Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 18

Maggie st ard at her wildly.Youwhat?I should father told you earlier, Aradia verbalize. ButI didnt check he was your brother until my mind became clearer. Youre a lot alike, scarcely I couldntthink properly to compose it to targether. She added,quickly and with stern gentleness, But, Maggie, I dont want to get your hopes up. I dont think theres a great deal chance hes every last(predicate) right.Maggie went good-tempered. Tell me.He in reality saved me before you ever did. I wascoming to this valley, but I wasnt alone-therewere several other witches with me. We didnt inhabit where the pass was exactly-wed solely man aged to get incomp permite information from our spiesin hunter Redferns household.Maggie controlled her respiration and nodded.It was Samhain evening-Halloween. We werewandering around in the oecumenical area of the pass, severe to find a spell that would reveal it. All wedid was set send off an avalanche.Maggie stopped breathing entirely. An avalanche?It did nt hurt your brother. He was on the road,the place we should have been, if wed only known.But it did kill the others in my party.Oh,Maggie whispered. Oh, Im blue-bloodedI wasnt seriously hurt, but I was completely dazed. I could feel that the others were dead, butI wasnt sure where I was anyto a greater extent. And that waswhen I heard your brother sh forbiddening. He and Sylvia had heard the avalanche, of course, and they cameto see if anyone was caught in it.Miles would always stop to help people, Maggiesaid, however almost in a whisper. Even if they only needed batteries or socks or things.I cant consecrate you how grateful I was to hear him.He saved my life, Im sure-I would have wandered around dazed until I froze. And I was so happy torecognize that the girl with him was a witch She grimaced.Huh, Jeanne said, but non unsympathetically.I bet that didnt last.She recognized me, too, immediately, Aradiasaid. She knew what she had. A hostage to bargainwith all the other witches . And to buy credit withHunter Redfern. And of course, she knew that she could stop me from seeing Delos.All she cares about is power, Maggie said lightly. I heard hertalking-itsall about her, and how the witches have given her a bad deal becauseshes non a Harman or something.Aradia smiled very faintly. Im not a Harman byname, either. But all true witches are daughters of Hellewise Hearth-Woman-if they would righteous translate it. She shook her head slightly. Sylvia was so excited about finding me that she couldnt resist explaining it all to your brother. And he wasnt happy.No, Maggie said, burn with such fierce pride that for a moment the rimy cell seemed untoughened to her.Shed only told him before that she was taking him to some secret place where legends were stillalive. But now she told him the truth about theDark Kingdom, and how she wanted him to be apart of it. She told him that it could be theirstheir own private haven-after Delos left with Hunter Redfern. He could become a lamia orshapeshifter, whichever he liked better. They wouldboth be part of the iniquity World, and they couldrule here without any interference.Maggie lifted her cash in ones chipss helplessly, gesticulate themin agitation because she couldnt find words. How stupid could Sylvia be? Didnt she know Miles atall?Miles wouldnt care about any of that, she finally got out in a choked example.He didnt. He told her so. And I knew right awaythat he was in hassle with her. Aradia sighed.But there was cryptograph I could do. Sylvia played it very cool until they got me down the mountain.She pretended all she cared about was getting meto a doctor and ranking the rangers about my friends. But once we were in her apartment, everything changed.I remember her apartment, Maggie said slowly.The people there were weird.They were Night People, Aradia said. And Sylvias friends. As soon as we were inside she toldthem what to do. I was trying to explain to Miles,to see if we both could g et away, but there weretoo many of them. He do himself in between meand them, Maggie. He said theyd have to kill himbefore getting to me.Maggies chest felt not so much tight now asswollen, like a drum barrel full of water. She couldfeel her vegetable marrow thudding slowly inside, and the wayit echoed all through her.She steadied her articulation and said, Did they killhim?No. Not then(prenominal). And possibly not ever-but thatsthe part that I dont know. All I know is that theyknocked him out, and then the two slave tradersarrived. Bern and Gavin. Sylvia had move for them.And they must have come fresh from kidnappingP.J., Maggie thought. What wonderful guys.They knocked me out. And then Sylvia boundme with spells and practiced with her truth potions on me. She didnt get much information, becauseI didnt have much information. there was no armyof witches coming to invade the Dark Kingdomright now, I heed there were. And she already knew that I was coming to see Delos.Aradia s ighed again and finished quickly. Thetruth potion poisoned me, so that for days later on I was delirious. I couldnt really understandwhat was going on around me -I just faded in andout. I knew that I was being kept ina warehouse until the weather cleared enough to take me to thevalley. And I knew that Miles had already been disposed of-Sylvia mentioned that before she left mein the warehouse. But I didnt know what she haddone with him-and I still dont.Maggie swallowed. 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 let some rangers find her onthe mountain, and she said that he fell down acrevasse. But if he was dead, why not just let himdisappear?I think I know the answer to that, at least, Aradia said. When Miles was fighting them off he saidthat his roommates knew hed gone climbing withher. He said that if he didnt come lynchpin, theydremember that.Yes. It do sense. Every thing made sense-except that Maggie still didnt know what had becomeof him.There was a long silence.Well, he was brave, Jeanne said finally, andwith unexpected seriousness. If he did die, he wentout the right way. We just ought to hope we cando the same.Maggie glanced at her, trying to read the angularfeatures in the darkness. There was no take out 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 know, I dont even know your last name,she said to Jeanne, so abruptly and so much offthe subject that Jeanne reared can a little.Uh-McCartney. It was-it is?CMcCartney. Sheadded, I was fourteen when they got me. I was at the mall playing fist of Death at the arcade. And Iwent to go to the bathroom, and it was down this long empty corridor, and the next thing I knew Iwas argus-eyed up in a slave trad ers cart. And now you know everything, she said.Maggie put out a hand in the dimness, Hi,Jeanne McCartney. She felt the cold grip of slen der, callused fingers, and she shook Jeannes hand.And then she just held on to it, and to Aradias soft warm fingers on the other side. The leash of themsat together in the dark cell, slave, clement, andwitch Maiden-except that were really all just girls,Maggie thought.You didnt tell me one thing, Maggie said suddenly. Whatd they callyou when you simoleonsed working here? What was your job?Jeanne snorted. Second Assistant Stable Sweeper.And. now you know everything. Maggie didnt think she could possibly sleep in aplace like this, but after the three of them had sat quietly for a long time she found herself dozing. And when the rattle of the dungeon door startledher, she realized that shed been asleep.She had no belief what time it was-the flare wasburning low. She could feel Aradia and Jeannecome elicit beside her.Dinner? Jeanne muttered.I jus t hope its not PJ.- Maggie began, andthen broke off as firm, determined steps sounded on the stone floor of the corridor.She recognized the pace and she stood up tomeet Delos.He stood outside the cell, the dying torchlightflickering on his dark hair, catching occasionalsparks off his golden eyes. He was alone.And he didnt waste time getting to the point.I came to see if youve decided to be tenable, he said.Ive been reasonable from the beginning, Maggie said quietly and completely seriously. She was searching 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 also felt the steel ofhis resolve.I wont let you be killed. Nothing else matters.Maggie felt her shoulders sag.She turned 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 i t, zero canBut how?Theyre people, she said, gesturing toward theother girls, but watching Deloss face. I dont knowhow to get you to see that. They matter, too.He hardly glanced back at them. In the time ofdarkness that is coming, he said, as carefully as ifreciting a lesson, only the Night People will survive. The ancient forces of magic are rising. Theyvebeen asleep for ten thousand years, but theyrewaking up again.A low voice, not belligerent, but not alarmed either,came from the back of the cell. close to of us believethat gentleman can learn to live with magic.Some of you are idiots and fools and are goingto die, Delos said, without even looking.He stared at Maggie. She stared back at him.They were willing each other ashard as possible to understand. And I think hes got a stronger will, Maggiethought, as she broke the locked gaze and looked away, thumping the heel of a clenched fist against her forehead.No. Thats not right. Im hard Neely and I neergive up.If I tell him tha t some things are worth dyingforBut I dont think hes afraid to die. Hes justafraid for me. And he just wont listen if I say that Id rather die than see some things happen. Butthats the truth. There 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 uncomfortable little cart. And her ownvoice was saying, Jeanne. Its got to stop.Feeling very light-headed, she turned toward thebench. Jeanne? Come oer here.Jeanne straightened and walked up doubtfully.She looked into Maggies face.Maggie looked at her and then at Delos.Now you show him, she said in a voice thatwas like her own voice, but older and much grimmer,what his Night People do to slaves who try to escape. give care you showed me.Jeannes expression was inscrutable. She went onstaring at Maggie for a moment, then she raisedher eyebrows and turned around .She was exhausting 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 shock and horror nearly swamped her. Shegrabbed on to the crusade bars of the cell and waitedit out, teeth gritted while her vision went fromblack to red to something like a normal gray.Who did this?Delos managed finally, in a voice like ground 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 watched her sit down, then turned back.Some 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 vaguely glad 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 stomach ahand through his hair at some point it was disheveled 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 put anymore. And then he looked at Maggie.She was still standing there, waiting and watching. Their eyes met and she realized suddenly thatshed never seen him so vulnerable-or so open.But if there was one thing Prince Delos had, it was resolution. After another moment of helplessness, she dictum him straighten his shoulders and draw 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 ca stle, at least, before I confront Hunter.You cant do it alone, Maggie began.Sheshould have known hed immediately start arranging everybodys life again. E supererogatoryly not with yourpower blocked-Theres no reason for you to be in any moredanger than you have to be, he said. Ill send 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 horrible jolt. They were all tired,and all caught up in the moment, and none of themhad seen the figure until it was almost behindDelos.Hunter Redfern was standing there smiling. Sylvia was behind him. And behind them,crowdedtogether, were armed guards.Weve had to dispose of the fewer idiots who insisted on remaining unwavering to you, Hunter said amiably. His eyes were shining 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. W e heard everything. We knew you couldnt be trusted, so we let you come down here on purpose, to see what youd say.For psyche whod known Delos a while, shedidnt understand him very well, Maggie thought.Maggie could have told her that pretending was thelast thing that would occur to Delos. Instead he did what Maggie knew he would he launched himself at Hunter Redferns throat.Delos was young and strong and very angry but it was no contest. After Sylvia had squeaked and withdrawn, the guards all came to help Hunter. After that it was over quickly.Put 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, once Deloshad been kicked and thrown into the cell. For amoment there was that note of genuine feeling in his voice that Maggie had heard before. Then the golden eyes went cold and more bitter than ever. I think tomorrow morning well have a very special hunt, he said. And then there will be onlythree Wild Pow ers to worry about.This time, when the guards left, they took all theflares with them.Im sorry, 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 eventually anyway.For a lamia, 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 blue fire when she putthis spell on my arm, he said. She took all myvampire powers. Im essentially a human until she removes it.Aradia? Maggie said. Can you do anything? Imean, I know only Sylvia is supposed 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. Even if I were at full power, theres nothing I could do.Maggie let out her breath.Thats the only thing I regret, Delos said. ThatI cant save you.You have to stop view about that, Maggiewhispered.She was filled with a strange resignation. Itwasnt that she was giving 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 steadying her and realized it was Deloss arm. She leaned against him, glad of hiswarmth and solidity in the darkness. There was a tremendous comfort 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 absolutely wonderful to close them, just for a moment She only 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 work my name? she wondered. I thought i heard that He was thrashing and muttering, now. Maggieleaned close and caught a few words.I love you I did love you always remember that Delos She shook him. Delos, what are youdoing?He came 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, inform 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 leave 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 h ave 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.