Without another word, Neferet quickened her step at the sight of our bloodied, scathed bodies. She glanced towards Heath quickly and then her eyes fell on me. With a gentle touch she caressed my face. Her look was that of a concerned mother. The pain I had been feeling dissipated with each passing second. I knew her affinity was for healing, but this was the first time I had experienced it firsthand. I felt a wave of peace as the pain became tolerable.
Her eyes darted down to my arms and my torn legs. As her hands moved from my face, they fell down to the fresh cuts on my arms and legs. Instantly, I could feel each laceration closing with her gentle touch. I breathed in a deep breath of relief. I was okay.
She met my eyes once more and spoke in her motherly voice, "These will heal. Come to the infirmary when we get back to school and I'll give you some salve that will lessen the sting from your wounds."
Her hand caressed my cheek again. I could feel my face blush from her touch. She was beaming into my eyes. She flashed me a brilliant smile and continued, "You showed the bravery of a vampyre warrior when you stayed to protect the boy. I am proud of you, Erik Night, as is the Goddess." I suppressed a tear at her approval of my bravery.
I looked over to Zoey. I could she was beaming down at me. She was proud of the fact that, besides me, everyone had abandoned Heath to the hungry ghosts. I stayed to protect Heath for her. I could hear in the background the claps and cheers of agreement of Neferet's kind words. The Dark Daughters and Sons were returning to the circle.
Neferet's attention went to Heath's unconscious body. As she knelt down beside his bloodied body, her eyes surveyed his wounds. He was worse off than I was and probably in more pain as well. When Neferet touched his face, his body stiffened and started to convulse. With a huge sigh, he relaxed under her touch. I couldn't help but take another deep breath of relief.
"He will recover, and he will remember nothing of this night except that he got drunk and then lost trying to find his ex- almost-girlfriend," Neferet spoke directly to Zoey.
"Thank you," Zoey whispered back to Neferet.
I saw them exchange a quick glance before Neferet stood and faced Aphrodite. She started to speak, never leaving Aphrodite's eyes. "I am as responsible for what happened here tonight as you are. I have known for years of your selfishness, but I chose to overlook it, hoping that age and the touch of the Goddess would mature you. I was wrong." She took a deep breath and with a powerful voice she commanded, "Aphrodite, I officially release you from your position as leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons. You are no longer in training for High Priestess. You are now no different than any other fledgling." My eyes darted to Aphrodite's shocked face. Even though I disliked her hateful ways, I almost pitied her. The Dark Daughters meant everything to her and now it was gone. With a swift move, Neferet grasped the silver and garnet necklace and yanked it from her neck.
Neferet turned away from Aphrodite and handed Zoey her necklace. She spoke in the same powerful official High Priestess tone, "Zoey Redbird, I knew you were special from the day Nyx let me foresee that you would be Marked." I could see her lift Zoey head to examine her newly acquired tattoos. "Extraordinary, truly extraordinary. Tonight you showed the wisdom of the Goddess's choice in gifting you with special powers. You have earned the position of the Leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons and High Priestess in training, through your Goddess-given gift as well as through your compassion and wisdom. Wear this more wisely than did your predecessor," Neferet finished, saluted her fist across her heart and bowed formally. I couldn't help but mimic the High Priestess's gesture. I placed my fist over my heart and bowed to Zoey, High Priestess in training.
My head raised and beamed at Zoey's beautiful, radiant face. She was almost in tears as the rest of the Dark Daughters and Sons bowed in respect. Neferet motioned for us to head back to the school. She looked down at Heath's unconscious body and reassured Zoey and me that he would be taken care of.
The entire group started their way across the bridge, except for Zoey and her friends. They were huddled together near the small bridge. In unison they gathered around Zoey's body engulfing her in a large group hug.
"Hey, can I get in on this?" I asked, secretly wishing I could have my arms around her.
The group pulled away from her and looked at me. I could see their eyes tracing all the small deep cuts on my arms and legs. I didn't care; my eyes were only on Zoey.
"Well, yes, you absolutely may," Damien said a little too excitedly. I wasn't sure if he was saying that to get me in the bear hug with him or with Zoey. I prayed it was for Zoey. I have to give it to the kid, he always made me feel welcome, maybe a little too welcome. I smiled at his words and stepped closer, to Zoey.
"Give it up, Damien. Wrong team, remember?" one of the twins stated with a huge grin on her face and shaking her head. "Give the guy a hug. He did try to save your boyfriend tonight," she said almost pushing Zoey in my direction.
"My ex-boyfriend," she said quickly, stepping into my open arms. My heart leapt at her words and her acceptance of my embrace. I couldn't help myself. I crushed my lips into hers. I had wanted to kiss her all night from the moment I saw her in the rec room looking all brave and determined. None of that mattered now that she was in my arms and I was kissing her.
My mouth moved with her very warm lips. Had it only been yesterday that I had kissed these lips, these delicious strawberry lips? I opened my mouth and allowed my tongue to graze her bottom lip causing her mouth to open. Her cool tongue lightly touched mine and deepened our kiss. The heated rush of desire made my head spin as her tongue massaged mine. I wanted more! I wanted her closer to me. I wrapped one arm around her waist and the other in her long brown hair. I crushed her against my body, silently begging her to be even closer. As our mouths moved as one, I could feel her tiny little hand wrap around my neck which made my breath hitch. For what seemed like forever, it was just Zoey and I alone under the moonlight, kissing passionately.
I heard her friends make a few comments, which I ignored. I knew Zoey didn't like for me to kiss her like that in public but I just couldn't help myself. I would hope she would forgive me, but the look on her face when I pulled away was a mixture of disappointment and pleasure. She didn't care that I kissed her in front of her friends. Though I was sure Damien enjoyed the show. She stepped out of my arms but stayed rather close to me. It made me happy that she didn't move away like she did the other night when she accused me of treating her like Aphrodite.
"I'm starving. This refrigerator stuff makes you hungry," Stevie Rae announced to the group breaking my train of thought.
"Well, let's go get you something to eat," Zoey said, smiling at her friend.
I wasn't sure if I would be able to walk with her and her group. I did overhear her tell her friends that they should walk with her while everyone else was crossing the bridge. I felt a little out of place and wasn't sure if I would be considered a part of her group. I so desperately wanted to be.
"Mind if I walk with you?" I asked softly to Zoey. She met my eyes with a smile and nodded her head.
"Nah, I'm getting use to it." She shrugged her shoulders and grinned happily.
I gave her a smile that lit up to my eyes. I let out a laugh. Her expression was priceless. Could she be any cuter? I wanted to reach up and caress her cheek again but refrained. I could wait until Saturday. We started over the bridge when a sound stopped us both. We both turned our heads at the sound of her lovable, small, orange pile of fur, Nala.
"Go on. I'll catch up with you guys in a minute," she said mostly to me and then eyed her friends that were now on the other side of the bridge. I turned walked towards her friends - and hopefully my friends as well.
All of a sudden, Aphrodite was in front of Zoey. They were talking quietly and intently. I wasn't sure what was being said, but from Aphrodite's expression she was pissed. I could see tears streaming down her face as she continued to talk. She walked passed Zoey without another glance back at her. Zoey quickly turned and spoke to her again. I wished I was closer so I could hear what they were saying. I took a few steps back onto the bridge. I wasn't the only one at the base of the bridge. Her four friends were there, too. The five of us now blocked Aphrodite's escape. She wasn't going to upset or bully anyone again, especially Zoey.
"It's okay, let her go," she told us as Aphrodite stepped up onto the bridge. We all stepped away letting Aphrodite pass. She lifted her head as she passed. Defiant to the end, she would never let anyone see how much this affected her. But I knew her all too well. She hid things very well, almost too well.
As we all walked back to the House of Night, I reached down and scooped up Zoey's hand in mine. We walked back in silence, hand in hand.
I leaned in closer and took a deep breath of her heavenly scent, Lavender and Jasmine. I took this moment of silence to examine her tattoos. They were beautiful as they interlaced to form an elegant frame around her face. I could only imagine what the rest of her neck and shoulder looked like. I tried to sneak a peak at them but she met my gaze. I blushed slightly, embarrassed that I was actually looking at her marks. I knew she felt self-conscious about just her colored in crescent moon tattoo. She was bound to be ogled at now for the elaborate addition. I smiled down at her wishing I could kiss her again.
She beamed back up at me, looking like she wished she could do the same thing. Which of course made my smile grow and my heart start pounding. You can wait until Saturday, Erik! I told myself.
We made it back through the eastern wall. I slowed my steps, wanting to savor this evening. I had so many feelings and so many questions I didn't know where to start. As usual it was almost sunrise and my questions would have to wait.
I leaned closer to her again and kissed her softly on her strawberry lips. I lingered there wanting to do more, but pulled away quickly. I lifted my hand and cupped her face. I swiped my thumb against her cheek and leaned one more time touching my lips to hers. She let out a soft sigh as I once again pulled away. I couldn't help but smile at her.
My voice was soft and seductive, "I want you all to myself tomorrow night." I kissed her yet again, god I couldn't resist those strawberry lips.
"What are we doing?" she asked in a whisper.
"You will just have to see," I whispered back and gave her one last kiss. I turned around and walked towards my dorm room. I was happy that we were still on for Saturday, not like I gave her much of a choice. I stole one glance back at her exquisite face. She had her eyes closed and her fingers were tracing her lips. I couldn't help myself I stuck my tongue out again and licked my lips, taking in her strawberry goodness. Saturday couldn't come soon enough.
Review if you want to read about their first date.....I promise lost of kisses :)