Neferet stepped from the shadows and into the gazebo, moving quickly to Heath and Erik. First, she touched Erik's face and checked the bloody slash marks on his arms from where he'd struggled futilely to try to pull the ghosts off Heath. As she passed her hands over his wounds you could actually see the blood drying. Erik breathed a sigh of relief, like his pain had disappeared.
"These will heal. Come to the infirmary when we get back to school and I'll give you some salve that will lessen the sting from your wounds." She patted his cheek and which made him blush bright red, "You showed the bravery of a vampyre warrior when you stayed to protect the boy. I am proud of you, Erik Night, as is the Goddess."
Murmurs of agreement made everyone realize that the dark sons and daughters had finally returned. Patience's mark flashed red with what looked like anger scaring the sons and daughters shitless. Neferet turned her attention to Heath; she lifted the torn legs of his jeans and examined the bloody marks there and on his arms. Then she cupped his pale, rigid face in her hands and closed her eyes. Everyone watched his body stiffen even more and convulse, and then he sighed and, like Erik, he relaxed. After a moment, he looked like he was sleeping peacefully instead of fighting silently against death. Still on her knees beside him, Neferet said,
"He will recover, and he will remember nothing of this night except that he got drunk and then lost trying to find his ex-almost-girlfriend." She looked up at Zoey as she said the last of it, her eyes kind and filled with understanding.
"Thank you," Zoey whispered.
Neferet nodded slightly to the teen, before she stood to confront Aphrodite.
"I am as responsible for what happened here tonight as you are. I have known for years of your selfishness, but I chose to overlook it, hoping that age and the touch of the Goddess would mature you. I was wrong." Neferet's voice took on the clear, powerful quality of a command, "Aphrodite, I officially release you from your position as leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons. You are no longer in training for High Priestess. You are now no different than any other fledgling." With one swift movement, Neferet reached out, grasped the silver and garnet necklace of rank that dangled between Aphrodite's breasts, and tore it from her neck.
Aphrodite didn't make a sound but her face showed anger for Neferet.
The High Priestess turned her back on Aphrodite and approached Zoey completely ignoring Patience.
"Zoey Redbird, I knew you were special from the day Nyx let me foresee that you would be Marked." She smiled at Zoey and put a finger under her chin, lifting her head so that she could get a better look at the new addition to her Mark. Then she brushed her hair aside so that the tattoos that had appeared on her neck, shoulders, and back could also be seen. She heard the Dark Daughters and Sons gasp as they, too, got their first look at her unusual Marks.
Patience stayed quiet during the whole conversation but her face also showed anger for Neferet.
"Extraordinary, truly extraordinary," she breathed, letting her hand fall back to her side as she continued. "Tonight you showed the wisdom of the Goddess's choice in gifting you with special powers. You have earned the position of Leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons and High Priestess in training, through your Goddess-given gifts as well as through your compassion and wisdom." After that all Patience remembered was Neferet hand the necklace to Zoey and Zoey having a goofy look on her face.
Everyone started to make their way back to school but Patience held back waiting till everyone was far enough away. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ears and gasped. It wasn't her mark that scared the sons and daughters, her hair had changed colour along with her mark.
Once Neferet was by herself Patience grabbed the woman's shoulder and turned her so she was facing the teen. She stared into the woman's green eyes and glared.
"I know you're up to something, I can feel it, you better watch out," with that Patience left with Neferet staring after her with glares like daggers.
As Patience came to the bridge she saw the group hugging, she cocked her hip and pushed her hair back.
"We I'm obviously not invited to this so I guess I should leave," she overdramatically flipped her hair and fake sobbed.
"Come here you buffoon!" Angel called from beside Damien. Patience grinned and joined the hug with her friends. Everyone stepped out of the hug only for Shaunee and Damien bicker about whether or not they should have pizza or sandwiches.
Patience smiled and told the group that she wanted pizza.
Unknown to everyone someone was watching them. They watched the group bicker with a small smile before disappearing into the woods.
Patience turned to the bushes that had suddenly rustled but she saw no one there, she shrugged.
Must've been the wind
Next Chapter should be the start of Betrayed