Chapter 25

"Priestess…err…Zoey, I think it might be wise if only those who needed to go, went to the House of Night. We must remember that this is not a safe place to be right now." Darius pointed out. "I think you and I should only go and take Jack with us."

"No way!" yelled the Twins in unison.

"You're not leaving me down here!" screamed Aphrodite to Darius.

"It's not safe for you my beauty." Darius tried to console her.

"Bullshit! I'm going and you're not stopping me!" Aphrodite yelled again. "I will not be left out of this and down here in these icky tunnels!"

"Let her come Darius. Anyways, she will be very useful if she has a vision. Speaking of which, have you had any recently?" I looked straight to Aphrodite who was pale as a ghost.

"No, actually I haven't…" she looked down and away from Darius and I.

"Then everything should be fine then. You would have had a vision if someone was going to get hurt, right?" I asked her.

"Yeah, yeah, of course! I would have had a vision." She sounded very unsure about herself. It made me wonder if her visions had stopped.

"We're back!" yelled Damien as he and Stark burst through the door. "We found his bow, so we should be good to go then."

"Great, this is what we're going to do. Darius, Me, my Dad, Aphrodite, Damien and the Twins will go to the House of Night and take Jack. Stark, Erik, Dragon, Lenobia and Stevie Rae, you will need to stay here. Dragon and Lenobia, you are skillful fighters; you will need to help protect the rest of the group left here. Erik, you have a healing power now so you might be able to mend anything that goes south. Stevie Rae, you will need to open the cavern hole in the tunnel when you get the signal from Stark, and Stark, you need to shoot for his "heart" when I tell you to."

Everyone nodded except for Erik. I knew he wouldn't like being left behind. "Z, can I talk to you really quick before you guys leave?"

Everyone dispursed and started to gather their things. I walked towards Erik who lead me out into the tunnel, "I don't like you leaving without me. I can't protect you when I'm here."

"Erik, I will be fine! Please don't worry about me." I could feel him mulling over something else. His emotions were all over the place.

"I do worry Z. I worry because I love you. I don't want you to leave or get hurt."

"I need to do this Erik. If Kalona thinks I am his A-Ya, he's not going to hurt me. He thinks he's in love with me. He will follow me where-ever I go. I have to be the one that does this."

"Fine, if this is how it needs to be; I will stay here and keep watch and help protect everyone with Dragon and Lenobia." He said solemnly. I could feel something else pulling at his emotions. "Z?"

"Yes Erik?"

"Do you really love me?" he looked into my eyes and I could sense he was saddened to have to ask. I tried to send him warmth and caring through my emotions.

"Yes, Erik I do love you. Which is why I don't want you to go. I don't want you hurt, even if I am. If something happens to me, it would be through Nyx's bidding."

"I can't accept that." Erik was angry now. "I can't accept that Nyx would bless you with so many gifts just to lead you down a path of death and destruction."

"I don't know what Nyx has planned Erik, I just need to do what feels right. Was there something else you wanted to tell me?" I think it startled him that I knew he was holding back from something.

"Why didn't you tell me about the arrow when you woke? I would have gone with you."

"I wanted to know what it meant first. Plus, you looked so peaceful sleeping." I put my and on his cheek and pulled him closer. He was inches from me.

"Promise, no matter what, to always wake me next time?" he looked concerned.

"I promise." And he bent down to kiss me softly. "Goodbye Erik, I love you so very much. I will see you soon."

I hugged him tightly and lead him back into the basement. Everyone was waiting on me. I joined the group that was heading back and we walked up the stairs. Darius had Jack in his hands. He looked lifeless and weak. He didn't even speak. His eyes were closed and he clung tight to Darius's chest. I asked Earth to break its hold and let us out and the wall in front of the door came down. I turned back to look at Erik and I softly smiled at him sending him waves of reassurance and love. I really did love him.

My Dad went out of the door first looking around the church for any sound or sight of Raven Mockers or Kalona. He waved us up the stairs and into the hallway. The doors were blowing back and forth in the wind. The weather was beginning to pick up.

"Stay here, I will go look for a vehicle for us to drive" my dad motioned for us to stay put until he got back. I asked spirit to shield him from sight as he slid into the darkness of the night. A few minutes later we heard a low rumble and then silence. He must have found a car or truck or something.

"Come on" Dad waved to us, "Hurry, they are coming." He was talking about the Raven Mockers. Gratefully they hadn't seen him. I asked Spirit to shield us all as we got into the large SUV that my dad had parked in front of the church. It was only about 50 yards away from the doors. We all bolted out and ran for cover.

"CHAW! CHAW!" I heard one of them close by. I ducked my head and pushed Erin faster as I felt one swoop down in front of us. I couldn't tell if they knew we were there or if they simply had just flown in our direction.

Dad jumped into the front seat and turned the ignition and blared the heat. It was cold outside, thought it didn't bother us near as much anymore, it still was very cold. Darius opened the back of the Excursion and lifted Jack into the back. He crawled in after him and pulled Aphrodite into his lap. Damien sat in the back row of seats with Jack lying on his lap. Shaunee and Erin took the captains seats in the middle while I took the front with my Dad.

As we started to pull away, I saw the eyes beam on me. They were glowing red with hatred. I heard them hiss and chaw as they flew above the truck speeding down the road. It didn't take us long to get to the House of Night. Dad swung the truck to the far entrance and stopped the car. He looked out the windshield to see anything following us.

"I think its all clear. Let's get out of the truck and head inside." My dad said as he still looked in all directions.

Darius opened the back doors first and set foot on the ground before picking up Aphrodite and putter her down on the ground. "The tree to the right, the entrance is there. Go to the tree and wait for the rest of us." He instructed her.

Aphrodite ran for the tree and stayed in the shadows. Darius grabbed Jack next whom Damien was lifting from the back seat. He carried him in his arms and headed towards Aphrodite. Damien jumped out of the back seat and out the back doors closing them. Shaunee and Erin stepped out of the side door and got out and ran towards the tree.

"All or nothing right Dad?" I said shaking. "Do you think we can do this?"

"Zoey dear, I think you can do anything. Let's get your school back." And we rushed out of the car.

My dad led us to where the opening was. He explained that he had picked up Dragon and Lenobia at this location so we should be ok. As soon as we crossed the threshold I heard the chawing of the Raven Mockers.

"They found us!" Screamed the Twins.

I was terrified. Everyone was about to run and soon a Son of Erebus warrior ran up to us.

"Darius!" he put his fist to his chest and bowed, "We have been searching diligently for you. I see you have brought the priestess back. Neferet will be highly pleased as will Erebus himself." The warrior said.

"That demon is not my lord Erebus" said Darius in a firm and strong voice, "Why are you so blind to know that!"

"My brother, I meant no offense. He is indeed our Father Erebus. He has brought us many fortunes. He has especially been looking for you Zoey Redbird." He pointed to me. I knew Kalona was looking for me. He found me twice, I had dreams about him. "You must all come with me."

The warrior turned to walk and Darius motioned for us to follow. We didn't say anything while we walked into grassy field between the stables and the dorms. Everything was eerily quiet. Where were all the students? How could this warrior truly believe that Kalona was Erebus? Maybe there was a spell over the House of Night that only we could break.

"I'm sorry Son of Erebus, but what is your name?" I spoke up. Darius's eyes got wild and looked at me as if I shouldn't have said anything.

The young warrior stopped and turned around, "Why I am Zalmoxis, I am named after the god of immortality."

"Oh" was all I managed to say. I turned to my dad who just shrugged his shoulders and encouraged me to continue on. I hoped that even this far away I could feel Erik's presence. I needed his comfort and warmth. Shaunee and Erin linked their arms in with mine and we all walked together. Aphrodite clung to Darius while he held Jack and Damien on the other side of him whispering sweet nothings into Jack's ear.

Out of the darkness we saw her. "Well, well, well. I see she has returned. Dear Zoey, why did you run?" Neferet pursed her lips and made a knocking noise with her mouth as if to shame me. "Oh, I see you have brought the others…and.." she gasped, "My lord Armand. What do I owe the great pleasure of your company?" and she bowed.

"I am here to escort my daughter to make sure she is safe, a well as others on this campus Neferet. There has been some very disturbing news that has come through the Council as to what has happened here." My dad answered. He looked proud and just like a Council member.

"Daughter? And which of these little children are yours?" she almost laughed.

"Zoey Redbird is my daughter. She is of my life-force and my blood."

Neferet's eyes were wide and she shot her head to me looking crazy. "Well then, I wouldn't want to disrespect a member of our Council would I? Please, come, I will show you to Erebus who has been expecting your arrival. He has gathered a massive feast for your return." She turned and walked towards the dining hall.

I leaned towards my dad and whispered into his ear, "Something is off, she seems afraid of you. Why?"

"I am the consult to the head of the Council. I am the oldest living vampire in the world, why would she not be afraid of me. I am as old, if not older than this Kalona creature. As much as she would probably like to kill me, she wouldn't be able to." He sounded pleased and confident.

We all followed Neferet into the dining hall. There, at the head of a massive table sat Kalona. He was beautiful. His black wings sat behind him and on either side were his Raven Mockers. They all glared at us as if they were going to eat us at any minute. Kalona stood and held out his hand, "My A-Ya, you have returned!" his face was beeming and he smiled.

"Please don't go up there" Shaunee pleaded.

"Yeah, please don't leave us" Erin said right behind her holding Shaunee's hand tight.

"Please, come, sit with me my Queen." And he motioned to the seat to which Neferet was about to sit. He shot her a very angry look. She looked pissed and continued to stand.

"Please Zoey, sit. By all means, join us." I could see in her face that she was acting malicious.

"No Priestess, do not go up there. He will hypnotize you like everyone else in this room. Stay where you are." Darius commanded.

"No thank you." I respectfully declined Kalona's invitation. I could see the frustration and anger building up in his face. He jumped up in the air and swooped over to where we were. He landed right in front of me.

"YES, you WILL sit" he commanded me, "My love" then changing his tone to sweet and loving. As if I couldn't see right through that.

"For the last time, I am NOT your love, I am NOT you're A-Ya and I will NEVER sit with you as your Queen!" I screamed. My anger was peaking again and my body was beginning to float and my hair snarl around me.

Damien sensed what was going on and called to Air to whisk the wind around the room in aid. Shaunee and Erin took their stance and call both their elements. Shaunee's hand turned into flames and Erin stood in a puddle of water. Aphrodite stayed behind Darius clinging for safety while Darius still carried Jack. Jack started to stir and awoke from his daze. "Hey guys…where are…WHOA!" he looked right over to Kalona who was right in front of me. "He's defiantly hot! Do you see his cute little butt Damien?" Jack almost laughed.

Kalona turned sharply to Jack which shut him up pretty quickly. Darius was able to put Jack on the floor and he was fine. I guess it didn't take long for him to start to recoup once we were back on the school grounds.

"My love, please come down from there. I will not hurt you." Kalona held his hand out in a gesture to ease me from my temper which only enraged me more. I started to glow a red hot color. My hair, skin, everything turned to flames. My face was white and my eyes were brilliant red with rage.

"You will never command me. I am the Chosen one from Nyx. She has blessed me with her power and has blessed my friends who follow me. You are no Erebus, but you are the demon Kalona who feeds on death and rapes the women of the lands. By my hand, I will make sure you return to your incased tomb beneath the earth!" My voice boomed and I pointed to him with such fury. I looked to Neferet, who was frozen in terror, "You, Queen Tsi Sgili, you have brought this terror into our lands because you looked away from our Goddess Nyx."

Neferet looked away, ashamed. I hit her right where I wanted her. She was still herself somewhere inside, and now I touched it. Maybe we could save Neferet after all the problems she has caused.

Kalona flapped his wings to meet my face. His hand began to rise and Damien yelled for Air to woosh him away. The gust of air knocked him backwards into the wall. Everyone in the room began to shake their heads as if they were in a daze. Cole and T.J were the first to come around.

"Hey! There you guys are! Where did you go? Why did you leave?" Cole asked.

"Yeah, we don't smell do we?? Where is Erik? Asked T.J.

"Yeah, long story, not enough time to tell, just get behind me.." said Shaunee as she grabbed them both and pulled them towards her and Erin.

"Whoa cool! Your marks changed. Are you a vampire now?" Cole asked distracted by Shaunee's new marks of flames around her face.

"Yes, they changed, no, I'm not a vampire…stop asking me so many questions. Just shut up, get behind me and follow my lead." Shaunee answered. She was getting agitated.

I noticed how everyone in the room was looking from me, to Neferet and lastly at Kalona. He didn't have time to place his spell on them now. It was deal with us or else. Girls were screaming at the sight of me on fire, they didn't realize that it was something I could do and I wouldn't be hurt.

"Oh would you all shut up!" screamed Aphrodite and the girls got quiet.

Kalona walked from the table where he was thrown, his face was very angry. "I would have preferred to no have killed you or your friends that you seem to care about so much, but you've left me no choice. If you won't freely come to me, I will MAKE you come to me." And he stared at me. His gaze had no affect on me. I just laughed at him. He started walking towards us again.

"Air, throw him back!" yelled Damien, and again the air whooshed Kalona against the wall.

"Fire, trap him!" yelled Shaunee and a burst of fire came from her hands and created a cage of fire around Kalona. He was trapped. He tried to grab the bars of flames and he burnt his hands and he backed away. His tried to spread his wings out but the fire only charred his feathers.

"Oh no Z, we got another problem!" Erin pointed out. She was right. The Raven Mockers were starting to circle the room. They were staring right at us. The first one few at us and Damien blew him away. I pulled Earth to throw rocks and bricks at them to knock them down. Shaunee shot flames at them.

"RUN!" screamed Darius. "Get back to the tunnels!" and he turned, picked up Aphrodite and quickly began to run out of the dining hall just as a Raven Mocker began to block their exit. Just as he was about to stop to grab his knife Zalmoxis came from behind him and slit the monster's throat.

"Go! Hurry!" Zalmoxis said waving his hand instructing us to leave. "I will try to keep them in the dining hall, run! Go back to where you came from!"

Darius put his hand on Zalmoxis shoulder, "Thank you Son of Erebus. He would be proud to have a good solider as you." He smiled and started running. Damien not far with Jack in toe nodding to Zalmoxis and smiling as he left out the door. Shaunee and Erin took off with Cole and T.J. and started to run; I picked them up with a bit of air and scooted them out of the room.

"Priestess Zoey, hurry!" Zalmoxis called to me.