Replacement

by Wojciech Cram

  He moved his eyes to her face from the floor. "I'm so sorry," he began as he moved toward her, arms open. She moved away and saw the hurt flash across his face.

  "You're a good actor." Her voice was shaking. When was the last time she was this out of control? "You're a damn good actor. I hate you for that. I hate you so much for that and

  for everything you did." Why was she crying? This man was nothing but another liar in her life.

  There was something in his eyes. She wouldn't let that distract her. "You know if you had told me I could have left, I wouldn't have. I would have stayed there with you, because

  you were my family. Do you always lie to family? I forget, you don't have one… due to what, trust issues? Nobody made a fool out of me until now. Until you Carn." Her amber

  eyes dimmed, until they were hard, cold opals.

  "I won't let you do this to me, not after I worked to hard not to let any one do it to me before." He must know what I want to do by now, she thought distantly. Why is he staying

  there? "Fight, do something. You're not doing a damn thing!" Mari's voice was desperate, and she felt like kicking him to draw a reaction.

  "I'm sorry," he whispered. With startling reflexes for a man who looked so tired he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. His green eyes were still clear and shining, like the first

  day she met him.

  "You know what?" she whispered with a laugh near his face. "I still love you." Mari had a little sad smile on her lips. "And for that, I'll make it quick." Her dagger had been poised

  near his heart and she brought it down swiftly, her stomach lurching at the feel of the point puncturing skin. She closed her eyes and didn't want to open them ever again.

  July 28, 1999

  "Have you ever thought about how weird it is that she's so short but her legs still manage to look so nice and long?" Oh I do not like that voice, Mari thought grouchily

  waking her up. She never felt this deep sleep before and found the cottony atmosphere amazing. But somebody was ripping through the drowsy layers.

  "Oh yeah, I look at girls' legs all the time," a female said. She sounded irritated and something else, something familiar. Oh, she thought with curiosity, jealous. Yes, she heard that

  around school too. Deciding she could never again reach that soft, fuzzy sleep unless somebody hit her on the head, she opened her eyes.

  And immediately closed them. Since when was lamplight so bright? She tried again, blinking rapidly and soon shapes began to form, and she could see what was above her. It was

  a canopy bed, pale blue with hazy clouds stretching across it. I don't own a canopy bed, she thought, eyes narrowing. What kind of spoiled, pretty princess owned a canopy bed?

  Mari sat up very quickly and then regretted it. "Stop it," she growled fiercely.

  "Stop what?" A guy who was sitting at the end of the large room stood up. He had light brown hair and cheerful gray eyes.

  "I wasn't talking to you," she snapped. "I was telling the room to stop spinning," she explained, and she was completely serious. It was more than spinning; it was toppling and

  twisting as if some giant baby was shaking and exploring it. "Give me something. Aspirin, prozac… just get me a pill." She plopped down on the bed again.

  "We think that you don't need any more thing in you than you have now. What I mean is that we already gave you some stuff before to heal some of your wounds and it might react

  weird to aspirin or prozac," he told her gently. Mari weighed between coming up with a rude quip or sleeping again.

  "Where am I?" she asked tiredly, swinging her feet to the side of the bed. Her feet didn't touch the ground and she stared at it for a second, trying to remember if she had four feet,

  or two when her vision betrayed her.

  "In Elder Thierry's Mansion. Do you know who that is?" It was a pretty girl with black hair. She had a distinct mischievous aura about her, if not spiteful.

  "Of course. He's one of the oldest made vampires. Made by Maya herself, he lives in Las Vegas now and usually hosts solstice and equinox parties in his mansion." She flicked off

  the information absentmindedly and saw she just answered her own question.

  The black haired girl raised her eye brows. "That's right," she said slowly, "How did you know?"

  "Mr. Shamble—I mean Carn taught me. Carn Lancin." It hurt her to say that, but she told herself it was because she was thirsty. Then she looked at the boy. "You're human." He

  nodded. "What are you in for?"

  "I'm not in for anything. I'm here to help." He answered with a smile. The boy walked closer and held out a hand. "I'm Hugh Davis."

  "Mari Tybal," she said automatically shaking hands with him briefly. "Why would an Elder need help from a human?" She paused for a long pause. "Is he…I mean does he…Circle

  Daybreak?" Lordy, the vampire would suffer painful death if the council found out. The girl sighed impatiently.

  "Yes. He's the boss of it all. I'm Blaise Harman. You're here because you fainted." Blaise doesn't like people who faint, Mari observed. Or maybe she just doesn't like competition…

  "You've been out four days." My lucky number, she thought miserably. And this was a Harman witch, a powerful Harman witch working with a human. The world suddenly became a

  stranger place than it was before.

  Her stomach grumbled loudly. "I'm hungry." Hugh grinned and nodded.

  "Well come this way, otherwise you'll get lost." Mari tried to return the smile but she didn't have the heart. On wobbly legs she followed Hugh down the hall to another hall and then

  to a room that did not look like a kitchen. But there was a secret passage behind what was painted to be a window and Hugh explained that it would be a faster way to get to the

  kitchen. From there she was led down a stair step, holding Hugh's hand in the dim light.

  Then Hugh pushed through the wall and Mari was standing in a huge kitchen only fit for a four star restaurant. She sat on a stool by the counter while Hugh pushed the storage shelf

  back in place and went to the giant of refrigerator.

  "Shut up!" Mari turned at the voice, and the following laugh which seemed to come a room away. Hugh smiled.

  "That's the others. How about taking these brownies to the living room?" Mari was feeling like her old self again with the brownies and milk. But she wasn't sure which was better;

  groggy, obedient Mari or the cold, indifferent Mari. Neither was really an improvement.

  "Whatever you want," she answered shortly. She saw Hugh raise his eyebrows at her tone. What did he expect? An instant bond of friendship? Brownies and milk wasn't the magic

  potion for that. If he had given her prozac, maybe…

  "Well…okay then. Off to the living room it is." He took the plate of brownies and motioned for her to bring the two glasses of milk. Mari was suddenly self conscious at the prospect

  of a roomful of strangers. Her bloody boots were gone but she was still wearing the green dress, which still looked half decent. She brought a hand to her hair and Hugh turned

  around at the same time.

  "Don't worry, you like great." The way he looked at her when he said it made her want to blush. But if she was going to be secure and self dependent again, she was going to stop

  becoming emotional. Impossible, yes, but so was the idea of vampires.

  Hugh was still looking at her. "Um, okay. You don't look great," he joked, thinking his earlier comment was a cause of her sudden shyness. He's just trying to help, Mari told herself.

  Still she wouldn't meet his eyes, just kept staring at her socked feet.

  Hugh opened the door and a flood of laughter greeted her. Mari observed the room she stepped into. Five arcades, two occupied. Five basket ball games you can find at Chuckee

  Cheezes. A big screen TV and a booming stereo system. Pool tables, ping pong tables, fooz tables, a dance floor, and computers… basically anything that a teenager could
hope for

  in their dream house.

  "This is a living room?" she asked and some of the better hearing teens turned towards her. The cute ones. They continued to stare at Hugh and Mari peered from the doorway.

  "Well, Thierry likes his guests to be…entertained enough when they come over. To say the least." A tall boy walked to the stereo and turned it off. Hugh cleared his throat. He had

  not captured the attention of everybody yet.

  "Hey shut up!" That was the same one who turned off the radio. Everybody turned to Hugh. Mari was determined to stay aloof.

  "Um…our guest has finally woken up and she's fine…considering…Guys, this is Mari." Mari swept in the room, finally getting a clear view. Fifteen in all. There were two large

  windows and she guessed this was the second story. She wouldn't be able to make that long a jump… Stop it, she told herself, you're turning into Batman or something. No, mind argued, Batman could make that jump. Then Mari felt ashamed of herself, being outwitted by her subconscious.

  And they were still staring. "Hi." she said, grateful her voice didn't show that she was nervous under their survey. Instead she sounded…cold. Well that's what you are

  sternly. And you're also going crazy; you're having conversations in your head.

  There were a few mumbled greetings. Hugh led her to an open space on the couch and they settled their snacks on the pull out table in the back cushion. "Did I grow horns or

  something?" she asked Hugh. In a different voice she might have sounded nervous, friendly but the way she said it was the same as saying, "Don't you hate people who stare? So

  rude." For a second Mari hated herself. Only a second.

  There was a blonde, elfin girl that gave a laugh. "You know we're not supposed to be here because it's so dangerous. They could send a big bomb and then the world's lost!" Maria

  looked up at her, and wondered how she managed to make the apocalypse sound so cheery. "But we couldn't wait to meet you. I'm Iliana Harman." The slight girl walked over and

  Mari stood up to shake hands with her. To her dismay, Mari was the shorter of the two.

  "And I'm Jezebel Redfern. And this is Morgead Blackthorn. Tybal, huh? That's an interesting last name. Like Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet?" a red haired girl asked. Of course,

  beautiful, and her boyfriend equally so. She was sitting next to the dark haired boy who had captured every one's attention earlier.

  "Yes. I suppose. That's my real last name. My adoptive last name is Yolken. That was Swedish. Do you think I'm Swedish? That gave me a clue." Mari hated sounding bitter, and

  also hated her bout of verbal diarrhea. But both were unavoidable.

  "But it's Redfern to the Night World," a boy with golden eyes said shortly. "You are a Redfern, aren't you? Did a blood tie ceremony with Hunter himself. You're a Redfern." He was

  being curt and tension filled the air as soon as he said it.

  Mari wasn't going to be talked down to by any one. If he was attempting to make her feel bitterness, shame, or regret he was far too late. She met his gaze, something she saw

  startled him. "Yes," she said softly. "Yes I did. Hunter adopted me as a daughter, as if the psycho one wasn't enough. Redfern's a name we both own, isn't it?"

  The girl beside him with auburn hair asked her, "How did you know?"

  "Hunter was a chatter box. He told me about a some grandson who left him for a girl friend in the Dark Kingdom. All the little details. You gave him scars, Delos." Delos' body

  became taut. Mari could tell he didn't like the way she knew so much. But when she had the former head of the Night World Council throwing a pity party with her, Mari couldn't

  help but remember a few things. "Gave him scars on his face. He can't smile all the way without wincing just a little bit." And then Mari smiled. Now she knew which attitude was

  better. Being the ice queen was always enjoyable.

  She faced Jezebel. "And of a great times five grand daughter who he pitied. He said that she was a halfbreed, a freak. He made me imagine a monster. But he lied didn't he?

  Everybody tells lies and I was stupid enough to trust him." Mari had no idea where she was going with this, just telling what was on her mind. She supposed it saved time for those

  who wished to see her inner workings. In fact, she could feel just the smallest thing…

  She shot a look at a vampire. "What is it?" she asked with sudden anger. "I'm telling what's on my mind, what do you need to know?" The vampire produced an infuriating smile.

  "Just curious as to see if there's anything you're leaving out." He didn't erase his unnerving smile.

  "Ask. It's bad to go where you shouldn't be," she warned with a savage grin. She noticed the girl he had an arm around stiffened at that. "What's your name?"

  The girl answered for him. "I'm Rashel Jordan. This is—"

  The vampire cut her off. "Quinn. Just Quinn. Former Redfern."

  "Oh yes Quinn. I remember a Quinn Just Quinn," Mari said with a little grin. "The fire. He broke my lamp when he told that story." Quinn's smile decreased. "Why does it bother you

  that I know so much? You obviously know much about my life. Other wise Hugh here would have paid attention when I said my name. He didn't because he knew it already. And

  that's why those two gentle men," Mari gestured to the vampire and shape shifter who had played the arcade games, "were following me at the mall the day I was kidnapped. All

  the details."

  Again there was an awkward silence; their fourth Wild Power was not the grateful girl they expected her to be. Mari gave a small bite to a brownie. Good, she thought with

  satisfaction. Then somebody else entered the room before there was another failed attempt at conversation. "I see everybody is here." All heads turned to see the newcomer.

  "Lord Thierry." Mari said as she stood up with the rest. The vampire nodded. They settled back in their seats except the two who sat across from her. They stood to let Thierry and

  his infamous soul mate sit, assaulting the girl with the force of a double interrogation—or, at least, that's how she felt. Hunter told her he wasn't sure if Thierry's soul mate died

  again, there were just rumors of her existence.

  "Hunter has told you about the prophecies?" This Elder went straight to the point. Mari liked that.

  "Yes," she answered. Then she gave a tiny amused smile. "I'm supposed to be the bad one." Mari knew she had put too much pride in the statement, causing some worried glances

  from the Daybreakers.

  "Maybe it's the blood tie with Hunter," a blonde, thoughtful looking boy asked. He was lounging with a muscular girl with long black hair, vaguely reminding Mari of waiting, jungle

  cats. "That's sort being one of with the dark, isn't it?" The suggestion was disgustingly optimistic. She, with a few of the other occupants, rolled her eyes.

  "I think it has more depth than that Galen. I believe they mean the Final Battle."

  "But how do you guys know it's me? You, Hunter, and everybody else has never seen me use any power what so ever. I could be a fluke." The Daybreakers exchanged knowing

  looks.

  "Maria," Hannah began.

  "It's Mari," she cut in sharply. "Nobody calls me Maria. Nobody," she repeated, teeth clenched. Hannah looked at her as if trying to understand something but then continued.

  "Mari, when you…um…"

  "Killed?" Mari gave a predatory smile that would have made Carn proud.

  "Carn Lancin… you missed his heart." Mari stopped smiling. She made a surprised o shape with her mouth, but then closed it and took a deep breath.

  "I told him it would be quick. Guess he thought I lied." Mari said in forced disinterest.

  "Mari," a boy said. He had semi long blonde hair and looked…well the first that struck her was "lazy." But she learned never to make judgments on appearances. "Mari he did die

  quickly. Not because of the stake next to his heart. Becaus
e you were bleeding and you used you're power."

  "But I didn't try…"

  The boy shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Your emotions were so strong that unconsciously… Your anger, your hate—whatever you were feeling—took over that power and used

  it." He looked triumphant when he finished. Like a good little school boy who successfully recited a lesson.

  Mari thought of Carn, her Mr. Shamblepix, dying because her anger was so strong. So strong because of what? Love or hate? She had envisioned him as a mummy before, but now

  all she could see is Carn's ashes.

  "I want to go home." Wherever home was now. The castle had been the coziest place she had been in years. Home now was her aunt's lonely mansion. "I want to go home." Mari

  sounded childish, impatient. But that's all you are, that voice that she thought had gone away taunted now, to them you're a child's mind that's to be shaped and molded to their will.

  Dammit if you were are coming from a specific part of my mind I intend to have you cut out! There was no response to the threat. Stupid, witty, sarcastic subconscious.

  She tilted her head to survey them all. They were paying attention to her, being nice to her. Because they didn't want her to go back to Hunter. To the Night World. They were just

  being cordial so they wouldn't have to worry about her going to their enemy. They didn't really want her. These people were humoring a child so that she wouldn't become angry.

  She didn't want it any more. People toying with her mind, her feelings so they could save their own necks. I hate that. I want to go home now. These people are fake. They're lying.

  The whole world lies and I want to go home now, right NOW! The thoughts came to her in a dizzying rush, getting stronger by the second.

  "Whoa, there Nelly," a vampire laughed nervously. "I have no idea what you're thinking, but it's pretty strong. Surprisingly strong. I'm glad you're not bleeding right now." It was

  the vampire who followed her at the mall.

  "Yeah, I might have done something I would have regretted, Trent." He was about to ask how she knew and she pointed at the arcade game. "When I came in you were filling in

  your name for the high records before you went back to the start screen. I like to notice little details, remember?"