Disclaimer- Same old, same old.

A/N- Yo! Review! XD Sorry about the short chapters. I'm going to try to make them longer from now on. Do any of you people even read these things?

Zoey's POV

Neferet has an ally. You must be strong, my daughter. There is much in store for you, Sounded Nyx's beautiful, resonating voice in my head.

"What is it Goddess? What's happening?" I gripped the armrests of the chair so tightly I was sure my knuckles were white.

Neferet is going stronger. An ancient evil is rising. You will be tested my daughter. I have great faith in you. And with that she was gone

I slowly came back to reality and the worried faces of Sharin and Jezebel came into focus.

"M-mom?" Sharin asked, her blue eyes, so like her fathers, boring into mine, wide with fright.

"I'm alright," I croaked.

"What did Nyx say to you?" asked Jez.

I looked at my daughter, who was stifling a yawn, and at Jez, whose green eyes were red and shadowed with bags, and made a decision. I had to take on such responsibility too young. It was so easy to forget that Sharin was only fifteen. She was so mature, so kind, caring, and empathetic. An old soul. I wouldn't do that to Sharin, or to Jez. I wouldn't age them that way.

"Nyx said that you two need to get to bed." I attempted to lighten the mood. Neither girl laughed. "Really. Today has been exhausting, and you two need to get some sleep." They began to protest, but I shook my head, cutting them off. "Bed. Now."

They left, and I collapsed back onto the desk. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

I lifted the phone, and dialed Erik's cell.

"Hey, babe." He answered, his voice like dark chocolate.

"Erik." I sighed, just the sound of his voice calming me. "I'm so stressed."

"What happened?" Erik asked, his rich voice full of concern.

"Oh, so much," I answered, and told him of all that had happened, from Sharin and Jez to Neferet.

"I'm coming Z, and don't try to stop me. I love you." The line disconnected.

Groaning, I replaced the phone and stood up from my desk. Nala jumped from her spot on top of the filing cabinet and landed in my arms.

"Hey kitty." I cooed, and she gave one of her old lady mews.

As I walked down the halls, I thought I saw a flash of red in the corner, but it disappeared quickly, and I shook my head. "You must be going insane." I muttered to myself.

I pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped outside. I knew I shouldn't be outside now, with dawn pinkening the horizon, but I couldn't resist the calming sensation of nature.

The chill pre-dawn air crackled in my lungs, and I smiled in spite of myself.

Without thinking, I walked, immersed in thought. What was Neferet up to now? Nyx had said "an ancient force", but what did that mean? So many questions, and each answer only roused more.

The old tree by the wall seemed to draw me, and soon I found myself climbing up into its gnarled branches, free of leaves in the autumn chill.

I found a familiar crook, sheltered from the biting wind, and settled back, closing my eyes.

I was on the verge of sleep when I heard a sharp crack. I bolted awake, my back board-staight, nearly falling out of the tree, and snapped my neck around, searching for the source of the sound.

"Zoey?" came a voice that sounded oddly familiar.

There was the sound of scrabbling footsteps, and a face came into view that made my heart lurch.

"Stark?"