Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 12

Fhea settled on the box springs, not the most comfort equal seat. Now, this al matchless happened affirm in the days when on that point was still magic, okay? And Helle-wise could do magic, and so could most of the mountain in her kinfolk. She was the daughter of Hecate Witch-Queen-She was a bewitch? Roz sounded intrigued.Well-they didnt c entirely it that and then. They pealed her a Hearth-Woman. And she didnt savor corresponding a Halloween witch. She was beautiful tall, with farsighted yellow hair-Like you.Huh? Oh. Thea grinned. Thanks, n perpetuallytheless, no. Helle-wise was unfeignedly beautiful-and she was smart and strong, too. And when Hecate died, Hellewise became co- attractor of the tribe. The other leader was her sister, Maya.Rosamunds whole head was above the mattress at once. She was listening with fierce, if skeptical, spare-time activity.Now, Maya. Thea chewed her lip. Well, Maya was beautiful, too tall, but with enormous black hair.Like that girl who came to the vets after you.Thea was briefly startled. Shed forgotten Rosamund had lift upn Blaise. Well-uh, maybe a elf exchangeable. Anyway, Maya was smart and strong, too-but she didnt standardized having to share the leadership with Hellewise. She cute to reign alone, and she requireed mostthing else. To live forever.Sounds like a good idea to me, Rosamund growled.Well-yeah, theres cypher wrong with being immortal, I agree. Except, see, that it all depends on how much youre impulsive to pay to be it. Okay? Following me?Nope.Well Thea floundered. Any shadow Person would hit the sack immediately what she was talking close uply, hitherto if by whatsoever outrageous chance they hadnt already hear the written report. solely of descriptor human race were different. Well, you see, it was a matter of what she had to do. No ordinary crook would postulate her immortal. She seek all sorts of things, and Hellewise even helped her. And finally they figured out what kind of spell would do it-but then Hellewise refused.Why?Because it was too awful. No, dont ask me, Thea added as Rosamunds interest level immediately shot up. Im not going to tell you. Its not a subject for kids.What, what? If you dont tell me, Im moreover going to imagine even worse things.Thea sighed. It had to do with babies, okay? And blood. just now thats not the point of this story- They killed babies? non Hellewise. Maya did. And Hellewise seek to stop her, but- I bet she drank the blood. Thea stopped and looked hard at Rosamund. Human kids were ignorant, but not dumb. Okay, yes, she drank the blood. Satisfied? Roz grinned, nodded, and sat back, listening avidly. Okay, so then Maya became immortal. But the thing was, she didnt know until afterward the price shed sport to pay. She would live forever-but precisely if she drank the blood of a mortal creature each day. Otherwise, shed die.Like a vampire, Rosamund said with relish. Thea was shocked for an instant, then s he laughed at herself. Of origin humans knew to the highest degree vampires- the same way they knew close to witches. Silly legends strike full with misinformation.But that tautt Thea could tell her own story without fear of being believed. respectable like a vampire, actually, she said impressively, holding Rosamunds eyes. Maya was the first vampire of all. And all her children were cursed to be vampires, too.Roz snorted. Vampires cant engender children. She looked doubtful. Can they?The ones descended from Maya can, Thea said. She wasnt going to say the sound out lamia to a human. Its only the kind who draw made into vampires by being bitten that cant. Maya had a vampire son called Red Fern and she bit people. Thats the story, you see-Maya wanted to make e actuallybody like her. So she started biting people in the tribe. And eventually Hellewise intractable she had to stop it.How?Well, that was the problem. Hellewises tribe wanted to fight with Maya and the other vampir es. But Hellewise knew if they did that, theyd probably all get killed. Both sides. So Hellewise challenged Maya alone to a duel. Single combat.Rosamund pushed the mattress over with a thump. Id fight a duel with Mr. Hendries-hes the boys trekleader. She jumped on the mattress and attacked a pillow with chokes and feet-and teeth. Id win, too. Hes out of shape.Well, Hellewise didnt want to fight, but she had to. She was scared, because as a vampire Maya was a lot stronger now.For a moment, Thea ideal about it, visualizing the old story the way she had as a child. Seeing Hellewise in her white leather shift, standing in the dark forest and delay for Maya to scram. And knowing that even if she won the fight, shed probably die-and being brave lavish to keep standing there. Being willing to burst up everything for the people she loved, and for peace.I dont think I could ever be that brave. I misbegotten,Id certainly hope I would be, but I have a awe several(prenominal) feeling th at I wouldnt.And then a strange thing happened. At that instant, she counted to hear a division, not her usual mind-voice, but one that was urgent and almost accusatory. Asking a question as if Thea hadnt alone decided on the answer. Would you give up everything? Thea shifted. She didnt usually hear voices. I enounce thats what Hellewise must have been thinking, she told herself uneasily.So what happened? Hey Thea What happened? Rosamund was war-dancing on the mattress.Oh. Well, it was a repelling fight, but Hellewise won. She drove Maya away. And the tribe was left in peace, and they all lived happily ever after um, except Hellewise. She died of her wounds.Rosamund stopped dancing and stared in disbelief. And youre telling me this to make me feel better? I never heard such a lousy story. Her chin began to tremble.Thea forgot she was stooling with a human child. She held out her mail the way she had to Bud the puppy, the way she would have to any creature in pain-and Rosamun d threw herself into them.No, no, Thea said, anxiously cuddling. You see, the point is that Hellewises people lived on, and they were free. And that may seem like a little thing, because they were just a little tribe, but that little tribe got bigger and bigger, and they stayed free. And all the witches in the world are descended from them, and they all call in Hellewise and honor her. Its a story every mother tells her daughters.Rosamund breathed on an irregular basis for a moment. What about her sons?Well, her sons, too. When I say daughters I mean sons and daughters. Its just shorter.One green eye looked up from a mop of bushy hair. like he and him are supposed to mean she and her, too?Yeah. Thea thought. I evaluate maybe neither is the best system. She shrugged. The important thing is that one womans fearlessness kept us-them- all free.Look. Rosamund straightened up, staring by the hair. Are you just foolish my chain or is that a true story? Because frankly you seem like a witch to me.Thats what I was going to say, an amused voice behind Thea said.Theas head snapped around. The door was open a few inches and a woman was standing there. She was tall and lanky, with little glasses and long bright brown hair. Her expression reminded Thea of a look Eric got sometimes, a look of very sweet puzzlement, as if hed suddenly been struck by one of lifes arouse mysteries.But that didnt matter. What mattered was that she was a stranger. An Outsider.A human.Thea had been blurting out the secrets of the Night World, the history of the witches, and a human adult had been listening.Suddenly her hands and feet went numb. The easy haze disappeared, expiration her in a cold, gray reality. Im drab, the human was saying, but to Thea the voice seemed to come from a distance. I didnt mean to startle you. I was just kidding. I really was enjoying the story-sort of a modern legend for kids, right?Theas eyes rivet on another human behind the adult. Eric. Hed been listenin g, too.Moms such a kidder, he said nervously. His green eyes were apologetic-and intense. As if he were trying to make a connection with Thea.But Thea didnt want to be connected. Couldnt be, to these people. She was surrounded by humans, trapped in one of their houses. She felt like the rattlesnake in a circle of big creatures with sticks. Sheer, raw panic overtook her. You should be a writer, you know? the human woman was saying. All that creativity She took a look inside the room.Thea stood up, dumping Rosamund on the plunge. They were coming at her-by now, the very walls seemed to be closing in. They were alien, cruel, sadistic, terrorizing, evil, not-her-kind. They were Cotton Mather and the Inquisition and they knew about her. They were going to point at her in the street and cry Witch Thea ran.She slipped between Eric and his mother like afrightened cat, not touching either of them. She randown the hall, through the living room, out the door.Outside, the sky was clouded over and it was getting dark. Thea only stopped long tolerable to get her bearings, then headed west, walking as fast as she could. Her heart was pounding and telling her to go faster. study away, get away. Go to earth. Find home.She glowering corners and zigzagged, like a throw off being chased by the hounds.She was ten minutes from the house when she heard an engine pacing her. She looked. It was Erics landrover. Eric was driving and his mother and Rosamund were passengers.Thea, stop. Please wait. Eric stopped the jeep and jumped out.He was on the sidewalk in front of her. Thea froze.Listen to me, he said in a low voice, turning away from the jeep. Im grimy they came, too-I couldnt stop them. Mom feels awful. Shes crying, Roz is crying please, wont you come back?He looked close to crying himself. Thea just felt numb.Its okay. Im fine, she said at random. I didnt mean to upset anybody. Please let me go away.Look, we shouldnt have eavesdropped. I know that. It was just youre so goo d with Rosamund. I never see anybody she want so much. And and I know youre sensitive about your grandma. Thats why youre upset, isnt it? That story is something she told you, isnt it? Dimly, somewhere in the pit of Theas mind, a light shone. At to the lowest degree he thought it was a story.We have family stories too, Eric was saying, an edge of desperation in his voice. My grandpa used totell us he was a Martian-I rove to God this is true. And then he went to my kindergarten Back to School and Id told all the kids he was a Martian, and they made these beep-beep noises at him and laughed, and I felt so bad. He was really embarrassed.He was babbling. Theas numbness had receded enough that she felt defective for him. But then a shape loomed up and she tensed again. It was his mother, silky hair flying.Look, Thea, Erics mother said. Her expression was wretched and earnest. Everybody knows your grandma, knows how old she is, how shes a little quirky. But if shes scaring you-if she s telling you any kind of weird stuff- Mom Eric yelled through his teeth. She waved a hand at him. Her little glasses were tight up. You dont need to deal with that, okay? No kid needs to deal with that. If you want a inject to stay if you need anything-if we need to call social services-Mom, please, Im begging you. Shut up. Social services, Thea was thinking. Dear Isis, therell be some sort of investigation. The Harmans in court. grannie accused of being senile-or being scatter of some cult. And then the Night World coming in to perform the law.Her terror peaked and left her deadly calm. Its okay, she said, turning her paying attention toward Eric. not looking at him, but going through the motions exactly. Your moms just trying to be helpful. But really-she turned the same pillowcase toward his mother-everythings okay. Gran isnt strange or anything. She does tell stories-but she doesnt scare anybody.Is that good enough? Close enough to whatever you believe? pull up s chairs i t make you ease up me alone?Apparently so. I just dont want to be liable for you and Eric-well Erics mom exhaled nervously, almost a laugh.Breaking up? Thea made a sound that was also almost a laugh. Dont worry. Id never want that. She turned a smile on Eric, looking down because she couldnt meet his eyes. Im dirty if I got- touchy. I was just-embarrassed, I guess. Like you said about your grandpa.Will you come back with us? Or let us take you home? Erics voice was soft. He wanted her to go back to his house. unspoiled home, if you dont mind. Ive got home bring. She lifted her eyes, making herself smile again.Eric nodded. He didnt look happy, but he wasnt as upset as he had been.In the backseat of the jeep, Rosamund pushed up against Thea and squeezed her hand.Dont be mad, she hissed, fierce as ever. Are you mad? Im sorry. Want me to kill somebody for you?Im not mad, Thea whispered, looking over the top of Rosamunds shaggy head. Dont worry about it.She had reverted to the strateg y of any trapped animal. bet and watch for your chance. Dont fight until you see a real opportunity to get away.See you tomorrow, Eric said as she got out of the jeep. His voice was almost a plea.See you tomorrow, Thea said. It wasnt time to get away yet. She waved until the jeep was gone.Then it was time. She dashed inside, up the stairs, and straight to Blaise.Wait a minute, Blaise said. Go back. So youre saying they didnt believe any of it.Right. At worst Erics mom thinks Grans bonkers. But it was a close call. For a succession there I thought she competency want to get Gran declared unfit or something.The two of them were sitting on the floor by Blaises bed where Thea had collapsed. Blaise was eating candy corn with one hand and scribbling on a yellow legal pad with the other, all the darn listening attentively.Because that was the thing about Blaise. She might be vain and self-centered, quarrelsome, hot-tempered, lazy, unpitying to humans, and generally hard to live with, b ut she came through for family. She was a witch.Im sorry I said you might be a little like Maya, Thea thought.Its my fault, she said out loud.Yes, it is, Blaise said, scribbling.I should have just found some way to keep him at a distance in the beginning.But of course, it was because of Blaise that she hadnt. Shed thought Eric was uninjuredr with her than he would have been with Blaise. Shed thought that somehow somehowThings would work out. That was it. There had always been some secret underlying hope that there could be a future with Eric. Some little hiding place where shed kept the hope that things could be all right.But now she had to compositors case reality.There was no future.The only thing she could give Eric was death. And that was all he could give her. Shed realized that, all in one terrible fit of insight when shed seen Erics mother in the room.There was no way for them to be together without being discovered. Even if they ran away, someday, somewhere, the Night Peo ple would find them. Theyd be brought before the joint Night World Council, the vampire and witch elders. And then the law would be fulfilled.Thea had never seen an execution, but shed heard of them. And if the Harmans tried to stop the Council from killing her, it would start a war. Witches against vampires. Maybe even witches against witches. It could mean the end of everything.So it doesnt look like we have to kill the mother, Blaise said, lour at her scribbles. On the other hand, if we kill the kids, the mothers bound to be unhappy, and might make a connection. So to be safe-We cant kill any of them, Thea said. Her voice was muted but final.I dont mean ourselves. Im going to call one of our friendly vampire cousin-germans. Ash-hes supposed to be out on the air jacket Coast somewhere, isnt he? OrQuinn, he likes that kind of thing. One degraded bite, let the blood run out-Blaise, I am not going to let vampires kill Eric. Or anybody, she added as Blaise opened her mouth. Its not necessary. naught needs to die.So you have a better idea?Thea looked at a statue of Isis, the Queen of Egyptian Goddesses, on the desk. I dont know. I thought of the Cup of Lethe. Make them forget everything about me. But it might look suspicious-this entire family with a gap in their memory. And kids at school would investigate why Eric doesnt remember my name anymore.True.Thea stared at the moon held between Isiss golden horns. Her brain, which had been working so coldly and logically, helping her to survive, was stalling now. There had to be a way to save Eric and his family-or what was the point of living herself?Then she saw it.What I really think would be best, she said slowly, because it hurt like a physical pain, would be for Eric to stop caring about me. To bechance in love with someone else.Blaise sat back. She stirred the candy corn with long, elegant nails. She ate a piece.I admire you, she said. Very sensible.Not yon, Thea said through clenched teeth. You understand that, right? A human. If he falls in love with another girl hell forget about me without any Lethe. Nobody will disappear or have brownout nobody will get suspicious.Okay. Although I wouldve liked to try him. Hes got a strong will-I think hed have held out for a while. Been a challenge.Thea do by this. I still have some of his blood. The question is, do you have something youve been holding back, some love spell that will completely pamper him out of the water?Blaise ate another piece of candy corn. Of course I do. She narrowed her gray eyes. Also, of course, its a forbidden spell.I figured. Blaise, Im now the princess of forbidden spells. One more doesnt matter. But Ill do the actual working, I dont want you to get in trouble.You wont like it. It involves the bezoar stone from the stomach of an ibex-which I just happened to pick up while we were living with Aunt Gerdeth.ibex were an endangered species. But this one was already dead. Ill do the working, Thea said stubbornly.You r eally care about him, dont you?Yes, Thea whispered. I still think were soul-mates. ButWould you give up everything?I dont want to be the reason he dies. Or the reason a war starts between the Harmans and the rest of the Night World. And if I have to give him up, Id rather do it myself, make sure hes safe with somebody else who loves him.Have you got somebody picked out?Her name is Pilar. Thea looked at her cousin suddenly. Blaise? When Luke asked you what youwanted, and you said nothing you could have what did you mean?Blaise tilted her head back and examined the ceiling. Then she looked down. Does anybody ever want anything they can have? Really?I dont know.Blaise clasped her knees and rested her chin on them. If we can have things, we dont really want them anymore. So theres always something out there that were wanting and not able to get and maybe thats good.It didnt sound good to Thea. It sounded like one of those terrible lessons in Life 101 that were supposed to make you more mature.Lets do the spell, she said.