Nefret stepped from the shadows like a villain from a DC comic, she moved quickly to Heath and Erik. First, she touched Erik's face and the bloody slash marks on his arms. I mentally cursed myself for not realizing sooner that he was getting hurt. As she passed her hands over Eriks wounds they healed- much like Will's healing magic. Erik sighed and I looked at Will knowing the feeling. "These will heal. Come to the infirmary when we get back to school and I'll give you some slave that will lessen the sting from your wounds." She then patted his cheek and Erik blushed a bright red. "You showed the bravery of a vampyre warrior when you stayed to protect the boy. I am proud of you, Erik Night, as is the Goddess."
Erik smiled then looked at me and then looked at Neferet, "High Priestess, I really didn't do much- Percy did the most and he has the injuries to show for it."
I felt my cheeks get hot and everyone looked at me. I held onto the riptide and looked at Erik then to Neferet. She looked at me then checked over me doing the same thing as she did for Erik then smiled at me as well. "I questioned Dragon's decision to put you in his advanced class- tonight you proved my challenges wrong. You protected Heath, with the bravery of a seasoned vampyre warrior. I am proud of you, as is the goddess, and your mentor." I felt a wave of pide fill me- her words felt genuine. I held back tears as I felt my pain escape- but I sure as hell wanted to go jump into some water. As I was overwhelmed by her giving me praise I didn't notice how she moved to health. She examined him and healed his wounds very meticulously. She then cupped his face in her hands and closed her eyes. I watched as Heath's body stiffed even more and convulsed, and then he sighed and relaxed. After a moment he looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Still on her knees next to him Neferet said, "He will recover, and he will remember nothing of this night except that he got drunk and then lost trying to find his ex-almost-girlfriend." Neferet winked at Zoey when she said the last part.
"Thank you." Zoey whispered and Neferet nodded before turning to Aphrodite.
"I am as responsible for what happened here tonight as you are. I have known for years of your selfishness, but I chose to overlook it, hoping that age and the touch of the Goddess would mature you. I was wrong." Neferet's voice then took on the clear voice of a command. "Aphrodite, I officially release you from your position as leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons. You are no longer in training for High Priestess. You are now no different than any other fledgling." In one quick movement, Neferet tore the silver and garnet necklace that Aphrodite wore from her neck.
Aphrodite looked horrified but she didn't say a word. She stared at her hands and I could help but feel bad for her. I saw the look in her eyes, yes she was upset she lost the position- but she wasn't terrified that she did. She was scared of something else. Something I recognized. I tore my gaze away from Aphrodite and saw that Neferet was addressing Zoey.
"Zoey Redbird, I knew you were special from the day Nyx let me foresee that you would be marked." She smiled then lifted Zoey's chin so she could get a better look at her marks. She then pressed Zoey's hair out of the way to look at the marks that appeared on her neck and shoulders. The Dark Daughters and Sons gasped. "Extraordinary, true extraordinary," She said under her breath then smiled. "Tonight you showed the wisdom of the Goddess's choice in gifting you with special powers. You have earned the position of Leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons and High Priestess in training, through your Goddess-given gifts as well as through your compassion and wisdom." Neferet then Handed Zoey the Necklace that Aphrodite was wearing and smiled. "Wear this more wisely than did your predecessor." Neferet then saluted Zoey, fist crossed over heart, head bowed formally. The vampyre sign of respect. We all then mimicked Neferet and smiled at Zoey.
"Go back to the school. I'll take care of what needs to be done here," Neferet told Zoey then quickly brought Zoey into a hug. She then whispered something that made Zoey smile and pushed her to us. "Welcome the new Leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons!" she cheered.
We all led the cheering for her, everyone then surrounded her and then she was washed from the gazebo in a wave of laughter, congratulations and excitement. All the Dark Daughters and Sons followed her, when she motioned everyone to go ahead of her we started to- but she stopped us.
"No, you guys walk with me." Zoey said looking at me with a smile. We all grinned at her and we knew we must have looked like goof balls. Zoey then looked at Will, "You shouldn't have volunteered to be the refrigerator. You didn't know what you were getting into."
Will shrugged looking way better then before, "We needed to know where you were- plus I wasn't the first choice that was thrown out there." He looked at Stevie Rae who blushed.
"Stevie Rae- you were going to- but you were so afriad." Zoey said her voice chocking up.
"I know- but I couldn't let you go into that zone alone- and I'm sure glad we didn't!" Stevie Rae said then smiled at Zoey, "You needed us."
Zoey then brought both Will and Stevie Rae into a hug, "I'm glad you guys came up with this plan- even if it put you at the mercy of the hags." Sh ethen let go and wiped her tears. "Thank you- I'm glad you were all there."
"Hey Z, that's what friends do," Damien said.
"Yep," said Shaunee.
"Exactly." Both Annabeth and Erin said together which caused them to chuckle.
We then forced Zoey into one big smothering hug and I noticed Erik was walking up to us.
"Hey, can I get in on this?" Erik asked which caused some smirks and Damien to smile.
"Well, yes, you absolutely may," Damien said supper brightly.
We all dissolve into laughter and then Nico spoke up, "Come on Damien he's clearly not on our team. Give it a rest."
"Give the guy a hug. He did try to save your boyfriend tonight," Shaunee said and Zoey shook her head walking to Erik.
"My ex-boyfriend," She said quickly and stepped into Erik's arms, Erik then kissed Zoey like he was afraid he was never going to again. I then grabbed onto Annabeth's hand.
"Please, just please," Shaunee commented, making a face.
"Get a room!" Erin said rolling her eyes.
Damien and the rest of us chuckled a bit.
"Gods I'm starving, they did not give me enough food for how much blood I just gave for there ritual." Will said which caused us all to chuckle.
"Then let's get you some food." Nico said and we all agreed.
We started over the bridge and I listened to the Twins bicker with Damien, but I felt a bit drawn to something so I just looked around. I sighed then noticed Erik was walking over here and Zoey seemed to be looking for something.
I saw her cat Nala and smiled, she was heading twords us but then Aphrodite blocked her path, I made a noise that caused everyone to look there way. I couldn't hear what was being said, but before Aphroditie could go I saw Zoey was trying to get an answer for something. When she got closer we blocked her path glaring.
"It's okay, let her go." Zoey said and we let Aphrodite pass.
"Hey," Stevie Rae said which caused all of us to look at her. "Whatever happens, we're in it together."
"Let's go." Zoey said and we all headed back to the House of Night. To our home. My Home.
When we got close to the doors into the school I heard a noise and looked around. I moved back and started to walk over to the bushes where I heard the noise. I knelt down and stuck my hand to lift the branches. They were then swatted at. I smiled and started to do the little pspspspsp that you do to call cats. I kept my hand out and a small Abyssinian started to come out from under the bush. I smiled as I watched the cat come closer to me. They couldn't be more than a year old.
"Hello little one- isn't it a bit cold for you?" I said as they rubbed their head on my hand. "I wonder if you have chosen anyone…" I said absently then they climbed onto my knee looking at me. "Are you claiming me?"
Yes, yes I am.
I stood in shock as I registered what had just happened. I talked to a cat, and it talked back. But like how I talked to horses. Did I have an Affinity for cats? Is that what was happening? I couldn't help but chuckle as I picked them up and realized they were a she. I thought about it for a moment and smiled.
"Zoë, do you like the name Zoë?" I asked her and she purred.
Yes I do, I think it is quite fitting.
I smiled and turned around and saw everyone looking at me, "What?"
"Percy, were you just talking to the cat like I talk to Nala or like you talk to Horses?" Zoey asked then I realized they saw the whole thing.
"Well first her name is Zoë, and it was a bit of both." I answered and everyone just looked at me. Annabeth chuckled and shook her head.
"Out of everyone here to get an affinity for cat's it was you." Annabeth said then put her hand to Zoë. Zoë sniffed her hand then rubbed her head on Annabeth's hand.
Damien shook his head, "Come on let's eat and see if we can go get some more stuff for Zoë. So she doesn't have to compete with Cameron."
Everyone chuckled and laughed as we walked inside. I smiled at my friends and wondered what the gods and goddesses have in store for us.
