Chapter 3

Adrian had been standing in the room for what felt like hours but in reality was maybe 15 minutes since his last smoke break. He needed to get out. Again. He just can't stand everyone's pitying looks and the awkward silence while they wait for the Alchemists to arrive. Even Jill was casting worried glances his way every time Rose spoke.

That's it. He walked away without another word. He needed another smoke break.

At this rate, I'll be going through 10 packs today. He thought as he reached the front door.

As soon as he opened it, he was startled by two people.

What the hell? He thought.

There was a man and a woman standing there looking just as surprised to see him. The woman (a girl, really) looked a few years younger than Adrian himself and seemed vaguely familiar. The guy seemed to be Adrian's age and looked like he was ready to bolt at any second.

After a quick glance, he noticed that they were wearing matching colors, looked incredibly uptight and unnecessarily professional for this part of California.

Salesmen. Great.

"So. Are you guys here to convert me or sell me siding?" He said casually, trying to find some amusement in the situation. Anything would serve as a good distraction from what was happening inside the house.

His comment seemed to spark action within the girl, who still looked so familiar to Adrian. Where could he even know a human from?

"Mr. Ivashkov, it's nice to see you again," She said politely.

Adrian should have been more surprised that she knew his name but then again, many people knew the Ivashkovs. It's one of the many perks of being part of a royal Moroi family.

He frowned, still trying to figure out why she looked so familiar to him.

"I know you. How do I know you?"

The girl seemed a bit surprised but was good at masking her emotions.

"We… we ran into each other last month. At your court."

At Court? What was I doing at Court last… Oh!

The memory suddenly came to him. He saw her at Court after everything with… Rose. He remembered noticing how attractive but thin she was, and that she seemed mentally strong. She had to have been in order to run around with… her in Russia and get involved the way she did. He remembered how she seemed put together but in a way that made her seem incredibly uptight. But then again she was captured and surrounded by vampires.

"Right. The Alchemist." Adrian responded, impressed with his own memory.

I know her name, I remember saying it when I was telling Abe that her friend had a crush on her. What was it? What was her-

"Sydney Sage." He finally said. Now impressing himself even more.

He wasn't the only one impressed. The girl's mask fell for a second but it was enough for Adrian to notice that she was surprised. She looked impressed and… appreciative?

Huh. Maybe she isn't as uptight as I remembered.

But then he noticed that she was wearing a skirt with tights in the California heat.

Nevermind. Definitely uptight.

She shot a quick glance to her… co-worker? Partner? To the guy beside her, who had remained frozen in place since Adrian opened the door. He was staring at Adrian mouth agape, and everything about his body language made it very clear that he'd rather be anywhere else. This seemed to frustrate the girl, which was amusing to see because she kept trying to hide all of her emotions and remain neutral.

She put on another fake pleasant smile before introducing him to Adrian. "Keith, this is Adrian Ivashkov. Adrian, this is my colleague, Keith Darnell."

Adrian tried not to roll his eyes and placed a bet with himself before extending his hand to Keith. The bet was: if Keith refused to shake his hand, then he'd continue on his way to another smoke break. However, if Keith did shake Adrians hand then… who was he kidding, he was going to take that smoke break regardless.

A few seconds passed and it was obvious that Keith wasn't going to shake Adrian's hand.

Well. Seems like I won the bet. I better go take that smoke break now. Adrian thought to himself as he dropped his hand.

He immediately took out the lighter from his pocket, and began to walk past the alchemists to a spot on the side of the house.

He nodded towards the inside of the house. "They're waiting for you. Go on in."

Before he could stop himself, he leaned towards Keith and spoke in the scariest tone he could muster. "If. You. Dare."

He could've left it at that, but he realized that he enjoyed seeing Keith squirm. Also, if the Alchemists were going to treat him like some sort of vampire villain, then he might as well play the part and have fun doing it.

He added a "Muahahaha" laugh and poked Keith's shoulder. He knew he was pushing it, but was having too much fun with it.

As soon as Adrian's finger made contact with Keith, he jumped. Adrian could've sworn he saw him leap ten feet in the air.

He couldn't help but chuckle as he walked away lighting his cigarette. He cast a quick glance behind him and saw Sydney give him a glare. He could've sworn he saw the hint of a smile on her lips as she was looking away, though.

See? Even she can admit that was funny.

"Come on." Was the last thing Adrian heard Sydney say before she guided Keith into the house and shut the door behind them.