A.N: HI guys!

I know it has been forever since I updated and really I have no excuses. I'm just terribly sorry, I'll try my best to update sooner, this chapter has not been proofread so please be gentle lol.

Thanks,

Steffy

Chapter 15:

When we got back to California, Adrian and I didn't officially show we were together as he would have been a blow to our cover. He was supposed to be my cousin after all and I didn't want for our relationship to become a big deal.

It was awkward to be sharing the living space with him since what happened between us in Switzerland. I had been raised in an over conventional household where living under the same roof than the person you were dating , without being married, was an immense sacrilege.

Those feelings were hard to shake but Adrian was very understanding….or at least he seemed to be.

'We'll take it slow, you set the pace Sage, we've got all the time in the world' he had said probably seeing my discomfort to some of our intimate moment.

We had been back four days, and I was settling in our new pattern when someone knocked at my bedroom door.

"Come in"

"Hey Sydney there is someone here to see you" said Jill so formally and pale that I presumed it was nothing good.

I closed my history book and swirled on my chair. "Okay…"

She disappeared in the corridor before letting David in the room.

As soon as he got in, he closed the door and stood in front of it like he expected me to run away.

I was not used to have boys invading my private place and David was so massive that the room seemed to shrink to the size of a raisin.

He looked at me silently making me even more uncomfortable.

"HI" I said tentatively before standing up. "Were we due for a visit?" I asked perfectly knowing that the answer was no.

"I've heard you were involved in an accident with a Moroi." He said, detailing me from head to toe.

"What do you mean?" I asked warily. A lot of my recent actions, mostly voluntary, could be considered as 'accident' to their eyes…Accident or pure betrayal.

"You saved the life of one of the Queen close friends."

I shrugged, before pretending to put some order in my room. David had known me my whole life and even if we lost touch I knew he could read me.

"What did you want me to do? I didn't think, I just acted. It wouldn't have been Christian not to do something.

David stayed silent for so long I looked up and met his troubled eyes, it was almost exactly as he was looking at Marie Council session, when they decided to send her away.

"As long as you know where your loyalty stands."

"Of course I do! I'm an Alchemist."

He nodded. "I'm glad you remember that because you're done here."

"What do you mean I'm done here?" I asked, trying my best to contain my anger knowing it wouldn't help me a bit.

"Your assignment, you've been reassigned."

"I told you not to intervene" I replied, doing my best to keep my voice leveled.

"Well you are in danger with them" he shrugged and looked away at my Einstein poster. "They passed the law, the child vampire is not in danger anymore, and you can come home."

Her name is Jill, not child vampire! I wanted to shout and it surprised myself. "We're not sure the danger came from the rebels….at least as far as I am concerned."

"It doesn't matter; you will be in security with me."

"You?"

"US, with us… alchemists."

"But—"

He sighed. "This is not a request Sydney, it's an order."

"Is this your doing?" I asked knowing I was flushing with anger now.

"Does it matter? The Council decided"

"When do I need to be back?"

"You need to report to the council in a maximum of ten days for your reassignment."

"I-"

"What?" He asked, challenging.

I can't come back, I want to stay here, I love them….I love him. I don't want to demonize them anymore. I thought all that, if I was braver that was what I would have said, but I continued to be the perfect little soldier that Adrian once reproached me to be. "Nothing, I'll be back within ten days."

David nodded approvingly. I could see the coldness of his eyes melt and he almost looked like the friend I had forever ago, when I loved him…..before he betrayed my sister.

"Anything else?"

He took a step back as If I had slapped him.

"I-no, I'll see you."

"Yes you will." I affirmed with a strong voice trying not so show how broken I was inside.

As soon as David left, I let myself fall heavily on my bed looking at my ceiling. After a little while, I became aware of a presence and I turned my head to see Adrian looking at me leaning on the door frame.

He was doing his best to look casual, but I knew better than that, he heard everything and he knew I didn't fight for us.

I met his emerald eyes but stayed silent.

"So you're leaving…." he said heavily.

I just looked at him not really knowing what to tell him.

He walked in, closed the door silently before coming to lie beside me.

"I'm sorry" I finally said not much louder than a whisper.

Adrian grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers before squeezing my hand.

I was glad he didn't say that it was okay because we both knew it wasn't okay. I had to chose between both world and when I stayed silent I had made my choice and I had chosen the Alchemists over Adrian.

"So we have ten days?"

"Yeah."

Adrian let go of my hand and jump up. "Pack a bag."

I looked up, aghast. He was sending me away? This idea hurt me more than anything I ever experienced before….Even when David turned his head when Marie had been taken away. "You...want me to go now?"

Adrian looked at me as if it was the stupidest thing he ever heard. "Of course not! We only have 10 days left and I want….I want to do with you things we might not have a chance to do again. Pack a bag, we're going somewhere. I have a few phone calls to make, but lets meet-" he looked down to his Louis Moinet Meteoris watch which I knew cost more than my parents house and the one of the neighbors . "Meet you in the living room in 30 minutes."

"Where are we going?"

He gave me his best cheeky smile. "That, little Alchemist, is for me to know and you to find out."

Fifty minutes later we were sitting in a Court private plane.

"We're going to Court?"

Adrian shook his head. "Nope, it's a loan. Relax Sage, you'll find out soon enough."

I smiled content. To be honest I didn't really care where we were going as long as we were together.

Adrian wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I leaned on his shoulder skimming his cool throat with my nose.

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep when Adrian woke me up with a soft nudge and kiss on top of my head.

"We're here?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

Adrian chuckled. "Yea we're about to land but I didn't want you to miss the view."

I looked out of the plane window, and saw lights everywhere; I took a sharp breath when I recognized one of the monuments. The coliseum! We were in Rome, the place I always dreamt to go.

"Rome? You took me to Rome?" I tried somehow scared it was a dream.

"This is a belated Christmas present Sydney, I love you."

"I Love you too" I replied kissing him with all my heart.