A/N: Yes, I know...I was supposed to update on Sunday! Things got hectic, it was the end of the grading period and all that. So, you all get it on Tuesday, not that much longer...right?

Anyways, in light of Destined being released today, new chapter! I can't wait to pick that up :D

Disclaimer: Nope, I own nothing but this plot, JC, Gwen, Quinn, and Maggie...it isn't much to go off of but when life throws you lemons. The song JC sings in this is 'Starry Eyed' by Ellie Goulding, I don't own it but it's an awesome song...so you should check it out!

Kalona's POV

I sat perched on the edge of the balcony of the Gilcrease Museum. It was by chance that I found the place I needed far enough from the House of Night. Though it was by chance that I had discovered the area, as I explored the building I found signs of life, specifically that of one of my sons. And I could guess which son it was.

My mind still spun from Rephaim and I still felt the betrayal coursing through my blood. He chose the Red One over me. He chose some vampyre, however powerful she may be, over his own father. And it was not even to plan anything, I could see it in his eyes. Somehow, my favorite son had fallen in love with a vampyre, and she him. I did not think it was possible, I was still questioning how it was possible.

I heard the rustling of some of my sons in the building, some had come with me, and I lifted my head at the sounds. In response, my eyes caught sight of the moon above my head and I was only reminded further of the events of last night. Nyx had come into the fray last night and granted my son the human body she figured he deserved, yet still somehow punished him. She did not take a glance at me and it was just another reminder of the mistakes I made in my life. She had not taken a glance at me since the day I had fallen, except for the time in the Otherworld with Zoey and she downright banished me. It was not the glance I had hoped to receive. If I could go back to last night and actually speak up, I would.

But I could not even do that. For the time, it would be very dangerous to my well-being for me to go back. Neferet was not happy with me right now, and though I was no longer under the Tsi Sgili's control, I knew it best not to go back. Eventually yes, I had to admit, I would probably go back to Neferet at some point. She was powerful, she would be an asset, and after she found the connection I had with Stark, she would probably welcome me back. That is, however, if I played my cards right. Getting back with the Tsi Sgili and using her to my advantage would be a mind game that I could easily win now that I knew what I was up against.

Thinking about the connection with Stark made me wonder exactly how that little group was getting along. After being kicked out of the House of Night, or Zoey choosing to leave (really both result in the same way in the end), I was quite curious to see how they were doing after last night.

I walked back into the museum and into the room I made my own. Laying down on the makeshift bed, I closed my eyes and called upon my connection to dreams. Stark was sleeping, which was a good thing, and I slipped into his mind with ease.

Before doing anything to the boy, I just let his memories play before my eyes. Ah! What interesting developments we have here. The entire group, including that of my s-Rephaim, is living in the tunnels. That is good information to know, even though I do believe young Zoey mentioned it before she left. Speaking of Zoey, it was nice to know that her mother was dead. Well, not nice information for her I suppose, but more knowledge I could use as leverage against Neferet, or at least information she could not use against me. It was doubtful that she did not have something to do with that death.

I was mulling this new information over when something quite striking crossed my mind. I only saw a glimpse of this information, but it was enough. There was a new student at the House of Night, so they are still going to school. And this new student, well she was definitely different. I wasn't sure how, I did not have the strongest connection to Stark (it was still young) and his mind could still hide certain information from me. She was different however, and had a connection to Zoey.

Now this knowledge was more promising. Neferet was still running the House of Night for the time, and she more than likely met this new fledgling. However, if she did not know how this girl was different and I could figure it out, well then I had something over her. And that would be how I would have to play my cards right.

Stark was having bad dreams, I made sure of that when I was going through his most recent memories. I was going to torment him some more when something truly odd happened. I could not get further into his conscious. The Realm of Dreams is a hard thing to explain, and it is even harder to explain how the connection I have with Stark works, but I could not enter the realm of his mind.

It was like I was stepping into a barrier that I just could not get passed, and it both puzzled and angered me. My struggles and attempts were so hard that I almost missed the creature that walked and stopped in front of me, though behind the barrier. A jet black wolf stood on the other side, but it was not just any wolf. Two violet bracelets wrapped around its right paw and a violet Mark stretched across its forehead.

"What are you doing here?" I asked it harshly. Was this creature really blocking my path?

It bared its teeth and snarled, ears back and eyes glinting purple. "Fág!" it snarled in a female voice at me in another language and let out an ear shattering howl.

I was tempted to lunge at the she-wolf, despite the barrier, but I felt myself being tugged backwards. My eyes snapped open and I was staring at the ceiling of my room in the Gilcrease Museum. I had just lost my connection, I was expelled from Stark's mind by some wolf! I attempted to get that connection back but to no such luck…it was temporarily blocked from me.

I let out a grunt in anger and closed my eyes again. The wolf's image appeared in my mind again, specifically her eyes. They were familiar it seemed. They were not of any color I remembered, a bright, unnatural violet, but they seemed familiar.

"Oh Wa-ya, how you always puzzle me."

JC's POV

Ok, last night absolutely and entirely sucked. Seriously, despite all of the crap I went through yesterday, I got absolutely no sleep. Alright, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, I got some sleep but it wasn't really good. I was tossing and turning the whole night and, for some reason I was getting some weird ass dreams. Said weird ass dreams though were unexplainable and I couldn't remember them to save my life. It was either just some more freaky stuff in my life, or nerves getting to me about my first day as a vamp at the House of Night. I preferred to think it was the latter.

When I woke up for about the fifth time, I looked over at my clock to see it was only 6 in the morning (er…night maybe? Whatever, it was 6 p.m.) and I had an hour before I had to get up, let alone start my first day of school. I also had two weird thoughts in my head, ravens and a fierce need to protect. Putting it to the back of my mind and figuring that I wouldn't get anymore sleep, I quietly got out of my bed and looked around the room. All three animals were sleeping soundly and I could hear Gwen snoring…good, I didn't disturb anyone.

Deciding that I could at least do something semi-useful for myself, I tip toed into the bathroom and shut the door. Taking off my clothes, I turned on the water to the shower and stepped in, making it cold at first to give me a wake-up call. Once I felt my toes go numb and my eyes were wide enough to be awake, I turned the water back to warm and took probably the longest shower of my life.

After taking a half an hour shower at least, I got out and looked around the bathroom. "Shit," I mumbled and rang my hair out. I forgot to bring a change of clothes in. Sighing, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself before quietly opening the door and going out into the room. It was 6:28, still had another half an hour just as I thought. Gwen was still in her bed, snoring lightly…I'm apparently stealthier than I thought I was. Is it odd to say that I felt kind of ninja like?

I opened the door on my closet and grabbed the essentials, a bra and underwear, a black blouse with the third former symbol, and I forewent the jeans for a long, black skirt. I decided it was my first day, I'd make a good, classy impression. I went back into the bathroom and tugged my clothes on after wrapping my hair up in the towel for it to dry.

Content with everything in my outfit, I went over to the sink and mirror to deal with the rest of my morning routine. My reflection in the mirror, however, decided it wanted to throw a wrench into my plan.

"Ugh, I look terrible," I muttered, pulling at the skin under my eyes. My Mark was still there in all of its violet glory, I probably would never get used to that. But aside from that, I had dark bags under my eyes and I was rather pale, ghostly pale actually, not my normal pale…it was evident that I didn't have a good night's rest.

"Well," I sighed and blew out a breath, "bad night sleep you're going to make me do something I don't normally do. My makeup's in here somewhere…" I commented and grabbed at the small, black bag resting on the back of the toilet. I didn't usually wear makeup for two reasons. One, I most of the time didn't really give a crap about what I looked like. And two, usually I was spending that time doing something vital to survival, like sleeping or eating. The fact that I had time to do so and actually looked bad enough for me to care said something about just how bad it really was.

I unzipped the bag and started rummaging around for everything I needed. I applied mascara just because my eyelashes are naturally horrible and short, then set to work to cover up those wonderful circles and pallor. "This is not going to be conventional for what I'm doing today," I smirked at the reflection in the mirror. Equestrian studies and fencing…yeah makeup was exactly what I needed!

A coat of foundation, concealer, blush, and lip gloss later I was looking a bit better, or at least to the point that I didn't look half dead. It didn't look half bad either, and I was now thankful that Ally had sat me down and forced me to learn how to apply good, natural looking makeup (not that creepy, overly done crap that sluts think looks cute or whatever). She would be proud.

I also had started singing quietly. See, I have this thing with bathrooms, I don't really know why. If it isn't overly crowded and I'm not using it for the toilet…well, I always start singing. It's like singing in the shower to the extreme since I did it…well…almost every time I was in the bathroom.

"Oh, oh, starry eyed. Hit oh, star-r-r-ry eyed. Oh, oh…starry eyed. Hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit me with lightning," I sang to no one in particular. Why that song? I don't know…it just popped into my head.

I grabbed my hairbrush and took the towel off of my head. My red hair was still a mess, but more or less dry, which was good. "Handle bars, and then I let go, let go for anyone. Take me in and throw out my heart and get a new one. Next thing, we're touching. You look at me it's like you hit me with lightning, ahhh," I continued singing and started getting the brush through my hair.

Let me just say, it's hard to dance and brush hair at the same time…but I did it anyway because I wanted to. Let me also say, that I can't dance to save my freaking life! But yes, I was dancing around the bathroom with a tangled mess of hair attempting to be fixed by the brush. "Oh, everybody's starry eyed. And everybody glows, oh, everybody's starry eyed. And my body goes whoa oh oh, ah ah, whoa oh oh, ah ah, whoa oh oh."

"So we burst into colors, colors and carousels. Fall head first like paper planes in playground games. Next thing, we're touching. You look at me it's like you hit me with lightning oh! Everybody's starry eyed. And everybody glows, oh, everybody's starry eyed. And my body goes whoa oh oh, ah ah, whoa oh oh, ah ah, whoa oh…" I was full out dancing now, singing into the hairbrush (don't judge me!) and prancing around the bathroom to the beat in my head. The only reason I stopped was because I looked back to the bathroom door to find my roommate leaning against the frame, smirking at me wildly.

We stared at each other for a moment totally serious, except I could feel my face flush from being caught. I met her eyes in all seriousness and said, "you do realize I have to kill you now, right?"

Gwen doubled over in laughter at that and I couldn't help myself as I did the same. "Well," Gwen commented once we had calmed down into giggles, "I suppose I see why you signed up for music."

"You now know how much of a dork, especially with music, your roommate is…I wouldn't blame you if you ran away screaming now," I semi-joked and went back over to the mirror to finish brushing my hair out.

"Nah, I wouldn't do that to you," she said and stepped into the bathroom, looking around a bit, "and besides, it's way better to wake up to you singing, which you do very well by the way, than my stupid alarm."

"Aw, well shucks…gee thanks, Gwen," I giggled, "I'm glad to know I'm better than a beeping noise from an alarm." Have I mentioned that when I don't get enough sleep, I can get really goofy?

"Don't take that as too much of a compliment," she teased, "almost everything is better than a beeping alarm. Now get out, I have to use the shower!" she exclaimed and shooed me out of the bathroom.

I rolled my eyes good naturedly as the bathroom door was closed in my face. With my hairbrush still in hand, I finished brushing out my hair and then looked at it my reflection in my phone. Eh, I didn't want to wear it down, so I decided to throw it up into a braid. I sat down on my bed to do that and looked at all of the animals in the room.

"Give me five minutes," I said when they all looked at me pitifully, "then I'll give you guys breakfast." And I did just that, I finished my braid, leaving a few strands to go around my face, and fed all of the animals. After that, I actually grabbed my guitar and started fooling around on it waiting for Gwen to be done in the room.

It was pretty quick actually, apparently Gwen is a lot like me in the morning…sleep in as much as possible then run around like a chicken with its head cut off to get everything done. We were out the door by 7:30 thankfully, my bed was getting more and more comfortable and inviting by the second…it was going to be a long day.

"Are you hungry? We have a lot of food downstairs for breakfast," Gwen was telling me as we were walking down the stairs to get to the main level.

"Surprisingly enough, I'm not hungry in the mornings…but I'll have something small of course," I answered and followed her into the kitchen/dining room thing that the dorms had. Almost all of the girls were up, and the glares at me were still coming. I was just lucky no one else was in the kitchen. "Oh look, an apple," I commented when I saw the fruit bowl and grabbed it, "there's my breakfast right there."

"You eat way too healthy for a teenager," she laughed as she was pouring out her cereal and milk. Were those Frosted Cheerios?

"Nah, trust me, the cereal is tempting mentally…I just don't think my stomach would like it too much," I explained and bit into the apple, "still feeling some of those effects from yesterday."

"Are you seriously eating an apple, JC?" Maggie asked from the doorway, startling both of us. She walked over to Gwen and gave her a kiss on the cheek before getting some cereal for herself. There was also a small ball of fluff following the brunette around.

"What is so wrong with an apple!" I exclaimed and threw up my hands. "And who's the cat?" I asked too, looking down at the long haired gray and white kitten.

"I don't know, the fuzzball has been following me all morning," Maggie shrugged and shoveled a spoonful of milk and cereal into her mouth.

"Would somebody please tell this idiot that I'm Belle and she's my human!" I heard and looked down at the cat.

I laughed and leaned down, gathering the kitten in my arms. "Yes, Belle," I answered with a chuckle and held her out to Maggie, "meet your cat…or more meet the cat that chose you to be her human. Her name's Belle."

"Seriously?" she asked and looked back to the kitten, "well that's something I didn't expect. I guess I have some stuff to be doing after school then."

"That would explain why she was following you around all morning," Gwen shrugged.

"Thank you!" Belle exclaimed and jumped out of my arms, landing on the counter and padding over to her newly claimed human.

I smiled at the kitten as I bit into the apple and looked around the area. Girls were sitting around, talking or watching television or something of the sorts. If the place wasn't going so nuts, it would be peaceful and a rather nice place to live, I decided. Granted, if the place wasn't going so nuts was the key term of that statement. It would be nice to sit around for a day if I didn't have to go to class like everyone else was starting to do…ugh, class. "What time is it?" I asked suddenly, looking back to Gwen and Maggie.

"Pretty much time for us to leave," my roommate responded, "do you know where you're going?"

I gave her a sheepish grin and shook my head, "not really at all, and I'm direction deprived…the likelihood that I'll get lost here is great. Sorry." Really, it was an amazement I didn't get lost last night, directions were not my strong suit at all…it took me a near month to figure out where I was going during my freshman year of high school.

Gwen sighed and nodded, "it's alright. I'll get you to your first class and I think you'll be able to find someone to help you after that, either your cousin or one of her friends…and Luke will be there too. But, we should be going now."

"Awesome, thank you so much!" I exclaimed and ate the last of my apple.

Gwen and Maggie gave each other a kiss goodbye and then me and my roommate were off. Apparently the day had warmed up the weather some, or at least that's what it was like to me. It wasn't as cold out as it was last night, but maybe that was my new fledgling powers kicking in more…who knew?

"You ready for your first day?" Gwen broke the silence with her question.

"Well," I sighed and blew out a breath. No…not really. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I think the majority of the surprises were done yesterday. At least Goddess I hope so," I answered.

"I think you'll be okay," she said and chuckled, "you missed the important night, it should be calm for a little bit."

"Oh, good, I'd at least like a day to adjust to this new schedule before I have to deal with all this shit," I joked somewhat. Truth was I really didn't want to have to deal with anything at all ever (as any sane person wouldn't), but I'd at least like a day to figure stuff out too and get settled in.

"So I take it you are settling in nicely?" What the hell! None other than Dee Summers, Princess Bitch (Neferet was queen after all), walked up in front of us with a malicious smile, blocking our path. Did she just materialize out of the fucking dark (have I mentioned that I also swear a lot more when I'm tired)! I remembered the conversation from last night and what Zane said…Neferet's biggest supporter. I repressed a shudder at the fact that she very well could have materialized out of the fucking dark.

"JC is getting along just fine," Gwen responded calmly, quietly, "thanks for the concern." The resentment in her voice was very thinly veiled.

"I don't think I was asking you, fag," Dee retorted and stuck her nose up at Gwen.

Oh, like hell you are going to talk to my roommate like that! "Back off, bitch," I snarled and stepped in between then, "I'm doing just fine, thanks for asking. Now, you're in our way to get to class…so if you don't mind," I said and made a hand motion to get her to leave. Did I expect her to? No…but I would try. And, oddly enough, all of those good, slap-happy feelings I had earlier were suddenly gone. Now all I felt was grouchy, tired, and the immense desire to let my fist connect with her face.

Dee let out a laugh and pushed me slightly. I let out a low growl, but she didn't seem to take notice, "getting a little bit testy now, aren't we?" she asked, "I suppose you've forgotten who top cat is around here."

"Just move out of my damn way, Dee," I warned as my hands clenched into fists.

She let out a sigh, "fine, you are absolutely no fun. Enjoy class, I'm sure I'll see you later." And she walked off, leaving me to wonder if her last comment was a promise, threat, or warning…or all three.

Gwen and I continued on to class in silence, I was still fuming and repressing the urge to shout, or snarl, or whatever. "JC?" Gwen asked finally.

"What!" I snapped and glared at her a moment. I met her amber eyes and was surprised to see the emotions in them. Well, the concern and kindness not really, but the thinly covered fear in them was a surprise. "Oh…Gwen," I said almost instantly and looked down in shame, "I'm sorry…I was just lost in thoughts."

"It's okay," she said and smiled a bit…the fear was still there a bit though. "We're at your first class," she added and pointed to the door. Wait…when the hell did we get inside?

"Oh," I said intelligently and smiled a bit too, "thanks, I didn't even realize we were here."

"It's fine," Gwen shrugged, "have a good class." I nodded and turned to go inside, only to be stopped again by her voice, "JC, are you alright?"

I turned back to look at her and that's when I caught it out of the corner of my eye. It was lurking in the shadows, swirling around menacingly and I could feel both that fear and sick desire I had when Neferet was in our room. I just really hoped it was a feeling I got whenever I was near Neferet, this was her class after all. "I'm fine," I said and forced a smile, "just tired and that wasn't the best way to start my morning."

"Ok," she nodded, "if you say so. I'll see you at lunch then," she added and turned off.

"Yup, see you then," I agreed and went into class. Some students were there, but not my cousin or anyone else, and most of them downright ignored me…but that was better than the unguarded glare of hate that I got from the rest. My vote goes to saying they were part of Dee's group.

Feeling uncomfortable and extremely self-conscious, I chose a desk in the back and sat down, setting my bag beside me. I ducked my head low to keep my gaze from anyone and stayed like that until I heard some familiar voices.

"JC?" I looked up to see Zoey, Stark, and Damien and sighed in relief.

"About damn time," I muttered but all other conversation was cut off when Neferet swept into the room. Alright, I'll admit it, she's an evil bitch…but she knows how to make an entrance in an extremely beautiful way. The man that walked in after her, however, was just a tad bit unexpected. Wheat colored hair, dark eyes, toned body…he was pretty cute (and I have a thing for blondes)…but the Darkness surrounding him was a complete and total turn off. Seriously, how much Darkness was here?

I turned to look at Zoey, Stark, and Damien in question, but my cousin wasn't there…she went to get my supplies apparently. Stark and Damien both saw my attention though and shrugged, looking just as confused as I was.

"Class," Neferet announced as Zoey came back and handed me a leather book and then took a seat next to Stark…Damien was next to me. "This is Aurox," she announced and motioned to the man who entered with her, "he has heard what happened and after I banished my Erebus Incarnate, he offered his service to his priestess. Please accept him and welcome him in this class," she explained.

Most of the girls in class ogled this man…Aurox, and I had to resist the urge to barf. Gwen was right, the spell she had these people under was sickening…literally. After the announcement, Neferet launched into a lecture about the Amazons…apparently I missed some stuff since it seemed like it was mid-lesson. She entirely forgot about me, the new student, which was just as well since I didn't want one of those awkward introductions.

I was surprised when the bell rang to signal second hour, and I was both relieved and upset to move. Relieved because Neferet still gave me the creeps, upset because it really was an interesting lecture…but the surprise of the class came next.

"Zoey, Jennifer," the High Priestess called out. I was surprised to be called out to, but shrugged and got up, following my cousin, "just Zoey and Jennifer please," Neferet added, looking behind me at Stark.

He just grunted and looked to Z, who nodded. "I'll be right outside," Stark mumbled to her and followed Damien out.

"I just wanted to inform you both," Neferet started when we stood in front of the desk, "that there is a Council meeting tonight right after school, and I am hoping to get in touch with the High Council as well," she explained and looked at me, "I believe they will know about your situation more than we do here, Jennifer."

I nodded, though I knew that Lenobia already knew about me, "I hope so too. Learning about my Mark is something that I should probably be doing right away."

"Yes well," she smiled at me and moved her hand closer to mine. That's when I felt it, that odd chill and mix of feelings. I looked down to see a tendril of Darkness coming off her hand and coming towards me. I'm sure every ounce of color drained from my face and I stared, watching it for a moment. Finally, I snapped out of it and instinctively moved my hand away, looking back to Neferet. And she knew.

"Zoey, I'm done talking to you, though Jennifer, I would like to hold you back for a moment longer," she said and her smile grew just a bit.

Before Zoey could respond, I nodded, "that's fine, Neferet," and threw a quick look at my cousin.

"Alright, I'll meet up with you at lunch then?" Z asked casually.

I grinned at her, "definitely. See ya then, Zoey." It was almost amusing how easily we could keep a conversation like that.

My cousin left and when the door clicked shut, the High Priestess looked up to me, her smile growing more evil by the second. "You can see it, can't you Jennifer?" she asked me.

Should I lie? Looking into those hate filled eyes, I felt like she would know if I lied. "I can," I answered carefully.

"It calls to you, I can tell, I could tell the day you came here, you are different," Neferet continued, slowly getting up from her seat, "it calls for you and you long for it. Darkness is a powerful ally Jennifer…"

"Look," I cut her off, "let's get one thing straight. Sure, I can see it, but that doesn't mean that I want it. The very name is enough for me to know what it is."

"Oh, but I know that you do," her smile turned sly, "I can see it in you, and Darkness knows too."

My voice turned cold and hard as I watched her, "get to your point."

"I'm offering a deal to you, Jennifer," Neferet answered, "you are very clearly a powerful fledgling, Nyx has granted you as such. But I can give you so much more than that Goddess. I can give you full power, Jennifer."

One day, I'd been there one day and she was already trying to get me! "And why would I want to do that?"

"You appear to be a very strong-willed and ambitious girl," she explained, "I can give you the power and prestige you are looking for."

Ok, I suppose you could call me ambitious…but she was WAY off the mark about me looking for power and prestige. "But…joining you would be joining Darkness," I pointed out bluntly, "and Darkness just isn't right."

"Says some," she shrugged like it was nothing, "though others would disagree. I'm offering you this power to revel in, Jennifer, something I have not done for many others, and I would like an answer."

I didn't even bat an eye when I looked at her, though I wanted to just curl up into a ball and die, "as much as I thank you for your offer, I think I'll have to decline."

For a split second, I saw the surprise in Neferet's eyes, then they returned to the cold, hard orbs they normally were. "If you don't stand with me, you stand against me. Is that really what you want?"

I glared at her and nodded. "I will say this and only once, Neferet. I know what has been going on here, and I don't like it. I am with the Goddess, I am with Light. I don't know what's going on between me and Darkness, but I know where my heart and soul belong and that is absolutely with Light. If that means I reject joining Darkness…then so be it. And if that means standing against you, then I will stand against you until my dying breath. Now, I'll see you tonight at the meeting." I turned on my heel and left the room without another word. First day, first hour, and I've already declared myself an enemy of the insane woman known as Neferet…seriously, when did I grow a set enough to do that, I was never that bold?

As I left, I swear I heard in the air "we'll see about that."

Yeah, JC's badass XD. Anyway, just because I can, that little link down there is lonely, you should click it! And, definitely take a stab at what those different words mean, you should do that too.