Night World : The Chosen Chapter 12

The voice was shrill, almost hysterical.Unbalanced, Rashel thought dazedly, looking around. The sound of her secret universe yelled bulge sh turn tabuedstunned her.But retri besidesive for an instant. The contiguous moment she was moving swiftly between the rows of girls, looking fornyalaI k presently why youre present(predicate) nyala sat up tensely. She looked just as she had when Rashel had detectn her proceed, cocoa skin, queenly whirl, wide haunted look. She was even togged up in the same injustice clothes shedbeen wearing the night they caught Quinn.Youre dissipateher because you were in on it tout ensemble a unyielding You pretend to be a vampire hunter-Shut up Rashel verbalize desperately. Nyala was shouting loud enough to be perceive on the some other sideof the door. She knelt on Nyalas bed. Im not pretending, Nyala.Then how come youre free and were all chained up? Youre on their side You call yourself the Cat-Rashel clamped a pass on over her mouth. comp rehend to me, she hissed. Her heart was pounding. All the girls around her were staring and sheexpected to hear the basement door control at severally moment. Nyala, listen. I ack directledge you dont ex swopable me or trustme- that youve got to stop yelling that. We may only lease superstar chance to yield out of here.Nyalas chest was heaving. Her eyes, the color of dark plums, st ared into Rashels.I am a vampire hunter, Rashel whispered, willing Nyala to retrieve it. I made a mistake letting thatvampire go that night I admit it. But Ive been trying ever since to frame things even off. I got captured onpurpose so I could find out what was passing on here-and now Im difference to try to outwit all these girls free.She spoke slowly and distinctly, hoping Nyala could sense the truth of her words. But, Nyala, if the nighttime mass find out Im a vampire hunter-much less the Cat-they are going to take me out and kill me set this minute. And because I dont mobilise the rest of you have a chance.She stopped to breathe. I know its adeptrous to trust me. But please, please try. Do you imply you rear end dothat?A long pause. Nyalas eyes searched hers. Then, at last, Nyala nodded.Rashel alikek her hand rack up Nyalas mouth. She sat plump for on the bed and they stared at each other. give thanks you, Rashel said. Im going to need your help. Then she shake her betoken. But how did you gethere? How did you find the club?I didnt find any club. I went ass to that street with the warehouses on Wednesday. I thought maybethe vampire tycoon come back. And because-somebody grabbed me from slowly.Oh, Nyala. Wednesday night, Rashel thought. The night Daphne saw Ivan carry in a upstart girl and puther on a cot. That girl was Nyala. Rashel put a hand to her chieftain. Nyala-I almost saved you. I was at that placethe next night-when Daphne skin out of the truck. Do you remember that? If I had only knownNyala wasnt listening. Then there was this whisp er in my headland, telling me to sleep. And I couldnt pass away-I couldnt move my arms or my legs. But I wasnt asleep. And hence he carried me into a warehouseand he bit me. Her voice was detached, almost pleasant. But her eyes froze Rashel in stray.He bit me in the neck and I knew I was going to die, just share my sister. I could feel the blood approach out. I treasured to scream but I couldnt move. I couldnt do anything. She smiled oddly at Rashel. Ill tellyou a secret. Its even there, the bite. You cant see it, but its still there. She glum her head to show asmooth blameless neck.Oh, God, Nyala. Rashel had felt awkward trying to make gestures of comfort with Daphne, butnow she didnt think. She just grabbed Nyala and hugged her hard.Listen to me, she said fiercely. I know how you feel. I mean-no, I dont know, because it hasnthappened to me. But Im sorry. And I know how you felt when you lost your sister. She leaned backand looked at Nyala, almost shaking her. But we have to salvage fighting. Thats whats consequential salutarynow. We cant let them win. Right?Yes Nyala looked slowly around her bed, then up at Rashel. Yes, thats right. Her eyes dependedto sharpen and focus.Im making a conception to get out of here. And you have to stay unagitated and help me.Yes. Nyala sounded to a greater extent definite this time. Then she smiled almost serenely and whispered, Andwell get our revenge.Yeah. Rashel touch her hand. Somehow, we will. I promise you.She walked back to her cot feeling eyes on her, although nobody asked any questions. Her own eyeswere stinging.What had happened to Nyala was her fault. The girl had already been on the edge, and because ofRashel, shed gotten herself caught and attacked by a vampire. And nowNow Rashel was worried slightly Nyalas sanity, even if they did manage to get off the island.Shes right rough one thing, though, Rashel thought. Revenge. Its the only way to wipe out the things thathave been done to these girls.The f overlook in her chest was back-as if there were coals where her throat and heart ought to be. She let it temper her and burn away any stray thoughts of mercy for Quinn. Strange how she unplowed having thoughtsof him, long after shed made the resolution to kill him.Is she okay? Daphne said worriedly. I remember her from the warehouse.I know. Rashel took the lockpick and sat on Daphnes cot. She began to work at Daphnes shackles.I dont know if shes okay. The vampires havent been living in harmony with her. She glanced bitterly atFayth, who just looked back gravely and steadily.Nobody thinks all the Night hoi polloi are good, Fayth said. Or all the humans. We dont approve ofviolence. We want to stop it all.Well, sometimes it takes violence to stop violence, Rashel said shortly. Fayth didnt answer.But why was she calling you a cat? Daphne asked. Rashel could feel Fayths gaze on her. The Cat. Its the name of a vampire hunter, one whos killed a lotof vampires.Daphnes dark blue eyes wi dened slightly. Is it you?Rashel sprung a lock. Somehow, with these cardinal girls staring at her, she didnt feel quite so brash as shehad a moment ago. She didnt feel terribly proud of be the Cat.Without looking up, she said, Yes. Then she glanced behind her at Fayth.Fayth said nothing.Theres going to be more killing before this is all done, Rashel said. And I cant think of anybody whodeserves it more than the vampires who brought us here. So you let me take care of that, and we wontargue close to(predicate) it. All right? She sprung the other lock on Daphnes shackles. Daphne immediately stretchedher legs luxuriously, then swung them to the floor. Fayth just nodded slowly.All right, then. Listen. The first thing weve got to do is get these girls organized. Rashel move to workon Fayths chains. Youre both good talkers. I want the dickens of you to go around and talk to themindividually. I want to know whos going to be able to help us and whos still under mind control. I wantto know whos going to be a problem. And I especially want to know who has any experience withboats.Boats? Fayth said.No place on this island is safe. We have to get off. There are four boats in the harbor right now- if wecan just find somebody to superintend them. She looked from Daphne to Fayth. I want you to bring meback at least two sensible girls who have some chance of not sinking a powerboat. Got it?Daphne and Fayth glanced at each other. They nodded. Right, boss, Daphne murmured, and theystarted off.Rashel sat, weighing a chain in her hand andthinking. There was no need to tell Daphne-yet-that she didnt plan to ship out with the boats.Half an hour later Daphne and Fayth stood before her beam. At least Daphne was beaming Faythwas wearing that grave smile that was starting to drive Rashel crazy.Allow me to assign Annelise, Daphne said, leading Rashel to a cot. Originally a native of Denmark.Shes done the flow circuit in Antigua-whatever that means. Anyway, she says she can ha ndle a boat.The girl in the cot was one of the oldest there, eighteen or nineteen. She was blond, long-legged, andbuilt like a Valkyrie. Rashel liked her at once. And this is Keiko over here, Fayth said in her simpleway. Shes young, but she says she grew up around boats.This one Rashel wasnt so sure about. She was tiny, with hair like black silk and a uprisette mouth. Shelooked like a collectors doll. How old are you?Thirteen, Keiko said softly. But I was born on Nantucket. My parents have a Ciera Sunbridge. I thinkI can do what youre asking-its just the sailplaning that worries me. There isnt anybody else, Daphne stage-whispered in Rashels ear. So my advice is we trust the kid.I think the sailplaning will be straight west, Rashel said. She smiled reassuringly at Keiko. Anyway,even the open ocean will be safer than here. She gestured to Daphne and Fayth to come back to theircorner.Okay. Good job. Youre right about trusting the kid I dont think we have any other choice. Wedefinite ly need two boats for all these girls. What else did you find out?Well, the ones that are still under mind control are the ones that came with us, Daphne said. Juanitaand Missy. And the one that might cause trouble is your buddy Nyala. Shes not completely hinged, ifyou know what I mean.Rashel nodded. The mind control may be a problem-how long did it take to wear off the others, Fayth?A day or so after they came in. But thats not the only problem, Rashel. Annelise and Keiko think theycan handle the boats-but not tonight. Not until tomorrow.We cant wait until tomorrow, Rashel said impatiently. Thats cutting it way too fine.I dont think we have a choice. Rashel, all these girls are tranquilized. Drugged.Rashel blinked. How-? She close down her eyes. Oh.The food, Fayth said, as Rashel nodded in resignation. I realized right off that there was something init. I think most of the girls know-and theyd rather be tranquilized than think about whats happening tothem.Rashel rubbed her forehea d wearily. No wonder the girls hadnt asked her any questions. No wonderthey werent all screaming their heads off. They were doped to the gills.From now on weve got to encumber them from eating, she said. They need clear heads if were going toescape. She looked at Fayth. Okay. We wait. But thats going to make anything more dangerous.How often do they bring food in here?Twice a day. Late morning and around eight at night. And then they take us to the bathroom two bytwo.Who does it?Rudi. sometimes he has another werewolf with him.Daphne bit her lip anxiously. Are we equipped for werewolves?Rashel smiled. Holding her knife, she pulled the decorative knob at the end of the sheath. It came off,revealing a metal trade name. She reversed the knob and stuck it in the end of the sheath, so the blade stuckout like a bayonet. The hard wooden sheath itself was now a weapon. The blade is silver-coated steel, she said in satisfaction. We are equipped for werewolves.You see? Daphne said to Fayt h. This girl thinks of everything.Rashel put the knife away. All right. Lets talk to everybody again. I want to explain my plan. When wedo this tomorrow night, its going to take cooperation and precision.And, she thought, a lot of luck.Chow timeRudi walked between the rows of cots, tossing packages from a plastic beauty to either side of him. Helooked, Rashel thought, exactly like a trainer throwing herring to seals.She scanned the aisle behind him. No other werewolf at the door. Good.It had been a long night and a longer day. The girls were dizzy from lack of food, keyed up, and gettingmore tense with each untranquilized hour. A twosome of them couldnt seem to shake their first impressionof Rashel-which had come from Nya-las yelling.Eat up, girlies. Got to keep up your strength. A slightly warm foil package hit Rashels lap, another hitthe mattress. Same thing as brunch-hot dogs of the kind you get at a convenience store. Smeared withmustard and drugs. The girls had been survivin g on the grapefruit juice hed poured for them.As Rudi turned to throw a package to Juanita, Rashel rose smoothly from her cot. In one motion sheleaped and came down right on target.Dont make a sound, she said in Rudis ear. And dont even think about changing.She had his arm twisted behind his back and the silver knife to his throat. Rudi didnt seem to know howhed gotten there. There were hot dogs all over the floor.Now, Rashel said. Lets talk about jujitsu. This is what you call a proper hold. Resistance to it willcause sober pain and quite possibly a fractured joint. Are you getting this, Rudi? Rudi wiggled a littleand Rashel exerted pressure upward on his knuckles. Rudi yelped and danced on his toes.Hush What I want to know is, where is the other werewolf?Guarding the dock.Who else is on the dock?I-nobody.Is there anybody on the stairs or in the kitchen? Dont lie to me, Rudi, or Ill get annoyed.No. Theyre all in the gathering room.Rashel nodded at Daphne. Daphne jumped out of her bed. Remember- loyal and soft everybody, she said, like a cheerleader whod been promoted to drillsergeant.Rashel felt Rudi boggle as every girl in the room kicked off her covers and stood up free.What the-what the-Now, Rudi. Keeping his cubitus trapped against her, Rashel exerted pressure again, moving him easilyin the direction she wanted. You go first. Youre going to unlock the top door for us.Annelise and Keiko in strawman, Daphne said. Missy right here. Lets go.I cant unlock it. I cant. Theyll kill me, Rudi muttered, as Rashel moved him up the stairs.Rudi, look at these young women. Rashel swung him around so he had a good view of the prisonersbehind him. They stood in one tense,dear-eyed, lightly active mass. Rudi, if you dont unlock that door, I am going to tie you up and offeryou alone with them and this silver knife. I promise, whatever the vampires do to you wont beworse.Rudi stared at the girls, who stared back at him. All ages, all sizes, united.Ill unlock the door.Goo d boy.He fumbled getting the door open. When it was done, Rashel pushed him through first, looking tenselyaround. If there were vampires here, she had to change tactics fast.The kitchen was empty-and unison was blasting from somewhere inside the house. Rashel gave a quicksavage grin. It was a lucky break she wouldnt have dared to pray for. The music might just save thesegirls lives.She pulled Rudi out of the way and nodded to Daphne.Daphne stood at the head of the stairs, silently waving the girls out. Fayth led the way with the ValkyrieAnnelise and the tiny Keiko behind her. The other girls hurried past, and Rashel was proud of how quietthey were.Now, she whispered, pushing Rudi back into the stairwell. One last question. Whos throwing thebloodfeast?Rudi shook his head.Who hire you? Who bought the slaves? Whos the client, Rudi?I dont know Im telling you Nobody knows who hired us. It was all done on the phoneRashel hesitated. She wanted to keep quizzical him-but right now the imp ortant thing was to get thegirls off the island. Daphne was still waiting in the kitchen, watching Rashel.Rashel looked at her and then helplessly at Rudis bushy brown head. She should kill him. It was the onlysmart thing to do, and it was what shed intend to do. He was a conspirator in the plan to brutally shoot twenty-four teenage girls-and he enjoyed it.But Daphne was watching. And Fayth would give her that look if she heard Rashel had done him in.Rashel let out her breath. Sleep tight, she said, and hit Rudi on the head with the hilt of her knife.He slumped unconscious and she shut the cellar door on him. She turned quickly to Daphne. Lets go.Daphne almost skipped ahead of her. They went out the back door and picked up the hiking path.Rashel moved swiftly, loping across the beaten-down wild grass. She caught up to the string of girls.Thats it, Missy, she whispered. Nice and quiet. Nyala, youre limp does your leg hurt? A littlefaster, everybody.She made her way up to the front. Okay, Annelise and Keiko. When we get there, Ill take care of theguard. Then you know what to do.Find which boats we can handle. Destroy whatever we can on the others and set them adrift. Then eachtake half the girls and head west, Annelise said.Right. If you cant make it to land, do your best and then call the Coast Guard.But not right away, Keiko put in. carve up of islanders use ship-to-shore radio instead of telephones. Thevampires may be monitoring it.Rashel squeezed her shoulder. shiny girl. I knew you were right for the job. And remember, if you docall the Coast Guard, dont give the right name of the boat and dont mention this island. It was perfectlypossible that there were Night People in the Coast Guard.They were almost at the bottom of the cliff, and so far no alarms had sounded. Rashel scanned themoving group again, then became aware that Daphne was behind her.Everything okay?So far, Daphne said breathlessly. She added, Youre good at this, you know. Encouraging them a ndall.Rashel shook her head. Im just trying to keep them together until theyre not my problem anymore.Daphne smiled. I think thats what I just said.The wharf was below them, the boats bobbing quietly. The ocean was calm and glassy. Silver moonlightgave the scene a postcard look. Ye Olde Quaint Marina, Rashel thought.She loped to the front again. Stay behind me all of you. She added to Daphne, Ill show you what Im good at.A hardly a(prenominal) feet of rocks and sand and she was on the wharf. Eyes on the shack, knife ready, she movedsilently. She wanted to take care of the werewolf without noise, if possible.Then a dark haoma came hustling out of the shack into the moonlight. It took one look at Rashel andthrew back its head to howl.