NEFERET
The influx of feelings from her fledgling felt like her heart was being torn in half. She hated letting her walk away in such a state but if she wanted to be left alone, she would respect it. She walked the girl walk out of her room sniffling and struggling to hang on.
"Hang in there." She whispered. She would see her for dinner she knew but she couldn't help but wonder how she would cope.
After the day was over and her 6th hour was doing some bookwork she made her way to the stables after getting the drama Professor watch her kids. Lenobia was talking to a student about tack. When the Horse Mistress noticed her she bowed deeply.
"Merry Meet Priestess." She said.
"Merry Meet Lenobia." She greeted back.
"What honor do I have for this visit this evening?" Lenobia questioned with a look that was mixed with wariness and doubt.
"Just wanted to check on the fledglings. It's been a rather stressful transition for us all." She replied calmly. She hated how she betrayed many of the Professors trust, she was friends with Lenobia before she went on her evil rampage. Lenobia said nothing for a moment then nodded as if she thought over what to do.
"Very well, we are about to ride. Feel free to watch." The Horse Mistress said before turning on her heels barking out orders. She saw Zoey carrying a black saddle, baby blue pad and bridle. The girl looked her way and smiled setting the tack on a tack holder on the side of the stall and went to brushing her horse. She walked toward the stall while looking at the others kids who were tacking their horses. They murmured greetings as she walked by. Zoey walked out with her roan mare, Persephone tacked and ready to the ring. Zoey wore tall dark boots that went to her knees. She followed the pair and sat on a bench as Zoey mounted the mare with a small jump. The mare walked with a cue from her rider. She sat there for 15 minutes glad she got another Professor watch her kids. Zoey rode with such grace it was like Persephone was riderless. When they jumped a fierce gleam entered the girl's eyes.
After she had watched the girl for several more minutes and satisfied she was fine she bid Lenobia good day and left to get back to her students listening to the calls and orders of the Horse Mistress.
ZOEY
During 6th hour Neferet came and watched. Just by the look in her eyes it was to make sure I was okay and not the observation she was supposedly making. After brushing Persephone down and praising her I made my way to my mentor's office. My friends already knew I would be going up there for dinner and knew not to wait for me. I knocked on her door and Kalona opened it moments later.
"Priestess." He murmured bowing his wings shuffling. I nodded.
"Kalona." I greeted.
"I will lead you to Neferet." He said. I followed him as he made his way across the office to a balcony with an old style stone fence around it. A table sat in the middle with candles flickering. 2 chairs were set on either side, a velvet red table cloth covered the table making it look elegant. He pulled my chair out for me so I could sit.
"Thank you." I thanked. He left to go get my mentor. I was nervous for what she wanted to speak about. Moments later I heard the click of heels as my mentor entered the balcony. She was out of the dress she had worn earlier and now was in a deep purple one with the emblem of our Goddess over her heart.
"Merry Meet Zoey." She said.
"Merry Meet Neferet." I returned. She sat down on the table and someone came over.
"Red wine and brown pop please." She said. The person walked off and Neferet looked out at the snow covered lawn. I shivered feeling the cold seep into my skin. I wore a thick sweater but it seemed the air wasn't the problem. Neferet's eyes had flicked back to me and saw the shiver. She quickly stood and gestured for me to follow. We sat on her couch with a blanket around us.
"How was your day?" I finally asked to break the silence.
"It was event less. Though you enjoyed Equestrian Studies." She replied. I yawned even though I tried to fight it. She wrapped an arm around me pulling me close.
"I always do. It's a way to unwind. Persephone listens when I babble." I agreed with a little laugh which Neferet joined in. After our drinks were brought in with an inquisitive look from the butler we were left alone.
"What will happen to us Zoey?" She asked suddenly. The question alarmed me making me frown.
"What do you mean Neferet? Go back to normal, I don't know." I asked.
"It's just with everything that has happened, I will never be fully trusted by our world. What life is worth living when you are given distrustful glares everywhere you walk." She murmured her voice cracking. I sat up and saw tears were rolling down her cheeks. I reached up to wipe them away but she jerked her head away and stood walking back the balcony. The sudden retreat made me question what was going on the Priestess. I followed her a few moments later when she didn't return to my side.
"Neferet, what's going on?" I asked. I felt the income of feelings from her. Hurt, betrayal, loneliness and most of all regret and guilt. I stood in front of her placing me hands on her arms.
"All of this. I've lost all the trust I had made up over my years as a vampyre. All of it gone in one decision." She said the tears coming down harder.
"You can make amends. You can make up for it and if they refuse you then that's their problem they hold grudges." I said softly letting the warm tone I used with Persephone lace my voice.
"How?" She sobbed sitting in a chair burying her face in her hands. I stepped behind her running my hands through her auburn locks letting the silky hair fall between my fingers.
"By doing good, correcting your mistake. Prove you are still worthy of Nyx." I replied. Her sobs shook her a few more minutes but then her breathing evened and she removed her face from her hands but she didn't stand. I rubbed her shoulders like Heath had done in the past when we were together. Her tense muscles soon relaxed as I worked them past dinner and into the time of curfew.
"I appreciate you staying with me Zoey." She said wiping the corner of her eye.
"You deserve kindness. It's the least I could do." I murmured. We sat in silence for a while just watching the world go by. An occasional gust of wind would toss our hair around forcing us to put it in some order.
"I have kept you too long. Good night, do not feel guilty of waking me if the nightmares continue." She said breaking the calm silence. I nodded.
"Good night Neferet." I said.
"Good night Zoey." She returned.
NEFERET
"I love you." She whispered silently as the girl walked out of her office with the accompanying Warrior. She hung her head and rubbed her eyes. She was tired. Tired of Darkness, being untrusted and being judged. One shouldn't go through what she had too when she was a child, even the thought of it made her sick. She stood and went to her apartment giving the Professors nods as she walked by giving no indication of her breakdown. She shut her door leaving unlocked for her fledgling and dressed in her pajamas did necessary things and laid down. She didn't pick up the book she was reading or didn't take out her laptop to check weather, email, Twitter and so on. She just laid there staring at the stone ceiling. She got under the covers after a moment and shut her eyes hoping her fledgling would sleep better that night and that was when she realized she was calling Zoey HER fledgling.
"Oh Nyx, what's happening to me?" She whispered silently.
'You are changing Daughter. You are being cleansed.' A voice followed. It wasn't of the Bull of Darkness but her Goddess.
"Oh Nyx, please tell me I haven't wronged you!" She begged softly.
'You have righted your mistake and made it right again. You have earned my blessing again.' Nyx replied in her musical voice.
"What do I do about me and Zoey? Soon the others will know and judge." She asked.
'Let time run it's course. She is your piece of humanity. Don't let her go or you will let go of yourself.' The Goddess replied and her presence faded into the night. Only then, did she sleep.
ZOEY
As I lay there in my warm bed the nightmares attacked me again but this time there was no breaking from it's grip. It's hold was firm and unrelenting. I felt myself screaming for someone to help me as I saw Stark die. I felt someone shake me as if trying to wake me but to no avail I remained trapped in a realm of pain. Finally I felt a tendril, almost like a lifeline enter my mind.
'Follow me.' The voice said. I followed the tendril through the painful memories until my eyes shot open and I sat up with a gasp as if I had been underwater with little air. Neferet, Stevie Rae, Aphrodite and the Twins were standing around with worried looks in their eyes.
"What happened Z?" Stevie Rae asked in a tired Okie twang.
"Nightmares." I replied swallowing noticing how dry my throat was. Neferet gestured for Shaunee to get me some water, her gaze never left me as if she was studying me or watching me.
"Of what?" Aphrodite asked sounding genuinely concerned. I waited until Shaunee returned with the water and took a long drink before answering. I told them of the dreams and told them it happened the night before.
"You need a Warrior or someone with you." Erin observed. My eyes quickly flicked to Neferet's.
"She was with me last night and they did not bother her again." She said in a tired voice and I realized they must have woken her because of my screams.
"Then she should stay with you again." Stevie Rae said.
"What?" Erin asked.
"Neferet is her Warrior because they are Imprinted. It only makes sense she was like a shield to Z." Stevie Rae explained.
"I agree." Aphrodite remarked.
"Looks like Professor and student sleep with each other." I muttered. I got out of bed and followed Neferet after saying good night to my friends. I was silent halfway there when she took my hand in hers.
"I'm sorry they happened again." She murmured her breath coming out in clouds. I shook my head.
"It doesn't matter. It's not your fault." I said.
"It is because I am part of them. Zoey, I don't want you to go through this pain. If I could take it away from you I would." She insisted stopping me. I couldn't meet her eyes.
"It will just take time." I whispered.
"Then I'll give you time and I'll help you fight them." She said. We continued our way to her apartment. There we fell asleep curled up together seeking warmth and comfort from each other.
I hope you guys like this chapter. I am thinking 8 will be the real test for Neferet's return to normalness. MWHAHAHA! The fact I can put these coming chapters means Marching band is over (sadly) and I now have a life again. Anyway... chapter 8 is where everything boils down to a choice. :)