"Let me get this straight. Neferet was your High Priestess, who pretty much went psycho, and brought this evil God thing back to life. And now this evil God thing wants you."

"More or less. Neferet is powerful. I don't know how she created the Red fledglings, but she did. And she was able to manipulate me into hurting everyone I cared about. Declared war on humans and then brought Kalona from the Earth where he had been imprisoned."

"And then you killed them?" I ask, knowing I sounded incredibly too hopeful.

"No, but we did stop them. And for the time being we're at peace." Zoey finishes, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"I don't mean to burst your bubble but I don't think your peace is going to remain for all that long. Nyx said the whole reason why I started the change was because I need to help you defeat evil. She was obviously a lot more articulate sounding, but you get the gist of it."

"How are you supposed to help me? Do you have an affinity?"

I don't think she meant to sound skeptical, but that's how I took it. And skepticism is not what I need right now.

"If I knew how to help you I think I would have done so already. You know Nyx even better than I do. She doesn't exactly hand out instruction manuals. And I don't even know how to figure out if I have an affinity." I was about to tell her about Stevie Rae and Stark and how I could feel them, but I felt that nagging feeling again. The one that warned me to keep my mouth shut. I could tell her about that later.

"I guess you'll just have to keep an eye out for any unique abilities. And I don't want you to think I'm not grateful for your presence here. I can always use all the help I can get. I am just bitter that I have had to deal with so much so soon."

"That's understandable, we can talk about a better topic now that you've filled me in." I suggest.

"See any cute boys you could potentially like? You hang out with that Taylor guy quite a bit."

I didn't know if she was trying to get me to admit to liking Stark, or if she was genuinely curious. Either way, I was not letting her turn the tables on me.

"Two days really isn't enough time for me to really know if I like someone or not. But what about you? Is Erik your first boyfriend?"

"No. I had a boyfriend back when I was a human. Heath. Under really complicated circumstances we are now imprinted."

"Imprinted? Does that mean you're like bonded?"

"Yes. So I have to deal with Erik's jealousy issues quite a bit. And he knows I won't stand for it. And then Stark is my protector. He pledged his life to me pretty much. Not to mention Loren, who was apart of Neferet's plan to destroy me." She looked sad after her last statement, but I couldn't let sleeping dogs lie. Oh no, I wanted to know what happened between her and Loren.

"Loren? Did he go here? What happened?"

"He was the Poet Laureate, and he was murdered." She says solemnly.

"That was unexpected. Were you two close?" I knew I was being nosy, and totally insensitive, but I had this compelling desire to push for more information.

"I slept with him, we imprinted. It was all apart of Neferet's plot. He never really wanted me." She began crying into her hands.

Way to be the biggest bitch ever Faith. I just had to keep pushing. I didn't know what I thought I was going to find. Something to prove to Stark that I'm a better person? Obviously not. I don't even know how I got back on Stark in the first place.

"It's okay. It seems like Erik helped you through it though, and now you two are together."

If it was possible she was sobbing even harder now. "I was with Erik at the time, and Heath. It was a disaster."

My eyes widened at this new information. Okay, just stop. Don't judge her. Stop being a bitch. On the count of three. One, two, three.

"Well it's all okay now. You're happily with Erik, and Heath and you are still friends I take it. And now you even have Stark! He seems like a great pal." Finishing that sentence was one of the hardest things I have had to do in a long time.

"Don't get me started on Stark." She says, sniffling, the tears ebbing away.

"Okay. I won't." I blurt out. The last thing I wanted was for her to start blabbing about him.

"I swear we're soul mates."

I just stared at her. Did she really just say that? "What about Erik?" I ask slowly, hesitantly.

"That's just it. I am so confused! I think I love Erik. Hell, I think I love Heath. But when it comes to Stark there is just this passion that I…"

"Are you sure I am the one you should be talking to about all this? I mean you don't even know me."

"Maybe you're right. I just don't know who I should talk to about it. It's a very complicated situation, and you are like the outsiders perspective with no bias on the matter. I just thought you could help me somehow."

I am hardly biased. But she doesn't know that… Maybe I could help her see reason. It really wasn't logical for her and Stark to be together when she already has two other guys vying for her attention.

"I guess the only thing I can really point out is that if you haven't been able to give up Heath for Erik, nor Erik for Heath, then how do you think you'll give up both of them for Stark?"

"I wish you could understand. I didn't just throw the word soul mate out there to be dramatic. I truly feel something special between Stark and I."

Oh I understand all right. More than she could possibly ever know. And I was slowly losing my patience with her blatant selfish attitude. Who drags three guys along all at once?

"You seem to be in a pickle then." I say through clenched teeth. She sighs heavily, not noticing my tone. "I think I'm going to head off to class now, but it was great talking with you. We can do it again later."

"Next time I want to hear all about you!" she smiles, lifting her tray and following me back inside.

How had that conversation taken such a disastrous turn? One minute I was learning all about wicked forces and the fight against evil, and the next I got to hear first hand all about Zoey's love life. Which if anything just made liking her all the more difficult. At least before I thought it was mainly Stark's obsession, but now I know that Zoey's in on it too. Despite the very obvious boyfriend she has. Looks like my anger towards her wasn't entirely out of place.

I was the first to arrive to class again. Third time today. I was even early to Spanish, and was able to talk to Professor Garmy about my horrible Spanish skills. She said she'd go above and beyond to help me. It was incredibly nice of her. Don't know how much good it will do, but it's the thought that counts. Topaz arrives shortly after me looking incredibly happy.

"I'm excited for class today. We're starting a project that I think will make you all quite happy. I hope your day is going good so far Faith."

"Oh yes. Thanks for asking. What's the project?" I ask, intrigued.

She was about to tell me when other students began arriving. She gave me a small wink and started organizing things on her desk. I had sat in front again, and could see bits of paper scattered about her desk. She also had two bags. I was leaning over my desk trying to see the writing. What I should have been doing was readying myself for Starks presence. I had done a good job during Spanish; I almost got to the point I couldn't feel him at all. But that didn't matter because an invisible wave crashed over me as he entered the room. I didn't mean to look, but I did. He didn't even glance in my direction, just walked to the back and took a seat farthest away from me. At least the feeling subsided a little.

"Okay class, settle down. Now you all should have read Chapter 6 last night. Who can tell me what it was dealing with?"

"Relationships between Vampyres, and the sociological implications of many situations and circumstances on the relationships." The girl sitting next to me answered, without so much as raising her hand.

"Textbook answer Maryse, but at least you read it. Anyone want to put it in their own words? Stark?"

We all looked back at him as he lowered his hand and began speaking. I turned back to the front swiftly, and just listened.

"Vampyre relationships can be a lot like human ones. We can date, get married, divorce, have sex, and so on. However, unlike humans we deal with the need and want of blood. We also have extra abilities that are to be taken into account. Imprinting and other bonds occur, that could hinder or boost relationships. In other words having a relationship with another Vampyre is more complex than human relationships with each other."

"Very good Stark. That is precisely correct. And in order for you all to really get a feeling of what a vampyre relationship is like we shall be doing mock relationships for the next three to four weeks."

I sat there in horror. Please tell me she doesn't really mean what I think she is saying. We aren't going to have to pretend to be dating someone are we? I don't know anyone! Talk about awkward. The other girls however were talking animatedly to their friends. It seems I was the only one apprehensive about this.

"If the ladies would please line up on the left side and the men on the right."

We did as she asked. All the while I kept my fingers crossed that I would be the one left over girl, and would have to sit out on this little project.

"Now the ladies will be picking from a bag with the boys names. The piece of paper you pick will have the boy's name you are to be paired with. The men will be picking pieces of paper that have different statuses on them. For example, newly weds, divorced, dating, friends, and so on. This weekend will be your chance to get to know your partner and get a feel for your relationship status. In each class one of you will pick again from a bag that will give you a predicament. Some good, some bad, and some really random. Now please do not think you must go off and do these suggestions to a Tee. This project is mainly for your imagination, so if it says you and your partner have a fight you must dive into the implications of that fight, not actually have a fight. I want each of you to keep a journal, it will help you write your final paper at the end."

I had my eyes closed the entire time she was explaining the project. This was not going to turn out well.

"Take the bag, take out a single piece of paper, and pass it on." She handed both sides a bag and they did as she said. What if I got Stark? I smirked; he would have to look at me then. No more ignoring me. But then again I would have to be faced constantly with his adoration for Zoey instead of me. The chances of choosing him were like 100 to 1 anyways. I shouldn't worry, maybe this would be interesting. Give me a new perspective on Vampyres and all that I am to become...

And then it was my turn. I held the bag delicately and picked out a piece of paper and passed the bag on. I looked down at it hesitantly. In bold printed letters it said James. I sighed in relief. I looked across the way and wondered which boy was James.

"I forgot to mention, the boys first and last names are on opposite sides of the paper. They were too big to fit on one side."

I chuckled. Topaz was funny. I turned the paper over and dropped it in shock. Maybe I had just read it wrong. I leaned over and picked it up. It couldn't be. I looked at it again, but I read it right the first time. On the other side printed in the same big bold letters was Stark. James Stark.

The girls around me were chatting delightedly, sharing who they got with each other.

"Faith, who did you get?" Maryse asks. I look up from the piece of paper.

"Stark." I mutter, not believing it.

"Lucky. He is totally dreamy." She nudges me, before turning back to another girl.

My body made the decision before my mind had really caught up with it. I was walking to the front of the classroom where Topaz stood.

"If I find someone to change partners with me, is that allowed?" I ask.

She looked down, a disapproving look etched on her face.

"Now why would you do that Faith?"

"I…" but I didn't know how to continue. I couldn't tell her the truth, "Never mind."

I went back to my spot on the wall, not daring to look at him. Not daring to look at anyone.

"Okay now for the sake of the newer fledglings, the girls will call out the guys name. Then the two of you will get together and spend the remainder of the class time getting to know each other. You are allowed to leave, but make sure you sign in letting me know your partner and relationship status. Sapphire, you may begin."

I shifted uneasily as each girl finished, getting closer and closer to me. Could I faint again? Make everyone forget about this little project?

"Ivan Van Hugo." Maryse calls out.

And then all eyes were on me. I could feel them. I looked up, and found him. He was the only guy not looking at me. Apparently there was something really interesting on the floor. With an evil smile I said his name. "James Stark."

His head jerked up and found me. His look of shock transformed to aggravation in an instant. This was going to be a long three weeks.