The Indigo Spell Chapter Ten

THE near MORNING, I sought pop discover Ms. Terwilliger forrader class to set up her a reexamination of yesterdays adventures. She leaned against her desk, sipping a cappuccino as I stave. Her observation grew pitch-darker as the story progressed, and she sighed when I finished.Well, thats unfortunate, she say. Im merry you were able to find the St oneness girl, nevertheless that kills our lead on Veronica until the next full moon. It could be in addition latterly by on that pointfore.Youre accredited theres no early(a) scrying darn? I asked.She agitate her head. nigh that I could attempt would alert her that I was looking for her. There is one that powerfulness mask me while Im using it . . . provided it also magnate non be able to penetrate any(prenominal) shield shes using to hide herself.Its sleek over worthy a try, isnt it? I asked. The example buzzer rang, and students began trickling into the classroom. She shot me a smile as she straightened up .Why, Miss Melbourne, I never mind Id test you suggesting such things. But youre right. Well tittle-tattle approximately it this afternoon. Its roundthing Id wish sound you to chat.That anti- conjuring trick gut brain started to rear its ugly head . . . and then stop. Somewhere, against my wishes, Id gotten caught up in on the whole of this. I was in addition c at oncerned promptly more than or lesswhat Veronicas other victims to aloneowance disquiet to my public worries. In Alchemist eyes, using magic was gloomy. In my eyes, leaving innocents in danger was worse.With no other critical slips to contend with, I found that the day flew by. When I rejoined Ms. Terwilliger for our supererogatory-living study, I found her packed up and postponement for me to arrive. Field trip, she told me. We need to puzzle come out on this at my moorage. A reflective look crossed her features. Too bad we can buoyt stop at Spencers.Caffeine and magic didnt cockle, which was somewhat other nifty reason for staying outdoor(a) from the arcane. I started to point out that since I wasnt sniping any magic, I didnt provoke the same restrictions. A moment later, I decided that would be mean. Ms. Terwilliger had enough qualifying on with a bloodthirsty sis on the loose. She didnt need to be taunted excessively.The cats were waiting at the door when we arrived at her ho exercise, which was somewhat terrifying. Id never seen all of them at once and counted thirteen. I had to assume that number was by design.I put one over to feed them first, she told me as they swarmed at her feet. indeed well take to work.I nodded wordlessly, in keyection her plan was a good one. If those cats werent fed soon, it seemed identically they would turn on us. I didnt uniform our odds. formerly they had solid food to distract them, Ms. Terwilliger and I went to her workshop. There was pocketable I could do except observe. dissembling often required that the psych e doing the write be the one to hurtle in all the labor. I assisted with a precise measuring, exclusively that was well-nigh it. Id seen her do a couple of quick, flashy spells in the past b atomic number 18ly never anything of this magnitude. It was clearly to me that this was a very, very powerful feat. She had secret code to link her to Veronica, no hair or picture. The spell required the rollerer to use the image in her mind of the someone being sought. Other components, herbs and oils, helped enhance the magic, nevertheless for the most go against open, the work was all on Ms. Terwilliger. Watching her prep are triggered a mix of emotions in me. Anxiety was one, of course, except it was paired with a secret fascination at seeing someone with her strength cast a spell.When everything was in place, she spoke the incantation, and I close to gasped as I felt up power surge up in the room. Id never sensed it from another person before, and the intensity nearly knock ed me everyplace. Ms. Terwilliger was staring at a spot a few feet in front of her. After some(prenominal) long moments, a glowing circularize appeared in the air. It grew uncollectibleger and bigger, move into a flat, shimmering disc, which hung there like a mirror. I stepped jeopardizeward, half-afraid the disc would life expanding and consume the room. Eventually, it stabilized. reach silence surrounded us as she surveyd at that glowing surface. A endorsement passed, and then the oval began to squeeze and shrink until it was gone. Ms. Terwilliger sank with exhaustion and caught the side of her table for support. She was sudor heavily, and I handed her some chromatic juice wed had ready.Did you see anything? I asked. Thered been zero visible to me, alone maybe merely the caster could see what the spell revealed.She move her head. no The spell was unable to t authentic sensation her mind. Her shielding must be too strong. consequently we cant do anything until ne xt month. I felt my stomach drop. I hadnt cognise until that moment how much Id been hoping this spell would work. So much of my life involved fuss solving, and I felt lost when I ran out of options.You and Adrian can keep warning the other girls, verbalise Ms. Terwilliger. Color was jump to return to her face. At the very least, it might slow Veronica d bear.I looked at the time on my cell phone. This spell had taken longer than I popular opinion. I dont think we can do a round trip to Los Angeles today. Ill run short him tomorrow, and well see if we can finish dark the list.Once I was convinced she wouldnt pass out from magical exertion, I make motions to leave. She stopped me as I was or so to crack out the door.Sydney?I glanced back, suddenly nervous. The fuss with having so more people song me by nicknames was that when someone called me by my actual name, it usually meant something serious was happening.Yes?We keep public lecture close warning others, but dont allow to look after yourself as well. accommodate studying the book. Learn to protect yourself. And keep the charm on.I fey the garnet, occult under my shirt. Yes, maam. I will.Marcuss promised text came as I was driving back to school, seetale(a) me to meet him at a be quiet arcade. I k recent the place and had actually been to its neighboring mini-golf course once before, so I had no difficulty heading over there. Marcus was waiting for me practiced inside the door, and thankfully, Sabrina wasnt or so wielding a gun.I hadnt spent a smoke of time in arcades and didnt very figure them. They hardly meshed with my fathers path of education. For me, it was a mass of sensory rob that I wasnt quite ready for. The step of slightly burnt pizza make full the air. Excited children and teenagers darted back and forth in the midst of games. And everywhere, everything seemed to be flashing and beeping. I winced, thinking maybe my dad had been on to something in avoiding thes e places.This is where were sledding to discuss covert activities? I asked in disbelief.He gave me one of his film star smiles. Its not an easy place for people to spy on you. Besides, I neednt short-changeed Skee-Ball in years. That game is awesome.I wouldnt live on.What? It was harming of nice to catch him by surprise again, even if it was for something so trivial. Youve been abstracted out. Spot me some money for tokens, and Ill memorialise you. Apparently, being an on-the-run renegade leader didnt pay well.He found the Skee-Ball machines instantly. I bought him a cupful of tokens and handed them over. Have at it.He promptly put a token in and threw his first ball. It set down completely outside of the go, making him scowl. You dont superfluity any time, I remarked.His eyes were on the game as he make his second throw, which again missed. Its a excerpt tactic. When you spend enough time on the run . . . hiding out all the time . . . well, you take advantage of these m oments of freedom. And when exquisite girls spirit you away.How do you know were free? How can you be so sure the Alchemists necessitatent been watching me? I asked. I was lovely sure I wasnt being watched and b channelly precious to test him.Because they wouldve showed up on that first day.He had a point. I put my hands on my hips and attempt to be patient. How long are you deviation to play? When can we re verification?We can talk now. His next ball urinate the ten-point ring, and he whooped with joy. I can talk and throw. Ask away. Ill give you as many shocking secrets as I can.Im not easily shocked. But I wasnt going to waste this opportunity. I glanced around, but he was right. No one was going to list in this noisy place. We could barely assure each other as it was. Whatd you do to get kicked out of the Alchemists?I didnt get kicked out. I left-hand(a). This round ended, and he put in his next token. Because of a Moroi girl.I froze, unable to call back what Id fall upond. Marcus Finch had started his great mutiny . . . because hed been involved with a Moroi? It rang too close to my own situation. When I didnt say anything, he glanced over and took in my expression.Oh. Oh. No, nothing like that, he said, realizing my thoughts. Thats not a parentage even I would cross.Of course not, I said, hoping I was doing a good crinkle at hiding my nervousness. Who would?He returned to the game. We were friends. I was assigned to Athens, and she lived there with her sister.That derailed me. Athens . . . you were in Athens? That was one of the places I requisiteed to be assigned. I went to St. Petersburg instead, but I always kept hoping that, maybe, maybe, Id get reassigned to Greece. Or even Italy. I was nearly babbling, but he didnt seem to notice.Whats wrong with St. Petersburg? digression from the high Strigoi count.Whats wrong is that it wasnt Athens or Rome. My dad specifically requested that I not be assigned to both place. He thought itd b e too distracting.Marcus paused again to give me a long, train look. There was sympathy in his expression, as though my entire history and family turn were playing before his eyes. I didnt fate him to feel sorry for me and wished I hadnt said anything. I cleared my throat.So verbalise me most this girl in Athens.He took the hint. Like I said, she was a friend. So funny. Oh, man. She cracked me up. We used to hang out all the time but you know how thats mannikin of frowned upon.I almost laughed at his subtle joke. Kind of? That was an understatement. Field Alchemists werent conjectural to interact with Moroi unless it was absolutely necessary for some business study or related to stopping and covering up Strigoi. My situation was a teensy unique, since my mission actually required me to talk to her on a daily basis.Anyway, he continued. Someone noticed, and I got a lot of unwelcome attention for it. Around the same time, I started hearing all these rumors . . . like about Alchemists retentivity Moroi against their will. And even some Alchemists interacting with the Warriors.What? Thats impossible. We would never work with those freaks. The idea of Moroi prisoners was outlandish, but it was that second part that truly stumped me. I couldnt even summons it. He might as well get said the Alchemists were running(a) with aliens.Thats what I thought. He threw another ball, looking supremely pleased when it scored thirty points. But I kept hearing whispers, so I started asking questions. A lot of questions. And, well, thats when things rattling went bad. Questions dont always go over so well especially if youre a painful sensation about them.I thought about my own experience. Thats certainly true.So thats when I walked. Or, well, ran. I could see the signs. Id crossed a line and knew it was only a matter of time before I had a one-way ticket to re-education. Another new round started, and he gestured me forward. Want to give it a try?I was still stun ned enough by his preliminary run-in that I stepped forward and took a ball. The Alchemists were logical, organized, and reasonable. I knew there were Alchemists who wished we could do more to fight the Strigoi, but there was no way our multitude would work with ferocious zealots. Stanton told me we only tolerate the Warriors. That were fitting property an eye on them.Thats what I was told too. He watched me line up a shot. Theres kind of a learning curve to this, by the way. It may take you a few I threw and hit the litre-point ring. Marcus could only stare for a few seconds, his earlier smile vanishing.You said youd never played he exclaimed.I havent. I threw another fifty pointer.Then how are you doing that?I dont know. cardinal points again. You just base your force on the balls weight and distance to the ring. Its not that hard. This is kind of a boring game, very.Marcus was still dumbstruck. argon you some kind of super-athlete?I nearly sc stumbleed. You dont need to be an athlete to play this.But . . . no . . . He looked at the rings, then at me, and then back to the rings. Thats impossible. Ive been playing this since I was a electric razor My dad and I used to go to our towns carnival over and over in the summer, and Id spend at least an time of day playing this each time.Maybe you should have made it two hours. I tossed another ball. Now tell me more about the Warriors and the Alchemists. Did you ever get any proof?It took him several moments to tune back into the conversation. No. I tried. I even got knowledgeable with the Warriors for a while thats how I met Clarence. My group has found a few dark secrets about the Alchemists and saved other Moroi from the Warriors, but we were never able to make a connection between the two groups. He paused dramatically. Until now.I picked up the next ball. This ordinary activity was helping me analyze his floor words. What happened?It was a fluke, really. Weve got a guy working with us now who ju st left the Alchemists and broke his tattoo, he explained. He said it like it was no big deal, but I still couldnt shake how uneasy breaking the tattoo made me feel. Hed overheard something that matched up to something Sabrina uncovered. Now weve just got to get the register linking it all.How are you going to pull that off?Actually, youre going to pull it off.He spoke just as I was cathartic another ball. My shot went wide, missed the rings and even the machine entirely. The ball bounced off the wall and landed at the feet of some startled girls. Marcus retrieved the ball and gave them an apologetic smile, which made them gush about how it was no caper at all. As soon as they were gone, I leaned toward Marcus.What did you say?You heard me. You emergency to join our group? You lack to break your tattoo? He looked annoyingly smug. Then this is all part of the process.I never said I deprivationed to do any of those things I hissed. I just precious to find out more about them.An d I bet youd really love to know if there are factions in the Alchemists working with the Warriors.He was right. I did want to know that.He caught plump for of my hand. Sydney, I know this is a lot to take in. I dont blame you for doubting, and thats just now why we need you. Youre smart. Youre observant. You question. And just like me, those questions are going to get you in trouble if they havent already. Get out now while you can on your own terms.I just met you Im not breaking away from the group that raised me. I pulled my hand back. I was willing to hear you guys out, but now youve gone too far.I turned and headed toward the door, unwilling to listen anymore. Yet as I walked away, his words crawled over me. Even though Id been forgiven for my engagement with Rose, my record still probably had a black mark. And even though I hadnt pushed hard about Marcus Finch, had even obstetrical delivery him up raised Stantons suspicions? How long until little things added up?I pushed open the doors and stepped out into bright sunlight. It chased away the nighttime of what Id just heard. Marcus was right behind me and touched my shoulder.Sydney Im sorry. Im not trying to scare you. That self-asserting attitude was gone. He was deadly earnest. I just sense something about you . . . something that resonates with me. I think were on the same side, that we want the same things. Weve both gotten close to the Moroi. We want to help them without being lied to or used.I eyed him warily. Go on.Please, hear us out.I thought I just did.You heard me out, he corrected. I want you to meet the others and hear their stories. Theyll tell you more about what they went through. Theyll tell you about this. He tapped his tattoo. And when you hear more about that task . . . well, I think youll want to do it.Right. The big, mind-blowing thing thats going to unveil an Alchemist-Warrior conspiracy. He remained serious, which bothered me more than if hed suddenly revealed this to be o ne big joke. So, what? Youre going to get the others, and well all have an arcade day?He shook his head. Too dangerous. Ill gather them in some other place and then tell you where to meet us, but its got to be operate minute again. Cant risk detection.I cant go on some epic road trip, I warned. No one cares much about LA trips, but traipsing all over the state is going to get that un valued attention you were talking about.I know, I know. Itll be close. I just have to make sure its secure. He was back to his excited, cheery self. Will you do it? Come join us?In spite of myself, I was curious. Even though I refused to believe in any connection between the Warriors and the Alchemists, I wanted to find out what leads this group thought they had. I also just wanted to see this mysterious group of his, period. What had Adrian called them? Marcuss happy Men? And, of course, there was the tattoo. Marcus kept alluding to its secrets but still hadnt given me the details.Ill do it, I said a t last. On one condition.Name it.I want to recreate someone with me, I said. You can combine him, I swear. But after Sabrina pulled a gun on me, you have to understand why Id be a little nervous about walking into your clique.Marcus looked like he might almost deliberate it but then suddenly recoiled. non Adrian?No, no. This guys a dhampir. No one whod be interested in turning you over to the Alchemists, especially if you really are working to protect Moroi. You say youve got a good feeling about me? Then trust me that you have nothing to worry about with him. Hed just be there to make me feel a little safer.You have nothing to worry about with us, Marcus said. We wont hurt you.I want to believe you. But I dont quite have that same good feeling you have yet.He didnt say anything right away and then burst into laughter. Fair enough. adopt your friend. He shook my hand, as though we were sealing some great bargain. Ill be in touch later with the details. You wont trouble it, Syd ney. I swear it.