Bloodlines Chapter Twelve

WHEN WE LEFT on our group date or family exposeing or whatever it was, leeward couldnt wiretap apologizing for his father.Im sorry, he said, slumping miserably in the backseat of Latte. Theres no logical thinking with him whatevermore. We tried to tell him that Tamara was killed by Strigoi, but he wont believe it. He doesnt motive to. He cant memorise revenge on a Strigoi. Theyre immortal. Invincible. But some human vampire hunter? Somehow, in his head, thats something he can go after. And if he cant, so he can focus his energy on how the guardians wont go after these nonexistent vampire hunters.I full ba avow heard Eddie mutter, Strigoi arent that invincible.In the rearview mirror, I saying Jills face filled with compassion. She was seated between lee(prenominal) and Eddie. Even if its a fantasy, maybe its better this elbow room, she suggested. It gives him comfort. I mean, considerate of. Having something tangible to hate is what gets him through. Otherwise hed safe gi ve in to despair. Hes non hurting anyone with his theories. I think hes sweet. She caught her schnorkel in that way she did when shed said a whole lot all at once. My eye were back on the road, but I could swear Lee was smiling. Thats nice of you, he told her. I know he akins having you around. Turn right up here.That was to me. Lee had been giving me directions ever since we left Clarences. We were on the nose pop go forthside of Palm Springs proper, nearing the very impressive- tone Desert Gods Golf Course and Resort. Further guidance from him led us to the Mega-Fun Mini-Golf Center, which was adjacent to the resort. I searched for a parking spot and heard Jill gasp when she caught sight of the golf courses vest glory. There, in the center of a cluster of gaudily decorated be sickting greens, was a huge bogus mountain with an artificial waterfall spouting from its top.A waterfall she exclaimed. Its amazing.Well, said Lee, I wouldnt go that far. Its nettle of water thats been pumped over and over and has God further knows what in it. I mean, I wouldnt punctuate to drink or swim in it.Before I even had the car to a stop, Adrian was out the door, lighting a cigarette. Wed gotten in an argument on the way over, despite me say him three quantify that Latte was a strictly no-smoking car. The rest of us concisely got out as well, and I peculiarityed what Id gestural up for here as we strolled toward the entrance.Ive actually never been mini-golfing, I remarked.Lee came to a halt and stared. never?Never.How does that happen? asked Adrian. How is it possible that youve never played mini-golf?I had kind of an un universal childhood, I said at last.Even Eddie looked incredulous. You? I was practically work upd at an isolated school in the middle of nowhere Montana, and even Ive played mini-golf. Saying I was homeschooled was no excuse this time, so I just let it go. truely, it just came down to having a childhood more focused on chemical equations tha n on mutation and recreation.Once we started playing, I soon got the hang of it. My first a couple of(prenominal) attempts were reasonably bad, but I soon understood the weight of the club and how the angles on each(prenominal) course could be maneuvered. From there, it was pretty simple to depend distance and force to make accurate wisecracks.Unbelievable. If youd been playing since you were a child, youd be a pro by now, Eddie told me as I knocked my ball into a gaping dragons mouth. The ball rolled out the back, down a tube, bounced withdraw a wall, and into the hole. Howd you do that?I shrugged. Its simple geometry. Youre non that bad either, I pointed out, watching him make his shot. How do you do it?I just line it up and putt.Very scientific.I just rely on natural talent, said Adrian, strolling up to the start of the Dragons Lair. When you meet such a wealth of it to guide from, the jeopardy comes from having too much.That makes no sense whatsoever, said Eddie.Adria ns response was to pause and take out a silver flask from his inner coat pocket. He unscrewed it and took a quick drink before angle of inclination in to line up his shot.What was that? I exclaimed. You cant have alcohol out here.You heard Jailbait earlier, he countered. Its the weekend.He lined up his ball and shot. The ball went directly for the dragons eye, bounced off it, and shot back toward Adrian. It rolled and came to a stop at his feet, nearly where it had started.Natural talent, huh? asked Eddie.I leaned forward. I think you broke the dragons eye.Just equivalent Keith, said Adrian. I figured youd appreciate that, a dodgy.I gave him a sharp look, wondering if there was any hidden meaning place that. Mostly, Adrian seemed amused by his own wit. Eddie mistook my expression.That was inappropriate, he told Adrian.Sorry, Dad. Adrian shot again and managed not to maim any statues this time. A couple more shots, and he sank the ball. There we go. Three.Four, said Eddie and I i n unison.Adrian looked at us incredulously. It was three.Youre forgetting nigh your first one, I said. The one where you blinded the dragon.That was just the warm-up, Adrian argued. He put on a grin I think he hoped would charm me. Come on, Sage. You understand how my brain works. You said I was brilliant, remember?Eddie glanced at me in surprise. You did?No I never said that. Adrians smile was infuriating. Stop telling people that.Since I was in charge of the scorecard, his play was logged as four, despite his umpteen further protests. I started to move forward, but Eddie held out a hand to stop me, his hazel eyes gazing over my shoulder.Hold up, he said. We need to wait for Jill and Lee.I engageed his gaze. The devil of them had been in deep converse since we arrived, so much so that theyd slowed and lagged behind the rest of us. Even during his bantering with Adrian and me, Eddie had continually checked on her and our surroundings. It was kind of amazing the way he could multitask. Thus far, Jill and Lee had only been one hole behind us. Now it was nearly 2, and that was too far for Eddie to keep her in his sight. So, we waited while the oblivious couple meandered their way toward the Dragons Lair.Adrian took another drink from his flask and shook his head in awe. You had nothing to worry about, Sage. She went right for him.No thanks to you, I snapped. I cant believe you told her every detail of my visit that night. She was so mad at me for interfering behind her back with you, Lee, and Micah.I hardly told her anything, argued Adrian. I just told her to stay away from that human guy.Eddie glanced between our faces. Micah?I shifted uncomfortably. Eddie didnt know about how Id gone proactive. Remember when I wanted you to say something to him? And you wouldnt? I proceeded to tell him how Id then sought out Adrians help and found out about Lees interest in Jill. Eddie was aghast.How could you not tell me any of this? he demanded.Well, I said, wonderi ng if everything I did was spillage to result in the wrath of a Moroi or dhampir, it didnt involve you.Jills safety does If some guy likes her, I need to know.Adrian chuckled. Should Sage have passed you a note in class?Lees fine, I said. He obviously adores her, and its not like shell ever be alone with him.We dont know for sure that hes fine, said Eddie.Whereas Micahs a hundred percent okay? Did you do a background check or something? I asked.No, said Eddie, looking embarrassed. I just know. Its a feeling I get about him. Theres no problem with him spending time with Jill. draw out that hes human.They wouldnt have gotten serious.You dont know that.Enough, you two, interrupted Adrian. Jill and Lee had finally reached the start of the Dragons Lair, meaning we could move on. Adrian lowered his voice. Your arguments useless. I mean, look at them. That human boy doesnt enter into it.I looked. Adrian was right. Jill and Lee were clearly enthralled with each other. Some guilty part of me wondered if I should be a doing a better job of looking out for Jill. I was so relieved that she was interested in a Moroi that I hadnt stopped to wonder if she should even be dating anyone. Was fifteen old enough? I hadnt dated at fifteen. Id actually, well, never dated.There is an age difference between them, I admitted, more to myself.Adrian scoffed. Believe me, Ive seen age differences. Theirs is nothing.He walked off, and a few moments later, Eddie and I went to join him. Eddie maintained his simultaneous vigil of Jill, but this time, I got the impression the danger he was watching out for was right beside her. Adrians laughter rang out ahead of us.Sage he called. You have got to see this.Eddie and I reached the next green and stared in astonishment. Then I burst out laughing.We had reached Draculas Castle.A huge, multi-towered black castle guarded the hole some distance away. A tunnel was cut out through the center of it with a narrow bridge meant for the ball to go over. I f the ball fell off the sides before getting through the castle, it was returned back to the starting point. An animatronic Count Dracula stood off to the castles side. He was concentrated white, with red eyes, pointed ears, and slicked-back hairsbreadth. He jerkily kept raising his arms to show off a batlike cape. Nearby, a speaker blasted eerie organ music.I couldnt stop laughing. Adrian and Eddie looked at me as though theyd never seen me before.I dont think Ive ever heard her laugh, Eddie told him.Certainly not the reaction I was expecting, mused Adrian. Id been counting on abject terror, judging from past Alchemist behavior. I didnt think you liked vampires.Still grinning, I watched Dracula raise his cape up and down. This isnt a vampire. Not a real one. And thats what makes it so funny. Its pure Hollywood camp. Real vampires are terrifying and unnatural. This? This is hilarious.It was clear from their expressions that neither really understood why this would appeal to my sen se of inclination so much. Adrian did, however, offer to take a picture with my cell phone when I asked him. I represent by Dracula and put on a big smile. Adrian managed to snap the shot just as Dracula was raising his cape. When I viewed the picture, I was pleased to see it had come out perfectly. Even my hair looked good.Adrian gave the picture a nod of approval before handing me the phone. Okay, even I can admit thats pretty cute.I found myself overanalyzing the comment. What had he meant in saying even he could admit it? That I was cute for a human? Or that I had just met some kind of Adrian hot-girl criteria? Moments later, I had to forcibly stop thinking about it. Let it go, Sydney. Its a compliment. Accept it.We played through the rest of the course, finally coating off with the waterfall itself. That was a particularly challenging hole, and I took my time lining up the shot not that I needed to. I was beating everyone pretty handily. Eddie was the only one who came clos e. It was clear Jill and Lee didnt even have their attention on the game, and as for Adrian and his natural talent well, they were very solidly in last place.Eddie, Adrian, and I were unflustered ahead of the other two, so we waited for them by the waterfall. Jill practically ran to it when she had the chance, gazing up at it with enchanted eyes. Oh, she breathed. This is wonderful. I havent seen this much water in days.Remember what I said about the toxicity, bedevil Lee. But it was clear he found her reaction endearing. As I glanced at the other two guys, I saw that they shared the same feelings. Well, not exactly the same. Adrians affection was clearly brotherly. Eddies? It was hard to read, kind of a mix of the other two. Maybe it was a kind of guardian fondness.Jill make a gesture to the waterfall, and suddenly, part of it broke off from the tumbling cascade. The chunk of water shaped itself into a braid, then writhe high into the air, making spirals before shattering into a million drops that misted over us all. I had been stare wide-eyed and frozen, but those drops hitting me shocked me awake.Jill, I said in a voice I barely recognized as my own. Dont do that again.Jill, eyes bright, barely spared me a glance as she made another piece of water dance in the air. No ones around to see, Sydney. That wasnt what had me so upset. That wasnt what filled me with so much panic that I could barely breathe. The world was doing that thing where it started to spin, and I worried I was going to faint. Stark, cold fear ran through me, fear at the unknown. The unnatural. The laws of my world had just been broken. This was vampire magic, something foreign and pathless to humans inaccessible because it was forbidden, something no mortal was meant to delve into. I had only once seen magic used, when two spirit users had turned on each other, and I never wanted to see it again. One had obligate the plants of the earth to do her bidding while the other telekinetical ly hurled objects meant to kill. It had been terrifying, and even though I hadnt been the target, Id felt pin down and overwhelmed in the face of such otherworldly power. It was a reminder that these werent fun, easy people to hang out with.These were creatures wholly different from me.Stop it, I said, feeling the panic rise. I was afraid of the magic, afraid it would extend to me, afraid of what it might do to me. Dont do it anymore Jill didnt even hear me. She grinned at Lee. Youre air, right? butt you create fog over the water?Lee stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked away. Ah, well, its probably not a good idea. I mean, were in publicCome on, she pleaded. It wont take any effort for you at all.He actually appeared nervous. Nah, not right now.Not you too. She laughed. Above her and in front of her, that demon water was still spinning, spinning, spinningJill, said Adrian, a harsher note in his voice than Id ever heard before. In fact, I couldnt recall him ever addressing her by her actual name. Stop. It was all he said, but it was like a boom of something went through Jill. She flinched, and the water spirals disappeared, falling away in droplets. Fine, she said, looking confused.There was a moment of awkwardness, and then Eddie said, We should hurry. Were going to be pushing curfew.Lee and Jill set out to make their shots and soon were laughing and prickteaser again. Eddie continued watching them in his concerned way. Only Adrian paid any attention to me. He was the only one who really understood what had happened, I realized. His green eyes studied me, with no trace of their usual bitter humor. I wasnt fooled, though. I knew there had to be some witty quip coming, mocking my reaction. atomic number 18 you okay? he asked quietly.Im fine, I said, turning from him. I didnt want him to see my face. Hed already seen too much, seen my fear. I didnt want any of them to know how afraid of them I was. I heard him take a few steps toward me.Sage Leave me alone, I snapped back. I hurried off toward the courses exit, certain he wouldnt follow me. I was right. I waited for them to finish the game, using the alone time to calm myself down. By the time they caught up to me, I was fairly certain I had wiped most of the emotions from my face. Adrian still watched me with concern, which I didnt like, but at least(prenominal) he didnt say anything else about my breakdown.Surprising to no one, the final score showed that I had won and Adrian had lost. Lee had come in third, which seemed to trouble him. I used to be a lot better, he muttered, frowning. I used to be perfect at this game. Considering hed spent most of the time paying attention to Jill, I thought third was a pretty respectable performance.I dropped him and Adrian off first and then just barely got Eddie, Jill, and me back to Amberwood on time. I was more or less back to normal by then, not that anyone wouldve noticed. Jill was floating on a cloud as we went into our dorm room, talking nonstop about Lee.I had no idea hed traveled so much Hes maybe been more places than you, Sydney. He keeps telling me that hell take me to all of them, that well spend the rest of our lives traveling and doing whatever we want. And hes taking all sorts of classes in college because hes not sure what he wants to major in. Well, not all sorts this semester. Hes got a light schedule so that he can spend more time with his father. And thats good for me. For us, I mean.I stifled a breathe and nodded wearily. Thats great.She paused from where shed been searching her dresser for pajamas. Im sorry, by the way.I froze. I didnt want an apology for the magic. I didnt even want to remember it had happened.For yelling at you the other night, she continued. You didnt set me up with Lee. I should never have criminate you of interfering. He really has liked me all along, and, well hes really great.I let out the breath Id been holding and attempted a weak smile. Im glad youre happy.She ret urned cheerfully to her tasks and to talking about Lee until I left to go down to the bathroom. Before brushing my teeth, I stood in front of the sink and process my hands and arms over and over, scrubbing as hard as I could to wash away the magical drops of water I swore I could still feel on my skin.