Night World : The Chosen Chapter 15

The sound of her own vocalisation sent Rashel spinning step to the fore of the light.It was as if she were emerging from deep water- from one world into another. Or as if she werere-entering her own body. For a moment everything was confusion, and Rashel wasnt sure of w present shewas or how she was positioned and thence she felt her arms and legs and power saw yellow light. Lamplight.She was in an upstairs room in a mansion on a private island, and Quinn was h former(a)ing her.They had somehow ended up on the floor, half kneeling, half supported by the w every, their arms around apiece other, Rashels head on his shoulder. She had no idea when hed stopped biting her. She also hadno idea how much time had passed.She coughed a little, shaken by what had just happened. That other place, with the light-it still line upmedmore real than the hard shiny boards of the floor underneath her and the white walls of the room. tho italso seemed encased in its own reality. Like a dream. She di dnt k without delay if they would ever be able to ca-caback thither again.Quinn? He was Quinn again. Not John.Yes.Do you know what happened? I mean, do you understand it?I work out, he utter, and his representative was gentle and precise, that sharing blood privy spike a telepathicbond. Ive always been able to block it out when I fed forwards, barely He didnt finish.But it happened that other time. Or something uniform it happened. When I first met you.Yes. Well. Well, I return its theres something called He gave up and resorted to nonverbalcommunication. on that points something called the soulmate principle. Ive neer believed in it. Ive laughed atpeople who talked about it. I would have bet my smell that-What is it, Quinn? Rashel had heard of it, too, especially recently. But it wasnt something from herworld, and she indirect requested a Night Person to explain.Its the idea that everyone has one and just one soul-mate in the world, and that if you find them, yourecog nize them immediately. And well, thats that.But its not supposed to happen between universe and Night People. Right?There are some people who think that it is happening-now-for some reason-especially between humansand Night People. The Redferns seem to be getting it in particular. There was a pause, then Quinn verbalisealoud, I should probably apologize to some of them, actually. He sounded bemused.Rashel sit down up, which was difficult. She didnt want to let go of Quinn. He kept h onetime(a) of her fingers, whichhelped a little.He looked more mussed than he had down near the wharf, his neat hair disordered, his eyeball large anddark and dazed. She met his gaze directly. You think were soulmates?Well. He blinked. Do you have a better explanation?No. She took a breath. Do you still want to energize me a vampire?He stared at her, and something flamed and then fell in pain in his eye. For an instant he looked as ifshed hit him-then all she could see was regret. Oh, Rashel In one motion he caught her and held her.His reckon was pressed to her hair. She could feel him breathing equivalent some stricken creature-and then shefelt him repossess control, grabbing discipline from somewhere, wrapping himself in it. He rested his chin onher head. Im sorry you have to ask that, moreover I understand. I dont want to make you a vampire. I want-I want you to be what you were two minutes ago. That happy, that idealistic. He sounded as if it were something that had been lost forever.But Rashel felt a fresh happiness, and a new confidence. He had changed. She could sense how much hehad changed already. They were in the real world, and he wasnt raving about needing to deplete her, or herneeding to kill him.I just wanted to be sure, she said. She tightened her own arms around him. I dont know whats goingto happen- just now as long as were good together, I think I can face it.I think we live or die together from now on, Quinn said simply.Yes, Rashel thought. She could still feel lingering trouble in Quinn, and confusion in herself, but theywere right together. She didnt need to doubt him anymore.They trusted each other.We have to do something about the people downstairs, she said.Yes.But we cant kill them.No. Theres been complete killing. It has to stop. Quinn sounded like a swimmer whod been tumbling ina riptide, and whose feet had finally found solid ground.Rashel sat up to look at him. But we cant just let them walk out of here. What if they try it again? Imean, whoever rig this bloodfeast up She suddenly realized that she had asked everybody else, butnot him. Quinn, who did set this up?He smiled, a faint echo of his old savage smile. Now it was grim and self-mocking. I dont know.You dont know?Some vampire who wanted to get the madevampires together. But Ive never met him. Lily was the go-between, but Im not sure she knows either.She besides spoke to him on the phone. Neither of us asked a lot of questions. We were doing it for themoney. H e said it flatly, not sparing himself.And to be rebellious, Rashel thought. To be as bad and as damned as possible, because you figured you readiness as well. She said, Whoever it is might just go somewhere else and find mortal else to get hisslaves for him. Those seven guys could be having a new bloodfeast next month.That has to be stopped, too, Quinn said. How to stop it without power, thats the question. Hisfingers were still tight on Rashels, but he was staring into the distance, lost in grim and competentthought.It was a new side of Quinn. Rashel had seen him in almost every mood from despairing to manic, but shehad never worked with him before. Now she realized that he was going to make a strong and resourcefulally. Suddenly Quinn seemed to focus.Ive got it, he said. He smiled suddenly, mocking but without the bitterness. When violence wontwork, theres no other choice but to try persuasion.Thats not funny.Its not meant to be.Youre going to say, recreate dont kill any more yo ung girls?Im going to say, Please dont kill any moreyoung girls or Ill report you to the Joint Council. Listen, Rashel. He took her by the arms, his eyesflashing with excitement. I have some ascendency in the Night World-Im the Redfern heir. And hunting watchRedfern has more. Between us, we can make all kinds of trouble for these made vampires. But Fayth-afriend of mine-said they were all so powerful. In the effectiveness of the moment, Rashel almost missed thefact that shed just called Fayth her friend.Quinn was shaking his head. No, you have to understand. These arent rogues, theyre Night Worldcitizens. And what theyre doing is completely illegal. You cant just kill a bunch of girls from one athletic fieldwithout permission. Slaverys illegal, bloodfeasts are illegal. And no matter how powerful they are, theycant stand up against the Night World Council. But-We threaten them with exposure to the Council. With exposure to Hunter Redfern-and to the vampire.The lamia will go craz y at the thought of made vampires getting together in some kind of alliance. Theylltake it as a threat of civil war.It might work, Rashel was thinking. The made vampires were just individuals-theyd be up against wholelamia families. Especially against the Redfern family, the oldest and most respected clanof vampires. Everybodys s bangd of Hunter Redfern, she said slowly.Hes got tremendous influence. He practically owns the Council. He could run them out of the NightWorld if he wanted. I think theyll listen.You really do think of him as a father, dont you? Rashel said, her voice soft. She searched Quinnseyes. Whatever you say about hating him-you respect him.Hes not as bad as most. He has honor, I guess. Usually.And hes a New Englander, Rashel thought. That means hes against vice. She considered anothermoment, then she nodded. Her heart was beating fast, but she could feel a smile breaking on her face.Lets try persuasion.They stood-and then they paused a moment, looking at each other . Were strong, Rashel thought. Wevegot unity. If anyone can do this, we can.She picked up her knife almost absent-mindedly. It was a piece of art, a valued possession, and shedidnt want to lose it. They walked down the stairs side by side. euphony was still blasting from the gathering room at the end ofthe hall. It hadnt been that long, Rashel realized. The whole world had changed since shed been in thishallway-but somehow it had all happened in minutes.Now, Quinn said silently before they went in. There shouldnt be any danger-/ dont think theyll bestupid enough to attack me-but be alert anyway.Rashel nodded. She felt cool and businesslike, and she thought she was perfectly rational. It was onlylater that she realized they had walked into the room like little lambs into the tigers lair, still dizzy andreeling from the discovery of love.Quinn went in first and she could hear voices stop as he did. then(prenominal) she was walking through the door,into that ruddy flickering room wit h shadows dancing on the walls.And there they were again, those handsome young guys who looked like a TV-series ensemble. Theywere looking at Quinn with discordant expressions of interest and surprise. When they saw her, theexpressions sharpened to pleasure and inquiry. Hey, Quinn Hi there, Quinn.So youve arrived at last. Youve kept us waiting long enough. That from the dark one who waslooking at his watch. Quinn said, Turn off the music. Someone went to a built-in mahogany cabinet andturned off an expensive stereo.Quinn was looking around the room, as if to appraise each of them. Campbell, he said, noddingslightly. Radhu. Azarius. Max.So youre the one who brought us here, Campbell said. He had rusty hair and a sleepy smile. Weveall been dying to find out.Whos that? someone else added, peering at Rashel. The first course?Quinn smiled fractionally, with a look that made the guy whod asked step backward. No, shes notthe first course, he said softly. In fact, unfortunately, all the co urses have disappeared.There was a silence. Everyone stared at him. indeed the guy with the silver-blond hair said, What?Theyve all-just-disappeared. Quinn made an expressive gesture. Escaped. Vanished.Another silence. Rashel didnt like this one. She was beginning to get an odd impression from the group,as if she were in a room, not with people, but with animals that had been kept past their feeding time.What the hell are you talking about? the dark one, the one Quinn had called Azarius, said tightly.What kind of lampoon is this? Campbell added.Its not a joke. The girls who were brought for the bloodfeast are gone, Quinn said slowly anddistinctly, just in case anybody hadnt gotten it yet. Then he said, And as a matter of fact, its a inviolablething. A good thing? Quinn, were starving.They cant have gone too far, the silver blond said. After all, its an island. Lets go and- Nobodysgoing anywhere, Quinn said. Rashelmoved closer to him. She was still nervous. These guys were on the edge of getting out of control. Butshe trusted Quinn, and she could tell theywere afraid of him. And, she told herself, theyll beeven more afraid in a minute. Look, Quinn, if you brought us here to- I didnt bring you here. In fact, Idont know who brought you here, but it doesnt matter. Ive got the same thing to say to all of you. Thereisnt going to be any bloodfeast, now or ever. And anybody who objects to that can take their problemto the Council.That shut everyone up. They simply stared at Quinn. It was clearly the last thing they expected.In fact, if you dont want the Council to hear about this, Id hint everybody to go home quietly andpretend it never happened. And to have a headache the next time anybody asks you to a bloodfeast.This silence was broken by somebody muttering, You dirtyMeanwhile, Rashels mind had begun to tick. Just how were these guys going to go home quietly? Therewerent any boats. Unless the host brought one when he came-if he came. And where was he, anyway?An d where was Lily?Quinn, she said softly.But somebody else was speaking. Youd tell the Council? a lean tough-looking guy with brown hairasked.No, Id let Hunter Redfern tell the Council, Quinn said. And I dont really think you want that. Hemight put it in a bad light. Raise your hands everybody who thinks Hunter Redfern would approve of thislittle party.Do I get a vote?The voice came from the doorway. It was deeper than the voices of the young guys in the room. Rashelrecognized the sound of danger instinctively and turned. And later it seemed to her that even before sheturned, she knew what she would see.A tall man stand easily, with a girl and a small fry behind him in the shadows. He was colored by theflickering ruby light of the fire, but Rashel could still see that his hair was red as blood. And his eyes were meretricious.Golden like hawks eyes, like amber. Like Lily Redferns eyes. Why hadnt she realized that before?The face was a face she would never forget. It came to her ever y night in her dreams. It was the manwhod killed her mother. The man whod chased her through the climbing structure, promising her icecream. All at once, Rashel was five years old again, weak and helpless and terrified.Hello, Quinn, Hunter Redfern said.Quinn was absolutely still beside Rashel. She had the feeling that he couldnt even think. And sheunderstood why. Shed seen into his mind she knew what Hunter represented to him. Stern necessity,even ruthlessness, but honor, too. And he was just now finding out that that was all a lie.Dont look so upset, Hunter said. He stepped forward with an amiable smile. His golden eyes werefixed on Quinn he hadnt even glanced at Rashel yet. Theres a reason for all this. He gestured to thevampires in the room, and his voice was gentle, rational. We need allies in the Councilthe lamia are getting too lax. Once Ive explained it all to you, youll understand.The way hed made Quinn understand that Quinn had to be a vampire, Rashel thought. The way hedma de Quinn understand that humans were the enemy.She was shaking all over, but there was a white-hot fire inside her that burned through the fear.Was there a reason for killing my mother? she said.The golden eyes turned toward her. Hunter looked mildly startled. Beside her, Quinns head jerkedaround.I was only five, but I remember it all, Rashel said. She took a step closer to Hunter. You killed herjust like that-snapped her neck. Was there a reason for killing Timmy? He was four years old and youdrank his blood. Was there a reason for killing my great-aunt? You set a fire to get me, but it got her.She stopped, staring into those predatory golden eyes. Shed searched for this man for twelve years, andnow he didnt seem to recognize her. Whats wrong, did you hunt too many little kids to keep track of?she said. Or are you so crazy you believe your own public image?Quinn whispered, RashelShe turned. Im sure. He was the one.In that instant, she saw Quinns face harden implacably against the m an whod made him a Red-fern. Hiseyes went dark as black holes-no lightescaped. Rashel suddenly had the feeling of glacial cold. Look into eyes like that and what you sawalone might kill you, she thought.But she had her own fire inside her, her own vengeance. The knife was in her waistband. If she couldjust get close enough. She moved toward Hunter Redfern again. You destroyed my life. And youdont even remember, do you? I remember, the little shadow beside him said. And then the worldflipped and Rashel felt the floor slipping away from her. The child behind Hunter was walking into thelight-and suddenly she could smell plastic and old socks, and she could feel vinyl under her hands.Memories were flooding up so quickly that she was drowning in them.All she could say was Oh, Timmy. Oh, God, Timmy. He was standing there, just as shed seen him last, twelve years ago. Shiny dark hair and wide tilted blueeyes. provided that the eyes werent exactly a childs eyes. They were some strange and terriblecombination of child and adult. There was too much knowledge in them.You left me, Timmy said. You didnt care about me.Rashel sank her teeth into her lip, but tears spilled anyway. Im sorryNobody cared about me, Timmy said. He reached up to take Hunters sleeve. No humans, anyway.Humans are vermin. He smiled his old sweet smile.Hunter looked down at Timmy, then up at Quinn. Its amazing how quickly they learn. You havent metTimmy, have you? Hes been living in Vegas, but I think he can be useful here. He turned to Rashel andhis eyes were pure evil. Of course I remember you. Its just that youve changed a little youve gottenolder. Youre contrastive from us, you see.Youre weak, Lily put in. She had stepped forward, too, to stand beside her father. Now she linkedher arm in his. Youre short-lived. Youre not very bright, and not very important. In a word, youredinner.Hunter smiled. Well put. Then he dropped the smile and said to Quinn, Step away from her, son.Quinn moved slightly, cl oser to Rashel. This is my soulmate, he said, in his softest and most disturbingvoice. And were leaving together.Hunter Redfern stared at him for some(prenominal) long moments. Something like disbelief flickered in his eyes.Then he recovered and said quietly, What a shame.Behind Rashel there were noises of stirring. It was as if a hot poke from the savanna had blown in, andthe lions had caught its scent.You know, I was already worried about you, Quinn, Hunter said. Last summer you let Ash and hissisters get away with running out on the enclave. Dont think I didnt notice that. Youre getting lax, gettingsoft. Theres too much of that going around lately.Stand back to back, Quinn told Rashel. She was already moving into position. The vampires wereforming a ring, encircling them. She could see smiles on every face.And Lily says youve been strange these last few days-moody. She said you seemed preoccupied witha human girl.Rashel drew her knife. The vampires were watching her with the fi xed forethought of big felines watchingtheir prey. Absolute focus.But the soulmate idea-thats really the last straw. Its like a disease infecting our people. You understandwhy I have to stamp it out. Hunter paused. For old times sake, lets finish this quickly.A voice that wasnt Quinns added in Rashels mind, / told you Id see you later.Rashel stood on the balls of her feet, letting Hunters words slide off her and drip away. She couldntthink about him right now. She had to concentrate on awareness, open her energy, and free her mind.This was going to be the biggest fight of her fife, and she needed zanshin.But even as she found it, a small voice inside her was whispering the truth. There were simply too manyvampires. She and Quinn couldnt hold them all off at once.