A/N I have to always thank my wonderful and talented beta Kristine for her hard work in turning out these chapters. Thank honey :)

Thanks to everyone who is leaving a review. They definitely made Jack squeal. Many thanks to you, you know who you are ;) Sorry for the short chapter this time but I have a whopper of a chapter coming up. Enjoy.

"Your friends are spectacular, Zoey," Neferet's voice announced clearly over the crowd of fledglings surrounding us. I hadn't noticed the lingering crowd as they talked amongst themselves; no doubt they witnessed the unveiling of Damien, Shaunee, Erin, and Stevie Rae's affinity for the elements. I turned to see Neferet was standing at the entrance of the rec hall with several other professors. I could make out Dragon and Professor Nolan but I couldn't discern the identity of the others through the darkened room. Even with my vision it was still too dark.

My eyes drifted to Zoey and noticed a subtle change in her energy. She was no longer burning bright with excitement - she was a low, dim flicker compared to moments ago. What caused the change? Was she nervous that Neferet was here? She isher mentor so she shouldn't be nervous, should she? I saw her take a deep breath that re-ignited her inner flame as she agreed with Neferet, meeting her gaze enthusiastically, "Yes, my friends are spectacular!" I guess I was reading too much into it. Maybe it was just nerves after all.

Neferet took a step into the rec hall illuminating her presence to the entire room. As if she needed a spot light! She glowed, like she was lit from within. It was beautiful and amazing how she fully captured the awareness of those around her, including me. I couldn't help but notice that her auburn hair was cascading down her slender frame in delicate waves. Her black dress clung to her body as it draped just below her knees and was paired perfectly with elegant, black heels. Zoey would look amazing in heels like that! I would have to find some to go with her beautiful, new dress. Not that I don't love her choice in the ballet flats, but my head has swimming with the idea of seeing her in a pair of heels again.….

Neferet's voice spoke pulling me from my inner babble. (I swear, sometimes I feel like a chick.) "It is only right that Nyx, in her wisdom, has thought to gift you, a fledgling who has such unusual powers, with a group of friends who are also blessed with impressive powers of their own. I prophecy that this group of fledglings will make history. Never before has so much been given to so many at the same time and place." She flashed her amazing, hundred-watt-smile and beamed at each of Zoey's friends, including me. Even thought I knew she wasn't directing her comment to me, I couldn't help but feel proud to be a part of Zoey's gifted friends.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Zoey taking yet another deep breath. She was the only one not looking directly at Neferet. She looked nervous again. I wanted to step closer to her to comfort her to reassure her that Neferet was here to wish her well and good luck in her ritual, nothing more.

Neferet's head circled the room and briefly addressed everyone with a warm smile. She then turned and directed her next words straight to Zoey. "Zoey, I believe this is the perfect time to announce your blueprint for the new Dark Daughters and Sons." She glided towards the circle stopping just behind Shaunee. I noticed how the element of fire illuminated Neferet even more, causing everyone to focus his or her attention to her, not Zoey, including me. I was stunned by how beautiful Neferet was, standing just a few feet away from me. I could feel the energy humming around her as she began to speak, using her powerful High Priestess voice, "It is time the Dark Daughters had a foundation. It has been decided that Zoey Redbird will begin an era and a new tradition with her leadership. She will form a Prefect Council, made up of seven fledglings, of which she will be Head prefect. The other members of the Council will be Shaunee Cole, Erin Bates, Stevie Rae Johnson, Damien Maslin, and Erik Night. There will be one more Prefect chosen from Aphrodite's old Inner Circle to represent my wish for unity among the fledglings."

A lot of emotions washed over me. I was in shock to hear her name me as one of the new Prefects for the Dark Daughters and Sons. I was excited to be officially accepted - to take an active role in the Dark Daughters. Just like Damien, I felt I was a part of something amazing. I was accepted. I belonged. I started to clap involuntarily as the entire room filled with cheers. Apparently everyone else wanted a change, too. We all needed this transformation, a deeper significance coming from the elite group of fledglings.

The room quieted down again as Neferet began to speak again. "The Prefect Council will be responsible for the workings of the new Dark Daughters and Sons, which includes being certain that from this day forth all members, exemplify the following ideas: they should be authentic for air; faithful for fire; wise for water; be empathetic for earth; and they should be sincere for spirit. If a Dark Daughter or Son fails to uphold these new ideals, it will be the job of the Prefect Council to decide upon a penalty, which could include expulsion from the group." She paused for a moment as her eyes surveyed the room looking at everyone but Zoey before speaking again. "I have also decided that it would behoove our fledglings to become more involved with the surrounding community. After all, ignorance breeds fear and hatred. So I want the dark Daughters and Sons to begin working with a local charity. After much consideration I decided that the perfect organization would be Street Cats, the rescue charity for homeless cats."

I let out a little laugh at the idea of taking care of cats, when we are theirpets not the other way around. But I liked the idea of getting more involved with the community. Maybe it will help with the problems humans have with vampyres. Who knows? It may help us as well.

My eyes unglued from Neferet's beaming face and rested on Zoey. She didn't look happy. She just stood there staring at Neferet. My eyes never left her as Neferet continued. "I will leave you now. This is Zoey's ritual, and I am simply here to show my heartfelt support for my talented fledgling." She flashed a warm smile at Zoey, at which Zoey forcibly smiled back. It wasn't her normal smile. What is going on with her tonight? I made a mental note to ask her later on when we were alone.

"But first I have a gift for the new Prefect Council," she announced while clapping her hands together. Five male vampyres emerged from the entryway. Each one was carrying a large thick rectangular tile. They placed them at Neferet's feet and turned without a word and disappeared. I leaned my head closer to the tiles to get a better look. They looked wet and slimy. I looked back at Zoey to see she didn't have a clue of what they were any more than what I did.

Neferet let out a cheerful laugh as she spoke, "Zoey, I'm shocked you don't recognize your own idea?"

"I…no. I don't know what they are," Zoey said staring back at the wet tiles.

"They're squares of wet cement. I remembered that you told me you wanted each of the members of the Prefect Council to have an imprint of his or her handprints made so that the fledglings' hand-print will be preserved forever. Tonight six of the seven members of the new Council can do that."

I looked at the wet cement. I have to put my hand in that?

I felt honored and grossed out at the same time. But the idea of my handprint and name living on here, at this House of Night forever as the 'New Dark Daughters and Sons' made me euphoric.

"Thank you for the present." She paused. "And it was Damien's idea to make handprints, not mine," Zoey said quickly.

Neferet looked past Zoey and beamed her amazing, mesmerizing smile at Damien. I could almost hear him squeal with joy at the attention he was getting from Neferet. She looked straight at Damien and said, "And what a lovely idea it was, too, Damien."

She turned to the rest of the hall and announced, "I am pleased that Nyx has gifted this group so fully. And I say blessed be to all of you, good night!" She curtsied gracefully as the hall engulfed in cheers. She stood up, whirled around, and exited the building. The Professors followed behind her allowing Zoey to begin her ritual.

I almost felt sad that Neferet had, in a way, stolen the wind right out of Zoey's sails. I stared at Zoey hoping to see the glimmer of light emanating around her but I saw nothing but sadness and possibly… anger? She stood there in the middle of her circle just staring at the entrance. I could see her eyebrows pushed together slightly, not enough for others to notice, but I did. She was in her thinking mode. Her lips pursed together.

I was just about to step to her side to ask her what was wrong when Jack's voice spoke softly but clearly over the quieting babble. "Zoey just let me know whenever you're ready and I'll start the music."

That did it. She looked back at Jack, who was walking up towards the circle to stand near Damien. "Okay, just a sec. How about I nod at you when I'm ready?"

"Fine with me," Jack said with a warm smile as he walked back to the far corner of the rec hall to stand behind the massive sound system.

Zoey took a few steps towards Shaunee, just outside of the circle. It had been the exact spot that Neferet stood. Zoey was positively breathtaking standing in herproper spot as Shaunee's affinity enveloped her in a warm glow, enhancing Zoey's already beautiful skin. With a few deep breaths, the tension and sadness drifted away as her eyes focused on Nyx's table. With renewed confidence, she was now burning bright again as she surveyed the room, looking at all the new faces that showed up to witness her ritual. Most were here out of shock and disbelief, others were here because they were intrigued with Zoey and the Dark Daughters but were never invited before. It was a mixture of new and old, very fitting.

Zoey looked like she was just about ready. She looked directly at Jack and was about to nod when a voice spoke in the silent room causing Zoey to jump and actually squeak. Squeaked?

"I thought I'd volunteer my services to you."

I had to stop it here, don't hate me. I promise more to come. Soon!

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