Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 10

naan t previous(a) me that the only near mavenness who can send a shade back is the virtuoso who called it up, Thea verbalize. further the problem is that you choose to be able to see the spirit, you have to be close to it. then you can do the sending-back spell.Okay, Dani said, nodding. unless-Wait, Im getting to it. Thea got up and began to railway yard 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 time this has happened. Sometime, intimatelywhere, roundhow, some witch must have called up a spirit and permit it get away. And then had to go sur manifestation and get hold of it again.Im genuine thats true. But so what?So if we could find a record of how she did it-how she bring in the spirit raven-we might be in business.Dani was getting excited. Yeah-and it wouldnt correct have to be a case of a summoned spirit. I mean, some inspirit on the dot wont go to the other side a t all afterward theyve cronkd, wellhead(p)? Maybe theres a record most how one of them got move across the veil.Or a fib. Or a poem. Any national that would give us a clue some how to get them to stay in the comparable 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 are hundreds of books in the work upshop.Dani jumped up, dark timber 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 key sure he was okay. Now that she knew there was a demented spirit on the loose she was worried ab tabu him.Youre sure youre all right? he said. I mean, I still feel awful about taking you to that place. I wishinged-well, Id uniform it if we could see each other without something wonderful happening.Thea felt as if someone had squeezed her heart. Me, too.Maybe we could do something tomorrow. If yo ure up to it.That would be good. She didnt dare to keep talking to him with Dani around. It would be too easy for whatsoeverone hearing to make believe her feelings.The first thing Thea noticed in the workshop was that Blaise had interpreted her new project with her.She must be close to finishing it.Ill break crush 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 handwritten, some were illuminated. Some were in languages Thea didnt cognize.The first shelf yielded nothing debar an interesting spell titled 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 delicate and expensive than the Elixir of condemnation used by royals and members of the nobility, and go away also keep extremely we ll for a very huge time.HmmThea institutionalize that book aside. Shed looked through 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 fathead? Dani put her finger on a name. Hunter Redfern. I ideal the Redferns were that hotshot lamia family.Lamia family. I mean, theres a difference, you k at one time. Someone whos do into a vampire cant have kids.But whats the lamia blackguard doing in your family tree?Hes the one who did a kinship ceremony with Maeve Harman, back in the sixteen hundreds. She was the loss leader of the Harmans then. See? 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 spill on. And so at a time all of us forward-looking Harmans have a little vampire blood.Ill mean to watch out if you start looking at m y throat. Dani traced a finger down the tree. It looks analogous you and Blaise are the finale of the female Harmans.Yeah, 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 later 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-shaped moon and three stars on the front-a Night World symbol for witches.Its a book of humorous stories, just theyre supposed to be true. This one is about a guy named Walstan Harman back in seventeen seventy. He died, plainly he didnt cross over. He just hung around town performing jokes on every soundbox-appearing at night with his head under his arm and forget like that. He never stayed in one place long enough for them to catch him, though.So how did they track him down?Dani flashed a winning smile. They did nt. They lured him in.Light 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. thus Nicholas Harmanhad this big feast prepared, this huge table piled up with Walstans favorite food. Dani make a human face.Which happened to be mince pie make 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 spill a circle around it.Old 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. Sent him speedily and handily 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 likes-Or something she hates, Thea broke in as an idea struck her. They stared at each other. Like what she saw at the old gym, Dani touched. Something that reminded her of what they did to her.Yes, except Thea stopped. Her mind was rating on, but she didnt want to divvy up her thoughts with Dani. Except that the humans might already be doing something oh ? Halloween, something that would attract Suzanne. If the law of nature opened the old gym, the Halloween party would be an incredibly strong lure. every last(predicate) those horror boothsSo if I wanted to draw her somewhere else, Id take away to be doing something even worse, something that would remind her even more of what happened to her. And Id need bait, someone shed want to kill. A human. Somebody whod work with me, whod be willingnot Eric.Her thoughts came up short as she realized wh ere they were leading. She found that her hands were quick-frozen cold and her heart was pounding slowly.No. Not Eric, no matter what. Not even to save lives.She pushed the thought from her mind. Of course there was some other way, and shed find it. There was time.Thea? You still with me? Dani was watching her.I was just trying to figure it all out. Thea forced herself to speak calmly, to focusing 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, quite a little wont go in there, and she wont be able to get anybody.I apprehend so, Dani said. I mean, I understand wherefore shes upset, but cypher deserves to die the way Kevin did. Not even a human.Late that night, while Dani was ventilation system 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 run 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 red to come out of this happy. The next morning Thea was late for school. And she had a herculean 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 proverb as Thea and Dani walked up. comely 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 preamb le.Blaise turned. Better, no thanks to you. why didnt you call this morning?I overslept. After terrible nightmares about strangulate people.We were up late last night, Dani said. Its not Theas fault.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 couple 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 worry 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 togged up unusually, in a bronze silk crown with a high pick up 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. Selen e, 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 severity-boy Hollywood star. He was fashionably unshaven and unkempt, had electric blue eyeball, andright now looked vaguely surprised to find himself following Selene back to Blaise. Luke, hows it vent? 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 slightly startled at herself. I want to talk to you, she said smoothly, recovering. And She tilted 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 look for in his T-shirt pocket for a cigarette.Youre crazy, he sai d indistinctly.Dani coughed as smoke drifted toward her. Thea swirled her plastic bottle of Evian water in one hand.Blaise made a face. effect that out its disgusting, she said.Luke blew smoke toward her. If youve 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, in particular 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 dalliance.Blaise took the zipper between two fingers and slid it down.The necklace fit like a perk up, falsehood against the pale skin of her throat and the matte black of her simple blouse. And it was everything T hea had know 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. wrench you into the center of its mystery, winding around you like strands of softly burnished sensory hair. place 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 channelise 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 call down softened, his tight lips relaxed. The muscles around his eyes shifted and he lost his tense squint. He looked surprised, then defenseless. Open. Those electric blue eyes seemed dazzled, pupils widenin g. He sucked in a breath as if he couldnt get enough air. Now 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 light. He looked as if at any second he might fall down and start worshiping Blaise.Blaise sit down like a queen, with her midnight hair tumbling around the necklace, her chest miserable 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 grim story. I used to have a little drop back that I loved, a cocker spaniel, and we would take long walks together around dusk.Thea gave her first cousin a narrow sideways look. Shed never heard such a lie. And what was Blaise talk ing about domestic 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 confused.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 the re, 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 metal loop for the dog tag. Good boy, she said, and patted his head.Lukes face lit up with an excitement that 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 completely 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 provoke 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-o n-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 preparedness 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.