a combination of procrastination, SEVERE writer's block, a busy life and writing another FF, caused this chapter to be publish so late. no excuses... sorry :(

i think this is kind of short but i am really out of ideas for this... i'm just excited for HIDDEN to actually come out! if you haven't read the official first two chapters go to the HON website and click "read excerpt" :)

ENJOY and REVIEW PLEASE!

Chapter 10:

Zoey

No. I thought. No, this can't be happening. Shekinah can't be a red vampyre. Aurox can't be here. I can't fight him. Heath is in there. I know it and I have proof, but he's sided with Neferet. Goddess, what am I supposed to do?

"Can we help you?" Erebus asked Shekinah, stepping forward defensively.

"Actually," Shekinah began, but Thanatos soon cut her off.

"I believe you and your fledglings are no longer welcome here. I made that very clear to them when they chose the path of darkness, and they left. Why are you returning?" Thanatos said in her completely calm, yet powerful voice. It almost seemed like she wasn't even freaked out at the fact that Shekinah was a red vampyre now, but that's why Thanatos is in charge right now, not me. I can't take all of this right now, while she can.

"We were actually looking for somewhere to stay. You see, these fledglings can't live by themselves; they will not survive. They need to stay here at the House of Night around adult vampyres." Shekinah said, creeping forward. This isn't the Shekinah I knew; she's different, much different. She's…dark.

In the corner of my eye I could see Kalona clenching and unclenching his fists while Erebus's hands were staying dangerously close to the hilt of his sword.

"They have been perfectly capable of surviving on their own before they were at the House of Night—" Thanatos interjected.

"They need to stay here. They've realized their mistake." Shekinah kept stalking forward even more, and she must have pushed her welcome because Erebus drew his sword.

Aurox apparently didn't like the threat and he came forward. For a moment I thought everything that we had shared, everything I thought was good about him was gone, but there was one thing that reminded me that Heath might still be there. He hesitated. He looked to me for a fraction of a second, a sort of embarrassment and helplessness filled his eyes just before he transformed.

Aurox didn't have any weapons all he had was his power, and he used it. As Aurox lunged forward he began transforming into a bull. I could feel the presence of Darkness pulsating all around me, feeding off of our fear.

"Get your elements ready," I called over my shoulder.

Erebus stood ready for battle while Kalona stood near us, ready to protect us from anything that slipped through. I don't think I'll ever get used to him fighting with us, I thought silently as the rest of the fledglings and Shekinah watch the battle unfold.

It took Aurox merely three strides before he met up with Erebus. In defense, Erebus lashed out his sword and Aurox suffered a terrible strike to his forearm, stopping him only for a second. Aurox stood there and his moonstone gaze looked at the gaping wound as drips of liquid ruby fell to the grass. He roared in response.

Unfortunately, I was no stranger to the scent of that blood. It didn't smell like I thought it would, full of darkness and all around nasty scent—like the raven mockers; it smelled like Heath. Our imprint.

Focus.

I watched as Aurox's wound healed immediately. He smile viciously and started to attack Erebus again, but wasn't very successful. Erebus grabbed Aurox by the throat and squeezed tightly, lifting him off of the ground. His hooves kicked and kicked because it was the only defense that he had.

Aurox's efforts were no use. "Let's try this one more time," Erebus said. Once again squeezing harder around Aurox's throat. I could hear the choking, gargling noise coming from him. I cringed. "You and your little clan of fledglings will go back to where ever you were living before, and never come back."

I thought I had heard power radiate from voices before, but this, Erebus speaking, was unreal. Everything around us seemed to respectfully sit in silence while his voice boomed around the courtyard. No crickets chirped, no owls or critters made a sound. The eerie silence only echoed and intensified his voice. I could feel goose bumps raise on my arm.

My eyes traveled back to Aurox and I could see that he was struggling. His hands were grasping Erebus's large forearm to try and release tension, but without prevail. Then something caught my eye. Aurox was changing, shifting back into his human form, and he was screaming in some sort of agony. His eyes were filled with uncontrolled terror. As soon as his body was completely human Erebus let Aurox go and he fell to his knees, clutching his neck, breathing hard, eyes wide. "Leave." Erebus ordered.

It must have been the power that radiated, or maybe the intimidation factor because they all left, just like that.

Did Erebus force Aurox to shift back into a human? How is that possible? Is it even possible?

"Thanatos, Zoey, and Zoey's circle I need you to cast a protection spell. Now. Before any of them return." Erebus ordered again. I thought about the last time this school had a protection spell, and how well that worked. It was almost like Erebus could read my thoughts because he spoke up. "The goddess will help with the spell, but in order for her to help you need to cast it."

"Okay," I said softly and began reciting the ancient words of a protection spell. I held hands with everyone as they repeated after me.

"Air that blows, protect our home and all within it.

Fire that burns, protect our home and all within it.

Water that washes away, protect our home and all within it.

Earth that is here to stay, protect our home and all within it.

Side by side, spirit and faith, Goddess watching over us, guard this home of ours."

As I finished the spell I opened my eyes to see a glowing purple dot in the sky—so small that it almost looked like a star, and it seemed to be expanding, like a purple sheet over a dome. The edges of it glowed with colors of the elements: yellow, red, blue, and green. As soon as it was finished it looked like a purple dome had been cast over us, there was a flash of light and then it was gone, invisible to any eye.

"The spell will only allow beings that are truly faithful to Light enter, anything else will not be allowed access." Erebus informed.

My heart sunk. I'm not going to be able to see Aurox again; at least not any time soon. Maybe it's a good thing, my conscience yelled… at least for now. At least until I figure everything out.

. . .

Later that night, I found myself wanting to be separated from my friends, from Thanatos, Kalona, even Aphrodite. She heard me yell out Heath's name, and I still haven't talked to her about that yet.

I walked by myself into the courtyard and to the giant statue of Nyx. I looked at her cement face and carved body. This statue hardly did her justice, she was much more beautiful than anyone could capture.

I crept down to my knees next to the base of the structure and brushed away some of the leaves that were on the nameplate.

"Beautiful Night, isn't it Zoey Redbird?" I heard a voice say behind me.

I quickly turned around. Erebus. I hastily stood up and he strode over to stand next to me. He gazed upon the statue, a smile on his face. I never noticed before how much him and Kalona looked alike and yet they were still there own. Where Kalona's eyes were deep and seductive, Erebus' were kind and welcoming like he was ready to help and protect anyone. His bronze hair reflected just enough gold in the gas lantern light that it made it look more blonde than bronze. His skin—perfect. His wings were the most dazzling; they were bright gold—jewelry gold—and held the same shimmer his hair did. They seemed so different, compared to the dark, black ones I've been used to seeing.

I realized I had been staring for too long and responded. "Y-yes. It is." I faced the statue again. " A beautiful night."

"Any particular reason you chose to spend it alone?" he asked sincerely.

"I'm not alone," I looked up at Nyx's face and then at my shoes. "even if it feels like it sometimes." I mumbled.

"You don't seem to truly believe what you are saying."

"Well," I started. This is weird. Nyx's consort is here, talking to me. He knows Nyx. He's immortal, just like her. How can I tell him the truth without feeling judged? "It's just hard sometimes," I stated, looking at the ground. "Sometimes, with everything that is going on, with my mother," a big lump started forming in my throat and I knew tears were coming, but I didn't hide them. I cried. I cried in front of Nyx's consort. "It's just hard. I don't know what to do. Everything I do feels like a mistake. I don't know how we are going to win this. Every time we plan something against Neferet she's on step ahead." I rambled in-between sobs.

"Zoey," Erebus said softly. "Nyx has gifted you for a reason. She chose you for a reason. You're more powerful than and fledgling here, use that."

"If I'm so powerful then why are you here?"

"To protect you and the school while you do what you were destined to."

"What is that exactly?" I asked.

A playful smile crawled on Erebus's face. "That is not for me to tell you, young Priestess. You must find out on your own." With that, he turned around and walked away, leaving Nyx and myself, alone.

sorry again for the wait.

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