Bloodlines

We found Lee sitting on a bench outside, looking miserable. He jumped up when we approached. "You guys, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have done it. She just sounded so sad and so lost that I wanted to - "

"You know how protective we are of her," I said. "How could you have not thought that this would worry us?"

"And she's a minor," said Eddie. "You can't just take her away and do whatever you want with her!"

I admit, I was a little surprised that the threat to Jill's virtue was what he chose to bring up. Don't get me wrong - I was also conscious of her age. But after he saw her literally die, it seemed like Eddie would be worried about more than making out.

Lee's gray eyes went wide. "Nothing happened! I would never do anything like that to her. I promise! I'd never take advantage of someone so trusting. I can't ruin this. She means more to me than any other girl I've dated. I want us to be together forever."

I thought being "together forever" was extreme at their ages, but there was a sincerity in his eyes that was touching. It still didn't excuse what he'd done. He took our lecturing seriously and promised there would never be a repeat.

"But please... can I still see her when you're around? Can we still do group things?"

Eddie and I exchanged glances. "If she's even allowed to leave campus after this," I said. "I really don't know what's going to happen."

Lee left after a few more apologies, and Eddie also returned to his dorm. I was walking upstairs when my phone rang. Glancing down, I was startled to see my parents' number in Salt Lake City on the caller ID.

"Hello?" I asked. For a frantic moment, I hoped it was Zoe.

"Sydney."

My father. My stomach filled with dread.

"We need to talk about what's happened."

Panic shot through me. How had he found out about Jill's disappearance already? Keith jumped out as the obvious culprit. But how had Keith found out? Had he been at Clarence's when Eddie called Adrian? Despite his flaws, I couldn't imagine Adrian telling Keith what had happened.

"Talk about what?" I asked, playing for time.

"Your behavior. Keith called me last night, and I must say, I'm very disappointed."

"Last night?" This wasn't about Jill's disappearance. So what was it about?

"You're supposed to be coordinating efforts for that Moroi girl to blend in. You aren't supposed to be out socializing with them and having a good time! I could hardly believe it when Keith said you took them out bowling."

"It was mini-golf, and Keith okayed it! I asked him first."

"And then I hear you're helping all these other vampires run errands and whatnot. Your duty is only to the girl, and that is to do only what's necessary for her survival - which I also hear you aren't doing. Keith tells me there was an incident where you didn't properly handle her difficulties in the sun?"

"I reported that immediately!" I cried. I'd known Keith was planning to use that against me. "Keith - " I paused, thinking about the best way to handle this. "Misunderstood my initial report." Keith had blown off my initial report, but telling my father his protege had lied would just put my father's defenses up. He wouldn't believe me. "And Keith's one to talk! He's always hanging out with Clarence and won't say why."

"Probably to make sure he remains stable. I understand the old man isn't all there."

"He's obsessed with vampire hunters," I explained. "He thinks there are humans out there that killed his niece."

"Well," said my father, "there are some humans out there who catch on to the vampire world, those whom we can't dissuade. Hardly hunters. Keith's doing his duty by enlightening Clarence. You, however, are misguided."

"That's not a fair comparison!"

"Honestly, I blame myself," he said. Somehow I doubted that. "I shouldn't have let you go. You weren't ready - not after what you went through. Being with these vampires is confusing you. That's why I'm recalling you."

"What?"

"If I had my way, it'd be right now. Unfortunately, Zoe won't be ready for another two weeks. The Alchemists want her to undergo some testing before she gets her tattoo. Once she does, we'll send her in your place and get you... some help."

"Dad! This is crazy. I'm doing fine here. Please, don't send Zoe - "

"I'm sorry, Sydney," he said. "You've left me no choice. Please don't get into trouble in your remaining time."

He disconnected, and I stood in the hall, my heart sinking. Two weeks! Two weeks and they were sending Zoe. And me... where were they sending me? I didn't want to think about it, but I knew. I needed to stop this from happening. Wheels were already in motion. The tattoos, I suddenly thought. If I could finish my tests on the stolen substances and find out info about the blood supplier, I would earn the Alchemists' regard - hopefully enough to take away the taint that Keith had put on me.

And why had he done it? Why now? I knew he'd never wanted me along. Maybe he had just been biding his time, building up evidence against me until he could get me ousted in one fell swoop. I wouldn't let him, though. I'd bust open this tattoo case and prove who the stellar Alchemist was. I had enough evidence now to get their attention and would simply turn in what I had if nothing new came to light within a week.

The decision filled me with resolve, but I still had trouble sleeping when I went to bed later. My father's threat hung over me, as did my fear of the reeducation centers.

After about an hour of tossing and turning I finally dozed off. But even that was fitful and troubled. I woke up after only a few hours and then had to fall asleep all over again.

This time, I dreamed.

In the dream, I stood in Clarence's living room. Everything was neat and in place, the dark wood and antique furniture giving the space its usual ominous feel. The details were surprisingly vivid, and it was like I could even smell the dusty books and leather on the furniture.

"Huh. It worked. Wasn't sure if it would with a human."

I spun around and found Adrian leaning against the wall. He hadn't been there a moment ago, and I had a flash of that childhood fear of vampires appearing out of nowhere. Then I remembered this was a dream, and these kinds of things happened.

"What weren't you sure about?" I asked.

He gestured around him. "If I could reach you. Bring you here into this dream." I didn't quite follow what he meant and said nothing. He arched an eyebrow. "You don't know, do you? Where you are?"

"At Clarence's," I said reasonably. "Well, in reality I'm asleep in my bed. This is just a dream."