Part 6
The next morning Savannah stubbornly refused to talk to either Celeste or Malachite. She spent most of the day trying to avoid them. She was still mad at them for wrecking her romantic night. She wondered if Jahmila would ever ask her out again. She hadn't seen him all day either.
She hadn't seen anyone she knew, and wondered where they all were. She was back to being alone again. At least when Celeste and Malachite had arrived she had people to talk to.
She had been a little surprised, since no one else seemed to think she was worth spending any time with. Her only friend before them Amber Harman, had moved away about two years ago, and then six months later Celeste and Malachite had arrived. Celeste had shown no interest in the girls who were so much prettier and smarter and more popular than Savannah. She had wanted to be Savannah's friend.
At first, Savannah had been happy people finally wanted to be her friend. But now...she was starting to think maybe it was a little suspicious.
"Savannah?"
The familiar voice brought Savannah out of her daze. "Oh my God, Amber!" She turned to see her old friend running to catch up. Amber smiled and hugged her warmly. Amber was small, with a mane of pale gold hair and unusual violet eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Savannah asked.
"Is there somewhere we can talk, privately?" Amber asked.
Savannah nodded, and lead Amber to a secluded little coffee house she liked. They sat down at one of the small tables, and Savannah told her about everything that had happened recently. It was weird, and she needed to talk to a third party who could be objective.
Amber was frowning a little. "You're not going to believe this, but there actually *is* a reason for it all. I don't think Celeste and Malachite are really your friends."
Savannah blinked. "Huh?"
Amber sighed. "They're both part of an organisation called Night World. It's a secret society of vampires, witches, shapeshifters."
Savannah opened her mouth, then shut it again. Vampires? Was her hearing working right? Or was Amber going totally insane?
Amber looked at her, meeting her eyes directly. "As much as you want to believe it, I'm *not* insane. No one ever wants to believe that the monsters under the bed are real. But unfortunately they are."
"Okay..." Savannah said slowly. "So what are you? And what have Celeste and Malachite got to do with this?"
Amber smiled a little. "I'm a witch. Celeste and Malachite are vampires. But I'm with the good guys, Circle Daybreak."
"What's that?" Savannah asked.
"It's an organisation like the Night World, only we're the good guys. Basically, the Night World doesn't like us Daybreakers, much. We want to stop the violence between the two sides. At the moment both sides are really focusing on the coming battle that could spell the end of the human world."
"The end of the *world?*" Savannah stared at Amber in total disbelief. This was just crazy. "So you're all part of this insane thing that sounds like a Dungeons and Dragons game. What does this have to do with me?"
Amber sighed. "There are prophecies that tell of four special people who will stop this end of the world thing. Four Wild Powers." She tiled her head and quoted, "~One from the land of Kings long forgotten/One from the Hearth who still holds the spark/One from the Day World where two eyes are watching/One from the twilight to be with the dark.~"
Savannah was getting annoyed. "That's all very interesting, but again, what the hell does any of this have to do with me."
The door jangled open then, and Jahmila stepped in. "You're the Fourth Wild Power," he said simply.
* * *
Part 7
Savannah stared at Jahmila, a feeling of anger starting to rise inside her. "Is that the only reason you came and asked me out?" she demanded.
Jahmila was staring at the floor, and if anything, she thought maybe he looked a little guilty. He opened his mouth to speak but Savannah held up her hand. "Don't," she snapped. "I can't believe this." She turned away from both Amber and Jahmila, not wanting them to see the tears in her eyes.
She had almost thought she had been falling in *love* with Jahmila. And now, the only reason he had come to talk to her was because he also believed she was this Wild Power?
"Why didn't you just tell me the truth?" she demanded, turning back to glare at him.
He looked at her, an unhappy expression on his face. "You wouldn't have believed me."
"I don't believe you," Savannah snapped, "you're all insane!" She stood up to storm away, only find Celeste and Malachite blocking her way. "Now what?"
Malachite smiled unpleasantly. "You're not going anywhere." He stood to one side, gesturing vaguely, and before Savannah could run, black clad figures with guns suddenly burst into the small coffee shop, surrounding them. The few regular customers screamed, dropping down flat on the floor.
"What the hell is going on?" Savannah yelled, totally confused. This was way too bizarre.
Jahmila reached out to grab Savannah's arm. "I knew there was something up with them," he muttered, trying to pull Savannah out the way. Savannah tried to jerk free but before she could get away from him, Malachite had grabbed her other arm and was trying to tug her out the door.
"Get her out of here!" Celeste snapped.
"What the hell do you think I'm trying to do?" Malachite snapped back, tugging hard on Savannah's left arm.
Jahmila pulled back on her right arm. Savannah looked between the two of them, unsure what to do. She didn't want to go with either of them. She looked over at Amber, who was just standing to one side, looking on.
Celeste sighed with frustration. She yanked something out her purse. Savannah had a flash of something sharp and wood, driving straight for Jahmila. When Malachite's grip loosened slightly as he turned towards Celeste, she yanked her arm free ignoring the pain, and threw herself backwards into Jahmila knocking him out the way of the wooden thing Celeste was holding. Instead of stabbing into him, the wooden thing sliced into Savannah's arm. Leaving a deep trail of red blood. Savannah shrieked and toppled to the ground.
The next few moments were a tangle of arms and legs and something weird and almost sparkly hanging on the air. What the...? Someone grabbed her hair and yanked painfully, Savannah lashed out with her foot, kicking someone hard in the midsection.
Something seemed to be building within her, something that felt hot and strange, and seemed to be trying to get out of her. The next thing she knew her entire vision was obscured with a flash of blue.
When she got her vision back blue dots danced in front of her eyes. She looked around in amazement. The black clad people were gone. So was half the café. Celeste was gone, Malachite was gone. Jahmila and Amber were looking at her with awe.
"Did I do that?" she asked in a small voice.
"I think it proves without a doubt, that you're the final Wild Power," Jahmila said. "I was sent here to protect you from the Night World."
"You didn't do a very good job," Savannah snapped.
"We have to get out of here," Amber said, gesturing towards a waiting black limo. "We need to get you to a safe house."
Savannah frowned, and looked over at Jahmila. There was still something weird hovering in the air around them, her vision seemed to have taken on a sort of pinkish haze.
It reminded her of the strange things that had happened at the end of their date. The feelings that when he kissed her she would discover something that would change her whole life.
She couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed the front of his jacket, dragged him towards her and kissed him.
* * *
Part 8
The sparkly thing that had been hanging in the air ever since her first date with Jahmila seemed to be exploding in a stream of fireworks around Savannah as his lips met hers. It really was the life-altering thing she had expected, and even more. A wonderful white light seemed to be flowing from her to Jahmila, like a wave of some sort, opening up some kind channel between them, letting her see into him. She didn't really understand it, but didn't deny it, either.
Somehow, she knew without question that without Jahmila life was not worth living. She couldn't be mad at him anymore, she knew he had only wanted to protect her.
~I'm sorry,~. It was Jahmila's voice, but not out loud. It was inside her head.
~It's okay,~ she said grudgingly. ~I guess this lighty thing makes up for it.~
She could hear him chuckling faintly. ~This "lighty thing" as you so delicately put it, is called the Soulmate Connection. It happens to people who belong to the Night World.~
~What is it?~ Savannah wondered, not out loud, but somehow, without being sure how she knew, that Jahmila would be able to read her thought.
"It's the idea that there's one and only one true love for everyone on earth and when you meet that person you know they were the one you were meant to be with forever.~
Oh. It made sense. She thought of the first night they had been together, they would have discovered this a hell of a lot sooner if Celeste and Malachite hadn't interrupted.
~Don't worry about them,~ Jahmila's voice was soothing, comforting. ~They're probably blasted to hell where they belong.~
Savannah was annoyed. ~That thought wasn't meant for you,~ she snapped.
~It's not my fault. It's this connection, you're mind's completely open to me, as mine is to you.~
~Oh.~
For the next few minutes Savannah was happy just to bathe in the wonderful white light that was engulfing both her and Jahmila. She wasn't mad at him at all anymore, now she realised how he felt about her. Maybe his motives for approaching her hadn't been...she wasn't sure of the word to use...but...but if she wasn't the Wild Power, then he wouldn't have come and they wouldn't have discovered they were soulmates, and the electric feels this connection gave her were certainly worth it. So she forgave him.
"I hate to be a bitch here and break up the love-in but there are other issues we need to think about here."
Amber's voice broke the trance and the world came into focus again. Savannah blinked, a little unsteady. Everything had changed, yet everything had stayed the same as well.
"We have to get out of here," Jahmila said.
"You think?" Amber snorted. "Let's go, the limo's waiting to take us to a safe house."
Savannah started to follow Amber to the big black stretch limo waiting outside, but she noticed Jahmila was hesitating a little, frowning. "What?" she asked. "Come on."
She tugged on his hand and he came and sat in the limo with her. Savannah had never been inside a limo before and had to admit she was impressed. The leather seats were comforting and it was nice and roomy, not confining like normal cars.
"I thought Daybreak generally tend to travel in white limos," Jahmila said once the car was in motion.
Amber shrugged. "All the white limos are out."
Savannah wondered what was wrong with Jahmila. The connection was still there, but for some reason, didn't seem to be as strong. She couldn't read his thoughts like she had been able to before.
She sat back, watching the trees and landscape flash past the window. She didn't know where they were going. They travelled in silence for what she guessed must be about an hour or so.
"So where are we actually going?" she asked finally.
Amber smiled strangely. "You'll see when we get there," was all she said.
* * *
Unlike Malachite, Celeste knew power when she felt it, and had not wanted to be blasted with blue fire. So she'd been smart enough to get the hell out before the fire erupted. Looked like she'd gotten out on time.
But she'd lost the Wild Power. The Council were going to be pissed when they found out. She tapped her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel of her car. She might as well get over there and tell them.
But the reappearance of Amber was surprising. It had been a while since Celeste had seen her, and the idea that she'd suddenly switched sides was unlikely. What was she up to?
* * *
The next morning Savannah stubbornly refused to talk to either Celeste or Malachite. She spent most of the day trying to avoid them. She was still mad at them for wrecking her romantic night. She wondered if Jahmila would ever ask her out again. She hadn't seen him all day either.
She hadn't seen anyone she knew, and wondered where they all were. She was back to being alone again. At least when Celeste and Malachite had arrived she had people to talk to.
She had been a little surprised, since no one else seemed to think she was worth spending any time with. Her only friend before them Amber Harman, had moved away about two years ago, and then six months later Celeste and Malachite had arrived. Celeste had shown no interest in the girls who were so much prettier and smarter and more popular than Savannah. She had wanted to be Savannah's friend.
At first, Savannah had been happy people finally wanted to be her friend. But now...she was starting to think maybe it was a little suspicious.
"Savannah?"
The familiar voice brought Savannah out of her daze. "Oh my God, Amber!" She turned to see her old friend running to catch up. Amber smiled and hugged her warmly. Amber was small, with a mane of pale gold hair and unusual violet eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Savannah asked.
"Is there somewhere we can talk, privately?" Amber asked.
Savannah nodded, and lead Amber to a secluded little coffee house she liked. They sat down at one of the small tables, and Savannah told her about everything that had happened recently. It was weird, and she needed to talk to a third party who could be objective.
Amber was frowning a little. "You're not going to believe this, but there actually *is* a reason for it all. I don't think Celeste and Malachite are really your friends."
Savannah blinked. "Huh?"
Amber sighed. "They're both part of an organisation called Night World. It's a secret society of vampires, witches, shapeshifters."
Savannah opened her mouth, then shut it again. Vampires? Was her hearing working right? Or was Amber going totally insane?
Amber looked at her, meeting her eyes directly. "As much as you want to believe it, I'm *not* insane. No one ever wants to believe that the monsters under the bed are real. But unfortunately they are."
"Okay..." Savannah said slowly. "So what are you? And what have Celeste and Malachite got to do with this?"
Amber smiled a little. "I'm a witch. Celeste and Malachite are vampires. But I'm with the good guys, Circle Daybreak."
"What's that?" Savannah asked.
"It's an organisation like the Night World, only we're the good guys. Basically, the Night World doesn't like us Daybreakers, much. We want to stop the violence between the two sides. At the moment both sides are really focusing on the coming battle that could spell the end of the human world."
"The end of the *world?*" Savannah stared at Amber in total disbelief. This was just crazy. "So you're all part of this insane thing that sounds like a Dungeons and Dragons game. What does this have to do with me?"
Amber sighed. "There are prophecies that tell of four special people who will stop this end of the world thing. Four Wild Powers." She tiled her head and quoted, "~One from the land of Kings long forgotten/One from the Hearth who still holds the spark/One from the Day World where two eyes are watching/One from the twilight to be with the dark.~"
Savannah was getting annoyed. "That's all very interesting, but again, what the hell does any of this have to do with me."
The door jangled open then, and Jahmila stepped in. "You're the Fourth Wild Power," he said simply.
* * *
Part 7
Savannah stared at Jahmila, a feeling of anger starting to rise inside her. "Is that the only reason you came and asked me out?" she demanded.
Jahmila was staring at the floor, and if anything, she thought maybe he looked a little guilty. He opened his mouth to speak but Savannah held up her hand. "Don't," she snapped. "I can't believe this." She turned away from both Amber and Jahmila, not wanting them to see the tears in her eyes.
She had almost thought she had been falling in *love* with Jahmila. And now, the only reason he had come to talk to her was because he also believed she was this Wild Power?
"Why didn't you just tell me the truth?" she demanded, turning back to glare at him.
He looked at her, an unhappy expression on his face. "You wouldn't have believed me."
"I don't believe you," Savannah snapped, "you're all insane!" She stood up to storm away, only find Celeste and Malachite blocking her way. "Now what?"
Malachite smiled unpleasantly. "You're not going anywhere." He stood to one side, gesturing vaguely, and before Savannah could run, black clad figures with guns suddenly burst into the small coffee shop, surrounding them. The few regular customers screamed, dropping down flat on the floor.
"What the hell is going on?" Savannah yelled, totally confused. This was way too bizarre.
Jahmila reached out to grab Savannah's arm. "I knew there was something up with them," he muttered, trying to pull Savannah out the way. Savannah tried to jerk free but before she could get away from him, Malachite had grabbed her other arm and was trying to tug her out the door.
"Get her out of here!" Celeste snapped.
"What the hell do you think I'm trying to do?" Malachite snapped back, tugging hard on Savannah's left arm.
Jahmila pulled back on her right arm. Savannah looked between the two of them, unsure what to do. She didn't want to go with either of them. She looked over at Amber, who was just standing to one side, looking on.
Celeste sighed with frustration. She yanked something out her purse. Savannah had a flash of something sharp and wood, driving straight for Jahmila. When Malachite's grip loosened slightly as he turned towards Celeste, she yanked her arm free ignoring the pain, and threw herself backwards into Jahmila knocking him out the way of the wooden thing Celeste was holding. Instead of stabbing into him, the wooden thing sliced into Savannah's arm. Leaving a deep trail of red blood. Savannah shrieked and toppled to the ground.
The next few moments were a tangle of arms and legs and something weird and almost sparkly hanging on the air. What the...? Someone grabbed her hair and yanked painfully, Savannah lashed out with her foot, kicking someone hard in the midsection.
Something seemed to be building within her, something that felt hot and strange, and seemed to be trying to get out of her. The next thing she knew her entire vision was obscured with a flash of blue.
When she got her vision back blue dots danced in front of her eyes. She looked around in amazement. The black clad people were gone. So was half the café. Celeste was gone, Malachite was gone. Jahmila and Amber were looking at her with awe.
"Did I do that?" she asked in a small voice.
"I think it proves without a doubt, that you're the final Wild Power," Jahmila said. "I was sent here to protect you from the Night World."
"You didn't do a very good job," Savannah snapped.
"We have to get out of here," Amber said, gesturing towards a waiting black limo. "We need to get you to a safe house."
Savannah frowned, and looked over at Jahmila. There was still something weird hovering in the air around them, her vision seemed to have taken on a sort of pinkish haze.
It reminded her of the strange things that had happened at the end of their date. The feelings that when he kissed her she would discover something that would change her whole life.
She couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed the front of his jacket, dragged him towards her and kissed him.
* * *
Part 8
The sparkly thing that had been hanging in the air ever since her first date with Jahmila seemed to be exploding in a stream of fireworks around Savannah as his lips met hers. It really was the life-altering thing she had expected, and even more. A wonderful white light seemed to be flowing from her to Jahmila, like a wave of some sort, opening up some kind channel between them, letting her see into him. She didn't really understand it, but didn't deny it, either.
Somehow, she knew without question that without Jahmila life was not worth living. She couldn't be mad at him anymore, she knew he had only wanted to protect her.
~I'm sorry,~. It was Jahmila's voice, but not out loud. It was inside her head.
~It's okay,~ she said grudgingly. ~I guess this lighty thing makes up for it.~
She could hear him chuckling faintly. ~This "lighty thing" as you so delicately put it, is called the Soulmate Connection. It happens to people who belong to the Night World.~
~What is it?~ Savannah wondered, not out loud, but somehow, without being sure how she knew, that Jahmila would be able to read her thought.
"It's the idea that there's one and only one true love for everyone on earth and when you meet that person you know they were the one you were meant to be with forever.~
Oh. It made sense. She thought of the first night they had been together, they would have discovered this a hell of a lot sooner if Celeste and Malachite hadn't interrupted.
~Don't worry about them,~ Jahmila's voice was soothing, comforting. ~They're probably blasted to hell where they belong.~
Savannah was annoyed. ~That thought wasn't meant for you,~ she snapped.
~It's not my fault. It's this connection, you're mind's completely open to me, as mine is to you.~
~Oh.~
For the next few minutes Savannah was happy just to bathe in the wonderful white light that was engulfing both her and Jahmila. She wasn't mad at him at all anymore, now she realised how he felt about her. Maybe his motives for approaching her hadn't been...she wasn't sure of the word to use...but...but if she wasn't the Wild Power, then he wouldn't have come and they wouldn't have discovered they were soulmates, and the electric feels this connection gave her were certainly worth it. So she forgave him.
"I hate to be a bitch here and break up the love-in but there are other issues we need to think about here."
Amber's voice broke the trance and the world came into focus again. Savannah blinked, a little unsteady. Everything had changed, yet everything had stayed the same as well.
"We have to get out of here," Jahmila said.
"You think?" Amber snorted. "Let's go, the limo's waiting to take us to a safe house."
Savannah started to follow Amber to the big black stretch limo waiting outside, but she noticed Jahmila was hesitating a little, frowning. "What?" she asked. "Come on."
She tugged on his hand and he came and sat in the limo with her. Savannah had never been inside a limo before and had to admit she was impressed. The leather seats were comforting and it was nice and roomy, not confining like normal cars.
"I thought Daybreak generally tend to travel in white limos," Jahmila said once the car was in motion.
Amber shrugged. "All the white limos are out."
Savannah wondered what was wrong with Jahmila. The connection was still there, but for some reason, didn't seem to be as strong. She couldn't read his thoughts like she had been able to before.
She sat back, watching the trees and landscape flash past the window. She didn't know where they were going. They travelled in silence for what she guessed must be about an hour or so.
"So where are we actually going?" she asked finally.
Amber smiled strangely. "You'll see when we get there," was all she said.
* * *
Unlike Malachite, Celeste knew power when she felt it, and had not wanted to be blasted with blue fire. So she'd been smart enough to get the hell out before the fire erupted. Looked like she'd gotten out on time.
But she'd lost the Wild Power. The Council were going to be pissed when they found out. She tapped her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel of her car. She might as well get over there and tell them.
But the reappearance of Amber was surprising. It had been a while since Celeste had seen her, and the idea that she'd suddenly switched sides was unlikely. What was she up to?
* * *