Rephaim stopped in front of Dragon. He met his gaze and saw the pain and anger there. Rephaim nodded in acknowledgment. I have caused you great loss. I make no excuses for what I was. I can only tell you that I was wrong. I do not ask you to forgive me as the Goddess has. Rephaim paused and sank to one knee. What I ask is that you allow me to repay the life debt I owe you by serving you. If you accept me, for as long as I breathe I will, with my actions and my honor, attempt to atone for the loss of your mate.
Dragon said nothing. He only stared at Rephaim as warring emotions passed over his face: hatred, despair, anger, and sadness. Until finally they coalesced into a mask of cold determination.
Get off your knees, creature. Dragons voice was emotionless. I cannot accept your oath. I cannot bear to look at you. I will not allow you to serve me.
Dragon, think about what youre saying, Zoey Redbird spoke up, walking quickly to Rephaims side with Stark close by her. I know its hardI know what its like to lose someone you love, but you have to make a choice about how you go on from there, and it feels like youre choosing Darkness instead of Light.
Dragons eyes were cruel, his voice cold, as he answered the young High Priestess. You say you know what its like to lose a love? How long did you love that human boy? Less than a decade! Anastasia was my mate for more than a century.
Rephaim saw Zoey flinch, as if his words had physically hurt her, and Stark moved closer to her side, his gaze narrowed on the Sword Master.
And that is why a child cannot lead a House of Night. Nor can she be a true High Priestess, no matter how indulgent our Goddess is, Neferet said, moving silkily to Dragons side and touching his arm deferentially.
Hang on there a sec, Hateful. I dont remember Nyx actually saying shed forgiven you. She talked about ifs and gifts, but correct me if Im wrong, no hey there, Neferet, youre forgivens, Aphrodite said.
You do not belong at this school! Neferet yelled at her. You are not a fledgling anymore!
No, shes a Prophetess, remember? Zoey said, sounding calm and wise. Even the High Council has said so.
Instead of answering Zoey, Neferet addressed the crowd of watching fledglings and vampyres. Do you see how they twist the words of the Goddess, even just moments after she has appeared to us?
Rephaim knew she was evilknew she was no longer in the service of Nyx, but even he had to acknowledge how fierce and beautiful she looked. He also had to acknowledge the threads of Darkness that had reappeared and begun to slither to her again, filling her, feeding her need for power.
No ones twisting anything, Zoey said. Nyx forgave Rephaim and changed him into a kid. She also reminded Dragon he had a choice to make about his future. And she let you know forgiveness is a gift from her that has to be earned. Thats all Im saying. Thats all any of us is saying.
Dragon Lankford, as Sword Master and Leader of this House of Nights Sons of Erebus, do you accept this Neferet paused, glancing at Rephaim with loathing. this aberration as one of your own?
No, Dragon said. No, I cannot accept him.
Then I cannot accept him, either. Rephaim, you will not be allowed to remain at this House of Night. Begone, foul creature, and atone for your past elsewhere.
Rephaim didnt move. He waited for Neferet to look at him. And then quietly, distinctly, he said, I see you for what you are.
Begone! she shrieked.
He stood and started to back away from the Sword Master and his group of Warriors, but Stevie Rae took his hand and stopped his retreat.
Where you go, I go, she said.
He shook his head. I dont want you to be kicked out of your home because of me.
Looking a little shy, Stevie Rae touched his face. Dont you know that home is wherever you are?
He covered her hand with his. Not trusting his voice, he nodded and smiled at her. Smilingit was incredible how good it felt!
Stevie Rae pulled her hand gently from his. Im goin with him, she spoke to the crowd. Im gonna start another House of Night in the tunnels under the depot. Its not as nice there as it is here, but its a whole heck of a lot friendlier.
You cannot begin a House of Night without approval of the High Council, Neferet snapped.
The watching crowds whispers of shock reminded Rephaim of summer wind sloughing through the grasses of the ancient prairiethe sound was endless and pointless, unless you were taking wing.
Zoey Redbirds voice broke through the throng. If you have a vampyre queen, and you agree to stay out of vampyre politics, the High Council will pretty much leave you alone. She smiled at Stevie Rae. Coincidentally enough, I have just been kinda sorta made a queen. How bout I come with you and Rephaim? Ill take friendly over fancy any day.
Ill come, too, Damien said. He looked one last time on the smoldering pyre. I choose to make a fresh start.
Were coming, Shaunee said.
Ditto, Twin, Erin echoed. Our room was too small here, anyway.
But well come back for our stuff, Shaunee said.
Oh, hells yes, Erin agreed.
Shit, Aphrodite said. I knew it when this night blew up. I just knew it. It sucks like Tulsa not having a Nordstrom, but Im damn sure not staying here, either.
While Aphrodite leaned against her Warrior and sighed dramatically, each of the red fledglings stepped forward. Leaving the crowd, they made their way to stand beside Rephaim and Stevie Rae, Zoey and Stark, and the rest of their circlethe rest of their friends.
Does this mean I cant be Poet Laureate of all the vampyres? Kramisha asked as she joined them.
No one but Nyx can take that away from you, Zoey said.
Good. She was just here and she didnt fire me. So I guess Im okay, Kramisha said.
Youre nothing if you leave! None of you are! Neferet cried.
Well, Neferet, its like this, Zoey said. Sometimes nothing and your friends equals a whole lot of something.
That doesnt even make sense, Neferet said.
To you it wouldnt, Rephaim said, putting his arm around Stevie Raes shoulders.
Lets go home, Stevie Rae said, sliding her arm around Rephaims totally, completely human waist.
Sounds good to me, Zoey said, taking Starks hand.
Sounds like we got us a bunch of cleaning to do to me, Kramisha muttered as they started to walk away.
The Vampyre High Council will hear of this, Neferet called after them.
Zoey paused long enough to yell back over her shoulder, Yeah, well, we wont be hard to reach. We have internet and everything. Plus, a bunch of us will be back because well be taking classes. This is still our school, even if it isnt our home.
Oh, great. Its like were being bussed in from the fucking projects, Aphrodite said.
What are the projects? Rephaim asked Stevie Rae.
She beamed a smile up at him and said, It means were comin from a totally different place that some people dont think is so great.
Im hoping for urban renewal, Aphrodite grumbled.
Rephaim knew his expression was a huge question mark when Stevie Rae laughed and hugged him. Dont worry. Well have plenty of time for me to explain this modern stuff. For now all you need to know is that were together and that Aphrodite usually isnt very nice.
Stevie Rae stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, and Rephaim let her taste and touch drown out the voices of his past and the haunting memory of the wind under his wings
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Neferet
She held herself under the strictest of control and allowed Zoey and her pathetic group of friends to leave the House of Night even though she wanted so very much to loose Darkness on them and crush them into nothingness.
Instead, carefully, secretly, she inhaled, absorbing the threads of Darkness that scuttled about her, slithering deliciously from shadow to shadow. When she felt strong and confident and in control again, she addressed her minions, those who remained at her House of Night.
Rejoice, fledglings and vampyres! Nyxs appearance this night was a sign of her favor. The Goddess spoke of choice and gifts and life paths. Sadly, we see that Zoey Redbird and her friends have chosen to take a path that leads away from us and, therefore, away from Nyx. But we will stay through this test and persevere, praying to our merciful Goddess that those misguided fledglings choose to return to us. Neferet could see doubt in some of her listeners eyes. With a barely discernable motion, she waved just her fingers, pointing the long, red tips of her sharpened nails toward the doubtersthe naysayers. Darkness responded, targeting them, clinging to them, causing their minds to be muddled through the confusion of twinges of seemingly sourceless pain and doubt and fear. Now let each of us retire to our cloistered chambers, each to light a candle the color of the element we feel closest to. I believe that Nyx will hear these elementally channeled prayers, and she will ease us through this time of suffering and strife.
Neferet, what of the fledglings body? Should we not continue to hold vigil? Dragon Lankford asked.
She was careful to keep the disdain from her voice. You are right to remind me, Sword Master. Those of you who honored Jack with purple spirit candles, throw them on the pyre as you leave. The Sons of Erebus Warriors will hold vigil over the poor fledglings body for the remainder of the night. And in that way I will be rid of both the power of the spirit candles as the flames consume them, and the annoying presence of too many Warriors, Neferet thought.
As you wish, Priestess, Dragon said, bowing to her.
She barely spared him a glance. Now I must seclude myself. I believe Nyxs message to me was multilayered. Some of it she whispered to my heart, and she has given me pause. Now I must pray and meditate.
What Nyx said disturbed you?
Neferet had already begun to hurry away from the prying eyes of the House of Night when Lenobias voice stopped her. I should have known she did not remain because she was snared by my trap, Neferet acknowledged silently to herself. She remains to turn the captor into the captive.
Neferet regarded the Horse Mistress. With one flick of her fingertip, she sent Darkness in her direction, and was then surprised as well as concerned to see Lenobias gaze darting around her as if she could actually see the seeking threads.
Yes, what Nyx said did, indeed, disturb me, Neferet spoke abruptly, pulling everyones attention from the Horse Mistress back to her. I could tell that the Goddess is deeply worried about our House of Night. You heard her speak of a split in our worldand that has happened. She was warning me. I only wish I could have found the means to keep it from happening.
But she forgave Rephaim. Could we not have
The Goddess did forgive the creature. But does that mean we must suffer him in our midst? Gracefully, she swept her arm toward Dragon Lankford, who was standing miserably by the head of the fledglings pyre. Our Son of Erebus made the right choice. Sadly, too many young fledglings were led astray by Zoey and Stevie Rae and their tainted words. As Nyx herself said this night, forgiveness is a gift that must be earned. Let us hope for Zoeys sake she continues to have the Goddesss good will, but after her actions here I am afraid for her. While her people were gazing between her and the pitiful, guilty spectacle the Sword Master made, Neferet stroked the air, pulling from the shadows more and more threads of Darkness. Then, with a flicking motion, she threw them out at the crowd, suppressing her smile of satisfaction when the groans and confused, pain-filled gasps reached her ears. Departgo to your rooms, pray and rest. This evening has been entirely too taxing for all of us. I leave you now, and as the Goddess said, I wish you to blessed be.
Neferet swept from the center of the courtyard, whispering under her breath to the ancient force around her, He will be there! He will be awaiting me! She gathered her power so that she felt swollen, throbbing with the rhythm of Darkness, and then gave herself to it, letting it pick up her newly immortal body and carry her on the colorless wings of death and pain and despair.
But before she could reach the Mayo, and the opulent penthouse where she knew, she was certain Kalona would be awaiting her, Neferet felt a great shifting in the powers that carried her.
The cold reached her first. Neferet wasnt certain if she commanded the powers to cease and allow her to halt, or whether the coldness froze them; either way, she found herself spewed out onto the middle of the intersection of Peoria and 11th Street. The Tsi Sgili picked herself up and looked around her, trying to get her bearings. The graveyard to her left drew her attention, and not simply because it housed the rotting remains of humans, which amused her. She sensed something approaching from within it. With one movement Neferet snagged a retreating thread of Darkness, hooked into it, and forced it to lift her over the spiked iron fence that surrounded the graveyard.
Whatever it was, she could feel it coming toward her, calling to her, and Neferet ran, darting ghostlike between the aging gravestones and crumbling monuments that humans found so soothing. Until finally she came to the centermost part of it, where four wide, paved pathways converged to form a circle where an American flag hung, the single illumination in the graveyardexcept for him.
Of course Neferet recognized him. Shed caught glimpses of the white bull before, but hed never fully materialized and appeared to her.
Neferet was stuck speechless at his perfection. His coat was a luminous white. Like a magnificent pearl it glowedcoaxing, alluring, compelling. She swept off the concealing shirt the pubescent Stark had given her, baring herself to the bulls consuming black gaze. Then Neferet sank gracefully to her knees.
You bared yourself to Nyx. Now you bare yourself to me? Are you that free with yourself, Queen of the Tsi Sgili?
His voice resonated darkly in her mind, sending shivers of anticipation throughout her body.
I didnt bare myself to her. You, above all else, know that. The Goddess and I have parted ways. I am no longer mortal, and do not desire to subjugate myself to any other female.
The mammoth white bull strode forward, causing the ground to shake under his great cloven hooves. His nose did not quite touch her delicate skin, but he inhaled her scent and then his cold breath released, surrounding Neferet, caressing her most sensitive places, awakening her most secret desires.
So instead of subjugation to a goddess you choose to chase after a fallen immortal male?
Neferets gaze met the bulls black, bottomless eyes. Kalona is nothing to me. I was going to him to exact my revenge for the oath he broke. It is my right to do so.
He broke no oath. It did not bind him. Kalonas soul is no longer fully immortalhe has foolishly given a piece of it away.
Truly? How very interesting Neferets body hummed with excitement at the news.
I see that you are still infatuated with the thought of using him.
Neferet lifted her chin and shook back her long auburn hair. I am not infatuated with Kalona. I only wish to harness and use his powers.
You are truly a magnificent, heartless creature. The bulls tongue snaked out. He licked Neferets naked flesh, causing her to gasp in exquisite pain as her body trembled with excitement. It has been more than a century since I have had such a willing follower. The idea seems suddenly appealing.
Neferet stayed on her knees before him. Slowly, gently, she reached out and touched him. His coat was frigid as ice, but slick like water.
Neferet felt his body shiver in anticipation. Ah, his voice resonated through her mind, and entered her soul, making her head dizzy with the power of it. Id forgotten how surprising touch can be when it is not forced. It is not often that I am surprised, and I find myself wanting to show you such a favor in return.
I would willingly accept any favor Darkness would do for me.
The bulls knowing chuckle rumbled through her mind. Yes, I do believe I would like to gift you with something.
A gift? she said breathlessly, loving the irony that Darkness Incarnates words so clearly mirrored those of Nyx. What is it?
Would it give you pleasure to know that I could create for you a Vessel, to take Kalonas place? He would be yours to commandyours to use as an absolute weapon.
Would he be powerful? Neferets breathing had increased.
If the sacrifice is deserving, he would be very powerful.
I would sacrifice anything or anyone to Darkness, Neferet said. Tell me what you desire for the creation of this creature, and I will give it to you.
To create the Vessel, I must have the lifeblood of a woman who has ancient ties to the earth, passed to her through generation upon generation of matriarchs. The stronger, purer, older the woman, the more perfect the Vessel.
Human or vampyre? Neferet asked.
Humanthey are more thoroughly tied to the earth, as their bodies return to the earth so much more quickly than do vampyres.
Neferet smiled. I know exactly who would be the perfect sacrifice. If you take me to her tonight, I will give her blood to you.
The bulls black eyes glinted with what Neferet thought might be amusement. Then he bent his huge forelegs, making his back accessible to her. I am intrigued by your offer, my heartless one. Show me the sacrifice.
You wish for me to ride you?
With no hesitation, Neferet rose and walked around to the side of his smooth, slick back. Though he was on his knees, she was still going to have to struggle to mount him. Then she felt the familiar thrill of the power of Darkness. Weightlessly, it lifted her so that she was astride his massive back.
Picture in your mind the place you wish for me to take youthe place where your sacrifice can be foundand I will take you there.
Neferet lay forward, wrapping her arms around his huge neck, and she began picturing lavender fields and a lovely little cottage made of Oklahoma stone with a welcoming wooden porch and large, revealing windows
Linda Heffer
Linda hated to admit it, but all these years her mother had been right. John Heffer is a su-li. She said aloud the Cherokee word for buzzard, which is what her mother had called John the first night theyd met. Well, hes also a lying, cheating jerkbut a jerk with zero dollars in his savings and checking account, she said smugly. Because I drained them today, right after I caught him with the church secretary bent over his office desk!
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel of their Intrepid and she flicked on her brights as she replayed the terrible scene over in her mind. Shed thought it would be a nice surprise to make him a special lunch and bring it to him at his office. John had been working so many late hoursputting in so much overtime. But even after all those hours at work he still kept up so much volunteer time at church Linda pressed her lips together.
Well, now she knew what hed really been doing! Or rather, who hed really been doing!
She should have known. All the signs were therehed stopped paying attention to her, stopped coming home, lost ten pounds, and even bleached his teeth!
Hed try to talk her back. She knew he would. Hed even tried to get her from running out of his office, but itd been pretty darn hard to chase her with his pants around his ankles.
The worst part is that he wont want me back because he loves me. Hell want me back so he doesnt look bad. Linda bit her lip and blinked hard, refusing to cry. No, she admitted aloud to herself. The worst part is that John never loved me. He just wanted to look like the perfect family man, so he needed me. Our family was never anything close to perfectanything close to happy. My mother had been right. Zoey had been right, too.
Thinking of Zoey was what finally tipped the tears over to spill down her cheeks. Linda missed Zoey. Of her three children, shed been closest to Zoey. She smiled through her tears, remembering how she and Zoey used to have geekends where theyd curl up on the couch together, eat lots of junk food, and watch either the Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter movies, or even sometimes Star Wars. How long had it been since theyd done that? Years. Would they ever again? Linda hiccupped a little sob. Could they now that Zoey was at the House of Night?
Would Zoey even want to see her again?
Shed never forgive herself if shed let John irreparably mess up her relationship with Zoey.
That was one reason shed gotten in the car, in the middle of the night, and headed to her mothers house. Linda wanted to talk to her mother about Zoeyabout mending her relationship with Zoey.
Linda also wanted to lean on her mothers strength. She wanted help to stand firm and not let John talk her into a reconciliation.
But mostly, Linda just wanted her mother.
It didnt matter that she was a grown woman with children of her own. She still needed her mothers arms to hold her, and her mothers voice to reassure her that everything really would be all rightthat shed made the right decision.
Linda was so deep in thought that she almost missed the turnoff to her mothers house. She braked hard and just made the right turn. Then she slowed the car so that it wouldnt spin out on the dirt road that led between lavender fields to her mothers house. Itd been more than a year since shed been here, but it hadnt changedand Linda was thankful for that. It made her feel safe and normal again.
Her mothers porch light was on, and so was one lamp light inside. Linda smiled as she parked and got out of the car. It was probably that 1920s brass mermaid lamp her mother liked to read by late at nightonly it wouldnt be late to Sylvia Redbird. Four in the morning would be early for her, and just about getting up time.
Linda was just going to tap on the windowpane of the door before opening it when she saw the note written on lavender-scented paper and taped on the door. Her mothers distinctive handwriting said:
Linda darling, I felt you might be coming, but I couldnt be sure when you would actually arrive, so I went ahead and took some soaps and sachets and things to the powwow in Tahlequah. Ill be back tomorrow. As always, please make yourself at home. I hope youre here when I return. I love you.
Linda sighed. Trying not to feel disappointed and annoyed at her mother, she went inside. Its really not her fault. Shed be here if I hadnt stopped coming by. She was used to her mothers weird way of knowing whenever she was going to have a visitor. Looks like her radar still works.
For a moment she stood in the middle of the living room, trying to decide what to do. Maybe she should go back to Broken Arrow. Maybe John would leave her alone for a whileor at least long enough for her to get an attorney and get him served with papers.
But shed broken her rule about no overnights during the week, and the kids were at friends houses. She didnt have to go back. Linda sighed again, and this time with her inhaled breath she took in the scents of her mothers home: lavender, vanilla, and sagereal scents from real herbs and hand-poured soy candles, so unlike the PlugIns John insisted she use instead of those sooty candles and those dirty old plants. And that decided her. Linda marched into her mothers kitchen and went straight to the little, but well stocked wine rack and pulled out a nice red. She was going to drink an entire bottle of wine and read one of her mothers romance novels, and then stagger up to the guest loft, and she was going to enjoy every minute of it. Tomorrow her mother would give her an herbal tea concoction to get rid of her hangover, and shed also help her figure out how to get her life back on the right tracka track that didnt include John Heffer and did include her Zoey.
Heffer, what a stupid name, Linda said, pouring herself a glass of wine and taking a long, slow drink. That name is one of the first things Im going to get rid of! She was looking through her mothers bookshelf, trying to decide between reading something sexy by Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter, or Jennifer Crusies latest, Maybe This Time. That was itthe great title decided her because maybe this time shed do the right thing. Linda was just settling down in her mothers chair when someone knocked on the door three times.
In her opinion, it was entirely too late for visitors, but you never knew what to expect at her mothers house, so Linda went to the door and opened it.
The vampyre who stood there was stunningly beautiful, a little familiar looking, and totally, completely naked.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Neferet
You are not Sylvia Redbird. Neferet looked down her nose disdainfully at the drab woman who had answered the door.
No, Im her daughter, Linda. My mother isnt in right now, she said, glancing around nervously.
Neferet knew the moment the humans eyes found the white bull, because they widened in shock and her face drained of all of its sallow color.
Oh! Its a a b-bull! Is it making the ground burn? Hurry! Hurry! Come inside where its safe. Ill get you a robe to wear and then call animal control or the police or someone.
Neferet smiled and turned her head so that she could gaze at the bull, too. He was standing in the middle of the closest lavender field. If one didnt know better it would, indeed, appear as if he were burning everything around him.
Neferet knew better.
He isnt burning the field; hes freezing it. The withered plants just look scorched. Actually, theyre frozen, Neferet said in the same matter-of-fact tone she often used in her classroom.
Ive Ive never seen a bull do that before.
Neferet lifted one brow at Linda. Does he truly look like a normal bull to you?
No, Linda whispered. Then she cleared her throat and, obviously trying to sound stern, said to Neferet, Im sorry. Im confused about whats going on here. Do I know you? May I help you?
There is no need for you to be confused or concerned. I am Neferet, High Priestess of Tulsas House of Night, and I do most certainly hope you can help me. First, tell me when you expect your mother to return. Neferet kept her voice affable, though her mind was a jumble of emotions: anger, irritation, and a lovely shiver of fear.
Oh, thats why you look familiar. My daughter Zoey goes to that school.
Yes, I know Zoey very well. Neferet smiled smoothly. When did you say your mother would return?
Not until tomorrow. Can I give her a message from you? And would you, uh, like a robe or something?
No message and no robe. Neferet dropped her mask of affability. She lifted her hand and swept several tendrils of Darkness from the shadows surrounding her, then she flung them at the human woman, commanding, Bind her and bring her out here. When Neferet felt none of the familiar, painful slice that was the payment for manipulating the lesser threads of Darkness, she smiled at the mammoth bull and dipped her head in acknowledgment of his favor as she approached him.
You shall pay me later, my heartless one, rumbled through her mind. Neferet shivered in anticipation.
Then the humans pathetic screams intruded on her thoughts and she made a motion over her shoulder, snapping the command, And gag her! I cannot be expected to bear that noise.
Lindas screams stopped as abruptly as they had begun. Neferet stepped into the frozen lavender that encircled the beast, ignoring the cold on her bare feet and against her naked skin as she strode directly up to his great head and stroked one finger down the length of his horn before she dropped to a graceful curtsey before him. When she rose, she smiled into the complete blackness of his eyes and said, I have your sacrifice.
The bulls gaze flicked over her shoulder.
This is not an old, powerful matriarch. This is a pathetic housewife whose life has been consumed by weakness.
True, but her mother is a Wise Woman of the Cherokee. Her blood flows in this ones veins.
Diluted.
Will she serve as the sacrifice or not? Can you use her to make my Vessel?