Bloodlines Chapter Twenty-Five

I HAD MOCKED KEITH when we prototypal came to Palm Springs, teasing him for freezing up some(a)what Moroi. tho as I s besidesd t resuscitateher instantly, personal with the stuff of nightmares, I knew exactly how he felt. I had no indemnify to judge either superstar for losing every last(predicate) rational concept when confronted with their greatest fears. That being verbalize, if Keith was here, I deal he wouldve chthonicstood why Moroi werent as big a deal to me any more than. Because when compared to Strigoi?Well, on the spur of the moment the little differences between humans and Moroi became negligible. Only one difference mattered, the difference between the living and the dead. It was the field of operation that divided us, the line that Adrian and I firmly stood to im divergeher on one side of cladding those who stood on the opposite.I had follow upn Strigoi before. Back wherefore, I hadnt been promptly threatened by them. Plus, Id had Rose and Dimitri o n go through, ready to protect me. Now? There was no one here to save us. Just ourselves.There were unaccompanied cardinal of them, except it might as well take been two hundred. Strigoi operated at such a different level than the rest of us that it didnt wreak very many of them to tip the odds. They were two women, and they seeked as though theyd been in their twenties when they became Strigoi. How presbyopic ago that was, I couldnt guess. lee had zealously done for(p) on and on ab pop how being Strigoi meant you were forever young. Yet in looking at these two monsters, I didnt really think of them that mood. Sure, they had the dilettanteish appearance of y protrudeh, exactly it was marred with evil and decay. Their skin might be wrinkle free, still it was a sickly white, far whiter than any Moroi. The red-ringed look that leered come on at us didnt sparkle with life and energy, but before longer an unholy sort of reanimation. These people werent right. They weren t natural.Charming, say one, her blond cop in a pixie cut. Her facial structure do me think shed been a dhampir or human before being turned. She was eyeing us the same sort Id often seen my familys cat watch birds. And exactly as described.Theyre soooo pretty, crooned the other, a brutish smile on her face. Her height say she had erst been Moroi. I dont subsist which one I expect first.The blonde gave a warning look. Well share. wish well last time, agreed the other, tossing a mane of curly black hair over one hurt up.No, said the first. Last time you made two murders. That wasnt sharing.But I let you feed from both afterward.Before she could anticipate book binding, lee(prenominal) suddenly recovered himself and staggered fore to the blond Strigoi. Wait, wait. dawn. You promised me. You promised youd awaken me first before you do any social function.The two Strigoi turned their attention to Lee. I was hitherto rooted(p), in time uncapable to move or really rea ct speckle being so close to these creatures of stone pit. But somehow, through the thick and consuming terror surrounding me, I still managed to touch small and unforeseen pity for Lee. There was a little hate there too, of course, considering the situation. But mostly I felt terribly sorry for someone who rattling believed his life was meaningless unless he sacrificed his soul for hollow immortality. Not exactly that, I felt sorry for him for actually thinking he could consider these creatures to give him what he treasured. Because as I studied them, it was perfectly separate to me that they were deciding whether or not to distinguish this a three-course meal. Lee, I suspected, was the only one who didnt realize this.Please, he said. You promised. Save me. Restore me to how I was.I also couldnt serve but notice the small red man on his face where Id hit him. I allowed myself to feel a pip of pride over that but wasnt cocky enough to think I possessed any noteworthy fighting s shovel ins to battle my substance kayoed of this situation. The Strigoi were too close, and our exits were too a few(prenominal).I sack pop where more are, he added, origination to look uneasy that his saviors werent immediately jumping in to make his dreams catch true. angiotensin-converting enzymes young a dhampir.I havent had a dhampir in a art object, said the curly-haired Strigoi, roughly wist panopticy.Dawn sighed. I dont really care, Jacqueline. If you want to awaken him, go for it. I fairish want these two. He doesnt matter to me.I get the dhampir all to myself, and then, warned Jacqueline.Fine, fine, said Dawn. Just hurry up.Lee turned so radiant, so happy it was sickening. Thank you, he said. Thank you so such(prenominal) Ive been waiting so long for this that I cant believe its ahhJacqueline go so quickly that I hardly saw it happen at all. One purge fortht she was standing in the doorway, the next she had Lee pinned against the recliner. Lee gave out a semi-muffled scream as she irregular into his neck, a scream that soon quieted. Dawn shut the door and nudged us forward. I flinched at her touch.Well, she said with amusement. Lets get a good view.Neither Adrian nor I responded. We simply moved into the living room. I dared a glance at him but could write out little. He was so good at hiding his true signatures in general that I supposed I shouldnt be surprised he could mask abject terror incisively as easily. He offered me no encouragement with either his convention or words, which I actually constitute kind of refreshing. Because really, I didnt see any good end to this situation.Up close, essenced to watch Jacquelines attack, I could now see the blissful expression that had settled over Lees face. It was the most awful matter Id ever witnessed. I wanted to squeeze my look shut or turn away, but some force beyond me kept me staring at the blue spectacle. Id never seen any lamia feed, Moroi or Strigoi, bu t I now understood why feeders want Dorothy could so resultingly sign up for their lifestyles. Endorphins were being released into Lees origination electric current, endorphins so strong that they blinded him to the fact that he was having his life drained away. He instead existed in a joyous state, befogged in a chemical high. Or maybe he was entirely thinking well-nigh how happy hed be once he was a Strigoi again, if it was possible to have any sort of conscious thought under these circumstances.I lost track of how long it took to drain Lee. Each moment was agonizing for me, as though I was taking the distressingness Lee should have been feeling. The process seemed to last forever, and yet there was also a weird sense of speed to it. It felt wrong that someones body could be drained in so short a time.Jacqueline drank steadily, pausing only once to re tag, His rakehells not as good as I expected.Then stop, suggested Dawn, who was startle to look bored. Just let him die and have these two with me.Jacqueline looked as though she was actually considering it, again reminding me what a fool Lee had been to ensnare his trust in these two. After a few minutes, she shrugged. Im almost done. And I really want him to get me that dhampir.Jacqueline resumed drinking, but as shed said, it didnt take oftentimes(prenominal) longer. By this point, Lee was nearly as pale as the Strigoi, and there was a strange, stretched quality to his skin. He was perfectly still now. His face seemed frozen in a grin that was nearly as much dishonor as it was joy. Jacqueline lifted her face and wiped off her blab, surveying her victim with pleasure. She then pushed up her habilitatesleeve and rested her nails on his wrist. Before she could tear her own flesh, however, she caught rush of something.Ah, much neater. She toneped away and leaned down, retrieving Lees knife. It had slid under the love seat in our altercation. Jacqueline took it and foolingly slashed her wrist, ca using deep red blood to well out. start of my brain didnt think their blood should look so similar to mine. It should be black.Or acidic.She placed her bleeding wrist against Lees mouth and tipped Lees tip back so that gravity could financial aid the blood flow. Every detestation Id witnessed tonight had been worse than the last. Death was terrible but it was also part of nature. This? This was no part of natures plan. I was more or less to witness the arenas greatest sin, the rotting of the soul through black magic to reanimate the dead. It made me feel dirty all over, and I wished I could run away. I didnt want to see this. I didnt want to see the guy Id once regarded as something manage a friend suddenly rise up as some perversion of nature.A touch to my hand made me jump. It was Adrian. His eye were on Lee and Jacqueline, but his hand had caught hold of mine and squeezed it, purge though he was still cuffed. I was surprised at the eagerness of his skin. unconstipated though I knew Moroi were as living and warm-blooded as me, my irrational fears always expected them to be cold. Equally surprising was the sudden comfort and connection in that touch. It wasnt the kind of touch that said, Hey, Ive got a plan, so hang in there because were going to get out of this. It was more akin the kind of touch that simply said, You arent alone. It was really the only thing he could offer. And in that moment, it was enough.Then, something strange happened. Or rather, didnt happen.Jacquelines blood was pouring steadily into Lees mouth, and while we didnt have many documented cases of Strigoi conversions, I knew the basics. The victims blood was drained, and then the killing Strigoi fed his or her blood back into the deceased. I didnt know exactly how long it took to work it certainly didnt require all of the Strigois blood but at some point, Lee should be stirring and get up as one of the walking dead.Jacquelines cool, smug expression began to limiting to c uriosity and then became outright confusion. She glanced questioningly at Dawn.Whats taking so long? Dawn asked.I dont know, Jacqueline said, turning back to Lee. With her free hand, she nudged Lees shoulder as though that might serve as a wake-up call. nought happened.Havent you done this before? asked Dawn.Of course, snapped Jacqueline. It didnt take nearly this long. He should be up and moving yet about. Somethings wrong. I remembered Lees words, describing how all his desperate attempts at taking indigent lives hadnt converted him back. I only knew a little about timbre and even less about it restoring Strigoi but something told me there was no force on earth that would ever turn Lee Strigoi again.Another long minute passed as we watched and waited. At last, disgusted, Jacqueline backed away from the recliner and turn over up her sleeve. She glared at Lees motionless body. Somethings wrong, she repeated. And I dont want to waste any more blood figuring out what it is. Bes ides, my cuts already healing.I wanted nothing more than for Dawn and Jacqueline to forget I existed, but the next words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. The scientist in me was too caught up in a revelation. He was restored and it affected him permanently. The unharmed step magic left some kind of mark, and now he cant be turned again.Both Strigoi looked at me. I cringed under those red eyes.I never believed any of those design stories, said Dawn.Jacqueline, however, was still clearly baffle by her failure. There was something wrong with him, though. I cant explain it but the whole time, he didnt feel right. Didnt taste right.Forget him, said Dawn. He had his chance. He got what he wanted, and now Im moving on.I saw my death in her eyes and tried to reach for my cross. God protect me, I said, hardly as she lunged forward.Against all odds, Adrian was there to stop her or, well, show to stop her. Mostly, he well(p) got in her way. He didnt have the speed or reaction time to effectively block her and was especially clumsy with his cuffed reach. I think hed only when seen what I had, that she was going to attack, and had preemptively moved in front of me in some noble but unredeemed attempt at protection.And ill-fated it was. With one smooth motion, she shoved him aside in a way that looked effortless but knocked him halfway crossways the room. My breath caught. He hit the floor, and I started to scream. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain against my throat. Without a pause, Dawn had promptly grabbed me and nearly lifted me off my feet to get access to my neck. I mustered other frantic prayer as that pain strewing, but indoors arcminutes, both prayer and pain disappeared from my brain. They were replaced by a sweet, sweet feeling of contentment and bliss and wonder. I had no thoughts, except that I was suddenly existing in the happiest, most exquisite state imaginable. I wanted more. More, more, more. I wanted to drown in it, to forge t myself, to forget everything around me Ugh, I cried out as I suddenly and unexpectedly hit the floor. Still in that blissful haze, I felt no pain yet.Just as quickly as shed grabbed me, Dawn had dropped and pushed me away. Instinctively, I reached out an arm to break my fall but failed. I was too creaky and disoriented and sprawled ungracefully on the carpet. Dawns fingers were touching her lips, a look of round twisting her already-horrific features.What, she demanded, was that?My brain wasnt working properly yet. Id only had a abbreviated taste of endorphin, but it was still enough to appropriate me addled. I had no answer for her. Whats wrong? exclaimed Jacqueline, striding forward. She looked from me to Dawn in confusion.Dawn scowled and then pitter-patter onto the floor. It was red from my blood. Disgusting.Her blood it was terrible. Inedible. Foul. She spitting again.Jacquelines eyes widened. Just like the other one. See? I told you.No. Dawn shook her head. Theres no way it could be the same. You would never have been able to drink that much of her. She spit again. It didnt just taste weird or defective it was like its tainted. visual perception Jacquelines skeptical look, Dawn punched her on the arm. Dont believe me? Try her yourself.Jacqueline took a step toward me, hesitant. Then Dawn spit again, and I think that somehow positive(p) the other Strigoi that she wanted no part of me.I dont want another mediocre meal. Damn it. This is becoming absurd. Jacqueline glanced at Adrian, who was standing perfectly still. At least weve still got him.If hes not ruined too, Dawn muttered.My senses were coming back to me, and for half a second, I wondered if there was some insane way we might survive this. Maybe the Strigoi would write us off as bad meals. But no. Even as I allowed myself to want that, I also knew that even if they didnt feed off of us, we werent going to leave here alive. They had no reason to simply walk off. Theyd kill us for sport be fore they left.With that same remarkable speed, Jacqueline sprang toward Adrian. Time to find out.I screamed as Jacqueline pinned Adrian against the wall and bit his neck. She only did so for a few seconds, just to get a taste. Jacqueline lifted her head up, pausing and savoring the blood. A slow smile spread over her face, showing her bloody fangs.This ones good. genuinely good. Makes up for the other. She trailed her fingers down his cheek. Such a shame, though. Hes so cute.Dawn stalked toward them. Let me try before you take it allJacqueline ignored her and was tip back toward Adrian, who had gone all glassy-eyed. Meanwhile, I was free enough of the endorphins that I was thinking clearly again. No one was paying attention to me. I tried to stand and felt the world sway. Staying low, I managed to crawl toward my purse, cunning forgotten near the living rooms edge. Jacqueline had drunk from Adrian again, but only before long before Dawn pulled her away and demanded a turn so th at she could gargle the taste of my blood out of her mouth.Startling myself with how fast I moved, I rustled through my cavernous purse, looking desperately for anything that might help. Some cold, legitimate part of me said there was no way we could get out of this, but there was also no way I could just sit there and watch them drain Adrian. I had to fight. I had to try to save him, just as hed tried for me. It didnt matter if the effort failed or if I died. Somehow, I had to try.Some Alchemists carried grease-guns, but not me. My purse was huge, full of more stuff than I really requisite, but nothing in the contents resembled a weapon.Even if it did, most weapons were futile against Strigoi. A gun would slow them down but not kill them. Only silver stakes, decapitation, and fire could kill a Strigoi.FireMy hand closed around the amulet Id made for Ms. Terwilliger. Id shoved it in my purse when she gave it to me, unsure what I should do with it. I could only assume blood loss and scattered thoughts made me draw it out now and consider the possibility of using it. Even the idea was ridiculous. You couldnt use something that didnt work It was a trinket, a worthless suitcase of rocks and leaves. There was no magic here, and I was a fool to even think along those lines.And yet, it was a bag of rocks.Not a healthy one, but surely enough to get someones attention if it hit her in the head. It was the best I had. The only thing I had to slow Adrians death. pull back my arm, I aimed at Dawn and threw, reciting the foolish incantation like a battle cry Into flame, into flameIt was a good shot. disregard Carson would have been proud. But I had no chance to admire my athletic skills because I was too distracted by the fact that Dawn had caught on fire.My jaw dropped as I stared at the impossible. It wasnt a huge fire. It wasnt like her entire body was engulfed in flames. But where the amulet had struck her, a small blaze ignited, spreading rapidly through her hair. She screamed and began frantically patting her head. Strigoi feared fire, and for a moment, Jacqueline recoiled. Then, with grim determination, she released Adrian and grabbed a throw blanket. She wrapped it around Dawns head, smothering the flames.What the hell? Dawn demanded when she emerged. She immediately began charging toward me in her anger. I knew then the only thing Id accomplished was to speed up my own death.Dawn grabbed ahold of me and slammed my head against the wall. My world reeled, and I felt nauseous. She reached for me again but froze when the door suddenly break down open. Eddie appeared in the doorway, a silver stake in his hand.What was truly astound about what followed was the speed. There was no pausing, no long moments to assess the situation, and no snarky banter between combatants. Eddie simply charged in and went for Jacqueline. Jacqueline responded with equal quickness, step on it forward to meet her one worthy foe here.After shed released him, A drian had slumped to the floor, still in the throes of the Strigoi endorphins. Keeping low to the ground, I scurried over to his side and helped drag in him back to the safety of the far side of the living room while Eddie clashed with the Strigoi. I spared them only a moments glance, just enough to take in the deadly dancelike nature of their maneuvering. Both Strigoi were trying to get a enchant on Eddie, probably in the hopes of breaking his neck, but were careful to stick away from the bite of his silver stake.I looked down at Adrian, who was hazardously pale and whose pupils had reduced to the surface of pinpoints. I had only a incomplete impression of how much Jacqueline had drunk from him and didnt know if Adrians state was more from blood loss or endorphins.Im fine, Sage, he muttered, blinking as though the washy hurt. Quite the high, though. Makes the stuff Ive used seem pretty soft-core. He blinked, as though fighting to wake up. His pupils dilated to a more normal size and then seemed to focus on me. Good God. atomic number 18 you okay?I will be, I said, starting to stand. Yet even as I spoke, a wave of dizziness hit me, and I swayed. Adrian did his best to oppose me, though it was pretty awkward with his bound hands. We leaned against each other, and I almost laughed at how ridiculous the situation was, both of us trying to help the other when neither of us was in any condition to do it. Then something caught my eye that chased all other thoughts away.Jill, I whispered.Adrian immediately followed my gaze to where Jill had just appeared in the living rooms entry. I wasnt surprised to see her. The only way Eddie could be here was if Jill had told him what was happening to Adrian through the spirit hold fast. Standing there, with her eyes flashing, she looked like some fierce, battle-ready goddess as she watched Eddie spar with the Strigoi. It was both inspiring and frightening. Adrian shared my thoughts.No, no, Jailbait, he murmured. Do not do anything stupid. Castile postulate to handle this.She knows how to fight, I said.Adrian frowned. But she doesnt have a weapon. Without one, shes just a featherweight in this.He was right, of course. And while I certainly didnt want Jill endangering her life, I couldnt help but think if she were properly equipped, she might be able to do something. At the very least, a distraction might be a benefit. Eddie was holding his ground all right against the two Strigoi, but he wasnt making any progress against them either. He could use help. And we needed to make sure Jill didnt rush into this with only her wits to defend her. earnestness hit me, and I managed to stay on my feet. The world was spinning even more than before, but despite Adrians protests I managed to stagger to the kitchen. I just barely was able to get to the sink and flip the faucet on before my legs gave out underneath me. I caught hold of the counters edge, using it to stay me upright.Jill I yelled.She turned tow ard my shout, saw the running water, and instantly knew what to do. She lifted her hand. The stream coming from the faucet suddenly shifted, shooting out of the sink and across the living room. It went to Jill, who collected a large amount of it between her hands and magically forced the water into a long cylindrical shape. It held itself in the air like that, a rippling but seemingly red-blooded club of water. Gripping it, she hurried toward the fight and swung her weapon of water into Jacquelines back. Drops flew off of the club, but it held on to its rigidity enough for her to get a second hit in before completely exploding into a spray of water.Jacqueline spun around, her hand swinging out to strike Jill. Jill had expected as much and dropped to the floor, dodge in exactly the way Id seen Eddie teach her. She scurried backward, out of Jacquelines way, and the Strigoi pursued openhanded Eddie an exposed shot on her back. Eddie took the opportunity, evading Dawn, and plunged h is stake into Jacquelines back. Id never given it much thought before, but if shoved hard enough, a stake could pierce someones cheek just as easily from the back as the chest. Jacqueline went rigid, and Eddie jerked his stake out, just managing to avoid the full force of a strike from Dawn. She still caught him a little, and he stumbled briefly before quickly regaining his footing and scene his sights on her. Jill was forgotten and hurried over to us in the kitchen.Are you okay? she exclaimed, peering at both of us. That fierce look was gone. She was now just an ordinary girl concerned for her friends. Oh my God. I was so worried about you both. The emotions were so strong. I couldnt get a fix on what was happening, just that something was horribly wrong.I dragged my gaze to Eddie, who was dancing around with Dawn. We have to help him I took two steps away from the counter and started to fall. Both Jill and Adrian reached out to catch me.Jesus, Sage, he exclaimed. Youre in bad s hape.Not as bad as you, I protested, still worried about helping Eddie. They drank more from you Yeah, but I dont have a bleeding arm wound, he pointed out. Or a possible concussion.It was true. In all the excitement, I was so full of adrenaline that Id all but forgotten about where Lee had stabbed me. No wonder I was so dizzy. Or maybe that was from acquire my head smacked into the wall. It was anyones guess at this point.Here, said Adrian gently. He reached for my arms with his cuffed hands. I can take care of this.A slow, tingling excitement spread through my skin. At first, Adrians touch was comforting, like an embrace. I felt my focus and pain begin to ease. All was right in the world. He was in control. He was taking care of me.He was using his magic on me.No I shrieked, pulling away from him with a strength I didnt know I had. The horror and full realization of what was happening to me was too powerful. Dont touch me Dont touch me with your magicSage, youll feel better, b elieve me, he said, scope toward me again.I backed away, clinging to the edge of the counter for support. The fleeting memory of that warmth and comfort was being dwarfed by the terror Id carried my entire life for vampire magic. No, no, no. No magic Not on me The tattoo will heal me Im strongSage Stop, Adrian, said Jill. She approached me tentatively. Its okay, Sydney. He wont heal you. I promise.No magic, I whispered.For Gods sake, growled Adrian. This is superstitious bullshit.No magic, Jill said firmly. She took off the button-up shirt shed been wearing over a T-shirt. Come here, and Ill use this to wrap it so that you dont lose any more bl An earsplitting shriek jerked us all back toward the living room. Eddie had made his kill, driving his stake right into the spunk of Dawns chest. In my brief scuffle with Adrian and Jill, Dawn must have gotten some shots in on Eddie because there was a large red mark on one side of his face, and his lip was bleeding. The expression in his eyes was hard and triumphant, however, as he pulled the stake out and watched Dawn fall. by dint of all the confusion and horror, basic Alchemist instincts took over. The danger was gone. There were procedures that needed to be followed.The bodies, I said. We have to destroy them. Theres a vial in my purse.Whoa, whoa, said Adrian as both he and Jill restrained me. Stay where youre at. Castile can get it. The only place youre going is to a doctor.I didnt move but immediately argued with that last statement. No No doctors. At least, you have to you have to get an Alchemist one. My purse has the numbers Go get her purse, Adrian told Jill, before she has a fit here. Ill bind the arm. I gave him a warning look. Without magic. Which, by the way, could make this ten times easier.Ill heal on my own, I said, watching as Jill retrieved my purse.You realize, added Adrian, youre going to have to get over your dieting fixation and suck in some major calories to fight the blood loss. Sugar an d fluids, just like Clarence. Good thing someone bagged up all this candy on the counter.Eddie walked over to Jill, and she paused as he asked if she was okay. She assured him she was, and although Eddie looked like he could kill about fifty more Strigoi, there was also a look in his eyes something I couldnt believe Id never noticed before. Something I was going to have to think about. Damn it, said Adrian, fumbling with bandages. Eddie, go search Lees body and see if theres a key for these goddamned handcuffs.Jill had been caught up in talking to Eddie but froze at the words Lees body. Her face went so pale, she could have been one of the dead. In all the confusion, she hadnt noticed Lees body in the chair. Thered been too much movement with the Strigoi, too much distraction by the threat they presented. She took a few steps toward the living room, and thats when she saw him. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out right away. Then she sped forward and grabbed his hands, shrieking. No, she cried. No, no, no. She shook him, as though that would wake him. In a flash, Eddie was by her side, his arms around her as he murmured nonsensical things to tranquilize her. She didnt hear him. Her whole world was Lee.I felt tears bounciness to my eyes and hated that they were there. Lee had tried to kill me and then had summoned others to kill me. Hed left a trail of innocents in his wake. I should be jolly he was gone, but still, I felt sad. He had loved Jill, in his insane way, and from the pain on her face, it was clear shed loved him too. The spirit bond hadnt shown her his death or role in our capture. Right now, she simply thought he was a victim of Strigoi. Soon enough, shed learn the truth about his motives. I didnt know if that would ease her pain or not. I was conjecture not.Weirdly, an image of Adrians Love painting came back to me. I thought of the notched red streak, slashing through the blackness, ripping it apart. Staring at Jill and her disconsolate pa in, I suddenly understood his art a little bit better.