I continued to meet Eriks gaze. So you like my version of Dracula?
I like your endingthe one where the two of them are vampyres and they have a happily-ever-after, especially because they care enough to get over their past mistakes.
Still smiling, Erik bent to kiss me. His lips were soft and warm, and he tasted like Doritos and Mountain Dew, which wasnt as nasty as you might think. His arms went around me, and he pulled me close, deepening the kiss. It felt good to be in his arms. So good that at first I managed to tune out the little alarm bells that were ringing in the rational part of my mind as Eriks hands slid down my back to cup my butt. But when he pressed me hard against him, grinding intimately into me, the lovely warm fog hed started inside me began to clear. I liked him touching me. But what I didnt like was the feeling that his touch had suddenly become too aggressive, too insistent, too she is mine, I want her, and Im going to have her now.
He must have felt me stiffen because he pulled back, gave me an easy smile, and then said, So, what are you doing up here?
I blinked, disoriented at the instant change in him. I took a little step away from him and grabbed my pop from where hed put it on his chair, taking a big gulp and pulling myself together. Finally I managed to say, Oh, I, uh, came to talk to Darius and see if my cell would work. I fished into my pocket for it and then held it up like a dork. Glancing at it, I could see three bars lit up. Yea! It looks like it might!
Well, the rain changing to ice stopped not too long ago, and I havent heard any thunder for a while, either. If we dont get another wave of this crappy weather, service might actually stay up. Hope thats a good sign.
Yeah, me, too, Ill try to call Sister Mary Angela in a sec and check on Grandma. My words were coming easier now. I studied Erik as we talked. He seemed so nice and normal, just his usual good-guy self. Had I been overreacting about his kiss? Had what happened with Loren made me too sensitive? Realizing there was a bunch of dead air between us and Erik was starting to give me a questioning look, I said quickly, So, where is Darius?
I relieved him early. I woke up and couldnt get back to sleep, and I figured hes going to need the extra rest since hes basically our entire army.
Was Aphrodite still trashed?
She was passed out. Darius carried her out of here. Shes going to have a killer hangover when she wakes up. He sounded pleased at the prospect. He was going to Dallass room to sleep. He hasnt been gone long, so maybe you wont even have to wake him up.
Well, I really just wanted directions to Damien and Jack. I couldnt sleep, either, so I thought Id relieve them and let the Twins rest.
Oh, thats easy. I can tell you how to find them. Theyre not far from the entrance up into the depot we took before.
Good, I dont really want to bother Darius if hes actually resting. Youre right. Our army needs to get some sleep. I paused and then added, in a way-too-nonchalant tone, Hey, you didnt notice anything, uh, weird in the tunnels on the way up here, did you?
Weird? Like what?
I didnt want to say blackness, because, well, they were tunnels and for them to be dark wasnt weird. Plus, as Id already imagined, I could hear Erik reminding me of how much the bats had freaked me out. So I blurted, Like the lanterns suddenly going out.
He shrugged and shook his head. Nope, but thats really not all that weird. Im sure the red fledglings have to refill their oil pretty often, and I would bet that recent events have messed up their schedule for that.
Yeah, that makes sense. And it did. So, just for that little moment I let myself feel a sense of relief that even then I knew deep down wasnt real, and grinned at Erik. He smiled back at me and there we were, grinning at each other. I reminded myself that Erik really was a great boyfriend. Id been glad that he and I were back together. I was still glad we were back together, wasnt I? Couldnt I just stay glad and not let the good things we had between us be messed up because I was freaked that he was going to want more from me than I could give him right now?
Farther to the back of my mind I shoved the memory of the kiss Stark and I had shared and Kalonas nightmare visit and how hed made me feel things no guy had ever come close to making me feel.
I stood up so abruptly I almost knocked the chair over. I gotta call Sister Mary Angela!
Erik gave me an odd look, but only said, Okay, walk a little way over there, but dont get too close to the door. If anyones hanging around outside I dont want them to hear you.
I nodded and gave him what I hoped didnt look like a guilty smile. Then I walked a little ways through the basement, which, I noticed, also wasnt as disgusting now as it had been last time Id been down here. Stevie Rae and her group had obviously done a lot of cleaning and throwing away of the street peoples stuff that had been littering the place before. And, happily, it didnt smell like urine anymore, which was a definite improvement.
I pressed Sister Mary Angelas number and mentally crossed my fingers while it said it was callingcallingand then it actually rang, once, twice, three timesMy stomach was just starting to hurt when she answered. The connection was really crappy, but at least I could understand her.
Oh, Zoey! Im so glad you called, said Sister Mary Angela.
Sister, are you okay? Is Grandma?
Shes fineall fine. Were She was definitely breaking up now.
Sister, I cant hear you very well. Where are you? Is Grandma conscious?
Grandis conscious. Were under the abbey, but There was static and then suddenly I could hear her clearly. Are you influencing the weather, Zoey?
Me? No! What about Grandma? Are you guys safe in the abbey basement?
fine. Not to worry, we
And the line went dead.
Hell! This connection sucks so much! I paced a short path of frustration while I tried to call her back. Nothing. I had service, but the screen kept saying that it was a lost call. I tried several more times before I saw that, not only was I not getting her back, but my phone was getting ready to die. Hell! I repeated.
What did she say? Erik had come up behind me.
Not much, cause I lost the connection and cant get it back. But I did manage to hear her say that shes okay and Grandmas okay. I even think shes finally conscious.
Thats really good news! Dont worry; everythings going to be fine. The nuns have your grandma safe underground, right?
I nodded, feeling stupidly close to tears that were really more because of frustration than fear for Grandma. I completely trusted Sister Mary Angela, so if she said Grandma was okay, then I believed her. Its hard not knowing whats going on. Not just with Grandma, but with everything out there. I jerked my thumb up at the outside world.
Erik stepped up beside me and his warm hand closed over mine. He turned me so that I was facing him, and then with his thumb he gently traced the new tattoos that covered my palm. Hey, well get through this. Nyx is at work here, remember? Just look at your hands to see proof of her favor. Yeah, our group is small, but were strong and we know were on the right side.
Just then my phone made the little chime that said I had a text message. Oh, good. Maybe this is Sister Mary Angela. I flipped open the phone and stared at the message, not really getting it.
All fledglings and vampyres are to return to the House of Night immediately.
What the hell? I said, still staring at my phones screen.
Let me see, Erik said. I flipped the phone so he could read it. He nodded slowly, as if the text confirmed something hed already thought about. Its Neferet. And even though its sounding like one of those schoolwide text broadcasts, Id bet shes talking directly to us.
Are you sure its her?
Yeah, I recognize her number.
She gave you her phone number? I tried not to sound as annoyed as that made me feel, but I doubt I was very successful.
Erik shrugged. Yeah, she gave it to me before I left for Europe. Said if I ever needed anything I could call her.
I snorted.
Erik smiled. Are you jealous?
No! I lied. Shes just such a manipulative bitch that it makes me mad.
Well, shes definitely into some bad shit with Kalona.
Yeah, thats for sure, and were not going back to the House of Night. At least not right now.
I think youre right about that. We need to find out more about whats happened above before we make our next move. Plus, if your instincts are telling you we need to stay clear of the school, then thats what we should do.
I looked up at him. He smiled reassuringly down at me and brushed a strand of my hair back from my face. His eyes were warm and kind, not sex crazed and possessive. Jeesh, I had to get a grip on myself. Erik made me feel safe. He believed what he was saying. He believed in me.
Thank you, I said. Thanks for still believing in me.
Ill always believe in you, Zoey, he said. Always. Erik wrapped me in his arms and kissed me.
The door to the outside was wrenched open, letting in the murky light of a stormy afternoon and a blast of frigid air. Erik whirled, pushing me behind him. I felt a heart-thundering rush of pure fear.
Get below! Get Darius! Erik shouted as he moved forward to face the figure silhouetted against the gray upper world.
I had started to run back to the basement ladder when Heaths voice stopped me.
Hey, is that you, Zo?
CHAPTER 10
Heath! I hurried toward him, practically shouting my relief that it was him and not a terrifying Raven Mocker or worse, an ancient immortal with eyes like the night sky and a voice like a forbidden secret.
Heath? Erik didnt sound nearly as pleased. He grabbed my arm so I couldnt run past him. He frowned, still managing to stay protectively in front of me. You mean your human boyfriend?
Ex-boyfriend, Heath and I said at the same time.
Hey, arent you that Erik guy? Zos fledgling ex-boyfriend? Heath said. He ignored the three stairs that emptied into the basement and jumped lightly down, looking every inch (and I do mean at least six feet tall with kinda curly, sandy, blond-brown hair and the cutest eyes and guy dimples you have every seen) the star quarterback he was. Yes, Ill admit it freely, my high school boyfriend was a cliché, but at least he was an adorable one.
Boyfriend. Eriks voice was flint. Not ex. Just like vampyre, not fledgling.
Oh. Id say congrats on the makeup with Zo and on not drowning in your own blood, but that would pretty much be bullshit cause I wouldnt mean it. Know what I mean, dude? He talked as he walked around Erik to snag my wrist, but before he could pull me into a big hug he glanced down and saw the new tattoos covering my palms. Whoa! Now that is majorly cool! So, your goddess is still takin care of you?
Yeah, she is, I said.
Im glad, he said and pulled me into the hug Id been expecting. Damn, Ive been worried about you! Then he held me at arms length and checked me out. You all in once piece?
Im fine, I said, a little breathlessly. I mean, last time Id seen Heath hed been breaking up with me. Plus, I could smell him when he hugged me and he smelled amazing. Like home mixed with my childhood mixed with something that was delicious and exciting and was calling to me from everywhere his skin touched mine. I knew what was calling mehis blood. And that messed with more than my head.
Excellent. Heath let go of my wrist and I took a quick little half step away from him and toward Erik. I saw a flash of pain go through Heaths eyes, but it was only there for a second before he grinned nonchalantly and shrugged like the hug hadnt been a big deal because he and I were just friends now. Yeah, well, I figured you were okay. I mean, I thought even though that blood thing between us broke, Id still know if something bad happened to you. Hed said the words blood thing with a sexy emphasis that had Erik stirring beside me. But I needed to see for myself. Plus, I wanted to ask what-the-fuck about the weird call last night?
Call? Erik said. His eyes were guarded when he looked at me.
Yes, call. I lifted my chin. Erik might be my boyfriend again, but no way was I going to put up with his being all possessive and insanely jealous. The thought flitted through my mind that maybe Erik wouldnt ever be able to really trust me after what had happened between us, and Id have to put up with some obsessive jealousy. Id kinda earned it. But I said in a cool voice, I called Heath to warn him about the Raven Mockers and tell him to get his family to safety. He and I arent together, but that doesnt mean I want anything bad to happen to him.
Raven Mockers? Heath asked.
Whats going on out there? Erik asked, his voice all business.
Goin on? What do ya mean? Like the major storm thats been goin on since about midnight, and has turned into a mess of ice, or the gang bullshit that happened? And whatre Raven Mockers?
Gang bullshit? What do you mean by that? Erik snapped.
No. Im not sayin shit till you answer my question.
Raven Mockers are demonlike creatures from Cherokee legend, I answered. Up until about midnight last night, they were only evil spirits, but all that changed when their daddy, an immortal named Kalona, broke free from his prison inside the earth, and is now making his new address the Tulsa House of Night.
You really think its a good idea to tell him all that? Erik said.
Hey, why dont you let Zoey decide what she wants to tell me and what she doesnt want to tell me? Heath puffed up like he was dying to take a swing at Erik.
Erik puffed right back at him. Youre a human, he said the word like it was an STD. You cant handle the same things we can handle. Try remembering that I had to help save your stupid human ass from a bunch of vamp ghosts just a couple months ago.
Zoey saved me, not you! And Ive been handling Zoey for about a zillion years longer than youve even known her.
Yeah? How often has your stupid human ass put her in danger since shes been Marked?