I woke in an unfamiliar room on a hospital bed. The were voices around me but I didn't know what they were saying. When my vision became clear I saw Kye talking to a tall beautiful woman. She had red hair the flowed to the waist of her perfectly statuesque body. She had soft facial features, charming green eyes accented by elegant arched eyebrows. She also had a sapphire moon on her forehead with tattoos swirling down to her jaw line. I sat up quickly and as I did their eyes flew straight to me.

"Oh Briar! I'm so glad your okay!" The woman said in a reassuring motherly tone. I believed we would get along quite well. Just then Kye gasped.

"Look at her mark, theres one on her neck too!" His eyes widened for a mere second then went sincere.

"I see, this is the second fledging in just 30 days, first Zoey now you...hmm..strange." She smiled then continued. "I will be glad to be your mentor,my name is Neferet, come on let me show you around."

I quickly walked beside her and followed out the door. The hallways were dark with only a few gaslights and there were big balls of fluff everywhere (my guess is cats). I peered down the halls but I couldn't see anything.

"I will take you to Zoey, she will show you around, she is the leader of the Dark Daughters, and besides she is your roomate." I just nodded, I hoped she was nice. Soon after we walked through the big wooden doors of what I thought looked like a cafeteria. We walked to a booth that held 6 people, they all looked friendly, so I smiled.

"Zoey, this is Briar, she is new at the house of night and she will be Stevie and your roomate, I would like for you guys to welcome her with open arms and explain to her the rules of the house of night."

"I would be happy to." She replied smiling at me. Then Neferet left, as with all the fear I had of not fitting in.

"Hi Briar, I'm Stevie Rae." Said a short, blonde girl with a very noticable Okie twang. I smiled at her shaking her hand. Then a blonde cutie untroduced himself to me. "Hey Briar, I'm Jack Twist!" He seemed really entusiastic which made me giggle.

"Hiya I'm Erin and-"

"-I am her twin Shaunee"

I stared at them in confusion, Shaunee was of the African American culture, had dark hair and eyes and a smile that was brilliantly white. Erin was fair with blonde hair, but also had a gleaming smile. The boy sitting beside Jack must've sensed my confused so he implied."They aren't really twins, but in time you will realize that it seems they were separated at birth, because they are so much alike. I am Damien by the way."

"Hi." I said hesitantly, they all seemed so perfect, I just hoped they would accept me. At that moment the most gorgous guy I had ever seen walked into the cafeteria, he was at least six- feet tall and he had broad cheekbones, bright blue eyes and hair that did a superman curl. I gasped and fell to the ground as I

realized where I recognized him from. My nightmare! He looked exactly like the guy who had caught me. I was hyperventalating when he had reached my side.

"Are you ok?" He asked cautiously.

"Yes. I think so." I panted, he smiled and I noticed that he had no fangs. I sighed as he grabbed me and pulled me to my feet.

"That's good, I thought I might have startled you to death. Speaking of which who are you?" He said looking down at me. I gulped.

"I'm Briar Stevens, and you are?" I answered with another question.

"Erik Night, it's a pleasure to meet you." He replied holding out his hand, I grabbed it and he squeezed tight. I looked into his blue eyes and tried not to drown. A cough broke my gaze from him. It was Zoey.

"Erik, are you going to catch a movie off campus with me later."

Dang! He was taken. He looked at me one last time before he answered her, his eyes looked hurt as did mine.

"Uhm, sure." He said monotonously, then added, "Why don't we make it a group thing, I hear T.J and Cole are free tonight."

"We're in!" The twins chimed together, I was starting to realize why they had called them twins in the first place.

"And Damien and I will come too." Jack insisted, with a grin on his face.

I put my head down and headed toward the door out of the cafeteria.

"Briar, your coming to aren't you?" Zoey asked.

"Uhm, sure, oh wait I have no way of getting there, my car isn't here." I even heard the sudden disapointment in my tone.

"Well you can ride with me, T.J and Cole, that is if you'd like. " He smiled crookedly, it left me breathless.

"Yeah I'd like that." I said softly starting to smile. I hope him and Zoey aren't actually dating. "When are we going to see the movie?"

"In an hour." Zoey replied.

"Shit! I have to get changed and do my hair! But I have no clothes or supplies to do it with." I exclaimed.

"Uhh yeah ya do Briar, all of your things were brought to our room." Replied Stevie Rae reassuringly.

"In that case, Erik when you are ready to leave come to Zoey's room, thats where I stay." I told Erik quickly.

"Okay."

"Ohh shoot Zoey where's your room?"

"It's ov-"

"I'll show you." Erik cut her off, putting his arm around my shoulder and directing me out the door. I peered back at what I would hope were my new friends, all of them were smiling, but I saw jealousy in Zoey's eyes, so I quickly turned around and followed Erik.

"So how do you like it here at the House Of Night?" He asked. I didn't really know what to say.

"This is my first day being here, but I already love it more than my old school, everyone here is so nice, so welcoming." I smiled up at him, he lit up and smiled back.

"Well it's not everyday we get a new student like you, that's for sure."

"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with me." I asked starting to panic.

"No, no. You have been given a great gift from Nyx which has affected your markings drastically, you said you've only been here one day and your tatto is filled in and you have markings on your neck, and I'm guessing your back too. And if you don't mind me saying, you are one of the prettiest here."

"Wow. But what about Zoey aren't you two dating?" I asked, hoping he would say no.

"Not really, we went on a couple of dates during the month but we were never official, so I guess that means I'm single." I felt my face get hot.

"That's good, I-I mean I wouldn't w-want to , nevermind." Ohmygod I just made it seem like I like him! I feel so stupid. But he laughed.

"It means I'm free to date who ever I want." He said winking at me. But that time i believe we reached the building of the girls dorm. He opened the door for me and we walked into a room that was filled with teenage girls, sofa's and beanie chairs, oh and I won't forget the multiple flat screen tv's. There was also a doorway leading to the kitchen. We walked through quickly, and I ignored all the people who gawked at me. We climbed up the stairs went down the hall and stopped.

"This is it, see you in forty-five minutes."

"Yeah." I sighed, then watched him walk away. After he went around the corner I went in my new room and found that my curling iron was already plugged in (I like to curl my hair because it is naturally straight). I turned it on then ran to the closet. Surprisingly I found all my stuff, clothes, make-up etc.. I grabbed my jean skirt, my red sleevless top that fell off one shoulder, and my black ballet flats. I scooted into the bathroom and slid on my outfit. When I got out the iron was more than hot enough to start curling my hair. I set my full length body mirror in front of me and scanned myself while in the process of doing my hair. I was very slim, but curved at the same time. My dark hair falling until my waist, now in seductive curls. My eyes were green with very elegant eyebrows accenting them, my lips were very supple and sensuous. Just as I finished the last strand of hair Zoey and Stevie Rae walked in.

"Ohmygosh! Briar you look so damn gorgeous!" Stevie exclaimed sounding more like an Okie than before.

"Yeah you do, you so have to go shopping with me." Zoey said smiling.

"Thanks, and Zoey I will have to take you up on that offer." I winked and we all started to laugh.

"And one more thing Briar we have to put cover-up over our marks, it is one of the rules for fledglings."

"Okay, but one of you will have to do my back."

"Oh gosh! You have tattoos like Zoey!" Stevie Rae exclaimed giggling, then she continued, "That is so cool!"

"Thanks." I smiled at her. Then Zoey covered the tattoos on my back, then I worked on my face. When all our tattoos were covered there was a knock on the door. Has it been forty-five minutes already? I asked myself as Stevie Rae got the door. My mouth hung open when I saw who was standing in the doorway.

It was Kye. He was leaning on the doorwayand he looked utterly appealing.

"Why hello again, Briar."