Chapter Nine

A-N

Hello, people!

Gosh, you guys are lucky! Y'all are getting three updates in one day! The reason for my triple-update plus the re-uploading of the first six chapters is that I am going to be gone from today until next Saturday. I'm going away to camp, and since this story can not be written and edited without me, I've decided to do a triple-update just for you! I figure that the update will make up for not updating for the past two weeks and will also cover next week's update.

In the future, I plan on updating this story once a week or every two weeks. Since I'm gone until next Saturday, you guys might not get an update for a while. Until next time, please enjoy and review this final chapter in the triple-update of Breakthrough.

Oh, and by the way, this chapter is dedicated to HopperIvashkinator for encouraging me to update my story sooner. Really, like I've said before, you guys are the people that motivate me to update. And, I like to please the public! So, HopperIvashkinator, this chapter's for you!

You read and review, I write.

XXX

Jemily 145

Disclaimer: Richelle Mead owns Bloodlines.

After I finished my coffee, I got up from my seat at Adrian's kitchen table.

"I need to head back to Amberwood now," I said. "Would you mind driving me, Adrian?"

"Sure. Anything for my Sage," Adrian said, putting his arm around my shoulders.

I leaned into Adrian, grateful for his solidity and warmth. Right now, Adrian's presence was comforting. I was glad for the comfort. Comfort was exactly what I needed when I was in this stressed-out state.

Adrian, of course, sensed my need for more comfort. Just then, his grip tightened, and Adrian pulled me closer to him.

"Sage," Adrian said as we headed out of his apartment.

"You know everything's going to turn out fine. It always does when you're in charge of things. You always manage to get everything accomplished, in the end."

"I know," I said. "But, that doesn't mean I have any less reasons to be on edge about the vision. If Keith is part of the assassin group, you know things are going to get pretty ugly."

"True," Adrian said with a shrug. "But, that doesn't mean we can take care of Keith. Your magic and mine are more than enough."

"Maybe you're right," I said.

"I AM right," Adrian said as we approached his Mustang.

Adrian and I had to travel in his yellow Mustang, the Ivashkinator, back to Amberwood because our limo had left late last night.

I smiled as Adrian opened the passenger door and swept me a gallant bow.

"Sage," Adrian said, "the car awaits."

Despite my worry and stress, I giggled as I got into the Mustang and shut the door behind me.

"See," Adrian said as he got into the driver's side. "I still have the ability to amuse you with my charms even when you're stressed."

"What would I do without you, Adrian," I asked.

"I don't know, but I don't want to find out. I never want to be without you, Sage," Adrian said.

My heart leaped at Adrian's words.

After he started the car, Adrian pulled out of the parking lot. Switching topics, Adrian asked, "So, how do you plan on telling everyone about the vision?"

"Well, I was thinking that we could break the news over a fancy dinner, you know, to ease the tension that the news will cause," I said.

"Ah, sly Sage. You're always on your toes. Okay, I'll bite. Where are we going?"

"Bella's," I said "that fancy Italian restaurant downtown."

"Isn't that restaurant super expensive? How do you plan on paying for all of us," Adrian asked.

"Well," I said with a grin "I was thinking a certain Moroi would lend us money."

"Oh, and would that certain Moroi be me," Adrian asked with a smirk.

"Yes," I said "as a matter of fact, it is."

"Okay," Adrian said. "I'll pay for dinner if you make arrangements for us to leave Palm Springs."

"Consider it done," I said.

The rest of the trip back to Amberwood was spent in silence. My head kept spinning with thoughts about all of the work I had to do when I got back to my dorm.

I needed to calm down, I thought for the umpteenth time that day.

Well, I asked myself, what calms you down?

An answer came almost immediately. Organizing things helped to calm me down.

Bingo, I thought. I had to organize my thoughts and ideas.

A list, I thought. I needed to compile a mental to-do list.

Mental To-Do List

1. I needed to e-mail Stanton and tell her that I was leaving. I also had ask her for information about Keith's whereabouts. But, first, I needed to find an excuse to see Keith. Stanton wouldn't let me leave my post without a proper reason for departure.

A lightbulb went off in my head. Keith had lived with my family for years as he trained to be an Alchemist under my father's watchful eye. Therefore, Keith was considered a family friend. Surely Stanton would believe my excuse of wanting to see an old friend in Re-Education. Mentally snapping invisible fingers with my decision, I knew that that e-mail would be instrumental in helping me leave Palm Springs.

2. In the e-mail to Stanton, I also had to remember to tell her that I wouldn't leave Palm Springs unless they found a highly qualified Alchemist to replace me.

3. Finally, I had to mention to Stanton that the Moroi, Adrian Ivashkov, would be leaving at the same time I departed from Palm Springs.

I needed to find an excuse for Adrian to leave, I thought. Adrian, like myself, couldn't leave Palm Springs without a reason.

Another lightbulb went off in my head as I found the perfect excuse. Adrian's parents lived at the Moroi royal Court in Pennsylvania. If Adrian and I left on the same plane, Adrian could disguise himself with spirit and follow me to the Re-Education center.

That excuse was good, I thought.

I'd mention to Stanton that Adrian Ivashkov was leaving to see his parents at the same time I left.

4. After I sent the e-mail, I had to make reservations at Bella's at six o'clock.

5. I also needed to text Eddie, Jill, and Angelene. I had to sell them to meet me near Latte at five-thirty so that we could get to the restaurant on in time for our reservations.

"Adrian," I asked.

"Yes, Sage," Adrian asked.

"Do you want me to pick you up or meet you at Bella's tonight," I asked.

"I'll meet you there," Adrian said. "I'll even hold the reservation just in case you guys are late. What time do you want me to be at the restaurant?".

"I'll reserve a table at six," I said. "So, be there at six sharp."

"Okay," Adrian said.

"Great," I replied.

"Well, looks like we're here," Adrian said as we pulled into Amberwood's student parking lot. Adrian drove up to the curb of my dorm building.

"Thanks for the ride," I said.

"No problem," Adrian said.

I gave Adrian a peck on the lips. I pulled away quickly though. The electricity that crackled in between us was too strong. I had to go before I was tempted to kiss Adrian again.

I unbuckled my seat belt and reached for the door handle.

"Sage," Adrian said, putting his hand on my arm.

"Yeah," I asked.

"If you need anything, I'm here, okay?"

"Okay," I said, giving him a grateful glance.

"And, if you need a massage to help you de-stress, I'll be glad to oblige," Adrian said, his smirk returning to his lips.

I laughed.

"Okay," I said. "I may take you up on that offer sometime."

"Good," Adrian said.

"Bye," I said.

I couldn't resist. I gave Adrian another peck on the lips and exited the Mustang.

I stepped into the dorm's air-conditioned lobby and made for the stairs. Taking them two at a time, I climbed until I reached the third floor. I needed to hurry if I wanted to send that e-mail; make the reservations; text the gang; and get ready for tonight.

After I ascended the last few steps, I started walking down my dorm hallway. Rummaging in my bag for my key, I searched until my hands closed around cool metal. Success!

Just as I reached my room, I took out my key and unlocked the door.

Relief flooded through me along with a sense of calm as I stepped inside and took in the familiar sights of my dorm. The neatly made bed, dresser, and the organized piles of papers and books and my laptop on my desk greeted me with open arms.

Sighing, I headed toward my desk and booted up my laptop. As soon as the home screen appeared, I logged onto my e-mail and composed a message to Stanton. With any luck, Stanton would reply within the next day or two. Stanton was usually very prompt about tending to her e-mail messages.

The e-mail that I finally ended up sending contained all of the information I'd planned to put in it. I'd pleaded to be allowed to see an old friend in Re-Education; told Stanton that I wouldn't leave unless a worthy replacement was found; and almost as an afterthought, I mentioned Adrian's departure to see his parents. After I checked the e-mail for spelling and grammar, I sent it.

Now, all that was the left to do was to make reservations at Bella's. I searched the restaurant on Google; found the number; and dialed. A waitress answered right away and hooked me up with reservations for tonight at six. When I was finished with the call, I texted the gang and told them to meet me by Latte at five-thirty. I explained that Adrian and I wanted to treat everyone to a fancy dinner. I didn't want to tell them any more information than what was absolutely necessary. Everyone would find out about the vision in due time.

A couple hours later, I had showered and changed clothes. Checking my reflection in the full-length mirror, I smoothed my white blouse over my khakis.

There, I thought. I look presentable.

After running a brush through my hair, I headed downstairs and out the door to the parking lot. Glancing over at Latte, I spotted Eddie, Jill, and Angelene.

"Hi," I said. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, sure," Jill said, looking apprehensive.

I realized immediately that Jill might already know what was going on. After all, she could see through Adrian's eyes through the bond. Who knew what information she already knew about the vision.

I steeled myself, trying to act normal.

"Great," I said, opening the driver's side door.

Everyone followed my example shortly thereafter and piled into Latte.

The car ride to the restaurant was filled with meaningless chatter about what music we should play on the radio. Angelene, who sat in front with me, kept turning the dial to stations that neither Eddie or Jill liked. As a result, there was a lot of complaints from the backseat throughout the drive to Bella's.

I half-listened to everyone's conversation, not smiling. I was too stressed out at the moment and didn't have the capacity to socialize with the weight of the news on my chest.

At long last, I pulled into the parking lot of Bella's. I lead the way into the restaurant, and spotting Adrian, I showed everyone to the table. Jill, Eddie, Angelene, and I exchanged greetings with Adrian before perusing the menu for food. When the waitress arrived, everyone was prepared to order except for me. Picking the first type of salad I saw on the menu, I ordered my food. Once the waitress left, Angelene said, "Okay, Sydney. What's up? You never take us out to dinner, and you seem stressed. Do you have something to tell us?"

"Yes," I said, looking to Adrian for support. "I have something to tell all of you. Last night, while Adrian and I were out on our date, I got a phone call from Ms. Terwilliger. She told me about a vision she'd seen in her crystal ball. Ms. Terwilliger said that I should see the vision, and asked me to come over to her house immediately. After I agreed to come over, Adrian and I traveled to Ms. Terwilliger's house. When we arrived at Ms. Terwilliger's house, I looked through the crystal ball."

Swallowing hard, I looked Jill in the eye. "The vision in the crystal ball was of you getting murdered."

A-N

Hey, guys. I know, I left you at a cliff hanger. Sorry, but I wanted this chapter to turn out this way. So, please, please review. I'll love y'all forever if you review and give me feedback! Thanks!

XXX

Jemily 145