He didnt take anything from me. He just filled me with pain and then fed on that pain mixed with my blood.
Theyd reached the front door, and Stevie Rae paused, looking up at him. Because Darkness feeds on pain and Light feeds on love.
Her words tripped a mental switch inside him, and he studied her more closely. Yes, he decided, she is keeping something from me. What price did Light demand from you for saving me?
Stevie Rae was unable to meet his eyes again, which gave him an odd, panicky feeling. He thought she wasnt going to answer him at all, but finally, in a voice that sounded almost angry, Do you want to tell me about everything that bull demanded from you when he was feeding from you, and standing over you, and basically molesting you?
No, Rephaim answered without hesitated. But the other bull
No, Stevie Rae echoed him. I dont want to talk about it, either. So lets just forget it and go on from here. Well, and lets hope I can fix some of this pain Darkness left inside you.
Rephaim walked with her out onto the icy front lawn, which was pathetic in its dilapidation and a sad, broken reflection of its opulent past. As Rephaim followed her, moving slowly to try to compensate for the terrible pain that was making him so weak, he wondered about the payment Light could have demanded from Stevie Rae. Clearly, it was something unnervingsomething that made Stevie Rae reluctant to speak of it.
He kept stealing glances at her when he thought she wouldnt notice. She appeared healthy and totally recovered from her brush with Darkness. Actually, she looked strong and whole and completely normal.
But, as he was all too aware, appearances could easily deceive.
Something was wrongor at the very least, something about the debt shed paid Light made her uncomfortable.
Rephaim was so busy trying to be stealthy about studying her that he almost ran into the tree shed stopped beside.
She looked at him and shook her head. Youre not foolin me. You feel too crappy to be sneaky, so stop gawking at me. Im fine. Jeeze, youre worse than my mama.
Have you talked to her?
Stevie Raes frown deepened. I havent exactly had a lot of free time the past couple days. So, no, I havent talked to my mama.
You should.
Im not gonna talk about my mama right now.
As you wish.
And you dont need to use that tone with me.
What tone?
Instead of answering him, she said, Just sit down and be quiet for a change and let me think about how Im supposed to help you. Like she was demonstrating, Stevie Rae sat down, cross-legged, with her back against the old cedar tree that wept ice and fragrant needles all around them. When he still didnt move, she made an impatient noise and motioned to the space in front of her. Sit, she ordered.
He sat.
And now? he asked.
Well, give me a minute. Im not real sure how to do this.
He watched her twirl one of her soft blond curls around her finger and scrunch up her forehead for a while, and then he offered, Would it help to think about what you did when you tripped that annoying fledgling who thought he could challenge me?
Dallas isnt annoying, and he thought you were attacking me.
Good thing I wasnt.
And why is that?
Even through the pain in his body, her tone amused him. She knew very well that puny fledgling had been no threat to him, even in his weakened condition. Had Rephaim been attacking her, or anyone else, the impotent youth couldnt have stopped him. Still, the boy had been Marked by a red crescent, which meant he was one of her subjects, and his Stevie Rae was nothing if not fiercely loyal. So Rephaim bowed his head in acquiescence, and said only, Because it would have been inconvenient if Id had to defend myself.
Stevie Raes lips curved up in the hint of a smile. Dallas really did think he was protecting me from you.
You dont need him. Rephaim spoke the words without thinking. Stevie Raes gaze met his and held. He wished he could read her expressions more easily. He thought he saw surprise in her eyes, and maybe a faint glint of hope, but he also saw fearof that he was sure. Fear of him? No, shed already proven she wasnt afraid of him. So the fear had to be within, of something that wasnt him but that hed triggered. Not knowing what else to say, he added, As you said before, I could not swat a fly. I was certainly no threat to you.
Stevie Rae blinked a couple of times, as if clearing away too many thoughts, and then she shrugged, and said, Yeah, well, Ive had one heck of a time convincing everybody back at the House of Night that it was just a weird coincidence that you dropped from the sky at the same time Darkness manifested, and that you werent attacking me. Them knowing theres a Raven Mocker still in Tulsa has made it super hard for me to get away from school alone.
I should leave. The words made him feel strangely empty inside.
Where would you go?
East, he said without hesitation.
East? You mean like all the way east to Venice? Rephaim, your daddys not in his body. You cant help him by goin there right now. I think you can help him more by stayin here and working with me to bring both Zoey and him back.
You dont want me to leave?
Stevie Rae looked down as if studying the earth they sat on. Its hard for a vampyre to have the person shes Imprinted with too far away from her.
Im not a person.
Yeah, but that didnt stop us from Imprinting, so Im thinkin the rules still apply to you and me.
Then Ill stay until you tell me to go.
She closed her eyes as if the words had hurt her, and he had to force himself to remain still and not reach out to comfort her, to touch her.
Touch her? I want to touch her?
He crossed his arms over his chest in a physical denial of the shocking thought.
Earth, he said, his voice sounding too loud in the silence that had fallen between them. She looked up at him then with a question in her eyes. You called it before, when you tripped the red fledgling. You called it to open so that you could escape from the sunlight on the rooftop. You called it to close the tunnel behind me at the abbey. Can you not simply call it now and make your request of it?
Her gentle blue eyes widened. Youre right! Why am I makin it so hard? Ive done it like a zillion times for other stuff. Theres no reason why I cant do it for this. She held her hands out, palms up. Here, grab hold.
It was too easy for him to unfold his arms and press his palms to hers. He looked down at their joined hands, and he suddenly realized that, except for Stevie Rae, hed never touched a human for any reason except violence. Yet there he was, touching her againgentlycalmly.
Her skin felt good against his. She was warm. And soft. Her words came to him then, and what she was saying moved inside him, nesting there in a distant place that had never before been touched.
Earth, I have a big favor to ask you. Rephaim here is special to me. Hes in pain, and hes havin trouble gettin well. Earth, Ive borrowed your strength beforeto save myselfto save those I care about. This time Im asking to borrow your strength to help Rephaim. Its only right. She paused and looked up at him. Their eyes met as she echoed the words hed spoken to Darkness when he thought shed been unable to hear him. You see, hes hurt because of me. Heal him. Please.
The ground beneath them quivered. Rephaim was thinking it was strangely like the skin of a twitching animal when Stevie Rae gasped, and her body jerked. Rephaim started to pull away, wanting to stop whatever was happening to her, but she held tightly to his hands, saying No! Dont let go. Its fine.
Then heat radiated from her palms into his. For an instant it reminded him of the last time hed called on what he believed to be the immortal power of his fathers blood, and Darkness had answered insteadpulsing through his body and healing his shattered arm and wing. But quickly Rephaim understood that there was an essential difference between being touched by Darkness and being touched by the earth. Where before the power had been raw and consuming, swelling him with energy and shooting through his body, now what filled him was like a summers wind beneath his wings. Its presence in his body was no less commanding than Darkness had been, but it was power tempered with compassionits infilling was living and healthy and growing instead of cold and violent and consuming. It was balm to his overheated blood, soothing the pain that pulsed through his body. When the earths warmth reached his backthat raw, unhealed place where his great wings grewthe relief was so instantaneous that Rephaim closed his eyes, breathing a long sigh as the agony evaporated.
And, throughout the healing, the air around Rephaim was filled with the heady, comforting scent of cedar needles and the sweetness of summer grass.
Think about sending the energy back into the earth. Stevie Raes voice was gentle, but insistent. He started to open his eyes and let loose her hands, but again she held tight to him, saying, No, keep your eyes shut. Just stay like you are, but imagine the power from the earth as a glowing green light thats coming from the ground under me, up through my body and hands, to you. When you feel like its done its job, envision it pouring from your body back into the earth.
Rephaim kept his eyes closed, but asked, Why? Why let it leave me?
He could hear the smile in her voice. Because its not yours, silly. You cant own this power. It belongs to the earth. You can only borrow it, and then send it back with a thank you very much.
Rephaim almost told her that was ridiculousthat when youve been given power, you dont let it go. You keep it and use it and own it. He almost said it, but he couldnt. Those words seemed wrong while he was getting filled with earth energy.
So instead, he did what felt right. Rephaim imagined the energy that filled him as a glowing green shaft of light, and envisioned it pouring down his spine and back into the earth from which it had come. And as the rich warmth of earth drained from him, he spoke two words very softly, Thank you.
Then he was himself again. Sitting under a big cedar tree on damp, cold ground, holding Stevie Raes hands.
Rephaim opened his eyes.
Better now? she asked.
Yes. Much better. Rephaim opened his hands, and this time, she, too, pulled away.
Really? I mean, I felt the earth and thought I was channeling it through me into you, and you seemed to be feelin it. She cocked her head, studying him. You do look better. There isnt any pain in your eyes anymore.
He stood up, eager to show her, and opened his arms, unfurling his massive wings as if he were flexing a muscle. See! I can do this with no pain.
She was sitting on the ground staring up at him, wide-eyed. The look on her face was so odd that he automatically lowered his arms and folded his wings against his back.
What is it? he asked. Whats wrong?
IId forgotten that you flew to the park. Well, and from the park, too. She made a sound that could have been a laugh had it not sounded so choked. Thats stupid, isnt? How could I have forgotten somethin like that?
I suppose you got used to seeing me broken, he said, trying to understand why she suddenly seemed so withdrawn from him.
What fixed your wing?
The earth, he said.
No, not now. It wasnt broken when we came out here. The pain you were filled with didnt have anything to do with that.
Oh, no. Ive been healed since last night. The pain was caused by the remnants of Darkness and what he did to my body.
So how did your wing and your arm get fixed last night?
Rephaim didnt want to answer her. As she stared at him with those wide, accusing eyes, he found himself wanting to lieto tell her it had been a miracle wrought by the immortality in his blood. But he couldnt lie to her. He wouldnt lie to her.
I called on powers that are mine to command through my fathers blood. I had to. I heard you scream my name.
She blinked, and he saw realization flash through her gaze. But the bull said youd been filled with his power and not your daddys.
Rephaim nodded. I knew it was different. I didnt know why. Nor did I understand I was getting power directly from Darkness himself.
So Darkness healed you.
Yes, and then the earth healed me from the wound Darkness left inside me.
Okay, well, good. She stood abruptly and brushed off her jeans. Youre better now, and I gotta go. Like I said, its tough for me to get away now that the House of Night is all freaked about a Raven Mocker bein in town.
She started to walk quickly past him, and he reached out to grab her wrist.
Stevie Rae flinched away from him.
Rephaims hand dropped instantly to his side, and he took a step away from her.
They stared at each other.
I gotta go, she repeated.
Will you return?
I have to! I promised! She yelled the words at him, and he felt them as if shed slapped him.
I release you from your promise! he yelled back at her, angry that this small female could cause such turmoil within him.
Her eyes were suspiciously bright when she said, Its not you I promisedso you cant release me. Then she swept past him, her head turned away so he couldnt see her face.
Do not return because you have to. Return only because you want to, he called after her.
Stevie Rae didnt pause and didnt look back at him. She simply left.
Rephaim stood there a long time. When the sound of her car faded away, he finally moved. With a cry of frustration, the Raven Mocker ran and then launched himself into the night sky, beating the cold wind with his massive wings and heading up, up to find the warmer thermals that would lift him, hold him, carry him anywhereeverywhere.
Just away! Take me away from here!
The Raven Mocker swooped to the east, away from the direction Stevie Raes car had takenaway from Tulsa and the confusion that had entered his life since shed entered his life. Then he closed his mind to everything except the familiar joy of the sky, and flew.
Chapter 19
Stark
Yeah, Im listening to you, Aphrodite. You want me to memorize that poem. Stark spoke to her through the helicopters headsets, which he wished he knew how to shut off. He didnt want to listen to her run her mouth; he didnt want to talk to Aphrodite or to anyone. He was totally preoccupied with turning over and over in his mind his strategy for getting himself and Zoey on the island. Stark stared out of the window of the helicopter, trying to see through darkness and fog for a first glimpse of the Isle of Skye where, according to Duantia and just about the entire High Council, he was going to meet his certain death sometime in the next five days.
Not that poem, idiot. That prophecy. I wouldnt ask anyone to memorize a poem. Metaphor, simile, allusion, symbolism . . . blah . . . blah . . . ugh. It makes my hair hurt thinking about all that crap. Not that a prophecy sucks any less, but it issadlyimportant. And Stevie Rae has a point about this one. It does read like a confusing poetic map, Aphrodite said.
I am in agreement with Aphrodite and Stevie Rae, Darius said. Kramishas prophetic poems have given Zoey guidance before. This one could do the same thing.
Stark dragged his gaze from the window. I know. He looked from Darius to Aphrodite, then his eyes went to Zoeys apparently lifeless body, where she was strapped in on a narrow litter between the three of them. She already found Kalona on water. She has to purify him through fire. Air has to whisper to her something spirit already knows, and if she keeps following truth, shell be free. I already memorized the damn thing. I dont care if its a poem or a prophecy. If theres a chance it can help her, Ill get it to Zoey.
The pilots voice came through the headsets to all of them. Im putting it down now. Remember, all I can do is let you out. The rest is up to you. Just know if you step one foot on the island itself without Sgiachs permission, you will die.
I got that the first dozen times you assholes said it, Stark muttered, not caring that the pilot gave him a dark look over her shoulder.
Then the helicopter landed, and Darius was helping him unbuckle Zoey. Stark dropped to the ground. Darius and Aphrodite carefully handed Zoey to him, and he cradled her in his arms, trying to shield her from the worst of cold, wet wind whipped up by the helicopters massive blades. Darius and Aphrodite joined him, and they all hurried away from the helicopter, though the pilot hadnt been exaggerating. They werent even on the ground for a minute when the copter took off.
Pussies, Stark said.
Theyre just following their instincts, Darius said, looking around them as if he expected the bogeyman to jump out of the mist.
No shit. This place is super creepy, Aphrodite said, moving closer to Darius, who tucked her hand through his arm possessively.
Stark frowned at them. Are you two okay? Dont tell me the doom-and-gloom vamps got to you.
Darius looked him up and down, and then shared a glance with Aphrodite before answering. You dont feel it, do you?
I feel cold and wet. I feel pissed off that Zoeys in trouble and I havent been able to help her, and I feel annoyed that dawn is only an hour or so away and my only shelter is a shack the vamps said is a thirty-minute walk back the way we came. Are any of those things the it youre talking about?
No, Aphrodite answered for Darius, though the Warrior was also shaking his head. The it Darius and I feel is a strong desire to run away. And I do mean run. Now.
I want to take Aphrodite out of here. To get her away from this island and never to come back, Darius said. That is what all my instincts are telling me.
And you dont feel any of that? Aphrodite asked Stark. You dont want to carry Zoey the hell outta here?
Nope.
I think thats a good sign, Darius said. The warning that is inherent in the land is somehow passing over him.
Or Starks just too muscle-brained to be warned, Aphrodite said.
On that upbeat thought, lets get going with this. I dont have time to waste on spooky feelings, Stark said. Still carrying Zoey, he started toward the long, narrow bridge that stretched between an outcropping of the Scottish mainland and the island. It was lit by torches that could barely been seen through the soupy mixture of night and mist. Are you two coming? Or are you going to run screaming like girls away from here.
Were coming with you, Darius said, catching him in a couple of strides.
Yeah, and I said I wanted to run. I didnt say shit about screaming. Im not a screamer, Aphrodite said.
Theyd both sounded pretty tough, but Stark hadnt even gotten to the halfway point of the bridge when he heard Aphrodite whispering to Darius. He glanced at the two of them. Even in the dim torchlight he could see how pale the Warrior and his Prophetess had become. Stark paused. You dont have to come with me. Everyone, even Thanatos, said theres absolutely no way Sgiach is going to let you guys on the island. Even if all of them are wrong, and you do get on, theres not much you can do. I have to figure out how to get to Zoey. Alone.
We cant be at your side while youre in the Otherworld, Darius said.
So were watching your back, and theres nothing you can do about it. Zoey would be totally pissed at me when she gets back in thereAphrodite pointed at Zoeys bodyand found out Darius and I had let you do all this crap alone. You know how she is with her one for all, all for one, mentality. The vamps wouldnt bring the whole nerd herd here, something I cant really blame them for, so Darius and I are picking up their slack. Again. Like you said, stop wasting time you dont have. She waved her hand at the darkness in front of them. Go on, Im just gonna ignore the crashing black waves below us and the fact that I know for damn sure this bridge is going to break any moment and drop us into the fucking water, where sea monsters will drag us under the spooky black waves and suck out our brains.
Thats really what this place is making you feel? Stark tried, unsuccessfully, to hide his smile.
Yes, asstard, it is.
Stark looked at Darius, who nodded in agreement because instead of speaking, he was obviously choosing to clench his jaw and shoot suspicious glances downward at the spooky black waves.
Huh. Stark quit even attempting to hide his smile and grinned at Aphrodite. Just water and a bridge to me. Damn shame its freaking you out so badly.
Walk, Aphrodite said. Before I forget youre holding Zoey, and I push you off this bridge so that Darius and I can run back the way we came, screaming or not.
Starks grin only lasted a few more feet. It didnt take an ancient go away spell to sober him up. All it took was Zoeys unmoving weight in his arms. I shouldnt be messing with Aphrodite. I need to focus. Think of what I decided to say to them and, please oh please, Nyx, let me be right. Let me say what will get me on that island. Unsmiling and resolute, Stark led them across the bridge until they stopped in front of an imposing archway made of an ethereally beautiful white stone. The torchlight caught veins of silver in what Stark thought had to be a rare marble, so that the arch glittered seductively.
Oh, for craps sake, I can barely look at it, Aphrodite said, turning her head from the archway and averting her eyes. And I usually love sparkly things.
It is more of the spell. Dariuss voice was rough with tension. Its meant to repel.
Repel? Aphrodite glanced at the archway, shuddered, and then looked hastily away again. Repulse is a better word.
It doesnt affect you, either. Does it? Darius asked Stark.
Stark shrugged. Its impressive, and its obviously expensive, but it doesnt make me feel weird. He moved closer to the marble and studied the archway. So, wheres the doorbell or whatever? How do we call someone? Is there a phone, or do I yell, or what?
Ha Gaelic akiv? The disembodied male voice seemed to come from the archway itself, like it was a living portal. Stark looked into the dark with bewilderment. Itll be in the English tongue, then, the voice continued. Your unwanted presence here is all that is required to summon me.
I need to see Sgiach. Its a matter of life or death, Stark said.
Sgiach isnae concerned with uze wains, even if it be a matter of life or death.
This time the voice sounded nearer, clearer, and it had a Scottish accent that was more growl than brogue.
What the hell is a wain? Aphrodite whispered.
Sssh, Stark told her. To the faceless voice he said, Zoey isnt a child. Shes a High Priestess, and she needs help.
A man stepped out of the shadows. He was wearing an earth-colored kilt, but it wasnt like those theyd seen on their hurried trip through the Highlands. This one was made of more material, and it wasnt prim and proper-looking. This vampyre didnt have on a tweed jacket with a frilly shirt. His muscular chest and arms were bare as he wore only a studded leather vest and forearm guards. The hilt of a dirk glinted at his waist. Except for a strip of short hair down the center of his head, his hair was shaven. Two gold hoops glinted at one ear. The firelight caught the gold chieftains torque he wore around one wrist. In contrast to his powerful body, his face was deeply lined. His close-cropped beard was completely white. The tattoos on his face were griffins, claws extended onto his cheekbones. The overall and immediate impression Stark got from him was that this was a Warrior who could walk through fire and emerge not merely unscathed, but victorious.
That wee lass theres a fledglin, no a High Priestess, he said.
Zoeys not like other fledglings. Stark spoke quickly, afraid the guy who looked like hed stepped out of an ancient world would de-materialize and fade into the past at any second. Up until two days ago, she had a vampyres tattoos, plus tattoos over much of the rest of her body. And she had affinities for all five of the elements.
The vampyres appraising blue eyes remained on Stark without glancing at Zoey or Darius and Aphrodite.
Yet today I see only an unconscious fledgling.
Her soul was shattered two days ago fighting a fallen immortal. When that happened, her tattoos disappeared.
Then its a dyin she will be. The vampyre raised one hand in a dismissive gesture and began to turn away.
No! Stark shouted, and stepped forward.
Stad anis! the Warrior commanded, and with otherworldly speed, the vampyre whirled around and leaped forward, landing directly under the archway and blocking Starks path. Are yie stupit or a feckn fool, man? You havnae permission tae enter the Eilean nan Sgiath, the Isle of Women. Should yie try, tis yer life yie will forfeit, aye, make no mistake about that.
Inches from the imposing vampyre, Stark stood his ground and looked him eye to eye. Im not stupid or a fool. Im Zoeys Warrior, and if I think I can protect her best by getting her on this island, then its my right to take my High Priestess to Sgiach.
Yie have been misinformed, Warrior, the vampyre said placidly yet firmly. Sgiach and her Isle are a world apart from yer High Council and their rules. I am no a Son of Erebus and mo bann ri, my queen, isnae in Italy. Warrior tae a wounded High Priestess or no, you dinnae have the right tae enter here. Yie have nae rights at all here.
Abruptly, Stark turned to Darius. Hold Zoey. He gave his High Priestess to the other Warrior and then faced the vampyre again. Stark lifted his hand, palm out, and as the vampyre watched him with open curiosity, he slashed his thumbnail down his wrist. Im not asking to enter as a Son of Erebus Warrior; I walked out on the High Council. Their rules dont mean shit to me. Hell, Im not asking to enter! Through the right Ive inherited in my blood, Im demanding to see Sgiach. I have something to say to her.
The vampyre didnt take his eyes from Starks gaze, but his nose dilated as he sniffed the air.
What is yer name?
Today they call me Stark, but I think the name youre looking for is what they called me before I was MarkedMacUallis.
Remain here, MacUallis. The vampyre disappeared into the night.
Stark wiped his bleeding arm on his jeans and took Zoey from Darius. Im not going to let her die. Drawing a deep breath, he closed his eyes and got ready to pass beneath the archway and go after the vampyre, counting on the blood of his human ancestors to protect him.
Dariuss hand caught his arm, keeping him from crossing the threshold. I think the vampyre meant you to remain here because hes coming back.
Stark paused and looked from Darius to Aphrodite, who rolled her eyes at him, and said, You know, in this lifetime youre probably supposed to learn patience along with a little get a clue. Jeesh, just hang on a couple minutes. Barbarian Warrior guy told you to wait here, not to go away. Sounds like hes coming back.
Stark grunted and took half a step away from the middle of the arch, though he slouched against the outer side of it, shifting Zoeys weight so that she might be more comfortable. Fine. Ill wait. But Im not waiting long. Theyre either letting me onto the damn island, or theyre not. Either way, I want to get what happens next over with.
The human is correct. The womans voice came out of the darkness of the island. You need to learn patience, young Warrior.
Stark straightened and faced the island again. I only have five days to save her. Otherwise, shell die. I dont have time to learn patience right now.
The womans laughter made the fine hairs on Starks arms lift. Impetuous, arrogant, and impertinent, she said. He reminds me of you several centuries ago, Seoras.
Aye, but I wasnae ever that young, answered the voice of the vampyre Warrior.
Stark was struggling against shouting at the two of them to come out of the dark and face him when they seemed to materialize from the mist directly in front of him on the island side of the arch. The archaic-looking vampyre was there again, but Stark hardly glanced at him. His entire focus was captivated by the woman.
She was tall, with a broad-shouldered body that was muscular, yet entirely feminine. There were lines at the corners of her eyes, which were large and beautiful and an amazing shade of gold mixed with green, the exact color of the fist-sized piece of amber that hung from the middle of the torque around her neck. Except for a single streak of cinnamon red, her waist-length hair was perfectly white, but she didnt look old. She didnt look young, either. As he studied her, Stark realized that she reminded him of Kalona, who was ageless and ancient at the same time. Her tattoos were incredibleswords with intricately carved hilts and blades framed her strong, sensual face. He realized no one had said anything while hed been gawking, and Stark cleared his throat, held Zoey close to him, and respectfully bowed to her.