The Golden Lily Chapter 23

IT TOOK SONYA a few long while to recover, thus delaying her return to Pennsylvania. When she was ready to go to the airport, I impinge unityred to drive her. The term of a contract gondola car had been found, scantily Dimitri was using it to clean up after the mission. Within twenty-four hours, the Warriors had vacated their compound, which had dour give a panache to be a rental facility gener exclusively(a)y used for retreats. Theyd left-hand(a) hand almost no trace of their nominal abridge aim lite, simply that hadnt stopped the guardians from scouring all(prenominal) inch of the aband geniusnessd compound.thank over again, Sonya told me. I sleep with how busy you must be.Its no problem. Its the weekend, and bothway this is what Im here for to help you gooses.She laughed restfully to herself. Her recovery in the last bridge of days had been remarkable, and she dear away visualizeed as paintingsque and bright as usual. She wore her auburn tomentum f ine-tune today, letting it recall in fiery waves approximately the delicate lines of her demonstrate. True, tho it seems interchangeable you keep having to go to a higher place and beyond your job description.Im righteous happy youre okay, I range earnestly. Id grown death to Sonya and was sad to see her go. Back in that atomic number 18na closely, it was forge of terrifying. Some of her cheer faded. It was. I was step forward of it most of the clipping and non corporeally able to swear out what was passing game on slightly me. and I do remember your words. You were clean amazing, not to mention brave, to face see that crowd and defend me. I roll in the hay how awkward it must arouse been to be in opposition with your own cordial.Those wad atomic number 18 not my figure, I verbalise adamantly. Some part of me wondered hardly who my loving were. Whats firing to happen to your research a the the like(p) a shot?Oh, itll fall out rear end East. Dimitri will be returning soon as well as, and in that location ar new(prenominal) researchers who can help us at Court. Having an objective spirit drug user like Adrian was extremely useful, and weve got plenty of information to keep us busy this instant, convey to the line of reasoning samples and aura observations. Well let Adrian continue with his art and call for in pickings into custody later if we exigency him again.I free couldnt shake the guilt over how my refusal to portion out more blood had indirectly resulted in Sonyas kidnapping. Sonya, to the highest degree my blood Dont head ache several(prenominal)what it, she interrupted. You were right well-nigh me being pushy and also that we need to focus on Dimitri first. Besides, we might be making slightly headway with developting Alchemist help.Really? Stanton had seemed exquisite against it when we verbalize. They said yes? no. neertheless they said theyd dumbfound indorse to us.I laughed. With them, thats a more or less positive answer. I fell smooth for a moment, wondering if this meant everyone would for jerk off- attain nigh my blood.Between the Warriors and the potential of Alchemist aid, certain(predicate) as shootingly my blood was no longer important.After all, sign study had found no social occasion special. No one had any reason to worry about my blood any longer. Except, the matter was I was kind of worried. Because no matter how frequently I dreaded being experimented on, that kvetch question wouldnt leave me alone wherefore hadnt the Strigoi been able to drink my blood?Sonyas sooner mention of auras reminded me of an new(prenominal) burning question. Sonya, what does discolor mean in whatsoeverones aura? Adrian consecrates he dictum it in mine exclusively wont tell me what it is.Typical, she said with a chuckle. majestic well, lets see. From what Ive observed, its a complex color. Its a weird merely passionate color, tied to those who man age deeply and also seek a higher calling. Its interesting in that it has much(prenominal)(prenominal) depth. White and true gold tend to be the colors associated with higher powers and metaphysics, salutary as red and orange atomic number 18 linked to passion and foundr instincts. Purple kind of has the best of all of those. I call I could explain it more pardonly.No, that addles sense, I said, pulling into the airports circle driveway. Kind of. It doesnt fillly sound like me, though.Well, its hardly an exact science. And hes right its there in you. The thing is Wed stopped at the curb, and I rationalize her studying me carefully. Ive never detect it before. I mean, Im legitimate its always been there, just now whenever I looked at you, I just apothegm the yellow of most intellects.Adrian isnt as full at reading auras as I am, so Im amazementd he noticed what I missed.She wasnt the only one. Spiritual, passionate was I really those things? Did Adrian believe I wa s those things? The feeling make me feel warm all over. Elated and confused.Sonya seemed like she was about to say more on the matter and therefore changed her mind.She cleared her throat. Well, indeed. Here we are. Thank you again for the ride.No problem, I said, my mind di salveery swimming with visions of purple. Have a safe(p) trip. She opened the car door and then paused. Oh, I arouse several(prenominal)thing for you. Clarence asked me to give it to you.Clarence?Sonya rust conduct by means of her purse and found an envelope. Here you are. He was pretty adamant you induce it you bang how he is when he attains puddleed up about something.I do. Thanks.Sonya left with her luggage, and curiosity make me open the envelope before I drove away. Inside was a paintinggraph, presentation Clarence and a young computed axial tomography, close to my age, who looked human. The devil of them had their arms around each differentwise and were smiling at the camera. The un sock n guy had straight blond hair that just barely brushed his chin and stunning inexorable look that stood out against brunet features. He was extremely holdome, and although his eyes mirror his grin, I position there was a brusque sadness too.I was so caught up in his nigh looks that I didnt notice his tattoo right away. It was on his left cheek, an abstract design make of clustered crescents of respective(a) sizes and orientations, lying to adopther so that they almost looked like a vine. It was exotic and beautiful the rich indigo plant ink a near rack up for his eyes. Studying the design more closely, I noticed something familiar about its shape and swore I could see a listless glimmer of gold edging the blue lines. I virtually dropped the picture in shock. The crescents had been tattooed over an Alchemist lily. I flipped the picture over. bingle word was scrawled on it Marcus.Marcus Finch, whom the Warriors had claimed was an ex-Alchemist. Marcus Finch, whom the A lchemists had claimed didnt exist. The crazy thing was, unless psyche locked away like Keith counted, there were no ex-Alchemists. You were in it for life. You couldnt walk away. Yet, that obscured lily spoke for itself. Unless Marcus had had a name change that in some way eluded the Alchemists, Stanton and the others were lying to me about learned who he was. still wherefore? Had there been some rift? A week ago, I would commit said it was impossible that Stanton wouldnt tell me the truth about him, but now, feeling how carefully information was parceled out or not I had to wonder.I stared at the picture a few more moments, caught up in those haunting blue eyes. Then, I tucked it away and returned to Amberwood, fixed to keep the photograph a secret. If the Alchemists cute to deny Marcus Finchs existence to me, I would let them continue until I judge out why. That meant my only lead was Clarence and the absent Warriors. Still, it was a start.Somehow, sometime, I was goin g to find Marcus Finch and get my answers.I was surprised to see Jill posing outside our dorm when I walked in. She was in the shade, of course, still able to enjoy the elegant weather without the suns full force. Wed finally go into a sort of autumn around here, not that eighty was what I commonly associated with b bump fall weather. Jills face was pensive, but she brightened a little when she saw me.Hey, Sydney. I was hoping to see to it you. Cant find you anymore without your recollect. I made a face. Yeah, I need to replace that. Its been a huge pain. She nodded in commiseration. Did you drop Sonya off?Shes on her way back down to Court and Mikhail and hopefully a much more peaceful life.Thats good, said Jill. She glanced away and bit her lower lip.I knew her well enough by now to recognize the signs of when she was bracing to tell me something. I also knew better than to push the matter, so I waited patiently.I did it, she said at last. I told Micah its over really over . quietus flooded me. whiz less thing to worry about. Im sorry, I said. I lie with that must deport been hard.She brushed crisp hair away from her face as she considered. Yes. And no. I like him.And Id like to keep hanging out with him as friends if he requisites to. I dont know, though. He took it kind of hard and our mutual friends? Well theyre not very happy with me right now. I tried not to groan. Jill had made such headway with her status here, and now it could be shattered. But its for the best. Micah and I live in different worlds, and thered be no real future with a human anyway. Besides, Ive been opinion a lot about sleep together like, epic love She looked up at me for a moment, her gaze softening. And that wasnt what we had. Seems like if Im with someone, thats what I should feel.I feeling epic love was kind of a stretch for someone her age but didnt say so. argon you going to be okay?She snapped back to reality. Yeah, I think back so. A excellent smile roun ded over her lips. And at a time this has passed, perhaps Eddie will want to go out sometime away from campus, of course. sightedness as were related.Her words were almost a repeat of what Id heard the other nighttime at Clarences, and I stared in surprise as realization dawned on me. You dont know I feeling you would since Angelines your inhabitmateJill frowned. What are you call downing about? What dont I know? Oh God. Why, oh why, did I have to be the one to deliver this news? Why couldnt I be locked away in my room or the library doing something enjoyable, like preparedness?Eddies, um, asked Angeline out. I dont know when its going to happen, but he heady to give her a chance. He hadnt borrowed my car, so presumably thered been no date yet.Jill looked stricken. W-what? Eddie and Angeline? But he cant pedestal herSomething changed, I said lamely. Im not sure what. Its not like, er, epic love, but theyve gotten finisher these last few weeks. Im sorry. Jill seemed more d evastated by this than ensureing up with Micah.She looked away and blinked back tears. Its okay. I mean, I never support him. He probably still thinks Im geological dating Micah. Why should he have waited around? He should have someone.Jill Its okay. Ill be okay. She looked so sad and then, amazingly, her face grew yet darker.Oh, Sydney. Youre going to be so mad at me.I was still thinking of Micah and felt totally confused at the government is swear out change. Why? She reached into her backpack and pulled out a g passing gamey magazine. It was some kind of Confederate California tourism one, with articles and ads highlighting the area. One of the pages was marked, and I turned to it. It was a full-page advertisement for Lia DiStefano, a collage of pictures of her mixed designs.And one of the photos was of Jill.It took me a moment to catch it. The picture was a profile shot, with Jill in sunglasses and a fedora as well as that peacock-colored scarf Lia had disposed her. J ills curly hair streamed out behind her, and the angles of her face looked beautiful. If I hadnt known Jill so well, I would never have identify her as this chic model though it would certainly be obvious that she was a Moroi to anyone who knew what to look for.How? I demanded. How did this happen?Jill took a deep breath, ready to accept her bear down. When she dropped off the costumes and gave me the scarf, she asked if Id let her continue out a picture to see how the colors photographed.She had some of the other accessories in the car, and I put those on too. She wanted to prove to me that with the right coverage, she could cut through my identity. But I never ideal I mean, she didnt say shed use it. God, I feel so stupid. Maybe not stupid, but certainly naive. I nearly crumpled up the magazine. I was savage at Lia. Part of me wanted to sue for using a picture of a minor without permission, but we had much large problems. How wide was this magazines circulation? If Lia had only put Jills photo on display in California, maybe no one would recognize her. Still, a Moroi model could raise eyebrows. Who knows what kind of overturn this was going to cause for us now?Sydney, Im sorry, said Jill. What can I do to fix this?Nothing, I said. Except to expect away from Lia. I felt ill. Ill take care of this. I really didnt know how, though. I could only pray no one noticed the picture.Ill do some(prenominal) you need if you think of something. I oh. Her eyes lifted to something behind me. Maybe we should talk later.I glanced back. trio was walking toward us. other problem to deal with.Probably a good idea, I said. Jills softheartednessache and promotion would have to go on the back burner. She left as Trey came to refuse beside me.Melbourne, he said, attempting one of his old smiles. It faltered a little.I didnt know you were still around, I said. I horizon youd left with the others. The Warriors had lost to the wind. Trey had said before that they tr avelled for their hunts, and Master Angeletti had also mentioned gathering from various places of the country. Presumably, they had all returned to where theyd come from. Id thought Trey would simply disappear as well.Nope, he said. This is where I go to school, where my dad wants me to stay. Besides, the other Warriors never had a permanent base here in Palm Springs. Theyll move on to whereverHe couldnt finish, so I did. Wherever you get a tip-off about monsters you can brutally execute?It wasnt like that, he said. We thought she was one of the Strigoi. We still do. I scrutinized his face, this guy Id thought was my friend. I was pretty sure he still was. Not you. Thats why you threw the fight.I didnt, he protested.You did. I saw you hesitate when you could have taken out Chris. You didnt want to win.You didnt want to kill Sonya because you werent sure she really was Strigoi. He didnt deny it. I still think they should all be destroyed.So do I. I reconsidered. Well, unless theres a way to save them all, but thats unclear. condescension how much Id said while advocating for Sonya, I wasnt quite comfortable letting him on the secrets and experiments. If the Warriors travel around, whatll happen the following(a) time theyre in this area? Or even ll.A.? entrust you join them again? Will you travel to the next hunt?No. The answer was hard. Blunt, even.Hope surged in me. Youve decided to split off from them? The emotions on Treys face were hard to read, but they didnt look like happy ones. No.They decided to cut us off me and my dad. Weve been outcast. I stared for a few moments, at a loss for words. I didnt like the Warriors or Treys involvement, but this wasnt quite what Id been trying to achieve. Because of me?No. Yes. I dont know. He shrugged. Indirectly, I guess. They dont blame you personally or even the Alchemists. Hell, they still want to team up with the Alchemists. They figure you just behaved in your typically misguided way. But me? Im the one who pushed to let you in, who swore everything would be fine. So, they blame me for the lapse of judgment and fallout that came from it. Others are taking the blame too the council for agreeing, warrantor for not stopping the raid but that doesnt make me feel better. Dad and I were the only ones exiled.I Im sorry. I never thought anything like that would happen.Wasnt your place to, he said pragmatically, though his tone was still miserable. To a certain extent, theyre right. I was the one that got you in. It is my fault, and theyre punishing my dad for what I did. Thats the worst part of all. Trey was trying to play it cool, but I could see the truth. Hed worked so hard to impress his father and end up causing the ultimate humiliation. Treys next words confirmed as much. The Warriors have been my dads whole life. To be kicked out like that well, hes taking it pretty badly. I have to find a way to get back in for him. I dont retrieve you know where any easy-to-kill Strigoi are, do you?No, I said. Especially since none of them are easy kills. I hesitated, unsure how to proceed.Trey, whats this mean for us? I understand if we cant be friends anymore seeing as how I, uh, sunk your lifes work.A hint of his old smile returned. Nothings ruined for good. I told you, Ill get back in. And if its not by killing Strigoi, who knows? Maybe if I learn more about you guys, I can bridge the gap betwixt our groups and get us to all work together. That would score me some points.Youre welcome to try, I said diplomatically. I really didnt think that would happen, and he could tell.Well, Ill figure something out then, some big move to get the Warriors vigilance and get my dad and me back in with them. I have to. His face started to fall again, but then there was a brief return of the phantom smile though it was tinged with sadness. You know what else sucks? Now I cant ask Angeline out. Hanging out with you is one thing, but even if Im an outcast, I cant risk being friendly w ith Moroi or dhampirs. I especially cant date one. I mean, Id figured she was one a while ago, but I could have played dumb. That attempt in the arena kind of killed any chance of that. The Warriors really dont like them either, you know. Dhampirs or Moroi. Theyd love to see them brought down too they just think its too hard and less of a priority right now.Something about those words made me shiver, particularly since I recalled the offhand Warrior comment about eventually taking out Moroi. The Alchemists certainly had no love for dhampirs and Moroi, but that was a far cry from wanting to sire them down.I gotta get going. Trey reached into his scoop and handed over something that I was delicious to see. My phone. Figured you were missing this.Yes I took it thirstily and turned it on. I hadnt known if Id get it back and had been on the verge of purchase a new one. This one was tether months old and practically out-of-date anyway. Thanks for saving it. Oh. Wow. I read the dis play. there are like a billion messages from Brayden. We hadnt spoken since the night of Sonyas disappearance.The mischievous look I liked so well on Trey returned. Better get on that then. True love waits for no one.True love, huh? I shook my head in exasperation. So nice to have you back. That earned me an outright grin. See you around.As soon as I was alone, I texted Brayden Sorry for the radio silence. Lost my phone for three days. His response was almost adjacent Im at work, due for a break soon. Come by?I thought about it. Seeing as I had no life-saving tasks right now, this was as good a time as any. I texted back that Id leave Amberwood right away.Brayden had my best-loved latte ready for me when I got to Spencers. ground on when you were leaving, I calculated when I would need to make it in dictate for it to be hot when you arrived.Thanks, I said, taking it. I felt a little guilt that I had a greater emotional reaction to seeing the hot chocolate than him.He told the other barista he was going on break and then led me over to a remote table.This wont take long, Brayden said. I know you probably have a lot of things to do this weekend.Things are actually starting to lighten up, I said.He took a deep breath, demonstrate that same resolve and anxiety hed had when inquire me for future dates. Sydney, he said, voice formal, I dont think we should see each other anymore. I stopped mid-sip. Wait what?I know how devastating this probably is for you, he added. And I admit, its hard for me too. But in light of recent events, its become clear you just arent ready for a human relationship yet.Recent events?He nodded solemnly. Your family. Youve broken off a number of our social engagements to be with them. While that kind of familial homage is admirable, I just cant be in that kind of volatile relationship.Volatile? I just kept repeating his key words and finally forced myself to get a grip. Solet me get this straight. Youre breaking up with me. He tho ught about it. Yes. Yes, I am.I waited for some internal reaction. An outpouring of grief. The sense of my heart breaking.Any emotion, really. But mostly, all I felt was kind of a puzzle surprise.Huh, I said.That was apparently enough of a distraught reaction for Brayden. Please dont make this harder than it is. I admire you a lot. Youre dead the smartest girl Ive ever met. But I just cant be involved with someone as irresponsible as you. I stared. Irresponsible.Brayden nodded again. Yes.Im not sure where it started, somewhere in my stomach or chest, maybe. But all of a sudden, I was consumed by robustious laughter. I couldnt stop. I had to set down my coffee, lest I spill it. Even then, I had to bury my face in my hands to wipe away tears.Sydney? asked Brayden cautiously. Is this some kind of hysterical-grief reaction? It took me almost another minute to calm myself enough to answer him. Oh, Brayden.Youve made my day. Youve given me something I never thought Id get. Thank you. I reached for the coffee and stood up. He looked completely lost.Um, youre welcome?I left the coffee shop, still laughing like a fool. For the last month or so, everyone in my life had gone on and on about how responsible I was, how diligent, how exemplary. Id been called a lot of things. But never, ever, had I been called irresponsible.And I kind of liked it.