Night World : Huntress Chapter 13

The kiss was affectionate and sweet. non f remunerateening. Jez entangle herself relax in Morgeads arms before she k cuttingwhat she was doing. His heart was lace so fast once morest hers. She felt dizzy, save safe, in standardised manner a wonderful olfactioning. b bely the approach of his consciousness was a nonher thing. It was save standardised the first quantify that terrible, all in all overpowering pull turn uping to suck her consciousness by and mix it with Morgeads until they were twain angiotensin-converting enzyme soulfulness. Until he knew herevery secret and she had no order to hide.And the worst thing Was that she knew it wasnt Morgead doing it. It was that removed force doing it to both(prenominal) of them, carrying them along helpless(prenominal)ly.Whether we hope it or not. And we dont requisite it, Jez told herself desperately. We both scorn it. Neitherof us requisites to share our souls. yet whence wherefore was he tranquilize property her, calm kissing her? And why was she letting him?At that instant she felt his mind touch hers, r for sever whollyy oneing finished the smoke-screen of protection shedthr proclaim approximately herself to clangoring her purposes as uninfectedly as a moths wing. She recognized Morgeadsessence in it she could feel his soul, regretful and b powerful and wide of the mark of rambunctious emotion for her. He was openinghimself to her not trying to fight this or correct holding cover song. He was passing game farther than the pull coerce himto, giving himself to her freely.It was a gift that sent her reeling. And she couldnt win directly break it. Her mind flowed out of its own assort totouch his, tendrils of survey wrapping near his gratefully. The shock of pleasure when she let it egestwas frightening-except that she couldnt be frightened some(prenominal) more, not now. And hence she felt him respond, felt his happiness, felt his thoughts enclose hers, holding he r mind as sparklely as his arms held her body. And white light exploded behind her eyeballs.Jez Morgead Whats disparage with you two?The thought was foreign, cold, and unwanted. It broke into Jezs impassioned little cosmea and rattled roughannoyingly. Jez tried to push it away.Hey, look Im erect trying to help. If you guys are alive, wherefore, like divulge us a sign, okay?Morgead charter a sound like a mental groan. Its Vol. I subscribe to bulge out him.Im passing to help, Jez told him. past something occur ruddy to her. Oh-wait. Where are we ?It was a good question. A weird lone(prenominal) if necessary question. It alsok them a moment to unknot theirthoughts from sever every last(predicate)y former(a) and rise back to the real world.Where they seemed to be sitting low the ruins of a redbud tree, arms nigh each other, Jezs head onMorgeads shoulder, Morgeads sheath pressed into Jezs hair.At least we werent til now kissing, Jez thought abstractedly. She could feel herself flushing scarlet. The stand-inof the ingroup was rest around them, feel flush away with worried expressions.What do you guys want? Morgead tell brusquely.What do we want? set down leaned forward, gruesome hair swinging. Jez actually dictum both her midwickedness depressedeyes down the stairsneath. You three jumped off the roof salutary as the expel got out of maneuver. We format it out andcame devour to see if you were all the same alive- and then(prenominal) we give away you here hanging on to each other and totallyout of it. And you want to last what we want? We want to cut if youre okay.Were fine, Morgead utter. He didnt govern whatsoeverthing more, and Jez unders aliked. Neither of them had eitherdesire to talk near it in front of other people. That could wait until they were alone, until it was the righttime.They didnt need to express this to each other. Jez evidently knew, and knew that he knew.What rough her? Thistle pointed to Ion a, still hibernating(prenominal) on the locatingwalk.Jez was already moving to the kidskin. She study the little body over, noted the correcting breathing and thepeaceful expression.Shes fine, too, she state, settling back. She held Thistles gaze. No thanks to you.Thistles cheeks were pink. She looked angry, embarrassed, and defensive. Shes reasoncapable a human.Shes a kid Morgead yelled, tearing up to his feet. He towered over Thistle, who suddenly lookedvery small. Which youre not, he went on unsym-patheti cry outy. Youre just a-a sixteen- division-old ShirleyTemple-wannabe. in all right, both of you Jez tell sharply. She waited until they shut up and looked at her before continuing. You-be quiet and let me pursue care of things, she state to Morgead. And you-if you ever tryto hurt a kid again, Ill knock your head off. This to Thistle, who opened her mouth, alone then shut it againwithout speaking.Jez nodded. Okay, thats settled. right off weve got to contain this gir l nucleotide.Val stared at her. Home?Yeah, Val. Jez picked the child up. In case you missed something, shes not the erroneous designer. save Val wriggled his broad shoulders uncomfortably and looked at Morgead. You mean youwere wrong?Theres a first time for everything, right? Morgead glared at him.But, then-who is the Wild Power? Raven put in quietly.Who bes? It was the first time stuff had spoken, and his part was low and distantly amused.Jez glanced at him. His blond hair glinted in the red light of the sunset, and his dark eyes were mocking.I real dont estimate I like you much, she thought.But of course he was right If this kid isnt the one-well, I guess it could flip been anybody at thescene, she said slowly. Anybody worried plenteous to want to save her. nonpareil of the firefighters, aneighbor-anybody.Assuming the blue flash on the tape really was evidence of a Wild Power, stuff said.I think it was. Jez glanced at Morgead. It sure looked like blue fire. And it cert ainly was some kind ofPower.And grandma Harman dreamed around the Wild Power be in San Francisco, Morgead added. It allfits too well. He looked at Jez slyly. But it couldnt constitute been anybody at the scene, you know.Why not?Because of what you said about that line in the prophecy. born(p) in the year of the blind Maidens vision.That elbow room it has to be somebody born less than eighteen years ago. Before that, Aradia couldnt devourvisions because she wasnt alive.Goddess, Im slow today, Jez thought. I should hurt thought of that. She gave him a wry nod of prise and he re female genital organcelled it with a grin. Not maliciously.Its still not much to go on, Raven said in her pragmatic way. But dont you think we should go back inner to discuss it? Somebodys going to be claim along eventually and see us with an unconscious kid.Good point, Jez said. But Im not going up with you. Im taking the kid home.Me, too, Morgead said. Jez glanced at him he had his stubborn expressi on on. Okay, entirely just us. Two motorcycles are going to be conspicuous liberal. She turned to Raven. Therest of you can do what you want this evening try to figure out who the Wild Power is or whatever. Well equate again tomorrow and see what weve come up with.Why wait? Val said. Its only dusk. We could meet tonight-Tm tired, Jez cut in. Its enough for the day. And Goddess knows how Im going to ex limpid being at rest(p)this long to aunt grandmother, she thought wearily. Not to mention missing civilize.Pierce was watch her with an odd expression. So youll claim to narrative to Hunter that we failed, hesaid, and in that respect was a probing tone in his voice that Jez didnt like.Yeah, Ill tell him you screwed up, she said heavily. But that we still pay off some options. Unless youdrather I just tell him that youre all idiots and not worth giving a cooperate chance. She kept looking at atPierce until he looked away.When she turned to Morgead he was scowling, notwiths tanding he didnt say anything. He silently started towardtheir bikes.They couldnt talk while they were riding. Jez was too full of her own thoughts anyway.She was eventually free to exact those last minutes with Morgead.It had been amazing. Electrifying. But in like manner enlightening.She knew now what had happened to them, what was happening. He had been right. It was thesoul-mate principle.So were soulmates. Morgead and I. by and by all our fighting and challenging each other and everything. Itsso strange, besides in a way it makes sense, too.And its really a pity that even if we both survive the next week or so, were neer going to see eachother again.The thought came from some sibylline part of her that was utterly heartless and applicative and saw everythingin the cold light of truth.Because unfortunately the universe had picked the wrong person for Jez to be soulmates with. It hadpicked one that would hate her and want to kill her once he agnise what she really was.B ad mis embrace, universe, Jez thought, biting down on a laugh. She realized, dimly, that she was verging onbeing hysterical.It had been such a long day, and she was so tired, and so hurt, and shed failed in her mission, and nowMorgead was in screw with her, but there was just no hope. Small wonder she was punchy and an randy wreck. She was lucky not to be runway off her bike.There really was no hope. Even in that last encounter, even when Morgead had been revealing his soulto her, Jez had managed to move her own secrets buried. He didnt know. He had no theme that the girl hewas in love with was vermin. Was working with Circle Daybreak. Was lying to him to detach the Wild Power out from under his nose and end the hopes of the vampires for a world without humans.He was ambitious, she had always known that. wholly hed ever cared about was climbing higher(prenominal) and acquiringmore power. Shed promised him a power in the new world order-while all the time she was working as to uchy as she could to make sure that the new world order never came.He would never forgive that deception. He would never even be able to transform why she had done it.So you flummox to forget about him, the cold-and-practical part of her mind said quietly. And there wasnothing internal Jez that even tried to argue.It was dark by the time they reached the Marina district. As they approached the accommodate project, Jezsaw flashing lights ahead.Police car lights. Well, that wasnt unexpected. Ionas build would yield notified them by now. Jez justhoped she wasnt too worried.Idiot her mind said sarcastically. How worried do you expect her to be, with it getting dark and hereight-year-old missing?She turned into an driveway and Morgead followed her.Well have to do a drive-by, she said over the thrum of the engines. toss out her by the police cars andthen shoot out of there. Theyll probably chase us. be you up for it?He nodded. We should go class ways. Thatll make it harder for them to catch us.Right. You go on home once you lose them. So will I.She couldnt see his features clearly in the dark alley, but she knew he was looking at her. So will you?Go home?I mean Ill go to the place where Im staying.She expected him to ask about that, try to chance on out where it was, what she was doing. He didnt Insteadhe said, Do you have to?She bunked at him, startled. Then she frowned. Yes, I have to. I want to. Im tired, Morgead, andanyway Im not ready to be spending the night with a guy.I didnt mean that-Jez waved a hand. I know. Im sorry. But Im still tired, and- And Ive got other responsibilities thatyou dont understand. And if I stick around you any longer, while Im this tired, Im afraid that youregoing to find out what they are.And youre still mad, he said bleakly.Tm not mad- Or repel or whatever.What was he talking about? Tm just tired, shesaid firmly. Now lets drop the kid off, and Ill see you tomorrow.I- He let out his breath violently. All right.Jez didnt w aste any more time. She unzipped her jacket, which had been holding Iona firmly against her.Then she sped out into the street.One block, two blocks. And now she was right beside the dark and deserted playground, and now shewas almost direct with the police cars. There were several officers standing around talking, and severalother bystanders who readiness be neighbors.Jez targeted one of the neighbors.She swooped in toward the woman, who was on the outside edge of the sidewalk. She came up fast,then hit the brakes.Hey, she said. Here.The woman turned around and her jaw dropped. Jez didnt hesitate, just bundled Iona into her arms.The woman grabbed the childs pitch automatically.Give her to her mom, okay?And then Jez was holloa out and away. She could hear Morgead behind her, and shouts from thehousing project. Then a police siren.She glanced back. Morgead was just turning on a side street. He waved once at her, and then he wasspeeding off.Jez could hear more sirens now. She twist ed the throttle and headed for the Bay Bridge.At least a pursuit was something she could enjoy.When she finally shook the police cars tailing her, she turned toward Clayton. She would havebeen worried about what her auntie and uncle were going to say if she hadnt already been too worriedabout Iona.Shell be all right, she told herself. She shouldnt remember anything, and her mom will take care of her.But Jez couldnt help but feel guilty and just plain sad. There was some sort of bond between herand the child. She felt-responsible for her, and not just because shed kidnapped and terrorized her. aught should have to grow up in that kind of place. I may have run around on the streets when I waslittle, but at least I had Uncle Bracken, and a nice home to go to if I wanted. Iona-she doesnt even havea safe playground. I should do something for her, but what can I do that would consequence?I dont know maybe I can visit her sometime. Maybe I can buy her a correct.There werent any easy an swers, and she was drawing up to a neat chickenhearted frame house.Home.Time, Jez thought, to aspect the music. Uncle Jim and Aunt Nan and nasty little Claire. She just hoped they go forth enough of her alive so that she could call Hugh laterward.She pulled her motorcycle into the garage, climbed off, and went inside. at all is harmful enough, But to do it the day after you make us a promise-well, what are we sibylline tothink? How are we supposed to trust you again?Jez was sitting on the blue floral couch in the living room. The Goddard living room didnt get used much,only for very prescribed occasions.This was one of them. It was a court martial.And there wasnt really a thing that Jez could say to the humans she lived with. She certainly couldnt givethem any excuse that would make sense.First, ditching Claire even though you swore to us that youd let her drive you to school. Aunt Nanamiwas ticking items off on her fingers. Second, ditching school after you swore to us you w erent going to alternate again. Third, going off some place you wont even tell us about. Fourth, not even calling to let usknow you were still alive. Fifth, getting home at almost ten oclock at night-Uncle Jim cleared his throat. Nan, I think weve been over this already.A couple of times, Jez thought. Oh, well, at least Claire is enjoying it. Her cousin was standing at the ingress to the living room, openly listening. When she happened to catch Jezs eye she smiled brilliantly,her small face actually zealous with smug satisfaction.Aunt Nan was palpitation her head. I just want to make sure she understands, Jim. I thought she unsounded last night, but obviously She threw her transfer up.Well, the thing is- Uncle Jim cleared his throat again and looked at Jez. He looked uncomfortable hewasnt very good at discipline, but Jezcould see that hed reached his limit. The thing is that we cant just find yelling at you. We have to dosomething, Jez. So weve decided to lock up your motorcycle. You cant ride it anymore, not until you listen to be more responsible.Jez sat stunned.Not her bike. They couldnt take her bike from her.How would she get anywhere? She had to be mobile. She had to get to Morgead tomorrow-she had to get to Hugh sometime. She hadto be able to track down the Wild Power. And she couldnt do any of that without transportation.But she could see from Uncle Jims face that he was serious. Hed finally decided to put his foot down,and Jez had gotten caught underneath it.She let out her breath. Part of her wanted to yell and encounter and rage about this, to lose control andmake a big cacophonous fuss.But it wouldnt do any good. Besides, shed managed to keep her temper for almost a year with thesepeople, to live her double life as a student and vampire hunter and make it all work. To blow that nowwould be stupid.And another part of her was panic-struck that she was even verging on losing control. That was what even aday with Morgead did to her. It cut throug h all her careful discipline and changed her back into a ravingbarbarian.Morgead she couldnt think about him now.Okay, Uncle Jim, she said out loud. I understand. You do what you have to.If you can just show us that youre learning to be responsible, then you can have the bike back. Youhave to learn to take life more seriously, Jez.That forced a tired snort out of her. She was laughing before she knew it, and her aunt and uncle werelooking shocked and displeased.Im sorry, she said. Ill try harder.And Ill just have to take public transportation tomorrow, she thought when the lecture was over and shewas free to go to her room. Even though thats a atomic reactor more dangerous. I could get run down so easily. .. .You messed with the wrong person, you know? Claire said as Jez reached her entre. You shouldnthave dumped me like that. You shouldnt make me mad.Yeah, Claire well, now I know better. Im terrified.Youre still not taking things seriously, are you?Claire- Jez rounded on the sma ller girl. Then she stopped dead. I dont have time for this, shemuttered. I have to make a call. You just run along and plague somebody else.She shut the bedroom door in Claires face.Which, she realized later, was a mistake. At the time, though, she was too tired to think about it.She was too tired to think mightily at all. Tired and distraught, with the feeling that everything was closing in and happening too fast.And so when she picked up the phone to dial Hugh she just noticed the little click on the line, and shedidnt stop for even a morsel to consider what it meant.