Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 10

Gran told me that the moreover person who can send a tone sand is the one who called it up, Thea give tongue to. But the problem is that you contract to be able to see the spirit, you have to be close to it. Then you can do the sending-back spell.Okay, Dani tell, nodding. But-Wait, Im acquire to it. Thea got up and began to pace the few steps between her bed and Blaises. She spoke slowly at first, then more rapidly. What Im thinking is that this cant be the first fourth dimension this has happened. Sometime, somewhither, somehow, some witch must have called up a spirit and let it get a office. And then had to go out and get hold of it again.Im trusted thats true. But so what?So if we could find a record of how she did it-how she tracked the spirit put through-we might be in business.Dani was getting excited. Yeah-and it wouldnt even have to be a case of a summoned spirit. I mean, some spirits scarcely wont go to the other side at all after theyve died, right? perchance th eres a record more or less how one of them got sent across the veil.Or a story. Or a poem. Anything that would give us a clue about how to get them to stay in the same room with you while you do the spell. Thea stopped and grinned at Dani. And if theres one thing Gran has lots of, its records and stories and poems. There atomic number 18 hundreds of throws in the workshop.Dani jumped up, dark eyes snapping. Ill call my mom and tell her Im staying over tonight. Then- we find it.After Dani called her mother, Thea called Eric to make sure he was okay. no. that she k new-made there was a demented spirit on the loose she was worried about him.Youre sure youre all right? he said. I mean, I politic feel majestic about taking you to that place. I wanted-well, Id like it if we could see each other without something terrible happening.Thea felt as if someone had squeezed her heart. Me, too.Maybe we could do something tomorrow. If youre up to it.That would be good. She didnt dargon to s lide by talking to him with Dani around. It would be too easy for any(prenominal)one listening to guess her feelings.The first thing Thea noniced in the workshop was that Blaise had interpreted her new project with her.She must be close to finishing it.Ill start here, Dani said, standing in front of a large bookcase. Some of these look really old.Thea picked other case. There were books of every kind leather-bound, paper-bound, cloth-bound, suede-bound, unbound. Some were printed, some were havewritten, some were illuminated. Some were in languages Thea didnt know.The first shelf yielded nothing except an interesting spell call how to make an elixir of abhorrence, which works quite as well, or perhaps a little worse than the traditional Elixirs of Loathing or Detestation, and is less thin and expensive than the Elixir of Odium used by royals and members of the nobility, and allow for also keep extremely well for a very long time.HmmThea drop that book aside. Shed looked thro ugh another half a shelf when Dani said, Hey, I found your family tree.Thea scooted over. Yeah, thats the one Gran keeps. It doesnt go anywhere near back to Hellewise. She laughed.Whos this guy? Dani put her finger on a name. Hunter Redfern. I thought the Redferns were that hotshot lamia family.Lamia family. I mean, theres a difference, you know. Someone whos made into a vampire cant have kids.But whats the lamia guy doing in your family tree?Hes the one who did a kinship ceremony with Maeve Harman, back in the sixteen hundreds. She was the leader of the Harmans then. find out? And were all descended from their daughter Roseclear.She did it with a vampire? Creepy.Thea smiled. She did it to stop their families from fighting-they had a feud going on. And so now all of us modern Harmans have a little vampire blood.Ill regard as to watch out if you start looking at my throat. Dani traced a finger down the tree. It looks like you and Blaise are the last of the female person Harmans.Y eah, were it. The last Hearth-Women.Thats a big responsibility.It was almost exactly what Gran had said. Thea suddenly felt uncomfortable with family trees. Yeah. Um, I guess wed better keep reading.It was several hours ulterior when Dani said quietly, Ive got it.What? Thea went to sit by her. The book on Danis knees was bound in green with a crescent moon and three stars on the front-a Night orb symbol for witches.Its a book of humorous stories, but theyre supposed to be true. This one is about a guy named Walstan Harman back in seventeen seventy. He died, but he didnt cross over. He just hung around town playing jokes on everybody-appearing at night with his head under his arm and squash like that. He neer stayed in one place long enough for them to catch him, though.So how did they track him down?Dani flashed a triumphant smile. They didnt. They lured him in. get by dawned for Thea. Of course-Im so stupid. But how?Danis slender finger swept down the page. Well, first they waited till Samhain, so the veil between the worlds would be thinnest. Then Nicholas Harmanhad this big spreadhead prepared, this huge table piled up with Walstans favorite food. Dani made a face.Which happened to be mince pie made with bear meat and pumpkin, with a cornmeal crust. They have a recipe for it here, too. Gah.Never mind that. Did it work?Apparently. They set up the table with the pies in an empty room, then they cast a circle around it. doddering Walstan was attracted to the food-I guess he just couldnt resist taking a look, even if he couldnt eat it. And when he came down to check it out, theyopened the door and nabbed him. displace him speedily and conveniently through the narrow path to the airy void, Thea read over Danis shoulder. The story sounded genuine-only someone whod actually seen a summoning or a sending-back would know those words.So now we know how to do it, Dani said. We wait until Halloween and then we lure her. We just have to find something she like s-Or something she hates, Thea broke in as an idea struck her. They stared at each other. similar what she saw at the old gym, Danibreathed. Something that reminded her of what they did to her.Yes, except Thea stopped. Her mind was rating on, but she didnt want to share her thoughts with Dani. pull that the humans might already be doing something oh ? Halloween, something that would attract Suzanne. If the police opened the old gym, the Halloween party would be an incredibly strong lure. All those horror boothsSo if I wanted to draw her somewhere else, Id exigency to be doing something even worse, something that would remind her even more of what happened to her. And Id need bait, somebody shed want to kill. A human. psyche whod work with me, whod be willingNot Eric.Her thoughts came up short as she realized where they were leading. She found that her hands were icy cold and her heart was pounding slowly.No. Not Eric, no matter what. Not even to save lives.She pu shed the thought from her mind. Of course there was some other way, and shed find it. There was time.Thea? You suave with me? Dani was watching her.I was just trying to figure it all out. Thea forced herself to speak calmly, to focus on Dani. Urn, listen, theres one good thing I just thought of-we may have a little time. If Suzanne is still watching the old gym, it could work for us. As long as the gym is closed up, hatful wont go in there, and she wont be able to get anybody.I hope so, Dani said. I mean, I understand why shes upset, but nobody deserves to die the way Kevin did. Not even a human.Late that night, while Dani was breathing peacefully in Blaises bed, Thea lay and stared at the faint glow above the window curtains.It wasnt just visions of Kevin. Her mind kept returning to what Dani and Gran had said about her responsibility.Even if I send Suzanne back, even if Gran gets well, even if I manage to keep Blaise from killing Eric where am I?Im a renegade witch. And theres no future for Eric and me unless we gestate away. But that would mean him leaving his family forever-and us being hunted wherever we went. And me betraying the Hearth-Women and the Night World.One last thought glimmered before she could force her mind into blankness.Theres no way everybody is going to come out of this happy. The next morning Thea was recently for school. And she had a hard time tracking down Blaise-it wasnt until lunchtime that she and Dani found the Circle Midnight witches in the front courtyard.Please let us see it, genus genus Selene was check outing as Thea and Dani passed up. Just one peek. Please?I want to do a trial run first, Blaise said, looking very pleased with herself. She took a drink of iced tea, ignoring Thea and Dani.Hows Gran? Thea broke in without preamble.Blaise turned. Better, no thanks to you. Why didnt you call this morning?I overslept. After terrible nightmares about strangled people.We were up late last night, Dani said. Its not Theas fa ult.Your grandmas really doing well, Vivienne said kindly. She just needs to rest for a while-Momll probably keep her at our place for a pit of days. Sleep heals, you know.Thea felt a tiny breath of relief, like a spring breeze. If Gran was getting better she had one less thing to irritate about. Thanks, Viv. Please thank your mom, too.Blaise raised her eyebrows and made a tiny sound like Hmf. Then she tapped her chin with one long nail. A trial run she said again, gazing far away.She was dressed unusually, in a bronze silk jacket with a high collar that was zipped up to her chin. Thea had a sudden sinking feeling.What are you trying out? Dani asked.Blaise gave them a slow smile. Hang around and youll see. She scanned the courtyard and said sweetly, And there is the perfect mark. Selene, will you go ask him to come here?Selene got up and languidly drifted to the boy Blaise had pointed at.Thea recognized him. He was Luke Price, a guy who drove a sleek red Maserati and looked like a bad-boy Hollywood star. He was fashionably unshaven and unkempt, had galvanizing blue eyes, andright now looked vaguely surprised to find himself following Selene back to Blaise. Luke, hows it going? Blaise said pleasantly. Luke shrugged. Okay. What do you want? His electric blue eyes lingered on Blaise, but he was obviously used to playing the tough guy with girls.Blaise laughed shortly, as if taken off guard by the question. Nothing I can have, she murmured-and then looked passably startled at herself. I want to talk to you, she said smoothly, recovering. And She slant her head thoughtfully. Maybe the keys to your car.Luke laughed out loud. He leaned one hip against the concrete wall by the stairs, two fingers fishing in his T-shirt pocket for a cigarette.Youre crazy, he said indistinctly.Dani coughed as smoke drifted toward her. Thea swirled her plastic bottle of Evian water in one hand.Blaise made a face. Put that out its disgusting, she said.Luke blew smoke toward her. If y ouve got something to say, say it. He was eyeing Blaises zipped-to-the-neck jacket with disfavor. Otherwise stop wasting my time.Blaise smiled.She touched the zipper at her throat. You want to guess whats under here?Lukes eyes went up and down the silk of the jacket, particularly where Blaise made it curve. Maybe youd better show me.You want me to show you? Youre sure, now?Thea looked heavenward, thumb playing with the opening to her Evian bottle.Luke was scowling, blowing smoke between tight lips. His electric blue eyes were narrow. I think youre some kind of tease.Blaise took the zipper between two fingers and slid it down.The necklace fit like a collar, lying against the sickish skin of her throat and the matte black of her simple blouse. And it was everything Thea had known it would be.It was delicate, exquisite, magical. Swirls of stars and moons in enchanted patterns. Gems of all kinds tucked into the mysterious curves. Green garnet, imperial topaz, sunstone, cinnabar. Violet sapphire, African emerald, smokestone.It seemed to move as you looked at it, the lines changing and flowing. Pulling you into the center of its mystery, winding around you like strands of softly burnished hair. Holding you fastThea pulled herself away with a physical jerk. She had to shut her eyes and put up a hand to do it.And if it does that to meLuke was staring. Thea could actually see the change in his face as the necklace worked its spell. Like some Oscar-winning actor transforming from bad boy to vulnerable kid right there on screen. His jaw softened, his tight lips relaxed. The muscles around his eyes shifted and he disordered his tense squint. He looked surprised, then defenseless. Open. Those electric blue eyes seemed dazzled, pupils widening. He sucked in a breath as if he couldnt get enough air. instanter he looked awed now hypnotized now yearningSpellbound.Luke had been transformed. His whole body seemed smaller. His lips were parted. His eyes were huge and full of l ight. He looked as if at any second he might fall down and start worshiping Blaise.Blaise sat like a queen, with her midnight hair tumbling around the necklace, her chest moving slightly as she breathed, her eyes as brilliant as jewels.Put the disgusting cigarette down, she said.Luke dropped the cigarette and stamped on it as if it were a spider.Then he looked back at Blaise. You youre beautiful. He reached a hand toward her.Wait, Blaise said. Her face assumed a tragic, wistful expression. First, Im going to tell you a sad story. I used to have a little pawl that I loved, a cocker spaniel, and we would take long walks together around dusk.Thea gave her cousin a narrow sideways look. Shed never heard such a lie. And what was Blaise talking about dogs for?But he was run over by an eighteen-wheel Piggiy Wiggly truck, Blaise murmured. And ever since, Ive been so lonely. I miss him so much. She fixed her eyes on the boy in front of her. Luke . .. will you be my little dog? Luke looked c onfused.You see, Blaise went on, slipping a hand in her pocket, if I could just have somebody to remind me of him, Id feel so much better. So if youd wear this for meShe was holding a blue dog collar.Luke looked even more confused. Redness was creeping up his neck and jaw. His eyes filled.For me? Blaise coaxed, jingling the collar- which was way too big for a spaniel, Thea noticed. Id be so grateful.Luke looked as if he were having a tremendous internal struggle. His breathing was uneven. He swallowed. A muscle in his jaw twitched.Then, very slowly, he reached for the collar. Blaise held it down low.Lukes eyes followed the collar. Jerkily, as if his muscles were fighting each other, he knelt down at Blaises side. He stayed there, stone-faced, as Blaise fastened the dog collar around his neck.When it was secure, Blaise laughed. She glanced at the other girls, then jingled the alloy loop for the dog tag. Good boy, she said, and patted his head.Lukes face lit up with an excitement tha t bordered on ecstasy. He stared into Blaises eyes.I love you, he said huskily, still squatting.Blaise wrinkled her nose and laughed again. Then she zipped up the bronze jacket.The change on Lukes face was much quicker this time than his first transformation. For an instant he looked solely blank, then he glanced around as if hed suddenly woken up in a classroom.His fingers went to the dog collar. His face contracted in anger and horror and he jumped up.Whats going on? What am I doing?Blaise just gazed at him serenely. Luke tore the collar off and kicked it. Although he was glaring at Blaise, he didnt seem to remember the last few minutes. You-are you gonna tell me what you want or not? he snapped, his upper lip trembling. Because Im not going to wait all day. Then, when nobody said anything, he walked huffily off. His buddies across the courtyard were roaring with laughter.Oops, Blaise said. I forgot about the car keys. She turned to the other girls. But Id say it works. Id say its scary, Dani whispered. Id say its incredible, Selene murmured. Id say its unbelievable, Vivienne added. And Id say its the Armageddon of accessories, Thea thought. And, incidentally, so much for Selene and Vivienne changing their ways. They may have been shocked at what happened to Randy and Kevin, but it sure didnt last.Blaise, she said tightly, if you walk around school showing that, you are going to cause a riot. But Im not going to walk around school showing it, Blaise said. Theres only one guy Im interested in right now. And this-she touched her throat- has his blood in it. If it works like that on other people, I wonder what it will do to him?Thea took a few deep breaths to relax her stomach. She had never gone one-on-one with Blaise in a matter of witchcraft. And no one had ever challenged Blaise for a boy.But she didnt have a choice-and putting this off wouldnt help.I suppose youre planning to find some time to ambush him, she said. Some time when Im not around.It worked . Blaise stood, tall and regal in her bronze silk jacket, hands in her pockets, hair like a waterfall behind her. She gave Thea a slow smile.I dont need to ambush anybody, she said with dreadful confidence. In fact why dont we set up a meeting after school? Just the three of us. You, me, and Eric-a showdown. And may the best witch win.