Night World : Daughters of Darkness Chapter 12

What happened because was interesting. Mary-Lynnette got to give ear the sisters do all the things shedmissedearlier in the clearing. All the raspberry and the clawed fingers. Just cargon the movies.Except that when a vampire hissed, it sounded real. Like a cat, not like a some unity imitating a cat. All leashgirls jumped up and stood ready to fight.There wasnt both weird grimacing. But break and kestrel were showing dentition that were long andbeautifully curved, feeler to delicate feline points that indented the lower lip.And something else. Their nip changed. become flats silvery-green eyes went even more silvery. sparrow hawksgolden eyes looked jewel-yellow, like a hawks. steady rowans eyes had a dark light in them.Oh, boy, countenance whispered. He was standing beside Jade, staring from her to Ash.Ash state, Hi.Dont look at him, Mary-Lynnette told herself. Herheart was pounding wildly and her knees weretrembling. The attraction of particle to antiparticle,she th ought, remembering a line from brave yearsphysicslass. But there was another, shorter namefor it, and no matter what she said to herself, she couldnt keepit egress of her mind.Soulmates.Oh, God, I really dont want this. Please, please, Ididnt ask for this. I want to discover a supernova andstudy mini-quasars at the Gamma Ray Observatory. I want to be the one who solves the mystery ofwhere all the dark matter in the universe is.I dont want this.It should shake up happened to someone like BunnyMarten, someone who spent timelonging for romance.The only thing Mary-Lynnette longed for wassomebody to down the stairsstand to understand the night with you,a distant part ofher mind whispered.And kinda here she was, stuck with a guy whose own sisters were terrified of him.It was true. That was wherefore they were standingpoised to fight, making threatening noises. Even Kestrelwas afraid of him.The moment Mary-Lynnette realized that, anger serve out the trembling dismay inside her. Wh atevershe felt just close to Ash, she wasnt afraid of him.Dont you ever knock? she said and walked toward him. Strode toward him.She had to hand it to her new family. Both Jadeand Kestrel tried to grab her and keep her from gettingclose to their brother. Protecting her. MaryLynnette shook them off.Ash eyed her warily.Oh. You, he said. Unenthusiastically.What are you doing here?Its my uncles house.Its your aunts house and you werent invited.Ash looked at his sisters. Mary-Lynnette could justsee little wheels turning in his head. Had they alreadytold about the darkness World or not? Of course, if they hadnt, their behavior should be giving somebody adue. closely human girls didnt hiss.Ash held one finger up. Okay. Now, listenMary-Lynnette kicked him in the shins. She knew it was inappropriate, she knew it was uncalled-for,but she couldnt stop herself. She just had to.Oh, for Gods sake, Ash said, hopping backward.argon you crazy?Yes, she is, Mark said, abandoning Jade and upper fo rward to take Mary-Lynnettes arm.Everybody sack outs shes crazy. She cant help it. He backedup, pulling. He was looking atMary-Lynnette as if shed taken all her clothes off and started to dance the mambo.So were Kestrel and Jade. Their eyes had gone ordinary, their teeth retracted. Theyd never seenanyone treat their brother quite this focal point. And to have 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 help it. She wasnt afraid of him, only of herself and the stupid floating feeling in herstomach. The way her legs wanted to fold under her.Will somebody just tell her not to do that anymore? Ash was saying.Kestrel and Jade looked sideways at Mary-Lynnette. Mary-Lynnette shrugged at them, her breathcoming quickly.She dictum that Rowan was looking at her, too, butnot in the same dumbfounded way. Rowan lookedworried and surprised and sorry.Youve met, she said.I should h ave told you, Mary-Lynnette said. Hecame to our house. He was asking mystepmotherabout you and your friends-saying that he carryed to approve them because he was head ofthe family.All three girls looked at Ash with narrowed eyes.So you have been around, Kestrel said. Forhow long?Rowan said quietly, What are -you really doinghere?Ash let go of his shin. Can we all sit down and talk about this like reasonable people?Everyone looked at Mary-Lynnette. She took a deep, calming breath. She still felt as if her entire skinwas electrified, but her heart was slowing down. Yes, she said and worked at looking normal so theydknow her temporary insanity was over.As he helped her to the couch, Mark 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 thought. She patted him vaguely and sat,feeling tired.Ash settled in a plush-covered chair. Rowan andKestrel sat beside Mary-Lynnette. Mark and Jadeshared an ottoman.All right, Ash said. Now can we fast introduce ourselves? I presume thats your brother.Mark, Mary-Lynnette said. Mark, thats Ash.Mark nodded. He and Jade were holding hands. Mary-Lynnette saw Ashs eyes drop to theirintertwined fingers. She couldnt tell anything from his expression.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 didntfind that strange. What she found strange was that Ash didnt return the smile. He didnt look lazy orsardonic or smug right then. He looked like somebody who wants to get a job over with.Rowan said, We cant go home, Ash. Her breathing was slightly irregular, but her chin was high.Well, you have to come home. Because otherwisethere are way out to be some fairly drasticconsequences.We knew that when we left, Jade said, with aslittle emotion as Rowan. Her chin was high, too.W ell, I dont think youve really thought itthrough. Ashs voice had an edge.Wed rather pass on than go back, Jade said.Kestrel glanced at her quickly, one eyebrow raised.Oh, well, fine, Ill just make a note of that, Ash said tightly. Then his expression darkened. Helookedmore determined than Mary-Lynnette would have thought he could look. Not in the least like abig blond cat. Like a lanky, elegant sentinel tiger.Now, listen, he said. There are a few smallthings that you dont understand, and I dont haveany time to play games. So how about we send yourlittle friends 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 spielter, she said.Im not going 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. Kes trels 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 trying to get you out, you poor sap, beforeI find out how much you know.The sisters stared. Mary-Lynnette candid 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 him, with a smile that would have fit in perfectly at the Mad Hatters tea party.So what she kicked you.Ash stopped 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 fire 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 father 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 across 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 supposed to be like, Mary-Lynnette 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 cheering to be angry again.So lets all just pick up our toys and go home,Ash said in the general direction of his sisters.Wellforget all about this well just agree that it neverhappened.Rowan was learning him, shaking her head slightly.There were tears in her eyes, bu t 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. Maybe its a dream.But you have to admit now that humans arentvermin. You couldnt be soulmates with vermin.Yes. Fine. Humans 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 always knew a lot of that was just show. To cut across how scared you were. And 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, anyway?I need to have a talk with her before we leave.This silence seemed endless.Ash dont y ou 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 sign 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 suspect 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 murdered aunty Opal. Thats what youre telling 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 fro m the goat. Ash walked around thecouchto see what she was doing. Mary-Lynnette turned 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 flower gingerly. An Iris. So?Been to your club late? Kestrel asked.Ash gave her a weary look. If I had done this, why would I sign it with an iris?Maybe to tell us who did it.I dont have to kill goats to say things, you know. I can talk.Kestrel looked unimpressed. Maybe this way the message has a little more impact.Do I looklike the kind 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-Quiet guy, Mary-Lynnette interrupted. If anyonewas going to describ e 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 struggling to keepher head above water, with barbells tied to herwrists and ankles. What was dragging her downwasntMarks unbelief It was her own. The littlevoice in her head that was saying, But he seemed like sucha nice guyand which meant, of course, that he wasnt.Ash was watching her with a brooding, intent 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 intellig ent andsensitive-its not empty good looks. Hes got hair thatssort of the color of Ponderosa pinecones andthe most wonderful 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?Obviously not a made vampire because MaryLynnette has watched him rebel up, Rowan said.I was thinking more 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 exchanged glances. They didnt answer. As she and mark walked back to their house,Mary-Ly nnette noticed that Sirius had lifted abovethe east horizon. It hung like a jewel, brighterthan she had ever seen it before-much brighter. Itseemedalmost like a miniature sun, flashing with blue and gold and violet rays.She thought the effect must be psychological,,until she remembered that shed exchanged blood withthree vampires.