The Indigo Spell Chapter Twenty-Five

ONCE MARCUS FINALLY ACCEPTED that I wasnt personnel casualty, he wished me well, though he unbosom wore that stunned expression. Hed planned on abandoning the car at the station notwithstanding hand the keys over to me as a parting gift. I watched him walk forward and wondered if Id made a mistake. consequently I perspective of green, green eyes and al angiotensin converting enzyme the work Adrian and I had to do together. This was the right election . . . I undecomposed hoped I wasnt too late.He suave wasnt answering my calls. Did he hate me? Or was he holed up whateverwhere, depressed and drinking international his sorrows? I fished his descent come forth of my purse, wondering what Id find. penetrating Adrian, Id expected some great, flowery expression of love. Instead, all I found was a foresightful serial publication of numbers.The numbers meant no liaison to me. I studied them for a while in the car, applying a some park codes I knew. No answer appeargond, t hough I wasnt on the whole surprised. Codes and complex mathematics werent exactly Adrians style. only if then, why had he left the note? Obviously, he assumed I could decipher it.I held the note far away from me, hoping something visual would reveal itself. It did. As I looked at the numbers again, I axiom a natural break in the middle of them, in a format that looked familiar. I entered the twain sets of numbers into the latitude and longitude screen of my GPS. A moment later, it off-key up an address in Malibu. southern California. Was that a coincidence?Without even thinking twice, I pulled out of the train stations parking lot and headed toward the coast. It was entirely possible I was virtually to waste two and a half hours (five, if you counted the round trip), except I didnt think so. There are no coincidences.It felt worry the longest drive of my life. My hands tightly clenched the wheel the entire time. I was eager even so terrified. When I was only a a few(pren ominal) miles from the address, I began to see signs for the Getty Villa. For a few seconds, I was confused. The Getty Center was a very famous museum, but it was closer to Los Angeles. I didnt understand the connection or why I had wipeouted up in Malibu. N unitarytheless, I dutifully followed the directions and ended up in the Villas guest parking lot.When I reached the entrance, I real my answers. The Villa was a sister museum to the Getty Center, one that specialized in ancient Greek and Roman art. In fact, a good part of the Getty Villa was set up corresponding some ancient temple, comp permite with pillars surrounding courtyards fill up with gardens, fountains, and statues. Admission was free but required a reservation. Things were slow today, and I quickly rectified the conundrum by making an online reservation on my phone.When I billped inside, I nearly forgot why I was in that location but only for a heartbeat. The museum was a dream come true for a lover of classic s equivalent me. Room after board focusing on the ancient world. Jewelry statues, clothes . . . it was as if Id entered a time machine. The scholar in me longed to study and read nearly each exhi fleck in detail. The mainstayup man of me, with a racing heart and barely contained excitement, only briefly stopped in each room, merely long enough to lookup and move on.after looking in almost all the inner areas, I stepped into the outer peristyle. My breath caught. It was a huge outdoor garden built round a pool that had to be at least two hundred feet long. Statues and fountains dotted the pools sur governing body, and the whole space was adjoin in gorgeously manicured trees and other plants. The sun, warm despite the December day, shone down on everything, and the air hummed with birdsong, spatter water, and soft conversation. Tourists milled around, stopping to admire the sights or take pictures. None of them mattered, though not when I ultimately found the person I was looking for.He sat at the opposite end of the garden from where Id entered, on the pools far edge. His back was to me, but I would have known him anywhere. I approached with trepidation, still churning with that odd mix of fear and eagerness. The closer I got, the much detailed his features became. The tall, lean body. The chestnut tree glints that the sun brought out in his dark hair. When I finally reached the pools end, I came to a stop just behind him, not daring to go farther.Sage, he said, without looking up. Figured youd be south of the peal by now.No, you didnt, I said. You never wouldve given me the note or come all the way out here. You knew I wouldnt leave.He looked up at me at last, squinting in the bright sun. I was fairly indisputable you wouldnt leave. I hoped you wouldnt leave. Jill and I debated it forever. Whatd you think of my sweet use of latitude and longitude? Pretty brilliant, huh?Genius, I said, severe to hold back my smile. Some of my fear faded. We we re back in familiar, easy territory again. Just Adrian and me. You took a risk Id know what those numbers meant. You couldve been sitting out here all day.Nah. Adrian stood up and took a step toward me. Youre a smart girl. I knew youd control it out.Not that smart. The closer he came, the more my heart began to washing again. It took me a long time to figure some things out. I gestured around us. And how is it possible that you knew this place existed, but I didnt?His fingertips traced the edge of my cheek, and suddenly, the warmth of the sunshine felt like nothing compared to the heat of that touch. It was easy, he said, holding me in his gaze. I had to first-class honours degree my search somewhere, so I typed ancient Rome and California into my phone. This was like the first hit.What search? I asked.He smiled. The search for some place more romantic than Pies and Stuff.Adrian tipped my face up toward his and kissed me. Like always, the world around me stopped moving. No, the world became Adrian, only Adrian. Kissing him was as mind-blowing as ever, full of that same passion and accept I had never believed Id receive. But today, there was even more to it. I no longer had any doubt about whether this was wrong or right. It was a completion of a long journey . . . or maybe the beginning of one.I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. I didnt care that we were out in public. I didnt care that he was Moroi. All that mattered was that he was Adrian, my Adrian. My match. My partner in crime, in the long battle Id just signed on for to right the wrongs in the Alchemist and Moroi worlds. Maybe Marcus was right that Id also signed myself up for disaster, but I didnt care. In that moment, it seemed that as long as Adrian and I were together, there was no challenge too great for us.I dont know how long we stood there kissing. Like I said, the world around me was gone. Time had stopped. I was awash in the feel of Adrians body against mine, in his scent, and in the taste of his lips. That was all that mattered right now, and I found myself thinking of our au naturel(p) business in the dream.When we finally broke the kiss much too soon, as far as I was concerned we still stayed locked in an embrace. The sound of giggling caused me to glance to the side, where two small children were laughing and pointing at us. Seeing me watching them, they scurried away. I turned back to Adrian, wanting to melt away with happiness as I looked up into his eyes.This is a lot better than loving from afar, I told him.He swinged some hair from my face and gazed into my eyes. What changed your mind? I mean, I knew youd never be able to stay away from me, but I wont lie . . . you had me scared there for a little while.I leaned against his chest. It was a cabal of things, really. Some surprisingly good advice from Jill. One of Wolfes charming anecdotes I have to tell you about his kitchen, by the way. Plus, I kept thinking about when we were on the table.Adrian shifted just enough so that we could look at each other again. It was one of those rare moments where he was completely floored. Let me get this straight. The future of our consanguinity hinged on advice from a fifteen-year-old girl, a credibly untrue story from a one-eyed Chihuahua trainer, and me unromantically yet skillfully kissing you on top of silverware and china?Yup, I said after a few moments of thought.Thats all it took, huh? And here I thought winning you over was button to be operose. He grew monstrous again and pressed a light kiss to my forehead. What happens now?Now we check out this amazing museum youve lured me to. Youre going to love Etruscan art.That roguish smile I adored returned. Im sure I will. But what about the future? What are we going to do about us about this?I caught hold of his hands, still forecloseing him close. Since when are you worried about consequences or the future?Me? Never. He considered. Well, that is, as long as yo ure with me, Im not worried. But I know you like to worry about those kinds of things.I wouldnt express I like to, I corrected. A soft breeze ruffled his hair, and I resisted the urge to brush it back into place. If I did, I was pretty sure wed start kissing again, and I supposed I should first be responsible and answer his questions.Are we going to run off to the Keepers? he suggested.Of course not, I scoffed. Thatd be cowardly and immature. And youd never survive without hair gel though you might like their moonshine.Then what are we going to do?Were going to keep all of this secret.He chuckled. Thats not cowardly?Its exciting and daring, I said. Manly and brave, even. I figured youd be into that.Sage. He laughed. Im into anything, so long as youre with me. But is it going to be enough? Im not completely oblivious to consequences, you know. I get how dangerous this is for you, especially if you keep questioning the Alchemists. And I also know youre still worried about Jill watch ing us.Right. Jill. Jill, who was probably witnessing all of this right now, whether she wanted to or not. Was she happy for his happiness? Was she filled with the joy of our love? Or was this torturously uncomfortable for her?The three of us will find a way to cope, I said at last. I couldnt think much more about it right now or I probably would start freaking out. And as for the Alchemists . . . well just have to be careful. They dont follow me everywhere, and like you said, Im with you half the time anyway. I just hoped that was enough. It had to be.And then the kissing started again. There was no avoiding it, not when we were together like this, far away from the real world of our normal lives. The setting was too perfect. He was too perfect, despite being one of the most imperfect people I knew. And honestly, wed wasted far too much time with doubts and games. The one thing you learn from constantly having your life in danger is that youd better not waste it. pull down Marcus had admitted that in the arcade.Adrian and I spent the rest of the day at the Villa, most of it kissing in the gardens, though I did convince him to check out some of the artifacts inside. Maybe I was in love, but I was still me, after all. When things finally closed down for the evening, we had dinner at a beachside fondue eating place and lingered there for a long time afterward, keeping close to each other and watching the cover moon shine on the ocean.I was caught up in watching the crashing waves when I felt Adrians lips brush my cheek. Whatever happened to the dragon?I mustered my primmest tone. He has a name, you know.Adrian pulled back and gave me a curious look. I didnt know, actually. Whatd you sink on?Hopper. When Adrian laughed, I added, Best rabbit ever. Hed be proud to know his name is being passed on.Yes, Im sure he would. Did you name the Mustang too?I think you mean the Ivashkinator.He stared at me in wonder. I told you I loved you, right?Yes, I assured him. Many times.Good. Adrian pulled me closer. Just making sure, Miss Im a Quick StudyI groaned. Im never going to live that down, am I?Live it down? Hell, Im going to hold you to it.I suspected Marcuss car was stolen, so we left it in Malibu. Adrian drove me back to the vestibule and kissed me goodbye, promising to call me first thing in the morning. It was hard to let him go, even though I knew I was being silly to think I couldnt go without him for twelve hours. I walked into my dorm like I was dancing on air, my lips still burning from his kisses.It was crazy, I knew, attempting to have a relationship with him. soft touch that. It was going to be perilous enough so that some of my euphoria dimmed as that realization hit me. Id talked a good game with him, trying to ease his fears, but I knew the truth. Trying to figure out secrets within the Alchemists was going to be difficult enough, and my stain still wasnt secure. What I had going on with Adrian had raised the stakes exponential ly, but that was one of those risks I gladly accepted.Miss Melrose.Mrs. Weatherss cool voice snapped me back to reality with a jolt. I came to a halt in the middle of the dorms lobby and looked over at her. She stood up from her desk and strolled over.Yes, maam?Its midnight.I looked at a clock, surprised to see she was right. Yes, maam.Even though pass break is here, youre still registered in the dorm until tomorrow, which means youre still subject to the rules. Its after curfew.The only thing I could manage was stating the obvious. Yes, it is, maam.Mrs. Weathers waited, as though she were hoping Id say more. Were you . . . doing another assignment for Ms. Terwilliger? There was an almost comically desperate look on her face. I didnt receive notification, but surely she can retroactively fixture things.I realized then that Mrs. Weathers didnt want me to be in trouble. She was hoping I had some reason for suspension the rules, some reason that I could avoid punishment. I knew I co uldve lied and said Id been helping Ms. Terwilliger. I knew Ms. Terwilliger would even back me up. But I couldnt do it. It seemed wrong to taint my day with Adrian with a lie. And really, I had broken the rules.No, I told Mrs. Weathers. I wasnt with her. I was just . . . out.Mrs. Weathers waited a few moments more and then bit her lip with resignation. Very well then. You know the rules. Youll have to serve a detention once classes start again.I nodded solemnly. Yes, maam. I understand.She looked as though she was still hoping Id correct the situation. I had nothing to offer her and turned to walk away. Oh, I nearly forgot she called. I was too astonished by this . . . transgression. She turned back into the efficacious dorm matron I knew. Please let me know if your cousin will be staying with you in your room or if she needs her own.I blinked in confusion. Why would Angeline be staying with me?Not her. Your other cousin.I started to say I didnt have another cousin, but some warni ng voice inside me told me to neither revoke nor confirm her words. I had no idea what was going on, but all my alarms were saying that something was definitely about to happen. Whatever it was, I needed to keep my options open.She had all the appropriate paperwork, explained Mrs. Weathers. So I just let her into your room since its only for the night.I swallowed. I see. Can I, um, let you know after break?Certainly. After a moments hesitation, she added, And well discuss your detention then too.Yes, maam, I said.I went upstairs, a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.Who was waiting in my room? Who in the world was part of my imaginary family now?As it turned out, it was someone from my real family.When I unlocked the door, I found Zoe sitting on my bed. Her face lit up when she saw me, and she sprang forward to grab me in a fierce embrace.Sydney she exclaimed. I was so worried you werent coming back tonight.Of course I was, I said stiffly. I was so ball over that I could ba rely return her hug. What are you doing here?She pulled back and looked up at me with a large grin. There was no anger in her, not even the wariness shed had in St. Louis. She was full of joy, sincerely yours happy to see me. I didnt know why she was here, but hope began to blossom within me that wed finally get our reconciliation.Until she spoke.They gave me a field position Im assigned here. She turned her face, showing me a golden lily tattoo on her cheek. My heart nearly stopped. Im officially an Alchemist now. Well, a junior one. Ive got a lot to learn, so they thought itd be best if I was with you.I see, I said. The room was spinning. Zoe. Zoe was here and she was an Alchemist, one who would be staying with me.Her lush expression became a little perplexed. And I guess you were telling Stanton something about needing Alchemist backup? That it was really hard being around so many Moroi by yourself?I tried to smile but couldnt. Something like that. Id urged Stanton to take ac tion, and she had. It just wasnt the kind Id expected.Zoes enthusiasm returned. Well, you arent alone now. Im here for you, not that you probably even need me. You dont ever get into any trouble.No, I just had a romance going on with a vampire, was on the verge of joining a coven, and was investigating secrets no one wanted me to know about. No trouble at all.How in the world was I going to hide all that from her?Zoe hugged me again. Oh, Sydney This is going to be great, she exclaimed. Were going to be together all the time