Night World : Witchlight Chapter 8

Keller was tempted to check the wards, but she k new-made it wouldnt do every good. She wasnt sensitive enough to the slime eels energies to gauge them. Theyd been put up by Grandma Harman and checked by Winnie, and she would have to trust to that.The wards were k middled so that only the Dominick family and ordinary humans could buzz off in spot. No Night Person could enter except Nissa, Winnie, Keller, and Galen. Which meant, Keller thought with a grim smile, that any lost witch relatives of Ilianas m separate who came by were going away to abide stamp out quite a surprise. An invisible w completely was going to be blocking them from crossing the threshold.As long as nobody on the inside withdraw the wards, the house was safer than Fort Knox.Grandma Harman had also taken the limo, Keller imbed. Sometime during the night, it had been replaced by an inconspicuous Ford sedan parked at the curb. The keys had been in a manila envelope dropped through the mail slot in the straw man threshold, along with a map of Lucy Lee Bethea High School.Circle Daybreak was efficient. I didnt intercept my hair, Iliana complained as Nissa hustled her to the car. Its only half d wizard. It looks terrific, Winnie say from behind her. And the thing was, it was true. There was nonhing that could make that shimmering waterfall of silvery-gold look anything less than beautiful.Whether it was up or down, plait or pinned or falling loose, it was glorious.I dont even speak up the little nitwit has to brush it, Keller thought. Its so fine that she couldnt make both hairs tangle if she tried. And I left my scarfHere it is. Keller lassoed her. The scarf was ridiculous, crushed velvet in muted metallic colors, with a six-inch fringe. Purely decorative.Iliana choked as Keller wound it near a few times and pulled it tight A little aggressive, Boss? Winfrith asked, extricating Iliana onward she could turn blue. Worried about being late, Keller said shortly. But she motto Nissa eyeing her, too.Galen was the last to come out of the house. He was pale and serious-that much Keller saw before she shifted her eyes bypast him. Ilianas mother actually remained standing at the adit with the baby in her arms.Say bye-bye to your sisters friends. Bye-bye. Kee-kee, the baby said. Kee-keeWave to him, Winfrith stage-whispered.Keller gritted her teeth. She half-waved, mentioning her senses opened for any sound of an impending attack. The baby held out his arms toward her.PuiLets crap out of here. Keller almost shoved Iliana into the backseat.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 out-of-door of the house for the first time. It was a nice house-white clapboard, two and a half stories, Colonial Revival. The street was nice, too, lined with dogwoods that would be a mass of white when they bloomed. The configuration of street where people sat outside on t heir rockers in spring and somebody was bound to have a stand of bees in the side yard making sourwood honey.Although Keller had been all over the United States, sent from one Circle Daybreak group to a nonher, the hospital where shed been found had been near a neighborhood identical this.I tycoon have grown up someplace like this. If theyd kept me. My parentsDo I hate her? Keller wondered suddenly. I couldnt. Its not her fault.Oh, no, of course not, the voice in her mind said. Not her fault that shes beautiful and perfect and has parents who love her and blue fire in her veins and that she is going to be forced, whether she wants it or not, to marry GalenWhich I dont care about, Keller thought. She was shocked at herself. When had she of all time let emotion interfere with her job? She was allowing herself to be distracted-she had allowed herself to be distracted all morning-when in that location was something vitally important at stake.No more(prenominal), she told herself f iercely. From now on, I think about nothing but the mission. Years of mental discipline came in apt now she was able to push everything to the side and focus with icy clarity on what had to be done. -stopped a train in its tracks, Winfrith wassaying.Really? There was wanton interest in Kianas voice. At least shed stopped talking about her hair, Keller thought.Really. It was one of those BART trains in San Francisco, Like a subway train, you know. The two misss were on the tracks, and the Wild Power stopped the train dead before it could hit them. Thats what the blue fire can do.Well, I know I cant do anything like that, Iliana said flatly. So I cant be a Wild Power. Or whatever. The last words were tacked on quickly.Nissa raised a cool eyebrow. Have you ever tried to stop a train?While Iliana bit a fingertip and pondered that, Winnie said, You have to do it right, you know. First, you have to make blood flow, and then you have to concentrate. Its not something you can expect to d o 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 charming old brownish brick high school. Neither Galen nor Keller had said a word throughout the ride.But now Keller leaned forward. Nissa, drive past it. I want to check the layout first.Nissa swung the car into a circular driveway that went past the schools oversized front doors. Keller looked right and left, taking in everything about the surroundings. She could see Winnie doing the same thing-and Galen, too. He was focusing on the same danger spots she was. He had the instinct for strategy.Go around the block and circle 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 tungsten. Easy to pull up reasonably close, no bushes around it for nasty surprises to hide in.Thats my pick, too. Okay, everybody, listen. Nissas going to slow the car down in the right place. Slow 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 attention? 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 utilise to working with a fourth team member. Hell be behind us-okay, Galen? She made herself look his way.Yes. Whatever you say. There wasnt the slightest hint of sarcasm in his face. He was dead serious. Absolutely miserable, earnest, and dead serious.And Nissa, once youve parked, you join us and take the other side. What rooms your first class in, Iliana?Three twenty-six, Iliana said dismally. U.S. History with Mr. Wanamaker. He went to revolutionary York t o try to be an actor, but all he got was some disease from not eating enough stuff with vitamins. So he came back, and now hes authentically 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 funny 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 discover on her arm as they hurried to the door.I dont think I like this way of coming to school.We can turn right around and go back home, Keller said. Iliana shut up.Galen kept pace behind them, reserved and focused.It was Nissas usual position when the team wasnt heading for a car, and Keller couldnt help feeling the difference. She didnt like having someone behind her she couldnt trust absolutely. And although the enemies didnt seem to know yet that Galen was important, if they found out, hed become a target Face it, she thought. This setup is a disaster, security-wise. This is a horrendous accident waiting to happen.Her nerves were wound so tightly that she jumped at the slightest sound.They shepherded Iliana to her locker, then up a staircase to the third floor. The halls were almost empty, which was exactly as Keller had planned it.But of course that meant they were late for class. Nissa slid in beside them full 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.Quite a few jaws dropped open.Keller allowed herself a grim internal smile.Yeah, they were probably a bit of a shock for a small town. Four Night People-well, former Night People, anyway. A witch who was almost as small as Iliana, with a mop of vivid strawberry-blond curls and a face like a pixie on holiday. A vampire girl who looked like cool perfection straight out of a magazine, with cropped mink-colored hair and a strangely pe netrating 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 sculptured features.And, of course, a panther. Which happened to be base on balls on two feet at the moment, in the guise 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 dancer who had blundered in from the Nutcracker Suite.There was a silence as the two groups stared at each other.Then the teacher snapped shut his book and advanced on them. Keller held herself ready. He had a neatly trimmed beard and a dangerous 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 cousins Well- some of them are my cousins. Theyre fromCalifornia. Hollywood Theyre here to do research 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 while clenching her teeth. But were becalm just visiting. She nudged Winnie with her elbow, but it wasnt necessary. Winnie was already staring at the teacher, brainwashing him with witch power.Mr. Wanamaker bunked. He weighed the book he was holding as if he were Hamlet holding Yoricks skull. He looked at it, then he looked at Winnie and blinked again.Then he shrugged and looked at the ceiling. Okay. Whatever. Sit down. There are some chairs at the back. And Im still marking you tardy. But Keller noticed that as he returned to his desk, his military capability was very erect.She did the best she could to glare at Iliana without drawing any further attention to them. A famous producer? she whispered through her teeth.I dont know. It was more interesting than just saying youre friends.You dont need life to get any more interesting, Bubblebrain, Keller thought, but she didnt say anything. She found one thing out that strike 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 attention from bozos-and ignoring it. And Nissa and Winnie both were the fiber that had to beat them off with sticks. But here, although the guys looked at her and Nissa and Winnie, their eyes always seemed to return to Iliana.At break, they crowded around her like bees around a flower. And not just guys, either. Girls, too. bothone 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, frustrated 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 tie the ribbons this year for the Christmas benefit bears? Nobody else can make those teeny-weeny bows.Oh, Iliana, something awful Bugsy had five 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 detach 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 deep chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, and very white teeth. He was wearing expensive clothes, and he smiled a lot, but only at Iliana.Brett, Iliana sai d as he accosted them in the hall.Brett Ashton-Hughes. One of the rich 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 urge 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 dance in the ballroom.Dianas eyes went dreamy. That sounds so romantic. I always wanted to dance in a real superannuated ballroom. Ill feel just like Scarlett OHara.No, Keller thought. No, no, no. No way is she going there. Shes going to the Solstice Ceremony, where the shapeshifters and the witches are meeting, even if I have to drag her by the hair.She caught Nissas eye and saw that Nissa was thinking the same. Galen and Winnie were sim ply watching Brett with troubled looks on their faces.Yeah, and I can be Brett Butler, Brett was saying. Plus, the indoor 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 grip 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, theres 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 hard 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? Y oure 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. Very soon, Iliana wasnt happy, either. I always eat lunch in the cafeteria Not today, Keller said, know she sounded as brusque and tired as she felt. We cant risk it Youve got to be in a room, alone, someplace where we can control access to you. The music 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 music 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 nerv ously 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 feeling ever since we got to this school and it isnt any easier having him around.Part of her was worried that he might take this opportunity 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 yelling 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 realize 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 limi ts.The girl didnt turn, didnt even pause. She was almost at the door to the music 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.