Well, this was written on Christmas Eve, and then at like three AM, so don't be mad if it kind of sucks, because I wanted to spend Christmas with my family.

Zoey

I woke up Christmas morning perfectly content, in Stark's arms. I felt so at home here that I didn't want to leave until Stark woke up "Good morning, Zoey." he smiled and greeted me cheerfully.

"how are you so happy so early in the morning?" I asked, "particularly since the sun is probably still up."

"Actually, it set about ten minutes ago. And I have every reason to be happy. I'm with my queen, on Christmas, for once I'm not in danger, and we're in this amazing place, surrounded by our friends." He replied

"I love your optimism." I replied, kissing him lightly

He kissed me back, so the two of us were having a perfect moment, when someone banged on the door. Bang, bang, bang, bang "Zoey, you were right about Neferet, we have to get down there immediately!" Thanatos cut into my thoughts "The child could be in grave peril."

I sighed, then got up to get dressed "Okay, I'm coming." I chucked some clothes to Stark, who was still in the bed, looking slightly bleary. Then, on a whim, I got my seeing stone. I hoped I wouldn't have to use it, again, but it was good to have a failsafe. I waited for Stark to finish getting dressed, and then, the two of us ran for it. Thanatos was already dividing who would drive with whom. I wound up driving Damien and Shaunee.

The drive to the Mayo wasn't particularly long, fifteen minutes at the worst, but as I wondered about the fate of the little girl, it seemed like eternity. Stupid move, Z I berated myself if you'd tried a little harder, maybe that girl would be safe. I hoped we got there before Neferet killed her. That's when I saw Kalona flying. Maybe all hope wasn't quite lost.

Neferet

I had decided to go all out this year, to give Mona at least one Christmas to remember fondly. At this point, it was all about giving her what I never had: a tree, caroling (without Silent Night, though), gingerbread houses, loads of presents and a Christmas feast, which proved to be exponentially more difficult to cook than I had thought.

"Neferet! There's something at the window!" Mona shrieked, as she sprinted over to me. I walked over to the balcony, seeing Kalona. I opened the door "What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice hard "You have no place here, anymore and don't think you can fool me into thinking otherwise."

"I have come for the child." He said simply "To protect her."

And I laughed, just as hard, just as derangedly as I had in response to the other children, a couple days ago. "You think I'm what's endangering this child?" I demanded

Just then, Zoey, Thanatos and the whole circle, plus warriors and Aurox, came barging in through my door. "I need you to unhand the child." Thanatos announced

"Why should I?" I demanded, starting to get angry that, not only had Dallas been a complete failure, but now they were trying to take away the one good thing in my life.

Zoey ran over to Mona "Come on, you're safe now, I'll take you home." She coaxed.

Mona ran behind me "This is home now." She replied stubbornly, "And why does that guy have wings?" she asked

"Because that guy is an immortal." I explained, Zoey began to extricate her seeing stone from her coat.

"If you call the mirror, there will be someone dying tonight, and it will not be Mona." I threatened

"Can we make cookies now?" Mona demanded

Zoey looked through the stone, and gasped. Just then, Shaylin and Aurox came running in. Shaylin took one look at Mona and I and whispered something to Thanatos.

"That's peculiar." Thanatos squinted at me, as though reading fine print.

I used my powers to delve into Shaylin's thoughts. Then, I saw myself from her eyes. There was an aura around me, primarily, it was the white of the bull, with violent slashes of bloody red. It was the edges that looked alarming, however. The white faded into a candle light yellow along the edges. I shook my head and left Shaylin's mind.

"That's remarkable." Shaylin amended Thanatos's statement, with a smile "Merry Christmas." She escorted Aurox out "Wouldn't want to intrude"

Thanatos smiled "Kalona, there is no danger for the child, for the moment," she tossed her keys to Stevie Rae, while voicing her uncertainty. "Kalona, can you fly me home?" She asked

He smiled and obliged her, carrying her, bridal style, from my house. Aphrodite and Darius then left, as well as Stevie Rae and Rephaim, the latter giving me a shocked sounding "Merry Christmas."

Then, Ddamien, Shaunee and Stark left, leaving just Zoey "I know you're planning something, I just don't know what." She spoke "But I don't buy this for a moment." And on that 'joyful' note, she left.

"Now, let's go make cookies!" I replied, knowing I owed Mona an explanation, but feeling loathe to give it to her, knowing that once I did, she may never trust me again.

Zoey

After we were done at Neferet's place, we had all decided to go to the House of Night, to meet Lenobia and Travis. That was where, I swear, andother Christmas miracle happened….

Erin

I was sitting alone, outside, when Zoey and her friends arrived. Stevie Rae was talking animatedly to Shaylin about some kid as they walked to the stables.

Disappointment. Even on Christmas, I couldn't escape that cursed imprint. No one turned to see me until Damien and Shaunee got out of Zoey's little blue bug. Shaunee's eyes met mine for a moment, and then her and Damien walked over.

"Erin. Merry Christmas!" Shaunee tried and failed to sound cheerful "I've been meaning to ask this since last night, but are you okay?"

In what sense of the word? But my pride won out "Funny, I almost believed you cared there. And I'm fine." I snapped, starting to get up.

"No, you're not, there's something eating away at you. I can tell." Damien piped up "We don't need all this animosity just because you and Shaunee aren't twins anymore.

I sighed. May as well tell Damien. It wasn't like it would maker to Shaunee though. "I accidentally got imprinted with Dallas." Erin admitted "And, he wasn't who he seemed once I could sense his emotions. Plus, he was working for Neferet. I was just a source of info." I said bitterly

"Well, did you try talking to Nyx?" Shaunee asked

I sighed "She didn't respond. I don't even think she listened. Not that I blame her. I mean, I've seriously gone and fucked things up, and she's probably going to leave me alone to deal with this crap as karma."

Damien shook his head "That's not how Nyx is. Come on, Shaunee." The two of them revealed candles that they carried, Damien's Wind candle in his satchel, and Shaunee's Fire candle in her purse, I had never put my Water candle away, so it sat in my palm.

"Why don't we all light them, and see what happens?' Damien suggested. Shaunee passed him the matches, and he lit the candle, then she lit her candle with her fingertips. I lit mine off the rapidly burning wick of Shaunee's.

"Nyx. We wanted to talk to you?" Damien sounded uncertain "It's my friend Erin. She messed up, and she's seeking your help."

Nyx appeared "Erin, that's what I was waiting for. I did not want to grant you what you wanted until you could rejoin your friends." Nyx explained "But now, it is long past the time for you to become your own person. Not Dallas's girlfriend, not Shaunee's twin, just Erin, do you understand?" Nyx asked. I felt my heart lift at the thought

"Yes" I whispered

"Then brace yourself. The breaking of an imprint is never fun." And with Nyx's words, the pain set in. It was an agony beyond anything I'd ever experienced. Imagine how it would feel to have a part of your soul gouged out, or to be eaten by a shark, or burned or something. That's how I felt, but, thankfully, it didn't last long.

"Just remember, you are Erin, and not what others want you to be. I made you as you are, and I do not make mistakes." Nyx reminded me, "blessed be, my children." And then, she disappeared. I had been forgiven!

I looked at my two friends and, feeling happier than I had in a long time, I declared "Let's go tell Zoey the good news."

"Stupendous" Damien added "it's a Christmas miracle."

And that was when I realized that, no matter what, Nyx and my friends were with me. I guess that was what Christmas was about. And this was the best Christmas ever.

Well, this was written between 2:32 and 3:55 am, so I hope it's worth reading. Also, this is my first finished story! (without a sequel) I just wanted to thank everyone who read, reviewed or motivated me along the way. You guys are so worth getting up at 2:32 in the morning for! KShade, out, and a merry Christmas to you all!