The Indigo Spell Chapter Five

I LEFT SHORTLY THEREAFTER with the Alchemists and didnt expect to see Adrian for a little turn. He was staying on with the rough other Moroi a couple more eld in Pennsylvania, so t present was no chance of a repeat flight together. My blow up back to California was quiet and uneventful, though my mind raced with solely the developments of the last couple of days. Between Ms. Terwilligers cryptic warning and my recent lead on Marcus, I had plenty to occupy me.A text message from Eddie greeted me when I hailed a cab at the Palm Springs airport Were eating at Marquees. Wanna join us? A follow-up message soon came You can drive us back. I directed the driver to take me to a suburb on the cold edge of the city rather than Amberwoods fellowship in Vista Azul. I was hungry, seeing as thered been no dinner served on the plane in coach, and besides, I wanted my car back in my own pass.When I arrived at the restaurant, I found Eddie and Angeline sitting on star side of a kiosk wit h Jill on the other. Immediately, I knew wherefore theyd chosen to eat so uttermost from our school. Being a manner meant Eddie and Angeline could go out as a couple. Back at Amberwood, e heartylyone thought we were related. Eddie, Jill, and I passed ourselves off as siblings, while Angeline was our cousin. Eddie and Angeline had recently started dating, so theyd had to hide their relationship from our classmates to avoid raising suspicions. We already seemed to attract enough attending as it was.Angeline was cuddled up in Eddies arm. stock-still he looked like he was having a good time, which was adequate to see. He in like mannerk his responsibilities so seriously and was often so tense that it seemed as though it wouldnt take much to use up him snap in two. Angeline though uncouth, unpredic add-in, and often inappropriate had proven remarkably good for him. That didnt make him any less diligent in his guardian duties, of course.Things were a little different on the oppo site side of the table. Jill looked miserable, slumped into the seat with her arms crossed. Her light embrown tomentum hung forward, covering part of her face. After ill-fated romances with a guy who wanted to become a Strigoi and with Eddies human roommate, Jill had come to realize that Eddie might very well be the guy for her. It was fitting, too, because for a long time, hed harbored a secret crush on her, fiercely dedi qated to her in the way a knight served his liege lady. Hed n ever so believed he was worthy of Jill, and without any signs of her affection, hed turned to Angeline exactly when Jill had come around and wanted him. At times, it seemed like some sort of Shakespearean comedy . . . until I looked at Jills face. Then Id feel contraventioned because I knew if Eddie returned her affection, Angeline would be the one with that sad, sad preparation. It was kind of a mess and made me glad to be free of any romantic entanglements.Sydney Jill beamed when she see me, brushing her hair past. Maybe it was because she postulateed the distraction, or perhaps it was because Adrians new attitude toward me had lifted some of her moodiness. Regardless, I welcomed a return to the old friendliness in her rather than the brooding and accusing looks shed harbored since I rejected him.Hey, guys. I slid into the booth beside her. Immediately, I opened up my cell phones picture album and handed it to her since I knew shed want to know more or less the wedding correcteousness away. Despite all the intrigue that had gone run through there, I had managed to take some pictures without the other Alchemists noticing. Even if shed seen some of it through Adrians eyes, Jill would still want to examine every(prenominal)thing in detail.She sighed with happiness as she scanned the pictures. Look at Sonya. Shes so pretty. Angeline and Eddie leaned across the table to get a look. Oh. And theres Rose and Lissa. They look great too. there was an odd note in Jills vo ice as she spoke. She was friends with Rose, exclusively her half infant was still a bit of an enigma. Jill and Lissa hadnt even known they were sisters until recently, and the volatile political environment had forced Lissa to be puzzle more as a queen than a sister toward Jill. It was a tall(prenominal) relationship for both of them.Did you have a fun time? Eddie asked me.I considered my answer for several moments. I had an interesting time. Theres still a lot of tension between the Alchemists and your people, so some of it was a little weird.At least Adrian was there. Must have been nice to have someone you know, express Angeline, in well-meaning ignorance. She pointed to a picture Id taken of the reception hall. My intent had been to get a full shot of the venue for Jill, simply Adrian had pop offed to walk into the shot, posed and perfect like some handsome spokesmodel hosting the event. ever so so pretty. Angeline shook her head in disapproval. Everyone there is. I su rmise that means there werent any celebratory wrestling matches?It was a sign of Angelines progress that shed deduced that so quickly. Her people, the Keepers, lived in the wilds of West Virginia, and their openness to romance between vampires, dhampirs, and macrocosm was only one of their more bizarre customs. Friendly fights broke out often, and Angeline had had to learn that much(prenominal) behaviors werent acceptable out here in mainstream America.Not while I was there, I said. But hey, maybe something went drop after I left. That brought grins to Jills and Eddies faces and a hopeful look to Angelines.A waitress came by, and I ordered victuals Coke and a salad. Maybe Id loosened up in my tight calorie counting, only if I swore I could still taste the sugar from all the wedding cake Id eaten after the spell.Angeline tightened her hold on Eddies arm and smiled up at him. If you ever get to see my home, you can fight my brother cod to show that youre worthy of me.I had to s wallow a laugh. Id seen the Keepers community and knew she was absolutely serious. I worked to prevent a straight face. bent you breaking a lot of rules by being together without that having happened yet?Angeline nodded, looking a little glum. My mom would be so scandalized if she knew. But I guess this is a unique situation.Eddie smiled indulgently at her. I think sometimes he thought we were exaggerating about the Keepers. He was deprivation to be in for a shock if he ever did visit them. Maybe I can fight a bunch of your relatives to make up for it, he said.You might have to, she said, not realizing he was joking.It was just now romantic banter, but Jill looked decidedly uncomfortable discussing their relationship. She turned to me, very obviously trying not to look at them. Sydney, what are we going to do about Christmas?I shrugged, unsure what she was asking. The usual, I guess. Give presents. Sing songs. Have Yuletide duels. Angeline lit up at that.Jill rolled her eyes. No , I mean, were going to be on pass break in a few weeks. Is there any way . . . is there any way we can go home?There was a plaintive note in her voice, and even Eddie and Angeline broke their mutual admiration to stare at me. I shifted under their scrutiny. Angeline wasnt as concerned about visit the Keepers, but I knew Eddie and Jill missed their friends and family. I wished I could give them the answer they wanted to hear.Im sorry, I said. Youll be staying at Clarences for break. We cant risk . . . well, you know. I didnt pick up to strain the need for Jills safety. We were all familiar with that refrain. Ians comment about how fragile the throne was drove home the importance of what we did.Jills face fell. Even Eddie looked disappointed. I figure, she said. I just hoped . . . that is, I miss my mom so much.We can probably get a message to her, I said gently.I knew that was no substitute for the real thing. I was able to make occasional phone calls to my own mom, and hearing her voice was a million times better than any email could be. I even got to talk to my older sister, Carly sometimes, which always cheered me up since she was so bright and funny. My preadolescenter sister, Zoe . . . well, she was a different story. She wouldnt take my calls. Shed around been initiated into the Alchemists to take on this mission, in fact when Id stolen it from her. Id done it to protect her from committing to the Alchemists so young, but shed seen it as an insult.Looking at Jills sad face, I felt my heart clench. She had been through so much. Her new royal status. Targeted by assassins. Fitting in to a human school. Her disastrous and deadly romances. And now enduring Eddie and Angeline. She handled it all with remarkable strength, always resolutely going through with what she had to do even if she didnt want to do it. Lissa was praised for being such an exemplary queen, but there was a regality and strength to Jill as well that galore(postnominal) underestimat ed. Glancing up, I caught a spark in Eddies eyes as he too seemed to recognize and admire that about her.After dinner, I took them back to Amberwood and was rejoicing to see that my car was in perfect shape. I drove a brown Subaru named Latte, and Eddie was the only other person I practiceed behind the wheel. I dropped him off at the boys dorm and indeed took Angeline and Jill back to ours. As we were walking in the door, I caught sight of Mrs. Santos, a teacher I knew by re coiffureation.You guys go ahead, I told Jill and Angeline. Ill see you tomorrow.They left, and I walked across the lobby, waiting patiently for Mrs. Santos to finish a discussion with our dorm matron, Mrs. Weathers. When Mrs. Santos started to turn around and leave, I caught her attention.Mrs. Santos? Im Sydney Melrose. I wondered if I could Oh, yes, she said. I know who you are, dear. Ms. Terwilliger raves about you all the time at our department meetings. Mrs. Santos was a kindly-looking woman with silver and black hair. Rumor had it shed be retiring soon.I flushed a little at the praise. Thank you, maam. She and Ms. Terwilliger were both history teachers, though Mrs. Santoss focus was on American history, not world. Do you have a minute? I wanted to ask you something.Of course.We stepped off to the side of the lobby, out of the incoming and outgoing dorm traffic. You know a lot about topical anesthetic history, right? Southern California?Mrs. Santos nodded. I was born and raised here.Im interested in nontraditional arc realiseecture in the Los Angeles area, I told her, the lie rolling slow off my lips. Id thought about this in advance. That is, non-Southwest styles. Do you know any neighborhoods like that? Id heard there were some Victorian ones.She brightened. Oh, yes. Absolutely. Fascinating subject. Victorian, Cape Cod, compound . . . there are all sorts. I dont have all the information on me, but I could email you when I get home tonight. There are several I know off the top o f my head, and I know a historian who could help you with others.Thatd be great, maam. Thank you so much.Always happy to help a star pupil. She winked as she started to walk away. Maybe next semester youll do an independent study with me. Provided you can tear yourself away from Ms. Terwilliger.Ill deem it in mind, I said.As soon as she was gone, I texted Ms. Terwilliger. Mrs. Santos is going to tell me about historical neighborhoods. The response came quickly Excellent. Come over right now. I scowled as I typed back I just got here. Havent even been in my room. To which she replied Then you can get here that much faster.Maybe that was true, but I still took the time to put my suitcase back in my room and change out of my travel clothes. Ms. Terwilliger lived pretty close to the school and looked as though shed been pacing in circles when I arrived at her house.Finally, she said.I glanced at the time. Its only been fifteen minutes.She shook her head and again wore the same grim exp ression shed had out in the empty. Even that might be too much. Follow me.Ms. Terwilligers home was a little bungalow that could have doubled as a New Age store or possibly a cat shelter. The direct of clutter set my teeth on edge. Spell books, incense, statues, crystals, and all sorts of other conjurational items sat in piles in all rooms of the house. Only her workshop, the room she led me to, was neat and orderly even to levels I clear of. Everything was clean and organized, to the point of being labeled and alphabetized. A large worktable sat in the center of the room, only cleared off, save for a sensational necklace Id never seen before. The chain was made of intricate gold loops, and the pendant was a deep red cabochon stone in a lacy gold setting.Garnet? I asked.Very good, she said, lifting the necklace. The candlelight in the room seemed to make every part of it glitter.Its lovely, I said.She held it out to me. Its for you.I stepped back uneasily. For . . . me? I . . . I mean, thank you, but I cant accept a gift like that.Its not a gift, she said. Its a necessity. One that might save your life. Take it and put it on.I refused to pair it. Its wizardlyal, isnt it?Yes, she said. And dont give me that look. Its no different from any of the charms youve made for yourself.Except that anything youd make . . . I swallowed as I stared into the depths of that bloodred jewel. Its going to be a lot more berthful than anything I can create.Thats exactly the point. Now here. She thrust it so close to me that it nearly swung out and hit me in the face.Steeling myself, I reached out and took it from her. zero happened. No smoke or sparks. No searing pain. Seeing her expectant look, I fastened it around my neck, letting the garnet lie next to my cross.She sighed, her relief nearly palpable. good as Id hoped.What? I asked. Even if I sensed nothing special about it, the garnet felt heavy around my neck.Its masking your jokeal ability, she said. No one who me ets you should be able to tell that youre a magic user.Im not a magic user, I reminded her sharply. Im an Alchemist.A small flicker of a smile vie over her lips. Of course you are one who uses magic. And to a particularly powerful person, that would be obvious. Magic leaves a mark on your blood that permeates your whole body.What? I couldnt have been more shocked if shed said Id just contracted a deadly disease. You never told me that before It wasnt important, she said with a small shrug. Until now. I need you hidden. Do not take that off. Ever.I put my hands on my hips. Maam, I dont understand.All will be revealed in time No, I said. At that moment, I could have been talking to Stanton or any of the countless others whod used me and fed me pieces of information throughout my life. It will be revealed now. If youve gotten me into something dangerous, indeed you either need to get me out of it or tell me how to.Ms. Terwilliger stared at me for several quiet moments. A gray tabby cat rubbed up against my legs, ruining the seriousness of the moment. Youre right, she said at last. I do owe you an explanation. Have a seat.I sat down on one of the stools by the table, and she sat opposite me. She clasped her hands together in front of her and seemed to be having a hard time gathering her thoughts. I had to force myself to stay calm and patient. Otherwise, the panic that had been gnawing at me since the desert would completely consume me.You remember that woman you saw in the picture? she asked at last.Your sister.Ms. Terwilliger nodded. Veronica. Shes ten years older than me and looks half my age, as you could undoubtedly tell. Now, it isnt difficult to create an illusion. If I wanted to appear young and beautiful, I could emphasis on appear. But Veronica? Shes actually managed to make her body young and vibrant. Its an advanced, deadly kind of magic. You cant defy age like that without making some sacrifices. She frowned, and my heart pounded. Creating youth made all my Alchemist sensibilities reel. It was nearly as bad as Strigoi immortality, maybe worse if she was talking about a human doing it. That kind of twisted magic had no place in this world. Her next words drove home the wrongness of it all. Or, in her case, sacrificing others.Sacrifice. The very word seemed to poison the air. She stood up and walked over to a shelf, producing a news story clipping. Wordlessly, she handed it to me. It was a recent article, from three days ago, talking about a nineteen-year-old UCLA student whod been found comatose in her dorm room. No one knew what had caused it, and the girl was hospitalized with no indication of when or if shed heat up.What is this? I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer.I inspected the article more closely, especially the picture it contained. At first, I wondered why the paper would show a sleeping old woman. Then, reading the fine print, I learned that the coma victim also displayed some unexplained physical symp toms gray-streaked hair and dry, cracked skin. Doctors were currently investigating rare diseases. I cringed, unable to believe what I saw. She was hideous, and I couldnt look at her for very long.And just like that, I suddenly understood. Veronica wasnt sacrificing victims with knives and stone altars. She was conducting some kind of perverse magic on these girls that bent the rules of nature, putting them in this hideous state. My stomach twisted, and I gripped the table for support.This girl was one of Veronicas victims, confirmed Ms. Terwilliger. Thats how she maintains her youth and beauty by taking it from others. When I read this, I thought almost hoped some other magic user was doing it. Not that Id wish this on anyone. Your scrying spell confirmed she was in the area, however, which means its my responsibility to deal with her.I dared a look down at the article again and felt that nausea well up again. The girl was nineteen. What would it be like to have the life sucked out of you at so young an age? Maybe the coma was a blessing. And how corrupt and twisted would you have to be to do that to someone?I didnt know how exactly Ms. Terwilliger would deal with her sister and wasnt sure I wanted to find out. And yet, if Veronica really was doing things like this to innocents, then yes, someone like Ms. Terwilliger needed to stop her. A magical beset of this magnitude was one of the most terrible things I could imagine. It brought back all my ingrained fears about the wrongness of magic. How could I justify using it when it was capable of such horror? Old Alchemist lessons came back to me Part of what makes the Moroi particularly dangerous is their ability to work magic. No one should be able to twist the world in that way Its wrong and can easily run out of control.I tuned back into the present. How do I fit into this, maam? I already figured out where she is. Why am I in danger?Sydney, Mrs. Terwilliger said, looking at me strangely. There are few youn g women out there with your abilities. on with youth and beauty, she intends to suck someones magic away and use it to make herself that much more powerful. You, my dear, would be the ultimate coup for her.Shes like Strigoi, I murmured, unable to come down a shiver. Although those undead vampires could feast on anyone, they preferred Moroi because they had magic in their blood. Drinking Moroi blood made Strigoi more powerful, and a chilling thought suddenly hit me. Practically a human vampire.Something like that, Ms. Terwilliger agreed. This amulet should hide your power, even from someone as strong as her. She shouldnt be able to find you.A calico cat jumped up on the table, and I ran a hand over her sleek fur, taking comfort in the small contact. The fact that you postponement verbalism should makes me a little nervous. Why would she even come looking in Palm Springs? Does she know about me yet?No. But she knows Im here, and she may check on me once in a while so I need to hi de you in case she does. Im in a bind, however, because I need to find her but cant actively do the hunting. If she finds out Im investigating, shell know that I know shes here. I cant alert her. If I have the element of force on my side, Im more likely to stop her. She frowned. Im honestly surprised she would come so close to me in California at all. Regardless, I need to keep a low profile until its time to strike.Ms. Terwilliger looked at me meaningfully, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as I began to put together what she was saying. You want me to hunt her.Its not hunting so much as gathering some data. Youre the only one I can trust to do this. She and I can sense each other if were close, no matter how much we try to hide our magic. I know this is going to large(p) appalling, but I actually think itd be best if you hunted her even if youre the one shes after. Youre one of the few I can trust completely and youre resourceful enough to pull something like this off .But Id be putting myself out there. You just said Id be a big catch for her. The twists and turns here were mindboggling.Yes. Which is why I gave you the amulet. She wont sense your magic, and if youre cautious in your investigation, she should have no reason to notice you.I still wasnt following the logic here. But why me? You have a coven. If you cant do it yourself, then there must be someone else a stronger witch who can do it.Two reasons, she said. One is that you have excellent investigative s shovel ins more so than others older than you. Youre intelligent and resourceful. The other reason . . . well, if another(prenominal) witch goes after her, she might very well kill Veronica.Would that be such a bad thing? I didnt like violence and killing by any means, but this might be a case where it was justified, if it could save other lives. You said you were going to take care of her.If I have no choice . . . if I must kill her, then I will. She looked dejected, and I had a mom ent of empathy. I loved my two sisters. What would I do if I was ever in a deadly conflict with one of them? Of course, it was hard to imagine Zoe or Carly committing this kind of atrocity. However, there are other ways of neutralizing and subduing a magic user. If theres any way any way at all I can do that, I will. My coven sisters wont feel that way, which is why I need your help.I cant. I pushed the stool back and stood up, nearly stepping on a cat in the process. There must be some other way you can do this. You know Im already bogged down in supernatural affairs. I actually couldnt bring myself to admit the real reason I wanted to dodge this. It was about more than just risking my life. So far, all my magical interactions had been with Ms. Terwilliger. If I signed on for this, I would be plunging into the world of witches, something Id sworn I would never do.Ms. Terwilliger tapped the article, and her voice was quiet when she spoke. Could you let this happen to other girls, knowing theres a way you could stop it? Ive never heard of any of her victims waking up. The way this spell works, Veronica needs to renew it every few years, and it requires five victims within one month. She did this once before, and it caught me off guard. This time, we have warning. Four more people could suffer this fate. Do you want that?There it was. Shed called me on the other part that had been nagging me because she knew me too well. I couldnt let innocents suffer, not even if it meant risking myself or facing the fears that haunted me. If I could stop this, I had to. No one deserved the fate of that girl in the paper. Of course not.And lets not forget that you could soon be one of her victims.I stirred the garnet. You said Im hidden.You are, for now. And I hope against all hope youll stay that way. Id never seen her so grim before, and it was hard to watch. I was used to her prattling, bumbling, no-nonsense nature. But heres something Ive never told you about how magic u sers sense each other.Something Id learned over the years it was never a good thing when people said, Heres something I never told you. . . . I braced myself. impetuous magic users have a particular feel thats unique from the more experienced, she explained. Theres a oh, wild-ness about the magic that surrounds you. Its easy for advanced witches to sense. My coven keeps track of novice magic users, but those are tightly guarded secrets. Veronica wont have access to those names, but there are spells she can use that can pick up on some of that untamed magic if its near her. Its how she probably found this poor girl. Ms. Terwilliger nodded toward the article.The estimation of me having some wild magical aura was as shocking as her saying I had magic in my blood.When she absorbs a victim, Ms. Terwilliger continued, she gets a burst of that wildness. It fades quickly, but when she possesses it, it can briefly enhance her ability to scry for another untrained victim. The more victims sh e takes, the stronger that ability will grow. Theres a chance, Ms. Terwilliger said gravely, that it could be enough to break apart the garnet. I dont know. She spread out her hands.So youre saying . . . with each victim she attacks, the chance that shell find me increases.Yes.All right. Ill help you hunt for her. I shoved all my fears and doubts aside. The stakes were too high. My life, the other girls . . . Veronica had to be halt for all our sakes. Someone like her couldnt be allowed to go on like this.Theres more, added Ms. Terwilliger.Really?More than hunting an evil witch who wants to drain me of my life and power?If we can stop Veronica from finding less powerful victims, we can save their lives and limit her ability to find you. She produced a small velvet dish and emptied it out onto the table. Several small agate circles fell out. These are charms that have some ability to mask magic. Not as strong as the garnet that would take too long. But theyre a quick fix that might save some of these other girls lives.I knew where this was going. And you want me to deliver them.Im sorry. I know Im giving you some very difficult tasks here.This was getting worse and worse. Difficult? Thats an understatement. And putting aside the fact that you want me to find a woman who could suck my life away theres also the very small detail that the Alchemists would flip out if they knew I was involved with any of this.Ms. Terwilliger didnt answer right away. She just watched me. A black cat jumped up beside her and joined in the staring. Its yellow-eyed gaze seemed to say Do the right thing.Where do I start? I asked finally. Finding that neighborhood is part of it, right?Yes. And Ill tell you where to find her potential victims, if youll do the legwork of warning them. My coven keeps track of them. Theyll be girls very much like you, ones with power who refuse to train and have no mentor to look after them. Once we have a clear fix on Veronica herself . . . Ms. Terwillige rs eyes hardened. Well, then. Thats when Ill step in.Once more, I wondered if I really wanted to know what that entailed.A moment later, she added, Oh, and I thought it would be a good idea to obscure your appearance as well.I brightened. I couldnt explain it, but somehow, that made me feel immensely better. There are a lot of spells for that, right? Id seen a number of them in my studies. Even if I had to use magic, it was better to at least look different.Yes. . . . She drummed her fingers against the table. But the amulet might not be able to hide you wearing an active spell, which would then defeat the whole purpose. What I was actually hoping was that your brother Adrian might be able to help.My legs felt weak, and I sat back down. Why on earth should Adrian be involved in this?Well, he seems like hed do anything for you. I eyed her, wondering if there was a double meaning in that. Her gaze was far away, her thoughts turned inward. Shed meant her words honestly. Veronica wouldn t be able to detect vampire magic. His power . . . that spirit element he was telling me about . . . it can blot out the mind, right? Affect what others can see?Yes. . . .She focused on me again, nodding in satisfaction. If he could accompany you, help muddle whoever meets you . . . well, that would offer an extra level of protection.I still didnt know what all Id be doing to hunt Ms. Terwilligers sister, but it sounded like, at the very least, thered be a drive to Los Angeles in my future. Me, trapped in another small space with Adrian while he continued with that infuriating loving from afar. I was so caught up in the emotional turmoil that idea caused that it took me a moment to realize the larger issue I was letting myself get sucked into.Do you realize what youre asking? I said quietly. I touched the garnet again. To be a part of this, youre asking me to expose myself to both human magic and vampire magic. Everything I try to avoid.Ms. Terwilliger snorted, and for the first ti me tonight, I saw a return of her usual amused attitude. Unless Im mistaken, youve been exposing yourself to both kinds of magic for some time now. So, it cant go against your beliefs that much. She paused meaningfully. If anything, it seems like it goes against the Alchemists beliefs.The Alchemists beliefs are my beliefs, I said quickly.She arched an eyebrow. Are they? I would hope your beliefs would be your beliefs.Id never thought about it that way before, but I suddenly hoped desperately that her words were true.