Tempted - Каст Филис Кристина

TemptedA House of Night Series, Book 6PC Cast and Kristin Cast

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Kristin and I want to again acknowledge our wonderful team at St. Martins Press. Weve come to think of them as family, and appreciate their kindness, generosity, creativity, and belief in us. Thank you thank you thank you: Jennifer Weis, Anne Bensson, Matthew Shear, Anne Marie Tallberg, Brittney Kleinfelter, Katy Hershberger, and Sally Richardson. We also want to send XXXOOO to our brilliant cover design team, Michael Storrings and Elsie Lyons.

Thank you, Jenny Sullivan, for your excellent and scarily accurate proofreading skills.

As always, we thank our amazing agent and friend, Meredith Bernstein, who changed all our lives with three little words: vampyre finishing school.

And, of course, thank you to our fans! Especially those of you who contact us and tell us how much the HoN has touched your hearts

CHAPTER 1

Zoey

The night sky over Tulsa was alight with a magical crescent moon. Its brilliance made the ice that coated the city, and the Benedictine Abbey where wed just had our showdown with a fallen immortal and a rogue High Priestess, shimmer so that everything around me seemed touched by our Goddess. I looked at the moonlight-bathed circle that stood in front of Marys Grotto, the place of power where not long ago Spirit, Blood, Earth, Humanity, and Night had been personified and then had joined to triumph over hatred and darkness. The carved image of Mary, surrounded by stone roses and nestled within a ledge high in the grotto, appeared to be a beacon for the silver light. I stared at the statue. Marys expression was serene; her ice-covered cheeks glistened as if she wept in quiet joy.

My gaze lifted to the sky. Thank you. I sent a silent prayer up to the beautiful crescent that symbolized my Goddess, Nyx. Were alive. Kalona and Neferet are gone.

Thank you, I whispered to the moon.

Listen within

The words swept through me, subtle and sweet like leaves touched by a summer breeze, brushing my consciousness so lightly that my waking mind barely registered them, yet Nyxs whispered command imprinted itself into my soul.

I was vaguely aware that there were a lot of people (well, nuns, fledglings, and a few vampyres) around me. I could hear the mixture of shouting, talking, crying, and even laughing that filled the night, but it all felt distant. At that moment the only things that were real to me were the moon above and the scar that sliced from one shoulder all the way across my chest to the other shoulder. It tingled in response to my silent prayer, but it wasnt a tingle of pain. Not really. It was a familiar warm, prickling sensation that assured me Nyx had, once again, Marked me as hers. I knew if I peeked under the neck of my shirt I would find a new tattoo decorating that long, angry-looking scar with an exotic filigree of sapphirea sign that proved I was following my Goddesss path.

Erik and Heath, find Stevie Rae, Johnny B, and Dallasthen check the perimeter of the abbey to be certain all the Raven Mockers fled with Kalona and Neferet! Darius shouted the command, snapping me out of my warm, fuzzy prayer mode, and once Id been shocked out, it was like an iPod had been cranked too high as sound and confusion flooded my senses.

But Heaths a human. A Raven Mocker could kill him in a second. The words burst from my mouth before I could clamp it shut, proving beyond all doubt that being moonstruck wasnt my only moronic skill.

Predictably, Heath puffed up like a cat-smacked toad.

Zo, Im not a damn pussy!

Erik, looking very tall and full-grown, kick-your-butt vampyre-like, snorted sarcastically and then said, No, youre a damn human. Wait, that does make you a pussy!

So, we defeat the big baddies and inside five minutes Erik and Heath are banging their chests at each other. How totally predictable, Aphrodite said with her patented sarcastic sneer as she joined Darius, but her expression completely changed when she turned her attention to the Son of Erebus Warrior. Hey there, Hotness. You doing okay?

You need not worry about me, Darius said. His eyes met hers, and they practically telegraphed the chemistry between them, but instead of going to her like he usually would and doing some very gross kissing, he remained focused on Stark.

Aphrodites gaze went from Darius to Stark. Okay, eew. Your chest is totally crispy crittered.

James Stark was standing between Darius and Erik. Okay, well, standing wasnt exactly what he was doing. Stark was swaying and looking extremely unsteady.

Ignoring Aphrodite, Erik spoke up. Darius, you should probably get Stark inside. Ill coordinate the reconnoitering with Stevie Rae and make sure everything runs smoothly out here. His words seemed okay, but his tone was all Im-the-big-guy-in-charge, and when he followed up with a condescending Ill even let Heath help out, he really sounded like a pompous butt.

Youll let me help out? Heath snapped. Your mom will let me help out.

Hey, which one of them is supposed to be your boyfriend? Stark asked me. Even in the terrible shape he was in, he caught my glance with his. His voice was scratchy, and he sounded scarily weak, but his eyes sparkled with humor.

I am! Heath and Erik said together.

Oh, for craps sake, Zoey, theyre both idiots! Aphrodite said.

Stark started to chuckle, which turned to a cough, which changed again to a painful gasp. His eyes rolled back and, like a slinky, he collapsed.

Moving with the quickness that came naturally to a Son of Erebus Warrior, Darius caught Stark before he hit the ground. I need to get him inside, Darius said.

I felt like my head was going to explode. Sagging in Dariuss arms, Stark looked well on his way to being dead. II dont even know where the infirmary is, I stuttered.

Not a problem. Ill get a penguin to show us, Aphrodite said. Hey, you, nun! she yelled at one of the nearby black-and-whiteclad sisters who had scurried out of the abbey after the night had gone from battle chaos to aftermath chaos.

Darius hurried after the nun, with Aphrodite following him. The warrior glanced over his shoulder at me. Arent you coming with us, Zoey?

As soon as I can. Before I could deal with Erik and Heath, from behind me a familiar twang saved the day.

Go on with Darius and Aphrodite, Z. Ill take care of Dumb and Dumber and be sure theres no booger monsters left out here.

Stevie Rae, you are the Best Friend of All Best Friends. I turned and hugged her quickly, loving how reassuringly solid and normal she felt. Actually, she seemed so normal that I got a weird twinge when she stepped back and grinned at me and I saw, as if for the first time, the scarlet tattoos that spread out from the filled-in crescent in the middle of her forehead and down either side of her face. A sliver of unease threaded through me.

Misunderstanding my hesitation, she said, Dont worry about these two dorks. Im gettin used to jerking them apart. When I just stood there staring at her, the bright smile shed been wearing dimmed. Hey, you know your grandmas okay, right? Kramisha got her back inside right after Kalona was banished and Sister Mary Angela just told me she was goin inside to check on her.

Yeah, I remember Kramisha helping her into the wheelchair. Im just My voice trailed off. I was just what? How could I put into words that I was haunted by a feeling that everything wasnt right with my best friend and the group of kids shed allied herself with, and how do I say that to my best friend?

Youre just tired and worried bout a bunch of stuff, Stevie Rae said softly.

Was that understanding I saw flicker through her eyes? Or was it something else, something darker?

I get it, Z, and Ill take care of things out here. You just be sure Starks okay. She hugged me again, and then gave me a little push in the direction of the abbey.

Kay. Thanks, I said lamely, starting toward the abbey and totally ignoring the two dorks who were standing there staring at me.

Stevie Rae called after me, Hey, remind Darius or someone to keep an eye on the time. Its only about an hour until sunrise, and you know me and all the red fledglings gotta be inside out of the sun by then.

Yeah, no problem. Ill remember, I said.

The problem was it was getting harder and harder for me to forget Stevie Rae wasnt what she used to be.

CHAPTER 2

Stevie Rae

All right, you two, listen up. Im only gonna say this onceact right. Standing between the two guys, Stevie Rae put her hands on her hips and glared at Erik and Heath. Without taking her eyes from them she yelled, Dallas!

Almost instantly the kid jogged up to her. Whats up, Stevie Rae?

Get Johnny B. Tell him to take Heath and search around the front part of the abbey over by Lewis Street and make sure the Raven Mockers are really gone. You and Erik take the south side of the building. Ill go down along the tree row by Twenty-first and check it out.

All by yourself? Erik said.

Yes, all by myself, Stevie Rae snapped. Are you forgettin I could stomp my foot right now and make the ground under you shake? I could also pick you up and toss you on your silly jealous butt. I think I can handle checkin out those trees by myself.

Beside her, Dallas laughed. And Im thinking red vamp with an earth element affinity trumps blue drama vamp.

That made Heath snort and laugh; and, predictably, Erik started to bow up again.

No! Stevie Rae said before the stupid boys started throwing punches. If yall cant say anything nice, then just shut the heck up.

Did you want me, Stevie Rae? Johnny B said, coming up to stand beside her. I saw Darius carrying that arrow kid into the abbey. He said I should find you.

Yeah, she said with relief. I want you and Heath to check out the front part of the abbey over by Lewis. Make sure those Raven Mockers really are gone.

Im on it! Johnny B said, giving Heath a pretend punch on the shoulder. Come on, quarterback, lets see what you got.

Just pay attention to the dang trees and shadowy stuff, Stevie Rae said, shaking her head as Heath ducked and dodged and struck Johnny Bs shoulder with a few quick punches.

No problem, Dallas said, starting to move off with a silent Erik.

Make it quick, Stevie Rae called to both sets of guys. The sunll be up soon. Yall meet me in front of Marys Grotto in half an hour or so. Holler loud if you find anything and well all come runnin.

She watched the four guys to be sure they were really going where shed sent them, and then Stevie Rae turned and, with a sigh, started on her own mission. Dang, talk about annoying! She loved Z more than white bread, but dealing with her BFFs boyfriends was making her feel like a toad in a tornado! She used to think Erik was the hottest guy in the world. After spending a couple of days with him, she now thought he was a big ol pain in the butt with a super-sized ego. Heath was sweet, but he was just a human, and Z had been right to worry about him. Humans definitely died easier than vamps or even fledglings. She glanced over her shoulder, trying to catch sight of Johnny B and Heath, but the icy darkness and the trees had swallowed her and she couldnt see anyone.

Not that Stevie Rae minded being by herself for a change. Johnny B would keep an eye on Heath. The truth was that she was glad to be rid of him and jealous Erik for a little while. The two of them made her appreciate Dallas. He was simple and easy. He was her kinda-sorta boyfriend. The two of them had a thing, but it didnt get in the way of stuff. Dallas knew Stevie Rae had a lot to deal with, so he let her deal. And he was there for the off times. Easy-peasy, cute and breezy! That was Dallas.

Z could learn a thing or two about handling guys from me, she thought as she trudged through the grove of old trees that ringed Marys Grotto and buffered the abbeys land from busy Twenty-first Street.

Well, one thing was for sureit was definitely a crappy night. Stevie Rae hadnt gone a dozen paces before her short blond curls were soaked. Dang, water was even drippin off her nose! She backhanded her face, wiping off the cold, wet mixture of rain and ice. Everything was so weirdly dark and silent. It was freaky that there were absolutely no streetlights working on Twenty-first. Not one car was on the streetnot even a cruising TPD squad car. She slipped and slid down the incline. Her feet met road and only her super-good red vampyre night vision kept her oriented. It seemed like Kalona had run away and taken sound and light with him.

Feeling skittish, she backhanded the sopping wet hair from her face again and pulled herself together. Youre actin like a chicken, and you know how stupid chickens are! She spoke aloud and then got double spooked when her words sounded bizarrely magnified by the ice and darkness.

Why in the world was she so jumpy? It could be cause youre keepin stuff from your BFF, Stevie Rae muttered, and then clamped her lips shut. Her voice was just too loud in the dark, ice-filled night.

But she was gonna tell Z about the other stuff. Really she was! There just hadnt been time. And Z had enough on her mind without more stress. And and it was hard to talk about it, even to Zoey.

Stevie Rae kicked at a broken, ice-covered branch. She knew it didnt matter if it was hard. She was gonna talk to Zoey. She had to. But later. Maybe a lot later.

Better to focus on the present, at least for right now.

Squinting and cupping her hand over her eyes to try to shield them from the sting of the icy rain, Stevie Rae peered up into the branches of the trees. Even with the darkness and the storm her eyesight was good, and she was relieved not to see any big dark bodies lurking above her. Finding it easier to walk on the side of the road, she made her way down Twenty-first Street heading away from the abbey, all the while keeping her eyes up.