SPOV

*Sunday morning*

I had failed miserably. I had been unable to stop Zoe from becoming an alchemist. Worse my attempts had turned me into a 'glory-seeking ambitious bitch' that didn't have a 'sisterly bone in her body' in Zoe's eyes. If only she knew the truth, but she was too eager to please dad, and too in awe of Keith to realize just how terrible a decision she had made.

Zoe was too young... too inexperienced to handle this on her own. Most alchemists started their internships at 18- Zoe was still woefully under-trained and underage for a real assignment. She had never even met a vampire before and now she would have to live with one under the pretence of being related to them.

I couldn't decide what was worse that she would be so outnumbered by the vampires or that her only source of help and guidance would be Keith. I have to do something! I wanted to go make sure nothing bad happened to her, but how was I to do that? I was suspended indefinitely from alchemist duties while they decided whether I needed to be reeducated or could be trusted again. That meant no resources: money, connections or the advanced technology that I took for granted while I worked.

Mom would be as upset as I was when she found out Zoe was gone, but for different reasons. Her anger would be for 'loosing' another daughter due to my father. Carly had left the day she turned 18 and was now in college. She kept in touch with mom but never visited home, she didn't want any reminder of her awful childhood. Dad had forbidden mom from visiting her, despite the fact that my mother had her own income to finance the trip. I had been forced into the alchemist life and shipped off to Russia when I was 18. Mom thought she would have at least a few more years with Zoe but now she had been indoctrinated into the alchemists at just 15- much younger than usual.

I snuck out of the house and into the copse of trees near the border of our property. The smell of pine soothed me a little, as did the fact that my father couldn't overhear the conversation I was about to have. It was 5 am but the situation was dire enough to wake her up. I had to call thrice before she finally answered annoyed but groggy "yeah?! Who is this? It's really early so this better be important!"

"It's me, Carly. Sorry for waking you up but it's about Zoe" I began.

"Is she ok?" She sounded much more alert and concerned now.

"No, she's been inked and sent off on a mission with Keith" I tried to keep my voice as calm and even as I could though I was close to tearing my hair out with frustration.

Carly took a sharp breath "What do you need me to do? Anything to keep her safe from that bastard!" She sounded shaky but determined.

"I need to go to where she is and keep an eye on things. But I need to make sure she doesn't find out, she hates me for trying to keep her 'away from the glory of being an alchemist'." Carly snorted, she understood the sacrifices the job entailed and how lonely and dangerous it could be. Zoe was too naive and too focused on pleasing dad to even consider that. "But I also need a way to get away from dad without suspicion and to stay off the alchemist radar since I am still on suspension."

Carly may not have become the alchemist but she had enough training to think like one when needed, with the state of mind I was in I needed all the help she could give me. "Ok, most important thing first: you will need to leave the house, dad avoids contact with mom's side of the family so you can't you say you want to go live with one of them" Good I hadn't thought of that. She continued, "And you will need a disguise so Zoe and Keith don't recognize you. A wig or dyed hair and colored contacts should do the trickā€¦ as long as no one sees you up close... and maybe some different clothes, your style screams 'alchemist' too much. But I still can't think of how to fool the alchemists."

"Yeah let's hold off on that for a bit. I will also need access to money and alchemist technology. Luckily I can still get into their database- they haven't canceled my account yet."

"Hmm yeah, those might be more difficult. Mom will help in any way she can for sure, but she doesn't have much money or influence either." Carly was starting to sound a bit discouraged.

"Umm I actually had an idea about that. I figured she could make a fuss about Zoe leaving to guilt dad into giving her money for our education. I am suspended so taking classes while I live with relatives would be plausible. It's a long shot but that should give me enough to start." with the right investments I will be set for as long as this mission takes. I was not skilled enough to make a killing like Warren Buffet on the stock market but I had enough statistical skills to come out on top... as long as mom could fleece the starter from dad.

Carly paused for a bit and said seriously, "Actually maybe you can take classes for real, I know it's something you've always wanted and it would give you a good cover. Protecting Zoe is important but you can't keep sacrificing yourself for us, Syd."

"Let's solve the remaining problems first and then I will think about college! I want to get to Zoe as soon as I can. I think I can manage the transport and the ID."

"So money, ID, transportation and alibi check. Alchemist technology will be difficult. Maybe you can buy some old fashioned spy equipment like the PIs use? Do you still have your kit? Stock it up from dad's stash he doesn't really use it anymore so he won't notice." The suggestion wasn't bad, but alchemist technology was decades ahead of even the most high tech merchandise in the market. Only super secret government agencies came a bit close to the level of the alchemists, not ideal but it was my best bet.

"Not a bad idea Carls. I know someone who can get me what I need." The alchemist tool box contained some serious chemicals that we sometimes resorted to fudge the memory of humans into thinking they didn't see the supernatural or suspended alchemists who needed spy gear.

"Good, seems we have most things sorted. Keep me updated on the situation." She seemed ready to get back to sleep despite her concern over me and Zoe. She was taking at least 3 different extra credit courses so she barely had time for sleep. I felt a little bad for adding to her worry and exhaustion. I hesitated but I needed to do this. "Carls wait... I know I promised... but we have to tell mom, she needs to know... Zoe is at risk. You know I wouldn't push you otherwise." This was the thing I really needed from Carly, I could have figured out the rest on my own, eventually.

There was a long silence, Carly sighed but her voice was barely above a whisper, "Get mom to call me. I will fill her in on our plans and her role in it." She paused and continued in a stronger voice "Go prepare, Syd. You have a lot to do still. I'm proud of you. You're the bravest and fiercest person I know. I don't think I would have made it this far without you." She hung up abruptly.