Chapter Two: Life Anew

I think I shocked Rebecca when I started to cry because she went and got Zoey from downstairs as she was still chatting with the other fledglings. These tears had many meanings though. I was happy I didn't have to see my drunk father, sad that I wouldn't be 'normal' anymore, frightened because I was the Voice of a Goddess. All those emotions were burning out from those tears, dripping to my jeans making the dark navy blue color turn black where the salty tears fell. I mean how was I supposed to feel? I was shocked at everything just pouring onto me all at once.

I felt heavy with all these responsibilities just put before me. Then there was that chance of a 50/50 life or death thing with the Change? I couldn't hold back the emotions anymore so I had to cry and let them go. I didn't really realize I was shaking until two tattooed hands lightly touched my shoulders with the sound of a voice shooing others away. Zoey tilted my head up and had a look of concern on her face as she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out one of those travel tissue packs. Opening and taking a few out, she then handed them to me.

I took the tissues with a shaking hand as she remained silent but her eyes said it all. She understood what I was going through; all the emotions that were pouring out all at once. Everything was changing around me and I had no control over it. That's why she remained silent, because she knew it was hard to find words to soothe someone with the weight of duty put upon them by a Goddess. I just wiped my eyes and kept my head down. I felt weak in Zoey's presence. I mean there she was, a legend; a woman who went through this and now stands proud as a Vampyre with her glorious Tattoos gifted to her by the Goddess and her just being there was outstanding.

And then there was me. A crying teenager with an uber cool Mentor before me. Make-up streaming down my face from tears and partly used tissues wet with tears and Mascara clutched in my hand. I was the newbie, the freak, the chosen one and I was already setting a 'great' example for myself. I was sure proving to be a worthy voice huh? I didn't know if I could be some Voice for Nyx. I mean what if I failed somehow?

"I know how it is Ali…" I looked up seeing Zoey give me a slight smile. "It's hard as hell; a pain even. You change lives, names, schools, then Nyx puts a big purpose; a huge goal, on your shoulders but that's because she believes in you so much. Once Nyx gives a gift to any of her children she never takes it back, and she gives them to us for a reason,"

"My power… she said it was Life," I looked down clutching the tissues tighter in my hand. What did she mean my power was life exactly? What was I supposed to do? Nyx had said I was also to give new life to those who died. What was that supposed to mean? I could bring back people who died? I didn't understand it. What really didn't help was that the Goddess was just a very big mystery herself. "I am to give new life to those who died during Neferet's era…" when I looked at Zoey she had a look of utter shock on her face.

"She told you that?" when I nodded she sat beside me and sighed. "Why?"

"She said it was to keep another Neferet from happening…" Zoey gave a slight frown as she set a hand on my shoulder. I glanced over at her as she spoke.

"Nyx must see great potential in you, and I'm not surprised you can bring dead Vampyres back if that is what your power means, She accepts all her children; even the Red Vampyres."

"Red Vampyre… but I thought there were only blue Vampyre marks."

"They are Vampyres who died and were revived from the dead; they have red marks and are technically the stereotype Vampyres. Y'know sun light is bad for them, they can't enter a building without being invited in, and they have fangs. Those are all things Blue Vampyres don't have," I'll admit the first image that came to my mind was a zombie like person or something like Dracula. Either one seemed creepy. I was about to ask if there was any red Vampyres around when a knock touched the door and a male voice echoed through the solid wood.

"Zoey are you here?" Zoey smiled at the sound of the voice and looked up.

"Yes Stark, and do me a favor. Poke your head in, I think my fledgling needs to see a red Vampyre," I looked up as the man stepped in and I when I saw his face he had red markings instead of blue like me and Zoey. But he didn't look dead at all. He most certainly wasn't a Zombie and was nowhere near a creepy Dracula remake or something. Instead this Stark guy was handsome and strong looking. When he smiled I noticed the fangs he had. So this was a red Vampyre, they looked just like the blue ones only they had the stereotype aspects added in.

I guess because they were undead that was why the sunlight hurt them. They must need blood more often so that could be the reason behind the fangs and the Markings looked really nice in red. Stark seemed to be a proud Red Vamp too; his stance was powerful and he carried himself with pride too. I looked from him to Zoey.

"Stark is a red Vampyre, he died because his body rejected the change. Neferet revived him as part of her evil plot but I soon ensured he was freed from her claws, and he's saved my life too,"

"So my power is to make Red Vampyres?"

"Well since Nyx kind of seems to want you to perhaps so, maybe it's a way to not only ensure there won't be another Neferet but to allow more Vampyres chances to live," I sighed and flopped back on the plush blanket.

"The pressure just builds endlessly…" I heard Zoey chuckle.

"How do you think I felt when I was named a True Daughter of Night? Nyx only does that when she seems great potential in a person," I reached up tracing the mark on my forehead, thinking about what Nyx could be seeing in me. I'm just an ordinary kid who used to live with my abusive step-father; yeah he was actually my step-father. I never knew my real dad. Maybe I just have daddy issues and that's why I can't see what potential is in me.

"Zoey… can I ask you something? Just between us though," I noted that Stark was still standing there until Zoey waved him away from the room. He simply bowed placing a fist over his heart before departing. "I need to find closure from something…" I pulled out a very old letter from the boxed up things. Digging it out from under a few comics I had and handing it to Zoey. "You've permission to read it," She opened the letter and started to read.

Alicia,

There is something I need to tell you; something you deserve to know. Your father right now is not your biological father. He's only the father of your actual half-sister. I know I lied to you; kept it hidden away and I know I needed to tell you because it was only right. I don't know who your father is; it depends upon the two men I was with during the separation period I went through with your step-father. There is one man who is now dead and the other has been off the grid and possibly dead as well. Should you find them perhaps find out if either of them are your father. Those men are Steven DeMarcus and Paul Montgomery.

Mom

I swear I just saw all the color drain out of Zoey's face like she saw a ghost or something. She reread the letter two more times before handing it to me pointing at the name Paul Montgomery. I looked up at her and raised a brow. She sighed softly and spoke softly.

"That name is the same as my father," I rapidly blinked and looked at the letter then back to her in shock. My mother slept with Zoey's father? I swear my internal screaming could almost be heard blaring from my ears like cartoonized steam. I put the letter away and rubbed my head in thought. Could it be the same guy? No, that couldn't be, my father would most likely be Steven DeMarcus. It just could not be Paul because if that was true for him then Zoey would end up as my half-sister; my mentor as my half-sister? Weird is that it would be; very utterly weird. "I'll help you find who your father is…"

"Are you sure? You seemed a bit taken aback by that,"

"Who wouldn't be? My father could be yours; my fledgling ending up related to me…" She fell into thought. "That… could maybe explain why Nyx chose you," She sighed.

"I'm betting you don't like your father?" I couldn't blame her. By the sound of it and how she paled she certainly didn't like her own father. When I saw her shake her head I shrugged. "I don't like my step-father," Should I tell her why? Tell her about the biggest sin he ever did? He killed my half-sister out of a drunken rage… just the thought of how he now walks around without a regretful bone in his beer swollen body made my blood boil. I clenched my fist tight feeling my nails pierce my skin.

"Stop doing that," I looked up as my hands opened revealing the blood pooling in the palms now. Zoey shook her head and kept her eyes from my hands, lifting my chin. "He's not here, he's got no control over you now," I nodded and hid my bloodied hands. She pointed to the bathroom and told me to clean my hands. I stood as she left out the door, letting my roommate back in as she flopped on her bed. I was washing my palms and wrapping bandages around them.

"You've got a cool Mentor," I heard Rebecca say as she leaned over the bed a bit looking at me as I turned around. "My Mentor is the Vamp who went and got you,"

"Your mentor is Lenobia? Why not have, your adoptive mother be your mentor?" She sat up and shrugged.

"My mom wanted Lenobia to watch over me," She hugged a teddy bear she had on her bed as I sat on my bed laying back on the pillows. "Professor P was a big help to me though when she adopted me… I was homeless before I met her,"

"You were?" I looked over as Rebecca nodded, her hair falling over her shoulder.

"Yeah, when I was seven my father died; my mom died a week after I was born. I didn't have family and didn't wanna be stuck in some orphanage so I ran away," She hugged the teddy bear tighter as she gave a shaking sigh. "One day I saw Professor P and noticed she had a lot of money, I didn't notice the marks on her face until I got close. When she saw me she asked where my family was and I told her I didn't have a family. Keep in mind I was only nine,"

"She must have felt bad that you were alone…"

"She did, so she brought me here; yes here to the house of night and allowed me to shower and got me food to eat. Sure I couldn't live here but she had me stay with a friend of hers, a human lady named Maddie. She was an elderly lady but it was then that she told me to think of her as a mother and Maddie as a grandma… I had a family again. So when I got marked as a Fledgling I excitedly called my mom and she came and got me," Rebecca smiled and looked over at the clock. "Oh!"

"What?"

"It's almost dinner time silly! C'mon you need to get your uniform on and we can go eat," she opened the closet on my side of the room handing me the dark purple and black uniform that was embroidered with a Silver looking spiral. "The Silver Spiral of the third formers means a new beginning basically," She handed me the outfit and smiled.

I took it and walked into the bathroom closing the door behind me. Slipping off my shirt I suddenly stopped and looked in the mirror. My forehead seemed like it was a perfect fit for the mark. My Hispanic features just seemed to be given a new life. Maybe I just didn't realize it before but I felt like this mark was just meant to be there. Maybe I was just always fated to be a Vampyre? I don't know but I was beginning to like the idea of being one, one day if I made the change that is…

I sighed and put my uniform on and fixed my hair a bit before glancing at the mark again. I smiled at my reflection sending a silent thank you to Nyx. Not only did she mark me and give me a new life. She saved me from the old one I dreaded waking to everyday. Opening the door, I found Rebecca was done dressing as well, simply pulling her top down as I noticed she was wearing a black lace bra that hooked in the back. I blinked removing my eyes from her back and cleared my throat as she turned around.

"Ready to go I take it?" I nodded. My roomie snagged my hand and pulled me along out of the room and down the stairs I was led up to before. We soon found a flood of other girls heading toward the main building of the school. We joined the crowd and I soon found myself in a large cafeteria like room with booths near the walls and open tables towards the middle of the room. But there was one table that caught my eye. One that was covered in food but no one was sitting at. "That's the table set for Nyx, it's a bit odd at first but it's because she's always among her children,"

"Doesn't seem odd at all, I mean she is everywhere. The statues, the marks on our brows… she's the Goddess and mother of us all," I smiled as we made our way to the line to get some dinner. I took a deep breath smelling the air.

I felt my mouth water with hunger from the smell of sour dough bread. I love sour dough so much. I peered around seeing that they were serving something I loved greatly. Chicken pot pie bread bowls. I think I'm really going to like it here. When we got up to the server we both got a bread bowl, and a drink of sweet tea before Rebecca led me to a booth that had these two girls chatting away sitting there.

"Lulu, Simone, I want you two to meet my roommate. This is Ali Flair." The two girls looked up and their eyes went from my face to the mark. Great, two more people who saw me as a freak; just what I need. Rebecca saw this and set her tray down and pinched their noses. "Stop staring,"

They both pulled away and frowned. Lulu was a lightly tanned girl with light brown hair and green eyes. She had flawless make-up to her eyes and her lips. When she smiled it was obvious she took great care of her teeth unless she had those whitening strips. Simone was a Mocha skinned girl who had darker hair and golden brown eyes with a pair of plum lips.

"Sorry, jeez you pinch hard!" Simone was rubbing her nose. Rebecca sat down and patted the spot right next her telling me to sit. When I did Lulu spoke up and at that moment I wish she hadn't; no really she should have shut up.

"So what's with the colored mark?" and thud went my head on the table. I really didn't need this right now, but of course someone has to ruin it right? There's always that one person.

"Lulu, why did you do that and better yet did you really have to?" Rebecca hissed angrily as the girl threw up her hands. "Don't you think she'd been through enough already without you badgering her over her mark?"

"What's going on over here?" I peeked up and saw Thanatos standing there with her arms crossed over her chest. Lulu tried to look nonchalant and eat her food which made her stand out like a sore thumb. I sat up and smiled at the High Priestess. "How are you Ali? I pray everything is well,"

"Yeah, it's nice here too. I feel like I kind of fit in… kind of," Thanatos gave a slight smile but when she looked to Lulu her smile faded. I saw Lulu freeze and looked up swallowing what food she has in her mouth.

"Lulu, I heard you when I was coming over here to check on Ali. Be more respectful of her. If you had a colored mark you would not like people to gawk at you now would you?" Lulu paused with her spoon in her mouth and slowly shook her head. "Good, then don't do it to Ali,"

"Yes High Priestess…" Lulu removed the spoon from her mouth and went back to eating. Thanatos then returned her dark gaze to me as well as a renewed smile. I swear she needed to keep smiling or she'd just look like the grim reaper. Now she just needed a scythe and she'd have the perfect Halloween costume.

"I trust you are in good hands with Rebecca showing you around," I looked over at my roomie and smiled playfully, lightly elbowing her. Thanatos patted my shoulder looking up at Rebecca. "Oh Rebecca, Lenobia wanted to see you when you finished eating, says she needs extra hands in the stables."

"Travis must be busy then,"

"I think he is and that is why she needs some help," Rebecca nodded as Thanatos gave a slight squeeze to my shoulder then left. I tapped my roomie's side and leaned to her ear.

"Who's Travis?"

"Oh that's Lenobia's human mate," she finished her food as I was just popping the last bit of the bread bowl in my mouth. "Say do you want to go with me to see the stables? I saw you have Lenobia's class at the end of the school day,"

"Night," Lulu corrected as Simone giggled from beside her.

"Whatever Lulu," Rebecca rolled her eyes as Lulu playfully did some goofy duck kissy face at her. I stood and let Rebecca out of the booth only to have her grab my hand and pull me along. Jeez, I hadn't even said I wanted to go. Oh well, I suppose she just wanted me along. We made our way out of the dining hall into a dim corridor where I spotted a Siamese cat sitting by the wall. It gave a slow blink then scurried away meowing loudly. "That was Lenobia's cat; I never asked what the cat's name was so I don't know,"

"Siamese are loud felines," she nodded and I noticed something, she has yet to let go of my hand and in fact gave it a firm squeeze. Maybe Rebecca just didn't like being alone and now that she had me as a roommate she wanted to have me around a bit more to get to know me. I don't blame her; being alone in this new life would start to scare me too. I simply followed her outside and saw a bit in the distance the stables I had arrived here in when Lenobia came and picked me up from where I was marked. I saw the short woman walk out of the stables with a dark horse beside her.

"Hey Lenobia, I hope you don't mind but I brought Ali with me to help," I was too busy looking at the dark mare that Lenobia was guiding by the reins. The horse was a solid black and she just looked powerful which that was made clear when the mare stomped her hoof on the ground. I felt the hard pound through my feet and was in sheer awe of the mare.

"I don't mind, more help the better," Lenobia noticed I was looking at the mare and smiled, patting the horse's side affectionately. "I see you've taken an interest in my mare, Ali. This is Mujaji," I looked from the mare to the grey eyed Vampyre and smiled.

"I always liked horses, I used to live near a horse sanctuary, the woman and her husband would care for horses that were abused by owners giving them peace of mind that they would be safe and happy and they had several retired horses," I motioned to the Mare. "I've never seen a solid black horse in a long time." It was then the mare seemed to just stand proudly before lowering her head toward me. I lifted my hand just over her muzzle feeling her warm snorts from her nostrils.

The mare lifted her head a bit letting my palm rest on her muzzle. I smiled and softly petted her as Lenobia gave her another affectionate pat on the side of her thick neck. "That means she likes you and trusts you," I looked over at the shorter woman and smiled.

"I'm glad; she's a beautiful mare Professor."

"Please, just call me Lenobia no need to put another title to it." I leaned down kissing Mujaji's muzzle feeling her give another snort that hit my neck and even tickled a bit. "Something tells me you're going to enjoy being in my class then,"

"Equestrian studies? Yeah, being I used to help on the horse sanctuary grounds. It reminds me of a happier time in my life." It was as if Mujaji knew I was growing sad because she lifted her head a bit and lipped my cheek as if to tell me it was okay. I even noticed Rebecca and Lenobia both shared a concerned look. "It's nothing, just a bad childhood I guess…" I rubbed the mare's neck to show her I was okay or at least I think I was.

"Ali, if you need to talk about it you can talk to me or your own Mentor," I glanced over at Lenobia seeing she was very concerned and I didn't blame her. I don't think I'd be fine yet because of everything I was dealing with. Mujaji stomped her powerful foot and lifted her head up as her attention suddenly seemed spooked but it was when she started pulling away even from Lenobia making even the Vampyre wonder what was wrong.

I looked around and spotted a transparent blonde woman with Vampyre tattoos on her face. Beside her was a small ghostly white kitten. Standing next to the woman though was a man, also with his own tattooed face but he was also shorter than the woman. Beside his feet happened to be a rather large kitten and if I had to guess it was a Maine Coon cat. I kept studying them until Rebecca grabbed my arm with both of her hands yet something kept me frozen there staring at the figures.

Who were they? Why was their appearance spooking Mujaji? And could the others see them or was it only me? I could feel Rebecca trying to pull me with her so I guess she saw something or the horse being frightened was scaring her as well?

Was this some type of ghostly sign that Nyx wanted these four revived? I watched the Vampyres pick up their respective cats and even moved toward me. I felt my mark burning on my forehead as it was like my body responded on its own. My arm ripped away from Rebecca's grasp and both shot up; palms out, toward the figures. The mark on my brow was burning so bad that colors were blending together in my vision until I heard not my voice but Nyx's echo from my mouth. I really was meant to be her voice.

"Arise anew," The figures began to manifest as my whole body tensed up feeling as if I was made of stone. I could have sworn the mark on my forehead was outlined in red because it was burning so badly. Soon I felt my whole body become like Jell-O and I just dropped back, whacking my head hard on the ground as I heard Rebecca scream right before I blacked out…

When I woke I was laying on the ground still with Rebecca leaning over me with a look on her face that was begging me to wake up. Once she saw my eyes open and the pupils resize to normal she smiled as Lenobia walked over with a look of shock on her face.

"Ali… what gift has Nyx given you?" was the first thing that came from the horse mistress's mouth.

"Lenobia, Nyx gifted that girl with the power or renewal and life," I looked over seeing the woman from before manifested and with the small kitten beside her feet. The small white feline walked over to me and licked my cheek with her sandpaper tongue.

"Anastasia, Dragon… It's wonderful to see you both again… your marks are red," I struggled to sit up only to end up with the Maine coon cat standing on my leg mewing at me. I looked around silently and got to my feet glancing at my hands. What the hell was I? There's no way I'm 'normal'.

I clenched my fists tight turning the knuckles white before I just… I just took off running hearing Rebecca call after me but something just told me to run. I'm a freak; just a goddess chosen freak. I darted into the woods surrounding the campus nearly stumbling several times over roots and other tree parts until my legs suddenly just gave out and I fell slightly skidding on the ground.

I knew I got a bit cut up, I felt it but I pushed myself to my feet and kept staggering. Sure enough when things could get worse, it started raining and I don't mean drizzle. I mean like down pouring ice cold rain that would soak you in seconds flat. In the distance I could hear horse hooves pounding their way toward the woods or maybe even in the woods already. I just kept moving doing that tired jog until I found a hollow bottomed tree and crept inside the large oak, hugging my knees to my chest.

A freak; you're nothing but a freak Ali. A Goddess chose you to be a freak…

"Ali!" I heard them calling for me; I knew the two voices were Rebecca and Lenobia and the third I was guessing was that Anastasia lady. Then a male voice echoed out my name. Must be Dragon helping them to look for me. I stayed hidden in the shadowing within the tree hoping they would just leave me be.

It was when I thought they passed me that I noticed the small white kitten standing by the tree. She didn't mew to alert the others but instead walked in and climbed onto my knee before putting a small gentle paw on my nose. She was even softly purring. The kitten was cute and seemed pretty small so I was guessing she might be a runt of the litter or something.

I reached up and softly petted the kitten noting she was a bit wet when I spotted the Maine coon kitten too walking in. Even he didn't mew but instead cuddled up beside me. I simply sat there accompanied by two felines I just brought back with their Vampyres. I sat there with them in silence until I saw a dark dress sweep by and stop right before the tree. I froze as the woman; Anastasia crouched down and peered in. The small white feline mewed at her Vampyre and leapt down walking over to her.

"Why did you run?" She asked. I just hugged my legs tighter and remained silent. "You were afraid and shocked at the gift you have," Anastasia answered for me. She crawled in and sat beside me setting a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Why am I a freak…?"

"You're not, Ali, you're a special fledgling bound for great things," She put her arm around me and smiled softly. "Our goddess, she's a mysterious woman but she is very loving and sees greatness in all her children, she can only be there to guide us along her path. It's our choice to truly follow her," her small cat climbed into her lap.

"It's just… everyone looks at me like I'm a freak; they stare at my mark and if they hear 'Ali brought back dead Vamps' I'll never hear the end of it," I placed my brow on my bent knees.

"We all go through a change in our life and even other troubles," She softly petted the small cat that curled up in her lap. "I was a simple Quaker girl living with my family until the day I was marked. Every one of the village I was from shunned me saying I was now the child of the devil; back then Vampyres were frowned greatly upon," I looked up at Anastasia and found myself interested in her story as well as examining her beautiful markings.

"Was it hard to leave your family?"

"My father and siblings didn't care for me once I was marked, but my mother… she secretly sent me letters saying how she missed me and was happy to hear I was enjoying my new life. I was very close to my mother and… when I was marked and started at the House of Night I felt scared, alone and wished my mother was there to just tell me it would be alright," she looked up and smiled at me, and something about Anastasia put me at ease. Her smile was so kind and understanding that I felt like I could trust her.

"Anastasia… can I tell you something? And please don't tell anyone… it's just I feel I can trust you." She softly petted my hair softly and nodded. "I'm glad Nyx marked me, she saved me from my step-father…"

"What was he trying to do to you?"

"No it's what he did and what had me scared for years," my arms hugged tighter around my legs as I squeezed my eyes shut. "I was only ten years old… he killed my older sister…" Anastasia's eyes widened as she hugged her arms around me pulling me close as I couldn't hold the tears anymore. She didn't say anything; letting me find comfort in her embrace. Her chin was rested on my head as the kittens even tried to comfort me, cuddling up against me.

"Ali, I won't tell anyone what you've just said, that's up to you to tell anyone." She looked up hearing hooves approaching as I was about to talk again but she shushed me as she heard her mate call out to her.

"Anastasia, where are you?" she looked at me as I wiped my tears away and nodded. She reached out of the tree and called to her mate. The short man walked over and peered in smiling when he saw me. "I see you found Ali," Anastasia glanced back at me with a kitten on each shoulder before looking back at Dragon while the sound of pounding hooves moved toward us.

"Have you two found Ali?" It was Lenobia, though I'm not surprised that she'd ride a horse. Gave her the option to catch up fast and see higher up on her perch. Anastasia crawled out and dusted off her hands with a nod, motioning to the tree where I was still sitting with my knees hugged tight to my chest. I saw Lenobia's feet join the others on the ground then the sound of Rebecca running over asking where I was.

I didn't want to come out yet, I still felt like they'd look at me like some freaky weirdo girl. That's how I felt, even if Anastasia said I was only gifted this way because Nyx has been plans for me on the path she wants to help me on. "Ali, you can come out," I watched Lenobia crouch down outside the tree 'doorway' and peer in at me.

I had my brow to my knees refusing to look up and refusing to move. The kittens were mewing at me to try and get me to respond but right now I didn't want to talk and I certainly didn't want to move out of my spot. "Ali, please we can't leave you out here. A fledgling that spends too much time away from a Vampyre is in danger of dying," I clenched my hand tight on my leg and peered up with a angered gaze that made Lenobia jump a bit at the sight of it.

"Why so I can be seen as a freak; I saw the way you looked at me Lenobia, that shock seemed almost like you had no idea what I was." I noticed my voice sounded dark and my gaze never left Lenobia's who frowned heavily knowing her earlier reaction didn't help with how I felt. She sighed and brushed back a few of her light bangs.

"I wasn't shocked at what you did; it was that my two best friends returned and the only thing that shocked me about you was you sounded like Nyx at one point," She paused and met my gaze with a stern one of her own. "You are the Voice of the Goddess, the one who will grant renewal to those who can teach the fledglings and warn them should another Neferet arise,"

"I never told you that… how did you know?" My gaze suddenly softened with a touch of shock mixed into the icy blue color of my eyes. Lenobia's face softened as well when she smiled and reached out her hand toward me.

"Thanatos had a meeting with all the Professors telling us that Nyx marked you as a True Daughter of Night like she had Zoey," The kittens leapt from my shoulders and scurried to their Vampyres as I relaxed seeing Lenobia's smile didn't waver and her hand stayed outreached toward me. I looked away in thought wondering still why exactly it was me; why I was chosen like this, Marked as a True Daughter of Night. What was so special about me that the Goddess liked? "Ali, I can tell you got cut up and we should get them cleaned up." I looked up and reached out taking her hand.

Anastasia and Lenobia helped me out which allowed me to look down and see the very few tiny cuts I had from my fall. When I looked up I noticed the sun beginning to rise. Damn that's not good, Zoey said red Vampyres are in danger if the sun comes out.

"A-Anastasia, Dragon you have to get into the School ASAP!" Dragon and Anastasia looked at each other and then to me. "I'm serious; Red Vamps like you two are in danger of serious injury in the sunlight. You can no longer venture out in the sun!" I pointed to the lightening sky.

"Dragon, Take Mujaji and ride you and Anastasia back to the school, we'll follow behind you both." Dragon nodded and hopped onto the mare horse, pulling Anastasia up behind him as she perched side saddle, hooking her arms around him he rode off toward the school. Rebecca, Lenobia and I walked out of the woods finding Mujaji soon trotting back toward us as Lenobia's phone went off with a text from Thanatos.

HOW IN THE GODDESS'S NAME ARE TWO DEAD FOR YEARS VAMPYRES HERE?!

"Well we have some serious explaining to do," Lenobia replied to the text and took hold of Mujaji's reins guiding her back to the stables before rejoining Rebecca and I toward the school. Just when we were about to reach the outside door to get inside the school, it busted open with Thanatos standing there. Her gaze darted from Lenobia to Rebecca and then stopped on me before quickly she spoke.

"What did you mean 'Ali revived then'?" She blinked rapidly and pointed to the reply text on her phone screen.

"Just as I said, she revived them. She must have seen them first and next thing we know her voice changed and then they materialized before us revived from the dead," Lenobia gave a casual shrug. "You knew about her gift, why are you so shocked?"

"I did not expect it upon a scale that allowed four beings to return; well two Vampyres and two cats,"

"It was Nyx's will!" I blurted out drawing Thanatos's gaze to me. "When it happened I heard a faint voice in my ear, no one even saw her but Nyx was behind me literally, using me as her voice and my renewal powers came out,"

"What did Nyx say to you?"

"She had said 'These two, like Lenobia faced darkness in their youth. They are an asset needed to teach the fledglings of the darkness this school once faced,'." I made sure my gaze didn't leave Thanatos's as she wiped a slim hand down her face.

"Nyx, you mysterious deity… She is not someone easily understood,"

"You think I don't know that?" I crossed my arms as Rebecca elbowed me. I rubbed my side her elbow jabbed into and gave her a glaring look. Rebecca only giggled and shrugged. Thanatos pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"Alright, we certainly know now Nyx has big plans that we've no idea yet are," She reached out and patted my head softly drawing my attention back from glaring at Rebecca. Her face softened as she gave me a smile. "Ali, you and Rebecca should go and get some sleep," I felt my roomie's arm hook mine as she dragged me away from our school's High Priestess and the Equestrian Studies Professor. I waved back at them trying to get in pace with my fast moving roomie. I was practically jogging to keep up with her.

"Hey 'Becca chill girl, why are you in a hurry?" I said wrenching my arm back from her. She stopped and turned around.

"Nothing I'm just tired and wanna get to our room," She smiled and simply took my hand this time leading me at an easier to follow pace up to our room in the girls' dorms. When we walked in I spotted a feline on my bed. It was a small cat with fluffy fur that was nice and white with grey tabby markings only on its head around the eyes, ears and run back from the head to flow over the back to the fuzzy tail it had curled around its paws.

I walked over toward it and slowly reached out a hand toward it. The feline reached its head up sniffing at my fingers before rubbing its cheek across them. I smiled and lightly scratched the feline behind the ears. "You're a pretty girl," I cooed sitting beside the cat. She stood and set her front paws on my leg with a soft soothing mew.

"I think that cat has chosen you," I looked up at Rebecca and raised a brow curiously before returning my gaze to the cat when she reached up pawing at my dangling necklace. "Here in the House of Night a cat picks their Vampyre or fledgling. They own us we don't own them,"

"So if she has picked me, she owns me?" She nodded. "Hey I'm cool with that. She's a beautiful cat," It was like when I said that the feline stood with her chest out a bit more making her seem to be very proud of that statement towards her beauty. I chuckled and petted her fur noticing it was so soft that it was like a cloud under my fingers.

"They have activities for cat grooming after classes you know," I smiled and lightly rubbed the small cat's chin hearing her purring loudly. Rebecca leapt on to her bed and flopped back on the pillows. I looked up and saw a large cat climb onto her stomach.

"That your buddy?" I asked. She reached over and lightly greeted the cat with a gentle petting.

"Yeah this is Budda, because he loves his belly rubbed,"

"Oh like the Budda statues with the big bellies that if rubbed supposedly give good luck?" she nodded as the cat flopped on his back beside her with his front paws rested on his chest. He looked like a big bellied kitten but when Rebecca started rubbing his belly he purred and closed his eyes. "He's a big cat but a kitten at heart,"

I chuckled and stood going to the bathroom to clean up from my fall earlier. When I stepped out I saw Rebecca as she reached back turning off her light. With a yawn I got in bed with the new feline cuddled up by my pillow as I turned off the light and set my alarm. Tomorrow started my new class and I was admittedly a bit nervous. That would be due to the fact my mentor was one of my teachers. Oh goddess, give me strength…