"It reminds me of some of the designs I saw in Russia,' I said.
Dimitri studied the pattern too. "Similar. But not quite the same.'
"It's the evolution of the culture,' said Sydney. She was tired but not enough to abandon textbook mode. "Traditional Russian patterns brought over and eventually fused with a typical Americana patchwork quilt form.'
Whoa. "Um, good to know.' The family had left us alone while they got ready for bed, and I eyed our cracked door warily. With the noise and activity out there, it seemed unlikely we'd be overheard, but I lowered my voice anyway. "Are you ready to explain who the hell these people are?'
She shrugged. "The Keepers.'
"Yeah, I got that. And we're the Tainted. Sounds like a better name for Strigoi.'
"No.' Sydney leaned back against the wooden wall. "Strigoi are the Lost. You're Tainted because you joined the modern world and left behind their backward ways for your own messed up customs.'
"Hey,' I retorted. "We're not the ones with overalls and banjos.'
"Rose,' chastised Dimitri, with a pointed look at the door. "Be careful. And besides, we only saw one person in overalls.'
"If it makes you feel better,' said Sydney, "I think your ways are better. Seeing humans mixing with all this ...' The pleasant and professional face she had shown to the Keepers was gone. Her blunt nature was back. "It's disgusting. No offense.'
"None taken,' I said with a shiver. "Trust me, I feel the same way. I can't believe ... I can't believe they live like that.'
She nodded, seeming grateful I shared her view. "I like you guys sticking with your own kind better. Except ...'
"Except what?' I prodded.
She looked sheepish. "Even if the people you come from don't marry humans, you do still interact with them and live in their cities. These guys don't.'
"Which Alchemists prefer,' guessed Dimitri. "You don't approve of this group's customs, but you do like having them conveniently stashed out of mainstream society.'
Sydney nodded. "The more vampires who stay off on their own in the woods, the better--even if their lifestyle is crazy. These guys keep to themselves--and keep others out.'
"Through hostile means?' I asked. We'd been met by a war party, and she'd expected it. All of them had been ready to fight: Moroi, dhampir, and human.
"Hopefully not too hostile,' she said evasively.
"They let you through,' said Dimitri. "They know the Alchemists. Why did Sarah ask about you bringing them things?'
"Because that's what we do,' she said. "Every so often for groups like these, we drop off supplies--food for everyone, medicine for the humans.' Again, I heard that derision in her voice, but then she turned uneasy. "The thing is, if Sarah's right, they could be due for an Alchemist visit. That would just be our luck to be here when that happens.' I was going to reassure her that we only needed to lie low a couple days when an earlier phrase tugged at me. "Wait. You said "groups like these.' How many of these commune things are out there?' I turned to Dimitri. "This isn't like the Alchemists, is it? Something only some of you know about that you're keeping from the rest of us?'
He shook his head. "I'm as astonished by all of this as you are.'
"Some of your leaders probably know about the Keepers in a vague way,' said Sydney. "But no details. No locations. These guys hide themselves pretty well and can move on a moment's notice. They stay away from your people. They don't like your people.'
I sighed. "Which is why they won't turn us in. And why they're so excited I might have killed Tatiana. Thanks for that, by the way.'
Sydney wasn't apologetic in the least. "It gets us protection. Such as it is.' She stifled a yawn. "But for now? I'm exhausted. I'm not going to be able to follow anyone's crazy plans--yours or Abe's--if I don't get some sleep.'
I'd known she was tired, but only now did the extent of it hit me. Sydney wasn't like us. We needed sleep but had the endurance to put it off if needed. She'd been up all night and forced into some situations that were definitely outside of her comfort zone. She looked like she could fall asleep against the wall then and there. I turned to Dimitri. He was already looking at me.
"Shifts?' I asked. I knew neither one of us would allow our group to stay unguarded in this place, even if we were allegedly queen-killing heroes.
He nodded. "You go first, and I'll--'
The door was flung open, and both Dimitri and I nearly leapt up to attack. A dhampir girl stood there, glaring at all of us. She was a couple years younger than me, about the age of my friend Jill Mastrano, a student back at St. Vladimir's who wanted to be a Moroi fighter. This girl looked like she did too, just by her stance alone. She possessed the strong, lean build most dhampirs had, her whole body braced like it might tackle any one of us. Her hair was stick-straight to her waist, a dark auburn that had picked up gold and copper highlights from the sun. She had the same blue eyes as Joshua.
"So,' she said. "You're the big heroes taking my room.'
"Angeline?' I guessed, remembering Joshua mentioning his sister.
She narrowed her eyes, not liking that I knew who she was. "Yes.' She studied me unflinchingly and didn't seem to approve of what she found. That sharp gaze flicked to Dimitri next. I expected a softening, expected her to fall prey to his good looks the way most women did. But, no. He received suspicion as well. Her attention turned back to me.
"I don't believe it,' she declared. "You're too soft. Too prim.'
Prim? Really? I didn't feel that way, not in my battle-scarred jeans and T-shirt. Looking at her attire, I could maybe understand the attitude, though. Her clothes were clean, but her jeans had been around a while, both knees worn to threads. The shirt was a plain, off-white tank top that had a homemade feel. I didn't know if it had originally been white. Maybe I was prim by comparison. Of course, if anyone deserved the title of prim, it would be Sydney. Her clothes would've passed at a business meeting, and she hadn't been in any fights or jail-breaks recently. Angeline hadn't even given her a second glance, though. I was getting the feeling Alchemists were in a strange category around here, a different type of human from the ones who intermarried with the Keepers. Alchemists brought supplies and left. They were almost a type of feeder to these people, really, which boggled the mind. The Keepers had more respect for the types of humans my culture looked down on.