The Witch With No Name
Page 5
You can rest now, I whispered. Its going to be okay. Heart aching, I eased her down against a boulder, and she gripped my arm, refusing to let go. My eyes shot to hers, and the utter blackness in them stitched all my fears into one smothering black piece. I couldnt kill her to prevent her undead existence. If Bis didnt find us in time . . . I . . . I didnt know.
My throat was tight as I sat beside her and pulled her head to rest against me. She could move no farther, and this was as good a place as any, better than some. Whatever happened, we would face it together, away from the filth shed struggled her entire life to escape.
Chapter 3
The gritty wind had rubbed the skin between my short boot and pants leg raw. I huddled closer to Ivy, trying to get into the lee of the stone, but the boulder wasnt large enough. Ivy didnt move as my weight shifted, and I twisted my leg almost under myself to hide it. It would be asleep in about three minutes, but the respite from the wind was worth it.
Ivys shallow breath came and went, her scent obvious under the choking burnt amber reek that permeated the ever-after. I listened for the clink of rock or sliding rubble that would mean a surface demon as I looked over the dry bed of the Ohio River and to the crumbled remains of the Hollows below. The sun was almost down, and the light was vanishing from the basilicas steeple inch by slow inch. Elsewhere the shadows were already thick. Behind me where Cincinnati would be, things moved, howled, and hooted as the sun vanished.
Surface demons. The large circle Id put around us would keep them at bay, but they were gathering. No one, not even Newt, stayed still on the surface after darkand wed been noticed.
The horizon was still bright, but directly overhead the sky was that peculiar ever-after shade of reddish black that reminded me of old blood. A tiny sliver of moon would set just after the sun, and it glowed an eerie silver. It was the only pure thing, but so distant as to depress rather than uplift.
Experience told me the wind might abate with the sunset, a prospect I both welcomed and dreaded. It got cold when the sun went down, and Ivy was suffering, drifting in and out of consciousness. We were both thirsty, but shed never said a word, happy that I was here with her.
Vampires suck, I thought, not for the first time as I rested my head against her shoulder and closed my eyes against the upwelling grief. How had we gotten here, playing a deadly game of waiting where Ivys life hung in the chance between time and pixy wings?
Black traces of smut ran over the gold glow of my aura hazing my protection circle, arching like electricity between poles. The surface demons were gathering outside, not so patiently waiting for my circle to fall. One of them stood so his silhouette would be obvious against the darkening sky. He was taller than the rest, and the way he held his staff made me wonder if he was the same one Newt had tormented last summer in her calibration curse.
You should go, Ivy whispered, and I started, not having realized she was awake.
I tugged her coat closer around her, careful not to hurt her. No, I said simply, and she turned her black eyes to me, unblinking and catching the faint light from the sky.
Im going to die compromised, she said, as if she were talking about cutting her hair. Without medical intervention, Ill wake hungry and incoherent. You should leave. I dont want to hurt you.
My thoughts flashed to the one time wed tried to share blood. Shed mistakenly taken her feelings of love from it and had nearly killed me. Id seen the beast of hunger in her before, and she hurt me because I would hurt her to stop it. No, I whispered, and she sighed.
Silent, I watched the tall surface demon elegantly swing his staff to drive another from his rock, and the smaller demon scuttled sideways. Bis will be awake soon, I said, but it sounded like a prayer even to me. Ivy wasnt shivering anymore, scaring me. It will be okay. Jenks went to get Bis. He can jump you right to Trents surgical suite. It wont be long now.
But I knew she heard the lie as well as I did.
Im sorry, Ivy slurred, and a lump filled my throat. I know you wanted things to be different.
I stared ahead, trying not to blink. They werent going to make it here in time. Forcing a smile, I adjusted her blood-stained coat. Theyll be here in a few minutes.
Im scared.
I eased closer, not liking the chill she had. Im not going anywhere. Damn it, I didnt have anything to help her. Nothing. She was going to die, and all I could do was hold her hand. The tears slipped down, cold in the chill wind. I didnt bother to wipe them away. Sensing the end, the surface demon with the staff moved, easing down from his rock to hunch just outside the barrier. He looked like an Aborigine, wise, gaunt, and cautious where his kin were simply thin and hungry.
Promise me you wont be my scion. I want Nina to do it.
Surprised, I stilled my hand against her hair. Id thought shed been sleeping. Nina? My voice had been bitter, and I couldnt help but wonder if some of this was Ninas fault. The young woman liked risks, was clever, and was in love with Ivyand so addicted to the sensations that her master vampire could pull through her that shed do just about anything to escape him even as she crawled back for more. If Ivy was an undead, she could claim Nina as her scion. At least that way, someone Nina loved would be abusing her instead of a half-mad, dying undead. Felix was insane from the sun already, and his children would soon be orphaned, vulnerable in the extreme unless another undead claimed them. No one would contest it.
I cant do that to you, she said, and heartache filled me when I realized she was crying. I dont want you to spend the rest of your life trying to keep me from walking into the sun. If you cant end my second life, then promise me that youll walk away. That you wont try to help me. Understand that Im lost.
Throat tight, I held her close. I promise, I lied. The wind gusted and died, making the surface demons tattered clothes shift. I shouldnt have brought you here.
Im feeling better, she said, her breath becoming shallower. Really.
Thats good, I said, my hand moving against an unbloodied part of her hair. My throat was tight. Shed tried so hard to be the person she wanted to be. Shed given me friendship, kept me from pain, sacrificed her goals to keep me alive. And I couldnt stop this. I couldnt give her anything back. I could only hold her hand.
Maybe its enough, I thought miserably. The smallest things meant the world to her.
But then the head surface demon jerked straight. In a breath, he turned and vanished, rocks clinking to mark his passage. Another was an instant behind him. Tense, I pulled myself up, tasting thegritty night wind. Something had scared them off.
Bis? I whispered, the sound of my voice echoing back off the flat, rocky earth. But the sun was still up.
I should have known, a bitterly proud and slightly accented voice said. How did you do it? Elf magic?
My pulse thudded. Breath held, I sent my eyes searching. A soft glow blossomed, and I found him. Just outside my circle and between me and the ruins of Cincinnati, Al stood in a soft puddle of light. His velvet frock coat was elegant, and his stance sure. The glow leaking from the archaic lantern hardly made it past his silver-buckled shoes, but I knew it was all that could get through the thick layer of smut on his souland I knew it bothered him, for once hed been able to light an amphitheater to bright noon.
Do what? I whispered, not movinghardly breathing. Al had tried to kill me. Okay, hed tried to kill me a couple of times, but this last time I think hed really meant it.
My line is no longer in that stinking puddle of water, he said, nose wrinkled. I came to find out why before the sun set. It was you? Lip curling, he dusted a nearby boulder with a silk cloth and set the lantern down. Trying to curry favor makes you weak.
Al . . . , I breathed, and pain flashed across his face, ruddy from the setting sun.
Do not call me that. My name is Gally.
Al, please, I said again, carefully extricating myself from Ivy, hoping she would remain asleep. The heartache of his bitter abandonment hit me hard, my emotions already paper thin because of Ivy. I felt new tears threaten, hating them. It was an accident. I was trying to . . . My throat closed up. Ivy slumped behind me, but he wouldnt help, and that hurt even more.
Oh-h-h-h, he said in mock distress. Your sad, sad little friend is dying.
He could save her with a word, but I remained silent, standing before him, hating his bitter callousness. He was better than this. Id seen it in unguarded moments.
You smell like carrion, he said, nose wrinkled. Behind me Ivy stirred but didnt wake. Butterflies like carrion. He paused as if in speculation. No, thats elf. I can smell the stink from here, even over the putrid reek of burnt amber.
Nothing in him had changed. I knew it wouldnt have. My finding love with Trent hadnt hurt him this bad. I was a symptom, not the core of what brought this hatred out. The fear that he might kill Trent just to spite me was real, though, and I backed up a step.
Silent? He sniffed, looking disgusted. Miracles do happen.
Why is he still here? I heard the scrabbling of claws and I glanced at Ivy. I could use your help, I whispered, knowing he never would.
Demons dont help, he said bitterly. Demons torment. Cant you tell the difference?
Thats not how I saw you.
Al eyed the thin bands of smut crawling over the surface of my circle, his lips twisting in jealousy. You did at first.
Because thats all you showed me, I shot back. Id thought hed understood me. Id trusted him, and hed turned his back on me because Trent was an elf, the same as the woman hed once loved and hadnt been brave enough to fight for. What did I ever do to you?
Al uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, anger shining from his eyes. You hurt me! he yelled, giving in and punching my circle.
With an inward rush of energy, my circle fell into him with a pop.
Not expecting it, Al lurched, his hat falling off as he stumbled back and caught his balance. I stared at him in shock as his hat rolled to a stop almost at my feet. Thered been an instant of connection between us, an undeniable spark. He looked just as surprised, his eyes wide in disbelief.
H-how? I stammered, then renewed the circle as claws scraped in the ugly red light.
His lips parted to show his blocky teeth. Al put a careful finger to my bubble. The black crawled to him, and when he touched it, my circle fell.
Stop that! I shouted, heart pounding as I set it anew, but he was already across it and in here with me. Something was wrong. Hed broken my circle, and he hadnt even tried.
That little bitch! Al shouted, and Ivy stirred.
I gasped as Al strode to me, halting with an unexpected shortness when I raised my hand in threat. She changed your soul, yes? the demon demanded, fidgeting and so close I could smell the smoke from his fire on him. Newt changed it so that puking elf goddess couldnt find you by your aura?
I nodded, not breathing until he took three steps back. Okay, he was pissed, but he wasnt choking me.
The crazy bitch changed your aura to mimic mine!
My mouth dropped open. Horrified, I looked at my circle. Jenks had said my aura was different, but he never said it looked like Als! But then, mine wasnt covered in as much smut and probably looked brighter. Thats why the demon had been able to drop my circle with a touch. Great. Now I had nothing to block his spells with!
She patterned your new aura after mine. The bitch! Al wasnt looking at me, hands on his h*ps as he watched the surface demons throw rocks at the lantern hed left behind until it shattered and Als globe of light rolled in the dust. Thats how you were able to move my line.
But why? Had it been the crazy demons perverted attempt at a joke? Or maybe she thought it would bring us back together. But then a new thought sparked through me. If our auras are the same, then Treble can teach me how to jump the lines.
Al spun, coattails furling. Expression hard, he pointed a finger at me. I share my soul resonance with no one!
My skin was prickling. He was pulling on the line, gathering energy to him. Our eyes met, and he grimaced when he realized I could feel it. He took a breath, and frantic, I dove for cover. Knock it off! I shouted as a ball of black-tinted energy exploded against the ground, peppering me with bits of rock. It wasnt my idea! I added, scrabbling to my feet.
But he was already deep in a chant, a glowing mass of forced power stretching between his fingers. Crap on toast. He was using old battle magic. Al! I protested, then stiffened when Als lantern light rolled into my circle and it fell with the sensation of sparkling tingles.
Ivy, I whispered, turning to see a surface demon creeping to her.
Son of a bitch, I muttered. Ignoring Al, I dove for her. Howling, I pulled a massive wave of energy from the line. Al lurched to get out of my way, his goat-slitted eyes wide when I threw the unfocused energy at the surface demon instead of him. The surface demon skittered back, scuttling away with an evil chatter.
My throat was tight as I sat beside her and pulled her head to rest against me. She could move no farther, and this was as good a place as any, better than some. Whatever happened, we would face it together, away from the filth shed struggled her entire life to escape.
Chapter 3
The gritty wind had rubbed the skin between my short boot and pants leg raw. I huddled closer to Ivy, trying to get into the lee of the stone, but the boulder wasnt large enough. Ivy didnt move as my weight shifted, and I twisted my leg almost under myself to hide it. It would be asleep in about three minutes, but the respite from the wind was worth it.
Ivys shallow breath came and went, her scent obvious under the choking burnt amber reek that permeated the ever-after. I listened for the clink of rock or sliding rubble that would mean a surface demon as I looked over the dry bed of the Ohio River and to the crumbled remains of the Hollows below. The sun was almost down, and the light was vanishing from the basilicas steeple inch by slow inch. Elsewhere the shadows were already thick. Behind me where Cincinnati would be, things moved, howled, and hooted as the sun vanished.
Surface demons. The large circle Id put around us would keep them at bay, but they were gathering. No one, not even Newt, stayed still on the surface after darkand wed been noticed.
The horizon was still bright, but directly overhead the sky was that peculiar ever-after shade of reddish black that reminded me of old blood. A tiny sliver of moon would set just after the sun, and it glowed an eerie silver. It was the only pure thing, but so distant as to depress rather than uplift.
Experience told me the wind might abate with the sunset, a prospect I both welcomed and dreaded. It got cold when the sun went down, and Ivy was suffering, drifting in and out of consciousness. We were both thirsty, but shed never said a word, happy that I was here with her.
Vampires suck, I thought, not for the first time as I rested my head against her shoulder and closed my eyes against the upwelling grief. How had we gotten here, playing a deadly game of waiting where Ivys life hung in the chance between time and pixy wings?
Black traces of smut ran over the gold glow of my aura hazing my protection circle, arching like electricity between poles. The surface demons were gathering outside, not so patiently waiting for my circle to fall. One of them stood so his silhouette would be obvious against the darkening sky. He was taller than the rest, and the way he held his staff made me wonder if he was the same one Newt had tormented last summer in her calibration curse.
You should go, Ivy whispered, and I started, not having realized she was awake.
I tugged her coat closer around her, careful not to hurt her. No, I said simply, and she turned her black eyes to me, unblinking and catching the faint light from the sky.
Im going to die compromised, she said, as if she were talking about cutting her hair. Without medical intervention, Ill wake hungry and incoherent. You should leave. I dont want to hurt you.
My thoughts flashed to the one time wed tried to share blood. Shed mistakenly taken her feelings of love from it and had nearly killed me. Id seen the beast of hunger in her before, and she hurt me because I would hurt her to stop it. No, I whispered, and she sighed.
Silent, I watched the tall surface demon elegantly swing his staff to drive another from his rock, and the smaller demon scuttled sideways. Bis will be awake soon, I said, but it sounded like a prayer even to me. Ivy wasnt shivering anymore, scaring me. It will be okay. Jenks went to get Bis. He can jump you right to Trents surgical suite. It wont be long now.
But I knew she heard the lie as well as I did.
Im sorry, Ivy slurred, and a lump filled my throat. I know you wanted things to be different.
I stared ahead, trying not to blink. They werent going to make it here in time. Forcing a smile, I adjusted her blood-stained coat. Theyll be here in a few minutes.
Im scared.
I eased closer, not liking the chill she had. Im not going anywhere. Damn it, I didnt have anything to help her. Nothing. She was going to die, and all I could do was hold her hand. The tears slipped down, cold in the chill wind. I didnt bother to wipe them away. Sensing the end, the surface demon with the staff moved, easing down from his rock to hunch just outside the barrier. He looked like an Aborigine, wise, gaunt, and cautious where his kin were simply thin and hungry.
Promise me you wont be my scion. I want Nina to do it.
Surprised, I stilled my hand against her hair. Id thought shed been sleeping. Nina? My voice had been bitter, and I couldnt help but wonder if some of this was Ninas fault. The young woman liked risks, was clever, and was in love with Ivyand so addicted to the sensations that her master vampire could pull through her that shed do just about anything to escape him even as she crawled back for more. If Ivy was an undead, she could claim Nina as her scion. At least that way, someone Nina loved would be abusing her instead of a half-mad, dying undead. Felix was insane from the sun already, and his children would soon be orphaned, vulnerable in the extreme unless another undead claimed them. No one would contest it.
I cant do that to you, she said, and heartache filled me when I realized she was crying. I dont want you to spend the rest of your life trying to keep me from walking into the sun. If you cant end my second life, then promise me that youll walk away. That you wont try to help me. Understand that Im lost.
Throat tight, I held her close. I promise, I lied. The wind gusted and died, making the surface demons tattered clothes shift. I shouldnt have brought you here.
Im feeling better, she said, her breath becoming shallower. Really.
Thats good, I said, my hand moving against an unbloodied part of her hair. My throat was tight. Shed tried so hard to be the person she wanted to be. Shed given me friendship, kept me from pain, sacrificed her goals to keep me alive. And I couldnt stop this. I couldnt give her anything back. I could only hold her hand.
Maybe its enough, I thought miserably. The smallest things meant the world to her.
But then the head surface demon jerked straight. In a breath, he turned and vanished, rocks clinking to mark his passage. Another was an instant behind him. Tense, I pulled myself up, tasting thegritty night wind. Something had scared them off.
Bis? I whispered, the sound of my voice echoing back off the flat, rocky earth. But the sun was still up.
I should have known, a bitterly proud and slightly accented voice said. How did you do it? Elf magic?
My pulse thudded. Breath held, I sent my eyes searching. A soft glow blossomed, and I found him. Just outside my circle and between me and the ruins of Cincinnati, Al stood in a soft puddle of light. His velvet frock coat was elegant, and his stance sure. The glow leaking from the archaic lantern hardly made it past his silver-buckled shoes, but I knew it was all that could get through the thick layer of smut on his souland I knew it bothered him, for once hed been able to light an amphitheater to bright noon.
Do what? I whispered, not movinghardly breathing. Al had tried to kill me. Okay, hed tried to kill me a couple of times, but this last time I think hed really meant it.
My line is no longer in that stinking puddle of water, he said, nose wrinkled. I came to find out why before the sun set. It was you? Lip curling, he dusted a nearby boulder with a silk cloth and set the lantern down. Trying to curry favor makes you weak.
Al . . . , I breathed, and pain flashed across his face, ruddy from the setting sun.
Do not call me that. My name is Gally.
Al, please, I said again, carefully extricating myself from Ivy, hoping she would remain asleep. The heartache of his bitter abandonment hit me hard, my emotions already paper thin because of Ivy. I felt new tears threaten, hating them. It was an accident. I was trying to . . . My throat closed up. Ivy slumped behind me, but he wouldnt help, and that hurt even more.
Oh-h-h-h, he said in mock distress. Your sad, sad little friend is dying.
He could save her with a word, but I remained silent, standing before him, hating his bitter callousness. He was better than this. Id seen it in unguarded moments.
You smell like carrion, he said, nose wrinkled. Behind me Ivy stirred but didnt wake. Butterflies like carrion. He paused as if in speculation. No, thats elf. I can smell the stink from here, even over the putrid reek of burnt amber.
Nothing in him had changed. I knew it wouldnt have. My finding love with Trent hadnt hurt him this bad. I was a symptom, not the core of what brought this hatred out. The fear that he might kill Trent just to spite me was real, though, and I backed up a step.
Silent? He sniffed, looking disgusted. Miracles do happen.
Why is he still here? I heard the scrabbling of claws and I glanced at Ivy. I could use your help, I whispered, knowing he never would.
Demons dont help, he said bitterly. Demons torment. Cant you tell the difference?
Thats not how I saw you.
Al eyed the thin bands of smut crawling over the surface of my circle, his lips twisting in jealousy. You did at first.
Because thats all you showed me, I shot back. Id thought hed understood me. Id trusted him, and hed turned his back on me because Trent was an elf, the same as the woman hed once loved and hadnt been brave enough to fight for. What did I ever do to you?
Al uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, anger shining from his eyes. You hurt me! he yelled, giving in and punching my circle.
With an inward rush of energy, my circle fell into him with a pop.
Not expecting it, Al lurched, his hat falling off as he stumbled back and caught his balance. I stared at him in shock as his hat rolled to a stop almost at my feet. Thered been an instant of connection between us, an undeniable spark. He looked just as surprised, his eyes wide in disbelief.
H-how? I stammered, then renewed the circle as claws scraped in the ugly red light.
His lips parted to show his blocky teeth. Al put a careful finger to my bubble. The black crawled to him, and when he touched it, my circle fell.
Stop that! I shouted, heart pounding as I set it anew, but he was already across it and in here with me. Something was wrong. Hed broken my circle, and he hadnt even tried.
That little bitch! Al shouted, and Ivy stirred.
I gasped as Al strode to me, halting with an unexpected shortness when I raised my hand in threat. She changed your soul, yes? the demon demanded, fidgeting and so close I could smell the smoke from his fire on him. Newt changed it so that puking elf goddess couldnt find you by your aura?
I nodded, not breathing until he took three steps back. Okay, he was pissed, but he wasnt choking me.
The crazy bitch changed your aura to mimic mine!
My mouth dropped open. Horrified, I looked at my circle. Jenks had said my aura was different, but he never said it looked like Als! But then, mine wasnt covered in as much smut and probably looked brighter. Thats why the demon had been able to drop my circle with a touch. Great. Now I had nothing to block his spells with!
She patterned your new aura after mine. The bitch! Al wasnt looking at me, hands on his h*ps as he watched the surface demons throw rocks at the lantern hed left behind until it shattered and Als globe of light rolled in the dust. Thats how you were able to move my line.
But why? Had it been the crazy demons perverted attempt at a joke? Or maybe she thought it would bring us back together. But then a new thought sparked through me. If our auras are the same, then Treble can teach me how to jump the lines.
Al spun, coattails furling. Expression hard, he pointed a finger at me. I share my soul resonance with no one!
My skin was prickling. He was pulling on the line, gathering energy to him. Our eyes met, and he grimaced when he realized I could feel it. He took a breath, and frantic, I dove for cover. Knock it off! I shouted as a ball of black-tinted energy exploded against the ground, peppering me with bits of rock. It wasnt my idea! I added, scrabbling to my feet.
But he was already deep in a chant, a glowing mass of forced power stretching between his fingers. Crap on toast. He was using old battle magic. Al! I protested, then stiffened when Als lantern light rolled into my circle and it fell with the sensation of sparkling tingles.
Ivy, I whispered, turning to see a surface demon creeping to her.
Son of a bitch, I muttered. Ignoring Al, I dove for her. Howling, I pulled a massive wave of energy from the line. Al lurched to get out of my way, his goat-slitted eyes wide when I threw the unfocused energy at the surface demon instead of him. The surface demon skittered back, scuttling away with an evil chatter.
