Lured
Chapter 3
I took a deep breath and didn't squint through the stage lights so that way I didn't see the harsh glares piercing me like daggers. But I still felt every one of them.
"Hello," I stopped to clear my throat. "The events of the passed few days have been a lie, as Lenobia has already stated," as I continued on, my voice became stronger. I started to sound like a High Priestess. Only leaving out a few selective details that best be kept within my group, I told them as much as possible without giving too much away to cause a riot. Though, just by listening to their reactions and seeing the faces of the first two rows, I could tell they weren't happy about it. "So, Kalona and Neferet are not Erebus and Nyx reincarnate," I repeated for what seemed the zillionth time during the speech, just trying to get that one point across to them. "Please, go forth from this and feel the truth of my words. I know not all of you," most of you, my mind added on as a second thought, "trust me or like me. But ignore your own personal feelings toward me and listen to the truth of my words. Listen to your Goddess. It is important to listen within, to your gut and your heart, not just your brain." As I spoke, I felt the truth of these words and the love of our Goddess swell inside me, giving me another burst of confidence. "Please, just listen."
I let my words settle over them, let them soak it in for what it's worth. "Blessed be." With that, I stepped away from the limelight and back into the shadows of side-stage. Lenobia took my place to answer any questions. I left Damien there to answer any she couldn't answer and ran out of the building and into the night.
The ground was still like ice and I could see my breath, though the cold didn't affect me much anymore. I tightened my sweater and walked over to the cursed tree where this all began so long ago.
It did ooze power now that I thought about it. Somehow I had been drawn to ever since my first night here at the House of Night. That night of my first Full Moon Ritual I had run out here to get away from hateful hags. This is where Nala had found me (because cats own you, not the other way around. Duh.) This is where I caught sight of the undead kids for the first time. This is where I had Imprinted with Heath the first time. This is where I first really talked to Erik and where we kept running into each other shortly after. This is where I first fell for Loren when I showed my bare shoulders to him. This is where Erik made a fool of me, Stevie Rae showed herself for the first time since she died to our friends, and they turned their backs on me. This is where Stevie Rae got her humanity back and Aphrodite lost her Mark. And this is where Stevie Rae was shot in the heart, blood spilling onto the roots of the tree. This is where Kalona broke free of the earth's grasp and took over with his abominated sons and Neferet.
The shock of all the memories flooded through me and I collapsed. This old oak that had started the hell that was my life was now left in shambles. The roots were upended, the grass stained red. It seemed as if though the old oak had died with the release of it's prisoner.
I took a deep breath and centered myself. My affinity for the five elements calmed me. I was about to begin a silent prayer to Nyx when a noise by the East Wall startled me. Looking up, I had to repress a sigh.
"Heath, what are you doing?"
That big grin that has made my knees weak since third grade spread across his face as he tumbled over the wall, grabbed a branch and swung down. I have to say, that was a pretty impressive move for a human football player.
"I got your call, babe," he said as he plopped down next to me. Then his grin faded into a frown. "What's wrong Zo?"
I put my head in my hands, rubbed, then ran them through my hair. "No one believes me."
His brows went up and he placed an arm over my shoulder. Automatically, I leaned into his side and instantly relaxed. "I believe you. Your friends believe you. That's more important, isn't it?"
A thought then occurred to me. "If I can't even get the fledglings and some professors to believe the truth, what says I won't be able to convince the High Council?"
This silenced him while he chewed it over, giving me time to go over the thought as well. That's what I was going to have to do. I was going to have to meet with the High Council and discuss the matter at hand. I needed to convince them that Kalona and Neferet are not who they pretend to be.
Another thought rippled through me with Kalona's name. He hadn't tried to contact me since the banishment. Well, from what I could tell. I had slept in Stark's arms last night/day, so that made sense I guess…
"Earth to Zo, did you hear me?" Heath's voice broke my mental ramblings. I looked up at him. He has been my rock since we were kids and I felt guilty for pushing him away. Heath didn't deserve me. He deserved a bright future; graduate, go to OU on a full ride and be their new quarterback, get married, become a cop or firefighter. That was what Heath had planned to do for so long and then I was Marked. Hell, we would have been married in a few years if it wouldn't have been the Goddess' will to choose me as the fledgling to be her eyes and ears. But so many things have changed since then, but he hadn't. Which made me grateful.
Then I realized he had asked me a question. "Oh, hmm?" I asked, snapping back to the real world.
A smile spread and he repeated, "I know you Zo. You'll figure it out. You always do." His confidence in me boosted my own and I was happy he had snuck in. It was always nice to just chill with him.
"Thanks, Heath." I smiled back.
"It's just you and me, Zo. Just like always." He replied.
"Just like always," I said with a brighter smile, and then snuggled closer into his side. Then I remembered why he said he was here. "Heath, I didn't call you." I pulled away to stare at him.
Heath raised his brow. "That arrow guy called me and said you wanted to see me." He was looking at me like I was crazy while I stared blankly at him. Stark had called him and said that I needed him? Then it all clicked into place.
"Heath, what did Stark say to you, exactly?"
His brows furrowed some more before he replied. "He didn't say much. Just that you wanted to see me. Luckily the roads were clear because everyone was staying inside from the crazy weather… Speaking of which, it's freezing out here, and you're sitting on the ground." Heath's gaze became worried and he rubbed my shoulders.
A small smirk tugged at my lips. "You should know by now the cold doesn't affect me like it used to." He rolled his eyes and squeezed my shoulder once. We sat in another silence as I thought about what Stark had sent Heath here for. Then I realized it was because I just wanted to feel normal for a few minutes. And I did feel normal, somewhat. I had forgotten my worries for some moments. Though those worries were different than normal teenagers who only had to worry about Geometry and parallel parking. I scoffed at the thought.
"Parallel parking is a hassle," Heath chuckled.
I looked up at him in surprise. "Are you a mind reader now?"
He chuckled again, shaking his head. "No, I just know you that well Zoey. That was one of your most biggest complaints other than geometry. Trust me, I never heard the end of it." Heath's signature grin warmed me and I snuggled once again into his side.
---
Some time later, Lenobia sought me. Stark was right behind her and he took care of where Heath could stay while we had a Council Meeting again. I noticed Stark was having a hard time looking in my direction while he was in my presence, which hurt. I really had a lot of making up to do with him.
"So, what are we to discuss?" I questioned as Lenobia and I made our way to council room.
Lenobia's face was grim as she answered, "I believe you already know."
I nodded. "We need to go in front of the High Council."
Shaking her head, Lenobia sighed. "No, you are to go in front of the High Council with your circle. I shall remain here and try to pull the school back together. I am far more needed here than there with you." She stopped walking and turned to me. "Zoey, you have a strong mind, and an even stronger heart. I believe in your abilities to sway the High Council to your will from the false stories of Neferet and Kalona. You voice has already developed into that of a High Priestess and they'd be fools not to see that Nyx has showed time and time again her love in you."
My heart swelled with her confidence in me. "Thank you Lenobia. That really meant a lot to me." Her smile infected me to where I had a big, foolish grin on my own face.
"Now come, we have to planning to do," she held a hand out to me and we entered the filled room.
A/N: I am SOOO sorry for the long waits to updates. I've been sick. My laptop has yet to be fixed. And my mom is hogging her computer more and more lately that I hate staying up to wait for it. So I apologize! I also apologize for the length of this chapter. I just didn't realize it would be so hard to write this after Tempted came out. When I had originally started this fan fiction, it had been months before Tempted had been due to release. So I've been having writer's block. Please excuse all of this and critique my work through a review =)