Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 11

nonp atomic number 18ils voice was taut but calm. (Pick up a compose from the counter. The black angiotensin-converting enzymes fine. Now-let go. neverthelessrelax and let me move it.)Gillian let go. It was a process she couldnt have described in linguistic process if shed tried. But she watched, witha sort of fascinated horror, as her own grant began to draw on a small white invoice slip.It drew across the lines, in both(prenominal) kind of pattern. Unfortunately the pen countmed to be out of ink, so allGillian could see was a faint scribble.(Show her the carbon copy.)Gillian peeled onward the first sheet of paper. Underneath, in carbon, was her design. It looked the interchangeable aflower-a dahlia. It was crudely colored in, as if it were meant to be dark.(What is it, Angel?)(A sort of pass intelligence information. Unless you know it, shes not going to let you buy what you need.)Melusines face had changed. She was looking at Gillian with startle interest.Unity, she ve rbalize. I wondered about you when you came in. Youve got the look-but Ive never seenyou before. Did you jazzly move here?(Say Unity. Its their greeting. And recognize her that youre just passing through.)(Angel-is she a hag? Are there other witches around here? And how come I have to lie-)(Shes considerting suspicious)The girl was looking at Gillian rather oddly. Like someone try to catch a conversation. It scaredGillian.Unity. No, Im just visiting, she tell hastily. And, she added as Angel whispered, I need theDragons Blood and, um, two turn out figures. Female. And do you have any charged Selket powder?Melusine settled back a comminuted. You be yearn to round Midnight. She said it flatly.(Whaaaat? Whats Circle Midnight? And how come she doesnt like me any more(prenominal)?)(Its a sort of witch organization. Like a club. Its the one that does the kind of enlistments that you need to doright now.)(Aha. Bad spells, you mean.)(Powerful spells. In your case, necessary spel ls.)Melusine was scooting her chair crapper the counter. For a moment Gillian wondered why she didnt getup, and past, as Melusine geted theedge of the counter, she lowstood. The chair was a wheelchair and Melusines right outgrowth was missingfrom the knee down.It didnt seem to hinder her, though. In a moment, she was scooting back with a couple of packets and abox in her lap. She put the box on the counter and took out two dolls made of dilatory rose-colored wax. wizard of the packets held chunks of what looked like dark red chalk, the other a peacock-green powder.She didnt look up as Gillian paid for the items. Gillian mat up snubbed.Unity, she said formally, as she put her wallet away and gathered up her purchases. She judge if yousaid it for hello, you could say it for goodbye.Melusines dark look flashed up at her intently and almost quizzically. Then she said lento, Merry part . . . and merry meet again. It almost sounded like an invitation.(Well, Im lost.)(Just say Me rry part and get out of here, kid.)Outside, Gillian looked at the town square with new eye. (The Witches of Woodbridge. So, are they,like, all over here? Do they own the Creamery and the hardware store, too?)(Youre closer than you infer. But we dont have metre to stand around. Youve got some spells to cast.)Gillian took one more look around the quiet tree-lined square, feeling herself standing in the bright airwith her packages of spell ingredients. Then she shook her head. She turned to the car.Sitting in the middle of her bed with the bedroom door locked, Gillian contemplated her materials. The charge plate bags of rock and powder, the dolls, and the hair shed gathered from the brush in Maconsbathroom last night.Two or lead strands of sun blond curls. Three or four long black glossy hairs.And you dont need to tell me what theyre for, she said, looking at the air beside her. Its voodootime, huh?Smart girl. Angel shimmered into being. The hair is to personalize the dolls, to link them as if by magic totheir human counterparts. Youve got to wind a hair around each doll, and name it out loud. Call it Tanyaor Kimberlee.Gillian didnt move. Angel, look. When I got that hair, I had no idea why I was doing it. But when I sawthose little wax figures-well, then I realized. And the way that girl Melusine looked at me. She has no idea what youre up against. immobilize her.Im just trying to get things straight, all right? Hands clasped tightly in her lap, she looked at him. Ivenever precious to excruciation quite a little-well, all right, yes, I have. Ive had those-those images or whatever at night,like seeing a giant foot splat downon my geometry teacher. But I dont truly want to hurt people.Angel looked patient. Who said you were going to hurt them?Well, whats all this for?Its for whatever you want it to be for. Gillian, dragonfly, all these materials are just aids for a witchsnatural powers. Theyre a way of focusing the power, directing it to a particular(a) pu rpose. But whatactually happens to Tanya and Kim depends on you. You dont have to hurt them. You just have to stopthem.I just have to stop them from doing what theyre planning to do. Gillians mind was already sparkinginto action. And Tanyas planning to write letters. And Kims planning to spread the wordSo what if Tanya cant write letters? And if Kimberlee cant talk? It would be sort of poetic justice. Angels face was grave, but his eyes were glinting with mischief.Gillian bit her lip. I think it would kill Kim not to talkOh, I bet she could stick up through it. They were both laughing now. So if she had, say, a bad sorethroat and if Tanyas arm were inactivateGillian sobered. Not paralyzed.I meant temporarily. Not even temporarily? All right, what about something else that could keep herfrom typing or holding a pen? How about a bad blossom?A bloom?Sure. An infection. One shed have to keep bandaged up so she couldnt use her fingers. That wouldstop her for a while, until we can thi nk of something else.A rash Yeah, that could work. That would be good. Gillian took a ready breath and looked downat her materials. Okay, tell me how to do itAnd Angel walked her through the strange process. She wound the dolls with hair and named themaloud. She rubbed them with crumbled Dragons Blood, the dark red chalky stuff. Then she patbed thehand of one and the throat of the other with the iridescent green Selket powder.Now may I be condition the power of the words of Hecate. It is not I who utter them, it is not I whorepeat them it is Hecate who utters them, it is she who repeats them.(And who the hecks Hecate?) She sent the theory to Angel wordlessly, in case speaking aloud wouldruin the spell.(Be quiet. Now concentrate. Pick up the Tanya doll and think Streptococcus pyogenes. Thats abacteria thatll give her a rash. Picture it in your mind. See the rash on the real Tanya.)There was a certain satisfaction in doing it. Gillian couldnt deny that, even to herself. She ideate Tanyas slim olive-skinned right hand, poised to sign a letter that would destroy Davids future. Then shepictured querulous red bumps appearing, another hand scratching. Redness spreading across the skin. Moreitching. More scratching(Hey, this is gambol)Then she took care of the Kim doll.When she was finished, she put both dolls in a shoe box and put the shoe box under her bed. Then shestood up, flushed and swaggering.Its over? I did it?You did it. Youre a full-fledged witch now. Hecates the pantywaist of the Witches, incidentally. Theirancient ruler. And shes special to you- youre descended in a direct line from her daughter Hellewise.I am? Gillian stood a little straighter. She seemed to feel power tingling through her, a sparkling energy, a sense that she could reach out and mold the world. She felt as if she ought to have an aura. Really?Your great-grandmother Elspeth was one of the Harmans, the Hearth-Women, the line that came fromHellewise. Elspeths older sis Edgith becam e a big witch leader.How could Gillian have ever thought she was nondescript, less than ordinary? You couldnt argue with factslike these. She was from a line of important witches. She was part of an ancient tradition. She wasspecial.She felt very, very powerful.That night, her father called. He wanted to know if she was okay, and to let her know he bangd her.All Gillian wanted to know was whether hed be phratry for Christmas.Of course Ill be home. I love you.Love you.But she wasnt happy when she hung up. (Angel, weve got to figure things out. Is there a spell I should do on him?)(Ill think about it.)The next morning she sailed into give instruction cheerfully and looked around for someone who would talk. Shespotted the cropped red head of J.Z. the Model and waved hello.Whats up, J.Z.?J.Z. turned hazy blue-green eyes on her and fell into step. Did you hear about Tanya?Gillians heart skipped a beat. No, she said, with perfect truth.Shes got some awful rash or infection or somethi ng. Like poison ivy. They say its driving her crazy.As always, J.Z. spoke slowly and with an almost vacant air. But Gillian thought there was a gleam ofsatisfaction under the unemployed look.She shot J.Z. a sharp glance. Well, thats too bad.Sure is, J.Z. murmured, smiling absently.I sure hope null else catches it. She was hoping to hear something about Kim.But J.Z. just said, Well, at least we know David wont. Then she wandered off.(Angel, that girl doesnt like Tanya.)(A lot of people dont like Tanya.)(Its weird. I used to think being popular meant all(prenominal)body likes you. Now I think its more likeeverybodys afraid not to like you.) (Right. Let them hate you as long as they fear you. But, you see, youve done a public service, puttingTanya out of commission.)In biology class, Gillian rig out that Kim was absent and had canceled gymnastics practice for theday. She had something like strep throat and couldnt even talk. Nobody seemed despondent over this,either.(Being popular means everybodys glad when something bad happens to you.)(Its a dog-eat-dog world, kid.) Angel chuckled.Gillian smiled.She had protected David. It gave her a marvellous feeling to be able to protect him, to take care of him.Not that she exactly approved of what hed done. purchasing an English paper and turning it in as yourown-that was pretty bad. Not just wrong, but bantam somehow.(But I think he was sorry. I think that was maybe one of the things he was saying he wasnt proud of.And maybe theres some way he can make up for it. Like if he wrote another paper and turned it in, andexplained to Ms. Renquist. Dont you think, Angel?)(Hm? Oh, sure. Good idea.)(Because sometimes being sorry isnt enough,you know? Youve got to do something. Angel? Angel?)(Im here. Just thinking about your next class. And your powers and things. Did you know theres a spellto pose in money?)(There is? Now, thats really interesting. I mean, I dont care about money money, but Id really love acar)That night Gillian lay in bed, head propped on pillows, legs curled under a throw, and thought about howlucky she was.Angel seemed to be gone for the moment she could neither see him nor hear his voice. But it was Angelshe was thinking about.He had brought her so much-and hed brought her himself, which she sometimes thought was thegreatest salute of all. What other girl could have two gorgeous guys without being unfaithful to either ofthem, or qualification either of them jealous? What other girl could have two great loves at once, withoutdoing wrong?Because that was how shed come to think of Angel. As a great love. He wasnt a pillar of light to heranymore, or a terrifyingly beautiful apparition with a voice like silver fire. He was almost like an ordinaryguy, only impossibly handsome, devastatingly witty, and incidentally supernatural. Since learning she wassupernatural herself, Gillian felt he was somehow more accessible.And he understood her. Nobody had ever known her, or could ever know her, the way he did. He knew all her deepest secrets and most carefully hidden fears-and he still loved her. The love was obviousevery time he spoke to her, every time he appeared and looked at her with those startling eyes.Im in love with him, too, Gillian thought. She felt quite calm about it. It was different from the way sheloved David. In a way, it was more powerful, because nobody could ever be as close to her as Angelwas-but there was no visible aspect to it. Angel was a part of her on a level nothing human could touch.Their birth was separate from the human world. It was unique.Tie me kangaroo down, mate A light was appearing beside the bed.Whereve you been, Australia?Checking on Tanya and Kim the Gym, actually. Tanyas bandaged from raise to fingers and shesnot thinking about writing anything. Kims sucking a popsicle and moaning. Inaudibly.Good. Gillian felt a triumphant glow. Which was wrong, of course she shouldnt enjoy other peoplespain. But she couldnt hide it from An gel-and those girls deserved it. They would be sorry, sorry, sorrythey had ever mingled with Gillian Lennox.But weve got to work out a more permanent solution, she said. And figure things out about myparents.Im works on all of it. Angel was gazing at her with a kind of dreamy intentness.What?Nothing. Just looking at you. You look particularly beautiful tonight, which is absurd considering yourewearing flannel pajamas with bears on them.Gillian felt a quick sweet throb. She looked down. These are cats. But the bears are my favored,actually. She looked back up and grinned wickedly. Ill bet I could start a little bears fashion at school.You can do anything with enough guts.You can do anything, thats for sure. Sweet dreams, beautiful.Silly. hold it. Gillian waved a hand at him. But she was still blushing when she lay down and shut hereyes. She felt absurdly happy and complimented. And beautiful. And powerful. And special.Hear about Tanya? Amanda the Cheerleader said at lunch break th e next day. She and Gillian were inthe girls bathroom.Gillian eyed herself in the mirror. A touch with the comb perfect. And maybe a little more lipstick.She was doing the transport thing today. Dark, mesmerizing eyes and bold, laughing red mouth. Or maybeshe should pout instead of laugh. She pursed her lips at herself and said absently, Old news.No, I mean the new stuff. Shes got complications, apparently.Gillian stopped applying lipstick. What kind of complications? I dont know. Fever, I think. And her livelong arms turning purple.(Angel? Purple?)(Well, Id say more mauve myself. Relax, kid. Fevers a natural side effect of a bad rash. Just like poisonivy.)(But-)(Look at Amanda. Shes not too upset.)(No, cause she probably knows Tanya was messing with her boyfriend. Or she has some other reasonnot to like her. But, I mean, I dont want Tanya really hurt.)(Dont you? Be honest.)(Well, I mean, not really, really hurt, you know? Medium hurt. Thats all.)(I dont think shes going to drop d ead this minute.) Angel said it patiently.(Okay. Good.) Gillian felt a little embarrassed for making a big deal-and at the same time she had afleeting impulse to go check on Tanya herself. But the impulse was easily quashed. Tanya was acquirewhat she deserved. It was only a rash. How bad could that be?Besides, Angel was looking after things. And she trusted Angel.She added the last dab of lipstick and smiled at herself in the mirror. Definitely she was one hot witch.In sixth period, messengers brought candy canes that people had ordered last week from the Vocal JazzClub. You could send the candy canes, whichcame with a ribbon and a note, to anyone you wanted.Gillian got a pile so large that everyone laughed, and Seth Pyles ran over and snapped a picture of it forthe yearbook. After school David came and rummaged through the pile, looking at the messages andshaking his fist, pretending to be jealous.It was a very good day. happy? Angel asked that afternoon. Davids mother had recruit ed him for heavy-duty Christmashousecleaning, so Gillian was alone in her bedroom-which meant it was just her and Angel. She wasfolding socks and humming her favorite carol, O Come All Ye Faithful. Cant you tell?Not with all that noise youre making. Are you really happy?She looked up. Of course I am. I mean, except for the stuff with my parents, Im totally happy.And being popular is all you anticipate it to be.Well Gillian paused in bewilderment.Its-its a little different from what I expected. Its not the be-all and the end-all Id have thought.But then Im different from what I thought.Youre a witch. And you want more than just candy canes and parties.She looked at him curiously. What are you trying to say? That I should do some more spells? Imsaying that theres more to being a witch than doing spells. I can show you, if you trust me.