The Indigo Spell Chapter Twenty-One

rough PART OF ME BEGGED FOR in that location to be a mistake. I watched the footage three more clips, tossing crazy theories roughly in my idea. Maybe Master Jameson had a twin who wasnt a fanatic who hated vampires. No. The video didnt brood. just the Alchemists did.I couldnt ignore this. I couldnt wait. I conveyed to resolve this immediately. If not sooner.I displace Marcus a textual field of study as soon as my plane was on the ground We meet tonight. No games. No runwell-nigh. TONIGHT.There was no response from him by the age I got rearward to my dorm. What was he doing? Reading catcher in the Rye again? If Id managen what dive he was holed up in, I wouldve marched over thither right thus. There was nothing I could do moreover wait, so I forecasted Ms. Terwilliger both as a distraction and to buy about freedom.Nothing to report, she told me when she answered. Were serene just watching and waiting although, your exceptional charm is almost comp permite.Thats not why Im c exclusivelying, I say. I need you to induce me a curfew filename extension tonight. I mat bad using her for some(prenominal)thing all told unrelated, simply I had to do this.Oh? Are you paying me an unexpected visit?Er no. This is for something else.She clearly directiment that was funny. Now you use my assistance for face-to-face matters?Dont you think Ive earned it? I countered.She laughed, something I hadnt comprehend from her in a while. She agreed to my request and promised to call the dorms front desk right away. As soon as we hung up, my phone chimed with the expected message from Marcus. All the text contained was an ad graze that was a half hour away. Assuming he was cause for me today, I grabbed my messenger looking ater and got on the road.In light of my past meetings with Marcus, I wouldnt progress to been surprised if hed led me to a discussion section store or karaoke bar. Instead, I arrived at a vintage music shop, the shape that sold vinyl radical records. A large CLOSED sign hung on the door, emphasized by dark windows and an empty park rotary. I got out of my car and double- nurseed the ad do, wondering if my GPS had led me astray. My earlier zeal gave way to nervousness. How careless was this? wiz of Wolfes first lessons was to avoid sketchy situations, yet here I was, exposing myself.Then, from the shadows, I heard my name whispered. I turned toward the sound and saw Sabrina materialize out of the darkness, carrying a gun as usual. Maybe if I showed her the one in my glove com quitment, we could have a bonding moment.Go around back, she said. Knock on the door. Without another word, she returned to the shadows.The back of the building looked manage the kind of place that screamed mugging, and I wondered if Sabrina would dress to my aid if needed. I knocked on the door, half expecting some kind of speak balmy situation where Id be asked for a password like dilapidate iguana. Instead, Marcus exposed the door, ready with one of those smiles he kept hoping would win me over. Strangely, tonight it put me at ease.Hey, gorgeous, come on in.I stepped past him and found we were in the stores back room, which was filled with tables, shelves, and boxes of records and cassette tapes. Wade and Amelia s as well asd against a palisade in mirrored stances, their arms crossed over their chests.Marcus shut the door behind me and locked it. Glad to go steady you back in one piece. Judging from your text and your face you found something.All the rage Id been guardianship in since my discovery came bursting out. I retrieved my lap make pass from my bag and had to resist the urge to slam it against a table. Yes I sightt believe it. You were right. Your insane, outlying(prenominal)-fetched theory was right. The Alchemists have been lying Or, well, some of them. I dont recognize. Half of them dont dwell what the other halfs doing.I expected some smug remark from Marcus or at least an I told yo u so. all the same that large-minded face was drawn and sad, reminding me of the picture Id seen of him and Clarence. Damn, he said softly. I was kind of hoping youd come back with a bunch of boring video. Amelia, go swap with Sabrina. I ask her to see this.Amelia looked disappointed to be sent away, but she didnt hesitate to obey his order. By the time Sabrina came back in, I had the video cued up to the do time. They gathered around me. Ready? I asked. They nodded, and I could see a mix of emotions in all of them. Here it was, the conspiracy theory theyd all been waiting to prove. At the like time, the implications were staggering, and the three of them were well certain of how dangerous what they were astir(predicate) to see could be.I played the video. It was only a few seconds extensive, but they were regent(postnominal) ones as that bearded figure appeared on the screen. I heard an intake of clue from Sabrina.Its him. Master Jameson. She looked between all our faces . Thats truly the Alchemist place? Hes forkitimately there?Yes, said Wade. And thats Dale Hawthorne with him, one of the directors.That triggered a memory. I know that name. Hes one of Stantons peers, right?Pretty much.Is it possible she wouldnt know rough a visit like this? I asked. Even at her aim?It was Marcus who answered. Maybe. Although, walking him right in there even to the secure level is pretty ballsy. Even if she doesnt know about the meeting, its a safe bet others do. If it were completely shady, Hawthorne wouldve met him saturnine-site. Of ancestry, the secure come means this wasnt out in the open either.So, it was possible Stanton hadnt lied to me well, at least not about the Alchemists universe in contact with the Warriors. Shed certainly lied about the Alchemists knowing about Marcus since hed said he was a notorious figure to most higher-ups. Even if she was ignorant about Master Jameson, it didnt flip the point that other Alchemists important ones w ere keeping some dangerous comp all. Maybe I didnt continuously like their procedures, but Id desperately valued to believe they were doing good in the adult male. Maybe they were. Maybe they werent. I just didnt know anymore.When I dragged my eye from the frozen frame of Master Jameson, I found Marcus watching me. Are you ready? he asked.Ready for what?He walked over to another table and returned with a small case. When he opened it, I saw a small vial of silver liquid and a spray.What is oh. Realization tote up me. Thats the blood thatll break the stain.He nodded. Pulling the elements out creates a reaction that turns it silver. It takes a few years, but eventually, the gold in your skin will fade to silver too.All of them were looking at me expectantly, and I took a step back. I dont know if Im ready for this.Why wait? asked Marcus. He pointed at the laptop. Youve seen this. You know what theyre adapted of. Can you keep lying to yourself? Dont you necessitate to go forwa rd with your eyes open? soundly . . . yes, but I dont know if Im ready to have some strange substance injected into me.Marcus filled the syringe with the silver liquid. I piece of tail demonstrate on my tattoo if itll shed you finger part. It wont shock me, and you nookie see that there arent any dire side effects.We dont know for veritable that theyve done anything to me, I protested. He had a logical argument, but I was understood terrified of taking this step. I could finger my workforce shaking. This could be a waste. There may be no group loyalty compulsion in me. save you also dont know for sure, he countered. And theres always a little loyalty put in the initial tattoo. I mean, not enough to get spile you some slave robot, but facilitate. Wouldnt you feel better knowing everythings gone?I couldnt take my eyes turned the needle. Will I feel any different?No. Although you could walk up to someone on the street and start telling them about vampires. I couldnt tell if he was joking or not. Then youd just get thr feature into a psych ward.Was I ready for this? Was I really departure to take the future(a) step into becoming part of Marcuss Merry Men? Id passed his test which hed been right about. Clearly, this group wasnt useless. They had eyes on the Alchemists and the Warriors. They also seemingly had the Morois beaver interests at heart.The Moroi or, more specifically, Jill. I hadnt forgotten Sabrinas offhand remark about the Warriors being interested in a missing daughter. Who else could it be but Jill? And did this Hawthorne guy have access to her location? Had he passed it on to Master Jameson? And would this information put those around her at chance, like Adrian?They were questions I didnt have the answers to, but I had to uncover them.Okay, I said. Do it.Marcus didnt waste any time. I think he was terrified Id change my mind which, perhaps, was not an unfounded fear. I sat fell in one of the chairs and tipped my caput to the side so that hed have access to my cheek. Wade gently held my head with his hands. Just to make sure you stay still, he told me apologeticallyBefore Marcus started, I asked, Whered you learn to do this?His face had been solemn with the chore ahead, but my question make him smile again. Im not technically tattooing you, if thats what youre worried about, he said. I was truly worried about a lot of things. These are just some small injections, just like being re-inked.What about the process itself? Howd you find out about it? It was probably a question I should have asked in the lead I sat experience in this chair. But I hadnt expected to be doing this so soon or all at once.A Moroi friend of tap theorized about it. I volunteered to be a guinea pig, and it worked. He switched to business mode again and held up the needle. Ready?I took a secret breath, feeling like I was standing on the progress of a precipice.Time to jump.Go ahead.It hurt about as much as re-inking did, just a number of small pricks on my skin. Uncomfortable, but not really painful. In truth, it wasnt a long process, but it felt like it took forever. All the while, I kept asking myself, What are you doing? What are you doing? At last, Marcus stepped back and regarded me with shining eyes. Sabrina and Wade smiled too.There you go, Marcus said. invite to the ranks, Sydney.I took my compact out of my purse to check the tattoo. My skin was pink from the needles piercing, but if this process go on to be like re-inking, that irritation would fade soon. Otherwise, the lily looked unchanged.I also didnt feel that changed on the inside. I didnt want to storm the Alchemist facility and demand justice or anything like that. Taking him up on his take for granted to tell an outsider about vampires was probably my best bet to see if my tattoo had been altered, but I didnt really feel like doing that either.Thats it? I asked.Thats it, Marcus said. Once we get it sealed, you wont have to worry abou t Im not get it sealed.All those smiles vanished.Marcus looked confused, as though he competency have misheard. You have to. Were going to Mexico next weekend. Once thats done, the Alchemists wont ever be able to get to you again.Im not getting it sealed, I repeated. And Im not going to Mexico. I gestured toward my laptop. feeling what I was able to pull off If I stay where Im at, I can keep finding out more. I can find out what else the Alchemists and Warriors are doing together. I can find out if Jill is in danger. Getting permanently marked and becoming an outcast kills all those opportunities for me. Theres no going back after that.I think Marcus almost always got his way, and this new development totally threw him off. Wade took up the argument. Theres no going back now. Youre leaving a trail of bread crumbs. Look at what youve done. You already made inquiries about Marcus. Even if you havent gotten super-friendly with the Moroi, the Alchemists still know you spend a lot o f time with them. And one day, someone may realize you were there when the data was stolen.No one knows it was stolen, I said promptly.You hope they dont, corrected Wade. These little things are enough to raise red flags. Keep doing more, and youll make it worse. Theyll finally notice you, and thats when itll be over.Marcus had recovered from his initial shock. Exactly. Look, if you want to stay where youre at until we go to Mexico, thats fine. discharge your peace with it or whatever. After that, you need to escape. Well keep working from the outside.You can do whatever you want. I began packing up my laptop. Im going to work from the inside.Marcus caught hold of my arm. Youre setting yourself up for a fall, Sydney he said sternly. Youre going to get caught.I pulled away from him. Ill be careful.Everyone makes mistakes, said Sabrina, speaking up for the first time in a while.Ill take that risk. I slung my bag over my shoulder. Unless you guys are going to forcibly breach me? None of them answered. Then Im going. Im not afraid of the Alchemists. give thanks you for everything youve done. I really do appreciate it.Thank you, said Marcus at last. He shake his head at Wade, who looked like he wanted to protest. For getting the data. I honestly didnt think youd be able to pull it off. I figured youd return empty-handed, though I still wouldve broken the tattoo for you. A for effort, you know. Instead, you just proved what Id thought before youre remarkable. We could really use you.Well, you know how to get in touch with me.And you know how to get in touch with us, he said. Well be here all week if you change your mind.I opened the door. I wont. Im not speed away.Amelia called goodbye to me when I got into my car, oblivious to the fact that Id just defied her beloved leader. As I drove back to Amberwood, I was amazed at how free I felt and it had nothing to do with the tattoo. It was the fellowship that I had defied everyone the Alchemists, the Warriors, the Merry Men. I didnt answer to anyone, no matter the cause. I was my own person, able to take my own actions. It wasnt something I had a lot of experience with.And I was about to do something drastic. I hadnt told Marcus and the gang because Id been afraid they really would stop me. When I got back to Amberwood, I went straight to my room and dialed Stanton. She answered on the first ring, which I took as a divine sign that I was doing the right thing.Miss Sage, this is unexpected. Did you enjoy the services?Yes, I said. They were very enlightening. But thats not why Im calling. We have a situation. The Warriors of Light are looking for Jill. I wasnt going to waste any time.Why on earth would they do that? She sounded legitimately surprised, but if there was one thing in all of this that I believed wholeheartedly, it was that the Alchemists were exceptional liars.Because they know if Jills whereabouts got out, it could throw the Moroi into chaos. Their focus is still on the Strigoi, but they wouldnt mind seeing thing go bad for the Moroi.I see. I always wondered if she paused to gather her thoughts or if it was simply for effect. And how exactly did you learn this?That guy I know who used to be with the Warriors. Were still friendly, and hes been having doubts about them. He mentioned hearing them talk about finding a missing girl that could cause all sorts of trouble. Maybe it was wrong to drag Trey into this lie, but I seriously doubted Stanton would transmit him anytime soon.And you assume this is Miss Dragomir?Come on, I exclaimed. Who else would it be? Do you know any other Moroi girls? Of course its herCalm down, Miss Sage. Her voice was flat and untroubled. Theres no need for theatrics.Theres a need for action If they might be on to her, then we need to get out of Palm Springs immediately.That, she said crisply, is not an option. A lot of planning went into getting her to her current location.I didnt believe that argument for a second. Half our hypothe size was doing damage control and adapting to rapidly changing situations. Yeah? Well, did you also plan on those psycho vampire hunters finding her?Stanton ignored the jab. Do you have any evidence at all that the Warriors actually have concrete data about her? Did your friend supply you with details?No, I admitted. But we still need to do something.Theres no we here. Her voice had gone from flat to icy. You do not decide what we do.I well-nigh protested and then caught myself. Horror set in. What had I just done? My initial intent had been to either get Stanton to take legitimate action or else find out if she might accidentally reveal knowledge of a Warrior connection. Id thought mentioning Trey would give me valid backup since I could hardly tell her the real reason I feared for Jill. Yet, somehow, Id gone from a request to a demand. Id practically yelled an order at her. That wasnt typical Sydney behavior. That wasnt typical Alchemist behavior. What had Wade said? Youre leavin g a trail of bread crumbs.Was this because Id broken the tattoo?This was no crumb. This was a full loaf. I was on the verge of insubordination, and my mind could suddenly imagine that heed Marcus kept warning about, the one that kept track of every suspicious thing I did. Was Stanton already updating that list right now?I had to fix this, but how? How on earth did I take this back? My mind was racing frantically, and it took several moments for me to calm down and start thinking logically. The mission. focal point on the mission. Stanton would sympathise that.Im sorry, maam, I said at last. Be calm. Be deferential. Im just . . . Im just so worried about this mission. I saw my dad at the services, you know. That would be a fact she could check on. You had to have seen how it was that night I left. How bad things are between us. I . . . I have to make him proud. If things fall apart here, hell never forgive me.She didnt respond, so I prayed that meant she was listening intently . . . and believing me.I want to do a good job here. I want to fulfill our goals and keep Jill hidden. But there have already been so many complications no one predicted first Keith and then the Warriors. I just never feel like shes fully safe now, even with Eddie and Angeline. It eats at me. And I was no actress who could muster tears, but I did my best to make my voice crack. And I never feel safe. I told you, when I asked to go to the services, how overwhelming it is with the Moroi. Theyre everywhere and the dhampirs too. I eat with them. Im in class with them. be with other Alchemists this last weekend was a lifesaver. I mean, Im not trying to dodge my duties, maam. I understand we have to make sacrifices. And Ive gotten better around them, but sometimes the stress is just unbearable and then when I heard this thing about the Warriors, I cracked. All I could think about was that I might fail. Im sorry, maam. I shouldnt have flipped out on you. I was out of control, and it was unacceptable.I cut off my rant and tensed as I waited for her response. Hopefully Id given her enough to dismiss any thoughts of me being a dissident. Of course, I might have just come off as a totally weak and unstable Alchemist who needed to be pulled from this mission. If that happened . . . well, maybe Id have to take Marcus up on Mexico.Her typical pause was especially painful this time. I see, she said. Well, Ill take this all into consideration. This mission is of the utmost importance, believe me. My earlier questioning of your information was not some weakening of our resolve. Your concerns have been heard, and I will decide the best course of action.It wasnt exactly what I wanted, but hopefully she would be true to her word. I really, really wanted to believe she was on the up-and-up. Thank you, maam.Is there anything else, Miss Sage?No, maam. And . . . and Im sorry maam.Your apology is noted.Click.Id paced while Id talked and now stood staring at the phone. A gut instin ct told me I really had driven Stanton to take some sort of action. The mystery was whether that action would prove beneficial or catastrophic for me.Falling asleep was voiceless after that, and it had nothing to do with Veronica for a change. I was too keyed up, too earnest about what had happened with Marcus and Stanton. I tried to seize that feeling of freedom again, using it to strengthen me. It was only a spark this time, flickering with my new uncertainties, but it was better than nothing.I fell asleep sometime around three. I had a vague sense of a couple hours passing before I was brush into one of Adrians dreams, back in the reception hall. Finally, he said. I almost gave up checking in. I thought you were going to pull an all-nighter. Hed stopped wearing his suit in these dreams, probably because I always showed up in jeans. Tonight he wore jeans also, along with a plain black T-shirt.Me too. I wrung my hands and began walk here as well. The nervous energy from my wakin g self had carried over into the dream. A lot of stuffs kind of happened tonight.The dream felt real, solid. Adrian was sober. Didnt you just get back? How much couldve happened?When I told him, he shook his head in amazement. Man, Sage. Its all or nothing with you. Never a dull moment.I came to a apply in front of him and leaned against a table. I know, I know. Do you think I just made a huge mistake? God, maybe Marcus was right, and there was some compulsion forcing me to be loyal in the tattoo. Im free for one hour and completely go over the edge with my superior.It sounds like you covered your tracks, he said, though a small frown appeared on his face. But I would be disappointed if they sent you somewhere less stressful. That seems like it might be the worst-case scenario from everything you said.I started laughing, but it was the hysterical kind. What in the worlds happened to me? I was doing crazy stuff way before Marcus broke the tattoo tonight. Meeting with rebels, chasing evil sorceresses, even buy that dress Yelling at Stanton is just one more thing on a long list of insanity. Its just like I said at Pies and Stuff I dont know who I am anymore.Adrian smiled and clasped my hands, taking a few steps toward me. Well, first off, Im the expert in insanity, and this is nothing. And as for who you are, youre the same beautiful, brave, and ridiculously smart caffeinated fighter youve been since the day I met you. Finally, he put beautiful at the top of his list of adjectives. Not that I should have cared.Sweet talker, I scoffed. You didnt know anything about me the first time we met.I knew you were beautiful, he said. I just hoped for the rest.He always got this glint in his eyes when he complimented my looks, like he was seeing so much more than just my actual appearance. It was disorienting and mulish . . . but I didnt mind. And that wasnt the only thing I suddenly found overwhelming. How had he gotten so limiting to me without me even realizing it? I t was like he had secret stealth abilities. His hands were warm on exploit, our fingers locked together. I still had remnants of that earlier joy within me, and being connected to him amplified those feelings. The green of his eyes was as lovely as usual, and I wondered if mine had the same effect on him. There was a little amber complicated with the brown that he had once said looked like gold.Hes the only one who never tells me to do anything, I realized. Oh, sure, he asked me to do lots of things, often with cajoling and fast talking. But he made no demands on me, not like the Alchemists or Marcus. Even Jill and Angeline tended to preface their requests with, You have to . . .Speaking of that dress, he added, I still havent seen it.I laughed softly. You couldnt handle it.He raised an eyebrow at that. Is that a challenge, Sage? I can handle a lot.Not if our history is any indication. Each time I wear some moderately attractive dress, you lose it.Thats not exactly true, he said. I lose it no matter what youre wearing. And that red dress was not moderately attractive. It was like a piece of heaven here on earth. A red, silky piece of heaven.I shouldve trilled my eyes. I shouldve told him I wasnt here for his personal entertainment. But there was something in the way he was looking at me and something in the way I felt tonight that made me want to see his reaction. Breaking the tattoo hadnt affected anything between us, but it and the industrial plant Id done this weekend had left me feeling bold. For the first time, I wanted to take a risk with him, despite my usual set of logical arguments. Besides, there was nothing dangerous in letting him look.I manipulated the dream the way hed taught me. A few moments later, the lacy minidress replaced my jeans and blouse. I even summoned the heels, which bumped my height up. I was still nowhere near as tall as him, but the small boost brought our faces closer together.His eyes widened. Still holding my hands, he t ook a step back so that he could take in the whole look. There was almost something tangible to the way his gaze swept my body. I could practically feel every place it touched. By the time his eyes reached mine again, my breathing was heavy, and I was acutely certain that there really wasnt that much clothing between the two of us. Maybe there was something dangerous in letting him look after all.A piece of heaven? I managed to ask.He slowly shook his head. No. The other place. The one Im going to burn in for thinking what Im thinking.Hed moved toward me again. His hands released mine and moved to my waist, and I noticed I wasnt the only one breathing heavily. He pulled me to him, bringing our bodies together. The world was all heat and electricity, thick with tension that was only one spark away from exploding around us. I was balancing on another precipice, which wasnt easy to do in heels.I wrapped my arms around his neck, and this time I was the one who drew him closer. Damn, he murmured.What? I asked, never taking my eyes off his.He ran his hands over my hips. Im not supposed to kiss you.Its okay.What is?Its okay if I kiss you.Adrian Ivashkov wasnt easy to surprise, but I surprised him then when I brought his mouth toward mine. I kissed him, and for a moment, he was too stunned to respond. That lasted for, oh, about a second. Then the intensity Id come to know so well in him returned. He pushed me backward, lifting me so that I sat on the table. The tablecloth bunched up, knocking over some of the glasses. I heard what sounded like a china plate crash against the floor.Whatever logic and reason I usually possessed had melted away. There was nothing but flesh and fire left, and I wasnt going to lie to myself at least not tonight. I wanted him. I arched my back, fully aware of how susceptible that made me and that I was giving him an invitation. He accepted it and laid me back against the table, bringing his body down on top of mine. That crushing kiss o f his moved from my mouth to the nape of my neck. He pushed down the edge of my dress and the bra strap underneath, exposing my shoulder and giving his lips more skin to conquer. A glass rolled off and smashed, soon followed by another. Adrian broke off his kissing, and I opened my eyes. He had an exasperated look on his face.A table, he said. A goddamned table.A few moments later, the table was gone. I was in his apartment, on his bed, and was glad that I no longer had silverware underneath me. With the venue change complete, his lips found mine again. The urgency in the way I responded surprised even me. I never wouldve thought myself capable of a feeling so primal, so removed from the reason that usually governed my actions. My nails dug into his back, and he trailed his lips down the edge of my chin, down the center of my neck. He kept going until he reached the bottom of the dresss V-neck. I let out a small gasp, and he kissed all around the neckline, just enough to tease.Dont worry, he murmured. The dress stays on.Oh? Is that your decision to make?Yes, he said. Youre not losing your virginity in a dream. If thats even possible. I dont want to deal with the philosophical side of it. And besides, theres no need to rush anyway. Sometimes its worth lingering on the journey for a while before getting to the destination.Metaphors. This was the cost of making out with an artist.I nearly said as much. Then his hand slid up my bare leg, and I was lost again. Maybe the dress was staying on, but he didnt mind taking liberties with it. That hand slipped under my dress, running along the side of my leg and up to my hip. I burned where he touched me, and everything within me became focused on that hand. It was moving far too slowly, and I grabbed it, ready to urge it on.Adrian chuckled and caught hold of my wrist, pulling my hand away and pinning it down against the covers. Never thought Id be the one slowing you down.I opened my eyes and met his. Im a speedy study.A ll that burning and animal need within me must have shone through because he caught his breath and lost the smile. He released my wrist and cupped my face in his hands, bringing his face down only a whisper away from mine. Good God, Sydney. You are The passion in his eyes turned to surprise, and he suddenly looked up.Whats wrong? I asked, wondering if this was some weird part of the journey.He grimaced and began to fade away before my eyes. Youre being woken up.