No, please. This cant be right. This cant be happening, Stevie Rae told him.
You are the first red vampyre High Priestess. You have to find the strength to accept this loss. Your people will need you, Dragon said.
We dont know where Kalona has fled, nor do we know Neferets role in all of this, Lenobia said.
What we do know is that Zoeys death would be an excellent time for them to strike against us, Dragon added.
Zoeys death . . . The words echoed through Stevie Raes mind, leaving behind shock and fear and despair.
Your powers are vast. The swiftness of your recovery proves that, Lenobia said. And we will need every power we can harness to meet the darkness I feel certain is going to descend upon us.
Control your grief, Dragon said. And take up Zoeys mantle.
No one can be Zoey! Stevie Rae cried.
Were not asking you to be her. Were only asking you to help the rest of us fill the void she leaves, Lenobia said.
I haveI have to think, Stevie Rae said. Would yall leave me alone for a while? I want to get dressed and think.
Of course, Lenobia said. We will be in the Council Chamber. Meet us there when you are ready. She and Dragon left the room silently, grief-stricken but resolute.
Hey, are you okay? Dallas moved to her, reaching out to take her hand.
She only let him touch her for a moment before she squeezed his hand and withdrew. I need my clothes.
I found em there in that closet. Dallas jerked his head toward the cabinets on the opposite side of the room.
Good, thanks, Stevie Rae said quickly. You gotta leave so I can get dressed.
You didnt answer my question, he said, watching her closely.
No. Im not okay, and Im not gonna be as long as they keep sayin Zs gonna die.
But, Stevie Rae, even Ive heard about what happens when a soul leaves a bodythe person dies, he said, obviously trying to say the harsh words gently.
Not this time, Stevie Rae said. Now go on outta here so I can get dressed.
Dallas sighed. Ill be waiting outside.
Fine. I wont take too long.
Take your time, girl, Dallas said softly. I dont mind waiting.
But as soon as the door shut, Stevie Rae didnt jump up and throw on her clothes like shed meant to. Instead her memory was too busy flipping through her Fledgling Handbook 101 and stopping at a super-sad story about an ancient soul-shattered High Priestess. Stevie Rae couldnt remember what had caused the priestesss soul to shattershe didnt remember much about the story, actuallyexcept that the High Priestess had died. No matter what anyone had tried to do to save herthe High Priestess had died.
The High Priestess died, Stevie Rae whispered. And Zoey wasnt even a real, grown High Priestess. She was technically still a fledgling. How could she be expected to find her way back from something that had killed a grown High Priestess?
The truth was, she couldnt.
It wasnt fair! Theyd all been through so much hard stuff, and now Zoey was just gonna die? Stevie Rae didnt want to believe it. She wanted to fight and scream and find a way to fix her BFF, but how could she? Z was in Italy and she was in Tulsa. And, hell! Stevie Rae couldnt figure out how to fix a bunch of pain-in-the-ass red fledglings. Who was she to think she could do anything about something as terrible as Zs soul shattering from her body?
She couldnt even tell the truth about being Imprinted with the son of the creature who had caused this awful thing to happen.
Sadness swept over Stevie Rae. She crumpled in on herself, hugged the pillow to her chest, and, twirling a blond curl around and around her finger like she used to do when she was little, began to weep. The sobs wracked her, and she buried her face in the pillow so Dallas wouldnt hear her crying, losing herself to shock and fear and complete, overwhelming despair.
Just as she was giving in to the worst of it, the air around her stirred. Almost as if someone had cracked the window in the small room.
At first she ignored it, too lost in her tears to care about a stupid cold breeze. But it was insistent. It touched the fresh, pink skin of her exposed back in a cool caress that was surprisingly pleasant. For a moment she relaxed, allowing herself to absorb comfort from the touch.
Touch? Shed told him to wait outside!
Stevie Raes head shot up. Her lips were pulled back from her teeth in a snarl she meant to aim at Dallas.
No one was in the room.
She was alone. Absolutely alone.
Stevie Rae dropped her face in her hands. Was shock making her go totally batshit crazy? She didnt have time for crazy. She had to get up and get dressed. She had to put one foot in front of the other and go out there and deal with the truth about what had happened to Zoey, and her red fledglings, and Kalona, and, eventually, Rephaim.
Rephaim . . .
His name echoed in the air, another cold caress against her skin, wrapping around her. Not just touching her back but skimming down the length of her arms and swirling around her waist and over her legs. And everywhere the coolness touched, it was like a little bit of her grief had been washed away. This time when she looked up she was more controlled in her reaction. She wiped her eyes clear and stared down at her body.
The mist that surrounded her was made of tiny sparkling drops that were the exact color shed come to recognize in his eyes.
Rephaim. Against her will, she whispered his name.
He calls you . . .
What the hell is going on? Stevie Rae muttered, anger stirring through despair.
Go to him . . .
Go to him? she said, feeling increasingly pissed off. His dad caused this.
Go to him . . .
Letting the tide of cool caress and red anger make her decision, Stevie Rae yanked on her clothes. She would go to Rephaim, but only because he might know something that she could use to help Zoey. He was the son of a dangerous and powerful immortal. Obviously, he had abilities she didnt know about. The red stuff that was floating around her was definitely from him, and it must be made of some kind of spirit.
Fine, she said aloud to the mist. Ill go to him.
The instant she spoke the words aloud, the red haze evaporated, leaving only a lingering coolness on her skin and a strange, otherworldly sense of calm.
Ill go to him, and if he cant help me, then I thinkImprint or no ImprintIm going to have to kill him.
Chapter 4
Aphrodite
Seriously, Erce, Im only going to say this one more time. I dont care about your stupid rules. Zoey is in there. Aphrodite paused and pointed one well-manicured fingernail at the closed stone door. And that means Im going in there.
Aphrodite, you are a humanone who isnt even the consort of a vampyre. You cannot simply burst into the High Council Chamber with all of your youthful, mortal hysteria, especially during a time of crisis such as this. The vampyres cool look took in Aphrodites messed-up hair, tear-stained face, and reddened eyes. The Council will invite you to join them. Probably. Until then, you must wait.
I am not hysterical. Aphrodite spoke the words slowly, distinctly, and with forced calm, attempting to totally make up for the fact that the reason shed been left outside the High Council Chamber when Stark, followed by Darius, Damien, the Twins, and even Jack, had carried Zoeys lifeless body inside was entirely because she had been exactly what Erce had called hera hysterical human. She hadnt been able to keep up with the rest of them, especially since shed been crying so hard the snot and tears had kept her from doing much breathing or seeing. By the time shed pulled herself together, the door had been closed in her face, with Erce acting as fucking gatekeeper.
But Erce was super wrong if she thought Aphrodite didnt know how to handle a stick-up-her-ass bossy adult. Shed been raised by a woman who made Erce look like Mary Fucking Poppins.
So you think Im just a human kid, do you? Aphrodite got all into the vamps personal space, which made Erce take an automatic step back. Think again. Im a prophetess of Nyx. Remember her? Nyxas in your Goddess who is the boss of you. I do not need to be some guys refrigerator to have the right to go before the High Council. Nyx herself gave me the right. Now move the hell out of my way!
Though she could have phrased it more politely, the child makes a valid point, Erce. Let her pass. Ill take responsibility for her presence if the Council disapproves.
Aphrodite felt the small hairs along her forearms lift as Neferets smooth voice came from behind her.
It is not customary, Erce said, but her capitulation was already obvious.
Neither is it customary for the soul of a fledgling to be shattered, said Neferet.
I must agree with you, Priestess. Erce stepped aside and opened the thick stone door. And you are now responsible for this humans presence in the Chamber.
Thank you, Erce. That is gracious of you. Oh, and I am having a few of the Council Warriors deliver something here. Be quite sure to allow them to pass, too, would you please?
Aphrodite didnt so much as glance back as Erce murmured a predictable, Of course, Priestess. Instead, she strode into the ancient building.
Isnt it odd that once again we are allies, child? Neferets voice followed close behind her.
Well never be allies, and Im not a child, Aphrodite said without looking at her or slowing down. The entry foyer opened to a huge stone amphitheater that spread around her in circular row after row. Aphrodites eyes were drawn up immediately to the stained-glass window directly before her that depicted Nyx, framed by a brilliant pentagram, graceful arms upraised and cupping a crescent moon.
Its really lovely, isnt it? Neferets voice was easy and conversational. Vampyres have always been responsible for creating the greatest works of art in the world.
Aphrodite still refused to look at the exHigh Priestess. Instead, she shrugged. Vamps have money. Money buys pretty things, whether theyre made by humans or nonhumans. And you dont know for sure that vamps made that window. I mean, youre old, but not that old. As Aphrodite tried to ignore Neferets soft, condescending laughter, her gaze moved down to the center of the chamber. At first she didnt really comprehend what she was seeing, and then when she got it, it was as if someone had punched her in the gut.
There were seven carved marble thrones on the huge raised platform that made up the inner floor of the chamber. Vampyres were seated in the thrones, but they werent what caught Aphrodites gaze. What she couldnt stop staring at was Zoey, lying on the dais in front of the thrones like a dead body stretched out on a funeral slab. And then there was Stark. He was on his knees beside Zoey. He was turned just enough so that Aphrodite could see his face. He didnt make one sound, but tears were falling freely down his cheeks and pooling on his shirt. Darius was standing next to him, and he was saying something she couldnt quite hear to the brunette sitting in the first throne whose thick hair was streaked with gray. Damien, Jack, and the Twins were huddled together, typically sheeplike, in a nearby row of stone benches. They were bawling, too, but their loud, messy tears were as different from Starks silent misery as was the ocean from a babbling brook.
Aphrodite automatically started forward, but Neferet grabbed her wrist. And that finally made her turn to look at her old mentor.
You really should let go of me, Aphrodite said softly.
Neferet raised one brow. Have you finally learned to stand up to a mother figure?
Aphrodite let the anger burn quietly within her. You are no ones mother figure. I learned to stand up to bitches a long time ago.
Neferet frowned and let loose her wrist. Ive never liked your coarse language.
Im not coarse; Im real. Two different things. And you think I fucking care what you like or dislike? Neferet took a breath to respond, but Aphrodite cut her off. Just what the hell are you doing here?
Neferet blinked in surprise. I am here because there is a wounded fledgling here.
Oh, thats such shit! Youre only here because somehow its gonna get you something you want. Thats how you work, Neferet, whether they know it or not. Aphrodite jerked her chin at the High Council members.
Be careful, Aphrodite. You may need me in the very near future.
Aphrodite held Neferets gaze and felt a sense of shock as she realized the eyes that met hers had changed. They were no longer brilliant emerald green. They had darkened. Was that red that glowed from deep in the middle of them? As quickly as the thought came to Aphrodite, Neferet blinked. Her eyes cleared and were once again the color of expensive gemstones.
Aphrodite drew a shaky breath, and the small hairs on her arms lifted again, but her voice was flat and sarcastic when she said, Thats okay. Ill take my chances without your help.She air quoted around the last word.
Neferet, the Council recognizes you!
Neferet turned to face the Council, but before she descended the stairs to them, she paused and made a graceful gesture, which included Aphrodite.
I ask that the Council allow the presence of this human. She is Aphrodite, the child who makes claims of being Nyxs Prophetess.
Aphrodite stepped around Neferet and looked squarely from one Council member to another. I dont claim to be a prophetess. I am Nyxs Prophetess because the Goddess wants me to be. The truth is, if I had a choice about it, I wouldnt want the job. She kept speaking even though several of the Council members had gasped in shock. Oh, and just FYI: Im not telling you anything Nyx doesnt already know.
The Goddess believes in Aphrodite even though she is not quite as sure about herself, Darius said.
Aphrodite smiled at him. He was more than her big, hot, mountainlike Warrior. She could count on Darius; he always saw the best in her.
Darius, why do you speak for this human? asked the brunette.
Duantia, I speak for this Prophetess, he enunciated her title carefully, because I have pledged myself to her as her Warrior.