Lured

Chapter One

Exhaustion, Heartbreaks, and Bliss

I had just banished Neferet, Kalona, and his Raven Mockers a few minutes ago with help from my friends. Kalona was a fallen angel. He was pure evil. And so were his sons that were half raven and half human. Centuries ago, my grandmother's people had banished Kalona when he had taken over their village. His sons were made when he raped the women in the village. They then went on to rape other women. It was like a cycle. Kalona was fierce and relentless. So the Wise Women had a meeting. They created a human-sized doll that had the finest hair, skin made from the earth, the finest deer buckskin dress, and they blew life into her. Her name was A-ya and she was beautiful. The only thing that could trap Kalona is the Earth. So A-ya tricked him into following her into a cave deep into the Earth where she wrapped her arms around him and turned back to the doll.

Kalona had been trapped there for many years. Until Neferet came along with her hatred for humans. Kalona found that she would be an easy target, so he started talking to her in her dreams. Soon, Neferet strayed from Nyx, our Goddess, and was under Kalona's full control. With his guiding, Neferet started changing the vampyre fledglings when they died into red fledglings. My friend Stevie Rae and my boyfriend Stark were red fledglings.

When I came to the House of Night in Tulsa, Arizona, I had thought of Neferet as a mother. I had tripped after being marked on my way to see my grandmother. I had been brought into a vision of Nyx where she told me she had chosen me specially. When I awoke, I was at the House of Night with my grandmother and Neferet who asked me about my marks. I had been marked as an adult vampyre. A blue crescent moon was on my forehead, filled in, with swirls of runes drifting out of it, around my eyebrows, and across my cheeks; something that never had happened in vampyre history. My gut and Nyx were telling me to lie. So I did.

I was right though. Neferet had lost the way. I had come across the red fledglings a few times. When my human boyfriend, who had an imprint with me, was abducted by the red fledglings, I had tracked them down to tunnels that ran under Tulsa. There, I had discovered that Stevie Rae was still alive, just not humane. So, Aphrodite and I helped Stevie Rae return to her humanity. While casting a circle, Stevie Rae bit Aphrodite who had taken Stevie Rae's place when Nyx gifted her with the Earth affinity. Aphrodite almost died, but by doing so Stevie Rae gained back her humanity and became an adult red vampyre. Aphrodite had become human through the process.

A few nights later though, the whole school had been there watching as we cast a circle, with Stevie Rae, who had been dead to the rest of the school. The High Priestess of all the High Priestesses was also there because of the missing humans and the hostility between human and House of Night in Tulsa. The red fledglings showed themselves and I tried to explain what had happened. But Neferet was a step ahead of us. Neferet called out to Stark. Stark had been died in my arms a few days prior. We had kissed as he died. So when I saw him the way he was it was hard; especially when he told me he had come back to me. Neferet told him to hit the heart of earth; which was Stevie Rae's heart. Stark had the affinity to never miss his mark with a bow and arrow. So he raised his bow, all the while I was screaming in protest. He shot the bow right into my best friends' chest. The blood that poured from her wound resurrected Kalona. Him and his Raven Mockers rose from the ground, killing most of the Sons of Erebus and the High Priestess.

I had managed to get my circle, Erik, and even the cats, off the grounds and into the tunnels Stevie Rae and her fledglings were staying. Once we were safely underground, we were able to reorganize and prepare. Stevie Rae healed, I got new marks on my hand, Erik and I were together again, one of the red fledglings could write poems that had prophecies in them, and my human ex Heath showed up. Our imprint had broken when I had slept with Loren and me and the adult vampyre had imprinted, Erik had walked in, bringing that relationship to a close then. But on Heath's way out, a Rave Mocker attacked and I pushed him and got scratched myself. The only way for me to have healed, was to drink human blood. Aphrodite had imprinted with Stevie Rae when she needed fresh human blood, so that only left Heath. Our imprint grew stronger when I drunk from him. But my injury was far worse than I had thought. I needed to be around more adult vampires, and the closest place was the House of Night. So, my gang and Darius loaded up and went back, leaving behind Heath, Erik, Stevie Rae, and the red fledglings.

After arriving at the House of Night, not expecting what to find, we were surprised at how deeply controlled everyone was by Kalona. Everyone actually believed he was Erebus reborn and Neferet was Nyx reborn. I had found that Stark was a player, but he repeated time and time again that when he was with me, he felt like he still had a soul. When he pledged himself to me as his warrior, Nyx Changed him to an adult red vampyre. None of my friends understood the soft spot I had for him or knew that we were together or that we had such a strong connection.

We were able to escape the school with the help of Professor Dragon, his wife, Professor Penthesilia, and Professor Lenobia. We managed to get to the Abbey, an old Catholic rune that hid Sister Mary Angela, her fellow Sisters, my Grandma, the red fledglings, Erik, Heath, and Stevie Rae. When we arrived, the Raven Mockers were right on our tail. They waited in trees for their father to arrive. While they waited, we prepared. Somehow, with the help of Grandma, Sister Mary Angela, Stevie Rae, and me, we were able to banish Kalona, his abomination sons, and the fallen High Priestess, Neferet.

That brings me to our current situation. "Zoey," Stevie Rae called to me a few feet away. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, "Just a little shell shocked right now."

She smiled at me kindly. "Well, com'on, the Sisters made dinner." I returned her smile and followed her.

A hand grasped mine as I started walking. I peaked to the side to see Stark looking straight ahead and all innocent, but the cocky smile on my lips told me otherwise. "You really scared me back there," I whispered to him as we ducked down into a tunnel and down stairs that were dimly lit. He glanced at me.

"I told you that our hearts were one. If my target was to hit your heart, my arrow would go to mine. Zoey, I would never hurt you. I promised you I would protect you." His words brought tears to my eyes and I squeezed his hand. He applied pressure back to show he meant it. I stopped him and pressed him to the tunnel's wall.

"I haven't thanked you for that either," I mused, leaning forward on my toes to reach his lips. He was only a few inches taller than me, but now he had his head lowered so it was no problem to find my own target. The kiss was sweet and passionate. I was surprised to find someone with such a strong and lithe body to have such tender, soft lips. They were careful and never pushy. He was never pushy, I realized. He never pressured me into anything like Erik did. Erik. I gasped and kissed his lips once more, pulling my hands from his hair. I grabbed his hands once again and pulled him after me. Stark was still a little dazed as we first started walking.

"You're welcome, Priestess. And you never have to thank me if you don't want to. But I do like it," he winked at me just as we reached an entry way into a large hall. It was dimly lit, I needed to thank Sister Mary Angela for that, and several tables were sprayed sporadically throughout the room. I found my friends at one. I didn't let go of Stark's hand as we neared them. All of their eyes stared directly at our intertwined hands. Some were stares, but some, two specifically, were glares.

"You all know Stark," I introduced and sat down next to Stevie Rae and pulled Stark next to me. She gave me a curious glance, one that said, 'You are so explaining later'. The twins and Damien were giving me similar looks. Jack had a slightly confused expression. Aphrodite just shrugged and went back to talking to Darius who had ignored the tenseness upon my arrival. I didn't look at Erik or Heath as I dug in. Yum, it felt so good to have food. I was completely drained by the day's activities. Blood sounded great at the moment, too.

As if he had read my thoughts, Heath spoke up, but in a shy voice, "Z, do you, um, need a drink?" I heard the double meaning in that sentence just as everyone else had.

"Actually, we have some blood here," I thank you Goddess! I turned to see Sister Mary Angela holding five covered water bottles. I could smell the sweet smell of blood inside of them as it swished around. I licked my lips expectantly. "Erik, Stevie Rae, and the red fledglings, as I was told, needed blood on regular basis. I was also told you would want some after today, so I brought you a bottle, tool," she said, placing one in front of me. She gave one to Stark, Stevie Rae, Darius, and Erik. I ignored them as I quickly unfastened the lid and took a big swig. Yum, so much better than salad. I quickly swallowed the rest and licked the off the remaining drops from my lips.

Glancing around, I found most of the table staring at me in shock/horror. I shrugged. "Banishing someone takes a lot of energy from you."

"Yeah, it does," Stevie Rae agreed in her Okie twang, sitting her bottle down. "Um, do ya think I could have one more? I know ya tried to get me to drink this morning, but I was kinda antsy." Stevie Rae looked pleadingly at the stern Sister Mary Angela.

"Yes, but let this be a lesson to not miss your meals," she scolded and disappeared to find another bottle.

"She is a saint!" I claimed, taking another bite of my salad. Something squeezed my thigh. I looked down to see a lightly tanned hand there; I followed the hand up to the arm and up to Stark's lovely face. He wasn't looking at me when I did look at him. He was eating, but he would glance my direction every once in a while. I smiled inwardly. My knight in shining armor.

"So, Z," Shaunee said.

"What is the plan?" Erin finished. I sighed, I hadn't really thought about what to do. I had been… busy. I gave a meaningful glance at Stark who was looking at his plate.

"I don't know. Go back to House of Night for starters. Lenobia is probably freaking out about her horses." The thought led me to another; I hope they were alright up there. The horses and the Professors. We had left the school with Dragon fighting off several Raven Mockers.

I heard a sigh of agreement. "Who is going to be the new High Priestess?" I asked suddenly. The thought had never really occurred to me that the House of Night of Tulsa was left without a High Priestess. Everyone looked at me with incredulous expressions. "What?"

"Z, I think it's kinda obvious," Erin began.

"That you are the new High Priestess," Shaunee finished her twin's sentence.

"I have to agree with the Dorkamese Twins. Zoey, you banished a fallen angel and have done so many countless other things!" Aphrodite explained.

"It would be the judicious for the High Council to elect you," Damien interjected.

"Judy who?" Shaunee asked.

"Icy what?" Erin inquired.

Damien sighed heavily, shaking his head. Jack beamed, "It means sensible and wise."

"Well why didn't you just say so?" Erin threw her arms up. I laughed at their antics.

"But seriously Z, you have proved yourself far more than many High Priestesses and you're only a fledgling! Ya'll agree with me right?" Stevie Rae looked pointedly at the others at the table.

"Priestess," Darius spoke, receiving everyone's full attention in the process, "I very much agree. You are far more ready to be the greatest High Priestess I have ever met. You are already the greatest High Priestess I have ever met. I often forget that you are just a fledgling. But I do think you could handle the school until they found a replacement. After all that you have been through," Darius finished, looking at me with great respect.

I returned the look with my own respect for him. "Zoey," Stark said next to me, "You are already a High Priestess to me. Whatever you do decide to do, I think you could handle it. And I will be there for you," he winked.

"Awe," Shaunee exclaimed, looking at Stark with dreamy eyes.

"Ditto twin," Erin placed a hand under her chin and just looked at Stark dreamily. I cleared my throat. They looked at me with annoyance, not guilt. "She gets all the guys."

"Agreed. Very much agreed," Shaunee shook her head. For some funny reason that I didn't find funny, everyone erupted in laughs. Even Darius cracked a smile. The ones left not laughing was Erik, Heath, Stark, and most shockingly, me.

I glared at them. Just then Sister Mary Angela arrived with five more bottles. I gave her a very thankful smile. She just nodded her head. That distracted me for a few moments, allowing me to think.

"We also need to figure out a way to get rid of Kalona permanently," I mentioned after everyone had quieted. The silence dragged on as everyone thought of what just that sentence alone could entail.

"Every girl needs to sleep with a guy at night," I added after an afterthought. Okay, even I found that funny. I joined the laughs that round. "I meant that at night, a guy needs to be in our beds touching like a hand or something and actually being 'asleep'. It is the only way to keep Kalona out of your dreams," I rephrased my words.

"How do you know this?" Erik asked, causing the whole table to go silent. Everyone looked at me expectantly. Ah hell.

"Um," I squirmed in my seat. I really didn't want to talk about it in public that Stark had 'slept' with me.

Thank Goddess for Stark and his ability to be on the same wave frequency as me! "I told her about it. Kalona made me guard the girls' dorms to make sure no guys could get in so that he could enter their dreams."

"So you were Kalona's little pet? How can we trust you?" Erik questioned with a spark of distrust and hate in his eyes. Stark swallowed hard and glared back. I squeezed his hand tightly.

"Okay, I'm going to say this once," I warned. "I want everyone to listen and get this straight." I looked every single person at the table in the eye. "Stark has declared himself as my warrior. As you can see, Nyx approved of this and Changed him. Stark fought against the darkness just as Stevie Rae had. You are going to give him a chance, I did and I wasn't disappointed," I stood abruptly and stormed away.

I was fuming and had to collect myself. I went and sat on the steps. Centering myself, I called out to Nyx. Nyx, I thought, what am I to do now? Kalona is still out there somewhere. As well as Neferet and the Raven Mockers. I am confused as to which road I am to take.

Have faith in yourself and your friends was my answer. I took it. I had learned that Nyx may not give you a direct answer to your question; she always led you in the right direction. I heard footsteps and looked up to see Erik. Lovely, I really didn't want to deal with him at the moment.

"Zoey, can we talk?" he asked quietly. I nodded and scooted over against the wall, facing him as he sat down across from me on the same step. "Look, about what happened a minute ago. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have questioned someone you trust. If you trust him, I trust him."

Erik's words were nice. I thought back to the days when it was just me and him and no problems. His soft lips and crystal blue eyes. Oh, stop it Z, you don't need the three boyfriend issue again. Remember what happened last time? But technically, Erik was already my boyfriend. He was just different. He was pushier and tried to pressure me into sex.

I looked back into his blue eyes that were pleading. "You really shouldn't be apologizing to me. Stark is the one who you owe an apology."

"I told him I was sorry. He had tried to come after you, but I made him sit down. Then your obnoxious human tried to come and I had to talk some sense into him. I want to know why you ever started dating him in the first place." Erik stated quietly.

"Almost the same reason I'm with you now," my answer shocked him. I continued, "History. I've known Heath since kindergarten. You also shouldn't be worrying why Heath and I started dating. You should be worrying about what's going on between us," I decided that we needed to go ahead and talk about his issues.

"What do you mean?" Erik questioned, slightly confused.

I sighed. "Erik, do you really think I'm easy?" He looked wide-eyed at me for a moment before opening his mouth, but I cut him off. "I'm not finished. I really regret what happened between Loren and I. The fact that I lost my virginity to that sick, lying, manipulative turd haunts me enough every day. I'm not ready to just jump right back in and have sex. Every time we kiss now, it's like you get taken over by this one-track minded possessive jerk. The first time in the tunnels that we made out, I told you to stop, but you wouldn't. You kept going, and wouldn't stop until I physically made you. Erik you have to realize, I'm not some easy piece of meat you can go around having sex with in odd places. I'm not that girl," I finished. My voice had stayed strong up until that last sentence, my voice breaking on the last word.

"Oh Z," Erik started to protest. But I shook my head vehemently.

"I want you to think about it for awhile. When you have something meaningful to respond to what I just said, then I will talk to you about it," I stood quickly. I wiped my face of betrayal tears. "Erik, I know I hurt you. But this isn't going to work if you pressure me into getting what you want because of what I did with another guy. I'm not a slut, get that through your thick head," I whispered viciously and went back to the hall. I knew my eyes were red, but no one said anything as I sat down. They all looked in another direction. They eyed Erik as he sat down though. He wouldn't look my way either. Stark wrapped a comforting arm around my waist and squeezed reassuringly. I leaned into his side and I instantly felt two pairs of eyes on the both of us. I was right. When I looked up, Heath was glaring at Stark and Erik was glaring at me.

I sighed for the umpth-teen time today. "I'm tired and ready to go home. Everyone ready?" I asked with a yawn.

Every head nodded sluggishly. "Then let's hit the road. Let me go thank Sister Mary Angela and say goodbye to my Grandma real quick." I got up and went to find the old ladies.

"Zoeybird," my grandma exclaimed as I neared her. I leaned down to give her hug since she was in a wheelchair again. She still smelled faintly of lavender, home. I tightened my hold on her for a moment before letting go. "Are you going back to the school?" my grandma asked curiously.

"Yeah, Aphrodite is going to start complaining about her hair any minute and everyone is pooped," my grandma nodded with a sympathetic look.

She smiled up at me, "Well, Sister Mary Angela says that she is keeping me until I make full recovery and then I can go home to the farm." I looked at her worriedly.

"Grandma," I said, looking down at my feet anxiously.

"What is it, U-wi-tsi-a-ge-ya?" she inquired. I looked back up at her expectant face.

"Um, I think it would be best if you stayed at the House of Night. We only banished Kalona and them. We didn't get rid of them for good. They could get to you again; I don't want you getting killed because of me," I admitted. She nodded, thinking for a moment.

"If you think that is best, Zoeybird," my grandma agreed. I returned her warm smile.

I looked at the group who were waiting for me, "I got to go. So, when you feel better, let me know and I will send someone for you." I leaned down into her warm embrace. "I love you Grandma."

"I love you, my U-wi-tsi-a-ge-ya."

"Bye Grandma," I waved as I turned and went back to my awaiting friends. "Heath, you should go home," I said as I reached the group. Heath was standing awkwardly to the side. He looked up shocked when I said his name.

"Are you sure Zoey, what about what you said with Kalona and sleeping in a bed with a guy?" Heath asked, exasperated.

I just looked at him, tapping my foot. "Really Heath? You are not a fledgling, so you can't stay. Go back to Broken Arrow, please." I added the 'please' for good measure. Heath looked at me again with those sad puppy dog eyes that used to make my knees go weak, but now they were just annoying. I was tired and wanted to sleep. It made me feel good to know that Heath cared about me and had been listening early and thought he could protect me, but he needed to go home.

"Okay, will you call me later?" I nodded my head tightly. That was a long shot. I really should call it off with him. The imprint this time was too strong and I didn't want it getting it any stronger. I hated leading him on. I did love Heath, but not the way I used to. Oh Goddess, I have too much boy drama going on. Heath hugged me and kissed my forehead before heading up the stairs and out of view.

"Stevie Rae, are you and the red fledglings coming back to the school with us?" I realized we hadn't worked that out yet.

Stevie Rae nodded excitedly. "Of course; some have already left to get their stuff." I couldn't wait to have her as a roommate again.

"Are you going to room with me again?" I forgot that she hadn't exactly said that she would. Stevie Rae's smile faltered.

"Oh Z, you know I want to. But I really would rather be underground. You remember what I told you about being underground just felt right for us?" I nodded, "Well, you know the basement under the girls' and boys' dorms?"

"Yeah, that's where they used to store the dead kids' stuff and wait for the 'rents to come pick them up before they moved that to the storage shed," Damien remembered. "Now it's just abandoned."

"Well, I was thinking the girls could stay under the girls' dorm and the boys under the boys' dorm," her Okie twang mused.

I thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "I think that would work."

"Well, you're our High Priestess," Shaunee smiled mischievously.

"Ditto, twin," Erin agreed with her own grin.

I groaned, "No, I'm not. If you really want me as your High Priestess you are at least going to have to talk to the school's Council."

Damien shook his head, "Well, we make up most of the Council." He gestured around the group. "I vote Zoey as the High Priestess."

"You have my vote," Shaunee and Erin said at the same time.

"I have to agree with the Dorkamese Twins, again," Aphrodite muttered the last part.

Stevie Rae was beaming, "You have my vote times a thousand."

"Ooh, and mine if I was on the Council," Jack added enthusiastically. I felt my heart swell with their support.

"Oh, you guys, that's so sweet. But there still has to be a meeting with the Council." I reminded them.

"Can we just drop it and go," Erik interjected impatiently. I glared at him and I felt Stark's hand, that was in mine, tighten.

I stepped closer to Erik and whispered quietly, "Of course, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." I drug Stark with me as I climbed the stairs and away from Erik. I really wanted to be in my room crying my eyes out. "Let's go," I started walking towards Persephone who was chewing on the grass. I heard the hushed murmurs of my friends behind me, so I didn't pause as I straddled Persephone. "Are you getting on?" I asked Stark who was looking at the horse curiously.

He glanced up at me, "Um, sure." I scooted up in the saddle and allowed him to place his foot in the stirrup to mount. Stark placed a hand on the horn and pulled, swinging his left leg over in the process.

"That was a good mount," I commented, slightly impressed. "Have you ever ridden before?" I asked as I picked up the reigns and steered Persephone towards the trees where we would find the road.

Stark placed his chin on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer, which I didn't mind at all. I leaned back into his chest and felt it move as he answered, "I did a little as a kid. Chicago isn't really a place for horses, too cold," I laughed along with him. I kept Persephone at a lazy trot, not wanting to rush back to the school when I was in utter bliss in Stark's strong arms.

"Priestess," Stark whispered in my ear.

"Yes?" I queried as we reached the road. I called for the mist that had covered us during the escape. It was about four in the morning and the sun would be rising in a few hours, no need to be careless and cause a scene.

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" My smile widened.

"Stark, you can stay every night if you wish to," I answered seductively. I felt a pair of lips press against my neck. Those lips moved up to my ear and whispered, "Of course," and went back to kissing my neck. I shivered and scooted closer to him, if that was even possible. I heard hooves and I glanced to the side to see Shaunee and Erin giggling. Stark sighed, but smiled against my neck, pulling away.

"Wow Z, you sure know how to play em," Erin mentioned before kicking into the horses' side and taking off. Shaunee laughed and followed her twin before I could call an element. Stark was laughing as a Hummer honked behind us.

"Hey Z, you're mist isn't working too well, distracted much?" Aphrodite called out of the rolled down window of the driver's side, leaning over Darius' lap. He was smiling, but looking straight ahead. Aphrodite was snickering as she sat back in her seat and the window rolled up. I had managed to get a glimpse of Erik and I felt instantly guilty. He looked stricken and betrayed.

Stark's hands tightened on my waist. "Stark, what is it?" I asked him as the Hummer drove on ahead of us.

"Zoey, I just felt guilty about something. It's like, whatever you're feeling, I feel too," Stark admitted honestly.

"Hm," I sighed tiredly. That would be lovely, a guy on the same frequency as my mood swings. "You're in for a ride next week," I mumbled with a short laugh.

"Why is that?" Stark inquired curiously.

I snickered, "Oh, you will see. Something you're going to have to get used to once a month."

Stark stilled against me. Hey, at least he caught on. If he hadn't, I was going to have to start wondering about him…

"Ha, funny," he muttered, his voice taut.

"I was being serious, and I get pretty moody," I teased.

"Priestess," he warned.

"Fine, I act pretty much the same," I rattled.

"No, Priestess," Stark pointed ahead to a pair of headlights. "Aphrodite said your mist wasn't holding up too much back there."

"No problem," I shrugged and concentrated a little more. "You know, it's hard to concentrate with a handsome warrior sitting up behind me like that," I confess with a smile just as the car passed with no signs of alarm at noticing two teenagers riding a horse early in the morning.

"I could get off if you like, Priestess," Stark recommended and I could just see that cocky smile that I loved so much.

"Stark, I insist that you stay on the saddle and keep your Priestess safe from falling," I feigned adamant. Stark's arms pulled me closer and tighter, if possible, in response to my comment. "That's better," I sighed, completely relaxed, as we entered the gates of the school.

"Finally," I heard the strict tones of Lenobia as she came our way with a worried look. "Persephone, are you okay," she cooed, petting her horses' mane. "What took you so long?" She scolded us.

I blushed, "Yeah, I'm fine too, thanks." Lenobia gave me a look so I quickly answered, "I was really tired and I just wanted to take things slow for a moment, Persephone didn't complain once."

"Looks like things went slow," she eyed Stark and then me. Professor Lenobia had only been around Stark during his dark days on the campus when Kalona and Neferet reigned. She didn't know the Stark I know. All she thought of him probably was a player and a liar.

"If you are tired," she continued without another glance at Stark or his arms that were wrapped around me even though we weren't moving. "There is a large bed with your name on it in Nyx's Temple." A small smile pulled at her lips.

I think I almost fainted. "N-Ny-Nyx's Temp-le?" I stuttered. "That is the High Priestess' apartment though."

She nodded, the smile growing. "I wanted to be the one who told you. You're not High Priestess yet, but you're going to be the substitute High Priestess. The others voted you will need help, so I will be there for you. But I insisted on giving you a room in the Temple so you can have room to practice your elements and study and whatnot. So, I guess I am due thanks," she winked at me.

"Oh Lenobia!" I cried, dismounting Persephone in expert form, and throwing my arms around the unexpecting Professor. "Thank you, thank you so many times!"

"I thought you would like that," she patted my back and I let go of her. Lenobia smiled down at me with those crystal eyes that, at the moment, were caring. "Plus, I think you're ready. So, I'm going to take Persephone to what is left of the stables…" Lenobia sighed, looking at the remnants of the stables.

"I'll help you start rebuilding tomorrow," I promised her. She shook her head.

"No, we'll be too busy tomorrow. We have to make an announcement to the rest of the school that they had all been tricked and deceived by Kalona and Neferet. Some are going to be impacted so hard they will need counseling that is another part we come in. If you wish, I will do the speech while you console?" She suggested.

"No, no," I brought my hands up. "Most of the girls in this school hate me right now," she didn't ask for me to explain but just glanced at Stark and nodded. "I think it would be best for me to do the talking since I know what all happened." She nodded.

Stark dismounted and was standing next to me as Lenobia and I said our goodbyes for now. She grabbed Persephone's reigns and led her away. I grabbed Stark's hands and led him away to my new apartment!

A/N: So what do you think of it? I know I have other obligations, four stories but one isn't being updated until it gets reviews and story alerts, but I love House of Night and this was really easy to write. I have been working on this when I'm stuck on my other stories. I really like it and I can't wait to continue.

Eric and Heath aren't finished yet. Even though I despise them, Team Stark all the way, I know Zoey's character. So, I am not going to be one of those authors who just cast aside the guys they don't like. Zoey isn't like that. But right now, Eric and Z are going through a rough patch.

Review and tell me what you think!!! Pretty please with Stark kisses on top? He-he I like that.