Chapter 12

Aphrodite

They-that is, Damien, Darius, the Twins, herself, and even Sgiach-were crowded around Sgiach's computer, looking at adorable baby stuff. "I still think that we should wait until Zoey either decides to figure out the genders or not. I mean, if we order all pink stuff now and it turns out to be 3 guys, what are we going to do then?"

The doors slammed open and Stark rushed in, pink-face, carrying Zoey in his arms. "She…she was just brushing her hair when she fell down! Look!" He turned Zoey's face toward them. It was shiny with sweat.

Sgiach took over. "This is too soon. What with her soul just being repaired, her passing out last night, her wound…this could seriously damage her."

"Zoey!" cried Stark. "Zoey, you have to wake up! Come back!"

Darius put his hand on his shoulder. "Stark, let her rest," he said.

"No!" cried Stark with such a force that Darius took a step backward. Stark turned. Aphrodite gasped.

What was happening to him? she thought. His eyes were glowing red. The same red they were before he changed.

"No one is going to touch her or me without my permission!"he screamed.

Aphrodite looked at Stark. He seemed crazy, but he could tell that he really loved Zoey. "Stark," she said. "Stark, can I see Zoey? Can I figure out where she is?"

The red began to fade away at the edges of his eyes. "Yes, Aphrodite," he said. "Anything to help my Priestess."

Aphrodite tentatively walked over to Zoey. Her face wasn't as shiny, but Aphrodite could see that it was glowy instead. "Stark, come see this," she said.

He walked over and gasped. "Zoey!" he cried.

"She can't hear you, Stark," said Aphrodite gently. "I'm going to enter her body, but I need to touch her. I also need Darius to hold me up so that when I return, I don't fall flat on my ass."

His eyes were already almost completely brown again. He nodded.

Aphrodite touched Zoey's shoulder. Nyx, she thought, feeling the familiar heat. I give myself to you to as a tool to help Zoey. Aphrodite slipped into Zoey's body. She could feel her. It was only for a second, but then Aphrodite slipped out. She could feel Darius's arms around her as she was lifted off the floor. "Zoey's fine," she said. "Her soul is intact and I could tell she's in Nyx's Realm. Perfectly safe. Probably talking to Nyx because, you know, she's Zoey."

Then Stark cried out and clutched his stomach. He pulled away a hand. It was red with blood. He collapsed.

Stark

He heard Aphrodite reassuring everyone that Zoey was alright. He calmed down a bit. But then all of a sudden, he felt pain slash through his body. It was the worst right by his stomach and he clutched there. When he lifted his hand away, he saw the red blood beading on his hand, having soaked through his shirt. Goddess, end this pain! he screamed in his mind. He felt his legs give way and fell onto the cold marble floor. His head hit the ground and he blacked out.

When he awoke, the pain in his side had stopped. Zoey was kneeling next to him and Nyx was next to her. He blinked in surprise. "My goddess. My queen. What have you called me for?"

Zoey giggled. Her eyes were shiny with tears. "Stark, I'm fine. I just asked Nyx to help me figure out the prophecy," she said.

"Yes," said Nyx, smiling. "While Zoey's usually very good at determining the hidden meaning behind my prophecies, she was under too much pressure to figure this one out." She looked at Zoey lovingly. "And I couldn't let one of my favorite daughters go into this mission without a clue."

Zoey gasped. "Nyx, I'm one of your favorite daughters?" she said adoringly.

"Yes, Zoey. You always have been." She turned to Stark. "Stark, I'm sorry you had to go through so much pain to get here. It should have been easy, but my powers aren't at their full capacity at the second. I assure you, when you go back to your body, there will be no blood and no pain."

After Nyx had finished, Zoey looked at her. Stark saw understanding pass through their eyes. Nyx tilted her head almost imperceptibly to me and Zoey leaned down to him.

"Stark," he heard her whisper. "Part of the reason that Nyx kept me so long was that…" she cut off. He felt a tear drip down onto his face. "Stark, she's helping the prophecy come true."

"So you're…" he said slowly.

"Yes, Stark," she said, laughing. "I'm pregnant. You're going to be a dad."

Stark sat up straight. "You're serious? I'm going to be a vampyre father?"

"The only vampyre father," said Nyx.

"But Stark," said Zoey. "When the prophecy said three children, it meant it."

"You're having triplets? I'm going to be a father to three kids?" I asked.

Zoey shifted uncomfortably. "Well, not exactly. You'll see what I mean in when we get our first ultrasound of them."

Nyx smiled. Then she said, "We have given young Stark a lot to think about. It is time I sent you both back to your own world. Goodbye, Zoey. Goodbye, Stark. Remember your target."

"Huh?" he asked. But it was too late. They were already falling back down toward their bodies.

Zoey

I opened my eyes, expecting to see the lights of the bathroom, but was instead greeted by a cold room, with everyone hovering around me. I looked to the side. There was Stark, lying next to me. I had gotten back before him. I smirked. For a vampyre, a warrior, a guardian, and a future father, he was really slow.

Not that slow! he said in my head as he opened his eyes and smiled at me. We shared an intimate look.

"Oh, please! Get a room!" I heard Aphrodite's voice break through my little bubble of happiness.

"Shut up, Aphrodite. You and your warrior have done worse," I retorted. Stark and I got off of the table like structure we were laying on.

"Zoey, can you explain what happened to us?" asked Sgiach.

"Sure," I said. "I asked Nyx for help with this prophecy. She called me to her realm. When Stark passed out, it was because Nyx had called him there. I…well, we had to tell him the news. Nyx was helping fulfill the prophecy."

Everyone's mouths dropped open. "So…" said Damien.

Stark smiled widely. "It's been confirmed that she's pregnant. With triplets." I sighed. I would have to tell him the truth sooner or later.

"Stark, Zoey, you do realize what you are doing? You are bringing three children into a very harsh time in the world," said Darius.

Stark beamed. "All the more reason for now. Who knows what could be happening in five years? Plus, this is part of a prophecy. Zoey needs to have these kids now."

I smiled at Stark, disappointed that Nyx had made me promise not to tell him what she'd told me. "Well, everything is ok, for now anyway. I think it's time that we headed back to the House of Night. Farewell, Sgiach. Goodbye, Seoras. Thank you for helping me get my soul back."

And, on that note, the Twins, Stevie Rae, Darius, Aphrodite, Damien (who was carrying Jack's still not awakened body), Stark and I left for Tulsa.