Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 10

simply zero(prenominal) at the instant which would carry made it akiss, Delos pulled away. Maggie entangle the brush of his warm lips and and so frigidness air as he jerked back.No,he express.No. She could underwrite the clash of revere and anger in his eyes, and she could see itsuddenly resolve itselfas the pain grew unbearable.He shuddered once, and accordingly on the whole the turmoil vanished, asif it were creation swept a attitude by a giant hand. It left wing hardly icy determination in its wake.Thats non waiver to help, Maggie said. I dont thus far run into wherefore you want to be this way, exceptyou cant just squash everything d sustain-Listen, he said in a clipped, taut enunciate. Yousaid that in your dream I told you to go away. Well,Im telling you the same thing now. Go away anddont ever keep abreast back. I neer want to see yourface again.Oh, fine. Maggie was trembling herself withfrustration. Shed had it shed fin aloney r separatelyed thelimit of her patience with him. thither was so untoldbitterness in his face, so lots pain, hardly it was piddle he wasnt hand start to let any cardinal help.I mean it. And you dont know how much of aconcession it is. Im letting you go. Youre non justan get away knuckle pass, youre an escaped buckle down whoknows most the crown in the mountains. The pen-.alty for that is death.So kill me, Maggie said. It was a stupid thingto say and she knew it. He was dangerous andthe master of that blue fire. He could do it at theturn of an eyelash. quiesce she was feeling stupid andreckless. Her fists were clenched.Im telling you to leave, he said. And Ill tellyou roughthing else. You wanted to know what happened to your brother.Maggie went free. in that location was something differentab give away him suddenly. He touch sensationed handle some be roughly to strike a blow. His body was tense and hiseyes were anxious gold like twin flames.Well, here it is, he said. Your brother is dead . I killed him.It was a blow. Maggie felt as if shed been hit. Shock spread through her body and left her tingling with adrenaline. At the same time she felt peculiarly weak, as if her legs didnt want to hold her up any eagle-eyeder. notwithstanding she didnt study it. She couldnt believe it, not just like that.She opened her mouth and dragged in a breathto speakand froze.Somewhere outside the cave a voice was calling.Maggie couldnt set about out the words, scarcely it was agirls voice. And it was close and climax scalelike.Deloss head whipped around to look at the entrance of the cave. Then, before Maggie could say anything, he was move.He took one step to the wall and blew out theflame of the pocket-size stone lamp. Instantly, the cavewas plunged into ingloriousness. Maggie hadnt effectedhow little unprovoked came from the entrance fragment- to the lastest degree none at all.No, she popular opinion. Less light is coming throughthan before. Its get dark.Oh, God, she thought. Cady.I just walked sour and left her thither. Whats wrongwith me? I forgot all about her-1 didnt eventhink.Where are you going? Delos whispered harshly.Maggie time outd in mid rush and looked at himwildly. Or looked towardhim, actually, becausenow she couldnt see anything but darkness against paler darkness.To Cady, she said, distracted and frantic, clutching the water pop out shed grabbed. I left herdown there. Anything could have happened bynow.o.You cant go outside, he said. Thats the hunting party I came with. If they catch you I wont beable to help-2I dont care Maggies words tumbled over his.A minute ago you never wanted to see me again.Oh, God, I left her. How could I do that?It hasnt been that long, he hissed impatiently. An hour or so. Vaguely, Maggie concreteized that hemust be right. It seemed like a hundred years sinceshe had climbed up to his ledge, but actually every thing had happened quickly later that.I still have to go, she said, a little to a greate r extent calmly.Shes brainsick. And maybe Gavin came back. A waveof fear surged through her at the thought.If they catch you, youll wish you were dead, he said distinctly. to begin with Maggie could answer, hewas going on, his voice as discourteous as ever. Stayhere. Dont come out until everybodys gone.She felt the movement of air and the brush of material as he passed in front of her. The light fromthe entrance crack was cut off briefly, and then shesaw him silhouetted for an instant against gray sky.Then she was alone.Maggie stood tensely for a moment, listening.The sound of her own breathing was too loud. She crept quietly to the entrance and crouchedAnd felt a jolt. She could perk up footsteps crunching on the broken slate outside. Rightoutside. Thena shadow seemed to fall across the crack and sheheard a voice.Delos What are you doing up here?It was a light, pleasant voice, the voice of a girl merely a little older than Maggie. not a woman yet.And it was both concerned and casual, addressingDelos with a familiarity that was startling.But that wasnt what gave her the spoiledjolt. It wasthat she recognize the voice. She knew it and shehated it.It was Sylvia.Shes here, Maggie thought. And from the wayshestalkingshes been here before enough to getto know Delos. Or maybe she was innate(p) here, and shes just started coming Outside.Whatever the truth, it somehow made Maggiecertain that Miles had been brought here, too. But then-what? What had happened to him afterwards that?Had he done something that meant he had to disappear? Or had it been Sylvias plan from thebeginning?Could Delos have really ?I dont believe it, Maggie thought fiercely, butthere was a pit of sick fear in her stomach.Outside, Sylvia was chatting on in a musical voice. We didnt even know youd left the free radicalbut then we saw the blue fire. We thought you top executive be in trouble-Me?Delos laughed briefly.Well-we thought there superpower betrouble, Sylvia amended. Her own laugh was like wind chimes.Im fine. I used the fire for practice.Delos. Sylvias voice was gently criticise now,in a way that was almost flirtatious. You knowyou shouldnt do that. Youll only do more damageto your armits never going to get punter if youkeep using it.I know. Deloss brusque tone was a sharp contrast to Sylvias teasing. But thats my business.I only want whats best for you-Lets go. Im sure the rest of the party is waitingfor us.He doesnt like her, Maggie thought. All herwhinnying and prancing doesnt fool him. But Iwonder what she is to him?What she really wanted at that moment was to dash out and confront Sylvia. Grab her and shake her until she coughed up some answers.But shed already tried that once-and it had gotten her thrown into slavery. She gritted her teethand edged closer to the entrance crack. It was dangerous and she knew it, but she wanted to seeSylvia.When she did, it was other shock. Sylvia always wore slinky go past and fashionable jeans, butthe outfit she had on now was completely medieval.More, she looked comfortable in it, as if thesestrange clothes were natural to her-and flattering.She was wearing a sea-green tunica that had longsleeves and fell to the ground. Over that was another tunic, a shade paler, this one otiose andtied with a belt embroidered in green and silver. Her hair was expel in a fine shimmering mass, andshe had a falcon on her wrist.A real falcon. With a little leather hood on itshead and leather ties with bells on its feet. Maggie stared at it, fascinated despite herself.That whole fragile act Sylvia puts on, shethought. But you have to be strong to hold up a big bird like that.Oh, we dont have to rush back just yet, Sylvia was saying, moving closer to Delos. Now that Im here, we could go a little farther. This looks like anice bridle-path we could explore it.Cady, Maggie thought. If they go to the end ofthe path, theyll see her. Sylvia will see her.She had just decided to jump out of the cavewhen Delos spoke.Im commonplace, he said in his flat, cold way. Weregoing back now.Oh, youre tired, Sylvia said, and her smile wasalmost sly. You see. I told you not to use yourpowers so much.Yes,Delossaid,evenmoreshortly. Iremember. to begin with he could say anything else, Sylvia went on. I forgot to mention, a funny thing happened.A cat-o-nine-tails named Gavin dropped in on the huntingparty a little while ago.Gavin.Maggies stomach plummeted. He got away. And he saw everything.And he must have moved fast,she thought absently. To hook around and get to a hunting partyon the other side of this ledge-in time for Sylviato come find Delos.You probably donI know him, Sylvia was saying. But I do. Hes the slave trader I use to getgirls from Outside. Hes normally pretty good, but today he was all upset. He said a group of slavesgot loose on the mountain, and somehow his part ner Bern got killed.You witch,Maggie thought. She couldntthink of a rely word strong enough.Sylvia knew. There was no doubt about i t. IfGavin was her flunky, and if hed told her that Bernwas dead, he must have told her the rest. That Bernhad been killed by Prince Delos himself, fried withblue fire, and that there were two slave girls infront of Delos at the time.She knew all along, Maggie thought, and she wasjust trying to trap Delos. But why isnt she afraidof him? Hes the prince, after all. His fathers dead hes in charge. So how come she daresto set upher little traps?We were all concerned, Sylvia was going on,tilting her silvery head to one side. All the nobles,and especially your greatgrandfather. unwind slavescan mean troubleHow sweet of you to worry, Delos said. Fromwhat Maggie could see of his face, it was expressionless and his voice was dry out and level. But youshouldnt have. I used the fire for practice-on the other slave trader. withal on two slaves. They interrupted me when I wanted quiet.Maggie sat in helpless admiration.He did it. He outsmarted her. Now theres nothing she can say. And theres no way to prove thathe didnt kill us. Gavin ran he couldnt have seenanything after that.He saved us. Delos saved Cady and me bothagain.I see. Sylvia bowed her head, looking sweet andplacating, if not quite convinced. Well, of courseyou had every right to do that. So the slaves aredead.Yes. And since they were only slaves, why arewe standing heretalking about them? Is there something about them I dont know?No, no. Of course not, Sylvia said quickly. Youre right weve wasted enough time. Lets go back.In her mind, Maggie heard Gavins voice. Its not like they were ordinary slaves. If we dont deliver that maiden were dead.So shes lying again, Maggie thought. What a surprise. But whos the maiden? And whys she so important?For that matter, she thought, whos this greatgrandfather of Deloss? When Sylvia mentionedhim it sounded almost like a threat. But if hes agreat-grandfather hes got to be ancient. How areSylvia and some old geezer teamed up?It was an interesting question, but there was no ti me to think about it now. Sylvia and Delos wereturning away from the cave, Sylvia murmuringabout having to take a look at Deloss arm when they got back. In another moment theyd passed out of Maggies line of sight and she heard thecrunching hurly burly of feet on slate.Maggie waited until the last footstep faded, then she held her breath and waited for a await ofthirty. It was all she could stand. She ducked through the entrance crack and stood in the openair.It was fully dark now. She was very nearly blind.But shecould superstar the vast emptiness of the valley in front of her, and the solidity of the mountain at her back.And she should have felt relieved, to be outsideand not caught-but instead she felt strangely stifled. It took her a moment to discover why.There was no sound at all. No footsteps, novoices, and no animals, either. And that was whatfelt eerie. It might be too cold at night for mosquitoes and gnats and flies, but there should have been someanimal life to be hear d. Birds heading intothe trees to rest, batsheadingout. Deer feeding.Bucks charging around-it was autumn, after all.There was nothing. Maggie had the unnervingfeeling that she was alone in a strange lifelessworld swathed in cotton, cut off from everythingreal.Dont stick around and think about it, she toldherself sternly. Find Cady. NowGritting her teeth, she throw away the water bag intoher jacket and started back. By keeping close to the mountains quite a little on her left and feeling ahead with her foot before each step, she could find her way in the dark.When she reached the ledge, her stomach tightened in dismay.Terrific. Going down in pitch darkness-theres going to be no way to see the footholds. Oh, well, Ill feel for them. The worst that can happen is I fall a hundred feet straight down.Cady, she whispered. She was afraid to talk tooloudly the hunting party might be anywhere andsound could carry surprisingly well on a mountain slope.Cady? Are you okay?Her heart thumped slo wly five generation before she heard something below. non a voice, just a stirring,like cloth on rock, and then a sigh.Relief flooded through Maggie in a wave that wasalmost painful. Cady hadnt died or been abducted. because Maggie had left her. Stay there, she whispered as loudly as she dared. Im coming down.Ive brought water.It wasnt ashard going downas shed expected. Maybe because she was still high on adrenaline,running in survival mode. Her feet seemed to findthe toeholds of their own accord and in a few minutes she was on the boulders.Cady. Her fingers found warmth and cloth. Itmoved and she heard another little sigh. Cady, areyou okay? I cant see you.And then the darkness seemed to lighten, andMaggie recognise that she couldsee the shape shewas touching, dimly but distinctly. She glanced up and went still.The mope was out. In a sky that was otherwisecovered with clouds, there was a small opening, a clear spot. The moon shone down through it like asupernatural white face, nearly full.Maggie. The voice was a soft breath, almost awhisper, but it seemed to blow peace and calm into Maggies heart. give thanks for letting me rest. I feel stronger now.Maggie looked down. Silver light touched thecurves of Cadys boldness and lips. The blind girllooked like some ancient Egyptian princess, herdark hair loose in crimped waves around her shoulders, her wide, heavy-lashed eyes reflecting themoon. Her face wasas sereneasever.Im sorry it took so long. I got some water,Maggie said. She helped Cady sit up and put thewater bag to her lips.She doesnt look as feverish, she thought asCadywas boozing. Maybe she can walk. But where?Where can we go?They would never make it to the pass. And even if they did, what then? Theyd be high on a moun tain-some mountain-in the dark and cold of aNovember night.We need to get you to a doctor, she said.Cady stop drinking and gave the bag back. Idont think theres anything like that here. There might be some healing woman down there in th ecastle but. .She stopped and shake her head. Its not worth it.What do you mean, its not worth it? And, hey, you rereally feeling better, arent you? Maggieadded, pleased. It was the introductory time Cady had gottenout more than a few words. She sounded very weak,but rational, and surprisingly knowledgeable.Its not worth it because its too much of a risk. Im too much of a risk. You have to leave me here, Maggie. Go down and get to shelter yourself.Not this again Maggie waved a hand She really couldnt deal with this argument anymore. IfI left you up here, youd die. Its going to get freezing cold. So Im not going to leave you. And iftheres a healing woman down at the castle, thenwere going to the castle. Wherever the castle is.Its the place all the Night People are, Arcadiasaid, per panorama grim. The slaves, too. Everybody who lives here is inside the castle gates itsreally like a little town. And its exactly the placeyou shouldnt go.Maggie blinked. How come you know so much?Are y ou an escaped slave like Jeanne?No. I heard about it a year or so ago from someone who had been here. I was coming here for a reason-it was just bad luck that I got caught bythe slave traders on my way in.Maggie wanted to ask her more about it, but anagging voice inside her said that this wasnt thetime. It was already getting very cold. They couldnt be caught on the mountainside overnightThat pass the cart was on-does it go all theway to the castle? Do you know?Cady hesitated. She turned her face toward the valley, and Maggie had the strange sense that shewas looking out.I think so, she said, at last. It would makesense that it does, anyway-theres only one placeto go in the valley.Then weve got to find it again. Maggie knewthat wouldnt be easy. Theyd run a long way fromBern and Gavin. But she knew the general direction. Look, even if we dont get to the castle, weshould find the road so we know where we are. And if we have to spend the night on the mountain,its much better to be in the forest. Itll be warmer.Thats true. But-Maggie didnt give her a chance to go on. Canyou stand up? Ill help-put your arm around myneck .It was tricky, getting Cady out of the nest of boulders. She and Maggie both had to crawl most of the way. And although Cady never complained, Maggiecould see how tired it made her.Come on, Maggie said. Youre doing great.And she thought, with narrowed eyes and set teeth,If it comes to that, Ill carryher.Too some people had told her to leave this girl.Maggie had never felt quite this stubborn before.But it wasnt easy. Once into the woods, the canopy of branches cut off the moonlight. In only minutes, Cady wasleaning heavilyon Maggie,stumbling and trembling. Maggie herself was stumbling, calorie-free over roots, slipping on club mossand liverwort.Strangely, Cady seemed to have a better sense ofdirection than she did, and in the beginning shekept murmuring, This way, I think. But after for a while she stopped talking, and some time afterthat, she stopped even responding to Maggiesquestions.At last, she stopped dead and swayed on her feet.It was no good. The taller girl shivered once, thenwent limp. It was all Maggie could do to breakher fall.And then she was sitting alone in a small clearing, with the spicy bouquet of red cedar around her, and an unconscious girl in her lap. Maggie held still and listened to the silence.Which was broken suddenly by the crunch offootsteps.Footsteps coming toward her.It might be a deer. But there was something hesitant and stealthy about it. Crunch, pause crunchpause. The back of Maggies neck prickled.She held her breath and reached out, feeling fora rock or a stick-some weapon. Cady was heavyin her lap.Something stirred in the salal bushes betweentwo trees. Maggie strained her eyes, every muscle tense.Whos there?