Disclaimer: The Night World is the property of L.J. Smith as are any of the characters you recognise like Thierry, Hannah, Keller, Lupe etc.
Spoilers: All of the Night World books especially Witchlight as this story occurs at the same time as Witchlight.
Part 7.
Icarus was talking to Paulie on the phone, "No problem really just some vamps, we dealt with them." There was a pause and some humming and hawing on Icarus's part.
"Buried them," he said suddenly, "she's here. No we still aren't sure why, do you want to tell us?" Another pause, "I don't care what Thierry said, we're putting our lives on the line here, some more information would be nice."
"No she hasn't told us anything," Icarus's voice was rising.
"Fine, okay Paulie, I know it's not your fault. Yeah we'll call if anything happens, okay, bye."
Des began to feel uncomfortable again; she could feel Gwern's eyes on her and the heat rose on her face.
"I need to go shopping," she said, "Can I have the keys?"
"No," Gwern replied, "Winema's about to explain everything to us, aren't you."
Winema sighed, "Well you guys did save me and I guess if you're going to protect me it's stuff you need to know."
Des smiled at her encouragingly, well in a way she hoped was encouraging.
"Well the explanation's pretty simple really, I'm a half-breed, my dad was a wolf and my mom was a witch. My dad was Wulfric Moon, my mom was Ramona Breedlove," Winema paused there.
Des wrinkled her brows, "I know those names," she said. "I've heard them somewhere, at Daybreak I think."
"Maybe," Winema replied.
"Where are you're parents now?" Gwern asked.
Des shot him a look, how could he be so insensitive, he thought she was stupid, had he not heard her constant use of the past tense.
"My parents died," Winema told them, "well that should be my parents were killed. Basically just Night World guys keeping the law, same reason they're after me, just half breed killers."
"I'm sorry, my parents are dead too," Des said softly.
She could feel Gwern's eyes on her again, feel his pity and compassion, she didn't want to feel his emotions and she most certainly didn't want him to feel anything other that hate for her. Des tried to remember where she knew the names of Winema's parents from, it had to be from Daybreak but where. Winema was talking again but Des blocked her out.
"That's it," she exclaimed suddenly. "Sorry," she said seeing the looks on the others' faces, "I just remembered where I know your parents' names from."
"You did?" Winema asked.
"Sure they were Daybreak agents, famous ones and soulmates. They left Daybreak about 18 years ago."
"That's right," Winema replied, "How do you know?"
"I think I read it in Thierry's files."
"You read Thierry's files?" Gwern said to Des surprised.
"Why is it so important now? I mean if they've been after you for so long, why did Thierry only send a team now?" Icarus asked Winema.
"He didn't know about me or my parents, not until they died," Winema replied.
"How long ago did it happen?" Des asked softly remembering her own pain, her own experience.
"Almost a month," she replied.
Des could sense the discomfort of the boys and wondered how to break the silence. "I'll show you where you can stay," she said to Winema.
"What?" Winema asked.
"You'll be staying here with us won't you? I mean until you decide what you want to do, you can't stay at your own home, it's too dangerous."
"You're right of course," Winema said, "but I don't like it."
"Oh and we love having to got to school with you and following you everywhere," Gwern said almost angrily.
"Sorry," Winema said in a little voice.
"Ignore him," Des told her, "Can I have the keys now?"
"Fine," Gwern said begrudgingly dropping the keys into her hands making sure their skin didn't touch.
"Can I come get some things?" Winema asked.
"Sure," Des replied, as Gwern said, "No."
"Come on," Des said to Winema.
"I said no," Gwern snarled angrily.
"Oh I forgot you are the omniscient, all powerful one whose word is law, forgive me."
"It would be stupid to go there, it's the first place they'd expect her to go, there will be Night People watching the house."
"Fine I'll go on my own, I'm stupid. It's just clothes and stuff you want, right Winema?"
"Yeah and my book bag and some notes on my desk too."
"Okay, I'll bring as much as I can," Des replied.
"There are some cases and things on top of my wardrobe," Winema told her.
"Okay, her house is the one we past last night, right Gwern?"
Gwern didn't answer her. "Right Icarus?" she asked.
"Right," he replied slowly seeing the look of anger on Gwern's face.
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