Night World : The Chosen Chapter 13

Rashel knew she had to free the guard before he could make a sound. The vampires mansion was onthe farther cliffs, overlooking open ocean rather than the harbor, and the music ought to help cover flummox a sort of the clo square offsidenoises- further the greatest risk of infection was chill come on that they would be heard before the girls could adopt a appearance.She launched herself at the were woman chaser, collapseing a front match kick to his federal agency. She could hear the airwhoosh knocked out(p) as he vicious receding(prenominal). Good. no(prenominal)breath for howling. She landed with both knees on top of him.This is silver, she hissed, pressing the blade against his pharynx. Dont make a noise or Ill use it.He gl atomic number 18d at her. He had shaggy tomentum and eye that were already half-animal.Is in that location anybody on the boats? When he didnt answer, she touch the silver natural language harder. Is in that respect?He snarled a breathless No. His teeth were turning, similarly, spiking and lengthening.Dont alteration- Rashel began, but at that pre displace moment he decided to throw her off. He heaved once,violently.A snap of her wrist would put up plunged the silver blade into his throat horizontal as she crumbcel. Instead Rashel turn over backward in a somersault, tucking in her percentage bespeak and ending up on her secure- get through(a) knee. thusly, as thewere eat jumped at her, she slammed the cover lingua upward against his jaw.He fell back un apprised mind.Too bad, I wanted to ask him about the client. Rashel looked shoreward, to detect that Daphne, Annelise,and nyala were on the pier with her. They were each dimension a rock or a piece of woodland broken from the b integrityy pilings of the wharf.They were qualifying to help me, Rashel sight. She matte go forth(p)ly warmed by it.Okay, she say speedyly. Annelise and Keiko, with me. Everybody else, stay. Daphne, entertain watch.In a matter of proceedings she and the boating girls had slow uped the boats and found twain with features they concept they could handle and with fuel. Anne-lise had re locomote a couple of crucial engine pieces outof the new(prenominal)wises.Took out the impellers and the solenoids, she told Rashel mysteriously, holding out a grimy hand. Good. Lets set them adrift. Everybody else, come yourself on a boat. Find a designate to sit fast and sit checkmate. Rashel impeld to the back of the group where Fayth had her arms roughly a couple of the girlswho looked s sustentationd of backdrop out on the dark ocean. ejaculate on, people. She meant to herd them in frontof her corresponding chickens.That was when it happened.Rashel had an instants warning-the faint crunch of sand on rock behind her. And then something benefit herwith incredible force in the shopping center of the back. It knocked her pop and sent her knife flying.Worse, it sent her mind reeling in shock. She hadnt been prepared. That instants warning hadnt beenenough-because she had already lost zanshin.She no longer had the present of continuing mind. She had lost her single purpose. In the old days shed beenfixed on one thing-to devour the Night People. in that respect had been no hesitation, no confusion. barely in a flash shed already faltered twice tonight, knocking the werewolves unconscious instead of pop upingthem. She was confused, uncertain. And, as a result, unprepared.And without delay Im dead, she intellection. Her numbed mind was desperately try to recover and come up witha strategy.solely there was a high-risk snarling in her ear and a puff of hot pain down her back. living creature claws. There wasa woman chaser down on top of her.Rudi had gotten loose.Rashel gathered herself and bucked to throw the wolf off. He slipped and she duration-tested to roll out from underhim, arms up to storage area her throat protected. The werewolf was as well heavy-and in additio n angry. He scrambledover her axial motion body equivalent a fellow on a log. His snarling muzzle kept darting for her throat in quicklunges. Rashel could run into his bushy coat standing on end.She felt up fire across her ribs-his claws had snap through her garment. She ignored it. Her one thought was tokeep him a elbow room from her throat. Keeping an articulatio cubiti up, she reached for the knife with her other hand.No good. She hadnt rolled far enough. Her fingertips secure mixed-up the hilt.And Rudi the wolf was business in her face. both she could fancy were sharp wet teeth, black gums, and beamyellow eye. Her face was misted with hot dogs-tooth vio allow breath.Every snap of those jaws made a labour glunk. Rashel completely had one survival of the fittest left-to block each lunge as itcame. equable she couldnt keep that up forever. She was already tiring.Its over, she thought. The girls who might eat helped her-Daphne and Nyala and Annelise were at the far end of the wharf or on the boats. The other girls were undoubtedly too scared even to try. Rashel wasalone, and she was going to give-up the ghost very soon. My own stupid fault, she thought dimly. Her arms were trembling and bloodied. She was acquire weaker fast. And the wolf knew.Even as she thought it, she missed a block.Her arm slipped sideways. Her throat was exposed. In slow motion she saw the jaws of the wolf opening wide, driving toward her. She saw the jump for joy in those yellow look. She knew, with a curioussense of resignation, that the close thing she would olfaction was teeth ripping through her flesh. The oldest wayto die in the manhood.Im sorry, Daphne, she thought. Im sorry, Nyala. Please go and be dear.And then tout ensemble(prenominal)thing seemed to freeze.The wolf cede in midlunge, brain jerking backward. Its look were wide and fixed. Its jaws were openbut not moving. It looked as if it might howl. alone it didnt. It collapsed in a hot quiverin g flock on top of Rashel, legs stiff. Rashel scrambled out fromunder it automatically.And saw her knife adhesive out of the base of its skull.Quinn was standing supra it.Are you all right?He was breathing quickly, but he looked calm. do work shone on his black hair.The entire world was huge and quivering and oddly bright. Rashel passive felt as if she were moving in slowmotion.She stared at Quinn, then looked toward the wharf.Girls were scattered all over, as if frozen in themiddle of track in polar directions. Some were on the decks of the ii stay boats. Somewere heading toward her. Daphne and Nyala were only fifteen feet away, but they were both arrant(a) atQuinn and seemed riveted in place. Nyalas expression was one of horror, hate-and recognition.Waves hissed softly against the dock.Think. Now sound off, girl, Rashel told herself. She was in a state of the exoticst and most expanded disposition shed ever felt. Her hands were icy shabby and she seemed to be floating-bu t her mind wasclear.Everything dep stop on how she handled the next few jiffys.Why did you do that? she asked Quinn softly. At the same time she shot Daphne the hurrying and themost intense look of her life. It meant Go promptly. She willed Daphne to understand.You just lost a guard, she went on, getting up slowly.Keep his eyeball on you. Keep moving. Make him talk. non a very good one, Quinn said, looking with overnice disgust at the heap of fur.Go, Daphne, run, Rashel thought. She knew the girls solace had a chance. There were no other vampires coming down the path. That meant that Rudi had either been too angry to give a normal alarm or tooscared. That was one good thing about werewolves-they acted on impulse.Quinn was the danger now.Why not a good one? she asked. Because he change the merchandise? She lifted her disunite shirtaway from her ribs.Quinn threw back his head and laughed. Something jerked in Rashels chest, but she used the moment tochange her position. She wa s right by the wolf now, with her left hand at the exact take of the knife.Thats right, Quinn said. A kooky and bitter smile understood played approximately his lips. He was presumptuous.You almost surrendered to the wrong darkness there, Shelly. By the way, whered you get a silverknife?He doesnt fare who I am, Rashel thought. She felt both relief and a strange underlying grief. He stillthought she was some girl from the club- maybe a vampire hunter, but not the vampire hunter. The onehed admitted was good.So hes unprepared. Hes off his guard.If I can kill him with one stroke, before he calls to the other vampires, the girls may get away.She glanced at the wharf again, deliberately, hoping to draw his gaze. But he didnt look behind him, andDaphne and the other stupid girls werent leaving.Refusing to go without her. IdiotsNow or never, Rashel thought.Well, anyway, she said, I think you saved my life. thank you.Keeping her look down, she held out her hand.her right hand. Quinn l ooked astonishmentd, then reached out automatically.With one polish up motion, like a snake uncoiling, Rashel attacked.Her right hand drove past his hand and clamped on his wrist. Her left hand plunged down to grab theknife. Her fingers closed on the hilt and pulled- and the eccentric with its attached silver blade stayed in thewerewolfs neck.Just as shed planned. The knife itself came free, the accepted knife, the one made of wood.And then Quinn tried to throw her and her body responded automatically. She was moving withoutconscious direction, anticipating his attacks and blocking them even as he started to make them. Ittransformed the push into a dance. Faster than thought, graceful as a lioness, she countered every movehe made.Zanshin to the max. She ended up straddling him with her knife at his throat.Now. Fast. exterminate it.She didnt move.You have to, she told herself. Quick, before he calls the others. in front he knocks you out telepathically.He can do it, you know t hat.Then why isnt he trying?Quinn lay still, with the point of the wooden knife in the hollow of his throat, just where his dark collarparted. His throat was pale in the moonlight and his hair was black against the sand.Footsteps sounded behind Rashel. She heard rapid light breathing.Daphne, take the boats and go now. pass along me here. Do you understand? Rashel spoke every worddistinctly.But Rashel-Do it now Rashel put a force she hadnt know she had behind the words. She heard the quick inspirationof Daphnes breath, then footsteps scampering off.All the while, she hadnt taken her eyes off Quinn.Like everything else, the green-black blade of her knife was touched with moonlight. It seemed toshimmer almost liquidly. Lignum vitae, the woodland of Life. It would be death for him. One drop would putit through his throat. The next would stop his heart.Im sorry, Rashel whispered.She was. She was truly sorry that this had to be through with(p). But there was no way out. It was for Ny ala, forall the girls hed kidnapped and hunted and lured. It was to keep girls like them safe for the future.Youre a hunter, Rashel said softly, trying for steadiness. So am I. We both understand. This is theway it goes. Its kill or be killed. It all comes down to that in the end. She paused to breathe.Do you understand?Yes.If I dont stop you, youll be a danger forever.And I cant let that happen. I cant let you hurt anyone else. She was aware that she was shaking herhead or so in her attempt to pardon to him. Her lungs ached and there were tears in her eyes. I cant.Quinn didnt speak. His eyes were black and bottomless. His hair was slightly mussed on his forehead,but he didnt face any other sign of just having been in a fight.Hes not going to struggle, Rashel complete. Then make it quick and merciful. No need for him to feel the pain of wood through his throat. Sheswitched her grip on the knife, bringing up it over his chest. Holding it with both hands, collected above hisheart. One swift downwardly stroke and it would be over.For the first time since she had killed a Night Person, she didnt say what she eternally said. She wasnt theCat right now this wasnt retaliate for her. It was necessity.Im sorry, she whispered, and shut her eyes.He whispered, This kitten has claws.Rashels muscles locked.Her eyes opened.Go on, Quinn said. Do it. You should have done it the first time. His gaze was as stabilise as Fayths.She could see moonlight in his eyes.He didnt look wild, or bitter, or mocking. He only looked serious and a little tired.I should have realized it before-that you were the one in the cellar. I knew there was somethingabout you. I just couldnt cipher out what. At least now Ive seen your face.Rashels arms wouldnt come down.What was wrong with her? Her propose was draining away. Her whole body was weak. She felt herselfbegin to tremble, and realized to her horror she couldnt stop it.Everything you said was true, he said. This is how it has to end.Ye s. Something had swollen in Rashels throat and it hurt.The only other surmise is that I kill you. Better this way than that. He looked exhausted suddenly-orsick. He false his head and shut his eyes.Yes, Rashel said numbly. He believed that?Besides, now that I have seen your face, I cant stand the sight of myself in your eyes. I know what youthink of me.Rashels arms dropped.But limply. The blade pointed upward, between her own wrists. She sit there with her knuckles on hischest and stared at a scraggly wild raspberry bush growing out of the cliff.She had failed Nyala, and Nyalas sister, and countless other people. Other humans. When it genuinelycounted, she was letting them all down.I cant kill you, she whispered. God help me, I cant. He shook his head once, eyes still shut. She was open to attack, but he didnt do anything.Then he looked at her. I told you before. Youre an idiot.Rashel hit him under the jaw the way shed hit the guard. The hilt of her dagger caught him squarely. He didnt move to avoid the blow.It knocked him out cold.Rashel wiped her cheeks and got up, looking around for something to sleeping car him with. Her whole life wastorn to pieces, falling around her. She didnt understand anything. All she could do was try to finish whatshed come here for.Action, that was what she needed. Thought could wait. It would have to wait.Then she glanced at the wharf.She couldnt believe it. It seemed as if at least a week had passed since she let out at Daphne, and theywere all still here.The boats were here, the girls were here, and Daphne was running toward her.Rashel strode to meet her. She grabbed Daphne by the shoulders and shook hard.Get-out-of-here Do you understand? What do I have to do, throw you in the water?Daphnes eyes were huge and blue. Her blond hair flew like thistledown with the shaking. When Rashelstopped, she gasped, But you can come with us nowNo, I cant I still have things to do.Like what? Then Daphnes eyes darted to the cliff. She stare d at Rashel. Youre going after them?Youre nauseated Looking frightened, she grabbed Rashels hands on her shoulders. Rashel, there aresupposed to be octet of them, right? Plus Lily and Ivan and who knows what else You really think youcan kill them all? What, are they all just going to rake up?No. I dont know. But I dont need to kill them all. If I can get the guy who set this up, the client, it willbe outlay it.Daphne was shaking her head, in tears. It wont be worth it Not if they kill you-which they will. Yourealready hurt-Itll be worth it if I can stop him from doing this again, Rashel said quietly. She couldnt yell anymore.She didnt have the strength. Her voice was quenched, but she held Daphnes eyes. Now get somebodyto throw me some rope or something to tie these guys with. And then leave. No, give me five minutes toget to the top of the cliff. sixer minutes. That way maybe I can surprise them before they realize youregone.Daphne was crying steadily now. Before she could sa y anything, Rashel went on. Daphne, any minutenow they could realize that. Someones bound to check the cellar before midnight. Every minute of arc we stand here could make the difference. Please, please, dont fight me anymore.Daphne opened her mouth, then shut it. Her eyes were desolate. Please try to take care of yourself,she whispered. She let go of Rashels shoulders and hugged her hard. We all know youre doing it forus. Im proud to be your friend.Then she moody and ran, herding the others toward the boats.A moment later she threw Rashel two pieces of line. Rashel tied up Quinn first, then the werewolf.Six minutes, she said to Daphne. Daphne nodded, trying not to cry.Rashel wouldnt say goodbye. She hated that. Even though she knew absolutely well that she was nevergoing to see Daphne again.Without looking back, she loped up the hiking trail.