I dont think we should say much about Zoeys condition, Erik said. At least not until something more, well, permanent happens.
Shes not gonna die, Stevie Rae said.
I dont want her to die! Erik said quickly, looking obviously upset at the thought. But what with the stuff thats gone on around here lately, including a Raven Mocker showing up, the last thing we need is a bunch of talk.
I dont think we should hush it up, Stevie Rae said.
How about we agree on a compromise, Lenobia said. Answer questions about Zoey when theyre asked, focusing on the truththat were all working to get her back from the Otherworld.
And we issue a general warning through all homeroom classes for fledglings to be watchful and vigilant in reporting anything they see or hear that might be unusual, Dragon added.
That sounds reasonable, Penthasilea said.
All right, that seems good to me, too, Stevie Rae said. Then she paused before adding, Uh, Im just wonderin, but am I supposed to go back to the classes I was in before?
Yeah, Is wondering that, too, Kramisha said.
Me, too, Dallas said.
Fledglings should attend classes, taking up where they left off, Lenobia said smoothly, smiling at Kramisha and Dallas as if the left off part had been unscheduled vacations rather than unwelcome deaths, which somehow made the whole thing sound weirdly normal. Then she turned to Stevie Rae. Vampyres choose their career paths and the areas theyd like to studynot in class with fledglings but with other vampyres who are experts in their field. Do you know what it is youd like to study?
Even with everyone gawking at her, Stevie Rae had no hesitation in her answer. Nyx. I want to study to be a High Priestess. I want to be one because Ive earned it, and not just cause Im the only dang red vamp female in the known universe.
But we have no High Priestess under which you may studynot since Neferet was driven away, Penthasilea said, giving Lenobia a pointed look.
Then I guess Ill study on my own until we get our High Priestess back. She met Penthasileas eyes, and added, And I can promise you that High Priestess will not be Neferet. Stevie Rae stood. Okay, well, Im gonna go to the abbey like I said before. When I come back, Ill go see the rest of the red fledglings and clue them in that classes start tomorrow.
Everyone had started to shuffle out of the room when Dragon pulled her aside. I want you to promise me that you will be cautious, he said. You have powers of recovery that border on miraculous, but you are not immortal, Stevie Rae. You must remember that.
Ill be careful. I promise.
Im goin with her, Kramisha said. Ill keep an eye to the sky for them nasty bird things. And I got me a girl scream that is deadly. If one shows up, I can make sure the whole world knows he there.
Dragon nodded but didnt look convinced, and Stevie Rae was relieved when Lenobia called him over to her and started a conversation with him about making his martial arts classes mandatory for all fledglings. She slipped out of the room and was trying to figure out how she could get rid of Kramisha, who was being way too sticky-boogerish, when Dallas caught up with them.
Can I talk to you for a sec before you leave?
Ill be in Zoeys Bug, Kramisha said. And no, you cant get outta takin me.
Stevie Rae watched her march down the hall before she reluctantly turned to Dallas.
Can we go in there? he asked, pointing to the deserted media center.
Sure, but I do gotta get goin.
Without saying anything, Dallas opened the door for her, and they stepped into the cool, dim room that smelled like books and lemon furniture polish.
You and me, we dont have to be together anymore, Dallas said, all in a rush.
Huh? Dont have to be together? What do you mean?
Dallas crossed his arms over his chest and looked super uncomfortable. I mean we were goin out. You were my girlfriend. You dont want to be anymore, and I get it. You were right, I couldnt do shit to protect you from that bird thing. And I just want you to know Im not gonna turn into an asshole about you and me. Ill still be here for you when you need me, girl, cause youre gonna always be my High Priestess.
I dont want to break up! she blurted.
You dont?
No, and she didnt. At that instant, Dallas was all she could see, and his heart and his goodness were so obvious that Stevie Rae felt like losing him would be like getting punched in her gut. Dallas, Im so sorry for what I said before. I was hurt and mad, and I didnt mean it. I couldnt even get out of the circle, and I cast the dang thing. Theres no way you, or anyone else, not even a Warrior, couldve gotten in there to me.
Dallas met her gaze. That Raven Mocker got in there.
Well, like you said yourself, hes on the side of Darkness, she said, even though his bringing up Rephaim was like throwing cold water in her face.
Theres a lot on the side of Darkness out there, Dallas said. And a bunch of it seems to be runnin into you. So, be careful, will ya, girl? He reached out and brushed a springy blond curl from her face. I couldnt stand it if anything happened to you. He let his hand rest on her shoulder. His thumb gently caressed the line of her neck.
Ill be careful, she said softly.
You really dont want to break up?
She shook her head.
Im glad, cause I dont want to either.
Dallas leaned down as he pulled her into his arms. His lips met Stevie Raes in a hesitant kiss. She told herself to relax and melted into him. He was a good kisserhe always had been. And she liked that he was taller than her, but not crazy tall. He tasted good, too. He knew that she liked her back rubbed, so as he slipped his arms around her his hands went under her shirtnot to try to maul her boobs, like most guys would have. Instead, Dallas started to rub soft, warm circles over her lower back, pressing her closer to him and deepening their kiss.
Stevie Rae kissed him back. It felt good to be with him . . . to block out everything . . . to forget for even a little while about Rephaim and all that stuff . . . especially about the debt shed willingly paid that made her
Stevie Rae pulled away from Dallas. They were both more than a little breathless.
I, uh, I do have to go. Remember? Stevie Rae smiled at him, trying not to sound as awkward as she felt.
Actually, Id kinda forgotten, Dallas said, smiling sweetly at her and brushing that stubborn curl out of her eyes again. But I know you hafta go. Come on. Ill walkya to the Bug.
Feeling part traitor, part liar, and part doomed prisoner, Stevie Rae let him take her hand and lead her to Zoeys car, just like they really, truly could be boyfriend and girlfriend again.
Chapter 17
Stevie Rae
That boys gone on you, Kramisha said, as Stevie Rae pulled out of the schools parking lot, leaving behind Dallas, who was looking more than kinda pitiful. You know what you gonna do bout that other kid?
Stevie Rae braked the car in the middle of the blacktop that led to Utica Street. Im too stressed-out to deal with guy stuff right now. So if all you wanna do is talk about that, you can stay here.
Not dealing with guy stuff just causes more stress.
Bye, Kramisha.
If you gonna act all crazy, then I wont say nothin about it. Right now. Anyway, I got other more important stuff that you need to deal with.
Stevie Rae put the Bug into gear and kept driving off campus though she wished Kramisha would press her about the guy stuff so shed have an excuse to leave her behind, too.
Remember when you told me to think harder bout my poems and such to try to get somethin that might help Zoey?
Of course I remember.
Well, I did. And I got somethin. She dug around in her huge bag until she brought out a well-worn notebook with pages that were her signature purple color. I think everbody, including me until I focused myself, is forgetting bout this. She opened the notebook and waved a page with her cursive print at Stevie Rae.
Kramisha, you know I cant read that while Im drivin. Just tell me what you remembered.
The poem I wrote right before Zoey and the rest of the kids took off for Venice. The one that sounds like its from Kalona to Zoey. Here, Ill read it to ya:
A double-edged sword
One side destroys
One releases
I am your Gordian knot
Will you release or destroy me?
Follow truth and you shall:
Find me on water
Purify me through fire
Trapped by earth nevermore
Air will whisper to you
What spirit already knows:
That even shattered
anything is possible
If you believe
Then we shall both be free.
Ohmygoodness! I had totally forgotten bout that! Okay, okay, read it again, only slower. Stevie Rae listened closely while Kramisha read the poem again. It has to be from Kalona, doesnt it? That part about being trapped by the earth makes it definitely from him.
Im practically sure its from him to her.
It must be, even though thats kinda scary, what with the whole double-edged sword beginning, but the end seems like a real good thing.
It says, then we shall both be free,Kramisha quoted.
Sounds to me like Zs gonna get free from the Otherworld.
And so will Kalona, Kramisha added.
Well deal with that when it happens. Gettin Z free is whats most important. Hang on! I think some of its already come true! What was the part about water?
It says: Find me on water.
And she did. San Clemente Island is definitely on water.
It also says that Zoey has to follow truth. What do you think that means?
Im not one hundred percent sure, but I might have an idea. The last time I talked to Z, I told her to follow her heart, no matter that it might seem to everyone else in the world that she was messin up royally, just follow what everything inside her said was the right thing to do. Stevie Rae paused, blinking hard against the sudden urge to bawl. I-Ive felt real guilty about sayin that, though, cause of what happened to her right afterward.
But maybe you was right. Maybe whats happenin to Z is supposed to happen, cause Im thinkin to follow your heart and to hold on to what you believe is right, even when everbody else says youre dead-assed wrong, is a powerful kind of truth.
Stevie Rae felt a flutter of excitement. And if she keeps doin that, keeps holdin to the truth she has in her heart, the end of the poem will happen, and shell be free.
It feels right to me, Stevie Rae. Real right, like down deep in my bones.
Me, too, Stevie Rae said, grinning at Kramisha.
Okay, but Z needs to know all this. The poem is like a map to the end. The first step, findin him on water, already happened. Next she has to
Purify him through fire, Stevie Rae broke in, remembering the line. And then doesnt it say something bout earth and air?
Yeah, and spirit. Its all five of the elements.
All of Zs affinities, ending in spirit, which is her most powerful affinity.
And the one in charge of the realm shes in right now, Kramisha said. Okay, I aint gonna say this just cause I wrote me a kick-ass poem, so you gotta seriously listen up: Zoey has to know this stuff. Its gonna make the difference between her comin back and her being killed dead by whatevers goin on over there.
Oh, I believe you.
Then how you gonna do it?
Me? Im not. I cant. Im into earth. No way can my spirit take off and get to the Otherworld. Stevie Rae shivered. Just the thought gave her the heebie-jeebies. But Starks gonna get his butt there. He has tothat disgusting cow said so.
Bull, Kramisha said.
Whatever.
You want me to call Stark and read the poem to him? You got his number?
Stevie Rae thought about it. No. Aphrodite says Starks head is seriously messed up right now. He might ignore your poem, thinkin he has other, more important stuff to deal with.
Well, hed be wrong.
Yeah, I agree. So, what we need to do is get the poem to Aphrodite. Shes hateful and all, but shell understand how important it is.
And cause shes so hateful, theres no way shell let Stark ignore her or the poem.
Exactly. Text it to her right now and tell her I said to make Stark memorize it for Zoey. And to remember its a prophecy, not just a poem.
You know, I seriously question her amount of good sense cause she dont like poetry.
Girl, you are preaching to the dang full-gospel Pentecostal choir, said Stevie Rae.
Um-hum, thats all I have to say. And while Stevie Rae pulled into the newly plowed parking lot of the Benedictine Abbey, Kramisha bent her head over her phone and got busy texting.
Stevie Rae
Right away, Stevie Rae could tell that Grandma Redbird was getting better. The terrible bruises on her face had faded, and instead of being in bed, she was sitting in a rocking chair by the fireplace in the abbeys main lounge, so into the book she was reading that she didnt even notice Stevie Rae at first.
Blue-Eyed Devil? Even though she was there to tell Zs grandma awful news, Stevie Rae couldnt help smiling as she read the title. Grandma, that sounds like a romance book to me.
Grandma Redbirds hand went to her throat. Stevie Rae! Child, you startled me. And it is a romancean excellent one at that. Hardy Cates is a magnificent hero.
Magnificent?
Grandma lifted her sliver brows at Stevie Rae. Im old, child. Not dead. I can still appreciate a magnificent man. She motioned to one of the padded wooden chairs not far away. Pull that up, honey, and lets have a chat. Im assuming you have news of Zoey all the way from Venice. Just think of itVenice, Italy! I would love to visit . . . The old womans voice trailed off as she looked more closely at Stevie Rae. I knew it. I knew something was wrong, but my mind has been so muddled since the accident. Sylvia Redbird went very, very still. Then, in a voice that that was rough with fear, she said, Tell me quickly.
With a sad sigh, Stevie Rae sat in the chair shed pulled beside the rocker and took Grandmas hand. Shes not dead, but its not good.
All of it. I want all of it. Dont stop, and dont leave anything out.
Grandma Redbird held on to Stevie Raes hand as if it were a life-line as Zoeys best friend told her everythingfrom Heaths death to the bulls to the present and Kramishas prophetic poem, leaving out only one thing: Rephaim. When she was finished, Grandmas face had gone as pale as it had been right after her accident, when shed been in a coma and near death.
Shattered. My granddaughters soul is shattered, she said slowly, as if the words carried thick layers of grief all their own.
Starks gonna get to her, Grandma. Stevie Rae met the old womans gaze steadily. And then hes gonna protect her so that she can pull herself together.
Cedar, Grandma said, nodding like shed just answered a question, and Stevie Rae should be agreeing with her.
Cedar? Stevie Rae asked, hoping the news about Zoey hadnt made Grandma lose her mind. Literally.
Cedar needles. Tell Stark to make whoever watches over his body while hes in the trance state to burn them the entire time.
You just lost me, Grandma.
Cedar needles are powerful medicine. They repel asgina, which are considered the most malevolent of spirits. Cedar is only used during times of dire need.
Well, this is some seriously dire need, Stevie Rae said, relieved that the color was starting to come back into Grandmas cheeks.
Tell Stark to breathe the smoke deeply, and to think about carrying it with him to the Otherworldto believe it will follow his spirit there. The mind can be a powerful ally of the spirit. Sometimes our minds can even alter the very fabric of our souls. If Stark believes the cedar smoke can accompany his spirit, it might just do so and add an extra layer of protection to him on his quest.
Ill tell him.
Grandma squeezed her hand even tighter. Sometimes things that seem small or insignificant can aid us, even in our most difficult hour. Dont discount anything, and dont let Stark, either.
I wont, Grandma. None of us will. Ill be sure of it.
Sylvia, I just spoke with Kramisha outside, Sister Mary Angela hurried into the room. She came to a halt when she saw Stevie Rae holding the old womans hand. Oh, Mother Mary! It is true then. The nun bowed her head, obviously fighting tears, but when she lifted her chin, her eyes were dry, and her face was set in strong, resolute lines. Well, then, we shall go on from here. Abruptly, she turned and began to leave the room.
Sister, where are you going? Grandma Redbird asked.
To call the abbey to the chapel. We will pray. We all will pray.
To Mary? Stevie Rae asked, unable to keep the skepticism out of her voice.
The nun nodded, and in her firm, wise voice said, Yes, Stevie Rae, to Maryto the Lady we consider to be mother in spirit of us all. Perhaps she isnt the same deity as your Nyx; perhaps she is. But is that question really important right now? Tell me, High Priestess of the Red Fledglings, do you truly believe asking for help in the name of love to be a mistake, no matter what face that help is wearing?
Stevie Rae had a flash of Rephaims face with his human eyes as he stood up to Darkness and took on the debt she owed it, and her mouth suddenly went dry.
Im sorry, Sister. I was wrong. Ask for your Marys help cause sometimes love does come from places that we dont expect.
Sister Mary Angela looked into Stevie Raes eyes for what seemed like a very long time before saying, You may join us in prayer, child.
Stevie Rae smiled at her. Thanks, but I have my own kind of pray-in to do.
Stevie Rae
Hell no I aint gonna lie for you! Kramisha said.
Im not askin you to lie, Stevie Rae said.
Yah you is. You want me to say youre all involved in checking out the tunnel with Sister Mary Angela. Everbody already knows you totally sealed it up last time you was here.
Not everyone knows that, Stevie Rae said.
Yeah, they do. Plus, the nuns is all prayin for Zoey, and it dont seem right at all to use a prayin nun in your lie.
Fine. Ill go down to the tunnel and check it out if it makes you feel better. Stevie Rae couldnt believe Kramisha was making such an issue out of telling a little white lie for her that she was costing her timetime away from Rephaim when Goddess only knew how hurt he was from that disgusting white cow. She remembered the agony shed felt when Darkness had fed from her and knew it had been doubly bad for Rephaim. This time she was gonna have to figure out more to do than just bandaging him and feeding him to make him better. How badly had he been hurt? In her minds eye, she could still see that creature looming over him, tongue red with his blood while
With a jolt, Stevie Rae realized Kramisha had just been standing there, staring at her without saying anything.
Stevie Rae mentally shook herself and said the first excuse that came to her mind. Look, I just dont want to deal with the shitstorm thatll happen if everyone in the House of Night knows I spent like 1.2 seconds alone. Thats all.
You a lie.
Im your High Priestess!
Then you should act like one, Kramisha told her. Tell me the truth bout what you up to.
Im gonna go see the guy, and I dont want anyone to know about it! Stevie Rae blurted.
Kramisha cocked her head to the side. Thats more like it. He aint a fledgling or a vamp, is he?
No, Stevie Rae said with absolute honesty. Hes someone no one would like.
He aint abusing you, is he? Cause thats some wrong shit, and I know some females who been caught up in it and cant get their way out.
Kramisha, I can make earth rise up and kick someones ass. No guy would ever hit me. Ever.
So that means he a human and he married.
I promise hes not married, Stevie Rae evaded.
Huh, Kramisha snorted through her nose. Is he an asshole?
I dont think he is.
Love sucks.
Yep, Stevie Rae said. But Im not sayin Im in love with him, she added hastily. All Im sayin is that
Hes messin with your head, and you do not need that right now. Kramisha pursed her lips up, thinking. Okay, how bout this: I get one of the nuns to take me back to the House of Night, and when everbody stresses bout you bein out here all alone, I just tell them you needed to visit a human, so you aint technically aloneand I aint lying, either.
Stevie Rae thought about it. Do you have to tell them its a human guy?
Ill just say human and say they need to mind they own business. Ill only say guy if someone asks me specifically.
Deal, Stevie Rae said.
You know you gonna have to come clean about him sooner or later. And if he aint married, theres really no issue. Youre a High Priestess. You can have a human mate and a vamp consort at the same time.
It was Stevie Raes turn to snort. And you think Dallas is gonna be okay with that?
He will be if he wants to be with a High Priestess. All vampyres know that.
Well, Dallas isnt a vampyre yet, so it might be a little much to ask of him. And heres the truthI know itll hurt his feelings, and I dont want to do that.
Kramisha nodded. I can tell you dont, but I think you makin too much of this. Dallas will have to learn to deal. What you need to figure out is if this human guy is worth it.
I know that, Kramisha. Thats what Im tryin to do. So, bye. Ill see you at the House of Night in a little while. Stevie Rae started to walk quickly toward the Bug.
Hey! Kramisha called after her. He aint black, is he?
Thinking of Rephaims night-colored wings Stevie Rae paused and looked over her shoulder at Kramisha. What difference does his color make?
It make a lot of difference if youre ashamed of him, she shot back.
Kramisha, thats just silly. No. Hes not black. And, no, I wouldnt be ashamed of him if he was. Jeeze. Bye. Again.
Just checkin.
Just soundin crazy, Stevie Rae muttered as she turned back to the parking lot.
I heard that, Kramisha said.
Good! Stevie Rae yelled. She got into Zoeys Bug and headed toward the Gilcrease Museum, talking to herself out loud. No, Kramisha, hes not black. Hes a killer bird with evil for his daddy, and its not just white folks and black folks who would be pissed at me bein with himits all folks! And then, completely surprising herself, Stevie Rae started to laugh.
Chapter 18
Rephaim
When Rephaim opened his eyes, he saw Stevie Rae squatting in front of his closet nest, studying him so intently that there was a deep furrow on her brow between her eyes, making her red crescent tattoo look oddly wavy. Her blond curls spilled around her face, and she seemed so girl-like that he was suddenly taken aback by remembering how young she really was. And, no matter the vastness of her elemental powers, how vulnerable her youth made her. The thought of her vulnerability had fear knifing his heart.
Hey there. You awake? she said.
Why are you staring at me like that? he asked in a purposefully gruff voice, annoyed that just the sight of her could make him worry about her safety.
Well, Im tryin to figure out how close youve come to dyin this time.
My fathers an immortal. Im hard to kill. He made himself sit up without grimacing.
Yeah, I know about your daddy and your immortal blood and all, but Darkness fed from you. A lot. That cant be good. Plus, to be honest, you look really bad.
You dont, he said. And Darkness fed from you, too.
Im not as hurt as you because you swooped in like Batman and saved the day before that dang nasty bull could mess me up too much. Then I got a shot in the arm from Light, which was totally cool, by the way. And that immortal blood of yours is like the Energizer Bunny inside me.
I am not a bat, was all he could think to say, as that was the only thing shed said he vaguely understood.
I didnt compare you to a bat, I said you were like Batman. Hes a superhero.
Im not a hero, either.
Well, youve been my hero. Twice.
Rephaim didnt know what to say to that. All he knew was that Stevie Rae calling him her hero made something twist deep inside him, and that something suddenly made the pain in his body and his worry for her easier to bear.
So, come on. Lets see if I can return the favor. Again. She stood and held her hand out to him.
I dont think I could eat right now. Some water would be good, though. I drank all that wed brought up here before.
Im not takin you to the kitchen. At least not this second. Im takin you outside. To the trees. Well, okay, to that really big tree by the old gazebo in the front yard to be specific.
Why?
I already told you. You helped me. I think I can help you, but I gotta be closer to the earth than we are up here, and Ive been thinkin bout it, and I know trees have major power in them. Ive kinda used it before. Actually, that may have been part of the reason I was able to call up that thing. She shuddered, clearly remembering her invocation of Darkness, which Rephaim completely understood. Had his body not ached so badly, he would have shuddered, too.
But his body did ache. More than that. His blood felt too hot. With every beat of his heart, searing pain pumped through him, and at the spot where his wings met his spine, where the bull of Darkness had fed from him, violated him, his back was blazing agony.
And she thought a tree would fix what Darkness had wrought?
I think Ill stay here. Rest will help. So will water. If you want to do something for me, get the water I asked for.
Nope. Stevie Rae reached down and, with that strength that always surprised him, grabbed both of his hands and pulled him to his feet. She kept her supporting hold on him while the room pitched and rolled around him, and he thought, for one terrible moment, that he was going to collapse like a fainting girl.
Thankfully, the moment passed, and he was able to open his eyes without fear of making an even bigger fool of himself. He looked down at Stevie Rae. She was still holding his hands. She doesnt shrink away from me in disgust. She hasnt from the first day.
Why do you touch me with no fear? he heard himself asking before he could stop the words.
She gave a little laugh. Rephaim, I dont think you could swat a fly right now. Besides thatyouve saved my life twice, and were Imprinted. Im definitely not scared of you.
Perhaps the question should have been why do you touch me with no repulsion? Again, the words came almost without his permission. Almost.
Her brow furrowed like before, and he decided he liked to watch her think.
Finally, she shrugged, and said, I dont imagine its possible for a vampyre to be repulsed by someone theyre Imprinted with. I mean, I was Imprinted with Aphrodite before I drank your blood, and there was a time when she seriously grossed me outshe just wasnt very nice. At all. Actually, shes still not very nice. But she kinda grew on me after we Imprinted. Not in a sexual way, but I wasnt grossed out by her anymore.
Then Stevie Raes eyes widened like she realized all of what shed said, and the word sexual seemed to be a tangible presence in the room.
She let loose of his hands as if they burned her.
Can you walk downstairs by yourself? Her voice sounded strange and abrupt.
Yes. Ill follow you. If you really think a tree can help.
Well, it wont be long before we find out if what I think means anything. Stevie Rae turned her back on him and headed for the stairs. Oh, she said, without looking at him, thank you for saving me. Again. Youyou didnt have to this time. Her words were hesitant, like she was having trouble picking exactly what she wanted to say to him. He said he wasnt going to kill me.
There are things worse than death, Rephaim said. What Darkness can take from someone who walks with Light can change your soul.
And what about you? What did Darkness take from you? she asked, still not looking at him, as they reached the bottom floor of the old mansion, but she slowed down so that he could keep up with her more easily.