The Golden Lily Chapter 3

EVEN THOUGH EDDIE had told me non to worry ab off Angeline, the curious part of me couldnt help but prod him closely it on the bring al shipwayywhere to Adrians apartment. How are you going to handle it? I asked. Have a heart-to-heart?He shake his head. whatsoeverly I was going to simply avoid her unless absolutely necessary.Hopefully shell lose interest.Well. I hypothesize thats one method. except, I mean, youre a pretty direct person. If breastd with a agencyful of Strigoi, he wouldve walked in without hesitation. mayhap you should try that kindhearted of approach instead. Just confront her and tell her honestly that youre not interested.Thats easy in theory, he said. Not so oft cadences in person.Seems easy to me.Eddie was skeptical. Thats because youve never had to do it. Going to Adrians was a lot easier than it once had been for me. His apartment used to belong to Keith and was also the site where a Moroi named Lee and ii Strigoi had died. Those were hard memories to shake. The Alchemists had offered the apartment to me, since Id also taken on full responsibility for Palm Springs, but Id yielded it to Adrian. I hadnt been undisput suitable I treasured to live thither, and hed been pretty desperate for his own place. When Id seen how happy the apartment do him, I knew Id make the right choice.Adrian undefendeded the door before wed barely had a chance to knock. The knight Thank God.I hid a smile as Eddie and I stepped in nerve. The first thing that perpetually take in me about this place was the sunny yellow paint Adrian had put up on the walls. He was convince it helped the mood and had warned us not to question his artistic sensibilities. The fact that the yellow clashed pretty terribly with his ill-used plaid furniture was apparently irrelevant. Or maybe I just wasnt artistic enough to deem it. Nonetheless, I real found the erratic style comforting. It bore little resemblance to Keiths decorating, making it a little easier to bl ot out the events of that awful night. Sometimes, when I looked well-nigh the biography fashion, my breath would catch as visions of the vicious Strigoi attack and Lees death haunted me. Adrians stamp on the apartment was like light chasing onward the gruesome shadows of the past.Sometimes when I was down, Adrians personality had a similar effect.Nice blouse, Sage, he told me, deadpan. It really brings out the khaki in your pants. His sarcasm aside, he looked supremely delighted to see us. He had the tall, lean skeletal system that roughly Moroi guys did, along with their typically pale (though not Strigoi-pale) skin. I hated to admit it, but he was more(prenominal) not bad(predicate)-looking than he had every right to be. He wore his dark brown hair stylishly messy and had eyes that sometimes seemed in any case green to be real. Adrian had on one of those button-up printed shirts that were trendy with guys lately, with a blue pattern on it I liked. He smelled like hed been smoking recently, which I didnt like.Dimitri and Sonya were sitting at the kitchen table going everyplace a bunch of papers with hand-written notes on them. The papers were kind of promiscuously scattered or so, which do me wonder how a great deal work they could really be accomplishing. I would be possessed of had those pages neatly stacked and organized by topic.Glad youre back, Sydney, said Sonya. Ive needed a little female fend for here. The prettiness of her red hair and high cheek bones was tainted by the fact that she arrayed her fangs when she smiled. Most Moroi were taught early to avoid that, to prevent detection from hu slices. Sonya had no qualms about doing it in private. It free bugged me.Dimitri smiled at me. It made his already handsome face even more so, and I knew thatZen master perception wasnt the reason Rose had fallen for him. Im guessing you didnt take a nap.Too much to do, I said.Sonya gave Eddie a curious look. Weve been wondering where you were.Bu sy at Amberwood, said Eddie vaguely. Hed mentioned in the car that it might be outmatch if Angelines indiscretion and his forced shopping werent mentioned. You know, guardianship an eye on Jill and Angeline. Besides, I was waiting until Sydney came back since she wanted to see what we were doing. I let the white lie slide.How is Angeline? asked Dimitri. Is she improving?Eddie and I exchanged glances. So much for avoiding her indiscretions. Improving how exactly? I asked. In combat, in following the dress code, or in spareing her hands to herself?Or in turning off caps-lock? added Eddie.You noticed that too? I asked.Hard not to, he said.Dimitri looked surprised, which was not a common thing. He wasnt caught off guard very often, but because, no one could really prepare for what Angeline might do.I didnt realize I needed to be more specific, said Dimitri after a pause. I meant combat. Eddie shrugged. in that respects a little improvement, but its hard to get through to her. I me an, shes absolutely dead inflexible on protecting Jill, but shes also convinced she already knows how.Shes got years of that sloppy training drilled into her. Its hard to break that. Plus, shes easily distracted.I had to swallow a laugh.Dimitri still looked troubled. She has no time for distraction. Maybe I should talk to her.No, said Eddie firmly, in a obsolete show 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 about you, Sage? I know we dont have to worry about you violating the dress code. Did you have fun at your Alchemist spa this weekend?I set down my handgrip and walked over to the refrigerator. If by spa, you mean underground bunker. And it was just business. I made a face as I looked inside. You promised to get me diet pop.I did promise that, said Adrian, no remorse whatsoever. But accordingly I read some article that said those artificial sweeteners arent good for you. So, I estimate Id take care out for your health. He paused. Youre welcome.Dimitri said what we were all valueing. If you want to start tackling healthy habits, I could suggest a few.If Eddie or I had said that, it would have rolled right off Adrian particularly since it was completely valid. But coming from Dimitri? That was different. on that point was a huge amount of tension amid the two men, tension that had been twist for a long time. Dimitris girlfriend, a notorious dhampir named Rose Hathaway, had briefly dated Adrian. She hadnt meant to hurt him, but shed been in love with Dimitri the whole time. So, there was no way that situation could have ended well. Adrian still carried a lot of scars from that and was particularly bitter toward Dimitri.Wouldnt want to inconvenience you, said Adrian, a bit too coolly. Besides, when not hard at work with this research, Im actually conducting a side experiment on how cigarettes and gin st ep-up 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 struck by the double standard here. If Id made that comment, Adrians receipt wouldve been something like, Absolutely, Sage.Ill probably win the Nobel Prize for this. But for Adrian, Dimitris words were a call to battle. I saw a glint of something hard in Adrians eyes, a stirring of some old pain, and it b separateed 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 travail to provide distraction. Research, huh? I thought you were a gambling man. It took Adrian a few moments to drag his gaze from Dimitri and trap it on me. Ive been known to roll the dice now and thus, he said warily. Why? I shrugged. No reason. Just wondering if youd put your charisma research on hold and step up for a challenge. If you went twenty-four hours without cigarettes, Id drink a can of pop. Regular pop. The whole can.I saw the glimmer of Adrians previous smile returning. You would not.I totally would.Half a can would put 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 super skinny to just regular skinny. Tragedy.Hey, I said. You call back 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 blind from the moment you met me.Sonya shook her head indulgently at the two of us, like we were adorable children. Youre missing out, Sydney, she remarked, tapping the open pop in front of her. I need ab out three of these a day to go forward me focused on all this work. No detrimental make so outlying(prenominal). No detrimental effects so far? Of course not. Moroi never had any. Sonya, Jill they could all eat whatever they wanted and still keep those amazing bodies. Meanwhile, I labored over every calorie and still couldnt reach that level of perfection. allowance into these size four khakis had been a triumph this morning. Now, looking at Sonyas slender build, I felt spacious by comparison. I suddenly regretted my comment about drinking a can of pop, even if it had succeeded in distracting Adrian. I supposed I could rest easy knowing that him skipping cigarettes for a day was impossible. Id never be called to pay up on my sugary wager.We should probably get to work. Were losing time. That was Dimitri, getting us back on track.Right, said Adrian. This is five minutes of valuable research wasted. Up for more fun, Castile? I know how much you love sitting near. Because they we re trying to find something special about Dimitri, Sonya and Adrian would often sit the two dhampirs side by side and study their auras in fine detail. Their hope was that Dimitris Strigoi conversion had left some mug that would help explain the immunity to being turned again. It was a valid idea, though not something that soul as active as Eddie enjoyed.He didnt complain, of course. Eddie wore a look as tough and determined as Dimitri. Tell me what you need.We want to do another aura study, said Sonya. Looked like poor Eddie would be doing some more sitting around. Last time we focused on any score of spirit. This time, we want to show both of you some drawings and see if they trigger any color changes in your auras. I nodded in approval. A lot of psychological experiments attempted 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 assume any different reactions they have are because Belikov was a Strigoi. Everyones unique. Everyones going to respond differently 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 respect your mentation 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 just going along with everything Sonya and Dimitri told him to do and that he didnt put across these experiments much thought. And, although I wasnt familiar with the auras that surrounded all living creatures, I could understand his point that various(prenominal) differences would throw off their research.All data is useful in this case, said Dimitri. Especially since we havent found 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 opinion it was because he just 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 check 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 cute or unconscionable images showed up on the class, 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 voice.Colors, she said. Shining around all living things. Eddi e and Dimitri have different colors, but they have the same reactions. She changed the picture on the screen to one of a factory spilling minatory smoke into an otherwise clear sky. Neither of them like this. Their auras dark and turn troubled. She flipped to the next image, a smile on her lips. Three kittens appeared on the screen. And now they warm up. marrow is very easy to spot 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 get. I think weve seen what we needed to. Thank you, Eddie.Happy to help, he said, rising from his chair and stretching. He seemed relieved both that it was over and that it had involved something slightly more interesting than staring 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 yearner? Naturally, she asked j ust as I was yawning.Eddie regarded me with sympathy. Ill stay, but you dont have to. Go sleep. Ill get a ride 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. draw out 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 destruction one would entail. Go for it.Ill wait.Sonya glanced around and seemed to notice I wasnt the moreover one who looked tired.Maybe we should get some sustenance first. Eddie brightened up at that.Ill go, I offered. It was a sign of my progress that vampires talk of the town about food no longer made me hyperventilate. I knew she didnt mean blood, not if the dhampirs and I were being 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 Thai carryout place a few blocks away.Ill help, said Adrian eagerly.Ill help, said Sonya. The last time you ran an errand, you were gone 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 took everyones orders and set out. I didnt really feel like I needed help, but I supposed carrying food for five masses even for a few blocks could get unwieldy. I soon learned she had other motives for coming along, though.It feels good to get outside and stretch my legs, she said. It was early evening, with significantly less sun and soup up a condition the Moroi loved. We walked along a side street leading toward downtown, lined with cute apartments and clarified businesses. All around us, huge ornamentation trees loomed, providing an interesting contrast to the eclectic urban setting. Ive been cooped up there all d ay.I smiled at her. And here I thought Adrian was the only one who got cabin pyrexia from the work you guys do.He just complains the most, she explained. Which is kind of funny since he also probably gets out the most, between his classes and his cigarette breaks. Id nearly forgotten about the two art classes Adrian was taking at a topical anesthetic college. He usually kept his 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 reprise of her wedding plans as we walked the short distance to the Thai eating place. 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 everyday affairs that resulted in the reproduction of more d hampirs.In addition to the scandal of even being involved, Mikhail had actually wanted to hunt down Sonya when she was a Strigoi to free her from that twisted state. Rose had attempted the same with Dimitri, believe death was better than being a Strigoi. Mikhail had failed, but their love had remained steadfast enough through the ordeal that when shed defied the odds 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 vote is for.Actually, Id say hydrangeas. Im around too many lilies already. She laughed at that and suddenly knelt near a flower bed filled with gladiolas. More 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, growing taller and taller un til a red trumpet lily opened up on top. Ah. Red. Alchemists ones are white oh, are you okay? I had backed up so far on the sidewalk that Id nearly walked into the street. You you shouldnt do that. Someone might see.No one saw, she said, getting to her feet. Her face softened. Im so sorry. I forget sometimes how you feel about this. It was wrong of me.Its okay, I said, not sure that it was. Vampire magic 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 sinister 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 rigid 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 re staurants were hopping with those coming and going. Many of them had outdoor tables on the sidewalk, and friendly conversation buzzed around us. A large fountain, tiled in bright colors, fascinated children and inspired 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 affect living things, she was still quite the gardener.Hey you Elder MelroseI turned and winced when I saw Lia DiStefano striding toward me. Lia was a fashion house decorator with a shop here in downtown Palm Springs. I hadnt realized we were standing flat across from her store. If I had, I wouldve waited inside the restaurant. Lia was short but had an overwhelming presence, enhanced by the golden gypsy style she often chose for her personal attire.Ive been calling you for weeks, she said, once she reached our side of the street. Why dont you answer?Ive been really busy, I said straight-faced.Uh-huh . Lia put her hands on her hips and tried to stare me down, which was kind of amazing since I was taller. When are you going to let your sister model 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 allow faces to be photographed. Last month, Jills runway-perfect build and gorgeous, ethereal 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 famil y. 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 fete for my scarves and hats, and Jill was born to do it. Whats it going to take to get her? You want a cut of the pay?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 shirk my duty to Jill and the Alchemists.A restaurant clerk stuck his head outside and called that our order was ready, mercifully freeing us from Lia. Sonya chuckled as we loaded 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 job here woul d involve dodging aggressive 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, mental block our path. He was no one I knew and looked to be a little older than me. He wore his black hair in a buzz 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 t old 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 silent for most of the walk home.Must be hard, I said, feeling like I should say something. Meeting people from 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 shot 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 stopped 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 w hat?Nothings ever as harmless as it seems.