Im okay. Right now I just want to hear about the tunnel. I met her gaze steadily. So tell me how you did this.
I could sense the other kids, as well as Sister Mary Angela, watching us with curiosity mixed in with their confusion, but I kept focused on Stevie Rae.
Kay, well, you know the Prohibition tunnels are practically everywhere under the downtown buildings, right?
I nodded. Right.
Also, remember that I told you Id been doin some reconnoitering to see where they all went?
Yeah, I remember.
Okay, so, I found that kinda half-covered tunnel entrance that Ant told yall about the other daythe one that branches off away from the others that go under the Philtower Building and stuff. I nodded again impatiently. Well, it was filled in with dirt, but when I felt around the little hole left in the middle of it, I knocked a bunch of dirt away, stuck my arm through, and felt a bunch of cool air. That made me think there was probably more tunnel on the other side of it. So I pushed, with my mind and my hands and my element. And earth responded.
Responded? Like it shook or something? I asked.
More like it moved. Like I wanted it to. In my head. She paused. Its kinda hard to explain. But what happened was the dirt that had sealed the tunnel ended up crumbling and I stepped through the new bigger opening into a really, really old tunnel.
And this old tunnel was made of dirt, not lined with concrete, like the tunnels under the depot and downtown, right? Damien said.
Stevie Rae smiled and nodded, her blond hair bouncing around her shoulders. Yeah! And instead of heading downtown it pointed to midtown.
It came all the way here? I tried to guesstimate in my head how many miles that was and could no way do the math. Of course, I am math impaired, but still, it was a ways.
Nope. What happened was that once I found the dirt tunnel and kinda opened it up, I went explorin in it. Okay, it starts as one of the off shoots of the Philtower Building. I thought it was weird and kinda cool that it headed away from downtown.
How could you tell that? Damien interrupted her. How could you even guess where you were heading?
Easy-peasy for me! I can always find north, you know, the direction of my earth element. Once I find itI can find anything.
Hmm, he said.
Go on, I said. Then what?
Then it ran out. Just, well, stopped. Before you slipped me the note about meeting you here at the sisters place, thats where I stopped, too. I mean, sure, I was plannin to go back and check it out some more later, but it really wasnt a high priority to me. When you told me I might have to move the kids here, I couldnt quit thinkin about the dirt tunnel. I remembered that it had been headed in this direction before it ran out. So I went back there. I thought about where I wanted to go and how I wished the tunnel would go there. Then I pushed again, like Id done to get the opening bigger, only more so. Then, well, presto-chango, the earth did what I told it to do, and here we are! Ta-da! She finished with a big smile and a flourish.
Into the silence that surrounded Stevie Raes explanation, Sister Mary Angelas voice sounded utterly normal and reasonable, which made me heart her even more than I already did. Remarkable, isnt it? Stevie Rae, you and I may disagree upon the source of your gift, but I am nonetheless in awe of its vastness.
Thank you, Sister! I think youre pretty awesome, too, specially for a nun.
How did you see down there? I asked.
Well, I really dont have a problem seeing in the dark, but the other kids arent as good at it as I am, so I brought some lanterns from the depot tunnels. Stevie Rae pointed to a few oil lanterns that I hadnt noticed before in the dark corners of the root cellar.
Still, it was a long way, Shaunee was saying.
Seriously. It must have been dark and creepy, Erin said.
Nah, the earth really isnt creepy to me, or to the red fledglings. She shrugged. Like I said, it was no big deal. Actually, it was super-easy.
And you managed to get all the red fledglings here safely? Damien said.
Yep!
Which all? I asked.
What do ya mean, which all? That doesnt make any sense, Z, she said. I brought all the red fledgings yall met before, plus Erik and Heath. Who else are ya talkin about? Her words sounded normal, but she ended with a weird, nervous laugh and wouldnt meet my eyes.
My stomach clenched. Stevie Rae was still lying to me. And I didnt know what to do about it.
I think maybe Zoey is feeling confused because shes exhausted, as she should be after the experience shes had tonight. Sister Mary Angelas warm hand on my shoulder felt as reassuring as her voice. Were all tired, she added. Her smile took in Stevie Rae, the Twins, Aphrodite, and Damien. Dawn is not long off. Lets get you settled with the rest of your friends. Sleep. Everything will seem clearer when youre well rested.
I nodded wearily and let Sister Mary Angela shepherd us out of the depths of the root cellar and up the staircase wed come down not too long ago. But instead of continuing up and into the hallway of the abbey, the nun opened a door off the landing I hadnt noticed when Id been hurrying after Damien earlier. A shorter staircase led into the main basement area, a big but normal-looking cement basement, which had been transformed by the nuns from a giant laundry room to a temporary dorm. There were a bunch of cots spread out along two walls opposite each other, made up with blankets and pillows and looking cozy. There was a kid-sized mound in one of the beds, and the poof of red hair that was sticking out of the blanket hed pulled up over most of his head told me that Elliott had already crashed. The rest of the red fledglings were clustered around the washer-dryer area, sitting on those folding metal chairs that always make my butt cold, watching a large flat-screen TV that was perched on top of one of the washers. There was a lot of yawning going on with them, which meant it really must be almost dawn, but they seemed mesmerized by whatever was on TV. I glanced at the screen and felt my tired face break into a big grin.
The Sound of Music? Theyre watching The Sound of Music? I laughed.
Sister Mary Angela lifted one eyebrow at me. Its one of our favorite DVDs. I thought the fledglings might enjoy it, too.
It is a classic, Damien said.
I used to think that Nazi kid was cute, Shaunee said.
Except he rats out the Von Trapps, Erin said.
Which is when he turned not so cute, Shaunee continued as the Twins grabbed folding chairs and joined the other fledglings in front of the TV.
But everybody likes Julie Andrews, Stevie Rae said.
She shoulda smacked them damn spoiled kids, Kramisha said from her place in front of the TV. She glanced over her shoulder and gave Sister Mary Angela a tired smile. Sorry bout the damn, Sister, but they is brats.
They just needed love and attention and understanding, like all children do, said the sister.
Okay, barf. Seriously, Aphrodite said, before any of you break into a chorus of How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria? and I have to gnaw through my slender wrists, Im going to find Darius and my room. She waggled her brows and started to twitch out of the basement.
Aphrodite, Sister Mary Angela called. When Aphrodite paused and looked back at her, the nun continued. I imagine Darius is still with Stark. Saying good night to him would be just fine, but youll find your room on the fourth flooryoull be sharing it with Zoey and not with the warrior.
Ugh, I said under my breath.
Aphrodite rolled her eyes. Why does that not surprise me? And, muttering to herself, she continued to twitch away.
Sorry, Z, Stevie Rae said after she rolled her eyes at Aphrodites back. Id be your roomie again, but I think I should stay down here. Being underground really feels better to me after the sun rises, plus I need to stick close to the red fledglings.
Thats okay, I said a little too quickly. So now I didnt even want to be alone with my BFF?
Is everyone else still upstairs? Damien asked. I saw him glancing around, and I was pretty sure he was looking for Jack.
I, on the other hand, hadnt been looking around for any of my boyfriends. Actually, after their stupid, testosterone display outside, I was thinking that being boyfriendless sounded better and better.
And then there was Kalona and the memory I wish Id never had.
Yeah, everyone else is upstairs in the cafeteria or already in bed. Hey, Earth to Zo! Check it out. The nuns have a massively big selection of Doritos, and I even found some brown pop for youfull of caffeine and sugar, said Heath as he jumped down the last three steps into the basement.
CHAPTER 6
Zoey
Thanks, Heath. I suppressed a sigh as Heath walked over to me and, grinning, offered me some nacho cheese Doritos and a can of brown pop.
Z, if youre really okay Id like to find Jack and be sure Duchess is okay, then Im going to sleep for a little bit of forever, Damien said.
No problem, I said quickly, not wanting Damien to say anything about my A-ya memory to Heath.
Wheres Erik? Stevie Rae asked Heath as I chugged the can of brown pop.
Hes still outside being all king of the castle.
Did you find anything after I left? Stevie Raes voice suddenly got so sharp that several of the red fledglings glanced over from watching Maria and the Von Trapps sing My Favorite Things.
Nah, hes just a butt and rechecking what Dallas and I already checked.
Dallas looked up from his place in front of the TV at the sound of his name. Everythings cool out there, Stevie Rae.
Stevie Rae made a come here motion at Dallas, and he hurried to join us. She lowered her voice and said, Fill me in.
I already told you outside before you came down here, Dallas said, his eyes wandering back to the TV screen and cream-colored ponies crisp apple strudel
Stevie Rae gave his arm a smack. Would you pay attention? Im not outside anymore. Now Im in here. So fill me in again.
Dallas sighed, turned his full attention to her and gave her a cute, indulgent smile. Okay, okay. But only cause you asked so nice.
Stevie Rae frowned at him and he continued. Erik, Johnny B, Heath here, he paused and nodded at Heath, and mewe searched like you told us to, which was no fun cause the ice is really slick and its super-cold out there. He paused. Stevie Rae stared silently at him until he continued. Anyway, like you already know, we were doing that while you were searching down by Twenty-first Street. After a while we all met back at the grotto. Thats when we told you we found those three bodies at the Lewis and Twenty-first Street corner. You told us to take care of them. Then you left. So we did what you said, and then me and Heath and Johnny B came inside to dry off, eat, and watch TV. I guess Eriks still out there looking around.
Why? Stevie Raes voice was sharp.
Dallas shrugged, Could be like Heath said. The guys a butt.
Bodies? said Sister Mary Angela.
Dallas nodded. Yeah, we found three dead Raven Mockers. Darius shot them out of the sky cause they had bullet holes in them.
Sister Mary Angela lowered her voice. And what did you do with the dead creatures?
Put them in the Dumpsters behind the abbey like Stevie Rae said. Its freezin out there. Theyll keep. And no garbage trucks are gonna be picking up anytime soon, what with the ice and everything. We thought they could stay there till yall decided what to do with em.
Oh! Oh, my! The nuns face had gone pale.
You put them in the Dumpsters? I didnt tell you to put them in the Dumpsters! Stevie Rae practically yelled.
Sssh! Kramisha told her while the TV watchers gave us the stank eye.
Sister Mary Angela motioned for us to follow her, and the five of us went quickly out of the basement, up the stairwell, and into the abbey hall.
Dallas, I cannot believe you put em in the Dumpsters! Stevie Rae rounded on him as soon as we were out of earshot of the others.
Whatd you expect us to do with them, dig a grave and say Mass? Dallas said, then he glanced at Sister Mary Angela. Sorry, I didnt mean to blaspheme, Sister. My folks are Catholic.
You meant no offense, Im sure, son, said the nun, sounding a little shaky. Bodies II hadnt thought about the bodies.
Dont worry about it, Sister. Heath patted her arm awkwardly. You dont have to mess with them. I get what youre feeling. This whole thing: the winged guy, Neferet, the Raven Mockers, well, is all hard to
They cant stay in the dang Dumpsters, Stevie Rae spoke over Heath as if she hadnt even heard him. Its not right.
Why not? I asked calmly. Id been quiet until then because Id been studying Stevie Rae, watching closely as she became more and more upset.
Stevie Rae suddenly didnt seem to have any problem meeting my gaze. Because its not right, thats why, she repeated.
They were monsters that were part immortal who would have tried their best to kill us all in a split second if Kalona had given them the word, I said.
Part immortal and part what? Stevie Rae asked me.
I frowned at her, but Heath answered before I could. Part bird?
No. Stevie Rae didnt even look at him. She kept staring at me. Not part bird, thats the immortal part. In their blood theyre part immortal and part human. Human, Zoey. I feel sorry for the human part, and think it deserves more than being stuck in the trash.
There was something about the look in her eyeabout the sound of her voicethat really bothered me. I answered her with the first thing that came into my mind. It takes more than an accident of blood to make me feel sorry for someone.
Stevie Raes eyes flashed and her body jerked, almost like Id slapped her. I guess thats one difference between you and me.
All of a sudden I realized why Stevie Rae was able to feel bad for the Raven Mockers. In a weird way, she must be seeing herself in them. Shed died and then, due to what I supposed she could call an accident shed resurrected without most of her humanity. Then, due to another accident, shed gotten her humanity back. Looking at it that way, I guess she felt sorry for them because she knew what it was like to be part monster, part human.
Hey, I said softly, wishing she and I were back at the House of Night and could talk as easily as we used to. Theres a big difference between an accident causing something to be born messed up, and something terrible that happens after someones born. On one hand youre made the way you areon the other, something tried to change you into someone youre not.
Huh? Heath said.
I believe what Zoey is trying to say is that she understands why Stevie Rae might empathize with the dead Raven Mockers, even when she really has nothing in common with them, said Sister Mary Angela. And Zoey would be right. Those creatures are dark beings, and even though I, too, am disconcerted by death, I understand that they needed to die.
Stevie Raes gaze left mine. Youre both wrong. Thats not what Im thinkin, but Im not gonna talk about it anymore. She started down the hall, walking quickly away from us.
Stevie Rae? I called after her.
She didnt even look back at me. Im gonna find Erik, make sure everythings really okay out there, and then send him inside. Ill talk to you later. She turned and disappeared through a door I assumed led to the outside, slamming it behind her.
Thats not usually how she acts, Dallas said.
Ill pray for her, Sister Mary Angela whispered.
Dont worry, Heath said. Shell be back inside pretty soon. The suns getting ready to come up.
I swiped my hand across my face. What I shouldve done was follow Stevie Rae outside, corner her, and make her tell me exactly what was going on. But I couldnt deal with one more problem just then. I hadnt even dealt with my A-ya memory. I could feel it sitting there in the back of my mind like a guilty secret.
Zo, are you okay? You look like you need some sleep. We all do, Heath said, yawning.
I blinked and gave him a weary smile. Yeah, thats true. Ill go to bed. First I want to check on Stark real quick, though.
Very quickly, Sister Mary Angela said.
I nodded. Without looking at Heath, I said, Okay, well, um. Ill see you guys in about eight hours or so.
Good night, child. Sister Mary Angela hugged me and whispered, And may our Lady bless and watch over you.
Thanks, Sister, I whispered back, hugging her tightly.
When I let her go, Heath surprised me by taking my hand. I gave him a question-mark look.
Ill walk you to Starks room, he said.
Feeling defeated, I shrugged, and he and I started down the hall, hand in hand. We didnt say anything; we just walked. Heaths hand was warm and familiar in mine and I fell into step easily beside him. I was just starting to let myself relax when Heath cleared his throat.
Hey, uh, I want to say sorry about that crap outside earlier with Erik and me. It was stupid. I shouldnt let him get to me, Heath said.
Youre rightyou shouldnt, but he can be annoying, I said.
Heath grinned. Tell me about it. Youre gonna dump him pretty soon, arent you?
Heath, I am so not going to talk about Erik with you.
His grin just got bigger. I rolled my eyes.
You cant fool me. I know you too well. You dont go for bossy guys.
Just shut up and walk, I said, but I squeezed his hand, and he squeezed mine back. He was rightI didnt like bossy guys, and he did know me very, very well.
Wed come to a turn in the hallway. There was a nice picture window with an alcove in front of it, complete with a cushy bench that looked perfect for reading. On the windowsill there was a beautiful porcelain statue of Mary with several votives burning on either side of her. Heath and I slowed down, pausing by the window.
Thats really pretty, I said softly.
Yeah, Ive never paid Mary much attention. But all these statues of her lit up by candles are cool looking. Do you think the nuns right? Could Mary be Nyx and Nyx be Mary?
I have no idea.
Doesnt Nyx talk to you?
Yeah, sometimes, but the subject of Jesus mom hasnt come up, I said.
Well, I think you should ask her next time.
Maybe I will, I said.
We just stood there, holding hands and watching the way the warm yellow flames danced off the gleaming statue. I was thinking about how nice it would be if my Goddess would visit me during a time that wasnt filled with life-and-death stress when Heath blurted, So I hear that Stark swore himself into your service as a Warrior.
I studied him carefully, looking for signs that he was pissed or jealous, but all I saw in his blue eyes was curiosity.
Yeah, he did.
Word is thats a majorly special bond.
Yeah, it is, I said.
Hes the guy who cant miss with an arrow, right?
Right.
So having him on your side is kinda like being protected by the Terminator?
That made me smile. Well, hes not as big as Arnold, but I guess its a pretty good comparison.
Does he love you, too?
His question caught me off guard, and I didnt know what to say. As hed been doing since we were in grade school, Heath seemed to know the exact right thing to say. Just tell me the truth, thats all.
Yeah, I think he loves me.
And you him?
Maybe, I said reluctantly. But it doesnt change how I feel about you.
But what does that mean for you and me today?
It was weird that his words echoed Aphrodites question about where the A-ya memory left Kalona and me. I felt overwhelmed because I didnt have an answer for either of them; I rubbed at the headache that was starting to pound through my right temple. I guess it leaves us Imprinted and annoyed.
Heath didnt say anything. He just watched me with that sweet, sad, familiar look that said more about how badly I was hurting him than a dozen screaming matches between us would have.
He was breaking my heart.
Heath, Im so sorry. I just I just My voice broke and I tried again. I just dont know what to do about a lot of things right now.
I do. Heath sat down on the bench and held out his arms to me. Zo, come here.
I shook my head. Heath, I cant
Im not asking anything from you, he interrupted firmly. Im giving you something. Come here.
When I just looked at him in confusion he sighed, reached up, took my hands, and gently drew my stiff but unresisting body to his lap and into his arms. He held me, resting his cheek on top of my head, like hed been doing since hed gotten bigger than me somewhere around the eighth grade. My face was pressed against the crook of his neck and I inhaled his scent. It was the fragrance of my childhoodof long summer nights sitting in the backyard by the mosquito zapper while we listened to music and talkedof after-game parties where I stayed snug within his arm as lots of girls (and guys for that matter) gushed about the great passes hed thrownof long good-night kisses and the passion that came with discovering love.
And I realized suddenly that while Id been breathing in familiarity and security, Id also been relaxing. With a sigh, I curled into him.
Better? Heath murmured.
Better, I said. Heath, I really dont know
Dont! His arms tightened around me and then gentled again. Right now dont worry about me or Erik or that new guy. Right now just remember us. Remember what its been like between us for years. Im here for you, Zo. Through all the crap that I cant really understand, Im here. And we belong to each other. My blood says so.
Why? I asked, still cradled in his arms. Why are you still here, still willing to be with me even when you know about Erik and Stark?
Because I love you, he said simply. Ive loved you for as long as I can remember, and Im going to love you for the rest of my life.
Tears stung my eyes and I blinked hard, trying not to cry. But Heath, Starks not going to go away. And I dont really know what Im going to do about Erik.
I know.
I drew a deep breath and on the exhale said, And inside of me theres a connection with Kalona that I cant help.
But you said no to him and chased him away.
I did, but II have memories that are stuck in my soul, and they have to do with who I was in a different lifetime, and during that lifetime I was with Kalona.
Instead of asking me a zillion questions, or pulling away from me, his arms tightened around me. Its going to be okay, he said, sounding like he really meant it. Youre going to figure all of this out.
I dont see how. I dont even know what to do about you.
There isnt anything to do about me. Im with you. Thats it. He paused and then added quickly, like he wanted to get the words out of his mouth, If I have to share you with the vampyres, I will.
Still in his arms, I leaned back so I could meet his gaze. Heath, you are entirely too jealous for me to believe its okay with you if Im with another guy.
I didnt say its okay with me. I definitely wont like it, but I dont want to be without you, Zoey.
Thats just too weird, I said.
He took my chin in his hand when I tried to look away from him. Yeah, its weird. But the truth is, as long as were Imprinted I know I have something with you no one else has. I can give you something none of those big, bad Dracula-wannabes can ever touch. I can give you something that even an immortal cant touch.
I stared at him. Heaths eyes were bright with tears. He looked so much older than eighteen that it almost scared me. I dont want to make you sad, I said. I dont want to mess up your life.
Then stop trying to send me away from you. We belong together.
Okay, I realize it was wrong of me, but instead of answering him and arguing that us being together just couldnt work, I curled up in his arms and let him hold me. Yeah, it was selfish of me, but I lost myself in Heath and the touch of my past. The way he held me was perfect. He didnt try to make out with me. He didnt grope me, or grind against me. He didnt try to feel me up. He didnt even offer to cut himself and let me drink his blood, which would have automatically let loose a passion between us that would burn both of us out of control. Heath held me gently and murmured how much he loved me. He told me everything really would be okay. I could feel his heartbeat against me. I could sense the rich, enticing blood that was there, so warm and so close, but just then what I needed even more than his Imprinted blood was familiarity, our joined past, and the strength of his understanding.
And thats the moment Heath Luck, my high school sweetheart, truly became my consort.
CHAPTER 7
Stevie Rae
Feeling like a total butthead, Stevie Rae slammed the abbey door and retreated into the icy night. She wasnt really pissed at Zoey, or at the super-nice, if slightly delusional, nun. Actually, she wasnt pissed at anyone but herself.
Dang it! I hate that Im messin this up! she yelled at herself. She hadnt meant to screw things up royally, but it seemed like she was diggin through a pile of shit that just kept getting deeper and deeper no matter how fast she shoveled.
Zoey wasnt a moron. She knew something was wrong. That was obvious, but how could Stevie Rae even start to tell her? There was just so much to explain. He was just so much to explain. And shed never meant for any of it to happen. Especially not the Raven Mocker part. Dang it! Before shed discovered him almost dead, she wouldnt have even thought it was possible. Had someone told her about him before, she would have laughed and said, Nope, that aint gonna happen!
But it was possible because it had happened. He had happened.
As Stevie Rae prowled around the silent abbey grounds looking for pain-in-the-butt Erik, who might very well discover this last, most terrible secret and really throw a wrench in the dang tractor motor, she tried to figure out just how the hell shed gotten herself into such a gawd-awful mess. Why had she saved him? Why hadnt she just hollered for Dallas and the rest of em, and had them finish it?
That had even been what hed said he wanted before he passed out.
But hed spoken. Hed sounded so human. And she hadnt been able to kill him.
Erik! Where the heck was he? Erik, come here! She paused her internal battle and called into the night. Night? Stevie Rae squinted to the east and swore she could see the darkness there beginning to turn the ripe plum color of predawn. Erik! Time to report in! Stevie Rae yelled for the third time. She stopped and peered around the silent abbey grounds.
Stevie Raes gaze slid over to the green house that had been turned into a temporary stable for the horses Z and the rest of the gang had ridden in their escape from the House of Night. But it wasnt so much the green house that drew her gaze. It was the innocent-looking equipment shed next to it that she couldnt quit staring at. The shed appeared totally normaljust an add-on building with no windows. The door hadnt even been locked. She should know. Shed been inside it not too long ago.
Hey, whats wrong? Did you see something over there?
Oh, shit! Stevie Rae jumped and spun around, heart hammering so hard in her chest she almost couldnt breathe. Erik! You scared the bejesus right outta me! Would you make some dang noise or somethin before you bust up on someone like that?
Sorry, Stevie Rae, but you were calling me.
Stevie Rae brushed a blond curl back behind her ear and tried to ignore the fact that her hand was shaking. She was just seriously no good at this sneaking-around-and-hiding-things-from-your-friends stuff. But she lifted her chin and forced her nerves to settle down, and the easiest way to do that was to take a chomp out of pain-in-the-butt Erik.
Stevie Rae narrowed her eyes at him. Yeah, I was callin you because youre supposed to be inside with everyone else. What the heck are ya still doin out here, anyway? Youre worrying Zoeylike she needs any more stress from you right now?
Zoey was looking for me?
With an effort, Stevie Rae didnt roll her eyes at Erik. He was sooooo annoying. He acted like Mr. Perfect Boyfriend part of the time, and then would suddenly change up and be an arrogant jerk. She was gonna have to tell Z about himthat was if Z would still listen to her. The two of them hadnt exactly been very close lately. Too many secrets too many issues sitting squarely between them