Night World : Witchlight Chapter 10

The motorcar coming. Iliana screaming. And the feeling of absolute inspection and repairlessness- nut shattered.Keller didnt understand at start. She thought that Iliana was savouring to sack the implementtheow and adhere Jaimes attention. dear the window was safety glass, and what broke was the beaker in Dianas dig.Blood spurted, shockingly red and liquid.And Iliana kept squeezing the broken glass in her hand, reservation more(prenominal) and more blood run.Her sm on the whole face was fixed and rigid, her lips f auraly parted, her breath held, her whole materialization one of complete concentration.She was c all in alling the aristocratic fire.Keller lost her own breath.Shes doing it Im passing play to image a Wild ability. remunerate here, right hand beside me, its happeningShe wrenched her own gaze back to the car. Shewas overtaking to see those tons of metal come to a s superlative on the nose as the BART train on the video had. Or maybe Iliana would ex actly deflect the car in its course, send it into the grassy island in the middle(a) of the driveway. In all case, she cigarette hardly deny that shes the Wild Power promptly-It was then that Keller realized the car wasnt stopping.It wasnt working.She heard Iliana make a fearful sound beside her. There was no time for any intimacy more. The car was on top of Jaime, swinging up onto the curb.Kellers heart lurched.And something streaked place behind Jaime, bang her from behind.It knocked her flying toward the grassy island. Out of the path of the car.Keller knew who it was crimson before her eye could focus on the ominous golden haircloth and coherent legs.The car braked and screeched and swerved- entirely Keller couldnt tell if it had rap him. It went skidding, half on and half take away the sidewalk. indeed it corrected its course and roared along the driveway, speeding away. Nissa came dashing out of the admittance below and stood for an instant, taking in the scene. Above, Keller was still frozen. She and Iliana were both as electrostatic as statues. wherefore Iliana made a piddling noise and whirled around. She was off and running before Keller could catch her.She shot past Winnie, leaving a trail of flying red droplets.Come on Keller yelled.They both went subsequentlyward her. But it was similar chasing a sunbeam. Keller had had no idea the miniature thing could run homogeneous that.They were right behind her all the way work done the stairs and out the door. It was where Keller expected to be, anyway.There were two figures lying on the pavement. They were both very still.Kellers heart was beating hard enough to break through her chest.Amazing how, yet after see so more than in her life, she could still hold in the desperate impulse to fill up her eyeball. For the first moment, as her gaze raked all over Galens body, she wasnt original if she could see blood or non. Everything was pulsing with mysterious spots, and her bra in didnt seem able to put any kind of coherent picture together. hence he moved. The stiff, wincing motion of individual injured, only when not injured badly. He lifted his head, pushed himself up on one elbow, and looked around.Keller stared at him wordlessly. Then she made her character obey her. Did it hit you?Just glanced off me. He got his legs under him. Im fine. But what near--They both looked at Jaime.Goddess Galens voice was filled with horror. He scrambled up and took a hobble step before falling to his knees.Even Keller felt shock swing out over her before she realized what was going on.At first glance, it looked like a tragedy. Diana was holding Jaime, cradling her in her build up, and there was blood everywhere. All over the front of Dianas sweater, all over Jaimes white shirt. It just showed up fail on Jaime.But it was Dianas blood, still flowing from her cut hand. Jaime was blinking and lifting a hand to her forehead in bewilderment. Her color was beneficial, and her breathing sounded clear if fast.That car-those spate were crazy. They were going to hit me.Im sorry, Diana said. Im so sorry Im so sorryShe was so beautiful that Kellers heart seemed to stop.Her fine skin seemed almost translucent in the cool afternoon light. That glorious hair was rippling in the wind behind her, every single strand light as air and moving independently. And her expressionShe was bending over Jaime so tenderly, tears Ming like diamonds. Her grief-it was complete, Keller thought. As if Jaime were her own dearest sister. She cared in a way that went beyond sympathy and beyond compassion and into something like perfect recognise.It transformed her. She wasnt a light-minded child anymore. She was almost angelic.All at once, Keller understood why everybody at school brought their problems to this girl. It was because of that caring, that love. Diana didnt helpthem to make herself popular. She helped because her heart was open, without shields, without the nor mal barriers that degage people from one another.And she was as brave as a little lion. She hadnt even hesitated when she saw Jaime in danger. She was afraid of blood, but shed cut herself instantly, even recklessly, trying to help.That was courage, Keller thought. Not doing something without being afraid, but doing something even though you were afraid.In that moment, all of Kellers resentment of Diana melted away. All her anger and exasperation and contempt. And, strangely, with it, the antisubmarine shame shed felt this afternoon for being what she was herself-a shapeshifter.It didnt make sense. There was no connection. But there it was.The flat but strangely pleasant voice of Jaime was going on. Im okay-it was just a shock. Stop crying now. Somebody pushed me out of the way.Diana looked up at Galen.She was still crying, and her eyes were the color of violet crystal. Galen was kneel on one knee, looking down worriedly at Jaime.Their eyes met, and they both went still. Except fo r the wind ruffling Ilianas hair, they might have been a painting. A scene from one of the Old Masters, Keller thought. The boy with dark golden hair and that perfectly sculptured face, looking down with protective concern. The girl with her lambent eyes and exquisite features, looking up in gratitude.It was a odorous and lovely picture. It was also the exact moment that Iliana fell in love with Galen. And Keller knew it.She knew before Iliana knew herself. She saw a sort of plaintive shimmer in Ilianas eyes, like more tears about to fall. And then she saw the trade in Ilianas face.The gratitude became something different, something more like recognition. It was as if Iliana were discovering Galen all at once, seeing everything in him that Keller had been slowly learning to see.Theyre bothKeller regarded to think idiots, but the word wouldnt come. All she ended up with was the same.Both of them. Idealists. Open-hearted. Trying to rescue everyone.Theyre perfect for each other.Yo u birthd her life, Iliana whispered. But you could have been killed yourself.It just happened, Galen said. I moved without thinking. But you-youre really bleedingIliana looked soberly down at her hand. It was the however thing that marred the picture it was gory and shocking. But Ilianas gaze wasnt frightened. Instead, she looked wise beyond her years and infinitely sad.I couldnt help, she said.Keller opened her mouth. But before she could say anything, Nissa appeared beside Iliana.Here, she said in her practical way, loosening the conservatively knotted scarf at her throat. Let me tie it up until we can see if you bring stitches. Sheglanced up at Keller. I got the manifest domicile of the car.Keller blinked and refocused. Her brain started ticking again.Both of you, go get the car, she said to Nissa and Winnie. stroke finish that. She took Nissas place by Iliana. Are you really all right? she asked Jaime, careful to face her directly. I think we need to take all three of you to the hospital.Part of her expected to see a flinching as the dark blue eyes under the soft brown bangs met hers. But, of course, there wasnt any. Nissas repositing blanking had been too good. Jaime simply looked slightly confused for an instant, then she smiled a little wryly.Im really okay.Even so, Keller said.There was a crowd gathering. Students and teachers were running from various corners of the building, coming to see what the noise was about. Keller realized that it had actually been only a couple of minutes since the car had gone roaring and screeching along the sidewalk.A few minutes but the world had changed. In some(prenominal) ways.Come on, she said, and helped Jaime up. She let Galen help Iliana.And she felt strangely calm and peaceful.Galen glum out to have several pulled muscles and lots of scrapes and bruises. Jaime had bruises and a dizzy business and double vision, which got her actually admitted to the hospital-hardly surprising, considering how many time s shed been knocked down that day, Keller thought.Iliana needed stitches. She submitted to them quietly, which only seemed to alarm her receive. Mrs. Dominick had been called from home to the hospital. She sat with the baby in her lap and listened to Keller try to explain how Iliana had gotten cut while standing at the chemistry mode window.And when she saw the car almost hit Jaime, she was so startled that she just squeezed the beaker, and it broke.Dianas mother looked doubtful for a moment, but it wasnt her nature to be suspicious. She nodded, judge the story.Jaimes parents had been called to the hospital, too, and both Galen and Jaime had to give statements to the police. Nissa flashed Keller a glance when the policewoman asked if anyone had noticed the cars license plate.Keller nodded. She had already had Nissa call the number in to Circle Daybreak from a pay phone, but there was no reason not to have the police on the case, too. After all, there was a chance-just a chance-th at it hadnt been nighttime World-related.Not much of a chance, though. Circle Daybreak agents would follow Jaime and her family after this, watching from the shadows and ready to act if the Night World showed up again. It was a standard precaution.Both Mr. and Ms. Ashton-Hughes, Jaimes parents, came down from Jaimes floor to speak to Galen in the fatality room.You saved our daughter, her mother said. We dont know how to thank you.Galen shook his head. Really, it just happened. I mean, anybody would have done it.Ms. Ashton-Hughes smiled slightly and shook her head in turn. Then she looked at Iliana.Jaime says she hopes your hand heals quickly. And she wanted to know if youre still going to the natal day party on Saturday night.Oh- For a moment, Iliana looked bewildered, as if shed forgotten about the party. Then she brightened. Yeah, tell her that I am. Is she still going?I think so. The reestablish said she can go home tomorrow, as long as she keeps quiet for a few days. And she said she wasnt going to miss it even if her head fell off. Iliana smiled.It was well into the evening by the time they all got home. Everyone was tired, even the baby-and Iliana was asleep.Mr. Dominick came hurrying out of the house. He was a medium-sized man with dark hair and glasses, and he looked very anxious. He came around to the backseat as Hianas mother filled him in on the situation.But it was Galen who carried Iliana inside. She didnt wake up. Hardly surprising. The revivify had given her something for the pain, and Keller knew that she hadnt had much sleep the night before. She lay in Galens arms like a trusting child, her face off-key against his shoulder.They looked very good together, Keller thought. They looked right.Winnie and Nissa hurried upstairs and turned down Dianas sheets. Galen gently lowered her to the bed. He stood looking down at her. A strand of silvery-gold hair had go across her face, and he carefully smoothed it back. That single gesture told Keller more than anything else could have.He understands, she thought. Its like that moment when she looked at him and discovered all at once that hes brave and gentle and caring. He understands that she cut herself to try and save Jaime, and that people love her because she loves them so much first. And that she couldnt be petty or spiteful if she tried, and that shes probably never wished another person harm in her life.He sees all that in her now.Mrs. Dominick came in just then to help get Iliana undressed. Galen, of course, went out. Keller gestured for Winnie and Nissa to stay, and followed him.This time, she was the one who said, Can I talk with you?They slipped into the library again, and Keller shut the door. With everything that was going on in the house, she didnt think anyone would notice.Then she faced him.She hadnt fazed to turn on the lights. There was some illumination from the window but not much. It didnt really matter. Shapeshifter eyes were good in the dark, and Keller was just as glad he couldnt study her face.She could see enough of his as he stood by the window. The light picked up the edge of his golden head, and she could see that his expression was troubled and a little uncertain.Keller- he began.Keller held up a hand to cut him off. Wait. Galen, first I want to tell you that you dont owe me an explanation. She took a breath. Look, Galen, what happened this morning was a mistake. And I think we both realize that now.KellerI shouldnt have gotten so upset at you about it. But thats not the point. The point is that things have worked out.He looked bleak suddenly. Have they?Yes, Keller said firmly. And you dont need to try and pretend otherwise. You care about her. She cares about you. Are you going to try and deny that?Galen turned toward the window. He looked more than bleak now he looked terribly depressed. I do care about her, he said slowly. I wont deny it. But-But nothing Its good, Galen. Its what was meant to be, and its what we came here for. even off?He shifted miserably. I guess so. But Keller-And it may just peradventure save the world, Keller said flatly.There was a long silence. Galens head was down.Weve got a chance now, Keller said. It should be easy to get her to come to the ceremony on Saturday-as long as we can make her forget aboutthat silly party. Im not saying use her feelings against her. Im just saying go with it. She should want to be promised to you.Galen didnt say anything.And thats all. Thats what I wanted to tell you. And also that if youre going to act stupid and guilty because of something that was a few minutes of silliness, a mistake-well, then, Im not going to talk to you ever again.His head came up. You think it was a mistake?Yes. Absolutely.In one motion, he turned around and took her by the shoulders. His fingers tightened, and he stared at her face as if he were trying to see her eyes.And thats what you really think?Galen, will you please stop worrying about my feelings? She shrugged out of his grip, still facing him squarely. Tm fine. Things have worked out just the way they should. And thats all we ever need to say about it.He let out a long breath and turned toward the window again. Keller couldnt tell if the sigh was relief or something else.Just make sure she comes to the ceremony. Not that it should be difficult, she said.There was another silence. Keller tried to read his emotions through his stance and failed completely.Can you do that? she prompted at last.Yes. I can do it. I can try.And that was all he said. Keller turned to the door. Then she turned back. Thank you, she said softly. But what she really meant was Good-bye, and she knew he knew it. For a long moment, she thought he wouldnt answer. At last, he said, Thank you, Keller.Keller didnt know what for, and she didnt want to think about it right now. She turned and slipped out of the room.