We had stuck to Stevie Rae's room for most of the morning going back and forth on whether we should just leave or not and what we planned to do once we got there. After several hours I couldn't take it anymore. I mean really what was taking the Council so long? Nothing was going to change in the next few days that may influence their decision. Either I was going to go and try to save my mom and use the poem Nyx had given us to try and stop Kalona and Neferet or we were all going to sit here and hope something easier came alone. Hope that there would be some other way. I shook my head, there wasn't any other way. We could wait as long as they wanted and the result would still be the same. Eventually I would have to go to them with my circle and try to follow Nyx's path for me. The only difference would be if we waited my mother would no longer be alive.

A puff of air broke through my musings and I smiled stepping up to kiss Persephone's muzzle. I had stopped brushing her as my mind had wondered and she was beginning to protest.

"You know I have to go, don't you girl?" I asked nuzzling my face against hers. "Even though I love you and its safer here, I still have to go."

"She knows," Starks voice came from behind me.

I turned around giving a little smile, "Come to check on me?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Me? Nah, I just came down to get some practice in," he said holding up his bow and arrow and motioning towards the field house. "It just happened to be a lucky coincidence that you were here and that I could kill two birds with one stone by making sure that you were ok," he said giving me a sarcastic little grin.

"Oh, yeah, sure, lucky coincidence," I said rolling my eyes.

He chuckled stepping forward and placing a hand over mine so that we were brushing Persephone together, his other arm circling around my waist. "You know we're with you whatever you decide," he whispered in my ear. "If you said you were leaving now, we'd all be behind you no questions asked."

"I know," I said exhaling loudly and then turning in his arms.

Persephone grunted angrily as the brush fell from our hands, but all sound soon disappeared as I was enveloped by Starks all too tender and too knowing kiss. Tears rolled down my cheeks as his lips pressed against mine firmly and yet softly, showing love and comfort. His hand slowly moved up my back finding its way to the back of my head as my arms slid around his neck. I opened my mouth slowly inviting him in and was sure my heart stopped for a moment as our tongues met. He lifted me slowly setting me on the blanket covered hay bale (don't ask me when the blanket got there, I was a little occupied).

He pushed back lightly laying me down and gently covering me with his body, his lips never leaving mine. Finally, he broke the kiss gently kissing all the tears that stained my face, "It's going to be alright, Zoey," he whispered softly holding me to him as we lay we there. "We'll find a way to save your mom. We will make this right," he said giving me a little extra squeeze. I sighed contently for a moment. It felt good just to lie here with him and for the moment I was comforted. It was like he knew exactly what I needed, and not just my body, but my soul as well.

He began kissing me again moving along my jaw to my neck. He nipped a few time and then continued down to my collar bone. I could feel my breath starting to come in gasps now, my heart picking up pace as he slowly used his nail to make a small cut above my chest. I tilted my head back as he came near and then all too soon reality came crashing down and I had to stop him.

"Stark, Wait!" I said breathless and a little annoyed. There was no part of me that wanted him to stop, only that small selfless part that knew he had to for the sake of someone else! I sighed as he looked at me confused.

"Zoey?" He questioned and I could tell he was afraid he had crossed a line.

"No, Stark, believe me I want with everything in me for you to continue, but I can't let you. Not until I figure out a less painful way to break an imprint."

He sat quietly for a moment letting my words sink in, "the human?" He asked gently. His voice was considerate not hurtful as he said this.

"Heath. I hurt him once, badly. I can't do that to him again. It nearly destroyed his soul last time, and this time when I drank from him it was stronger, there's just too much of a risk and I can't…"

"I understand," he said giving me a small and yet sad smile. He looked into my eyes and I could tell he really did understand. I soooo did not deserve him!

"I've been trying to keep my distance, trying to let the imprint fade on its own. So far it's been pretty easy what with all the crazy stuff going on, but I can't cut that connection severely like I did last time," I said looking sad myself as I sat up. I so wished with everything in me that Stark and I could continue. I felt safe with him, comforted, and maybe even loved.

He kissed my lips again bringing me too him, "It's alright, Zoey. I'll always be waiting for you," he whispered smiling against my lips.

I felt my stomach do a little flip as my heart raced to his words. I kissed him back slowly and passionately letting him know how truly sorry I was, how much I really did want him. He pulled me closer and I wrapped my legs around his waist as his hands once again moved up my back. Then slowly I pulled away once more, resting my cheek against his warm chest.

"So much for getting some practice in," I said to him lightly.

"Well, I've recently found that there is more than one thing to be practiced in here," he said kissing the top of my head.

I giggled smacking him playfully, "Stark!"

"Yes?" He asked innocently.

"You're bad," I said rolling my eyes.

"Only when I'm with you," he said giving an especially cocky grin.

Persephone whickered softly throwing her head back and I laughed again, "I think someone is a little annoyed with us," I said slowly untangling myself from his arms and picking up her brush. "I'm sorry girl," I said kissing her face again and beginning to brush her.

Stark chuckled, "Well it is her stall, I suppose," he said grabbing another brush and moving to Persephone's other side. "So have you figured out anymore about what you are supposed to do with that poem?" He asked nonchalantly.

I shook my head, "not really. I figure that first I should just go in and try to save my mom. If I can keep Neferet from knowing the rest of you are around until the very end though, that would be good. I don't want her to have an opportunity to hurt anyone else."

"And what about the sacrifice?" He asked trying to sound detached but I could tell he was just as concerned as I was.

"I don't know," I said looking up from what I was doing and into his eyes. "That part has me really nervous, but I can see how it's necessary. I just wish I knew for certain what I'm supposed to do."

"You will," he said encouragingly and absolutely sure of himself like always.

"And, I wish the Council would hurry up already!" I said feeling a little frustrated once more.

"Wish granted," Aphrodite said walking in and giving us a knowing look. As the twins would say, 'great, just great.' "They got out of the conference room about ten minutes ago, and Natasha has been looking for you."

I put the brush down giving Persephone one last pet and then took Stark's hand, "then let's go."

Aphrodite nodded and the three of us walked out of the stables. My stomach flipping the whole way and leaving me desperately hoping that I wasn't going to end up with a raging case of diarrhea! (I hate being under stress, so why do I seem to find myself in it all the time?)

Hey guys thanks for all the awesome reviews! I really appreciate everything you guys write about this story! Please keep reading and keep reviewing and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter about Stark!!! ;-) ;-) :-D