"There is no sign of them," A sandy haired boy was saying as he walked down the steps heading right towards me. I pressed my back as far against the wall as I could go and hoped that the others were all doing the same. "None of the boatmen have seen her," he continued and I realized he was talking to a tall skinny red haired girl walking a few paces behind him. I swallowed hard as I took in their eyes. Both sets were glowing red with signs of bloodlust.
"Our Priestess is growing tired of waiting," the girl responded. "How much longer until we are allowed to have them?" She asked sounding irritated.
"She has to make sure, first," The sandy haired boy said as they walked by.
I had no clue what they were talking about, ok I understood some of it, but my guess was that whatever else they were talking about wasn't good. I waited a few more seconds to make sure that both of the corrupted red fledglings were gone before I began moving up the stairs again. We had already gone up what seemed like two floors of spiraling staircase and I was starting to wonder when it would end.
"Keep moving," I whispered to the rest of my group.
"Trust me, you don't have to tell us twice," Jack said softly and I heard Damien make a soothing sound to him under his breath.
The door was at the very top as Angel had said and once again it was old, thick and heavy with ancient black hinges. I noticed briefly that this whole entrance way contrasted drastically with the rest of the palace which was made of white marble and fine stone. Everything was polished and smooth and just plain gorgeous! It was no wonder that Neferet would never think of us trying to come in this way. Had Angel not pointed the way I would never have even tried this entrance thinking that it led to nowhere important. I supposed that was how it was meant to look.
I crept down the hallway as quietly as I could and was surprised to find that it was absolutely still! There was no one around, no one moving about. I shook my head and ran to the last door on the left. I didn't know if the emptiness was a good thing or not, but I had an opportunity to make a move. I wasn't going to waste it!
I threw open the doors looking left and right before entering the room and dropping my concealment. I could see my mom tied to one of the big columns in a fashion that looked as if she were about to be sacrificed. I crept slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible. There was no one in the room again and the stillness was making me nervous. My only consolation was that my friends were creeping along with me, concealed by night and hiding in the shadows.
I took in a slow shaky breath as I reached my mom. She was dirty and unkempt and you could definitely tell she had spent some time in the tunnels below Tulsa. ( And not the good part of the tunnels Aphrodite, Stevie Rae and the red fledglings had cleaned up!) Her hair was straggly and fell across her face in sticky clumps. There were bruises covering her body all in a different stage of healing. It looked as though there had been more than one struggle for her life. The thing that brought tears to my eyes, however, was the bite marks that ran along her arms and across her chest. Neferet had been allowing the red fledglings to drink from her.
I looked at her face and almost took a staggering step back as she lifted her head to look at me. Her eyes were filled with hatred, hurt and betrayal as she gazed at my face. I swallowed hard and reached up gently removing the gag from her mouth before untying her.
"How could you?" were the first words out of her mouth.
"I'm sorry," I whispered still in shock, it was partly my fault she had been taken. She had been kidnapped with the sole purpose to hurt and lure me here. But how could she think I would ever be behind something like this? Didn't my mother know me at all anymore? "I never meant for this to happen."
"Your father was right. Your heart has been filled with evil. There is no saving you, not anymore!"
"He's not my father!" Of course was my first defense.
"You're right, he's too good of a man to be associated with you," She lashed out.
"You don't even know what you're talking about, mom," I said trying to remove the knots holding her hands in place while swallowing down my tears.
"Are you denying it? Denying that had your evil ways not turned you into a Vampyre that this would never have happened?"
I rolled my eyes in frustration while I continued to work, "getting Marked has nothing to do with…"
"I want nothing to do with you anymore, Zoey," her words struck out stinging me. "You could have been saved, but not anymore. I've seen how you live, here in the heart of your society!" She said looking around the great hall. "And all that nonsense about Vampyres not being killing monsters? Let's just say I know now what you really are, and you are no daughter of mine!"
Neferet's laugh froze me where I stood. I looked up at my mother's face to see that her eyes were filled with as much terror as mine. (Who knew we still had anything in common.)
"I find it surprising that you would come to save someone who blames you for all of this," Neferet said stepping into the room causing my breath to catch in my throat. "Someone who hates you so purely."
She stopped a few feet away from me. Her long auburn hair was pulled half back flowing over her shoulders. Her green eyes twinkled as she looked at us, and the darkness that surrounded her was unreal. I had forgotten what she had come to look like; the dark power that surrounded her hadn't been present in my dreams, at least not to this extent. She was beautiful and extremely scary all at once.
"I'm not sure she was really worth it, Zoey. I was almost worried that I would have to choose someone else to bring you here. Luckily, for me, your loyalty held out. Mine wouldn't have."
"You don't get to choose your family, Neferet," I said turning back to finish untying my mother's hands.
"True," she said walking across the room and sitting in the throne like chair I had seen in Aphrodite's vision. "However, you can choose to be done with family," she said shrugging. "You have power over her right now, Zoey. She could easily be made to pay for the hurt she caused you."
I could feel the darkness that surrounded her move towards me. I remembered how it had felt when Kalona had covered me in it, I remembered what Stark had just said about it making you feel more powerful and I shook myself. I quickly released my mom's hands and then turned to Neferet in time to see Skylar launch himself into her arms. (Stupid cat!)
"I don't want that kind of power," I said glancing back over my shoulder to see my mom cowering near the pole she had been tied to. I looked back at Neferet summoning as much courage as I could, "I'm here, Neferet. That's what you've been waiting for, now what do you want?"
She raised one cool eyebrow in my direction then gracefully stood placing Skylar on the throne like chair. She slowly approached me her eyes amused and yet cold and calculating, "believe it or not, you and I want the same thing," she said smoothly.
"You're right, I don't believe it," I said giving my best Aphrodite like sneer.
She smiled cooly at me, "Zoey, I am very close to having the whole world at my feet and I will not share that power."
I looked at her my mouth falling open, "you're trying to get rid of Kalona," I said finally understanding why she had wanted him to believe this whole time that she had no use for me, that I would be better off dead.
She smiled even wider and I had a flash back of her in a tree with lots of spiders. I shuddered trying to stay focused on the here and now.
"Not get rid of, more just restrain," she said in a soft seductive voice that sent chills down my spine.
"What do you mean by 'restrain' exactly?" I asked using finger quotes around the word restrain.
"I need his power, I do not, however, need him," she said simply. "Unfortunately I need you for that," she whispered and hatred once again shown through her eyes. "So you help me and I let you live. Keep in mind that there is no escape for you now."
"You think she would help you?" Kalona laughed stepping into the room with Rephaim. The Raven mocker hissed a laugh through its beak and I had to fight to keep from making a disgusted expression. "You think I can be so easily deceived?" He asked lightly, but I could clearly see the anger pulsing around him.
I swallowed and moved to the side as Neferet's eyes once again became sweetness and light.
"You miss understand me, my Lord," she said in her sugary voice, her eyes bright and innocent. "It was not you of whom I spoke, but a very powerful Vampyre that Zoey has recently come in contact with. Killing him would be a waste of his powers, but he is too dangerous to our cause for us to let him roam free. Isn't that right, Zoey?"
"Uh…." I stammered completely caught off guard.
He chuckled as if he believed her, then suddenly as if a switch had been thrown his eyes filled with hatred and anger more intense than I had ever seen on Neferet. (And that was even considering all of the times she had directed her hatred at me!)
"You lying witch!" He yelled causing the room to actually feel like it was trembling. He reached for her his hand closing around her throat for a brief moment before throwing her across the room. She landed several feet away sprawled out on the floor as if she were groveling at his feet. But, I could still see the fire, the power and the anger in her eyes as Kalona walked to her. "Do not forget who it is that made you who you are!"
"Do not be angry," she said her voice remorseful.
"Then do not forget that you are my servant and that I make the decisions! And should you ever think of betraying me it is you who will be tied to that pole!" He bellowed pointing in the direction of my mother.
"I think it is you who needs the reminder!" Neferet sneered coming to stand on her feet in front of him. "I am not your servant, I am your Queen! You would still be trapped away in that tomb had I not freed you!" She moved her arm in a slight flicking motion and I watched horrified as Rephaim's breath caught in his throat for a brief second before he collapsed to the floor. I knew he was dead. "Maybe it is you who underestimate my power!"
I cringed slightly as Kalona let out another earth shaking scream, but quickly focused as I saw his hand flick out towards Neferet the way hers had only seconds before. I didn't think about what I was doing or who I was protecting, I just jumped as I had when the Raven Mocker had tried to attack Heath.
My breath caught as the silver dagger pierced my chest. I stood for a second shocked just looking at the wound and then to Kalona to see his face was equally surprised. I watched as the blood began seeping through my shirt and then I slowly began to fall back.
I have to admit I was only somewhat surprised when my body registered that I hadn't hit the hard floor. I was lying cushioned against something soft and warm. My mind was already beginning to feel fuzzy and it took me several more long seconds to realize that I had fallen back onto Neferet who was holding onto me looking just as stunned.
"A-ya," Kalona whispered stepping towards me.
"Now!" I heard Aphrodite yell as she stepped from the shadows dropping her concealments so that she was visible. The others did the same and I quickly began to focus on Nyx. It was now or never.
"What is this, A-ya?" Kalona asked. "You would betray me, too?" He whistled then and the caws of the Raven Mockers filled the air as his sons began to fly through the open windows.
Ah, hell I thought as Nyx's face became visible to me. I pulled all the energy I had focusing on fire and was surprised when Neferet's hands gripped my upper arms the way Natasha's always did. I realized she was giving me some of her own strength which meant she also understood that this was our only opportunity to "restrain" him.
"Don't kill him, Zoey," she whispered in my ear. "I need his power, and you will have your reward."
I nodded pretending I would do as she asked. I wasn't really in the bargaining position. But what she didn't realize was that even though I would not kill him I still planned on getting rid of him entirely.
I opened my eyes as the fire rope began circling around my arm and quickly flung it through the air. Kalona screamed as it wrapped around him, lifting him into the air and binding him. I looked around the room. Aphrodite was forming a circle with Jacks assistance at setting everything up correctly while Stark, Darius and Erik fought off the Raven Mockers. Darius and Erik were protecting the circle while Stark shot at anything that approached Neferet or I.
I watched as Aphrodite approached Damien and suddenly I knew what we were supposed to do. "Aphrodite!" I yelled and felt it drain more of my strength. "They have to evoke their own elements and it won't be in order!"
"Are you sure?" She asked uncertainly and I understood exactly where she was coming from. Had evoking the elements out of order ever been done before? I didn't think so, this was completely new.
"Yes, think of the poem," I called to her. "Spirit, I need you. Go to Aphrodite and do as she commands." I felt spirit touch me briefly bringing renewed strength only to zoom away to Aphrodite. I knew when spirit had reached her; she gasped and closed her eyes as she was filled with spirit's power.
And then I was screaming her name. It felt like a dream, a nightmare, as a Raven Mocker slipped through Erik and Darius's defense, and headed right towards our circle.
She turned at the sound of my voice, but there wasn't enough time to move the circle out of harm's way. The Raven Mocker was moving at inhuman speed as it sliced through the air heading, of course, right for Stevie Rae. (Why do they always go for my bff?) I had never seen Aphrodite move so fast in my life. With a grace I didn't know she possessed she jumped hurling herself at Stevie Rae and knocking her to the floor. Aphrodite then turned quickly but it wasn't enough to completely avoid being injured. The Raven Mocker sliced again in confusion, its claw connecting with Aphrodite's side.
Darius moved just as fast throwing a silver blade of his own that pierced the Raven Mocker's heart.
I stared in horror at Aphrodite as blood began seeping through her shirt as it had mine. Her eyes narrowed as she pulled the material up slightly, touching the crimson line with her finger tips. I noticed that Stevie Rae had a hand clasped over her own chest trying to breathe. We both seemed to let out a sigh of relief as we noticed the size and depth of the wound. It wasn't life threatening, but it would scar and suddenly I knew what Aphrodite was sacrificing, her perfection.
She slammed down her shirt looking extremely pissed and I nodded in encouragement as I heard her yell, "Damien, call wind already!"
Damien closed his eyes focusing, "wind will keep the fallen apart," he said simply as if he had memorized the words of the poem, which knowing Damien he probably had. Wind rushed around him instantly and then soared through the room trapping each of the Raven Mockers in a vortex of air and sound, thunder and lightning. My eyes widened, wind was keeping them apart from Kalona, apart from each other and apart from us.
I felt Neferet grip my arms tighter forcing me to focus. Kalona was struggling against his bonds even more now, his anger increasing with his furious screams.
"Water must pour from the heavens as refreshing rain," Erin said following Damien's lead. Water began to rain down soaking us all including the wings of the Raven Mockers. They had been fighting against the wind strongly, but the water left them completely immobile. Besides this was the power the rain seemed to fill us with. It was cool and refreshing, like a swim on a hot day. It felt new and good and I sighed in relief.
"The cleansing of a soul fire will burn," Shaunee called out in a clear, strong voice and I heard the crackling sound that instantly surrounded her begin moving through the room. I tilted my head back enjoying the warmth that mixed with the refreshing water as fire traveled under me and then disappeared.
I was confused only a moment until Neferet let out a shattering scream gripping my arms more tightly and digging her nails into my skin. I groaned as she pulled back on me still screaming as if there was no end to her pain and I realized the fire was inside her.
Everyone seemed to be starring at us with looks of terror. I bit my lip to keep from screaming myself as she jerked twisting the dagger slightly that was still in my chest. I knew my blood was covering us both. The sacrifice had been made when I jumped in front of her, and it was my blood that would help set things right once more.
Heat surrounded me and I struggled for air as Neferet went limp underneath me, her hands only gently holding my arms now.
"Finish it, Zoey," she whispered in a voice so weak I could barely hear her.
"Stevie Rae, call earth," I yelled out and realized I was becoming weaker as well. I wouldn't hold out much longer.
"And to the earth the fallen returns," Stevie Rae cried out in her Okie twang.
The room began to tremble at her command and the floor of the palace directly beneath the place where fire held Kalona suspended in air began to open. Smoke and ash flew out reeking of sulfur and acid. I held my breath concentrating as Kalona fought against the bond that held him, fought against me.
"I can't do this," I yelled trying to focus fire to force him down into the black smoldering hole.
"Yes you can," Neferet whispered sending me an extra jolt of energy. "You can," she said again.
I closed my eyes thinking of nothing but Nyx, seeing nothing but Nyx, and hearing nothing but her voice. I let the elemental fire flow through me centering it. "Let him fall," I whispered to fire and felt, rather than saw, it obey. I heard Kalona give one last scream as the earth began to tremble once more, sealing itself. I opened my eyes thanking and releasing fire and was thankful that I was already lying down. I had no more energy to spare and my body was quickly becoming numb.
I looked over and noticed that my blood had been carried to the place where Kalona had disappeared by the rain water and that Nyx's symbol had appeared engraved on the floor. The Raven Mockers were already becoming transparent within the spinning vortex that held them. They were turning back into nothing more than spirit and blackness completely weakened and unable to do any harm.
"Aphrodite," I whispered in a voice so weak I wasn't sure she would hear me.
She looked at me, and expression of fear filling her beautiful features as she took in my condition. "Spirit undo the evil that's been done!" She called fiercely and I felt my own heart leap as Nyx renewed and cleansed the palace and all of us.
I sat basking in the wonderful feeling spirit brought and then sighed. "Thank and release the elements," I whispered to Aphrodite as I closed my eyes.
I was desperately trying to stay awake, but that was becoming increasingly harder by the second. I had lost way too much blood and used up way too much of my energy sending Kalona back where he belonged. Neferet's hands moved from my arms to circle the dagger and I felt a new sensation spread through me as each of my friends thanked there elements. She didn't move, but left her hands over the wound applying pressure.
"Z?" Erik and Stark were the first ones to reach me.
I opened my eyes for a second looking at them both and then let them fall shut again. I had no energy left. I heard the wooden doors fly open as the rest of my friends made their way over to me.
"Goddess!" I heard someone gasp and then there was a shuffling through the crowd. "Neferet!" Natasha's voice spoke fiercely.
I heard several voices mumble, "Priestess," as they made way for her to approach us.
"She is healing her," Mallika said, I assumed, sensing the power that was flowing between us.
"Are you certain?" Natasha asked.
"I can no longer sense the darkness," Mallika confirmed. "Still Neferet, what you are doing is dangerous. Your own strength has been depleted and you are weakening yourself further. Let us take, Zoey. We will treat her."
"No," Neferet's voice was soft and firm. "You know as well as I that if I stop she will die!"
I heard several gasps and Stevie Rae's cry at Neferet's words. "I have been responsible for taking much from, Zoey. I will not also be responsible for taking her life!"
There was silence at her words followed by Darius's voice, "Zoey has recovered before from serious injury having lost a lot of blood. We can treat this and get more blood into her; there is no reason for us to believe she will die for sure."
I felt Neferet shake her head, "No, but there is no guarantee that she will live, either." Neferet took in a deep breath and I could feel that she was becoming weaker by the second. "Warrior, you have skills in healing. I suggest you find what you need to stitch up the wound and pull this dagger out before she loses anymore blood."
"Go find as much human blood as you can," Mallika whispered fiercely.
"Of course, Priestess," I heard Angel whisper back. I was going to have to get the full story on what had happened after we left Angel and when Mallika and Natasha had shown up.
"Get the human woman out of here," I heard one of the Warriors whisper.
"That is Zoeys mother," Natasha said softly. "See that she is properly cared for."
"It's gonna be alright, Z," Erin whispered touching my arm and I felt a jolt of energy.
"Yeah, Z, we know you'll make it," Shaunee said sending me fire. I could feel the elements helping, but I knew if something wasn't done fast it wouldn't be enough.
"You did awesome, Zoey," Damien said gently clasping my uninjured shoulder allowing wind to fill me.
I heard a small sniffle as Stevie Rae's hand found mine, "You have to get better, Zoey. It feels like one of us is always saying this, but please don't die!" Stevie Rae said with tears in her voice and I felt earth surround me and was covered with the smell of fresh grass.
"You may be a pain in the ass, but I kind of need you," Aphrodite said also placing a hand on my arm and allowing spirit to fill me up.
"Are we ready?" I heard Darius asked.
"Yes," Neferet whispered.
"You make me a better person, Zoey," I heard Stark say.
"We all need you," Erik said softly.
"Make it back, Zoey," Jack said.
And then Darius pulled the dagger out. I had enjoyed the numbness, I had forgotten the pain, but no one could ignore this. I tilted my head back as Neferet's arms tightened around me and let out an ear piercing scream of my own! I was floating then. I could hear my screams, feel the pain, but it didn't feel real. That couldn't be me.
"Hold on, Zoey," I heard Natasha whisper and then everything around me went dark.