And they danced and celebrated. Their laughter painted the darkening sky with joy and magick.
It is the ancient magick. Youve touched things here that have been sleeping for ages. None other has awakened the fey. None other had the ability, Sgiach spoke and then slowly, majestically, she bowed her head in homage to me.
Absolutely engulfed in the wonder of the five elements, I took the Queen of Skyes hand, noticing that my blood had stopped running the instant shed flung it around us. Can I share this with other fledglings? If you allow them to come in, can I teach a new generation how to reach the old magick?
She smiled at me through tears that I hoped were from happiness. Yes, Zoey. Because if you cant bridge the gap between the ancient and the modern worlds, I dont know who can. But for now, take this moment. The reality your blood has created will soon fade. Dance with them, young queen. Let them know there is hope that todays world has not completely forgotten the past.
Her words worked on me like a goad and, in time to the sound of bells and pipes and cymbals that I suddenly heard, I began to dance with the creatures my blood had solidified.
Looking back on it, I should have paid more attention to the sharp profile of horns that I glimpsed as I twirled and jumped, arm in arm with the fey. I should have noticed the color of the bulls coat and the gleam in his eye. I should have mentioned his presence to Sgiach. A lot might have been avoided, or at least anticipated, had I known better.
But that night I danced in innocence and the newness of ancient magick revealed, oblivious to any consequences more dire than me feeling tired and drained and needing a big dinner and a good eight hours of sleep.
* * *
You were right. It didnt last very long, I said, breathing heavily as I plopped down next to Sgiach on her moss boulder. Cant we do something to make them stay longer? They seemed so happy to be real.
The fey are elusive beings. They only owe allegiance to their element, or those who wield it.
I blinked in surprise. You mean theyre loyal to me?
I believe they are, though I cannot tell you for certain as I have no true affinity to an element, though I am an ally to water and wind, as I am protector and queen of this island.
Huh. So, can I call them to me, even if I leave Skye?
Sgiach smiled. And why would you ever want to do that?
I laughed with her, at that moment not understanding why in the world I would ever want to leave this magickal, mystical island.
Aye, if I followed the sound of wummens chattering, I knew Id be finding yous two.
Sgiachs smile grew and turned warm. Seoras joined us in the grove, moving to his queens side. She touched him just for a moment on his strong forearm, but that touch was filled with several lifetimes of love and trust and intimacy.
Hello, my Guardian. Did you bring the bow and arrows for her?
Seorass lips twisted. Aye, of course I did. The old Warrior turned and I could see that he held an intricately carved bow made of dark wood. The matching leather quiver filled with red-feathered arrows was slung across his shoulder.
Good. She smiled appreciation at him before turning her gaze to me. Zoey, youve learned much today. Your Guardian needs a lesson in believing in magick and Goddess-given gifts, too. Sgiach took the bow and arrows from Seoras and held them out to me. Take these to Stark. He has too long been without them.
You really think thats a good idea? I asked Sgiach, glancing askance at the bow and arrows.
What I think is that your Stark will not be complete unless he accepts his Goddess-given gifts.
He had a claymore in the Otherworld. Couldnt that be his weapon here, too?
Sgiach just looked at me, the shadow of the magick wed both just experienced still reflected in her green eyes.
I sighed.
And, reluctantly, held out my hand to take the bow and quiver of arrows from her.
Hes not really comfortable with this, I said.
Aye, but he should be, Seoras said.
You wouldnt say that if you knew everything that went along with this thing, I said.
If its that he cannae miss his mark that yur meanin, then, aye, I know that, as well as the guilt he carries about the death of his mentor, Seoras said.
He told you all about it.
He did.
And you still think he should get back into using his bow?
Its not so much Seoras thinking it as the fact that he knows, from centuries of experience, what happens when a Guardians Goddess-given gifts are ignored, Sgiach said.
What happens?
The same thing as happens if a High Priestess tries to turn from the path her Goddess has paved before her, Seoras said.
Like Neferet, I whispered.
Aye, he said. Like the fallen High Priestess who tainted yur House of Night and caused the death of yur Consort.
Though in all truthfulness you should know that its not necessarily such a dire choice between good and evil when a Guardian, or a Warrior, ignores his gifts from his Goddess and turns from her appointed path. Sometimes that simply means a life unfulfilled and as mundane as is possible for a vampyre, Sgiach explained.
But if tis a Warrior whose gifts are powerful, or one who has faced Darkness, been touched by the fight against evilwell, that Warrior cannae fade so easily into obscurity, Seoras said.
And Stark is both, I said.
He is indeed. Continue to trust me, Zoey. It is better for your Guardian to walk the path meant for him than to slink around and, perhaps, get caught in the shadows, Sgiach said.
I see your point, but getting him to use his bow again isnt going to be easy.
Ach, well, yu have the magick of the ancients to call upon while yur here on our isle, dont you now?
I looked from Seoras to Sgiach. They were right. I felt it in my gut. Stark couldnt hide from the gifts Nyx had given him any more than I could deny my connection to the five elements. Okay, Ill convince him. Where is he anyway?
The laddie is restless, Seoras said. I saw him walkin by the shore side of the castle.
My heart squeezed. Wed just decided the day before that we were going to stay here on Skye, indefinitely. And after what had just happened with Sgiach and me, I could hardly bear thinking about leaving. But he seemed fine with staying, I spoke my thoughts aloud.
Whats wrong with him isna so much where he is, but who he is, Seoras said.
Huh? I said brilliantly.
Zoey, what Seoras means is that youll find your Guardians restlessness much improved when he is a whole Warrior again, Sgiach said.
And a whole Warrior uses all of his gifts, Seoras said with finality.
Go to him and help him become whole again, Sgiach said.
How? I asked.
Ach, wumman, use yur Goddess-given brains and figure that oot for yurself.
With a gentle push and a shooing motion, the queen and her Guardian sent me from the grove. I sighed, mentally scratched my head, and started toward the shoreline wondering just what the heck kind of word ach was.
CHAPTER TEN
Zoey
Distracted by thinking about Stark, I made my way down the slippery stone stairway that wound around the base of the castle, emptying out on the rocky shore from which Sgiachs edifice had been built straight up, so that it was cliff-like and totally imposing.
The sun was beginning to set, allowing the sky to retain some of its illumination, but I was glad for the rows of torches that jutted from the stone base of the castles foundation.
Stark was alone. His back was to me and I got to watch him as I picked my way across the shore to him. He held a large leather shield in one hand, and a long claymore in the other, and he was practicing thrusts and parries as if he were facing a dangerous, but invisible, enemy. I moved quietly, taking my time and enjoying the view.
Had he gotten taller all of a sudden? And more muscular? He was sweating and breathing hard, and he looked strong and very, very male and dangerous-ancient-Warrior-like in his kilt. I remembered how his body had felt against mine the night before, and how wed slept all pressed together, and my stomach gave a weird little lurch.
He makes me feel safe, and I love him.
I could stay here with him, away from the rest of the world, forever.
A chill passed over me with the thought and I shivered. At that moment Stark dropped his guard and turned. I saw the alert concern in his eyes that only faded when I smiled and waved at him. Then his gaze went to what I was holding in the hand I was waving, and his welcoming smile faded, even though he opened his arms to me, hugged me, and gave me a lingering kiss.
Hey, you look hot when you do that sword stuff, I said.
Its called training. And Im not supposed to look hot, Z. Im supposed to look intimidating.
Oh, you do, you do. I was practically scared to death. I put on my best bad, fakeSouthern belle accent and pressed the back of my hand to my forehead like I was gonna swoon.
Youre really not very good at accents, maam, he said in a seriously good fake-Southern accent. Then he took my hand and held it against his chest right over his heart, moving close to me. But if you want, Miss Zoey, I could try to teach you.
Okay, I know its silly, but his Southern gentleman accent made my knees feel all weakand then his words actually got through the lust fog I was brewing for him, and suddenly I knew how to start getting him comfortable with his bow again.
Hey, I am hopeless at accents, but there is something you could teach me.
Aye, wumman, theres lots I could be teachin yu the now, he leered, sounding totally like Seoras.
I smacked him. Be good. Im talking about this. I raised the bow. Ive always thought archery was cool, but I really dont know much about it. Could you teach me? Please?
Stark took a step away from me, giving the bow a wary glance. Zoey, you know I shouldnt shoot that.
No. What you shouldnt do is aim for something thats alive. Well, that is unless the alive thing needs to be un-alive. But Im not asking you to shoot it. Im asking you to teach me how to shoot it.
Why do you all of a sudden want to learn?
Well, it makes sense. Were going to be staying here, right?
Right.
And Warriors have been trained here for, like, zillions of years. Right?
Right again.
I grinned at him, trying to lighten things up. I really like it when you admit that Im right. Again. Anyway, youre a Warrior. Were here. Id like to learn some kind of Warrior skill. Thats too darn heavy for me. I pointed at the claymore. Plus, this is pretty. I lifted the elegant-looking bow.
No matter how pretty it is, you need to remember its a weapon. It can kill, especially if I fire it.
If you fire it and aim to kill, I said.
Sometimes mistakes happen, he said, looking haunted by memories from his past.
I rested my hand on his arm. Youre older now. Smarter. You wont make the same mistakes again. He just stared at me without speaking, so I lifted the bow again and went on. Okay, show me how this works.
We dont have a target.
Sure we do. I thumped the worn leather shield hed laid on the ground when Id joined him. Prop this between a couple rocks down the beach a little way. Ill try to shoot itafter you prop it up and get back here out of my line of fire, of course.
Oh, of course, he said.
Looking resigned and miserable, he walked a few paces away from us, hefted some rocks around until he had the shield held semi-steady between two of them, then came back to me. Reluctantly, he took the bow and set the quiver of arrows at our feet.
This is how you hold it. He demonstrated gripping the grip-thingie while I watched. And the arrow goes here. He rested it across the side of the bow, point down and away from us. You nock it like this. These arrows make it easy to know which way to do it because the black ones should be turned like this, with the one red one up this way. As he talked Stark began to relax. His hands knew the bow, and knew the arrow. It was obvious that he could do what he was showing me with his eyes shutdo it quickly and well. Plant your legs firmly, about hip-width apart, like this. He demonstrated and I checked out his excellent legs, which was one of the many reasons I liked the fact that hed started wearing the kilt all the time.
And then you lift the bow and, holding the arrow between your first two fingers, pull the string back, taut. He explained what I was supposed to do, but hed stopped demonstrating. Sight down the arrow, but aim a little low. That will help adjust for distance and the breeze. When youre ready, let loose. Be careful to bow your left arm or youll smack it and give yourself a nasty bruise. He held the bow out to me. Go ahead. Try it.
Show me, I said simply.
Zoey, I dont think I should.
Stark, the target is a leather shield. Its not alive. Theres nothing alive even vaguely attached to it. Just aim for the center of the shield and show me how its done. He hesitated. I rested my hand on his chest and leaned forward. He met me halfway. Our kiss was sweet, but I could feel the tension in his body. Hey, I said softly, still touching his chest. Try to trust yourself as much as I trust you. Youre my Warrior, my Guardian. You need to use the bow because its your Goddess-given gift. I know youll use it wisely. I know it because I know you. Youre good. Youve fought to be good, and youve won.
But Im not all good, Z, he said, looking totally frustrated. Ive seen the bad part of me. It was thererealin the Otherworld.
And you defeated it, I said.
Forever? I dont think so. I dont think thats possible.
Hey, no ones all good. Not even me. I mean, if some smart kid left his test out in geometry, Im telling youId look.
He smiled for a breath of a moment, then the tension was back in his face. You joke about it, but its different for me. I think its different for all of the red fledglings and even Stevie Rae. Once youve known Darkness, real Darkness, theres always a shadow on your soul.
No, I said firmly. Not a shadow. Just a different kind of experience. You and the rest of the red fledglings have experienced something we havent. It doesnt make you part of the shadow of Darknessit makes you experienced with it. That could be a good thing if you use your extra knowledge to fight for good, and you do.
Sometimes I worry that it might be more than that, he said slowly, staring into my eyes like he was looking for a hidden truth.
What do you mean?
Darkness is territorial, possessive. Once its had a piece of you, it doesnt like to let go.
Darkness doesnt have any choice if you choose the path of the Goddess, and you have. It cant beat Light.
But Im not sure Light can ever really beat Darkness, either. Theres a balance to things, Z.
Which doesnt mean you cant choose sides. And youve chosen. Trust yourself. I trust you. Completely, I repeated.
Stark kept staring into my eyes like he was grabbing on to a lifeline. As long as you see me as goodas long as you believe in meI can trust myself because I trust you, Zoey. And I love you.
I love you, too, Guardian, I said.
He kissed me and then, in a movement that was fast and graceful and lethal, Stark pulled back the bow and let the arrow fly. It thunked with finality into the absolute center of the target.
Wow, I said. That was amazing. Youre amazing.
He blew out a long breath, and with it the tension that had been so obvious in his body seemed to be blown away, too. Stark smiled his cute, cocky grin. Center of the target, Z. I hit it dead-on.
Of course you did, silly. You cant miss.
Yeah, thats right. And its just a target.
Are you gonna teach me or not? And this time dont go so darn fast. Slow down. Show me.
Yeah, yeah, sure. Okay, here. He aimed and shot more slowly, giving me time to follow his movements.
And the second arrow split the first one down the middle.
Oh, woops. I forgot about doing that. I used to waste a lot of arrows that way.
Here, my turn. Ill bet I dont have that problem.
I tried to do what Stark had done, but ended up shooting my arrow short and watching it skitter off the smooth, wet rocks.
Well, crap. Its definitely harder than it looks, I said.
Here. Ill show you. Youre not standing right. He came up behind me, fitting his arms over mine and snuggling against my backside. Think of yourself as an ancient warrior queen. Stand strong and proud. Shoulders back! Chin up! I did as he said and inside the powerful circle of his arms I felt myself transform into someone powerful and majestic. His hands guided mine to pulling the bow taut. Stay steady and strongfocus, he whispered. Together we sighted the target, and as we let loose the arrow, I could feet the jolt that rippled through his body and mine and guided the arrow to the dead center of the target again, splintering the two before it.
I turned and smiled up at my Guardian. What you have is magick. Its special. You have to use it, Stark. You have to.
Ive missed it, he said, speaking so softly I had to strain to hear him. I dont really feel right if I dont stay connected to my bow.
Its because through it youre connected to Nyx. She gave you your gift.
Maybe I can start again here. This place feels different to me. Somehow I feel like I belong herelike we belong here.
I feel it, too. And it seems like its been forever since Ive felt this safe and this happy. I stepped into his arms. Sgiach just told me that shes going to start opening the island up to Warriors againand also to other gifted fledglings. I smiled up at Stark. You know, like fledglings with special affinities.
Oh, you mean like affinities for the elements?
Yep, thats exactly what I mean. I hugged him, and spoke into his chest. I want to stay here. I really do.
Stark stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. I know you do, Z. And Im with you. Ill always be with you.
Maybe here we can get rid of the Darkness Neferet and Kalona have tried to bring to us, I said.
Stark held me tightly. I hope so, Z. I really do hope so.
Do you think it might be enough to just have one piece of the world thats safe from Darkness? Is it still walking the path of the Goddess even if Im just walking it here?
Well, Im no expert, but it makes sense to me that whats important is that youre trying your best to stay true to Nyx. I cant see that where youre doing it is such a big deal.
I understand why Sgiach doesnt leave this place, I said.
So do I, Z.
Stark held me then, and I felt the bruised, battered places inside of me begin to warm and, slowly, I started to heal.
Stark
Zoey felt damn good in his arms. When Stark thought back to how close hed come to losing her, it could still scare him so badly that it made his stomach sick. I did it. I got to her in the Otherworld and made sure she came back to me. Shes safe now and Im gonna always keep her that way.
Hey, youre thinking awful hard, Zoey said. Curled up with him in the big bed they shared, she nuzzled his neck and kissed his cheek. I can practically hear the wheels turning inside your head.
Im the one whos supposed to have the super psychic abilities. He said it with a kidding tone, but at the same time Stark gave a little mental push and slipped around just on the outskirts of her psychenot close enough to her real thoughts to piss her off with his eavesdropping, but just near enough to be sure that she really did feel safe and happy.
Want to know something? she asked, with a hesitant tone to her voice.
Stark propped himself up on his elbow and grinned down at her. Are you kidding, Z? I want to know everything.
Stop itIm being serious.
Me, too! She gave him a look and he kissed her on the forehead. Okay, fine. Im being serious. What is it?
I, um, really like it when you touch me.
Starks brows went up and he had to struggle not to break into a giant grin. Well, thats good. He watched her cheeks get pink and a little grin slipped through. Im guessing thats real good.
Zoey chewed her lip. Do you like it?
Stark couldnt help laughing then. Youre kidding, right?
No. Dead. Serious. I mean, how am I supposed to know? Im not exactly experiencednot like you are.
Her cheeks were flaming by that time and he thought she looked mega uncomfortable, which put a damper on his laughter. The last thing he wanted to do was to embarrass her or make her feel weird about what was happening between them.
Hey. He cupped her flushed cheek. Being with you is beyond awesome. And, Zoey, youre wrong. Youre more experienced than me about love. When she started to speak he pressed his finger against her lips. No, let me say this. Yeah, Ive had sex before. But Ive never been in love. Never until you. Youre my first, and youre going to be my last.
She smiled up at him with such love and trust that he thought his heart would beat out of his chest. It was only Zoeyit would always be only Zoey for him.
Would you make love to me again? she whispered.
As her answer Stark held her even closer and began a long, slow kiss. His last thought before everything went wrong was, Ive never been this happy in my life
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kalona
He could feel Neferet getting near and he steeled himself, schooling his expression and cloaking the hatred he had begun to feel for her with a careful demeanor of expectation and accommodation.
Kalona would bide his time. If there was one thing the immortal understood, it was the power of patience.
Neferet approaches, he told Rephaim. His son was standing before one of the several large sets of glass doors that opened onto the huge balcony that was the predominate feature of the penthouse loft the Tsi Sgili had purchased. Penthouse meant all the opulence Neferet craved and the privacy and rooftop access he required.
Has she Imprinted with you?
Rephaims question brought Kalonas thoughts up short. Imprinted? Neferet and I? What an odd question for you to ask me.
Rephaim turned from the downtown Tulsa panorama to look at his father. You can sense her approach. I assume shes tasted of your blood and youve Imprinted.
No one tastes of an immortals blood.
The elevator doors chimed just before they opened and Kalona turned in time to see Neferet stride across the gleaming marble floor. She moved gracefully, with a sweeping glide those who were less informed would believe vampyric. Kalona knew differently. He understood her movement had changed, shifted, evolvedjust as she had changed, shifted, and finally evolved into a being much more than vampyre.
My Queen, he said, bowing respectfully to her.
Neferets smile was dangerously beautiful. Serpentine, she wrapped one arm around his shoulder and exerted more pressure than was necessary. Obediently, Kalona bent so that she could press her lips to his. He let his mind go blank. His body alone responded, deepening the kiss, letting her tongue slither into his mouth.
As abruptly as she had begun it, Neferet ended the embrace. Glancing over his shoulder she said, Rephaim, I thought you were dead.
Wounded, not dead. I healed and awaited my fathers return, Rephaim said.
Kalona thought that though his sons words were proper and respectful, there was something about his tone that was off, though it had always been difficult to read Rephaim as the visage of a beast tended to mask any human emotion he had. If, indeed, he had any emotion that could be classified as human.
I learned that you have allowed yourself to be spotted by fledglings from Tulsas House of Night.
Darkness called. I responded. That there were fledglings there was inconsequential to me, Rephaim said.
Not just fledglingsStevie Rae was there, too. She saw you.
As I said before, those beings are inconsequential to me.
Still, it was a mistake for you to allow anyone to know youre here, and I do not tolerate mistakes, Neferet said.
Kalona saw her eyes begin to take on a reddish hue. Anger stirred within him. That he was in bondage to Neferet was bad enoughthat his favorite son could be chastised and harangued by her was intolerable.
Actually, my Queen, it could work in our favor that they are aware Rephaim remained in Tulsa. I am supposed to be banished from your side, so I cannot be seen here. If the local House of Night rabble hears rumors of a winged being, they will assume a Raven Mocker stalks the night and there will be no thought of me.
Neferet raised an arched amber brow. A point well taken, my winged love, especially as the two of you work to bring the rogue red fledglings back to me.
As you say, my Queen, Kalona said smoothly.
I want Zoey to return to Tulsa. Neferet abruptly changed the subject. Those fools at the House of Night tell me she refuses to leave Skye. She is not within my reach thereand I very much want her within my reach.
The death of the innocent should cause her to return, Rephaim said.
Neferets green eyes narrowed. And how do you know about this death?
We felt it, Kalona said. Darkness reveled in it.
Neferets smile was feral. How lovely that you felt it. That ridiculous boys death was pleasing. Though I am worried that it might have the opposite effect on Zoey. Instead of making her come rushing back to her weak, whining group of friends, it could fuel her decision to stay hidden away on that island.
Perhaps you should harm one closer to Zoey. The Red One is like a sister to her, Kalona said.
True, and that wretched Aphrodite has become close to her as well, Neferet said, tapping her chin, considering.
An odd noise coming from his son drew Kalonas attention to Rephaim. Did you have something to add, my son?
Zoey is hiding on Skye. She believes you cannot reach her there, is that not true? Rephaim asked.
We cannot, Neferet said, irritation making her voice hard and cold. No one can breach the boundaries of Sgiachs kingdom.
You mean like no one was supposed to be able to breach the boundaries of Nyxs Realm? Rephaim said.
Neferet skewered him with her emerald eyes. Do you dare to be impertinent?
Make your point, Rephaim, Kalona said.
Father, you already breached a seemingly impossible boundary by entering Nyxs Otherworld, even after the Goddess herself banished you. Use your connection to Zoey. Reach her through her dreams. Let her understand she cannot hide from you. That, the death of her friend, and Neferets return to her House of Night should be enough to coax the young High Priestess out of seclusion.
She is not a High Priestess. She is a fledgling! And the Tulsa House of Night is mine, not hers! Neferet practically shrieked. No. I have had enough of your fathers connection to her. It didnt bring about her death, so I want it severed. If Zoey is to be lured from Sgiach, I will do it by using Stevie Rae or Aphroditeor perhaps both of them. They need a lesson in showing me the proper respect.
As you wish, my Queen, Kalona said, sending his son a pointed look. Rephaim met his gaze, hesitated, and then he, too, bowed his head and said softly, As you wish
Good, then that is that. Rephaim, local news reports say that there has been gang violence near Will Rogers High School. The gang is cutting throats and draining blood. I believe if we follow that gang well find the rogue red fledglings. Do that. Discreetly.
Rephaim didnt speak, but he bowed his head in acknowledgment.
And now Im going to luxuriate in that lovely marble bathtub in the other room. Kalona, my love, I will join you in our bed very soon.
My Queen, did you not wish me to search for the red fledglings with Rephaim?
Not tonight. Tonight I need a more personal service from you. We have too long been apart. She ran one red nail down Kalonas chest and he had to force himself not to flinch away from her.
She must have seen something of his desire to avoid her touch, though, because her next words were cold and hard. Do I displease you?