Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 15

Come on, its okay, Thea verbalise. She conditionmed to be approximatelyPoppys age, only she had a gentle, sensible duck soup that gaveher authority. Sit down. Here. She set Poppy on ashabby couch and extended her wrist. Poppy st atomic number 18d atthe wrist for an rank and thence remembered. jam, freehand her family from his arm. Thatwashow to do it. Friendly andcivilized.She could see grue about blue veins under the skin. And that sight blasted a authority the last of her hesitation. reason in like mannerk over and she grabbed Theas arm. Thenext thing she knew she was drinking.Warm salty-sweetness. -Life. Relief from pain. It was so good that Poppy could more than or less cry. no(prenominal)wonder vampires hated humans, she thought dimly. Humansdidnt buzz off to hunt for this tall(a) stuff theywere full of it already. just straight off, an some other(a) part of her judicial decision pointed by, Theawasnt a human. She was a witch. Strange, becauseher blood tasted exactly the same. Poppys e truly sense confirmed it.So witches argon just humans, notwithstanding humans with special causations, Poppy thought. Interesting.It took an effort to control herself, to cognise whento stop. But she did stop. She let go of Theas wrist and sat seat, a runty embarrassed, licking her lips andteeth. She didnt want to meet Theas brown eyes.It was only then that she realize shed been keeping her thoughts shielded during the stallion process. in that respect had been no mental connection as in that location had been when she shared blood with pile. So shedmastered one vampire power already. Faster than crowd to limither or change had expected.And she felt good directly. agile enough to do theNetherlands skippy dance. Confident enough to smileat Thea.Thank you, she give tongue to.Thea smiled back, as if she set in motion Poppy gay orquaint, but nice. She didnt seem suspicious. Itsokay, she say, flexing her wrist and grimacinggently.For the first meter Poppy was satisfactory to count roundher. This board was more alike a living room than partof a shop. Besides the couch there was a TV andseveral c bulls. At the far end was a large table withcandles and incense burning.This is the educational activity room, Thea said. Grandmadoes spells here and lets the students hang out.And the other part is a store, Poppy said, cautiously because she didnt go what she was speak outd to fill in.Thea didnt look surprised. Yes. I hump you wouldnt speak outthered be enough witches around here to keep us in business, but actually they go into in from all over the country. Grandmas famous. Andher students buy a lot.Poppy nodded, looking at properly impressed. Shedidnt act petition more questions, but her chilly hearthad warmed just a tiny bit. All iniquity People werentharsh and evil. She had the feeling she could be friends with this miss if given the chance. perhaps she could make it in the Night World aft(prenominal) all .Well,thanksagain, she murmured softly.Dont mention it. But dont let ash shit you rundown like that, either. Hes soirresponsible.You wound me, Thea. You rightfully do, ash tree said.He was standing in the doorway, holding the beadcurtain afford with one hand. But come to think ofit, Im feeling a shortsighted run down myself. He raisedhis eyebrows insinuatingly.Go jump in Lake Mead, modify, Thea said sweetly. modify looked innocent and yearning. Just a littlebite. A nibble. A nip, he said. You take on such apretty white throat.Who does? Blaise said, pushing her way throughthe other half of the bead curtain. Poppy had the feeling she was only speaking to focus trouble onherself. She stood in the center of the room andshook back her pine black pig with the air of a girlused to attention.You both do, modify said gallantly. Then he seemed to remember Poppy. And, of course, this littledreamer has a pretty white everything.Blaise, who had been smiling, now looked sour.She stared at Poppy long and hard. With dislikeand something else.Suspicion. Dawning suspicion.Poppy could feelit. Blaises thoughts were b remedyand sharp andmalicious,like jagged glass.Then suddenly Blaise smiled again. She looked at change. I suppose youve come for the troupe, she said.No. What party?Blaise sighed in a way that express her lowcut blouse. The Solstice party, of course. Thierrysgiving a big one. Everybody willbe there. modify looked tempted. In the dim light of the pedagogics room his eyes gleamed dingy. Then he shook his topic.No, cant make it. Sorry. Im release to show Poppythe town.Well, you can do that and still come to the partylater. It wont really get going until after midnight.Blaise was staring at ash with an odd insistence. ash treebit his lip, then shook his head again, smiling.Well, maybe, he said. Ill see how things go.Poppy knew he was saying more than that. Someunspoken message seemed to be passing betweenhim and Blaise. But it wasnt telepathic, and Poppy couldnt pick it up.Well, have a good time, Thea said, and gavePoppy a quick smile as change piloted her away.Ash peered ahead at the Strip. If we hurry wecan watch the volcano erupting, he said. Poppy gavehim a look, but didnt ask.Instead, she said, Whats a Solstice party?Summer solstice. The longest day of the year. Itsa holiday for the Night People. Like Groundhog Dayfor humans.?Why?Oh, it always has been. Its very magical, youknow. Id dumbfound you to the party, but it would be toodangerous. Thierrys a vampire Elder. Then he said, Heres the volcano.It was a volcano. In front of a hotel. Waterfallscrashed down its sides, and red lights shone from thecone. Ash double-parked across the street.You see, weve got a great view unspoilt here, hesaid. All the comforts of home.The volcano was emitting rumbling sounds. AsPoppy watched in disbelief, a pillar of fire shot outof the top. in truth fire. Then the waterfalls caught fire.Red and gold flames spread down the sides of the bla ck rock until the entire lake around the volcanowas ablaze.Inspiring, isnt it? Ash asked, very close to herear.Well-itsThrilling? Ash inquired. affect? Rousing? His arm was creeping around her, and his voicewas sweetly hypnotic.Poppy didnt say anything.You know, Ash murmured, you can see a lotbetter if you get over here. I dont mind crowding. His arm was urging her gently but inevitably closer. His breath ripple her hair.Poppy slammed an elbow into his stomach. HeyAsh yelped-in genuine pain, Poppy thought. Good.Hed dropped his arm and now he was looking ather with aggrieved brown eyes. What did you do that for?Because I feltlike it, Poppy said smartly. She was tingling with new blood and ready for a affair. Look,Ash, I dont know what gave you the idea that Im your date here. But Im telling you right now thatIm not. Ash tilted his head and smiledpainfully.You justdont know me well enough, he offered. When weget to know each other-No.Never. Im not interested in other qats. If Ican t have mob Poppy had to stop and steady her voice. Theres nobody else I want, she said ut well-nighly,flatly. Nobody.Well, not now, maybe, but-Never.She didnt know how to explain. Thenshe had an idea. You know the soulmate principle?Ash opened his babble out and then shut it. Openedit again. Oh, no. Not thatgarbage.Yes. crowd is my soulmate. Im sorry if it soundsstupid, but its true.Ash put a hand to his forehead. Then he started to laugh. Youre serious.Yes.And thats your final word.Yes.Ash laughed again, sighed, and cast his eyes upward. Okay. Okay. I should have known. He chuckled in what seemed like self-derision.Poppy was relieved. Shed been afraid hed be disgruntled and huffy-or mean.Despite his charm, shecould always feel something frigid running below thesurface in Ash, like an icy river.But now he seemed unadulteratedly good-humored.Okay, he said. So if romance isnt on the menu, lets go to the party.I thought you said it was too dangerous.He waved a hand. That was a lit tle fib. To get youalone, you know. He glanced sideways at her.Sorry.Poppy hesitated. She didnt care or so a party. Butshe didnt want to be alone with Ash, either.Maybe you should just examine me back to your cousins place.They wont bethere, Ash said. Im sure theyve gone to the party by now. Oh, come on, itll be fun.Give me a chance to make things up to you. sharp curls of uneasiness were roiling inside Poppy.But Ash looked so remorseful and persuasive andwhat other choice did she have?Okay, she said finally. For just a little objet dart.Ash gave a dazzling smile. Just a very littlewhile, he said.So they could be anywhere on the Strip,throng said.Thea sighed. Im sorry. I should have known Ashwas up to something. But hijacking your girlfriendShe upraised her hands in a what-next gesture. Forwhat its worth, she didnt seem very interested inhim. If hes planning to put the moves on her, hesgoing to get a surprise.Yes, James thought, and so is she. Poppy was onlyuseful to Ash as l ong as Ash thought he could playwith her. in one case he realized he couldntHe didnt want to think about what would happenthen. A quick visit to the nearest Elder, he suppositional.His heart was pounding, and there was a ringingin his ears.Did Blaise go with them? he asked.No, she went to the Solstice party. She tried to get Ash to go, but he said he wanted to show Poppythe town. Thea paused, raising a finger. Waityou capability scar at the party. Ash said he might stopin later.James spent a moment forcing himself to breathe.Then he said, verygently, And just who is giving this party?Thierry Descouedres. He always has a big one.And hes an Elder.What?Nothing. Never mind. James backed out of theshop. Thanks for the help. Ill be in touch.JamesShe looked at him helplessly. Do youwant to come in and sit down? You dont lookvery well.Im fine, James said, already out the door.In the car he said, You can get up now.Phillip emerged from the floor of the backseatwhere hed been hiding. Whats happening? Youwere gone a long time.I think I know where Poppy is.You just think?Shut up, Phil. He didnt have energy for exchanging insults. He was entirely focused on Poppy.Okay, so where is she?James spoke precisely. She is either now, or shewilll be later, at a party. A very large party, filled with vampires. And at least one Elder. The perfect placeto expose her.Phil gulped. And you think thats what Ash is going to do?I know thats what Ash is going to do.Then weve got to stop him.We may be too late.The party was strange. Poppy was amazed at howyoung most of the people were. There were a few scattered adults, but far more teenagers.Made vampires, Ash explained obligingly. Poppyremembered what James had said-made vampiresremained forever the age of their death, but lamiacould stop aging anytime. She supposed that meantthat James could get as old as he wanted, while she would be stuck at sixteen eternally. Not that it mattered. If she and James were going to be together,they could both stay young-but apart, maybe hed want to age.But it was odd to see a guy who looked about nineteen talking earnestly with a little kid wholooked about four. The kid was cute, with shiny black hair and tilted eyes, but there was something at onceinnocent and cruel in his sort. permits see, now thats Circe. A witch of renown.And thats Sekhmet, a shapeshifter. You dont want to get hermad, Ash said genially.He and Poppy were standing in a little anteroom, looking down a level into the main room of the house. Of the mansion, alternatively. It was the most opulent private hallway Poppy had ever seenand shed seen Bel Airand BeverlyHills.Okay, Poppy said, looking in the general?direc tion he was pointing. She power saw two tall and lovelygirls, but she had no idea which was which.And thats Thierry, our host. Hes an Elder.An Elder? The guy Ash was indicating didnt seemolder than nineteen. He was beautiful, like all thevampires, tall and blond and pensive. closely sadlooking. How ol d ishe?Oh, I forget. He got bitten by an ancestress ofmine a long time ago. Back when people lastd incaves.Poppy thought he was joking. But maybe not.What do the Elders do, exactly?They just make rules. And see that people keepthem. An odd smile was playing around Ashs lips.He turned to look directly at Poppy.With the black eyes of a snake.That was when Poppy knew.She backed away rapidly. But Ash came after her,just as rapidly. She saw a door on the other side of the anteroom and headed for it. Got through it. Onlyto find herself on a balcony.With her eyes, she measurable the distance to the ground. But in advance she could make another move, Ash had her arm.Dont fight yet, her mind counseled desperately.Hes strong. Wait for an opportunity.She made herself relax a fraction and met Ashsdark gaze. You brought me here.Yes.To hand me over.He smiled.But why?Ash threw back his head and laughed. It waslovely, melodious laughter, and it made Poppy sick. Youre a human, he said. Or you sho uld be.James should never have done what he did.Poppys heart was racing, but her mind was oddlyclear. Maybe shed known all along that this was what he was going to do. Maybe it was crimson out the rightthing to do. If she couldnt be with James and shecouldnt be with her family, did the rest really matter? Did she wantto live in the Night World if it wasfull of people like Blaise and Ash?So you dont care about James, either, she said.Youre willing to put him in danger to get rid of me.Ash considered, then grinned. James can takecare of himself, he said.Which was plainly Ashs entire philosophy. Everybody took care of themselves, and nobody helpedanybody else.And Blaise knew, too, Poppy said. She knew what you were going to do and she didnt care.Not very much gets past Blaise, Ash said. He startedto say something else-and Poppy saw her chance.She kicked-hard. And twisted at the same time.Trying to get over the balcony rail.Stay here, James said to Phil before the car had evenstoppe d. They were in front of a huge white mansionfringed with laurel wreath trees. James threw the door open,but took the time to say again, Stay here.No matter what happens, dont go in that house. And if somebodybesides me comes up to the car, drive away.But-Just do it, Phil Unless you want to find out aboutdeath firsthand-tonight.James set out at a knackered run for the mansion. Hewas too intent to really notice the sound of a cardoor opening behind him.And you looked like such a nice girl, Ash gasped.He had both of Poppys arms behind her back andwas trying to get out of the range of her feet.No-no, quit that, now.He was too strong. There was nothing Poppy coulddo. atomic number 49 by inch he was dragging her back into theanteroom.You might as well give up, Poppys mind told her.Its useless. Youre done.She could picture the whole thing herself macrocosm dragged out in front of all of those sleek and handsome Night People and revealed. She could picturetheir pitiless eyes. That pensi ve-looking guy wouldwalk up to her and his face would change and hewouldnt look pensive anymore. Hed look savage.His teeth would grow. His eyes would go silvery.Then hed snarland strike.And that would be the end of Poppy.Maybe that wasnt the way they did it, maybe theyexecuted criminals some other way in the NightWorld. But it wouldnt be pleasant, whatever it was.And I wont makeiteasyfor youPoppy thought. Shethought it directly at Ash, throwing all of her angerand grief and betrayal at him. Instinctively. Like akid shouting in a temper tantrum.Except it had an effect shouting usually didnt.Ash flinched. He almost lost his grip on her arms.It was only a momentary weakening, but it wasenough for Poppys eyes to widen.I hurt him. IhurthimShe stopped essay physically in that same instant. She put all her concentration, all her energy,into a mental explosion. A thought-bomb.LET GO OF ME YOU ROTTEN VAMPIRE nutcaseAsh staggered. Poppy did it again, this time makingher thought a fire hose, a high-powered jetstreambombardment.LET G000000000000Ash let go. Then, as Poppy ran out of steam, hetried in afumblingway to pass around her again.I dont think so, a voice as cold as steel said.Poppy looked into the anteroom and saw James.Her heart lurched violently. And then, withoutconsciously being aware of moving, she was in hisarms.Oh, James, how did youfind me?All he kept saying was Are you all right?Yes, Poppy said finally, aloud. It was indescribably good to be with him again, to be held by him.Like vigilant up from a nightmare to see your mothersmiling. She buried her face in his neck.Youre sure youre all right?Yes. Yes.Good. Then just hang on a moment while I kill this guy and well go.He was absolutely serious. Poppy could feel it in his thoughts, in every muscle and heft of his body.He wanted to murder Ash.She lifted her head at the sound of Ashs laugh.Well, it ought to be a good fight, anyway, Ashsaid.No, Poppy thought. Ash was looking silky and dangerous and in a v ery bad mood. And even if James could beat him, James was going to get hurt. Evenif she and James fought him together, there was going to be some damage.Lets just go, she said to James. Quick. Sheadded silently, Ithink he wants to keep us around untilsomebody from the party gets here.No, no, Ash said, in gloatingly enthusiastic tones.Lets settle this like vampires.Lets not, said a breathless familiar voice. Poppyshead jerked around. Climbing over the railing of thebalcony, mothy but triumphant, was Phil.Dont you everlisten? James said to him.Well, well, Ash said. A human in an Eldershouse. What arewe going to do about that?Look, buddy, Phil said, still breathless, brushingoff his hands. I dont know who you are or whathorse you rode in on. But thats my sisterthere youre messing with, and I figure Ive got the first right to strike hard your head off.There was a pause while Poppy, James, and Ash all looked at him. The pause stretched. Poppy wasaware of a sudden, completely inappropri ate pulsation to laugh. Then she realized that James was fightingdesperately not to crack a smile.Ash just looked Phil up and down, then looked atJames sideways.Does this guyunderstandabout vampires? hesaid.Oh, yeah, James said blandly.And hes going to knock my head in?Yeah, Phil said, and cracked his knuckles.Whats so surprising about that?There was another pause.Poppycould feel minutetremors going through James. Choked-back laughter.At last James said, admirably sober, Philreally feelsstrongly about his sister.Ash looked at Philonce more, then at James, andfinally at Poppy. Well there are three of you, he said.Yes, there are, James said, genuinely sober now. Grim.So I guess you do have me at a disadvantage. Allright,I giveup. He lifted his hands and thendropped them. Go on, scram. I wont fight.And you wont tell on us, either, James said. Itwasnt a request.I wasnt going to anyway, Ash said. He had onhis most innocent and guileless expression. I knowyou think I brought Poppy here to expose her, but I really wasnt going to go through with it. I was justhaving fun. The whole thing was just a joke.Oh, sure, Phil said.Dont even bother lying, James said.But Poppy, oddly, wasnt as certain as they were.She looked at Ashs wide eyes-his wide violeteyes-and felt doubt slosh back and forth inside her.It was hard to read him, as it had been hard allalong. Maybe because he always meant everythinghe said at the time he said itor maybe because he nevermeant anything he said. No matter which,, he was the most irritating, frustrating, impossible personshed ever met.Okay, were going now, James said. Were goingto walk very quiet and calmly right through that littleroom and down the hall, and were not going to stopfor anything-Phillip.Unless youd rather go back downthe way you came up, he added.Phil shook his head. James pull together Poppy in hisarm again, but he paused and looked back at Ash.You know, youve never really cared about anyone, he said. But someday you will, and its goingto hurt. Its going to hurt-a lot.Ash looked back at him, and Poppy could readnothing in his ever-changing eyes. But just as Jamesturned again, he said, I think youre a lousyprophet. But your girlfriends a good one. You mightwant to ask her about her dreams sometime.James stopped. He frowned. What?And you, little dreamer, you might want to check out your family tree. You have a very loud yell. He smiled at Poppy engagingly. Bye now.James stayed for another minute or so, just staringat his cousin. Ash gazed serenely back. Poppycounted heartbeats while the two of them stoodmotionless.Then James shook himself just about and turnedPoppy toward the anteroom. Phil followed right on their heels.They walked out of the house very quietly andvery calmly. No one tried to stop them.But Poppy didnt feel safe until they were on theroad.What did he mean with that crack about the family tree? Phil asked from the backseat.James gave him an odd look, but answered with aquestion. Phil, how d id you know where to findPoppy in that house? Did you see her on the balcony?No, I just followed the shouting.Poppy turned around to look at him.James said, What shouting?Theshouting. Poppy shouting. Let go of me yourotten vampire creep.Poppy turned to James. Should hehave been ableto hear it? I thought I was just yelling at Ash. Dideverybody at the party hear?No.But, thenJames cut her off. What dream was Ash talkingabout?Just a dream I had, Poppy said, bewildered. Idreamed about him before I actually met him.Jamess expression was now verypeculiar. Oh,did you?Yes. James, whats this all about? What did hemean, I should check my family tree?He meant that you-and Philarent human after all. Somewhere among your ancestors theresa witch.