Night World : The Chosen Chapter 5

Rashel froze. Her sword remained in the air, poised over the lamias means.Well, what are you waiting for? the vampire express. Go on and do it.Rashel didnt crawl in what she was waiting for. The vampire was in a position to block her sword with hiswooden handcuffs, entirely he didnt do some(prenominal) such thing. She could submit by his body language that he wasnt termination to, either. Instead he just lay there, looking for up at her with eye that were as gentle and empty as thedepths of space.His hair was tousled on his fore headroom and his m appearh was a bleak line. He didnt come along afraid. He just wenton gross(a) with those fathomless eyes.All right, Rashel thought. Do it. Even the leech is keying you to. Do it fast-now. simply instead she install herself pivoting and stepping slow a instruction from him.Sorry, she said out loud. I dont take orders from parasites.She kept her sword at the ready in case he do any sudden moves. lonesome(prenominal) all he d id was glance come out atthe wooden handcuffs, wiggle his wrists in them, and consequently lie back.I image, he said with a strange smile. So its torture this time, right? Well, that should be amusing for you.Stake him, dummy, came the little vowelize in Rashels head. Dont talk to him. Its mordacious to descend in aconversation with his kind. besides she couldnt refocus herself. In a minute, she told the give tongue to. First I have to get my accept control back.She knelt in her ready-for-action crouch and picked up the flash diminish, round it full on his face. Heblinked and looked away, squinting.There. Now she could light upon him, but he couldnt see her. Vampire eyes were hypersensitive to light. And level if he did manage to get a glimpse of her, she was wearing her scarf. She had all the advantages, andit made her feel more(prenominal) in command of the situation.Why would you conceive of we lack to torture you? she said.He smiled at the ceiling, non trying to lo ok at her. Beca utilization Im still alive. He raised the handcuffs. Andarent these traditional? A a couple of(prenominal) vampires fromthe south shore have turned up mutilated with stocks like these on. It seemed to have been d single for fun.Smile.Vickys work, Rashel thought. She wished he would land up smiling. It was such a disturbing smile,beautiful and a little mad.Unless, the vampire was way out on, its fareledge you want.Rashel snorted. Would I be likely to get information from you if I did want it? Well. Smile. Notlikely. I didnt think so, Rashel said dryly. He laughed out loud. Oh, God, Rashel thought. Stake him.She didnt know what was wrong with her. Okay, he was charming-in a weird way. But shed knownother charming vampires-smooth, practiced flatterers who tried to sweet-talk or cajole their way out ofbeing staked. Some had tried to seduce her. Almost all had tried mind control. It was only becauseRashel had the exit to resist telepathy that she was alive today.But this vampire wasnt doing any of the ordinary things-and when he laughed, it made Rashers heartthump left(p)ly. His whole face changed when he laughed. A sort of light shone in it. Girl, you are in trouble.Kill him quick. Look, she said, and she was surprised to find her voice a little shaky. This isntpersonal. And you probably dont guardianship, but Im not the one who was going to torture you. This isbusiness, and its what I have to do. She took a deep breath and reached for the sword by her knee.He turned his face to the light. He wasnt smiling now and there was no amusement in his voice when hesaid, I understand. Youve got honor. Looking back at the ceiling, he added, And youre right, thisis the way it always has to end when our twain races meet. Its kill or be killed. The law of nature.He was accosting to her as one warrior to another. Suddenly Rashel felt something shed never felt for avampire before. Respect. A strange wish that they werent on opposite side of meats in th is war. A regret thatthey could never be anything but mortal enemies.Hes somebody I could talk to, she thought. An odd loneliness had taken hold of her. She hadnt realizedshe cared just about having anyone to talk to.She found herself saying awkwardly, Is there anybody you want notified-afterward? I mean, do youhave any family? I could make authoritative the news gets around, so theyd know what had happened to you.She didnt expect him to actually give her any names. That would be crazy. In this game knowledge waspower, with each side trying to find out who the players on the other side were. If you could identifysomeone as a vampire-or a vampire hunter-you knew who to kill.It was Batman and Catwoman all over. The important thing was to preserve your secret identity.But this vampire, who was obviously a lunatic, said thoughtfully, Well, you could send a note to myadopted father. Hes Hunter Redfern. Sorry I cant give you an address, but he should be somewheredown east. Another smile . I forgot to tell you my name. Its Quinn.Rashel felt as if shed been scud with an oak club.Quinn.One of the most dangerous vampires in all the Night World. Maybe the most dangerous of the madevampires, the ones whod started out humane. She knew him by reputation-every vampire hunter did. Hewas supposed to be a deadly fighter and a brilliant strategist clever, resourceful and cold as ice. Hedespised manhood, held them in utter contempt. He treasured the Night World to wipe them out, except fora few to be used for food.I was wrong, Rashel thought dazedly. I should have let Vicky torture him. Im sure he deserves it, if anyof them do. God only knows what hes make in his time.Quinn had turned his head toward her again, looking straight into the flashlight evening though it must behurting his eyes.So you see, youd cave in kill me fast, he said in a voice soft as snow falling. Because thats certain(prenominal)lywhat Im going to do to you if I get loose.Rashel gave a strained laugh . Am I supposed to be scared?Only if you have the brains to know who I am.Now he sounded tired and scornful. Which obviously you dont.Well, let me see. I seem to remember something about the Redferns. Arent they the family whocontrols the vampire part of the Night World Council? The most important family of all the lamia, theborn vampires. Descended directly from Maya, the fabled first vampire. And Hunter Redfern is theirleader, the upholder of Night World law, the one who colonized America with vampires back in thesixteen hundreds. Tell me if Im getting any of this wrong.He gave her a cold glance.You see, we have our sources. And I seem to remember them mentioning your name, too. You weremade a vampire by Hunter and since his own children were all daughters, youre also his heir.Quinn laughed sourly. Yes, well, thats an on-again, off-again thing. You might say I have a love-haterelationship with the Redferns. We spend most of the time wishing each other at the bottom of the Atlanti c.Teh, vampire family infighting, Rashel said. Why is it always so hard to get along with your folks?Despite her light words, she had to focus to keep control of her breathing.It wasnt fear. She truly wasnt scared of him. It was something like confusion. Clearly, she should bekilling him at this effect instead of chattingwith him. She couldnt understand why she wasnt doing it.The only excuse she had was that it seemed to make him even more confused and angry than it did her.I dont think youve heard enough about me, he said, demonstrate his teeth. Im your worst nightmare,human. I even shock other vampires. Like old Hunter he has certain ideas about propriety. How youkill, and who. If he knew some of the things I do, hed fall down dead himself.Good old Hunter, Rashel thought. The truehearted moral patriarch of the Redfern clan, still caught up in theseventeenth century. He might be a vampire, but he was definitely a New Englander.Maybe I should find a way to tell him, she said whim sically.Quinn gave her another cold look, this time tempered with respect. If I thought you could find him, Id worry.Rashel was unawares struck by something. You know, I dont think Ive ever heard anyone say yourfirst name. I mean, I presume you have one.He blinked. Then, as if he were surprised himself, he said, John.John Quinn. John.I didnt realize you to call me it.All right, whatever. She said it absently, deep in thought. John Quinn. Such a normal name, a Boston name. The name of a real person. It madeher think of him as a person, instead of as Quinn the dreadful.Look, Rashel said, and then(prenominal) she asked him something shed never asked a Night Person before. Shesaid, Did you want Hunter Redfern to make you a vampire?There was a long pause. Then Quinn said expressionlessly, As a matter of fact, I wanted to kill him for it.I see. Id want to do the same, Rashel thought. She didnt mean to ask any more questions, but shefound herself saying, Then why did he do it? I mean, w hy pick you?Another pause. Just when she was sure he wouldnt answer, he said, I was-I wanted to get married one ofhis daughters. Her name was Dove.You wanted to marry a vampire?I didnt know she was a vampire This time Quinns voice was quick and impatient. Hunter Redfernwas certain in Charlestown. Granted, a few bulk said his wife had been a witch, but in those dayspeople said that if you smiled in church.So he just lived there and nobody knew, Rashel said.Most people accepted him. A faint mocking smile curved Quinns lips. My own father accepted him,and he was the minister.Despite herself, Rashel was fascinated. And you had to be a vampire to marry her? Dove, I mean.I didnt get to marry her, Quinn said tonelessly. He seemed as surprised as she was that he was intercourseher these things. But he went on, seeming to speak almost to himself. Hunter wanted me to marry one ofhis other daughters. I said Id rather marry a pig. Garnet-thats the oldest-was about as interesting as as fall into place of wood. And Lily, the middle one, was evil. I could see that in her eyes. I only wanted Dove.And you told him that? Of course. He agreed to it finally-and then he told me his familys secret. Well.Quinn laughed bitterly. He didnt tell me, actually. It was more of a demonstration. When I woke up, Iwas dead and a vampire. It was quite an experience.Rashel opened her mouth and then shut it again, trying to imagine the horror of it. Finally she just said, I bet.They sat for a moment in silence. Rashel had never felt so close to a vampire. Instead of disgust andhatred, she felt pity. But what happened to Dove? Quinn seemed to tense all over. She died, he saidnastily. It was clear that his confidences were over. How?None of your business Rashel tilted her head and looked at him soberly. How, John Quinn? Youknow, there are some things you really ought to tell other people. It might help.I dont need a damn psychoanalyst, he spat. He was furious now, and there was a dark light in hiseyes that ought to have frightened Rashel. He looked as wild as she felt sometimes, when she didnt carewho she hurt.She wasnt frightened. She was strangely calm, the kind of calm she felt when her breathing exercisesmade her feel one with the earth and perfectly sure of her path.Look, Quinn-I really think youd better kill me now, he said tightly. Unless youre too thick-skulled or too scared. Thiswood wont hold forever, you know. And when I get out, Im going to use that sword on you.Startled, Rashel looked down at Vickys handcuffs. They were bent. Not the oak, of course-it was themetal hinges that were coming apart. Soon hed have enough room to slip them off.He was very strong, even for a vampire.And then, with the same odd calm, she realized what she was going to do.Yes, thats a salutary idea, she said. Keep bending them. I can say thats how you got out.What are you talking about?Rashel got up and searched for a steel knife to cut the cords on his feet. Im letting you go, Jo hn Quinn, she said.He paused in his wrench of the handcuffs. Youre insane, he said, as if hed just discovered this.You may be right. Rashel found the knife and slit by dint of the bast cords.He gave the handcuffs a twist. If, he said deliberately, you think that because I was a human once, Ihave any pity on them, you are very, very wrong. I hate humans more than I hate the Redferns. Why?He bared his teeth. No, thank you. I dont have to condone anything to you. Just take my word for it.She believed him. He looked as angry and as dangerous as an sentient being in a trap. All right, she said,stepping back and putting her hand on the hilt of her bokken. Take your best shot. But remember, I beatyou once. I was the one who knocked you out.He blinked. Then he shook his head in disbelief. You little idiot, he said. I wasnt paying attention. Ithought you were another of those jerks falling over their own feet. And I wasnt even fighting themseriously. He sat up in one fluid movement that showed the strength he had, and the control of his own body.You dont have a chance, he said softly, turning those dark eyes on her. Now that he wasnt lookinginto the flashlight, his pupils were huge. Youre dead already.Rashel had a sinking feeling that was telling her the same thing.Im faster than any human, the soft voice went on. Im stronger than any human. I can see better in thedark. And Im much, much nastier.Panic exploded inside Rashel.All at once, she believed him absolutely. She couldnt seem to get her breath, and a void had opened inher stomach. She lost any vestige of her previous calm.Hes right-you were an idiot, she told herself wildly. You had every chance to stop him and you blew it.And why? Because you were sorry for him? Sorry for a deranged monster whos going to tear you armfrom limb now? Anyone as stupid as that deserves what they get.She felt as if she were falling, unable to get hold of anything.And then suddenly she did seem to catch something. Something that s he clung to desperately, trying toresist the fear that wanted to suck her into darkness.You couldnt have done anything else.It was the little voice in her mind, being helpful for once. And, strangely, Rashel knew it was true. Shecouldnt have killed him when he was tied up and helpless, not without becoming a monster herself. Andafter hearing his story, she couldnt have ignored the pity she felt.Im probably going to die now, she thought. And Im still scared. But Id do it over again. It was right.She hung on to that as she let the last seconds tick away, the last window of opportunity to stake himwhile the cuffs still held. She knew they were ticking away, and she knew Quinn knew.What a shame to pull your throat out, he said.Rashel held her ground.Quinn gave the handcuffs a final wrench, and the metal hinges squealed. Then the stocks clattered ontothe concrete and he stood up, free. Rashel couldnt see his face anymore it was above the reach of theflashlight.Well, he said evenly.Rashe l whispered, Well.They stood facing each other.Rashel was waiting for the detailed involuntary body movements that would give away which direction hewas going to lunge. But he was more still than any enemy shed ever seen. He kept his tension inside,ready to explode only when he directed it. His control seemed to be complete.Hes got zanshin, she thought.Youre very good, she said softly.Thanks. So are you.Thanks.But it isnt going to matter in the end.Rashel started to say, Well see-and he lunged.She had an instants warning. A barely perceptible movement of his leg told her he was going to spring tohis right, her left. Her body reacted without her direction, moving smoothly and she didnt realize untilshe was doing it that she wasnt using the sword.She had stepped forward, inside his attack, and deflected it with a mirror palm block, striking the innerside of his arm with her left arm. Hitting the nerves to try and numb the limb.But not cutting him. She realized with a dizzy sense of horror that she didnt want to use the sword on him.You are going to die, idiot, he told her, and for an instant she wasnt sure if it was him saying it or thevoice in her head.She tried to push him away. All she could think was that she needed time, time to get her survivalreflexes back. She shoved at himand then her bare hand brushed his, and something happened that was completely beyond her experience.