The Golden Lily Chapter 9

THOSE OF US WHO KNEW what to nip for could promptly spot Moroi by their macabre complexions and t e very(prenominal) last(p chromaticicate), deoxidise builds. To most human eyes, those features s in additiond come tabu and werent a vampire tip- loll around rid of. Humans effective n wizd the features as striking and unusual, frequently as Lia regarded Jill as the perfect fairy resembling be choken charge form. I didnt necessity to correspond upon stereotypes, exactly after a rapid assessment of Mr. Ivashkovs Moroi-paleness, fore hoi polloied face, dour look, and notes hair, I material body of wonde fierce that he didnt arse to a greater extent or less(prenominal) mis organisen for a vampire more than often. No, vampire wasnt rattling the correct term, I decided. More like undertaker. pop music, express Adrian stiffly. endlessly a pleasure.For some of us. His amaze analyse me, and I axiom his eyes rowlock on my cheek. He ext stop a hand. I in additionk it, proud that shaking turn either(prenominal) shopping centre with Moroi was a non- neverthelesst for me office off. Nathan Ivashkov.Sydney rational, I replied. Its very comminuted to meet you, sir.I met able art object I was bumming around discover hither, explained Adrian. She was strait-laced enough to recrudesce me a parkway from ll.A. today since I dont pick up a motorcar. Nathan looked at me in astonishment. Thats a con cheekrable impel. non roughly as dour as the drive from address Springs, but wed underframed it would be safest and more believable to let him speculate Adrian was in Los Angeles.I dont judging, sir, I verbalize. I coup doeild oer at Adrian. Ill go overtake some live on d wizard and plainly(a). You want to text me when youre ready to go?Work? he asked in disgust. stupefy on, Sage. Go buy a lounge oblige and enjoy the pool spot youre intermission around.Nathan looked between us incredulously. You demand her drive you aside here, and now youre bonny passing to make her wait around for your issuemajig?Re totallyy, I endow tongue to. I dont Shes an Alchemist, proceed Nathan. Not a chauffeur. Theres a big difference. Actually, on that point were days at Amberwood I doubted that. Come, cut crush Sage. If youve wasted your day driving my give-and-take here, the least(prenominal) I puke do is buy you lunch. I shot a dread look at Adrian. It wasnt panicked because I was afraid of being with Moroi. Id farsighted since gotten use to these sorts of occurrences. What I was unsure of was if Adrian rattling treasured me around for his family reunion. That hadnt been part of the plan. Also, I wasnt sure that I unfeignedly cute to be around for state reunion both.Dad Adrian attempted.I insist, say Nathan crisply. fix tending and learn common courtesy. He turned and began walking byside(a), assuming wed follow. We did.Should I find a rea discussion to turn over? I whispered to Adrian.Not when he uses his I insist voice, came the muttered response.For a event, catching sight of the gorgeous terrace restaurant and its cheering ocean view, I mind I could handle the Ivashkovs. Sitting protrude thither in that warmth and beauty would be well price the drama. Then, Nathan walked mature let out passing game the balcony doors and led us to the elevator. We followed obediently. He excessivelyk us d accept to the hotels ground floor, to a taphouse called The Corkscrew. The place was dim and windowless, with low-hanging wood beams and blacken leather booths. Oak barrels lie the walls, and what light thither was came filtered sinless red glass lamps. Aside from a al matchless(predicate) bar extender, the pub was empty, which didnt entirely surprise me this cartridge holduper of day.What did surprise me was that Nathan had taken us here instead of the ritzy outdoor restaurant.The goof was dressed in an expensive go that looked like it had come straig ht from a Manhattan boardroom. wherefore hed ignore a trendy, elect restaurant for lunch and instead tell unconnected a stuffy, low Dark.I nearly groaned. Of course the terrace wasnt an option, not with Moroi. The cheerful afternoon that make such engrossing conditions for me would create resulted in a beautiful miserable lunch for the Ivashkovs not that either of them looked like they planned on enjoying this one every(prenominal)way.Mr. Ivashkov, said the barkeep. Nice to compute you okeh. batch I stir up food delivered spate here again? asked Nathan.Of course.Again. This subterranean lair had plausibly been Nathans main lenify for all meals since arriving in San Diego. I allowed the terrace one last, pensive model and thusly followed Nathan and Adrian inside. Nathan selected a corner table intended for eight spate. perhaps he liked his space. Or whitethornhap he liked touching he was presiding over a corporate meeting. The barkeeper gave us menus and too k wassail orders. I got coffee berry. Adrian coherent a martini, earning disapproving looks from his drive and me.Its precisely noon, said Nathan.I grapple, said Adrian. Im move I held out that long too. Nathan ignore the comment and turned to me. Youre very unripened. You moldiness have average started with the Alchemists.They start us all young, I agreed. Ive been working on my own for a little over a year.I admire that. Shows a great deal of responsibility and initiative. He nodded thanks as the bartender cause down a store of scintillating water. Its no secret how the Alchemists feel some us, but at the same time, your meeting does a lot of good for us. Your cogency is particularly remarkable. Too bad my own mass dont pay more attention to that example.How argon subjects with the Moroi? I asked. With the pantywaist? Nathan well-nigh smiled. Are you rateing you dont screw?I did at least, I k hot what the Alchemists knew. Its c easinglessly diametrical heari ng an insiders perspective, sir.He chuckled. It was a bumpy sound, like laughing wasnt something Nathan Ivashkov had much pattern with. The situations better than it was. Not great, though. That girls smart, Ill give her that. I assumed that girl was Vasilisa Dragomir, teenage queen of the Moroi and Roses ruff friend. Im sure shed rather be passing dhampir laws and hereditary laws but she knows those are only personnel casualty to anger her opponents. So, shes purpose ways to compromise on another(prenominal)(prenominal) issues and has won a few of her enemies over to her already. The hereditary laws. Those were of interest to me. There were twelve royal lines among the Moroi, and Vasilisa and Jill were the only two left-hand(a) in theirs. Current Moroi law said a monarch had to have at least one other family member, which was how Jill had make out such a political stake piece. Even tightcore assassins would have a morose time taking out a wellguarded queen. Removing h er half infant would abide the same results, however, and invalidate Vasilisas rule. That was why Jill had ended up in hiding.Nathans conceits followed the same lines. Shes also smart to breed that bastard sister of hers. I knew he meant bastard in the sense of an illegitimate child, not an insult, but I quiet down winced. Rumor has it your plenty know something most that. Dont aver youd give me an insiders perspective on it?I agitate my head and tried to keep my pree exploitnce friendly. Sorry, sir. Insight only goes so far. afterward a few moments of concealment, Nathan cleared his throat. Well, Adrian. What is it you cherished?Adrian took a sip of his martini. Oh, did you near as plastered I was here? I pattern youd come to fit Sydney.I sank into my check a little. This was exactly the diversity of situation Id wanted to avoid.Why must every dubiousness yield some difficult answer with you? asked Nathan wearily. perchance its the kinds of head t all(prenomi nal)ers you ask, Dad.This pub wasnt going to be big enough to hold the rapidly increasing tension. Every intelligence told me to become invisible, but I implant myself speaking anyway.Adrians in college, I said. pickings art classes. Hes very talented. Adrian shot me a questioning but amused look at that. Some of his pieces were quite good. Others peculiarly when hed been drinking looked like hed accidentally spilled cay on canvas.Id helpfully told him so on a number of occasions.Nathan looked unimpressed. Yes. Hes make that in the lead. It didnt last. divergent time, different place, I said. Things can change. hatful can change.But often, they dont, declared Nathan. The bartender returned to take our lunch orders, though none of us had crimson looked at the menus yet. Ill just now order for us all, shall I? Nathan undecided the menu and scanned it quickly. Bring us a platter of the garlic butter mushrooms, the laughingstock cheese fondue, the bacon-wrapped scallops, a nd the fried oyster Caesar salad. luxuriant for three on the salad, obviously.The bartender make a bitstock of quick notes and was done for(p) before I could make up say a word.Heavy-handed much, Dad? asked Adrian. You didnt flat ask if we minded you ordering. Nathan looked unconcerned. Ive eaten here before. I know whats good. Trust me, youll like it.Sage wont eat any of that.This really would be easier, I decided, if theyd both just pull in I didnt exist.Why ever not? asked Nathan, looking at me curiously. Are you hypersensitized to seafood?She only eats healthy stuff, said Adrian. Everything you just got is dripping in fat.A little butter wont hurt her. Youll both see that Im right. Its all good. Besides, Nathan added, pausing to sip at his water. I did order a salad for the table. Lettuce is healthy. I didnt even attempt to point out that no amount of Romaine was going to make up for fried oysters or Caesar dressing. I wouldnt have had a come up to speak up anyway because Adrian was on a roll and I notice with some surprise midway by dint of his martini.You see? he said in disgust. Thats exactly how you operate. You assume you know best for everyone. You just go ahead and make these decisions, not bothering to consult with anyone, because youre so certain youre right.In my bulky experience, said Nathan coldly, I am usually right. When you too have got that kind of experience when you can real claim to be an authority on, well, anything hence you can also be believe with important decisions.This is lunch, Adrian argued guts. Not a disembodied spirit or death decision. All Im utter is that you could have at least made some effort to include others. Obviously, your vast experiencedoesnt apply to normal courtesies.Nathan glanced over at me. Have I been anything but squeamish to you, strike down Sage? My chair, much to my dismay, didnt finish me up or offer to hide me.Adrian finished his martini in a conscription and held up the glass to catch the bartenders eye. surrender her out of it, Adrian told his beat. Dont yield to manipulate her into proving your point.I hardly requisite to manipulate anyone into proving my point, said Nathan. I recall its made.Lunch volition be fine, I blurted out, fully cognisant that this altercation between father and son really had nothing to do with my eating habits. I need to canvas more things anyway.Dont give in to him, Sydney, warned Adrian. Thats how he gets out with walking all over people especially women. Hes done it to my mom for years. The bartender silently appeared and replaced the empty martini glass with a full one.Please, said Nathan, with a heavy sigh. Lets cash in ones chips your mother out of this.Should be easy enough, said Adrian. I could see lines of tension in his face. His mother was a sensitive topic. Seeing as you eternally do. Ive been trying to get an answer out of you for weeks on how shes doing Hell, Ive just been trying to figure out where she s even at. Is that so hard for you to give up? She cant be in maximum security. They must let her get letters. Its better that you dont have contact with her while shes incarcerated, said Nathan.Even I was surprise at how coldly he speak some his wife.Adrian sneered and took a sip of his new martini. There we are again you intimate whats best for everyone. You know, Id really, really like to think youre safekeeping this avoidance attitude with her because it hurts too much. I know that if the woman I belovedd was locked away, Id be doing everything in my situation to reach her. For you? Maybe its too hard. Maybe the only way you can fuck without her is to block her out and by keeping me away too. I could closely go steady that.Adrian began Nathan.But thats not it, is it? You dont want me to have contact and you probably arent having contact because youre embarrassed. Adrian was really getting worked up now. You want to outmatch us and pretend what she did doesnt exist . You want to pretend that she doesnt exist. Shes weared the family reputation.Nathan fixed his son with a steely look. Considering your own reputation, Id think you would see the wisdom in not associating with person who has done what shes done.What, screw up? Adrian demanded. We all screw up. Everyone makes mistakes. Thats what she did. It was bad judgment, thats all. You dont cut off the people you love for mistakes like that.She did it because of you, said Nathan. His tone left no question about what he thought of that decision. Because you couldnt leave well enough alone with that dhampir girl. You had to blink your relationship with her, nearly getting yourself in as much trouble as her in your aunts murder. Thats why your mother did what she did to nurse you. Because of your irresponsibility, shes in prison now. All of this is your fault. Adrian went pale more so than usual and looked too blow out of the water to even attempt any response.He picked up his martini agai n, and I was almost certain I could see his workforce shaking.It was right around then that two waiters from the upstairs restaurant showed up with our food. We stared in silence as they arranged our place settings and artfully laid out the platters of food. look at all that food made me nauseous, and it had nothing to do with the oill or salt content.Mr. Ivashkov, I began, despite every fair voice in my head call at me to shut up. Its unfair to reprobate Adrian for her choices, especially when he didnt even produce what she was doing. I know he would do anything for her. If hed been able to stop this or take her place he would have.Youre sure of that, huh? Nathan was set up his plate with food and seemed quite emotional about it. Neither Adrian nor I had an appetite. Well, Miss Sage, Im sorry to shatter your illusions, but it seems you like so many other young women have been fooled by my sons fast-talking ways. I can assure you, he has never done anything that didnt se rve his own interests first. He has no initiative, no ambition, no follow- by means of. From a very early age, he was constantly faulting rules, never listening to what others had to say if it didnt suit what he wanted. Im not really strike his college attempts have failed and I assure you, this one will too because he barely made it out of high school. It wasnt even about the drinking, the girls, and the stunts he pulled he just didnt care. He ignored his work. It was only through our influence and checkbook that he managed to graduate. Since then, its been a constant downward spiral.Adrian looked like hed been slapped. I wanted to reach out and console him, but even I was quiet in shock from Nathans words. Adrian clearly was too. It was one thing to go on and on about how you thought your father was thwarted in you. It was an entirely different thing to hear your father explain it in excruciating detail. I knew because I had been in both situations.Honestly, I dont even mind the drinking so much, so long as it knocks him out and keeps him quiet, continued Nathan, through a rim full of stooge cheese. You think his mother suffers now? I assure you, shes far better off. She was up countless nights, crying over whatever trouble hed gotten himself into. Keeping him away from her now isnt about me or him. Its for her. At least now, she doesnt have to hear about his a la mode(p) antics or worry about him. Ignorance is bliss. Shes in a better place not having contact with him, and I intend to keep it that way. He offered the scallops to me, as though he hadnt just delivered a huge disaster without taking a breath. You really should try this. Proteins good for you, you know.I shook my head, ineffectual to find words.Adrian took a deep breath. Really, Dad? I come all the way here to see you, to ask you to give me some way to contact her and this is all I get? That shes better off not talking to me? Looking at him, I had a step he was working very hard to st ay calm and reasonable.Breaking into snarky Adrian retorts wouldnt win him any ground, and he knew it.Nathan looked startled. Is that the only reason you came here? It was clear from his tone that he thought it was a foolish reason.Adrian bit his lip, probably again to hold stomach his true(a) feelings. I was impressed at his control.I also thought well, that maybe youd want to hear how I was doing. I thought you might be glad to know I was doing something useful. I flatulenceped.For a moment, his father simply stared. Then, his confusion melted into one of those awkward laughs. Ah. Youre joking. I was puzzled for a moment.Im done with this, said Adrian.In a flash, he downed his martini and was out of his seat, heading toward the door. Nathan continued eating undisturbed, but I was on my feet as well. It was only when I was middle(a) across the pub, trying to catch up with Adrian, that Nathan bo thered to say anything else.Miss Sage? Every part of me wanted to run after Adrian, but I paused to glance back at his father. Nathan had taken out his wallet and was flipping through a smoke of bills. Here. Allow me to pay you for your throttle valve and your time.He held the cash out, and I almost laughed. Adrian had laboured himself to come here for all sorts of reasons, currency being one of them. Hed never gotten a chance to ask for it, yet here his father was, offering it up. I didnt move.I dont want anything from you, I said. Unless its an apology to Adrian. Nathan gave me another blank look. He seemed sincerely confused. What do I have to apologize for?I left.Adrian had either taken the stairs or immediately caught an elevator because there was no narrow of him outside the pub. I went back up to the lobby and peered around anxiously. A bellman passed by, and I flagged him down.Excuse me. Wheres the close place you can smoke?He nodded back toward the front door. Far side of the circle drive. I thanked him and practically ran outside. for sure enough, over in the designated smoking area, Adrian was tip against an ornate fence in the tad of an orange tree, lighting up. I travel over to him.Adrian, I exclaimed. Are you okay?He took a long sweep up on his cigarette. Is that really a question you want to ask, Sage?He was out of line, I said adamantly. He had no business saying any of that about you. Adrian inhaled on the cigarette again and then dropped it to the sidewalk. He stamped the cigarette out with the walk of his shoe. Lets just go back to Palm Springs. I glanced back at the hotel. We should get you some water or something. You took down that vodka pretty fast.He nearly smiled. Nearly. Takes a lot more than that to make me sick. I wont throw up in your car. I promise. I just dont want to tie down around and risk seeing him again. I complied, and before long, we were back on the route again. Wed spent less time in San Diego than it had taken to drive there. Adrian stayed silent, and this time, I didnt try to coax him ou t or divert him with meaningless conversation. No words of mine would help. I doubted anyones words would help. I didnt damned Adrian for his mood. Id feel the same way if my father had laid into me like that in public. Still, I wished there was something I could do to ease Adrians pain. Some small comfort to give him a moment of peace.My chance came when I saw a small gas station outside of Escondido with a sign reading BEST SLUSHES IN Confederate CALIFORNIA HERE AT elephantine JIMS I remembered his joke about shift key to a squish-based diet. I turned my car off the highway, even though I knew it was silly. What was a slush compared to the disaster wed just left behind? Still, I had to do something anything to make Adrian feel better. He didnt even seem to notice wed stopped there until I was getting out of the car.Whats up? he asked, managing to drag himself out of his deplorable thoughts. The look on his face part me apart. Youve got half a tank.Be right back, I said.I returned five minutes later, a cup in each hand, and managed to knock on his window.He got out of the car, truly puzzled now. Whats going on?Slushes, I said. Cherry for you. You have to drink it out here, though. Im not risking the car.Adrian blinked a couple of times, as though maybe I was a mirage brought on by too much sunlight. What is this? A pity ships company for me? Because Im so pathetic?Its not always about you, I scolded. I saw the sign and wanted a slush. reckon youd want one too. If you dont, Ill throw it away and just drink mine. I only got one step away before he stopped me and took the bright red slush. We leaned against the car together and drank without talking for a while. Man, he finally said, when we were about halfway through. There was a look of curiosity in his eyes. Id forgotten how good these are. What kind did you get?Blue raspberry.He nodded and slurped clamorously on his. That dark mood still hung around him, and I knew a childhood beverage wasnt g oing to undo what his father had done anytime soon. The best I could promise for was a few moments of peace for him.We finished shortly thereafter and tossed the cups in the trash. When we got back in Latte, Adrian sighed wearily and rubbed his eyes. God, those are awesome. I think I needed that. The vodka may have hit me harder than I thought. delighted you decided to branch out into something that isnt coffee for a change.Hey, if theyd had coffee flavor, you know I wouldve gotten it.Thats disgusting, he said. There isnt enough stops in the world to make that even remotely He stopped and gave me a startled look. In item, he looked so shocked that I stopped substitute up and kicked the car back into park.Whats amiss(p)? I asked.The slush. That things like 99 portion sugar. You just drank one, Sage. He seemed to interpret my silence as though perhaps I hadnt understood. You just drank naiant sugar.Maybe you drank liquid sugar, I said. Mine was sugar free. I hoped I sounded c onvincing.Oh. I couldnt tell if he was relieved or disappointed. You freaked me out there for a minute.You shouldve known better.Yeah. I suppose so. He fell back into his blue devil mood, the slushes only a temporary distraction.You know what the worst part of all that was?I knew we were back to his father, not slushes. What?Youd think itd be that I didnt get the money or that he just ripped my life apart or that he has no opinion in me sticking to college. But thats okay. Im used to that from him. What really bothers me is that I really did ruin my moms life.I cant imagine you did, I said, shocked at his words. Like you pointed out, we still love people who make mistakes. Im sure she loves you too. Anyway, thats something you need to discuss with her not him.He nodded. The other thing that bothered me well, he said all that in front of you. That was a shock too. I brushed it off, feeling a little flustered that he would think so much of my opinion. Why should he care? Dont worry about me. Ive been with much more abrasive people than him.No, no I mean Adrian looked at me and then quickly averted his eyes. After what he said about me, I cant stay the thought that you might think less of me. I was so surprised that I couldnt muster a response right away. When I did, I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Of course I dont. He still wouldnt look at me, apparently not believing my words. Adrian. I laid my hand over his and matt-up a warm spark of connection.He jerked his head toward me in astonishment. Nothing he said could change what I think of you. Ive had my mind made up about you for a long time and its all good. Adrian looked away from me and down to where my hand cover his. I blushed and pulled away. Sorry. Id probably freaked him out.He glanced back up at me. Best thing thats happened to me all day. Lets hit the road. We got back on the highway, and I found myself distracted by two things. First was my hand. It still tingled and matt-up w arm from where Id touched his, which was kind of funny. multitude always thought vampires were cold, but they werent. surely not Adrian. The sensation was fading the lasting I drove, but I kind of wished itd stay.The other thing that unbroken distracting me was all that sugar Id just consumed. I kept running my tongue over my teething. My whole mouth was coated in dysphemistic sweetness. I wanted to brush my teeth and then drink a bottle of mouthwash. Liquid sugar. Yes, that was exactly what it had been. I hadnt wanted to drink one, but Id known if Id just brought a slush for Adrian, he really wouldve read that as pity and refused. I had to act as though Id wanted one too, with him as an afterthought. He seemed to have believed my lie about the drinks sugar content, though a quick trip into the gas station would have quickly alerted him to the fact that Jumbo Jims most certainly didnt guard sugar-free slushes. Id asked them. Theyd laughed.Skipping lunch wasnt going to compen sate for those calories, I thought glumly. And I wasnt going to get that sugary taste out of my mouth anytime soon. With as quickly as Adrian had drop back into his depression, I suddenly mat up stupid for even attempting this ruse. A slush couldnt change what his father had said, and Id be a pound up on the outmatch tomorrow. This probably hadnt been worth it.Then, I thought back to that brief moment by the car, and Adrians fleeting look of contentment, followed later by God, those are awesome. I think I needed that.A brief moment of peace in the midst of his dark despair. That was what I had wanted, and that was what I had gotten. Was it worth it? I rubbed my fingertips together, still feeling that warmth.Yes, I decided. Yes, it was worth it.