Night World : Huntress Chapter 17

Morgeads entire body jerked once and then went absolutely still. As if hed been off to stone. Theonly thing alive about him was his eye, which were staring at Jez with grogginess and burning suspense.Well, Jez told herself, with a grim humor that was almost like sobbing grief, I startled him, thats for sure.I finally publicaged to stun Morgead speechless.It was only then that she realise some part of her had try ford that he already knew this, too. That hewould be able to brush it off with exasperation, the way he had the fact that she was a Daybreaker. merely that hope was shattered now. It had been a stupid hope whateverway. Being a Daybreaker wassomething that could change, a matter of confused attitude.Being vermin was permanent.But thats-thats not- Morgead seemed to be having trouble get the words out. His eyes were largewith horror and denial. Thats not possible. Youre a vampire.Only half, Jez said. She felt as if she were killing something-and she was. She was murderin g any hopefor what was between them.Might as well stomp it good, she thought bitterly. She couldnt under reject the wetness that wasthreatening to spill out of her eyes.The some other half is merciful, she said shortly, almost viciously. My mother was human. Claire is my cousin,and shes human. Ive been living with my uncle Jim, my mother s brother, and his family. Theyre allhuman.Morgead shut his eyes. A moment of astonishing weakness for him, Jez thought coldly.His verbalise was still a whisper. Vampires and humans stooget take up kids. You go offt be half and half.Oh, yeah, I screwing. My father broke the laws of the Night World. He fell in love with a human, and theygot married, and here I am. And then, when I was three or so, some other vampires came and tried tokill us all. In her mind Jez was seeing it again, the woman with red haircloth who looked like a medievalprincess, begging for her childs life. The tall man trying to protect her. They knew I was half human.They kept yelling Kill the freak. So thats what I am, you see. She turned eyes she knew werefeverishly bright on him. A freak.He was shaking his head, gulping as if he wereabout to be sick. It do Jez hate him, and feel sorry for him at the same time. She scarcely arrest thathot tears were spilling down her cheeks.Im vermin, Morgead. One of them. Prey. Thats what I realized a year ago, when I left the gang. Upuntil then I had no idea, just now that last night we hunted, I remembered the truth. And I knew that I had togo away and try to make up for all the things Id done to humans.He put a hand up to press against his eyes.I didnt just become a Daybreaker. I became a vampire hunter. I track down vampires who like to kill,who approve making humans suffer, and I stake them. You know why? Because they deserve to die.He was looking at her again, but as if he could hardly stand to. Jez-Its weird. I dont know about our connection- she smiled bitterly at him, to let him know she knew allthat was e reallywhere now-but I felt bad duplicity to you. Im almost glad to finally certify you the truth. I kind ofwanted to read you a year ago when it happened, but I knew youd kill me, and that made me a littlehesitant.She was laughing now. She realized she was more than a little hysterical. But it didnt seem to matter. Nothing mattered while Morgead was looking at her with that sick disbelief in his eyes.So, anyway She stretched her muscles, still happy at him, but ready to defend herself. Are you expiry to try and kill me now? Or is the involvement just off?He simply looked at her. It was as if his entire spirit had gone out of him. He didnt speak, and all atonce Jez couldnt cypher of anything to say, either. The silence stretched and stretched, like a yawningchasm between them.They were so far away from each other.You knew all along it would come to this, Jezs mind told her mockingly. How can you take to beupset? Hes actually taking it better than you expected. He hasnt tried to tear your throat out yet.At last Morgead said, in a plain and empty voice, Thats why you wouldnt drink my blood.I havent had a blood meal for a year, Jez said, feeling equally empty. I dont need to, if I dont use myPowers.He stared past her at the metal wall. Well, maybe youd better drink some of your human friends, hesaid stock(a)ly. Because whoever hasus-He broke off, suddenly alert. Jez knew what it was. The van was subnormality down, and the tires werecrunching on gravel.They were pulling into a driveway.A long driveway, and a steep one. Were somewhere out in the country, Jez thought.She didnt have time for any more pull the leg of with Morgead. Although she felt drained and numb, she wasfocused on outside issues now.Look, she said tensely as the van braked. I know you hate me now, but whoever has us hates usboth. Im not asking you to help me. I just wantto get my cousin away-and Im asking you not to stop me from doing that. Later, you can fight me orwhatever. We c an take care of that between the two of us. hardly dont stop me from saving Claire.He just looked at her with sick and hollow eyes. He didnt agree or disagree. He didnt move when shepositioned herself to erupt out of the van as soon as the back doorstep was opened.But, as it turned out, she could have saved her breath. Because when the door did open, letting insunlight that blinded Jez, it was to reveal five vicious-looking thugs, completely blocking the entrance.Three of them had spears with deadly points leveled right at Jez. The other two had guns.If anybody tries to fight, a voice from around the side of the van said, shoot the unconscious ones inthe kneecaps.Jez sagged back. She didnt try to fight as they forced her out of the van. Neither, strangely, did Morgead. There were more thugs standing(a) around behind the van, enough tosurround both Jez and Morgead with a forest of spears as they were led to the house.It was a nice house, a small sturdy top executive Anne painted barn red. There were trees all around and noother buildings in sight.Were out in the boondocks, Jez thought. Maybe Point Reyes Park. Somewhere remote, anyway,where nobody can hear us scream.They were shepherded into the living room of the house, and Hugh and Claire were dumpedunceremoniously on the floor.And then they were all tie up.Jez kept observance for an opportunity to attack. But one never came. All the time she and Morgead werebeing tied, two of the thugs pointed guns at Claire and Hugh. There was no way Jez could disarm themboth before they got off a shot.Worse, she was being rendered missed by an expert. The cords were made of bast, the inner bark oftrees. Equally effective against vampires and humans. When the guy tying her up was through, she had nouse of her arms or legs.Hugh woke up, gasping with pain, when they tied his injured arm. Claire woke up when the werewolfthug whod finished winding cords around her slapped her.Jez looked at that particular wolf carefully . She was too angry to spotlight at him. But she wanted toremember his face.thence she looked back at Claire, who was staring around her in bewilderment.I-where are we? Whats going on, Jez?Hugh was also looking around, but with oft less confusion. His gray eyes were simply sad and full ofpain.Its all right, Claire, Jez said. Just keep quiet, okay? Were in a little trouble, but dont tell themanything. She stared at her cousin, trying to will her to understand.A little trouble? I dont think so, came a voice from the living room doorway.It was the same voice that had give the orderabout shooting kneecaps. A light, cold voice, like an Arctic wind.The speaker was a girl.A very pretty girl, Jez thought irrelevantly. She had black hair that fell straight down her back like silk,and eyes that gleamed like topaz. Porcelain skin. A cruel smile. Lots of Power that surrounded her like adark aura. A vampire.She looked perhaps a year older than Jez, but that didnt mean anything. She could be a ny age.And those eyes, Jez thought. Theyre vaguely familiar. Like something Ive seen in a picture.I should probably introduce myself, the girl said, looking at her with cold mockery. Im Lily Redfern.Jez felt her stomach plummet.Hunter Redferns daughter.Well, that explained a lot.She was working for her father, of course. And she was a powerful enemy herself, over four hundredyears old. There were rumors that last year shed been working the human slave trade, and making a lotof money at it.I should laugh, Jez thought. There I was telling Morgead that Hunter wanted to steal a march on theCouncil-and here he really did. Just not through me, of course. Hes sent his only surviving child out totake care of us, to get Morgead to turn over the cruel Power.And thats why so many thugs-he can afford to buy as many as he needs. And the smoothoperation-Lilys a born strategist. Not to mention absolutely merciless and cold as ice.She was right. Were not in a little trouble. Were in a whole lot.So mebody, Jez thought with a strange, quiet certainty, is going to die here.Lily was still talking. And now let me introduce my associates, whove done so much to make this allpossible. She gestured at someone hidden in the hall to come forward. This is Azarius. I think youvemet.It was the vampire Jez had fought on the platform. He was tall, with dark skin and a look of authority.And this, Lily said, smiling, is someone youve also met. She gestured again, and a second figureappeared in the doorway. It was Pierce Holt.He was smiling faintly, his aristocratic face drawn in lines of genteel triumph. He waved one slender handat them, his eyes as cold as Lilys.Morgead gave an aphasic roar and tried to lunge at him.He only succeeded in falling on the floor, a struggling body in a cocoon of bast. Lily and Azarius bothlaughed. Pierce just looked scornful.You really didnt guess? he said. Youre so stupid, Morgead. Coming out this morning to meet me, sotrusting, so naive-I thought you were smart er. Im disappointed.No, youre dead, Morgead raged from the floor. He was staring at Pierce, black hair falling over his forehead and into green eyes that were brilliance with rage. You are dead when this is over Youbetrayed the gang. Youre complete scum. Youre- bar him up, Lily said, and one of the thugs kicked Morgead in the head.He must really be out of power, Jez thought, wincing. Or hed have blasted Pierce then.Im smart, Pierce was saying. And Im going to survive. I knew something was wary when she- henodded toward Jez without looking at her- said she had a deal with Hunter Redfern. It didnt soundright-and then the way she was so worried about that vermin kid. So I made a few calls, and I found outthe truth.You realize that your friend there is working with Circle Daybreak, Lily interrupted. She was alsolooking at Morgead and ignoring Jez. She lied to you and tricked you. She was trying to get the WildPower for them.Morgead snarled something inarticulate.And shes not just a Da ybreaker, Pierce said. Finally he looked at Jez, and it was with venomous spite.Shes a mutant abomination. Shes half vermin. She should have been drowned at birth.You should have been drowned at birth, Morgead said through locked teeth.Lily had been watching in amusement, but now she waved one hand. Okay, enough amusement and games.Down to business. Two of the thugs sat Morgead back up, and Lily walked to the middle of the room.She looked at each of them in turn, Jez last. Ive only got one question for you, shesaid in her cool, quiet voice. Which human is the Wild Power?Jez stared at her.She doesnt know. She knows almost everything else, but not that. And if she cant find outJez gave Hugh and Claire one long, intense look, telling them to keep silent. Then she looked back atLily.I have no idea what youre talking about.Lily hit her.It was a pretty good blow, but nothing to compare with what Jez got when she was in a fight. Jezlaughed, a natural laugh of surprise and scorn.Lilys hawk like golden eyes went icy.You think this is funny? she said, still quietly. My father sent me to get the Wild Power, and thats justwhat Im going to do. nevertheless if it means tearing you and your vampire boyfriend to pieces, mutant.Yeah, well, suppose I dont know? Did you ever think of that? Then I cant tell, no matter what you andyour little Jez glanced at Pierce and Azarius. Your little hobgoblins do. Lilys porcelain skin was flushing with fury. It brought out faint scars on one side of her face that Jezhadnt noticed before, like mostly-healed burn marks. Look, you little freak- Then she turned to thethugs. Teach her a lesson.Things were exciting for a while. Jez could hear Claire and Hugh yelling and Morgead snarling while thehobgoblins beat her up. She hardly feltthe blows herself. She was in a place where they didnt matter.When they finally got tired and stopped, Lily walked up to her again.Now, she said sweetly, has your memory gotten any better.Jez looked at her from under a swelling eyelid. I cant tell you something I dont know.Lily opened her mouth, but before she could speak, a new voice cut in.She doesnt have to tell you, Hugh said. Ill tell you. Its me.Lily swiveled slowly to look at him.He was sitting up straight at fancy his cocoon of bonds, his face calm under the dried blood. His gray eyeswere clear and straightforward. He didnt look afraid.Oh, Hugh, Jez thought. Her liveliness was beating slow and hard and her eyes prickled.Lily glanced at Azarius.He shrugged. Sure, it could be. I told you, it could be either of them. They were both at the stationwhen the flash came and the train stopped.Hmm, Lily said, a sound like a be sick purring to dinner. She moved toward Hugh. He didnt look awayfrom her, didnt flinch.But beside him, Claire gave a convulsive wiggle.She had been watching everything with a desperate, dazed expression. Jez was sure she didntunderstand a quarter of what was going on. But now she suddenly lost the muddled look. Her dar k eyessparked and she looked like the Claire whodtaunted Jez a hundred times in the hallway back home.I dont know what youre talking about, she said to Hugh. You know perfectly well its me. Sheturned to Lily. Tm the Wild Power.Lilys mouth tightened. She put her hands on her hips, looking from Hugh to Claire.Then Jez heard the strangest sound of her life.It was laughing-a wild and reckless laughing. There was an edge almost like crying to it, but alsosomething that was exhilarated, daredevil, free. If you really want to know who it is, Morgead said, ifs me.Lily whirled to glare at him. Jez simply stared, dumbfounded.Shed never seen him look so handsome-or so mocking. His smile was brilliant and flashing, his dark hairwas falling all over his eyes, and his eyes were blazing green emeralds. He was tied up, but he was sittingwith his head thrown back like a prince.Something tore inside Jez.She didnt understand why he would do it. He must know he wasnt saving her. The only people hemight possibly save were Hugh and Claire. And why would he care about them?Besides, it was a futile gesture. He didnt realize that he couldnt be the Wild Power, that he hadnt beenaround when the train stopped.But-it was such a undaunted gesture, too. Probably the most gallant thing Jez had ever seen.She stared at him, feeling the wetness spill fromher eyes again, wishing she were telepathic and could ask him why in the worlds he had done it.Then his green eyes turned to her, and she heard his mental voice.Theres just a chance theyll let one of them go with a beating. Just maybe-as a warning to CircleDaybreak not to mess with Hunter anymore. Especially if I convince Lily Ill work with her.Jez couldnt answer, but she shook her head very faintly, and looked at him in despair. She knew hecould read that. Do you know what theyll do to you? Especially when they find out youre a fake?She saw his faint reply smile. He knew.What difference does it make? he said in her mind. You and me-were lost anyway. And without you, Idont care what happens.Jez couldnt show any reaction to that at all. Her vision was dimming, and her heart felt as if it were tryingto claw itself out of her chest.Oh, Morgead Lily was breathing hard, on the verge of losing control. If I have to kill all of you-Wait, Pierce said, his cool voice a striking contrast to Lilys strained one. Theres a simple way to findout. He pointed at Jez. Stake her.Lily glared at him. What?Shes never going to tell you anything. Shes expendable. And theres something you have to understandabout the Wild Power. He moved smoothly to Lilys side. I think Morgead was right about one thing. Ithink the Wild Power isnt operating consciously at this point. Its only when the danger is greatest, when theres no physical way to escape, that the power comes out.Lily cast a sideways look at Hugh and Claire, who were sitting tensely, their eyes wide. You mean theymay not know which it is?Maybe not. Maybe its completely automatic at this point . But theres one way to find out. They allseem-attached-to the halfbreed. Put her life in danger, and then see which of them can break free and tryto save her.Lilys perfect lips slowly curved in a smile. I knew there was a reason I liked you, she said. Then shegestured at the thugs. Go on, do it Everything was confused for a bit. Not because Jez was struggling.She wasnt. But Claire was screaming and Hugh and Morgead were shouting, and Lily was laughing.When the worst of the noise died down, Jez found herself on her back. Azarius was standing over her,and he was holding a hammer and stake.Isnt it interesting, Lily was saying, that a stake through the heart is the one thing that takes care ofhumans and vampires equally efficiently?And halfbreeds, too, Pierce said. They were on either side of Azarius, looking down and laughing.Lily, listen. Listen, Morgead said, his voice hoarse and desperate. You dont have to do this. I alreadytold you, its me. Just wait a minute and talk to me-*Dont even bother, human-lover, Lily said without glancing at him. If youre the Wild Power, then saveher.Dont any of you do anything Jez yelled. Not anything, do you understand?She was yelling it mainly at Claire-or was she?Suddenly Jez felt strangely uncertain.Her heart was beating very quickly, and her mind was pelt along even faster. Fragments of thought wereglittering through her consciousness, like bits of melody almost too faint to catch. It was as if all theprophecies shed heard about the Wild Powers were echoing, ricocheting around her brain at insanespeed. And there was something about them, something that was bothering her. Something that made herwonderCould it be that Claire wasnt the Wild Power? Jez had assumed she was-but was it possible that shedbeen wrong?Hugh had been on the platform, too, watching the train approach. Hugh had reason to be upset at havingto watch Jez die. He cared about her. Jez knew that now. And Hugh was seventeen.Could Hugh be the Wild Power?He hadnt b een in the Marina district-but he lived in the Bay Area there was no reason he couldnt havebeen watching the fire just as she and Claire had.But there was still something nag at her. The prophecies two eyes are watching Four ofblue fire, power in their blood.Lily was speaking. Jez heard her as if from a great distance.Do it. make up beside the heart first.Azarius positioned the stake. He raised the hammer.Morgead screamed, JezJez shouted, None of you do anything-And then the hammer came down and the universe exploded in red agony.