A/N: I have to give major props to my wonderful beta Kristine for her amazing work. The English teacher Nazi. You are amazing! :)

I finally made a break for the boys' dorm to change out of my cloths and get ready for the ritual. I was excited to see her in the dress I bought her; how it was going to fit, how she was going to move in it, and how it would make her shine even more with the energy that lights her from the inside.

I opened my room, well now it was Jack's and my room. I would have to remember I had a roommate. I stepped in the door and noticed that he had everything settled. He was even neater than I was. And that is saying a lot. Everything of his had a place. His desk was littered with books, pictures of family members, and a stack of CDs. I strolled over to the CDs to see what he liked to listen to. Overall it wasn't bad, my eyes fell on the few that were out of place; Cindy Lauper, Madonna, and yes, even Prince (The artist formally known as Prince… who knows what to call him now). I cocked my head and let out a laugh.

My eyes moved to his pristinely made bed. He had a simple dark blue comforter with a dainty pillow sham, it looked out of place and yet it fit him. At least that's what I got out of him the few minutes I met him. I must have been staring at the pillow sham, because I didn't hear Jack enter the room. His voice startled me out of my awkward stare.

"Hey Erik," he said as he stood beside me. He followed my gaze and smiled softly, I wasn't sure if it was out of embarrassment or just being shy. "That was given to me by my grandmother before she passed away. I just can't part with it," he said while nodding towards the pillow sham in question. Definintly shy.

"I am sorry for your loss. It is quite pretty… did she make it?" I asked, looking back at the pillow to notice the dainty, blue flowers and dusty, rose writing that said 'Home Sweet Home' stitched on the front.

"Yes," he said softly. I could tell he was about to burst into tears. I froze. I wasn't used to the whole crying thing. I hope he didn't expect a hug or something.

I quickly changed the subject. "So are you coming to the Dark Daughters Full Moon Ritual tonight?" I was sure someone from our group invited him, but I felt compelled to ask anyway.

"Yes, Damien asked me to come. Last night I offered my services to Zoey. I'm going to be in charge of the music selection. Tonight I have chosen Enya's "Aldebaran" – it's my favorite," he said heading over to the neatly stacked CD's. He pulled the CD out and held it to his chest. "I love Enya."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that sight and nod my head in agreement. Enya did have some awesome music.

I rummaged through my closet looking for the black button down shirt that I always wore to the Dark Daughters rituals. I was about to give up looking when I saw it neatly hanging in between two of the school blazers that I never wear. I yanked off my shirt and threw it on the bed. I pulled on the button down shirt and turned to see that Jack was giving me some privacy. His back was facing me while he appeared to be straightening his desk. I knew all too well there was nothing that needed straitening. I smiled at my new roommate and asked, "Ready to go?"

He quickly turned around and answered with an excited squeal, "Yes, let's go!"

We headed out of the room and down to the common room. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Cole talking with TJ by one of the couches. I walked right up to them grinning like a moron. I had a message to deliver and I was going to let him stew over it until I could talk to him more about it.

"What's with the grin, Erik?" Cole questioned.

"I have a message for you," I said, as my grin got noticeably larger.

"Okay, what's the message?"

"Do you know who Shaunee is?" I asked. He shook his head slightly. I hinted a little bit more. "She is one Zoey's friends - you know, one of the twins?"

I could see him thinking about who I was referencing. I could see Jack smiling with me. He knew what I was up to.

"If she is the dark-hair-caramel-skinned twin, then hell yes I know who she is! She is fine," he said with zeal.

I chuckled at his response. "That would be the one. She wanted me to tell you that you are one fine Romeo and that if you want a little brown sugar in your Juliet you only need to look no further than her," I did my best to imitate her but I failed miserably, which only made Jake laugh harder by my side.

Cole and TJ both looked at me dumbfounded and speechless.

"Think it over and get back with me. I have to go. Come on Jack." I turned to walk away with a giddy Jack in tow. I heard an uproar coming from behind me but didn't bother to look back. I grinned in amusement as we left the common room.

"Did you see his face? It was priceless," Jack said exuberantly.

"Yeah, now that the idea is in his head, I wonder if he will act on it." I said with a laugh. He will.

We arrived at the rec room about ten minutes before the ritual. There was already a crowd forming in the room. At the center of the room, I could see Zoey, Damien, Shaunee, Erin, and Stevie Rae. They were already standing in their circle. Zoey turned around and her face lit up; she was positively glowing. My eyes drank her in as she turned to face me. I was right. The dress was perfect; it sparkled under the smalleset flicker from the surrounding candles. She raised her hand up and waved us over.

"What's up, Z? You look like you're going to explode," I said with a huge grin. I allowed my eyes to wonder down her body. The dress did her justice. The neckline was perfect as it scooped delicately across her chest, exposing just enough skin. The fabric clung to her body, showing off her delicious curves without being sleazy. She looked amazingly hot, as I knew she would when I saw it in the shop window. I leaned closer to her and whispered softly, "And you look as hot in that dress as I thought you would."

"Thanks, I love it!"

I stepped back and relished in her excitement. She was actually glowing. Her eyes were sparkling as she twirled, showing off every facet of metallic fabric. She smiled my favorite smile, lighting up her eyes.

All I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and kiss her passionately. I wanted to convey how I missed her; but knew it would have to wait until later tonight, when we were alone. I smiled as she stopped in front of me, allowing the dress to swish around her ankles. My eyes naturally followed the movement and noticed her ballet flats. I stifled a laugh as the shoes disappeared. Did she own any heels?

I looked back at her illuminated face. God, she's beautiful. She gave me another flirtatious smile and turned to Jack. "Jack, would you please go over to Damien and get the tray of candles he's holding and bring them to the middle of the circle?" she asked still beaming with excitement. Why did she need the candles already?

I heard Jack say "Yep" and went to retrieve the candles from Damien. I was confused. I looked into the faces of all four of her friends and they were all just as excited as she was.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"You'll see," she grinned. I was only a few feet away from her and I could feel her body humming with excitement. Whatever it was that she wanted to show me, she was definitely excited about it. I couldn't suppress a smile at her pulsating energy. I was reminded of the time Neferet sat me down in the courtyard to talk about Zoey, she was full of energy then, much like Zoey was now. I was drawn to the energy that Z was emanating now; I wanted to close the distance between us. I moved closer.

Jack walked into the circle as Zoey had instructed. She then picked up a red candle and handed it to me. I looked at the candle and then back at Zoey with a questionable look in my eyes. Why was she giving me the fire candle? Before I could ask she spoke quickly, "Okay, I need you to take this candle over to Shaunee."

I looked at her, confused once again as to why I was taking this candle over the Shaunee. This was definitely a first - for me to be involved in the circle. Usually I was just a 'decoration'. I looked at Zoey and asked, "Just take it over to her?"

She sensed my confusion and replied with, "Yeah. Hand it to her and then pay attention."

"To what?" I asked before taking one step.

"I'd rather not say." Rather not say? What was that about? I gave her another look and I shrugged my shoulders. I made my way across the circle to where Shaunee stood. I held out the candle for her to take, but instead of taking it she looked at me, then the candle, and then over my shoulder to Zoey. Was she asking for permission? Didn't she just hear Z say for me to give it to her?

From behind me I heard Zoey say, "Take the candle from him."

She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Okay."

As she took the candle out of my hands, I heard a whooshing sound and our bodies were suddenly engulfed in the warmth of, what felt like, an old campfire. It was hot, actually. I noticed her hair, which was usually perfectly straight, was flickering all around her in beautiful disarray. Her skin was actually glowing as if she had a candle burning underneath her caramel skin. I looked directly at Shaunee in amazement and notice she was just as surprised by this new found discovery. Was this why Zoey wanted me to hand her the candle? Then it clicked, this is what I was suppose to pay attention to. Sweet.

Zoey blurted out with a great deal of excitement, "I knew it!" My head snapped around at her exhilarated tone. She was bouncing in place, excited as if someone had just given her a life time supply of brown pop. We all know she loves brown pop.

"I'm doing this, aren't I?" My head turned to the radiant, lustrous Shaunee. I smiled at her excitement. This was too cool.

"You are!" Zoey said, still bouncing with joy.

"I have an affinity for fire!" Shaunee said looking again at her own body, still shocked by the new found discovery. Nyx has gifted her with the affinity of fire. It suited her well.

"Yes, you do!" Zoey's excitement made my head turn back towards her. I could see she wasn't done with her experiment. She motioned for me to come back to the center of the circle. I gave Shaunee another warm smile and turned away from her, still feeling the heat from her affinity on my back. I had an impossibly huge grin plastered on my face as I realized that Zoey felt this every time she cast a circle.

She told me about her experience and the feeling of the elements as she called them. It was fascinating to hear her explain it to me, but to actually feel it first hand was truly amazing.

"That may be the coolest thing I've ever seen," I said, as I stopped in front of Zoey awaiting my next task.

"Just wait. If I'm right, and I think I am, there's more," she said with anticipation. She handed me the blue candle and continued, "Now, take this one to Erin."

"Your wish is my command," I said remembering a line form Sinbad. I bowed like Jon Phillip Law in the 'The Golden Voyage of Sinbad 1974'; my favorite rendition of the character. I walked over to Erin and handed her the candle. As she took it from my hands I heard the echo of ocean waves crashing around us. It was cool and refreshing but we weren't getting wet.

I was momentarily distracted by the feeling of this element. I allowed the salty ocean air envelope me, reminding me of a trip I made with my dad only a year before I was marked. It was the best trip. I recalled having multiple conversations about anything and everything with my father. I learned so much from him in that weekend trip of just us guys.

I was brought out of my memory with Erin announcing to Zoey. "Oh, Z! Water is my affinity!"

"Yes, it is!" Zoey said with the same excitement as she had for Shaunee. She was right. I looked back at Erin, giving her a quick smile before almost racing back to Zoey for the next candle. I leaned over and picked up the yellow candle for Nyx's table and briefly looked at Zoey just to be positive, "Damien right?" I asked.

"Totally right."

I headed over to Damien. He looked worried, almost scared. The excitement was nowhere to be found on his face. I gave him a warm smile and lifted the candle for him to take. He just looked at me and then at the candle. He leaned over to look over my shoulder to Zoey.

I heard her say it was ok and to take it.

"Are you sure it's going to be okay?" he asked glancing around the rec center. I could feel he was really nervous with the growing crowd. All the current members were crowding around the circle watching in amazement at the new discoveries. I all but forgot that there was anyone else in the building. I looked back at Damien and I could see the sheer panic cross his face.

It wasn't always normal for Nyx to gift a male fledgling with an affinity. Mostly male vampyres were known as warriors, protectors of a coven. They would be strong, very physical and fast. It was rare for a male to get an affinity or a gift from Nyx, but there were a few exceptions. Damien was definitely an exception.

My eyes were on Damien as he continued to look over my shoulder. I heard him intake a deep breath as Zoey spoke, "I'm sure. Go on. I'll be busy thinking about how cute Erik is while you're calling air to you."

Did I just hear her correctly? Did she say she would be thinking about how cute I was? I couldn't help the huge grin on my face as my head turned to look over my shoulder at Zoey. My Z thought I was cute.

I didn't even realize that Damien had taken the candle out of my hand until I felt a strong breeze surround us. It was intense and amazing.

"Superb! Glorious! Wondrous!" Damien showed off his extensive vocabulary. My attention was now directed to the very windblown Damien as his clothes and hair fluttered in the wind. I could see tears forming in the corners of his eyes. His eyes darted to me then to Zoey. A traitorous tear fell as he spoke, "Nyx has given me a gift. Me."

It was almost heartbreaking to see. Zoey had told me about Damien's parents and their lack of enthusiasm when he came out of the closet, so to speak. They were more accepting of his being marked than his sexual preferences. I found that interesting and disturbing. Most parents want their children to grow up and have normal humanlives. But when they get marked they are shocked and mortified that their child is becoming a vampyre. Zoey told me that she felt like his parents were willing to accept his change rather than deal with his homosexuality. I remember shaking my head in disbelief and disgust with his parents. How could anyone be so cruel to Damien? You couldn't help but like the guy.

It made me think back to my parents' reaction. They were shocked, to say the least. I knew they had plans for me, a future not of my choosing. The moment I got marked, I could see the pain in their eyes as their oldest son, who was so close to graduating and fulfilling theirdreams, was on his way to become a vampyre. I knew they were sad and upset. I hadn't seen my mom cry like that, ever. It broke my heart. But they knew where I needed to go and that they would have to shift their hopes and dreams onto my little brother. In most ways I feel like I was dead to them. I was slowly drifting away from their life and settling in my new one quite comfortably.

Zoey's voice brought me back from my thoughts. "Yes, you," she said firmly. I could hear the deep feelings behind her words. She was telling him that he was special and worthy even though his parents didn't think so. I couldn't agree with her more.

Reviews make Jack squeal. You know you want to hear him... don't ya.