"What did your Grandma say?" I ask finishing the last knot in Erin's blonde hair and give her brush back.
She looks at us with a weary smile.
"She gave me a prayer that I feel we should say, and as always wisdom from her great mind." Zoey responds.
"Well let's get to it." Erin says putting her brush back into her purse.
We all get up, move a few things out of the way, and start the prayer.
As always Zoey leads, "Oh great spirit who made all races look kindly upon the whole human family and take away the arrogance and hatred which separates us from our brothers."
Other students quietly gather around as Zoey continues. I never knew how many people jack affected. It is amazing.
"Young priestess?" Darius speaks up, interrupting Zoey.
"Yes?"
"Might I suggest we have a House of Night vigil after this?"
"Yes Darius, we will have a small one after this."
We finish the Cherokee prayer and go outside to the courtyard and begin the House of Night vigil, Stevie Rae, the twins, and I in a circle and Zoey in the spotlight.
"Let's start," Zoey smiles.
The whole crowd becomes quiet, there are only quiet sobs.
"Air, I call to you, please come to me." Zoey faces East looking at me and lights my yellow candle.
A circle of air comes to her and follows her as she turns clockwise.
"Fire, I call to you, please come and join air," Zoey is facing South, looking at Shaunee and lighting the red candle.
Repeating air, fire also comes and dances along with air beside Zoey as she walks to the next element.
"Water, I call to you, please come and join the circle," Zoey is facing West, where Erin is standing and lights the blue candle.
Water also joins the circle and follows Zoey to the last element that is to be called.
"Earth, I call to you, please come and join your fellow elements," Zoey is facing North, looking at Stevie Rae and lighting the green candle.
Earth is responsive and joins the other three elements.
Zoey retreats to the middle of the circle.
"Spirit, I call to you, please come and finish the circle."
The element replies and the elements all dance together.
"Nyx come to us and help us heal the pain from the loss of our friend."
A big light bursts out of nowhere and the spirit of Nyx forms.
"My children, your friend may have suffered a horrible death, but understand that he is now roaming the Otherworld and is very happy. I understand that you may be having a hard time accepting that he is gone."
Her spirit floats toward me.
"Damien my child, merry meet," Nyx greets me.
"Merry meet your Goddess," I give her the proper greeting.
"Child, it is going to be hard to accept this, I know that; but you need to remember that Jack would hate to see you like this."
"I understand Goddess," I say.
"The road may be rough and long, but with friends it is easier than it would be if you go about it alone. Stay with your friends, their love with help you come to terms."
"I don't want to forget Jack."
"Child, it is not forgetting. It's accepting." Nyx responds.
"Yes, Nyx."
Nyx travels back to the middle for everyone to see.
"My children, please remember that we will all have our memories of Jack Twist. Some good and some bad, ones that are happy and may make us cry. It is okay to cry. But most of all, you are not alone; depend on each other in this time of need."
After her words of wisdom she goes and talks to Zoey.
"Zoey, very good job with your ritual, now complete it and keep up the good work."
"Thank you Goddess," Zoey responds.
"Merry meet, my children." Nyx says before she returns to the Otherworld.
"Merry meet, Goddess," the crowd responds.
Zoey thanks the elements starting with spirit, and goes counter clockwise starting with Earth.
"The ritual is over, merry meet everyone, and always remember the wisdom that Nyx has bestowed on us tonight." Zoey says loud so the crowd can hear.
"Merry meet," the crowd says in sync.
The crowd disperses, only leaving Zoey, Stark, the Twins, Stevie Rae, Aphrodite, Darius, and I standing in the courtyard.
"You okay Damien?" Zoey asks.
"Yes, Nyx's wisdom really helped me accept what has happened."
"Good, but always remember that all of us are here."
"Thanks Z." I hug her.
Nyx is right, it's time to accept but never forget.