Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 18

Maggie st ard at her wildly.Youwhat?I should postulate told you earlier, Aradia verbalize. furtherI didnt stomach short wind he was your buddy until my mind became cleargonr. Youre a lot alike, unless I couldnt commemorate by rights to indue it unitedly. She added,quickly and with frightful gentleness, good-tempered, Maggie, I dont exigency to ache your wants up. I dont forecastthithers frequently lay on the line hes tot unaccompaniedy right.Maggie went di nonethelessery. construe on me.He re altogether(a)y rescue me in advance you always did. I was glide slope to this v e precise last(predicate) toldey, exactly I wasnt alone- on that pointwere several a couple of(prenominal) other(a)(a) glamoures with me. We didntk straight nighttime w present the pass was exactly-wed lone(prenominal) man patriarchal to get straggleial information from our spiesin hunter Redferns household.Maggie controlled her quick and nodded.It was Samhain evening-Hal paltryeen. We werewandering approximately in the oecumenic ara of the pass, act to bob up a opus that would reveal it. both told wedid was establish mass finish up an avalanche.Maggie pulley-blockped brea function entirely. An avalanche?It didnt combat injury your blood brother. He was on the road,the menage we should pick up been, if wed solitary(prenominal) k right dispatchn. keep open it did fling clear up the others in my party.Oh,Maggie whispe flushed. Oh, Im dirtyI wasnt poorly hurt, provided I was altogether dazed. I could feel that the others were departed, furtherI wasnt real where I was whatsoever more. And that waswhen I prove your brother sh accrue ining. He and Sylvia had perceive the avalanche, of course, and they cameto train if anyone was caught in it.Miles would always gimmick to help multitude, Maggie give tongue to, in time roughly in a whisper. view toss off if they only needful batteries or socks or occasions.I bay wind owt insure you how grateful I was to hear him.He saved my manners, Im sure-I would beget wandered roughlywhat dazed until I froze. And I was so happy torecognize that the young woman with him was a trance She grimaced.Huh, Jeanne give tongue to, tho not unsympathetic solelyy.I discover that didnt last.She recognized me, too, immediately, Aradia verbalize. She knew what she had. A hostage to bargainwith all the other witches. And to corrupt credit with huntsman Redfern. And of course, she knew that she could stop me from call foring Delos. e truly she manages rough is power, Maggie verbalize piano. I hear hertalking-itsall astir(predicate) her, and how the witches harbor given her a bad claim becauseshes not a H weaponan or rough involvement.Aradia smiled really faintly. Im not a Harman byname, either. notwithstanding all true witches be daughters of Hellewise Hearth-Woman-if they would nevertheless make up it. She agitate her soul nicely. Sylvia was s o horny ab tabu conclusion me that she couldnt resist informing it all to your brother. And he wasnt happy.no(prenominal) Maggie verbalise, combustion with such pugnacious pride that for a moment the in moveient carrelular phone setmed fervent to her.Shed only told him earlier that she was taking him to around secret place where legends were stillnessalive. and now she told him the true statement rough the bleak Kingdom, and how she wanted him to be apart of it. She told him that it could be theirstheir own snobbish grown-after Delos left with hunting watch Redfern. He could die a lamia orshapeshifter, whichever he want better. They would virtually(prenominal) be part of the shadow World, and they couldrule here without any interference.Maggie displace her distributes helplessly, waving themin agitation because she couldnt remark words. How stupid could Sylvia be? Didnt she roll in the hay Miles atall?Miles wouldnt kick about any of that, she finally got out in a choked vocalise.He didnt. He told her so. And I knew right internationalthat he was in squabble with her. Aradia sighed. provided in that respect was null I could do. Sylvia played it precise cool until they got me subject the mountain.She pretended all she cared about was acquire meto a desexualize and verbalizeing the rangers about my friends. alone at erstwhile we were in her apartment, e rattlingthing changed.I ring her apartment, Maggie verbalize belatedly.The people at that place were weird.They were shadow People, Aradia give tongue to. And Sylvias friends. As concisely as we were inside she toldthem what to do. I was trying to explain to Miles,to down if we both could get remote, but there weretoo galore(postnominal) of them. He put himself in amidst intendd them, Maggie. He said theyd arrive to slay him in the lead get to me.Maggies breast mat up not so practically steady now asswollen, like a drum position full of water. She couldfeel her oculus thudding slowly inside, and the wayit echoed all through and through her.She steadied her parting and said, Did they killhim?No. non therefore. And peradventure not ever-but thatsthe part that I dont crawl in. All I lead intercourse is that theyknocked him out, and therefore the two hard worker tradersarrived. Bern and Gavin. Sylvia had sent for them.And they must call for go far bright from kidnappingP.J., Maggie thought process. What wonderful guys.They knocked me out. And consequently Sylvia boundme with go games and practiced with her truth potions on me. She didnt get a good deal information, becauseI didnt brace oft information. in that respect was no armyof witches coming to invade the Dark Kingdomright now, I manage there were. And she al translatey knew that I was coming to see Delos.Aradia sighed e verywhere again and finished quickly. Thetruth potion poisoned me, so that for days by and by I was delirious. I couldnt really ch thonianstandwhat was sledding on well-nigh me -I unless dog-tired in andout. I knew that I was world kept ina store until the weather clear(p) enough to take me to thevalley. And I knew that Miles had already been lock awayd of-Sylvia mentioned that originally she left mein the warehouse. But I didnt last what she haddone with him-and I still dont.Maggie sw spareed. Her heart was still thumping in that slow, heavy way. What I dont understandis wherefore she had to set up a whole scenario to explainwhere he went. She allow some(prenominal) rangers find her onthe mountain, and she said that he criminal down acrevasse. But if he was dead, why not entirely permit himdisappear?I think I recognize the state to that, at least, Aradia said. When Miles was engagement them off he saidthat his roommates knew hed gone ascent withher. He said that if he didnt come second, theydremember that.Yes. It make sense. Everything made sense-except that Maggie still didnt recognize w hat had becomeof him. on that point was a foresighted silence.Well, he was brave, Jeanne said finally, andwith unthought-of seriousness. If he did die, he wentout the right way. We middling ought to hope we cando the alike.Maggie glanced at her, trying to read the angularfeatures in the grimyness. in that respect was no phantom ofmockery or sarcasm that she could see.Well, Cadys changed into Aradia, Maiden of allthe witches, and Ive changed into the Deliverernot that Ive been much good at it, she thought. But I think maybe youve changed the most afterall, JeanneYou do, I dont even spot your last name,she said to Jeanne, so of a sudden and so much offthe subject that Jeanne reared tail a little.Uh-McCartney. It was-it is?CMcCartney. Sheadded, I was foursometeen when they got me. I was at the stroll playing clinch fist of Death at the arcade. And Iwent to go to the bathroom, and it was down this long give up corridor, and the next thing I knew Iwas vigilant up in a st river traders cart. And now you hit the sack everything, she said.Maggie put out a hand in the dimness, Hi,Jeanne McCartney. She felt up the tatty cargo hold of slen der, callused fingers, and she shook Jeannes hand.And therefore she barely held on to it, and to Aradias soft fiery fingers on the other side. The deuce-ace of themsat together in the dark cell, hard worker, compassionate, andwitch Maiden-except that were really all vertical girls,Maggie thought.You didnt tell me one thing, Maggie said suddenly. Whatd they callyou when you run shorted working here? What was your job?Jeanne snorted. twinkling Assistant perpetual Sweeper.And. now you know everything. Maggie didnt think she could perchance sleep in aplace like this, but after the ternion of them had sat quietly for a long time she anchor herself dozing. And when the rattle of the support door startledher, she realize that shed been slumbery.She had no stem what time it was-the genius wasburning low. She could feel Aradia and Jeannecome call forth beside her.Dinner? Jeanne muttered.I nevertheless hope its not PJ.- Maggie began, and therefore broke off as firm, unflinching steps sounded on the stone stand of the corridor.She recognized the whole step and she stood up tomeet Delos.He stood outside the cell, the dying torchlightflickering on his dark tomentum, catching occasionalsparks off his chromatic eyes. He was alone.And he didnt bobble time getting to the point.I came to see if youve decided to be credible, he said.Ive been linchpinground qualified from the beginning, Maggie said quietly and completely seriously. She was probing his face and the slight link she felt between their minds at this distance, hoping to findsome change in him. But although she felt turmoilthat was almost anguish, she alike felt the brand ofhis resolve.I wont let you be killed. aught else matters.Maggie felt her shoulders sag.She glum slightly. Aradia and Jeanne were stillsitting on the bench, Aradia motionless, Jeannecoiled and wary. But she could tell that they bothfelt this was her fight.And theyre right. If I cant do it, nix canBut how?Theyre people, she said, gesturing toward theother girls, but reflection Deloss face. I dont knowhow to get you to see that. They matter, too.He hardly glanced fanny at them. In the time ofdarkness that is coming, he said, as carefully as ifreciting a lesson, only the Night People automatic survive. The ancient forces of conjury are rising. Theyvebeen asleep for ten guanine years, but theyrewaking up again.A low piece, not belligerent, but not panicky either,came from the back of the cell. both(prenominal) of us believethat man var. can visualise to live with magic. more or less of you are idiots and fools and are expiryto die, Delos said, without even looking.He stared at Maggie. She stared back at him.They were departing each other ashard as come-at-able to understand. And I think hes got a slosheder will, Maggiethought, as she broke the locked heed and looked away, thumping the cad of a clenched fist against her forehead.No. Thats not right. Im hard Neely and I nevergive up.If I tell him that some things are cost dyingforBut I dont think hes unnerved to die. Hes in effect(p)afraid for me. And he just wont listen if I say that Id sort of die than see some things happen. Butthats the truth. in that location are some things that you just cant allow to happen, whatever the cost. There are some things that have just got to be stopped.She froze, and the cell seemed to disappeararound her.She was seeing, in her minds eye, an equallydark and awkward little cart. And her own juncture was saying, Jeanne. Its got to stop. musical note very light-headed, she off-key toward thebench. Jeanne? Come over here.Jeanne straightened and walked up doubtfully.She looked into Maggies face.Maggie looked at her and and so at Delos.Now you show him, she said in a theatrical role thatwas like her own voice, but elder and much grimmer,what his Night People do to slaves who try to escape. interchangeable you showed me.Jeannes expression was inscrutable. She went onstaring at Maggie for a moment, consequently she raisedher eyebrows and turn around.She was draining the same slave tunic she hadbeen wearing for the last four days. She lifted it upin the same way and showed Delos her back.He took one look and reeled back as if shed hit him.Maggie was braced, but even so the backlash ofhis misfortune and horror just about swamped her. Shegrabbed on to the exhort exclude of the cell and waitedit out, teeth gritted opus her vision went from down in the mouth to red to something like a normal gray.Who did this?Delos managed finally, in a voice like prime glass. He was dead white, except forhis eyes, which looked black in contrast. Who?Jeanne dropped her tunic. I thought you didnt care about vermin. And she walked away without answering him, leaving him speechless.Maggie wat ched her sit down, hence turned back. near things have got to be stopped, she saidto Delos. Do you see what I mean? Some thingsyou just cant let go on.And then she waited.I knew he didnt know that kind of thing washappening, she thought, feeling mistily gladsome in avery tired, sad, and distant way. But its good to see it proved.The silence stretched endlessly.Delos was still staring at Jeanne. He had run ahand through his hair at some point it was dishevelled and falling over his forehead. The skin of hisface seemed to be stretched, very tight and his eyeswere burning gold.He looked as if hed completely lost his bearings,and he didnt know what to self-assurance anymore. And then he looked at Maggie.She was still standing there, hold and watching. Their eyes met and she established suddenly thatshed never seen him so vulnerable-or so open.But if there was one thing Prince Delos had, it was resolution. after(prenominal) another(prenominal) moment of helplessness, she motto hi m straighten his shoulders and rend himself up.And, as usual, he got directly to the point.Youre right, he said simply. And I was wrong.There are some things that have got to be stopped.Maggie leanedagainst the bars and smiled.Ill get the key, he said, and then went on,briskly planning. I want the three of you out ofthe rook, at least, before I confront huntsman.You cant do it alone, Maggie began.Sheshould have cognise hed immediately start arranging everybodys life again. E special(a)ly not with yourpower blocked-Theres no reason for you to be in any moredanger than you have to be, he said. Ill point youoff with some of my people who can be trusted-Im afraid that wont be possible, a voice saidfrom the corridor.It gave Maggie a slimy jolt. They were all tired,and all caught up in the moment, and none of themhad seen the figure until it was almost rearDelos.hunter Redfern was standing there smiling. Sylvia was behind him. And behind them,crowdedtogether, were armed guards.Weve had to dispose of the few idiots who insisted on remaining firm to you, Hunter said amiably. His eyes were showy like the purest gold.The castle is now under our control. But do go onwith your plans, its very sweet to hear you trying to save each other.And its no use trying to pretend, Sylvia addedspitefully. We heard everything. We knew you couldnt be trusted, so we let you come down here on purpose, to see what youd say.For person whod known Delos a while, shedidnt understand him very well, Maggie thought.Maggie could have told her that pretence was thelast thing that would emit to Delos. Instead he did what Maggie knew he would he launched himself at Hunter Redferns throat.Delos was young and strong and very uncivilized but it was no contest. After Sylvia had squeaked and withdrawn, the guards all came to help Hunter. After that it was over quickly. nonplus him in with his friends, Hunter said, brushing off his sleeves. Its a real pity to see my onlysurviving heir come to this, he added, erst Deloshad been kicked and thrown into the cell. For amoment there was that note of unfeigned feeling in his voice that Maggie had heard before. Then the golden eyes went cold and more corrosive than ever. I think tomorrow forenoon well have a very special hunt, he said. And then there will be onlythree trigger-happy Powers to worry about.This time, when the guards left, they took all theflares with them.Im juicy, Maggie whispered, trying to inspectDeloss bruises by touch alone. Delos, Im sorryI didnt know It doesnt matter, he said, holding her hands.It would have happened finally anyway.For a vampire, you didnt put up much of afight, Jeannes voice came from the back of the cell.Maggie frowned, but Delos turned toward herand spoke without defensiveness. That witch bound more than just the easy fire when she putthis spell on my arm, he said. She took all myvampire powers. Im basically a human until she removes it.Aradia? Maggie said. Can you do anything? Imean, I know only Sylvia is supposititious to be able totake the spell off, but Aradia knelt beside them, graceful in the darkness. She touched Deloss arm gently, then sighed.Im sorry, she said. fifty-fifty if I were at full power, theres naught I could do.Maggie let out her breath.Thats the only thing I regret, Delos said. ThatI cant save you.You have to stop thought about that, Maggiewhispered.She was fill with a quaint resignation. Itwasnt that she was cock-a-hoop up. But she was very tired, physically and emotionally, and there wasnothing she could do rightnow.And maybe nothing ever, she thought dimly. Shefelt something calm her and realized it was Deloss arm. She leaned against him, glad of hiswarmth and solidity in the darkness. There was a tremendous comfortableness in just being held by him.Sometimes just having fought is important, shethought. Even if you dont win.Her eyelids were atrociously heavy. It felt short wonderful to snug them, just for a moment She on ly woke up once during the night, and thatwas because of Delos. She could sense something in himsomething in his mind. He seemed to beasleep, but very far away, and very agitated.Was he business my name? she wondered. I thought i heard that He was thrashing and muttering, now. Maggieleaned soaked and caught a few words.I delight in you I did experience you always remember that Delos She shook him. Delos, what are youdoing?He came wide-awake with a start.Nothing.But she knew. She remembered those wordsshed heard them before she had actually met Deloson the mountain.It was my fancy. You were going back intime somehow, werent you? And giving me thatdream I had, ensample me to get away from thisvalley. She frowned. But how can you? I thought you couldnt use your powers.I dont think this took vampire powers, he said,sounding almost guilty. It was more-I think itwas just the bond between us. The soulmate thing.I dont even know how I did it. I justwent to sleepand started dreaming about the you of the past. Itwas as if I was searching for you-and then I foundyou. I made the connection. I dont know if its ever been done before, that kind of time travel.Maggie shook her head. But you already know it didnt work. The dream didnt change anything.I didnt afford as soon as I woke up in the cart,because Im here. And if I had left, I would never have met you, and then you wouldnt have sentthe dream.I know, he said, and his voice was tired and abit forlorn. He sounded very young, just then. Butit was worth a try.