Whenever I thought about anyone seeing my nasty scar (anyone being Stark, or Erik, or even Heath, for that matter) I wanted to burst into tears. Maybe Id just never be with another guy. It would certainly make my life less complicated
Battle scars from the war of good versus evil have a unique beauty all their own, Lenobia said.
I jumped. She was standing close to me, and I hadnt heard her approach. I looked at her steadily. She was utterly perfect and completely unscarred and beautiful. That sounds nice in theory, but when the scar belongs to you, reality is kinda different than the theory.
I know of what I speak, Priestess. She swept the curtain of her silver hair over one shoulder, turned so that I could see the back of her neck, and with her other hand, pulled aside the yoke of her white blouse to expose a terrible scar that ran from up into her hairline, down the back of her neck, and disappeared, thick and puckered, into her back.
Okay! Were all elemented up over here, Erin called.
Yeah, were ready to get down and dirty, Shaunee said.
So, whats the latest? Damien said.
Lenobia and I exchanged a quick glance. That story will wait for another time, she said softly. I followed her back to my friends, wondering what kind of evil she could have been fighting that could have made those awful scars.
Zoey has named the people mentioned in the poem, Lenobia said without any preamble. And the place of power at which they need to join.
Everyone looked at me. Its the Benedictine Abbey. I remembered that one of the reasons Sister Mary Angela wasnt totally shocked when I showed her I could invoke the elements was that shed felt elemental power herself. She said her abbey had been built on a place of spiritual power. I didnt think much of it then. I paused and gave a little laugh. Actually, I didnt take her seriously, and thought she was just being crazy-eccentric-nun-lady.
Well, in your defense, the nun is kinda different, Aphrodite said.
Darius nodded, At least she is for a nun.
Shes also the Spirit the poem talks about, I said.
Wow, you did figure it out! Damien grinned at me. Who are the rest of the personifications?
Blood is Stevie Rae.
She definitely likes it enough, Aphrodite said under her breath.
Youre Humanity, I told her firmly, punctuating my announcement with a big grin.
Great. Just great. Let me state right now for the record: I. Do. Not. Want. To. Get. Bit. Again. Ever. Then she glanced up at Darius and her expression changed, and she added, Except by you, handsome.
The Twins made retching noises.
Earth is my grandma, I continued, ignoring all of them.
Good thing your grandmas already at the abbey, Damien said.
How about Night? Shaunee asked.
Its Zoey, Aphrodite said.
I raised my brows at her.
She rolled her eyes. Who the hell else could it be? Anyone whos not mentally impaired or sharing a brainshe gave the Twins and Damien pointed lookscould figure that one out.
Okay, yeah, Im Night, I said.
So we need to get to the Benedictine Abbey, Darius said, going, as usual, straight to the heart of the logistics of our operation. I say operation because it usually feels to me like Im flailing about hoping that somehow Im getting enough things right that I dont totally make a mess of stuff, which isnt exactly an Operation.
Yes, and you need to get there quickly, before Kalona and Neferet cause any more damage to our people, Lenobia said.
Or begin a war with the humans, Aphrodite said.
Everyone but Darius gawked at her. And in my gawking I saw through the façade of her beauty, and how she always looked totally together, to the bruised darkness under her eyes and the vaguely reddish tint that hadnt yet faded from their whites.
You had another vision, I said.
She nodded.
Ah, crap. Did I get killed again?
I heard Lenobias shocked intake of breath. Uh, long story, I said.
No, dork. You did not get killed. Again, Aphrodite said. But I got a flash of the warthe same one I saw beforeonly this time I recognized the Raven Mockers. She paused, shuddering. Did you know they can rape women? Not a comfortable vision to have. Anyway, Neferet hooked up with Kalona to fulfill her crazy war-with-the-humans scheme.
But last time you had the war vision, saving Zoey kept it from happening, Damien said.
I know that. Im Vision Girl, remember? What I dont know is why this one was different, except that now Kalona has been added into the mix. And, well, I hate to clue you in about this, cause its more than a little frightening, but Neferet has totally gone over to the Dark Side. Shes turning into something, and its like no vampyre weve ever known before.
Something clicked inside me, and as the pieces of the puzzle were fitting together, I knew what was happening. Shes becoming Queen Tsi Sgili, the first vampyre Tsi Sgili, and thats something weve never known before. I said it in a voice that sounded as cold as I felt.
Yeah. Thats what I saw, Aphrodite said, looking pale. I also know that the war starts right here in Tulsa.
So the Council they want to take over must be the Council at this House of Night, I said.
Council? Lenobia said.
Its too much to explain right now. Lets just say its a good thing that theyre only thinking regionally and not globally, I said.
It stands to reason if we make Kalona and, hopefully, Neferet with him, flee Tulsa, then perhaps the war wont start, Darius said.
Or at least it wont start here, I said. And that might give us time to figure out how to get rid of him permanently, since he seems to be a main player in the war.
It is Neferet, Lenobia said in a voice so calm it almost sounded dead. She is the impetus behind Kalona. She has desired a war against the humans for many years. She met my eyes. You may have to kill her.
I blanched. Kill Neferet! No way. Im not doing that!
You might have to, Darius said.
No! I cried again. If I was supposed to kill Neferet, I wouldnt have this horrible sickness in my gut just thinking about it. Nyx would let me know that it was her will, but I cant believe killing a High Priestess of hers would ever be the Goddesss will.
Ex-High Priestess, Damien said.
Is High Priestess a job you can really lose? Shaunee asked.
Yeah, isnt it one of those for life things? Erin said.
Plus, is she really a High Priestess if shes turning into something else, like Queen Tsi Sgili? Aphrodite added.
Yes! No! I babbled. I dont know. Lets just get off the subject of killing Neferet. I so cannot go there.
I saw Darius, Lenobia, and Aphrodite exchange a long look, which I definitely chose to ignore. Then Lenobia said, Back to getting all of you out of here. I think that is something we need to do now.
Right now? Shaunee said.
Like this second? Erin chimed in.
The sooner the better, I said. I mean, I can feel your elements, and I know theyre protecting your thoughts, but the truth is, if Neferet is trying to break into your minds, shell know something is going on when she comes up against an elemental wall. She just wont know exactly what. I glanced around, half expecting her to be floating like a bloated, spectral spider in the shadows. Shes also appeared twice to me like a disgusting ghost, so I say we need to get the hell out of here. Now.
I dont like the sound of that, Erin said.
Tell me about it, I said. But getting out of here is going to be a problem. The weather is definitely not helping us. I couldnt even walk from the main building to the stables without almost breaking my butt. I had to use fire to melt some of the stupid ice. I glanced at Shaunee and smiled a little sheepishly.
Wait, what did you say about using the element fire to melt the ice? Lenobia broke in.
I shrugged. I was just sick of almost falling. So I focused some flame on the sidewalk. It melted the ice with no problem.
Actually, easy-peasy, Shaunee said. Ive done it myself.
Lenobia looked increasingly excited. Do you think you could project flame specifically enough that it could melt the ice beneath your feet as a group if you moved?
Yeah, I think so. If we could figure out some way that it wouldnt burn our feet, too. I dont know how long I could do it, though. I glanced questioningly at Shaunee.
She nodded. Sure, I could help, and it wouldnt even burn my feet. With the two of us joined together we could make it last longer than either of us trying to do it by ourselves.
Plus, Twin, Erin said, Twenty-first and Lewis is only like half a mile down the street. Zoeys looking way better today, so you guys should be able to keep the heat going that long.
Even with the ice problem solved, we cant possibly move fast enough on foot, and I cant cloak the Hummer because its not organic, I said.
I think I have a solution for you, Lenobia said. Come with me. We followed as she led us to Persephones stall. The mare was eating contentedly, and she simply flicked her ears back at us when Lenobia greeted her, went to her back leg, reached down, and said, Give, sweet girl.
Persephone obediently lifted her leg. Lenobia brushed off the straw that clung to her hoof, and then, still holding the mares leg up, she looked at Shaunee. Can you send flame to heat her shoe?
Shaunee looked surprised at the unusual request, but said, Easy peasy. Then she drew a deep breath, and I heard her whisper something that I couldnt quite make out, and she pointed one glowing finger at Persephones hoof. Burn, baby, burn! she said. The glow rushed from her finger to the silver horse shoe snug against Persephones hoof. In no time it started to glow, too. Persephone stopped eating, craned her head around and gave her hoof a curious look, snorted, and then went back to eating.
Lenobia tapped the hoof, kinda like she was checking to see if an iron was hot, quickly pulling her finger away from the glowing surface. It definitely worked. You can make it go away now, Shaunee.
Thanks, fire! Come on back to me now! The glow swirled around the horse, making her snort again, and then came back to Shaunee whose bod$ As noty began to glow until she frowned and said, Just settle down.
Lenobia put the horses hoof down, patted her rump affectionately, and said, That is how you leave here and get to the abbey quickly. On horse back, which, in my opinion, is the best way to travel anyway.
The idea has merit, Darius said. But how do we escape? Surely the Raven Mockers wont let us ride out the front gates.
Lenobia smiled. Perhaps they will.
CHAPTER 31
That is an insane plan, Aphrodite said.
Yet it just might work, Darius said.
I like it. Its kinda romantic, with the horses and all. Plus, its the best plan we have, Damien said.
Its the only plan we have, I said. At Lenobias raised brows I hastily added, But I like it, too.
The fewer horses you take, the easier it will be for you to get away unnoticed. I suggest you ride double, Lenobia said.
Three is definitely sneakier than six, Erin said.
But how are we going to get Dragon and Anastasia in on it? I said. We definitely cant all go walking over to the fencing room or Anastasias class. And I dont want us to split up.
Lenobias brows went up again. I dont know if youve heard of this, but there is something many of us use, called a cellular telephone. Believe it or not, Dragon and Anastasia each have one.
Oh, I said, feeling like a moron.
Aphrodite rolled her eyes at me.
Ill call them and fill them in on their part of the plan. Those of you wearing skirtsyou need to change. Zoey can show you where the extra riding habits are kept in the tack room. Take anything in there you might need, Lenobia said as she hurried toward her office.
Ill tell Dragon the diversion will start in thirty minutes.
Thirty minutes! My stomach clenched.
That should give you plenty of time to change and put bridles on three horses. You wont be able to use saddles. That would be too obvious. Lenobia disappeared into her office just as Damien said, No saddles? I think Im going to be sick.
Join the crowd, I said. Come on, I told Aphrodite and the Twins, You need to change out of those short skirts. And who the hell wears stilettos in an ice storm?
Theyre boots, Aphrodite said. And boots are proper winter attire.
Three and a half inch stiletto boots are not sensible footwear for winter, I said, leading them to the tack room and the riding clothes hanging neatly there among the other tack.
Fashion-impaired geek, Aphrodite muttered.
Agreeing, Shaunee said.
For once, Erin added.
I grabbed three bridles and shook my head at my friends. Just change your clothes. There are riding boots in that closet. Avail yourselves of their use.
Avail? I heard Shaunee say as I marched out of the tack room.
Girlfriend has been hanging around Queen Damien too much, Erin said.
I slammed the door.
I wasnt sure what other two horses Lenobia would choose to go with us, but I knew Persephone would be carrying me, so I hurried toward her stall. Darius had moved over to one of the high stable windows and was busy stacking hay bales on top of each other. Obviously he was going to give us a weather and Raven Mocker check.
Uh, Z, may I have one little word with you? Damien said.
Sure, come on in. I went back to Persephones stall, grabbed the currycomb, and started giving the mare a quick wipedown.
Damien stayed in the doorway. Heres the thingI dont really ride.
Well, thats not a problem. Ill do the hard part. You just sit behind me and hold on.
What if I fall off? Im sure shes a perfectly nice animal. He sent a little hello wave to Persephone, who was still happily chewing her hay and not paying any attention to Damien. But shes also big. Really very big. Humongous, actually.
Damien, we are about to break out of school, run for our lives, and then try to banish an ancient immortal and a vamp High Priestess gone bad, and youre stressing about riding behind me on a horse?
Bareback. Riding bareback behind you on a horse, he said. Then nodded. Yes, yes, I am stressing about it.
I started giggling and had to lean against Persephone because I was hurting myself. Okay, heres the life lesson Ive really been learning: If you have good friends, no matter how much life is sucking, they can make you laugh.
Meanwhile, Damien was frowning at me. Just so you know, Im going to tell Jack you were laughing at me, and hell get mad at you. That means the next time I purchase a gift for you, he will go on strike and not supervise its tasteful wrapping.
Jeesh, thats kinda harsh, I said, then burst into giggles again.
Would you guys get serious! We have a war to win and a world to save. Aphrodite was standing with her hands on her hips just outside Persephones stall. She was wearing her cropped black designer tank (with the gold JUICY label across her boobs) and her borrowed tan riding pants tucked into flat English riding boots. With no heels. None.
I took one look at her and started to giggle again. Then I caught sight of the Twins, who were standing behind her. Both of them had on Dolce & Gabbana animal-print silk tunics (probably from Saks Fifth Avenue or Miss Jacksons, jeesh). Their butts were snugged with spandexy tan English riding leggings (hee hees), tucked into brown and tan English riding boots.
It was priceless. This time Damien joined me in my hysteria.
I hate both of them, Aphrodite said.
Girlfriend, were finding we have more and more in common with you, Erin told Aphrodite.
Ditto, Shaunee said, scowling at Damien and me.
Sadly, Lenobias words threw cold water on my giggly good time.
I spoke with Anastasia. Everythings ready to go, even though Dragon was temporarily unavailable. He was dealing with an unusual case of vampyre Change. I was told to pass word along to Zoey that Stark arrived and has been taken care of.
Did she say Stark? Damien asked.
Huh? the Twins said.
Oh, shit, Aphrodite said.
The weather still looks bad, and I can see stirrings in the trees. I think their plan is to grab us as we leave the stables. We better get going, Darius said as he rejoined our group. He paused as he saw everyone staring at me. Obviously I missed something.
Yes, and Zoey was just getting ready to fill us in, Damien said.
I gnawed my lip and looked from friend to friend. Well, hell. Okay, heres the deal. Stark Changed. Hes the second red vampyre theres ever been.
Whoop-de-fucking-do, Erin said. Hes still an assbucket.
Yeah, and why would you know shit about him Changing? Shaunee said.
You have to stop thinking of him like hes Stevie Rae. Theyre worlds apart, Damien said, more gently than the others.
She loves him, Aphrodite blurted.
Aphrodite! I yelled.
Well, someone had to clue the dorks in to your pathetic infatuation with him, Aphrodite said.
Youre not helping me, I said.
Wait. Rewind. Zoey is in love with Stark? That is the stupidest thing Ive ever heard in my entire life, Erin said.
Well, except for the whole graduated drivers license law thing in Oklahoma, Twin. Lets get serious. Thats the stupidest thing weve ever heard of in our entire lives, Shaunee said.
True. Besides that, though. And, Aphrodite, we say: You. Have. Lost. Your. Damn. Mind, Erin said.
Again, Shaunee finished.
Everyone looked at me.
I think the graduated drivers license thing is stupid, too, I lamely said.
See! I told you! Aphrodite said. She has a serious thing for Stark.
Serious shit, Erin said.
I would never have believed it, Shaunee said.
Let her explain! Damien yelled.
Everyone got really quiet.
I cleared my throat.
Okay. Well. Remember the poem? All of my friends narrowed their eyes at me, which I didnt think was very fair. But I continued anyway. It said I was supposed to save his humanity? And I did. I think. I hope.
Priestess, we caught him abusing a fledgling. How can you condone that? Darius said.
I dont condone it. It makes me sick. But I remember when Stevie Rae was fighting to keep her humanity, and she was awful. I looked at Aphrodite. You know what Im talking about.
Yeah, and Im not one hundred percent sure you can trust her today. And I say that as the human shes Imprinted.
I expected the Twins and Damien to blow up at her, but they stayed very quiet. Finally I turned to Darius. Stark gave me his Warriors Oath.
His Warriors Oath! And you accepted him? Darius said.
I did. It was right after that he Changed.
Darius sighed deeply. Then Stark is bound to you until you release him from his oath.
I think that caused his Change, I said. I think with the red fledglings their Change has something to do with the choice between good and evil.
By pledging to you, Stark chose good, Darius said.
I smiled. I like to think so.
So that means he isnt an asscake anymore? Erin said.
I thought you called him an assbucket, Shaunee said.
Twin, its the same thing, Erin said.
It means I trust him, I said. And I wish you guys would give him a chance.
Giving the wrong person a chance right now could get us killed, Darius said.
I drew a deep breath. I know.
A newly Changed vampyre needs to be secluded in Nyxs Temple. Dragon assured me Stark is safely there. Lenobia glanced at her watch. We have exactly ten minutes. Can we not get on with more important things and leave the question of Starks trustworthiness until a better time?
Definitely, I said. Whats left to do? All I could hope was that Dragon really had the newly Changed Stark safely locked away in Nyxs Temple, and that we would actually chase Kalona out of here, thereby getting rid of Neferet, too, so that we would have a chance to deal with his trustworthiness at a better time.
We quickly got bridles on two other horses, appropriately named Hope and Destiny. Then the hard part of our plan started.
I still say it is not safe, Darius said, looking like a thundercloud.
I have to do it. Stevie Raes not here, and Im the closest thing we have to a pure earth affinity, I said.
It really doesnt sound that hard, Aphrodite said, trying to reason with the irate warrior. All Zoey has to do is sneak out to the wall, tell the tree thats already smushing it to push harder, and then sneak back here.
I will take her there, Darius said stubbornly.
With your mega-quickness thatll be perfect, I said. By the way, Im ready.
How will I know youve succeeded and its my time to start the next part of the plan? Lenobia asked me.
Ill send spirit to you. If you feel a jolt of something good, youll know were fine and its time to tell Shaunee to get ready to let fire loose.
But she must remember that only the shoes of the horses should be afire, Lenobia said, giving Shaunee a stern look.
I know! Its not even hard. Just go on about your business. Destiny and I are making friends. Shaunee turned back to the big bay mare who would carry her and Erin, and continued to chatter to the horse as Erin brushed her and talked about sugar cubes and something called a Jazzy Apple.
Just keep her safe and get back here to me, Aphrodite said. She kissed Darius on the mouth and then walked toward Hope to help Lenobia finish buckling the last of the mares bridle straps.
Well, Priestess, shall we? Darius said.
I nodded and let him lift me into his arms. Darius took one step out into the frigid, stormy night, and then everything blurred around us as he moved kinda diagonally across the rear grounds to a part of the big wall surrounding the school that had an even bigger oak lying across it. Somehow in one of Tulsas last winter disasters, the tree had succumbed and fallen down. Kinda. Word had it (from Aphrodite) that under normal circumstances it was an excellent place to sneak off campus undetected, and I knew from personal experience that shed been right.
Today we were not dealing with normal circumstances.
Darius came to a halt way too fast beside the fallen tree, shoved me under it, and whispered, Stay there until Im sure it is safe. And off he went.
So I crouched under the tree and thought about how wet and cold it was and how annoying guys were. Then I heard the nasty wing-flapping sound, and I decided to uncrouchquickly.
I emerged from under the side of the tree just in time to see Darius grabbing a Raven Mocker by his wing, jerking him to the ground, and then slitting his throat.
I looked away fast.
Zoey, come on. We have no time.
Trying to ignore the corpse of the Raven Mocker, I hurried to the half-toppled tree. I placed my hand on it and closed my eyes. Centering myself, I searched for my internal norththe site of earthand then invoked, Earth, I need you. Please come to me. In the midst of an ice storm, in the dead of winter, I was suddenly, miraculously, surrounded by the scents of a spring meadowripe wheata mimosa tree in full bloom. I bowed my head gratefully and continued. What I need you to do is hard, and I wouldnt ask it of you unless it was an emergency. I drew a deep breath, and focused on the ice-slicked bark beneath my palm. Fall, I commanded. Forgive me, but I have to ask you to fall. The skin of the tree shuddered under my hand, so violently that I fell backward, and with a crack that I swear I could hear a dying scream within, the old oak fell, crashing against the already weakened wall, sending blocks of stone and bricks tumbling down, and creating a break in the barrier that surrounded the school, a break it would seem logical for us to try to escape through.
I was breathing heavily and feeling more than a little shaky, but I automatically sent spirit to let Lenobia know I was successful. Then I picked myself up, staggered to the fallen tree, and put both hands on its bark. Thank you, earth. Then a sudden thought had me adding, Go to Stevie Rae. Tell her were coming. Tell her to be ready. I felt the usual listening sense I got when I commanded an element to do something. Go now, earth. Thank you again for helping me, and Im really sorry I had to hurt the tree.
We must return to the stables. Darius strode over to me and lifted me in his arms. You did well, Priestess, he said.
I put my head down on his friendly shoulder, and only knew I was crying because I could see the wet streaks on his jacket. Lets get out of here.
CHAPTER 32
The three bridled horses were waiting for us. Erin and Shaunee were already mounted on Destiny. Shaunee was driving. Shed taken English Hunter/Jumper classes at her private prep school before she was Marked, and so shed proclaimed herself an almost mediocre rider. Aphrodite and Damien stood near Persephone and Hope. Damien looked like he might be sick at any instant.
I felt spirits touch and am assuming all went well, Lenobia said as she breezed by us and began rechecking the horses tack.
The wall has been broken, but I was forced to kill a Raven Mocker. Im quite sure hell be discovered soon, Darius said.
Actually, thats good. It will just give more credence to the thought that the fallen wall is how youll try to escape, Lenobia said. She glanced at her watch. Time to mount up. Shaunee, are you ready?
I was born ready, Shaunee said.
All right, how about you, Erin?
Erin nodded. Ditto. Im ready.
Damien?
He answered Lenobia, but he spoke to me, Im scared.
I hurried to his side and took his hand. Im scared, too. But its a lot less scary if I remember were together.
Even if were together on a horse?
I smiled. Even if. Plus, Persephone is a perfect lady. I took Damiens hand and pressed it against the graceful curve of my mares neck.
Oooh, shes soft and warm, he said.
Here, Ill give you a knee up, Lenobia said, bending beside us and offering Damien the cradle her hands were making.
With a long-suffering sigh he put his knee in her hands and tried (unsuccessfully) to stifle a very gay squeal as she boosted him up on Persephones broad back.
Before Lenobia helped me up she put her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. Follow your heart and your instinct, and you will not go wrong. Make him flee, Priestess.
Ill do my best, I said.
That is why I have such faith in you, she said.
Once we were all mounted, Lenobia led us to the rollaway doors that opened into the exercise corral. Earlier Lenobia had quietly gone out and opened the outside gate to the corral. Now nothing stood between us and the world except a lot of ice, the front gates of the school, a bunch of Raven Mockers, their daddy, and a crazy-assed ex-High Priestess.
As you can well imagine, I was pretty concerned about having a raging case of nervous diarrhea. Thankfully, I didnt have enough spare time for my body to give it much thought.
Lenobia slid the doors open. Shed already extinguished the lights in this part of the stable, so that we wouldnt be silhouetted, all sitting-duck-like. We peered into the icy darkness, imagining the storm to come.
Ill give you just a few minutes to call the elements, Lenobia said. The sudden increase in intensity of the storm is Anastasias cue to begin the confusion spell on the other side of campus, and dont forget that Dragon has stationed himself at the school gate. He will cut down the Raven Mocker who is sentry there as soon as he hears hoofs approaching. Shaunee, when youre ready, set the stall on fire. When I see the flames, Ill free the rest of the horses. They already know that they are to stampede around the school grounds and create as much havoc as possible.
Shaunee nodded. I got it.
Then refocus flame on these horses hoofs. Lenobia paused and reiterated, I mean the horse shoes on their hoofs. Ill tell Persephone when to go. All the rest of you need do is to hold on and follow her lead. She patted my sorrel mare affectionately. Then she looked up at me, Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again, High Priestess, she said. Fisting her hand over her heart, she bowed to me.