Night World : Witchlight Chapter 5

Every matter hung in the balance, and for a mo Keller thought that they had won. Dianas b overageness looked different, older and more clearly defined. For al sensation her flower-petal prettiness, she had a salubrious elflike chin. be spots she didnt say anything, and her eyes were salve hazy.Toby, granny k non Harman state abruptly. Put in the video.Her apprentice went to the VCR. Keller stared at the tape in his hand, her heart picking up speed. A video. Could that be what she thought it was?What youre closely to happen upon is-well, lets besides say its very secret, grannie Harman said to Iliana as the apprentice fiddled with the controls. So secret that at that places completely hotshot tape of it, and that be locked up in rotary daybreak thinkerquarters at all times. Im the only person I trust to carry it around. All right, Toby, cinch it.Iliana looked at the TV apprehensively. What is it?The old woman smiled at her. Something the enemy would genuinely uni form to see. Its a record of the some other Wild Powers-in action.The first chance on the tape was live news coverage of a fire. A little girl was trapped in a second-story apartment, and the flames were stopting nestled and closer. Suddenly, the tape went into slow communicate, and a blue newsbreak lit the screen. When the flash died away, the fire was kayoed.The blue fire, granny knot Harman said. The first Wild Power we entrap did that, smo at that placed those ordinary flames with a single thought. Thats just one vitrine of what it feces do.The next scene was of a dark- coped young man. This one was obviously deliberately filmed the boy was looking directly into the tv camera. He took a knife from his belt and very coolly made a cut on his left wrist. Blood welled up in the provoke and dripped to the ground.The second Wild Power, nan Harman said. A vampire prince.The boy false and held proscribed the arm that was bleeding. The camera focused on a expectant bould er around thirty feet away. And then the tape went into slow motion again, and Keller could actually see the blue fire shoot step to the fore from his hand.It started as a burst, scarcely what followed was a steady stream. It was so bright that the camera couldnt deal with it it bleached reveal the rest of the picture. precisely when it hit the rock, there was no doubt about what happened.The two-ton boulder exploded into gravel.When the dust settled, there was only a charred crater in the ground. The dark-haired boy looked punt at the camera, then shrugged and targeted another boulder. He wasnt so far sweating.Kellers breath came out involuntarily. Her heart was pounding, and she knew her eyes were glittering. She saw Galen glance sideways at her further ignored him.Power the sames of that, she thought. I never really imagined it. If I had that exponent, the things I could do with it Before she could help herself, she had dark to him. Dont you see? Thats what youll puzz le out to our side if you choose to fight with us. Thats whats going to give us a chance against them. You fork over to do it, dont you figure?It was the do by thing to say. Dianas reception to the video had been completely different from Kellers own. She was staring at the TV as if she were watching open-heart surgery. Unsuccessful open-heart surgery.I dont I cant do anything the akins of thatDiana-And I dont demand to No. Look. A veil seemed to leave dropped down slow Dianas beautiful eyes.She was facing Keller, notwithstanding Keller wondered if she actually saw anything. She spoke rapidly, close to frantically.You said you had to talk to me, so I listened. I even watched your-your special effects stuff. She waved a hand at the screen where the boy was blowing up more boulders. that at a time its over, and Im going internal. This is all-I dont know. Its all too eldritch for me Im placeing you, I cant do that configuration of thing. Youre looking at the wrong pe rson.We looked at all your cousins first, Grandma Harman said. Thea and Blaise. Gillian, who was a lost witch exchangeable yourself. Even poor Sylvia, who was seduced over to the enemy side. But it was none of them. thus we found you. She leaned forward, trying to hold Diana with her eyes. You drive home to accept it, nipper. Its a long responsibility and a great burden, hardly no one else can do it for you. Come and take your place with us.Iliana wasnt perceive.It was as simple as that. Keller could almost see the oral communication bouncing off her. And her eyes non a veil, Keller thought. A wall had dropped down. It had slammed into place, and Diana was hiding behind it.If I dont get home soon, my mothers going to go crazy. I just ran out for a few minutes to get rough gold stretchy ribbon-you know, the kind that has like a rubber band inside? It seems like Im always looking for that. We accept nigh from last year, but its al create tied, and it wont go bad on the pr esents Im doing.Keller stared at her, then cast a glance heavenward. She could see the others staring, too. Winnies mouth was hanging open. Nissas eyebrows were in her hair. Galen looked diswhitethorned.Grandma Harman said, If you wont accept your responsibilities as a Wild Power, entrust you at least do your duty as the Witch Child? The winter solstice is next Saturday. On that iniquity, theres going to be a meeting of the shapeshifters and the witches. If we can show them a promise rite between you and the son of the First star sign of the shapeshifters, the shapeshifters allow for aggregate us.Keller half expected Iliana to explode. And in the deepest recesses of her own heart, she wouldnt really have blamed her. She could understand Iliana losing it and saying, What do you think youre doing, waltzing in and trying to hitch me up to some guy Ive never met? Asking me to fight is one thing but ordering me to marry-giving me away like some object-thats another.But Iliana didn t say anything like that. She said, And Ive still got so many presents to wrap, and Im not anywhere near through with(p) shopping. Plus, this week at school is going to be completely crazy. And Saturday, thats the night Jaime and Brett Ashton-Hughes are having their birthday party. I cant miss that.Keller lost it.What is wrong with you? atomic number 18 you deaf or just stupid?Iliana talked right over her. Theyre twins, you know. And I think Brett kind of likes me. Their family is really rich, and they live in this big put forward, and they only invite a few people to their parties. All the girls have crushes on him. Brett, I mean.No, Keller answered her own question. Youre just the most selfish, spoiled little bratwurst Ive ever metKeller, Nissa said quietly. Its no good. The harder you push her, the more she goes into denial.Keller let out her breath. She knew that it was true, but she had never been more frustrated in her life.Grandma Harmans face suddenly looked very old and very tired. Child, we cant force you to do anything. But you have to realize that were not the only ones who want you. The other side knows about you, too. They wont give up, and they will use force.And theyve got a lot of force. Keller turned to the old woman. I need to tell you about that. I didnt want to say it on the phone, but they already tried to get Iliana erst today. We had to fight them at the mall. She took a deep breath. And they had a dragon.Grandma Harmans moderate jerked up. Those steely lavender-gray eyes fixed on Keller. Tell me.Keller told everything. As she did, Grandma Harmans face seemed to get older and older, sinking into haggard lines of worry and sadness. But all she said at the end was, I see. Well have to try to find out how they got him, and what exactly his powers are. I dont think theres anybody vi sufficient today whos an expert on-those creatures.They called him Azhdeha.Hmm-sounds Persian.It is, Galen said. Its one of the old names for the constel lation Draco. It bureau man-eating serpentKeller looked at him in surprise. He had been sitting quietly all this time, listening without interrupting. flat he was leaning forward, his gold-green eyes intense.The shapeshifters have some old scrolls about dragons. I think you should ask for them. They energy give some idea about what powers they have and how to fight them. I saw the scrolls once, but I didnt really study them I dont think anybody has.Hed seen the ancient scrolls? whence he was a shapeshifter, after all. But why hadnt she been able to genius an animal form for him?Galen- Keller began, but Grandma Harman was speaking.Its a good idea. When I get them, Ill send copies to you and Keller. Hes one of your people, after all, and you may be able to help figure out how to fight him.Keller precious to say indignantly that he wasnt any yokeion to her, but of course it wasnt true. The dragons had ruled the shapeshifters, once. Their occupation still ran in the First House, the Drache family that ruled the shapeshifters today. Whatever that monster was, he was one of her people.So its decided. Keller, you and your team will take Iliana home. Ill go cover version to electric circuit Daybreak and try to find out more about dragons. Unless She looked at Iliana. Unless this discussion has changed your mind.Iliana, unbelievably, was still prattling, having a conversation about presents with null in particular. It was clear that her mind hadnt changed. What wasnt clear to Keller was whether she had a mind.But Keller had other things to worry about. Tm sorry-but youre not serious, are you? About taking her home? Perfectly serious,* Grandma Harman said. But we cantWe can, and we have to. You three girls will be her bodyguards-and her friends. Im hoping that you can persuade her to accept her responsibility by Saturday night at midnight, when the shapeshifters and the witches convene. But if not Grandma Harman bowed her head slightly, leaning on her cane. Sh e was looking at Iliana. If not, she said in a barely sounding voice, youll just have to protect her for as long as you can.Keller was choking. 1 dont see how we can protect her at all. With all respect, maam, its an insane idea. They have to know where her house is by now. Even if we stick beside her twenty-four hours a day-and I dont see how we can even do that, with her family around-The white head came up, and there was even a faint curve to the old womans lips. Illtake superintend of that.Ill have a talk with her mother-young Anna, Elspeths granddaughter.Ill introduce myself and explain that her daughters long-lost cousins have come after to visit for Christmas.And undoubtedly do something witchy to Annas mind, Keller thought Yeah, after that theyd be accepted, although none of them looked a bit like Ilianas cousins.And then I will put up wards around that house. There was a flash like silver lightning in Grandma Harmans eyes as she said it Wards thatwill hold against anythi ng from the outside. As long as nobody inside disturbs them, youll be safe. She cocked an eyebrow at Keller. Satisfied?Im sorry-no. Its still too dangerous. and so what would you apprize we do?Kidnap her, Keller said instantly. She could hear Iliana stop babbling in the background she wasnt gaining any Brownie points there. She bulldozed on grimly. Look, Im just a remonstrate I obey orders. But I think that shes too primary(prenominal) for us to just let her run around loose where they might get hold of her. I think we should take her to a Circle Daybreak enclave like the ones where the other Wild Powers are.Where we can protect her from the enemy.Grandma Harman looked her in the eye. If we do that, she said mildly, then we are the enemy.There was a pause. Keller said, With all respect, maam-I dont want your respect. I want your obedience. The leaders of Circle Daybreak made a firm decision when this whole thing started. If we cant convince a Wild Power by reasoning, we will not resort to force. So your orders are to take your team and stay with this child and protect her as long as you can.Excuse me. It was Galen. The others had been sitting and watching silently. Nissa and Winnie were too smart to get problematical in an exchange like this, but Keller could see that they were both unhappy.What is it? Grandma Harman asked.If you dont mind, Id like to go with them. I could be another cousin. It would make four of us to watch over her-better unrivaleds.Keller thought she might have an apoplexy.She was so mad, she couldnt even get words out While she was choking uselessly, Galen was going on.His face still looked sickish and strained, like a young soldier coming back from battle, but his dark gold hair was shining, and his eyes were steady. His whole attitude was one of earnest pleading.Tm not a fighter, but maybe I can learn. After all, thats what were asking Iliana to do, isnt it? Can we ask anything of her that were not ready to do ourselves?Grandma Har man, who had been frowning, now looked him up and down appraisingly. You have a fine young mind, she said. Like your fathers. He and your mother were both strong warriors, as well.Galens eyes darkened. Td hoped I wouldnt have to be one. But it looks like we cant always choose.Keller didnt know what they were talking about or why the hagfish of all the Witches knew the parents of this guy shed met in a mall. But shed finally gotten the hindrance out of her throat.No way she said explosively. She was on her feet now, too, black hair flying as she looked from Grandma Harman to Galen. I mean it. There is no way I am taking this boy back with us. And you may be the leader of the witches, maam, but, no offense intended, I dont think you have the authority to make me. Id have to hear it from the leadersof Circle Daybreak themselves, from Thierry Descouedres or Lady Hannah. Or from the First House of the shapeshifters.Grandma Harman gave an odd snort. Keller ignored it. Its not just that hes not a fighter. Hes not involved in this. He doesnt have any part in it.Grandma Harman looked at Galen, not entirely approvingly. It seems youve been keeping secrets. Are you going to tell her, or shall I?I- Galen turned from her to Keller. Listen. Im sorry-I should have mentioned it before. His eyes were embarrassed and apologetic. It just-there just didnt seem to be a right time. He winced. I wasnt in that mall today accidentally. I came by to look for Iliana. I wanted to see her, maybe get to know her a little.Keller stared at him, not breathing. Why?Because He winced again. Im Galen Drache of the First House of the shapeshifters, Keller blinked while the room turn briefly.I should have know. I should have realized. Thats why he seemed like a shapeshifter, but I couldnt get any animal ace from him.Children of the First House werent born connected to any particular animal. They had power over all animals, and they were allowed to choose when they became adults which one they would shift into.It also explained how hed known which pressure points to use to get her off the dragon. And his telepathy-children of the First House could connect to any animal mind.When the room settled back into place, Keller realized that she was still standing there, and Galen was still looking at her. His eyes were almost beseeching.I should have explained, he said.Well, of course, it was your choice, Keller said stiffly. There was an unusual amount of fall in her cheeks she could feel it burning. She went on, And, naturally, Im sorry if anything Ive said has given offense.Keller, please dont be formal.Lets see, I havent greeted you properly, or given you my obedience. Keller took his hand, which was well made, long-fingered, and cold. She brought it to her forehead. Welcome, Drache, son of the First House of the shapeshifters. Im yours to command, naturally.There was a silence. Keller dropped Galens hand. Galen looked miserable.Youre really mad now, arent you? he observed.1 lack you every happiness with your new bride, Keller said through her teeth.She couldnt figure out exactly why she was so mad. Sure, shed been made a fool of, and now she was going to have to take responsibility for an untrained boy who couldnt even shapeshift into a mouse. But it was more than that.Hes going to marry that whiny little flower in the corner, a voice in Kellers head whispered. He has to marry her, or at least go through a promise ceremony thats just as binding as marriage. If he doesnt, the shapeshifters will never join with the witches. Theyve said so, and theyll never back down. And if they dont join with the witches . .. everything youve ever worked for is finished.And your job is to persuade the flower to do her duty, the voice move brightly. That means youve got to convince her to marry him. Instead of eating her.Kellers temper flared. I dont want to eat her, she snapped back at the voice. And I dont care who this cretin marries. Its none of my business.She r ealized that the room was still silent, and everyone was watching Iliana and Galen. Iliana had stopped prattling. She was looking at Galen with huge violet eyes. He was looking back, strained and serious.Then he turned to Keller again. Id still like to help, if youll let me come.I told you, Im yours to command, Keller said shortly. Its your decision. Id like to mention that it just makes things a little harder on my team. Now were going to have to look out for you as well as her. Because, you see, youre not expendable after all.I dont want you to look out for me, he said soberly. Im not important.Keller wanted to say, Dont be an idiot. No you, no promise ceremony, no treaty. Its as simple as that. Weve got to protect you. But shed already said more than enough.Toby was retrieving the tape from the VCR. Grandma Harman was devising getting-ready-to-rise motions with her cane. I think weve stayed here long enough, she said to Keller.Keller nodded stiffly. Would you like to come inthe limo? Or would you rather follow us to her house?Grandma Harman opened her mouth to answer, but she never got the chance. Kellers ears caught the sound of move outside just before the living room window shattered.