SPOV

*Friday night*


"Hey Rose, its Sydney," I'm sure she remembered me but I couldn't help but add, "… the alchemist. Is this a bad time?"

"Sydney! Oh my god! No, I don't have work for another hour. How are you? Are you alright? I thought for sure I would never hear from you again. I was sure to make Abe back off though, us veering from his plan was completely my fault, I wouldn't let him take that out on you! But I was sure you hated me enough to never talk to me again! I'm so glad you called" It was a literal word vomit and I couldn't get a single word through, "wait you don't hate me do you? You're not calling to tell me you hate me right? I am so so sorry for everything. Please tell me this isn't a hate-call." Her voice was full of wariness and pleading.

Despite my bad mood after witnessing the tapes earlier I couldn't help but laugh. "No, Rose this isn't a hate call! I was just calling to check in on you and perhaps catch up." Small talk seemed a good way to start the conversation, I could slowly steer the conversation towards what I wanted to find out.

"I am so glad to hear you say that, Syd. It means a lot to me that you are still willing to be my friend."

"Is this really the badass Rose I helped last month? I don't recall her being this soft" I teased.

"Is this really the god-fearing alchemist? I don't recall her ever being so light and easy going around us evil creatures," she teased back with a laugh, "I like this version more."

"Was I really that bad?" It was a serious question- seeing that tape had unnerved me.

"No, no of course not, I was teasing you Sydney. I could tell you were uneasy around us, but you were very considerate and kind despite it. You helped us even when you didn't have to, and I don't think it was even a fear of Abe that made you do everything to help the way you did. I am so proud that you consider me a friend." I had never heard Rose so serious before. It seemed like something she had been thinking on for a while.

I had never had someone value me as a person so much before either. I didn't realize I had made such an impact on her- I didn't know that I deserved all the credit she was giving me. I had been quiet too long it seemed, "You do consider me a friend, don't you?" Rose sounded insecure- not a word I would ever associate with her.

"Of course, I do. I wouldn't be calling to catch up otherwise. So how are things at court? I heard your friend became queen, how is that going? How is umm… Jillian doing at the court, are you still with that cute Moroi from Vegas? How is Dimitri doing?" I made 'Jillian' sound like a question, as if I didn't remember her name. It wasn't like me to ramble like this I hoped Rose wouldn't get suspicious.

"Oh yeah, Lissa is queen now. It's cool but there's a whole rebel faction that wants to get rid of her. I'm one of her royal guardians now and it's been one attack after another! Dimitri has been busy too, he's guardian to Christian- Lissa's boyfriend. I barely get any down time with Dimitri now days!"

"You and Dimitri are together now? Well I can't say I am surprised, you two had so much chemistry! When did this happen?" Damn, I had a feeling she trying to evade my questions about Jill and Adrian on purpose.

"After we rescued Jill and just before we got back to the court." She replied absently. Perfect, just the opening I needed.

"Umm Rose, weren't you with that cute Moroi at the time, I can't seem to remember his name?" I asked tentatively.

"Yeah, I was with Adrian- that's his name. I really ended things badly with him, he found out I cheated on him before I could tell him. I feel so awful about that. I didn't know if I would live to see the next day and it just happened. We got back together just before heading to court to meet with you and Ian. Heat of the moment thing, I guess. But Adrian won't talk to us anymore and I don't know if he will ever forgive me. I wish I could go back to when I was friends with him."

"Do you want to be friends with him though? His file says he is an alcoholic womanizing party-boy. Maybe it's a good thing he's out of your life. I'm sure it won't take him long to move on based on his history." I didn't like all the slandering and manipulating I was doing to get information out of Rose. But I had to think about protecting Zoe and Jill now. This was necessary.

"Yeah he does drink and party excessively. His conquests probably stretch longer than the Great Wall of China, for all I know. But he was a very good friend to me when I needed him and he was always so kind and understanding, and I always thought he'd be the one in the relationship to cheat eventually. He had even cleaned up his act quite a bit because of our dating contract. Until I broke his heart, now he wants nothing to do with me and he's gone back to his old vices like there's no tomorrow." She sounded really sad by this. I couldn't help but wonder what a 'dating contract' was but it wasn't important right now.

"Rose, if his friendship really means that much to you keep trying to get through to him. I don't know much about relationships but I know you are a fighter Rose. Help him recover- you're with him at court after all." Wow, I was surprising myself with my manipulative skills.

Rose sighed, "He's not here anymore," she hesitated, "you're an alchemist you must have heard of the troubles we've been having with the rebels. I mentioned it a while ago."

"Yeah I did, I heard there had been attempts on Lissa and her family… do you mean to say the rebels are trying to kill a 15 year old?! Is Jill safe?" I let shock into my voice pretending to know nothing about this.

"Ah yeah, that's exactly what I mean. It's beyond disgusting. We had to send Jill into hiding- actually the alchemists are helping us with that. I thought you would know about this, since I made Abe put in a request for you. They sent in someone else though. I insisted on taking Jill myself since I feel like it's my fault that she's in this situation." She went silent for a while, "the alchemist with Jill is younger, and her name is Zoe Sage… any chance you are related to her?" She sounded a bit hopeful.

"Wait Zoe is helping to keep Jill safe?! Yeah, that's my little sister- she's the same age as Jill!" I sounded astounded enough to fool even myself.

"Wow, the alchemists weren't kidding when they said they would keep it top secret! Your family and you didn't even know. I'm impressed!" She was right I wouldn't have known if I hadn't made every effort to get sent here instead. I could have told her that but I'd already started with the pretense that I didn't know anything and it was hard to stop once I had it going.

I felt guilty about all this and decided to at least share a bit of the truth, "Well, I have actually been suspended from alchemist duties and have been given some time off. So I'm not really surprised they decided to keep me out of the loop."

Rose was back to aghast, "Oh no, Sydney. It's entirely fault isn't it? It was because you helped me that you're in so much trouble!" She sounded miserable.

"Calm down, Rose. I am actually a bit relieved. I'm staying with relatives and plan to take college courses in the mean time. It's almost a dream come true, though I feel awful that Zoe had to become an alchemist. I had hoped to save her from that life." I was glad to finally saw the words aloud. Mom and Carly had both been so emotional I had felt the need to be the strong silent one for them.

"I'm glad things worked out then. I remember you said you wanted to study Italian buildings," Trust Rose to call Roman architecture 'Italian buildings' I thought with a fond smile, "and sorry your sister got thrust into that life. But if she is anything like you then I am sure she and Jill are fast friends by now." She was trying to sound hopeful but there was something there I couldn't decipher.

"It's not like you to chew your words Rose. Something is bothering you."

"We met with two alchemists: your sister and some douche bag. He was all bravado but it was clear he didn't want us on what he considered his territory. Your sister seems very impressed- almost awed- by him. Zoe was scared but she seemed alright initially."

"What do you mean 'initially'?"

"I'll get to that in a bit," She took in a deep breath, apparently more worried than she let on, "Adrian is with Jill and this douche bag seemed to dislike the fact that he would be around. We had promised the alchemists that we would look after Adrian on our own, so he's staying with a local Moroi who is willing to share his feeder. So Adrian wasn't even being an inconvenience but D-bag was barely containing his annoyance with the fact that there would be another person in the house." She sounded offended for Adrian- perhaps it was her guilt making her react so.

"Yeah, that makes no sense to me either. Alchemists are trained to form contacts and behave politely especially on long term missions. If this guy is behaving differently can't Mr. Mazur pull some strings and get someone else over there?" I asked. I felt a twinge of remorse over not showing human solidarity in front of a Dhampir but having Keith sent away from Zoe would solve half my problems.

"Abe tried to reason with him, the D-bag launched into some story of how he wouldn't be intimidated by a mobster since he had survived being maimed by Strigoi. Can you believe that crap? Who's ever heard of Strigoi maiming without even biting someone?! He probably got stabbed in the eye for being a douche bag at a bar or something!"

She took another deep breath before continuing, "Abe then had a talk with his supervisor, Dana or something. She was all nice and apologetic but said that bringing in a new person would increase the number of people who knew Jill's location and they wanted to minimize the risk. She had a private word with the d-bag. He came back much more polite but I swear, there was an evil glint in his eyes. That's when he took Zoe outside for a talk and she was different… colder and haughtier. She picked up his attitude and I'm worried that she will keep picking up more by being around him."

"This sounds awful. I hope Zoe is being professional but she is so young and impressionable. I know the guy you mean- Keith Darnell? I have heard about him and I agree he isn't the best. Rose, you are risking Jill by saying so much! You never know what a person can piece together from little bits of information like that!" I reprimanded her.

She just chuckled, "Yeah Keith, he seems like the petty type who holds a grudge and exacts misguided revenge. I'm just really worried about Jill. I haven't talked with her since the day Abe and I left her there. And besides I'm talking to you. I know you're not a threat."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence!" I said dryly, "I love my sister and I really hope things aren't as bad as you describe them." Though of course I knew it was headed that way. I would have to get close to Adrian to help Jill. We'd already been talking for quite a while. I had maybe a few more minutes to gather information.

"But why is Adrian with her, sending a party boy seems like a bad way to keep hidden, also isn't he an insanely wealthy royal, why would he need to live with another Moroi. Oh wait, let me guess. Is there a hot young Moroi involved?" This was honestly what I really wanted to know, the reason Adrian was really here.

Rose laughed, "He desperately wishes- there's only an old man who takes a LOT of naps!" Her voice became more serious- a hint of guilt in it, "His father cut him off from his trust fund after his mom was sent to prison, I guess you haven't heard of that either. Turns out she was the one who stole the alchemist files you asked me about. Adrian gets barely enough to live on, but considering his expensive vices and usual lifestyle it's really nothing."

"He still sounds like the wrong person to be in hiding with," I said honestly

"We didn't really have anyone else, and Jill needs at least one person from her old life around. He was the only one who wasn't doing anything. Dimitri and I have charges but we are too infamous to not be noticed. Christian is leading the petition for Moroi to fight and conducting lessons at court. Her parents would be too easy to trace. There really aren't that many people we could trust with Jill's life. It helps that Adrian has always treated her like a little sister, so we hope he won't intentionally corrupt her," the last bit sounded a bit wry.

Her words said that Adrian was useless at court and was chosen through a process of elimination but she was trying too hard to convince me. There was something more to it- I was sure of it. I would find out later. I had learned much tonight. Alchemist training at its finest, I didn't realize I was this sickeningly good at subterfuge and dissimulation.

"I'm sure the Queen Vasilisa is doing the best she can for her sister, I have no right to judge or question her choices." I added contritely, "this conversation really went off tangent, huh? I didn't even know my sis was an alchemist and that you had met with her. I guess I need to call you more often to catch up!" I made a lame attempt at a joke.

"Ugh, call her Lissa! But yeah, the conversation did go somewhere else entirely. I don't think I should have said half the things I did, but I trust you Syd." The honesty in her words made my guilt deepen. "Life had just been so complicated lately, you know? But I'd love to talk with you again, a bit of normalcy would do me good. Is this your number now? Can I call you another time for a lighter talk? Maybe we can talk about your life in college and possible romantic partners next time?" She sounded genuinely curious about my life. I was touched and the guilt for calling her just to get information made my guilt twist like a knife in my stomach.

"I'd like that Rose, call me when you can… but just keep in mind that I am on a human schedule OK?"

"Later Syd, I'll be in touch and let you know if I hear any more about Zoe."

It was late and I was exhausted! But deep peaceful healing sleep eluded me. My nightmares showed me all the ways things could fall apart and go haywire. My mind kept bringing up pictures of Jill hurt, broken, bleeding or looking downtrodden and miserable- she kept saying that she didn't deserve this and that she wanted to go home to her mother. That dream caused me as much anxiety as the thought of Zoe being pursued by Keith. It startled me awake. Jill was 15... She hadn't asked or wanted any of this and had done nothing to hurt anyone. She shouldn't have to suffer! I would get Zoe to change her behavior somehow. She hadn't been like this last week so I was certain Keith was responsible for all this. Even Rose had said as much.

This was the most important mission of my life failure wasn't an option. "I'm here and I won't let anything happen to either of you, I promise!" I vowed aloud before finally falling into a deep dreamless, peaceful sleep.