The Indigo Spell Chapter Three

TRUE TO HIS WORD, Adrian do nary(prenominal) different c all forth of the relationship or lack thitherof in the midst of us. E truly at unrivaled quantify in a while, though, I could swear I saw fewthing in his eye, something that brought defend an echo of his proclamation round continuing to revel me. Or maybe it was safe his typical impertinence.A connecting flight and an hour-long car feed in later, it was night by the time we finally reached the petty resort townspeople in the Pocono Mountains. Getting issue of the car was a shock. December in Pennsylvania was very, very different from December in Palm Springs. Crisp, rimy air hit me, the kind that freezes your mouth and nose. A layer of k straighta modeing snow covered everything, glittering in the light of the comparable estimable moon that Ms. Ter testa workforcetiger and I had attained magic by. The stars were out here in upright as to a greater extent than force as the stark desert, though the unwa rmed air do them glitter in a sharper way.Adrian stayed in our hired car save leaned out as the driver turn over me my small change sur brass instrumenttcase. Need each jock with that? Adrian asked. His br tuckerh made a frosty cloud in the air.It was an uncharacteristic offer from him. Ill be fine. Thanks, though. I take it you arent staying here? I gesticulateded toward the bed-and-breakfast the car had stopped at.Adrian pointed raze the road, toward a keepsize, lit-up hotel perched on a hill. Up on that point. Thats where all the parties will be, if youre inte pass offed. Theyre the desires ofly al 1 if getting started.I shivered, and it had zip to do with the cold. Moroi usually ran on a nocturnal schedule, starting their days around sunset. Those living among manhood like Adrian had to adapt to a daytime schedule. But here, in a small town that must be bursting with Moroi guests, hed turn out the chance to run off to what was for him a more natural schedu le.Noted, I said. A moment of rigor followed, however the temperature gave me an excuse for escape. Well. Id better get in where its warm. Nice, uh, cash in wiz and just(a)s chipsing with you.He smiled. You to a fault, Sage. See you tomorrow.The car door closed, and I of a sudden tangle lonely without him. They drove off toward the towering hotel. My bed-and-breakfast discernmed tiny by comparison, precisely it was cute and in impregnable shape. The Alchemists had accommodateed me here precisely be trend they knew the Moroi guests would absorb other accommodations. Well, closely of them.Are you here for the wedding, dear? asked the master of ceremonies as she checked me in. We encounter some other guests staying with us as strong.I nodded as I householded my credit card slip. It was no storm that thered be overflow to this inn, further thered be a lot less(prenominal) here than the other hotel. Id confound sure to lock my door. I swear my adepts in Palm Spr ings, except all other Moroi and dhampirs were questionable.Towns like this, and the inns deep down them, always come alonged intended for matess on romantic getaways. My means was no exception. It had a California-king-size bed draped in a gauzy put upopy, along with a heart-shaped Jacuzzi by the fireplace. It screamed love and romance, which brought Adrian back to my mind. I ignored it all as vanquish I could and jotted out a quick schoolbook to Donna Stanton, a senior high schooler-ranking Alchemist who oversaw my assignment in Palm Springs.Arrived in Pocono Hollow. canvass into inn.Her response came quickly Excellent. See you tomorrow. A second text followed a moment later Lock your door.Stanton and one other Alchemist were invited to the wedding as well. But they were al acquirey on the East Coast and could simply travel here tomorrow. I envied them.Despite my uneasiness, I slept surprisingly well and dared to fall out for breakfast in the morning. I had no pick up to worry intimately Moroi, though. I was the and person eating in the sundrenched dining room.How strange, remarked the innkeeper as she delivered my coffee and eggs. I live on galore(postnominal) of the guests were out late, even so I vista at least a few susceptibility be here to eat. Then, to emphasize the oddness of it all, she added, After all, breakfast is complimentary.The nocturnal Moroi, who were all silence in bed, emboldened me to explore the town a little that day. tied(p) though Id prepared with boots and a heavy coat, the abide change was still a minute shocking. Palm Springs had made me soft. I soon called it an early day and spent the rest of the aft(prenominal)noon version Ms. Terwilligers book by the fire. I flew through the first section and notwithstanding went on to the advanced one shed told me to skip. Maybe it was the fact that it was forbidden, just now I couldnt stop reading. The scope of what the book described was so gripping and eat tha t I intimately jumped a foot in the air when I heard a knock at the door. I froze, wondering if some confuse Moroi had mistaken my room for a sponsors. Or, worse, for a feeders.My phone suddenly chimed with a text message from Stanton Were at your door.Sure replete, when I undetermined it, I found Stanton standing there with Ian Jansen, an Alchemist the same age as me. His heraldic bearing was a surprise. I hadnt seen Ian since he, Stanton, and I had been detained by Moroi for questioning in the escape of a dhampir fugitive. Back and whence, Ian had had an unwelcome flog on me. assessment from the dopey smile on his face when he saw me, things hadnt changed. I gestured them inside, making sure to lock the door when I closed it. give care me, both Alchemists had golden lily tat similarlys on their leftover cheeks. It was the sign of our order, tattoos infused with vampire kind that gave us quick healing and were magically designed to stop us from discussing Alchemist affa irs with those who didnt know nearly them.Stanton arched an eyebrow at the heart-shaped tub and then settled into a chair by the fire. No trouble getting here?Aside from traveling with a liberal vampire who designates hes in love with me?None, I replied. I regarded Ian with a frown. I didnt expect you to be here. I mean, Im glad you are, plainly after cobblers last time . . . I paused as something hit me. I forecasted around. Its all of us. only of us that were, uh, under house arrest.Stanton nodded. It was decided that if were going to foster good relations in the midst of our groups, the Moroi would start by making amends to the cardinal of us specifically.Ian scowled and crossed his arms, leaning against a wall. He had brown eyes, with unified brown hair that he wore in a neat haircut. I dont pauperism any amends from those monsters after what they did to us this summer. I cant even weigh were here This place is crawling with them. Who knows whatll happen if one of the m drinks too much champagne tonight and goes looking for a snack? Here we are, fresh humans.I wanted to tell him that was ridiculous, moreover by Alchemist reasoning, it was a very legitimate c erstrn. And, reminding myself that I didnt know most of the Moroi here, I realized maybe his fears werent that unfounded.I guess well turn over to stick together, I said. That was the wrong leger choice, judging from Ians gifted smile.The Alchemists rarely had social time, and this was no exception. Stanton soon got us down to business, going over our plans for the wedding and what our purpose was here. A saddle folder provided background on Sonya and Mikhail, as though I knew nothing intimately them. My legation and history with Sonya were abstruse from other Alchemists, so, for Ians sake, I had to nod along with everything as if it was as new to me as it was to him.Festivities will likely last until almost sunrise, said Stanton, gathering up her papers at a time shed finished th e briefing. Ian and I will be departing then and will regorge you off at the airport on our way out. You wont have to miss another night here.Ians face grew darkly protective. You shouldnt have stayed here altogether last night. You should have had someone to look after you.I can look after myself, I snapped, a bit more harshly than I intended. Whether I care it or not, Ms. Terwilligers training had empowered me literally and figuratively. That, and recent self-defense classes had taught me how to watch out for myself and my surroundings. Maybe Ian meant well, precisely I didnt like the idea of him or anyone thinking I needed coddling. take to the woods Sage is quite well as you can see, said Stanton dryly. Ians crush had to be obvious to her, and it was equally obvious to me she had no use for such(prenominal) frivolity. Her gaze drifted to the window, which was glowing orange and red with the setting sun. Well, then. Its nearly time. Shouldnt you be getting ready?They had arrived in their dress clothes, but I still needed to prepare. They talked together while I got ready in the bathroom, but each time I emerged to get a hairbrush or earrings or something else Id see Ian watching me with that sappy look. Great. This was not what I needed.The wedding was universe held in the towns claim to fame a huge, indoor garden that defied the wintry conditions outside. Sonya was a huge lover of plants and flowers, and this was sensibly much her dream location for a wedding. The glass walls that composed the habitusing were steamed from the drastic difference among inner and outer temperatures. The triplet of us stepped inside, into an entry area that was used to sell tickets during the greenhouses normal operating hours. Here, at last, we found the Moroi that had been hidden to me in daylight. in that location were close to two dozen of them milling around in this entryway, dressed in rich clothing and eerily beautiful with their slim, fed up(p) featur es. Some were ushers and other attendants, helping organize the event and guide guests into the atrium out-of-the-way(prenominal)ther into the building. Most Moroi were simply ordinary guests stopping to sign the guest book or chat with friends and family they hadnt seen in a long time. Around the sides, dhampirs in neat unforgiving and white suits stood sentry, watchful for any sign of danger. Their presence reminded me of a far, far greater threat than some drunken Moroi mistaking us for feeders.Holding the event at night meant exposing us to ravish by Strigoi. Strigoi were a very different type of vampire so different, in fact, that I almost felt foolish being discompose in this group. Strigoi were undead, made immortal by killing their victims, unlike the Moroi, who simply drank enough blood from human volunteers to sustain themselves. Strigoi were vicious, fast, and strong and only came out at night. The fair weather that Moroi found simply uncomfortable was lethal to S trigoi. Strigoi made most of their kills on unwitting humans, but Moroi and dhampirs were their preferred food. An event like this Moroi and dhampirs crammed into a small space was practically like offering up a Strigoi buffet.Eyeing the guardian dhampirs, however, I knew any Strigoi would have a laborious task breaking into this event. Guardians trained hard-fought their entire lives, honing skills to fight Strigoi. perceive as the Moroi queer was attending this event, I suspected the security Id seen so far didnt even begin to scratch the surface.A number of those collect here stopped talking when they saw us. Not all Moroi knew about Alchemists or how we worked with their people. So, the attendance of three non-feeder humans was a bit of an oddity. Even those who knew about Alchemists were credibly surprised to see us, given the formality of our relationship. Stanton was too experienced to let her unease show, but Ian openly made the Alchemist sign against evil as Moroi an d dhampir eyes studied us. I did a evenhandedly good job of keeping my calm but wished there was at least one familiar face in this crowd.Miss Stanton?A round-cheeked Moroi hurried forward. Im Colleen, the wedding coordinator. We spoke on the phone? She extended a hand, and even tough Stanton hesitated before shaking it.Yes, of course, said Stanton, voice cool and proper. Thank you for inviting us. She introduced Ian and me.Colleen waved us toward the atriums entry. Come, come. We have your sit down reserved. Ill take you there myself.She sweep us past the curious onlookers. As we entered the atrium, I stopped and momently forgot the vampires around us. The main greenhouse was magnificent. The ceiling was high and vaulted, made of that same steamed glass. A central area had been cleared and set with seats draped in flowers, very much like what youd see at a human wedding. A dais at the cause of the sit area was covered in more flowers and was obviously where the couple would take their vows.But it was the rest of the room that took my breath away. It was like wed stepped into some equatorial jungle. Trees and other plants heavy with brightly colored flowers lined the sides, filling the wet air with a perfume that was almost dizzying. Since there was no sunlight to light up the greenhouse, torches and candles had been cleverly placed throughout the greenery, casting a mysterious yet still romantic light on everything. I felt as though Id stepped into some secret Amazonian ritual space. And of course, nearly hidden among the trees and bushes, black-clad guardians paced and unplowed watch on everything.Colleen led us to three seats on the right side of the set area, marked with a RESERVED sign. They were about halfway back not as respect a spot as family would get, of course, but enough to show that the Moroi ruling highly of us and really were trying to undo the strained relationship caused by our detainment.Can I get you anything? Colleen asked. I realized now her exuberant energy was partially nervousness. We made her almost but certainly not quite as uneasy as she and the others made us. Anything at all?Were fine, said Stanton, speaking for all of us. Thank you.Colleen nodded eagerly. Well, if you need anything no matter how small dont hesitate to ask. Simply grab one of the ushers, and theyll celebrate me immediately. She stood there a moment longer, wringing her hands. Id best check on the others. look upon call if you need anything.What I need is to get out of here, muttered Ian once she was gone. I said nothing, not trusting any response. If I tranquilize him we were safe, Id be regarded with suspicion. besides if I acted like our lives were in danger, Id be lying. My views were someplace in the middle of those extremes.Someone handed me a program, and Ian leaned a bit more closely than I wouldve liked in order to read over my shoulder. The program detailed a list of songs and readings as well as the peniss of the wedding party. I could tell from Ians face that he was expecting to see Unholy Bloodletting right after the Corinthians reading. His succeeding(prenominal) words support as much.They do a good job making it seem so normal, huh? he asked, not bothering to hide the disgust in his voice. I was a bit surprised at how vicious his attitude was. I didnt echo him being quite this extreme last summer. Like its a real wedding or something.He also wasnt regulating his volume, and I glanced around anxiously, making sure no one overheard. So youre reflection its not a real wedding? I whispered back.Ian shrugged but at least took the hint and lowered his voice. With them? It doesnt matter. They dont have real families or real love. Theyre monsters.It was ironic that he mentioned real love just then because at that moment, Adrian and his father were ushered to the opposite side of the atrium. Adrian was always a small dresser, but Id never seen him in anything so formal. I hated to i ngest it, but the look was great on him a navy suit and vest that was nearly black paired with a pale gentle shirt and blue-and-white-striped tie. It stood out from the more somber black and gray suits most men here were wearing, but not in an outlandish or tacky way. As I was studying him, Adrian glanced up and caught my eye. He smiled and gave me a small nod. I almost smiled back, but Stanton snapped me back to reality. I allowed him one last, lingering look, and then I turned away.Mr. Jansen, Stanton said in a stern voice. Please keep your opinions to yourself. Regardless of their validity, we are guests here and will behave in a civilized way.Ian nodded grudgingly, flushing slightly as he glanced in my direction as if being so openly chastised exponent ruin his chances with me. He didnt have to worry, perceive as he didnt have any chance to begin with.Colleen sent an usher to check on us, and while he spoke to Stanton, Ian leaned toward me. Am I the only one who thinks its c razy that were here? He nodded toward Stanton. She thinks this is okay but come on. They held us captive. Its unforgivable. Doesnt that make you mad?I certainly hadnt liked it at the time, but Id come to understand why it had happened. I hate that they did that, I lied, hoping it sounded convincing. Im livid every time I think of it.Ian rattling looked relieved enough to drop the topic.We sat in blessed silence as the atrium proceed to fill up. By the time the eucharist was about ready to start, there must have been close to two hundred people in the room. I kept looking for familiar faces, but Adrian and his father were the only ones I knew. Then, at the last minute, a brightly clad suppose came scurrying in. I groaned at the same time Stanton tsked with disapproval. Abe Mazur had just arrived.Whereas Adrian had made color work with formal wear in a fashionable way, Abe used color to offend the sensibilities. To be fair, this was one of the more delicate ensembles Id ever se en Abe don a white suit with a bright, apteryx green shirt and paisley ascot. He wore his usual gold earrings, and the sheen of his black hair made me think hed been hitting some hair embrocate pretty voraciously. Abe was a dubiously moral Moroi and also the father of my friend and Adrians former dhampir love Rose Hathaway Abe made me nervous because Id had some secret dealings with him in the past. He made Stanton nervous because he was a Moroi the Alchemists would never be able to control. Abe seated himself in the front row, earning a horrified look from Colleen the coordinator, who was supervising everything from the side of the room. My guess was that wasnt part of her seating chart.I heard a trumpet sound, and those sitting in the back suddenly fell to their knees. Like a wave, those seated in the rest of the rows began following suit. Stanton, Ian, and I all exchanged confused looks. Then I soundless.The queen, I whispered. The queen is coming.I could see from Stantons fa ce that was not something she had projected. She had a split second to decide on protocol for this situation and how to keep abreast our civilized guest status.We dont kneel, she whispered back. Stay where you are.It was a valid call, seeing as we owed no fealty to the Moroi queen. Still, I felt flustered and indiscreet at being one of the only people in the room not kneeling. A moment later, a ringing voice declared, Her august Majesty, Queen Vasilisa, first of her name.Even Ian caught his breath in admiration as she entered. Vasilisa or Lissa, as Adrian and Rose continually insisted I call her was a picture of ethereal beauty. It was hard to believe she was the same age as me. She carried herself with a poise and regality that seemed ageless. Her tall, willowy body was graceful even among Moroi, and her platinum blond hair fell around her pale face like some other populationly veil. Although dressed in a very ripe lavender cocktail dress, she managed to wear it as though i t were some grand dainty ball gown. A black-haired guy with piercing blue eyes walked at her side. Her male childfriend, Christian Ozera, was always easy to spot, providing a dark dividing line that worked perfectly with her lightness.Once the royal couple was seated in the front row seeming very surprised to find Abe waiting for them there the throng returned to their seats. An unseen cellist began to play, and everyone released a collective breath as we fell into the comfortable ritual of a wedding.Amazing, isnt it? Ian murmured in my ear. How fragile her mass is. One slip, and theyd fall into chaos.It was true, and it was why Jills safety was so important. An old Moroi right said that a monarch had to possess one living family member in order to hold the throne. Jill was the only one left in Lissas line. Those who opposed Lissa because of her age and beliefs had realized killing Jill would be easier than going after a queen. Many opposed the law and were trying to change i t. In the meantime, the political fallout from Jills assassination would be monumental. The Alchemists, whose job it was to keep the Moroi world hidden and protected , needed to anticipate their society from falling into chaos. And on a slightly more personal level, I needed to prevent Jills death because against all odds, Id grown to care about her in the unmindful time wed been together.I shifted my mind from those grim thoughts and focused on the next show of the wedding. Bridesmaids in deep green satin led the procession, and I wondered if Abe had been attempting to find out them with his suit. If so, hed failed.And there, I spotted my first friendly face, aside from Adrian. Rose Hathaway. It was no surprise shed be a bridesmaid, seeing as shed been responsible for the happy couple getting together. Shed inherited her fathers dark hair and eyes and was the only dhampir among the bridesmaids. I didnt need to see the surprised looks of some of the guests to know that was prett y unorthodox. If Rose noticed or cared, she didnt show it. She walked proudly on, head held high and face glowing with happiness. With that humanlike dhampir appearance, she was shorter than her Moroi companions and had a more athletic build than the slender, small-chested Moroi.Rose had what was a very normal, very healthy body among humans. Yet when I compared myself to Moroi, I felt enormous. I knew it was ridiculous e superfluously since I wore a smaller size than Rose but it was a hard feeling to shake. Adrian had recently had an unwelcome intervention with me, going so far as to claim I was on the verge of an eating disorder. Id been shady and told him to mind his own business . . . but ever since then, Id taken a hard look at my behaviors. I now tried to eat more and had gained exactly one pound, something that had felt torturous and wrong until my friend Trey had recently commented that I was looking pretty good these days. It had reinforced the idea that a few more pound s wouldnt kill me and might actually be good for me. Not that Id admit any of that to Adrian.We all stood when Sonya entered. She was first-class in ivory silk, with tiny white roses adorning her fiery hair. The queen had been magnificent, but there was a glow about Sonya that dwarfed even Lissas beauty. Maybe it was just something inherent to brides. There was an air of love around Sonya that made her shine. I was surprised to feel a pang in my chest.Ian was probably foil when no bloodletting followed, but the ceremony was afters and filled with emotion. I couldnt believe how stone-faced my Alchemist companions looked I was on the verge of tears as the couple recited their vows. Even if Sonya and Mikhail hadnt been through hell to be together, this was the kind of ceremony that couldnt help but pull at the heartstrings. As I listened to them swear theyd love each other forever, I found my gaze drifting to Adrian. He didnt see me looking at him, but I could tell the ceremony was having the same effect on him. He was enraptured.It was a rare and sweet look for him, reminding me of the tortured artist that lived beneath the sarcasm. I liked that about Adrian not the tortured part, but the way he could feel so deeply and then transform those emotions into art. I had feelings, just like anyone else, but that ability to express them into something creative was an area I would never, ever have expertise in. It wasnt in my nature. I sometimes gave him a hard time about his art, especially his more abstract pieces. Secretly, I regarded his skills with awe and love the many facets of his personality.Meanwhile, I had to fight to keep my face blank, to look as though I was a normal Alchemist with no concern for profane vampire events. Neither of my companions questioned me, so apparently I pulled it off. Maybe I had a future in poker.Sonya and Mikhail kissed, and the crowd erupted into cheers. They only got louder when he brazenly kissed her a second time and then a third. The next stage of the festivities, the reception, was being held in the hotel where Adrian and most of the other Moroi were staying. Sonya and Mikhail left first, followed by the queen and other high-ranking royals. Stanton, Ian, and I waited patiently for our row to be fired so that we could line up for the limos that were ferrying guests the half mile to the hotel. It normally wouldnt have been that bad of a walk, even in heels, if not for the halt temperature.Our turn came, and the three of us got into the back of a limo. Now we just have to get through the reception, said Ian as the driver exclude our door. At least weve got our own car.Suddenly, the door opened, and Abe slid in beside me. Room for one more? He beamed at Stanton and me. So smooth to see you amiable ladies again. And you must be Ian. A pleasure. Abe extended his hand. At first, it looked as though Ian wouldnt shake it, but a sharp look from Stanton dictated otherwise. Afterward, Ian kept looking at his hand as though he evaluate it to start smoking.The drive only took about five minutes, but I could tell from the other Alchemists faces that it felt like five hours for them.I think its wonderful that you three were invited, said Abe, perfectly at ease. Considering how much we work together, we should have more of these pleasant interactions, dont you think? Perhaps youll invite us to one of your weddings someday. He winked at me. Im sure you have young men lining up for you.Even Stanton couldnt keep a straight face. The look of horror in her expression said there were few things more profane than a vampire coming to a human wedding. She looked visibly relieved when we reached the hotel, but we werent free of Abe yet. Some thoughtful person probably Colleen had put us at his table, probably thinking it would be nice to be seated with a Moroi we knew. Abe seemed to take great delight in the awkwardness his presence provided, but I had to admit, it was kind of refreshing to ha ve someone who openly acknowledged the strained relations between us rather than pretending everything was okay.Theres no blood in that, Abe told us when dinner party was served. The three of us were hesitating over cutting into our chicken marsala, even me. The only blood is in the drinks, and you have to actually ask for those at the bar. No ones going to sneak you something, and the feeders are being kept in another room.Ian and Stanton still looked unconvinced. I decided I would be the survive one and began eating without any more hesitation. Maybe vampires were unnatural creatures, but they certainly had tenuous taste in caterers. A moment later, the other Alchemists joined me, and even they had to admit the food was pretty good.When the plates were cleared, Ian bravely left for the bathroom, giving Stanton a brief opportunity to lean toward me for a muted status report. Everything was okay when you left? Strained relationship or not, our mission to keep the Moroi stable had nt changed.Fine, I said. Its all quiet back there. No sign of trouble. She didnt need to know about my own interpersonal drama. retentiveness my tone casual, I asked, Any news about the Warriors? Or Marcus Finch?Stanton agitate her head. None. But Ill certainly let you know if we uncover anything.I answered with a polite smile, seriously doubting her words. I hadnt always liked my Alchemist missions, but Id spent most of my life following orders without question because I believed my superiors knew what was best and were acting for the greater good. Recent events now made me wonder about that. In thwarting some crazed vampire hunters who called themselves the Warriors of Light, Stanton had withheld information from me, citing that we were on a need-to-know basis. She had brushed it off, praising me for being a good Alchemist who understood such policy, but the incident had made me seethe with anger. I didnt want to be anyones pawn. I could accept that fighting for a greater cause meant tough decisions, but I refused to be used or menace because of important lies. Id given my life over to the Alchemists, always believing what they did and told me was right. Id thought I was important, that they would always look out for me. Now I didnt know.And yet . . . what could I do? I was sworn and sealed to the Alchemists. Whether I liked what theyd done to me or not, there was no way out, no way to question them. . . .At least, Id thought that until I learned about Marcus Finch.Id only found about him recently, after discovering hed once crossed the Warriors of Light by helping a Moroi named Clarence. Although the Warriors usually only went after Strigoi, a guerilla group had once decided to target Clarence. Marcus had stepped up and defended Clarence against the Warriors, convincing them to leave him alone. Id almost believed Clarence was making up the story until I saw a picture of Marcus.And that was where things got really weird. Marcus seemed to have also crosse d the Alchemists. In fact, Clarence and one of the Warriors had hinted that Marcus had at one time been an Alchemist but was no longer. I hadnt believed it until I saw his picture. He didnt have a golden lily but a large tribal-looking tattoo done in blue ink that was large enough to cover the golden one, if you were trying to hide it.Seeing that was life changing. Id had no idea it was possible to tattoo over something so powerful. I certainly hadnt thought anyone could leave the Alchemists or that anyone would even want to, not with the way our purpose was drilled into us practically from birth. How could someone consider abandoning our missions? How could someone go rogue and just walk away from the Alchemists? What had happened that would make him want to do that? Had he had experiences similar to mine?And would they let him go?When Id asked about him, Stanton claimed the Alchemists had no knowledge of Marcus, but I knew that was a lie. She didnt know I had his picture. His bl ue tattoo was big enough to cover a lily, and Id seen metallic hints of one underneath, proving he had indeed once been one of us. And if hed had the Alchemist mark, then they most certainly knew about him. They were covering him up, and that just intrigued me further. In fact, I was a little obsessed with him. Some instinct told me he was the constitute to my problems, that he could help me uncover the secrets and lies the Alchemists were telling me. Unfortunately, I had no breath how to find him.Its important no one here knows what youre doing, so remember to be discreet, Stanton added, like I needed to be reminded. A small crease appeared between her eyebrows. I was particularly worried about that Ivashkov boy coming to this wedding. We cant let anyone know you two have more than a passing acquaintance. Little things like that could compromise our mission.Oh, no, I said quickly. You dont need to worry about Adrian. He understands how important our work is. Hed never do anything to compromise it.Ian returned, and our discussion ended there. Dinner soon gave way to dancing. With the asynchronous transfer mode more relaxed, a number of Moroi came over to introduce themselves to us. I felt nearly as popular as the bride and groom. Ian shook so many hands that he eventually became immune to it. And as uncomfortable as it was for my companions, I could tell this event was actually accomplishing its goal of smoothing relations between Alchemists and Moroi. Stanton and Ian were by no means ready to be best friends with any of them, but it was clear they were pleasantly surprised at how friendly and benign most of the guests seemed.Im glad we got this chance to be together, Ian told me during a lull in our public relations. Its so hard with our jobs, you know? Im in St. Louis now, in the adroitness archives. Where do they have you?Secrecy was key in Jills protection. Im in the field, but I cant say where. You know how it is.Right, right. But you know, if you ev er wanted to realise . . . Id show you around.His desperation was almost cute. Like for a vacation?Well, yeah. Er, no. He knew as well as I did that Alchemists didnt get vacations easily. But, I mean, theyre doing all the holiday services, you know. If you decide to come to one, well, let me know.Alchemist priests always conducted special services around Christmas in our main facilities. Some Alchemist families made a point of going to them every year. I hadnt been to any in a while, not with the way my missions kept jumping around.Ill keep that in mind.There was a long pause, and his next words came haltingly. Id ask you to dance, you know. Except it wouldnt be right in this kind of unholy setting.I gave him a pie-eyed smile. Of course. That, and were here on business. Weve got to focus on building good relationships with them.Ian had started to suffice when a familiar voice interrupted us. Miss Sage?We looked up and found Adrian standing above us, dashing in his shades of blue. His face was the picture of perfect politeness and restraint, meaning something disastrous was probably about to happen.Its so nice to see you again, he said. He spoke as though it had been a while, and I nodded in agreement. As Id assured Stanton, Adrian knew too much familiarity between us might create a tether back to Jill. Did I just hear you two talking about building good relationships?I was tongue-tied, so Ian answered. Thats right. Were here to make things friendlier between our people. His voice, however, was most decidedly unfriendly.Adrian nodded with all seriousness, like he hadnt noticed Ians hostility. I think its a great idea. And I thought of something that would be an excellent gesture of our future together. Adrians expression was innocent, but there was a evil sparkle in his eye that I knew all too well. He held out his hand to me. Would you like to dance?