This has been in my doc manager and some odd number of chapters of this for a while and I decided to give it a try... reviews are requested! enjoy

brushed Persephone absentmindedly trying to think through the bullpoopie that was happening around me. She stood there resting contently as I ran the curry brush over her roan coat. I sighed and began nattering to her about what was going on like I usually did. She listened to me or seemed to.

"I really wish I could have a day off from this bullpoopie you know? Just to relax and then a couple days later return to combating evil. A couple days meaning NEVER." I muttered. I shook my head. "I've made so many mistakes lately trying to sift through things and make sure I uphold to what Nyx wants me to do but it's so hard. It sucks trying to keep everyone happy but something always makes someone mad or disagree with. How the hell am I supposed to be a High Priestess if I keep pissing everyone off?" I felt tears sting my eyes and buried my head in Persephone's warm neck. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I jumped and looked up seeing Lenobia standing in the stall with me. I nodded acknowledging her knowing it was rude just to stand there and stare at her stupidly.

"What's wrong Priestess?" She asked me softly handing me a tissue. I smiled weakly glad I had something other than my sweater to wipe the major snot from my tears (ew). And no one else was in the barn since it was during the day when I should technically be in bed asleep. No sleep for me though with all this bullpoopie. The usual fierce stormy eyes were filled with mixed emotions. Sorrow, concern and something else that I couldn't make out. Something I was almost afraid to try in case she had turned to Darkness too.

"Its just a lot is going on at once. I just want one day to collect my thoughts and be able to fight everything with a clear mind. I keep making mistakes like this. Fights with my friends. Had one with Stark this morning and Drama class is just ugh." I replied. "How the heck am I supposed to defeat Neferet? Yeah we have Thanatos and Kalona with us now but how?" She pulled me toward her and I accepted the hug glad she had taken interest in making sure I had someone to talk to other than Neferet. Thank Goddess for that. Lenobia's presence felt comforting and seemed to lessen the stress a little making it easier to breathe and bear. I let myself relax more too.

"We will fight this all in one group. Other fledglings are on our side. The ones who fought the Ravenmockers are on our side. It may seem like a little bit, it will still help Priestess. Darkness never takes a break sadly. It is always evolving somewhere, hurting someone else. It is our job to stop it here. We may not be able to do it everywhere but it still means something to the towns people." She murmured. She pulled away and put both hands on my cheeks. Her thumbs gently tracing my tattoos.

"She chose the right one to lead us though." She added softly. I stood there silently wondering what she was going to do. She hugged me again but this time I felt a bite at my neck. It wasn't hard enough to draw blood but I was sure it would leave a mark. I gasped and tried to push her away but she tightened her hold around my waist.

"Shh." She soothed and this time she bit hard enough to draw blood. My protests soon turned to moans.

Lenobia

She had liked the fledgling. Supported her in everything she did and gave her the best advice she could in hopes of seeing her succeed. Each time she did the longing for her increased. Sure Z had made mistakes but she was learning. Learning to use her powers, listen to her heart, follow the truth and listen to those she was close to. She was wise beyond her years as so many people have said. After meeting her and seeing her grow into the shoes of a Priestess she wanted to claim her. She wished she had been the one to say she would be her mentor to steer her away from the ex-High Priestess who completely sided with Darkness and was turning into something no vampyre has seen before. A fiend so engrossed in evil she could care less who she hurt even if it hurt the ones she was 'close' too.

When she tasted Zoey she felt the power that hummed through her veins. She hadn't hoped to soak it up and become as powerful as the fledgling. She didn't also want to drain the power of the fledgling if possible. She felt an Imprint being put in place and shuddered.

"Lenobia, please stop." She heard the girl say though it sounded strained she knew the girl had enough. She pulled away and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and gave the girl a small smile.

Zoey

I looked at the professor warily after she had stopped (thankfully) when I asked her too. I had now identified what was in her eyes that I had been so afraid of. Lust. Neither of us said anything for a while. We just looked into each other's eyes. I couldn't help but let my mind drift to Heath, my human ex-boyfriend and consort then the backfire of the Imprint with Loren Blake. I swallowed hard already feeling the Imprint.

"Why?" Was all I could ask her. She took my hand in hers and was glad I didn't yank it away. She looked at and traced the tattoos on my palms as if conjuring the right words for her answer. Finally she took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes once more. This time, they were flashing with so many things I couldn't even make out.

"There is no answer Priestess. I like you. I want you." She replied. I opened my mouth to say something. Anything. I wanted to avoid this because of Loren. I wanted avoid getting my soul shattered again like Heath.

"I've made so many mistakes. Why would you still want me even though I couldn't stop Kalona. I couldn't stop her from killing others. Including humans." I said my voice starting to turn into a hushed whisper.

"Because you've stayed strong. You got your soul together with the help of Stark. Yes you lost Heath. Yes Kalona and his sons manifested and killed many including our own people. But Kalona has come to our side and is going to fight with us against Neferet and Darkness."

"How can you be sure it's going to be that easy?" She smiled.

"Oh my dear Priestess its going to be anything BUT easy." She murmured. I sighed.

"Ah, hell." I muttered the phrase I said quite often. The closest to cussing as I got. Unless I was pissed. Really pissed then I actually cussed and made Aphrodite proud. Lenobia embraced me again without biting me this time. She reminded me of the comfort of my grandma's cottage and wonderful smell of Lavender. All of it meant comfort. Not that I was comparing her to Grandma of course. She, in my opinion, would always be the most comforting. My friends and Lenobia were second. But I realized the Imprint would change things. She would feel I what I felt and she would feel what I did. So therefore she could end up in the rankings of Grandma. I shook my head and shut out the thoughts. Later, I thought. Later I would deal with this. Now I just need to focus on killing a evil ex-High Priestess and saving the world without dying in the process. How easy could that be? Most people would think. But my friends, Grandma, the few staff that were not pod people, the few humans we trusted and I knew very well, this is a battle beyond easy. As in, everyone who went against Neferet and Darkness, could die. I tensed and held Lenobia tighter.

"All will be well Priestess." She murmured. "As long as I stand with you I will make sure all is well." I pulled away and she kissed the crescent moon on my forehead.

"Blessed be Priestess." She whispered.

"Blessed be Lenobia." I returned. I put the brush away and went to my dorm already knowing someone somehow would find out about the Imprint between Lenobia and I. I sighed. Ah hell. Just some more bullpoopie I needed. I felt my heart squeeze when I realized if Neferet found out she would definitely do her best to break it and make one or both of our souls shatter. I groaned.

"Ah hell! I can't win against this bitch!"