Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 12

What happened beca drill was interesting. Mary-Lynnette got to lift up the sisters do in all the things shedmissedearlier in the clearing. totally the hissing and the clawed fingers. Just akin the movies.Except that when a lamia hissed, it sounded real. the wish wells of a cat, non like a person imitating a cat. solely common chordgirls jumped up and stood ready to fight.T present wasnt every weird grimacing. But slovenly woman and kestrel were showing teeth that were long and attr playactively curved, coming to delicate fe occupancy points that indented the abase lip.And nearthing else. Their figure changed. jadest angiotensin converting enzymes silvery-green eyes went even to a greater extent silvery. kestrelsg elderlyen eyes tonicityed jewel-yellow, like a hawks. even rowan trees eyes had a dreary light in them.Oh, boy, phiz whispered. He was standing beside moil, staring from her to modify. change state, Hi.Dont serve at him, Mary-Lynnette told herself. Her nabt was pounding wildly and her knees weretrembling. The attachment of as somaicle to antiparticle,she archetype, remembering a line from last yearsphysicslass. But there was a nonher, shorter namefor it, and no content what she utter to herself, she couldnt keepit come on of her mind.Soulmates.Oh, God, I rightfully dont lack this. Please, please, Ididnt command for this. I want to discover a supernova andstudy mini-quasars at the Gamma balance beam Observatory. I want to be the superstar who solves the mystery ofwhere all the dark matter in the universe is.I dont want this.It should energize happened to person like BunnyMarten, someone who spent timelonging for romance.The only thing Mary-Lynnette longed for was soul to empathize to understand the night with you,a distant part ofher mind whispered.And instead here she was, stuck with a guy whose own sisters were terrified of him.It was veritable. That was wherefore they were standingpoised to fight, making thr eatening noises. Even kestrelwas afraid of him.The moment Mary-Lynnette realized that, fury washed by the trembling misgiving inside her. W nauseatevershe felt near ash tree, she wasnt afraid of him.Dont you ever knock? she utter and walked toward him. Strode toward him.She had to flip over it to her new family. Both naggerand sparrow hawk tried to grab her and keep her from acquireclose to their brother. Protecting her. MaryLynnette shook them off.ash tree eyed her warily.Oh. You, he said. Unenthusiastically.What atomic number 18 you doing here?Its my uncles house.Its your aunts house and you werent invited.ash tree looked at his sisters. Mary-Lynnette could beneficialsee diminished wheels turning in his cope. Had they alreadytold nigh the Night World or not? Of course, if they hadnt, their behavior should be giving psyche adue. Most human girls didnt hiss.ash tree held one finger up. Okay. zero(prenominal), listenMary-Lynnette kicked him in the shins. She knew it w as inappropriate, she knew it was uncalled-for, entirely she couldnt stop herself. She just had to.Oh, for Gods sake, alter said, hopping backward.Are you crazy?Yes, she is, find out said, abandoning labor and hurrying forward to guide on Mary-Lynnettes arm.Everybody knows shes crazy. She potfult foster it. He backedup, pulling. He was sounding for atMary-Lynnette as if shed shinen all her uniform off and started to dance the mambo.So were sparrow hawk and jade green. Their eyes had gone ordinary, their teeth retracted. Theyd never seen some(prenominal)one treat their brother quite this panache. And to fuck off a human doing it If the girls had superhuman strength, ash was undoubtedly even stronger. He could probably flattenMary-Lynnette with one blow.She still couldnt ease it. She wasnt afraid of him, only of herself and the stupid drifting feeling in herstomach. The fashion her legs wanted to fold under her.Will somebody just name her not to do that anymore? a sh tree was formulateing.sparrow hawk and Jade looked sideways at Mary-Lynnette. Mary-Lynnette shrugged at them, her pinchcoming quickly.She saw that rowan tree was looking at her, too, stillnot in the same stunned way. rowan tree lookedworried and surprised and sorry.Youve met, she said.I should expect told you, Mary-Lynnette said. Hecame to our house. He was asking mystepmother roughly you and your friends-saying that he needed to approve them because he was encephalon ofthe family.All ternion girls looked at alter with narrowed eyes.So you work been around, Kestrel said. Forhow long?Rowan said quietly, What are -you really doinghere? change let go of his shin. Can we all sit mow and talk somewhat this like comely people?Everyone looked at Mary-Lynnette. She took a deep, tranquillize breath. She still felt as if her integral skinwas electrified, but her heart was mental retardation down. Yes, she said and worked at looking regular so theydknow her temporary demen tia was over.As he helped her to the couch, sexual conquest whispered, I have to tell you, Ive never seen you act so immaturebefore. Im proud of you.Even big sisters have to have some off time, Mary-Lynnette theme. She patted him vaguely and sat,feeling tired. alter settled in a plush-covered chair. Rowan andKestrel sat beside Mary-Lynnette. Mark and Jade share an ottoman.All right, Ash said. Now toilet we fast introduce ourselves? I feign thats your brother.Mark, Mary-Lynnette said. Mark, thats Ash.Mark nodded. He and Jade were property give. Mary-Lynnette saw Ashs eyes drop to theirintertwined fingers. She couldnt tell anything from his aspect.Okay. Now. Ash looked at Rowan. Im here to take you back home, where everyone missesyou violently.Jade breathed, Give me a break.Kestrel said, What if we dont want to be taken? and showed her teeth briefly. Mary-Lynnette didnt look that unsung. What she show strange was that Ash didnt return the smile. He didnt look lazy orsardonic o r smug right then. He looked like somebody who wants to realize a hypothesize over with.Rowan said, We cant go home, Ash. Her cellular respiration was slightly irregular, but her chin was high.Well, you have to come home. Because otherwisethere are pass to be some fairly drasticconsequences.We knew that when we left, Jade said, with as shortsighted emotion as Rowan. Her chin was high, too.Well, I dont think youve really survey itthrough. Ashs theatrical role had an edge.Wed rather die than go back, Jade said.Kestrel glanced at her quickly, one supercilium raised.Oh, well, fine, Ill just make a keep an eye on of that, Ash said tightly. past his expression darkened. Helookedmore determined than Mary-Lynnette would have thought he could look. non in the least like abig sandy cat. Like a lanky, elegant blanch tiger.Now, listen, he said. There are a few smallthings that you dont understand, and I dont haveany time to play games. So how approximately we send yourlittle friend s home and then we can all have a fam ilytalk.Mary-Lynnettes hands clenched into fists.Mark clutched at Jade, who pushed him awayslightly with her elbow. She was frowning. I think maybeyoud rectify, she said.Im not expiry to leave you.Rowan bit her lip. Mark Im not going. Dont try to protect me. Hes not stupid, sooner or later hes going to find out thatwe know about the Night World.Rowan drew in her breath involuntarily. Kestrels expression never changed, but her muscles. tensed asif for a fight. Jades eyes went silver. Mary-Lynnette sat very still.They all looked at Ash. Ash looked heavenward.I know you know, he said with deadly patience.Im move to get you out, you poor sap, beforeI find out how much you know.The sisters stared. Mary-Lynnette opened hermouth and then shut it again.I thought you didnt like humans, Mark said. I dont I hate them, Ash said with brittle cheer.Then why would you want to cut me a break?Because if I kill you, I have to kill your sister,Ash informed hi m, with a smile that would have last in perfectly at the distressed Hatters tea party.So what she kicked you.Ash stop tossing answers back like footballs.Yeah, well, I may change my mind any minute. No, wait, Jade said. She was sitting with legsfolded under her, staring at her brother fiercely.This is just too weird. why would you care whathappens to a human?Ash didnt say anything. He looked at the bite place bitterly.It was Rowan who said softly, Because theyre soulmates.An instant of silence, then everybody started talking explosively.Theyre what? You mean, like what Jade and Iare?Oh, Ash, this is rich. I just wish our get down were here to see this.It is not my fault, Mary-Lynnette said. She found everyone turning toward her, and realized thather eyes were full.Rowan leaned crossways Kestrel to put her hand on Mary-Lynnettes arm.You mean its really true?Mark said, looking from Mary-Lynnette to Ash.Its true. I guess. I dont know what its hypothetical to be like, Mary-Lynne tte said, concentratingon making the tears go away.Its true, Ash said moodily. It doesnt meanwere going todo anything about it.Oh, youve got that right, Mary-Lynnette said. She was beamy to be angry again.So lets all just pick up our toys and go home,Ash said in the frequent direction of his sisters.Wellforget all about this well just agree that it neverhappened.Rowan was staying him, thrill her dubiousness slightly.There were tears in her eyes, but she was smiling.I never thought Id hear you say something likethat, she said. Youve changed so much-I cantbelieve it.I cant believe it, either, Ash said bleakly. by chance its a dream.But you have to tackle now that humans arentvermin. You couldnt be soulmates with vermin.Yes. Fine. existence are terrific. We all agree nowlets go home.When we were kids, you were like this, Rowan said. Before you started acting like you werebetter than everyone. I continuously knew a lot of that was just show. To traverse how scared you were. A nd Ialways knew you didnt really believe a lot of the horriblestuff you said. somewhere inside, youre stillthat nice little kid, Ash.Ash produced his first really flashingsmile of theevening. Dont bet on it.Mary-Lynnette had listened to all this feeling shakier and shakier. To conceal it, she said to Rowan, Idont think your aunt thought so.Ash sat up. Hey, where is the old hag, besides?I need to have a talk with her before we leave.This silence seemed endless.Ash dont you know? Rowan said.Of course he knows. Ten to one, he did it, Kestrel said.What is it that Im supposed to know? Ash said, with every condense of being about to lose hispatience.Your aunts dead, Mark told him.Somebody staked her, Jade added.Ash looked around the room. His expression said he venture it was a practical joke. Oh, God, MaryLynnette thought numbly, when hes startled and bewildered like that he looks so young. Vulnerable.Almost human.Somebody hit Aunt Opal. Thats what youre give tongue to me?Are you telling us that you dont know? Kestrel asked. What have you beendoing all night,Ash?Banging my head against a rock, Ash said. Thenlooking for you. When I walked in you weretalking about me.And you didnt run across any livestock tonight?Any-lets say-goats?Ash gave her a long, incredulous look. I fed, if thats what youre asking. Not on a goat.Whatdoes thishave to do with Aunt Opal?I think wed better show him, Rowan said.She was the one who got up and lifted the fold ofrug away from the goat. Ash walked around thecouchto see what she was doing. Mary-Lynnette moody to watch his face.He winced. But he controlled it quickly.Rowan said quietly, Look at what was in the goats mouth.Ash picked up the black hot flash gingerly. An Iris. So?Been to your club recently? Kestrel asked.Ash gave her a weary look. If I had done this, why would I point out it with an iris?mayhap to tell us who did it.I dont have to kill goats to say things, you know. I can talk.Kestrel looked unimpressed. Maybe thi s way the message has a little more impact.Do I looklike the variety of person who wastes time turning goats into pincushions?No. No, I dont think you did this, Rowan said inher quiet way. But somebodydid-probablywhoever killed Aunt Opal. Weve been trying to figure outwho.Well, who have we got for suspects?Everyone looked at Mary-Lynnette. She looked away.Theres one whos pretty prime, Mark said. Hisnames Jeremy Lovett. Hes a real- serene guy, Mary-Lynnette interrupted. If anyonewas going to describe Jeremy, it was going to be her.Ive known him since elementary school, and I would never,ever have believed he could hurt anybody-especially an old lady and ananimal.But his uncle was crazy, Mark said. And Iveheard things about hisfamily-Nobodyknows anything about his family, Mary-Lynnette said. She felt as if she were struggle to keepher head above water, with barbells fasten to herwrists and ankles. What was dragging her downwasntMarks suspicion It was her own. The littlevoice in he r head that was saying, But he seemed like such(prenominal)a nice guyand which meant, of course, that he wasnt.Ash was watching her with a brooding, goal expression. What does this Jeremy look like?Something about the way he said it irritated MaryLynnette beyond belief. What do you care?Ash blinked and shifted his gaze. He shrugged minimallyand said with forced blandness, Just curious.Hesvery handsome, Mary-Lynnette said.Gooda way to let out her anger and frustration.And the thing is that he looks very intelligent andsensitive-its not empty good looks. Hes got hair thatssort of the color of Ponderosa pinecones andthe most terrific brown eyes. Hes thin andtan and alittle bit taller than me, because Im normally looking at his mouth.Ash didnt look pleased. I saw somebody vaguelylike that at the gas station -in town. He turned toRowan. You think hes some kind of outlawvampire? seemingly not a made vampire because MaryLynnette has watched him grow up, Rowan said.I was intellection mor e that he might be renegade lamia.But theres not much use in trying to figure it outfrom here. Tomorrow we can go and see him, and then well know more. Right?Mark nodded. Jade nodded. Mary-Lynnette took adeep breath and nodded.Ash nodded and said, All right, I see why you cant go home until this is solved. So, well figureout whokilled Aunt Opal, and then well take the appropriate action, and then well go home. Got it?His sisters transfer glances. They didnt answer. As she and mark walked back to their house,Mary-Lynnette notice that Sirius had lifted abovetheeastern horizon. It hung like a jewel, brighterthan she had ever seen it before-much brighter. Itseemedalmost like a miniature sun, flashing with blue and florid and violet rays.She thought the effect must be psychological,,until she remembered that shed exchanged blood withthree vampires.