You are probably right, he said. Can you manage it?
Well, its really not very far to the dorm. Plus, the weathers already nasty. Ill just call in some mist and increase the rain. That should do a pretty good job of hiding us. Remember to think that youre made of nothing but spirit. Try to imagine blending in with the storm. That usually makes it easier for me.
Will do. Im ready whenever you are.
I drew a deep breath, grateful that my chest was almost completely pain-free, and centered myself. Water, fire, and spirit, I need you, I said. I flung wide one of my arms, as if receiving a hug from a friend, and hooked the other through Dariuss arm. Immediately I felt the three elements surge around and through me and, hopefully, Darius, too. Spirit, I ask you to cloak ushide uslet us blend with the night. Water, fill the air around us, bathe us and conceal us. Fire, I need you just a littlejust enough to heat the ice so the mist forms.
Go."
Okay," added all and anticipation around as at buoyed "But" by changes" "Darius." door="door elements everything felt fire,give grounds. He "I" id="I’d" ice="ice" in="in" into="into" it="it" lets="let’s" magical.="magical.”" make="Make" mist="mist." misty="misty" moved="moved" nodded="nodded" not="not" of="of" only="only" opened="opened" out="out" over="over" quickly="quickly." quivering="quivering" school="school" smiled="smiled" soupy="soupy" spirit="spirit" storm=""pat***** [needs correction]******
Id been right about one thing: the weather was nasty. Id definitely liked it more looking out from inside the warm, dry building. It had been bad before, but as the elements responded to my command the storm increased in intensity. I glanced around us, trying to discover if the Raven Mockers had noticed us, but the elements were working together well, and Darius and I walked in what felt like the middle of a blinding snow globe turned to ice. The ice and wind were so bad that I would have fallen right on my butt if Darius hadnt had the reflexes of a cat and somehow managed to keep both of us on our feet.
Which reminded me, as he and I walked quickly but carefully down the frozen sidewalk, shrouded in a sudden mist that had blown up all around us, heads bent against the icy onslaught, I did not see one single cat. Okay, yeah, the weather was awful, especially after Id messed with it, and cats dont like anything wet, but I didnt remember once in the months Id lived at the House of Night walking anywhere on campus and not seeing at least a couple cats chasing after each other.
There arent any cats around, I said.
Darius nodded. I already noticed.
What does it mean?
Trouble, he said.
But I didnt have time to think about what the absence of cats might mean (and to worry about where my Nala might be). I was already feeling the drain of energy. I had to focus all of my strength and concentration to keep a running whispered litany going to wind, fire, and water. We are the night, let the spirit of night cover usshroud us with mistblow, wind, and keep evil eyes from seeing us
We were almost to the dorm when I heard the girls voice. I couldnt make out what she was saying, but the high, nervous tone definitely meant that something was wrong. The tension in Dariuss arm, and the way he was peering around, trying to see through the elemental soup surrounding us, told me that hed heard it, too.
As we got closer to the dorm, the voice got clearer and louder, and the words began to make sense.
No, really! II just wanta get back to my room, the frightened girls voice said.
You can get back. After Im done with you.
I froze, pulling Darius to a stop with me as I recognized the guys voice even before the girl answered him.
How about later, Stark? Then maybe we can Her words were abruptly cut off. I heard a little scream that ended in a gasp, and then there was an awful wet sound, and the moans began.
CHAPTER 20
Darius started forward, pulling me with him. We got to the little stoop that was the entrance to the girls dorm. There were wide stairs, framed with staggered, waist-high stone walls, excellent for sitting on and flirting with your boyfriend after hed walked you to the door and before he kissed you good night.
What Stark was doing was a twisted mockery of the good-night kissing that usually went on there. He was holding a girl in what could have been an embrace, had it not been obvious that, just seconds before his teeth had locked on her neck, shed been trying to get away from him. I watched, horrified, as Stark, oblivious to our presence, continued his attack on her. It didnt matter that the girl was now moaning with sexual pleasure. I mean, we all know thats what happens when a vamp bites someone: The sex receptors in both the victim (and in this case she was definitely his victim!) and the vamp were stimulated. She was physically feeling pleasure, but her wide, terrified eyes, and the rigidity of her body made it obvious she would fight him if she could. Stark was drinking in huge gulps from her throat. His moans were feral and the hand that wasnt holding her tight against his body was fumbling at the girls skirt, lifting it so that he could situate himself between her legs and
Free her! Darius commanded, pulling his arm from my grasp and stepping out of the pocket of concealing mist and night that had been hiding us.
Stark dropped the girl with no more thought than he would have given an empty QT Big Gulp. She whimpered and on hands and knees scrambled away from him toward Darius. Darius tossed an old-time handkerchief hed pulled from his pocket at me, and said, Help her. Then he situated himself like a muscular mountain between the hysterical girl and me and Stark.
I crouched down, realizing with a start of surprise that the girl was Becca Adams, a pretty blond fourth former who had had a crush on Erik. As I watched Darius confront Stark, I handed Becca the handkerchief and murmured soothing words to her.
You seem to keep getting in my way, Stark said. His eyes still glowed red, and there was blood on his mouth that he wiped absently away with the back of his hand. Again, I could see a darkness that pulsed around him. It wasnt completely visible, but more of a shadow within a shadow that shifted in and out of my vision, something that was actually easier seen when I wasnt looking for it.
And then it hit me. I knew where Id noticed such strange liquid darkness before. It had been in the shadows of the tunnels, and then again in the glimpse of the spectral form of Neferet that had turned into the Raven Mocker who had almost killed me! With more sudden insight I recognized this darkness further. I was sure it had been present, pulsing like a living shadow around Stevie Rae before shed Changed, only then my eyes and mind had just registered my best friends need and anguish and struggle, and Id processed the darkness shed been moving in only as internal. Goddess, Id been a fool! Overwhelmed, I tried to make sense of this new knowledge as Darius confronted Stark.
Perhaps no one has explained to you that vampyre males do not abuse females, be they human, vampyre, or fledgling. Darius spoke calmly, as if he were having an ordinary conversation with a friend.
Im not a vampyre. Stark pointed to the outline of the red crescent moon on his forehead.
That is an inconsequential detail.Darius motioned from himself to Starkdo not abuse females. Ever. The Goddess has taught us better.
Stark smiled, but the gesture lacked any real humor. I think youre gonna find that the rules have changed around here.
Well, boy, I think youll find that some of us have rules written hereDarius pointed to his heartand rules written there arent subject to the changing whims of those around us.
Starks face hardened. He reached back and pulled free a bow that had been fitted in a strap on his back. Then he took an arrow from the quiver Id assumed was a man purse hanging over his shoulder (I should have know it wasnt; Stark isnt exactly a man-purse kind of guy). He fitted the arrow in the bow and said, I think Ill make sure youre never in my way again.
No! I stood up and moved to Dariuss side, my heart pounding like crazy. What the hells happened to you, Stark?
I died! he yelled, his face twisting in anger as the ghostly darkness rolled around him. Now that it was visible to me, I wondered how I could ever have missed it. Ignoring the shadowy evil, I continued to confront him.
I know that! I yelled. I was there, remember? That made him pause. The bow dipped down a little. I took that as a good sign, and went on. You said youd come back to Duchess and to me.
When I said his dogs name, pain flashed across his face, and all of a sudden he looked young and vulnerable. But the expression only lasted an instant. I blinked and he was back to being dangerous and sarcastic, though his eyes had stopped glowing red.
Yeah, Im back. But things are different now. And bigger changes are coming. He gave Darius a look of utter disgust. All that old shit you believe in doesnt mean anything anymore. It makes you weak, and when youre weak you die.
Darius shook his head. Honoring the way of the Goddess is never weakness.
Yeah, well, I havent seen much of any goddess hanging around here, have you?
Yes, actually I have, I spoke up. Ive seen Nyx. She appeared right in thereI pointed at the girls dormjust a couple days ago.
Stark looked at me silently for a long time. I searched his face, trying to find some hint of that guy Id felt such a connection withwhom Id kissed right before hed died in my arms. But all I could see was an unpredictable stranger, and foremost in my mind was the knowledge that if he shot that bow he would not miss whatever he aimed at.
And suddenly that reminded me. He hadnt killed Stevie Rae. The fact that she was alive proved that he hadnt meant to kill her. So maybe there was some piece of the old Stark left within him.
Stevie Raes fine, by the way, I said.
Thats nothing to me, he said.
I shrugged. Just thought youd want to know, since it was your arrow that made her a shish kebab.
I was doing what I was told to do. The boss said make her bleed; I made her bleed.
Neferet? Is she whos controlling you? I asked.
His eyes blazed. No ones controlling me!
Your bloodlust is controlling you, Darius said. If you werent under its control, you wouldnt have had to force yourself on that fledgling.
Yeah? Ya think so? Well, youre wrong. I happen to like my bloodlust! I liked doing whatever I want with that girl. Its time vampyres stopped slinking around. Were smarter, stronger, better than humans. We should be in charge, not them!
That fledgling isnt a human. Dariuss voice was like a naked blade, reminding me that he wasnt just a big brother-type guy; he was a Son of Erebus and one of the most powerful warriors alive.
I was thirsty and there wasnt a human handy, Stark said.
Zoey, get the girl into the dorm. Darius didnt take his eyes off Stark. She is done serving his convenience.
I hurried over to Becca and helped her to her feet. She was a little wobbly but able to walk. As we reached Darius, he moved forward with us, always keeping himself between us and Stark. Just as we were passing by him, Stark spoke with an angry intensity that sent a chill down the back of my neck.
You know, all I have to do is think about killing you and shoot this arrow. Wherever you are, youre dead.
If that is so, then I will be dead, Darius said matter-of-factly. And you will be a monster.
I dont mind being a monster!
And I dont mind dying if it is in the service of my High Priestess and, ultimately, my Goddess, Darius said.
If you hurt him, Ill come against you with everything I have, I told Stark.
Stark looked at me and his lips tilted up in a ghost of that cute, cocky smile he used to have. Youre a little bit of a monster yourself, arent ya, Zoey?
I didnt think that nasty comment was worth a response, and obviously neither did Darius. He kept shepherding us by Stark, opening the front door of the dorm and helping Becca inside. But instead of me following her in, I paused. Intuition was telling me that there was something I had to do, and much as Id like to ignore my intuition, I knew I shouldnt. Ill be right in, I told Darius. I could see that he was going to argue with me, but I shook my head and said, Trust me. I just need a second.
Ill be inside the door, Darius said, threw Stark a hard look, and then stepped into the dorm.
I faced Stark. I knew I was taking a chance with what I was going to say to him, but I kept remembering Kramishas poem and the line that said, Humanity saves her / Will she save me? I at least had to try.
Jacks taking care of Duchess, I said without any preamble.
I saw that flash of pain in his eyes again, but his voice wasnt touched by it. So?
So Im just telling you that your dogs fine. Shes had a pretty hard time, but shes okay.
Im not who I used to be, so shes not my dog anymore. This time I heard a quaver in his voice, which gave me enough hope that I took a step toward him.
Hey, the great thing about dogs is that they give unconditional love. Duch doesnt care who you are right now. Shell still love you.
You dont know what youre talking about, he said.
Yeah, I do. Ive spent some time with your dog. Shes got a really big heart.
I wasnt talking about her. I was talking about me.
Well, Ive spent some time with red fledglings, too. Not to mention that the first ever Changed red vamp is my best friend. Stevie Raes different than she used to be, but I still love her, I said. Maybe if you spent some time with Stevie Rae and the rest of the red fledglings you could, I dont know, find yourself again. They have. I said this with way more confidence than I felt. After all, I had glimpsed fragments of the darkness surrounding Stark down in those tunnels, around those red fledglings, but I couldnt help believing it would be best to get him away from here, where evil seemed to come and go so easily.
Sure, he said too quickly. Why dont you take me to this Stevie Rae vamp and Ill see what happens?
Sure, I said just as quickly. Why dont you leave your bow and arrows here and show me how to get off campus without the bird freaks knowing and Ill do just that?
His expression hardened and he was a mean stranger again. I dont go anywhere without my bow, and no one leaves campus without them knowing.
Then it looks like I wont be taking you to Stevie Rae, I said.
I dont need you to show me where Stevie Rae is. She knows all about their little hideout. When she wants your friend, shell have her. If I were you, Id expect to see Stevie Rae a lot sooner than you thought you would.
Warning bells were ringing like a fire alarm in my mind, and I definitely didnt have to ask who the she was Stark was talking about. But instead of showing just how upset Starks admission made me, I smiled calmly and said, No ones hiding out. Im right here, and Stevie Rae is right where shes been since she Changed. No big deal. Plus, its always great to see her, so if she shows up here, thats cool.
Yeah, whatever. No big deal. And Im cool staying right where I am. He looked away from me, out into the icy fog that was drifting lazily around us. I dont get why you care anyway.
And suddenly I knew exactly what to say. I am just keeping my promises to you.
What do you mean?
You asked me to promise you two things before you died. One was not to forget you, and I havent. The other was to look after Duchess, and Im letting you know that Ive made sure shes okay.
You can tell that Jack kid that Duchess is his dog now. Tell him Still not looking at me, he paused and drew a shaky breath. Tell him shes a good dog and to take care of her.
Continuing to follow my intuition, I crossed the few feet between us and put my hand on his shoulder, almost exactly as Id done the night he died. You know it doesnt matter what you say or who you give her to, Duchess will always belong to you. When you died, she cried. I was there. I saw it. I didnt forget. I wont ever forget.
He didnt look at me, but slowly he dropped his bow to the ground and put his hand over mine. We just stood there like that. Touching but not saying anything. I was watching his face carefully, so I saw the entire transformation. As he pressed his hand over mine, he let out a long, slow breath, and his face relaxed. The last hint of red left his eyes, and the strange, shadowy darkness evaporated. When he finally looked at me, he was the kid Id been so drawn to and who had died while I held him in my arms, listening to him tell me that hed come back.
What if theres nothing left in me worth loving? He asked it in a voice so low that if I hadnt been standing close I wouldnt have heard him.
I think you can still choose what you are, or at least what you are becoming. Stevie Rae chose her humanity over the monster. I think its up to you.
I know what I did next was stupid. Im not even sure why I did it. I mean, I already had unresolved issues with Erik and Heath. The last thing I needed was another boy complicating my life, but at that moment there was only Stark and me, and he was himself againthe guy who had agonized over the gift Nyx had given him because he had accidentally caused the death of his mentor; the guy who had been horrified at the thought of hurting anyone again. The guy Id felt such an immediate and deep connection to Id thought that just maybe there really were such thing as soul mates, and had considered, at least for a few brief moments, that he might be mine. Thats all I was thinking about as I stepped into his arms. When he bent and hesitatingly pressed his lips to mine, I closed my eyes and kissed him softly and sweetly. He kissed me back, holding me so gently it was as if he thought I might break.
Then I felt him stiffen and he pulled away, taking a staggering step backwards. I was sure I saw tears in his eyes before he yelled, You should have forgotten me! Stark picked up his bow and bolted away into the roiling darkness of the stormy night.
When he was gone I stood there staring after him, wondering what the hell was wrong with me. How could I have kissed a guy who had been attacking someone just minutes before? How could I feel a connection to someone who might be more monster than man? Maybe I didnt even know myself anymore. I sure didnt know what I was becoming.
I shivered. The cold dampness of the night seemed to have settled through my clothes and skin and into my bones. And I felt tired. Really, really tired.
Thank you, fire and air and water, I whispered to the listening elements. You served me well tonight. You may go now. Fog and ice swirled around me once, and then rushed away, leaving me alone with the night and the storm and my confusion. Wearily I trudged back to the dorm, wishing I could go inside, take a hot shower, and curl up in my bed to sleep for several days.
Naturally, my wish was no ones command
CHAPTER 21
Id barely touched the door when Darius opened it for me. His sharp look made me wonder if hed been watching the scene between Stark and me, and I sincerely hoped he hadnt.
Damien and the Twins are in there was all he said, motioning for me to follow him into the central room of the dorm.
First I need to borrow your cell phone, I said.
He didnt hesitate or ask annoying questions about who I needed to call and why. He simply handed me his phone, and then he walked ahead of me into the common room. I punched in Stevie Raes number and held my breath while it rang. When she answered it sounded like she was talking into a tin can, but at least I could hear her.
Hey, its me, I said.
Z! Dang, Im glad to hear your voice! Are ya okay?
Yeah, Im better.
Yea! So whats going on with
Ill fill you in on all that later, I cut her off. Right now you gotta listen to me.
Kay, she said.
Do what I told you to do.
There was a pause and then she said, What you told me in the note?
Yeah. Youre being watched in the tunnels. Something is down there with you.
I expected her to gasp or freak, but all she said was a calm, Okay, I understand.
I continued quickly. Theres a good chance the bird things will grab you if you come out of the tunnels anywhere theyre expecting you to surface, so youre going to have to be really, really careful.
Dont worry about it, Z. Ive been doin a little secret reconnoitering of my own since you passed me that note. I think I can get everyone there without being seen.
Call Sister Mary Angela first and tell her youre coming. Tell her Im coming, too, ASAP. But dont tell the red fledglings where youre going for as long as you can keep it from them. Do you understand?
Yes.
Okay. Give Grandma a hug for me.
Will do, she said. And I wont let anyone tell her about your accKry Angelaqident. Itll just stress her.
Thanks, I said. Is Heath okay?
Totally. I told ya dont worry about him. Both of your boyfriends are fine.
I sighed, wishing I could correct her and tell her I only had one boyfriend. Good, Im glad theyre safe. Oh, Aphrodites safe, too, I added, feeling a little strange about it, but thinking that since Id checked on my Imprinted human, maybe Stevie Rae would like to check on hers, too.
Her laugh was happy and familiar. Oh, Z, I know Aphrodites okay. Id be able to tell right away if something happened to her. Its weird, but its true.
Okay, good. I guess. Hey, I gotta go. And you do, too.
You want me to get everyone outta here tonight?
Now, I said firmly.
Got it, she said. See you soon, Z.
Please be very, very careful.
Dont worry about me. I got a few tricks up my sleeve.
Youll need them. See ya, I said, and cut off the tinny connection. It was a relief to know Stevie Rae was going to move all the red fledglings to the basement beneath the Benedictine Sisters Abbey. I had to believe that the darkness Id begun to see hovering around the tunnels wouldnt do so well in the basement of a bunch of nuns. I also had to believe Stevie Rae could get all the kids there without being captured by the Raven Mockers. If only the rest of us were that lucky, we could meet and regroup and figure out what the hell we could do about Kalona and Neferet. And I would ask Stevie Rae about the creepy dark shadow stuff. Sadly, I had a feeling she would know way more than me about it.
I entered the common room. Normally, after school it would have been crazy busy with fledglings hanging out, watching one of the several flat-screen TVs. Comfortable chairs and loveseats were clustered around the room, and kids should have filled them up as they relaxed after a long school day.
Today there werent many fledglings, and those who were sitting around were unusually subdued. Part of that might be because the cable had been knocked out by the storm, but the House of Night had some major backup generators, and kids should have been watching DVDsI mean, hello! Almost everyone had Netflix. But the few kids who were present were crouched together, speaking barely above a whisper.
Automatically I looked over at the area where my friends and I liked to gather and was relieved to see Damien and the Twins. They had Becca in the middle of them, and I assumed they were comforting the girl and keeping her from bursting into hysterical tears. When I got closer, I understood that I was very wrong.
Really, Im fine. Its no big deal, Becca was insisting in a voice that wasnt shaky and scared anymore, but had suddenly changed to sounding incredibly annoyed.
No big deal! Shaunee said. Of course it was a big deal.
The guy attacked you, Erin said.
It wasnt exactly like that, Becca said, waving her hands dismissively. We were just messing around. Plus, Stark really is hot.
Erin snorted. Yeah, I usually find rapists majorly hot.
Beccas eyes narrowed and she looked cold and mean. Stark is hot, and youre just jealous that he didnt want you.
Didnt want me? Erin said incredulously. Dont you mean, didnt want to molest me? Why are you making excuses for him?
What the hells wrong with you, Becca? Shaunee said. No guy should ever get away with
Hang on, Damien spoke up. You know, Beccas right. Stark is one hot guy. The Twins stared at him in shock, and he hurried on. If Becca says they were just messing around, who are we to judge?
It was then that Darius and I stepped into their agitated little circle. Whats going on? Are you okay? I asked Becca.
Totally fine. Throwing the Twins an icy look, she got to her feet. Actually, Im starving, so Im gonna go find something to eat. Sorry I caused you two a hassle out there. Later. She hurried away.
What the hell just happened? I asked in a low voice.
The same thing thats happened all over this damn
Upstairs! Darius commanded, shutting Erin up.
I was semi-amazed to see my friends meekly obey Darius. We filed out of the common room, ignoring the curious stares of the few kids who were quietly sitting around. On the way up the staircase, Darius said, Is Aphrodite in her room?
Yeah, she said she was tired, Shaunee said.
Shes probably hanging upside down from the ceiling in her usual batperch, Erin said. She glanced over her shoulder at Darius and added, Speaking of Aphrodikey, shes gonna give birth to a big ol litter of kittens when she sees that youve messed up your pretty face.
Yeah, and if you need comfort from her shallow hatefulness, you can try a little café mocha over here, Shaunee said, waggling her brows at him.
Or a vanilla smoothie over here, Erin flirted.
Darius smiled good-naturedly and just said, I will keep that in mind.
I thought the Twins were taking their lives in their hands, and I was darn sure not going to get between them and Aphrodite if she found out theyd been flirting with her man, but I was too tired to say anything.
You know that blue cashmere pullover you just got from Saks? Damien asked Erin.
Yeah, what about it?
I call dibs on it if Aphrodite disembowels you for hitting on her man, Damien said.
Shes just a human now, Erin said.
Yeah, we figure together we can take her, Shaunee said, then she blew kisses at Darius. Remember that, warrior boy.
Darius chuckled and I rolled my eyes. We were just passing my room when my door opened and Aphrodite called, Im in here.
We all stopped and filed into my room. Aphrodite, what are you doing in
Ohmygoddess! What the hell happened to your face? Not paying attention to anyone else, Aphrodite ran to Darius and started to flutter her hands around the long thin wound that stretched down the side of his face. Are you okay? Damn, it looks awful! Does it hurt? She pulled back the sleeves on her shirt, exposing the newly healed bite marks Stevie Raes teeth had left. Do you need to bite me? Go ahead. I dont mind.
Darius took her hands in his, stilling her anxious movements, and said calmly, I am well, my beauty. It is but a scratch.
How did it happen? Aphrodite sounded close to tears as she pulled on Dariuss hands and led him over to the spare bed that used to be Stevie Raes.
My beauty! All is well, he repeated, pulling her down on his lap and holding her close to him.
He said a bunch of other stuff to her, too, but Id stopped listening. I was too busy staring at the
Cameron! There you are, sweetheart! Ive been so worried about you. Damien plopped down on the floor and started petting his blond tabby.
Beelzebub, where the hell have you been? Shaunee chastised the hateful gray creature who had chosen both of the Twins as his own.
We figured you were chasing around after Maleficent, and sure enough here you are and here she is, Erin said.
Hang on, I said, seeing Nala curled up on my bed. I looked around my room, taking inventory of the eighteight!cats that were hanging out there. Whats with all the cats?
Thats why Im over here, Aphrodite said, sniffling softly as she snuggled back into Dariuss arms. Maleficent was acting very odd. She kept coming in and out of her cat door and making weird yowling sounds. Aphrodite paused and blew a kiss to the awful white puff-ball that masqueraded as her cat. So finally I followed her. She led me to your room. I came in and found all these cats. Then I heard you guys in the hall. She turned her beautiful blue eyes on the Twins. I heard everything you guys said in the hall, and do not think for one instant just because Ive turned human it doesnt mean I cannot happily kick your combined asses.