This is turning into half a songfic. I'll try to keep the music to a minimum and add a lot more action after this chapter.

I own nothing but Starr.

Starr

The conversation, for some reason, became a downfall spiraling around Zoey. Kalona, of course, defended his former A-ya; Erik was very pissed very quickly. Some of the things they said at first were amusing, but after that…

"You two are like Shaunee and Erin!" I snapped. "Well, minus the friend part, obviously. Kalona, go report to Thanatos that I've accepted you as my mentor." As he left I called, "Don't come back up till I tell you!" I whirled on Erik, my patience beyond thin now. "Music is my answer to everything, but your soul cannot be touched by any word, let alone a song."

His eyes blazed with anger. "If you think you can come in here and solve all our problems, you might as well leave right now."

"I'm not going anywhere," I retorted, matching his fury.

"I don't care who we used to be, but I'll never help you again. Your life isn't worth mine."

When he started heading back downstairs, I challenged, "Zoey isn't worth it, either!" With George Strait's voice ringing in my head, I instinctively began:

"You played me for a fool

And I played the part so well

You played it smart, you played it cool

Broke every promise, every rule

And I couldn't even tell

You looked me in the eyes

And said I was the only one

It was no surprise

That I kept falling for you lies

And they had only just begun

Fool me once, shame on you

You told me that you would be true

You were so easy to believe

Fool me twice, shame on me

I thought I'd won your heart

But you were still in love with him

You said we'd never be apart

It was a lie right from the start

You left me hanging on this limb

I never thought you could be

The kind to hurt me just for fun

But it's sure no fun for me

I think it's time to set you free

Pick myself up and say we're done

Fool me once, shame on you

You told me that you would be true

You were so easy to believe

Fool me twice, shame on me

You were so easy to believe

Fool me twice, shame on me."

Erik had stopped dead in his tracks. I finished the song, and he turned around. His rage dissolved into sorrow. I was sorry for being so blunt, but I was never going to take crap like that. Freakishly powerful or not, I would let no one boss me around… except in certain, dire emergencies.

"How can you find the perfect song for a situation you barely know?" he inquired, his voice barely a whisper, awestruck.

I remembered he was a brilliant actor. "Can't you find a monologue to relate?"

"Touché, I suppose," he replied. "I'm sorry for being a dumbass, but…"

"Jealousy is a gateway for Darkness," I interjected, circling back to a piece of the prior fight.

He flinched. "Hopefully that doesn't happen."

"Shame, Erik Night," I teased. Music did help – and the Music Rune was once more burning and glowing. Looking at it, I muttered, "Why must you do that to me… each time?"

"Mood swing, much?"

I pretended to glare at him. "You're one to talk. Besides, I have too much stress," I flashed back.

His expression fell, his gaze growing distant. "I'll bet," he breathed, sorrow once more weighing his voice.

Realizing Zoey probably had a ton of stress, I rubbed the scar on my back, which permanently split the crystals of the Dazzle Rune. For the third time in my Marked life I wondered why the scar only touched those crystals and nothing else. Muck like how Erik seemed unaffected by my odd tattoos, whereas the rest of everybody were.

Snapping out of my trance, I put the guitar into an empty case lying against the wall. "You should go to bed," I advised. "You look asleep on your feet."

"Are you sure you don't want a room downstairs?" he offered.

"I'm sure. Plus I've got Kalona to keep me company."

Despite his halfhearted, wrath-induced vow not to protect me again, Erik still seemed reluctant. He gave me a tiny, almost-imperceptible nod before heading into the tunnels once more. Kalona came up at my signal, not saying a word. I knew by the gleam in the amber depths that he had a curious suspicion. Ignoring him, I walked toward the locker room to wash up. Finished, I walked back out.

"Sweet dreams, little Asteri."

I looked up from fixing a makeshift bed. Kalona's back was to me, but I half-smiled. "Don't call me that," I scolded, even though I liked how my old name sounded.

The immortal turned to me, his eyes soft. "Night."

"Night," I murmured wearily. I drifted off to sleep.

Parting words: No one's going to get that much calm for a while.