Author's note: Thank you, dear readers for the follows, favorites, and reviews. I appreciate it all. And I thank you for reading up to this point. There are just a few more chapters to go. Please feel free to review and let me know what you think of this latest turn.
Happy reading!
Chapter Nine
"She's still not awake?" A male voice asked anxiously.
"She's been through a lot." A familiar female voice said from closer to Sydney's head. "Stop hovering, Adrian. I'll sit with her for a while. You go sleep or something."
His feet retreated down the hall. Sydney's eyes fluttered open and she turned her head to the side to see Rose sitting in a chair against the wall. She smiled kindly and sat forward. Sydney cringed away.
She backed up. "It's okay, Sydney. We won't hurt you." Rose assured her. "We're going to help you."
"Rose…" She shook her head and covered her face. "Why is everything so fuzzy?"
"I don't know."
"She was drugged." Someone said from the doorway. Both looked up to see Abe standing there.
Sydney retreated even farther back.
"Now, now. I helped you out of a tough spot once and I know it was frightening, but I'm really not so bad." Abe smiled.
"You had a guy's eye cut out." She said softly.
"Are you serious?" Rose gasped, staring at her father.
The Moroi shrugged nonchalantly. "You know my work, Rose." He turned to Sydney. "That one there was drugged. Her head will clear soon."
Sydney looked between the pair. "I feel…wrong."
"Wrong how?" Rose leaned forward once more.
Sydney swallowed and mumbled, "I feel like my memory was stolen. I look at you and I know you, but I don't remember exactly how." She shook her head and pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. She whispered, "Rose, I trust you. But I still fear you."
Rose reached out to pat her arm, but Sydney jerked away. "Sorry. Do you know how they could do that?"
"She's been re-inked." Said another male voice from the door. Adrian. "The compulsion in the tattoo must be specially geared for the removal of her time in Palm Springs."
A squeak of fear escaped Sydney's throat and she pulled the blanket even closer to her chin as though the bit of fabric would save her from their hungry fangs.
"Sage." He sighed.
"Go away. I want all of you to go away. Leave me alone." Her voice got higher and higher with every word.
Rose nodded and stood. She waved everyone out. "Call if you need us." She shut the door despite the protest from the latest arrival.
"Adrian," Rose warned from outside the door, "you need to give her some time."
"Fuck time!" Adrian screamed.
"Not here." Said a calming female voice. "She's awake?"
There was silence. Someone must have nodded.
"I'll make her something to eat. You need to calm down. I don't think I stand being on edge much longer."
All of their footsteps retreated and Sydney was finally able to relax. Adrian. She thought. The one with the emerald eyes and the clove cigarette scent floating around him. She stared up at the ceiling trying to gather all the lost memories back. Did they really take the memories away when they re-inked her?
She rubbed her cheek that bore the golden lily tattoo. Could they really have made her forget? Was that possible?
The door opened, breaking into her thoughts. "Are you hungry?"
"Jill." She said with a smile. "You're safe."
Jill smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm great. I'd be even better if your boyfriend would stop freaking out." She placed a tray on Sydney's lap.
"Boyfriend?" Sydney asked, a spoonful of soup pausing in the air.
"They really did mess with you." Jill's face was distraught.
"I guess so." Sydney finished her bite.
"Would you be okay with me helping you out a bit?"
Sydney watched her uncomprehendingly a moment. Then she shook her head adamantly. "No more mind games. I'll remember in my own time."
Jill nodded. "Do you want me to leave?"
Sydney thought about it and then said, "You remind me of my sister."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yes." Sydney smiled. "Will you just sit quietly?"
"I will." Jill took a seat and closed her eyes. "Stupid one way bond." She raised her voice and called, "Stop pacing, Adrian, she's fine."
The door burst open and Adrian stepped through. Sydney jumped and sent the tray to the floor, spilling soup and crackers and tea all over the comforter and herself in the process.
Jill stood and started picking up the scattered food she could. "I said she was fine, not that she wanted to see you. Get out."
"Sydney?" Adrian asked uncertainly.
"Have you been drinking?" Sydney asked softly.
"I had a little to calm my nerves."
"I smell it on you. Mixed with the cigarettes." She blinked. "Please go away."
He opened his mouth to say something, but Jill pushed him out of the door. "Save it, lover boy. She needs time." She looked over her shoulder. "And a change of clothes."
"I love you, Sage." Adrian said before the door closed in his face. He slapped his hand against the door. "I still love you."
Sydney's heart broke for him, but her fear was a bit closer to the surface than her compassion.
"He'll be okay." Jill assured him. "More importantly, you will be. I'll show you where the bathroom is and you can shower and change. I was able to sneak off with your toiletries and a few of your other things before the Alchemists cleared it all out."
"Thank you, Jill." Sydney stood from beside the bed. "You really shouldn't be waiting on me. You're the last Dragomir princess."
Jill laughed. "You're not scared of me. I'll do everything I can to help you."
"I never said I wasn't scared of you." Sydney took the clothes the other girl held out. "Well, thank you again."
They walked down a short hallway. The murmured sound of conversation floated to them from the room at the other end.
"I'll keep an eye on it so no one will bother you." Jill assured her. "Take as long as you need. We've all showered and argued over the hot water already."
Sydney chuckled. "I appreciate it." She glanced nervously down the hall and saw a dark head peer around the corner.
"Eddie is concerned about you, too. If you feel up to it, maybe you can make a small appearance to let everyone know you're okay?"
"Who is 'everyone' exactly?"
"Rose, Adrian, Eddie, Trey, and Mr. Mazur. A couple of his guys."
"What about Angeline?"
Jill smiled. "Rose sent her somewhere else as a diversion. She'll meet with us at our next place."
Sydney paused in a nod and looked at her aghast. "We're leaving again? When?"
Jill shrugged. "Whenever we leave. It'll be quickly. We're on the run now."
Sydney sighed and pushed her way into the bathroom. She stood under the spray and let everything go. She pretended she was back home in Utah. Her mom was down in the kitchen making all her favorite foods. Zoe was just finishing her last project for the day and Carly was home from college for the weekend and their dad was away. They would have peace.
But then she remembered herself and her eyes popped open. There would never be any peace again. On the run, Jill had said. That meant they might never have a home again. She wouldn't see her mother for a very long time if ever. She would have to learn to like these people. They would never let her go back to the Alchemists. And she wasn't entirely sure she'd want to.