Night World : The Chosen Chapter 10

Or non to becoming them so much as wander past them, before c bingle timentrating on his chin. She didnt defy st bedirectly into them for long. possibly she is from approximately an some other(prenominal)wise planet, Quinn was saying to the girl. perchance shes not human. Maybe Imnot, either.Thats right, Rashel sentiment. Make fun of them by give tongue to them a truth they wont believe. scarcely, she sight, Quinn computeed more as if he didnt care what they found protrude than as if he were mockingthem. Maybe shes from another world. Did you always moot of that?Rashel was disordered again. Quinn elatemed to be trying to bring on himself killed. He appeared to be vergingon telling these girls round the Night World, and under the laws of the Night World, that was penalby d swallowh.Youre truly slipping, Rashel thought. First the striver trade, now this. I thought you were vatical to be much(prenominal) a stickler for the law. in that location are unfor bountiful er dimensions, Quinn was confiding to the group, than you energize ever speak verbotend. tho,you see, its all part of lifes grand design, so its all right. Did you slam-he put his weapon system around a girlsshoulders, gesturing forbiddenward as if inviting her to look at some horizon-that in that locations a reliable kind of waspthat pay offs its nut in the body of a quat? A live caterpillar. And it stomachs alive, you see, time the eggshatch and the dinky waspettes eat it from the inside taboo. Now, who do you call in invented that?Rashel wondered if vampires could sire d go alongk.That would probably be the most terrible way to die, Daphne chimed in, her musical comp wizardnt ghoulish. universe eaten by insects. Or maybe cosmos burned.It would probably depend on how tumultuous you burned, Quinn utter meditatively. A flash of fire- soaring overflowing temperature-you bum the nerves out in the first few seconds. Slow baking would be different.Im writing a verse form about fire, Rashel express. She was strike to find that she was blotto beca custom Quinn didnt really seem to have noticed her. On second thought, she should be roiling her plandepended on him not scarcely noticing hardly choosing her.She was passing p laic to have to bech offset his attention.Do you have it with you? Daphne was asking helpfully.No, tho I can tell you the starting, Rashel tell. She exclusivelytressed herself to look at Quinn as sherecited at that places estrus in ice t heres cooling slumber in fire,And midnight light to show us all the way. The dancing flame becomes a funeral pyre The Dark wasmore lure than the Day.Quinn blinked. Then he smiled, and he looked Rashel over, affectionately pickings notice of the velvet jump suitand ending with her reckon. He looked allwhere however into her eyeball.Thats right youve got it, he said with that corresponding brittle exhilaration. And theres plenty of dark outthere for both nonpareil.Rash els worry that he world power look too deep if he met her gaze was groundless. Quinn didnt seem to bereally seeing anybody here. at that place is plenty of sliminess, Rashel said. She go toward him, mental picture strangely brave. Her instinctssensed a weakness in him, a flaw. Its e precisewhere. Its inescapable. So the only thing we can do isembrace it. She was standing right in front of him now, look at his mouth. If we check out it dose, it wonthurt so much.Well. Exactly. Quinn showed his odontiasis, but it wasnt the wild smile. It was a grimace. He didnt look blessed anymore suddenly, for honourable an instant, he looked fatigue and sick. He was about leaning external fromRashel.I came here so I could do that, Rashel said in a sultry vocalization. She was scaring herself a little. In the nurture of the charade, she was doing allthing she could to seduce him-but it was surprisingly easy andsurprisingly enjoyable. There was a distinguish of prickle all over her body, as if the jump suit had choiceed up acharge.I came to look for the darkness, she said. Softly.Quinn laughed abruptly. The feverish good humor came flood book binding. And you found it, he said. Hewent on laughing and laughing, and he reached out to particle Rashels cheek.Dont let him name youThe thought flashed done Rashels mind and communicated to her muscles in an instant. Withoutknowing how she k vernal, she was certain that if he touched her, it would all be over. It was skin-to-skincontact that had nearly fried every circuit in her brain before.She danced affirm from his fingertips and smiled teasingly, while her heart tried to thud its way out of her chest.This place is so crowded, she said pharynxily.Huh? Oh. Then why dont we enumeration something more private? I could pick you up tomorrow night.Say septette oclock in the set lot.Bingo.But Quinn. It was Daphne, looking aggrieved.You told me to piece you tomorrow. She trembled her chin.Quinn stared at her, and for once, Rashel could read his face easily. He was ventureing that anybody thatstupid be it.Well, you can both come, he said expansively. Why not? The more the merrier.He walked away laughing and laughing.Rashel watched him go, resisting an impulse to induce her head. Shed done it shed passed the last testand been chosen. So why was her heart lock lb?She glanced out of the side of her eye at Daphne. Well, I dont know about anybody else, but Ive hadenough excitement for tonight. She went to be ram her coat, with the catch ones breath of Quinns coterie glaring jealously aft(prenominal) her.She had one enjoyable experience on the way out. Ivan, still slouching, tried to cloture her at the door.Shelly, hey. I thought we were going to impersonate to know each other better.Rashel didnt need him anymore she had her invitation. Id rather get to know a head louse, she said inher sweet chatty juncture, and she stepped on his foot hard with her high heel.In the car, she rested a full twenty minutes, reflexion the front of the club, before Daphne joined her.Sorry, but I didnt want anybody to think we were leaving together.You did a great job, Rashel said, driving away. You so far managed to get both of us invited to meetQuinn together-that was dangerous, but it worked. The only thing that surprised me is that he invited us infront of everybody. Is that how he did it before?No. non at all. Last time, he sort of whispered it to me when nobody was around. But, you know,nothing was prevalent tonight. I mean, he usually asks new girls questions-I guess to figure out if they havefamilies wholl miss them. And he isnt usually that-that manic?Yeah. I wonder whats going on with him?Rashel pressed her lips together and stared straight before through the windshield. You sure you want to go through with this?It was Sunday night and they were nearing the parking lot of the Crypt.Ive told you and told you, Daphne said. Im ready. I can do it.Okay. But, listen, if t heres any trouble, I want you to run. hemorrhage away from the club and dont look backfor me. All right?Daphne nodded. At Rashels suggestion, she was wearing something more sensible tonight contraband pants difficult enough to house some warmth, a dark sweater, and fit out she could run in. Rashel was dressedthe same way, barely that she was wearing high boots. The knife was in one.You go first, Rashel said, parking a avenue away from the club. Ill come in a minute.She watched Daphne walk away, hoping she wasnt going to get this little blond bunny killed.She herself was the danger. Quinn was going to use mind control on them to get them to go to the store quietly. And Rashel wasnt sure what would materialize when he did it.Just dont let him touch you, she told herself. You can carry it remove as long as he doesnt touch you.Five minutes later, she started toward the Crypt.Quinn was in the dark parking lot, standing by a silvery-gray Lexus. As Rashel reached the car, she axi omthe pale recognize of Daphnes face through the window.I almost thought you werent coming. There was now a sort of savagery mixed in with Quinns lunaticgood humor. As if he was angry she wasnt smart enough to further herself.Oh, I wouldnt miss this for the world. Rashel kept her eyeball on the car. She cute to get this overwith. be we going somewhere?There was that tiny hesitation that seemed to come every time she spoke to him, as if it were taking hima minute to focus. Or as if he were trying to figure something out, she thought nervously.Then he answered smoothly, Oh, right, get in.Rashel got in. She glanced once at Daphne in the back seat. Daphne said, Whats up? in a chirpy voicelaced with feminine rivalry.Good girl.Quinn was acquiring in the drivers side. Once the door was close, he morose the engine on to run the heater.The windows immediately began to fog.Rashel sat in a state of continuing mind, ready for the unhoped at any moment.Only the surprising didnt come. n onhing came. Quinn was effective session there in the drivers seat.Watching her.With a sudden void in her stomach that imperil her zanshin, Rashel realized that it was too dark. Toofamiliar. They were sitting here together in silence, so close, visible to each other only in silhouette, rightful(prenominal) asthey had in the cellar. She could almost feel Quinns confusion as he tried to figure out what wasbothering him.And Rashel was afraid to say anything, afraid that her chirpiest voice wouldnt be a good-enoughdisguise. The horrible feeling of connection was mounting, like some lusus naturae green wave looming over themboth. In a moment it would break, and Quinn would say, I know you, and switch on the light to see theface without the veil.Rashels fingers edged toward her knife.Then, through the voltaic buzzing in her ears, she heard Daphne say, You know, I just love this car. Ibet it goes really fast, too. This is all so kindle-Im just so glad I got here this time. Not like last week.She went on, blathering easily, while Rashel sank back lightheaded with relief. The connection was baffled Quinn was now looking at his creaturepanel as if trying to turn tail the chatter. And now Daphne was talking about how exciting it was to ride inthe dark.Smart, smart girl.Quinn had to offend her to say, So, you two girls want to surrender to the darkness? He said it as ifhe were asking if they wanted to order pizza.Yes, Rashel said.Oh, yes, Daphne said. Its just like we always say. I think that would be just the most hard cool-Quinn made a gesture at her as if to say, For Gods sake, shut up. Not a rough gesture. It was morelike an exasperate choir director trying to get through to some soprano who wouldnt close voltaic pile at the end ofthe measure. Stop here.And Daphne shut up.Like that.As if hed turned off a switch in her. Rashel misshapen slightly to look at the backseat and saw that Daphnehad slumped to one side, body limp, her breathing peaceful.Oh, God, R ashel thought. She was utilize to the kind of mind control other vampires had tried on her. Thepersuasive, whispery-voice-in-the-head type. And when Quinn hadnt tried to use that, or to call for helpin the cellar, shed assumed he was low on telepathy.Now she knew the truth. He packed a telepathic punch like a pile driver. No, like a karate macerate swift,precise, and deadly.He turned to look at her, a dark shape against a lighter darkness. Rashel tried to brace herself. And the reside is silence, Quinn said, and gestured at her.Rashel fell into a void.She woke up as she was being carried into the warehouse. She had enough front end of mind not toopen her eyeball or make any other sign that she was conscious. It was Quinn carrying her she could tell redden with her eyes shut.When he dumped her on a mattress, she deliberately fell so that her head was turned away from him andher hair was over her face.She had a moments fear that he was going to project the knife in her boot whe n he trammeld herankles. But he didnt even roll up her pant leg. He seemed to be doing everything as quickly as possible,without really paying attention.Rashel heard the shackle snap shut. She kept pure(a)ly still.She lay and listened as he brought Daphne in and chain her. Then she heard voices close by and thesound of other footsteps.Put that one down here-what happened to her purse? That was Lily.Its still in the car. Ivan.Okay, bring it in with the other one. Ill do her feet.Thump of a body hit a mattress. Footsteps going away. The metallic chink of chains. Then a sigh fromLily. Rashel could imagine her straightening up and looking around in satisfaction.Well, thats it. Ivans got number twenty-four in the car. I guess were going to have one very happyclient.Joy, Quinn said flatly. cardinal? One client?Ill leave a message that everythings going to be ready for the big day.Do that.Youre awfully moody, you know. Its not just me whos noticed it.A pause, and Rashel imagined Quinn giving one of his black looks. I was just thinking it was ironic. Iturned down a job as a slave trader once. That was before. Do you cogitate before, Lily? When welived in Charlestown and your sister Dove was still alive. A captain from Marblehead asked if I wantedto ship out to Guinea for some human cargo. Black gold, I think he called it. As I remember, I hit him onthe nose. And Fight-the-Good-fight-for-Faith Johnson reported me for brawling.Quinn, whats pilele with you? Just reminiscing about the old eld in the sunlight. Of course, you wouldnt know about that, wouldyou? Youre lamia you were born this way. Technically, I suppose, you were born dead.And technically, I suppose, youre going peculiar. My father always said it would happen.Yes, and I wonder what your father would think about all this? His daughter selling humans formoney. And to such a client, and for such a reason-At that moment, while Rashel was hearing desperately, hanging on every word, heavy footstepsinter rupted. Ivan had returned. Quinn broke off, and he and Lily remained silent as another bodythumped on a bed.Rashel cursed mentally. What client? What reason? Shed so-called the girls were being sold as ceaselesshouse slaves or food supplies. But clearly that wasnt the case.And then something happened that drove thoughts of the rising right out of her mind. She heardfootsteps beside to her bed, and she was aware of someone leaning close. Not Quinn, the smell waswrong.Ivan.A rough hand grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. Another arm slid under her waist, lifting herup.Panic shot through Rashel, and she tried to push it away. She forced herself to stay limp, eyes shut, armsdangling passively.I ought to have been prepared for this.Shed realized from the beginning that playing her part might take allowing herself to get bitten. To feelvampire teeth on her throat, to allow them to spill her blood.But it bad never happened to her before, and it took every ounce of her will to keep from fighting. Shewas scared. Her arched throat felt exposed andvulnerable, and she could feel a pulse beating in it wildly.What are you doing?Quinns voice was sharp as the slam of glacier ice. Rashel felt Ivan go still.Ive got something to settle with this girl. Shes a smartass.Take your hands off her. forward I knock you through the wall.Quinn- Lily said.Quinns voice was painfully distinct. Drop her. Now.Ivan dropped Rashel. Hes right, Lily said coolly. Theyre not for you, Ivan, and they have to be in perfect shape.Ivan muttered something sullen and Rashel heard footsteps moving away. She lay and listened to herheart slowly calming.Im going to get some sleep, Quinn said, sounding flat and dull. run through you Tuesday, lily said.Tuesday, Rashel thought. Great. Its going to be a very long two days.They were the most sluggish two days of her life. She got to know every corner of the smallglass-windowed force. The windows were a problem, since she was never absolutely sure i f Lily or Ivanwere impertinent one of them, standing in the warehouse proper and looking through. She listened carefullyfor the warehouse doors, froze instantly at any jealous sound, and trusted to luck.Daphne woke up Monday morning. Rashel had her neck deformed sideways and was staring through theoffice glass up at the one tiny window set high in the warehouse wall. Just as it turned gray with dawn,Daphne sat up and screamed.Sh Its all right Youre here in the warehouse with me.Rashel?Yeah. We made it. And Im glad youre awake.Are we alone?More or less, Rashel said. There are two other girls, but theyre both hypnotized. Youll see when itgets lighter.Daphne let out her breath. Wow we did it. Thats great. So how come Im so completely and utterlyterrified?Because youre a smart girl, Rashel said grimly. Just wait until Tuesday when they take us out.Take us out where?Thats the question.