It's time! Lol. Took long enough, huh? Well, I really hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Neferet

Even with Neferet's amazing vampyric hearing, she still had to strain to hear the conversation going on in the tent. The fact that she was freaking out on the inside made it even harder. Zoey might just die on her own before the child was born! What luck! She'd overheard the conversation Zoey, Stevie Rae, and Kalona had earlier about Zoey's body rejecting the change. But she still needed to listen to what was going on and make sure that Zoey didn't go into labor.

Neferet decided to close her eyes as she listened. Taking away her sight sense made her hearing sense stronger. Everything she heard was still faint, but it no longer sounded like a wisp in the wind. No, everything she heard sounded like a whisper now, and she could work with that.

"No, no, no…" she heard from the tent. Neferet thought it was Aphrodite, but it could have been any of the girls. A few seconds went by before she heard, "Oh, Zoey. I'm so sorry."

Before she could hear what happened next, the wind picked up around her, signaling the arrival of her consort. But she could tell by the force of the wind that something was wrong. He was rushing his arrival.

My beauty… he whispered before he'd even fully appeared. We must go. Zoey is having her child. I'd hoped she would die beforehand and make our life easier, but it seems like that is not going to happen.

"Yes, my – "

There is no time for conversation. Go to the basement and get the sacrifice. I will meet you there, my sweet.

Neferet said nothing. Instead, she held her hands out and willed Darkness to her. She'd been working with it for so long that she no longer had to feed it. It flowed right to her hands, up her wrists and arms, slowly spreading all over her body. In three seconds, Neferet and all of the Darkness was gone.

From that spot, at least. Now, she and the Darkness stood on the porch of the house that held the nun. Although she could easily break into the house and charm the young man who lived there again, she wanted to keep up the appearance that she was a guest. There were also two men walking down the street and, although they were drunk, they would notice a vampyre breaking into a house. She may not be acquainted with the House of Night anymore, but that didn't mean she wanted all vampyres to have a bad name. She planned on taking over one day, and she needed to look innocent to do that.

Neferet rang the doorbell, waiting patiently for the young man to answer. As he opened the door, Neferet brought his name to the front of her mind, thinking he would find it rude if she didn't address him by name.

"David!" She smiled, turning on her charm. David was about five feet ten inches in height, around 175 pounds. He had short, dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. Today he was wearing a red, black, and blue horizontal striped shirt with blue jeans and black sneakers. To Neferet, he looked like a 25 year old man trying to look like a teenager. "Would you mind if I came to check on my friend?"

David smiled, but his eyes glazed over, as if he were lost in thought. Damn, Neferet thought, I will have the world eating out of my palm in no time. Just look at this poor bastard. "Oh, miss! I was beginning to think you'd never come back. Please, do come in."

David opened the door wider and moved to the side to allow Neferet inside. She walked in and directly went to the side of the stairs where the door to the basement was.

"Wouldn't you like to sit and visit some before you check on her? I could make some tea, coffee, hot chocolate?" David asked.

Neferet turned and smiled at him. "I'm sorry, David, but I really need to check on her. Maybe later."

David frowned. Neferet loved that she could make men follow her around like lost little puppy dogs. It was even more amazing, however, that the more she turned them down, the more they wanted her. "I could bring a drink down for you, if you'd like?"

Her patience was beginning to wear thin. "I really appreciate that, David, but I'd like a little time alone with Mary."

Neferet turned back around and made her way to the door. David said nothing so she assumed he got the point. She made a mental note to take it easier on the next person she had to charm with Darkness. The way David was acting could come in handy if anyone ever questioned him about Neferet, but it was annoying.

As her hand started to turn the knob of the basement door, David said, "Where are my manners? Miss, would you like something to eat instead? I just finished making some spaghetti."

Neferet repressed the urge to let out a snarl. She turned around and walked toward him until they were an inch apart. She was looking down at him when she whispered, "I don't eat spaghetti. Or any food, for that matter."

"Well, then…" David murmured. He tilted his neck, exposing the artery. Neferet gave a little gasp, wondering why a human – even one under a very powerful spell – would offer such a vital part of his body to a vampyre. She did this while watching the artery pulse in time with his heart. It was tempting – so tempting – to move her head down the few inches and bite, but there was a part of her that worried about David's actions.

"What did you do to Mary?" she asked.

David straightened his head, looking at her with wide eyes. Neferet had her answer. Something had happened to Mary Angela, and the only way she would find out what was if she went to the basement herself to see.

She turned on her heel and raced to the door. It flew open, the top corner breaking off as it the wall. Neferet took the stairs down two at a time, heart racing. When she turned the corner she heard David yell out to her, but she wasn't listening. The chains attached to the wall were empty. Neferet looked all around, but the nun was nowhere.

Neferet turned, fully expecting David to be there, so that she could take his previous offer and drain him dry. Instead, she found herself face to face with the White Bull. "Oh, my love! He has ruined everything!" she cried.

Shush. he whispered in her mind. There is nothing wrong. He only thinks that the nun has escaped. She is right there, as she has always been. I've just screened her with a spell. Come.

Neferet followed the White Bull over to the chains. Touch just under the cuff. he instructed. She did as he said, but she felt nothing. Just as she was about to tell him so, the cuff locked around her wrist. Neferet looked at the cuff and then at the hand that held it in shock.

David had locked her in one of the chains. When she looked at his face, she could tell that he was a complete puppet now. His eyes were nothing but white, no iris, no pupil. The White Bull had put David under his spell.

741+

.++ "What is this?" she asked, afraid. Suddenly, a wisp of Darkness came forward and pinned her 8457other hand to the wall. The other cuff locked around her free wrist, effectively chaining the top half of her body to the wall.

The White Bull laughed. You are so naïve… A little praise here and there, and you were completely under my spell. He laughed again as Neferet gasped. He had used her own technique on her. How did she not realize that? Did you really think I would allow you to take my credit? To sit by my side as I ruled? I am Darkness! I will rule, all on my own.

"But…my lord…" Neferet couldn't find the words to speak.

Exactly. I am your lord. So you will do as I say. And I say that you will be the sacrifice.

[BREAK; DARIUS]

"Is the doctor here yet?" Darius asked through his phone to Stevie Rae, who was at the city limits sign with Rephaim.

"Nu-uh." she answered. "But she said she'd be here in five minutes."

Darius grimaced. "Stevie Rae…I don't think that's soon enough. Zoey is 7 centimeters dilated. It will take you ten minutes to get out here once she gets to the sign."

"No. We will get there before the baby comes. I promise. If I have to fashion something out of the earth that get us there faster, I will." She hung up before Darius could reply.

Darius turned back to look at the tent and sighed. "Nyx, we need you."

As we walked toward the tent's entrance, Aphrodite came out. Her face was changing colors rapidly; blue, then green, then yellow, repeating over and over again.

"Sweetheart." Darius murmured before wrapping her in his arms. "I know this is stressful, but we can make it through this. Zoey and the baby will be fine. You'll see."

Aphrodite shook her head roughly. "No, nothing is okay. She started coughing again, Darius. Blood is everywhere. She's dying. She just made Kalona agree to rip her stomach open if she doesn't make it! Shit is serious now."

Darius felt the flood of relief go through every muscle in his body. Yes, he was still frustrated and concerned for Zoey and the baby, but he couldn't help being happy that Aphrodite was sounding at least a little bit like herself. "I know. But – "

"Oh Goddess!"

Both Aphrodite and Darius turned so fast toward the tent that they almost got whiplash. That was Zoey yelling. Either the baby was crowning and the pain was intense, or something was wrong. Darius hated his first instinct, but he couldn't help it; he was betting on the latter. Seconds later, they were both in the tent. It was getting crowded.

Zoey was on the mattress with Kalona right next to her, holding her hand and helping her do the breathing techniques women do when they have babies. Damien, Shaunee, and Erin were on Zoey's right side, behind Kalona. Aphrodite and Darius were on her left. Kramisha had disappeared, saying something about paper.

"Zoey, is there anything I can do for you? Anything to take the pain away?" Kalona asked. Damien, Erin, and Shaunee nodded.

"Yeah, could we use one of our elements to help?" Erin asked.

"We could call on them right now." Shaunee pitched in.

Zoey shook her head. "It isn't the pain. I mean, it hurts like hell, but that's not why I'm screaming. Something doesn't feel right. I think the contractions are actually spreading apart. And could someone please get a towel and wipe the water off of…y'know? I figured my water would have stopped by now."

Kalona murmured a yes, obviously worried about what she'd said about something not feeling right. He went outside for a moment. Darius had seen the clean, white towels in a little hamper out there. They'd stocked up pretty well on things they'd need. The only thing Darius couldn't understand was why they hadn't prepared to go to the hospital, or at least the infirmary. No one here knew what they were doing. They needed a professional. On top of it, why had they been hiding out in a place so desolate so close to the baby's arrival? Darius felt a little disappointment toward Zoey. She was so smart; why didn't she think of these things?

Darius, Aphrodite, Erin, Shaunee, and Damien all moved to the back of the tent, near Zoey's head, so that they could get out of Kalona's way and give Zoey a little privacy. Zoey was now laying her head down on the pillow, her eyes closed. Aphrodite had been doing some reading on pregnancy and labor herself, and had shared a few things with Darius. He knew that Zoey must have been very tired and wanted to sleep.

While everyone else was looking at Zoey, whispering about themselves about the baby, Darius looked over to Kalona. Something was definitely wrong. Every muscle in Kalona's body looked strained. He was utterly still, so much so that he could've been a statue. His eyes were wide as he peeked under the blanket at Zoey's bent legs, looking at her most private part. Darius saw Kalona's Adam's apple bob as he swallowed hard. Kalona slowly looked up without moving his head and caught Darius's eyes. Darius ever so slightly motioned for Kalona to meet him outside.

"Darling," Kalona addressed Zoey, "I'm going to go wet the towel. Some of the liquid has dried on you."

Zoey nodded as Darius told Aphrodite that he was going to go call Stevie Rae about the doctor.

When he went outside, Kalona was ten feet away, standing under a pine tree. "What's wrong?" Darius asked, jogging over to him.

"Keep it down." Kalona whispered. It was strange having Kalona tell him to do something in such a sincere tone. Darius was so used to Kalona being evil that he sort of felt like he was in an alternate universe. "I believe…Zoey has lost the baby."

Darius gasped. "No! Why do you think that?"

Kalona's eyes were turning red as tears swelled up. His eyes were wide as he looked to the ground. He looked as if he were reliving the moment he'd looked under that blanket. "It wasn't liquid from her water breaking that was making her uncomfortable. It was blood. A lot of blood."

Darius was shocked. He remembered Aphrodite saying something about a pregnant woman only bleeding a lot if she was having a miscarriage. Darius didn't know whether to tell Kalona that or try to console him. Before he could make a decision, Kramisha ran up to them.

"I found some paper and a pencil ina shack. Here." she said, handing them a poem. Darius quickly read it as Kalona looked over his shoulder.

One life

To save all

Gone

Not without honor

Her deed is done

Her will complete

When tears dry

And crying begins

He will be the one

She will take it

The vessel will change

The cycle will be complete

"Oh, Goddess…" Darius whispered.

Kalona burst into tears. "Does that mean…?"

"I…" Darius tried to find the words. But he had no idea how to tell a father that his child was dead.

[BREAK; STARK]

It hadn't taken as long as Stark thought to find himself again. The entire time, he'd been a walking contradiction. One minute, he'd start walking back the way he came, desperate to go find Zoey and beg at her feet for forgiveness. The next, he'd turn around, murmuring that she didn't really love him. She hadn't come to find him or even sent anyone to find him! But that was in the past.

He'd felt it. The shock that came with the first pains of labor. And when he did, he automatically turned and started running as fast as he could back to Tulsa. It was then that he knew he still loved her, still wanted to protect her, no matter what. He was scared that he wouldn't make it back in time to witness the birth, but he told himself that it didn't matter. As long as he was there for Zoey afterward, all would be okay.

This entire situation was messed up. he told himself. Anyone could go a little crazy when put in this position. Surely Z will understand that.

Even if she chose to be with Kalona, he would stand by her side. It didn't matter anymore. He would love her even if she didn't love him. He was her warrior; it was his duty to protect her, even if she had cast him away from her heart.

Stark's heart gave a little leap as he saw the Tulsa city limits sign. He pulled forward another burst of energy so that he could go a little faster. But, just as he was beginning to think he was going to make it, he felt a surge of desperation. The emotion was so intense that it brought him on his knees. He saw stars dance around in his vision. He closed his eyes and focused solely on Zoey, willing himself to find her. With the strong connection between them at the moment, it shouldn't have been hard.

He opened his eyes and saw a faint silver cord attached to his body. When he put his hand through it, it would disappear for a moment and then come back. Stark realized with a jolt that it must have been the tether between him and Zoey. He followed it, surprised that it was going off to the left instead of forward. Where was Zoey?

He took off as fast as he could in the direction of the cord. When he saw the flames of a campfire, he stopped, wondering if the cord had led him astray. He saw an ATV – a four-wheeler, he thought – parked a little bit away from the fire. This had to just be a regular camp for regular people. Why would Zoey be out here?

He noticed some figures on the opposite side of the fire than he. One looked his direction for only a moment and he recognized her: Stevie Rae. So Zoey was here. Stark took off toward the camp, this time at a slower pace, but still faster than a human would be. Everyone must have heard him coming because they all turned his direction.

"Stark!" Damien gasped, surprised. "Where have you been?"

"Around." Stark replied, matter-of-fact. "Where's Zoey?"

Each and every one of them – Stevie Rae, Damien, Rephaim, Aphrodite, Darius, Kramisha, Erin, and Shaunee – looked around at each other. Just when Stark's patience was about to run out, Erin stepped forward. "She's in the tent. But…" Erin looked around at the other, who all gave her a look that Stark couldn't decipher. "But be careful. It's…not what you think."

Stark nodded once and took a deep breath before continuing toward the tent. He turned around to look at everyone one more time before he went in the tent, before their lives changed forever.

[BREAK; ZOEY]

"No!" I screamed as the doctor took my baby girl to the side of tent. "Why isn't she crying?! Why?!"

Suddenly, the tent opened. The lower half of my body was naked and exposed to the world, but I didn't care. All I cared about was my baby. But when I saw who was at the door to the tent, I gasped. "Stark!"

"Zoey." he whispered, rushing to take my hand and kiss my forehead. "I'm so sorry I missed it."

"It doesn't matter." I quickly said. "They won't give me my baby! And she hasn't made a sound since she got here!" I started crying really hard. I couldn't stop. I was hiccupping and snot was all over my face. I was vaguely aware of Kalona wiping my face with a tissue.

"Who is the father here?" the doctor called out. Kalona walked over to her and they started whispering.

"What?" I whispered. I was so tired. I wanted to scream some more, to get up and take my baby from them. But I didn't have the strength. The doctor had told me that I was lucky I didn't tear or worse from giving birth out here, totally unprepared, but I didn't care. I'd rather be dead than not hear my baby's cry ringing throughout the tent.

Kalona nodded and then came back to me, taking my hand in his. Stark whispered something – I think he was excusing himself – but I didn't hear. "What is it? What's wrong?!"

Kalona took a deep, ragged breath. I could tell that he was trying not to cry. "Sweetheart… I don't know how to tell you this, but – "

"No." I whispered, my eyes wide and filling with tears. This couldn't be happening! It just couldn't!

"Yes." Kalona corrected me. He was crying now, too. He sniffed before he added, "Honey, she's gone."

I started to cry again, but then I saw the doctor taking my baby outside of the tent. "No!" I screamed. "Don't take her! I…" I looked at Kalona. "I saved her once. I can do it again." When he opened his mouth to protest, I continued, "No, really! I can! Bring her to me. I can save her!"

But no one was listening to me. The doctor was already outside of the tent with my baby.

Aphrodite ran into the tent. "Zoey…" She ran over to me and hugged me hard. She started talking about how sorry she was, how everything was going to be alright, how Nyx does everything for a reason. I just nodded, not having the strength to do anything else.

The next events happened so fast, I could barely keep up. Aphrodite started shaking, rapidly losing her ability to stand. She yelled out as she crumpled to the ground. Darius burst into the tent, picking her up. As Aphrodite started having a seizure, she yelled, "No!" There was a white burst of light outside as someone yelled. Kalona wrapped his arms around me as another light – this time yellow – burst.

"What the fuck?" someone yelled from outside.

Aphrodite popped up off the ground as if she hadn't just had a seizure. She struggled to walk toward the tent's entrance as Darius tried to help her. She waved him off and made it out of the tent.

"What's happening?" I asked Kalona, who was still wrapped around me.

And then it happened. My entire body went still, my heart started pounding in my chest, and a yell threatened to burst from deep inside me. I felt Kalona go rigid as well.

A baby was crying outside.