Chapter 6: Zoey
I knew nothing of this New Goddess. But, obviously, Damien knew a lot about her. And this was just a very confusing time for all of us.
"So is this New Goddess thing with Marla good or bad?" I asked. Everyone looked at me and then Marla, back and forth.
"It's kind of both," Damien explained. "You see, it's bad because this means something evil is coming our way, obviously, or the prophecy wouldn't have begun yet. It's good, because Marla is a goddess, now. She has yet-to-be-discovered powers. When we figure out what she can do, since the prophecy really doesn't state how she defeats whatever evil is coming, she'll be able to defeat it."
"Not to be intruding or anything..." suddenly, Erik strode into the room, and Stark quickly moved really close to me. I mean close. I was surprised, and I suddenly felt really awkward. But I tried to ignore it. I mean, we have much more serious issues to handle! "But I bumped into Karissa on the way here..." and following Erik was Karissa. She appeared emotionless.
"I told him that I was worried about Marla, that's all. The call kinda freaked me out right away, and I found Erik walking by when I was headed to the girls' dorm." Karissa spoke faintly as she stood near the corner of the room. Everybody just nodded and turned toward Marla.
"So, what's with her?" Erik asked curiously, as he moved to stand near Marla. He looked around the room and suddenly asked, "Where's Jack?"
"I don't know, but that's not the point right now." Damien spoke a little too quickly and looked at Marla. "The point is that we have a serious event happening quite soon, and we need to decode whatever is coming our way."
"Well," Marla spoke up. "It says that night and day will combine. And the sun and moon will come together? Somehow, whatever happens then will destroy everything. And I have to prevent it. But Damien, I'm not trying to be negative, but the prophecy doesn't say anything about what the outcome will be. It's not for certain that I'll be able to defeat it. And I certainly can't all by myself."
"I see what you mean..." Damien took the book from Marla and stared at the page, and back at Marla. "We know you're the New Goddess. I'll read the prophecy out to all of you guys. Here's what it says:'...the night will collide into the day. The moon will combine with the sun. If this shall be allowed, the existence of all species will end. However, the New Goddess shall rise from the Recreation of a fledgling. The prophecy of the New Goddess states that it will be she who ends the collision of night and day. It shall be she who saves Earth as we know it.' What we need to figure out is exactly what is causing night and day to collide and how and when it'll happen. We also need to find out how this will terminate the Earth. We get the 'the New Goddess shall rise from the Recreation of a fledgling' because Marla has just been fully changed into the most sophisticated vampyre. A Goddess. We need to understand how she will save the world." His lecture sent question marks to all of our faces. Except Marla's. And then I suddenly understood.
"Perhaps we can cast a circle. We can ask for guideance from Nyx. Maybe she can help us. Obviously, the New Goddess is still on our side." I suggested. Marla couldn't help smiling. I smiled back at her and I moved to stand next to her. Erik immediately went to the corner with Karissa and whispered something in her ear. She glared at me, and I knew he said something about me. "Alright, Erik! If you and Karissa have a problem with me, then leave!" My voice was so filled with power, that both of them flinched and left us. As soon as they did that, Jack entered the room with a sad look on his face. "Hey, Jack." I spoke softly to him. He just nodded and sat on Marla's bed. He looked at his shoes. Then we all turned to Damien, and all he did was shrug.
"Hey, Zoey..."Jack sighed. "Hey guys." Then he hesitated, and spoke again. "Damien."
"Jack." Damien replied sharply. We stared at Damien with surprised looks on our faces, and he immediately changed the subject. "So, Zoey, are we going to cast the circle?"
"I'm thinking yes. We need whatever help we can get if this prophecy is unfolding. Let's get some sleep for now. It's past curfew. And it'll be daylight soon." I was right. It was 5:30 in the morning. Then I thought about Stevie Rae. Was she okay? "We'll cast the circle first thing when we get up. We need this information as soon as possible." Everyone nodded, and several yawns erupted throughout the room.
"Karissa is my roomie. Could you find her and tell her it's time to return to the dorms?" Marla asked sleepily. I nodded.
"Of course I will." Karissa was officially on my Bitch List. She was really starting to irritate me. How could Marla stand rooming with her?
We all walked out except Marla, of course. I had to find Karissa to tell her to return. So I walked out into the cold soon-to-be morning. to search for her. I immediately found her and Erik by a large oak tree. I stomped over to them.
"Hey, Karissa, Erik. It's past curfew. Karissa, Marla asked me to to get you. You should probably support your friend." She glared at me and turned away from Erik.
"Look, I know you are a High Priestess in training. I know you're special to Nyx. I'm not meaning to disrespect you or anything," she spoke in an innocent tone. "But just because you've got all those tattoos and affinities for all the elements, and all those boys that just adore you!" She suddenly added in a sarcastic tone. Erik couphed to hide his laugh and she whipped her head toward him. "Everybody knows you're still in love with Zoey! Quit the I'm-too-cool-to-love shit! You may want everyone to think you've moved on with 'sexy Venus!'," she used that same sarcastic tone with her "sexy Venus" comment and continued. "But we all know you're using her to make Zoey jealous." Erik just glared at both of us and walked away, quickly disappearing into the soon-to-be morning. "Anyway, Zoey, as I was saying. Just because you've got all the good stuff doesn't mean you're the best there is. So quit always trying to intimidate everybody."
"I wasn't trying to indimidate anyone, Karissa. I just think you're jealous. That's it right there. I can't help it that guys like me. Maybe if you weren't so bitchy guys would like you." She stepped back like I'd slapped her.
"For your information, Zoey, guys do like me. You just don't know it!"
"Whatever. Nyx has blessed me. But everyone is the child of Nyx. She loves everybody. She gifts everybody. So don't be angry with me for something that I had no choice in. And I'm sorry for assuming you're jealous. And you should make wild guesses yourself. I've had enough haters."
"Don't act like you don't enjoy whatever Nyx has done to you. And you know what? Don't treat me like some stupid normal fledgling. Don't mess with me, because you don't know what I'm capable of, Ms. Thang!" She stalked away where Erik had went, and I didn't even bother to remind her that Marla wanted her back in the dorm. Someone as nice as Marla doesn't need someone as bitchy as Karissa for a friend. And the "Ms. Thang" effect wasn't very necessary. It was very lame. I headed straight back to the dorm, knowing that Stark was there.
And he was. I walked into my room, and he was there, sitting on the bed. "Hey, Zoey." He smiled at me when I sat next to him.
"I'm tired, Stark. Just let me change real fast. You can leave if you want."
"Nope. I can't let my High Priestess have any chances in danger. I'm staying." We smiled at each other for the next moment, and I grabbed my sleepwear and headed to the bathroom. I took a hot shower and brushed my teeth, and then I lay down next to Stark. He put his arm around me and whispered in my ear. "You can sleep now. There's no need to be so anxious. We'll get through this New Goddess stuff. Don't be worried about her."
"I am, though. Marla's our friend. And she's very scared, obviously. And I know for certain that Nyx would want us to help her." Stark chuckled a little and tightened his arm around me.
"I didn't say we couldn't help her. I said there's no need to be so worried about this situation. No matter how bad things get, we always get through it. You know that, Zoey." Before I could say anything, he pressed his lips to mine. It wasn't gentle like his kisses always were. This was more like a I-Wanna-Make-Out-With-You kiss. I was too tired for making out right now, even though I really wanted to.
"I'm sorry, Stark. I'm just really tired-"
"I understand. Just sleep. I'm sorry for trying to make out with you." It was light enough in the room so I could see his cocky smile.
"Maybe tomorrow," I whispered. When I was on the verge to unconscienceness, Stark spoke again.
"I'm sorry, Zoey, but I have one more thing to ask. Do you think it would it be weird for you to have a warrior as a boyfriend?"
"I dunno. Ask Aphrodite. Darius is her warrior and boyfriend."
"But I'm asking you."
"I wouldn't think so." I answered sleepily.
"Oh. Okay." I could hear his smile. I was too tired to open my eyes. "Would you want your warrior to be your boyfriend, too? If he was good enough?"
"He is totally good enough. And...if this is your way of asking me to be your girlfriend..." I yawned suddenly. "Then I accept."
"Sweeeeet." Stark kissed me gently this time and whispered. "I'm sorry for awaking you. And uh..." he hesitated, then whispered the quietest and fastest ever "Iloveyou." I could tell that he'd never told any girl that before, and he waited for my response. I hesitated, then replied.
"I love you, too, Stark." And I quickly fell asleep in his arms.