Oh, for shits sake. Could you two be more obvious?
I lifted my head dreamily from Starks shoulder and saw Aphrodite standing in a pool of torchlight at the entrance to the castle, toe tapping in annoyance.
My beauty, leave them be. Theyve earned their piece of happiness. Dariuss deep voice came from the shadows beside her.
One fine blond eyebrow lifted mockingly. I dont think happiness is the piece she just gave Stark.
Seriously, even your crudeness cant bother me right now, I told her.
It can bother me, though, Stark said. Shouldnt you be pulling the wings off seagulls or the claws off crabs?
Aphrodite acted like Stark hadnt spoken and walked up to me. Is it true?
Is what true? That youre a pain in the butt? I said.
Stark snorted. Thats definitely true.
If its true, then youre gonna have to tell him. Im not listening to him blubber. Aphrodite waved her iPhone around, using it to punctuate her words.
Jeesh, youre acting super crazy, even for you, I said. Do you need shopping therapy intervention? Is. What. True? I spoke slowly, pretending she was an English-as-a-second-language-learner.
Is it true what the Queen of Every Damn Thing Skye just told methat youre not leaving with us tomorrow? That youre staying here?
Oh. I shuffled my feet, wondering why I should feel guilty. Yeah, thats true.
Great. Just great. Then, like I said before, you tell him.
Who him?
Jack. Here. Hes gonna burst into snotty tears and ruin his makeup, which will make him boo-hoo even more. And I want nothing to do with gay snot. At all. Aphrodite punched the screen of her phone. It was ringing when she handed it to me.
Jack sounded sweet but defensive when he answered. Aphrodite, if youre going to say something else mean about the Ritual, then I think you should just say nothing at all. Plus, Im not going to listen to you because Im busy defying gravity. So there.
Uh, hi, Jack, I said.
I could almost see his smile blaze through the phone. Zoey! Hi! Oooh, its so cool that youre not dead, or even dead-like. Oh, oh, did Aphrodite tell you what were planning for tomorrow after you get back? Ohmigoddess, its going to be so totally cool!
No, Jack. Aphrodite didnt tell me cause
Goodie! I get to tell you. So, were going to have a special Dark Daughters and Sons Ritual of Celebration, like with proper nouns and such, because you being un-shattered is a big deal.
Jack, I have to
No, no, no, you dont have to do anything. I have it all handled. I even have the food planned, well, with Damiens help, of course. I mean
I sighed and waited for him to take a breath.
See, told ya, Aphrodite said under her breath while Jack gushed. Hes going to bawl when you burst his little pink bubble.
and my favorite part is when you come into the circle Im going to be singing Defying Gravity. You know, like Kurt did on Glee, except Im going to actually hit that high note. So what do you think?
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and said, I think youre a really good friend.
Oooh! Thank you!
But lets postpone the Ritual.
Postpone? How come? His voice already sounded trembly.
Because I hesitated. Crap. Aphrodite was right. He probably was going to cry.
Stark pried the phone gently from my hand and tapped the speaker button.
Hey there, Jack, he said.
Hi, Stark!
Could you do me a favor?
Ohmigoddess! Of course!
Well, Im still kinda out of it from the Otherworld thing and all. Aphrodite and Darius are coming back tomorrow, but Zoey is going to stay here on Skye with me while I get stronger. So could you let everyone know that we wont be back in Tulsa for a couple more weeks or so? Just pass the word for me and smooth everything over?
I held my breath, waiting for the tears, but instead Jack sounded totally grown and mature. Absolutely. Dont worry about anything, Stark. Ill let Lenobia and Damien and everyone know. And Z, no problem. We can definitely postpone. Itll just give me more time to practice my song and figure out how to make origami swords for decorations. I thought Id hang them with fishing line, that see-through stuff, so it would look like, you know, theyre defying gravity.
I smiled and mouthed thank you to Stark. Sounds perfect, Jack. I wont worry about a thing if I know youre in charge of the decorations and the music.
Jacks happy laughter bubbled. Its going to be a great Ritual! You wait and see. Stark, just get well. Oh, and Aphrodite, you shouldnt assume that Im going to burst into tears at the first hint of a change in party plans.
Aphrodite frowned at the phone. How the hell did you know thats what I assumed?
Im gay. I know things.
Whatever. Say goodbye, Jack. My phones roaming, Aphrodite said.
Goodbye, Jack! Jack said, giggling, while Aphrodite snatched the phone from Stark and ended the call.
That went better than you thought it was going to go, I said to Aphrodite.
Yeah, she took it well. Wonder how that other one will take it, since shes exponentially worse than Miss Jack.
Look, Aphrodite, Damien isnt a fluttery gay, not that theres anything wrong with that. But I really wish youd be nicer about both of them.
Oh, please. Im not talking your gays. Im talking about Neferet.
Neferet! My voice was sharp. I hated even saying her name. What have you heard from her?
Nothing, and thats exactly what Im worried about. But, hey, Z, dont lose any sleep over it. After all, youre going to be here, on Skye, with a gazillion big, strong guysand Starkto protect you, while the rest of us mere mortals get on with the whole good versus evil, Darkness v. Light, epic battle, blah, blah, et cetera, ad nauseam. Aphrodite turned and stomped up the front stairs of the castle.
Aphrodites a mere mortal? I thought her pain-in-the-ass level was well beyond mere, Stark said.
I heard that! Aphrodite called over her shoulder. Oh, and FYI, Z, I had a luggage emergency, as in I didnt have enough of it, so Im confiscating that suitcase you bought the other day. Im off to do some power packing. Later, peasants. She slammed the thick, wooden door to the castle, which really took some doing.
Shes magnificent, Darius said, smiling proudly as he vaulted the steps and followed Aphrodite.
I can think of a lot of m words that she could be. Magnificent isnt one of them, Stark grumbled.
Mental and mean pop into my head, I said.
Manure pops into mine, Stark said.
Manure?
I think shes full of shit, but its too many words and doesnt start with an m, so thats as close as I could get, he said.
Heehees, I said. Then I linked my arm with his. Youre just trying to distract me from the Neferet stuff, arent you?
Is it working?
Not really.
Starks arm slid around me. Then Ill have to work on my distraction skills.
Arm in arm, we walked to the castle entrance. I let Stark amuse me with his list of m words that fit Aphrodite better than magnificent, and tried to regain the sense of contented happiness Id felt so recently and so briefly. I kept telling myself that Neferet was a world awayand the adults of that world could handle her. As Stark opened the castle door for me, something pulled my vision upward and my eyes caught on the flag that waved proudly over Sgiachs domain. I paused, appreciating the beauty of the powerful black bull with the shape of the glittering Goddess within his body. Just then, a trail of mist lifted from the waters that flanked the castle, altering my sight of the flag and changing the black bull to ghostly white as it blanked out the Goddess image completely.
Fear skittered through my body.
What is it? Instantly alert, Stark moved to my side.
I blinked. The fog dissipated and the flag shifted back into its proper form.
Nothing, I said quickly. Just me being paranoid.
Hey, Im right here. You dont have to be paranoid; you dont have to worry. I can protect you.
Stark took me into his arms and held me tightly, blocking the outside world and what my gut was trying to tell me.
CHAPTER FIVE
Stevie Rae
You aint yourself. You know that?
Stevie Rae looked up at Kramisha. All Im doin is just sittin here, minding my own business. She paused, letting the unlike you implication sink in. How is that not being myself?
You picked the darkest, creepiest corner stuck all over here. You blew them candles out so itd be even darker. And you sitting here moping so loud I can almost hear your thoughts.
You cant hear my thoughts.
The hard edge to Stevie Raes voice had Kramishas eyes widening. Course I cant. Theys no need for you to get all huffy. I said almost. I aint Sookie Stackhouse. Plus, even if I was I wouldnt listen in to your thoughts. Thatd be rude and my mama raised me better than that. Kramisha sat next to Stevie Rae on the little wooden bench. Speaking ofam I the only one who thinks that werewolf is hotter than Bill and Eric put together?
Kramisha, do not mess up season three of True Blood for me. I havent finished my DVDs of season two.
Well, Im just sayin, prepare for some serious four-footed hotness.
Seriously. Dont you dare tell me anything else.
Okayokay, but the whole wolf-monster-hotness-guy thing is somethin I need to talk to you bout.
This bench is made of wood. Wood equals earth. Which means I can probably figure out a way to make it smack the living crap right outta you if you mess up True Blood for me.
Would you please relax? Im already offa that. I got somethin else we gotta discuss before we go into what I know is gonna be one majorly boring Council Meeting.
Its part of what we gotta do. Im a High Priestess. Youre a Poet Laureate. We have to go to the Council Meetings. Stevie Rae let out a long puff of air and felt her shoulders slump. Dang, Ill be glad when Z gets back here tomorrow.
Yeah, yeah, I get that. What I dont get is whats got you so messed up in the head you seem turned inside out.
My boyfriend has lost his dang mind and disappeared off the face of the earth. My best friend almost died in the Otherworld. The red fledglingsthe other onesare still out there somewhere doin Bubba-knows-what, which Im pretty sure means eating people. And to top it all off Im supposed to be a High Priestess, even though Im not even sure what all that means. I think thats enough to mess up anyones head.
Yeah, it is. But it aint enough to keep givin me weird-assed poems that all have the same freaky theme. They about you and beasts, and I want to know why.
Kramisha, I do not know what youre talkin bout.
Stevie Rae started to stand up, but Kramisha reached into her huge bag and pulled out a piece of violet-colored paper that had her bold writing scrawled across it. With another heavy exhale of breath, Stevie Rae sat down and held out her hand.
Fine. Let me see.
I wrote em both on this paper. The old one and the new one. Somethin told me you might need your memory refreshed.
Stevie Rae didnt say anything. Her eyes went to the first poem on the paper. She took her time reading it. Not because she needed her memory refreshed. She didnt. Every line of the poem had been burned into her mind.
The Red One steps into the Light
girded loins for her part in
the apocalyptic fight.
Darkness hides in different forms
See beyond shape, color, lies
and emotional storms.
Ally with him; pay with your heart
though trust cannot be given
unless the Darkness you part.
See with the soul and not your eyes
because to dance with beasts you
must penetrate their disguise.
Stevie Rae told herself she wouldnt cry, but her heart felt bruised and broken. The poem had been right. Shed seen Rephaim with her soul, not with her eyes. Shed parted Darkness and trusted and accepted himand because of that, because shed allied herself with a beast, she had paid with her heart. She was still paying with her heart.
Reluctantly, Stevie Rae looked to the second poem on the pagethe new one. Reminding herself not to react, not to let her face give away anything, she started reading:
Beasts can be beautiful
Dreams become desires
Reality changes with reason
Trust your truth
Man monster mystery magick
Hear with your heart
See without scorn
Love will not lose
Trust his truth
His promise is proof
The test is time
Faith frees
If there is courage to change.
Stevie Raes mouth felt dry. Sorry, I cant help you. I dont know what these things are about. She tried to hand the piece of paper back to Kramisha, but the poets hands were folded across her chest.
You aint a good liar, Stevie Rae.
Its not smart to call your High Priestess a liar. There was an edge of meanness to Stevie Raes voice that had Kramisha shaking her head.
Whats happenin to you? You dealing with somethin thats eatin you from the inside out. If you was yourself, youd be talkin to me. Youd be trying to figure this out.
I cant figure out this poetry stuff! Its metaphor and symbolism and weird, confusing predictions.
Thats a damn lie, Kramisha said. We been figuring this stuff out. Zoey has. You and I did, or at least we did enough to get word to Z in the Otherworld. And it helped. Stark said it did. Kramisha pointed at the first poem. Some of this one came true. You met the beasts. Those bulls. You been different ever since. Now I been given another one of them beast poems. I know they for you. And I know you know more than you sayin.
Look, stay outta my business, Kramisha. Stevie Rae stood up, stepped out of the alcove, and as she walked right into Dragon Lankford she yelled back at Kramisha, Im done talking bout this beast stuff!
Hey, whoa, whats this about? Dragons strong hand steadied Stevie Rae when she stumbled because of their collision. Did you say beast stuff?
She did. Kramisha pointed at the notebook page in Stevie Raes hand. Two poems come to me, one the day Stevie Rae tangled with them bulls, and the second just a little while ago. She dont want to pay them no mind.
I didnt say I wasnt going to pay them any mind. I just want to take care of my own business my own self without every dang body in the universe nosing around.
Do you consider me every dang body? Dragon asked.
Stevie Rae forced herself to meet his gaze. No, course not.
And you are in agreement with me that Kramishas poems are important.
Well, yeah.
Then you cant just ignore them. Dragon rested his hand on Stevie Raes shoulder. I know how it feels to want to keep your life private, but youve stepped into a position where there are more important things than your privacy.
I know that, but I can deal with this myself.
You didnt deal with the bulls, Kramisha said. They still happened.
Theyre gone, arent they? So I did deal with them just fine.
I remember seeing you after your battle with the bull. You were gravely injured. Had you understood Kramishas warning the cost to you might not have been so great. And then there is the fact that a Raven Mocker appeared, and he might even be the creature Rephaim. That monster is still out there somewhere and a danger to all of us. So, you must understand, young priestess, that a forewarning meant for you cannot be kept private because it touches the lives of others.
Stevie Rae stared into Dragons eyes. His words were strong. His tone was kind. But was that suspicion and anger she saw in his expression, or was it just the grief that had been shadowing him since the death of his wife?
While she hesitated, Dragon continued, A beast killed Anastasia. We cannot allow any other innocent to be touched by these creatures of Darkness if we can prevent it. You know I speak truth, Stevie Rae.
I-I know, she stuttered, trying to order her words. Rephaim killed Anastasia the night Darius shot him from the sky. No one will ever forget thatI can never forget that, especially now that things have changed. Its been weeks and I havent seen him. At all. Our Imprint is still there. I can feel it, but I havent felt anything from him.
And that lack of feeling made the decision for Stevie Rae. Okay, youre right. I need help with this. Maybe this is the way it was meant to be, she thought as she handed Dragon the poems. Maybe Dragon will discover my secret, and when he does it will all be destroyed: Rephaim, our Imprint, and my heart. But at least itll be over.
As Dragon read the poetry Stevie Rae watched his expression get darker. When he finally looked from the page and into her eyes, there was no mistaking his worry.
The second bull you conjured, the black one that vanquished the evil bull, what type of connection did you have with him?
Stevie Rae tried not to show how relieved she was that Dragon was focusing on the bulls and not questioning her about Rephaim.
I dont know if you could really call it a connection, but I thought he was beautiful. He was black, but there was no Darkness about him. He was incrediblelike the night sky, or the earth.
The earth Dragon seemed to be thinking aloud. If the bull reminds you of your element, perhaps that is enough for the two of you to remain connected.
But we know hes good, Kramisha said. Theys no mystery bout that. The poems cant be talkin bout him.
So? Stevie Rae couldnt hide her irritation. Kramisha was like a dang dog with a soup bone. She just wouldnt leave it alone.
So, the poem, specially the last one, is all about trusting the truth. We already know hes good. You can trust the black bull. Why do you need a poem to tell you that?
Kramisha, like I tried to tell you before, I do not know.
I just dont think theys talkin bout the black bull, Kramisha said.
What else could they be talkin about? I dont know any other beasts. Stevie Rae said the words fast, as if speed could take away the lie.
You said Dallas has an unusual new affinity, and that he has seemed to go mad. Is that correct? Dragon asked.
Yeah, basically, Stevie Rae said.
The beast reference could be symbolic of Dallas. The poem might mean that you need to trust the humanity that is still within him, Dragon said.
I dont know about that, Stevie Rae said. He was one hot mess and super crazy last time I saw him. I mean he was saying some seriously weird stuff about that Raven Mocker he saw.
Council Meeting is being called to session! Lenobias voice drifted down the hallway from the open door to the Council Chamber.
Do you mind if I keep this? Dragon lifted the piece of paper as they started down the hall. Ill copy it, and then return it to you, but Id like a chance to study and consider the poetry more thoroughly.
Yeah, thats okay with me, Stevie Rae said.
Well, Im glad we got your brain workin on this, Dragon, Kramisha said.
Me, too, Stevie Rae said, trying to sound like she was telling the truth.
Dragon paused. I wont share this with everybody, only those vampyres I believe could help us understand the poetrys meaning. I understand your wish for privacy.
Ill tell Zoey about it as soon as she gets back tomorrow, Stevie Rae said.
Dragon frowned. I do think you should share the poetry with Zoey, but sadly, she will not be returning to the House of Night tomorrow.
What? Why not?
Apparently Stark isnt well enough to travel, so Sgiach has given them permission to remain on Skye indefinitely.
Did Zoey tell you that? Stevie Rae couldnt believe her BFF had called Dragon and not her. What was Z thinking?
No, she and Stark spoke with Jack.
Oh, the Celebration Ritual. Stevie Rae nodded in understanding. Z hadnt been keeping anything from her. Jack had been uber-exuberant about the Ritual hed appointed himself in charge of music, food, and decorations forhed probably called her with an entire list of questions like: Whats your favorite color? and Doritos or Ruffles?
Gay boy is majorly obsessed. I bet he lost his damn mind when he found out Z aint comin home tomorrow.
Actually, hes using the extra time to keep practicing that song he wants to sing, and hes decorating, Dragon said.
Goddess help us, Kramisha said. If he tries to hang rainbows and unicorns everywhere and make all of us wear them feather boasagainIm just gonna say ah hell no.
Origami swords, Dragon said.
Excuse me? Stevie Rae was sure she couldnt have heard him right.
Dragon chuckled. Jack came by the Field House and borrowed a claymore so he could have a real example to work from. In honor of Stark, hes going to use origami swords hung with fishing line. He said theyll look like the song.
Cause theyll be defying gravity. Stevie Rae couldnt help giggling. She did heart her some Jack. He was just too cute for words.
I hope he dont do them in pink paper. That just aint right.
Theyd reached the door to the Council Chamber, and before they entered the already full room, Stevie Rae heard Dragon say, Not pink. Purple. I saw him carrying a ream of purple paper.
Stevie Rae was still grinning when Lenobia called the Council Meeting to order. In the days that followed, she would remember her grin and wish she could hold on to the image of Jack making purple swords out of paper and singing Defying Gravity, eternally looking on the bright side of life, eternally sweet, eternally happy, and, most important, eternally safe.
CHAPTER SIX
Jack
Duch, what is it, beautiful girl? Why are you acting so psycho today? Jack pulled the pile of purple origami papers from under the blond Lab and put them up out of dog-butt reach on the wooden stool he was using as an outside table and sword stand. The big dog huffed, thumped her tail on the ground, and scooted closer to Jack. He sighed and gave her a loving but exasperated look. You dont have to be attached to my side. Everythings fine. Im just decorating.
She is being more than a little codependent today, Damien said, folding his legs and sitting on the grass beside Jack.
Jack stopped working on the paper sword hed been folding into shape and stroked Duchesss soft head. Do you think she can sense that S-T-A-R-K is still not feeling one hundred percent? Do you think she knows hes not coming back tomorrow?
Well, maybe. She is extraordinarily intelligent, but my guess is shes more worried about you climbing up there than Stark being tired and tardy.
Jack fluttered his fingers at the eight-foot ladder that sat open and ready not far from them. Oh, theres nothing for Duch or you to be worried about. That ladder is perfectly safe. It even has an extra hold-it-open latch that makes it totally steady.
I dont know. Its awful high up there. Damien gave the top rungs of the ladder a wary look.
Nah, its not so bad. Plus, its not like Im climbing up to the topor at least not much. This poor tree has limbs that are hangy-downy now. You know, ever since he burst up from under it. Jack said the last sentence in a stage whisper.
Damien cleared his throat and gave the big oak they were sitting under the same wary glance hed shot the ladder. Okay, dont get mad, but I really need to talk to you about choosing this particular spot for Zoeys Celebration Ritual.
Jack held up his hand, palm out, in the universal stop signal. I already know people are going to have issues with this location. Ive just decided that my reasons for it are better than the reasons against it.
Honey, you always have the best intentions, Damien took Jacks hand and held it in both of his. But I think this time you need to consider that you might be the only one who can see anything positive about this place. Professor Nolan and Loren Blake were killed here. Kalona escaped from the earth, ripped open the ground, and split the tree right here. It just doesnt feel very celebratory to me.
Jacks free hand covered Damiens. This is a place of power, right?
Correct, Damien said.
And power isnt negative or positive in its unused form. It only takes on those characteristics when outside forces take over and influence it. Right?
Damien paused, considered, and then reluctantly nodded. Yes, I suppose youre correct again.
Well, I feel that the power in this placethis shattered tree and the area here by the east wallhas been misused. It needs a chance to be used for Light and goodness again. I want to give it that chance; I have to. Something inside me is telling me that I need to be here, getting Zoeys Celebration Ritual ready for her return, even if she and Stark are going to be late.
Damien sighed. You know I wouldnt ever ask you to discount your feelings.
So youll support me in this? Even when everyone is saying your boyfriend is super crazy?
Damien smiled at him. Everyone isnt saying youre super crazy. Theyre saying your zealous need to decorate and organize has tainted your judgment.
Jack giggled. Ill bet they didnt say zealous or tainted.
Their words were synonymous, if inferior.
Thats my Damienthe wordsmith!
And thats my Jackthe optimist. Damien leaned into Jack and kissed him gently on the lips. You do what you need to do here. I know Zoey will be appreciative, when she finally gets home. He paused, smiled sadly into Jacks trusting eyes, and added, Honey, you do understand that Zoey might not be coming back for quite a while? I know what Stark said to you, and I havent talked to Z herself yet, but Aphrodite says Zoey isnt herselfthat she isnt really staying on Skye because of Stark. Shes staying there because shes withdrawn from the world.
I just dont believe that, Damien, Jack said firmly.
I dont want to believe it, either, but the facts are that Zoey isnt coming back with Aphrodite and Darius, and she really isnt talking to anyone about when she is returning. Then theres the whole Heath issue. Zoey comes back to Tulsa, and you know shes going to have to face the fact that Heath isnt herethat hell never be here again.
Its terrible, isnt it? Jack said.
Their eyes met in perfect understanding. Losing someone you love that much would be awful. It has to have changed Zoey.
Of course it has, but shes still our Z. I have a strong feeling that shes going to be home sooner than you think, Jack said.
Damien sighed. I hope youre right.
Hey, even you admit that Im right a bunch. Ill be right about Zoey coming back soon, too. I just know it.
Okay, well, Im going to believe you, mostly because I love your positive attitude.
Jack grinned and gave him a quick kiss. Thank you!
Well, whether Z comes back in a week or a month, Im still not sure its a one-hundred-percent good idea for you to hang paper swords outside from a tree when you dont know when youre going to need those decorations. What if it rains tomorrow?
Oh, Im not going to put them all up, silly! Im just doing a test run on a few of them to be sure I have the folds perfect so theyll hang right.
Is that why you have the claymore here? It looks awfully sharp and, well, exposed leaning against the table like that. Shouldnt the pointed end be down?
Jacks gaze followed Damiens over to where the long silver sword rested, hilt down on the ground, blade up and shining in the flickering gaslights that illuminated the school at night.
Well, Dragon gave me strict instructions, which I mostly listened to even though I kept being distracted by how sad he looked. You know, I dont think hes doing very well. Jack said the last part of the sentence in a hushed voice as if he didnt want Duchess to overhear him.
Damien sighed and threaded his hand with Jacks. I dont think hes doing very well, either.
Yeah, he was telling me stuff about not sticking the pointy part of the sword into the ground cause itd make it dull or something, and all I could think about was how dark the circles were under his eyes, Jack said.