Brightest blessings to you, Lenobia, I said. As she began to walk quickly away, I called after her, Lenobia, please reconsider leaving here. If we dont get rid of Kalona, you and Dragon and Anastasia have to get undergroundthe tunnels under the depot, the abbey, or even the basement of one of the downtown buildings. Thats really the only chance you have of being safe at all.
Lenobia paused and looked over her shoulder at me. Her smile was serene and wise. But, Priestess, you will succeed. And she hurried away.
Jeesh, shes stubborn, Shaunee said.
Lets just be sure shes right, I said. Okay, are you ready? My friends nodded. I drew a deep breath and centered myself. We were pointed north, so I kneed Persephone to the right so that we were facing east. There was no time for flowery words or inspiring music; there was only time for action. Quickly I invoked each of the elements, feeling my nerves steady as they filled the air and created a glistening circle that bound us. When spirit swelled within me, I couldnt stop myself from laughing aloud.
Still sounding giddy, I said, Damien, Erin, put your elements to work!
I felt Damien raise his hands behind me, and watched Erin do the same. I could hear Damien whispering words to air, asking a freezing wind to swirl and blow, toss and tussle, everything around us. I knew Erin was asking something similar of watercommanding that it increase the sleet and drench the world around us.
I braced myself to help them channel and control their elements so that we would (in theory) be moving inside a little bubble of calm in an otherwise elemental maelstrom.
Both elements responded instantly. We looked out to see the night in front of us erupt into a storm that probably knocked Doppler 8 on its butt.
Okay, I yelled above the wind. Its flames turn.
Shaunee lifted her arms, tossed back her head, and like she was throwing a basketball, hurled the fire that glowed between her palms at the empty, straw-filled stall Lenobia had told her to destroy. The stall burst into angry flame.
Now the horses hoofs, I cried.
She nodded. Help me keep it up.
I will, dont worry.
Shaunee pointed down at our horses hoofs. Heat up their shoes! she yelled.
Persephone snorted. Her head bowed, and as the sawdust of the stable yard began to smoke under her feet, she pricked her ears at her hoofs.
Oh, manWe need to get out of here before their feet burn everything up, Damien said. He was clutching me so tight it was a little hard for me to breathe, but I didnt want to say anything that might cause him to topple sideways.
I was just thinking that we really might light the sawdust on fire when I heard a huge commotion behind us that I knew must be Lenobia freeing the horses to bolt around the main grounds of the campus, as if they were utterly crazed by the stable fire. Persephone tossed her head and snorted. I felt her muscles bunch and had just enough time to squeeze hard with my thighs and yell back at Damien, Hold on! Here we go! And then the mare lunged out of the stables and into the raging night.
The three horses, side by side, galloped through the corral and out the gate Lenobia had left open. They turned hard to the left, circled around behind the main school building, and sooner than I would have imagined possible, there was steam hissing and mist rising in waves around us as heated hoofs met the ice that covered the asphalt of the parking lot.
Behind us I could hear the screams of panicked horses and the terrible cries of the Raven Mockers. I gritted my teeth and hoped Lenobias mares were taking out a bunch of the birdmen.
Persephones hoofs hissed against the slick road that led down the drive to the school.
Oh, Goddess! Look! Damien cried. He pointed from over my shoulder ahead and off to the left in the line of trees that framed the lane. Dragon was there fighting three Raven Mockers. His blade was a silver blur as he lunged and parried and whirled. As we came into view, the birdmen tried to shift their attention to us, but Dragon redoubled his attack, skewering one of them instantly and causing the other two to turn, hissing, back to him.
Go! he cried as we galloped past him, And may Nyx bless you!
The gate was open, Dragons doing I was sure. We surged through, turned to the right, and galloped down deserted, icy Utica Street.
At the Twenty-first Street light, which was not working, we turned the horses to the right, positioned them in the middle of the street, and gave them their heads.
Midtown Tulsa had turned into a frozen ghost of itself. If I hadnt been focused and hadnt been absolutely sure our horses were in a flat gallop down Twenty-first Street, I would have thought we were utterly lost in a strange, postapocalyptic ice world. There was nothing in the least bit familiar around me. No lights. No cars moving. No people. Cold and darkness and ice reigned. The beautiful old trees of midtown were shrouded in so much ice that many of them had literally splintered down the middle. Power lines were down, snaking across the street like lazy vipers. The horses paid no attention to them. They leaped over downed limbs and lines, their flame-heated hoofs slicing through the ice to strike sparks against the surprised pavement.
And then, above the din of striking hoofs and the hiss of flame on ice, I heard the terrible flapping of wings and the cry of first one and then another and another Raven Mocker.
Darius, I yelled. Raven Mockers!
He looked behind us and up, and nodded grimly. Then he did something that completely shocked me. Out of his jacket pocket he pulled a black gun. Id never seen any of the Sons of Erebus carry modern weapons, and it looked completely out of place in his hand. He said something to Aphrodite, who was pressed against his back. She slid to the side a little, allowing him to swivel around. He lifted his arm, sighted, and squeezed off half a dozen shots. The sound was deafening in the frozen night, but not half as eerie as what followed itthe screams of wounded Raven Mockers and the thud! crash! of bodies as they fell from the sky.
There! Shaunee cried, pointing in front of us and to the right. I see flames!
At first I didnt see anything, and then through a stand of ice-enslaved trees I caught sight of first one and then another and another candle-flickering welcoming light. Was that it? Was that the Benedictine Abbey? Visibility was terrible, and everything was so disorienting and dark, that I couldnt tell if it was the abbey or just one of the houses-turned-plastic surgeon offices that lined this part of the street.
Concentrate! If its a place of power, I should be able to feel it.
I breathed deep and reached out with my instinct, and I felt itthe unmistakable draw that came from the combined power of spirit and earth.
Thats it! I yelled. Thats the abbey!
We yanked our horses heads to the right and plunged off the road, through a ditch, and then up an embankment dotted with trees. The horses had to slow to dodge around fallen limbs and dead, downed power lines, and then we popped through the trees and into a clearing. Directly in front of us was a huge old oak. Its lower branches were filled with little glass cages holding cheerily burning candles. There was a carport farther behind the tree, and beyond it I could just make out the looming hulk of the brick building that was the Benedictine Abbey, or at least I could make out its windows, because there were candles lit in each one of them.
Okay, you guys can lay off the elements now and let things calm down. The Twins and Damien whispered to their elements, and the madness of the storm began to quiet to a cold, cloudy night.
Whoa! I called, and our obedient, loyal mares skidded to a stop just before an awe-inspiring figure clothed in a dark robe and wimple.
Hello, child. I heard you were coming, she said, smiling up at me.
I slid from Persephones back and threw myself into her arms. Sister Mary Angela! I am so glad to see you!
As I am glad to see you, too, she said. But, child, perhaps we should put off our hellos until weve dealt with the dark creatures filling the trees behind you.
I spun around in time to see dozens of Raven Mockers landing in the trees. Except for the sounds of their wings they were absolutely silent, and their red eyes glowed like watching demons.
Well, hell! I said.
CHAPTER 33
Language, Sister Mary Angela said serenely.
Darius had already dismounted and was helping Aphrodite and the Twins down. Damien hadnt waited for help, but dismounted almost as quickly as I had, and was standing beside me.
Priestess, Darius addressed Sister Mary Angela, you dont, by any chance, keep firearms at the abbey, do you?
Her laughter sounded completely out of place yet utterly comforting. Oh, Warrior, of course we do not.
There arent enough of us to fight them, but we have the circle, Darius said as he studied the bird-filled trees. If you stay within it, you stay safe.
Darius was right, of course. Our circle was intact. Though weirdly off center, the silver thread that bound us together still glowed between us.
I will run back to the House of Night and bring help, Darius said.
I heard the frustration in his voice. What help was he going to bring? I hadnt seen any of his brother warriors since wed entered the school grounds. Dragon was great with a sword, but even he wouldnt be a match for all of these Raven Mockers. The trees that bordered the Twenty-first Street side of the abbey were filled with the dark shapes. Already groaning under the burden of ice, the additional weight of the Raven Mockers was more stress than many of them could bear, and the cracking and breaking of limbs was as terrible as the birds mocking cries.
Hey, I hear yall need some help out here.
In my entire life, I had never been so happy to hear any voice as I was at that moment to hear Stevie Raes Okie twang. I hugged her hard, not caring about the secrets she was keeping from me in the joy of seeing her safe. Breathing a sigh of relief, I saw the red fledglings step out of the darkness behind her.
They is nasty! Kramisha said, squidging up her face at the Raven Mockers.
Lets kick their asses, Johnny B said, looking all testosterone-filled and muscle-y.
Theyre nasty alright, but they arent doing anything except watching us, said another familiar voice.
Erik! I cried. Smiling, Stevie Rae let go of me, and Erik pulled me into his strong arms.
There was a blur to my right and Jack launched himself at Damien.
I looked up at Erik, and even in the middle of the mess we were in, I wished it could be simple and easy between the two of us. For that instant I did wish it could just be Erik and me, instead of Erik and Stark and Kalona and Heath
Heath? I asked, stepping out of his embrace.
Erik sighed and jerked his chin back at the abbey building. Hes in there. Hes fine.
I smiled a little sheepishly and didnt know what to say.
Zoey, Kalona will be here soon. The reason the Raven Mockers arent attacking is because were not trying to get away anymore. Theyre just keeping watch on us for him. Do not forget what you have to do, Dariuss voice broke through the new awkwardness between Erik and me.
I nodded and turned to Sister Mary Angela. Kalona will follow us here. Remember I told you hes immortal?
A fallen angel, she said, nodding.
And remember I told you about our High Priestess? Well, shes gone bad for sure, and Im sure shell be with him. Theyre equally dangerous.
I understand.
So, he cant be killed, but I do think I know how to chase him away from here and, hopefully, Neferet will go with him. But Ill need your help.
Whatever I have is yours, Sister Mary Angela said.
Good. What I need is you, I told her, then I turned to Stevie Rae, And you.
Aphrodite stepped up beside me. And me, she said.
And I need Grandma. I know its going to be hard for her, but I need her out here, or at least wherever it is thats the center of this power I feel around us.
Kramisha, child, would you get Stevie Raes grandmother?
Yes, maam, Kramisha said, and hurried away.
Marys Grotto is the seat of our power. Sister Mary Angela pointed behind me and to the side of where we were standinga place that was between us, the northwesternmost edge of the neatly cut lawn, and the monster-filled grove of trees.
I turned to see what she was pointing at and gasped in surprise, wondering how I hadnt noticed it before now. It was the biggest shrine Id ever seen. It was made of large pieces of Oklahoma sandstone. Each stone had been chosen carefully to fit snugly against its neighbors. It was bowl-like in shape, reminding me of pictures Id seen of famous outdoor theaters. There was a bench sitting protected inside it, as well as several natural rock ledges running around the curved inside at various places, and every available surface was covered with candles, so that the entire shrine was glazed in candlelight and ice. As I walked toward it, I looked at its gracefully arched top, which stretched several feet over my head, and sucked in my breath. There, nestled toward the top of the structure, was the most beautiful statue of Mary Id ever seen. Her face was serene in prayer, almost smiling as she looked up. And at her feet a riot of gorgeous roses twined around her as if they had given birth to her. I studied Marys face and felt my heart give a little stutter beat. I recognized this Mary. How could I not? Shed appeared to me just days before in the form of my Goddess.
I can feel the power of this place, Aphrodite said.
Wow, that statue of Mary is really, really pretty, Jack said. He and Damien were holding hands and gazing up.
Check out the sidewalkits perfect, Stevie Rae said.
I looked down. The sidewalk that led from where wed left the horses changed when it reached the front of the shrine. Here it got lots bigger and formed a circle. I grinned at Stevie Rae. Its definitely perfect.
What is it you need us to do, Zoey? Sister Mary Angela asked, but before I could answer, the roar of an engine pulled everyones attention back to the bird-infested trees and the road beyond.
With growing fear, I watched the big black Hummer, the very one Id been taken back to the school in, leave the road. Gunning its engine, the vehicle lurched down the ditch, then up the other side and made its growling way through the grove of trees, causing the Raven Mockers to beat their wings and croak in a frenzy of encouragement.
Sister, stay close to me, I said. Aphrodite, Stevie Rae, I need you beside me, too.
Were here, Aphrodite said as Erik and Darius stepped out of the way and the two of them moved into position beside me.
I need Grandma, I said.
Shes coming. Do not fear, Sister Mary Angela said.
Finally, the Hummer rolled to a stop, so close to the horses that they snorted at it and backed away until they were standing under the carport. The doors to the vehicle opened, and Kalona and Neferet stepped out together. She was wearing all blacka floor-sweeping silk dress with a neckline that plunged to expose the onyx winged pendant resting between her breasts. A dark aura pulsed around her, making her thick hair lift and move around her shoulders.
Holy shit, Aphrodite whispered.
Yeah, I know, I said grimly.
Kalona strode at her side. He was wearing black pants and nothing else. As he moved away from the Hummer with Neferet, his wings rustled and opened a little, showing just a hint of their magnificence.
Oh, blessed Mary! Beside me Sister Mary Angela gasped.
Dont look in his eyes! I whispered to her. He can have a hypnotic effect on people. Dont let him get to you.
She hesitated, studying the winged man, and then said, He does not draw me, but I do pity him. He has certainly fallen.
How old does he look to you? I couldnt help asking her.
Ancient. Older than the earth.
I didnt have time to tell her he looked about eighteen to me; it was then that the driver got out of the Hummer and joined Kalona and Neferet. The driver was Stark. His eyes found mine instantly, and ever so slightly, he bowed his head to me.
I heard Stevie Raes quick intake breath of surprise and the movement of the red fledglings behind us.
Thats the kid that shot me, isnt it? she said.
Yes, I said.
Hes Changed, Stevie Rae said. Hes a red vampyre.
Hes also a fucking rat, Aphrodite muttered, then hastily added, Sorry, Sister.
Do not trust him, Zoey. Dariuss voice came from directly behind me. You see where he has placed his allegiance.
Darius, I said sternly, without turning to look at him. You need to trust me, and that means trust my judgment.
Sometimes your judgment is wacked, Erin said.
Not when Im listening to Nyx, I said.
Are you listening now? Shaunee said.
I stared at Stark, trying to see any hint of darkness around him. There was nothingjust Stark and the way his eyes met mine steadily. I am absolutely listening to Nyx. Now, form the circle up around us. Instantly the Twins and Damien moved out of the crowd behind me. Damien walked to the eastern edge of the cement circle. I felt rather than saw Shaunee move into place behind me, and Erin situated herself on our left. For a second I was concerned that I would have to step away from Aphrodite, Stevie Rae, and Sister Mary Angela and take earths place, but then I realized that Marys Grotto was firmly positioned in the north, and that the beautiful silver thread that bound our circle now included her shrine.
You cannot maintain that circle for eternity, Kalona said as he walked slowly toward our little group. I, on the other hand, can maintain my pursuit of you for eternity.
My fledglings, Neferet said, walking beside Kalona and, except for the darkness that throbbed around her, she looked beautiful and serene and very High Priestess-like. You have allowed Zoeys misguided quest for power to put you in a perilous situation, but it is not too late for you. You need simply to renounce her, close the circle, and you will be accepted back in the bosom of your High Priestess.
If there wasnt a nun here, Id tell you what you could do with your nasty bosom, Aphrodite said.
Zoey isnt the one whos turned away from Nyx, Erin said.
Yeah, we all know you have. Its just that Zoey was the first to know it, Shaunee said.
See how her evil words have tainted your judgment? Neferet sounded sad and very reasonable.
And what has tainted my judgment? Sister Mary Angela spoke up from beside me. I barely know this child. Her words could not taint me, could not make me imagine the darkness I sense radiating from you.
Neferets calm façade cracked as she scoffed at the nun. Human woman, you are a fool! Of course you sense darkness from me. My Goddess is Night personified!
Sister Mary Angelas serenity wasnt a façade, so her demeanor didnt change. She simply said, No, I am acquainted with Nyx, and though she personifies Night, she does not traffic with darkness. Be honest, Priestess, and admit you have broken with your Goddess for that creature. The nuns hand swept toward Kalona, causing the dark folds of her habit to billow gracefully. Nephilium, I recognize you. And in Our Ladys name I speak words you already know: You should leave this place and return to the realm whence you fell. Repent, and perhaps you may still be allowed to know eternity in paradise.
Do not speak to him, woman! Neferet shrieked, all pretense of serenity gone. He is a god come to earth. You should worship at his feet!
Kalonas laughter was terrible, and it caused the Raven Mockers to hiss as they moved restlessly all around us. Ladies, do not battle over me. I am a god! There is enough of me for all of you to share. He spoke in response to Neferet and Sister Mary Angela, but his amber eyes stared straight at me.
I will never be with you, I told him, ignoring everyone around us. My choice will always be for my Goddess, and you are the opposite of everything she stands for.
Do not presume Neferet began, but Kalona lifted one hand and cut off her words.
A-ya, you misjudge me. Look deep within yourself to the maiden who was created to love me.
Something behind me stirred the crowd and I felt a little blip that told me our circle had been crossed, which could only happen if the Goddess herself allowed someone through. I wanted to look back and see who had joined us, but I couldnt take my eyes from Kalonas hypnotic gaze.
Then her hand slid into mine and love broke Kalonas spell. With a glad cry I glanced down to see Grandma sitting in a wheelchair that Heath had pushed up to me. She looked like shed been through a war. Her arm was in a cast, and her head was bandaged. Her face was still swollen and discolored with bruises, but her smile was her own, as was the sweet sound of her voice.
Did I hear you have need of me, my u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya?
I squeezed her hand. Grandma, Ill always need you!
I glanced back at Heath, who smiled at me. Kick his butt outta here, Zo, he said; then he moved back to join Erik and Darius.
Grandma, meanwhile, had somehow risen to her feet. She took two slow steps forward, staring out at the grove of trees and the Raven Mockers swarmed there.
Oh, sons of my mothers mothers! she cried and her voice carried like the sonorous beat of a tribal drum out into the night. What have you allowed him to make you become? Do you not feel your mothers blood? Can you not imagine their hearts breaking for you?
Amazed, I watched several of the Raven Mockers turn their heads, as if they were unable to face my grandma. In others the red glow began to die in their eyes, and I recognized sorrow and confusion in their human depths.
Be silent, Ani Yunwiya! Kalonas voice boomed around us.
I knew Grandma recognized the ancient name of the Cherokee people. Slowly, she turned her attention to the winged being. I see you, Old One. Will you never learn? Must women, once again, come together to defeat you?
Not this time, Ghigua. You will not find me so easy to trap this time.
Perhaps this time we will simply wait for you to trap yourself. We are a very patient people, and you did it before, Grandma said.
But this A-ya is different, Kalona said. Her soul calls to me from her dreams. It wont be long before her waking body calls me, too, and then I shall possess her.
No, I said firmly. Thinking you can possess me, like Im a piece of property, is your first mistake. My soul is drawn to you, I finally admitted aloud, and found a surprising strength in my honesty. But like you said, Im a different A-ya. I have free will, and my will is not to give myself to the darkness. So, heres the deal: Leave now. Take Neferet and the Raven Mockers and go someplace far away where you can live in peace and not hurt anyone else.
Or? he asked, looking amused.
Or I will, as my human consort put it, kick your butt out of here, I said firmly.
His look of amusement widened into a charming smile. A-ya, I do not believe I will leave this place. I find I like Tulsa very much.
Remember that you brought this on yourself, I said. Then I spoke to the women surrounding me. The poem says: Joined not to conquer, instead to overcome. Im Night. Ive led you to Sister Mary Angelashes Spirit. I held out my left hand and Sister Mary Angela grasped it firmly. Stevie Rae, youre Blood. Aphrodite, youre Humanity.
Stevie Rae walked over to Sister Mary Angela, and took the nuns other hand, and then she looked at Aphrodite, who nodded and grasped her offered hand.
What are they doing? Neferets voice came from closer than she was before. I looked up to see that she was moving quickly toward us.
A-ya! What foolishness is this? Kalona didnt sound amused anymore, and he, too, was approaching our circle.
And Earth completes. I held my hand out to Grandma.
Do not let the Ghigua join them! Kalona cried.
Stark! Kill her, Neferet commanded.
Not A-ya! Kalona shouted. Kill the old Ghigua.
I held my breath and met Starks eyes as Neferet said, Kill Zoey. No mistakes this time. Aim for her heart! As she spoke, darkness slithered from the shadows around her. Stretching over to Stark, I watched them wrap around his ankles and begin to move up his body. I saw clearly the struggle that was going on within Stark. Neferets dark power could still affect him. My stomach clenched. Was his Warriors Oath to me enough to break that hold? I wanted to trust him. Id decided to trust him. Had that been a stupid mistake?
No! Kalona roared. Do not kill her!
I will not share you! Neferet cried. Her hair was whipping around her, and she seemed to grow bigger as I watched. I had been right to believe she was no longer what she once had been, not in body and not in soul. She whirled from Kalona to Stark. By the power with which I awakened you, I command you hit the mark. Shoot Zoey through her heart!
I was staring at Stark, trying to will him to choose goodto keep choosing good and to turn from Neferets cloying darkness, so I saw the exact moment he understood his way out. As if he and I were back in the little room off the field house again, I heard myself saying to him, You have my heartAnd his response: Then both of us better stay safe. A hearts a hard thing to live without
Thats what my aim wont miss. Stark spoke across the icy distance to me as if he and I were alone. The part of my ladys heart I hold as my own. The shadows that had gripped his body were instantly washed from him as he made his decision.
And with a rush of panic I understood what he was going to do.
Aiming straight at me, he drew the bow and shot.
As he let loose the arrow, I cried, Air, fire, water, earth, spirit! Hear me! Do not let that arrow touch him! I flung my power out toward Stark, channeling all five of the elements. The arrow did a weird shimmer, and suddenly it was not heading in my direction, but speeding back toward Starks heart. It was mere inches from his chest when the elements blasted it, disintegrating it with such force that Stark was thrown back and lay crumpled, but not skewered, on the ground.
You bitch whelp! Neferet shrieked. Youre not going to win this!
Ignoring her, I held my hand out to Grandma. And Earth completes, I repeated.
She took my hand in hers and, joined together, we faced the onrush of Kalona and Neferet.
Do not curse them. Sister Mary Angelas voice was so serene it seemed otherworldly. He is all too familiar with darkness and anger and curses.
A blessing, Stevie Rae said.
Yeah, people who are filled with hate dont know how to handle love, Aphrodite said, meeting my eyes briefly and smiling.
Bless him, Grandma. Well join you, I said.
Then my grandmas strong voice rang out, amplified with the power of spirit and blood, night and earth, all joined through the humanity of love.
Kalona, my u-do, she used the Cherokee word for brother. This is my blessing to you. Grandma began to recite an ancient Cherokee blessing so familiar to me its words were like coming home. May the warm winds of Heaven blow softly on your home
The five of us repeated, May the warm winds of Heaven blow softly on your home
Grandma continued. And the Great Spirit bless all who enter there
This time, as we repeated the blessing, Damien and the Twins recited it with us.
Grandmas voice stayed strong and steady. May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows
When our voices rose to repeat Grandmas words, everyone within the circle had joined us. The blessing even echoed from behind us, and I knew the Benedictine nuns had left their sanctuary to add their prayer to ours.
As Grandma spoke the last line of the poem, her voice was filled with such love and warmth and complete joy, it brought tears to my eyes. And may the rainbow always touch your shoulder
Then over the sound of our voices joined in blessing, I heard Kalonas agonized cry. He had staggered to a halt only feet away from me. Neferet was at his side, her beautiful face twisted in hatred. He reached one hand out to me.
Why, A-ya? he said.
I gazed into his incredible amber eyes and banished him with the truth. Because I choose love.
A blinding light, made of the glowing silver thread that bound our circle, whipped from me and wrapped around Kalona and Neferet. I watched as the noose it made began to tighten. I knew the silver thread was not just made of the elements, but was also strengthened by Night and Spirit, Blood and Humanity, and grounded in Earth.