by P.C. Cast
I met his eyes steadily. "No, I'm a fledgling who is leader of the Dark Daughters and a High Priestess in training. Believe me, that's a lot more than just a teenager. I've given you my oath, and you know from your sister that my oath binds me. I promise I've told you everything I can, and if any more kids disappear, I believe I can find them for you." What I didn't say was that I wasn't one hundred percent sure how I was going to do that, but the promise felt right, and so I knew Nyx would help me keep it. Not that that would be easy. But I couldn't betray Stevie Rae's presence, which meant no one could know about the creatures, or at least not until Stevie Rae was safe.
Marx sighed again, and I could see that he was muttering to himself as he stomped around to help me down from his truck. But just before he opened the door to the main school building Marx (annoyingly) ruffled my hair and said, "All right, we'll do this your way. Of course, it's not like I have a choice.”
He was right. He didn't have any choice.
I walked into the building before him and was instantly engulfed in the warmth of its familiar scents of incense and oil, and the soothing gaslights that flickered like eager, welcoming friends.
Speaking of .. .
"Zoey!" I heard the Twins squeal together, and then I was being smushed in the middle of them as they hugged me and cried and yelled at me for worrying them and talked nonstop about being able to feel it when I tapped into their elements. Damien was not far behind them. Then I was in Erik's strong arms as he hugged me and whispered how scared he'd been for me and how glad he was I was okay. I allowed myself to rest in his arms and return his hug. Later, I'd figure out what to do about Heath and him. Right now I was too tired, and anyway, I needed to save my strength to deal with‑
"Zoey, you gave us quite a scare.”
I stepped out of Erik's arms and turned to face Neferet.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to upset everyone," I said, and it was the truth. I hadn't wanted to worry or upset or scare anyone.
"Well, I suppose there's no harm done, darling. We're all just so glad you're safely home." She smiled at me with that wonderful mom smile of hers that seemed so full of love and light and goodness, and even though I knew what that smile hid, I felt my heart squeeze and wished desperately that I was wrong, that Neferet was as wonderful as I used to believe.
Darkness does not always equate to evil, just as light does not always bring good. The Goddess's words echoed through my mind, giving me strength.
"Well, Zoey is definitely our hero," Detective Marx said. "If she hadn't been tuned into that boy, she could have never called us to that depot in time to save him.”
"Yes, well, that's a little problem she and I will have to discuss later." She gave me a stern look, but her tone told everyone there that I wasn't really in much trouble.
If only they knew.
"Detective, did you catch the person who has been taking the boys?" Neferet continued.
"No, he escaped before we arrived, but there's plenty of evidence that someone has been living in the depot, actually it looked like he was using it as some kind of headquarters. I think it'll be easy to find proof that the other two boys were killed there by someone who was trying to make it look like vampyres had taken the teenagers. And now, even though Heath doesn't remember much of anything because of the trauma, Zoey has given us a good description of the man to go by. It's just a matter of time before we catch him.”
Was I the only one who saw surprise flash through Neferet's eyes?
"That's wonderful!" Neferet said.
"Yeah." I met the High Priestess's eyes. "I've told Detective Marx a lot. My memory's really good.”
"I'm proud of you, Zoeybird!" Neferet came to me and put her arms around me, hugging me close. So close that only I heard her whisper into my ear, "If you speak against me I will make sure no human or fledgling or vampyre will believe you.”
I didn't pull away from her. I didn't react in any way. But when she let me go, I made my final move—the one I'd planned since the white-hot familiar sensation had seared the skin on my back.
"Neferet, would you please look at my back?”
My friends had been chattering among themselves, clearly giddy with the relief they'd felt since I'd called them while Detective Marx and I talked outside the school and asked them to meet me inside the main building, and to make sure Neferet was there, too. Now my weird request, which I'd been sure to ask loud and clear, shut them up. Actually, everyone in the room, including Detective Marx, was looking at me like they wondered if I'd perhaps hit my head sometime during my adventures and some of my brains had leaked out.
"It's important," I said, and grinned at Neferet as if I were hiding a present just for her under the back of my shirt.
"Zoey, I'm not sure what—" Neferet began, her tone carefully pitched between worry and embarrassment.
I gave an exaggerated sigh. "Jeesh, just look." And before anyone could stop me, I turned so that my back was facing them, and lifted the bottom of my sweatshirt (being careful to keep the front of me covered).
I hadn't really been worried that I might be wrong, but the gasps and exclamations of awe and happy surprise from my friends were a relief to hear.
"Z! Your Mark has spread." Erik laughed and tentatively touched the newly tattooed skin of my back.
"Wow, it's awesome," Shaunee breathed.
"Totally cool," Erin said.
"Spectacular," Damien said. "It's the same labyrinth pattern as your other Marks.”
"Yeah, with the rune symbols spaced between the spirals," Erik said.
I think I was the only one who noticed that Neferet said nothing at all.
I smoothed the bottom of my shirt back down. I was seriously looking forward to getting to a mirror so that I could see what I'd only been able to feel.
"Congratulations, Zoey. I imagine this means that you continue to be special to your Goddess," Detective Marx said.
I smiled at him. "Thanks. Thanks for everything tonight.”
Our eyes met and he winked. Then he turned to Neferet. "I'd better be going, ma'am. There's a lot of work left to be done tonight. Plus, I imagine Zoey is eager to get to bed. Good night, everyone." He touched his hat, smiled at me again, and left.
"I am really tired." I looked at Neferet. "If it's okay, I'd like to go to bed.”
"Yes, darling," she said smoothly. "That would be just fine.”
"And also I'd like to stop by Nyx's Temple on the way to the dorm, if that's okay with you," I said.
"You do have quite a bit for which you should thank Nyx. Stopping by her temple is a good idea.”
"We'll go with you, Z," Shaunee said.
"Yeah, Nyx was with all of us tonight," Erin said.
Damien and Erik made sounds of agreement, but I didn't look at any of my friends. I kept eye contact with Neferet and said, "I will thank Nyx, but there's really another reason I'm going to her temple.” I didn't wait for her to question me, but continued earnestly, "I'm going to light an earth candle for Stevie Rae. I promised her I wouldn't forget her.”
My friends were murmuring soft words of agreement, but I kept my attention focused on Neferet as I slowly and deliberately walked over to her.
"Good night, Neferet," I said and this time I hugged her, and as I pulled her close to me I whispered, "Humans and fledglings and vampyres don't need to believe me about you because Nyx does. This is not over between us.”
I stepped out of Neferet's arms and turned my back on her. Together, my friends and I went outside and crossed the short distance to Nyx's Temple. It had finally stopped snowing, and the moon was peeking between wisps of clouds that looked like silken scarves. I stopped at the beautiful marble statue of the Goddess that stood before her temple.
"Here," I said firmly.
"Z?" Erik said questioningly.
"I want to put Stevie Rae's candle out here, at Nyx's feet.”
"I'll get it for you," Erik said. He squeezed my hand and then hu
rried into Nyx's Temple.
"You're right," Shaunee said.
"Yeah, Stevie Rae would like it lit out here," Erin said.
"It's closer to the earth," Damien said.
"And so it's closer to Stevie Rae," I said softly.
Erik returned and handed me the green votive and a long, ritualistic lighter. Following my instincts, I lit the candle and placed it snugly at Nyx's feet.
"I'm remembering you, Stevie Rae. Just like I promised," I said.
"So am I," said Damien.
"Me, too," said Shaunee.
"Ditto," said Erin.
"I'm remembering, too," said Erik.
The scent of a grassy meadow suddenly swirled around Nyx's statue, making my friends smile through their tears. Before we walked away I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer that was a promise I felt deep in my soul.
I'll go back for you, Stevie Rae.
[end]
v1.0
[Scanned and Proofed by slaingod from dt]