Chapter 5: Karissa

God, I hated Zoey so much. She thinks that just because she's got those powers over all of the affinities, unusual marks, and the hottest guy in the school in love with her meant that she was the best thing in the universe. Well, she wasn't. What really pissed me off is that Marla was scared of the bitch. If she was scared of that bitch Zoey, she would definitely be scared shitless if she found out what powers I had. But I couldn't let anyone know, because if they found out that I was the ultimate threat of Nyx, then some serious trouble would wreak havoc on this crappy school. From the details I've heard about my lord Kalona and damn Neferet, their control over Tulsa would be a tiny misdemeaneor compared to what I could and would do.I couldn't let Marla follow me, so I sent the damn Raven Mocker to pretty much slice her gorgeous face up. I wonder where she was, and if the Raven Mocker did its job like I commanded it to...and I also thought about my "meeting" with sexy Kalona.

***

"Hey, Rephaim!" I had called his name when I was sure nobody had noticed my absence yet. "Rephaim, dammit!"

"Yesssssssss?" Rephaim had sounded unusually human other than the freaky hissing, but I was sure that he was on my side...after all, he'd just messed up Zoey and Stevie Rae was dead. And he knew not to let anyone discover her body.

"Oh, there you are. Listen, freaky birdboy, you need to do me a huge favor. I know I can count on you."

"It dependssss on what it issssss you want me to do." Suddenly, I could of swore I'd seen something-I couldn't tell what-flash in his eyes. I decided to ignore it.

"Yeah. I need you to find Marla Cosme, and she's probably out looking for me right now. I can't let her find me. So I need you find her and either disable her permanently or kill her. Either way would do for me. But mostly, I'd prefer you kill her.

"Don't you think it'sssssss bound that the fledglingssssss would be suspiciousssss if they found their friend dead?"

"You're right...I should think about this kind of stuff more clearly...kill her and then take her body somewhere where nobody will find it. That way, the fledglings would just think she's gone missing."

"Fine. But you'll owe me."

"I don't owe you shit! You're Kalona's favorite son for hell's sake! Now hurry up and find the bitch Marla and slice her up. I have to meet with your daddy." Rephaim hesitated, then nodded. He flew off, and as quick as that, I disappeared into Nyx's realm. As soon as I arrived, Kalona stood just as gorgeous as his god-like self. He was even sexier than Stark, but they were both taken, apparently. I mean, how many guys could all at once be in love with Zoey? She wasn't that pretty...Okay, okay, Karissa...don't be jealous. Get this meeting over and done with. Don't think about attractions at all...think about your job.

"Karissa! It is very much a pleasure to see you here!"

"It's dangerous for us to meet here. Nyx knows of my betrayal, and when she figures out that you've betrayed her once again, then our plans are screwed."

"I have thought about that. Come with me." Kalona suddenly took my hand, and a shiver coursed through my body. Before I knew it, we were in a normal-looking bedroom. It was very big, and I wondered why we were here. Kalona slowly walked over to the bed and sat down on it. What the hell? A damn bedroom? I suddenly wanted to do some nasty stuff, but I tried my best to ignore it, and I sat on the huge sofa that was located in the right corner. One of Kalona's eyebrows rose, questioning my refusal to sit next to him, obviously. "You must be wondering why we're here. This bedroom had once been Neferet's. And the house in which this bedroom belongs to was hers." He shook his head sadly.

"You say was-"

"The Tsi Sgili was a threat to my existence. She used me for sex and control. I couldn't let that get in the way of who and what I truly am." I wanted to laugh. Kalona had always been addicted to sex and control. "I understand what you're thinking, dear Karissa, but let me help you understand that sex and control isn't who I am anymore. Aya has changed me. I was in love with sex when I fell. But when I was forced to live with Aya's spririt for so long, I had truly learned that I was in love with her. Her spirit is in Zoey; I sense it. Knowing that some of Aya is in the unique girl, I know it is my destiny to be her king. And knowing that she was created to love me, she is destined to be my queen. Do you understand now, Karissa? The Tsi Sgili was simply my savior. But she wanted more, and so...I had to get rid of her." I could feel the jealousy of his feelings for Zoey and the fact that he'd had sex with Neferet overwhelm me. I couldn't take it.

"You willingly screwed Neferet!" I snapped. Kalona rose an eyebrow again.

"Excuse me?"

"You willingly had sex with Neferet. You let her control you."

"Yes, I did. I suppose you're right. Those are the reasons I rid of her. I couldn't let her play with my feelings like that. I knew that it wasn't her I really wanted."

"Aya is what you want..." I muttered.

"Yes, Karissa." Then he laughed really loud. "I can sense jealousy dominate your emotions." And he laughed some more. I was really pissed, now.

"Well, don't let me get in the way. I suppose I should leave. I don't want to end up like Neferet." I had just started to try to disappear from this retched room, when he suddenly grabbed my arm. That was fast.

"Don't leave, Karissa. I believe we have plans to discuss?"

"I thought so, too!" I yelled. His hand had suddenly caressed my cheek, and my anger had just completely dissolved away.

"Don't let anger overwhelm you. Come." he pulled me to the bed, and made me sit next to him this time. "What did you have in mind?"

"I know you're still evil. Nobody else knows. We could use that as an advantage. If we could somehow take over Nyx's realm, and-"

Kalona shook his head almost sadly. Like he'd been defeated. "I'm afraid that that isn't possible. Nyx has infinite power. Not even I could gain the slightest hint of control."

"Oh. Well-"

"Perhaps we can discuss this later. I know that I have admitted that I love Aya so much more than power itself, but I do feel much attraction to you. I am a complicated creature, and a complicating one, indeed. This isn't the same as what the Tsi Sgili and I had..." suddenly, Kalona's hand moved from my cheek, down my neck, to my arm and elbow, then to my waist. He stopped there, and his wings caressed me. I couldn't say no. This is what I had dreamed of for as long as I'd known Kalona. I wanted him to touch me. His hand continued to my leg, then to my calf and he hooked my leg around his waist. His lips suddenly crushed mine with eagerness...if I'd known that I would lose my viginity to this man, I wouldn't have even thought about walking out on him when I tried to...

***

I thought about what happened just a few hours ago. My head swam with unbelief. Kalona was attracted to me! Well, he loved Aya. But she was a stupid spirit. And Zoey and Aya aren't the same. Zoey even knew that, too! Unfortunately, Kalona was too stubborn to give up on Aya. In the middle of my thoughts, my phone rang. Holy shit! It was Marla! How the hell did-? I would have to speak with Rephaim. He'd failed on killing Zoey, and now Marla? Did he even kill Stevie Rae?

"Hello?" I answered in my most innocent voice.

"Karissa! Where were you? Never mind, just come to my room. Zoey and the rest of them are here. I've just been renamed New Goddess!" and she hung up. I had to see what she was talking about, so I readied myself for serious interrogation of my ditching and headed for the girls' dorm. Whatever Marla was talking about, I had a feeling that this was bad. Very, very bad for Kalona and I.