betrayed

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
Betrayed
HouseofNight2
P.C.Cast&KristinCast
Wewouldliketodedicatethisbookto(Aunty)SherryRowland,friendandpublicist.Thankyou,Sher,fortakingcareofus.Evenwhenwe'rehighmaintenanceandannoying(andespeciallywhenyougiveus"treaties").Weheartyouverymuch.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Asusual,wewanttothankDickL.Cast,Dad/Grandpa,forknowingeverythingbiologicalandhelpinguswithstuff.
Thankyoutoouramazingagent,MeredithBernstein,whocameupwiththefabulousideathatbeganthisseries.
WewouldliketothankourSt.Martin'steam,JenniferWeisandStefanieLindskog,forhelpinguscreatesuchawonderfulse ries.InparticularabigWEHEARTYOUtothetalentedartistswhodesignedsuchbeautifulcovers.
Andwe'dliketonoteaspecialacknowledgmenttoStreetCats,acatrescueandadoptionserviceinTulsa.WesupportStreetCats(andactuallyadoptedNalafromthem!)andappreciatetheirdedicationtoandloveforcats.PleasevisittheirWebsiteatwww.streetcatstulsa.orgformoreinformation.Ifyou'reinter estedingivingtoapetrescuecharitywepromisethattheyareanexcellentchoice!
—P.C.&KRISTIN
Iwouldliketosendthanksouttomyhighschoolstudentswho1)begtobeputinthesebooksandthenkilledoff,2)provideconstantcomedicfodderforme,3)andwillactuallyleavemealonesometimessoIcanwrite.
NOWGODOYOURHOMEWORK.Oh,andexpectaquiz.
—MISSCAST
CHAPTERONE
"Newkid.Checkitout,"Shauneesaidassheslidintothebigboothlikebenchwealwaysclaimasoursforeveryschoolmealservedinthedininghall(translation:high-classschoolcafeteria).
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
"Tragic,Twin,justtragic."Erin'svoicetotallyechoedShaunee's.SheandShauneehadsomekindofpsychiclinkthatmadethembizarrelysimilar,whichiswhywe'dnicknamedthem"theTwins,"eventhoughShauneeisacafélatte-coloredJamaicanAmericanfromConnecticutandErinisablond-haired,blue-eyedwhitegirlfromOklahoma.
"Thankfully,she'sSarahFreebird'sroommate."Damiennod dedtowardthepetitegirlwithseriouslyblackhairwhowasshowingthelost-lookingnewkidaroundthedininghall,hissharp,fashion-wisegazecheckingoutthetwogirlsandtheiroutfits—fromshoestoearrings—inonefastglance."ClearlyherfashionsenseisbetterthanSarah's,despitethestressofbeingMarkedandchangingschools.Maybeshe'llbeabletohelpSarahoutwithherunfortunateuglyshoepropensity.”
"Damien,"Shauneesaid."Againyouaregettingonmydamn—"
"—lastnervewithyourunendingvocabbullshit,"Erinfin ishedforher.
Damiensniffed,lookingoffendedandsuperiorandgayerthanheusuallylooked(eventhoughheisdefinitelygay)."Ifyourvocabularywasn'tsoabysmalyouwouldn'thavetocarryadictionaryaroundwithyoutokeepupwithme.”
TheTwinsnarrowedtheireyesathimandsuckedairtobeginanewassault,which,thankfully,myroommateinterrupted.InherthickOklahomaaccent,StevieRaetwangedthetwodefini tionsasifshewasgivingcluesforaspellingbee."Propensity—anoftenintensenaturalpreference.Abysmal—absolutelyhorrible.There.Nowwouldy'allquitbickeringandbenice?Youknowit'salmosttimeforparentvisitation,andweshouldn'tbeactinglikeretardswhenourfolksshowup.”
"Ah,crap,"Isaid."I'dtotallyforgottenaboutparentvisitation.”
Damiengroanedanddroppedhisheaddownonthetable,bangingitnot-so-gently."I'dtotallyforgotten,too."Thefourofusgavehimsympatheticlooks.Damien'sparentswerecoolwithhimbeingMarked,movingtotheHouseofNight,andbeginningtheChangethatwouldeitherturnhimintoavampyreor,ifhisbodyrejectedthetransformation,killhim.Theywerenotokaywithhimbeinggay.
AtleastDamien'sparentswereokaywithsomethingabouthim.Mymomandhercurrenthusband—mystep-loser,JohnHeffer—ontheotherhand,hatedabsolutelyeverythingaboutme.
"My'rentalsaren'tcoming.Theycamelastmonth.Thismonththey'retoobusy.”
"Twin,onceagainweproveourtwin-ness,"Erinsaid."My'rentalssentmeane-mail.Theyaren'tcomingeither'causeofsomeThanksgivingcruisetheydecidedtotaketoAlaskawithmyAuntAlaneandUncleLiarLloyd.Whatever."Sheshrugged—apparentlyasunbotheredasShauneebyherparents'absence.
"Hey,Damien,maybeyourmamaanddaddywon'tshowei ther,"StevieRaesaidwithaquicksmile.
Hesighed."They'llbehere.It'smybirthdaymonth.They'llbringpresents.”
"Thatdoesn'tsoundsobad,”Isaid."Youweretalkingaboutneedinganewsketchpad.”
"Theywon'tgetmeasketchpad,”hesaid."LastyearIaskedforaneasel.TheygotmecampingsuppliesandasubscriptiontoSportsIllustrated.”
"Eeesh!"saidShauneeandErintogetherwhileStevieRaeandIwrinkledournosesandmadesympatheticnoises.
Clearlywantingtochangethesubject,Damienturnedtome."This'llbeyourparents'firstvisit.What'reyouexpecting?”
"Nightmare,"Isighed."Total,absolute,andcompletenight-mare.”
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"Zoey?IthoughtI'dbringmynewroommateovertomeetyou.Diana,thisisZoeyRedbird—theleaderoftheDarkDaugh ters.”
Gladtobedivertedfromhavingtotalkaboutmyownhorridparentalissues,Ilookedup,smiling,atthesoundofSarah'sten tative,nervousvoice.
"Wow,it'sreallytrue!"thenewgirlblurtedbeforeIcouldevensayhi.Asperusualshewasstaringatmyforeheadandblushingbrightred."Imean,uh…sorry.Ididn'tmeantoberudeorany thing…"shetrailedoff,lookingmiserable.
"That'sokay.Yeah,itistrue.MyMarkisfilledinandaddedto.”Ikeptmysmileinplace,tryingtomakeherfeelbetter,eventhoughItrulyhatedthatitseemedlikeIwasthemainattractionatafreakshow.Again.
Thankfully,StevieRaechimedinbeforeDiana'sstaringandmysilencecouldgetanymoreuncomfortable.
"Yeah,Zgotthatcoollacyspiraltattoothingonherfaceanddownalonghershoulderswhenshesavedherex-boyfriendfromsomescary-assedvampyreghosts,”StevieRaesaidcheerily.
"That'swhatSarahtoldme,"Dianasaidtentatively."Itjustsoundedsounbelievablethat,well,Iuh...”
"Youdidn'tbelieveit?"Damiensaidhelpfully.
"Yeah.Sorry,"sherepeated,fidgetingandpickingatherfinger nails.
"Hey,don'tworryaboutit."Iworkedupafairlyauthenticsmile."Itseemsprettybizarretomesometimes,andIwasthere."
"Andkickingbutt,"StevieRaesaid.
Igavehermyyou-are-so-not-helping-melook,whichsheig nored.Yes,ImightsomedaybecometheirHighPriestess,butI'mnotexactlythebossofmyfriends.
"Anyway,thiswholeplacecanseemprettystrangeatfirst.Itgetsbetter,"Itoldthenewkid.
"Thanks,"shesaidwithgenuinewarmth.
"Well,webettergosoIcanshowDianatowhereherfifthhourclasswillbe,"Sarahsaid,andthenshetotallyembarrassedmebygettingallseriousandformalandsalutingmewiththetra ditionalvampyresignofrespect,closedfistoverherheartandbowedhead,beforesheleft.
"Ireallyhateitwhentheydothat,"Imuttered,pickingatmysalad.
"Ithinkit'snice,"StevieRaesaid.
"Youdeservetobeshownrespect,"Damiensaidinhisschool teachervoice."You'retheonlythirdformerevertohavebeenmadeleaderoftheDarkDaughtersandtheonlyfledglingorvampyreinhistorywhohasshownanaffinityforallfiveoftheelements.”
"Faceit,Z,"Shauneesaidaroundabiteofsaladwhilesheges turedatmewithherfork.
"You'respecial."Erinfinishedforher(asusual).
AthirdformeriswhattheHouseofNightcalledfreshmen—soafourthformerisasophomore,etcetera.And,yes,IamtheonlythirdformertobemadeleaderoftheDarkDaughters.Luckyme.
"SpeakingoftheDarkDaughters,"Shauneesaid."Haveyoudecidedwhatyouwantthenewrequirementsformembershiptobe?”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIstifledtheurgetoshriek,Hellno,Istillcan'tbelieveI'minchargeofthisthing!InsteadIjustshookmyhead,anddecided—withwhatIhopedwasastrokeofbrilliance—toputsomeofthepressurebackonthem.
"No,Idon'tknowwhatthenewrequirementsshouldbe.Actu ally,Iwashopingyouguyswouldhelpme.So,doyouhaveanyideas?”
AsIsuspected,allfourofthemgotquiet.Iopenedmymouthtothankthemverymuchfortheirmuteness,butourHighPriestess'scommandingvoicecameovertheschoolintercom.ForasecondIwashappyabouttheinterruption,andthenIreal izedwhatshewassayingandmystomachstartedtoclench.
"Studentsandprofessors,pleasemakeyourwaytotherecep tionhall.Itisnowtimeforthismonth'sparentvisits.”
Well,hell.
"StevieRae!StevieRae!OhmygoshIhavemissedyou!”
"Mama!"StevieRaecriedandflewintothearmsofawomanwholookedjustlikeher,onlyfiftypoundsheavierandtwenty-someyearsolder.
DamienandIstoodawkwardlyjustinsidethereceptionhall,whichwasstartingtofillupwithuncomfortable-lookinghumanparents,afewhumansiblings,abunchoffledglingstudents,andseveralofourvampyreprofessors.
"Well,there'remyparents,"Damiensaidwithasigh."Mightaswellgetthisoverwith.Seeya.”
"Seeya,"Imumbledandwatchedhimjointwototallyordi narypeoplewhowerecarryingawrappedpresent.Hismomgavehimaquickhugandhisdadshookhishandwithexuberantmasculinity.Damienlookedpaleandstressed.
Imademywayovertothelong,linen-drapedtablethatranthelengthofonewall.Itwasfilledwithexpensivecheeseandmeatplatters,desserts,coffee,tea,andwine.I'dbeenattheHouseofNightforamonth,anditstillwasalittleshockingtomethatwineisservedsoreadilyhere.Partofthereasontheydoissimple—theschoolismodeledaftertheEuropeanHousesofNight.Apparently,inEuropewinewithmealsisliketeaorCokewithmealshere—sonobigdeal.Theotherpartisageneticfact—vampyresdon'tgetdrunk—fledglingscanbarelygetbuzzed(atleastonalcohol—blood,unfortunately,isawholeotherissue).Sowineliterallyisnobigdealhere,althoughIthoughtitwouldbeinterestingtocheckouthowOklahomaparentsreactedtoboozeatschool.
"Mama!Youhavetomeetmyroommate.RememberItoldyouabouther?ThisisZoeyRedbird.Zoeythisismymama.”
"Hi,Mrs.Johnson.It'sgoodtomeetyou,”Isaidpolitely.
"Oh,Zoey!Itisjustsonicetomeetyou!And,ohmy!YourMarkisasprettyasStevieRaesaiditwas."Shesurprisedmewithasoftmomhugandwhispered,"I'mgladyou'retakingcareofmyStevieRae.Iworryabouther.”
Isqueezedherbackandwhispered,"Noproblem,Mrs.John son.StevieRae'smybestfriend."Andeventhoughitwastotallyunrealistic,IsuddenlywishedmymomwouldhugmeandworryaboutmelikeMrs.Johnsonworriedaboutherdaughter.
"Mama,didyoubringmeanychocolatechipcookies?"StevieRaeasked.
"Yes,baby,Idid,butIjustrealizedthatIlefttheminthecar."StevieRae'smomtwangedinanOkieaccentthatwasidenticaltoherdaughter's."Whydon'tyoucomeoutwithmeandhelpmecarrytheminside.Imadealittleextraforyourfriendsthistime.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtShesmiledkindlyatme."You'remorethanwelcometocomeonoutwithus,too,Zoey.”
"Zoey.”
IheardmyvoicespokenlikeafrozenechoofMrs.Johnson'swarmkindness,andlookedoverhershouldertoseemymomandJohncomingintothehall.Myheartfellintomystomach.She'dbroughthim.Whythehellcouldn'tshehavecomealoneandletitbejustherandmeforachange?ButIknewtheanswertothat.Hewouldneverallowit.Andhisnotallowingitmeantthatshewouldn'tdoit.Period.Endofsubject.Sinceshe'dmar riedJohnHeifermymomdidn'thavetoworryaboutmoney.Shelivedinagihugichouseinaquietsuburbanneighborhood.ShevolunteeredforthePTA.Shewasmajorlyactiveinchurch.Butduringthepastthreeyearsofher"perfect"marriageshe'dcom pletelyandutterlylostherself.
"Sorry,Mrs.Johnson.Iseemyparentsnow,soIbettergo.”
"Oh,honey,I'dlovetomeetyourmamaanddaddy."And,likewewereatanynormalhighschoolfunction,Mrs.Johnsonturned,smiling,tomeetmyparents.
StevieRaelookedatme,andIlookedather.Sorry,Imouthedtoher.Imean,Iwasn'tabsolutelysureanythingbadwouldhappen,butwithmystep-loserclosingthedistancebe tweenusasifheweresometestosterone-filledgeneralleadingadeathmarch,Ifiguredtheoddswereprobablygoodforanight marescene.
Thenmyheartliftedwayoutofmystomachandeverythingsuddenlygotmuch,muchbetterwhenmyfavoritepersonintheworldsteppedaroundJohnandheldherarmsouttome.
"Grandma!”
Sheenfoldedmeinherarmsandthesweetscentoflavenderthatalwaysmovedwithher,asifshecarriedapieceofherbeau tifullavenderfarmeverywhereshewent.
"Oh,Zoeybird!"Sheheldtighttome."Ihavemissedyou,u-we-tsia-ge-hu-tsa.”
Ismiledthroughmytears,lovingthesoundofthefamiliarCherokeewordfordaughter—itmeantsecurityandloveandun conditionalacceptance.ThingsIhadn'tfeltinmyhomeforthepastthreeyears—thingsthatbeforeI'dcometotheHouseofNightI'donlyfoundatmygrandma'sfarm.
"I'vemissedyou,too,Grandma.I'msogladyoucame!”
"YoumustbeZoey'sgrandmamma,"Mrs.Johnsonsaidwhenwe'dquitclingingtoeachother."It'ssogoodtomeetyou.Youhaveafinegirl,here.”
Grandmasmiledwarmlyandstartedtoreply,butJohninter ruptedinhisusualI'm-so-superiorvoice.
"Well,actually,thatwouldbeourfinegirlyouwouldbecom plimenting.”
AsifonaStepfordWivescue,mymotherfinallymanagedtospeak."Yes,we'reZoey'sparents.I'mLindaHeffer.Thisismyhusband,John,andmymother,SylviaRed—"Then,inthemid dleofheroh-so-politeintroductions,shebotheredtoactuallylookatmeandhervoicecametoabreath-gulpinghaltmidword.
Imademyfacesmile,butitfelthotandhard,likeitwaspouredplasterandhadbeensittinginthesummersunandwouldcrackalltopiecesifIwasn'tcareful.
"Hi,Mom.”
"FortheloveofGodwhathaveyoudonetothatMark?"MomsaidthewordMarklikeshe'dsaythewordcancerorpedophile.
"ShesavedthelifeofayoungmanandtappedintoaGoddess-givenaffinityfor
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txttheelements.InreturnNyxhastouchedherwithseveralunusualMarksforafledgling,"Neferetsaidinhersmoothmusicalvoiceasshewalkedintothemiddleofourawk wardlittlegroup,handextendeddirectlytomystep-loser.Nef eretwaswhatmostadultvampyresare,stunninglyperfect.Shewastall,withlongwavesofdarkauburnhairandbrilliant,almond-shapedeyesanunusualshadeofmossgreen.Shemovedwithagraceandconfidencethatwasclearlynothuman,andherskinwassospectacularthatitlookedlikesomeonehadturnedalightoninsideher.Todayshewaswearingasleek,royalbluesilksuitwithsilverspiralearrings(representingthepathoftheGod dess,butit'snotlikemostparentsknewthat).AsilverformoftheGoddesswithupraisedhandswasembroideredoverherleftbreast,asitwasoveralltheotherprofessors'breasts.Hersmilewasdazzling."Mr.Heffer,IamNeferet,HighPriestessoftheHouseofNight,althoughitmightbeeasierifyouwouldjustthinkofmeasyouwouldanyordinaryhighschool'sprincipal.Thankyouforcomingtoparentvisitationnight.”
Icouldtellthathetookherhandautomatically.Iwassurehewouldhaverefuseditifshehadn'tcaughthimbysurprise.Sheshookhishandquicklyandthenturnedtomymom.
"Mrs.Heffer,itisapleasuretomeetZoey'smother.WearesopleasedthatshehasjoinedtheHouseofNight.”
"Well,uh,thankyou!"mymomsaid,clearlydisarmedbyNef eret'sbeautyandcharm.
WhenNeferetgreetedmygrandma,hersmilewidenedandbe camemorethanjustpolite.Inoticedthattheyshookhandsinthetraditionalvampyregreetingstyle,graspingeachother'sforearms.
"SylviaRedbird,itisalwaysapleasuretoseeyou.”
"Neferet,itmakesmyheartgladtoseeyou,too,andIthankyouforhonoringyouroathtolookaftermygranddaughter.”
"Itisanoaththatisnotaburdentofulfill.Zoeyissuchaspe cialgirl."NowNeferet'ssmileincludedmeinitswarmth.ThensheturnedtoStevieRaeandhermother."AndthisisZoey'sroommate,StevieRaeJohnson,andhermother.Ihearthatthetwoofthemarepracticallyinseparable,andthatevenZoey'scathastakentoStevieRae.”
"Yeah,it'strue.SheactuallysatonmylapwhilewewatchedTVlastnight,"StevieRaesaidlaughingly."AndNaladoesn'tlikeanyoneexceptZoey.”
"Cat?Idon'trememberanyonegivingpermissionforZoeytogetacat,”Johnsaid,makingmewanttoretch.LikeanyoneexceptGrandmahadbotheredtotalktomeforanentiremonth!
"Youmisunderstand,Mr.Heffer,attheHouseofNightcatsroamfree.Theychoosetheirowners,nottheotherwayaround.Zoeydidn'tneedpermissionwhenNalachoseher,"Neferetsaidsmoothly.
Johnmadeasnortingnoise,whichIwasrelievedtoseeevery oneignored.Jeesh,he'ssuchanass.
"MayIofferyousomerefreshment?"Neferetwavedgraciouslyatthetable.
"Oh,golly!ThatremindsmeofthecookiesIleftinthecar.StevieRaeandIwerejustonourwayoutthere.Itwasreallynicetomeety'all."Withaquickhugformeandawaveforeveryoneelse,StevieRaeandhermomescaped,leavingmethere,eventhoughIwishedIwereanywhereelse.
IstayedclosetoGrandma,lacingmyfingersthroughhersaswewalkedovertotherefreshmenttable,thinkinghowmucheasierthiswouldbeifitwasjustshewhohadcometovisitme.Isnuckalookatmymom.Apermanentfrownseemedtohavebeenpaintedonherface.Shewaslookingaroundattheotherkids,andhardlyevenglancedinmydirection.Whycomeatall?Iwantedtoscreamather.Whyseemlikeyoumightactuallycare—mightactu allymissme—andthenshowso
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtobviouslythatyoudon't?
"Wine,Sylvia?Mr.andMrs.Heffer?"Neferetoffered.
"Thankyou,redplease,"Grandmasaid.
John'stightlipsregisteredhisdispleasure."No.Wedon'tdrink.”
WithasuperhumaneffortIdidn'trollmyeyes.Sincewhendidn'thedrink?Iwouldbetthelastfiftydollarsinmysavingsac countthattherewasasix-packofbeerinthefridgeathomerightnow.AndmymomusedtodrinkredwinelikeGrandma.IevensawherthrowGrandmaanarrow-eyed,enviouslookasshesippedtherichwineNeferethadpouredforher.Butnotheydidn'tdrink.Atleastnotinpublic.Hypocrites.
"So,youweresayingthattheadditiontoZoey'sMarkhap penedbecauseshedidsomethingspecial?"Grandmasqueezedmyhand."Shetoldmethatshe'dbeenmadeleaderoftheDarkDaughters,butshedidn'ttellmehowexactlythathappened.”
Ifeltmyselftenseupagain.Ireallydidn'twanttodealwiththesceneitwouldcauseifmymomandJohnfoundoutthatwhathadactuallyhappenedwasthattheex-leaderoftheDarkDaugh tershadcastacircleonHalloweennight(knownattheHouseofNightasSamhain,thenighttheveilbetweenourworldandtheworldofspiritsisthinnest),conjuredsomeveryscaryvampyrespirits,andthenlostcontrolofthemwhenmyhumanex-boyfriend,Heath,stumbleduplookingforme.AndIsodidn'twantanyonetoevermentionwhatonlyacoupleofpeopleknew—thatHeathwaslookingformebecauseI'dtastedhisbloodandhewasfastbecomingfixatedonme,somethinghu mansdoprettyeasilywhentheygetinvolvedwithvamps—evenvampfledglings,forthatmatter.SothethenleaderoftheDarkDaughters,Aphrodite,totallylostcontroloftheghostsandtheyweregoingtoeatHeath.Literally.Worse—theywerealsoactingliketheywantedtotakeachompoutoftherestofus,too,in cludingtotallyhotErikNight,thevampkidwhoIcanhappilyreportisdefinitelynotmyex-boyfriend,butwhoI'vesortabeendatingthispastmonthsohe'smyalmost-boyfriend.Anyway,Ihadtodosomething,sowithsomehelpfromStevieRae,Damien,andtheTwins,Icastmyowncircle,tappingintothepowerofthefiveelements:wind,fire,water,earth,andspirit.Usingmyaffinityfortheelements,Imanagedtobanishtheghostsbacktowhereveritistheylive(orunlive?).WhentheyweregoneIhadthesenewtat toos,adelicatecollectionoflacelikesapphireswirlsthatframedmyface—totallyunheardofforamerefledglingtohave—andmatchingMarksinterspersedwithcoolrunelike-lookingsym bolsonmyshoulders,somethingnofledglingorvamphaseverhad.ThenAphroditewasexposedastherotten-assedleadershewas,causingNeferettofireherandputmeinherplace.Conse quently,I'malsointrainingtobeaHighPriestessofNyx,thevampyreGoddess,whoisNightpersonified.
Noneofthatwouldgooverwellwithultra-religious,ultra-judgmentalMomandJohn.
"Well,therewasasmallaccident.Zoey'squickthinkingandbraverymadesurenoonegothurt,andatthesametimeshecon nectedwithaspecialaffinityshehasbeengiventodrawenergyfromthefiveelements."Neferet'ssmilewasproudandIfeltawashofhappinessatherapproval."Thetattooingissimplyanoutwardsignofthefavorshe'sfoundwiththeGoddess.”
"Whatyou'resayingisblasphemy.”Johnspokeinatight,strainedvoicethatmanagedtosoundcondescendingandangryatthesametime."Youareputtingherimmortalsoulindanger.”
Neferetturnedhermoss-coloredeyesonhim.Shedidn'tlookangry.Actually,shelookedamused.
"YoumustbeoneoftheEldersofthePeopleofFaith."
Hisbirdlikechestswelledup."Well,yes,yesIam.”
"Thenletuscometoanunderstandingquickly,Mr.Heffer.Iwouldnotthinkofcomingintoyourhome,orintoyourchurch,andbelittlingyourbeliefs,thoughI
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtdisagreeprofoundlywiththem.Now,IdonotexpectyoutoworshipasIdo.Intruth,Iwouldnevereventhinktoattempttoswayyoutomybeliefs,eventhoughIhaveadeepandabidingcommitmenttomyGod dess.SoallIinsistuponisthatyoushowmethesamecourtesyIhavealreadyawardedyou.Whenyouareinmy`home,'youre spectmybeliefs.”
John'seyeshadbecomemeanlittleslitsandIcouldseehisjawclenchingandunclenching.
"Yourwayoflifeissinfulandwrong,"hesaidfiercely.
"ThussaysamanwhoadmitstoworshippingaGodwhovili fiespleasure,relegateswomentorolesthatarelittlemorethanservantsandbroodmares,thoughtheyarethebackboneofyourchurch,andseekstocontrolhisworshippersthroughguiltandfear."Neferetlaughedsoftly,butthesoundwashumorlessandtheunspokenwarninginitmadethehaironmyforearmsprickle."Haveacareforhowyoujudgeothers;perhapsyoushouldlooktocleaningyourownhouse,first.”
Hisfacereddening,JohnsuckedinabreathandopenedhismouthforwhatIknewwouldbeanuglylectureonhowrighthisbeliefsareandhowwrongeveryoneelse'sare,butbeforehecouldrespondNeferetcuthimoff.Shehadn'traisedhervoice,butitwassuddenlyfilledwiththepowerofaHighPriestessandIshiv eredinfear,eventhoughherwrathwasnotdirectedatme.
"Youhavetwochoices.YoumayvisittheHouseofNightasitsinvitedguest,whichmeansyouwillrespectourwaysandkeepyourdispleasureandjudgmenttoyourself.Oryoumayleaveandnotreturn.Ever.Decidenow."ThelasttwowordswashedagainstmyskinandIhadtoforcemyselfnottocringe.Inoticedthatmymomwasstaringwithwide,glassyeyesatNeferet,herfacepaleasmilk.John'sfacehadgonetheoppositecolor.Hiseyeswerenarrowandhischeekswereflushedaveryunattractivered.
"Linda,”hesaidthroughhisteeth."Let'sgo.”ThenhelookedatmewithsuchdisgustandhatredthatIliterallytookastepback.Imean,Iknewhedidn'tlikeme,butuntilthatmomentIhadn'trealizedhowmuch."Thisplaceiswhatyoudeserve.YourmotherandIwon'tbeback.You'reonyourownnow."Hespunaroundandstartedforthedoor.Mymomhesitated,andforasecondIthoughtshemightactuallysaysomethingnice—likeshewassorryabouthim—orthatshemissedme—orthatIshouldn'tworry,she'dbebacknomatterwhathesaid.
"Zoey,Ican'tbelievewhatyou'vegottenyourselfintonow."Sheshookherheadand,asusual,followedJohn'sleadandlefttheroom.
"Oh,sweetheart,I'msosorry."Grandmawasthere,instantlyhuggingmeandwhisperingreassurance."I'llbeback,mylittlebird.Ipromise.AndI'msoproudofyou!"Sheheldmebymyshouldersandsmiledthroughhertears."OurCherokeeancestorsareproudofyou,too.Icanfeelit.YouhavebeentouchedbytheGoddess,andyouhavetheloyaltyofgoodfriends,"sheglancedupatNeferetandadded,"andwiseteachers.Somedayyoumightevenlearntoforgiveyourmother.Untilthenrememberthatyouarethedaughterofmyheart,u-we-tsia-ge-hu-tsa."Shekissedme.
"Imustleave,too.Idroveyourlittlecarhere,andIwillleaveitforyou,soImustridebackwiththem."ShehandedmethekeystomyvintageBug."ButrememberalwaysthatIloveyou,Zoeybird.”
"Iloveyou,too,Grandma,"Isaid,andkissedherback,hug gingherhardandtakingdeepbreathsofherscentlikeIcouldholdherinmylungsandexhaleherslowlyoverthenextmonthasImissedher.
"Bye,sweetheart.Callmewhenyougetachance."Shekissedmeagainandthenleft.
Iwatchedherleave,anddidn'trealizeIwascryinguntilIfeltthetearsdripfrommyfaceontomyneck.I'dactuallyforgottenNeferetwasstillstandingbesideme,soIjumpedalittleinsur prisewhenshehandedmeatissue.
"Iamsorryforthat,Zoey,"shesaidquietly.
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"I'mnot."IblewmynoseandwipedmyfacebeforeIlookedather."Thanksforstandinguptohim.”
"Ididnotmeantosendyourmotheraway,too.”
"Youdidn't.Shechosetofollowhim.Justlikeshe'sbeendoingforoverthreeyearsnow.”Ifeltthehotnessoftearsthreatenthebackofmythroatandspokequickly,willingthemaway."Sheusedtobedifferent.It'sstupid,Iknow,butIkeepexpectinghertoturnbackintowhatshewasbefore.Itneverhappens,though.It'slikehe'skilledmymomandputastrangerinherbody.”
Neferetputherarmaroundme."Ilikewhatyourgrandmasaid—thatmaybesomedayyoucanfindtheabilitytoforgiveyourmother.”
Istaredatthedoorthethreeofthemhadjustdisappearedthrough."Thatsomedayisfaraway.”
Neferetsqueezedmyshouldersympathetically.
Ilookedupather,sogladshewastherewithme,andIwished—foraboutthezillionthtime—thatshewasmymom.ThenIrememberedwhatshehadtoldmealmostamonthago,thathermomhaddiedwhenshewasalittlegirl,andherdadhadabusedher,physicallyandmentally,untilshehadbeensavedbybeingMarked.
"Didyoueverforgiveyourfather?"Iaskedtentatively.
Neferetlookeddownatmeandblinkedseveraltimes,asifshewereslowlycomingbackfromamemorythathadtakenherfar,faraway."No.NoIdidn'teverforgivehim,butwhenIthinkofhimnowitisasifI'mrememberingsomeoneelse'slife.Thethingshedidtomehedidtoahumanchild,notaHighPriestessandvampyre.AndtoaHighPriestessandvampyrehe,likemosthumans,iscompletelyinconsequential.”
Herwordssoundedstrongandsure,butasIlookedintothedepthsofherbeautifulgreeneyesIsawaflickerofsomethingoldandpainfulanddefinitelynotforgotten,andwonderedhowhonestshewasbeingwithherself…
CHAPTERTWO
IwasincrediblyrelievedwhenNeferetsaidtherewasnoreasonformetostayinthereceptionhall.Afterthescenewithmyfam ilyIfeltlikeeveryonewasstaringatme.Iwas,afterall,thegirlwiththefreakyMarksandthenightmarefamily.Itooktheshort estwayoutofthereceptionhall—thesidewalkthatledoutsidethroughtheprettylittlecourtyardthatthewindowsofthedininghalllookedoutonto.
Itwasalittleaftermidnight,whichwas—yes—atotallyweirdtimeforaparentopenhouse,buttheschoolbeginsclassesat8:00P.M.,andfinishesupat3:00A.M.Onthesurfaceitseemedtomakemoresensetohaveparentvisitationbeginat8:00,ormaybeevenanhourorsobeforeschoolstarted,butNeferethadexplainedtomethatthepointwasthatparentsaccepttheirchild'sChange,andunderstandthatdaysandnightswouldfor everbedifferentforthem.OnmyownIdecidedthatanotherplusofmakingthetimeinconvenientisthatitgavealotofpar entstheexcusetheyneedednottocome,withoutoutrighttellingtheirkid,Hey—Idon'twantanythingtodowithyounowthatyou'returningintoabloodsuckingmonster.
Toobadmyparentshadn'ttakenthatout.
Isighedandsloweddown,takingmytimefollowingoneofthewindingpaths
Page9

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtthroughthecourtyard.Itwasacool,clearNovembernight.Themoonwasalmostfull,anditsbrightsilverlightwasaprettycontrasttotheantiquegaslightsthatilluminatedthecourt yardwiththeirsoftyellowglows.Icouldhearthefountainthatsatinthemiddleofthegarden,andIautomaticallychangeddirectionsothatIwasheadingtowardit.Maybethesoothingtinkleofthewaterwouldhelpmystresslevel…andhelpmeforget.
WhenIroundedthecurvethatledtothefountainIwaswalk ingslowly,anddaydreamingalittleaboutmynewalmost-boyfriend,thetotallydeliciousErik.HewasawayfromtheschoolfortheyearlyShakespearemonologuecompetition.Naturally,he'dfinishedfirstatourschool,andhadadvancedeasilytotheHousesofNightinternationalcompetition.ItwasThursday,andhe'donlybeengonesinceMonday,butImissedhimlikecrazyandcouldn'twaittillSundaywhenhewassupposedtogetback.Erikwasthehottestguyatourschool.Hell,ErikNightmightbethehottestguyatanyschool.Hewastall,dark,andhandsome—likeanold-timemoviestar(withoutthelatenthomosexualten dencies).Hewasalsoincrediblytalented.SomedaysoonhewasgoingtojointherankofothervampmoviestarslikeMatthewMcConaughey,JamesFranco,JakeGyllenhaal,andHughJack man(whoistotallygorgeousforanoldguy).Plus,Erikwastrulyaniceguy—whichonlyaddedtohishotness.
SoIwilladmittobeingpreoccupiedwithvisionsofErikasTristanandmeasIsolde(onlyourpassionatelovestorywouldhaveahappyending),anddidn'tnoticethattherewereotherpeopleinthecourtyarduntilaraisedmalevoiceshockedmewithhowmeananddisgusteditsounded.
"Youareonedisappointmentafteranother,Aphrodite!"Ifroze.Aphrodite?
"ItwasbadenoughthatyourgettingMarkedmeantthatyoucouldn'tgotoChathamHall,especiallyaftereverythingIdidtobesureyouwereaccepted,"saidawomaninabrittle,coldvoice.
"Mother,Iknow.IsaidIwassorry.”
Okay,Ishouldleave.Ishouldturnaroundandwalkquicklyandquietlyoutofthecourtyard.Aphroditewasprobablymyleastfavoritepersonatschool.Actually,Aphroditewasprobablymyleastfavoritepersonanywhere,butpurposefullylisteninginonwhatwasclearlyanuglyscenewithherparentswasjustwrongwrongwrong.
SoItiptoedafewfeetoffthepathwhereIcouldhidemoreeasilybehindabigornamentalbushandhaveadecentviewofwhatwasgoingon.Aphroditewassittingonthestonebenchclosesttothefountain.Herparentswerestandinginfrontofher.Well,hermomwasstanding.Herdadwaspacing.
Man,herparentswerereallyprettypeople.Herdadwastallandhandsome.Thekindofguywhokeptinshape,keptallofhishair,andhadreallygoodteeth.Hewasdressedinadarksuitthatlookedlikeitcostazilliondollars.Healsolookedweirdlyfamil iar,andIwassureI'dseenhimonTVorsomething.Hermomwastotallygorgeous.Imean,Aphroditewasblondandperfect-looking,andhermomwasanolder,richlydressed,well-groomedversionofher.Hersweaterwasobviouslycashmere,andherpearlswerelongandreal.Everytimeshegesturedwithherhandsthegihugicpear-shapeddiamondonherringfingerflashedalightascoldandbeautifulashervoice.
"HaveyouforgottenthatyourfatheristhemayorofTulsa?"Aphrodite'smomsnappedviciously.
"No,no,ofcoursenot,Mother.”
Hermomdidn'tseemtohearher."Spinningadecentslantonthefactthatyou'rehereinsteadofontheEastCoastpreparingforHarvardwasdifficultenough,butweconsoledourselveswiththefactthatvampyrescanattainmoneyandpowerandsuccess,andweexpectedyoutoexcelinthis"—shepausedandgrimaced
Page10

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtdistastefully—"ratherunusualvenue.Andnowwehearthatyou'renolongerleaderoftheDarkDaughtersandhavebeenejectedfromHighPriestesstraining,whichmakesyounodifferentthananyoftheotherriffraffatthiswretchedschool."Aphrodite'smotherhesitated,asifsheneededtocalmherselfbeforecontinu ing.WhenshespokeagainIhadtostraintohearherhissingwhis per."Yourbehaviorisunacceptable.”
"Asusual,youdisappointus,"herfatherrepeated.
"Youalreadysaidthat,Dad,"Aphroditesaid,soundinglikeherusualsmart-assself.
Likeastrikingsnake,hermomslappedAphroditeacrossherface,sohardthatthecrackofskinagainstskinmademejumpandwince.IexpectedAphroditetoleapoffthebenchandgoaf terhermom'sthroat(please—wedon'tcallherahagfromhellfornothing),butshedidn't.Shejustpressedherownpalmagainsthercheekandbowedherhead.
"Donotcry.I'vetoldyoubefore,tearsmeanweakness.Atleastdothisonethingrightanddon'tcry,"hermomsnapped.
SlowlyAphroditeraisedherheadandtookherhandfromhercheek."Ididn'tmeantodisappointyou,Mother.I'mreallysorry.”
"Sayingyou'resorrydoesn'tfixanything,"hermomsaid."Whatwewanttoknowiswhatyou'regoingtodoaboutgettingyourpositionback.”
IntheshadowsIheldmybreath.
"I—Ican'tdoanythingaboutit,"Aphroditesaid,soundinghopelessandsuddenlyveryyoung."Imessedup.Neferetcaughtme.ShetooktheDarkDaughtersawayfrommeandgavethemtosomeoneelse.Ithinkshe'sevenconsideringtransferringmetoadifferentHouseofNightcompletely.”
"Wealreadyknowthat!"Hermomraisedhervoice,clippingherwordssothattheyseemedtobemadeofice."WetalkedwithNef eretbeforewesawyou.Shewasgoingtotransferyoutoanotherschool,butweinterceded.Youwillremainatthisschool.Wealsotriedtoreasonwithheraboutgivingyouyourpositionbackafterperhapssomeperiodofrestrictionordetention.”
"Oh,Mother,youdidn't?”
Aphroditesoundedhorrified,andIcouldn'tblameher.Icouldonlyimaginetheimpressionthesecold,pretending-to-be-perfectparentsmadeonourHighPriestess.IfAphroditehadeverhadeventheslightestchanceofgettingbackinNeferet'sfavor,hercreepyparentshadprobablyruineditforher.
"Ofcoursewedid!DidyouexpectustojustsitbywhileyoudestroyedyourfuturebybecomingavampyrenobodyatsomenondescriptforeignHouseofNight?"hermomsaid.
"Morethanyoualreadyhave,"herdadadded.
"Butit'snotaboutmebeingonsomekindofhighschoolre striction,"Aphroditesaid,obviouslytryingtocontrolherfrustra tionandreasonwiththem."Imessedup.Bigtime.That'sbadenough,butthere'sagirlherewhosepowersarestrongerthanmine.EvenifNeferetgetsoverbeingmadatme,she'snotgoingtogivemebacktheDarkDaughters.”ThenAphroditesaidsomethingthattotallyshockedme."TheothergirlisabetterleaderthanIam.IrealizedthatonSamhain.ShedeservestobeheadoftheDarkDaughters.Idon't.”
Ohmygod.Didhelljustfreezeover?
Aphrodite'smomtookastepclosertoherandIflinchedwithher,sureshewasgoingtogetsmackedagain.Buthermotherdidn'thither.Shebentsothatherbeautifulfacewasstaringrightintoherdaughter's.FromwhereIwasstandingtheylookedsosimilarthatitwasscary.
Page11

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Don'tyoueversaysomeonedeservessomethingmorethanyou.You'remydaughter,andyouwillalwaysdeservethebest."Thenshestraightenedagainandranherhandthroughherper fecthair,eventhoughIwasprettysureitwouldn'tdaregetmessedup."Wecouldn'tconvinceNeferettogiveyoubackyourposition,soyou'regoingtohavetoconvinceher.”
"But,Mother,Ialreadytoldyou—"shestarted,butherdadcutheroff.
"Getthenewgirloutoftheway,andNeferetwillbemorelikelytogiveyoubackyourposition.”
Ah,crap."Thenewgirl"wasme.
"Discredither.Causehertomakemistakes,andthenbesureit'ssomeoneelsewhotellsNeferetaboutthemandnotyou.It'lllookbetterthatway."Hermomspokematter-of-factly,likeshewastalkingaboutwhichoutfitAphroditeshouldweartomorrowinsteadofplottingagainstme.Jeesh,talkaboutahagfromhell!
"Andwatchyourself.Yourbehaviorhastobebeyondre proach.Maybeyoushouldbemoreforthcomingaboutyourvi sions,atleastforawhile,"herfathersaid.
"Butyou'vetoldmeforyearstotrytokeepthevisionstomy self,thattheyarethesourceofmypower.”
IcouldhardlybelievewhatIwashearing!AmonthagoDamienhadtoldmethatseveralofthekidsthoughtthatAphroditewastryingtohidesomeofhervisionsfromNeferet,buttheythoughtitwasbecauseshehatedhumans—andAphrodite'svisionswereal waysaboutafuturetragedywherehumansdied.WhenshesharedhervisionswithNeferet,theHighPriestesswasalmostalwaysabletostopthetragedyfromhappeningandsavelives.SoAphroditepurposefullykeepinghervisionstoherselfwasoneofthethingsthatmademedecidethatIhadtotakeherpositionasleaderoftheDarkDaughters.I'mnotpowerhungry.Ididn'tre allywanttheposition.Hell,Istillwasn'tsurewhattodowithit.I'djustknownthatAphroditewasbadnews,andthatIhadtodosomethingtostopher.NowIwashearingthatsomeofthecrapshe'dbeendoingwasbecausesheletherhatefulparentsbossheraround!Hermomanddadactuallythoughtitwasokaytokeepquietaboutinformationthatcouldsavelives.AndherfatherwasthemayorofTulsa!(Nowonderhelookedfamiliar.)Itwassobizarreitwasmakingmyheadhurt.
"Thevisionsaren'tyoursourceofpower!"herdadwassaying."Doyouneverlisten?Isaidthatyourvisionscouldbeusedtogainpowerforyoubecauseinformationisalwayspower.ThesourceofyourvisionsistheChangethat'stakingplaceinsideyourbody.It'sgenetics,that'sall.”
"It'ssupposedtobeagiftfromtheGoddess,"Aphroditesaidsoftly.
Hermother'slaughwascold."Don'tbestupid.Iftherewassuchthingasagoddess,whywouldshegrantyoupowers?You'rejustaridiculouschild,andonewhoispronetomakingmistakes,asthislastlittleescapadeofyourshasonceagainproven.Sobesmartforachange,Aphrodite.Useyourvisionstogainfavorback,butacthumbleaboutit.YouhavetomakeNeferetbelievethatyou'resorry.”
Ialmostdidn'thearAphrodite'swhispered,"Iamsorry..."
"We'llexpectmuchbetternewsnextmonth.”
"Yes,Mother.”
"Good,nowwalkusbacktothereceptionhallsothatwecanminglewiththeothers.”
"CanIpleasestayhereforalittlewhile?I'mreallynotfeelingverywell.”
"Absolutelynot.Whatwouldpeoplesay?"hermothersaid."Pullyourselftogether.You'llescortusbacktothehallandyou'llbegraciousaboutit.Now.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
Aphroditewasslowlystandingupfromthebench,andheartbeatingsohardIwasafraiditwouldgivemeaway,IhurriedbackdownthepathtillIcametotheforkthatwouldtakemeoutofthecourtyard.ThenIpracticallyranfromthegarden.
IthoughtaboutwhatI'doverheardallthewaybacktothedorm.IbelievedthatIhadnightmareparents,buttheywerelikeTheBradyBunchmomanddad(hello—IwatchNickelodeonre runslikeeveryoneelse)comparedtoAphrodite'shateful,power-freakparents.MuchasIhatedtoadmitit,whatIsawtonightmademeunderstandwhyAphroditeactedlikeshedid.Imean,whatwouldIbelikeifIhadn'thadGrandmaRedbirdtolovemeandsupportmeandhelpmegrowabackbonethesepastthreeyears?Andthatwassomethingelse,too.Mymomhadbeennor mal.Sure,she'dbeenstressedoutandoverworked,butshe'dbeennormalforthefirstthirteenofmyalmostseventeenyearsoflife.ItwasonlyaftershemarriedJohnthatshechanged.SoI'dhadagoodmomandafantasticgrandma.WhatifIhadn't?WhatifallI'deverknownwashowithadbeenforthepastthreeyears—mebeinganunwantedoutsiderinmyownfamily?
ImighthaveturnedoutlikeAphrodite,andImightstillbelet tingmyparentscontrolmebecauseIwashopingdesperatelythatIwouldbegoodenough,makethemproudenough,sothatsome daytheywouldreallyloveme.
ItmademeseeAphroditewithtotallyneweyes,whichIwasn'tparticularlythrilledabout.
CHAPTERTHREE
"Yeah,Zoey,Iunderstandwhatyou'resayin'andall,buthello!PartofwhatyouoverheardwasthatAphroditeisgonnatrytosetyouupsothatshecangetyoukickedoutoftheDarkDaughterleadership,sodon'tgofeelingtoodarnsorryforher,"StevieRaesaid.
"Iknow—Iknow.I'mnotgettingallwarmandfuzzyabouther.I'mjustsayingthatafteroverhearingherwithherpsychoparentsIunderstandwhysheislikesheis.”
Wewerewalkingtofirsthour.Well,actually,StevieRaeandIwerepracticallyrunningtofirsthour.Asusual,wewerealmostlate.IknewIshouldn'thavehadthatsecondbowlofCountChocula.
StevieRaerolledhereyes."AndyousayI'mtoonice.”
"I'mnotbeingnice.I'mbeingunderstanding.Butunder standingdoesn'tchangethefactthatAphroditeactslikeahagbitchfromhell.”
StevieRaemadeasnortingnoiseandshookherhead,causingherblondcurlstobouncelikeshewasalittlegirl.HershortcutwasoddattheHouseofNightwhereeveryone,evenmostoftheguys,hadridiculouslylong,thickhair.Okay,myhairhasalwaysbeenlong,butstill—itwasreallyweirdwhenIfirstgothereandwasbombardedwithhairhairhair.Nowitmadeperfectsense.
PartofthephysicalChangethathappensaswebecomevampyresisthatourhairandnailsgrowabnormallyfast.Afteralittleprac tice,youcantellwhatyearafledglingiswithoutcheckingthecrestonherjacket.Vampyreslookeddifferentthanhumans(notbaddifferent—justdifferent),soit'sonlylogicalthatasafledg lingpassesthroughmoreandmoreoftheChangeherbodylooksdifferent,too.
"Zoey,you'resonotpayingattention.”
Page13

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Huh?”
"Isaid,don'tletyourguarddownaboutAphrodite.Yes,shehasnightmareparents.Yes,they'recontrollingandmanipulatingher.Whatever.She'sstillhatefulandmeanandvindictive.Watchoutforher.”
"Hey,don'tworry.Iwill.”
"Okay,good.I'llseeyouthirdhour.”
"Seeya,"Icalledtoherback.Jeesh,shewassuchaworrier.
IhurriedintoclassandhadjusttakenmyseatinthedesknexttoDamien,whoraisedaneyebrowatmeandsaid,"Anothertwo-bowlmorning?"whenthebellrangandNeferetsweptintotheroom.
Okay,Iknowit'sborderingonweird(ormaybequeeristhebetterwordchoice)tocontinuallynoticehowgorgeousawomaniswhenyou'reawoman,too,butNeferetissodamnbeautifulthatit'slikeshehastheabilitytofocusallthelightintheroomonherself.Shewaswearingasimpleblackdressandtotallytodieforblackboots.ShehadonhersilverGoddesspathearringsand,asalways,thesilverembroideredGoddessrestedoverherheart.Shedidn'texactlylookliketheGoddessNyx—whoIswearI'dseeninavisionthedayIwasMarked—butshehadtheGoddess'sauraofstrengthandconfidence.I'lljustadmitit.Iwantedtobeher.
Todaywasunusual.Insteadoflecturingformostofthehour(and,no,amazinglyenoughNeferetwasneveraboringlecturer)shegaveusanessayassignmentontheGorgon,whowehadbeenstudyingallweek.Welearnedthatactuallyshehadnotbeenamonsterwhoturnedmentostonewithaglance.ShehadbeenafamousvampyreHighPriestesswhoseGoddess-givengiftwasanaffinity,oraspecialconnection,fortheearth,whichisprobablywherethe"turntostone"mythcamefrom.I'mprettysureifavampHighPriestessgotpissedenoughandhadamagicalcon nectionwiththeearth(stonesdocomefromtheearth),shecouldeasilyzapsomeoneintogranite.Sotoday'sassignmentwastowriteanessayonhumanmythandsymbolism,andthemeaningbehindthefictionalizationoftheGorgon'sstory.
ButIwastoorestlesstowrite.Plus,Ihadallweekendtofinishtheessay.IwaswaymoreworriedabouttheDarkDaughters.ThefullmoonwasSunday.IwouldbeexpectedtoleadtheritualfortheDarkDaughters.IrealizedeveryonewasalsoexpectingmetomakeanannouncementaboutchangesIplannedtomake.Uh,Ineededtohaveaclueaboutthosechanges.Surprisingly,Ididhaveanidea,butitdefinitelyneededhelp.
IignoredDamien'scuriouslookasIquicklygatheredupmynotebookandwentuptoNeferet'sdesk.
"Problem,Zoey?"sheasked.
"No.Uh,yes.Well,actually,ifyouwouldletmegototheme diacenterfortherestofthehour,myproblemwouldprobablygoaway."IrealizedIwasnervous.I'donlybeenattheHouseofNightforamonth,andIstillwasn'tsureabouttheprotocolforbeingexcusedfromclass.Imean,therewereonlytwokidsintheentiremonthwho'dgottensick.Andthey'ddied.Bothofthem.TheirbodieshadrejectedtheChange,onehadhappenedrightinfrontofmeduringLitclass.Ithadbeentotallygross.Butotherthantheoccasionaldyingkidstudentsrarelymissedclass.Nef eretwaswatchingme,andIrememberedthatshewasanintu itiveandshecouldprobablysensetheridiculousbabblegoingoninmyhead.Isighed."It'sDarkDaughtersstuff.Iwanttocomeupwithsomenewleadershipideas.”
Shelookedpleased."AnythingIcanhelpyouwith?"
"Probably,butIneedtodosomeresearchandgetmyideasstraightfirst.”
"Verywell,cometomewhenyou'reready.Andfeelfreetospendasmuchtimeinthemediacenterasyouneed,"Neferetsaid.
Page14

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
Ihesitated."DoIneedapass?”
Shesmiled."IamyourmentorandIhavegivenyoupermis sion,whatmorecouldyouneed?”
"Thanks,"Isaid,andhurriedoutoftheclassroomfeelingstu pid.IwouldbesogladwhenI'dbeenattheschoollongenoughtoknowallthelittleinsiderules.And,anyway,Idon'tknowwhatI'dbeensoworriedabout.Thehallsweredeserted.Unlikemyoldhighschool(SouthIntermediateHighSchoolinBrokenArrow,Oklahoma—whichisatotallyboringsuburbofTulsa)therewerenoNapoleonComplex,overlytannedviceprincipalswithnoth ingbettertodothantoprowlthehallsharassingkids.Isloweddownandtoldmyselftorelax—jeesh,I'dbeenstressedoutlately.
Thelibrarywasinthefrontcenterareaoftheschoolinacoolmultilevelroomthathadbeenbuilttomimictheturretofacas tle,whichfitinwellwiththethemeoftherestoftheschool.Thewholethinglookedlikesomethingoutofthepast.Thatwasprobablyoneofthereasonsithadattractedtheattentionofthevampsfiveyearsago.Thenithadbeenastuck-uprichkids'prepschool,butithadoriginallybeenbuiltasamonasteryfortheSaintAugustinePeopleofFaithmonks.IrememberthatwhenIaskedhowtheprepschoolhadbeentalkedintosellingtothevampsNeferethadtoldmethatthey'dmadethemadealtheycouldn'trefuse.Thememoryofthedangeroustonehervoicehadtakenstillmademyskincrawl.
"Me-eeh-uf-ow!”
Ijumpedandalmostpeedonmyself."Nala!Youscaredthecrapouttame!”
Unconcerned,mycatlaunchedherselfintomyarms,andIhadtojugglenotebook,purse,andsmall(butchubby)orangecat.AllthewhileNalacomplainedatmeinhergrumpyoldladycatvoice.Sheadoredme,andshe'ddefinitelychosenmeasherown,butthatdidn'tmeanthatshewasalwayspleasant.Ishiftedher,andpushedopenthedoortothemediacenter.
Oh—whatNeferethadtoldmystupidstep-loserJohnhadbeenthetruth.Catsdoroamfreeallovertheschool.Theyoftenfol lowed"their"kidtoclass.Nala,inparticular,likedtofindmesev eraltimesaday.She'dinsistIscratchherhead,complainalittleatme,andthentakeoffandgodowhatevercatsdidwiththeirfreetime.(Plotworlddomination?)
"Doyouneedhelpwithher?"themediaspecialistasked.Ihadonlymetherbrieflyduringmyorientationweek,butIremem beredhernamewasSappho.(Uh,shewasn'ttherealSappho—thatvampyrepoethaddiedlikeathousandyearsago—rightnowwewerestudyingherworkinLitclass.)
"No,Sappho,butthankyou.Naladoesn'treallylikeanyoneexceptme.”
Sappho,atinydark-hairedvampwhosetattooswereelaboratesymbolsDamienhadtoldmewereGreekalphabetglyphs,smiledfondlyatNala."Catsaresuchwonderfullyinterestingcreatures,don'tyouthink?”
ImovedNalatomyothershoulderandshegrumbledinmyear."They'redefinitelynotdogs,"Isaid.
"ThanktheGoddessforthat!”
"DoyoumindifIuseoneofthecomputers?"Themediacen terwaslinedwithrowafterrowofbooks—thousandsofthem—butitalsohadaverycool,up-to-datecomputerlab.
"Ofcourse,makeyourselfathomeandfeelfreetocallonmeifyoucan'tfindwhatyouneed.”
"Thanks.”
IpickedacomputerthatsatonanicebigdeskandclickedintotheInternet.
Page15

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtThiswassomethingelsethatwaswaydifferentthanmyoldschool.HeretherewerenopasswordsandnoInternetfil teringprogramthatrestrictedsites.Herestudentswereexpectedtoshowsomesenseandactright—andiftheydidn'tit'snotlikethevamps,whowerealmostimpossibletolieto,wouldn'tfindout.JustthinkingabouttryingtolietoNeferetmademystomachhurt.
Focusandstopmessingaround.Thisisimportant.
Okay,soanideahadbeenmillingaroundinmyhead.Itwastimetoseeiftherewasanythingtoit.IpulledupGoogleandtypedin"privatepreparatoryschools."Zillionscameup.Istartednarrowing.Iwantedexclusiveandupperclass(noneofthosestu pid"alternativeacademies"thatwerereallyjustholdingpensforfuturecriminals—ugh).Ialsowantedoldschools,onesthathadbeenaroundforgenerations.Iwaslookingforsomethingthathadpassedthetestoftime.
IeasilyfoundChathamHall,whichwastheschoolAphrodite'sparentshadthrowninherface.ItwasanexclusiveEastCoastprepschooland,man,diditlookstuck-up.Iclickedout.AnyplaceAphrodite'sfreakparentsapprovedofwouldnotbesomethingIwantedtouseasarolemodel.Ikeptsearching...Exeter...Andover...Taft...MissPorter's(really—heehee—that'stheschool'sname)...Kent...
"Kent.I'veheardthatnamebefore,"ItoldNala,whohadcurledupontopofthedesksothatshecouldwatchmesleepily.Iclickedintoit."It'sinConnecticut—that'swhyit'sfamiliar.ThisiswhereShauneehadbeengoingwhenshewasMarked."Ibrowsedthroughthesite,curioustoseewhereShauneehadspentthefirstpartofherfreshman(orthirdformer)year.Itwasaprettyschool—therewasnodenyingthat.Stuck-up,sure,buttherewassomethingaboutitthatseemedmorewelcomingthantheotherprepschools.MaybeitwasjustbecauseIknewShaunee.Ikeptgoingthroughthesite—andsuddenlysatupstraighter."Thisisit,"Imutteredtomyself."ThisisthekindofstuffIneed.”
Ipulledoutmypenandnotebookpaperandgotbusytakingnotes.Lotsofnotes.
IfNalahadn'thissedawarning,Iwouldhavejumpedoutofmyskinwhenadeepvoicespokebehindme.
"Youlookcompletelyengrossedinthat.”
Iglancedovermyshoulder—andfroze.Ohmygod.
"Sorry,Ididn'tmeantointerruptyou.Itwasjustsounusualtoseeastudentwritingfeverishlyinlonghand,ratherthanpeckingawayatthecomputerkeys,thatIthoughtyoumightbewritingpoetry.Yousee,Iprefertowritepoetrylonghand.Thecomputerisjusttooimpersonal.”
Stopbeingsuchamoron!Speaktohim!Mymindscreamedatme."I—uh—I'mnotwritingpoetry."God,thatwasbrilliant.
"Oh,well.Doesn'thurttocheck.Nicetalkingwithyou.”
Hesmiledandstartedtoturnawayandmymouthfinallymanagedtoworkalittlemorecorrectly."Uh,Ithinkcomputersareimpersonal,too.I'veneverreallywrittenpoetry,butwhenIwritesomethingthat'simportanttomeIliketodoitlikethis."Totallydorklike,Iheldupmypen.
"Well,maybeyoushouldtrywritingpoetry.Soundslikeyoumighthavethesoulofapoet."Heheldouthishand."UsuallyaboutthistimeofdayIcomebyandgiveSapphoabreak.I'mnotafull-timeprofessorbecauseI'monlyhereforoneschoolyear.Ijustteachtwoclasses,soIhaveextratime.I'mLorenBlake,VampyrePoetLaureate.”
Page16

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIgraspedhisforearminthetraditionalvampyregreeting,try ingnottothinkabouthowwarmhisarmwas,howstronghefelt,andhowalonewewereintheemptymediacenter.
"Iknow,"Isaid.ThenIwantedtoslitmythroat.Whatanidi oticthingtosay!"WhatImeanisIknowwhoyouare.You'rethefirstmalePoetLaureatethey'venamedintwohundredyears."IrealizedIwasstillgraspinghisarmandletgoofhim."I'mZoeyRedbird.”
Hissmilemademyheartfloparoundinsidemychest."Iknowwhoyouare,too."Hisgorgeouseyes,sodarktheylookedblackandbottomless,sparkledmischievously."You'rethefirstfledglingtohaveacolored-in,expandedMark,aswellastheonlyvamp,fledglingoradult,tohaveanaffinityforallfiveoftheelements.It'snicetofinallymeetyouface-to-face.Neferet'stoldmealotaboutyou.”
"Shehas?"Iwasmortifiedthatmyvoicesqueaked.
"Ofcourseshehas.She'sincrediblyproudofyou."Henoddedattheemptyseatbesideme."Idon'twanttointerruptyourwork,butdoyoumindifIsitwithyoualittlewhile?”
"Yeah,sure.Ineedabreak.Ithinkmybutt'sasleep."Oh,God,justkillmenow.
Helaughed."Wellthen,wouldyouliketostandwhileIsit?"
"No,I'll—uh—justshiftmyweight."AndthenI'llhurlmyselfoutthewindow.
"So,ifit'snottoopersonal,mayIaskwhatyou'reworkingsodiligentlyon?”
Okay,Ineededtothinkandtalk.Benormal.Forgetthathewaseasilythemostheart-stoppinglybeautifulmanI'deverbeennearinmyentirelife.He'saprofessorattheschool.Justanotherteacher.That'sall.Yeah,right.Justanotherteacherwholookedlikeeverywoman'sdreamofThePerfectMan.AndIdidmeanMan.Erikwashotandhandsomeandverycool.LorenBlakewasawholeotheruniverse.Atotallyoff-limits,impossiblysexyuni verseIwasnotallowedaccessto.Asifhesawmeasanythingbutakidanyway.Please.I'msixteen.Okay,almostseventeen,butstill.He'sprobablyatleasttwenty-oneorsomething.Hewasjustbeingnice.MorethanlikelyhewantedacloserlookatmyfreakyMarks.Hecouldbecollectingresearchforahighlyembarrassingpoemaboutthe-
"Zoey?Ifyoudon'twanttotellmewhatyou'reworkingon,that'sfine.Ireallydidn'tmeantobotheryou.”
"No!It'sokay.”Idrewadeepbreathandgotmyselftogether."Sorry—guessIwasstillthinkingaboutmyresearch,"Ilied,hop ingthathewasayoungenoughvampthathedidn'thavethein credibleliedetectorpowerstheolderprofshad.Iblunderedquicklyon."IwanttochangetheDarkDaughters.Ithinkitneedsafoundation—someclearrulesandguidelines.Notjusttojoin,butonceyou'reinthereshouldbestandards.Youshouldn'tbegivenafreepasstobeasbigajerkasyouwanttobe,andstillgettheprivilegeofbeingaDarkDaughterorSon."IpausedandIcouldfeelmyfacegettinghotandred.WhatthehellwasIbab blingonabout?Imustsoundliketheschoolidiot.
Butinsteadoflaughingatmeor,worse,sayingsomethingpa tronizingandtakingoff,heseemedtobeconsideringwhatIsaid."Sowhathaveyoucomeupwith?"heasked.
"Well,IlikethewaythisprivateschoolcalledKentrunstheirstudentleadershipgroup.Look—"Iclickedontherightlinkandreadfromthetext."TheSeniorCouncilandPrefectSystemisanintegralpartoflifeatKent.ThesestudentsarechosenasleaderswhovowtoberolemodelsandtomanageallaspectsofstudentlifeatKent."Iusedmypentopointatthecomputerscreen."See,thereareseveraldifferentPrefects,andtheyareelectedtoeachyearlyCouncilbyvotesofthestudentsandthefaculty,butthefinalchoiceismadebytheHeadmaster—whichwouldbeNeferet—andtheSeniorPrefect.”
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"Whichwouldbeyou,"hesaid.
Icouldfeelmyfacegettinghot.Again."Yeah.ItalsosayseveryMaynewCouncilmembersare`Tapped'aspossibleappointeesforthenextschoolyear,andthere'sabigserviceheldtocele brate."Ismiled,andsaid,moretomyselfthanhim,"SoundslikeanewritualNyxwouldapproveof."AsIsaidthewordsIfelttherightnessofthemdeepwithinme.
"Ilikeit,"Lorensaid."Ithinkit'sagreatidea.”
"Really?You'renotjustsayingthat?”
"There'ssomethingaboutmethatyoushouldknow.Idon'tlie.”
Istaredintohiseyes.Theyseemedbottomless.HewassittingsoclosetomethatIcouldfeeltheheatfromhisbody,whichmademesuppressashiverfromasuddenrushofforbiddende sire."Well,thanksthen,"Isaidsoftly.Feelingsuddenlybold,Icontinued."IwanttheDarkDaughterstostandformorethanjustasocialgroup.Iwantthemtosetexamples—dotherightthings.SoIthoughtthateachofuswouldhavetosweartoup holdfiveidealsrepresentingthefiveelements.”
Hisbrowswentup."Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”
"TheDarkDaughtersandSonsshouldsweartobeauthenticforair,faithfulforfire,wiseforwater,empatheticforearth,andsincereforspirit."Ifinishedwithoutlookingatmynotes.Ial readyknewthefiveidealsbyheart.SoIwatchedhiseyesinstead.Hedidn'tsayanythingforamoment.Then,slowly,hereachedoutandtracedonefingeroverthefluidlineofmytattoo.Iwantedtotrembleunderhistouch,butIcouldn'tmove.
"Beautifulandintelligentandinnocent,"hewhispered.Thenhisincrediblevoicerecited,"Thebestpartofbeautyisthatwhichnopicturecanexpress.”
"Sosorrytointerrupt,butIreallydoneedtocheckoutthenextthreebooksinthisseriesforProfessorAnastasia.”
Aphrodite'svoicebrokethespellbetweenLorenandme,aswellasalmostgivingmeaheartattack.Actually,LorenlookedasshakenasIfelt.Hedroppedhishandfrommyfaceandwalkedquicklytothecheckoutcounter.IsatwhereIwaslikeI'dgrowntomychair,tryingtolookoh-so-busyscribblingmorenotes(whichwereactually,well,scribble).IheardSapphocomebackinandtakeovercheckingoutAphrodite'sbooksfromLoren.Icouldhearhimleaving,andalmostasifIcouldn'thelpit,Iturnedandlookedathim.Hewaswalkingoutthedoorandnotpayingtheleastbitofattentiontome.
ButAphroditewasstaringstraightatmewithawickedsmilecurvingherperfectlips.
Well,hell.
CHAPTERFOUR
IwantedtotellStevieRaeaboutwhathadhappenedwithLoren,andaboutAphroditebustinginonus,butIwasn'tuptogoingintoitinfrontofDamienandtheTwins.Notthattheyweren'tmyfriends,too,butIhadhardlyhadtimetoprocesswhathadhappened,andthethoughtofthethreeofthemchatteringlikecrazyaboutitmademecringe.EspeciallysincetheTwinshadre arrangedtheirschoolschedulestogetintoLoren'spoetryelec tive,wheretheyfreelyadmittedtheyspenttheentirehoureverydayjuststaringathim.Theywould
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txttotallylosetheirmindswhenItoldthemwhathadhappened.(Plus,hadanythinghappened?Imean,theguyhadjusttouchedmyface.)
"What'swrongwithyou?"StevieRaeasked.
Theattentionthatthefourofthemhadbeenfocusingontry ingtofigureoutiftherewasahairinErin'ssaladorifitwasjustoneofthoseweirdstringthingsfromapieceofceleryshiftedin stantlytome.
"Nothin',I'mjustthinkingabouttheFullMoonRitualSunday."Ilookedatmyfriends.TheywerewatchingmewitheyesthatsaidthattheytotallybelievedI'dcomeupwithsomethingandnotmakeanassoutofmyself.IwishIhadtheirconfidenceinme.
"Sowhatareyougoingtodo?Haveyoudecided?"Damienasked.
"Ithinkso.Actually,whatdoyouguysthinkofthisidea…"IlaunchedintothewholeCouncilandPrefectidea,andrealizedabouthalfwaythroughexplainingittothemthatitreallywasaprettygoodplan.Ifinishedwiththefiveidealsthatwereeachal liedwithanelement.
Noonesaidanything.IwasjuststartingtoworrywhenStevieRaethrewherarmaroundmeandhuggedmehard.
"Oh,Zoey!You'regoingtobeanawesomeHighPriestess."Damienwasallmisty-eyedandhisvoicecrackedadorably."IfeellikeI'minthecourtofagreatqueen.”
"Oryoucouldjustbeagreatqueen,"Shauneesaid.
"HerMajestyDamien…heehee,"Erinsaid,giggling.
"Y'all..."StevieRaewarned.
"Sorry,"theTwinssaidtogether.
"Itwasjustsohardtoresist,"Shauneesaid."Butseriously,welovetheidea.”
"Yeah,soundslikeanexcellentwaytokeepthehagsout,"Erinsaid.
"Well,that'sanotherthingIneededtotalktoyouguysabout."Itookadeepbreath."IthinksevenisagoodnumberfortheCouncil.Thatwayit'sadecentsize,andit'simpossibletohaveatievote."Theynodded."So,everythingI'vebeenreading—notjustabouttheDarkDaughters,butaboutstudentleadershipgroupsingeneral—saysthattheCouncilmembersareupper classmen.ActuallytheSeniorPrefect,whichwouldbeme,isa,well,senior,andnotafreshman.”
"Ilikethetitlethirdformerbetter.Itsoundsolder,"Damiensaid.
"Whateverwecallit,it'sstillabnormalthatwe'resoyoung.WhichmeansweneedtwoolderkidsontheCouncilwithus.”
Therewasapause,andthenDamiensaid,"InominateErikNight.”
Shauneerolledhereyes.
Erinsaid,"Okay,howmanytimesdowehavetoexplainthistoyou—theboyisnotonyourteam.Helikesbreastsandvaginas,notpenisesandanu—”
"Stop!"Iabsolutelydidnotwanttogetoffonthissubject."IthinkErikNightisagoodchoice,andnotbecausehelikesmeor,well...”
"Girlparts?"StevieRaeoffered.
"Yes,girlpartsversusboyparts.Ithinkhehasthequalitieswe'relookingfor.He'stalented,wellliked,andhe'sreallyagoodguy.”
"Andhe'stotallydropdead..."Erinsaid.
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"...gorgeous,"Shauneefinished.
"It'strue;heis.Butwe'reabsolutelynotbasingmembershiponappearance.”
ShauneeandErinfrowned,butdidn'targuewithme.They'reactuallynotrealshallow;they'rejustkindashallow.
Idrewadeepbreath."AndIthinktheseventhmemberoftheCouncilneedstobeoneoftheseniorswhowaspartofAphrodite'sinsidegroup.Thatis,ifoneofthempetitionstojoinourCouncil.”
Thistimetherewasnobedazzledsilence.ErinandShaunee,asusual,spokeatthesametime.
"Oneofthehagsfromhell!”
"Nof-ingway!”
DamienspokewhiletheTwinsweretakingbreathssotheycouldshriekagain."Idon'tseehowthatcouldbeagoodidea."StevieRaejustlookedupsetandpickedatherlip.
Iheldupmyhand,andwaspleased(andsurprised)whentheyactuallyshutup.
"Ididn'ttakeovertheDarkDaughterstostartawaratschool.ItookoverbecauseAphroditewasabully,andshehadtobestopped.NowthatI'minchargeIwanttheDarkDaughterstobeagroupkidsarehonoredtobelongto.AndIdon'tmeanjustalittleselectcliqueofkids,likewhenAphroditewastheleader.TheDarkDaughtersandSonsshouldbehardtogetintoanditshouldbeselect.Butnotbecauseonlythecurrentleader'sfriendshaveachancetogetin.IwanttheDarkDaughtersandSonstobesomethingeveryoneisproudof,andIthinkbyallowingoneoftheoldgrouponmyCouncilI'llbesendingtherightmessage.”
"Oryou'llbelettingaviperintoourmidst,”Damiensaidquietly.
"CorrectmeifI'mwrong,Damien,butaren'tsnakescloselyalliedwithNyx?"Ispokequickly,followingtheintuitivefeelingthatwaspromptingme."Haven'ttheygottenabadreputationbecausehistoricallythey'vebeensymbolsoffemalepower,andmenwantedtotakethatpowerawayfromwomenandmakeitsomethingdisgustingandscaryinstead?”
"No,you'reright,"hesaidreluctantly,"butthatdoesn'tmeanlettingoneofAphrodite'sgangintoourCouncilisagoodidea.”
"See,that'sthepoint.Idon'twantittojustbeourCouncil.Iwantittobesomethingthatbecomesatraditionwiththeschool.Somethingthatlastsbeyondus.”
"Soyoumeanifanyofusdon'tmakeitthroughtheChange,foundingthisnewkindofDarkDaughterswillbelikewe'velivedon,"StevieRaesaid,andIcouldseethatshe'dcapturedtheinter estoftherestofthem.
"That'sexactlywhatImeant—eventhoughIdon'tthinkIre alizedituntilthissecond,"Isaidinarush.
"Well,Ilikethatpartofit,eventhoughIhavenointentionofdrowninginmyownbloodylungs,”Erinsaid.
"Ofcourseyouwon't,Twin:It'samuchtoounattractivewaytodie.”
"Idon'twanttoeventhinkaboutnotmakingitthroughtheChange,"Damiensaid,"butif—ifsomethingawfulweretohappentome,Iwouldwantsomethingaboutmetoliveonhereattheschool.”
"Couldwehaveplaques?"StevieRaeasked,andInoticedshewassuddenlylookingunusuallypale.
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"Plaques?"Ihadnocluewhatshewastalkingabout.
"Yeah.Ithinkweshouldhaveaplaqueorsomethingthatrecordsthenamesofthe...the…whatdidyoucallthem?"
"Prefects,"Damiensaid.
"Yeah,Prefects.Theplaque,orwhatever,couldhavethenamesofeachyear'sPrefectCouncil,andit'llbedisplayedforeverandever.
"Yeah,”saidShaunee,warmingtotheidea."Butnotjustaplaque.Weneedsomethingcoolerthanjustaplainoldplaque."
"Somethingthat'sunique—likeus,"Erinsaid.
"Handprints,"Damiensaid.
"Huh?"Iasked.
"Ourhandprintsareunique.Whatifwemadecementcastsofeachofourhandprints,thensignedournamesbelowthem,"Damiensaid.
"LikethestarsdoinHollywood!"StevieRaesaid.
Okay,itseemedkindacheesy,whichmeantIcouldn'thelpbutlikeit.Theideawaslikeus—unique—cool—andborderingontacky.
"Ithinkhandprintsareanexcellentidea.Andyouknowwheretheperfectplaceforthemis?"Theylookedatmewithbright,happyeyes,theirworryaboutoneofAphrodite'sfriendsjoiningus,aswellastheprettymuchconstantfearofsuddendeathweallcarriedaroundwithus,temporarilyforgotten."Thecourtyardistheperfectplace.”
Thebellrang,callingusbacktoclass.IaskedStevieRaetotellourSpanishteacher,ProffeGarmy,thatIhadgonetoseeNeferet,soI'dbelate.Ireallywantedtotellheraboutmyideaswhiletheywerestillfreshinmymind.Itwouldn'ttakelong—I'djustgiveherabasicoutlineandseeifshelikedthedirectionIwasheading.Maybe...maybeI'devenaskhertocometotheFullMoonRit ualSunday,andbetherewhenIannouncedthenewselectionprocessformembershiptotheDarkDaughtersandSons.IwasthinkingabouthownervousI'dbeifNeferetwasthere,watchingmecastacircleandleadmyownritual,andwastellingmyselfsternlythatI'dhavetogetridofmynerves...thatitwasthebestthingfortheDarkDaughtersifNeferetwasthereshowinghersupportofmynewideasand—
"Butthat'swhatIsaw!"Aphrodite'svoice,carryingfromthecrackeddoorofNeferet'sclassroom,jarredmythoughtsandmademestopshort.Shesoundedawful—totallyupsetandmaybeevenscared.
"Ifyoursightisnobetterthanthat,thenperhapsit'stimeyouquitsharingwhatyouseewithothers."Neferet'svoicewasice,terrifying,cold,andhard.
"But,Neferet,youasked!AllIdidwastellyouwhatIsaw.”
WhatwasAphroditetalkingabout?Ah,hell.CouldshehaveruntoNeferetaboutseeingLorentouchmyface?Ilookedaroundthedesertedhall.Ishouldgetoutofhere,butnodamnwayIwasgoingtoleaveifthathagwastalkingaboutme—evenifitseemedNeferetwasn'tbelievinganythingshewassaying.Soinsteadofleaving(likeasmartgirl),Iwalkedquicklyandquietlyintotheshadowedcornernearthepartiallyopeneddoor.Andthen,thinkingfast,Itookoffoneofmysilverhoopearringsandtosseditintothecorner.IcomeandgofromNeferet'sclassroomalot—it'snotbeyondallreasonthatI'dbelookingforalostearringoutsideherdoor.
"YouknowwhatIwantyoutodo?"Neferet'swordsweresofilledwithangerandpowerthatIcouldfeelthemcrawlacrossmyskin."Iwantyoutolearntonotspeakofthingsthatarequestionable."Shedrewthewordout.Wasshetalking
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtaboutgossipingaboutLorenandme?
"I—Ijustwantedyoutoknow."Aphroditehadstartedcrying,andshechokedthewordsbetweensobs."Ith-thoughttheremightbesomethingyoucoulddotostopit.”
"Perhapsitwouldbewiserforyoutothinkthatbecauseofyourselfishactionsinthepast,Nyxiswithholdingherpowerfromyoubecauseyouarenolongerinherfavorandthatwhatyouarenowseeingarefalseimages.”
I'dneverheardthekindofcrueltythatfilledNeferet'svoice.Itdidn'tevensoundlikeher,anditscaredmeinawaythatwashardformetodefine.ThedayI'dbeenMarked,I'dhadanacci dentbeforeIgottotheHouseofNight.WhenIwasunconsciousI'dhadanout-of-bodyexperience,whichendedwithmemeet ingNyx.TheGoddesstoldmethatshehadspecialplansforme,andthenshekissedmyforehead.WhenIwokeupmyMarkhadbeenfilledin.Ihadapowerfulconnectionwiththeelements(al thoughIdidn'trealizethattillmuchlater),andIalsohadaweirdnewgutfeelingthatsometimestoldmetosayordocertainthings—andsometimestoldmeveryclearlytokeepmymouthshut.RightnowmygutfeelingwastellingmethatNeferet'sangerwasallwrong,evenifitwasinresponsetoAphrodite'smaliciousgossipaboutme.
"Pleasedon'tsaythat,Neferet!"Aphroditesobbed."Pleasedon'ttellmethatNyxhasrejectedme!”
"Idon'thavetotellyouanything.Searchwithinyoursoul.Whatisittellingyou?”
IfNeferethadspokenthewordsgently,theymighthavebeennothingmorethanawiseteacher,orpriestess,givingsomeonewhowastroubledsomedirection—asinlookinsideyourselftofind,andfix,theproblem.ButNeferet'svoicewascoldandsneer ingandcruel.
"It's—it'stellingmethatI've—I've,uh,madem-mistakes,butnotthattheGoddesshatesme.”
Aphroditewascryingsomuchthatshewasgettingharderandhardertounderstand.
"Thenyoushouldlookcloser.”
Aphrodite'ssobswerewrenching.Icouldn'tlistenanymore.Leavingmyearring,Ifollowedmygutandgotthehelloutofthere.
CHAPTERFIVE
MystomachhurtallthroughtherestofSpanishclass,somuchsothatIevenfiguredouthowtoaskProffeGarmy,"puedoitalbaño,"andspentsomuchtimeinthebathroomthatStevieRaefollowedmeinthereaskingwhatwaswrong.
IknowIwasworryingthehelloutofher—Imean,ifafledg lingstartslookingsick,thattendstomeanthatshe'sdying.AndI'mpositiveIlookedawful.ItoldStevieRaethatIwasgettingmyperiodandthecrampswerekillingme—althoughnotliterally.Shedidn'tseemconvinced.
Iwasincrediblygladtogettomylastclassoftheweek,Eques trianStudies.NotonlydidIlovetheclass,butitalwayscalmedme.ThisweekI'dgraduatedtoactuallycanteringPersephone,thehorsethatLenobia(noproftitleforher,shesaidthenameoftheancientvampyrequeenwastitleenough)hadassignedtomethefirstweekofclass,andpracticedchangingleads.Iworkedwiththebeautifulmareuntilbothofusweresweatingandmystomachfeltalittle
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtbetter,thenItookmytimecoolingheroffandgroomingher,notcaringthatthebellhadsignaledtheendoftheschooldayagoodhalfanhourbeforeIemergedfromherstall.Iwenttotheimmaculatelykepttackroomtoputawaythecurrycombs,andwassurprisedtoseeLenobiasittingonachairoutsidethedoor.ShewasrubbingsaddlesoapintowhatlookedlikeanalreadyspotlesslycleanEnglishsaddle.
Lenobiawasstriking-looking,evenforavampyre.Shehadamazinghairthatreachedherwaistandwassoblonditwasal mostwhite.Hereyeswereaweirdcolorofgray,likeastormysky.Shewastiny,andcarriedherselflikeaprimaballerina.Hertattoowasanintricateseriesofknotsentwiningaroundherface—withinthesapphiredesignhorsesplungedandreared.
"Horsescanhelpusworkthroughourproblems,"shesaidwithoutlookingupfromthesaddle.
Iwasn'tsurewhattosay.IlikedLenobia.Okay,whenIstartedherclassshehadscaredme;shewastoughandsarcastic,butafterIgottoknowher(andprovedIunderstoodhorseswerenotjustbigdogs),I'dcometoappreciateherwitandherno-nonsenseat titude.Actually,nexttoNeferet,shewasmyfavoriteteacher,butsheandIhadn'tevertalkedaboutanythingexcepthorses.So,hesitantly,Ifinallysaid,"Persephonemakesmefeelcalm,evenwhenIdon'tfeelcalm.Doesthatmakeanysense?”
Shelookedupatmethen,hergrayeyesshadowedwithcon cern."Itmakesperfectsense."Shepaused,andthenadded,"You'vebeengivenmanyresponsibilitiesinaveryshortamountoftime,Zoey.”
"Idon'treallymind,"Iassuredher."Imean,beingleaderoftheDarkDaughtersisanhonor.”
"Oftenthingsthatbringusthemosthonorcanalsobringusthemostproblems."ShepausedagainandmaybeIwasimagin ingit,butsheseemedtobetryingtodecidewhethertosaymoreornot.Thenshedrewheralreadystraightspineupevenstraighterandcontinued."Neferetisyourmentor,anditisonlyrightthatyougotoherwithyourconfidences,butsometimesHighPriest essescanbedifficulttotalkwith.Iwantyoutoknowthatyoucancometome—aboutanything.”
Iblinkedinsurprise."Thankyou,Lenobia.”
"I'llputtheseupforyou.Runalong.I'msureyourfriendsarewonderingwhathashappenedtoyou.”Shesmiledandreachedouttotakethecurrycombsfromme."AndfeelfreetocomebythebarntovisitPersephoneanytime.Ihaveoftenfoundthatgroom ingahorsecansomehowmaketheworldseemlesscomplex.”
"Thankyou,"Isaidagain.
AsIleftthebarnIcouldswearthatIheardhercallsoftlyaftermesomethingthatsoundedalotlikeMayNyxblessandwatchoveryou.Butthatwasjusttooweird.Ofcourse,itwasalsotooweirdthatshehadsaidIcouldtalktoher.Fledglingsformedspe cialbondswiththeirmentors—andIhadanextra-specialmen torintheHighPriestessoftheschool.Sure,welikedtheothervamps,butifakidhadaproblemshecouldn'tsolveonherown,thekidtookthatproblemtohisorhermentor.Always.
Thewalkfromthestablestothedormwasn'talongone,butItookmytime,tryingtostretchoutthesenseofpeaceworkingwithPersephonehadgivenme.Imeanderedoffthesidewalkalittle,headingtowardtheoldtreesthatlinedtheeasternsideofthethickwallsurroundingtheschoolgrounds.Itwasalmostfouro'clock(A.M.,ofcourse),andthedeepnessofthenightwasbeau tifullitbythefatsettingmoon.
I'dforgottenhowmuchIlovedwalkingoutherebytheschoolwall.Actually,I'davoidedcomingouthereforthepastmonth.EversinceI'dseen—orthoughtI'dseen—thetwoghosts.
"Mee-uf-ow!”
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"Crap,Nala!Don'tscaremelikethat."MyheartwasbeatinglikecrazyasIliftedmycatintomyarmsandpettedherwhileshecomplainedatme."Hello—youcouldhavebeenaghost."Nalapeeredatmeandthensneezedrightinmyface,whichItookashercommentonthepossibilityofherbeingaghost.
Okay,thefirst"sighting"mighthavebeenaghost.I'dbeenoutherethedayafterElizabethhaddiedlastmonth.She'dbeenthefirstoftwofledglingdeathstoshaketheschool.Well,moreaccu rately,toshakeme.Asfledglingswhocould—anyofus—dropdeadatanytimeduringthefouryearsittookthephysiologicalChangefromhumantovampyretohappenwithinourbodies,theschoolexpectedustodealwithdeathasjustanotherfactoffledglinglife.Sayaprayerortwoforthedeadkid.Lightacandle.Whatever.Justgetoveritandgoonwithyourbusiness.
Itstillseemedwrongtome,butmaybethatwasbecauseIwasonlyamonthintotheChangeandstillmoreusedtobeinghu manthanvamp,orevenfledgling.
IsighedandscratchedNala'sears.Anyway,thenightafterEliz abeth'sdeathI'dcaughtaglimpseofsomethingthatIthoughtwasElizabeth.Orherghost,'causeshewasdefinitelydead.Soitwasnomorethanaglimpse,andStevieRaeandIhaddiscusseditwithoutreallydecidingwhatwasupwithit.Thetruthwasthatweknewalltoowellthatghostsexisted—theonesAphroditehadconjuredamonthagohadalmostkilledmyhumanex-boyfriend.SoImightverywellhaveseenElizabeth'snewlyfreedspirit.OfcourseImightalsohavecaughtaglimpseofafledglingand,be causeithadbeennightandI'donlybeenhereforafewdaysandhad,inthosefewdays,gonethroughallsortsofunbelievablecrap,Imighthaveimaginedthewholething.
Icametothewallandturnedtomyright,meanderingalongitinthedirectionthatwouldeventuallyleadmeneartherechall,andthen,inturn,thegirls'dorm.
"Butthesecondsightingdefinitelywasn'tmyimagination.Right,Nala?"Thecat'sanswerwastoburrowherfaceintothecornerofmyneckandpurrlikealawnmower.Isnuggledher,gladshe'dfollowedme.Justthinkingaboutthesecondghoststillfreakedmeout.Likenow,Nalahadbeenwithme.(Thesimilaritymademeglancenervouslyaroundandstepupmymeandering.)
IthadnotbeenlongafterthesecondkidhaddrownedinhisownlungtissueandbledoutrightinfrontofmyLitclass.Ishud dered,rememberinghowawfulithadbeen—especiallybecauseofmygrossattractiontohisblood.Anyway,I'dwatchedElliottdie.ThenlaterthatdayNalaandIhadrunintohim(almostlit erally)notfarfromwherewewererightnow.I'dthoughthewasanotherghost.Atfirst.Thenhe'dtriedtoattackme,andNala(preciouskitten)hadlaunchedherselfathim,whichhadmadehimleapoverthetwenty-footwallanddisappearintothenight,leavingNalaandmetotallyfreakedout.EspeciallyafterInoticedthatmycathadbloodalloverherpaws.Theghost'sblood.Whichmadenodamnsense.
ButIhadn'tmentionedthissecondsightingtoanyone.NotmybestfriendandroommateStevieRae,notmymentorandHighPriestessNeferet,notmytotallydeliciousnewboyfriend,Erik.Noone.I'dmeantto.ButthenallthestuffhadhappenedwithAphrodite...I'dtakenovertheDarkDaughters…starteddatingErik...beenextremelybusywithschool…blah,blah,onethingledtoanotherandhereIwasamonthlaterandIhadn'tsaidany thingtoanyone.Justthinkingabouttellingsomeonenowsoundedlameinmyownmind.Hey,StevieRae/Neferet/Damien/Twins/Erik,IsawthespecterofElliottlastmonthafterhe'ddiedandhe'dbeenreallyscaryandwhenhetriedtoattackmeNalamadehimbleed.Oh,andhisbloodsmelledallwrong.Believeme.I'mwayintogood-smellingblood(justanotherfreakishthingaboutme,mostfledglingshavenobloodlust).JustthoughtI'dmentionit.
Yeah,right.They'dprobablywanttosendmetothevampequivalentofashrink,andoh,boy,wouldn'tthathelpmetoin stillconfidenceinthemassesasthenewleaderoftheDarkDaughters?Nothardly.
Plus,themoretimepassed,theeasieritwasformetoconvincemyselfthat
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtmaybeI'dimaginedsomeoftheElliottencounter.
Maybeithadn'tbeenElliott(orhisghostorwhatever).Ididn'tknoweverysingleoneofthefledglingshere.Therecouldbean otherkidherewhohadugly,bushyredhairandpudgy,toowhiteskin.Sure,Ihadn'tseenthatkidagain,butstill.Andabouttheweird-smellingblood.Well,maybesomefledglingshadweird-smellingblood.LikeIcouldpossiblybeanexpertinonemonth?Alsoboth"ghosts"hadglowingredeyes.Whathadthatbeenabout?
Thewholethingwasgivingmeaheadache.
Ignoringthejumpy,spookyfeelingthisentirechainofthoughtwascausing,Istartedtoturnresolutelyfromthewall(andfromthesubjectofghostsandsuch)whenamovementcaughtatthecornerofmyeye.Ifroze.Itwasashape.Abody.Itwassomebody.ThepersonwasstandingundertheenormousoldoakI'dfoundNalainlastmonth.Hisorherbackwastome,andheorshewasleaningagainstthetree,headbowed.
Good.Ithasn'tseenme.Ididn'twanttoknowwhoorwhatitwas.ThetruthwasthatIalreadyhadenoughstressinmylife.Ididn'tneedtheadditionofghostsofanytype.(And,Ipromisedmyself,thistimeIwasgoingtotellNeferetabouttheweirdlybleedingghoststhathungoutbytheschool'swall.Shewasolder.Shecoulddealwiththestress.)HeartpoundingsoloudthatIswearthesoundofitwasdrowningoutNala'spurr,Islowlyandquietlystartedbackingaway,tellingmyselffirmlythatIwasnevergoingtowalkouthereinthemiddleofthenightaloneagain.Ever.WhatwasI,mentallyimpaired?Whycouldn'tIlearnthefirst,oreventhesecondtime?
Thenmyfootcamedownsquarelyinthemiddleofadrybranch.Crack!Igasped.Nalagrumbledaveryloudcomplaint(Iwasinadvertentlysquashinghertomybosom).Theheadofthefigureunderthetreesnappedupanditturnedaround.Itensedtogetreadytoeitherscreamandrunfromared-eyedmalevolentghost,ortoscreamandfightared-eyedmalevolentghost.Eitherwayascreamwoulddefinitelybeinvolved,soIsuckedinairand "Zoey?Isthatyou?”
Thevoicewasdeep,sexy,andalreadyfamiliar."Loren?"
"Whatareyoudoingouthere?”
Hemadenomovetocomeclosertome,sooutofpureawk wardfidgetingIgrinnedasifIhadn'tbeenscaredpoo-lessjustsecondsago,shruggednonchalantly,andjoinedhimunderthetree."Hi,"Isaid,tryingtosoundgrown.ThenIrememberedthathe'daskedmeaquestionandIwasgladthatitwasdarkenoughthatmyblushwasn'ttotallyobvious."Oh,IwaswalkingbackfromthestablesandNalaandIdecidedtotakealong-cut."Along-cut?HadIreallysaidthat?
Ithoughthe'dlookedtensewhenI'dwalkeduptohim,butthismadehimlaughandhiscompletelygorgeousfacerelaxed."Along-cut,huh?Helloagain,Nala."Hescratchedthetopofherheadandsherudely,buttypically,grumbledathimandthenleapedneatlyfrommyarmstotheground,shookherself,andstillgrumbling,paddeddelicatelyaway.
"Sorry.She'snotverysociable.”
Hesmiled."Don'tworryaboutit.Mycat,Wolverine,remindsmeofagrumpyoldman.”
"Wolverine?"Iraisedmyeyebrows.
Hisgorgeoussmilewentallcrookedandboylikeand,unbe lievably,itmadehimevenmorehandsome."Yeah,Wolverine.HechosemeashiswhenIwasathirdformer.ThatwastheyearIwascompletelyintotheX-Men.”
"Thatnamecouldaccountforwhyhe'ssogrumpy.”
"Well,itcouldhavebeenworse.TheyearbeforeIcouldn'tstopwatchingSpider-Man.HecamewithinaninchofbeingSpideyorPeterParker.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Clearly,you'reagreatburdenforyourcattobear.”
"Wolverinewouldmostdefinitelyagreewithyou!"HelaughedagainandItriedhardnottolethisoverwhelminghotnessmakemegigglehystericallylikeapre-teenataboybandconcert.Iwas,forthemoment,actuallyflirtingwithhim!Remaincalm.Don'tsayordoanythingidiotic.
"So,whatareyoudoingwayouthere?"Iasked,ignoringmymindbabble.
"Writinghaiku."HeliftedhishandandInoticedforthefirsttimethathewasholdingoneofthosecool,ultra-expensiveleather-boundwriter'sjournals."Ifindinspirationbeingouthere,alone,inthehoursbeforedawn.”
"Oh,gosh!I'msorry.Ididn'tmeantointerruptyou.I'lljustsaybyeandleaveyoualone."Iwaved(likeadork)andstartedtoturnaway,buthecaughtmywristwithhisfreehand.
"Youdon'thavetogo.Ifindinspirationinmorethingsthanbeingoutherealone.”
HishandwaswarmagainstmywristandIwonderedifhecouldfeelmypulsejump.
"Well,Idon'twanttobotheryou.”
"Don'tworryaboutthat.You'renotbotheringme."Hesqueezedmywristbefore(sadly)lettingitgo.
"Okay,so.Haiku."HistouchhadleftmeridiculouslyflusteredandItriedtoregainmyfaçadeofgoodsense."That'sAsianpo etrywithasetmetercount,right?”
HissmilemademeeversogladI'dactuallypaidattentioninMrs.Wienecke'sEnglishclasslastyearduringthepoetryunit.
"That'sright.Ipreferthefive-seven-fiveformat.”Hepausedandhissmilechanged.Somethingaboutitmademystomachdoalittleflutterything,andhisdark,beautifuleyeslockedonmine."Speakingofinspiration—youcouldhelpmeout.”
"Sure,I'dbehappyto,"Isaid,gladIdidn'tsoundasbreathlessasIfelt.
Stilllookingintomyeyes,heliftedhishandsothatitbrushedmyshoulder."NyxhasMarkedyouthere.”
Itdidn'tsoundlikeaquestion,butInodded."Yes.”
"Iwouldliketoseeit.Ifitwouldn'tmakeyoutoouncomfort able.”
Hisvoiceshiveredthroughme.Logicwastellingmethathewasonlyaskingtoseemytattoosbecauseofhowfreakishlydif ferenttheyare,andthathewasinnowaycomingontome.TohimImustseemnothingmorethanachild—akid—afledglingwithweirdMarksandunusualpowers.That'swhatlogicwastellingme.Buthiseyes,hisvoice,thewayhishandwasstillca ressingmyshoulder—thosethingsweretellingmesomethingcompletelydifferent.
"I'llshowittoyou.”
Iwaswearingmyfavoritejacket—blacksuedeandcuttofitmeperfectly.UnderitIhadonadeeppurpletank.(Yes,it'stheendofNovember,butIdon'tfeelthecoldlikeIdidbeforeIwasMarked.Noneofusdo.)Istartedtoshrugoutofthejacket.
"Here,letmehelpyou.”
Hewasstandingveryclosetome,infrontandtotheside.Hereachedupwithhisrighthand,caughtthecollarofmyjacketwithhisfingers,andsliditoveranddownmyshouldersothatitpooledaroundmyelbows.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtLorenshouldbelookingatmypartiallybareshoulder,gawk ingatthetattoostherethatnotoneotherfledglingorvampyrethatIknewofhadeverhad.Buthewasn't.Hewasstillstaringintomyeyes.Andsuddenlysomethinghappenedwithinme.Istoppedfeelinglikeagoofy,jittery,dorkyteenagegirl.Thelookinhiseyestouchedthewomaninsideme,awakeningher,andasthisnewmestirredIfoundacalmconfidenceinmyselfthatIhadrarelyknownbefore.Slowly,Ireachedupandpushedthesmallstrapofmyribbedcottontankovermyshouldersothatitjoinedmyhalf-discardedjacket.Then,stillmeetinghiseyes,Isweptmylonghairoutoftheway,liftedmychin,andturnedmybodyslightly,givinghimaclearviewofthebackofmyshoulder,whichwasnowcompletelybareexceptfortheslimlineofmyblackbra.
Hecontinuedtomeetmygazeforseveralmoreseconds,andIcouldfeelthecoolbreathofthenightairandthecaressofthenearlyfullmoonontheexposedskinofmybreastandshoulderandback.Verydeliberately,Lorenmovedevenclosertome,hold ingmyupperarmwhilehelookedatthebackofmyshoulder.
"It'sincredible."Hisvoicewassolowitwasalmostawhisper.Ifelthisfingertiplightlytracethelabyrinthlikespiralpatternthatwas,exceptfortheexotic-lookingrunesinterspersedaroundthespirals,muchlikemyfacialMark."I'veneverseenanythinglikethis.It'sasifyou'reanancientpriestesswhohasmaterializedinourtime.Howblessedwearetohaveyou,ZoeyRedbird.”
Hesaidmynamelikeaprayer.Hisvoicemixedwithhistouchmademeshiverasgoosebumpsliftedonmyskin.
"I'msorry.Youmustbecold."Gently,butquickly,Lorenpulledupmytankstrapandmyjacket.
"Iwasn'tshiveringbecauseIwascold."Iheardmyselfsaythewords,andcouldn'tdecideifIshouldbeproudofmyselforshockedatmyboldness.
"Creamandsilkasone
HowIlongtotasteandtouch
Themoonwatchesus.”
Hiseyesneverleftmineasherecitedthepoem.Hisvoice,whichwasusuallysopracticed,soperfect,hadgonealldeepandrough,likehewashavingahardtimespeaking.Asifhisvoicehadtheabilitytoheatme,IwassoflushedthatIcouldfeelmybloodpoundingfieryriversthroughmybody.Mythighstingledanditwashardtocatchmybreath.IfhekissesmeImightexplode.Thethoughtshockedmeintospeaking."Didyouwritethatjustnow?"ThistimemyvoicesoundedasbreathlessasIfelt.
Heshookhisheadslightly,asmilebarelytouchinghislips."No.ItwaswrittencenturiesagobyanancientJapanesepoetabouthowhisloverlookednakedunderthefullmoon.”
"It'sbeautiful,"Isaid.
"You'rebeautiful,"hesaid,andcuppedmycheekinhishand."Andtonightyouhavebeenmyinspiration.Thankyou.”
Icouldfeelmyselfleaningintohim,andIswearhisbodyre sponded.Imaynotbehighlyexperienced.And,hellyes,I'mstillavirgin.ButI'mnotanuttermoron(mostofthetime).Iknowwhenaguyisintome.Andthisguy—forthatmoment—wasdef initelyintome.Icoveredhishandwithmyown,andforgettingabouteverything,includingErikandthefactthatLorenwasanadultvampandIwasafledgling,Iwilledhimtokissme,willedhimtotouchmemore.Westaredateachother.Wewerebothbreathinghard.Then,withinthespaceofaninstant,hiseyesflickeredandchangedfromdarkandintimatetodarkanddis tant.Hedroppedhishandfrommyfaceandmovedastepback.Ifelthiswithdrawallike
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtanicywind.
"Itwasnicetoseeyou,Zoey.AndthanksagainforallowingmetolookatyourMark.”Hissmilewaspoliteandproper.Hegavemealittlenodthatwasalmostaformalbow,andthenhewalkedaway.
Ididn'tknowwhetherIshouldscreaminfrustration,cryinembarrassment,orgrowlandbepissed.Frowningandmutteringtomyself,Iignoredthefactthatmyhandswereshakingandmarchedbacktothedorm.ThiswasdefinitelyanI-need-my-best-friendemergency.
CHAPTERSIX
Stillmumblingtomyselfaboutmenandmixedmessages,Ien teredthefrontroomofthedormandwasn'tsurprisedtoseeSte vieRaeandtheTwinsclusteredtogetherwatchingoneoftheTVs.Clearly,they'dbeenwaitingforme.Ifeltanincrediblewashofrelief.Ididn'twantthewholeworld(translation—theTwinsand/orDamien)toknowwhathadjusthappened,butIwasgo ingtotellStevieRaeeverysingle,tiny,juicydetailaboutLoren—andletherhelpmefigureoutwhatthehellallofitmeant.
"Uh,StevieRae,I'mcluelessaboutour,uh,Socpaperthat'sdueMonday.Maybeyoucouldhelpmewithit.Imean,itwon'ttaketoolongand—"Istarted,butStevieRaeinterruptedmewithouttakinghereyesfromtheTV.
"Wait,Z,comehere.Yougottaseethis."ShemotionedmeovertotheTV.TheTwins'eyesweregluedtothescreen,too.
IfrownedwhenInoticedhowtensetheyalllooked,causingthesubjectofLorento(temporarily)slidefrommymind."What'sgoingon?"TheywerewatchingarebroadcastofthelocalFox23eveningnews.CheraKimiko,theanchor,wastalkingandsomefamiliarpicturesofWoodwardParkwereflashingonthescreen."It'shardtobelievethatCheraisn'tavamp.Sheisabnormallygorgeous,"Isaidautomatically.
"Shushandlistentowhatshe'ssaying,"StevieRaesaid.
Continuingtobesurprisedbyhowweirdtheywereacting,Ishushedandlistened.
"So,torepeatourleadstorytonight—thesearchcontinuesforUnionHighSchoolteenagerChrisFord.Theseventeen-year-olddisappearedyesterdayafterfootballpractice."ThepictureonthescreenwasashotofChrisinhisfootballuniform.Iletoutalittleyelpasthenameandfaceregistered.
"Hey—Iknowhim!”
"That'swhyIcalledyouoverhere,"StevieRaesaid.
"SearchpartiesarecombingtheareaaroundUticaSquareandWoodwardPark,whichiswherehewaslastseen.”
"That'sreallyclosetohere,"Isaid.
"Shush!"Shauneesaid.
"Weknow!"Erinsaid.
"SofartherearenoleadsastowhyhewasintheWoodwardParkarea.Chris'smothersaidshedidn'tevenknowhersonknewthewaytoWoodwardPark,she'sneverknownhimtogotherebe fore.Mrs.Fordalsosaidthatsheexpectedhimhomerightafterfootballpractice.Hehasnowbeenmissingformorethan
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txttwenty-fourhours.Ifanyonehasanyinformationthatmighthelpthepo licelocateChris,pleasecallCrimeStoppers.Youmayremainanonymous.”
Cherawentontoanotherstoryandeveryoneunfroze."So,youknowhim?"Shauneeasked.
"Yeah,butnotrealwell.Imean,he'soneofUnion'sstarrun ningbacksandwhenIwaskindasortadatingHeath—youguysknowhe'sBrokenArrow'squarterback?”
Theynoddedimpatiently.
"Well,heusedtodragmetopartieswithhim,andallthefoot balljockskneweachother,soChrisandhiscousinJonwereatabunchofthem.Rumorhasitthey'vegraduatedfromgettingtrashedoncheapbeertogettingtrashedoncheapbeerwhiletheypassaroundnastyjoints."IlookedatShaunee,whohadbeenshowinganunusualamountofinterestinthenewscast."Andbe foreyouask,yes,heisascuteinreallifeashewasinhispicture.”
"Damnshamewhensomethingbadhappenstoacutebrother,"Shauneesaid,shakingherheadsadly.
"Damnshamewhensomethinghappenstoanycuteguy—nomatterwhatcolor,Twin,”Erinsaid."Weshouldn'tdiscriminate.Cutenessiscuteness.”
"You'reright,asusual,Twin.”
"Idon'tlikemarijuana,”StevieRaepipedin."Itsmellsbad.Itrieditonceanditmademecoughmyheadoffandburnedmythroat.PlusIgotsomeoftheweedinmymouth.Itwasjustnasty.”
"Wedon'tdougly,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,andpot'sugly.Plusitmakesyoueatfornogoodreason.It'sashamethehottiefootballplayersareintothat,"Erinsaid.
"Makesthemlesshottie,"Shauneesaid.
"Okay,hottie-nessandpotarenotreallythepoint,”Isaid."Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthiswholedisappearancething.”
"Oh,no,"StevieRaesaid.
"Wellshit,"Shauneesaid.
"Ireallyhateitwhenshegetsoneofthosefeelings,”Erinsaid.
AllanyofuscouldtalkaboutwasChris'sdisappearanceandhowbizarreitwasthathehadlastbeenseensoclosetotheHouseofNight.Incomparisontoakidbeingmissing,mylittledrama-traumawithLorenseemedinsignificant.Imean,IstillwantedtotellatleastStevieRaeaboutit,butIcouldn'tseemtoconcentrateenoughonanythingbutthesuckingblackfeelingthathadfilledmesinceI'dseenthenews.
Chrisisdead.Ididn'twanttobelieveit.Ididn'twanttoknowit.Buteverythinginsidemesaidthatthekidwouldbefound,buthe'dbefounddead.
WemetDamieninthedininghall,andeveryone'sconversa tionwascenteredaroundChrisandtheoriesabouthisdisappear ance,whichrangedfromtheTwins'insistencethat"thehottieprobablyhadafightwithhisparentalunitsandhe'soffdrinkingcheapbeersomewhere"toDamien'sfirmbeliefthathemighthavediscoveredhomosexualtendenciesandhadtakenoffforNewYorkCitytofulfillhisdreamofbeingagaymodel.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIdidn'thaveatheory.AllIhadwasaterriblefeeling,whichIwasn'twillingtotalkabout.
Naturally,Icouldn'teat.Mystomachwaskillingme.Again."You'repickingatyourexcellentfood,"Damiensaid.
"I'mjustnothungry.”
"That'swhatyousaidatlunch.”
"Okay,well,I'msayingitagain!"Isnapped,andwasinstantlysorrywhenDamienlookedhurtandfrowneddownathisyummybowlofVietnamesenoodlesaladcalledBunChaGio.TheTwinsraisedoneeyebroweachatme,andthenwentbacktofocusingonusingchopstickscorrectly.StevieRaejuststaredatme,silentworryclearonherface.
"Here.Ifoundthis.Ihaveafeelingit'syours.”
Aphroditedroppedthesilverhoopbesidemyplate.Ilookedupatherperfectface.Itwasweirdlyexpressionless,aswashervoice.
"So,isityours?”
Ireachedupautomaticallyandtoucheditsmate,whichwasstillinmyear.I'dforgottenallaboutthatI'ddroppedthedamnthingsothatIcouldpretendtofinditwhileIeavesdroppedonAphroditeandNeferet.Crap."Yes.Thankyou.”
"Don'tmentionit.Guessyou'renottheonlyonewhohasfeel ingsaboutthings,huh?”
Sheturnedandwalkedoutofthedininghallthroughtheglassdoorsandintothecourtyard.Eventhoughshewascarryingatraywithheruneatendinneronit,shedidn'tevenpausetolookatthetablewhereherfriendssat.Inoticedthattheyglancedupasshepassed,butthentheylookedhastilyaway.Noneofthemmethereyes.Aphroditeateoutsideinthedimlylitcourtyardwhereshe'dbeeneatingformostofthepastmonth.Alone.
"Okay,sheisjustweird,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,weirdasinpsychobitchfromhell,"Erinsaid.
"Herownfriendswon'thaveanythingtodowithher,"Isaid.
"Stopfeelingsorryforher!"StevieRaesaid,soundinguncharacteristicallypissedoff."She'strouble,can'tyouseethat?”
"Ididn'tsayshewasn't,"Isaid."Ijustcommentedthatevenherfriendshaveturnedtheirbacksonher.”
"Didwemisssomething?"Shauneeasked.
"What'sgoingonwithyouandAphrodite?"Damienaskedme.
IopenedmymouthtotellthemaboutwhatI'doverheardear lier,andwassilencedbyNeferet'ssmooth,"Zoey,Ihopeyoudon'tmindifIpullyouawayfromyourfriendstonight.”
Ilookedslowlyupather,almostscaredaboutwhatImightsee.Imean,lasttimeIheardhervoiceshehadsoundedincrediblyhatefulandcold.Myeyesliftedtohers.Theyweremossgreenandbeautifulandherkindsmilewasjuststartingtolookworried.
"Zoey?Issomethingwrong?”
"No!I'msorry.Mymindwaswandering.”
"I'dlikeyoutohavedinnerwithmetonight.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Oh,sure.Ofcourse.Noproblem;I'dlikethat."IrealizedIwasbabbling,buttheredidn'tseemtobeanythingIcoulddoaboutit.Ihopeditwouldeventuallystop.Kindalikehowyoucan'thavediarrheaforever—iteventuallyhastostop.
"Good."Shesmiledatmyfourfriends."IneedtoborrowZoey,butIwillreturnhersoon.”
Thefourofthemgaveherhero-worshipinggrinsandquickassurancesthattheywerecoolwithwhatever.
Iknowit'sridiculous,buttheireasyreleaseofmemademefeelabandonedandinsecure.Butthat'sstupid.Neferetismymentor,andHighPriestessofNyx.She'soneofthegoodguys.
SowhywasmystomachclenchingasIfollowedheroutofthedininghall?
Iglancedovermyshoulderatmygroup.Theywerealreadytalkingaway.Damienwasholdinguphischopsticks,obviouslygivingtheTwinsanotherlessoninhowtomaneuverthem.StevieRaewasdemonstratingforhim.Ifelteyesonmeandlookedfromthemtothewallofglassthatseparatedthediningareaandthecourtyard.Sittingaloneinthenight,Aphroditewaswatchingmewithanexpressionthatmightalmostbepity.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Thevamps'dininghallwasn'tacafeteria.Itwasaverycoolroomthatwasdirectlyabovethestudents'dininghall.It,too,hadawallofarchedwindows.Wrought-irontablesandchairsweresetuponthebalconythatoverlookedthecourtyardbelow.Therestoftheroomwastastefullyandexpensivelydecoratedwithavarietyofdifferentsizetablesandevenafewboothsmadeofdarkcherry-wood.Therewerenotrayshereandnoserve-yourselfbuffets.Linens,china,andcrystalweresettastefullyonthetables,andlong,thinwhitetapersburnedhappilyincrystalholders.Therewereafewprofessorseatinginquietcouplesorsmallgroups.TheynoddedatNeferetrespectfullyandsmiledquickwelcomestomebeforegoingbacktotheirmeals.
Itriedtogawkatwhattheywereeatingwithoutbeingtooobvious,butallIsawwasthesameVietnamesesaladwe'dbeeneatingdownstairs,andsomefancy-lookingspringrolls.Therewasn'tonesignofrawmeatoranythingthatresembledblood(well,exceptfortheredwine).And,ofcourse,Ireallydidn'tneedtobotheraboutgawking.Ifthey'dbeenfeastingonbloodywhat everIwouldhavesmelledit.Iwasintimatelyfamiliarwiththedeliciousscentofblood...
"Wouldthecoolnightbotheryouifwesatoutsideonthebal cony?"Neferetasked.
"No,Idon'tthinkso.Idon'tfeelthecoldlikeIusedto."Ismiledbrightlyather,remindingmyselfseverelythatshe'sanin tuitiveandshewasprobably"hearing"piecesofthestupidstuffcascadingthroughmymind.
"Good,Ipreferdiningonthebalconyinallseasons."Sheledmethroughthedoorstoatablealreadysetfortwo.Aservermag icallyappeared—obviouslyavampyrebyherfilled-inMarkandtheseriesofslimtattoosthatframedherheart-shapedface,butshelookedreallyyoung."Yes,bringmetheBunChaGioandapitcherofthesameredwineIhadlastnight."Shepaused,andthenwithasecretsmiletomeadded,"AndpleasebringZoeyaglassofanybrownpopwehave,solongasitisn'tdiet.”
"Thankyou,"Itoldher.
"Justtrynottodrinktoomuchofthatstuff.It'sreallynotgoodforyou."She
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtwinkedatme,makingheradmonishmentalittlejoke.
Igrinnedather,happythatsherememberedwhatIlike,andIstartedtofeelmorerelaxed.ThiswasNeferet—ourHighPriest ess.ShewasmymentorandmyfriendandinthemonthI'dbeenhereshe'dneverbeenanythingbutkindtome.Yes,she'dsoundedscaryashellwhenIoverheardherwithAphrodite,butNeferetwasapowerfulPriestess,andasStevieRaekeptremindingme,Aphroditewasaselfishbullywhodeservedtobeintrouble.Hell!She'dprobablybeengossipingaboutme.
"Feelingbetter?"Neferetsaid.
Imethereyes.Shewasstudyingmecarefully.
"Yeah,Iam.”
"WhenIheardaboutthemissinghumanteenagerIbegantoworryaboutyou.ThisChrisFordwasafriendofyours,wasn'the?”
Nothingshesaidshouldsurpriseme.NeferetwasincrediblysmartandgiftedbytheGoddess.Addtothattheweirdsixthsenseallthevampshad,andmorethanlikelysheknewliterallyeverything(oratleasteverythingimportant).Ithadprobablybeeneasy-peasyforhertoknowthatI'dhadmyownintuitivefeelingaboutChris'sdisappearance.
"Well,hewasn'treallyafriendofmine.We'vebeenatsomeofthesameparties,butIdon'treallyliketoparty,soIdidn'tknowhimthatwell.”
"Butsomethingabouthisdisappearancehasupsetyou.”
Inodded."It'sjustafeelingIhave.It'ssilly.Heprobablyhadafightwithhisparentsandhisdadgroundedhimorsomethinglikethat,sohetookoff.Morethanlikelyhe'salreadyhome.”
"Ifyoureallybelievedthatyouwouldn'tstillfeelsoworried."Neferetwaiteduntiltheserverfinishedgivingusourdrinksandfoodbeforeshesaidmore."Humansbelievethatadultvampyresareallpsychic.Thetruthisthatthoughmanyofusdohaveagiftforprecognitionorclairvoyance,thevastmajorityofourpeoplehavesimplylearnedtolistentotheirintuition—whichissome thingmosthumanshavebeenfrightenedoutofdoing."Hertonewasmuchlikeitwasinherclassroom,andIlistenedtoherea gerlywhileweate."Thinkaboutit,Zoey.You'reagoodstudent—I'msureyourememberfromyourhistoryclasseswhathashistoricallyhappenedtohumans,especiallyfemalehumans,whentheypaytoomuchattentiontotheirintuitionandbegin`hearingvoicesintheirhead'orevenforeseeingthefuture.”
"Theywereusuallythoughtofasinleaguewiththedevil,orwhatnot,dependingonwhattimeitwasinhistory.Bottomlinewastheycaughthellforit."ThenIblushedbecauseI'dsaidtheHwordinfrontofateacher,butshedidn'tseemtocare,shewasjustnoddinginagreementwithme.
"Yes,exactly.Theyevenattackedholypeople,liketheirJoanofArc.Soyouseethathumanshavelearnedtosilencetheirin stincts.Vampyres,ontheotherhand,havelearnedtolistenandlistenwelltothem.Inthepast,whenhumansattemptedtohuntanddestroyourkind,itwasallthatsavedmanyofourforemothersandforefathers'lives.”
Ishivered,notlikingtothinkabouthowtoughitmusthavebeentobeavampyreahundredorsoyearsago.
"Oh,youdon'tneedtoworry,Zoeybird."Neferetsmiled.Hearingmygrandma'snicknameformemademesmile,too."TheBurningTimeswillnevercomeagain.Wemaynotbereveredaswewereinancientdays,butneveragainwillhumansbeabletohuntanddestroyus.”Foramomenthergreeneyesflasheddangerously.Itookabigdrinkofmybrownpop,notwantingtomeetthosescaryeyes.Whenshecontinued,shesoundedlikeher selfagain—allhintofdangerwasgonefromhervoiceandshewasjustmymentorandfriend."So,whatallthismeansisthatIwantyoutobesurethatyoulistentoyourinstincts.Ifyougetbadfeelings
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtaboutasituationoraboutsomeone,payattentiontoit.And,ofcourse,ifyouneedtotalkwithme,youmaycometomeatanytime.”
"Thanks,Neferet,thatmeansalottome.”
Shewavedawaymythanks."That'swhatitmeanstobeamen torandaHighPriestess—tworolesIfullyexpectyoutotakeonsomeday.”
WhenshetalkedaboutmyfutureandmebeingaHighPriest ess,Ialwaysgotafunnyfeeling.Itwasmadeuppartiallyofhopeandexcitement,andpartiallyofabjectfear.
"Actually,Iwassurprisedthatyoudidn'tcomeseemetodayafteryoufinishedinthelibrary.Didyounotdecideonanewdi rectionfortheDarkDaughters?”
"Oh,uh,yeah.Idid."IforcedmyselfnottothinkaboutthelibraryandmyencounterwithLoren,andtheeastwallandmyencounterwithLoren…NowaydidIwantNeferetandherin tuitionpickingupanythingabout...well...him.
"Isenseyourhesitation,Zoey.Wouldyourathernotsharewhatyou'vedecidedwithme?”
"Oh,no!Imean,yes.Actually,Ididcomebyyourroom,butyouwere..."Ilookedupquickly,rememberingthesceneI'doverheard.Hereyesseemedtoseeintomysoul.Iswallowedhard."YouwerebusywithAphrodite.SoIleft.”
"Oh,Isee.Nowyournervousnessaroundmemakesmuchmoresense.”Neferetsighedsadly."Aphrodite...shehasbecomeaproblem.Itreallyisapity.AsIsaidonSamhainwhenIrealizedhowfarwrongshe'dgone,Ifeelpartiallyresponsibleforherbe haviorandhertransformationintothedarkcreatureshehasbe come.Iknewshewasselfish,evenwhenshefirstjoinedourschool.Ishouldhavesteppedinsoonerandtakenafirmerhandwithher."Neferet'sgazecaughtmine."Howmuchdidyouover heartoday?”
Awarningskittereddownmyspine."Notverymuch,"Isaidquickly."Aphroditewascryingreallyhard.Iheardyoutellhertolookwithin.Iknewyouwouldn'twanttobeinterrupted."Istopped,carefulnottosayspecificallythatthatwasallIhadheard—carefulnottolieoutright.AndIdidn'tlookawayfromhersharpeyes.
Neferetsighedagainandsippedherwine."Iwouldnotnor mallytalkaboutonefledgingtoanother,butthisisauniquecase.YouknowthatAphrodite'sGoddess-givenaffinitywastobeabletoforeseedisastrousevents?”
Inodded,notingthepasttensesheusedwhenshementionedAphrodite'sability.
"Well,itseemsthatAphrodite'sbehaviorhascausedNyxtowithdrawhergift.It'ssomethingthatishighlyunusual.OncetheGoddesstouchessomeone,sherarelyrevokeswhatshehasgiven."Neferetshruggedsadly."ButwhocanknowthemindoftheGreatGoddessofNight?"
"ItmustbeawfulforAphrodite,"Isaid,morethinkingaloudthanreallymeaningtocomment.
"Iappreciateyourcompassion,butIdidnottellyouthissothatyouwouldpityAphrodite.Rather,Itellyousothatyouknowtobeonyourguard.Aphrodite'svisionsarenolongervalid.Shemightsayordothingsthataredisturbing.AsleaderoftheDarkDaughters,itwillbeyourresponsibilitytobecertainthatshedoesnotupsetthedelicatebalanceofharmonyamongthefledg lings.Ofcourseweencourageyoutoworkoutproblemsamongyourselves.Youaremuchmorethanhumanteenagers,andweexpectmorefromyou,butfeelfreetocometomeifAphrodite'sbehaviorbecomestoo"—shepaused,likeshewasconsideringthenextwordcarefully—"erratic.”
"Iwill,"Isaid,mystomachbeginningtohurtagain.
"Good!Now,whydon'tyoutellmetheplansyou'vemadeforyourreignasleaderoftheDarkDaughters.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
IputAphroditeoutofmymindandoutlinedmynewplansforthePrefectCouncilandtheDarkDaughters.Neferetlistenedat tentivelyandwasopenlyimpressedbymyresearchandwhatshecalleda"logicalreorganization.”
"So,whatyouwantfrommeistoleadthefacultyinvotingonthetwonewPrefects,becauseIagreewithyouthatyouandyourfourfriendshavemorethanprovenyourworthandarealreadyanexcellentworkingCouncil.”
"Yes.TheCouncilwantstonominateErikNightforthefirstofthetwoopenpositions.”
Neferetnoddedherhead."Erikisawisechoice.He'spopularwiththefledglings,andhehasanexcellentfuturebeforehim.Whodidyouhaveinmindforthelastposition?”
"Here'swheremyCouncilandIdisagree.Ithinkweneedan otherupperclassman,andIalsothinkthatpersonshouldbeonewhobelongedtoAphrodite'sinnercircle.”Neferetraisedherbrowsinsurprise."Well,includingafriendofhersreinforceswhatI'vesaidallalong,thatIdidn'tcomeintothisbecauseI'mpowercrazyandsetouttostealwhatwasAphrodite'soranythingstupidlikethat.Ijustwantedtodotherightthing.Ididn'twanttostartsomekindofsillycliquewar.IfoneofherfriendsisonmyCouncil,thentherestofthemmightunderstandthatit'snotaboutmegettingoveronher—it'saboutsomethingmoreimpor tantthanthat.”
Neferetconsideredforwhatseemedlikeforever.Finallyshesaid,"Youknowthatevenherfriendshaveturnedfromher.”
"Irealizedthattodayinthedininghall.”
"Thenwhatisthepointofputtinganex-friendofhersonyourCouncil?”
"I'mnotconvincedtheyareex-friends.Peopleactdifferentinprivatethantheydoinpublic.”
"Again,Iagreewithyou.IalreadymadetheannouncementtothefacultythatSundaytheDarkDaughtersandSonswillcon veneaspecialFullMoonRitualandmeeting.Iwouldexpectthatthevastmajorityoftheoldmemberswillattend—iffornootherreasonthancuriosityaboutyourpowers.”
Igulpedandnodded.IwasalreadywaytooawarethatIwasthemainattractioninafreakshow.
"SundayistherighttimeforyoutotelltheDarkDaughtersaboutyournewvisionforit.AnnouncethatthereisonespotleftonyourCouncil,andthatitmustbefilledbyasixthformer.YouandIwilllookovertheapplicationsanddecidewhoisthebestfit.”
Ifrowned."ButIdon'twantittojustbeourchoice.Iwantthefacultytovote,aswellasthestudentbody.”
"Theywill,"shesaidsmoothly."Thenwewilldecide.”
Iwantedtosaymore,buthergreeneyeshadgonecold;I'mnotashamedtoadmitthatthatscaredme.Soinsteadofarguingwithher(whichwastotallyimpossible)Iwentdownadifferentroad(asmygrandmawouldsay).
"IalsowanttheDarkDaughterstogetinvolvedwithacom munitycharity.”
ThistimeNeferet'sbrowstotallydisappearedintoherhairline."Youmeancommunityasinthehumancommunity?”
"Ido.”
"Youthinktheywillwelcomeyourhelp?Theyshunus.Theyabhorus.Theyareafraidofus.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Maybethat'sbecausetheydon'tknowus,"Isaid."MaybeifweactedlikepartofTulsa,we'dgettreatedlikepartofTulsa.”
"HaveyoureadabouttheGreenwoodriotsinthe1920s?ThoseAfrican-AmericanhumanswerepartofTulsa,andTulsadestroyedthem.”
"It'snot1920anymore,"Isaid.Itwashardtomeethereyes,butIknew,deepinside,thatIwasdoingtherightthing."Neferet,myintuitionistellingmethisissomethingImustdo.”
Iwatchedherexpressionsoften."AndIdidtellyoutofollowyourintuition,didn'tI?”
Inodded.
"Whatcharitywillyouchoosetogetinvolvedwith—providingtheyactuallyallowyoutohelpthem?”
"Oh,Ithinkthey'llletushelpthem.I'vedecidedtocontactStreetCats—thecatrescuecharity.”
Neferetthrewbackherheadandlaughed.
CHAPTEREIGHT
IwasalreadyoutofthedininghallandheadingtothedormwhenIrealizedthatIhadn'tsaidanythingtoNeferetabouttheghosts,butnowaydidIwanttogobackupstairsandstartthatsubject.TheconversationI'dalreadyhadwithNeferethadcom pletelyexhaustedme,anddespitethebeautifuldiningroomwithitsgreatviewanditscrystalandlinen,I'dbeeneagertogetoutofthere.IwantedtogobacktothedormandtellStevieRaeaboutthewholeLorenthingandthendonothingbutvegoutandwatchbadrerunsonTVandtrytoforget(atleastforonenight)thatIhadaterriblepremonitionaboutChris'sdisappearanceandthatIwasABigDealnowandinchargeofthemostimpor tantstudentgroupattheschool.Whatever.Ijustwantedtobemeforawhile.AsI'dtoldNeferet,Chriswasprobablysafelyathomealready.Andtherewasplentyoftimeforeverythingelse.Tomor rowI'dwritedownanoutlineofwhatIwasgoingtosaytotheDarkDaughtersonSunday.IguessI'dalsohavetoworkonaFullMoonRitual...myfirstrealpubliccirclecastingandformalrit ual.Mystomachstartedtogurgle.Iignoredit.
IwashalfwaytothedormwhenIrememberedthatIalsohadanessaydueMondayforVampSoc.Sure,NeferethadexcusedmefrommostofthethirdformerworkinthatclasssoIcouldfocusonreadingaheadinthehigherlevelSoctext,butI'dbeentryingreallyhardtobe"normal"(Whateverthatwas—hello—I'mateenagerandafledglingvampyre.Howcouldanyofthatbenor mal?),whichmeantImadesureIturnedinpaperswhentherestoftheclassdid.SoIhurriedlybacktrackedtomyhomeroomclass,wheremylockerandallofmybookswerekept.ItwasalsoNeferet'sroom,butI'djustleftherhavingwinewithseveraloftheotherprofsupstairs.ForachangeIdidn'thaveanyworriesaboutoverhearingsomethingawful.
Asusual,thedoorwasunlocked.Whyhavelockswhenyouhadvampintuitiontoscarethebejeezusoutofkidsinstead?Theroomwasdark,butthatdidn'tmatter.I'donlybeenMarkedonemonth,butalreadyIsawjustaswellwiththelightsoffaswiththemon.Actually,better.Brightlightshurtmyeyes—sunlightwasalmostunbearable.
IhesitatedasIopenedmylocker,realizingthatIhadn'tseenthesuninalmostamonth.Ihadn'teventhoughtaboutittillnow.Huh.Weird.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIwasconsideringthebizarrenessofmynewlifewhenIno ticedthepieceofpaperthathadbeentapedtotheinsideshelfofmylocker.ItflutteredinthetemporarybreezeI'dcreatedbyopeningthedoor.Myhandliftedtocalmit,andIfeltajoltofshockwhenIrealizedwhatitwas.
Poetry.
Or,moreaccurately,apoem.Itwasshortandwritteninabold,attractivecursive.Ireaditandrereadit,registeringspecifi callywhatitwas.Haiku.
AncientQueenawake
Achrysalisnotyetformed
Willyourwingsunfold?
Iletmyfingersbrushthewords.Iknewwhohadwrittenit.Therewasonlyonelogicalanswer.MyheartsqueezedasIwhis peredhisname,"Loren..."
"I'mserious,StevieRae.IfItellyou,youhavetoswearyouwon'tsayanythingtoanyone.AndwhenIsayanyoneIespeciallymeanDamienandtheTwins.”
"Dang,Zoey,youcantrustme.IsaidIswear.Whatdoyouwantmetodo,openavein?”
Ididn'tsayanything.
"Zoey,youreallycantrustme.Promise.”
Istudiedmybestfriend'sface.Ineededtotalktosomeone—someonewhowasnotavamp.Isearchedinsidemyself,tothecoreofwhatNeferetwouldcallmyintuition.Itfeltrighttocon fideinStevieRae.Itfeltsafe.
"Sorry.IknowIcantrustyou.I'mjust…Idon'tknow."Ishookmyhead,frustratedbymyownconfusion."Okay,weirdstuffhashappenedtoday.”
"Youmeanmorethanthenormalweirdnessthatgoesonaroundhere?”
"Yeah.LorenBlakecameintothelibrarytodaywhileIwasthere.HewasthefirstpersonItalkedtoaboutthePrefectCoun cilideaandmynewideasfortheDarkDaughters.”
"LorenBlake?Asinthemostgorgeousvampanyofushaveeverseen?ness.Ibettersitdown."StevieRaecol lapsedonherbed.
"That'swhoImean.”
"Ican'tbelieveyouhaven'tsaidanythingaboutthisuntilnow.Youmusthavebeendying.”
"Well,that'snotall.He…uh...touchedme.Andmorethanonce.Okay,actuallyIsawhimmorethanoncetoday.Alone.AndIthinkhewrotemeapoem.”
"What!”
"Yeah,atfirstIwassureitwasperfectlyinnocentandIwasimagininganythingelse.InthelibrarywejusttalkedabouttheideasIhadfortheDarkDaughters.Ididn'tthinkitmeantany thing.But,well,hetouchedmyMark.”
"Whichone?"StevieRaeasked.Hereyeswerehugeandroundandshelookedlike
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtshewasgoingtoexplode.
"Theoneonmyface.Thattime.”
"Whatdoyoumeanthattime!”
"Well,afterIgotdonewithbrushingPersephoneIwasn'tinanyhurrytogetbacktothedorm.SoIwentforawalkoverbythewestwall.Lorenwasthere.”
"Ohmydearsweetlord.Whathappened?”
"Ithinkweflirted.”
"Youthink!”
"Wewerelaughingandsmilingateachother.”
"Soundslikeflirtingtome.God,heissototallygorgeous."
"Tellmeaboutit.WhenhesmilesatmeIcanhardlybreathe.Andgetthis—herecitedapoemtome,"Isaid."Itwasahaikuamanwroteaboutlookingathisnakedloverinthemoonlight."
"Youhavegottobekidding!"StevieRaestartedfanningherselfwithherhand."Gettothetouchingpart.”
Itookadeepbreath."Itwasreallyconfusing.Everythingwasgoingreallywell.LikeIsaid,wewerelaughingandtalking.Thenhesaidhewasouttherebyhimselfbecausethat'showhegetsin spiredtowritehaiku—”
"Whichisinsanelyromantic!”
Inoddedandcontinued."Iknow.Anyway,ItoldhimIhadn'tmeanttomessuphisinspirationandbotherhim,andhesaidthatmorethingsinspiredhimthanjustthenight.AndheaskedmeifI'dbehisinspiration.”
"Holyshit.”
"ExactlywhatIthought.”
"Naturallyyousaidyou'dbehappytoinspirehim."
"Naturally,"Isaid.
"And..."StevieRaepromptedeagerly.
"AndheaskedtoseemyMark.Theoneonmyshouldersandback.”
"Hedidnot.”
"Hedid.”
"Man,IwouldhavepeeledoffmyshirtfasterthanyoucansayBubbalovestrucks!”
Ilaughed."Well,Ididn'ttakemyshirtoff,butIslidmyjacketdown.Actually,hehelpedme.”
"AreyoutellingmeLorenBlake,VampyrePoetLaureateandhottestf-ingmaleontwofeet,helpedyouoffwithyourjacketlikeanold-timegentleman?”
"Yeah.Likethis."Idemonstratedbypushingmyjacketdownaroundmyelbows."AndthenIdon'texactlyknowwhatcameoverme,butallofasuddenIwasn'tallnervousandstupid-acting.Itookthestrapofmytankoffforhim.Likethis."Ipushedmytankstrapdown,exposingmybackandshoulderandagoodpartofmybreast(relievedalloveragainthatIhadonmygoodblackbra)."That'swhenhetouchedme.Again.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Where?”
"HetracedthepatternofmyMarkonmybackandshoulder.HetoldmethatIlooklikeanancientvampyrequeenandrecitedthepoemtome.”
"Holyshit,"StevieRaesaidagain.
Iploppeddownonmybedfacingherandsighed,pullingthestrapofmytankbackup."Yeah,itwasamazingforalittlewhile.Iwassureweconnected.Reallyconnected.Ithinkhealmostkissedme.Actually,Iknowhewantedto.Andthen,outofnowhere,hechanged.HegotallpoliteandformalandthankedmeforshowinghimmyMarkandthenhewalkedaway.”
"Well,that'snobigsurprise.”
"Itsureashellwastome.Imean,onesecondhewasstaringintomyeyesandsendingmajorsignalsthathewantedmeandthenext—nothing.”
"Zoey,you'reastudent.He'sateacher.Thisisavampschoolandawholedifferentworldfromlifeatanormalhighschool,butsomethingsdon'tchange.Studentsareoff-limitstoteachers.”
Ichewedatmylip."He'sonlyapart-time,temporaryteacher."
StevieRaerolledhereyes."Asifthatmatters.”
"That'snotallthathappened.Ijustfoundthispoeminmylocker.”Ihandedherthepieceofpaperwiththehaikuonit.
StevieRaesuckedair."Ohmygoodness.ThisissoromanticIcoulddie.How?HowdidhetouchtheMarkonyourback?”
"Jeesh,howdoyouthink?Withhisfinger.Hetracedthepat tern."IswearIcouldstillfeeltheheatofthattouch.
"Herecitedalovepoemtoyou,touchedyourMark,andthenwroteapoemforyou…"Shesigheddreamily."It'slikeyou'reRomeoandJulietwiththewholeforbiddenloversthing."Inthemiddleoffanningherselfdramaticallyshestoppedandsatstraightupagain."Ahoh,whataboutErik?”
"Whatdoyoumean,whataboutErik?”
"He'syourboyfriend,Zoey.”
"Notofficially,"Isaidsheepishly.
"Well,shoot,whatdoesthekidhavetodotomakeit`official'?Getdownononeknee?It'sbeenprettyobviousthispastmonththaty'allaredating.”
"Iknow,"Isaidmiserably.
"SodoyoulikeLorenmorethanyoulikeErik?”
"No!Yes.Oh,hell,Idon'tknow.It'slikeLoren'sinawholeotherworld.Andit'snotlikeheandIcanreallydate,orwhat ever."ButIwasn'tsosureaboutthewhatever.CouldLorenandIseeeachothersecretly?DidIwantto?
AsifshecouldreadmythoughtsStevieRaesaid,"YoucouldsneakaroundandseeLoren.”
"Thisisridiculous.Heprobablydoesn'tevenfeellikethataboutme.”ButevenasIsaidthewordsIrememberedtheheatofhisbodyandthedesireinhisdarkeyes.
"Whatifhedoes,Z?"StevieRaewasstudyingmecarefully."Youknow,you'redifferentthantherestofus.NoonehaseverbeenMarkedlikeyoubefore.Noonehaseverhadanaffinityforeachofthefiveelements.Maybethesamerulesdon'tapplytoyou.
Page38

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
Mygutclenched.SinceI'darrivedattheHouseofNightIhadbeenstrugglingtofitin.AllIreallywantedwastomakethisnewplacemyhome—tohavefriendsIconsideredfamily.Ididn'twanttobedifferentandIdidn'twanttoplaybydifferentrules.Ishookmyheadandsaidthroughclenchedteeth,"Idon'twantittobelikethis,StevieRae.Ijustwanttobenormal.”
"Iknow,"StevieRaesaidsoftly."Butyouaredifferent.Every oneknowsthat.Plus,don'tyouwantLorentolikeyou?”
Isighed."I'mnotsurewhatIwant,exceptthatIknowIdon'twantanyonetofindoutaboutLorenandme.”
"Mylipsaresealed."StevieRae,littleOkiedorkthatsheis,pantomimedzippingherlipsclosedandthrowingthekeyawayoverhershoulder."Noone'sgonnagetawordfromme,"shemumbledthroughhalf-sealedlips.
"Hell!Thatremindsme,AphroditesawLorentouchingme."
"Thathagfollowedyououttothewall!"StevieRaesqueaked.
"Nonono.Noonesawusoutthere.Aphroditewalkedintothemediacenterwhenhewastouchingmyface.”
"Ah,crap.”
"Ah,crap,isright.Andthere'smore.RememberwhenImissedpartofSpanish'causeIwantedtotalktoNeferet?Ididn'ttalktoher.Igottoherclassandthedoorwascracked,soIcouldover hearwhatwasgoingoninside.Aphroditewasinthere.”
"Thatbitchwastellingonyou!”
"I'mnotsure.Ionlyheardalittleofwhattheyweresaying.”
"I'llbetyouweretotallyfreakedwhenNeferetpulledyououtofthedininghalltoeatwithher.”
"Totally,"Iagreed.
"Nowonderyoulookedsosick.Jeesh,itallmakessensenow."Thenhereyesgotevenbigger."DidAphroditegetyouintroublewithNeferet?”
"No.WhenNeferettalkedtometonightshesaidthatAphrodite'svisionsarefalsebecauseNyxhaswithdrawnhergift.SowhateverAphroditetoldher,Neferetdidn'tbelieve.”
"Good."StevieRaelookedlikeshe'dliketobreakAphroditeinhalf.
"No,notgood.Neferet'sreactionwastooharsh.ShemadeAphroditesob.Seriously,StevieRae,AphroditewasdestroyedbywhatNeferetsaidtoher.Plus,Neferetdidn'tevensoundlikeher self.”
"Zoey,Icannotbelievewe'regoingoverthisagain.You'vegottoquitfeelingsorryforAphrodite.”
"StevieRae,you'renotgettingthepoint.Thisisn'taboutAphrodite,it'saboutNeferet.Shewascruel.EvenifAphroditewasrattingmeoutandexaggeratingwhatshesaw,Neferet'sre sponsewaswrong.AndI'mgettingabadfeelingaboutit.”
"You'regettingabadfeelingaboutNeferet?”
"Yes…no...Idon'tknow.It'snotjustNeferet.It'slikeit'samixtureofstuff—everythingcomingdownatonce.Chris...Loren…Aphrodite…Neferet…something'soff,StevieRae.”
Shelookedconfused,andIrealizedsheneededanOkieanalogytogetit."You
Page39

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtknowhowitfeelsrightbeforeatornadohits?Imeanwhenthesky'sstillclear,butthewind'sstartingtocooloffandchangedirection.Youknowsomething'scoming,butyoudon'talwaysknowwhat.That'showthingsfeeltomerightnow.”
"Likeastorm'scomin'?”
"Yep.Abigone.”
"Soyouwantmeto...?”
"Helpmebeastormwatcher.”
"Icandothat.”
"Thanks.”
"Butfirstcanwebemoviewatchers?DamienjustorderedMoulinRougefromNetflix.He'sbringingitover,andtheTwinsmanagedtogettheirhandsonsomehonest-to-Godrealchipsandnon-fat-freedips'SheglancedatherElvisclock."They'reprobablydownstairsrightnowpissedbecausethey'vebeenwait ingforus.”
IlovedthefactthatIcouldunloadwhatfeltlikeearth-shatteringstufftoStevieRaeandonesecondshecouldbe"ohmygoodness-ing"andthenexttalkingaboutsomethingassimpleasmoviesandchips.Shemademefeelnormalandgroundedandlikeeverythingwasn'tsooverwhelmingandcon fusing.Ismiledather."MoulinRouge?Doesn'tthathaveEwanMcGregorinit?”
"Definitely.Ihopewegettoseehisbutt.”
"Youtalkedmeintoit.Let'sgo.Andremember—”
"Jeesh!IknowIknow.Don'tsayanythingaboutanyofthistoanyone.”Shepausedandwaggledherbrows."Sojustletmesayitonemoretime.LorenBlakehasthehotsforyou!”
"Areyoudonenow?”
"Yeah."Shegrinnedmischievously.
"Ihopesomeonebroughtmesomebrownpop.”
"Youknow,Z,you'reweirdaboutyourbrownpop.”
"Whatever,MissLuckyCharms,"Isaid,pushingheroutthedoor.
"Hey,LuckyCharmsaregoodforyou.”
"Really?So,tellme,whataremarshmallows—afruitoraveg etable?”
"Both.They'reunique—likeme.”
IwaslaughingatsillyStevieRaeandfeelingbetterthanIhadalldaywhenwetrotteddownthestairsandintothefrontareaofthedorm.TheTwinsandDamienhadstakedoutoneofthebigflat-screenTVs,andtheywavedusover.IcouldseeStevieRaehadbeenright,theyweremunchingonrealDoritosanddippingtheminfull-fattedgreenoniondip(itsoundsgross,butit'sreallyyummy).MygoodfeelinggotevenbetterwhenDamienhandedmeabigglassofbrownpop.
"Tookyouguyslongenough,"hesaid,scootingoversothatwecouldsitbyhimonthecouch.TheTwins,naturally,hadcom mandeeredtwoidenticallybigchairsthey'dpulledoverbythecouch.
"Sorry,"StevieRaesaid,andthenaddedwithagrinatErin,"Ihadtohaveabowelmovement.”
"Excellentuseofproperdescriptions,StevieRae,"Erinsaid,lookingpleased.
Page40

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Ugh,justputinthemovie,"Damiensaid.
"Hangon,Ihavetheremote,"Erinsaid.
"Wait!"Itoldherrightbeforesheclickedplay.Thevolumehadbeenturneddown,butIcouldseeFoxNews23'sCheraKimiko.Herfacelookedsadandseriousasshetalkedearnestlyintothecamera.Atthebottomofthescreenrantheblurbbodyofteenagerfound."Turnupthevolume."Shauneeclickedoffthemute.
"Repeatingourleadstorythismorning:thebodyofthemissingUnionrunningback,ChrisFord,wasdiscoveredbytwokayakerslateFridayafternoon.ThebodyhadbecomesnaggedintherocksandsandbargesusedtodamtheTwenty-firstStreetareaoftheArkansasRivertocreatethenewrecreationalrapids.Sourcestellusthattheteenagerdiedoflossofbloodassociatedwithmultiplelacer ations,andthathemighthavebeenmauledbyalargeanimal.We'llhavemoreonthatforyouaftertheofficialmedicalexam iner'sreportisreleased.”
Mystomach,whichhadfinallysettleddownandwasactingnormal,clenched.Ifeltmybodygocold.Butthebadnewswasn'tover.Chera'sbeautifulbrowneyeslookedearnestlyintothecam eraasshecontinued.
"OntheheelsofthistragicnewscomesthereportofanotherUnionfootballplayerwhohasbeenlistedasmissing."ThescreenflashedapictureofanothercuteguyinUnion'straditionalredandwhitefootballuniform."BradHigeonswaslastseenafterschoolFridayattheStarbucksatUticaSquarewherehewaspost ingpicturesofChris.BradwasnotonlyChris'steammate,hewasalsohiscousin.”
"Ohmygoodness!TheUnionfootballteamisdroppinglikeflies,"StevieRaesaid.SheglancedatmeandIsawhereyeswiden."Zoey,areyouokay?Youdon'tlooksogood.”
"Iknewhim,too.”
"That'sweird,"Damiensaid.
"Thetwoofthemwerealwaysatpartiestogether.Everyoneknewthembecausethey'recousins,eventhoughChrisisblackandBradiswhite.”
"Makesperfectsensetome,"Shauneesaid.
"Ditto,Twin,"Erinsaid.
Icouldbarelyhearthemthroughthebuzzinginmyears."I...Ineedtogoforawalk.”
"I'llgowithyou,"StevieRaesaid.
"No,youstayhereandwatchthemovie.Ijust—Ijustneedtogetsomeair.”
"Areyousure?”
"Positive.Iwon'tbegonelong.I'llbebackintimetoseeEwan'sbutt."EventhoughIcouldalmostfeeltheworriedlookStevieRaewasgivingmyback(andheartheTwinsarguingwithDamienaboutwhethertheywouldactuallyseeEwan'sbutt),IrushedoutofthedormandintothecoolNovembernight.
Blindly,Iturnedawayfromthemainschoolbuilding,instinc tivelymovingintheoppositedirectionfromanywhereI'drunintopeople.Iforcedmyselftokeepmovingandtobreathe.Whatthehellwaswrongwithme?MychestfelttightandmystomachwassosickIhadtokeepswallowinghardsoIwouldn'tpuke.Thebuzzinginmyearsseemedtobebetter,buttherewasnorelieffromtheanxietythathadsettledovermelikeashroud.Every thinginsidemewasscreaming,Something'snotright!Some thing'snotright!Something'snotright!
AsIwalkedIgraduallynoticedthatthenight,whichhadbeenclear,withaskyfullofstarshelpingthealmostfullmoontoillu minateitsthickdarkness,suddenlyhadcloudedup.Thesoft,coolbreezehadturnedcold,causingdry
Page41

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtleavestoshowerdownaroundme,mixingthesmellsofearthandwindwiththedarkness...somehowthissoothedmeandthetumultofdisjointedthoughtsandanxietyliftedenoughformetoactuallythink.
Iheadedtothestables.LenobiahadsaidthatIcouldgroomPersephonewheneverIneededtothinkandbealone.Idefinitelyneededthat,andhavingadirectiontogo—anactualdestination—wasonesmallgoodthinginthemidstofmyinternalchaos.
Thestableswerejustahead,sprawlinglongandlow,andmybreathhadstartedtocomealittleeasierwhenIheardthesound.AtfirstIdidn'tknowwhatitwas.Itwastoomuffled—tooodd.ThenIthoughtthatitmightbeNala.ItwaslikehertofollowmeandcomplainatmeinherweirdoldladycatvoiceuntilIstoppedandpickedherup.Ilookedaroundandcalled"Kitty-kitty"softly.
Thesoundgotmoredistinct,butitwasn'tacat,Icouldtellthat.Amovementclosetothebarncaughtmyeye,andIsawthatashapewasslumpedonthebenchnearthefrontdoors.Therewasonlyonegaslightthere,anditwasrightbesidethedoors.Thebenchwasjustoutsidetheedgeofthepoolofflickeringyellowlight.
Itmovedagain,andIcouldtellthattheshapemustbeaperson...orfledgling…orvampyre.Itwassitting,butkindahunchedover,almostfoldedinonitself.Thesoundstartedagain.ThiscloseIcouldhearthatitwasaweirdwailing—likewhoeverwassittingtherewasinpain.
Naturally,Iwantedtorunintheoppositedirection,butIcouldn't.Itwouldn'tberight.Plus,Ifeltit—theknowledgewithinmethatIcouldnotleave.ThatwhateverwashappeningonthebenchwassomethingIhadtoface.
Itookadeepbreathandapproachedthebench.
"Uh,areyouokay?”
"No!"Thewordwasaneerie,whisperingexplosionofsound.
"Can—canIhelpyou?"Iasked,tryingtopeerintotheshad owsandseewhowassittingthere.IthoughtIcouldseelight-coloredhair,andmaybehandscoveringaface...
"Thewater!Thewaterissocoldanddeep.Can'tgetout...can'tgetout.”
Shetookherhandsfromherfacethenandlookedupatme,butIalreadyknewwhoitwas.I'drecognizedhervoice.AndIalsorecognizedwhatwashappeningtoher.Iforcedmyselftoap proachhercalmly.Shestaredupatme.Herfacewascoveredwithtears.
"Comeon,Aphrodite.You'rehavingavision.IneedtogetyoutoNeferet.”
"No!"shegasped."No!Don'ttakemetoher.Shewon'tlistentome.She—shedoesn'tbelievemeanymore.”
IrememberedwhatNeferethadsaidearlieraboutNyxwith drawinghergiftsfromAphrodite.WhyshouldIevenmesswithheratall?WhoknewwhatwasgoingonwithAphrodite?Shewasprobablymakingsomepatheticplayforattention,andIdidn'thavetimeforthiscrap.
"Fine.Let'ssayIdon'tbelieveyoueither,"Itoldher."Stayhereandhaveyourvisionorwhatever.Ihaveotherthingstoworryabout."Iturnedtoheadintothestable,andherhandsnakedout,grabbingmywrist.
"Youhavetostay!"shesaidthroughchatteringteeth.Obvi ously,shewashavingdifficultytalking."Youhavetohearthevi sion!”
"No,Idonot.”Ipriedherviselikefingersfrommywrist."Whatever'sgoingon,it'saboutyou—notme.Youdealwithit."ThistimewhenIturnedIwalkedawaymorequickly.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtButnotquickenough.Hernextwordsfeltlikeshe'dslicedthemthroughme.
"Youhavetolistentome.Ifyoudon'tyourgrandmawilldie.”
CHAPTERNINE
"Whatinthehellareyoutalkingabout!"Iroundedonher.
Shewasgaspinginweirdlittlepantingbreaths,andhereyeswerestartingtoflutter.EveninthedarknessIcouldseethewhitesinthembeginningtoshow.Igrabbedhershouldersandshookher.
"Tellmewhatyousee!”
Clearlytryingtocontrolherselfshenoddedwithajerkylittlemovement."Iwill,”shepanted."Juststaywithme“
Isatbesideheronthebenchandlethergrabmyhand,notcaringthatshewassqueezingsoharditfeltlikeshewasgoingtobreaksomething—notcaringthatshewasmyenemyandsome oneI'dnevertrust—notcaringaboutanythingexceptthefactthatGrandmamightbeintrouble.
"I'mnotgoinganywhere,”Isaidgrimly.ThenIrememberedhowNeferethadpromptedher."Tellmewhatyousee,Aphrodite.”
"Water!It'sawful…sobrownandsocold.It'sallconfusion...can't—can'tgetthedooroftheSaturnopen...”
Ifeltahorriblejolt.GrandmahasaSaturn!Sheboughtitbe causeitwasoneofthoseultra-safecarsthatweresupposedtobeabletosurviveanything.
"Butwhere'sthecar,Aphrodite?Whatwaterisitin?"
"ArkansasRiver,"shepanted."Thebridge—itcollapsed.”
Aphroditesobbed,soundingterrified."Isawthecarinfrontofmefallandhitthebarge.It'sonfire!Thoselittleboys…theoneswhoweretryingtogettruckdriverstohonkastheypassed...they'reinthecar.”
Iswallowedhard."Okay,whatbridge?When?”
Aphrodite'swholebodysuddenlytensed."Ican'tgetout!Ican'tgetout!Thewater,it's…"ShemadeahorriblenoisethatIswearsoundedlikeshewasbeingchoked,andthensheslumpedbackagainstthebench,herhandgoinglimpinmine.
"Aphrodite!"Ishookher."Youhavetowakeup.Youhavetotellmemoreaboutwhatyousaw!”
Slowly,hereyelidsmoved.ThistimeIdidn'tseethewhitesofherrolledbackeyeballs,andwhensheopenedthemtheylookedlikenormaleyes.Aphroditeabruptlyletgoofmyhandandshak ilypushedherhairoutofherface.Inoticeditwasdamp,andthatshewascoveredwithsweat.Sheblinkedacouplemoretimesbe foremeetingmyeyes.Hergazewassteady,butIcouldn'treadanythingexceptexhaustioninherexpressionorhervoice.
"Good,youstayed,"shesaid.
"Tellmewhatyousaw.Whathappenedtomygrandma?"
"Thebridgehercar'soncollapsesandshecrashesintotheriveranddrowns,"shesaidflatly.
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"No.No,thatwon'thappen.Tellmewhatbridge.When.How.I'llstopit.”
Aphrodite'slipscurledupinthehintofasmile."Oh,youmeanyousuddenlybelievemyvisions?”
FearforGrandmawaslikeaboilingpaininsideme.Igrabbedherarmandstoodup,pullingherupwithme."Let'sgo.”
Shetriedtojerkawayfromme,butshewastooweak,Iheldontohereasily."Where?”
"ToNeferet,ofcourse.She'llfigurethiscrapout,andyou'lldamnsuretalktoher.”
"No!"shealmostscreamed."Iwon'ttellher.IswearIwon't.Nomatterwhat,I'llsayIdon'trememberanythingexceptwaterandabridge.”
"Neferetwillgetthisoutofyou.”
"Noshewon't!She'llbeabletotellthatI'mlying,thatI'mhid ingsomething,butshewon'tbeabletotellwhat.Ifyoutakemetoher,yourgrandmawilldie.”
IfeltsosickI'dstartedtotremble."Whatdoyouwant,Aphrodite?DoyouwanttobeleaderoftheDarkDaughtersagain?Fine.Takeitback.Justtellmeaboutmygrandma.”
AlookofrawpainpassedoverAphrodite'spaleface."Youcan'tgiveitbacktome,Neferethasto.”
"Thenwhatdoyouwant?”
"IjustwantyoutolistentomesothatyouknowthatNyxhasn'tabandonedme.Iwantyoutobelievethatmyvisionsarestillreal."Shestaredintomyeyes.Hervoicewaslowandstrained."AndIwantyoutooweme.Somedayyou'regoingtobeapower fulHighPriestess,morepowerfuleventhanNeferet.SomedayImayneedprotection,andthat'swhenyouowingmewillcomeinhandy.”
IwantedtosaythattherewasnowayIcouldprotectherfromNeferet.Notnow—maybenotever.AndIwouldn'twantto.Aphroditewasmessedup,andI'dalreadywitnessedhowselfishandhatefulshecouldbe.Ididn'twanttooweher;Ididn'twantanythingtodowithher.
Ialsodidn'thaveanychoice.
"Fine.Iwon'ttakeyoutoNeferet.Nowwhatdidyousee?”
"Firstgivemeyourwordthatyouoweme.Andremember,thisisn'tanemptyhumanpromise.Whenvampyresgivetheirword—betheyfledglingoradult—itisbinding.”
"IfyoutellmehowtosavemygrandmaIgiveyoumywordthatIwilloweyouafavor.”
"Ofmychoice,"shesaidslyly.
"Yeah,whatever.”
"Youhavetosayittocompletetheoath.”
"IfyoutellmehowtosavemygrandmaIgiveyoumywordthatIwilloweyouafavorofyourchoice.”
"Soitisspoken;soitshallbedone,"shewhispered.Hervoicesentchillsupmyback,whichIignored.
"Tellme.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Ihavetositdownfirst,"shesaid.Suddenlyshakyagain,shecollapsedontothebench.
Isatbesideherandwaitedimpatientlywhileshecollectedher self.WhenshestartedtotalkIfeltthestarkhorrorofwhatshewassayingpassthroughme,andIknewdeepwithinmysoulthatwhatshewastellingwasatruevision.IfNyxwaspissedatAphrodite,theGoddesswasn'tshowingittonight.
"ThisafternoonyourgrandmawillbeontheMuskogeeTurnpikeonherwaytoTulsa."Shepausedandcockedherheadtotheside,likeshewaslisteninginthewindforsomething."Yourbirthday'snextmonth.She'scomingintotowntogetyouapresent.”
Ifeltajoltofsurprise.Aphroditewasright.MybirthdaywasinDecember—IhadasuckyDecembertwenty-fourthbirthday,soInevergottoreallycelebrateit.EveryonealwayswantedtomushitinwithChristmas.Evenlastyear,whenIwasturningsix teenandIshouldhavehadabig,coolparty,Ididn'tgettodoanythingspecial.Itwasreallyannoying...Ishookmyself.Nowwasnotthetimetogetlostinmylifelongbirthdaycomplaint.
"Okay,soshe'scomingintotownthisafternoon,andwhathappens?”
Aphroditenarrowedhereyes,likeshewastryingtoseeoutintothedarkness."It'sweird.Icanusuallytellexactlywhytheseaccidentshappen—likeaplanedoesn'tworkorwhatever,butthistimeIwassotunedintoyourgrandma,thatI'mnotsurewhythebridgebreaks."Sheglancedatme."Thatmightbebe causethisisthefirstvisionI'veeverhadwheresomeoneIrecog nizedies.Itthrewmeoff.”
"She'snotgoingtodie,"Isaidfirmly.
"Thenshecan'tbeonthatbridge.Iremembertheclockonhercar'sdashboardsaidthreefifteen,soI'msureithappensintheafternoon.”
Automatically,Iglancedatmywatch-6:10A.M.It'dbelightinthenexthour(andIshouldbegoingtobed),whichmeantthatGrandmawouldbewakingup.Iknewherschedule.Shewokeuparounddawnandwentforawalkinthesoftmorninglight.Thenshecamebacktohercozycabinandhadalightbreakfastbeforebeginningwhateverworkneededtobeseentoonherlavenderfarm.I'dcallherandtellhertostayhome,thatsheshouldn'teventakeachanceondrivinganywheretoday.She'dbesafe;I'dmakesureofit.Thenanotherthoughttickledatmymind.IlookedatAphrodite.
"Butwhatabouttheotherpeople?Irememberyousaidsome thingaboutsomekidsinthecarinfrontofyou,andthatcarcrashedandcaughtonfire.”
"Yeah.”
Ifrownedather."Yeah,what?”
"Yeah,Iwaswatchingfromyourgrandma'spointofviewandIsawabunchofothercarscrashingaroundme.Ithappenedfast,though,soIcouldn'treallytellhowmany.”
Shedidn'tsayanythingelse,andIshookmyheadindisgust."Whataboutsavingthem?Yousaidlittleboysdied!”
Aphroditeshrugged."Itoldyoumyvisionwasconfusing.Icouldn'ttellexactlywhereitwas,andtheonlyreasonIknewwhenisbecauseIsawthedateandtimeonyourgrandma'sdash.”
"Soyou'rejustgoingtolettherestofthosepeopledie?”
"Whatdoyoucare?Yourgrandma'sgoingtobeokay.”
"Youmakemesick,Aphrodite.Doyoucareaboutanyonebutyourself?”
"Whatever,Zoey.Likeyou'resoperfect?Ididn'thearyoucar ingaboutanyone
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtelseexceptyourgrandma.”
"OfcourseIwasworriedaboutherthemost!Iloveher!ButIdon'twantanyoneelsetodie,either.AndnooneelseisgoingtoifIhaveanythingtosayaboutit.So,youneedtofigureoutsomewaytoletmeknowwhichbridgewe'retalkingabout.”
"Ialreadytoldyou—it'sontheMuskogeeTurnpike.Ican'ttellwhichone.”
"Thinkharder!Whatelsedidyousee?”
Shesighedandclosedhereyes.Iwatchedherfaceasherbrowwrinkledandsheseemedtocringe.Withhereyesstillclosedshesaid,"Wait,no.It'snotontheturnpike.Isawasign.It'stheI-40bridgeovertheArkansasRiver—theonethat'srightofftheturn pikenearWebber'sFalls."Thensheopenedhereyes."Youknowwhenandwhere.Ican'ttellyoumuchmore.Ithinksomekindofflatboat,likeabarge,hitsthebridge,butthat'sallIknow.Ididn'tseeanythingtoidentifytheboat.So,howareyougoingtostopit?”
"Idon'tknow,butIwill,"Imuttered.
"Well,whileyou'rethinkingabouthowtosavetheworld,I'mgoingtogobacktothedormanddomynails.RaggedynailsaresomethingIconsidertragic.”
"Youknow,havingcrappyparentsisn'tanexcusetobeheart less,”Isaid.She'dturnedawayandIsawherpause.HerbackgotreallystraightandwhenshelookedoverhershoulderatmeIcouldseethathereyeswerenarrowedinanger.
"Whatwouldyouknowaboutit?”
"Aboutyourparents?Notmuchexceptthatthey'recontrollingandyourmom'sanightmare.Aboutscrewed-upparentsingen eral?Plenty.I'vebeenlivingwithpain-in-the-assparentissuessincemymomremarriedthreeyearsago.Itsucks,butit'snotanexcusetobeabitch.”
"Tryeighteenyearsofalotmorethanjust'pain-in-the-assparentissues'andmaybeyou'llstarttogetsomethingaboutit.Untilthen,youdon'tknowshit."Then,liketheoldAphroditeIknewandcouldn'tstand,sheflippedherhairandstalkedaway,wigglinghernarrowbuttlikeIcared.
"Issues.Thegirlhasmajorissues."Isatdownonthebenchandbeganrummagingthroughmypurseformycellphone,gladIcarrieditaroundwithmeeventhoughI'dbeenforcedtokeepitonsilent,withoutevenvibrateon.Thereasoncouldbesummedupinoneword—Heath.Hewasmyhumanalmost-ex-boyfriend,andsinceheandmydefinitelyex-bestfriend,Kayla,hadtriedto"breakmeout"(that'sactuallywhatthey'dsaid—morons)oftheHouseofNight,Heathhadbeenwayoverthetoponhisobsessionlevelforme.Ofcourse,thatwasn'treallyhisfault.IwastheonewhohadtastedhisbloodandstartedthewholeImprintthingwithhim,butstill.Anyway,eventhoughhismessageshaddwindleddownfromlikeazillion(meaningtwentyorso)aday,totwoorthree,Istilldidn'tfeellikeleavingmyphoneonandbeingbotheredbyhim.And,sureenough,whenIflippeditopenthereweretwomissedcalls,bothfromHeath.Nomessages,though,sohopefullyhe'sdemonstratingtheabilitytolearn.
Grandmasoundedsleepywhensheansweredthephone,butassoonassherealizeditwasmesheperkedup.
"Oh,Zoeybird!It'ssonicetowakeuptoyourvoice,"shesaid.
Ismiledintothephone."Imissyou,Grandma.”
"Imissyou,too,sweetheart.”
"Grandma,thereasonIcallediskindaweird,butyou'rejustgoingtohavetotrustme.”
"OfcourseItrustyou,"sherepliedwithouthesitation.She'ssodifferentthanmymomthatsometimesIwonderhowtheycouldberelated.
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"Okay,latertodayyou'replanningoncomingintoTulsatodosomeshopping,right?”
Therewasabriefpause,andthenshelaughed."Iguessit'sgoingtobehardtokeepbirthdaysurprisesfrommyvampyregrand daughter.”
"Ineedyoutopromisemesomething,Grandma.Promisethatyouwon'tgoanywheretoday.Don'tgetinyourcar.Don'tdriveanywhere.Juststayhomeandrelax.”
"What'sthisabout,Zoey?”
Ihesitated,notsurehowtotellher.Thenwithherlifelongabilitytounderstandme,shesaidsoftly,"Remember,youcantellmeanything,Zoeybird.I'llbelieveyou.”
Ihadn'trealizedthatI'dbeenholdingmybreathuntilthatin stant.OnmyletoutbreathIsaid,"ThebridgeonI-40thatgoesovertheArkansasRiverbyWebber'sFallsisgoingtocollapse.Youweresupposedtobeonit,andyouwouldhavedied."Isaidthelastpartsoftly,almostwhispering.
"Oh!Oh,my!I'dbettersitdown.”
"Grandma,areyouokay?”
"IsupposeIamnow,butIwouldn'tbeifyouhadn'twarnedme,whichiswhyI'mfeelinglight-headed."ShemusthavepickedupamagazineorsomethingbecauseIcouldhearherfanningherself."Howdidyoufindoutaboutthis?Areyouhavingvi sions?”
"No,notme.It'sAphrodite.”
"ThegirlwhousedtobeleaderoftheDarkDaughters?Ididn'tthinkyoutwowerefriends.”
Isnorted."We'renot.Definitelynot.ButIfoundherhavingavisionandshetoldmewhatshesaw.”
"Andyoutrustthisgirl?”
"Noway,butIdotrustherpower,andIsawher,Grandma.Itwaslikeshewasthere,withyou.Itwasawful.Shesawyoucrash,andthoselittlekidsdie..."Ihadtostopandbreathe.Thetruthhadsuddenlycaughtupwithme:mygrandmacouldhavediedtoday.
"Wait,thereweremorepeopleinthecrash?”
"Yeah,whenthebridgecollapsesabunchofcarsgointotheriver.”
"Butwhatabouttheotherpeople?”
"I'mgoingtotakecareofthat,too.Youjuststayhome."
"Shouldn'tIgotothebridgeandtrytostopthem?”
"No!Stayawayfromthere.I'llmakesurenoonegetshurt—Ipromise.ButIhavetoknowthatyou'resafe,"Isaid.
"Okay,sweetheart.Ibelieveyou.Youdon'thavetoworryaboutme.I'llbesafeandsoundathome.Youtakecareofwhateveryouneedtodo,andifyouneedme,call.Anytime."
"Thanks,Grandma.Iloveyou.”
"Iloveyou,too,u-we-tsia-ge-hu-tsa.”
AfterIhungupIspentalittlewhilejustsittingthere,willingmyselftostopshaking,butonlyalittlewhile.Aplanwasalreadybrewinginmyhead,andI
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtdidn'thavetimetofreakout.Ineededtogetbusy.
CHAPTERTEN
"Sowhycan'twetellNeferetaboutthismess?Allshe'dhavetodoismakeafewcalls,likeshedidlastmonthwhenAphroditehadavisionaboutthatplanegoingdownattheDenverairport,"Damiensaid,carefultokeephisvoicelow.I'dhurriedbacktothedorm,huddledmygrouptogether,andgiventhemtheshortver sionofAphrodite'svision.
"ShemademepromiseIwouldn'tgotoNeferet.Thetwoofthemarehavingsomekindofweirdfight.”
"It'sabouttimeNeferetstartedseeingherasthebitchsheis,"StevieRaesaid.
"Hatefulcow,"Shauneesaid.
"Hagfromhell,"Erinagreed.
"Yeah,well,whatsheisdoesn'treallymatter.It'shervisionsandthepeoplewhoareindangerofdyingthatmatter,"Isaid.
"Iheardthathervisionsaren'treallybelievableanymorebe causeNyxhaswithdrawnherfavorfromAphrodite,"Damiensaid."Maybethat'swhyshemadeyoupromisenottogotoNef eret,becausethisisallsomethingshemadeupandshewantsyoutofreakoutanddosomethingthatwilleitherembarrassyouandmakeyoulookbad,orgetyouintrouble.”
"I'dthinkthattooifIhadn'twatchedherhavingthevision.Shewasn'tfakingit,I'msureofthat.”
"Butisshetellingyouthewholetruth?"StevieRaeasked.
Ithoughtaboutthatforasecond.Aphroditehadalreadyad mittedtomethatshecouldwithholdpartsofhervisionsfromNeferet.Whatmademethinkshewasn'tdoingthatwithme,too?ThenIrememberedthewhitenessofherface,thewayshehadgrippedmyhand,andthefearinhervoiceasshejoinedmygrandmainherdeath.Ishivered.
"Shewastellingmethetruth,"Isaid."Youguyswilljusthavetotrustthatmyintuitionisright."Ilookedatmyfourfriends.Noneofthemwerehappyaboutthis,butIknewthateachofthemtrustedmeandthatIcouldcountonthem."So,here'sthedeal,I'vealreadycalledmygrandma.Shewon'tbeonthatbridge,butabunchofotherpeoplewill.Weneedtofigureoutawaytosavethoseotherpeople.”
"Aphroditesaidthatabargelikeboathitthebridgecausingittocollapse?"Damienasked.
Inodded.
"Well,youcouldpretendtobeNeferetanddowhatshedoes,callwhoever'sinchargeofthebargeandtellthemoneofyourstudentshashadavisionofatragedy.PeoplelistentoNeferet;they'rescarednotto.It'sawell-knownfactthatherinformationhassavedlotsofhumanlives.”
"Ialreadythoughtaboutthat,butitwon'tworkbecauseAphroditedidn'tseetheboatclearly.Shewasn'tevensureitwasabarge.SoIhavenowayofknowinghowtoevenbegincontactinganyoneaboutstoppingit.AndIcan'tpretendtobeNeferet.Itfeelswaywrong.Imean,talkaboutaskingtogetintrouble.You
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtcan'ttellmethatwhoeverIcallwon'tcallbackwithsomekindoffollow-upreporttoNeferet.Thenallhellwouldbreakloose.”
"Uglyscene,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,Neferetwouldfindoutthatthehaghadanothervision,soyourpromisetokeepitquietwouldbebroken,"Erinsaid.
"Okay,sostoppingtheboatisout,andpretendingtobeNef eretisout.Thatleavesclosingthebridgeasouronlyoption,"Damiensaid.
"That'swhatIthought,too,"Isaid.
"Bombthreat!"StevieRaesaidsuddenly.Wealllookedather."Huh?"Erinasked.
"Explain,"Shauneesaid.
"Wecallwhoeverthosefreakswhomakebombthreatscall.”
"Thatcouldactuallywork,"saidDamien."Whenthere'sabombthreatinabuildingtheyalwaysevacuateit.Soitfiguresthatifthere'sabombthreataboutabridge,thebridgewillbeclosed,atleastuntiltheyfindoutthebombthreatisfake.”
"IfIcallfrommycellphonetheywon'tbeabletotellwhoIam,willthey?"Iasked.
"Oh,please,"Damiensaid,shakinghisheadlikeIwasatotalmoron."Ofcoursetheycantracecellphones.Thisisn'tthenineties.”
"ThenwhatdoIdo?”
"Youcanstilluseacell.Itjusthastobeadisposableone,"Damienexplained.
"Youmeanlikeadisposablecamera?”
"Wherehaveyoubeen?"Shauneeasked.
"Whodoesn'tknowaboutdisposablecells?"Erinsaid.
"Idon't,"StevieRaesaid.
"Exactly,"theTwinssaidtogether.
"Here"—DamienpulledabigdorkylookingNokiaoutofhispocket—"usemine.”
"Whydoyouhaveadisposable?"Istudiedthephone.Itlookedfairlynormal.
"Igotitaftermyparentsfreakedaboutmebeinggay.UntilIwasMarkedandcamehereitfeltliketheyweregroundingmeforlifefromlife.Imean,notthatIreallyexpectedthemtolockmeinaclosetsomewhere,butit'sgoodtobeprepared.SincethenI'vemadesureIalwayshaveone.”
Noneofusknewwhattosay.ItreallysuckedthatDamien'sparentsweresopsychoabouthimbeinggay.
"Thanks,Damien,"Ifinallysaid.
"Noproblem.Whenyou'redonemakingthecallbesureyouturnitoffandthengiveitbacktome.I'lldestroyit.”
"Okay.”
"Andbesureyoutellthemthatthebomb'splantedunderthewaterline.Thatwaythey'llhavetoclosethebridgelongenoughforthemtosendindiverstocheckitout.”
Inodded."Goodidea.I'lltellthemthatthebomb'sgoingtoexplodeatthree
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtfifteen,whichistheexacttimeAphroditesawonmygrandma'sdashboardclockwhenshecrashed.”
"Idon'tknowhowlongthesethingstake,butyoushouldprob ablycallabouttwothirty,thatsoundslikeenoughtimeforthemtogetoutthereandclosethebridge,butnotsomuchthatthey'llhavetimetofigureoutit'safakethreat,andletcarsbackonthebridgetoosoon,"StevieRaesaid.
"Uh,guys,"Shauneesaid."Whoareyougonnacall?”
"Hell,Idon'tknow."IwasfeelingthestresssettlearoundmyshouldersandknewIwasgoingtohaveamajorheadacheverysoon.
"Googleit,"Erinsaid.
"No,"Damiensaidquickly."Wedon'twantanykindofcom putertrail.YoujustneedtocallthelocalbranchoftheFBI.That'llbeinthephonebook.They'lldowhateveritistheydowhenfreakscall.”
"Liketrackthemdownandputtheminjailfortherestofeter nity,"Imutteredgloomily.
"No,they'renotgoingtocatchyou.You'renotleavinganykindofatrail.They'llhavenoreasontothinkit'sanyofus.Callatabouttwothirty.Tellthemyou'veplantedabombunderthebridgebecause…"Damienhesitated.
"Becauseofpollution!"StevieRaechirped.
"Pollution?"Shauneesaid.
"Idon'tthinkitshouldbebecauseofpollution.Ithinkitshouldbebecauseyou'resickandtiredofgovernmentinterfer enceintheprivatesector'slives,"Erinsaid.
Ijustblinkedather.Whatthehelldidshejustsay?
"Excellentpoint,Twin,"Shauneesaid.
Eringrinned."IsoundedjustlikemydadwhenIsaidthat.He'dbeproud.Well,notaboutthepretendingtoblowupabridgepart,buttheotherstuff,yeah.”
"Weunderstand,Twin,"Shauneesaid.
"Istilllikesayingthatit'sbecauseyou'retiredofpollution.Pollution'sarealproblem,"StevieRaesaidstubbornly.
"Okay,howaboutIsayit'sbecauseofgovernmentinterferenceandpollutioninourrivers?That'llbethereasonthebomb'sonabridge."Theylookedatmewithblankexpressions.Isighed."Be causeofpollutionintheriver.”
"Ohhh,"theysaid.
"We'dmakedorkyterrorists,"StevieRaesaidwithagiggle.
"Ithinkthat'sactuallyagoodthing,"Damiensaid.
"Sowe'reinagreement?IcalltheFBI,andweallkeepourmouthsshutaboutAphrodite'svision.”
Theynodded.
"Good.Okay.GuessI'llfindaphonebookandlookupthenumberfortheFBI,andthen—”
Amovementcaughtatthecornerofmyvision,andIglanceduptoseeNeferetescortingtwomeninsuitsintothedorm.Everyonewentinstantlysilent,andIheardawhisperof"They'rehuman..."begintobuzzthroughtheroom.ThenIdidn'thavetimetothinkortolisten,becauseitwasobviousthatNeferetand
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtthetwohumanmenwerewalkingdirectlyovertome.
"Ah,Zoey,thereyouare."Neferetsmiledatmewithherusualwarmth."Thesegentlemenneedtospeakwithyou.Ibelievewecanstepintothelibrary.Thisshouldn'ttakemorethanamo ment."Neferetregallygesturedforthesuitsandmetofollowherasshesweptfromthebigmainroom(witheveryonegawkingopenmouthedatus)tothelittlesideroomwecalledthedormlibrary,butwasactuallymoreofacomputerroomwithsomecomfortablechairsandafewshelvesfilledwithpaperbacks.Therewereonlytwogirlsattherowofcomputers,andwithaquickcommandNeferetgotridofthem.Theyscurriedoutandsheclosedthedoorbehindthem,thensheturnedtofaceus.Iglancedattheclockoverthecomputer.Itwas7:06A.M.onSatur daymorning.Whatwasgoingon?
"Zoey,thisisDetectiveMarx"—shepointedatthetallerofthetwomen—"andDetectiveMartinfromthehomicidedivisionoftheTulsaPoliceDepartment.Theywantedtoaskyouafewques tionsaboutthehumanboywhowaskilled.”
"Okay,"Isaid,wonderingwhatkindofquestionstheycouldpossiblywanttoaskme.Hell,Ididn'tknowanything.Ihadn'tevenknownhimthatwell.
"MissMontgomery,"DetectiveMarxbegan,buthewascutneatlyoffbyNeferet.
"Redbird,"shesaid.
"Ma'am?”
"ZoeylegallychangedherlastnametoRedbirdwhenshebe cameanemancipatedminoruponentrancetoourschoollastmonth.Allofourstudentsarelegallyemancipated.Wefindithelpfulwiththeuniquenatureofourschool.”
Thecopgaveashortnod.Icouldn'ttellwhetherhewasan noyedornot,butIguessedbythewayhekeptlookingatNeferettheanswerwasnot.
"MissRedbird,"hecontinued,"wehavereceivedinformationthatyouareacquaintedwithChrisFordandBradHigeons.Isthistrue?”
"Yeah,Imeanyes,"Ihastilycorrected.Clearlythiswasn'tagoodtimetosoundlikeasillyteenager."Iknow…well,knewbothofthem.”
"Whatdoyoumeanbyknew?"DetectiveMartin,theshortercop,saidsharply.
"Well,ImeanthatIdon'thangoutwithhumanteenagersany more,butevenbeforeIwasMarkedIdidn'tseeChrisorBradmuch."Iwonderedwhathewassouptightabout,andthenIreal izedthatbecauseChriswasdeadandBradwasmissingthatmytalkingabouttheminthepasttenseprobablysoundedreallybad.
"Whenwasthelasttimeyousawthetwoboys?"Marxasked.
Ichewedmylip,tryingtoremember."Notformonths—sincethebeginningoffootballseason,andthenIjustwenttomaybetwoorthreepartiesandtheywerethere,too.”
"Soyouweren'twitheitherboy?”
Ifrowned."No.IwaskindadatingtheBrokenArrowquarter back.That'stheonlyreasonIknewanyofthoseUnionguys.”Ismiled,tryingtolightenthingsup."PeoplethinkUnionplayershateBAplayers.It'snotreallytrue.Mostofthemgrewupto gether.Abunchofthemarestillfriends.”
"MissRedbird,you'vebeenattheHouseofNightforhowlong?"theshortcopaskedasifIhadn'ttriedtobepleasant.
"Zoeyhasbeenwithusforalmostexactlyonemonth,"Neferetansweredforme.
"AndinthatmonthdideitherChrisorBradvisityouhere?”
Totallysurprised,Isaid,"No!”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Areyousayingnohumanteenagershavevisitedyouhereatall?"Martinfiredthequestionquickly.
CaughtoffguardIsputteredlikeamoronandI'msurelookedcompletelyguilty.Thankfully,Neferetsavedme.
"TwofriendsofZoey'sdidseeherduringherfirstweekhere,althoughIdonotbelieveyou'dcallitanofficialvisit,"shesaidwithasmooth,adultsmileaimedatthedetectivesthatclearlysaidkidswillbekids.Thenshenoddedencouragementatme."Goaheadandtellthemaboutyourtwofriendswhothoughtit'dbefuntoscaleourwalls.”
Neferet'sgreeneyeslockedonmine.I'dtoldherallaboutHeathandKaylaclimbingthewallwiththeridiculousideaofbustingmeout.OratleastthathadbeenHeath'sidea.Kayla,myex-bestfriend,hadjustwantedmetoseethatshe'dstakedaclaimonHeath.I'dtoldNeferetallofthat,andmore.HowI'dkindaaccidentallytastedHeath'sblood—untilKaylahadcaughtmeandtotallylosthermind.StaringintoNeferet'seyesIknewassureasifshe'dsaidthewordsaloudthatIwastokeepthelittleblood-tastingincidenttomyself,whichwasmorethanokaywithme.
"Therereallywasn'tmuchtoit,anditwasawholemonthago.KaylaandHeaththoughtthey'dsneakinandbustmeout."IpausedtoshakemyheadlikeIthoughttheyweretotallycrazy,andthetallcopjumpedinwith,"KaylaandHeathwho?”
"KaylaRobinsonandHeathLuck,"Isaid.(Yeah,Heath'slastnamereallyisLuck,buttheonlythinghewasparticularlyluckyaboutisnotgettingpickedupDUI.)"Anyway,Heathiskindaslowsometimes,andKayla,well,Kayla'sreallygoodatshoesandhair,butnotsogoodatcommonsense.Sotheyhadn'treallythoughtoutthewhole`Hey,she'sturningintoavampyreandifsheleavestheHouseofNightshe'lldie'issue.SoIexplainedtothemthatnotonlydidInotwanttoleave,Icouldn'tleave.Andthatwasaboutit.”
"Nothingunusualhappenedwhenyousawyourfriends?"
"YoumeanwhenIwentbacktothedorm?”
"No.Letmerephrasethequestion.Nothingunusualhap penedwhenyousawKaylaandHeath?"Martinsaid.
Iswallowed."No."Whichwasn'tactuallyalie.Apparentlyit'snotunusualforfledglingstoexperienceavampyre'sbloodlust.Ishouldn'tsoearlyinmyChange,butmyMarkshouldn'tbefilledinandIshouldn'thavetheaddeddecorativetattooingofanadultvampeither.NottomentionthefactthatnootherfledglingorvamphadeverbeenMarkedontheshoulderandbacklikeIhad.Okay,I'mnotexactlyanormalfledgling.
"Youdidn'tcuttheboyanddrinkhisblood?"Theshortcop'svoicewaslikeice.
"No!"Icried.
"AreyouaccusingZoeyofsomething?"Neferetsaid,steppingclosertome.
"No,ma'am.We'resimplyquestioninghertotryandgetaclearerideaofthedynamicsofthefriendsofChrisFordandBradHigeons.Thereareseveralaspectsofthecasethatareratherunusualand…"Theshortcoprambledonandonwhilemymindraced.
Whatwasgoingon?Ihadn'tcutHeath;I'dscratchedhim.AndIhadn'tdoneitonpurpose.And"drinking"hisbloodwasn'tex actlywhatI'ddone—itwasmorelikeIlappeditup.Buthowthehelldidtheyknowanythingaboutit?Heathwasn'tverybright,butIdidn'tthinkhe'drunaroundtellingpeople(especiallynotdetectivepeople)thatthechickhehadthehotsfordrankblood.No.Heathwouldn'thavesaidanything,but—
AndIknewwhytheywereaskingmequestions.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"There'ssomethingyoushouldknowaboutKaylaRobinson,"Isaidsuddenly,interruptingtheshortcop'sboringtirade."ShesawmekissHeath.Well,actuallyHeathkissedme.ShelikesHeath."Ilookedfromonecoptotheother."Youknow,shereallylikesHeath,asinwantstodatehimnowthatI'moutoftheway.Sowhenshesawhimkissmeshegotpissedandstartedyellingatme.Okay,IadmitIdidn'tactverymature.Igotpissedbackather.Imean,it'sjustwrongwhenyourbestfriendgoesafteryourboyfriend.Anyway"—Ifidgeted,likeIwasembarrassedtoadmitwhatIwastellingthem—"IsaidsomemeanstufftoKaylathatscaredher.Shefreakedoutandleft.”
"Whatkindofmeanstuff?"DetectiveMarxasked.
Isighed."Somethinglikeifshedidn'tgoawayI'dflyoffthewallandsuckherblood.”
"Zoey!"Neferet'svoicewassharp."Youknowthat'sinappro priate.Wehaveenoughproblemswithimagewithoutyoufright eninghumanteenagersonpurpose.Littlewonderthepoorchildspoketothepolice.”
"Iknow.I'mreallysorry."EventhoughIunderstoodNeferetwasplayingalongwithme,Istillhadtoworkatnotcringingawayfromthepowerinhervoice.Iglancedupatthedetectives.BothofthemwerestaringatNeferetwithwide,startledeyes.Huh.So,upuntilthenshe'donlyshownthemhergorgeouspublicface.Theyhadnoideawhatkindofpowertheyweredealingwith.
"Andyouhaven'tseeneitherteenagersincethen?"thetallcopaskedafteranuncomfortablepause.
"Onlyoncemore,andthenitwasjustHeathalone,duringourSamhainRitual.”
"Excuseme,yourwhat?”
"SamhainistheancientnameforanightyouwouldprobablybestknowasHalloween,”Neferetexplained.Shewasbacktostun ninglybeautifulandkind,andIcouldunderstandwhythecopslookedconfused,buttheyreturnedhersmileasiftheyhadnochoice.KnowingNeferet'spowers—theymightnot."Goon,Zoey,"shetoldme.
"Well,therewereabunchofusandwewerehavingaritual.Kindalikeachurchserviceoutside,"Iexplained.Okay,itwasnothinglikeachurchserviceoutside,butnowaywasIgoingtoexplaincircle-castingandcallingthespiritsofcarnivorousdeadvampstoacouplehumancops.IglancedatNeferet.Shenoddedencouragement.IdrewadeepbreathandmentallyeditedthepastasItalked.Iknewitreallydidn'tmatterwhatIsaid.Heathdidn'trememberanythingaboutthatnight—thenighthe'dal mostbeenkilledbytheghostsofancientvampyres.Neferethadmadesurethathismemoryhadbeentotallyandpermanentlyblocked.Allheknewwasthathe'dfoundmewithabunchofotherkidsandthenpassedout."Anyway,Heathsnuckintotheritual.Itwasreallyembarrassing,especiallysince...well...hewastotallywasted.”
"Heathwasdrunk?"Marxasked.
Inodded."Yes,hewasdrunk.Idon'twanttogethiminanytrouble,though."I'dalreadydecidednottomentionHeath'sun fortunate,andhopefullytemporary,experimentationwithpot.
"He'snotintrouble.”
"Good.Imean,he'snotmyboyfriendbuthe'sbasicallyagoodguy.”
"Don'tworryaboutit,MissRedbird,justtelluswhathap pened.”
"Nothingreally.Hecrashedourritual,anditwasembarrass ing.Itoldhimtogohomeandnotcomeback,thatwewerethrough.Hemadeafooloutofhimselfandthenpassedout.Welefthimthere,andthatwasit.”
"Youhaven'tseenhimsince?”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"No.”
"Haveyouheardfromhiminanyway?”
"Yeah,hecallswaytoomuchandleavesannoyingmessagesonmycell.Butthat'sgettingbetter,"Iaddedhastily.Ireallydidn'twanttogethimintotrouble."Ithinkhe'sfinallygettingitthatwe'rethrough.”
Thetallcopfinishedtakingsomenotes,andthenhereachedintohispocketandpulledoutaplasticbagthathadsomethinginit.
"Andhowaboutthis,MissRedbird?Haveyoueverseenthisbefore?”
HehandedmethebagandIrealizedwhatwasinit.Itwasasil verpendantonalongblackvelvetribbon.Thependantwasintheshapeoftwocrescentmoonsback-to-backagainstafullmoonen crustedwithgarnets.ItwasthesymbolofthetripleGoddess—mother,maiden,andcrone.IhadonejustlikeitbecauseitwasthenecklacethattheleaderoftheDarkDaughterswore.
CHAPTERELEVEN
"Wheredidyougetthis?"Neferetasked.Icouldtellshewastry ingtokeephervoiceundercontrol,buttherewasapowerful,an gryedgetoitthatwasimpossibletohide.
"ThisnecklacewasfoundnearChrisFord'sbody.”
Mymouthopened,butIcouldn'tseemtosayanything.Iknewmyfacehadgonepale,andmystomachclenchedpainfully.
"Doyourecognizethenecklace,MissRedbird?"DetectiveMarxrepeatedhisquestion.
Iswallowedandclearedmythroat."Yes.It'stheleadershippendantoftheDarkDaughters.”
"DarkDaughters?”
"TheDarkDaughtersandSonsisanexclusiveschoolorgani zation,madeupofourfineststudents,"Neferetsaid.
"Andyoubelongtothisorganization?"heasked.
"I'mitsleader.”
"Soyouwouldn'tmindshowingusyournecklace?”
"I—Idon'thaveitwithme.It'sinmyroom."Shockwasmak ingmyheadfeelwoozy.
"Gentlemen,areyouaccusingZoeyofsomething?"Neferetsaid.Hervoicewasquiet,butthethreadofoutragedangerthatranthroughitbrushedagainstmyskin,causingmyfleshtoprickleandrise.Icouldseefromthenervousglancethedetec tivessharedthattheyfeltit,too.
"Ma'am,we'resimplyquestioningher.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Howdidhedie?"Myvoicewasfaint,butitsoundedabnor mallyloudinthetensesilencethatsurroundedNeferet.
"Frommultiplelacerationsandlossofblood,"Marxsaid.
"Someonecuthimwithaswitchbladeorsomething?"Onthenewsthey'dsaidthatChrishadbeenmauledbyananimal,soIalreadyknewtheanswertothequestion,butIfeltcompelledtoask.
Marxshookhishead."Thewoundswerelikenothingaknifewouldleave.Theyweremorelikeanimalscratchesandbites.”
"Hisbodywasalmostentirelydrainedofblood,”Martinadded.
"Andyou'reherebecausethisappearstobeavampyreattack,"Neferetsaidgrimly.
"We'reherelookingforanswers,ma'am,"Marxsaid.
"ThenIsuggestyoudoabloodalcoholcontenttestonthehu manboy.JustfromthelittleIknowaboutthegroupofteenagerstheboyhadasfriends,theyarehabitualdrunks.Heprobablygotintoxicatedandfellintotheriver.Thelacerationsweremorethanlikelymadebyrocks,orperhapsevenanimals.It'snotuncom monforcoyotestobefoundalongtheriver,evenwithinTulsacitylimits,"Neferetsaid.
"Yes,ma'am.Testsarebeingperformedonthebody.Evendrainedofblood,itwillstilltellusmanythings.”
"Good.I'msureoneofthemanythingsitwilltellyouisthatthehumanboywasdrunk,perhapsevenhigh.Ithinkyoushouldlooktomorereasonablecausesforthisdeaththanavampyreat tack.Now,Iassumeyou'redonehere?”
"Onemorequestion,MissRedbird,"DetectiveMarxaskedmewithoutlookingatNeferet."WherewereyouThursdaybetweeneightandteno'clock?”
"Intheevening?"Iasked.
"Yes.”
"Iwasatschool.Here.Inclass.”
Martingavemeablanklook."School?Atthattime?”
"Perhapsyoushoulddoyourownhomeworkbeforequestion ingmystudents.ClassesattheHouseofNightbeginateightP.M.andgotillthreeA.M.Vampyreshavelongpreferredthenight."ThedangerousedgewasstillinNeferet'svoice."Zoeywasinclasswhentheboydied.Nowarewefinished?”
"ForthetimebeingwearefinishedwithMissRedbird.”Marxflippedacouplepagesbackinthelittlenotebookhe'dbeenwrit inginbeforeheadded,"WedoneedtospeakwithLorenBlake.”
ItriednottoreacttoLoren'sname,butIknowmybodyjumpedandIfeltmyfaceheatup.
"I'msorry,Lorenleftyesterdaybeforedawnontheschool'sprivatejet.HehasgonetoourEastCoastschooltosupportourstudentswhoareinthefinalroundofourinternationalShake speareanmonologuecontest.ButIcancertainlygivehimames sagetocallyouwhenhereturnsSunday,"Neferetsaidwhileshewalkedtowardthedoor,clearlydismissingthetwomen.
ButMarxhadn'tmoved.Hewasstillwatchingme.Slowlyhereachedintohisinsidejacketpocketandpulledoutabusinesscard.Handingittomehesaid,"Ifyouthinkofanything—anythingatall—thatyoubelievemighthelpusfindwhodidthistoChris,callme.”ThenhenoddedatNeferet."Thankyouforyourtime,ma'am.We'llbebackSundaytotalkwithMr.Blake.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"I'llseeyouout,”Neferetsaid.Shesqueezedmyshoulder,andbreezedbythetwodetectives,leadingthemfromtheroom.
Isattheretryingtocollectmytumblingthoughts.Neferethadlied,andnotjustbyomissionaboutmedrinkingHeath'sbloodandHeathalmostgettingkilledduringtheSamhainritual.She'dliedaboutLoren.Hehadn'tlefttheschoolyesterdaybeforedawn.Atdawnhe'dbeenattheeastwallwithme.
Iclutchedmyhandstogethertotrytokeepthemfromshak ing.
Ididn'tgettosleepuntilalmost10:00(asintheA.M.).Damien,theTwins,andStevieRaewantedtoknoweverythingaboutthedetectives'visit,andtellingthemwascoolwithme.Ithoughtgo ingbackoverthedetailsmightgivemeaclueaboutwhatthehellwasgoingon.Iwaswrong.NoonecouldfigureoutwhyaDarkDaughters'leadershipnecklacehadbeenwithahumankid'sdeadbody.Yes,Icheckedandminewasstillsafelyinmyjewelrybox.Erin,Shaunee,andStevieRaeallthoughtthatsomehowAphroditewasbehindthecopsgettingthenecklaceandmaybeeventhekilling.DamienandIweren'tsosure.Aphroditecouldn'tstandhumans,buttomethatdidn'tequatetokidnap pingandkillingaverybuiltfootballplayerwhocouldn'texactlybehiddeninherlovelyCoachpurse.Shedefinitelydidn'thangoutwithhumans.And,yes,sheusedtohaveaDarkDaughtersleadershipnecklace,butNeferethadtakenitfromherandgivenittomethenightIbecametheleaderoftheDarkDaughtersandSons.
Besidesthemysteryofthenecklace,allwecouldfigurewasthat"StankBitchKayla"(astheTwinscalledher)hadbasicallytoldthecopsthatIwasthekillerbecauseshewasjealousthatHeathwasstillcrazyaboutme.Obviouslythecopsdidn'thaveanyrealsuspectsiftheyrushedoverhereonthewordofajealousteenager.Ofcoursemyfriendsdidn'tknowanythingabouttheblood-drinkingissue.Istillcouldn'tbringmyselftotellthemthatIdrank(lapped,whatever)Heath'sblood.SoI'dgiventhemthesameeditedversionI'dtoldthedetectives.Theonlypeoplewhoknewtherealstoryaboutthebloodthing(besidesHeathandStankBitchKayla)wereNeferetandErik.I'dtoldNeferet,andErikhadfoundmerightafterI'dhadthebigscenewithHeath,soheknewthetruth.Speakingof—IsuddenlywantedEriktohurryandgetbacktoschool.I'dbeensobusylatelythatIhadn'tactuallyhadtimetomisshim,oratleastIhadn'tuntilto daywhenIwishedthattherewassomeonewhowasn'tHighPriestessIcouldtalktoaboutwhatwasgoingon.
Sunday,IremindedmyselfasItriedtofallasleep.ErikwouldbebackSunday.ThesamedayLorenwouldbeback.(No,Iwouldn'tthinkaboutthestuffthatmightbegoingonbetweenLorenandme,andhowthatwaspartofthe"busyness"thathadkeptmefrommissingErik.)AndwhythehelldidthedetectivesneedtotalktoLorenanyway?Noneofuscouldfigurethatout.
Isighedandtriedtorelax.Ireallyhatedneedingtofallasleepandnotbeingableto.ButIcouldn'tshutoffmymind.NotonlywastheChrisFord/BradHigeonsmessgoingroundandroundinmyhead,butprettysoonI'dhavetocalltheFBIandpretendtobeaterrorist.AddtothatthefactthatI'dhardlythoughtaboutthecircleIneededtocastandtheFullMoonRitualIwassup posedtolead,anditwasnowonderIhadahorribletensionheadache.
Iglancedatthealarmclock.Itwas10:30A.M.FourmorehoursbeforeIneededtogetupandcalltheFBI,andthentrytofigureouthowtogetthroughthedaywhileIwaitedtohearnewsaboutthebridgeaccident(hopefullythatitwasaverted),andnewsabouttheHigeonskidbeingfound(hopefullyalive),andtriedtofigureouthowI'dleadtheFullMoonRitual(hopefullywithouttotallyembarrassingmyself).
StevieRae,whoIswearcouldfallasleepstandingonherheadinthemiddleofablizzard,snoredsoftlyacrosstheroom.Nalawascurledupbesidemyheadonmypillow.Evenshe'dstoppedcomplainingatmeandwasbreathingdeeplywithherweirdcatsnores.IworriedbrieflyifIshouldhavehercheckedoutforallergies.Shedidsneezeanawfullot.ButIdecidedIwasjustobsessively
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtaddingtomystresslevel.ThecatwasasfatasaBut terballturkey.Imean,hertummylookedlikeshehadapouchandcouldhideaherdofbabykangaroosinthere.That'sprob ablywhyshewheezed.Carryingaroundallthatcatfatcouldn'tbeeasy.
Iclosedmyeyesandstartedcountingsheep.Literally.Itwassupposedtowork.Right?SoImadeupafieldinmyheadwithagateandhadcutefuzzywhitesheepstartjumpingoverthegate.(Ithinkthat'stheproperwaytocountsleepsheep.Sleepsheep...heehee.)Aftersheepnumber56thenumbersstartedtoblurinmymindandIfinallyslippedintoafitfuldreamwhereInoticedthesheepwerewearingUnion'sredandwhitefootballuniform.Theyhadashepherdessdirectingthemoverthegatetheywerejumping(whichnowlookedlikeamini-goalpost).MydreamingselfwasfloatinggentlyabovethesheepscenelikeIwasasuperhero.Icouldn'tseetheshepherdess'sface,butevenfromthebackIcouldtellshewastallandbeautiful.Herauburnhairwaswaistlength.Asifshecouldfeelmewatching,sheturnedto wardmeandhermossgreeneyeslookedupatme.Igrinned.OfcourseNeferetwasincharge,evenifitwasjustadream.Iwavedather,butinsteadofresponding,Neferet'seyesnarroweddan gerouslyandshesuddenlyspunaround.Snarlinglikeawildani mal,shegrabbedafootball-playingsheep,liftedit,andinonepracticedmotionslasheditsthroatwithherabnormallystrong,talonlikefingernails,buryingherfaceintheanimal'sbleedingthroat.MydreamingselfwashorrifiedaswellasfreakishlydrawntowhatNeferetwasdoing.Iwantedtolookaway,butIcouldn't…wouldn't…thenthesheep'sbodybegantoshim mer,likeheatwavesrisingfromaboilingpot.Iblinkedanditwasn'tasheepanymore.ItwasChrisFord,andhisdeadeyeswerewideopen,setandstaringatmeaccusingly.
Igaspedinhorrorandtoremygazefromhisblood,meaningtolookawayfromthegorydreamscene,butmyvisiongottrappedbecauseitwasnolongerNeferetwhowasfeedingatChris'sthroat.ItwasLorenBlake,andhiseyesweresmilingupatmeovertheriverofred.Icouldn'tlookaway.Istaredandstaredand…
Mydreamingbodyshiveredasafamiliarvoicedriftedintheairaroundme.AtfirstthewhisperwassosoftIcouldn'thearit,butasLorendrankthelastdropofChris'sbloodthewordsbe cameaudibleaswellasvisible.Theydancedintheairaroundmewithasilverlightthatwasasfamiliarasthevoice.
…Remember,darknessdoesnotalwaysequatetoevil,justaslightdoesnotalwaysbringgood.
MyeyelidsjerkedopenandIsatup,breathinghard.Feelingshakyandslightlysicktomystomach,Ilookedatmyclock:12:30.Istifledagroan.I'donlysleptfortwohours.NowonderIfeltsocrappy.QuietlyIwentintothebathroomIsharedwithStevieRaetosplashwateronmyfaceandtrytowashawaymygrogginess.Toobadwashingawaytheawfulforebodingfeelingthebizarredreamhadgivenmewasn'taseasy.
NowaywasIgoingtobeabletosleepnow.Iwalkedlistlesslyovertoourheavilycurtainedwindowandpeekedout.Itwasagrayday.Lowcloudsobscuredthesunandalight,constantdrizzlemadeeverythinglookblurred.Itmatchedmymoodperfectly,anditalsomadethedaylightbearable.HowlonghaditbeensinceI'dgoneoutsideduringthedayanyway?Ithoughtaboutitandreal izedthatIhadn'tseenmorethananoccasionaldawninagoodmonth.Ishivered.AndsuddenlyIcouldn'tstayinsideforan otherinstant.Itfeltclaustrophobic,tomblike,coffinlike.
Iwentintothebathroomandopenedthelittleglassjarthatheldtheconcealerthatcompletelycoveredfledglingtattoos.WhenI'dfirstarrivedattheHouseofNightI'dhadamini-panicattackwhenI'drealizedthatuntilIenteredtheschoolgrounds,I'dneverseenafledgling.Imeanever.Naturally,Ithoughtthatmeantthatthevampskeptfledglingslockedinsidethewallsoftheschoolforfouryears.Itdidn'ttakelongtofindoutthetruth:fledglingshadquiteabitoffreedom,butiftheychosetogoout sidetheschoolwallstheyneededtofollowtwoveryimportantrules.First,theyhadtocovertheirMarkandnotwearanythingthatboreanyofthedistinctiveclassinsignias.
Second(and,tome,mostimportant),onceafledglingenteredtheHouseofNight,heorshemuststayincloseproximitywithadultvamps.TheChangefromhumanto
Page57

[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtvampyrewasabizarreandcomplexone—noteventoday'scutting-edgesciencecom pletelyunderstoodit.ButonethingwascertainabouttheChange,ifafledglingwascutofffromcontactwithadultvampyres,theprocessescalatedandtheteenagerdied.Everytime.So,wecouldleavetheschoolforshoppingandwhatnot,butifwestayedawayfromthevampsformorethanafewhoursourbodieswouldbe gintherejectionprocessandwe'ddie.Itwasnowonderthatbe foreI'dbeenMarkedIthoughtI'dneverseenafledgling.Iprobablyhad,but(a)he/she/theyhadhadallMarkscovered,and(b)he/she/theyunderstoodthattheycouldn'tjustloiteraboutliketypicalteenagers.They'dbeenthere,butthey'djustbeenbusyanddisguised.
Thereasonforthedisguisemadesense,too.Itwasn'taboutwantingtohideamidhumansandspyorwhateverridiculousthingshumanswouldassume.Thetruthwasthathumansandvampyrescoexistedinanuneasystateofpeace.Broadcastingthatfledglingsactuallylefttheschoolandwentshoppingandtothemovieslikenormalkidswasaskingfortroubleandexaggeration.Icouldjustimaginewhatpeoplelikemyhorridstep-loserwouldsay.Probablythatvampteenagerswerehangingoutingangs,en gaginginallsortsofsinfuljuveniledelinquentbehavior.Hewassuchanass.Buthewouldn'tbetheonlyhumanadultwhofreaked.Clearlythevamprulesmadesense.
Resolutely,Istared,pattingtheconcealeronthesapphireMarksthattoldtheworldwhatIwas.ItwasamazinghowwellthestuffcoveredupMarks.Asmydarkened-increscentmoondisappeared,alongwiththesmallnetworkofbluespiralsthatframedmyeyes,IwatchedtheoldZoeyreappearandwasn'tquitesurehowIfeltabouther.Okay,Iknewthere'dbeenalotmorechangedwithinmethanafewtattooscouldrepresent,buttheabsenceofNyx'sMarkwasshocking.Itgavemeaweird,un expectedsenseofloss.
Lookingback,Ishouldhavelistenedtomyinternalhesitation,scrubbedmyface,grabbedagoodbook,andgonedirectlybacktobed.
Instead,Iwhispered,"Youlookreallyyoung,"tomyreflection,andpulledonmyjeansandablacksweater.ThenIrummaged(quietly—ifIwokeupStevieRaeorNalanowaywouldIgetoutoftherealone)throughmydresserdrawersuntilIfoundmyoldBorgInvasion4Dhoodieandputiton,alongwithmycomfyblackPumas,andwithmyOSUtrucker'shatsecurelyonmyheadandmycoolMauiJimsunglassesIwasready.BeforeIcould(wisely)changemymind,Igrabbedmypurseandtiptoedoutoftheroom.
Noonewasinthemainroomofthedorm.IopenedthedoorandtookadeepbreathtosteadymyselfbeforeIwalkedoutside.Thewholevampyres-burst-into-flames-if-sun-touches-themthingwasaridiculouslie,butitistruethatdaylightcausesadultvampspain.Asafledglingwhowasweirdly"advanced"intheChangeprocess,it'sdefinitelyuncomfortableforme,butIgrittedmyteethandsteppedoutintothedrizzle.
Thecampuslookedtotallydeserted.Itwasweirdnottopassonestudentorvampallalongthesidewalkthatwoundaroundbehindthemainbuilding(whichstillremindedmeofacastle)totheparkinglot.Myvintage1966VWBugwaseasytofindamidtheslick,expensivecarsthevampspreferred.Itsdependableen ginesputteredforonlyasecond,thenitturnedoverandhummedlikeitwasbrand-new.
Itappedthegaragedooropener-likekeypadthatNeferethadgivenmeafterGrandmahadbroughtmycartome.Thewrought-irongatetotheschoolswungopensilently.
Despitethefactthateventheweak,foggydaylightbotheredmyeyesandmademyskinfeeltwitchy,mymoodlightenedassoonasIwasoutsidetheschoolgates.It'snotthatIhatedtheHouseofNightoranythinglikethat.Actually,theschoolandmyfriendstherehadbecomemyhomeandfamily.Itwasjustthatto dayIneededsomethingmore.Ineededtofeelnormalagain—normalasinpre-MarkedZoey,whenmybiggestworrywasgeometryclassandtheonly"power"I
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txthadwastheeerieabilitytofindcuteshoesonsale.
Actually,shoppingsoundedlikeagoodidea.UticaSquarewaslessthanamiledownthestreetfromtheHouseofNight,andIlovedtheAmericanEaglestorethere.Mywardrobehad,tragi cally,becomeoverstockedindarkcolorslikepurple,black,andnavysinceI'dbeenMarked.AbrightredsweaterwasexactlywhatIneeded.
IparkedinthelessusedlotbehindtherowofstoresthatAmericanEaglesatinthemiddleof.Thetreesinthislotwerebigger,soIlikedtheshade,alongwiththefactthattherewerefewerpeopleinthebacklot.Iknowmyreflectionshowedanor malteenagekid,butinsideIwasstillMarked,andmorethanalittlenervousaboutmyfirstdaylighttripintomyoldworld.
NotthatIexpectedtorunintoanyoneIknew.Iwastheonemyhighschoolfriendshadcalled"weird"and"outthere"be causeIlikedtoshopinthechicmidtownstoresversustheloud,boring,foodcourt–smellingmall.GrandmaRedbirdwasrespon sibleformyout-of-the-ordinarytastes.Sheusedtocallit"field-tripping"whenshe'dtakemealloverTulsaonfundaytrips.NowaywasIgoingtorunintoKaylaandtheBrokenArrowcrowdatUtica,andprettysoonthefamiliarsmellsandsightsofAmericanEaglewereworkingtheirretailmagiconme.BythetimeIpaidforthetotallycuteredknitsweatermystomachhadquithurting,anddespitethefactthatitwasthemiddleofthedayandIwassleep-deprived,myheadachewasgone,too.
ButIwasstarving.TherewasaStarbucksacrossthestreetfromAmericanEagle.Itwasonthecornerthatframedapretty,shadycourtyardinthemiddleofthesquare.Withthewet,drearydayIwouldbetnoonewouldbesittingatthelittleirontablesonthewide,tree-linedsidewalk.Icouldgetayummycappuccino,oneoftheirmega-bigblueberrymuffins,acopyoftheTulsaWorld,andsitoutsideandpretendlikeIwasacollegekid.
Itseemedlikeaseriouslygoodplan.Iwastotallyright—therewasnoonesittingintheoutsidetables,andIsnaggedtheoneclosesttothebigmagnoliatreeandsetaboutputtingtheproperamountofrawsugarinmycappuccinoasInibbledatmymountain-sizedmuffin.
Idon'trememberwhenIfirstfelthispresence.Itstartedsubtly,likeaweirditchundermyskin.Imovedrestlesslyinmychair,tryingtoconcentrateonthemoviepageandthinkingthatmaybeIcouldtalkErikintocheckingoutthelatestchickflicknextweekend...ButIcouldn'tpayattentiontothemoviereviews.Theannoying,under-my-skinfeelingwouldn'tgoaway.Com pletelyirritatedIglancedupandfroze.
Heathwasstandingunderastreetlightnotfifteenfeetawayfromme.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Heathwastapingsomekindofflyertothelightpost.Icouldseehisfaceclearlyanditsurprisedmehowhandsomehelooked.Okay,sure,I'dknownhimsincethirdgradeandwatchedhimgofromcutetogawkytocutetohot,butI'dneverseenthislookonhim.Hisfacewassetingrim,nonsmilinglinesthatmadehimappearmucholderthaneighteen.ItwaslikeIwascatchingaglimpseofthemanhewouldturninto—anditwasaniceglimpse.Hewastallandblond,withhighcheekbonesandareallystrongchin.EvenfromthatdistanceIcouldseethethickeyelashesthatweresurpris inglydark,andknewthegentlebrowneyestheyframed.
Andthen,asifhecouldfeelmygaze,hiseyesslidfromthelightpostandlockedonme.Iwatchedhisbodygocompletelystill,andthenashudderranthroughit,asifsomeonehadblownfreezingairacrosshisskin.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
IshouldhavegottenupandretreatedintoStarbucks,whereitwasbusywithclustersofpeopletalkingandlaughing,andwhereitwouldbeimpossibleforHeathandmetoreallybealone.ButIdidn't.Ijustsatthereashedroppedtheflyers.Theyflutteredaroundthesidewalklikedyingbirdsashewalkedquicklyovertome.Hestoodacrossthelittletablewithoutsayinganythingforwhatseemedlikeforever.Ididn'tknowwhattodo,especiallybecauseIwasunexpectedlynervous.FinallyIcouldn'tstandtheintensesilenceanylonger.
"Hi,Heath.”
Hisbodyjerkedlikesomeonehadjustjumpedoutfrombe hindadoorandscaredthecraprightouttahim.
"Shit!"Thewordlefthismouthinarushofair."You'rereallyhere!”
Ifrownedathim.He'dneverbeenexactlybrilliant,butevenforhimthissoundedprettydumb."OfcourseI'mhere.WhatdidyouthinkIwas,aghost?”
Hedroppedintothechairacrossfrommeasifhislegswouldn'tholdhimanymore."Yes.No.Idunno.It'sjustthatIseeyoualotandyou'reneverreallythere.Ithoughtthiswasjustan otheroneofthosetimes.”
"Heath,whatareyoutalkingabout?"Inarrowedmyeyesandsniffedinhisdirection."Areyoudrunk?”
Heshookhishead.
"High?”
"No.Ihaven'thadadrinkinamonth.Iquitsmokingthen,too.”
Thewordssoundedsimple,butIblinkedandfeltlikeIwastryingtoreasonthroughmindmud."Youquitdrinking?”
"Andsmoking.Iquititall.That'soneofthereasonsI'vebeencallingyousomuch.IwantedyoutoknowthatI'vechanged.”
Ireallydidn'tknowwhattosay."Oh,well.I'm,uh,glad."IknowIsoundedlikeamoron,butthewayHeath'seyeswerefo cusedonmewasalmostaphysicalthing.Andtherewassome thingelse.Icouldsmellhim.Itwasn'tacolognesmell,orasweatyguysmell.Itwasadeep,seductivescentthatremindedmeofheatandmoonlightandsexydreams.ItwascomingfromhisporesanditmademewanttoscootmychairaroundthetablesothatIcouldbeclosertohim.
"Whydidn'tyoureturnanyofmycalls?Youdidn'teventextmeback.”
Iblinked,tryingtoblocktheattractionIwasfeelingforhimandthinkclearly."Heath,there'snopoint.Therecan'tbeany thingbetweenyouandme,"Isaidreasonably.
"Youknowthere'salreadysomethingbetweenus.”
Ishookmyheadandopenedmymouthtoexplaintohimhowwronghewas,butheinterruptedme.
"YourMark!It'sgone.”
Ihatedhisexcitedtone,andautomaticallysnappedback,"You'rewrongagain.MyMark'snotgone.It'sjustcoveredsothestupidhumansaroundherewon'tfreakout."IignoredthehurtlookthatseemedtotakealltheadultnessoutofhisfaceandturnhimbackintothatcuteboyIusedtobesocrazyabout."Heath,"Isoftenedmyvoice."MyMarkwillnevergoaway.I'meithergo ingtoChangeintoavampyre,orI'mgoingtodieinthenextthreeyears.Thosearemyonlytwochoices.I'llneverbelikeIwas.Itcanneverbelikeitusedtobebetweenus."Ipaused,andthenaddedgently,"I'msorry.”
"Zo,Igetthat.WhatIdon'tgetiswhyanyofthathastoendthingsbetween
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"Heath,thingshadendedbetweenusbeforeIwasMarked,re member?"Isaid,exasperated.
Insteadofhisusualcockycomebackhekeptlookingintomyeyes,andutterlysoberandserious,said,"That'sbecauseIwasactinglikeajerk.YouhatedthatIwasgettingdrunkandhigh.Andyouwereright.Iwasmessingup.I'vestoppedthat.NowI'mfocusingonfootballandmygradessothatIcangetintoOSU."Hegavemetheadorable,little-boysmilethat'sbeenmeltingmyheartsincethirdgrade."That'swheremygirlfriendwillbegoing,too.She'sgonnabeavet.Avampyrevet.”
"Heath—I—"Ihesitated,workinghardtoswallowbackthehugelumpthatwassuddenlyburningmythroatandmakingmewanttocry."Idon'tknowifbeingavetisstillwhatIwanttodo,andevenifitis,thatdoesn'tmeanyouandIcanbetogether.”
"You'reseeingsomeoneelse."Hedidn'tsoundmad,hejustsoundedextremelysad."Idon'tremembermuchfromthatnight.I'vetried,butwheneverIthinktoohardaboutit,everythinggetsalljumbledupintoonenightmarethatdoesn'tmakeanysenseandIgetareallybadheadache.”
Isatverystill.IknewhewastalkingabouttheSamhainRitualhe'dfollowedmetowhereAphroditehadlostcontrolofvampyreghosts.Heathhadalmostbeenkilled.Erikhadbeenthere,andasNeferethadsaidthen,hehadprovenhimselfawarriorwhenhe'dstayedbyHeath'ssideandfoughtthespecters,givingmetimetocastmyowncircleandsendtheghostsbacktowhereveritisthey'dslitheredawayfrom.ThelasttimeI'dseenHeathhe'dbeenunconsciousandbleedingfrommultiplelacerations.Neferethadassuredmethatshewouldhealhiswoundsandfoghismemory.Clearly,thefoghadgrownthin.
"Heath,don'tthinkaboutthatnight.It'soveranddonewithandbetterif—”
"Youweretherewithsomeone,"heinterruptedme."Areyougoingoutwithhim?”
Isighed."Yes.”
"Givemeachancetogetyouback,Zo.”
Ishookmyhead,eventhoughhiswordstuggedatmyheart."No,Heath,it'simpossible.”
"Why?"Heslidhishandacrossthetableandputitontopofmine."Idon'tcareaboutthevampyrestuff.You'restillZoey.ThesameZoeyI'veknownforever.TheZoeywhowasthefirstgirlIeverkissed.TheZoeywhoknowsmebetterthananyoneelseonthisearth.TheZoeyIdreamabouteverynight.”
Hisscentdrifteduptomefromhishand,hotanddelicious,andIcouldfeelhispulsethumpingagainstmyfingers.Ididn'twanttotellhim,butIhadto.Ilookedhimstraightintheeyesandsaid,"Thereasonyou'renotovermeisbecausewhenItastedyourbloodthattimeontheschoolwallIstartedtoImprintwithyou.Soyouwantmebecausethat'swhathappenswhenavampyre,orapparentlysomefledglings,drinkbloodfromahumanvictim.Neferet,ourHighPriestess,saysthatyouhaven'tImprintedallthewaywithme,andifIjuststayawayfromyouit'llfadeandyou'llbenormalagainandforgetaboutme,sothat'swhatI'vebeendo ing."Ifinishedinarush.Iknewhe'dprobablyfreakoutandcallmeamonsterorsomething,butIreallyhadn'thadachoice,andnowthatheknewhecouldputallofthisinperspectiveand—
Hislaughterinterruptedmymentaltirade.He'dthrownbackhisheadandwaslaughingwithtypicalHeathexuberance,andthefamiliar,sweet,sillysoundofitmadeitreallyhardformenottosmileathim.
"What?"Isaid,tryingtofrown.
"Oh,Zo,youcrackmeup."Hesqueezedmyhand."I'vebeencrazyaboutyousinceIwaseight.Likethathadanythingtodowithyousuckingmyblood?”
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"Heath,believeme,we'vestartedtoImprint.”
"I'mcoolwiththat."Hegrinnedatme.
"Willyoualsobecoolwithmeoutlivingyoubyseveralhun dredyears?”
Dorklike,hewaggedhiseyebrowsatme."Icanthinkofworsethingsthanhavingahot,youngvampyrechicwhenI'm,like,fifty.”
Irolledmyeyes.Hewassuchaguy."Heath,it'snotthatsimple.There'realotofthingstoconsider.”
Histhumbtracedacircularpatternoverthetopofmyhand."Youalwaysdidmakethingstoocomplicated.There'syouandme.That'sallweneedtoconsider.”
"That'snotallthereis,Heath."AthoughtcametomeandIliftedmybrowsandgavehimapretend-innocentsmile."Speak ingof,how'smyex-bestfriendKayla?”
Totallyunaffected,heshrugged."Idunno.Ihardlyeverseeheranymore.
"Whynot?"Thatwasweird.Evenifhewasn'tdatingKayla,they'dhungoutinthesamegroupforyears,weallhad.
"It'snotthesame.Idon'tlikethestuffshesays."Hewouldn'tlookatme.
"Aboutme?”
Henodded.
"Whathasshebeensaying?"Icouldn'tdecideifIwasmorehurtorpissed.
"Juststuff."Hestillwouldn'tlookatme.
Inarrowedmyeyeswithrealization."ShethinksIhadsome thingtodowithChris.”
Hemovedhisshouldersrestlessly."Notyou,oratleastshedoesn'tsayyou.Shethinksit'svampyres,though,butsodoalotofpeople.”
"Doyou?"Iaskedsoftly.
Hiseyesshotbacktomine."Noway!Butsomethingbad'shappening.Someone'skidnappingfootballplayers.That'swhyIwasheretoday.I'mtapingupflyerswithBrad'spictureonthem.Maybesomeonewillrememberhimbeingdraggedawayorsomething.”
"I'msorryaboutChris."Ilacedmyfingersthroughhis."Iknowyouguyswerefriends.”
"Itsucks.Ican'tbelievehe'sdead."Heswallowedhard,andIknewhewastryingnottocry."IthinkBrad'sdead,too.”
Ithoughthewas,too,butIcouldn'tsayitoutloud."Maybenot.Maybethey'llfindhim.”
"Yeah,maybe.Hey,Chris'sfuneralisMonday.Wouldyougowithme?".
"Ican't,Heath.Doyouknowwhatwouldhappenifafledglingshowedupatthefuneralofakidpeoplethinkwaskilledbyavampyre?”
"Iguessitwouldbebad.”
"Yes,itwouldbe.Andthat'swhatI'vebeentryingtomakeyousee.Youandmetogether—we'dhavetodealwithissueslikethatallthetime.”
"Notwhenwe'reoutofschool,Zo.Thenyoucouldwearthatcover-upstuffyouhaveonyourfacenow,andnoonewouldevenknow.”
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Whathewassayingprobablyshouldhavepissedmeoff,buthewassoserious,sosurethatifIslappedalittleconcealeronmytattooseverythingcouldgobacktothewayitwas.AndIcouldn'tbemadbecauseIunderstoodhiswantingit.Wasn'tthatwhatIwasdoingthere?Hadn'tIbeentryingtorelivepartofmyoldlife?
Butthiswasn'tmeanymore,anddeepwithinmeIdidn'treallywantittobe.IlikedthenewZoey,evenifsayinggood-byetotheoldZoeywasn'tonlyhard,itwasalittlesad,too.
"Heath,Idon'twanttocovermyMark.Thatwouldn'tbewhoIam."Idrewadeepbreathandcontinued."I'vebeenMarkedspeciallybyourGoddess,andNyxhasgivenmesomeunusualpowers.Itwouldbeimpossibleformetopretendtobethehu manZoeyagain,evenifIwantedto.And,Heath,Idon'twantto.”
Hiseyessearchedmyface."Okay.We'lldoityourwayandsaytohellwithpeoplewhodon'tlikeit.”
"That'snotmyway,Heath.Idon't—”
"Wait,youdon'thavetosayanythingrightnow.Justthinkaboutit.Wecanmeethereagaininafewdays."Hegrinned."I'llevencomeatnight.”
ItwasalotharderthanI'dimaginedtotellHeaththatI'dneverseehimagain.Actually,Ihadn'timaginedthatIwouldhavetohavethistalkwithhim.I'dthoughtwewereover.Sittingherewithhimnowfeltweird—partnormal,partimpossible.Whichactu allydescribedourrelationshipprettywell.Isighedandglanceddownatourjoinedhands,andcaughtalookatmywatch.
"Oh,shit!"IpulledmyhandfromhisandgrabbedmypurseandmyAmericanEaglebag.Itwas2:15.IhadtomakethatdamncalltotheFBIinfifteenminutes."Igottago,Heath.I'mreallylateforsomethingatschool.I'll—I'llcallyoulater."Istartedtohurryawayandwasn'treallysurprisedthathecamewithme.
"No,"heinterruptedwhenIstartedtotellhimtogoaway."I'mwalkingyoutoyourcar.”
Ididn'targuewithhim.Iknewthattone.Asgoofyandexas peratingasHeathcouldbe,hisdaddyhadraisedhimright.Sincethirdgradehe'dbeenagentleman,openingdoorsformeandcarryingmyschoolbooks,evenwhenhisfriendscalledhimapussy-whippeddork.WalkingmetomycarwasjustpartofwhatHeathdid.Period.
MyVWwassittingallaloneunderabigtree,justlikewhenI'dparkedit.Asusual,hereachedpastmeandopenedmydoor.Icouldn'thelpsmilingathim.Imean,therewasareasonI'dlikedthekidforalltheseyears—hereallywassweet.
"Thanks,Heath,"Isaid,andslidintothedriver'sseat.Iwasgo ingtorolldownthewindowandsaybyetohim,buthewasal readymovingaroundthecarandinabouttwosecondshewassittinginthepassenger'sseatgrinningatme."Uh,youcan'tcomewithme,"Itoldhim."AndI'minahurry,soIcan'tgiveyouarideanywhere.”
"Iknow.Idon'tneedaride.Ihavemytruck.”
"Okay,well.Thenbye.I'llcallyoulater.”
Hedidn'tmove.
"Heath,youhaveto—”
"Ihavetoshowyousomething,Zo.”
"Canyoushowmequickly?"Ididn'twanttobemeantohim,butIreallyhadtogetbacktotheschoolandmakethatcall.Whythehellhadn'tIputDamien'sdisposablephoneinmypurse?ItappedthesteeringwheelimpatientlywhileHeath
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"Thereitis.Istartedcarryingthisaroundacoupleweeksago,justincase."Hepulledsomethingthatwasaboutaninchlongandflatoutofhispocket.Itwaswrappedinwhatlookedlikefoldedcardboard.
"Heath,really.Igottagoandyou..."Mywordsfadedasthebreathleftmybody.He'dunwrappedthelittlething.Thebladecaughtthedimlightandglitteredseductively.Itriedtospeak,butmymouthhadgonedry.
"Iwantyoutodrinkmyblood,Zoey,"hesaidsimply.
Ashiverofterriblelongingbrokeovermybody.Iwasgrippingthesteeringwheelwithbothhandstokeepthemfromshaking...orreachingoutandtakingtherazorbladeandslicingitintohiswarm,sweetskinsothathisdeliciousbloodwoulddripanddripand…
"No!"Ishouted,hatingthewaythepowerinmyvoicemadehimcringe.Iswallowedandgotcontrolofmyself."Justputitawayandgetoutofmycar,Heath.”
"I'mnotscared,Zo.”
"Iam!"Ialmostsobbed.
"Youdon'thavetobeafraid.It'sjustyouandme,likeit'sal waysbeen.”
"Youdon'tknowwhatyou'redoing,Heath."Icouldn'tevenlookathim.IwasscaredifIdidIwouldn'tbeabletokeepsayingno.
"YesIdo.Youdranksomeofmybloodthatnight.Itwas…itwasincredible.Ihaven'tbeenabletostopthinkingaboutit.”
Iwantedtoscreamwithfrustration.Ihadn'tbeenabletostopthinkingaboutit,either,nomatterhowhardItried.ButIcouldn'ttellhimthat.Iwouldn'ttellhimthat.Instead,Ifinallylookedathimandforcedmyhandstorelax.Justthinkingaboutdrinkinghisbloodmademyskinfeeltightandhot."Iwantyoutogo,Heath.Thisisn'tright.”
"Idon'tcareaboutwhatpeoplethinkisright,Zoey.Iloveyou.
AndbeforeIcouldstophim,heliftedtherazorbladeanddrewitdownthesideofhisneck.Fascinated,Iwatchedathinlineofscarletspringupagainstthewhiteofhisskin.
Thenthesmellhitme—richanddarkandseductive.Likechocolate,onlysweeterandwilder.Insecondsthelittlecarwasthickwithit.ItdrewmelikenothingI'deverexperiencedbefore.Itwasn'tjustthatIwantedtotasteit.Ineededtotasteit.Ihadtotasteit.
Ihadn'tevenrealizedthatI'dmoveduntilHeathspoke,butsuddenlyIwasleaningacrossthesmallspacebetweenourseatsashisblooddrewmetohim.
"Yes.Iwantyoutodoit,Zoey."Heath'svoicesoundeddeepandrough,likehewashavingahardtimecontrollinghisbreathing.
"I—Iwanttotasteit,Heath.”
"Iknow,baby.Goahead,"hewhispered.
Icouldn'tstopmyself.Mytongueflickedoutandlickedthebloodfromhisneck.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
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Thetasteexplodedinmymouth.Asmysalivatouchedtheshal lowwoundhisbloodbegantoflowmorequickly,andwithamoanthatIhardlyrecognizedasmyown,Iopenedmymouthandpressedmylipstohisskin,lickingupthedeliciousscarletline.IfeltHeath'sarmsgoaroundmeasminewrappedaroundhisshoulderssothatIcouldholdhimmorefirmlyagainstmymouth.HisheadfellbackandIheardhimgroan"yes."Oneofhishandscuppedmybuttandtheotheronewentundermysweatertosqueezemybreast.
Histouchonlymadeitbetter.Heatslammedthroughmybody,settingmeonfire.Likesomeoneelsewasincontrolofmymovements,myhandslidfromHeath'sshoulder,downhischest,toruboverthehardlumpthatwasinthefrontofhisjeans.Isuckedonhisneck.Rationalthoughtflewfrommymind.AllIcoulddowasfeelandtasteandtouch.SomewhereinthedepthsofmymindIknewIwasreactingonalevelthatwasalmostani malisticinitsneedandferocity,butIdidn'tcare.IwantedHeath.IwantedhimlikeI'dneverwantedanythinginmylife.
"Oh,God,Zo,yes,"hegaspedandhishipsstartedtothrustintimewithmyhand.
Someonebangedonthepassenger'ssidewindow."Hey!Y'allcan'tmake-outhere!”
Theman'svoicejoltedthroughme,shatteringtheheatthathadbeenbuildinginsideme.Icaughtaglimpseofasecurityguard'suniform,andstartedtolurchawayfromHeath,buthetuckedmyheaddownintothesideofhisneckandturnedhisbodysothattheguard,whowasobviouslystandingrightoutsidethepassenger'sdoor,couldn'tseemeverywell,andsothatthebloodthatwasdrippingsteadilyfromHeath'sneckwascom pletelyhidden.
"Didyoukidshearme!"theguybellowed."Getoutofherebe foreItakeyournamesandcallyourparents.”
"Noproblem,sir,"Heathyelledgood-naturedly.Amazingly,hesoundedperfectlynormal,ifalittlebreathless."We'releaving.”
"Youbetter.I'mwatchingyoutwo.Damnteenagers..."hegrumbledashestompedaway.
"Okay,he'sfarenoughawaynowthathecan'tseetheblood,"Heathsaidasherelaxedhisholdonme.
InstantlyIjerkedback,pressingmyselfagainstthedoor,asfarawayfromHeathasIcouldget.WithshakinghandsIzippedopenmypurseandfishedoutaKleenex,handingittohimwith outtouchinghim."Pressthisagainstyournecksothatit'llstopbleeding.”
HedidasIsaid.
Irolleddownmywindow,clutchedmyhandstogether,andbreatheddeeplyofthefreshair,tryingtoblockthescentofHeath'sbodyandHeath'sbloodfrommymind.
"Zoey,lookatme.”
"Ican't,Heath.”Iswalloweddownthetearsthatburnedinthebackofmythroat."Pleasejustleave.”
"NotuntilyoulookatmeandlistentowhatIhavetotellyou."
Iturnedmyheadandlookedathim."Howthehellcanyoubesocalmandnormal-sounding?”
HewasstillpressingtheKleenexagainsthisneck.Hisfacewasflushedandhishairwasmessedup.Hesmiledatme,andIdidn'tthinkI'deverseenanyonelooksoabsolutelyadorable.
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"Easy,Zo.Making-outwithyouistotallynormalforme.You'vebeendrivingmecrazyforyears.”
I'dhadthewholeI'm-not-ready-to-have-sex-with-you-yetconversationwithhimwhenIwasfifteenandhewasalmostsev enteen.He'dsaidthenthatheunderstoodandwaswillingtowait—ofcoursethatdidn'tmeanthatwedidn'tdosomeheavymaking-out—butwhathadjusthappenedinthecarhadbeendifferent.Itwashotter,rawer.IknewthatifIallowedmyselftocontinueseeinghimIwouldn'tbeavirginmuchlonger,andnotbecauseHeathwouldpressuremeintoit.ItwouldbebecauseIcouldn'tcontrolmybloodlust.Thethoughtscaredmealmostasmuchasitfascinatedme.Iclosedmyeyesandrubbedmyfore head.Iwasgettingaheadache.Again.
"Doesyourneckhurt?"Iasked,peekingupathimthroughmyfingerslikeIwaswatchingastupidslashermovie.
"Nope.I'mfine,Zo.Youdidn'thurtmeatall.”Hereachedoverandpulledmyhandfrommyface."Everything’llbeokay.Stopworryingsomuch.”
Iwantedtobelievehim.And,Isuddenlyrealized,Ialsowantedtoseehimagain.Isighed."I'lltry.ButIreallydohavetogo.Ican'tbelategettingbacktoschool.”
Hetookmyhandinhis.Icouldfeelthepulseofhisblood,andknewitwasbeatingintimewithmyownheart,likeheandIhadsomehowbecomeinternallysynchronized."Promisemeyou'llcallme,"hesaid.
"Ipromise.”
"Andyou'llmeetmehereagainthisweek.”
"Idon'tknowwhenIcangetaway.Duringtheweekit'sgoingtobehardforme.”
Iexpectedhimtoarguewithme,buthejustnoddedandsqueezedmyhand."Okay,Igetthat.Livingtwenty-foursevenatschoolisprobablyapainintheass.Howaboutthis:Fridaywe'replayingJenksathome.CouldyoumeetmeatStarbucksafterthegame?”
"Maybe.”
"Willyoutry?”
"Yes.”
Hegrinnedandleanedovertogivemeaquickkiss."That'smyZo!I'llseeyouFriday."Hegotoutofthecarandbeforeheclosedthedoorbentdownandsaid,"Iloveya,Zo.”
AsIdroveawayIcouldseehiminmyrearviewmirror.Hewasstandinginthemiddleoftheparkinglot,Kleenexstillpressedtohisneck,wavingbyeatme.
"Youhavenocluewhatyou'redoing,ZoeyRedbird,"Isaidaloudtomyselfasthegrayskyopenedandpouredcoldrainovereverything.
Itwas2:35whenItiptoedbackintoourroom.ThefactthatIwasshortontimewasactuallygood.Itdidn'tgivemeachancetooverthinkwhatIhadtodo.StevieRaeandNalawerestillsoundasleep.Actually,NalahadabandonedmyemptybedandwascurledupbesideStevieRae'sheadonherpillow,whichmademesmile.(Thecatwasanotoriouspillowhog.)QuietlyIopenedthetopdraweronmycomputerdeskandgrabbedDamien'sdispos ablephone,alongwiththeslipofpaperI'dscribbledtheFBI'snumberon,andthenwentintothebathroom.
Itookacoupledeep,calmingbreaths,rememberingDamien'sadvice:Keepit
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtshort.Soundalittleangry,andkindasemi-crazy,butdon'tsoundlikeateenager.Idialedthenumber.Whenanofficial-soundingmananswered,"FederalBureauofInvestigation.HowmayIhelpyou?"Ipitchedmyvoicelowandsharp,cuttingoffmywordslikeIhadtobecarefultoholdmyselfbackbecauseofthedamofhatredthatwasbuiltupbehindthem(whichishowErin,withhersuddenlyandbizarrelyunexpectedpoliticalknowl edge,describedhowIshouldpretendtofeel)."Iwanttoreportabomb."Ikepttalking,notgivinghimtimetointerruptme,butspeakingslowlyandclearlybecauseIknewIwasbeingrecorded."Mygroup,Nature'sJihad(Shawneecameupwithourname),planteditjustbelowthewaterlineononeofthepylons(awordDamienhadcomeupwith)ofthebridgethatcrossestheArkansasRiveronI-40nearWebber'sFalls.It'ssettogooffat1515(usingmilitarytimewasanotherbrilliantideaofDamien's).We'retak ingfullresponsibilityforthisactofcivildisobedience(moreErininput,althoughshesaidterrorismisnotactuallycivildisobedience,it's...well…terrorism,whichisdefinitelydifferent)protestingtheU.S.government'sinterferenceinourlivesandpollutioninAmerica'srivers.Bewarnedthatthisisonlyourfirststrike!"Ihungup.ThenIquicklyflippedthescrapofpaperoverandpunchedinthephonenumberontheothersideofit.
"FoxNewsTulsa!"saidtheperkywoman.
Thispartwasactuallymyidea.IfiguredifIcalledalocalnewsstationwewouldhaveabetterchanceofhavingthethreatre portedquicklyonthelocalnews,andthenwecouldkeepaneyeonthenewsandmaybeevenknowwhen(orif)ourattempttogetthebridgeclosedhadbeensuccessful.Itookanotherdeepbreathandthenlaunchedintotherestoftheplan.
"AterroristgroupknownasNature'sJihadhascalledtheFBIwithinformationthatthey'veplantedabombontheI-40bridgeovertheArkansasRiverbyWebber'sFalls.It'ssettoexplodeatthreefifteentoday."Imadethemistakeofpausingforafractionofasecond,andthewoman,whowassuddenlynotsoperky-sounding,said,"Whoareyou,ma'am,andwheredidyougetthisinformation?”
"Downwithgovernmentinterventionandpollutionandupwiththepowerofthepeople!"Iyelledandthenhungup.Imme diatelyIpressedthepoweroffbutton.Thenmykneeswouldn'tholdmeupanylongerandIcollapsedontotheclosedtoiletlid.I'ddoneit.I'dreallydoneit.
Twosoftknockssoundedagainstthebathroomdoor,followedbyStevieRae'ssoftOklahomatwang.
"Zoey?Areyouokay?”
"Yeah,"Isaidfaintly.Iforcedmyselftostandupandgotothedoor.IopenedittoseeStevieRae'srumpledfacepeeringupatmelikeasleepy,countrifiedrabbit.
"Didyacall'em?"shewhispered.
"Yeah,andyoudon'thavetowhisper.It'sjustyouandme."Nalayawnedandmadeagrumpymee-uf-owatmefromthemiddleofStevieRae'spillow."AndNala.”
"Whathappened?Didtheysayanything?”
"Notafterthe`helloFBI'part.DamiensaidIshouldn'tgivethemachancetotalk,remember?”
"Didyoutellthemthatwe'reNature'sJihad?”
"StevieRae.We'renotNature'sJihad.We'rejustpretendingtobe.”
"Well,Iheardyouyellingthedownwiththegovernmentandpollutionthing,soIthought…maybe…actuallyIdunnowhatIthought.IguessIjustgotcaughtupinthemoment.”
Irolledmyeyes."StevieRae,Iwasjustacting.ThenewsladyaskedmewhoIwasandIguessIkindafreaked.And,yes,ItoldthemeverythingwesaidI
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtshould.Ijusthopeitworks."Ipulledoffmyhoodieandhungitonthebackofachairtodry.
StevieRaesuddenlyregisteredthatmyhairwaswetandmyMarkwascovered,somethingI'dtotallyforgottenaboutinmyhurrytomakethephonecalls.Hell.
"Didyougosomewhere?”
"Yeah,"Isaidreluctantly."Icouldn'tsleep,soIwenttotheAmericanEagleatUticaandboughtanewsweater."IpointedatthesoggyAmericanEaglebagI'dtossedinthecorner.
"Youshouldhavewokenmeup.Iwouldhavegonewithyou.”
Ifshehadn'tsoundedsohurtIwouldhavehadmoretimetothinkaboutjustexactlyhowmuchIwasgoingtotellheraboutHeathbeforeIblurted,"Iranintomyex-boyfriend.”
"Ohmygoodness!Tellmeeverything."Sheploppeddownonherbed,eyesshining.Nalagrumbledandjumpedfromherpil lowtomine.Igotatowelandstartedtodrymyhair.
"IwasatStarbucks.HewastapingupflyerswithBrad'spic tureonthem.”
"And?Whathappenedwhenhesawyou?”
"Wetalked.”
Sherolledhereyes."Comeon—whatelse?”
"He'squitdrinkingandgettinghigh.”
"Wow,that'smajor.Isn'thisdrinkingandsmokingwhyyouquitseeinghimtobeginwith?”
"Yeah.”
"Hey,whataboutStankKaylaandhim?”
"Heathsayshe'snotseeingherbecauseofthecrapshe'stalk ingaboutvampyres.”
"See!Wewererightaboutherbeingthereasonthosecopswerehereaskingstuffaboutyou,"StevieRaesaid.
"Seemslikeit.”
StevieRaewaswatchingmewaytooclosely."Youstilllikehim,don'tyou?”
"It'snotthatsimple.”
"Well,actually,partofitisthatsimple.Imean,ifyoudon'tlikehim,that'sprettymuchit.Youwon'tseehimagain.Simple,"StevieRaesaidlogically.
"Istilllikehim,"Iadmitted.
"Iknewit!"Shedidalittlebedbounce."Man,youhavelikeazillionguys,Z.Whatareyougonnado?”
"Ihavenotgotoneclue,"Isaidmiserably.
"ErikcomesbackfromtheShakespearecompetitiontomorrow.
"Iknow.NeferetsaidthatLorenwenttosupportErikandtherestofthekidsfromhere,sothatmeanshe'llbebackwiththemtomorrow,too.AndItoldHeathI'dgooutwithhimFridayafterthegame.”
"AreyougoingtotellErikabouthim?”
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"Idunno.”
"DoyoulikeHeathmorethanErik?”
"Idunno.”
"WhataboutLoren?”
"StevieRae,Idonotknow."Irubbedattheheadachethatseemedtohavefirmlyattacheditselftome."Canwejustnottalkaboutitforawhile—atleastuntilIgetalittleofthisfiguredout."
"Okay.Let'sgo."Shegrabbedmyarm.
"Where?"Iblinkedather,totallyconfused.She'dgonefromHeathtoEriktoLorenandthentolet'sgowaytoofast.
"YouneedyourCountChoculafix,andIneedmyLuckyCharms.AndwebothneedtowatchCNNandthelocalnews.”
Istartedtoshuffletothedoor.Nalastretched,meowedgrumpily,andthenreluctantlyfollowedme.StevieRaeshookherheadatbothofus.
"Comeonyoutwo.Everythingwillseembetterafteryou'vehadyourCountChocula.”
"Andbrownpop,"Isaid.
StevieRaescrewedupherfacelikeshejustsuckedalemon."Forbreakfast?”
"Ihaveafeelingit'sabrown-pop-for-breakfastkindofday.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Thankfully,wedidn'thavetowaitlongbeforeweheardsome thing.StevieRae,theTwins,andIwerewatchingTheDr.PhilShowandatexactly3:10(StevieRaeandIwereonoursecondbowlsofcerealandIwasonmythirdbrownpop)FoxNewsbrokeintotheprogramwithaSpecialReport.
"ThisisCheraKimikowithbreakingnews.WehavelearnedthatshortlyaftertwothirtythisafternoontheOklahomabranchoftheFBIreceivedabombthreatfromaterroristgroupcallingthem selvesNature'sJihad.FoxNewshasdiscoveredthatthegroupclaimedtohaveplantedabombontheI-40ArkansasRiverbridgenotfarfromWebber'sFalls.Let'sgolivetoHannahDownsforanupdate.”
Thefourofussatverystillaswewatchedthecamerashottakeintheyoungreporterwhowasstandinginfrontofanormal-lookinghighwaybridge.Well,itwasnormal-lookingexceptforthehordesofuniformedmenwhowereswarmingaroundit.Ibreathedarelievedsigh.Thebridgewasdefinitelyclosed.
"Thankyou,Chera.AsyoucanseetheentirebridgehasbeenclosedbytheFBIandlocalpolice,includingTulsa'sATFteam.They'redoingathoroughsearchfortheallegedbomb.”
"Hannah,havetheyfoundanythingyet?"Cheraasked.
"It'stooearlytotell,Chera.TheyjustlaunchedtheFBIboats.”
"Thankyou,Hannah."Thecamerawentbacktothenewsroom."We'llkeepyouupdatedonthisbreakingstorywhenwehavemoreinformationontheallegedbomb,
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtoronthisnewterroristgroup.Untilthen,Foxreturnsyouto…”
"Abombthreat.Thatwassmart.”
ThewordswerespokensosoftlyandIwassofocusedontheTVthatittookasecondforAphrodite'svoicetoregisterwithme.WhenitdidIlookedupquickly.Shewasstandingtomyright,justalittlebehindthecouchStevieRaeandIweresittingon.Iexpectedherfacetobesettledinitsusualhaughtysneer,soIwassurprisedwhenshenoddedslightly,almostrespectfully,atme.
"Whatdoyouwant?"StevieRae'svoicewasuncharacteristi callysharp,andInoticedthatseveralgirlswhohadbeenbusyintheirownlittleTV-watchinggroupsupuntilthenstoppedwhattheyweredoingtolookourway.ByAphrodite'sinstantchangeinexpression,shenoticedit,too.
"Fromanex-refrigerator?Nothing!"shesneered.
IfeltStevieRaestiffenbesidemeattheslur.IknewshehatedthereminderthatshehadallowedAphroditeandherinnergroupofDarkDaughterstouseherbloodintheritualthathadgonesototallywronglastmonth.Beingusedasa"refrigerator"wasnotagoodthing—andbeingcalledonewasaninsult.
"Hey,hagbitchfromhell,"Shauneesaidinasweet,friendlytone."Thatremindsus,seemsthenewDarkDaughtersinnergroup—
"Whichwouldsobeusandnotyouandyourskankyfriends,"Erininserted.
"…Hasanopeningforanewrefrigeratorfortheritualto morrow,"Shauneecontinuedsmoothly.
"Yeah,andsinceyou'renotshitanymore,theonlywayyou'llgetintotheritualisasthatnight'ssnack,"Erinsaid."Areyouheretoapplyforthejob?”
"Ifyouare,sorry.There'snotellingwhereyou'vebeenandwedon'tlikenasty,"Shauneesaid.
"Biteme,bitch,"Aphroditesnapped.
"Notevenifyoubegged,"Shauneesaid.
"Yaho,"Erinfinished.
StevieRaejustsatthere,lookingpaleandupset.Iwantedtoknockalltheirheadstogether.
"Okay,stop."Theyallshutup.IlookedatAphrodite."Don'tevercallStevieRaearefrigeratoragain."ThenIturnedtotheTwins."FledglingsbeingusedduringourritualsisoneofthethingsI'mdoingawaywith,sowewon'tneedakidtoactasoursacrifice.Whichmeansnooneisgoingtobeasnack."Okay,Ihadn'tactuallyyelledattheTwins,buttheygavemeidenticallooksofhurtandshock.Isighed."We'reallonthesamesidehere,"Isaidquietly,makingsuremyvoicedidn'tcarrytotheob viouslylisteningkidsintheroom."Soitwouldbeniceifwecouldlosesomeofthebickering.”
"Don'tkidyourself.We'renotonthesameside—notevenclose."Then,withalaughthatwasmorelikeasnarl,shestalkedoff.
Iwatchedherleaveandjustbeforeshewentoutthefrontdoorsheglancedbackatme,metmyeyes,andwinked.
Whatwasthatabout?She'dlookedalmostplayful,likewewerefriendsandjustkiddingaround.Butthatwasn'tpossible.Wasit?"Shegivesmethecreeps,"StevieRaesaid.
"Aphroditehasissues,"Isaid,andthethreeofthemlookedatmelikeI'djustsaidHitlerreallyhadn'tbeenthatbad."Youguys,IreallywantthenewDarkDaughterstobeagroupthatbringspeopletogether,notonethat'sstuck-upandsoexclusivethatonlyafewfromachosencliquecanjoin."Theyjuststaredat
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtme."Itwasherwarningthatsavedmygrandmaandseveralotherpeopletoday.”
"Sheonlytoldyoubecauseshewantssomethingfromyou.She'shateful,Zoey.Don'teverthinkshe'snot,"Erinsaid.
"Pleasedonottellmethatyou'rethinkingoflettingherbackintotheDarkDaughters,"StevieRaesaid.
Ishookmyhead."No.AndevenifIwantedto,whichIdon't,"Iaddedquickly,"accordingtomyownnewrulesshedoesn'tqualifyformembership.ADarkDaughterorSonhastoupholdouridealsbyherorhisbehavior.”
Shauneesnorted."Nodamnwaythathagknowshowtobeauthentic,faithful,wise,earnest,andsincereaboutanythingex ceptherownhatefulplans.”
"Forworlddominance,"Erinadded.
"Anddon'tthinkthey'reexaggerating,"StevieRaetoldme.
"StevieRae,sheisnotmyfriend.Ijust…Idunno..."Ifloundered,tryingtoputtheinstinctthatsooftenwhisperedtomeandgoadedmetodo,ornottodo,thingsintowords."IguessIreallydofeelsorryforhersometimes.AndIalsothinkIunder standheralittle.Aphroditejustwantstobeaccepted,butshegoesaboutitallwrong.Shethinksmanipulationandliesmixedwithcontrolcanforcepeopletolikeher.It'swhatshesawathome,andthat'swhatmadeherlikesheisnow.”
"Sorry,Zoey,butthat'sbullshit,"Shauneesaid."She'swaytoooldtobeactingafoolbecauseshehasascrewed-upmommy.”
"Please.Justpleasewiththeblame-my-mommy-'cause-I'm-a-bitchcrap,"Erinsaid.
"Nottobemeanoranything,butyouhaveascrewed-upmama,too,Zoey,andyoudidn'tlether,oryourstep-loserofadad,messyouup,"StevieRaesaid."AndDamienhasamamawhodoesn'tlikehimanymorebecausehe'sgay.”
"Yeah,andhedidn'tturnintoahatefulsluthag,"Shauneesaid."Actually,he'stheopposite.He'slike...he'slike..."Shepaused,lookingtoErinforhelp."Twin,what'stheJulieAndrewscharac ter'snameinTheSoundofMusic?”
"Maria.Andyou'reright,Twin.Damienislikethatgoody-goodynun.Heneedstoloosenupsomeorhe'snevergonnagetany.”
"Icannotbelieveyouguysarediscussingmylovelife,"Damiensaid.
Wealljumpedguiltilyandmuttered,"Sorry.”
HeshookhisheadwhileStevieRaeandIscootedoversohecouldsitbesideus."AndI'llhaveyouknowIdon'tjustwantto`getsome'asyouguyssonastilyputit.Iwantalastingrelation shipwithsomeoneIreallycareabout,andI'mwillingtowaitforthat.”
"Ja,fräulein,"Shauneewhispered.
"Maria,"Erinmuttered.
StevieRaetriedtohidehergiggleinacough.
Damiennarrowedhiseyesatthethreeofthem.Idecidedthatwasmycuetotalk.
"Itworked.”Isaidquietly."Theyclosedthebridge."Ipulledhiscellphoneoutofmypocketandgaveitbacktohim.Hecheckedtomakesureitwasoffandnodded.
"Iknow,Isawthenewsandcamerightover."DamienglancedatthedigitalclockontheDVDplayerthatsatintheentertain mentcenterwiththeTV,thenhegrinnedatme."It'sthreetwenty.Wedidit.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtThefiveofussmiledateachother.It'strue;Iwasrelieved,butIstillhadanaggingworriedfeelingIcouldn'tseemtogetridofthatwasmorethanjustthestressaboutHeath.MaybeIneededafourthbrownpop.
"Okay,well,that'stakencareof.Sowhyarewesittingaroundheretalkingaboutmylovelife?"Damiensaid.
"Orlackthereof,"ShauneewhisperedtoErin,whotriedun successfully(withStevieRae)nottolaugh.
Ignoringthem,Damienstoodupandlookedatme."Well,let'sgo.
"Huh?”
Herolledhiseyesheavenwardandshookhishead."MustIdoeverything?Youhavearitualtoperformtomorrow,whichmeanswehavearechalltotransform.DidyouthinkAphroditewasgo ingtovolunteertogetthingssetupforyou?”
"IguessIhadn'tthoughtaboutit."LikeI'dhadtime?
"Well,thinkaboutitnow."Heyankedonmyhandandpulledmetomyfeet."Wehaveworktodo.”
IgrabbedmybrownpopandweallfollowedtheDamienwhirlwindoutintoaverycold,cloudySaturdayafternoon.Therainhadstopped,butthecloudswereevendarker.
"Lookslikesnow,"Isaid,squintingupattheslate-coloredsky.
"Oh,man,Iwish.I'dlovesomesnow!"StevieRaetwirledaroundwithherarmsoutstretched,lookinglikealittlegirl.
"MovetoConnecticut.You'llhavemoresnowthanyoucanstand.Itgetsprettydamntiresomeaftermonthsandmonthsofcoldandwet.Please.It'swhywenortheasternersaresogrumpy,"Shauneesaidpleasantly.
"Idon'tcarewhatyousay.Youcan'truinitforme.Snowismagic.Ithinkitmakestheearthlooklikeithasafluffywhiteblanketpulledoverit."Shespreadherarmswideandyelled,"Iwantittosnow!”
"Yeah,well,Iwantthosefour-hundred-fifty-dollarembroi deredvintagejeansIsawinthenewVictoria'sSecretcatalog,"Erinsaid."Whichproveswecan'talwayshavewhatwewant,snoworcooljeans.”
"Oooh,Twin,maybethey'llgoonsale.Thosejeansarejusttoodamncutetogiveupon.”
"Sowhydon'tyoujusttakeyourfavoritepairofjeansandseeifyoucanreproducethepatternyourself?Ican'tbethathard,youknow,"Damiensaidlogically(andverygayly).
IwasopeningmymouthtoagreewithDamienwhenthefirstsnowflakeploppedonmyforehead."Hey,StevieRae,yourwishcametrue.It'ssnowing.”
StevieRaesquealedhappily."Yeah!Snowharderandharder!”
Andshedefinitelygotherwish.Bythetimewemadeittotherechall,fat,quarter-sizedflakesofsnowwerecoveringevery thing.IhadtoadmitthatStevieRaewasright.Thesnowwaslikeamagicblanketontheearth.Itturnedeverythingsoftandwhite,andevenShaunee(fromgrumpy,snowboundConnecticut)waslaughingandtryingtocatchflakeswithhertongue.
Wewereallgigglingwhenwewentintotherechall.Therewereseveralkidsinside.Somewereplayingpool,otherswereplayingvideogamesontheold-fashioned-lookingarcadema chines.Ourlaughingandbrushingoffsnowmadeseveralofthemstopwhattheyweredoingandpullbackthethickblackcurtainsthatshieldedthebigroomfromdaylight.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Yep!"StevieRaeyelledtheobvious."It'ssnowing!”
Ijustsmiledandmademywaytowardthelittlekitchenareainthebackofthebuilding,withDamien,theTwins,andsnow-crazedStevieRaefollowingme.Iknewtherewasastorageroomoffthekitchen,andinsidewasthestufftheDarkDaughterskepttherefortheirrituals.Mightaswellgetstartedsettingthingsup,andImightaswellpretendlikeIknewwhatthehellIwasdoing.
Iheardthedooropenandthenclosebehindme,andthenwassurprisedbyNeferet'svoice.
"Thesnowisquitebeautiful,isn'tit?”
ThekidsstandingaroundthewindowsansweredNeferetwithrespectfulyeses.Iwassurprisedtofeelahintofannoyance,whichIinstantlysquelched,asIstoppedandturnedtogobacktogreetmymentor.Likebabyducks,mygangfollowedme.
"Zoey,good.I'mgladIfoundyouhere."NeferetspokewithsuchobviousaffectionformethattheannoyanceI'dfeltatherinterruptionvanished.Neferetwasmorethanmymentor.Shewaslikeamothertome,anditwasselfishofmetobeirritatedthatshehadcomelookingforme.
"Hi,Neferet,"Isaidwarmly."Wewerejustgettingreadytosetuptheroomfortomorrownight'sritual.”
"Excellent!That'sonethingIwantedtoseeyouabout.Ifyouneedanythingfortheritual,pleasedon'thesitatetoask.AndIdef initelywillbeheretomorrownight,butdon'tworry"—shesmiledatmeagain—"Iwon'tstayfortheentireritualjustlongenoughtoshowmysupportforyourvisionfortheDarkDaughters.ThenI'llleavetheDaughtersandSonsinyourverycapablehands.”
"Thankyou,Neferet,"Isaid.
"Now,thesecondreasonIwantedtofindyouandyourfriends"—shesharedherbrilliantsmilewithmygroup—"wasthatIwantedtointroduceourneweststudenttoyou."Shemo tioned,andakidIhadn'tnoticedtillthensteppedslowlyforward.Hewascute,inastudiouskindofaway,withtousledsandyblondhairandreallyprettyblueeyes.Clearlyhewasoneofthosegeekykidswhoisadork,butalikabledorkwithpotential(translation:hebathesandbrusheshisteeth,plushasgoodskinandhairanddoesn'tdresslikeatotalloser)."I'dlikeallofyoutomeetJackTwist.Jack,thisismyfledgling,ZoeyRedbird,leaderoftheDarkDaughters,andherfriendsandPrefectCouncilmembers,ErinBates,ShawneeCole,StevieRaeJohnson,andDamienMaslin.”Neferetgesturedtoeachoftheminturn,andtherewere"hi"ssaidallaround.Thenewkidlookedalittlenervousandpale,butotherthanthathehadanicesmileanddidn'tseemsociallyineptoranythinglikethat.IwasjustwonderingwhyNeferethadlookedformetointroducethekidtowhenshewentontoexplain.
"Jackisapoetandawriter,andLorenBlakeisgoingtobehismentor,butLorenwon'tbebackfromhistripeastuntiltomor row.JackisalsogoingtobeErikNight'sroommate.Asyouareallaware,Erikisawayfromschooluntiltomorrow,too.SoIthoughtitwouldbeniceifthefiveofyouwouldshowJackaroundandbesurehefeelswelcomeandgetssettledintoday.”
"Ofcourse,we'dbehappyto,"Isaidwithouthesitation.Itwasneverfuntobethenewkid.
"Damien,youcanshowJacktohisandErik'sroom,can'tyou?”
"Sure,noproblem,"Damiensaid.
"IknewIcouldcountonZoey'sfriends.”Neferet'ssmilewasincredible.ItseemedtolighttheroombyitselfanditmademesuddenlyintenselyproudthatalloftheotherkidswerestandingaroundwatchingNeferetshowsuchobviousfavorforus."Re member,ifyouneedanythingfortomorrow,justletmeknow.Oh,becauseit'syourfirstritualIaskedthekitchentopreparesomethingspecialforyouandtheDarkDaughtersandSonsasatreatafterward.Itshould
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtbealovelycelebrationforyou,Zoey.”
Iwasoverwhelmedbyherthoughtfulness,andcouldn'thelpbutcompareittothecold,unconcernedwaymymomtreatedme.Hell,thetruthwasmymomdidn'tactuallycareenoughtotreatmelikeanythinganymore.I'donlyseenherthatonetimeinawholemonth,andafterthestupidsceneherloserhusbandhadcausedwithNeferet,itlookedlikeIwouldn'tbeseeingheragainsoon.LikeIcared?No.NotwhenIhadgoodfriendsandamen torlikeNeferettobethereforme.
"Ireallyappreciatethis,Neferet,"Isaid,swallowinghardaroundthelumpofemotionthathadbuiltinmythroat.
"It'smypleasureandtheleastIcandoformyfledgling'sfirstFullMoonRitualasleaderoftheDarkDaughters."Shegavemeaquickhug,andthenlefttheroom,noddingkindlytothekidswhospoketoherandsalutedherrespectfully.
"Wow,"Jacksaid."She'sreallyamazing.”
"Shesureis,"Isaid.ThenIgrinnedatmyfriends(andthenewkid)."So,readytogettoworknow?Wehavelotsofstufftoclearoutofhere."IsawpoorJacklookingtotallyclueless."Damien,youbettergiveJackaquickcatch-uplessoninvampritualssohedoesn'tfeelsolost."Istartedtowalkbacktowardthekitchen(again),andheardDamienstarthislittleprofessoract,beginningwiththefactsabouttheFullMoonRitual.
"Uh,Zoey,canwehelpyou?”
Iglancedovermyshoulder.DrewPartain,ashort,athletickidIrecognizedbecauseheandIwereinthesamefencingclass(he'sanincrediblefencer—asgoodasDamien,andthat'ssayingsomething),wasstandingwithagroupofguysnearthewallofblack-shroudedwindows.Hesmiledatme,butInoticedhekeptcheckingoutStevieRae."There'salotofstufftobepulledaround.IknowbecausetheguysandIusedtohelpAphroditegettheroomready.”
"Huh,"IheardShauneesayunderherbreath.BeforeErincouldaddtothesarcasticsound,Isaid,"Yeah,wecoulduseyourhelp."AndthenItestedthem."Exceptmyritualisgoingtobedifferent.DamiencanshowyouwhatImean."IwaitedforthedisdainfullooksandthesarcasmthatthejocklikeguystendedtothrowatDamienandthefewotheropenlygaykidsattheschool,butDrewjustshruggedandsaid,"Coolwithme.Justtelluswhattodo."HegrinnedandwinkedatStevieRae,whogiggledandblushed.
"Damien,they'reallyours,"Isaid.
"I'msurehellisfreezingoversomewhere,"Damienwhispered,barelymovinghislips.Then,inhisregularvoicehesaid,"Well,thefirstthingZoeydidn'tlikeisthatitlookslikeamorgueinherewithallofthearcademachinespushedtothewallsandcoveredwiththatblackfabric.Solet'sseeifwecanmovemostofthemintothekitchenandthehall."Drew'sgroupstartedtoworkalongsideDamienandthenewkid,andDamienreturnedtohismini-lesson.
"We'llgetthecandlesandpullthetableouthere,"Itoldtheguys,andmotionedfortheTwinsandStevieRaetofollowme.
"Damienhasdiedandgonestraighttogayboyheaven,"Shauneesaidassoonaswewereoutofearshot.
"Hey,it'sabouttimethosekidsstoppedactinglikeignorantrednecksandbehavedliketheyhavesomesense,"Isaid.
"Shedoesn'tmeanthat,eventhoughweagreewithyou,"Erinsaid."ShemeanslittleMr.Jackthecute-gay-new-kidTwist.”
"Nowwhyintheworldwouldyouthinkhe'sgay?"StevieRaeasked.
"StevieRae,Iswearyouhavegottobroadenyourhorizons,girl,"Shauneesaid.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
"Okay,I'mlost,too.WhydoyouthinkJack'sgay?"Iasked.
ShauneeandErinsharedalong-sufferinglook,thenErinex plained."JackTwistisyummyJakeGyllenhaal'stotallygaycow boycharacterfromBrokebackMountain.”
"Andjustplease!Anyonewhochoosesthatnameandwholooksallgeekycutelikethatistotally,completelyplayingforDamien'steam.”
"Huh,"Isaid.
"Well,I'llbe,"StevieRaesaid."Youknow,Ineverdidseethatmovie.Itdidn'tcometotheCinema8inHenrietta.”
"Youdon'tsay?"Shauneesaid.
"Please.I'msoshocked,"Erinsaid.
"Well,StevieRae.Idobelieveit'stimeforaDVDshowingofthatexcellentflick,"Shauneesaid.
"Doguyskissinit?”
"Deliciously,"ShauneeandErinsaidtogether.
Itried,butfailedmiserablynottolaughatthelookonStevieRae'sface.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Wewerealmostfinishedsettinguptheroomwhensomeoneflippedonthenightlynewsonthebig-screenTVwedidhavetoleaveinthemainroom.Thefiveofussharedquicklooks—whattheywerecalling"thebombhoaxbyNature'sJihad"wastheleadstory.EventhoughIknewmycallcouldn'tbetraced,andI'dwatchedDamien"accidentally"dropandthentotallysteponandsmashhisdisposablephone,IonlybreathedmarginallyeasierwhenCheraKimikorepeatedthatsofarthepolicehadnoleadsabouttheidentityoftheterroristgroup.
InarelatedArkansasRiverstoryFoxNewsreportedthatthiseveningSamuelJohnson,captainofarivertransportbarge,hadaheartattackwhilepilotingthebarge.Itwasa"luckycoincidence"forhimthatrivertraffichadbeenhaltedandthatpoliceandparamedicsweresocloseby.Hislifehadbeensaved,andtherehadbeennodamagedonetoanyotherbargesorbridges.
"Thatwasit!"Damiensaid."Hehadaheartattackandranthebargeintothebridge.”
Inoddednumbly."AndthatprovesthatAphrodite'svisionwastrue.”
"Notthatthat'sgoodnews,"StevieRaesaid.
"Ithinkitis,"Isaid."AslongasAphroditeletsusknowabouthervisions,atleastwecantakethemseriously.”
Damienshookhishead."TherehastobeareasonNeferetbe lievesNyxhaswithdrawnhergiftfromAphrodite.It'stoobadwecan'ttellheraboutthis,thenmaybeshe'dexplainwhat'sgoingon,ormaybeevenchangehermindaboutAphrodite.”
"No,IgavemywordIwouldn'tsayanything.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"IfAphroditewasreallychangingfromhagtononhag,she'dgotoNeferetherself,"Shauneesaid.
"Maybeyoushouldtalktoheraboutthat,"Erinsaid.StevieRaemadearudenoise.
IrolledmyeyesatStevieRae,butshedidn'tnoticebecauseDrewhadgrinnedhiswayuptousandshewastoobusyblush ingtopayattentiontome.
"How'sitlook,Zoey?"heaskedwithouttakinghiseyesfromStevieRae.
Likeyou'vegotathingformyroommate,iswhatIwantedtosay,butIthoughthewaskindacuteandStevieRae'sblushclearlysaidshethoughtso,too,soIdecidedagainstmortifyingher."Looksgood,"Isaid.
"Doesn'tlooktoobadfromhere,either,”Shauneesaid,givingDrewalookupanddown.
"Ditto,Twin,"Erinsaid,wagglinghereyebrowsatDrew.
Theboydidn'tnoticeeitheroftheTwins.SeemsallhenoticedwasStevieRae.
"I'mstarving,"hesaid.
"Me,too,"StevieRaesaid.
"So,howaboutgettingsomethingtoeat?"Drewaskedher.
"Okay,"StevieRaesaidquickly,andthensheseemedtore memberwewereallstandingtherewatchingher,andherfacegotevenpinker."Gosh,itisdinnertime.Webetterallgogetsome thing.”Withanervouslittlegesture,sheranherfingersthroughhershortcurlsandcalledacrosstheroomtoDamien,whowasthoroughlyengrossedinaconversationwithJack.(FromwhatIhadoverheardtheywerebothintothesamekindofbooksandweredebatingwhichoftheHarryPotterswasreallythebest.Clearly,theyweredorkishlyalike.)"Damien,we'regonnagoeat.AreyouandJackhungry?”
JackandDamienexchangedalook,andthenDamiencalledback,"Yeah,we'recoming.”
"Okeydokey,"StevieRaesaid,stillgrinningatDrew."Iguesswe'reallhungry.”
Shauneesighed,andstartedforthedoor."Justplease.Theyounglovehormonesinthisroomareenoughtogivemeaheadache.”
"IfeellikeI'mstuckinaLifetimemovie.Waitforme,Twin,"Erinsaid.
"WhyaretheTwinssocynicalaboutlove?"IaskedDamienasheandJackcrossedtheroomtojoinus.
"They'renot.They'rejustmadthatthelastfewguysthey'vegoneoutwithhaveboredthem,"Damiensaid.
Asagroup,wewentoutsideintothemagicofasnowyNovem berevening.Theflakeshadchangedandweresmaller,buttheywerestillcomingdownsteadily,makingtheHouseofNightlookevenmoremysteriousandcastlelikethanusual.
"Yeah,theTwinsarehardonguys.It'sliketheydouble-timethem,"StevieRaesaid.InoticedshewaswalkingreallyclosetoDrewandthatoccasionallytheirarmsbrushedtogether.
Iheardabunchofmutteredagreementnoisesfromtheguyswhohadbeenhelpingusdragfurniturearoundtherecroom.AndIimagineditwouldbeintimidatingforanyguy(vamporhuman)totrytodateoneoftheTwins.
"DoyourememberwhenThoraskedErinout?"saidoneofDrew'sfriends,whosenameIthinkwasKeith.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Yeah,shecalledhimalemur.Youknow,likethemoroniclemursinthatDisneymovie,”StevieRaesaid,laughing.
"AndWalterwentoutwithShauneeatotaloftwoandahalfdates.Then,rightinthemiddleofStarbucks,shecalledhimaPentium3processor,"Damiensaid.
Igavehimatotallycluelesslook.
"Z,we'reuptoPentium5processorsnow.”
"Oh.”
"ErinstillcallshimSlowestMcSlowensteinwheneversheseeshim,"StevieRaesaid.
"Clearlyit'sgoingtotakeacoupleofreallyspecialguystodatetheTwins,"Isaid.
"Ithinkthere'ssomeoneforeveryone,"Jacksaidsuddenly.Weallturnedtohimandheblushed.BeforeanyofthekidscouldsnickerathimIspokeup,"IagreewithJack."Butfiguringoutwhichsomeoneistheoneforyouisthehardpart,Iaddedsilentlytomyself.
"Totally!"StevieRaesaidwithherusualperkyoptimism."Absolutely,"Damiensaid,winkingatme.Igrinnedbackathim.
"Hey!"Shauneesteppedoutfrombehindatree."Whatareyouguystalkingabout?”
"Yournonexistentlovelife!"Damiencalledcheerfully.
"Really?"shesaid.
"Really,"Damiensaid.
"Howaboutyoutalkabouthowcoldandwetyouarein stead?"Shauneesaid.
Damienfrowned."Huh?I'mnot.”
Erinpoppedoutfromaroundtheothersideofthetree,snow ballinhand."Youwillbe!"sheyelled,throwingitandhittingDamiensmackinthemiddleofhischest.
Ofcoursethesnowballwarwason.KidssquealedandranforcoverwhiletheyscoopeduphandfulsofnewsnowandtookaimatShauneeandErin.Istartedtobackaway.
"Itoldyousnowwasgreat!"StevieRaesaid.
"Well,let'sjusthopeforablizzardthen,"Damienyelled,tak ingaimatErin."Lotsofwindandsnow.Totallythebestforsnowballfights!"Heletfly,butErinwastooquickandjumpedforcoverjustintimetomissbeingplasteredrightinthehead.
"Whereareyougoing,Z?"StevieRaecalledfrombehindanornamentalshrub.InoticedDrewwasrightbesideher,firingcovershotsatShaunee.
"Tothemediacenter—havetoworkonthewordsfortherit ualtomorrow,soI'llgrabsomethingtoeatbackatthedormwhenIgetdone."Ikeptbackingawaymoreandmorequickly."Hatetomissallthefun,but…"andIretreatedinsidetheclos estdoor,slammingitbehindmejustintimeforittocatchtheplopplopplopofthreesnowballsagainstitsancientwood.
Ihadn'tjustbeenmakinganexcusetogetoutofthesnowballwar.Iactuallyhadbeenplanningtoditchdinnerandspendafewhoursinthemediacenter.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtTomorrowI'dhavetocastacircleandleadaritualthatmightbeasancientasthemoonitself.
Ididn'tknowwhatthehellIwasdoing.
Okay,sure.I'dcastonecirclewithmyfriendsamonthagoasalittleexperimenttoseeifIreallyhadanaffinityfortheelements,orifI'dbeendelusional.UntilIfeltthepowerofwind,fire,water,earth,andspiritrushthroughmeandmyfriendswitnessedit,too,Iwouldhavebetonthesideofdelusional.NotthatI'mtotallycynicaloranything,butplease.Justplease(astheTwinswouldsay).Beingabletotapintothepowerofthefiveelementswasprettybizarre.Imean,mylifewasn'tanX-Menmovie(althoughI'ddefinitelyliketospendsomequalitytimewithWolverine).
Themediacenterwaspredictablyempty;itwas,afterall,Sat urdaynight.OnlytotaldorksspentSaturdaynightinthemediacenter.Yes,Iknewalltoowellwhatthatmademe.I'dalreadyde cidedwheretostartmyresearch.Ipulledupthecardcatalogueonthecomputerandsearchedforoldspellandritualbooks,ig noringanythathadrecentpublicationdates.IwasparticularlydrawntoonetitledMysticalRitesoftheCrystalMoonbyFiona.IvaguelyrecognizedhernameasoneoftheVampPoetLaureatesfromtheearly1800s(therewasacoolpictureofherinourdorm).IscribbleddowntheDeweyDecimalNumberforthebookandfoundituponanobscureshelf,dustyandlonely.Ithoughtitwasanexcellentsignthatitwasoneofthoseoldleather-boundtomes.IwantedfoundationandtraditionsothatundermyleadershiptheDarkDaughterswouldknowsomethingmorethanAphrodite'swaytoomodern(andho-ish)influence.
Iopenedmynotebookandgotoutmyfavoritepen,whichmademethinkaboutwhatLorenhadsaidaboutpreferringtowritehispoetrybyhandratherthanonacomputer…andmademethinkaboutLorentouchingmyface…andmyback...andtheconnectionthathadsizzledbetweenus.Ismiledandfeltmycheeksgetwarm,andthenrealizedIwassittingtheregrinningandblushinglikearetardaboutaguywhowastoooldforme,andavampyre.Boththingsmademereallynervous(aswelltheyshould).Imean,hewastotallygorgeous,buthewastwenty-something.Arealadultwhoknewallthevampyresecretsaboutbloodlustand,well,lustingeneral.Which,unfortunately,onlymadehimmoredelicious,especiallyaftermybriefbutverynastybloodsuckingmake-outscenewithHeath.
Itappedmypenagainsttheblanknotebookpage.Okay,I'dbeenkissingandmessingaroundalittlewithEriksomeduringthepastmonth.Yes,Ilikedit.No,ithadn'tgoneveryfar.Onerea sonwasthatdespiterecentevidencetothecontrary,Ididn'tusu allyactlikeaslut.AnotherreasonwasthatIwasstillwaytooawarethatI'daccidentallywatchedAphrodite,Erik'sveryex-girlfriend,onherkneesinfrontofhimtryingtogivehimablowjob,andIdidn'twanttheretobeanyconfusiononErik'spartthatIwasdefinitelynotastankslutlikeAphroditetheHo.(IignoredthememoryofmyrubbingthebulgeinHeath'spants.)So,IwasdefinitelyattractedtoErik,whoeveryonethoughtwasmyoffi cialboyfriend,eventhoughwehadn'tdonemuchaboutthatat traction.
MymindshiftedtoLoren.OutsideinthemoonlightwithmyskinbaredtohimLorenhadmademefeellikeawoman—notaninexperienced,nervousgirl,whichishowItendedtofeelaroundErik.ButwhenI'dseenthedesireinLoren'seyesI'dfeltbeautifulandpowerfulandvery,verysexy.And,yes,Ihadtoadmittomy selfthatIlikedthatfeeling.
AndhowthehelldidHeathfitintoallofthis?IfeltdifferentaboutHeaththanIdidaboutErikorLoren.HeathandIhadhis tory.We'dknowneachothersincewewerekids,andwe'dbeendating,onandoff,forthepastcoupleyears.I'dalwaysbeenat tractedtoHeath,andwe'ddonesomeseriousmaking-out,buthe'dneverturnedmeonbeforelikehedidwhenhecuthisneckandI'ddrunkhisblood.
Ishiveredandautomaticallylickedmylips.Justthinkingaboutitmademefeelhotandhorrifiedatthesametime.Idefinitelywantedtoseehimagain.ButwasthatbecauseIstillcaredabouthim,orwasitjustbecauseoftheintensebloodlustIfeltforhim?
Ihadnoidea.
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True,I'dlikedHeathforyears.Hewaskindadopeysome times,butusuallyinasweetway.Hetreatedmeright,andIlikedtohangoutwithhim—atleastthosethingshadbeentruebeforehe'dstartedboozingitupandgettinghigh.Thenhisdopinesshadturnedintostupidity,andIhadn'treallytrustedhimany more.Buthesaidhe'dquitallthat,sodidthatmeanhewasbacktotheguyIusedtolikesomuch?Andifso,whatthehellwasIsupposedtodoabout(1)Erik,(2)Loren,(3)thefactthatdrink ingHeath'sbloodwastotallyagainsttheHouseofNightrules,and(4)Iwasdefinitelygoingtodrinkmoreofhisblood.
Mysighsoundedsuspiciouslylikeasob.Ireallyneededsome onetotalkto.
Neferet?Noway.Iwasn'tabouttotellanadultvampaboutLoren.IknewIshouldadmitthatI'dbeendrinkingHeath'sblood(again—sigh)andhadprobablyintensifiedtheImprintbetweenus.ButIcouldn't.Atleastnotyet.Iknowitwasselfish,butIdidn'twanttobeintroublewithherwhileIwasstilltryingtosettleintotheDarkDaughters'leadership.
StevieRae?Shewasmybestfriend,andIwantedtotellher,butifIwasgoingtoreallytalktoherthenthatmeantI'dhavetoadmittodrinkingHeath'sblood.Twice.AndhowmuchIwantedtodrinkitagain.Howcouldthatnotfreakherout?Itfreakedmeout.Icouldn'tstandtothinkaboutmybestfriendlookingatmelikeIwasamonster.Plus,Ididn'tthinkshe'dunderstand—notreally.
Icouldn'ttellGrandma.ShewoulddefinitelynotlikethefactthatLorenwastwenty-something.AndIcouldn'timaginetalkingtoheraboutthelustpartofbloodlust.
Ironically,Irealizedwhotheonepersonwaswhowouldnotbefreakedabouttheblood,andwoulddefinitelyunderstandaboutthelustandsuch—Aphrodite.And,oddlyenough,partofmewantedtotalktoher,especiallyafterdiscoveringhervisionswerestilltrue.IhadafeelingaboutAphroditethatwastellingmetherewasalotmoretowhatwasgoingonwithherthanthefactthatshecoulddefinitelybeahatefulbitch.She'dpissedoffNeferet—thatmuchwasobvious.ButNeferethadtoldAphrodite,incold,hatefulwords,thatNyxhadwithdrawnherfavorfromher,andshe'dmadeitcleartome(andpracticallytheentireschool)thatAphrodite'svisionswerefalse.ButIhadproofthattheyweren't.Itgavemeascared,skin-crawlyfeeling,butIwasbeginningtowon derhowmuchIcouldactuallytrustNeferet.
Forcingmythoughtsbacktothemediacenterandthere searchIhadtodo,Iopenedtheoldritualbook,andaslipofpa perflutteredoutofit.Ipickedupthepaper,thinkingsomekidhadlefthernotesinit,andfroze.MynamewasprintedatthetopineleganthandwritingIdefinitelyrecognized.
ForZoey
AlluringPriestess.
Nightcan'tcloakyourscarletdream.AcceptDesire'scall.
Thewordsofthepoemsentashiverthroughme.Whatthehell?Howhadanyone,letaloneLorenwhowassupposedtobeontheEastCoast,knownI'dlookinthatbook!
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtMyhandwasshaking,soIputthepaperdownandslowlyrereadthepoem.IfIpushedasidethefactthatitwasincrediblyromanticthattheVampPoetLaureatewaswritingmepoetryandreadthepoemwithoutbeingtotallyblownawaybyhowsexyitwasIrealizedsomethingasdisturbingasthehaikubeinghereinthefirstplace.Nightcan'tcloakyourscarletdream.WasIgoingabsolutelycrazy,ordoesthatlinesoundlikeLorenknowsI'vebeendrinkingblood?Andsuddenlythepoemfeltwrong...dangerous...likeawarningthatwasn'tactuallyawarning,andIstartedtowonderaboutthepoet.WhatifLorenhadn'twrittenit?WhatifitwasAphrodite?Ihadoverheardhertalkingtoherparents.ShewassupposedtobegettingmekickedoutastheDarkDaughters'leader.Couldthistieintoherplan?(Jeesh,"herplan."Iwasstartingtosoundlikeabadcomicbook.)
Okay,AphroditehadseenmewithLoren,buthowcouldsheknowaboutthehaiku?Also,howwouldAphroditeknowthatI'dbebackinthemediacenterlookingatthisparticularoldbook?Thatsoundedmorelikesomeweirdpieceofpsychicinfoanadultvampwouldhave—althoughIdidn'thaveacluehow.Imean,Ihadn'tevenknownI'dchoosethebookuntilafewminutesago.
Nalajumpeduponthecomputerdesk,scaringthebejeezusoutofme.Shecomplainedandrubbedagainstme.
"Okay,okay.I'llgettowork."ButasIsearchedthroughtheoldbookfortraditionalritualsandspellsmymindkeptcirclingaroundandaroundthepoemandtheuneasyfeelingthatseemedtohavepermanentlylodgeditselfbeneathmybreastbone.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
IwascarryingNalaoutofthemediacenter—thecathadbeensosoundasleepthatshehadn'tevenbotheredtocomplainatmewhenIpickedherup.IcheckedtheclockasIlefttheroom,andcouldn'tbelievethatseveralhourshadpassed.Nowondermybuttwasasleepandmyneckwassostiff.Butbeingtemporarilyuncomfortabledidn'treallymatterbecauseI'dactuallyfiguredoutwhatIwasgoingtodofortheFullMoonRitual.Itwasahugeweightliftedfrommymind.Iwasstillnervous,anddidn'tspendtoomuchtimeconsideringthefactthatwhenIperformedtheritualI'dbedoingsoinfrontofabunchofkids,themajorityofwhomwereprobablynotthrilledthatIhadtakenoverleadershipfromtheirbuddyAphrodite.Ijustneededtostayfocusedontheritualitself,andremembertheamazingfeelingsthatfilledmewheneverIinvokedthefiveelements.Therestwouldworkitselfout.Hopefully.
Ipushedopentheheavyfrontdooroftheschoolandwalkedoutintoadifferentworld.Itwassnowingsteadily,andmusthavebeenfortheentiretimeIwasinthemediacenter.Theschoolgroundswerecompletelyblanketedbyacomforterofdownywhite.Thewindhadwhippedupandvisibilitywasterrible.Thegaslightsthatmarkedtheobscuredpathwerenotmuchmorethanglowingpinpointsofyellowagainstthewhitedarkness.Iprobablyshouldhavegonebackinthebuildingandmademywayalongtheschool'shalltowardthedorm,stayinginsideforaslongasIcould,andthenmakingaquickrunfromthefarsideoftheschooltothegirls'dorm,butIreallydidn'twantto.IthoughtabouthowrightStevieRaehadbeen.Snowreallywasmagical.Itchangedtheworld,madeitquieter,softer,moremysterious.Asafledgling,Ialreadyhadquiteabitofanadultvampyre'snaturalprotectionagainstthecold,whichusedtocreepmeout.Imean,itmademethinkofcold,deadcreatureswhoexistedbydrinkingthebloodoftheliving—totallygruesome,evenifIwasbizarrelydrawntothethought.NowIknewmoreaboutwhatIwasbe coming,soIunderstoodthatmyprotectionagainstthecoldwasmoreaboutaheightenedmetabolismthanaboutbeingundead.Vampyresaren'tdead.They'rejustChanged.Itwashumanswholikedtofuelthescarymythofthewalkingdead,whichIwasbe ginningtofindmorethanslightlyannoying.Anyway,Ireallyen joyedbeingabletowalkaroundinablizzardwithoutfeeling
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtlikeIwasgoingtofreeze.Nalaburrowedherselfagainstme,purringloudlywhenIwrappedmyarmsaroundherprotectively.ThesnowmuffledmystepsanditseemedforthatmomentthatIwasaloneinaworldwhereblackandwhitehadmixedtogethertoformauniquecolorjustforme.
I'donlywalkedafewstepswhenIsighedandwouldhavepoppedmyselfintheforeheadifmyarmshadn'tbeenfilledwithmycat.Ineededtogobytheschoolspellsandritualsstoreandgetsomeeucalyptus.FromwhatI'dreadintheoldritualbook,eucalyptuswasassociatedwithhealing,protection,andpurification—threethingsIthoughtwereimportanttoevokeduringmyfirstritualasleaderoftheDarkDaughters.IsupposedIcouldgettheeucalyptustomorrow,butIwasgoingtoneeditknottedintoaropeaspartofthespellIplannedtocast,and...well…itwasprobablysmartthatIpracticedsoIdidn'tdropanythingduringthespellor,worse,suddenlydiscoverthateuca lyptuswasn'tasflexibleasI'dexpectedanditfelltopieceswhenItriedtoknotitandthenI'dturnbrightredandwanttocrawlundertherechallandcurlupinafetalpositioncrying...
Ishovedthatlovelypicturefrommymind,turnedaround,andbegantotrudgebacktothemainbuilding.That'swhenIsawtheshape.Itcaughtmyeyebecauseitdidn'tbelong—andnotjustbecauseitwasunusualthatanotherfledglingwassillyenoughtobeoutwalkinginthesnowstorm.Whatstruckmeasweirdwasthattheperson,becauseitdefinitelywasn'tacatorabush,wasn'twalkingonthesidewalk.Hewasheadinginthegen eraldirectionoftherechall,butwascuttingacrossthefarlawn.Istoppedandsquintedagainstthefallingsnow.Thepersonwaswearingalong,darkcloakwithahoodpulleduplikeacowl.
AnurgetofollowhimhitmewithsuchstrengththatIgasped.AlmostasifIhadnowillofmyown,Isteppedoffthesidewalkandhurriedafterthemysteriousperson,whohadjustreachedtheedgeofthetreelinethatgrewalongtheoutsidewall.
Myeyeswidened.Theinstantthefigureenteredtheshadows,whoeveritwas,heorshe,beganmovingwithinhumanspeed,cloakbillowingbehindthemwildlyinthesnow-filledwindsothatthefigureappearedtohavewings.Red?DidIseescarletflashesagainstglimpsesofwhiteskin?Snowstungmyeyesandmyvisionblurred,butIheldNalatightertomeandkickedintoafastjog,eventhoughIcouldtellthatIwasbeingledtotheareaoftheeastwallthatheldthetrapdoor.ThesameplaceI'dseentheothertwoghostsorspectersorwhatever.TheplacethatI'dtoldmyselfIreallydidn'twanttogoagain,atleastnotalone.
Yes,Ishouldhaveturnedtomyleftandmarcheddirectlytothedorm.Naturally,Ididn't.
MyheartwasthuddinglikecrazyandNalawasgrumblinginmyearwhenIenteredthetreelineandcontinuedtorushalongthewall,allthetimethinkinghowabsolutelyinsaneitwasformetobeoutherechasingwhatwasatbestsomekidwhowastryingtosneakawayfromtheschool,andatworstaseriouslyscaryghost.
I'dlostsightoftheperson,butIknewIwasgettingclosetothetrapdoor,soIsloweddown,automaticallystayingwithinthedeepestshadowsandmovingfromtreetotree.Itwassnowingevenhardernow,andNalaandIwerecoveredinwhiteandIwasactuallystartingtofeelchilled.WhatamIdoingouthere?Nomatterwhatmygutwastellingme,mymindwassayingthatIwasactingcrazyandthatIneededtogetmyself(andmyshiver ingcat)backtothedorm.Thiswasreallynoneofmybusiness.Maybeoneoftheteacherswascheckingthe...Idunno…thegroundstomakesuresomemoronicfledgling(likeme)wasn'twanderingaroundoutinthestorm.
OrmaybesomeonehadjustsnuckontheschoolgroundsafterbrutallykillingChrisFordandabductingBradHigeons,andnowtheyweresneakingoffagain,andifIconfrontedhim/herI'dbemurdered,too.
Yeah,right.Talkaboutanoveractiveimagination.
ThenIheardthevoices.
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Islowedwaydown,practicallytiptoeingforwarduntilIfinallysawthem.Thereweretwofiguresstandingbytheopentrapdoor.Iblinkedhard,tryingtoseemoreclearlythroughthecurtainoffallingwhite.ThepersonclosesttothedoorwastheoneI'dbeenfollowing,andnowthathewasn'trunning(ataridiculousspeed)Icouldseethathestoodweirdly,croucheddownwithahunched-backposture.Ishiftedmyattentiontotheotherfigure,andIfeltthechillthathadbeenbrushingmyskinwiththesnowsinkintomysoul.ItwasNeferet.
Shelookedmysterious,andpowerfulwithherauburnhairfly ingaroundherandthesnowcoveringthelongblackdressshewaswearing.Shewasfacingme,soIcouldseethatherexpressionwasstern,almostangry,andshewasspeakingintentlytothecloakedperson,usingherhandsexpressively.Silently,Imovedcloser,gladIhadonadarkoutfitsothatIblendedwellwiththeshadowsnearthewall.FromthisnewpositionpiecesofwhatNeferetwassayingdriftedtomeonthesnow-filledwind.
"...havemorecarewithwhatyoudo!Iwillnot..."Ilistenedintently,tryingtohearthroughthewailingwind,andrealizedthatthebreezewasbringingmemorethanjustNeferet'swords.Icouldsmellsomething,evenoverthecrispscentoffallingsnow.Itwasadry,moldysmell,weirdlyoutofplaceinthiscold,wetnight."...muchtoodangerous,"Neferetwassaying."Obeyor…"Ilosttherestofthesentence,andthenshepaused.Thecloakedfigurerespondedwithaweird,gruntingsoundthatwasmoreanimalthanhuman.
Nala,whohadbeencurledupundermychinandseemedtohavefallenasleep,again,suddenlywhippedherheadaround.IduckedevenfartherbehindthetrunkofthetreeinwhoseshadowIwashidingasNalabegantogrowl.
"Shhh,"Iwhisperedtoherandtriedtopetherintobeingcalm.Shequieted,butIcouldfeelthatthefuronherbackhadliftedandhereyeswerenarrowedtoangryslitsasshestaredatthecloakedperson.
"Youpromised!”
Thegutturalsoundofthemysteryman'svoicehadmyskincrawling.IpeekedoutfrombehindthetreeintimetoseeNeferetraiseherhandasifshewasgoingtostrikehim.Hecoweredbackagainstthewall,causingthehoodtofallfromhisface,andmystomachclenchedsohardIthoughtImightthrowup.
ItwasElliott.Thedeadkidwhose"ghost"hadattackedNalaandmelastmonth.
Neferetdidn'thithim.Insteadshegesturedviolentlyattheopentrapdoor.She'draisedhervoice,soeverythingshesaidcar riedtomeoverthewind.
"Youmaynothaveanymore!Thetimeisnotright.Youcan notunderstandsuchthings,andyoumaynotquestionme.Nowleavehere.Ifyoudisobeymeagainyouwillfeelmywrath,andthewrathofagoddessisterribletobehold.”
ElliottcringedawayfromNeferet."Yes,Goddess,"hewhim pered.
Itwashim;Iknewitwas.EventhoughhisvoicewasroughIrec ognizedit.SomehowElliotthadnotdied,andhehadnotChangedintoanadultvampyre.Hewassomethingelse.Somethingterrible.
EvenasIthoughthowdisgustinghewas,Neferet'sexpressionsoftened."Idonotwishtobeangrywithmychildren.Youknowthatyouaremygreatestjoys.”
Revolted,IwatchedasNeferetmovedforwardandcaressedElliott'sface.Hiseyesbegantoglowthecolorofoldblood,andevenfromadistanceIcouldseethathisentirebodywastrem bling.Elliotthadbeenashort,pudgy,unattractivekidwithtoowhiteskinandcarrotredhairthatwashabituallyfrizzedout.Hewasstillallthosethings,butnowhispalecheeksweregauntandhisbodywashunched,asifithadcurledinonitself.SoNeferethadtobenddowntokisshislips.Totallygrossedout,IheardEl liottmoaninpleasure.Shestraightenedandlaughed.Itwasadark,seductivesound.
"Please,Goddess!"Elliottwhimpered.
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"Youknowyoudon'tdeserveit.”
"Please,Goddess!"herepeated.Hisbodywasshiveringvio lently.
"Verywell,butremember.Whatagoddessgives,shecanalsotakeaway.”
Unabletostopwatching,IsawNeferetliftherarmandbrushbackhersleeve.Thensheranherfingernailupherforearm,leavingaslenderscarletlinethatimmediatelybegantobeadwithblood.Ifeltthedrawofherblood.Whensheheldoutherarm,offeringittoElliott,Ipressedagainsttheroughbarkofthetree,forcingmyselftostaystillandhiddenashefelltohiskneesbeforeherand,whilehemadeferalgruntsandmoans,begantosuckNef eret'sblood.ItoremyeyesfromhimtolookatNeferet.She'dthrownherheadbackandherlipswerepartedasifhavingthegrotesqueElliottcreaturesuckthebloodfromherarmwasasex ualexperience.
DeepwithinmeIfeltanansweringdesire.Iwantedtosliceopensomeone'sskinand...
No!Iduckedcompletelybehindthetree.Iwouldnotbecomeamonster.Iwouldnotbeafreak.Icouldn'tletthisthingcontrolme.SlowlyandsilentlyIstartedbackthewayI'dcome,refusingtolookatthetwoofthemagain.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Iwasstillfeelingshaky,confused,andmorethanalittlesicktomystomachwhenIfinallygottothedorm.ClustersofdampkidspooledaroundthemainroomwatchingTVanddrinkinghotchocolate.IgrabbedatowelfromastackbythedoorandjoinedStevieRae,theTwins,andDamiensittingaroundourfavoriteTVwatchingProjectRunway,andstarteddryingagrumblingNala.StevieRaedidn'trealizeIwasbeinguncharacteristicallyquiet.ShewastoobusygushingabouthowthesnowballfightI'davoidedearlierhadmorphedintoamajorbattleafterdinnerthathadrageduntilsomeonehadthrownasnowballthathadhitoneofthewin dowsofDragon'soffice.Dragonwaswhateveryonecalledthefencingprofessor,andhewasnotavampanyfledglingwouldwanttopissoff.
"Dragonendedthesnowwar."StevieRaegiggled."Butitwasrealfununtilthen.”
"Yeah,Z,youmissedonehellaciouswickedfight,"Erinsaid."WeknockedthecrapouttaDamienandhisboyfriend,"Shauneesaid.
"He'snotmyboyfriend!"Damiensaid,buthislittlesmileseemedtoaddanunspoken"yet"totheendofthesentence.
"What...”
"…ever,"saidtheTwins.
"Ithinkhe'scute,"StevieRaesaid.
"Me,too,"Damiensaid,turningadorablypink.
"Whatdoyouthinkofhim,Zoey?"StevieRaeasked.
IblinkedatStevieRae.ItwaslikeIwasinsideafishbowlinthemiddleofatyphoon,andeveryoneelsewasontheoutsideclue lesslyenjoyinglovelyweather.
"Iseverythingokay,Zoey?"Damiensaid.
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"Damien,canyougetmesomeeucalyptus?"Isaidabruptly
"Eucalyptus?”
Inodded."Yeah,somestrandsofit,andsomesage,too.Ineedbothfortheritualtomorrow.”
"Yeah,noproblem,"Damiensaid,watchingmeentirelytooclosely.
"Didyougettheritualallfiguredout,Z?"StevieRaeasked.
"Ithinkso."Ipausedandtookalongbreath.ThenImetDamien'squestioninggazesteadily."Damien,hasthereeverbeenacaseofafledglingwhoseemedtohavedied,butlaterwasfoundalive?”
Tohiscredit,Damiendidn'tfreakoraskmeifIhadgonein sane.IcouldfeelthattheTwinsandStevieRaewerestaringatmelikeI'djustannouncedIwasgoingtobeonGirlsGoneWild:VampEdition,butIignoredthemandkeptfocusedonDamien.Weallknewhespenthoursstudying,andherememberedevery thingheread.Ifanyofuswouldknowtheanswertomybizarrequestion,itwouldbehim.
"Whenafledgling'sbodystartsrejectingtheChangethereisnostoppingit.That'sclearinallthebooks.It'salsowhatNeferethastoldus.Zoey,"I'dneverheardhimsoundsoserious."Whatiswrong?”
"Please,please,pleasetellmeyou'renotfeelingsick!"StevieRaepracticallysobbed.
"No!It'snothinglikethat,"Isaidquickly."I'mfine.Ipromise.”
"What'sgoingon?"Shauneesaid.
"You'rescaringus,"Erinsaid.
"Idon'tmeanto,"Itoldthem."Okay,thisiscomingoutallwrong,butIthinkIsawthatElliottkid.”
"Huh!"
"What!"theTwinssaidtogether.
"Idon'tunderstand,"Damiensaid."Elliottdiedlastmonth.”
StevieRae'seyessuddenlywidened."LikeElizabeth!"shesaid.BeforeIcouldsayanything,sheblurted,inonelong,breathlesssentence,"LastmonthZoeythoughtshesawElizabeth'sghostoutbytheeastwallbutwedidn'tsayanything'causewedidn'twanttoscarey'all.”
IopenedmymouthtoexplainaboutElliott—andNeferet.Andshutitagain.IshouldhaverealizedbeforeI'dsaidonewordtoanyofthemthatIabsolutelycouldnottellthemaboutNeferet.Vampyreswereallintuitivetosomedegree.HighPriestessNef eretwasamazinglyintuitive.Somuchsothatsheoftenseemedtobeabletoreadactualthoughts.NowaycouldmyfourfriendswalkaroundschoolknowingthatI'dseenherlettingsomekindofdisgustingundeadElliottcreaturesuckherbloodwithoutNef eretknowingeverythingintheirfreaked-outminds.
WhatI'dwitnessedtonightIwouldhavetokeepcompletelytomyself.
"Zoey?"StevieRaeputherhandonmyarm."Youcantellus."IsmiledatherandwishedwithallmyheartthatIcould.
"IdidthinkIsawElizabeth'sghostlastmonth.AndtonightIthinkIsawElliott's,"Ifinallysaid.
Damienfrowned."IfyousawghostswhydidyouaskmeaboutfledglingsrecoveringfromrejectingtheChange?”
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Ilookedmyfriendintheeyeandliedmyassoff."BecauseitseemedeasiertobelievethanIwasseeingghosts—oratleastitdiduntilIsaidit.Thenitsoundedcrazy.”
"Seeingaghostwouldhavefreakedmerightout,”Shauneesaid.
Erinnoddedenthusiasticagreement.
"WasitlikewithElizabeth?"StevieRaeasked.
AtleastthisIdidn'thavetolieabout."No.Heseemedmorereal,butIsawthembothinthesameplace,overbytheeastwall,andbothoftheireyesglowedaweirdredcolor.”
Shauneeshivered.
"I'msureasshitstayingawayfromthespookyeastwall,"Erinsaid.
Damien,alwaysthescholar,tappedhischinlikeaprofessor."Zoey,maybeyouhaveyetanotheraffinity.Maybeyoucanseedeadfledglings.”
Iwouldhavethoughtthiswasapossibility,eventhoughitwasagrossone,ifIhadn'tseenthesupposedghost,solidandtotallyreal,drinkingmymentor'sblood.Still,itwasagoodtheory,andanexcellentwaytokeepDamienbusy."Youmightberight,"Isaid.
"Ugh,"StevieRaesaid."Ihopenot.”
"Me,too.Butcouldyoudosomeresearchonitforme,Damien?”
"Ofcourse.I'llalsocheckoutanyreferencestohauntingsbyfledglings.”
"Thanks,Iappreciatethat.”
"Youknow,IdothinkIrememberreadingsomethinginanoldGreekhistorytextaboutvampyrespiritsthatrestlesslyprowltheancienttombsof...”
IshutoutDamien'slecture,gladthatStevieRaeandtheTwinsweremoreinvolvedwithlisteningtohisghoststoriesthanaskingmemorespecificquestions.Ihatedlyingtothem,especiallysinceIreallywouldhavelikedtohavetoldthemeverything.WhatIsawhadtrulyfrightenedme.HowthehellwasIgoingtofaceNeferetagain?
Nalarubbedherfaceagainstmineandthensettleddowninmylap.IstaredattheTVandpettedherwhileDamiendronedonandonaboutoldvampghosts.AndthenIrealizedwhatIwasseeingandlungedacrossStevieRaefortheremotethatwassit tingonthelamptablebesideher,causingNalatomee-uf-owsnort!inannoyanceandjumpfrommylap.Ididn'teventaketimetosootheher,butquicklyturnedupthevolume.
ItwasCheraKimikoagainonarepeatoftheeveningnews'leadstory.
"ThebodyofthesecondUnionHighSchoolteenager,BradHi geons,wasfoundbymuseumsecurityguardsthiseveninginthestreamthatrunsalongthePhilbrookMuseumgrounds.Thecauseofdeathisnotbeingofficiallyreportedatthistime,butsourceshavetoldFoxNewsthattheboydiedofbloodlossthroughmultiplelac erations.”
"No..."Ifeltmyheadshakingbackandforth.Therewasaterribleringinginmyears.
"That'sthestreamwecrossedoverwhenwewenttotheyardofthePhilbrookfortheSamhainRituallastmonth,"StevieRaesaid.
"It'sjustdownthestreetfromhere,"Shauneesaid.
"TheDarkDaughtersusedtosneakoutthereallthetimeforrituals,"Erinsaid.
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ThenDamiensaidwhatwewereallthinking."Someoneistry ingtomakeitlooklikevampyresarekillinghumankids.”
"Maybetheyare.”Ihadn'tactuallymeanttospeakmythoughtaloud,andpressedmylipsclosed,immediatelysorryI'dletthatslip.
"Whywouldyousaythat,Zoey?"StevieRaesoundedutterlyshocked.
"I—Idon'tknow.Ididn'treallymeanit,”Istuttered,notsurewhatIreallymeantorwhyI'dsaidit.
"You'refreaked,that'sall,"Erinsaid.
"Ofcourseyouare.Youknewboththosekids,"Shauneeadded."Andontopofallofthis,yousawadamnghosttoday.”
Damienwasstudyingmeagain."DidyouhaveafeelingaboutBradbeforeyouheardhewasdead,Zoey?"heaskedquietly.
"Yes.No."Isighed."IthoughthewasdeadassoonasIheardhe'dbeentaken,"Iadmitted.
"Didanyspecificscomewiththefeeling?Doyouknowany thingmore?"Damiensaid.
AsifDamien'squestionshadproddedthemfrommymem ory,thesnatchesofwordsthatI'dheardNeferetspeakreplayedinmymind:...muchtoodangerous…Youmaynothaveanymore…Youcannotunderstand…Youmaynotquestionme...Ifeltaterriblechillthathadnothingtodowiththesnowstormoutside."Nothingspecificcamewiththefeeling.Ihavetogotomyroom,"Isaid,suddenlyunabletolookatanyofthem.Ihatedlying,anddoubtedIcouldkeepitupifIstayedwiththemmuchlonger."Ihavetofinishupthewordsfortheritualtomorrow,"Isaidlamely."AndIdidn'tgetmuchsleeplastnight.I'mreallytired.”
"Okay,noproblem.Weunderstand,"Damiensaid.
TheywereallsoobviouslyworriedaboutmethatIcouldbarelymeettheireyes."Thanks,guys,"ImumbledasIlefttheroom.IwashalfwayupthestairswhenStevieRaecaughtupwithme.
"DoyoumindifIcomebacktotheroomnow,too?Ihaveareallybadheadache.Ireallyjustwanttogotosleep.Iwon'tbugyouwhileyoustudyoranything.”
"No,Idon'tmind,"Isaidquickly.Iglancedather.Shedidlookkindapale.StevieRaewassosensitivethateventhoughshedidn'tknowChrisorBrad,theirdeathswereclearlyupsettingher.Addtothatmyannouncementaboutghosts,andthepoorkidprobablywasscaredtodeath.Iputmyarmaroundherandgaveherasqueezeaswecametoourdoor."Hey,everything'sgonnabeokay.”
"Yeah,Iknow.I'mjusttired."Shegrinnedupatme,butshedidn'tsoundasperkyasusual.
Wedidn'tsaymuchwhileweputonourpajamas.Nalascootedinthroughthecatdoor,jumpeduponmybed,andwasasleepalmostasfastasStevieRae,whichwasarelieftomebe causeIdidn'thavetopretendtobewritingwordstoaritualI'dalreadyfinished.TherewassomethingelseIhadtodo,andIdidn'twanttoexplainanypartofittoanyone,notevenmybestfriend.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtMyVampyreSociology415textwasexactlywhereIleftitinthebookshelfovermycomputerdesk.Itwasasenioror,asthey'recalledhere,sixthformerlevelbook.NeferethadgivenittomeshortlyafterI'darrivedwhenitwasobviousthattheChangego ingonwithinmybodywashappeningatadifferentratethanwhatwentonwithnormalfledglings.She'dwantedtopullmeoutofmythirdformerSocclassandmovemeintotheupperlevelsectionofSoc,butI'dmanagedtotalkheroutofit,sayingthatIwasalreadydifferentenough,Ididn'tneedanythingelsetomakememoreofafreaktotherestofthekidshere.Ourcom promisewasthatIwouldgothroughthe415leveltext,chapterbychapter,andaskherquestionsalongtheway.
Okay,well,I'dmeanttodothat,butwhatwithonethingandanother(takingovertheDarkDaughters,datingErik,regularschoolwork,andwhatnot),I'ddonelittlemorethanglanceatthebookonmyshelf.
WithasighthatsoundedalmostastiredasIfelt,Itookthebooktobedandproppedmyselfuponamoundofpillows.Despitethehorribleeventsoftheday,IhadtostruggletokeepmyeyesopenasIturnedtotheindexandfoundwhatIwaslookingfor:bloodlust.Therewereawholestringofpagenumbersaftertheword,soImarkedtheplaceintheindex,wearilyflippedtothefirstpagelisted,andstartedreading.AtfirstitwasstuffI'dalreadyfiguredoutformyself:asafledglinggetsfartherintotheChange,shede velopsatasteforblood.Blooddrinkinggoesfrombeingsome thingabhorrenttosomethingdelicious.BythetimeafledglingiswelladvancedintheChangeprocess,shecandetectthescentofbloodfromadistance.Becauseofchangesinmetabolism,drugsandalcoholhaveincreasinglylesseffectonfledglings,andasthiseffectdissipates,theywillfindthattheeffectsofdrinkingbloodcorrespondinglyincrease.
"Nokidding,"Isaidundermybreath.Evendrinkingfledglingbloodmixedinwinehadgivenmeanincrediblebuzz.DrinkingHeath'sbloodhadbeenlikefireexplodingdeliciouslyinsideme.Iflippedaheadinthereading.Ialreadyknewallthestuffaboutbloodbeingyummy.Thenmyeyecaughtanewheading,andIstoppedatthatpage.
SEXUALITYANDBLOODLUST
Thoughthefrequencyofneeddiffersdependinguponage,sex,andgeneralstrengthofthevampyre,adultsmustperiodicallyfeedonhumanbloodtoremainhealthyandsane.Itis,therefore,logicalthatevolution,andourbelovedGoddess,Nyx,haveinsuredtheblooddrinkingprocessisapleasurableone,bothforthevampyreandthehumandonor.Aswehavealreadylearned,vampyresalivaactsasananticoagulantforhumanblood.Vampyresalivaalsose cretesendorphinsduringblooddrinking,whichstimulatetheplea surezonesofthebrain,humanandvampyre,andcanactuallysimulateorgasm.
Iblinkedandrubbedahandacrossmyface.Well,hell!NowonderI'dhadsuchasluttyreactiontoHeath.BeingturnedonwhileIdrankbloodwasprogrammedintomyChanginggenes.Fascinated,Ikeptreading.
Theolderthevampyre,themoreendorphinsarereleasedduringblooddrinking,andthemoreintensetheexperienceofpleasureforvampyreandhuman.
Vampyreshavespeculatedforcenturiesthattheecstasyofblooddrinkingisthekeyreasonhumanshavevilifiedourrace.Humansfeelthreatenedbyourabilitytobringthemsuchintensepleasureduringanacttheyconsiderdangerousand
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtabhorrent,sotheyhavelabeledusaspredators.Thetruth,ofcourse,isthatvampyrescancontroltheirbloodlust,sothereislittlephysicaldangertohumandonors.ThedangerliesintheImprintthatoftenoccursduringtheritualofblooddrinking.
Completelyengrossed,Ihurriedontothenextsection.
IMPRINTING
AnImprintbetweenvampyreandhumandoesnotoccureverytimeavampyrefeeds.Manystudieshavebeenperformedtotrytodeter mineexactlywhysomehumansImprintandsomedonot,butthoughthereareseveraldeterminingfactors,suchasemotionalat tachment,relationshipbetweenthehumanandthevampyrepre-Change,age,sexualorientation,andfrequencyofblooddrinking,thereisnowaytopredictwithcertaintywhetherahumanwillIm printwithavampyre.
Thetextwentontotalkabouthowvampyresshouldtakecarewhendrinkingfromalivedonor,versusgettingbloodfrombloodbanks,whicharehighlysecretivebusinessesveryfewhu mansareawareexistatall(apparentlythosefewhumansareextremelywellpaidfortheirsilence).TheSocbookdefinitelyfrownedondrinkingbloodfromhumansandtherewerelotsofwarningsabouthowdangerousitistoImprintahuman,hownotonlyisthehumannowemotionallyboundtothevampyre,butthevampistiedtothehuman,too.Thismademesitupstraighter.WithasickfeelinginmystomachIreadabouthowoncetheImprintisinplaceavampcanfeelthehuman'semo tions,andinsomecasescanactuallycalland/ortrackthehuman.TherethetextwentoffonatangentabouthowBramStokerhadactuallybeenImprintedbyavampHighPriestess,butthathehadnotunderstoodhercommitmenttoNyxhadtocomebeforetheirtie,andinafitofjealousangerhadbetrayedherbyexagger atingthenegativeaspectsofanImprintinhisinfamousbook,Dracula.
"Huh.Ihadnoidea,"Isaid.Ironically,DraculahadbeenoneofmyfavoritebookssinceIreaditwhenIwasthirteen.IskimmedthroughtherestofthesectionuntilIcametoapartthathadmechewingmylipasIslowlyreadit.
FLEDGLING—VAMPYREIMPRINTING
Asdiscussedinthepreviouschapter,duetothepossibilityofIm print,fledglingsareprohibitedfromdrinkingthebloodofhumandonors,buttheymayexperimentwitheachother.IthasbeenproventhatfledglingscannotImprintoneanother.However,itispossibleforanadultvampyretoImprintafledgling.ThisleadstoemotionalandphysicalcomplicationsoncethefledglingcompletestheChangethatareoftennotbeneficialforeithervampyre;therefore,blooddrinkingbetweenfledglingandadultvampyreisstrictlyprohibited.
Ishookmyhead,appalledalloveragainbytheblooddrinkingI'dwitnessedbetweenNeferetandElliott.SettingasidethewholeissueofElliottbeingdead,whichstillconfusedthehellouttame,NeferetwasapowerfulHighPriestess.No
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtdamnwayshouldshebelettingafledglingdrinkfromher(evenadeadone).
TherewasachapteraboutbreakingImprints,whichIstartedreading,butitwasjusttoodepressing.ApparentlyitinvolvedtheaidofapowerfulHighPriestess,alotofphysicalpain,especiallyonthepartofthehuman,andeventhenthehumanandthevampyrehadtobecarefultostayawayfromeachotherortheImprintcouldreestablish.
Isuddenlyfeltoverwhelminglyweary.HowlonghaditbeensinceI'dreallyslept?Morethanaday.Iglancedatmyalarmclock.Itwas6:10A.M.Itwouldbegettinglightsoon.FeelingstiffandoldIgotupandputthebookbackontheshelf.ThenIpulledopenonesideoftheheavycurtainsthatcompletelycoveredtheonelargewindowinourroomandblockedoutalllightfromtheoutside.Itwasstillsnowing,andinthehesitantlightofpredawntheworldlookedinnocentanddreamy.Itwashardtoimaginethatsuchhorriblethingsasteenagersbeingkilledanddeadfledglingsbeingreanimatedcouldhavehappenedoutthere.Iclosedmyeyesandleanedmyheadagainstthecoolwindowpane.Ididn'twanttothinkofeitherofthosethingsrightnow.Iwastootired…tooconfused…toounabletocomeupwiththeanswersthatIneeded.
Mysleepymindwandered.Iwantedtoliedown,butthecoolwindowfeltgoodagainstmyforehead.Erikwouldbegettingbacklaterthatday.Thethoughtgavemeequalpangsofpleasureandofguilt,which,ofcourse,mademethinkofHeath.
I'dprobablyImprintedhim.Thethoughtscaredme,butitalsodrewme.Woulditbesoawfultobeemotionallyandphysi callytiedtoasoberHeath?BeforeI'dmetErik(orLoren)myan swerwouldmostdefinitelyhavebeenno,itwouldn'tbeawful.Nowitwasn'ttheawfulnessthatIwasworriedabout.ItwasthefactthatI'dhavetohidetherelationshipfromeveryone.OfcourseIcouldlie…thethoughtdriftedlikepoisonsmokethroughmyoverstressedmind.NeferetandevenErikknewthatI'dbeenputinasituationamonthagowhereIdrankHeath'sblood—beforeIknewanythingaboutbloodlustandImprinting.IcouldpretendlikeI'dImprintedhimthen.I'dalreadymentionedthepossibilitytoNeferet.MaybeIcouldfigureoutawaytokeepseeingbothHeathandErik...
Iknewmythoughtswerewrong.IknewthatseeingbothofthemwasdishonesttobothErikandHeath,butIwassotorn!IwasreallystartingtocareaboutErik,plushelivedinmyworldandunderstoodissuesliketheChangeandembracingatotallynewwayoflife.Thinkingaboutbreakingupwithhimmademyhearthurt.
ButthinkingaboutneverseeingHeathagain,nevertastinghisbloodagain…thatmademefeellikeIwashavingapanicat tack.Isighedagain.Ifthiswasbadforme,itwasprobablyazil liontimesworseforHeath.Afterall,it'dbeenamonthsinceI'dseenhim,andallthattimehe'dbeencarryingaroundarazorbladeinhispocketjustontheoutsidechancehemightrunintome.He'dstoppeddrinkingandsmokingbecauseofwhathadhappenedbetweenus.Andhe'dbeeneagertocuthimselfandletmedrinkhisblood.Remembering,Ishivered,andnotbecauseofthecoolnessofthewindowIwasstillpressingmyforeheadagainst.Desiremademeshiver.TheSoctextbookhaddescribedthereasonsbehindbloodlustinlogical,dispassionatewordsthatdidn'tbegintorepresentthetruthofit.
DrinkingHeath'sbloodwasanincredibleturnon.SomethingIwantedtodoagainandagain.Soon.Now,actually.IbitmyliptokeepfrommoaningasIthoughtaboutHeath—thehardnessofhisbodyandtheincredibletasteofhisblood.
Andsuddenlyitwasasifapartofmymindlifted,likeastringthrownoutofabigballofyarn.Icouldfeelthatpieceofmesearching…hunting...tracking...untilitburstintoadarkroomandhoveredaboveabed.Isuckedinmybreath.Heath!
Hewaslyingflatonhisback.Hisblondhairwastousled,mak inghimlooklikealittleboy.Okay,anyonewouldthinkthekidwastotallycute.Imean,vampswereknownforbeingstunninglybeau tifulandgorgeouslyhandsome,andevenavampwouldhavetoadmitthatHeathscoredhighontheirownscaleofgood-looking.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtAsifhecouldsensemypresence,hestirredinhissleep,turn inghisheadandrestlesslykickingoffthesheetthatcoveredhim.Hewasnakedexceptforapairofblueboxersthathadfatlittlegreenfrogsalloverthem.Thesightofthemmademesmile.ButthesmilefrozeonmyfacewhenInoticedthatIcouldnowseethethinpinklinethatrandownthesideofhisneck.
Thatwaswherehe'dcuthimselfwiththerazorbladeandwhereI'dsuckedhisblood.Icouldalmosttasteitagain—theheatandthedarkrichnessofit,likemeltedchocolate,onlyazil liontimesbetter.
Unabletostopmyself,Imoaned,andatthesameinstantHeathmoanedinhissleep.
"Zoey…"hemuttereddreamily,andshiftedrestlesslyagain.
"Oh,Heath,"Iwhispered."Idon'tknowwhattodoaboutus.”IknewwhatIwantedtodoalltoowell.Iwantedtoignoremyexhaustion,getinmycar,drivedirectlytoHeath'shouse,sneakinthewindowofhisbedroom(it'snotlikeIhadn'tdonethatbe fore),openthefreshlyclosedcutinhisneck,andlethissweetbloodfloodmymouthwhileIpressedmybodyagainsthisandmadeloveforthefirsttimeinmylife.
"Zoey!"ThistimeHeath'seyeswereflutteringopen.Hemoanedagainandhishandmoveddowntothehardlumpinhispantsandhebeganto—
MyeyessprangopenandIwasbackinmydormroomwithmyforeheadpressedagainstthewindow,breathingentirelytooheavily.
MycellphonebleepedwiththetonethatsaidIhadatextmes sage.MyhandswereshakingasIflippeditopenandread:Ifeltuhere.Promiseyou'llmeetmeFriday.
ItookadeepbreathandansweredHeathwithtwowordsthatmademystomachflutterwithexcitement.Ipromise.
Iclosedthephoneandturneditoff.Then,forcingawaytheimageofHeathwiththeunhealedcutonhisneck,warmandde sirable,obviouslywantingmeasmuchasIwantedhim,Imovedfromthewindowandclimbedintobed.Incredibly,myclocktoldmeitwasnow8:27A.M.I'dbeenstandingbythewindowformorethantwohours!Nowondermybodyfeltsostiffandcrappy.ImadeamentalnotetolookupmoreinfoaboutIm printingandtheconnectionbetweenthehumanandthevampnexttimeIwasinthemediacenter(whichhadbetterbesoon).BeforeIturnedoffthelittletablelampIglancedoveratStevieRae.Shewascurleduponhersideandherbackwastome,butherdeepbreathingtoldmethatshewasdefinitelystillasleep.Well,atleastmyfriendsdidn'tknowwhatabloodlust-filled,horniefreakIwasturninginto.
IwantedHeath.
IneededErik.
IwasintriguedbyLoren.
IhadnodamnideawhatIwasgoingtodoaboutthemessthatmylifehadbecome.
Ismushedmypillowintoaball.IwassotiredIfeltlikesome onehaddruggedme,butmymindstillwouldn'tshutitselfoff.WhenIwokeupI'dseeErikagainandprobablyLoren.I'dhavetofaceNeferet.I'dperformmyfirstritualinfrontofagroupofkidswhowouldprobablybehappytoseemefail,oratleastem barrassmyselfmiserably,andtherewasalwaysthepossibilitythatbothwouldhappen.Thentherewastheweirdnessofknow ingthatI'dseenwhatcouldonlybeElliott'sghostbehavinginaveryunghostlikeway.Nottomentionanotherhumanteenagerwasdeadanditwaslookingmoreandmoreasifavamphadsomethingtodowithit.
Iclosedmyeyesandtoldmybodytorelaxandmymindtoconcentrateonsomethingpleasant,like...like…howprettythesnowwas...
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtSlowly,exhaustiontookoverandIfinally,gratefully,fellintoadeepsleep.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Someonebangingonthedoorpulledmeawakefromadreamaboutcat-shapedsnowflakes.
"Zoey!StevieRae!You'regonnabelate!"Shaunee'svoicesoundedmuffledbuturgentthroughthedoor,likeanannoyingalarmcoveredupbyatowel.
"Okay,okay,I'mcoming,”IcalledasItriedtostruggleoutofmycoverswhileNalacomplainedloudly.Iglancedatmyalarmclock,whichIhadn'tbotheredtoset.Imean,itwasn'tlikeitwasaschooldayandIusuallydidn'tsleepmorethaneightorninehoursatatimeand—
"Hell!"Iblinked.Sureenough,thetimewas9:59P.M.I'dsleptmorethantwelvehours?Istumbledtothedoor,pausingtoshakeStevieRae'sleg.
"Mumph,"shemutteredsleepily.
Icrackedthedoor.Shauneewasglaringatme.
"Pleasewiththesleepingalldamnday!Youtwohavegottostopstayinguplateifyoucan'tgetup.Erik'sgoingtobeper forminginhalfanhour.”
"Ah,hell!"Irubbedmyface,tryingtoforcemyselfawake."Iforgotallaboutthat.”
Shauneerolledhereyes."Youbetterhurryupandgetdressed.Andslapsomeseriousmakeuponthatpalefaceanddosomethingaboutyournappyhair.Boyfriend'sbeenlookingalloverforyou.”
"Okay,okay.Crap!I'mcoming.WillyouandErin—”
Shauneeputupherhand,cuttingmeoff."Please.We'veal readygotyoucovered.Erin'sintheauditoriumsavingfrontrowseatsaswespeak.”
"Isthatyou,Mamma?Idon'twannagotoschooltoday..."StevieRaemumbled,clearlynotawake.
Shauneesnorted.
"We'llhurry.Youguysjustsavethoseseatsforus."IslammedthedoorshutandhurriedovertoStevieRae."Wakeup!"Ishookhershoulder.Shesquintedandfrownedupatme.
"Huh?”
"StevieRae,it'steno'clock.P.M.Wesleptforeverandnowwe'resolateit'sridiculous.”
"Huh?”
"Justwakethehellup!"Isnapped,takingoutmyfrustrationthatI'doversleptonher.
"Wha—"Shelookedblearilyattheclock,andthatseemedtofinallygetthroughtoher."Ohmygoodness!We'relate.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIrolledmyeyes."That'swhatI'vebeentryingtotellyou.I'mgonnathrowonsomethingandworkonmyhairandmakeup.Youbetterjumpintheshower.Youlookterrible.”
"'Kay."Shestaggeredintothebathroom.
Iyankedonapairofjeansandablacksweater,andthengottoworkonmyhairandmakeup.IcouldnotbelieveI'dtotallyblownoffthefactthatErikwasperformingtheShakespearianmonologuehe'dtakentothecompetition.Actually,Ihadn'tevenworriedabouthowhe'dplaced,whichwasdefinitelynotgoodgirlfriendetiquette.Ofcourseitwasn'tlikeIdidn'thaveotherthingsonmymind,butstill.EveryonethoughtIwastheluckygirlwhohadcaughtErikafterhe'descapedfromAphrodite'snastyspiderweb(andbywebImeancrotch).Hell,IthoughtIwasluckytohavehim,somethingthathadbeenhardtoremem berwhenIwassuckingHeath'sbloodandflirtingwithLoren.
"Sorryaboutoversleeping,Z."StevieRaecameoutofthebath roominagushofsteamyair,towel-dryinghershort,blondcurls.ShewasdressedalotlikeIwas,andshemuststillbehalfasleepbecauseshelookedpaleandtired.Shegaveahugeyawnandstretchedlikeacat.
"No,it'smyfault."IfeltbadforthewayI'djumpedonherbe fore."IshouldhaveknownwithhowlittleI'vebeensleepingthatIneededtosetmyalarm."Iguessitshouldn'thavebeenasur prisethatStevieRaehadn'tgottenmuchsleeplately,either.WearebestfriendsandshedefinitelyknowswhenI'moverstressed.Weprobablybothneededagood,long,comalikesleep.
"I'llbereadyinjustasec.I'mjustgonnaputonsomemascaraandgloss.Myhairwilldryinliketwominutesanyway,"StevieRaesaid.
Wewereoutofthereinfiveminutes.Notimeforbreakfast,weboltedoutofthedormandpracticallyrantotheauditorium.WemadeittoseatsErinhadsavedforusjustasthelightsflickedonandoff,announcingthatthereweretwominutesbeforethepro grambegan,andforpeopletotaketheirseats.
"Erikstayedoutherewaitingforyouuntiljustasecondago,"Damiensaid.IwasgladtoseehewassittingbesideJack.Thetworeallydidmakeacutecouple.
"Ishemad?"Iasked.
"I'dsayconfusedisabetterdescription,”Shauneesaid.
"Orworried.Helookedworried,too,"Erinadded.
Isighed."DidyounottellhimthatI'doverslept?”
"HencethereasonmyTwinsaidhelookedworried,"Shauneesaid.
"Ifilledhiminonthedeathsofthetwofriendsofyours.Erikunderstandsit'sbeenhardonyou,andthat'swhyhelookedwor ried,"Damiensaid,frowningatShauneeandErin.
"I'mjustsayin;Z,Erikistoohottobestoodup,"Erinsaid."Ditto,Twin,"Shauneesaid.
"Ididnot—"Isputtered,butthelightsgoingoutcutmeoff.
Thedramateacher,ProfessorNolan,cameoutonstageandspentawhileexplainingtheimportanceofactorsbeingtrainedintheclassics,andtalkingabouthowprestigioustheShakespearemonologuecontestisforvampsaroundtheworld.Sheremindedusthateachofthetwenty-fiveHouseofNightcampusesworld widesendtheirfivestrongestcompetitors,whichmeanttherewereatotalof125talentedfledglingswhocompetedagainstoneanother.
"Jeesh,IhadnoideaErikhadtogoupagainstsomanykids,"IwhisperedtoStevieRae.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Erikprobablykickedbutt.He'sawesome,"StevieRaewhis peredback.Thensheyawnedagainandcoughed.
Ifrownedather.Shelookedlikecrap.Howcouldshestillbetired?
"Sorry."Shesmiledsheepishly."Igottafroginmythroat."
"Shhh!"theTwinshissedtogether.
IturnedmyattentionbacktoProf.Nolan.
"Theresultsofthecompetitionhavebeensealeduntiltoday,whenallofthestudentshavereturnedtotheirhomeschools.IwillannouncetheplacingsofeachofourfivefinalistsasIintro ducethem.Eachwillperformtheircompetitionmonologue.Icannotbegintotellyouhowproudweareofourteam.Everyoneofthemdidanexceptionaljob."Prof.Nolanbeamed.Thenshewentontointroducethefirstperformer,whowasakidnamedKaciCrump.ShewasafourthformerwhoIdidn'tknowverywellbecausearoundthedormshewaskindashyandquiet,eventhoughsheseemednice.Ididn'tthinkshewasamemberoftheDarkDaughters,andImadeamentalnotetosendheraninvitationtojoin.Prof.NolanannouncedthatKacihadplacedfifty-secondinthecompetitionwithherrenditionofBeatrice'smonologuefromMuchAdoAboutNothing.
Ithoughtshewasgood,butwasblownawaybythenextkid,CassieKramme,afifthformerwho'dplacedtwenty-fifthoverall.SheperformedPortia'sfamousspeechfromTheMerchantofVenicethatbegins,"Thequalityofmercyisnotstrained..."Irec ognizeditbecauseI'dchosenitasthemonologueImemorizedmyfreshmanyearatSIHS.Uh,Cassie'sactingdefinitelywouldhavekickedmyass.Ididn'tthinkshewasamemberoftheDarkDaughters,either.Huh.SeemsAphroditehadn'twantedmuchcompetitioninthewayofotherdramaqueens.Bigsurprise.
ThenextperformerwasakidIknewbecausehewasafriendofErik's.ColeCliftonwastall,blond,andtotallycute.He'dfin ishedtwenty-secondwithhisrenditionofRomeo's"Butsoft,whatlightthroughyonderwindowbreaks…"speech.Okay,hewasgood.Really,reallygood.IheardShauneeandErin(espe ciallyShaunee)makinglotsofappreciativenoises,andtheclap pingwasfuriousfromthemwhenhefinished.Hum...I'dhavetotalktoErikaboutfixingShauneeupwithCole.Inmyopinionmorewhiteboysshoulddatewomenofcolor.Itwasgoodforex pandingtheirhorizons(especiallytrueinOklahomawhiteboys).
Speakingofwomenofcolor—thenextperformerwasDeino.Shewasadrop-deadmixedgirlwithto-die-forhairandskinthecolorofvanillalatte.ShewasalsooneofAphrodite'sinnercircle,orsheusedtobe.I'dbeenintroducedtoheratAphrodite'sFullMoonRitual.DeinowasoneofAphrodite'sthreebestfriends.They'drenamedthemselvesafterthemythologicalsistersoftheGorgonandScylla:Deino,Enyo,Pemphredo.Translated,thenamesmeanTerrible,Warlike,andWasp.
Thenamesdefinitelyfit.Theywerethreehateful,selfishbitcheswhohadrunoutonAphroditeduringtheSamhainRit ualand,asfarasIcouldtell,hadn'tspokentohersince.Okay,Aphroditehadmessedup,andshewasdefinitelyhaggish,butIcouldmessupandbeatotalhagandIdon'tthinkStevieRae,theTwins,orDamienwouldturntheirbacksonme.Getpissedatme—yep,definitely.TellmeI'dlostmymind—ofcourse.Butrunoutonme—noway.
ProfessorNolanintroducedDeino,sayingthatshe'dfinishedanamazingeleventhoverall,andthenDeinobeganCleopatra'sdeathscenemonologue.Ihadtoadmitthatshewasgood.Reallygood.WatchingherIwassodazzledbyhertalentthatIstartedtowonderhowmuchofherhatefulhaggishnesshadbeenbecauseofAphrodite'sinfluence.SinceI'dtakenovertheDarkDaughtersnoneofAphrodite'sclosefriendshadcausedanykindofprob lems.Actually,nowthatIthoughtaboutit,IrealizedthatTer rible,Warlike,andWasphadbeenkeepingaprettylowprofile.Huh.Well,I'dsaidthatIwantedtoincludeoneofAphrodite'soldinnercircleinmynewPrefectCouncil.MaybeDeinowouldbetherightchoice.IcouldaskErikabouther.WithAphroditeoutofpowerIcouldgiveDeinoachance(aswellassincerelywishhernamewasn'tsodisturbing).
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
Iwasstillconsideringhowtogoabouttellingmyfriends(whowerealsomyfellowPrefects)thatIwasthinkingaboutaskingTerribletojoinourCouncilwhenProfessorNolanreturnedtothestageandwaitedfortheaudiencetoquietdown.Whenshestartedspeakinghereyeswereshiningwithexcitementandsheseemedreadytoburst.Ifeltalittlethrillrunthroughme.Erikhadfinishedinthetopten!
"ErikNightisourfinalperformer.HehasbeenanincredibletalentsincethedayhewasMarkedthreeyearsago.Iamproudtobehisteacherandhismentor,"shesaid,beaming."Pleasegivehimthehero'swelcomehedeservesforplacingfirstintheInternationalShakespearianMonologueCompetition!”
TheauditoriumexplodedasErikstrode,smiling,ontothestage.Icouldhardlybreathe.HowcouldIhaveforgottenhowut terlygorgeousheis?Tall—tallerthanColeeven—hehadblackhairthatdidthatadorableSupermancurlthing,andeyessobril liantbluetheywerelikestaringintothesummersky.Liketheotherperformers,hewasdressedallinblack,withthefifthfor merinsigniaofNyx'sgoldenchariotpullingatrailofstarsoverhisleftbreastastheonlybreakinthedarkcolorscheme.And,letmetellyou,hemadeblacklookgood.
Hewalkedtocenterstage,stopped,smileddirectly(andobvi ously)intomyeyes,andwinkedatme.HewassodamnhotIthoughtIwoulddie.Thenhebowedhisheadandwhenheraisedithewasn'teighteen-year-oldErikNight,vampyrefledgling,fifthformerattheHouseofNight,anymore.Somehow,rightinfrontofoureyes,hehadbecomeaMoorishwarriorwhowastry ingtoexplaintoaroomfullofdoubtershowaVenetianprincesshadfalleninlovewithhim,andhewithher.
"Herfatherlov'dme;oftinvitedme;
Stillquestion’dmethestoryofmylife
Fromyeartoyear,thebattles,sieges,fortunes
ThatIhavepass'd.”
Icouldn'ttakemyeyesfromhim,andneithercouldanyoneelseintheroomashetransformedintoOthello.Ialsocouldn'thelpbutcomparehimtoHeath.Inhisownway,HeathwasassuccessfulandtalentedasErik.HewasBrokenArrow'sstarquar terback,withabrightcollegiateandmaybeevenprofootballca reerinfrontofhim.Heathwasaleader.Erikwasaleader.I'dgrownupwatchingHeathplayball,hadbeenproudofhim,andhadcheeredforhim.ButIhadneverbeenawedbyhistalentlikeIwasawedbyErik.AndtheonlytimeHeathhadevermademefeellikeIcouldn'tbreathewaswhenheslicedintohisskinandofferedhisbloodtome.
Erikpausedinhismonologue,andmovedforwarduntilhewasstandingattheedgeofthestage,soclosethatifIstoodIcouldreachupandtouchhim.ThenhelookedintomyeyesandcompletedOthello'sspeechtome,asthoughIwastheabsentDesdemonahespokeof:
"Shewish'dshehadnotheardit,yetshewish'd
Thatheavenhadmadehersuchaman;shethank’dme,
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtAndbademe,ifIhadafriendthatlov'dher,
Ishouldbutteachhimhowtotellmystory,
Andthatwouldwooher.
UponthishintIspake:
Shelov'dmeforthedangersIhadpass'd,
AndIlov'dherthatshedidpitythem."
Eriktouchedhisfingerstohislips,thenheldhishandouttomeasiftooffermehisformalkiss,andthenpressedthosefingersoverhisheartandbowedhishead.Theaudienceeruptedintocheersandastandingovation.StevieRaestoodcheeringnexttome,wipinghereyesandlaughing.
"ThatwassoromanticIalmostpeedmypants,"sheyelled.
"Me,too!"Ilaughed.
AndthenProfessorNolanwasbackonstage,closingtheper formanceanddirectingeveryonetothewineandcheeserecep tionsetupinthelobby.
"Comeon,Z,"Erinsaid,grabbingoneofmyhands.
"Yeah,we'restayingwithyou'causethatfriendofErik'sthatplayedRomeoisinsanelyhot,"Shauneesaidasshegrabbedmyotherhand.TheTwinsstartedhaulingmethroughthecrowd,shoulderinguspasttheslow-movingkidslikemini-tugboats.IlookedhelplesslybackatDamienandStevieRae.Clearlytheyweregoingtohavetocatchupontheirown.TheTwinswereaforcebeyondevenmycontrol.
Wepoppedfromthebottled-upcrowdtryingtoexittheaudi toriumlikethreecorkscomingtothesurface.AndsuddenlythereErikwas,justenteringthelobbyfromthesideactors'en trance.OureyesmetandheinstantlystoppedtalkingtoColeandheadedstraighttome.
"Mmm,mmm,mmm.Heissototallyfiiiiine,"Shauneemur mured.
"Asusual,we'reincompleteagreement,Twin,"Erinsigheddreamily.
Icouldn'tdoanythingbutstandthereandsmilelikeamoronasErikreachedus.Withaverynaughtysparkleinhiseyeshetookmyhand,kissedit,andthenmadeasweepingbowandpro claimedinhisactor'svoicethatcarriedallaroundtheroom,"Hello,mysweetDesdemona.”
Ifeltmycheeksgettingreallyhot,andIactuallygiggled.Hewasjustpullingmeintoawarm,butveryproper-for-public-consumptionhugwhenIheardafamiliarhatefullaugh.Aphrodite,lookingamazinginashortblackskirt,stilettoboots,andaslinkysweater,waslaughingasshewalked(actually,shetwitchedmorethanshewalked—Imean,thegirlcouldseriouslyshakeherbutt)pastus.OverErik'sshoulderImethereyesand,inasilkyvoicethatwouldhavesoundedfriendlyhaditnotbeencomingfromhermouth,said,"Ifhe'scallingyouDesdemona,thenIsuggestyoubecareful.Ifitevenlookedlikeyou'recheatingonhimhe'llstrangleyouinyourbed.Butyou'dnevercheatonhim,wouldyou?"Thensheflippedherlong,blond,perfecthairandtwitchedaway.
Noonesaidanythingforasecond,thentheTwins,atthesametime,said,"Issues.Shehasissues,"andeveryonelaughed.
Everyonebutme.AllIcouldthinkaboutwasthefactthatshe'dseenLorenandmeinthemediacenter,andthatitdefinitelycouldhavelookedlikeIwas
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtcheatingonErik.WasshewarningmethatshewasgoingtotellErik?Okay,Iwasn'tworriedabouthimstranglingmeinmybed,butwouldhebelieveher?Also,Aphrodite'sall-too-perfectappearanceremindedmethatIwaswearingwrinkledjeansandahastilythrown-onsweater.Myhairandmakeuphaddefinitelylookedbetter.Actually,IthinkIstillmighthavepillowmarksonmycheek.
"Don'tlethergettoyou,"Eriksaidgently.
Ilookedupathim.Hewasholdingmyhandandsmilingdownatme.Imentallyshookmyself."Don'tworry,she'snot,"Isaidbrightly."Anyway,whocaresabouther?Youwonthecompetition!That'samazing,Erik.I'msoproudofyou!"Ihuggedhimagain,lovinghiscleansmellandhowhisheightmademefeelsmallanddelicate.Thenourlittlepocketofpri vacywasgoneasmoreandmorepeoplepouredoutoftheau ditorium.
"Erik,it'ssocoolyouwon!"Erinsaid."Butit'snotlikewe'resurprised.Youdefinitelykickassonstage.”
"Totally.Andsodoesboyfriendoverthere."ShauneejerkedherchininCole'sdirection."HeisonefineRomeo.”
Erikgrinned."I'lltellhimyousaidso.”
"YoucanalsotellhimthatifhewantsalittlebrownsugarinhisJulietheneedlooknofartherthanrighthere.”Shepointedatherselfandshimmiedherhips.
"Twin,ifJuliethadbeenblackIdonotbelievethingswouldhavecometosuchashittyendbetweenherandRomeo.Imean,wewouldhaveshownmoresensethandrinkingthatsleepingpotioncrapandgoingthroughallthatdramajustbecauseofsomeunfortunateparentalissues.”
"Exactly,"Shauneesaid.
Noneofusstatedtheobvious—thatErin,withherblondhairandblueeyes,wasdefinitelyNOTBLACK.WeweretoousedtoherandShauneebeingtwinliketoquestiontheweirdnessofit.
"Erik,youwereamazing!"DamienrushedupwithJackfol lowingclosebehind.
"Congratulations,”Jacksaidshyly,butwithdefiniteenthusiasm.
Eriksmiledatthem."Thanks,guys.Hey,Jack.Iwastooner vousbeforetheperformancetosaythatI'mgladyou'rehere.It'llbenicetohavearoommate.”
Jack'scutefacelitup,andIsqueezedErik'shand.ThiswasonereasonwhyIlikedhimsomuch.Besidesbeinggorgeousandtal ented,Erikwasanauthenticallyniceguy.Therewerealotofguysinhisposition(ridiculouslypopular)whowouldhaveeitherig noredthislittlethirdformerroommateor,worse,beenvisiblypissedthatthey'dhavetosharearoomwitha"fag."Erikwasn'tlikethatatall,andIcouldn'thelpbutcomparehimtoHeath,whowouldprobablyhavebeenfreakedthathehadtoroomwithagaykid.NotthatHeathwashatefuloranythinglikethat,buthewasatypicalteenageOkieboy,whichtendedtomeannarrow-mindedhomophobe.WhichmademerealizethatI'dneveraskedErikwherehewasfrom.Jeesh,Iwasacrappygirlfriend.
"Didyouhearme,Zoey?”
"Huh?"Damien'squestionshutoffmyinnerbabbling,butno,Ihadn'theardhim.
"Hello!EarthtoZoey!Iaskedifyourealizedwhattimeitwas.AndareyourememberingtheFullMoonRitualstartsatmid night?”
Ilookedatthewallclock."Ah,hell!"Itwas11:05.Istillneededtochangemyclothesandthengettotherechall,lightthecirclecandles,makesurethefivecandlesfortheelementswereinplace,andcheckontheGoddess'stable."Erik,I'msosorry,butIhavetoleave.Thereareamillionthingstodobeforetheritualstarts."Imadeeyecontactwitheachofmyfourfriends."Youguys
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txthavetocomewithme."Theynoddedlikebobble-headeddolls.IturnedbacktoErik."You'recomingtotheritual,aren'tyou?”
"Yeah.Andthatremindsme.IgotyousomethinginNewYork.Hangonforjustasec,andI'llgogetit.”
Hehurriedbackthroughtheactors'entrancetotheaudito rium.
"Iswearheistoodamngoodtobetrue,"Erinsaid.
"Let'shopehisfriendisjustlikehim,"Shauneesaid,sendingColeaflirtysmilefromacrosstheroom,whichInoticedhere turned.
"Damien,didyougettheeucalyptusandsageforme?"Iwasalreadyfeelingnervous.Hell!Ishouldhaveeaten.Mystomachwasanemptycavernjustwaitingtoclenchuponme.
"Don'tworry,Z.IgottheeucalyptusandIevenbraideditto getherwiththesageforyou,"Damiensaid.
"Everythingwillbeperfect,you'llsee,"StevieRaesaid."Yeah,youdon'tneedtobenervous,"Shauneesaid.
"We'llberighttherewithyou,"Erinfinished.
Ismiledatthem,incrediblygladtheyweremyfriends.AndthenErikwasback.Hehandedmethebigwhiteboxhewascarrying.IhesitatedbeforetearingintoitandShauneesaid,"Z,ifyoudon'topenitIwill.”
"Damnright,"Erinsaid.
Eagerly,Islidoffthedecorativestringthathelditshut,openedthelid,andgasped(alongwitheveryoneelsewhowasstandingcloseenoughtosee).InsidetheboxpooledthemostbeautifuldressI'deverseen.Itwasblack,butwovenintothematerialweremetallicspecksofsilver,sothatwhereverthelighttouched,itglitteredandsparkledlikeshootingstarsagainstthenightsky.
"Erik,thisisbeautiful."IsoundedchokedbecauseIwastryingreallyhardnottomakeafooloutofmyselfandburstintohappytears.
"IwantedyoutohavesomethingspecialforyourfirstritualasleaderoftheDarkDaughters,"hesaid.
WehuggedagainbeforemyfriendsandIhadtorushoutandheadtotherechall.IclutchedthedresstomychestandtriednottothinkaboutthefactthatwhileErikwasbuyingmeanamaz inglycoolpresentIhadbeeneithersuckingHeath'sbloodorflirtingwithLoren.AndwhileItriednottothinkaboutthat,Ialsotriedtoignoretheguiltyvoiceinsidemyheadthatkeptsay ing,overandover,Youdon'tdeservehim...youdon'tdeservehim…youdon'tdeservehim...
CHAPTERTWENTY
"Shaunee,Erin,andStevieRae—youguysstartlightingthewhitecandles.Damien,ifyouplacethecoloredcandlesfortheele mentsintheirpositionsI'llbesurethateverything'ssetforNyx'stable.”
"Easy—"Shauneesaid.
"Peasy,"Erinchimedin.
"Japanesy,"StevieRaeadded,makingtheTwinsgivehermir roreyerolls.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
"Aretheelementcandlesstillinthesupplyroom?"Damienasked.
"Yep,"IcalledasIheadedtothekitchen.IwasgladI'dalreadyputtogetherabigtrayoffreshfruits,cheeses,andmeatsforNyx'stable.Ijustneededtoretrieveitandthebottleofwinefromtherefrigerator,andarrangethebountyneatlyonthetableplacedinthecenterofthelargecirclemadeofwhitecandles.Thetableal readyhadanornategobletonit,aswellasabeautifulstatueoftheGoddess,along,elegantlighter,andthepurplecandlethatwouldrepresentspirit,thelastelementIwouldcalltothecircle.ThetablesymbolizedtherichnessoftheblessingsNyxhasgivenherchildren,vampyresandfledglings.IlikedsettinguptheGod dess'stable.Itmademefeelcalm,somethingthatIespeciallyneededtonight.Iarrangedthefoodandwine,andwentoverandoverinmymindthewordsoftheritualIwasgoingtousein—Iglancedattheclockandfeltmystomachtighten—infifteenmin utes.Fledglingswerealreadystartingtocomeintotherechall,buttheywerebeingprettysubduedandhangingoutinthecor nersofthelargeroominclusterswhiletheywatchedtheTwinsandStevieRaelightthewhitecandlesthatwouldformthecir cumferenceofthecircle.MaybeIwasn'ttheonlyonenervousabouttonight.ItwasabigchangetohavemeleadtheDarkDaughters.Aphroditehadbeenleaderforthepasttwoyears,andinthattimethegrouphadbecomeacliquish,snobbyclubwherefledglingswhoweren'tpartofthe"in"crowdwereusedandmadefunof.
Well,thingswerechangingtonight.
Iglancedatmyfriends.We'dallhurriedtochangeourclothesbeforecomingtotherechall,andeveryonehadchosentowearsolidblacktokeepwiththethemeoftheamazingdressErikhadgivenme.Iglanceddownatmyselfforthezillionthtime.Thedresswassimple,butperfect.Ithadaroundnecklinethatwaslow,butnotaslowasho-ishAphrodite'sritualdresseshadbeen.Itwaslong-sleevedandhuggedmybodytothewaist,fromtheredownitswirledgracefullytothefloor.Thesilverspecksthatcov ereditglimmeredinthecandlelightwheneverImoved.WhatalsoglitteredwheneverImovedwasthenecklacethatdangledfromthesilverchainaroundmyneck.EachDarkDaughterandSonhadasimilarnecklace,withtwoexceptions—mytriplemoonswereencrustedwithgarnets,andminewastheonlyneck lacethathadbeenfoundwiththebodyofadeadhumanteenager.Okay,itwasn'texactlymynecklacethathadbeenfound.Itwasonelikemine.Justlikemine.
No.Iwouldn'tthinkaboutnegativethingstonight.Iwouldonlyconcentrateonpositives,andonpreparingmyselftoleadmyfirstpubliccircle-castingandritual.Damienreturnedtothemainroomwithabigtrayonwhichhebalancedthefourcandlesthatrepresentedeachelement:yellowforair,redforfire,blueforwater,andgreenforearth.IalreadyhadmypurplespiritcandleonNyx'stable.Ismiledandthoughthowgreatmyfriendslooked,dressedchiclyinblackwiththeirsilverDarkDaughters'neck laces.StevieRaehadalreadytakenherplaceatthenorthernmostpartofthecirclewhereearthshouldbe.Damienhandedherthegreencandle.Ijusthappenedtobewatchingthem,sotherewasnomistakingwhatIsaw.AsStevieRaetouchedthecandle,hereyeswidenedandsheletoutaweirdsoundthatwasacrossbe tweenascreamandagasp.Damienhadtakensuchahastystepbackthathehadtoclutchattheothercandlestokeepthemfromtumblingoffthetray.
"Didyoufeelit?"StevieRae'svoicesoundedweird,hushedyetamplified.
Damienlookedshaky,buthenoddedandsaid,"Yeah,andIsmelledit,too.”
Thentheybothturnedtolookatme.
"Uh,Zoey,couldyoucomehereforasecond?"Damienasked.Hesoundednormalagain,andhadInotbeenwatchingwhathadhappenedbetweenthetwoofthemIwouldhavethoughtnoth ingmorewasgoingonthanmaybetheyneededhelpwiththecandles.
ButIhadbeenwatching,whichiswhyIdidn'tyellfromthecenterofthecircleandaskwhattheywanted.InsteadIhurriedovertothemandkeptmyvoicelow."What'sgoingon?”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
"Tellher,"DamiensaidtoStevieRae.
Stilllookingwide-eyed,startled,andmorethanalittlepale,StevieRaesaid,"Can'tyousmellit?”
Ifrowned."Smellit?Whatare—"AndthenIdidsmellit—freshlycuthay,honeysuckle,andsomethingelsethatIswearre mindedmeofnewlyploweddirtinmygrandma'slavenderfields.
"Ido,"Isaidhesitantly,feelingthoroughlyconfused."ButIdidn'tcallearthintothecircle."Myaffinity,orpower,giventomebyNyxwastheabilitytomaterializethefiveelements.Evenafteramonth,Iwasn'texactlysurewhatallthatpowerencompassed,butonethingIdidknowwasthatwhenIcastacircleandcalledeachelementtoit,allofthemmanifestedveryphysically.ThewindwhippedaroundmewhenIcalledair.Firemademyskinglowwithheat(and,quitefrankly,mademesweat).IcouldfeelthecoolnessoftheseawhenIevokedwater.AndwhenIcalledearthtothecircleIsmelledearthythingsandevenfeltgrassundermyfeet(evenwhenIwaswearingshoes,whichwastrulyweird).
But,asI'dsaid,Ihadn'tbeguncastingthecircle,soIhadn'tcalledanyoftheelements,yetStevieRae,Damien,andIwereclearlysmellingearthsmells.
ThenDamiensuckedairandhisfacesplitintoahugegrin."StevieRaehasanaffinityforearth!”
"Huh?"Isaidbrilliantly.
"Noway,”StevieRaesaid.
"Trythis,"Damienwenton,hisexcitementgrowingbythesecond."Closeyoureyes,StevieRae,andthinkabouttheearth."Helookedatme."Don'tyouthinkaboutit.”
"'Kay,"Isaidquickly.Hisexcitementwascontagious.ItwouldbefantasticifStevieRaehadanearthaffinity.Havinganelemen talaffinitywasapowerfulgiftfromNyx,andIwoulddefinitelyloveitifmybestfriendhadbeenblessedlikethatfromourGod dess.
"Okay."StevieRaesoundedbreathless,butsheclosedhereyes.
"What'shappening?"Erinsaid.
"Why'sshehavehereyesclosed?"Shauneesaid.Thenshesniffedtheair."Andwhydoesitsmelllikehayoverthere?StevieRae,Iswearifyou'retryingoutsomekindofbumpkinperfumeImighthavetosmackyou.”
"Shhh!"Damienputhisfingertohislipsandshushedher."WethinkStevieRaemighthavedevelopedanearthaffinity."
Shauneeblinked."Nuhuh!”
"Huh,"Erinsaid.
"Icannotconcentratewithy'alltalking,"StevieRaesaid,openinghereyestoglareattheTwins.
"Sorry,"theymuttered.
"Tryagain,"Iencouragedher.
Shenodded.Thensheclosedhereyesandscrewedherfore headupinconcentrationwhileshethoughtabouttheearth.Ididnotthinkaboutit,whichwasactuallyprettyhardbecausewithinacoupleofsecondstheairwasfilledwiththesmellsoffreshlymowedgrass,andflowers,andIcouldevenhearbirdschirpinglikecrazyand—
"Ohmygod!StevieRaehasanaffinityforearth!"Iblurted.StevieRae'seyes
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtsprangopenandshecoveredhermouthwithbothofherhands,lookingshockedandthrilled.
"StevieRae,that'samazing!"Damiensaid,andinsecondsallofuswerecongratulatingandhuggingherwhileshegiggledthroughhappytears.
Thenithappened.Ihadoneofmyfeelings.Andthistimeitwas(thankfully)agoodone.
"Damien,Shaunee,Erin—Iwantyouguystotakeyourplacesinthecircle."Theygavemequestioninglooks,butmusthaverec ognizedthetoneofmyvoicebecausetheyinstantlydidwhatItoldthemtodo.Iwasn'texactlythebossofthem,butmyfriendsrespectedthatIwasintrainingtosomedaybetheirHighPriest ess,sotheyobedientlywalkedtotheplaceinthecirclethatIhadassignedtoeachofthemweeksagowhenithadonlybeenthefiveofus,andIwascastingacircletotrytofigureoutifIreallyhadaGoddess-givenaffinity,orifIjusthadverylittlesenseandanoveractiveimagination.
AstheytooktheirplacesIlookedaroundatthekidswhowerealreadyintherechall.Idefinitelyneededoutsidehelp.ThenErikwalkedintotheroomwithJack,andIgrinnedandmotionedthemovertome.
"What'sup,Z?Youlooklikeyou'regoingtoexplode,"Eriksaid,andthenheloweredhisvoice,andformyearsaloneadded,"AndyoulookashotinthatdressasIthoughtyouwould.”
"Thanks,Iloveit!"IdidaquicklittletwirlthatwaspartiallyflirtingwithErik,andpartiallypurehappinessatwhatIwasal mostsurewasgettingreadytohappen."Jack,wouldyoupleasegoovertoDamienandgetthetrayofcandleshe'sholdingandbringthembackheretothemiddleofthecircle?”
"Yep,"JacksaidandscamperedofftodoasIasked.Okay,hedidn'tactuallyscamper,buthewasveryperky.
"What'sgoingon?"Erikasked.
"You'llsee.”Igrinned,barelyabletosuppressmyexcitement.
WhenJackwasbackwiththecandlesIputthetrayonNyx'stable.Iconcentratedforasecond,anddecidedmyinstinctsweretellingmefirewouldbetherightchoice.ThenIpickeduptheredcandleandhandedittoErik."Okay,IneedyoutotakethiscandleovertoShaunee.”
Erikwrinkledhisforehead."Justtakeitovertoher?"
"Yeah.Handittoherandthenpayattention.”
"Towhat?”
"I'drathernotsay.”
HeshruggedandgavemealookthatsaidthateventhoughhemightthinkIwashothealsomightthinkthatIhadlostmymind,buthedidasIaskedandwalkedovertowhereShauneewasstandinginthesouthernmostpartofthecircle—theareafromwhichIcalledtheelementfire.Hestoppedinfrontofher.Shauneelookedaroundhimatme.
"Takethecandlefromhim,"Icalledacrossthecircletoher,concentratingonhowcuteEriklookedsothatIwouldn'tbethinkingaboutfireatall.
Shauneeshrugged."Okay,"shesaid.
ShetooktheredcandlefromErik.Iwaswatchingherclosely,butIhadn'tneededto.Whathappenedwassoobviousthatsev eralofthekidsstandingaroundtheoutsideofthecirclegaspedalongwithShaunee.Theinstantherhandtouchedthecandletherewasawhooshnoise.Herlong,blackhairbegantoliftandcrackleasifitwasfilledwithstaticelectricity,andherbeautifulchocolateskinglowedasifshehadbeenlitfromwithin.
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"Iknewit!"Icried,practicallyjumpingupanddownwithex citement.
Shauneelookedupfromherglowingbodytomeetmyeyes."I'mdoingthis,aren'tI?”
"Youare!”
"Ihaveanaffinityforfire!”
"Yes,youdo!"Iyelledhappily.
Iheardlotsofoohsandahhsfromtheever-increasingcrowd,butIdidn'thavetimeforthemrightnow.Followingmygutfeel ingImotionedforEriktocomebacktothecenterofthecircle,whichhedidwithahugegrinonhisface.
"ThatmaybethecoolestthingI'veeverseen,"hesaid.
"Justwait.IfI'mright,andIthinkIam,there'smore."Igavehimthebluecandle."NowtakethisonetoErin.”
"Yourwishismycommand,"hesaidwithanold-timeflour ish.Ifanyoneelsebowedlikethatinpublictheywouldhavelookedlikeanutterdork.Eriklookedlikeanutterhottie—partgentleman,partbadboypirate.IwasthinkingabouthowyummyErikwaswhenErinandShauneeletouttwinsquealsofhappinessatalmostthesameinstant.
"Lookatthefloor!"Erinwaspointingtothetileflooroftherechall.Inacircularareaaroundherthetilefloorwasripplinganditappearedtobelappingagainstfeet,eventhoughnothingwasactuallygettingwet,makingitseemthatErinwasstandinginthemiddleoftheghostofanoceanshore.Thenshelookedupatmewithshimmeringblueeyes."Oh,Z!Waterismyaffinity!”
Igrinnedather."Yes,itis!”
Erikhurriedbacktome.ThistimeIdidn'thavetoprompthimtopickuptheyellowcandle.
"Damien,right?"hesaid.
"Totallyright.”
HeheadedtoDamien,whowasfidgetingattheeasternmostpartofthecirclewheretheelementairshouldmanifest.Erikof feredtheyellowcandletoDamien.Damiendidn'ttouchit.In stead,hepeeredaroundEriktome.Theboylookedscaredtodeath.
"It'sokay,goaheadandtakeit,"Itoldhim.
"Areyousureit'sgoingtobeokay?"Heglancednervouslyaroundatwhatwasnowalargecrowdoffledglingswatchinghimexpectantly.
Iknewwhatwaswrong.Damienwasafraidhewouldfail,thathewouldbeleftoutofthemagicthatwashappeningtothegirls.InSocclassI'dlearnedthatitwasunusualforagiftasstrongasanaffinityforanelementtobegiventoamale.Nyxgiftedmenwithexceptionalstrength,andtheiraffinitiesusuallyhadtodowiththephysical,likeDragon,ourfencinginstructor,hadbeengiftedwithexceptionalquicknessandvisualaccuracy.Airwasdefinitelyafemaleaffinity,anditwouldbenothingshortofin credibleforNyxtogiftDamienwithanairaffinity.ButIhadacalm,happyfeelingdeepinsideme.InoddedatDamienandtriedtotelegraphconfidencetohim."I'msure.Goon.I'llbebusythinkingabouthowcuteErikiswhileyou'recallingairtoyou,"Isaid.
AsErikgrinnedoverhisshoulderatmeDamiendrewadeepbreath,andlookingalotlikehethoughthewasgrabbingontoalivebomb,hetookthecandlefromErik.
"Superb!Glorious!Wondrous!"Damienmadeuseofhislargevocabularywhilehis
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtbrownhairliftedandhisclothesflappedcrazilyinthesuddenwindthatsurroundedhim.Whenhelookedatmeagainhappytearswererunningdownhischeeks."Nyxhasgivenmeagift.Me,"heenunciatedcarefully,andIknewwhathewassayinginthatoneword—thatherealizedNyxfoundhimworthyeventhoughhisparentsdidn't,andeventhoughmuchofhislifepeoplehadmadefunofhimbecausehelikedguys.Ihadtoblinkhardtokeepfrombawlinglikeababy.
"Yes,you,"Isaidfirmly.
"Yourfriendsarespectacular,Zoey."Neferet'svoicecarriedabovetheexcitednoiseofthekidswhowerenowconvergingonthefournewlydiscoveredtalents.
TheHighPriestesswasstandingjustinsidetheentrancetotherechall,andIwonderedhowlongshe'dbeenthere.Icouldseethattherewereafewprofessorswithher,buttheywereintheshadowofthedoorwayanditwasdifficulttomakeoutexactlywhotheywere.Okay.Youcandothis.Youcanfaceher.Iswal lowedhardandforcedmythoughtstofocusonmyfriendsandthemiraclesthathadjusthappenedtothem.
"Yes,myfriendsarespectacular!"Iagreedenthusiastically.
Neferetnodded."ItisonlyrightthatNyx,inherwisdom,hasthoughttogiftyou,afledglingwhohassuchunusualpowers,withagroupoffriendswhoarealsoblessedwithimpressivepowersoftheirown."Shedramaticallysweptoutherarms."Iprophesythatthisgroupoffledglingswillmakehistory.Neverbeforehassomuchbeengiventosomanyatthesametimeandplace."Hersmileincludedallofusandshetrulylookedlikealovingmother.Iwouldhavebeenastakeninaseveryoneelsebyherwarmthandbeautyifithadn'tbeenfortheglimpseIgotofthethinredlineofanewlyhealingcutthatmarredherforearm.IshiveredandforcedmyeyesandmythoughtsfromtheevidencethatwhatI'dwitnessedhaddefinitelynotbeenafigmentofmyimagination.
Goodthing,too,becauseNeferethadturnedherattentiontome.
"Zoey,Ibelievethisistheperfecttimetoannounceyourblue printforthenewDarkDaughtersandSons."IopenedmymouthtostartexplainingwhatIhadinmind(eventhoughIhadn'tplannedonannouncingthechangesIwantedtomakeuntilafterI'dcasttheritualisticcircleandgiventhe"old"membershipsometangibleproofthatIactuallyhadbeengiftedbyNyx),butnoonepaidanyattentiontome.Everyone'sattentionwasrivetedonNeferetasshestrodeoutintotheroomandstoodnotfarfromShauneesothatmyfriend'smanifestationoffirelituptheHighPriestesslikeaspotlightmadeofflame.Inthesamepowerful,al luringvoicesheusedduringrituals,Neferetspoke.Onlythistimeshewasusingmywords—myideas.
"ItistimetheDarkDaughtershadafoundation.IthasbeendecidedthatZoeyRedbirdwillbeginaneraandanewtraditionwithherleadership.ShewillformaPrefectCouncil,madeupofsevenfledglings,ofwhichshewillbeHeadPrefect.TheothermembersoftheCouncilwillbeShauneeCole,ErinBates,StevieRaeJohnson,DamienMaslin,andErikNight.TherewillbeonemorePrefectchosenfromAphrodite'soldInnerCircletorepre sentmywishforunityamongthefledglings.”
Herwish?IgroundmyteethtogetherandtriedtofindmyhappyplacewhileNeferetpausedtoletthegeneralsoundsofcel ebrationdie(whichincludedtheTwins,StevieRae,Damien,Erik,andJack,cheeringtheirbrainsout).Jeesh.ShewasmakingitseemlikeshewasresponsibleforideasI'dsweatedoverforweeks!
"ThePrefectCouncilwillberesponsiblefortheworkingsofthenewDarkDaughtersandSons,whichincludesbeingcertainthatfromthisdayforthallmembersexemplifythefollowingideas:theyshouldbeauthenticforair;theyshouldbefaithfulforfire;theyshouldbewiseforwater;theyshouldbeempatheticforearth;andtheyshouldbesincereforspirit.IfaDarkDaughterorSonfailstoupholdthesenewideals,itwillbethejobofthePre fectCounciltodecideuponapenalty,whichcouldincludeex pulsionfromthegroup."Shepausedagain,andIobservedhowseriousandattentiveeveryonewas,whichwastheexactreactionIhadhopedforwhenImadethisannouncementduringtheac tualFullMoonRitual."Ihavealsodecidedthatitwouldbehooveour
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtfledglingstobecomemoreinvolvedwiththesurroundingcommunity.Afterall,ignorancebreedsfearandhatred.SoIwanttheDarkDaughtersandSonstobeginworkingwithalocalchar ity.AftermuchconsiderationIdecidedthattheperfectorganiza tionwouldbeStreetCats,therescuecharityforhomelesscats.”
Therewasgood-humoredlaughteratthis,whichwasthereac tionNeferethadhadwhenI'dtoldhermydecisiontohavetheDarkDaughtersinvolvedinthatparticularcharity.IcouldnotbelieveNeferetwastakingcreditforeverythingthatIhadtoldherthatnightatdinner.
"Iwillleaveyounow.ThisisZoey'sritual,andIamsimplyheretoshowmyheartfeltsupportformytalentedfledgling."Shegavemeakindsmile,whichImademyselfreturn."ButfirstIhaveagiftforthenewPrefectCouncil."SheclappedherhandstogetherandfivemalevampyresI'dneverseenbeforeemergedfromtheshadowsoftheentryway.Theywereeachcarryingwhatlookedlikethick,rectangulartilesthatmusthavebeenaboutafootsquareandacoupleofinchesthick.Theyplacedthematthefloorbyherfeetandtheydisappearedbackoutthedoor.Istaredatthethings.Theywereacreamycolorandlookedliketheymightbewet.Ihadnocluewhattheywere.Neferet'slaughterbubbledaroundus,makingmegrindmyteethtogether.Didnooneelsethinkshesoundedtotallypatronizing?
"Zoey,I'mshockedyoudon'trecognizeyourownidea!"
"I—no.Idon'tknowwhattheyare,"Isaid.
"They'resquaresofwetcement.IrememberedthatyoutoldmeyouwantedeachofthemembersofthePrefectCounciltohaveanimprintofhisorherhandprintsmadesothatthefledg ling'shandprintwillbepreservedforever.TonightsixofthesevenmembersofthenewCouncilcandothat.”
Iblinkedather.Great.Shewasfinallygivingmecreditforsomething,anditwasDamien'sidea."Thankyouforthepres ent,"Isaid,andthenaddedquickly,"AnditwasDamien'sideatomakehandprints,notmine.”
Hersmilewasblinding,andwhensheturneditonDamienIdidn'thavetolookathimtoknowthathepracticallywriggledwithpleasure."Andwhatalovelyideaitwas,too,Damien."Thensheaddressedtheentireroomagain."IampleasedthatNyxhasgiftedthisgroupsofully.AndIsayblessedbetoallofyou,goodnight!"Shedroppedtothefloorinagracefulcurtsy.Then,tothecheersofthefledglings,sheroseandmadeaskirt-flowing,mag nificentexit.
Whichleftmestandinginthemiddleofanun-castcirclefeel inglikeIwasalldressedupwithnowheretogo.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Ittookforevertogeteveryonesettleddownandinplacefortheritualtobegin,especiallybecauseIcouldn'tshowhowIwasre allyfeeling—whichwaspissed.Notonlywouldnooneunder stand,butalsonoonewouldbelievewhatIwasbeginningtosee:thattherewassomethingdarkandwrongaboutNeferet.Andwhyshouldanyoneunderstandorbelieveme?Iwas,afterall,justakid.NomatterwhatpowersNyxhadgivenmeIwastotallynotinthesameleaguewithaHighPriestess.Besidesthat,nooneex ceptmehadwitnessedthelittlepuzzlepiecesthatwerefittingto gethertocreatesuchaterriblepicture.
Aphroditewouldunderstandandbelieveme.Ihatedthatthethoughtwastrue.
"Zoey,justletmeknowwheneveryou'rereadyandI'llstartthemusic,"Jackcalledfromthebackcorneroftherechallwherealltheaudioequipmentwas
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtkept.Apparentlythenewkidwasage niuswithelectronics,soI'dinstantlydraftedhimtorunthemu sicfortheritual.
"Okay,justasec.HowaboutInodatyouwhenI'mready?"
"Finewithme!"hesaidwithagrin.
Ibackedupafewfeet,realizingthat,ironically,IwasnowstandingalmostexactlywhereNeferethadstoodnotlongbefore.Itriedtoclearmymindofalltheconfusionandnegativesthatwereswirlinginit.Myeyestraveledaroundthecircle.Therewasafairlylargegroupofkidspresent—actuallymorethanIhadex pectedtoshow.Theyhadquieteddown,thoughtherewasstillageneralairofexcitementintheroom.Thewhitecandlesintheirtallglasscontainersilluminatedthecircleinaclean,brightlight.Icouldseemyfourfriendsstandingintheirpositions,waitingexpectantlyformetobegintheritual.Ifocusedonthemandthewonderfulgiftstheyhadbeengiven,andgotreadytonodatJack.
"IthoughtI'dvolunteermyservicestoyou.”
Loren'sdeepvoicehadmejumpingandmakinganunattrac tivelittlesqueakingnoise.Hewasstandingbehindmeintheen tranceway.
"Crap,Loren!YouscaredmesobadIalmostpeedonmyself!"IblurtedbeforeIhadtimetocontrolmydorkymouth.ButIwastellingthetruth,Lorenhadmeclutchingmypearlsinatotalfreak-out.
Apparentlyhedidn'tmindmyinabilitytocontrolmymouth.Hegavemealong,slow,sexysmile."IthoughtyouknewIwashere."
"No.Iwasalittledistracted.”
"Stressed,Ibet."Hetouchedmyarminagesturethatprob ablylookedinnocent.Youknow,friendlyandprofessoriallysup portive.Butfeltlikeacaress,areallywarmcaress.Hiswideningsmilemademewonderabouthisvampintuitiveness.IfhecouldreadanypartofmymindIwouldjustdie."Well,I'mheretohelpyouwiththatstress.”
Washekidding?Justthesightofhimmademelosemymind.StressfreearoundLorenBlake?Nothardly.
"Really?Howareyougoingtodothat?"Iaskedwithjustahintofaflirtysmile,veryawarethattheentireroomwaswatchingusandthattheentireroomincludedmyboyfriend.
"I'lldoforyouwhatIdoforNeferet.”
ThesilencestretchedbetweenusasmymindwallowedaroundinthegutterwonderingjustexactlywhathedidforNeferet.Thankfully,hedidn'tletmewallowtoolong.
"EveryHighPriestesshasapoetwhorecitesancientversetoevokethepresenceoftheMuseassheentersintoherrituals.To day,I'mofferingtoreciteforaveryspecialHighPriestessintraining.PlusIbelievetherearesomemisconceptionsthatneedtobeclearedup.”
HecrossedhisfistoverhisheartinagestureofrespectpeopleoftenusedwhentheygreetedNeferet.Unlikeacool,confidentHighPriestess,andverymuchlikeadork,Ijuststoodtherestar ingathim.Imean,Ididn'thaveacluewhathewastalkingabout.Misconceptions?AsinsomeonemightbelieveIknowwhatthehellI'mdoing?
"ButIwillneedyourpermission,"hecontinued."Iwouldn'twanttointrudeuponyourritual.”
"Oh,no!"ThenIrealizedwhathemustthinkmysilenceandthenmyblurtedoh,nomeant,andIgotholdofmyself."WhatImeanisthatno,youdefinitelyaren'tintruding,andyes,Iacceptyouroffer.Graciously,"Iadded,wondering
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txthowIhadeverfeltgrownandsexyaroundthisman.
Hissmilemademewanttomeltinapoolathisfeet."Excel lent.Wheneveryou'reready,justgivemethewordandI'llbeginyourintroduction."HeglancedovertowhereJackwasgawkingatus."MindifIhavewordswithyourassistantabouttheslightalterationinyourplans?”
"No,"Isaid,feelingutterlysurreal.AsLorenwalkedpastmehisarmbrushedmineintimately.WasIimaginingtheflirtingthatwasgoingonbetweenus?Ilookedatthecircleandsawthateveryonewasstaringatme.Reluctantly,IfoundErikwherehewasstandingbesideStevieRae.Hesmiledatmeandwinked.Okay,itdidn'tseemlikeErikhadnoticedanythingwronginLoren'sbehaviortowardme.IglancedatShauneeandErin.TheywerefollowingLorenwithhungryeyes.Theymusthavefeltmelookingatthem,becausetheybothmanagedtopulltheirgazesfromLoren'sbutt.Theywaggledtheireyebrowsatmeandgrinned.They,too,wereactingcompletelynormal.
ItwasjustmewhowasbeingweirdaboutLoren.
"Getyourselftogether!"Ihissedatmyselfundermybreath.Concentrate…concentrate...concentrate...
"Zoey,I'mreadywhenyouare."Lorenhadmovedbackbesideme.
Idrewadeep,calmingbreathandliftedmyhead."I'mready.”
Hisdarkeyesheldmine."Remember,trustyourinstincts.Nyxspeakstotheheartsofherpriestesses."Thenhewalkedafewpacesintotheroom.
"Itisanightforjoy!"Loren'svoicewasnotjustdeepandex pressive,itwasalsocommanding.HehadthesameabilityErikdidtocaptivatearoomusingonlyhisvoice.Everyoneinstantlywassilent,waitingeagerlyforhisnextwords."Butyoushouldknowthatthejoyofthisnightisn'tfoundonlyinthegiftsNyxhassovisiblyallowedtomanifesthere.Someoftonight'sjoywasborntwonightsagowhenyournewleaderwasdecidinguponthefutureshewantedfortheDarkDaughtersandSons.”
Ifeltalittlestartofsurprise.Ididn'tknowifanyoneelsereallygotwhathewassaying—thatI,andnotNeferet,hadcomeupwiththenewstandardsfortheDarkDaughters,butIappreciatedhisattempttosetthingsright.
"IncelebrationofZoeyRedbird,andhernewvisionfortheDarkDaughters,IamhonoredtoopenherfirstritualasyourHeadPrefectandHighPriestesstraineewithaclassicpoemaboutjoybeingnewlybornthatwaswrittenbymynamesake,thevampyrepoetWilliamBlake."Lorenlookedbackatmeandmouthed,You'reon!thenhenoddedtoJack,whohurriedlyturnedtotheaudioequipment.
ThemagicalsoundsofEnya'sorchestralsong"Aldebaran"filledtheroom.Iswalloweddownthelastofmynervousness,andbeganwalkingforward,tracingapatharoundtheoutsideofthecircle,likeI'dwatchedbothNeferetandAphroditedointheritualsthey'dled.Astheyhad,Imovedintimewiththemusic,makinglittleimpromptuturnsanddancemoves.I'dbeenreallyfreakedoutaboutthispartoftheritual—Imean,I'mnotclumsy,butI'malsonotMs.Cheerleader/PomSquad.Thankfully,itwaslotseasierthanI'dimaginedittobe.I'dchosenthisparticularmusicbecauseofitsbeautiful,liltingbeat,andalsobecauseI'dGoogledAldebaranandfoundoutitwasagiantstar—andIthoughtmusicthatcelebratedthenightskywasappropriatefortonight.Itwasagoodchoice,becauseitseemedasifthemusicwascarryingme,movingmybodygracefullyaroundtheroomandovercomingmyinitialnervesandawkwardness.WhenLoren'svoicebeganrecitingthepoem,he,too,echoedthecadenceofthemusic,justlikemybodywas,anditfeltlikeweweremakingmagictogether.
"`Ihavenoname,
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIambuttwodaysold.'
WhatshallIcallthee?
`Ihappyam,
Joyismyname.’
Sweetjoybefallthee!"
Thewordsofthepoemthrilledme.AndasImovedtowardthecenterofthecircleIfeltlikeIwasliterallypersonifyingtheemotion.
"Prettyjoy!
Sweetjoybuttwodaysold,
SweetjoyIcallthee;
Thoudostsmile...”
Echoingthewordsofthepoem,Ismiled,lovingthesenseofmagicandmysterythatseemedtofilltheroomalongwiththemusicandLoren'svoice.
"Isingthewhile—Sweetjoybefallthee."
SomehowLorentimeditperfectly,andhispoemconcludedasIreachedNyx'stableatthemiddleofthecircle.IwasonlyalittlebreathlessasIsmiledaroundthecircleandsaid,"WelcometothefirstFullMoonRitualforthenewDarkDaughtersandSons!”
"Merrymeet!"everyonerespondedautomatically.
Withoutgivingmyselfanopportunitytohesitate,Ipickeduptheornateritualisticlighterandmovedpurposefullytostandbe foreDamien.Airwasthefirstelementcalledwhencastingacircle,aswellasthelasttoleaveitwhenthecirclewasclosed.IcouldfeelDamien'sexcitementandexpectationasiftheywereaphysi calforce.
Ismiledathim,swallowedhardtoclearthedrynessinmythroat.WhenIspokeItriedtoprojectmyvoicelikeNeferet.I'mnotsurehowgoodofajobIdidatit.Let'sjustsayIwasgladthatthecirclewasarelativelysmalloneandtheroomwasquiet.
"Icalltheelementairfirsttoourcircle,andIaskthatitguarduswithwindsofinsight.Cometome,air!”
ItouchedthelightertoDamien'scandleanditflaredtolife,eventhoughheandIweresuddenlystandinginthemiddleofaveryobviouswhirlwindthatliftedourhairandsangplayfullywithinthefullskirtofmybeautifuldress.Damienlaughedandwhispered,"Sorry,it'sallsonewtomethatit'shardformenottobealittleoverexuberant.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt
"Iunderstandcompletely,"Iwhisperedbacktohim.ThenIturnedtomyrightandcontinuedaroundthecircletoShaunee,whowaslookingunusuallyserious,likeshewasgettingreadytotakeamathtest."Relax,"Iwhispered,tryingnottomovemylips.
Shenoddedjerkily,stilllookingscaredtodeath.
"Icalltheelementoffiretoourcircleandaskthatitburnbril liantlyherewiththelightofmightandpassion,bringingbothtoguardandaidus.Cometome,fire!”
IstartedtotouchtheendofmylightertotheredcandleShauneeheld,butbeforeIcouldgetittherethewickburstintoaflickeringwhitelightthatliftedupwellpastthelipoftheglassjarholdingit.
"Oopsie,"Shauneemumbled.
Ihadtobitemycheektokeepfromlaughing,andImovedquicklyontomyrighttowhereErinwaswaitingwiththebluecandleclutchedbeforeherlikeitwasabirdthatwouldflyawayifshedidn'tkeepholdofit.
"Icallwatertothiscircleandaskthatyouguarduswithyouroceansofmysteryandmajesty,andnurtureusasyourraindoesthegrassandtrees.Cometome,water!”
IlitErin'sbluecandle,anditwastheweirdestthing.IswearitwaslikeIwassuddenlytransportedtotheshoresofalake.Icouldsmellthewaterandfeelitcoolagainstmyskin,eventhoughIknewIwasstandinginthemiddleofaroomandab solutelycouldnotbeanywherenearwater.
"GuessIshouldtoneitdownalittle,"Erinsaidsoftly.
"Nah,"Iwhispered.ThenIheadedtoStevieRae.Ithoughtshelookedkindapale,butshehadabiggrinonherfacewhenImovedintothespaceinfrontofher.
"I'mready!"shesaid,soloudthekidsstandingarounduslaughedsoftly.
"Good,"Isaid."ThenIcallearthtothecircle,andaskthatyouguarduswiththestrengthofstoneandtherichnessofwheat-filledfields.Cometome,earth!"Ilitthegreencandleandwaswashedinthescentsofameadow—surroundedbybirdsongandflowers.
"It'sjustsocool!"StevieRaesaid.
"Soisthat."Erik'svoicesurprisedmeandwhenIlookedathimhepointedtothecircle.Confused,Ifollowedhishandtoseeabeautifulsilverthreadoflightconnectingeachofmyfourfriends—thefourpersonificationsoftheelements—andmakingaboundaryofpowerwithinthecandlesthathadalreadylitthecircumference.
"Likeitwasforusalone,onlyit'sstrongernow."StevieRaewhisperedthewords,butIcouldtellbyErik'sstartledlookthathe'dheardher.GuessI'dhavesomeexplainingtodolater,butnowwasdefinitelynotthetimetoworryaboutthat.
ImovedquicklybacktoNyx'stableatthecenterofthecircletocompletethecasting.Ifacedthepurplecandlethatsatonthetable.
"Finally,Icallspirittoourcircleandaskthatyoujoinusbringinginsightandtruthwithyou,sothattheDarkDaughtersandSonsmaybeguardedbyintegrity.Cometome,spirit!"Ilitthecandle.ItblazedevenbrighterthanShaunee's,andthespacearoundmewasfilledwiththescentsandsoundsofalloftheotherfourelements.Theyfilledme,too,makingmefeelstrong,calmingandsteadyingme,evenastheyenergizedme.WithsteadyhandsItookupthebraidedlengthofeucalyptusandsage.Ilititwiththespiritcandle,letitburnforalittlewhile,andthenblewitoutsothatthefragrantsmokebillowedinwavesaroundme.ThenIfacedthecircleandbeganmyspeech.Ihadbeen
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtworriedaboutwhatIwasgoingtosaysinceNeferethadshowedupandliterallystolenthebiggestpartofwhatI'dplannedtotalkabout.Butnow,inthemiddleofthecircleI'dcast,filledwiththepowerofallfiveoftheelements,myconfidencehadbeenrestoredasIhastilyrewordedlinesinmyhead.
IwaftedthebraidedsmudgestickaroundmeasIwalkedthecircle,meetingkids'eyesandtryingtomakeeveryonefeelwel come.
"TonightIwantedtochangethingsfromthetypeofincenseburned,totheabuseofourclassmates."Ispokeslowly,lettingmywordsandthesmoketheymingledwithsoakintothelisteninggroup.TheyallknewthatundertheleadershipofAphroditetheincenseusedduringDarkDaughters'ritualshadbeenheavilylacedwithpot,justaswellastheyknewthatAphroditehadlovedbleedingsomepoorkidtheycalled"refrigerator"and"snackbar"andmixinghisorherbloodintothewineeveryonesipped.Nei therwasgoingtohappenagainaslongasIhadanythingtodowithit."Ichosetoburneucalyptusandsagetonightforthepropertiestheherbscontain.ForcenturieseucalyptushasbeenusedbytheAmericanIndiansforhealing,protection,andpurifi cation,justastheyusedwhitesagetodriveoutnegativespirits,energies,andinfluences.TonightIaskthefiveelementstoem powertheseherbsandmagnifytheirenergy.”
Suddenlytheairaroundmemoved,drawingthesmokefromthesmudgebraidwithitincurlsandwisps,carryingitthrough outthecircleasifagiant'shandwaswaftingthroughtheaircur rents.Thefledglingsinthecirclemurmuredinawe,andIsentagrateful,silentprayertoNyx,thankingherforallowingmypowerovertheelementstomanifestsoclearly.
WhenthecirclequietedagainIcontinued."Thefullmoonisamagicaltimewhentheveilbetweentheknownandtheun knownisthin,andcanevenbelifted.Thatismysteriousandwonderful,buttonightIwanttofocusonanotheraspectofthefullmoon—thatitisanexcellenttimetocomplete,orend,things.WhatIwanttoendtonightistheoldnegativereputationoftheDarkDaughtersandSons.Asofthisfullmoonnightthatpartofushasended,andanewtimehasbegun.”
Ikeptwalking,movingaroundthecircleinaclockwisedirec tion.Choosingmywordscarefully,Isaid,"FromhereontheDarkDaughtersandSonswillbeagroupfilledwithintegrityandpurpose,andIbelievethefledglingsNyxchosetogiftwithele mentalaffinitiesrepresenttheidealsofournewgroupwell.”IsmiledatDamien."MyfriendDamienisthemostauthenticper sonIknow,evenwhenbeingtruetohimselfhasbeenahardthingtobe.Herepresentsairwell."ThewindaroundDamienpickedupashesmiledshylyatme.
IturnedtoShauneenext."MyfriendShauneeisthemostfaith fulpersonIknow.Ifshe'sonyourside,she'stherewhetheryou'rerightorwrong—andifyou'rewrongshe'lltellyouaboutyourself,butshewon'tdesertyou.Sherepresentsfirewell."Shaunee'smochaskinglistenedasherbodyglowed,unburnedbutalightwithflame.
IwenttoErin."MyfriendErin'sbeautysometimesfoolspeopleintothinkingshehasgreathair,butnobrains.It'snottrue.SheisoneofthewisestpeopleIknow,andNyxprovedthatshelookstotheinteriorwhenshechoseErin.Sherepresentswaterwell."AsIwalkedpastherIcouldhearthesoundofwavescrashingonashore.
IstoppedinfrontofStevieRae.Shewaslookingtired,withdarkcirclesbruisingtheotherwisepaleskinunderhereyes,whichmadesense.Obviously,she'dbeenworryingtoomuchaboutme—asusual."MyfriendStevieRaealwaysknowswhenI'mhappyorsad,stressedorrelaxed.Sheworriesaboutme;sheworriesaboutallofherfriends,sometimessheistooempathetic,andI'mgladthatnowshehastheearthshecandrawstrengthfrom.Sherepresentsearthwell."
IgrinnedatStevieRae,andshesmiledbackatme,blinkingfastsothatshewouldn'tcry.ThenIwalkedtothecenterofthecirclewhereIputdownthesmudgebraidandpickedupthepurplecandle."I'mnotperfect,andI'mnotgoingtopretendtobe.WhatIpromiseyouisthatIsincerelywantwhatisbestfortheDarkDaughtersandSons,andforallofthefledglingsattheHouseofNight."IwasgettingreadytosaythatIhopedIwouldrepresentspiritwell
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtwhenErik'svoicerangacrossthecircle.
"Sherepresentsspiritwell!"Myfourfriendsagreedloudly,andIwaspleased(andmorethanalittlesurprised)tohearseveralotherfledglingschimeinwiththem.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
WhenIstartedtalkingagaineveryoneinstantlyquieteddown."EachofyouwhobelievesyoucanupholdtheidealsoftheDarkDaughtersandSons,andwilltryyourbesttobeauthentic,faith ful,wise,empathetic,andsincere—youmaycontinueyourmembershipinthisgroup.ButIwantyoutoknowthattherewillbenewfledglingsjoiningus,andtheywon'tbejudgedonthewaytheylookorwhotheirbestfriendsare.Makeyourdeci sion,andseemeoranyoftheotherPrefectsandletusknowifyouwanttostaywiththegroup."IcaughttheeyesofsomeofAphrodite'soldbuddiesandadded,"Wewon'tholdthepastagainstyou.It'showyouactfromhereonthatcounts."Acoupleofthegirlslookedguiltilyawayfromme,andafewmorelookedliketheyweretryinghardnottocry.IwasespeciallygladtoseeDeinomeetmygazesteadilyandnodsomberly—maybeshewasn'tso"terrible"afterall.
Iputdownthepurplecandleandpickedupthebigceremo nialgobletI'dfilledearlierwithsweetredwine."Andnowlet'sdrinkincelebrationofafullmoon,andanendthatleadstoanewbeginning."AsIworkedmywayaroundthecircleofferingthewinetoeachfledgling,IrecitedaFullMoonRitualprayerI'dfoundintheoldMysticalRitesoftheCrystalMoonbyFiona,theVampyrePoetLaureateoftheearly1800s.
"Airylightofthemoon
Mysteryofthedeepearth
Poweroftheflowingwater
Warmthoftheburningflame
InNyx'snamewecalltothee!"
Ifocusedonthewordstothebeautifuloldpoem,andsin cerelyhopedthattonightactuallywouldbethebeginningofsomethingspecial.
"Healingofills
Rightingofwrongs
Cleansingofimpurity
Desiringoftruths
InNyx'snamewecalltothee!"
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Imovedquicklyaroundthecircle,andwashappythatthema jorityofthekidssmiledatmeandmurmured"Blessedbe"aftertheysippedfromthegoblet.Guessnoonemindedthattonight'swinewasabsentthebloodofabulliedfledgling.(IrefusedtothinkabouthowmuchIwouldhavelovedthetasteoffledglingbloodmixedwiththewine.)
"Sightofthecat
Hearingofthedolphin
Speedofthesnake
Mysteryofthephoenix
InNyx'snamewecalltothee
andaskthatwithusyouwillblessedbe!"
Idrankthelastofthewineandputthegobletbackonthetable.Inreverseorder,IthankedeachelementandsentthemawayasinturnStevieRae,Erin,Shaunee,andfinallyDamienblewouttheircandles.ThenIcompletedtheritualbysaying,"ThisFullMoonRiteisended.Merrymeetandmerrypartandmerrymeetagain!”
Thefledglingsechoed,"Merrymeetandmerrypartandmerrymeetagain!”
Andthatwasit.MyfirstritualasleaderoftheDarkDaughterswasover.
Iwasactuallyfeelingalittleemptyandalmostsad—youknow,kindaliketheletdownyouhaveafteryou'vewaitedandwaitedforspringbreak,andthenitcomesandyourealizeyoudon'thaveany thingtodonowthatthere'snoschool.Well,honestlyIonlyhadaboutasecondtofeellikethatbeforemyfriendsconvergedonme,alltalkingatonceabouthandprintsandcementdryingtoosoon.
"Please.LikemyTwincan'tcallinalittlewatertosoupthatce mentrightupifithasthenervetodrybeforewecanmakeourhandprints,"Shauneesaid.
Erinnodded."That'swhatI'mherefor,Twin.Thatandbeinganexampleofincrediblygoodfashionsense.”
"Bothareveryimportant,Twin.”
Damiengaveabig,exaggeratedeyeroll.
"Y'all,let'sjustmakethehandprintsandgetoutofhere.MystomachkindahurtsandIgotakillerheadache,"StevieRaesaid.
InoddedincompleteunderstandingwithStevieRae.We'dsleptsolatewehadn'thadtimetoeatanything.Iwasstarved,too.AndI'dprobablygetacaffeine-deprivedheadachemyselfifIdidn'teatanddrinksomethingprettysoon.
"IagreewithStevieRae.Let'shurryandmakethehandprints,andthenwecanjoineveryoneelseintheotherroomwiththefood.”
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"Neferethadthecooksmakeaspecialtacobar.Istuckmyheadinthereearlieranditreallylookedyummy,"Damiensaid.
"Well,comeonthen.Stopdillydallying,"StevieRaegrumpedwhileshepracticallystompedovertooneofthecementsquares.
"What'swrongwithher?"Damienwhispered.
"Clearlyshe'shavingPMSissues,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,Inoticedearliershewaslookingkindapaleandbloated,butIdidn'twanttobemeanandsayanything,"Erinsaid.
"Let'sjustmaketheprintsandeat,"Isaid,pickingmyowncementsquare,pleasedthatErikchosetheonerightbesideme."Um,Iwettedsometowelsinthekitchensoyouguyscouldwipeyourhandswhenyou'redone,"saidJack,whowaslookingverycuteandnervousholdinganarmloadofdampwhitetowels.Ismiledathim."That'sreallyniceofyou,Jack.Okay,let'sdoit!”
CloseupIcouldtellthatthecementhadbeenpouredintowhatlookedlikecardboardmolds,andIfigureditwouldbeeasytotearoffthecardboardoncethecementhaddried.IstilllikedDamien'sideaofputtingthehandprintsinthecourtyardoutsidethedininghall—kindalikeweirdsteppingstones.
Thecementwasdefinitelystillwet,andtherewasalotoflaughinggoingonaswemadeourprintsandthenusedtwigsJackranouttocollect(thekidwascertainlyhandytohavearound)towriteournames.
Whilewewerewipingourhandswiththetowelsandstudyingourwork,Erikleanedclosetosay,"I'mreallygladNeferetchosemeforthePrefectCouncil.”
Ikeptmymouthshutandnodded.IfItoldhimthatactuallyIhadchosenhim,withDamien,StevieRae,andtheTwinsagree ing,Iwouldprobablylettheairrightoutofhissails.Neferetwasabigdeal.Anditreallywouldn'thurtanything(exceptmyego)tolethimthinkthatshewastheonewhopickedhim.IwasjustgettingreadytochangethesubjectandcalleveryoneintotheroomwiththefoodwhenIheardsomeweirdsoundstomyright.WhenIrealizedwhattheweirdsoundswereIfeltmyheartclench.
StevieRaewascoughing.
Damienwasdirectlytomyright.ThencametheTwins.StevieRaehadchosentheblockofcementfarthesttotheright,andclosesttotheentrancetotheroomwiththefood.Abunchofthekidswerealreadyeating,butabouthalfofthegrouphadstayedtowatchusmakethehandprintsandtalk,sotherewereseveralmorepeoplebetweenStevieRaeandme,butIcouldseethatshewasstillonherkneesinfrontofhercementblock.Shemusthavefeltmyeyesonherbecauseshesatbackonherheelsandlookedoveratme.Icouldhearherclearherthroat.ShegavemeatiredsmileandIsawhershrugandthenmouththewords,Froginmythroat.AndIrememberedthat'swhatshe'dsaidduringthemonologueperformance.She'dbeencoughingthen,too.
WithoutlookingathimItoldErik,"GetNeferet.Fast!”
Istoodupandstartedmovingtowardher.StevieRaehadal readymadeherhandprintandsignedit,andshewaswipingherhandsonatowel.BeforeIcouldgettoherawrenchingcoughclaimedher.Hershouldersshookwithit.Shehadthetowelpressedtohermouth.
ThenIsmelledit,anditwaslikeI'dslammedintoaninvisiblewall.Thescentofbloodwashedoverme,seductive,alluring,andhorrible.Istoppedandclosedmyeyes.MaybeifIstayedverystillanddidn'topenthemIcouldconvincemyselfthatthiswasalljustabaddream,thatIwouldwakeupinafewhours,stillner vousabouttheFullMoonRitual,withNalasnoringpeacefullyonmypillowandStevieRaesnoringjustaspeacefullyinthebedbe sideme.
Ifeltanarmgoaroundme,andstillIdidn'tmove.
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"Sheneedsyou,Zoey."Damien'svoicewasshakingonlyalittle.Iopenedmyeyesthenandstaredathim.Hewasalreadycry ing.
"Idon'tthinkIcandothis.”
Hisgriponmyshoulderstightened."Yes,youcan.Youhaveto."
"Zoey!"StevieRaesobbed.
Withoutanotherthought,IwrenchedmyselffromDamien'sarmandrantomybestfriend.Shewasonherkneesclutchingtheblood-soakedtoweltoherchest.Shecoughedandgaggedagain,andmorebloodsprayedfromhermouthandnose.
"Getmemoretowels!"IsnappedtoErin,whowassittingwhite-facedandsilentbesideStevieRae.ThenIcrouchedinfrontofStevieRae."It'sgoingtobeokay.Ipromise.It'sgoingtobeokay.”
StevieRaewascrying,andhertearsweretingedred.Sheshookherhead."It'snot.Itcan'tbe.I'mdying."Hervoicewasweakandgurgledasshetriedtospeakthroughthebloodhemorrhaginginherlungsandthroat.
"I'mstayingwithyou.Iwon'tletyoubealone,"Isaid.
ShegraspedmyhandandIwasshockedbyhowcoldherswas."I'mscared,Z.”
"Iknow,I'mscared,too.Butwe'llgetthroughthistogether.Ipromise.”
Erinhandedmeapileoftowels.Itooktheblood-soakedtowelfromStevieRae'shands,thenIstartedwipingherfaceandmouthwithacleanone,butshestartedcoughingagainandIcouldn'tkeepup.Therewasjusttoomuchblood.AndnowStevieRaewasshakingsohardthatshecouldn'tholdatowelherself.Withacry,Ipulledherontomylapandwrappedmyarmsaroundher,andlikeshewasachildagain,Ibeganrockingher,tellingheroverandoverthatitwouldbeallright,thatIwouldn'tleaveher.
"Zoey,thismighthelp."I'dforgottenthattherewereotherpeopleintheroom,soDamien'svoicesurprisedme.Ilookeduptoseethathewasholdingtherelitgreencandlethatrepresentedearth.Thensomehow,inthemidstofmyfearanddespair,myin stinctkickedinandIsuddenlyfeltverycalm.
"Comedownhere,Damien.Holdthecandleclosetoher.”
Damiendroppedtohisknees,andoblivioustothegrowingpoolofbloodthatsurroundedusandsoakedus,hepressedclosetoStevieRae,holdingthecandleinfrontofherface.IfeltmorethanIsawErinandShauneekneeloneithersideofme,andIdrewstrengthfromtheirpresence.
"StevieRae,openyoureyes,honey,"Isaidsoftly.
Withanasty,gurglingbreath,StevieRae'seyelidsflutteredopen.Thewhitesofhereyesweretotallyredandmorepinktearsleakeddownhercolorlesscheeks,buthereyescaughtonthecan dle,andtheyheld.
"Icalltheelementearthtousnow."MyvoicestrengthenedandgotlouderasIspoke."AndIaskthatearthbewiththisveryspecialfledgling,StevieRaeJohnson,whohasbeensonewlygiftedwithanaffinityfortheelement.Earthisourhome—ourprovider—andearthiswherewewillallsomedayreturn.TonightIaskthatearthholdandcomfortStevieRae,andmakeherjour neyhomeapeacefulone.”
Witharushoffragrantairweweresuddenlyenvelopedinthescentsandsoundsofanorchard.Ismelledapplesandhay,andheardbirdschirpingandbeesbuzzing.
StevieRae'sreddenedlipstiltedup.Hereyesneverleftthegreencandle,butshewhispered,"I'mnotscaredanymore,Z.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtThenIheardthefrontdoorburstopenandNeferetwastherecrouchedbesideme.ShestartedtomoveDamienandtheTwinsoutofthewayandtakeStevieRaefrommyarms.
Myvoiceblastedtheroomwithitspower,andIsawevenNeferetjerkbackwithsurprise."No!Westaywithher.Sheneedsherelementandsheneedsus.”
"Verywell,"Neferetsaid."It'sverynearlyoveranyway.Helpmegethertodrinkthissothatherpassingwillbepainless.”
IwasgoingtotakethevialfilledwithmilkyliquidfromherwhenStevieRaespokewithsurprisingclearness."Idon'tneedit.Sinceearthcametherehasn'tbeenanypain.”
"Ofcoursetherehasn'tbeen,child."NeferettouchedStevieRae'sblood-smearedcheekandIfeltherbodyrelaxandstoptremblingcompletely.ThentheHighPriestesslookedup."HelpZoeyliftherontothestretcher.Keepthemtogether.Let'sgethertotheinfirmary.”Neferettoldme.
Inodded.StronghandsgrippedStevieRaeandme,andinmomentsIwasplacedonthestretcherwithStevieRaestillinmyarms.SurroundedbyDamien,Shaunee,Erin,andErik,wewerecarriedswiftlyoutintothenight.Later,Irememberedsomanyweirdthingsabouttheshorttripfromtherechalltotheinfirmary—howitwassnowingheavily,butthatitseemednoneoftheflakestouchedus.Anditseemedabnormallyquiet,asiftheearthwereholdingitselfstillbecauseitwasalreadymourning.IkeptwhisperingtoStevieRae,tellingherthateverythingwasokay,andthattherewasnothingtobescaredof.Irememberherleaningforwardandvomitingbloodoverthesideofthestretcherandhowthescarletdropslookedagainstthecleanwhiteofthenew-fallensnow.
Thenwewereinsidetheinfirmary,andliftedoffthestretcherontoabed.Neferetgesturedformyfriendstomoveclosetous.DamiencrawledupbesideStevieRae.Hewasstillholdingthelitgreencandle,andhelifteditsothatifsheopenedhereyesagain,StevieRaewouldseeit.Idrewadeepbreath.Theairarounduswasstillfilledwithappleblossomsandbirdsong.
ThenStevieRaeopenedhereyes.Sheblinkedacoupletimes,lookingconfused,thenshelookedupatmeandsmiled.
"WouldyoutellmymammaanddaddythatIlovethem?"Icouldunderstandher,butshesoundedweak,andhervoicewasfilledwithaterriblewetness.
"OfcourseIwill,"Isaidquickly.
"Anddosomethingelseforme?”
"Anything.”
"Youdon'treallyhaveamammaoradaddy,sowouldyoutellmymammathatyou'retheirdaughternow?IthinkI'dworryaboutthemlessifIknowy'allhaveeachother.”
TearswerepouringdownmycheeksandIhadtotakeseveralsobbingbreathsbeforeIcouldanswerher."Don'tworryaboutanything.I'lltellthem.”
Hereyesflutteredandshesmiledagain."Good.Mammawillmakechocolatechipcookiesforyou."Withobviouseffort,sheopenedhereyesagainandlookedaroundatDamien,Shaunee,andErin."Y'allstickwithZoey.Don'tletanythingpullyouapart.”
"Don'tworry,"Damienwhisperedthroughhistears.
"We'lltakecareofherforyou,"Shauneemanagedtosay.ErinwasclutchingShaunee'shandandcryinghard,butshenoddedinagreementandsmiledatStevieRae.
"Good,"StevieRaesaid.Thensheclosedhereyes."Z,IthinkI'mgonnasleepforawhilenow,'kay?”
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"Okay,honey,"Isaid.
Hereyelidsliftedoncemoreandshelookedupatme."Willyoustaywithme?”
Ihuggedhercloser."I'mnotgoinganywhere.Youjustrest.We'llallberightherewithyou.”
"'Kay...”shesaidsoftly.
StevieRaeshuthereyes.Shetookafewmoregurglingbreaths.
ThenIfelthergocompletelylimpinmyarmsandshedidn'tbreatheagain.Herlipsopenedjustalittle,asifshewassmiling.Bloodtrickledfromhermouth,hereyes,nose,andears,butIcouldn'tsmellit.AllIcouldsmellwerethescentsoftheearth.Then,withanenormousrushofmeadow-filledwind,thegreencandlewentout,andmybestfrienddied.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
"Zoey,sweetheart,youhavetolethergo.”
Damien'svoicedidn'treallyregisterinmymind.Imean,Icouldhearhiswords,butitwaslikehewasspeakingaweirdfor eignlanguage.Icouldn'tmakeanysenseofthem.
"Zoey,whydon'tyoucomewithus,now?”
ThatwasShaunee.Shouldn'tErinchimein?I'dbarelyformedthethoughtwhenIheard,"Yeah,Zoey,weneedyoutocomewithus."Oh,there'sErin.
"She'sinshock.Speakcalmlytoherandtrytogethertore leaseStevieRae'sbody,"Neferetsaid.
StevieRae'sbody.Thewordsechoedweirdlythroughmymind.Iwasholdingontosomething.Icouldtellthatmuch.ButmyeyeswereclosedandIwasreally,reallycold.Ididn'twanttoopenthem,andIdidn'tthinkI'devergetwarmagain.
"Ihaveanidea."Damien'svoicebouncedaroundinsidemymindlikeapinballmachine."Wedon'thavecandlesandwedon'thaveasacredcircle,butit'snotlikeNyxisn'there.Let'suseourelementstohelpher.I'llgofirst.”
Ifeltahandgraspmyupperarm,andthenIheardDamienmutteringsomethingaboutcallingairtoblowaboutthescentofdeathanddespair.Abigwindwhooshedaroundme,andIshiv ered.
"Ibettergonext.Shelookscold."ThatwasShaunee.SomeoneelsetouchedmyarmandaftersomewordsIdidn'tquitecatch,Ifeltsurroundedbywarmth,likeIwasstandingveryclosetoanopenfireplace.
"Myturn,"Erinsaid."IcallwaterandaskthatyouwashfrommyfriendandfutureHighPriestessthesadnessandpainshe'sfeeling.Iknowallofitcan'tgoaway,butcouldyoupleasetakejustenoughfromherthatshecanbeartogoon?"Herwordsreg isteredmoreclearlyonmymind,butIstilldidn'twanttoopenmyeyes.
"There'sstillonemoreelementinthecircle.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIwassurprisedtohearErik.PartofmewantedtoopenmyeyessothatIcouldlookathim,buttherestofme,toomuchofme,refusedtomove.
"ButZoeyalwaysmanifestsspirit,"Damiensaid.
"RightnowZoeycan'tmanifestanythingbyherself.Let'sgivehersomehelp."Twostronghandsgrippedmyshoulders,alongwiththeotherhandsthatgraspedplacesonmyarms."Ihavenoaffinityforthesethings,butIdocareaboutwhathappenstoZoey,andshehasbeengiftedwithanaffinityforallfiveele ments,”Eriksaid."SoI,alongwithallofherfriends,askthattheelementspirithelpherwakeupsothatshecangetoverthedeathofherbestfriend.”
Likeanelectricshock,mybodywassuddenlyzapped,filledwithanincrediblesenseofawareness.AgainstmyclosedeyelidsIsawStevieRae'ssmilingface.Itwasn'tbloodstainedandpale,likeithadbeenthelasttimeshe'dsmiledatme.TheimageIsawwasahealthy,happyStevieRae,andshewaswalkingintoabeautifullyfamiliarwoman'sarmswhileshelaughedjoyfully.
Nyx,Ithought,StevieRaeisbeingembracedbytheGoddess.
Andmyeyesopened.
"Zoey!You'rebackwithus!"Damiencried.
"Z,you'regoingtoneedtoletgoofStevieRaenow,"Eriksaidsomberly.
IlookedfromDamientoErik.ThenmyeyeswenttoShauneeandErin.Allfourofmyfriendshadtheirhandsonme,andtheywereallcrying.ThenIrealizedwhatitwasIwasclutchinginmyarms.Slowly,Ilookeddown.
StevieRaelookedpeaceful.Shewastoopale,andherlipswereturningblue,buthereyeswereclosedandherfacewasrelaxed,eventhoughitwascoveredwithblood.Herbloodwasn'tdrip pingfromherorificesanymore,andpartofmymindrealizedthatitsmelledwrong—stale,old,dead.Almostlikemold.
"Z,"Eriksaid."Youhavetolethergo.”
Imethiseyes."ButItoldherI'dstaywithher."Myvoicesoundedstrangeandscratchy.
"Youdid.Youstayedwithherthewholetime.She'sgonenow,sothere'snothingelseyoucando.”
"Please,Zoey,"Damiensaid.
"Neferetneedstocleanherupsoit'sokayforhermomtoseeher,"Shauneesaid.
"Youknowshewouldn'twanthermomanddadtoseeherallcoveredwithblood,"Erinsaid.
"Okay,but…butIdon'tknowhowtolethergo."MyvoicecrackedandIfeltfreshtearsleakdownmycheeks.
"I'lltakeherfromyou,Zoeybird."Neferetheldherarmsout,likeshewasreadytoreceiveababyI'dbeenholding.Shelookedsosadandbeautifulandstrong—sofamiliar—thatIforgotallthequestionsIhadaboutherandsimplynoddedandslowlyleanedforward.NeferetslidherarmsunderStevieRae'sbodyandliftedherawayfromme.SheshiftedherholdonStevieRae,andthenturnedandlaidhergentlyontheemptybedbesidemine.
Ilookeddownatmyself.Mynewblackdresswassoakedwithbloodthatwasalreadystiffeninganddrying.Thesilverthreadsstilltriedtoglitterinthegaslightsoftheroom,butinsteadofthepurelighttheygaveoffbefore,theynowsparkledwithacopperhue.Icouldn'tkeeplookingatthem.Ihadtomove.Ihadtogetoutofthereandgetthisdressoff.Iswungmyfeetoverthesideofthebedandtriedtostandup,buttheroompitchedandrolledaroundme.Thenthestronghandsofmyfriendswerebackonmyarms,andIfeltanchoredtothe
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtearththroughtheirwarmth.
"Takeherbacktoherroom.Getheroutofthatdressandcleanedup.Thenbesureshegoestobedandiskeptwarmandquiet."NeferetwastalkingaboutmelikeIwasn'tthere,butIdidn'tcare.Ididn'twanttobethere.Ididn'twantanyofthis."Giveherthistodrinkbeforeyouputhertobed.Itwillhelphersleepwithoutnightmares."IfeltNeferet'ssofthandonmycheek.Thewarmththatpassedfromherbodytominewasashock,andIinstinctivelyjerkedaway."Bewell,Zoeybird,"Neferetsaidkindly."Igiveyoumywordthatyouwillrecoverfromthis."Ididn'tlookather,butIknewsheshiftedherattentionbacktomyfriends."Takehertothedormnow.”
Iwasmovingforward.Erikwasononesideofmewithhishandsecurelyundermyrightelbow,Damienwasonmyleft,holdingmetightly,too.TheTwinswereclosebehindus.Noonespokeastheyledmefromtheroom.IglancedbackovermyshouldertoseeStevieRae'slifelessbodyonthebed.Italmostlookedlikeshewassleeping,butIknewbetter.Iknewshewasdead.
Thefiveofuslefttheinfirmaryandwalkedintothesnowynight.Ishivered,andwepausedlongenoughforEriktotakeoffhisjacketanddrapeitaroundmyshoulders.Ilikedthewayitsmelled,andtriedtothinkofitandnotthehushedfledglingswewerepassingandhowasweapproachedeachofthem,whethertheywerealoneoringroups,thekidsmovedoffthesidewalk,bowedtheirheads,andsilentlycrossedtheirrightfistsovertheirhearts.
Wegottothedorminwhatseemedlikeseconds.Asween teredthemainroomthegirlswhowerewatchingTVandsittingaroundingroupsallfelltotallysilent.Ididn'tlookatanyofthem.IjustletErikandDamienleadmetothestairs,butbeforewegotthereAphroditewasblockingourway.Iblinkedhardtofocusonherface.Shelookedtired.
"I'msorryStevieRaedied.Ididn'twantherto,"Aphroditesaid.
"Don'tsayshittous,youfuckinghag!"Shauneesnarled.SheandErinsteppedforward,lookingliketheywantedtobeatthecrapoutofAphrodite.
"No,wait,"Imademyselfsay,andtheyhesitated."IneedtotalktoAphrodite.”
MyfriendslookedatmelikeI'dlosteverybitofmymind,butIsteppedoutofthenestofarmsthatwereholdingmeupandwalkedunsteadilyafewpacesawayfromthegroup.Aphroditehesitated,andthenshefollowedme.
"DidyouknowaboutwhatwasgoingtohappentoStevieRae?"Iasked,keepingmyvoicelow."Didyouhaveavisionabouther?”
Aphroditeshookherheadslowly."No.Ijusthadafeeling.Iknewsomethingterriblewasgoingtohappentonight.”
"Igetthem,too,”Isaidsoftly.
"Feelingsaboutthingsorpeople?”
Inodded.
"They'reharderthanmyvisions—notasspecific.DidyouhaveafeelingaboutStevieRae?"sheasked.
"No.Iwasclueless,eventhoughnowIcanlookbackandseesignsthatsomethingwaswrongwithher.”
Aphroditemetmyeyes."Youcouldn'thavestoppedit.Youcouldn'thavesavedher.Nyxdidn'tletyouknowitwasgoingtohappenbecausetherewasnothingyoucouldhavedone.”
"Howdoyouknow?NeferetsaysNyxhasdesertedyou,"Isaidbluntly.IknewIwaspurposefullybeingcruel.Ididn'tcare.IwantedeveryonetohurtasmuchasIdid.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtStilllookingmestraightintheeyes,Aphroditesaid,"Neferetlies."Shestartedtowalkaway,butchangedhermindandcameback."Anddon'tdrinkwhatevershegaveyou,"shesaid.Thenshelefttheroom.
Erik,Damien,andtheTwinswereatmysideinablink."Don'tlistentowhateverthathaghadtosay,"Shauneehuffed."IfshesaidsomethingnastyaboutStevieRae,we'regonnakickherass,"Erinsaid.
"No.Itwasn'tanythinglikethat.Shejustsaidshewassorry,that'sall.”
"Whydidyouwanttotalktoher?"Erikasked.HeandDamienhadaholdofmeagain,andnowtheywereleadingmeupthestairs.
"IwantedtoknowifshehadavisionaboutStevieRae'sdeath,"Isaid.
"ButNeferethasmadeitclearthatNyxhasturnedherbackonAphrodite,"Damiensaid.
"Iwantedtoaskanyway."IwasgoingtoaddthatAphroditehadbeenrightabouttheaccidentthatalmosthappenedtomygrandma,butIcouldn'tsayanythinginfrontofErik.Wecametothedoortomyroom—ourroom—StevieRae'sandmine,andIstopped.Erikopeneditformeandwesteppedin.
"No!"Igasped."They'vetakenherstuff!Theycan'tdothat!"EverythingthatwasStevieRaewasgone—fromthecowboybootlampandtheKennyChesneyposter,tothegyratingElvisclock.Theshelvesoverhercomputerdeskwereempty.Hercomputerwasgone.IknewifIlookedinhercloset,allofherclotheswouldbegone,too.
Erikputhisarmaroundme."It'swhattheyalwaysdo.Don'tworry,theydidn'tthrowawayherstuff.Theyjustmoveditsothatitwouldn'tmakeyousad.Ifthere'ssomethingofhersyouwant,andherfamilydoesn'tmind,they'llgiveittoyou.”
Ididn'tknowwhattosay.Ididn'twantStevieRae'sstuff.IwantedStevieRae.
"Zoey,youreallyneedtogetoutofthoseclothesandtakeahotshower,"Damiensaidgently.
"Okay,”Isaid.
"Whileyou'reintheshowerwe'llgetyousomethingtoeat,"Shauneesaid.
"I'mnothungry.”
"Youneedtoeat.We'llgetyousomethingsimple,likesoup.Okay?"Erinsaid.Shelookedsoupset,andwassoobviouslytry ingtodosomething,anything,tomakemefeelbetterthatInod ded.Plus,Iwastootiredtoarguewithanyone."Okay.”
"I'dstay,butit'spastcurfewandIcan'tbeinthegirls'dorm,"Eriksaid.
"That'sokay.Iunderstand.”
"Iwanttostay,too,butwell,I'mnotactuallyagirl,"Damiensaid.Iknewhewastryingtomakemesmile,soImademylipsmoveup.IimaginedIlookedlikeoneofthosescary,sadclownswhohadasmilepaintedonhisfacealongwithateardrop.
Erikhuggedme,andsodidDamien.Thentheyleft.
"Doyouneedoneofustostaywhileyoutakeashower?"Shauneeasked.
"No,I'mfine.”
"Okay.Well..."Shauneelookedlikeshewasgoingtocryagain.
"We'llberightback."ErintookShaunee'shandandtheylefttheroom,closing
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtitwithasoft,finalclick.
Imovedcarefully,likesomeonehadswitchedme"on,"buthadsetmyspeedatslow.Itookoffmydress,bra,andpantiesandputthemintheplastic-linedwastepaperbasketthatsatinthecornerofour—Imeanmy—room.Icloseduptheplasticbagandputitbythedoor.IknewoneoftheTwinswouldthrowitawayforme.Iwentintothebathroomandmeanttogetstraightintotheshower,butmyreflectioncaughtme,andIstopped,staring.Ihadturnedintoafamiliarstrangeragain.Ilookedhorrible.Iwaspale,butIhadbruised-lookingcirclesundermyeyes.Thetattoosonmyface,back,andshouldersstoodoutinstark,sapphirecon trasttothewhiteofmyskinandtherust-coloredsmearsofbloodthatcoveredmybody.Myeyeslookedhugeandunusuallydark.Ihadn'ttakenoffmyDarkDaughtersnecklace.Thesilverofthechainandthecopperofthegarnetscaughtthelightandgleamed.
"Why?"Iwhispered."WhydidyouletStevieRaedie?”
Ididn'treallyexpectananswer,andnonecame.SoIgotintheshowerandstoodthereforaverylongtime,lettingmytearsmixwiththewaterandthebloodandwashdownthedrain.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
WhenIcameoutofthebathroomShauneeandErinweresittingonStevieRae'sbed.Theyhadatraybetweenthemthatheldabowlofsoup,somecrackers,andacanofbrownpop,nondiet.Theyhadbeentalkinginlowvoices,butassoonasIenteredtheroomtheystopped.
Isighedandsatonmybed."Ifyouguysstartactingallabnor malaroundmeI'mnotgoingtobeabletohandleit.”
"Sorry,"theymutteredtogether,lookingsheepishlyateachother.ThenShauneehandedmethetray.IlookedatthefoodlikeIcouldn'trememberwhattodowithit.
"YouneedtoeatsothatyoucantakethestuffNeferetgaveustogiveyou,"Erinsaid.
"Plus,itmightmakeyoufeelbetter,"Shauneesaid.
"Idon'tthinkI'lleverfeelbetter.”
Erin'seyesfilledwithtearsthatspilledoveranddrippeddownhercheeks."Don'tsaythat,Zoey.Ifyouneverfeelbetterthatmeansnoneofuswill,either.”
"Youhavetotry,Zoey.StevieRaewouldbepissedifyoudidn't,"Shauneesaid,sniffingthroughhertears.
"You'reright.Shewouldbe."Ipickedupthespoonandstartedsippingatthesoup.Itwaschickennoodle,anditmadeafamiliar,warmpathdownmythroat,expandingintomybodyandchas ingawaysomeoftheterriblechillI'dbeenfeeling.
"Andwhenshegotpissedthataccentofherswentoutofcon trol,"Shauneesaid.
ThatmadeErinandmesmile.
"Y'allbeniiice,"Erintwanged,repeatingthewordsStevieRaehadsaidtotheTwinsagazilliontimes.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtWesmiledatthat,andthesoupbegantoseemeasiertoswal low.Abouthalfwaythroughthebowl,Ihadasuddenthought."They'renotgoingtohaveafuneraloranythinglikethatforher,arethey?”
TheTwinsshooktheirheads."Nope,"Shauneesaid."Theyneverdo,"Erinsaid.
"Well,Twin,Ithinksomeofthekids'parentsdo,butthat'dbebackintheirhometown.”
"True,Twin,"Erinsaid."ButIdon'tthinkanyonefromhereisgoingtotravelto..."shetrailedoff,thinking."WhatwasthenameofthatlittlebumpkintownStevieRaewasfrom?”
"Henrietta,"Isaid."HomeoftheFightingHens.”
"FightingHens?"theTwinssaidtogether.
Inodded."ItdroveStevieRaecrazy.Eveninherbumpkin nessshewasn'tokaywithbeingaFightingHen.”
"Hensfight?"Shauneeasked.
Erinshrugged."HowshouldIknow,Twin?”
"Ithoughtonlycocksfought,"Isaid.Wealllookedateachotherandsaid,"Cocks!"andthenburstoutintolaughter,whichprettysoonwasmixedwithtears."StevieRaewouldhavethoughtthatwashilarious,"IsaidwhenIcouldcatchmybreathagain.
"Isitreallygoingtobeokay,Zoey?"Shauneeasked.
"Isit?"Erinechoed.
"Ithinkso,"Isaid.
"How?"Shauneeasked.
"Idon'treallyknow.Ithinkallwecandoistakeonedayatatime.”
Surprisingly,I'dfinishedallmysoup.Ididfeelbetter—warmer,morenormal.Iwasalsounbelievablytired.TheTwinsmusthavenoticedmyeyelidsgettingheavy,becauseErintookmytray.Shauneehandedmealittlevialofmilkyliquid.
"Neferetsaidyoushoulddrinkthis,thatit'llhelpyousleepwithoutnightmares,"shesaid.
"Thanks."Itookitfromher,butIdidn'tdrinkit.SheandErinjuststoodtherelookingatme."I'lltakeitinaminute.AfterIgotothebathroom.Justleavemypopincaseittastesnasty.”
Thatseemedtosatisfythem.BeforetheyleftShauneesaid,"Zoey,canwegetyouanythingelse?”
"No,thanksthough.”
"You'llcallusifyouneedanything,right?"Erinsaid."WepromisedStevieRae..."HervoicebrokeandShauneefinishedforher,"Wepromisedherwe'dtakecareofyou,andweliveuptoourpromises.”
"I'llcallyou,"Isaid.
"'Kay,"theysaid."Night…”
"Night,"Icalledtotheclosingdoor.
AssoonastheyweregoneIpouredthecreamywhiteliquiddownthesinkandthrewawaythevial.
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ThenIwasalone.Iglancedatmyalarmclock,6:00A.M.Itwasamazinghowmuchthingscouldchangeinjustafewhours.Itriednotto,butflashesofStevieRae'sdeathkeptplayingacrossmymind,liketherewasahorriblemoviescreenstuckinsidemyeyes.Ijumpedwhenmycellphonerang,andcheckedthecallerID.Itwasmygrandma'snumber!Reliefsurgedthroughme.Iflippedthephoneopenandstrugglednottoburstintotears.
"I'msogladyoucalled,Grandma!”
"LittleBird,Iwokefromadreamaboutyou.Iseverythingallright?"Herworriedtonesaidshealreadyknewitwasn't,whichdidn'tsurpriseme.FormywholelifemygrandmaandIhadbeenlinked.
"No.Nothingisright,”IwhisperedasIbegantocryagain."Grandma,StevieRaediedtonight.”
"Oh,Zoey!I'msoterriblysorry!”
"Shediedinmyarms,Grandma,justminutesafterNyxgiftedherwithanaffinityfortheelementearth.”
"Itmusthavebeenagreatcomfortforherthatyouwerewithherattheend."IcouldhearthatGrandmawascryingnow,too.
“Wewereallwithher,allofmyfriends.”
"AndNyxmusthavebeenwithher,too.”
"Yes,"myvoicecaughtonasob."IthinktheGoddesswas,butIdon'tunderstandit,Grandma.Itdoesn'tmakeanysensethatNyxwouldgiftStevieRae,andthenletherdie.”
"Deathnevermakessensewhenithappenstotheyoung.ButIbelievethatyourGoddesswasclosetoStevieRae,eventhoughherdeathhappenedtoosoon,andnowsheisrestingpeacefullywithNyx.”
"Ihopeso.”
"IwishIcouldcomevisityou,butwithallthissnowtheroadsouthereareimpossible.HowaboutIfastandprayforStevieRaetoday?”
"Thankyou,Grandma.Iknowshe'dappreciatethat."
"And,honey,youhavetomovepastthis.”
"How,Grandma?”
"Byhonoringhermemorybylivingalifeshe'dbeproudofyouforliving.Liveforher,too.”
"It'shard,Grandma,especiallywhenthevampswantustojustforgetaboutthekidswhodie.They'retreatedlikespeedbumps,justsomethingtopausealittleabout,andthengoon.”
"Idon'tmeantosecond-guessyourHighPriestess,oranyoftheotheradultvampyres,butthatseemsshortsighted.Deathismoredifficultifitgoesunacknowledged.”
"That'swhatIthink.Actually,that'swhatStevieRaethought,too.”Thenanideacametome,alongwithafeelingthatitwastherightthingtodo."Icanchangethat.Withorwithoutpermission,I'mgoingtobesureStevieRae'sdeathishonored.She'sgoingtobemorethanaspeedbump.”
"Don'tgetintrouble,honey.”
"Grandma,Iamthemostpowerfulfledglinginthehistoryofvampyres.IthinkIshouldbewillingtogetinalittletroubleforsomethingIfeelstrongly
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtabout.”
Grandmapaused,thenshesaid,"Ithinkyoumightberightaboutthat,Zoeybird.”
"Iloveyou,Grandma.”
"Iloveyou,too,u-we-tsia-ge-hu-tsa."TheCherokeewordfordaughtermademefeellovedandsafe."AndnowIwantyoutotrytosleep.KnowthatI'llbeprayingforyou,andaskingthespiritsofourgrandmotherstowatchoverandcomfortyou.”
"Thanks,Grandma.Bye.”
"Good-bye,Zoeybird.”
Iclosedthephonesoftly.IfeltbetternowthatI'dtalkedtoGrandma.Beforeithadbeenliketherewasahuge,invisibleweightpressingdownonmychest.Nowthatithadshiftedsomeitwaseasierformetobreathe.Istartedtoliedown,andNalapoppedinthroughthekittydoor,leapeduponmybed,andinstantlybeganme-uf-ow-ingatme.IpettedherandtoldherhowgladIwastoseeher,andthenglancedoveratStevieRae'semptybed.ShealwayslaughedatNala'sgrumpiness,andsaidshesoundedlikeanoldwoman,butshehadlovedthecatasmuchasme.TearsstungmyeyesandIwonderediftherewasalimittohowmuchsomeonecouldcry.JustthenmycellphonechimedthatIhadanewtextmessage.Irubbedmyeyesclearandflippedmyphonebackopen.
RUOK?Somethingswrong.
ItwasHeath.Well,atleastnowtherecouldbenodoubtatallthatheandIwerelinkedthroughanImprint.AndwhatthehellIwasgoingtodoaboutthat,Ididn'tknow.
Badday.Mybestfrienddied.Itextmessagedhimback.
ItwassolongthatIdidn'tthinkhewasgoingtorespond.Thenfinallymyphonechimedagain.
Myfriendshavedied2.
Iclosedmyeyes.HowcouldIhaveforgottenthattwoofHeath'sfriendshadjustrecentlybeenkilled?
I'msorry.Itypedback.
Me2.Douwantmetocomeseeu?
Theinstant,powerfulyes!thatburstthroughmybodysur prisedme,butIsupposeitshouldn'thave.ItwouldbewonderfultofindoblivioninHeath'sarms…inthescarletseductionofHeath'sblood...
No,Itypedhastily,myhandsshaking.Youhaveschool.
NuhuhSNOWDAY!
Ismiled,andspentasweetsecondortwowishingthatIcouldreturntothetimewhenasnowdaymeantamini-holidayoftrampingthroughsnowwithmyfriendsandthencurlinguptowatchrentedmoviesandeatdeliverypizza.Myphonechimedagain,breakingintomypast-lifefantasy.
I'llmakeufeelbtrfri
Isighed.I'dtotallyforgottenaboutpromisingHeathI'dmeethimafterthegameFriday.Ishouldn'tmeethim.Iknewit.Actu ally,IshouldgotoNeferetandconfesseverythingaboutHeathandhaveherhelpmefixit.
Neferetlies.Aphrodite'svoicewhisperedthroughmymind.No.Icouldn'tgotoNeferet,andformorereasonsthanjustAphrodite'swarning.SomethingfeltwrongaboutNeferet.Icouldn'tconfideinher.Myphonechimed.
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Zo?
Isighed.Iwassotiredthatitwasgettinghardtoconcentrate.IstartedtotextbacknoandtellHeaththatIjustcouldn'tmeethim,nomatterhowmuchI'dliketo.IevenhittheNandtheOkeys.ThenIstopped,back-spacedoverthem,andresolutelytyped:OK.
Whatthehell.Itfeltasifmylifewasunravelinglikethehemofanoldskirt.Ididn'twanttotellHeathno,andworryingaboutourImprintwasjustonethingtoomanytoworryaboutrightnow.
OK!Camehisquickreply.
Isighedagain,shutoffmyphone,andsatheavilyonmybed,pettingNala,staringatnothinginparticular,andwishingdes peratelythatIcouldturntheclockbackaday...ormaybeevenayear...EventuallyInoticedthat,forwhateverreason,thevampswhohadclearedoutStevieRae'sstuffhadforgottentheold,handmadequiltthatshekeptfoldedontheendofherbed.IputNalaonmypillowandgotup,pullingthequiltfromStevieRae'sbed.ThenNalaandIcurledupunderit.
Itfeltlikeeverymoleculeofmybodywastired,butIcouldn'tsleep.IguessImissedStevieRae'ssoftsnoresandthesensethatIwasn'talone.AsadnesswashedovermethatwassodeepIthoughtImightdrowninit.
Twosoftknockscameonthedoor.Thenitopenedslowly.IhalfsatuptoseeShauneeandErin,bothintheirpajamasandslippers,clutchingpillowsandblankets.
"Canwesleepwithyou?"Erinasked.
"Wedidn'twanttobealone,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,andwethoughtyoumightnotwanttobealone,either,"Erinfinished.
"You'reright.Idon't."Iswallowedbackmoretears."Comeonin.
Theyshuffledinand,withonlyalittlehesitation,piledontoStevieRae'sbed.Theirlong-hairedsilver-graycat,Beelzebub,hoppedupbetweenthem.Nalaraisedherheadfrommypillowtoglanceathim,andthen,asifhewerebeneathherqueenlyno tice,shecurledbackupandwentpromptlytosleep.
Iwasjustdriftingofftosleepwhenanothersoftknockcameonthedoor.Thistimeitdidn'topen,soIcalled,"Whoisit?"
"Me.”
Shaunee,Erin,andIblinkedateachother.ThenIhurriedovertothedoorandopenedittofindDamienstandinginthehallwearingflannelpj'swithpinkbow-tiedbearsalloverthem.Helookedkindadamp,andunmeltedsnowflakeswerecaughtinhishair.Hewascarryingasleepingbagandapillow.Igrabbedhisarmandpulledhimquicklyintotheroom.Hischubbytabbycat,Cameron,paddedinwithhim.
"Whatareyoudoing,Damien?Youknowyou'regonnagetinabuttloadoftroubleifyougetcaughtinhere.”
"Yeah,it'swaypastcurfew,"Erinsaid.
"Youmightbeheregettingreadytodefileusvirgins,"Shauneesaid.ThensheandErinlookedateachotherandburstoutlaugh ing,whichmademesmile.Itwasweirdtohaveahappyfeelinginthemiddleofsuchsadness,whichisprobablywhytheTwins'laughterandmysmilefadedquickly.
"StevieRaewouldn'twantustoquitbeinghappy,"Damiensaidintotheuncomfortablesilence.Thenhewalkedtothemiddleoftheroomandspreadouthissleepingbagonthefloorbetweenthetwobeds."AndI'mherebecauseweneed
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txttostickto gether.NotbecauseIwanttodefileanyofyou,evenifallofyouwerestillvirgins,althoughIdoappreciateyouruseofvocabu lary.”
ErinandShauneesnorted,butlookedmoreamusedthanof fended,andImadeamentalnotetoaskthemsexquestionslater.
"Well,I'mgladyoucame,butwe'regonnahaveoneheckofatimesneakingyououtofherewheneveryone'seatingbreakfastandrushingaroundbeforeschool,"Isaid,tryingoutescapeplansinmyhead.
"Oh,youdon'thavetoworryaboutthat.Thevampsarepost ingthattheschool'sclosedtodayduetosnow.Noone’llberush inganywhere.I'lljustwalkoutwithy'allwhenever.”
"Posting?Youmeanwe'dhavetowakeup,getdressed,andgodownstairsbeforewefoundouttherewasn'tanyschool?Thatsucks,"Isaid.
IcouldhearthesmileinDamien'svoice."Theyannounceitonthelocalradiostationslikenormalschoolsdo.ButdoyouandStevieRaelistentothenewswhileyouget..."Damientrailedoff,andIrealizedthathe'dstartedphrasingthequestionasifSte vieRaewerestillalive.
"No,"Isaidquickly,tryingtocoverhisawkwardness."Weusedtolistentocountrymusic.ItalwaysmademehurryupandgetreadyquickersoIcouldescapefromit."Myfriendslaughedsoftly.Iwaiteduntileveryonewasquietagain,andthenIsaid,"I'mnotgoingtoforgether,andI'mnotgoingtopretendlikeherdeathdoesn'tmeananythingtome.”
"NeitheramI,"Damiensaid.
"Meeither,"Shauneesaid.
"Ditto,Twin,"Erinsaid.
AfterawhileIsaid,"Ididn'tthinkitcouldhappentoafledg lingwhohadbeengivenanaffinitybyNyx.I—Ijustdidn'tthinkitcouldhappen.”
"Noone'sguaranteedtomakeitthroughtheChange,noteventhosegiftedbytheGoddess,"Damiensaidquietly.
"Thatjustmeanswehavetosticktogether,"Erinsaid.
"It'stheonlywaywecangetthroughthis,"Shauneesaid.
"That'swhatwe'lldothen—sticktogether,"Isaidwithfinality.
"Andpromisethatiftheworsthappens,andsomeoftherestofusdon'tmakeitthrough,theotherswon'tletthembeforgotten."
"Promise,”mythreefriendssaidsolemnly.
Weallsettleddownthen.Theroomdidn'tfeelsolonelyany more,andjustbeforeIdriftedofftosleepIwhispered,"Thanksfornotlettingmebealone...”andwasn'tsureifIwasthankingmyfriends,myGoddess,orStevieRae.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Itwassnowinginmydream.AtfirstIthoughtthatwascool.Imean,itreallywasbeautiful…itmadetheworldlookDisney-likeandperfect,asifnothingbadcouldhappen,orifitdiditwasonlytemporary,becauseeveryoneknowsDisneyisallabouthap pilyeverafter...
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Iwalkedslowly,notfeelingthecold.Itseemedtobejustbe foresunrise,butitwashardtotellwiththeskyallsnowyandgray.Itiltedmyheadbackandlookedathowthesnowclungtothethickbranchesoftheoldoaks,andmadetheeastwalllooksoft,andlessimposing.
Theeastwall.
InmydreamIhesitatedwhenIrealizedwhereIwas.ThenIsawthefigures,hoodedandcloaked,standinginagroupoffourinfrontoftheopentrapdoorinthewall.
No!Itoldmydreamingself.Idon'twanttobeoverhere.NotsosoonafterStevieRaedied.AfterthelasttwotimesfledglingsdiedIsawtheirghostsorspiritsorundeadwalkingbodiesorwhateverhere.EvenifIhadbeengiftedwithaweirdabilitytoseethedeadbyNyx.Enoughwasenough!Ididn'twant—
Thesmallestofthecloakedfiguresturnedaroundandmyin ternalargumentscatteredfrommymind.ItwasStevieRae!Onlyitwasn't.Shelookedtoopaleandthin.Andtherewassomethingelseabouther.Istared,andmyinitialhesitationwasovercomebyaterribleneedwithinmetounderstand.Imean,ifitreallywasStevieRae,thenIdidn'tneedtobeafraidofher.Evenweirdlychangedbydeath,shewasstillmybestfriend.Wasn'tshe?Icouldn'thelpmovingforwarduntilIwasstandingonlyafewfeetfromthegroup.Iheldmybreath,waitingforthemtoturnonme,butnoonenoticedme.InmydreamworlditwasasthoughIwasinvisibletothem.SoImovedevencloser,unabletotakemyeyesfromStevieRae.Shelookedterrible—frantic—andshekeptmovingrestlessly,shiftinghereyesaroundherlikeshewasex tremelynervousorextremelyafraid.
"Weshouldn'tbehere.Weneedtoleave.”
IjumpedatthesoundofStevieRae'svoice.ShestillhadherOkieaccent,butnothingelsewasrecognizable.Hertonewashardandflat,lackingallemotionsexceptakindofanimallikenervousness.
"You'renotinchargeofusssss,"oneoftheothercloakedfig ureshissed,baringhisteethatStevieRae.Oh,ugh!ItwasthatEl liottcreature.Eventhoughhisbodywasweirdlyhunched,hestoodoverheraggressively.Hiseyeshadbeguntoglowadirtyred.Iwasafraidforher,butshedidn'tlethimintimidateher,in steadStevieRaebaredherownteeth,hereyesblazedscarlet,andshegaveanuglysnarl.Thenshespatthewordsathim,"Doestheearthansweryou?No!"Shewalkedforward,andElliottautomat icallytookseveralstepsbackward."Anduntilitdoes,youwillobeyme!That'swhatshesaid.”
TheElliottthingmadeanawkward,subservientbowthatthetwoothercloakedfiguresmimicked.ThenStevieRaepointedto wardtheopentrapdoor."Now,wegoquickly."ButbeforeanyofthemmovedIheardafamiliarvoicefromtheothersideofthewall.
"Hey,doy'allknowZoeyRedbird?IneedtotellherI'mhereand—"
Heath'svoicebrokeoffwhenthefourcreatures,withblurringspeed,rushedthroughthedoorafterhim.
"No!Stop!Whatthehellareyoudoing?"Iyelled.MyheartwasbeatingsohardthatithurtasIrantotheclosingdoorintimetoseethethreeofthemgrabbingHeath.IheardStevieRaesay,"He'sseenus.Nowhecomeswithus.”
"Butshesaidnomore!"ElliottyelledashekeptanirongriponthestrugglingHeath.
"He'sseenus!"StevieRaerepeated."Sohecomeswithusuntilshetellsuswhattodowithhim!”
Theydidn'targuewithher,andwithinhumanstrengththeydraggedhimaway.Thesnowseemedtoswallowhisscreams.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIsatboltuprightinbed,breathinghard,sweatingandtrem bling.Nalagrumbled.Ilookedaroundtheroomandfeltmo mentarilypanicked.Iwasalone!HadIjustdreamedeverythingthathadhappenedyesterday?IlookedatStevieRae'semptybed,andatthelackofanyofherstuffaroundtheroom.No.Ihadn'tdreamedit.Mybestfriendwasdead.Ilettheweightofthesad nesssettleintome,andknewI'dbecarryingitaroundforaverylongtime.
Buthadn'ttheTwinsandDamienslepthere?Stillgroggy,Irubbedmyeyesandlookedatmyclock.Itwas5:00P.M.Imusthavefallenasleepsometimebetween6:30and7:00A.M.Sheesh,I'ddefinitelygottenenoughsleep.Igotup,wenttotheheavilydrapedwindow,andpeeredout.Unbelievably,itwasstillsnow ing,andeventhoughitwasearly,thegaslightswereilluminatingaslate-colorednightandglisteningwithlittlesnowhaloes.Fledglingsweredoingtypicalkidstuff—buildingsnowmenandhavingsnowfights.IsawsomeoneIthoughtwasthatCassieKrammegirlwho'ddonesowellinthemonologuecompetitionmakingsnowangelswithacoupleothergirls.StevieRaewouldhavelovedit.Shewouldhavemademewakeuphoursagoandhadmeouttherewithherinthethickofallofthefun(whetherIwantedtobeornot).Thinkingaboutit,Ididn'tknowwhetherIwantedtocryorsmile.
"Z?Areyouawake?"Shauneecalledtentativelyfromthecrackeddoor.
Imotionedforhertocomein."Where'dyouguysgo?”
"We'vebeenupacouplehours.We'vebeenwatchingmovies.Wantacomedownwithus?ErikandCole,thattotallyfiiiinefriendofhis,aregonnacomeover."Thenshelookedaroundguiltily,asifrememberingthatStevieRaewasgoneandsorryshe'dbeenactingnormal.Somethinginsidememademespeak.
"Shaunee,wehavetogoon.Wehavetodateandbehappyandliveourlives.Nothing'sguaranteed,StevieRae'sdeathprovedthat.Wecan'twastethetimewe'vebeengiven.WhenIsaidI'dmakesureshewasremembered,Ididn'tmeanthatweweregoingtobesadforever.ItmeantI'drememberthehappinessshebroughttous,andkeephersmileclosetomyheart.Always.”
"Always,"Shauneeagreed.
"IfyougivemeasecondI'llputonsomejeansandmeetyouguysdownstairs.”
"'Kay,"shesaidwithagrin.
WhenShauneewasgone,someofmyhappyfaçadefaded.I'dmeantwhatIsaidtoher,itwasjusttheactingoutofitthatwasgoingtobehard.Plus,Iwashavingahardtimeshakingthebaddream.Iknewitwasjustadream,butitstillbotheredme.ItwaslikeIcouldheartheechoesofHeath'sscreamsintheoppressivesilenceofmyroom.Movingautomatically,IgotdressedinmymostcomfortablejeansandaginormicsweatshirtI'dboughtfromtheschoolstoreacoupleofweeksago.OvermyheartithadthesilverembroideredinsigniaofNyxstandingwithupraisedhandscuppingafullmoon,andsomehowitmademefeelbetter.Ibrushedmyhairandsighedatmyreflectioninthemirror.Ilookedlikepoo.SoIspackledsomeconcealeronthedarksmudgesun dermyeyes,addedmascaraandmyshinylipglossthatsmelledlikestrawberries.Feelingmorereadytofacetheworld,Iheadeddownstairs.
Andpausedattheendofthestaircase.Thescenewasfamiliar,yetcompletelychanged.Kidsclusteredaroundtheflat-screenTVs.Thereshouldbetalking,andtherewas,butitwasdefinitelysubdued.MygroupoffriendsweresittingaroundtheTVwelikedbest:theTwinsintheirmatchingpoofychairs,DamienandJack(lookingverycozy)weresittingonthefloorbytheloveseat,Erikwasontheloveseat,andIwassurprisedtoseethathisfiiiinefriend,Cole,hadpulledupachairandwasactuallysittingbe tweentheTwins.Ifeltmylipstwitchup.Hewaseitherverybraveorverymoronic.Theywereallchatteringsoftly,anddefinitelynotpayingattentiontoTheMummyReturns,whichwasplayingonTV.So,exceptfortwothings,itwasaperfectlyfamiliarscene.First,theywerebeingwaytooquiet.Second,StevieRaeshouldhavebeensittingontheloveseatwithherfeetfoldedunderhertellingeveryonetobequietsoshecouldhearthemovie.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtIswallowedbacktheteary,burningfeelinginthebackofmythroat.Ihadtogoon.Wehadtogoon.
"Hi,guys,"Isaid,tryingtosoundnormal.
Thistimetherewasn'tanawkwardsilenceatmypresence.In steadtherewasanequallyawkwardeveryone-talking-perkily-all-at-once.
"Hi,Z!”
"Zoey!”
"Heythere,Z!”
ImanagednottosighorrollmyeyesasItookmyplacebesideErik.Heputhisarmaroundmeandsqueezed,whichmademefeelweirdlybetterbutguilty.Better—becausehewastotallysweetandhotandIwasstillalittleamazedthatheseemedtolikemesomuch.Guilty—well,thatcouldbesummedupinoneword:Heath.
"Good!NowthatZ'sherewecanstartthemarathon,"Eriksaid.
"Youmeanthedorkathon,"Shauneesaidwithasnort.
"Ifitwastheweekendwecouldcallitthegeekend,"Erinsaid.
"Letmeguess."IlookedupatErik."YoubroughttheDVDs."
"YepIdid!”
Therestofthegroupgroanedinexaggeratedpain.
"Whichmeanswe'rewatchingStarWars,"Isaid.
"Again,”hisfriendColemuttered.
ShauneearchedoneperfectlywaxedbrowatCole."Areyousayingthatyou'renotabigStarWarsfan?”
HesmiledatShaunee,andevenfromwhereIwassittingIcouldseetheflirtyglimmerinhiseyes."WatchingErik'slongex tendeddirector'scutofStarWarsforthemillionthtimeisnotwhyIcameoverhere.Iamafan,butit'snotofDarthandChew bacca.”
"AreyousayingPrincessLeiadoesitforyou?"Shauneequipped.
"No,I'mmorecolorfulthanthat,"hesaid,leaningtowardher."I'mnotherebecauseI'mafanofStarWarseither,"Jackpipedin,givingDamienanadoringlook.
Eringiggled."Well,weknowPrincessLeiadoesn'tdoitforyou.
"Thankfully,"Damiensaid.
"IwishStevieRaewashere,”Eriksaid."She'dbeall,Y'all,you'renotbein’veryniiiice.”
Erik'swordsmadeeveryoneshutup.Iglancedathimandsawthathischeeksweregettingred,likehehadn'trealizedexactlywhathe'dsaidtillafterhesaidit.Ismiledandrestedmyheadonhisshoulder.
"You'reright.StevieRaewouldbescoldinguslikeamamma."
"Andthenshe'dmakeeveryonesomepopcornandtellustosharenice,"Damiensaid."Eventhoughsheshouldsaysharenicely.”
"IlikedthewayStevieRaemesseduptheEnglishlanguage,"Shauneesaid.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Yeah,sheOkie-fiedit,"Erinsaid.
Weallsmiledateachother,andIfeltasmallwarmthbegininmychest.Thisishowitstarted—thisishowwewouldrememberStevieRae—withsmilesandlove.
"Uh,canIsitwithyouguys?”
IlookeduptoseethatcuteDrewPartainkidstandingner vouslyattheedgeofourgroup.Helookedpaleandsad,andhiseyeswereredasifhe'dbeencrying.IrememberedhowhehadlookedatStevieRae,andfeltastabofsympathyforhim.
"Sure!"Isaidwarmly."Pullupachair."Thenaninnerprompt ingmademeadd,"There'sroomovertherebyErin.”
Erin'sblueeyeswidenedalittle,butsherecoveredquickly."Yeah,pullupachair,Drew.Butbewarned,we'rewatchingStarWars.”
"Coolwithme,"Drewsaid,givingErinahesitantsmile."Short,butcute,"IheardShauneewhispertoErin,andIdobelieveIsawErin'scheeksgetalittlepink.
"Hey,I'mgoingtomakeussomepopcorn.Plus,Ineedmy—”
"Brownpop!"Damien,theTwins,andEriksaidtogether.
IdisentangledmyselffromErik'sarmandwenttothekitchen,feelingmorelightheartedthanIhadsinceStevieRaebegancough ing.Everythingwouldbeokay.TheHouseofNightwasmyhome.Myfriendsweremyfamily.I'dfollowmyownadviceandtakeonedayatatime—oneissueatatime.I'dfigureoutawaytowadethroughmyboyfriendissues.I'ddomybesttoavoidNeferet(withoutbeingtooobviousthatIwasavoidingher)untilIcouldfigureoutwhatwasgoingonwithherandtheweirdnondeadElliott(whowasenoughtogiveanyonenightmares—nowonderI'dhadsuchaterribledreamaboutStevieRaeandHeath).
Iputonebagofextra-butter,super-poppopcornineachofthefourmicrowavesandgrabbedbigbowlsastheystartedpop ping.MaybeIshouldcastanotherprivatecircleandaskNyxforhelpunderstandingthegrossElliottissue.MystomachclenchedasIrealizedthatIwouldbeminusStevieRae.HowwasIgoingtodealwithreplacingher?Itmademefeelsick,butithadtobedone.Ifnotnow,formyprivateritual,I'dhavetofindsomeonebeforethenextFullMoonRitual.IclosedmyeyesagainstthepainofmissingStevieRaeandtherealityofgoingonwithouther.Pleaseshowmewhattodo,IprayedsilentlytoNyx.
"Zoey,youneedtocomeintothelivingroom.”
MyeyessprangopenasErik'svoicestartledme.Thelookonhisfacehadmyadrenalinesurgingthroughmybody."What'sgo ingon?”
"Justcomeon."Hetookmyhandandwehurriedoutofthekitchen."It'sthenews.”
Eventhoughthebiglivingroomwasfullofkids,ithadgonecompletelysilent.Theywereallstaringatourbig-screenTV,whereCheraKimikowaslookingintothecameraandspeakingsolemnly.
"...policearewarningthepublicnottopanic,eventhoughthisisthethirdteenagertohavedisappeared.Theyareinvestigating,andassureFoxNewsthattheyhaveseveralviableleads.
"Torepeatthisspecialbulletin,aBrokenArrowteenager,an otherhighschoolfootballplayer,hasbeenreportedasmissing.HisnameisHeathLuck.”
Mykneesnolongerheldme,andIwouldhavefallenifErikhadn'tputhisarmaroundmywaistandhelpedmetotheloveseat.ItfeltlikeIcouldn'tcatchmybreathasIlistenedtoCheracontinue:
"Heath'struckwasfoundoutsidetheHouseofNight,buttheHighPriestess
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtthere,Neferet,assurespolicethathedidnotentertheschoolgrounds,andthathehasnotbeenseenbyanyonethere.Ofcoursethereismuchspeculationaboutthesedisappearances,espe ciallysincethemedicalexaminer'sreportstatesthatthecauseofdeathoftheothertwoabductedboyswasbloodlossfrommultiplebitesandlacerations.Andwhileitistruethatvampyresdonotbitewhentheytakebloodfromhumans,thelacerationsdofollowapat ternthatisconsistentwithvampyricfeeding.Itisimportantthatweremindthepublicthatvampyreshaveabindinglegalagreementwithhumanstonotfeedonanyhumanbeingagainsthisorherwill.We'llhavemoreonthisstoryatteno'clock,andofcoursewillbreakasnewsbecomesavailable…”
"Someonegetmeabowl,I'mgonnabesick!"Imanagedtoyelloverthehumminginmyhead.AbowlwasthrustintomyhandsandIpromptlypukedmygutsintoit.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
"Here,Zoey,it'llhelpifyouswishthisaroundinyourmouth."BlindlyItookwhateverErinhandedme,relievedwhenitwasjustcoldwater.Ispititintothenastybowlofpuke.
"Ugh,takeitaway,"Isaid,suppressingmygagreflexasIgotawhiffofpuke.Iwantedtocovermyfacewithmyhandsandburstintotears,butIknewthattheentireroomwaslookingatme,soIslowlystraightenedmyshouldersandpushedmydamphairbackbehindmyears.Ididn'thavetheluxuryofdissolvingintoapan ickedheap.MymindwasalreadyprocessingthethingsIneededtodo—hadtodo.ForHeath,Hewaswhatwasimportantrightnow,notme,andnotmyneedforhysteria."IhavetoseeNef eret,"Isaidresolutelyandstoodup,surprisedathowsteadymykneeshadbecome.
"I'llgowithyou,"Eriksaid.
"Thanks,butfirstIneedtobrushmyteethandputonsomeshoes."(I'djuststuckonapairofthicksockstocomedownandwatchTV.)IsmiledmythankstoErik."I'llrunuptomyroomandberightback."IcouldfeeltheTwinsgettingreadytofollowme."I'llbefine.Justgivemeasec."ThenIturnedandhurriedupthestairs.
Ididn'tpauseatmyroom,butkeptgoingdownthehall,turnedright,andstoppedbeforeroomnumber124.I'draisedmyfist,buthadn'tknockedwhenthedooropened.
"Ithoughtitwouldbeyou."Aphroditegavemeacoldlook,butshesteppedtotheside."Comeonin.”
Iwalkedin,surprisedbytheprettypastelinterioroftheroom.IguessI'dexpectedittobedarkandscary,likeablackwidow'sweb.
"Doyouhaveanymouthwash?IjustpukedandI'veseriouslygrossedmyselfout.”
Shepointedherchinatthemedicinecabinetoverthesink."Inthere.Theglassonthesinkisclean.”
Iwashedoutmymouth,takingtheopportunitytotrytocol lectmythoughts.WhenIwasdoneIturnedtofaceher.Decidingnottowastetimeonbullshit,Igotstraighttothepoint."Howcanyoutellifavisionisrealorjustadream?”
Shesatdownononeofthebedsandshookbackherlong,per fectblondhair."It'safeelinginyourgut.Visionsarenevereasyorcomfortableorfuckingflower-drapedliketheyareinthemovies.Visionssuck.Atleastrealonesdo.Basically,ifitmakesyoufeellikeshit,it'sprobablyrealandnotjusta
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtdream.”Herblueeyeslookedmeovercarefully."So,you'vebeenhavingvisions?”
"IthoughtIhadadreamlastnight,anightmareactually.To dayIthinkitwasavision.”
Aphrodite'slipsturneduponlyslightly."Well,thatsucksforyou.
Ichangedthesubject."What'sgoingonwithNeferet?"Aphrodite'sfacewentcarefullyblank."Whatdoyoumean?"
"IthinkyouknowexactlywhatImean.Something'soffabouther.Iwanttoknowwhat.”
"You'reherfledgling.Herfavorite.Hernewgoldengirl.DoyouthinkI'mactuallygoingtosayshittoyou?Imaybeblond,butI'mdefinitelynotstupid.”
"Ifthat'sthewayyoureallyfeel,whydidyouwarnmeagainsttakingthemedicineshegaveme?”
Aphroditelookedaway."Myfirstroommatediedsixmonthsaftershegothere.Itookthemedicine.It—itaffectedme.Foralongtime.”
"Whatdoyoumean?Howdiditaffectyou?”
"Itmademefeelfunny,detached.Anditstoppedmyvisions.Notpermanently,justforacoupleofweeks.Andthenitwashardformetoevenrememberwhatshelookedlike."Aphroditepaused."Venus.HernamewasVenusDavis."Hereyesmetmineagain."ShewasthereasonIchoseAphroditeasmynewname.Wewerebestfriendsandwethoughtitwascool."Hereyeswerefilledwithsadness."I'vemademyselfrememberVenus,andIfig uredyou'dwanttorememberStevieRae.”
"Ido.Iwill.Thanks.”
"Youshouldgo.Itwon'tbegoodforeitherofusifanyoneknowsyou'vebeenheretalkingtome,"Aphroditesaid.
Irealizedthatshewasprobablyright,andturnedforthedoor.Hervoicestoppedme.
"Shemakesyouthinkshe'sgood,butshe'snot.Everythingthat'slightisn'tgood,andeverythingthat'sdarknessisn'talwaysbad.”
Darknessdoesnotalwaysequatetoevil,justaslightdoesnotal waysbringgood.ThewordsthatNyxhadsaidtomethedayIwasMarkedweremirroredinAphrodite'swarning.
"Inotherwords,becarefularoundNeferetanddon'ttrusther,"Isaid.
"Yeah,butIneversaidthat.”
"Saidwhat?We'renotevenhavingthisconversation."IshutthedoorbehindmeandhurriedtomyroomwhereIwashedmyfaceandbrushedmyteeth,pulledonsomeshoes,andthenre turnedtothelivingroom.
"Ready?"Erikasked.
"We'llcome,too,"Damiensaid,motioningtoincludetheTwins,Jack,andDrew.
Istartedtotellthemno,butIcouldn'tmakethewordcomeout.ThetruthwasthatIwasgladtheywerehere,gladtheyobvi ouslyfelttheneedtojoinforcesaroundmeandprotectme.I'dworriedforareallylongtimethatmyextrapowersandmyweirdGoddess-chosenMarkwouldbrandmesuchafreakthatIwouldn'tfitin,wouldn'thaveanyfriends.Buttheoppositeseemedtobehappening.
"Okay,let'sgo."Weheadedforthedoor.Iwasn'tentirelysurewhatIwasgoingtosaytoNeferet.AllIknewwasthatIcouldn'tcontinuetokeepmymouthshut,andthatIhadaterriblefeelingmy"dream"hadreallybeenavision,andthat
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txttherewasmoretothe"spirits"I'dbeenseeingthanghosts.Mostofall,Iwasafraidthey'dtakenHeath.WhatthatsaidaboutwhatStevieRaehadbe comechilledmetomycore,butitdidn'tchangethefactthatHeathwasmissing,andthatIthinkIknewwhohadtakenhim(ifnotwhat).
Wehadn'tquitemadeittothedoorwhenitopenedandNef eretglidedintotheroomonatideofsnow-scentedair.ShewasfollowedbyDetectiveMarxandDetectiveMartin.Theyhadbluedownjacketsonthatwerezippedtotheirchins.Theirhatswerecoveredwithsnowandtheirnoseswerered.Neferet,asusual,lookedperfectlypoised,perfectlygroomed,perfectlyincontrol.
"Ah,Zoey,good.Thissavesmefromhavingtolookforyou.Thetwodetectiveshavesomeratherbadnews,andthey'dalsoliketospeakwithyouforamoment.”
Ididn'tspareaglanceforNeferet,andIcouldfeelherstiffen ingasIrespondeddirectlytothedetectives."IalreadyheardonthenewsthatHeath'smissing.Ifthere'sanywayIcanhelp,Iwill.”
"Couldweusethelibraryagain?"DetectiveMarxasked."Ofcourse,"Neferetsaidsmoothly.
IstartedtofollowNeferetandthedetectivesfromtheroom,butpausedtolookbackatErik.
"We'llbehere,”hesaid.
"Allofus,"Damiensaid.
Inodded.Feelingbetter,Iwenttothelibrary.I'dhardlyenteredtheroomwhenDetectiveMartinstartedquestioningme.
"Zoey,canyouaccountforyourwhereaboutsbetweensixthirtyandeightthirtythismorning?”
Inodded."Iwasupstairsinmyroom.AroundthattimeIwastalkingonthephonetomygrandma,andthenHeathandItextmessagedeachotherbackandforthafewtimes."Ireachedintomyjeanspocketandpulledoutmycellphone."Ihaven'tevendeletedthemessages.Youcanseethemifyouwant.”
"Youdon'thavetogivehimyourphone,Zoey,”Neferetsaid.Imademyselfsmileather.
"That'sokay.Idon'tmind.”
DetectiveMartintookmyphoneandstartedgoingthroughthetextmessagefiles,copyingontoalittlepadthemessages."DidyouseeHeaththismorning?"DetectiveMarxasked."No.Heaskedifhecouldcomeseeme,butItoldhimno."
"ThissaysthatyouwereplanningonseeinghimFriday,”DetectiveMartinsaid.
IcouldfeelNeferet'ssharpeyesonme.Idrewadeepbreath.TheonlywayIcoulddothiswouldbetostickasclosetothetruthasIwasable.
"Yeah,IwasgoingtogooutwithhimafterthegameFriday."
"Zoey,youknowitisstrictlyagainstschoolrulestocontinuetodatehumansfromyouroldlife."Inoticed,asifforthefirsttime,thedisgustthatfilledhervoicewhenshesaidhumans.
"Iknow.I'msorry."Again,Itoldthetruth,onlyomittingabloodsucking,ImprintingdetailhereandanI-don't-trust-you-anymoredetailthere."It'sjustthatHeathandIhadsomuchhis torybetweenusthatitwasreallyhardtototallystoptalkingtohim,eventhoughIknewIhadto.IthoughtitwouldbeeasierifwemetandItoldhimtohisface,onceandforall,whywecouldn'tseeeachother.Iwouldhavetoldyou,butIwantedtohandleitonmyown.”
"So,youdidn'tseehimthismorning?"DetectiveMarxre peated.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"No.AfterweweredonetextmessagingIwenttobed.”
"Cananyonesubstantiatethatyouwereinyourroomsleepingatthattime?"DetectiveMartinasked,handingmebackmyphone.
Neferet'svoicewasice."Gentlemen,IalreadyexplainedtoyoutheterriblelossZoeyexperiencedjustyesterday.Herroommatedied.So,howshecouldhaveanyonesubstantiateherwhere aboutsat—”
"Um,excuseme,Neferet,butactuallyIwasn'tsleepingalone.MyfriendsShauneeandErindidn'twantmetobebymyself,sotheycametomyroomandsleptwithme."IleftDamienout.Nopointgettingthekidintrouble.
"Oh,thatwasverykindofthem,"Neferetsaidgently,switch inginonebreathfromscaryvampyretoconcernedmother.ItriednottothinkofhownotfooledIwasbyher.
"DoyouhaveanyideawhereHeathmightbe?"IaskedDetec tiveMarx(Istilllikedhimbetterofthetwo).
"No.Histruckwasfoundnotfarfromtheschoolwall,butthesnowisfallingsofastthatanytrackshemighthavemadehavebeencompletelycovered.”
"Well,Ishouldthinkthatinsteadofwastingyourtimeques tioningmyfledgling,thepolicewouldbespendingtimesearch ingtheguttersfortheteenager,"Neferetsaidinanoffhandtonethatmademewanttoscream.
"Ma'am?"Marxsaid.
"Itseemscleartomewhathappened.TheboywastryingtoseeZoey,again.Itwasonlylastmonththatheandthatgirlfriendofhisclimbedourwallsayingtheyweregoingtobreakheroutoftheschool."Neferetwavedherhanddismissively."Hewasdrunkandhighthen,hewasprobablydrunkandhighthismorning,too.Thesnowwastoomuchforhimandhe'sprobablyfallenintoaguttersomewhere.Isn'tthatwheredrunksusuallyendup?”
"Ma'am,he'sateenager,notadrunk.Andhisparentsandfriendssayhehasn'thadadrinkinamonth.”
Neferet'ssoftlaughmadeitobvioushowmuchshedidn'tbe lievehim.Surprisingme,Marxignoredherandstudiedmecare fully."Howaboutit,Zoey?Youtwodatedforacoupleofyears,right?Canyouthinkofwherehemighthavegone?”
"Notoutthisway.IfhistruckwasmissingoffOakGroveRoadinBAIcouldtellyouwherethekegpartymightbe.”Ididn'tmeanitasajoke,especiallyafterNeferet'smeancracksaboutHeath,butthedetectiveseemedtobetryingnottosmile,whichsuddenlymadehimappearkind,andevenapproachable.BeforeIcouldchangemymind,Iblurted,"ButIhadaweirddreamthismorningthatmightnotactuallyhavebeenadreambutcouldhavebeensomekindofvisionaboutHeath.”
IntothestunnedsilenceNeferet'svoicesoundedclippedandharsh."Zoey,youhaveneverbeforemanifestedanaffinityforprophecyorvisions.”
"Iknow."PurposefullyImademyselfsoundunsureandevenalittlescared(thescaredpartwasn'texactlypretense)."Butit'sjusttooweirdthatIdreamedthatHeathwasoverbytheeastwall,andthathewasgrabbedthere.”
"Whatgrabbedhim,Zoey?"DetectiveMarx'svoicewasur gent.Hewasdefinitelytakingmeseriously.
"Idon'tknow."Whichdefinitelywasn'talie."Idoknowtheyweren'tfledglingsorvampyres.Inmydreamfourcloakedfiguresdraggedhimaway.”
"Didyouseewheretheywent?”
"No,IwokeupscreamingforHeath."Ididn'thavetofakethetearsthatfilledmyeyes."Maybeyoushouldsearcheverythingaroundtheschool.Something'soutthere,andsomething'stakingkids,butit'snotus.”
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"Ofcourseit'snotus."Neferetcameovertomeandputherarmaroundme,pattingmyshoulderandmakingsoftmomsounds."Gentlemen,IthinkZoey'shadmorethanenoughup settingforoneday.Whydon'tIintroduceyoutoShauneeandErin,who,I'msure,willcollaborateheralibi.”
Alibi.Thewordsoundedchilling.
"Ifyourememberanythingelse,orhaveanyotherodddreams,pleasedon'thesitatetocontactme,anytimedayornight,"Detec tiveMarxsaid.
Thiswasthesecondtimehe'dgivenmehiscard—hecertainlywaspersistent.Itookhiscardfromhimandthankedhim.ThenasNeferetledhimfromtheroomDetectiveMarxhesitatedandwalkedbacktome.
"MytwinsisterwasMarkedandChangedfifteenyearsago,"hesaidsoftly."SheandIarestillclose,eventhoughshewassupposedtoforgetherhumanfamily.SowhenIsayyoucancallmeanytime,andtellmeanything,youcanbelieveme.Youcanalsotrustme.”
"DetectiveMarx?"Neferetstoodinthedoorway.
"JustthankingZoeyagain,andtellingherhowsorryIamaboutherroommate,"hesaidsmoothlyashestrodefromtheroom.
IstayedwhereIwas,tryingtocollectmythoughts.Marx'ssis terwasavampyre?Well,thatreallywasn'tsobizarre.Whatwasbizarreisthathestilllovedher.MaybeIcouldtrusthim.
ThedoorclickedshutandIjerkedinsurprise.Neferetwasstandingwithherbacktoit,watchingmecarefully.
"DidyouImprintwithHeath?”
Ihadaninstantofcold,whitepanic.Shewasgoingtobeabletoreadme.I'dbeenfoolingmyself.TherewasnowayIwasanykindofamatchforthisHighPriestess.ThenIfeltthebrushofagentle,impossiblebreeze…thewarmthofaninvisiblefire...thefreshnessofaspringrain…thegreensweetnessofafertilemeadow...andthepowerfulinfillingofelementalstrengthflowingintomyspirit.WithnewconfidenceImetNeferet'seyes.
"ButyousaidIdidn't.Youtoldmebeforethatwhathappenedbetweenhimandmeonthewallwasn'tenoughtoImprint."Imadesuremyvoicesoundedconfusedandupset.
Hershouldersrelaxedalmostimperceptibly."Idon'tthinkyouImprintedwithhimthen.So,you'resayingyouhaven'tbeenwithhimsince?Youhaven'tfedfromhimagain?”
"Again!"IletmyselfsoundasshockedasIalwaysfeltatthedisturbing,yetseductivethoughtoffeedingonHeath."ButIdidn'treallyfeedonhimthen,didI?”
"No,no,ofcoursenot,"Neferetreassuredme."Whatyoudidwasveryminor,veryminorindeed.It'sjustthatyourdreammademewonderifyou'dbeenwithyourboyfriendagain.”
"Ex-boyfriend,"Isaidalmostautomatically."No.Buthe'sbeentextingandcallingmeabunchlately,soIthoughtitwouldbebestifImethimandtriedtomakehimunderstand,onceandforall,thatwecan'tseeeachotheranymore.I'msorry.Ishouldhavetoldyou,butIreallydidwanttosolveitmyself.Imean,Igotmyselfintothemess.Ishouldbeabletohandlegettingmyselfoutofit.”
"Well,Idocommendyoursenseofresponsibility,butIdon'tthinkitwaswisetomakethedetectivesbelieveyourdreammighthavebeenavision.”
"Itjustseemedsoreal,"Isaid.
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"I'msureitdid.Zoey,didyoutakethemedicineIaskedyoutodrinklastnight?”
"Youmeanthatmilkystuff?Yeah,Shauneegaveittome."Andshehad,butI'dpouredthecrapdownthesink.
Neferetlookedevenmorerelaxed."Good.Ifyoukeephavingdisturbingdreams,cometomeandI'llgiveyouastrongermix ture.Thatshouldhavekeptthenightmaresfromyou,butclearlyIunderestimatedthedosageyourequired.”
Thedosagewasn'tallshe'dunderestimated.
Ismiled."Thanks,Neferet.Iappreciatethat.”
"Well,youshouldreturntoyourfriends,now.Theyarequiteprotectiveofyou,andI'msurethey'reworried.”
Inoddedandwalkedwithherbacktothelivingroom,carefulnottoshowmydisgustwhenshehuggedmeinfrontofeveryoneandsaidgood-byewiththewarmthofamom.Actually,shewasexactlylikeamom,specificallymymom,LindaHeffer.Thewomanwhohadbetrayedmeforamanandcaredmoreaboutherselfandappearancesthanshecaredaboutme.Thesimilari tiesbetweenNeferetandLindawerebecomingclearerandclearer.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
Weresettledinourlittlegroupaftertheyleft,anddidn'tsaymuchastheroomgotbacktonormal.Inoticednoonechangedthelocalstation.TheStarWarsDVDwasforgotten,atleastfortonight.
"Areyouokay?"Erikfinallyaskedsoftly.HeputhisarmbackaroundmeandIsnuggledagainsthim.
"Yeah,Ithinkso.”
"DidthecopshaveanynewsaboutHeath?"Damienasked.
"Nothingmorethanwhatwealreadyheard,"Isaid."Oriftheydo,theyweren'ttellingme.”
"Isthereanythingwecando?"Shauneeasked.
Ishookmyhead."Let'sjustwatchlocalTVandseewhattheteno'clocknewssays.”
TheymumbledokaysandeveryonesettledintowatchtheWillandGracererunmarathonwhilewewaitedforthenews.IstaredattheTV,andthoughtaboutHeath.DidIhaveabadfeelingabouthim?Definitely.ButwasitthesamebadfeelingI'dhadaboutChrisFordandBradHigeons?No,Ididn'tthinkso.Ididn'tknowhowtoexplainit.MygutsaidHeathwasindanger,butitwasn'tsayingthathewasdead.Yet.
ThemoreIthoughtaboutHeath,themorerestlessIbecame.BythetimethelatenewscameonIcouldhardlysitthroughthestoriesontheunexpectedblizzardthathadcausedawhite-outinTulsaandthesurroundingarea.Ifidgetedwhilewewatchedtheshotsofdowntownandtheexpressways,eerilyemptyandlook ingpost-meteor-hit-or-nuclear-war-like.
TherewasnothingnewonHeathexceptagrimreportabouthowtheweatherwashamperingsearchefforts.
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"Ihavetogo.”ThewordswereoutofmymouthandIwasstandingbeforemymindcouldremindmethatIdidn'thaveacluewhereIwasgoingorhowIwasgoingtogetthere.
"Gowhere,Z?"Erikasked.
Mymindflailedaroundandlandedononething—onelittleislandofcontentmentinaworldthathadturnedintostressandconfusionandmadness.
"I'mgoingtothestables."Erik'slookwasasblankaseveryoneelse's."LenobiasaidthatIcouldbrushPersephoneanytimeIwantedto."Imovedmyshoulders."Brushinghermakesmefeelcalm,andrightnowIcouldusesomecalm.”
"Well,okay.Ilikehorses.Let'sgogroomPersephone,"Eriksaid.
"Ineedtobealone.”ThewordssoundedsomuchharsherthanI'dmeantthemthatIsatbackdownnexttohimandslidmyhandinhis."I'msorry.It'sjustthatIneedtimetothink,andthat'ssomethingIhavetodoalone.”
Hisblueeyeslookedsad,buthegavemealittlesmile."HowaboutIwalkyoutothestable,andthencomebackhereandkeepaneyeonthenewsforyoutillyougetthroughthinking?”
"I'dlikethat.”
Ihatedtheworriedlooksonmyfriends'faces,butIcouldn'tdomuchtoreassurethem.ErikandIdidn'tbotherwithcoats.Thestablewasn'tfar.Thecoldwouldn'tgetachancetobotherus.
"Thissnowisawesome,"Eriksaidafterwe'dwalkedalittlewaydownthesidewalk.Someonehadattemptedtoplowitbecauseitwaswaylessdeeponthesidewalkthanthesurroundinggrounds,butthesnowwascomingdownsosteadilythattheplowscouldn'tkeepupwithitanditwasalreadyuptomidcalfonus.
"IkindarememberitsnowinglikethiswhenIwassixorseven.ItwasduringChristmasbreakanditsuckedthatwedidn'tmissanyschool.”
Erikgruntedavague,guylikeresponse,andthenwewalkedoninsilence.Usually,oursilencesweren'tawkward,butthisonefeltweird.Ididn'tknowwhattosay—howtomakeitbetter.
Erikclearedhisthroat."Youstillcareabouthim,don'tyou?Imean,asmorethanjustanex-boyfriend.”
"Yes."Erikdeservedthetruth,andIwastotallysickoflies.
We'dcometothestabledoor,andstoppedinthehaloofayel lowgaslight.Theentrywayshieldedusfromtheworstofthesnow,soitseemedlikewewerestandinginabubbleinsideasnowglobe.
"Andwhataboutme?"Erikasked.
Ilookedupathim."Icareaboutyou,too.Erik,IwishIcouldfixthis,makeallofthebadstuffgoaway,butIcan't.AndI'mnotgoingtolietoyouaboutHeath.IthinkI'veImprintedhim.”
IsawthesurpriseinErik'seyes."Fromjustthatonetimeonthewall?Z,Iwasthere,andyouhardlytastedanyofhisbloodatall.Hejustdoesn'twanttoloseyou,that'swhyhe'ssoobsessed.NotthatIblamehim,"headdedwithawrysmile.
"Isawhimagain.”
"Huh?”
"Itwasjustacoupledaysago.Icouldn'tsleep,soIwenttotheStarbucksatUticaSquarebymyself.HewasthereputtinguppostersaboutBrad.Ihadn't
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtmeanttoseehim,andifI'dknownhewasgoingtobethereIwouldn'thavegone.Ipromiseyouthat,Erik.”
"Butyoudidseehim.”
Inodded.
"Andyoufedfromhim?”
"It—itjustkindahappened.Itriednotto,buthecuthimself.Onpurpose.AndIcouldn'tstopmyself."Ikeptmygazesquarelyonhis,askinghimwithmyeyestounderstand.NowthatIwasactuallyconfrontedwiththeverylikelypossibilitythatErikandIweregoingtobreakup,IrealizedhowmuchIdidn'twantthattohappen,whichdefinitelydidn'thelpmyconfusionormystresslevelbecauseIdidstillcareaboutHeath."I'msorry,Erik.Ididn'taskforittohappen,butitdid,andnowthere'sthisthingbetweenHeathandme,andI'mnotsurewhatI'mgoingtodoaboutit.”
Hesigheddeeplyandbrushedsomesnowoffmyhair."Okay,well,there'sathingbetweenyouandme,too.Andsomeday,ifwemakeitthroughthisdamnChange,we'llbealike.Iwon'tturnintoawrinkledoldmananddiedecadesbeforeyouwill.Beingwithmewon'tbesomethingothervampyreswillwhisperabout,andhumanswillhateyoufor.It'llbenormal.It'llberight."Thenhishandwasbehindmyneckandhewaspullingmetohim.Hekissedmehard.Hetastedcoldandsweet.MyarmswentuparoundhisshouldersandIkissedhimback.AtfirstIjustwantedtomakethehurtIwascausinghimgoaway.Thenourkissdeep ened,andwepressedourbodiestogether.Iwasn'toverwhelmedwithblindingbloodlustforhim,likewhathappenedwhenIwaswithHeath,butIlikedthewaykissingErikmademefeel,allkindawarmandlight-headed.Hell,thebottomlinewasthatIlikedhim.Alot.Plus,hehadapoint.HeandIwouldberightto gether.HeathandIwouldnot.
Thekissendedwithbothofusbreathinghard.IcuppedErik'scheekinmyhand."Ireallyamsorry.”
Erikturnedhisheadandkissedmypalm."We'llfigurethisout."
"Ihopeso,"Iwhispered,moretomyselfthanhim.ThenIsteppedawayfromhimandputmyhandontheoldirondoorknob."Thanksforwalkingmehere.Idon'tknowwhenI'llbeback.Youshouldn'twaitforme.”Istartedtoopenthedoor.
"Z,ifyoureallydidImprintwithHeathyoumightbeabletofindhim,"Eriksaid.IpausedandturnedbacktoErik.Helookedstrainedandunhappy,buthedidn'thesitatetoexplain."Whileyou'rebrushingthemare,thinkaboutHeath.Calltohim.Ifhe'sableto,he'llcometoyou.Ifhe'snotandyourImprintisstrongenough,youmaybeabletogetanideaofwhereheis.”
"Thankyou,Erik.”
Hesmiled,buthedidn'tlookhappy."Later,Z."Hewalkedawayandthesnowswallowedhim.
Thewarmhaysmellmixedwithclean,dryhorsecontrasteddramaticallywiththecold,snowyoutside.Thestablesweredimlylitbyonlyacoupleofsoftgaslights.Thehorsesweremakingsleepy,chewingnoises.Someofthemwereblowingthroughtheirnoses,whichsoundedalittlelikesnoring.IlookedaroundforLenobiawhileIbrushedthesnowfrommyshirtandhairandstartedtowardthetackroom,butitwasprettyobviousthatexceptforthehorsesIwasalone.
Good.Ineededtothink,andnotexplainwhatIwasdoinghereinthemiddleofasnowstorminthemiddleofthenight.
Okay,I'dtoldErikthetruthaboutHeathandhehadn'tbrokenupwithme.Ofcourse,dependingonwhathappenedwithHeath,hemightstilldumpme.Howdidthoseho-ishgirlsgooutwithadozenorsoguysatthesametime?Twowasexhausting.MemoryofLoren'ssexysmileandincrediblevoiceflashedthroughmyguilt-filledmind.IchewedmylipasIgrabbedacurrybrushandamanecomb.Actually,I'dbeenkindasortaseeingthreeguys,whichwasutterlyinsane.I
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtdecidedthenandtherethatIhadenoughproblemswithoutaddingtheweirdflirtingthatmayormaynotbegoingonbetweenLorenandmeintothemix.JustthinkingaboutErikfindingoutthatI'dshownallthatskintoLoren...Ishuddered.Itmademewanttodumpmyself.FromnowonI'davoidLoren,andifIcouldn'tavoidhimI'dtreathimlikeanyotherteacher,whichmeantnoflirting.NowifIcouldjustfigureoutwhattodowithErikandHeath.
IopenedPersephone'sstallandtoldherwhatapretty,sweetgirlshewasasshegavemeasleepilysurprisedsnortandlippedmyfaceafterIkissedhersoftnose.ShesighedandrestedonthreefeetwhenIstartedbrushingher.
Okay,nowayIcouldfigureoutanythingaboutdatingErikandHeathuntilHeathwassafe.(Irefusedtoconsiderthathemightneverbesafe—mightneverbefoundalive.)Ibegantoquietthebabbleandclutterandconfusionthatwasmymind.Truthfully,Ihadn'tneededEriktotellmethatImightbeabletofindHeath.Thatpossibilitywasoneofthemanythingsthathadbeenmakingmesorestlessallnight.ThecowardlytruthwasthatIwasafraid—afraidofwhatImightfindandwhatImightnotfind,andafraidIwouldn'tbestrongenoughtodealwitheither.StevieRae'sdeathhadleftmebroken,andIwasn'tsureIwasuptosavinganybody.
Butitwasn'tlikeIhadanychoice.
So...thinkingofHeath...Istartedbyrememberingwhatacutekidhe'dbeeningradeschool.Inthirdgradehishairhadbeenlotsblonderthanitwasnow,andhe'dhadlikeazillioncowlicks.Itusedtostandupalloverhisheadlikeduckfluff.Thirdgradewaswhenhe'dfirsttoldmethathelovedmeandwasgonnasomedaymarryme.I'dbeeninsecondgrade,andIsodidn'ttakehimseriously.Imean,eventhoughIwasalmosttwoyearsyoungerI'dbeenafoottaller.Hewascute,buthewasalsoaboy,whichmeanthewasannoying.
Okay,sohecouldstillbeannoying,buthe'dgrownupandfilledout.SomewherebetweenthirdandeleventhgradeI'dstartedtakinghimseriously.Irememberedbacktothefirsttimehe'dreallykissedme,andthefluttery,excitedwayitmademefeel.Irememberedhowsweethewas,andhowhecouldmakemefeelbeautiful,evenwhenIhadaterriblecoldandmynosewasbrightred.Andhowhewasanold-fashionedgentleman.Heathhadbeenopeningdoorsandcarryingbooksformesincehewasnine.
ThenIthoughtaboutthelasttimeI'dseenhim.He'dbeensosurethatwebelongedtogetherandsounafraidofmethathe'dcuthimselfandofferedhisbloodtome.IclosedmyeyesandleanedagainstPersephone'ssoftflank,thinkingofHeathandlet tingthememoriesofhimdriftpastmyclosedlidslikeamoviescreen.ThentheimagesofourpastchangedandIgotavaguesenseofdarknessanddampnessandcold—andfearslammedintomygut.Igasped,keepingmyeyestightlyclosed.Iwantedtofocusinonhim,likeIhadthatoneothertimewhensomehowI'dseenhiminhisbedroom,butthisconnectionbetweenuswasdifferent.Itwaslessclear,morefilledwithdarkemotionsthanplayfuldesire.Iconcentratedharder,anddidwhatErikhadsaidtodo.IcalledHeath.
Aloud,aswellaswitheverythinginsideofme,Isaid,"Heath,cometome.I'mcallingyou,Heath.Iwantyoutocometomenow.Whereveryouare,getoutofthereandcometome!”
Nothing.Therewasnoanswer.Noresponse.Nosenseofany thingmorethandamp,coldfear.Icalledagain."Heath!Cometome!"ThistimeIfeltasurgeoffrustration,followedbydespair.ButIdidn'tgetanimageofhim.Iknewhecouldn'tcometome,butIdidn'tknowwherehewas.
WhyhadIbeenabletoseehimsomuchmoreeasilybefore?HowhadIdoneit?I'dbeenthinkingaboutHeaththen,justlikeIhadbeennow.I'dbeenthinkingabout...
WhathadIbeenthinkingabout?ThenIfeltmycheeksgethotasIrealizedwhathaddrawnmetohimbefore.Ihadn'tbeenthinkingabouthowcuteakidhe'dbeenorhowprettyhemademefeel.I'dbeenthinkingaboutdrinkinghisblood...feedingfromhim...andthered-hotbloodlustthatcaused.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtOkay,wellthen...
IdrewadeepbreathandthoughtaboutHeath'sblood.Ittastedlikeliquiddesire,hotandthickandelectric.Itmademybodyburstaliveinplacesthathadonlybeguntorousebefore.Andthoseplaceswerestarving.IwantedtodrinkHeath'ssweetbloodwhilehesatisfiedmyyearningforhistouch,hisbody,histaste—
ThedisjointedimageIhadofdarknessclearedwithanabrupt nessthatwasshocking.Itwasstilldark,butthatwasnoproblemformynightvision.AtfirstIdidn'tunderstandwhatIwasseeing.Theroomwasweird.Itwasmorelikealittlealcoveinacaveoratunnelthanaroom.Thewallswereroundanddamp.Therewassomelight,butitwascomingfromadim,smokylanternthathungfromarustedhook.Everythingelsewascompletedark ness.WhatIthoughtatfirstwasapileofdirtyclothesmovedandmoaned.Thistimeitwasn'tjustathreadlikefeelerIwaslookingthrough.ItwasactuallyasifIwasfloating,andwhenIrecog nizedthemoanmyhoveringbodydriftedovertohim.
Hewascurleduponastainedmattress.Hishandsandankleswereducttapedtogetherandhewasbleedingfromseveralslashesonhisneckandarms.
"Heath!"Myvoicewasn'taudible,buthisheadsnappedupasifI'djustyelledathim.
"Zoey?Isthatyou?"Andthenhiseyeswidenedandhesatstraightup,lookingwildlyaround."Getoutofhere,Zoey!They'recrazy.They'llkillyouliketheydidChrisandBrad."Andhestartedtostruggle,tryingdesperatelytobreakthetape,eventhoughallthatwashappeningwashewasmakinghisalreadyrawwristsbleed.
"Heath,stop!It'sokay—I'mokay.I'mnothere,notreally."Hestoppedstrugglingandsquintedaroundhimlikehewastryingtoseeme.
"ButIcanhearyou.”
"Insideyourhead.That'swhereyouhearme,Heath.It'sbe causewe'veImprintedandnowwe'relinked.”
Unexpectedly,Heathgrinned."That'scool,Zo.”
Igaveamentaleyeroll."Okay,Heath,focus.Whereareyou?"
"Youwon'tbelievethis,Zo,butI'munderTulsa.”
"Whatdoesthatmean,Heath?”
"RememberinShaddox'sHistoryclass?HetoldusaboutthetunnelsthatweredugunderTulsainthetwentiesbecauseoftheun-alcoholthing.”
"Prohibition,"Isaid.
"Yeah,that.I'minoneofthem.”
Ididn'tknowwhattosayforasecond.IvaguelyrememberedlearningaboutthetunnelsinHistoryclass,andwasastoundedthatHeath—notexactlyanexcellentstudent—wouldrememberatall.
Asifheunderstoodmyhesitationhegrinnedandsaid,"Itwasaboutsneakingbooze.Ithoughtitwascool.”
AfteranothermentaleyerollIsaid,"Justtellmehowtogetthere,Heath.”
Heshookhisheadandawaytoofamiliarstubbornlookset tledoverhisface."Noway.They'llkillyou.GotellthecopsandhavethemsendaSWATteamorsomething.”
ThatwasexactlywhatIwantedtodo.IwantedtogetDetec tiveMarx'scardoutofmypocket,callhim,andhavehimsavetheday.
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Unfortunately,IwasafraidIcouldn't.
"Whoisthe`they'?"Iasked.
"Huh?”
"Thepeoplewhotookyou?Whoarethey?”
"They'renotpeople,andthey'renotvampyreseventhoughtheydrinkblood,butthey'renotlikeyou,Zo.They're—"hebrokeoff,shuddering."They'resomethingelse.Somethingwrong.”
"Havetheybeendrinkingyourblood?"ThethoughtmademefuriouswithsuchanintensitythatIwashavingahardtimecon trollingmyemotions.Iwantedtorageatsomeoneandshriek,Hebelongstome!Iforcedmyselftotakeseveraldeepbreathswhileheansweredme.
"Yeah,theyhave."Heathgrimaced."Buttheycomplainalotaboutit.Theysaymyblooddoesn'ttasteright.Ithinkthat'sthemainreasonI'mstillalive.”Thenheswallowedhardandhisfacegotashadepaler."It'snotlikewhenyoudrinkmyblood,Zo.Thatfeelsgood.Whattheydois—isdisgusting.They'redisgusting.”
"Howmanyofthemarethere?"Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.
"I'mnotreallysure.It'ssodarkdownhereandtheyalwayscomeinweirdgroups,allsmushedtogetherlikethey'rescaredofbeingalone.Well,exceptforthreeofthem.One'snamedElliott,one'scalledVenus—howweirdisthat—andtheotheroneiscalledStevieRae.”
Mystomachknotted."DoesStevieRaehaveshort,curlyblondhair?”
"Yeah.She'stheonethat'sincharge.”
Heathhadjustsubstantiatedmyfears.Icouldn'tcallinthepolice.
"Okay,Heath.I'mgoingtogetyououtofthere.Tellmehowtofindyourtunnel.”
"Areyougoingtogetthecops?”
"Yes,"Ilied.
"Nope.You'relying.”
"Iamnot!”
"Zo,Icantellyou'relying.Icanfeelit.It'sthatlinkthing.”Hegrinned.
"Heath.Ican'tgetthepolice.”
"ThenI'mnottellingyouwhereIam.”
EchoingfromdownoneendofthetunnelcameaskitteringthatremindedmeofthesoundthescienceexperimentratsmadeastheyscurriedthroughthemazeswemadeinAPBio.Heath'sgrinwasgone,aswasthecolorthathadreturnedtohischeekswhilewetalked.
"Heath,wedon'thavetimeforthis."Hestartedtoshakehisheadno."Listentome!Ihavespecialpowers.Those—"Ihesi tated,notsurewhattocallthegroupofcreaturesthatsomehowincludedmydeadbestfriend."Thosethingsaren'tgoingtobeabletohurtme.”
Heathdidn'tsayanything,buthedidn'tlookconvincedandtheratlikesoundsweregettinglouder.
"YousaidyoucantellI'mlyingbecauseofourlink.Ithastogobothways.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtYou'vegottobeabletotellwhenwhatIsayisthetruth."Helookedlikehewaswaffling,soIadded,"Thinkhard.YousaidyourememberedsomeofthatnightyoufoundmeatPhilbrook.Isavedyouthatnight,Heath.Notthecops.Notanadultvamp.Isavedyou,andIcandoitagain."IwasgladIsoundedalotmorecertainthanIfelt."Tellmewhereyouare.”
Hethoughtforawhile,andIwasgettingreadytoyellathim(again)whenhefinallysaid,"Youknowwheretheolddepotisdowntown?”
"Yeah,youcanseeitfromthePerformingArtsCenterwherewewenttoseePhantomformybirthdaylastyear,right?”
"Yeah.Theytookmetothebasementofit.Theygotinthroughsomethingthatlookslikeabarreddoor.It'soldandrusted,butitliftsrightup.Thetunnelstartsfromthedrainagegratesdownthere.”
"Good,I'll—”
"Wait,that'snotall.Therearelotsoftunnels.They'remorelikecaves.It'snotcoollikeIthoughtthey'dbefromHistoryclass.They'redarkandwetanddisgusting.Picktheoneonyourright,andthenkeepturningtoyourright.I'mattheendofoneofthose.”
"Okay.I'llbethereassoonasIcan.”
"Becareful,Zo.”
"Iwill.Youbesafe.”
"I'lltry."Hissingwasaddedtothescurryingnoises."Butyoushouldprobablyhurryup.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
IopenedupmyeyesandIwasbackinthestallwithPersephone.Iwasbreathinghardandsweating,andthemarewasnuzzlingmeandmakingsoft,worried,nickeringnoises.Myhandswereshak ingasIcaressedherheadandrubbedherjaw,tellingherthatitwasgoingtobeokay,eventhoughIwasprettysureitwasn't.
Theolddowntowndepotwassixorsevenmilesawayinadark,unusedpartoftownunderabig,scarybridgethatlinkedonepartofthecitytotheother.Itusedtobemajorlybusy,withfreightandpassengertrainscomingandgoingalmostnonstop.Butinthepastcoupledecadesallofthepassengertraffichadstopped(Iknewbecausemygrandmahadwantedtotakemeonatraintripformythirteenthbirthday,andwe'dhadtodrivetoOklahomaCitytocatchthetrainthere)andthefreighttrainbusinesshaddefinitelydwindled.Undernormalcircumstances,itwouldonlytakeafewminutestozipfromtheHouseofNighttothedepot.
TonightIwasnotdealingwithnormalcircumstances.
Theteno'clocknewshadsaidtheroadswereimpassable,andthathadbeen—Icheckedmywatchandblinkedinsurprise—acouplehoursago.Icouldn'tdrivethere.IsupposeIcouldwalk,buttheurgencyIfeltwastellingmethatwasn'tgoodenough.
"Takethehorse.”
PersephoneandIbothshiedatthesoundofAphrodite'svoice.Shewasleaningagainstthestalldoorlookingpaleandgrim."Youlooklikecrap,"Isaid.
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Shealmostsmiled."Visionssuck.”
"DidyouseeHeath?"Mystomachclenchedagain.Aphroditedidn'thavevisionsofhappinessandlight.Shesawdeathanddestruction.Always.
"Yeah.”
"And?”
"Andifyoudon'tgetonthathorseandgetyourasstowher everheis,Heathisgoingtodie."Shepaused,meetingmyeyes."Thatis,unlessyoudon'tbelieveme.”
"Ibelieveyou,"Isaidwithouthesitation.
"Thengetthehelloutofhere.”
ShecameintothestallandhandedmeabridleIhadn'tno ticedshe'dbeenholding.WhileIputitonPersephone,Aphroditedisappearedtocomebackwithasaddleandsaddleblanket.Silently,weputthetackonPersephone,whoseemedtosenseourintensitybecausesheheldcompletelystill.WhenshewasreadyIledherfromthestall.
"Callyourfriendsfirst,”Aphroditesaid.
"Huh?”
"Youcan'tbeatthosethingsonyourown.”
"Buthowaretheygoingtogowithme?"Mystomachhurt,Iwassoscaredmyhandswereshaking,andIwashavingtroubleunderstandingwhatthehellAphroditewassaying.
"Theycan'tgowithyou,buttheycanstillhelpyou.”
"Aphrodite,Idon'thavetimeforriddles.Whatthehelldoyoumean?”
"Shit,Idon'tknow!"ShelookedasfrustratedasIfelt."Ijustknowthattheycanhelpyou.”
Iflippedopenmycellphoneand,followingmygutandbreathingasilentprayerforguidancefromNyx,punchedShaunee'snumber.Sheansweredonthefirstring.
"What'sup,Zoey?”
"IneedyouandErinandDamientogosomewheretogetherandcalltoyourelements,likeyoudidforStevieRae.”
"Noproblem.Areyougonnameetus?”
"No.I'mgoingtogetHeath."Tohercredit,Shauneehesitatedforonlyasecondortwo,thensaid,"Okay.Whatcanwedo?”
"Justbetogether,manifestyourelements,andthinkaboutme."IwasgettingreallygoodatsoundingcalmevenwhenIthoughtmyheadmightexplode.
"Zoey,becareful.”
"Iwill.Don'tworry."Yeah,I'dworryenoughforbothofus.
"Erikisn'tgoingtolikethis.”
"Iknow.Tellhim...tellhim…thatI'll,uh,talktohimwhenIgetback."Ihadnotaclueaboutwhatelsetosay.
"Okay,I'lltellhim.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"Thanks,Shaunee.I'llseeya,"Isaidandclosedthephone.ThenIfacedAphrodite."Whatarethosecreatures?”
"Idon'tknow.”
"Butyousawtheminyourvision?”
"TodaywasthesecondvisionIhadaboutthem,though.ThefirsttimeIsawtheothertwoguysbeingkilledbythem."Aphroditebrushedathickstrandofblondhairfromherface.
InstantlyIwaspissed."Andyoudidn'tsayanythingaboutitbecausethey'rejusthumanteenagersandnotworthyourtimetosave?”
Aphrodite'seyesblazedwithanger."ItoldNeferet.Itoldhereverything—aboutthehumankids—aboutthosethings—every thing.That'swhenshestartedsayingmyvisionswerefalse.”
Iknewshewastellingthetruth,justassurelyasIhadbeguntoknowthattherewassomethingdarkaboutNeferet.
"Sorry,"Isaidshortly."Ididn'tknow.”
"Whatever,”shesaid."Youneedtogetoutofhereoryourboyfriendisgoingtodie.”
"Ex-boyfriend,"Isaid.
"AgainIsaywhatever.Here,I'llgiveyoualegup.”
Iletherhoistmeintothesaddle.
"Takethiswithyou."Aphroditehandedmeathick,plaidhorseblanket.BeforeIcouldprotestshesaid,"It'snotforyou.He'llneedit.”
Iwrappedtheblanketaroundme,takingcomfortinitsearthy,horseysmell.IfollowedasAphroditewenttothereardoorsofthestableandslidthemapart.Frigidairandsnowswirledinlittlemini-tornadoesintothebarn,makingmeshiver,althoughitwasmorefromnervesandapprehensionthanfromthecold.
"StevieRae'soneofthem,"Aphroditesaid.
Ilookeddownather,butshewasstaringoutintothenight."Iknow,”Isaid.
"She'snotwhosheusedtobe.”
"Iknow,"Irepeated,eventhoughsayingthewordsaloudhurtmyheart."Thanksforthis,Aphrodite.”
Shedidlookupatmethenandherexpressionwasflatandun readable."Don'tstartactinglikewe'refriendsoranything,"shesaid.
"Wouldn'tthinkofit,"Isaid.
"Imean,we'renotfriends.”
"Nope,definitelynot."IwasprettysureIsawhertryingnottosmile.
"Aslongaswehavethatstraight,"Aphroditesaid."Oh,"sheadded."Remembertopullsilenceanddarknessaroundyourselfsohumanswillhaveahardtimeseeingyouonthewaythere.Youdon'thavetimetobestopped.”
"Willdo.Thanksforremindingme,"Isaid.
"Okay,well,goodluck,"Aphroditesaid.
Igrippedthereins,tookadeepbreath,andthensqueezedmythighstogether,cluckingatPersephonetogo.
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Ienteredaworldthatwasweirdlymadeofwhitedarkness.Whiteoutwasdefinitelytherightdescriptionofit.Thesnowhadchangedfrombig,friendlyflakestosharplittlerazorlikepiecesofsnow-ice.Thewindwassteady,makingthesnowslantsideways.IpulledtheblanketovermyheadsothatIwaspartiallyprotectedfromthesnowandleanedforward,kickingPersephoneintoaquicktrot.Hurry!Mymindwasyellingatme.Heathneedsyou!
Icutacrosstheparkinglotandrearpartoftheschoolgrounds.Thefewcarsstillatschoolwerecoveredwithsnow,andtheflick eringgaslightsthatshinedcrazilyoffoftheirbacksmadethemlooklikeJunebugsonascreendoor.Ipressedtheinsidebuttonforthegatetoopen.Ittriedtoswingwide,butasnowdriftcaughtitandPersephoneandIhadbarelyenoughroomtosqueezethrough.Iturnedhertotherightandstoodforamomentunderthecoveroftheoaksthatframedtheschoolgrounds.
"We'resilent…ghosts...noonecanseeus.Noonecanhearus."Imurmuredagainstthewhiningwind,andwasshockedwhentheareaaroundmestilled.WithasuddenthoughtIcontin ued."Wind,becalmnearme.Fire,warmmyway.Water,stillthesnowinmypath.Earth,sheltermewhenyoucan.Andspirit,helpmenottogiveintomyfear."ThewordswerebarelyoutofmymouthwhenIsawalittleflashofenergyaroundme.Perse phonesnortedandsheskitteredalittletotheside.Andasshemoveditwaslikealittlebubbleofserenitymovedwithher.Yes,itwasstillblizzardingandthenightwasstillcoldandfrighten inglyalien,butIwasfilledwithcalmandsurroundedbytheprotectionoftheelements.Ibowedmyheadandwhispered,"Thankyou,Nyx,forthegreatgiftsyouhavegivenme."SilentlyIaddedthatIhopedIdeservedthem.
"Let'sgetHeath,"ItoldPersephone.Sheswungintoherground-eatingcantereasilyandIwasamazedtoseethatthesnowandiceseemedtoflybackfromherhoovesaswemagicallyblastedthroughthenightunderthewatchfuleyeoftheGoddesswhowas,herself,Nightpersonified.
Myjourneywassurprisinglyfast.WecantereddownUticaStreetuntilwecametotheexittotheBrokenArrowExpressway.Barricadeswereupwithflashinglightswarningthattheexpress waywasclosed.IfeltmyselfsmilingasIguidedPersephoneneatlyaroundthebarricadesontotheutterlydesertedhighway.ThenIgavethemareherheadandshegallopeddowntown.Iclungtoher,leaninglowoverherneck.Withtheblanketstream ingoutbehindusIimaginedthatIlookedliketheheroineinanoldhistoricalromancenovel,andwishedIwasgallopingtoanaughtykegpartywithsomeonemykinglyfatherhaddecidedwasinappropriateinsteadofheadingintohell.
IsteeredPersephonetotheexitthatwouldtakeustothePer formingArtsCenterandtheolddepotbeyondit.Ihadn'tseenanyonebetweenmidtownandthehighway,butnowIsawocca sionalshufflingsofstreetpeoplearoundthebusstationandno ticedanoccasionalcopcarhereandthere.We'resilent...ghosts…noonecanseeus.Noonecanhearus.Ikepttheprayergoinginmymind.Noonesomuchasglancedinourdirection.ItreallywasasifI'dturnedintoaghost,whichwasn'tathoughtIfoundverycomforting.
IslowedPersephoneaswepassedthePerformingArtsCenterandtrottedoverthewidebridgethatspannedtheconfusingside-by-sidemeshingofoldrailroadtracks.WhenwereachedthecenterofthebridgeIstoppedPersephoneandstareddownattheabandoneddepotbuildingthatsatbelowusdarkandsilent.ThankstoMrs.Brown,myex-artteacheratSouthIntermediateHighSchool,Iknewitusedtobeabeautifulartdecobuildingthathadbeenabandonedandeventuallylootedwhenthetrainsstoppedrun ning.NowitlookedlikesomethingthatshouldbeintheGothamCityoftheBatmanDarkNightcomics.(Yes,Iknow.I'madork.)Ithadthosehugearchedwindowsthatremindedmeofteethbe tweentwotowersthatlookedlikeperfectlycreepyhauntedcastles.
"Andwehavetogodownthere,"ItoldPersephone.Shewasbreathinghardfromourride,butshedidn'tseemparticularlyworried,whichIhopedwasagoodsign.Youknow,animalsbe ingabletosensebadstuffandall.
WefinishedcrossingthebridgeandIfoundthebrokenlittlesideroadthatleddowntothedepot.Thetracklevelwasdark.Reallydark.Thatshouldn'thave
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtbotheredme,whatwithmyex cellentfledglingnightvision,butitdid.ThetruthwasthatIwastotallycreepedoutasPersephonewalkedtothebuildingandIbeganslowlycirclingit,lookingforthebasemententranceHeathhaddescribed.
Itdidn'ttakelongtofindtherustedirongrillthatappearedtobeanimpassablebarrier.Ididn'tletmyselfhesitateandthinkabouthowcompletelyafraidIwas.IgotoffPersephoneandledherovertothecoveredentrywaysoshe'dbeoutofthewindandprotectedfrommostofthesnow.Iloopedherreinsaroundametalthingie,laidtheextrablanketoverherback,andspentaslongasIcouldpattingherandtellingherwhatabrave,sweetgirlshewasandthatI'dbebackrealsoon.Iwasworkingtowardthatself-fulfillingprophecything,andhopedifIkeptsayingit,itwouldbetrue.WalkingawayfromPersephonewashard.IguessIhadn'trealizedhowcomfortingherpresencehadbeen.IcouldhaveusedsomeofthatcomfortasIstoodinfrontoftheirongrillandtriedtosquintintothedarknessbeyond.
Icouldn'tseeanythingexcepttheindistinctshapeofahugedarkroom.Thebasementofthecreepyunfortunately-not-abandonedbuilding.Great.Heathisdownthere,Iremindedmyself,grabbedtheedgeofthegrill,andpulled.Itopenedeasily,whichItooktobeevidenceofhowoftenitmustbeused.Again,great.
ThebasementwasnotasawfulasI'dimagineditwouldbe.Stripesofweaklightfilteredbetweenthebarred,ground-levelwin dowsandIcouldclearlyseethathomelesspeoplemusthavebeenusingtheroom.Actually,therewasalotofstuffleftfromthem:bigboxes,dirtyblankets,evenashoppingcart(Whoknowshowtheymanagedtogetthatdownthere?).But,weirdly,notonehomelesspersonwaspresent.Itwaslikeahomelessghosttown,whichwasdoublyweirdwhenIconsideredtheweather.Wouldn'ttonightbetheperfectnighttoretreattothecomparativewarmthandshelterofthisbasement,versustryingtofindsomeplacewarmanddryonthestreetsorsmushintotheY?Andithadbeensnowingfordays.So,realistically,thisroomshouldbepackedwiththepeoplewhohadbroughttheboxesandstuffdownheretobeginwith.
Ofcourseifscaryundeadcreatureshadbeenusingthebase mentthedesertionofthehomelessfolksmademuchmoresense.
Don'tthinkaboutit.FindthedrainagegrateandthenfindHeath.
Thegratewasn'thardtofind.Ijustheadedforthedarkest,nastiestcorneroftheroom,andtherewasametalgrateonthefloor.Yep.Rightinthecorner.Onthefloor.Never,inagazillionyearswouldIhaveeverevenconsideredtouchingthedisgustingthing,letalongliftingitandgoingdownthere.
Naturally,that'swhatIhadtodo.
Thegrateliftedaseasilyastheoutside"barrier"hadopened,tellingme(again)thatIwasn'ttheonlyperson/fledgling/human/creaturewhohadcomethiswayrecently.Therewasanironlad derthingthatIhadtoclimbdown,probablyabouttenfeet.ThenIdroppedtothefloorofthetunnel.Andthat'sexactlywhatitwas—abig,dampsewertunnel.Oh,anditwasdark,too.Reallydark.Istoodthereforawhilelettingmynightvisionaccustomitselftothedensedarkness,butIcouldn'tjuststandthereforverylong.TheneedtofindHeathwaslikeanitchbeneathmyskin.Itgoadedmeon.
"Keeptotheright,"Iwhispered.ThenIshutupbecauseeventhatlittlesoundechoedaroundme.IturnedtotherightandstartedtowalkasquicklyasIwasable.
Heathhadbeentellingthetruth.Therewerelotsoftunnels.Theysplitoffoverandoveragain,remindingmeofwormholesburrowedintotheground.AtfirstIsawmoreevidencethathomelesspeoplehadbeendownhere,too.Butafterafewright-handturns,theboxesandscatteredtrashandblanketsstopped.Therewasnothingbutdampanddark.ThetunnelshadgonefrombeingsmoothandroundandascivilizedasIimaginedwell-madetunnelscouldbetoabsolutecrap.ThesidesofthewallslookedliketheyhadbeengougedoutbyverydrunkTolkiendwarfs(again,IamawarethatI'madork).Itwascold,too,butIdidn'treallyfeelit.
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Ikepttotheright,hopingthatHeathhadknownwhathewastalkingabout.Ithoughtaboutstoppinglongenoughtoconcen trateonhisbloodsothatIcouldhookintoourImprintagain,buttheurgencyIfeltwouldn'tletmestop.I.Had.To.Find.Heath.
IsmelledthembeforeIheardthehissingandrustlingandactu allysawthem.Itwasthatmusty,old,wrongscentI'dnoticedeverytimeI'dseenoneofthematthewall.Irealizeditwasthesmellofdeath,andthenwonderedhowIdidn'trecognizeitearlier.
ThenthedarknessthatI'dbecomesoaccustomedtogavewaytoafaint,flickeringlight.Istoppedtofocusmyself.Youcandothis,Z.You'vebeenChosenbyyourGoddess.Youkickedvampyreghostass.Thisissomethingyoucandefinitelyhandle.
Iwasstilltryingto"focus"(aka,talkmyselfintobeingbrave)whenHeathscreamed.Thentherewasnomoretimeforfocusingorinternalpeptalks.IranforwardtowardHeath'sscream.Okay,Iprobablyshouldexplainthatvampyresarestrongerandfasterthanhumans,andeventhoughI'mstilljustafledgling,I'maveryweirdfledgling.SowhenIsayIran—ImeanIseriouslymovedfast—fastandsilent.Ifoundtheminwhatmusthavebeenseconds,butfeltlikehours.Theywereinthelittlealcoveattheendofthecrudetunnel.ThelanternI'dnoticedbeforewashangingfromarustynail,throwingtheirshadowsgrotesquelyagainstthecrudelycurvedwalls.TheyhadformedahalfcirclearoundHeath.Hewasstandingonthedirtymattressandhisbackwaspressedtothewall.Somehowhe'dgottentheducttapeoffhisankles,buthiswristswerestillsecurelyboundtogether.Hehadanewcutonhisrightarmandthescentofhisbloodwasthickandseductive.
Andthatwasmylastgoad.Heathbelongedtome—despitemyconfusionaboutthewholebloodissue,anddespitemyfeel ingsforErik.Heathwasmineandnooneelsewasever,evergo ingtofeedfromwhatwasmine.
IburstthroughthecircleofhissingcreatureslikeIwasabowl ingballandtheywerebrainlesspins,andmovedtohisside.
"Zo!"Helookeddeliriouslyhappyforasplitsecond,andthen,justlikeaguy,hetriedtopushmebehindhim."Watchout!Theirteethandclawsarereallysharp."Headdedinawhisper,"Youre allydidn'tbringtheSWATteam?”
Itwaseasytokeephimfrompushingmeanywhere.Imean,he'scuteandall,butheisjustahuman.Ipattedhisboundhandswhereheclutchedmyarmandsmiledathim,andwithoneslashofmythumbnailIcutthroughthegraytapethatheldhiswrists.Hiseyeswidenedashepulledhishandsapart.
Igrinnedathim.Myfearwasgone.NowIwasjustincrediblypissed."WhatIbroughtisbetterthanaSWATteam.Juststaybe hindmeandwatch.”
IpushedHeathtothewallandsteppedinfrontofhimasIturnedtofacetheclosingcircleof...
Eesh!TheywerethemostdisgustingthingsI'deverseen.Therewereprobablyadozenorsoofthem.Theirfaceswerewhiteandgaunt.Theireyesglowedadirtyred.TheysnarledandhissedatmeandIsawthattheirteethwerepointedandtheirfingernails!Ugh!Theirfingernailswerelongandyellowanddangerous-looking.
"It’sssjustafledgling,"hissedoneofthem."TheMarkdoesn'tmakeheravampyre.Itmakesssssherafreak.”
Ilookedatthespeaker."Elliott!”
"Iwasss.I'mnottheElliottyouknewanymore."Snakelikehisheadwovebackandforthashespoke.Thenhisglowingeyesflat tenedandhecurledhislip."I'llssshowyouwhatImean...”
Hestartedtomovetowardmewithaferal,crouchingstride.Theothercreatures
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtstirred,gainingbraveryfromhim.
"Watchout,Zo,they'recomingforus,"Heathsaid,tryingtosteparoundinfrontofme.
"Nothey'renot,"Isaid.Iclosedmyeyesforjustasecondandcenteredmyself,thinkingofthepowerandwarmthofflame—thewayitcancleanseaswellasdestroy—andIthoughtofShaunee."Cometome,flame!"Mypalmsstartedtofeelhot.Iopenedmyeyesandraisedmyhands,whichwerenowglowingwithabrilliantyellowflame.
"Stayback,Elliott!Youwereapainintheasswhenyouwerealive,anddeathhasn'tchangedanything."ElliottcringedbackfromthelightIwasproducing.Itookastepforward,readytotellHeathtofollowmesowecouldgetthehellouttathere,buthervoicemademefreeze.
"You'rewrong,Zoey.Deathhaschangedsomethings."ThecrowdofcreaturespartedtoletStevieRaethrough.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Theflameinmypalmssputteredandfadedasshockbrokemyconcentration."StevieRae!"Istartedtotakeasteptowardher,butthetruthofherappearancehitmeandIfeltmybodygocoldandstill.Shelookedterrible—worsethanshehadinthedreamvisionI'dhad.Itwasn'tsomuchherpalethinnessandtheawfulwrongnessofthesmellthatclungtoherthatmadeherappearsochanged.Itwasherexpression.Inlife,StevieRaehadbeenthekindestpersonI'deverknown.Butnow,whatevershewas—dead,undead,bizarrelyresurrected—shewasdifferent.Hereyeswerecruelandflat.Herfacedevoidofanyemotionexceptone,andthatoneemotionwashatred.
"StevieRae,whathappenedtoyou?”
"Idied."Hervoicewasonlyatwisted,malformedshadowofwhatithadoncebeen.ShestillhadherOkietwang,butthesoftsweetnessthathadfilleditwastotallygone.Shesoundedlikemeantrailertrash.
"Areyouaghost?”
"Aghost?"Herlaughwasasneer."No,Iain'tnodamnghost.”
Iswallowedandfeltadizzywashofhope."Soyou'realive?”
Shecurledherlipinasarcasticsneerthatlookedsowrongonherfaceitmademephysicallysick."You'dsayI'malive,butI'dsayit'snotthatsimple.ThenagainI'mnotassimpleasIusedtobe.”
Well,atleastshehadn'thissedatmelikethatElliottthinghad.StevieRaeisalive.Iheldtightlytothatmiracle,swallowedmyfearandrevulsion,andmovingsoquicklythatshedidn'thavetimetojerkaway(orbitemeorwhatever),Igrabbedherand,ig noringthehorridwayshesmelled,huggedherhard."I'msogladyou'renotdead!"Iwhisperedtoher.
Itwaslikehuggingasmellypieceofstone.Shedidn'tjerkawayfromme.Shedidn'tbiteme.Shedidn'treactatall,butthecrea turessurroundingusdid.Icouldhearthemhissingandmutter ing.Iletgoofherandsteppedback.
"Don'ttouchmeagain,"shesaid.
"StevieRae,istheresomeplacewecangosowecantalk?IneedtogetHeathhome,butIcancomebackandmeetyou.Ormaybeyoucouldcomebacktothe
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtschoolwithme?”
"Youdon'tunderstandanything,doyou?”
"Iunderstandthatsomethingbadhashappenedtoyou,butyou'restillmybestfriend,sowecanfigurethisout.”
"Zoey,you'renotgoinganywhere.”
"Fine,"Ipurposefullypretendedtomisunderstandherthreat."Iguesswecouldtalkhere,but,well..."Ilookedaroundatthegrosslyhissingcreatures."It'snotveryprivate,andit'salsodis gustingdownhere.”
"Jusssstkillthem!"ElliottsnarledfrombehindStevieRae.
"Shutup,Elliott!"StevieRaeandIsnappedathimtogether.HereyesmetmineandIswearIsawaflashofsomethinginthemthatwasmorethanangerandcruelty.
"Youknowtheycan'tlivenowthatthey'vesssseenus,"Elliottsaid.Theothercreaturesstirredrestlessly,makingevillittlenoisesofagreement.
Thenagirlsteppedoutofthepackofcreatures.Sheobviouslyusedtobebeautiful.Evennowtherewasaneerie,surrealallureabouther.Shewastallandblond,andshemovedmoregracefullythantheothers.ButwhenIlookedintoherredeyesIsawonlymeanness.
"Ifyoucan'tdoit,Iwill.I'lltakethemalefirst.Idon'tmindthathisbloodhasbeentaintedbyImprint.It'sstillwarmandalive,”shesaid,andsheseemedtodancetowardHeath.
Isteppedinfrontofhim,blockingherpath."Touchhimandyoudie.Again,"Isaid.
StevieRaeinterruptedherhissinglaughter.
"Getbackwiththeothers,Venus.Youdon'tstrikeuntilItellyouto.”
Venus.Thenametriggeredmymemory."VenusDavis?"Isaid.
Theprettyblondenarrowedhereyesatme."Howdoyouknowme,fledgling?”
"Sheknowsalotofstuff,"Heathsaid,steppingaroundme.HewasusingwhatIusedtocallhisfootballplayervoice.Hesoundedtoughandpissedandtotallyreadyforafight."AndI'maboutsickofallofyoufucked-upcreatures.”
"Whyisthatspeaking?"StevieRaespat.
Isighedandrolledmyeyes.IagreedwithHeath—Iwastotallysickofallofthisscaryweirdness.Itwastimewegotoutofthere,anditwasalsotimemybestfriendstartedactinglikethepersonI'dglimpsedhidinginhereyes."Heisn'tathat.He'sHeath.Re member,StevieRae?Myex-boyfriend?”
"Zo.Iamnotyourex-boyfriend.I'myourboyfriend.”
"Heath.Itoldyoubeforethatthiscan'tpossiblyworkoutbe tweenus.”
"Comeon,Zo,we'reImprinted.Thatmeansit'syouandme,baby!"Hegrinnedatmeasifwewereinthemiddleofapromin steadofinthemiddleofagroupofundeadcreaturesthatwantedtoeatus.
"Thatwasanaccident,andwe'regonnahavetotalkaboutit,butthisisdefinitelynotthetime.”
"Oh,Zo,youknowyouloveme."Heath'sgrindidn'tfadeonebit.
"Heath,youarethemoststubbornkidI'veeverknown."HewinkedatmeandIcouldn'thelpsmilingbackathim."Fine.Iloveyou.”
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"What’ssshappening…"thegrossElliottcreaturehissed.Therestofthehorridthingsthatsurroundedusmovedrestlessly,andVenusglidedonestepclosertoHeath.Iforcedmyselfnottoshiverorscreamorwhatever.Instead,aweirdcalmcameoverme.IlookedatStevieRae,andsuddenlyknewwhatIneededtosay.Iputmyhandsonmyhipsandfacedher.
"Tellhim,"Isaid."Tellallofthem.”
"Tellthemwhat?"Shenarrowedhergarneteyesdangerously.
"Tellthemwhat'shappeninghere.Youknow.Iknowyoudo.”
StevieRae'sfacecontorted,andthewordssoundedliketheywerebeingwrenchedfromherthroat."Humanity!They'reshow ingtheirhumanity."Thecreaturessnarledlikeshe'djustthrownholywateronthem(andplease,that'ssuchanuntrueclichéaboutvampyres).
"Weakness!It'swhywe'restrongerthantheyare."Venuscurledherlip."Becauseit'saweaknesswedon'thaveanymore.”
IignoredVenus.IignoredElliott.Hell,IignoredthemallandstaredatStevieRae,forcinghertomeetmyeyes,andforcingmy selfnottolookawayorflinchashersglowedhotandred.
"Bullshit,”Isaid.
"She'sright,"StevieRaesaid.Hervoicewascoldandmean."Whenwedied,sodidourhumanity.”
"Thatmightbetruewiththem,butIdon'tbelieveit'struewithyou,"Isaid.
"Youdon'tknowanythingaboutthis,Zoey,"StevieRaesaid.
"Idon'thaveto.Iknowyou,andIknowourGoddess,andthat'sallIneedtoknow.”
"She'snotmyGoddessanymore.”
"Really,justlikeyourmamma'snotyourmammaanymore?"IknewI'dhitanervewhenIsawherjerkasifshewereinphysicalpain.
"Idon'thaveamamma.I'mnotahumananymore.”
"Bigf-ingdeal.Technically,I'mnotahumananymore,either.I'msomewhereinthemiddleoftheChange,whichmakesmealittleofthisandalotofthat.Hell,theonlyoneherewho'sstillhumanisHeath.”
"NotthatIholdyourun-human-nessagainstyouguys,"Heathsaid.
Isighed."Heath,un-human-nessisn'taword.It'sinhumanity."
"Zo,I'mnotstupid.Iknowthat.Iwasjustcoiningaword."
"Coining?"Hadhereallysaidthat?
Henodded."IlearnedaboutitinDickson'sEnglishclass.Ithastodowith…"Hepaused,andIswearthecreatureswereevenlisteningexpectantly."Poetry.”
DespiteourawfulsituationIlaughed."Heath,youreallyhavebeenstudying!”
"Toldyouso."Hegrinned,lookingcompletelyadorable.
"Enough!"StevieRae'svoiceechoedofftheroundwallsofthetunnel."I'mdonewiththis."SheturnedherbacktoHeathandme,ignoringuscompletely."They'veseenus.Theyknowtoomuch.Theyhavetodie.Killthem.”Andshewalkedaway.
ThistimeHeathdidn'tmesswithtryingtopullmebehindhim.Insteadhewhirled
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtaroundand,completelycatchingmeoffguard,tackledmesothatIlandedonmybuttonthedisgustingmattresswithanoofh.Thenheturnedtotheclosingcircleofsnarlingundeadcreatureswithhislegsplantedahip'swidthapartandhishandsballedintofistsandhegavehisBrokenAr rowTigerfootballgrowl.
"Bringit,freaks!”
Okay,itwasn'tthatIdidn'tappreciateHeath'smachoness.Buttheboywasinoverhiscuteblondhead.Istoodupandcenteredmyself.
"Fire,Ineedyouagain!"ThistimeIyelledthewordswiththecommandofaHighPriestess.Flamesburstintolifefromthepalmsofmyhandsallupanddownmyarms.IwouldhavelikedtohavetakentimetostudythefireI'dcalledintobeing—itwascoolthatitcouldburnonme,andnotactuallyburnme,buttherewasnotimeforthat."Move,Heath.”
Helookedoverhisshoulderatme,andhiseyesgothugeandround."Zo?”
"I'mfine.Justmove!”
Hejumpedoutofmywayas,burning,Iwalkedforward.Thecreaturescringedbackfromme,evenastheirhandstriedtoreacharoundmetogettoHeath.
"Stopit!"Iyelled."Backoffandleavehimalone.HeathandIaregoingtowalkoutofhere.Now.Ifyoutrytostopus,I'mgoingtokillyou,andIhaveafeelingthatthistimeyou'regoingtodieforgood."Okay,Ireally,reallydidn'twanttokillanyone.WhatIwantedtodowastogetHeathoutofthere,andthenfindStevieRaeandhaveherexplaintomehowfledglingswhoweresup posedtohavediedcouldbewalkingaroundwithbadattitudes,glowingeyes,andsmellinglikemoldanddust.
FromtheedgeofmyvisionIsawamovement.IturnedintimetoseeoneofthecreatureslaunchherselfatHeath.IliftedmyarmsandflungthefireatherasifIwerethrowingaball.AsshescreamedandwentupinflamesIrecognizedherandhadtofighthardnottobesick.ItwasElizabethNoLastName—thenicegirlwhohaddiedlastmonth.Nowherburningbodywrithedonthefloor,reekingofspoiledmeatanddecay,whichwasallthatwasleftofherlifelessshell.
"Windandrain!Icallyou,"Icried,andastheairaroundmebegantoswirlandfillwiththescentofspringrain,IgotaflashofDamienandErinsittingcross-leggedbesideShaunee.Theireyeswereclosedinconcentrationandtheywereholdingvotivesthecoloroftheirelements.IpointedmyfieryfingeratElizabeth'ssmolderingbodyanditwaswashedinasuddenflushofrain,thenacoolbreezetookthegreen-tingedsmoke,liftingitaboveourheads,andcarrieditsstenchdownthetunnelandoutintothenight.
Ifacedthecreaturesagain."That'swhatI'lldotoanyofyouwhotrytostopus."ImotionedforHeathtowalkinfrontofme,andIfollowedhim,backingawayfromthecreatures.
Theyfollowedus.Icouldn'talwaysseethemaswerewoundourwaythroughthedarktunnel,butIcouldheartheirshufflingfeetandmuffledsnarls.ItwasaboutthenthatIbegantofeeltheexhaustion.ItwaslikeIwasacellphonethathadn'tbeenchargedinawhile,andsomeonewastalkingonmetoolong.IletthefirethatoutlinedbyarmsgooutexceptforaflickeringflamethatIcuppedinmyrighthand.NowayHeathcouldseetowalkoutofherewithoutthat,andIwasstillbackingbehindhim,keepinganeyeoutforattackingcreatures.AfterIpassedtwooffshoottunnelbranchesIcalledforHeathtostop.
"Weshouldhurry,Zo.Iknowyouhavethispowerthinggoingon,buttherearealotofthem—morethanwhatwerebackthere.Idon'tknowhowmanyyoucanhandle."Hetouchedmyface."Nottobemeanoranything,butyoulooklikeshit.”
Ifeltlikepoo,too,butIdidn'twanttomentionit."Ihaveanidea."We'djustcomearoundacurvewherethetunnelhadnar roweduntilIcouldtoucheithersideofitbyspreadingoutmyarms.Iwalkedbacktothenarrowestpartofthecurve.Heathstartedtofollowme,butItoldhim,"Standoverthere,"and
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtpointedfartherdownthetunnelthewaywewereheading.Hefrowned,butdidasItoldhim.
IturnedmybacktoHeathandconcentrated.Liftingmyarms,IthoughtofnewlyplowedfieldsandprettyOklahomameadowsfilledwithuncutwinterhay.IthoughtabouttheearthandhowIwasstandingwithinit...surroundedbyit...
"Earth!Icalltoyou!"AsIliftedmyarmsavisionofStevieRaeflashedacrossmyclosedeyelids.Shewasn'tassheusedtobe—sweet-facedandconcentratinghardoveraglowinggreencandle.Shewascurledupinthecornerofadarktunnel.Herfacewasgauntandwhiteandhereyesglowedscarlet.Butherfacewasn'tanemotionlessparodyofherselforacruelmask.Shewasweep ingopenly,herexpressionfilledwithdespair.It'sastart,Ithought.Then,withaswift,powerfulmotionIloweredmyarmswhileIcommanded,"Close!"Infrontandaboveme,piecesofdirtandrockbegantofallfromtheceiling.Atfirstitwasjustatrickleofpebbles,butsoontherewasamini-avalanchegoingonthatquicklydrownedoutthepissed-offgrowlsandhissesofthetrappedcreatures.
AwaveofweaknesscrashedovermeandIstaggeredback.
"Igotya,Zo."Heath'sstrongarmswerearoundmeandIletmyselfrestagainsthimforamoment.Severalofhiscutshadbro kenlooseduringourescape,andtheripescentofhisbloodtick ledagainstmysenses.
"They'renotreallytrapped,youknow,"Isaidsoftly,tryingtokeepmymindoffhowmuchIwantedtolickthelineofbloodthatwastricklingdownhischeek."Wepassedacoupleothertun nels.I'msurethey'llbeabletofindtheirwayouteventually.”
"It'sokay,Zo."Heathkepthisarmswrappedaroundme,buthepulledbackenoughsothathecouldlookintomyeyes."Iknowwhatyouneed.Icanfeelit.Ifyoufeedfrommeyouwon'tbesoweak."Hesmiled,andhisblueeyesdarkened."It'sokay,"herepeated."Iwantyouto.”
"Heath,you'vebeenthroughwaytoomuch.Whoknowshowmuchbloodyou'vealreadylost?Mydrinkingmoreofitisn'tagoodidea."Iwassayingno,butmyvoicetrembledwithdesire.
"Areyoukidding?Abig,studlyfootballjocklikeme?Igotplentyofbloodtospare,"Heathteased.Thenhisexpressionturnedserious."Foryou,Ihaveanythingtospare."Whilehelookedintomyeyes,hewipedoneofhisfingersdownthedampredslashonhischeekandtherubbedthebloodonhisbottomlip.Thenhebentandkissedme.
Itastedthedarksweetnessofhisbloodanditdissolvedinmymouthtosendasurgeoffierypleasureandenergythroughmybody.Heathpulledhislipsfrommineandguidedmetothecutonhischeek.Whenmytonguesnakedoutandtouchedit,hemoanedandpressedmyhipsclosertohis.Iclosedmyeyesandbegantolick—
"Killme!"StevieRae'sbrokenvoiceshatteredthespellofHeath'sblood.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
MyfaceflamedwithembarrassmentasIpushedmyselfoutofHeath'sarms,wipingmymouthandbreathinghard.StevieRaewasstandingdownthetunneljustafewyardsfromus.Tearsstillraineddownhercheeksandherfacewastwistedindespair.
"Killme,"sherepeatedonasob.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"No."Ishookmyheadandtookasteptowardher,butshebackedawayfromme,puttingupherhandasifshewantedtoholdmeoff.Istoppedandgulpedsomedeepbreaths,tryingtogetmyselfundercontrol."ComebacktotheHouseofNightwithme.We'llfigureouthowthishappened.It'llbeokay,StevieRae,Ipromise.Allthatmattersisthatyou'realive.”
StevieRaehadstartedshakingherheadasI'dbeguntalking."I'mnotreallyalive,andIcan'tgobackthere.”
"Ofcourseyou'realive.You'rewalkingandtalking.”
"I'mnotmeanymore.Ididdie,andpartofme—thebestpartofme—isstilldead,justlikeitisfortherestofthem."Sheges turedbackatthecave-in.
"You'renotliketheyare,"Isaidfirmly.
"I'mmorelikethemthanIamlikeyou.”HergazeshiftedfrommetoHeath,whowasstandingquietlybesideme."Youwouldn'tbelievetheawfulthingsthatgothroughmymind.Icouldkillhimwithoutasecondthought.Iwouldhavealreadyifhisbloodhadn'tbeenchangedbytheImprintwithyou.”
"Maybeitwasn'tjustthat,StevieRae.Maybeyoudidn'tkillhimbecauseyoureallydidn'twantto,"Isaid.
Hereyesfoundmineagain."No.Iwantedtokillhim.Istilldo.”
"TherestofthemkilledBradandChris,"Heathsaid."Andthatwasmyfault.”
"Heath,now'snotthetime—"Istarted,buthecutmeoff.
"No,youneedtohearthis,Zoey.ThosethingsgrabbedBradandChrisbecausetheywerehangingaroundtheHouseofNight,andthat'smyfaultbecauseI'dtoldthemhowhotyouare."Hegavemeanapologeticlook."Sorry,Zo."Thenhisexpressionhardenedandhesaid,"Youshouldkillher.Youshouldkillthemall.Aslongasthey'realivepeoplewillbeindanger.”
"He'sright,"StevieRaesaid.
"Andhowwillkillingyouandtherestofthemsolvethis?Won'tmoreofyouhappen?"ImademymindupandclosedthespacebetweenStevieRaeandme.Shelookedlikeshewantedtotakeoff,butmywordsstoppedher."Howdidthishappen?Whatmadeyoulikethis?”
Herfacecontortedwithanguish."Idon'tknowhow.Ionlyknowwho.”
"Thenwhodidthis?”
Sheopenedhermouthtoanswermeandthen,withamove mentsofastherbodyblurred,shewassuddenlycoweringagainstthesideofthetunnel.
"She'scoming!”
"What?Who?"Icrouchedbesideher.
"Getoutofhere!Fast.There'sprobablystilltimeforyoutogetaway."ThenStevieRaereachedoutandtookmyhandinhers.Herfleshwascold,buthergripwasstrong."She'llkillyouifsheseesyou—youandhim.Youknowtoomuch.Shemaykillyouanyway,butit'llbeharderforhertodoifyougetbacktotheHouseofNight.”
"Whoareyoutalkingabout,StevieRae?”
"Neferet.”
ThenameblastedthroughmeandevenasIshookmyheadindenialIfeltthetruthofitdeepwithinme."Neferetdidthistoyou,toallofyou?”
"Yes.Nowgetoutofhere,Zoey!”
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IcouldfeelherterrorandIknewshewasright.IfHeathandIdidn'tleave,wewoulddie.
"I'mnotgivinguponyou,StevieRae.Useyourelement.Youstillhaveaconnectionwiththeearth,Icanfeelit.Souseyourel ementtostaystrong.I'llcomebackforyou,andsomehowwe'llfigurethisout—we'llmakethisokay.Ipromise."ThenIhuggedherhard,andafteronlyalittlehesitation,shehuggedmeback.
"Let'sgo,Heath."IgrabbedhishandsoIcouldguidehimquicklydownthedarknessofthetunnel.ThelightinmypalmhadgoneoutwhenI'dcalledearthtome,andnowaywasIgoingtotakeachanceonrelightingit.Itmightguidehertous.AswerandownthetunnelIheardStevieRae'swhispered"Pleasedon'tforgetme..."followus.
HeathandIran.Thesurgeofenergyhisbloodhadgivenmedidn'tlastlong,andbythetimewecametothemetalladderthatleduptothegrateinthebasement,Iwantedtocollapseandsleepfordays.Heathwasallforrushinguptheladderandintothebasement,butImadehimwait.Breathingheavily,Ileanedagainstthesideofthetunnelandfishedmycellphoneoutofmypantspocket,alongwithDetectiveMarx'scard.IflippedopenthephoneandIswearmyheartdidn'tbeatuntilthebarsstartedtolightupgreen.
"Canyahearmenow?"Heathsaid,grinningatme.
"Sssh!"Itoldhim,butsmiledback.ThenIpunchedinthede tective'snumber.
"ThisisMarx,"thedeepvoiceansweredonthesecondring.
"DetectiveMarx,thisisZoeyRedbird.Ionlyhaveasecondtotalk,thenIhavetogo.I'vefoundHeathLuck.We'reinthebase mentoftheTulsaDepot,andweneedhelp.”
"Hangtight.I'llberightthere!”
Anoisefromabovemademecutofftheconnectionandswitchthephoneoff.IpressedmyfingertomylipswhenHeathstartedtospeak.Heathputhisarmaroundme,andwetriednottobreathe.ThenIheardthecoo-cooofapigeonandtheflutter ingofwings.
"Ithinkit'sjustabird,"Heathwhispered."I'mgoingtogolook.”
Iwastootiredtoarguewithhim,plusMarxwasonhiswayandIwassickofthedamp,nastytunnel."Becareful,"Iwhis peredback.
Heathnoddedandsqueezedmyshoulder,thenclimbeduptheladder.Slowlyandcarefullyheliftedthemetalgrate,stickinghisheadupandpeeringaround.Prettysoonhereacheddownandmotionedformetoclimbupandtakehishand."It'sjustapi geon.Comeon.”
Wearily,Iclimbedtohimandlethimpullmeupintothebasement.Wesatinthecornerbythegrateforseverallongmin utes,listeningintently.Finally,Iwhispered,"Let'sgooutsideandwaitforMarxthere."Heathhadalreadystartedtoshiver,butIre memberedtheblanketAphroditehadmademebring.Plus,I'drathertakemychanceswiththeweatherthanstayinthecreepybasement.
"Ihateitinhere,too.It'slikeadamntomb,"Heathsaidsoftlybetweenchatteringteeth.
Handinhand,wewalkedacrossthebasement,passingthroughtheslattedgrayishlightthatreflecteddownfromtheworldabove.WewereattheirondoorwhenIheardthedistantwailofapolicesiren.TheterribletensioninmybodyhadjustbeguntorelaxwhenNeferet'svoicecamefromtheshadows.
"Ishouldhaveknownyouwouldbehere.”
Heath'sbodyjerkedinsurpriseandmyhandtightenedinwarningonhis.AsI
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtturnedtofaceher,Iwascenteringmyselfandcouldfeelthepoweroftheelementsbeginningtoshimmerintheairaroundme.Idrewadeepbreathandcarefullyblankedmymind.
"Oh,Neferet!I'msogladtoseeyou!"IsqueezedHeath'shandonemoretimebeforeIletgoofhim,tryingtotelegraphplayalongwithwhateverIsaythroughtouch.ThenIran,sobbing,intotheHighPriestess'sarms."Howdidyoufindme?DidDetec tiveMarxcallyou?”
IcouldseeindecisioninhereyesasNeferetsmoothlydisen tangledherselffrommyarms."DetectiveMarx?”
"Yeah."Isniffedandwipedmynoseonmysleeve,forcingmy selftobeamreliefandtrusttoher."That'shimcomingrightnow."Thesoundofthesirenwasveryclose,andIcouldhearthatithadbeenjoinedbyatleasttwoothercars."Thankyouforfind ingme!"Igushed."Itwassoterrible.Ithoughtthatcrazystreetpersonwasgoingtokillbothofus.”ImovedbacktoHeath'ssideandtookhishandagain.HewasstaringatNeferet,lookingalotlikehewasinshock.Irealizedthathewasprobablyrememberingpiecesoftheonlyothertimehe'dseentheHighPriestess—thenightthevampyreghostshadalmostkilledhim—andimaginedhismindwastoofreakedoutforNeferettomakemuchsenseofwhatwasgoingoninsidehishead.Goodthing,too.
Thencardoorswereslammingandheavyfeetwerecrunchingthroughthesnow.
"Zoey,Heath..."Neferetmovedswiftlytous.Sheliftedherhands,whichglowedwithaweird,reddishlight,suddenlyre mindingmeoftheundeadthings'eyes.BeforeIcouldrunorscreamoreventakeabreath,shegrabbedourshoulders.IfeltHeathgorigidaspainshotthroughmybody.Itblastedagainstmymindandmykneeswouldhavebuckledhadherhandnotbeenlikeavise,holdingmeup."Youwillremembernothing!"Thewordsechoedthroughmyagony-filledmind,andthentherewasonlydarkness.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Iwasinabeautifulmeadowthatwasinthemiddleofwhatlookedlikeadenseforest.Awarm,softbreezewasblowingthescentoflilacstome.Astreamranthroughthemeadow,itscrys talwaterbubbledmusicallyoversmoothstones.
"Zoey?Canyouhearme,Zoey?"Aninsistentmalevoicein trudedonmydream.
Ifrownedandtriedtoignorehim.Ididn'twanttowakeup,butmyspiritstirred.Ineededtowakeup.Ineededtoremember.Sheneededmetoremember.
Butwhowasshe?
"Zoey..."ThistimethevoicewasinsidemydreamandIcouldseemynamepaintedagainsttheblueofthespringsky.Thevoicewasawoman's...familiar…magical…wondrous."Zoey...”
IlookedaroundtheclearingandfoundtheGoddesssittingontheothersideofthestream,gracefullyperchedonasmoothOk lahomasandstonerockwithherbarefeetplayinginthewater.
"Nyx!"Icried."AmIdead?"Mywordsshimmeredaroundme.
TheGoddesssmiled."WillyouaskthatofmeeachtimeIvisityou,ZoeyRedbird?”
"No,I'm,uh,sorry."Mywordsweretingedpink,probablyblushinglikemycheeks.
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"Don'tbesorry,mydaughter.Youhavedoneverywell.Iampleasedwithyou.Now,itistimeyouawakened.AndalsoIwishtoremindyouthattheelementscanrestoreaswellasdestroy.”
Istartedtothankher,eventhoughIdidn'thaveacluewhatshewastalkingabout,buttheshakingofmyshoulderandasud denblastofcoldairinterruptedme.Iopenedmyeyes.
Snowswirledallaroundme.DetectiveMarxwasbendingoverme,shakingmyshoulder.ThroughtheweirdfoginmymindIfoundoneword."Heath?"Icroaked.
MarxjerkedhischintohisrightandItiltedmyheadtoseeHeath'sstillbodybeingloadedintoanambulance.
"Ishe…"Icouldn'tfinish.
"He'sfine,justbangedup.He'slostalotofbloodandthey'vealreadygivenhimsomethingforthepain.”
"Bangedup?"Iwasstrugglingtomakesenseofeverything."WhathappenedtoHeath?”
"Multiplelacerations,justlikethoseothertwokids.Goodthingyoufoundhimandcalledmebeforehebledtodeath."Hesqueezedmyshoulder.AparamedictriedtomoveMarxfrommyside,buthesaid,"I'llhandleher.ShejustneedstogetbacktotheHouseofNightandshe'llbefine.”
Isawtheparamedicgivemealookthatclearlysaidfreak,butDetectiveMarx'sstronghandswerehelpingmesitupandhistallbodyblockedmyviewofthemutteringEMT.
"Canyouwalktomycar?"Marxasked.
Inodded.Mybodywasfeelingbetter,butmymindwasstillallmushy.Marx's"car"wasreallyahuge,all-weathertruckwithgiantwheelsandarollbar.Hehelpedmeupintothefrontseat,whichwaswarmandcomfortable,butbeforeheclosedthedoorIsud denlyrememberedsomethingelse,eventhoughtheeffortmademyheadfeellikeitwasgoingtosplitopen."Persephone!Issheokay?”
Marxlookedconfusedforjustasecond,thenhesmiled."Themare?”
Inodded.
"She'sjustfine.AnofficeriswalkinghertothepolicestablesdowntownuntiltheroadsareclearenoughtogetatrailerbacktotheHouseofNight."Hisgrinwidened."Guessyou'rebraverthantheTulsapoliceforce.Noneofthemvolunteeredtorideherback.”
Irestedmyheadagainsttheseatashethrewthetruckintofour-wheeldriveandnavigatedslowlythroughthedriftsofsnowawayfromthedepot.Theremusthavebeentencopcars,alongwithafiretruckandtwoambulancesparkedwithlightsflashingredandblueandwhiteagainsttheempty,snow-curtainednight.
"Whathappenedheretonight,Zoey?”
Ithoughtback,andhadtosquintmyeyesagainstthesuddenpaininmyhead."Idon'tremember,"Imanagedtosaythroughthepoundinginmytemples.Icouldfeelhissharpgazeonme.Imetthedetective'seyesandrememberedhimtellingmeabouthistwinsister,thevampwhostilllovedhim.He'dsaidIcouldtrusthim,andIbelievedhim."Something'swrong,"Iadmitted."Mymemoryismessedup.”
"Okay,"hesaidslowly."Startwiththelastthingyoucaneasilyremember.”
"IwasgroomingPersephoneandallofasuddenIknewwhereHeathwas,andthathewasgoingtodieifIdidn'tgogethim.”
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"YoutwohaveImprinted?"Mysurprisemusthavebeeneasytoread,becausehesmiledandcontinued."MysisterandItalk,andI'vebeencuriousaboutvampstuff,especiallyrightaftershefirstChanged."Heshruggedasifitwasnobigdealforahumantoknowallsortsofvampyreinfo."We'retwins,sowe'reusedtosharingeverything.Achangeofspeciesjustdidn'tmakethatmuchdifferencetous."Heglancedsidewaysatmeagain."YouhaveImprinted,haven'tyou?”
"Yeah,HeathandIhaveImprinted.That'showIknewwherehewas."IleftoutthestuffaboutAphrodite.NowaydidIfeeluptoexplainingthewholeher-visions-are-real-but-Neferet-has-been...
"Ah!"ThistimeIgaspedaloudattheagonyinsidemyhead.
"Deep,calmingbreaths,"Marxsaid,shootingmeworriedlookswheneverhecouldtakehiseyesfromthetreacherousroad."Isaidwhateverwaseasyforyoutoremember.”
"No,it'sokay.I'mokay.Iwanttodothis.”
Hestilllookedworried,butcontinuedwithhisquestioning."Allright,youknewHeathwasintrouble,andyouknewwherehewas.So,whydidn'tyoujustcallmeandtellmetogotothedepot?”
Itriedtorememberandpainshotthroughmyhead,butalongwiththepaincameanger.Somethinghadhappenedtomymind.Someonehadmessedwithmymind.Andthatreallypissedmeoff.Irubbedmytemplesandgrittedmyteethagainstthepain.
"Maybeweshouldstopforawhile.”
"No!Justletmethink,"Igasped.IcouldrememberthestablesandAphrodite.IcouldrememberthatHeathneededme,andthewild,snowyrideonPersephonetothedepotbasement.ButwhenItriedtorememberpastthebasementtheagonythatspearedthroughmyheadbecametoomuchforme.
"Zoey!"DetectiveMarx'sconcernpenetratedthroughmypain.
"Somethinghasmessedwithmymind."IwipedtearsIhadn'trealizedI'dshedfrommyface.
"Piecesofyourmemoryaregone.”
Itdidn'tsoundlikeaquestion,butInoddedanyway.
Hewassilentforawhile.Itseemedhewasconcentratingonthedeserted,snow-coveredroad,butIthoughtIknewbetter,andhisnextwordstoldmeIwasright.
"Mysister"—hesmiledandglancedatme—"hernameisAnne,warnedmeoncethatifIeverpissedoffaHighPriestessIwouldbeinserioustroublebecausetheyhadwaysoferasingthings,andwhatshemeantbythingswaspeopleandmemories."Heglancedfromtheroadtomeagain,andthistimehissmilewasgone."So,Iguessthequestionis:whathaveyoudonetopissoffaHighPriestess?”
"Idon'tknow.I..."MyvoicetrailedoffasIthoughtaboutwhathe'dsaid.Ididn'ttrytorememberwhathadhappenedthatnight.Instead,Iletmymemorydriftlazilybackward...toAphroditeandthefactthatNyxwasstillblessingherwithvi sions,eventhoughNeferethadspreadthewordthathervisionswerefalse...tothesmall,almostimperceptiblesenseofwrong nessthathadgrownlikeafungusaroundNeferet,untilitculmi natedSundaynightinherunderminingthedecisionsI'dmadefortheDarkDaughters…tothenastysceneI'dwitnessedbe tweenNeferetand…and...Ibracedmyselfagainsttheheatthatwasstartingtothrobthroughmyheadand,alongwithaflashofpiercingpain,rememberedthecreatureElliotthadbe comefeedingfromtheHighPriestess'sblood.
"Stopthetruck!"Iyelled.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"We'realmostattheschool,Zoey.”
"Now!I'mgoingtobesick.”
Weslidtothesideoftheemptyroad.Iopenedthedooranddroppedtothesnowystreet,staggeredtotheditch,andpukedupmygutsintoasnowbank.DetectiveMarxwasbesideme,pullingbackmyhairandsoundingverydadlikeashetoldmetobreatheandeverythingwouldbeokay.Igulpedairandfinallystoppedheaving.Hehandedmeahandkerchief,oneofthoseold-fashionedlinenonesthatwasfoldedneatlyintoacleansquare.
"Thanks."Itriedtohanditbacktohimafterwipingmyfaceandblowingmynose,buthesmiledandsaid,"Keepit.”
Istoodthere,justgulpingairandlettingthethrobbinginmyheadgoawayasIstaredacrossafieldofuntouchedsnowtosomedistantoaksthatgrewalongamassivestoneandbrickwall.Andwithastartofsurprise,Irealizedwherewewere.
"It'stheeastwalloftheschool,"Isaid.
"Yeah,IthoughtI'dtakeyouthebackway—giveyoumoretimetocollectyourself,andmayberestoresomeofthatmem ory.”
Restore...Whatwasitaboutthatword?Tentatively,Ithoughthard,tryingtorememberwhileIbracedmyselfagainstthepainIwassurewouldcome.Butitdidn't,andintomymemorycamethevisionofabeautifulmeadow,andthewisewordsofmyGod dess…theelementscanrestoreaswellasdestroy.
AndthenIunderstoodwhatIhadtodo.
"DetectiveMarx,Ineedaminutehere,okay?”
"Alone?"heasked.
Inodded.
"I'llbeinthetruck,watchingyou.Ifyouneedme,call.”
Ismiledmythanks,butbeforehe'dturnedtogobacktothetruckIwaswalkingtowardtheoaks.Ididn'tneedtobeunderthem—toactuallybeintheschoolgrounds,butbeingnearthemhelpedmecentermyself.WhenIwascloseenoughtoseehowtheirbranchesentwinedlikeoldfriends,Istoppedandclosedmyeyes.
"Wind,IcallyoutomeandthistimeIaskthatyoublowcleananydarktaintthathastouchedmymind."Ifeltagustofcold,likeIwasbeingbatteredbymyownpersonalhurricane,butitwasn'tpressingagainstmybody.Itwasfillingmymind.Ikeptmyeyestightlyclosedandblockedoutthethrobbingachethathadre turnedtomytemples."Fire,Icallyoutomeandaskthatyouburnfrommymindanydarknessthathastouchedit."Heatfilledmyhead,onlyitwasn'tlikethehotspearthatI'dfeltearlier.Insteaditwasanicewarmth,likeaheatingpadonapulledmuscle."Water,Icallyoutomeandaskthatyouwashfrommymindthedark nessthathastouchedit."Coolnessfloodedthroughthewarmth,soothingwhathadbeenoverheatedandbringingincrediblerelief."Earth,Icallyoutomeandaskthatyournurturingstrengthtakefrommymindthedarknessthathastouchedit."Fromthebot tomsofmyfeet,whereIwasconnectedfirmlytotheearth,itwasasifafaucethadopenedandIimaginedputriddarknessrunningdownandoutofmybodytobeconsumedbythestrengthandgoodnessoftheearth."And,spirit,Iaskthatyouhealwhatdark nesshasdestroyedinmymind,andrestoremymemory!"Some thingsnappedwithinmeandawhite-hotfamiliarsensationshotdownmyback,droppingmeheavilytomyknees.
"Zoey!Zoey!MyGod,areyouokay?”
OnceagainDetectiveMarx'sstronghandswereshakingmyshouldersandhewashelpingmetomyfeet.ThistimemyeyesopenedeasilyandIsmiledintohiskindface.
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txt"I'mmorethanokay.Iremembereverything.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
"You'resurethisishowithastobe?"DetectiveMarxaskedforwhatseemedlikethezillionthtime.
"Yep."Inoddedwearily."Ithastobelikethis."IwassodamntiredIthoughtIcouldfallasleeprightthereinthecop'sginormicmonstertruck.ButIknewIcouldn't.Thenightwasn'toveryet.Myjobwasn'toveryet.
Thedetectivesighed,andIsmiledathim.
"You'rejustgonnahavetotrustme,"Isaid,soundingalotlikehehadearlierthatday.
"Idon'tlikeit,"hesaid.
"Iknow,andI'msorry.ButI'vetoldyoueverythingIcan.”
"ThatsomehomelesskookisresponsibleforHeathandtheothertwoboys?"Heshookhishead."Feelswrongtome.”
"Areyousureyou'renotalittlebitpsychic?"Ismiledtiredlyathim.
"IfIwas,I'dbeabletofigureoutwhatfeelswrong."Heshookhisheadagain."Explainthis—whathappenedtoyourmemory?”
I'dalreadythoughtaboutmyanswerforthisone."Itwasthetraumaoftonight.Itmademeblockwhathappened.Andthenmyaffinityforthefiveelementshelpedmetoovercometheblockandremember.”
"That'swhyyouhadallthatpain?”
Ishruggedmyshoulders."Iguessso.It'sgonenowanyway.”
"Look,Zoey,I'mprettysurethatthere'smoregoingonherethanwhatyou'retellingme.Iwantyoutoknowthatyoureallycantrustme,"hesaid.
"Iknowthat."Ibelievedhim,butIalsoknewthatthereweresomesecretsIcouldn'tshare.Notwiththisreallynicedetective.Notwithanyone.
"Youdon'thavetodealwithwhateveritisonyourown.Icanhelpyou.You'rejustakid—justateenager."Hesoundedtotallyexasperated.
Imethiseyessteadily."No,I'mafledglingwhoisleaderoftheDarkDaughtersandaHighPriestessintraining.Believeme,that'salotmorethanjustateenager.I'vegivenyoumyoath,andyouknowfromyoursisterthatmyoathbindsme.IpromiseI'vetoldyoueverythingIcan,andifanymorekidsdisappear,Ibe lieveIcanfindthemforyou."WhatIdidn'tsaywasthatIwasn'tonehundredpercentsurehowIwasgoingtodothat,butthepromisefeltright,andsoIknewNyxwouldhelpmekeepit.Notthatthatwouldbeeasy.ButIcouldn'tbetrayStevieRae'spres ence,whichmeantnoonecouldknowaboutthecreatures,oratleastnotuntilStevieRaewassafe.
Marxsighedagain,andIcouldseethathewasmutteringtohimselfashestompedaroundtohelpmedownfromhistruck.ButjustbeforeheopenedthedoortothemainschoolbuildingMarx(annoyingly)ruffledmyhairandsaid,"Allright,we'lldothisyourway.Ofcourse,it'snotlikeIhaveachoice.”
Hewasright.Hedidn'thaveanychoice.
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Iwalkedintothebuildingbeforehimandwasinstantlyen gulfedinthewarmthofitsfamiliarscentsofincenseandoil,andthesoothinggaslightsthatflickeredlikeeager,welcomingfriends.
Speakingof...
"Zoey!"IheardtheTwinssquealtogether,andthenIwasbeingsmushedinthemiddleofthemastheyhuggedmeandcriedandyelledatmeforworryingthemandtalkednonstopaboutbeingabletofeelitwhenItappedintotheirelements.Damienwasnotfarbehindthem.ThenIwasinErik'sstrongarmsashehuggedmeandwhisperedhowscaredhe'dbeenformeandhowgladhewasIwasokay.Iallowedmyselftorestinhisarmsandreturnhishug.Later,I'dfigureoutwhattodoaboutHeathandhim.RightnowIwastootired,andanyway,Ineededtosavemystrengthtodealwith-
"Zoey,yougaveusquiteascare.”
IsteppedoutofErik'sarmsandturnedtofaceNeferet.
"I'msorry.Ireallydidn'tmeantoupseteveryone,"Isaid,anditwasthetruth.Ihadn'twantedtoworryorupsetorscareanyone.
"Well,Isupposethere'snoharmdone,darling.We'realljustsogladyou'resafelyhome."Shesmiledatmewiththatwonderfulmomsmileofhersthatseemedsofullofloveandlightandgoodness,andeventhoughIknewwhatthatsmilehid,IfeltmyheartsqueezeandwisheddesperatelythatIwaswrong,thatNef eretwasaswonderfulasIusedtobelieve.
Darknessdoesnotalwaysequatetoevil,justaslightdoesnotalwaysbringgood.TheGoddess'swordsechoedthroughmymind,givingmestrength.
"Well,Zoeyisdefinitelyourhero,"DetectiveMarxsaid."Ifshehadn'tbeentunedintothatboy,shecouldhavenevercalledustothatdepotintimetosavehim.”
"Yes,well,that'salittleproblemsheandIwillhavetodiscusslater."Shegavemeasternlook,buthertonetoldeveryonetherethatIwasn'treallyinmuchtrouble.
Ifonlytheyknew.
"Detective,didyoucatchthepersonwhohasbeentakingtheboys?"Neferetcontinued.
"No,heescapedbeforewearrived,butthere'splentyofevidencethatsomeonehasbeenlivinginthedepot,actuallyitlookedlikehewasusingitassomekindofheadquarters.Ithinkit'llbeeasytofindproofthattheothertwoboyswerekilledtherebysomeonewhowastryingtomakeitlooklikevampyreshadtakentheteenagers.Andnow,eventhoughHeathdoesn'tre membermuchofanythingbecauseofthetrauma,Zoeyhasgivenusagooddescriptionofthemantogoby.It'sjustamatteroftimebeforewecatchhim.”
WasItheonlyonewhosawsurpriseflashthroughNeferet'seyes?
"That'swonderful!"Neferetsaid.
"Yeah."ImettheHighPriestess'seyes."I'vetoldDetectiveMarxalot.Mymemory'sreallygood.”
"I'mproudofyou,Zoeybird!"Neferetcametomeandputherarmsaroundme,huggingmeclose.SoclosethatonlyIheardherwhisperintomyear,"IfyouspeakagainstmeIwillmakesurenohumanorfledglingorvampyrewillbelieveyou.”
Ididn'tpullawayfromher.Ididn'treactinanyway.Butwhensheletmego,Imademyfinalmove—theoneI'dplannedsincethewhite-hotfamiliarsensationhadsearedtheskinonmyback.
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"Neferet,wouldyoupleaselookatmyback?”
Myfriendshadbeenchatteringamongthemselves,clearlygiddywiththereliefthey'dfeltsinceI'dcalledthemwhileDetec tiveMarxandItalkedoutsidetheschoolandaskedthemtomeetmeinsidethemainbuilding,andtomakesureNeferetwasthere,too.Nowmyweirdrequest,whichI'dbeensuretoaskloudandclear,shutthemup.Actually,everyoneintheroom,includingDetectiveMarx,waslookingatmeliketheywonderedifI'dper hapshitmyheadsometimeduringmyadventuresandsomeofmybrainshadleakedout.
"It'simportant,"Isaid,andgrinnedatNeferetasifIwerehidingapresentjustforherunderthebackofmyshirt.
"Zoey,I'mnotsurewhat—"Neferetbegan,hertonecarefullypitchedbetweenworryandembarrassment.
Igaveanexaggeratedsigh."Jeesh,justlook."Andbeforeany onecouldstopme,Iturnedsothatmybackwasfacingthem,andliftedthebottomofmysweatshirt(beingcarefultokeepthefrontofmecovered).
Ihadn'treallybeenworriedthatImightbewrong,butthegaspsandexclamationsofaweandhappysurprisefrommyfriendswerearelieftohear.
"Z!YourMarkhasspread."Eriklaughedandtentativelytouchedthenewlytattooedskinofmyback.
"Wow,it'sawesome,"Shauneebreathed.
"Totallycool,"Erinsaid.
"Spectacular,"Damiensaid."It'sthesamelabyrinthpatternasyourotherMarks.”
"Yeah,withtherunesymbolsspacedbetweenthespirals,"Eriksaid.
IthinkIwastheonlyonewhonoticedthatNeferetsaidnoth ingatall.
Ismoothedthebottomofmyshirtbackdown.IwasseriouslylookingforwardtogettingtoamirrorsothatIcouldseewhatI'donlybeenabletofeel.
"Congratulations,Zoey.Iimaginethismeansthatyoucon tinuetobespecialtoyourGoddess,"DetectiveMarxsaid.
Ismiledathim."Thanks.Thanksforeverythingtonight.”
Oureyesmetandhewinked.ThenheturnedtoNeferet."I'dbetterbegoing,ma'am.There'salotofworklefttobedoneto night.Plus,IimagineZoeyiseagertogettobed.Goodnight,everyone."Hetouchedhishat,smiledatmeagain,andleft.
"Iamreallytired."IlookedatNeferet."Ifit'sokay,I'dliketogotobed.”
"Yes,darling,"shesaidsmoothly."Thatwouldbejustfine.”
"AndalsoI'dliketostopbyNyx'sTempleonthewaytothedorm,ifthat'sokaywithyou,"Isaid.
"YoudohavequiteabitforwhichyoushouldthankNyx.Stoppingbyhertempleisagoodidea.”
"We'llgowithyou,Z,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,Nyxwaswithallofustonight,"Erinsaid.
DamienandErikmadesoundsofagreement,butIdidn'tlookatanyofmyfriends.IkepteyecontactwithNeferetandsaid,"IwillthankNyx,butthere'sreallyanotherreasonI'mgoingtohertemple.”Ididn'twaitforhertoquestionme,
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[houseofnight2]betrayed.txtbutcontinuedearnestly,"I'mgoingtolightanearthcandleforStevieRae.IpromisedherIwouldn'tforgether.”
Myfriendsweremurmuringsoftwordsofagreement,butIkeptmyattentionfocusedonNeferetasIslowlyanddeliberatelywalkedovertoher.
"Goodnight,Neferet,"IsaidandthistimeIhuggedher,andasIpulledherclosetomeIwhispered,"Humansandfledglingsandvampyresdon'tneedtobelievemeaboutyoubecauseNyxdoes.Thisisnotoverbetweenus.”
IsteppedoutofNeferet'sarmsandturnedmybackonher.To gether,myfriendsandIwentoutsideandcrossedtheshortdis tancetoNyx'sTemple.Ithadfinallystoppedsnowing,andthemoonwaspeekingbetweenwispsofcloudsthatlookedlikesilkenscarves.IstoppedatthebeautifulmarblestatueoftheGoddessthatstoodbeforehertemple.
"Here,"Isaidfirmly.
"Z?"Eriksaidquestioningly.
"IwanttoputStevieRae'scandleouthere,atNyx'sfeet.”
"I'llgetitforyou,"Eriksaid.HesqueezedmyhandandthenhurriedintoNyx'sTemple.
"You'reright,"Shauneesaid.
"Yeah,StevieRaewouldlikeitlitouthere,"Erinsaid.
"It'sclosertotheearth,"Damiensaid.
"Andsoit'sclosertoStevieRae,"Isaidsoftly.
Erikreturnedandhandedmethegreenvotiveandalong,rit ualisticlighter.Followingmyinstincts,IlitthecandleandplaceditsnuglyatNyx'sfeet.
"I'mrememberingyou,StevieRae.JustlikeIpromised,"Isaid.
"SoamI,"saidDamien.
"Me,too,"saidShaunee.
"Ditto,"saidErin.
"I'mremembering,too,"saidErik.
ThescentofagrassymeadowsuddenlyswirledaroundNyx'sstatue,makingmyfriendssmilethroughtheirtears.BeforewewalkedawayIclosedmyeyesandwhisperedaprayerthatwasapromiseIfeltdeepinmysoul.
I'llgobackforyou,StevieRae.
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