Zoey POV

Chapter 3: My BoyfriendS and My Killer

Heath stood in the doorway of the infirmary, I heard Stevie Rae whisper to herself, oh boy. That's when Erik and Stark moved in front of my bed as if they were blocking Heath from moving closer to me. How the hell did he get into the House of Night without anyone seeing him!

"Human's aren't allowed here." Stark voice was fierce and angry. I hope he wasn't going to shoot Heath's heart out right in front of me - because at this point he didn't look happy at all.

"I knew something was wrong with Zoey. So I jumped over the wall and followed my gut here. Z, what's wrong with you, how come I felt like I was dying? What's wrong with you?" Heath was now standing beside my bed along with Erik and Stark, he looked frantic.

I sighed, "You're not the one dying." I confessed. Saying those words I couldn't even look at him. I knew it killed Heath to know that something was wrong with me. I could feel his raw emotion as I told him those words. He wanted to cry out, to smash something. But he couldn't.

"Then you are? How? Who? What did you do?" Heath shouted towards Erik.

"Me! Weren't you the one that all most got her killed last time! Who said you weren't the one responsible this time!"

"Maybe cause I've stayed away to protect her!"

"ENOUGH!" I shouted. The room fell silent, "I don't need you three fighting right now."

"Then tell the human to leave." Stark voice was vicious.

"For once I agree." Erik's voice was just as bad.

I moaned in my defeat and then pulled the pillow over my face. This gave me some time to think. So I had three of my boyfriends – in a sense – in the same room and they were about to kill one another; or just kill Heath and then Stark and Erik would kill one another out. Maybe that's the best way to find my boyfriend. What the f– was I talking about?

"What are you three idiots doing?" Aphrodite stood on the doorway of the infirmary. I pulled my pillow away from my face to see that Damien was standing beside her. He nodded at me and then walked over to Stevie Rae who remained silent throughout the whole thing. When it came to boyfriends Stevie was the best at giving advice, but not the best at solving the problem in front of her – she didn't like to hurt people's feelings.

Aphrodite walked into the center of the room, "The last thing Zoey needs right now is you three attacking each other. Right now Zoey has enough things on her plate. She has a boyfriend, done deal. Heath is her imprinted partner and Stark you're like her guardian angel vampire person… oh whatever you want to call it. How about we try something okay? Let's save Zoey's life."

I've never seen Aphrodite like this. She was stern and her facial expressions didn't change. It was if she was still encouraging the boys to pursue me but at the same time she was telling them that now wasn't the time. I couldn't believe how tamed the boys looked at the moment. They seemed pretty calm after she spoke. She needs to teach me how she does that. Aphrodite walked over to me pushing all three boys away from me. With her glare they moved away from the bed and stood somewhere else.

"Anastasia and I are going to make you pain killers. I ordered enough for a month. Hopefully we don't need to keep you on them for a month. Dragon and Lenobia told me to talk some sense into you, but that isn't going to happen so I told them to forget trying." Aphrodite gave me a small faint smile and turned to Heath, "Human?"

Health smirked, "I guess you guys aren't all great and powerful as you think since you didn't even notice a human on the grounds."

"We can show you if you want what we do to trespassers." Erik snapped.

"Didn't I say that was enough?" Aphrodite shouted.

Damien sat on my bed, "Hey do you need something to eat? You haven't eaten anything in a while. You don't look so great Z."

I all most forgot about food, "I think the blood is going its job. I haven't felt hungry." And I was being honest. Haven't felt hungry since I got cursed – all though I wish I felt that instead of the pain. Damien looked at me worriedly. He has such a big heart and he's too sweet. If he wasn't gay I'd totally date him. Right now Damien seemed like prince charming compared to these three monkeys.

"We should probably get our plan in action. Tonight Zoey' sleeps alone." Stevie Rae spoke.

That made Erik and Stark snapped their heads in alarm, "I know you two don't like the idea of Zoey and Kalona together but this is the only way we can any connect with him. And we need that connect to get to Neferet."

"Neferet? You mean the evil ex high priestess that wanted Zoey dead along with that really evil immortal raven guy that also tried to kill Zoey? What are you guys doing planning her suicide!" Heath shouted.

Aphrodite sat in the chair, "I think you three should leave the room whiles we discuss the plan."

"No way!" The three said all at once. At this point I think I found Curly, Larry and Moe.

Aphrodite nodded, stood up and walked out the room. We all watched as she exited and then came back moments later with Darius, and three other guards. Each of them picked up the boys and carried them out whiles they were screaming and fighting their way out of the grips of the warriors. But it was no use. Darius then walked back into the room and locked the door. Aphrodite ran into his arms and kissed him on the cheek happily.

"Thanks for that babe though I wish we didn't bother you for such problems. Now back to the plan. Zoey you're all right sleeping on your own right?" Aphrodite asked.

I nodded, "So long as someone's prepared to save my ass when the pain comes."

"I'll be here." Stevie Rae answered quickly.

Someone knocked on the door, everyone watched as Darius opened it to see that Shaunee and Erin. I heard a sigh of relief from all of them. I welcomed the two of them warmly with a smile.

"Yo Zoey you know that all your boyfriends are sitting outside?" Shaunee asked.

"They're tied up too." Erin added.

"You had them tied up?" Damien questioned Darius – though he didn't seem to mind.

He smiled wickedly, "It was the only way to quit them from moving around. We could have them gagged as well if needs be. You understand right Priestess?"

"Doesn't bother me; neither does the idea of having Kalona in my dreams. Knowing you'll be here makes me feel better Stevie. Thanks." I spoke sincerely.

Stevie Rae nodded, "That takes care of that. When you finish talking to Kalona then we will make our next move. We need to take this one step at a time. Right now I need to check on the other red fledging in the tunnels. I'll be back within an hour okay?"

"The dork twins and I will be here in case Zoey falls asleep. Considering the excitement outside I don't think that will be any problem right Zoe?" Aphrodite chuckled to herself.

Glad to see someone was enjoying this, "They'll definitely keep me awake." I confessed.

Darius and Damien exchanged concerned looks, "Do you want us to make them leave? Well Heath is the only one we could make leave the House of Night but we can keep Stark and Erik away for a little bit too if you want Z?" Damien asked.

Though that did sound nice, having them all leave for a little bit, I knew that I would have to deal with them in the future. So I shook my head without saying a word. I knew if I spoke they would want my reason why after – and I don't think I had a good answers. So they left it at that.

"We'll keep them away till Kalona is done with you." Shaunee stated.

"Yeah Z you got enough on your plate." Erin followed.

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I fell asleep when Stevie Rae came back. Everyone left, and the boys didn't come back. I dreamt that I was dressed in a long slimming white dress. My hair was tied into braids that fell along my back. I had a bouquet in my hand. I saw myself in the white dress. My back was completely exposed showing my marks. It was a V-cut down along the back that hit the tip of my hip. The front exposed my shoulders and was slit down the sides and in the middle only showing a little bit of my breast. To be honest it was a seriously hot dress, but it also looked like a wedding dress.

"Kalona!" I shouted into the air, my back got Goosebumps when I spoke his name, "I know you're here! Show yourself! Tell me what you want from me damn it! I shouted into nothingness.

That's when he appeared. I couldn't see his face, only his shadow as he hid from the moonlight. I watched him closely; I could see the shining around him, his beauty masked into perfection.

"All I ever wanted is you my A-ya. I want you as my companion, my wife. You belong to me."

"I only belong to Nyx."

"You still follow her? In her untrusted manner; she is never with you, cannot give you what you want like I can. I can make you happy, I can give you pleasures that you can only imagine." Kalona said as he lifted his arms into his air, and night began to change into day.

I looked into the sun and felt it warm on my skin. I missed the sun for a very long time. It feels like it's been forever since I felt it's warmth on my skin, its warm glow I use to want to see daily. The light from the sun shined on Kalona, making him shine with the beauty of angels. He was an angel, his face flawless, perfect. He appeared as the Prince Charming I use to dream about as a child.

"This is what you want isn't it? To embrace everyone you were once use to. To remember life as it once was? The way you wanted to remember it. Isn't this want you want Zoey Redbird? For your problems, your pains to go away and you can live normally?"

Yes I wanted to say, but instead of that I said, "I'm a teenager. Our lives aren't supposed to be that simple."

Kalona face changed, "So you'd rather suffer? You'd rather see yourself living a life of horrible pain until your body can no longer take it? I can assure you Zoey Redbird that you will not live long if you do not follow me!" His rage made the tress around him shakes, the ground rumbled.

"If you kill me then you've lost your only hope of finding heaven again. Let me help you, let Nyx help you. You don't need to kill everyone to get what you want." I spoke softly. I tried to sound like I wanted him but at the same time I wanted him to know that this wasn't war – yet.

He laughed, "You think that's why I kill? I will never allow your goddess to help me!"

"Then let me help you." I quickly stated after he finished.

Kalona looked at me, he looked so sad and for a moment he looked really innocent. Like a little child that was lost in the store and needed to find his mother. I wanted to take him into my arms and hold him close but I knew that is what he wanted, I knew I had to fight it back. I shook off the feeling and looked into his eyes. Kalona expression didn't change.

"You don't know how wrong you are A-ya."

I moved closer to Kalona, "Tell me where you are. Tell me how to help you." I had dropped the rose bouquet I was holding, "Please." I was pleading in my voice. I needed to know where he was. I needed to know how to save my life.

Kalona took my hands and kissed them, "Will you be my bride then?"

I shook my head, "Not in this dream," Or life time I wanted to say, but I knew I had to play along with him, I had to give him what he wanted in order to save my life and possibly the life of my friends, "I need to see you. I need to know where you are." I begged him.

Kalona sighed, "I am the only place close to the heavens in this land my A-ya."

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I woke up breathing hard. Stevie Rae was sitting by the window looking outside when she heard me gasp for air and ran to my side. Stevie took my hand and smiled at me – I wasn't in pain but I was sweating like madness. I felt like I was really under the sun for hours. I looked around the room and no one was inside. This was surprising.

"They are outside. Did you dream of him Z? Did you see him?"

I nodded slowly.

"What did he say? What was it he wants?"

I thought back on my dream, thought back of the wedding dress and what Kalona said. I thought about what he wanted, I'm what he needed and maybe if I gave it to him then he would leave my friends and the House of Night alone. But that isn't what Nyx wanted. She told me I could win this battle and that's just what I'm going to do. I have to fight for my life; I have to win against Kalona.

"I'll go get everyone." Stevie Rae said walking to the door and opening it, "Zoey dreamt of Kalona. Come inside and behave yourselves ya'll understand?" Stevie said.

Everyone came inside and Erik ran to my side taking my hand, "You're sweating like madness; and you're cold Z. Are you okay baby?"

I was cold? I couldn't believe that since I was burning up, "I feel really hot." I whispered.

"It's normal for Zoey in her condition; here Z drinks some of this." Damien handed me some brown pop. He knew just wanted I needed to keep me going. I took the glass full of brown pop from his hands gratefully and chugged it greedily.

I coughed and then put the glass at the side of the table, "He wants to marry me." I spoke.

"WHAT!?" Everyone shouted simultaneously.

"Who Kalona? Are you serious?" Stark blurted out.

I nodded, "I was there with him. I was wearing an extravagant wedding dress. He told me he just wanted to marry me and he looked so sad. I all most gave into him, but I didn't. He told me where he was, he said that he was at the only place close to the heavens in this land. Whatever that means?"

"The closet place to heaven in this land; he can't step into church can he?" Aphrodite asked.

"A lot of different religions believe in heaven. We wouldn't know which one he's at." Jack spoke.

Everyone looked thoughtful for a moment, "I don't understand. What could he possibly mean; he's fallen angel but does that mean he has a foundation for religion?" Damien asked.

That's when it clicked, "He's at Oral Roberts University!" I shouted.

"He's enrolling in university?" Erik questioned in disbelief.

"No think about it! Tulsa is known as the "Buckle of the Bible Belt because we have a lot of Christians here right? Sowhat is the name of the tower built at ORU?"

"The Prayer Tower of course; Kalona isn't looking for heaven but he went for the most symbolic place in Tulsa! Why didn't I think about that? Great work Z, now we know where he is. So how do we get to him?" Damien asked looking at me but pulling Jack closer to him.

I shrugged unknowingly, "Well at least we don't have to bring Zoe too far. We're still in the same city." Shaunee said; I could hear the thankfulness in her voice.

"Agreed twin." Erin added looking only to her.

"Excuse me for a second guys, I'm just going to get a snack." Stevie Rae walked out of the room.

That's when I felt it, the sharp burning coming from the arm that Stevie held just before she left. Erik noticed my face and leaned over asking me what was wrong. That's when I arched my back in pain when my whole body suddenly went into flames and I screamed out in pain. I heard Stark calling after Stevie telling her to come back. Erik and Heath were at my side holding me down on one side whiles Damien and Jack were at my other side. Where the hell did Stevie Rae go?

I heard Stark yelling her name, calling her to come back but she wasn't coming back. I was screaming uncontrollably. When Stark and Stevie Rae held me the pain came suddenly. Did the pain only come from the Red Fledging? Did they have some connection with Kalona? Impossible they were from…Neferet! Neferet must have done something to me by using the Red Fledglings. Of course, now it all makes sense. It's going to kill Stevie and Stark to know that they can't touch me - I'm not sure who would be more hurt though. Or maybe I'm speaking too soon. But everyone else that touched me didn't have this effect?

I needed answers and I needed them right about now! I then heard Aphrodite shouting at Heath and Erik to move to one side. That's when I saw her push something into my side. The pain started to fade and my eyes began to fall. I was pretty sure at this point I was passing out. Stevie Rae was supposed to be here when the pain happened. She had the medicine. How did she disappear so soon?

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Now I was in my dream world. No sign of Kalona; I guess one of the boys are staying in the room till I wake up. I was in the middle of a field standing inside a lake. The water was ankle high so I sat down in the water. I was wearing the wedding dress that I wore when I saw Kalona. That's when I began to weep. I needed to find Neferet. I need her to take away the effect that happening to me; I need her to get rid of this curse! And if the only way to rid of this curse is finding Kalona and possibly giving into him then I think I might be just that desperate to give into him.

"Nyx help me please." I begged looking at the moon's reflection in the water. I really wish that Nyx would give me a sigh, some kind of single of what in need to do. That's when I looked the reflection on the moon and saw that I changed into the sun. I looked up to the sky to see that the moon was still up and it was still dark. That's when the sun moved towards me till it covered me in its light.

"Nyx?" I called out in a whisper.