Tempted

by P. C. Cast

Chapter Thirty-nine

  Zoey Feeling hot and cold at the same time, I dragged my gaze from Kalona and stood to face the Council. Thank you. Merry meet, I said. Merry meet, Duantia responded and then continued smoothly. Our sister, Lenobia, notified us that in Neferet's absence from your House of Night, you have been named High Priestess; therefore, you represent their will. It is entirely inappropriate for a fledgling to be named High Priestess, Neferet said. I knew she was totally pissed, but instead of showing it, she smiled indulgently at me, as if I were a toddler who'd been caught playing dress up with her mom's clothes. I am still High Priestess of Tulsa's House of Night. Not if your House's Council has deposed you, said Duantia. The appearance of Erebus and the death of Shekinah has shaken Tulsa's House of Night greatly, especially following so soon after the terrible and tragic murders of two of our professors by local humans. It saddens me, but the Council members of my House are not thinking clearly. That the Tulsa House is in turmoil is undeniable.

  Nevertheless, we recognize their right to make the appointment of a new High Priestess, though it is highly unusual for a fledgling to be named to the position, Duantia said. She is a highly unusual fledgling, Kalona said. I heard the smile in his voice. I couldn't look at him. Another Council member spoke up. Her dark eyes flashed and her voice was sharp, almost sarcastic. I thought she must be Thanatos, the vampyre who'd taken on the Greek name for death. Interesting you speak in support of her, Erebus, as Lenobia says Zoey believes another version of who it is you are. I said she was unusual, not infallible, Kalona said. Several of the other Council members chuckled, as did many vampyres in the audience, though Thanatos appeared unamused. I could feel Stark stiffen where he sat beside me. So tell us, unusual and very young Zoey Redbird, who do you believe our winged immortal to be? My mouth was so dry I had to swallow twice before I could speak.

  And then when the words finally came, what I said took me by surprise, as if my heart said them without asking my mind's permission. I believe he's been lots of different things. I think he used to be close to Nyx, though he isn't Erebus. And if he isn't Erebus, who is he? I focused on the wisdom in Duantia's eyes and tried to block out everything else as I spoke only the truth. My grandmother's people are Cherokee, and they have an old legend about him. They called him Kalona. He lived with the Cherokee after he fell from Nyx's Realm. I don't think he was himself then. He did terrible things to the women of the tribe. He fathered monsters. My grandmother told me how he was trapped. There was even a song the people used to sing that told how he could be freed from his imprisonment--directions Neferet followed, which is why he's here now. I think he's with Neferet because he wanted to be the consort of a goddess, and I think he messed up in his choice. Neferet isn't a goddess. She isn't even a goddess's High Priestess anymore. My proclamation was met with exclamations of outrage and disbelief, the loudest coming from Neferet herself.

  How dare you! As if you--a fledgling child--can know who I am to Nyx? No, Neferet, I faced her across the Council Chamber. I don't have any idea who you are to Nyx anymore. I don't begin to understand what you've become. But I do know who you aren't. You aren't Nyx's High Priestess. Because you think you've supplanted me! No, because you turned from the Goddess. It doesn't have anything to do with me, I said. Neferet ignored me and appealed to the Council. She's infatuated with Erebus. Why must I be subjected to this jealous child's slander? Neferet, you have made it clear that it is your intention to be the next Vampyre High Priestess. Should you hold that title, you must be wise enough to deal with all types of controversy, even those involving yourself. Duantia looked from Neferet to Kalona. What say you about Zoey's speech? I could feel him looking at me, but I kept my eyes steadily on Duantia. I say that she believes she is speaking the truth. And I do admit that my past has been violent. I have never claimed infallibility, either.

  I have recently found my path, though, and within that path there is Nyx. There was no way I couldn't hear the truth that rang in his words. Unable to stop myself, my eyes were drawn to him. My experiences are why I feel so strongly about bringing back the old ways, where once vampyres and their Warriors strode the earth, proud and strong, instead of hiding in clusters of schools and only letting our young outside our gates if they have their Marks covered, as if the Goddess's crescent is something of which they should be ashamed. Vampyres are Nyx's children, and the Goddess never meant for you to cower in darkness. Let us all step into the light! He was magnificent. As he spoke, his wings had begun to unfurl. His voice was filled with passion. Everyone stared at him. Mesmerized by his beauty and passion, we all wanted to believe in his world. And when you're ready to be led by Nyx Incarnate and her consort Erebus, then we will bring the ancient ways to life again, so that we may all stand proud and strong--and not bow to human bondage and prejudice, Neferet said, looking glorious beside him as she wrapped her arm possessively through his.

  Until then, listen to the whining of children as Erebus and I reclaim Capri from those who have inter-loped on our ancient home too long. Neferet, the Council will not sanction war against humans. You cannot force them from their homes on the island, Duantia said. War? Neferet laughed, sounding shocked and amused. Duantia, I purchased Nyx's Castle from the elderly human who had allowed it to fall into disrepair. Had any one of you on the Council checked, we could have regained our ancient home at any time during the past two decades. Neferet's green eyes swept around the chamber. Intense and appealing in her passion, she captivated the audience as she spoke. It was there that vampyres founded the beauty of Pompeii. It was there that vampyres ruled the Amalfi Coast, ushering in centuries of prosperity with their wisdom and benevolence. It is there that you will find the heart and soul of Nyx and the richness of the life she wishes for her people. And it is there that you will find Erebus and me. Join us if you dare to live again! She turned and, in a swirl of silk, swept out of the chamber.

  Before following her, Kalona bowed respectfully to the Council, his fist over his heart. Then he looked at me and said, Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. When they left the chamber utter pandemonium was loosed. Everyone spoke at once, some clearly wanting to call Neferet and Kalona back--some indignant that they'd left. No one--not one vampyre--spoke against them. And whenever his name was spoken, they called him Erebus. They believe him, Stark said. I nodded. He gave me a sharp look. Do you believe him? I opened my mouth, not sure how I was going to explain to my Warrior it wasn't so much that I believed in Kalona, but that I was beginning to believe in what he once had been and might become again. Duantia's voice echoed through the chamber, silencing everyone. Enough! This chamber will be cleared immediately. We will not disintegrate into chaotic rabble. Warriors seemed to materialize from the crowd, and the still animated vampyres began leaving. Zoey Redbird, we would speak with you tomorrow. Bring your circle here at dusk.

  We understand the fledgling-turned-human prophetess has experienced the trauma of a broken Imprint today. If she has recovered enough, we would have her join your group tomorrow. Yes, ma'am, I said. Stark and I made a hasty exit. Damien motioned us over to a little side garden that was tucked just off the main path where the rest of the kids were waiting for us. What happened in there? Damien didn't pause before getting right to it. It sounded like you believed the stuff about Kalona falling from Nyx's side. I had to tell them the truth. I drew a deep breath and told my friends the rest of it. Kalona showed me a vision of the past, and in it I saw that he was Nyx's Warrior. What! Stark exploded. The Goddess's Warrior? That's insane! I spent time with him. Time where he acted real around me. I saw who he is--and he isn't our Goddess's Warrior.

  Not anymore he isn't. I tried to keep my voice calm, but I wanted to yell back at Stark. He hadn't seen the vision. How could he judge whether it was true or not? He chose to leave Nyx. And, yeah, it was a mistake. And, yeah, he did terrible things. I said all of that. But you believe him, Stark said, tight-lipped. No! I don't believe he's Erebus. I never said that. No, Zo, but what you did say
made it sound like you might be on his side--if he dumped Neferet, Heath said. I had had about enough. As usual, these guys were making my head hurt. Do you think you two could quit looking at it like you're my boyfriends? Could you cut out the jealous, possessive stuff and try to be objective about him? I'm not jealous or possessive of you, and I think you're mistaken if you're starting to believe Kalona is good, Damien said. He got to you, Z, Shaunee said.

  His mojo has definitely zapped you, Erin agreed. No, it hasn't! I haven't jumped on Team Kalona! All I'm doing is trying to see the truth here. What if the truth is that he used to be on the right side? Maybe he could find the right side again, I said. Stark was shaking his head. I rounded on him. It happened with you, so how the hell can you be so sure it can't happen with him? He's using your connection with A-ya to mess with your head. Think clearly, Zoey. His eyes begged me to listen to him. That's what I've been trying to do--to think clearly and to find the truth--without everyone else's attitudes, including A-ya's, getting in the way. Just like I did for you. It's not the same thing! I wasn't evil for centuries. I didn't turn an entire tribe of people into my slaves and rape their women, Stark said. You were going to rape Becca if Darius and I hadn't stopped you! The words came blurting out of my mouth before my good sense could stop them.

  Stark actually took a step away from me like I'd hit him. He's done it. He's gotten inside your head, and with him there, there's no room for your Warrior. Stark turned and walked away into the shadows. I didn't realize I was crying until I felt the wetness fall from my chin to my shirt. I wiped my face with a trembling hand. Then I looked at the rest of my friends. When Stevie Rae first came back, she was so horrible that I almost didn't recognize her. She was scary and mean and bad. Truly bad. But I didn't turn my back on her, either. I believed in her humanity, and because I didn't give up on her, she got it back, I said. But, Zoey, Stevie Rae was good before she died and then came back. We all know that. What if the truth is that Kalona never had any goodness and humanity to lose? What if his choice has always been for evil? Damien asked quietly. For you to be saying all of this, what he showed you seemed real, but you have to at least consider the fact that the vision might have been nothing more than smoke-and-mirrors. He might have been showing you truth,' but a dressed- up, partial version of truth. I have been considering that, I said. Like Stark said, have you really thought about the fact that the soul connection you have with A-ya, and the memories you've had about her, might be clouding your judgment? Erin asked. I nodded, crying harder. Heath took my hand. Zo, his favorite son killed Anastasia and almost killed those other kids who stood up to him. I know, I sobbed. But what if he only let them do that because Neferet wanted it? I didn't say the words aloud, but Heath seemed to read my mind. Kalona's trying to get to you 'cause you're the one who had the strength to pull everyone together to banish him from Tulsa, Heath said.

  And Aphrodite's vision shows that you're the only one who has the strength to defeat him permanently, Damien said. Part of you was made to cause his destruction, Shaunee said. And that same part of you was made to love him, Erin said. You have to remember that, Zo, Heath said. I think you need to talk to Aphrodite, Damien said. I'm going to wake her up, and get Darius, too. We're going to talk this out. You need to describe exactly what Kalona showed you in that vision. I nodded, but I knew I couldn't do what they wanted me to do. I couldn't talk to Aphrodite and Darius. Not when I felt so raw. Okay, but I need a minute. I wiped my face with my sleeve. Jack, who'd been watching everything with big, worried eyes, opened his man purse and handed me a little travel Kleenex package. Thank you, I sniffled. Just keep it. You'll probably cry more later, he said, patting my shoulder. Why don't you guys go on up to Aphrodite's suite? I'll get myself together and be up there in a little while. Don't take long, okay? Damien said. I nodded and my friends walked slowly away. I looked at Heath. I gotta be alone. Yeah, I figured, but I wanted to tell you something. He took me by both of my shoulders and made me meet his gaze. You have to fight this thing you feel for Kalona, and I'm not saying that because I'm jealous or whatever.

  I've loved you since we were kids. I'm not gonna leave you. I'm not gonna turn away from you, no matter what you say or do, but Kalona isn't like Stevie Rae or Stark. He's immortal. He's from another whole kind of world, and Zo, I get I want to rule this world' vibes from him. You're the only one who can stop him, so he has to have you on his side. He gets into your dreams. He gets into your mind, and there's part of him that's even connected to your soul. I understand that because I'm connected to your soul, too. Being alone with Heath was actually calming me down. He was so familiar. He was my human rock--always there--always standing up for what was really best for me. I'm sorry I called you jealous and possessive. I sniffled and blew my nose. He grinned. I am, kinda. But I always know what me and you have is special. He jerked his chin in the direction Stark had gone. Your Warrior boyfriend doesn't have my confidence. Yeah, well, he doesn't have as much Zoey experience as you do. His grin widened. No one does, babe! I sighed and stepped into his arms, hugging him hard.

  You're like home to me, Heath. That's what I'll always be, Zo. He pulled back and kissed me softly. Okay, I'm gonna let you be alone 'cause you still got some snot and tears going on. And while you clean up, how about I track down Stark, tell him that he's a jealous dork, maybe even punch him. Punch him? Heath shrugged. A good punch makes guys feel better. Uh, not if they're receiving instead of giving, I said. Fine. Then I'll go find someone else for him to punch. He waggled his brows at me. 'Cause you obviously don't want my pretty face messed up. If you find him, would you bring him to Aphrodite's room? That's what I planned on, he said. Then he ruffled my hair. I love ya, Zo. I love you, too, but I really hate it when you mess up my hair, I said. He grinned over his shoulder at me, winked, and then went after Stark. I was actually feeling a little better. I sat on the bench, blew my nose again, wiped my eyes, and stared off into the distance. Then I realized what I was staring at and where I was sitting. It was the bench from one of my first Kalona dreams.

  It was built up on a mound so that from there I could look over the top of the huge wall that circled the island and see, off in the distance, the illuminated St. Mark's Square looking like a magical wonderland in the wintry night. At my back was San Clemente Palace, all lit up and glistening. Around the palace to my right was the ancient cathedral turned High Council Chamber. All this beauty--all this power and majesty around me and I'd been too self-absorbed to see any of it. Maybe I'd become too self-absorbed to see Kalona, either. I knew what Aphrodite would say. She'd say I was making the bad vision come true. Maybe she was right. I lifted my head and stared up at the night sky, trying to see though the layers of clouds and concealment to the moon. And then I prayed. Nyx, I need you. I think I'm lost. Please help me. Please show me something that will make things clearer to me. I don't want to mess up . . . again . . .