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Day 24. Situation is growing worse. My captors continue to find new and horrific ways to torture me. When not working, Agent Scarlet spends her days examining fabric swatches for bridesmaid dresses and going on about how in love she is. This usually causes Agent Boring Borscht to regale us with stories of Russian weddings that are even more boring than his usual ones. My attempts at escape have been thwarted thus far. Also, I am out of cigarettes. Any assistance or tobacco products you can send will be greatly appreciated. —Prisoner 24601
Adrian’s stamp on the apartment was like light chasing away the gruesome shadows of the past. Sometimes when I was down, Adrian’s personality had a similar effect. “Nice blouse, Sage,” he told me, deadpan. “It really brings out the khaki in your pants.”
“It doesn’t help that my perfect cousin’s coming into town soon,” he said finally. “Makes everything I do look completely lame. You got a cousin like that?” “Er, not really.” Most of my cousins were on my mom’s side, and my dad tended to shy away from her family. “You probably are the perfect cousin,” Trey grumbled.
“Well, thanks for keeping my best interests at heart,” I said dryly. “I always wanted a brother to watch out for me.” He studied me curiously. “Don’t you have, like, three brothers?” Oh no.
“What color is mine?” “Yellow, of course.” “Of course?” “Smart, analytic types usually have yellow. You’ve got a little purple here and there, though.” Even in the dimness, I could see a mischievous spark in his eyes. “That’s what makes you interesting.” “What’s purple mean?” Adrian put his hand on the door. “Gotta go, Sage. Don’t want to keep Dorothy waiting.” “Come on. Tell me what purple is.” I was so curious, I nearly grabbed his arm. He turned the knob. “I will if you want to join us.” “Adrian—” Laughing, he disappeared inside the room and shut the door.
“She said no, okay?” All the eyes that had been on me suddenly jerked toward Adrian. He leaned forward, fixing his gaze on Sonya and Dimitri, and I saw something in those pretty eyes I’d never seen before: anger. They were like emerald fire.
I dared a peek at Adrian. He no longer looked angry, but there was still a fierceness there. It was almost… protective. A strange, warm feeling swirled in my chest, and for a brief moment, when I looked at him, I saw… safety.
How was it that Adrian Ivashkov, who never seemed to take anything seriously, was the only one among these “responsible” people who had paid attention to such small details? How was he the only one to really understand the magnitude of what I was feeling?
“No,” she said, a puzzled note in her voice. “He would have done it for you regardless.”
The inevitable had happened. Adrian would probably cling to Brayden’s bumper until he got an introduction.
Adrian pushed back the passenger seat, managing the most lounging position possible while still wearing a seatbelt. “Just looking out for you, sis. Don’t want you ending up with some deadbeat. Believe me, I’m an expert on that kind of thing.”
“After what he said about me, I can’t stand the thought that you might think less of me.” I was so surprised that I couldn’t muster a response right away. When I did, I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Of course I don’t.” He still wouldn’t look at me, apparently not believing my words. “Adrian.” I laid my hand over his and felt a warm spark of connection. He jerked his head toward me in astonishment. “Nothing he said could change what I think of you. I’ve had my mind made up about you for a long time… and it’s all good.”
Adrian looked away from me and down to where my hand covered his. I blushed and pulled away. “Sorry.” I’d probably freaked him out. He glanced back up at me. “Best thing that’s happened to me all day. Let’s hit the road.”
“You will act apologetic and contrite,” I told her as we sat outside the principal’s office. “What’s contrite mean?” “Apologetic.” “Then why didn’t you just say—” “And,” I continued.
I had just set down my phone when another text message buzzed. Unexpectedly, it was from Adrian. How r u feeling after last night? Been worried about u.
I tried it on in my dorm room and stared at the glittering, red display I made. “No,” I said aloud.
“Sage,” he said. “What are you wearing?” I sighed and stared down at the dress. “I know. It’s red. Don’t start. I’m tired of hearing about it.” “Funny,” he said. “I don’t think I could ever get tired of looking at it.”
Adrian shrugged. “I like the color. It matches my living room.”
why not see which is brighter: your aura or the sun?”
He took my hand and staggered to his feet. A rush of warmth and electricity went through me, just as it had the last time we touched, and our eyes held. For a moment, all I could think about were his earlier words: You looked happy…
“Can you just come over? Please, Sydney?” I was powerless when he used my first name.
You need me? You yell. You want to leave? We go. I’ll get you out of here, no matter what.”
What did they mean they’d come for the Moroi? Sonya could just be the beginning, then the rest of my friends, and then Adrian…
“You’re in an awfully good mood,” he observed. “Was there a sale at Khakis-R-Us?”
“Why would you do that? Why would you act like you didn’t know how to drive?” A million thoughts seemed to cross his mind, none of which he wanted to share. At last, he shook his head in exasperation. “Isn’t it obvious, Sage? No, of course it isn’t. I did it so I’d have a reason to be around you—one I knew you couldn’t refuse.”
