Ok I'm starting anew story. I may finish my other one but after reading Hunted I just got really inspired with a few ideas. Anyway I hope you like it, tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own The House of Night Series; the actual series belongs to P.C. and Kristen Cast!
All was quiet on our way back to the school and it felt nice to just be able to look at a clear night's sky. The night was once again a friendly place and I sighed relishing it. I looked over at my grandma who was walking along beside me and marveled at how strong she was. Sure we had the wheel chair but she had insisted that she didn't need it. And from the looks of it she didn't! She didn't even look tired or weak. That was more than I could say for the rest of us. I was personally drained and as I looked around my small group of friends I could see that they had more than their fair share of exhaustion.
"We need to hurry and get back ya'll," Stevie Rae said looking around nervously, "The sun'll be up in about fifteen minutes."
"We're nearly to the school now Priestess," Darius said leading a mare in one hand while Aphrodite clung to the other.
He was right. It only took us another two minutes to reach the school grounds. It was no surprise when the gates opened to reveal an exhausted looking Dragon with Lenobia and Anastasia on either side of him. I smiled as Lenobia approached us and hugged her warmly.
"You did it priestess, you made him flee," She said beaming at me. I wished she wouldn't do that. Yes I had made him flee but this was far from over and I told her as much.
"We still have a lot to deal with. They're not going to go down that easily," I sighed as I looked around and realized that part of that a lot to deal with was all of the fledglings who were no longer pods. They all looked dazed and confused. "We're going to have to explain it to them and…"
"One step at a time, Zoey," my grandma said taking my arm. "I think first of all we could all use a good rest."
"I personally plan on sleeping for a week!" Shaunee said stretching her arms way above her head.
"Ditto twin!"
I rolled my eyes. No way was either of them going to make it a whole week in bed! At least not sleeping! (hee-hee yes that was a bad joke!) "Well regardless of that we need to get the red fledglings inside," I said nodding back at my group."
Lenobia smiled up at them, "Welcome home, fledglings."
"Thank you professor," Stevie Rae said grinning back. I could tell she was happy and I was glad. Although there was still a lot I had to work out with her as well. Aphrodite had told me she wasn't being completely honest about things and I knew it was true.
"You can all sleep in the infirmary tonight if you wish. We will close off the windows, or if you would prefer to sleep in your old rooms that would be fine as well," she said nodding to Stevie Rae. "Although, most of your things were put in storage once you were presumed dead. It might take a little while to retrieve them."
"We got stuff back in the tunnels too," Kramisha said.
"Yeah, we'll have to make a trip back there," Said Johnny B.
"Look," I began running a hand through my hair, "we have a whole lot to figure out. However, I think grandma is right. Before we try to figure anything else out I think we should all get some sleep. It going to be a long day tomorrow, we need to address the rest of the Professors and Fledglings, We have to get you guys all set up," I said motioning towards Stevie Rae, "the stables are going to need some fixing up and we have to figure out what our next move is going to be. Plus shouldn't someone get in touch with the council and let them know what's been going on?"
"Yes, Priestess," Dragon said making a fist over his hear and bowing, "I will make a call tonight."
"Good," Lenobia poke putting a hand under her chin, "All of the rest can wait. Let's meet in the Library first thing in the morning. We can figure out what to do from there." Lenobia moved taking the horses from Erik, Darius and Stark.
"I agree," I said and began moving towards the dorms with my grandma and the rest of my friends in tow. It had already been decided that grandma would sleep in my room with Stevie Rae while I spent the night with Aphrodite. Our original plan had been for Stevie Rae to stay with her, but she had nearly freaked out screaming about how just because they were imprinted did not mean they were going to be sharing a bed. Of course no one would have been actually sharing a bed but reasoning with Aphrodite at the point had been impossible. So rather than letting the bickering get way out of hand I simply had chosen to give up my own bed.
We bid the others goodnight as we entered the girls dormitory and watched a sleepy jack curl against Damien and head off for their own room. "Would you like us to stay, Priestess?" Darius asked.
"Yes," Aphrodite instantly answered.
I glared at her, "No Darius. I believe we'll be safe for the night. Besides you all need rest too," I said looking from Darius to Erik to Stark. "We'll see you in the morning."
"Sleep well," Erik said leaning down and kissing me softly on the lips. I saw Stark stiffen but he made no other move for which I was grateful. I did not need any more drama tonight. And I frowned as I thought about all the stuff I was going to have to deal with the next day.