Chapter 4

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like hell." This came from Eddie as we were waiting in line to get out lunch.

"I couldn't sleep last night." After my dream with Adrian I was too scared to go back to sleep so I spent the night dozing off and waking up again.

"You weren't the only one." said Jill as she approached us with a very disgruntled Angeline. "She kept complaining the whole entire night, 'the bed's too soft,' 'the room is too quiet'."

Angeline stopped trying to button her sweater and said, "I'm used to sleeping in the wilderness, I miss its sounds."

And lots of them there were. I remember when I had to stay with Angeline's family back when Rose, Dimitri and I were hiding with The Keepers. A few days in there and I was dying for internet connection.

"I take it back, she looks worst than you," said Eddie, trying to hold back laughter while taking in Angeline's appearance.

I assume from her lack of sleep she woke up late and didn't have time make herself presentable for the first day of school. I don't even think she was wearing the right size. Eddie tried to hide his laughter by drinking some of his orange juice but failed miserably, resulting on him almost choking. Angeline stopped tugging on her collar and approached him slowly, looking him in the eye, which was kind of had since her forehead only got up to his chin.

"What's so funny, tainted boy? Think you're better than me just because you were raised in luxury?" Angeline challenged.

Uh oh. Eddie's laughter died and he frowned in confusion. I guess Rose never got a chance to go really into detail about The Keepers with her friends back at St. Vladimirs. Looking from Angeline to me he asked.

"Was that supposed to be an insult? Come on, even a hillbilly like you can come up with something better than that."

Angeline stopped smirking and snarled, she actually snarled. I had to do something or these two were going to start a fight in the middle of the cafeteria. Luckily my savior came in the form of Micah Vallence, who showed up just in time to break the fight.

"Hey, guys. Starting a family meeting without me?" Micah asked jokingly stepping between Eddie and Angeline.

Jill took advantage of Angeline's distraction to pull her aside and try to calm her down. Like always Micah's presence had an amazing effect on Eddie. Micah talked Eddie down and sent him away.

"Thank you, Micah. I don't know what would've happened if you had not intervened, I'm not very good when it comes to altercations."

"No problem. You know, if it weren't for the fact that they're cousins I could've sworn that was sexual tension in the making."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean, the way they were looking at each other. That was pretty intense sexual tension right there."

That was certainly a new theory. Now that I thought about it Angeline acted kind of strange when she was first introduced to Eddie. It's now wonder I didn't pick up on it since I'm so clueless when it comes to romantic endeavors.

"Look, Sydney. I have to go, tell Jill I'll see her later."

Jill came over to me just as Micah ran after Eddie.

"Oh, where did they go? I hoped we were all having breakfast together." Jill said disappointed. "What were you and Micah talking about anyways?" she asked while sipping from her milk.

"Sexual tension," I answered and watched Jill choke on her drink.

"What?"

I gave her a napkin so she could dry her face and went on to explain my conversation with Micah.

"So you really think he has feelings for her?" Jill asked shyly.

"I wouldn't say feelings, they just met each other. I'm no expert but I would say maybe it's purely physical. They're both healthy dhampir teens, and Angeline's pretty in sort of wild-ish way. And she has those exotic dhampir looks, this could actually work. Maybe it would serve as a distraction for Eddie from-" when I saw Jill's face I trailed off. "Jill, is something wrong?"

Her big green eyes were glassy, and her pale moroi face almost looked flush. Why would she get upset all of the sudden. It's not as if she was…

"Jill, are you jealous?"

"What?" she squealed. "No, I- ah…" She blushed even more and started babbling.

"Look, we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." She looked grateful for that. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you. Did you happen to hear from Adrian after I left you yesterday?"

"Actually, yeah I did. We spent most of the night talking, he seemed a little bit calm."

"You mean on the phone or during a spirit dream?"

"A spirit dream, of course."

"Did anything out of the ordinary happen during this spirit dream? Like him disappearing out of the blue for example?" she stopped eating and gave me a funny look.

"No, why?"

"Nothing, just wondering."

I stopped myself from asking any more questions. The only way I was going to find out what happened the night before was asking Adrian himself.

That day after school I immediately rushed to Adrian's apartment only to bump into Alberta on the elevator.

"Ms. Sage, I was just on my way to your school. We need to talk about Mr. Ivashkov."

"I know he shouldn't have run off like that I was just on my wa-" I couldn't finish talking because she interrupted me.

"You're wasting your time, he's not there."

Gosh, what was it with this guy never being around when one needed him.

"Sydney, you know I'm fond of you. You've done more in a matter of weeks than any other alchemist managed in months, but if you don't make this work I'm afraid I'll have to remove you from this mission."

"What?" this could not be happening.

"Unless you don't make things work with Ivashkov I can't vouch for you anymore. I've already put my neck on the line for you too many times. They think you're going soft, maybe it's true and you have been spending too much time with vampires."

"Please, Alberta. I promise I'll make it work."

"You better, there's a lot on the line here. Not only for the Alchemists but also for the moroi. Besides, I know you can do it. You're strong Sydney, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

As the elevator stopped Alberta gave me a shy smile and stepped off. Great, now I had more things to worry about. If only I could find Adrian.