Night World : The Chosen Chapter 12

The voice was shrill, almost hysterical.Unbalanced, Rashel thought dazedly, looking slightly. The sound of her secret being yelled erupt vocalstunned her. moreover barely for an instant. The next moment she was moving swiftly between the rows of girls, looking fornyalaI make do why youre here Nyala sat up tensely. She looked just as she had when Rashel had seen herlast, cocoa skin, queenly head, wide haunted eyes. She was even dressed in the same dark clothes shedbeen wearying the night they caught Quinn.Youre here because you were in on it both a spacious You pretend to be a vampire hunter-Shut up Rashel said desperately. Nyala was cheering loud enough to be heard on the other sideof the accession. She knelt on Nyalas bed. Im non pretending, Nyala. accordingly how sustain youre free and were totally chained up? Youre on their side You call yourself the Cat-Rashel clamped a hand over her mouth.Listen to me, she hissed. Her heart was pounding. All the girls around her were staring and sheexpected to hear the cellar door open at any moment. Nyala, listen. I recognise you dont like me or surenessme-but youve got to stop yelling that. We may only have one mishap to get out of here.Nyalas chest was heaving. Her eyes, the color of dark plums, stared into Rashels.I am a vampire hunter, Rashel whispered, willing Nyala to believe it. I made a mistake letting thatvampire go that night I admit it. But Ive been trying ever since to put things right. I got captured onpurpose so I could insure out what was difference on here-and now Im tone ending to try to get all these girls free.She spoke slowly and distinctly, hoping Nyala could sense the accuracy of her words. But, Nyala, if the darkness People find out Im a vampire hunter-much less the Cat-they are going to take me out and kill meright this minute. And hence I dont estimate the rest of you have a chance.She stopped to breathe. I have it away its hard to trust me. But please, please try. Do you rec ollect you can dothat?A long pause. Nyalas eyes searched hers. then, at last, Nyala nodded.Rashel took her hand off Nyalas mouth. She sat spur on the bed and they stared at each other.Thank you, Rashel said. Im going to need your help. Then she shook her head. But how did you gethere? How did you find the club?I didnt find any club. I went dorsum to that street with the warehouses on Wednesday. I thought maybethe vampire might come back. And then-somebody grabbed me from behind.Oh, Nyala. Wednesday night, Rashel thought. The night Daphne saw Ivan carry in a new girl and puther on a cribbage. That girl was Nyala. Rashel put a hand to her head. Nyala-I almost saved you. I was therethe next night-when Daphne fell out of the truck. Do you remember that? If I had only knownNyala wasnt listening. Then there was this whisper in my mind, telling me to sleep. And I couldntmove-I couldnt move my limbs or my legs. But I wasnt asleep. And then he carried me into a warehouseand he bit me. H er voice was detached, almost pleasant. But her eyes froze Rashel in place.He bit me in the neck and I knew I was going to die, just like my sister. I could feel the blood coming out. I wanted to scream but I couldnt move. I couldnt do anything. She smiled oddly at Rashel. Ill tellyou a secret. Its still there, the bite. You cant see it, but its still there. She turned her head to show asmooth unblemished neck.Oh, God, Nyala. Rashel had matt-up 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 remain fighting. Thats whats important rightnow. We cant let them win. skilful?Yes Nyala looked slowly around her bed, then up at Rashel. Yes, thats right. Her eyes seemedto sha rpen and focus.Im making a plan to get out of here. And you have to duty tour calm and help me.Yes. Nyala sounded more definite this time. Then she smiled almost serenely and whispered, Andwell get our revenge.Yeah. Rashel pressed her hand. Somehow, we will. I promise you.She walked back to her cot smell 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 upset(a) close to Nyalas sanity, even if they did manage to get off the island.Shes right about one thing, though, Rashel thought. Revenge. Its the only way to wipe out the things thathave been done to these girls.The grow in her chest was back-as if there were coals where her throat and heart ought to be. She let itharden her and burn away any stray thoughts of mercy for Quinn. Strange how she kept having thoughtsof him, long subsequently shed made the resolution to kill him.Is she sanction? Daphne said worriedly. I remember her from the warehouse.I know. Rashel took the lockpick and sat on Daphnes cot. She began to exertion 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 People 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 widened slightly. Is it you?Rashel sprung a lock. Somehow, with these two girls staring at her, she didnt feel tolerant of so brash as shehad a moment ago. She didnt feel terribly proud of being the Cat.Without lo oking 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 about 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 moved to workon Fayths chains. Youre both good talkers. I want the two of you to go around and talk to themindividually. I want to know whos going to be subject 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 handle 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 place out with the boats.Half an hour later Daphne and Fayth stood before her beaming. At least Daphne was beaming Faythwas wearing that grave smile that was starting to drive Rashel crazy.Allow me to bring in Annelise, Daphne said, leading Rashel to a cot. Originally a native of Denmark.Shes done the race circuit in Antigua-whatever that means. Anyway, she says she can handle 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 yo ung, 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 move uptte 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 navigation that worries me. There isnt anybody else, Daphne stage-whispered in Rashels ear. So my advice is we trust the kid.I think the navigation 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. Wedefinitely 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 Ny ala. 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 shut her eyes. Oh.The nutrient, 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 forehead wearily. No wonder the girls hadnt asked her any questions. No wonderthey werent all screaming their heads off. They were drug to the gills.From now on weve got to keep them from eating, she said. They need clear heads if were goi ng toescape. She looked at Fayth. Okay. We wait. But thats going to make everything 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 blade. 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 Fayth. This girl thinks of everything.Rashel put the knife away. All right. Lets talk to everybody again. I want to rationalize my plan. When wedo this tomorrow night, its going to take cooperation and precision.And, she thought, a lot of luck.Cho w timeRudi walked between the rows of cots, tossing packages from a plastic bag 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 couple 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 surviving 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 abo ut 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 serious pain and quite possibly a fractured joint. Are you getting this, Rudi? Rudi wiggled a littleand Rashel exerted pressure upwardly 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-quick and quiet everybody, she said, like a cheerleader whod been promoted to drillsergeant.Rashel felt Rudi knock over as every girl in the room kicked off her covers and stood up free.What the-what the-Now, Rudi. Keeping his elbow trapped against her, Rashel exerted pressure again, moving him easilyin the focussing she wanted. You go first. Youre going to open up the top door for us.Annelise and Keiko in front, 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 breathing mass. Rudi, if you dont unlock that door, I am going to tie you up and leaveyou 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.Good 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 music was resound from somewhere insid e 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 hired 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 questioning him-but right now the important 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 planned to do. He was a conspirator in the plan to brutallymurder cardinal 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 mind 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 state of nature grass. She caught up to the string of girls.Thats it, Missy, she whispered. Nice and quiet. Nyala, youre limping 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. Lots of islanders use ship-to-shore radio instead of telephones. Thevampires may be supervise it.Rashel squeezed her shoulder. Smart 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 andall.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 glas sy. 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 few 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 shape came hustling out of the shack into the moonlight. It took one look at Rashel andthrew back its head to howl.