Bloodlines Chapter Two

A COUPLE OF PEOPLE GASPED, no doubt e verywhere Keiths use of the term vamp lover. Neither formulate was that terrible in and of itself, only if to let d shoot forher well, they correspond an idea that was pretty round(prenominal) anathema to each(prenominal) that the Alchemists s alsod for. We fought to protect humans from lamias. Being in partnership with those creatures was ab give a modality the vilest liaison either of us could be accused of. Even while questioning me earlier, the opposite Alchemists had been very c areful with their preference of language.Keiths usage was virtu bothy obscene. Horowitz disembodied spirited angry on my behalf and opened his m revealh as though he skill make an every bit biting retort. afterward a quick regard at Zoe and me, he trainmed to recon stancer, and stayed silent. Michaelson, however, couldnt dish divulge himself from muttering, Protect us on the whole. He make the sign against evil.Yet it wasnt Keiths name-c bo inv olvement that genuinely set me murder (though that did certainly send a chill through me). It was Stantons earlier off return comment. We cut you requested Zoe.Keith had requested Zoe for this grant? My resolve to commemorate her out of it grew by leaps and bounds. The position of her overtaking off with him make me clench my fists. Every unrivaled here might retrieve Keith Darnell was whatsoever kind of poster child, but I knew better. No girl let nevertheless if my sis should be remaining wing al ane with him.Keith, verbalise Stanton, a quench warning in her voice. I enkindle respect your feelings, but you arent in a grade to make that call.He flushed. typewriter ribbon Springs is my post I go every right to dictate what goes on in my territory.I hobo extrapolate why youd feel that mien, verbalise my gravel. Unbelievable. If Zoe or I had questioned trust similar Keith had, our commence wouldnt hold hesitated to give tongue to us our rights or rathe r, hed nonify us that we had none. Keith had stayed with my family one spend young Alchemists sometimes did that while training and my bring had scramn to regard him a same(p) the son hed neer had. Even because, thitherd been a double standard amongst Keith and us. Time and distance apparently hadnt diminished that. thenar Springs may be your post, said Stanton, but this assignment is coming from places in the organization that are ut well-nigh above your reach. Youre essential for coordination, yes, but you are by no inwardness the ultimate billet here. foreign me, I suspected Stanton had smacked a some volume in her daytime, and I rally she motiveed to do that to Keith now. It was funny that she would be get hold my defender, since Id been pretty certain(a) she didnt procure my story much or less using Rose to shape up my career.Keith visibly calmed himself, wisely realizing a childish flare-up wasnt breathing rooming out to get him anywhere. I unders tand. entirely Im entirely worried about the success of this mission. I fuck both of the Sage girls. Even before Sydneys incident, I had serious c oncerns about her. I figured shed grow out of them, though, so I didnt bother verbal expression anything at the time. I see now I was wrong. Back then, I actually thought Zoe would have been a far better choice for the family position. No offense, Jared. He gave my pose what was in all likelihood sibyllic to be a charming smile.Meanwhile, it was getting harder and harder to hide my incredulity. Zoe was 11 when you stayed with us, I said. How in the world could you have bony those conclusions? I didnt buy for an instant that hed had concerns about me fanny then. No scratch that. Hed in all probability had concerns the choke day he stayed with us, when I confronted him about a vexing secret hed been hiding. That, I was almost certain, was what all of this was about. He valued me silenced. My adventures with Rose were simply an excuse to get me out of the way.Zoe was always advanced for her age, Keith said. Sometimes you brush off skilful make kn aver.Zoes never seen a Strigoi, let alone a Moroi Shed probably let go ofze up if she did. Thats rightful(a) of most Alchemists, I pointed out. Whoever you send is going to have to be able to stand being virtually them, and no study what you think of my reasons, Im used to them. I dont like them, but I chicane how to persist them. Zoe hasnt had anything but the most basic of instruction and thats all been in our home. Everyone fundings precept this is a serious assignment. Do you actually want to lay on the melodic phrase its outcome because of inexperience and unsubstantiated fears? I finished, proud of myself for staying calm and devising such a reasoned argument.Barnes shifted uneasily. alone if Keith had doubts old age agoZoes training is calm probably large to get by, said my mother.Five minutes ago, my father had endorsed me going i nstead of her Was anyone here in time comprehend to me? It was like I was invisible now that Keith was here. Horowitz had been busily cleaning and putting away his tattooing tools but accounted up to scoff at Barness remark.You said the magic row years ago. Keith couldnt have been often older than these girls are now. Horowitz shut his tool case and leaned casually against the wall, weaponry stigmaed. I dont doubt you, Keith. Not exactly. But Im non really sure you fag end base your mental picture of her off memories from when you were all children.By Horowitzs logic, he was narrateing I was unchanging a child, but I didnt care. Hed delivered his comments in an effortless, slowly way that nonetheless left Keith computeing like an idiot. Keith knew it, too, and turned bright red.I concur, said Stanton, who was give the axely getting im silklikeient. Sydney wants this badly, and a hardly a(prenominal)(prenominal) would, considering it means shell actually have to live with a vampire. fatality it badly? Not exactly. But I did want to protect Zoe at all costs and heal my credibility. If it meant thwarting Keith Darnell along the way, then so much the Wait, I said, replaying Stantons word of honors. Did you say live with a vampire?Yes, said Stanton. Even if shes in hiding, the Moroi girl still has to have some semblance of a modal(prenominal) life. We figured wed kill two birds with one precious stone and enroll her in a individual(a) boarding educate. Take care of her teaching and lodging. We would make arrangements for you to be her roommate.Wouldnt that mean wouldnt that mean Id have to go to school? I asked, feeling a little baffle now. I already graduated. High school, at least. Id made it urinate a number of times to my father that Id love to go to college. Hed made it equally clear that he didnt feel there was a bump off up.You see? said Keith, jumping on the opportunity. Shes too old. Zoes a better age match.Sydney can pass for a senior. Shes the right age. Stanton gave me a once-over. Besides, you were homeschooled, right? Thisll be a new experience for you. You can see what you were missing.It would probably be easy for you, said my father grudgingly. Your education was superior to anything they can offer. Nice moxiehanded compliment, papa.I was afraid to show how uneasy this deal was devising me. My resolve to look out for Zoe and myself hadnt changed, but the complications just kept growing. Repeat high school. Live with a vampire. halt her in witness protection. And stock-still though Id talked up how favourable I was around vampires, the thought of sharing a room with one regular(a) a lookly benign one like Jill was unnerving. A nonher woe occurred to me.Would you be an undercover educatee too? I asked Keith. The idea of lending him chassis notes made me nauseous again.Of course not, he said, sounding insulted. Im too old. Ill be the Local Area heraldic bearing Liaison. I was involuntar y to bet hed just made that title up on the spot. My job is to help coordinate the assignment and report back to our superiors. And Im not going to do it if shes the one there. He looked from example to impertinence as he spoke that last line, but there was no question who she was. Me. and so dont, said Stanton bluntly. Sydney is going. Thats my decision, and Ill argue it to any higher authority you want to take it to. If you are so against her placement, Mr. Darnell, I will personally see that you are transferred out of Palm Springs and dont have to deal with her at all. every eyes swiveled to Keith, and he hesitated. Shed caught him in a trap, I realized. I had to imagine that with its climate, Palm Springs didnt see a lot of vampire action. Keiths job there was probably pretty easy, whereas when Id worked in St. Petersburg, Id been constantly having to do suffering control.That place was a vampire haven, as were some of the other places in Europe and Asia my father had interpr eted me to visit. Dont even get me started about Prague. If Keith were transferred, he took the risk of not only getting a larger workload but in like manner of being in a much worsened location. Because although Palm Springs wasnt delectable for vampires, it sounded kind of awesome for humans.Keiths face confirmed as much. He didnt want to leave Palm Springs. What if she goes there, and I have reason to suspect her of treason again?Then report her, said Horowitz, shifting restlessly. He obviously wasnt impressed with Keith. The same as you would anyone.I can increase some of Zoes training in the meantime, said my father, almost as an apology to Keith. It was clear whose side my father was on. It wasnt mine. It wasnt even Zoes, really. Then, if you find defacement with Sydney, we can replace her.I bristled at the thought of Keith being the one to decide if I had faults, but that didnt bother me virtually as much as the thought of Zoe still being bind to this. If my father was keeping her on standby, then she wasnt out of d fretfulness until now. The Alchemists could still have their hooks in her as could Keith. I vowed then that no matter what it took, even if I had to handfeed him grapes, I would make sure Keith had no reason to doubt my loyalties.Fine, he said, the word seeming to cause him a lot of pain. Sydney can go for now. But Ill be watching you. He fixed his gaze on me. And Im not going to cover for you. Youll be responsible for keeping that vampire girl in line and getting her to her provides.Feedings? I asked blankly. Of course. Jill would need blood. For a moment, all my confidence wavered. It was easy to talk about hang out with vampires when none were around. Easier still when you didnt think about what it was that made vampires who they were. Blood. That terrible, supernatural need that fueled their existence. An awful thought sprang into my mind, vanishing as quickly as it came. Am I supposed to give her my blood? No. That was ridicu lous. That was a line the Alchemists would never cross. Swallowing, I tried to conceal my skeleton moment of panic. How do you plan on feeding her?Stanton nodded to Keith. Would you condone? I think she was giving him a chance to feel important, as a way of making up for his earlier defeat. He ran with it.Theres only one Moroi we know of living in Palm Springs, said Keith. As he spoke, I detect that his tousled blond hair was practically cover in gel. It gave his hair a slimy peek that I didnt think was attractive in the least. Also, I didnt trust any guy who used to a greater extent styling products than I did. And if you ask me, hes savage. But hes sinless crazy inasmuch as any of them are harmless. Hes this old anchorite who lives outside the city. Hes got this hang-up about the Moroi government and doesnt ally with any of them, so he isnt going to consecrate anyone you guys are there. Most importantly, hes got a feeder hes willing to share.I fr featureed. Do we really want Jill hanging out with some anti-government Moroi? The whole purpose is to keep them stable. If we introduce her to some rebel, how do we know he wont try to use her?Thats an excellent point, said Michaelson, seeming bewildermentd to admit as much.I hadnt meant to disobey Keith. My mind had just jumped ahead in this way it had, spotting a potential problem and pointing it out. From the look he gave me, though, it was like I was purposely assay to discredit his statement and make him look bad.We wont tell him who she is, obviously, he said, a glint of ire in his good eye. That would be stupid. And hes not part of any faction. Hes not part of anything. Hes convinced the Moroi and their guardians let him down, so he wants nothing to do with any of them. Ive passed a story to him about how Jills family has the same antisocial feelings, so hes sympathetic.Youre right to be wary, Sydney, said Stanton. There was a look of approval in her eyes, like she was glad at having defended me. That approval meant a lot to me, considering how wild she often seemed. We cant assume anything about any of them. Although we also checked out this Moroi with Abe Mazur, who concurs hes harmless enough.Abe Mazur? scoffed Michaelson. He scratched at his graying beard. Yes. Im sure hed be an expert on whos harmless or not.My heart lurched at the name, but I tried not to show it. Do not pit, do not react, I ordered my face. After a deep breath, I asked very, very carefully, Is Abe Mazur the Moroi whos going with Jill? Ive met him before but I thought you said it was an Ivashkov who was going. If Abe Mazur was in residence in Palm Springs, that would transfigure things significantly.Michaelson scoffed. No, wed never send you off with Abe Mazur. Hes simply been aid with the organization of this plan.Whats so bad about Abe Mazur? asked Keith. I dont know who he is.I studied Keith very closely as he spoke, looking for some trace of deception. But, no. His face was all innocence, o penly curious. His blue eyes or eye, rather held a rare look of confusion, contrasting with the usual know-it-all arrogance. Abes name meant nothing to him. I exhaled a breath I hadnt realized Id been holding.A baddie, said Stanton flatly. He knows far too much about things he shouldnt. Hes useful, but I dont trust him.A scoundrel? That was an understatement. Abe Mazur was a Moroi whose nickname in Russia zmey, the serpent said it all. Abe had done a number of favors for me, ones Id had to pay back at considerable risk to myself. Part of that vengeance had been helping Rose escape. Well, hed called it payback I called it blackmail. I had no desire to cross paths with him again, mostly because I was afraid of what hed ask for next. The frustrating part was that there was no one I could go to for help. My superiors wouldnt react well to learning that, in addition to all my other solo activities with vampires, I was making side deals with them.None of them are to be trusted, my fa ther pointed out. He made the Alchemist sign against evil, drawing a cross on his left shoulder with his right hand.Yes, well, Mazurs worse than most, said Michaelson. He stifled a yawn, reminding all of us that it was the middle of the night. Are we all set, then?There were murmurs of assent. Keiths stormy expression dis compete how un knowing he was at not getting his way, but he made no more attempts to stop me from going. I guess we can leave anytime now, he said.It took me a second to realize that the we meant him and me. Right now? I asked in disbelief.He shrugged. The vampires are going to be on their way soon. We need to make sure everythings set up for them. If we switch off driving, we can be there by tomorrow afternoon.Great, I said stiffly. A road trip with Keith. Ugh. But what else could I say? I had no choice in this, and even if I did, I was in no position to turn down anything the Alchemists asked of me now. Id played every card I had tonight, and I had to look at b eing with Keith was better than a re-education center.Besides, Id just fought a hard battle to prove myself and spare Zoe. I had to continue showing I was up for anything.My father sent me off to pack with the same stylishness hed ordered me to make myself presentable earlier. I left the others talking and scurried quietly up to my room, still sure of my sleeping mother. I was an expert in pugilism quickly and efficiently, thanks to surprise trips my father had sprung on me throughout my childhood. In fact, I always had a bag of toiletries packed and ready to go. The problem wasnt so much in speed as it was in wondering how much to pack. The length of time for this assignment hadnt been specified, and I had the uneasy feeling that no one actually knew. Were we talking about a few weeks? An entire school year? Id heard soulfulness mention the Moroi wanting to repeal the law that menace Jill, but that seemed like the kind of legal plow that could take a while. To make things wor se, I didnt even know what to wear to high school. The only thing I was certain of was that the weather would be hot. I ended up packing ten of my lightest outfits and hoped Id be able to do laundry.Sydney?I was putting my laptop computer in a messenger bag when Zoe appeared in my vergeway. Shed redone her braids so that they were neater, and I wondered if it had been an attempt to impress our father. Hey, I said, smiling at her. She slipped into the room and shut the room access behind her. I was glad shed come to say goodbye. I would miss her and cute her to know that why did you do that to me? she demanded before I could get a word out. Do you know how humiliated I am?I was taken aback, speechless for a few moments. I what are you talking about? I was essay to You made me sound incompetent she said. I was astonished to see the glint of disunite in her eyes. You went on and on about how I didnt have any experience and couldnt handle doing what you and Dad do I looked like an idiot in front of all those Alchemists. And Keith.Keith Darnell is no one you need to worry about impressing, I said quickly, nerve-wracking to control my temper. Seeing her stormy face, I sighed and replayed the confabulation in the study. I hadnt been toilsome to make Zoe look bad so much as do whatever I could to make sure I was the one sent away. Id had no clue she would take it like this. Look, I wasnt trying to embarrass you. I was trying to protect you.She gave a harsh laugh, and the anger sounded weird coming from someone as gentle as Zoe. Is that what you call it? You even said yourself that you were trying to get a promotionI grimaced. Yes, I had said that. But I could hardly tell her the truth. No human knew the truth about why Id helped Rose. Lying to my own kind especially my sis pained me, but there was nothing I could do. As usual, I matte up trapped in the middle. So, I dodged the comment.You were never intended to be an Alchemist, I said. There are better th ings for you out there.Because Im not as smart as you? she asked. Because I dont declaim five languages?That has nothing to do with it, I snapped. Zoe, youre wonderful, and youd probably make a great Alchemist But hope me, the Alchemist lifeyou dont want any part of it. I wanted to tell her that shed hate it. I wanted to tell her that shed never be responsible for her own future or get to make her own decisions again. But my sense of duty prevented me, and I stayed silent.Id do it, she said. Id help protect us from vampires if Dad wanted me to. Her voice wavered a little, and I suddenly wondered what was really fueling her desire to be an Alchemist.If you want to get close to Dad, find another way. The Alchemist cause might be a good one, but once youre in it, they own you. I wished I could explain to her how it felt. You dont want this life.Because you want it all for yourself? she demanded. She was a few inches shorter than me but filled with so much furor and fierceness right now that she seemed to take up the room.No I dont you dont understand, I finally said. I wanted to throw my hands up in exasperation but held back, as always.The look she gave me nearly turned me to ice. Oh, I think I understand perfectly. She turned around abruptly and hurried out the door, still managing to move quietly. Her fear of our father overpowered her anger at me.I stared at where shed been standing and felt terrible. How could she have thought I was really trying to steal all the glory and make her look bad? Because thats exactly what you said, a voice internal me pointed out. I supposed it was true, but Id never expect her to be offended. Id never known she had any amour in being one of the Alchemists. Even now, I wondered if her desire was more about being a part of something and proving herself to our father than it was about really lack shed been chosen for this task.any(prenominal) her reasons, there was nothing to be done for it now. I might not like the heavy-h anded way the Alchemists had dealt with me, but I still fiercely believed in what they were doing to protect humans from vampires. And I definitely believed in keeping Jill safe from her own people if it meant countermanding a massive civil war. I could do this job and do it well. And Zoe she would be free to pursue whatever she wanted in life.What took you so long? my father asked when I returned to the study. My conversation with Zoe had hold up me a couple minutes, which was two minutes too long for him. I didnt attempt to answer.Im ready to go whenever you are, Keith told me. His mood had shifted while I was upstairs. Friendliness oozed from him now, so strongly that it was a wonder everyone didnt recognize it as fake. Hed apparently decided to try a more pleasant attitude around me, either in the hopes of impressing the others or sucking up to me so that I wouldnt reveal what I knew about him. Yet even as he wore that plastic smile, there was a stiffness in his posture and t he way he crossed his arms that told me if no else that he was no happier about being thrown together than I was. I can even do most of the driving.I dont mind doing my share, I said, trying to avoid glancing at his glass eye. I also wasnt comfortable being driven by someone with wrong depth perception.Id like to speak to Sydney in private before she goes, if thats all right, my father said.No one had a problem with that, and he led me into the kitchen, culmination the door behind us. We stood quietly for a few moments, simply facing each other with arms crossed. I suddenly dared to hope that maybe hed come to tell me he was sorry for how things had been between us this last month, that he forgave me and loved me. Honestly, I wouldve been happy if hed simply wanted a private, fatherly goodbye.He peered down at me intently, his brown eyes so identical to mine. I hoped mine never had such a cold look in them. I dont have to tell you how important this is for you, for all of us.So much for fatherly spirit.No, sir, I said. You dont.I dont know if you can undo the disgrace you brought down on us by running off with them, but this is a step in the right direction. Do not mess this up. Youre being tested. succeed your orders. Keep the Moroi girl out of trouble. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark blond hair, which Id also inherited. Strange, I thought, that we had so many things in common yet were so completely different. Thank God Keith is with you. Follow his lead. He knows what hes doing.I stiffened. There was that note of fleece in his voice again, like Keith was the greatest thing walking the earth. My father had seen to it that my training was thorough, but when Keith had stayed with us, my father had taken him on trips and lessons Id never been part of. My sisters and I had been furious.Wed always suspected that our father regretted having only daughters, and that had been proof. But it wasnt jealousy that made my blood boil and odontiasis clenc h now.For a moment, I thought, What if I tell him what I know? What will he think of his golden boy then? But pure(a) into my fathers hard eyes, I answered my own question No one would believe me. That was immediately followed by the retentivity of another voice and a girls frightened, pleading face staring at me with big brown eyes. Dont tell, Sydney. Whatever you do, dont tell what Keith did. Dont tell anyone. I couldnt betray her like that.My father was still waiting for an answer. I swallowed and nodded. Yes, sir.He raised his eyebrows, clearly pleased, and gave me a rough pat on the shoulder. It was the closest hed come to real affection in a while. I flinched, both from surprise and because of how rigid I was with frustration. Good. He moved toward the kitchen door and then paused to glance back at me. perchance theres hope for you yet.