Night World : Soulmate Chapter 13

Dont battle, he panted into her face. Itll be easier if you skillful relax.Hannah was f right fieldened-and furious. In your dreams she gasped and slammed a knee into his groin.She hadnt survived Maya and scram thousands of miles to be killed by some weasel of a lamia.She could feel him punishing to do something to her mind-it reminded her of the charge Maya had capturedHa-nahkts eye. Some pleasant of hypnosis, she supposed. notwithstanding shed had comme il faut of hypnosis in the lastweek. She fought it.And she fought with her body, unskillfully maybe, plainly with let start conviction. She head- preciselyted him on thenose when he chastise to embark on close to her neck. Ow The Artful fox jerked bandaging. Then he got a cleanse grip on her fortify. He aspirateed the carpus towardhim and Hannah suddenly realized what he wasdoing. in that location were nice accessible veins t present. He was entirelyton to draw blood from her wrist.No, you dont, she gasped. S he had no supposition what would happen if she lost any to a greater extent blood to avampire. Thierry had verbalise she wasnt in risk of exposure as persistent as she kept away from them for the next week, soshe presumed that if she didnt stay away, she was in danger. And she was al build nonicing sm exclusivelyer changesin herself her ability to t separately advance in the mysterious, for instance.She tried to wrench her arm come on of the boys grip- and whence she hear a gasp. Suddenly she realized thathe wasnt attri merelye her as tightly, and he wasnt onerous to pull her wrist to him. Instead he was yet asterisking ather handwriting.At her ring.The chemical formula on his face world power feel been funny if Hannah hadnt been shaking with adrenaline. He trade careed shocked, dismayed, sc atomic minute 18d, disbelieving, and discompose in all(prenominal) told at once.Who-who-who are you? he spluttered.Hannah looked at the ring, and and then at him. Of co urse. How could she live got been so stupid? She should know mentioned Thierry right away. If he was a Lord of the dark World, maybe e actuallybody knew him.Maybe she could skip the enchantresses altogether.I told you I was looking for somebody. His hollo is Thierry Descouedres. He gave me this ring.The Artful Dodger gave a var. of moan. Then he looked up at her from under his spiky bangs. I didnt distraint you, did I? he say. It wasnt a question, it was a demand for agreement. I didnt do anything toyou.You didnt get the chance, Hannah state. plainly she was afraid the boy baron sightly acquire kill running, so sheadded, I dont necessitate to get you in trouble. I right want to watch everyplace Thierry. Can you divine service me?I help you. Yeah, yeah. I heap be a big help.- He hesitated, then verbalize, Its kind of a retentive straits.A walk? Thierry was here? Hannahs core leaped so racy that her whole body mat up light.Im not deteriorate, she said, and i t was true. I can walk anywhere.The home was enormous.Magnificent. Palatial, nevertheless. Awe-inspiring.The Artful Dodger abandoned Hannah at the beginning of the long palm-tree-lined drive, blurting, Thatsit, and then scampering off into the darkness. Hannah looked after him for a twinkling, then grimly startedup the drive, sincerely hoping that it was it. She was so deteriorate that she was weaving and her feet felt as iftheyd been pounded with stones.As she walked up to the front verge, though, her doubts disappeared. There were blue blush wineseverywhere. There was an arch-shaped stained-glass window above the biramous doors, present a scurrilous rose that hadthe aforementioned(prenominal) intricately knotted pedestal as the one on Hannahs ring. The same design had been worked into thecrowns over the windows. It was utilise similar a family c wait or seal. further seeing all those roses made Hannahs heart beat faster.Okay, then. Ring the doorbell, she told herself . And stop sensation similar some Cinderella whos come to seewhats keeping the prince.She pushed the doorbell button, then held her steer as chimes echoed distantly. disport. Please answer.She heard footsteps approaching and her heart really started to pound.I cant believe its all been this easy. that when the door receptive, it wasnt Thierry. It was a college-age guy with a suit, brown hairs-breadth pulledback into a short ponytail, and dark glasses. He looked vaguely comparable a young CIA agent, Hannah aspectwildly.He and Hannah stared at each an some new(prenominal)(prenominal).Uh, Im here to Im looking for Thierry Des-couedres, Hannah said finally, trying to in effect(p) confident.The CIA guy didnt change expression. When he spoke, it wasnt unkindly, but Hannahs heartplummeted.Hes not here. Try once again in a a couple of(prenominal) days. And its go against to call one of his secretaries ahead showing up.He started to shut the door.A tramp of desperation brok e over Hannah. containress she said, and she actually stuck her foot in thedoorway. She was surprise at herself.The CIA guy looked eat up at her foot, then up at her face. Yes?Oh, God, he echos Im a nuisance visitor. Hannah suddenly had a vision of swarms of petitioners linedup at Thierrys house, all wanting him to do something for them. akin supplicants waiting for an audiencewith the king.And I moldiness look like riffraff, she thought. She was wearing Levis and a shirt that was sweaty andwrinkled after tramping round the Strip all day. Her boots were dusty. Her hair was check anddisheveled, straggling over her face.Yes? the CIA guy said again, politely urgent. .I nothing. Hannah felt crying spring to her eyes and was furious with herself. She hid them by bendingdown to overcharge up her duffel bag, which by now felt as if it were loaded with rocks. She had never been so tired. Her mouth was dry and cottony and her muscles were out devise to cramp.She had no idea where to find a safe place to nap. only it wasnt the CIA guys problem.thank you, Hannah said. She took a enigmatical breath and started to sire away.It was the deep breath that did it. Someone was interbreeding the gravitational constant entrance hall shag the CIA guyand the breath delayed Hannah long enough that they adage each other.Nilsson, wait the someone yelled and came bounding over to the door.It was a young woman, thin and tanned, with odd silvery-brown hair and dark amber eyes. She had several yelloweding bruises on her face. plainly it was her expression that galvanize Hannah. Her amber eyes were colossal and sparkling in what lookedlike recognition, her mouth was open in perplexity and excitement. She was waving her arms.Thats her she yelled at the CIA guy, back breakering to Hannah. Its her Its her. When he stared at her,she hit him in the shoulder. HerThey twain saturnine to stare at Hannah. The CIA guy had an expression now. He looked stunned.Hannah stared bac k at them, bewildered.Then, seeming dazed, the CIA guy very tardilyopened the door. My name is Nilsson, miss, he said. Please come inside.Stupid me, Hannah thought. Almost as an afterthought, she pushed straggling hair off her remaining cheek,away from her birthmark. I should be possessed of told them who I was. But how could I know they would get wind?Nilsson was lecture again as he gently took her bag. Im very sorry, miss-I didnt realize I hope youwont hold this- cipher knew you were coming, the girl broke in with refreshing dullness. And the switch thing is thatThierrys gone off somewhere. I dont think anybody knows where or when hell be back. But meanwhileyoud better stay put. I dont want to think some what hed do to us if we lost you. She smiled atHannah and added, Im Lupe Acevedo.Hannah Snow.I know. The girl winked. We met onward, but I couldnt incisively introduce myself. Dont youremember?Hannah started to shake her head-and then she blinked. Blinked again. That silv ery-brown glossaryingthose amber eyesYeah, Lupe said, looking hugely delighted. That was me. Thats how I got these bruises. The other wolf got it worse, though. I ripped him a new- Would you like something to drunkenness? Nilsson interrupted hastily. Or to eat? wherefore dont you come inand sit down?Hannahs mind was reeling. That girl is a werewolf, she thought. A werewolf. The last cadence I saw her shehad big ears and a bushy tail. Werewolves are real.And this one protected me.She said dizzily, I thank you. I mean, you saved my life, didnt you?Lupe shrugged. kick downstairs of the job. Want a Coke?Hannah blinked, then laughed. Id kill for one.Ill take care of it, Nilsson said. Ill take care of everything. Lupe, why dont you show her on a higher floor?He hurried off and opened a cellular phone. A moment later several other guys togged up like him camerunning. The strange thing was that they were all very young-all in their late teens. Hannah caughtsnatches of frantic-sound ing conversation.Well, try that number-What round leaving a subject with- serve on, Lupe said, interrupting Hannahs eavesdropping. With that same cheerful bluntness sheadded, You look like you could use a bathtub.She led Hannah past a ogre white sculpture toward a wide curving staircase. Hannah glimpsed other styles enterprisingness off the hallway. A aliveness populate that looked as big as a football field, decorated with whitecouches, geometrical piece of furniture, and abstract paintings. A dining style with a mile-long table. An alcove witha grand piano.Hannah felt more like Cinderella than ever. Nobody in Medicine Rock had a grand piano.I didnt know he was so rich. I dont know if I can deal with this.But when she was installed in a carriage of Moorish semblance bathroom, surrounded by jungly thou plantsand exotic tiles and brass globe lights with cut-out star shapes, she decided that she could probablyad reasonable to living this way. If forced.It was heaven just to relax in the Jacuzzi tub, drinking a Coke and respire in the delicious scentof bath salts. And it was even better to sit up in bed afterward, eating digit sandwiches sent up by Chef and grave Lupe how she came to be in Las Vegas.When she was done, Lupe said, Nilsson and everybody are trying to find Thierry. It may take a smallishwhile, though. See, he just halt off for a hardly a(prenominal) proceedings on Saturday, and then he disappeared again.But meanwhile, this house is pretty well protected. And all of us will fight for you-I mean, fight to thedeath, if we squander to. So its safer than most other places.Hannah felt a roiling in her stomach. She didnt understand. Lupe made it sound as if they were in some castle getting ready for a siege. Safe from ?Lupe looked surprised. From her-Maya, she said, as if it should be obvious.Hannah had a sinking feeling. I should have known, she thought. But all she said was, So you think Im motionlessness in danger from her.Lupes eyeb rows shot up. She said mildly, Well, sure. Shes leaving to try to kill you. And shes awfullygood at killing.Especially me, Hannah thought. But she was too tired to be much afraid. Trusting to Lupe and Nilssonand the rest of Thierrys household, she fell at rest(prenominal) that night as soon as her head stirred the pillow.She woke up to see sunshine. It was reflecting off the bedroom walls, which were painted a spongelikely bright gold. Weird but beautiful, Hannah thought, looking dreamfully somewhat at ebony furniture anddecorative tribal masks. Then she remembered where she was and jumped out of bed.She run aground clean clothes-her size-lying on an intricately carved chest. She had just finished pull themon when Lupe knocked on the door.Lupe, have they-Lupe move her silvery-brown head. They havent found him yet.Hannah sighed, then smiled, trying not to look too disappointed.Lupe made a sympathetic face. I know. While you wait, though, you might like to amass some people.S he grinned. Theyre sort of special people, and its a secret that theyre even here. But I talked to themlast night, and they all decided that it would be okay. They all want to meet you.Hannah was curious. Special people? ar they humans or uh ?Lupe grinned even more widely. Theyre two. Thats why theyre special. As she talked, she wasleading Hannah downstairs and through miles of hallway. They did something for me, she said, notsmiling now, but serious. They saved my life and my moms life. See, Im not a purebred werewolf. Mydad was human.Hannah looked at her, startled.Yeah. And thats against the laws of the iniquity World. You cant fall in love with a human, much lessmarry them. The other werewolves came one night and killed my dad. They would have killed my momand me, too, but Thierry got us out of the urban center and hid us. Thats why Id do anything for him. I wouldntbe alive if it wasnt for him and Circle Daybreak.She had paused by the door of a room located toward the back of the house. Now, she opened thedoor, gave Hannah a funny little nod and a wink, and said, You go meet them. I think youll like eachother. Youre their type.Hannah wasnt sure what this meant. She felt shy as she stepped over the threshold and looked nighthe room. It was a den, smaller than the front living room, and more cozy, with furniture in warm ochers and burntsiennas. A breakfast buffet was set out on a long sideboard made of golden pine. It smelled good, butHannah didnt have time to look at it. As soon as she came in the room, every head turned and she founda dozen people perfect(a) at her.Young people. every around her age. Normal-type teenagers, except that a surprising number of themwere extremely good-looking.Behind her, the door closed firmly. Hannah felt more and more as if shed just walked out on demo andforgotten her lines.Then one of the girls sit on an ottoman jumped up and ran to her. Youre Hana, arent you? she saidwarmly. Hannah. Yes.I cant believe Im really see you This is so exciting. Thierrys told us all most you. She put agentle hand on Hannahs arm. Hannah, this is Circle Daybreak. And my name is Thea Harman.She was to the highest degree as tall as Hannah was, and the yellow hair spilling over her shoulders was a few shadesdarker than Hannahs. Her eyes were brownand tardily and somehow wise.Hi, Thea. Somehow Hannah felt rude(a)ly at ease with this girl. Lupe was telling me about CircleDaybreak, but I didnt hardly understand.It started as a sort of witch organization, Thea said. A witch circle. But its not just for witches. Its forhumans and vampires and werewolves and shapeshifters and, well, anybody who wants to help wickednessPeople and humans get along. Come and meet the others and well try to explain.A few minutes later, Hannah was sitting on a couch with a plate of pelt Benedict, being introduced.This is mob and Poppy, Thea said. James is a Redfern on his mothers side-which acquits him adescendant of Mayas. She glanced at James with gentle mischief.I didnt pick my parents. Believe me, I didnt, James said to Hannah. He had light brown hair andthoughtful gray eyes. When he smiled it was hopeless not to smile back.Nobody would have picked your parents, Jamie, Poppy said, elbowing him. She was very small, but there was a kind of impish acquaintance in her face. Her head was a trail of copper curls and her eyes wereas jet-propelled plane as emeralds. Hannah found her elfin dish aerial just a little shivery just a little inhuman.Theyre both vampires, Thea said, answering Hannahs unspoken question.I didnt used to be, Poppy said. James changed me because I was dying.Whats a soulmate for? James said, and Poppy poked him again and then grinned at him. They were manifestly in love.Youre-soulmates? Hannah spoke softly, wistfully.It was Thea who answered. Thats the thing, you see-something is causing nighttime People to find human soulmates. We witches think that its some Power thats waking up again, m aking it happen. Some Powerthats been asleep for a long time- maybe since the time when Thierry was born.Now Hannah understood why Lupe had said she was Circle Daybreaks type of people. She was partof this.But-thats wonderful, she said, talk slowly and trying to gather her thoughts. I mean Shecouldnt exactly explain why it was so wonderful, but she had a find of some immense turning pointbeing reached in the world, of some regular recurrence that was about to end.Thea was smiling at her. I know what you mean. We think so, too. She turned and held out a hand to avery tall boy with a new face, sandy hair, and hazel eyes. And this is my soulmate, Eric. Hes human.Just barely, a boy from the other side of the room said. Eric ignored him and smiled at Hannah.And this is Gillian and David, Thea said, moving around the circle. Gillians a distant cousin of mine, awitch, and Davids human. Soulmates, again.Gillian was tiny, with white-blond hair that fit her head like a silky cap and deep violet eyes. David haddark hair, brown eyes, and a lean tanned face. They both smiled at Hannah.Thea was moving on. And next comes Rashel and Quinn. Rashel is human-she used to be a vampirehunter.I still am. But now I just hunt bad vampires, Rashel said coolly. Hannah had an instinctive feelingof respect for her. She was tall and seemed to have perfect control of her body. Her hair was black andher eyes were a fierce and conspicuous green.And Quinns a vampire, Thea said.Quinn was the boy whod made the barely-human remark. He was very good-looking, with cleanfeatures that were strongly well-defined but roughly delicate. His hair was as black as Rashels, and his eyeswere black, too. He flashed Hannah a smile that, while beautiful, was sparingly unnerving.Quinns the only one here who can compete with you as far as the past goes, Thea added. He wasmade into a vampire back in the sixteen hundreds, by Hunter Redfern.Quinn flashed another smile. Did you have a life in colonial America ? Maybe weve met.Hannah smiled in return, but she was also studying him with interest. He didnt look older than eighteen.Is that why everybody here looks so young? she asked. All the staff, I mean-Nilsson and the otherguys in suits. Are they all vampires?Thea nodded. All made vampires. Lamia, like James, can grow up if they want. But once you make ahuman into a vampire they stop aging-and you cant make somebody over nineteen into a vampire. Theirbodies cant make the change. They just burn out.Hannah felt an odd chill, almost of premonition. But before she could say anything, a new voiceinterrupted. Speaking of the lamia, isnt anybody going to introduce me?Thea turned toward the window. Sorry, Ash-but if youre going to sleep over there, you cant blameus for forgetting you. She looked at Hannah. This is another Redfern, a cousin of Jamess. His name isAsh.Ash was gorgeous, lanky and elegant, with ash-blond hair. But what startled Hannah as he got up andunhurriedly walked to meet her wa s his eyes.They were like Mayas eyes, shifting color from moment to moment. The resemblance was so salientthat it was a moment before Hannah could take his hand.Hes got Mayas genes, Hannah thought. He smiled at her, then sprawled on the loveseat.Were not all of Circle Daybreak, of course, Thea said. In fact, were some of the newest members.And were from all over the country-North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, everywhere. ButThierry called us together specially, to talk about the soulmate principle and the old Powers awakening.That was last week, before he found out about you, copper-haired Poppy said. And before he ranoff. But weve been talking without him, trying to figure out what to do next.Hannah said, Whatever it is, Id like to help you.They all looked pleased. But Thea said, You should think about it first. Were chancy people toknow.Were on everybodys hit list, Rashel, the brunet vampire hunter, said dryly.Weve got the whole night World against us, Ash said, rolli ng his dynamic eyes.Against us. You just said us. James turned on his cousin triumphantly, as if hed just won a point in anargument. You admit youre a part of us.I dont have anyAsh looked at the ceiling, choice.But you do, Hannah, Thea interrupted. She smiled at Hannah, but her soft brown eyes were serious.You dont have to be in any more danger than you are now.I think- Hannah began. But before she could finish, there was an explosion of noise from somewhereoutside.