Mossfire your question about if Percy is still going to be apart of the seven Prophecy is a good one. I am still trying to figure out timeline things to answer that one. I do plan on having the seven demigods meet Percy. (I mean come on Pipabeth is clearly the next option if I am not writing Percabeth you know?) But I have not figured out if he can be apart of the prophecy just yet- I mean it would definitely violate the treaty the Gods have with Nyx (HoN).

Getting the sage and lavender from Anastasia was easier than I expected it to be. I mean, they were set aside with a note that was addressed to me. I guess those Demigod dreams don't go away when you become a vampyre. They only get more direct. So with the herbs in hand, I made my way to the oak Mrs. O'leary at my side. Surprisingly, I didn't run into any other students, which confused Damien. I just shrugged it off, having a feeling that Nyx had a hand in the unusual quietness. We got to the oak and saw Stevie Rae and Zoey sitting under it chatting while Nala was curled in a little ball. Mrs. O'leary bounded over, and they both looked at Damien and me smiling.

"Your dog is like an alarm for your presence," Zoey said, laughing a bit, and I started to laugh as well as I sat down next to her. "Percy, you're a guy who's dated, girls."

Damien snickered, and I sighed, nodding, wondering where Zoey was headed with her statement. I didn't have to for long when Stevie Rae spoke up.

"She's worried that Erik doesn't like her after she turned him down," Stevie Rae explained, and Zoey got a bright blush on her face.

I smiled and chuckled a bit as both Damien, and I sat down next to them. "I wouldn't worry about it," I said simply and then chuckled a bit. "I mean, you might have hurt his ego, but he genuinely understood where you were coming from."

"Plus, the way he looked at you at lunch," Damien interjected, smiling. "He'll ask you out again."

"Take it from them," Erin sang, walking over with Shaunee.

"They are experts in All Things Penile," Shaunee continued as they sat down, taking out candles from her purse.

"Anyways," Zoey said, clearing her throat. "Do we have everything we need?"

Damien took out the smudge stick from his pocket. "Percy and I had an easy time getting the herbs; I had to tie them together, though."

"Perfect," Zoey said with a big smile as she took the smudge stick.

I saw that Damien looked relieved and then spoke up a bit shyly. "I used my cross-stitching thread. I hope that's okay."

"Hey," Stevie Rae said sternly, and Damien looked like he was about to be scolded. "I told you that you shouldn't be ashamed of your cross-stitching. It's a great hobby."

"I wish my dad thought so," Damien said simply, and both me and Zoey spoke up at the same time.

"I'd like to learn how to cross-stitch," We said, then looked at each other and smiled. Damien chuckled, smiling, and he shook his head.

"We should move over here," Zoey said, standing up, moving a bit away from the tree. We all stood up, gathering the supplies, and Zoey looked up and smiled. "This way, we aren't so close to the trunk but are still under the branches." She then looked at everyone, and I saw the gears turning. "We are going to perform a circle, so I'll give you each a candle representing an element. I'll be the center of the circle."

You are an obvious choice for water. . .step aside this time, my son. I heard the women's voice echo in my head, and I looked at Zoey as she gathered the candles to hand them out.

"Let's start with who opens the circle," Zoey said and walked over to Damien. "You'll represent air." Damien smiled as he held the candle, and as I looked at him, it felt right as he fell into the place of the east. "Shaunee, you'll be fire." Zoey said, and I then realized what the woman was trying to tell me as Shaunee stepped into the place of the south. "Percy-"

"No," I said simply, and Zoey looked at me confused. I smiled at her before explaining. "Trust me Z-bird. Something tells me I'm not water for this." Zoey nodded and I walked to Erin giving her the water candle. "You're water."

Erin nodded smiling and stepped into the place of the west and I stepped back from the circle with Mrs. O'leary and Zoey then turned to Stevie Rae who excitedly held the candle for earth.

"That makes me earth huh," Stevie Rae asked and Zoey looked at me with a smile before she then continued the prayer.

"Okay, so we are now going to use the smoke from the smudge stick to purify ourselves." She looked at me with a smile, "I'll start with Percy. It's important to remember that we are asking the spirits of the sacred plants we're using to help us; showing them proper respect by acknowledging their powers."

"What do lavender and sage do?" I asked as she started to smudge my body and I smelled the aroma of lavender and sage engulfing my body.

"White sage is used in a lot of traditional ceremonies," Zoey started to explain as she made her way to smudge Damien. "It drives out negative energies, spirits, and influences. Desert sage does the same thing but I like white sage, it's sweeter." She then looked at both me and Damien. "Good choice."

"It was actually Professor Anastasia," Damien explained to Zoey. "She had them set aside for Percy, apparently she had a dream about it or something."

"It's a demigod thing," I said, not wanting to go into detail about my restless dreams.

The twins snorted but I didn't blame them, it was weird. Zoey just moved onto Shaunee and continued her explanation. "My grandmother uses lavender in all her smudge sticks. Part of the reason is because she lives on a lavender farm," She then motioned for Shaunee to turn around. "The other part is because lavender is able to restore balance and create a peaceful atmosphere. It also draws loving energy and positive spirits."

"Positive Spirits?" Stevie Rae asked and I noticed just how worried she looked. "I didn't know we'd be calling anything more than the elements to the circle."

I gave her an encouraging look and a lump formed in my throat. "Just remember they are positive spirits," I said, emphasizing the positive part of it. "They aren't going to hurt you."

"Plus isn't Zoey talking about Cherokee spirits?" Damien asked and gave Stevie Rae a reassuring look. "I don't think they'll pay mind to a bunch of fledglings whose non-native-ness outweighs our High Priestess's native-ness six to one."

"I don't believe that matters," Zoey said, moving to Erin smiling. "The only thing that matters is intent. Aphrodite and her group are some of the most good looking, talented kids at this school, the Dark Daughters. . .and Sons," Zoey looked at me pointedly as she said sons and I shrugged. "Should be an awesome club, full of role models. Yet, they are instead we call them Hags and they are a bunch of bullies and brats."

"Or kids bullied into joining or are just their for the ride." Erin mentioned turning around so Zoey could smudge her back.

"Exactly; I mean is that I do believe the spirits of my ancestors can hear us, just like I believe the spirits of the sage and lavender are working for us." She then stood infront of Stevie Rae and smiled. "You don't have anything to be afraid of. Our intent isn't to call them here to kick Aphrodite's ass–even if that girl needs a good ass-kicking. There won't be any scary ghosts hanging around tonight."

"Because we are purifying ourselves to ask Nyx for help?" Stevie Rae asked, and Zoey nodded, smudging her.

"I don't want to beat her ass–okay, I might want to do that a little bit." Zoey said, causing chuckles to go around the group. "The truth is that it doesn't solve the problem regarding the Dark Daughters and Sons. I mean, hell does anyone besides us even remember to say the Son is part of it all?" There was a pregnant pause that went over the group as Stevie Rae started to smudge Zoey. "It's true that we don't like Aphrodite, but I think it's important not to focus on negatives like kicking her ass, but positives. Like how great it would be if the Dark Sons were just as recognized as the Daughters."

"That's why you're the high priestess," Erin said and I noticed how she wore a smile.

"And we are just you're very attractive sidekicks- we are shallow and just want to knock her bobble-head off her shoulders," Shaunee said, continuing Erin's statement.

"Positive thoughts only, please," Damien said sharply, looking at the Twins. "We are in the middle of a purification ritual."

" 'Kay!" Stevie Rae interjected, closing her eyes focusing really hard on her thoughts. "I'm thinking how great it would be if Zoey was leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons."

"Good idea," Damien said. "I'm thinking the same thing."

"Hey! That's my happy thought too!" Shaunee said. "Peter Pan with me Twin!"

"You know I'm always up for some happy thoughts," Erin commented and she held onto the water candle a little bit tighter. "It would be totally amazing if Zoey was on her way of being a High Priestess for real."

I smiled to myself taking in a deep breath, I had a couple happy thoughts going through my head. First one; how awesome Zoey would be as the leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons. Second, how cool it would be if the House of Nights had a demigod sanctuary program for those in need of shelter. Third, seeing my family again after making the change. My mom, Paul, Annabeth, Grover, Chiron, just camp in general. I opened my eyes and saw Zoey with a lit spirit candle walking to Damien with a smile.

"Air is everywhere," Zoey started facing Damien with a gentle smile. "It only makes sense that it is the first element that I call to this circle. I ask you hear me as I summon you to this circle!" She brought the spirit candle to Damien's and it lit causing a breeze to circle them both. I couldn't help but smile as I watched.

"It's true," Damien said in such a quiet whisper that I thought I imagined it. "You can summon the elements."

"Well, air at least," Zoey said with a smile walking to Shaunee. "Let's try for fire."

"I'm ready for fire—bring it on!" She said with a huge smile.

"Fire reminds me of cold winter nights; the warmth and safety of the fireplace that heats my grandma's cabin. I ask you hear me as I summon you to this circle!" Zoey said bringing the candle to Shaunee's and the fire roared as if it was a blow torch.

"Now, that's cool!" Shaunee said and I saw the excitement in her eyes as Zoey started towards Erin.

"That's air and fire," Damien commented and I realized he was keeping track.

"I'm so ready for water," Erin said, and she looked like she was holding back from jumping in her spot.

"Water is relief on a hot Oklahoma summer day," Zoey started then gave me a quick look before smiling. "The amazing ocean that I hope Percy can take us all to see one day, and the rain that makes the lavender grow. I ask that you hear me as I summon you to this circle!" Zoey lit the blue candle and I watched as the ground underneath Zoey and Erin seemed to flow like a river. I smiled as I heard Damien list off the elements that Zoey could manifest once again. Zoey moved over to Stevie Rae who looked more excited then Erin did.

"Earth supports and surrounds us, without her we wouldn't be anything." Zoey said and Stevie Rae offered the green candle she was holding smiling wide. "I ask that you hear me as I summon you to this circle!" Suddenly I heard a creaking of branches and looked up to see the branches of the Oak and it's leaves moving as if to shield us from all harm.

"Totally amazing," Stevie Rae said, her voice cracking.

"Water makes four!" Damien's voice was full of excitement.

Zoey then walked to the middle of the circle holding her candle up and took a deep breath before speaking. "The last element is the one that fills everyone and everything; it makes us unique and it breathes life into all things. I ask that you hear me as I summon you to this circle!"

I felt myself gasp as I watched all five elements dance around and form a pentagram around my friends. The elements danced like playful kittens and this silver light connected all my new friends. It felt right, and gave me this sense of hope.

"That makes five," I heard myself say and everyone looked excited. I watched Zoey take a deep breath before she continued to speak.

"I'm now going to speak the purification prayer," Zoey said as she brought her candle down and held it close to her. "I want you guys to focus on the prayer; believe that the elements will carry it to Nyx, that the goddess will answer it by helping me to know what I should do."

I then turned east as I watched Zoey turn to face Damien. I smiled taking in a deep breath listening to my friend speak a sacred prayer. I knew Zoey planned on changing it to fit our Goddess, and it felt right as she spoke it.

Great Goddess of Night, whose voice I hear in the wind, who breathes the breath of life to Her children. Hear me; I need your strength and wisdom.

We all turned to face south as Zoey paused and I closed my eyes, doing my own form of praying to Nyx. One I did at meal time at CHB.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset that comes before the beauty of your night. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught your people.

I turned to the right, taking in a deep breath of the ocean scent that flooded my way.

Help me to remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes toward me. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. Help me seek pure thoughts and act with the intention of helping others. Help me find compassion without empathy overwhelming me.

Then we faced north, and I took in deep breaths completely relaxing. I sent a thank you to Hades for sending Mrs. O'leary.

I seek strength, not to be greater than others, but to fight my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself.

I opened my eyes and turned to face Zoey as she walked to the middle of the circle. She then turned facing me, the only one not within a circle and smiled.

Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.

Zoey then took a deep breath and she then looked at the night sky with hope. "Nyx, I don't understand why you Marked me and why you have given me this gift for the elements. I don't have to know. What I ask is that you help me know the right thing to do, and give me the courage to do it." She then looked back at me and everyone else smiling relaxed. "Blessed be!"