Night World : Witchlight Chapter 6

It was a full-force invasion. Even before the echoes of breaking glass had died, figures in black uniforms were swarming through the window.Dark ninjas, Keller thought. An e lightene group made up of vampires and shapeshifters, the Night World experts at sneaking and killing.Kellers mind, which had been roiling in clouds of suppress anger, was suddenly crystal clear.Nissa, control her she sh proscribeded. It was all she needed to joint. Nissa grabbed Diana. It didnt matter that Iliana was howler breathlessly and too shocked to involve to go anywhere. Nissa was a vampire and stronger than a human Olympic weight lifter. She simply picked Iliana up and ran with her toward the c all overing firet door.Without being told, Winfrith followed close loafer, orange energy already sizzling mingled with her palms. Keller knew she would provide trusty cover-Winnie was a fighting witch. She made full single-valued function of the new powers that all the Night People were developing as the millennium got closer. As peerless of the ninjas lunged after them, she let loose with a pillory of poppy-colored energy that knocked him sideways.Now you Keller shouted to Galen, decideing to hustle him into the hallway without move from the ninjas. She hadnt changed and didnt want to if she could avoid it. Changing took time, left you vulner fitting for the few seconds that you were amongst forms. Right now seconds counted.Galen got a few steps down the hall, accordingly s tipped. grand beget HarmanI knew it, Keller thought. Hes a liability.The old fair sex was exempt in the living room, standing with her feet braced apart, layaboute ready. Her apprentice, Toby, was in front of her, on the job(p) up some witch incantation and tossing energy. They were honorable in the lean of the ninjas.Which was as it ought to be. Kellers mind had clicked through the possibilities right at the beginning and had do it to the only reasonable conclusion.We have to leave herGalen off-key to her, his face lit by the multicolored energy that was flying or so them. What?Shes too obtuse We have to protect you and Hiana. Get movingHis features were etched in shock. Youre joking. adept wait here-Ill bring her.No Galen-He was already running back.Keller cursed.Go on she yelled to Nissa and Winnie, who were at the entrance to the kitchen, where the back door was. support the limo if you can fit to it. Dont wait for usThen she turned and plunged into the living room.Galen was trying to shield nan Harman from the worst of the energy being exchanged. Keller gritted her teeth. This group of ninjas was only the offshoot wave. They were here to breach the wards and fool an fountain for whatever was going to follow.Which could be a dragon.The ninjas hadnt finished their job, though. Most of the wards were holding, and the one that had fallen was on a small window. The dark figures could only w reclinele in one at a time. The field shook as whoever was outside s lammed power at it, trying to break a large entrance.Faintly, Keller imaged an engine rev up outside. She hoped it was the limo.Galen was pulling at Grandma Harman. Toby was grappling hand-to-hand with a ninja.Keller batted a couple of the sneaks out of her way. She wasnt trying to kill them, just put in them out of commission. She had almost reached Galen.And accordingly she heard the rumbling.Only her panther ears could have picked it up. Just as the first time when shed heard it, it was so mystic that it seemed both soft and frighteningly loud. It shook her to her bones.In a flash, she knew what was coming.And there was no time to estimate close to what to do.Galen seemed to have sensed it, too. Keller saw him aspect at the roof just above the door. Then he turned toward Grandma Harman, shouting. by and by that, everything happened at once. Galen knocked the old woman down and fell on top of her. At the same time, Keller sprang and landed on top of both of them.She was changing even as she did it. Changing and spreading herself out, trying to make herself as wide and flat as possible. A panther rug to cover them.The brick wall exploded just as the window had, only louder. tattered with Power, Keller thought. The dragon had recovered fast.And then it was raining bricks. One coin Keller in the leg, and she lashed her tail in fury. A nonher struck her back, and she felt a deep pain. Then one got her in the head, and she saw white light. She could hear Galen shouting under her. It seemed to be her get wind.Then nothing.Something wet touched her face. Keller hissed automatically, pawing at it in annoyance.Lemme lone.Boss, wake up. Come on, its morning already.Keller opened heavy eyes.She was dreaming. She had to be. Either that, or the afterlife was full of teenage girls. Winnie was bending over her with a drippage washcloth, and Nissa was peering critically over her shoulder. Behind Nissa was Ilianas anxious little heart-shaped face, her hairclot h falling resembling two shimmering curtains of silvery-starlight gold on either side.Keller blinked. I was sure I was dead.Well, you got close, Winnie verbalize cheerfully. Me and Toby and Grandma Harman have been working on you most of the shadow. Youre going to be kind of stiff, alone I guess your skull was too thick to crack.Keller sat up and was rewarded with a piercing pain in her temples. What happened? Wheres Galen?Well, golly gee, Boss, I didnt grapple you cared-Stop fooling around, Winnie Wheres the qat whos got to be alive if the shapeshifters are going to join rhythm morn?Winnie sobered. Nissa said calmly, Hes fine, Keller. This is Ilianas house. Everybodys okay. We got you guys out-Keller frowned, struck by a new worry. You did? Why? I told you to take the girl and go.Nissa raised an eyebrow wryly. Yes, well, but the girl didnt want to go. She made us stop and turn back for you.For Galen, Keller said. She timbreed at Diana, who was habiliment a pink nightgown with puffy sleeves and looked about seven. She attempt to make her voice patient. It was good to think of him, but you should have followed the plan.Anyway, it worked out, Nissa said. Apparently, the dragon blew the house down on top of you, but then he walked right over you trying to get to us.Yeah. I was kind of hoping he wouldnt attainGalen was there, Keller said. Or wouldnt realize he was important.Well, when he found wed already gotten onward in the limo, he and his buddies took after us in cars, Winnie said. But Nissa muzzy them. And then Iliana insisted, and so we circled back. And there you were. Galen and Toby were digging you out. We helped them and brought you here. What about Grandma Harman? She came out of it without a scratch. Shes tougher than she looks, Winnie said. She talked to Ilianas mom last night, Nissa added. She fixed everything up so we can stay here.Youre supposed(a) to be a distant cousin, and the rest of us are your friends. Were from Canada. We re ceive last year, and were touring the U.S. by bus. We ran into Iliana last night, and thats why she was late. Its all covered, nice and neat. Its all ludicrous, Keller said. She looked at Iliana. And its time to stop. put onnt you seen enough even so? Thats twice youve been attacked by a monster. Do you really want to try your luck for a third time? It was a mistake. Ilianas face had been syrupy and anxious, but now Keller could see the walls slam down. The violet eyes hazed over and sparked at the same time.Nobody attacked me until you guys came Iliana flared. In fact, nobodys attacked me so far at all. I think its you people theyre after-or maybe Galen. I keep utter you that Im not the one youre flavor for. This was the time for diplomacy, but Keller was too aggravate to think. You dont really believe that. Unless you practice being thick-Stop calling me stupid The last word was a piercing shriek. At the same time, Diana threw something at Keller. She batted it out of the a ir automatically before it could hit.Im not stupid And Im not your Witch Child or whatever you call it Im just a normal kid, and I like my life. And if I cant live my life, then I dont want to-to do anything. She whirled around and stalked out, her nightgown billowing.Keller stared at the missile shed caught. It was a stuffed honey with outrageously long eyelashes and a pink thread tied around its white neck.Nissa folded her arms. Well, you sure handled that one, Boss.Give me a break. Keller tossed the lamb onto the window seat. And just how did she make you two turn around and add together back for us, by the way?Winnie pursed her lips. You heard it. Volume control. She unploughed belly laugh like-well, I dont know what screams like that. Youd be surprised how effective it is.Youre agents of Circle Daybreak youre supposed to be immune to torture. But Keller dropped the subject. What are you still hanging around for? she added, as she swung her feet out of bed and carefully t ry her legs. Youre supposed to stick with her, even when shes in the house. Dont stand here consummate(a) at me.Youre welcome for putting you back together once more, Winnie said, her eyes on the ceiling. In the doorway, she turned and added, And, you know, it wasnt Galen she kept screaming we had to go back and get last night. It was you, Keller. Keller stared at the door as it shut, bewildered.You cant go to school, Keller hissed. Do you hear me? You cannot go to school.They were all sit down around the kitchen table. Ilianas mother, a lovely woman with a knot of platinum hair coiled on her neck, was do breakfast. She seemed slightly anxious about her four new houseguests, but in a pleasantly excited way. She certainly wasnt suspicious. Grandma Harman had done a good job of brainwashing.Were going to have a wonderful Christmas, she said now, and her angelic smile grew brighter. We can go into Winston-Salem for a Christmas and Candle Tea. Have you ever had a Moravian sugar-cake? I just wish Great-aunt Edgith had been able to stay.Grandma Harman was gone. Keller didnt know whether to be relieved or frustrated. Despite what she kept saying, as long as the old woman was around, Keller would worry about her. But with her gone, there was nobody to appeal to, nobody who could order Iliana into safekeeping.So now they were sitting and having this argument. It looked like such a normal breakfast scene, Keller thought dryly. Ilianas father had already left for work. Her mother was bustling around cheerfully. Her little brother was in a high contribute do a mess with Cheerios. excessively unsuitable that the four nicely change teenagers at the table were actually two shapeshifters, a witch, and a vampire.Galen was without delay opposite Keller. in that respect were shadows under his eyes-had anyone gotten any sleep last night?-and he seemed subdued but relaxed. Keller hadnt had a chance to speak to him since the dragons attack. non that she had anything to sa y.Orange juice, Kelly?No, thank you, Mrs. Dominick. That was what this family thought their last name was. They didnt realize that witches vestige their heritage through the female line and that both Iliana and her mother were whence Harmans.Oh, please, call me Aunt Anna, the woman said. She had her daughters violet eyes and the smile of an angel. She was besides pouring Keller juice.Now I see where Iliana gets her scintillating intelligence, Keller thought. Oh-thanks, Aunt Anna. And, actually, its Keller, not Kelly.How unusual. But its nice, so modern.Its my last name, but thats what everybody calls me.Oh, really? Whats your first name?Keller broke off a piece of toast, feeling uncomfortable. Raksha.But thats splendiferous Why dont you use it?Keller shrugged. I just dont. She could see Galen looking at her. Shapeshifters ordinarily were named for their animal forms, but neither Keller nor Raksha fit the pattern. I was neglectful as a kid, she said in a clipped voice, looking back at Galen. Dianas mother wouldnt be able to make anything of this, but she might as well satisfy the princelings curiosity. So I dont know my real last name. But my first name means demon.Dianas mother paused with the juice carton over Nissas glass. Oh. How nice. Well, then, I see.She blinked a couple of clock and walked off without pouring Nissa any juice.So what does Galen mean? Keller said, holding his inspect challengingly and handing her full glass to Nissa.He smiled-a little wryly-for the first time since sitting down. Calm.Keller snorted. It figures.I like Raksha better.Keller didnt answer. With Aunt Anna safely in the kitchen, she could speak again to Diana. You understood before, right? That you cant go to school.I have to go to school. For soulfulness who looked as if she were made of spun glass, Diana ate a lot. She spoke around a mouthful of microwave pancake.Its out of the question. How can we go with you? What are we supposed to be, for Goddesss sake?My long-lo st cousin from Canada and her friends, Diana said indistinctly. Or you can all be exchange students whore here to study our American educational system. Before Keller could say anything, she added, Hey, how come you guys arent at school? Dont you have schools?Weve got the same ones you do, Winnie said. Except Nissa-she graduated last year. But Keller and I are seniors like you. We just take time off for this stuff.I bet your grades are as bad as mine, Diana said unemotionally. Anyway, I have to go to school this week. There are all sorts of class parties and things. You can come. Itll be fun.Keller valued to hit her with the pot of grits.She had a problem, though. Ilianas little brother Alex had escaped from his high chair and was climbing up her leg. She looked down at him uneasily. She wasnt good with family-type things, and she especially wasnt good with children.Okay, she said. Go on back and sit down. She hideed him off and tried to start him in the right direction.He turned around and put his arms up. Kee-kee. Kee-kee.Thats his word for kitty, Ilianas mother said, coming in with a weighing machine of sausages. She ruffled his white-blond hair. You mean Kelly, Kelly, she told him. Keller, Keller Winnie corrected helpfully.Alex climbed into Kellers lap, grabbed her hair, and hoisted himself into a standing position. She found herself looking into huge violet baby eyes. Witch eyes.Kee-kee, he said flatly, and gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek.Winnie grinned. Having trouble?The kid had two embonpoint arms around Kellers neck now and was nudging her chin with his head like a kitten looking for pets. He had a good grip, too. This time, she couldnt peel him off.Its just-distracting, she said, giving up and petting him awkwardly. It was ridiculous. How could she argue with baby giggles in her ears?You look kind of sweet together, Iliana observed. Tm getting dressed for school now. You guys can do whatever you want.She floated off while Keller was trying to think of a reply.Nissa and Winnie hastily followed her. Galen got up to help Ilianas mother with the dishes. Keller tugged at the baby, who clung like a sloth. Maybe there was shapeshifter blood in this family. Kee-kee pui That was what it sounded like.Pwee? Keller glanced nervously at his diaper.He means pretty Ilianas mother said, coming back in. Its funny. He doesnt usually take to people like that. He likes animals better.Oh. Well, he has good taste, Keller said. She finally succeeded in detaching him and gave him back to his mother. Then she started down the hallway after Iliana, muttering, Too bad about his eyesight.I think his eyesights just fine, Galen said, right behind her.Keller turned, realizing they were alone in the hall.His faint smile faded. I really wanted to talk to you, he said.