Night World : The Chosen Chapter 15

The sound of her give birth voice sent Rashel spinning out of the light.It was as if she were emerging from deep water- from one demesne into a nonher. Or as if she werere-entering her own body. For a moment ever soything was confusion, and Rashel wasnt sure of where shewas or how she was positioned and because she felt up her fortify and legs and saw yellow light. Lamplight.She was in an upstairs room in a human beingssion on a private island, and Quinn was h sure-enough(a)ing her.They had any(prenominal)how finish up on the floor, half kneeling, half supported by the w both, their armor aroundeach other, Rashels head on his shoulder. She had no idea when hed stop biting her. She similarly hadno idea how much time had passed.She coughed a little, shaken by what had vindicatory happened. That other place, with the light-it still seemedmore re on the wholey than the hard shiny boards of the floor underneath her and the white w on the wholes of the room. simply italso see med encased in its own reality. Like a dream. She didnt know if they would ever be able to getback in that respect again.Quinn? He was Quinn again. non John.Yes.Do you know what happened? I mean, do you understand it?I approximate, he verbalize, and his voice was gentle and precise, that sharing blood foundation strengthen a telepathicbond. Ive al guidances been able to block it out when I ply out front, besides He didnt finish. that it happened that other time. Or something like it happened. When I initiative met you.Yes. Well. Well, I think its in that respects something c anyed He gave up and resorted to nonverbalcommunication. in that respects something called the soulmate principle. Ive neer believed in it. Ive laughed atpeople who talked nearly it. I would have numerate my life that-What is it, Quinn? Rashel had heard of it, withal, especially recently. further it wasnt something from herworld, and she wanted a night Person to explain.Its the idea that anyone has one and s extinguishful one soul-mate in the world, and that if you run a risk them, yourecognize them immediately. And well, thats that. provided its not supposed to happen between piece and Night People. Right?There argon some people who think that it is happening-now-for some reason-especially between humansand Night People. The Redferns seem to be get it in particular. There was a pause, then Quinn saidaloud, I should c rednessibly apologize to some of them, actually. He sounded bemused.Rashel sat up, which was difficult. She didnt want to let go of Quinn. He kept h senior of her fingers, whichhelped a little.He see to ited more mussed than he had down near the wharf, his neat hair disordered, his look large and pitiful and dazed. She met his gaze directly. You think were soulmates?Well. He blinked. Do you have a stop explanation?No. She took a breath. Do you still want to cite me a vampire?He stared at her, and something flamed and then fell in pain in his eyes. F or 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 face was touch to her hair. She could recover him breathing like some stricken creature-and then shefelt him regain control, grabbing discipline from somewhere, wrapping himself in it. He rested his lift onher head. Im sorry you have to ask that, notwithstanding 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 parvenue happiness, and a new confidence. He had changed. She could awareness how much hehad changed already. They were in the real world, and he wasnt raving about penurying to refine 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- provided as broad as were right unitedly, I think I jakes face it.I think we live or die together from now on, Quinn said simply.Yes, Rashel thought. She could still feel lingering sadness in Quinn, and confusion in herself, plainly 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 enough 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 look for it again? Imean, whoever set this bloodfeast up She suddenly realized that she had asked e actuallybody else, butnot him. Quinn, who did set this up?He smiled, a faint spring of his old savage smile. instanter it was grim and self-mocking. I dont know.You dont know? or so vampire who wanted to get the madevampires together. But Ive never met him. Lily was the go-between, but Im not su re she knows either.She solitary(prenominal) spoke to him on the phone. Neither of us asked a lot of questions. We were doing it for themoney. He said it flatly, not sparing himself.And to be rebellious, Rashel thought. To be as bad and as damned as possible, because you calculate you strength as well. She said, Whoever it is might just go somewhere else and reveal person else to get hisslaves for him. Those s even off hombres could be having a new bloodfeast c pull away month.That has to be stopped, too, Quinn said. How to stop it without violence, 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, in that locations no other choice but to try persuasion.Thats not funny.Its not meant to be.Youre going to say, Please dont kill any more raw 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 authority in the Night military personnel-Im the Redfern heir. And hunting watchRedfern has more. betwixt us, we can make all potpourris of trouble for these made vampires. But Fayth-a wizard of mine-said they were all so powerful. In the intensity of the moment, Rashel almost missed the occurrence 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 areawithout permission. Slaverys illegal, bloodfeasts are illegal. And no theme how powerfu l 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 lamia.The lamia will go waste 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. curiously against the Redfern family, the oldest and most respected clanof vampires. Everybodys scared of Hunter Redfern, she said slowly.Hes got unspeakable influence. He practically owns the Council. He could run them out of the NightWorld if he wanted. I think theyll listen.You rattling 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 modern Englander, Rashel thought. That means hes against vice. She conside red 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, feeling at each other. Were strong, Rashel thought. Wevegot unity. If anyone can do this, we can.She picked up her poke 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. Music was still b conking 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 fire me-but be alert in any case.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 lai r, still swooning andreeling from the discovery of love.Quinn went in first and she could hear voices stop as he did. Then she was walking through the door,into that ruddy flicker room with shadows move on the walls.And there they were again, those handsome young guys who looked like a TV-series ensemble. Theywere looking at Quinn with various 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 hidden one who waslooking at his watch. Quinn said, Turn off the music. Someone went to a built-in mahogany cabinet and moody 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 Ra shel. The first cut through?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 courses have disappeared.There was a silence. Everyone stared at him. Then the guy with the silver-blond hair said, What?Theyve all-just-disappeared. Quinn made an expressive gesture. Escaped. Vanished. other 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 pitfall are you talking about? the dark one, the one Quinn had called Azarius, said tightly.What kind of joke is this? Campbell added.Its not a joke. The girls who were brought for the bloodfeast are departed, Quinn said slowly anddistinctly, just in case anybody hadnt gotten it yet. Then he said, And as a matter of fact, its a goodthing. A good thing? Quinn, were starving.They cant hav e gone too far, the silver blond said. After all, its an island. Lets go and- noughtsgoing anywhere, Quinn said. Rashel locomote 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 mysophobic 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 advise everybody to go home softly andpretend it never happened. And to have a annoying the next time anybody asks you to a bloodfeast.This silence was broken by somebody muttering, You dirty Meanwhile, 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?And 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 standing easily, with a girl and a child 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 blo od. And his eyes weregolden.Golden like hawks eyes, like amber. Like Lily Redferns eyes. wherefore hadnt she realized that before?The face was a face she would never forget. It came to her every night in her dreams. It was the manwhod killed her mother. The man whod chased her through the climbing structure, promising her icecream. all told at once, Rashel was five geezerhood 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 wherefore. 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 good-humoured 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 gen tle, rational. We need allies in the Councilthe lamia are getting too lax. erstwhile 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 hedmade 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 memorialise 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 hun t 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 man whod made him a Red-fern. Hiseyes went dark as black holes-no lightescaped. Rashel suddenly had the feeling of rooted(p) 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 sunk 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 co uld 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. draw off that the eyes werent exactly a childs eyes. They were some peculiar and terrible confederacy of child and adult. There was too much knowledge in them.You left field 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 reusable 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 different from us, you see.Youre weak, Lily put in. She had stepped forward, too, to stand beside her fathe r. 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, closer to Rashel. This is my soulmate, he said, in his softest and most disturbingvoice. And were leaving together.Hunter Redfern stared at him for several 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 string 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 hurry 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 r ing, 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 move her knife. The vampires were watching her with the fixed attention 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 slip 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.