The Third Day

Adrian never told me how he knew where we were when I didn't. I supposed Eddie could have told him, or maybe Jill was told and passed that information along. Either way, he ended the dream much earlier than I would have liked, saying he had to get some sleep before driving to meet us.

I tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted. It would be nice to see him, but I had no idea how to approach Zoe about him. I had enough to explain to her already.

Jill had missed a scheduled feeding the previous day, so she went with Angeline to another part of the compound. The dhampirs kept calling it a resort, but it felt different to me. Everything they said indicated we were still hiding from whatever had attacked us at the restaurant.

"We'll figure it out," Eddie said. Zoe and I were having a late breakfast. Very late – almost lunchtime, really. We were both exhausted from the running and hiding of the previous day, so we had slept in.

"We caught the two at that hotel you stayed at," he continued, "and we have the one from the restaurant. Eventually, they'll talk."

"So you have no idea if Jill's cover is blown," I demanded, though he wasn't really looking at me much. He mostly glanced between Zoe and his food.

He shook his head and cringed a little. "I can't believe you took two 15 year old girls to that dump. Do you know what kind of place that is?"

I felt my cheeks burn a little as I scowled and glanced at Zoe before trying to send an icy glare his way. "I didn't check. I was trying to get Jill away from whoever was after her."

"Well you did," he answered, still not looking at me. "No one thought to look for you there."

I looked down myself. My plate was still full. I took a bite of the eggs before I answered him. I was trying to eat more, but it was still hard.

"Someone thought of it," I said after swallowing, "or we wouldn't have had a problem later."

He finally looked at me, a little upset. "I told you, we have those guys, and they will talk."

"And until they do, we're stuck here," I grumbled. I didn't like being forced to stay here, and I didn't like not knowing where I was. Also, I still felt guilty about what happened to Jill. I still blamed myself for helping her deviate from the plan.

"People come here on vacation," Eddie said. I could tell he was exasperated now. "You might try having some fun while you're here."

I glanced at Zoe again and decided that arguing with him any more wouldn't help. "Fine, we'll do something when Jill gets back. But we didn't bring clothes for this weather." As we walked to the restaurant for breakfast, I had seen enough to know that we were somewhere in the mountains. The ground was covered with snow, which was fine –we just weren't dressed for it.

"Not a problem," Eddie said, rising and looking behind us. "They have winter clothing for all genders and sizes here."

I turned around to see Angeline and Jill approaching. Jill looked better than when I had seen her the night before, though it could have been either the sleep or the feeding.

"Hey Sydney, Zoe," Jill said as she moved to sit beside me. Angeline didn't look happy about sitting by Eddie – I guess there was still some unresolved drama there.

"We were just talking about what we can do today," I told the Moroi teen, but she wasn't listening. Instead she leaned in and whispered to me.

"He left early," she told me. "He'll be here in a few hours."

I'm not sure what she saw in my expression, but hers seemed to lose some of its enthusiasm. I was torn inside. I so wanted to see Adrian, but I had no idea how to explain him to, or hide my relationship with him from, Zoe.

"I thought you'd be happy," Jill whispered, looking a little crestfallen. Before I could respond, Zoe spoke.

"Can we go 4 wheeling in the snow?" Zoe asked.

Everyone looked at her. She was generally very reserved around Jill and the dhampirs, she rarely spoke.

I spoke first, "I think Jill should decide."

I could tell Jill was a little surprised that Zoe had spoken, but she quickly shook her head. "No, it would be fine. I think it would be fun."

I wasn't sure how to respond, so I just looked at Eddie. He had been staring at Zoe, but my glance seemed to make him move. "I'll set it up. There's probably a course or route or something they would recommend."

I looked back at Zoe, who just shrugged. "I don't get to go much at home, and I like it."

I thought about reminding her that this mission was about Jill, but didn't. I was glad that my sister had a chance to do something she liked before she would have to finally learn about being an Alchemist in the field, and surely Eddie and the others would make sure that it was safe.

I looked back at Jill who was grinning at me now. "It'll be fun," she repeated. "And you'll be amazed at what I can do with snow."

She stood and left before I could object. I had no idea what she had in mind, but hoped she didn't plan to do anything in front of Zoe. I remembered how much her water magic had upset me when I first saw her using it in Palm Springs, though I also remembered that it had helped to save me, me and Adrian.

I decided I didn't want to think about it, and I didn't want to eat any more. Zoe was about done, so I just scooted out of the booth and stood.

"Come on, Zoe. We need to change into something more outdoorsy."

The Fun

It was fun. We had two SUVs, Zoe and I were in one with Neil, who had found his way back to us just as we were ready to leave. Jill was with Eddie and Angeline in the other.

We took turns driving, though Neil was quick to point out if we deviated from the designated trail. But it was fine, we all enjoyed ourselves and I was a little disappointed when we were told we had to head back to the resort/compound to make it before sunset.

The fun ended when we were a few miles from our destination. We were off the trails and on a paved road when trouble came. Our SUV was in the front and I was driving when I heard an explosion. I had no idea what had happened, but I lost control briefly. At least the road was clear as I swerved, and I finally managed to pull over to the shoulder and stop. It was only then that I saw her.

"Zoe!" I exclaimed. She was bleeding, and looked unconscious. "No," was all I could muster as I pulled my seat belt off.

I was aware that Neil was out of the SUV and saw that the other vehicle had stopped in front of us. It was undamaged, and all three occupants were out of it.

With one more look at my sister, I jumped out and ran to Eddie. He and the other dhampirs were scanning the mountain side above where we had stopped, apparently looking for our attackers.

"Eddie," I said as I grabbed his arm. "Zoe needs help!"

He looked at me for just a second before Angeline said "There" and pointed. All of our eyes followed her pointing finger to see two guys who, when they saw they were seen, turned and started to run. Neil and Angeline had already begun to chase them when something odd happened. They were suddenly sliding in our direction, they almost looked like they had been pushed our way by a mini-avalanche.

"Jill!" Eddie said, and I turned to look at her. She was concentrating, staring at the guys who were tumbling down the hill towards us.

"Get in the truck." Eddie said, pushing her inside. She resisted only briefly before he had her inside. He was on his phone as he moved to the driver's side of the SUV. I turned back to the others to see that Angeline and Neil had already managed to subdue the guys that had slid down the hill.

"Zoe needs help!" I yelled at Eddie as Angeline climbed in to the back of their vehicle.

"On its way," Eddie said as he entered the SUV and drove away.

I turned to Neil, who was standing over the two restrained men. They weren't really struggling, and I didn't know if he knocked them out, or if something had happened as they slid down the hill.

"They have to get her to safety," he said. "Help should be here soon."

I nodded and climbed back into the SUV. It was then that I realized that my right arm hurt, that it wasn't working right. Still, I pushed that aside and got as close to Zoe as I could. I could tell she was breathing, but she wasn't responsive at all.

"Help's coming," I told her as I racked my brain. All the spells I had been forced to read, yet I had never come across anything like a healing spell. I seemed to be learning more about what I couldn't do, what I needed to learn.

"Help will be here soon," I repeated. It was all I could do for her just then.

The Fourth Night

Help did arrive fairly soon, though the sun had set by the time we were in another vehicle returning to the compound. There was a Moroi nurse with us, sitting in the back seat with us, but she was mostly shaking her head.

They didn't take us to our room, they took us to a large room that looked like it could have been used for a banquet or for dancing. The nurse and another guy, who looked like a Moroi, made a makeshift stretcher out of a blanket and carried Zoe into the room. I followed, holding my injured arm with the other. I heard his voice as soon as I entered.

"Sydney!" Adrian said as I entered the room. He had been standing next to the couch when they laid Zoe, but turned and started running to me. I shook my head, noticing that Eddie was also in the room.

"No," I said, pointing with my good arm. "Help Zoe."

He was right in front of me before I had finished my plea. He had both of my arms in his, but dropped them when I flinched and said, "Please, heal Zoe."

He looked at me desperately for a second but turned back to my sister. I walked towards them as I saw him go to her, shake his head as he touched her, and close his eyes. I was vaguely aware that Eddie was next to me.

"Do you need help?" he asked softly.

"Not yet," I whispered, though I realized I was holding my injured arm again.

He looked at me dubiously, but then turned his attention back to Adrian. The nurse was nearby, watching with interest. I thought I heard her say "Spirit" under her breath.

I could tell it took something out of him, but I really wasn't paying attention to that. I could see Zoe stirring, I could see her responding.

Relief filled me as I saw Zoe sit up. The nurse was immediately beside her, but Adrian had turned towards me. His expression was as dark as I had ever seen it.

"What happened?" he asked. Before I could respond, his attention had turned towards my injured arm. He looked back into my eyes, then back to my arm before moving to touch it.

"Adrian," I said, "are you sure you can? After what you just did?" I was finally starting to realize what healing Zoe must have taken out of him, and I knew what using too much spirit could do to a Moroi spirit user.

His expression was still dark, but his voice was gentle as he said, "Trust me, Sydney. I can do this for you."

I hesitated. I trusted Adrian as much as I trusted anyone, but I knew he might risk more than he could handle for me.

"Sydney, please," he said. "I did as you asked, now do as I ask. Let me help you."

I closed my eyes and nodded. His touch was gentle, as I knew it would be. The warmth of spirit filled me, and I wondered how I could have ever doubted him. I could feel the pain slip away, I knew I could move my arm normally again.

When I finally opened my eyes and looked at him, his expression was still dark, his eyes angry. His hand had dropped from my arm, and he seemed to be glaring.

"Adrian?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Who did this to you?" he demanded.

I heard a gasp from the couch. Zoe was still sitting, but she looked terrified, she was moving away from him.

"Adrian," I whispered. "Please."

His voice didn't soften, there was still a dangerous look in his eyes. "Sydney," then he turned to Eddie as he demanded "Who did this to her?"

At least he had said my name, at least he recognized me. I was grateful for that. I could at least try to reach him.

I scanned the room and saw a door that seemed to open into a smaller room. The light was off, and I wasn't sure what was in there, but I grabbed Adrian's arm and started pulling him towards it.

"Help me get him in there," I called to Eddie. Adrian didn't really resist, but I was glad when Eddie took his other arm and pulled him with me.

As we entered the room, I flipped the light on to see a table with six chairs, as well as a few other chairs against the walls of the room.

"Thanks," I told Eddie. "Get Zoe back to our room."

Eddie remained in the doorway, looking between Adrian and me. Adrian was staring at me, still angry, still dark.

"Sydney…" Eddie began.

"I'll be fine," I said. "He won't hurt me. Get Zoe out of here."

Eddie wasn't happy, but he left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Sydney…" Adrian began, though his voice was more confused than angry now.

"Adrian, please," I said. "It's just us here. Just you and me."

He closed his eyes and drew in a breath. When he opened them again, they were distant, unfocused.

I could tell that he wasn't completely with me just yet, but I had to try. I had to bring him back to me.