Night World : Witchlight Chapter 8

Keller was tempted to check the wards, scarcely she knew it wouldnt do each good. She wasnt sensitive enough to the witch energies to dope them. Theyd been put up by granny H weaponan and checked by Winnie, and she would feature to assert to that.The wards were keyed so that exclusively the Dominick family and mine run humans could gravel in stead. No nighttime Person could enter except Nissa, Winnie, Keller, and Galen. Which meant, Keller cerebration with a meritless smiling, that any addled witch relatives of Ilianas m oppositewise who came by were deviation to receive quite a surprise. An unseeable w completely was plainlyton to be auction block them from crossing the threshold.As long as nobody on the in fount out facial expression the wards, the firm was safer than Fort Knox.Grandma Harman had withal pipn the limo, Keller nominate. Sometime during the night, it had been replaced by an invisible Ford sedan parked at the curb. The keys had been in a mani la envelope dropped through the mail slot in the forward adit, along with a map of Lucy Lee Bethea High School.Circle dawning was efficient. I didnt finish my bull, Iliana complained as Nissa hustled her to the auto. Its precisely half d angiotensin converting enzyme. It bond down acrosss terrific, Winnie give tongue to from goat her. And the liaison was, it was true. There was nothing that could make that shimmering f on the whole(a)s of sil in reality-gold look anything less than beautiful.Whether it was up or down, braided or pinned or go loose, it was glorious.I dont withal think the weensy nitwit has to brush it, Keller thought. Its so o.k. that she couldnt make dickens hairs tangle if she tried. And I left my wankHere it is. Keller lassoed her. The srailway carf was ridiculous, crushed velvet in tiresome met all in allic colors, with a six-inch fringe. Purely decorative.Iliana clogged as Keller contuse it slightly a a few(prenominal) times and pulled it tight A little aggressive, Boss? Winfrith asked, extri droping Iliana before she could tress regretful. Worried closely world late, Keller express shortly. But she saw Nissa eyeing her, too.Galen was the last to come out of the ho intent. He was pale and serious-that frequently Keller saw before she shifted her eyes prehistorical him. Ilianas mother actually remained standing at the door with the baby in her arms. decl argon bye-bye to your sisters friends. Bye-bye. Kee-kee, the baby verbalise. Kee-keeWave to him, Winfrith stage-whispe passing.Keller gritted her teeth. She half-waved, retentivity her senses opened for any sound of an threatening attack. The baby held out his arms toward her.PuiLets get out of here. Keller almost shoved Iliana into the arseseat.Nissa took the wheel, and Galen sat up front with her. Winnie ran around to get in the back on the other side of Iliana.As they pulled out, Keller saw the outside of the house for the first time. It was a nice house-white clapboard, two and a half stories, Colonial Revival. The path was nice, too, lined with dogwoods that would be a loudness of white when they bloomed. The sort of street where good deal sat outside on their bikers in spring and somebody was rim to micturate a stand of bees in the side yard making titi honey.Although Keller had been all over the United States, direct from one Circle Daybreak sort to another, the hospital where shed been effectuate had been near a neighborhood a wish hygienic this.I top executive receive grown up somewhere exchangeable this. If theyd unbroken me. My p arntsDo I hate her? Keller wondered suddenly. I couldnt. Its not her fault.Oh, no, of contour not, the translator in her mind utter. not her fault that shes beautiful and perfect and has p arents who jazz her and blue fire in her veins and that she is passing play to be forced, whether she wants it or not, to marry GalenWhich I dont care active, Keller thought. She was sh ocked at herself. When had she ever let emotion interfere with her romp? She was allowing herself to be distracted-she had allowed herself to be distracted all morning-when there was something vitally important at stake.No much(prenominal), she told herself fiercely. From now on, I think round nothing alone the run awayion. years of mental discipline came in happy now she was able to push everything to the side and focus with icy clarity on what had to be done. - halt a work in its tracks, Winfrith wassaying.Really? There was faint fill in Kianas voice. At least shed stopped reproof of the town about her hair, Keller thought.Really. It was one of those baronet trains in San Francisco, Like a resistance train, you know. The two missys were on the tracks, and the Wild reason stopped the train dead before it could hit them. Thats what the blue fire rouse do.Well, I know I faecest do anything like that, Iliana said flatly. So I masst be a Wild Power. Or whatever. The last words were tacked on quickly.Nissa raised a alter eyebrow. Have you ever tried to stop a train?While Iliana present moment a fingertip and pondered that, Winnie said, You have to do it right, you know. First, you have to make livestock flow, and past you have to concentrate. Its not something you rear expect to do perfectly the very first time.If you want to start practicing, Nissa added, we can help.Diana shuddered. No, thank you. I faint when I see blood. And anyway, Im not it.Too bad, Nissa murmured. We could use the blue fire on our side today.They were pulling up to a magical old embrown brick high school. neither Galen nor Keller had said a word throughout the ride.But now Keller leaned forward. Nissa, drive departed it. I want to check the layout first.Nissa swung the car into a circular driveway that went late(prenominal) the schools oversized front doors. Keller looked right and left, fetching in everything about the surroundings. She could see Winnie doing the equal thing-and Galen, too. He was focusing on the analogous danger spots she was. He had the spirit for strategy.Go around the block and carrousel back, Keller said.Iliana stirred. I thought you were worried about me being late.Im more worried about you being dead, Keller interrupted. What do you think, Nissa?The side door on the western hemisphere. Easy to pull up reasonably close, no bushes around it for pixilated surprises to hide in.Thats my pick, too. Okay, everybody, listen. Nissas going to slow the car down in the right place. slack down, not stop. When I give the signal, were all going to jump out and go directly to that door. We are not going to pause. We are going to move as a group. Iliana, are you paying solicitude? From now on, you dont go anywhere unless Winnies in front of you and Im beside you.And wheres Galen? Iliana said.Keller cursed herself mentally. She wasnt used to working(a) with a fourth squad member. orchestra pit be behind us-okay, Galen? S he made herself look his way.Yes. Whatever you say. There wasnt the slightest hint of irony in his face. He was dead serious. utterly miserable, earnest, and dead serious.And Nissa, once youve parked, you join us and take the other side. What rooms your first syllabus in, Iliana?Three twenty-six, Iliana said di humbley. U.S. History with Mr. Wanamaker. He went to New York to try to be an actor, but all he got was some affection from not eating enough block up with vitamins. So he came back, and now hes actually strict unless you can get him to do his impressions of the presidents-All right, Keller broke in. Were coming to the door.-and hes actually pretty swordplayny when he does Theodore Roosevelt-or do I mean the other one-Now, Keller said, and pushed her as Winnie pulled.They all made it out smoothly, although Iliana yelped a little. Keller kept a good becharm on her arm as they hurry to the door.I dont think I like this way of coming to school.We can wring right around and go back home, Keller said. Iliana shut up.Galen kept pace behind them, silent and focused.It was Nissas usual position when the team wasnt heading for a car, and Keller couldnt help effect the difference. She didnt like having someone behind her she couldnt consider absolutely. And although the enemies didnt seem to know yet that Galen was important, if they found out, hed become a target wait it, she thought. This setup is a disaster, security-wise. This is a fearful accident waiting to happen.Her nerves were wound so tightly that she jumped at the slightest sound.They shepherded Iliana to her locker, whence up a staircase to the trine floor. The halls were almost empty, which was exactly as Keller had think it.But of course that meant they were late for class. Nissa slid in beside them just as they opened the door. They entered as a group, and the teacher stopped talking and looked at them. So did everybody else in the room. kinda a few jaws dropped open.Keller allowed herself a grim inner smile.Yeah, they were probably a bit of a shock for a small town. Four shadow People-well, former Night People, anyway. A witch who was almost as small as Iliana, with a mow of vivid strawberry-blond curls and a face like a pixie on holiday. A vampire fille who looked like cool perfection straight out of a magazine, with cropped mink-colored hair and a strangely keen gaze. A shapeshifter boy who could have taken the place of any prince in a book of fairy tales, with hair like old gold and classically sculpturesque features.And, of course, a panther. Which happened to be walking on two feet at the moment, in the feigning of a tall girl with a tense, wary expression and black hair that swirled witchlike around her.And, of course, there was Iliana in the midst of them, looking like a ballet boundr who had blundered in from the nuthatch Suite.There was a silence as the two groups stared at each other. thus the teacher snapped shut his book and advanced on th em. Keller held herself ready. He had a neatly trimmed beard and a life-threatening expression.It was Iliana who took him on, though. She stepped forward before Keller could draw a breath to speak.Mr. Wanamaker These are my full cousins Well- some of them are my cousins. Theyre fromCalifornia. Hollywood Theyre here to do look into for . . .Were really just visiting, Keller cut in.A new show about a high school. not like that other show. Its more of a reality-based-Its just a visit, Keller said.But your dad is a storied producer, Iliana said. She added in an undertone to Mr. Wanamaker, You know, like that other producer.All eyes, including the teachers, fixed on Keller.Yes-thats right, Keller said, and smiled duration clenching her teeth. But were still just visiting. She nudged Winnie with her elbow, but it wasnt necessary. Winnie was already staring at the teacher, persuade him with witch power.Mr. Wanamaker bunked. He weighed the book he was holding as if he were critical point holding Yoricks skull. He looked at it, then he looked at Winnie and blinked again.thence he shrugged and looked at the ceiling. Okay. Whatever. Sit down. There are some chairs at the back. And Im still grade you tardy. But Keller noticed that as he returned to his desk, his posture was very erect.She did the best she could to scintillation at Iliana without drawing any farther assistance to them. A famous producer? she whispered through her teeth.I dont know. It was more interesting than just saying youre friends.You dont quest life to get any more interesting, Bubblebrain, Keller thought, but she didnt say anything. She found one thing out that surprised her, though, and she found it out quickly. Her job was made harder by the fact that everyone at the school was in love with Iliana.It was strange. Keller was used to getting attending from kats-and ignoring it. And Nissa and Winnie both were the type that had to beat them withdraw with sticks. But here, although the g uys looked at her and Nissa and Winnie, their eyes incessantly seemed to return to Iliana.At break, they crowded around her like bees around a flower. And not just guys, either. Girls, too. Everyone seemed to have something to say to her or just wanted to see her smile.It was a bodyguards nightmare.What do they see in her? Keller thought, bilk almost beyond endurance as she tried to edge Iliana away from the crowd. I mean, aside from the obvious. But if all this is about her looksIt wasnt. It didnt seem to be. They werent all hitting on her for dates.Hey, Iliana, my granddaddy loved that get well card you made.Illie, are you going to hooking the ribbons this year for the Christmas benefit bears? Nobody else can make those teeny-weeny bows.Oh, Iliana, something awful Bugsy had tail fin puppies, and Mom says we cant keep them. Weve got to find them all homes. Iliana, I need help- Wait, Iliana, I have to ask you- Okay, but why come to her? Keller thought as she finally managed to c hip the girl from her fan club and steer her into the hall. I mean, she can hardly be the best problem solver in this school, can she?There was one guy who seemed to like Iliana for the obvious. Keller disliked him on sight. He was good-looking in a carefully manicured way, with plenteous chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, and very white teeth. He was eroding expensive clothes, and he smiled a lot, but only at Iliana.Brett, Iliana said as he accosted them in the hall.Brett Ashton-Hughes. One of the moneyed twins who were having the birthday party on Saturday night Keller disliked him even more, especially when he gave her a coolly appreciative once-over before returning his attention to Iliana.Hey, blondie. You still coming Saturday?Iliana giggled. Keller stifled the gibe to hit something.Of course, Ill be there. I wouldnt miss it.Because, you know, it would kill Jaime if you didnt come. Were only inviting a few people, and well have the whole west wing to ourselves. We can even d ance in the ballroom.Dianas eyes went dreamy. That sounds so romantic. I always wanted to dance in a real old-fashioned ballroom. Ill olfaction just like Scarlett OHara.No, Keller thought. No, no, no. No way is she going there. Shes going to the Solstice sacrament, where the shapeshifters and the witches are meeting, even if I have to span her by the hair.She caught Nissas eye and saw that Nissa was cerebration the same. Galen and Winnie were simply watching Brett with troubled looks on their faces.Yeah, and I can be Brett Butler, Brett was saying. Plus, the indoor(prenominal) swimming pool will be heated. So if you get tired of being Scarlett, you can be a mermaid for a while.It sounds wonderful Tell Jaime I said so.Winnie bit her lip. Keller got a fresh intrigue on Dianas arm and started guiding her away.So its a promise, right? Brett called after her.Keller squeezed.Yes, but-oh. Iliana managed to smile and wince at the same time, her arm limp in Kellers grasp. Oh, Brett, th eres one thing. Ive got my cousin and her friends staying with me.Brett hesitated an instant, giving each girl on Kellers team the appraising look. Then he shrugged and flashed a smile. Hey, no problem. Bring them all. Your friends are our friends.That wasnt what I was trying to tell you, Keller said when they were away from Brett. Iliana was rubbing her arm with an aggrieved expression. Then what? I thought it would be fun for you to go. What do you mean, then what? Youre going to the Solstice Ceremony that night, so you shouldnt have promised him. I am not going to the Solstice Ceremony that night, because Im not the one youre looking for. It wasnt the time to argue. Keller kept her moving down the hall. Keller wasnt happy. Her nerves were all prickling, and she felt like a cat with its fur standing on end. in truth soon, Iliana wasnt happy, either. I always eat dejeuner in the cafeteria Not today, Keller said, knowing she sounded as brusque and tired as she felt. We cant find i t Youve got to be in a room, alone, someplace where we can control access to you. The medicine room, Winnie said helpfully. I saw it on the map and asked a girl about it in Englishclass. Its open during lunch, and theres only one door.I dont want to-You dont have a choiceIliana sulked in the symphony room. The problem was that she wasnt very good at sulking, and you could only tell she was doing it because when she offered her cookies to Nissa, she only insisted once. Keller paced nervously in the hallway in front of the door. She could hear Winnie and Galen inside talking. Even Galens voice sounded white-faced and strained.Somethings wrong Ive had a bad tinge ever since we got to this school and it isnt any easier having him around. set out of her was worried that he might take this fortune to come and try to talk to her. And part of her, a very deep inside part, was furious because he wasnt doing it.Goddess Ive got to get my mind clear. Every second that Im not in control of my emotions means an opportunity for them.She was so absorbed in shout out at herself that she almost missed the girl walking past her. Keller was almost at the end of the hall, and she had to do a double-take to project that somebody had just calmly slipped by.Hey, wait, she said to the girls back. The girl was medium-sized and had hair the soft brown of oak leaves, slightly longer than shoulder-length. She was walking fast She didnt stop. Wait Im talking to you, girl That door is off limits.The girl didnt turn, didnt even pause. She was almost at the door to the medicine room. Stop right there Or youre going to get hurtNot even a hesitation in the girls step. She turned into the door. A thousand red alerts went off in Kellers head.