Friday, September 4, 2020
Compare and comtrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Look at and comtrast - Essay Example Having considered the entirety of the given impacts, it becomes evident that both of the analyzed sides can offer an incredible number of advantages just as not a lesser measure of downsides. The city and the town are intently equivalent in what relates to human connection yet are unmistakably particular when decision and assorted variety are thought of. It is hard to offer a solitary general expression about the city life since living in the urban territory can be both valuable and disadvantageous relying upon which angles one assesses. In any case, is unquestionably obvious about urban living that it ensures a more extensive assorted variety and more noteworthy decision in nearly everything. Inhabitants of urban zones have substantially more alternatives to browse in each part of their everyday lives. For instance, living in a city one appreciates the entrance to the best colleges, the biggest shopping centers, and the most selective culinary refinements. Also, city occupants have the degree to be socially and socially included the extent that metropolitan regions draw in the majority of the major aesthetic, instructive, and engaging occasions. In this way, they are bound to communicate with delegates of other social classes, ethnic and strict gatherings, and individuals with various political perspectives, music tastes, and writin g inclinations. In general, residents get an opportunity to be all the more socially edified. There is likewise a more noteworthy potential for training, more extensive work openings, and better access to human services in the urban areas. Thinking about the ideal instructive establishment for their kid, guardians can choose from a rundown of choices that incorporate various open and tuition based schools. When searching for a vocation, people move to towns, where a large portion of the organizations and associations are concentrated. Aside from that, a tremendous scope of social insurance offices is inside the range of urban inhabitants. In
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
HMS Bounty Essay -- essays research papers
HMS Bounty The HMS Bounty set sail in 1789. Commander William Bligh and his numerous crewmembers ran the boat. There was a vexed between the team and the Captain. Despite the fact that the men damaged the ââ¬Å"Articles of Warâ⬠it was reasonable that they ought not be punished.â â â â â à à à à à The Crew of Captain Bligh, under punishment of law and the Captain, reserved no privilege to submit uprising and expel the Captain from the boat. The ââ¬Å"Articles of Warâ⬠obviously express that if any crewmember hides any traitorous practice or configuration will endure demise or some other discipline as a court military will think fit. That is actually what Captain Blighââ¬â¢s team took upon themselves. The team had no motivation to reprimand him for the apportions of water since he was doing it to keep the breadfruit alive which was the entire explanation behind the mission. Unquestionably the teams activities were unlawful. The Captain of the HMS Bounty was William Bligh. He was exacting in his activities and in his discipline. He followed the ââ¬Å"Articles of Warâ⬠like the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church followed the Bible. At the point when they were in port the Captain was extremely gracious and amiable to everybody on the boat. He rewarded everybody similarly and didnââ¬â¢t misuse his position. That before long changed as the boat set out for the vast oceans and Tahiti.â â â â â The team began to challenge the Captain and he rebuffed every individual that resisted him. A large number of his activities were unmerited and ought to thusly be pu...
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Why Move to Austin, Texas Free Essays
Why move to Austin, Texas? Farewell secondary school, and welcome to this present reality. You may have been putting in several years thinking about what youââ¬â¢re going to do after secondary school. Is it accurate to say that you would attend a university, or take a year off and work? We as a whole expertise young people think, their prepared to move out and be all alone, do things that they need to do. We will compose a custom exposition test on Why Move to Austin, Texas or then again any comparable point just for you Request Now Well why not attempt that elsewhere, New York? California? Why not Austin, Texas? Youthful grown-ups around the ages 18 and 21 should move to Austin, live all alone, and experience a spot they have never observed. Austin isnââ¬â¢t like some other spot; these austiniteââ¬â¢s do things their own one of a kind way. Living all alone, and moving to a spot youââ¬â¢ve never been, is presumably the hardest thing. You need to stress over finding a new line of work, a spot to live, school if thatââ¬â¢s what youââ¬â¢re deciding to go there for, and meeting new individuals. Well I can reveal to you that Austin has the entirety of that. Indeed the maxim ââ¬Å"Keep Austin Weirdâ⬠may make them wonder, yet trust me austinites realize how to make some great memories. The best fit for this age bunch on finding a spot to live would be a loft. Austin lofts are exceptional, and have various styles for various individuals. For the youthful I accept downtown condos are progressively home fitting, strolling separation to spots, and you become acquainted with Austin more. Yet, in the event that youââ¬â¢re not into the city living, Austin has some incredible lofts outside the city. You will in any case be near the city, yet in addition see a greater amount of Austin other than downtown. All of Austinââ¬â¢s lofts are entirely sensible; I accept they are way less expensive then some other state. Contrasted with a $3,000 loft in California, condos in Austin will the fight. With discovering spots to live you must have cash to pay for it. The following best thing is securing the ideal position. A few people may state Austin is the most noticeably terrible spot to get a new line of work, however it truly isnââ¬â¢t. At this age youââ¬â¢re not yet titled to have that office work, or be a businessman right now. So a little straightforward activity will work, I know youthful grown-ups donââ¬â¢t need to work at a drive-thru eatery, so I can help give you thoughts of occupations in better places. On the off chance that youââ¬â¢re deciding to live midtown, there are a great deal of stores and cafés on what Austin calls ââ¬Å"The Drag. â⬠There is the University Co-operation, where all the austinites get their Texas Longhorn gear. Tylerââ¬â¢s is likewise a well known spot in Austin. Be that as it may, if youââ¬â¢re searching for work outside the city, there are consistently essential stores like Best Buy, Whole Foods, stores in the shopping center and so on. In the event that youââ¬â¢re attempting to get the Austin vibe, I suggest working down at the drag, you get the chance to see all the ââ¬Å"weird Austin people,â⬠and every day you could take in something knew from somebody in Austin. ââ¬Å"If youââ¬â¢re ever in Austin and need to see something quite cool, look along the edge of Sound Exchange at the intersection of Guadalupe (ââ¬Å"the Dragâ⬠) and 21th road. Thereââ¬â¢s an image of the frog of honesty (ââ¬Å"Hi, how right? ââ¬Å") and a flying eyeball. â⬠(Johnston. P1) That is one thing Austin is known for. Austin has a special method of acquainting its self with individuals around the globe. Much the same as the ââ¬Å"Keep Austin Weirdâ⬠saying, the individuals are what make Austin an extraordinary spot to live. You can stroll down ââ¬Å"The Dragâ⬠and see ten individuals with Tylerââ¬â¢s shirts on, with Nike shorts, and Tom shoes and individuals that arenââ¬â¢t from Austin state ââ¬Å"What would they say they are wearing? â⬠Or hearing ââ¬Å"OU Sucks! â⬠when were not in any event, playing them that game. You canââ¬â¢t disregard ââ¬Å"The Music Capital,â⬠Stevie Ray Vaughan made music here. Austin City Limits is one of the most famous occasions, individuals around the globe come and play for this multi day occasion. Likewise Marley Fest is another extraordinary occasion. The individuals in Austin make it enjoyable to live here. You can go to California or New York and you canââ¬â¢t contrast austinites with them, they have their own since of style and ââ¬Å"weirdness. â⬠ââ¬Å"This exceptional spot is known to be a laid back city that lives off of life, unrecorded music, and Longhorn football! The individuals of this city invest wholeheartedly in what their identity is and where they live, that is one truth thatââ¬â¢s remains over all the others. â⬠(Lu. P1) Austin is an extraordinary spot for youthful grown-ups, attempting to live all alone. Itââ¬â¢s companion and family mindful, and itââ¬â¢s like your living at your own home. The most effective method to refer to Why Move to Austin, Texas, Papers
Good reporting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Great detailing - Essay Example This is a result of the way that no essayist might satisfy all perusers. In light of this, the best activity is to amuse the specific perusers you need to address and cause your words to leak through their souls and brains. It is just when you know who your perusers are, what they like, and how they digest a composing are you ready to impact them which is a successful trap to really make them begin understanding you. Making your perusers look at your story doesn't generally require an advanced science aptitude. An infectious feature, a directly to the point first page, or maybe composing the first about any recent development is critical. Be that as it may, a great writer would not stop in simply blowing some people's minds, yet will need to ensure perusers read until the end. This will be conceivable by comprehension your readerââ¬â¢s conduct in perusing. For the most part, taking them through the entire story by utilizing basic words is consistently useful. Doing so would maintain a strategic distance from them from halting in the center since they got disappointed about a highfalutin word they canââ¬â¢t identify with (Reporting and Writing Basics). Additionally, a great story never neglects to recognize who, what, when, where, and why which is fundamentally what will give your perusers in any event the smallest motivation to understand you. In doing as such, the way you set up each by utilizing portrayals is additionally critical (How to Write A Good Story). It isn't fundamental that you portray everything except for simply select the features you think would have a major influence in the story. Indeed, it is a great idea to include all the five faculties of every peruser in any case, it is likewise imperative to effectively analyze which among the faculties do your perusers will in general utilize all the more regularly, in the sort of class of your composition. The request for significance you consolidate in your story is additionally critical. It is significant for a story to have a productive improvement rather than a deductive
Friday, August 21, 2020
Visual rhetoric paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words
Visual talk paper - Essay Example This should be possible by direct activity - power, dangers, pay-offs, for instance - or it very well may be finished by the utilization of signs, of which the most significant are words in discourse or stating (Kennedy, 3) As we may see, this definition doesn't bar the chance of utilizing different sorts of signs than those regularly utilized, the phonetic signs. Despite what might be expected, it suggests the way that talk utilizes in excess of an arrangement of signs. More up to date approaches on talk, just as the more extensive meaning of talk as the totality of connotators (Barthes, 38) - connotators being the signifiers of undertone that compare to the general philosophy - place the picture at the focal point of an arrangement of signs. Picture is viewed as capable of passing on importance and communicating thoughts just as having a convincing capacity. Promoting pictures are the best representation of the subsequent capacity. They don't simply indicate, however they have particularly to do with the undertone work. A picture demonstrating a mother and a little kid dozing calmly, and a jug of milk on the table close to the bed, is intended to recommend that the tranquility of their rest is a consequence of their drinking the separate brand of milk that contains all things required both to the grown-up and to the kid's wellbeing. Also, it is implied, obviously, to convince us purchase the individual brand of milk. ... Craftsmanship has consistently been viewed as in excess of a portrayal of the real world. With its pictures, it's progressively troublesome in reality to distinguish the message or the significance, however there is no uncertainty, a message or an importance is available. Actually, there is in every case more than one significance connected to a picture and that makes it practically incomprehensible for us to debilitate the translations of a masterpiece. Richard Wendorf's supposition, cited in Defining Visual Rhetorics, is that journalists and painters have consistently been entranced by the relations that serve to join words and pictures. (Hill and Helmers, 63) More than being engrossed with making an association between the composed and the visual work in expressions, analysts in the field of visual talk are worried about demonstrating how crafted by workmanship itself conveys meaning.In painting, pictures become the substitution of language. The components of the picture and the manner in which they are put in together in request to make up the canvas might be viewed as like the manner by which words are picked and orchestrated in a sentence or in a book so as to pass on importance or to decide change in the general condition. Just that the significance you find in the canvas is more fluctuated than for the situation when phonetic signs are utilized. Ernst Gombrich communicated the accompanying: taking a gander at an image can tak e a decent arrangement of time, as it includes examining, recollecting, foreseeing, rectifying and affirming impressions. (Hill and Helmers, 65) Thus, the watcher's translation gives the importance of the picture. Which means is developed or it might be said that it is browsed a wide assortment of dormant implications which are just actuated through the watcher's following up on them. What's more, the significance
Friday, August 7, 2020
Overnight Program Now Taking Requests
Overnight Program Now Taking Requests In case you havent checked your MyMIT account lately, I thought Id mention here that the MIT Overnight Program is open for business. You can stay overnight on campus beginning on September 30th, and since we need two weeks notice prior to your arrival, weve already begun taking requests. There are a variety of details on this page, but heres a quick overview: You can request a 1 or 2 night stay Overnights are available Sunday Thursday (we cant host Fridays, Saturdays, certain holidays, finals week, etc.) Please try not to request a visit less than 2 weeks in advance You can only select dates up to 60 days in advance During January and February, preference is given to seniors and to admitted students, and starting in March, the program is only open to admitted students Please note: host-matching is done by people, not by a computer (its an art!) so it can take up to a week for you to receive a response after submitting your ONP request. Thanks for your patience! If you have any questions about the ONP, please leave them in the comments. Thanks! On a totally unrelated note Tonight were gonna party like its 1999. Because this entry is the 1,999th MIT Admissions blog entry. Which means The next post will be #2000. Woot! Any bets on which blogger will get it?
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Argumentative Speech on Human Cloning
Argumentative Speech on Human Cloning Human Cloning speech: Human cloning involves the creation of a generically identical copy of a human. It does not usually refer to the reproduction of human tissues or cells or to the monozygotic multiple births. The ethics of cloning is usually a controversial issue. The term cloning is normally used to refer to artificial human cloning (Almeder 1). Human cloning practices normally raise concerns that are related to ethics. There are those individuals who argue that the practices are not whereas there are also those who are for the practices (Pinon 507). Ethical views against Human Cloning There are those individuals who argue that human cloning destroys the unity of parenthood and marriage. Issues like divorce, contraception, vitro fertilization, and extramarital sex ends up affecting the unity of families. Human cloning can create another problem to the unity that normally exists in Christian marriages. This is because the clone with be denied the chance to feel the love of parents (Sherlock and John 573). There are also those people who argue that cloning human beings will turn them into commodities (Sherlock and John 573). This is because the cloning subjects are referred to as things. A cloning child is a technological project. The child is normally subject to quality control. Treating a person as a thing has become common in our societies. This practice is destructive and immoral. Cloning a child will lead the child being treated as someoneââ¬â¢s asset or commodity and not a human being. This is because the child will be perceived as made and not born hence the child might not be treated with respect (Pinon 507). The cloning of human beings is also dangerous. There has only been one success in sheep cloning. This was after failing for 276 times. Cloned human embryos have been killed in research laboratories (Pinon 507). Consequently, genetic screenings are normally undertaken together with cloned tissues from human. Any embryo that does not pass is normally killed. Due to this, many people argues that cloning has negative aspects to human beings (Sherlock and John 576). Another ethical issue with regards to human cloning is that, it is an assault to human procreation (Pinon 506). Assisted reproductive technologies are affronts to human dignity. This is because cloning leaves does not prove human procreation. It is a completely artificial reproductive technology (Pinon 506). Cloning is also a violation of the conjugal union dignity (Sherlock and John 576). In normal circumstances, a child is a sure proof of love the parents bestows on it. The influence and the indication of Godââ¬â¢s love is destroyed when a childââ¬â¢s life is created in the laboratory (Pinon 506). Those who are involved in cloning human beings may also be played God. This is because it is only God, and only Him who is our maker (Sherlock and John 576). Those who are engaged in researches to find ways so as to clown human beings will be practicing Godââ¬â¢s work. Religious leaders do not agree with cloning as they believe that a human being can only be made by God and not fellow human beings (Sherlock and John 576). Arguments for Human Cloning There are also those individuals who argue that human cloning is not unethical or a bad practice. They argue that cloning can be used to counter infertility and/or genetic diseases. They argue that human cloning can be a solution for those individuals who have infertility problems because they can be able to get children through the process. Those who are infertile can be able to get preferable donors eggs. They also argue that the process is a little different from the birth of identical twins. Cloning has also been argued that it meets deep human desire to reproduce. Those who advocate for cloning of human being also argue that what matters is how the child is treated after birth (Pinon 510). If you need a 100% original argumentative speech essay written by professional writers contact AdvancedWriters.com and buy a speech online on any topic you need! 5.00 avg. rating (2 votes)
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Social Media Marketing - 8145 Words
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Social Media Marketing on Hotels Jennie Russell 1. Abstract Purpose; The internet has forced companies to transform themselves to be more interactive, innovative and efficient as the online consumer is more active, demanding and in control; if unhappy about a service the hotelââ¬â¢s reputation c an be damaged as negative information posted online is instant and public; sharing their opinion with hundreds of thousands of potential customers. However, savvy marketers are increasingly using social media to let guests sell their hotels, which is authentic marketing at its best. Marketers need to implement dedication, time and resources in social media marketing to be successful and stay ahead of theirâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦(Evans, 2009) Marketers have to ensure their content is beneficial to the hotel and their consumers; they should not perceive the hotels presence to be a nuisance. Large hotels like Hilton, Four Seasons Hotels Resorts and MGM Grand have fully integrated social media into their marketing strategy, but for most hotels the difficulty is not only where to begin, but who to use and what to do. Is it detrimental for a hotel not to use social media sites? Can it be detrimental if social media sites are used but not appropriately? The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of social media in hotel marketing. The objectives of this study are to; ï⠷ Evaluate how the internet has changed hotel marketing. 2|Page ï⠷ ï⠷ ï⠷ Assess the key activities involved in social media marketing. Evaluate the role of social media marketing within hotel marketing strategies. Develop recommendations for the effective use of social media marketing in hotels. 3. Literature Review Marketing Raza (2005, p 2) defines marketing as an ââ¬Ëongoing process comprising various co-ordinated activities a company must perform to develop and/or wanted product, bring it to the market, maintain it there and maximize the customers benefit.ââ¬â¢ The customer is an integral part of the marketing process; marketersShow MoreRelatedMarketing : Marketing On Social Media Essay1428 Words à |à 6 PagesMarketing on Social Media Maggie H. King Appalachian State University Currently 78 percent of United States residents have at least one active social media account. This statistic has increased nearly ten percent in the last two years, showing that social media is a critical communication tool (U.S. Statistic, 2016). Communication between businesses and consumers is vital for companies to generate profit and growth. A tweet, Facebook post, Instagram ad, or evenRead MoreSocial Media Marketing Essay887 Words à |à 4 PagesSocial Media Marketing BUSB 340 Assignment #1 Dr. Vernon R. Stauble July 28, 2011 Social Media Marketing Social media marketing is a supplement to individual, little enterprise, business, and non-profit organizationsââ¬â¢ incorporated marketing communications plans. Integrated marketing communications is a multifaceted, orchestrated marketing and advocating perform associations pursue to attach with their target markets. Integrated marketing communications coordinatesRead MoreSocial Media And Marketing Efforts1463 Words à |à 6 Pages Social Media/Marketing Efforts Technology has allowed businesses to reach new markets and consumers; thus, allowing for a broader reach. The marketing efforts of the practice should be to attract new patients while keeping older patients satisfy with the services offered. The first thing the practice needs to do involves market segmentation, which allows the practice to reach their target segments and identify potential consumes that are being underserved by grouping them based on particular characteristicsRead MoreSocial Media Marketing For Marketing Essay1105 Words à |à 5 PagesSOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS- A GOOD WAY TO START LOCAL WORK Using social media for marketing can enable small business looking to further their reach to more customers. Your customers are interacting with brands through social media; therefore, having a strong social media presence on the web is the key to tap into their interest. If implemented correctly, marketing with social media can bring remarkable success to your business. What is Social Media Marketing? Social media marketingRead MoreSocial Media and Marketing993 Words à |à 4 Pagesday and age, many businesses have made use of social media to market their products and brands. Although nearly all of these organizations share a common goal of gaining publicity, the strategies they use to attain that goal varies on different and even on the same social media platforms. In order to gain attention on Facebook, the most popular social media website, companies have to utilize multiple approaches to maximize their yield from such marketing investments. On Facebook, companies have setRead MoreThe Importance Of Social Media Marketing?1323 Words à |à 6 PagesWhat Is the Importance of Social Media Marketing? By Naim Ahmed | Submitted On September 21, 2015 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Naim Ahmed In the world of technology communication hasRead MoreSocial Media Marketing : Emerging Marketing2969 Words à |à 12 Pagespurpose of this study is to evaluate social media marketing in emerging marketing that is arising from globalisation, digitalisation, liberalism and high-standards that are flowing economic power. Kim, A. J. Ko, E. (2012) defined that social media marketing is a method of modern marketing that develops social internet networking websites to target a market. A core objective of social media marketing is to develop and produce contents that can be utilised with social network in order to enhance brandRead MoreSocial Media Marketing Manager1222 Words à |à 5 PagesSALEH AHMED DAWABSHEH Mobile: +(970) 569396697 E-mail: s.dawabsheh@gmail.com [pic] To pursue a challenging career in a competitive work environment in which I can apply my knowledge and expertise particularly in Marketing, Product Management and Social Media. [pic] â⬠¢ Name: DAWABSHEH, Saleh Ahmed â⬠¢ Address: Ramallah, Palestine â⬠¢ Mobile: 00970-56-9396697 â⬠¢ EMail: s.dawabsheh@gmail.com â⬠¢ Nationality: Palestinian âÅ"â Palestinian Passport #: 2083403 Read MoreEssay On Social Media Marketing1069 Words à |à 5 PagesSocial Media Marketing Or Email Marketing For Android App Development Every mobile app development company is currently aspiring to reach a wider audience and obtain more users due to the increasing competition among other development companies which are becoming much stiffer. Unfortunately, many are yet to decide on which marketing medium to choose. It is actually hard to compare between email marketing and social media marketing, as they are basically designed to serve different purposes inRead MoreThe Social Media Marketing Strategy Essay1262 Words à |à 6 Pagesto be involved in social media marketing. Just two years ago this was almost an unheard of strategy, and just 5 years ago the concept of facebook, Twitter and other social media sites was completely foreign but to a select group of individuals. But we live in the age of rapid change! The rate of knowledge doubles just every two years now, and in just two years the rate of knowledge will double on an exponential scale! Businesses that decide not to pursue a social media marketing strategy are actually
Monday, May 18, 2020
Architecture Classical Greek vs. Medieval Gothic Essays
Architecture: Classical Greek vs. Medieval Gothic Wendy DeLisio HUM_266 September 24, 2012 Taniya Hossain Architecture: Classical Greek vs. Medieval Gothic Looking at the design of different structures throughout the world, one may not realize the beauty of the art in each of them or the ideals on which they were constructed. For example the classical Greek era, 480 BCE ââ¬â 330 BCE that held the ideals of order, balance, and God like perfection. This type of idealist architecture is seen in the Parthenon temple built in 447-432 BCE (Ancient-Greece.org, 2012). The temple is built in tribute for the Goddess Athena, Goddess of war and wisdom. It is aâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Classic Greek architecture is made of stone resting on stone with nothing but pressure holding them together. This is best exemplified in Greek temples, such as the Parthenon. The Parthenon is a post and lintel structure, built of lime stone and marble which were the common building materials of that age ( Sporre, 2010). Using these types of materials limited the architectââ¬â¢s use of space. In order for the building to stand without the roof collapsing many columns were needed to hold the roof up. These columns, known as Doric columns because of their style, were made of marble and the pressure of the stone roof resting on them held them together. The Parthenon was with many beautiful states, from the metopes that are a series of carved panels forming the Doric frieze telling stories of the history and battles of the Gods, to the towering statue of the Goddess Athena for which it was built. The Parthenon and other Greek temples were meant to be revered from the outside as a center piece of the city, a monument to the Gods of that age. Gothic architecture, unlike classic Greek, used stone masonry. By using stone masonry they were able to create arches and redistributed the pressure of the stones enabling the structures to be built taller. They also created what is called a buttr ess and used this to hold up walls and arches asShow MoreRelatedSolution to Ignou Papers2652 Words à |à 11 Pages==== 2. Does the post ââ¬â Industrial society differ from the Industrial society? Explain 20 Solution: Yes the Post ââ¬â Industrial society is differing from the Industrial society because of the following reason: * Limited production (i.e. artisanship vs. mass production) * Primarily an agricultural economy * Limited division of labor. In pre-industrial societies, production was relatively simple and the number of specialized crafts was limited. * Limited variation of social classes * Parochialismââ¬âSocialRead MoreArt History7818 Words à |à 32 Pagesabout 20 years o Neolithic Period Ãâ" New Stone Age #61607; Begins around 9,000BC #61607; Neolithic Revolution Ã⢠Agriculture o Allows people luxury of staying in one place; stability and performance o Cornerstone of civilization Ã⢠Domestic Architecture o Wigwam, Huts, Lean-tos o Native American Indians were considered Neolithic Ã⢠Refined tools o Spears, Bows and Arrows Ã⢠Domesticated Animals o Hallmark of luxury, stability, and permanence Ã⢠Pottery Ãâ" clay art o Bowls and containers Read MoreEssay about Summary of History of Graphic Design by Meggs14945 Words à |à 60 Pagesvillage culture were the ownership of property and the specialization of trades. - Egyptians used hieroglyphics. - The Rosetta Stone, which was created in 196 or 197 BC, contains writing in Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Egyptian Demotic Script, and Greek. The major deciphering of the stone was done by Jean-Francois Champollion. - As hieroglyphics presented more opportunities than cuneiform, the language was used for commercial documents, poetry, myths, etcâ⬠¦ - Papyrus paper was a major step forward
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Eleanor Roosevelt An American Diplomat - 886 Words
Eleanor Roosevelt, whose full name was Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, was born on the 11th of October in 1884 in the city of New York and passed away on the 7th of November in 1962 in Manhattan, New York. Roosevelt was born to Elliot Roosevelt and Anna Call Roosevelt. Roosevelt was known for being an American diplomat, humanitarian, and first lady. Roosevelt served as first lady in 1933-1945, she was the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt who served as the 32nd president. During Rooseveltââ¬â¢s time, she was one of worldââ¬â¢s most appreciated and influential women. (Encyclopedia Britannica) While growing up, Roosevelt and her living brother were raised by their grandmother due to both her parents passing before she turned ten years old. When Roosevelt was living with her grandmother, she was homeschooled until the age of fifteen. Then Roosevelt enrolled in a school in England called Allenswood. Roosevelt returned home at the age of eighteen. While being back home, she joined the Junior League, became involved in social service work, and taught at the Rivington Street Settlement House. (Encyclopedia Britannica) In 1905, Roosevelt married her distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Rooseveltââ¬â¢s had six children, one of whom passed away as an infant. Roosevelt became active in public service during World War I, where she worked for the American Red Cross and volunteered work in Navy hospitals. In 1921 her husband Franklin had suffered a polio attack, thus causing Eleanor to step forward andShow MoreRelatedEleanor Roosevelt : Women s Rights1074 Words à |à 5 PagesEleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884 and died on November 7, 1962. She was an activist, diplomat, and American politician. She was the longest serving First Lady. She was one of the most powerful women in American. She was the wife of Franklin D, Roosevelt and an outspoken person on women s rights. She was considered one of the best politicians from the 1920ââ¬â¢s to the 1940ââ¬â¢s. Therefore, she was one of the most influential women in U.S. history. Eleanor Rooseveltââ¬â¢s father and mother bothRead More Eleanor Roosevelt Essay1518 Words à |à 7 Pages Eleanor Roosevelt was a honest person who had responsibility and compassion towards her husband , family and her fellow man, whatever their social status. She used great citizenship and initiative actions in dealing with anyone who was fortunate enough to make her acquaintance. Eleanor Roosevelt is an outspoken advocate of social justice. During the years she has taken over a lot of responsibility. For someone who spent thefirst third of her life as shy and timid, she showed great courageRead MoreFranklin Delano Roosevelt And President Wilson1621 Words à |à 7 PagesFranklin Delano Roosevelt was born January 30th, 1882, in New York. FDR was the only child of a wealthy family who made their fortune in the real estate business. In 1900 Roosevelt attended Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, FDR joined the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, became the news editor for the Harvard and became engaged to his future wife Eleanor Roosevelt. He did all of this while also graduating in just three years. After attending Harvard, Roosevelt went to school at ColumbiaRead MoreMargaret Sanger And Eleanor Roosevelt2159 Words à |à 9 PagesI. Introduction. There are many remarkable personalities in our history, which made revolutionary changes in womenââ¬â¢s lives. Two of them were Margaret Sanger and Eleanor Roosevelt. They contributed immensely to change the womenââ¬â¢s fates and lives and to position them equally with men. Margaret Sanger was born in 1879, in Corning, New York; she was sixth of eleven children of Michel Higgins, an Irish Catholic stonecutter, and religious Anne Purcell Higgins. Her mother went through eighteen pregnanciesRead MoreFranklin D. Roosevelt And The New Deal1827 Words à |à 8 PagesJahdiel Evans April 18, 2017 History 1302 Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal Throughout the history of our great nation, certain presidents have been known to stand out from the rest. These prominent leaders are well known for their lasting, if not positive, impact on American society. One such president that fits this category is Franklin D. Roosevelt. In Allan M. Winklerââ¬â¢s biography Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Making of Modern America, the author provides an in-depth examination of Rooseveltââ¬â¢sRead MoreEleanor Roosevelt as a Campaigner for Human Rights3559 Words à |à 15 Pagesabout Eleanor Roosevelt, a person that not a lot of people now as a human rights activist. The reason behind this decision is that Eleanor was a strong, independent woman, fighting for the rights of others in the time when even women themselves had to fight for a better position in society. After Franklin won a seat in New York Senate, family moved to Albany. 2 years later, in 1913, Franklin was appointed assistant secretary of the navy and they moved to Washington D.C. Next few years Eleanor spentRead MoreAnalysis Of Rosie The Riveter 1811 Words à |à 8 Pageswomen in the government included Eleanor Roosevelt and Jeannette Rankin. Eleanor was an American politician, diplomat, and she later was a United Nations spokeswoman (ââ¬Å"Anna Eleanor Rooseveltâ⬠). She transformed the idea of being the First Lady into being more than just a wife; she helped with the presidentââ¬â¢s work (ââ¬Å"Anna Eleanor Rooseveltâ⬠). She went around giving lectures, charming thousands of people, and traveled while expressing her ideas (ââ¬Å"Anna Eleanor Rooseveltâ⬠). Jeannette Rankin was the firstRead MoreThe Great Depression And Its Effects On The World Essay1595 Words à |à 7 Pagesof support for their families. Moreover, as women were facing harsh criticism for being the provider of the household while men tried to look for work and take back their role of being the earner of the family, Franklin Roosevelt became the new president in 1933. Franklin Roosevelt promised a New Deal, which was number of things involving the social liberal programs to pass in the U.S.A (Cole Lee, 2004). This New deal had agencies that gave jobs to mainly men excluding women. This proves that evenRead MoreWilliam Wallace And The Scottish Knight Essay992 Words à |à 4 Pageswas tarnished. He then later resigned his guardianship. He turned his title over to Robert the Bruce, whom Wallace had never met, contrary to the (almost) historically accurate William Wallace movie, ââ¬Å"Braveheart.â⬠Wallace had decided to serve as a diplomat instead. Using his new title to his advantage as best as he could, he attempted to gain support from the French. He was successful in the beginning, but the French had eventually betrayed the Scots. This forced Scottish leaders to surrender to theRead MoreGeorge Washington s President Of The United States2433 Words à |à 10 Pagesbut he already had his mind made up. His successor John Adams continued to follow in George Washingtonââ¬â¢s footsteps and only served two terms. This started a tradition where Presidents generally only serve as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander-In-Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Economic Planner of a maximum of eight years. In present day (2015) there have been forty-three presidents in the United States, (forty-four if you count Grover Cleveland twice from his two
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Debate Over the Existence of God Essay examples - 686 Words
Is There a God?.. A big question that billions of people didnââ¬â¢t yet proved thatââ¬â¢s itââ¬â¢s true or not, but we can search and find out if there is a real God or not .. Even if we donââ¬â¢t have much evidence that explain this answer, but we can find out the truth with a little bit of searching and thinking without judging about it. No one can tell you that you have to believe that God is here or not, even if you are not sure about it, you have to seek by yourself. The Bible said that there is people who saw the God, so there is some evidence that appear here, Jesus also said in the Bible You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you.â⬠, so here Jesus want us to find out and to seek the truth which isâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦what will be the difference between life and death also if God is not Existing .. we will not have hope .. we will not have hope for deliverance after death . We have to believe God, becau se he gave a faith he gave us hope to live, he sacrifices his life for us ââ¬Å"even if the evidence for and against the existence of God were absolutely equal, the rational thing to do, I think, is to believe in Himâ⬠W.L.C ïÆ'Ë Can we experience the presence of Almighty God on a daily basis? 1. We have to experience God, and to take a knowledge about his sacrifices. 2. When we accept God, we also accept his redemptive sacrifices for us. Maybe there is a lot of conflicts about the existing of God that let everyone not sure 100% about the availability of God, but letââ¬â¢s say that also there is a lot of evidence that make the availability of God something correct, we have to think about it, think about someone that sacrifices his pure soul to let us live and being alive. God is so lovely, he just want us to be with him and to follow him to gain the heaven. In the other hand, there is a big opinion that state that God does not exist with us. This is opinion state that God is useless, unnecessary, he didnââ¬â¢t provide the purpose to life and didnââ¬â¢t influence us every day. Also, there is a big group which is the Atheists that deny the existence of any Gods. They state that Faith is unreliable. The life is just material, not a supernatural life. No good reason isShow MoreRelatedThe Design Argument : The Theory Argument1608 Words à |à 7 Pageshundred years, a great debate has shaken the foundation religious and scientific beliefs of society. Philosophers have been arguing about such a debate for hundreds of years, but there does not seem to be any consensus on whether on the existence of god and the universe. The ancient world never battled over such questions, rather they had accepted the fact that the natural world was created by some being. However, as society made major advancements, the question about god s existence and his creationRead MoreAn Exploratory Middle Ground Position Between Atheism And Theism1 142 Words à |à 5 Pages2009, coined the term ââ¬Å"Possibilianismâ⬠. An exploratory middle ground position between atheism and theism. In this essay I argue that possibilianism as a new standpoint in the debate on the existence of God is irrelevant, as it holds the same ideological stance as agnosticism. In an article written by Eagleman titled ââ¬Å"Beyond God and atheism: Why I am a possibilianâ⬠he says that ââ¬Å"we know too little to commit to strict atheism, and too much to commit to any religionâ⬠(Eagleman, 2), this is the drivingRead MoreAntony Flew on Christian Life1823 Words à |à 7 Pagesevery argument for the non-existence of God, and is often understood as inherently opposing to faith. However, the story of Antony Flew is one that atheists can and should not discard, as he experienced something very different. Born into a Christian family Flew grew up in the church and was exposed to Christian beliefs and customs. He never really found a personal connection to Christianity and converted to Atheism, but after decades of arguing the non-existence of God, he came to the conclusionRead MoreDescartes and God Essay820 Words à |à 4 PagesDescartes and God Everywhere in this world there are debates on many things. Logic is often employed in order to understand and come to an agreement on these debated topics. One such topic, which is arguably the greatest topic of debate occurring in modern day, is the existence of God. Sure, many people believe in some sort of higher being, but how many of them try and use logic and rational thought to prove the existence of God. Many probably, however we will only look at one such person.Read MoreThe Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex and the Meaning of Life783 Words à |à 4 Pagescentury together to debate the answer to the lifelong question, ââ¬Å"Is there a God, and if so, how should we respond to his existence?â⬠Nicholi is the first scholar to ever put the arguments of C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud side by side in an attempt to recreate as realistic of a debate as possible between the two men. He examines their writings, letters, and lectures in an attempt to accurately represent both men in this debate. His result, the nearly 300 page book, The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and SigmundRead MoreCan Science Explain And Account For Human Morality?1011 Words à |à 5 PagesCan Science Explain and account for Human Morality? Introduction Morality has long since been a topic of debate, with hundreds of branches to the ever-expanding argument. One area of debate is that of scienceââ¬â¢s power to explain and account for the history of Human morality. In the question: ââ¬Å"Can Science Explain and Account for Human Morality?â⬠we also have another question: ââ¬Å"Is the foundation of morality natural, or supernatural?â⬠. In this question, there is a dichotomy between the origin of moralityRead MoreThomas Draper s The Theist 1408 Words à |à 6 Pagestheist must come to a point of declaring one of two positions: 1) God is hidden and we must trust that we have guessed right, or 2) God has revealed Himself to us to the extent that we can know Him. The second statement seems to more closely align with Christianity and the idea that it includes an integration of faith and reason. Consider, now, the agnostic position, such as Draper holds. What would it take for Draper to believe in God? As he addresses arguments from apologetics and finds them inconclusiveRead MorePascals Wager1557 Words à |à 7 PagesModern debates over religion, more specifically God, focus primarily on whether or not sufficient evidence exists to either prove or disprove the existence of a God. Disbelievers such as biologist Richard Hawkins tend to point to the indisputable facts of evolution and the abundance of scientific evidence which seem to contradict many aspects of religion. Conversely, believers such as Dr. A. E. Wilder-Smith describe the controversial aspects of science, and how the only possible solution to everythingRead MoreEnuma Elish Vs Genesis1352 Words à |à 6 PagesUniversity ââ¬Å"Survey of the Old Testamentâ⬠Essay # 1 Victor Francis Mavika Survey OF Old Testament Prof. Martin Lyons 21 September 2017 There are multiple debates and arguments concerning the creation story of both mankind and the universe from the Bible and the Babylonian creation poem the Enuma Elish. There is a debate on whether the two accounts have similarities or one of them borrowed its content from the other. Enuma Elish is a great Assyrian poem which narrates the story of theRead MoreComparative Essay1281 Words à |à 6 PagesComparative Essay: Original creation of the Earth PHSC 210, D03-LUO I. Introduction The old-Earth evolution and young-Earth creation debate has been one that has gone on for centuries. Each viewpoint seeks to give an answer to lifeââ¬â¢s most difficult questions or origins and how the Earth came to be what it resembles today. While the Young Earth viewpoint has remained constant and unchanged throughout the centuries the Old Earth view seems to be continually evolving as new discoveries
The Golden Lily Chapter 6 Free Essays
ââ¬Å"YOU SHOOK HIS HAND?â⬠Adrian asked incredulously. I shot an accusing look at Eddie and Angeline. ââ¬Å"Is nothing private around here?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Angeline, as bluntly honest as ever. We will write a custom essay sample on The Golden Lily Chapter 6 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Eddie actually chuckled. It was a rare moment of camaraderie between them. ââ¬Å"Was it supposed to be a secret?â⬠he asked. We were over at Clarence Donahueââ¬â¢s house for Jill and Adrianââ¬â¢s biweekly blood feedings. Jill was off right now with Clarenceââ¬â¢s human housekeeper, Dorothy, who doubled as his feeder. I could take a lot of Moroi things in stride now, but drinking blood ââ¬â human blood ââ¬â made me shudder every time. My best coping mechanism was trying to forget why we were here. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I admitted. Julia and Kristin had grilled me for date details a couple of days ago, so Iââ¬â¢d given them some. I supposed I had to accept that once I told them anything, it would inevitably get back to everyone in the world. No doubt my Amberwood family had then passed it on to Adrian. ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠Adrian was still hung up on the end of my date. ââ¬Å"His hand?â⬠I sighed and sank back into a sleek leather sofa. Clarenceââ¬â¢s house always reminded me of some stereotypical haunted manor from the outside ââ¬â but inside it was modern and well furnished. ââ¬Å"Look, it just happened ââ¬â okay, you know what? Never mind. This is none of your business. Just let it go.â⬠But something in Adrianââ¬â¢s expression told me he would not, in fact, be letting it go anytime soon. ââ¬Å"With all that red-hot passion, itââ¬â¢s a wonder you guys can stay away from each other,â⬠said Adrian, deadpan. ââ¬Å"Is there going to be a second date?â⬠Eddie and Angeline looked at me expectantly. I hesitated. This was information I hadnââ¬â¢t given up to Julia and Kristin, largely because it had only just been arranged. ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠I said at last. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re going on a, um, windmill tour later this week.â⬠If Iââ¬â¢d wanted to shut them all up, Iââ¬â¢d definitely succeeded. They all looked stunned. Adrian spoke first. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m going to assume that means heââ¬â¢s flying you to Amsterdam on his private jet. If so, Iââ¬â¢d like to come along. But not for the windmills.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a huge windmill farm north of Palm Springs,â⬠I explained. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s one of the only ones in the world that does public tours.â⬠More blank looks. ââ¬Å"Wind energy is a powerful renewable resource that could have a huge impact on our countryââ¬â¢s future!â⬠I said in exasperation. ââ¬Å"This is a cool thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËCool,'â⬠said Adrian. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËWind.ââ¬â¢ I see what you did there, Sage. Pretty clever.â⬠ââ¬Å"It wasnââ¬â¢t meant to be a ââ¬â ââ¬Å" The sitting roomââ¬â¢s stained glass French doors opened, and Dimitri and Sonya entered with our host Clarence in tow. I hadnââ¬â¢t seen him since I arrived and gave him a polite smile, glad for the distraction from my so-called love life. ââ¬Å"Hello, Mr. Donahue,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s nice to see you again.â⬠ââ¬Å"Eh?â⬠The elderly Moroi man squinted in my direction, and after a few moments, recognition lit his features. He had white hair and always dressed as though he were at a formal dinner party from about fifty years ago. ââ¬Å"There you are. Glad you could stop by, my dear. What brings you over?â⬠ââ¬Å"Jillââ¬â¢s feeding, sir.â⬠We did this two times every week, but Clarenceââ¬â¢s mind wasnââ¬â¢t quite what it used to be. Heââ¬â¢d been pretty scattered since we first met, but the death of his son, Lee, had seemed to push the old man even farther over the edge ââ¬â particularly since he didnââ¬â¢t seem to believe it. Weââ¬â¢d told him gently ââ¬â a number of times ââ¬â that Lee had died, leaving out the Strigoi part. Each time we did, Clarence insisted Lee was just ââ¬Å"away right nowâ⬠and would be back. Scattered or not, Clarence was always kind and relatively harmless ââ¬â for a vampire, of course. ââ¬Å"Ah, yes, naturally.â⬠He settled into his massive armchair and then glanced back toward Dimitri and Sonya. ââ¬Å"So youââ¬â¢ll be able to fix the window locks?â⬠There had apparently been some other discussion going on before they joined us. Dimitri seemed to be trying to find a nice way to respond. He was as amazing to look at as ever, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, with a long leather duster over it all. How anyone could survive wearing a coat like that in Palm Springs was beyond me, but if anyone could, I supposed it was him. Usually he only wore it inside, but sometimes, Iââ¬â¢d see it outside too. Iââ¬â¢d mentioned this odd wardrobe choice to Adrian a couple of weeks ago: ââ¬Å"Isnââ¬â¢t Dimitri hot?â⬠Adrianââ¬â¢s response hadnââ¬â¢t been entirely unexpected: ââ¬Å"Well, yeah, according to most women, at least.â⬠Dimitriââ¬â¢s face was the picture of politeness as he addressed Clarenceââ¬â¢s concerns. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t believe thereââ¬â¢s anything wrong with the ones you have,â⬠Dimitri said. ââ¬Å"Everything is sealed up pretty tightly.â⬠ââ¬Å"So it seems,â⬠said Clarence ominously. ââ¬Å"But you donââ¬â¢t know how resourceful they are. Iââ¬â¢m not behind the times, you know. I know there are all sorts of technologies out there that you can put in. Like lasers that tell you if someoneââ¬â¢s breaking in.â⬠Dimitri arched an eyebrow. ââ¬Å"You mean a security system?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, exactly,â⬠said Clarence. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢ll keep the hunters out.â⬠This turn in conversation wasnââ¬â¢t exactly a surprise to me. Clarenceââ¬â¢s paranoia had also increased recently ââ¬â and that was saying something. He lived in constant fear of what he claimed were vampire hunters, humans whoâ⬠¦ well, hunted vampires. For the longest time, heââ¬â¢d claimed they were responsible for his nieceââ¬â¢s death and that reports of her being killed by a Strigoi were incorrect. It turned out he was half-right. Her death hadnââ¬â¢t been the result of a Strigoi attack ââ¬â it had been caused by Lee, in a desperate attempt to change back from a Moroi to a Strigoi. Clarence refused to accept that, however, and persisted in his beliefs about the hunters. My assurances that the Alchemists had no records of any groups like that existing since the Middle Ages hadnââ¬â¢t gone very far. Consequently, Clarence was always making people do ââ¬Å"s ecurity checksâ⬠of his house. Since Sonya and Dimitri were actually staying with him throughout the experimentation, that tedious task often fell to them. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not really qualified to install a security system,â⬠said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Really? Thereââ¬â¢s something you canââ¬â¢t do?â⬠Adrianââ¬â¢s voice was so soft that I could barely hear him, and he was sitting right next to me. I doubted even the others, with their superior hearing, couldââ¬â¢ve made out his words. Why does he still let Dimitri get to him? I wondered. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢d have to call professionals,â⬠Dimitri continued to Clarence. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m guessing you wouldnââ¬â¢t want a bunch of strangers coming in and out of your house.â⬠Clarence frowned. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s true. Itââ¬â¢d be very easy for the hunters to infiltrate them.â⬠Dimitri was the picture of patience. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll do daily checks of all the doors and windows while Iââ¬â¢m here ââ¬â just to be sure.â⬠ââ¬Å"That would be wonderful,â⬠said Clarence, some of his tension easing. ââ¬Å"Admittedly, Iââ¬â¢m not really the huntersââ¬â¢ usual type. Not dangerous enough. Not anymore.â⬠He chuckled to himself. ââ¬Å"Still. You never know what could happen. Best to be safe.â⬠Sonya gave him a gentle smile. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sure everything will be fine. You have nothing to worry about.â⬠Clarence met her eyes, and after a few seconds, a smile slowly spread over his face as well. His rigid posture slackened. ââ¬Å"Yes, yes. Youââ¬â¢re right. Nothing to worry about.â⬠I shivered. Iââ¬â¢d been around Moroi enough to know what had happened. Sonya had just used compulsion ââ¬â only a whisper of it ââ¬â to calm Clarence. Compulsion, the ability to force your will on others, was a skill all Moroi possessed to varying degrees. Spirit users were the strongest, rivaling Strigoi. Using compulsion on others was taboo among the Moroi, and there were serious consequences for those who abused it. I was guessing Moroi authorities would overlook her soothing a nervous old man, but the small act still unsettled me. Compulsion in particular had always struck me as one of the most insidious Moroi powers. And had Sonya really needed to use it? She was already so kind and soothing. Wouldnââ¬â¢t that be enough for Clarence? Sometimes I wondered if they just used magic for the sake of doing so. Sometimes I wondered if it was being used around meâ⬠¦ without me even knowing. Clarenceââ¬â¢s talk of vampire hunters always triggered a mix of amusement and unease around everyone. With him pacified (even if I didnââ¬â¢t like the means), we were all able to relax a little bit. Sonya leaned back against the loveseat, drinking some fruity drink that looked perfect on a hot day like this. From her dirty clothes and haphazard hairstyling, I was willing to bet sheââ¬â¢d been outside ââ¬â not that she still didnââ¬â¢t look beautiful. Most Moroi avoided this kind of intense sun, but her love of plants was so great that sheââ¬â¢d been risking it to work on some of the ailing flowers in Clarenceââ¬â¢s garden. Heavy sunscreen could work wonders. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not going to be around much longer,â⬠she told us. ââ¬Å"A few more weeks at most. I need to go back and work on some wedding plans with Mikhail.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whenââ¬â¢s the big day again?â⬠Adrian asked. She smiled. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s in December.â⬠That surprised me until she added, ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a huge, tropical greenhouse near the Court that weââ¬â¢re going to use. Itââ¬â¢s gorgeous ââ¬â not that it matters. Mikhail and I could be married anywhere. All that counts is that weââ¬â¢re together. Of course, if weââ¬â¢re able to choose, then why not go all out?â⬠Even I smiled at that. Leave it to Sonya to find a spot of green in the middle of a Pennsylvania winter. ââ¬Å"Dimitri may stay on,â⬠she continued. ââ¬Å"But itââ¬â¢d be great if we could make some kind of progress before I go. The aura tests so far have beenâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Useless?â⬠suggested Adrian. ââ¬Å"I was going to say inconclusive,â⬠she replied. Adrian shook his head. ââ¬Å"So all that time we spent was wasted?â⬠Sonya didnââ¬â¢t answer and instead took another sip of her drink. I was willing to bet it was non-alcoholic ââ¬â she didnââ¬â¢t self-medicate the way Adrian did ââ¬â and that Dorothy could make me one if I wanted. Yet, I was also willing to bet it was terrible for me. Maybe Iââ¬â¢d see if there was any Diet Coke in the kitchen. Sonya leaned forward, an eager glint in her eye. ââ¬Å"Dimitri and I were talking and realized thereââ¬â¢s something obvious weââ¬â¢ve been missing. Actually, I should say avoiding, but not pursuing it would be a waste.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s that?â⬠asked Adrian. ââ¬Å"Blood,â⬠said Dimitri. I winced. I didnââ¬â¢t like it when this topic came up. It reminded me of exactly what kind of people I was with. ââ¬Å"Obviously, thereââ¬â¢s something about restored Strigoi that protects them ââ¬â us,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve looked for magical signs, but the answer might be more physical. And from the report I read, the Strigoi had trouble drinking ll ââ¬â his blood.â⬠Dimitri had been about to say Lee, but had amended his choice out of respect for Clarence. The old manââ¬â¢s dazed, happy look made it hard to tell if he understood what we were discussing at all. ââ¬Å"They complained about it,â⬠I agreed. ââ¬Å"But that didnââ¬â¢t seem to stop them from drinking it.â⬠Strigoi could be forcibly created if a Strigoi drained a victimââ¬â¢s blood and then fed Strigoi blood back to him or her. Lee had asked Strigoi to do this for him, but all draining him had achieved was death. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢d like to take a sample of Dimitriââ¬â¢s blood and then compare it to yours, Eddie,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"Blood can hold all sorts of magical properties, which might show us how to fight Strigoi.â⬠I kept my face as blank as possible, praying no one would notice me. Blood can hold all sorts of magical properties. Hopefully, in all this talk, no one would recall the mystery of why my blood was inexplicably revolting to Strigoi. And really, why should they? Iââ¬â¢d never been restored. I wasnââ¬â¢t a dhampir. There was no reason at all theyââ¬â¢d want me in these experiments. And yet, if that was true, why was I suddenly sweating? ââ¬Å"We can send it to a lab for the chemical part and try to read any magical properties off it too,â⬠Sonya continued. She sounded apologetic, but Eddie didnââ¬â¢t look concerned. ââ¬Å"No problem,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Whatever you need.â⬠He meant it too, I knew. Losing blood was a million times easier for him than being inactive. Besides, he probably lost more blood in daily practice than heââ¬â¢d even need to give up for this experiment. ââ¬Å"If you need another dhampir,â⬠said Angeline. ââ¬Å"You can use me too. Me and Eddie could help you. Weââ¬â¢d be a team. Sydney wouldnââ¬â¢t have to keep coming along, especially now that sheââ¬â¢s got a boyfriend.â⬠There were so many things wrong with that, I didnââ¬â¢t know where to start. The confidence Eddie had shown over giving blood vanished at ââ¬Å"weââ¬â¢d be a team.â⬠ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll consider it,â⬠said Sonya. There was a sparkle in her eye, and I remembered her saying she could see affection in auras. Could she detect Angelineââ¬â¢s crush? ââ¬Å"For now, Iââ¬â¢d rather not take you away from your schoolwork. Itââ¬â¢s less important for Eddie since heââ¬â¢s already graduated, but you should keep up with it.â⬠Angeline looked unhappy about that. Sheââ¬â¢d had a number of difficulties with her classes, not to mention some outright embarrassments ââ¬â like when sheââ¬â¢d been asked to create a map of Central America and had shown up with one of Nebraska and Kansas. She put on a cocky face, but I knew Amberwood overwhelmed her sometimes. Jill joined us, looking bright and refreshed. Ideally, Moroi drank blood every day. They could survive on this twice-a-week schedule, but Iââ¬â¢d noticed that Jill grew tired and rundown the farther she got from feedings. ââ¬Å"Your turn, Adrian,â⬠she said. He was yawning and looked startled at being noticed. I donââ¬â¢t think heââ¬â¢d really been interested in Sonyaââ¬â¢s blood experiments. As he stood up, he glanced over at me. ââ¬Å"Will you walk with me a sec, Sage?â⬠Before I could even lodge my protest, he said, ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t worry, Iââ¬â¢m not taking you to the feeding. I just want to ask you a quick question.â⬠I nodded and followed him out of the room. As soon as we were away from the others, I said, ââ¬Å"I do not want to hear any more ââ¬Ëwittyââ¬â¢ commentary on Brayden.â⬠ââ¬Å"My commentaryââ¬â¢s hilarious, not witty. But thatââ¬â¢s not what I wanted to talk about.â⬠He came to a halt in the hallway, outside what I suspected was Dorothyââ¬â¢s room. ââ¬Å"So, it seems my old manââ¬â¢s coming to San Diego on business next weekend.â⬠I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms, already getting a bad feeling about this. ââ¬Å"He doesnââ¬â¢t know why Iââ¬â¢m here, of course, or that Iââ¬â¢m with Jill. He doesnââ¬â¢t even know what city Iââ¬â¢m in. He just thinks Iââ¬â¢m partying in California, up to no good as usual.â⬠I wasnââ¬â¢t surprised that Mr. Ivashkov wouldnââ¬â¢t know the true reason for Adrian being here. Jillââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"resurrectionâ⬠was top secret, as were her whereabouts. We couldnââ¬â¢t risk any extra people ââ¬â not even someone who might not mean her harm ââ¬â finding out where she was. What did surprise me was that Adrian was working so hard to act like he didnââ¬â¢t care what his father thought ââ¬â but he obviously did. Adrianââ¬â¢s face was convincing, but there was a note of bitterness in his voice that gave him away. ââ¬Å"Anyway,â⬠Adrian continued, ââ¬Å"he said heââ¬â¢d meet me for lunch if I wanted. Normally, Iââ¬â¢d blow it offâ⬠¦ but Iââ¬â¢d kind of like to know whatââ¬â¢s going on with my mom ââ¬â they never tell me when I call or e-mail.â⬠Again, I picked up mixed emotions from him. Adrianââ¬â¢s mother was serving time in a Moroi prison for crimes of intrigue. You wouldnââ¬â¢t know it by his cocky attitude and sense of humor, but it must have been hard on him. ââ¬Å"Let me guess,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You want to borrow my car.â⬠I was sympathetic to those with difficult fathers, even Adrian. But my compassion only went so far and didnââ¬â¢t extend to Latte. I couldnââ¬â¢t risk any dents. Besides, the idea of being stuck without any way to get around scared me, especially when vampires were involved. ââ¬Å"No way,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"I know better than that.â⬠He did? ââ¬Å"Then what do you want?â⬠I asked, surprised. ââ¬Å"I was hoping youââ¬â¢d drive me.â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"Adrian, it takes two hours to get there.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s pretty much a straight shot down the highway,â⬠he pointed out. ââ¬Å"And I figured youââ¬â¢d drive a four-hour round-trip before giving up your car to someone else.â⬠I eyed him. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s true.â⬠He took a step closer, a disconcertingly earnest expression all over his face. ââ¬Å"Please, Sage. I know itââ¬â¢s a lot to ask, so Iââ¬â¢m not even going to pretend youââ¬â¢d benefit. I mean, you can spend the day in San Diego doing whatever you want. Itââ¬â¢s not the same as going to see solar panels or whatever with Brady, but Iââ¬â¢d owe you ââ¬â literally and figuratively. Iââ¬â¢ll pay you gas money.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s Brayden, and where in the world would you get gas money?â⬠Adrian lived on a very tight allowance his father gave him. It was part of why Adrian was taking college classes, in the hopes that heââ¬â¢d get financial aid next semester and have a bit more of an income. I admired that, though if we were all actually still in Palm Springs come January, itââ¬â¢d mean the Moroi had some serious political problems. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢d cut back on things to come up with the extra money,â⬠he said after a few moments of hesitation. I didnââ¬â¢t bother hiding my surprise. ââ¬Å"Thingsâ⬠most likely meant alcohol and cigarettes, which was where his meager allowance usually went. ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢d give up drinking to go see your dad?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, not permanently,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢d be ridiculous. But maybe I could switch to something slightly cheaper for a while. Likeâ⬠¦ slushes. Do you know how much I love those? Cherry, especially.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, no,â⬠I said. Adrian was easily distractible by wacky topics and shiny objects. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re pure sugar.â⬠ââ¬Å"Pure deliciousness, you mean. I havenââ¬â¢t had a good one in ages.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re getting off topic,â⬠I pointed out. ââ¬Å"Oh. Right. Well, whether I have to go on a slush-based diet or whatever, youââ¬â¢ll get your money. And thatââ¬â¢s the other reasonâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢m kind of hoping the old man might agree to up my income. You probably donââ¬â¢t believe it, but I hate always borrowing from you. Itââ¬â¢s easy for my dad to dodge phone calls, but face-to-face? He canââ¬â¢t escape. Plus, he thinks itââ¬â¢s more ââ¬Ëmanlyââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ërespectableââ¬â¢ to ask for something directly. Classic Nathan Ivashkov honor.â⬠Once again, the bitterness. Maybe a little anger. I studied Adrian for a long time as I thought about my next response. The hall was dim, giving him the advantage. He could probably see me perfectly while some details were more difficult for me. Those green, green eyes I so often admired in spite of myself simply looked dark now. The pain on his face, however, was all too apparent. He hadnââ¬â¢t yet learned to hide his feelings from Jill and the bond, but I knew he kept that lazy, devil-may-care attitude on for the rest of the world ââ¬â well, for everyone except me lately. This wasnââ¬â¢t the first time Iââ¬â¢d seen him vulnerable, and it seemed weird to me that I, of all people, was the one he kept baring his emotions to. Or was it weird? Maybe this was just my social ineptitude confusing me again. Regardless, it pulled at something within me. ââ¬Å"Is that really what this is about? The money?â⬠I asked, tucking my other questions aside. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t like him. There has to be something more here.â⬠ââ¬Å"The moneyââ¬â¢s a big part. But I meant what I said earlierâ⬠¦ about my mom. I need to know how she is, and he wonââ¬â¢t tell me about her. Honestly, I think he just wants to pretend it never happened ââ¬â either for that reputation of his or maybeâ⬠¦ maybe because it hurts him. I donââ¬â¢t know, but like I said, he canââ¬â¢t dodge if Iââ¬â¢m right there. Plusâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Adrian glanced away a moment before mustering the courage to meet my eyes again. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know. Itââ¬â¢s stupid. But I thoughtâ⬠¦ well, maybe heââ¬â¢d be impressed that I was sticking to college this time. Probably not, though.â⬠My heart ached for him, and I suspected that last part ââ¬â earning his dadââ¬â¢s approval ââ¬â was bigger than Adrian was letting on. I knew all about what it was like to have a father who continually judged, whom nothing was ever good enough for. I understood as well the warring emotionsâ⬠¦ how one day you could say you didnââ¬â¢t care, yet be yearning for approval the next. And I certainly understood motherly attachment. One of the hardest parts of being in Palm Springs was the distance from my mom and sisters. ââ¬Å"Why me?â⬠I blurted out. I hadnââ¬â¢t meant to touch on those earlier questions, but I suddenly couldnââ¬â¢t help myself. There was too much tension here, too much emotion. ââ¬Å"You couldââ¬â¢ve asked Sonya or Dimitri to drive you. They probably wouldââ¬â¢ve even let you borrow their rental car.â⬠The ghost of a smile flashed across Adrianââ¬â¢s face. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know about that. And I think you know why I donââ¬â¢t want to risk being trapped in a car with our Russian friend. As for the restâ⬠¦ I donââ¬â¢t know, Sage. Thereââ¬â¢s something about youâ⬠¦ you donââ¬â¢t judge like the others. I mean, you do. Youââ¬â¢re more judgmental than any of them in some ways. But thereââ¬â¢s an honesty to it. I feelâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ The smile left his face as he faltered for words. ââ¬Å"Comfortable around you, I guess.â⬠There was no way I could stand against that, though I find it ironic he was allegedly most comfortable around me when Moroi gave me panic attacks half the time. You donââ¬â¢t have to help, an inner voice warned me. You donââ¬â¢t owe him anything. You donââ¬â¢t owe any Moroi anything that isnââ¬â¢t absolutely necessary. Have you forgotten Keith? This isnââ¬â¢t a part of your job. The bunker came back to me, and I recalled how one vampire deal had landed Keith in Reeducation. How much worse was I? Social interaction was an inevitable part of this assignment, but I was blurring all the lines around it again. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll do it. E-mail me what time you need to leave.â⬠Thatââ¬â¢s when the funniest part came. He looked totally floored. ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t help but laugh. ââ¬Å"You gave me that whole pitch and didnââ¬â¢t really think Iââ¬â¢d agree, did you?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠he admitted, still clearly amazed. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t always tell with you. I cheat with people, you know. I mean, Iââ¬â¢m good at reading faces, but I pick up a lot from auras and act like I just have amazing insight. I havenââ¬â¢t learned to totally understand humans, though. Youââ¬â¢ve got the same colors but a different feel.â⬠Auras didnââ¬â¢t weird me out as much as other vampire magic, but I still wasnââ¬â¢t entirely comfortable with them. ââ¬Å"What color is mine?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yellow, of course.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course?â⬠ââ¬Å"Smart, analytic types usually have yellow. Youââ¬â¢ve got a little purple here and there, though.â⬠Even in the dimness, I could see a mischievous spark in his eyes. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what makes you interesting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s purple mean?â⬠Adrian put his hand on the door. ââ¬Å"Gotta go, Sage. Donââ¬â¢t want to keep Dorothy waiting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Come on. Tell me what purple is.â⬠I was so curious, I nearly grabbed his arm. He turned the knob. ââ¬Å"I will if you want to join us.â⬠ââ¬Å"Adrian ââ¬â ââ¬Å" Laughing, he disappeared inside the room and shut the door. With a shake of my head, I started to return to the others and then decided to seek out my Diet Coke after all. I lingered with it in the kitchen for a while, leaning against the granite countertops and staring absentmindedly at the brilliant copper pots hanging from the ceiling. Why had I agreed to drive Adrian? What was it about him that managed to crack all the propriety and logic I built my life around? I understood why I often had a soft spot for Jill. She reminded me of my younger sister, Zoe. But Adrian? He wasnââ¬â¢t like anyone I knew. In fact, I was fairly certain there was no one in the entire world quite like Adrian Ivashkov. I delayed so long that when I returned to the living room, Adrian was on his way back too. I sat down on the couch, nursing the last of my Diet Coke. Sonya brightened upon seeing me. ââ¬Å"Sydney, we just had a wonderful idea.â⬠Maybe I wasnââ¬â¢t always the quickest in picking up social cues, but I did notice this wonderful idea was addressed to me, and not Adrian and me. ââ¬Å"We were just talking about the reports from the night of theâ⬠¦ incident.â⬠She gave Clarence a meaningful look, and I nodded in understanding. ââ¬Å"Both the Moroi and the Alchemists said the Strigoi had trouble with your blood too, correct?â⬠I stiffened, not liking this at all. It was a conversation Iââ¬â¢d lived in fear of. The Strigoi whoââ¬â¢d killed Lee hadnââ¬â¢t just had ââ¬Å"troubleâ⬠with my blood. Leeââ¬â¢s had tasted strange to them. Mine had been disgusting. The one whoââ¬â¢d tried to drink from me hadnââ¬â¢t been able to tolerate it at all. Sheââ¬â¢d even spit it out. ââ¬Å"Yesâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I said carefully. ââ¬Å"Obviously, youââ¬â¢re not a restored Strigoi,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"But weââ¬â¢d like to take a look at your blood too. Maybe thereââ¬â¢s something about it that could help us. A small sample should suffice.â⬠All eyes were on me, even Clarenceââ¬â¢s. The room started to close in as a familiar panic filled me. I had thought a lot about why the Strigoi hadnââ¬â¢t liked my blood ââ¬â actually, Iââ¬â¢d tried to avoid thinking about it. I didnââ¬â¢t want to believe there was anything special about me. There couldnââ¬â¢t be. I didnââ¬â¢t want to attract anyoneââ¬â¢s attention. It was one thing to facilitate these experiments and another to actually be a subject. If they wanted me for one test, they might want me for something else. And then something else. Iââ¬â¢d end up locked away, poked and prodded. There was also the fact that I just didnââ¬â¢t want to give up my blood. It didnââ¬â¢t matter that I liked Sonya and Dimitri. It didnââ¬â¢t matter that the blood would be drawn with a needle, not teeth. The basic concept was still there, a taboo stemming from the most rudimentary of Alchemist beliefs: giving blood to vampires was wrong. It was my blood. Mine. No one ââ¬â especially vampires ââ¬â had any business with it. I swallowed, hoping I didnââ¬â¢t look like I wanted to bolt. ââ¬Å"It was only one Strigoiââ¬â¢s opinion. And you know they donââ¬â¢t like humans as well asâ⬠¦ you guys.â⬠That was part of why the Moroi lived in such fear and had seen their numbers reduced over time. They were the creme de la creme of Strigoi cuisine. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s probably all it was.â⬠ââ¬Å"Perhaps,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"But thereââ¬â¢s no harm done in checking.â⬠Her face was alight with this new idea. I hated turning her downâ⬠¦ but my principles on this matter were too strong. It was everything Iââ¬â¢d been raised to believe. ââ¬Å"I think itââ¬â¢s a waste of time,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"We know spirit has to be involved, and I have no connection to that.â⬠ââ¬Å"I do think it would be helpful,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Please.â⬠Helpful? From her point of view, yes. She wanted to rule out every possibility. But my blood had nothing to do with Strigoi conversions. It couldnââ¬â¢t. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢d rather not.â⬠A tame response, considering the emotions churning inside me. My heart was starting to race, and the walls were still closing in on me. My anxiety increased as I was visited by an old feeling, the awful realization that I was outnumbered here at Clarenceââ¬â¢s. That it was me and a roomful of vampires and dhampirs. Unnatural creatures. Unnatural creatures who wanted my bloodâ⬠¦ Dimitri studied me curiously. ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t hurt, if thatââ¬â¢s what youââ¬â¢re afraid of. We donââ¬â¢t need any more than what a doctor would take.â⬠I shook my head adamantly. ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Both Sonya and I have training in this sort of thing,â⬠he added, trying to reassure me. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t have to worry about ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"She said no, okay?â⬠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 Iââ¬â¢d never seen before: anger. They were like emerald fire. ââ¬Å"How many times does she have to refuse?â⬠Adrian demanded. ââ¬Å"If she doesnââ¬â¢t want to, then thatââ¬â¢s all there is to it. This has nothing to do with her. This is our science project. Sheââ¬â¢s here to protect Jill and has plenty to do there. So stop harassing her already!â⬠ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËHarassingââ¬â¢ is kind of a strong word,â⬠Dimitri said, calm in the face of Adrianââ¬â¢s outburst. ââ¬Å"Not when you keep pushing someone who wants to be left alone,â⬠countered Adrian. He shot me a concerned look before fixing his anger back on Sonya and Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Stop ganging up on her.â⬠Sonya glanced uncertainly between us. She looked legitimately hurt. As astute as she was, I donââ¬â¢t think sheââ¬â¢d realized how much this bothered me. ââ¬Å"Adrianâ⬠¦ Sydneyâ⬠¦ we arenââ¬â¢t trying to upset anyone. We just really want to get to the bottom of this. I thought all of you did too. Sydneyââ¬â¢s always been so supportive.â⬠ââ¬Å"It doesnââ¬â¢t matter,â⬠growled Adrian. ââ¬Å"Take Eddieââ¬â¢s blood. Take Belikovââ¬â¢s blood. Take your own for all I care. But if she doesnââ¬â¢t want to give hers, then thatââ¬â¢s all there is to it. She said no. This conversation is done.â⬠Some distant part of me noticed that this was the first time Iââ¬â¢d ever seen Adrian stand up to Dimitri. Usually, Adrian simply tried to ignore the other man ââ¬â and hoped to be ignored in return. ââ¬Å"But ââ¬â â⬠began Sonya. ââ¬Å"Let it go,â⬠said Dimitri. His expression was always difficult to read, but there was a gentleness in his voice. ââ¬Å"Adrianââ¬â¢s right.â⬠Unsurprisingly, the room was a little tense after that. There were a few halting attempts at small talk that I hardly noticed. My heart was still in overtime, my breath still coming fast. I worked hard to calm down, reassuring myself that the conversation was done, that Sonya and Dimitri werenââ¬â¢t going to interrogate me or forcibly drain my blood. I dared a peek at Adrian. He no longer looked angry, but there was still a fierceness there. It was almostâ⬠¦ protective. A strange, warm feeling swirled in my chest, and for a brief moment, when I looked at him, I sawâ⬠¦ safety. That wasnââ¬â¢t usually the first sentiment I had around him. I shot him what I hoped was a grateful look. He gave me a small nod in return. He knows, I realized. He knows how I feel about vampires. Of course, everyone knew. Alchemists made no secret about how we believed most vampires and dhampirs were dark creatures who had no business interacting with humans. Because I was with them so often, however, I didnââ¬â¢t think my cohort here in Palm Springs really understood how deeply that belief ran. They understood it in theory but didnââ¬â¢t really feel it. They had no reason to since they hardly ever saw any evidence of it in me. But Adrian understood. I didnââ¬â¢t know how, but he did. I thought back on the handful of times Iââ¬â¢d freaked out around them since being in Palm Springs. Once had been at a mini-golf course when Jill had used her water magic. Another time had been with the Strigoi and Lee, when Adrian had offered to heal me with his magic. Those were small lapses of control for me, ones none of the others had even noticed. Adrian had. How was it that Adrian Ivashkov, who never seemed to take anything seriously, was the only one among these ââ¬Å"responsibleâ⬠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? When the time came to leave, I drove Adrian home along with the rest of us Amberwood students. More silence persisted in the car. Once Adrian had been dropped off, Eddie relaxed and shook his head. ââ¬Å"Man. I donââ¬â¢t think Iââ¬â¢ve ever seen Adrian so mad. Actually, Iââ¬â¢ve never seen Adrian mad at all.â⬠ââ¬Å"He wasnââ¬â¢t that mad,â⬠I said evasively, eyes on the road. ââ¬Å"He seemed pretty mad to me,â⬠said Angeline. ââ¬Å"I thought he was going to jump up and attack Dimitri.â⬠Eddie scoffed. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think it was going to quite reach that point.â⬠ââ¬Å"I dunno,â⬠she mused. ââ¬Å"I think he was ready to take on anyone who messed with you, Sydney.â⬠I continued staring ahead, refusing to look at any of them. The whole encounter had left me feeling confused. Why had Adrian protected me? ââ¬Å"I offered to do him a favor next weekend,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I think he feels like he owes me.â⬠Jill, sitting beside me in the passenger seat, had been quiet thus far. With the bond, she might know the answer. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠she said, a puzzled note in her voice. ââ¬Å"He would have done it for you regardless.â⬠How to cite The Golden Lily Chapter 6, Essay examples
The Golden Lily Chapter 6 Free Essays
ââ¬Å"YOU SHOOK HIS HAND?â⬠Adrian asked incredulously. I shot an accusing look at Eddie and Angeline. ââ¬Å"Is nothing private around here?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Angeline, as bluntly honest as ever. We will write a custom essay sample on The Golden Lily Chapter 6 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Eddie actually chuckled. It was a rare moment of camaraderie between them. ââ¬Å"Was it supposed to be a secret?â⬠he asked. We were over at Clarence Donahueââ¬â¢s house for Jill and Adrianââ¬â¢s biweekly blood feedings. Jill was off right now with Clarenceââ¬â¢s human housekeeper, Dorothy, who doubled as his feeder. I could take a lot of Moroi things in stride now, but drinking blood ââ¬â human blood ââ¬â made me shudder every time. My best coping mechanism was trying to forget why we were here. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I admitted. Julia and Kristin had grilled me for date details a couple of days ago, so Iââ¬â¢d given them some. I supposed I had to accept that once I told them anything, it would inevitably get back to everyone in the world. No doubt my Amberwood family had then passed it on to Adrian. ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠Adrian was still hung up on the end of my date. ââ¬Å"His hand?â⬠I sighed and sank back into a sleek leather sofa. Clarenceââ¬â¢s house always reminded me of some stereotypical haunted manor from the outside ââ¬â but inside it was modern and well furnished. ââ¬Å"Look, it just happened ââ¬â okay, you know what? Never mind. This is none of your business. Just let it go.â⬠But something in Adrianââ¬â¢s expression told me he would not, in fact, be letting it go anytime soon. ââ¬Å"With all that red-hot passion, itââ¬â¢s a wonder you guys can stay away from each other,â⬠said Adrian, deadpan. ââ¬Å"Is there going to be a second date?â⬠Eddie and Angeline looked at me expectantly. I hesitated. This was information I hadnââ¬â¢t given up to Julia and Kristin, largely because it had only just been arranged. ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠I said at last. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re going on a, um, windmill tour later this week.â⬠If Iââ¬â¢d wanted to shut them all up, Iââ¬â¢d definitely succeeded. They all looked stunned. Adrian spoke first. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m going to assume that means heââ¬â¢s flying you to Amsterdam on his private jet. If so, Iââ¬â¢d like to come along. But not for the windmills.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a huge windmill farm north of Palm Springs,â⬠I explained. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s one of the only ones in the world that does public tours.â⬠More blank looks. ââ¬Å"Wind energy is a powerful renewable resource that could have a huge impact on our countryââ¬â¢s future!â⬠I said in exasperation. ââ¬Å"This is a cool thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËCool,'â⬠said Adrian. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËWind.ââ¬â¢ I see what you did there, Sage. Pretty clever.â⬠ââ¬Å"It wasnââ¬â¢t meant to be a ââ¬â ââ¬Å" The sitting roomââ¬â¢s stained glass French doors opened, and Dimitri and Sonya entered with our host Clarence in tow. I hadnââ¬â¢t seen him since I arrived and gave him a polite smile, glad for the distraction from my so-called love life. ââ¬Å"Hello, Mr. Donahue,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s nice to see you again.â⬠ââ¬Å"Eh?â⬠The elderly Moroi man squinted in my direction, and after a few moments, recognition lit his features. He had white hair and always dressed as though he were at a formal dinner party from about fifty years ago. ââ¬Å"There you are. Glad you could stop by, my dear. What brings you over?â⬠ââ¬Å"Jillââ¬â¢s feeding, sir.â⬠We did this two times every week, but Clarenceââ¬â¢s mind wasnââ¬â¢t quite what it used to be. Heââ¬â¢d been pretty scattered since we first met, but the death of his son, Lee, had seemed to push the old man even farther over the edge ââ¬â particularly since he didnââ¬â¢t seem to believe it. Weââ¬â¢d told him gently ââ¬â a number of times ââ¬â that Lee had died, leaving out the Strigoi part. Each time we did, Clarence insisted Lee was just ââ¬Å"away right nowâ⬠and would be back. Scattered or not, Clarence was always kind and relatively harmless ââ¬â for a vampire, of course. ââ¬Å"Ah, yes, naturally.â⬠He settled into his massive armchair and then glanced back toward Dimitri and Sonya. ââ¬Å"So youââ¬â¢ll be able to fix the window locks?â⬠There had apparently been some other discussion going on before they joined us. Dimitri seemed to be trying to find a nice way to respond. He was as amazing to look at as ever, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, with a long leather duster over it all. How anyone could survive wearing a coat like that in Palm Springs was beyond me, but if anyone could, I supposed it was him. Usually he only wore it inside, but sometimes, Iââ¬â¢d see it outside too. Iââ¬â¢d mentioned this odd wardrobe choice to Adrian a couple of weeks ago: ââ¬Å"Isnââ¬â¢t Dimitri hot?â⬠Adrianââ¬â¢s response hadnââ¬â¢t been entirely unexpected: ââ¬Å"Well, yeah, according to most women, at least.â⬠Dimitriââ¬â¢s face was the picture of politeness as he addressed Clarenceââ¬â¢s concerns. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t believe thereââ¬â¢s anything wrong with the ones you have,â⬠Dimitri said. ââ¬Å"Everything is sealed up pretty tightly.â⬠ââ¬Å"So it seems,â⬠said Clarence ominously. ââ¬Å"But you donââ¬â¢t know how resourceful they are. Iââ¬â¢m not behind the times, you know. I know there are all sorts of technologies out there that you can put in. Like lasers that tell you if someoneââ¬â¢s breaking in.â⬠Dimitri arched an eyebrow. ââ¬Å"You mean a security system?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, exactly,â⬠said Clarence. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢ll keep the hunters out.â⬠This turn in conversation wasnââ¬â¢t exactly a surprise to me. Clarenceââ¬â¢s paranoia had also increased recently ââ¬â and that was saying something. He lived in constant fear of what he claimed were vampire hunters, humans whoâ⬠¦ well, hunted vampires. For the longest time, heââ¬â¢d claimed they were responsible for his nieceââ¬â¢s death and that reports of her being killed by a Strigoi were incorrect. It turned out he was half-right. Her death hadnââ¬â¢t been the result of a Strigoi attack ââ¬â it had been caused by Lee, in a desperate attempt to change back from a Moroi to a Strigoi. Clarence refused to accept that, however, and persisted in his beliefs about the hunters. My assurances that the Alchemists had no records of any groups like that existing since the Middle Ages hadnââ¬â¢t gone very far. Consequently, Clarence was always making people do ââ¬Å"s ecurity checksâ⬠of his house. Since Sonya and Dimitri were actually staying with him throughout the experimentation, that tedious task often fell to them. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not really qualified to install a security system,â⬠said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Really? Thereââ¬â¢s something you canââ¬â¢t do?â⬠Adrianââ¬â¢s voice was so soft that I could barely hear him, and he was sitting right next to me. I doubted even the others, with their superior hearing, couldââ¬â¢ve made out his words. Why does he still let Dimitri get to him? I wondered. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢d have to call professionals,â⬠Dimitri continued to Clarence. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m guessing you wouldnââ¬â¢t want a bunch of strangers coming in and out of your house.â⬠Clarence frowned. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s true. Itââ¬â¢d be very easy for the hunters to infiltrate them.â⬠Dimitri was the picture of patience. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll do daily checks of all the doors and windows while Iââ¬â¢m here ââ¬â just to be sure.â⬠ââ¬Å"That would be wonderful,â⬠said Clarence, some of his tension easing. ââ¬Å"Admittedly, Iââ¬â¢m not really the huntersââ¬â¢ usual type. Not dangerous enough. Not anymore.â⬠He chuckled to himself. ââ¬Å"Still. You never know what could happen. Best to be safe.â⬠Sonya gave him a gentle smile. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sure everything will be fine. You have nothing to worry about.â⬠Clarence met her eyes, and after a few seconds, a smile slowly spread over his face as well. His rigid posture slackened. ââ¬Å"Yes, yes. Youââ¬â¢re right. Nothing to worry about.â⬠I shivered. Iââ¬â¢d been around Moroi enough to know what had happened. Sonya had just used compulsion ââ¬â only a whisper of it ââ¬â to calm Clarence. Compulsion, the ability to force your will on others, was a skill all Moroi possessed to varying degrees. Spirit users were the strongest, rivaling Strigoi. Using compulsion on others was taboo among the Moroi, and there were serious consequences for those who abused it. I was guessing Moroi authorities would overlook her soothing a nervous old man, but the small act still unsettled me. Compulsion in particular had always struck me as one of the most insidious Moroi powers. And had Sonya really needed to use it? She was already so kind and soothing. Wouldnââ¬â¢t that be enough for Clarence? Sometimes I wondered if they just used magic for the sake of doing so. Sometimes I wondered if it was being used around meâ⬠¦ without me even knowing. Clarenceââ¬â¢s talk of vampire hunters always triggered a mix of amusement and unease around everyone. With him pacified (even if I didnââ¬â¢t like the means), we were all able to relax a little bit. Sonya leaned back against the loveseat, drinking some fruity drink that looked perfect on a hot day like this. From her dirty clothes and haphazard hairstyling, I was willing to bet sheââ¬â¢d been outside ââ¬â not that she still didnââ¬â¢t look beautiful. Most Moroi avoided this kind of intense sun, but her love of plants was so great that sheââ¬â¢d been risking it to work on some of the ailing flowers in Clarenceââ¬â¢s garden. Heavy sunscreen could work wonders. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not going to be around much longer,â⬠she told us. ââ¬Å"A few more weeks at most. I need to go back and work on some wedding plans with Mikhail.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whenââ¬â¢s the big day again?â⬠Adrian asked. She smiled. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s in December.â⬠That surprised me until she added, ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a huge, tropical greenhouse near the Court that weââ¬â¢re going to use. Itââ¬â¢s gorgeous ââ¬â not that it matters. Mikhail and I could be married anywhere. All that counts is that weââ¬â¢re together. Of course, if weââ¬â¢re able to choose, then why not go all out?â⬠Even I smiled at that. Leave it to Sonya to find a spot of green in the middle of a Pennsylvania winter. ââ¬Å"Dimitri may stay on,â⬠she continued. ââ¬Å"But itââ¬â¢d be great if we could make some kind of progress before I go. The aura tests so far have beenâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Useless?â⬠suggested Adrian. ââ¬Å"I was going to say inconclusive,â⬠she replied. Adrian shook his head. ââ¬Å"So all that time we spent was wasted?â⬠Sonya didnââ¬â¢t answer and instead took another sip of her drink. I was willing to bet it was non-alcoholic ââ¬â she didnââ¬â¢t self-medicate the way Adrian did ââ¬â and that Dorothy could make me one if I wanted. Yet, I was also willing to bet it was terrible for me. Maybe Iââ¬â¢d see if there was any Diet Coke in the kitchen. Sonya leaned forward, an eager glint in her eye. ââ¬Å"Dimitri and I were talking and realized thereââ¬â¢s something obvious weââ¬â¢ve been missing. Actually, I should say avoiding, but not pursuing it would be a waste.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s that?â⬠asked Adrian. ââ¬Å"Blood,â⬠said Dimitri. I winced. I didnââ¬â¢t like it when this topic came up. It reminded me of exactly what kind of people I was with. ââ¬Å"Obviously, thereââ¬â¢s something about restored Strigoi that protects them ââ¬â us,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve looked for magical signs, but the answer might be more physical. And from the report I read, the Strigoi had trouble drinking ll ââ¬â his blood.â⬠Dimitri had been about to say Lee, but had amended his choice out of respect for Clarence. The old manââ¬â¢s dazed, happy look made it hard to tell if he understood what we were discussing at all. ââ¬Å"They complained about it,â⬠I agreed. ââ¬Å"But that didnââ¬â¢t seem to stop them from drinking it.â⬠Strigoi could be forcibly created if a Strigoi drained a victimââ¬â¢s blood and then fed Strigoi blood back to him or her. Lee had asked Strigoi to do this for him, but all draining him had achieved was death. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢d like to take a sample of Dimitriââ¬â¢s blood and then compare it to yours, Eddie,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"Blood can hold all sorts of magical properties, which might show us how to fight Strigoi.â⬠I kept my face as blank as possible, praying no one would notice me. Blood can hold all sorts of magical properties. Hopefully, in all this talk, no one would recall the mystery of why my blood was inexplicably revolting to Strigoi. And really, why should they? Iââ¬â¢d never been restored. I wasnââ¬â¢t a dhampir. There was no reason at all theyââ¬â¢d want me in these experiments. And yet, if that was true, why was I suddenly sweating? ââ¬Å"We can send it to a lab for the chemical part and try to read any magical properties off it too,â⬠Sonya continued. She sounded apologetic, but Eddie didnââ¬â¢t look concerned. ââ¬Å"No problem,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Whatever you need.â⬠He meant it too, I knew. Losing blood was a million times easier for him than being inactive. Besides, he probably lost more blood in daily practice than heââ¬â¢d even need to give up for this experiment. ââ¬Å"If you need another dhampir,â⬠said Angeline. ââ¬Å"You can use me too. Me and Eddie could help you. Weââ¬â¢d be a team. Sydney wouldnââ¬â¢t have to keep coming along, especially now that sheââ¬â¢s got a boyfriend.â⬠There were so many things wrong with that, I didnââ¬â¢t know where to start. The confidence Eddie had shown over giving blood vanished at ââ¬Å"weââ¬â¢d be a team.â⬠ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll consider it,â⬠said Sonya. There was a sparkle in her eye, and I remembered her saying she could see affection in auras. Could she detect Angelineââ¬â¢s crush? ââ¬Å"For now, Iââ¬â¢d rather not take you away from your schoolwork. Itââ¬â¢s less important for Eddie since heââ¬â¢s already graduated, but you should keep up with it.â⬠Angeline looked unhappy about that. Sheââ¬â¢d had a number of difficulties with her classes, not to mention some outright embarrassments ââ¬â like when sheââ¬â¢d been asked to create a map of Central America and had shown up with one of Nebraska and Kansas. She put on a cocky face, but I knew Amberwood overwhelmed her sometimes. Jill joined us, looking bright and refreshed. Ideally, Moroi drank blood every day. They could survive on this twice-a-week schedule, but Iââ¬â¢d noticed that Jill grew tired and rundown the farther she got from feedings. ââ¬Å"Your turn, Adrian,â⬠she said. He was yawning and looked startled at being noticed. I donââ¬â¢t think heââ¬â¢d really been interested in Sonyaââ¬â¢s blood experiments. As he stood up, he glanced over at me. ââ¬Å"Will you walk with me a sec, Sage?â⬠Before I could even lodge my protest, he said, ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t worry, Iââ¬â¢m not taking you to the feeding. I just want to ask you a quick question.â⬠I nodded and followed him out of the room. As soon as we were away from the others, I said, ââ¬Å"I do not want to hear any more ââ¬Ëwittyââ¬â¢ commentary on Brayden.â⬠ââ¬Å"My commentaryââ¬â¢s hilarious, not witty. But thatââ¬â¢s not what I wanted to talk about.â⬠He came to a halt in the hallway, outside what I suspected was Dorothyââ¬â¢s room. ââ¬Å"So, it seems my old manââ¬â¢s coming to San Diego on business next weekend.â⬠I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms, already getting a bad feeling about this. ââ¬Å"He doesnââ¬â¢t know why Iââ¬â¢m here, of course, or that Iââ¬â¢m with Jill. He doesnââ¬â¢t even know what city Iââ¬â¢m in. He just thinks Iââ¬â¢m partying in California, up to no good as usual.â⬠I wasnââ¬â¢t surprised that Mr. Ivashkov wouldnââ¬â¢t know the true reason for Adrian being here. Jillââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"resurrectionâ⬠was top secret, as were her whereabouts. We couldnââ¬â¢t risk any extra people ââ¬â not even someone who might not mean her harm ââ¬â finding out where she was. What did surprise me was that Adrian was working so hard to act like he didnââ¬â¢t care what his father thought ââ¬â but he obviously did. Adrianââ¬â¢s face was convincing, but there was a note of bitterness in his voice that gave him away. ââ¬Å"Anyway,â⬠Adrian continued, ââ¬Å"he said heââ¬â¢d meet me for lunch if I wanted. Normally, Iââ¬â¢d blow it offâ⬠¦ but Iââ¬â¢d kind of like to know whatââ¬â¢s going on with my mom ââ¬â they never tell me when I call or e-mail.â⬠Again, I picked up mixed emotions from him. Adrianââ¬â¢s mother was serving time in a Moroi prison for crimes of intrigue. You wouldnââ¬â¢t know it by his cocky attitude and sense of humor, but it must have been hard on him. ââ¬Å"Let me guess,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You want to borrow my car.â⬠I was sympathetic to those with difficult fathers, even Adrian. But my compassion only went so far and didnââ¬â¢t extend to Latte. I couldnââ¬â¢t risk any dents. Besides, the idea of being stuck without any way to get around scared me, especially when vampires were involved. ââ¬Å"No way,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"I know better than that.â⬠He did? ââ¬Å"Then what do you want?â⬠I asked, surprised. ââ¬Å"I was hoping youââ¬â¢d drive me.â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"Adrian, it takes two hours to get there.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s pretty much a straight shot down the highway,â⬠he pointed out. ââ¬Å"And I figured youââ¬â¢d drive a four-hour round-trip before giving up your car to someone else.â⬠I eyed him. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s true.â⬠He took a step closer, a disconcertingly earnest expression all over his face. ââ¬Å"Please, Sage. I know itââ¬â¢s a lot to ask, so Iââ¬â¢m not even going to pretend youââ¬â¢d benefit. I mean, you can spend the day in San Diego doing whatever you want. Itââ¬â¢s not the same as going to see solar panels or whatever with Brady, but Iââ¬â¢d owe you ââ¬â literally and figuratively. Iââ¬â¢ll pay you gas money.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s Brayden, and where in the world would you get gas money?â⬠Adrian lived on a very tight allowance his father gave him. It was part of why Adrian was taking college classes, in the hopes that heââ¬â¢d get financial aid next semester and have a bit more of an income. I admired that, though if we were all actually still in Palm Springs come January, itââ¬â¢d mean the Moroi had some serious political problems. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢d cut back on things to come up with the extra money,â⬠he said after a few moments of hesitation. I didnââ¬â¢t bother hiding my surprise. ââ¬Å"Thingsâ⬠most likely meant alcohol and cigarettes, which was where his meager allowance usually went. ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢d give up drinking to go see your dad?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, not permanently,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢d be ridiculous. But maybe I could switch to something slightly cheaper for a while. Likeâ⬠¦ slushes. Do you know how much I love those? Cherry, especially.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, no,â⬠I said. Adrian was easily distractible by wacky topics and shiny objects. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re pure sugar.â⬠ââ¬Å"Pure deliciousness, you mean. I havenââ¬â¢t had a good one in ages.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re getting off topic,â⬠I pointed out. ââ¬Å"Oh. Right. Well, whether I have to go on a slush-based diet or whatever, youââ¬â¢ll get your money. And thatââ¬â¢s the other reasonâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢m kind of hoping the old man might agree to up my income. You probably donââ¬â¢t believe it, but I hate always borrowing from you. Itââ¬â¢s easy for my dad to dodge phone calls, but face-to-face? He canââ¬â¢t escape. Plus, he thinks itââ¬â¢s more ââ¬Ëmanlyââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ërespectableââ¬â¢ to ask for something directly. Classic Nathan Ivashkov honor.â⬠Once again, the bitterness. Maybe a little anger. I studied Adrian for a long time as I thought about my next response. The hall was dim, giving him the advantage. He could probably see me perfectly while some details were more difficult for me. Those green, green eyes I so often admired in spite of myself simply looked dark now. The pain on his face, however, was all too apparent. He hadnââ¬â¢t yet learned to hide his feelings from Jill and the bond, but I knew he kept that lazy, devil-may-care attitude on for the rest of the world ââ¬â well, for everyone except me lately. This wasnââ¬â¢t the first time Iââ¬â¢d seen him vulnerable, and it seemed weird to me that I, of all people, was the one he kept baring his emotions to. Or was it weird? Maybe this was just my social ineptitude confusing me again. Regardless, it pulled at something within me. ââ¬Å"Is that really what this is about? The money?â⬠I asked, tucking my other questions aside. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t like him. There has to be something more here.â⬠ââ¬Å"The moneyââ¬â¢s a big part. But I meant what I said earlierâ⬠¦ about my mom. I need to know how she is, and he wonââ¬â¢t tell me about her. Honestly, I think he just wants to pretend it never happened ââ¬â either for that reputation of his or maybeâ⬠¦ maybe because it hurts him. I donââ¬â¢t know, but like I said, he canââ¬â¢t dodge if Iââ¬â¢m right there. Plusâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Adrian glanced away a moment before mustering the courage to meet my eyes again. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know. Itââ¬â¢s stupid. But I thoughtâ⬠¦ well, maybe heââ¬â¢d be impressed that I was sticking to college this time. Probably not, though.â⬠My heart ached for him, and I suspected that last part ââ¬â earning his dadââ¬â¢s approval ââ¬â was bigger than Adrian was letting on. I knew all about what it was like to have a father who continually judged, whom nothing was ever good enough for. I understood as well the warring emotionsâ⬠¦ how one day you could say you didnââ¬â¢t care, yet be yearning for approval the next. And I certainly understood motherly attachment. One of the hardest parts of being in Palm Springs was the distance from my mom and sisters. ââ¬Å"Why me?â⬠I blurted out. I hadnââ¬â¢t meant to touch on those earlier questions, but I suddenly couldnââ¬â¢t help myself. There was too much tension here, too much emotion. ââ¬Å"You couldââ¬â¢ve asked Sonya or Dimitri to drive you. They probably wouldââ¬â¢ve even let you borrow their rental car.â⬠The ghost of a smile flashed across Adrianââ¬â¢s face. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know about that. And I think you know why I donââ¬â¢t want to risk being trapped in a car with our Russian friend. As for the restâ⬠¦ I donââ¬â¢t know, Sage. Thereââ¬â¢s something about youâ⬠¦ you donââ¬â¢t judge like the others. I mean, you do. Youââ¬â¢re more judgmental than any of them in some ways. But thereââ¬â¢s an honesty to it. I feelâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ The smile left his face as he faltered for words. ââ¬Å"Comfortable around you, I guess.â⬠There was no way I could stand against that, though I find it ironic he was allegedly most comfortable around me when Moroi gave me panic attacks half the time. You donââ¬â¢t have to help, an inner voice warned me. You donââ¬â¢t owe him anything. You donââ¬â¢t owe any Moroi anything that isnââ¬â¢t absolutely necessary. Have you forgotten Keith? This isnââ¬â¢t a part of your job. The bunker came back to me, and I recalled how one vampire deal had landed Keith in Reeducation. How much worse was I? Social interaction was an inevitable part of this assignment, but I was blurring all the lines around it again. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll do it. E-mail me what time you need to leave.â⬠Thatââ¬â¢s when the funniest part came. He looked totally floored. ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t help but laugh. ââ¬Å"You gave me that whole pitch and didnââ¬â¢t really think Iââ¬â¢d agree, did you?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠he admitted, still clearly amazed. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t always tell with you. I cheat with people, you know. I mean, Iââ¬â¢m good at reading faces, but I pick up a lot from auras and act like I just have amazing insight. I havenââ¬â¢t learned to totally understand humans, though. Youââ¬â¢ve got the same colors but a different feel.â⬠Auras didnââ¬â¢t weird me out as much as other vampire magic, but I still wasnââ¬â¢t entirely comfortable with them. ââ¬Å"What color is mine?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yellow, of course.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course?â⬠ââ¬Å"Smart, analytic types usually have yellow. Youââ¬â¢ve got a little purple here and there, though.â⬠Even in the dimness, I could see a mischievous spark in his eyes. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what makes you interesting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s purple mean?â⬠Adrian put his hand on the door. ââ¬Å"Gotta go, Sage. Donââ¬â¢t want to keep Dorothy waiting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Come on. Tell me what purple is.â⬠I was so curious, I nearly grabbed his arm. He turned the knob. ââ¬Å"I will if you want to join us.â⬠ââ¬Å"Adrian ââ¬â ââ¬Å" Laughing, he disappeared inside the room and shut the door. With a shake of my head, I started to return to the others and then decided to seek out my Diet Coke after all. I lingered with it in the kitchen for a while, leaning against the granite countertops and staring absentmindedly at the brilliant copper pots hanging from the ceiling. Why had I agreed to drive Adrian? What was it about him that managed to crack all the propriety and logic I built my life around? I understood why I often had a soft spot for Jill. She reminded me of my younger sister, Zoe. But Adrian? He wasnââ¬â¢t like anyone I knew. In fact, I was fairly certain there was no one in the entire world quite like Adrian Ivashkov. I delayed so long that when I returned to the living room, Adrian was on his way back too. I sat down on the couch, nursing the last of my Diet Coke. Sonya brightened upon seeing me. ââ¬Å"Sydney, we just had a wonderful idea.â⬠Maybe I wasnââ¬â¢t always the quickest in picking up social cues, but I did notice this wonderful idea was addressed to me, and not Adrian and me. ââ¬Å"We were just talking about the reports from the night of theâ⬠¦ incident.â⬠She gave Clarence a meaningful look, and I nodded in understanding. ââ¬Å"Both the Moroi and the Alchemists said the Strigoi had trouble with your blood too, correct?â⬠I stiffened, not liking this at all. It was a conversation Iââ¬â¢d lived in fear of. The Strigoi whoââ¬â¢d killed Lee hadnââ¬â¢t just had ââ¬Å"troubleâ⬠with my blood. Leeââ¬â¢s had tasted strange to them. Mine had been disgusting. The one whoââ¬â¢d tried to drink from me hadnââ¬â¢t been able to tolerate it at all. Sheââ¬â¢d even spit it out. ââ¬Å"Yesâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I said carefully. ââ¬Å"Obviously, youââ¬â¢re not a restored Strigoi,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"But weââ¬â¢d like to take a look at your blood too. Maybe thereââ¬â¢s something about it that could help us. A small sample should suffice.â⬠All eyes were on me, even Clarenceââ¬â¢s. The room started to close in as a familiar panic filled me. I had thought a lot about why the Strigoi hadnââ¬â¢t liked my blood ââ¬â actually, Iââ¬â¢d tried to avoid thinking about it. I didnââ¬â¢t want to believe there was anything special about me. There couldnââ¬â¢t be. I didnââ¬â¢t want to attract anyoneââ¬â¢s attention. It was one thing to facilitate these experiments and another to actually be a subject. If they wanted me for one test, they might want me for something else. And then something else. Iââ¬â¢d end up locked away, poked and prodded. There was also the fact that I just didnââ¬â¢t want to give up my blood. It didnââ¬â¢t matter that I liked Sonya and Dimitri. It didnââ¬â¢t matter that the blood would be drawn with a needle, not teeth. The basic concept was still there, a taboo stemming from the most rudimentary of Alchemist beliefs: giving blood to vampires was wrong. It was my blood. Mine. No one ââ¬â especially vampires ââ¬â had any business with it. I swallowed, hoping I didnââ¬â¢t look like I wanted to bolt. ââ¬Å"It was only one Strigoiââ¬â¢s opinion. And you know they donââ¬â¢t like humans as well asâ⬠¦ you guys.â⬠That was part of why the Moroi lived in such fear and had seen their numbers reduced over time. They were the creme de la creme of Strigoi cuisine. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s probably all it was.â⬠ââ¬Å"Perhaps,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"But thereââ¬â¢s no harm done in checking.â⬠Her face was alight with this new idea. I hated turning her downâ⬠¦ but my principles on this matter were too strong. It was everything Iââ¬â¢d been raised to believe. ââ¬Å"I think itââ¬â¢s a waste of time,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"We know spirit has to be involved, and I have no connection to that.â⬠ââ¬Å"I do think it would be helpful,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Please.â⬠Helpful? From her point of view, yes. She wanted to rule out every possibility. But my blood had nothing to do with Strigoi conversions. It couldnââ¬â¢t. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢d rather not.â⬠A tame response, considering the emotions churning inside me. My heart was starting to race, and the walls were still closing in on me. My anxiety increased as I was visited by an old feeling, the awful realization that I was outnumbered here at Clarenceââ¬â¢s. That it was me and a roomful of vampires and dhampirs. Unnatural creatures. Unnatural creatures who wanted my bloodâ⬠¦ Dimitri studied me curiously. ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t hurt, if thatââ¬â¢s what youââ¬â¢re afraid of. We donââ¬â¢t need any more than what a doctor would take.â⬠I shook my head adamantly. ââ¬Å"No.â⬠ââ¬Å"Both Sonya and I have training in this sort of thing,â⬠he added, trying to reassure me. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t have to worry about ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"She said no, okay?â⬠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 Iââ¬â¢d never seen before: anger. They were like emerald fire. ââ¬Å"How many times does she have to refuse?â⬠Adrian demanded. ââ¬Å"If she doesnââ¬â¢t want to, then thatââ¬â¢s all there is to it. This has nothing to do with her. This is our science project. Sheââ¬â¢s here to protect Jill and has plenty to do there. So stop harassing her already!â⬠ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËHarassingââ¬â¢ is kind of a strong word,â⬠Dimitri said, calm in the face of Adrianââ¬â¢s outburst. ââ¬Å"Not when you keep pushing someone who wants to be left alone,â⬠countered Adrian. He shot me a concerned look before fixing his anger back on Sonya and Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Stop ganging up on her.â⬠Sonya glanced uncertainly between us. She looked legitimately hurt. As astute as she was, I donââ¬â¢t think sheââ¬â¢d realized how much this bothered me. ââ¬Å"Adrianâ⬠¦ Sydneyâ⬠¦ we arenââ¬â¢t trying to upset anyone. We just really want to get to the bottom of this. I thought all of you did too. Sydneyââ¬â¢s always been so supportive.â⬠ââ¬Å"It doesnââ¬â¢t matter,â⬠growled Adrian. ââ¬Å"Take Eddieââ¬â¢s blood. Take Belikovââ¬â¢s blood. Take your own for all I care. But if she doesnââ¬â¢t want to give hers, then thatââ¬â¢s all there is to it. She said no. This conversation is done.â⬠Some distant part of me noticed that this was the first time Iââ¬â¢d ever seen Adrian stand up to Dimitri. Usually, Adrian simply tried to ignore the other man ââ¬â and hoped to be ignored in return. ââ¬Å"But ââ¬â â⬠began Sonya. ââ¬Å"Let it go,â⬠said Dimitri. His expression was always difficult to read, but there was a gentleness in his voice. ââ¬Å"Adrianââ¬â¢s right.â⬠Unsurprisingly, the room was a little tense after that. There were a few halting attempts at small talk that I hardly noticed. My heart was still in overtime, my breath still coming fast. I worked hard to calm down, reassuring myself that the conversation was done, that Sonya and Dimitri werenââ¬â¢t going to interrogate me or forcibly drain my blood. I dared a peek at Adrian. He no longer looked angry, but there was still a fierceness there. It was almostâ⬠¦ protective. A strange, warm feeling swirled in my chest, and for a brief moment, when I looked at him, I sawâ⬠¦ safety. That wasnââ¬â¢t usually the first sentiment I had around him. I shot him what I hoped was a grateful look. He gave me a small nod in return. He knows, I realized. He knows how I feel about vampires. Of course, everyone knew. Alchemists made no secret about how we believed most vampires and dhampirs were dark creatures who had no business interacting with humans. Because I was with them so often, however, I didnââ¬â¢t think my cohort here in Palm Springs really understood how deeply that belief ran. They understood it in theory but didnââ¬â¢t really feel it. They had no reason to since they hardly ever saw any evidence of it in me. But Adrian understood. I didnââ¬â¢t know how, but he did. I thought back on the handful of times Iââ¬â¢d freaked out around them since being in Palm Springs. Once had been at a mini-golf course when Jill had used her water magic. Another time had been with the Strigoi and Lee, when Adrian had offered to heal me with his magic. Those were small lapses of control for me, ones none of the others had even noticed. Adrian had. How was it that Adrian Ivashkov, who never seemed to take anything seriously, was the only one among these ââ¬Å"responsibleâ⬠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? When the time came to leave, I drove Adrian home along with the rest of us Amberwood students. More silence persisted in the car. Once Adrian had been dropped off, Eddie relaxed and shook his head. ââ¬Å"Man. I donââ¬â¢t think Iââ¬â¢ve ever seen Adrian so mad. Actually, Iââ¬â¢ve never seen Adrian mad at all.â⬠ââ¬Å"He wasnââ¬â¢t that mad,â⬠I said evasively, eyes on the road. ââ¬Å"He seemed pretty mad to me,â⬠said Angeline. ââ¬Å"I thought he was going to jump up and attack Dimitri.â⬠Eddie scoffed. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think it was going to quite reach that point.â⬠ââ¬Å"I dunno,â⬠she mused. ââ¬Å"I think he was ready to take on anyone who messed with you, Sydney.â⬠I continued staring ahead, refusing to look at any of them. The whole encounter had left me feeling confused. Why had Adrian protected me? ââ¬Å"I offered to do him a favor next weekend,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I think he feels like he owes me.â⬠Jill, sitting beside me in the passenger seat, had been quiet thus far. With the bond, she might know the answer. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠she said, a puzzled note in her voice. ââ¬Å"He would have done it for you regardless.â⬠How to cite The Golden Lily Chapter 6, Essay examples
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