I sat motionless by the window of my Palm Spring's dorm watching as the sun rose higher and higher into the morning sky. I couldn't sleep last night after the unfortunate arrival of the newest member of our ever expanding Melrose Family; my younger sister. Normally, I would feel quite elated seeing Zoe, especially when she was genuinely happy to see me. Zoe stood before me without sadness and without animosity dripping from her pores. I, on the other hand, couldn't return her feelings. My beautiful baby sister marred with a golden lily joined the ranks of the very nefarious organization I fought to keep her out of.
My phone vibrated, waking me up from the still stunned mental state signaling a new text message. This only added to the twelve unopened messages from my unique Melrose family. This text message, however, was from an unexpected source and curiosity took over. I opened the text that was from Trey Juarez, a bona fide jock, Exiled Vampire Hunter, and unexpected ally. Most importantly, he was a friend of mine, one who kept me safe from his barbaric society and even went as far as throwing a fight to avoid killing a spirit wielding vampire, named Sonya Karp.
"Melbourne, call me when you get up. It's kinda important", the text message read. Seeing as I just received the text message, I figured he must still be up. I normally find it unprofessional to call someone between the hours of ten and six but I couldn't just ignore someone telling me that it is urgent to respond.
I stepped into the hall, not wanting to wake Zoe, and dialed Trey's number. "Melbourne, normal people are sleeping at four in the morning." The sarcastic voice on the other line said. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"I could say the same about you." I tossed back. "What's so important that couldn't wait until daylight?"
"Hey, I'm pretty sure I said when you get up, Melbourne." Trey's offhand commentary, mixed with my lack of sleep, was starting to give me a headache.
"What's going on, Trey?" My patience was starting to waiver. Trey grew silent for a brief moment.
"I need a favor." Trey said, his witty, easy going demeanor dimming a little. This worried me a bit. Trey certainly had every right to ask for a favor in which I had little to refuse since I did collaborate in his exile.
"What is it?" I asked with caution.
"Well," his averseness was unnerving, "it's my dad."
"Okay…" I had no clue where this was heading but I did know I wasn't going to like it.
"He left me a voicemail yesterday." Trey paused again. "It seems, he decided to go on a little vacation of his own and he said that I needed to find other accommodations for Christmas break." I could hear the despair in his voice and it nearly broke my heart. I was shocked by this information. I knew his dad barely spoke to him after the Warrior Compound raid but leaving him to fend for himself during Christmas was beyond ridiculous.
I now knew what the favor was. Trey wanted to stay with the Melrose Clan during holiday break. I wanted to help but I couldn't answer before conferring with my family. Not only would Jill's safety be at risk but having Eddie, Trey, and Angeline in the same house would probably result in destroyed property and bodily harm. Eddie has stood by me through thick and thin even going beyond his guardian duties like accompanying me to secret rebel meetings and shielding me from an exploding Subaru. Could I really put Eddie in and uncomfortable situation like this? Could I really do this to him? The answer was…I couldn't.
Both Trey and I realized I had not responded to anything he said. "Please, Sydney. I don't know where else to go." My resolve broke right then and there hearing the anguish when he said my first name. I only had a few friends, and Trey was probably considered to be my best friend. He was the only one, Adrian and Jill excluded, that truly understood me and the pressure our organizations' placed on us. I didn't want to hurt Eddie but I just couldn't abandon Trey when he needed me the most.
"We leave at noon." I disclosed, knowing fully well that my family was going to give me hell for this. "Pack a suitcase and meet us down in the foyer of our building." Instructing him to pack reminded me of another problem. There was no strategic way we could possibly fit all eight of us, safely in Adrian's mustang, and the necessity of seat restraints was far too important to ignore. "Hey Trey, you don't by any chance own a vehicle do you?"
"I have a 2007 Honda CR-V. Why?" Trey asked, a little of his mirth returning.
"Well with all the new additions to the Melrose family, one car would prove to be inadequate and unsafe." I stated, "And the 2007 CR-V is a suitable vehicle, with its practical cabin design, above average fuel economy, and five star safety and reliability rating, results in its smoothness and stability on the road." I said with approval.
"Melbourne, you surprise me more and more every day. I'll see you at noon." On that note, Trey hung up.
My head was reeling at how much more complicated the situation had escalated since yesterday. I didn't know what to do anymore, but one thing was certain…I needed to warn my family ahead of time.
I quickly shot out a group text to all members of the Melrose family except my actual sister, ordering them to meet me at Eddie's training grounds at ten in the morning. I received responses immediately. Really, doesn't anyone sleep these nights?
Eddie: What's wrong?!
Jill: Okay…Is everything alright. You haven't responded to any of our text messages, and Adrian's really freaking out.
Adrian: Call me now, Sage.
Neil: Yes Ma'am. Is there anything I have to know or bring prior to the meeting?
I wasn't really surprised Angeline was the only Melrose that didn't respond. I sent another group text saying I would explain the situation to everyone when I got there then turned my phone off for once. As soon as I put my phone down, I heard a soft knock at the door.
I groaned as I reached the door. Jill stood outside my door in pajamas and a worried expression on her face. I opened the door enough for me to slip out. "What?" I demanded a little more harshly than I wanted.
"Adrian." One word is all she said. One word is all she needed to say. I should have known Adrian would be sending her up here.
"What about him?" I asked feigning ignorance. I now knew him well enough to know that he probably tried to reach me in a dream. When he realized I wasn't asleep he decided to blow up my phone and when I didn't answer my phone except to send two unusual text messages, he would grow worried. Then as a last resort, Adrian would send Jill up to check on me.
"You woke me up with your text messages, and then Adrian's mind hijacked me." Jill threw her hands up letting out an exasperated sigh. "He's pacing around the apartment thinking the Alchemists are onto you."
"Well he's half right with that assumption." I opened the door just wide enough for Jill to see the sleeping Alchemist in the spare bed.
"Who is that?" Jill asked.
"That is my sister". I was barely able to speak above a whisper.
"Wait! You said Alchemist." Jill paused, recognition lit her face. "Oh my god!" I nodded my head solemnly.
"Palm Springs welcomed another Alchemist, well a junior Alchemist but she still has the Lilly." Tears were fighting to break free again. I wasn't expecting Jill to bulrush me and throw her arms around my shoulders.
"I'm soo sorry Sydney. I knew how much you feared this." I could hear her sniffle and I broke away to look into shining eyes.
"Don't!" I exclaimed. "If you start crying I won't be able to keep myself together."
"This is all my fault." Jill cried. Her escaping tears caused my own to glide down my face. "Everyone is here because of me."
"It is your fault that I'm here. It is your fault that I learned that Moroi and dampers aren't the monsters. It's your fault that I got to know Eddie and Adrian." I paused trying to calm myself down. "But it is not your fault that my sister is an alchemist." My mouth was dripping with disdain at that last word. "That is all the alchemists," I figured it would be pointless to add that Zoe being here was actually my fault. Zoe threw her arms around me again. "We will figure this out Jill. I will take care of the alchemists myself."
"You're not alone, Sydney. We're your family too."
"I know." I whispered unable to form a more intelligent sentence. "I have to get back inside. Please keep this between us for now."
"I'll let Adrian know you're okay but I'll leave the specifics to you." And on that note she left. I went back in and sat down on my bed bringing my legs up to my chest. It was pointless to try and sleep now so I decided to take an extended shower and get ready for the disaster that was soon to follow. After scrubbing myself raw in the shower, I made enough coffee and buried myself in meaningless tasks.
"Morning." Zoe startled me out of reorganizing my text books on my desk. "What time is it?" Zoe asked clearly still jet lagged.
"Ten after seven. How did you sleep?" I responded, worry creasing my face. "Maybe I should have let you sleep more." I stated noticing how much of a feat it was for Zoe just to climb out of bed.
"I'll be fine after coffee".
"Well you're in luck". I gave her a cup of coffee. Zoe smiled widely after but I couldn't reciprocate those feelings.
"Isn't this great Sydney?" She squealed. My stomach churned at her enthusiasm.
"We aren't here for fun Zo. We have a mission to complete." I turned my back to her trying to remember it wasn't her I was furious with.
"I know, Sydney I'm sorry."
I didn't acknowledge her apology. "I figured you might want to take a shower and get ready to go. We meet the others at ten this morning and it is very important that we are not late. Punctuality means everything in our world."
That woke Zoe up. "We're meeting those creatures?" She asked anxiously. I could tell she was afraid to meet the family but her censure and lack of empathy for the Moroi society fueled the fire coursing through my veins.
"Zoe while you are in my territory you will act professional and amicable. You will under no circumstances treat these people with impertinence or use such ill-mannered names while conversing with them or about them." Lack of sleep and vehemence towards the alchemists was certainly not helping this situation. "You are now an alchemist and you will act so accordingly. Do you understand me?"
"Yyess." My sister stammered out, eyes wide. I didn't realize how harsh I sounded until after I opened my mouth. I had taken my frustrations out on the wrong person and it was only bound to worsen the situation. After all, it wasn't Zoe I was irate with.
"I'm sorry Zo. I didn't mean to lash out but you have to understand the seriousness of building good relationships between our people and the Moroi." I paused remembering Sonya's wedding and the infamous dance between Adrian and I. I almost smiled in memory.
I reworded my sentencing in my head before continuing out loud to Zoe. "The alchemists and the Moroi societies have made vast improvements towards good relations at the wedding of Moroi, Sonya Karp and Dhamper, Mikail Tanner and in agreeing to assist in hiding the Princess." I surprised myself, sounding more my like my old Alchemist self than I had in the last few weeks. "It is crucial that we keep up with this decorum, for the good of our people."
My sister hung her head. "You're right, Sydney. I apologize for my behavior."
"You will do fine." I have complete faith in you." I pulled my sister into a fierce hug. We hugged for a little while longer before I reluctantly let her go." We used up more time than I would have wanted with this talk so I rushed Zoe into the shower and headed back to get dressed myself.
When Zoe got back fifteen minutes later I was surprised to see her already dressed in her best khakis and a brown blouse. This is when it truly hit me. My baby sister was gone to me. No more cute braids and colorful tops for her. I had to turn away to hide my now shiny eyes.
"What's wrong?" My sister asked looking down at her wardrobe choice with concerned eyes. "Do I not look adequate enough?"
"No, you look like a perfect little Alchemist." I sneered, thrusting the door open. "We need to leave." I walked out not even bothering to look back to see if she was following me.