Bloodlines Chapter Twenty-Four

ITS WEIRD how you react in moments of immediate danger. Part of me was pure panic, complete with racing heart and rapid breathing. That hollow feeling, the atomic number 53 that felt like a hole had opened in my chest, returned. An otherwise part of me was able to pacify inexplicably think along logical lines, mostly both(prenominal)thing like, Yup, thats the charitable of natural language that could slit a throat. The rest of me? Well, the rest of me was solely confused.I stayed where I was and kept my voice low and even. Lee, whats going on? What is this?He agitate his head. Dont pretend. I lie with you turn in. Youre too smart. I knew youd figure it out, hardly I skillful didnt expect you to do it so soon.My mind spun. Once again, fewone conception I was smarter than I was. I supposed I should be flattered by his faith in my in ensureigence, further the truth was, I didnt acknowledge what was going on yet. I didnt know if betraying that would champion or hinder me, though. I decided to play cool for as long as I reasonably could here.Thats you in the picture, I said, careful not to make it a question.Of course, he said.You collectnt aged. I dared a quick reflexion at the picture, just to ascertain that for myself. It still mystify me. Only Strigoi were ageless, staying immortal at the age theyd turned. Thats thats impossible. Youre Moroi.Oh, Ive aged, he said bitterly. not a lot. Not enough that you can genuinely spot it, but hope me, I can. Its not like how it used to be.I was still clueless, still not for certain of how we had reached a point where Lee starry-eyed and lovesick for Jill was shortly threatening me with a knife. Nor did I understand how he looked exactly the same as he did in a five-year-old picture. There was only one awesome thing I was beginning to be certain of. You pull downed Kelly Hayes. The fear in my chest intensified. I lifted my gaze from the blade to look into his eyes. But certainly surely not Melody o r TamaraHe nodded. And Dina. But you wouldnt know her, would you? She was only human, and you dont keep track of human deaths. Only vampires.It was hard not to look at the knife again. All I kept thinking approximately was how sharp it was and how close it was to me. One swipe, and Id end up just like those other girls, my life bleeding away in advance me. I groped desperately for something to say, wishing again Id learned the social s carry offs that came so easily to others.Tamara was your cousin, I managed. wherefore would you kill your own cousin?A moment of regret flashed across his features. I didnt want to I mean, I did but, well, I wasnt myself when I came back. I just knew I had to be awakened again. Tamara was there at the wrong place and the wrong time. I went for the first Moroi I could get but it didnt work. Thats when I tried the others. I thought for sure one of them would do it. Human, dhampir, Moroi none of them worked.There was a terrible desperation in his voi ce, and despite my fear, some part of me precious to help him but I was hopelessly lost. Lee, Im sorry. I dont understand, why youd train to try others. Please mark the knife down, and lets talk. Maybe I can help you.He gave me a sad grin. You can. I didnt want it to be you, though. I wanted it to be Keith. He certainly deserves to die more than you do. And Jill well, Jill likes you. I wanted to reward that and spare you.You still can, I said. She she wouldnt want you to do this. Shed be upset if she knew Suddenly, Lee was on me, pinning me to the chair with the knife at my throat. You dont know he cried. She doesnt know. But she will, and shell be glad. Shell thank me, and well be young and together forever. Youre my endangerment. The others didnt work, but you He trailed the knifes blade near my tattoo. Youre special. Your blood is magic. I need an Alchemist, and youre my only chance now.What chance are you talking somewhat? I gasped out.My chance for immortality he cried . God, Sydney. You cant even imagine it. What its like to sport that and and so lose it. To have unfathomable strength and power to not age, to know youll live forever. And then, gone Taken away from me. If I ever find that bastard kernel user who did this to me, Ill kill him. Ill kill him and Ill discombobulate from him since later on tonight, Ill be whole once more. Ill be reawakened.A chill ran down my spine. In light of everything, you would have thought Id already be at maximum terror level. Nope. Turns out there was still more to fall out. Be beget with those words, I began to put together a fragile theory of what he exponent be talking about. Awakened was a term used in the vampire world, under very special circumstances.You used to be Strigoi, I whispered, not even sure if I believed it myself.He pulled back slightly, gray eyes wide and glittering feverishly. I used to be a idol And I will be again. I swear it. Im sorry, I really am. Im sorry its you and not Keith. Im sorry you found out about Kelly. If you hadnt, I could have found another Alchemist in LA. But dont you see? I have no other alternatives now The knife was still at my throat. I need your blood. I cant go on like this not as a mortal Moroi. I have to be changed back.A knock sounded at the adit.Not a word, Lee hissed. Theyll go away.Seconds later, the knock repeated, followed by Sage, I know youre in there. I saw your car. I know youre pissed off, but just listen to me.Dingdong, distraction grouseing.Adrian I screamed, jumping up from the chair. I do no plan of attack to disarm Lee. My only goal was safety. I pushed past him before he could react, heading for the door, but he was more prepared than Id expected. He leapt toward me and tackled me to the ground, the knife catching me in the arm as I cast. I yelped in pain as I felt the tip of the blade dig into my skin. I struggled against him, only succeeding in making the knife tear into me more. The door suddenly opened, and I was grateful that Id left it unlocked after letting Lee in. Adrian entered, coming to a standstill as he took in the scene.Dont come closer, warned Lee, pushing the knife against my throat again. I could feel warm blood oozing from my arm. Shut the door. Then sit down and put your hands shag your head. Ill kill her if you dont.Hes going to do it anyway ahh My words were cut off as the knife pierced my skin, not enough to kill me yet but enough to cause pain.Okay, okay, said Adrian, holding up his hands. He looked more sober and serious than Id ever seen. When he was settled on the floor, hands so-and-so his head as directed, he said gently, Lee, I dont know what youre doing, but you need to stop it now before it goes any further. You dont have a gun. You cant really hold us both here under the threat of a knife.Its worked before, Lee said. Still keeping the knife on me, he reached into his coat max with his other hand and produced a pair of handcuffs. That was unexpected. He slid them over to Adrian. Put these on. When Adrian didnt react right away, Lee pushed on the knife until I yelped. NowAdrian put the handcuffs on.Id meant them for her, but you coming by might be a nigh thing, said Lee. Ill probably be hungry once Im reawakened.Adrian arched an eyebrow. Reawakened?He used to be Strigoi, I managed to say. Hes been killing girls slitting their throats to try to become one again.Be quiet, snapped Lee.Why would you cut their throats? asked Adrian. You have fangs.Because it didnt work I did use my fangs. I drank from them but it didnt work. I didnt reawaken again. So then I had to cover my trail. The guardians can tell, you know. Moroi and Strigoi bites? I needed the knife to subdue them anyway, so then I cut their necks to hide the trail make them think it was a crazy Strigoi. Or a vampire hunter.I could see Adrian processing all this. I dont know if he believed it or not, but he had the potential to roll with crazy ideas regardless. If the others d idnt work, then Sydney wont either.She has to, said Lee fervently. He shifted so that I was roll onto my back, still pinned by his greater body weight. Her bloods special. I know it is. And if it doesnt Ill get help. Ill get help reawakening, and then Ill awaken Jill so we can always be together.Adrian jumped to his feet, full of a surprising fury. Jill? Dont hurt her Dont even nip herSit down, barked Lee. Adrian obeyed. I wouldnt hurt her. I love her. Thats why Im going to make sure she stays exactly the way she is. Forever. Ill awaken her after Im reawakened.I tried to catch Adrians eye, wondering if I could pass some silent message. If we both surged at Lee together even with Adrian cuffed then maybe we had a chance at subduing him. Lee was seconds away from tearing into my throat, I was certain, in the hopes that what? That he could drink my blood and become Strigoi?Lee, I said in a small voice. Too much movement in my throat would result in a bite from the knife. It didnt w ork with the other girls. I dont think the fact that Im an Alchemist matters. Whatever that spirit user did to save you you cant go back now. It doesnt matter whose blood you drink.He didnt save me roared Lee. He ruined my life. Ive been trying to get it back for six years. I was almost ready for the culture re come apart until you and Keith came along. And Ive still got that last option left. I dont want it to come to that, though. For all our sakes.I wasnt the last resort? Honestly, I didnt really see how any other alternative plans here could be much worse for me. Meanwhile, Adrian still wasnt looking in my direction, which frustrated me until I realized what he was trying to do.This is a mistake, he told Lee. Look at me, and tell me you really want to do this to her.Cuffed or not, Adrian didnt have the speed and strength of a dhampir, someone who could leap over and disarm Lee before the knife could do its damage. Adrian also didnt have the power to wield a physical element, s ay, like fire, one that could be used as a concrete weapon. Adrian did, however, have the ability to compel. Compulsion was an innate ability all vampires had and one that spirit users in particular were adept at. Unfortunately, it worked best with eye contact, and Lee wasnt playing ball. His perplexity was all on me, blocking Adrians efforts.I made my decision a long time ago, said Lee. With his free hand, he dabbed his fingers in the bloody go on my arm. He brought his fingertips to his lips, a look of grim resignation on his face. He licked the blood from his hand, which wasnt nearly as gross to me as it wouldve been under other circumstances. With so much going on right now, it was honestly no more terrible than the rest and just rolled off of me. A look of total shock and surprise crossed Lees features soon turning to disgust.No, he gasped. He repeated the motion, rubbing more blood on his fingers and crush it. Theres something theres something wrongHe leaned his mouth to my neck, and I whimpered, fearing the inevitable. But it wasnt his teeth I felt, only the lightest brushing of his lips and tongue at the wound hed created, like some sort of perverse kiss. He jerked back immediately, staring at me in horror.Whats wrong with you? he whispered. Whats wrong with your blood? He made a third attempt to taste my blood but was unable to finish. He scowled. I cant do it. I cant stomach any of it. Why?Neither Adrian nor I had an answer. Lee sagged in defeat for a moment, and I suddenly allowed myself to think he might just give up and call all this madness off. With a darksome breath, he straightened up, new resolve in his eyes. I tensed, half-expecting him to say he was going to try to drink Adrian now, even though a Moroi two, if you counted Melody had apparently been on the menu of his past failures.Instead, Lee pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, still keeping the knife at my throat and preventing me from attempting any sort of escape. He dialed a number and waited for an answer.Dawn? Its Lee. Yes yes, I know. Well, I have two for you, ready and waiting. A Moroi and an Alchemist. No not the old man. Yes. Yes, still active. It has to be tonight. They know about me. You can have them but you know the deal. You know what I want yes. Uh-huh. Okay. Lee rattled off our address and disconnected. A pleased smile crossed his face. Were lucky. Theyre east of LA, so it wont take them long to get here especially since they dont care much about speed limits.Who are they? asked Adrian. I mean you calling some Dawn lady in LA. I thought she was one of your hot college friends?Theyre the makers of destiny, said Lee dreamily.How delightfully enigmatic and nonsensical, muttered Adrian.Lee glared and then carefully studied Adrian. Take off your absorb.I realized Id spent so much time with Adrian now that I was ready for some chin wagging like, Oh, glad to know things arent so formal anymore.Apparently, the situation was dire enough and the knife at my throat serious enough that Adrian didnt argue. Hed handcuffed his wrists in front of him and, after some complex maneuvering with his hands, was finally able to undo the tie hed donned for Jills show. He tossed it over.Careful, Adrian said. Its silk. So, not completely devoid of snark.Lee rolled me over to my stomach, finally passing me of the knife but giving me no time to react. With remarkable skill, he soon had my hands tied behind my back with Adrians tie. Doing so required some pulling and restraining of my arms, which hurt quite a bit after the stabbing. He backed off when finished, allowing me to gingerly sit up, but an experimental tug of the tie showed that I wasnt going to undo those knots anytime soon. Uneasily, I wondered how many girls hed tied up before in his sick attempt to become Strigoi.Weird, awkward silence fell as we waited for Lees makers of destiny to show up. The minutes ticked by, and I frantically tried to figure out what to do. How long did we have until the people hed called arrived? From what hed told me, Id guess at to the lowest degree an hour. Feeling bold, I finally attempted communication with Adrian, again hoping maybe we could covertly team up on Lee even though our advantage rate had just become that much lower with both our sets of hands bound.How did you even get here? I asked.Adrians gaze was fixed on Lee, still hoping for direct eye contact, but he did spare a quick, wry glance at me. Same way I get around everywhere, Sage. The bus.Why?Because I dont have a car.Adrian Amazing. Even with our lives in danger, he could still infuriate me.He shrugged and returned his focus to Lee, even though his words were obviously for me. To apologize. Because I was a total asshole to you at Jailbaits show. Not long after you left, I knew I had to come find you. He paused eloquently and glanced around. No good deed goes unpunished, I guess.I suddenly felt at a loss. Lee turning psychopathic certainly wasnt my fault, but it troubled me that Adrian was now in this situation because hed come to apologize to me. Its okay. You werent um, that bad, I said lamely, hoping to make him feel better.A small smile played over his lips. Youre a terrible liar, Sage, but Im still touched youd attempt it for my sake. A for effort.Yeah, well, what happened back there seems kind of small, in light of the current situation, I muttered. Its easy to forgive.Lees frown had been growing as he listened to us. Do the others know youre here? he asked Adrian.No, said Adrian. I said I was going back to Clarences.I didnt know if he was untruth or not. For a moment, I didnt think it would matter. The others had heard me say I was coming here, but none of them would have any reason to come pursuit us.No reason, except the bond.I caught my breath and met Adrians eyes. He looked away, perhaps for fear of betraying what Id just realized. It didnt matter if the gang had known where I was earlier. If Jill was connected to Adria n, she would know now. And she would know that we were in trouble. But that was assuming it was one of the times when she could see into his mind. Theyd both admitted it was inconsistent and that high emotion could bring it out. Well, if this didnt count as a extremely emotional situation, I couldnt think what would. Even if she realized what was happening, there were a lot of ifs involved. Jill would have to get here, and she couldnt do it alone. Calling the police would bring the scurrying response, but she might hesitate if she knew this was vampire business. Shed need Eddie. How long would it take to get him if they were back in their dorms?I didnt know. I just knew that we had to stay alive because if we did, one way or another, Jill would get help here. Only, I no longer knew our odds of survival. Adrian and I were both confined, trapped with a guy who wasnt algophobic to kill with a knife and who desperately wanted to become a Strigoi again. That was a bad combination, and it threatened to get worseWhos coming, Lee? I asked. Who did you call? When he didnt answer, I made the next logical leap. Strigoi. You have Strigoi coming.Its the only way, he said, tossing his knife from hand to hand. The only way left now. Im sorry. I cant be like this anymore. I cant be mortal anymore. Too much time has already passed.Of course. Moroi could become Strigoi in one of two ways. One was by swallow the blood of another person and killing them in the process. Lee had tried that, using every combination of victims he could get ahold of, and had failed. That left him with one last desperate option conversion by another Strigoi. Usually, it happened by force, when a Strigoi killed someone and then fed their own blood back to the victim. That was what Lee wanted done to him now, trading our lives to the Strigoi who would convert him. And then he wanted to do it to Jill, out of some crazy misguided loveBut its not worth it, I said, desperation and fear making me bold. I ts not worth the cost of killing innocents and endangering your soul.Lees gaze fell on me, and there was a look of such chilling indifference in it that I had a hard time connecting this person before me to the one Id smiled indulgently on as he courted Jill.Isnt it, Sydney? How would you know? Youve deprived yourself of enjoyment for most of your life. Youre aloof from others. Youve never let yourself be selfish, and look where its got you. Your morals have left you with a short, strict life. Can you tell me now, just before youre about to die, that you dont wish youd maybe allowed yourself a little more fun?But the immortal soul What do I care about that? he demanded. Why bother living some miserable regimented life in this world, in the hopes that maybe our souls go on in some heavenly realm, when I can take control now ensure that I live forever in this world, with all of its pleasures, staying strong and young forever? Thats real. Thats something I can put my faith in.Its wr ong, I said. Its not worth it.You wouldnt say that if youd experienced what I have. If youd been Strigoi, you never wouldve wanted to lose that either.How did you lose it? asked Adrian. What spirit user saved you?Lee snorted. You mean robbed me. I dont know. It all happened so fast. But as soon as I find him Ill ahhA yearbook is not the greatest of weapons, particularly one the size of Amberwoods, but in a pinch and with surprise itll do.Id noted earlier that I wasnt going to be able to undo the knots in the tie anytime soon. That was true. It had taken me this whole time, but Id done it. For whatever reason, knot-making was a useful skill in the Alchemist curriculum, one Id well(p) growing up with my father. As soon as I was free of Adrians tie, I reached for the first thing I could Kellys junior yearbook. I sprang up and slammed it into Lees head. He cringed back at the impact, dropping the knife as he did, and I used the opportunity to sprint across the living room and grab Adrians arm. He needed no help from me and was already trying to get to his feet.We didnt get far before Lee was right back on us. The knife had slid somewhere unseen, and he simply relied on his own strength. He caught hold of me and ripped me from Adrian, one hand on my wounded arm and one in my hair, causing me to stumble. Adrian came after us, doing his best to hit Lee, even with bound hands. We werent the most efficient fighting force, but if we could just momentarily delay Lee, there was a chance we might make it out of here.Lee was distracted by both of us, trying to fight and fend us off at the same time. Unbidden, Eddies lesson came back to me, about how a well-placed punch could cause serious damage to someone stronger than you. Sizing up the situation in seconds, I decided I had an opening. I close my hand the way Eddie had taught me in that quick lesson, positioning my body in a way that would direct the weight in an efficient way. I swung.OwI yelled in pain as my fist made contact. If this was the safe way to punch, I couldnt imagine how much a sloppy one hurt. Fortunately, it seemed to cause just as much if not more pain to Lee. He fell backward, hitting the comfy chair in a way that made him lose his balance and collapse to the ground. I was stunned at what I had done, but Adrian was still in motion. He nudged me to the door, taking advantage of Lees temporary disorientation. infer on, Sage. This is it.We hurried to the door, ready to make our escape while Lee shouted profanities at us. I reached for the knob, but the door opened before I could touch it.And two Strigoi entered the room.