Part 12

Star was more nervous than she could remember being in a long time when she and Sati started school the following morning. She had no idea what to expect. She was normally so calm and confident.

Sati, on the other hand, wasn't worried or nervous in the slightest, considering what she'd just learned about her self. "It's not the end of the world," Sati said with a snort, noticing Star's nervousness. "At least not until December, right?"

Star glared. "It's *serious*! And keep your mouth shut. You're not supposed to know yet."

Sati waved dismissively and disappeared with two people Star recalled seeing the other night. Sati introduced her briefly, the tall, sexy French guy Arian and the other one, medium height, typically high-school jock good looking Vincent. She knew they were Night People, but couldn't tell if they were Daybreak or not. She was smart enough to know not to ask.

She found she shared English with Chimaera and Talaria, the two creepy girls she had met the other night. She had also seen Garret, the other guy she'd run into last night. He hadn't noticed her, seeming like his mind was on a different planet.

At lunch she debated on looking for Sati, or hiding in the library rather than facing the cafeteria alone. She was used to always having a crowd on her heels and being the centre of attention. This was...it felt weird that no one knew who she was.

"Excuse me, are you Star Meyer?"

Star frowned, turning to see who already knew her name. There were two people in front of her, both tall and - well - beautiful was the only word she could think of to describe them. They were both slender, even the guy, with flawless faces. They both had long hair, the guy's a colour of auburn she had never seen before, reaching his shoulders, the girl's a raven black cascading to her waist. Her eyes were the colours of sapphires, his like chocolate pools. Despite the slender built, and long hair, he could never be anything but a guy. They both had a coolness and authority that demanded an instant respect. Star had never seen it from any Night Person before.

"Yeah. I'm Star. Who are you?" She felt almost stupid asking them such a simple, everyday question, though she couldn't understand why.

"Demios, that's Galadriel," the guy said. "Where's your sister Sati?"

Star frowned. "Probably in the cafeteria." Her voice lowered. "I'm assuming you guys are Daybreak?"

Galadriel nodded. "Yes. It's imperative we find her right now."

Star followed them to the cafeteria. She looked around the crowds of people trying to point out Sati.

"Crap," Demios said rather bluntly.

Star glanced at him in surprise. Such a word coming from him didn't seem right somehow. He seemed almost too mature.

"What?" Galadriel asked.,

"That," Demios said, pointing to a group in the centre of the cafeteria.

Star frowned, seeing Sati with her new friends Arian and Vincent, along with Chimaera and Talaria, and another creepy looking guy she didn't recognise. "I take it that's bad?"

"Where the hell is Dawn? She's supposed to be there," Demios muttered moodily.

"Have you met them?" Galadriel said.

"Sati introduced me to Vincent and Arian, and I ran into Chimaera and Talaria last night. And someone else who called himself Garret Redfern."

Demios and Galadriel exchanged glances.

"Who's the other guy?"

"That's Sirius Arnold. He's a shapeshifter."

Star guessed they were Night People And from the sound of it Dawn was one of their spies.

"Great," Demios muttered. "Barely three hours here and she's already walked into the lion's den."

Star wasn't sure she liked him so much. Maybe he was drop-dead gorgeous, but he seemed arrogant and snobby.

"Lighten up," Galadriel snapped at him. "Come on, Lareina and Garret are watching for us."

Star followed them out the cafeteria to an empty classroom on the second floor. Already in the room was Garret, the tall and cute-but creepy guy who reminded her vaguely of Brandon Lee, and two other guys. One was about an inch taller than her with ruby-red hair, the other small with golden blonde hair.

"That's Lareina," Galadriel pointed to the blonde, "and Dawn." She pointed to the redhead.

"Why aren't you with the Wild Power in the cafeteria?" Demios demanded, glaring at Dawn.

Dawn's eyes rolled. "Because Garret told me there was a meeting here."

"You know the Wild Power's in the cafeteria with them right now," Demios snapped at her. Then looked around. "Where'd Dido?"

Star frowned, noticing a spasm of pain crossing Garret's face. Dido must be his girlfriend. Star was immediately assuming this wasn't the singer. Something had must have happened to this girl.

"Dido has been kidnapped - by Pythia," Lareina answered.
"Explain how *that* takes preference over the end of the world," Demios said, folding his arms. "Dido's tougher than she looks."

Garret looked up, anger flaring in his dark eyes. Star stepped in between them before a fight could start. "You might want to watch your attitude!" she snapped at Demios.

Demios stared at her in utter disbelief. "You don't know who you're dealing with."

"And I don't really care," Star snorted.

"Knock it off, both of you," Lareina snapped. "Let me finish. Demios, back off."

Demios muttered something under his breath. Lareina continued.

"It takes precedence, because Pythia knows we know who the Wild Power is. Either Garret takes her to Pythia, or Pythia will kill Dido."

"So what happens if Sati *is* the Wild Power and you take her to this Pythia person?" Star asked.

"Then most likely Pythia will take her to the council and they'll kill her. Four less one, then win." Garret's tone was blunt.

"Do the other Night People know about this?" Galadriel asked Dawn.

Dawn shook her head. "They believe if they take the girl to the Council then they'll all get seats in the New Order after the millennium."

"I'm confused," Star said. "Who's Pythia?"

"Pythia used to have a seat on the Council. Somehow she lost it and she thinks this will get her back in," Garret answered.

"Oh." Star got the impression than Garret and Pythia had been involved at some point. Something had caused him to change sides, and he'd fallen in love with Dido. Did Pythia want him back, or just to suffer, or what?

"And problem two?" Demios asked still sulking.

"Elisabetta and Orion have been spotted in town," Lareina answered.

"That's bad?" Star asked, feeling like a broken record.

"Very. It's - it's a long story," Lareina said, with an *I'll tell you later* expression. "The *good* news, if we have a plan to rescue Dido. And as for Elisabetta and Orion, I don't know."

"How good are you at fighting?" Dawn asked Star.

"Fighting?" Star wasn't a fighter by nature. Only if required.

"You know, vampire hunting?" Dawn's smile was unpleasant.

Star found herself smiling. "I've done that before. But...um...aren't you supposed to be a Night World spy?"


"I'll go with you," Galadriel said with a smile of her own. "So that's settled."

"Garret and I will deal with Dido and Pythia," Lareina said. "Demios, can you try and get Sati on our side?"

"All right."

Star wasn't too pleased about that. She didn't like the idea of him and Sati getting involved. He was too much of an arrogant bastard, she'd decided. Maybe it was the looks and power thing that made him that way. Whatever. She didn't like him. But she decided not to say anything out loud.

The bell was ringing. Before Garret left Star caught his sleeve. He frowned at her. "I want to talk to you about this plan thing. I don't want my sister dead."

He nodded and walked away. Star had the feeling she wasn't going to like this plan of theirs. Someone was going to end up dead.

* * *