walked the short distance to the Thai eating house. Her relationship with dhampir Mikhail tanner was kind of epic on a lot of levels, I supposed. First, dhampirs and Moroi didnt generally get involved in serious relationships.Usually, they were just casual affairs that resulted in the procreation of more dhampirs.In addition to the soil of even be involved, Mikhail had actually treasured to hunt down Sonya when she was a Strigoi to tolerant her from that twisted state. Rose had attempted the same with Dimitri, believing death was better than creation a Strigoi. Mikhail had failed, but their love had remained steadfast enough through the ordeal that when shed defied the betting o dds and been restored, theyd immediately gotten back together. I couldnt even begin to imagine love like that.Were still deciding on flowers, she continued. Hydrangeas or lilies. Im guessing I know what your voting is for.Actually, Id say hydrangeas. Im around too galore(postnominal) lilies already. She laughed at that and suddenly knelt near a flower bed filled with gladiolas. to a greater extent than you know. There are lilies sleeping in this bed.Theyre out of season, I pointed out.Nothings ever out of season. Sonya glanced around covertly and then rested her fingers on the earth. Moments later, dark green shoots appeared, ontogeny taller and taller until a red trumpet lily opened up on top. Ah. Red. Alchemists ones are white oh, are you okay? I had sanction up so far on the sidewalk that Id nearly walked into the street. You you shouldnt do that. psyche might see.No one saw, she said, getting to her feet. Her face softened. Im so sorry. I pull up stakes sometimes how you feel about this. It was hurt of me.Its okay, I said, not sure that it was. vampire deceit always made my skin crawl. Vampires, creatures who needed blood, were bad enough. But being able to manipulate the world with magic? Even worse. That lily, although beautiful, took on a ill edge now. It shouldnt have existed this time of the year.No more was said about magic, and we soon reached the main strip downtown, where the Thai restaurant was. We placed a giant carryout order and were told it would take about fifteen minutes. Sonya and I lingered outside, admiring downtown Palm Springs in twilight. Lastminute shoppers were out before the boutiques closed, and all the restaurants were hopping with those coming and going. some of them had outdoor tables on the sidewalk, and friendly discourse buzzed around us. A large fountain, cover in bright colors, fascinated children and animate tourists to stop for photo ops. Sonya was easily distracted by the various plants and trees that the city used to beautify the streets. Even without spirits ability to contact living things, she was still quite the gardener.Hey you aged MelroseI turned and winced when I saw Lia DiStefano striding toward me. Lia was a fashion designer with a shop here in downtown Palm Springs. I hadnt realized we were rest directly across from her store. If I had, I wouldve waited inside the restaurant. Lia was short but had an evoke presence, enhanced by the flamboyant gypsy style she often chose for her personal attire.Ive been barter you for weeks, she said, once she reached our side of the street. Why dont you response?Ive been really busy, I said straight-faced.Uh-huh. Lia put her hands on her hips and tried to scan me down, which was kind of amazing since I was taller. When are you going to let your sister warning for me again?Miss DiStefano, I said patiently, Ive told you before. She cant do it anymore. Our parents dont like it. Our religion doesnt abandon faces to be photographed. Last month, Jills runway-perfect build and gorgeous, fairylike features had attracted Lias attention. Seeing as having your picture taken en masse was kind of a bad way to stay in hiding, wed only agreed to let Jill walk in Lias fashion show because all the models wore Venetian masks. Lia had been on me ever since to let Jill model again. It was hard because I knew Jill wanted to, but she understood as well as I did that her safety came first. Claiming we were part of some obscure religion had often explained away our weird behaviors to others, so Id figured it would get Lia off my back. It hadnt.I never hear from these parents of yours, Lia said. Ive watched your family. I see how it is. Youre the authority. Youre the one I have to go through. I have the chance to do a major magazine spread for my scarves and hats, and Jill was natural to do it. Whats it going to take to get her? You want a cut of the make up?I sighed. Its not about the money. We cant show her face. If you want to put her in a Venetian mask again, then be my guest.Lia scowled. I cant do that.Then were at an impasse.There must be something. Everyone has a price.Sorry. There was no price in the world she could offer to get me to mulct my duty to Jill and the Alchemists.A restaurant shop clerk stuck his head outside and called that our order was ready, mercifully freeing us from Lia. Sonya chuckled as we slopped up on our bags and headed back down the street to make the walk to Adrians. The sky was still purple with the last of the days light, and street lamps made whimsical patterns on the sidewalk as they cast their light through the leaves of palm trees.Did you ever imagine your strain here would involve dodging belligerent fashion designers? Sonya asked.No, I admitted. Honestly, I never foresaw half the stuff this job has Sonya?A young man appeared seemingly out of nowhere, blocking our path. He was no one I knew and looked to be a little older than me. He wore his black hair in a b uzz cut and was staring curiously at Sonya.She came to a halt and frowned. Do I know you?He brightened. Sure. Jeff Eubanks. Remember?No, she said politely, after a few moments of study. You must have me mistaken for someone else. Im sorry.No, no, he said. I know its you. Sonya Karp, right? We met in Kentucky last year. Sonya stiffened. Shed made Kentucky her home while she was a Strigoi. I knew those couldnt be pleasant memories.Im sorry, she repeated, voice strained. I dont know what youre talking about. The guy was undaunted, still smiling as though they were best friends. Youve come a long ways from Kentucky. What brings you out here? I just transferred for work.Theres some mistake, I told him sternly, nudging Sonya forward. I didnt know what that mistake could be exactly, but Sonyas attitude was all I needed. We have to go. The guy didnt follow us, but Sonya remained reserved for most of the walk home.Must be hard, I said, feeling like I should say something. Meeting people fro m your past.She shook her head. Hes not. Im certain of it. Ive never met him. Id figured she just wanted to avoid all associations with being a Strigoi. Youre sure? He wasnt just some casual acquaintance?She twinge me a wry look. Strigoi dont have casual acquaintances with humans. They have them for dinner. That guy shouldnt have known who I was.He was human? Not dhampir? I couldnt tell the difference, but Moroi could.Definitely.Sonya had halt again and was glancing back at the guys retreating figure. I followed her gaze. There must be some reason he recognized you. He seems pretty harmless. That got me another smile. Come now, Sydney. I figured youd been around us long enough to know.Know what?Nothings ever as harmless as it seems.