Disclaimer: I do not own the House of Night; this amazing series belongs to P.C. & Kristin Cast. Though I do own the OC, Nettie. And she is me; this is my story if I was to be Marked by a Tracker. Consider this My House of Night!

Note from the Author: I know I haven't updated anything in a while and I am really sorry for that. These past few months have been really hard with work and University and I have recently been seeing a Counsellor because I have depression. I have had very little interest in anything especially writing but I still wanted to do something even though I am still not completely okay. So I apologise in advance because this may not be my best writing…

However, I have acquired the Wisdom of the House of Night Oracle Cards and somehow I have regained some of my excitement for this story, as you can tell from the new image for this story my favourite card by far is the High Priestess of Fire.

CHAPTER NINE

Crescent

My eyes widened in shock as I tried to comprehend what she had just said, that couldn't be true! A filled in and decorated Mark, but that's only something that happened to adult vampyres. I was still a Fledgling wasn't I? Something whispered to me that I was still a Fledgling but I was different, I was probably somewhere between the Change, neither human, fledgling or vampyre and the thought scared me but I also felt a deep sense of acceptance as I attempted to somewhat embrace the destiny the Goddess had obviously laid out for me.

Parting my lips, I tried to form words but I spoke barely above a whisper, "That's impossible. I was only just Marked?" Silently, Astra handed me a small silver antique mirror that she almost seemed to pull out of thin air, as if she had been waiting patiently to show me. Without saying anything at all, her dark obsidian eyes watched me in equal parts awe and pleasure, as I pushed the little clasp and the mirror opened with a small click. Taking in a deep breathe, I lifted the mirror and stared at my reflection-and stared…

Unable to truly comprehend what I was looking at or what I should have been not seeing to be exact. I knew for a fact that I should be seeing a sapphire-blue outline of a crescent moon between my brows. But unfortunately that was not what I was seeing.

What I saw stole my breathe away, the exotic looking sapphire crescent tattoo was completely filled in with a rich deep blue, and as I concentrated on the endless sea of blue the crescent filling began to shift and move as if spirals of light were caught in it. Slivers of gold and silver slid along the surface and disappeared, I had a feeling that I may be the only one to see it so I tried to keep my face neutral as I took in the rest of it.

A crescent framed the smaller one but it was only a fine thin line like a Japanese brushstroke and from there gentle swirls spiralled from that, with small silver and gold dots decorating a curlicue every now and again. The added Marking though small was detailed and extremely beautiful as if the Goddess herself had painted the slender Markings, and perhaps she had. Once again the words the Goddess had spoken to me from the beginning whispered through my mind, Embrace the Night and all the Magic it has to offer.

And did I look powerful, like some ancient High Priestess from the beginning of time, even though I knew the strange Marking would make me different here I was grateful that the Goddess had Chosen me, for whatever reason. "I am not a vampyre." I said flicking my gaze up from the mirror to meet Astra's confused and yet concerned obsidian eyes.

She smiled for a moment and her laughter filled the silence, "No child, but I must tell you that Mark is a wonderful omen, but be warned." She paused here turning her gaze away, "if the Goddess has gifted you, you must use your powers wisely." I shivered at the tone that crept into her voice, nothing angry but filled with worry as if she thought someone might attack us in the Infirmary.

But then I remembered our conversation about Affinities, and the mentioning of a girl that controlled the elements with an unheard of amount of power, I wondered what I had possibly been gifted with? But then everything began to finally make sense… being Marked at eighteen and the fact that I had dreamed about the Goddess whilst unconscious. It was because I was different and outcast amongst people that were already outcasts in society's eyes. What was I, some kind of abomination in the eyes of the Goddess? But that didn't make sense; she Marked me for a reason. And hopefully my time here will show me why.

(Excuse me, Reader's this is where I picked up after so many months, I apologise for any breaks in character and plot etc.!)

Astra reached out, and gently squeezed my arm ever so gently, "Be not afraid child, you are here for a reason." I tried not to react to her statement, I was getting used to the strange occurrences and comments that came from her but there was still a strangeness that clung to this conversation. Astra glanced up at the ceiling as if she were considering something of great importance; I didn't follow her gaze but sat there wondering what was to happen now, "It would appear that student are now in the Dining Hall having lunch. Are you hungry and do you think you would be up to going to afternoon classes?"

My heart beat faster at the thought of seeing other teenagers in my exact situation, well maybe not exactly I'm pretty sure I was some crazed anomaly, being Marked at eighteen and having the strange new lace like curlicues around my Mark, resting along my brow. Blushing slightly as my stomach growled at the very mention of food after being unconscious for six hours and not being able to remember the last time I had had a meal, maybe even yesterday. I don't even remember eating anything for breakfast, this morning, yesterday?! My head began to pound with the strange mess up of my current timeline. Was it night now, no of course it was the students were up having lunch. Which means it was human night and vampyre day.

Astra smiled at me warmly, "I shall take that as a yes young one." She turned slightly, and picked up some papers; shuffling them slightly formally, her hands gliding over the crisp white paper ad stopping slightly as she picked up a small black hardcover book. "This dear one, is a the Fledgling Handbook 101, perhaps you should give it a read tonight if you have questions, and seeing tomorrow is a Saturday you can come and find me if you have any questions."

I nodded numbly as she handed me the slightly hardcover book, running my fingers over the cover, they brushed along the embossed lettering FLEDGLING HANDBOOK 101, a shiver ran down my spine as I went to open the book. Astra reached out to stay my fingers; I glanced up at her warm obsidian eyes and the smile that lit up her whole face, "It seems you have a hunger for knowledge child but perhaps we should get you to lunch first."

I flushed, nodding I brushed my skirt down and tugged on the collar of my shirt, Astra smiled as I fussed with my uniform and my tousled curls. Glancing up at her I really hoped that I could be so sure as her when I finally changed into a vampyre, if and when I did change. She led me gently and calmly through the halls, I was expecting her to chatter away about class schedules and dorm life like she had tried to do last time but she stayed quite, probably letting me take it all in without interruption and for this I was quite glad.

"Fledgling take lunch in the Dining Hall, then move along to their Fifth and Six classes. I have a copy of your particular class schedule but I will find- ah Ayano, dear!" Astra didn't call out but her voice drifted down to the hallway to a young girl who stopped before walking into an entry was with a large silver sign proclaiming "DINING HALL", she turned towards us and I could help but feel intimidated, she was beautiful, but not High Priestess beautiful but she had that strange beauty that all female Asian K-Pop Idols that my sister liked to watch had, (not being stereotypical just saying) with creamy skin with a hint of honey, long lustrous black hair that had a light sheen of blue, and eyes that were so dark they looked like the night sky.

She too was wearing a silk blouse but hers was a sapphire blue, with a beautiful emblem that represented Nyx's golden chariot pulling a trail of stars, perhaps this symbol signified the fledglings continued journey on Nyx's path, and the stars represented the magic of the years she had spent at the House of Night, I opened my mouth to speak but the girl was looking anywhere but at my face, and then I realised why she was trying ever so hard not to stare at my mark. I smiled warmly, "Hello my name is Nettie Kuran, and it's nice to meet you Ayano." I shifted slightly and was glad when she finally looked at me with a warm smile.

Astra smiled at me slightly, and then I felt like an idiot when Ayano stopped for a breath of a moment, "Merry meet Nettie Kuran." She said with a warm opening smile. I froze for a moment; of course my greeting was so… human. I blushed slightly and Astra noticing my discomfort stepped in for a second.

"As you know, Ayano a High priestess is very busy. I have Nettie's class schedule and was wondering if you could escort her into the Dining Hall and explain the way Dorm Rooms work and her class schedule and any other questions she might have that you can answer. If you can't she knows she can come to me as I am her Mentor." Throughout the whole exchange Astra handed Ayano a single slip of paper and turning to me she handed me a simple unadorned key, "If you are up to it go to your afternoon classes and then Ayano can escort you to the dorms later in the day."

I nodded, slightly and listened as she bid her goodbyes before leaving us both to our own devices. Glancing around I felt an uncomfortable silence settle between us unsure what to say or how to move on from that awkward situation, "would you like to come to lunch?" It seems Ayano was better at directing conversation as I was so I nodded slightly and followed her into the Dining Hall and my new life.

Stepping through the door I felt the warmth rush over my skin, like the light of a small burning flame. Everything moved in slow motion as I ducked my head from the prying eyes of the entire students wondering who had come into lunch so late. I followed close behind Ayano, only glancing around slightly in awe at my surroundings. The walls were made of the same strange texture of the outside of the building which trapped all the warm air inside making it feel friendly, but the Hall was huge. Heavy wooden tables were scattered around the hall in some semblance of organised chaos, with high backed wooden chair with padded seating in many rich hues, purples, blue, blacks and even a few bright reds dotted around.

Each table sat roughly about six teenagers, which meant there were quite a number of people looking at me now, though I noticed they seems to radiate out from a large , unoccupied table situated at the dead centre of the room that was definitely overflowing with fresh fruit, ancient cheeses, and freshly baked bread. I could smell spilled wine in the air and the sharp aroma of herbs and spices. Perhaps this was an offering to the Goddess, and while I was considering the rightness of this a feminine voice drifted through the air around me accompanied by the beating of rhythmic drumming:

"Lift your head my daughter of Magic, I did not bless you so for you to be ashamed."

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Note: The Marking she has, I actually drew it myself. It's a simple design but then again, wait to you see why she has the gold and silver tone swirls that "only she can see". *Air quotes*. I adore the story of Zoey Redbird, so that was my inspiration for Nettie, but I hope you all enjoy her own destiny's path.

Sorry about the long wait for a new chapter and I hope it wasn't such a waste of your time. Let me know what your think and I'm sorry for the randomness. Kisses.