TheDarkestShinobi: Well, this chapter was unexpected, for me at least. I've figured out what im doing with Heath and I hope it's so unique (how it happens) that you will all love it.

Chapter Start:

"Zoey, where are you going?"

Damn it! There she stood, two large men next to her. I wasn't going to be able to get out. No, I had to get out. I am a high priestess, blessed and chosen by Nyx, she couldn't stop me.

Help me Nyx. Please. I need to make sure he's okay.

I ran, blindly. I dodged one man before the other tripped me. I let the wind push me too my feet. I let the Earth steady myself and commanded the water to attack. I was strong. Fierce. I felt it inside, it was working.

Then I fell into the mud.

Well that hurt. I was angry now. I rolled over to see her over me, her arms still raised from her strike. She backed away as I jumped up, but my feet never touched the ground. My arms were restrained, and her two giant, oversized goons held me up. Did they know who I was? I kicked and thrashed my legs out, but they didn't stop. I fought until I could barely move.

Nyx…

"Listen to me, little priestess." She stepped closer, but not close enough to be in kicking range. Just a little closer… I have to leave, I have to get out. "She's still here and she wants to see you, so I can't let you leave."

She was right. What would I tell Shekinah? I slumped, and they let me drop down into the mud. My knees stung slightly, but I just felt wet and gross. I was no high priestess now. I wasn't Blessed or Chosen. I stayed sunk on my knees. I was alone and no one was going to help me.

"Take her to class." Erik. "Make sure she stays in them and escort her to the ceremony tonight. Use whatever excuse you need."

I only watched the insects move and the mud stain my clothes, she spoke more but I ignored her. I focused on the wetness, the cold and filth. Heath was going to be hurt, and I wasn't going to be able to do a thing, neither could Nyx.

She left me alone after all this time.

I felt them grab me by the shoulders to drag me away. I didn't protest.

What good would it be?

…

He went on and on about something. I couldn't focus. Neferet's guards were here, morning stalker was two seats away and thing one and two were conveniently by the doors. I wasn't getting out.

I placed my hand over my heart. It throbbed. Every once in a while it seared and each time I felt Heath getting farther and farther away. Was he dying? Did this have to do with the man of my dreams?

I shook my head. Focus.

Swirly symbols were on the board. I blinked a few times, each seeming longer than the last.

I wasn't getting out.

The board seemed to be blurry. I yawned

"You seem to be in pain my dear."

I opened my eyes. I was being cradled into his chest, His big arms holding me as if I weighed nothing. I snuggled in deeper. He chuckled. We walked for an eternity before he slowed. I opened my eyes and peered up at him.

"You left me." His voice was pained. "For that other boy." I stiffened.

"He was in pain," I love him "I had to try and help him."

Try. Because I couldn't.

"And now? You abandon the boy for me?" He had the nerve to smile.

"No." I said firmly. What would even make him think that? "Put me down."

He did. I was in a blue blouse and navy pencil skirt, my shoes were black heels. He was in a black suit with a blue button up. Shiny shoes. We were in some type of office.

"I don't know who you are. I don't know if you are real or fake, you could just be from my imagination." He could. He really could. "but I will never choose you over Heath."

"So you say!" He was angry; I felt my body heat up. "So you say now, night." I took a step back. "but you will love me, Kalona, and me alone," He seemed to deflate. "He will burn you."

"No." My heart already was on fire "Just get out of my dreams."

"Aya…"

"NO!" I screamed. Glass shattered. "You could never understand." Wind blew. "GET OUT!"

And he was gone.

The presence had vanished, perhaps a part of me as well.

Didn't matter.

I had Heath to focus on.

…

My eyes opened as he dismissed class. I had four shadows as I walked to my room. Neferet came to wish me luck (tell me to behave) and disappeared soon after. I couldn't focus. How was I supposed to carry on with the ceremony?

"You can-"

"The hell I can't you big oaf, now move out of the way before I move you!"

Silence. I moved from my bed to hear a grunt.

"Ha! That's what you-you too? That's what I thought."

The door swung open and Aphrodite walked into my room as if she owned it. She marched over to what used to be Stevie Raes spot and sat.

"I wish I was just here for a social visit." The visions must be back then. Nyx has come back to her. At least she is helping one of us. Heath… I shook my head. Tonight.

"Tell me"

"It was a weird one," I said nothing, just leaned back onto my bed. "Weirder than normal. A boy in red and a girl covered in moonlight." She paused and then smiled. "they danced beautifully, like lovers or angels" a frown, and her skin paled "before he lit on fire." She shook and I got up, marched over and held her still. "He burned her." Burned. That's what Kalona said. "her flesh melted and she wailed. It wasn't you." I was shaking, she held me still now, her face close to mine, as if that would make the message clearer "but someone…"

We stood for seconds, minutes, hours. Close, holding each other, trying to be the rock the other was missing.

I could never say she wasn't my best friend, despite it all.

"Let's go ladies." Morning stalker said as he popped his head in, he saw us and his eyes widened. I used wind to shut the door in his face and turned to my closet releasing her and snapping us both into action.

"Help me pick out what to wear"

"Of course, wouldn't want you looking like a slob for Shekinah."

…

I wish I could save you

I danced lightly, the dress she picked was black, no sleeves, it wrapped over my shoulders and flared out at the waist but reached a few inches under my knees when resting. I spun, calling the wind selfishly to make the skirt rise higher.

I wish I wasn't stuck here.

I smiled brightly extending my hands to them, the blue marks filling me with joy and grief, the audience saw only one. My fingers spread, the blue polish on my nails catching the light before I turned again extending a foot lowly and reaching a hand towards it.

Dancing like a clown, in a ceremony for the goddess who won't even help me.

The music didn't fill me the same way anymore, it moved my body as if always had, a light tune that kept me light on my feet, a dark undertone that kept me mysterious; strong cords that made me powerful. It was all still there, but I wasn't.

But even more than that.

The candles all lit at once and the lights were dimmed. My friends in the audience clapped lightly, not a single one noticing how off kilter I was. I gave them my back and came face to face with Erik. I say nothing and neither does he, his face is exactly like mine, masked into a perfect serene expression and I know he knows. We're Marked, but not beautifully.

I wish you were still in my head.

I floated to one side of the stage, the crowd in silent awe, smiling so naturally and fake-ly that I felt as if my body was no longer under my control, as if I could float away and nothing would change.

What happened to our imprint?

The music started to wind down and my motions slowed, elegance flowed off of me as if it wasn't me anymore, I glowed gently, and suddenly I wasn't me. In that moment I couldn't control myself, I was empty, and my dance was of an elegant pain, a lost love never to be recovered. A loneliness kept over centuries. It wasn't me, it was Her. Nyx. Just as soon as I had her I lost her. I gained my body back and landed in a gentle position on the floor, dress panned around me in a full moon.

Have you left me?

Even a full moon was only half of her.

TDS: What do you think?