But what are all these cats doing in here? I said quickly before the Twins started a mini human-fledgling war.
Hey there, Nefertiti! Darius called, and a sleek calico female jumped up on the bed beside him and began to wind around his body.
Theyre our cats, Damien said, still petting Cameron. Remember when we escaped from here yesterday? They were all outside the school wall waiting for us. He glanced up at me. Are we leaving again?
I hope so, I said. But wait. I was still taking stock of the cats. All of our cats are here, but what about that great big one over there, and the little cream-colored one whos sticking close to him?
That big cat is Dragon Lankfords Maine Coon, Damien said. His name is Shadowfax. Dragon Lankford, who almost everyone called Dragon, is our fencing professor and is a master with the blade. Damien was a talented fencer, so it wasnt surprising he recognized Dragons cat.
Hey, I think that little white one is Guinevere, Professor Anastasias cat, Erin said.
Youre right, Twin, Shaunee said. Shes always hanging out during Spells and Rituals class.
What about that one? I pointed to a familiar-looking Siamese whose body was the silver-white of moonlight, tipped in delicate gray ears and face. Then I realized why she looked familiar and answered my own question. Thats Professor Lenobias cat. I dont know her name, but Ive seen her following the professor around the stables.
So, let me get this straight: All of our cats, plus cats that belong to Dragon, his wife, and Professor Lenobia, are suddenly hanging out in Zoeys room, Darius said.
Why are they here? Erin asked.
I answered her question with my own. Have you guys seen any other cats today? I mean, while you were in class and at lunch, coming and going from the dorm and class to class, did you see any cats?
No, the Twins said together.
I didnt, Damien answered more slowly.
Not a one, Aphrodite said.
And you noticed earlier that we saw not one cat between the infirmary and the dormitory, Darius said.
I thought it was bad then; I still think its bad, I said.
Why would all the cats except these disappear? Damien asked.
The cats hate the birdmen, I said. Whenever Nalas been with me and ones been around, shes totally freaked.
Theres more to it than that. If it was just about hating them, then the cats would all be hiding, and not just special ones hanging out in here, Aphrodite said.
Maybe thats it, Damien said. Theres something special about these particular cats.
Okay, I hate to be a bitchor maybe I dontbut anyway, can we forget about the damn cats for a second? I want to know who the hell did this to my mans face, Aphrodite said.
Kalona, I said, when it was obvious Darius was too involved with grinning at the my man title Aphrodite had awarded him to answer.
I was afraid of that, Damien said. Howd it happen?
Darius attacked Rephaim, I explained, which pissed off Kalona. He didnt let Stark kill him, but the cut was his parting gift for Darius wounding his favorite son.
That fucking Stark! Shaunee said.
Hes really bad news. He and the nasty-assed birdmen do whatever the hell they want, Erin said.
And no one does anything about it, Shaunee finished.
Its like the thing you just witnessed with Becca, Damien said.
Speaking of, Shaunee said. What was the deal with you agreeing with that bimbo about oh, no big deal because Starks sooooo hot! Talk about annoying.
You werent going to get through to her. Beccas on their side. As far as I can tell, Stark and the birds and Kalona do anything to anyone, and there are no repercussions for their actions.
Its worse than no repercussions, Aphrodite said. Still within Dariuss arms, shed gotten herself together. Its like Kalonas cast a spell over everyone, and the spell somehow extends to Stark and the birds.
Thats why I agreed with Becca and just let her go. Its not a good idea to call attention to the fact that were the only ones not in the Kalona Fan Club, Damien said.
And Neferet, dont forget about her, Aphrodite said.
Shes with him, but I dont think shes under his spell, I said. I overheard them talking when they thought I was out, and she disagreed with him. He got big and bad and scary with her, and she seemed to back off, but what she really did was just change her tactics. Shes manipulating him, and I cant tell if he knows it or not. And shes changing, too.
Changing? What do you mean by that? Damien asked.
Her power is different than it used to be, Darius said.
I nodded. Its like a switch has been thrown inside her, and its let loose a different kind of power.
A dark power, Aphrodite said. We all looked at her. Her power isnt based on Neferet anymore. Sure, shes still using the gifts our Goddess gave her, but shes channeling energy from somewhere else, too. Couldnt you guys feel it in the hall outside the sickroom?
There was a long silence, and then Damien spoke up. I think we were too busy struggling against Kalonas attraction.
And scared shitless, Erin said.
Entirely, Shaunee agreed.
Well, so now we know. Neferet is even more of a threat than shes ever been. They talked when they thought I was passed out. Neferet and Kalona are planning a new future, and it has something to do with taking over the Council, I said, wishing I could crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.
Oh my goddess! The High Council? Aphrodite said.
I dont know for sure, but thats what Im afraid of. Im also afraid her new power has given her special abilities. I paused. I didnt want to freak out the gang before I had my talk with Stevie Rae, but they did need to be warned, so I picked my words carefully. I think Neferet can project her influence by moving through, or maybe manipulating, shadows.
Thats bad, Damien said.
It means we have to be on guard, Erin said.
Majorly on guard, Shaunee agreed.
Darius nodded. Remember always: Neferet is our enemy, Kalona is our enemy, and most of the other fledglings are our enemies, too. His sharp gaze went from kid to kid. What about the rest of the professors? Darius asked them. All of you attended classes today, didnt you? How were they acting?
Yeah, we went to class, weird as that was, Shaunee said.
It was like attending Stepford High School, Erin said.
It seems the professors are all enthralled with Kalona, too, Damien said. Of course, I cant tell you that for sure. We werent ever alone with the professors.
Not alone? What do you mean? I said.
I mean those bird things are everywherecoming and going from class, and even in class.
Are you kidding? A shiver of revulsion quavered though my body at the thought of those terrible mutations of nature moving freely among fledglingslike they belonged here!
Hes not kidding. They are everywhere. Its like Invasion of the fucking Body Snatchers, Aphrodite said. The good guys look the same on the outside, but are screwed on the inside, and the Raven Mockers are the damn aliens.
And the Sons of Erebus? Are they supporting this? Darius asked.
I havent seen one warrior since Aristos escorted us onto campus, Damien said. How about you guys?
The Twins and Aphrodite shook their heads no.
This is so not good, I said. I rubbed my forehead as a wave of exhaustion engulfed me. What were we going to do? Who were our friends? And how the hell were we going to get out of the House of Night and to what I could only hope would be safety?
CHAPTER 22
Zoey? Are you okay?
I looked up to meet Damiens soft brown eyes. Before I could answer him, Darius spoke up.
She is not. Zoey must get sleep; she must rest to restore her strength.
Hows your nasty, ugly, gaping wound? Erin asked.
It doesnt look like youre bleeding through that charming hospital garb, so we assumed you were fixed right up, Shaunee said.
Im better, but Im having an issue with getting my strength back. Its like Im a cell phone with a messed-up charger.
You must rest, Darius repeated. Your wound was almost fatal. Recovery takes time.
We dont have time! I yelled in frustration. We need to get the hell out of here and away from Kalona until we can figure out how we can beat him.
Getting out of here isnt going to be as easy as it was last time, Damien said.
Aphrodite snorted. As if that was easy!
It will be compared to what were up against now, Damien continued. Raven Mockers are everywhere. Last night they were attacking people randomly. It was mass confusion then, and that helped us slip away. Today theyre well organized and stationed all over.
I saw them around the perimeter. Theyve more than doubled the guards we had before, Darius said.
But there arent any of them outside the dorm, like you used to be, I said to him.
Its because they dont care whether were safe. They just care that we dont leave the school, Damien said.
Why? I asked wearily, rubbing at my temple where a headache was starting to pound.
Whatever theyre planning needs isolation right now, Darius said.
Doesnt that point more to them just taking over this House of Night, versus trying anything with the High Council? Aphrodite said.
She asked me, but when I couldnt make myself give her the reassuring response she was obviously hoping for, Darius spoke up.
Perhaps, but it is too early to really know.
Well, the ice storms helping with the isolation thing. Power is down everywhere. Cell phone service is sketchy. Except for little pockets being run by generators, Tulsas blacked out, Damien said.
I wonder if Nyxs High Council even knows Shekinah is dead, Darius said.
I looked at Damien. What happens when the High Priestess of all Vampyres dies?
Damiens forehead scrunched up as he thought. Well, if I remember correctly from Vamp Soc class, Nyxs Council meets and elects a new High Priestess. That only happens about once every three to five hundred years. Once elected, a High Priestess reigns for her entire life. The election is a big deal, especially when its sudden like this one will have to be.
I perked up. Doesnt it make sense that Nyxs Council would be verrrry interested in how Shekinah suddenly dropped dead?
Damien nodded. Id definitely say so.
So that might be a major reason for Kalona wanting to keep our House of Night isolated. He doesnt want the attention of the High Council, Aphrodite said.
Or he does want their attentionas in presenting Neferet as the new vamp High Priestess, but they are gathering their power so they can be sure of the Councils vote.
There was a dead silence in the room as everyone stared in horror at me.
We cannot allow that to happen, Darius finally spoke.
We wont, I said firmly, hoping wed somehow be able to back up my statement. Hey, is Kalona still saying hes Erebus come to earth? I asked.
Yeah, Erin said.
And even though it sounds stupid, everyone believes him, Shaunee said.
Did you actually see Kalona today? I asked Shaunee. I mean, except for when we first got here?
She shook her head, Nope.
I looked from her to Erin.
Ditto. I didnt see him either, she said.
Didnt see him, Damien said.
Neither did I, and I say good riddance, Aphrodite said.
Yeah, but you might be the only one, I said slowly. I looked from the Twins to Damien. Weve already said that Kalona has some kind of mojo crap he uses on everyone. It even works on us, or at least it does unless we dont look him in the eye and fight it real hardand we were ready for him. We knew he was evil. Hell, it took me seeing him almost choke Darius to death for me to stop panting over him.
That bastard choked you? Aphrodite said. Damn, that pisses me off! Oh, and abbreviated herd of nerd, in case you didnt get it the first time, get this: Im not in the least bit affected by the mojo the winged freak lays on you. I dont like him. At all.
Thats right, I said. I noticed that earlier today. You really dont feel drawn to him at all.
Whats to be drawn to? Hes a big old bully. And hes never dressed properly. And I really dont like birds. I mean, the bird flu is supposed to be a seriously unattractive way to die. So, no. Hes got nothing for me.
I wonder why his stuff doesnt work on you? I mused aloud.
Cause shes abby-normal? Shaunee said.
A serious freak in a human skin suit? Erin added.
How about because Im exceptionally intuitive, and I see through his bullshit? Oh, that also means I see through yours, too, Aphrodite said.
She might have something there, Damien said, sounding excited. Weve all felt his draw, but we can resist him, unlike the other fledglings, right?
We nodded.
Well, were all into the elementshave been physically and intuitively touched by them, much more so than the other fledglings. Maybe our extrasensory abilities give us the power to resist Kalonas allure.
The red fledglings said they werent drawn to him at all, just like Aphrodite, I said. And they all have psychic abilities.
That sounds logical, and it works for fledglings, but what about adult vampyres? Darius said.
Dont your psychic abilities vary, just like ours do? Aphrodite said. Sure, fledglings say all vamps can do the mind thing, but its not really true, is it?
No, it isnt really true, though many of us are highly intuitive, Darius said.
Are you? I asked.
Darius smiled. Only when it comes to protecting those I have sworn to defend.
But that means there is something especially intuitive about you, Damien said, still sounding excited. Okay, so what other vamps at this House of Night are the most psychic?
Neferet, we all said together.
We already know that. Shes made her decision for Kalona, so were not going to count her right now. Who else?
Damien! I think you are on to something! I said. Everyone stared at me, but I was staring at the extra cats in the room.
And, as per usual, Damien got it right away. Dragon, Professor Anastasia, and Professor Lenobia! Theyre who Id consider as the most intuitive after Neferet.
Its no coincidence their cats are here with us, Darius said.
Theyre a sign, sent to us to let us know were on the right track, Damien said.
Then thats the second reason we cant get out of here tonight, I said.
The second reason? Aphrodite said.
The first is that theres no way I can control the elements long enough to keep all those Raven Mockers from seeing us; Im just too tired. And the second is if Dragon and Professor Anastasia and Professor Lenobia can actually see through Kalonas bullpoopie, then maybe they can help us get rid of him.
The world is falling apart. Its really okay to cuss a little, Aphrodite said.
The world falling apart isnt an excuse to take up bad habits, I said, sounding weirdly like my grandma.
So it is agreed: We stay here one more day. Zoey, you must sleep. Tomorrow you all attend classes as you normally would, Darius said.
Yeah, agreed, I said. Damien, can you get Dragon alone long enough to see if he might be on our side?
I should be able to during my fencing class tomorrow.
Who has Professor Anastasias Spells and Rituals class?
The Twins raised their hands like good students.
Can you guys check her out?
Definitely, Erin said.
Will do, Shaunee said.
Ill talk to Lenobia, I said.
And Darius and I will scout out where all those nasty Raven Mockers are stationed around the walls, Aphrodite said.
Be careful, I told her.
She will be, Darius said.
I think no matter what, we should leave tomorrow. Staying here any longer than absolutely necessary feels wrong, I said.
Agreed. If your strength has returned, Darius said.
It better, I said.
There was a pause, and then Darius told me solemnly, When we escape, Kalona will come after you. He will hunt you until he finds you.
How do you know that for sure? Aphrodite said.
Tell them what he calls you, Darius said to me.
I sighed. He calls me A-ya.
Oh! Erin said.
Shit! Shaunee finished.
Now thats seriously bad news, Damien said.
He really believes youre the maiden the Ghigua women used to trap him more than a thousand years ago? Aphrodite said.
Apparently.
Do you think it would help if you told him youre no maiden? Aphrodite flashed me a cocky grin.
I rolled my eyes at her and then, because Aphrodites not so subtle mention of my un-virgin state made my thoughts inadvertently start to drift to the guys in my life, I added, Hey, I wonder why Starks so under Kalonas spell. He has a major gift from Nyx, and before he died he seemed really intuitive.
Stark is an absolute asshole, Shaunee said.
Yeah, between what we heard from the other kids, and what went on with Becca, we can definitely say hes seriously bad news, Erin said.
Dying and then un-dying might have messed him up, but my vote is that he was a jerk before he croaked and then uncroaked, Aphrodite said. We all need to stay far, far away from him. I think his badness is right up there with Kalona and Neferet.
Yeah, hes like a Raven Mocker without the wings, Erin said.
Eesh, Shaunee agreed.
I didnt say anything. I just sat there and felt really tired and really guilty. Id kissed him. Again. And my friends all thought he was a monster, probably because he was a monster. And if hes such bad news, which it seriously looks like he is, how the hell could I think there is anything good left in him?
Okay, Z has to sleep, Damien said, getting up with Cameron still in his arms. We know what were supposed to do, so lets do it and then get out of here. Damien hugged me. Forget about Kramishas poem, he whispered. You cant save everyone, especially if he doesnt want to be saved.
I hugged him back, but didnt say anything.
Getting back to those tunnels sounds good to me. We all need to be away from this place. Damien smiled sadly at me and left the room with the Twins, who called goodbyes to me, too, as their cat trotted after them.
Come on. Aphrodite took Dariuss hand and pulled him off the bed. Youre not going back to your room tonight.
Im not? he said, smiling warmly at her.
No, youre not. There seems to be a scarcity of Sons of Erebus around here, so Im going to keep my eyes, and a few other parts of my body, on you.
Puke, I said, but I couldnt help grinning at them.
You just sleep, Aphrodite told me. Youll need all your strength to deal with the guy mess waiting for you. I have a feeling Erik and Heath are going to be a bigger drain than controlling the elements.
Hey, thanks, Aphrodite, I said sarcastically.
Dont mention it. Im all about helping you out.
Good night, Priestess. I wish you a restful sleep, Darius said right before Aphrodite pulled him out of the room. The last of the cats followed him out, leaving me alone (finally) with my Nala.
I sighed and dug into my pocket for the bottle of blood stashed there. I shook it up like it was one of those yummy cold Starbucks bottled drinks and downed it. The blood felt good spreading like warm fingers through my body, but it didnt give me the electric jolt I was used to. I was just too exhausted. I dragged myself from the bed, pulled off the stupid hospital clothes, and rattled around in my drawer for my favorite guys boxers (the ones with Batman symbols all over them) and a stretched-out old T-shirt. Just before I put on the shirt I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and froze.
Was that really me? I looked way older than seventeen. All of my tattoos were visible, and they were like a breath of life blown across a corpse. I was so pale! And the circles under my eyes were truly scary. Slowly I allowed my gaze to drift down to check out my wound. It was awful, and so darn big! I mean, it stretched all the way from shoulder to shoulder. No, it wasnt gaped open anymore like a hideous mouth, but it was a jagged, puckered red ridge that made Dariuss knife wound look like the scratch he liked to call it.
I touched the wound gently and winced at how sore it was. Would it always stay this raised? Okay, I realize it was incredibly shallow of me, but I wanted to burst into tears. Not because all hell was coming against us. Not because Neferet had turned über-dangerous. Not because she and Kalona might very well be threatening the balance of good and evil in the known world. Not because I was a confused mess about Erik and Heath and Stark. But because I was going to have a massively ugly scar, and Id probably never be able to wear a tank top again. And what about if I ever wanted to let anyone see me, well, naked again? I mean, Id had one bad experience, but surely some day I was going to be in a great relationship and Id want him to eventually see me naked. Right? I stared at the nasty-looking, unhealed scar and stifled a sob. Wrong.
Okay, I seriously needed to stop thinking about this, and I definitely was going to quit looking at myself naked. It just cant be good for me. Hell! It probably wasnt good for anyone!
I hastily pulled the T-shirt over my head and muttered, Aphrodite must be rubbing off on me. I swear I didnt use to be this shallow.
Nala was waiting for me on my bed in her usual place on my pillow. I slid under the sheets and curled up with her, loving how she snuggled against me and turned on her purr engine. I guess I should have been scared to fall asleep, what with the last Kalona dream visit Id had, but I was too tired to think, too tired to care. I just closed my eyes and gave myself gratefully up to the darkness.
When the dream started, it wasnt a meadow, and so, foolishly, I was immediately relieved and relaxed. I was on an incredibly beautiful island, looking out across a lagoon at a skyline that seemed familiar, even though I knew Id never been there before. The water had a fishy, salty smell. There was a depth and richness to it, a sense of vastness that I recognized as belonging to the ocean, even though Ive never been to the coast. The sun was setting and the sky was lit up with a fading brilliance that reminded me of autumn leaves. I was sitting on a marble bench the color of moonbeams. It was intricately carved with vines and flowers and felt like it belonged to another time and place. I ran my hand across the smooth back of it, which was still warm from the fading day. It was like I really was there, and not dreaming at all. I glanced over my shoulder, and my eyes widened. Wow! Behind me was a palace with beautiful arched doors and windows, all in pristine white, amazing pillars and wedding cakelike chandeliers peeking out of the elegant windowpanes and twinkling in the predusk.
It was enough to take my breath away, and I was really pleased with my sleeping self for making it all up, but I was also baffled. It all seemed so real. And so familiar. Why?
I turned my face back to the lagoon view, looking across at a domed cathedral and little boats and lots of other amazing stuff that theres no way I could have imagined all on my own. The soft night breeze was coming off the water, bringing the distinctly rich scents of the dark water. I breathed deeply, enjoying the uniqueness of it. Sure, some people might say it was kinda stinky, but I didnt think so, I was just
Holy crap! A terrible skittering of fear fingered down my spine. I knew why this seemed familiar.
Aphrodite had described this place to me just a few days ago. Not in detail. She hadnt been able to remember everything, but what she had been able to tell me had made a distinct and unsettling impression. So much so that I recognized the water and the palace and the ancient feel of it.
This was the place Aphrodite had glimpsed in the second vision shed had of my death.
CHAPTER 23
Here you are. This time you bring me to a place of your choosing, rather than me calling to you.
Kalona stepped into view beside the marble bench, as if he had materialized out of the air. I didnt say anything. I was too busy trying to control the panicked beating of my heart.
Your Goddess is quite unusual, he said in a friendly, conversational tone after he sat beside me on the bench. I can feel the danger in this place for you. It surprises me that she would allow you here, especially because she must know you would call me to you. I imagine she believes she is warning you, readying you, but she is mistaking my intentions. I mean to resurrect the past, and to do so the present must die. He paused, and with a contemptuous gesture waved away the riches on the shore across the water from us. All of that means nothing to me.
I had no clue what he was talking about and when I finally found my voice, all I could manage was a brilliant, I didnt call you to me.
Of course you did. He was intimate and flirty, like he was my boyfriend and I was being kinda shy about admitting how much I liked him.
No, I spoke without looking at him. I did not call you to me, I repeated. And I dont have any idea what youre talking about.
My musings are unimportant. All will be clear with time. But, A-ya, if you did not call me, then explain how I joined you in your dream.
Steeling myself against the allure I already felt from just the sound of his voice, I turned my head to look at him. He was young again, and appeared eighteen or nineteen. He was wearing jeans that were comfortably loose and had that sexy, these-are-my-favorite-pair-because-they-fit-perfectly look. And that was it. He didnt have shoes or a shirt on. His wings were miraculous. They were the black of a starless sky and glistened in the fading light with a silky beauty all their own. His flawless bronze skin seemed to be lit from within. His body was beyond incredible. It was like his faceso handsome, so perfect, that it was impossible to describe.
With a deep sense of shock I realized that was just like how Nyxs appearance had seemed to Aphrodite and me. She had been so otherworldly in her beauty that wed been unable to describe her. And, for some reason, that similarity between Kalona and Nyx made me incredibly sad, sad for what he might once have been and for what he had become.
What is it, A-ya? What has made you look as if you would weep?
I started to pick and choose my words carefully and then stopped. If this was my dreamif bringing Kalona to me was somehow my doingthen I was going to be nothing but honest. So I spoke the truth.
Im sad because I dont think you were always what you are now.
Kalona went utterly still. It seemed the perfection of his features solidified and turned him into the statue of a god.
In the dream I felt timeless, so it might have been a second or a century before he responded. And what would you do if you knew that I have not always been as I am now, my A-ya? Would you save me or would you entomb me?
I stared at his luminous amber eyes and tried to see through them into his soul. I dont know, I said honestly. I dont think I could do either without some help from you.
Kalona laughed. The sound danced across my skin. It made me want to throw my head back and my arms wide and embrace the beauty of it. I think you are correct, he said, smiling into my eyes.
I looked away first, staring out at the ocean and trying to forget how incredibly seductive he was.
I like this place. I could hear the smile in his voice. I feel poweran ancient power. No wonder they chose to come here. It reminds me of the place of power from which I arose inside the House of Night, though the earth element is not strong here. That is a comfort to me. It is pleasant.
I focused on the one thing hed said I could actually understand. I guess its no surprise youd be more comfortable on an island. Being as you dont so much like the earth.
There is only one thing I like about the earth, and that was resting in your arms, though your embrace lasted too long for even my great capacity for pleasure.
I looked at him again. He was still smiling gently at me. You have to know that Im not really A-ya.
His smile didnt falter. No, I do not know that. Slowly, he reached out and took a long strand of my dark hair between his fingers. Staring into my eyes, he let my hair slide into his palm.