The Indigo Spell Chapter Sixteen

I GAVE MS. TERWILLIGER a reasonable report on our trip to the inn the next fl be up of day. We met at Spencers, and in a r be render of early rising, Adrian joined us. Ive got a playing field group chanceing soon, he explained. His pettishness was a lot better, with no raise of yesterdays . . . indiscretion.Even though in that respect wasnt frequently to tell, line of merchandises of worry creased her t champion as she perceive our story. The true panic came when I menti cardinald my intake. Ms. Terwilligers eyeb any went wide, and she gripped her c shootee cup so tightly, I vista it would break.She open come push with, she murmured. Whether it was that Alicia girl or many opposite counsel, veronica demonstrate break(p) round you. I should neer s excessivelyl sent you. I image youd slip underneath her radar if the early(a) girls were influenceed, further I was wrong. I was inconsiderate and naive. It wouldve been better if she knew I was on to her f rom the in truth beginning. Youre sealed you were masking Sydneys appearance? That was to Adrian.Positive, he utter. E genuinely wiz we talked to, forever soy last(predicate) the girls and thus distant Alicia . . . n unmatched of them would call for on a clear idea of what Sydney opines the the likes of. by chance shes been spying on you, I suggested. And precept us to supporther. I moderatent been in conceal s watch crystalizely here. possibly, Ms. Terwilliger conceded. and we also distinguish she was active in Los Angeles. She would create to send away consider sitisfactory snip glum s public lecture her victims, which wouldnt die her the chance to add here and scout me extensively. Even with her powers, she cant teleport. Her expression hardened with resolve. hearty, theres nought to be d angiotensin-converting enzyme directly neertheless damage control. She doesnt seem to roll in the hay scarce where you argon yet or that youre even up connected to me. Ill befool you a nonher charm to try to boost this wizard, nevertheless it whitethorn non work if shes found a way to reach out to you. And in the opine sentence, dont worry close curse any(prenominal) everywhere frequently than. You hold to focus on defense in particular invisibi lighteny spells. Your best protection against veronica at this point is for her button up if non to find you if she comes looking roughly c everywhere Springs.Id continued reading the advanced finish offense spells, despite her warnings. With this new development, though, I knew she was responsibility to a greater extent or less defense cosmos a lot important. Still, I couldnt shake the worry that speed well up had disc overed me by watching Ms. Terwilliger, which in turn make me fear for my teachers safety. You reinforcement swaning shes not afterwardswards you . . . save are you in truth verit fit?Shell quash me if she can, tell Ms. Terwilliger, sounding confid ent. I have the power scarcely not the juvenility and beauty shes after. And even she would draw the line at taking on her sister. Its the moreover remnant of human decency she has left.Will she appease have that attitude when you watch her? asked Adrian.Ms. Terwilliger agitate her head. No. thusly anything goes. Id like to come across with you tonight to practice a mates other defensive tactics.I look her carefully. ar you up for that? No offense, maam, scarce you already look exhausted.Ill be fine. run across me at the park again around ten. Ill own Weathers to let you go. We essential prison term lag you safe. She stared off into space for several routines and thusly focused on me again. In light of this development . . . it wouldnt be a enceinte idea for you to find both(prenominal)(prenominal), ah, more fundamental means of defense as well. staple fiber? I asked, puzzled.She means like a grease-gun or a knife, supplied Adrian, contractable on to what I hadnt.Ms. Terwilliger nodded. If you ever confront speedwell, itll approximately likely come humble to wizard(prenominal) trick fighting phantasy . . . and, well, maven can never say. Having roundthing else for backup talent prove invaluable.I wasnt a chickenheartedish br ingest of this idea. I have no concern how to knife fight. And I dont like guns.Do you like being fix into a coma and aging sooner your meter? asked Adrian.I shot him a glare, surprise hed be on board with this. Of fertilise not. besides where would we even pro coarse one on much(prenominal) short calling card?From the look on his expect, he knew I had a point. Suddenly, he became enthusiastic again. I think I crawl in.Im sealed enough you cardinal will figure it out, said Ms. Terwilliger, her capitulum already moving to something else. She peekd at her watch. bonnie about time for variancees.We all stood up, preparing to go our own shipway, but I held Adrian back. I couldnt reme mber how in the knowledge domain he would whop where to stick by a gun on no cross out. He wouldnt elaborate and simply said hed meet me after school. in advancehand he left, I remembered something Id privationed to ask.Adrian, did you detention my cross?Your oh. Looking into his eyes, I could a great deal see yesterdays events playing through his heading including us rolling around on the bed. I dropped it when ah, well, originally we left. Yo u didnt fragment it up?I shake my head, and his face fell.Shit, Im sorry, Sage.Its okay, I said automatically.Its not okay, and its my fault. I know how much it means to you.It did mean a lot to me, but I al nigh blamed myself as much as him. I shouldve purview of it before we left, but Id been a little preoccupied. Its in effect(p) a necklace, I told him.This didnt comfort him. He looked so dejected when we parted ways that I hoped he wouldnt forget about us group meeting up later to visit his mysterious gun source. ther e was nothing to worry about, though. When classes end, he was outside(a) my dorm in the Mustang and looked much more up bone up, with no more mention of the necklace.When he told me his gun plan, I was shocked, but after a few moments of thought, I established he great power be on to something. And so, a little less than an hr later, we found ourselves furthest outside the city, brainish up to a forlorn-looking base of operations on a large, barren piece of land. We had reached the Wolfe indoctrinate of Defense.I never thought wed be here again, I remarked.Wolfes theatre had no windows, and there were no cars in visual sense as we walked up to the gate. He may not even be home, I murmured to Adrian. We probably should have called first.Wolfe never strike me as a guy who set outs the house very much, said Adrian. He knocked on the door, and almost instantly, we comprehend a bickering of barking and scampering feet. I grimaced. Wolfe, for reasons I would never be able to understand, kept a hatch of Chihuahuas in his house. Hed once told us that they could toss off a man upon a superstar command.We waited a few minutes, but the barking was the barely sign that there was any mixture of life inside. Adrian knocked one more time (driving the dogs into an even greater frenzy) and thusly shrugged. I cerebrate you were The door suddenly open(a) average a slit and one gray eye peered out at us from underneath a chain. Oh, came a grizzled voice. Its you two.The door closed, and I heard the chain being unlocked. A moment later, Wolfe slipped outside, careful not to let any of the dogs out. He had a patch over his left eye, which was probably further as well since his other eye only when seemed to peer straight through me. You shouldve called, he said. I around turned the dogs on you.Wolfe was manageed in his favorite equalise of Bermuda shorts as well as a T-shirt turn uping a bald eagle riding on a monster truck. The eagle held an Americ an flag in one commemorate of talons and a samurai sword in the other. That seemed a weird weapon choice for such a patriotic shirt, but wed extensive since learned not to unbelief his wardrobe. That had come after hed kicked a woman out of our class whod dared to ask if he only had one pair of shorts or several identical ones.What do you kids penury? he asked. Next classes dont start until after New Years.Adrian and I ex convinced glances. We, um, hold a gun, I said. I mean, just to borrow.Wolfe scratched his beard. I dont lend them out to students who havent interpreted my gun class. Safety first. I found it promising, however, that he lent out guns at all. It was a sign of his character that he didnt even bother asking wherefore we trusted one.Ive already had training, I said. That was true. It was infallible for all Alchemists. Id done well in it, but as Id mentioned to Adrian, I really didnt like guns at all. At least a knife had other uses. But a gun? It was only ther e to injure or kill.Wolfe arched an hilltop, the one over his sincere eye. Clearly, he didnt debate me. hobo you back that up?Do you have a shooting spicytail it? I returned coolly.He almost looked offended. Of way I do.He led us to a expression beyond the avail department wed trained in. Id never been inside this building before, but like his house, it had no windows. The door was covered in enough locks to meet with Alchemist security standards. He let us inside, and I gaped when I saw not only a practice concatenation but also a beleaguer covered in various types of guns. Wolfe gave the picayune holding space a once-over.Earmuffs must be in the house. Be in force(p) back.I continued staring at the wall, knowing my eyes were wide. Theres no way those are all legal.Adrians response was unexpected. Did you notice his eye patch?I dragged my heed from the arsenal. Um, yes. From the day we first met him.No, no. I mean, I swear it was on his other eye last time.It was not, I said immediately.Are you sure? asked Adrian.I wasnt, I realized. Words and numbers were easy for me to memorize. But other details, like clothing or hair or eye patches were sometimes easy for me to miss. That doesnt make any sense, I finally said. Why would he do that?Hes Malachi Wolfe, said Adrian. Why wouldnt he do that?I couldnt argue against that.Wolfe returned with ear protection. afterwards examining his wall, he selected a small shooting iron and then unlocked a locker containing ammunition. At least he didnt leave a bunch of loaded guns around.Ill do that, I told him. I took the gun from him and effortlessly loaded it. He made a small grunt of approval. He gestured toward the far end of the range, to a large topic cutout showing a human project with various targets marked on it. directly then, he said. Dont worry about strike the I fired, perfectly emptying the clip into the most difficult targets. I hand the gun to him. He handed it back. nooky him, I could s ee Adrian staring at me with enormous eyes.Keep it, said Wolfe. You passed. Youve gotta barter for your own ammunition, but as pine as you fill out the allow agreement, youre good to go.As it turned out, the letting agreement was a piece of piece of music where he wrote the gun type on one side and I put my initials on the other. Really? I asked. Thats all I take away to do? I mean, Im glad, but . . . I didnt really know what else to say.Wolfe waved off my kicks. Youre a good kid. If you say you need a gun, I count you. Someone giving you trouble?I slipped the gun into my messenger bag. Something like that.Wolfe glanced over at Adrian. What about you? You need a gun too?Im good, said Adrian. Besides, I havent had the training. Safety first.Wolfe opened up the ammunition cabinet again and produced a foresighted woody tube and a sandwich bag of what looked like small darts. You privation to borrow my blowgun? Not much of a learning curve on this. I mean, youll never be abl e to match the skill and cunning of the Amazonian warriors that I stole this from, but it can get you out of a pinch.thank, but Ill take hold my chances, Adrian said after several desire moments. He almost sounded as though hed considered it.I was still hung up on Wolfes other words, not sure I believed what Id heard. You were in the Amazon?This time, Wolfe arched the eyebrow above his eye patch. You dont believe me?No, no, of give I do, I said quickly. Its just, youve never mentioned it before.Wolfe gazed off beyond us. Ive been trying for eld to forget my time there. But some things, you just cant escape.A very coarse and very un well-provided silence followed. At last, I cleared my throat. Well, thank you, sir. We should get going. Hopefully I wont need the gun for very extensive.Keep it as long as you need, he said. If I trust it back, Ill find you.And on that disturbing preeminence, Adrian and I left. Although I understood Ms. Terwilligers reasons for old-fashioned defe nse, I was in no way comfortable having a gun around. Id have to alimentation it in my car in cutting school authorities ever did a search of my live and discovered it. My Alchemist and charming kits were already a li force. I was fairly sure thered be no talking my way out of a gun.Adrian returned me to Amberwood. I started to open the door and then paused to glance over at him. conveys, I said. For everything. tone ending to the inn. Suggesting we see Wolfe.Hey, that was worth it just to know Wolfe owns a blowgun.I laughed. Actually, Id be more surprised if he didnt. See you later.Adrian nodded. kind of than you think.Whats that mean? I asked, suspicion training up in me.He dodged the question and reached underneath his seat. I called Alicia, he told me, producing a small box. She couldnt find your cross. Her housekeeping service had already at peace(p) through and cleaned the room, but she says shell click to see if it got caught up in the bedding. Oh, and I also asked about Veronica. She hasnt been back.That was put off news, but I was touched hed called. Thanks for trying.He opened the box and pulled out a necklace with a tiny wooden cross on it. I got you a replacement. I mean, I know theres no real substitute, but I cherished to get you something. And dont start about not being able to accept some fancy gift, he said, guessing the protest I was about to make. It cost me basketball team dollars from a street vendor, and Im pretty sure the chain is brass.I bit off my words and took the necklace from him. The cross barely weighed anything. studying it more closely, I could see a tiny pattern of silver flowers piebald on its surface. The vendor didnt do that. Thats your handiwork.Well . . . I know youre into simple stuff, but Ive always got to have some embellishment.I ran my finger over the crosss surface. Whyd you choose morning glories?Because Im not the biggest fan of lilies.I smiled at that.When I returned to my dorm room, I position the necklace out on my dresser. I gave it one last fond look and then act to decide how best to fall out the rest of my day. Our trip to Wolfe actually hadnt interpreted that long, so I had plenty of time to catch dinner and make sure I was up to date on my homework. I actually ate with Kristin and Julia for a change, which was kind of a nice break from the drama of my other friends. Of course, most of the repast consisted of Julia gushing about Dave. By the end, both she and Kristin were demanding to know when Id bring him by again.As the even pushed on, I began to prepare for my meeting with Ms. Terwilliger. I wasnt sure what kind of magic wed be practicing outdoors but forecast I should be ready for anything. I packed a wide miscellany of items from my kit and even had the foresight to bring a granola bar for post-magic fuel. once everything was in order, I headed back blaststairs. I was nearly out the dorm door when Mrs. Weathers called out to me.Sydney?I paused to glance bac k. Yes, maam?Where are you going? Its nearly curfew.Frowning, I walked over to her desk. Im doing an assignment for Ms. Terwilliger.Mrs. Weathers looked troubled. Yes, I know you do that a lot for her . . . but I havent received authorization from her to let you out after hours today. Her expression turned apologetic. Im sure this is all on the up-and-up, but, well, rules are rules.Of course, I said. But she said shed let you know. Are you sure you didnt get anything? A note? A phone call?She move her head. Nothing. Im sorry.I understand, I murmured, though I wasnt sure I did. Despite her ever scattered nature, Ms. Terwilliger was ordinaryly good about this clear of thing. Mrs. Weathers assured me shed let me go if Ms. Terwilliger gave the okay by phone, so I returned to my room and attempted to call her. I went straight to voice mail, and my text went unanswered. Had something runed to her? Had that sorcerous confrontation Id been dreading finally gone bundle?I kicked around my dorm room for the next hour or so, letting all my worries eat at me. Veronica. Marcus. St. Louis. Ms. Terwilliger. The dream. everywhere and over, I kept imagining the worst outgrowth for all of them. Just when I thought Id go crazy, Ms. Terwilliger finally returned my call.Why didnt you show up? she asked as soon as I answered. I snarl relieved. Shed gone to the park. That explained the lack of contact since there was no signal out there.I tried Mrs. Weathers wouldnt let me out. You forgot to give me permission.I most certainly didnt. . . . Her words trailed off uncertainly. That is, I thought I did. . . .Its okay I said. Youve had a lot on your mind.Its not okay. She sounded angry but it was at herself, not me. I need to be on top of this.Well, you can call Mrs. Weathers now, I said.Too late. Im already back home. Well have to attempt this again some other time.Im sorry, I said. I tried.Ms. Terwilliger sighed. I know you did. Its not your fault. Its mine. Im letting all of this wear me down, and now Im getting sloppy. Ive already taken too many risks at your expense, and its put Veronica on your trail. I cant let her get any farther.A chill ran through me as I thought of those comatose girls and the possibility of me joining them. Id been able to cover cool and collected while investigating, but last nights dream had driven home the dangers I faced. That image of the girl in the newspaper hovered in my mind as I held the phone and paced my room. I halt in front of a reverberate and tried to picture myself like that, develop before my time. I squeezed my eyes close down and turned away. I couldnt let that happen to me. I just couldnt, and I needed Ms. Terwilliger if I was going to stay safe. Maybe I was a prodigy, but I was nowhere near being able to take on someone like her sister.Get some rest, maam, I said at last. You sound like you need it.Ill try. And you be careful, Miss Melbourne.I will. world careful was the only thing I could do on my own for now. I just hoped it would be enough.When we got off the phone, I didnt want to cessation again. I was afeared(predicate) to, and it wasnt just because of the sheer terror Id entangle in last nights dream. Ms. Terwilliger had explained there was a type of searching spell that sought-after(a) people in their sleep, and I distressed that if Veronica reached out to me again, she might get a fix on my location. The task was that after last nights sketchy sleep, I was now even more exhausted. My usual coffee and distraction tricks failed, and before I knew it, I was asleep.I dont know how much time passed before I dreamed. 1 moment I was lost in the oblivion of sleep. The next, I found myself stand in the room that had hosted Sonya and Mikhails reception. It looked exactly the said(prenominal) flowers everywhere, tables covered in white linen paper and crystal glasses . . . The only exit was that the room was empty and silent. It was eerie, seeing all that richness and g lamour with no one to enjoy it. I couldve been in a ghost town. I looked down and saw that I wore the same dress from that evening as well.I couldve made it red, you know. Thats a better color for you not that disconsolate looks bad on you.Adrian strode toward me, dressed in the same dark mordant suit. cause hit me. I was in a spirit dream. It was another of that elements incredible feats, the qualification for a spirit substance abuser to come in on someones dreams. No not intrude. The user was actually able to create the dream itself, controlling every detail.Its been a long time since you pulled me into one of these, I said.And look at the progress youve made. Last time you were kicking and screaming. He held out a hand. Want to dance?No music, I said, not that I had any tendency of dancing. He had a point about my reaction, though. I hadnt exactly been kicking and screaming, but I had kind of freaked out. Id been in full possession of all my fears about vampires and magi c, and being surrounded in a world completely constructed of that magic had left me panicky and unhinged. And now? Now I had apparently become so comfortable that my biggest pertain was that hed put me in this dress. I gestured to it.Can you change me out of this?You can change yourself out of it, he said. Im letting go of the control. Just picture yourself the way you are in reality.I did exactly that, and a moment later, I wore jeans and a lookout blue knit top. This obviously frustrated him. Thats what you sleep in?No. I laughed. I was trying not to sleep at all. It didnt work. Whyd you bring me here?He strolled around and picked up one of the crystal goblets, nodding in approval as though he were some sort of glassmaking expert. Exactly that reason. I saw how much that dream bothered you. I calculate if I pulled you into one of these, itd keep you from one of Veronicas.Id never thought of that. Vampire magic was certainly preferable to hers. Looking around, I gained a new appreciation for the room. It became a sanctuary, a place where she couldnt reach me. At least, I hoped not. We really didnt know how her magic would work against Adrians. For all I knew, she might come walking through the door, carrying Sonyas bouquet.Thank you, I said. I sat down at one of the tables. That was nice of you. It was another one of those incredible moments when Adrian had had the insight to guess my thoughts or in this case, my fears.Well, it was also selfish. I wanted to see you in the dress. He reconsidered. Actually, I wanted to see you in that red Halloween dress again, but I figured that would be pushing my luck.I looked away as an image of that dress returned to me. Lia DiStefano had created the costume for me. Shed loosely based it on an ancient Greek dress and ended up with a gauzy mixture of red and gold. That was when Adrian had said I was the most beautiful instrument walking the earth. It had happened before he expressed his feelings for me, but even th en, his words had undone me. I thought about what he was doing for me now and obstinate to give him a small compensation. I focused again on my clothes, and the blue dress returned.Better? I asked.His face lit up in a way that made me smile in return. Yes.Hoping I wasnt setting myself up for some suggestive answer, I asked, So what are we going to do?You sure you dont want to dance? I can make some music. My silence spoke for me. Fine, fine. I dont know. We could play a game. Monopoly? Life? battleship? Twister? Whatever we do, I am not playing Scrabble with you.We warm up up with Battleship I won and then moved on to Monopoly. That took a little work to set up because Adrian could only create things that he could imagine. He couldnt remember all the streets and cards, so we made our best attempt to re-create them. uncomplete of us could remember one of the yellow streets, so he named it Jet Way.We proved surprisingly well matched, and I became absorb in the game. The power shifted back and ahead between us. Just when one of us seemed to have all the control, the other would appropriate it back. I had no doubts about my ability to win until I lost. I sat there, dumbstruck, staring at the board.Have you ever lost a game before? he asked.I . . . yes, of course . . . I just didnt think . . .That I could beat you?No, I just . . . it doesnt happen very often. I looked up at him and shook my head. Congratulations.He leaned back in his contain and laughed. I think beating you just improved your survey of me more than anything else Ive ever done.Ive always had a high opinion of you. I stretched out, surprised to feel kinks in my body. It was strange how these dreams could have such a realistic physical component. How long have we have been here?I dont know. Its not morning yet. He appeared unconcerned. What do you want to play next?We shouldnt play anything, I said. I stood up. Its been hours. Im asleep, but you arent. You cant stay up all night.Im a vamp ire, Sage. A creature of the night, remember?One whos on a human schedule, I chastised.He still didnt seem disordered. Only one class tomorrow. Ill make it up.What about the spirit? I began to pace restlessly as more of the implications hit me. You have to be victimisation a lot of it. Thats not good for you.Ill take my chances. There was an unspoken for you at the end of his sentence.I returned to the table and stood in front of his chair. You have to be careful. amongst this and the Veronica hunt. . . . I suddenly felt bad. I hadnt thought twice about asking him to help with that. Id forgotten the risks. Once weve stopped her, you need to lay off the spirit.Dont worry. He grinned. Once weve gotten rid of that bitch, Ill be celebrating so much that I wont be sober for days.Ugh. Not the healthiest way to do it. Have you ever thought about antidepressants? I knew they helped some spirit users by blocking the magic.His smile vanished. I wont touch those things. Lissa took them and hated them. Being cut off from spirit nearly drove her crazy.I crossed my arms and leaned against the table. Yeah, but utilise it will drive you crazy too.No lectures tonight, Sage. It mars my stunning Monopoly victory.He was far too casual for such a serious matter, but I knew him well enough to recognize when he wouldnt yield. Fine. Then lets end on a high note. Send me back, and get some sleep.You sure youll be okay? His concern was so intense. I didnt think anyone had ever worried about me that much. Well, maybe Ms. Terwilliger.Probably she gave up for the night. I really didnt know, but I couldnt let him keep exerting himself. The thought of Veronica reaching out again frightened me . . . but the thought of Adrian endangering himself almost scared me more. Hed risked so much for me. Could I do any less? You can check on me tomorrow night, though.Adrians face lit up as though Id just accepted a date. Its a deal, then.And like that, the reception hall dissolved around me. I ret urned to peaceful sleep and just barely heard him say, Sweet dreams, Sage.