Damien and Erik left the girl's dormitory and were greeted with a harsh cold chill from the November night. They silently walked across the campus to where their dormitories were. Erik could feel himself shivering, but he knew it wasn't the cold. The image of Stevie Rae collapsing in to Zoey's arms replayed over and over again in his head. He couldn't believe that she was gone. He hadn't known her very well, but over the last month, he'd gotten to see her more than he ever had before at the House of Night, and she was always so full of life. She was bubbly and chatty and happy and alive. But now she wasn't. He couldn't really grasp it.
He was pulled away from his thoughts when he heard a sob breaking from beside him. He looked over at Damien, and saw tears streaming down the boy's face. His shoulders were shaking and he was pale. Erik grimaced. He'd been so caught up in his own thoughts of the night's events that he'd forgotten about the younger boy he was walking with. Damien had known Stevie Rae much better than Erik ever had; they'd been friends for months. As another sob came from the boy, Erik stopped walking and pulled Damien in to a hug. Damien didn't react for a few seconds, but he soon wrapped his arms around Erik. Erik could feel him shaking as the sobs came freely out of him now.
"She's gone," Damien said, muffled, as his head was buried in to Erik's shoulder.
"She's with Nyx, now," Erik said.
"Do you really think so?"
"Of course she is," Erik said, with no doubt at all. "She must be. Nyx is with all of us, all the time. And now she's taking special care of Stevie Rae. Nyx can't control whose bodies reject the change, but she was keeping a special eye on Stevie Rae, as she is with you, and Shaunee and Erin, and obviously Zoey." Damien pulled away from Erik and gave him a watery eyed smile.
"Thanks, Erik," he said, sniffling. Erik just nodded. They continued their walk in silence once more, but Erik knew that Damien, at least, felt just a little bit lighter.