Why did the very thought of it cause such a curious ache within him? Ignoring the feeling, he raised his face to the familiar sky. He hadnt wanted this Imprint. Hed only saved her because he owed her a life, and he knew all too well that one of the true dangers of this world, as well as the next, was the power of an unpaid life debt.
Well, she had saved himfound him, hidden him, and then released him, but on the depot rooftop, he had returned the debt by helping her escape from certain death. His life debt to her was now paid. Rephaim was the son of an immortal, not a weak human man. He had little doubt he could break this Imprintthis ridiculous byproduct of saving her life. He would use what was left of his strength to wish it away, and then he would truly begin to heal.
He breathed in the night again. Ignoring the weakness in his body, Rephaim focused the strength of his will.
I call upon the power of the spirit of ancient immortals, which is mine by birthright to command, to break
The wave of despair crashed over him, and Rephaim staggered against the balconys railing. The sadness radiated throughout his body with such force that it drove him to his knees. There he remained, gasping with pain and shock.
What is happening to me?
Next, an odd, alien fear filled him, and Rephaim began to understand.
These are not my feelings, he told himself, trying to find his own center within the maelstrom of distress. These are her feelings.
Rephaim gasped as hopelessness followed fear. Steeling himself against the continued onslaught, he struggled to stand, fighting the waves of Stevie Raes emotions. Resolutely, he forced himself to refocus through the onslaught and the weariness that tugged relentlessly at himto touch the place of power that lay locked and dormant for most of humanitythe place to which his blood held the key.
Rephaim began the invocation anew. This time with an altogether different intent.
Later, he would tell himself that his response had been automaticthat hed been acting under the influence of their Imprint; it had simply been more powerful than he had expected. It was the damnable Imprint that had caused him to believe that the surest, quickest way to end the horrible wash of emotions from the Red One was to draw her to him and thus remove her from whatever was causing her pain.
It couldnt be that he cared that she was in pain. It could never be that.
I call upon the power of the spirit of ancient immortals, which is mine by birthright to command. Rephaim spoke quickly. Ignoring the pain in his battered body, he pulled energy to him from the deepest shadows of the night, and then channeled that power through him, charging it with immortality. The air around him glistened as it became stained with a dark scarlet radiance. Through the immortal might of my father, Kalona, who seeded my blood and spirit with power, I send you to my There his words broke off. His? She wasnt his anything. She was . . . she was . . . She is the Red One! Vampyre High Priestess to those who are lost, he finally blurted. She is attached to me through blood Imprint and through life debt. Go to her. Strengthen her. Draw her to me. By the immortal part of my being, I command it so!
The red mist scattered off instantly, flying to the south. Back the way hed come. Back to find her.
Rephaim turned his gaze to look after it. And then he waited.
Chapter 3
Stevie Rae
Stevie Rae woke up feeling like a big ol pile of poo. Well, actually, she felt like a big ol pile of stressed-out poo.
Shed Imprinted with Rephaim.
Shed almost burned up on that rooftop.
For a second she remembered the excellent season two True Blood episode where Goderick had burned his own self up on a fictional roof. Stevie Rae snorted a laugh. It looked way easier on TV.
What did?
Sweet weeping puppies, Dallas! You nearly scared me spitless. Stevie Rae clutched at the white, hospital-like sheet that covered her. What in the Sam Hill are you doin here?
Dallas frowned. Jeez, settle down. I came up here a little after dusk to check on you, and Lenobia told me itd be okay to sit here for a while in case you woke up. Youre awful jumpy.
I almost died. I think I have the right to be a little jumpy.
Dallas looked instantly contrite. He scooted the little side chair closer and took her hand. Sorry. Youre right. Sorry. I was real scared when Erik told everyone what had happened.
What did Erik say?
His warm brown eyes hardened. That you almost burned up on that roof.
Yeah, it was really stupid. I tripped and fell and hit my head. Stevie Rae had to look away from his gaze while she spoke. When I woke up, I was almost toast.
Yeah, bullshit.
What?
Save that load of crap for Erik and Lenobia and the rest of em. Those assholes tried to kill you, didnt they?
Dallas, I dont know what youre talkin about. She tried to take her hand from his, but he held tight.
Hey. His voice softened and he touched her face, pulling her gaze back to his. Its just me. You know you can tell me the truth, and Ill keep my mouth shut.
Stevie Rae blew out a long breath. I dont want Lenobia or any of them to know, especially not any of the blue fledglings.
Dallas stared at her a long time before he spoke. I wont say anything to anyone, but you gotta know I think youre makin a big mistake. You cant keep protecting them.
Im not protectin em! she protested. This time she held tight to Dallass safe, warm hand, trying through touch to get him to understand something she could never tell him. I just want to deal with thisall of thismy own way. If everyone knows they tried to trap me up there, then itll all be out of my hands. And what if Lenobia grabs Nicole and her group, and they tell her about Rephaim? The sickening thought was a guilty whisper through Stevie Raes mind.
What are you gonna do about them? You cant just let them get away with this.
I wont. But theyre my responsibility, and Im gonna take care of them myself.
Dallas grinned. Youre gonna kick their butts, huh?
Somethin like that, Stevie Rae said, clueless about what she was going to do. Then she hastily changed the subject. Hey, what time is it? I think Im starving.
Dallass grin changed to laughter as he stood up. Now that sounds like my girl! He kissed her forehead and then turned to the mini-fridge that was tucked within the metallic shelving across the room. Lenobia told me theres baggies of blood in here. She said as fast as youve been healing and as deep as youve been sleeping, youd probably wake up hungry.
While he went for the blood baggies, Stevie Rae sat up and gingerly peeked down the back of her generic hospital gown, wincing a little at how stiff the movement made her feel. She expected the worst. Seriously, her back had been like nasty burned hamburger when Lenobia and Erik had pulled her from the hole shed made in the earth. Pulled her from Rephaim.
Dont think about him now. Just focus on
Ohmygoodness, Stevie Rae whispered in awe as she stared at what she could see of her back. It wasnt hamburgered anymore. It was smooth. Bright pink, as if shed gotten sunburned, but smooth and new-looking, like baby skin.
Thats amazing. Dallass voice was hushed. A real miracle.
Stevie Rae looked up at him. Their eyes met and held.
You scared me good, girl, he said. Dont do that again, kay?
Ill try my best not to, she said softly.
Dallas leaned forward and carefully, with just the tips of his fingers, touched the fresh pink skin at the back of her shoulder. Does it still hurt?
Not really. Im just kinda stiff.
Amazing, he repeated. I mean, I know Lenobia said youd been healing while you were sleepin, but you were hurt real bad, and I just didnt expect anything like
How long have I been asleep? She cut him off, trying to imagine the consequences of Dallass telling her shed been out for days and days. What would Rephaim think if she didnt show up? Worsewhat would he do?
Its just been one day.
Relief flooded her. One day? Really?
Yeah, well, dusk was a couple hours ago, so youve technically been sleepin longer than one day. They brought you back here yesterday after sunrise. It was pretty dramatic. Erik drove the Hummer right across the grounds, knocked down a fence, and floored it straight into Lenobias barn. Then we all scrambled like crazy to carry you through the school up here to the infirmary.
Yeah, I talked to Z in the Hummer on the way back here, and I was feelin almost okay, but then it was like someone turned out the lights on me. I think I passed out.
I know ya did.
Well, thats a dang shame. Stevie Rae let herself smile. I woulda liked seeing all that drama.
Yeahhe grinned back at herthats exactly what I thought once I got over thinkin you were gonna die.
Im not gonna die, she said firmly.
Well, Im glad to hear it. Dallas bent, cupped her chin in his hand, and kissed her tenderly on the lips.
With a strange, automatic reaction, Stevie Rae jerked away from him.
Uh, how about that blood baggie? she said quickly.
Oh, yeah. Dallas shrugged off her rejection, but his cheeks were unnaturally pink when he handed her the bag. Sorry, I wasnt thinkin. I know youre hurt, and ya dont feel like, er, well, you know . . . His voice trailed off, and he looked super uncomfortable.
Stevie Rae knew she should say something. After all, she and Dallas did have a thing together. He was sweet and smart, and he proved he understood her by standing there, looking all sorry, and kinda lowering his head in an adorable way that made him look like a little boy. And he was cutetall and lean, with just the right amount of muscles and thick hair the color of sand. She actually liked kissing him. Or she used to.
Didnt she still?
An unfamiliar sense of unease kept her from finding the words that would make him feel better, so instead of speaking, Stevie Rae took the baggie from him, tore open the corner, and upended it, letting the blood drain down the back of her throat and expand like a mega shot of Red Bull from her stomach to energize the rest of her body.
She didnt want to, but somewhere deep inside her, Stevie Rae weighed the difference between how this normal, mortal, ordinary blood made her feeland how Rephaims blood had been like a lightning strike of energy and heat.
Her hand shook only a little when she wiped her mouth and finally looked up at Dallas.
That better? he asked, looking unfazed by their strange exchange and like his familiar, sweet self again.
Could I have one more?
He smiled and held another baggie out to her. Already ahead of you, girl.
Thanks, Dallas. She paused before slurping down the second one. I dont feel totally one hundred percent right now. Ya know?
Dallas nodded. I know.
We okay?
Yep, he said. If youre okaywere okay.
Well, thisll help. Stevie Rae was upending the baggie when Lenobia came in the room.
Hey, Lenobiacheck out Sleeping Beauty finally waking up, Dallas said.
Stevie Rae guzzled the last bloody drop and turned to the door, but the hello smile shed already put on her face froze at her first glimpse of Lenobia.
The Mistress of Horses had been crying. A lot.
Ohmygoodness, what is it? Stevie Rae was so shaken by seeing the usually strong professor in tears that her first reaction was to pat the bed next to her, inviting Lenobia to sit with her, just like her mama used to do when shed hurt herself and come crying to be fixed.
Lenobia took several wooden steps into the room. She didnt sit on Stevie Raes bed. She stood at the foot of it and drew a deep breath as if readying herself to do something really terrible.
Do you want me to go? Dallas asked hesitantly.
No. Stay. She might need you. Lenobias voice was rough and thick with tears. She met Stevie Raes eyes. Its Zoey. Somethings happened.
A jolt of fear zapped Stevie Rae in the gut, and the words burst from her before she could stop them. Shes fine! I talked to her, remember? When we were leavin the depot, before all that daylight and pain and stuff caught up to me, and I passed out. That was just yesterday.
Erce, my friend who serves as assistant to the High Council, has been trying to contact me for hours. Id foolishly left my phone in the Hummer, so I didnt speak to her until just now. Kalona killed Heath.
Shit! Dallas gasped.
Stevie Rae ignored him and stared at Lenobia. Rephaims dad had killed Heath! The sick fear in her gut was getting worse and worse by the second. Zoeys not dead. Id know it if she was dead.
Zoeys not dead, but she saw Kalona kill Heath. She tried to stop him and couldnt. It shattered her, Stevie Rae. Tears had started to leak down Lenobias porcelain cheeks.
Shattered her? What does that mean?
It means her body still breathes, but her soul is gone. When a High Priestesss soul is shattered, it is only a matter of time before her body fades from this world, too.
Fades? I dont know what youre talkin about. Are you tryin to tell me shes going to disappear?
No, Lenobia said raggedly. Shes going to die.
Stevie Raes head started to shake back and forth, back and forth. No. No. No! We just gotta get her here. Shell be fine then.
Even if her body returns here, Zoey isnt coming back, Stevie Rae. You have to prepare yourself for that.
I wont! Stevie Rae yelled. I cant! Dallas, get me my jeans and stuff. I gotta get outta here. I gotta figure out a way to help Z. She didnt give up on me, and Im not givin up on her.
This isnt about you. Dragon Lankford spoke from the open doorway to the infirmary room. His strong face was drawn and haggard with the newness of the loss of his mate, but his voice was calm and sure. Its about the fact that Zoey faced a grief she could not bear. And I do understand something about grief. When it shatters a soul, the path to return to the body is broken, and without the infilling of spirit, our bodies die.
No, please. This cant be right. This cant be happening, Stevie Rae told him.
You are the first red vampyre High Priestess. You have to find the strength to accept this loss. Your people will need you, Dragon said.
We dont know where Kalona has fled, nor do we know Neferets role in all of this, Lenobia said.
What we do know is that Zoeys death would be an excellent time for them to strike against us, Dragon added.
Zoeys death . . . The words echoed through Stevie Raes mind, leaving behind shock and fear and despair.
Your powers are vast. The swiftness of your recovery proves that, Lenobia said. And we will need every power we can harness to meet the darkness I feel certain is going to descend upon us.
Control your grief, Dragon said. And take up Zoeys mantle.
No one can be Zoey! Stevie Rae cried.
Were not asking you to be her. Were only asking you to help the rest of us fill the void she leaves, Lenobia said.
I haveI have to think, Stevie Rae said. Would yall leave me alone for a while? I want to get dressed and think.
Of course, Lenobia said. We will be in the Council Chamber. Meet us there when you are ready. She and Dragon left the room silently, grief-stricken but resolute.
Hey, are you okay? Dallas moved to her, reaching out to take her hand.
She only let him touch her for a moment before she squeezed his hand and withdrew. I need my clothes.
I found em there in that closet. Dallas jerked his head toward the cabinets on the opposite side of the room.
Good, thanks, Stevie Rae said quickly. You gotta leave so I can get dressed.
You didnt answer my question, he said, watching her closely.
No. Im not okay, and Im not gonna be as long as they keep sayin Zs gonna die.
But, Stevie Rae, even Ive heard about what happens when a soul leaves a bodythe person dies, he said, obviously trying to say the harsh words gently.
Not this time, Stevie Rae said. Now go on outta here so I can get dressed.
Dallas sighed. Ill be waiting outside.
Fine. I wont take too long.
Take your time, girl, Dallas said softly. I dont mind waiting.
But as soon as the door shut, Stevie Rae didnt jump up and throw on her clothes like shed meant to. Instead her memory was too busy flipping through her Fledgling Handbook 101 and stopping at a super-sad story about an ancient soul-shattered High Priestess. Stevie Rae couldnt remember what had caused the priestesss soul to shattershe didnt remember much about the story, actuallyexcept that the High Priestess had died. No matter what anyone had tried to do to save herthe High Priestess had died.
The High Priestess died, Stevie Rae whispered. And Zoey wasnt even a real, grown High Priestess. She was technically still a fledgling. How could she be expected to find her way back from something that had killed a grown High Priestess?
The truth was, she couldnt.
It wasnt fair! Theyd all been through so much hard stuff, and now Zoey was just gonna die? Stevie Rae didnt want to believe it. She wanted to fight and scream and find a way to fix her BFF, but how could she? Z was in Italy and she was in Tulsa. And, hell! Stevie Rae couldnt figure out how to fix a bunch of pain-in-the-ass red fledglings. Who was she to think she could do anything about something as terrible as Zs soul shattering from her body?
She couldnt even tell the truth about being Imprinted with the son of the creature who had caused this awful thing to happen.
Sadness swept over Stevie Rae. She crumpled in on herself, hugged the pillow to her chest, and, twirling a blond curl around and around her finger like she used to do when she was little, began to weep. The sobs wracked her, and she buried her face in the pillow so Dallas wouldnt hear her crying, losing herself to shock and fear and complete, overwhelming despair.
Just as she was giving in to the worst of it, the air around her stirred. Almost as if someone had cracked the window in the small room.
At first she ignored it, too lost in her tears to care about a stupid cold breeze. But it was insistent. It touched the fresh, pink skin of her exposed back in a cool caress that was surprisingly pleasant. For a moment she relaxed, allowing herself to absorb comfort from the touch.
Touch? Shed told him to wait outside!
Stevie Raes head shot up. Her lips were pulled back from her teeth in a snarl she meant to aim at Dallas.
No one was in the room.
She was alone. Absolutely alone.
Stevie Rae dropped her face in her hands. Was shock making her go totally batshit crazy? She didnt have time for crazy. She had to get up and get dressed. She had to put one foot in front of the other and go out there and deal with the truth about what had happened to Zoey, and her red fledglings, and Kalona, and, eventually, Rephaim.
Rephaim . . .
His name echoed in the air, another cold caress against her skin, wrapping around her. Not just touching her back but skimming down the length of her arms and swirling around her waist and over her legs. And everywhere the coolness touched, it was like a little bit of her grief had been washed away. This time when she looked up she was more controlled in her reaction. She wiped her eyes clear and stared down at her body.
The mist that surrounded her was made of tiny sparkling drops that were the exact color shed come to recognize in his eyes.
Rephaim. Against her will, she whispered his name.
He calls you . . .
What the hell is going on? Stevie Rae muttered, anger stirring through despair.
Go to him . . .
Go to him? she said, feeling increasingly pissed off. His dad caused this.
Go to him . . .
Letting the tide of cool caress and red anger make her decision, Stevie Rae yanked on her clothes. She would go to Rephaim, but only because he might know something that she could use to help Zoey. He was the son of a dangerous and powerful immortal. Obviously, he had abilities she didnt know about. The red stuff that was floating around her was definitely from him, and it must be made of some kind of spirit.
Fine, she said aloud to the mist. Ill go to him.
The instant she spoke the words aloud, the red haze evaporated, leaving only a lingering coolness on her skin and a strange, otherworldly sense of calm.
Ill go to him, and if he cant help me, then I thinkImprint or no ImprintIm going to have to kill him.
Chapter 4
Aphrodite
Seriously, Erce, Im only going to say this one more time. I dont care about your stupid rules. Zoey is in there. Aphrodite paused and pointed one well-manicured fingernail at the closed stone door. And that means Im going in there.
Aphrodite, you are a humanone who isnt even the consort of a vampyre. You cannot simply burst into the High Council Chamber with all of your youthful, mortal hysteria, especially during a time of crisis such as this. The vampyres cool look took in Aphrodites messed-up hair, tear-stained face, and reddened eyes. The Council will invite you to join them. Probably. Until then, you must wait.
I am not hysterical. Aphrodite spoke the words slowly, distinctly, and with forced calm, attempting to totally make up for the fact that the reason shed been left outside the High Council Chamber when Stark, followed by Darius, Damien, the Twins, and even Jack, had carried Zoeys lifeless body inside was entirely because she had been exactly what Erce had called hera hysterical human. She hadnt been able to keep up with the rest of them, especially since shed been crying so hard the snot and tears had kept her from doing much breathing or seeing. By the time shed pulled herself together, the door had been closed in her face, with Erce acting as fucking gatekeeper.
But Erce was super wrong if she thought Aphrodite didnt know how to handle a stick-up-her-ass bossy adult. Shed been raised by a woman who made Erce look like Mary Fucking Poppins.
So you think Im just a human kid, do you? Aphrodite got all into the vamps personal space, which made Erce take an automatic step back. Think again. Im a prophetess of Nyx. Remember her? Nyxas in your Goddess who is the boss of you. I do not need to be some guys refrigerator to have the right to go before the High Council. Nyx herself gave me the right. Now move the hell out of my way!
Though she could have phrased it more politely, the child makes a valid point, Erce. Let her pass. Ill take responsibility for her presence if the Council disapproves.
Aphrodite felt the small hairs along her forearms lift as Neferets smooth voice came from behind her.
It is not customary, Erce said, but her capitulation was already obvious.
Neither is it customary for the soul of a fledgling to be shattered, said Neferet.
I must agree with you, Priestess. Erce stepped aside and opened the thick stone door. And you are now responsible for this humans presence in the Chamber.
Thank you, Erce. That is gracious of you. Oh, and I am having a few of the Council Warriors deliver something here. Be quite sure to allow them to pass, too, would you please?
Aphrodite didnt so much as glance back as Erce murmured a predictable, Of course, Priestess. Instead, she strode into the ancient building.
Isnt it odd that once again we are allies, child? Neferets voice followed close behind her.
Well never be allies, and Im not a child, Aphrodite said without looking at her or slowing down. The entry foyer opened to a huge stone amphitheater that spread around her in circular row after row. Aphrodites eyes were drawn up immediately to the stained-glass window directly before her that depicted Nyx, framed by a brilliant pentagram, graceful arms upraised and cupping a crescent moon.
Its really lovely, isnt it? Neferets voice was easy and conversational. Vampyres have always been responsible for creating the greatest works of art in the world.
Aphrodite still refused to look at the exHigh Priestess. Instead, she shrugged. Vamps have money. Money buys pretty things, whether theyre made by humans or nonhumans. And you dont know for sure that vamps made that window. I mean, youre old, but not that old. As Aphrodite tried to ignore Neferets soft, condescending laughter, her gaze moved down to the center of the chamber. At first she didnt really comprehend what she was seeing, and then when she got it, it was as if someone had punched her in the gut.
There were seven carved marble thrones on the huge raised platform that made up the inner floor of the chamber. Vampyres were seated in the thrones, but they werent what caught Aphrodites gaze. What she couldnt stop staring at was Zoey, lying on the dais in front of the thrones like a dead body stretched out on a funeral slab. And then there was Stark. He was on his knees beside Zoey. He was turned just enough so that Aphrodite could see his face. He didnt make one sound, but tears were falling freely down his cheeks and pooling on his shirt. Darius was standing next to him, and he was saying something she couldnt quite hear to the brunette sitting in the first throne whose thick hair was streaked with gray. Damien, Jack, and the Twins were huddled together, typically sheeplike, in a nearby row of stone benches. They were bawling, too, but their loud, messy tears were as different from Starks silent misery as was the ocean from a babbling brook.
Aphrodite automatically started forward, but Neferet grabbed her wrist. And that finally made her turn to look at her old mentor.
You really should let go of me, Aphrodite said softly.
Neferet raised one brow. Have you finally learned to stand up to a mother figure?
Aphrodite let the anger burn quietly within her. You are no ones mother figure. I learned to stand up to bitches a long time ago.
Neferet frowned and let loose her wrist. Ive never liked your coarse language.
Im not coarse; Im real. Two different things. And you think I fucking care what you like or dislike? Neferet took a breath to respond, but Aphrodite cut her off. Just what the hell are you doing here?
Neferet blinked in surprise. I am here because there is a wounded fledgling here.
Oh, thats such shit! Youre only here because somehow its gonna get you something you want. Thats how you work, Neferet, whether they know it or not. Aphrodite jerked her chin at the High Council members.
Be careful, Aphrodite. You may need me in the very near future.
Aphrodite held Neferets gaze and felt a sense of shock as she realized the eyes that met hers had changed. They were no longer brilliant emerald green. They had darkened. Was that red that glowed from deep in the middle of them? As quickly as the thought came to Aphrodite, Neferet blinked. Her eyes cleared and were once again the color of expensive gemstones.
Aphrodite drew a shaky breath, and the small hairs on her arms lifted again, but her voice was flat and sarcastic when she said, Thats okay. Ill take my chances without your help.She air quoted around the last word.
Neferet, the Council recognizes you!
Neferet turned to face the Council, but before she descended the stairs to them, she paused and made a graceful gesture, which included Aphrodite.
I ask that the Council allow the presence of this human. She is Aphrodite, the child who makes claims of being Nyxs Prophetess.
Aphrodite stepped around Neferet and looked squarely from one Council member to another. I dont claim to be a prophetess. I am Nyxs Prophetess because the Goddess wants me to be. The truth is, if I had a choice about it, I wouldnt want the job. She kept speaking even though several of the Council members had gasped in shock. Oh, and just FYI: Im not telling you anything Nyx doesnt already know.
The Goddess believes in Aphrodite even though she is not quite as sure about herself, Darius said.
Aphrodite smiled at him. He was more than her big, hot, mountainlike Warrior. She could count on Darius; he always saw the best in her.
Darius, why do you speak for this human? asked the brunette.
Duantia, I speak for this Prophetess, he enunciated her title carefully, because I have pledged myself to her as her Warrior.