Bloodlines Chapter Twenty-Two

CLARENCE DIDNT WANT to talk to us close what had happened. In fact, he adamantly denied any(prenominal)thing was wrong, claiming hed scratched his neck slice shaving.Mr. Donahue, I verbalise as gently as I could, this was made by a surgical tool. And it didnt happen until Keith visited.No, no, Clargonnce managed in a weak portion. It has nothing to do with him.Dorothy stuck her head in just past, carrying a glass of juice. Wed c altogethered for her shortly afterward my arrival tonight. For blood loss, the remedies were the same for Moroi and human the like sugar and fluids. She offered the glass to him with a straw, her marchesd face filled with concern. I continued my pleas as he drank.Tell us what your deal is, I begged. Whats the arrangement? Whats he giving you for your blood? When Clarence remained silent, I essay other tactic. People are being hurt. Hes giving push by means of your blood indiscriminately.That got a reaction. No, s tutelage Clarence. Hes victimis ation my blood and saliva to heal people. To heal sick humans. Saliva? I nearly groaned. Of course. The mysterious stimulate liquid. right off I knew what gave the celestial tattoos their addictive high. Gross.Adrian and I exchanged glances. Healing certainly was a do for vampire blood. The tattoo I wore was proof of that, and the Alchemists had worked long exhausting to duplicate some of the bloods properties for wider medicinal use. So far, there was no expression to syntheti bring upy reproduce it, and using accredited blood simply wasnt practical.He lied, I replied. Hes selling it to rich teenagers to advocate them with sports. What did he promise you for it? A cut of the m adepty?Adrian glanced roughly the opulent room. He doesnt posit money. The simply thing he learns is what the guardians wouldnt give him. Justice for Tamara, duty?Surprised, I turned backrest to Clarence and saw Adrians words confirmed on the old Morois face. He hes been study the vampire hunte rs for me, he said slowly. He says hes close. Close to finding them bulge.I shook my head, wanting to expend by the wayside myself for not having forecast step up sooner that Clarence was the blood source. It explained why Keith was always unexpectedly here and why he got so upset when I showed up without warning. My fraternizing with vampires had had nothing to do with it. Sir, I guarantee the alone thing hes investigating is how to spend the money hes been making.No no hes spill to booster me find the hunters who killed TamaraI stood up. I couldnt stand to hear any more. Get him some real food, and see what hell eat, I told Dorothy. If hes unless weak from blood loss, he just needs clock.I nodded for Adrian to follow me out. As we walked toward the living room, I remarked, Well, there are good and bad sides to this. At least we female genitals be confident Keiths got a fresh supply of blood for us to bust him with. Im just sorry Clarence had to get hit so I froze as I entered the living room. Id simply treasured to go there because it would be a familiar place to discuss our plans, one that was less creepy than Clarences bedroom. Considering how my imagination often ran wild while I was in this old house, Id found that few things came as a surprise. But never in my wildest dreams had I imagined the living room would be transformed into an nontextual matter gallery.Easels and ratvas were set up all around the room. Even the pool table was covered by a big roll of paper. The pictures change wildly in their content. Some simply had splashes of color thrown on them. Some possessed astonishingly realistic depictions of objects and people. An assortment of watercolors and oil paints sat around amidst the art.For a heartbeat, all thoughts of Clarence and Keith disappeared from my head. What is this?Homework, Adrian said.Didnt you didnt you just start your classes? How could they book assigned this more?He walked over to a canvas showing a swirl ing red line traced over a black cloud and lightly tested to see if the paint was dry. Studying it, I tried to decide if I unfeignedly was seeing a cloud. There was almost something anthropomorphic nearly it.Of course they didnt give us this much, Sage. But I had to coiffure sure I nailed my first assignment. Takes a address of tries before you hit perfection. He pause to reconsider that. Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try.I couldnt help a smile. After watching Adrians moods oscillate so wildly in the last couple weeks, it was elegant to see them on the upswing. Well, this is kind of amazing, I admitted. What are they? I mean, I get that one. I pointed to a painting of a womans eye, brown and long-lashed, and then to another one of roses. But the others are open to, um, more or less more creative interpretation.Are they? asked Adrian, turning back to the smoky painting with the red streak. I figured it was obvious. This one is Love. Dont you see it?I shr ugged. Maybe I dont father an artistic nice mind.Maybe, he agreed. one time we bust your buddy Keith, well discuss my genius art all you want.Right, I said, growing serious again. We need to search his place for evidence. I figured the best way to do that is if I lure him out and you wear upon in while hes gone. To get through the lock Adrian waved me off. I can pick a lock. How do you think I got into my parents liquor cabinet in middle school?Shouldve guessed, I said dryly. Make sure you intuitive feeling eachwhere, not just in obvious places. He could concord compartments isolated in the walls or in furniture. You want to find vials of blood or metallic liquid or even the tool that pierced Clarence.Got it. We hashed out a few more details including who he should call when he found something and were about to leave when he asked, Sage, whyd you pick me to be your partner in abhorrence in this?I thought about it. Process of elimination, I guess. Jills supposed to be kep t out of trouble. Eddied be a good asset, but he needed to go back with her and Lee. Besides, I already knew you didnt agree any moral qualms about breaking and entering.Thats the nicest thing youve ever said to me, he declare with a grin.We headed out to Keiths after that. All the lights were on in the first floor of his building, dashing a last-minute hope Id had that maybe I wouldnt have to lure him out. I wouldve actually liked to help with the search. I dropped Adrian off and then drove to a twenty-four-hour restaurant that was outside the opposite side of town. I figured it would be perfect for keeping Keith away from his home. The driving time alone would provide Adrian with additional searching time, though it meant Adrian had to wait outside for a while until Keith left. Once I eventually arrived, I got a table, ordered coffee, and dialed Keiths number.Hello?Keith, its me. I need to talk to you.So talk, he said. He sounded self-satisfied and confident, no doubt happy a t pulling off the last-minute tattoo sale.Not on the phone. I need you to meet me.At Amberwood? he asked in surprise. Isnt it after hours? It was indeed, but that was a occupation for later.Im not at school. Im at Margarets Diner, that place out by the highway.Long silence. Then Well, if youre already out past curfew, then just scrape up here.No, I said firmly. You come to me.Why should I?I hesitated only briefly before playing the card I knew would get him, the one thing that would make him drive out here and not raise suspicions about the tattoos.Its about Carly.What about her? he asked after a moments pause.You fuck exactly what.After a seconds pause, Keith relented and hung up. I noticed that I had a voice mail from earlier in the day that I hadnt heard come in. I called and listened.Sydney, this is Wes Regan from Carlton College. Just treasured to go over a couple things with you. First, Im afraid I have some bad news. It doesnt look like Im exhalation to be able to retroa ctively admit your brother from auditor status. I can enroll him next semester for sure if he stays in good standing, but the only way he can keep taking classes now is if he continues to do so as an auditor. He wont be able to get pecuniary aid as a result, and in fact, youll actually need to pay the auditing fee soon if hes loss to stay in the classes. If he wants to drop altogether, we can do that too. Just call me and let me know what youd like to do.I stared at the phone in appal when the message was over. There went our dreams of sliding Adrian into fully enrolled student status, not to mention his dreams of getting financial aid and moving out of Clarences. The next semester likely started in January, so Adrian was facing four more months at Clarences. Adrian would also be facing four more months of bus-riding and taking classes without college credit.But were the credits and financial aid really the most important things here? I thought back to how excited Adrian had bee n after only a couple classes, how hed thrown himself into the art. His face had been radiant when he stood in his gallery. Jills words also echoed through my mind, about how the art had devoted him something to channel his feelings into and made the bond easier for her to cope with. Those classes were good for both of them.How much was an auditing fee? I wasnt sure but knew it wasnt as much as tuition. It was also a sometime(prenominal) cost that I could probably slide into my expenses without raising the attention of the Alchemists. Adrian needed those classes, of that I was certain. If he knew financial aid wasnt an option this semester, there was a good chance hed just drop them altogether. I couldnt forego that. Hed known there might be a delay while the financial aid came together. If I could keep him breathing out to Carlton a little longer, then maybe hed get invested enough in the art that hed stay on, even when the truth came out. It was a sneaky thing to do, but it wo uld benefit him and Jill in the end.I dialed back Wes Regans office, knowing Id get his voice mail. I left him a message saying that Id drop off a check for the auditing fee and that Adrian would stay on until he could be enrolled next semester. I hung up, saying a silent prayer that it would take a while for Adrian to find out any of this. The waitress kept giving me the evil eye over just having coffee, so I finally ordered a piece of pie to go. She had just set the carton down on my table when an churning Keith entered the restaurant. He stood in the doorway, looking around impatiently until he saw me.Okay, whats going on? he demanded, making a big show of sitting down. Whats so important that you felt the need to break school rules and drag me halfway across town?For a moment, I froze up. Looking into Keiths eyes real and artificial triggered all the conflicting feelings Id had about him this last year. Fear and anxiety over what I was trying to pull off warred with the dee p hate Id long carried. Baser instincts wanted me to make him suffer, to throw something at him. deal the pie. Or a chair. Or a baseball bat.I Before I could say another word, my phone chimed. I looked down and read a text message from Adrian GOT IT. CALL MADE. ONE HOUR.I slipped the phone into my purse and exhaled. It had taken Keith twenty minutes to get here, and during that time, Adrian had been dutifully searching the apartment. Hed apparently been successful. Now it was up to me to delay Keith until reinforcements showed up. One hour was actually a lot less time than Id expected. Id given Adrian Stantons phone number, and she wouldve dispatched whatever Alchemists were closest. Id figured that would mean Los Angeles, but it was hard to say with the scope of our jobs. If there were Alchemists on the east side of the city, theyd get here very quickly. It was also possible they could cut time by simply flying a private jet in.Whats that? asked Keith irritably. A text from one o f your vampire friends?You can stop the act, I said. I know you dont really care about me getting too close to them. I hadnt intended this to be the topic that distracted him, but Id take it.Of course I do. I invade about your soul.Is that why you called my soda? I asked. Is that the reason you wanted me out of Palm Springs?Its for your own good, he said, putting on that holier-than-thou air. Do you know how wrong it was that you even wanted this job in the first place? No Alchemist would. But you, you practically begged for it.Yeah, I said, feeling my anger rise. So Zoe wouldnt have to do it.Tell yourself that if you want. I know the truth. You like these creatures.Why does it have to be so cut-and-dry? In your view, I either have to hate them or be in league with them. Theres a middle ground, you know. I can still be loyal to the Alchemists and on friendly terms with vampires and dhampirs.Keith looked at me like I was ten years old. Sydney, youre such(prenominal) an innocent. Y ou dont understand the ways of the world like I do. I knew all about his ways of the world and wouldve said as much if the waitress hadnt come by to take his drink order just then. When she was gone, Keith continued his spiel. I mean, how do you even know youre feeling the way you do? Vampires can compel, you know. They use mind control. Spirit users like Adrian are really good at it. For all we know, hes been using his powers to endear himself to you.I thought of all the times Id wanted to shake some sense into Adrian. Hes not doing a very good job, then.We bickered back and forth about this, and for once, I was glad of Keiths obstinacy and refusal to see reason. The longer he argued with me, the more time the Alchemists had to get to his apartment. If Stanton had told Adrian one hour, she probably meant it. Still, it was best to be safe.My breaking point came when Keith said, You should be glad Im looking out for you like this. This is about more than vampires, you know. Im teachi ng you life lessons. You memorize books but dont understand people. You dont know how to connect to them. Youre going to carry this same naive attitude with you into the real world, thinking everyone means well, and someone some guy, probably will just take advantage of you.Well, I snapped, youd know all about that, wouldnt you?Keith snorted. I have no interest in you, rest easy.Im not talking about me Im talking about Carly. So. here(predicate) it was. The original purpose of our meeting.Whats she have to do with anything? Keith kept his tone steady, but I saw it. The slightest glistering of anxiety in his eye.I know what happened between you guys. I know what you did to her.He became very raise in stirring ice around with his straw. I didnt do anything to her. I have no conceit what youre talking about.You know exactly what Im talking about She told me. She came to me afterward. I leaned forward, feeling confident. What do you think my dad would do if he found out? What woul d yours do?Keith looked up sharply. If youre so certain something terrible happened, then why doesnt your dad already know? Huh? Maybe because Carly knows theres nothing to tattle on. Anything we did, she wanted to, believe me.You are such a liar, I hissed. I know what you did. You raped her. And you will never suffer enough for it. You shouldve lost both of your eyes.He stiffened at the reference to his eyes. Thats harsh. And has nothing to do with any of this. What the hells happened to you, Sydney? Howd you turn into such a bitch? Maybe making you associate with vampires and dhampirs has caused more damage than we realise. First thing tomorrow, Im going to call Stanton and ask that they pull you now. No waiting until the end of the week. You need to be away from this black-market influence. He shook his head and gave me a look both condescending and pitying. No, you need to be re-educated, period. It shouldve happened a long time ago, as soon as they caught you busting out that murderer.Dont change the topic. I spoke haughtily, though hed again woken a sliver of fear in me. What if Adrian and I failed? What if the Alchemists listened to Keith and hauled me away? Hed never have to interest about me again in a re-education center. This isnt about me. We were talking about Carly.Keith rolled his eyes in annoyance. Im done talking about your slutty sister.That was when my earlier impulse to throw something at him won out. Lucky for him, it was only my coffee and not a chair. Also lucky for him the coffee had cooled considerably. There was still a lot of it left, and it managed to splash everywhere, drenching his unfortunate choice of a white shirt. He stared at me in astonishment, splattering to get his words out.You bitch he said, standing up.As he started moving toward the door, I realized that my temper might have just blown the plan. I hurried over and caught hold of his arm.Wait, Keith. I-Im sorry. Dont go.He jerked his arm away and glared at me. Its to o late for you. You had your chance and blew it.I grabbed him again. No, no. Wait. Theres still much we have to talk about.He opened his mouth with some snippy remark and then promptly close it. He studied me for several seconds, his face growing serious. Are you trying to keep me here? Whats going on? When I couldnt muster a response, he pulled away and stormed out the door. I quickly ran back to the table and tossed a twenty on it. I grabbed the pie and told the bewildered waitress to keep the change.The clock in my car told me I had twenty minutes until the Alchemists were supposed to show up at Keiths. That was also the time it would take to get back there. I drove right tail him, making no trend to hide my presence. It was no secret now that something was going on, something Id lured him away from home for. I blessed every red light that stopped us, praying he wouldnt arrive too early. If he did, Adrian and I were going to have to delay him.It wouldnt be impossible, but it also wasnt something I wanted to do.We finally made it back. Keith pulled into his buildings tiny lot, and I parked uncaringly in a fire zone out front. I was only steps behind him as he ran to the door, but he hardly seemed to notice. His attention was on the lit-up windows of his building and the dark silhouettes merely discernible beyond the heavy drapes. He burst in through the door, and I followed a moment later, nearly running into him as he came to a complete standstill.I didnt know the three worthy men there with Adrian, but I knew they were Alchemists. They had that cold, polished feel that we all strove for, and their cheeks were emblazoned with gold lilies. One was going through Keiths kitchen cupboards. Another had a notepad and was talking to Adrian, who was leaning against the wall and smoking. He smiled when he saw me.The tierce Alchemist was kneeling on the floor in the living room near a small transshipment center cupboard in the wall. A tacky painting of a shir tless womans back lay nearby, which apparently had been used to hide the compartment. Its wooden door had clearly been forcibly opened, and various contents were strewn haphazardly around with a few exceptions. The Alchemist was going to great pains to sort one pile of objects metal tubes and needles used to enfeeble blood, along with vials of blood and small packets of silvery powder. He looked up at our sudden entrance and heady Keith with a cool smile.Ah, so glad youre here, Mr. Darnell. We were hoping we could take you with us for some questioning.Keiths face fell.