Damien closed his eyes taking a deep breath in concentration, "Wind I need you," Damien whispered softly and immediately we were surrounded by a soft breeze that blew back my hair. "Wind we need you to help conceal our arrival into Venice. We need you to bring in clouds to cover the moon and hide our plane from spying eyes as we land," Damien said as wind left us and clouds began to roll across the sky.
"Please make sure your seatbelts are buckled; we are beginning our landing sequence," the pilot's voice came over the PA system.
"Erin call your element," I said buckling myself into my comfy leather chair.
"You got it," she said, "Water I need you," she said as the smell of the ocean filled the cabin and waves crashed against my legs. "Water we need you to help hide us by sending a light rain over all of Venice," She finished and water left us followed by raindrops that fell lightly on the jets windows.
"Ok Shaunee, wait until we touch-down and then have fire heat the ground so that water and fire mix and create a fog," I said as the plane dropped in altitude.
"I'm ready to go," she said holding up a finger.
We all sat still in our seats waiting as the plane landed. I looked to Shaunee and nodded.
"Fire I need you. We can't be seen as we leave this plane and head into the city. Heat the ground so that the rain turns to fog," she said pointing her finger towards the runway.
I unbuckled standing up and reaching into the overhead compartment for my bag, "That should do it. Erin, Shaunee condense your bags please. Everyone else get your bags and then get ready to concentrate on becoming the night."
"That means no more than three pairs of shoes," Aphrodite said flipping her hair.
"What do you need three pairs of shoes for?" Stark asked.
"Dress shoes, walking shoes and boots. You never know what you'll need," Aphrodite said looking as if that was the stupidest question anyone had ever asked her. I rolled my eyes; I highly doubted shoes were that much of a priority in this situation.
"That's why I just wear my cowgirl boots. Their good for all situations," Stevie Rae said smiling and grabbing her bag.
"And to that I say a big UGH!" Aphrodite said making a face.
"Are you two ready?" I asked the twins changing the subject before Stevie Rae and Aphrodite could start bickering.
"Yeah," Shaunee said frowning.
"I guess we'll just have to make do," Erin said looking equally depressed.
"I'm sure ya'll will live without your designer shirts," Stevie Rae said picking up a very trendy shirt from the chair next to her.
"Ha, clearly you've never had anything high fashion," Aphrodite sneered.
"Ok enough," I said exasperated, "we have to go."
We let the night cloak us and then stepped off the plane the cats following our lead. The rain was light but the air was cold which made our fog even thicker. I knew it was Kalona's influence and not our elements that had the air so frigid. Though no ice layered the ground it felt as if we were in the middle of a winter storm. I inhaled sharply as I remembered the cold feel of his body as his wings wrapped around me and pulled me to him. It had been painful and yet pleasurable at the same time.
"Z," Damien whispered from somewhere next to me as caws began sounding from all around us.
I froze for second looking around. I couldn't see them so I was pretty sure that they couldn't see us either, "keep moving," I whispered back.
"They're just curious about the fog," Darius said softly.
"What are we going to do about the fence," Jack asked as we approached the edge of the airport.
"There's a break in the lining over there," Stark said.
"And over there would be, where, exactly?" Erik asked sarcastically.
"To the right," Stark whispered through his teeth using his bow and arrow to point with.
I looked over to see that he was right. Right where the fence ended and a small airplane hangar began there was a small opening just small enough for all of us to squeeze through one at a time if we turned sideways.
"Ok, let's go," I said changing directions.
"Right behind you," Stevie Rae said.
I took a step back allowing Darius to go through first. I ushered Aphrodite after him and then followed her through. We waited on the other side as each member of our group crossed the fence line and then quickly headed towards the road trying to keep to the shadows as much as possible. I heard the twins gasp as we looked around. There were several Vamps out, but they looked exactly like the fledglings at the House of Night had, like freaky pod people who were all being mind controlled. The humans who were still out at this time of night just seemed miserable. They bundled against the wind and rain fighting the cold, while looking over their shoulders in absolute terror. I heard another caw and remembered what Aphrodite had said about the Raven Mockers being able to rape women. I shuddered feeling sick at the thought, but I knew in my gut that that was exactly what had been happening to them.
I jumped as my phone vibrated in my pants pocket. I looked around to make sure that no one had noticed us and then pulled my phone out.
"Natasha?" Aphrodite asked on my left.
"Nope, our other mentor," I said looking at the text. "Where are you?" I read aloud.
"She knows we're here," Starks said from my other side.
"Well we knew we were taking a chance with the fog. On the bright side she doesn't know where we are or where we are headed," I said shoving the phone back into my pocket.
"The problem is neither do we," Erik said grimly.
"Are you going to be pessimistic the whole time your with us," Aphrodite asked in a disgustingly sweet voice.
"I'm just being realistic," he retorted.
"What your being is obvious and we don't need you pointing out what we already know every two seconds," Aphrodite said annoyed.
"Quiet down," I whispered fiercly.
"We need to keep walking," Darius said and I shivered as I saw a Raven Mocker walk by not more than fifteen feet away from us.
"They're looking for us," Damien whispered.
I looked around trying to figure out what we were supposed to do. There would be no way of getting a hotel room without tipping off either Neferet or Kalona. They were already searching for us and that wasn't good. I sent up a little prayer to Nyx and felt her respond in my spirit, she was with us.
"Does Nyx have a temple in this city?" I asked to the group in general. I felt my spirit leap again as if she were calling us to her.
"If she does it would probably be in the center of one of the smaller islands," Darius whispered leading us down an alleyway. "Venice is filled with backstreet mazes, and canals. Taking one of the canals would probably be our best bet, but we would be too conspicuous."
"So we have to take the long way over all the bridges," Erik said somewhat discouraged.
"It'll be fine," Stevie Rae said lightly before Aphrodite could comment on his sour attitude. It was beginning to annoy me as well. No one made him come. Why was he acting like this was completely hopeless? Nyx was leading us and that was all I needed.
We crept through the back streets silently each of us deep in thought. I continued to concentrate on Nyx hoping she would give me some sign. I knew we were looking for someone to help us reach the palace, but finding that person was like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. Darius was right; Venice was like one giant maze!
"Priestess!" Darius spoke snapping me back to attention. I looked to my right and noticed a dark gray cat with bright green eyes. It looked at us and meowed and then jumped back into what appeared to be a homeless beggar's arms. They were sitting on the ground completely covered in ragged black cloths. It took me a few more moments to notices that on the side barely noticeable was Nyx's symbol.
I looked around, we were still completely concealed, but I knew that Damien, Shuanee and Erin had to be getting tired from trying to control their elements for so long. Not to mention the sun would be up in an hour or so and Stevie Rae and Stark had to be underground by then. We had to do something, time was not in our favor and Neferet was sure to know that. I checked with my spirit and then slowly approached the person. Ever so slowly I let down my cloak becoming visible but motioning for the others to remain concealed.
"Ah hmm," I cleared my throat slowly approaching the person, "Excuse me," I said softly.
The person looked up and my eyes widened in surprise. It was a woman and not just a woman but a Vampyre and one I recognized. I heard Aphrodite's sharp intake of breath and knew that she had recognized her too. As she stood I noticed she was not dressed in rags as the blanket that covered her had appeared but in a stunning long scarlet dress and black boots. Her snow white hair fell long down her back. Her eyes were a light brown that almost shown gold.
"Welcome, Zoey Redbird," she said smiling.
"Angel," I breathed out in a whisper clearly surprised. In the vision she had been kneeling before Neferet ready to do her will and clearly brain washed.
She nodded seeming to understand the conflicting emotions flashing across my face. "It was the vision you shared with Aphrodite that saved my life. I'm sorry to say that it did not save my sisters," she said frowning and bowed her head slightly covering her heart. She looked back up gazing into my eyes, "Zoey, I understand that you may be apprehensive about trusting me, but I am on your side. Nyx sent me here to help you," she said earnestly.
I sent up a silent prayer and nodded. I didn't feel anything in my gut telling me to stay away. I centered myself focusing. Nyx, am I on the right track? I thought desperately. I would not jeopardize my friends by leading them into a trap. I felt my spirit leap and Nyx's voice saying trust your gut. Have faith my u-we-tsi-a-g-ya!
I nodded again, "I believe you," I said trying to keep all emotion from my voice.
"Good, then follow me we do not have much time and there is much to explain to you," she said turning and heading down the steps I realized she had previously been sitting upon.
"Where are we going?" I asked as she turned the handle to a door that led down into an extremely dark tunnel. I could barely see anything which is saying something considering Vampyres and fledglings all have increased night vision.
"Come, Zoey," she said simply, "And tell your friends they can let their guard down," she said as we reached what appeared to be a dead end.
I frowned, but nodded back at my group of friends who slowly became visible one-by-one. I looked down to see Nala at my feet; Skylar, however, was nowhere to be found. He was gone.
I turned back watching Angel as she wiped her had across the dirt wall revealing an image of the goddess with her arms raised to the night sky. She quickly placed her palm to the center of it and whispered some words that sounded like ancient Italian. I gasped stumbling back into Stark who wrapped a strong arm around my waist as the floor began shake and the wall shifted slightly revealing a thick metal door. Angel pulled a key from inside her dress that had been hanging from her neck. She stuck the key into the lock and twisted twice creating a very audible click. Once again the ground seemed to shudder as the door opened allowing light to spill out.
"Follow me, please," she said again crossing the threshold.
I looked around the group and followed with Darius, Stark and Erik right behind me. My eyes opened wide in even more shock if that were possible at my first sight of the room we entered. There were perhaps thirty or so Vamps who stood saluting us as we walked in and at least half of them were warriors who looked as if they were ready to die for their goddess. I swallowed hard forcing down tears as I gazed about the room. There was a statue of Nyx with her arms lifted and her face gazing above standing in the middle of a fountain. The fountain itself shot water above her that sparkled as it fell like stars from the night sky, and looked as if it had magical properties within it. To my left was an alter with what I recognized to be the candles that represented each of the elements sitting upon it. I let out a shaky breath feeling Nyx's calming presence within the room. We had found the help we sought.
"Welcome to Nyx's underground temple," Angel said smiling at my emotional reaction.
"I don't understand," I said softly, "how did you do all this?"
"Mallika called us to inform us of young Aphrodite's vision; I assume she is here with you?" She asked looking around our group.
I motioned to Aphrodite whose eyes were just as wide as mine, "Yes, this is Aphrodite."
"We owe you a lot," Angel said looking at Aphrodite appreciatively, "you do not know how many lives are grateful to you for allowing the goddess to use you and gift you."
I saw Aphrodite swallow in response and knew she was at a loss, "thank you," she finally murmured.
Angel nodded, "When Mallika called us we took as much precaution as we could. We knew that they would try something and we knew that Kalona would be able to hypnotize us, draw us to him. What we weren't prepared for was Neferet's influence."
"What do you mean?" Darius asked.
"Neferet has always had psychic abilities, but the pull she is now able to draw you with," Angel shook her head as if trying to clear it, "I've never seen anything like it. It's the closest thing to mind control I've ever seen. Not like the trance Kalona puts people in, she can actually make vampyres and humans do things, things they would never think of doing on their own." She frowned shuddering slightly and I wondered just what Neferet had been forcing people to do. (Scratch that, that was probably something I was better off not knowing.) "My sisters fell to their influence."
"How is it you were able to resist?" Damien asked looking at her curiously.
"Only by Nyx's grace," Angel said solemnly. "And thanks to Aphrodite's vision. Mallika explained the details of what you saw," she said looking at Aphrodite, "me kneeling before Neferet, me helping them bring about a world of chaos. It made my heart sick that I could ever be involved in such a thing. It was enough to save me," she said looking around our group. She smiled then, "Luckily, Neferet is new to the palace and does not know all the tricks and powers available to her. We do and have been able to spy on her as much as she has been spying on everyone else."
"How is it the rest of you were able to resist?" I asked looking around the group the group of adult vampyres.
"Nyx has blessed many of us as highly intuitive," a huge wall of a vampire with dark hair and eyes said stepping forward and saluting me. "Though we felt Kalona's pull and Neferet's influence we were able to put up enough of a defense to stand against them."
"You have to understand," Angel said taking a few steps to the left so that she was facing both our group and the rest of the vampyres in the room. "They targeted the Council first knowing that we would be their greatest challenge. However, it wasn't just the council who had been forewarned about what they were capable of."
"We fought our way free and have been doing our best at keeping their influence from spreading as well as trying to delay their war against the humans," the dark haired warrior spoke again. "But we are limited in what we have been able to achieve."
I nodded. I knew only too well what it was like to try and live and fight where Kalona and Neferet were in control. They were powerful and intimidating and had a tendency to make you feel insignificant. There was only so much you could do. There was only so much we could do now. Nyx had given us a plan, but it was likely that we would only get one shot at it.
"She has managed to turn many of our sisters and brothers away from Nyx," Angel said shaking her head, "what's worse is that many of them have been led to believe that Neferet is an embodiment of Nyx herself."
It was Tulsa all over again except that now Neferet and Kalona were both stronger and more powerful.
"We have to get into the palace," I said with as much authority in my voice as I could muster. "We may have a way to stop them, but time is running out." I was sure of that now. Neferet was becoming increasingly stronger and once this war began there would be no stopping her. At least not without much more drastic measures, measures I wasn't certain we would be able to execute.
"I know of your mother," Angel said softly. "She is being held in the great hall in the palace. She was brought in yesterday by a group of fledglings that…" her voice cut off and I saw her quick glance at Stevie Rae and Stark.
"They're not one of us," Stevie Rae said stepping forward bravely.
"Neferet is behind how we were created, luckily some of us had Zoey and were able to fight to save our humanity," Stark said glancing at me and smiling.
"It's a long story but the short version is the most recent students Neferet changed were the ones were able to save," I said looking over at Stevie Rae. "They have made a decision for Nyx and I trust them with my life."
I saw Stevie Rae subtly wipe a tear from her eye as well as Stark's cocky grin I loved so much.
"If you trust them then we trust them, Priestess," the warrior said again.
"I agree with Brendon," Angel said gesturing to the warrior. (I was wondering what his name was.) "I can see goodness in them, they are definitely not like the others," she said coldly. "We will help you get into the palace," she said sounding like a High Priestess of Nyx, "But I must warn you, they are waiting for you and will be ready for any tricks you might try. You must be ready for them as well."
I nodded, but inside I was starting to feel panicked. I knew Nyx was with us but there was a lot that could go wrong.
"You all need your rest," Angel said as Stevie Rae yawned. "We will head to the palace as soon as the sun sets but until then you all can sleep in here," Angel said motioning for us to follow her. She walked around the alter to another wooden door that I had been certain was nothing more than a storage closet. She opened it revealing a room filled with couches and beanbag chairs, a flat screen TV and a fridge. "Feel free to help yourself to anything we have," she said motioning to the fridge and cupboards. "If you need anything else feel free to look for us. Our sleeping chamber is through the bathrooms," she said smiling. "Sleep tight," she said and then closed the door behind her.
"So what do we think?" Shaunee asked collapsing onto one of the couches.
"I think it's our only option," Damien said lying down next to Jack.
I opened the fridge smiling at the case of brown pop. I took one opening it and then handed a bag of blood over to Stark and Stevie Rae.
"The main thing for now is getting into the palace undetected," I said taking a long drink of my pop. "After that we'll just have to hope for the best," I sighed sinking into the beanbag chair next to Stark. He smiled at me wrapping his arm around me protectively and pulling me over to rest against his chest.
"Well I hope they know what they're doing," Aphrodite said lying next to Darius. "Raven Mockers and crazy red fledglings? Um, no thanks!"
"For once I agree with you," Shaunee said stifling a yawn of her own.
"Ditto twin," Erin said rolling onto her side.
"It is as the Priestess said, all we can do is hope for the best and take it one step at a time," Darius said pulling Aphrodite close and affectionately kissing her forehead. "For now we could all use some sleep."
I sighed contentedly as someone turned off the light and smiled as Nala climbed up on the beanbag chair to rest near my head. Tomorrow may be crazy but for now we were all safe and Nyx was definitely watching over us. We would find a way through this, we had to…