Night World : Huntress Chapter 12

Jez kept one hand on the barbarian as they walked up the stairs pig the stairs the dirty fluorescent bulbs. She couldonly imagine what Iona must be thinking as they shepherded her to the top.They came pop on the roof into slanting afternoon sunlight. Jez gave Ionas shoulder a little squeeze.See- in that locations the garden. She nodded toward a potted palm and triple wooden barrels withmiscellaneous wilted leaves in them. Iona glanced that way, then gave Jez a sober look.Theyre non getting enough water, she said as quietly as she said everything.Yeah, well, it didnt rain enough this summer, Morgead said. You want to localization of period of playction that?Iona full looked seriously at him.Look, what I mean is, youve got the Power, serious? So if you on the dot want to study us right now, anythingyou want, be my guest. Itll make things a covey simpler. Make it rain, why dont you?Iona looked right at him. I dont know what youre public lecture well-nigh.Im just jointing that theres no priming coat for you to get hurt here. We just want to jibe you do something managewhat you did the night of the ardor. Anything. Just show us.Jez watched him. There was something incongruous or so the scene Morgead in his high boots andleather jacket, iron-muscled, sleek, sinewy, on one knee in front of this harmless-looking banter in pinkpants. And the kid just looking back at him with her sad and distant eyeball.I guess youre crazy, Iona said leniently. Her pigtails moved as she shook her head. A pink ribbonfluttered loosely.Do you opine the bang? Jez said from behind her.Course. The kid off-key slowly round. I was scared. just you didnt get hurt. The fire got close to you and then you did something. And then the fire wentaway.I was scared, and then the fire went away. simply I didnt do anything.Okay, Morgead said. He stood. Maybe if you cant tell us, you can show us.Before Jez could say anything, he was picking up the little girl up and carrying her. He had to step all over a line of debris that stretched like a diagonal wall from one side of the roof to the other. It wascomposed of telephone books, splintery logs, sure-enough(a) clothes, and other odds and ends, and it formed a barrier, blocking off a corner of the roof from the rest.He vest Iona in the triangle beyond the debris. thus he stepped back over the wall, leaving her there.Iona didnt say anything, didnt try to follow him back out of the triangle.Jez stood decadesely. The kids a Wild Power, she told herself. Shes already survived worse than this. Andno issuance what happens, shes not leaving to get hurt.I promised her that.But she would put one over liked to be paranormal once again just for a a few(prenominal) minutes, just to tell the kid one more timenot to be scared. She especially wanted to as Val and Raven poured gasoline on the wall of debris. Ionawatched them do it with bulky sober look, still not moving.Then Pierce lit a match.. The flames leaped up yellow and blue. non the bright orange they would have been at night.But hot. They spread fast and Jez could feel the heat from where she was standing, ten feet away.The kid was closer.She still didnt say anything, didnt try to jump over the flames while they were low. In a few momentsthey were high enough that she couldnt jump through them without setting herself on fire.Okay, Jez view, knowing the kid couldnt hear her. Now, do it Come on, Iona. Put the fire out.Iona just looked at it.She was standing absolutely still, with her little hands curve into fists at her sides. A down(p) and lonelyfigure, with the novel afternoon sun making a soft red halo around her head and the hot leash from the firerippling her pink-trimmed shirt. She faced the flames dead-on, nevertheless not aggressively, not as if she wereplanning to fight them.Damn this is wrong, Jez thought. Her own hands were clenched into fists so tightly that her nails werebiting into her palms.You know, Im concerned , Pierce said softly from just behind her. I have a concern here.Jez glanced at him quickly. Pierce didnt talk a lot, and he always seemed the coldest of the group-asidefrom Morgead, of way, who could be colder than anyone. Now Jez wondered. Could he, who neverseemed to be moved by pity, actually be the most sensitive?Im worried slightly this fire. I know nobody can look down on us, besides its making a lot of smoke. What ifone of the other tenants comes up to investigate?Jez almost hit him.This is not my home, she thought, and matte the part of her that had sighed and felt up loved and understoodwither away. These are not my people. I dont belong with them. And Pierce wasnt worth hitting. She spring uped her back on him to look at Iona again. She was dimly awareof Morgead telling him to shut up, that other tenants were the to the lowest degree of their worries, notwithstanding most of herattention was focused on the kid.Come on, kid she thought. Then she said it out loud.Co me on, Iona Put out the fire. You can do it Just do what you did before She tried to cinch thechilds eye, moreover Iona was looking at the flames. She seemed to be trembling now.Yeah, come on Morgead said brusquely. Lets get this over with, kid.Raven leaned beforehand, her long front hair ruffling in the wind. Do you opine what you did thatnight? she shouted seriously. computeIona looked at her and spoke for the first time. I didnt do anything Her voice, so composed before,was edging on tears.The fire was full-blown now, loud as a roaring wind, sending little bits of burning debris into the air. unmatchablefloated down to rest at Ionas foot and she stepped backward.Shes got to be scared, Jez told herself. Thats the whole point of this test. If shes not scared, shell neverbe able to find her Power. And were talking about saving the world, here. Were not just torturing thiskid for fun. Its still wrong.The thought burst out from some mystic part of her. Jez had seen a lot of im posing things as a vampire anda vampire hunter, but suddenly she knew she couldnt watch any more of this. Im going to call it off.She looked at Morgead. He was standing tensely, arms folded over his chest, kelvin eyes ameliorate on Ionaas if he could will her into doing what he wanted. Raven and Val were beside him, Raven expressionlessunder her derive of dark hair Val frowning with his big hands on his hips. Thistle was a step or so behindthem.Its time to stop, Jez said.Morgeads head whipped around to look at her. No. Weve gotten this far it would be preposterous to haveto start all over again. Would that be any nicer to her?I said, its time to stop. What do you have to put out the fire-or did you regular think of that?As they were talking, Thistle stepped forward. She moved right up to the flames, staring at Iona.Youd better do something fast, she shouted. Or youre going to burn right up.The childish, taunting tone caught Jezs attention, but Morgead was talking to her.Shes g oing to put it out any minute now. She just has to be frightened enough-Morgead, shes absolutely frighten already Look at herMorgead turned. Ionas clenched fists were now raised to chest-level her mouth was slightly open asshe breathed far too fast. And although she wasnt screaming or crying like a normal kid, Jez could see the tremors running through her little body. She looked like a petty(a) trapped animal.If shes not doing it now, shes never going to,Jez told Morgead flatly. It was a stupid idea in the first place, and its overShe saw the change in his green eyes the flare of anger and then the sudden darkness of defeat. Sherealized that he was going to cave.But before he could say anything, Thistle moved forward.Youre gonna die she shrilled. Youre gonna burn up right now And she began charge flamingdebris at Iona.Everything happened very fast after that.The debris came apart in a shower of sparks as it flew toward Iona. Ionas mouth came open in horroras she institute fiery drool swirling around her knees. And then Raven was yelling at Thistle, but Thistlewas already kicking more.A second gear deluge of sparks hit Iona. Jez saw her put up her hands to protect her face, then fling her armsout as a piece of burning cloth settled on her limb. She saw the sleeve spurt with a tiny flame. She sawIona cast a frantic look around, searching for a way to escape.Morgead was dragging Thistle back by her collar. Thistle was still kicking. Sparks were everywhere andJez felt a hot bruise on her cheek.And then Ionas eyes went enormous and blank and fixed and Jez could see that shed made somedecision, shed found some way to get out of this.Only not the right one.She was going to jump.Jez saw Iona turn toward the edge of the roof, and she knew in that same minute of arc that she couldnt get tothe child in time to stop her.So there was only one thing to do.Jez only hoped she would be fast enough.She very nearly wasnt. But there was a two-foot wall at the roofs perime ter, and it delayed Iona for asecond as she scrambled onto it. That gave Jez a second to leap through the fire and induce up.And then Iona was on the wall, and then she was launching her small body into empty space. Shejumped like a flying squirrel, arms and legs outspread, looking down at the three-story drop.Jez jumped with her.Jez The telepathic shout followed her, but Jez scarcely heard it. She had no idea who had even said it.Her entire knowingness was focused on Iona. Maybe some part of her was still hoping that the kid had magic and could make the wind hold her up.But it didnt happen and Jez didnt waste time thinking about it. She hit Iona in midair, grabbing the smallbody and hanging on.It was something no human could have done. Jezs vampire muscles instinctively knew how to handlethis, though. They twisted her as she fell, putting her underneath the child in her arms, putting her legsbelow her like a cats.But of course Jez didnt have a vampires resistance to injury. She kn ew perfectly well that when she hit,the fall would break both her legs. In her emasculated state it might well kill her.It should save the kid, though, she thought unemotionally as the ground move up to meet her. The extraresiliency of Jezs flesh would act as a cushion.But there was one thing Jez hadnt thought of.The trees.There were discouraged-looking redbud trees planted at regular intervals along the fruity and mossy pavement. None of them had too much in the way of foliage even in late summer, but they certainly had alot of little branches.Jez and the kid crashed right into one of them.Jez felt pain, but scratching, stabbing pain instead of the slamming agony of hitting the sidewalk. Her legswere smashing through things that cracked and snapped and poked her. Twigs and branches. She wasbeing flipped around as some of the twigs caught on her jeans and others snagged her leather jacket.Every branch she hit decreased her velocity.So when she in conclusion crashed out of the tr ee and hit concrete, it merely knocked the wind out of her.Black dots danced in front of her eyes. Then her vision cleared and she realized that she was lying on herback with Iona clutched to her stomach. Shiny redbud leaves were floating down all around her.Goddess, she thought. We made it. I dont believe it.There was a dark blur and something thudded against the sidewalk beside her.Morgead. He landed like a cat, bending his knees, but nice a big cat. A three-story jump was prettysteep even for a vampire. Jez could see the shock reverberate through him as his legs hit concrete, andthen he fell forward.That must hurt, she thought with distant sympathy. But the next instant he was up again, he was by herside and bending over her.Are you all right? He was yelling it both aloud and telepathically. His dark hair was mussed and flyinghis green eyes were wild. JezOh. It was you who yelled when I jumped, Jez thought. I should have known. She blinked up at him. Of course Im all right, she s aid hazily. She tugged at the kid lying on her. IonaAre you all right?Iona stirred. Both her hands were clutching Jezs jacket in front, but she sit down up a little without letting go.There was a burned patch on her sleeve, but no fire.Her velvety brown eyes were huge-and misty. She looked sad and confused.That was genuinely scary, she said.I know. Jez gulped. She wasnt any life-threatening at talking about emotional things, but right now the wordsspilled out without informed effort. Tm sorry, Iona Im so sorry, Im so sorry. We shouldnt have donethat. It was a very bad thing to do, and Im sincerely sorry, and were going to take you home now.Nobodys going to hurt you. Were going to take you back to your mom.The velvety eyes were still unhappy. Tired and unhappy and reproachful. Jez had never felt like more ofa monster, not even that night in Muir Woods when she had realized she was hunting her own kind.Ionas gaze remained steady, but her chin quivered.Jez looked at Morgead. Can y ou erase her memory? I cant see any reason why she should have toremember all this.He was still breathing quickly, his face pale and his pupils dilated. But he looked at Iona and nodded.Yeah, I can wipe her.Because shes not the Wild Power, you know, Jez said levelly, as if making a comment about theweather.Morgead flinched. Then he shoved his hair back with his knuckles, his eyes shutting briefly.Shes an extraordinary kid, and I dont know just what shes going to be-maybe President or somegreat doctor or botanist or something. Something special, because shes got that inside(a) light- somethingthat keeps her from getting mad or mean or hysterical. But thats got nothing to do with being a WildPower.All right I know, already Morgead yelled, and Jez realized she was babbling. She shut up.Morgead took a breath and put his hand down. Shes not it. I was wrong. I made a bad mistake.Okay?Okay. Jez felt calmer now. So can you please wipe her?Yes Im doing it Morgead put his hands on Ionas slen der shoulders. Look, kid, Im-sorry. I neverthought youd-you know, jump like that.Iona didnt say anything. If he wanted forgiveness, he wasnt getting it.He took a deep breath and went on. This has been a pretty rotten day, hasnt it? So why dont you justforget all about it, and before you know it, youll be home. Jez could feel him reach out with his mind, being the childs consciousness with his Power. Ionas eyesshifted, she looked at Jez uncertainly.Its okay, Jez whispered. It wont hurt. She hung on to Ionas gaze, trying to comfort her asMorgeads suggestions took hold.You dont ever have to remember this, Morgead said, his voice soothing now. Gentle. So why dontyou just go to sleep? You can have a little nap and when you conjure up up, youll be home.Ionas eyelids were closing. At the last possible second she gave Jez a tiny sleepy smile-just the barestchange of expression, but it seemed to ease the tightness in Jezs chest. And then Ionas lashes were lyingheavy on her cheeks and her b reathing was deep and regular.Jez sat up and gently put the sleeping child on the sidewalk. She smoothed back one locomote pigtail andwatched the little chest rise and fall a couple of times. Then she looked up at Morgead.Thanks.He shrugged, exhaling sharply. It was the least I could do. Then he gave her an odd glance.Jez thought of it at the same instant. She was the one so concerned about the child-why had she askedMorgead to wipe her memory?Because I cant do it, she thought dryly. Out loud she said, Im really kind of tired, after everything thatshappened today. I dont have much Power left.Yeah But his green eyes were slightly narrowed, searching.Plus, I hurt. Jez stretched, gingerly testing her muscles, feeling every part of her protest.The searching look vanished instantly. Morgead leaned forward and began to go over her with light,expert fingers, his eyes worried.Can you move everything? What about your legs? Do you feel mute anywhere?I can move everything, and I only wish I felt asleep(p) somewhere.Jez-Im sorry. He blurted it out as awkwardly as he had to the child. I didnt mean I mean, this justhasnt turned out the way I planned. The kid getting hurt-you getting hurt. It just wasnt what I had inmind.The kid getting hurt? Jez thought. Dont tell me you care about that.But there was no reason for Morgead to lie. And he did look unhappy-probably more unhappy than Jezhad ever seen him. His eyes were still all pupil, as if he were scared.Im not hurt, Jez said. It was all she could think of. She felt dizzy suddenly-uncertain and a little giddy,as if she were still topple off the roof.Yes, you are. He said it with automatic stubbornness, as if it were one of their arguments. But his handreached out to touch her cheek. The one that had been hit by burning debris. It hurt, but Morgead was touching so lightly. Coolnessseemed to scarper from his fingers, seeping into the burn and making it feel better.Jez gasped. Morgead-what are you doing? give you some Powe r. Youre low and you need it.Giving her Power? Shed never heard of such a thing. But he was doing it. She could feel her skin healitself faster, could feel his strength pour into her.It was a strange sensation. It made her shiver inwardly.MorgeadHis eyes were fixed on her face. And suddenly they were all Jez could see the rest of the world was ablur. All she could hear was the soft catch in his breath all she could feel was the gentleness of his touch.JezThey were leaning toward each other, or falling. It was that silver typewriter ribbon between them, shortening,pulling. They had nothing to grab on to but each other. And then Morgeads arms were around her andshe felt his warm mouth touch hers.