Lost

by P. C. Cast

  “Yet you came anyway. Why?”

  “To help Kev, of course. And, I dunno, Grandma—maybe also to say goodbye. But why would that take anything away from Stark? It doesn’t change how much I love him. I don’t think anything could ever change that.”

  “Zoeybird, it is difficult to love anyone else properly or even fully if you do not truly know yourself. So, perhaps you should spend less time worrying about Stark, and more time looking within and learning what, or who, you truly want.”

  “As usual, you make a lot of sense,” I said.

  “I believe I just say aloud what you already know within your heart.”

  “Thank you for always believing in me.” I slid my arm around her and we leaned into each other.

  “It is a great gift to see you again, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya. One I will eternally thank the Great Earth Mother for.”

  “Well, Grandma, someday—hopefully not very soon, because Kev definitely needs you—you’ll be able to thank her in person. Nyx knows you well, whether she’s had a chance to tell you that in this world or not.”

  “And that is another great gift I have been granted. Thank you, child. It will be very difficult for me to say goodbye to you again.”

  I tightened my grip on her, holding her close. “Then don’t. Let’s just say, ‘See you later,’ instead.”

  “That, my Zoeybird, sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  Grandma and I sat there, arm in arm, watching the sky ready itself for the sun and talking about nothing and everything—and just before we went inside to find Anastasia I realized that my spirit wasn’t frantic or sad anymore. My spirit was calm and ready. Ready to do everything I could to help my brother defeat Neferet—and ready to go home to my world, my House of Night, and my Stark.

  30

  Other Stark

  “Neferet, I mean no disrespect, but I really don’t think it’s a good idea to let the Red Army inside the stadium.” Stark paced back and forth in front of Neferet’s green onyx desk. “It’s asking for trouble—even if you have them feed before the game. So many humans together in such a small space is just too much temptation.”

  “Oh, Stark, you do worry so! But that is part of your charm. Only part of it, though. That beautiful young body of yours is the other, much bigger part.” Neferet let one sharp, scarlet-painted fingernail trace seductively down her neck to the plunging V of her emerald-colored silk dress.

  He pulled his gaze from her breasts and frowned. “I’m not kidding. This is a serious situation.”

  “Really? Are both teams here?”

  “Yes. The buses arrived hours ago. The players will sleep, or at least rest, today. The sun sets at five twenty, which is about when they’ll go from the dorms you emptied for them to the stadium to dress and warm up. We’ll open the stadium to fans at eight. Kickoff is at ten o’clock sharp.”

  “They did bring cheerleaders and their bands as well, did they not?”

  “Yeah, yeah. And their booster clubs too. You said you wanted the full Bedlam spectacle, and that’s what you’ll have.”

  “And the Blue Army will be there, with my Warriors in attendance as my personal guard, correct?”

  “Of course. Someone has to keep the Red Army from eating everyone,” he muttered.

  “Then I’m not seeing a serious situation. I’m seeing one you have in order.”

  “But, Neferet, what I’m trying to make you understand is that having red vampyres in attendance is dangerous for every human in that stadium—and you have commanded that the stadium be full of humans.”

  “Exactly. Tell me this, my dear young vampyre, which are more expendable—blue vampyres, red vampyres, or humans?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Her sultry tone changed instantly. “Of course you do. It is a simple question. Answer it.”

  “Red vampyres, I suppose.” He spoke hesitantly, not sure about the point she was trying to make.

  “I would argue that my Red Army is not expendable, because they are my army. That leaves humans, because, of course, we are not expendable.”

  “But humans feed us. We do need them, Neferet.” Stark felt chilled by her tone. She was so callous—so absolutely uncaring, that she was becoming unrecognizable. Stark even thought she was changing physically, though when he tried to identify specific differences he seemed unable to hold the thoughts in his mind. Something strange is happening to Neferet—something strange and Dark.

  “Of course they feed us!” she was saying. “But they also procreate at a ridiculous rate—so making more of them is rather easy, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Uh, I’ve never thought about it like that.”

  “Well, do. And while you’re thinking, be quite certain that the Red Army is armed.”

  “No, Neferet! That’s not—”

  “Never tell me no! ” She stood as she shouted at him, and Stark thought he saw strange, writhing movements in the shadows around her desk. “You are my general. You do my will.”

  “Neferet, I do the Goddess’ will. That is what I have sworn to do.” Stark spoke carefully, calmly, though he did take several steps back, away from Neferet, her desk, and whatever creepiness she was hiding beneath it.

  Her demeanor changed instantly. Her grin was a satisfied cat licking cream. “Well, then, that makes everything easier, doesn’t it? Who on this earth knows the Goddess’ will better than her one chosen High Priestess?”

  “No one, High Priestess,” he answered automatically.

  “Exactly. And Nyx has been very clear about what must happen at the game tonight. You know that. You know I’ve told you I am planning a New Year’s Day surprise that the Goddess has fully blessed. Now, run along, General Stark. Be sure the Red Army is fed and watered at sunset—and then be quite sure each of them has weapons. Nothing elaborate, mind you. Simple knives and swords are fine. No need for arrows. They can so easily go astray, can’t they? Well, unless you’re firing them. So, do be sure you bring yours, won’t you?” She didn’t wait for his response but settled herself back into her chair. “After they are armed, take them to the stadium. Station them at field level near each exit—all the way around the stadium, so that it appears to be held by a ring of scarlet. Isn’t that a lovely visual image?”

  “I’m not sure I understand. You want the Red Army by each exit from the field? By the players and cheerleaders? Not far from about thirty thousand humans in the stands?”

  Neferet sighed. “Yes. That is exactly what I want. An exquisite blood-colored ring around the field.”

  “Neferet, even if fed, the Red Army will be difficult to control.”

  “This is your problem, General Stark! You have your bow and arrows. You cannot miss. If a soldier tries to eat a human, skewer it. Even the most feral red vampyre understands self-preservation. Show them that to preserve themselves they must not eat humans. Well, unless they are commanded to, of course.”

  “But why would you command them to eat anyone at the game? Isn’t it just a game? Just entertainment for humans and vampyres?”

  “Because, my dear, sometimes a few must be sacrificed to save many.”

  “But what does that have to do with the game?”

  “Well, let’s say the humans get out of hand. You know how these awful bumpkins can be about their ridiculous patriotism. What if they decide to rise up and try to push back against our rule? Examples must be made to stop the destruction of many.”

  “Okay, I do understand that, but we’ve been to a lot of college football games, and the human audience has not once tried to rise against us. Neferet, I’m not sure you completely understand what football is about—it really is just a game.”

  “Oh, my dear, nothing that pits one group of humans against another is just a game, but it is highly useful that their silly squabbling and prejudices keep them separate and weak. Imagine if they all sto
od together against us.” She shuddered delicately. “They outnumber us. They out-weapon us. We would go back to being vulnerable, second-class citizens. I, for one, shall never go back.”

  “So, basically, the Red Army is there only in case humans try anything.”

  Neferet laughed, and the sound was like fingernails on a chalkboard, sending terrible shivers of foreboding down Stark’s spine. “Oh, silly Stark—they are there for so much more. They are there to show my power and our dominion over the human infestation of this planet. You are there to keep them in order unless I need them released. Can you handle that, General? Or shall I look for your replacement?”

  “I will follow your orders. I’m here only to serve the Goddess.”

  “Excellent! Wasn’t that easy? You really should stop worrying so much. All will be well—as long as you are allied with my will—and the will of the Goddess, of course.”

  “Of course,” Stark said, though he was certain Neferet did not catch the sarcasm in his tone.

  “You know, my dear, you really should smile more. You’re much too handsome to scowl. Try it. Give me a smile. Just a little one.”

  Stark forced his lips up, though he felt like his face might crack.

  “See, that is so much nicer, isn’t it? I do prefer a smiling male to a pouty one. Now, run along. You have much to do. Send Artus to me. He and I need to discuss my Warrior escort. You are dismissed.”

  Stark fisted his hand over his heart and bowed to Neferet before leaving her office. It wasn’t until he had closed the door that he felt like he could take a deep breath.

  Reluctantly, Stark headed to the Field House where he knew he’d find Neferet’s ancient, gnarled Swordmaster, Artus. Then he’d have to go to those Goddess-be-damned tunnels and get the Red Army ready for whatever show Neferet was putting on. Beside the pain-in-his-ass addition of the Red Army, this game should be little more than the usual vampyre entertainment. Neferet was wrong about humans. There was no way they were going to rise up and attack at a football game. Everything should go smoothly tonight, so Stark couldn’t figure out why his gut refused to unclench. Probably because this feels like a clusterfuck in the making. I will be so damn glad when this night is over …

  * * *

  Other Kevin

  “Look, I’m not going to wash you, little Nala, but you have to let me dry you with this towel. You’re still looking pretty wet and scraggly.” Kevin resumed toweling the complaining orange fur ball off, determined to ignore her yowling.

  “Kevin Redbird, are you killing that kitten?”

  He looked up to see Aphrodite standing at the entrance to the little bedroom Anastasia had assigned to him. She was wearing a very large T-shirt and even larger socks, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail that was letting blond tendrils escape to curl around her face.

  He thought she was the most gorgeous girl he’d ever seen, and he had to clear his throat before he could coax any words out.

  “I’m drying her, not killing her. But she’s definitely not happy with me. Wanna help?”

  “Sure, but you might not want me to help. I told you before that I like cats, but what I didn’t say is that they usually don’t like me back.”

  “She doesn’t seem to be liking me much right now, so I’m guessing that won’t matter. Come on in.”

  Aphrodite padded on silent sock feet into the little hollowed-out room, which kinda reminded Kevin of a bubble, closing the blanket that served as a door behind her. Kevin was sitting on the bedding pallet with a complaining Nala balled up on a towel in his lap.

  Aphrodite sat beside him. She crossed her legs and arranged the big T-shirt to drape over her knees. “Here, you hold her and I’ll take a corner of the towel and dry her with it.”

  “Good luck. She has claws,” Kevin said.

  “Of course she does. She needs those claws for climbing and mouse catching, don’t you, pretty girl?” She cooed to Nala, who stopped complaining and arched her back as Aphrodite used the corner of the towel like a brush, rubbing it gently down her body.

  “Hey, she likes that!” Kevin said.

  “Yeah, she does. Maybe she just needed to get her hair done. Is that it, Nala? I know all about needing a day of beauty.”

  Nala looked up at Aphrodite and sneezed into her face.

  Kevin held his breath, waiting for Aphrodite to freak out, but she didn’t. She laughed. Musically, joyously, she giggled and wiped her face with the other end of the towel as she baby-talked Nala. “Did you catch a cold out there looking for your Kevin? Poor girl. We’ll keep you warm and dry now. You don’t need to worry.”

  Nala revved up her purr engine, and she made three little circles before curling up on Kevin’s lap and closing her eyes while Aphrodite finished drying her.

  “I thought you said cats don’t like you.”

  “No, I said they usually don’t like me. Nala is obviously smarter than most cats and has better taste.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” They smiled into each other’s eyes, and Kevin felt his heartbeat throughout his body. She was so close! And so, so beautiful.

  “Well, she seems pretty dry now,” Aphrodite said. “She also seems like she’s asleep.”

  “You tamed the wild beast!”

  “She’s hardly wild. She’s sweet.” Aphrodite looked around the room. “So, they put you across from me. Better you than Stevie Rae and Rephaim. I walked past their room on the way back from the bathroom and all I can say is Rephaim is a screamer and I swear I heard the bumpkin yell ‘Yee-haw.’ ”

  Kevin snorted a laugh. “I could’ve gone my entire life without knowing that.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  The soundtrack to the silence between them was Nala’s purr quickly dissolving into a snore, which had Kevin and Aphrodite grinning at each other.

  “I’m going to move her over there to the little cat bed Anastasia gave me,” Kevin whispered. “Don’t breathe.” He carefully carried her to the donut-shaped bed, depositing her in the middle of it. Then he came back to sit beside Aphrodite. “I think you lulled her into a cat coma. She’s still snoring.”

  “It’s nice that she likes me. That’s never happened to me before. My mother, who is horrible, by the by, refused to let me have any pets. She said they were all soulless creatures who wasted oxygen.” Aphrodite snorted. “I used to think she was describing herself.” She leaned back against the side of the cave and gave Kevin a contemplative look. “Did you meet my mom when you were in your sister’s world?”

  “Nope. But I do know she was a nightmare over there too.”

  “Well, at least she’s consistent. She’d like knowing that, and she doesn’t like much.” Aphrodite paused and then said, “Kevin, would you tell me the truth—no matter what I asked you?”

  “That’s the deal we made.”

  “You’re right, it is. I like that I can trust that with you—that we’ll tell each other the truth. It hasn’t happened much in my life.”

  “I’d like to change that,” he said.

  “You already have.” Then she hurried on. “So, am I a lot different in that other world?”

  Kevin took his time answering. He was determined to tell her the truth, but he also knew that she was letting her guard down around him, and he wanted that—wanted intimacy with her, so he was determined not to say something stupid that would mess it up.

  “It’s weird. You’re alike, but different. I’m pretty sure you both had awful childhoods. You’re both Prophetesses. You’re both beautiful and kinda bitchy.”

  She raised her brows at him.

  “It’s a compliment,” he said.

  “Whether it is or not, it’s the truth. Go on.”

  “But Zoey’s Aphrodite is part of a big, close family.”

  “I thought you said she has the same awful parents I do. Uh, I do not hav
e any siblings. My mother refused to be pregnant twice. She said it made her body too unattractive for too little return.”

  “Goddess, she’s a crappy mom—even crappier than my ultra-religious mess of a mom.”

  “That’s one contest I wish I didn’t keep winning. Anyway, how could I be part of a big family?”

  “Because Zo’s House of Night and what they call their Nerd Herd are family.”

  “Wait, go back. Did you say Nerd Herd?”

  He grinned. “I did. When I was there I asked how they came up with that name. You named them.”

  “Oh, for shit’s sake! I named the nerds and then I joined them?”

  “Yep, that’s the story.”

  “And I thought I had issues in this world.”

  “So, that’s the biggest difference. You’re happy over there. You’re surrounded by friends and family. You’re valued by Zoey as a great prophetess. And, of course, you have that extra red added to your Mark, and those extra powers too.”

  “And you swear that Nyx gave me that power.”

  She hadn’t phrased it as a question, but Kevin knew she needed to hear the answer. “Yes. Absolutely. I give you my oath that Nyx gave you the power to grant second chances.”

  “It’s just so weird. Sure, I have visions, but I’ve never, not one time, heard the Goddess’ voice or even felt her presence.”

  “Maybe Nyx is waiting for the right time.”

  “And when would that be?”

  “When you’re ready to hear her voice, and be in her presence,” Kevin said.

  “Have you ever heard or felt her?”

  Kevin’s gaze went far off as he remembered entering Nyx’s Temple and, for the first time, feeling the presence of his Goddess. He had to clear his throat before he could speak, and when he did the words sounded rough with emotion. “Yes. I know Nyx. I’ve felt her. She’s touched me.”

  “What was it like?”

  “Pure love,” he said. And his gaze found hers again. “You’ll see someday.”