And thinking about the zillion pod girls Stark had been biting and whatnot finally splashed cold water on me and I managed to stop kissing him. I gave him a shove so that he stepped out of the doorway. I hurried into the field house, looking around guiltily and then breathing a sigh of relief that we were the only ones loitering and cutting class.
There was a little side room off of the main field house complex, much like the tack room in the stables. It was where the bows and arrows and targets and other field house-ish and sporting equipment and such was housed. I ducked into it with Stark close on my heels, closed the door, and took a few steps away from him. When he gave me that look, that sexy smile of his, and started toward me, I held up my hand like a crossing guard.
No. You stay over there and Ill stay over here. We need to talk and thats not going to happen if youre close to me, I said.
Because you cant keep your hands off me?
Oh, please. Im managing to keep my hands off you just fine. Im not one of your pod girls.
Pod girls?
You know, from Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Thats how I think of the girls you bite and mess with their minds so that theyre all Oooh, that Stark, hes just so hot! Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod! Its seriously annoying. And, by the way, if you ever try any of that crap with me, I promise you I will call all of the five elements and we will kick your butt. Count on it.
I wouldnt try to do that to you, but thats not saying I wouldnt like to taste you. I totally would. His voice had gone all sexy again, and he started to step closer to me.
No! Im serious about you staying over there.
Okay! Okay! Whats got your panties in such a bunch?
I narrowed my eyes at him. My panties are not in a bunch. All hell happens to be breaking loose around us, in case you hadnt noticed. The House of Night is under the control of something thats probably a demon. Neferet has turned into something thats probably a lot worse than a demon. My friends and I are not safe. I have no idea how to do what I need to do to begin to make this mess right, and to top it all off Im falling for a guy whos been with a crapload of the girls on campus and used mind control on them.
Youre falling for me?
Yeah, great, isnt it? I already have a vampyre boyfriend and a human guy Ive Imprinted. As my grandma would say, my dance card is more than full.
I can take care of the vamp boyfriend. Automatically Starks hand came up to stroke the bow that was strapped to his back.
Hell no, you wont take care of him! I yelled. Get this through your head: That bow is not the fix-it answer to your problems. It should be your very last resort and should never, ever be used against another person, human or vampyre. You used to know that.
His face hardened. You know what happened to me. Im not going to apologize for whats become my nature.
Your nature? Do you mean your spoiled-brat nature, or your slut nature?
I mean me! He pounded his fist against his chest. Its what I am now.
Okay, you need to hear me once and for all, because Im not going to keep repeating this. Get a damn clue! We all have bad things inside us, and we all choose either to give in to those bad things or to fight them.
Thats not the same thing as
Shut up and listen to me! My anger exploded around us. Its not the same thing for any of us. For some people the only thing they have to struggle with is whether they sleep in and miss first hour or get their butts up and go to school. For other people its harder stufflike whether or not to go into rehab and stay clean or to just give up and keep using. For you maybe its even harderlike whether to fight for your humanity or to give in to the darkness and be a monster. But its still a choice. Your choice.
We stood there staring at each other. I didnt know what else to say. I couldnt make the choice to do the right thing for him, and I suddenly understood that I wouldnt keep sneaking around and seeing him. If he couldnt be the kind of guy I was proud to be with in public, the act he put on for me in private didnt mean anything. And that was something he needed to know.
What happened last night wont happen again. Not like that. The anger drained out of me and my voice calmed down. I sounded quiet and sad in the stillness of the little room.
How can you say that when you just told me you were falling for me?
Stark, what Im telling you is that Im not going be with you if I have to hide the fact that were together.
Because of that vamp boyfriend?
Because of you. Erik does affect us. I care about him. The last thing I want to do is hurt him, but it would be stupid of me to stay with him and wish I was with you, or anybody else, including the human guy Ive Imprinted. So you need to understand Erik couldnt stop me from being with you.
You really do have feelings for me, dont you?
I do, but I can promise you I wont be your girlfriend if Im ashamed to be with you in front of my friends. You cant be wrong around everyone else and right around me. What you really are is how you act most of the time. I see that theres still good in you, but that good will eventually be blotted out by the darkness thats there, too, and Im not going to hang around to see that happen.
He looked away from me. I knew that was how you felt before, but I didnt think it would bother me so much to hear you say it. I dont know if I can make the right choice. When Im with you, I feel like I can. Youre so strong, and youre good.
I blew out a big sigh. Im not that darn good. Ive messed up a lot. Sadly, Ill probably keep messing up. A lot. And you were the strong one last night, not me.
He met my eyes again. You are good. I can feel it. Youre good down deep in your heart, where it counts.
I hope I am. I try to be.
Then do this for me, please. He closed the few feet between us before I could stop him again. At first he didnt touch me. He just kept staring into my eyes. You havent completed the Change yet, but even the Sons of Erebus call you Priestess. Then he dropped to one knee, and looking up at me, he fisted his right hand over his heart.
What are you doing?
Im pledging myself to you. Warriors have done it for agespledged themselves, body, heart, and soul, to protect their High Priestesses. I know Im just a fledgling still, but I believe I qualify as Warrior already.
Well, Im just a fledgling still, too, so we match. My voice shook, and I had to blink fast to clear the tears that were pooling in my eyes.
Do you accept my pledge, my lady?
Stark, do you understand what youre doing? I knew about a warriors pledge to a High Priestess, and it was an oath that often bound him to her service for his entire life, and was often harder to break than an Imprint.
I do. Im making a choice. The right choice. Im choosing good over evil, light over darkness. I choose my humanity. Do you accept my pledge, my lady? he repeated.
Yes, Stark, I do. And in Nyxs name I bind you to the Goddesss service, as well as to mine, because to serve me is to serve her.
The air around us shimmered and there was a brilliant flash of light. Stark cried out and seemed to crumple in on himself, falling at my feet with a moan.
I dropped to my knees beside him, pulling at his shoulders, trying to see what was wrong. Stark! What happened? Are you
With a wonderfully joy ouimme was oft s cry he looked up at me. Tears were running freely down his face, but his smile was radiant. Then I blinked and realized what I was seeing. His crescent had been filled in and expanded. Two arrows faced the crescent. They were decorated with intricate symbols that seemed to glow with their new scarlet color against the white of his skin.
Oh, Stark! I reached out and gently traced the tattoo that forever Marked him as an adult vampyrethe second adult red vampyre there had ever been. Its beautiful!
Ive Changed, havent I?
I nodded, and the tears overflowed my eyes and fell down my cheeks. And then I was in his arms, kissing him, and our tears mingled together as we laughed and cried and held each other.
The bell that signaled the end of fifth hour made us jump. He helped me to my feet and, smiling, wiped the tears from my cheeks and his own. Then reality broke through my happiness, and I realized everything that had to go along with this new and amazing Change.
Stark, when a fledgling Changes, there is some kind of ritual he has to go through.
Do you know the ritual?
No, only vamps do. Then I had a thought. You have to go to Dragon Lankford.
The fencing instructor?
Yeah. Hes on our side. Tell him I sent you to him. Tell him youve pledged yourself as Warrior in my service. Hell know what to do for you.
Okay, will do.
But dont let anyone see that youve Changed. I didnt know why it was important to me, but I knew he needed to keep hidden until after he reached Dragon. I looked around the storage room until I found a TU truckers cap, which I stuck on Starks head. With a little more searching I found a towel, which I rolled up and tucked around his neck. Pull this upI tugged the towel into placeand keep this brim down. You wont look too weird. I mean, theres an ice storm out there. Just get to Dragon without being seen.
He nodded. Whatll you be doing?
Ill be planning our escape from here. Dragon and his wife are in on it, and I think the Horse Master, Lenobia, is, too. So get back here as soon as you can.
Zoey, dont wait for me. Get away from here. Get far, far away.
What about you?
I can come and go whenever I want. Ill find you, dont worry. My body wont be with you all the time, but youll always have my heart. Im your warrior, remember?
I smiled and touched his cheek. Ill never forget. I promise. Im your High Priestess and youve pledged yourself to me. That means you have my heart, too.
Then both of us better stay safe. A hearts a hard thing to live without. I should know. Ive tried it, he said.
But no more, I said.
No more, he agreed.
Stark kissed me with such gentleness that he took my breath away. Then he took a step back, fisted his hand over his heart, and bowed formally to me. Ill see you soon, my lady.
Be careful, I said.
And if I cant be careful, Ill be quick. He threw me his cocky grin and ducked out of the door.
When he was gone I closed my eyes, fisted my hand over my heart, and bowed my head. Nyx, I whispered, I was telling him the truth. He has my heart. I dont know how thats going to turn out, but I ask that you keep my warrior safe and thank you for giving him the courage to make the choice for good.
Nyx didnt suddenly appear before me, and I hadnt expected her to. But I did feel a brief, listening silence in the air around me, and that was enough. I knew the Goddesss hand was on Stark. Protect himstrengthen himoh, and could you please help me figure out what Im going to do about him I prayed silently until the sixth-hour bell rang.
Okay, Zoey, I told myself. Lets break out of this place.
CHAPTER 29
When I rushed into the stables late, Lenobia gave me a chilly look and said, Zoey, you have a stall to muck. She tossed me a pitchfork and pointed me toward Persephones stall.
I muttered my apologies and my yes, maamright away, maam and hurried into the stall of the mare I considered my own for as long as I was in school at the House of Night. Persephone whickered a soft greeting to me and I went straight to her head, stroking her face and kissing her velvet muzzle, and basically telling her that she was the prettiest, smartest, best horse in the known universe. She lipped my cheek, blew in my face, and seemed to agree with my opinion.
She loves you, you know. The mare has told me so.
I turned to see Lenobia standing just inside the door of the stall, leaning against the wall. I sometimes forget how exceptionally beautiful she is, so at times like this, when I really look at her, Im surprised again at her uniqueness. She is strength packaged delicately. Her silver-white hair and slate-gray eyes are the most striking things about her, well, except for the incredible tattoos of rearing horses that Marked her as a vampyre. She was wearing her usual outfit of a crisp white shirt and tan riding slacks tucked into English riding boots. Except for the tattoos and the silver goddess embroidered over her heart, she looked like something that should be in a chic Calvin Klein ad.
You can really talk to them? Id suspected as much, but Lenobia had never been so blunt about her abilities before now.
Not in words. Horses communicate in feelings. They are passionate, loyal beings with hearts big enough to hold the world.
Ive always thought so, too, I said softly, kissing Persephones forehead.
Zoey, Kalona must be killed.
The abruptness of her statement shocked me to my core, and I quickly looked around, worried that Raven Mockers were lurking close by, as they had been in all of my other classes.
Lenobia shook her head and waved away my fears. Horses despise Raven Mockers as much as cats do, only earning a horses hatred is more dangerous than a cats. None of the abominable bird creatures will dare to enter my stables.
What about the other fledglings? I asked softly.
They are entirely too busy exercising horses who have been cooped up for days because of this storm to eavesdrop on us. So I repeat, Kalona must be killed.
He cant be killed. Hes immortal. My frustration at this unfortunate fact showed clearly in my voice.
Lenobia shook back her long, thick hair and began to pace from one side of the stall to another. But we must defeat him. He lures our people away from Nyx.
I know. I havent even been back one whole day and already I can see how bad things are. Neferet is in on all of this, too. I held my breath, waiting to see if Lenobia would remain blindly loyal to her High Priestess or if she would see the truth.
Neferet is worse than any of them, she said bitterly. She who should be most faithful to Nyx has betrayed her utterly.
Shes not what she used to be, I said. Shes become something thats focused on evil.
Lenobia nodded her head. Yes, a few of us have been afraid of that. Im ashamed to say we looked the other way instead of confronting Neferet when she first began to behave strangely. I no longer consider her in Nyxs service. I plan on pledging my allegiance to a new High Priestess, she finished, giving me a knowing look.
Not me! I practically squeaked. I havent even Changed yet.
Youve been Marked and Chosen by our Goddess. That is enough for me. It is also enough for Dragon and Anastasia.
How about the other professors? Are any of them with us, too?
A terrible sadness crossed her face. No. All of the others are blinded by Kalona.
Why arent you?
She took her time answering me. I am not sure why he didnt blind me, as he has most of the others. Dragon and Anastasia and I have spoken of it, if only briefly. We do feel his allure, but a part of us was able to stay untouched by him enough that we were able to see himreally see himand recognize him as the destructive creature he is. There is no doubt in our minds that you must find a way to defeat him, Zoey.
I felt terrible and helpless and breathless and too darn young. I wanted to flail my arms around and scream, Im seventeen! I cant save the worldI cant even parallel park!
And then a sweet, meadow-filled breeze caressed my face. It was warmed by the summer sun and moist as dew at dawn, and my spirit lifted in response.
You arent simply a fledgling. Listen within, child, and know that where that still, small voice leads you, we will follow, Lenobia said in a voice that reminded me of my Goddess.
Her words mixed with the elements soothed me, and suddenly my eyes widened. How could I have forgotten?
The poem! I blurted, hurrying over to where Id hung my purse by the door of Persephones stall. One of the red fledglings has been writing prophetic poetry. She gave me one that had to do with Kalona right before I came here.
Lenobia watched me curiously as I searched through my purse.
Here it is! It was wadded up with the poem that must have been about Stark. I grabbed the other poem and focused on it.
OkayokayThis is it. This tells me how to make Kalona flee. Its justjust written in poetic code or something.
Let me read it, too. Perhaps I can help shed light on it.
I held the poem out so she could see it, and she read it aloud as I followed the words.
What once bound him
Will make him flee
Place of powerjoining of five
Night
Spirit
Blood
Humanity
Earth
Joined not to conquer
Instead to overcome
Night leads to Spirit
Blood binds Humanity
And Earth completes.
When Kalona rose from the earth, he wasnt being reborn, as Neferet tried to get us to believe, was he? Lenobia said, still studying the poem.
No. Hed been trapped there for more than a thousand years, I said.
By whom?
My grandmothers Cherokee ancestors.
This seems to imply that whatever it was that your grandmothers people did to bind him wont work the same way again. This time itll make him run away. And thats good enough for me. We must rid ourselves of him before he completely erodes the ties that bind us to Nyx. She looked from the poem to me. How did the Cherokee people bind him in the earth?
I blew out a long gust of air, wishing with all my heart that Grandma was here and could lead me through this. I justI dont know as much as I should about it! I cried.
Ssh, Lenobia soothed, touching my arm as she would a nervous filly. Wait, I have an idea.
She hurried from the stall and returned shortly with a thick, soft, curry brush, which she handed to me. Then she left the stall again and came back carrying a bale of straw. Putting it in against the inside wall, she sat on it. Leaning comfortably back, she pulled out a long piece of golden straw and stuck it in her mouth.
Now, brush your mare and think aloud. We will find the answer between the three of us.
Well, I began as I stroked the brush down Persephones sorrel neck. Grandma told me that Ghigua women, uh, those are Wise Women, from several tribes got together and created a maiden out of the earth, made especially to lure Kalona into a cave where they trapped him.
Wait, you said women came together to create a maiden?
Yeah, I know it sounds kinda crazy, but I promise thats what happened.
No, I do not doubt the truth of what your grandmother reported. Im only wondering how many women came together.
I dont know. All Grandma told me was that A-ya was basically their tool, and each of them gave her a special gift.
A-ya? That was the maidens name?
I nodded and then looked over the mares shoulder at her. Kalona calls me A-ya.
Lenobia sucked in a shocked breath. Then you are the instrument through which he will be defeated again.
Yes, but not defeated, just chased away, I said automatically, and then my instinct caught up with my mouth and I knew what Id said was true. It is me. This time he cant be trapped because hes expecting that. But I can make him run away. I spoke more to Persephone than to Lenobia or even to myself.
But youre not just a tool this time. Youve been given free will by our Goddess. You choose good, and good is what will make Kalona flee. Lenobia spoke with a confidence that was infectious.
Wait, what was that part about five?
Lenobia retrieved the poem from where Id laid it on the floor of the stall. It says place of powerjoining of five. And then it lists the five: Night, Spirit, Blood, Humanity, Earth.
They are people, I said, feeling a rush of excitement. Like Damien said, thats why theyre capitalized, because the poem is talking about people who symbolize those five things. Andand Ill bet if Grandma was here, shed tell me that there were five Ghigua women who got together and created A-ya.
Does it feel right to you, deep in your soul? Is the Goddess speaking to you?
I smiled and my heart soared. It does! It feels right.
The most obvious place of power is here at the House of Night, she said.
No! I spoke with more emphasis than Id intended, causing Persephone to snort nervously. I petted and soothed her and in a more reasonable voice said, No, inside the school the place of power has been tainted by him. It was his power joined with Neferets and mixed with Stevie Raes blood that released him and I gasped, realizing the implications of what Id just said. Stevie Rae! I would have thought shed represent earth. I mean, thats her affinity and all, but shes not earth: shes blood!
Lenobia smiled and nodded. Very good. One down. Now all you must name is the other four.
And the place, I muttered.
Yes, the place, she agreed. Well, places of power are also tied to spirit. Like Avalon, the ancient isle of the Goddess, is tied in spirit to Glastonbury. Even Christians felt the pull of the power of the place and at one time built an abbey there.
What? I came around Persephone to stand excitedly in front of Lenobia. What did you say about an abbey and the Goddess?
Well, Avalon isnt literally of this world, though it is a great place of power. Christians felt it and built an abbey dedicated to Mary there.
Oh, Lenobia, thats it! I had to blink hard to clear the tears of relief from my eyes. Then I laughed. And its perfect! The place of power is at Twenty-first and Lewis, the abbey of the Benedictine nuns.
Lenobias eyes widened, and then she smiled. Our Goddess is wise. Now, all you need do is to figure out who the other four are, and get everyone there. The rest of the poem tells how they join together She paused. Glancing down she read:
Night leads to Spirit
Blood binds Humanity
And Earth completes.
Blood is there already, or at least I hope she is, I said. I told Stevie Rae to get herself and the red fledglings to the abbey when I found out Kalona was going to grab her.
Why would you think of sending her there?
My grin was so wide I swear I almost split a lip. Because thats where Spirit is! Spirit is the head nun, Sister Mary Angela. She saved my grandma from the Raven Mockers, and shes been taking care of her there.
A nun? To represent Spirit and conquer an ancient fallen angel? Are you quite sure, Zoey?
Not conquerjust banish and give us enough time to regroup and figure out how to get rid of him permanently. And, yes, Im sure.
Lenobia hesitated only an instant, then she nodded. So you have identified Blood and Spirit. Think. Who have Earth, Night, and Humanity hidden within them?
I went back to currying Persephone, and then I laughed and had an urge to hit myself in the head. Aphrodite. She has to be humanity, even though most of the time she wants nothing to do with it.
I will take your word for it, Lenobia said caustically.
Okay, so, only Night and Earth are left. I hurried on. As I said before, my first guess for earth would have been Stevie Rae, because of her affinity. But I know in my heart shes blood. Earthearth I sighed again.
Could it be Anastasia? Her gift for spells and rituals is often grounded in the earth.
I thought about it, and sadly didnt feel the twinge that told me I had the right answer. Nope, its not her.
Perhaps were focusing on the wrong people. Spirit came from outside the House of Night, which is something I would not have anticipated. Maybe Earth does, too.
Well, its worth considering when you look at it like that.
What personnot a fledgling or a vampyrecould symbolize Earth?
I guess the people Ive known who are closest to the earth are my grandmas people. The Cherokee have always respected the earth, versus using and owning and abusing it. The worldview of traditional Cherokee people is much different than todays worldview. And then I suddenly closed my mouth and rested my forehead against Persephones soft shoulder, whispering a small thank-you to Nyx.
You know who it is, dont you?
I looked up, smiling. Its my grandma. Shes Earth.
Perfect! Lenobia agreed. Then you have them all!
Not Night. I still havent figured out who I broke off as I registered Lenobias knowing look.
Look deeper, Zoey Redbird, and I do believe you will discover who Nyx has Chosen to personify Night.
Not me, I whispered.
Of course it is you, Lenobia said. The poem states it perfectly, Night leads to Spirit. None of us would have ever looked to the Benedictine Abbey or its prioress to fill in the pieces of the poetic puzzle, but you led us straight to it.
If Im right, I said a little shakily.
Listen to your heart. Are you right?
I drew a deep breath and searched inside me. Yes, it was there, the feeling I knew came from my Goddess, the feeling that told me Id gotten it right. I met Lenobias wise gray eyes. Im right, I said firmly.
Then we need to get you and Aphrodite to the Benedictine Abbey.
All of us, I said automatically. It has to be Darius, the Twins, Damien, and Aphrodite. If something goes wrong, I have to have my circle together. Plus, my reception here hasnt been great, and if getting rid of Kalona doesnt snap the fledglings and faculty out of their weird obsession, I dont think Ill be coming back to school any time soon. And, of course, we still have to deal with Neferet; Im going to need a lot of help for all of that.
Lenobia frowned slightly, but nodded. I understand, and though it pains me, I am in agreement with you.
You should come with usyou and Dragon and Anastasia. The House of Night is no place for you right now.
The House of Night is our home, she said.
I met her eyes. Sometimes the people closest to you betray you, and your home isnt a place you can be happy anymore. Its hard, but its true.
You sound very wise for your years, Priestess.
Yeah, well, Im a product of divorce and crappy stepparenting. Who knew it would come in handy?
We were laughing together when the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Lenobia was on her feet in an instant. We should get messages to your friends. They can meet here. It, at least, is safe from the ears and eyes of the Raven Mockers.
Already done, I said. Theyll all be here in a little while.
If Neferet realizes youre meeting here, it will go badly for us.
I know, was what I said; Ah, hell, was what I thought.
CHAPTER 30
Despite the fact that it had started to sleet again, Damien, the Twins, Aphrodite, and Darius arrived just minutes after the bell rang.
Nice note, Erin said.
Very wily of you to get us here without having us think about it beforehand, Shaunee said.
Well done, you! Damien said.
But you are thinking of it now, so we need to be sure those thoughts are protected, and move and move fast with whatever it is were going to do, Darius said.
Agreed, I said. Guys, summon your elements and get them to form a protective wall around your thoughts.
No problem, Erin said.
Yeah, weve been practicing, Shaunee said.
Do you need me to cast a quick circle? I asked.
No, Z, we just need you to hush for a second, Damien said. Weve already had our elements primed and waiting.
Partial herd of nerd, get to it! Aphrodite said.
Shut up! the Twins yelled at her.
Aphrodite snorted at them and went to stand beside Darius, who automatically put his arm around her. I noticed the cut on his face was almost completely healed, and there was only a thin pink line where before there had been a nasty laceration. It made me think of my own scar, and while the Twins and Damien were busy summoning their elements, and Aphrodite was nuzzling Darius, I turned my back to them and unobtrusively peeked down the front of my shirt. And grimaced at what I saw. Okay, my scar wasnt a long, thin pink line. It was puckered and jagged, and was still red and angry-looking. I shifted my shoulders. No, it didnt really hurt. It was just sore and tender to the touch. And ugly. Really, really ugly.