Night World : Huntress Chapter 16

I am non, Claire utter.Yeah, you atomic number 18, Jez verbalize, still gently, as if humoring a child.I am not.You dont hitherto spot what it is. Jez looked at Hugh. You know what? I just realized something. TheWild Powers are entirely supposed to be born in the year of the blind Maidens vision, adjust?YeahWell, I was trying to figure that place all yesterday. And now, it just came to me, standardized that. She snappedher fingers. I was obligate in minding ab verboten visions equal prophecies, you know? But I think what it meant was vision,like sight. Eyesight. Aradia only had her eyesight for a year-and thats the year. Seventeen years ago.Hugh looked at Claire. And shes Seventeen.So what? Claire yelled. So are you So are lots of peckSo am I, Hugh said with a wry smile. But not e genuinelybody can stop a train with blue fire.I didnt stop anything, Claire said with passionate intensity. I dont know what a Wild Power is, but Ididnt do anything tolerate there. I was jus t lying there and I knew we were going to die-And then the blue light came and the train stopped, Jez said. You see?Claire shook her head. Hugh frowned and looked suddenly doubtful.But, Jez-what nigh the fire at the Marina? Claire wasnt there, was she?No. But she was watching it get on TV. And she was very, very upset ab forth it. Ive still got the scars.Hugh drew in a slow breath. His eyes were unfocused. And you think it swear outs across that distance?I dont know. I dont see why it shouldnt. They were talking around Claire again, Jez gazing into thedepths of the garage. I think maybe distance is irrelevant to it. I think what happens is that she seessomething, and if shes upset enough about it, if shes desperate enough and theres no physical demeanor to doanything, she just-sends out the Power.Its completely unconscious, then, Hugh said. And who knows, maybe shes d one(a) it out front.Jez straightened, excited. If its happening far away, and she doesnt see the flash, and sh e doesnt feelanything She turned on Claire. You didnt feel anything when you stopped the train? I didnt stop the train, Claire said, slowly and with shaky patience. And I didnt do anything about thatfire at the Marina, if thats what youre talking about.Claire, why are you in such total denial about this?Because its not the virtue. I know I didnt do anything, Jez. When you know, you know.Actually, I dont blame her, Hugh said. Its not a great job.Jez blinked, and then the truth swept over her. Her entire body went cold.Oh, Goddess Claire.Claires life as a normal person was over. She was going to have to desert everything, her family, herfriends, and go into hiding. From this point on, she would be one of the four most important people in theworld-the only of the four Wild Powers who was identified.Constantly hunted. Constantly in danger. Sought after by everyone in the Night World, for a hundreddifferent reasons.And Claire had no experience. She was so innocent. How was she suppose d to adjust to a life like that?Jez shut her eyes. Her knees were so vague that she had to sit down.Oh, Claire Im sorry.Claire gulped, staring at her. There was fear in her dark eyes.Hugh knelt. His expression was still and sad. Tm sorry, too, he said, harangue directly to Claire. I dontblame you at all for not wanting this. But for right now, I think wed better think about get yousomeplace safe.Claire now had the look of somebody after an earthquake. How could this happen to me? Why wasnt Ipaying attention before it hit?I have to go home, she said. But she said it very slowly, looking at Jez in fear.Jez shook her head. Claire-you cant I- She paused to gather herself, then spoke quietly and firmly.Home isnt safe anymore. There are going to be people looking for you-bad people. She glanced atHugh.He nodded. A werewolf tried to run me down with a car, then jumped me. I think he must havefollowed me from the station. I knocked him out, but I didnt kill him.And theres the vampire fr om the platform, Jez said. He got away-did he see the flash?He saw everything. We were two right there, looking down at you. After that, he took strike running. Imsure hes going back to report to whoever sent him.And theyll be putting everything they have on the streets, looking for us. Jez looked around the garage. We need transportation, Hugh.Hugh gave a tiny grin. Why do I have the feeling you dont mean a taxi?If youve got a pocketknife, I can hotwire a car. But we have to make sure nobodys around. The lastthing we need is the police.They twain stood up, Jez reaching down absent-mindedly to pull Claire to her feet.Claire whispered, Wait. Im not ready for tins-Jez braced herself to be merciless. Youre never going to be ready, Claire. Nobody is. But you have noidea what these people will do to you if they adventure you. You just have no idea.She located a Mustang across the garage. Thats a good one. Lets go.There was a loose brick in the wall near the car. Jez enwrapped it in her jacket and broke the window.It only took a moment to get the door open and another few seconds to start the car. And theneverybody was inside and Jez was pulling smoothly outTake Yanacio Boulevard to the freeway, Hugh said. Weve got to head south. Theres a safe house inFremont.But they never made it out of the garage.Jez saw the Volvo as she turned the first corner toward the exit It had its brights on and it was headingright for them. She twisted the wheel, trying to maneuver, but a Mustang wasnt a motorcycle. She didnthave room. She couldnt slip out and get away.The Volvo never even slowed down. And this time there was no blue light. There was a terrible crashingof coat on metal, and Jez fell into darkness.Everything hurt.Jez woke up slowly. For a long moment she had no idea where she was. Someplace-moving.She was being jolted and jarred, and that wasnt good, because she seemed to be bruised all over.Now, how had that happened ?She remembered.And sat up so fast that it made her head spin. She set in motion herself looking around the dim interior of a van.Dim because there were no real windows. The one in back had been covered from the outside with distribution channeltape, and only a little light came through at the top and bottom. No light came from the front. The driverscom break openment was closed off from the back by a metal wall.There were no seats in back, nothing at all to work with. Only three figures lying motionless on the floor.Claire. Hugh. And Morgead. Jez stared, crawling beforehand to look at each of them.Claire looked all right. She had been in the backseat with a seat belt on. Her face was very pale, but shedidnt seem to be bleeding and she was brisk evenly.Hugh looked worse. His right arm was twisted oddly under him. Jez touched it gently and determinedthat it was broken.And I dont have anything to set it with. And I think sbmething else is wrong with him-his breathingsraspy. in the long run she looked at Morgead.He looked great. He wasnt scraped or bruised or cut like the rest of them. The only injury she couldfind was a huge lump on his forehead.Even as she brushed his hair back from it, he stirred.His eyes opened and Jez found herself looking into dark emeralds.Jez He sat up, too fast. She pushed him back down. He struggled up again.Jez, what happened? Where are we?I was hoping you dexterity tell me that.He was looking around the van, catching up fast Like any vampire, he didnt stay groggy long.I got hit. With wood. Somebody got me when I left my apartment. He looked at her sharply. Are youokay?Yeah. I got hit with a car. But it could be worse it was almost a train.They were both looking around now, automatically in synch, searching for clues to their situation andways to get out They didnt have to question it The first order of business was always escape.Do you have any idea who hit you? Jez said, running her fingers over the back door. No handles, noway to get outNo. Pierce called to say hed come up with something on the Wild Power. I was going to meet himwhen suddenly I got attacked from behind. He was going over the metal barrier that separated themfrom the drivers cabin, but now he glanced at her. What do you mean, it was almost a train? zippo here. nonhing on the sides. This van is stripped.Nothing here, either. What do you mean, a train?Jez wiggled around to face him. You really dont know?He stared at her for a moment. Either he was a fantastic actor, or he was both innocent and outraged. You think I would do something to hurt you?Jez shrugged. Its happened in the past.He glared, seemed about to get into one of his Excited States. Then he shook his head. I have no ideawhats going on. And I would not try to hurt you.Then were both in trouble.He leaned back against the metal wall. I believe you there. He was silent for a moment, then said in anodd, deliberate tone, Its the Council, isnt it? They found out about Hunters deal with us, and theyremoving in.Jez opened her mouth, shut it. Opened it again.Probably, she said.She needed Morgead. Claire and Hugh werent fighters. And whoever had them was a formidableenemy.She didnt think it was the Council. The Council wouldnt use hired thugs it would work through theElders in San Francisco. And it would have no reason to kidnap Morgead the deal with Hunter Redferndidnt really exist.Whoever it really was had a good intelligence system,good enough to discover that Morgead knew something about the Wild Power. And had a lot ofmoney, because it had imported a lot of muscle. And had a sense of strategy, because the kidnappings ofJez and Claire and Hugh and Morgead had been beautifully timed and nicely executed.It might be some jack vampire or werewolf chieftain who wanted to grab power. It might be some rivalvampire gang in California. For all Jez knew, it might even be some insane faction of Circle Daybreak.The only thing that was certain was that she was going to have to fight them whenever this van got whereit wa s going, and that she needed all the help she could get.So it was important to lie to Morgead one last time, and hope that he would fight with her.She had to get Claire away safely.That was all that mattered. The world would survive without her and Morgead, and even without Hugh,although it would be a darker place. But it wouldnt survive without Claire.Whether its the Council or not, were going to have to fight them, she said out loud. Hows yourenergy-blast trick? The one you demonstrated when we were stick-fighting.He snorted. Not good. I used up all my Power fighting the guys who tackled me. Itll be a long timebefore I recharge.Jezs heart sank. Too bad, she said unemotionally. Because those two arent going to be able to domuch. Those humans? Who are they, by the way? His voice was so carefully careless again.Jez hesitated. If she said they were unimportant, he might not help her save them. But she couldnt tell thetruth, either.Thats Claire, and this is Hugh. Theyre-acquaintances. Theyve helped me in the past.Humans?Even humans can be useful sometimes.I intellection maybe one of them might be the Wild Power.You thought if I found the Wild Power I wouldnt tell you?It occurred to me.Youre so cynical, Morgead.I select to call it observant, he said. For instance, I can tell you something about your friend Hugh,there. I saw him in the city, just once, but I remember his face. Hes a damned Daybreaker.Jez felt a tension in her chest, but she kept her face expressionless. So maybe Im using him forsomething.And maybe, Morgead said, simply and pleasantly, youre using me.Jez lost her breath. She stared at him. His face was shadowed, but she could see its clean tines, thestrong but delicate features, the darkness of his eyebrows and the tension in his jaw. And she knew, ashe narrowed his eyes, that they were the color of glacier ice.You know, he said, theres still a connection between us. I can feel it, sort of like a cord between ourminds. It pulls. You cant deny it, Jez. Its there whether you like it or not. And- He considered, as ifthinking of the best way to put this. It tells me things. Things about you.Oh, hell, Jez thought. Its over. Im just going to have to protect Hugh and Claire myself. From him andwhoevers got us.Part of her was scared, but part was just furious, the familiar fury of needing to bash Morgead over thehead. He was so certain of himself, so smug.So whats it telling you now? she said sarcastically before she could stop herself.That youre not telling the truth. That theres something youre keeping from me, something youve beenkeeping from me. And that it has to do with him. He nodded toward Hugh.He knew. The jerk knew and he was just playing with her. Jez could feel self-control slip away.Something to do with why you want the Wild Power, Morgead went on, a strange smile playing on hislips. And with where youve been for the past year, and with why you suddenly want to protect humans.And why you say Goddess when youre surpris ed. No vampire says that. Its a witch thing. Goddess, Im going to kill him, Jez thought, clenching her teeth. Anything else? she said evenly.And with why youre scared of me reading your thoughts. He smirked. Told you I was observant.Jez lost it. Yeah, Morgead, youre brilliant. So are you smart enough to figure out what it all means? Orjust to get suspicious?It means- He looked uncertain suddenly, as if he hadnt exactly figured out where all this was leading.He frowned. It means that youre He looked at her. With Circle Daybreak.It came out as a statement, but a weak one. Almost a question. And he was staring at her with anI-dont-believe-it look.Very good, Jez said nastily. Two points. No, one it took you long enough.Morgead stared at her. Then he suddenly erupted out of his side of the van. Jez jumped forward, too, ina crouch that would let her move fluidly and protect Hugh and Claire.But Morgead didnt attack. He just tried to grab her shoulders and shake her.You little half-wit he yelled.Jez was startled. What?Youre a Daybreaker?I thought you had it all figured out. What was wrong with him? Instead of looking betrayed andbloodthirsty he looked scared and angry. Like a get whose kid has just run in front of a bus.I did-I guess-but I still cant believe it. Jez, why? Dont you know how nonsensical that is? Dont you realizewhats going to happen to them?Look, Morgead-Theyre going to lose, Jez. Its not just going to be the Council against them now. Everybody in theNight World is going to be gunning for them.Theyre going to get wiped out, and anybody who sides with them will be wiped out, too.His face was two inches from hers. Jez glared at him, refusing to give ground. Im not just siding withthem, she hissed. I am one of them. Im a damned Daybreaker.Youre a dead Daybreaker. I cant believe this. How am I supposed to protect you from the wholeNight World?She stared at him. What?He settled back, glaring, but not at her. He was looking around the van, avoiding her ey es. You heardme. I dont care who your friends are, Jez. I dont even care that you came back to use me. Im just gladyou came back. Were soulmates, and nothing can adjustment that. Then he shook his head furiously. Even if you wont admit it.Morgead Suddenly the ache in Jezs chest was too much to stay inside. It was closing off herthroat, making her eyes sting, trying to make her cry.She had misjudged Morgead, too. Shed been so sure that he would hate her, that he could neverforgive.But of course, he didnt know the whole truth yet.He probably thought that her being a Daybreaker was something she would grow out of. That it was justa matter of getting her to see the light and change sides again, and she would catch the old JezRedfern. He didnt realize that the old Jez Red-fern had been an illusion.Tm sorry, she said abruptly, helplessly. For all of this, Morgead-Im sorry. It really wasnt fair to youfor me to come back.He looked irritated. I told you Im glad you did. We can work things out-if youll just stop being sostubborn. Well get out of this-Even if we do get out of it, nothings going to change. She looked up at him. She wasnt frightened ofwhat he might do anymore. The only thing she was frightened of was seeing disgust in his eyes-but shestill had to tell him. I cant be your soulmate, Morgead.He hardly seemed to be listening to her. Yes, you can. I told you, I dont care who your friends are.Well keep you alive somehow. The only thing I dont understand is why youd want to ally yourself withstupid humans, when you know theyre going to lose.Jez looked at him. Morgead, the vampires vampire, whose only interest was in seeing the Night Worldconquer humanity completely. Who was what she had been a year ago, and what she could never beagain. Who thought of her as an ally, a descendent of one of the first families of the lamia.Who thought he loved who he thought she was.Jez kept looking at him steadily, and when she spoke, it was very quietly. And it was the truth.Be cause Im a human, she said.