So hey. Another House of Night fanfiction submitted!
Yes, this is AphroditexStevie Rae. HAH. Love that pairing to bits ~ Anyways, this is gonna make MUCH more sense than my other one.
Um, no original characters are thrown in, and this is after the latest book Awakened.
So I hope y'all enjoy. Feedback would be nice, reviews and such. So okay.
Disclaimer: I wish I owned House of Night. But y'all should know I dont. Hehe...
Summary: Their imprint was very strong. Even now that the imprint is gone, there's still something there. And Stevie Rae knows that there is a bond. But Aphrodite wouldn't admit it. She just couldn't. Meanwhile, Rephraim steps in to take the okie away. But will Aphrodite allow it? Or will she finally admit that it's love. - Chapter One
A blaring siren hollered through the empty street. It was dark, very very dark. It scared her. Even though she doesn't actually feel emotions in her visions, she did in this one. She felt very scared.
Her eyes grazed the edges of the streets, reminding herself that it was only her imagination as the darkness started growing through the silhouette. But then again, her imagination was never big.
Two figures emerged from the darkness, one tall and broad while the other small and feminine. She watched solemnly as the two let go of each other's hand. The feminine figure leaned up and kissed the other. But the other figure had other plans. With a quick movement of his wrist, he had a blade stuck in the feminine figure's stomach.
She watched gruesomely as the male figure stab her repeatedly and finally stood up. He dashed off into the night, and the girl caught a glimpse of black feathers.
Ignoring that, she slowly and cautiously made her way to the dead figure. Finally, she could see the figure's face. She felt the bile on the back of her throat as she gasped, her eyes welled up with tears and soon her body was trembling. The girl... The figure that got killed...
Stevie Rae.
"Aphrodite!"
The blonde's eyes snapped open. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and clutched her chest roughly. Her heart was pounding way too hard. Sooner or later, it's gonna pop out of her chest.
Her gaze traveled around the room. Nearly everyone was there; Zoey, Stark, Erik, Venus, Dallas, Kramisha, Johnny B, Darius, etc. And by the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Stevie Rae with human-boy raven mocker by the side. For some reason the sight of them together irked her...
"Aphrodite, you okay?" Zoey asked worried. Everyone was standing except for Aphrodite, who was sweating while sitting on a yellow chair.
The blonde looked away guiltily. She thanked Nyx that the imprint was gone so that the okie couldn't tap into her mind. But then again, their imprint was gone... And Stevie Rae imprinted with a dark, fallen raven mocker.
It messed with her.
"I-I'm fine."
"What was the vision?" Stark asked as he stood protectively over Zoey.
Aphrodite closed her eyes for a moment. "I... I can't remember the details." She lied.
Darius appeared beside her. Ah, Darius. The handsome, strong and noble warrior that had sworn to protect Aphrodite no matter what. What had changed her feelings for him? I mean sure, now he's still the one shining star to her. She still loves him but... Stevie Rae, she-
Ugh. Freaking confusing.
"Beauty, it is alright. I am here." He muttered.
Aphrodite stared straight into his eyes. Nothing. She forced a smile and intertwined her fingers with his. "I know, handsome."
Stevie Rae went up to the girl without letting go of Rephraim's hand. Great. And she looked at her seriously. "Aphrodite, your vision sounded freaky. We just got to the depot and you blacked out. We had to carry you all the way down here!"
At that, she gestured to the tunnels. "It sounds important. Can you just please try to remember?"
Why was she so anxious to know? Why was she pleading when Aphrodite was the one hurting?
The girl couldn't keep her eyes off Stevie Rae and Rephraim's intertwined hands. It killed her slowly.
"I... I need to talk with you alone." She mumbled.
Stevie Rae's eyes widened, and the rest were equally as shocked. But the look on Aphrodite's face made them all pile out silently. Zoey left with a knowing look at Aphrodite, while Stark glared at her. Rephraim was the last to leave.
'Of course.' She thought angrily.
Stevie Rae kissed his cheek and nodded, and soon even he was gone. The room had suddenly gone quiet, and Aphrodite got reminded of her dark vision. The okie turned to look at the blonde with her hands on her hips. She pouted a little and sighed.
"So?"
Aphrodite looked up at her. In addition, the okie cringed at the vulnerability in her eyes. However, the emotion changed to something else... Something Stevie Rae couldn't identify.
"In my vision,
Stevie Rae, you die."
Outside, Zoey pressed her ear against the door and tried to listen in. "Damnit. I can't hear anything." She pulled back and pouted. "Stupid wood!"
Stark smirked and took Zoey's hand in his. He stuck out his tongue playfully and cornered her against the door. "Mmm, don't bother the wood."
Zoey blushed and winked at him. "How considerate of you, Stark."
Soon they were wrapped up in an intense and hot make out session. Stark's tongue was in Zoey's mouth and she was just about to take off his shirt when the door slowly opened. Zoey stumbled a little step back and turned around to match Stevie Rae's nervous look.
"Sorry, Z. But we would really appreciate it if you guys didn't grind up against the door."
Zoey blushed and shook her head quickly. "O-Of course! Sorry!"
Stevie Rae smiled and closed the door. Stark snickered and scratched the back of his head. Zoey, looking embarrassed, gave Stark a stern look but couldn't help but laugh.
Back inside, Aphrodite kept her eyes shut. Her head was pounding, just because she was afraid of the vision. If it came true then- ... Aphrodite wouldn't be able to take it.
Stevie Rae sighed and sat down in front of the girl with her legs crossed. "Tell me everything. Every single detail."
Aphrodite looked into Stevie Rae's eyes and saw something. Something bright and peaceful and warm. She didn't just see it, she felt it. She felt those butterflies in her tummy and she felt all that affection and passion. It made her insides shiver with anticipation. But it also made her head go into denial.
"Aphrodite...?"
The girl turned her gaze away. "It was dark..." Then she started telling the story slowly and painfully because it hurt her for some reason.
Stevie Rae was listening intensively and looking the most serious anyone has ever seen her look. Her face showed strength and confidence, but her eyes blazed worry and fear.
"...and the guy left you dead." Aphrodite left out the black feathers part because she knew it'd make her sound petty considering it was obviously a Raven Mocker. And not just any Raven Mocker, but Rephraim.
"W-Were there any hints on who the killer was?" Stevie Rae's voice was quiet and afraid, she almost sounded like a 5-year-old girl.
Aphrodite looked at the ground, trying to decide whether she should tell her or not. "... No. Not for me."
A lie.
A cold, filthy, unfaithful, broken lie. It was the only option. If Stevie Rae knew who it was- it would kill her. And Aphrodite didn't want that at all. She needed the okie. Why? Hell, she doesn't know. Of course, she'll never admit to it. I mean, this is Aphrodite La'Fonte we're talking about.
"Damn." Stevie Rae got up and began pacing back and forth around the room. It was all too much for a person to handle in one day. She was gonna die? How is that even possible...
"Stevie Rae-"
"Wait! Maybe it was Kalona! Or like um... Neferet!" Stevie Rae muttered to no one in particular. She was obviously making excuses, cause even without the 'black feathers' detail put in, it did sound like Rephraim was the killer.
But the okie wouldn't accept it. She'd never. She just couldn't. Not with how Nyx forgave him and turned him human. Not with what has happened to him already. He was given a second chance, no way was he gonna screw it up.
Aphrodite hesitated, knowing that the objections and distractions came from a place of love. Stevie Rae was saying all these stuff because... She loves him. It pierced a cold, hard blade into Aphrodite's heart.
"Or it could've been one of Kalona's Raven Mocker. I mean, there's so much of them anyways!" Stevie Rae just couldn't admit it.
"Stevie Rae-"
"Or it could've been Dallas! He's turned evil anyways so-"
"Stevie Rae!" She had had enough. "Accept the damn fact already!"
The okie turned to stare at her in hurt. "W-Wha-"
"I saw black feathers." Aphrodite blurted, shutting her eyes. "He had black wings. He was tall and broad and exactly like-" She paused and looked away. "-him."
As if on cue, Rephraim entered the room with a big smile. He had the right to be happy- considering Nyx gave him a second chance. He marched up to Stevie Rae and linked his arm through hers, giving her a quick kiss.
"So you two done talking?" He asked, turning his gaze to Aphrodite.
But Aphrodite just wouldn't meet his eye. She was afraid to look into his dark soul. "Yup." She got up and hurriedly exit the room, not able to see the couple together.
The door closed and Rephraim turned to look at Stevie Rae, who stared at the door in sadness. "What was that about?" His face turned serious. "Is everything okay?"
Stevie Rae forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, nothing's wrong. Don't worry."
Outside, Aphrodite leaned against the door with staggered breathing. The imprint she used to have with Stevie Rae... It messed with her. It messed with her bad. Her heart now just wouldn't stop pounding. It hurt her as it clashed against her chest.
"Shit." She whispered, closing her eyes. This was too much. She had handled jealousy before with Erik and then with Darius. But this type of jealous; it felt as if she was a restless, soulless spirit that wouldn't be fulfilled until her feelings are shown. Was this love?
Hell no.
She didn't wanna accept it. She loved Darius- and him only. She let go the breath she was holding and hurried down the tunnels in search of her knight. She needed him...
Stevie Rae rushed out of the room with Aphrodite in mind. She had excused herself from Rephraim to go look for the girl. Aphrodite was hiding something and Stevie Rae was determined to find out what. It's just... Her face, the expression she had when Rephraim had kissed her, was burned into her mind.
Her face was full of displeasure and hate. Why does she not like Rephraim so much? Why does she hate him? He didn't do anything wrong to her... At least, she thinks he didn't. Naw, he wouldn't... Would he?
"Crap." Stevie Rae cursed as she ran into a wall. Her mind had been so caught up with this whole thing that she hadn't realize the tunnel wall in front of her. She turned to her right, and something hit her. Not literal, but metaphorically.
Aphrodite had her slim arms wrapped around Darius' neck, and he had his hands placed on her waist. They were both kissing passionately as if soulmates. Their eyes were closed but Aphrodite's expression was a little... ruthless. She clung to him like a lifeline.
And for some reason, for some idiotically weird and not to mention awkward reason, she was feeling really annoyed at the scene. Usually, she'd just feel disgusted if someone made out in front of her. But this was different.
She felt... envious.
'But I don't like Darius at all.'
Her gaze then shifted to Aphrodite.
'No... It can't be.'
Their recent imprint had Stevie Rae in a realization. She was jealous... of Darius! Does she like Aphrodite or something? No way! It can't be... Aphrodite's.. Aphrodite! How can she like her?
"Darius," Aphrodite moaned through the kiss. "I love you."
Her heart skipped a beat, it really did. She took a step back to keep from tripping. Her heart was suddenly pounding so hard it was a surprise that they couldn't hear it. She turned around, trying to block out Darius' voice as he said 'I love you too', and ran off. She just ran.
There is a common knowledge, general sense, that if you get jealous and don't confront your feelings, tears will leak out. And for people that think they're already in love with someone else, it hurts double because it just adds the fact that they might be hurting that person too.
It's hard; to be in love with two people. You can never choose. But even if you choose, will the one you choose take you? And worse, will the one you choose love you for who you are?
So many questions unanswered yet we let them be because we want to find out the hard way. But then again, it hurts more.
Stevie Rae stared at the withered plant in front of her. It's leaves have gone dry. And the beautiful pink petals had fallen onto the table. Her heart was the petals. Fallen and separated to two different directions. She couldn't think straight as another tear rolled down her cheek. Why was she crying...?
The door to the shed swung open and Damien strolled in. He closed the door silently, solemnly looking around at all the almost-dead flowers. He had yet to notice Stevie Rae, but once he did notice her swollen face - her eyes and nose were red, her lip was trembling and her cheeks were pink - he had hurriedly rush over to comfort her.
He grabbed a metal chair from the side and sat down next to her in front of the withered plant. Slowly, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. "It's okay, hon. I'm here." He whispered.
Finally, Stevie Rae was able to speak. The first thing that left her mouth was, "I'm so confused."
Damien frowned. "Do you want me to get Zoey? Or Erin and Shaunee?"
Stevie Rae shook her head.
"How about Rephraim?"
She hesitated. Rephraim... He was the least person Stevie Rae wanted to see. After all that Aphrodite drama stuff, she couldn't bear to see Rephraim without feeling guilty. She had practically fallen in love with someone else while still with him. How could she? Especially after everything he has been through.
"N-No. Just stay here with me." She whispered, holding her friend's hand. She needed Damien now. He was a real good comforter.
"I-I think I'm in love with someone other than Rephraim."
Damien's brow furrowed and he frowned. "Hon, don't take this the wrong way but that's gonna hurt ya."
"I-I know but I didn't fall out of choice." Stevie Rae whispered. "It just... happened. And it hurts."
Damien nodded and stared at the flower. "Of course it hurts. That's why the heart pumps in the first place..."
Stevie Rae stared at her friend's face. He still looked surprisingly pale, and he looked as if he was still recovering from Jack's death. It hurt everyone, but Damien was the worst bruised.
"But... I can't be in love with this person. It's... It's totally wrong and-"
"-says the person dating a Raven Mocker." Damien stated, smiling sheepishly.
Stevie Rae, even through the situation, let go a chuckle. "Yeah but... This person..." Her mind wandered to Aphrodite. "Am I in love with her?"
Damien choked. He coughed and shook his head. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "Her?"
Stevie Rae then realized what she said and blushed. Crap. She was caught. She looked away guiltily and tried to form proper and elegant words in her mind. "I-I, y-you- it - what- It's n-not- shit." So much for proper and elegant.
Damien stared at Stevie Rae's face hard. "Is it... Zoey?"
Stevie Rae turned to Damien accusingly. "Whaaat? No! I swear! Zoey's just my BFF."
"Uhm... Venus?"
Stevie Rae shook her head and fake-gagged.
"Okay... Erin?"
Once again, the okie shook her head.
Damien sighed. "Better yet, skip ahead to Aphrodite, the meanest girl on Earth!" He said sarcastically.
Stevie Rae paused. Aphrodite... Her name was beautiful. The goddess of beauty and love.
Damien took awhile to realize Stevie Rae hadn't answer, and once he did. "Ohmygoddess," His eyes were wide and his jaw dropped. He hadn't look so full of emotion ever since Jack passed away. Some color was returning to his face. "You're in love with Aphrod-"
"Shhhh!" Stevie Rae commanded, placing her index finger on her lip. "You're too loud, damnit!"
Damien shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry. Got over-excited. But seriously, Stevie Rae? Aphrodite?"
Stevie Rae looked away and sighed. "To be honest, I don't know Damien... Everything is so confusing."
"Well... What do you feel?"
Stevie Rae turned to look into his light blue eyes. Blue eyes... Like Aphrodite's. "Do you know the feeling... When you see someone with another person... You get insanely envious and wish that that person was with you?"
"Yeah, I get it quite a lot." Damien mumbled. "It's called Jealousy."
"And... when you're not with that person, your heart aches and your body trembles with the thought that you'll never have them?"
"Love." Damien said, smiling sadly at the withered flower.
Stevie Rae hesitated. "That's... How I feel with Aphrodite."
Damien turned to her. "And Rephraim?"
Her breath caught. Shit. Rephraim. Why did he have to be involved in this convo? But Stevie Rae knew that he'd get involved eventually.
"I... don't know. When I look at him, I care but... He's- ... Aphrodite's... different." Was all she could say. Somehow, the words to Rephraim got caught up in mid-sentence. And Aphrodite came in... again.
Damien smiled sadly. "Stevie Rae Johnson, you've fallen hard for Aphrodite La'Fonte." He muttered.
Stevie Rae stared at the plant and sighed. "Shit. I'm in some deep bull."
"Bull?"
"Short for bullshit." Stevie Rae mumbled absent-mindedly.
Damien chuckled and turned his gaze to the flower too. "But y'know... With some time and power, every living creature will be able to live again."
Stevie Rae turned to her friend and raised an eyebrow. "Live again? What do you mean?"
Damien smiled and exhaled. "Air, come to me." He exclaimed proudly, closing his eyes. A second after he said that, a breeze that came out of nowhere lifted Damien's and Stevie Rae's hair, flowing around them.
He turned to the okie expectantly. "Your turn." He said, winking at her.
Stevie Rae paused but turned her gaze to the plant. With a commanding voice, she said. "Earth, help me." The scent of hay and grass and soil filled their nostrils. It put Stevie Rae in calm.
Damien squeezed Stevie Rae's hand and turned to the plant. "I ask you today, to help this plant reborn as a new sprout. Help this beautiful flower to live again. Blow away the weeds and roots that had decayed and blow in the new life I ask to give." The breeze around them swiveled and swirled around the plant. Damien turned to Stevie Rae, but he didn't need to say anything to have her to do her job.
"Earth, please help this withered plant." She exclaimed. "It has been dragged into darkness, dried by the sun and slaughtered by the evil hands of death. Help it to sunlight, help it achieve life again. Give it nutrients and vitamins, life and spirit. Help it to heal and live again!"
With one breath, the plants around them shivered and shook expectantly. Slowly, the withered plant on the table, with its dead overgrown roots and dried up leaves, began to reach upwards. The slow movement of the stem was enough to convince Stevie Rae of Damien's words.
The leaves evolved from brown to green, the roots shrunk a little and burrowed deeper into the rich soil, the pink petals were blown up by the wind and Earth reached out to it, giving the plant vines to entangle the petals together. Finally, the plant breathed again, its leaves happily swaying to the breeze.
Stevie Rae squealed in excitement. "That was amazing, Damien!"
Damien smiled and wrapped an arm around Stevie Rae's shoulder. "I gotta admit, I was having doubts at first but that was indeed amazing."
They both laughed and finally, Stevie Rae turned to Damien. "Live again, huh?" For some reason her mind instantly turned to Aphrodite.