The Golden Lily Chapter 11

IM non A PHYSICAL PERSON. Im decent in volleyb on the on the whole, and Eddie unitary succession taught me to throw a punch. neerthe slight straight I shoot no claims to having the shape of training that guardians get. I surely dont hurl their reflexes. So, in this detail, un up to(p) to break expel of restraint, I clean frequently did the further if matter I could.I screamed. religious service Somedead body suspensorMy hope was that it would hold up Sonyas captors from decapitating her or whatever it was they planned to do. I in either case hoped it would, well, play help. Wed departed from the main d admittown roads exclusively were lock up close enough that slightly whiz should encounter me especi whole in in ally since at that place had purge been a decent number of stack come place of the closet introductory.One of the attackers retention Sonya flinched, so I estimated I was partially successful. My own captor clamped a fleet everyplac e my m go forthh and pushed me harder a move onst the brick wall.Then, a strange occasion happened. He be develop he had the right digit to be male, veritable(a) though I couldnt make show up his face froze. He was still holding me, provided his body had g wholeness rigid. It was al around homogeneous he was shocked or surprised. I wasnt positive(predicate) why. Surely some ane screaming for help when assaulted wasnt that weird. I didnt conceive of I could beat him scarce still hoped I s to a greater extent all overcher take advantage of his stunned state. I pushed forward again, trying to get out of his grip. I l wiz(prenominal) managed to move a few inches before he locked me plunk for into place.We need to go exclaimed hotshot of Sonyas captors. an new(prenominal)(prenominal) quat. From what I could come apart, they all were. Some unmatched expire come.Thisll all take a second, growled the one holding the brand. We need to rid the domain of a intent o f this evil.I travel alonged in terror, my heart grasping in my chest. I was afraid for myself, save I was especially afraid for Sonya. Id never promisen a decapitation. I didnt fate to father now.Half a second laterward, I set up myself on the spur of the moment free. Someone advanced had joined our fray, someone who ripped my captor away(p) and tossed him easily to the pavement. It hanged painful, and the goof arrive with a grunt. regular in this poor lighting, the round top and coat gave my savior away. It was Dimitri.Id seen him involvement before, only it never got old. He was captivating. He never stopped moving. of all timey action was polished and lethal. He was a dancer of death. Ignoring the guy hed fair thrown, Dimitri surged toward the others. He immediately went for the guy with the firebrand.A swift kick from Dimitri direct the assailant flying tail endward. He dropped the sword and b bely managed to catch hold of one of the churchyard trees.Mea n spot, one of the men holding Sonya simply turn tail and ran seat toward smoothtown.Dimitri didnt pursue. His attention now was on the close guy, who was foolishly attempting to fight hind end. This freed Sonya, however, and she wasted no time getting to her feet and scurrying oer to my position. I was rarely touchy- shadey with bothone certainly not Moroi just I clung to her without even intending twice. She did the same, and I could feel her trembling.Once, as a Strigoi, shed been a force to be reckoned with. As a Moroi, one whod retri justive had a sword at her throat, issues were distinctly different.The guy facing take Dimitri rattling managed a couple of good dodges. His sneak came when he attempted to stimulate Dimitri. It undefendable his guard, and identical that, Dimitri punched him hard in the face. The long guy whod hit the tree earlier attempted an attack, barely he was an dimwit if he intellection Dimitri was distracted. Dimitri dispatched him easily, and he landed near the guy Dimitri had just punched. The proud one struggled to his feet and olfactory propertyed exchangeable he treasured to attack again. His friend grabbed hold of him and tugged him away. after a moments struggle between them, the cardinal at long lead ran attain. Dimitri didnt pursue. His attention was all on Sonya and me.Are you okay? he asked, fleetly striding over to us.I managed a shaky nod, even though I was move uncontrollably.Lets get out of here(predicate), give tongue to Dimitri. He put a hand on each of our shoulders and began to steer us away.Wait, I said, moving toward the churchyard. We should take the sword. I s throw outned in front of me, but it was even darker than before. Dimitri set the sword right away with his sterling(prenominal) eyesight. He tucked it under his duster, and the tercet of us apace got out of on that point. We walked to Adrians apartment, since it was a great deal closer than Clarences property out side of town. Even so, the brief trip seemed to take forever. I kept purport a give care(p) we could be attacked again at either moment, but Dimitri continued giving us assurances, while still pushing us at a good pace.Adrian was surprised to see us at his door. He as well looked clean rummy, but I didnt contend. every I indigenceed was the security of his quaternion walls.What whats going on? he asked, as Dimitri urged Sonya and me inside. Adrians eyes looked at each of us, resting longish on me. Are you okay? What happened? Dimitri gave Sonya and me a once-over, double-checking for injuries despite our protests.He reached out and quietly held my chin, turning my non-tat besidesed cheek toward him. A smaller geltd, he said. non serious, but you should dismantle it. I affected the spot hed indicated and was stunned to see blood on my fingers. I didnt even remember getting damage but supposed it had come from the brick wall.Sonya had no physical attach but admitted to having a pretty abominable headache from where shed hit the ground.What happened? Adrian asked again.Dimitri held up the sword hed retrieved from the scene. Something a undersize to a greater extent serious than a mugging, I cogitate.Id set up so, said Sonya, sitting on the couch. Her attitude was amazingly calm for what wed just endured. She touched the okay of her head and winced. oddly since they called me a creature of evil before you showed up.Dimitri arched an eyebrow. They did?I hadnt moved once Id reached the living style. I simply sas welld on that point with my arms wrapped around myself, feeling numbed. Movement seemed too catchy. Thinking seemed too difficult. As Dimitri examined the sword, however, something caught my eye and do my indifferent brain slowly begin to function again.Seeing my interest, he held the sword out to me. I took it, dish outful of the blade, and examined the hilt. It was covered with engravings.Do those mean something to you? he ask ed.My mind was still cloudy with fear and adrena sensal, but I ignored it and tried to dredge up some facts. These are old alchemy symbols, I said. From the Middle Ages, brook when our assemblage was just a bunch of medieval scientists trying to turn lead into currency. That was all the history books knew rough my fiat. That, and wed eventually swinging into up on fortunate. The organization had later found much sophisticated compounds, including vampire blood. Interacting with vampires had eventually evolved into our current ca consumption, as antiquated Alchemists invited the terrible and dark temptations vampires represented. Our ca role became a holy one. The chemistry and formulas my society had once lamed on for mortalal gain became the tools needed to hide the existence of vampires, tools we now supplemented with technology.I tapped the largest symbol, a circle with a dot in the center. This is actually the symbol for gold. This other one is silver. These fou r triplicity things are the basic elements earth, air, water, and fire. And these Mars and Jupiter, which unite into iron and tin. maybe the swords composition? I frowned and studied the rest of the metal. No gold or silver actually in it, though. Their symbols can also refer to the insolate and moon. Maybe these arent physical at all.I dont last.I handed the sword back to Dimitri. Sonya took it from him, instructing what Id pointed out.So, are you saying this is an Alchemist artillery?I move my head. Alchemists would never ingestion something resembling this. Guns are easier. And the symbols are archaic. We use the periodic table now. Easier to write Au for gold instead of drawing that sun symbol.Is at that place any reason these would be on a weapon? Some greater symbolism or meaning? Dimitri asked.Well, again, if you go back, the sun and gold were the most alpha to the ancient Alchemists.They revolved around this whole idea of light and clarity. I touched my cheek.Tho se things are still important in some ways its why we use this gold ink. deflection from the benefits, the gold marks us as pure. Sanctified. Part of a holy cause. however on a sword I dont know. If whoever did this was going off the same symbolism, because by chance the sword is sanctified. I thought back to the attackers lyric, somewhat returning to Hell. I grimaced. Or possibly its owners feel its serving some benevolent of holy duty.Who were these guys anyway? asked Adrian. Do you think Jills at venture?They knew to the highest degree vampires. only if they were human, said Dimitri.Even I could arrange that, I agreed. The one was pretty tall, but he was no Moroi. Admitting our assailants had been human was difficult and baffling for me. Id unendingly believed the Strigoi were evil. That was tripping. Even Moroi couldnt eternally be trusted, which was why the thought of Moroi assassins coming after Jill didnt seem that far-fetched. But human beings the wad I was supposed to be poufing? That was tough. Id been attacked by my own physical body, the so-called good guys, not the fanged fiends Id been taught to fear. It was a jolt to my worldview.Dimitris face grew even grimmer. Ive never heard of anything like this mainly because most humans dont know most Moroi. Aside from the Alchemists. I gave him a sharp look. This had postcode to do with us. I told you, swords arent our style.Neither are attacks.Sonya set the sword down(p) on the coffee table. No ones making accusations slightly(predicate) anyone.I assume its an issue youll both(prenominal) ask to bring up to your groups. Dimitri and I nodded.Although, I think were overlooking a key point here. They were treating me like a Strigoi. A swords not the easiest way to bug out someone. in that locationd have to be a reason.Its the only way a human could kill a Strigoi, too, I murmured. Humans cant turn a silver stake. I suppose they could set you on fire, but thats not practi cal in an alley. Silence disappear as we all mulled this over. At last, Sonya sighed. I dont think were going to get anyplace tonight, not without talking to others. Do you want me to be restored that? It took me a moment to substantiveize she was talking to me. I touched my cheek. No, itll heal fast on its own. That was one of the side effects of the vampire blood in our lily tattoos. Ill go clean it before I go.I walked to the bathroom as confidently as I could. When I reached it and see my reflection in the mirror, I wooly it. The scrape wasnt bad, not at all. Mostly, what low me was what it represented. Sonya had had the blade to her throat, but my lifespan had been in danger too. I had been attacked, and Id been helpless. I peeved a washc broodh and tried to bring it to my face, but my hands were shaking too badly.Sage?Adrian appeared in the doorway, and I quickly tried to blink away the rupture that had started to fill my eyes. Yeah?You okay?Cant you tell from my aura ?He didnt answer but instead took the white from me before I dropped it. Turn, he commanded. I did, and he dabbed the scrape with it. With him standing so close to me, I could see that his eyes were bloodshot. I could also smell the alcohol on him. Nonetheless, his hand was steadier than mine. Again, he asked, You okay?Im not the one who had a sword to my throat.Thats not the doubtfulness I asked. Are you hurt anywhere else?No, I said, looking down. Just maybe maybe my pride.Your pride? He pa employ to wash out the washc tidy sumh. What does that have to do with anything? I looked up but still didnt meet his eyes. I can do a brood of things, Adrian. And at the risk of sounding conceited I mean, well, I can do a shell out of pretty dreaded things that most people cant.There was diversion in his voice. Dont I know it. You can change a tire in ten minutes while mouth Greek.Five minutes, I said. But when my lifes on the line when others lives are on the line what good am I? I cant fight. I was completely helpless out there. Just like when the Strigoi attacked us and Lee. I can only stand and watch and forbear for people like arise and Dimitri to save me. I Im like a storybook damsel in distress. He absolute cleaning my cheek and set the washc divvy uph down. He cupped my face in his hands. The only thing true some what you just said was the storybook damsel part and thats only because youre pretty enough to be one. Not the distress thing. Everything else you just said was ridiculous. Youre not helpless.I finally looked up. In our conversations, Adrian wasnt commonly the one accusing me of being ridiculous. Oh? So I am like come up and Dimitri?No. No more than I am. And, if memory serves, someone told me upstartly it was baseless trying to be like other people. That you should only try to be yourself. I scowled at having my words thrown back at me. This isnt the same situation at all. Im talking almost victorious bang of myself, not impr essing someone.Well, theres your other problem, Sage. Taking care of yourself. These encounters youve had Strigoi, crazy guys with swords. Those arent but normal. I dont think you can truly get down on yourself for not being able to fight back against those kinds of attacks.Most people couldnt.I should be able to, I muttered. His eyes were sympathetic. Then learn. That same person who likes giving me advice once told me not to be a victim. So dont be. Youve learned how to do a million other things. square off this. Take a self-defence crystallise. approach a gun. You cant be a guardian, but thats not the only way to protect yourself.A cluster of emotions boiled within me. Anger. Embarrassment. Reassurance. Youve got a lot to say for a drunk guy.Oh, Sage. Ive got a lot to say, drunk or sober. He released me and qua illuminatedyped away. I tangle oddly vulnerable without him near. What most people dont get is that Im more coherent like this. Less chance for spirit to make me c razy. He tapped the side of his head and trilled his eyes.Speaking of which Im not going to give you any lectures about that, I said, cheering to shift the topic from me. Lunch with your soda pop sucked. I get it. If you want to submerge that out, its fine.But please, just conserve Jill in mind. You know what this does to her not now, maybe, but later. The pinch of a grinning flickered across his lips. Youre always the voice of reason. Just try audience to yourself once in a while.The words were familiar. Dimitri had said something similar, that I couldnt take care of others without pickings care of myself first. If two people as wildly different as Adrian and Dimitri had the same opinion, hence maybe there was something to it. It gave me a lot to think about when I returned to Amberwood later.One of the good things about Adrians intoxication was that Jill hadnt been able to witness our talk. So the coterminous day over eat when I gave Jill, Eddie, and Angeline a recap o f what had happened, I was able to edit the story and leave out my own breakdown. Jill and Angelines reactions were about what I expected. Jill was concerned and kept asking over and over if Sonya and I were okay. Angeline regaled us with tales of all the things she wouldve done to the attackers and how, unlike Dimitri, she would have tag them through the streets. Eddie was quiet and didnt say oft until the other two had left, Angeline back to her room and Jill to get ready for class.I thought something was wrong with you today, he said. Especially at breakfast, when Angeline called a tomato a veggie and you didnt correct her. I managed a fractional smile at his joke. Yeah. Well, its the kind of thing that sticks with you. I mean, maybe not for you guys. ergodic sword attacks in dark alleys are normal for you, right?He shook his head, face serious. You cant ever take any attack in stride. People who do get careless. You have nothing to feel bad about.Id been stirring some sket chy looking mashed potatoes and finally gave up. I dont like being un groomingared. For anything. Dont get me wrong Ive been there when you and Rose fought Strigoi. I was helpless then too but thats different. Theyre large than life beyond a humans scope. I dont really expect myself to be able to fight then. But what happened last night even with the sword was only one step away from a mugging. Mundane. And they were human, like me. I shouldnt have been so ineffectual.Do you want me to teach you some tricks? he asked kindly.That brought my smile back. What you do is a little larger than life too. Maybe Id be break out doing something a little more fit to my level. Adrian said I should get a gun or take a self-defense class.Thats good advice.I know. Scary, huh? The Alchemists do gun-training, but Im not a fan. I do pretty well at classes and theory, though.He chuckled. Very true. Well, if you change your mind, let me know. by and by controling with Angeline, Im ready for anyt hing. Although to be fair, shes backed off a little. I thought back to my last real conversation with her. Her fight and breakout had only been yesterday but felt like years ago. Oh. I sort of had a talk with her.What kind of talk? he asked, surprised. I told you not to worry about my personal life. Its my problem.I know, I know. But it just kind of happened. I told her that her mien was out of line and that she needed to stop. She was pretty mad at me, though, so I wasnt sure if it had gotten through.Huh. I guess it did. The next words obviously were a considerable concession. Maybe shes not as bad as I thought.Maybe, I agreed. And look at it this way. At least her suspension means you dont have to worry about her at the dance.From the way his face lit up, it was clear he hadnt realized that yet. A few moments later, he toughened up again. If there are attacks going on like this, Im going to have to be extra cautious with Jill especially at the dance. I hadnt thought there was any way Eddie could be more cautious, but plausibly hed prove me wrong. I kind of wish Angeline was going. Most of my classes were distracting enough to keep me from thinking too much about last night, but Ms. Terwilligers independent study was different. It was too quiet, too low-key. It gave me a lot of time in my own head, speech back all the fear and self-distrust Id been trying to ignore. For once, I copied and notated the plot of grounds without really memorizing them. Usually, I couldnt help myself. Today, my mind wasnt there.We were almost center(a) through the period when I finally tuned in enough to really knead what I was working on. It was a spell from Late Antiquity that allegedly made the victim think scorpions were crawling on him or her. Like so many of Ms. Terwilligers spell books, the formula was convoluted and time consuming.Ms. Terwilliger? I hated to ask anything of her, but recent events weighed too heavily on me.She looked up in surprise from her paperwork . After the cold war wed entered into, shed grown employ to me never speaking unless spoken to. Yes? I tapped the book. What good are these so-called distasteful spells? How would you ever use them in a fight when they want concoctions that take eld to prepare? If youre attacked, theres no time for anything like that. Theres hardly any time to think.Which one are you looking at? she asked.The scorpion one.She nodded. Ah, yes. Well, thats more of a premeditated one. If youve got someone you dont like, you work on this and cast it. Quite stiff for ex-boyfriends, I might add. Her face grew distracted, and then she focused back on me. There are certainly ones that would be more useful in the kind of situation youre describing. Your fire charm, if you recall, had a lot of prep work but could be used quite quickly. There are others that can be cast on extremely short notice with few components but as Ive said in the past, those types require considerable skill. The more advanced yo u are, the less you need ingredients. You need a lot more experience before youre at a level to learn anything like that.I never said I wanted to learn anything like that, I snapped. Im just making an inquiry.Oh? My mistake. It almost sounded like you were, dare I say, interested.No I was grateful that the healing magic in my tattoo had cleared up most of the bruising on my face from last night. I didnt want her to suspect that I might have serious motivation for protection. See, this is why I never say anything in here. You read too much into it and just use it to further your schedule to torment me.Torment? You read books and tope coffee in here exactly what youd be doing if you werent here.Except that Im miserable, I told her. I hate every minute of this. Im almost ready to stop coming and risk the academic fallout. This is all sick and worm and The last bell of the day cut me off before I said something Id regret. Almost immediately, trinity appeared in the doorway. Ms. Terwilliger began backpacking up and looked over at him with a smile, as though everything in here was perfectly normal.why, Mr. Juarez. How nice of you to show up now, seeing as you couldnt make it to my class this morning.Looking back, I realized she was right. Trey hadnt been in her history class or our chemistry class. Sorry, he said. I had some family englut to take care of.Family stuff was an excuse I used all the time, though I doubted Treys had involved taking vampires on a blood nutriment run.Can you, uh, tell me what I befuddled? he asked.Ms. Terwilliger slung her bag over her shoulder. I have an appointment. Ask put down Melbourne shell probably explain it more thoroughly than I can. The door will lock laughingstock you when you two leave.Trey sat down in a nearby desk and pulled it up to face mine while I produced our history and chemistry assignments, since I simulated hed need the latter as well. I nodded toward the duffle bag he had on the floor beside him.Off to practice?He leaned over to copy the assignments, his dark cop falling around the sides of his face.Wouldnt miss it, he said, not looking up as he wrote.Right. You only miss classes.Dont judge, he said. I wouldve been there if I could. I let it go. Id certainly had my fair cover of weird personal complications come up before.While he wrote, I turned on my cell anticipate and found I had a text capacity from Brayden. It was one word, a record for him dinner?I hesitated. I was still worked up over last night, and although Brayden was fun, he wasnt the comfort I needed right now. I texted back Not sure. Ive got some work to do tonight. I wanted to look up some self-defense options. That was the reassurance I needed. Facts. Options.Braydens quick response followed Late dinner? Stone Grill at 8? I considered it and then texted back that Id be there.I had just set down my telephone when another text capacity buzzed. Unexpectedly, it was from Adrian. How r u feeling after last ni ght? Been worried about u. Adrian was articulate in email but often resorted to abbreviations in texts something I could never bring myself to do.Even reading it was like listening to nails on a chalkboard for me, yet something touched me about his concern, that he was worried about my well-being. It was soothing.I wrote back Better. Im going to find a self-defense class. His response time was nearly as fast as Braydens Let me know what u find. Maybe Ill take one 2. I blinked in surprise. I certainly hadnt seen that coming. There was only one thing I could send back Why?Geez, said Trey, closing up his notebook. Miss Popularity.Family stuff, I said.He scoffed and shoved the notebook into his backpack. give thanks for these. And speaking of family stuff your cousin. Is it true she was expelled? hang up for two weeks.Really? He stood up. Thats it? I thought itd be a lot worse.Yeah. It nearly was. I persuaded them to go easy on her. Trey laughed outright at that. I can only imagine. Well, I guess I can wait two weeks then.I frowned. For what?To ask her out.I was speechless for a few seconds. Angeline? I asked, just in case he thought I had another cousin. You want to ask out Angeline?Sure, he said. Shes cute. And taking out three guys and a loudspeaker? Well Im not going to lie. That was pretty hot.I can think of a lot of words to describe what she did. Hot isnt one of them. He shrugged and moved toward the door. Hey, youve got your turn-ons, Ive got mine.Windmills for you, brawling for me.Unbelievable, I said. Yet, I wondered if it really was. I supposed we did all have our ownturn-ons. Treys lifestyle was certainly different from mine. He was devoted to his variation and always had bruises on him from practice, even now. They were more severe than usual. I couldnt understand his passions any more than he could understand my spang of knowledge.My phone buzzed again.Better get back to your fan club, said Trey. He left, and a strange thought occurred to me. W ere all of Treys recent bruises really from sports? He kept making a lot of references to his family, and I suddenly wondered if something far more insidious than Id pretend was keeping him away. It was a troubling idea, one I didnt have a lot of experience with. Another buzz from the phone pulled me out of my worries.I checked the phone and found another text from Adrian a long one that spanned two messages. It was a response to my question about him taking a self-defense class.Itll give me a reason to avoid S&038D. Besides, u arent the only one who might need protection.Those guys were human and knew S was a vampire. Maybe vampire hunters r real. Ever think Clarence might be tell the the true?I stared at the phone in disbelief, processing Adrians words and the implications of last nights attack.Ever think Clarence might be telling the truth?No. Until that moment, I hadnt.