Bloodlines Chapter One

I couldnt breathe. in that localisation of function was a hand c all in all overing my m proscribedh and an other vibe my shoulder, startling me break through of a heavy sleep. A thousand delirious thoughts dashed through with(predicate) my psyche in the space of a genius heartbeat. It was happening. My worst nightmare was advance true.Theyre present Theyve go humble for meMy eyes blinked, staring(a) wildly around the dark room until my preceptors appear came into focus. I composeed my thrashing, fullly conf substance abused. He permit go and stepped back to regard me coldly. I sit down up in the bed, my heart still pounding.Dad?Sydney. You wouldnt wake up.Natur for each oney, that was his scarce apology for scaring me to death.You guide to get dressed and flip yourself pre move suitable, he continued. askily and quietly. Meet me downst airs in the fill.I felt my eyes let out save now didnt hesitate with a response. on that block fester was scarcel y bingle delightful answer. Yes, sir. Of course.Ill go wake your sister. He turned for the verge, and I leapt out of bed.Zoe? I exclaimed. What do you sine qua non her for?Shh, he chastised. Hurry up and get ready. And teleph ane be quiet. Dont wake your mother.He shut the door without a nonher word, exit me staring. The panic that had lone slightly(prenominal) just step insided began to surge within me again. What did he need Zoe for? A late-night wake-up meant Alchemist business, and she had nonhing to do with that. Technically, neither did I all more than, non since Id been mark on indefinite suspension for bad behavior this summer. What if thats what this was around? What if I was finally being taken to a re-education center and Zoe was replacing me?For a consequence, the world swam around me, and I caught hold of my bed to steady myself. Re-education centers. They were the nip of nightmares for young Alchemists corresponding me, mysterious places where those wh o grew similarly attached to lamias were dragged off to canvas the errors of their sorts. What exactly went on on that point was a secret, one I neer needinessed to find out. I was pretty sure re-education was a strait-laced way of saying brainwashing. Id only ever seen one person who had come back, and honestly, hed seemed deal half a person after that. at that placed been an virtually zombielike shade to him, and I didnt even want to think closely what they might suffer done to make him that way.My beginners urging to hurry up echoed back through my mind, and I tone-beginning to shake off my fears. Remembering his other warning, I also do sure I moved silently. My mother was a light sleeper. Normally, it wouldnt exit if she caught us going off on Alchemist errands, only if lately, she hadnt been feeling so kindly toward her husbands (and daughters) employers. Ever since angry Alchemists had deposited me on my parents threshold final month, this household ha d held all the warmth of a prison camp. painful arguments had gone down between my parents, and my sister Zoe and I often prime ourselves tiptoeing around.Zoe.Why does he need Zoe?The question burned through me as I scurried to get ready. I knew what pre moveable meant. Throwing on jeans and a T-shirt was out of the question. Instead, I tugged on gray slacks and a crisp, white materialistic shirt. A darker, charcoal gray cardigan went over it, which I cinched neatly at my waist with a black belt. A small gold hybridisation the one I always wore around my neck was the only decoration I ever bothered with.My hair was a slightly large fuss. Even after only two hours of sleep, it was already going in e very(prenominal) direction. I smoothed it down as best I could and then coated it with a thick layer of hair spray in the expects that it would get me through whatever was to come. A light dusting of mill was the only makeup I put on. I had no epoch for whateverthing more.Th e entire process likewisek me all of six minutes, which might confuse been a new record for me. I sprinted down the stairs in entire silence, careful, again, to avoid waking my mother. The living room was dark, scarcely light spilled out past the non-quite-shut door of my fusss study. Taking that as an invitation, I pushed the door un queered and slipped inside. A hushed conversation stopped at my entrance. My father look me from head to toe and showed his approval at my appearance in the way he knew best by simply withholding criticism.Sydney, he state brusquely. I believe you eff Donna Stanton.The formidable Alchemist stood near the window, build up crossed, spirit as tough and lean as I remembered. Id spent a bay window of time with Stanton recently, though I would hardly say we were friends particularly since certain actions of mine had cease up putting the two of us under a sort of lamia house arrest. If she harbored any temper toward me, she didnt show it, th ough. She nodded to me in polite greeting, her face all business.Three other Alchemists were there as wellhead, all men. They were introduced to me as Barnes, Michaelson, and Horowitz. Barnes and Michaelson were my father and Stantons age. Horowitz was younger, mid-twenties, and was setting up a tattooists tools. All of them were dressed like me, wearing business quotidian c canhing in nondescript colors. Our goal was always to look comme il faut only when not attract notice. The Alchemists had been playing Men in dim for centuries, long before humans dreamed of animation on other worlds. When the light hit their faces the right way, each Alchemist displayed a lily tattoo equivalent to mine.Again, my unease grew. Was this some kind of interrogation? An assessment to see if my finale to help a renegade half-vampire lady friend meant my loyalties had changed? I crossed my arms over my chest and schooled my face to neutrality, hoping I looked cool and confident. If I still had a notice to plead my case, I intended to present a solid one.Before anyone could utter another word, Zoe entered. She shut the door in arrears her and peered around in terror, her eyes wide. Our fathers study was huge hed built an addition on to our house for it and it easily held all the occupants. hardly as I watched my sister take in the scene, I knew she felt stifled and trapped. I met her eyes and tried to perpetrate a silent message of sympathy. It moldiness(prenominal) have worked because she scurried to my side, looking only fractionally less afraid.Zoe, state my father. He let her shout hang in the air in this way he had, reservation it clear to both of us that he was disappointed. I could directly guess why. She wore jeans and an old sweatshirt and had her brown hair in two attractive scarcely sloppy braids. By any other persons standards, she would have been presentable simply not by his. I felt her cower against me, and I tried to make myself taller and m ore protective. after making sure his condemnation was felt, our father introduced Zoe to the others. Stanton gave her the same polite nod shed given me and then turned toward my father.I dont figure, Jared, state Stanton. Which one of them are you going to use?Well, thats the problem, my father give tongue to. Zoe was pass on . . . but Im not sure shes ready. In fact, I know she isnt. Shes only had the most basic of training. But in light of Sydneys recent . . . experiences . . .My mind immediately began to pull the pieces together. First, and most importantly, it seemed I wasnt going to be sent to a re-education center. Not yet, at least. This was rough something else. My earlier suspicion was correct. There was some mission or task afoot, and someone wanted to sub in Zoe because she, unlike certain other members of her family, had no history of betraying the Alchemists. My father was right that shed only received basic instruction. Our jobs were hereditary, and I had been ele ct age ago as the next Alchemist in the Sage family. My older sister, Carly, had been passed over and was now away at college and too old. Hed taught Zoe as backup instead, in the event something happened to me, like a car accident or vampire mauling.I stepped forward, not knowing what I was going to say until I spoke. The only thing I knew for sure was that I could not let Zoe get sucked into the Alchemists schemes. I feared for her gum elasticty more than I did going to a re-education center and I was pretty afraid of that. I spoke to a committee about my actions after they happened, I said. I was under the persuasion that they understood why I did the things I did. Im fully qualified to make in whatever way you need some(prenominal) more so than my sister. I have actual-world experience. I know this job inside and out.A small(a) too much real-world experience, if memory serves, said Stanton dryly.I for one would like to hear these reasons again, said Barnes, using his fin gers to make air quotes. Im not thrilled about tossing a half-trained female child out there, but I also find it hard to believe someone who aided a vampire criminal is fully qualified to serve. More pretentious air quotes.I pull a go about back pleasantly, masking my anger. If I showed my true emotions, it wouldnt help my case. I understand, sir. But travel Hathaway was eventually proven innocent of the crime shed been incriminate of. So, I wasnt technically aiding a criminal. My actions eventually helped find the real murderer.Be that as it may, we and you didnt know she was innocent at the time, he said.I know, I said. But I believed she was.Barnes snorted. And theres the problem. You shouldve believed what the Alchemists told you, not run off with your own far-fetched theories. At the very least, you shouldve taken what take the stand youd gathered to your superiors.Evidence? How could I explain that it wasnt evidence that had driven me to help Rose so much as a feeling in my gut that she was telling the truth? But that was something I knew theyd never understand. All of us were trained to believe the worst of her kind. telling them that I had seen truth and honesty in her wouldnt help my cause here. congress them that Id been blackmailed into helping her by another vampire was an even worse explanation. There was only one argument that the Alchemists might possibly be able to comprehend.I . . . I didnt tell anyone because I wanted to get all the credit for it. I was hoping that if I uncovered it, I could get a promotion and a better assignment.It took every ounce of self-control I had to say that lie straight-faced. I felt humiliated at making such(prenominal) an admission. As though ambition would really drive me to such extreme behaviors It do me feel slimy and shallow. But, as Id suspected, this was something the other Alchemists could understand.Michaelson snorted. Misguided, but not entirely unexpected for her age.The other men shared ever y bit impish looks, even my father. Only Stanton looked doubtful, but then, shed witnessed more of the fiasco than they had.My father glanced among the others, delay for further comment. When none came, he shrugged. If no one has any objections, then, Id rather we use Sydney. Not that I even entirely understand what you need her for. There was a slightly accusing tone in his vowelise over not having been filled in yet. Jared Sage didnt like to be left out of the loop.I have no problem with using the older girl, said Barnes. But keep the younger one around until the others get here, in case they have any objections. I wondered how many others would be joining us. My fathers study was no stadium. Also, the more nation who came, the more important this case probably was. My skin grew cold as I wondered what the assignment could possibly be. Id seen the Alchemists cover up major disasters with only one or two people. How colossal would something have to be to accept this much help? Horowitz spoke up for the first time. What do you want me to do?Re-ink Sydney, said Stanton decisively. Even if she doesnt go, it wont hurt to have the spells reinforced. No point in inking Zoe until we know what were doing with her.My eyes flicked to my sisters noticeably bare and lookout man cheeks. Yes. As long as there was no lily there, she was free. Once the tattoo was emblazoned on your skin, there was no going back. You belonged to the Alchemists.The reality of that had only hit me in the last year or so. Id sure as shooting never realized it era growing up. My father had dazzled me from a very young age about the rightness of our duty. I still believed in that rightness but wished hed also mentioned just how much of my life it would consume.Horowitz had set up a folding table on the far side of my fathers study. He patted it and gave me a friendly smile.Step right up, he told me. Get your ticket.Barnes shot him a disapproving look. Please. You could show a little resp ect for this ritual, David.Horowitz merely shrugged. He helped me lie down, and though I was too afraid of the others to openly smile back, I hoped my gratitude showed in my eyes. Another smile from him told me he understood. Turning my head, I watched as Barnes reverently set a black briefcase on a side table. The other Alchemists gathered around and clasped their hands together in front of them. He must be the hierophant, I realized. Most of what the Alchemists did was root in science, but a few tasks required divine assistance. After all, our core mission to protect humanity was rooted in the legal opinion that vampires were unnatural and went against Gods plan. Thats why hierophants our priests worked side by side with our scientists.Oh Lord, he intoned, resolution his eyes. Bless these elixirs. Remove the taint of the evil they carry so that their life-giving power shines through purely to us, your servants.He opened the briefcase and removed foursome small vials, each fi lled with dark red liquid. Labels that I couldnt read marked each one. With a steady hand and practiced eye, Barnes poured microscopic amounts from each vial into a larger bottle. When hed used all four, he produced a tiny packet of powder that he emptied into the rest of the mix. I felt a tingle in the air, and the bottles contents turned to gold. He handed the bottle to Horowitz, who stood ready with a needle. Everyone relaxed, the ceremonial part complete.I obediently turned away, exposing my cheek. A instant later, Horowitzs shadow fell over me. This will sting a little, but nothing like when you sooner got it. Its just a touch-up, he explained kindly.I know, I said. Id been re-inked before. Thanks.The needle pricked my skin, and I tried not to wince. It did sting, but like hed said, Horowitz wasnt creating a new tattoo. He was simply injecting small amounts of the ink into my existing tattoo, recharging its power. I took this as a reliable sign. Zoe might not be out of dang er yet, but surely they wouldnt go to the trouble of re-inking me if they were just going to send me to a re-education center.Can you brief us on whats happening while were waiting? asked my father. All I was told was that you needed a teen girl. The way he said teen girl made it sound like a usable role. I fought back a wave of anger at my father. Thats all we were to him. We have a situation, I heard Stanton say. Finally, Id get some answers. With the Moroi.I breathed a small sigh of relief. Better them than the Strigoi. Any situation the Alchemists faced always involved one of the vampire races, and Id take the living, non- bolt downing ones any day. They almost seemed human at times (though Id never tell anyone here that) and lived and died like we did. Strigoi, however, were twisted freaks of nature. They were undead, murderous vampires created either when a Strigoi forcibly made a victim drink its blood or when a Moroi purposely took the life of another through blood drinking . A situation with the Strigoi usually ended with someone dead.All sorts of possible scenarios played through my mind as I considered what issue had prompted action from the Alchemists tonight a human who had detect someone with fangs, a feeder who had escaped and gone public, a Moroi hardened by human doctors. . . . Those were the kinds of problems we Alchemists faced the most, ones I had been trained to handle and cover up with ease. Why they would need a teenage girl for any of those, however, was a mystery.You know that they elected their girl queen last month, said Barnes. I could practically see him rolling his eyes.Everyone in the room murmured affirmatively. Of course they knew about that. The Alchemists paid careful attention to the political goings-on of the Moroi. Knowing what vampires were doing was crucial to keeping them secret from the rest of humanity and keeping the rest of humanity safe from them. That was our purpose, to protect our brethren. Know thy enemy was taken very seriously with us. The girl the Moroi had elected queen, Vasilisa Dragomir, was eighteen, just like me.Dont tense, said Horowitz gently.I hadnt realized I had been. I tried to relax, but thinking of Vasilisa Dragomir made me think of Rose Hathaway. Uneasily, I wondered if maybe I shouldnt have been so quick to outwear I was out of trouble here. Mercifully, Barnes simply unplowed going with the story, not mentioning my indirect connection to the girl queen and her associates.Well, as shocking as that is to us, its been just as shocking to some of their own people. Theres been a lot of protests and dissidence. No ones tried to attack the Dragomir girl, but thats probably because shes so well guarded. Her enemies, it seems, have therefore found a work-around her sister.Jill, I said, speaking before I could stop myself. Horowitz tsked me for moving, and I immediately regretted drawing attention to myself and my familiarity of the Moroi. Nevertheless, an image of Jillian Ma strano flashed into my mind, tall and annoyingly slim like all Moroi, with big, pale green eyes that always seemed nervous. And she had good reason to be. At fifteen, Jill had spy she was Vasilisas illegitimate sister, making her the only other member of their royal familys line. She too was tied to the mess Id gotten myself into this summer.You know their laws, continued Stanton, after a moment of awkward silence. Her tone conveyed what we all thought of Moroi laws. An elected monarch? It made no sense, but what else could one expect from unnatural beings like vampires? And Vasilisa must have one family member in order to hold her throne. Therefore, her enemies have decided if they cant directly remove her, theyll remove her family.A chill ran down my spine at the unspoken meaning, and I again commented without thinking. Did something happen to Jill? This time, Id at least chosen a moment when Horowitz was refilling his needle, so there was no danger of messing up the tattoo.I bit my lip to celebrate myself from saying anything else, imagining the chastisement in my fathers eyes. Showing concern for a Moroi was the last thing I wanted to do, considering my uncertain status. I didnt have any strong attachment to Jill, but the thought of someone trying to kill a fifteen-year-old girl the same age as Zoe was appalling, no matter what race she belonged to.Thats whats unclear, Stanton mused. She was attacked, we know that much, but we cant tell if she received any real injury. Regardless, shes fine now, but the attempt happened at their own Court, indicating they have traitors at high levels.Barnes snorted in disgust. What can you expect? How their ridiculous race has managed to break as long as they have without turning on each other is beyond me.There were mutters of agreement.Ridiculous or not, though, we cannot have them in civil war, said Stanton. Some Moroi have acted out in protest, passable that theyve caught the attention of human media. We cant all ow that. We need their government stable, and that means ensuring this girls safety. maybe they cant trust themselves, but they can trust us.There was no use in my pointing out that the Moroi didnt really trust the Alchemists. But, since we had no interest in killing off the Moroi monarch or her family, I supposed that made us more trustworthy than some.We need to make the girl disappear, said Michaelson. At least until the Moroi can undo the law that makes Vasilisas throne so precarious. Hiding Mastrano with her own people isnt safe at the moment, so we need to conceal her among humans. Disdain dripped from his words. But its imperative she also remains concealed from humans. Our race cannot know theirs exists.After consultation with the guardians, weve chosen a location we all believe will be safe for her both from Moroi and Strigoi, said Stanton. However, to make sure she and those with her remain undetected, were going to need Alchemists on hand, dedicated solely to her ne eds in case any complications come up.My father scoffed. Thats a waste of our resources. Not to mention unbearable for whoever has to stay with her.I had a bad feeling about what was attack.This is where Sydney comes in, said Stanton. Wed like her to be one of the Alchemists that accompanies Jillian into hiding.What? exclaimed my father. You cant be serious.Why not? Stantons tone was calm and level. Theyre close in age, so being together wont raise suspicion. And Sydney already knows the girl. sure as shooting put acrossing time with her wont be as unbearable as it might be for other Alchemists.The subtext was loud and clear. I wasnt free of my past, not yet. Horowitz paused and lifted the needle, allowing me the chance to speak. My mind raced. Some response was expected. I didnt want to sound too upset by the plan. I needed to restore my good name among the Alchemists and show my willingness to follow orders. That being said, I also didnt want to sound as though I were too comfo rtable with vampires or their half-human counterparts, the dhampirs. pass time with any of them is never fun, I said carefully, keeping my voice cool and haughty. Doesnt matter how much you do it. But Ill do whatevers necessary to keep us and everyone else safe. I didnt need to explain that everyone meant humans.There, you see, Jared? Barnes sounded pleased with the answer. The girl knows her duty. Weve made a number of arrangements already that should make things run smoothly, and we certainly wouldnt send her there only especially since the Moroi girl wont be alone either.What do you mean? My father still didnt sound happy about any of this, and I wondered what was upsetting him the most. Did he truly think I might be in danger? Or was he simply worried that spending more time with the Moroi would turn my loyalties even more? How many of them are coming?Theyre sending a dhampir, said Michaelson. whiz of their guardians, which I really dont have a problem with. The location weve chosen should be Strigoi free, but if its not, better they fight those monsters than us. The guardians were specially trained dhampirs who served as bodyguards.There you are, Horowitz told me, stepping back. You can sit up.I obeyed and resisted the urge to touch my cheek. The only thing I felt from his work was the needles sting, but I knew coercive magic was working its way through me, magic that would give me a superhuman immune system and prevent me from speaking about vampire affairs to ordinary humans. I tried not to think about the other part, about where that magic came from. The tattoos were a necessary evil.The others were still standing, not paying attention to me well, except for Zoe. She still looked confused and afraid and kept glancing anxiously my way.There also may be another Moroi coming along, continued Stanton. Honestly, Im not sure why, but they were very insistent he be with Mastrano. We told them the fewer of them we had to hide, the better, but . . . w ell, they seemed to think it was necessary and said theyd make arrangements for him there. I think hes some Ivashkov. Irrelevant.Where is there? asked my father. Where do you want to send her?Excellent question. Id been wonder the same thing. My first full-time job with the Alchemists had sent me halfway around the world, to Russia. If the Alchemists were intent on hiding Jill, there was no telling what remote location theyd send her to. For a moment, I dared to hope we might end up in my dream city Rome. known works of art and Italian food seemed like a good way to offset paperwork and vampires.Palm Springs, said Barnes.Palm Springs? I echoed. That was not what Id been expecting. When I thought of Palm Springs, I thought of movie stars and golf game courses. Not exactly a Roman holiday, but not the north-polar either.A small, wry smile tugged at Stantons lips. Its in the desert and receives a lot of sunlight. Completely undesirable for Strigoi.Wouldnt it be undesirable for Moroi too? I asked, thinking ahead. Moroi didnt incinerate in the sun like Strigoi, but profligate exposure to it still made Moroi weak and sick.Well, yes, admitted Stanton. But a little discomfort is worth the safety it provides. So long as the Moroi spend most of their time inside, it wont be a problem. Plus, itll discourage other Moroi from coming and The sound of a car door opening and slamming outside the window caught everyones attention. Ah, said Michaelson. There are the others. Ill let them in.He slipped out of the study and presumably headed toward the front door to admit whoever had arrived. Moments later, I heard a new voice speaking as Michaelson returned to us.Well, Dad couldnt make it, so he just sent me, the new voice was saying.The study door opened, and my heart stopped.No, I thought. Anyone but him.Jared, said the newcomer, catching sight of my father. commodious to see you again.My father, who had barely spared me a glance all night, actually smiled. Keith Id been w ondering how youve been.The two of them shook hands, and a wave of disgust rolled through me.This is Keith Darnell, said Michaelson, introducing him to the others.Tom Darnells son? asked Barnes, impressed. Tom Darnell was a legendary attractor among the Alchemists.The same, said Keith cheerfully. He was about five years older than me, with sandy hair a shade lighter than mine. I knew a lot of girls thought he was attractive. Me? I found him vile. He was pretty much the last person Id expected to see here.And I believe you know the Sage sisters, added Michaelson.Keith turned his blue eyes first to Zoe, eyes that were just fractionally different from each other in color. One eye, made of glass, stared blankly ahead and didnt move at all. The other one winked at her as his grin widened.He can still wink, I thought furiously. That annoying, stupid, condescending wink But then, why wouldnt he? Wed all heard about the accident hed had this year, an accident that had cost him an eye. Hed still survived with one good one, but somehow, in my mind, Id thought the loss of an eye would stop that infuriating winking. midget Zoe Look at you, all grown up, he said fondly. Im not a violent person, not by any means, but I suddenly wanted to hit him for looking at my sister that way.She managed a smile for him, clearly relieved to see a familiar face here. When Keith turned toward me, however, all that charm and friendliness vanished. The feeling was mutual.The burning, black nuisance building up inside of me was so overwhelming that it took me a moment to formulate any sort of response. Hello, Keith, I said stiffly.Keith didnt even attempt to match my forced civility. He immediately turned toward the senior Alchemists. What is she doing here?We know you requested Zoe, said Stanton levelly, but after consideration, we decided it would be best if Sydney fulfill this role. Her experience dwarfs any concerns about her past actions.No, said Keith swiftly, turning that steely blu e gaze back on me. There is no way she can come, no way Im trusting some twisted vamp lover to screw this up for all of us. Were pickings her sister.