"What do you know about this Aurox boy?" Lenobia asked.
I glanced up at Lenobia before putting my chin back onto my folded arms while I watched Zoey brush Persephone. I was trying, once again, to not think. Again, not working out too well because I had been doing a lot of depressive thinking.
I wonder if antidepressants work on half-breeds?
"Nothing except that I can promise you he's not just a boy." Zoey said.
"I thought he was a minotaur first, but then he changed into that way too prefect looking boy." I said.
Zoey and Lenobia looked at me.
"What? I've been having a bit of a problem with prefect looking people lately." I said. Skye nudged my calf. I reached down and scratched her head. "You can't blame me for being a little weirded out by way too prefect looking people."
Hecate nibbled the hem of my shirt. I scratched in between her eyes. She nickered softly.
"I don't believe he is an immortal." Lenobia said. "The word that he's a shape shifter is already spreading across campus."
"Maybe I could ask a tree or water spirit what he is. They probably know." I said.
"What was up with the Ent before?" Zoey asked.
"It was an older Fae. He said it's not as easy for a tree his age to look like a fleshie." I said.
"Fleshie?"
"I guess it's tree term for our kind." I said. "I swear I have a gazillion words for humans/vampyres." I sighed.
Skye nibbled on my fingers and I scratched her wing base. She rubbed head against my hand and purred.
"I can't believe she purrs." Zoey said.
"Did you know that dragons are breast feeders too?" I said.
"That's really weird." Zoey said.
"Why do myths always keep the violent or stupid shit, but never those interesting facts?" I asked. "Or guess the technically accurate facts."
"Do you have a plan for when she grows up?" Lenobia asked.
"Make sure she doesn't eat people?" I said.
Lenobia frowned at me.
"What? I think that it's majorly important that she doesn't eat people." I said. I sighed. "I don't know. I have no idea what's going to happen between now and Skye growing up." I tickled her head.
Lenobia scratched under Skye's chin. "I suppose that is a smart plan."
"Speaking of plans, what are we going to do about Queen Bitch?" I asked.
"I feel like a moron." Zoey mumbled almost out of nowhere. "I made a completely fool of myself in front of most of the school. Again."
"I think they're the fools because they aren't seeing the truth in your words at all." I suggested.
"Why do you feel so ashamed?" Lenobia also chastised. "You know better than anyone how dangerously manipulative Neferet can be, but I don't think you should have confronted her publicly like that."
"What? Is she just supposed to sit there quietly and do nothing?" I asked.
"No. What she needs to do is to play down her reaction to Aurox, maybe even to her closest friends." She looked at Zoey. "Keep what you're feeling to yourself. Put on your poker face."
"Poker face? Sorry, I only know how to play Candyland."
"It means to keep your reaction to what you're seeing and how you feel about it secret from everyone watching you."
"Why?" Zoey asked looking really interested.
"I learned young that evil sometimes likes to be bragged about, even when it would be best if it kept a low profile. It has been my experience that Darkness's true struggle isn't against Light and the strength of love and truth and loyalty. I think evil's greatest threat comes from its own pride and arrogance and greed. I've yet to see a bully who doesn't gloat, or a thief who doesn't brag. That's why they get caught. Darkness could get a lot more of its destructive work accomplished if it was more, shall we say, circumspect."
I blew my bangs out of my face. "I really wish the ancients hadn't called those bulls by their element. That's probably why people are afraid of every kind of darkness and also why they aren't a little bit cautious with all the light."
"But light is good." Zoey said looking confused.
I shook my head. "If you think about it, light is even more destructive and harmful than darkness. Look at that hole in the wall that I made! It's just like all the other elements it can be used for both good and evil. That's why I can use both of them without destroying myself." Skye tugged on my wings because I stopped paying attention to her. "I've told you." I picked her up. "I haven't had you long enough for you to be so spoiled."
She cooed and rubbed her head against my chin. I kissed her forehead.
"I guess I see Lenobia's point." I said. "Evil likes attention. It's like those stupid bitches at school who are just bratty and throw tantrums just so people will pay attention to them. Neferet actually reminds me a lot of a those fake, spoiled, and selfish bitches from school."
"I get it." Zoey said as she swept the brush over Persephone's slick side. She took a deep breath like she was going to tell us something majorly important. "From the second I saw Aurox my seer stone got hot. The only times that's happened has been when old magick has been present." She paused and then continued. "Last night I looked through the seer stone and saw something weird around Stark. It kinda freaked me out."
"What did Stark say about it?"
"I, uh, haven't told him."
"He probably would want to know about the creepy thing hanging around him." I said. "He is your Guardian after all." I said. Skye climbed onto my shoulders and curled her neck and tail around my neck like she was a dragon scarf.
"Well, first because I got distracted by him." She started to blush a bit.
"Um, ew." Was all I said.
"And since I don't know why I haven't said anything." She paused again. "No, wait, I do know why. Ever since the whole Otherworld thing haven't been the same between Stark and me. Some of that's good-we're really close most of the time. But some of it's weird too."
Lenobia nodded. "That's understandable. An experience the magnitude of what you two went through should change the dynamics of the relationship. And glimpsing some of the old magick attached to Stark could simply be a remnant of his time in the Otherworld. I imagine if you could look through the seer stone at yourself or young Raven you might see-"
Oh, hell no!" Zoey said. "I don't want to see anything hanging around me!"
I shrugged. "I'm not expecting anything major with me so I gots no problem with its." I glanced at my tattoos. What would show up? Maybe something majorly scary was hanging around me. Who knows, maybe there's a shadow of a Raven Mocker hiding inside of me.
Lenobia looked at Zoey. "You sound frightened."
"I'm freaked out, that's for sure. I think I've had enough of old magick and the Otherworld and all that goes with that stuff for a good long while."
"I better leave then." I said. "And I'm taking my cute dragon with me."
"You and the cute dragon can stay, Raven." Zoey sighed.
"If you're sure because I'll attract old magick like an old magick bug zapper." I said. "Let's pray I don't attract Godzilla or something."
"Is Godzilla old magick?" Zoey asked.
"It's a giant lizard thing. I guess so." I said. Skye rubbed her head under my chin and I tickled her neck until she licked my fingers.
Zoey rubbed her head. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired."
"We all deserve a Hawaiian vacation after this." I mumbled. "And lots and lots of Swedish massages."
Skye chirped.
"Chocolate could work right now though." I said. I sighed. "I vote tomorrow we skip school and stay home to gorge on fats, sugar, and comfort foods while watching old Disney movies."
"You do realize that I am, in a fact, a professor of this school."
I had actually kinda forgot because a horse teacher is something you don't come across often at a "high school."
"You can turn us in if you want. Neferet can't do shit about it and can honestly kiss my tiny ass." I said. Actually the thought of pissing off Neferet by showing she can't even control me going to school or not was just a little appealing.
"You shouldn't go picking fights." Lenobia said.
"I'm not. Technically she is because me skipping school shouldn't be a big deal. I am eighteen and I'm no longer a minor so I don't have to continue my education anymore." I said. Which felt kinda of weird because for as long as I can remember I've been in school learning some shit society felt necessary to cram into my brain.
"Surely we can help you with being a mediator." Lenobia said.
"To be honest, I probably could use an Immortal teacher." I said slowly.
They both shared a quick look. "I'm sure Rephaim will do for now."
My thoughts had drifted over to Dominic. He would be probably be more than willing to help out. The scars burned again and I rubbed my breastbone. Was it because we were spiritual bonded that it hurt so badly to know he was my enemy?
"Hey y'all," Stevie Rae said skipping into view. "What are y'all talking about?"
"Where we're going to vacation after this is all over." I said.
"I vote somewhere warm and quiet." Stevie Rae said.
"I changed my mind. Let's go to Rome!" I said.
Everyone chuckled.
"I actually came in here to get ya, Lenobia, cuz you're cowboy is here."
"My cowboy?" Lenobia said looking more than a little confused. "I don't have a cowboy."
"Well, he has to be yours 'cause he just showed up outside the central entrance with a giant horse trailer sayin' he's reportin' for work and askin' where he can unload his stuff."
I frowned. What?
Lenobia gave a long sigh. "Neferet. This is her doing. He's the first of the local humans she's hired."
"I do not get what Neferet's up to," Steve Rae said. "I know dang well she hates humans and doesn't give a rat's ass about whether the local folks like us bein' here or not."
"She's just being a bitch." I said. "And causing problems for attention."
"Attention?" Stevie Rae asked.
"We'll discuss it later." Lenobia said. "Let us give this cowboy a warm welcome and show him how downright boring working at my stables can be. Perhaps then he'll move to more exciting pastures and Neferet will turn her attention elsewhere."
I think she was being just a little too hopeful.
"Raven, I would like you to stay hidden. You and Skye both."
"Fine." I said tickling the hatchling's chin.
Lenobia marched towards the central entrance of the stables.
"You think she would want to use you to scare him away." Stevie Rae said.
"I want to try something." I said excitedly. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought to try it out before.
"What?" Zoey asked looking confused.
"Light and darkness could you please hide my wings so I look human? Oh, and hide Skye too please."
Light and darkness clung to my wings and hatchling like stars and stayed there. I frowned. Well, that didn't work.
"Ohmygoddess." Stevie Rae said. "They're gone!"
I spread them and fanned them, causing little dust clouds to stir.
"They're still there, but you just can't see them." Zoey said.
"Cool!" I said. Granted I would have to be careful about people brushing alongside me and all, but otherwise I could hang out with the mass populous.
"Come on." Zoey said. "I'm not gonna to miss this."
Stevie Rae linked arms with us as she Wizard of Oz-ed us after Lenobia.
"What I didn't tell Lenobia is how dang cute her cowboy is," She whispered to us.
"Did you think that would help protect him?" I asked.
"Seriously." Zoey said.
"Just ya'all wait and see." Stevie Rae said.
We marched through the arena. Stevie Rae tried to blow Rephaim a kiss, but Zoey continued to yank us forward. He smiled at her and then did a double take at me. I just smiled and waved.
"There, that's him. The tall, non-vampyre in a cowboy hat over there by the door." Stevie Rae said pointing at the large, sliding barn doors. I could see a huge horse trailer parked just outside hitched to one of those huge trucks with a guy in cowboy garb standing beside it. Skye gave a small yelp and burrowed her nose into the back of my neck.
"It's okay." I murmured and I stroked her spine.
And I guess the cowboy was kinda cute. But he wasn't my type. I wonder if the spiritual bond thing just put a blindfold on me when it came to other males.
That's so unfair! What? Don't I get a choice on whether or not I want to love him or not?
"He looks like someone who should be on the Western Channel." Zoey said. "Playing one of those olden-day cowboy heros."
"Sam Elliot, that's who he looks like." Stevie Rae said.
I didn't watch many Westerns so I had no idea who she was talking about.
"Huh?" Apparently neither did Zoey.
"He was in a bunch of cowboy movies. You know, like Tombstone." Stevie Rae said.
"Tombstone?" I asked.
"It's a really good movie. It's has that famous shoot out at the O.K. Corral." She gushed.
"What about the O.K. Corral?" Aphrodite asked.
Zoey and Stevie Rae jumped. I gave her a little wave. She frowned at me.
"Where did your wings go?"
"I'm using my elements to shield them from prying eyes." I said nodding at the cowboy.
"Ooooh! That's Lenobia's…"
"Employee." Zoey said. "He's supposed to be working for Lenobia."
"He's hot." Of course she would comment on his looks. "Not like Darius hot, but still. H.O.T."
"I told y'all. And he's so tall he makes Lenobia look even teenier than she is." Stevie Rae said.
He did look like a giant compared to Lenobia.
"Howdy, ma'am. I'm the new stable manager. I'd 'preciate it if you could point me to the man in charge." The cowboy said with a prefect Oklahoma twang.
Oh God! I couldn't see Lenobia's face, but the storm clouds gathering around her where enough.
This is was going to be good.
"Uh-oh." Stevie Rae said. Evidently I wasn't the only one who thought this was going to be good. I mean Lenobia was short, but I'm pretty sure she could kick this giant's ass easy-peasy.
"So much for the whole warm welcome thing." Zoey added.
"John Wayne just totally fucked up." Aphrodite said.
I smacked her. "F-bomb!"
Her eye narrowed, but then Lenobia spoke and her attention was drawn back to the conflict.
"I am Lenobia." Her voice was icy and had goose bumps prickling along my skin. "I am the woman in charge of these stables and your new boss."
"Brr." Aphrodite whispered. "She just reminded me of my mom, and for John Wayne that's not a good thing."
"Sam Elliot." Stevie Rae argued.
Aphrodite frowned at Stevie Rae.
"He doesn't look anything like John Wayne." She hissed. "But he looks just like Sam Eilliot."
"Hey, can we argue about this later?" I said. I just knew Aphrodite was going to start cussing again and just because Skye was invisible did not mean she couldn't hear Aphrodite's awful language.
I pointed back at Lenobia and John Wayne/Sam Elliot.
The cowboy tipped his hat to Lenobia again and gave her a nice smile. "Well, ma'am, seems I got me some misinformation. Glad that was cleared up quick. My name is Travis Foster, and I'm please to meet ya, boss lady."
"So he doesn't look like John Wayne or Sam Elliot." I said. "He looks like Travis Foster."
Stevie Rae snorted, but I think it might have been a disguised laugh. Aphrodite gave me a sarcastic looking look.
"You do realize your annoy ass comments-"
"You said ass. That's a cuss word." I said.
She growled. She really did growl at me.
I just gave her a cheesy grin.
"And you don't mind finding out your boss is a lady?" Lenobia said.
"No, ma'am. My momma was a lady-" I snorted and tried not to laugh. Well duh your momma was lady, silly. "and I never worked harder or happier than when I worked for her."
"Mr. Foster, do I remind you of your mother?" Somehow her voice got even colder, but Mr. Travis Foster didn't seem to notice or care because he cocked his hat back and looked down at Lenobia with a grin on his face as he answered her question seriously: "No, ma'am, not yet you don't." The awkwardness levels were making the air thick with tension. Oh boy.
Travis just shrugged and hooked his fingers into his belt loops. "So, Lenobia, could you show me where my mare and I are gonna bunk?"
"Mare? Bunk?" Lenobia echoed.
"This is some great shit. I wish I had popcorn." Aphrodite said.
I just smacked her. I figured she might learn if I physically abused her rather than verbally reprimanding her about the cussing issue around Skye.
"She's gonna burn him with her laser vision." Zoey said.
"Lenobia has laser vision?" Stevie Rae asked.
We all looked at her.
"How 'bout I watch and not talk." Stevie Rae suggested.
"Thank you." Aphrodite and Zoey stereoed. Aphrodite glared at Zoey like she wore the same outfit as her, which would be a major offense in her book.
"Well, ma'am," Travis drawled. "I told y'all's High Priestess when she hired me that my mare and I come as a package deal, and I'd need to stable her here. Since I just wrapped up a season managing the stables at Durant Springs, I'd need a place to lodge, too."
Lenobia just stood there silently.
"Durant Springs is in Colorado, ma'am." He said a bit slowly.
"I know where it is." Lenobia snapped. "What makes you think you can stay here on campus? We have no accommodations for humans."
I frowned. "What are the difference between accommodations for vampyres and humans?"
"Shush." Aphrodite elbowed me.
"You shush!" I snapped back and shoved her. It was a miracle we hadn't been spotted for eavesdropping yet.
"Yes, ma'am, that's what the High Priestess said. Since the job needed to be filled right away. I told her I'd get along just fine bunking with Bonnie until I could find a place nearby."
"Bonnie?"
Travis shifted his hat. For the first time since he showed up, he appeared nervous. "Yes, ma'am. My mare's name is Bonnie." A loud thud came from the trailer. "I'd 'preciate it if ya let me unload her. It's a long way from Colorado for a big girl."
"Do you think his horse is fat?" Stevie Rae asked.
"Bumpking, I thought you weren't going to talk." Aphrodite said.
"I think he just got his foot in the door." Zoey said.
"Yep." I said. No way Lenobia was going to let this Bonnie be turned away in these predawn hours.
"Unload your mare. You and I will discuss your accommodations after she's comfortable." Lenobia said.
He was unloading his mare when Lenobia gave the okay.
"Come on, big girl. Baaack," Travis said in what I was going to say was his horse voice. It was the same as my kitty cat voice, only he didn't baby it like I did.
A huge, dappled gray horse butt came out of the trailer before the rest of Bonnie appeared with Travis holding to her halter. I heard some extra gasps and peered back to see that our group of gawkers had increased.
"That can't be a horse.' Stevie Rae said taking a step back.
"Holy shit. It's a dinosaur." Aphrodite said. She blocked my smack. I lunged at her belly and as she bent over to block it, I smacked her head. "I'm going to smother you in your sleep."
"Good luck." I said.
Zoey sighed. "I'm pretty sure it's a horse. But it's a really big one."
"It's a Percheron." I said.
"Oh, a Percheron! She's exquisite!" Lenobia gushed.
The three girls looked at me.
"What? I like Animal Planet. Sue me." I said.
Everyone suddenly became distracted as Lenobia approached the huge mare so she could sniff her hand. Lenobia smiled wide and suddenly looked like a little school girl. "Oh, you are indeed a bonnie, bonnie girl." She then turned to the cowboy and gushed at him. "I have not seen a Percheron since my voyage from France when I was a girl, and that's more years ago than I care to admit. There was a matched pair of the big beauties on the ship with me. I've remembered them fondly and since have been intrigues by draft horses. She's a lovely dappled gray. I imagine she'll continue to lighten as she gets older. I can tell that she's just turned five a month…"Lenobia paused. "No, she turned five two months ago. She's belonged to you for her entire life, hasn't she?"
I was suddenly majorly curious about Lenobia's past. I mean, she was pretty damn wise for a horse person and exactly how old was she?
Travis blinked and looked confused. He opened his mouth and then closed it. "Well, yes, ma'am." He reached up and held onto Bonnie's neck. "Her momma died right after Bonnie was born-freak lightning strike in the middle of the pasture. I bottle-raised her."
She stared at Travis like she had forgotten he was there. "You did a good job. She's big, easily over eighteen hands. Well muscled. In excellent condition." She said. She turned back to the mare and smiled widely again. She should smile more often. "You are a clever girl, aren't you?" The mare was staring at us as we gawked at her. My golden tattoo on my shoulders buzzed and her head perked up.
What was with these tattoos? I was going to have to ask Zoey if her tattoos ever did weird shit.
"And you're confident enough to be well behaved, eve in a curious, new environment." She then looked at Travis and her expression turned icy again. "Well then, that is that. You and Bonnie may follow me. I'll show you where you'll be stabling-the both of you."
Lenobia began striding across the arena. She spotted halfway and turned towards us.
Uh-oh.
"Fledglings and vampyres, this is Travis Foster. He'll be working for me. His mare's name is Bonnie. Show her the respect she deserves as a fine example of the majestic Percheron breed. Warriors, please note her size and the way she carries herself. Her ancestors were warhorses of old."
I thought she looked an awfully like those horses painted in Chinese looking paintings.
Travis Foster smiled at Lenobia's comment and patted Bonnie's neck before giving Lenobia an affectionate look.
Oh boy. Things were going to get really interesting.
"And now you can all stop staring and get back to work." She said before marching into the stables with the Percheron and her cowboy trailing after her.
"That has interesting possibilities." Aphrodite said.
I felt a warm puff of air in my ear and turned to see Hecate leaning over my shoulder.
"Your wings and hatchling have vanished."
"Only from sight." I willed the sparkles away and my wings returned to normal. Skye sneezed and curled around my neck.
"Zoey." Damien said. He hurried up to us. "There you are. You need to come back to the main building."
"You mean after sixth hour? It's almost over." She said.
"No, honey. I mean now. Your grandma's here, and I'm pretty sure she's been crying."
My heart tightened. What happened? Did I miss something with my unfortunate ability to distract myself?
"Okay, I'm coming." She looked sick. "But I'd appreciate it if you would come with me." She turned us. "You guys, too. 'Kay?"
"Kay." I said back.
Stevie Rae nodded. "I'm in."
Stark came up and weaved his fingers with Zoey's. "Is it about your mom?"
She nodded slowly. Her eyes were starting to look a little too shiny.
"Your momma? I thought Damien said your grandma's here?" Stevie Rae asked looking confused.
"He did." Aphrodite said. She was studying Zoey. "Is it about your mom?"
Stark and Zoey shared a look before she nodded and Stark announced. "Zoey's mom's dead."
My stomach clenched in sympathy.
"Oh no!" Damien said starting to tear up.
"Don't, okay?" She said. "Let's not do this here. I don't want everyone watching me."
Damien pressed his lips tightly together and blinked hard before he nodded.
I looped my arm around hers. She smiled gratefully at me.
"Let's all go see your grandmomma." Stevie Rae said threading her arm through my other arm.
Damien and Aphrodite joined our line. As one we walked out of the arena and towards the main building.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Sorry it took me so long to get this posted. I had a lot of roommate drama and then finals popped up and then my computer got a virus and I thought I had lost my fanfiction files when I transferred them from my back-up drive back onto my computer, but I just found them recently and finally finished this chapter! (the files were saved with my music, somehow) So, read and review and I will continue to give you more fanfiction (at least until I'm done with Destined and then you'll have to wait until I get Hidden (why isn't it out YET?) and figure out how Raven will mess that story up)