Tempted - Каст Филис Кристина

TemptedA House of Night Series, Book 6PC Cast and Kristin Cast

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Kristin and I want to again acknowledge our wonderful team at St. Martins Press. Weve come to think of them as family, and appreciate their kindness, generosity, creativity, and belief in us. Thank you thank you thank you: Jennifer Weis, Anne Bensson, Matthew Shear, Anne Marie Tallberg, Brittney Kleinfelter, Katy Hershberger, and Sally Richardson. We also want to send XXXOOO to our brilliant cover design team, Michael Storrings and Elsie Lyons.

Thank you, Jenny Sullivan, for your excellent and scarily accurate proofreading skills.

As always, we thank our amazing agent and friend, Meredith Bernstein, who changed all our lives with three little words: vampyre finishing school.

And, of course, thank you to our fans! Especially those of you who contact us and tell us how much the HoN has touched your hearts

CHAPTER 1

Zoey

The night sky over Tulsa was alight with a magical crescent moon. Its brilliance made the ice that coated the city, and the Benedictine Abbey where wed just had our showdown with a fallen immortal and a rogue High Priestess, shimmer so that everything around me seemed touched by our Goddess. I looked at the moonlight-bathed circle that stood in front of Marys Grotto, the place of power where not long ago Spirit, Blood, Earth, Humanity, and Night had been personified and then had joined to triumph over hatred and darkness. The carved image of Mary, surrounded by stone roses and nestled within a ledge high in the grotto, appeared to be a beacon for the silver light. I stared at the statue. Marys expression was serene; her ice-covered cheeks glistened as if she wept in quiet joy.

My gaze lifted to the sky. Thank you. I sent a silent prayer up to the beautiful crescent that symbolized my Goddess, Nyx. Were alive. Kalona and Neferet are gone.

Thank you, I whispered to the moon.

Listen within

The words swept through me, subtle and sweet like leaves touched by a summer breeze, brushing my consciousness so lightly that my waking mind barely registered them, yet Nyxs whispered command imprinted itself into my soul.

I was vaguely aware that there were a lot of people (well, nuns, fledglings, and a few vampyres) around me. I could hear the mixture of shouting, talking, crying, and even laughing that filled the night, but it all felt distant. At that moment the only things that were real to me were the moon above and the scar that sliced from one shoulder all the way across my chest to the other shoulder. It tingled in response to my silent prayer, but it wasnt a tingle of pain. Not really. It was a familiar warm, prickling sensation that assured me Nyx had, once again, Marked me as hers. I knew if I peeked under the neck of my shirt I would find a new tattoo decorating that long, angry-looking scar with an exotic filigree of sapphirea sign that proved I was following my Goddesss path.

Erik and Heath, find Stevie Rae, Johnny B, and Dallasthen check the perimeter of the abbey to be certain all the Raven Mockers fled with Kalona and Neferet! Darius shouted the command, snapping me out of my warm, fuzzy prayer mode, and once Id been shocked out, it was like an iPod had been cranked too high as sound and confusion flooded my senses.

But Heaths a human. A Raven Mocker could kill him in a second. The words burst from my mouth before I could clamp it shut, proving beyond all doubt that being moonstruck wasnt my only moronic skill.

Predictably, Heath puffed up like a cat-smacked toad.

Zo, Im not a damn pussy!

Erik, looking very tall and full-grown, kick-your-butt vampyre-like, snorted sarcastically and then said, No, youre a damn human. Wait, that does make you a pussy!

So, we defeat the big baddies and inside five minutes Erik and Heath are banging their chests at each other. How totally predictable, Aphrodite said with her patented sarcastic sneer as she joined Darius, but her expression completely changed when she turned her attention to the Son of Erebus Warrior. Hey there, Hotness. You doing okay?

You need not worry about me, Darius said. His eyes met hers, and they practically telegraphed the chemistry between them, but instead of going to her like he usually would and doing some very gross kissing, he remained focused on Stark.

Aphrodites gaze went from Darius to Stark. Okay, eew. Your chest is totally crispy crittered.

James Stark was standing between Darius and Erik. Okay, well, standing wasnt exactly what he was doing. Stark was swaying and looking extremely unsteady.

Ignoring Aphrodite, Erik spoke up. Darius, you should probably get Stark inside. Ill coordinate the reconnoitering with Stevie Rae and make sure everything runs smoothly out here. His words seemed okay, but his tone was all Im-the-big-guy-in-charge, and when he followed up with a condescending Ill even let Heath help out, he really sounded like a pompous butt.

Youll let me help out? Heath snapped. Your mom will let me help out.

Hey, which one of them is supposed to be your boyfriend? Stark asked me. Even in the terrible shape he was in, he caught my glance with his. His voice was scratchy, and he sounded scarily weak, but his eyes sparkled with humor.

I am! Heath and Erik said together.

Oh, for craps sake, Zoey, theyre both idiots! Aphrodite said.

Stark started to chuckle, which turned to a cough, which changed again to a painful gasp. His eyes rolled back and, like a slinky, he collapsed.

Moving with the quickness that came naturally to a Son of Erebus Warrior, Darius caught Stark before he hit the ground. I need to get him inside, Darius said.

I felt like my head was going to explode. Sagging in Dariuss arms, Stark looked well on his way to being dead. II dont even know where the infirmary is, I stuttered.

Not a problem. Ill get a penguin to show us, Aphrodite said. Hey, you, nun! she yelled at one of the nearby black-and-whiteclad sisters who had scurried out of the abbey after the night had gone from battle chaos to aftermath chaos.

Darius hurried after the nun, with Aphrodite following him. The warrior glanced over his shoulder at me. Arent you coming with us, Zoey?

As soon as I can. Before I could deal with Erik and Heath, from behind me a familiar twang saved the day.

Go on with Darius and Aphrodite, Z. Ill take care of Dumb and Dumber and be sure theres no booger monsters left out here.

Stevie Rae, you are the Best Friend of All Best Friends. I turned and hugged her quickly, loving how reassuringly solid and normal she felt. Actually, she seemed so normal that I got a weird twinge when she stepped back and grinned at me and I saw, as if for the first time, the scarlet tattoos that spread out from the filled-in crescent in the middle of her forehead and down either side of her face. A sliver of unease threaded through me.

Misunderstanding my hesitation, she said, Dont worry about these two dorks. Im gettin used to jerking them apart. When I just stood there staring at her, the bright smile shed been wearing dimmed. Hey, you know your grandmas okay, right? Kramisha got her back inside right after Kalona was banished and Sister Mary Angela just told me she was goin inside to check on her.

Yeah, I remember Kramisha helping her into the wheelchair. Im just My voice trailed off. I was just what? How could I put into words that I was haunted by a feeling that everything wasnt right with my best friend and the group of kids shed allied herself with, and how do I say that to my best friend?

Youre just tired and worried bout a bunch of stuff, Stevie Rae said softly.

Was that understanding I saw flicker through her eyes? Or was it something else, something darker?

I get it, Z, and Ill take care of things out here. You just be sure Starks okay. She hugged me again, and then gave me a little push in the direction of the abbey.

Kay. Thanks, I said lamely, starting toward the abbey and totally ignoring the two dorks who were standing there staring at me.

Stevie Rae called after me, Hey, remind Darius or someone to keep an eye on the time. Its only about an hour until sunrise, and you know me and all the red fledglings gotta be inside out of the sun by then.

Yeah, no problem. Ill remember, I said.

The problem was it was getting harder and harder for me to forget Stevie Rae wasnt what she used to be.

CHAPTER 2

Stevie Rae

All right, you two, listen up. Im only gonna say this onceact right. Standing between the two guys, Stevie Rae put her hands on her hips and glared at Erik and Heath. Without taking her eyes from them she yelled, Dallas!

Almost instantly the kid jogged up to her. Whats up, Stevie Rae?

Get Johnny B. Tell him to take Heath and search around the front part of the abbey over by Lewis Street and make sure the Raven Mockers are really gone. You and Erik take the south side of the building. Ill go down along the tree row by Twenty-first and check it out.

All by yourself? Erik said.

Yes, all by myself, Stevie Rae snapped. Are you forgettin I could stomp my foot right now and make the ground under you shake? I could also pick you up and toss you on your silly jealous butt. I think I can handle checkin out those trees by myself.

Beside her, Dallas laughed. And Im thinking red vamp with an earth element affinity trumps blue drama vamp.

That made Heath snort and laugh; and, predictably, Erik started to bow up again.

No! Stevie Rae said before the stupid boys started throwing punches. If yall cant say anything nice, then just shut the heck up.

Did you want me, Stevie Rae? Johnny B said, coming up to stand beside her. I saw Darius carrying that arrow kid into the abbey. He said I should find you.

Yeah, she said with relief. I want you and Heath to check out the front part of the abbey over by Lewis. Make sure those Raven Mockers really are gone.

Im on it! Johnny B said, giving Heath a pretend punch on the shoulder. Come on, quarterback, lets see what you got.

Just pay attention to the dang trees and shadowy stuff, Stevie Rae said, shaking her head as Heath ducked and dodged and struck Johnny Bs shoulder with a few quick punches.

No problem, Dallas said, starting to move off with a silent Erik.

Make it quick, Stevie Rae called to both sets of guys. The sunll be up soon. Yall meet me in front of Marys Grotto in half an hour or so. Holler loud if you find anything and well all come runnin.

She watched the four guys to be sure they were really going where shed sent them, and then Stevie Rae turned and, with a sigh, started on her own mission. Dang, talk about annoying! She loved Z more than white bread, but dealing with her BFFs boyfriends was making her feel like a toad in a tornado! She used to think Erik was the hottest guy in the world. After spending a couple of days with him, she now thought he was a big ol pain in the butt with a super-sized ego. Heath was sweet, but he was just a human, and Z had been right to worry about him. Humans definitely died easier than vamps or even fledglings. She glanced over her shoulder, trying to catch sight of Johnny B and Heath, but the icy darkness and the trees had swallowed her and she couldnt see anyone.

Not that Stevie Rae minded being by herself for a change. Johnny B would keep an eye on Heath. The truth was that she was glad to be rid of him and jealous Erik for a little while. The two of them made her appreciate Dallas. He was simple and easy. He was her kinda-sorta boyfriend. The two of them had a thing, but it didnt get in the way of stuff. Dallas knew Stevie Rae had a lot to deal with, so he let her deal. And he was there for the off times. Easy-peasy, cute and breezy! That was Dallas.

Z could learn a thing or two about handling guys from me, she thought as she trudged through the grove of old trees that ringed Marys Grotto and buffered the abbeys land from busy Twenty-first Street.

Well, one thing was for sureit was definitely a crappy night. Stevie Rae hadnt gone a dozen paces before her short blond curls were soaked. Dang, water was even drippin off her nose! She backhanded her face, wiping off the cold, wet mixture of rain and ice. Everything was so weirdly dark and silent. It was freaky that there were absolutely no streetlights working on Twenty-first. Not one car was on the streetnot even a cruising TPD squad car. She slipped and slid down the incline. Her feet met road and only her super-good red vampyre night vision kept her oriented. It seemed like Kalona had run away and taken sound and light with him.

Feeling skittish, she backhanded the sopping wet hair from her face again and pulled herself together. Youre actin like a chicken, and you know how stupid chickens are! She spoke aloud and then got double spooked when her words sounded bizarrely magnified by the ice and darkness.

Why in the world was she so jumpy? It could be cause youre keepin stuff from your BFF, Stevie Rae muttered, and then clamped her lips shut. Her voice was just too loud in the dark, ice-filled night.

But she was gonna tell Z about the other stuff. Really she was! There just hadnt been time. And Z had enough on her mind without more stress. And and it was hard to talk about it, even to Zoey.

Stevie Rae kicked at a broken, ice-covered branch. She knew it didnt matter if it was hard. She was gonna talk to Zoey. She had to. But later. Maybe a lot later.

Better to focus on the present, at least for right now.

Squinting and cupping her hand over her eyes to try to shield them from the sting of the icy rain, Stevie Rae peered up into the branches of the trees. Even with the darkness and the storm her eyesight was good, and she was relieved not to see any big dark bodies lurking above her. Finding it easier to walk on the side of the road, she made her way down Twenty-first Street heading away from the abbey, all the while keeping her eyes up.

It wasnt until she was almost at the fence line that divided the nuns property from the upscale condo beside it that Stevie Rae smelled it.

Blood.

A wrong kind of blood.

She stopped. Looking almost feral, Stevie Rae sniffed the air. It was filled with the wet, musty scent of ice as it coated earth, the crisp, cinnamon smell of the winter trees, and the man-made tang of the asphalt beneath her feet. She ignored those scents and instead focused on the blood. It wasnt human blood, or even fledgling blood, so it didnt smell like sunlight and springhoney and chocolatelove and life and everything that shed ever dreamed of. No, this blood smelled too dark. Too thick. There was too much of something in it that wasnt human. But it was still blood, and it drew her, even though she knew the wrongness of it deep in her soul.

It was the scent of something strange, something otherworldly, that led her to the first splashes of crimson. In the stormy darkness of the sunless predawn, even her enhanced vision saw it only as wet splotches against the ice that sheeted the road and covered the grass beside it. But Stevie Rae knew it was blood. A lot of blood.

But there was no animal or human lying there bleeding.

Instead there was a trail of liquid darkness thickening in the sheeting ice, moving away from the street and into the densest part of the grove behind the abbey.

Her predators instincts kicked in instantly. Stevie Rae moved stealthily, hardly breathing, hardly making a sound, as she tracked the blood path.

It was beneath one of the largest trees that she found it, hunkered down under a huge, newly broken branch as if it had dragged itself there to hide and die.

Stevie Rae felt a shudder of fear pass through her. It was a Raven Mocker.

The creature was huge. Bigger than shed thought theyd looked from a distance. It lay on its side, head tucked down against the ground, so she couldnt see its face very well. The giant wing she could see looked wrong, obviously broken, and the human arm that lay beneath it was weirdly angled and covered with blood. Its legs were human, too, and curled up like it had died in a fetal position. She remembered hearing Darius firing a gun as he and Z and the gang had ridden like bats outta hell down Twenty-first to the abbey. So, hed shot it from the sky.

Dang, she said under her breath. That mustve been one heck of a fall.

Stevie Rae cupped her hands around her mouth and was getting ready to holler for Dallas so he and the other guys could help her drag the body somewhere when the Raven Mocker twitched and opened its eyes.

She froze. The two of them stared at each other. The creatures red eyes widened, looking surprised and impossibly human in the bird face. They flicked around her and behind her, checking to see if she was alone. Automatically, Stevie Rae crouched, putting her hands up defensively and centering herself to call earth to strengthen her.

And then he spoke.

Kill me. End this, he gasped, panting in pain.

The sound of his voice was so human, so completely unexpected that Stevie Rae dropped her hands and staggered a step back. You can talk! she blurted.

Then the Raven Mocker did something that utterly shocked Stevie Rae and irrevocably changed the course of her life.

He laughed.

It was a dry, sarcastic sound, and it ended in a moan of pain. But it was laughter, and it framed his words with humanity.

Yes, he said between gasps for breath. I talk. I bleed. I die. Kill me and be done with it. He tried to sit up then, as if he were eager to meet his death, and the movement caused him to cry out in agony. His too-human eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the frozen ground, unconscious.

Stevie Rae moved before she remembered even making the decision. When she reached him, she only hesitated for a second. Hed passed out facedown, so it was a simple thing for her to move his wings aside and grab him under his arms. He was big, really biglike, as big as a real guy, and shed braced herself for him to be heavy, but he wasnt. Actually, he was so light that it was super-easy to drag him, which was what she found herself doing while her mind screamed at her: What the hell? What the hell? What the hell?

What the hell was she doing?

Stevie Rae didnt know. All she knew was what she wasnt doing. She wasnt killing the Raven Mocker.

CHAPTER 3

Zoey

Is he going to be okay? I tried to whisper so I wouldnt wake Stark and was, apparently, unsuccessful, because his closed eyelids fluttered and his lips tilted up slightly in a painful ghost of his cocky half smile.

Im not dead yet, he said.

And Im not talking to you, I said in a much more irritated voice than Id intended.

Temper, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya, Grandma Redbird rebuked me gently as Sister Mary Angela, prioress of the Benedictine nuns, helped her into the little infirmary room.

Grandma! There you are! I hurried to her and helped Sister Mary Angela ease her into a chair.

Shes just worried about me. Starks eyes were closed again but his lips still hinted at a smile.

I know that, tsi-ta-ga-a-s-ha-ya. But Zoey is a High Priestess in training and she must learn to control her emotions.

Tsi-ta-ga-a-s-ha-ya! That would have made me laugh out loud if Grandma hadnt looked so pale and frail, and if I hadnt been so, well, worried in general. Sorry, Grandma. I should watch my temper, but its kinda hard when the people I love most keep almost dying! I finished in a rush and had to draw a deep breath to steady myself. And shouldnt you be in bed?

Soon, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya, soon.

What does tsi-ta-ga-a-s- whatever mean? Starks voice was thick with pain as Darius spread a thick cream over his burns, but in spite of the wound he sounded amused and curious.

Tsi-ta-ga-a-s-ha-ya, Grandma corrected his pronunciation, means rooster.

His eyes glimmered with humor. Everyone says youre a wise woman.

Which is less interesting than what everyone says about you, tsi-ta-ga-a-s-ha-ya, Grandma said.

Stark barked a quick laugh and then sucked air painfully.

Be still! Darius commanded.

Sister, I thought you said you guys had a doctor here. I tried not to sound as panicky as I felt.

A human doctor cannot help him, Darius said before Sister Mary Angela could respond. He needs rest and quiet and

Rest and quiet are fine, Stark interrupted him. Like I said before: Im not dead yet. He met Dariuss eyes and I saw the Son of Erebus shrug and nod his head briefly, as if hed conceded some point to the younger vampyre.

I should have just ignored the little interplay between them, but my patience had evaporated hours before. Okay, what arent you telling me?

The nun whod been assisting Darius shot me a long, cold look and said, Perhaps the injured boy needs to know his sacrifice was not made in vain.

The nuns harsh words gave me a jolt of guilty shock that closed my throat and didnt let me respond to the hard-eyed woman. The sacrifice Stark had been willing to make was his life for mine. I swallowed past the dryness in my throat. What was my life worth? I was just a kidbarely seventeen. Id messed up over and over again. I was the reincarnation of a girl created to trap a fallen angel, and that meant deep inside my soul I couldnt help loving him, even when I knew I shouldnt couldnt

No. I wasnt worth the sacrifice of Starks life.

I already know it. Starks voice didnt waver; suddenly he sounded strong and sure. I blinked my vision free of tears and met his eyes. What I did was just part of my job, he said. Im a Warrior. Ive sworn my life into the service of Zoey Redbird, High Priestess and Beloved of Nyx. That means Im working for our Goddess and being knocked to the ground and burned a little really doesnt mean shit if I helped Zoey beat the bad guys.

Well said, tsi-ta-ga-a-s-ha-ya, Grandma told him.

Sister Emily, I relieve you of your infirmary duties for the rest of the night. Please send Sister Bianca here in your stead. I believe you should, perhaps, spend some time in quiet contemplation of Luke 6:37, said Sister Mary Angela.

As you wish, Sister, the nun said and hurried from the room.

Luke 6:37? Whats that? I asked.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven, my grandma said. She was sharing a smile with Sister Mary Angela when Damien knocked softly on the half-open door.

Can we come in? Theres someone who really needs to see Stark. Damien glanced over his shoulder and made a stay-there motion behind him. The soft woof! that came in response told me the someone was really a somedog.

Dont let her come in. Stark grimaced in pain as he abruptly turned his head away so that he couldnt see Damien or the doorway. Tell that Jack kid shes his now.

No. I stopped Damien as he began to back away. Have Jack bring Duchess in.

Zoey, no, I Stark began, but my raised hand stilled him.

Just bring her in, I said. Then I met Starks eyes. Do you trust me?

He looked at me for what seemed like a really long time. I saw his vulnerability and pain clearly, but finally he nodded once and said, I trust you.

Go ahead, Damien, I said.

Damien turned and murmured something over his shoulder and then he moved aside. Jack, Damiens boyfriend, came into the room first. His cheeks were pink and his eyes were suspiciously bright. He stopped after a couple of feet and turned back to the door.

Come on. Its okay. Hes in here, Jack coaxed.

The blond Lab padded into the room and I was surprised by how quietly she moved for such a big dog. She stopped briefly by Jacks side and looked up at him, wagging her tail.

Its okay, Jack repeated. He smiled at Duchess and then wiped away the tears that had escaped his eyes and were slipping down his cheeks. Hes better now. Jack made a motion to the bed. Duchesss head turned in the direction hed pointed, and she looked directly at Stark.

The injured boy and the dog just stared at each other while I swear we all held our breath.

Hi, pretty girl. Stark spoke hesitantly, his voice choked with tears.

Duchesss ears perked up and her head cocked.

Stark held a hand out and made a beckoning motion. Come here, Duch.

Like his command had broken a dam inside the dog, Duchess surged forward, whining and wriggling and woofingbasically sounding and acting way more like a puppy than her one hundred plus pounds said she could no way be.

No! Darius commanded. Not up on the bed!

Duchess obeyed the warrior and contented herself with stuffing her head against Starks side and sliding her big nose under his armpit while she wagged her entire body, and Stark, face glowing with happiness, petted her and told her over and over again how much hed missed her and what a good girl she was.

I hadnt realized Id been bawling, too, until Damien handed me a tissue.

Thanks, I muttered, and wiped my face.

He smiled briefly at me, and then he moved to Jacks side, putting his arm around his boyfriend and patting his shoulder (and handing him a tissue, too). I heard Damien tell him, Come on, lets go find the room the sisters have ready for us. You need to rest.

Jack made a sniffling, hiccupping sob sound, nodded, and let Damien begin to lead him from the room.

Wait, Jack, Stark called after them.

Jack looked at the bed where Duchess still had her head pressed against Stark, who had his arm wrapped around the Labs neck.

You did good taking care of Duch when I couldnt.

It wasnt any trouble. Ive never had a dog before, so I didnt know how really great they are. Jacks voice broke only a little. He cleared his throat and went on. ImIm glad youre not, uh, evil and awful and stuff like that anymore so she can be with you again.

Yeah, about that. Stark paused, grimacing as the pain of his movements caught up with him. Im not exactly one hundred percent yet, and even when I am, Im not sure what my schedules going to be. So Im thinking that it would be a big favor to me if you and I could maybe share Duchess.

Really? Jacks face lit up.

Stark nodded wearily. Really. Could you and Damien take Duch back to your room, and maybe bring her to see me again later?

Absolutely! Jack said, and then he cleared his throat and continued. Yeah, like I said before. She hasnt been any problem.

Good, Stark said. He lifted Duchesss muzzle in his hand and looked into the Labs eyes. Im okay now, pretty girl. You go with Jack so I can get all better.

I knew it must have caused him agony, but Stark sat up then and bent to kiss Duchess and let the dog lick his face. Good girl thats my pretty girl he whispered, and kissed her again and said, Go on with Jack now! Go on! and he motioned to Jack.

After one last lick of Starks face, and a single reluctant whimper, she turned from the bed and trotted to Jacks side, wagging her tail at him and nuzzling him in greeting while he wiped his eyes with one hand and petted her with the other.

Ill take really good care of her and bring her back to see you as soon as the sun sets today. Okay?

Stark managed a smile. Okay, thanks, Jack. Then he collapsed onto the pillows.

He needs rest and quiet, Darius told all of us, and he continued to work over Stark.

Zoey, perhaps you can help me get your grandma to her room? She, too, needs rest and quiet. It has been a long night for all of us, said Sister Mary Angela.

Shifting my worry from Stark to Grandma, I looked back and forth between the two people I cared so much about.

Stark caught my gaze. Hey, take care of your grandma. I can feel that the sun will be rising soon. Im going to go out like a light about then.

Well okay. I went over to the side of his bed and stood there awkwardly. What was I supposed to do? Kiss him? Squeeze his hand? Give him a thumbs-up and a dorky smile? I mean, he wasnt my official boyfriend, but he and I had a bond that went beyond just friends. Feeling confused and worried and basically out of my comfort zone, I put my hand on his shoulder and whispered, Thank you for saving my life.