CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Revenge grows from a seed of lies

Dame looked at the old building far differently than she'd done the first time she'd come. The beauty was gone from her eyes. She looked on at the Academy with indifference and hatred. Walking through the halls she watched the students move from one class to another. She pitied them. They were so insignificant in this world, yet they strived to be noticed as a soloist in a singing choir. They had no real importance and she felt for them. Brae past her with as little as a glance. He turned his head when he was well past her to get a glimpse of her while he thought she wasn't looking. She was. She was always looking these days. She stayed vigilant. Ever since the death of Isiria, she felt like she was awake all of the time. Her eyes were always opened. It had been nearly a week. She'd been to every class, not bothering to take a moment of mourning. No one said anything about it. In actuality everyone acted as she wanted them to. They treated her with respect and admiration. The girls and boys followed her, she was rarely alone. She took on the role she'd taken at Broken Arrow but more so. She was a leader. People ran parties by her; making sure it fit her schedule. When she came into the lunch everything seemed to stop. People moved out of her way when she walked, everyone said hello to her. They were all at her disposal. She was their leader and they were her followers; her slaves. They seemed drawn to her. When she smiled it seemed as if the receiver's face lit up. The only one who was not completely devoted to her was brae. He had moments when he'd look at her when he thought she hadn't seen him, but other than that he looked her in her face with hatred or not at all. It irritated her but she had too much to do to worry about him now. Her last period class ended and she took the stairs to the library. Kalona had been quiet for quite some time. Walking past Zoey's office she heard her name called. It was Zoey

"Dame?"

"yes?" she said turning on her heels.

" I understand that ever since your, uh, accident, you've been fairing quite well. Seems you've found your place here at the House of Night?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry for the way things went with brazen. You must understand that imprints are very dangerous."

Dame you must behave. You need to get her to trust you. If she does not trust you she will watch you carefully.

But.

No buts. I am asking you to do this. If our plan is to succeed and you are to get your revenge, you must get her to trust you.

Fine.

"I do. My imprint needed to be broken." She said solemnly, careful to hide her distain for the words coming from her mouth. Making Zoey believe everything she said was true would be easy.

"it's alright, my dear. Might I ask, why the sudden change?"

"Recent events. The whole dying thing and…" she paused to express empty pain over the issue with brae. She looked off into the distance and summoned tears to water her eyes. "the point is that I wasn't lying when I said I wouldn't fight with you anymore. The circle was wrong when they said I didn't want help. I do. I need someone to teach me how to control my powers. Nyx wants me to control them. She wants me to trust you and for you to trust me."

Very intelligent move, my love. Yes, play on her love for her Goddess. I see that there is a lot of your mother in you. But there in you way of war is your father. He was always an intelligent fighter, even more so than his affinity could supply.

Thank you.

"Is that what she told you? For what reason would she want you to control you powers?"

"she told me to trust those she has given me. She said to choose my allies wisely. She wouldn't have given me these powers if there wasn't a reason. I think I should at least know how to use them, so I can avoid hurting anyone. "

"she did. I suppose you are right, you do need to know how to use your affinities. The only problem is that I don't know what affinities you have. There are more than one I'm sure, but what they are exactly I'm not sure."

"isn't there someone who can tell us what they are? I mean shouldn't there be someone with an affinity for affinities?"

"I believe there is! What an intelligent idea!"

Very.

" I believe there is a psychic who can help us. But we will need to go some where no one can know about. You will need to be absolutely sure you want to control your gifts right now."

"yes, I am sure."

"very well, I will call Shekinah and schedule an appointment at the prison."

"who are we going to see."

"Neferet."

" we're almost there. Are you sure? We can always turn back."

The prison was far from what Dame had expected. She thought the prison would look something like the school. Old and ancient. In fact the prison looked much like a corporate office without windows. The walls were chrome colored and modern looking. The doors slid back and forth and the front desk was well decorated with it's abstract look and model like receptionist.

"hello, my name is Verona. I will be escorting you to the guards. The guards will escort you to the high security facility. The high security facility will prepare one of you for the meeting. The meeting-"

"excuse me, one of us?"

"yes one of you. We were only informed of one person coming. We were not prepared for two. The prisoner must be prepped. She is only expecting one. It's best not to upset her. Anyway, The meeting will be fifteen minutes long. Only, fifteen minutes." Zoey looked a little taken back. " So, who will be the visitor?"

"Well, I, I guess that'll be her." She turned to dame and spoke to her briefly. "Dame, I want you to listen to me. Anything she says that does not involve the matter we came here for should be told to me. Do not answer any of her questions. Do not look her directly in the eyes. Do not let her touch you. She's psychic, she will know things about you that will strike nerves. Don't let her make you angry, she feeds on that. Or fear, whatever you do , do not fear her. She's powerful, but judging by what I've seen you're more powerful." She gave her a quick nudge and told her to follow the lady.

As she was turning the corner she heard Zoey scurry up beside her. Zoey grabbed her by the arm. "And remember, you are not here for what you think you are. Give them any other answer besides the truth." Zoey had never asked her to lie before.

The guards were very serious. They looked almost nervous.

"I'm guessing she doesn't get too many visitors?"

"No. the only people who want to see her are locked up in here, far away from her."

"Is she that dangerous?" Dame reviewed the dreams that involved her. The only one that kept flashing back and forth across her vision was the one of Neferet killing her father. She clenched her fists and tried to relax. She saw the distorted look of a mad woman, holding a dagger. She wanted to use that same dagger the slit the woman's throat but thought it wise not to mention. Did Zoey even remember that it was Neferet that had killed her father the first time, or did she assume Dame didn't know? She decided Zoey didn't know she knew. After all who would tell their three year old, they'd died once; no matter how smart and charming she is. She examined the hallway and recognized that there were windows leading to rooms, but no doors. These people were never leaving. When the guards weren't paying attention to her she slid over to one of the windows, the women had beautiful blond hair and piercing green eyes. Though her eyes were open, they were vacant. She was strapped to a bed sat upright. Tubes streamed from her body, with silvery liquid inside.

"she's in sort of a comatose. Most of the patients here are."

"but her eyes are-"

"open, we know. A side affect of the drug. We couldn't use regular anesthesia, it won't work. Think of an eternity of sleep deprivation and you get that drug. Their minds are gone, but their bodies are still awake. It's good actually."

"Why? Why would that be good?"

"if you can't sleep you can't dream. A lot of the prisoners have psychic abilities here. They started this treatment when a prisoner escaped by convincing her guard that she was his long lost wife who had been tricked into switching places with the prisoner."

"wouldn't he know what his wife looked like?"

"the thing is, he never had a wife."

"oh. Is Neferet in a comatose too?"

"No"

"If she's the most dangerous shouldn't-"

"the drugs won't work on her. Her body rejects them. She's too strong to be tamed."

Dame felt her body shiver.

It is alright my dear. She has long since foreseen you. She will not harm you.

she nodded faintly and proceeded to follow the guards. They looked at her peculiarly. She felt a splint of fear.

Do they feel my power? she asked.

No, they feel nothing.

She took comfort in his confidence.

"we are here." One of the guards said. Without a word they were gone and she was left to marvel at the complex weave of twist and turns the contraption before her took. A lady in white came toward her.

"hello. I am Ilise I will be your preparation tutor."

"what do I need to be prepared for?"

She didn't sugar coat it at all. She merely said, "the worse."

"Dame is it?"

"yes."

"well dame the first thing you must know is where you are. You are in the prison for Vampyres with special affinities. These Vampyres have committed crimes against humans or Vampyres. They are here because no other jail can hold them. They have broken the law and on no circumstance are they justified. Are there any questions so far?"

"Say, a couple kept a human child, instead of sending it to live with other human relatives, because the human relatives are evil cruel people."

"If they are caught and have affinities they come to this prison."

"but-" she looked shockingly on the woman. Because her parents loved her enough to want to keep her, they would have been put in a comatose? They wanted to take care of their child; is that so wrong?

"Yes, if your parents were caught alive they would have been brought here."

"how did you-"

"Know? I have psychic abilities. It is what qualifies me for this position. They need their most powerful for her. I make sure no one with bad intention comes through these doors.

Not powerful enough my dear. Relax she can read the surface of your mind I am at its' farthest regions. The thoughts we share are well protected. You are far stronger than she is.

She took a deep breath.

"are there anymore questions?"

"no" she said sharply.

"Well, on to the next matter…"

Ilise went on about many of the thing Zoey had already explained. No eye contact; No other thoughts; No touching. She would be monitored; they would pull her out if anything got out of hand. She was beginning to get a little annoyed with all the talking.

The woman gave her a set of white clothes much like her own and asked dame to change. She was not aloud to bring any type of color into Neferet's area.

She looked crossly at the woman and went to change. After changing she was asked a series of questions and was told she would be asked the same questions when she left to assure them she was herself. She answered each question with a blain and obvious answer. 'what's your favorite color?' 'blue'. 'whose the president?' 'Danielle Marle'. 'what was the weather like outside?' 'Sunny'. 'what is your mentors name?' 'Zoey'.

Simple questions with simple answers, but still the survey seemed to drone on forever. Finally the last test was issued. It was a simple question but dame had the hardest time trying to give them the right answer.

"Why are you here?"

"What?"

"why are you here?"

"because-because-because I don't know who I am." She finally choked out.

"What do you mean?"

"you know by now my parents died when I was young. She can give me insight to who they were. She's the only one that knew them and lived. I can't find anyone who knew anything about them personally. She was their High priestess; she would know them better than anyone. Especially, if she's psychic."

"Very well." The woman replied frigidly.

She is trying to read your thoughts. She will watch you closely now that she knows she cannot get to everything in your mind. Be careful, my love.

I will.

She followed the woman into the glass-like hall.

"follow the hall to the very end. The doors will open. Go in immediately. Do not hesitate; they will only open twice; once when you come in and once when you leave. You will be notified when your time is up. If you do not leave when that door opens you will be trapped until I have authorization to open them again."

She did as she was told and made haste to enter even before the doors were completely opened." At a table in the farthest part of the room away from the door sat a calm and beautiful woman. Dame had expected her to be as she was in her vision. The woman who sat before her was far from distorted and cruel looking. She looked almost pleasant.

"hello Dame. You have grown into quite the admirable woman. I had expected you to be beautiful but never did I expect such exotic magnificence. You are a sight for sore eyes."

"Neferet." She said flatly. It took great effort to mask her hatred of this woman.

"I hope you are not hiding your feeling for my sake. I would expect some hostility for what you have seen."

"shut up"

"I am not here to hurt you Dame. I am here to help you."

Neferet: It is best we speak like this.

Dame: you can speak in my mind?

Neferet: very much so. You will learn that soon enough.

Dame: You mean I have that power?

Neferet: my dear, you possess powers I can't even describe. I believe this is what you came here for correct?

Dame: yes

Neferet: keep the thoughts of your mother and father at the front of your mind, like a mask. You do not want our dear little listeners to think something's up. Ask me questions out loud to keep the illusion real. Judging from what I've seen, you do in fact want to know some things about your mother and father, the internet can't answer.

Dame: yes

"what were their original names?"

"IsaacAnderson and Soleil De'Matra. Your father was from Philadelphia and your mother was from Paris, France. Your father's parents…" the front was driven into the distance as the true conversation went on. There was a question burning in her mind that she couldn't ask aloud.

Dame: why kill my father?

Neferet: your father was an asset. They needed him and we needed them without him. It was a necessity of war.

Dame: did you know you would lose?

Neferet: No. when Isaac was killed I assumed the war was all but won. Without him, they had no chance. I did not think to cover all my bases.

Dame: and you still follow kalona after what he'd done to you? After he betrayed you so?

Neferet: I was hurt, yes. But I loved him and I knew Zoey would never follow him. Every man needs to make a mistake. He is faithful to me now. He knows I was his all along and that I would never betray him.

Dame: if you both thought you would win, why bother with me?

Neferet: Because Dame, in our vision of the future, we needed power. We needed an heir. I cannot have children, nor did Kalona want one of his raven mockers to reign. Picking some random follower would not work. We needed to raise one; to create the most powerful child known. Then the night Isaac died, I had a vision of you. Cradled in a little bassinette dressed from head to toe in Vampyric marks, there you were. You were magnificent. Your power radiated through my vision and touched me. I wanted you for my own. But I knew you were not mine, more importantly I knew you were not on our side yet. Your mother is a stubborn one; she would not so easily turn from her goddess. It would take a lot of convincing. So I went to kalona and told him of what I had done. He was furious that I had disobeyed his orders, but when I told him of phoebe and of your power, he was wonderfully happy. He told me of a ceremony that would bind you to him as if you were one of his own. His blood would mix with yours and you would be his daughter. You would not turn into a raven mocker; you would have his power to top your own. It was a magnificent idea. And so he promised her Isaac's return to this world in exchange for your allegiance. She loved him more than anyone. She was right to do what she did.

Dame: you knew I'd be a Vampyre? Were you planning to take me from my mother?

Neferet: No, kalona told her once the ceremony was completed that you had to stay with her. Neither Kalona, nor I were in a position to care for a child. Even one as special as you, would be a handful. I never wanted motherhood. Your mother and Father would have raised you.

Dame: then you would have taken me.

Neferet: wrong again. When you were old enough you would have gone to the house of night. You would have been taught there, how to use your powers. Of course your curriculum would have been slightly modified. You would have been brought up as something of a monarch; A princess even.

Dame: So what went wrong? If you were so sure that you would win, what went wrong?

Neferet: As I said before. I did not cover all my bases. I failed to realize the desire Kalona had for A'ya. I ignored my instincts when he wanted to infiltrate the tunnels. I should have wondered why, but I assumed he would never betray me. I overweighed my leverage. I could bring him out of his prison that I was sure, but I did not think about if I could put him back. I let him get too powerful without thinking of what that could do to my control. When we went down into the tunnels we went without guards. He didn't seem to be angry, or even present. His eyes were Vacant and pensive. I could never read his mind, so I didn't for a moment know what he was about to do. I just ignored that little voice who had never asked anything of me beyond to listen. I followed him into our own demise. He tortured me for even trying to send him back and yet she lived as if she weren't the one who had imprisoned him in the first place? I was angry at first. When they caught me I was furious. With him imprisoned again my power had waned. I was strong but not as strong as I had been. I was broken as well. I love kalona and I cannot help that. And when he returns I will be by his side once more. You and I will be by his side.

She nodded slightly and looked at the woman intently.

Dame: What must I do?

Neferet: for now listen to him. Follow every order without question. He needs you right now. Whatever he does he does with concern of you. And when the time comes, resurrect him. Free him from his prison.

The loud speaker came on and Ilise told her, her time was coming to an end and that the doors would be opening in 30 seconds.

Dame thanked Neferet emptily. She made sure the composure of her face remained vacant as to not cause the watchers alarm. The doors opened and she slowly walked out. She turned to Neferet and grinned just enough for her to notice.

Neferet: Dame, you are his daughter. He will listen to you. Don't let him forget me. I am very sorry for what I did. But I had to. If not, our dream of a new world where our kind had no reason to hide might never have been possible. Your father and mother died because of the hate the people of faith inflict. The hate and Envy, humans in general inflict, do not let their death go on in vain.

For the first time dame looked at it in this way. She hated the town for what they had done, but what she hadn't thought about is why they'd done it. Her new mission was clear. Destroy the hatred and take her kind out of hiding. Neferet was right, the Envy and contempt had to go. The laws had to go. They weren't helping the Vampyres they were hiding them; hurting them. Why should the stronger kind have to hide in the shadows while the cavemen walked freely? She walked out of the room and took her survey again. She remembered every answer without real effort. Then the very same guards guided her to the very same receptionist, and back to the very person she hated the most.

"How'd it go?" Dame had forgotten about the whole reason they were here. She thought fast.

"they were watching us. I asked her what powers I might have, but she refused to answer me."

"why did you tell them you were here?"

"to know who I was who my parents were."

"did you get some answers."

"plenty"