Night World : Soulmate Chapter 8

Hannah sit up in bed, gasping.For several moments she didnt k presently w here(predicate) she was. Through a gap in her curtains she could see the venerable light of dawn- practiced manage Hanas gray dawn-and she theory she cool off might be in the nightm ar. still thusly, slowly, objects in the room became clear. Her bookshelves, crammed with books and crownedwith unitary near-perfect trilobite fossil on a stand. Her dresser, its top piled with things that belonged inother places. Her posters of Velociraptor and T. Rex.Im me. I remember me.She had never been so content to be herself, or to be awake.But that dream shed just had-that had happened to her. A long age ago, indisputable, yet nonhing like so longago as, say, when the T. Rex had been alive. not to mention the trilobite. A few thousand years wasyester twenty-four hour period to Mother Earth.And it was all real, she knew that now. She accepted it. She had go a cessation and her subconscious hadpulled mainstay the veil of the past and allowed her to see more of Hanas story.Thierry, she thought. The people of Hanas clan hag-ridden him. God knows for how long-Im just glad Ididnt contain to watch more.But it puts sort of a divers(prenominal) twist on things, doesnt it?She still didnt know how the story ended. She wasnt sure she wanted to know. But it was rugged to damn him for whatever had happened afterward.An awful feeling was settling in Hannahs stomach. All those things I say to him-terrible things, shethought. Why did I say all that? I was so angry-I lost control comp allowely. I hated him and all I cared slightly was hurting him. I in truth thought he must be evil, pure evil.I told him to go a panache forever. How could I gather in done that? Hes my soulmate. thither was a strangeemptiness deep down her, as if shed been hollowed out like a tree struck by lightning.Inside the emptiness, a congressman like a alter mordant wind whispered, But you told Paul that he kept cleanup sp ot you everywhere and all over. Is that justifiable? Hes a vampire, a predator, and that strikes him evil by nature. Maybehe cant help cosmos what he is, exactly in that locations no reason for you to be destroyed once again because of it. Are yougoing to let him kill you in this life, to a fault?She was torn between pity for him and the deep instinct that he was dangerous. The cool wind regionseemed to be the division of reason.Go ahead and feel sorry for him, it say. Just assert him far extraneous from you.She felt pause having come to a decision, even if it was a decision that left(p) her heart numb. She glancedaround the room, focused on the clock by her bedside, and blinked.Oh, my God-school.It was quarter to seven and it was a Friday. Sacaja-wea lavishly seemed light-years away, like someplaceshed visited in a past life.But its not. Its your life, now, the only one that counts. You fuddle to leave behind all that other stuff nighreincarnation and vampires an d the Night World. You have to for complicate about him.You displace him away and hes gone. So lets get on with living in the normal world.Just ringing this way made her feel braced and icy, as if shed had a cold shower. She took a realshower, dressed in jeans and a denim shirt, and she had breakfast with her catch, who cast her severalthoughtful glances but didnt ask any questions until they were almost finished.Then she said, Did everything go all right at Dr. Winfields yesterday level?Had it only been yesterday evening? It seemed like a week ago. Hannah chewed a bite of cornflakesand finally said, Uh, why?Because he called while you were in the shower. He seemed Her mother halt and searchedfor a word. Anxious. Worse than worried but not as disobedient as hysterical.Hannah looked at her mothers face, which was narrow, in reassureigent, and tanned by the Montana sun.Her eye were more blue than Hannahs gray, but they were bespeak and discerning.She wanted to tell her mothe r the whole story- but when she had time to do it, and after shed had . timeto prize it out. There was no urgency. It was all behind her now, and it wasnt as if she needed advice.Pauls anxious a lot, she said judiciously, cohesive to the clean edge of truth. I destine thats why hebecame a psychologist. He tried a sort of hypnosis thing on me yesterday and it didnt exactly work out.Hypnosis? Her mothers eyebrows lifted. Hannah, I dont know if you should be getting into that-Dont worry Im not. Its over. Were not going to try it again.I see. Well, he said for you to call him to set up another appointment. I think he wants to see you soon.She reached over suddenly and took Hannahs hand. Honey, are you feeling any better? Are you stillhaving bad dreams? Hannah looked away. Actually-I sort of had one last night. But I think I understand them better now.They dont scare me as much. She squeezed her mothers hand. Dont worry, Im going to be fine.All right, but- Before her mother could fin ish the sentence a horn honked outside.Thats Chess. Id better run. Hannah gulped down the dregs of her orange juice and hotfoot into herbedroom to grab her backpack. She hesitated a split second by the wastebasket, then shook her head.No. There was no reason to take the non-white rose ring with her. It was his, and she didnt want to bereminded of him.She slung the backpack over her shoulder, yelled goodbye to her mother, and hurried outside.Chesss car was parked in the driveway. As Hannah started toward it she had an odd impression. Sheseemed to see a material body standing behind the car-a tall figure, face sullen toward her. But her eyes weredazzled by the sun and at that instant she involuntarily blinked. When she could see again, there wasnothing in that spot just a comminuted swirl of dust.Youre late, Chess said when Hannah got in the car. Chess, whose real name was Catherine Clovis,was petite and pretty, with dark hair cut in a cap to frame her face. But just now her da rk green cateyes and Mona Lisa smile reminded Hannah too much of Ket. It was disconcerting she had to glancedown to make sure Chess wasnt wearing a deerskin outfit.You okay? Now Chess was looking at her with concern.Yeah. Hannah sank back against the upholstery, blinking. I think I need to get my eyes checked,though. She glanced at the spot where the phantom figure had been-nothing. And Chess was just Chesssmart, savvy, and faintly exotic, like an orchid blooming in the badlands.Well, you can do it when we go shopping this weekend, Chess said. She slanted Hannah a glance.We must go shopping. Next weeks your birthday and I need something new to wear.Hannah grinned in spite of herself. Maybe a new necklace, she muttered.What? vigour. I wonder what happened to Ket, she thought. purge if Hana died young, at least Ket musthave grown up. I wonder if she married Ran, the guy who wanted to mate her?Are you sure youre okay? Chess said.Yeah. Sorry Im a little brain-dead. I didnt sleep well l ast night. Her plan for Chess was exactly thesame as for her mother. Tell her everything-in a little while. When she was less upset about it.Chess was putting an arm around her, steering skillfully with the other. Hey, weve got to get you inshape, kid. I mean, first its your birthday, then graduation. Isnt that psychologist doing anything to help?Hannah muttered, Maybe too much.That night, she was restless again. The school day had passed uneventfully. Hannah and her mother had had dinner peacefully. But after her mother went out to a meeting with some local rockhounds, Hannahfound herself wandering around the house, too wound up to read or watch TV, too distracted to goanywhere.Maybe I need some air, she thought-and then she caught herself and gave a self-mocking grin.Sure. Air. When what youre really intellection is that he just might be out there. Admit it.She admitted it. Not that she thought Thierry was very promising to be hanging around her backyard,considering what shed s aid to him.And why should you want to talk to him? she demanded of herself. He may not be completely andtotally and pointlessly evil, but hes still no boy scout.But she couldnt shed a vague feeling of wantingto go outside. At last she went out on the porch, express herself that shed spend five minutes here andthen go back inside.It was another beautiful night, but Hannah couldnt enjoy it. Everything reminded her too much of him.She could feel herself softening toward him, weakening. He had looked so stricken, so devastated, whenshe told him to go away.Am I interrupting?Hannah started. She wheeled toward the voice.Standing on the other side of the porch was a tall girl. She looked a year or so older than Hannah, andshe had long hair, very long hair, so black that it seemed to suppose moonlight like a ravens wing. She wasextraordinarily beautiful-and Hannah recognized her.Shes the one from my vision. That flash of a girl apprisal me that Thierry was cunning. Shes the one whowarned me about him.And shes the figure I saw behind Chesss car this morning. She must have been ceremony me then.Im sorry if I scared you, the girl said now, smiling. You looked so far away, and I didnt mean to jump-start you. But Id really like to talk to you if you have a few minutes.I Hannah felt curiously tongue-tied. Something about the girl made her uncomfortable, in a way thatwent beyond the dreamlike weirdness of recognizing someone shed never seen in her present life.But shes your friend, she told herself. Shes helped you in the past she probably wants to help you againnow. You should be grateful to her.Sure, Hannah said. We can talk. She added somewhat awkwardly, I remember you.Wonderful. Do you really? That makes everything so much easier.Hannah nodded. And told herself again that this girl was her friend, and nobody to be hostile to or waryof. Well The girl glanced around the porch, where there was dearly no place to sit. AhHannah was embarrassed, as if the girl had asked, Do you entertain all your visitors outside? Sheturned around and opened the back door. Come on in. We can sit down. Thank you, the girl said andsmiled. In the bright fluorescent lights of the kitchen, she was even more beautiful. Hauntingly beautiful.Exquisite features, skin like silk. Lips that made Hannah think of adjectives like full and ripe. And eyesthat were like nothing Hannah had ever seen before.They were large, almond-shaped, heavy-lashed, and luminous. But it wasnt just that. Every time Hannahlooked, they seemed to be a different color. They changed from honey to mahogany to jungle-leaf greento larkspur purple to misty blue. It was amazing.If you remember me, then you must know what Im here about, the girl said. She rested an elbow onthe kitchen table and propped her chin on her fist. Hannah said one word. Thierry. Yes, From the wayyou say that, maybe you dont need my advice after all. The girl had an extraordinary voice as well lowand pleasant, with a faint husky throb in it. Hannah lifted her shoulders. Well, theres still a lot I dontknow about him-but I dont need anybody to tell me that hes dangerous. And Ive already told him to goaway.Have you really? How remarkably brave of you.Hannah blinked. She hadnt thought of it as being so brave.I mean, you do realize how powerful he is? Hes a Lord of the Night World, the head of all the madevampires. He could-the girl snapped her fingers- call out a hundred little vampires and werewolves. Notto mention his connection with the witches in Las Vegas.What are you trying to say? That I shouldnt have told him to go away? I dont care how galore(postnominal) monstershe can call out, Hannah said sharply.No. Of course you dont. Like I said, youre brave. The girl regarded her with eyes the deep purple ofbittersweet nightshade. I just want you to realize what hes capable of. He could have this whole countywiped out. He can be very cruel and very childish-if he doesnt get what he wants hell simply go into arage.And does he do that a lot-go into rages?All the time, unfortunately.I dont believe you.The thought came to Hannah suddenly. She didnt know where it came from, but she couldnt ignore it.There was something about this girl that bothered her, something that felt like a greasy stone heldbetween the fingers. That felt like a lie.Who are you? she said directly. When the girls eyes-now burnt sienna-lifted to hers this time, she heldthem. I mean, why are you so interested inme? Why are you even here, in Montana, where I am? Is it just a coincidence? Of course not. I came because I knew that he was about to come up you again. Im interested in you*because-well, Ive known Thierry since his childhood, before he became a vampire, and I feel a accreditedobligation to stop him. She smiled, meeting Hannahs steady gaze easily. And my name is Maya.She said the last words slowly, and she seemed to be watching Hannah for a reaction. But the namedidnt mean anything to Hannah. And Hannah simply couldnt f igure out whether this girl called Maya was craft or not.I know youve warned me about Thierry before, she said, trying to gather her thoughts. But I dontremember anything about it except you telling me. I dont even know what you are-I mean, are yousomebody whos been reincarnated like me? Or are you ? She left the question open-ended. As amatter of fact, she knew Maya wasnt human no human was so eerily beautiful or supernaturally graceful.If Maya claimed she was, Hannah would know for sure it was a deception.Im a vampire, Maya said calmly and without hesitation. I lived with Thierrys tribe in the days whenyou lived with the Three Rivers clan. In fact, Im the one who actually made him into a vampire. Ishouldnt have done it I should have realized he was one of those people who couldnt handle it. But Ididnt know hed go crazy and become what he is. She looked off into the distance. I suppose thatswhy I feel responsible for him, she finishedsoftly. Then she looked back at Hannah. Any oth er questions?Hundreds, Hannah said. more or less the Night World, and about whats happened to me in past lives-And Im afraid Im not going to be able to dissolvent most of them. There are rules against talking aboutthe Night World-and anyway, its safer for you not to know. As for your past lives, well, you dont reallywant to know what hes done to you each time, do you? Its too gruesome. She leaned forward, lookingat Hannah earnestly. What you should do now is put the past behind you and forget about all this. Try tohave a happy future.It was exactly what Hannah had decided to do earlier. So why did she feel like bristling now? Sheweighed different responses and finally said, If he wants to kill me so much, why didnt he just do it lastnight? preferably of talking to me.Oh, my dear child. The tone was slightly patronizing, but seemed genuinely pitying. He wants you tolove him first, and then he kills you. I know, its sick, its twisted, but its the way he is. He seems to thinkit has to be that way, since it was that way the first time. Hes obsessed.Hannah was silent. Nothing inside her stood up to say that this was a lie. And the idea that Thierry wasobsessed certainly rang true. At last she said slowly, Thank you for coming to warn me. I do appreciateit.No, you dont, Maya said. I wouldnt either if someone came to tell me things I didnt want to hear.But maybe someday you will thank me. She stood. I hope we wont have to meet again.Hannah walked her to the back door and let her out.On the porch, Maya turned. He really is insane, you know she said. Youll probably drive to have,doubts again. But hes obsessive and unstable, just like any stalker and hes really capable of anything.Dont be fooled. I dont think Im ever going to see him again, Hannah said, unreasonably annoyed. So its going to bekind of hard to fool me.Maya smiled, nodded, then did the disappearing act. Just as Thierry had, she turned and simply meltedinto the night.Hannah stared out into the dimness for a minute or so. Then she went back into the kitchen and calledPaul Winfields number.She got his answering machine. Hi, this is Hannah, and I got your message about making anotherappointment. I was wondering if we could maybe do it tomorrow-or anyway some time over theweekend. And She hesitated, wondering if it was something she should say in person, thenshrugged. Might as well give him time to prepare. And Id like to do another regression. There are somethings I want to figure out.She felt better after she hung up. One way or another, she would get at the truth.She headed into her bedroom with a faint, grim smile.And stopped dead on the threshold.Thierry was sitting on her bed.For a moment Hannah stood frozen. Then she said sharply, What are you doing here? At the sametime, she glanced around the room to see how hehad gotten in. The windows were shut and only opened from inside.He must have walked in while I was in the kitchen talking with Maya.I had to see you, Thierry said. He looked- strange. His dark eyes seemed hot somehow, as if he wereburning inside. His face was tense and grim.I told you to conceal away from me. Hannah kept fear out of her voice-but she was scared. There was asort of electricity in the air, but it wasnt a good electricity. It was purely dangerous.I know you did, and I tried. But I cant stay away, Hannah. I just cant. It makes me crazy.And with that, he stood up.Hannahs heart seemed to jump into her throat and stay there, pounding hard. She fought to keep herface calm.Hes fast, a little voice in her head seemed to say, and with relief she recognized the dark wind voice, thecool voice of reason. Theres no point in running from him, because he can catch you in a second.You have to understand, Thierry was saying. Please try to understand. I need you. We were meant tobe together. Without you, Im nothing.He took a step toward her. His eyes were black and fathomless, and Hannah could almost feel theirheat. Obsessed, yes, she thought. Ma ya was right. He may jut on a good front, but underneath hes just plain crazy. like any stalker.Say you understand, Thierry said. He reached a pleading hand toward her.I understand, Hannah said grimly. And I still want you to go away.I cant. I have to make sure well be together, the way we were meant to be. And theres only one wayto do that.There was something different about his mouth, two delicate fangs were protruding, indenting .his lowerlip.Hannah felt a cold fist dose over her heart.You have to link up the Night World, Hannah. You have to become like me. I promise you, once its over,youll be happy.Happy? A wave of sickening revulsion swept over Hannah. As a monster like you? I was happybefore you ever showed up. Id be happy if youd just keep out of my life forever. I- closing talking The cool wind voice was screaming at her, but Hannah was too overwrought to listen.Youre disgusting. I hate you. And nothing can j ever make me love you ag-She didnt get to finish. In one swift movement, he was in front of her. And then he grabbed her.